Say It Skillfully® OUR VOICES – Jerome Myers Corporate Dropout :)

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 120 is the 22nd monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. The aim is for you to see a bit of yourself in these journeys, and embrace—we’re more similar than not. Entrepreneur Jerome Myers, renowned for making real estate investing look easy, joins Molly for a heartfelt account of his ups and downs. Son of a soldier and stay-at-home mom, Jerome grew up in a diverse setting of North Caroline and credits his parents (likely intentionally) for never talking of race—enabling him to never feel “disqualified”. He went from basketball to baseball to tae kwon do, enjoying academics and cultivating an identity as one involved in everything! He shares how one mentor, Mr. Blackwell, insisted Jerome be in the school’s academically gifted program, in one fell swoop changing his life trajectory. Jerome is open with the disappointment in those who “looked like me” not stepping up to support him like this “white guy” did, and how this fueled his passion to “make people think it’s possible!” He notes the shock of hearing his father talk about racism, and appreciates the constant messaging he’s received to “be the best you can be, remove race from the conversation and do all that you can.” He encourages: “embrace who you are, be with those who accept you, focus on what you can change and control…you are wonderfully made!” Jerome delves into what led to being a “corporate dropout, including the crushing blow when told he had to lay off his team that had delivered on $20 million of new business. Hear his growth from “they made me do it” to embracing the agency he had and committing to no longer be part of the problem. Jerome shares poignantly his journey through marriage, divorce and parenting his two beloved daughters. “All relationships end... by choice or circumstance. Tune in to hear Jerome being authentic, genuine and loving... inspiring all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true and best selves. #sayitskillfully Resources: Here’s how you create space for the quietest voices to share their valuable input https://bit.ly/3hJfV2p All Molly’s videos by category here: https://sayitskillfully.com