CYLS 174: Going Beyond Empowerment With Alechia Reese

Description

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, Kevin talks with Alechia Reese about how to go beyond empowerment to achieve your goals. Alechia shares how she successfully juggles the management of three business teams and two brands while being a single mother. She also discusses her surprising take on higher education, the biggest challenge she had to overcome, and what’s next on her journey. Whether you're starting a business or want to have better relationships, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways you can immediately employ to transform your own life.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Alechia Reese

Alechia Reese is the chief brand strategist of 360 Gateway Brands, author of the award-winning book, Eating Elephants, former director of PR & creative marketing of Soledad O'Brien's PowHERful Foundation, and the former strategic marketing director of Disney star, Zendaya Coleman’s fashion line, Daya by Zendaya. She specializes in the development of brand identity, strategy and execution. Her clients have been featured in Glamour, on the covers of Cosmo and are regular speakers for Ivy League institutions and the White House, under the Obama administration. Alechia is also a media personality, certified international professional speaker and humanitarian who has hosted and curated award-winning entertainment and corporate activations. As an event curator and coordinator her company has designed events for Art Basel, Miami Fashion Week and a host of other tours and client campaigns. With a master’s degree and ScrumMaster certification Alechia’s skilled, fun and energetic speaking style has afforded her the opportunity to partner with and speak for a myriad of corporations & organizations from the entertainment stage to the corporate boardroom including Bank of America, UPS, the Miami Marlins, Progressive, Grey Goose, Verizon and others.

Honored as a Woman of Power Awardee presented by Bank of America & NABA NYC, her specialty is purpose leadership, millennial leadership development, effective networking and relationship building, and brand and business development. A firm believer in all things positive empowerment and strategic differentiation, you can catch her on a plane near you interviewing some of the most influential & successful world leaders, or hosting some of the most progressive and exclusive events around the globe. Alechia is a domestic violence thriver and she believes beyond empowerment it is necessary to properly equip all people to succeed. Her life's mantra is, "Your life is the sum total of your beliefs - believe greatly!"

Insights From the Episode

Strategies Alechia teaches her daughter to ensure that she can also become the person she wants to be.
Benefits of using solid systems and creating an amazing team to help you achieve your goals.
Details on Alechia’s program to assist businesses in creating programs for remote workers.
Secrets to creating strong relationships with companies and maintaining that relationship.
Benefits of personal development and continual learning on emotional and physical wellness.
How to develop your brand, process and incorporate feedback, and overcome personal challenges.

Quotes From the Show

“Just because I was born into a certain situation does not mean that I have to accept that and make that what it is for the rest of my life. Just because it looks like that now, does not mean it has to look that way for life.” – Alechia Reese, Create Your Life Series, #174
“You are the author of your story. No one else can create it.” – Alechia Reese, Create Your Life Series, #174
“I am just really good at building and developing and then maintaining relationships. I understand it’s not about me, I’m in a position to serve.” – Alechia Reese, Create Your Life Series, #174
“A lot of people get real confused about how to find out what people need and I’m a firm believer in just open your mouth and ask.” – Alechia Reese, Create Your Life Series, #174
“All that degree meant was that I could stick through something and finish it. It doesn’t mean I’m skilled, it doesn’t mean I’m talented, it doesn’t mean I know how to build something, it just means I know how to finish a class.” – Alechia Reese, Create Your Life Series, #174
“I thought the degree would legitimize me and honestly it didn’t. The relationships that I built and the results that I was able to achieve, that legitimized me.” – Alechia Reese, Create Your Life Series, #174
On overcoming obstacles: “That’s when I became a survivor and later I became a thriver.” – Alechia Reese, Create Your Life Series, #174
On sharing the struggles of beginning a business: “That window of time is so important for somebody who might be going through a similar experience.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #174
“Make a decision, this is what I want, this is what I’ll have, and then put in the work to get there.” – Alechia Reese, Create Your Life Series, #174

Resources Mentioned

Women's Business Enterprise National Council
LinkedIn Learning
The Return to Love by Marianne Williamson
The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
International Players Anthem by Underground Kings

Favorite Books

A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson
The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

Favorite Quote

“Life is a relationship game, learn how to play it well”

Keys to Create Your Best Life

Make a decision...have few made the decision
Deny everything that doesn’t look like where you are looking to be, or who you are looking to be
Be intentional

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Alechia Reese

Website: www.alechiareese.com

Instagram: alechiareese