The Magic of Speed Mentoring from Both Perspectives

I have been involved with Family Scholar House (FSH) since 2022 through the now Black Excellence Employee Resource Group (ERG) at GE Appliances. We had a speed networking event with the residents of FSH during our Juneteenth celebration week.  It was an awesome event, centered around the next steps in career and for some, where to even begin in finding a career path. We took a tour, as there were quite a few GEA people unaware of all the services FSH had to offer; including myself and let me just say, I was truly blown away! Last year alone they served over 72,000 individuals. My favorite service they offered is Linda’s Closet. Where Residents can get the clothing they need for that next job interview, event, etc. It was a detail that really drove home for me that FSH seeks to provide every effort to support the residents on their next steps in their life’s journey.

When this year rolled around, as co-leader of the Outreach committee for the Black Excellence ERG I jumped at the idea to do our speed networking event again. It was an amazing alignment, as I had met Deja Jackson Director of Community Engagement at FSH earlier in the year and she was game in partnering during Juneteenth week this year!

I along with Lavincenae Phillips (GEA) organized the BE ERG outreach committee group for an amended version called Tea and Conversations. I noticed from our previous ’22 event that conversations started to go deeper into life stories and lessons. So, this time around I wanted to really focus more on those topics. Deja provided starter questions like “If you were an animal, which one would you be?” to “What is something your passionate about.” We also had refreshments by The Banana Pudding Lady, and Tea by “Sis Got Tea” both, black-owned businesses in Louisville. In such a short amount of time, we got to connect, share stories, and laugh with the residents that attended. The people I met were so incredibly impressive, juggling not only motherhood but their professional, academic goals, and creative pursuits; we learned just as much from them as I hope they did from us.

We all walked away truly inspired and motivated to keep going!

-Courtney Nichols

My experience [at Speed Networking] was amazing! I was able to meet with people who have and are in my shoes and are successful in their lives and careers. My mentor made me feel human and made me feel like I can achieve my goals. I was given tips and tricks on how to keep going and was told things that changed my outlook on where I am in life. It was also nice to meet some of the people at a company with such a big name.

-Dania Britt