Emerging Leaders Consultants

By Monica Montgomery Photos Provided

Dr. Erika Hendrix is a must sought out speaker and entrepreneur who operates in two spaces the Marketplace, Business and with individuals. Dr. Hendrix is well-versed in building organizations and churches with sound leadership skills. Emerging Leaders Consultants, LLC is designed to help churches and organization rebuild and recover from the loss they sustained during the global pandemic.

Dr. Hendrix is the Executive Director of the Non-profit Agency Positive Connection Care, Inc and the Executive Director of Creative Management Source, Inc. These two organizations work with adults who have Intellectual Developmental Disabilities and those who have severe and persistent mental illness. These two agencies were started with Dr. Hendrix’s mom Mrs. Barbara Hendrix and Ms. Kimberly Perkins. The success of these two agencies hinges not on the of “I” but the US. Teamwork makes the dream work. Dr. Hendrix has been a proclaimer of the Gospel for 28 years and her love for the word of God has been a motivator to her next God idea. One of Dr. Hendrix’s greatest accomplishments is being the CEO/Founder of Lady E Specs LLC designer eyewear company for men and women. These different paths of entrepreneurial pursuits and her gifts have created the perfect and clear path for her next launch.

Dr. Hendrix’s mentor has challenged her to see the symbolism of what has moved her beyond her own ability. Dr. Hendrix or some refer to her as Dr. Challenge because it seems that trouble is attracted to her, and the pressure of it motivates her to shift the way she thinks and operates in both spaces. The idea of a business consultant firm was conceived over 12 years ago, the Lord pressed upon her to give it a name and to formally register it, and so out of prayer, the word “Emerge” kept coming up. To emerge is to move out of or away from something and bring it into view. Over those twelve years, she’s had several pastors and business leaders reach out to her for strategic planning and coaching. This year God told her to name it and define the scope of consultant work she can offer. So out of the culmination of my years of experience as a business owner, pastor, leader, and community leader was birthed, “Emerging Leaders Consultants LLC.”

Seen as a leader in her church and business community, Dr. Hendrix is a familiar and trusted voice in her community. “It started with pastors and leaders of different churches calling and asking for advice. Next, I was asked to travel and speak to different groups and organizations. Then I started conducting training for Pastors and churches as well as in the Marketplace. Before Dr. Hendrix started her own business, she worked with the Housing Authority, writing policies and procedures as well as property management. Accessing that skill set has given her a gateway to write leadership manuals for churches and secular businesses.”

Before the pandemic, businesses and churches were operating on projection and data models on what direction their business or church should look like. They were working from a sustainable business plan that did not include a pandemic. Coming out of the global pandemic, we are now seeing the heightened mental health of depression, an all-time high in suicide, and Pastors and CEO walking away from it all because they couldn’t handle the pressure. Shifting of mindsets, ministry, marketplace, and entrepreneur endeavors has evolved post-pandemic. There has been a significant change in the Movement of Industry and Movement of Ministry. Movement is paramount to all moving parts in any organization. Anything that is not moving is dead and the life source must be cut off so that new life can come. There is an urgency of NOW for Emerging Leaders Consultants. A sailboat depends on the wind, and a cruise line ship depends on a system to push through the waters. For the first time, businesses and churches had to deal with the absence of space and tread through unchartered waters, therefore, building the foundation of a business or church for their leaders to stand on is paramount.

An obvious post-pandemic observation when looking at businesses and religious organizations is that if the framework was not in place before the shutdown, those entities didn’t survive. Businesses with a personality-driven customer base closed when the patrons could no longer connect with that individual. Most churches whose memberships depended on a single person’s reputation and weren’t ready to shift into the metaverse danced dangerously on the brink of extinction. Dr. Hendrix desires to help organizations look at their current reality while helping them prepare for the future they desire.

A big part of being organized is understanding roles and responsibilities. “It’s not uncommon, especially in the Black church, that we have people working or serving in the church without a title or job description. One essential element that many people miss is a church is a business we do not need to replicate we need to organize a plan for succession and functionality. We must have set expectations or written paradigms. “What you don’t face on the inside will mask itself on the outside. Moses had to learn to navigate between two worlds, and we must determine to bridge gaps and structures, and we need external components to move during this season of transitions. Setting expectations associated with each title will aid in advancing your church or business. Our organizations and churches are shaped by personalities that lead them, but we must balance personalities and skill sets.

The goal of any organization or church desiring to grow in this new hybrid space is a customized business model of growth and prosperity. We produce Optimum results with minimum circumstances, with emotional and thought-out leadership or partnership, and not competition. We are pushing the church to embrace a more business model and vision planning that’s more in sync with your church’s vision. One key element that I think businesses, as well as churches, must visit is to rewrite their vision and mission because the world has changed to a digital encounter that has become our normal sense of operating.”

Utilizing her bachelors in political science, a doctorate in divinity, specializing in leadership development, and certification in emotional intelligence innovation leadership, Hendrix has created a formula that will restructure and revitalize your church or business. These three components are the keys to her recipe for success.

Dr. Hendrix operates from three key components: Psychology, Anthropology, and Theology. Hendrix explains, “The psychological element focuses on the mindset of the church, specifically the leadership. What I find in churches or organizations that were once thriving but now are dead and dying is that they may have missed their moment to shift. People often say this is just how we do things here. What some of us fail to understand is like any other business, for churches to survive, they must stay relevant. We don’t change what we believe. We find new ways to share it. I can’t stress enough how important having a growth mindset is to stay relevant. I often remind people that anything that isn’t growing is dead. This includes the church.”

Every church or organization has its own Psychology. “The psychological element focuses on the mindset, especially leadership.” The psychology of how we think will affect how we shift, and if the truth is told, many businesses and churches were dying before the pandemic, and the pandemic gave them a way out. “We don’t change what we believe, we find new ways to share it.” I can’t stress enough how important having a growth mindset is to stay relevant. I often remind people that anything that isn’t growing is dead, including the church.

Dr. Erika Hendrix

Emerging Leaders Consultants

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Podcast: Think Tank Unplugged https://www.spreaker.com/user/16624374

The second component is Anthropology is a blend of culture and community. In both spaces, churches and businesses have a mixture of Baby Boomers and Millennials who speak two different languages. A good leader must first recognize that the two groups exist, then create an environment where they can coexist. Every good leader knows that everyone has something they can bring to the table. Our seasoned volunteers and employees don’t just bring a wealth of wisdom; they are the core and stability of your organization. What your millennials lack in experience, they make up for energy and risk-taking. This is the group that will move your organization forward. We start to struggle if we lean too far in either direction. Balancing culture and climate are key to the success of any organization.

The third component is Theology. “It’s important to make the word of God and the work of the Kingdom relevant to the new construct,” Hendrix explains. “As explained before, what we believe doesn’t change, but we must be willing to look at new delivery methods. Gone are the days when the only way to go to church was to go there physically. Now you can attend church anywhere around the world, from the comfort of your living room. With YouTube, Zoom, and Facebook spreading the Gospel has never been easier. One major aspect I initiate is helping leaders understand the benefit that technology brings to the teaching of theology as well as building community.”

Although the components are similar for the church and secular entities, their use and focus may differ slightly. “When it comes to secular companies, we examine their business model. The psychology behind the company and its leadership. Who they are, and what their purpose is. Anthropology is all about building effective teams properly equipped to execute their goals for the company. The third component would be mentorship. Like Theology, the vision, policies, procedures, and the company’s purpose must be communicated to have all personnel focused on the same goal. To accomplish this, we work with the leadership to create a solid training model that can be adjusted as the company evolves,” Dr. Hendrix says.

Dr. Hendrix shares that the days of going to church in the physical space have changed, now, you can attend church anywhere around the world from the comfort of your home. “The Gospel can be watched on YouTube, Zoom, and the Metaverse. Technology is the biggest engine we must push to make our two spaces relevant. Technology is the key that opens the door for aligning and adapting to new ways to push your church and business into the 23rd century. Emerging Leaders Consultants LLC is available to help your church and business move from deconstruction reconstruction and create a vision and build a new community.”

June 9th, 2023

Marriott Hotel - Downtown Greensboro, NC

By KALA SLADE

By Dorjea’

Kala Slade is the super stylish owner of Unikornish, the brand that celebrates one’s individuality. The Greensboro, NC, native has been a serial entrepreneur and hairstylist for 24 years and counting. She’s tried her hand at all types of businesses that intrigued her. For the most part, if she wants to do it, it’s done.

So how did Unikorn-ish come into the picture? Well, Kala has dealt with depression and anxiety, and to help, she joined a group called ‘I Rock My Curves,’ a modeling agency for plus-sized models. At first, it was a hobby to get her mind off the things she was dealing with, but as she grew within the agency, it became so much more.

Entering the industry at 42, Kala did not fit the usual profile, but she used that to her advantage. “I wanted to do something that would encourage others to accept their differences, walk in it, and be comfortable with who they are.” That was when she gained the nickname ‘Unicorn Chick.’ When she started modeling, Kala constantly changed her hair, keeping it original.

Overall, this boost in self-confidence and the inspiration from the ladies in the agency motivated her to open Unikorn-ish, which was officially established in August 2020. Unikorn-ish offers many brightly colored, unique items, from t-shirts, hats, and lip gloss to duffle and messenger bags. She also sells limited edition items from time to time.

Kala’s primary goal is to give back to her community. To do so, she has partnered with the local nonprofit Peace of Hope, founded by her best friend. The organization provides various services for those struggling with mental health and illness. With each purchase made on Unikorn-ish, 10% goes to Peace of Hope. “I love being able to work with someone so close to me, and at the same time, I am able to help strengthen their business as well,” Kala says. Kala believes, “It’s our differences that make us,” and loves that through Unikornish, she can encourage and help others.

Finding a group of people who love unicorns just as much as she does is icing on the cake. Kala’s work through Unikorn-ish has kept her and others pushing through major and everyday issues. She notes that the business has a sense of hold on her and says, “when I want to give up, it won’t let me go.”

Kala also says she feels accomplished seeing the joy on customers’ faces, and witnessing the impact it has on their lives. “A lot of times, God does things, and you think He’s giving it to you for other people. In reality, He’s giving it to you too. I thank God daily for His grace and mercy and for putting me in a position where my testimony helps others.”

As her business grew, there were a few challenges. One was learning her target audience and ensuring she reached them. Plus becoming more tech-savvy in a now heavily virtual world. Although Kala has come out of her shell more, there were times when she second-guessed her purpose. But just like the original unicorn she is, Kala flew past the problems. She stretched outside her comfort zone through prayer and skill-building and broadened her horizons. She took classes that would help her invest in her business and herself as a person.

Through her journey, Kala found her ‘why.’ She says, “If I can remember that there’s somebody else out there feeling and thinking how I’m feeling today. If I can say something or do something that can give them hope for one more day, that’s my ‘why’. I want to make sure no one feels alone in this.” www.unikornish.com h

As for the future, Kala’s primary focus is the growth of Unikorn-ish. “It’s bigger than just me; I just want people to embrace themselves and be ok with that.” She is also working to create a platform where anyone can join her, talk about what’s going on in their lives, and create opportunities to pour into your girls.