WALKING IN PURPOSE: HOW THE BLACK WOMEN IN MY LIFE MOTIVATE MY NEXT MOVE

Lately, it has felt like loss after loss, but somehow I continue to put one foot forward. When you're dealing with immense stress and navigating an unexpected life transition, it takes a massive toll on your entire body from your mind right down to the literal aches from being on your feet all day. Between running around working temporary shifts and trying to rebuild my creative business, finding ways to stay comfortable on the move with proper insoles has been essential to keeping my momentum. You just have to keep moving. Last year, my Instagram account was hacked right in the middle of negotiating a brand campaign. As a small creator working hard to secure paid opportunities in a world driven by follower counts and algorithms, it was a massive blow to my confidence.

Then came May 2, 2026. At 1:00 AM, I received an email stating that operations had ceased and my airline was shutting down immediately. No pay, no severance, no benefits. Nothing.

I’ve grieved the loss of loved ones, but I had never grieved a career until now. We don't talk enough about job grief, especially when you genuinely love what you do beyond just a paycheck. Losing my airline job overnight felt like being hit by a car that just kept driving. Suddenly, a wave of uncertainty hit me I thought to myself Is this the end of my aviation career? Can I handle training all over again, taking a pay cut, or commuting to a new city? Will I be forced back into a traditional, miserable 9-to-5? Will I still have the inspiration to create?

I cried constantly and even lost my appetite many days. Every time an airplane flew overhead, I was triggered. The first time I stepped back into an airport as a passenger instead of a flight attendant, the anxiety was real. As I felt myself sliding down a dark road, the support of my family and friends pulled me through. They showered me with prayers, inspiration, love, and practical support to keep me grounded.

In the process of picking myself up, I began reflecting on some of the Black women in my life. Their stories gave me the strength to keep searching for daily motivation. Specifically, five friends came to mind: the passionate friend, the financially stable friend, the hustler, the leap-of-faith taker, and the resilient friend. I have many friends I could write about forever, but today, I want to give these five women their well-deserved flowers.

Dr. Tiarra T. Joseph, DAT, LAT, ATC

Athletic Trainer, Science Park HS | “The Passionate Friend”

Tiarra and I have been friends since we were 14-year-old high school freshmen in Newark, NJ. Even back then, I admired her fearless confidence. As adults, she has accomplished everything she said she would, approaching every milestone with deep passion. During this transition, I’ve tapped into her mindset to embody that same fearlessness. She proved to me that when you speak things into existence, they happen. She also reminds me that it is entirely possible to find a career you love that also pays the bills and that I will find that alignment again. When I think of someone who works overtime and goes above and beyond simply because she loves her purpose, I think of her.

Q: What is the absolute best part of your job, and how does doing what you love keep you fueled on tough days?

A: "The absolute best part of my job is seeing results through my athletes. When they come in for rehab, I teach them how to care for their bodies. Seeing an athlete return to their sport or make real dietary changes reminds me that I’m doing good and that they trust me. The kids are the reason I chose the high school setting and why I show up every day.

Personal routine is how I stay fueled. In athletic training, no two days are the same, but I am a routine girl! Staying locked into my habits outside of work makes the chaos manageable. My top three non-negotiables are prayer, exercise, and spending time with my dog, Dallas. If those three things happen, I’m good—even if work gets tough."

Krissy Lewis Delta Airlines Flight Attendant; Writer; Content Creator | “The Financially Stable Friend”

Krissy and I have been friends for nearly a decade, having moved to Atlanta the same year from the New York/New Jersey area. Before becoming a flight attendant, she spent years freelancing in the social media space, which taught her invaluable lessons about taxes and independent contractor finances. When a role opened up at Delta, she applied and was hired on the spot a rare feat. Watching her navigate her own transitions saving money, paying off debt, and building a life in the city she loves inspired me to get my own finances together. Her wisdom pushed me to pick up shifts at a temp leasing agency while diving back into freelance writing and content creation to monetize my creativity.

Q: You navigate your career and finances with so much wisdom. What baseline rule do you live by to ensure you are always building a secure foundation?

A: "As a flight attendant paid by the hour, I always ensure I hit a minimum dollar amount per paycheck to stay aligned. If my goal is $2,500 per check, I know exactly how many trips I need to pick up to achieve that while maintaining a work-life balance. I also live within my means and avoid overspending. Unpredictable times happen, so I consistently contribute to my savings. Finally, I leverage every benefit and discount available to me. Why spend money if you don't have to? Utilizing company or membership perks cuts costs drastically. Exploring multiple streams of income is also key to keeping up with my financial goals."

Jaznee Assistant Production Coordinator | “The Hustler”

Jaznee and I met over ten years ago at Virginia State University when we joined our sorority. We were both Mass Communications majors she focused on film, and I focused on PR and marketing. She has always inspired me to step boldly into my creative side. Whenever I hesitate to take a risk, I think of how she moved to LA alone to chase her film dreams and never looked back. When I lost my job, fear of instability crept in. But I thought of Jaznee; the entertainment industry operates in seasons, meaning she frequently navigates gaps between shows, yet she always stays calm, humble, optimistic, and working on a hustle. She taught me that you don't have to live a traditional life to be happy and secure.

Q: Your grind is unmatched. What is your go-to ritual for taking care of your mind and body so you can keep up with your daily hustle?

A: "Pushing forward for me meant learning to go with the flow. Entertainment careers don’t offer traditional stability, so you are constantly networking. This industry thrives on who you know, so being your best, most memorable self is key. My advice is to trust your abilities. Fear of the unknown will only hinder you; you have to believe you belong in every room you enter. Be respectful, honest, and intuitive.

Also, make choices that make sense to YOU. I’ve left jobs in hopes of something better, and it usually works out because I trust my network and my skills. Life is short, and my happiness is non-negotiable."

Destinee Yoga Practitioner & Model | “The Leap of Faith Friend”

I met Destinee four years ago when we were both flying at Spirit. During our flights together, we would talk endlessly about our creative goals outside of aviation. She always told me that I motivated her to put herself out there, but she inspired me just as deeply. When she took a leap of faith to study yoga in India for several weeks and returned to teach in the States, it reminded me that the sky is truly the limit. Her journey proved that taking a major leap builds the exact character and foundation needed for the next big thing.

Q: How do you find the courage to trust yourself and walk boldly into a new opportunity when you can’t see the whole path?

A: "Honestly, I’m still learning to trust myself. Life isn't easy, but I choose to remember how blessed I am. If I had to name one thing that helps me walk boldly, it’s trusting my intuition. We know when something feels right or off. It’s about trusting God and the unseen, because there is no blueprint to life. I also find courage in the fact that even though I've wanted to give up plenty of times, I haven’t. That motivation pushes me to just do it instead of living with the 'what-ifs'."

Michaela Leasing Professional & Realtor | “The Resilient Friend”

Michaela and I also met a decade ago at VSU through our sorority. She is one of my closest little sisters, and her drive is absolutely unmatched. Watching her move from South Carolina to Dallas for a corporate job, pivot to selling real estate, and then return to South Carolina to rebuild requires a level of strength I deeply admire. Rebuilding and pivoting takes immense courage. When I lost my job and needed to generate income immediately, I thought of Michaela. I used to laugh and call her "Bob the Builder" because during her time working with properties, she taught herself how to paint, break down walls, replace flooring, and load up her car at Home Depot. Her resilience made me realize it was time to tap into my own "builder" mode and hustle my way back to the top.

Q: When a door closes or plans suddenly change in your career, what is the mindset that helps you dust yourself off and stand right back up?

A: "I hold onto two scriptures when life shifts: Genesis 50:20 ('You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good...') and Romans 8:28 ('We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God...'). I cling to these because they’ve proven true time after time. If things aren't good yet, God isn't done writing my story. It helps me push through when things make no sense. I also imagine my life like a documentary the low points and hard chapters usually make the best parts of the story because it’s the exact moment the audience starts rooting for you to win."

Through this sudden journey of job loss, reflecting on these women has shown me how beautifully resilience can be packaged. They have navigated transitions from completely different angles, proving that the company you keep directly impacts how quickly you bounce back from life’s hard stops. Each one of these women showed me that a closed door isn't an end point it's an invitation to pivot, rediscover your power, and always step into the next chapter with your head held high. Because of them, I'm not just walking in purpose I'm prepared to run.

This post was created in paid collaboration with Responsival. Also, some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission if you purchase through them. As always all thought and opinions are my own.