how I got here...

When I started my television career over twenty years ago, I was fearless… but also insanely naïve. I was ambitious and savvy enough to pick up the skills needed to do the work quickly, but wow, did I make many mistakes! And not just at the beginning of my career—but at every stage. 
 
Being from a small South Texas town and the first woman in my family to graduate from college, I wasn't prepared for life in New York City and had no one to ask for advice. Early on, I struggled. But throughout the years, I worked for some great bosses and met some of the best in the industry, which taught me many valuable lessons. With their help, my career flourished.

But even as I climbed up the ranks, I still felt like an outsider, and I often allowed my self-confidence to waver. It wasn't until I took a job as Vice President of Program Scheduling at BET Networks that I began to meet many other women of color that were just killing the game! One such woman went out of her way to help me and became a great mentor. Her name was Maureen Guthman.

Maureen would often call me into her office casually, ask me to sit on her sofa, then turn to me and say, "How you doin', babe? You doin' alright?" More than once, I fell apart when she asked. She always knew when something was on my mind, and with a smooth voice and easy-going patience, she'd coach me through whatever I'd been carrying inside.
 
When I left BET, Maureen and I would check in occasionally. Once, we went to lunch, and I told her that one day I'd like to start a mentorship program to help other WOC navigate their way through their careers. Maureen beamed at me. Mentoring and supporting other women was a passion of hers, and she quickly said, "Babe, do it. Don't just talk about it. Do it."
 
Now, almost eight years later, I’m finally at a place where I can honor that moment and honor Maureen. Sadly, she left this earth in November 2022, but I know she’ll be with all of us in spirit, cheering you on proudly.  

brands i've impacted: