EMPOWERMAGAZINE.COM – Change and Diversity Advocate Bonika Wilson gives her take on mental health and minority communities.

Authored by: Tammy Reese | July 11, 2023

We Empower Magazine readers, please meet Bonika Wilson, a renowned advocate for change and diversity with over 26 years of experience in guiding businesses through complex organizational challenges. As of late, Bonika has been leveraging successful business practices to guide high-power couples in the application of these strategies to maximize results in their relationships and marriages.

Bonika has become successful due to her solutions-oriented approach, combined with a true passion for inclusive communities, and healthy families. She’s developed a one-of-a-kind blueprint for couples to tackle day-to-day challenges, plan for them strategically, build a legacy, and leave a dynasty.

Please enjoy our interview as we discuss success, work-life balance, mental health, and more.

What do you define as success?

Bonika: Living life with clearly defined goals, within your values, and consistently accomplishing your goals and mission. I also measure success by how many people I have supported or helped along the way.

Do you believe in work-life balance? If so how do you maintain it?

Bonika: I believe in prioritizing what is important. There is no true balance, however, I make my family the priority and most often if there is a conflict, then family wins. Last, when your work is your passion and it is in alignment with your family’s overall mission, then you have a collaborative effort for accomplishing the mission and oftentimes the family is on board with the times when work must be the priority.

Who is your business role model? Why?

Bonika: My business role models are Tyler Perry, Oprah, and Marvin Ellison of Lowe’s

They are all mission-oriented, faith-led, and believers in reaching back and pulling others along.

It’s Minority Mental Health Month. Why is the conversation surrounding mental health so important especially in minority communities?

Bonika: Access to Mental Health in the minority community is ultimately about life or death. For years, the minority community has been plagued with a stigma around mental health. This stigma has precluded many from receiving the help that they need and because of that minority communities continue to be disproportionately impacted by drug abuse, crime, and death. Many of us don’t have familial support and encouragement and others don’t have the resources (money, health care insurance, and transportation). The Mental Health discussion is critical because depression and death by suicide have increased tremendously because of people feeling isolated during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our community has also been impacted by severe trauma from racial and social injustice and this also causes increased anxiety, stress, fear, and hopelessness.

Follow online:

Instagram: @thebusinesswithb

Website: https://www.bonikawilson.com/