We recently connected with The Fortitude Collective and have shared our conversation below.
The Fortitude , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Our business was launched during the pandemic via group text amongst our founders, all bosses, all frustrated, yet focused on leading during those difficult times. Though working in different industries, we were all faced with the same issues, Black women and often overworked and undervalued. From there we started to meet and developed the idea of launching a virtual conference. From there the Fortitude Collective was born. Our mission is to create a space for the next generation of black and brown women that reaffirms, supports, and encourages them to “bring their chair” (show up, be confident, and own their power) to every space they occupy.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Our platform is a battle cry for the next generation of black women leaders to take our rightful seat of leadership, by bringing our chair to every space we occupy. We are no longer waiting for a seat at the table, we are showing up prepared and ready to lead.
TaQuonda Hill – TaQuonda Hill is an experienced IT Technology & Transformation Leader with expertise in Digital Strategy & Organizational Change Management with over 15 + years across Professional & Financial Service industries. TaQuonda has worked for major fortune 500 companies, as well top tier Big 4 Consulting Firms. TaQuonda, currently leads large scale IT Transformation Programs for Delta Air Lines across all IT Portfolios & Operations and is a Corporate Ambassador for DE&I. She is also a servant leader in her community, a board member of the Henry County Democratic Women and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Jacia Smith – Jacia T. Smith, Esq. is the Chief of Staff of Baltimore City’s Recreation and Parks, where she serves as a trusted advisor to the Director and oversees the daily activities of a large government agency. Prior to joining the City of Baltimore, Jacia was the Assistant General Counsel at Montgomery
College, where she provided counsel on a wide range of legal issues facing the college, including employment law, labor relations, and liability and insurance matters. An energetic and transformational leader, Jacia has leveraged 15+ years of working in various legal and Human Resources (“HR”) roles, to pursue a career of service, where she is committed to the issues of diversity, inclusive leadership, and conflict management.
Tomicka Wagstaff – Tomicka Wagstaff is the Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at College of the Holy Cross. She received her Bachelors (Sociology) and Masters (Higher Education) degree from Buffalo State College and eventually earned her Ed.D in Higher Education Administration from the University of Rochester. Dr. Wagstaff has been serving underrepresented, first generation, low-income and non-
traditional students, faculty and staff throughput her career. Tomicka has received the Emerging Black Leader Award, Buffalo State College
Distinguished Alumni Award, Honoree for the Women of Distinction and Style Award and has been inducted into the Principal Investigator Million Dollar Club.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
We are all members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Tomicka and Jacia are line sisters. Taquonda is one of Jacia’s best friend’s wives. Our connection is Delta, but our energy and vibes are aligned. The journey of launching this business has been a act in sisterhood, filled with ups and downs, laughs and tears. We are all bosses in our own rights but together we’re a force.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Our first in-person conference was in Atlanta, GA in March. Though we had been planning the event for months we are located in different areas (Baltimore, New York, Massachusetts) which meant planning from afar was difficult. With only one team member in Atlanta, there were a lot of moving parts to manage. We had to unlearn the notion that we are superwoman, and we can get everything done ourselves. What’s more important is that we learned the value of good networks. Through the networks of friends, colleagues, and family we were able to present a conference what was well organized, informative and transformative. The outcome was more than we had imagined and was a true embodiment of sisterhood.
Contact Info:
- Website: thefortitudecollective.com
- Instagram: @fortitudecollective