Interview With Author V.Ophelia Rigault
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a highly accomplished professional with a Master’s degree in Education specializing in Educational Leadership. With over 20+ years of experience in the field of equity, diversity, and inclusion, I am a sought-after Speaker and Trainer. I am also the owner of Real Talk Solutions, a company dedicated to providing training in equity and diversity to inclusive leaders and organizations.
I am passionate about creating communities of belonging, and I am committed to partnering with inclusive leaders and organizations to foster equitable and inclusive work cultures and communities.
Through my engaging keynote speeches, impactful training sessions, community-building initiatives, and media appearances, I actively promote inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.
Having personally experienced exclusion based on gender and race, I bring a deep understanding and empathy to my work. Drawing on my extensive background as a business consultant, entrepreneur, educator, and mindset coach spanning over 20 years, I possess a unique ability to engage diverse groups of people across various sectors.
My expertise lies in facilitating difficult conversations about race, gender, privilege, mental health awareness, and equity. I empower HR managers, business owners, and community leaders to develop their equity-building skills and create spaces where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging.
Approaching my work with empathy, compassion, and encouragement, I am dedicated to forging a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I was inspired to write my first book, The CAREING Leader, because, during my time completing my masters in education, I noticed the challenges faced by full-time students and business owners in balancing their responsibilities. I wanted to create a book that would provide research-based insights on leadership, equity, and diversity in a digestible format, emphasizing the importance of caring and seeing people as human beings to be truly inclusive leaders.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t have any unusual writing habits; I simply need to be in the right mood, have some solitude, and create a peaceful and calm environment to write.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Through my website, showing up on social media and by doing in-person book readings. I find my friends, family and strategic partners are really my biggest supporters. I have also found a lot of great connections and support through a local women-identifying entrepreneurial group. https://www.vopheliarigault.com/the-careing-leader-book
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to writers is to take it step by step, not feeling pressured to write the entire book at once. Start with smaller pieces and gradually bring them together.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve received, from my mother, is to never let anyone, not even myself, steal my joy. This advice has helped me navigate tough times and appreciate both the good and bad experiences in my life.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently engrossed in “The Two Lives of Sarah” by Katherine Adele West, the author of “Saving Ruby King.” The book is set in 1960s Memphis, portraying a young mother finding solace in a boarding house where family extends beyond blood ties, capturing the essence of being Black in that era.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The next step for me as a writer is to focus on promoting my current book and developing it into a training tool for creating courses on caring leadership. I believe the future of my leadership book lies in collaborating with real-life leaders to incorporate self-care and resilience, as their ability to lead impacts the realization of equity.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Some of my favorite authors include romance novelists like Danielle Steel and Barbara Cartland from my teenage years. Later on, I delved into horror, crime stories, and classics by authors such as Stephen King, John Grisham, Toni Morrison, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, bell hooks, and James Baldwin.
Author Websites and Profiles
V.Ophelia Rigault Amazon Profile
V.Ophelia Rigault’s Social Media Links
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