Do you have any advice for us or the people that are watching?
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00:00:03.503 --> 00:00:04.671 Yes.
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00:00:05.238 --> 00:00:08.008 I wish someone would have told me earlier on
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00:00:08.008 --> 00:00:12.178 to be more flexible, to not be so this is how we're doing it.
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00:00:12.178 --> 00:00:13.580 This is what we're going to do.
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00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:17.350 And just to be more flexible with people and understanding,
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00:00:17.517 --> 00:00:20.854 not everyone had to go through everything that I went through.
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00:00:20.854 --> 00:00:22.555 You know, Chief, I'm tired.
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00:00:22.555 --> 00:00:25.558 I'm this, and then I would hear one of the deputies go, hey,
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00:00:25.959 --> 00:00:29.095 don't say that to him, because he was getting about 3 hours of sleep
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00:00:29.095 --> 00:00:32.098 a night because he was a single dad with his daughter.
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00:00:32.265 --> 00:00:35.902 He was working two other jobs and working here at the sheriff's office,
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00:00:36.002 --> 00:00:37.070 and he did it.
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00:00:37.070 --> 00:00:40.140 You know, so I held everyone else to that standard.
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00:00:40.273 --> 00:00:43.043 But I wish I would have been more flexible.
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00:00:43.043 --> 00:00:45.912 So I try to tell those who are aspiring to be in leadership.
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00:00:47.113 --> 00:00:50.583 Be flexible. And do your research.
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00:00:50.717 --> 00:00:55.588 Whatever you decide to get your degree in or get a certification in.
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00:00:55.889 --> 00:00:57.757 Make sure that it's your passion.
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00:00:57.757 --> 00:00:58.058 Okay?
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00:00:58.058 --> 00:01:00.026 Because anybody can have motivation.
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00:01:00.026 --> 00:01:01.861 But when something is your passion.
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00:01:01.861 --> 00:01:04.297 It's not going to matter how much money you make.
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00:01:04.297 --> 00:01:07.634 You're going to enjoy doing it because this is who you are
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00:01:07.734 --> 00:01:09.602 and you're passionate about it.
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00:01:09.602 --> 00:01:13.506 So that would be my two cents on education.
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00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:15.275 Get a degree in something that you're passionate
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00:01:15.275 --> 00:01:18.411 about or certificate in something that you're passionate about. That way
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00:01:19.245 --> 00:01:20.480 money doesn't really matter.
 

I struggled academically in both high school and college. I even failed out of college the first time. But I got back on track, went back to school, and made it through—all the way to earning my doctoral degree!

As the Chief of Police and Vice President of Campus Culture at Lincoln University, I juggle roles that shape campus safety and collaboration. My day spans overseeing police operations, managing residence halls, and directing the nation's only HBCU-based police academy. From ensuring a welcoming culture for visitors to pioneering hands-on law enforcement training, my work centers on rehumanizing policing and empowering students to step into impactful careers.

VP of Campus Culture & Chief of Police

Regrets

Support & Encouragement

Be Flexible

The one thing I regret across my work so far is not taking time and making space for joy. I work a lot. I am single, I have a dog. And there are ways that I think that, I could add lots of value if I work really, really hard. When I think about my nieces and nephews what I want them to work as hard as I work and etc may be not I want them to have a bit more balance. And I think regrets don't necessarily help us but reflecting does this. There's goodness and grace in looking back, but not staying back there. And there had been times that I've made a move like the move that I made before this move was really difficult. And I was in a space that I wasn't able to fully show up as a young, smart, black woman. And so there were times that I regretted that move cuz it was really difficult, cuz I couldn't show up fully. And then I stopped regretting it and I found another step. So it's being really honest and remembering what about that decision? Is it something you want to feel again or do again and then how can I look forward and see I learned from that. I don't want this to happen again. How might I make that next step? 

2022 YEMP Roadtrip
changed-major
advanced-degree

The day may start with a breakfast meeting with a school or community partner to discuss new programming or teacher support. If we're working with students or teachers, I'd go to the school to see the staff in action. Next, I'd go to our headquarters to check out the vehicles and materials. I'd meet with our Marketing and Development team to plan how we'll share STE(A)M Truck stories and connect with funders. I may also attend a city event to represent STE(A)M Truck and share about our programs.

Executive Director

I regret making this move. I can't show up fully here.

Self-Reflection

Reflecting On Regrets

All my friends are in college and they're all across the country. Some of ' in New York, some of ' are here in Houston, some of ' in Austin. I mean, it's difficult to find people to hang out with, especially when you gotta prioritize your life in different aspects. And it's that something I wanted to ask you, how did you make friends during all this? Did you make new friends? Did you lose friends? &gt;&gt; Actually, my biggest grits of my life, I have a few. I mean, when you get to my age, it works out that way. Is, I lost my best friend in high school. He was my best friend through high school, he was my best friend outside of high school. He went to Fresno State and I stayed at PC, but we were together every weekend. I went to Fresno, he came down back to Porterville, which Fresno was about an hour away. And when I moved to Texas, I made the decision that I was not going back to California, and I moved a month before his wedding. I mean, again, biggest regret if I can have it all to do over again. But 23-year old me didn't see that as a priority, and so I absolutely lost friends. And I say that to say that you're gonna make mistakes. I mean, it's just gonna happen. And really with me all I did is, I mean, just keep plugging your way. I mean, people are gonna like you, they're not going to. That's what I liked about West Texas is, we came out here and I just kind of was. I play basketball, and so I went to the church and played basketball some, met some friends there. Met a lot of friends through school. And the nice thing is that I found that whether or not the people that I think are friends are always there, there's always gonna be somebody else there. Friends are gonna come and go, and it is what it is. And the best thing you can do is just be open for new relationships. And that's all I did. It's like, don't go in with preconceived notions. Go in willing to kind of just be friends with anybody at that point. And you never know, and it could be a great relationship. 

2022 THEC Virtual Interviews
adult-learner

Balancing family, school, and work has been a struggle but learning how to prioritize has been very helpful. I always prioritize my family first. When I was in school, that would come second. Making everything equal priority will never work.

There's no typical day for me. Today, for example, I led a camera crew around the hospital as they filmed a virtual tour. As the marketing director, I'm also in charge of PR, so I work chamber events. I'm also part of any type of community events that go on. I lead a meeting for all of the directors in the morning. I spend time posting social media and updating our website. I also work on bigger projects, like our employee engagement survey and community health needs assessment.

Marketing Director

Values

Stay Open To New Friendships

What advice would you give to kids who are thinking pursuing your job or even just pursuing any job? &gt;&gt; I have a really bubbly personality and love to talk to people, so it's just really cool to be able to go in and do those types of things. But when I get in front of a big group of people, I get really nervous. I had a teacher in high school, my speech teacher. And she was like, just know that everybody's rooting for you. It's not like someone's trying to put you down, and so it's just that mindset that I just have to constantly keep thinking in my head. It's okay, they're on the same team as me, we wanna make this successful. I know that anytime that I say yes to doing something, it gives me another opportunity and it helps me grow a little bit more. And it makes it a little bit easier every step in any other opportunity that you get &gt;&gt; How do you keep yourself saying yes? How do you keep yourself from not backing down? Or from freaking out or chickening out? &gt;&gt; I would have regret not being able to do something and not saying yes to something. I know that I have that opportunity to make a difference as well. Especially if it comes to something with volunteering or to helping others, I know that I have a passion to do that. And so if I weren't doing that and making that next step, then I would have regret it. And so it's just in my mind I have to continue to keep saying that positive aspects from there. 

Utilize the resources you have at school to help you navigate potential paths. If you have an idea of your interests, talk to your counselors and ask them what educational and career paths could match those interests.

Each day is different, which is what makes it interesting and challenging. Each day I could be meeting with leaders to discuss their current or future openings, having conversations with candidates based on their experience and their compensation requirements, sourcing candidates on social media platforms, attending meetings with third party vendors, or attending career and internship fairs throughout the city or at universities.

Talent Acquisition Manager

Opportunities & Possibilities

Say Yes To New Opportunities

Personally I go through a lot of self doubt, but I have ideas that I'll do and then I don't push myself or execute. Is that mindset that you had and just pulling the trigger always? Was that something that was self influenced, or was there somebody, or something, or a lesson that happened that influenced that and it was like, this is all I'm gonna live by? &gt;&gt; When I'm thinking about it I can't think of a situation where I regretted not doing something. There was a point in my life where I thought about something I should have done. And I'm like, man, I should have done that, I really should have done this. And I put myself in a position where I don't wanna have to should have done something, right? I wrote over there that I've just done it and see where it went. I think that regret that you might have, the risk of having that regret is high compared to the risk of losing money or spending money on learning, or the risk of all these other things where I make my decisions. See, I think that is a little self driven. I was fortunate to have some of my family members that say, just do it. Other family members are like, no, don't waste your money, don't do this blah, blah. But I had one or two that would just say, no, just do it and see what happens. And that was it, right? So I had that push, but it was maybe the non-judgenous from them affected really if I can do that. But I still have those other people that judge me right for my decisions. And I felt like I had to defend myself against that really. And I think the feeling of others judging you and feeling like you have to defend yourself prepares you for what you're getting into. And it kind of talks you through a decision before you make it. So it's kind of like a good thing to think about, but it shouldn't really stop you from doing what you wanna do. 

I'd recommend going further into graduate school for an advanced degree in mechanical, aerospace, or electrical engineering rather than stopping at a bachelor's degree. You will join the workforce at a higher salary and you will have much more potential to grow within your company.

I analyze structures for mechanical, thermal, and impact loads to ensure components function properly for the length of their intended life. I use finite element software and structural mechanics taught to me in college along with various engineering principles that allow me to determine where a part or system may fail, and how to optimize designs and cut down weight and cost. 

Aerospace Structural Analysis Engineer

You're just wasting your money. You wasted your money on this car and you wasted your money on these surfboards.

Negativity

Risk

Facing The Fear Of Regret And Judgement

So here at this organization, the decisions I make if we don't have the opportunity, or we don't get that grant, or we don't provide the services, it translates to jobs for my team. The worst case scenario, we may have to cut back. And COVID was a perfect example where we saw people having to make the decision on if I have to survive with my business, there was some tough decisions to be made. And those decisions often trickled down to loss of jobs or loss of income, so it's totally a trickle down effect. And for me at the national center that trickle down effect not only if we're not able to support the businesses or entrepreneurs, there could be somebody that they decide they don't wanna open a business or they don't wanna take the next step. Because there hasn't been someone cheering them on, or providing various resources, or giving them options for financing, or trying to get more contracts with a fortune 500 company. If no one's doing that, it could also trickle down. So I feel like every day I make tough decisions and I think in life you have to stick to those decisions. And I'm not saying I always and I would, you guys will never always make the right decision. And there's gonna be a lot of decisions that you'll individually regret, and you'll be like, I wish I had done that. But you have to live with the decisions you make and move ahead. 

2021 Native American Roadtrip
advanced-degree

My typical day starts early with East Coast Zoom calls. I participate in team huddles throughout the day. I also sometimes film for social media.

President & CEO

They won't hire someone from Cherokee, North Carolina, to go work in Washington, DC.

Adversity

Making Tough Decisions

Do you look back and look at things and say I could have done this different or do you have any regrets that you may be taken the wrong path? &gt;&gt; I'm one of those guys that believes that everything that you do leads you to where you're at. And so if you're relatively happy where you're at, then I don't necessarily wanna go back and change a whole lot in kind of a butterfly effect kind of way. [LAUGH] &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Everything that happened got me here. Yeah, I made a lot of mistakes. I mean, yeah, there's a lot of wrong decisions and things I should have done better. Things I wish I wouldn't have done, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I would go back and do it any differently. Because it has brought me to where I'm at. So yeah I think making mistakes is the part of the journey of life in general has we talked about that all the time here at the machine shop that you. If you are not making mistakes, then you're not really trying new things. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Trying new things involves making mistakes, it's just part of the deal. So not specifically anything that I wish I would have done different. Probably the best answer I've got to that is that I wish I would've done a few more extracurricular activities in high school. My wife was the other way. She was really involved in a lot of other things during your high school years. And I think that served her pretty well. And I probably could have been a better person if I'd had the chance to, it could have been anything right to join a club or be part of a some kind of after hours activity, or I mean could have been anything. I wasn't in sports or anything so any that could have worked. 

2022 Wichita Workforce Hub
Virtual interview
advanced-degree

Start working on your business acumen sooner rather than later. Find trade publications online for the industry that you're interested in and use them to keep a finger on what's happening in relevant businesses. I also recommend taking any chance you get to attend an industry conference, whether that be virtual or in-person. Even as a college student, the better you understand the industry, the more prepared you'll be to find the most valuable courses for your journey.

My main responsibilities as president are to connect with our customers and set the strategic direction of the company. I spend two to three days every two weeks traveling to the places our parts are used and talking to the people using them. I meet with the strategic decision-makers for the companies that we build parts for to make sure we all have the same goal. My days are filled with a lot of meetings with the main goal of establishing what the company's doing and where the company is going.

President

Making Mistakes Is A Part Of Life

I remember when I was in prison and I would just see so many young dudes that were like we were living the ways that we really learned from music videos. Music videos were like my religion. If Nipsey Hussle said something in a song, I was like this is the word of God to me, this is how I'm gonna live my life. I remember when I was 11, 50 Cent and Wanksta said, what you know about AKs and AR-15s? I didn't know what any of those numbers and letters meant, but I knew I needed to learn and I learned real quick what those numbers and letters meant. So when I was in prison, and I still had the skills of producing and whatever, I was like, what if we just made stuff not corny and preaching, what if we just made stuff that led people to be their deepest selves as opposed to this patriarchal fantasy? I went to jail for robbery, I robbed three stores and ultimately the total amount of money was like $10,000 and I got 10 years. I was robbing the stores because I was trying to build a business. At the time I had lost my job and I was trying to build a label and a clothing line. So I was like if I can just get enough money to start my business in music and in fashion then I won't have to be in the streets no more. So I robbed the stores I got 10 years in prison my homie rights meetings like I just got a $10,000 scholarship to musician's institute where they gave me a laptop with Pro Tools on it. And they gave me like eight bands in my pocket and I was like bro I didn't even know you could do that. I've been inside this prison for years and for many more years to go all over what this dude did by applying for a grant online. I didn't even know that was possible but we get to show people that that's possible with our own stories, right? Bring those resources to people like us, like had I known that was possible. We wouldn't be having this conversation because I never would have went to jail. I would have just applied for the grant and just done it. You know what I'm saying? Storytelling is so important. It's so important that we see our people winning and that we show our people how to win as we win so we could win together. And that's what we get to do now. So, question culture, we produce art, to get people to question culture, to get people to question patriarchal culture and capitalist culture, and we just tried to make stuff that's dope and makes people rethink the systems around us. We're doing a film right now, we're doing a podcast with Spotify called Abolition X. We got this clothing brand called for everyone based out of Michigan where we hire all formerly incarcerated people and pay them really well and give them health care and donate a bunch of money to the movement. We've already donated like 60,000 to the movement. We just dropped an album for one of our business partners, her name is Indigo Matteo, she's an abolitionist and a survivor and her dude got 40 years to life. He's another one of our partners in the company, so we just dropped her album, it's called single player. And yeah, we're just trying to make dope stuff that represents our experiences, like I never heard a song about a woman riding a motorcycle up to a prison to rescue her dude from prison who got 40 years to life. Or like a music video with a woman battling a mutant CEO with a sword, we just get to do stuff like that and, make shirts like this that make people think about our public safety system and what it is doing and what it's not doing what it really takes to make people safe. We just tried to make art that serves the movement. I'm so grateful because it's what I always wanted to do. Now I get to do it full time and pay my bills with it and it's just the biggest blessing in my life. 

2021 Formerly Incarcerated Roadtrip
entrepreneur
formerly-incarcerated

I spent seven years in California state prison. While incarcerated, I started really working through the toxic masculinity and patriarchal concepts that put us in situations like mine. Now I'm still dedicating my work to breaking down those concepts.

I wake up, pray, water my plants, and work out. Then I tackle emails. Producing is all about organizing—getting people together to accomplish goals. When producing a film, I spend a lot of time on emails, talking to actors, and organizing. I also spend time creating. For example, after getting the latest mockup of a design, we'll review it to work through the message we're trying to tell with that design (i.e. what questions does it inspire or what is it adding to the abolitionist movement?).

We don't care about what you have to say. Feminism and anti-patriarchy work makes you soft. We don't need to change.

Regrets

Be Flexible

Be Flexible

Gary Hill

56 videos on Regrets: