Today we’d like to introduce you to Akeia Keith.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My childhood was very challenging. Although I lived in a two-parent household and both my parents loved in their own way. My parents were young parents and raised their children to the best of their ability. My father was brutally shot, left for dead when I was in the fourth grade. This was something that no one was prepared for. I was a “daddy’s girl.” So, hearing that my father was fighting for his life, created a major void in my life. Thankfully, my father lived nine years after this horrific tragedy. Although alive, my father lived as a paraplegic (paralyzed from the waist down), needing much care from his family.
Let’s take a closer look at the life of Akeia Keith. To bring a little balance to my life, I had a strong desire to participate in the track and field team. In the fourth grade, my mother granted me permission to join the track and field team. The track team became my saving grace!!!! Track was my life and what I now acknowledge as my positive “self-care,” regimen. I committed to this sport for years. All the way to the 11th grade to be exact. My life took a plot twist in the 11th grade when I incurred a hamstring injury that would not heal. This became an emotional downward spiral because my coach had me on the path of obtaining a sports four-year college scholarship. Needless to say, God had another plan. Since attending college as an athlete was taken off the table, I pursued college entry academically. I was accepted.
My educational experience was often strenuous due to my seemingly negative childhood/household factors. The more I attended school, the more I desired to be present in school every time school was in session. I continued to pursue what I thought was important, which was getting my education. I struggled with having a clear vision of what I fully desired in life, hence the importance of having a mentor would have been the missing ingredient.
It was tough leaving for college and leaving my family behind, but I knew that I needed to commit to education for my life to have a chance of a positive future. I would travel back and forth from college when I was able to visit with my family which was my solace. The strength of my mother, Ola Keith was and remains phenomenal. My mother had to become the glue that held our family together as a thriving unit.
There were several moments in my life where mentorship would have been a great benefit to me as a young female. Having guidance and more insight about life would have been helpful in growing up. The challenges of childhood came in the form of such components as poverty (i.e. financial hardship, food deficit, low self-value, the experience of domestic violence in our home between my parents and alcoholism from my father). Although these components appear to be quite devastating for a young girl to experience, each was building my tenacity for my adult life. I embrace every experience that each component taught me.
Fast forward, after completing my four-year college degree at the University of North Texas, I relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. My relocation was the beginning of my adult life that I could not have imagined. I immediately met my first mentor and voice of reason, Dr. Francine Riley!!!! Who knew just what I needed? God knew!! To this day, I am absolutely appreciative for her. Her mentorship guided me into the person I have become today as an adult. As a result of her teachings, guidance and wisdom, I pursued such unfathomable dreams such as continuing my academic matriculation at the Interdenominational Theological Center and obtaining a dual master degree (Master of Divinity and Master of Christian Education), I invested in my first two real estate properties, I created my first business, “SheRockz,” and I got introduced to the importance of implementing financial stability. Last, but definitely not least, I embraced the idea of dreaming BIG. The pursuit of my dreams has been the formula of stability and life expansion. Presently, I continue to thrive as an entrepreneur, mentor, motivational speaker and trailblazer from her continual counsel.
SheRockz remains my heart in real-time!! SheRockz has afforded me a great opportunity to mentor girls ages 8 to 18 all over the state of Georgia and abroad. SheRockz is structured with the core values in the areas of academics, entrepreneurship, self-esteem and leadership. Building girls in these areas have created such positive visible changes such as their confidence to launch thriving businesses, engage in positive communication skills with family and others, create leadership opportunities in their schools and communities, most importantly, developing self-love and everlasting sisterhood. As a bonus, I get to pursue my SheRockz passion as a motivational/transformational speaker to youth and those that work with youth. For this, I remain grateful. Now as a mentor, I have become exactly what I needed growing up. I absolutely love the journey.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been an easy path overall? No! The road has been bumpy, full of unexpected curves and many detours. However, I am truly grateful for every bump, curve, and detour because it gave me the opportunity to identify strengths I was not aware of, taught me patience and grace and built my perseverance and character.
One of my major challenges was changing the way I thought about myself. Initially, I disregarded my worth and I did not believe that I could have whatever I desired out of life. Often times, I would minimize my own ideas and passions thinking that they were not good enough for the world. So, my primary struggle was, “INSIDE ME!!” Once I took time to have a mental and emotional makeover, my life became brand new. I no longer see obstacles; I see opportunities. I no longer minimize ME, I maximize my potential every moment I have.
Another struggle was me being ok with leaving my family. I had to develop the willingness to change my environment in order to pursue something different. As I became older, I realized how important moving away for exposure to a different perspective was. This boosted my life for the better!! To the readers of this platform, I would be the first to say, become OK with relocation! Sometimes moving will ultimately save your life. I miss my two brothers, Diamond Keith and Victor Keith, they remain my greatest supporters with the love that they give me as their sister. I love every moment of it!!
Although I appear to be very outgoing, most days I have to remind myself to be an extrovert! I was the only girl in my household, so I had developed the habit of being alone, creating imaginary friends, journaling and choreographing dance routines to my favorite music on the radio! LOL. Overcoming this challenge has encouraged me to develop lasting friendships and I have met some amazing people that have added so much value to my life. No regrets.
SheRockz – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?SheRockz is a mentorship program for girls 8 to 18 with core values in the areas of self-esteem, entrepreneurship, leadership, and academics and the connection between life events, their beliefs about those events, and the emotional consequences of their interpretations of those events. Each of these core values creates a holistic approach to providing a positive impact on the life of girls across the State of Georgia and abroad. We are actively working in various communities with these approaches with the intention to prevent such behaviors as school dropouts, teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, negative parent-child conflict, illicit drug use, alcoholism and suicide among young females.
SheRockz is known for making a lasting impact in the lives of girls and their families. Most girls begin at the age of 8 and remain until they are 18 years old. Yes! Our bonds are real and the transformation is unquestionable! This is what sets SheRockz apart from the others. As a mentor, I undoubtedly become the person that I needed growing up. It is well known that each girl that embraces the concepts of SheRockz desires to always be around. Our sisterhood is hands down historic and life-changing!! We are known for business launches and an absolute confidence booster. I am most proud of being able to provide a sacred space for each girl to be HERself. No matter what that looks like, SheRockz remains a judgement-free zone and for this, each girl loves the SheRockz experience.
Additionally, SheRockz hosts a private Facebook parent support group called, “The Parent Spot.” This forum allows me to give parental support in such areas as effective communication between child and parent, social skills, conflict resolution ideas and most importantly being a listening ear for those that parent. It has been an incredible experience.
Not only am I an extraordinary mentor, I serve as a bridge builder between youth and their families / parents. I am often the youth liaison between the school and communities.
When I am not engaging in my heartfelt mentorship commitments, you will find me transforming the lives of youth and families via motivational speaking, group facilitations, and individual psycho-educational sessions for children ages 2 to 18. Some of these services are conducted with the Department of Family and Children Services, Youth Challenge, as well as the Department of Juvenile Justice.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career was discovering my purpose in the world while mentoring, nurturing and seeing the transformation of a teen girl who was able to practice sobriety and pursue her education along with launching her very first business.
I have had the awesome opportunity to work with all types of children/ adults from all walks of life. To see their ultimate potential become a reality TO THEM (because I already see their potential) is the most rewarding gift ever. I am their biggest cheerleader!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 678-313-7487
- Email: sherockz247@gmail.com
- Instagram: SheRockz247
- Facebook: SheRockz, Inc
- Other: akeia_keith (secondary instagram; speakers page)
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