I am not a shy person, and I find myself comfortable in a multitude of spaces and diverse settings. Yet, somehow, I felt uneasy being grouped with four white women who, like me, had the “Counseling” leadership style.
Naturally, I hoped to be in a group with someone who looked like me. I wasn’t—and I’m thankful for it. Authenticity was the first attribute of Positive Leadership we explored in our Leadership Tulsa 360 class. What I hadn’t yet realized was that I was already making myself smaller—shrinking in spaces where no one asked me to.
Our first activity as a group was to introduce ourselves and our theme song. I chose the song “Walk Thru” by Rich Homie Quan. The song opens by saying, “I be feeling like the man when I walk thru.” I decided on that song because it reflected the confidence I thought I carried into every space. Later that day, that confidence wavered. The women I was grouped with—each holding C-suite titles—triggered a surge of imposter syndrome I hadn’t expected. Despite holding a C-suite position myself, I still shrunk.
After our discussion on leadership styles, we gave ourselves the name “Eddie and the Moms.” The room erupted with laughter when we announced it. That small moment meant more to me than I expected. It warmed my heart.
A Citywide Classroom for Leadership in Action
As we continued meeting monthly, each session centered on a distinct pillar of leadership: Purpose, Advocacy, Resilience, Community Building, Reason, and Gratitude.
We crisscrossed Tulsa, visiting cornerstone organizations like AAON, Goodwill, The Day Center, The Port of Catoosa, and Hilti—each one deeply woven into Tulsa’s economic and social fabric. Some of these companies create jobs and stimulate economic growth; others provide critical services to unhoused communities and individuals navigating mental health challenges.
Jonathan Sanders, Senior Economic Development Manager at Partner Tulsa and fellow member of Cohort 71, shared one moment that reshaped his understanding of leadership—and reflected on the city’s momentum moving forward.
“There was a moment during one of our cohort sessions when someone vulnerably shared their lived experience—an experience vastly different from my own—and it challenged me to listen more deeply, without rushing to solve or respond,” Sanders told me.
“It reminded me that leadership isn’t just about strategy and execution; it’s also about presence, empathy, and creating space for others to be seen and heard. That moment reshaped how I think about power—not as something to hold, but as something to share.”
He also spoke about the broader changes taking shape across Tulsa:
“Leadership in Tulsa today is rooted in dedication and resilience—people who care deeply about this city and work tirelessly to make it better, even within systems that haven’t always worked for everyone,” Sanders added.
“But what gives me real hope is the direction we’re moving. Electing our first Black mayor and advancing a historic $100 million reparations initiative shows that Tulsa is not just reckoning with its past, but actively shaping a more just and inclusive future.”
Discovering Tulsa Like Never Before
Our monthly meetings were named after the side of town we were visiting. East Tulsa Day stood out to me the most, because of the diverse cultures that call that part of the city home. They host cultural festivals. The supermarkets have aisle signs and food packaging in different languages. I’m certain I wouldn’t have discovered the richness of East Tulsa if I hadn’t been a part of Leadership Tulsa.
Taryn DeWitt, Founder of Tulhoma, a fellow member of Cohort 71, and a leader in Tulsa’s local food space shared a similar realization:
“After East Tulsa Day, I started to recognize the large number of food entrepreneurs in that part of the city. Working in the local food space, most leaders and voices are white and English-speaking,” DeWitt said.
“We have so much to learn from food entrepreneurs from different countries who have made Tulsa home. Not only their ingredients and techniques but also their business skills. I’m incredibly proud of the leaders in the food industry in Tulsa; I know we can do better at amplifying voices.”
Clem Collins IV, Manager of Supply Chains at Williams, a fellow member of Cohort 71, shared how his leadership evolved:
“I would say I grew most in understanding the need to grow your people and protect your people. We had a really good conversation on being an advocate, and I realized that advocacy doesn’t look the same for everyone. What works for one person may not work for the next—and it’s key to really know your people from that angle.”
Leadership Tulsa 360: The Kind of Leadership You Don’t Just Read About
I’ve grown significantly as a leader since day one of the retreat. Leadership isn’t about doing all the talking or telling people what to do. It starts with listening to understand—and then modeling the behavior you expect from those around you. A good leader recognizes the power of being human and the strength that comes from finding common ground.
One of the most unique parts of the program is the opportunity to serve as a junior board member with organizations across the city. It’s not just leadership in theory—it’s leadership in motion. Leadership Tulsa matters because Tulsa still has growing to do. And so do we.
