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Ep 35 - How to Network with Melisha “Mel” Jackman

Ep 35 - How to Network with Melisha “Mel” Jackman, Executive Director of Brooklyn Kindergarten Society

Women of Color Rise supports women leaders of color. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion matters. In this next podcast series, we highlight senior women leaders of color and their journeys to the top.

How would a brush with death change your life?

For this Women of Color Rise episode, Analiza talks with Melisha “Mel” Jackman, Executive Director of Brooklyn Kindergarten Society. Mel shares how almost drowning changed her view on life at work and being a mom. Instead of focusing on just work, Mel saw the importance of community - building authentic relationships that not only helped her as a leader but also real friendships that helped her as a person and mom. She also became more clear about the limited time she has with her two teenage daughters before they go off to college. In Women of Color Rise, we talk about how death reminds us that time is short and to live life now. Mel is a great example of how she shows up at her work and family life with intention, centered on her values and purpose. She also shares the power of community and how participating in Boss Mamas helped her have a safe space to help and be helped by others.

We discuss:

  • How almost drowning changed Mel

  • First generation high school graduate, parents from the Caribbean

  •  Myths of Superwoman, perfection is not the end goal,

  •  4 agreements: integrity, impeccable word (and not take things personally), don’t make assumptions, try my best

  • Building community helps us to normalize making mistakes

  • Letting go of assumptions allowed Mel to share a weakness with her boss – and get more support!

  • What Mel realized about getting to the top – it was more than technical competence, it was more about confidence in herself

  • Mel’s self-discovery process: 1) What does Mel uniquely bring to the table, 2) What is she afraid of, 2) Healing her inner child

  •  How to network: 1) Reflect on how you feel about networking, if it is negative, explore why, 3) Understand your why about networking and why you want to meet specific people, 3) Practice your elevator pitch, 4) Follow-up post event for a real authentic connection

  • Challenge of being a CEO is communication during constant change, keeping morale high

  • How Mel practices the 4 agreements - impeccable word, not taking things personally, not making assumptions, do your best

  • Growing up as a daughter to Caribbean immigrants

  • How Mel healed her inner child and saw how her fear of rejection was holding her back

  • Becoming a first generation high school and college graduate

  • From science teacher to Principal to Executive Director

  • Advice to build social capital, how to network authentically

  • How her daughter’s struggle with school allowed Mel to recenter her family

Listen to the Full Episode:

https://youtu.be/x3zzJiG0Wz

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Transcript

Analiza: Welcome to the Women of Color Rise Podcast. I'm Analiza Quiroz Wolf, proud Filipina-American mom of two, and former CEO of a nonprofit and Captain in the US Air Force. I'm on a mission to support having more diverse leaders at the table. We'll be talking with successful CEOs and C suite women leaders of color and learning about their leadership journeys. If you're a woman or woman of color, who wants a seat at the table, you're in the right place. Now let's get into today's show.

I'm so excited for today's podcast interview. It's with Melisha “Mel” Jackman. And I want to give a quick bio about Mel before we go. Mel believes in equity, academic excellence and inquiry for all students and families. She's currently the Executive Director of Brooklyn Kindergarten Society, and she's leading the charge to make sure that Brooklyn's youngest learners have a robust educational experience grounded in STEAM which is science, tech, engineering, art and math. Under Mel BKS Brooklyn Kindergarten Society it'll open up its first sensory gym within New York housing developments to allow all students access to occupational physical and speech therapies. Before BKS, Mel was the managing director of out of school time and college scholarship program at East Harlem Tutorial Program, and she was also a principal within New York City public schools. She's got a BS in chemistry from City College and a master's in arts in Chemistry Education from City College. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her two teenage daughters. Welcome, Melisha.

Mel: Nice to be here. Thank you.

Analiza: All right, well, I have to start with the story of being out in the water, and you are on vacation, and it is truly a life or death situation. So can you just give a summary.

Mel: While on vacation in Curacao, I decided to take a risk that I did not think about the unintended consequence. I went snorkeling for the very first time, and I did not have a life jacket on. And I was captivated by the fish that I was seeing and the whole experience. And I ended up swimming out way on the yonder, right by where the boat started to dock. I'm in the middle of the ocean. And what I got into my snorkel gear, and I had to take off my gear so that I could breathe properly. And I had to tread water. I think the part that is so interesting is that I went to Brooklyn Technical High School, and swimming was a graduation requirement. And I could never pass my swim test because I couldn't tread water for more than three minutes. And I was in the middle of the ocean. I couldn't see the sand. I didn't know which way to turn. But I had to tread water. And I tread water I think for about 20 minutes screaming for help. And then I stopped screaming. And I realized that I had to think really, really carefully because one of two things were going to happen. I was going to drown and die. Or by some miracle, I was going to figure out my direction and get back to shore. And it all happened really slowly. And I realized like I might actually die in this moment. And I was like, Nope, not happening. I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm not dying. I'm going to tread this water for lo and behold, I had an orange two piece Kente cloth glued on. So I was sticking out on the water. And someone saw me on a catamaran and jumped into the water. And I don't know how long we're in the water. He told me to be calm. I was like, I'm calm. I was so calm. And he towed me back to the shore if I can get my thoughts together. And the interesting thing about the person who saved me, he was a fire chief from Toronto. So the right person who was used to saving lives saved my life. I don't know why we were in the same place. I don't know why he saw me. And that experience changed my entire life and my well-being what's happened in 2019. And I'm forever changed by it.

Analiza: What changed Mel, who are you now that you weren't before?

Mel: I've always once believed mind over matter. I think it's really easy to intellectualize that and tell yourself don't quit, never give up. But in that moment it kicked in, don't quit, don't give up and to be very intentional moving forward about how delicate life is by I've been able to be extremely grateful for every single moment. Like I have a ritual now of like prayer and gratitude in a way that I've had before but not consistent. And I probably did it because I knew that was like best practice to do to think about self care. Self care now I'm filling it all over my bank like I must, I'm so grateful to have another day. So much of that has stuck with me about my intentionality, how precious life is and also like, what takes up space in my mind, and how I respond under times of extreme pressure and the need to problem solve to fit in anything. So these things have come up in a way that transcends what I read in the book, or any experience like it's a lived experience for me.

Analiza: It's interesting how you now embody these best practices, things like the rituals, the gratitude, the self care, the planning, both to and through, but also knowing that you only have this moment, those are things you know, you'd read an article, but then to say, No, I know, my body knows. And therefore I will.

Mel: I actually read articles coming back from vacation, about a couple of people who went on vacation and drowned like this. This happens, almost like what made my experience different, because for all intensive purposes, who comes back from that? I'm not a strong swimmer, I couldn't tread water. And the right person saved me who knew how to swim and towed me at the same time. I get chills thinking about it.

Analiza: I mean, what are the chances? I believe different people believe things but I believe that there was perhaps that spirit, bigger guide, okay, more work to be done for you now more life to be enjoyed.

Mel: I move with so much like, I mean, impact purpose, legacy, there's a new momentum and pep in my step of like, I'm on this earth for a reason.

Analiza: So with that, I'd love to take it back to young Mel, and kind of give us in an overview of how you got from young Mel to your position today.

Mel: Well, I'm a first generation college graduate, high school graduate, my parents have an eighth grade education. And they came to this country from Grenada and Barbados with very simple ambitions: to have a job and have a home and raise a family. And my family always told me to just go to school and learn they had no real specific expectations other than go to school and learn, I had a great opportunity to go to New York City public schools and go through their gifted and talented schools from kindergarten and I went to a specialized high school having great teachers, people who poured into me, I was challenged with a ton of experiences. And I had lots of perspective. And I wanted to be a scientist. And that's what I thought I was going to do. And I went to college, and majored in chemistry. And somewhere along the line, something shifted for me. And I realized that the pathway that I had was very unique and not fully accessible to all. And I got really inspired about teaching and learning and how do you create pathways so that all children get the best teachers, have the best experiences, learn to problem solve, learn to be creative, embrace their creativity that's naturally given to them. I didn't move on to be a science teacher, and creativity and problem solving. And making meaning of the world has been like the foundation with a sense of equity, really, not limiting a child's experiences because of social economic status, or race or where you go to school. But more. So it's a given, right? Everyone has this innate genius that needs to be explored and tapped into, I became a principal and the principalship. Transforming. I got to be a grown up, make tough decisions. I thought I was a grown before, you know, the principalship grew me up for sure I got harder and harder in the sense of I think my skin got thicker. And I learned to take criticism and not fall apart. And that was a journey for years and dealt with people pleasing. And how do I make decisions that sometimes everyone doesn't agree with? But what do I value and when I started went with the mindset of putting children first everything became simpler, putting children first, this decision impact children and how so and I've moved in that way ever since. And I wanted to expand my leadership. I had a great opportunity when I decided to resign from the principalship to make the transition into nonprofit leadership. And I worked at a tutorial program and had a chance to learn the workings of an organization. I've been in school my entire life and career and learning the finances in revenue and marketing and communications and talent and HR was like and it was a place for me to stretch and grow. And I did so much learning in the two years I was there that I got propelled into the executive director position here at BKS. Yes, and I get to combine leadership and order management but still my love for children can equity and learning in one space and the great thing about BKs is that we are seven preschools or educational centers are located in public housing or NYCHA housing, a place where so many people are free to tap in, or maybe you've only seen images on TV, and we are at the heart of systemic poverty, marginalized community. And what we're doing here is like to say, we are creating a private school experience for all.

Analiza: Of how it comes full circle, Mel, and your desire for great schools for your family, you and your daughters, and all all kids, especially at the youngest stages, because the gap equity gap already begins. So I'm excited about your work, especially when it's right where people live in the housing developments. So I want to talk about this idea of myths because there're these rules about what it means to be successful. And you'd mentioned some earlier that it used to be people pleasing, and you had to have the harder skin as you got to be more of a senior leader. So can you talk about these myths for you?

Mel: One big myth is that I have to have this Superwoman cape on all the time, and I must fix every problem, no every solution and never make a mistake. The amount of pressure that puts on you was unfair, leaders don't know it all leaders learn by doing just like everyone else. And once I realized a school woman cake was not needed, or ever needed to be a leader, life started, the work started to become what it always was enjoyable, and not feeling. So the pressure that I put on myself to get it right. And to do it all started to ease up, I still go back and forth with it. I now know in my heart, my body and my soul. Like I don't have to wear a cape. I’m not supposed to know all the things. And I will make mistakes. Perfectionism is not the end goal. And that trying my best not making assumptions, being super impeccable with my word are really some things that that's what I should value instead, versus my cake.

Analiza: How did you learn that? Mel? Because I find that often, especially women leaders or people of color, there's not a ton of room for mistakes. So how did you get that empower message for yourself?

Mel: You're right about that. Sometimes, it's hard to make mistakes as a woman of color from the expectations of others put on you, or the ones that you put on yourself. I think my circle is full of other principles are leaders and hearing shared experiences helps having a community of people who are vulnerable and share their trials, tribulations, the good, their thoughts, helps you to normalize helps to normalize, oh, there are other people who will have similar walks of life, or even different, who are having these emotions. And these emotions are not unique. It's a shared experience. Like I can give myself ease, I can forgive myself for mistakes, because we're all in this together. So having community has been helpful. I love the book, The Four Agreements, I read that once a year, and it's about like an indigenous way of life and like the essential foundations of what it means to be a good productive member of society, while keeping it all very simple.

Analiza: It's been a while since I've read the book, I was wondering if you could give a quick summary on the Four Agreements, are this what they are?

Mel: Yeah, well, I have named three of them that I do live by. So the Four Agreements, not making assumptions, basically asking the questions, communicating, and not making up stories in your head about things you're unaware of, I have to say the thing and have the conversation, all walks of your life, the second one, and I may not be going in order to be impeccable with your word. You know, integrity is one of my own personal core values. So that one like resonates so much, but also never to speak ill of yourself, you know, don't use your tongue to put yourself down and others staying away from gossip and venting, these are these take you into a negative space. It's like a great reminder when you want to go down, like I like to say the dark side, to come back to the light, never taking things personal. So that's that thick skin component of, okay, something was said or done. And understand that people all have their own experiences. And they see the world through their own paradigm, and even things that are directed to you. It comes with the tinge of that person's lived experience, and you have to understand it not to internalize it. And it's a reminder, when people are being critical or give me feedback are not a grand take it in to understand, oh, this is a perspective and I could learn from it but never to penetrate the heart and become part of your essence. And you know that's happening if you're looping things that's been my kind of like indicator like I've internalized this because I'm thinking about it all the time. And lastly, like I tell my students all the time, always try your best. Even if things don't work out the way you want it to work out. When you put your heart, your soul your energy into your work. You can walk away knowing you've done well. It's like your own self love and validation. Because you've tried your best, you know, you've done your best. And despite the outcome, you can be at peace or ease until the next thing comes. So the Four Agreements encompass those values and actually try to live by them. And I've been thinking about these agreements for years. But after that accident, or that incident, rather, they've been completely become so much more ingrained. And I'm just thinking constantly as I try to seize the day, and live my life as impactful as possible until I close my eyes like I am laser focused on that.

Analiza: Of those four agreements. Mel, were there one that was such a Wowser, with what you had originally thought, that's made such a big difference?

Mel: I would say the one that was the most challenging for me was the Wowzer. And it continues to be my work. And it's the making assumptions, you know, going up the ladder of inference, sometimes not wanting to have that tough conversation, or even communicating what I need, assumptions come in the mix of like my y. So mine is not clear about why I want to do something, I've probably ger of inference made an assumption of and projected or predicted the future of how it's going to turn out. So that's one that I constantly try to catch. And that has been the most difficult and at the same time, like the Wiser one, like I see my work with that women the most.

Analiza: Could you share Mel an example of how remembering the agreement pulls you out so that you could go up that ladder of inference.

Mel: My first year at Brooklyn Kindergarten Society, I had a banner year, and I was still very worried about how everybody perceived me or thought about my work. And it was time for my end of year review. And it was going very well. And in the middle of the review, I named that I shared some of my areas where I felt that I can do more work in or ways that I can do better. And I was very hesitant to share that like I didn't want to share weakness, I almost didn't say the thing, because I was afraid of how it would be perceived, they wouldn't see me as a strong leader, or someone who's being off all the successes. And when I stopped making that assumption, I said it and it came this wonderful discourse and dialogue. And what I got out of it was more support of like, oh, we can actually help you with this, you don't have to be the bearer of this burden. I could do it. So part of not making assumptions for me comes with also being vulnerable to say what's on my mind so that I can get you the support, I need the listening ear I need or maybe some resources I didn't think of.

Analiza: Vulnerability. It's the antithesis to the Wonder Woman, I've got to do it all. And actually, that's like a way to connect. So I love that you mentioned that was there a time in your career when you learn what it would really take to get to the top?

Mel: I think it was when I was becoming a principal. And I had received my principal certification, maybe three years before I actually became a principal. Because even though I went through the training, and I had all the extra degree and so forth, I wasn't ready. And I realized because my emotional fortitude still needed more development. Technically, I could do the job. Technically, I knew what had to happen on the ground, operate with operations, and I had a strong and instructional vision. But until I tapped into my confidence and felt secure, and had the right mindset, it wasn't going to happen. And it took me years after getting the certification to them, like I'm ready. And that was an internal conversation experience, self esteem journey that I had to go through to know that I could do it. So for me, it was very much emotional very much about what I could bring to get to the next level. Like I had to believe in me first before anyone everyone else believed in me, but until I did, I wasn't making the movement to get to the next step. And that was pivotal in me taking on anything and regardless of the leadership role.

Analiza: So Mel, if I were to come to you say how can I build my confidence? Other people seem to be confident in me, but I'm not confident in myself, would you tell me to do one

Mel: I started asking myself some really hard questions, my journal and I keep it next to me. And this is this month, journal, find joy in the ordinary. And I started asking my questions about myself questions as if I was out of body. What does Mel bring to the table? What are some areas that I want to get better at? What do I need to work on? But I would ask myself constant I had about 50 or so little micro questions that I would work myself Oh, were months. And I would do the same questions month after month. And the answers would start changing. And I had to go through a real deep reflection process and not keep it surface to get to the core of what I was afraid of. And what I was afraid of, when I can say it now was rejection, and my rejection stem from some stuff that happened in my childhood of like wanting to be perfect and not wanting to get that negative, you know, response because I didn't do the thing the way someone else wanted me to do. So I got to the core of my fear, which was rejection. And I started working through that, and what will be the feeling that I would have if I got rejected? Sit in that. And when I did get rejected, realizing like, Oh, I didn't die and fall apart, like it was a feeling. It was an emotion and it worked itself out. And then I started really digging deep. Like, how long did these feelings of the dispair last when they came? For me, it was two weeks and two weeks, I realized, I started to feel better. So I started to normalize rejection and or failure. And I was like, Oh, I can do this. Now granted, I didn't go on to the principalship Superwoman, I had my cape on I went through that process, but I knew I could do it. I knew I could do it, I knew what was the root of my fair projection. And I've been working through that continuously, like the work doesn't stop, it just shows up in different ways, because the parameters have shifted, but the paradigm has shifted, but knowing your the thing at the core that stopping you for making the jump, very important to do that software, and to continue to nurture it, because that's that inner child stuff. And we all get that childhood amnesia, or maybe you remember it, or maybe it's packed away. And that's subconscious, but you got to address it, because that's subconscious will have you doing things you're not even aware of. And the goal is to become more self aware. And to catch it when it's happening.

Analiza: That's deep, that healing that inner child work is so important, yet, I don't think that we really talked about it in school, even with leaning towards social emotional, so I'm so glad you're bringing it up. And that it's important work with a therapist or on your own and or on your own, that I love that you're doing that. And it's been profound for you that rejection, you're still alive, nothing. Well, it felt like you would die, you didn't. And that it's normal. I often find that when we're going through painful emotions, the first thing for me is to stay really busy or to push it away or have the childhood amnesia, and it takes a lot of courage to actually look at it and see it. And however long it takes the process two weeks, or however that much time.

Mel: From my own experiences that when I think about whatever the moment was, from my childhood, that triggers an emotional response, when I stop having that emotional response tearing up or that painful feeling in the body because it was so heavy or hurt. I'm moving towards acceptance, I'm making progress, I no longer have that emotional response from that thing that happened when I was nine. I can think about it, I can think about it making progress that has been like the indicator of like, moving through that challenge or that experience that led to me not wanting to be rejected.

Analiza: And that the naming, it starts there to name it and then sit with it. So I'm curious about your goals did you have your sights on I want to be a CEO, I want to be Executive Director.

Mel: Initially, when I went on to the nonprofit world I wanted to learn, I wanted to stretch, I wanted to see the transferable skills high with limb and by chance, the more I got involved, and the more I started making more connections, and I got some good feedback from my former Ed. And I took it in, I was like, oh, I want to stretch in this way. He told me you need to grow your social capital. You need to stop playing small. You need to lean in and share and talk to people about the awesome things that you're doing. You need to build your network. He said, So how did you get here again, I said hard work. No one gave me the ends to anywhere I went. I literally showed up blank without a referral without a reference without anything. Every single career that I've gotten. I don't even have a LinkedIn. But what I have been able to do is genuinely connect with people I interact with and resume and experience has been how I've gotten to where I've gotten but he said if you do that, plus people you are to go to the next level. So I literally took his advice and started speaking up more, started to network interface with other folks in the field. So the training course if the Learn and poof it all happen bKS came to fruition just like that. That's what I was. Listening. So now I'm a networking socializing butterfly. And that has definitely propelled so much of the work and gotten so many people more inspired. And we've done great things diversifying revenue. It's been amazing in these last 18 months at PKS and I take that advice that feedback all the time and I move with it, the smallest thing goes a long way, but also authentically connecting with people, not because I want something because I am genuinely invested in learning about the person and build them with a relationship has been transformative.

Analiza: Now, can you talk about the specific steps for networking? The BKS opportunity came that was so quick. So it's helpful for people who have not spread their butterfly wings to have a little bit of a playbook. First step

Mel: It's the awareness of how you feel about networking, and socializing and naming like, just getting to the root, do you like to do it? If you don't like to do it? If you do not like to do it, then there's some work that you got to do. First, you have to practice, you need to practice your elevator intro. And if you're going to an event solo, how are you going to maneuver? Are you going to just be in the corner looking at folks? Or how are you going to jump in. So I would also say if you're going to an event, you're going to socialize and network, understand the event, understand who's potentially going to be there and see how you may be able to engage in the conversations with folks, because you may have similar interests or be in a similar industry. And if the person is public, or the people that are more public, do your research, because you want to have a natural organic way to start a conversation. I would also say, Why do you want to meet the people that you're meeting, you have to have your wine really clear, it can't just be on the go on a network and pass on that business card. No one's following up with you, you'll pass it up, but you won't get what you want. So your wine needs to be very clear. Why do you want to know folks in this circle? And what do you have to offer them? Why? How would you add value to them and vice versa. Everybody wants to know how the relationships don't work, there has to be two sides, you can't have a one sided relationship. So your added value has to be very clear in your mind and you exude that, and it has to be real. Third, you have to follow up with anyone you chat to interact with? You have to give them that follow up email, try to get a connection afterwards. But also, what are you going to talk about and being very clear, is it it that you are pitching something? Are you genuinely invested in their organization? Are you looking for a job? And what about you? Are you packaging? Very nice, that's authentic? are you connecting about the cause about the event that you're at? All of this comes into play, and at the very end of the day, you gotta be confident. You gotta check that gotta tap into your self esteem. I think that is the biggest thing. If you are nervous about networking, you got to dig deep. What is that about? And I'm like, oh, rejection again, for me. And no, that piece, it goes right back. And now I network and I socialize and I build relationships with folks. But I'm genuinely interested in knowing about the person and or how that person or organization will impact BKs. It's a twofer. For me, it never shifts, it's never one sided. I have to be interested. I have to, for it to work for those connections to be the way they have been.

Analiza: I think your description of how to network is both goal oriented but also sourced from within your belief about yourself and being authentic. And also why are you doing it? So I love that because it's not like okay, get out there, get names, go home, but like be yourself and have some fun and then get some work done. So a little bit all so let's go to Bing co Mal. Is there anything surprising or maybe hard? The adversity you faced? Just curious about that.

Mel: I think at this particular time because of the pandemic, what has been difficult. And uncharted waters for me, has been the constant change and communicating constant change. I'm used to communicating a plan a process and I've had to communicate multiple plans, multiple processes, and create buy in non stop and deal with people's anxieties and fears in a way that probably never that was never part of the equation and pass or if it was it was very muted, or there was not space to mention how I feel. So now I realize the biggest challenge is communication, a clear vision in the middle of change and keeping people inspired and not burned out and morale high and morale is always a thing with an organization that marches particularly hard in a school organization. but it's a challenge. But one thing I do appreciate out of it is that we get to focus more on how people feel, and emotions and perspective and voice and being seen. You have to make space for that. And there's an intermingling of personal and professional constantly and the professional environment has to include personal perspectives. So that is challenging, but it's a necessary piece to have a good ecosystem that respects folks, because the folks who are doing the work are not respected. How are you going to transfer the respect of Children and Family? That's weird. It needs to all be an alignment.

Analiza: The alignment piece is so important, because we're not no longer being seen as just task rabbits, but actually people, humans who have values and feelings. So I think it's a good move to bring in the whole human. What advice would you give a woman in their career trying to make it to the top?

Mel: I would say no, why you want to get to the position that you want to get to, I would also say, if this move is on the trajectory of your purpose, figure out what your purpose is, or have a sense of why you came to this world. Or ask yourself that question, before you start going through the motions or the minutiae like getting to the top, I would also say which might be controversial. Don't make decisions based only on income and finances. Money does not make life, I personally feel any better. Your happiness is always within you first, money helps, that is nice, but making a decision strictly on income or salary. No, have your why, your purpose established first. And then of course factor in income. If you can get to a place where you are confident in yourself. And I've done some personal development, it's a good time to jump in. Because so much of the work is so emotional, it's heavy, there's a lot of responsibility. You want to come in there as whole as possible, so that you can show up for your org, your team, your family, you don't want to go on that work and get burnt out and fall apart or go through a nervous breakdown because it can't happen. It's heavy. Work on stuff. Get this nice and bright and tight. Tap into your happiness and joy because you don't need it. When those tough days come and if you have a support circle, really important to more therapists as you jump into senior leadership.

Analiza: All right, let's lighten it up a bit. Now you're ready for lightning round questions.

Mel: Absolutely.

Analiza: All right. Chocolate or vanilla?

Mel: Vanilla.

Analiza: Cookie or takeout.

Mel: Uber, Please

Analiza: Climb a mountain or jump from a plane.

The thought of both of those make me want to lay on a beach.

Analiza: Have you ever worn socks with sandals?

Mel: Unfortunately, I have a picture when I was five years old. Yes.

Analiza: How would you rate your karaoke skills on a scale of one to 10-10 being Mariah Carey?

Mel: Regular five.

Analiza: What's a recent book you read?

Mel: Courageous conversations.

Analiza: What's your favorite way to practice self care?

Mel: Sunday night baths candles, rose petals, Epsom salt. Jill Scott in the background.

Analiza: You've done boss mama's so how is the boss Mama's program for you? How did it help you?

Mel: Community, huge a space to be vulnerable and pose questions and that people can sustain through them who also know the heaviness of balancing career family and self? That was really nice. And also seeing folks in different walks of life helpful. It just gives you like, Oh, my feelings. Yes, they are unique. But that really this other folks don't do the thing. And then we talked about the thing, we can actually get some more clarity. I had a couple of questions that I posted the Bahamas group, they helped me out, particularly around making some assumptions. So that was helpful to have that space. Sometimes leadership, you don't get to interact or make new friends. You don't make new friends all the time. So it's a way to make some new friends. Even maybe even adulting, making new friends at heart. So that was a nice space to make some new friends. I hope we stay connected and configure how to have in person reunion. But Everyone's so busy, but I did appreciate that. And I did love the diversity of the group. There was women from all walks of life, race, different leadership position, different levels of where they were with their families. I needed that because I've been isolated for quite a bit.

Analiza: What's your definition of a Boss Mama?

Mel: Boss Mama stands out for herself. She knows where she's going. She's working on who she is. She doesn't have everything figured out and she's okay with that. My Boss Mama is beautiful. She's fearless. She makes tough decisions. A boss mama puts her kids first and a boss mama understands like sometimes the kids start to itch and it's okay. A boss mama cares about people and it's very intentional.

Analiza: And then where can we find you?

Mel: Find me on BKs is Instagram. If you go to Instagram and type in Brooklyn Kindergarten Society and find me there, you can find me on BKS in Facebook, and I'm a Google search away.

Analiza: All right, last question. Do you have a final ask recommendation or any parting thoughts for the audience?

Mel: If you have a dream that you want to pursue, it is yours to have kind of believe it, get some action behind it, and stay consistent.

Analiza: Love it. Thank you so much, Mel.

Mel: Thank you Analiza.

Analiza: Thank you so much for carving out time today to hear today's podcast. Three things before you go. First, if you found it helpful, please leave a five star review. Second, please share with someone else you can share the link and posts on Facebook and say check it out. Lastly, I want to thank you for being a listener and you didn't go to get a free self care bonus called juicy your joy at Analizawolf.com/freebonus. Thank you so much.