Today we’d like to introduce you to Cherice Williams.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, as a daughter of a teacher and firefighter, hard work and grit was instilled in me at an early age. More importantly, the notion of service and servant leadership was embedded deep in my values and has carried me (at times, unknowingly) through my career and lifestyle.
Fast-forward to January 2012, I sat a table with girlfriends and mapped out my ideal life through an obligatory New Year exercise: vision boarding. I had five key focal areas: start a family, grow as a marketing leader, create a consultancy (side-hustle), serve on a board, and travel.
It wasn’t until a few months ago did I realize that vision I put into the universe, is actually happening in my life.
– My husband and I relocated to Dallas in 2014, and enjoy getting bossed around by our two-year-old, Bella
– I have continued to establish myself as a Marketing & Strategy leader, with a resume that touts Fortune 500 household brands, including Secret, Gillette, Botox, Target, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s and more.
– I continue to grow my consulting business, tailored towards women entrepreneurs and helping them propel their purpose into a profitable brand (www.chericejenelle.com)
– I travel quite often (although the toddler piece creates a tough dilemma)
– and I am now the President of a large, impactful non-profit, the National Black MBA Association, Dallas – Fort Worth Chapter – helping facilitate connections between DFW’s diverse professionals, Fortune 500 corporations and the community.
Many people (especially my mom-friends) look at my daily life and wonder how the heck I fit this all in 24 hours. My response: Vision & Purpose.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This road has never, ever, ever been smooth. I’ve hit potholes, detours, ran out of gas, swiped my side-mirror, etc. But, I’m still chugging along with 90s hip hop and R&B as my soundtrack.
The biggest challenge and struggle I have faced is defining success. It’s easy to seek inspiration from mentors, celebrities, influencers, etc. and look at their life as successful. But I believe everyone was created with a unique purpose. And with that unique purpose comes a completely different set of success criteria. I am still in discovery mode with re-defining success, but I would say each day I have to feel like I have positively impacted someone’s life.
Another struggle includes living in Dallas with a toddler, and the closest family member is 2100 miles away! It has taken tough conversations and compromise to ensure I can balance my heavy workload, while still being a great mom and spouse. It has also taken a village of mom-friends and coworkers who offer to help out with Bella Boss every now and then.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with National Black MBA Association DFW Chapter – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am extremely proud to be the President of the National Black MBA Association, Dallas – Fort Worth Chapter. We are the 3rd largest chapter across the country (39 chapters total), with 815+ members that represent a diverse and talent group of Black professionals. Our mission is simply to help facilitate connections between these members and Fortune 500 companies, as well as the community. Or in other words, we create opportunities to grow professionally (i.e., get a new job), as well as personally, and we take that seriously!
When I became President in 2018, I set a three-year strategy: Energize (2018), Engage (2019), Elevate (2020). As a classically trained marketer, I knew the key to our growth started with our members – driving awareness and shifting perceptions. We built our programming around highlighting how accessible and relevant our programming was. We deepened our relationships with our members in unique ways, resulting in a growth of 300 financial members in 12 months. Yes, you read that correctly. Last year we also won Pillar Chapter of the Year at our national conference.
Taking our chapter from 450 members, to now over 800, could not have been done without the right team in place. Shout out to my 15 board members who make this volunteer “job” feel like fun. We truly are impacting the lives and growth of many individuals (and corporations) in Dallas – Fort Worth.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Well, it’s time to re-assess my vision board. I’m only mid-30s, so it’s time to determine what the next level of impact is and not get comfortable.
I am always looking to grow professionally, take on additional opportunities to be recognized as a marketing leader in DFW, and help brands create relevancy in consumers’ evolving minds. I’m grateful to have spoken on a few panels already this year!
I have also decided to take my side-hustle consulting business Cherice Jenelle, LLC to the next level and offer courses that can help the modern women entrepreneur, or mompreneur, access big business marketing skills and apply it to their operations. Offering courses allows me to impact more people, while “reclaiming my time” to balance other aspects of my life.
And the DFW Chapter is starting to spread west and give our Tarrant County family some love. We are ambitiously looking to grow our chapter by another 300 by end of year – you don’t need to have a MBA to join and reap the benefits of our membership!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dfwmbas.org
- Email: president@dfwmbas.org and chericejenelle@me.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dfwmbas and www.instagram.com/chericejenelle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NBMBAADFW/
Image Credit:
Main photo: Clark Bailey Media
TraviShotz Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
