Samantha Barry’s Post

Sharing a simple and powerful message.

Why do you do the work that you do? Yes, this is one of those moments when you seriously need to do a sincere evaluation of the reasons behind your actions and ambitions. But let's backtrack a little. At the beginning of the month, there was a state wide congress of all the Student and Corpers Christian Fellowship Association of the particular denomination that I belong to. All seventeen chapters in the state were present —under one roof and here's where it gets interesting. During the Award Ceremony on the last day of the Congress, I had the privilege of being awarded not just one award but two! I was the only individual that was given two different awards. I was awarded the best writer and the most sociable all across the seventeen different fellowship chapters in the state. It gets even more interesting. After such a feat, you'd expect that I'd be leaping for joy and my friends certainly did the leaping for me but for one thing, I felt very numb. Yes, so I was recognized for the work that I do and my communication skills but in my head, it felt like, "Thank you, next." I didn't even unearth the lesson that lay in this until much later. I realized that one reason why I was unmoved by this feat is because the reason why I work, grind tirelessly and pursue being a better version of myself is not just for accolades although those are nice. I admit, they're nice. However, I have a more compelling why. I do the things that I do to serve humanity and honour God. Simply put. What this means is that, everyone needs a compelling why that drives the things that they do. They need a potent and super strong reason that would keep them awake and pushing even when the going gets tough. Recognition, awards and accolades are great but when it's all said and done, you'd find that they're not fulfilling. So, if they're the only reason why you do the things that you do then I'm afraid to say that you're in a rat race. Consequently, you need to have a compelling why that goes beyond the ephemeral and surface level. Something of greater and sterner level than just a fancy award plaque. Today, I challenge you to dig deeper into yourself and find your compelling why.

In a world where the clamor for diversity & inclusion has reached a crescendo, the words of Pr. Ruha Benjamin resonate with a profound truth: "Bl@ck faces in high places are not going to save us." Indeed, the mere presence of individuals from marginalized communities in positions of power is not a panacea for the deep-rooted issues of racism and discrimination. Rather, it has become evident that the pursuit of genuine change has been co-opted by the forces of ego, opportunism, and self-preservation. The noble cause of combating racism & fostering inclusivity has become often, regrettably, been commodified into a lucrative industry. Organizations, both public & private, have capitalized on the imperative of diversity, not out of a sincere commitment to social justice, but as a means to enhance their brand image & safeguard their interests, in the end. In this milieu, the elevation of black individuals to prominent roles often serves as a token gesture, obscuring the systemic barriers that continue to perpetuate inequality. Moreover, the proliferation of what may be termed as the "Lone Ranger" syndrome underscores the inherent limitations of relying solely on representation without substantive action. Merely occupying positions of authority does not automatically translate into meaningful change. Instead, it risks fostering complacency & reinforcing the status quo, thereby impeding the progress towards true equality. The emergence of initiatives ostensibly aimed at empowering the black community often reveals a troubling paradox. While purporting to uplift marginalized voices, some endeavors inadvertently perpetuate existing power dynamics. Ventures that claim to support black entrepreneurship may, in reality, replicate patterns of exploitation by appropriating existing wealth without fostering genuine economic empowerment. The adage "instead of feeding me fish, teach me how to catch a fish" encapsulates a fundamental truth that must guide our endeavors towards social justice. True empowerment lies not in handouts or token gestures, but in equipping individuals with the tools and resources to chart their own path to success. Initiatives that prioritize education, skill-building, and economic investment hold the potential to catalyze lasting change, empowering communities to transcend the constraints imposed by systemic inequality. The quest for racial equity & social justice demands a paradigm shift away from tokenism & symbolic gestures towards genuine empowerment and systemic change. While the presence of black faces in high places may serve as a symbolic victory, true progress requires a concerted effort to dismantle the structural barriers that perpetuate inequality. Genuine change will not be achieved through superficial gestures, but through a steadfast commitment to equity, justice & genuine empowerment for all. About me: disrupting your thought process & possibly inspiring new thinking patterns 🧠

🎉 What an exciting milestone update! I am thrilled to share our remarkable journey on LinkedIn – in the past 6 years, we've experienced phenomenal growth in followers, from humble beginnings with 288 followers in Nov 2018 to an impressive 1400 in Jan 2024! 📊✨ For those of you who don't track marketing data like 'number of followers' or engagement rate - these statistics are important indicators of business communication health and open communication with stakeholders. Here's what I'm the proudest of:🌟 In 2023, our social strategy changed to include stronger external engagement - what a game-changer in analytics. We actively connected with key stakeholders from Industry & Government, resulting in a significant surge in our followers and a more dynamic online community of researchers, academics, industry experts and government agencies working in research. In hindsight, why didn't we do this earlier? 🚀 One of the standout achievements of the year was working with the University Research portfolio to identify the need for their own LinkedIn Company page for the research community - welcome ANU Research and Innovation. We also progressed a working rapport with the team behind The Australian National University Company Page and all the schools and college pages across campus - critical for symbiotic social rapport. 💬 On a personal note, I was thrilled when our Company page got likes and comments from Industry and Government stakeholders, such as our friends at Grains Research and Development Corporation, Giant Magellan Telescope, and Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, amongst many others this year. I saw this as an evolution of our branding journey and our commitment to building collaborations in the academic and research landscape as well as the society our research serves. 👥 Quality engagement has been at the heart of our success. Our internal stakeholders, the incredible team at ANU Enterprise, played a pivotal role by contributing authentic content, having optimised profiles and sharing posts, and amplifying our reach and impact. Our social and communications training program and communication strategy certainly supported and enabled those who sought guidance.💜 🔍 A standout moment for me was our post highlighting our collaboration and support for a project on The Giant Magellan Telescope. The overwhelming response not only resonated with our followers but also prompted the main social account from ANU to spotlight this groundbreaking research and its impact - goals! We quickly dived into the loving embrace of the international telescope community. 🔭 🙌 Finally, T H A N K Y O U to my colleagues and to our followers. This milestone wouldn't be possible without our growing community! As we celebrate this achievement, I invite you all to stay engaged and connected. Here's to more milestones and exciting endeavours in 2024! 🚀🌐 #ANUEnterprise #EngagementSuccess #MarketingMilestones

Thanks Aga Khan University for the honor! Do read my brief blog mapping my 10 year journey and share your thoughts. Establishing #synergies #emergencymedicine #pediatricEmergencyMed #ICE #innovation #creativity #Entrepreneurship #ikigai #journeymapping #Growth

Perfect, simple example of how environments can be disabling, rather than the brain difference. Our systems are set up and - usually - run by people who fit into what we assume is “normal”, and that just doesn’t include everyone. This is the social model of disability in a nutshell. #disability #neurodiversity #adhd

Guidance from Senior Professor!

Congratulations sistah-friend Yolanda Johnson-Peterkin for your authentic and sincere commitment to serve individuals and families. You are the real deal! Watch this short video to learn how and why she helps families with housing.

What a privilege to learn more about the multi-faceted career of Dries Hauptfleisch, Emeritus Professor and MD of La Vie Care. Such zest for life. In the latest issue of Plus 50 mag.

Maritime Education is expensive, but in as much as it is, the program/training is designed to respond directly to the real needs of the Maritime Industry and to equip graduates with the requisite skills needed today and in the future. Regional Maritime University