We had the good fortune of connecting with Aisha Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aisha, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I always had faith and as the scriptures say, “Faith without works, is dead”. In my career, as I have navigated new opportunities and even in day to day, critical situations. I have had to lean on my faith and then act, taking that risk!

I tend to run towards things, that aren’t the norm and I like to walk into my fear, to overcome it. I have followed the path less taken and I’m grateful for it.

Choosing to go to college in Charlotte, NC in 2009. 10 hours away from all of my family was a risk but it paid off. I was able to land a role with Microsoft Corporation straight from college.

Even now, in my current role I took a risk of taking a role in the Midwest, in Sales. This was a new opportunity that scared me for many years! I get the opportunity to finally live between two states, which was a dream of mine.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have the pleasure of having two careers! One, as the Microsoft Account Executive for Academic Medical Centers and Higher Education and another as CEO/Founder of ACupofTeawithaBlackwoman.com both opportunities overlap each other in much of my work!

I have the honor of working with really impactful researchers and professors on a regular basis. Learning about their world-changing projects and initiatives focused on digital equity, health equity and providing access to those in need. Being able to also formulate strategic partnerships and drive our tech partners and startup ecosystem, into opportunities that are mutually beneficial and impactful, It fills me up!

I know that the work I do every day, is changing the world we live in ( and it doesn’t hurt, I get to see it in “real time”). Helping to shape the outcomes of industry changes and educational changes, as we look at new remote experiences that bring collaboration into the future to a new light. Many of my clients are interested in how the Metaverse can either bridge or hurt collaboration and equitable education environments into the future.

Was it easy getting here? By no means, there is no easy button that skips the “highs or the lows”. I had speech issues growing up and I struggled with mathematics, even took a few “extra help” classes to enforce basic skills.

On paper, you couldn’t have even dreamed of my story with the data presented. I also came from separated parents, experienced various forms of abuse at different points in my life, rape, molestation. I was overweight and I had three friends die the year before I graduated, went into a depression and never attended any college tours.

However, I had seen how education and opportunity could perhaps shift my life. My mother was an immigrant and my stepdad a Brooklyn native from the projects. My mom was able to move us from a small condo, where the seven of us slept amongst three rooms. To a seven-bedroom home with much land. My mom was able to go back to school and earn a degree, graduating with a 4.0 and we suddenly went from clothes in a black trash bag from family and friends to real shopping trips for school clothes.

I’d like to think, my stepdad who was able to get a degree from Howard University in Microbiology also played a part. I can remember times, where he made sure my hair was brushed for school since my mom may not have been able too. They were a team and I saw how despite most of my stepdad’s friends being either dead or in jail. Education was a pathway – I just didn’t feel like I was smart!

I had to learn how to believe in myself, that took faith! That took motivation and encouragement from my stepdad and mom. My stepdad would tell me, “You are going to be a BOSS Chick” “You are going to run things” He even prophesied I’d work at Microsoft many years before, I received the opportunity!

Entering into corporate America was another struggle. I didn’t know how to thrive in such a big arena, like Microsoft. I’m still learning new things about the company almost 10 years of being full time! Microaggressions are real and I didn’t know how to stand up for myself or for others. I didn’t know how to respectfully “talk back” by proving a point with facts. That didn’t work in my home growing up, so entering the workplace was foreign.

I had many mentors, peers and elders. “I took the meat and left the bones” which is an old saying that I listened to what worked for me and felt right for me. I also, remember my grandmother, Therese’s words, “He who feels it, knows it”. Only I, can know what I’m feeling, so I always try to double check with me, if I’m good.

I want the world to know that there is so much wealth, knowledge and people to support. You can change the cards you are dealt, if you first have faith and then you act with the faith! Be ready, so you do not have to get ready. Everyone doing something, can help change anything! What do you bring to the table? Share it, your story, your knowledge was not meant for you alone. My goal is to pour out as much as I can, as it is poured into me. I want the world to know that Black woman, like myself, exist. We are not just the view you see in negative media images, we are leaders, we are teachers, and we are grooming the next generation, as we always have!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For the weekend? My weekends start on Thursday, despite having to work Friday’s. My favorite place to hit up on a Thursday afternoon is Ms. Icey’s Kitchen in Decatur, they have some of the best blueberry cornbread and it’s a must-try!

By Thursday evening, I’m typically visiting “Rock Steady” for my second time, in the week. As they have an amazing Amapiano Tuesday night. Bomb dinner and a kicking DJ! Plus, you’ll typically find business professionals, entrepreneurs and artist in the spot!

Friday afternoon, I’m at the Botanical Garden, enjoying a nice cup of wine and sudoku puzzles as a brain teaser.

Friday night partying is optional but tons of places in the city, like Suite Food Lounge, Ponce City Market or the new “The Works” for drinks and meeting new people.

Saturday is breakfast at any of the amazing food spots in Georgia, like “The Real Milk & Honey” in College Park or Gocha’s Breakfast bar in Cascade.

I really enjoy meeting people throughout the city. Atlanta, has heart beat and it pulses through anyone who has ever spent time there, it’s a culture, it’s a network. It’s love, and you feel it in Atlanta more than anywhere else, in my humble opinion.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to Shout Out God and the Holy Scriptures canonical and non-canonical for helping me through moments of uncertainty, providing an example, strategy on “when to act and when not to react” and letting me know that “I’m okay”. Christ has been the best example of how to preserve despite many trials and endurance was what Christ found and it’s what has been provided to me!

Website: https://www.acupofteawithablackwoman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eshatheblackwomanintech/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aisha-davis-ce/

Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-cup-of-tea-with-a-black-woman/

Image Credits
Coolievisuals

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