#goalsConfidential: Dorinda Walker

#goalsConfidential highlights the courageous lives and advice of inspiring multicultural women leaders.

Describe the work that you do?

I am an award-winning multicultural marketing executive. My company Cultural Solutions Group is designed to collaborate with Fortune 500 brands to better engage women and diverse consumers and to help small business owners develop strategies to engage big brands.

I am also an accomplished author and have spent the last year promoting my book “Protected by Purpose”, as memoir where I share lessons I’ve learned from my life experiences; transitioning from a path to prison or death to leading a life of purpose. 

Where did you grow up? How did that influence you?

I grew up in East Orange, New Jersey.  A city full of pride and great talent! Both of my parents were addicted to Heroin and as a child I suffered the consequences of their addiction, which led me to spiral into a life of dysfunction and despair.  After suffering physical and mental abuse by the hands of my mother’s boyfriend I became an angry young woman with no morals or integrity.

I dropped out of high school and sold drugs. After watching my father die from his battle with A.I.D.S, I spiraled into a deep depression, attempted suicide and spent six weeks in the psychiatric unit.  Those experiences from my childhood equipped me with the armor I needed to become the strong, courageous, independent, resilient woman of faith that I am today!

If you were your own coach, what coaching would you give yourself right now?

Given that I have launched a new business, I would coach myself on being masterful at developing new business. I have the network, I built my brand in the industry and I have the talent to succeed. But I know that I tend to hold back when it comes to pitching and fighting to get new business. Selling is not a place of comfort for me, so I would coach myself on how to be more aggressive in pursuing new business opportunities. 

What ritual or routine has improved your life the most?

Every morning before I get out of bed, I thank God for all the things that I am grateful for, I declare my intentions for the day, and I pray. That time alone with just me and God helps me to stay focused and grounded.

What piece of clothing, food, or self-care practice makes you feel beautiful?

I love a hot stone massage, relaxing in the whirlpool and swimming in the Caribbean! Anytime I am surrounded by water I feel that I’m in my essence.

What have you learned from other cultures that has influenced your work? 

I’ve learned that despite our differences, we have so much in common as humans. I love traveling and learning about culture and its influence on our global society.  I love the diversity within culture and studying the nuances that make each culture unique. I appreciate and celebrate other cultures and that makes me a better leader, marketer and community advocate.

To learn more about Dorinda, please go here.

Originally posted 2019-04-22 10:36:18.