Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Bennett.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey started with a deep desire to give back to my community and support young people who often don’t have access to the guidance, resources, or opportunities they deserve. Growing up, I saw firsthand how powerful mentorship and having someone believe in you can be in shaping a young person’s future.
In 2005, I began mentoring girls from 3rd through 12th grade. Working directly with them allowed me to listen to their stories and understand the barriers they faced—whether it was confidence, identity, exposure, or support at home and school. Those early experiences shaped my purpose and strengthened my commitment to walking alongside youth in meaningful ways.
As the work continued, I recognized the need for a more intential approach to helping youth plan for life after highschool through mentoring. In 2012, that vision became Cultivating a Lifetime of Legacy. What began as a passion grew into an organization focused on empowering youth and young adults through mentorship, leadership development, life skills, and exposure experiences.
Today, I continue this work as a mentor and advocate, focused on helping young people see their potential, build confidence, and create a future they are proud of. Every step of my journey has reinforced my belief that when people are supported, encouraged, and exposed to new possibilities, real and lasting change can happen and that is the legacy I hope to help cultivate in my community.
Alright, 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?
Starting a nonprofit came with many challenges, especially in the early years. One of the biggest struggles was funding. Learning how to navigate grants, compete for limited resources, and secure sustainable support took time, persistence, and many rejections. Grants often required capacity, data, and infrastructure before funding was available—yet funding was needed to build that very capacity. That gap was difficult to manage.
Another challenge was building organizational capacity while demand for services continued to grow. As word spread and more youth and families needed support, we often had to do more with less balancing program delivery, compliance, staffing, and fundraising, sometimes all at once. Wearing multiple hats became the norm.
There were also moments of doubt and burnout, but what kept me going was the impact seeing lives change, youth grow in confidence, and families feel supported. Each challenge became a learning opportunity that strengthened the organization, sharpened my leadership, and reinforced the importance of partnerships, planning, and sustainability.
The journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it. The struggles shaped the foundation of the organization and continue to guide how we grow, serve, and build for the future.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work centers on empowering youth, young adults, and families through mentorship, leadership development, and access to opportunity. I specialize in building programs that meet people where they are particularly first-generation students and individuals facing systemic barriers and helping them develop the skills, confidence, and support systems needed to thrive.
I am most proud of the impact of seeing young people grow into confident leaders, pursue education and career paths they once thought were out of reach, and give back to their communities. Founding and sustaining Cultivating a Lifetime of Legacy since 2012 is especially meaningful, as it reflects years of consistency, trust-building, and commitment to youth and families.
What sets me apart is my long-term, holistic approach. I focus not just on programs, but on people, relationships, and sustainability bringing together mentorship, exposure, accountability, and data to strengthen individuals and systems alike.
I am currently pursuing a PhD in Public Administration, and I hold a Master of Social and Health Sciences in Youth Development Leadership from Clemson University.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is spending time with my Grandmother, going on vacation to visit family and family reunions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cultivatingalifetimeoflegacy.com
- Instagram: Cll_ga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cultivatingalifetimeoflegacy/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-bennett-ms-59034715
