A Word from the CEO – Reflections and Directions
31 Aug 17 |
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It has been a long time since I have created a post on this website!
It has been along time since I have promoted a project or event.
The silence was a slow burn for me because it could be perceived that maybe I fell off, got sidetracked or just gave up. Ladies and gentlemen reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated! The truth is last year my family encountered an unexpected traumatic event that took a lot of energy out of me that I’m just now recuperating mentally from. The truth is I felt tired, depressed, overwhelmed and useless. The truth is I did get sidetracked, want to give up and fell back. The truth is I watched like an eager and hungry student other community activist and scholars did wonderful things for the community with a slight sense of bittersweet resentment because I wanted to be out there with them in every capacity but was caught up in my own depression. The truth is I stopped looking at the missed opportunities as failures. The truth is I took a step back to appreciate the blessings. The truth is I found my smile again. The truth is I took on employment that was demanding and challenging but enabled me by giving me the opportunity to hone and refine my leadership and organization skills and made me even more hungrier to make the Smith Center for Community Advancement become a true prospering nonprofit organization. The truth is I began to reexamine my position to make a better and more meaningful impact than my previous ventures. The truth is I slowly began to restock my power levels and rekindle that spirit that I had when I first started this journey. The truth is I humbled myself and reached out for help. The truth is… now I am READY!
You can’t predict when inspiration hits or where it comes from or even from who is the messenger. You just know that it’s coming so when it hits you be READY to receive and respond accordingly and that was exactly what happened to me recently. And just like when I first started this organization, I stepped out on faith and started to reach out to my friends, family and supporters in order to manifest my dream and to continue to put #wordsintoaction. And with this support I began to put my new plans into service! I want to thank my friends and family for never giving up on me and constantly reminding me of my role and purpose. I want to thank those out there doing great things for the community because your work and your passion motivated me to get my mental focus together and get back in the game, because we are all in this together!
On my birthday, October 2nd 2017 I will make a huge announcement, one of the most ambitious projects to date, with the purpose of reintroducing what the Smith Center is and will be for the community. I am beyond excited about this as I have meditated, consulted and prayed over this and I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has inadvertently or deliberately motivated me to keep pushing on with my mission and my purpose. Even when I thought I had no energy left to do it those interactions and observations were what I needed to get back into the game. I am blessed to be surrounded by greatness so how can I not be great alongside them?
So 10/2/17 – STAY TUNED!
—Andre C Russell, CEO, The Smith Center for Community Advancement
