Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia Cummings.
Hi Felicia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Five years ago, if you looked into a crystal ball and told me I would be the owner of my own PR firm, I would think you were out of your mind, but if I knew all the wonderful things God had in store for me ahead of time, I never would have taken a leap of faith. My name is Felicia, but most people know me by my nickname, “Superwoman.” As a big comic book nerd, I wear my red cape with pride. The nickname was given to me by my friends in college during my time at Georgia College & State University. My friends noticed I was multi-talented, yet I used all my skills equally. I was an avid writer, crafting creative works and I dabbled in technical writing as a news writer for the college newspaper. Music was a big part of my life as well; I was a vocalist who sang alto and I was one of the top 10 clarinet players in the state of Georgia in 1997. In addition to my music and writing talent, I also loved Theater and took great pleasure in acting, stagecraft, and directing. My big dream was to one day become a famous playwright or screenwriter, but God had other plans in store for me.
The nickname followed me throughout my adulthood as I used my talents to excel in different careers. I am a very spiritual woman and I have seen God work miracles in my life, especially when it comes to my work life. Every job that I have been given has come to me unexpectedly. After college, I worked as an afterschool tutor for a grant program Georgia College had obtained. I helped local middle school students in English and Language Arts. On Fridays, there was always a guest speaker. One fateful Friday, the guest speaker was the Director of GNETS, a school for behaviorally challenged kids. The director noticed how I interacted with one little girl with behavioral issues. She offered me a paraprofessional position in their first, second, and third-grade classroom. After four months of working as a parapro, I was moved to a middle school classroom as a teacher. The center was going to pay for me to get certified as a special education teacher and in return, I would do two full school terms of teaching, but fate had other plans in store for me.
While observing a colleague of mine, the supervisor for the TAPP (teacher preparation program), noticed me and encouraged me to become a certified regular education teacher. I left my teaching position at the center and immediately entered the TAPP program. While in TAPP, I applied to be a middle school language arts teacher at my old middle school but did not get the job. Instead, the day before the first day of teacher planning, The assistant principal of the high school, who used to be my Government teacher when I was a teenager, saw my name in the job pool and asked if I wanted to be the new high school English and Journalism teacher for Wilkinson County High School. It was a surreal moment in my life as I worked alongside my mentors who supported and encouraged my writing talent when I was a student there. I spent 9 years teaching British Literature and Journalism until the eve of my 10th year. I adored British Literature classics and my Journalism class became so popular that they had to create 4 levels so students could come back to take it each year, but I had become complacent. By July of 2012, the passion and joy I once had for being an educator was lost and I just didn’t feel as if my career in education was meant to continue. So without any reason, I resigned–not knowing what I was going to do or where God was taking me.
A parent of one of my journalism students reached out to me in disbelief that I had left the profession for good. He was eager to sign his youngest daughter up for my class. He also worked as a crime reporter for the local newspaper. And here is where my life in the land of Public Relations began. He was leaving his news writing position for another job and suggested I take his spot at the newspaper. So I applied and got hired and became the new crime reporter for the Union-Recorder newspaper. When the education reporter left, they added education to my news beat, mainly because of my teaching background. While interviewing the Director of Communities in Schools of Milledgeville Baldwin County about a new grant to place Site Coordinators at Baldwin High School, it came up that I used to be a high school English teacher, so she offered me the opportunity to work as the site coordinator part-time.
My reporting duties allowed me to network within the law enforcement community. In 2015, the Chief of Police of the Milledgeville Police Department saw my potential. He expressed to me that he was considering creating a Public Information Officer position and he wanted me to be his new PIO. I was apprehensive at first, but I took the chance and it was the best decision I ever made. Working at the police department and for the City of Milledgeville helped me build upon my PR skillset and I was becoming a PR superhero. After working as the only PIO for Milledgeville PD for five years an opportunity to become the PR rep for the Baldwin County School District came to me unexpectedly. I didn’t need a new job nor was I looking for one, but what I’ve learned in life is this: if God brings it to you out of the blue, it serves a purpose.
In April of 2020, at the beginning of a pandemic and the tail end of a school year, I became the new School and Community Relations Coordinator for the Baldwin County School District. This job pushed my PR skills to the max and allowed me to flex my PR muscles to full capacity, but it also drained me, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I was a Communications Department of one, proving that I truly was a Superwoman. I wrote all internal and external content, which included messages to staff on behalf of the Superintendent, magazine articles and newsletters, twice a month, I was the social media manager for all social media accounts for the school district as well as the 8 schools that were in the school system. This included Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and the school district’s YouTube Channel. I was the website editor, school photographer, graphic designer, speechwriter, meeting commentator, event coordinator, and much more. I worked morning, noon, and night, doing a job that should have been a two-person gig. After a year and a half of working, I was merely working on fumes. By the summer of 2021, I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do. I loved the work I did, but I was being worked to death with little to no support. I was working my life away and that wasn’t how I wanted my life to be. I prayed and made a very difficult decision. I resigned in August of 2021.
I honestly had no idea what I was going to do for work. I had money saved up for adoption that I could use once my last paycheck ran dry, but other than that, I didn’t know where or what I was going to be led to. It was a scary feeling. I have never been a fan of uncertainty, but for some reason, I knew God would clear the path to something great.
During my time at the school district, my college alma mater recognized me for my PR efforts in the community by awarding me the 2021 Humanitarian of the Year Award for Georgia College’s College of Arts and Sciences Department. I was nominated for the PR work I provided to the community through my work as a news reporter, PIO, and school PR rep. In receiving the award I also was asked to serve on the GC African American Alumni Council’s Executive Board as secretary. I came in contact with Mrs. Jemeria Cummings–no relation. Jemeria is one of the Event Coordinators for the AAAC and she became my guiding light.
After resigning, I expressed to her how I was afraid and confused as to what I was going to do next. The last time I left a job unexpectedly, God brought another opportunity to me right away, but this time, there was nothing in sight. She quickly reminded me that because I know how to do so much in PR, perhaps it was time for me to start my own PR business. I had always dreamed of doing that, but I never really thought I would have the opportunity or funds to do it. She was hosting a Faith it Out event that was going to award one local woman and one local graduating senior scholarship money to start their own business and she encouraged me to enter. Initially, I didn’t take her seriously. It took multiple attempts on her part to get me to write up my business plan and create a video for submission. Then once it was time for the event to take place, she had to remind me to purchase a ticket. I was so preoccupied with applying for other jobs, I wasn’t thinking of the scholarship. I honestly didn’t think it would happen, but I did purchase my ticket and decided to support and celebrate whomever received the award.
I was decked out in all red and my heart about burst through my chest when my name was called to receive the $500 dollar start-up business scholarship. Jemeria stated, “when I had the idea to do this I didn’t really know why God moved my heart to start this program, but when I met Felicia and heard her story I knew this was supposed to be her blessing.”
I started my own PR company, Cummings League Marketing & Design, on a leap of faith and prayer in September 2021. I called it Cummings League to play on my nickname, Superwoman. Superman has the Justice League and Superwoman has the Cummings League! It has almost been a year and I have created logos, websites, portraits, and advertising material for several clients in the Middle Georgia area. I love what I do!
With a desire to keep moving forward as a Public Relations Professional, I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in public relations from Full Sail University. My objective is to combine my love for education and public relations to become a college professor while continuing to act as CEO of Cummings League.
I have been a creative writer throughout my life. I am also a published author. I have three published works –Concealed Confessions, a psychological drama, Solace, a spiritual allegory, and Shades of Sentiment, a poetry collection. Solace is based on an optioned screenplay titled Season of Solace that I have with Kanto Productions, and I am currently working on a spiritual memoir. When I was 38 years old, I went through a spontaneous brain leak and had brain surgery. This event changed my perspective on life and opened my eyes to hidden blessings I overlooked. As a result, I began writing a memoir which I hope to have finished by the end of 2022.
In April, I celebrated my 43rd birthday and I continue to wear my red cape with pride and humility. The work I do is never for awards or recognition. It is always to help others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting your own business from scratch is never easy. Yes, I had the talent, but you need the equipment. With the funds, I got from the start-up scholarship and additional money I received from my mother, I was able to purchase two professional cameras, graphic design and videography software, pay for my business license, open a business bank account, and purchase a few camera accessories to get me started. Although I had a reputation as a PR professional, I still had to compete with other PR firms in the area who have full staff and established business clients, I had to struggle to get the word out. Clients slowly came in, but once word got out that Superwoman was available for hire, businesses outside of my area were interested in my work.
As you know, we’re big fans of Cummings League Marketing & Design. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Cummings League is a one stop shop for all your marketing and design needs. Creativity has always been a passion of mine and I am no stranger to hard work! As a Public Relations Coordinator, I make use of my full range of skill sets to produce an ongoing positive image for all my clients. My company offers services in photography, SEO strategy, branding and graphic design, media kits, website development, social media management as well as electronic publications and printing, What I love the most about my work is that I am able to help others make their dreams a reality by bringing their vision to life.
How do you think about happiness?
I’m happiest when I am helping others. I have always been that way. When I received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from Georgia College I thought it was strange. I give and do for others because it’s what I enjoy doing.
Contact Info:
- Email: cummingsleaguepr@gmail.com
- Website: cummingsleague.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cummingsleague
Image Credits
Felicia Cummings
