Mentors Mean So Much

January is National Mentorship Month!

A few years back, I mentioned a few mentors that had really had an impact on my life including, my elementary principal Peter Lanasa, United Cerebral Palsy’s past Executive Director, Thomas Bankston, and my neighbor, Pearl (Cookie) Cook.

Since it’s National Mentorship Month, I wanted to mention a few more.

Dr. Patricia Hicks-Larkins is a powerhouse. I had the pleasure of meeting her acquaintance in the early 2000s when I became a member of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC). Listening to Dr. Hicks was always informational because she’s all about diversity, equity and inclusion and data; this is her thang. A few years ago, Dr. Hicks invited me to consult on a few projects with her and I loved it. As a black woman, I thirst for other black successful women to show me the ropes and Dr. Hicks is another that has helped me drink from the well of her knowledge.

The late Dr. Glenda Pope is another woman that I learned a lot from. I met Glenda when I became a member of ODDC. Glenda took me under her wing, teaching me all the ends and outs of ODDC. I really appreciate her guidance because there was much to learn, and she made it a lot easier. Glenda was also a black woman with a disability and it’s always good to see someone siting at the table who looks like you. Continue to rest easy Glenda. Hope I’m making you proud.

It’s because of Steve Goubeaux, past Director of Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley Marketing Department, that I’m your blogger-in-chief! After listening to many of my life stories of living with a disability, Steve decided it would be beneficial for me to share them with the world. To be honest, I didn’t even know what a blogger was when he first approached me with the idea and wasn’t sure if I even wanted to try. I remember telling Steve, you really think people want to hear my stories and he responded, yes. Guess he was right, because I’ve been successfully blogging for over thirteen years and I have a good following. For this, I would like to thank Steve for creating an avenue for me to share.

Mark Seifarth is a force to be reckoned with. I first met Mark when I became a member of the Rehabilitation Service Commission which is now Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities’ Consumer Advisory Council. I was young when I first became a member and just starting my advocacy journey. I was always impressed by Mark.  He would come give the council legislative updates as they pertain to people with disabilities. I looked up to Mark for he also has cerebral palsy and he’s smart as a whip! Thanks for being such a good role model and friend.

Dr Hicks, Glenda, Steve, and Mark really made a major impact on my life. These four have mentored me to become the successful Shari Cooper I am today. I would like to encourage you to find a program where you can mentor someone because you may never know how much it might mean. Although I named these four, there’re many more who have positively impacted me. So, I’m going to make this an annual post because mentors, rock!