Tawanna Jones, one of our recent Upward Class 5 graduates, embodies the essence of resilience and determination. A devoted mother of two, Tawanna’s journey through the Upward program was marked by courage and self-discovery. Initially hesitant about applying for the Upward class, she took a bold leap into the unknown, which led her to new opportunities.
Upon being accepted into our Upward class, Tawanna chose to set intentions for her experience.
“I decided I no longer wanted to play small. I wanted to be comfortable with my authentic voice, and not worry about the stereotypes that are portrayed for African American women as being the ‘only’ in the room. I decided I wanted to be open to share my journey,“ Tawanna shared.
She went on to say that before her experience with Momentum, she didn’t truly understand the value of networking. “I quickly learned the value of building connections and having supportive relationships with other women.”
The Upward curriculum begins with identifying strengths – a session Tawanna credits as one of the most impactful lessons of the program. Additionally, she says developing a personal leadership philosophy was a game changer.
Understanding her core values allowed Tawanna to make choices that truly aligned with her authentic self. When she applied for a promotion, she paused to evaluate her personal and familial aspirations before accepting the new role. Drawing strength from the unwavering support of her loved ones, she confidently embraced the opportunity and is now Associate Director, Human Resource Business Partner at SCA Health.
As she reflected on her Upward journey, Tawanna expressed, “With this promotion, I could see a clear path for my career. I credit Momentum for helping me find my voice and providing a transformative experience for me. The guidance, mentorship, and resources provided have been invaluable in my personal and professional development. I can confidently say that I have learned a great deal, not only about leadership but also about myself and my capabilities.”
Many of our Upward Class Five participants had similar outcomes. This year’s class reported an average salary increase of $15,000 and 33% of participants reported receiving upward mobility or promotion during the program, before graduation. 100% of participants said they were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their participation in the program.
As we look forward to announcing our sixth Upward class this winter, we hope you’ll take time to plug into our programs, resources, and opportunities that are available to help you grow and transform your personal and professional leadership skills.
