Resilience

Webster defines resilience as the ability to recover from or adjust to misfortune or change. I think about the profound legacy of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of knowledge that many have embraced throughout history. I want to explore something close to my heart: how understanding history fuels modern innovation and why mentoring the next generation is vital for building a brighter future.

The Past

History is filled with individuals who refused to let obstacles define them. From Frederick Douglass, Madam C.J. Walker, George Washington Carver, and Katherine Johnson, their stories aren’t just about triumph. They’re blueprints. As a Soldier in the U.S. Army, I studied past battles and conflicts to take lessons learned and apply them to the future. I understood how history repeats itself and if we don’t learn from it, we are doomed to repeat it. Those past battles gave me, as a leader, the blueprints for future success. The stories of the past remind us that passion, hard work, and resilience can break barriers—whether we’re talking about tech, entrepreneurship, or any field where challenges seem overwhelming.

Today

Innovation in IT isn’t just happening in labs or boardrooms. It’s everywhere. From downtown Milwaukee, out in Lake Country, small or large community initiatives across the state, and even social movements are fueled by creativity. The challenges we face today—whether in business, technology, or social norms—aren’t all that different from the ones faced by past generations. The key to overcoming them? The same mindset: adaptability, critical thinking, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. That’s why I feel so connected to the work I do with i.c.stars. They focus on empowering individuals through education, mentorship, and community.

Just like trailblazers opened doors for future generations, today’s innovators have the responsibility—and the opportunity—to do the same.

My Journey

My own path has been shaped by history, mentorship, and personal experience. Early in my military career, I was drawn to leaders and innovators who defied barriers and created lasting change in uniform and out. These weren’t just inspirational stories to me—they were fuel. They made me believe that a future in tech was possible, even when the road wasn’t clear.

I still remember a mentor telling me about Madam C.J. Walker’s grit and Garrett Morgan’s strategic brilliance. It stuck with me. It made me realize that history isn’t just something we admire from a far—it’s a guide for how we move forward. That perspective continues to shape the way I approach my work and the way I mentor others.

At i.c.stars, I’ve had the privilege of working with emerging leaders who are eager to carve out and write their own success stories. There’s something incredible about watching young professionals take lessons from history and apply them in ways that push industries forward. Every mentoring session reminds me: the bridge between past and future is built on shared knowledge and collective support.