Integrating Faith and Career: Stories from Successful Women of Color
Introduction
Navigating the corporate world as a recent graduate can be daunting, especially for women of color who often face unique challenges. But, with faith and determination, many have not only succeeded but also flourished. Today, we spotlight three inspiring black women whose faith played a crucial role in their journey to success: XayLi Barclay, Candace Junee, and myself, Sydney Montgomery. Through their stories, we hope to inspire you to pursue your dreams and find strength in your faith.
XayLi Barclay: From Immigrant Dreamer to Camera Confidence Coach
XayLi Barclay's journey began when she immigrated to the United States from Trinidad at the age of 18 to study Business Management. Balancing multiple jobs and adjusting to life in a bustling new city, she learned resilience early on. XayLi's career path was diverse; she ventured into various industries, which enriched her experience and set the foundation for her future success.
Today, XayLi is a renowned Camera Confidence Coach, empowering entrepreneurs and leaders to harness the power of video content. Her unique approach helps individuals stand out and engage their audience effectively. She offers tailored guidance that attracts, nurtures, and converts viewers into loyal customers.
Reflecting on her journey, XayLi emphasizes the importance of faith: "My journey wouldn't be possible without faith. Sometimes we lose sight of God and what He wants us to do, but one thing I love is that He always pulls us back." Through her educational videos and comprehensive online courses, she equips others with the skills and confidence to tell impactful stories and grow their businesses.
Her perseverance and faith led her to achieve milestones she never thought possible. By investing in herself and her craft, XayLi transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship, helping others achieve their dreams while conquering her own.
You can find XayLi’s website here!
Candace Junee: Building a Community for Christian Women Entrepreneurs
Candace Junee is the founder of Epic Fab Girl, a vibrant community dedicated to helping Christian women entrepreneurs build profitable brands. With an MBA in marketing and extensive corporate experience, Candace uses her expertise to help women scale their businesses and achieve remarkable results.
Candace's entrepreneurial journey wasn't without its struggles. After graduating from college, she landed a lucrative corporate job but felt unfulfilled. She took a leap of faith, quitting her job to pursue entrepreneurship. Despite her qualifications, generating consistent income and securing high-paying clients was challenging.
"I know exactly how it feels to know you're good at what you do but struggle to get paid what you deserve," Candace shares on her website (hyperlink). Her faith and perseverance kept her going. Today, she helps women master their marketing, achieve significant financial milestones, and reduce their workload, allowing them more time to do what they love.
Epic Fab Girl started in 2016 with the mission to help women overcome fear and pursue their God-given purpose. The community provides Black and minority Christian women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and support they need to build successful businesses. Through prayer calls, memberships, podcasts, and conferences, Epic Fab Girl fosters a supportive environment where women can flourish in their calling.
When interviewed on the Serenity For Success Podcast , Candace shares the inspiring consideration that "sometimes following God may lead you to the trenches, but that doesn't mean you're off track."
Sydney Montgomery: Aligning Faith with Passion and Purpose
My own journey is a testament to the power of aligning faith with one's career. As the daughter of a Jamaican immigrant mother and military parents, I was the first from my high school to attend Princeton University and later Harvard Law School. Despite these achievements, I found myself struggling with anxiety, depression, and an autoimmune condition while working at a law firm.
I realized I was not where I was supposed to be, despite following the expected path. It was through realigning my faith with my passion and calling that I found new confidence, hope, and direction. This alignment led me to establish Barrier Breakers®, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting first-generation and marginalized students in higher education.
With training from Princeton Theological Seminary and a heart for first-generation graduates and young women of color, I now provide coaching to help first gen graduates and other women of color to navigate life's challenges and opportunities. My journey has taught me that true success comes from integrating faith with one's career and using personal experiences to make a meaningful impact.
I have subsequently been given some amazing opportunities such as giving a TedX talk and appearing on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list!
Conclusion
The stories of XayLi Barclay, Candace Junee, and myself illustrate the transformative power of faith in achieving career success. These women have turned challenges into opportunities and used their faith as a guiding force in their professional journeys. For recent graduates, especially women of color, these stories serve as a reminder that faith and perseverance can lead to remarkable achievements. Embrace your faith, pursue your passions, and know that you have the strength to overcome any obstacle in your path.
Want to hear more about these women’s journeys and how their faith has shaped their walks in the business world? Check out my podcast ‘Serenity For Success’ to listen to my interviews with both XayLi and Candace! (hyperlink podcast episodes)
