There is a lot that we can learn from one another. It is important to invite people to sit at the table with us even if they have a different set of experiences. Actually, it is important to have those people at the table because they can provide us with a slightly different outlook on the situation, spurring the development of new ideas that have the potential to change the world. That is something that Desiree Peterkin Bell has experienced. She has been the youngest, and frequently only, black person at the table surrounded by other global leaders. How did she get to this point, and what lessons does she want people to learn from this experience?
Not Through Luck, But Through Hard Work
First, it is important to understand that she arrived at this position not through luck but through hard work. Many people believe that a lot of luck had to be involved and how she got to where she is today. Instead, her principles were what earned her a seat at the table. Growing up, she did not necessarily have the same advantages as others. Desiree overcame trials, tribulations, and stereotypes as a young Black woman growing up in Brooklyn NYC. Some folks even discounted her. That was a huge mistake on their part. It was through grit, determination, and sheer focus that she would succeed. Her experiences are different, but she uses them to help other people understand the position she is in and to understand others.
Driven By Purpose, Not Position
Desiree is driven by purpose, not titles or accolades – simply put, not position. She was raised by a single mother in Brooklyn, New York. Sometimes the family had the things they needed, sometimes they did not. She learned how to work hard even when she did not know exactly what she would achieve. She learned how to be pragmatic, and she learned how to overcome challenges that many people cannot hope to understand. It is her experiences that make her different. It is her experiences that make her strong, steadfast, and determined.
An Example for Others
Now, she sets an example for others who want to follow in her footsteps. Through her trials, mishaps, successes, and triumphs, she wants to show other people what is possible. She wants everyone to know that even if you do not have all of the advantages in the world, you can still overcome obstacles and hurdles along the way. In a position to change the world, she strives to do exactly that, and she does so by providing a powerful example for others to look up to.
Looking to the Future
Clearly, she’s become one of the most successful people in her field. Instead of resting on her laurels, she consistently looks for ways to make the world a better place. By serving as an example, providing people with a different perspective, and focusing on others instead of herself, she strives to do exactly that.