Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Matisa Wilbon.
Hi Dr. Wilbon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Eastern Kentucky. After graduating with a bachelor’s from Centre College in Danville, KY, I obtained my master’s and doctorate degrees from The Ohio State University. I was a full-time sociology professor at a liberal arts college in Kentucky for 12 years while doing DEI work on the side.
Although tenured and promoted, in 2017, I pivoted into full-time entrepreneurship. My husband, Lawrence Wilbon, and I founded our LLC, Wilbon Enterpirses-a grant-writing and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) firm. As an outgrowth of my equity work and teaching background, I founded my women’s network, DisruptHers University, and coaching program, Disrupt 365. I also continue to teach sociology part-time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? No! Worth it? Yes!
Many of the struggles I’ve faced over the years have stemmed from over-analyzing God’s direction for my life. I’ve experienced many open-doors. Doors that led to my earned education. Doors to networks of folks who helped me along the way.
Quite honestly, my struggles have come from my wanting to stay on the path from which God told me to leave. A friend of mine says it this way, “Pain will push you until vision leads you.” I found myself in pain internally because God’s direction did not seem to be part of what I envisioned for my life. I pivoted, as necessary, because it is all I knew to do. However, when I surrendered (offered no resistance) to God’s vision, things fell more readily into place, and I began to walk confidently in the direction of my dreams!
We’ve been impressed with Wilbon Enterprises/DisruptHer University, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I do a number of things, actually. But they are all related! First, I am a diversity, equity, and inclusion expert and grant writer. I work with universities, non-profits and organizations to help them strategize and implement DEI best practices. I also create and facilitate DEI training and evaluation plans. Over the years, I have spent time training Boards of Directors, managers and employees around issues related to DEI so they can move from awareness of issues to acting upon best practices.
Organizations with whom I worked have seen increased employee engagement, a more inclusive culture, better employee productivity, and DEI priorities that connect directly to their mission. I am so proud of my clients. They have won local DEI awards, increased underrepresented talent on their leadership teams and have increased their bottom line!
I also assist in writing grants for churches and non-profits across the country. My business partner and I have garnered over 3 million dollars over the years for our clients as they facilitate programming in underserved neighborhoods and within their congregations.
Lastly, I founded the DisruptHer Network & DISRUPT 365 in 2017.
DisruptHer Network is a community of women who are not satisfied with the status quo. They cross generations of educational ranks and come from all walks of life. They have in common the desire to lead from an empowered place as well as to empower others.
Related, DISRUPT 365 is my coaching program for women who are committed to:
1. DIS mantling and DISrupting negative internal thoughts and external barriers,
2). Rebuilding inclusive and empowering spaces,
3) Utilizing support systems to move forward,
4) Praying as a pathway to alignment with purpose, and
5) Teaching others as a way to pay it forward.
(365) EVERYDay!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is consistently walking out ones purpose for their life. Productivity and fruit will automatically follow.
Pricing:
- Schedule a free 15-20 min consultation for ALL services @ info@matisawilbon.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.matisawilbon.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/matisawilbon/
- Facebook: facebook.com/matisaolingerwilbon
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/matisawilbonphd
- Twitter: twitter.com/matisawilbon
- Youtube: youtube.com/drmatisawilbon
