Her Story
About Michle
I grew up in Paris, France, as the first daughter of immigrants. I have a legal background and was an attorney. My thing has always been equity and justice in the world. I know what it is to not have the same advantages when you start. I never see myself as a minority, but I cannot doubt that factually I am - I'm a woman, I'm a Black woman, I'm a daughter of immigrants, and I grew up in another country. Now I became an immigrant myself, a Black woman immigrant. After having a legal career, my focus has always been on giving back to people who may be given less opportunity. I came to the U.S. and did an MBA with a specialization in social entrepreneurship. I really wanted to use the corporate and business part to help the less privileged. I've always been in volunteering, especially with education, because I really believe that things start with kids. I've done this since I was a teen - after-school programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters equivalent in Europe, and I continued when I arrived in the U.S. while doing my MBA. I was working in corporate and in a law firm. When I arrived in Atlanta during the pandemic, I met the founder of the Pave Foundation, Gail Tucson Washington, while she was transitioning and retiring. I took the position as executive director. It's a part-time job, but the fact is I'm doing most of the things by myself, which can be super isolating. I'm currently looking for a job in the nonprofit sector that pays more sustainably.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Michle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I really think that there's a drive, and I often say that I'm basically stubborn. I think that because I'm stubborn, I succeed to do a lot of things because I do not want to let defeat win. It's not that I believe in myself, that's not true, but I refuse to let defeat be right. Even though it's been one or two years where things haven't been easy for me, I always say that I don't know, maybe it's because I'm stubborn, but that stubbornness keeps me going and helps me succeed.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
See yourself as successful. As humans, we often work toward being successful but we do not see ourselves as successful. Successful for some women will be juggling the infamous balance between personal life and professional life. Life is not like Usain Bolt where once we have the finish line, it's finished. As women, I would say to young women: see yourself as successful. Accept your failure, do not be a failure. Work towards your goal, but every day, see the small steps that you do as a success. We can spend our life never seeing ourselves as successful because one aspect of our life is not working, or because we didn't get something, and we do not enjoy and benefit from the fruit of what we have.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My thing has always been equity and justice in the world. I always wanted equity and justice. I know that we do not all start with the same advantages in the world. I'm totally aware that in spite of being a minority and maybe having some lack of privilege, I have opportunities. It's like the saying - you complain that you have no shoes, but what about somebody who does not have feet? I really wanted to use the corporate and business part to help the less privileged. I really believe that things start with kids. I find joy in everything - during the pandemic, that's really something that sustained me. What brings you joy? It can be small things. I identify what brings me joy and I do my best every day to inflict that joy in my life.
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