10 month mark: Major Victory

Today, I celebrate the completion of my work with Leadership Miami and my 10 month mark of moving to South Florida! I’m so proud of what I’ve accomplished in less than a year.

For the past 9 months, I have been involved in the annual program which is sponsored by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. The program is targeted towards men and women interested in making Miami a better place to live.

My group, More4Miami, worked with Chapman Partnership. Chapman’s mission immediately

More4Miami

resonated with me. I started Leadership Miami only after living in Miami for one month after relocating from Chicago. Joining the program was a way to get involved and educated about the issues of the community in which I work, much like my civic engagement in Chicago. Learning about Chapman’s mission and how they have single-handedly help decrease homelessness in Miami impressed and inspired me. Jumping into the work and making sure the team did an excellent job was my primary focus, but not the primary benefit I received. WATCH OUR PROJECT COMPLETION VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ygvmEFdwlg&feature=share.

What I gained from this program was a reevaluation of my own leadership strengths and weaknesses. I learned that I thrive when I have work with people who are self-starters and take initiative, like me. I tend to like them more.

This program also revealed my lack of patience for non-workers/self-starters. I set really high

expectations and when people don’t meet them, I dismiss them. Leadership Miami taught me that my approach as a leader should be to help my teammates identify their own strengths.

In all aspects of my life, I’m intentional. I engage in purposeful behavior. Developing my leadership and cultivating life-learning skills are my objectives in all of my work. Leadership Miami increased those skills. This program also helped me in my personal goals of being versatile and knowledgeable about multiple business sectors. I’ve served in corporate companies, marketing advertising agencies and the nonprofit world. The best brand strategists have a diverse portfolio. They think holistically, far outside operational silos. Being part of the Leadership Miami has sharpened those proficiencies which will benefit FIU and me. I will be better at directing FIU to communicate more effectively with integrity, excellence and tenacity.

In the words of DJ Khaled, Leadership Miami helped me discover “major keys to success.”

March Madness

March Madness apparently isn’t just about basketball. My March was absolutely BANANAS, in a good and quirky way. After having such a high from my awesome 32nd birthday, I went into March 2016 feeling excited, happy and energetic. That energy attracted a very memorable March:

DREAMS: Man….Vivid dreams have been part of my life since I was a child. This month, I woke up at at 3 am or 4 am, every 2 days from a dream...exhausting. These dreams leave me in shock, scared, happy, moved, confused or all five. I’m not sure why THIS month I've had all these dreams, but it helped me realize I totally need to get back to writing my poetry, my first love.

I also think God wants me to have early morning prayer because this waking up 2 and 3 hours before the alarm goes off is rough!

LOYALTY: My definition of “loyalty” was questioned this month. I learned that you can’t expect people to treat you with the same loyalty that you give. I’m a reciprocal person... until things aren’t reciprocal... Ironically, I felt it coming (a dream). Whenever things are peaceful and happy, the enemy usually issues me an emotional attack. The lessons on loyalty let me know I’ve grown, I’m still growing.

GROWTH: Speaking of growth, this month brought me some crazy/memorable moments, both personally and professionally. Every event forced me to remember to keep my peace and stay "intentional" in my actions and words.

Miami Night with Caity

Growth was also a big theme for March 2016 because for 30 days, I spent every day praying for my future husband. I participated in the Praying For The One You'll Love Forever challenge in which I wrote daily prayers for my husband. I'll give it to him on the day we get married.

The experience was such a blessing because I haven't been optimistic and enthusiastic about dating in YEARS! It also reassured me of what I already knew: I'm capable of selfless love and friendship.

FRIENDSHIP: Caity and I haven’t physically seen each other in 14 years. And although we’ve kept in touch and know about each other’s lives (thanks Facebook), we haven’t been around each other since we were teenagers. A lot has changed , but that’s why her visit to South Florida was a highlight of March. The connection we had back in July 2001 is now even stronger because of her visit. We laughed….a lot and we had some heart-to-heart talks that strengthened a bond that I value, love, and cherish. Love you, DBG!

Why my birthday means so much to me

My last birthday with my dad, Frankie

My biological father missed 31 of my birthdays. Not because he was a deadbeat dad or divorced my mom. It was because he was “taken to heaven” a month before I turned two.

My father, Francisco Ross, died at the age of 21. He’s been dead longer than he was alive, and that’s a reality I think about very often.

I don’t remember him. Not his smile, not his hug, not his voice. I only have pictures from our short time together and memories my mom shares with me. My curly/wavy hair is his and he loved cologne. That’s probably why I snuggle extra close to men when they wear it.

Often when we celebrate a birthday, we are commemorating the life of the person. For me, my celebratory manner, every year, is because I believe life should be spent happy, laughing and loving. I party for my birthday as a way to honor the life that’s no longer here, my Frankie’s. He only got to see 21 of his birthdays.

On February 10, I find myself thinking of my Frankie. I wonder if he’s proud of me, what he was

Frankie and me

thinking the day before I was born and was he afraid to hold my 8 pounds 6 ounces body. And then, on my birthday, every year, I thank God for his life and my mom’s. I thank God for their love and connection.

Losing a parent is heartbreaking. Losing a parent you can’t remember simply hurts, daily. I wish I could just talk to him, just once. I would listen to his stories, his advice and receive his love.

So when you see my pictures and videos on February 11 of me dancing, smiling and laughing, I’m often thinking, “I hope you can see me, Frankie. I’m doing really well. Your wishes and dreams for me are coming true."

22 reasons why I love being a Delta

"ENCORE"
EPSILON OMICRON
SPRING '04
#4

Today, my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. celebrates its 103rd founding anniversary!

Our history: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University. These students: Winona Cargile Alexander, Madree Penn White,

Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Vashti Turley Murphy, Ethel Cuff Black, Frederica Chase Dodd, Osceola Macarthy Adams, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, Edna Brown Coleman, Edith Motte Young, Marguerite Young Alexander, Naomi Sewell Richardson, Eliza P. Shippen, Zephyr Chisom Carter, Myra Davis Hemmings, Mamie Reddy Rose, Bertha Pitts Campbell, Florence Letcher Toms, Olive Jones, Jessie McGuire Dent, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, and Ethel Carr Watson wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and to provide assistance to those in need.

On this day, I always reflect on why I love being a part of this organization and what it means to me. Here are 22 (in honor of our Founders) reasons why I love being a Delta

1. Our first act of service was the Women’s Suffrage March. All 22 founders marched; the only African American women’s organization to participate.
2. We’ve been feminists for 103 years.
3. The word Delta means change. We excel at it.
4. The mission of Delta aligns with my purpose. It speaks to me, too.
5. Epsilon Omicron chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. was the first African-American sorority at BGSU. 
6. I inherited the “leadership gene” because I’m #woodcountymade. Soror Beverly E. Smith and Soror Carol Ware are prime examples.
7. I learned the art and importance of “let it roll.”
8. My skin is thicker because of Delta.
9. My sorors inspire me, hold me accountable, and humble me.
10. I learned sisterhood.
11. The founders wanted to focus on the community/public service. 
12. Our members are LEADERS in EVERY INDUSTRY AND FIELD.
13. DST is a public service organization that boldly confronts the challenges of African Americans and, hence, all Americans.
14. The Sorority uses its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement to create its national programs.
15. The soror who wrote my letter has been a leader in pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years.
16. We are the the largest African-American Greek-lettered organization.
17. Dorothy Irene Height, “Godmother of the civil-rights movement” 
18. Speaking of trailblazers, my soror Mary Church Terrell was one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree. Dope.
19. My Dean made sure we knew the history of the organization AND of the other Greek letter organizations so that we can see how rich ours is.
20. Crimson and creme is a cool combo with a great meaning.
21. I have fond memories of reading In Search of Sisterhood my freshman year, but only during winter break!
22. “Lady Fortitude” sculpture symbolizes the attributes of strength, courage, hope, wisdom, beauty and femininity as depicted by the 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

HAPPY FOUNDERS DAY, SORORS! OO-OOP

"Intentional" Playlist

Keeping with my 2016 word of INTENTIONAL, I decided to put together a playlist of music that collectively represents my words. The songs on the playlist are both inspirational and motivational. The lyrics are celebratory, expectant, hopeful, and loving. I’ve been listening to it every day for the past 3 weeks during my commute to and from work.

You can also listen to the "Intentional" playlist by Sharonda on Apple Music.

My Intentional Playlist

1. Believe by Brian Courtney Wilson <--ON REPEAT
2. Bless This House (feat. Take 6) by Brian McKnight
3. Break Every Chain (Live) by Tasha Cobbs
4. Bright by Kehlani
5. Brown Skin Girl by Leon Bridges
6. Confidence (Live) by Tasha Cobbs
7. Countdown by Beyonce
8. Down for You by (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid) by Kehlani
9. Exceptional by Babyface
10. Fill Me Up by Tasha Cobbs
11. Forever, For Always, For Love (Live) by Lalah Hathaway
12. I Was Here by Beyonce
13. I’d Do It Again (feat. Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr., William Murphy III, Bryan Pierce) Tasha Cobbs
14. Intentional by Travis Greene <--ON REPEAT
15. It Ain’t Over by Maurette Brown Clark
16. Let It Burn by Jazmine Sullivan
17. Masterpiece (Mona Lisa) by Jazmine Sullivan
18. Million by Tink
19. Prepared by Jill Scott
20. Put a Praise On It (featuring Kierra Sheard) by Tasha Cobbs
21. Smile by V. Bozeman
22. That One (feat. Anthony Hamilton) Teedra Moses
23. This is My Praise by The Walls Group
24. You Were Meant For Me by Lalah Hathaway
25. You’re My Everything (feat. Bilal & Jazmine Sullivan) Robert Glasper