Meet Aleka Ward

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aleka Ward. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aleka below.

Hi Aleka, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

My confidence and self-esteem are deeply rooted in the unwavering support and encouragement of my mother. She consistently affirmed my worth, reminding me that I was beautiful and capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. Growing up with darker skin presented its challenges, as we were often teased, but my mother always made sure we understood our inherent beauty. Additionally, being raised by a single mother who fully supported our dreams had a profound impact on my development. While many parents might encourage their children to pursue conventional career paths, such as law or medicine, my mother always respected and nurtured our individual aspirations, even when they deviated from traditional expectations. Her belief in us has been instrumental in shaping the person I am today.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated with a degree in Fashion Design in 2015. During my time in college, I discovered my passion for modeling. My classmates often selected me as their model for various class projects, and through these experiences, I began building a network of collaborators in the fashion industry. In September 2018, after several visits to New York City during Fashion Week, I made the bold decision to move to NYC, leaving behind my family and my boyfriend at the time. I knew this was the city that would allow me to grow both personally and professionally. The first six months were emotionally challenging, as it was my first time living away from my family for an extended period. I had to quickly learn independence and how to navigate life on my own. However, by Spring 2019, things began to fall into place. I signed with my first agency, started booking gigs regularly, and gradually adapted to the fast-paced city life. Modeling has become a true passion for me, as I find great fulfillment in helping brands bring their visions to life. The joy I see in their faces fueled my desire to create my own brand. With encouragement from my mother, I took the leap and began developing my own fashion line. Over the years, I designed and sewed numerous outfits, wearing them to events where I received countless compliments. Many people asked if I would create custom pieces for them, but as a perfectionist, I knew I had to ensure everything was flawless before selling my designs. In September 2024, I launched Aleka Ward, a UNISEX ready-to-wear brand. Our Fall/Winter collection is now available online, with each piece made to order to ensure a personalized fit for every customer. Orders take approximately 2 to 3 weeks for delivery. Currently, I am working on the Spring/Summer 2025 collection, and I’m excited for what’s to come. Stay tuned for new updates and designs!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The MOST important thing impactful for my journey is God. I know that without Him, NOTHING is possible. He is the one that has given me these talents and passion for what I do. Secondly I’d say is my resilience. In this industry, you receive a ton of no’s but honestly that’s what builds character. In the no’s is where you grow, so once you finally receive that “yes” you are prepared and grateful when it comes. I’d also say consistency is another major key. The more you work at something, the better you become at it. So even while trusting in God and pushing forward through those no’s, there still has to be some type of action behind it. As the bible says “Faith without work is dead.”, so I had to continue to shoot and build my portfolio, network, and even design when I didn’t feel like it.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

One of the primary challenges I am currently facing is visibility—getting my name and my brand out there. This applies both to me as a model and, more recently, to me as a brand owner. I understand that building brand recognition takes time and trust, but I feel that Aleka Ward, which is only three months old, is still not as well-known as I would like it to be. To address this, I am focusing on growing my social media presence, recognizing that we live in a digital world where online engagement is crucial. I also believe that promoting the brand by wearing my designs myself will be an effective strategy. However, as someone who tends to be more shy and humble, I’ve found it difficult to fully promote my brand when people compliment me on my designs. I often respond with a simple “Thank you” rather than using the opportunity to share more about Aleka Ward. I recognize the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone, and I’m committed to doing so by embracing these interactions more actively. Additionally, I believe that collaborating with other brands and creatives could be a powerful way to expand my reach and create greater visibility for Aleka Ward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://AlekaWard.org
• Instagram: aleka_ward

Image Credits

Tyler Henry (first 4 photos)
Mike Rooke (denim laughing photo)
Ale Poveda (look back headshot)