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I am New Jersey. I am Philadelphia. I am Howard County. I am Elkridge. I am Baltimore. I am North East. These are the communities that raised me, welcomed me, and are personal to me. Communities where I am among friends, family, teachers, mentors, and mentees.  

Professionally, I am Frank’s Diner, Bob Evans, Joe’s Crab Shack, Woody’s Crab House, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze, Nottingham’s, Clean Beauty Artists, The Small Business Resource Center, IMRE. Now post-graduation, I am an employee of The Winters Group, Inc. This journey of where I have been plus where I am going is ultimately where I belong. 

I am a recent college graduate and new to The Winters Group, where I work in public relations and events. This is a role that was crafted for me and molded to fit both my background and the objectives of the company. The fact that this role was created for me is only a glimpse into what it is like to be a part of a company that practices what they preach and follows words with action. Recently, I had the opportunity to assist our CEO and management team in producing a call to action statement, in response to our nation’s regressive state due to racist and harmful rhetoric spewed by our president, pervasive inequities that impact marginalized communities, and lack of action towards gun violence. When my CEO, Mary-Frances Winters, put the release of the statement on the top of her priority list, she put speaking out and up for her employees at the top of her priority list. She put me at the top of her priority list. I feel again like I am right where I belong. 

I remember this feeling of belonging when I was growing up in Howard County, a part of the 7th district that is represented by Rep. Elijah Cummings. I was blessed with the gated community I felt so safe in, the school system that shaped me, and the community that raised me. I went from this upbringing to having the honor of working with start-up businesses in Baltimore—also part of the 7th district. These businesses represent the same heart and dedication as the city government and representatives that advocate for them. I was welcomed to grow with a city that believed in growth as a community. A city that was unrightfully caught in Donald Trump’s illicitly biased chain of accusations and attacks.  

I offer this perspective as what I see and value in my district, and I thank Elijah Cummings for his representation, despite what bullies like Donald Trump have to say because they “think” they know us. 

During a time when I have been feeling personal connection and frustrations around current events, I truly value the fact that my company provides the opportunity to write perspective articles and voice my conscious reaction. I am only one of many employees who have feelings and burdens weighing on them. I would hope that others like me are provided with an outlet in their work environments. 

I challenge you to consider the places and times where you felt like you belonged and pinpoint the things that made you feel that way. Click To Tweet

To have the opportunity to express myself and be involved in the conversation is how I know I am where I belong. I challenge you to consider the places and times where you felt like you belonged and pinpoint the things that made you feel that way. Are you getting that in your workplace? Most importantly: How can you evoke change to make sure others feel like they belong?  

Most importantly: How can you evoke change to make sure others feel like they belong? Click To Tweet