MEET LATAYE DAVIS

New View with LaTaye Davis

TDR:  What issues are you most passionate about in your community?

LaTaye: Public School education - specifically improving reading proficiency for young African-American men.
Advanced education for women on public assistance. Education not just in the formal sense but also in lifestyle improvement, better paying jobs, and parent-child dynamics. Homeless Veterans and Vetpreneurship (specifically female veterans). I would love to publish a book, at no cost to women, where they share their stories of military life and transition thereafter.

TDR: What are most of your philanthropy efforts typically directed towards serving?

LaTaye: The spirits of individuals whom think they're ok but are still living in fear, doubt, and low self-esteem. The sadness is when we pass these feelings on to our children. I also believe in helping homeless and displaced veterans.

TDR:  How do you define leadership?       

LaTaye: The ability to challenge the status quo, bring out the mosaic talents of each individual, and then guide them to translate those talents into living a life full of happiness, joy, and optimism.

TDR:  How would you define your leadership style?

LaTaye: Straight no chaser. I get that an individual may be disappointed, hurt, defeated, unsure...but I didn't come in the room for you to stay that way. Take a knee, take a few sips of water, and then GET THE HELL UP! The devil can't and won't win…GOD wants you to WIN!

TDR:  What would be the most painful lesson that you've learned in life that has helped you become who you are today?

LaTaye: That lesson was and still is…you can't expect anyone to see your value or even respect your value if YOU don't see it in you…truthfully. I'm not talking about your alter ego rocking the heels, driving the nice car, or even saying "it's ok" when it's not. YOU have to love where YOU are while YOU'RE getting where YOU'RE going. Then, stand firm in it! Don't back down and never let anyone else define your worth.

TDR:  What would people be surprised to know that you had to overcome?

LaTaye: Depression and anxiety. Even when I was working at one of the most prestigious military treatment facilities I was living in place of low self-worth, bitterness after my divorce, and internal pain.

TDR:  Name 3 leaders that you look up to. 

LaTaye: Tierra Destiny Reid (of course!), Daymond John, and Marie Forleo (for just being her and loving it).

TDR:  Name 3 of your favorite books.

LaTaye: "The Power of Broke", "The Power of Peace In A Pause", and "Rich Dad Poor Dad".

TDR:  What is your advice for emerging leaders?

LaTaye: 1. Be real with yourself first and never create a "draft" of yourself based on someone else's life.
2. Embrace your journey and just participate in your process. Stop trying to FORCE it to happen and just be proactive in your dreams.
3. Never allow someone to hurt you over and over. Sometimes the space we allow someone to occupy in our lives is more meaningful to us than them. It's okay to let go! Anchors will hold you and your dreams down. You deserve more.
4. Be REAL! The worst thing you can do is be speaking of a life you aren't really living. People want to connect with you and your truth.

TDR:  Complete this sentence…5 years ago I was…

LaTaye: Underpaid, mean, unhappy and making my boss money while I was ruining relationships. I was optimistic about my business but feeling defeated in love. I worked waaayyyy too hard for someone else's money...lol.

TDR:  Complete this sentence…5 years from now I hope to be…

LaTaye: Have a successful company with over 100 employees, have published over 300 authors, and have set up my children financially for their education and lives.

TDR:  If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?

LaTaye: Discernment. I have learned to trust my feelings now. I knew, before, some feelings came from the dysfunction of my generational curses. Nothing will stop me and I cannot allow anyone to get me off track.

TDR: What are some of your current initiatives people can help you with?

LaTaye: The collaborative book with other female veterans and military spouses and the Manifest Your Worth Tour - Creating Balance for Women in their Lifestyles....just having these conversations all over the world with women hearing their take on life, Mommyhood, relationships, etc. AAHHH I just want to sit in the Hamptons (LOL) at a great restaurant with all these cool women with titles (Mom, Caregiver, Sister...you thought I meant those other titles didn't you?)

Connect with LaTaye: 

 www.stilettosinthecityllc.com

Instagram - @stilettosinthecityllc.com
Periscope: @stilettosincity
Twitter: @stilettosincity
LinkedIn: LaTaye Davis
Facebook: LaTaye Davis: SIC Brand

MEET JANNA BROWN

New View with Janna Brown

TDR:  What issues are you most passionate about in your community?

Janna: The issues I am most passionate about in my community are increasing the self-worth of our youth, especially young girls, and women. Everything stems from our self-worth. How we operate in life and business is impacted by what we believe about ourselves and what we have been through. Many times the biggest obstacle we have that keeps us from achieving our success are the lies we tell ourselves based on past hurt and disappointments. We believe the negative more than the positive of what others think and say about us and our future. If I can help someone realize their fullest potential and to discover who they truly are, who they were created to be, to understand and change their mindset, their belief about themselves, then I would have accomplished what God has created me to do and be. Nothing brings a smile to my face more than to see someone accomplish their goals when they didn't think they could because they were thinking and living beneath their fullest potential.

TDR: What are most of your philanthropy efforts typically directed towards serving?

Janna: Most of my philanthropy efforts are typically directed towards serving youth and women. I know firsthand the impact you can have on a youth when you take the time to pour into them. I have seen the lives of youth changed because they were involved in a positive outlet where their voice was heard. I love helping women see the best in themselves and accomplish their goals. I currently work with a non-profit organization that builds character through the performing art in youth and have been doing so for the past 10+ years. I get so much joy out of serving.

TDR:  How do you define leadership?

Janna: Leadership is being able to place others before yourself for the greater good of the cause. It is also being able to inspire others to become passionate ambassadors about the cause and who they are serving because they know you genuinely care about them and their success. I always say that if you take care of your people, they will take care of you.

TDR:  How would you define your leadership style?

Janna: I would describe my leadership style as servant because I am always looking for ways to uplift and grow my team. To pull out the best in them and provide opportunities that pulls on their passion and develops their interest. I always ask how we can make this a win-win situation. I also know that this helps to foster a healthy, productive and trusting environment and relationship because my team understands I am concerned about them. Therefore, they are passionate about executing the project and going above and beyond. In the process, I realized that this leadership style also helped to produce successors who can teach others and phenomenal individuals who move on to birth amazing businesses.

TDR:  What would be the most painful lesson that you've learned in life that has helped you become who you are today?

Janna: The most painful lesson I have learned in life that has helped me become who I am today is to take responsibility for your actions even when you are afraid of failing. I have made mistakes and I had to learn how to own up to those mistakes and become more of a problem solver to rectify the mess I had made. This was challenging for me because I never wanted to let anyone down or feel as if I had failed them or wasted the company’s money. The first time it happened I was devastated and wrought because I didn't know what to do, however, after a few of those experiences, it caused me to become more of a problem-solver and to take more risks because I knew failure was a part of the process.

TDR:  What would people be surprised to know that you had to overcome?

Janna: People would be surprised to know that I had to overcome, and at times still overcoming, low self-esteem, fear and self-worth. I am a natural born leader and have come to understand my gifting, however, people never knew the struggle of what I was going through while I was operating in my gifts because I seemed so confident even though I was uncertain.

TDR:  Name 3 leaders that you look up to. 

Janna: Three leaders I look up to are my uncle Maynard Jackson, my husband Darrell Brown and Theresa Spralling. I look up to my uncle Maynard because of all that he did for the community and to help shape Atlanta into what it is today. He faced difficulties and fear but he still continued to press forward. But what was even more remarkable to me was his passion for the people and their love and passion for him. They called him the peoples Mayor and he NEVER forgot a name. A remarkable legacy was left behind. I look up to my husband because of his dedication and fearlessness. He inspires me so much as an entrepreneur. He jumps out there to take risk, he is always expanding himself, creating new opportunities, implementing his multiple gifts, dedicated to his family and the community and he doesn't let fear of the unknown prevent him from exploring a path. He really helped to shape me into the person I am today. But don't tell him I told you that lol. I look up to Theresa Spralling because of the work she is accomplishing with women at AT&T. She has grown their women's organization tremendously and has such an open heart to help others and young adults. From the moment I met her I admired her work and what she has accomplished.

TDR:  Name 3 of your favorite books.

Janna: Three of my favorite books are Who Moved My Cheese, The Art of Client Service and BOSS Women Pray.

TDR:  What is your advice for emerging leaders?

Janna: My advice for emerging leaders is to find your leadership style and yourself because when you are genuine you will attract genuine people to work with and serve. Really cultivate a relationship with your team. Of course keep it professional but really get to know them and let them know you. When they see who you truly are they will be willing to go to battle with you.

TDR:  Complete this sentence…5 years ago I was…

Janna: 5 years ago I was working at a marketing agency called GTM and I had just wrapped up working on the truth Campaign, a national and successful campaign, for 10 years. It was a weird place because I had to reposition and transition to a new space in my life and within the company. Saying goodbye to something you were committed to for so long was extremely difficult because I loved what I did. I also didn't realize how I had allowed that campaign to define who I was, therefore, when it ended I felt lost until I found a new purpose again.

TDR:  Complete this sentence…5 years from now I hope to be…

Janna: 5 years from now I hope to be serving women and young girls in a way that truly impacts and transforms their lives. I hope to do this by traveling as a professional speaker, hosting conferences, producing workshops and various products for my business. I want to be able to make an impact on their self-worth, who they believe they are and help them to manifest the visions that God has given them to birth.

TDR:  If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?          

Janna: Passionate. Passionate because it encompasses a lot of who I am (love, joy, happiness), it shows commitment to getting the job done, it is contagious, it brings an internal fire that has to be quenched, and it is about serving others.

TDR: What are some of your current initiatives people can help you with?

Janna: The K.I.D.D.S. Dance Project - We build character through the performing arts in youth ages 4-17 and we are always looking for volunteers to help with marketing for our annual spring recital Resurrection. This is our 20th year of the production, and every year is free to the community. It is a dramatic dance interpretation of the crucifixion of Christ. You can go to www.kiddsdanceproject.com to find out more details or donate. 

The other organization I work with is called the Show Me Shoes Foundation. They assist young girls who have experienced unexpected hardships. Their mission is to encourage and inspire young girls to become successful young women giving them the gift of opportunities, networking, and leadership by "Building confidence from the "SOLE". Each year they collect dresses and shoes to give away at the Prom Project event in Atlanta, Kansas and LA. To find out how to volunteer or to donate some items go to www.showmeshoes.org

Connect with Janna:

E-mail - bookme@jannab.com

Facebook @jannab

Twitter, Instagram, and Periscope @jannabspeaks

www.jannab.com

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MEET VARIAN BRANDON

New View with Varian Brandon

TDR:  What issues are you most passionate about in your community?

Varian: Self-esteem of high achievers, Personal Power, Designing a life you love, and Being Intentional

TDR: What are most of your philanthropy efforts typically directed towards serving?

Varian: Education, but not necessarily formal education. I love contributing to and helping people acquire the necessary skills they need to live a full and fulfilled life. Many times our purposes are undiscovered because of lack of exposure and access.

TDR:  How do you define leadership?

Varian: Influence. I am an avid student of John Maxwell and I wholeheartedly agree that leadership is not a position or title, but one's ability to influence.

TDR:  How would you define your leadership style?

Varian:  Empowering. I believe everyone has the capacity to lead and my role as a leader is to inspire the leader within and then provide the tools and the coaching and the mentoring to cultivate and future.

TDR:  What would be the most painful lesson that you've learned in life that has helped you become who you are today?

Varian: That there is no real success without the ability to intimately connect with other people. I lived most of my life in very masculine energy (head/logic driven) and it served me well as it relates to my career success, but I paid a high price in my personal life. A broken marriage and I am still navigating the relationship with my adult son.  I am truly grateful for my path though because it invited me to take the journey from my head to my heart....and I accepted.  It was the longest journey I ever took, but I am oh so glad I did!! I am truly the better for it.

TDR:  What would people be surprised to know that you had to overcome?

Varian: Being emotionally disconnected and not really liking people. And until 4 years ago, biting my nails, which I believe was connected to the emotional disconnection.

TDR:  Name 3 leaders that you look up to. 

Varian: My mother, Oprah Winfrey, and Riva Tims

TDR:  Name 3 of your favorite books.

Varian: Hmmm, only 3.  Developing the Leader Within You, Lions Don’t Need to Roar, and The 4 Agreements
 

TDR:  What is your advice for emerging leaders?

Varian: Leadership is not what you do, it's who you are. Live your life in a way that people want to follow you. And know that leadership, real leadership is not compartmentalized, everything matters. And that leadership is a privilege.

TDR:  Complete this sentence…5 years ago I was…

Varian: I was in the breakdown of a marriage, a career I loved, but wasn't challenging and had taught me to be fearful and safe and in my comfort zone.

TDR:  Complete this sentence…5 years from now I hope to be…

Varian: Empowering women (and a few men) to lead their lives with urgency, to be intentional about the time they have on this planet. To be the main character in the best book they've ever read and to leave a legacy worthy of remark.

TDR:  If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?

Varian: Bold.  Because I have always been comfortable in my own skin and dared to be me.

Connect with Varian:

Instagram-- vcbrandon
Facebook --varian brandon
Twitter -- @varianbrandon
LinkedIn -- varian Brandon
Periscope --@varianbrandon

Email – info@varianbrandon.com

Did this inspire you? What are your thoughts? Please share feedback for this Servant Leader below. Sometimes your words can trigger a thought that could change a life. We love hearing from you. Please share this with others if it helped you or could help someone else. Be sure to connect with this Servant Leader below. We will check the comments box often. :)