Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Brooks Tyler Payne.
Katrina Brooks, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Katrina Brooks:
I attended The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) for my BA and MA degrees. I was very unsure of what I wanted to do after graduation but did finally love what I studied which was Psychology. I worked at various jobs after college, exploring my likes. I got hired at a community college 8 months after graduation working with the TRiO program, which impacted me during my undergrad career. After 2.5/3 years there, I got hired as a Specialist with the Buffett Scholars Scholarship Program, better known as the Thompson Learning Community at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). That program literally changed my life and made me into the leader that I am today and will continue to be. Now I am leading another program, working with students, and just doing what I know–empowering students to be their best, realize their potential, and to find true peace/happiness.
Tyler Payne:
Katrina and I both were working at the University of Nebraska at Omaha back in 2015. Katrina was the Assistant Director of the Thompson Learning Community for the Second Year Experience Program and I was a Specialist in the Thompson Learning Community as well. We were Gallup Certified Strengths Coaches for CliftonStrengths and a close friend of ours had mentioned to us the opportunity to work with the high school students with the NorthStar Foundation. Originally, we did not consider this to be the initial steps to what would one day become Journey To Talents Consulting. We had high school students that were deeply invested in becoming part of the college experience and wanted a personal guide to transition from high school to college. Overtime, the level of interest from students ranging from elementary all the way to post-secondary age has increased tremendously.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Katrina Brooks:
Sadly, no. Struggles– being a black woman. I am too “angry” for most, to confident for all. I speak up, ask questions and lead with passion and integrity. Most people fear me (my leadership, how I do what I do, etc…) due to their lack of leadership and authenticity.
Tyler Payne:
It has not been an absolute smooth road, but there was some bumps in a road in terms of our learning on how to establish a business. In terms of being supported by our community and clientele the road was rather smooth. One considerable struggle that I can think of was learning that we were under pricing our services. We had a client who had admonished us greatly because she felt that we were undercutting our own value and worth of our services. She had challenged us to excellence and made it very clear that she would not ever hire us again to provide our service if we did not turn our business into a legitimate LLC and start charging a reasonable price for our high quality service. As much as that can be considered a struggle, we view it in the lens of positive psychology and that was a grand opportunity for us to take our idea and turn it into an actual business. If it was not for that client we may not have ever made the leap into the major successes that we are experiencing currently.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Katrina Brooks:
I transform people and environments for the better. I specialize in leadership, student development, programming (small and large scale), strategic planning, motivation self and others, and comfortability being you. I am known for being loving, kind, supportive, and a significant person in the lives of others (this and more is what I usually hear).
I am proud of all of all the students and people that I have helped; their accomplishments, their goals, and the way they are taking over the world. I’ve learned to not minimize my impact and appreciate what I have done. I learned from a friend to take it in and when I am thanked, loved on, appreciated to say “my pleasure.”
Tyler Payne:
I serve in dual role and at local community college. One role I am the Director of College Success and Career Readiness and partnership. For my second role I am the Assistant Director for a career pathway scholarship program that focuses on the trades. I love the work that I do. I have been in Academia since 2012 and I have no intention of ever leaving it. I love education, I love development, I love growth, I love seeing people and transform and become their greater selves.
I always think of the quote, “if i have ever seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”. Throughout my life and my career, I’ve been blessed to stand on the shoulders of giants. Now, I get to be a giant as well and have people stand on my shoulders. Seeing people strive to thrive and obtain that achievement is the greatest reward to me.
People in the community know me as an educator and an a professional. I am fun yet, firm and am very disciplined in principles of growth mindset and neuroplasticity.
What I am most proud of is being a “human gardener”. What it means to me to be a Human Gardener is to know that for the last 15 years I have planted seeds in of education, hope, esteem, love, confidence, empowerment, and so many other positive attributes in people and it is truly a grand gift and blessing to see the seeds bloom into a beautiful garden of success and creativity.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Katrina Brooks:
Kathy J. Trotter, Dedrick Bell, Kellie Pickett, Kelli King, Bianca Bautista, Tyler Payne, BGT, Ny’Pree Thomas, Dr. Patrick Thomas, and Jonny Knogood. The students that I have served and learned from as well, which is all of them!
Tyler Payne:
There are so many people that deserve credit for all the support and encouragement that has been poured into Katrina and I over the years. There’s no particular order or ranking as each person provided tremendous insights and wisdom throughout the time:
Katrina Brooks, Taylor Peak, Jacques Musavyimana, Jennifer Johnson, Everett Levison, Dr. Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, Hana Abbott, Nicholas Banks, Theodore Skipper, Scott Hazelrigg, Davielle Phillips, Urban League of Nebraska Young Professionals Group, Tiffany Johnson, Dr. Anne Hobbs, Shannon Teamer, Anthony Anderson, Mervin Vasser, Aminatu Issaka, Dr. Cheryl Logan, Jeff Williams, J’s Braintrust Consulting Services Inc., Meya Hill, Jordan Pirtle, Kayla Gillian, Dr. Keyonna King, Stacey Mapp, JoAnna LeFlore-Ejike, Errik Ejike, Leo Louis, Tau’Toya Broadway, Midland African Chamber and The CUES School System (Christian Urban Education Service).
There are many more people that I know I am forgetting at this time. For those that do not see your name as you read this, please charge my absentmindedness to my head and not my heart.
Pricing:
- We are always happy to be flexible with our clientele and provide services that can fit within their budget.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.journeytotalents.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Journey-To-Talents-Consulting-LLC/61564820481932/
