31/05/2024
One of the ways God has abundantly blessed my life is by allowing me to be claimed as a mentor by so many extraordinary people. My relationship with two special people began ten years ago this month, at the 2014 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference in Columbus, Ohio: Naturalicious Founder Gwen Jimmere and Just Heal Bro creator, author and mental health evangelist Dr. Jay Barnett, DHA.
Gwen and I first got to know each other via mentoring sessions she earned as the winner of our elevator pitch competition at the conference. I call her “The Natural,” because I’ve never met anyone more naturally and intuitively gifted as an entrepreneurial founder. Gwen has a trait I value in most of my mentees who I call “Executioners”, because they don’t waste time between coming up with a decision, idea or plan, and executing on it. (I, on the other hand, am infatuated with ideation; I have a hundred brilliant ideas for every one I act on. Ironically, this makes me more gifted at mentoring and coaching entrepreneurs than at being an entrepreneur myself. God is hilarious.)
Jay approached me toward the end of the conference, humbly asking me for a few minutes of my time and attention specifically because he was advised to seek me out for mentorship. Since then, Jay has grown tremendously, and our bond has grown stronger over time. Now a nationally celebrated champion of mental health, especially for Black boys and men, he officially became Dr. Jay Barnett earlier this month, with a doctorate in health care administration.
True wealth comes in many different forms. Gwen and Jay are great examples of how richly rewarding mentoring others is for me. I couldn’t be prouder of all they have done over the past decade, or more excited about all they will do in the decades to come.
You already know: My mentees are better than yours. (They just are. Awww, don’t be mad.)