Today we’d like to introduce you to Marleigha McGinty.
Hi Marleigha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It was the summer of 2023 and after what I felt like a long season of serving freshman students in housing at my Alma Mater, Prairie View A&M University, I felt the push to pursue a career in education.
What I wanted to teach was specific because of my love for agriculture, and those roles are not the easiest to come by, but divinely an opportunity landed in my email regarding an Agriculture Teacher role in Dallas. By no coincidence I was already enrolled in a certification program and I knew that was a vital step to landing the job. My mother had already been living in the DFW years prior to this opportunity presenting itself so the area already felt like home.
With confirmation, I swiftly applied, interviewed on a Wednesday, and had the job by Friday. There are some promises that come with speed and this was one of them.
I learned that hesitating leads to overthinking and that can delay the very things God has planned for you. My swift obedience made room for swift results to be delivered to me.
It was not easy leaving what was familiar, but there was a beautiful community waiting on me in the new, and a loving community that committed to staying connected with me from afar.
I began my journey with a heavy plate, literally. I had just started culinary school online at Escoffier a month prior to getting the role. So balancing it all was what I learned to do. An agriculture teacher by day, culinary student by night, and a sous chef on any available weekend to obtain my externship hours.
By October of 2024 I was a graduate of culinary school, and by November of 2024 I was a certified agriculture teacher. By the grace of God I was able to do it all.
Service is my true motive, whether in the culinary profession, the classroom, or community. I vowed long ago to be a gift to any and every territory God placed me in, doors have been opening ever since.
As I reflect on my three years living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area I not only have been granted opportunities to serve on a larger scale, but have developed skills that have prepared me to commit to entrepreneurial ventures.
I am not leaving the teaching profession, I have actually taken on more roles that consist of Campus Connector and Assistant Director of the Dragon Dance Department at Seagoville High School. In addition I am building and launching my Event Consultation & Catering Business.
Meraki is the act of doing something with soul, creativity, or love. Meraki Occassions is the business God gifted me to serve Dallas and surrounding areas.
In the summer of 2023 I did not fully comprehend why the plate was so heavy, nor did I know what Dallas had to offer, but I did know that I serve the Master of a perfect plan. I am called, gifted, and equipped to serve in multiple capacities and the heavy plate was necessary to prepare me. I am grateful for the voyage that has landed me in Dallas, and look forward to journey of creative impact and servitude ahead of me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This road has had potholes, and fresh highways. To say it was the perfect mixture of both.
Adjusting to the pressure of effectively time managing as well as prioritizing self care to avoid burnout was tough.
When serving in abundance, it’s imperative to ensure your reservoir is filled. Empty pitchers pour nothing so I had to learn to stay filled.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I can confidently say that I am a creative. That consists of culinary concepts, poetry, graphic design, fashion, event planning and decor.
So the specialty is creativity. I just love moments where I am the visionary, and moments where I serve the visionary. I blow up ideas into tangible products and experiences.
What sets me apart is that I don’t look at opportunities as a simple service, I put my heart and soul into everything I touch. It’s not a task to me, it’s a commitment of sincere servitude.
What makes you happy?
Jesus and Gods perfect will. Happiness is temporal, but joy is eternal. I departed from the popular mantra “to do what makes you happy.” I committed to doing what I am called and that has brought me everlasting joy.
So the joy I get comes from service and community. I wholeheartedly love people and the fruit of serving them and relationships I obtain along the way makes me want to do backflips.
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