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Speaker 1
Hello and welcome to Building
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Speaker 1
Leadership Community Podcast.
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Speaker 1
I'm your host, Dora Mendez. I am the founder and CEO of Coach Dora LLC. Our guests will be entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders that drive social impact. It can be lonely at the top, but it doesn't have to be.
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Speaker 1
Hello and welcome to Building Leadership Community Podcast. I'm your host Coach, Dora Mendez. I want to thank you for listening and viewing our show. The Building Leadership Community Podcast has been nothing short of transformative. Season Two really sets the stage to have deeper and more meaningful conversations. Again, thank you to all our listeners and viewers. And if you're new to our podcast, don't forget to hit that subscribe button.
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Speaker 1
And that little bell, so that you could learn about what new episodes are posted. So today is a very, very special show. Since launching Building Leadership Community Podcast, as a champion of includes inclusive inclusion, leadership, growth and connection. At its very core, we're fostering authentic leadership and encouraging and empowering professionals to build stronger, more engaged communities.
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Speaker 1
Every episode, dive into strategies, insights, and personal stories that help leaders navigate their leadership journey with confidence and purpose. So today's show is a little bit different. Our guest today is a raffle winner. This year I turned 50, so I wrote a lot about it. We had a big 1980s themed birthday party, and we had raffles and prizes.
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Speaker 1
And today's guest for full transparency and disclosure was the raffle winner. And it happens to be my aunt, Carmen Mejia. So there were lots of witnesses. This is not nepotism, but if you want, to think of it as maybe a divine intervention because it turns out my aunt, my tia, Carmen Mejia, is relaunching and reengaging her own small business.
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Speaker 1
Carmen's Cultural Mix. So it might be a bit of fate that I pulled her name from the raffle. Because she. This is a great platform to share, all the wonderful things that she's done. So I'm going to read to all of you a little bit about my tia partly because I don't want to get, emotional.
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Speaker 1
And also because I know that she's a little bit nervous about being on the stage. So I'm going to read a little bit about my my my lovely Tia. And, and then we'll bring her on to the stage. So as part of the totally awesome celebration of my 50th birthday with our 1980s party theme, we held a special guest raffle.
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Speaker 1
The lucky winner of our 1980s birthday bash guests raffle was Carmen Mejia. Full transparency. Carmen is my aunt and my mother's sister. No nepotism. Here it was a live raffle. Lots of witnesses and maybe some divine intervention. If you believe in that sort of thing. And she's relaunching her business. Carmen’s Cultural Mix for those tuning in, Carmen is a dedicate to professional in health and wellness, bringing incredible expertise in movement, recreation and community engagement.
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Speaker 1
Her decades of work empowering individuals mentally, physically and spiritually through dance, wellness programs and community outreach is truly inspiring. From leading vibrant cultural movement classes to her impactful work in health care settings. Carmen's commitment to well-being is remarkable. Her work includes developing and leading cultural, dance and fitness classes such as Latin and African Movement and Kachia Dance, as well as managing wellness initiatives and outreach programs.
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Speaker 1
Recognized for her contributions. She's received the citation from Nassau County here in New York, Long Island, Nassau County Human Rights Commission for her dedication to the community as a certified Zumba instructor and consultant, Carmen has collaborated with libraries, sports foundations, and organizations to promote holistic wellness with extensive experience in assisted living and health care centers. Carmen has overseen activity programs for seniors and individuals with dementia, ensuring engagement and enrichment through therapeutic recreation.
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Speaker 1
Her leadership roles in various institutions have allowed her to foster growth, safety, and wellness among diverse populations. Carmen holds a degree in psychology with a minor dance and has pursued advanced training and movement, fitness, and expressive arts. Through her work, she continues to inspire communities to embrace healing, empowerment, and personal transformation. Carmen, we're thrilled to, have you be part of the birthday celebration.
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Speaker 1
And as well as being the raffle winner, we hope you enjoy the prize again. Welcome to the stage, Carmen Mejia.
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Speaker 2
Yeah. Thank you. Dora. I do, yeah, thank you. My lovely niece who has contributed to me so much in my life as well. Thank you. So happy to be here. And,
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Speaker 1
We're happy to have you. And congratulations. You're the raffle winner.
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Speaker 2
I do believe in miracles.
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Speaker 1
And so, So I, I think that's part of it, right? As a as, you may have heard in the intro, you know, I know your relaunched relaunching and reengaging Carmen's culture mix, so this might have been like, some divine intervention to help give you a platform to share your message. And I we're going to start with, with the our first conversation prompt, we asked all our guests to share a little bit about their leadership journey and their career trajectory.
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Speaker 2
Yes. Well, my, career has, well, started with me very young, with the YMCA and the New York City Police Athletic League. I travel, right after working with the Jewish Nursing Hospital, to North Carolina. And I have my 15 minutes of fame over there with the African-American dance ensemble. And I also, worked a government job in North Carolina.
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Speaker 2
But no, the, the, alcohol and drug treatment center and, and following that, travel, a little bit more. I, I and I've lived in Maryland and worked in Virginia. The fountains of Washington has and these, these, places had leaders, that became my, my role models. Rick Strickland. Dennis. David. Tadeo, Rose.
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Speaker 2
Mary. And, they, they, they really, were people who encouraged me to, embrace who I was that they wanted more of me. And believe it or not, I, I suffered culture shock. Because you weren't born then, coming to this country in 1961, and became very shy and introvert. So it's, it's not a coincidence.
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Speaker 2
Instead, I am a living testimony of, the work that I do. Because, right now, I, I and really focusing, Carmen's cultural mix, transforming into the healing hearts healing arts, specifically with, dance, worship. And, it's interesting because it's very spiritual and is my way of giving to the community. And when I give to the community, I give to myself.
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Speaker 2
It's wonderful. I, my leadership, all these people that have been in my life, in my career has really taught me that leadership does not necessarily have to look a certain way with you at the front, speaking, and anywhere in the room that you stand. You are a leader, and it's based on your character, what you contribute to others.
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Speaker 2
Most of though, you're listening. And your kindness.
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Speaker 1
I really like what you had to say there about how leadership looks different in different ways. And, I think you're one of the few people who lifted up how listening is a very important part of leadership. And I think I, I just want to share with our, listeners and viewers that I remember, visiting you in North Carolina when I was a teenager.
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Speaker 1
For those of you watching, you're not. I know you don't believe that my aunt came immigrated here in 1961. She does not look it at all. We look like sisters. Not, niece and not nieces. And for those of you listening, you'll see the picture. The the thumbnail. You won't. You just won't believe it. You just have that youthful spirit, and maybe it's because of all the dancing that you do, that keeps you so youthful.
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Speaker 1
I think. Can you share a little bit more about how how, debt, about dance therapy and recreational therapy? We haven't had someone who has used, the creative arts, in that way on the show. So I'd love for you to share a little bit more with our listeners and viewers about recreational therapy and dance therapy, because you do have a degree in psychology and you have a minor in dance, and somehow you figured out how to meld the two to really provide a service and lead in that space.
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Speaker 1
So if you could share a little bit more about that.
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Speaker 2
Yes, yes. Like I mentioned, I myself am.... a part of the outcome of the therapy. Coming into this country, I suffer a culture shock. I didn't know I was a black person. I didn't know, this energy in this space with the civil rights movement, etc.. Our family really didn't, speak about, the differences we, I realized later that we really focus on what we had in common in any community.
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Speaker 2
So, I didn't know I had so many things, and they scare me. I became very into it and didn't speak. People didn't know that I wasn't speaking. Not because I didn't know the. Because I didn't know the language. They thought it was something else.
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Speaker 1
Can which country can you share? Which country?
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Speaker 2
The Dominican Republic. I am born of in the Dominican Republic from Dominican parents. And I lived here in New York City, raised here in the different Dominican and Hispanic, culture Corona, Queens, the Bronx and Yankee Stadium. Washington Heights, of course. Where, I had my college experience and, but, you know, so suffering that and my parents being so strict, they really just allowed me to, go to positive things in the community.
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Speaker 2
And I took advantage of that. So, Daughters of Mary to... and in High School of Art and Design, there was, martial arts and, in my neighborhood, there was, a school, and I was able to go to that, I was able to join dance, competitions, anything.
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Speaker 1
Yeah. And you were. You're. And you're a black belt. Taekwondo and discipline. Taekwondo. That's right. You're a black belt. I remember as a as a kid, just like, wow, my aunt is like this incredible, like, badass. Really.
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Speaker 2
You name.
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Speaker 1
It. Like, you are black belt. You were performing all over the places we would see you in shows. It was.
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Speaker 2
I actually danced with, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. You know, I had wonderful experience and and all those, all those experiences have to do with the arts and recreation and, and, they, they actually heal me. And I found my voice. And that's why I share what I share, because everyone has the power to heal their own self.
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Speaker 2
We just don't know most of the time. So as we communicate and we guide and we listen, which is the key of, helping people, doing reflective listening, helping people hear themself and figure out their own self through arts movement is incredible because it has its own holistic, happiness with the endorphins kicking in your body.
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Speaker 2
You know, if you could find that the earliest, it would prevent you from even, other, addictions so you could get involved in. So you could have a natural high, as I, as I see it. So all those all of those things, are incredible. Most of all, there's a meditation aspect of it because even though you're moving, you're expressing yourself, and you're leaving all those negative thoughts, everything that where is you is out is clear.
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Speaker 2
And as you meditate and clear your head, whether it's movement or not. It could be art, poetry. It's different for different people. What you gravitate to. For me, I could never, I just kept, introducing myself to new arts, and it was wonderful. Most of all, in that in that place of healing and meditation, you, you find your inner voice and you become clearer about yourself and your intuitions and, and lo and behold, you, you learn that giving and receiving are the same.
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Speaker 2
Yeah. Is.
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Speaker 1
Thank you for sure. Thank you for sharing that. I really want to lift up what you said about, sort of the natural high from movement and dancing and how that's, a substitute or a replacement for sort of the negative addictions. And so, I mean, I think that's that speaks to how, you know, how recreational therapy and movement therapy really, really supports people...
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Speaker 1
You've worked with different populations. I know you worked with, addiction, the the population addiction. You worked with, in the old, with older adults and senior centers and, and, those having dementia. You've worked with people, with intellectual disabilities, and you, you listen and you help sort of bring out the power that they have in their own bodies through movements.
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Speaker 1
Yes.
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Speaker 2
That's true. I also work with Sinergia, with, adults with disabilities and, that was very powerful. We actually did, a presentation and a do using the Manhattan Neighborhood Network and doing a host show and film, with art and dancing in the in Central Park. And they they just loved it.
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Speaker 1
That, that that's one that's wonderful. And so you have a, so you've led through recreational therapy, and I love this whole you give and you receive, you know, because leadership is all about collaboration. I also really appreciate it and want to lift up the, immigrant experience, and how that shaped and formed your, leadership, and your career path.
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Speaker 1
So if you could, I think you shared it here, but if you could, you know, give one piece of advice to the next generation of leaders, what would that be?
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Speaker 2
Oh, it would be, to really continue, this generation particularly, I find, does have a voice. They are proud. And they speaking to continue to, assert themselves. It could be soften up a little bit less, a little less aggressive, with more assertiveness, remembering, that, yes, their voice is important. And so is there intuition and, in continuing to follow their, their, their voice, to continue to educate themselves, whether they are googling or researching or going to the university, it's very important to continue to educate themselves.
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Speaker 2
So, them who they are with their mental health, fitness and wellness is everything. You know, the field of recreation. I actually, had a divine, message sent to me with the name. It's a recreation when you slow it down. Recreation to recreate. And there's a spiritual, scripture that says recreate your mind. And that's where we here.
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Speaker 2
Anything that would stop us is really us in our own mind. There's something to that. There's no not nothing to fear but fear itself. And that's us. So the more, we get involved with, listening to our intuition, calming down, meditating, letting, our own self be heard and educating ourself and remembering that each time you help yourself, you are helping another person give permission for other people to, be themselves.
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Speaker 2
Freedom. I think Nelson Mandela said something in that effect, when you give permission for others to be themself, it's just wonderful. So the next generation, should be themselves. And, just continue with positive energy and education and and kindness always, as they, live in the, our community.
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Speaker 1
That's wonderful. Authenticity is a superpower is, a tagline. We say here in the Building Leadership Community podcast and as part of the Coach Dora mission. So, thank you so much, for being here. So glad you won the raffle. And can you, can I? So I would love for you to share with our listeners and viewers a little bit of more, how how they can learn more about you and from you and how they can connect with you and learn more about Carmen's. Cultural Mix
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Speaker 2
Yes. Carmen's Cultural Mix. And, and before I even go there, I have to say, I do believe in miracles. And I the way I got in this show is incredible. And right now I'm actually dancing in the church I attend to and attend, attending at Bethlehem. Church of God with Alvin Ailey, Christian's teaching there in the dance ministry, and I, I almost didn't pick the church.
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Speaker 2
But I listen to my intuition and lo and behold, like. But, shortly after, there's the proof that I'm supposed to be there. You can find me, with the Healing Arts of Dance Ministry is going to be what I'm going to, put forward in Carmen's cultural mix, Facebook in LinkedIn in LinkedIn. And, I'm going to begin to do a little bit more tweeters.
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Speaker 1
Oh, you mean “X”, “X”. You’re going to be on “X”. So, I want to share with everyone, that we are going to put the links to those links in the description of this of the podcast, in the description on YouTube and anywhere you get your podcast. So we will have, information about Carmen’s Cultural Mix linked in the in the description of the show.
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Speaker 1
And so thank you. Oh, I just oh, I think it would be fun to share with the, with, our audience of viewers that, my podcast producer aka my husband, Dylan Rogers, that you led, dance lesson that our wedding, the Cha-Cha, so, Carmen brings dance, everywhere to, to everyone.
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Speaker 1
And we had such a great time in the 1980s party just dancing a the storm. And so thank you so much for being here.
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Speaker 2
Thank you, my darling. Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you for having me. And and like I said, I'm just blessed, to be born to this family.
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Speaker 1
You've been listening to Building Leadership Community. Watch on YouTube @CoachDoraM. Listen, wherever you get your podcast, follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube @CoachDoraM. Visit me on the web at CoachDoraMendez.com. Hosted by me, Dora Mendez. Produced by Dora Mendez and Dylan Rogers. Graphics, editing, and sound mixing by Dylan Rogers.
