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I was born in a small town in North Carolina and raised to be all things proper Southern Belle. But I always knew that I would someday outgrow southern living because I had Big City dreams. My corporate career of nearly 30 years as an EA would eventually lead me to one of the greatest cities in the world – New York.
I grew up in Greensboro, NC in a 2 parent home in tree-lined white neighborhoods with 2 brothers, 2 sisters and a dog named Brownie. My parent's first house was in an upper middle class neighborhood where they unknowingly bought next door to a KKK leader. No welcome wagon came with gifts and coupons to welcome us and congratulate us for breaking the color barrier. Rather, a cross was burned in our yard and my parents were threatened harm if we did not move. Despite the threats my parent's stood fast and vowed never to move, with the only casualty of that decision being the slaughter of Brownie by our KKK neighbor.
Years went by, we got another dog and my mother became best friend's with the KKK leader's abused wife. I watched my mother bandage her wounds, apply cold compresses to black eyes and pray for her. She turned an enemy into a friend. But not only did my Mother's compassion make her my hero, she started a printing business on a kitchen table that eventually lead to a commercial space and the opening of her 2nd business, a check cashing store. Beyond compassion was her determination, ambition and strength. All attributes I too possess.
From career executive assistant to CEO of my own business are the fruit of my Mother's labor.
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