The Reach Back
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Last week, I stood in my kitchen holding a clear acrylic plaque from the Oleander 2 Civic & Social Club, and I felt two things at once: deep gratitude and a quiet sense of responsibility.
This acknowledgment isn’t just about one event or one organization. For me, it’s a reminder of why I do this work at all—why I coach, why I consult, why I keep saying “yes” to spaces that center community and the next generation.
Why This Recognition Matters
Oleander 2 Civic & Social Club didn’t have to say “thank you.” Community work is often invisible, especially for Black women, caregivers, and everyday leaders who plan the programs, send the texts, cook the food, drive the kids, and clean up the room after everyone leaves.
So when an organization pauses to say, “We see you. You make a difference,” it matters.
This plaque honors Exhale Consulting’s support of Oleander 2’s civic and social events—but what it really acknowledges is partnership:
Late-night planning calls and “do we have enough volunteers?”
Thoughtful conversations about how to make events more inclusive and welcoming.
Intentionally creating spaces where young people don’t just attend, but belong.
As a licensed professional engineer, executive coach, and facilitator, much of my professional life has been about building systems, leading teams, and designing strategies that help organizations thrive. But my heart work has always been tied to community—especially to young people who are trying to imagine a life bigger than what they’ve seen so far.
Reaching Back Is Non-Negotiable
I am where I am today because people reached back for me.
Mentors who took time to explain the “why,” not just the “what.”Supervisors who saw leadership in me before I had the title.Community elders who modeled service, even when they were tired or under-resourced.
Over more than 25 years in engineering, public service, and organizational leadership, I’ve seen the power of investing in people, not just projects. Budgets get bigger, yes, but so does courage, innovation, and possibility.
That’s what Oleander 2 is doing—investing in the next generation not only through events, but through visibility, connection, and care. When we show up for youth, we’re not just filling a calendar; we’re planting evidence in their memories:
“I am worth planning for.I am worth showing up for.I am part of something bigger than myself.”
What It Means to “Reach Back”
Reaching back isn’t always grand. Most of the time, it looks like:
Making room at the table – asking a young person what they think before you finalize a decision.
Sharing your story honestly – not just the highlight reel, but the hard parts too.
Opening doors – recommending them for opportunities, inviting them into networks, and celebrating their gifts publicly.
Teaching the “how,” not just giving the result – walking them through the process so they can build their own muscle.
In my work with nonprofits, agencies, and socially responsible organizations, I’ve learned that the most sustainable strategies are the ones that center on people and relationships. Reaching back is a leadership strategy, not just a nice gesture—because when young people are supported, the whole community becomes more resilient.
The Next Generation Is Watching
Every time we serve on a board, volunteer at a civic event, host a youth workshop, or simply show up consistently, we’re sending a message:
“This is how we treat our community. This is how we show up for each other.”
Young people are taking notes long before we hand them a microphone. They’re watching how we handle conflict, how we share power, how we talk about our neighbors, and whether we do what we say we value.
So when Oleander 2 Civic & Social Club honors my contribution, I receive it not as a finish line, but as a nudge:
Keep going. Keep reaching back. Keep making sure the next generation has more tools, more language, and more support than you did.
If you’re reading this, I want to invite you into the work:
Find a local civic club, youth program, or community group and ask what they need.
Offer your gifts—maybe it’s facilitation, mentoring, fundraising, logistics, or simply consistent presence.
Bring a young person with you to your next community meeting or event. Let them see how things get built.
You don’t have to be an engineer, coach, or consultant to make a difference. You just have to be willing to care out loud and in public.
I’m grateful to Oleander 2 Civic & Social Club for this beautiful acknowledgment. But more than anything, I’m grateful for the reminder that the real award is the legacy we’re building—one young person, one conversation, one act of reaching back at a time.
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