We recently connected with Christian Holland-Burroughs and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Christian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

It may be a little easier to focus on the negative, we when think about the way our parents shaped the start of our lives. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized all the RIGHT things my parents did that helped me navigate life, solo.

My dad, used to say things like, “You’re the greatest!” “You’re special. You know that, right?!” My dad could make me feel important just by him looking at me with admiration. Because of him pushing me, and telling me that I was the greatest, I was able to see greater of, and for, myself. He could pump my head up from sadness to fierceness–reminding me that there was greatness in me.

My mom, showed me how to be selfless, in a world that could turn you so selfish. I saw how she made other people smile when she helped them. As a child I could not understand why she would continue to put others before herself, but as I got older, I started to realize that she was founded on doing what she had to do, and helping out others, any time and way, she could. She knew that being kind and helpful, was more beneficial to the world than being mean and stingy.

Simply put, with my dad teaching me to love myself and to be aware of my greatness, and my mom showing me to be selfless, I had a head start on my journey to independent hood.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a daughter. sister. mother. wife. friend, who currently serves as a middle school Reading Intervention teacher. I work hard to strengthen young peoples’ educational foundation, AND reveal to them the power that is already in their hands.

I gained the wisdom that I have, so that I can share my story, and help ignite the growth to self efficacy in our world. My Heavenly Father placed me here to serve young black and brown sisters and brothers that may not see the victory at the end of their road.

I am currently most proud of my latest endeavor– I have a podcast, Passing the Crown– where I talk to mom’s about best practices to build better relationships with their daughters.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

PATIENCE!

With the students in my classroom, my co-workers, and the people I coach the biggest thing I’ve learned to utilize is patience. Progress takes time, and it’s not always a one way street. There have been times when I got frustrated with a students, or a client because it seemed as though they were digressing. The initial discouragement made me feel like everything that I was doing had been in vain. As the cycle come to an end of us working together, 97% of the times, I saw a dramatic grow increase.

This taught me to stay the course. Even when it feels like its getting harder, or not working, remember that everyone learns at their own pace, in their own way. Keep trying at what you’re doing. Try different ways to make it work for you and see which one is most effective.

The growth will happen! Don’t give up! Keep working! Keep being Consistent!

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

I would chose to be an educator, and teen mentor, continuously! I feel a deep connection with the age group of students that I work with. There were times when I wanted to move around, and get out of my field, but that time never came. Now that I am 10 years in, I know that my profession was a calling.

I look forward to working with my young people 99.5% of the time. :)

I’m learning what I need through experiences in my classroom, and the wisdom I pick up is flowing out to all the young people around me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.crowned.space
• Instagram: @crowned.christian
• Twitter: @crownedspace
• Youtube: Crowned Space ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxBsoW96Yew5O-TpPklCH0A )

Image Credits
Christian Burroughs, Girl Talk @ JJP