INSPIRING TALKS

Leadership beyond Women's Month

Honorable Vivian Thomas, the District Four Commissioner, was recognized as the Phenomenal Woman of Distinction by Game Changers Media in an interview with Andreal Mallard, the Senior Editor and Owner

GCMN: Commissioner, who are you now versus the person I met five to six years ago?

Thomas: Wow, what a way to start an interview! Andrea, it is 2023; I am a different person My journey as a commissioner is under public scrutiny, and I can share that I have not and will not compromise my faith in God and my integrity My journey here has sharpened my skills as a decision-maker, has caused me to push for excellence in delivery, and tightened the circle of influencers in my life

GCMN: Commissioner, you are described as a community leader, servant leader, approachable but cautious, yet untouchable Do you agree?

Thomas: I am here by the confirmed votes of district four constituents Their vote of confidence in the leadership style I bring to Henry County Government humbles me I am accountable to the individuals, families, and businesses who pour into me and provoke me to be better than good Being a servant leader is a natural reflection of my upbringing My mother and father taught their children to care for each other and those around us I still live by that motto I welcome conversations publicly and privately with constituents My team and I host several town hall conversations virtually and in person I am involved with a number of non-profit initiatives that serve the Community and often take time to converse with individuals Anyone is welcome to request a meeting with me by contacting my office

The interviewer then asked why Commissioner Thomas decided not to hold the annual Women's History Month event that celebrated women ' s accomplishments this year She responded that the Phenomenal Women of Distinction had expanded beyond women and would celebrate the achievements of both women and men in a more exponential way under the banner of "Leadership" She expressed her dissatisfaction with women ' s events that lacked purpose or impact, often hosted by non-credible individuals seeking personal recognition or a platform for notoriety "We can do better, and the group that supports authentic Leadership expects better Being purposeful and accountable for our actions will naturally lead to awards"

GCMN: This banner of Leadership, where is it leading to?

Thomas: First, it opens doors of opportunity for inclusiveness Hopefully, we have spoken life and encouraged and inspired women to their next level of greatness Now, we are moving out of the siloes of " us " to all We speak to women, men, the Community, the free, and incarcerated with the goal of impacting the Community and building partnerships Awards are secondary, and the needs of the Community are elevated to the primary level Believe me; there is so much more to come; stay tuned

GCMN: With that, what is the failure, in your opinion? We have Black Women elected and in powerful positions, but our Community, the Black Community, is still suffering

Thomas: Andrea, no easy questions today?

GCMN: At Game Changers, Commissioner, that’s not how we do it!

Thomas: There are pockets of Black Americans doing just fine We have the privilege of sharing their accomplishments on television, radio, social media, and print media within groups and families There is a positive trail of upward progression for Black Americans A conversation, signages, and echoing of our accomplishments must be blasted on as many forms of media as possible

Let me pause and say "thank you, Andreal Mallard, and the Game Changers Magazine Team, podcast, iHeart Radio, and all the other media you use to tell our stories I salute you and know we need you!

Now the failure comes in not maximizing the many tools available to us to better our conditions and situations We own phones valued at thousands of dollars and more, but not taking technical or college classes but taking a selfie Wrong We allow other cultures to define our culture Wrong The Black Woman is on the move yet being used by negative forces for their good Wrong We need to stop and do an assessment and take back ownership of our purpose and culture

Commissioner Thomas celebrated women ' s presence and believed that they should embrace it with love, sharing, and inclusion She encouraged women to continue to shatter all statistics calculated about their worth, strategies, capabilities, and quality of leadership The world saw women with admiration and wonder, and Commissioner Thomas encouraged women to walk in faith and own their evolution into greatness

"My sisters, black, brown, white, it does not matter what your color may be, we are women, and we need each other Be watchful and prayerful A woman ’ s presence is an expression of life to share and enable others forward to betterment in their lives Ladies own your accomplishments! No one has the right to impede upon you and place an IOU requirement for who you are and what you have earned I commend and celebrate you for setting goals and fighting through the many challenges that tried to stop your evolution into greatness The world sees us with admiration and wonder Many statistics are calculated about our worth, strategies, capabilities, and quality of Leadership We continue to shatter all of them Why? Because it is hard to calculate the "God Factor" Continue to walk in faith, owning your destiny"

I want to express to women we are awesome! We are creating our earned space and occupying that space without apology Embrace this deserved presence with a spirit of love, sharing, and inclusion This publication, Gamechangers Magazine, highlights a deserving group of women on the move and, as stated, earned the space they now occupy Congratulations! Job well done! The Community is better because of your work and accomplishments