Meet Marcie Smith

We were lucky to catch up with Marcie Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marcie , 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?

I’ve been the only one in the room that looks like me ever since I can remember, growing up in Northglenn, CO and Tucson, AZ, I was often the only or 1 of 2 black children in classrooms, being “different” became the norm and I learned to quickly normalize that for my inner self, the outside world will loudly let you know that you are different and try to make you feel like you don’t belong, but my family instilled self confidence in me at very early age. I also had a number of adults in my life who also made sure to hype me up and let me know that I belonged in all spaces I had to be in and choose to be in. I would say self confidence and knowing that I had the ability to leave a space better than I found it was paramount to my effectiveness and success! Often Being the “only” also makes me curious, I ask a lot of questions and encourage others to do the same, the quote ” we are more alike than we are different” is absolutely true when you really get to know folks on a deeper level. The last thing that has made me successful in these situations is showing up as my whole self, that is being proud out and loud about being black, female, lesbian and a FULL sagittarius lol. Showing up as my authentic self allows others to come out of their shell and be themselves too!

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I do many things:
By day I’m an education SEL Counselor for grades 9-12
I’m a certified mindfulness teacher/coach
I’m an LGBTQ Advocate as a Commissioner on the Denver LGBTQ Commission for the Mayor
I’m a Singer | Songwriter, music is therapy
and a seeker of Peace Ease and Joy

2 upcoming shows:
Aurora pride Aug. 3rd
Douglas County Pride Aug. 4th
Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center Fundraiser Sept. 14th

Creator: Mindfulness Curriculum called “The Rocket Project” for K-12 Grades, to help students learn emotional regulation

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Learn to be mindful and to use mindfulness to help regulate your emotions, emotional regulation is a direct indicator of how successful you will/can be. Being able to self regulate is paramount to all of your relationships.

2. Don’t forget to throw play and joy into each of your days, look for opportunities to find joy and play throughout your days and you will feel infinitely lighter and the hard days will be more tolerable.

3. BE YOU and Find YOUR tribe of folks to support you!

My best advice is to know that all feelings thoughts and actions are temporary, good bad and otherwise, it will pass, even on your hardest days I promise the “hard” won’t last forever. Focus on what is in front of you, one moment at a time.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

I am a child of a parent who immigrated to the US, watching my mom navigate the system and become self reliant and successful was awe-inspiring. Her resilience with racism, differences in culture, and gender roles definitely has had a big influence on who I have become, from an early age she instilled independence and self sufficiency in all of kids. We all had jobs as teens and knew how to take care of ourselves and each other, it really did take a small village to raise us all. My mom was a female electronic engineer and eventually made her way into management before retiring, she was constantly the only one who looked like her at work. She enjoyed her job, worked hard and it all paid off to take care of her family! She gave us all a great spring board into successful adult lives and model to follow.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: marciemusicofficial
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcie-s-a26785217/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/AfterIdol
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/marcie-smith
• Other: https://reverbnation.com/marciesmith

Image Credits

N/A