Celebrating the Brilliant Winners of the 2019 Charles & Colvard Women’s Empowerment Scholarship

Charles & Colvard partnered with Wake Technical Community College to award two deserving women the Charles & Colvard Women’s Empowerment Scholarship – an award specifically designed to support women in the community that are seeking higher education and actively pursuing their long-term career goals. To learn more about this scholarship, we encourage you to visit this page.

Recently, we caught up for a Q&A session with both winners: Ashley Mobley and Latiffa Lindsey. These lovely ladies opened up on topics of personal achievements, encouragement, and advice for the next brilliant woman. Read on to see just what makes them so very deserving of this scholarship…. 

What does brilliance mean to you?

Ashley:
Just like describing a gemstone, brilliance in my opinion pertains to unique qualities of distinction (i.e. Imaginative thought, resiliency, praiseworthy accomplishments). Brilliance surpasses, and perhaps even outlasts, mere intellect. It is brilliance that makes a person shine like a gemstone.

Latiffa:
I think brilliance relates to understanding. In order to succeed, you need to be able to understand others’ point of view. Then, you become the most brilliant human being when you’re selfless in this regard.

What do you feel makes you brilliant?

Ashley:
I feel that my resilience is what makes me brilliant. It’s my ability to overcome adversity and utilize challenging experiences for growth. My brilliance lies in my ability to maintain a positive outlook on life and to always look on the bright side - which has ultimately allowed me to shine through my successes, achievements and accomplishments.

Latiffa:
I always try to be very compassionate toward others and I feel most brilliant when I can give to others through a sort of recycling of goodwill. In short, my motto in life is, “Hand to hand, blessing to blessing.”

What is the best advice you’ve received?

Ashley:
The best advice I have ever received is that if you want something you don't have, you have to do something you've never done. Taking chances and doing things that are unfamiliar or feel uncomfortable, can be some of the most challenging and terrifying moments in life - but they can also be the most rewarding! I have learned that sometimes we have to step outside of our comfort zone to achieve the goals that we set and maybe, just maybe, achieve our wildest dreams.

Latiffa:
The best advice I’ve received was that there is never enough time, never a best time...so just take the chance. You’re never going to necessarily be ready for whatever is next, so just jump in!

What advice would you give to someone who is setting out to make a change, chase a dream or start a new career?

Ashley:
The advice I’d offer to this specific someone would be that sometimes you have to learn to ride a bicycle while you are still building it. This advice represents the journey of self-discovery I set out on several years back when I started identifying obstacles in my life and determining a method to overcoming them. I was faced with developing new tools and skills for managing various setbacks. I was already on the bicycle, but had to learn an entirely different way of living through building the life for myself that I knew I wanted.

I feel that the key to being successful in this process was to remain patient and to take things one step at a time. Sometimes, taking baby steps is necessary in making changes, attaining goals or fulfilling dreams. Other times, drastic action must be taken to be successful, and it is important to have the ability to be able to differentiate between what tactic to utilize and when. So…never stop building!

Latiffa:
I would tell that person that sometimes you just need to take the first step in order to start. A lot in life comes from taking initiative. Don’t be afraid of the “no’s” and don’t let doubt get in the way, but rather, take the chance! 

What are you most looking forward to in the next year?

Ashley:
In the next year, I am looking forward to starting a new, part-time position while continuing on as a full-time student to complete my second degree in the human services field. I’m excited to start a role that combines my previous education with my professional and personal experience, in addition to my knowledge, credentials and degree in human services!

Latiffa:
I am starting to look forward to graduating with my new degree! I graduate in May 2020 and will start my new career in diagnostic radiography. Wake Tech Community has been a blessing throughout my schooling. In particular, they were very flexible with different obligations that came up in my schedule at times, and I absolutely loved my classmates! 

Please join us in congratulating and celebrating these women and their accomplishments! We can’t wait to see what brilliant things will come their way next!