Three years at Woodlawn United.

Three years of growth, lessons, relationships, challenges, opportunities, and countless moments that have shaped me both professionally and personally.

When I reflect on my time at Woodlawn United, I’m reminded that the most meaningful work isn’t always measured by a completed project, a successful event, or a number on a report. Sometimes, it’s measured by the relationships you build, the doors you help open, the voices you help amplify, and the people who have a seat at the table because you made sure they were invited.

For me, one of the most rewarding parts of my work has been advocating for the community I’m fortunate to serve.

Giving Woodlawn a Seat at the Table

Over the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to share Woodlawn’s story with local, state, and federal elected officials, policymakers, community leaders, funders, and partners. I’ve been able to talk about the challenges our community faces, but more importantly, I’ve been able to talk about the incredible work happening every day to address those challenges.

Advocacy has taught me that telling a community’s story is a responsibility.

It’s not simply about making sure people know your organization exists. It’s about making sure decision-makers understand the people behind the work. It’s about connecting policy to the lived experiences of residents. It’s about making the case for investment, opportunity, and resources—and making sure communities like Woodlawn aren’t left out of conversations that directly impact their future.

That responsibility is something I don’t take lightly.

One of the things I’m particularly proud of is that Woodlawn United served as a host site for the Southern Legislative Conference last year. We’ve also had the opportunity to welcome leaders from across the country to tour Woodlawn, learn from our work, and see firsthand what is possible when residents, nonprofit organizations, businesses, schools, government, and community partners come together around a shared vision.

There is something powerful about allowing people to experience a community for themselves.

They get to see the progress. They get to hear directly from people doing the work. They get to understand that community revitalization isn’t simply about buildings, programs, or investments—it’s about people and the conditions that allow people to thrive.

Creating those opportunities to elevate Woodlawn, tell its story, and connect the community to people who have the ability to influence policy and investment has been one of the most meaningful parts of my role.

What Leadership Has Taught Me

Perhaps just as important as the work itself has been what I’ve learned about leadership.

I’m grateful to be part of a dynamic team and to work alongside leadership that doesn’t simply ask for excellence—it demonstrates it.

There is a difference between being given a title and actually leading.

Over the past three years, I’ve learned to pay much closer attention to that difference. A title may tell you where someone sits on an organizational chart. Leadership tells you how they show up when the work gets difficult, how they treat people when no one is watching, how they hold themselves accountable, and whether they are willing to demonstrate the same standard they expect from others.

I’ve learned that some of the best leadership lessons don’t come from a leadership seminar or a textbook. They come from watching people work. They come from seeing how someone responds to pressure, how they make decisions, how they advocate for their team, and how consistently they pursue excellence.

Being surrounded by that kind of leadership has challenged me to think differently about the leader I want to become.

And I’m grateful for that.

Three Years In

Three years later, I’m proud of the work I’ve been able to contribute to, but I’m even more grateful for what the work has taught me.

I’ve learned more about advocacy. More about government and public affairs. More about partnerships. More about community development. More about the importance of relationships. And, perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned more about myself and the kind of professional and leader I want to be.

I’ve met people I never would have crossed paths with otherwise. I’ve sat at tables I once only hoped to have access to. I’ve had conversations with elected officials and leaders at the local, state, and federal levels about the future of Woodlawn. I’ve watched ideas turn into action and seen partnerships create opportunities that would not have been possible alone.

And through it all, the mission has remained the same: keep pushing Woodlawn forward and help create greater opportunities for the people who call it home.

There is still plenty of work to do.

There are still conversations to have, relationships to build, resources to pursue, policies to influence, and opportunities to create.

But that’s what makes the work meaningful.

Three years in, I’m grateful—not only for what we’ve accomplished, but for the opportunity to keep learning, keep advocating, keep growing, and keep showing up for Woodlawn.