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Story & Lesson Highlights with Garbralle Conroe of Irvine

We recently had the chance to connect with Garbralle Conroe and have shared our conversation below.

Garbralle, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I recently felt really proud when several peers who I didn’t realize had been observing my work approached me to share their appreciation. They mentioned that they value my work ethic, my confidence, and my ability to think at a higher level and outside the box. It was affirming to know that the effort I put into approaching challenges creatively and leading effectively is being noticed and making an impact.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Garbralle Conroe is the founder of Educate Empower Lead, LLC, a consulting and educational organization dedicated to helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential. With a master’s degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, Garbralle combines expertise in professional development, community leadership, and education to empower others to achieve their goals and create positive change.
Her work has been recognized through numerous honors, including Business of the Year (2012), 40 Under 40 (2017), and Education Hero (2024). She is also a published author (2022) and a certified national entrepreneur (2023).
Garbralle frequently shares her insights as a speaker at national and community events, including the Girls World Expo, Fresno City College Equity and Success Summit, and Valley PBS “Young, Gifted and Black” panel. She actively contributes to community leadership, serving on boards such as Take A Stand Fresno, the California Youth Board, and as a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Orange County chapter.
Through Educate Empower Lead, Garbralle inspires individuals and organizations to lead with confidence, think creatively, and make meaningful impacts in their communities.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
The people who taught me the most about work were my parents. From an early age, they instilled in me the values of discipline, integrity, and perseverance. They always reminded me that my worth is not defined by my environment or the color of my skin, and that character will always outlast circumstance. Those lessons shaped my work ethic and my approach to leadership reminding me that consistency, honesty, and resilience are the foundation of long-term success.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
For a long time, I was afraid of failure. I would internalize setbacks and see them as reflections of my own shortcomings. Over time, I’ve come to see fear differently now I understand that on the other side of fear is growth and wisdom. I’ve learned to embrace discomfort because it’s in those challenging situations that real growth happens. Today, I no longer shy away from difficult moments; I welcome them as opportunities to learn, evolve, and expand my capabilities.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that what really matters to me is helping others and supporting them to reach their full potential. I’m committed to putting people in positions where they can grow and succeed, and I live by the principle, “Each one, teach one.” I genuinely value creating opportunities for others and uplifting those around me.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people might misunderstand that my success happened overnight. The truth is, you have to be willing to put in the work. Discipline, structure, and perseverance are essential. There were many setbacks, sleepless nights, and challenges along the way, and growth doesn’t happen instantly it takes time and consistent effort.

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