Hey Ms. Parker

I  don’t chase happiness anymore. I’ve learned to recognize it in the quiet spaces between moments, the early mornings, the peace after a hard decision, the calm that follows choosing grace instead of reaction. There was a time when everything had to be seen. Success had to look a certain way, and fulfillment felt tied to validation. But over time, I’ve realized that happiness isn’t a reward for achievement. It’s what’s left when you stop performing and start being present. True happiness lives in the stillness, after the noise fades. It shows up when you survive what was meant to break you, when you stop explaining yourself, and when you protect your peace like it’s part of your purpose. Rebuilding isn’t about starting over; it’s about standing stronger. It’s about honoring who you are right now, even while you’re still becoming. I used to think happiness was somewhere ahead of me. Now I know it’s been here all along, waiting for me to slow down and notice it.

  Authentic leadership doesn’t always announce itself. More often, it shows up in quiet strength, in consistency, restraint, and the courage to stay grounded while others chase attention. Leadership isn’t defined by public recognition. It’s measured in private moments, in the decisions no one sees, the accountability that doesn’t trend, and the steadiness that holds when pressure mounts. The most effective leaders don’t perform strength; they practice it. In external affairs and beyond, people often confuse visibility with influence. But real impact happens behind the scenes, in difficult conversations, disciplined focus, and the refusal to be distracted by noise. Quiet leadership isn’t silence. It’s self-control. It’s the confidence to let results speak before words do. There are seasons when restraint is mistaken for passivity. Let them misunderstand. Grounded leaders don’t need to prove their power; they live it. The leader who listens longer, observes more deeply, and remains u...

Leadership in women’s health means amplifying research, equity, and representation. Proud to see that in action at the Black Women in Clinical Research Conference. Too often, the conversation about women’s health leadership focuses on access and advocacy, both essential, but leaves out a critical piece of the story: representation in science itself. The Black Women in Clinical Research Conference reminded me that true progress occurs when women who’ve been excluded from research, leadership, and decision-making positions are finally shaping the data, driving innovation, and leading conversations about care. Black women are not only subjects of health data; we are producers of knowledge, innovators, and bridge builders. Our lived experience, cultural insight, and community relationships strengthen the integrity and relevance of women’s health research. That’s the story too few people tell. As leaders, we have an obligation to ensure that every study, every policy, and every program refl...

  When Tangela Q. Parker walks into a room, her presence speaks before she does. There’s a calm authority to her — the kind that comes not from title, but from time. Twenty-plus years shaping narratives building teams, and championing equity in boardrooms across the healthcare industry have prepared her for this moment — one that merges purpose with power. Planned Parenthood Southeast (PPSE) has officially named Parker as its new Senior Vice President of External Affairs , a move signaling not only a bold evolution in the organization’s external strategy, but a deepened commitment to advocacy, access, and representation across Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. A Defining Appointment for a Defining Moment This is not just another leadership transition. This is a strategic shift. As reproductive rights face unprecedented challenges across the South, PPSE’s decision to place Parker — a seasoned executive with both corporate acumen and community soul — at the helm of its external affa...

Dreams  don’t care if it’s Saturday, and meaningful work doesn’t always wait for Monday. As professionals, leaders, and changemakers, we often postpone our vision, waiting for the right moment, the perfect plan, or external validation.  But here’s the truth: remarkable lives aren’t built through grand gestures. They are built through intentional, courageous actions, one small choice at a time. This weekend, give your goals the attention they deserve, not full time, just focused, purpose-driven time. Start here: - Outline that idea you’ve been sitting on. - Take one strategic step forward. - Make the call that could change your future. - Explore a new skill. - Reach out to a potential collaborator. - Plant the first seed of your next chapter. Saturday isn’t a pause; it’s a platform, a space to create, not just consume. To build, not just browse. To lead yourself before you lead others. So today, build, begin, and be bold. What will you start this Saturday?

When you're in the middle of a storm, it feels endless, overwhelming, and unfair. But looking back, those struggles often become the most defining chapters of our journey. This morning, I reflected on Albert Camus' powerful words: “One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful."  Not because the pain itself is beautiful, but because of the resilience, growth, and wisdom it forces us to develop. Every challenge you face today is shaping the leader, innovator, and stronger version of yourself you will become.  The discomfort? It’s growth in motion.  The setbacks? They’re setting the stage for your breakthrough. Instead of fearing the struggle, embrace it, learn from it, and use it as fuel. One day, you’ll look back and realize that it was never breaking you; it was building you.