Cheryl P. Williamson On The Art Of Influence
As a little girl, Cheryl Polote-Williamson recalls people coming over to their home in the middle of the night ringing their doorbell because they were hungry, needed employment, etc. Her parents gave and provided for others without mentioning it and were blessed for it. Seeing this demonstrated as a child molded and shaped Cheryl into having a heart for serving and giving. “I think that when you are around people who serve and give like my parents, it’s going to rub off on you,” she says.
Polote-Williamson’s father taught her that the world was hers for the taking and that she could be and do anything that she wanted. Her father demonstrated these words by going from someone’s employee to owning and heading a multimillion-dollar international corporation. Seeing her father reaching success, and then, reaching back to bring others with him is something that Polote-Williamson herself has adapted. “By seeing that, I realized how powerful that is. My parents taught me that when you serve well, very rarely do you have to ask. I see that demonstrated in my life very often. I’m given opportunities, and people will ask, how did you get that opportunity? It’s the law of reciprocity- a seed that I sowed many years ago now coming to harvest,” she says. “If you sow seeds of care, love, and kindness, and serving of humanity— that’s what will grow in your life.”
The multi-award-winning best-selling author, award-winning filmmaker and executive producer, media personality, highly sought-after speaker, and business coach is currently working on several projects- books and films. Known for spearheading anthologies, Polote-Williamson is currently working on her standalone book, “The Art of Influence”. “My publisher said to me, ‘Cheryl, I have an idea for you. It’s time for you to do another standalone book. You have so much influence, and you need to share with people how.’ I thought about it. And I started going back to all the messages in my inbox from people, asking how do you do this? How did you do that? I realized that it was through the art of influence. She continues, “I influenced people to give me the opportunities to be on radio, TV, and film. And so with this book, I wanted to break it down and share with people how I mastered this.”
Polote-Williamson has mastered the art of influence by serving through kindness, humility, and bringing others along. “In the book, I break it down from a very simplistic point of view so that anybody can incorporate it. When readers read this book, they will master the art of influence for themselves. So, I am providing a blueprint to master the art of influence. The book is scheduled to release in May 2021.
Another project Polote-Williamson is working on is a film called “Saving Clarissa,” which she is currently executive producing and co-writing. I asked her how she ended up in the film/production industry. “It’s amazing to be asked this question,” she says with excitement. “I will tell you it ties to the art of influence. About two years ago, I was the executive producer of a stage play called “Soul Purpose.” It was a success, and I won executive producer of the year through the church stars awards.” Polote-Williamson realized that she had a talent and gift for production.
“My friend, award-winning filmmaker, Deborah Riley Draper knew I had a desire to do film, but I needed to know how to do it from the inside out. Deborah was working on a film, and asked if I would be willing to come in as a production assistant. You know, a production assistant is really a glorified secretary. You get coffee, or whatever needs to be done, you do it. I think everybody was surprised when I said yes, because they know I run companies.” This statement is definitely not an arrogant remark, but the truth. Many people know Cheryl as the founder and CEO of several companies, including “Williamson Media Group, LLC,” and Cheryl Polote Williamson, LLC, where her knowledge, expertise, and resources connect others to their purpose. “I’ll tell you how serving paid off because I was willing to be a production assistant. When we had our first meeting, there was a list of things that the film project needed- investors, etc. Well, I put my skills to work and reached out to some friends I knew had the financial capacity to invest in films and brought them along.” Polote-Williamson went from being the production assistant to being an executive producer on the award-winning short film “Illegal Rose” starring Jasmine Guy. The short film is about immigration.
Our conversation shifted when I asked Polote-Williamson what helps her not see other women doing something similar to what she is doing as competition. “I don’t compete against anybody. I compete against myself,” she says. “I don’t see other women as my competition. I see them as my collaborators, not as my competitors. The other thing is I have mastered the art of knowing that whatever God has for me is for me. So, I can tell people how to do what I do- how to sell books, bring them on film projects, and elevate their name. I am comfortable being in the background, knowing that I’m the leader because when you’re able to put people upfront, that’s true leadership.”
Polote-Williamson loves creating tables and bringing other women along, so they can win. “When we show the world this especially little girl, we show them that you don’t have to grow up competing with one another for anything- man, education, etc. When we empower women, we won’t have to have one woman as the only CEO of a Fortune 500 company. It’ll be plenty of women. And that’s how I view it. What can I do to help another woman?
Recently, Polote-Williamson launched her magazine, “Cheryl” magazine, a platform that provides hope and inspiration for everyday women. She wanted to have something where women who are doing extraordinary things would have the opportunity to be recognized. “Cheryl magazine is a place for women to read, share, see women their age, and see women who look like them doing amazing things.”
Always wanting to be a blessing to others, amid the pandemic, realizing how blessed and fortunate she is to be in a position to give. Cheryl partnered with Chef Felicia Guimont, owner of OMG Cakes & Southern Best Catering, LLC to provide individual hand-pack meals that included dessert and drinks with a smile delivered to hospitals, doctors’ offices, recreation centers, fire stations, etc. “I also realized that while feeding their bellies, I also had something to feed their souls. So, along with providing meals, I’ve also provided almost 7,000 or more books to the frontline and essential workers from February (2020) to present time.” Cheryl has received tons of letters and recognition from hospitals and fire stations, and other places that she’s served.
Polote-Williamson is a woman after God’s own heart who has mastered the art of influence. She is a voice of hope and is genuinely here to serve. She is not concerned about recognition or the likes and views that many are pulled into via social media. “I like me and how God views me,” she says.
