We were lucky to catch up with Daphné Moore recently and have shared our conversation below.
Daphné, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Success means different things to different people, and finding the answer to what it takes to be successful is a personal journey. It is a perspective molded by one’s experiences, values, and goals. For me, success is a culmination of inner dialogue, determination, sacrifice, failure, sheer will, focus, silence, community, and a made-up mind, to name a few. In my current role as a Congressional Services Liaison for the Office of Congresswoman Deborah Ross, I am still evolving. The lessons on my journey to this place have definitely molded my view. I left high school in the 10th grade without a plan, passion, or goal. But when I made the decision to turn my life around for something better, I took the first step to find a place where I could earn a GED. That one decision catapulted me into various life transitions that I never imagined.
I went from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) GED to earn an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from RCCC, graduating with highest honors and as the first UNC Chapel Hill-RCCC Scholar of Global Distinction. I then earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Meredith College while interning at the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) as a North Carolina State House intern, North Carolina State intern/Senate Legislative Assistant. I served as a Youth Development Professional for the Salvation Army Milton Road Boys & Girls Club, worked on one of Governor Roy Coopers North Carolina Commissions, and now work as a Congressional Services Liaison for the United States House of Representatives.
Prayer, faith, consistency, drive, ambition, hunger for more, making a difference for others, and support from family, friends, mentors, and community have been the foundation for my success. If it were not for these things, I cannot say I would be where I am or doing what I am doing at this point in my life.
But, as I previously stated, it all started with the inner dialogue to take those first steps towards a world of opportunities.
A favorite Dr. Seuss quote shared with me by my very first mentor, Mrs. Barbara Meidl, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.”
I hope my journey inspires others to take those first steps towards their goals and find their own path to success.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Daphné Moore, and I am the daughter of an Air Force Vietnam Veteran. Born and raised in Charlotte, I embarked on a transformative journey which led me to Raleigh in the fall of 2021. Formerly serving as the Volunteer Coordinator for the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (VolunteerNC) within the Offices of the Governor, I was promoted as the Volunteerism Manager in 2022, overseeing the prestigious statewide Governor’s Volunteer Service Award. However, my path to public service was not initially part of my plan.
A Journey of Discovery and Overcoming Challenges
I attended Zebulon B. Vance High School, presently known as Julius Chambers High School, but left during the 10th grade without a clear plan or guidance. The absence of mentors or individuals invested in my aspirations left me searching for my purpose. Through life experiences and self-discovery, I realized that my calling lay in making a difference in the lives of others. In every job I undertook, I consistently went above and beyond my responsibilities, driven by a deep desire to help others, even at the expense of overworking myself.
The Turning Point: Seeking Justice and Understanding
After a few years of struggling to make ends meet on minimum wage, I began questioning my life purpose. I yearned for something more meaningful than merely living paycheck to paycheck. While pondering my life purpose, I became drawn to public service, seeking to understand how state and local policies impacted marginalized communities, particularly the Black community. I wanted to comprehend how structural policies shaped the rights and opportunities available to Black citizens while also recognizing the barriers that persisted within societal structures.
The Catalyst for Change: Injustice and Activism
The racial killings of Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, and the tragic death of Kalief Browder deeply affected me. However, it was the killing of Keith Lamont Scott in my hometown of Charlotte in September 2016 that struck a chord within me. Attending my first protest that night, standing at the front line facing armed officers in riot gear and experiencing tear gas ignited a fire within me to fight for change in my community and beyond.
A Mentor’s Guidance and a New Path
Following that pivotal moment, I had a life-changing conversation with my mentor, Mrs. Barbara Meidl, Director of Student Life and Leadership at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. She emphasized that to create substantial, long-term change, I needed to understand how our government operates. Mrs. Barb’s words resonated deeply with me, altering the trajectory of my educational plans. I graduated from RCCC in the fall of 2016, transferred to Meredith College in the spring of 2017, and declared my major in Political Science with a Concentration in Public Affairs.
The Power of Mentorship and Leadership
Mrs. Barb was the first educator to genuinely inquire about my aspirations and explore my talents, opening my mind to a world of leadership I had never known or experienced. As a non-traditional student at Meredith College, I sought various opportunities to engage in leadership roles while juggling two jobs. Along this path, I encountered new mentors who presented opportunities to pursue my goals. I interned for Wake County Commissioner Matt Calabria’s campaign, State House Representative Kelly Alexander, and served as a Senate Legislative Assistant for former State Senator Erica Smith.
As I look back on my life, I realize that the things I am most proud of cannot be pinpointed to one specific achievement. Rather, it is the culmination of my experiences, challenges, successes, and the people who have supported me along the way that have shaped my journey.
Gratitude and Faith
I credit God for the things he has brought me through, the people he has placed in my life, and the challenges I have experienced. I am grateful for the success I have achieved and continue to experience, and I thank Him for everything.
Making a Difference for Others
One of the things I am most proud of is my ability to make things better for other people. As a liaison, I work with a team that trusts my decisions and efforts, especially around housing. I am grateful to my mentor, who also serves as the Director of Constituent Services, for providing me with the opportunity to effect change at the federal level for the constituents we serve. As the Congressional Services Liaison, I have had the privilege of working closely with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address the challenges surrounding affordable and low-income housing on a national scale. Through my active involvement, I have gained valuable insights into the complexities of this issue and the urgent need for effective solutions. Working behind the scenes with HUD has allowed me to see firsthand the seriousness of the lack of affordable housing and the impact it has on individuals and families across the country. This experience has motivated me to advocate for meaningful change in housing policies and programs offered through HUD and the state. Meeting with current advocates and leaders who have been and continue to do the work in holding elected officials accountable by the legislation passed pertaining to housing has helped me navigate the policy piece of making low-income and affordable housing accessible to citizens who need it.
Empowering Young Voices
Gratitude for Mentors and Supporters
I am thankful to my former partner, Erinn Foote, the Governor’s Page Program Coordinator, for allowing me the chance to voice my concerns for the need to include young black voices at the table when addressing political reform. I carry her words with me even now when I need to make critical decisions – “you’re more powerful than you think.”
I am also grateful to my supporter and former Professor David McLennan and Sarah Roth, Dean, Arts & Humanities at Meredith College, for allowing me to continue the efforts of making a difference for young people by serving as the Co-Director for the Voices of Change Political Institute. Their support has been invaluable in my journey of empowering young voices.
Making a Difference in the Lives of Young People
I am also thankful to Mrs. Tonia Lewis, Branch Manager for the Salvation Army Milton Road Boys & Girls Club (SA BGC), for putting her trust and having faith in me to serve as a Youth Development Professional when I didn’t have the credentials for the role. Mrs. Tonia saw my potential to make an impact on the lives of the club members. However, it was the other way around – the club members made a difference in my life. Through meaningful conversations with club members, I gained a profound understanding of the complexities and nuances of distance learning. These interactions shed light on the fact that certain problems are not always black and white, particularly when it comes to the challenges faced by students within the education system. The experiences shared by club members underscored the need for equitable access to education and the importance of addressing the diverse needs of students.
Shaping Perspectives and Providing a Different Viewpoint
Having the ability to shape perspectives and provide a different viewpoint on how to face obstacles has brought me great joy in knowing that I left my footprint at the Milton Road Boys and Girls Club. It is through these experiences that I have gained a deeper understanding of the importance of empowering young voices and the impact it has on individuals and communities. As I continue my journey of empowering young voices, I am committed to advocating for their inclusion at the table when addressing political reform. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to make a positive impact on the lives of young people, and I am committed to continuing to do so.
Conclusion: A Journey Continues
My journey, though filled with challenges and unexpected turns, has shaped me into the dedicated public servant I am today. I realize that my goals, which I had blueprinted years ago, have and are coming to fruition, even though it has taken time. I have so many people to thank because, without their support, I would not have had the opportunity to share my story or make the impact I need to make for others. I dedicate and credit all my achievements to them.
Driven by a strong belief in the value of justice, equity, and the power of democracy, I continue this work in my role as a Constituent Services Liaison in a congressional office. I remain committed to making a positive impact in the lives of others and advocating for meaningful change.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson I had to unlearn is the idea that nothing is set in stone, and that change is a constant in life. The backstory behind this unlearned lesson stems from moments when I worked tirelessly yet didn’t see the desired outcomes. During those times, I often wondered if my circumstances would remain stagnant.
Navigating Adversity
For instance, despite going back to school to earn my GED and pursuing higher education at both a two-year and four-year institution, I found myself graduating without a job and having to return to Charlotte due to a family emergency. While witnessing my fellow peers land their dream careers or continue their education, I felt as though I had returned to square one, albeit armed with degrees. I worked a minimum wage job, finding fulfillment in my work, while those I grew up with seemed to have achieved professional and financial stability, along with personal milestones. I questioned why, despite my hard work, I found myself in this situation. It was a deeply disheartening experience.
Choosing Resilience
In a pivotal moment, I faced a setback that would ultimately prepare me for what lay ahead. I had a choice: succumb to sadness and defeat or rise above and make a difference. I chose the latter. Over the years, I built a reputation for dependability, tact, diplomacy trustworthiness, and the ability to execute any task assigned to me. My dedication led to the Branch Manager of the Milton Road Boys and Girls Club entrusting me with overseeing the club with the Director in her absence. I was also given the responsibility of interacting with important stakeholders when my Branch Manager or Director were unavailable. My hard work and commitment were recognized when I was awarded the Boys and Girls Club Youth Development Professional of the Month for the North and South Carolina Division, a first for the Milton Road Boys and Girls Club. Through this experience, I learned that setbacks can be opportunities for growth and that hard work and dedication can lead to recognition and success.
Moving Forward with Determination
When I decided to pursue career opportunities in the public sector, I reached out to associates from my graduating class who were already working in the field I aspired to be in. With the support of my Branch Manager and Director, I explored potential opportunities aligned with my goals. This simple act of reaching out opened doors to valuable networking opportunities and eventually led me to a new role in the Offices of the Governor in 2021.
Conclusion: Lessons Learned and Embracing Change
In conclusion, this journey has taught me that nothing in life is set in stone. Setbacks can often be blessings in disguise, and it is our response to these challenges that shapes our future. I have learned the importance of perseverance, hard work, and the willingness to embrace change. By remaining resilient and committed to my goals, unexpected opportunities have presented themselves, allowing me to make a meaningful impact.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe that my passion, work ethic, and character have played a significant role in shaping my reputation.
Passion for Servant Leadership
I am an individual who is passionate about servant leadership. I believe that serving others is the most fulfilling thing one can do, and this passion has helped me build my reputation through word of mouth and through my displays of actions through my work, projects, volunteer efforts, and advocacy.
Work Ethic and Completion of Tasks
I have a strong work ethic of completing the job when it is done. If it means working after hours to complete, then so be it. That is not to say that I ignore the signs when my body is tired, but I make sure to finish the job with efficiency, quality, and integrity. I learned this in my earlier years from my dad. When you start something, you see it through completion.
Working in Silence and Letting Work Speak for Itself
I am an individual that practices working in silence and allowing my work to speak for itself. When I let my work speak for itself, I don’t need to highlight my accomplishments because it is already seen. It took some time to master this lesson, but it has helped me tremendously down the line.
Integrity and Honesty
My integrity plays a significant role in building my reputation. I don’t jeopardize my integrity for anything or anyone. I stand firm behind it. When I speak, I mean what I say and say what I mean.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ross.house.gov/
Image Credits
Photo credit – @ncgovpage Photo credit – Cristina Espana