Stories & Perspectives on Resilience Building

Dr. Lorenza Wilkins

My resilience comes from having parents who modeled hard work for their entire lives and taught me the value of hard work. Participating in sports at the collegiate level and attaining a doctoral degree have also enhanced my resilience. Read more>>

Myriam AKA Mylo Lopez

The journey that has shaped who I am today began in 1989, deeply influenced by my childhood experiences along the border between Mexico and California. Growing up, my family faced significant financial struggles, especially during the economic crisis in Mexico in the 1990s. We even experienced a period of homelessness, during which we slept outside with nothing but a mattress. I vividly recall an incident that profoundly impacted me: with just one peso in hand, I walked to a nearby bodega, hoping to buy a box of Sonrisas cookies. The cashier informed me that I did not have enough money and asked me to return with three pesos. Disappointed and tearful, I returned home to find my parents equally despondent over their inability to provide. In that moment, I resolved to work hard so that I could one day afford not just the cookies, but a better life for myself and my family. This determination extended to my desire to learn English and return to the United States. My resilience was born from these early challenges; starting with very little instilled in me a relentless pursuit of betterment through learning and education. Thank you for providing me the opportunity to reflect on this significant chapter of my life. It is this history that continues to fuel my efforts and drive today. Read more>>

Ninilola Jegede

Growing up I have had many reasons to give up on my dreams because of stumbling blocks. As a result of this, I have learnt to maintain a perspective of understanding why I am going through those issues and how I know it won’t be forever. I have also gotten myself accustomed to taking every situation I find myself day by day, brick by brick. Although it may be slow but it will get done. Read more>>

Kim Popa

My resilience comes from my collaborators and the collective of artists and mentors that surround and uplift Pones’ mission. When I began Pones, a non-profit dance company that utilizes dance for community, connection, and change, there wasn’t a model for how to create such an organization in our region. I first leaned on the expertise of Daryl Harris, my professor at NKU at the time, and a continued board member, friend and mentor. Daryl’s history of practicing art for social justice (primarily through the theatre work of Augusto Boal in the 70s) was a strong foundation for our work and Daryl’s guidance through the best practices of this work are still immeasurable to this day. As we continued to build the organization, we benefited from relationships with public art experts, such as Margy Waller and Pam Kravetz to make connections with spaces to perform off of the proscenium stage and expand the ‘where’ people see dance. We were able to dance on TANK buses, at IKEA, in grocery stores, and throughout the streets of our tristate. Pones started to develop a new model in the dance world, one where dancers were not asked to sign contracts, but rather can opt in per gig.  Read more>>

Selena Lee

That’s a really good question! Resilience is one of my strongest qualities. It’s one of the main reasons why I have been successful in my corporate career and in life. Personally, I think every great business professional, entrepreneur, or anybody for that matter, needs this quality in spades to get anywhere. Let’s be real. We all fail sometimes. It’s hard, but that should not define who we are. What matters is what we do after we fail, how we pick ourselves up, and how we carry on with the knowledge we learned from our mistakes. I have always been one of those determined kids who believe the sky’s the limit in what an individual can achieve. I believe success depends on how hard someone works for it and how bad they want something. Growing up, I read a lot of books. I noticed that heroes and heroines in storybooks always seem to need to overcome setbacks to come out on top. There’s usually some suffering, some doubt, and yes, some failures. Books were my escape. I faced many challenges in my youth, and like my heroes, I persevered and grew stronger. Perhaps it was ingrained in me that you need to work hard to earn what you want in life. I knew that nothing would be handed to me on a silver platter. This mindset shaped my strong work ethic once I graduated from university and started my professional corporate life. Read more>>

Ian Bracken

Resilience, for me, is rooted in the crucible of a childhood filled with challenges. My journey began in a home where struggle was a constant companion. My parents divorced when I was six, after years of relational difficulties and an often absent father. Our financial situation was dire from the time I was six until I turned 15. Living on a farm in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, 45 miles from civilization, demanded resourcefulness. I had to learn to work with my hands, building and repairing things, and thinking critically about the consequences of my actions. These early lessons in self-reliance were the bedrock of my resilience. At 12, life handed me another challenge: a diagnosis of type one diabetes. Managing this condition required me to develop a strong sense of personal responsibility and instill productive habits necessary for a successful life. A significant turning point came when I moved in with my father and step-mother at age 15. They provided a supportive family environment and encouraged me to join the Texas High School football team. This experience taught me the value of working hard for a team goal rather than solely for personal achievements. Playing football in the sweltering Texas summer heat pushed my physical and mental limits, further honing my resilience. Read more>>

Starr Ravenhawk

I think people always look at the things that are blocking their way and see it as too insurmountable. I see things in my way as a learning curve, I do research on whatever it is that is ahead of me, then go to those who has been there before and see where there are possible loopholes or means to getting around those obstacles. Once you understand why that blockage or obstacle was placed there you usally are able to figure out a way that makes everyone feel comfortable by adapting to what is needed or required and making it fit yiour needs and voila, there you are you have aligned the obstacles in a manner that makes you get what you wish. At least thats how I have solved most difficult things that, for instance, what New York City requires to be legal in every way. Read more>>

Suzanne Barker

My parents showed me what resilience looks like and as I continue “becoming” I make it all my own based on my experiences. My dad grew up so poor, he had an outhouse for a bathroom and ended up getting a PhD in computer science! He never felt like a natural academic and had to work hard to get those degrees and acquired them slowly as finances allowed while raising a family. My mom married at 19, had 3 kids, 2 miscarriages (one at 6 months) all in her 20’s, completed college at 39, started teaching, completed her masters at 49 and became a principal. Resilient. I think this has helped me as I’ve navigated being a mom, experiencing miscarriages, and being a business-owner since 2010 and sticking with it through the up’s and down’s. What’s my big picture? When I’m 80, what do I want to see that I’ve done in life when I look back and reflect on it? That keeps me going. Read more>>

Lindiwe Greenwood

My resilience comes from my core belief that ultimately, we are all here on this earth with a divine and personalized purpose. When things get difficult and/or don’t go as planned, It has been my experience that “adversity breeds ingenuity.” It is pretty much guaranteed that we will all have our fair share of “falls.” However its the getting back up that is most important. Read more>>

Steve Gandolfi

Where do I get my resilience from I started working in the film industry at the early age of 8.5 years old as a runner. Whenever I had the chance to be involved, I was there. Whether it was weekends or school holidays. Since I landed my first permanent position around 14-15 years old I’ve come across a lot of people that have taught me many things and I’ve tried to take what I’ve learned from them and adjust it to work best for myself. Training in martial arts most of my life has always helped me to understand the importance of never quitting and there’s always value in pushing through. They have given me the ability to get knocked down and bounce back, sometimes straight away and sometimes after a good nights sleep. Overcoming challenges builds a reservoir of strength, and I have been able to use hard times to generate inspiration to always keep going. As the word resilience is explained, it is not a fixed trait. It can be developed and strengthened over time, as it has that been done with me. Read more>>

Shakespeare!

Our resilience stems from a blend of our passion for music, community support, cultural heritage, the inspiring environment of Los Angeles, personal growth, and our shared vision. Music is our life, the thread that weaves through every part of our existence, fueling our determination and keeping us going even in the face of setbacks. Our clear vision and long-term goals provide a sense of purpose and act as a guiding light, helping us navigate the ups and downs of our journey. Each of these elements contributes to our ability to keep moving forward, no matter the challenges we face. Read more>>

Darin Michelle Gilliam

This is something that I haven’t really thought about much but I would say that I get my resilience from my mother and all of the other amazing women I’ve looked up to in my life. I saw my mom create a life for herself and my siblings as a single mother. In my eyes, I never really saw her complain or be totally defeated. The older I get, the more I realize how much of a skill that is; to just push through even when you’re the only one being your cheerleader. Her actions showed me that you have to work hard for the life you desire, and at the same time have gratitude for where you are so that can truly appreciate what you will eventually receive.  In the same respect, there are many women that I’ve always loved and looked up to. When you are a business owner or you work for yourself, it is easy to be defeated because there can be so many roadblocks. When I look toward women like Paula Scher, Betsey Johnson, or Jamila Norman, I see women who have truly followed their passions and were able to persist to create the lives they desire. That also gives me a push to be more resilient.  Read more>>

Monica O’neal-ivey

I’d say my remarkable resilience stems from a life of experiences which have shaped me into the steadfast individual I am today. Growing up in a bustling household filled with hard times, I learned early on the importance of never giving up! Witnessing my parents’ unwavering work ethic as they balanced their own struggles to provide for the family instilled in me a deep sense of determination and grit. Growing up each setback, rather than serving as a deterrent, became a stepping stone; every difficulty transformed into a lesson learned. In times of trial, I turned to the grounding practices of mindfulness and self-reflection, which allows me to regain clarity and focus, drawing upon a wellspring of resilience built over years. Ultimately, it is this combination of a supportive upbringing, transformative life lessons, and a proactive approach to personal growth that empowers me to rise every time I stumble, embodying the true spirit of resilience. Read more>>

Cortez Elliott

I have always had a passion for bringing people together. Growing up in Baltimore, a city rich in history and culture, I saw the power of community in making positive change. As a millennial deeply connected to parts of the city, I initially decided to become a community advocate. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was determined to help the city thrive using my platform. My first efforts were small—organizing nightlife and cultural events in addition to local gatherings to discuss important issues with the Baltimore People’s Climate Movement. While turnout was often low at most of the meetings and gatherings, I quickly realized that making a difference required more than good intentions. I needed to understand what people in my hometown cared about and how to reach them. I than begin to refine my approach, learning the importance of truly listening to those apart of my sphere of influence and network. Baltimore’s communities were diverse, each with its own needs and challenges. I knew that a one-size-fits-all approach wouldn’t work, so I started tailoring my efforts to address specific concerns. I organized rallies with community partners and organizations to bring attention to issues like affordable housing, access to transit, economic justice, and climate issues. I also co-founded two major events prior to the pandemic—the Baltimore Youth Festival and the Climate Jobs and Justice Festival—that became rallying points for the community.  Read more>>

Muse Salgado

Being the oldest of three kids in a family that is built upon immigration kinda forces one to be resilient. My dad came to the United States from El Salvador when he was a kid and my mom’s family came from Germany during WWII. I think my resilience is one part stubbornness and one part ingenuity. I refuse to stay knocked down, I refuse to give up, because I already set my sights on something. But also, I know I can get to my destination even if I have to get creative about what path I take, or maybe especially if I have to get creative. Nothing motivates me more than being told I can’t do something or a door closing in my face. It makes me think… Watch me. Read more>>

Trish Ahjel Roberts

Resilience is getting back up when you’ve been knocked down. When you get knocked down, you have a decision to make, do you just lie down and give up or do you keep trying? There have been times when I’ve wanted to give up but I have an inner knowing that keeps me going. For some people that might look like faith in God, a benevolent Universe, or some other sense of Divinity. For me, it’s all of that and more. I have a very collaborative view of spirituality. I also know that I have a unique purpose and destiny. I know that none of us learn powerful lessons from a place of ease. We learn by overcoming challenges. So, it’s through that process of facing adversity and overcoming it that I have become more resilient, stronger, and wiser with each passing day. Sometimes I look at my life and it seems like a lot. I’ve been through childhood abuse, domestic violence, divorce, single parenting, and well-documented institutional racism throughout my corporate career. But every experience has led me to this idea of “post-traumatic wisdom.” I’m able to access a deep well of compassion when I work with my coaching clients, speak to groups, and lead retreats on Diversity, Compassionate Leadership, Happiness, and Transforming Anger into Calm or Constructive Action. Read more>>

Kelsie Steil

In the process of resilience, I allow myself to crash and burn for a little while. I think when we first hear or read the word “resilience,” we envision a warrior or a hard wall and our bodies go stiff. Our arms and fists may tighten and we feel a swelling in the chest. I’ve shifted into recognizing that resilience can mean softness. I can fall apart for a while, call friends, sleep, cry, sit by a river, and then rebuild with newfound knowledge. As a choreographer and dance artist, I often exist within changing conditions and stimuli. From a young age, I had a sharpened skillset for sensing the adults around me. I had to learn to anticipate unpredictable behavior. I feel it has strengthened my ability to thrive in the chaos of my work. Live performance is full of risk and potential failure. Multiple things can go wrong or right all at once. I build resilience by finding acceptance in the precarious nature of this work. Dancers are special humans. We repeatedly engage in a practice that ends the moment it begins. Due to the fleeting nature of movement, we cyclicly experience total joy and solemn grief. I allow myself to sit with the grief. Befriending grief builds my resilience. Read more>>

Constance Sayers

In the whole of my writing career, I’ve been rejected by more than 150 agents, publishing houses and literary presses. That’s a lot of rejection and it can feel personal. Often most of rejections say they didn’t “connect with the work,” or it “didn’t speak to them,” comments that really don’t help writers strategize on what to do next which can be frustrating. After a long journey, I finally got an agent in 2016, I thought it was my breakthrough moment and that I was on the pathway to publishing. Unfortunately, the book that I had worked on for five years (while holding down a full-time job), failed to sell. I was so disappointed and went into a spiral for several months trying to determine if I had it in me to write another one. When I’m in these types of situations, I need to get out of my own head (or the trench that I’ve dug for myself) and talk to people, so I reached out to a former book editor and hired her as a consultant. I’ve made it a practice to get opinions when I’m lost. I needed practical guidance from someone who knew the field well. She walked me through what she thought had happened in the process of pitching my book. At the end, she said to me. “Do you want to be published?” I replied: “Yes, very much.” She said, “Then don’t give up. My experience has been that if you don’t give up, you’ll make it.” As I write it, it sounds like a movie motivational statement, it wasn’t delivered that way. Read more>>

De-andra Racquel

My resilience comes from having watched my parents struggle growing up. Life in a trailer park in a rough area wasn’t easy. There were times we had to “borrow” electricity from neighbors when ours was cut off. I can actually remember my dad going to work with a belt that had holes chewed through by mice because we couldn’t afford a new one. Despite working nearly 24-hour shifts, and both parents juggling 2-3 jobs at a time, they always made time for my sister and I. As an adult and a mom, deciding to break into the entertainment industry later in life was nerve-wracking, especially coming in with no connections or clear path. Making the decision to live bi-coastal and sacrifice time with my daughter was tough, but I live by my motto: “Take the risk or wonder what if.” For four generations, I watched my family struggle over and over without the opportunity to chase their dreams, and I didn’t want to succumb to that pattern without giving myself a chance. I believe there is more to life, but more importantly so my daughter would be inspired to reach for the stars and see the opportunities available to her. It hasn’t been easy. There have been countless days of networking, 24-hour workdays, and thousands of cold emails. But it’s been worth it. This journey has taught me to bet on myself and revealed just how tenacious I can be. For me, a “no” is just an answer, not a final verdict. If I truly want something, I’ll figure out another way to get it or keep trying until I succeed. Read more>>

Gloria Orozco

When I think of the word resilience, a vivid tapestry of memories from my childhood in Mexico unfolds before my eyes. Images of rain-soaked crops, prickly pears, cornfields, sunsets over cacti, and the sweet melodies of cicadas dance through my mind. Growing up on my parents’ farm allowed me to appreciate nature’s gifts and instilled in me a deep sense of creativity and problem-solving. Our farm life was challenging—we had no electricity or running water. My daily tasks included gathering wood, bringing freshwater to the house, cutting cactus leaves, picking fresh mushrooms, mesquite pods, collecting purslane, and helping my mother boil corn for tortillas. The need for survival taught me to use common sense and take risks carefully. With 13 mouths to feed, creativity was essential as we often had limited food supplies. My mother showed me how to invent different ways to combine foods into nutritious meals. Read more>>

Brittney Nicole Broadwater

Thank you again for the amazing opportunity to interview! I am most appreciative. I have gained resilience through my experiences. I know what it means to be met with disappointments, betrayal, heartbreak and the many melancholy, unexpected happenings of life, and through these experiences, I have learned to continue to get back up again. My message to others has always been to just keep going. Despite what I have been met with in life, whether it was death, divorce, depression, etc, there was always a brand new day, always an opportunity to begin again. New days and new mercies in the face of defeat have taught me to embrace resilience. Read more>>

Richea Jones

Resilience Rooted in Community: The Story Behind Diaspora Groceries By Richea Jones Resilience isn’t something you simply wake up with one day. It’s forged through trials, challenges, and, in my case, a deep connection to my community, family, and heritage. My journey as the co-founder of Diaspora Groceries and the Diaspora Groceries Cares Foundation has been filled with moments that required grit, faith, and a commitment to a vision that transcends personal ambition. Growing up, I was surrounded by stories of resilience—passed down by elders who faced adversity with grace, determination, and an unwavering belief in the power of community. Those stories became the bedrock of my own journey, shaping the values that guide me in life and business. The concept for Diaspora Groceries was born out of a need we saw within our communities—access to culturally relevant, nutritious food, and resources that could empower people to take charge of their health. My co-founder, actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish, and I have been longtime friends, sharing a bond rooted in our shared experiences and values. We knew that food was more than just sustenance; it’s a bridge to our heritage and a tool for healing. Our passion for this mission brought us together to create something that could make a real difference. Read more>>

Sante Johnson

I get my resilience from many sources, a life lived, from my BIPOC heritage, working with others and my creative journey. Facing challenges like cancer at a young age shaped my strength and determination. My passion for storytelling through art, the commitment to community service, and my dedication to fostering inclusivity contribute to resilience. Through projects and collaborations, I slowly heal while inspiring other. My visual work focuses on complex narratives, personal struggles, and historical contexts making resilience a natural part of the growth process, and embroidery provides accessibility and empowerment.The slow and mindful process of embroidery mirrors the way one develops patience allow pain to transform into beauty and dialogue through time spent with ones-self. Read more>>

Ann Adams

My resilience was shaped by the challenges I faced as a young mother, particularly in response to the criticism I received that I had jeopardized my future. Motivated by a profound sense of responsibility, I was determined to overcome these obstacles to ensure that both my life and my child’s life would not be negatively impacted. Throughout my pregnancy and beyond, I dedicated myself to advancing my education and career, striving to excel both as a professional and as a mother. Read more>>

Marlon Ellis

I’ve gained my resilience through my life experiences. Growing up, I moved around a lot, so I had to learn to adapt to any and every situations quickly. For example I was born in Jamaica then I moved to Florida. Eventually I joined the U.S Marine Corps so you could imagine the things I had to go through. Read more>>

Maya Doss

My resilience comes from my desire to see my dreams manifest. I believe in being humble in the face of adversity, allowing the challenges to teach me rather than destroy me. Alchemizing pain into inspiration and personal power has been key to remaining resilient. As diamonds are formed while under immense pressure, I believe my soul agreed to go through the pain and hardships of this life to teach me the ways of the world so I can be wiser. Evolution is a law of life, and I will always choose to evolve through what I go through. I am so much brighter and more brilliant than anything that was sent to destroy me will ever be. I moved from state to state as an infant and young child and then grew up with one parent who has struggled with addiction most of my life, and one who is a second-generation Cuban immigrant. My life was nothing short of difficult from the beginning, but it was always important to me to do my best with what I had and to show myself and others love even when I was confused and hurting.
I have also looked outside myself for guidance and found that most stories tell us that greatness is on the other side of difficulty and struggle. It is all about how you choose to channel your energy through that obstacle that defines who you are and what will happen. I will always choose my dream, my success, and my peace above any negativity life throws my way to show myself and the world that it is valuable and worthy of becoming a reality, because that is when the magic happens. Read more>>