With the recent passing of Nelson Mandela, I joined most of the world in mourning a life lost, but celebrating a life lived to the fullest. As South Africa’s first black president, and an anti-Apartheid and civil rights icon, there is no doubt that history will remember Mandela as one of the greatest men who ever lived! As I thought over what I know of his life, I could not help but be inspired. There is something to be said when the underdog triumphs over obstacles. There’s something more to be said when he does so with an entire nation on his back. No matter where you and I find ourselves in life, I am convinced there is something we can all learn from the life of Mandela! As he has inspired me over the years, my commitment is to continue to serve our clients, workshops attendees, and our community. It is in this spirit and with great pleasure that I share some our P.E.R.K. Consulting highlights of the past 12 months.
January: P.E.R.K. Consulting officially launches in the DC area at Rahama restaurant in Washington DC. Over 80 people joined in celebrating the launch of the company.
February: Andrena is named among the WKYS “Top 30 Under 30” in the Washington DC area.
April: P.E.R.K. begins a series of bimonthly personal and professional development workshops at the Arlington Employment Center (AEC).
*P.E.R.K. is proud to be featured as part of the 2013 Elite Eight of the Under30CEO Entrepreneur Mashup! Out of hundreds, we were selected as 1 of 16 up and coming companies founded and led by an entrepreneur under the age of 30. We then went on to advance to the Elite Eight.
May: P.E.R.K. partners as a workshop facilitator on youth mobilization at the Ethiopian Community Development Corporation’s 19th National Conference
July- P.E.R.K. partners with the Sierra Leonean Empowerment Network in launching the first Sierra Leonean Empowerment Expo-the first event of its kind in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
October: The first Embracing YOU Women’s Conference takes places in Hyattsville, MD! The conference featured personal, professional, health & wellness, and fashion experts in empowering and mobilizing women.
November: Andrena is included as a “Featured Entrepreneur” in AfroElle Magazine.
December:The last of the personal development workshops at the AEC is successfully completed! Participants report successes to include obtaining employment, reaching personal and financial goals.
*P.E.R.K begins preparations for our 1 Year Anniversary Celebration!
Thank you for the role that you played in helping us reach these milestones. Our ambition is to continue to grow to do much more in 2014. Stay tuned!
Andrena Sawyer, President
P.E.R.K. Consulting