“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” It’s a quote from Dr. Maya Angelou, a woman who is an inspiration to many including our November 2020 Member of the Month, Joy Pitts. Joy identified Dr. Angelou as a woman who did not allow labels to define her or her meaning of success. It’s an awareness that defies and arouses a sense of greater purpose. It’s fitting that Joy has chosen a mentor of this caliber.
Since joining Richmond YP in September 2019, Joy has been actively engaged in many facets of the organization. She has moderated Salon Talk series and is the current co-chair of the Social and Cultural Development Committee. Joy sought an organization that was committed to the betterment of the community and her people. She joined once she met like-minded individuals who were committed to the things that she found important. Most recently, she coordinated with the other young professional chapters in Virginia, Hampton Roads and Thursday Network (DC), to conduct a Text Bank. Joy led the Eastern Regional Phone Bank Initiative which mobilized NUL’s voting advocacy with volunteers who called and/or texted individuals to encourage them to vote and submit their absentee ballot.
A 2011 graduate of a historically black university, North Carolina A&T State University, Joy received a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Criminal Justice. She attained her M.B.A. with a concentration in Acquisition and Contracts and an M.A. in Management. She works for the Department of Defense where she manages various military contracts that support different avenues within a particular field. Overall, she handles mission essential contracts for four different bases.
In all aspects, Joy is a leader who continues to lead charges in the community and ignites the same desire in others. She stated her desire for her “black and brown brothers and sisters” to find their charges to lead in their community which results in partnering and activating issues together. “I believe that one of the biggest issues in the African American community is access. A lot of times, we are unaware of what we have access to, or we have strategically been placed in a position where we do not have access to various resources, or they have been made unavailable. We have been taught to work twice as hard as peers to gain the same access to positions or even success.” This indoctrination is at odds with Joy’s belief in self-determination.
As we continue to deal with a global pandemic, Joy turns to exercise and affirmations to manage her physical and mental health. She cycles twice a day on her Peloton and places mental health as a top priority. She enjoys the variety of culture that Richmond offers and believes the city is truly one huge history lesson (if you’re willing to learn). Additionally, her mood dictates the music in which she listens. It ranges from Jill Scott, Jay-Z, J.Cole or Megan Thee Stallion. Take time to contact Joy. Congratulate her on this recognition and ask about real estate because it’s her latest venture and she’s excited about the industry.