Kellina Powell shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Kellina, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I am learning from the School of Hard Knocks community. Being part of this network has given me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of brand building and expand my connections on a global scale. While I am not learning directly from the founders, I actively engage within the community, where members share insights, collaborate, and support each other’s growth.
The community also brings in highly valuable mentors who teach on topics such as mindset, entrepreneurship, and leadership—elements that are essential when seeking the right environment and guidance to grow. The founders are dedicated to ensuring that every member gains meaningful value from the experts they interview and the resources they provide.
Without this community, I wouldn’t have gained the level of knowledge and confidence I now have in growing my business.
If you want to learn more about this community, here is the IG
https://share.google/7ix44F3ELWzWh9yL8
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kellina Powell, and I am a deaf coach, speaker, and best-selling author dedicated to empowering young adults with disabilities and educating the wider community on deaf awareness and mental health. Through Kellina’s Empowerment Inc., my mission is to break barriers, amplify unheard voices, and create more inclusive spaces where people with disabilities can thrive.
What makes my work unique is that it is rooted in lived experience. I lost my hearing at the age of four, and instead of letting it limit me, I turned it into my strength. Today, I use my story, expertise, and advocacy to inspire others, deliver impactful workshops, and guide organizations in understanding accessibility, inclusion, and authentic representation.
Beyond coaching and speaking, I am also working on expanding my brand globally through meaningful partnerships, new book projects, and community-driven programs designed to uplift and support individuals with disabilities. My goal is simple: to show others that no matter your circumstances, you can build the life and impact you dream of.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Bonds between people often break when communication stops, when assumptions replace understanding, and when individuals no longer feel seen, heard, or valued. Misunderstandings, unspoken expectations, unresolved conflicts, and a lack of empathy can slowly create distance. Sometimes it’s not a single moment, but small disconnects that add up over time—especially when people feel judged, dismissed, or unsafe being their authentic selves.
But the beautiful thing about human connection is that it can be restored.
Bonds are rebuilt through honest communication, vulnerability, and a willingness to listen without defense. Restoration happens when people take accountability, show empathy, and actively choose to understand rather than react. It’s strengthened through consistency, compassion, and shared experiences. Most importantly, connection returns when both sides feel respected, supported, and free to be themselves.
At its core, what breaks bonds is silence—and what restores them is intentional presence.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell her this: *Your hearing loss is a gift, even if you don’t see it yet.* You don’t need to doubt yourself or your abilities—your difference will one day become your strength. Not every day will be easy, and that’s okay. Life with hearing loss will feel like a roller coaster at times, but you are built for it. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to rest. Resting isn’t weakness; it’s how you protect your energy, your peace, and your purpose.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
A belief I used to hold tightly—but now realize was naive—was the idea that financial literacy simply meant getting a good-paying job and learning a bit about stocks. I truly believed that was the path to financial freedom. But in my late twenties, everything shifted. I started reading books on wealth and financial independence, and I discovered how limited my understanding really was.
I learned that true financial freedom comes from **owning assets**, not just earning a salary. I had to completely relearn the difference between **assets and liabilities**, and how each one impacts your future. Books became my greatest teachers during this time—especially *Rich Dad Poor Dad* by Robert Kiyosaki, which was the first book that opened my eyes to the power of ownership and mindset.
That belief change reshaped how I approach money, business, and long-term stability.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell a story about a woman who turned her challenges into her greatest strengths—someone who never allowed hearing loss to define her limits, but instead used it to open doors for others. I want to be remembered as a leader who made people feel seen, valued, and capable of achieving more than they ever believed possible.
I hope they say I was a voice for the disability community, a champion of mental health, and a mentor who lifted others as she climbed. That I created spaces where people felt safe to be themselves, and that my work inspired generations to dream boldly, build confidently, and never apologize for their differences.
Most of all, I hope people say that I loved deeply, served with purpose, and left the world more inclusive than I found it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://KellinaEmpowerment.com
- Instagram: Deafqueenboss
- Linkedin: Kellina Powell
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
