A Second Helping of Gumbo for the Soul
More Liberating Stories and Memories to Inspire Females of Color
Education Consultant, Speaker, and Trainer Shares Her Story of Shattering Threats
Dr. Kelly Bullock Daugherty @DrKBDaugherty
@DrKBDaugherty
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the name of your chapter in the book A Second Helping of Gumbo for the Soul: More Liberating Stories and Memories to Inspire Females of Color?
Dr. Kelly Bullock Daugherty: My chapter in this book is entitled, “Against All Odds: Building Efficacy and Shattering Threats”
Dr. Mike Robinson: Why did you decide to share your story in A Second Helping of Gumbo for the Soul: More Liberating Stories and Memories to Inspire Females of Color?
Dr. Kelly Bullock Daugherty: I wanted to share my story because it spoke to the impact societal perceptions can have on an impressionable mind and one’s need for acceptance. I grew up in a two-parent home in a middle-class environment. My parents came from meager beginnings and worked hard to provide for our family. They supported me and my brothers in everything we did and even with that, I grew up insecure and lacking confidence in my ability to achieve academically. Athletically, I excelled, but academically, I got by. My story is one of transformation. It was at Virginia State University, an HBCU, that I was challenged to push myself beyond the limits I had set for myself. My teachers back home had allowed me to settle for complacency, but at VSU, I was not allowed to give up and if there was a sense that I was about to give up, I was pushed even harder. Through all of that, my mindset changed, my level of self-efficacy changed, and my self worth changed! I learned that although society may set limits for you (and that includes those that you think may care for your well being), the limits really are set in your own mind. No one can define the GREATNESS within you except for you! I needed to understand that for myself in order to become more efficacious and shatter the threats that are set for our students of color. I did that and have, along my journey, am proud to say have shattered some glass ceilings.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What do you hope the readers of your chapter take away after reading your story?
Dr. Kelly Bullock Daugherty: I think the most important takeaway is that limits are really set in your own mind! Each one of us is great in our own unique way. We should not allow other beliefs about us define who we are. I want readers to understand that no matter what circumstances or challenges seem to be in their way, it does not define their future. Keep going and don’t ever let anyone allow you to believe that you are anything less than GREAT!
Dr. Mike Robinson: Why is it so important for Females of Color to share their stories?
Dr. Kelly Bullock Daugherty: We have stories from all walks of life. Our stories can touch and transform lives! Yes, other stories can as well, but the tribulations we endure and triumphs we experience are simply different and relatable in a different way than that of our white counterparts, in my opinion. Even as FOC, our backgrounds may differ, however, we all demonstrate a tenacity that is sure to encourage and inspire other women of color. We recognize and understand that we must work harder, research more, prove ourselves to be effective in whatever we do; more than men and more than white women. Sharing our stories is a way of showing that no matter what the circumstance, we can overcome and achieve at equal, if not better, rates, than any of our counterparts. Sharing our stories is not only confirmation of that, but a reminder that we must not allow others insecurities keep us from pursuing our GREATNESS. That’s why we need to continue to share our stories with each other and the world.
Dr. Kelly Bullock Daugherty: My chapter in this book is entitled, “Against All Odds: Building Efficacy and Shattering Threats”
Dr. Mike Robinson: Why did you decide to share your story in A Second Helping of Gumbo for the Soul: More Liberating Stories and Memories to Inspire Females of Color?
Dr. Kelly Bullock Daugherty: I wanted to share my story because it spoke to the impact societal perceptions can have on an impressionable mind and one’s need for acceptance. I grew up in a two-parent home in a middle-class environment. My parents came from meager beginnings and worked hard to provide for our family. They supported me and my brothers in everything we did and even with that, I grew up insecure and lacking confidence in my ability to achieve academically. Athletically, I excelled, but academically, I got by. My story is one of transformation. It was at Virginia State University, an HBCU, that I was challenged to push myself beyond the limits I had set for myself. My teachers back home had allowed me to settle for complacency, but at VSU, I was not allowed to give up and if there was a sense that I was about to give up, I was pushed even harder. Through all of that, my mindset changed, my level of self-efficacy changed, and my self worth changed! I learned that although society may set limits for you (and that includes those that you think may care for your well being), the limits really are set in your own mind. No one can define the GREATNESS within you except for you! I needed to understand that for myself in order to become more efficacious and shatter the threats that are set for our students of color. I did that and have, along my journey, am proud to say have shattered some glass ceilings.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What do you hope the readers of your chapter take away after reading your story?
Dr. Kelly Bullock Daugherty: I think the most important takeaway is that limits are really set in your own mind! Each one of us is great in our own unique way. We should not allow other beliefs about us define who we are. I want readers to understand that no matter what circumstances or challenges seem to be in their way, it does not define their future. Keep going and don’t ever let anyone allow you to believe that you are anything less than GREAT!
Dr. Mike Robinson: Why is it so important for Females of Color to share their stories?
Dr. Kelly Bullock Daugherty: We have stories from all walks of life. Our stories can touch and transform lives! Yes, other stories can as well, but the tribulations we endure and triumphs we experience are simply different and relatable in a different way than that of our white counterparts, in my opinion. Even as FOC, our backgrounds may differ, however, we all demonstrate a tenacity that is sure to encourage and inspire other women of color. We recognize and understand that we must work harder, research more, prove ourselves to be effective in whatever we do; more than men and more than white women. Sharing our stories is a way of showing that no matter what the circumstance, we can overcome and achieve at equal, if not better, rates, than any of our counterparts. Sharing our stories is not only confirmation of that, but a reminder that we must not allow others insecurities keep us from pursuing our GREATNESS. That’s why we need to continue to share our stories with each other and the world.
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Portrait of Champion Dr. Kelly Bullock
 @DrKBDaugherty
Dr. Kelly Bullock Daugherty is a passionate educator who’s range of experience has afforded her many opportunities to engage, motivate, inspire and impact teaching and learning around the country for over 18 years. Her philosophy is simple. She agrees with Rita Pierson, in her 2013 TED Talk, when she quoted James Comer as saying, ¨no significant learning can occur without a significant relationship¨. What this suggests is that teachers will not reach some children academically until they first reach them on a “human to human” level. There are times that the content we teach will not fair in comparison to the realities of a child’s real world. Rita Pierson goes on to say, ¨Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like!¨ further suggesting that the main ingredient missing in a lot of our classrooms today is a simple “connection with kids.” Dr. Daugherty believes that the research is clear, when students know you value them as human beings, not simply as another student; they will work for you more and challenge you less. She also believes teachers don’t need any more theory and new, trendy programs with catchy names. She believes instead, they need to be given research based, proven, practical strategies and applications that they can start implementing immediately – without throwing anything out that is working in their classroom.
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A Second Helping of Gumbo for the Soul
More Liberating Stories and Memories to Inspire Females of Color 
A Second Helping of Gumbo for the Soul is a collection of essays, stories, and narratives designed to inspire and empower women of color through the use of storytelling and narratives. This second edition is a sequel to the first Gumbo for the Soul and includes more...
Edited by: Michelle Trotman Scott, University of West Georgia Nicole McZeal Walters, University of St. Thomas-Houston Dr. Jemimah L. Young, University of North Texas, Donna Y. Ford Ph.D., Ohio State University Click here to order your copy |
