The Art of Service | Stephanie Simmons

How important do you think the arts are to our culture?
The arts serve as a bridge between diverse communities, fostering understanding, empathy, and appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives. Throughout my life, I have encountered various forms of artistic expression that resonate with me and my experiences. The arts serve as a catalyst for social change and conversation. They allow us to see ourselves reflected in literature, film, music, visual arts, and other mediums that validate our experiences and foster a comforting sense of belonging.
My introduction to the arts was in music and plays at church. I was heavily influenced by gospel music and the local radio station playing 60’s, ’70 & 80’s R&B from the greats. I sang in my local church, where I found my voice. I continued to sing in high school and toured with my HBCU chorus. My arts understanding grew as I traveled internationally and moved throughout the country, understanding diverse cultural expressions that fostered historical communal connections and shared experiences.

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The arts provide a platform for storytelling and representation. Throughout history, artists have used their crafts as avenues for creativity and self-expression. Various art forms challenge injustice and advocate for equality. As someone who has witnessed societal shifts and changes, I understand the power art has in inspiring activism and sparking conversations. The arts are essential to the inspiration of our culture. From poetry, painting, and sculpture to dance, art provides an outlet for exploring emotions, processing life, and connecting on a deeper level.
Whether I’m listening to a powerful orchestral performance that sparks conversations about social justice or immersing myself in a vibrant discussion over a podcast on social media, these experiences serve as dialogue for reflection. These artistic expressions allow individuals to unite, disagree, celebrate diversity, and confront critical societal issues. As someone who values and actively participates in creative endeavors, I understand the arts' transformative power in nurturing emotional resilience, fostering self-expression, and promoting mental health.
 
Who are you beyond the professional woman?
Beyond the professional woman, my life is woven with threads of love, resilience, friendship, and determination. I am the oldest of my parent's two daughters, raised in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, by two hard-working parents. My mom was a head nurse with gynecology and obstetrics, and my father was a police detective. I was raised in the church, I am a God-fearing woman who is Christ-led and believes in the power of prayer. I get the most joy from the simple pleasures of life. I love to laugh, spend time with family and friends, listen to good music, and dance at an outdoor concert or on a dance floor to a complicated hustle. I also love the comforts of home, reading oddly informative researched information, relaxing at a beautiful resort spa, baking, eating good food, and exploring the world through relaxing travel. Lately, I've been on a personal healing journey seeking out the best mental wellness for me. Honestly, even though I enjoy public speaking, I am also a bit of a self-described introvert & loner, private but very giving, and loving.
I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio; however, I’ve lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, for 18 years off and on, after graduating from Central State University, where I credit to growing into adulthood. There, I made lifelong friends that I still have now. Then I married and moved to Denver, Colorado, and was there for several years, where I raised a beautiful bonus daughter, completed my master's degree, and pledged to Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc., through Denver’s Mile High Alumnae Chapter Spring 2008. After the divorce in 2012, I took a job that relocated me to Birmingham, Alabama for a few years. While on a business trip in southern Alabama, I was diagnosed with Follicular Thyroid Cancer, alone. Soon, followed with two surgeries that resulted in the complete removal of my Thyroid gland. As a result of this diagnosis, I am now an advocate for thyroid-related disorders, as I currently live as a Thyroid Cancer survivor and a hypothyroidism warrior.
Shortly after my Cancer bout, my father fell ill with Cancer. Upon this knowledge, I decided to move my life to his small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia, to care for him & become his primary caregiver, as he had no family close. To be honest, it was a difficult responsibility, yet I fulfilled it with love, unwavering devotion, and grace by his side until his passing from Colorectal Cancer at his home in November 2020, just as he’d asked.  I purchased my father's home just before he passed to have a place to live. Now, after relocating my whole life to Georgia, I am here, feeling a bit displaced with no family or close friends; however, I am doing my best to make a successful life for myself. Honestly, I have been contemplating whether I should stay and keep the home my father worked so hard to obtain and/or move again, as this home is not my choice and is filled with loving, albeit very sad memories.
Although I am divorced and have no biological children of my own. In my previous marriage, I had the distinct pleasure of assisting in raising my beautiful “Bonus” daughter, who continues to regard me as a mother lovingly. Her continued choice to include me in her life after her father and I divorced speaks to our genuine love and commitment toward one another. I am grateful to be in her life in this way and take no pleasure in overstepping boundaries or the opportunity to thank her birth parents for sharing this humble honorific. Also, in my past life as a young adult, I led a girl's youth ministry in Cincinnati, Ohio, for girls 8-18. I impacted young lives, and a few stood out and had a residual impact on mine. There are two who specifically still include me in their lives with respect and affection and have gone on to be beautiful mothers of their own. These three girls I affectionately call my daughters and they call me “mom.”  If there is a better word for grateful, I would place it here. Beyond words!  Today, these same young ladies stand tall in their individual achievements, raising beautiful children, and are in successful marriages a mere testament to the seeds of unconditional love and wisdom sown into their hearts.
Amidst the family, friends, and moves, my soul still has a yearning and a hunger for something more. More depth and more meaningful connections, something my unwavering determination and boundless optimism is craving. Yeah, I used to belong to several churches, holding differing ministries and belong to charitable organizations where I gave of my time and money, and there is nothing wrong with that. I look forward to more of it in the future. However, I am looking inward at this pivotal point in my life. Practicing my faith and love on myself. Resting.  Who I am beyond the professional woman is charting the course from within and discovering a unique love of myself. I have always been a nurturing soul, but you can’t give from an empty cup. I have never poured so much love into myself as I am now, it’s empowering. I am being a bit selfish, really.  I know my journey is far from over, and there are more dreams to be realized, lands to be traveled, people to meet and love legacies to be seen. I embrace this unique tapestry of my life as I move forward with new threads of hope, openness, and enthusiasm with each opportunity I take. My life outside of my profession is filled with love, courage, strength, and the enduring power of my human spirit to overcome all obstacles and emerge with experience, wisdom, and victory at the end. 

What is it about public speaking do you enjoy?
Why would a self-prescribed private introvert enjoy public speaking in a world where social media has silenced the world from connection and communication? Public speaking resonates with me because I always say that everyone has 6 inherent needs to be seen, heard, valued, respected, understood, and loved. Even in a world where silence often dominates the narrative, I still enjoy these basic underlying needs public speaking provides, whether standing before a live audience or addressing faces on a screen. 
Public speaking is more than just delivering a message. For me, it’s about connecting with a diverse audience and sharing my wisdom and experience with others through conversation. It provides a platform of interaction to build meaningful relationships, inspire, and educate. It allows me to embrace my voice and to personally encourage others to reach their aspirational goals while reaching my own. This allows me to overcome my fear of being in front of others. It offers me the opportunity to boost my self-esteem and self-assurance publicly, which is challenging for others.
Clear and effective communication skills are often valued in a professional setting. As a Black woman in my 50s, public speaking allows me to highlight my abilities, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for issues and positive change, which I am passionate about. One of the greatest joys I find through public speaking is how it can impact and amplify marginalized voices. I understand and know the feeling of being silenced and marginalized. Through speaking, I share my own personal experiences authentically that impact me and my community, to speak not only for myself but for those whose stories often go untold.  
Through continuous practice, every speaking engagement presents an opportunity for growth and learning. Keeping an open mind, I welcome feedback from engaged participants through thoughtful dialogue. This allows me to hone my skills each time I speak. Whether addressing a crowd virtually or in person, I appreciate the power of connection. Each time, I do my best to approach every speaking situation with determination. I do get a little nervous before each engagement, as I know each speaker has room for improvement. However, knowing that my voice carries the power to encourage others makes it easier to go out there each time. 
 
Given your full life, what will be your legacy?
Learning how to prioritize my happiness and well-being has given me renewed confidence. God’s loving-kindness towards me has found favor in my life in countless ways, and I am eternally grateful. Though I am reserved and private by nature, I am learning how to embrace vulnerability and authenticity in relationships, knowing that true connection comes from a place of self-reflection, honesty, and openness. I have given of myself and my time so much that I am in a place of receipt, which is not easy, as I am a giver. In this lifetime I have realized that I have overcome so much with great determination and resiliency. I am not afraid to embark on a new journey and achieve new and exciting opportunities. I have yet to determine my true legacy completely, but from this point, here are a few things I have determined I would like my legacy to be.
I have dedicated three decades of experience in early childhood, touching the lives of families for generations. My passion for this work is evident as my resume speaks to my knowledge and commitment to the service of the work. I have seen the fruits of my labor. In addition, I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and I find great pleasure in the bond of sisterhood dedicated to community and service. Despite the sisterhood’s outgoing demeanor of events and action, I prefer to treasure moments of quiet service, where I can reflect and recharge, not necessarily in the spotlight, knowing my work for Delta is not in vain.
Though I may not have biological children, my heart overflows with love for my family. My greatest joy lies in the comfort of friends and family. Family is not always blood-related. I treasure my family and friends and pray that I will leave an indelible mark on my bonus daughters and their families. I have instilled love, compassion, and wisdom in their lives and their families, loving them as my own. I have opened my home to friends who have fallen on challenging times and offered a safe space for them to rest and regain the strength to run successfully on their own. I have given of my time to spend with friends after the loss of a loved one or during times of need. I, too, have received the same. Spending time with loved ones brings me immense joy. I cherish the laughter and camaraderie during my time with loving family and friends; I believe they feel the same.
I envision my legacy as one of love, resilience, determination, self-love, exploration, and compassion. I sincerely hope my journey is a source of true inspiration and encouragement for those lives with whom I touch. However, there is so much more to be determined as I have more life experiences and goals to reach, achieve, and overcome. With God’s continued grace, it is my hope to complete all of what He has in store for me.
 
How have the arts impacted your life?
The arts have impacted my life in countless ways. Whether it be growing up in a rich cultural environment or through my travels, I have found the arts to be a source of inspiration, advocacy, and storytelling in various expressions. The arts have offered me a window into diverse perspectives and experiences broadening my understanding of the world beyond my immediate surroundings.
Music, particularly gospel music, held great significance for me. I resonated deeply with hearing the soulful rhythm and melodies played within the Black churches I have attended. Be it the old spiritual hymns or the upbeat, rhythmic, encouraging modern gospel offerings, they all stirred my soul. Jazz also had a hold on me for a while. The misgivings of Thelonious Monk and the smooth sounds of Geralc Albright made me appreciate the ability to hear. Music also connected me with poetry and spoken word, and they all offered me a profound sense of connection with my cultural roots, which I had never imagined.
Visual arts have always intrigued me. From ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and African sculptures to paintings by Paul Goodnight to the movement of modern dance by Alvin Ailey, art has a way of eliciting such joy. Be it plays or the simplicity of Ansel Adams's black-and-white landscape photography, I appreciate and am inspired by it all. Visual art offers a unique window into experiences and expressions that can be treasured throughout history.
Over the years, the arts have provided me with a sense of identity, community connection, and purpose. I have utilized the power of art to inspire activism and spark conversations. I am aware that art is all around us, in us, and used in our daily lives. Seen in marketing, on our television apps, heard in our cars through podcasts and music, or sculptural lived expressions in our bedrooms and living room furniture. Artistic creativity knows no bounds, as the expression of the arts is essential to our culture and the history of our being.

What’s next for you?
My journey ahead is one of continued growth, fulfillment, and accomplishment. I am still blazing my own trail, trying not to be pressured by societal norms, and trying my best to chart a memorable path that is uniquely my own.
Through my career in education, the sky is the limit. Creative opportunities abound with the right support and backing. I may embark on an entrepreneurial endeavor, a podcast, speaking engagements, a meditational journey, or a defining national event utilizing my expertise and experience in new ways to benefit education. My interests are varied. I will offer my skills for speaking engagements and mentorship opportunities that have yet to be explored. I plan to lend myself to more active participation in my sorority and other organizations I am a member of, like AARP and National Black Child Development Institute, and support advocacy for Thyroid-related disorders.  I have also considered pursuing another advanced degree although it is not a desired consideration.
While I may desire companionship and love, my relationship status does not define me. I will continue to deepen my connections with friends and family, finding fulfillment in meaningful relationships and shared moments of joy and laughter.  I am also looking forward to being a loving grandparent.  Personally, I would like to continue lifelong pursuits of strengthening my faith and spiritual growth through travel and new experiences and offering myself through service and connection to the community. I will also continue prioritizing self-care, health, and personal development, nurturing my mind, body, and spirit.
What’s next for me? Well at this age, time is of the essence, right? However, I still hold out hope and openness to new mercies revealed to me daily, as the sky is the limit, and I’m shooting for the stars!