We were lucky to catch up with Mercedes Gibson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mercedes, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I’ve worked in economic equity for over 20 years. However, the gender and racial wealth gap persist.
For every $1 of wealth owned by a White household, Black households own 13 cents and Latino households own 19 cents.
For every $1 of wealth owned by a single man, single women own 82 cents.
For every $1 of wealth owned by a single White man, single Black women and single Latinas own 9 cents.
This is unacceptable to me, so I launched MLG Coaching. Our mission is to close the racial and gender wealth gap through targeted and culturally relevant career and leadership coaching with women of color.
MLG Coaching envisions a world where race and gender are never barriers to opportunity. In 5 years we will build a collective of women of color equity leaders across the US – the MLG Coaching Network.
Mercedes, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
ABOUT ME I am a leadership & strategy coach from Oakland, California.
I love authenticity and self expression, and find immense joy in supporting my coaching clients to lead with their own.
I partner with my client to find insightful solutions to meaningful problems. Pairing my creativity with my analytical nature, we work to solve complex problems and innovate ways to improve logical systems.
I have over 20 years of nonprofit development, including: establishing new networks and advancing current ones, building infrastructure, providing project management and connecting leaders to solutions. My strength is holding a process from germination to completion. Other areas of expertise include program design, facilitation, outreach, event production and self care.
ABOUT COACHING
My coaching style is attuned to people, detail oriented, empathic and nuanced. In our sessions I listen for the right question to ask to shift your perspective.
Each time we meet, I build a grounding atmosphere for you to strengthen your skills in creating balance – while fostering accountability for action – and leading with authenticity.
I keenly observe my clients and work alongside them to craft a strategic action plan toward their goals.
I am observant and adept at helping clients suss out the right direction for them–and the right next steps to take, especially when considering a pivot or transition.
As a strategy coach who has 2 decades of experience in the nonprofit sector – and a particular expertise when it comes to supporting women of color – my perceptive, strategic, positive-psychology based approach combines deep empathy with a passion to see you succeed.
I am undeterred by challenges, and able to both ask tough deep discovery questions. With your permission, I provide clear and constructive feedback, but the client is always in the driver seat.
In our sessions we work collaboratively and actively create a cross-functional partnership that will be unlike any other in your life.
Although establishing logical systems to accomplish practical, real world goals is second nature to me, I am also an empath. Intuitively, I hear the unasked questions and readily gauge the emotional tone of a room.
I am certified in positive psychology based coaching via San Francisco State University, and am an International Coaching Federation student. I utilize elements from Co-Active Coaching and Positive Psychology to tailor a session that is client centered and client lead.
FINAL WORD
I am an orphan – both of my parents passed away from substance use. I grew up poor, black and gay. Statistically, the olds are some what stacked against me. But these experiences in life have helped me hone my grit, and forced me to develop a deep self-compassion that I also cultivate with my clients.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Celebrate the small wins. Its not the big stuff that defines us, but all the small steps we take to get there. That means that perfectionism will be barrier to success if you allow it.
It took me over 6 years to launch my website I started in 2016. Because it was never good enough. Now it’s launched (www.mercedesgibson.com).
Is it the best thing you’ll see on the internet? Probably not. But it is one more step in the journey of self belief.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Don’t go it alone. Even if it seems easier, or you are an introvert, or you don’t like people (lol).
Get a mentor, connect with community, seek out a coach (ahem, ME, if you are a women of color). Talk with others who are non- judgmental.
Also, open up a free Google Sheet and just start tracking your business expenses. Don’t worry about all the financial tracking software, or really anything that is going to make you feel overwhelmed.
In my favorite show, The Office, Micheal Scott tells Dwight to KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. A bit harsh, and you can cut the last “S”, but the idea is there: prioritize simpilty over shame and you’ll be surprised where you land a year from now.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mercedesgibson.com
- Instagram: @mercedesleegibson
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedesgibson/
- Other: Very simple deck that breaks it all down: https://app.slidebean.com/p/8f5sbmudt2/MLG-Coaching
Image Credits
Derrick Miller-Handley