When the phrase “leaving a legacy” comes up, it is usually associated with wealthy elderly people creating trust funds or charitable organizations in their name. However, legacies are more than just about money. Everyone, regardless of age, financial status, or background, can and should aspire to build a legacy and be remembered by their family and their community as a force for good.
This is why Tovey Blake, an award-winning business administrative expert and certified online business manager, has announced that she is founding a nonprofit organization, called Women Building Legacies, that will help elevate women, especially women of color, and empower them to build their own legacies and make their communities better places. The organization, which is expected to launch in March 2024 with the help of her daughter, Acacia and aunt Jovica, will initially operate virtually, before eventually establishing a brick-and-mortar location in Canada.
“Coming from a Caribbean immigrant family, legacy was not something that was talked about in my family. It was all about going to school, finding a good job, and making money to support your loved ones. What led me to create Women Building Legacies is the desire to reach out to women and encourage them to think about what they are leaving behind for the next generation. I want them to think about the mark they will make on the world, for which they will be remembered,” Blake says.
Women Building Legacies will kick off in March 2024 with a three-day virtual summit with various breakout sessions and keynote speakers. While the overarching theme has yet to be revealed, Blake says mental health will definitely be one of the issues that will be tackled in the summit. Historically, women are more likely to experience common mental health problems than men, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Women Building Legacies grows, Blake plans to provide coaching services for women in various areas of their lives and careers. The organization will also have social workers and psychotherapists to provide support to women encountering challenges in their lives. The organization will also work to empower women in the workplace, with resume writing and interview coaching services that will help them be prepared for interviews. Blake also plans to create a women's business attire closet, which will help women in need access the clothes they need to present themselves properly and land the jobs they are aiming for.
“Those are the little things that I hope to include in our facility, giving women back their confidence and help them reach new heights in their lives and careers. I want people to be able to have access to the things that I didn't have in the past. I don't want them to learn things by trial and error, which is why I am sharing my knowledge and experiences to better equip them for the challenging way ahead,” Blake says.
Prior to founding her business consulting and virtual assistant coaching company, Above All Admin, Blake was working multiple jobs to support her daughter. She underwent much hardship to make ends meet, and it was discovering the virtual assistant industry that eventually helped her get a leg up in life. As she is now running her own successful business, Blake believes it is now time for her to give back and help more people, especially women, succeed and build their own legacies.
“I want my legacy to be elevating women in general, especially those who have gone through difficult challenges, such as family and mental health issues, as well as those who are at an important crossroads in their life,” Blake says. “I know how challenging it is to find your place, and your purpose. I believe that both Women Building Legacies and Above All Admin are a calling that's been placed in my life, helping people live and work with purpose, passion, and freedom to serve the community.”
Media contact:
Name: Tovey Blake
Email: [email protected]
