Gabrielle Wyatt
The Highland Project
New York, NY USA
"Don’t doubt yourself on your imagination; bet on your imagination."
Career Roadmap
Gabrielle's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Entrepreneurship, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Graduate Degree
Social and Urban Policy
Harvard Kennedy School
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where I was nurtured in spaces that affirmed my brilliance as a Black girl and planted early seeds of wellness.
2.
Realizing not all kids had that level of support, I became driven to expand access, even running for school board at age 17 and winning.
3.
I stepped into education policy and leadership roles early, focused on scaling impact for young people and their futures.
4.
In striving to lead, I ignored my own wellbeing, and at age 25, I experienced a major burnout that forced me to confront my limits.
5.
That moment reshaped me, pushing me to redefine health beyond productivity and commit to caring for my whole self.
6.
I began questioning leadership norms and created space for rest, imagination, and community as essential practices.
7.
Drawing from my lineage and lived experiences, I founded The Highland Project to invest in the wholeness of Black women leaders.
8.
Today, I lead a growing, intergenerational community, helping others embrace rest and build lives defined by how well we live.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You're just an education person. You need to stay in that lane.
How I responded:
When I made the decision to close the chapter on K-12 education to pivot into wellness and start The Highland Project, I felt the pressures trying to keep me in one lane. Part of my work with The Highland Project is to help other Black women leaders tap into their creative selves and break out of the narrow lanes and roles that society tries to keep us in.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I experienced my first burnout at age 25. I ended up having a panic attack and woke up in the hospital. That moment pushed me to reevaluate my life and the lack of care I was giving to myself and my health.