Devin Ford Email & Phone Number

Empowering people is what gets me out of bed in the morning. I grew up in small-town Alabama and always felt out of place so as soon as I was able, I left to ‘find myself.’ I wanted to be a photographer and eventually landed in California.After moving to Los Angeles with a solid portfolio and a degree, I learned the hard way that artistic talent and business are two totally different skills. Add that without a network, you won’t get very far. Everything changed for me after attending a women’s conference. It was there that I connected with a mentor and other women in my community doing work that mattered. I had found the missing piece – coaching, training, and the beginnings of relationships that continue to nurture me professionally and personally to this day. I’d finally found my people and more importantly I learned that I could make a difference in my community.When I moved home to Mobile, even as a 20-year veteran I felt completely isolated and without resources or a network. I became determined to create the same experience and empower the women of my community. And so I founded Focus Empowers. Focus Empowers mission is to encourage, educate, and empower- to give women, girls, and their allies the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to impact their lives and community in a positive way. And because social capital is essential to success, the format encourages and fosters the development of relationships between people and organizations. We’ve grown from an annual conference for women to also hosting Teen Conferences, and the annual 40/40 Awards. And launching our online publication.I’ve often felt like an outsider and so for every woman who ever felt alone, like they must be missing something that everyone else has or that they are not worthy to be in ‘the circle’… that's why I created Focus Empowers. And why I am so dedicated to building a network of women, girls, and their allies that empowers all people.

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  Brooks Institute Of Photography

  Professional Photography