Feature #49: L.N. Blount, Associate Director

Name: L.N. Blount

Current Job Position Title: Associate Director

Company Name: Waller Pregnancy Care Center

Contact Information:  http://www.wtloutreach.com/,  http://www.wallerpregnancycare.org/ and lottiablount@wtloutreach.com

Special skills: The gift to encourage, lead, follow, direct, and LOVE

Describe your job story:
WTL-The Way Truth and Life Outreach (WTL-Outreach) is a 501c3 non-profit organization.  WTL Outreach is a faith based ministry whose mission is to reach out to pregnant, parenting and married youth and their babies so that they can maintain family unity and integrity. Committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ, we provide crisis care, emotional support, health and social services to young men, women and children in need. 

I am the Associate Director at the Waller Pregnancy Care Center (a subsidiary of WTL-Outreach).   Waller Pregnancy Care Center a life-affirming, evangelistic ministry offering hope to all women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy and related sexual issues with no fee for service.

§  Free pregnancy tests for women to confirm pregnancy in the early stages.
§  Pregnancy options counseling with trained counselors that assist clients in making critical life decisions during pregnancy.
§  Pre-natal counseling and mentoring.
§  Abortion alternatives: Parenting and Adoption information.
§  Abstinence information and support.
§  Sexually transmitted disease information.     
§  Earn While You Learn Program (Educational classes with baby supply incentives). 

I participate in training and supervising staff and volunteers.  I manage the billing, inventory, and supply orders in accordance with the center's budget.  I conduct client assessments and counseling sessions involving gathering and evaluating client data.  In addition to overseeing the center, I personally counsel and teach pregnancy and parenting classes to moms and dads.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? lawyer

Are doing your dream job?
I am definitely doing the mission part of my dream job--working with the people first hand. I want to extend my dream job into the law industry focusing on policy.  There is no ONE dream job.  My dream job entails much more..

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? 
I love encouraging education, inspiring new moms to press toward the mark of the high calling, and being a living witness and inspiration that life with children does not stop your dreams. 

Counseling and mentoring on the importance of relationships brings forth joy as well.  It is tough at times to educate on the effects abortion and post abortion physically and mentally can have on a woman.  However the center offers spiritual counseling to comfort and help those moms that have experienced this hardship cope from any guilt, shame, or other emotions that have cloudy them.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Director of the Waller Pregnancy Care Center and finish applying for law school

Are you happy with where you are in life?
God makes no mistakes and as long as i walk under his leadership i am always happy in my position in life.

What more do you want to do with your life?
Extend my family by one, a mission trip in and out of the country, and a nice blue water/white sand getaway with my husband :)

What drives/motivates you?
My son and husband push me to live out my dreams. 

What else do you do?
I am a full time Masters of Social Work student in my concentration year at at the University of Southern California "GO TROJANS," a full time wife, mother, and faithful member of Christ Restoration Tabernacle under the leadership of Apostle Jeffery Boggas and Pastor D'Angela Boggas.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope? 
Ground your life in Christ and keep following.  The road is not easy and there are going to be many many many days that it seems like all hope is gone. however, watch the words that depart from your lips.  Speak the truth about your destiny and keep believing in the manifestation. 

Feature #48: Gina Metheny, Special Education Teacher

Name: Gina Metheny

Current Job Position Title: Special Education Teacher K-3

Company Name: South Vermillion Community Schools 

Contact Information: rissa722@yahoo.com
                                   
Describe your job story: 
I went to Indiana State University, where I double majored in Elementary and Special Education.  I got a dual degree to help me find a job, with every intention of getting into an elementary general education position at some point.  I started at an elementary school in 4th and 5th grade special education.  I was rifed (spelling?) {reduction in force) at the end of the year.  I got called back to teach special education math at the high school.  I hated teaching at the high school! 

At the end of the year an opening was posted for a different elementary special education position.  The teacher at the elementary school I went to elementary school at, was retiring! :)  I put in for the position and got it.  I was going back to elementary school, thank goodness.  I taught K-5 special education the past two year there.  The number of students was high, so this year they hired another special education teacher.  I got to choose which grades I wanted.  Based on numbers, it was either K-3 or 4-5.  I chose K-3 and it's been great!  It's so much better being able to plan things and feel like something is getting accomplished instead of hurrying to get the kids through things and back to class. (We have inclusion at the school I teach at.)

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? 
I wanted to be a teacher. :)

Are doing your dream job?  Not really sure...

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? 
I like seeing the students accomplish something that's been hard for them.  When it finally clicks for them, they are so excited.  I dislike the lack of parent support with several of my students.  I also dislike when students don't try.  Some of them give up before they've attempted anything.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 
I see myself as a stay at home mom within the next 5 years.

Are you happy with where you are in life? Yup

What more do you want to do with your life?
Have kids, travel...this has nothing to do with my job...

What drives/motivates you? free time

What else do you do?  read, church, Tri Kappa, etc.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope? 
Apply everywhere, even if it's not what you want to do, it may be a way into something you do want to do.  A job may just be something to pay the bills until the right job comes along, but at least it's a job.  Whatever the case, things will get better.  Trust in God.

Feature #47: Charreah K. Jackson, Owner

Name: Charreah K. Jackson

Current Job Position Title: Owner

Company Name:  Studio Social

Contact Information: Charreah.com

Special skills: Certified Family Life Educator with the National Council on Family Relations, Relationships Coach, Award-Winning Journalist

Describe your job story:
I went to college with the goal of working in magazines. I started with my first internship at Upscale magazine after my freshman year. I continued to study the craft and gain experience on and off campus. I also discovered my interest in relationships and completed my honors thesis on Black college students and their thoughts on marriage.   I interned at Essence magazine the summer before my senior year and fell in love with the office and New York City.

Throughout the next school year I visited the office (including during my spring break) and stayed in touch with contacts, what I now call stalking with a smile.Two weeks before my graduation I was offered a position as an editorial assistant. I gladly took the job that started freelance and with a low wage. I worked my way from assistant to full-time Associate Editor of the brand’s website, where I managed relationships content. I was able to  merge my passions, as I learned and wrote about the love lives of Black women up close. I also recognized the need for more education on actually being in a relationship.

After leaving Essence, I became the social media editor at a fashion and beauty PR firm. It provided me invaluable insight into how a small business is run and increased my skills as a professional and selling myself. While working full-time, I created my business Studio Social, which provides relationships workshops, one-on-one coaching and curriculum. I used vacation days to attend training sessions and conferences, and turned every personaltrip as a chance to expand my company.

Between bridesmaid duties for my cousin’s wedding in South Carolina, I hosted a relationships workshop for students at my parent’s alma mater. My growing workshops led to coverage by Ebony and Essence magazines, and the Huffington Post. I also consulted as the Associated Editor at Heart & Soul magazine to continue to stay up-to-date in the journalism world and write about relationships. I recently returned to Essence to manage relationships content for the magazine, a dream to provide love insight for their 7.5 million readers, and still have my business on the side.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
Being a math teacher by day and radio DJ by night transformed in high school to being a magazine editor, preferably at the now defunct Honey.

Are doing your dream job? Yes, and then some!

What do you like MOST about what you do?
Through my business, I love interacting with people and sharing relationships insight that they might not be getting anywhere else. As a writer, I enjoy the amazing opportunity to get paid to talk with people and hear their stories.

What do you like the LEAST?
My toughest challenge was getting comfortable setting my rates and sticking to them. When you love what you do, its tempting to give it away. Setting goals for the life I want to provide my future children and legacy I want to  leave has made it much easier to get paid my worth. 

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Continuing toprovide relationship resources including a book and empowering women that the only limitations are the ones we set for ourselves.

Are you happy with where you are in life?
Yes. We have to appreciate the blessings of the present, while preping for the future.

What more do you want to do with your life?
I want to continue to provide resources for women and men on healthy relationships and see more of the world.

What drives/motivates you?
I am certainly motivated by my grandmothers and all those who laid the groudwork for me to enjoy the privileges and opportunities I have today. I am also driven by my baby sister and others to come behind me, who are counting on me to pave new ground.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Keep on pushing and embrace your power. You may not have control of your circumstance, but you have complete power over your attitude. See every setback as a set up for your next move. I am a cancer survivor and was laid off in the worst of the recession. Even through unexpected moments, I knew that there was a bigger plan in place, and every thing would work out for my good. And it has.

Feature #46: Sophia, Regional Coordinator

Name: Sophia

Current Job Position Title: Regional Coordinator
Company Name: Self Advocacy Association of NYS
Contact Information: western@sanys.org
Special skills: grassroots organizing, event planning, advocacy, advising support/advocacy groups
Describe your job story:
In my last year of college, I was helping to organize discussion panels for a diversity conference at SUNY Brockport. One of the women I had worked with years before who I kept in touch with, showed me a project she was interviewing for- Self Advocacy AmeriCorps, where people with developmental disabilities learn to speak up for themselves and teach others to do the same. I invited them to speak at the conference and they recruited me. I became and AmeriCorps member in the project, supporting people to tell their stories. I fell so in love. When my two terms were done, a position opened up as a Regional Organizer in Buffalo, NY. I interviewed, got the job, and moved to Buffalo. It was the most challenging thing I have ever done and something I will never regret.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
As a child, a doctor and a dancer. As a teenager, an artist and an activist.
Are doing your dream job?
I love it absolutely, and parts of it are close to my dream job, but I would like to use more performing arts with storytelling to educate and work with communities on consciousness-raising projects around the country and the world. I would also like to work less hours so I can have more time for other things.
What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?
I love talking with amazing people who deal with incredible challenges, prejudice, and ignorance everyday and overcome it with style, grace, and sometimes just pure gumption, people who stick to their truth despite sometimes overwhelming odds. The long hours are what I like the least.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I just had a daughter and my focus now is on providing a good home for her. For me, that means living in community with others, living sustainably, and owning my own home.
Are you happy with where you are in life? Yes, most of the time.
What more do you want to do with your life?
I feel like I use my life to the fullest! I am involved in so many meaningful and powerful things, I can't imagine what more I would do with my life. More time to get involved in more projects and still have time for relationships and solitude!
What drives/motivates you?
People. Changing the world. Sacred states of consciousness.

What else do you do?
Dance- ecstatic dance, contact improvisation, and performance, write poetry, fold origami purses, wallets, and birds, women's empowerment talking and drumming circles, and political activism.
What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Work to build a free economy. Put your all into whatever you are doing, even if it doesn't pay or doesn't pay much. Love your friends. Get involved in your world. Remember your worth- people are more than just what they produce!

Feature #45: Courtney Aiken, Chief Executive Officer

Name: Courtney N. Aiken

Current Job Position Title: Chief Executive Officer (ShowKase Entertainment), Partner/Talent Director (Finding Eve Soul Cafe)

Company Name: ShowKase Entertainment

Contact Information: caiken@showkaseentertainment.com

Special skills: Music Management and Artist Development

Describe your job story:
Founded in 2010, ShowKase Entertainment is a Music Management and Artist Development company that offers the following services: Marketing and Promotions, Public Relations, Image Consulting, Artist Branding, Booking, Event Planning and Coordination, and Music Production, just to name a few. We work with artists in all genres of music and currently have five artists under our brand, as well as a satellite company, NuLiphe Entertainment, in Laurens, South Carolina.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? Lawyer or Accountant

Are doing your dream job? Yes!

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? MOST: That I have the opportunity to help the visions of artists be birthed and fully manifest. LEAST: Sometimes, I have to go into 'Mommy mode' when Managing my artists because they don't fully operate businesswise due to being so creative and artistic. It can also be hard forcing people to do things, especially if they don't feel like doing it.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? Owning a successful record label and becoming a successful business mogul in music and other industries. I would also like to graduate from law school and become an Entertainment & Real Estate Attorney, and get married.

Are you happy with where you are in life? I'm extremely happy with where I am. I am fully operating in Ministry as I was just consecrated as a Minister over the summer, my company is doing very well as we are in 7 countries (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy, Belgium, Nigeria) and one of my artists just signed a record deal, and I have grown a lot as a woman.

What more do you want to do with your life? Fulfill the destiny and God's promises over my life and help birth other people's visions

What drives/motivates you? My Parents and Grandmother

What else do you do? Singer/Songwriter

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
To truly seek God about the vision and purpose He has predestined for your life. It's my belief that everyone can have the spirit of entrepreneurship and build their own empire. Share those things that are inside of you with the world because somebody is waiting on you!

Feature #44: Derek Barber King II, Executive Chef

Name: Derek Barber King II

Current Job Position Title: Executive Chef

Company Name: Tropical Deli

Contact Information: 404-201-8649; mrking9000@yahoo.com

Special skills: Being a child of God, cooking, problem solving, listening, video games, being a father, husband, and friend.

Describe your job story: Graduated from Le Cordon Bleu and floated around different kitchens and then one day I got a phone cal from Tropical Deli

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? The President of the United States

Are doing your dream job? One of them

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?
I'm in charge and I set my own hours. What I like least is slow days

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? A bigger building

Are you happy with where you are in life? Of course

What more do you want to do with your life? More children

What drives/motivates you? God, my wife, me, and my babies

What else do you do? Read the Bible, pray, be a husband, father, and play video games

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
With God, there is always hope. Start your own business.

Feature #42: Tia Mosley, Media & Integrations Coordinator

Name: Tia Mosley

Current Job Position Title: Media & Integrations Coordinator

Company Name: Carat

Describe your job story:
 I have been in marketing and advertising for over 7 years. The last client (who will remain anonymous) was a psycho bitch. I took 30 days away from work, went to Sri Lanka and had an "eat/pray/love" moment. When I returned state side, working was the last thing I wanted to do...and it was. Out of a 40 hour "work week" I probably worked...ummm around 3 hours. I was tired, irritated and burned out. So, the client fired my company, I got laid off and decided that I was not going to look for a job at all. No, I didn't have any money saved...I spent it all on food, plane tickets, lip glosses and journals. I packed a few bags, tossed them into Betty, my cavalier, and prepared myself for my 12 hour ride home to Houston, TX. As I sped down I-10, I got a phone call...for a job that I didn't even apply for...

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
 I wanted to work in a bar in Australia and serve beer.

Are doing your dream job?
Sort of. I am working in production. I get to coordinate shoots, work with amazing producers and directors...and I get a steady pay check. Hey!

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?
I like most that I work with some really interesting people. I DO not understand why I have to go to work every single day - M-F. THis schedule has always bothered me...since elementary school. I couldn't understand for the life of me why I had to attend school everyday and why my parents were always at work.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
On a beach, in South Africa, in some foreign thrift store, writing about my life on the back of a napkin.

Are you happy with where you are in life? I am.

What more do you want to do with your life?
 I want to travel more, meet more people and LIVE::LAUGH::LUST::LOVE, in that order.

What drives/motivates you?
Words. Spoken, written, and thought.

What else do you do?
I stage manage, write...and plant vegetables and watermelons.


What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Make friends. Every single job I've had, has been because someone knew me, remembered when I brought them cookies for breakfast, or picked their mom up from the train station, or smiled long and hard on a hellish day. Be nice to people and somehow, your needs will be met! :)