Dallas, TX – The International Leadership Summit of 2024 kicked off in Dallas, TX, with an enlightening and transformative event. Spearheaded by the inspirational Bishop T. D. Jakes, the Summit opened with a profound Fireside Chat featuring Wally Adeyamo, the United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, where critical issues facing our society were brought to the forefront with grace and wisdom.
At the heart of the conversation were the challenges surrounding the call to remove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and the pressing need for more housing across the United States. Jakes and Adeyamo delved deep, not just into the problems but, more importantly, into the government’s solutions and incentives to address these issues. However, they didn’t stop there. The dialogue took a crucial turn towards accessing information about the available funding. What good is the funding available if hardly anyone knows? This question lingered, emphasizing the vital need for awareness and education.
The day continued with panel discussions that were nothing short of transformative. Participants were encouraged to shift their perspectives, identify ways to make a more significant impact, and seize the networking opportunities provided while attending the Summit. It was a call to action for every attendee to not just be a participant but a change-maker in their community.
As the first night drew to a close, the Summit was graced by the powerful presence of Sarah Jakes Roberts. With a message titled “Finish Strong,” she used the story of Paul’s journey to Damascus (Acts 21:33-40) to inspire and challenge everyone in attendance. Her key points resonated deeply:
1. Vision Beyond Sight: Paul’s blindness on the road to Damascus symbolized seeing beyond our physical limitations. It’s about having faith in the vision we’ve been given, even when the path ahead is not clear to our natural eyes.
2. Speaking Your Vision: It is crucial to articulate your vision so that those who are meant to support and guide you can find and lead you to where you’re meant to be.
3. Finding Cover in Community: The journey is not solitary. There are people destined to guide and protect you, leading you to spaces where you can be nurtured and grow.
Sarah’s message was a powerful reminder of the intersections of our identities and the divine purpose each of us carries. It urged us to lean into our faith and the totality of who we are meant to be, echoing the Summit’s theme of “Timing is Everything.”
As we look forward to the rest of the Summit, let’s embrace the vision, the community, and the impact we are called to make. The International Leadership Summit is not just an event; it’s a catalyst for transformation, both personally and collectively. Let’s finish strong together.
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Fharnell M.
