Meet Patricia Morgan, PhD | Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Consultant, Educator, & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Patricia, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I’ve been more conscious of work-life balance after watching the movie, “Eat Pray Love” five years ago. It prompted me to look at my life as more than just checklists and to value life’s unique experiences (good and bad). After watching that movie, I made a promise to embrace the unknown and see 50 states and 50 countries in 5 years. I’m currently at 44 and 48 respectively, but due to COVID, I will not make the 5-year timeline. I look forward to continuing my travels when it’s safe to do so. I value those moments because I get to log out of work and be in the moment. I place my phone on airplane mode and only use it to take pictures and find directions. This is one tactic, and I am admittedly still trying to find the right balance. My goal is to eventually have a four-day workweek for me and my team. Life is more than working – even if you’re doing something you love.

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?
My doctoral dissertation, “Negotiating White Science in an Ethnically and Diverse United States,” was on the role of race in the science classroom. I never saw myself reflected in the science curriculum as a student and as an educational leader. After completing my dissertation in 2015, I started consulting in science to bring awareness of culturally responsive teaching strategies. I eventually got requests from non-STEM organizations like a national soccer agency, local nonprofits, and more. I realized there was a need and I had a unique way of providing professional learning that was impactful. That is what sets TELL apart from other agencies. We help organizations engage in meaningful professional learning experiences centered on cultural proficiency. We help clients become aware of their unique cultural experiences and how this impacts how they move through the world. When folks come to us they know we’re going to help their teams engage in critical conversations with empathy, compassion, and transparency. Clients leave us and say they’ve never been this engaged in difficult but meaningful conversations about biases, isms, microaggressions, and building antiracist organizations before. That passion becomes contagious. Clients walk away with agency and the belief that we can make meaningful changes.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
You can find me any day of the week at A-Town wings ordering a 10 piece ranch wing combo fried extra crispy with a large lemonade. I’ll take out-of-town guests here too. If they want more of a city visit, we’ll hit up TWO urban licks for food and drinks – my favorite thing to order are the smoked salmon chips. From there, we’ll head outside to the Atlanta Beltline to walk it off and bar hop.

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?
I want to give my Shoutout to my Daddy! My parents have always taught me independence. I’ve been an entrepreneur since my teenage years. I remember my first business was braiding hair on the steps of my apartment building. I used to braid hair so I could have money to get my nails done. That was my entire world as a teenager. However, I think the importance of independence really hit me after my father lost his job at Home Depot when I was in college. He had been there for years and was suddenly terminated. That was a difficult time for him because he’s had no formal schooling here in the US (he’s from Haiti). At that moment, he said he would never work for anyone again. I watched him set up his own businesses from nothing, and he never relied on anyone to make a way for him. I was inspired by him and his wise words, “if you give someone the power to feed you, you give them the power to starve you.” I owe my drive, discipline, and passion to him. Thank you, Daddy!

Website: https://TheExecutiveLearningLab.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-d-morgan/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrMorganTell

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