We recently connected with Ava Walker and have shared our conversation below.
Ava, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Ahhhh, I don’t think I’ve ever asked myself this question before. First and foremost my faith in God, he’s answered every single prayer I can think of by far. Resilience is what I believe we are all made of. I just remember being as young as a teenager and figuring things out alone. Not always because there wasn’t anyone either, but most times I didn’t want to be a burden on anyone. So it created hyper resilience as a young adult and even now. Motherhood brings it out as well, something about your children being the FBI of your life lol, they will pick up habits and characteristic traits from you. No matter what challenges I’m up against I’ll NEVER UP and I give myself reassurance. Repetitively saying the only way is through, don’t give up!
I’ve experienced every emotion that would make any person give up. People were annoyed with me that I didn’t give up lol. But I wanted our communities and our youth to be filled with hope! Where I’m from at 18/21 years old mostly everyone is opted out of their dreams, if they don’t make it by then. I’m not sure how we were tricked into that reality but I want to change the narrative of it where I’m from.
Sometimes people don’t understand the movement that’s happening internally because what things could look like externally in your life. There was a hero who I envisioned every single day, that would one day change my life, give me unconditionally love, joy, hypeman, a safe space to heal, grow at my own pace, understand my purpose and everything I had been through was bigger than me and it would be used as a vessel for good. That superhero was and is still MYSELF! I’m grateful to have always had that. I believe anyone can be their own superhero regardless to who’s apart of their lives.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Beyond Our Kin mission is: Empowering Every Foster Youth to Unleash Their Potential and Flourish Beyond Adversity.
Beyond Our Kin is dedicated to enhancing the social and emotional well-being of foster youth by providing holistic support and transformative programs. To inspire every individual to overcome challenges, discover their unique strengths, and thrive in all aspects of life.
We are thrilled about the opportunity to establish a wonderful partnership aimed at offering job training and career opportunities within the Honda and Hyundai of Downtown Los Angeles automotive industry for foster youth.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three that mostly impacted my journey was Faith, perseverance and drive. I’m still learning and growing, I never want to be out of touch with that. I’m going to say this in a way of how I was taught by many mentors and it’s what I believe in and what I know that works. If I could give anyone some advice who’s early in any journey of their life. Is to be filled a heart of gratitude. I understand life’s humble beginnings and some of the most vulnerable times. Your WHY is critically important to yourself. Commitment to the journey, There’s no words to describe the insanity focus and periods of isolation you’ll be faced with. But you can grow and catch up to all your met to be. Authenticity, Kindness, gratitude and surrounding yourself with likeminded people is the blueprint in all aspects of life.
I’ve made so many damn mistakes, I love every bit of getting messy to get things done. We don’t always have to be certain of what we’re doing. That’s where faith plays the grand role in life.
Someone else’s success should be used to showcase what’s possible and fuel your passion for whatever it is you want to flourish in doing. There’s three options, giving up, stagnant (waiting on something to fall in your lap) or giving all heart and drive to preserve through. Either way it’s going to hurt and most importantly time will go by anyway! I promise if you trust the process of the many journeys there is to experience. It will be so fun, it will hurt, it will bring wisdom, create true grit and a sound mind of peace. One the most beautiful parts of it all is your loved ones and others will be inspired to become leaders, build up communities. You’ll be in a position to help others visions become a reality. And, if you come from anywhere like I do, inspiration is priceless!
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
Starting Beyond Our Kin organization was frightening! I worried so much about big outrages aspiration ways I desired to help foster youth. I had absolutely no knowledge about what was suppose to be done structurally, I struggled with so much, lack of resources, a commitment team, business structures, professional skills and etc. But what I did have was belief that we could make a positive impact in foster lives. I had Drive, Strength and eventually some incredible beings I’m so grateful for, and once we got started there was no turning back or giving up. Instead I spent months and years studying, learning and building creative skills, courage and a strong mentality I never knew I had. For us to connect with the most vulnerable youth in the world! Beyond Our Kin would have no existence without my tribe. They are truly hero’s! Who has dedicated their support, time, energy, resources and their passion to help build this organization, as well as help me grow in leadership. Angelica Nwandu, Bracken Darrell, David Jepson, Carma Lacy, Sara Danisz, Jacques Roux, Brad Mugg, Tiffany Persons, Winn Claybaugh, Nicole Bernard and Ducere university. I may have founded Beyond Our organization but it’s not mine, I am just a vessel who planted a seed. Partnership is essential, we aspire to connect with the community and corporate leaders for global advocacy. That I’m certain will bring decades of a positive impact into underprivileged youth lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beyondourkin.org
- Instagram: @Beyondourkin
- Linkedin: @Beyondourkin
Image Credits
Devine Sims
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
