Aligning for 2026: Reflect, Assess, Reclaim, and Align

As we close out the year, I’m leaning into my EmpowHER framework — Reflect, Assess, Reclaim, and Align. This process keeps me grounded as I prepare for a new season, both personally and professionally.

✨ Reflect — on what served you and what drained you.
✨ Assess — what you’ve learned and what you still desire.
✨ Reclaim — your voice, your peace, and your priorities.
✨ Align — your goals with your purpose so that your next chapter flows with intention.

This isn’t about New Year’s resolutions — it’s about alignment. It’s about showing up as the woman you’ve prayed to become. 2025 taught me that growth requires grace, and clarity requires stillness.

So as you prepare for 2026, take a deep breath. You don’t have to have it all figured out — just keep walking in purpose.

✨ Your encouragement this month: Trust the timing. You’re right where you need to be — aligning, evolving, and becoming.

Leading with Gratitude: Lessons from the Year of Becoming

As the year began to wind down, I found myself reflecting on all the shifts, surprises, and lessons 2025 brought. It’s been a year of stretching, of stepping into new spaces, of learning how to lead with both confidence and compassion.

Gratitude has been my grounding force. Not just for the big wins — but for the quiet moments that reminded me I’m growing, even when it doesn’t feel like it. Gratitude softens the edges of ambition. It allows us to lead with more heart and less hurry.

This month, I’m pausing to say thank you — to the people, places, and moments that shaped me this year. Every challenge refined me. Every connection elevated me. Every experience reminded me that becoming HER is an ongoing journey.

✨ Your encouragement this month: Make a gratitude list. Then take it one step further — tell someone thank you for how they’ve impacted your growth.

The Power of Your Voice: Reflections from BrownGirl Village with Tamika Mallory

October brought me to Springfield, Massachusetts for an unforgettable BrownGirl Village event featuring activist Tamika Mallory. She spoke with fire and grace about the state of our nation, the power of using your voice, and her book I Lived to Tell the Story.

Listening to her reminded me that silence is not always golden — sometimes it’s costly. As women in leadership and media, our voices shape culture. Whether it’s in a boardroom, on a podcast, or in our communities, we have the power to influence hearts and minds.

What I loved most was how Tamika blended truth with empathy. Her message wasn’t just about speaking up — it was about speaking with purpose. Because when our voices align with our values, we create real impact.

✨ Your encouragement this month: Don’t underestimate your voice. Someone’s freedom, healing, or breakthrough may depend on hearing it.

Used to Be You: The Power of Evolution

In September, I had the honor of hosting a powerful panel called “Used to Be You” for the Girls Who Brunch Tour, featuring incredible women — Ashley M. Fox, Tragil Wade, and Dr. Patricia Thompson. Each of these women shared raw truths about growth, faith, and finding strength in transition.

That conversation reminded me that evolution is sacred work. We are not meant to stay the same. The version of you that was necessary for survival may not be the same version that’s equipped for success — and that’s okay. Growth often requires releasing what’s familiar to make room for what’s divine.

It’s easy to mourn who we “used to be,” but there’s so much beauty in honoring your journey and embracing who you’re becoming.

✨ Your encouragement this month: Don’t rush your evolution. Every version of you had purpose — but this one deserves peace.

Becoming HER: Leading Through Transition and Grace

August was a month of transition. I stepped fully into my new role as Director at Cortland, traveling to Dallas, meeting my onsite partners, and diving into new responsibilities. At the same time, life was shifting around me: family moving closer, friendships changing, emotions balancing.

If I’m honest, it felt heavy at times. But through it all, I learned that leadership isn’t about perfection, it’s about grace. It’s about giving yourself permission to feel overwhelmed, to pause, and to still keep showing up with heart.

Leading through transition requires both strength and softness. It’s knowing when to push forward and when to rest. It’s remembering that “becoming” doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a process of growth, reflection, and resilience.

✨ Your encouragement this month: Give yourself grace. You’re not behind , you’re simply becoming HER, one intentional step at a time.