Welcome to August!

Here we go, back-to-school time! The start of a school year is a new beginning for students, educators and parents that can be both exciting and overwhelming. In addition to getting your student ready, back-to-school is also a time when most parents revisit strategies that help support their children during the academic year and support their positive development.

A few tips to get you back in the swing of things:

·        Get the right amount of sleep

·        Create good homework habits

·        Nutrition

·        Limit technology time

·        Seek help when needed

·        Create and establish routine

·        Talk through any stress and/or anxiety they may have

·        Don’t forget to schedule annual physicals for you and your family.

What are some routines and tips that you have done or will be doing for your family or self?

Let us know on IG or email us.

One of my favorite resource is the COMPASS ADVANTAGE framework, it speaks to the eight core attributes form an internal compass that helps kids become pilots of their own lives. This resource provides a numerous amount of articles in relation to each attribute.

https://www.rootsofaction.com/explore/

• Empathy
• Curiosity
• Creatively
• Sociability
• Resourcefulness
• Resilience
• Self-awareness
• Integrity

As we wrap up the summer, from promotions and growth at work, to involvement in the community and most importantly – quality time with family and friends. I am so happy to see everyone making the most of the summer and continuing to focus on the Touchstones of the The WICT Network:

• KNOW YOURSELF and what you stand for and where you are headed.
• COMMUNICATE with passion and poise, in writing and in-person.
• LISTEN with more than just your ears.
• CONNECT to your peers, your industry, and everything around you.
• BE A CATALYST and set the wheels of change in motion.
• BE FEARLESS and confident in your convictions as you take risks and bring others along.
• INSPIRE and others will follow.

The WICT Network Greater Ohio chapter is excited to continue offering great programming for you. I hope you will consider attending our upcoming events and actively engaging with your Greater Ohio chapter. Not a member? Please consider joining

On behalf of the entire Board of The WICT Network Greater Ohio, we look forward to seeing you all very soon!

Kind regards,

Zaki’ya Black

“We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it, than we do from learning the answer itself.” –Lloyd Alexander

Women's Empowerment - Breaking Barriers 

What comes to mind when thinking about breaking barriers and being an overcomer?

I was reading an article by Tara Duggan in the Chron Newsletter; she spoke about ways to overcome barriers. When you overcome barriers, you assess the situation, consult with wise counsel, figure out alternatives to overcome and finally take action. Now, that can mean something different to everyone. All of us have broken through a barrier of some sort, whether it was with education, the workplace, with family, in finances or our health.

In my journey to this point, I’ve broken through many barriers in my young 38 years. When you have a goal in mind for your life, you will do what it takes to accomplish that goal and succeed. I always remained in the background even though I worked hard behind the scenes. It wasn’t an easy ride to finish college, or work in the industry that I have always dreamed of. Most of all, the journey has been a learning experience and has pushed me to reach beyond limits. Barriers can cause you to miss opportunities or miss a blessing, like networking with great leaders. You never want to limit yourself or put yourself in a box. There is only one ME and one YOU. 

We all have the dream of having a perfect life and timeline of significant milestones, but we all know that things never happen the way we planned them. During struggle, isolation and pain, I’ve pushed through boundaries that limited me in different areas of my life. This has impacted me socially, mentally, spiritually and physically. I believe and stand firm in my faith in God to be my driving force to succeed. If it wasn’t for my faith, I wouldn’t be in the place that I am today. It’s always important to remain true to yourself and be your authentic self. You may have a time of disappointment, rejection, and failure but that is not the end-all and be-all. You can still OVERCOME and WIN. Even after this day is over, we still have work to do, people to help, lives to live and things to change. 

You can do anything you set your mind and heart on. You have to have faith and believe and you will succeed.

Toria Lee

Marketing and Communications Chair 

Summer Riddle for the Month

What room at school has the most stories?

Email us your answer at info@wictgreaterohio.org

Congratulations to our July winner Joyce Haussermann