07/16/2026
Two years ago, I met Coach Dei Deitra LadyEvangelist Williams, during a season when I was emotionally exhausted.
I was working alongside someone I found incredibly difficult to work with, and I had reached the point where I was ready to walk away. Coach Dei didn’t just listen. She helped me see the situation differently. She reminded me that sometimes the hardest people to love are the ones who need understanding the most. She gave me language, perspective, and wisdom that allowed me to approach the situation with honesty, compassion, and grace instead of frustration.
That conversation stayed with me.
Fast forward to this year’s Unled Leading Men & Women event. To be recognized with an Honorable Citation by someone who had already poured into me years before was something I never expected.
As I looked around the room, I found myself surrounded by people whose stories deeply moved me. Leaders, advocates, and changemakers whose work has transformed lives across Baltimore. I quietly wondered if I truly belonged among them.
Coach Dei saw something different.
She saw me. The version of me that are the long nights, the sacrifices, the setbacks, the prayers, and the unwavering commitment it takes to build a nonprofit from the ground up. She chose to honor work that is often unseen, and that meant more than I can put into words.
Coach Dei, thank you for seeing me before I saw myself in this moment.
Thank you for reminding me that encouragement is never wasted. The seeds you plant through your words, your leadership, and your willingness to pour into others continue to bear fruit.
I also want to honor you.
I see your heart. I see your consistency. I see your commitment to lifting others while building stronger communities. The work you and Each One Save One & Bridge the Gap Foundation are doing is making a difference, and I believe your impact will continue to reach lives for years to come.
Thank you for choosing to lead with purpose, compassion, and vision. The same way you gave me my flowers, I gladly give them right back to you.
May we never underestimate the power of seeing someone, believing in them, and reminding them that what they’re building matters. 🌻💐🌺🌹
And.. Last but certainly not least, THANK YOU, to my fellow AVENGERS (LOGO’s Board Members) for rocking with ya girl til the wheels fall off! 💪🏾🫶🏾🙏🏾💐💐