Meet Monique Hudson

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

Monique , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
Since my early years, I’ve been instilled with the expectation of achieving excellence, leaving no room to allow excuses or societal barriers to determine my destiny. When I speak of “excuses,” I recognize that, as a young girl of color, I faced unique challenges compared to my peers. My journey toward success, both in and outside the corporate world, began at an early age. Often finding myself as the only person of color in various environments, even at times within the public education system, I learned to advocate for myself and actively sought enrollment in honors coursework.

This commitment persisted through my college years, resulting in the attainment of an academic full scholarship. As the first generation in my family to pursue a legal career, the path to law school, graduation, and the practice of law required an extraordinary level of effort. Concurrently, during law school, I served as a high school teacher in an urban school district, traveling extensively between Cleveland, Ohio, and Michigan for classes. My determination to become an attorney remained unwavering.

Undoubtedly, the journey has been challenging and marked by hurdles. Yet, it is my unwavering dedication and tireless work ethic that has propelled me toward success. The foundation of my work ethic lies in my commitment to continuous self-education and the insights gained from life experiences. Equally significant, I am resolute in my commitment to work diligently for the betterment of the next generation and to support those around me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am deeply committed to advancing diversity, inclusion, equity, and a sense of belonging in the workplace and in entrepreneurship. I was awarded the 2023 Diversity Lawyer of Color award and CXO 2.0 Outstanding Leadership award. Over the past decade, I have been a staunch advocate for equal employment opportunities. As the sole practitioner of The Hudson Law Group, PLLC, one of my primary areas of focus is empowering individuals to understand their workplace rights. This commitment has extended to my collaboration with EEO Defenders, where I actively contribute to their mission of providing career conflict coaching to help leaders and workers advocate for fair treatment in corporate settings.

I find great enthusiasm in organizations that prioritize leadership over management. A manager has a title but a leader has the people. True leadership, characterized by a genuine connection with people, is a rarity in today’s corporate landscape. Drawing on my background in People Management, I am particularly passionate about cultivating high-performing leadership teams. My experience as a former fast-food franchise operator has afforded me the opportunity to build diverse teams and provide leadership development and mentorship not only to team members but also to aspiring women and minority entrepreneurs.

I am committed to persisting in this mission by aiding underrepresented entrepreneurs and workers who sense marginalization, ensuring they flourish through the advocacy for fair and equitable treatment.

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?
In my journey, three qualities or areas of knowledge that have had the most impact are resilience, relationship building, and cultural competence. Resilience, a vital quality for navigating challenges and overcoming obstacles, has been particularly crucial in my roles as a woman in entrepreneurship and within corporate environments. Facing unique hurdles, I’ve consistently demonstrated the ability to bounce back from setbacks, learn from experiences, and persevere in the face of adversity, proving invaluable to my professional growth.

Recognizing the significance of a strong professional network, I intentionally prioritize relationship building. I consistently seize the chance to acquaint myself with new individuals. Actively pursuing opportunities to transform a simple “hello” into a meaningful conversation is a practice I uphold, aiming to cultivate lasting relationships. Being mentored by strong women has provided me with valuable guidance in navigating challenges and advancing in my career. My network has been instrumental in both personal and professional development.

As a leader overseeing 11 Employee Resource Groups for a top global cybersecurity company, cultural competence holds immense importance. Beyond understanding and valuing my own culture, I prioritize understanding the diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds of others. Culturally competent leadership enables effective navigation of diverse environments, fosters inclusivity in the workplace, and contributes to cultivating a positive corporate culture.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents imparted valuable lessons of perseverance and cultural awareness, which have been instrumental in my journey to success. Throughout my upbringing, they were staunch advocates for my African heritage. I distinctly recall attending Saturday school at the Good News Club in my hometown, Youngstown, Ohio, where I learned about the richness of my heritage and the intrinsic value within myself.

Residing in a city marked by redlining within the educational system, my parents advocated for my enrollment in a school where the majority of students were not black and brown, ensuring my participation in fostering change and celebrating diversity. In an effort to educate others about our culture, my parents volunteered annually to organize the February Black History Celebration. Despite the initial embarrassment, my sister and I, equipped with training in African dance, became part of the school production, dancing alongside African drummers each year. Although our peers found the performance cool, it wasn’t until entering the corporate world that I realized the importance of cultural competence and taking pride in my heritage.

These childhood experiences have prepared me to persevere through situations where I may be the only one who resembles me and to overcome adversity, both in entrepreneurship and my corporate career. They not only taught me how to educate others about my culture but instilled a sense of pride in who I am. The lessons learned from my parents continue to be a guiding force, shaping my resilience and determination in navigating the complexities of both personal and professional spheres.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Unlocking Creativity & Overcoming Creative Blocks

“Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse Even with all the courage in the world, every

Productivity
Building Blocks of Success: Work Ethic

The ability to work hard has always been underappreciated and devalued by various elements in

Resilience
Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of