As a transformational leader and motivational advisor, Zuri (Obado) Bennett works directly with diverse populations and consults for programs in academic, professional, and entrepreneurial spaces, including institutions such as Rutgers University, Johns Hopkins University, Universidad de Francisco Marroquin, and organizations like ImpactJunkie, Central American Healthcare Initiative, and Unreasonable Kids.

Founding PowerHouse Connect, LLC | Advising and Consulting has provided Zuri with the opportunity to apply her diversified experiences in a way that energizes individuals, institutions, and communities to maximize presented opportunities. In turn, they will use their resources to uplift, empower, and bring positive change to the world around them.

Zuri’s Story

In my role, I will be asking you a lot of information about you. It is only fair I tell you more about me!

As a first-generation student and daughter of immigrants from East Africa, I had very little choice in whether I would pursue a college degree. Though I had no objection to the opportunity to spread my wings, I found myself walking through the muddy waters of higher education. The time I spent at Rutgers University (last graduating class of Livingston College, WHOO!) and then Boston University, School of Medicine, I had advisors to help keep me on track, but things became more challenging to unravel once I was out in the real world and so many other factors became important in what decisions I made about jobs and where I saw my career going. 

It wasn’t really until two years into my advising position at Johns Hopkins in 2019 that I realized my story was a common narrative among many.

Being a college advisor was not a position I had initially considered, as I was preparing for a career in therapeutic counseling. My advising career started because a mentor saw in me attributes, skills, and talents that were a great fit for supporting students from marginalized communities in educational attainment. This career opportunity blossomed because of relationship and connection. Since, I have seen an increased value in recent graduates having someone willing to travel the journey of career development with them, especially during those in-between times when they no longer have access to college and program career/academic support and advisors. 

Through the stories of my students, mentees, family, and friends, I noticed this common theme of distress, confusion, and bewilderment among those trying to make the connection between the degree they earned and finding jobs and opportunities that meet their financial and career development goals. After much self-reflection and over the two years serving as a strategist for Impact Junkie, a social entrepreneurship organization and movement, I decided to accept the label of ‘entrepreneur’ and “start something that changes lives.” My goal is to use PowerHouse Connect to continue motivating and empowering youth and adults to design their own lives and support individuals in accomplishing their academic, career, and life goals. 

Even further, because I have experienced and witnessed the adverse effects of injustices in our society and have seen how positive support can make a powerful difference in people's lives, I also look to partner with those who also desire to bring systemic change to complex societal challenges. We live in a big, convoluted, and ever-evolving world and believe that social change is a group effort. For me, I am at my best when I am in service to others. 

When are you at your best?