Her Story
About Velma
Velma J. Kirksey-Tarver is the founder and director of the Institute for Global Outreach, a nonprofit she established in 2007 after being inspired by images of children suffering in developing countries. She began the work with a sponsorship program for 30 children in Ethiopia that has since grown to serve about 1,300 children and includes four outreach initiatives focused on education, nutrition, female entrepreneurship, and college student empowerment through programs such as IGO Scholars. Velma is also a certified life coach with approximately 17 years of experience, having completed her certification through the International Coaches Federation via Invite Change, and she owns Reflections Life Coaching. She earned her MBA from LSU and received her PhD in public policy from Southern University in Baton Rouge two years ago after returning to school following a 30-year hiatus. Her work is driven by hard work and empathy, values she attributes to her success, along with a commitment to lifelong learning and inspiring other mothers.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Velma
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say definitely hard work. But empathy. When I help these children and these families, I really do tap into how I would feel if that were my child. And that's what makes me... that's the driving force for me, is doing for others what I would want someone to do for me, or for my children, or for my family, or my loved ones if I wasn't in the position to do it myself.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice when it comes to the nonprofit is actually when I was training to become a life coach. One of my colleagues... she asked me this question... how many people would you have to help to be okay? ... I thought, you know. If there was one person there, what did that one person was my child. Would I want someone to do everything they possibly could to help that one person? Of course, the answer was yes. So I came back to her, and I said, Cynthia, if I help one person. That would be enough.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say, don't allow anyone's... become so passionate about whatever it is that you are determined to do. Whether it's school, career, giving back, whatever it's service, whatever it might be. Become so incredibly passionate about it. That you become unstoppable. ... every time someone would close a door, it gave me energy. ... No just means find some… no just means not this person, and not this way. But there's another way.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge for me is… raising the… raising funds. Fundraising would probably be the biggest challenge. ... making sure that we reach those individuals in those remote areas that really need the support. ... wishing I could help more people, you know? Seeing so much suffering and having to turn people away. That is hurtful.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my personal life, my family. My family, my daughters. ... family is, first of all, what I value, and I also value, really, inspiring other mothers to see the value in being a mother, and the value in family... I value continuing to learn. And grow. Don't let age determine what we do in this world. ... Be a forever student.
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