Empowerment comes in many forms. Self-empowerment provides the confidence and resilience needed to overcome obstacles that may seem insurmountable. This type of empowerment is necessary as fuel for difficult situations. Many times we find this strength within ourselves, or we may need a boost from the experience of others. Yorli Huff is an empowerment specialist and real-life superhero. We spoke with her recently about her stint as an undercover drug agent and “Superhero Huff.”
Tell us about yourself.
I am Yorli Huff, a real-life superhero! I am an empowerment specialist, I serve to use my true-life story to enlighten, empower and encourage others. The entire enterprise is based on my true-life story. I used to be an undercover drug agent in Chicago and I was discriminated against. I got evidence against my employer and filed a complaint internally. They threatened to kill me. I had to go to the FBI to get my charges approved with EEOC [the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission], and after an 11-year legal battle, I won.
What is it about what you do that makes you unique?
What makes me unique is that I am in fact a real-life superhero. I have an entire comic book/cartoon enterprise based on my true life story.
How did you get started in your profession?
I got started in my profession by writing my autobiography after winning an 11-year legal battle to pitch for a movie deal. Through divine intervention, I took my character from the autobiography and created a comic book/cartoon enterprise, Superhero Huff.
What would you say is the most challenging aspect of what you do?
The most challenging aspect of what I do is harnessing my creativity and stopping my brain from thinking.
Who are the biggest personal and professional influences in your life?
The biggest personal and professional influences in my life are my cousins Dubra and Jay Lazard, Reverend Friday C. Hudson, Pastor Otis Moss and Oprah Winfrey.
Tell us about the last book you read. Why did you choose it?
The last book that I read was Secrets of Super Achievers by Philip Baker. It was given to me by my Cousin Dubra. This book confirmed the life that I live. It talks about the characteristics of super achievers: focus, endurance and constant learning. This book talks about the characteristics that show from the inside out. It talks about the drive and the personal goals that a super achiever has. This book was true confirmation for me.
What encouraging words do you have for our readers.
There is nothing that you can’t do; you just need the determination to do it. Life is going to happen but you are better equipped to handle it when you have a plan. There has to be some thought of where you want to go; a GPS won’t even get you there without you entering the address. Dream and know that your dreams can and will come true but action is required . . . Visualize it, write affirmations to get you there. Don’t stay on the detours; it takes longer for you to get to your destinations ;no matter how beautiful they are you can’t stay!
For 11 years, every day someone made it their business to tell me what was not going to happen, what I was not going to get and victory was never going to come. I saw my victory even when my house was set on fire, I saw my victory when the defendants were found not guilty even though they confessed to everything. I saw my victory everyday during a 22-day trial. I saw my victory beyond over a $1 million in attorney’s fees. I saw my victory when my case was the first case selected to implement a process called mediation in the seventh district federal courts. I knew my victory was coming after six unsuccessful attempt at this process. I knew my victory was coming when my case was selected for appeal and less than a third of all cases even get selected to be heard. I knew my victory was coming when the most all-male, white conservative panel heard the appeal. I knew my victory was coming when we were heard for over 45 minutes and you only get 30 minutes to argue your appeal. I knew my victory was coming when I got the call from my attorney over a year later that we won the appeal. I received my victory 11 years later when the case was settled! Welcome to the movement!
Follow Yorli Huff on Twitter/Instagram: @yorlip
