Motivational Moment

Actions Speak

2026-10-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

“Obras son amores y no buenas razones.”

Acts are love and good reasons aren’t.

(Actions speak louder than words.)

I Am One...Edward Everett Hale

2026-09-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."

—Edward Everett Hale, a 19th century social reformer & minister.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Find Out What It Means

2026-08-25T16:00:00.974-04:00

”Respect is an appreciation of the separateness of the other person, of the ways in which he or she is unique.”

—Annie Gottlieb

Respect. A value forever immortalized in the song lyrics written by Otis Redding but made popular in the recording by the late great Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. To paraphrase, Aretha said, Baby what do you want, what do you need? Listen, I got it. All I’m askin’ for is a little respect. “Find out what it means to me.”

Respect, what does it really mean? We know it is as necessary for intimate and family relationships as it is for relationships among friends, classmates and colleagues. But how does it actually show up in our relationships?

In an August 22, 2026 press conference after a preseason game, Shedeur Sanders—a fan favorite who is competing with Deshaun Watson for the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback position—was asked by a reporter how he felt about the Browns fans booing Watson. Without hesitation, Sanders responded that he did not appreciate their behavior. For him, it was about understanding the larger purpose. He put it this way:

"We are all humans. I don't really do things to humans that I
wouldn't really want done to me. …because we’re all out there
trying to do our best and trying to serve the franchise the best
way possible. We’re going out there to win games. We’re doing
everything we can do.”

In that moment, Sanders could have deflected and shrugged off the fans’ behavior that could have possibly made himself even more popular. But instead of doing that, his statement let everybody know that Watson was his teammate and he deserved respect. He did not try to make Watson look smaller in order to make himself look better. It was clear that Shedeur was focused and working on his own performance. He demonstrated what it means to lead even when you are not the designated leader.

The quote by Annie Gottlieb at the beginning of this blog provides us with a very useful definition of respect. Respect is an appreciation of the separateness and uniqueness of the other person. In essence, it means even though you are different from me in your appearance, clothes, and beliefs, you still deserve basic respect and human dignity. As Sanders intimated, you deserve respect because you are human. Period.

You see, it’s easy to like and respect someone who always agrees with you. But how do you handle a situation where a friend or coworker expresses an opinion or makes a choice that you or “your group” disagree with? How do you discuss issues with people whose opinions or beliefs differ from yours? And maybe right here is where the invisible giant of insecurity hems us up in the corner: If I am uncomfortable valuing my own uniqueness or opinions that are different from others in my social or work group, how can I appreciate your unique and absolute value if it doesn’t mirror what the group likes or values? When we are not fully comfortable with our own differences, we may struggle to be comfortable with those who are different, especially when we measure our worth based on being accepted.

And by the way, I can respectfully disagree with you without diminishing your humanity. Sadly, we too often justify treating someone disrespectfully, calling people names, and excluding them instead of strongly condemning that type of behavior.

Sometimes, we can feel that we have to maintain our allegiance to and similarity to the pack in order to deserve the respect of “the group” and maintain our social standing. It then becomes easier to treat people who are different or disagree with us badly. Even worse, we may feel they deserve to be treated in a condescending manner. Is this what we really should be doing? Isn’t this how we got to a place where being openly disrespectful is considered okay?

Shedeur provided us with a great example that can be applied in friend groups, classrooms, school hallways, office meetings and social organizations. We set the standard for what is acceptable behavior in our sphere of influence. We are change agents and do not become complicit in encouraging negative behaviors. As leadership expert John Maxwell points out, leadership is really about using our influence.

Leaders must demonstrate respect for everyone in the organization. There is never a good reason to disrespect someone no matter what they may have done or not done. Their behavior may require correction and possibly even distance. It is important to set boundaries—we can't allow ourselves to be in close proximity to someone if their behavior is disruptive and disrespectful—but we don’t disrespect people just because they disagree with us.

Lastly, our respect for someone cannot be based on how much we like them or how much they agree with us. It must be based on how we respond when we disagree or how we navigate our differences.

Respect. Find out what it means to you first and then find out what it means to me.

On Tuesdays, @womenatliberty presents #LeadershipTuesdays, a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen leaders. For more information, click the links for #LeadershipTuesdays, @womenatliberty or Women Making History.

You Have The Power...Stephen Covey

2026-08-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

Every human has four endowments—self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom... The power to choose, to respond, to change.

--Stephen R. Covey

Awakening The Leader In You: One Decision Can Change Your Future

2026-08-04T15:52:11.591-04:00

Pictures from Nikiyah Clark and Destinee Kerr via Instagram

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. –Lao Tzu

When 17-year-old Nikiyah Clark learned she had been unenrolled from Howard University because she missed a tuition payment deadline, she was devastated. She saw her dream of following in her grandmother’s footsteps who had attended Howard University in Washington, DC vanishing before her eyes. Right then she knew she had a choice to make:

1. Accept the decision and hope someone would respond to her email; or

2. Take immediate action and steps to fulfill her dreams.

At 2:40 am, she boarded a Greyhound bus leaving her hometown in Ohio en route to Washington, DC. She chose to advocate for herself in person. She didn't know whether she would be successful, but her dream was too important to simply give up.

Her story isn't simply about getting into college. It's about leadership.

Lesson 1: Leadership Begins with a Decision

I've learned that successful people don't wait until all uncertainty disappears before acting, and their efforts are not based on a guarantee of winning every game or everything they attempt. As organizational psychologist Adam Grant observed, "Uncertainty is more stressful than difficulty."

So don't let stress defeat you as you are thinking about what to do next. Uncertainty is the part of the decision-making process that can cause overthinking and stress. One lesson that I have recently had to personally put into action is this: get up and take steps in the direction you want to go.

Earlier this year, I wrote a message of encouragement to a friend who was going through a hard time. It was based on a passage from the Bible about the four starving lepers in II Kings 7:3-8. The lepers had been posted up at the city gate waiting for something to happen. Their decision to act taught me that I have to start moving in the direction I want to go. Nikiyah’s example also illustrates this.

Leaders don't always know the outcome. They make the best decision available and keep moving forward.

Lesson 2: Confidence, Courage and Faith

Confidence isn't believing you'll always succeed. It is believing you'll be able to handle whatever happens. My therapist says it this way: "You’ll be okay either way."

The next step is the courage to take action despite uncertainty. Faith is believing that your effort has purpose even when you cannot yet see the outcome. That type of faith cannot always be explained. It simply says, “I’m going to try anyway." Faith is what motivated Nikiyah to take immediate steps to get to Washington, DC. If you need some additional faith right now, check out this quote by the civil rights leader Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Faith Will Not Disappoint, The Morning Comes.

Lesson 3: Persistence Changes Outcomes

Many people quit after the first "no." Leaders understand that today's answer isn't always the final answer. Grammy Award-winning, platinum record selling singer and actress Cher said that “It’s just learning not to take the first no.” Persistence isn't stubbornness. It’s remaining committed to a worthwhile goal even if you have to adapt your approach.

Lesson 4: Learn to Advocate for Yourself

This may be the hardest lesson of all. No one cares about your future more than you do.

Teachers can encourage you. Parents can support you. Friends can cheer for you.

But eventually, you have to find your own voice. You must learn how to respectfully advocate for yourself, especially in emotionally-charged or difficult situations.

In closing, whether you're a high school student preparing for college, an incoming college freshman, or a parent encouraging your child, remember this:

Leadership doesn't begin when someone elects you president of a club or appoints you captain of a team. Leadership begins the moment you make a difficult decision, trust your abilities, keep moving when the future is uncertain, and refuse to give up on something that really matters to you.

Sometimes, the most important part of the journey is taking the first step and then the next step, and the next step, and so on. And oh, by the way, Nikiyah Clark was reinstated to the Class of 2030 at Howard University. Go Bison!🦬

Nona Ogunsula is a leadership workshop leader, marketing strategist, and founder of Liberty Ink. She combines more than 20 years of experience in corporate, government, and nonprofit leadership with a passion for preparing high school students to lead and resolve conflict. She is the creator of the Leadership In Action workshop and the African American U.S. Senators educational poster series, which connects students to the history and impact of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.

Nona holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business and a B.B.A. in Marketing from Howard University.

Continue the Leadership Journey with the following resources:

🎓 Leadership In Action Workshop
Help your high school student understand what it means to be a leader, resolve conflict, and strengthen decision-making skills. Contact nona@libertyinkpro.com to learn more about workshops.

📚 Educational Resource: African American U.S. Senators in U.S. History Since 1870 Poster Series (More info: Liberty Ink Leadership and Learning)
Bring history to life with an interactive U.S. History and civic education resource featuring QR codes linked to primary-source biographies of every African American U.S. Senator. Perfect for students, families, classrooms, and libraries.

👕 Women Making History T-Shirt
Gift your teen or incoming college freshman with a Women Making History T-shirt that reminds them of their destiny. Order here!

On Tuesdays, womenatliberty.com presents #LeadershipTuesdays, a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. For more information, click here.

None Of Us Are Perfect!...Elizabeth Keckley

2026-07-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

None of us are perfect, for which reason we should heed the voice of charity when it whispers in our ears, do not magnify the imperfections of others.

--Elizabeth Keckley, Dressmaker

Keckley was the dressmaker for First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of Abraham Lincoln.

We Can Learn From Each Other…Aretha Franklin

2026-06-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

“We can all learn a little something from each other, so whatever people can take and be inspired by where my music is concerned is great.”

—Aretha Franklin, “Queen of Soul”, Grammy Award-winning, Singer and Songwriter (1942–2018)

Once You See It… Arundhati Roy

2026-03-21T07:00:00.001-04:00

"The trouble is that once you see it, you can't unsee it. And once you've seen it, keeping quiet, saying nothing, becomes as political an act as speaking out. There's no such thing as an innocent bystander."

— Arundhati Roy, Writer and New York Times Bestselling Author

Give Love...Katherine Hepburn

2026-03-02T07:00:00.001-05:00

“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get—only with what you are expecting to give—which is everything.”

--Katharine Hepburn, Me: Stories of My Life

Faith Will Not Disappoint, The Morning Comes…Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

2026-02-17T07:00:00.013-05:00

"Wherever you are tonight, you can make it. Hold your head high, stick your chest out. You can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but the morning comes. Don't you surrender. Suffering breeds character, character breeds faith. In the end, faith will not disappoint."

—Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Minister, Civil Rights Leader, Economic Rights Advocate, Two-time Presidential Candidate, Coalition Builder (1941-2026)

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Do Not Wait To Start Working On Your Dream…Napoleon Hill

2026-01-28T07:00:00.009-05:00

“Do not wait: the time will never be 'just right'. Start where you stand, and work whatever tools you may have at your command and better tools will be found as you go along.”

—Napoleon Hill

#LeadershipTuesdays: Speaking Truthfully Matters!…Adlai Stevenson

2026-01-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

“Those who corrupt the public mind are just as evil as those who steal from the public purse.”

—Adlai Stevenson

You Are Needed…Antonio Tijerino

2025-10-22T07:00:00.001-04:00

“You are not lucky to be here. The world needs your perspective. They are lucky to have you.”

– Antonio Tijerino

Looking For A Normal Life?…Fred Rogers

2025-10-20T07:00:00.006-04:00

“There is no normal life that is free of pain. It’s the very wrestling with our problems that can be the impetus for our growth.”

—Fred Rogers

#LeadershipTuesdays: We Have Potent Power!…Michelle Herrera Mulligan

2025-10-14T07:00:00.001-04:00

“As people of color, we have a potent power – and a responsibility – to change events around us, not just professionally, but spiritually and politically as well.”

—Michelle Herrera Mulligan, writer and editor, Publisher, Former Founding Editor-In-Chief for Cosmos For Latinas

On Tuesdays, womenatliberty.com presents Leadership Tuesdays, a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays or WOMEN AT LIBERTY, click here.

Your Path To Self Discovery…Debbie Ford

2025-10-13T07:00:00.009-04:00

You are on a soulful path that asks you to step into the greatest version of yourself. It is a sacred gift to shine your brightest light, not just in your moments of glory, but each day.

--Debbie Ford

You Are One of One

2025-10-08T07:00:00.002-04:00

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in one drop.”

—Rumi

Simone Manuel, is a two time Olympic winning swimmer and a six-time individual NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving champion

When God Pours Out The Holy Spirit…Loida Martell-Otero

2025-09-28T07:00:00.011-04:00

Read: Acts 16:25–40

“Salvation is the outpouring of God's Spirit, and therefore of abundant life that gives hope to those without hope, and frees those bound and made powerless by the powers and principalities of our day.”

—Loida I. Martell-Otero, Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs at the Lexington Theological Seminary; Professor of Constructive Theology

#LeadershipTuesdays: I Am A Treasure Producing Treasures In The Earth…Gabriela Mistral

2025-09-23T08:10:00.008-04:00

“I have a day. If I know how to make the most of it, I have a treasure.”

– Gabriela Mistral, Nobel Prize-Winning Poet, Teacher and Educator, Diplomat & University Professor

San Francisco Museum, Santiago, Chile

Receiving the Nobel Prize

On Tuesdays, womenatliberty.com presents Leadership Tuesdays, a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders.
For more information on Leadership Tuesdays or WOMEN AT LIBERTY, click here.

Build Trust In Yourself…Miranda J. Barrett

2025-09-22T10:48:00.001-04:00

As you build trust in yourself, your ability to expand your vision and fully live in your magnificence is amplified.

Miranda J. Barrett, A Woman's Truth: A Life Truly Worth Living

Photo Credit:

https://www.melaninbasecamp.com/trip-reports/2022/2/27/why-we-jump-an-interview-with-5-base-jumpers-of-color

Slavery: If It Happened To One, It Happened To All…Lupita Nyong'O

2025-08-21T07:00:00.005-04:00

“Slavery is something that is all too often swept under the carpet. The shame doesn't even belong to us, but we still experience it because we're a part of the African race. If it happened to one, it happened to all. We carry that burden.”

--Lupita Nyong'O, Oscar Winning Actress

We Have Only Just Begun: Get Together Because It’s Possible...Andrew “Andy” Young

2025-02-12T07:00:00.164-05:00

“The hungry cannot eat hope. They can't drink inspiration. They need clean water. Yes, they need food.

There is more money, there is more technology. There's more understanding of human need on this planet than ever before.

And so I cling to the message of my African brothers that say the ancestors are still with us. And if that be true, we have nothing yet to celebrate. We can only thank God that they showed us that it was possible…to break down the barriers that separate the rich and the poor.

It's the first time the Congress got together and Democrats and Republicans voted sanctions and they overrode the veto and and the UN got together and England and France got together with Germany and Cuba and China and the US.

…we made it possible to get this far, but you have sung that there's no easy walk to freedom. And I hear Madiba saying, ‘we showed you the way’.

There is the capacity in this planet that the hungry can be fed that the naked can be clothed that the prophecy of Isaiah can be fulfilled in our lifetime if we keep on keeping on.”

--Andrew Young, Civil Rights Leader; Member of U.S. Congress; Mayor of Atlanta, GA; U.S. Ambassador; Minister and Businessman

(Excerpts from Andy Young’s remarks on the occasion of the Nelson Mandela Memorial Service at the National Cathedral, Washington, DC, 12/11/13)

A Prayer In Community…Jacqueline A. Thompson

2025-02-09T07:00:00.047-05:00

Pastor Jacqueline Thompson, Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland, CA. Credit: Amir Aziz, Oaklandside.org

Preparation:

“We come to church in community because sometimes it takes more than just us. We are intergenerational because when I look at seasoned saints, I see how God helped them make it through. When I look at young people, I understand what my charge is: ...I have to help them make it through. But sometimes when you’re in the middle you wonder, ‘who is going to help me make it through?’ Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief.

“God is able to do just what he said he will do. He’s going to fulfill every promise to you. Don’t give up on God, cause he won’t give up on you. He’s able! He’s able!”

The Bible says if we come touching and agreeing concerning any matter...because sometimes you need to feel another real live human with blood in their veins to know that God is a keeper...

Prayer:

And So God we come right now as our ancestors would say, ‘in the onli-est way we know how’... We come to you because God literally, there is no other help we know.

You are the God of our weary years and the God of our silent tears. We come before you with bowed down heads and humble hearts because we don’t know what the future holds but we know you hold the future.

God, we’re tired. Some of us are tired of ourselves. But you told us that we could cast all our cares upon you cause your yoke is easy and your burden is light. So God help us! We don’t want to be inauthentic. Something has happened that has shaken us! And it’s because we don’t know that makes us concerned.

But God, won’t you remind us? You said you will never leave us, and you will never forsake us. Some of us are in deep pain. ...you are a balm in Gilead. We thank you for angels that are being dispatched to deal with their situation... We thank you, as the saint of old would say, ‘for being God, and being God all by yourself’.

Help us to keep our confidence in you, not just today but in the days to come. Give us to know that the best is still yet to come. Holy Spirit, fall fresh right now. Stir up the passion and the gift of God! Renew our spirits and our minds, and our body. Help us to seek after you and run on and see what the end is going to be.

And because we are a people of faith, we not gon wait till the battle is over. God, we’re going to shout right now. We are going to thank you for it right now. God is able!”

—Rev. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson, B.A., MDiv, DMin; Preacher, Author, Administrator and Senior Pastor, Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland, California

*Please note this prayer has been edited for this medium, but can be viewed below in its entirety along with the sermon delivered by Dr. Thompson on November 10, 2025 in Somerset, NJ. —Nona Ogunsula, Principal Creative, Liberty Ink and Founder, womenatliberty and #LeadershipTuesdays

#LeadershipTuesdays--Leading With Empathy...Stephanie C. Hill

2025-02-04T12:01:00.029-05:00

“We've been working [with] our team on something called psychological safety. And basically, psychological safety is saying that in this organization, you're free to bring up your ideas, you're free to question, you're free to speak truth to power without fear of reputational damage or retaliation or anything like that.

And in order to create a psychologically safe space, you have to treat people in a certain way. You have to treat people with compassion, empathy, you've got to give them grace.

You can be tough and have compassion…a compassionate empathetic leader. Being empathetic means… [that your perspective toward the person is…], ‘I understand what you're going through. I feel what you're feeling.’ Compassionate leadership means, ‘Not only do I feel what you're feeling, but I'm going to help you.’

So if we're going to help the people that we're privileged to lead, we have to show up for folks that can't represent themselves or can't fight for themselves. We have to do that. And we also have to help people around us to be better. We have to give constructive feedback. We have to give people constructive feedback in a way they can hear it. So they can take it on board and they can be stronger for it.”

—Stephanie C. Hill, President, Rotary and Mission Systems, Lockheed Martin Corporation

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On Tuesdays, the #LeadershipTuesdays platform presents a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage and strengthen women leaders. Today is the first Tuesday of Black History Month in 2025. We remember and honor those who, with fortitude and persistence, came before us and hoped with active faith for a better tomorrow. They created the foundation on which we now stand and we are grateful for not only their sacrifice, but also their example.

Today’s article features Stephanie C. Hill. She is president of the Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) business area within the Lockheed Martin Corporation. RMS, a global leader in aerospace and defense technology, is a more than $16 billion enterprise that employs 35,000 people across the United States and in multiple nations around the world. Hill is an engineer and a seasoned executive leader with over 30 years of experience. Gifted with many talents, she is a woman of faith and also an accomplished musician.

In the quote above taken from an interview for Kahilla* with her sister, multifaceted media maven and acclaimed author Harriette Cole, Ms. Hill offers a definition and examples of what it means to lead with empathy. Check out the entire interview below for helpful, practice guidance on how you can improve your ability to lead yourself and your team through negative occurrences and tough situations.

For more information on #LeadershipTuesdays, follow us on Twitter: @LeadershipTues.

*Kahilla is a digital base camp for women on the rise.

REPOST: My Prayer

2025-01-30T07:10:00.003-05:00

My Prayer in times when words fail us:

Re-posting a prayer that I wrote over 15 years ago. The sentiment of the prayer really blessed me and I hope it blesses you as well.
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Lord, there are places where we are not able to go, so we send your Spirit. There are hearts that we cannot touch, so we pray for the power and comfort of the Holy Spirit to minister to them.

We also pray for those that will have the opportunity to minister and pray for those who are in need and broken-hearted. Give them wisdom. Help them to minister in a spirit of love, truth and restoration.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

*Dedicated to the memory of Pastor Paul E. Sheppard who inspired this prayer. He past away on January 25, 2025 and my thoughts are with his family and church during this time of grief and gratitude for his life and ministry.

Nona Ogunsula