Luminary - a person who inspires or influences others

Spotlighting

Laphon

Clergy Member and Community Advocate

What is your current profession or job?

I currently serve as a clergy member and community advocate.

How did you get into this line of work?

From the time I was a young child, I have always cared to help people who were in need. Whether giving to the homeless on the street or getting an extra snack in the school lunch line for someone who still looked hungry, I have sensed a calling to the less fortunate and looked over. I have identified my faith and community advocacy to be the place to make an impact in transforming communities.

What was your favorite subject in high school?

My favorite subject in high school was math because I really enjoyed solving complex problems. Although I pursued the complete opposite subjects in college and grad school.

What was your major in college?

I majored in Religion and Philosophy at the historic Morehouse College

If you did not directly enter your field of study, how have you been able to use your major in your current career?

One of the reasons I took on a Religion and Philosophy major was because it could launch me into any field of advocacy. These majors help me think critically about the world and how we as humanity engage one another and the world more ethically, which is sometimes different. Ultimately my goal is to seek the most ethical and moral solutions so that we can live in justice, love, and harmony.

What has been the highpoint of your career thus far?

I believe the most fulfilling moments of my career are watching peoples lives be impacted and transformed from the work being done. Whether it is seeing the joy of an underprivileged child who we provide toys for Christmas or the stress relieved from a parent as we give their children school supplies or hungry stomachs being satisfied, the impact that is a result of the work we do is worth every moment.

What kind of lifestyle has your career afforded you (home, vacation, educating children etc)?

My career has provided me with a truly blessed life. I have been able to travel the world leading me to places like South Africa, Ireland and India; meet and work with leaders, celebrities, and diverse people from around the world.

What is your greatest achievement outside of work?

My greatest achievement outside of work is the ability to live. I have learned that my value is not based on what I produced, but it is inherent in the fact that God created me. The ability to live, love, laugh, enjoy family and friends is a blessing, knowing the best is still yet to come!

Spotlighting

Marin

Emergency Planning Supervisor at General Dynamics Electric Boat

What is your current profession or job?

Emergency Planning Supervisor at General Dynamics Electric Boat, the leading nuclear submarine manufacturer in the world.

How did you get into this line of work?

Having a nuclear engineering degree allowed me to have great opportunities in this field, and I was drawn to my current position because of the vast complexities and challenges that this job has.

What was your favorite subject in high school?

My favorite subject was physics, because it requires the same amount of logic and imaginative thinking to understand.

What was your major in college?

BS in Nuclear Engineering at Penn State University.

What has been the highpoint of your career thus far?

It’s a tie! I have loved the vast opportunities that nuclear engineering allowed me to have. Women in engineering are still uncommon, so being able to break glass ceilings and open doors in my career by being the first black female supervisor in my department. Additionally, being nominated by my company and awarded a 2023 National Black Engineer of the Year Award has been one of my highest honors.

What kind of lifestyle has your career afforded you (home, vacation, educating children etc)?

To be honest, I have very high end tastes! My career has allowed me to enjoy amazing opportunities from shopping for Chanel in Paris overseas, to going on a weeks long honeymoon overseas, having my dream wedding, to owning my own home at 26.

What is your greatest achievement outside of work?

Finding and marrying the love of my life, and having a large collection of architectural and culturally meaningful lego sets.