To Our Room To Bloom family, friends, and supporters thank you for your patience, love, endurance, and consistent support. The brief hiatus comes to an end as we celebrate the new year this past Monday and the upcoming full moon in Libra.

This past weekend I was able to attend the International Leadership Summit 2024 in Dallas Texas at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center. People from all over the world gathered for leadership learning, growth, and expansion.

The experience was phenomenal! In the three days of leadership training, I tried to soak up as much information, knowledge, and take as many notes as I could. We heard from a variety of speakers including United States Secretary of Treasury Wally Adeyemo. His brilliance in financials during his work with President Obama and his current work with President Biden. He left me with three key points in terms of leadership: First listen to the ache in your heart. That is where your purpose will be. Second, fall in love with the problem you want to solve. Third, create what a vision looks like and get others to follow as well. SSBCI was highlighted for small business capital opportunities. Be sure to check that out if interested.

A thought provoking conversation with Ambassador Andrew Young included rich history of Young’s childhood, his time as a freedom fighter, and the work he continues to do through his foundation. Ambassador Andrew Young was witty and even funny at times with his responses, but you felt every word of his truth, his experiences, and his causes. He left me with the quote from his father, “don’t get mad, get smart.” There was a variety of speakers, entrepreneurs, doctors, pastors, panelist, musicians, visionaries, and leaders of our past time, current time, and future time.

It was an eye opening opportunity to be in rooms with such greatness. Some conversations I choose to keep quiet and close to my heart. While others in the smallest of moments, the simplest acts of kindness observed and felt will remain with me forever. The conversations both heard and had were mind blowing. Overall, I am inspired by the event. I was reminded of the work I am to do and my purpose. Sometimes you have to be in rooms, talk to, and be amongst greatness to recognize or be reminded of your own. Will you be in attendance next year?

A special thank you to Wells Fargo who presented the event, Dallas Texas for their hospitality, and additional states passed through who helped make my trip a success.