Balancing Life, Leadership, and Purpose: Reflecting on My NextGen Black Leadership Graduation

Some seasons of life feel like a marathon, a sprint, and a balancing act all at once. This summer was exactly that for me. During the day, I worked at a summer camp. In the evenings, I stepped into my classroom as an Adjunct Professor. On the weekends, I threw myself into the Black Voters of Long Island NextGen Black Leadership Series: Campaign Staff Training Bootcamp. And in between all of that, I studied for my Doctoral Comprehensive Exam. I know it sounds wild, but honestly, that’s just who I am. I stretch, I grow, and I go after the things that matter.

Last night was our graduation ceremony, and being part of the very first cohort felt incredibly special. The program was intense, thoughtful, truly quality-packed from beginning to end. But what caught me most off guard wasn’t the certificate or the applause. It was my eight-year-old’s reaction. As they announced my name, my child started to cry and whispered, “Mommy, I’m so proud of you.” In that moment, everything stopped. I was reminded that our kids see us. They watch how we move, how we push through challenges, how we serve, and how we keep showing up even when it’s hard.

I’m grateful for the training, the knowledge, and the new family we built in that room. Future campaign staffers. Future policymakers. Future changemakers. I hope we all carry forward every lesson we learned and continue to support one another as our paths unfold.

And yes, I’m incredibly proud of myself. This journey stretched me, tested me, and reminded me of the purpose behind every sacrifice. As Shirley Chisholm said, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” I feel that deeply.

Here’s to leadership, community, and believing in what’s possible.

#Leadership #CivicEngagement #BlackVotersofLongIsland #Cohort1 #HofstraUniversity #CampaignStaffTraining