Part 1 of a 2-Part Article Series.
These are extraordinary times for many leaders across the country. We’re seeing this unfold across every community in our country. Events over the last 35 months have changed all of the rules and applied pressure, disagreements, power struggles, provocation, tension, political interference, anger, and fear in our homes, in our communities, and in our places of employment. I understand the incredibly deep mental health challenges families and individuals continue to experience right now. In 2020, my perfect career was suddenly pushed off the well-oiled tracks, plunging me back down through the glass ceiling until I hit the cement floor with a huge splat. I had fallen from grace. I lost my career, my home, my dignity, my reputation, and the good name my dad encouraged me to work hard to protect. The immense shame and loss caused me to contemplate ways of completely erasing myself from existence - from changing my entire name and to taking my own life. READ MORE