Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Estenia Goodridge. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dr. Estenia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?
Addressing the need for change in our education system and preparing students for a more fulfilling life and career is a crucial endeavor. Having worked in higher education for over a decade, I’ve had the privilege of nurturing the growth of college freshmen. Through this experience, it’s evident that many students are entering this next phase of life without the essential tools to thrive in our society.
It’s disheartening to observe that, for many, the transition from high school seniors to college freshmen is marked only by a summer break. They often lack the fundamental knowledge required to navigate the complexities of the working world. Do they know how to craft a resume? Are they familiar with financial literacy or taxes? Are they truly prepared to enter the workforce with the necessary social skills? Unfortunately, the answer is often no, especially for those who have received their education in public schools.
Research shows the urgency of this issue, with only seven out of 10 students from diverse backgrounds graduating from high school and proceeding to college or the workforce. More alarmingly, only half of these students possess the skills required to secure jobs that pay above minimum wage. The factors influencing the underachievement of high school students are multifaceted and include family dynamics, community support, the quality of education offered at schools, and student performance. It’s within our purview to address at least one of these factors that the school system can control– the quality of education.
In our endeavor to better prepare students, it’s essential that we equip them with both hard and soft skills. Reintroducing etiquette workshops, focusing on areas like business etiquette and dining etiquette, can help students build confidence and move in social and professional settings. When they move, teach them how to strut with confidence and walk with grace. It’s high time we ensure that our students are ready to face the world with a comprehensive toolkit to navigate its challenges, including the important aspects of interpersonal relations and protocol.
On the front of hard skills, it’s commendable to see schools offering trade training programs. Such programs empower students with specific skills that open doors to career advancement. By integrating financial literacy, home economics, and business training modules, we can further enhance students’ readiness to be self-sufficient individuals.
In advocating for change, we should place equal importance on trade schools as we do on traditional colleges. While I wholeheartedly support the pursuit of a college degree, it’s imperative that students not only attain their degrees but also learn how to effectively apply them in the workforce upon graduation. For those whom college may not be the ideal path, a trade or vocational education offers an equally promising avenue to a successful and fulfilling career.
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 Dr. Estenia Goodridge, the Founder of The Cultural Presence, LLC, and the Chief Etiquette Officer of the Miss Black USA Pageant. I serve as the driving force behind the integration of culture and etiquette.
My unwavering passion for etiquette has been with me since my earliest days. My mother introduced me to the elegance of Jane Austen and the enchantment of Regency-era films, setting me on a lifelong journey to understand the intricacies of grace and mannerisms.
My upbringing, from the Bronx, NY, to the vibrant streets of Baltimore, MD, was rooted in a household where social and dining etiquette held paramount importance. Guided by my mother, who was trained as a debutante, I not only imbibed the rituals of proper behavior but also internalized the core values of treating others with respect and nurturing self-worth.
In a world where the compass of morality and the courtesies of etiquette can sometimes falter, my life stands as a testament to the timeless teachings of social graces and cultural decorum. These invaluable lessons have become an integral part of my identity, particularly in a society where civility sometimes takes a backseat.
The Cultural Presence, LLC, is a manifestation of my dedication to instilling positive values and promoting cultural ideals in our community. Our mission is two-fold: firstly, to strengthen social skills alongside technical skills, a combination highly valued in today’s job market. Secondly, we aim to redefine and universalize etiquette, making it relevant across diverse cultures.
I honed my expertise at the Etiquette Institute of Washington, under the mentorship of Ms. Crystal L. Bailey. As a proud graduate of Morgan State University, I hold a triumvirate of degrees – a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), a Master of Science (M.S.), and a Doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership, reflecting my status as a distinguished Morgan Bear.
I am dedicated to fostering a world where etiquette serves as a bridge that transcends boundaries, allowing cultures to flourish and redefining the art of treating both others and oneself with enduring grace.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
You know, I never had any interest in the field of education. I repeated it over and over – teaching and education were just not my thing. I’m an arts person, an actress, someone who pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and a Master’s in Communication Management. So, imagine my surprise when I decided to do a complete 180 and go back to school for an Ed.D. in Urban Education. It was a big shift, and people around me wondered why I would make such a change.
The reason behind this pivot was deeply personal. I had grown tired of constantly hearing about Black males getting into trouble on the news, and I was genuinely concerned about the well-being of Black women and the future of our community. The more Black young men disappeared from our lives, the more questions arose about the fate of our children. It became increasingly clear to me that the K-12 education system needed a major overhaul.
As I pursued my Ed.D., I started to dream about creating my own private school where our children could become positive representatives of our community and access high-quality education. After graduating, I realized that my journey had come full circle. I could use my etiquette business to start a program and partner with schools to offer etiquette workshops. It struck me that many of the traditional training and education that used to take place at home were no longer being done.
This pivot has been incredibly rewarding. Not only am I emphasizing the importance of etiquette in schools and non-profit organizations, but I’ve also extended its reach to the corporate world. It’s true what they say – your gifts will indeed make room for you. This transformation allows me to showcase the significance of etiquette in various facets of life, and I feel like I’m making a positive impact on both students and professionals.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Well it may be just a side hustle but it’s blowing up! I currently have a full-time job as an educator at Morgan State University, but my side hustle has been gaining so much momentum that it’s becoming a real contender. Who knows, one day I might just decide to make that exit and turn my side hustle into my main gig. It’s exciting to see the potential for it to become a full-time business or career in the near future!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theculturalpresence.com/
- Instagram: @theculturalpresence
- Facebook: The Cultural Presence, LLC
Image Credits
Michael Vega