Imagine that completing your degree was a double edged sword? Getting your doctorate might be the crowning achievement for a single mother from Compton, California, but earning your PHd would also put you in rooms where black women had never gone before. Rooms where, even in the new millennium, you might not be wanted or where your voice and opinion might not be valued. Dr. Sharoni Little, CEO, revered thought-leader, global facilitator, media commentator, data analytics expert, author, renowned scholar and professor at the USC Marshall School of Business, put her education aside at age 35, when her twin sons, Jaren and Jared were born. But what would you do if the degree you’d stopped pursuing had an expiration date? And if you didn’t drop everything and complete one final dissertation, all the hard work you’d done and the sacrifices you’d made would have been for nothing. Would you stop your life and make your deadline? Or would you pass, deciding it was better to leave well enough alone? More From Dr. Sharoni Little: Reach out to Sharoni at USC Marshall School of Business Finding Dr. Sharoni Little: Instagram: @drsharonilittle If you'd like to ask a question and be featured during the Dear Laura segment you can DM us on instagram @theonlyoneintheroom or email us via the website www.theonlyonepod.com. Also visit the website for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins such as live events, appearances, featured articles and more. Don't miss our bonus after show Scott Talks, where co-host and producer Scott Slaughter (aka Hon) briefly chops it up with our guest immediately after the interview. *If you know someone who might be feeling like they're the "Only One" be sure to share this or one of our other unique episodes with them. Also be sure to subscribe, comment and review us on iTunes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices