Today we’d like to introduce you to Kellye Britton.
Hi Kellye, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been in Atlanta or 30 years, my dad got a job at Clark Atlanta University and that’s how my family relocated here. I went to high school outside of Atlanta proper and then attended GA State University after graduation. I changed majors nine, yes NINE times because I was great at a lot of things but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. As a result of this, I did retail accounting, banking, IT, entertainment business management, and now non-profit leadership. I spent 13 years in the music industry and decided that I wanted to do more. So I left and started three businesses before I got the call to join the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project in 2018. I joined the organization to do infrastructure work and ended up being asked into the classroom where I trained under award-winning educator and author Brandon P. Fleming. Under his tutelage, I have become an educator. In addition to my roles in operations, programming, and fundraising, I have the opportunity to work directly with the future leaders of this city and the world and it has changed my life!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road — I have experienced loss, pain, failure, and delay — I became a single mother at 21, lost my mother when I was 23, changed careers after 13 years in one industry — not to mention the challenges of being a Black woman in male-dominated businesses. Most of my challenges have been rooted in being a people pleaser which meant not centering on my needs, my wants, my aspirations, or my dreams — it has always meant putting other people first. I don’t regret it because in being this type of person, I have been able to learn so many different things from so many different, highly motivated, and successful people all of whom have made me the jack of all trades I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently the Executive Director for the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project. I am responsible for overseeing the board, the staff, programming, and operations for the non-profit organization. In addition to this, I teach on Saturdays alongside Mr. Fleming.
My business roots are in financial and personnel management – training, process documentation, A/R, A/P, audits, tax preparation, business due diligence, cash management, tour management, financial reporting, payroll, and bookkeeping. I still offer these services through my consulting firm for aspiring and new entrepreneurs.
What sets me apart from others is my ability to do a number of things well and with a fervor that ignites the greatness in other people. I am a professional chameleon — any workplace you put me in, I will figure out how to do the job needed while improving productivity, efficiency, and accuracy. I am adept and I adapt, relatable and down-to-earth which makes it easy for me to join groups and be an effective contributor and leader.
Ironically, I am not most proud of any of the things I have done in business, I am most proud of my children and being a mother.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Prior to leaving my career in 2015, I would not have considered myself a risk-taker but more a calculated decision-maker who didn’t want to rock the boat. The most major risk I have ever taken was in leaving the security of my career in search of myself. I used to think of risk as frivolous, irresponsible, and unnecessary if you were grounded, intelligent, and serious about being successful.
Now, as an entrepreneur, mother, and organizational leader, I see that risk is a necessary aspect of personal growth. If you are never willing to jump, this fundamentally means you lack faith and confidence — which are two things you can never have too much of when it comes to directing your life’s path. I still think it’s important to think before you leap, but leaping is the only way you will ever truly know what you are made of and reaches your highest potential and that’s in business, relationships, and LIFE overall.
Contact Info:
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/veritasgeorgia
. - Instagram: www.instagram.com/_themissb_
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kbrittonatl
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/_TheMissB_
- Website: http://www.veritasgeorgia.com/
Image Credits
Andre Brown, Shoccara Marcus
