Today we’d like to introduce you to Dee Bien-Aime, Imani Dickens and Sumaiya Dickens.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have a sales and branding background with particular expertise in the beauty and lifestyle space. After the birth of my premature twins at only six months pregnant, their prognosis wasn’t favorable and I had to rethink my trajectory. The long hours were not conducive to their weighted medical needs. I had to shift to more of an entrepreneurial approach to earning money. As a brand consultant, I have written pitches for a number of brands that have been featured at a number of retail operatives across a myriad of platforms spanning brick and mortar as well as digital.
I’m a survivor of domestic violence. Having had to reconfigure virtually every expectation that I had for myself, I had reached a point in my life where I wanted to use my power of creating messages that stir momentum for “good.” I had to have a number of corrective surgeries, including a full jaw reconstruction. Several years ago, I was inspired to write a children’s book that inspired children to embrace themselves for all of the unique magic that makes them incredible. Named for my twin girls, “The Mani and Maiya Series” is a kid-approved collection that is as funny as it is filled with nuggets for a healthy self-image. Raising twins on my own, and having a host of health issues, including a rare tumor next to my heart, did not leave a lot of opportunities to build a business or the self esteems of youths. That said, I have had to stop and go my goals a lot over the years. I have a poor relationship with quitting, fortunately.
Today I serve on a number of university boards because of leadership programs that I have created to strengthen the qualitative skills of vulnerable populations within the student body and staff. My daughters, now 17 and very savvy entrepreneurs, are cofounders in the educational services company that we own and operate together. Read and Rule Education uses literacy as a platform for self-love and social mobility. Our programs have been sponsored by the American Ballet Theatre and The Mets. We have partnered with MIT as well as a number of other educational institutions in the efforts to expose youths of color to experiences that are meant to expand their realm of possibility. Our inclusive business model fosters real-world opportunities for all stakeholders and encourages healthy lifestyle habits. We offer a range of programs and there are a number of products in the pipeline.
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?
Single motherhood, Health Challenges, Twins, Very little family support, Surviving Domestic Violence, Surviving Cancer.
Read and Rule – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
What sets us apart is we are black girl magic times three High level on academic excellence, hyper-focus on the whole experience for black and brown youth and families. Resilience training infused education. Mani and Maiya are entertainers and activists. Their teen empowerment platform Level Up and Lead with R. E. A. D is a very well-received lecture series that hosts a range of leaders from various industries and walks of life. The goal is to boost morale and encourage a growth mindset in children who might not otherwise be exposed to what dreams may come. Maiya has an apparel brand called Stitched by Maiya that will sell exclusive pieces that will support teen mental health services. Mani is a music producer and composer. Her work has been performed by the Philharmonic at Lincoln Center. She and her sister make up the singing duo Mani and Maiya and are using their music to launch an even bigger message to today’s young people.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I am most humbled by the fact that life had gotten in my way so many times and my own daughters add so much value as not only living testimonies of my techniques surrounding youth leadership development but also as my cofounders. Talk about full circle. I could not do this without them.
Also, as an emerging leader in the mindset shifting space, it is humbling to be sought after by colleges and companies not because my experiences have been perfect, but because I learned to leverage whatever life presents me with. Talk about winning for losing. The irony.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.readandrule.com Relaunches Sept 15 2020
- Email: connect@dbienaime
- Instagram: @1amdbienaime @readandruletheworld @theofficialmaniandmaiya
Image Credit:
Calvin Henderson
Stephen Edwards
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