Black Meetings and Tourism

November/December 2020

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B M & T ••• November/December 2020 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 16 It doesn't take long to figure out how Marlinda A. Henry is able to handle two high-profile jobs at once. Her "get it done" attitude, energetic personality and ability to juggle multiple roles with ease are just some of the attributes she demonstrates on a daily basis as the president of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) and the Director of Events and Planning for Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship in Atlanta, GA. There is little doubt that pulling double duty is challenging, but this single mother of two takes it all in stride, while making it all look easy. "I use my spirit of discernment to navigate some things," said Henry, who is originally from Pasadena, Calif. "Church is all I know. Working with the National Coalition has been an eye- opener, though. It's been fun learning the ins and outs of another organization. I've learned other ways of doing things. Because I had only been doing religious conferences, I realized there are other things outside of the four walls of the church that I can do." Being a consummate professional who is proficient at both gigs is a balancing act that takes talent. Henry has it mastered. "The main skill anyone has to have when you have two jobs is to have the heart for it," said Henry. "You can plan events, but if there is no passion, it will never work. I've been doing this all of my life. It's been ingrained in me ever since my daddy had us doing envelopes in the church when we were little. To me, it seems like a natural gift." Although her position with Full Gospel is a paid position and she volunteers for NCBP, Henry manages to give them A CONVERSATION WITH MARLINDA A. HENRY Does Double Duty as NCBMP President and Director of Events and Planning for Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship "When it comes to conferences, we plan them 12 months out," BY DARLENE DONLOE

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