We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ebony Davis . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ebony below.
Alright, Ebony thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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 started Butler & Davis Consulting LLC because I wanted to help private and government agencies better serve Black communities and other marginalized communities. As a student of public administration and social work, I quickly recognized the void between evidence-based practices and what was really happening on the ground. So, I focused my studies on how to develop and implement programs that could positively impact communities. I specifically focused on how to help community members develop their sense of self-efficacy and understanding of systems so they could transform their communities to meet their needs. However, as an employee with agencies, I recognized that capitalism, favoritism, and racism were major hindrances to true advocacy work, so I started my consulting firm with the goal of training professionals who are working in the system on best practices, specifically trauma-informed practices. Additionally, because I enjoy working with the community, I also focus my business on developing resources and learning opportunities for communities to learn about wellness and how to engage in the democratic process. I believe my business is different because we are taking a behavioral health and systems-based approach to decreasing social determinants of health, community empowerment, and training. Everything that we offer is practical with the goal of providing people with the skills to transform their mindset and prosocially engage with their community.
Ebony, 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?
Ms. Ebony Davis serves as our Lead Consultant and is dedicated to building pathways for disenfranchised communities to move up the social, political, and economic ladder. She has over 15 years of experience in project management, training, technical assistance, behavioral health, and working with high-risk populations. She is a graduate from the University of Maryland Baltimore County where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and from the University of Southern California where she received her Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration. Additionally, Ms. Davis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Maryland.
Ebony is the author of Protecting Your Mental Health While Black in the Workplace, a book to help Black professionals leverage their strengths and passions to create their own path to success. Color Me to Discovery: A Coloring Book for Self-Reflection and Relaxation; and the The Rhymes and Hues of Ebony: A Poetic Coloring Book for the Creative Self-Reflection and Relaxation of the African American Woman.
Ebony comes with many diverse experiences to include working with the Department of Defense, Federal Emergency Management Agency, SAMSHA, YMCA, Crystal Stairs Inc., and the Office of the Public Defender. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling and dancing.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Butler & Davis Consulting is pivoting from primarily providing consulting and services to creating an online community, The Resiliency Training Institute, a space where people can discuss and brainstorm solutions to social, political and economic issues that impact Black people and other marginalized communities. Because we recognize that human service workers and public administrators are frequently burning out, we want to create a space for them to come together and create change within the system and receive support from each other. Through continuing education and personal development workshops, we want to be a resource and hub of information and support.
From a business perspective, we are providing more on-demand workshops so that we can have more passive streams of income while also staying true to our mission and foundation. As business owner I am constantly seeking a balance between being mission driven and building generational wealth for my family.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Being open to meeting new people and going to different industry or local commerce events has helped build my reputation and build clientele. However, I think my work has been the most impactful to my reputation. Everything I do I try my best and seek to improve the program or situation I encounter. I attempt to have a positive experience with everyone regardless of their stature or position; and overall, that has helped my reputation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.butler-davis.com; www.resiliency-traininginst.com
- Instagram: ebdavismsw
- Facebook: butlerdavismsw
- Linkedin: Butler & Davis Consulting LLC
- Youtube: Butler & Davis Consulting LLC