Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Madison.
Valerie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Since a child, I had the biggest imagination and love for all things extra and people. I found myself wanting to be around people all the time and was very active in various organizations. When I got to college at Texas Southern University, it only intensified. Being a girl from a small town Tulsa, Oklahoma I never would have envisioned the accomplishments I’d achieve or the lives I would change. The biggest change being my own life. I remember meeting Miss. TSU at the time, Taji Wright and being inspired to get involved and carry myself with grace as I matriculated through college while taking advantage of the many opportunities and becoming a student leader. I joined the NAACP, Yearbook staff and Collegiate 100 my freshman year and that truly was the start of my love for non-profits and event planning.
I was able to become the president of TSU NAACP my freshman year for two terms where we became the nation’s top chapter twice and won awards all over the nation! I traveled to China to learn Mandarin in Beijing, I went to over 13 cities across the US and met some of the most amazing people through the different events, conventions and seminars that I attended and also put on myself. Through it all, I learned that we are all needed to make this world better, but we have to be specific and consistent to make a real difference. One of my most favorite memories was getting over 150 students to walk miles from campus to vote in the election to re-elect President Barak Obama! Another was when I was voted by the student body for the Student Lifetime Achievement Award and All for One, One for All award. It meant so much to be recognized by those you see each day while working so hard not knowing they notice or appreciate it.
In college, I noticed what a lot of us young women of color need is a place to belong and truly grow as a person in ways that will allow us to be our best selves. I decided to start an organization during my senior year called HER TSU. I created it with that need in mind by using events, philanthropy, mentoring and positive connections to propel the lives of ladies on the campus and our nearby community. I currently serve as the advisor and a mentor for them. I even did the same for young professional women by creating Ladies Love.
In addition to that, I have a love for putting on events! I enjoy going crazy to get things creatively planned, executed out to allow people to learn, try something new or just have a good time and feel good even if it is just for that moment. I’m able to work my 9-5 and on nights and weekends, I work with the Houston Defender and W2Creative/ Combs Enterprises to put on events, forums and more across this great city I love and the nation! My favorite event I’ve been able to do for the last five years is MADI Girls Rock which means to Make A Difference Inside to help young girls know their worth and how to properly care for themselves.
From working with huge companies and putting on major events across the US–networking has been the reason for it all and that is something I learned and perfected at TSU. Most times, that is our only way in!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not.
I have found that even with knowing people, being talented and on top of your game, you still will hear no. I have found that you can work hard, solve issues, work with major companies and people, being the sharpest in the room, but still can and will hear no.
No matter what we may think it is a tough road attempting to reach our personal success and fulfill our dreams. And with our generation, most of the time, it is our mind that stands in our way because we don’t get things we desire easily or we compare our paths to others. I have even fall victim to it.
I have had some challenges that were out of my control growing up that could easily have broken me or lead me on a different path, but I didn’t let it stop me. I honestly think the biggest obstacle I have ever had was myself. Yes, I know a lot of people and have had many great experiences, but I hear no too for the “dream job” and it can be defeating. I have learned to trust the path I am on and work with I do have in the phase I am in and keep pushing.
A huge part of me realizing that was by being blessed to have great parents, great mentors, and a supportive circle of friends and my sister. I think that is truly why I go so hard for my mentees and have the heart I have to help others despite our situations in life. I encourage everyone to have a mentor for every part of your life and have one of the opposite sex.
Please tell us about Ladies Love and HER TSU.
I have been able to create Ladies Love HER and it is a service and social organization/ non-profit on the campus of Texas Southern University (HER TSU) and the city of Houston (Ladies Love) to help bring together people of all backgrounds and help them feel like they belong and become better versions of themselves. I am proud to work with some amazing friends and students to put on quality events that impact lives on the levels of health and wellness, philanthropy, professional development, and sisterly relations.
HER TSU was something I created my senior year in college after realizing that what the ladies on campus needed at that time and still do is to have a place they can belong and truly be themselves. There are no major requirements to join only to truly commit to becoming one’s best self and making a difference on campus and through out the community. Since then, over 200 girls has joined and been impacted. I just love seeing how the girls have grown and each sets of leadership continue the mission
Through this organization I have been able to get to know a lot of these young ladies and be there for them. I enjoy nurturing them and offering advice that I wish I knew during undergrad or just listening to the same problems I had or had no idea they have to face! Another great thing is that I get to help them find a professional mentor of their own. Houston is filled with some talented and good-hearted women who have been essential in making a difference in my girls’ life, but each girl has to truly do her part of the work too!
For Ladies Love I wanted to do the same and with the help of my friends Olivia and Ashlyn we have events to bring together like-minded women and have a good time. We talk about issues, bond through our similarities and uplift each other in so many ways! We love having the same mission as HER to help each be better while having a place to belong! Women need it just as much as our college and grade school girls. One thing that truly sets us apart is the quality of the events and get-togethers we do to provide real results and positive energy.
If anyone is looking to join Ladies Love or start a HER chapter at their high school or university, they can always contact me!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood has to be when my dad came down to Alabama where we lived at the time for Christmas. My uncles were in town living with us as well as my grandma Maggie, siblings, and mom. I just love thinking of how it felt to have everyone together, eating good food, opening presents and loving on one another, My mom loved having real trees, eggnog, and dressing. I can smell all of it now as I think about it.
Contact Info:
- Website: valmadison.com
- Email: itsvaleriemadison@gmail.com
- Instagram: @itsvalmadison
- Facebook: Valerie Madison
- Twitter: @itsvalmadison
- Other: @hertxsu @ladieslovehtx
Image Credit:
Chelsey D. Cummings, MacB Photography, JenJ Photos and Mary Rucker
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