Meet Mercedes Pickett

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mercedes Pickett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mercedes, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

From a young age, I desired to be ‘a creative’, though I was methodical in almost every approach. I took my systematic and analytical approach to life and applied it to what I had access to and what made sense. I began by sketching layouts of rooms before my mother rearranged them; I would sketch prom dresses for my sisters and me, as I could pass them along to the seamstress. I even began recreating 3d models of historic buildings or recreating one of my favorite artworks: A Stormy Night.

But decades later, keeping creativity alive became daunting, as work and responsibility became the priority, and finding the time to be ‘a creative’ was saved for the holidays. Still, it wasn’t until enduring one of the most trying experiences, domestic violence, that I had to tap into the light, the color, and the art of creating. In those moments when my heart was heavy, and the world felt dark, the creation process became my sanctuary and strength.

My creative journey helped me heal and allowed me to be an inspiration within my community and a beacon of hope for others. Through my work with Earth’s Remedies (E.R.) and ER Data Solutions (ERDS), I focus on resource development, data advocacy, and improving effectiveness. Through this work and my life in Chicago, I could see the durability, sustainability, and resiliency encompassing the people, the buildings, and the environment around us. This became the inspiration behind my creations! Because of my journey, my creativity is amplified because I develop my crafts, community, and self and encourage the community to do the same! That is a vital part of improving our quality of life. It means building oneself and being oneself. This holistic approach to creativity with self and community has kept my creative spirit alive and thriving.

The balance I maintain between my professional responsibilities, personal healing, and community engagement nurtures my creativity, and a continuous cycle of personal growth, resilience, and inspiration fuels my passion and purpose.

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?

My name is Mercedes Pickett, and I am a database developer by day and a community architect by night. With over a decade of data analysis experience and two decades of community development experience, I utilize my expertise to identify and amplify impact within marginalized communities.

I am the founder and CEO of Earth’s Remedies (E.R.), a resource development and data advocacy organization, and ER Data Solutions (ERDS), a data analysis startup identifying nonprofits’ effectiveness and inefficiencies while improving end-user services. I am amplifying the needs of scholars, their families, and the small businesses that service those communities.

I have a strong desire to learn and appreciate the unique opportunity to learn from different people. As I am currently leaning into impact analysis, I would love to know about your work, how you define success, and some of your challenges.

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?

Reflecting on my journey, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge stand out as particularly impactful:

1. CommUnity: Get involved in your community early on. Volunteer, join local organizations, and build relationships with people who share your passions. Community engagement enriches your life, provides a network of support and inspiration, and creates a great sense of purpose.
2. Inquisitive: Staying curious and committed to learning has kept my skills sharp and my creativity alive. Continuously expanding my knowledge through formal education, developmental workshops, or self-learning has been crucial to my success.
3. Resiliency Becomes Persevere: Bouncing back from adversity was challenging; however, facing challenges, especially personal ones like domestic violence, taught me the importance of finding my strength. It’s about finding strength in difficult times and using those experiences to fuel your growth toward inner and outer peace.

**Advice**: For those early in their journey, embrace challenges as opportunities to build resilience. Practice self-care, seek support when needed, and remember that setbacks are a natural part of growth. Each obstacle you overcome strengthens your ability to navigative future challenges!

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

As a community architect, I’m deeply committed to sharing development resources with vulnerable communities and connecting youth to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) opportunities. As a data analyst, I’m also eager to collaborate and learn about various philanthropic sectors, data sets, and strategies.

Who I’m Looking to Collaborate With:
1. Non-profit organizations and NGOs focus on community development, education, and youth empowerment.
2. Educational Institutions: Schools, colleges, and universities keen on promoting STEAM education.
3. Tech and Data Enthusiasts: Individuals or groups passionate about data analysis, especially in social impact and philanthropy.
4. Philanthropic Foundations: Organizations looking to leverage data to enhance their impact and reach.
5. Community Leaders and Activists: These people are on the ground and understand their communities’ unique needs.

How to Connect:
If you’re interested in collaborating, please connect with me. I’m excited to explore how we can make a meaningful impact!

I am looking forward to connecting and making a difference together!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Antonio Mitchell
Javon Smith
Patricia Aquino
Ally Almore

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