Today we’d like to introduce you to Donya Brown II.
Donya, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, I have always embraced where I came from. Although it happened during middle school, I can still remember the day I was taken away from a place I called home and placed into foster care. I spent most of my adolescent years surrounded by social workers, counselors, and foster parents and siblings. I never expected to encounter a situation where I was forced to experience a sense of uncertainty, confusion, and hardship at an early age.
It was my placement in foster care that made me realize my full potential as I was determined to become successful in life no matter what obstacles I had to endure. Although I have lived in seven different foster homes and have attended 18 different schools, I can honestly say that I am forever grateful for those that I had in my corner. Growing up in foster care changed my perspective on life, made me who I am today, and gave me the motivation to create a non-profit organization to help those who walk the shoes I once walked.
I have always dreamed of empowering and inspiring individuals to achieve greater independence and emotional well-being. I realized that a vast majority of foster children are not as fortunate to have the same opportunities as others as they may lack proper skills and knowledge that are essential to furthering their education or finding employment. I am passionate about helping emancipated fostered youth learn and understand that success is not limited to just one person or their circumstances. The odds that stand against them can be beaten with the tools provided by Join Not Divided Inc.
Has it been a smooth road?
This journey has had its ups and downs. For me, the biggest challenge was securing the needed financial resources. There were times where I was so close to throwing in the towel as I struggled financially to bring my ideas to life. However, with extensive research, networking with other non-profit organizations, and building a relationship with a mentor, I found myself one step closer to the beginning of my new path. I had the honor of having a phenomenal mentor, Jykiya Powell, who has been by my side since the beginning of my journey. As a friend, teacher, and motivator, she helped me stay committed to my non-profit mission.
My advice to other women who are just starting their journey would be to always stay positive, focused, and to never be afraid to ask for help. As women, we are already placed in a category where we are looked down upon and forced to put forth more effort than our male counterparts. Therefore, we must work together, motivate each other, and use our resources to our advantage. It is important to always keep pushing, to never give up, and to never let society tell you that you cannot be successful.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Join Not Divided story. Tell us more about it.
Join Not Divided Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was started on April 21, 2016. The organization’s vision has always been dedicated to ending homelessness amongst young adults emancipated from by providing shelter. It is our mission to improve the lives of former foster youth who often find themselves forgotten and neglected by the public once they have been emancipated from foster care. Join Not Divided Inc. aims to provide inspiration and empowerment through support, vocational training, and innovative programs designed to specifically assist with the transition into adulthood. We are known for collaborating with individual leaders, companies, and community partners to bring resources to former foster youth as well as host service-learning activities to educate volunteers on issues surrounding the foster care system.
As a very energetic person, I enjoy making those around me happy. What sets me apart from others would be my volunteer work. While I am the founder and CEO of Join Not Divided Inc. and always looking for volunteers to help out with events, I am very big on volunteering for other nonprofit organizations such as the covenant house, Hands on Atlanta, Atlanta Mission, and United Way of Greater Atlanta.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
While women are pushing to reach the top, they are faced with many barriers that prevent them from obtaining leadership roles. One of the biggest barriers is equality within the workplace. It is evident that women are not placed on the same pedestal as their male counterparts. However, women should not be discouraged to speak up and be heard, which is another barrier. Many women tend to not let their voice be heard as they fear being rejected. Lastly, as women, we tend to let our emotions get the best of us, which they have a negative impact on our work. As a leader, women must take control of their thoughts and think positively.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.joinnotdivided.org
- Phone: 4048171175
- Email: joinnotdivided@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/joinnotdivided?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=19x3hjt23c1ek
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Joinnotdivided/
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