Testimonials

Ebony— Thank you so much for taking the time to present at the MCDA 2010 Annual Conference. I really enjoyed both of your presentations.  Some people were convinced to attend the conference, just from the titles of your sessions!  The conference would not have been such a success without people like you.  I look forward to working with you more in the future. Warmly, Amanda.  

–   Amanda C. Baker, MS, NCC, Former President, Maryland Career Development Association

We were looking for a presenter who could speak about the topic of managing transgender employees in the workplace. I received a recommendation from our chapter founder that she would be an excellent resource to tap into. After speaking with her about what she provides, I was very impressed with her approach. She helps her clients succeed in managing the obstacles and opportunities as far as living a dual life and supports them in finding worthwhile employment in a very supportive atmosphere.   I appreciate how she was able to connect the particular information that she referenced with the need for the employer to define ways to manage their people in a supportive manner. In short, Ebony is an engaging, well-versed and phenomenal speaker.   I hope that she would be interested in further opportunities with working with our chapter. She adds a very diverse perspective on how to manage employees. This type of diversity is desperately needed in every work environment regardless of race, gender, and orientation.  

 – Rodney U. Bellamy, Vice President Programs & Professional Development
National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) Baltimore, MD   http://naaahrbaltimore.org    

Ebony structured, managed, and taught a leadership potential program aimed at up-and-coming executives within the Federal government. Ebony is a take-charge person who is able to present creative ideas and communicate the benefits. She has an effortless ability to not only teach, but inspire others to learn.

– John Nelson, Federal Employee

I know I’m a pretty screwed up guy which makes the voice of reason you have so invaluable… Anyone in need of counseling about their career path or who is at a crossroads there would be a fool not to sit with you and listen to your suggestions. Thanks again!

– Tim Olsen, Skycrafts

For the Unitarian Church of Silver Spring (UUCSS) Auction, Ebony donated seats to a seminar entitled, “Secure an Internship and Make it Count!” I purchased a seat and attended with my daughter. My daughter is a high school student thinking about pursuing internships.   Ebony is the perfect person for introducing this topic, especially to young people. She has a great deal of in-depth knowledge and personal experience, and she delivers the information in a way that’s meaningful and relevant for young people.

Many people do career workshops, but I think it’s exciting for teenagers to learn about these topics from someone close to their age who can relate to them on their level. The seminar was very well organized. Ebony presented a lot of information that really helped the girls get a sense of what the possibilities were and look at some alternative ways of thinking about things.

I was impressed by how much she knew about internships in general: private and federal, paid and unpaid, school credit or no credit. She also taught the girls how to create their own internships. Ebony shared from her personal experience as well as her professional background, and it was exciting for the girls to hear how she did it. Before the seminar, my daughter was tired and did not want to go. Once she was there, Ebony had no problem getting her engaged and my daughter really perked up. I think that meeting Ebony and hearing what she had to say was very inspiring for my daughter.

As soon as we got home, she immediately got online and started following up on the resources and strategies that Ebony presented. From my perspective, I found this to be an excellent seminar. Ebony’s advice to maintain a portfolio notebook reminded me that I need to be more proactive about getting recommendation letters for my own business. I currently get business by word of mouth, but you can’t always count on that. I attended the seminar for my daughter, but I learned a great deal myself.

– Deborah Thornton, MSW
http://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahthornton

In regard to the job department – I’m kicking ass. The resume we created was helpful. Now I’m designing video games out of Montgomery College, teaching, and doing freelance stuff including exhibiting my art. Before working with Ebony, I just wasn’t quite sure the direction I needed to go to get a job that fit me, I was very aimless. I had an idea of the direction but didn’t know how to find that path. Afterwards, I had more focus and an idea about how to prioritize, find my path and look for little jobs first, and then build up my reputation. Being an artist, which is an alternative lifestyle within itself, helped me decide to work with her because she understood what I was looking for. A regular 9-5 normal person job wouldn’t satisfy me. Plus, my main job that I’m at allows me to work with other artists. It helps with my esteem towards my career and appreciation for my job. Basically, she helped me create a strategy to get experience and then pursue more professional jobs in the field that I wanted. I’ve been successful! I wanted to work in the art field and now I have 3 or 4 art jobs. I like the fact that I’m working in creative environments with a lot of flexibility.

– Sarah Palaszynsk, Illustrator and Art Educator,

As a professional, the “Goths, Geeks, and Freaks – Oh My!” seminar expanded my understanding of working with unique and alternative clients. I was particularly impressed with the information on their style and the issues they face; particularly in how they can be perceived and how they may feel. The other thing I found was helpful suggestions on how they can still be themselves while integrating into corporate America.

I found the resources she provided about specific websites for use as a professional or for the clients to be particularly helpful. I’ve attended other seminars on other special populations (such as disabled, ex-offenders, etc.); however, what made this unique was that it addressed a population that many professionals don’t recognize or understand as truly a distinctive population. I learned more that it’s a lifestyle versus just a “stage”.

What I liked most was the presenter, Ebony did a great job taking the subject on a little known population who is often misunderstood, ostracized and discriminated against, put it together very professionally, with energy and tact. I would recommend this workshop or Ebony as a presenter, for HR professionals, career counselors, recruitment professionals and anyone who may come in contact with and serve alternative people. Also, it’s a great presentation for college campuses, parents, special organizations and high schools for raising awareness and promoting respect for social and lifestyle differences as well.

– Pamela Allen, former president of MCDA, Program Director at University Career Center University of MD College Park.

Ebony is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met to help you get to the  core of what your message is. Whether you’re a creative type or a federal employer (which is her background) or the average person on the street who wants more career satisfaction, more career happiness, and who wants to really understand what to do with your life and how to make your life work in terms of your career…she wants you to have a high quality of life at your work, whatever it is. If you’re employed, if you’re an employee anywhere – you need this woman! You need Ebony. Get to her seminar or workshop, don’t wait. You’re silly if you wait. She’s giving you a lot of value, she’s generous and I guarantee you at the end of the day – you will never take her money back guarantee. You’ll say “I wish I came more!” And you’ll probably refer a lot of your friends. You will get more value than you even know. 

– Terri Levine, The Business Growth Guru (as seen on The Wallstreet Journal, CNBC, MSNBC, REDBOOK, and more) http://www.terrilevine.com/

It was excellent! I thought it was so awesome. It opened up opportunity for discussion and for us to learn. I just want to say to everyone, even if it’s on a corporate level to take the information that Ebony has to offer. I think she’ll go a long way in teaching people how to market themselves properly and get what they ask for as it related to their salary or income.

– Brenda Loften, Woman in Ministry since 1988: Evangelist, Prophetess, Psalmist, Pastor and now an aspiring Author of Christian and secular books

At first I couldn’t get anything, then after working with Ebony, I got stuff that related to my field that I liked and it snowballed that the more jobs I got, the better I was able to learn about what I really wanted until I ended up where I am. Now, I have an excellent part-time job in my field that gives me the time and flexibility to work on my PhD in Applied Management & Decision Sciences, Information Systems Management and still have extra time to watch Anime and play Nintendo Wii.

– Warren Bannister, Independent Information Technology Consultant, ScurtekSystems Development

^_^ That’s all I can say about my new resume and cover letter. This is amazing, Eb. I have to admit, there’s no way I could’ve done anywhere near as good a job on that cover letter as you have. You actually got everything I have trouble communicating out there for me. If I make any changes, it’ll ruin the whole thing. Thank you SO much. I’m going to show Cherice (My wife) the next chance I get. I’ll also be replacing all of my online resumes with this one tomorrow night. Awesome stuff! Thanks to the help I received I was able to get a good job at Northrop Grumman. Everything was just so well done; I mean I couldn’t think of any ways to make any improvements on what you did.

– Dennis Scurry III, Computer Installation Technician, Serious Gamer, FanFiction Writer

Ebony, my gratitude goes to you for your time and consideration. I am extremely impressed by your professionalism and feel that my career life is in extremely good hands. It’s welcoming for a change to speak with someone that instantly understands you as a person. Again, thank you. I was so impressed; I sent my husband and girlfriend the highest recommendation possible to take a look at your services. Also, please know that our conversation gave me inspiration to look into the PMBOK classes at my local college. I’ve already started discussing with my husband a plan to make this happen. And, By the way, I decided not to take the other position for economic reasons, and the possibility that working with you can take me to a better place. I look forward to this journey.
Again, many thanks, Peace & Blessings

 – Artondra, Lead Photographer at Project Art 69, ProjectArt69 – Professional, Photographer | DeviantArt

What I like most about Ms. Ebony is that she makes me re-evaluate my work experience and apply that to what I really want.

My passions should be my main focus at this stage of my career. – Eunice Benthall
Text Processing Operator, federal employee