We recently had the chance to connect with Kiesha Lamb and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kiesha, 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?
Thanks for having me back! I haven’t had a “normal” day in a long time. Currently, my work week routine varies based on my client needs and my personal goals. Right now I’m spicing my work life up by setting up shop within cafes and libraries around the Chicagoland area. Some of the perks in traveling the city to work is being able to invest in local establishments, adore my beautiful city, and of course take frequent people watching breaks.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Absolutely, I’m Kiesha Lamb- an educator, an artist, a thought partner, and a transformational leader across multiple communities. I’m a proud Belizean with humble beginnings in Chicago and within the sphere of K-12 education. Over the years teaching and learning has become near and dear to my heart and a necessary act of resistance. I’ve expanded and diversified my target audience, gaining a robust list of references across disciplines, honing in on human centered research and data and designing curriculum and frameworks towards my lifelong commitment to liberation for all.
As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Seek Equity Consulting LLC. with nearly two decades of championing Equity centered theory into practice, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with individuals and both the public and private sector to collect and uplift suppressed narratives, leverage research and data, and design strategic plans and curriculum for the success of the most minoritized.
Being able to curate offerings rooted in humanity, compassion, and equity principles brings me joy and continues to evolve as intersectional and relevant to our world today.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Whew! I’ve been learning and relearning about the concept of work for my entire life, from family, friends, mentors, young people, the greater society and especially through history!
First, I have to share some of the work related expressions that come to mind:
“Hard work never killed nobody”
“The early bird catches the worm”
“Work smarter and not harder”
“We have to work twice as hard for half as much”
“Haad head pickney go da maakit twice”
“Many hands make light work”
…
Those are just a handful that remind me of the many loving, contradictory, protective, value based, and capitalistic lessons about work I’ve learned over the years.
Usually when I say “the work” I’m talking about liberation, but that’s not the definition of work I grew up with. When I expand my definition of work to “any purposeful effort towards a goal” then I’m able to reconsider my goals, revisit my intentions, and reflect on my results. Then I can assess how work is really going.
“What kind of work have I been doing?”
“Why have I been working that way?” “What does it say about me?”
“How does it impact others”
“Is there a more efficient and equitable way to do the work?”
“Am I proud of my work and my work habits?”
With this expanded definition of work, my beliefs go from just being about a job, or a treacherous battle to further individualism and capitalism. It proposes the goal be more than financial gain and validation of early instilled values; instead it hones in on personal and community wellness and advancement, and healthy mindsets and practices.
As a trailblazing entrepreneur, the daughter of immigrants, and someone on a lifelong journey towards becoming my best self, I have to own that I grew up around some of the hardest workers I’ve known to date, almost too hard. The concept of work is not alien to me, it is in fact, foundational to who I am.
So while I don’t have any problems putting in the work when necessary, I’m still learning how to embody work in a human centered and self- compassionate way while still achieving results and despite all the internal and external barriers that exist. That’s my work.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Of course! “Life aint no crystal stair.”- Langston Hughes
On the lighter note, something that almost had me give up as a new business owner… you might be familiar with this, it’s the beast known as social media (insert scary music)!
Growing a business with national and international tentacles require a substantial amount of intentional and strategic networking and outreach. At the same time, social media can feel like another toxic job for people like me, and I’d rather just keep my head focused on the work and in community that centers compassion and critical thinking.
Ultimately, I’m at a place in my career where I’m looking for “A space where being exceptional at what you do is enough” and where “vanity metrics, and “algorithmic suppression” won’t get in the way of me reaching my audience and successfully offering the services I’ve curated.
Part of why I haven’t given up is because of people like Arlene and Louis Byrd of Hiyer at https://www.hiyer.pro/. They have answered a call (both their own and mine) and built Hiyer to meet entrepreneurial needs. If my social media dread story resonates, I encourage folks to join as a member.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
It seems like “smart people” are trying to compete where the work calls for collaboration, true partnership, and collectivism.
Whether it’s the new trend or an aged old belief about rising to the top, competition at the wrong times creates more division where unity is not only important but vital.
Throughout history collectivism has had the greatest impact towards liberation. Whether it’s affordable resources, thought partnership, interpreting, carpooling, sou sou, or sharing household chores and wisdom we’re much more effective together.
Teachings from Assata Shakur, Dr. Bettina Love, Myles Horton, Toni Morrison, Grace Lee Boggs, my Aunt Debba and so many more reinforce my foundational philosophies about collectivism.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
That’s easy, my community, my Ancestors, and the work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seekequity.org/
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/kiesha-lamb-10a270246
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
