Sylvia: Hi Dr. Dorsey. I am thrilled to talk to you. Congratulations on being selected as NAWR’s “10 Most Intriguing Women on the Rise.  Tell me about yourself and your business?

Dr. Dorsey: Sure, and thank you Sylvia.  My name is Dr. Tekemia Dorsey, the CEO/President of The Creative GRP., LLC.  The Creative GRP., LLC is a for profit and non-profit organization that is an umbrella organization for Creative Creations Consulting, LLC; Creative Creations Consulting Publishing Company; The National Literacy Mentorship Program; Dr. Tekemia Dorsey’s Radio Show (Youth, Education, and Leadership), and much more. We provide educational consulting, research services, publishing services, radio services, leadership training and education services, and community outreach programs.

Sylvia: Success is…

Dr. Dorsey:  Success is… measured not by what you do for self but what you unselfishly do to uplift, inspire, encourage, and motivate others. @2007 True Leadership Lies in the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT (Dr. Tekemia Dorsey)

Sylvia: How do you give back to your community? 

Dr. Dorsey: I give back to the community through outreach programs for at-risk youth, parents, the community and its leaders such as the 2011 Youth Empowerment RETREAT currently going on now in Baltimore and the state of Maryland. For more details, visit www.thecreativegrp.org

In addition to the 2011 Youth Empowerment RETREAT, I do a summer reading program campaign that is designed to close the academic achievement gap phenomena that occurs during the summer months.

I give out free-age appropriate books to youth and encourage an adult to mentor them throughout the process. There is also a phase 2 to the project and all youth are rewarded for completing the program. 

Since 2007, I have been voluntarily teaching a leadership training and education program for youth on the elementary school and middle school levels. I also do this program with high schoolers and adults. I still teach these courses voluntarily today.

I use my radio show to provide insights, strategies, tips, and sound knowledge to youth, parents, the community and its leaders. I just do not focus on problems but solutions to what we are facing as a society from an international and national platform. I am not paid for my show; in fact I pay each week to be on the air (www.artistfirst.com/dorsey.htm)

For the past 13 years, I have operated an Adopt-A-Family program here in the Baltimore, MD area. We (my kids and I) have blessed up to 13 families in 2009 and have done so since 1997. I normally fund this project out of pocket but in 2009 solicited assistance from the public and the outpouring was HUGE. We spent a full week of Christmas packing boxes and tubes of clothes, toys, shoes, etc, rented a UHAUL truck and delivered the items to each family all day on Christmas. My kids celebrated Christmas on December 27, 2009. They understood and so enjoyed being able to help others. My kids now are 2, 4, 6, 10 and 13.

Sylvia: How do you create work/life balance?

Dr. Dorsey: I create work/life balance by consistently keeping GOD first in all I do and examining WHO I AM in every facet and aspect of life. I am able to accomplish projects because I know my divine assignments which are youth, education, and leadership. I reach out for assistance when assistance and support is needed which remains the balance for success.

I use the projects I take on as a family project and involve my kids in the process. I am a single mom of 5 and teaching them it is better to give than receive remains a POWERFUL and PRICELESS lesson in life.

Sylvia: What tips can you share with women business owners?

Dr. Dorsey: I would encourage other business owners to continue to examine self, think through their processes, don’t engage in more than they can handle just because it looks good, and keep GOD first in ALL things you do. Move when HE says move and don’t move when HE says don’t move. It’s that simple. Always think outside the box.

Sylvia: Thank you for sharing your time and expertise with our members and subscribers. How can we get in touch with you?

Dr. Dorsey: You are welcome, my contact information is below:

Contact: The Creative Group
Website: http://www.thecreativegrp.org
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DrTekemia
Facebook: www.facebook.com/drtekemiad
Email: drdorsey@thecreativegrp.org

Sylvia Browder

Sylvia Browder is CEO of Specialty Home Services LLC, a Home Improvement Company; a Small Business Consultant at Browder Consulting Group, a startup consultancy firm to help women with startup assistance, marketing, website and graphic design work and other support services. In addition, she has co-authored several published books; publisher of ‘Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneurs’ a lifestyle blog; and publisher of ShopSpendBlack.com Business Directory & Blog platform created to help consumers find black owned businesses in a searchable format. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years; 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren; church; friends and motorcycle riding.