Meet The Honorable Jacquie Baly

We were lucky to catch up with The Honorable Jacquie Baly recently and have shared our conversation below.

The Honorable Jacquie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I came from humble and modest beginnings. My parents migrated from the French West Indies to St. Croix, where I was born over a decade later as their only child; I was born in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, giving me American citizenship, a defined goal of my parents.

I arrived in Houston, Texas, on June 7, 1976. My father had saved enough money and was able to buy a home in a quiet neighborhood East of Houston and sent for my mom and me to join him. Immediately, there were many adjustments for everyone. There were “strange little things” like having a lawn, riding an escalator, and adjusting to new accents. And all of that is separate from the many cultural differences.

I was immediately the victim of ridicule and childish pranks. My accent and Caribbean cultural customs were often made the subject of jokes. I quickly decided that education and acclimation to the American lifestyle and traditions were my avenues to success. I graduated magna cum laude in her high school class and was the first in my family to attend and complete college. I earned a master’s degree and am pursuing my doctorate at USC. So far, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA in the program.

Evaluating my goals, I quickly discovered that public and governmental service was a strong passion from the beginning of my career as a City Planner to becoming Vice President of the Greater Houston Partnership to becoming a successful business owner.

Community service only augments my professional pursuits. I have maintained a successful practice, am a leader in the community, and am a devoted mother and wife to my family. Throughout the awards, accolades, and successes, I am living proof that the “American Dream” is an attainable goal with hard work and determination.

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?
Community Activities 1) I am currently chairing one of the largest fundraisers in the country for the American Cancer Society. You can learn more about that here:
https://houston.culturemap.com/news/society/cattle-barons-ball-midland-pat-green-tickets/

2) I have recently been appointed to Harris County’s Women’s Commission and elected by my colleagues as Vice Chair of the Commission. You can find out more about the Harris County Women’s Commission here:
https://hcwc.harriscountytx.gov/

3) I will be the Tickled Pink Chair for 2024. You can find out more about Tickled Pink here:

Tickled Pink Luncheon | Home

I am also running my practice, BalyProjects, serving on several Boards, and just completed the first year of my Doctoral program at USC with a 4.0 GPA.

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?
Traits–I have resilience, belief in positivity, and the energy I put out is the energy I will get back, and I am a very hard worker and will continue to work very hard.

Advice
1) stay positive when interacting with staff, colleagues, and others
2) be proactive and helpful
3) deliver on projects, keep your word, stay consistent
4) practice and receive open and honest communication, this includes active listening
5) never stop learning, always improve skillsets
6) show appreciation and develop your people skills

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
1 year ago, I was accepted into a Doctoral program at USC. After decades of not attending school, I returned to the classroom at 54 this time as a student, tackling complex concepts, theories, and frameworks. I have pushed myself and have earned a 4.0 GPA each semester. As I begin the dissertation process, I will push myself even further and harder.

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