The Power of the Cohort: How Sisterhood Healed My Leadership Journey
Greetings all,
My name is Brittany Lane and I am a current participant of the 2025 You Can’t Fail cohort. I consider myself blessed to be a part of such an amazing group of Black and Brown women who are truly taking the world by storm.
My journey within You Can’t Fail has not been easy. Truthfully, it has challenged me more than any other leadership program I have been exposed to. It has challenged me to truly step into the next phase of not only my career, but my life.
Finding My Voice in the Silence
I was born and raised in a small town in southwest Virginia (Rocky Mount). Growing up, I was known as the “quiet child” who always had my nose buried in a book. To be honest, being in any type of spotlight terrified me. I had many visions and desires of who and what I wanted to be when I grew up, but those grandiose dreams didn’t come without the challenges life would throw my way.
On October 14, 1996, at 1:14 AM, I lost my older brother, Tyrone, to a brain aneurysm—exactly two weeks before my eighth birthday. He was only 19 years old and had recently graduated from Air Force basic training. His sudden passing affected me deeply. One of the foundational people who believed in me, encouraged me, and authentically loved me was no longer in the physical realm.
As my mother navigated a deep sense of grief, she was unable to show up for me in the way I needed. It was then that I learned an unhealthy habit: I felt I needed to forgo my own needs to be there for others. Amid this personal turmoil, I was often compared to other family members. My quietness was misunderstood; no one saw that my withdrawal was actually a cry for help as I coped with the loss of my beloved brother.
The Challenge to Re-Brand
Growing up with that mindset meant I missed out on many opportunities. I felt a constant need to garner acceptance and act as the anchor for everyone else, often feeling that other people deserved opportunities more than I did.
While I am accomplished in my professional career, I can’t help but wonder how much farther along I would be in my personal life if I had simply learned that it was okay to show up for myself. You Can’t Fail challenged me in one major way: stripping away the degrees, professional accomplishments, and accolades, what type of person was I?
What gives Brittany joy?
What type of leader do I want to be?
At this exact moment, who is Brittany?
These were tough questions. This program challenged me to prioritize myself and think about my personal brand. It went against everything I had been taught for 36 years. Facing the task of re-branding and centering myself was terrifying, yet incredibly rewarding.
The Power of Sisterhood
I recall a cohort meeting where I broke down in front of my sisters. I was struggling to know who I was in that moment because I was in full transition mode, looking to pivot in every aspect of my life. My sisters chose to speak life into me. Some reached out privately to discuss the unique stressors of being a Black woman in leadership and the importance of standing firm just as I am. Those conversations stick within my heart and mind.
The You Can’t Fail program showed me that there are beautiful, brilliant, and dope Black women dealing with the same stressors I do. It taught me that it is okay to show up as my authentic self—the one with a quiet but mighty presence.
My Superpowers
I have learned that being observant, compassionate, and kind does not make me weak. In fact, my kindness and observation skills are not my weaknesses—they are my superpowers.
Under the guidance of Mrs. Gwen Webber-McLeod and Elder Melody Smith Johnson, I have learned that there is no other way to show up than as my authentic, brilliant, and beautiful self. I look forward to graduating and putting my strengths in mentorship and community relations to work, helping other sisters re-brand, pivot, and find the joy in this one life we are blessed to live!
Brittany Lane
You Can’t Fail Class of 2025
