We had the good fortune of connecting with Tajala “Taj” Battle-Lockhart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tajala “Taj”, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“She Believed She Could, So She Did!” This quote has been so inspiring to me because my life has been everything that society said it could not or would not be for someone like me that grew up in poverty. I love this quote because it a true reflection of who I am now and continue to become because I stopped focusing on labels and titles. I started believing in my own abilities and beliefs. When you stop listening to others and truly focus on your abilities, you achieve all that God had plan for you and more. It may not be in alignment with all the things you thought you wanted to be when you grew up but ends up being so much more!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets me apart from others is that with all the positions that I hold they are in alignment with who I am as a person which is a service minded leader.

As the CEO of TAJ Consulting & Events, I have the pleasure of taking all my knowledge, talent, and skills from hospitality industry to consult, educate, train, event planning and management and service my community and share my talents as the same time. My heart is  in educating and training the underserved population so they can acquire industry recognized certification so they can transition in society to live independently and be a successful citizen.

What I am most proud of first and foremost that my nonprofit will be celebrating five years of service in July. If you pick(ed) up my book “The Nonprofit Legacy” or “Irons Sharpens Irons” on my website, you will learn why this is so meaningful for me and my team to have accomplish they together is amazing. Another, thing I am always proud of is to see my students complete their programs with me from start to finish because I get to learn their stories intimately. To see the achieve makes my heart smile!

How did I get here business wise, it’s because my mom was an entrepreneur and I watched her all my life. I knew it was something I wanted to experience one day. I did not know in what capacity nor what industry until I start teaching at Job Corps. Working there showed me that the government had a great concept however there was too much red tape just to help youth and young adults to achieve a trade. I wanted to expand upon the concept. I took leap of faith and starting my consulting company. It has been a journey of obstacles and successes. It’s my goal to ensure the success of others by impacting my or their communities in a positive way.

My greatest lesson, I will always share in any magazine, stage, book, etc. is “Those that start with you will more than likely not stay with you.” Remember it is your assignment not theirs!

What I want the world to know about my story is, that she did not care what society said nor thought, she did it any way!

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.
Oh, my! If wanted to have a long week having the best time every with my friend? The week would consist of: Lots of tasty restaurant’s throughout the week for breakfast and dinner. Like Miss Shirley’s Cafe, Oceanaire’, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion, Fogo de chao, Founding Farmers, or Mike’s American Grill

Of course, there would have to be some spa moments during the week at Robert Andrew’s, European Wax Center, Massage Envy.
We would definitely catch a movie at the IPIC Theater.
You know we have to get some shopping in at Potomac Mills, Pentagon Mall, and Tanger Outlet’s for sure!
Find a local beach and spend some time catching some vitamin D.
Because I don’t get to do this often, would set aside some time to cook a meal at home and we spend some time on the deck at my home. My friends love food, beach and spa so that what we would spend our time doing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to take this opportunity to Shoutout a few people that genuinely supports me in my journey personally and professionally.

Trenance Richardson, the Founder of Real Women an organization that creates a safe space for women to build each other up and be free of titles just to be “You” or support you of discovering new pieces of you. We have done a book together titled “Purpose Pushers”.

Linda Arrey, of the Wilde Women Circle is that virtual friend that checks on her strong friends and I am so grateful for her kindness and her leadership. We have shared a few in-person and virtual stages together.

My entire nonprofit circle especially, Dee Sapp of Accessibility Bridge Corporation and Kaprece James of Stella’s Girls because we align so well together in support and making our communities a better place to live for our youth and young adults. They are a part of my first book compilation titled “The Nonprofit Legacy”.
 
Denise Ware, Director of Hospitality, Culinary & Tourism at PGCC has been an amazing friend and leader where we lean on one other for support and advice to make our industry better every day through education, consulting and creating memorable experience for those that are in and interesting in becoming a part of the Hospitality Industry. We have had the pleasure of running a hotel together and now I support her with developing future leaders in the industry
 
I am a true believer in strategic alignment and those that I have mentioned above is just that, I have found key players to be those pieces to the puzzle of my life and businesses that I need to be successful. I have truly learned and coined as my quote “You can do BIG by yourself” so alignment is key. Take your time to connect and cultivate so you can build strong relationships that will sustain you personally and professionally. These ladies have been that for me and I am so grateful for each of them to be in my personal and profession life.

Website: https://www.tajconsultingevents.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tajala-taj-battle-lockhart-che-b6a85211/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAJCONSULTINGEVENTS

Image Credits
Lindria Dockett Photography for the still shots Family First Images for the class shot

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