Meet Persephone Shelton

We were lucky to catch up with Persephone Shelton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Persephone, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

There were numerous times that I was the “only one in the room” that looked like me, that sounded like me, and that had gone through the challenges that I had gone through in my youth and adulthood. These experiences varied from being the only minority that lived in my apartment complex, worked in my office building and “yes” even in the courtroom. They also happened in stages in my life with each stage being more difficult than the previous. It started when I was in my early 30’s and had faced a series of challenges surrounding a lack of suitable employment. Inevitably, this led to me accepting a job offer in Utah, which was a state that totally lacked diversity in the late 1990’s. I’d always lived in a predominantly black neighborhood, was a life-long member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and had graduated with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from a historically black college. To say that Utah was a culture shock to me is an understatement of epic proportions. My new job was in a management position that required I manage those who did not look like me, nor had ever met anyone who looked like me. The challenges I faced were overwhelming and left me in tears at the end of most workdays. However, I learned to rely on my instincts, my wit, and my ability to empathize with others; all which helped me to develop the leadership skills that eventually garnered the love and respect of not only my subordinates but also my colleagues.

Although I was in Utah for less than a year, the lessons I’d learned and who I’d become transformed my life in a myriad of ways and prepared me for the next stop on my journey…. law school. As a person born and raised in the south, I chose to attend law school in Massachusetts. Moreover, a law school that had a history of accepting only a hand full of minorities each year. In 1998, however, twenty-five were accepted and I was one of them. The process was brutal from an academic and sociological perspective. I often stared racism square in the face, on and off of campus. Nonetheless, I persevered because I was on a mission and wouldn’t allow anyone or anything to stand in my way. Achieving my goal of earning my Juris Doctor required leaning heavily on the knowledge and skills I’d developed during my stint in Utah and to my surprise, it worked.

I’d done it, I’d graduated from law school. The only person in my family to have ever achieved this feat. The war, however, wasn’t over. Upon getting my bar license, and hanging my own shingle a year after, I was back in the south and now faced with what most minority attorneys face at some point during their career…..walking into a courtroom where you’re the only minority attorney and sometimes the only minority in the entire courtroom. Does this ever end? Will I ever get off of this rollercoaster? Despite these questions that I routinely asked myself, I’d paid the cost of becoming an attorney, literally and figuratively, and there was no turning back now. So, armed with my Utah and law school experiences, I prepared for each and every court hearing with vigor, put on the thick skin I’d developed over the years, reminded myself each day that I am just as capable, if not more, than my colleagues, and boldly and confidently walked into the courtroom. I refused to be singled-out; I refused to be treated differently; and I refused to quit. Facing my challenges head-on has brought me to where I am today, the owner of my own law firm with eight years of private practice under my belt.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am the founder of The Shelton Law Firm, LLC, a boutique law firm that focuses primarily on personal injury matters. Although considered a “small firm”, we represent clients throughout the state of Georgia and in various capacities under the personal injury umbrella. What I find to be the most exciting part of my business is that my staff and I get to work with clients on a personal level whether it’s through their own physical injuries, loss of a loved one, or the financial hardships that often accompany their legal issues. We get to work diligently and zealously to help them get their lives back on track. This means we get to be there while they go from sorrow to joy again. The personal relationship that we get to develop with many of our clients often yields referrals to their families, coworkers, and community members. This has allowed my practice to grow exponentially over the last few years and what continues to help us flourish today.

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?

One of the most important skills that was exceptionally impactful in helping grow my firm was learning the art of networking. My very first job as an attorney was working in a corporate office. My immediate superior, the Chief Legal Officer of the company was a huge networker, as it was a part of her job duties. She’d often send me to events and meetings in her place when her schedule prevented her from attending. It was very difficult for me in the beginning, walking into rooms with complete strangers, introducing myself and having to make small talk. Instead of seeing this as a challenge to run from, I embraced it. I read books, articles, blogs, etc. about networking and attended as many functions as I could. Not only did I learn how to confidently walk into a room of strangers and introduce myself with ease, but I also learned how to sell myself, which has been the key tenet to growing my practice.

In addition to networking, I worked on mastering another huge social skill…smiling. Growing up, people always told me that I had a beautiful smile. While it made me feel shy and uncomfortable to hear this as a child, I learned to embrace it as an adult. I realized that it was a simple gesture, but in the world of business, it opens doors. People viewed me as “warm” and “friendly” and were eager to help me in a myriad of ways, whether it was agreeing to have lunch with me to discuss a business deal or inviting me to an event I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend. In a world where women, particularly women of color, are often viewed in a negative light when it comes to social skill, I found that some of the stereotypes were washed away when I took the first step to extend a “smile” when meeting someone.

My advice to those who are early in their journeys or need to take a detour is to first learn the art of networking (i.e. connecting with others). Couple that with what makes you uniquely you and you and your business will become like a magnet to others.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful things my parents did for me was to teach me the value of a good education. My mother and father both come from very humble beginnings. Having met in college and not having family to rely on for financial assistance, they understood that the best avenue to achieving financial stability was through an education. Although marrying at a very young age (my mother was only nineteen), they both continued to further their studies while raising my siblings and me, eventually earning their master’s degrees and my dad a doctorate. I was able to witness firsthand the difference in lifestyles and opportunities between my parents and those of my friends, who had not taken the path of achieving higher education. The lesson in it all for me was that once earned, no one could take away my education nor my ability to think. For this, I am truly grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thesheltonlawfirm.net
• Instagram: @thesheltonlawfirmllc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesheltonawfirmllc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/persephone-shelton-6b5749a9