Yasmine Arrington Brooks on Remembering “You Never Know Who’s Watching” - Chief Influencer - Episode # 041
Yasmine Arrington Brooks is the Founder of ScholarCHIPS, a D.C. nonprofit aiding youth with incarcerated parents. She is also a speaker, model, author, poet, and host of Millennial Minds. Yasmine has been honored as a 2023 CNN Hero, and 2021 Washington Business Journal Top 40 Under 40, among others in recognition of her community service and engagement.
In today’s episode, she delves into her journey that began in high school at the age of 16, when she initiated ScholarCHIPS as a social venture within the LearnServe Fellows Program. Since then, she has overseen ScholarCHIPS' distribution of over $450,000 in scholarships to 88 scholars. Furthermore, Yasmine reflects on the remarkable milestones she has achieved in establishing and leading ScholarCHIPS and shares insights on leadership, the importance of authenticity, and maintaining personal and professional balance.
Takeaways:
- Maintain authenticity in all aspects of leadership. Authenticity allows you to connect with your audience, team, or stakeholders at a deeper, more personal level, leading to greater trust and stronger relationships.
- Don’t limit yourself by your current resources or capabilities. Dream big and take bold action to reach your goals. This attitude can also inspire and motivate your team to do the same.
- Steward influence with care, as it is a delicate thing. As a leader with influence, you should be cautious about how your words and actions may impact others, especially those who look up to you.
- Do not shy away from using your personal brand to further your professional objectives. Sharing your stories and experiences can help you connect on a deeper level with your audience and stakeholders.
- Nurture a growth mindset, keen for learning and experimenting. A growth mindset encourages continuous learning, fuels creativity, and leads to innovation.
- Remember that as a leader, your actions and words have the power to impact many people. Thus, always strive to be a source of positivity and motivation.
- Seek out inspiration from diverse sources outside your immediate field. This can provide a refreshing perspective on your own work and keep creativity flowing.
Quote of the Show:
- “You never know who's watching. So try your best to be who you really are, your authentic self. - Yasmine Arrington Brooks
Links:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmine-arrington-brooks-66451220
- ScholarCHIPS (For Children of Incarcerated Parents): https://www.scholarchipsfund.org
- ScholarCHIPS Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/scholarCHIPS
- ScholarCHIPS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scholarchipsfunddc
- ScholarCHIPS TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scholarchipsfund
- ScholarCHIPS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScholarCHIPS
- Yasmine Arrington's Blog: https://yasminearrington.blogspot.com
- CNN Heroes Tribute - Yasmine Arrington Brooks: https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2023/12/12/cnnheroes-tribute-yasmine-arrington-brooks.cnn
- Millennial Minds with YazzieSpeaks (Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/millennial-minds-with-yazziespeaks/id1439935422
- YazzieSpeaks Vol II YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YazzieSpeaksVolII
- YazzieSPEAKS YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YazzieSPEAKS
- YazzieSPEAKS Twitter: https://twitter.com/YazzieSpeaks
- YazzieSPEAKS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yazziespeaks3.0
- YazzieSPEAKS TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yazziespeaks3.0
Shout Outs:
- LearnServe International: https://learn-serve.org
- LearnServe International Programs: https://learn-serve.org/programs
- Brené Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenebrown
- JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA): https://jlusa.org
Creators and Guests
Host
Anthony Shop
Anthony Shop believes in the power of people-centered branding and marketing to create a bright future. He chairs the National Digital Roundtable, the premier convener of digital innovators, leaders and policy shapers. Anthony also is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver, a digital services firm that helps companies and non-profits establish winning strategies with social media, websites, creative, and advertising. An enthusiastic presenter and teacher, he has led executive-level training for Amazon, PepsiCo, NASA, The British Embassy and the Bipartisan Policy Center. He has been recognized as an “OUTstanding LGBT Role Model” by The Financial Times, “40 Under 40” by The Washington Business Journal, and Business Leader of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce. A former newspaper reporter, Anthony was the first new media professional elected to the National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the boards of Leadership Greater Washington and LearnServe International. He earned his MBA from The George Washington University School of Business, where he teaches as an adjunct lecturer.
Producer
Robert Krueger
Robert is an Executive Director for The Communications Board, an organization with the mission of providing high-quality professional development for every communicator in every location. He is also the Global Lead for Partnership Communications at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture and design firm. Prior to his current role, he performed executive and CEO communications for Gensler, and was the senior director of public relations and social media at the Urban Land Institute. He obtained an MA in Communications and an MA in History from George Mason University. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, Robert has taught communications at universities including George Mason University, West Virginia University, and the University of Florida. Robert currently serves as Immediate-Past President for the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) -- the nonprofit’s largest chapter.