March 21, 2021 • 51 mins
This episode was recorded on October 4, 2020.
In this episode, longtime friends and lobbyists Terri Broussard Williams and Elizabeth Hadley sit down to discuss how they because fast friends working at the Texas Capitol and dive deeper into Terri's career as a multi-state lobbyist as well as her adventure into social impact and change-making as the Founder of Movement Maker.
Learn more at: https://www.terribwilliams.com
Buy Terri's book: Find Your Fire
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Season 2 of the Pink Granite Podcast is generously sponsored by:
Davis Kaufman
Public Blueprint
Denise Rose
Amy Whited
Thank you for listening!
Guest: Terri Broussard Williams
Host: Elizabeth Hadley
Editing: Amy Whited
Music: "Only the Brave Run Wild" Sounds Like Sander
Voice Talent: Sarah Keats
Executive Producer: Amy Whited
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Elizabeth Hadley (00:36):
Hi, everyone.
I'm Elizabeth Hadley. I'm ashareholder at Greenberg Traurig
law firm in our Austin office.
And I lobby in Texas as well aspractice law. And through that
world, I got to know TerriBroussard Williams, who is one
of my dear friends and I thinkso highly of. So I'm really
excited to get to talk to youtoday, Terri, and learn more
(00:59):
about your journey as a lobbyistand this incredible movement
that you've created. So,welcome.
Terri Broussard Williams (01:07):
It's so interesting. Usually, it's
the other way around. The lasttime we did this, I was
interviewing you.
Elizabeth Hadley (01:12):
I know, I know, we have a little, we have
a little thing going now withthese interviews. So um, you
know, we first met, of course,during our transfer class of the
Junior League of Austin. Andit's funny, I can remember
walking through the fit pantrytalking. And which, of course,
(01:34):
became a big part of my lifewhen I chaired the fit program,
which is fit 4 tummies foranybody listening who doesn't
know, which is a signatureprogram of the Junior League of
Austin, which in part was wasfrom Terri serving on the
nominating committee. So we bothreally enjoyed our time there.
But you know, it's one of thosethings where you meet people in
(01:54):
life, and you just click and Iremember just talking to you
that day, and thinking, gosh, Ireally liked her. And we became
friends and grew from there. Andof course, given our legislative
work and backgrounds, it justsort of, you know, naturally
grew in that way. And you ofcourse, were the first person to
(02:14):
hire me as a lobbyist when youwere at the American Heart
Association, which is reallyexciting. And we got to do a lot
of cool things together there.
So, you know, before you got tothe American Heart Association,
obviously, you had roles andwork in your career before that,
and you have done so manydifferent interesting things. Of
course, one place where we haveto disagree is your background
(02:37):
and as as an LSU tiger, with mewith me as an all of us rebels.
So, you know, started, you didgreat things at LSU. Like, how
did you get into this world of,you know, politics and
legislative work? And how didyou get started and find your
(02:58):
way? Here?
Terri Broussard Williams (03:02):
Yeah, how did I find that fire? So I'm
a mutt you know, so many peoplethat probably listen to Pink
Granite, they knew in highschool or college that they
wanted to work under the pinkdome. And that's just not the
case for me. I always wanted togive people information so that
(03:25):
they could do good in the world.
They could take the informationand use it to better themselves
or their community. And so Iwent to school to be Barbara
Walters.
Elizabeth Hadley (03:38):
And you got to work in in news. Yeah, in South
Carolina, right.
Terri Broussard Williams (03:43):
Oh, three different TV stations. So
I worked at a TV station inLafayette. Yes, start working
there when I was a teenreporter. And worked at WBRZ in
Baton Rouge. The whole time Iwas in college, I worked full
time. My last year of school Iwas at LSU for three years and
(04:05):
rush to graduate because I justknew I wanted to work in a
newsroom and found my way toColumbia, South Carolina, where
I worked at WIS, which is thelargest TV station in South
Carolina. And just one day, gaveit up I felt like and giving
people information was not themost important thing. I felt
(04:28):
like I had to create headlinesthat were more sensational than
what was reality. And that wasnot what I wanted to do. So I
broke my contract was incrediblyyoung. I was like 22 and never
looked back. I had a quick stintas a fundraiser at a children's
(04:49):
museum, which is how I learnedhow to raise money for
nonprofits. I did that forexactly for a year, and then
became the press secretary andcomms director for Alex Sanders
when he ran against LindseyGraham for US Senate for Strom
Thurmond seat, so 2002
Elizabeth Hadley (05:07):
See, I don't think I even realized that you
started that in South Carolina,because I knew that you of
course lobbied then inLouisiana.
Terri Broussard Williams (05:15):
So yeah, cool. Yeah, not many
people do know that, you know,as lobbyists, sometimes we might
like to try to appear to be asbipartisan as possible to get
all the votes.
Elizabeth Hadley (05:26):
Yes.
Terri Broussard Williams (05:27):
I work for Alex Sanders, incredible
man, he was a judge, a staterep. college president, we got
to travel all across SouthCarolina. And it was an
incredible time for me. Beingyoung, and traveling all across
the state, South Carolina hadjust moved up as presidential
primary to February. So everyonewho was considering running for
(05:50):
president showed up to try toget into the game. And you know,
the time Lindsey Graham was acongressman, and he had just led
the impeachment hearings againstPresident Clinton. And but yet
he was so respectful and soappreciative of everything that
(06:10):
judge Sanders did for the statethat it made for a very
interesting campaign, and welost on election night. And then
I turned to a mentor of mine whoremains in politics today and is
still a big brother to me andsaid, What am I gonna do? You
know, I graduated college inthree years, had a job before I
(06:30):
graduated, I always had like aplan. I didn't have a plan. And
he looked at me and literally,this I this is exactly how it
went down. He said, you're goingto become a lobbyist. And I was
like, Elle Woods? In LegallyBlond 2? And that was really the
only lobbyist I've never seen.
And that was November andFebruary, I had a badge
Louisiana State Capitol thatsaid lobbyists and a briefcase
(06:50):
and I was on my way.
Elizabeth Hadley (06:55):
I love it. I love it.
Terri Broussard Williams (06:56):
So, rare, right.
Elizabeth Hadley (06:58):
And so then you were in your lobby there in
Baton Rouge for how long beforeyou came to Texas?
Terri Broussard Williams (07:04):
So that was 2003. I moved to Texas
in February of 2008. And it wasthis incredible ride, you know,
as you know, is about becauseyou serve as a contract lobbyist
for the hardest association isnot easy working on those laws.
There's so many metrics, so manyspecifications that you have to
(07:26):
follow when you're working inpublic health, especially for a
large nonprofit. And the wholetime I was in Louisiana, I still
don't understand it. You know, Ididn't have a pedigree, never
trained to be a lobbyist. neverwent to state capitol with the
exception of fifth grade fieldtrip. And I never lost a bill
the whole time I was there.
Yeah. So you know, I say some ofit was luck. Some of it is just
(07:47):
gut instincts. And some of itwas understanding how to
communicate, bringing thoseskills in from the newsroom, and
nonprofit space and fundraisingand serving on a campaign to
distill the message so that Ireally could communicate with
people that I was talking to, topass laws.
Elizabeth Hadley (08:09):
That's so interesting. And something I
think we've talked about before,that, you know, you having a
news and media broadcastingbackground, and then me being a
lawyer, as well as a lobbyist.
You know, there, those aredifferent ways that you learn to
communicate and advocate foryour clients. And so it all ties
in to the advocacy work that wedo in this space. And also,
(08:33):
similarly, you know, we neitherof us grew up here in Texas, we
didn't, you know, start workingin the Capitol in college, like
a lot of our friends andcolleagues did, which is great.
We both came here and said, Hey,figure it out. This is what we
want to do. And, you know, herewe are. Um, so, you know, how do
you see, before we get into somemore of the other amazing things
(08:56):
that you've, you know, gotteninto now? What kind of
differences do you see your ordid you see in lobbying in
Louisiana versus when you versushere in Texas, but then also,
you know, your work in SouthCarolina as a black female
lobbyist, person working inpolitics? What kind of
(09:17):
similarities or differences Didyou see across the southern
states? And how did that impactyour work?
Terri Broussard William (09:27):
There's so much there to upack. You
know, I had this incrediblejourney at the Heart
Association. I was there foralmost 16 years. Exactly. So I
got to work first in the southeast affiliate. So from
Louisiana, all the way toFlorida, up to Tennessee. And
then when I moved to Texas, Ibecame the Vice President of six
(09:47):
states. So I had from Arkansas,over to Colorado and Wyoming
seems so random, but I've workedin a lot of states and even now
I work all the way up to Kansasand Missouri. So I'm definitely
getting a different feel for thecountry. And so, so much is the
same yet so much is different.
So I'll start first by talkingabout what was it like
transitioning from Louisiana,Texas, and then get into what it
(10:10):
was like being a young blackfemale lobbyist in the South
because I started loving beforemy 25th birthday, which is also
rare for Texas, right? Mostpeople work at the Capitol for a
hot minute before they, youknow, they start lobbying. And
so, you know, I think there arethere's a lot that similar
(10:31):
people work the same, you know,lobbyists who tend to be
transactional in the way thatthey build relationships,
they're not going to besuccessful, new lobbyists that
are truly authentic, and beingcurious, just like stimulated by
someone's conversation and whothey are and why they make the
(10:52):
decisions. They're going to besuccessful. And understanding
that cause and that why, andthen from there, building out
your strategy, you know, that'sreally what it takes. And so
that's always the same no matterwhat state that I work in, but
I'll never forget. Oh my gosh,so I get to Texas, you know, I
like double my salary, I finallybuy a DVF dress a wrap dress.
(11:14):
One of those... And I get tothe Capitol, you know, got my
big girl heels on.
Elizabeth Hadley (11:23):
And your red lipsitck?
Terri Broussard Williams (11:24):
Oh, my red lipstick girl, I wore my red
lipstick today just for you.
So I get there. And first ofall, it's big. There, like
multiple levels underground,above ground. People everywhere,
couldn't find a place to park. Iwas so overwhelmed. And God
bless Joel Romo, who met me atthe grill and walked me to where
(11:45):
I needed to go because I wouldhave not found it. Yeah. And are
these big offices like lawmakersin Texas, I call it the like
mini congressional dome, orthere were like 20, staff,
interns and committee staff.
Yeah, stop and one senate officeand I'm like, Louisiana,
(12:07):
Louisiana. State reps have adesk, there's no office is a
district representative, youknow, a person that answers the
phone. And then in the Senate,they might have one or two
staff, they do have an office.
But like, it was just somethingthat was so different. And I'm
(12:29):
not a person that getsintimidated. I'm not a person
that I'm usually fearless andjust kind of don't get
flustered. But I'll neverforget, I was just I called my
mom. But then I was like, I canget the people, I can learn the
people, but I'm not going tolearn this building. I still get
lost.
Elizabeth Hadley (12:48):
You know, it's so it's so funny. I mean,
there's somebody, you know,similarities and things that
we've shared over the years. Andit's the same thing, you know, I
had since I had worked inWashington, DC first. And I came
here and I thought, well, thisis kind of like a mini DC. I
mean, this is like, you know,the real deal. And say, you
know, coming from Mississippi,where I was like, I remember
(13:10):
when they called me aboutinterviewing for my first job in
the Texas Capitol. And I said,Now, this is his office, and
it's a general counsel position.
And same thing, because I'mlike, they don't have all this.
And this is this full timestuff. So I totally get it. And
it's always funny, you know,when you bring new people to the
Capitol, and you walk around inthe extension underground, and
(13:31):
they're like, how do you knowwhere you're going? And you're
like, you just, you just get itafter some time. But yeah,
there's still hallways that youmight turn down and have to
figure out where you're going
Terri Broussard Williams (13:42):
I remember going to the shark
tank. And everyone's like, thisis the shark tank, this is where
the lobbysts wait. And I waslike, "yo, like, I stand at the
door and throw notes to thestate reps. in Louisiana." I was
the problem child, all theSergeant at Arms would turn the
other way, I'd made friends withDiet Coke and KitKat. All the
things I actually should notbring to the Capitol, based on
(14:03):
who I was lobbying for. Andliterally would throw notes to
who I needed to talk to you. Andthere is no way you could do
that in Texas, you would getescorted out the building.
Elizabeth Hadley (14:11):
Yeah, exactly.
Exactly. Yes. There are somethings definitely different
about the Texas Capitol, I thinkcompared to other states and DC.
Terri Broussard Williams (14:21):
It is and you know, I tell everyone,
there's actually a legitcafeteria with good food and
yogurt. Yogurt day is always thebest day. But you asked a little
bit about my journey, being awoman of color and lobbying and
(14:41):
I think in Louisiana, Louisianais different than Texas. You
know. There isn't a lot ofdiversity in the population. So
when I was in school, there wereonly white kids and black kids
after Hurricane Katrina. Then westarted to see diversity within
(15:03):
the workplace or school systems.
And that's so weird, right? ThatKatrina happened in '05. You
know, and I, this is I'm gonnatake a tangent here, but to this
day in Lafayette, which is myhometown, the order of Mardi
Gras parade store reflects thesegregation of the community. So
(15:23):
it's the king parade. First,it's an all white crew, then
it's the Queen parade. It's anall white crew, then is the
black parade, which has the kingin the Queen there third, and
then afterwards, the independentparty, which is mostly pets, you
know. And so that was just howit went. So I never really
thought about race, lobbying inLouisiana, that said, when I was
(15:46):
there, there were we might havebeen five women of color under
the age of 40. In 2003, andeveryone is still there. They're
all doing incredible things.
Some of them are AssistantSecretaries of department, some
of them are so lobbying on theirown or within practices. But
(16:09):
there really wasn't many of us.
So we never thought about it,you know, and Dari Jordan, who
had been lobbying for a longtime before me, about three or
four years before me, talk to meon my first day, and I'm an
introvert. Everybody knows this,although I act like I'm not on
TV. She came and said, Hello.
(16:30):
And I just remember thinking,like, Who's this girl, she's
been here for so long. She knowsall these lawmakers, and we
became besties. And to this day,we're still best friends. And
she's still lobbying there inother states. But it wasn't
until I came to Texas that Iunderstood that black women and
black men lobbied and made moneyand made a difference. And they
(16:54):
were running, you know, lawfirms and just all these things,
you know, it, it was just a verydifferent type of lobbying
environment. I think some ofthat is just the makeup of Texas
and how professional and thismeans you see, we've been
talking about, and some of it isjust that people more so in
Texas, grew up within theCapitol than in DC.
(17:20):
I have to admit, it wasn't untilI came to Texas that I really
understood what it meant to be ablack lobbyist and how hard it
was. Because when we say no,you're just working, you're
just, you know, happy to bearound. But here, there was
truly a difference. And so manypeople at that time, took me
under their wings, Steve Brown,I don't know if you remember
(17:41):
Steve Brown, he's this greatlobbyists in Houston. He showed
me all around, he had my jobbefore me, he was the vice
president herd Association. Heintroduced me to Demetrius
McDaniel. To this day is stillone of my greatest allies and
cheerleaders. Who know I can askany question, that might be a
stupid question. And he justtells me it's okay.
Elizabeth Hadley (18:02):
Who, of course, is my law partner who
I've been fortunate to lobbywith for the last eight years
that GT.
Terri Broussard Williams (18:09):
Oh, my gosh, it's been eight years
since you've been at GT?
Elizabeth Hadley (18:11):
Yeah, it'll be eight years on a couple, like,
in like a month, it'll be eightyears.
Terri Broussard Williams (18:15):
So. so old, I remember your first day
there.
Elizabeth Hadley (18:18):
I know. I know. Well, no, but and I didn't
mean to stop you. But I thinkthat's a great point, you know,
talking about Demetrius andSteve and these others, you
know, who are the people who youconsidered mentors and who, you
know, really took you under yourwing, their wing like that, you
know, as you did learn your wayhere. And that, you know, worked
Terri Broussard Williams (18:40):
so different because I came to
with.
Texas as a vice president, and Iwas 20 at the time. So I think a
lot of people were still tryingto figure out who, who is this
girl? Why is she here? Shehasn't been around the Capitol.
And so it was a full year ofpeople testing me is what I felt
like, of wanting to just pokethe holes in the strategy. And I
(19:04):
don't know if you remember metalking to you. But one of the
reasons I wanted to work withyou, I was like, you actually
you're nice to me, you get meyou're hard worker. And I trust
you. Because there was a lot ofjust tests. And so Demetrius was
the person that would alwaysanswer any questions. Senator
Ellis, Senator Ellis at thetime, he was our bill sponsor,
(19:25):
so he would give me a lot ofhistorical information that I
didn't have access to. And thefirst time I met him, he thought
I was his intern. I was like,"sir I have on my expensive
shoes, I'm a Vice President."But, but always would answer my
questions. And then as I gotolder, and it wasn't so much a
mentorship relationship, butmore so a sister. You know,
(19:50):
Denise Davis, always had myback. Yes, always. And Karen
Kennard is someone who I canjust say like, let's go grab a
drink and walk on the lake, andshe'll she'll be there,
Elizabeth Hadley (20:02):
My other law partner who also adore and have
gotten to work with for the lastseveral years.
Terri Broussard Williams (20:10):
I'm such a GT fan for lot of
reasons. You're #1 but don'ttell the others.
Elizabeth Hadley (20:17):
Thank you, thank you, I'm very fortunate to
get to work with a reallyamazing team.
(20:50):
Well, let's talk about that,too. You know, you talk about
your work, and you have done somuch in your career, also in
your volunteer life, and I feellike what you're doing now
really meld so much of thattogether. And as we, you know,
went through the Junior Leagueof Austin together, then you
became a board member on theAJLI, which is the National
(21:15):
Junior League Association. SoI'd love for you to talk a
little bit about that. But thenyou know how all of that kind of
came together with then yourlegislative and political
background, to get you to thispoint where you've really
created a new movement,literally called Movement Maker,
and you have a movement makertribe. And you've just published
(21:37):
your first book, which I've gotsitting right over here, next.
Find Your Fire book. So youknow, how did all of that come
together? Because I guess I cansee it. From the outside, I can
see you know, how passionate youhave always been about community
service and volunteerism, andhow much of that you also turn
(22:01):
into your professional life,which I think is, you know, like
I said, it's gotten you to thispoint where you have all this
together. And obviously, at theHeart Association, we got to
work together on amazing thingsand everything there, you know,
is obviously for the greatergood. And, you know, one of the
best moments was when we got topass the CPR bill in school, my
gosh, that we worked so hard onvery hard. Yes. Yes. I mean, I,
(22:26):
I really, that was early on inmy lobby career, and I never, I
think that that's when I firstrealized, wow, people can really
be opposed to something that isabsolutely, you know, only meant
to help people and to teach. Andto teach CPR for one hour in
schools who knew that could becontroversial, but it was and we
got it done and got it passed.
And now kids learn, you know, atleast an hour of CPR before they
(22:50):
graduate high school. So you'veyou've gotten those things
accomplished? How did it get youto where you are now? And you
know, what is the movement makertribe and finding your fire all
about?
Terri Broussard Williams (23:04):
Yeah, oh my gosh, um, you just asked
me 42 years worth of answers.
Elizabeth Hadley (23:13):
I need to break it down, like want to take
a deposition and ask individualquestions.
Terri Broussard Williams (23:18):
No, you're good. Um, so it goes back
to Louisiana. My family, theyare incredible. They are fire
starters. You know, mygrandparents started movements.
They built churches when thechurch burned down. When you
know, I got married to alonghorn the month before Well,
(23:39):
I got engaged and a month later.
I went to LSU, as you all know,married this longhorn basketball
player. The church burned down.
They do not believe that twodifferent conferences should
have a wedding in Louisiana. So,but my parents then stepped up
(24:00):
and built the church again. And,you know, my dad led that
capital campaign, which is socrazy. I when I did that hot
minute as a nonprofitfundraiser, I was a capital
campaign coordinator. And as youknow, Elizabeth I spent four
years leading the capitalcampaign for the Junior League
of Austin. Yes, and little did Iknow that that was tied back to
(24:24):
my family, but my dad but thecapital campaign for our church.
Three months before he passedaway, we we walked in that
church had a beautiful churchservice, and then we buried him
there. And that was truly thestart a movement maker. You
know, at that very moment.
That's when I got to see thatyour legacy was so much bigger
than you and the lessons thatyou learned should not live
(24:44):
within yourself. They should beshared with others. So it was
shortly after my dad died. ThatI changed so much. I was living
in this box of what was expectedof me by the organization that I
worked at where I was beloved,and did really well. But you
know, it was definitely passing27 bills a year, as you know,
(25:10):
we're all about our metrics atthe Heart Association, yes. But
I started to really understandthat the systems that I was
learning the methods that I'dfigured out or created on my
own, it did not need to livewithin me, I needed to teach
others. So I decided to launch ablog. And it just started off by
(25:32):
like two Facebook messages thatare pretty longer. And then
someone emailed and said, I quitmy job, I was inspired by what
you wrote. And I'm like, did youtalk to an attorney? Oh, no, are
you getting this from? And, youknow, someone else message
though, that you should write abook. And I was like, I don't
know why. But I became veryclear that how I was living,
(25:56):
and, you know, community servicewas in my DNA, I can't remember
my life without it. And when Igo back to that tenet of giving
people information, so theycould do good in the world, and
they can make decisions forthemselves or their community,
it became so clear that thereshould be a blog, then that
(26:18):
went, well, maybe I shouldconsider writing a book. And so
the steps were ordered, not byme, but the universe, and I was
just depositing and the goodkarma bank always say, like, I
want you to deposit more and thebig corporate bank that I will
take out. And that was my way ofmaking those deposits for all
the good that had happened tome. But at the same time, you
asked me about AJLI, the sametime, there were so many things
(26:43):
that happened in my life, butnow I realized to find me, but
at that moment, I was justliving. And so I was a member of
the Junior League of Austin andtransferred to Austin, having
served on the board of theJunior League of Lafayette and
got to Austin quickly gotengaged, became a leader was
league lines editor,communications VP, you know all
the things and had that perfectJunior League resume. But this
(27:07):
is, you know, I'll say it, thismight make some people really
uncomfortable, but that waswhere my we journey within. You
know, Austin was in a placewhere they, they only had one
president of color. And thetradition was, if you were going
to be the president, you wouldnot work full time, you would
(27:28):
take a sabbatical and give yourall to the league. And I was so
wedded to my job and so weddedto my career that that was not
an option. And I was also notwedded to the idea that a group
of women on a committee wouldnot place me in a position where
I was qualified for because theywere not comfortable with
(27:49):
someone like me leading. Soscrew it, I'm gonna apply to be
on the association of juniorleague's international board,
like an international board,like, what, and I'll never
forget, it was like my MissAmerica moment, I was sitting at
Fleming's having dinner, andthey call and they're like, this
is the Governance Committee andyou want to talk to you and I
(28:11):
was like, what? I'm having wine.
And she told me that I wasselected to be on the board for
a three year term. And I legitbawled and the restaurant, I'm
not a crier, you know, um, butit was just this moment of where
I knew there were so many womenthat had helped me get to that
(28:33):
moment, there were so manypeople that believed in me, but
also that I would not bedetermined by someone else's
idea of how they were going tobox me and that I was just going
to be me. And so I think themoment of my dad passing away,
launching a blog, and serving onthat board, is what led me to
find new fire.
Elizabeth Hadley (28:53):
And you did I remember that, all of that
coincided. And I've lovedhearing all the wonderful
stories about your dad and yourmom. And I know how much your
dad you know, meant to you andthe impact he had on your life.
And I think I know he would beamazingly proud of everything
that you're doing. And thefinding your fire and everything
(29:16):
so I can totally see how thatwas just part of your you know,
who you are, you know, andeverything that you grew up with
with them. So that's prettyamazing. So so with find your
fire, you know, obviously, thatI think was the culmination of
everything. Like you said, Youstarted the movement maker and
(29:38):
the blog and, and you publishthis book, which is amazing. So
what do you hope to accomplishwith that? I mean, what do you
want people to do or see, youknow, when they read your book?
Terri Broussard Williams (29:52):
Yeah.
Find Your Fire has been the giftto me that I didn't know. I did
not know that I needed So I setout to write this book to
inspire people by tellingstories of other incredible
people that I knew. There, I metso many incredible people
throughout my journeys as alobbyist or a volunteer. I've
(30:13):
just gotten to travel to placesthat I'd never thought that I
would. And, you know, so I'mlike, if I can tell the story of
this Firestarter, this personthat sees change, but does not
ignore that takes action, maybesomeone else will see a little
bit of themselves in that personand decide to be a change maker.
And so I put those storiestogether, but also really
(30:35):
thought about the strategies ofwhat helped me be successful and
starting building or amplifyingmovements for social impact and
for good, and told that storyand find your fire. But what I
didn't realize throughout theprocess was, you know, it was
shedding of the person that Iwas in the skin that I had been
living in. And, again, goingback to my time, at the hardest
(30:59):
decision, I'm sure you've you'vewitnessed it all grow, you know,
at all. But you know, there wasthis box, there was always a
goal, there was alwaysparameters. And so, I was able
to overcome all those things bybeing myself by being innovative
by being a generative thinker.
(31:20):
But you don't get credit forthat, when you're in a big box
organization, no one recognizesthat you were a part of that
winning solution. I was neverall of it right, I had a lot of
staff that were agree a lot ofstaff to coaching or a lot of
stuff that taught me, but younever get credit for that spark.
And so, stepping on a writingfind your fire was like, I
(31:43):
actually get to share my ideaswith others. And I'm not
influenced by anyone oranything, and I can just say it
like it is. And so over the past12 to 18 months, I've just found
a second when I found my fire,by writing, find your fire, and
not only as it helps me reallybecome a better lobbyist. It's
(32:07):
helped me become a better, youknow, member of my community.
And it's helped me become abetter person. I'm definitely
I'm just not the same person Iwas a year ago. And so I, I say
that because of anyone that'slistening is on the fence about
starting something new, orletting something go that might
be holding them back, or justliving their most authentic self
(32:29):
just jump, just do it like youwill be rewarded on the other
side of your heart work anddetermination and your
fearlessness.
Elizabeth Hadley (32:38):
That's awesome. Yeah. Remember, you
know, when you told me that youhad, you know, left heart
association to do that. I mean,that, that takes a lot of
courage, you know, andconfidence to go out and do
that. But, I mean, as far as Ican tell, you're doing what you
(32:58):
really want to do and what youreally believe in.
Terri Broussard Williams (33:00):
I never could have never done it
there. I mean, I would have hadto check all the boxes to get
permission to do all the things,hashtag all the things, but I
would have those ideals wouldhave always been questioned, it
would have been like, Is this anextension of them, it would have
never been like this, this livewithin hers is tied to her
(33:21):
family, her upbringing or justtaking a chance on what she
sees. And I think those are thegreater lessons. And it wasn't
until I could jump myself andsay I'm letting go of that
security blanket of theworkplace that thinks I can do
no wrong even when I do wrong,the workplace that rewards me
(33:41):
for, you know, for all thethings I mean, I had a very,
very cushy situation. But it'show you can jump from that to do
what really is within yourselfand in your heart you'll never
really be yourself.
Elizabeth Hadley (33:59):
So, you know, what is your ultimate goal? You
know, now going forward withthis movement and the new
career, I guess, that you'vedeveloped for yourself with all
your experiences.
Terri Broussard Williams (34:14):
I feel like TMZ is watching what up?
No, um, I think it's a journey.
It's like there's an evolution,there's so much going on.
There's a lot going on somethings I can talk about some
things I can't talk about. Butyou know, I, throughout all of
this, I still went but I wentback to school, I doubled down
on myself, and really realized Iwas addicted to the win right,
(34:37):
the win of passing a law, but itwas also the win of creating
change and creating change inthe world is not just policy.
It's a it's a continuum. It'snot even there's not even an
instant solution, right? It's acontinuum. And so I went back to
really understand social impactstrategy and, you know, where
does that begin and where my Itends, but usually it's not the
(35:00):
true end. And, and so justreimagining what does that look
like at the intersection ofpolicy and strategy, and
challenging a lot of thoughtprocesses that occur within my
current workplace. And, youknow, with the clients that I
(35:20):
have, that I'm consulting, and Ithink we are at the beginning of
creating a new category oflobbying that sounds so weird.
But, you know, a lot of timeswithin businesses and companies,
when people create a newcategory category, that's when
you really see systemic change.
(35:44):
And I think 2020 is going tocause us to think differently.
And so we're going to findourselves at a space where
lobbyists just started expectedto have relationships, or to
understand how to pass a law,but they're truly going to have
to be embedded within acommunity to understand where
those needs of that communityand how just one piece of that
(36:07):
public policy and part the restof the community. So I'm
excited. I'm not reallyanswering your question about
what that means next. But, but Ithink that all of us will be
called to really look within,and to find our fire and to
reinvent what lobbying lookslike as we move forward. And
(36:31):
those lobbyists that are justtransactional, that are just
having golf, and dinner, they'regoing to get left behind, people
are going to want more, when wehit 2021, they're going to
demand more, and they're goingto become more a part of the
process. And so I think this isa great time for someone like
(36:52):
me, to give my all to ourprofession, but to continue the
work that is a part of find yourfire. So perfect, the universe
always knows what it's doing.
Elizabeth Hadley (37:06):
Yeah, I guess, the 2020 has certainly been a
very different year. I don'tthink anybody could have
predicted all the variousthings, you know, that have
happened. But I think you know,what you're working on and what
you said and how I think there'sgoing to be changes, and I think
(37:27):
expectations of change, youknow, particularly from clients.
Going forward. I think we'll allsee that. And now, you know,
diversity inclusion programs, ofcourse, have been sort of a, you
know, a key word. And you haveheard a lot about that in the
last couple of years. I thinkit's taking on a whole new
(37:47):
meaning this year. And I see,you know, within my own firm,
and our leadership and how thatis changing, and how much a part
of who we are that is you know,and we see clients who demand
that it's not just check the boxkeyword anymore, it's how, what
(38:09):
are your actions? And who do youhave involved in working on
things? And what do youunderstand about the social
changes that are that are hereand that are necessary? You
know, and how can we all worktogether in that? So I think
you're right and Exactly. spoton with what you're working on
there.
Terri Broussard Williams (38:27):
Well, and I'll tell you, I'll never
forget when I started to talkabout going back to school and
getting certified, you know,graduate certification and DNI
and social impact strategy. Allof our lobbyists, friends,
especially like the older peoplewere like, What are you talking
about? Like, why are you wastingmoney and time? And I'm like, I
(38:47):
truly think that things areevolving, and things are gonna
be different. And so it's reallyinteresting that the time is
now.
Elizabeth Hadley (38:56):
Well, and when you did when you decided that
that was of course before 2020,in 2017 Yeah, I mean, before
this, so you know, some someforesight on your part. I think
I know that mentioned that too.
I want you to just explain topeople who are listening what
you went back to school for whenyou went to Penn and because
that is a part such a part ofwhat you're working on now. And,
(39:18):
and yeah, and your pastexperiences.
Terri Broussard Williams (39:23):
So crazy. I truly had to double
down and say what is it that Iwant out of life? What is it
that I know? that's inherent andinside of me and what I have
lived and I started to realizelike I wanted to teach I wanted
to educate I wanted to share andso it's one thing to live it but
it's another thing to understandthe academic lens, the theories,
(39:44):
the concepts. So within a periodof two years, I went back and I
did get certified from Cornell,the graduate certificate for D
and I in 2018. went to Penn tothe Center for Social Impact
strategy and got a graduatecertificate. There I fell in
love with everyone. They're suchincredible humans started
teaching there as a teachingfellow. And then that led me to
(40:07):
going back and getting aMaster's from Penn in this work,
nonprofit leadership, socialimpact strategies all the
things. It's reallyunderstanding how can businesses
be social entrepreneurs and dogood and create be cores or just
businesses that are sociallyconscious? And then how do we
look at the work that we doaround policy and take it to the
(40:30):
next step? You know, it'sdefinitely a continuum. It's not
you pass a bill and it getsimplemented? No, that's just
half of it. So reallyunderstanding all of that. And
so it's it's so interesting tome now that so much of this was
how I was seeing my work,especially at the Heart
Association, and the plans thatwe're building or even, you
(40:51):
know, working on one piece oflegislation, this session,
because it was laying the groundor ground softening for a bill
that we're passing the nextsession. And I expect to see
more people embracing that. AndI would encourage, like firms
like yours, big box lobby shopsto really find a social impact
strategist and embed them withinyour space. Because just passing
(41:16):
a bill is not going to be enoughmoving forward. But I could talk
about that forever over scotchor vodka. But you know, one
thing that I want to bring usback to do you talked about the
chaos, that's 2020. And it'sbeen incredibly hard to live,
especially for someone like methat loves being on a plane and
meeting lawmakers all across thecountry. And I think it
(41:39):
definitely is a booster shotthat we needed to just do more
within our profession, aprofession that does so much,
right. It's so much of what weknow from seatbelts to exit
science, not smoking on planes,all those things were done by
lobbyists and movements. ButGosh, darn it, let's not forget
the good stuff in 2020. OnJanuary 13, the LSU Tigers be
(42:03):
constant in the nationalchampionship. football team.
There's one good thing thathappened in 2020,
Elizabeth Hadley (42:10):
I'll give you that I'll give you that.
Terri Broussard Williams (42:12):
I got to fit it in man.
Elizabeth Hadley (42:17):
That's right.
Yeah, no 2020 is it will go downin the history books. I don't
even know what but I think asyou and I have talked about
separately, too, and, you know,you mentioned, you know,
Facebook earlier and things likethat. And social media is such a
part of our lives. everyone'slives and it can be used for
(42:39):
good, but then you know, we alsosee a lot of negative things.
And we've seen some of that, youknow, this year. So it's just
interesting, I think, to watchand see how people react to a
lot of what's going on thisyear, as well as society. So,
you know, obviously a lot ofwhat you do, you're doing a lot
(43:02):
of work through social media aswell. So I guess how do you see
that and the impact that it has,especially right now during this
time?
Terri Broussard Williams (43:17):
Man, I'm gonna like to take a sigh.
Um, first of all, I have tothank you, you have been such an
incredible friend, but not onlya friend and ally. I mean, there
have been times when you havehad my back on social media, by
sharing a post with me withsomeone that I thought was a
friend that really was not orjust even when I did not dare
(43:42):
to, you know, say that somethingwas wrong directly to a person
because I didn't want to getinto social media. tit for tat,
you would say like, this is notokay. And not everyone is wired
to do that. And not everyonedesires to do that. But it's
like so a part of who you arejust one of the many reasons why
(44:02):
I adore you so much and yourfamily.
Elizabeth Hadley (44:04):
Right back at you. Who also adore you..
Terri Broussard Williams (44:10):
Yeah, I'm coming to your house to get
some hugs with them know. Right.
But I have, I've chosen to dothings differently. You know,
there have been some people thatI thought were friends has gone
to their weddings, you know,been out there baby showers sat
on the side of the managing aleague meeting. And they really
rebuild themselves on socialmedia by how they react to these
(44:31):
things and not just react onetime, but consistently. show
people who you are once you havethe opportunity to show them who
you are every single time andsome of them have. But instead
of responding to those posts,you know, I've just really
shared my thoughts from a placeof what could it look like if
(44:52):
you thought differently? Whatcould it look like if you were
the person on the other sidereceiving it and wrote some blog
articles about what's going onin the world right now one that
it you know, definitely hit homefor me was watching a lot of
people on Facebook talking aboutlike how dare people tiot How
(45:14):
dare people protest or lose, andI'm not condoning any of those
things. That would not be how Iwould choose to share my
thoughts and create change inthe world. But I am not
everyone. But a lot of thosepeople as I reflected on who
they were and how I have seenthem operate. I have seen them
(45:34):
riot, loot and protest in theworkplace or their nonprofit
community. So literally, I wentto the dictionary and looked up
the dictionary and placed it interms of how we do this all the
time. And so I also am not hereto tell anyone that how they
choose or live their life iswrong. You know, going back to
(45:56):
that core tenant, we're gonnagive people access to
information. And I believe whenyou give people information,
usually they use it for good andsound like we can show people
what this definition is how thisplays out in their life. Maybe
they will choose a differentoutcome next time. And so that's
just how I have been sittingwith everything happening. And I
(46:17):
have to tell you, I'm fromLafayette, Louisiana. Six years
ago, Lafayette was declared thehappiest city in the country. If
you look at the headlines ofLafayette, it's a microcosm of
the world's we've gone frombeing the happiest city in the
country to Coronavirus,devastating the oil industry,
which means my father worked forExxon. So we were definitely
(46:38):
privileged to the hospitalityindustry. Just no Cajun music
and Creole music justwent flat.
There's no more music playing.
No more gumbo being served. Tothe mayor shutting down the
parks and recreational centersin the black community but
leaving the more affluentcenters in the more affluent
(47:01):
part of town open to a policeshooting or they killed a man
who had a knife. And the reasonit's still still being debated.
And, you know, paralleled withthat had two different groups of
friends that died on planecrashes, plane crashes one in
(47:21):
January one in September. Youknow, I can tell you 15 people
that have died from Coronavirusin Lafayette, including some our
age, and so many people thatlost their jobs. And so I think
right now, we all have theopportunity to not only find our
fire, but to really determinewhat direction we want to take
(47:44):
in the world today. And tocreate it. And so if we just sit
on the sidelines and write theseflippant things on Facebook, we
deserve where we are today. Butif we dig deeper and have
conversations with our neighborwith each other, then the future
that we're going to createinvolves limitless
(48:06):
possibilities. And so I oftensay like, what happens to that
happiest city in the country,you know, when you truly are
fighting for life, liberty andpursuit of happiness, like what
movements can come out of there.
So I just I think we're at apoint of time where we are
(48:27):
required to do more than we'veever done before.
Elizabeth Hadley (48:31):
Yeah, I think, without question, that's true.
And, you know, everybody's goingto decide how they're going to
respond to all of these things.
And that will, you know, say alot about how we move forward.
So hopefully, we can all youknow, find our fire and be
movement makers and make ourcommunities better and you know,
(48:55):
work for the greater good. Wherewe can just all do good. That's
one of my favorite, you know,slogans as a DG is do good. And
I think that's what you, youknow, have been working toward.
And what I see is something thatyou're doing at least so with
your work in this space,anything else that we should
(49:19):
cover? I think I've learnedabout all of this. I'm sure we
could probably talk for a lotlonger,
Terri Broussard Will (49:28):
especially once we start getting into the
Capitol scoop. No, oh my gosh,thank you for just letting me
chat about what's in my headwhat's in my heart So, so rare
that I get to have this type ofconversations with people that
work at the Capitol. You know,so many people know me as like
the Wizard of Oz, the girlthat's in the office in the
(49:50):
conference call telling peoplewhat they need to do. And so
they they don't get to see thisside of me so I'm so grateful to
you Pink Granite to you forbeing my tour guide. Today my
trusted ally,
Elizabeth Hadley (50:03):
I love it.
Awesome. Well, I will be yourally any day and follow you into
any, any battle or champagnebar. So, yes.
Terri Broussard Williams (50:16):
I tell everyone when I speak I'm like,
you know, there are two thingsthat are required when you go
into battle. One is a good pairof Spanx. I mean you really need
them. They hold you up, girl,they will hold that back
straight. The second is your redlip. And if you don't have
either those things have a seatin the back.
Elizabeth Hadley (50:34):
There you go.
There you go. Well, this hasbeen fun. So thank you, Amy, for
having us and letting us be partof pink granite.
Terri Broussard Williams (50:43):
Yeah, she's such a Firestarter.
Elizabeth (50:45):
Yes, she is. Exactly.
Hi, everyone.
I'm Elizabeth Hadley. I'm ashareholder at Greenberg Traurig
law firm in our Austin office.
And I lobby in Texas as well aspractice law. And through that
world, I got to know TerriBroussard Williams, who is one
of my dear friends and I thinkso highly of. So I'm really
excited to get to talk to youtoday, Terri, and learn more
(00:59):
about your journey as a lobbyistand this incredible movement
that you've created. So,welcome.
Terri Broussard Williams (01:07):
It's so interesting. Usually, it's
the other way around. The lasttime we did this, I was
interviewing you.
Elizabeth Hadley (01:12):
I know, I know, we have a little, we have
a little thing going now withthese interviews. So um, you
know, we first met, of course,during our transfer class of the
Junior League of Austin. Andit's funny, I can remember
walking through the fit pantrytalking. And which, of course,
(01:34):
became a big part of my lifewhen I chaired the fit program,
which is fit 4 tummies foranybody listening who doesn't
know, which is a signatureprogram of the Junior League of
Austin, which in part was wasfrom Terri serving on the
nominating committee. So we bothreally enjoyed our time there.
But you know, it's one of thosethings where you meet people in
(01:54):
life, and you just click and Iremember just talking to you
that day, and thinking, gosh, Ireally liked her. And we became
friends and grew from there. Andof course, given our legislative
work and backgrounds, it justsort of, you know, naturally
grew in that way. And you ofcourse, were the first person to
(02:14):
hire me as a lobbyist when youwere at the American Heart
Association, which is reallyexciting. And we got to do a lot
of cool things together there.
So, you know, before you got tothe American Heart Association,
obviously, you had roles andwork in your career before that,
and you have done so manydifferent interesting things. Of
course, one place where we haveto disagree is your background
(02:37):
and as as an LSU tiger, with mewith me as an all of us rebels.
So, you know, started, you didgreat things at LSU. Like, how
did you get into this world of,you know, politics and
legislative work? And how didyou get started and find your
(02:58):
way? Here?
Terri Broussard Williams (03:02):
Yeah, how did I find that fire? So I'm
a mutt you know, so many peoplethat probably listen to Pink
Granite, they knew in highschool or college that they
wanted to work under the pinkdome. And that's just not the
case for me. I always wanted togive people information so that
(03:25):
they could do good in the world.
They could take the informationand use it to better themselves
or their community. And so Iwent to school to be Barbara
Walters.
Elizabeth Hadley (03:38):
And you got to work in in news. Yeah, in South
Carolina, right.
Terri Broussard Williams (03:43):
Oh, three different TV stations. So
I worked at a TV station inLafayette. Yes, start working
there when I was a teenreporter. And worked at WBRZ in
Baton Rouge. The whole time Iwas in college, I worked full
time. My last year of school Iwas at LSU for three years and
(04:05):
rush to graduate because I justknew I wanted to work in a
newsroom and found my way toColumbia, South Carolina, where
I worked at WIS, which is thelargest TV station in South
Carolina. And just one day, gaveit up I felt like and giving
people information was not themost important thing. I felt
(04:28):
like I had to create headlinesthat were more sensational than
what was reality. And that wasnot what I wanted to do. So I
broke my contract was incrediblyyoung. I was like 22 and never
looked back. I had a quick stintas a fundraiser at a children's
(04:49):
museum, which is how I learnedhow to raise money for
nonprofits. I did that forexactly for a year, and then
became the press secretary andcomms director for Alex Sanders
when he ran against LindseyGraham for US Senate for Strom
Thurmond seat, so 2002
Elizabeth Hadley (05:07):
See, I don't think I even realized that you
started that in South Carolina,because I knew that you of
course lobbied then inLouisiana.
Terri Broussard Williams (05:15):
So yeah, cool. Yeah, not many
people do know that, you know,as lobbyists, sometimes we might
like to try to appear to be asbipartisan as possible to get
all the votes.
Elizabeth Hadley (05:26):
Yes.
Terri Broussard Williams (05:27):
I work for Alex Sanders, incredible
man, he was a judge, a staterep. college president, we got
to travel all across SouthCarolina. And it was an
incredible time for me. Beingyoung, and traveling all across
the state, South Carolina hadjust moved up as presidential
primary to February. So everyonewho was considering running for
(05:50):
president showed up to try toget into the game. And you know,
the time Lindsey Graham was acongressman, and he had just led
the impeachment hearings againstPresident Clinton. And but yet
he was so respectful and soappreciative of everything that
(06:10):
judge Sanders did for the statethat it made for a very
interesting campaign, and welost on election night. And then
I turned to a mentor of mine whoremains in politics today and is
still a big brother to me andsaid, What am I gonna do? You
know, I graduated college inthree years, had a job before I
(06:30):
graduated, I always had like aplan. I didn't have a plan. And
he looked at me and literally,this I this is exactly how it
went down. He said, you're goingto become a lobbyist. And I was
like, Elle Woods? In LegallyBlond 2? And that was really the
only lobbyist I've never seen.
And that was November andFebruary, I had a badge
Louisiana State Capitol thatsaid lobbyists and a briefcase
(06:50):
and I was on my way.
Elizabeth Hadley (06:55):
I love it. I love it.
Terri Broussard Williams (06:56):
So, rare, right.
Elizabeth Hadley (06:58):
And so then you were in your lobby there in
Baton Rouge for how long beforeyou came to Texas?
Terri Broussard Williams (07:04):
So that was 2003. I moved to Texas
in February of 2008. And it wasthis incredible ride, you know,
as you know, is about becauseyou serve as a contract lobbyist
for the hardest association isnot easy working on those laws.
There's so many metrics, so manyspecifications that you have to
(07:26):
follow when you're working inpublic health, especially for a
large nonprofit. And the wholetime I was in Louisiana, I still
don't understand it. You know, Ididn't have a pedigree, never
trained to be a lobbyist. neverwent to state capitol with the
exception of fifth grade fieldtrip. And I never lost a bill
the whole time I was there.
Yeah. So you know, I say some ofit was luck. Some of it is just
(07:47):
gut instincts. And some of itwas understanding how to
communicate, bringing thoseskills in from the newsroom, and
nonprofit space and fundraisingand serving on a campaign to
distill the message so that Ireally could communicate with
people that I was talking to, topass laws.
Elizabeth Hadley (08:09):
That's so interesting. And something I
think we've talked about before,that, you know, you having a
news and media broadcastingbackground, and then me being a
lawyer, as well as a lobbyist.
You know, there, those aredifferent ways that you learn to
communicate and advocate foryour clients. And so it all ties
in to the advocacy work that wedo in this space. And also,
(08:33):
similarly, you know, we neitherof us grew up here in Texas, we
didn't, you know, start workingin the Capitol in college, like
a lot of our friends andcolleagues did, which is great.
We both came here and said, Hey,figure it out. This is what we
want to do. And, you know, herewe are. Um, so, you know, how do
you see, before we get into somemore of the other amazing things
(08:56):
that you've, you know, gotteninto now? What kind of
differences do you see your ordid you see in lobbying in
Louisiana versus when you versushere in Texas, but then also,
you know, your work in SouthCarolina as a black female
lobbyist, person working inpolitics? What kind of
(09:17):
similarities or differences Didyou see across the southern
states? And how did that impactyour work?
Terri Broussard William (09:27):
There's so much there to upack. You
know, I had this incrediblejourney at the Heart
Association. I was there foralmost 16 years. Exactly. So I
got to work first in the southeast affiliate. So from
Louisiana, all the way toFlorida, up to Tennessee. And
then when I moved to Texas, Ibecame the Vice President of six
(09:47):
states. So I had from Arkansas,over to Colorado and Wyoming
seems so random, but I've workedin a lot of states and even now
I work all the way up to Kansasand Missouri. So I'm definitely
getting a different feel for thecountry. And so, so much is the
same yet so much is different.
So I'll start first by talkingabout what was it like
transitioning from Louisiana,Texas, and then get into what it
(10:10):
was like being a young blackfemale lobbyist in the South
because I started loving beforemy 25th birthday, which is also
rare for Texas, right? Mostpeople work at the Capitol for a
hot minute before they, youknow, they start lobbying. And
so, you know, I think there arethere's a lot that similar
(10:31):
people work the same, you know,lobbyists who tend to be
transactional in the way thatthey build relationships,
they're not going to besuccessful, new lobbyists that
are truly authentic, and beingcurious, just like stimulated by
someone's conversation and whothey are and why they make the
(10:52):
decisions. They're going to besuccessful. And understanding
that cause and that why, andthen from there, building out
your strategy, you know, that'sreally what it takes. And so
that's always the same no matterwhat state that I work in, but
I'll never forget. Oh my gosh,so I get to Texas, you know, I
like double my salary, I finallybuy a DVF dress a wrap dress.
(11:14):
One of those... And I get tothe Capitol, you know, got my
big girl heels on.
Elizabeth Hadley (11:23):
And your red lipsitck?
Terri Broussard Williams (11:24):
Oh, my red lipstick girl, I wore my red
lipstick today just for you.
So I get there. And first ofall, it's big. There, like
multiple levels underground,above ground. People everywhere,
couldn't find a place to park. Iwas so overwhelmed. And God
bless Joel Romo, who met me atthe grill and walked me to where
(11:45):
I needed to go because I wouldhave not found it. Yeah. And are
these big offices like lawmakersin Texas, I call it the like
mini congressional dome, orthere were like 20, staff,
interns and committee staff.
Yeah, stop and one senate officeand I'm like, Louisiana,
(12:07):
Louisiana. State reps have adesk, there's no office is a
district representative, youknow, a person that answers the
phone. And then in the Senate,they might have one or two
staff, they do have an office.
But like, it was just somethingthat was so different. And I'm
(12:29):
not a person that getsintimidated. I'm not a person
that I'm usually fearless andjust kind of don't get
flustered. But I'll neverforget, I was just I called my
mom. But then I was like, I canget the people, I can learn the
people, but I'm not going tolearn this building. I still get
lost.
Elizabeth Hadley (12:48):
You know, it's so it's so funny. I mean,
there's somebody, you know,similarities and things that
we've shared over the years. Andit's the same thing, you know, I
had since I had worked inWashington, DC first. And I came
here and I thought, well, thisis kind of like a mini DC. I
mean, this is like, you know,the real deal. And say, you
know, coming from Mississippi,where I was like, I remember
(13:10):
when they called me aboutinterviewing for my first job in
the Texas Capitol. And I said,Now, this is his office, and
it's a general counsel position.
And same thing, because I'mlike, they don't have all this.
And this is this full timestuff. So I totally get it. And
it's always funny, you know,when you bring new people to the
Capitol, and you walk around inthe extension underground, and
(13:31):
they're like, how do you knowwhere you're going? And you're
like, you just, you just get itafter some time. But yeah,
there's still hallways that youmight turn down and have to
figure out where you're going
Terri Broussard Williams (13:42):
I remember going to the shark
tank. And everyone's like, thisis the shark tank, this is where
the lobbysts wait. And I waslike, "yo, like, I stand at the
door and throw notes to thestate reps. in Louisiana." I was
the problem child, all theSergeant at Arms would turn the
other way, I'd made friends withDiet Coke and KitKat. All the
things I actually should notbring to the Capitol, based on
(14:03):
who I was lobbying for. Andliterally would throw notes to
who I needed to talk to you. Andthere is no way you could do
that in Texas, you would getescorted out the building.
Elizabeth Hadley (14:11):
Yeah, exactly.
Exactly. Yes. There are somethings definitely different
about the Texas Capitol, I thinkcompared to other states and DC.
Terri Broussard Williams (14:21):
It is and you know, I tell everyone,
there's actually a legitcafeteria with good food and
yogurt. Yogurt day is always thebest day. But you asked a little
bit about my journey, being awoman of color and lobbying and
(14:41):
I think in Louisiana, Louisianais different than Texas. You
know. There isn't a lot ofdiversity in the population. So
when I was in school, there wereonly white kids and black kids
after Hurricane Katrina. Then westarted to see diversity within
(15:03):
the workplace or school systems.
And that's so weird, right? ThatKatrina happened in '05. You
know, and I, this is I'm gonnatake a tangent here, but to this
day in Lafayette, which is myhometown, the order of Mardi
Gras parade store reflects thesegregation of the community. So
(15:23):
it's the king parade. First,it's an all white crew, then
it's the Queen parade. It's anall white crew, then is the
black parade, which has the kingin the Queen there third, and
then afterwards, the independentparty, which is mostly pets, you
know. And so that was just howit went. So I never really
thought about race, lobbying inLouisiana, that said, when I was
(15:46):
there, there were we might havebeen five women of color under
the age of 40. In 2003, andeveryone is still there. They're
all doing incredible things.
Some of them are AssistantSecretaries of department, some
of them are so lobbying on theirown or within practices. But
(16:09):
there really wasn't many of us.
So we never thought about it,you know, and Dari Jordan, who
had been lobbying for a longtime before me, about three or
four years before me, talk to meon my first day, and I'm an
introvert. Everybody knows this,although I act like I'm not on
TV. She came and said, Hello.
(16:30):
And I just remember thinking,like, Who's this girl, she's
been here for so long. She knowsall these lawmakers, and we
became besties. And to this day,we're still best friends. And
she's still lobbying there inother states. But it wasn't
until I came to Texas that Iunderstood that black women and
black men lobbied and made moneyand made a difference. And they
(16:54):
were running, you know, lawfirms and just all these things,
you know, it, it was just a verydifferent type of lobbying
environment. I think some ofthat is just the makeup of Texas
and how professional and thismeans you see, we've been
talking about, and some of it isjust that people more so in
Texas, grew up within theCapitol than in DC.
(17:20):
I have to admit, it wasn't untilI came to Texas that I really
understood what it meant to be ablack lobbyist and how hard it
was. Because when we say no,you're just working, you're
just, you know, happy to bearound. But here, there was
truly a difference. And so manypeople at that time, took me
under their wings, Steve Brown,I don't know if you remember
(17:41):
Steve Brown, he's this greatlobbyists in Houston. He showed
me all around, he had my jobbefore me, he was the vice
president herd Association. Heintroduced me to Demetrius
McDaniel. To this day is stillone of my greatest allies and
cheerleaders. Who know I can askany question, that might be a
stupid question. And he justtells me it's okay.
Elizabeth Hadley (18:02):
Who, of course, is my law partner who
I've been fortunate to lobbywith for the last eight years
that GT.
Terri Broussard Williams (18:09):
Oh, my gosh, it's been eight years
since you've been at GT?
Elizabeth Hadley (18:11):
Yeah, it'll be eight years on a couple, like,
in like a month, it'll be eightyears.
Terri Broussard Williams (18:15):
So. so old, I remember your first day
there.
Elizabeth Hadley (18:18):
I know. I know. Well, no, but and I didn't
mean to stop you. But I thinkthat's a great point, you know,
talking about Demetrius andSteve and these others, you
know, who are the people who youconsidered mentors and who, you
know, really took you under yourwing, their wing like that, you
know, as you did learn your wayhere. And that, you know, worked
Terri Broussard Williams (18:40):
so different because I came to
with.
Texas as a vice president, and Iwas 20 at the time. So I think a
lot of people were still tryingto figure out who, who is this
girl? Why is she here? Shehasn't been around the Capitol.
And so it was a full year ofpeople testing me is what I felt
like, of wanting to just pokethe holes in the strategy. And I
(19:04):
don't know if you remember metalking to you. But one of the
reasons I wanted to work withyou, I was like, you actually
you're nice to me, you get meyou're hard worker. And I trust
you. Because there was a lot ofjust tests. And so Demetrius was
the person that would alwaysanswer any questions. Senator
Ellis, Senator Ellis at thetime, he was our bill sponsor,
(19:25):
so he would give me a lot ofhistorical information that I
didn't have access to. And thefirst time I met him, he thought
I was his intern. I was like,"sir I have on my expensive
shoes, I'm a Vice President."But, but always would answer my
questions. And then as I gotolder, and it wasn't so much a
mentorship relationship, butmore so a sister. You know,
(19:50):
Denise Davis, always had myback. Yes, always. And Karen
Kennard is someone who I canjust say like, let's go grab a
drink and walk on the lake, andshe'll she'll be there,
Elizabeth Hadley (20:02):
My other law partner who also adore and have
gotten to work with for the lastseveral years.
Terri Broussard Williams (20:10):
I'm such a GT fan for lot of
reasons. You're #1 but don'ttell the others.
Elizabeth Hadley (20:17):
Thank you, thank you, I'm very fortunate to
get to work with a reallyamazing team.
(20:50):
Well, let's talk about that,too. You know, you talk about
your work, and you have done somuch in your career, also in
your volunteer life, and I feellike what you're doing now
really meld so much of thattogether. And as we, you know,
went through the Junior Leagueof Austin together, then you
became a board member on theAJLI, which is the National
(21:15):
Junior League Association. SoI'd love for you to talk a
little bit about that. But thenyou know how all of that kind of
came together with then yourlegislative and political
background, to get you to thispoint where you've really
created a new movement,literally called Movement Maker,
and you have a movement makertribe. And you've just published
(21:37):
your first book, which I've gotsitting right over here, next.
Find Your Fire book. So youknow, how did all of that come
together? Because I guess I cansee it. From the outside, I can
see you know, how passionate youhave always been about community
service and volunteerism, andhow much of that you also turn
(22:01):
into your professional life,which I think is, you know, like
I said, it's gotten you to thispoint where you have all this
together. And obviously, at theHeart Association, we got to
work together on amazing thingsand everything there, you know,
is obviously for the greatergood. And, you know, one of the
best moments was when we got topass the CPR bill in school, my
gosh, that we worked so hard onvery hard. Yes. Yes. I mean, I,
(22:26):
I really, that was early on inmy lobby career, and I never, I
think that that's when I firstrealized, wow, people can really
be opposed to something that isabsolutely, you know, only meant
to help people and to teach. Andto teach CPR for one hour in
schools who knew that could becontroversial, but it was and we
got it done and got it passed.
And now kids learn, you know, atleast an hour of CPR before they
(22:50):
graduate high school. So you'veyou've gotten those things
accomplished? How did it get youto where you are now? And you
know, what is the movement makertribe and finding your fire all
about?
Terri Broussard Williams (23:04):
Yeah, oh my gosh, um, you just asked
me 42 years worth of answers.
Elizabeth Hadley (23:13):
I need to break it down, like want to take
a deposition and ask individualquestions.
Terri Broussard Williams (23:18):
No, you're good. Um, so it goes back
to Louisiana. My family, theyare incredible. They are fire
starters. You know, mygrandparents started movements.
They built churches when thechurch burned down. When you
know, I got married to alonghorn the month before Well,
(23:39):
I got engaged and a month later.
I went to LSU, as you all know,married this longhorn basketball
player. The church burned down.
They do not believe that twodifferent conferences should
have a wedding in Louisiana. So,but my parents then stepped up
(24:00):
and built the church again. And,you know, my dad led that
capital campaign, which is socrazy. I when I did that hot
minute as a nonprofitfundraiser, I was a capital
campaign coordinator. And as youknow, Elizabeth I spent four
years leading the capitalcampaign for the Junior League
of Austin. Yes, and little did Iknow that that was tied back to
(24:24):
my family, but my dad but thecapital campaign for our church.
Three months before he passedaway, we we walked in that
church had a beautiful churchservice, and then we buried him
there. And that was truly thestart a movement maker. You
know, at that very moment.
That's when I got to see thatyour legacy was so much bigger
than you and the lessons thatyou learned should not live
(24:44):
within yourself. They should beshared with others. So it was
shortly after my dad died. ThatI changed so much. I was living
in this box of what was expectedof me by the organization that I
worked at where I was beloved,and did really well. But you
know, it was definitely passing27 bills a year, as you know,
(25:10):
we're all about our metrics atthe Heart Association, yes. But
I started to really understandthat the systems that I was
learning the methods that I'dfigured out or created on my
own, it did not need to livewithin me, I needed to teach
others. So I decided to launch ablog. And it just started off by
(25:32):
like two Facebook messages thatare pretty longer. And then
someone emailed and said, I quitmy job, I was inspired by what
you wrote. And I'm like, did youtalk to an attorney? Oh, no, are
you getting this from? And, youknow, someone else message
though, that you should write abook. And I was like, I don't
know why. But I became veryclear that how I was living,
(25:56):
and, you know, community servicewas in my DNA, I can't remember
my life without it. And when Igo back to that tenet of giving
people information, so theycould do good in the world, and
they can make decisions forthemselves or their community,
it became so clear that thereshould be a blog, then that
(26:18):
went, well, maybe I shouldconsider writing a book. And so
the steps were ordered, not byme, but the universe, and I was
just depositing and the goodkarma bank always say, like, I
want you to deposit more and thebig corporate bank that I will
take out. And that was my way ofmaking those deposits for all
the good that had happened tome. But at the same time, you
asked me about AJLI, the sametime, there were so many things
(26:43):
that happened in my life, butnow I realized to find me, but
at that moment, I was justliving. And so I was a member of
the Junior League of Austin andtransferred to Austin, having
served on the board of theJunior League of Lafayette and
got to Austin quickly gotengaged, became a leader was
league lines editor,communications VP, you know all
the things and had that perfectJunior League resume. But this
(27:07):
is, you know, I'll say it, thismight make some people really
uncomfortable, but that waswhere my we journey within. You
know, Austin was in a placewhere they, they only had one
president of color. And thetradition was, if you were going
to be the president, you wouldnot work full time, you would
(27:28):
take a sabbatical and give yourall to the league. And I was so
wedded to my job and so weddedto my career that that was not
an option. And I was also notwedded to the idea that a group
of women on a committee wouldnot place me in a position where
I was qualified for because theywere not comfortable with
(27:49):
someone like me leading. Soscrew it, I'm gonna apply to be
on the association of juniorleague's international board,
like an international board,like, what, and I'll never
forget, it was like my MissAmerica moment, I was sitting at
Fleming's having dinner, andthey call and they're like, this
is the Governance Committee andyou want to talk to you and I
(28:11):
was like, what? I'm having wine.
And she told me that I wasselected to be on the board for
a three year term. And I legitbawled and the restaurant, I'm
not a crier, you know, um, butit was just this moment of where
I knew there were so many womenthat had helped me get to that
(28:33):
moment, there were so manypeople that believed in me, but
also that I would not bedetermined by someone else's
idea of how they were going tobox me and that I was just going
to be me. And so I think themoment of my dad passing away,
launching a blog, and serving onthat board, is what led me to
find new fire.
Elizabeth Hadley (28:53):
And you did I remember that, all of that
coincided. And I've lovedhearing all the wonderful
stories about your dad and yourmom. And I know how much your
dad you know, meant to you andthe impact he had on your life.
And I think I know he would beamazingly proud of everything
that you're doing. And thefinding your fire and everything
(29:16):
so I can totally see how thatwas just part of your you know,
who you are, you know, andeverything that you grew up with
with them. So that's prettyamazing. So so with find your
fire, you know, obviously, thatI think was the culmination of
everything. Like you said, Youstarted the movement maker and
(29:38):
the blog and, and you publishthis book, which is amazing. So
what do you hope to accomplishwith that? I mean, what do you
want people to do or see, youknow, when they read your book?
Terri Broussard Williams (29:52):
Yeah.
Find Your Fire has been the giftto me that I didn't know. I did
not know that I needed So I setout to write this book to
inspire people by tellingstories of other incredible
people that I knew. There, I metso many incredible people
throughout my journeys as alobbyist or a volunteer. I've
(30:13):
just gotten to travel to placesthat I'd never thought that I
would. And, you know, so I'mlike, if I can tell the story of
this Firestarter, this personthat sees change, but does not
ignore that takes action, maybesomeone else will see a little
bit of themselves in that personand decide to be a change maker.
And so I put those storiestogether, but also really
(30:35):
thought about the strategies ofwhat helped me be successful and
starting building or amplifyingmovements for social impact and
for good, and told that storyand find your fire. But what I
didn't realize throughout theprocess was, you know, it was
shedding of the person that Iwas in the skin that I had been
living in. And, again, goingback to my time, at the hardest
(30:59):
decision, I'm sure you've you'vewitnessed it all grow, you know,
at all. But you know, there wasthis box, there was always a
goal, there was alwaysparameters. And so, I was able
to overcome all those things bybeing myself by being innovative
by being a generative thinker.
(31:20):
But you don't get credit forthat, when you're in a big box
organization, no one recognizesthat you were a part of that
winning solution. I was neverall of it right, I had a lot of
staff that were agree a lot ofstaff to coaching or a lot of
stuff that taught me, but younever get credit for that spark.
And so, stepping on a writingfind your fire was like, I
(31:43):
actually get to share my ideaswith others. And I'm not
influenced by anyone oranything, and I can just say it
like it is. And so over the past12 to 18 months, I've just found
a second when I found my fire,by writing, find your fire, and
not only as it helps me reallybecome a better lobbyist. It's
(32:07):
helped me become a better, youknow, member of my community.
And it's helped me become abetter person. I'm definitely
I'm just not the same person Iwas a year ago. And so I, I say
that because of anyone that'slistening is on the fence about
starting something new, orletting something go that might
be holding them back, or justliving their most authentic self
(32:29):
just jump, just do it like youwill be rewarded on the other
side of your heart work anddetermination and your
fearlessness.
Elizabeth Hadley (32:38):
That's awesome. Yeah. Remember, you
know, when you told me that youhad, you know, left heart
association to do that. I mean,that, that takes a lot of
courage, you know, andconfidence to go out and do
that. But, I mean, as far as Ican tell, you're doing what you
(32:58):
really want to do and what youreally believe in.
Terri Broussard Williams (33:00):
I never could have never done it
there. I mean, I would have hadto check all the boxes to get
permission to do all the things,hashtag all the things, but I
would have those ideals wouldhave always been questioned, it
would have been like, Is this anextension of them, it would have
never been like this, this livewithin hers is tied to her
(33:21):
family, her upbringing or justtaking a chance on what she
sees. And I think those are thegreater lessons. And it wasn't
until I could jump myself andsay I'm letting go of that
security blanket of theworkplace that thinks I can do
no wrong even when I do wrong,the workplace that rewards me
(33:41):
for, you know, for all thethings I mean, I had a very,
very cushy situation. But it'show you can jump from that to do
what really is within yourselfand in your heart you'll never
really be yourself.
Elizabeth Hadley (33:59):
So, you know, what is your ultimate goal? You
know, now going forward withthis movement and the new
career, I guess, that you'vedeveloped for yourself with all
your experiences.
Terri Broussard Williams (34:14):
I feel like TMZ is watching what up?
No, um, I think it's a journey.
It's like there's an evolution,there's so much going on.
There's a lot going on somethings I can talk about some
things I can't talk about. Butyou know, I, throughout all of
this, I still went but I wentback to school, I doubled down
on myself, and really realized Iwas addicted to the win right,
(34:37):
the win of passing a law, but itwas also the win of creating
change and creating change inthe world is not just policy.
It's a it's a continuum. It'snot even there's not even an
instant solution, right? It's acontinuum. And so I went back to
really understand social impactstrategy and, you know, where
does that begin and where my Itends, but usually it's not the
(35:00):
true end. And, and so justreimagining what does that look
like at the intersection ofpolicy and strategy, and
challenging a lot of thoughtprocesses that occur within my
current workplace. And, youknow, with the clients that I
(35:20):
have, that I'm consulting, and Ithink we are at the beginning of
creating a new category oflobbying that sounds so weird.
But, you know, a lot of timeswithin businesses and companies,
when people create a newcategory category, that's when
you really see systemic change.
(35:44):
And I think 2020 is going tocause us to think differently.
And so we're going to findourselves at a space where
lobbyists just started expectedto have relationships, or to
understand how to pass a law,but they're truly going to have
to be embedded within acommunity to understand where
those needs of that communityand how just one piece of that
(36:07):
public policy and part the restof the community. So I'm
excited. I'm not reallyanswering your question about
what that means next. But, but Ithink that all of us will be
called to really look within,and to find our fire and to
reinvent what lobbying lookslike as we move forward. And
(36:31):
those lobbyists that are justtransactional, that are just
having golf, and dinner, they'regoing to get left behind, people
are going to want more, when wehit 2021, they're going to
demand more, and they're goingto become more a part of the
process. And so I think this isa great time for someone like
(36:52):
me, to give my all to ourprofession, but to continue the
work that is a part of find yourfire. So perfect, the universe
always knows what it's doing.
Elizabeth Hadley (37:06):
Yeah, I guess, the 2020 has certainly been a
very different year. I don'tthink anybody could have
predicted all the variousthings, you know, that have
happened. But I think you know,what you're working on and what
you said and how I think there'sgoing to be changes, and I think
(37:27):
expectations of change, youknow, particularly from clients.
Going forward. I think we'll allsee that. And now, you know,
diversity inclusion programs, ofcourse, have been sort of a, you
know, a key word. And you haveheard a lot about that in the
last couple of years. I thinkit's taking on a whole new
(37:47):
meaning this year. And I see,you know, within my own firm,
and our leadership and how thatis changing, and how much a part
of who we are that is you know,and we see clients who demand
that it's not just check the boxkeyword anymore, it's how, what
(38:09):
are your actions? And who do youhave involved in working on
things? And what do youunderstand about the social
changes that are that are hereand that are necessary? You
know, and how can we all worktogether in that? So I think
you're right and Exactly. spoton with what you're working on
there.
Terri Broussard Williams (38:27):
Well, and I'll tell you, I'll never
forget when I started to talkabout going back to school and
getting certified, you know,graduate certification and DNI
and social impact strategy. Allof our lobbyists, friends,
especially like the older peoplewere like, What are you talking
about? Like, why are you wastingmoney and time? And I'm like, I
(38:47):
truly think that things areevolving, and things are gonna
be different. And so it's reallyinteresting that the time is
now.
Elizabeth Hadley (38:56):
Well, and when you did when you decided that
that was of course before 2020,in 2017 Yeah, I mean, before
this, so you know, some someforesight on your part. I think
I know that mentioned that too.
I want you to just explain topeople who are listening what
you went back to school for whenyou went to Penn and because
that is a part such a part ofwhat you're working on now. And,
(39:18):
and yeah, and your pastexperiences.
Terri Broussard Williams (39:23):
So crazy. I truly had to double
down and say what is it that Iwant out of life? What is it
that I know? that's inherent andinside of me and what I have
lived and I started to realizelike I wanted to teach I wanted
to educate I wanted to share andso it's one thing to live it but
it's another thing to understandthe academic lens, the theories,
(39:44):
the concepts. So within a periodof two years, I went back and I
did get certified from Cornell,the graduate certificate for D
and I in 2018. went to Penn tothe Center for Social Impact
strategy and got a graduatecertificate. There I fell in
love with everyone. They're suchincredible humans started
teaching there as a teachingfellow. And then that led me to
(40:07):
going back and getting aMaster's from Penn in this work,
nonprofit leadership, socialimpact strategies all the
things. It's reallyunderstanding how can businesses
be social entrepreneurs and dogood and create be cores or just
businesses that are sociallyconscious? And then how do we
look at the work that we doaround policy and take it to the
(40:30):
next step? You know, it'sdefinitely a continuum. It's not
you pass a bill and it getsimplemented? No, that's just
half of it. So reallyunderstanding all of that. And
so it's it's so interesting tome now that so much of this was
how I was seeing my work,especially at the Heart
Association, and the plans thatwe're building or even, you
(40:51):
know, working on one piece oflegislation, this session,
because it was laying the groundor ground softening for a bill
that we're passing the nextsession. And I expect to see
more people embracing that. AndI would encourage, like firms
like yours, big box lobby shopsto really find a social impact
strategist and embed them withinyour space. Because just passing
(41:16):
a bill is not going to be enoughmoving forward. But I could talk
about that forever over scotchor vodka. But you know, one
thing that I want to bring usback to do you talked about the
chaos, that's 2020. And it'sbeen incredibly hard to live,
especially for someone like methat loves being on a plane and
meeting lawmakers all across thecountry. And I think it
(41:39):
definitely is a booster shotthat we needed to just do more
within our profession, aprofession that does so much,
right. It's so much of what weknow from seatbelts to exit
science, not smoking on planes,all those things were done by
lobbyists and movements. ButGosh, darn it, let's not forget
the good stuff in 2020. OnJanuary 13, the LSU Tigers be
(42:03):
constant in the nationalchampionship. football team.
There's one good thing thathappened in 2020,
Elizabeth Hadley (42:10):
I'll give you that I'll give you that.
Terri Broussard Williams (42:12):
I got to fit it in man.
Elizabeth Hadley (42:17):
That's right.
Yeah, no 2020 is it will go downin the history books. I don't
even know what but I think asyou and I have talked about
separately, too, and, you know,you mentioned, you know,
Facebook earlier and things likethat. And social media is such a
part of our lives. everyone'slives and it can be used for
(42:39):
good, but then you know, we alsosee a lot of negative things.
And we've seen some of that, youknow, this year. So it's just
interesting, I think, to watchand see how people react to a
lot of what's going on thisyear, as well as society. So,
you know, obviously a lot ofwhat you do, you're doing a lot
(43:02):
of work through social media aswell. So I guess how do you see
that and the impact that it has,especially right now during this
time?
Terri Broussard Williams (43:17):
Man, I'm gonna like to take a sigh.
Um, first of all, I have tothank you, you have been such an
incredible friend, but not onlya friend and ally. I mean, there
have been times when you havehad my back on social media, by
sharing a post with me withsomeone that I thought was a
friend that really was not orjust even when I did not dare
(43:42):
to, you know, say that somethingwas wrong directly to a person
because I didn't want to getinto social media. tit for tat,
you would say like, this is notokay. And not everyone is wired
to do that. And not everyonedesires to do that. But it's
like so a part of who you arejust one of the many reasons why
(44:02):
I adore you so much and yourfamily.
Elizabeth Hadley (44:04):
Right back at you. Who also adore you..
Terri Broussard Williams (44:10):
Yeah, I'm coming to your house to get
some hugs with them know. Right.
But I have, I've chosen to dothings differently. You know,
there have been some people thatI thought were friends has gone
to their weddings, you know,been out there baby showers sat
on the side of the managing aleague meeting. And they really
rebuild themselves on socialmedia by how they react to these
(44:31):
things and not just react onetime, but consistently. show
people who you are once you havethe opportunity to show them who
you are every single time andsome of them have. But instead
of responding to those posts,you know, I've just really
shared my thoughts from a placeof what could it look like if
(44:52):
you thought differently? Whatcould it look like if you were
the person on the other sidereceiving it and wrote some blog
articles about what's going onin the world right now one that
it you know, definitely hit homefor me was watching a lot of
people on Facebook talking aboutlike how dare people tiot How
(45:14):
dare people protest or lose, andI'm not condoning any of those
things. That would not be how Iwould choose to share my
thoughts and create change inthe world. But I am not
everyone. But a lot of thosepeople as I reflected on who
they were and how I have seenthem operate. I have seen them
(45:34):
riot, loot and protest in theworkplace or their nonprofit
community. So literally, I wentto the dictionary and looked up
the dictionary and placed it interms of how we do this all the
time. And so I also am not hereto tell anyone that how they
choose or live their life iswrong. You know, going back to
(45:56):
that core tenant, we're gonnagive people access to
information. And I believe whenyou give people information,
usually they use it for good andsound like we can show people
what this definition is how thisplays out in their life. Maybe
they will choose a differentoutcome next time. And so that's
just how I have been sittingwith everything happening. And I
(46:17):
have to tell you, I'm fromLafayette, Louisiana. Six years
ago, Lafayette was declared thehappiest city in the country. If
you look at the headlines ofLafayette, it's a microcosm of
the world's we've gone frombeing the happiest city in the
country to Coronavirus,devastating the oil industry,
which means my father worked forExxon. So we were definitely
(46:38):
privileged to the hospitalityindustry. Just no Cajun music
and Creole music justwent flat.
There's no more music playing.
No more gumbo being served. Tothe mayor shutting down the
parks and recreational centersin the black community but
leaving the more affluentcenters in the more affluent
(47:01):
part of town open to a policeshooting or they killed a man
who had a knife. And the reasonit's still still being debated.
And, you know, paralleled withthat had two different groups of
friends that died on planecrashes, plane crashes one in
(47:21):
January one in September. Youknow, I can tell you 15 people
that have died from Coronavirusin Lafayette, including some our
age, and so many people thatlost their jobs. And so I think
right now, we all have theopportunity to not only find our
fire, but to really determinewhat direction we want to take
(47:44):
in the world today. And tocreate it. And so if we just sit
on the sidelines and write theseflippant things on Facebook, we
deserve where we are today. Butif we dig deeper and have
conversations with our neighborwith each other, then the future
that we're going to createinvolves limitless
(48:06):
possibilities. And so I oftensay like, what happens to that
happiest city in the country,you know, when you truly are
fighting for life, liberty andpursuit of happiness, like what
movements can come out of there.
So I just I think we're at apoint of time where we are
(48:27):
required to do more than we'veever done before.
Elizabeth Hadley (48:31):
Yeah, I think, without question, that's true.
And, you know, everybody's goingto decide how they're going to
respond to all of these things.
And that will, you know, say alot about how we move forward.
So hopefully, we can all youknow, find our fire and be
movement makers and make ourcommunities better and you know,
(48:55):
work for the greater good. Wherewe can just all do good. That's
one of my favorite, you know,slogans as a DG is do good. And
I think that's what you, youknow, have been working toward.
And what I see is something thatyou're doing at least so with
your work in this space,anything else that we should
(49:19):
cover? I think I've learnedabout all of this. I'm sure we
could probably talk for a lotlonger,
Terri Broussard Will (49:28):
especially once we start getting into the
Capitol scoop. No, oh my gosh,thank you for just letting me
chat about what's in my headwhat's in my heart So, so rare
that I get to have this type ofconversations with people that
work at the Capitol. You know,so many people know me as like
the Wizard of Oz, the girlthat's in the office in the
(49:50):
conference call telling peoplewhat they need to do. And so
they they don't get to see thisside of me so I'm so grateful to
you Pink Granite to you forbeing my tour guide. Today my
trusted ally,
Elizabeth Hadley (50:03):
I love it.
Awesome. Well, I will be yourally any day and follow you into
any, any battle or champagnebar. So, yes.
Terri Broussard Williams (50:16):
I tell everyone when I speak I'm like,
you know, there are two thingsthat are required when you go
into battle. One is a good pairof Spanx. I mean you really need
them. They hold you up, girl,they will hold that back
straight. The second is your redlip. And if you don't have
either those things have a seatin the back.
Elizabeth Hadley (50:34):
There you go.
There you go. Well, this hasbeen fun. So thank you, Amy, for
having us and letting us be partof pink granite.
Terri Broussard Williams (50:43):
Yeah, she's such a Firestarter.
Elizabeth (50:45):
Yes, she is. Exactly.
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