My sister, Melissa, has accomplished great things in her stellar career as a Conceirge for a large, luxury hotel in Chicago. She is among the few African Americans to earn membership in Les Clefs ‘Or (pronounced “lay clay door”), a national association of hotel lobby concierges who have achieved excellence in service to all. There are approximately 10,000 concierges around the world and 4,000 achieved the Les Clefs ‘Or status. You can distinguish Les Clefs ‘Or from other concierges by the crossed gold keys on their lapels.

She has served celebrities, CEO, young and older, the ‘have nots’ and more in her professional and volunteer roles.

She easily speaks to so-called strangers and the most difficult folk are just crying out for her specialized customer service.

Yet, being on stage or speaking in front of an audience of any size, was something Melissa could not imagine doing.

That is, until Monday evening at Chicago’s Annonyance Theater stage.

She debuted with her improv class in a hilarious set. Her husband, Hiram, and I were smiling and laughing and clapping. In our hearts, we were and remain immensely proud.

What put an accent point on her performance was when a fan spotted Melissa in a restaurant right after the show. She, too, debuted on stage that evening in a different troupe. She told my sister that Melissa brought a calming, confident presence on stage. Bravo!

She did it!

Step out of your comfort zones and do something that gives you joy while conquering a “fear.”Your career and personal lives will be better for it.

Congrats, Melissa. You earned your wings. Now fly!

Ann L. Wead Kimbrough is an accomplished educator, award-winning financial journalist, author, special events leader, mentor and prolific contributor to select global and domestic non-profit causes. Her blog topics include travel, history, humor, education, career, family, journalism and ‘thought you should know’ subjects. https://www.linkedin.com/in/annlineve