19 minute read
Kindra Dionne
WORKFORCE Watching this Trailblazer in action is like experiencing the rainbow without the storm. She brings something special and beautiful during every engagement; her energy and hope are contagious. Where others see rain, Ms. Dionne sees the harvest that will come from all the seeds she has planted. This serial entrepreneur is a risktaker, visionary, multi-tasker, and one of the best team players you could have the privilege of working with. She stays busy, from empowering businesses all over the nation to recently starting her own wine company. Ms. Dionne is on a mission to Kindra Dionne, CEO, Purpose Worx change the world. She has often said, “there's work that you do because the salary is nice and then there's work you do because of the difference that you get to make. HUBZone workforce development is clearly the latter.”
The Gift: I Didn’t Know I Needed
disadvantaged, underprivileged, low-income, or anything like that because she once was in the same place.
These are our friends and neighbors who are talented but need assistance with career advancement. Individuals who are in “survival careers” – careers they took to meet their families’ basic needs. For this Trailblazer, the HUBZone program represents an opportunity to create “thriving careers” - new jobs for friends and neighbors in our communities by working for government contracting firms and agencies that made a financial and intellectual difference. Careers capable of boosting confidence and financial independence. HUBZone companies give them access to training and development, allowing these individuals to earn position titles that they may have never thought possible.
The HUBZone program creates opportunities. This Trailblazer said, “It provides a seat at the table. Whether or not folks choose to sit at the table, it is up to them. That's what I love about the HUBZone program. A heart that gives back, that creates opportunities that not only benefit the business owner, but the communities where their businesses are located.”
Ms. Dionne loves entrepreneurship – it is in her bones, so when she first came across the HUBZone program over a decade ago, she was hooked. She couldn’t believe the government had created a program that would allow her to immediately scale up her mission. Ms. Dionne said, “I felt like it was a gift that I did not know that I needed, both personally and professionally.” For her, it was like winning the lottery: with this news, she could help family, friends, and even neighbors. When she started her career in workforce development it was not because it was a high-paying career, but because she understood the struggles her friends and neighbors were experiencing. Ms. Dionne refuses to refer to them as
Photo Source: Kindra Dionne
Rural America: HUBZone Revolution
For over a decade, this Trailblazer has been promoting the HUBZone Program, particularly in rural America. She is energized by the success stories she has been able to co-create.
Ms. Dionne says, “I have been fortunate to be able to serve so many communities across this country including the Native American reservations. I've been able to help them to realize the opportunities that they have for workforce development for growing and expanding their companies by leveraging the HUBZone designation. I love seeing the success stories in my own community – here in Leesburg, VA. Everyone overlooked Leesburg; they missed the fact that just because the median household income seemed higher than the rest of the US didn’t mean that there weren’t pockets of need. The HUBZone program allows families to keep their culture and community intact.” The HUBZone revolution has been able to create great jobs in rural America that are nonagricultural. They're bringing communities new industries and workforce opportunities and stimulating economic development. People can stay in the communities they've grown to love, not having to make the difficult choice between family and career. The children of these agricultural professionals have a full range of new opportunities. They are able to use their gifts and talents in their own backyards, which brings to life our slogan, “HUBZone Works for America.” HUBZone businesses provide all kinds of sustainable careers in rural America.
Heroes: Generation Z
Ms. Dionne’s heroes are the Gen-Zs, particularly from the HBCUs. Ms. Dionne is inspired by their ingenuity, creativity, and willingness not to accept no for an answer, but to go for it. She was inspired by their whole cancel-culture movement, and while she didn’t understand it fully, she was moved by their creativity. Ms. Dionne said, “their mindset intrigues me. They're willing to take risks. Entrepreneurship is about risks, starting businesses that make a difference, impacting the community, and creating jobs. That's all risk and I am excited about what this next generation brings to the table. The Council is igniting HBCU participation across the country helping the next generation of government contractors, employees, and/or leaders.”
Photo Source: Kindra Dionne
Bet on Yourself: A Choice, Not a Statistic
Ms. Dionne’s HBCU trailblazing journey began with her acceptance to Winston Salem State University (WSSU) in North Carolina in her senior year of high school. That same year, she buried her mother and discovered shortly thereafter that she was pregnant. She made a life-defining choice to bet on herself. Where statistically others would have never left home, Ms. Dionne went to college in another state with no support system for her pregnancy. This Trailblazer told us…
“It was a game-changing moment. I made a decision that had a life-changing result. I made a choice in that moment to not become a statistic but to rise above my circumstance and continue to pursue my life, my career, and my passion. It was just going to be a little bit more challenging than what other people’s journeys may have been, but I know it wasn't the hardest thing that I was going to have to do in my life. So, I decided at that moment this is my box now, it's up to me to figure out how to live outside of it. I worked, I worked, I worked 3 jobs while I was pregnant. I was a freshman attending college out of state while paying 100% of my tuition. There were financial challenges that would have prevented me from going to college, but I figured it out. It wasn't easy but I got it done. I took an internship in my junior year as this single mom while working two jobs and holding down workstudy while in the marching band.”
That may have been how Ms. Dionne’s story began, but now she can't even tell you how many boards, commissions, and committees this Trailblazer is on. She helps people just like herself overcome challenges and crises every single day. Ms. Dionne successfully runs two companies, traveling all across this great nation helping other people on their entrepreneurial journey. One of the lessons she learned on becoming less risk-averse is to always bet on yourself, you are worth it! She shares that choosing to attend WSSU during her crisis gave her the family that she needed to succeed.
Despite her challenges, WSSU’s staff and students didn't allow her to give up. She had so much support from her HBCU family, or as the folks from WSSU call them, the “Ramily”. She said, They had her back. “The Ramily looked out for me. They loved on me and my daughter. If it were not for my HBCU family, I would not be the woman or the professional that I have grown to be. I have gone through you may need to go through several times before you get it right. When it comes to failure, this Trailblazer has made multiple attempts at entrepreneurship, but her greatest failures have been those ventures when she gave up too soon. Ms. Dionne said, “I realized during that time that I was entering business with the wrong mindset. I was not in the right mental space to become an entrepreneur. I brought an employee and scarcity mindset into the workplace. I was afraid I would not have enough to sustain myself and my family if I pursued my dreams. Every time my business revenue would decline, I would quit and go back and get a job or do something different because I did not have the tolerance for the risk that it took. Quitting became my default; I did not stick around to figure it out.”
Photo Source: Kindra Dionne She read a book by John Maxwell, “Sometimes You Win Sometimes You Learn” which changed everything for this Trailblazer. John Maxwell helped to shape her mindset about how to look at failures and missed opportunities. She learned how to apply those strategies to every aspect of her life. It was a game-changer for Ms. Dionne. She started seeing the lessons of scarcity and started appreciating the things that she did have: a stable home, a vehicle, and a child. This stabilization was essential to eliminating her scarcity mindset. Once they were not in jeopardy, she was safe to risk the rest. A new mindset emerged, one that declared it was worth fighting for – worth pursuing her dreams. It changed the way Ms. Dionne looked at entrepreneurship.
what could have been a life-altering crisis to what I now consider a blemish in my journey. Their love and support enabled me to graduate from college on time. I'm so grateful for my HBCU experience because it shaped me into a trailblazer – a leader with integrity and grace, so thank you Ramily!”
Perspective: Don’t Give Up too Soon
Ms. Dionne believes perspective is everything. She now looks at failure differently than most people do. She views failures as lesson plans or like an instruction manual that Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey. Ms. Dionne’s business model didn't change, but her mindset did. The next hire she made for her business was a therapist. She employed a mental health therapist to make sure that she stayed mentally and emotionally balanced throughout her entrepreneurial journey. This trusted mental health advisor was the biggest game-changer for her business. Ms. Dionne said, “If I could point out a second failure in the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, it would be not choosing to hire a mental health professional sooner.”
Walter Cooper, Director Career Education, Leadership Development Center, Tuskegee University
HUBZONE & HBCUsPARTNERSHIP
Tuskegee that range from both STEM and Non-STEM internships to full-time employment V-Tech a certified HUBZone company.
Game Changer: Student Internship Program (SIP)
Tuskegee is known to provide Victor Holt, CEO, V-Tech Solutions opportunities predominantly for their students graduating in the STEM disciplines but V-Tech plans to expand this scope. Mr. Cooper believes that the relationship that Tuskegee is forging with VTech will be a game changer for all its stakeholders. Students in Tuskegee’s College of Arts and Science, Allied Health, and Social Tuskegee University’s Work will now have more opportunities to faculty and students engage in experiential learning activities. Mr. have been major influencers. When Cooper said, “I’m very excited. I think these people hear the name Tuskegee, they types of opportunities, exposures and think of at least a few of the following collaborations will certainly change the major accomplishments, but there are trajectory for many of our students. This is far more. fantastic.” • Originator and producer of the famous "Tuskegee Airmen," When three socially conscious in partnership with the U.S. organizations (Tuskegee, V-Tech, and ICF Army Air Corps. International Inc. (ICF)) collaborate, it is not • The offspring of two surprising that an innovative Student American giants, Booker T. Internship Program (SIP) will emerge. Soon Washington and George after Mr. Cooper and Mr. Holt started working Washington Carver. together, they discovered they had a prime • Number one producer of contractor in common. It was ICF. This prime African-American aerospace contractor wanted to develop a meaningful science engineers in the nation. relationship with Tuskegee which has led to • The only historically black this HUBZone company working with college or university in the Tuskegee to design and implement SIP. nation designated as the Students are being recruited for ongoing location for National Center for contracts, right now V-Tech is awaiting a Bioethics in Research and contract decision that would provide Health Care. employment opportunities for a dozen life science and social science students. What they One hundred forty-one years accomplished with SIP this summer has later, nothing has changed. Just spawned numerous innovations. Students and ask Victor Holt the CEO of V- faculty are looking forward to launching the Tech Solutions (V-Tech) how second cohort for next year. Tuskegee is changing the HBCU/HUBZone business model with his company. When Legacy and Beyond V-Tech needed to hire 100 employees for a Department of Education call center, it was the Tuskegee students that answered the call, literally. This simple start has grown to a broad array of partnerships with The work that his team is accomplishing is grounded in both the HBCU and Airforce community. In 1969 a former Tuskegee Airman Clarence “Lucky” Lester and three U.S. Department of Defense analysts founded the Inner-City Fund (now known as ICF) to finance minority-owned businesses while V-
Tech CEO is also Airforce minority veteran. Mr. Holt wanted to do more to highlight this brotherhood. Their next team project will be capturing this rich legacy on video to be released in the Fall. Mr. Holt said, “I’m excited that V-Tech is part of this rich history. We are still working on the story: legacy, creating legacy, and beyond. We want students and alumni to be part of this video. Our team is capture pivotal events throughout history. For instance, during the civil rights movement the Tuskegee Airmen were the ones that were flying all of the newsreels to New York everyday by 4pm so the world could see the injustices that was occurring in Alabama and in Mississippi.”
Dream Job
Mr. Cooper is a non-traditional educator whose path has included being in the Air Force, working as a corporate project manager, and owning a business. But now he gets to live his dream. Everything he has been through and done has led up to this moment. Where else could he wake up each morning knowing that the work he is doing is building on a world-class legacy. Mr. Cooper said, “I’m honored to be a cast member in Tuskegee’s trailblazing story, bridging the gap between HUBZone companies, alumni, current students, and staff. Helping our students fulfill their life goals and aspirations while meeting the needs of our industry partners. Tuskegee provides the world with the type of talent that is truly workforce ready.”
Photo Source: Walter Cooper
Tuskegee has built an ecosystem that benefits all their stakeholders. Their partners have been willing to invest in the nurturing and development of Tuskegee’s students. Tuskegee builds lasting relationships with their industry partners creating breeding grounds for innovation and growth for all stakeholders. Mr. Cooper has a superb partnership with V-Tech, he believes it is probably because they are grounded in some of the phrases that Mr. Holt constantly shares, which is “Go Where There is No Path and Blaze a Trail”; “FACE: Focus, Accountability, Commitment, and Execution”; and finally, “When they say no. I say that's just for today. Don't worry about it. The answer WILL CHANGE”.
Co-Create Run to Tuskegee University
Any HUBZone company that wishes to work with Mr. Cooper’s team should be ready for the co-creation journey. Their gifted staff and students expect everyone to get in the trenches in order to solve problems. We want both our students as well as corporate partners to be involved in the evaluation and assessment of engagement success. That's how Tuskegee is able to continue to make the necessary adjustments to provide the talented students that the workforce needs.
If you are a HUBZone business owner and have the right ethos, it is time to run toward Tuskegee University! This HBCU has an iconic legacy, they have proven how to soar in the most difficult times. Tuskegee is synonymous with excellence. It is instilled in all of their students. Mr. Cooper said,
Dr. Lawrence
(“Larry”) M. Drake II
Interim President, Bethune-Cookman University, Florida Associate Dean of Academic Services, Business Chair, Clinton University, South Carolina
Dr. Ike Ugboaja
Dr. Michael Stubblefield
BETHUNE-COOKMAN
Dr. Lawrence Drake II, Interim President, Bethune-Cookman University Email Address: drakel@cookman.edu
Why partner with my HBCU?
The number one reason any enterprise would want to partner with us is because of the talent pool that is necessary for 21st century growth. Every institution and every company needs talent. Bethune Cookman’s job is to develop that talent with the skills and competencies that are necessary for the 21st century growth. If you are going to partner with us you will want us to help you develop not only the profile for the talent that you’re trying to hirer but invest in us as we invest in you to ensure growth.
Program 1: Master in Business Science Artificial Intelligence and Technology (MBSAT)
Population Type: Graduate
Goals: Building the kinds of competencies and skills that will exceed an MBA program. This program includes all of the STEM and businessrelated curriculum with experiential learning opportunities. This Trailblazer believes there is a hidden, untapped IT workforce. The challenge is that historically, the industry has judged the book by its cover. Decision makers are spending time on the wrong indicators, like the education, econ from DIBCAC and 3PAO from the CMMC Accreditation Board. The final cost for this endeavor was over 200K and included outside audirking with advocacy groups to identify ways.
Program 2: Knowledge of Work (Know) program. Individuals can earn credentials while they work for the industry experience they are or have already garnered. They will receive upskilling opportunities. We develop a cocurriculum that takes into account what you're doing every day at work and we're giving you credit for that without having to come to college to sit in a classroom and study and at the same time move you toward a credential that could be either a certification micro or macro badging or moving towards a degree or even a graduate degree. Population Type: Undergraduate & Graduate
Goals: Adult learners are the fastest growing category of learners in this country. We treat it as a lifestyle not an event. This program will leverage their talents. Create a path to support and increase lifelong learning for adults.
Availability Support: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
An ideal business partnership is one where we are collaborating on outcomes for both the institution and the partner. We have clear metrics as what success looks like and of course encompass and all of that. We have mutually invested. If you want to have a great career and you're committed to lifelong learning and you're committed to use those skills and competencies to change the world this is a place you ought to attend or partner with.
CLINTON UNIVERSITY
Dr. Ike Ugboaja, Associate Dean of Academic Services, Business Chair, Clinton University
Email Address:
iugboaja@clintoncollege.edu
Why partner with my HBCU?
We make sure our students are competitive from educational and skill perspective. They are the cream of the crop. We offer our students a work program which give them valuable experience while mitigating the usual financial educational debt. They have a business Advisory Council that includes leaders from the community particularly and since they are located near Charlotte from the banking and financial hub.
Program 1: Nursing Program / Nursing Related Services
Population Type: Undergraduate, Faculty
Goals: Develop a pipeline for the students and the on-the-job training
Availability Support: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter Population Type: Undergraduate, Faculty
Goals: Create & Develop business owners; expose students to the emerging trends; develop live business plans that the banking community thinks is feasibility; promoting due diligence; and on-the-job training
Availability Support: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Ideal partnership which understands risk and rewards of partnering. Able to collaborate with students and our scholarly faculty. Partners willing to ask questions and listen for the answer. Partner that is committed to employing a variety of approaches to foster its thriving relationships that will be needed to support the work of the college.
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Michael Stubblefield, Vice Chancellor, Office of Research & Strategic Initiatives, Southern University and A&M College
Email Address:
iugboaja@clintoncollege.edu
Why partner with my HBCU?
As a small business our university can expand your reach by accessing subject matter experts, facilities, and students. We can be the extra arm to your company when it comes to responding to opportunities. When we go after federal contracts, we are about technology transfer and innovation. Our faculty is always thinking about how to solve problems. We Take advantage of being the economic driver for our community -- joint bidding. We are the secret source to help you win contracts. We are Protégé for NASA program. We have a program called “HBCUs going global”.
Program 1: Co-Create your own Team; LA Center of Development (Small Business Center). If there are 3 or 4 companies that come together, we will work with them to develop a winning solution
Population Type: Undergraduate, Graduate, Faculty Program 2: Nursing Program /Nursing Related Services
Population Type: Undergraduate, Graduate, Faculty
Goals:Expand the type of NASA projects our faculty and students can work on.
Availability Support: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winterr
Common technical interest: science, engineering, STEM space, laboratory, more mature firms. Focus on innovation and research. Looking for long term relationship with companies looking at contracts and SBIRs.
