African American Leadership Conference helps professionals find their passion

11/1/2018

Find a mentor. Invest in yourself. Take chances.

And most of all, have a plan. That was the message Thursday during the 2018 African American Leadership Conference at the Radisson Hotel at the University of Toledo. The event was hosted by the African American Leadership Council and the United Way of Greater Toledo.

There were panel discussions, moderated by Shanda Gore, associate vice president of the University of Toledo, about how to find what you are passionate about and how to take action on those passions.

Participants also created their own strategic plan for their goals. 

The keynote speaker was Ray Miller, publisher of the Columbus African American News Journal and a former state representative and senator.

Tonia Saunders, executive director of the Lucas County Workforce Development Board, said she started in the corporate world, but realized her passion was in the nonprofit world.

“I got burned out,” she said of her prior work, and that she took a 50 percent pay cut to change careers.

Candice Harrison, joint council co-chair, said the conference was professional development for those who attended, and council members hoped they’d leave with a better understanding of their own purpose. While most of the dozens of participants Thursday were African American, the council isn’t exclusive, and anyone can join, Ms. Harrison said.

“You just have to have a genuine concern with the growth, economic growth, health and education of the African American community,” she said.

Natalie Gray, who works for the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, said being involved in the leadership council has made her feel less alone.

“There’s six degrees of separation in Toledo,” Ms. Gray said, “and it’s nice to surround yourself with a multigenerational group of people who face similar challenges being a person of color in the workplace.”

Yolanda Gwinn-Harleston, a retired lawyer, said she came to the conference looking for new efforts to get behind, and for ways to help those in younger generations succeed. 

“I’m looking for new ideas to promote and to assist them in their goals,” she said.

Sam Spencer, chief financial officer for Southfield, Mich., based Chemico Group, counseled listeners to ensure they develop a succession plan if they own their own business, as many small businesses fail when transitioning from one generation to the next.

“You need a plan,” he said, “otherwise that nest egg won’t be as big as you thought.”

That transition, of baby boomers retiring, also provides an opportunity for young people to advance in their careers.