August 2019 Power Player

At Power to Decide, we’re committed to uplifting the many individuals on the ground doing the work that matters most. Each month we highlight an individual who is championing the effort to give young people the power to decide if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child. Check out this month's Power Player profile.

NIKKIA MCCLAIN

FOUNDER/CEO, TENE NICOLE MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

What work have you done to ensure that young people have access to high-quality sexual health information or high-quality contraceptive services so that they can decide if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child?

I am passionate about mentoring and educating young women because I can relate to them having been a teenage mother. In the past, I have devoted my time during the summer as a professor for both the WEEN (Women Entertainment Empowerment Network) Academy and E-School for Girls, an introduction to marketing and public relations.

Today, I’m even more passionate and intentional about being a mentor and work to encourage young girls and women to exceed in business while dealing with adversity.

How did you get started in your field? What is your driving force?

I was a teenage mother of two before graduating high school but was determined to defy the odds and succeed. I earned a bachelor’s degree while juggling two jobs. I have since married, expanded my family, and decided to fully commit to my career by obtaining a master’s degree in Public Relations from George Washington University.

I recognized early on I was able to push forward in my personal growth based on the support I had received over the years from countless women in my life and, because of that, I want to be a pillar for other women. Due to that support, I was inspired to launch #SupportYourGirlfriends in 2017, a personal accomplishment which has allowed me to foster positive opportunities that elevate and lift women to their highest potential.

I meet those goals via two initiatives: 1) #SupportYourGirlfriends Getaway, an “all-expense-paid” trip to Ocho Rios, presented by Moon Palace Jamaica and 2) the Pow(H)er Awards Dinner, an annual evening dedicated to recognizing “Un-Apologetic” women in their respective field and a night of giving back.

What advice would you give to someone looking to effect change in the field that you currently work in?

In my former career, I worked as a very successful real estate agent, in which I managed million-dollar properties. After several years of helping clients realize their real estate dreams, I knew I wanted to explore other opportunities that were aligned to my personal goals to pursue a career in marketing and public relations — a very bold decision given I had no background in the two fields. So, I took a leap of faith and established my marketing and public relations firm, TENÉ NÍCOLE.

My advice to those looking to pivot from one field to another is not to be afraid to fail because you may very well land in your purpose!  Allow the universe to respond to your vision. It happened for me and can happen for you!

Why should someone care about ensuring that all people—regardless of who they are or where they live—have access to the information and contraception they need to live their best life story? 

It’s vital that women of all cultures, backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses have fair and equal access to resources they need to first and foremost, maintain and live a safe and healthy life, reproductively, physically, and emotionally.

Is there a highlight of your work in conjunction with our organization that you’d like to share?

My firm hosted our 2nd Annual Pow(H)er Awards on "Thanks, Birth Control" Day (November 13, 2018), in partnership with Power to Decide to raise awareness about its mission and purpose, and elevate the message among attendees via social media. We were elated to have the Power to Decide organization as a significant component of the evening and looking forward to our growing relationship and once again expanding their messaging and initiatives during our upcoming 3rd Annual Awards, November 13, 2019.