Self-Development In African Diaspora Community – Yvette Boucher-Gardner Explains
Self-development refers to the intentional and ongoing process of individuals taking proactive steps to improve and grow in various aspects of their lives, including personal, professional, emotional, and intellectual dimensions.
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Series for Small Businesses.
It involves setting goals, acquiring new skills, gaining self-awareness, and cultivating positive habits and attitudes, all to unlock one’s full potential and achieve a greater sense of fulfillment and success.
Self-development is a lifelong journey that empowers individuals to become the best versions of themselves, continually adapting and evolving to meet their changing aspirations and circumstances.
See the full podcast interview with Yvette Boucher-Gardner
How to Develop Yourself In the African Diaspora Community
Developing oneself within the African Diaspora community involves personal growth, empowerment, and contributing positively to the community’s well-being. Here are five key ways to do so:
1. Education and Skill Development:
Pursue higher education or vocational training to acquire valuable skills and knowledge.
Support educational initiatives within the community, such as mentoring or tutoring programs, to help others access quality education.
2. Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment:
Start or support African Diaspora-owned businesses to create economic opportunities within the community.
Invest in financial literacy and savings to secure financial stability and independence.
3. Cultural Preservation and Promotion:
Embrace and celebrate African culture and heritage through art, music, dance, and literature.
Share your cultural knowledge with others, especially younger generations, to ensure its preservation.
4. Community Engagement and Advocacy:
Get involved in community organizations and initiatives that address social, economic, and political issues affecting the African Diaspora.
Advocate for social justice, equality, and representation in local and national politics.
5. Health and Wellness:
Prioritize physical and mental health through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management.
Raise awareness about health disparities within the African Diaspora community and support initiatives that aim to address them.
Remember that these ways to develop yourself in the African Diaspora community are interconnected. By improving your own skills and well-being, you become better equipped to make a positive impact on the community.
About the guest – Yvette Boucher-Gardner
This woman has a passion for lives as her motto states, “Making the difference, one life at a time.”
She lives her motto currently in the capacity as the Principal Probation Aftercare Officer for St. James, substantively working as a Social Work Administrator. Her Master of Science Degree in Counselling and Consulting Psychology along with her postgraduate Diploma in Loss, Grief, and Trauma Management has ably equipped her for this area of her life.
She has been working in this capacity at different levels since 2006, moving from the most outstanding new entrant probation aftercare officer in 2007 to representing the department in the United Kingdom in 2010 to her present position.
Her life is not limited to this one area. She has also been engaged in teaching and lecturing psychology courses at various institutions including two of her former, The Montego Bay High School for Girls and International University of the Caribbean; also her church’s Bible School – College of Theological and Interdisciplinary Studies. When not at work, she engages in counseling interventions primarily with women and adolescent girls experiencing challenges in functioning optimally in different settings.
She has made presentations in the form of workshops and speaking engagements secularly and spiritually which takes her into schools, business places, and churches of different denominations locally and nationally.
Her other involvements include being a member of a school board, a girl’s home, her past students’ association, Jamaican Psychological Society of which she is now the western regional representative.
You thought that was all. She was the owner and manager of a successful business for fifteen (15) years, using up her Bachelor of Science Degree (Honours) in Management Studies.
Accolades attached to this passionate, multidisciplinary intelligent, ambitious, beautiful woman of God include:
Woman of the Year for St. James from the Seventh Day Adventist Churches for community service.
Regional and National Queen for Open Bible Standard Churches of Jamaica Women of Worth Ministry.
Among some of the things she uses to fill her leisure time are reading, attending plays, and writing. She has completed one book titled Living Water for the Christian Journey: A 31-Day Devotional of Healing and Refreshing.
Learn More About Obehi Podcast
Obehi Podcast brings you leaders and experts from different industries to share their experiences, relating to the African diaspora, business, and storytelling. Listen to Obehi Podcast across different platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcast, YouTube, and much more.
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Series for Small Businesses.
