The heartbeat of ESTEEM is GRIT. 

Grit is described as “firmness of mind or spirit” or “unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger.” 

My mother, grandmother, and great grandmother all possessed an unyielding courage in the midst of adversity. None of my precious mothers had the opportunity to attend high school or receive a GED. They began raising their own families by the youthful age of sixteen. In the midst of their circumstances, they treasured their own dreams, however, they were determined to ensure their future generations achieved their own. 

Over 30 years ago, I embarked on an arduous journey of building self esteem and confidence. The journey has been fraught with challenges, trials, self-reflection–and, pure grit. As a first-generation college student, I began paving the way for the future. I was met by life with intimidation and bewilderment. My lack of communication and relational skills coupled with low self esteem put me at a disadvantage. My dreams were small and limited, going nowhere. 

You may ask, How did your situation change? What did you do differently? How did you move forward? 

I made a commitment to just keep moving. 

As I moved forward, I was met by people willing to help me navigate my life. My high school coach, my educators, my life and career coaches, and business and community leaders all chose to contribute to my potential. They were committed to investing their time, talent, and resources–into me. Because of their commitment, decades later, I have become strong, confident, and courageous. The accomplishments I have made and the risks I have dared to take are unequivocally my ancestors’ wildest dreams. The dreams of my mothers had never been lost, in fact, they had been found in me. 

Every female, teen or adult, who engages in the ESTEEM Program is advancing the legacy of my mothers. Not only are they contributing to my legacy, but with ESTEEM, they are now creating their own legacy. 

In ESTEEM, we are building a community of hope, resilience, and timeless grit. As our community grows, women all over the world will honor every woman in their lives. ESTEEM will continue to thrive as we commit to honoring our past and moving forward in purpose.