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Official Instagram of the VCU Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, which promotes the development of leaders in Virginia state and local government.

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Thank you to The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute (GEHLI)for inviting me to speak with the 2027 Minority Political Leadership Institute (MPLI) cohort about Virginia’s legislative process & my work with @_shesatthetable

I’m always grateful for an opportunity to support those dedicated to public service. And it was a privilege to be part of your journey!

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✨ What if the very things that make you a great leader are also the things keeping you stuck?

I'm excited to announce that I'll be a breakout speaker at the VCU Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Higher Ground Conference in Richmond, Virginia! 💙🧡

This year's theme is "With Grace, We Rise: Breaking Through to Higher Ground.”

I'll be leading a powerful breakout session titled:

🎤 Grace Is the Fuel: Breaking Through the Glitches That Keep Good People Stuck

We're talking about perfectionism, people pleasing, and those habits that look like strengths on the outside but quietly drain us, limit our growth, and hold us back as leaders.

Because sometimes the biggest breakthrough isn't about working harder. It's about recognizing what's keeping you from moving forward.

I'm looking forward to connecting with incredible leaders, sharing meaningful conversations, and helping others rise to their next level! ✨

📍 Richmond Downtown Marriott
Richmond, Virginia

💙 Follow @vcu_gehli for conference details and registration information!

Let's break through, lead with grace, and rise together!

#LaShawandaMoore #ElevateSuccess #HigherGroundConference #VCUGEHLI #WomenInLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #GraceIsTheFuel #LeadershipGrowth #BreakingThrough

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CBC Week, Part 1 | Firestarters
My longtime friend Allison invited my dear friend Tiffinni and me to join the Minority Political Leadership Institute’s 2026–27 cohort for a candid conversation about being a firestarter: what leadership actually costs, what power looks like from different seats, and what we wish we’d learned sooner.

For much of my career, I wouldn’t have called myself a firestarter. I was the person who figured it out, fixed the problem and made sure the work crossed the finish line.

Being the workhorse taught me almost everything I know. But competence will get you a lot of work. It does not automatically get you authority, ownership or opportunity.

At some point, you have to trust your judgment. Ask for the opportunity. Take the credit you’ve earned. Set boundaries. Say no. And, if necessary, build the thing yourself.

Starting Alpha Strategies was the clearest moment I chose uncertainty over comfort. I knew I could do the work and get paid under someone else’s name. Would the industry pay me to do it under my own?

One thing I’ve learned for certain: You don’t have to wait until you feel fully qualified, invited or anointed to lead. Sometimes courage is recognizing that the version of you that got you here can’t take you where you’re trying to go next.

Elected office is one form of power, but it isn’t the only place change happens. I may not cast the legislative vote, but I’m responsible for the quality of the information and perspective I put around that decision.

One I’m still practicing: Don’t let praise convince you that you’re always right. Don’t let resistance automatically convince you that you’re wrong.

It felt cathartic to share this with people whose journeys aren’t so far removed from my own. Some of these lessons I’m still learning, too.

And what a setting for it. Hotel Zena carried the conversation beyond the room, from its RBG portrait made with nearly 20,000 hand-painted tampons to Talking Sequins, a gown-like installation of roughly 8,000 protest buttons.

Allison, thank you for bringing us together. Tiffinni, I’m so glad we shared this one. ❤️

#ForeveR #CBC #ALC #FR #Leadership

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Rams, who’s your favorite Black icon?

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@vcu_gehli #aboutlastweek Thank you to the phenomenal team of leaders from the Grace E Harris Leadership Institute for entrusting @thejourney2well to lead one of the #breakoutsessions at the 19th Annual Higher Ground Leadership Conference. We were honored to support the great work and #legacy of Dr. Grace E. Harris as we supported this year’s attendees on how to “Be the Change: How to Lead Well during Challenging Times.” #bethechange #restisresilience #helpwell #welcometothejourney #thejourney2well

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What a ride these past two weeks have been!! We’ve been #busy doing #greatwork with #greatpurpose 💛 Truly Love this journey I’m on and the amazing people I get to do this great work (and life) with!! #welcometothejourney #thejourney2well #reels #instagram #traumatherapist #speakerlife #soulshopmovement #annapolis #pittsburgh #rva

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Thank you to @vcu_gehli for hosting another amazing Higher Ground Leadership Conference! What an honor to moderate the panel that kicked off the day's events; a much needed discussion on both resilience and renewal.

Bravo @thesoulcareacademy and Michelle Johnson for putting this all together. This was where I needed to be today. Thank you.

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The Annual HIGHER Ground Leadership Conference is back and registration is open now! Don't miss the early bird ticket pricing that ends on August 31st!

To register and find out more, visit the link in our bio!

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Congratulations to the new graduates of the Virginia Executive Institute, and special thanks to our namesake, Governor L. Wilder, for delivering an inspiring keynote address on authentic leadership.

Learn more about VEI: https://gehli.vcu.edu/trainings-and-institutes/virginia-executive-institute-vei/

@VCU
#GraceEHarrisLeadershipInstitute @VCU_GEHLI
#PublicService #Leadership

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Congratulations to the new graduates of the Virginia Executive Institute, and special thanks to our namesake, Governor L. Wilder, for delivering an inspiring keynote address on authentic leadership.

Learn more about VEI: https://gehli.vcu.edu/trainings-and-institutes/virginia-executive-institute-vei/

@VCU
#GraceEHarrisLeadershipInstitute @VCU_GEHLI
#PublicService #Leadership

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🌟The 18th Annual Higher Ground Leadership Conference, ‘Cultivating Graceful Leaders’, was a resounding success! More than 300 people registered for this leadership and networking event celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute. Congratulations to the @vcu_gehli team for this impactful conference!

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🌟The 18th Annual Higher Ground Leadership Conference, ‘Cultivating Graceful Leaders’, was a resounding success! More than 300 people registered for this leadership and networking event celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute. Congratulations to the @vcu_gehli team for this impactful conference!

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