Meet Joel Floyd, PhD

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joel Floyd, PhD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joel, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
One of my favorite quotes comes from the Christian Bible, the book of Romans, Chapter 8:28, where the Apostle Paul states, “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him…” This verse has been a source of strength for me during both the highs and lows of my entrepreneurial journey. It serves as a reminder that, no matter what happens, everything—both personal and business-related—will come together at the right time. It’s like assembling a puzzle; it’s a massive process, but as long as I keep God at the center, the goal, the dream, the business, and everything else will fall into place for the greater good. I believe this verse will always be my foundation.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
For the past twelve years, I have committed myself to helping adult immigrants (from all walks of life) overcome their limited English proficiency. As you may know, immigrants play a crucial role in America’s workforce, yet many immigrants find their pursuit of the American dream hindered by their inability to communicate in English proficiently. Hence, my business has been instrumental in providing the immigrant population, in Georgia, with both a nurturing and academic learning environment, preparing them to master the English language for survival, workforce/ career, and continuing education purposes. My twelve year entrepreneurial journey has not always been easy. Like many small business owners, I have faced significant setbacks. However, what has sustained the business is my focus on creating an inclusive community of learners. My English institute, along with all teaching stakeholders, has fostered a community where every learner is valued, has a voice, and is an equal participant in their educational journey. Often, we enroll adult immigrants who have come to the USA without family. Our adult English program has served not only as an educational provider but also as a family to our learners. Equally, I work hard to ensure that every one of my team members feel valued and respected. My leadership style is both democratic and transformative. I believe in investing in my people, ensuring they have all the tools they need to be successful on the job. Possessing a spirit of resilience has also helped me overcome the challenges the institute has encountered. When setbacks occur, one must be willing to push through despite the difficulties. Some business challenge appeared insurmountable, but my personal resilience taught me that there is always a way out. To every problem, there is a solution. So, for me, winning is the only option. Again, I stand on my belief that all things are working for my good.”

Two critical lessons I have learned along the way are: (1) the importance of patience and (2) the ability to discern the right team members. Patience is key. As an entrepreneur, one’s mind is always racing with thoughts of success and growth, but it is essential to be patient and understand that success is a process.
Next, there is a saying, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” For me, this is true every day. To succeed in business, one must have the right team—people who understand and are passionate about the mission. One bad apple can spoil the bunch, so I have learned to take my time in selecting people who are the right fit for my team. Ultimately, I want the world to know that dreams do come true. As cliché as it may sounds, anything is possible when one believes and put in the work. I want to be remembered as someone who helped to make the world, my community, and society a better place. I hope to exit this earth realm having made a profound and life changing impact on every person I’ve encountered.

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?
Day 1: Welcome to Atlanta Morning: Start with a visit to the Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world.
Lunch: Head to The Varsity, an iconic fast-food restaurant known for its chili dogs and frosted orange drinks.
Afternoon: Explore the World of Coca-Cola to learn about the history of the famous beverage.
Dinner: Enjoy Southern cuisine at Mary Mac’s Tea Room.
Day 2: History and Culture
Morning: Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.
Lunch: Try some delicious soul food at Busy Bee Cafe.
Afternoon: Tour the Atlanta History Center.
Dinner: Dine at South City Kitchen for a modern take on Southern classics.
Day 3: Outdoor Adventures
Morning: Hike up Stone Mountain for a stunning view of the city.
Lunch: Have a picnic at Piedmont Park.
Afternoon: Visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Dinner: Head to Ponce City Market for a variety of dining options.
Day 4: Arts and Entertainment
Morning: Explore the High Museum of Art.
Lunch: Enjoy a meal at Eats, a casual spot known for its jerk chicken.
Afternoon: Catch a show at the Fox Theatre.
Dinner: Dine at Canoe, located along the Chattahoochee River.
Day 5: Shopping and Relaxation
Morning: Shop at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza.
Lunch: Grab a bite at True Food Kitchen.
Afternoon: Relax at the Atlanta BeltLine and check out the street art.
Dinner: Enjoy a meal at Gunshow, a unique dining experience with a rotating menu.
Day 6: Sports and Fun
Morning: Tour the College Football Hall of Fame.
Lunch: Eat at The Vortex for some of the best burgers in town.
Afternoon: Visit Truist Park and catch an Atlanta Braves game.
Dinner: Head to Antico Pizza for some authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Day 7: Farewell
Morning: Take a stroll through the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Lunch: Have brunch at Sun in My Belly.
Afternoon: Visit the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
Dinner: End the trip with a memorable meal at Staplehouse.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

My spouse, family and friends: Their unwavering support and encouragement have been the backbone of my success. They have always believed in me, even during the toughest times.

Mentors and Colleagues: Special thanks to my mentors and colleagues in the adult education field who have guided me, shared their wisdom, and inspired me to keep pushing forward.

My Students: They deserve a huge shoutout for their resilience, determination, and hard work. Their success stories are my greatest motivation.

My Faith Community: Their prayers, support, and encouragement have been a constant source of strength and inspiration.

Website: www.englifeglobal.org

Instagram: eng4lifetime

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-floyd-35684744/