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"I came into the world destined to soar above the clouds."
"I am not what I do. I am so much more. It is the who of me that influences my ability to be exceptional at what I do and why I love doing it!"
About Me
Hi! I'm Glodean Champion! (Yes, that's my real name!)
I'm an experienced coach, educator, and facilitator who works with individuals and organizations to get to the root cause of culturally based challenges by transforming beliefs, behaviors, and assumptions. My unique approach to this centuries-old endeavor is rooted in the practice of engaging with people’s core emotions, cultural competencies, and situational and self-awareness through coaching, training, and workshops. I believe in meeting people “where they are" and leading them where they "want (or need) to be" to reach their highest potential.
I draw on my extensive background in education, communication, leadership, and process improvement to strengthen teams and organizations. I also partner with companies to advise on strategy, leadership development, and create a business case for change that is designed and implemented from the bottom up to ensure adoption. I strongly believe in the “teach a man to fish” philosophy so that individuals and organizations can continue learning and growing long after my engagement is over. I provide tips, tools, and tactics to incorporate lessons learned into practice; and one-on-one and small-group coaching for leadership and managers on how best to support and serve people of color, whether they are your employees, customers, or members of the community surrounding your organization.
I also speak professionally on issues relating to diversity and inclusion using my novel, Salmon Croquettes, as a teaching tool. I'm said to be exceptionally engaging, funny, and passionate. I suspect this is because I pull from my upbringing and the influence of my mother — my first authentic leader – to create stories that connect with my audience. I approach delicate subjects with honesty, authenticity, and vulnerability and consider myself to be a master at challenging and captivating audiences of all kinds in a way that forces them to take pause and become introspective, something we need more of if we want to make the world a better place.
Are you my next client?
Schedule a 30-minute call and let's find out:
"I came into this world to spread love and help others reach their highest potential by falling madly, deeply, wildly in love with themselves!"
My Story
I was born Kimberly Denise Mitchell on July 28 to a16-year-old unknown mother, and immediately became a ward of the state of California.
On September 9, 1967 Frances Champion became the first Black woman in California to adopt a child as a single parent. And I became Glodean Champion
I was always the tallest kid in the group! One of the best things my mom ever did was to insist I be proud of my height. She constantly reminded me to "Stand up straight!" I've been standing straight and proud ever since.
In 4th grade I found and fell in love with the cello. By the time I reached high school I was also playing the upright bass, bass guitar, xylophone, bells, and cymbals! I was in every band Lynwood High School offered.
Prince's album, Controversy, changed my life. He became my favorite artist, not only because of his extreme talent, but also because he taught me that being true to oneself is the most important thing we can ever do. Are you being true to you?
I graduated at 16 with no interest in college and no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Mom said, "get a job or go to college." Since I didn't want a minimum wage job. I figured out a way to get a job as a Receptionist at a CPA firm. Man, I've come a LONG way since then.
In a less than a year I moved from Receptionist to Jr. Bookkeeper thinking I wanted to be a CPA. I quickly grew bored and joined the Navy Reserves! In boot camp I discovered my natural leadership skills and became Recruit Chief Petty Officer of CO73.
On November 29, 1996 I lost my anchor. I'd taken for granted that mom's live forever. And, somehow through my grief focused on the love she pored into me and the life she'd given me. I wouldn't be the me I am without her and I still thank her for it. Momma, you're still missed!
After many years in Corporate America I stepped off my path to the C-suite and returned to the classroom. In 2006, at 38, I graduated from Mills College and went on to earn an MFA from California College of the Arts in 2008
Mills College reconnected me to my inner artist and educator. After graduation, I explored every opportunity presented to me and they paid off. In 2007, this photo along with three others were published in the book, Black Artists in Oakland
In 2008, my photographic exploration into colorism, The Brown Paper Bag Test, was featured in the Color(')s Within: The Inner Splendor of the Black Female exhibit at the African American Arts & Culture Complex. In 2009, the multimedia version was featured in the SF International Film Festival.
My first short story, Heathens, was published in Woman's Work: an Anthology.
In 2010, I walked into my first classroom as a student teacher at City Arts & Tech Charter School and discovered my love of educating children. I got this rush of adrenaline when I saw the light of comprehension shining in their eyes. I was hooked.
I found teaching opportunities in the best places. One of my favorites was as Workshop Leader for the Neighborhood Writing Alliance in Chicago, made up of a group of community writers who love to write. I reconnected with the group in 2019 for dinner.
In 2010 & 2011 I followed my love of educating young minds to Ghana where I was a volunteer English teacher for an orphanage in the village of Bawjiasi, about 60 km NW of Accra.
I helped this group from ZAG Technical Services improve the company's NPS process to increase and effectively measure NPS responses. I also conducted a Kaizen event with a different team to improve the project initiation process.
I used compression planning to help the team from Inland Empire/Desert Regional Consortium Regional Job Developers set their regional goals and outline their plans for future events and activities.
2019
Graduation day from the Extreme Leadership Certification workshop! I love these folks!
The Communicate Like a Champ workshop with the Senior Leadership Team at VOX Network Solutions!
Q&A Session with Steve Farber before his keynote speech on his newest book, Love is Just Damn Good Business.
My keynote speech on leadership at the Extreme Leadership Experience, 2020. It was a tribute to my mom, my 1st Extreme Leader.
TESTIMONIALS
"Glodean was able to see great abilities within me, more than I could see in myself, and helped bring it out of me. She has taught me that if I believe in something, do it. And if it doesn’t work out, it’s always better to ask for forgiveness."
AIMEE GARCIA, ASSOCIATE PM & MENTEE
"I was amazed by Glodean's level of professionalism and knowledge. Her ability to facilitate with multiple people and personalities was impressive. Her witty sense of humor and outgoing personality really made the day enjoyable!"
JENNY HUGHESCAREER EDUCATION / OUTREACH SPECIALIST
"If I had to pick one of Glodean's best traits, one...more important than her unrelenting positive attitude or uncanny ability to meet unrealistic deadlines, it would be her clarity. She can express a concept in as many ways as the listener needs to hear in order to understand."
ELIZABETH COOKENGINEER