Kessey Cham of Online and Atlanta Area on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Kessey Cham and have shared our conversation below.

Kessey, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is essential to me because it is the foundation that keeps every other quality in balance. Proverbs 10:9 (AMPC) says, “He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who takes a crooked way shall be found out and punished.” This reminds me that no matter how intelligent or energetic a person may be, without integrity, their path is unstable and will eventually lead to consequences. Integrity ensures that my actions line up with my values, giving me peace of mind and the trust of others. It helps me use my intelligence for good and channel my energy into things that build rather than destroy. To walk securely means living with honesty, truth, and consistency, even when it’s hard, because that is what leaves a lasting impact. Integrity is also the root of my business, KhemWithKess, and how I serve people—through honesty, accountability, and genuine care for their success. It protects my character, strengthens the way I mentor and teach, and ensures that everything I build remains aligned with my faith and moral values.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kessey Cham, and I am the founder of KhemWithKess, an educational consulting brand dedicated to helping students master Organic Chemistry and beyond. Unlike traditional instructors who overwhelm students with information, I combine faith, patience, and active listening to create personalized study plans, mnemonics, and learning patterns that meet each student’s needs—especially those who carry difficult or even traumatic experiences from their undergraduate studies. I specialize in teaching the equivalent of a full year of Organic Chemistry in a customized timeframe and preparing students for the DAT, MCAT, or undergraduate success through strategies that build both knowledge and confidence. What makes KhemWithKess unique is that I don’t just teach content; I create a safe space where students can unlearn fear and rediscover their potential. Currently, I am expanding my company to hire for additional STEM subjects and to build customizable learning tiers. This ensures that students who need accelerated, high-pressure support, as well as those who prefer steady, planned learning, both have options. My goal is to design affordable, effective packages that give every student a clear, personalized path to success.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I was made to feel slow, dumb, and less than by family, friends, and even educators in school. I carried the weight of other people’s trauma that was projected onto me, and for a long time, it damaged how I saw myself. Through faith, I’ve been working to undo that damage and rebuild my identity on truth, not labels. I no longer choose to identify with the limitations others have placed on me; instead, I embrace the multitude of lives I’ve been able to impact, even during seasons when I still felt broken and incapable. Seeing the success stories of my students reminds me daily that I am more than enough, and it fuels my belief in myself. I am creating a legacy and evolving into the best version of myself.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: give yourself grace. You don’t have to have it all figured out, and you are not defined by the labels or doubts that others placed on you. I know how heavy imposter syndrome feels—the voice that says you’re not good enough, that you don’t belong, that your accomplishments don’t count. I lived in that space for a long time, and I’m still building my way out of it. But I would remind myself, and anyone else reading this, that confidence is not a destination—it’s a process. Your upbringing or past experiences don’t get to narrate your story forever. You have the power to take control, rewrite the script, and create the life you want. Even now, I’m still learning to lean into growth, to silence the lies, and to step boldly into the best version of me—and so can you.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: you are not broken, you are becoming. Give yourself grace, because every struggle, doubt, and setback is shaping you into someone stronger than you realize. Don’t let the voices of others or the weight of your upbringing write the story of your life—you have the power to take the pen back and create the future you deserve. You belong, you are capable, and you are enough.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, role, and possessions, what would remain is my faith, my purpose, and my heart for people. Titles and material things can fade, but the way I’ve poured into others—the encouragement, the belief I’ve spoken into students and those I’ve mentored—would still stand. At my core, I am someone who serves, uplifts, and builds others through truth and compassion. Even without the name “KhemWithKess” or the roles I hold, I would still be the same woman striving to reflect God’s grace, using every lesson, scar, and success to help someone else see that they, too, can rise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://khemwithkess.com
• Instagram: khemwithkess
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kesseycham
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KhemWithKess
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHEZ-aCoZ3mMkrXsZk-R_og
• Other: TikTok: KhemWithKess

Image Credits
Special thanks to my sweet friend, Karen Kym Miller-Thomas — always coming through in the clutch.