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Something my grandmother used to say, “it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” A well-known scripture, Proverbs 31, speaks of a virtuous woman with a list of qualities that Michelle Johnson-Murphy strives to reach daily. This is her focus scripture and while the tasks may seem impossible to achieve, those who know the Director of Payroll would consider her honorable, wise, and selfless. What many people don’t know is that Michelle has a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degrees, and a Ph.D coming down the pipeline. Her passion for continuous learning came at an early age when …

“The unwillingness to try is worse than any failure” Nikki Giovanni (Author, Poet Laureate, Philanthropist) The privilege of growing up in a military family afforded me the opportunity to travel. Through those travels, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many people from diverse cultures, races, and ethnic backgrounds.  Those experiences taught me an important lesson which I continue to carry in my daily life: Be Proud of Your Race and Culture.   While other countries celebrate all facets of their culture every day of the year, in America, the African American culture is acknowledged and celebrated for the designated month of February, …

In the TMX Finance® Family dictionary of common terminology, the word “passion” would be accompanied by an image of Senior Director of Bankruptcy, Danielle Gibson. A force for change and customer advocacy since she started with the TMX Finance® Family as a paralegal in 2008, Danielle established a vision to help change the way the Company, customers, attorneys and courts saw bankruptcy.  “I’m proud of the work I’ve done here because this is the only position that I’ve held where I came in and helped define the department. No job I’ve ever been in has trusted me enough to allow …

What does Black History mean to me? Black History to me means that without some of the great leaders who have come before me, I wouldn’t have the same opportunities I, or any of us, have today.  Black History Month in my household is not celebrated just February; it is every day of every month. I have three children. It’s very important my children know the life we live wasn’t given but earned, and a lot of people paid a hefty price for us to live the way we do. I have a daughter, who is a freshman in college. …

In American race relations there’s room for one thing – forgiveness.  It’s like a spoonful of liquid medicine. It is important, it heals, it strengthens. How many times have I walked in front of someone and not held the door?  Then seconds later thought, “ugh, that was silly, why didn’t I hold the door?”  Then those days when I’m in a hurry and don’t have time to let another driver into my lane.  So, I just speed by and let them get in whenever, however.  The best thing I can do when I am aware that I haven’t made room …

As a country, people of color have just one month of recognition that was not offered to them, but taken as an opportunity. An opportunity to reflect on the struggles, the trials, and the tribulations beset on a group of people who were forced to this place by oppressing colonizers looking to build a land based on morals and values. Those oppressors would somehow call it “the land of the free.” My ancestors would agree, as I hope my son never has to. But if this is free, then I wish to change the definition. Just over 500 years later, …

Leaders Making History: Shawn Jordan, Regional Vice President of Operations   “You don’t decide to be a leader; your team decides who they’re going to follow.” Shawn Jordan started with the Company in 2001, “back when we walked around with candles and wrote on tablets; not the kind we have today,” he joked, giving insight to how far along the Company had come since its humble beginnings. Through growth and determination, Mr. Jordan proved himself by successfully running a location and growing into the one of the first African American multi-unit leaders within the Company. “I got a phone call from …

Leaders Making History: Tiffany Leonard, District Director of Operations  Tiffany Leonard started her career with the Company in 2003 and has paved the way for emerging leaders by becoming a mentor and sharing her story of success. “I started as a Manager- in-Training in Alabama. What was most impactful for my career was understanding how to grow a well-balanced business from the leaders before me.”  Leonard seeks inspiration from her ancestors, her compassionate and hard-working parents, and the mentors who have guided her in her career. Through it all, the biggest leadership lesson she teaches is one of service. “As …

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to  favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; and it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” —Frederick Douglass What Black History means to me is reflecting on …

As a person of color, this month has significant value to me. Not only is it a month set aside to celebrate the accomplishments of so many who share my race and have come before me, but it is also a time to reflect on my life. Growing up in a small town, with the high standards of being the son of a pastor and being the first of my parents’ children to attend college, I’ve had the opportunity to see great examples of real life heroes, who know the real meaning of love, hard work, and success. My parents …