An Inspired Chat with Dr. Kimberly Sellars-Bates of Atlanta

Dr. Kimberly Sellars-Bates shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now is a blend of strategic leadership, client engagement, and organizational development. I typically start my mornings reviewing priorities for our grant writing and nonprofit development projects, ensuring our team has what they need to move forward effectively. Much of my day is spent meeting with clients, assessing their organizational readiness, and guiding them through the steps needed to position their programs for sustainable funding.

I also dedicate time each day to reviewing proposals, refining strategic plans, and supporting my team as we navigate deadlines and deliverables. Even with a full schedule, I remain intentional about staying connected to the mission—helping organizations grow, strengthen their infrastructure, and ultimately make a deeper impact in their communities.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dr. Kimberly Sellars-Bates, and I am the Founder and President of KSTB Enterprises, a grant writing and nonprofit development firm dedicated to helping organizations become truly grant ready. What makes our work unique is our holistic approach—we don’t just write grants; we strengthen the infrastructure, strategy, and storytelling behind the organizations we serve so they can grow sustainably and expand their impact.

My journey into this field is rooted in a deep commitment to equity and empowerment. I’ve spent years helping community leaders, founders, and change-makers turn their vision into fundable, measurable, and mission-aligned programs. Today, my team and I are working on expanding our suite of capacity-building services, corporate sponsorship opportunities, and tailored consulting to meet organizations exactly where they are.

At KSTB Enterprises, we believe every community-focused initiative deserves the chance to thrive—and we’re honored to help make that possible.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A defining moment that shaped how I see the world happened early in my career, when I worked closely with a small community organization that had incredible passion but almost no resources. They had the heart, the vision, and the commitment—but they lacked the structure, support, and funding to bring their ideas to life.

Watching brilliant, mission-driven people struggle—not because they weren’t capable, but because they didn’t have access to the tools and knowledge needed to grow—changed me. It opened my eyes to the inequities that exist in the nonprofit space and fueled my commitment to building systems that empower, not overwhelm.

That experience became the foundation of my work. It’s why I’m passionate about helping organizations become grant ready, why I focus on infrastructure and capacity building, and why I believe deeply that impact shouldn’t be limited by access. That moment taught me that when organizations are equipped properly, communities transform—and that’s the perspective that guides everything I do today.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
A fear that held me back for a long time was the fear of outgrowing environments and relationships that no longer aligned with my purpose. For years, I felt responsible for staying in certain roles, partnerships, or spaces simply because I was good at navigating them. But deep down, I knew I was called to do more—to lead, to build, and to create something that would uplift others on a larger scale.

Letting go of the familiar, even when it was limiting me, was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. But once I pushed through that fear and allowed myself to step fully into my calling, everything changed. Clarity came. Opportunities expanded. And I began to operate from a place of alignment instead of obligation.

That fear taught me an important lesson: growth always requires release. And sometimes the very thing we’re afraid to let go of is what’s standing between where we are and where we’re meant to be.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
In many ways, yes—the public version of me is absolutely real, but it is also curated. What people see publicly is my commitment, my professionalism, my passion for helping organizations grow, and my genuine belief in service and impact. Those things are authentically who I am.

But like anyone, I have layers that don’t always show up in public spaces. The private version of me is quieter, more introspective, and deeply rooted in faith and reflection. That side is where I process, recharge, and stay grounded so that I can show up fully and consistently for my clients, my team, and my community.

So the public version of me is real—but it’s the part of me that is intentionally devoted to leadership and service. The fuller version of me includes everything that sustains that work behind the scenes.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. I’ve learned that true excellence can’t be rooted in applause—it has to be rooted in purpose. Much of the work I do happens behind the scenes, long before recognition ever shows up, and sometimes without recognition at all. But impact isn’t measured by who sees it; it’s measured by who is changed because of it.

I give my best because the work matters. The people and communities we serve matter. And the commitments I make—to my clients, my team, and my own calling—deserve my full effort, whether anyone is watching or not.

Praise is appreciated, but it’s not the fuel. Purpose is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kstbenterprises.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kstbenterprises/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kstbllc/
• Twitter: https://x.com/KSTB
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KstbEnterprises/