Meet Charlene Gladney

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Charlene Gladney. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Charlene Gladney, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resilience is deeply rooted in my faith, which teaches me that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called to fulfill His purposes. Throughout my life, both personally and professionally, I have faced numerous setbacks, but God has always guided me through them. Each challenge taught me valuable lessons and helped me grow stronger.

As a child with braces on my legs and the looming threat of surgery, I endured teasing from other children. However, I learned perseverance and discovered that with practice, I could run without falling. I also witnessed my mother’s determination as she earned a BS in nursing and a master’s degree to become the first family nurse practitioner at the Guilford County Health Department, despite facing significant discrimination.

During my college years, I learned to overcome depression, a skill that proved invaluable later when I faced postpartum depression with the help of mental health professionals. I also learned to manage and leverage my extreme ADHD, using it as a springboard to help thousands of youth who grew up in similar circumstances (poor, single-parent homes) through the founding and development of Operation Xcel.

These experiences have all contributed to my resilience, showing me that with faith, perseverance, and support, any obstacle can be overcome.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the Founder and Executive Director of Operation Xcel. Operation Xcel is a place where learners are inspired to excel in every area of their lives and make meaningful changes in the world by equipping youth academically, socially, physically, and emotionally through future-focused after-school, summer, and mentorship programs.

The spark was ignited one Wednesday night when I was reaching Bible Study to teens. Through the discussion, I learned that have of them were planning to drop out of school and work in manufacturing as soon as they turned 16. I knew from my time in manufacturing as an electrical engineer that this was not the bright future their parents and grandparents found.

I also knew the value of education. My own life changed seemingly overnight when my mother got her bachelor’s degree and then a master’s in nursing. We went from homemade furniture and clothes to store-bought furniture and clothes. My mom went from driving a Gremlin to cruising in a Chrysler New Yorker. Education changed everything! Generational poverty demolished – I made up my mind, at the age of 9, that I would go to college.

In high school, I was given the opportunity to attend the NC School of Science and Math. This further broadened my horizon by introducing me to STEM careers. In college and early career days, I volunteered for a number of youth-serving organizations: afterschool, Big brothers, Big Sisters, and Girl Scouts. As an adult, I was diagnosed with ADHD. I went through high school, college, and graduate school without the benefit of support. In my mind, the youth that we serve could definitely overcome learning differences if only given the opportunity.

Given my own experiences with ADHD and coming from a low-income, single-parent household, I have connected with many youths and families over the years. Some of the youth are now grown up and married and have become like family.

This work taught me how to navigate educational systems so that when my only son was diagnosed with dysgraphia and a processing delay, I could effectively advocate for him.

As an introvert, I have gained confidence in speaking publicly. I can now help amplify the voices of the youth I serve and advocate for their need.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Organizational Skills: Founding and directing Operation Xcel required strong leadership and organizational skills. This included strategic planning, program development, and team management to ensure the successful implementation of our mission.

2. Empathy: Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household, I could relate to the struggles faced by many of the families we serve. This empathy helped me build strong, trusting relationships with the youth and their families, creating a supportive community.

3. Leadership: As a leader, I strive for self-improvement; my journey has been marked by continuous learning, from overcoming personal challenges to gaining new skills in organizational management and educational advocacy. True leadership is rooted in service. My goal is to serve the youth and families in our community, helping them overcome barriers and achieve their full potential. This service-oriented mindset is at the heart of everything we do at Operation Xcel. Leadership also means being a strong communicator and advocate. As an introvert, I’ve worked hard to develop my public speaking skills. This has been crucial in raising awareness about the needs of the youth we serve and in advocating for resources and support.

You can best develop and improve these skills through volunteering. Volunteering with various youth-serving organizations, such as after-school programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Girl Scouts, allowed me to develop empathy, leadership skills, and organizational skills. You can also seek knowledge. Attend webinars, take courses, and step into new roles. Find a mentor to guide you and/or model attributes you desire to gain.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

My mother has been the most impactful person in my life, helping me overcome challenges and develop the essential skills, qualities, and knowledge needed for success. She taught me the importance of continuous learning and insisted that I believe in myself and persevere through difficulties. Her influence was not just through her words but also through her actions. Throughout her life, she modeled resilience and determination, showing me what it means to persevere. My mother also taught me empathy; I remember a time when she had me forgo back-to-school shopping for myself to help a less fortunate neighbor with clothes and supplies. This act of kindness left a lasting impression on me. Furthermore, she demonstrated leadership by serving her community in various leadership roles, inspiring me to follow in her footsteps. Her example has been a guiding force in my life, shaping my approach to leadership, empathy, and perseverance.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://operationxcel/.org
• Instagram: @operationxcel
• Twitter: operationxcel