devikabrij

Some roles find you before you feel ready for them. When I was asked to lead Women's Ministry at my church, my first honest response was hesitation. Not because I didn't care, but because I cared a lot! My professional life is full. My calendar is packed supporting clients globally. The weight of showing up for women in their faith is not something I was willing to do halfway.

God has a way of meeting you in the doubt.

I've been part of this church since before it was a church. Somewhere in that history, something was being built in me I didn't have language for yet, a natural pull toward walking alongside women, helping them grow closer to God and walk out their purpose.

Outside of my work at Brij the Gap, this is where you'll find me on Saturdays. The most full-circle expression of who I've always been. Thank you to my brother .chaney and sister who saw it before I did.

Before the camera starts rolling, I pray. I do this every time before an interview, before a stage, before any platform where I've been given a microphone and a moment. Not as a ritual but as a reminder.

A lot of people want visibility. The speaking fees, the press features, the credibility that comes with being seen as an expert. What doesn't get talked about enough is what visibility actually is: an assignment. It's an opportunity to shape how someone thinks, what they believe about themselves and what they decide to do next.

That's not something I take lightly.

Every time I step in front of an audience, I'm aware that someone in that room is deciding on their career, leadership style, courage or next move. I want to be useful to that person. Not impressive. Useful.

So I pray for wisdom on what to teach, what to say, how to guide and the exact tools they need. Platform was never the point. The people on the other side of it always were and continues to be.

Something is in the works. For years I've taken my tools and strategies into rooms at Google, Meta, Visa, Converse, and more, helping professionals and leaders advance, advocate for themselves and lead through a rapidly changing workforce. The number one question I get from individuals after those engagements is, "how can I work with you outside of my company?"

Some of you are in organizations that invest heavily in development. Some are navigating your growth largely on your own. Either way, you're asking the same thing: how do I get the real tools, the honest conversations, the strategies that actually move the needle on my career?

That question has never been more urgent. The workforce is shifting faster than most companies can keep up with. AI is reshaping roles, raising the bar on visibility and changing what it means to lead. The professionals who will advance aren't just the ones working hardest. They're the ones who know how to position themselves, advocate for their value and lead in a way that translates across this new landscape.

What's brewing is a chance to bring that same work to a smaller, more intimate setting — in person with me in Atlanta.

A day to learn. To build community with professionals who are serious about advancing. To talk through exactly what you're walking out in real time, not in a webinar, behind a screen.

Details are coming. If you want to be the first to know before anything goes public, drop a comment or tag someone who needs to be in the room.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to speak to emerging female leaders over an intimate and intentionally curated dinner. It was an offline event (no phones allowed) but my sister in love and I snuck this shot before disappearing into an evening of intentional connection.

I spoke on the topic, Hope is Your Portion. I shared intimate details of the two year wilderness I rarely share with professionals. The raw feelings of being terminated without cause during a thriving climb at a company I desired to grow within. Two years out of the workforce. No paycheck. No clear path. Shedding areas of my heart I didn't know were hindering me. It was a season that felt like punishment for something I didn't understand. God later showed me it was preparation. Preparation that would eventually birth a whole new career and transform me from Tech Sales Leader to CEO of Brij the Gap, Global Speaker and Author.

In challenging seasons, often the first thing we lose is hope. Hope can be mistaken as an emotion or something that's a reward for positivity through adversity. Romans 15:13 describes God as a God of hope. When God dwells in your heart, you do not have to WAIT for hope. You do not have to EARN hope. Hope is your portion because God IS hope. God carried me through my wilderness season through hope that could only be received through Him. The result: a global business, a platform I could never create on my own and creating fruit from all the things I once feared.

If you're in your wilderness season, know this: hope is your portion.

I’m honored to have celebrated the launch of new book, Never Wear Red Lipstick. You can feel the intention she’s poured into every page creating something that speaks directly to Black women while offering insight, reflection, and growth for anyone willing to lean in.
Get your copy and gift one for someone in your circle who needs it too.

Celebrating you, Dr. Burton!

Today on Administrative Professionals Day, I’m honoring my mom. Growing up, I had a front-row seat to her long career as an Executive Assistant in tech. The lessons I witnessed through action have shaped me as a professional.

I learned early that relationships matter. She didn’t just support executives, she made people feel seen. She knew their likes and dislikes, remembered their kids’ names and would pick up small, thoughtful gifts for colleagues and their families when she traveled. To her, it was never just about the work. It was about the people. That’s something I've carried into every relationship and partnership in my corporate career and now in my own business.

I learned that anticipation is a form of leadership. She was always a few steps ahead, creating calm in situations that could have become chaotic. Today, that shows up in how I lead, plan and serve the organizations I work with.

I learned that excellence lives in the details. The thoughtfulness behind the smallest things builds trust and credibility.

Watching her all my life didn’t just shape my perspective. It shaped how I show up as a leader. Grateful for the example she set and the legacy she continues to build.

Admins, you are the backbone of every business. Don't forget it!