Martin Luther King Event in Stamford

We got the invitation to volunteer at the MLK 2011 All About Education event at the UConn Stamford Branch over the weekend. Hosted by BlackCT, the annual event, had attendees from a variety of local organizations, members of legislature and education.

I volunteered to read/review college applications for high school students. The turnout for the event was great. The students seemed enthusiastic about defining their own future. Although I didn't read many essays, we did answer a few questions and gave tips about preparing for the application process. Some of them are really making good decisions and thinking a head when it comes to their future, regardless of the struggles they're enduring.

The city even honored Eileen Swirdlick (I remember her as an assistant principal for Stark Elementary School) with an award for her outstanding service in education. I met with a few great professionals from a variety of industries and organizations, keenly the National Black MBA Association.


It was a great day to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, a reminder to keep the community thriving through education and our duty to help the next generation. I left inspired with a few new contacts; I'd say that's networking at it's best!

~Mikelah

To MBA or To Not MBA?

Have you ever considered going back to school for your MBA? Are youcurrently undertaking the challenge? Ever wondered whether it wasright for you and your career?

M.O.D. Success presents "To MBA, or To Not MBA: That is the question" onTuesday, January 25, 2011. This young professional networking eventwill feature a panel including a UConn Professor, a VP at MorganStanley and Entrepreneur. They will be speaking their thoughts on thevalue of an MBA in today's world.

Join us at Butterfield 8, 112 Bedford Street, Stamford, CT 06901between 7PM and 9PM to join the discussion. ($5.00 per person/Cash Bar)

Light refreshments will be served.

Turning Passion Into Success Re-Cap

Inspiring young professionals to follow their dreams, the “Turning your passion into Success” event had a great turnout leaving attendees rejuvenated about their dreams. Melanie Douglas Seawright did a phenomenal job at discussing her trials and how she turned those struggles into lucrative opportunities through strong will, tenacity and faith.

Battling multiple illnesses, including cancer, forced Seawright to take leave from the corporate field and eventually led her to start a non-profit, HelpTouchHeal. She also discussed the operation side of starting a non-profit, the day-to-day operations and brand building using networking. She stressed a few key elements to success: Always be prepared to network and present your ideas, be tenacious regardless of your work situation and having a great support system.

Reaffirming career goals and drawing on some of Seawright’s words of wisdom, MOD Success hopes to continue to motivate the attendees to continue on their own path of success…on their own terms.

M.O.D. Success presents Turning Passion to Success

Turning your passion into a lucrative business is risky, but reaping the success may be worth the journey. Transitioning careers at any age can be a daunting task, but with risks can be amazing rewards. Local Fairfield County resident, Melanie Douglas Seawright will discuss her journey from the corporate world to starting her own non-profit organization.

Melanie Douglas Seawright garnered her early success as corporate individual with a background in operations, import/export and event planning. Her business acumen and philanthropic passion lead her to form HELPtouchHEAL, a non-profit organization that assists cancer and post-op patients who are going through treatment. Seawright will give an insightful look at her background and how she started her non-profit giving tips build on your professional passions.

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010
Location: Butterfield 8, 112 Bedford St. Stamford CT 06901
Time: 7-9PM (Please try to be there by 7:30PM)
Light refreshments will be served.

“Bridging the Gap” Speed Networking Re-Cap

(October 5, 2010) M.O.D. Success (Motivation + Opportunities + Drive =
Success) “Bridging the Gap” Speed Networking event series turn out to be an inspirational event for young professionals that were in attendance.

The speed networking style allowed young professionals from various backgrounds to collect & exchange business cards, receive career advice and ways they can improve their elevator pitch.

Industry professionals shared valuable career advice and tips on ways young professionals are able to expand their careers as well as make a difference in the community.


M.O.D Success continues to be a great resource that helps build a network for young professional in the Fairfield area to leverage their career goals with other aspiring individuals. Successfully bridging the gap between industry professionals and upcoming leaders is the key for ensuring the next generation of leaders will be great decision makers.

MOD Success Presents: Bridging the Gap

MOD Success Presents: Bridging the Gap

Criticized by many, young people from generation to generation are always fed a generic formula to life, “Get a good education and a good job”. Naive and fresh out of school, their first few years of the working field is sometimes not what they expected. Now more than ever young professionals have to be creative at carving out their own space in the working world and find what works for them.

MOD Success continues to uplift young professionals through Bridging the Gap: Connecting successful career men & women with young upcoming professionals. Garnering successful industry insiders to sit with young professionals in a speed networking style to give them tips on how to build their career.

For the seasoned professional this will provide the opportunity to sit with the young professional demographic -- primarily from the Fairfield County and get to know their struggles first hand. Your discussion with them could garner ideas for your own approach to young professionals.

Professionals Include:
Lauren Clayton, Owner of Studio 162
Tara Consiglio, Recruiter Allegis RPO c/o UBS
Dawn Michelle Hardy, Founder/President of Dream Relations, PR & Literary Consulting Agency
Rochelle Hill, President/Chief Strategist (Owner) at Precision Plus Communications, Inc.
Charreah Jackson, Social Media Editor at Siren PR
Shielene Snipes, Senior Financial & Accounting Planning Analyst at Thule, Inc

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 28 2010
Location: Butterfield 8, 112 Bedford St. Stamford CT 06901
Time: 7-9PM (Please try to be there by 7:30PM)
Light refreshments will be served.

M.O.D. Success

presents

Young Professional Tips for Creating Financial Freedom

M.O.D. Success continues Tuesday July 13, 2010 with special guests Joseph Nunn and Melanie Wilson, both Fairfield County natives as they give tips on financial planning with realistic goals. Many young people find it difficult to financially plan for a future; putting personal budgets and future planning on the back burner. The shear freedom of having money to spend can lead to a devastating financial future if you don’t plan ahead.

Joseph Nunn has been a leader in the financial industry as well as the community serving as the Chairman for Urban League Southern Connecticut while currently working as a Managing Director for Cantor Fitzgerald and creator of the Joseph W. Nunn Scholarship fund.

A true entrepreneur Melanie Wilson, began her career in corporate America with GE Energy post college in 2001 by entering financial management program. In 2005, Wilson realized a passion of being an entrepreneur and opened her first of two wine bar and bistros in the Atlanta area. In 2008, she sold majority ownership to her partners and started a hospitality consulting firm based out of Miami working with the staff of opening of W South Beach and W Fort Lauderdale. All the while volunteering with Urban League (UL) chapters in Miami and West Palm Beach developing job training programs for hard to serve individuals which launched her non-profit "Here 2 Serve" that collaborates with UL affiliates around the country with workforce development initiatives producing additional revenue streams and grant opportunities. As of January of 2010, Melanie oversees program development for the Urban League of Southern Connecticut.

Date: Tuesday July 13, 2010
Time: 7pm – 9pm EST
Venue: The Sundance Café (105 Broad Street Stamford, CT 06901) www.thesundancecafe.com

For more information on attending or becoming a guest speaker contact:
E-mail: MODSuccess@gmail.com
Blog: http://modsuccess.blogspot.com/

About M.O.D. Success (Motivation + Opportunities + Drive = Success) is a monthly networking series for young professionals in the Fairfield County area. Created by upcoming marketing moguls Anthony Harris and Mikelah Rose, both local resident of Connecticut, determined to make a difference by creating an opportunity for young professionals to have a voice and be influence by other driven leaders. We are focused on empowering the new rise of young, business savvy professionals of today so they are leaders in their own community tomorrow.