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As a part of the Morning Lazziness collection highlighting empowering ladies who’re making a exceptional affect with their concepts, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rasheda Kamaria Williams.
Rasheda Kamaria Williams is an award-winning mentor, creator, empowerment speaker, and the visionary founding father of Empowered Flower Girl, a social enterprise devoted to remodeling the way in which younger folks relate to themselves and each other. A passionate advocate for ladies and youth, she has spent over a decade creating packages and initiatives that foster connection, confidence, and neighborhood.
Leveraging her in depth background in PR and communications, Rasheda has earned quite a few accolades for her capability to craft compelling narratives and elevate vital causes. By means of her work with Impressed Life Professionals, she helps changemakers and social affect founders amplify their missions, broaden their attain, and get their voices heard—whether or not on levels, in journal options, or via different thought management platforms.
At her core, Rasheda is a social entrepreneur pushed by a dedication to encourage, uplift, and equip the subsequent era of leaders. Her work blends strategic storytelling with real function, making her a trusted information for these able to create significant change.
On this interview, she displays on the pivotal moments, hard-earned classes, and defining wins from her journey in constructing thriving on-line ventures.
What impressed you to launch Impressed Life Professionals, and the way did your background in freelancing and consulting form the mission behind it?
I launched Impressed Life Professionals in December 2024 after years of working behind the scenes as a freelancer and advisor for nonprofits, training establishments, and changemakers. What I constantly noticed was the brilliance and affect of leaders (particularly BIPOC founders and youth changemakers) going unnoticed. My background formed the corporate’s mission to alter that. I do know that visibility equals viability for purchasers. ILP was born to deliver instruments to the individuals who usually don’t have entry to massive PR corporations however have highly effective tales that should be instructed.
You’ve labored intently with nonprofits, educators, and changemakers—what patterns did you discover that led you to concentrate on amplifying neglected voices?
I observed that so many changemakers have been doing transformative work however have been too busy serving their communities to advocate for themselves. Many lacked the bandwidth or sources to pitch their tales or navigate the media panorama. Repeatedly, I noticed youth leaders and small grassroots organizations being neglected regardless of their unbelievable affect. That’s once I realized visibility can be a type of fairness.
ILP is rooted in storytelling for affect. What does it imply to you to “amplify purpose-driven leaders,” and the way do you deliver that to life via your work?
To amplify purpose-driven leaders means ensuring the world sees and values the work of these main with integrity and intention. I deliver that to life via strategic storytelling, which entails serving to purchasers form their very own narratives, safe media coverag,e and share these tales on levels with confidence.
You point out that BIPOC founders and youth leaders are sometimes underrepresented in conventional media. Why do you suppose that hole nonetheless exists, and the way does ILP goal to shut it?
That hole persists as a result of systemic bias nonetheless shapes whose tales are seen as “worthy.” Conventional media usually facilities acquainted names or narratives and typically leaves out rising leaders, particularly these from marginalized communities. I’m grateful to see unbiased information shops and podcasts that target uplifting the tales of BIPOC and youth leaders. Nevertheless it shouldn’t solely be the area of interest publications and shops doing this which is without doubt one of the causes I advocate for my purchasers to make the most of their owned media to inform their tales. They’ll use their web sites, blogs, and social channels to share the great they’re doing on the earth.
Are you able to share a latest success story the place your work helped a grassroots group or chief achieve the visibility they deserved?
One latest success story I’m happy with is my work with Tia Russell, founding father of Take My Hand, a Detroit-based nonprofit devoted to supporting youth, households and people via important companies and empowering neighborhood packages. Though Tia had been making a major distinction for years in her neighborhood, her group wasn’t getting the media consideration or monetary help it really deserved.
I labored with Tia to offer strategic help like media coaching and session round talking alternatives and grant/award submissions. We centered on refining her message, selling her Generational Givers initiative for youth and constructing her confidence as a spokesperson for her trigger.
When Tia was featured in SEEN Journal’s “Changemaker” collection in October 2024, I used to be floored. I needed to cry tears of pleasure as a result of of us around the globe obtained to see what I already find out about Tia, she is a drive. That function really elevated her profile as a acknowledged neighborhood champion.
As a purpose-driven entrepreneur, how do you keep impressed and grounded, particularly when working in areas that may be emotionally demanding or underfunded?
Whew! Nice query. I keep grounded by returning to my “why.” I’m doing this work to assist folks on the finish of the day (and never simply my purchasers). I take into consideration the younger folks watching, the founders who’ve by no means seen themselves in nationwide media and the grassroots organizers who maintain going regardless of restricted sources. I additionally prioritize boundaries and the issues that deliver me pleasure like time on the seashore (which you’ll discover as an ILP model ingredient), dancing, mentoring youth and deliberate relaxation. I additionally encompass myself with different purpose-driven of us who maintain me motivated. We remind one another that this work issues, however our peace additionally issues.
What recommendation would you give to different ladies, particularly ladies of shade, who’re constructing mission-led companies however struggling to be seen or heard?
If I’m talking on to them, I’d say: Your work is legitimate even when it hasn’t gone viral. You’re doing the work and it’s acknowledged even when not by the native TV station. These you serve, your loved ones and God know your coronary heart. However don’t let humbleness maintain you from shining. So don’t be afraid to toot your personal horn or permit others to toot it for you. Get the help and mentorship you could develop and broaden your territory. There’s a good vibe tribe on the market ready so that you can be part of.
What have been the most important challenges in constructing ILP since its launch, and the way have you ever navigated them with intention?
The most important problem over these previous few months has been constructing whereas nonetheless supporting others’ visibility and navigating restricted capability. As a solopreneur who works with different freelancers, it may be laborious to steadiness shopper work with rising my very own model. I’ve navigated it by embracing programs to streamline how I work. I’ve additionally discovered to ask for assist and lean into neighborhood.
For those who may lead a world motion via ILP, what wouldn’t it stand for—and what sort of legacy do you hope to depart via your work?
If we led a world motion, it could middle visibility as a type of fairness. It will stand for amplifying purpose-driven leaders and lightworkers. The legacy I need to go away is one the place tales that have been as soon as neglected are entrance and middle. I need folks to recollect Impressed Life Professionals because the spark that helped gentle the way in which for others.
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