Chafeeza

Just one day after celebrating 113 years of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, I was a guest speaker at my first Career Day!

The Assistant Principal of Madie Ives K-8 Preparatory Academy in Miami reached out and asked if I would be interested in speaking at the annual Career and Truck Day.

It was an honor, and the answer was an immediate YES!

Career and Truck Day was extremely organized from start to finish. Upon arrival, check-in went smoothly. We were given a folder containing a thank you letter. It also included a certificate of participation. A welcome breakfast and lunch were served for speakers. Each speaker was paired with a student escort. This pairing helped them navigate the campus. The day ran seamlessly.

Four different classes of 6th through 8th-grade students were visited, with 30-minute sessions in each classroom. The presentation included my upbringing, education, role models (Marla Weech, Ericka Dunlap, and my eldest sister Hafeeza C. Bain), and the lessons learned along the way. Time was also spent discussing my 9-to-5 career in marketing, including current work in casino marketing and loyalty programs.

The presentation began and ended with the same affirmation: “I am a star.” STAR also became an acronym:

S for Shine.
T for Try.
A for Ask for help.
R for Rise.

It was fun watching each class have an aha! moment as I explained loyalty programs. The students realized that they unknowingly take part in loyalty programs at their favorite fast food restaurants.

The Q&A segment was hilarious. You have to think on your feet because you never know what kids are going to ask. The questions ranged from personal, “Are you married?”, “Do you have kids?” to “How much money do you make?”

Even while sharing my corporate career, it was important to highlight that life is bigger than a job title. Passions like photography, content creation, and event curation were also shared as part of my journey. The students were encouraged to aspire not only to work for someone else. They were also encouraged to build something of their own.

A career is important, but so is entrepreneurship, ownership, and creating a life that reflects your gifts.

The message was simple: Your title does not define you. You do not have to have your whole future figured out right now. What you consume matters. Who you keep around you matters. Over time, those choices shape who you become.

The day concluded with the job perks of travel. There was also a story of experiencing the Star of the Seas inaugural cruise. My student escort handed out Starbursts candies to the children.

It was a great theme if I do say so myself!

Public speaking is genuinely enjoyable, and future opportunities to mentor, inspire, and pour into the next generation would be welcomed. Sometimes, it only takes one relatable voice.

One message can remind a child that they were always meant to shine.

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