What Dr. King's Daughter Taught Me About Family Culture

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Hey Beautiful Mama! 👋

I had one of those stop-you-in-your-tracks moments recently that completely changed how I think about my family and business.

There I was, sitting in a mastermind event, notebook open, when Bernice King (yes, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter) started sharing about her childhood.

What she said next literally made me put down my pen and just listen.

She told us that her mother didn't save important family discussions for special occasions or formal settings.

Instead, right at their dinner table…

Surrounded by everyday plates, everyday food, and everyday conversation.

Her mom would cast vision for their family.

She'd simply say things like:

"This is what our family stands for. This is who we are. This is what we're about."

No PowerPoint.

No family mission statement framed on the wall.

Just consistent, intentional conversation woven into normal life.

I realized something profound in that moment: That's culture.

And it hit me hard because just the week before, I'd noticed something troubling in our own home.

We were all physically present, but mentally scattered.

Stephen was checking emails, and I was mentally running through my to-do list for the next day.

We were living under the same roof but barely connecting.

Sound familiar?

Here's what I've come to understand:

Culture isn't just for Fortune 500 companies or high-performing teams.

It starts around your kitchen table. It lives in your daily habits.

And if you're not intentionally building it, it's still forming…

Just not in the direction you'd probably choose.

It's like a garden.

Left unattended, weeds will naturally grow.

But with consistent care and attention, you can create something beautiful.

Here's How to Create a Culture That Lasts

Just last month, I interviewed Mimi Dew for our podcast. (Here's the episode if you're interested.)

Her company has made the Inc 5000 list three years running, and when I asked her the secret, she immediately pointed to culture.

What struck me was how the exact same principles that make her business thrive can transform our families, too.

Here's how…

Step 1: Define Your Family's Core Values

Think about what truly matters to your family.

What do you want your kids to remember about growing up in your home twenty years from now?

For Mimi's company, they identified five core values...

1. Transparency

2. Collaboration

3. Curiosity

4. Vision

5. Hustle

For your family, you might need a messy (but important!) dinner table discussion to figure out what matters most to all of you.

These aren't just nice words.

They're your family's compass.

They guide how you make decisions, how you spend your time, and how you treat each other.

What would your family's values be?

Take time this week to identify 3-5 words that represent what matters most.

Step 2: Start a Simple Weekly Family Meeting

Now, before you picture some formal boardroom meeting with your toddler taking minutes… that's not what I'm suggesting!

This is about creating a rhythm of connection.

In Mimi's company, they do bi-weekly meetings where team members honor someone who's embodied their values.

You can adapt this for your family with a weekly "values check-in." Keep it super simple:

• Gather around the table (dessert helps get everyone there!)

• Each person shares one win from the week

• Each person shares one value-driven goal for the coming week

• Celebrate progress, not perfection

Simple, right? But powerful.

When your family starts talking about values consistently, they don't just stay as words on a piece of paper. They become part of who you are.

Step 3: Lead By Example (The Hardest But Most Important Part)

I had to laugh during my interview with Mimi when she talked about "culture drifting in a negative direction" if left unattended.

Your family (and your team, if you're growing a business) won't do what you say…

They'll do what you model.

If you want a culture of kindness?

You've got to be the kindest person in your home.

If you want a culture of growth? They need to see you trying new things and embracing challenges.

If you want a culture of gratitude? Start expressing appreciation out loud, even for the small things.

I've seen this same principle transform both homes AND businesses.

The values you talk about at your dinner table can be the same ones that guide how you treat clients, make decisions, and build your team.

One of my favorite things Mimi shared was how she asks her employees to bring three potential solutions whenever they bring her a problem.

You can start doing this with your kids too!

One of the best transferable skills you can teach your children is how to think this way.

Your Action Steps This Week:

1. Write down 3-5 core values for your family.

2. Schedule your first weekly family meeting (make it fun… food always helps!)

3. Choose one value to intentionally model in both your family and work this week.

Culture is like the invisible air your family breathes.

It will develop whether you shape it intentionally or not.

With love and gratitude,
Chelsey 💕

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