Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to pause, reflect, and realign with your purpose. That’s exactly what I did in 2024. After years of building Community On Demand, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and developing workforce readiness programs, I knew it was time to re-center myself. Not just as a leader, but as a learner. To teach others how to build sustainable ecosystems, I had to deepen my own expertise in them.
Going Back to School: The Reset I Needed
I made the decision to go back to school—not just to add credentials to my name, but to strengthen my foundation in agriculture, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and supply chain management. This year, I earned:
- Beekeeping Certification – USDA McDonough Extension Office
- Food Entrepreneurship Certification – Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GAMEP)
- Beginning Ranchers & Farmers Certification – Georgia Women in Ag Association
- Therapeutic Horticulture Certification – North Carolina State University Extension Program
- Graduate Certificate in Global Supply Chain Management – DeVry/Keller School of Business
Each of these programs expanded my knowledge of how food systems, agribusiness, and supply chains intersect with workforce development, education, and community impact.
Bringing It All Back to Community On Demand
Armed with fresh insights, I revisited some of my core projects and took them to the next level:
- 📖 Rewrote The Money Guide for Young Entrepreneurs – to make financial literacy and entrepreneurship even more accessible to young leaders.
- 📚 Created the Build For Your Future Curriculum – designed to help students connect their skills, interests, and ambitions to real-world career pathways.
- 🎮 Piloted a New 4th & 5th Grade Agriculture Program – AgVenture Games and the ATWOOD Model now introduce young learners to agribusiness through gamified education and land development strategies.
- 🚀 Launching CoD Gatherversity – The Community On Demand Gatherversity Service-Learning Program is my latest initiative, designed to mobilize students through service-learning projects, STEAM Career Fairs, and community service initiatives.
This isn’t just about education—it’s about action. Through CoD Gatherversity, we’re engaging HBCU college town communities and aligning our initiatives with major cultural and sports events like the HBCU NY Classic and The GOAT Classic.
What’s Next?
With 2024’s journey behind me, I’m stepping into a new era of impact. My goal is to equip students, educators, and workforce leaders with the tools they need to transform their communities—through service, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Stay tuned as I roll out CoD Gatherversity, expand Community On Demand, and continue building pathways for the next generation of leaders.
If you’re ready to be part of this movement, let’s connect! 🚀
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