Ledgers of Leadership
By Lydia Gleiser
Monique Scarlett has always been a pillar of strength in the Siouxland Area, a passionate leader, selfless volunteer, and the kind of woman who inspires others to act with purpose. Whether it is breaking barriers in the banking industry or spearheading projects in the community, her energy and commitment have touched and inspired others. But even the strongest are not immune to life’s unexpected turns, and after a life-changing, near-death experience, Monique emerged with an even greater drive to lead and uplift those around her.
“Since I was a young child, I have always been curious, observant, and loved being around older people,” Monique shares. “I was the kid who would linger around and listen while the adults were together having their own conversation.”
Born and raised on the west side of Sioux City, Monique moved to California when she was in the fourth grade; a fearless decision made by Monique’s mother to start over after the divorce.
“My mother, Laura, has always been such a strong and brave person, and after her divorce, she wanted our family to live that California dream,” Monique remembers. “She packed all of us up and we took an Amtrak to begin our new lives.”
Her mother’s leap of faith marked a turning point in Monique’s young life, planting the seeds of ambition, independence, and leadership, qualities that would take root and blossom in the years to come.
While living in California, Monique’s eyes were opened to a vibrant world of diversity, greater independence, and a bustling lifestyle that reshaped her view of life beyond the Midwest.
“Everything was so different,” Monique shares. “We ended up spending the next six years in California before moving back to Sioux City my sophomore year in high school.”
After graduating from West High School, Monique enrolled at the University of South Dakota to pursue a law degree, a plan that she had her heart set on since high school.
“After completing my freshman year at USD, I ended up transferring to Briar Cliff University and switching my major to psychology and philosophy,” Monique notes. “I also became employed with UPS.”
At 19 years old, Monique made local history when she was hired, becoming only the second Black woman employed by the company in the Siouxland area.
While taking college classes and working, Monique continued to be active in her local church, Mt. Zion. Now that she was older, she began to take on a leadership role, working as a youth choir director, where she was able to expand the program in terms of size and musical abilities.
“I loved being a youth choir director. It is something I am proud of because I was able to not only be a choir director, but also a mentor to children and keep a lot of them out of trouble and off of the streets while also teaching them a creative, healthy outlet,” Monique shares.
Being active in her church piqued Monique’s interest in community involvement, and soon she found herself taking on the role of a youth advisor for the local NAACP chapter, another very fulfilling position she experienced early on in her young life.
Monique found it increasingly difficult to balance the demands of college, her job at UPS, and her various responsibilities in the community through church leadership. Ultimately, she chose to leave college and continue working at UPS, where she was receiving full benefits and a good salary, all while remaining actively involved in the Siouxland community and at Mt. Zion.
“I ended up staying at UPS for about five years, starting at the bottom, where I was a clerk and loading boxes. Then I got the drivers out and serviced customers,” Monique recalls.
During those five years, Monique got married, but the devastating experience of two miscarriages, along with the loss of loved ones, placed immense strain on her marriage and ultimately led to a divorce. “So many people around me didn’t realize what was going on in my personal life,” Monique shares. “I always had a smile on my face and got used to wearing a mask to hide the emotional toll I was experiencing.”
The weight of such tragedy, while being a young daughter, employee, and hopeful mother, was challenging for Monique, leading her to seek a deeper spiritual connection to gain clarity and stay grounded through it all. “God made women unique,” Monique smiles.
Looking for a change, Monique applied to work part-time at Bank of America, a local bank. This turned out to be one of the most important decisions she ever made.
“What was a part-time job ended up being a full-time career,” Monique laughs as she has now spent the last twenty-six years in the banking industry. As Monique was rising in the corporate world, she was also redefining boundaries while building her professional identity.
Bank of America noticed Monique’s ability to collaborate and support others and invited her to create a new hiring program. This program would seek out diverse hires, while also serving the needs of their current, diverse clients.
Monique worked with a specialized team to found and spearhead the Virtual Black Professional Group for the states of Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas.
In addition to leading the Virtual Black Professional Group, Monique was also the first Black female manager in Iowa for Bank of America.
While working for Bank of America, Monique married again and was blessed with the birth of her son, Xavier James. But behind closed doors and her positive personality, her marriage wasn’t what it seemed, and after years of mental abuse, Monique found the courage to leave, putting her son and herself first. Having Xavier gave her purpose and created a relentless drive both professionally and personally.
“I found the courage to be delivered from the constant abuse and searched for stability and peace in life,” Monique shares. “My son Xavier provided the additional support necessary as we both searched for healing. I took a necessary stand to be a survivor after 20-plus years.”
“As I continued my involvement in the church and community,” Monique shares, “I felt there was more that I could do to make positive change in the Siouxland area.”
Over the last twenty years, Monique has chosen to live her life giving back to others by dedicating her time and serving on multiple boards and committees in the Siouxland area that include the Iowa Governor’s Justice Advisory Board, Iowa’s Law Enforcement Vision for Equality Task Force, Sioux City Community School Board, Sioux City Human Rights Commission, Sanford Center Board, Silver Lifetime Member of the NAACP, Woodbury County At-Risk Youth Commissioner, in addition to being the president and founder of Unity in the Community, a special event in Sioux City that unites law enforcement and the community to work together throughout the year on different projects to create unification.
Monique’s efforts and movement in the community have not gone unnoticed. She has been rightfully recognized for her positive impact in the Siouxland area by receiving various awards that include the War Eagle Human Rights Award, Sioux City Police Chief’s Gratitude Award, Women of Excellence Award, “Day of Unity” Award, and the Fearless Women in Iowa Award.
In addition to her honors and achievements, Monique is being appointed as an Evangelist District Missionary in the Eastern Nebraska Jurisdiction for the Church of God in Christ. This appointment provides an opportunity to help others heal and find peace.
Earlier this year, Monique collapsed and suffered a stroke due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and her life was put on hold…temporarily.
After spending hours in and out of consciousness in the ICU, Monique slowly started to be able to hear her loved ones and friends who had been by her bedside waiting for her to show any sign that she would survive. Learning how to walk, talk, eat, and perform other various daily tasks had to be relearned for Monique, and with the help of her son Xavier, she has been on the road to recovery since.
“My son Xavier has always been my motivation to keep moving forward,” Monique shares. “During my recovery from the stroke, he championed the leadership role as the rest of my family and friends near and far supported. It’s a miracle to be alive! Without the love and support of so many wonderful people, I wouldn’t have made it.”
Suffering from a stroke has been a life-changing experience that made her realize that she wasn’t done impacting and touching the lives of others. Instead, it showed her the strength that she still has and the desire to be who she is today, even if it’s at a slower pace now.
With every new day, Monique chooses to treasure every moment as a reminder that, through everything, healing is possible. Grateful for her second chance, Monique doesn’t just live; she leads while upholding one of her favorite quotes: “If serving is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you.”
More With Monique
Monique is musically gifted. Besides singing, she is also a percussionist.
In her spare time, Monique loves to travel and enjoys spending time by various bodies of water.
Monique is an avid collector of African Christmas ornaments and a huge Denzel Washington fan!
Her passion for motivational speaking has led Monique to begin writing an autobiography about her life.
One of the hardest things to overcome for Monique was losing her oldest sister, Stephanie, to a senseless act of random violence. “My sister was a fierce protector, lover, and one of the greatest lionesses that I knew,” Monique says. “Her death was such a blow to our family.”