Conversations with the Inspiring Dr. Matisa Wilbon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Matisa Wilbon.

Dr. Wilbon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in a small town in eastern KY. I matriculated through a small, private college to obtain a bachelor’s in sociology. I, then, immediately went to graduate school at THE Ohio State University (when I met my amazing husband, Lawrence Wilbon) where I earned both a master’s and Ph.D. in sociology.

After graduate school, Lawrence and I moved to Louisville, KY where I began teaching as a full-time sociology professor and he continued his work as a social worker. I climbed the academic ladder obtaining tenure, leading the faculty and gaining leadership awards. He climbed the social services ladder eventually becoming Executive Director of a local agency then working at the Louisville Urban League.

While pursuing careers, my husband and I both worked in ministry. I began preaching in undergrad while he volunteered as a youth pastor.  Ministry is as much a part of our lives as are our careers. I am an ordained elder and serve as the Director of Ministries in my local church, Faith Covenant.

The two particular areas of ministry upon which I currently focus are prayer and women’s empowerment. I published a book last year called #Undefeated: Prayer Never Loses. People from all over the U.S. and in South Africa have purchased the book.  Prayer lives are being ignited! I also created a women’s empowerment group called, Women of a Higher Call in 2015. The focus is on helping emergent women recognize their passion, discover their purpose and walk in their power. I host groups a couple times per year and will host my first retreat in 2019.

As the 3rd component of God’s plan for our lives, Lawrence and began writing grants together about 10 years ago. I was writing them as a member of various boards. He was writing grants to secure funding for his programs. We found that when we combined our skills, there was magic! Together, we have been awarded a significant amount of money to the benefit of various non-profits.  Last year, we became co-managing partners of Wilbon Enterprises where we write grants, develop youth programs, create strategic plans, and facilitate diversity, equity and inclusion training.

Lastly, we have two amazing and talented children (Deshawn Wilbon, 10 and Taiya Wilbon, 9) who serve with us in the community and in the church. They provide feedback and “youth” expertise in Wilbon Enterprises as “workers” in the family business. Deshawn reviews children’s books and Taiya loves all things arts and beauty.  We are a family who loves to serve in the church and community together.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, the road hasn’t been smooth! As I reflect back on this journey, I can say it’s been scenic and rich but never smooth! First of all, coming from a really small town in Eastern Kentucky as a first-generation college student was HARD! I didn’t have anyone to help me navigate the college application process or to prepare me for living on a college campus. But, I developed a tenacity and fortitude that took me beyond anything my family even fathomed. Nobody really knew what a Ph.D. was. But, that didn’t matter to me! I kept my eyes on the prize.

It wasn’t smooth getting married after the master’s while assuring my adviser that I’d finish the program. My parents had divorced so I didn’t have an image of a successful marriage. I had to maneuver a new marriage and starting the Ph.D. at the same time! Whew. If it had not been for the Lord who was on my side, I don’t know where I’d be.  But God has blessed us.  Lawrence and I will be marred for 20 years in November.

I was one of only a handful of African Americans to gain tenure at my last University. That was tough. I was one of the youngest people elected to be Faculty Council President. These are amazing feats (to me), but they came with many tears and much hard work!

Being a female leader in the Lord’s church has not always been easy, either! We like to believe that churches have arrived and it is the spirit that matters (and we’ve definitely come a long way). But we have some things on which to improve.  I was told at the beginning of my ministry that women aren’t called to preach or to lead, etc. Although I had more people encouraging me than those speaking against me, I had to be sure myself.  That was a process. But it was a process that was well worth it! Once I was sure, no one could convince me otherwise.

Like many women, I am a wife, mother, career woman, minister, and community leader. Trying to manage all of these things at one time can be challenging! I’ve missed meetings and missed kids’ performances. I’ve traveled countless hours to engagements and then turned right around to come home for a birthday party. I’ve had to live up to the adage that women must work twice as hard as their male counterparts.  But can I tell you?  The rewards are sweet and God has constantly amazed me!  I have excelled in my career, spending a summer at University of Oxford as an Oxford Fellow and conducting research in Europe and Africa. I’ve preached across the country and also in South Africa. I have an amazing husband and two wonderful children. What could I possibly have to complain about?  We are blessed!

What would I tell young women who are just starting out? I would share with them these things:

1. Dream BIG and often.
2. Write down your vision and make the necessary plans.
3. Remind yourself every day of God’s plans for your life.
4. Don’t limit yourself.  Period!
5. Work hard and pray even harder.
6. Surround yourself with people who will push you and challenge you.
7. Believe that there is nothing too hard for God.
8. JUMP!

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a sociology professor, scholar, and consultant. My areas of expertise are adolescent risk behavior, structural inequality and race, and ethnicity.

I am a grant writer for not-for-profit and for-profit organizations as well as a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant with Wilbon Enterprises. I conduct training for organizations and higher education institutions. What sets me apart is my ability to facilitate and cultivate difficult conversations among board, staff and community stakeholders.

I am proud that my/our work is led through compassion and understanding. I understand the importance of garnering funding for groups that otherwise would not have the money to exist. W.E. purposely assists groups who would not have the tools to gain funds on their own. My husband/partner, Lawrence Wilbon and I, have been awarded a number of grants that have been a help and blessing to others!

Similarly, my Diversity Equity and Inclusion (D.E. and I) work also comes from a place of compassion. As a woman of color, I traversed through many institutions where I didn’t see many people like me. One of the reasons I wanted a graduate degree was so I could teach students of color and they could have faculty members who look like them.  That’s why DE and I work is so important to me, personally.

I am most proud of the work I do with women. I engage women (coming from all walks of life) to push them to be all they can be according to God’s plan for their life. I am part teacher, part motivator and part life coach! Women of a Higher Call is a virtual women’s empowerment group that meets collectively weekly. I also meet with each woman for at least one coaching session. I have heard from those matriculating through the program that it is life-changing.  That is my prayer.

For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I believe God uniquely created women to be versatile. Women have the requisite skills needed to be effective leaders, amazing communicators, wonderful team members, and impactful subject matter experts.

I absolutely feel that society is positioning itself to receive all that is contained in women. In times past, only a few women at a time were mentored or promoted to significant positions. I have always believed there would be a time when women would be able to move forward uninhibited and would be able to contribute in meaningful ways across every sector of society. That time is now in part due to the #MeToo and #TimesUp Movements. In addition to highlighting the challenges women have had to endure, these movements have created moments to highlight the amazing abilities of women.

Women have been juggling families, managing schedules, creating strategies and inventing high-level concepts for years-often out of necessity. Now, because of the shift in society, those skills are coming to the forefront and we are being recognized and remunerated for our contributions.

2019 is going to be the Year of the Woman!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.matisawilbon.com
• Phone: (812) 989-9256
• Email: info@matisawilbon.com
• Instagram: matisawilbon
• Facebook: Matisa Olinger Wilbon
• Twitter: matisawilbon

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