Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica C. Penick.
Hi Erica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Cleveland, OH, and raised in Birmingham, AL.
My family history is rooted in civil rights activism and I was blessed to grow up knowing and learning from individuals such as my mother and grandmother, whose images hang in the Birmingham Civil rights Museum as survivors of the Bethel Baptist Church bombings, my great aunt and grandmother who prepared meals and hosted Martin Luther King, Jr. during his journey back and forth to Birmingham, A.G Gaston who owned some the most prominent Black-Owned businesses, and Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth, a founder in the civil rights movement.
The Negro National Anthem was not something performed during February, its words, history, meaning, and importance were taught to me in class and at the dinner table. I was raised in an atmosphere that taught me to never let anyone silence my power or my voice.
The work I do today was inevitable.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I had to find my way and become comfortable in how God designed me. There are those that find discomfort with the tone and tenor of my voice, the color palette of my skin, my direct (not to be confused with unfiltered), transparent, and high standard of accountability communication style.
I recall in undergraduate school, I had to give a presentation about a poet whose work inspired me or had an impact on my life. I chose Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise.’ Attending a PWI, most of the students had never heard of Maya Angelou, yet alone the poem, and were immediately offended by my audacity to present with every voice inflection, body motion, emotion, and sassiness reflecting life of the written words.
That day, I embraced every bit of my power. I realized I am strong enough to stand in unconformable situations.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Presidents’ Council?
As an Engine for Black Business Growth, The Presidents’ Council Supports, Develops, and Advocates for our region’s current and future generations of Black entrepreneurs and leaders for sustainable wealth creation through Business Development + Entrepreneurial Support, Ecosystem Building (organizing & mobilizing), Championing + Thought Leadership, and Capital Formation + Investments; affecting influence and accountability at ALL levels that directly impact Black-owned businesses and the communities we serve.
As the Executive Director, I have the overall strategic and operational responsibility for the organization’s finances, staff, programs, development efforts, expansion, and execution of its mission.
I am most proud of the programs developed under my leadership that directly address the needs of Black Businesses, students, families, and communities creating pathways to education, homeownership, and generational wealth. I am equally proud of the infrastructure growth of the organization under my leadership, expanding talent competencies, technology, geography, and financial resources, positioning the organization for greater impact.
I am relentless and unapologetic in my championing for equity across all spectrums. I am not a leader that sits behind a title and cannot be reached. I readily solicit and receive what can sometimes be hard-to-digest open feedback, yet needed for meaningful professional and organizational growth.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
There are a few key areas:
Intentional Strategic Collaborations that streamline the processes for access (to resources, finances, human capital)
Tangible Services that solve in-real-time needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thepresidentscouncil.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepresidentscouncil/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprescouncil/
- Twitter: @ThePresCouncil_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUTmaPA_rOVZwO7aaHNzQ1w
