It Starts With Why

It starts with why! I have spent the past two years of my life running away from my purpose. I thought that if I kept ignoring the tugging and pulling that I would feel every day, then the feeling would eventually disappear. If you keep running away from something, you ultimately will run smack right into it. My creation of BJ Thomas Consulting Group results from running from my purpose and having no other option than to step into my passion and purpose. The only explanation that I have for running is FEAR! Fear of failure, of course, but more so the fear of success.  Crazy, right? I believe that more people are afraid of doing well versus failing. Fearing success can also stem from Imposter Syndrome. I have over 15 years of professional work in Diversity and Inclusion. No matter how much experience I have or have much knowledge, it does not stop me from feeling like I snuck into a party.

It may have something to do with being the first one in my immediate family to work in a corporate environment. While I had no problems with learning the work and completing the tasks, I still struggled with navigating the workplace and some of the conversations. For example, I tried to explain that being the oldest of ten children results from a large, blended family and that my family wasn’t “traditional” but still my family. I remember my grandfather passed away and explaining to a white colleague that my grandfather’s death was unexpected and deeply impacted my ability to perform. I felt the need to share that because my parents were teenagers when I was born, my grandparents and great grandparents played a large role in my upbringing. Unknowingly, I sometimes shied away from specific conversations because I did not want to be even more different than I already felt. It was hard enough to be the ONLY “one” in the room and now add that my non “traditional” family; I felt judged even if there weren’t words. These experiences drove my passion for wanting to create and work in a more diverse professional environment. 

BJ Thomas Consulting Group is more than a professional endeavor; it's personal.

I have encountered other employees from various backgrounds, experiences, and communities who have experienced my feelings during my career. We all wanted the ability to show up to a work culture that allowed us to be authentic and not feel “Othered”. Therefore, I created BJ Thomas Consulting Group to partner with serious organizations centering diversity and inclusion efforts as part of their strategic goals. Our vision at BJ Thomas Consulting Group is to help organizations increase diverse talent in mid-level professionals to executive-level positions. BJ Thomas Consulting Group is more than a professional endeavor; it’s personal. 

I look forward to bringing you along on my journey as an entrepreneur who ran right into her purpose. Let’s remember that the D&I journey is not one for the faint of heart. This work can be just as taxing, frustrating, and lonely as it can be rewarding. It’s a movement and not a moment. We are on this journey together. THANK YOU for stopping by. ​

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