We recently connected with Alicia Coulter, MPH, MSW and have shared our conversation below.
Alicia , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I wish I could say my purpose fell in my lap, but things did not “manifest” that way. My road to my purpose was filled with many pitfalls, bumps, and everything in between. These pitfalls, bumps and everything in between presented themselves as workplace abuse in various corporate settings. At one point, I thought I was the “issue,” however, after introspection, and analysis of things said to me and actions of my abusers, I confirmed it was them, not me.
After my last experience with workplace abuse, I knew Corporate America was NOT for me and I had to figure out what I was going to do next. Through trials and much error, my purpose was confirmed and was a no brainer; provide Safe Spaces for Black Women™ and later write a book titled, “Safe Spaces for Black Women.”
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the CEO of two successful organizations, AHN Foundation & Harmony Development Associates and a lifestyle brand, Alicia Nicole. Each organization and my lifestyle brand is special to me and allows me the opportunity display my professional expertise.
For the purpose of this interview, I would like to focus on my newest title, Author. My book, “Safe Spaces for Black Women” is a blueprint to provide every Black woman the tools she needs to navigate discrimination, unrealistic expectations, and habitual professional disappointment within Corporate America. “Safe Spaces for Black Women” is also a book that provides the reader with journal prompts that allows the reader the opportunity to process the feelings this book will conjure up.
In addition to “Safe Spaces for Black Women,” I am preparing to launch another component of providing Black women the opportunity to do the work and start the process of elevation. I talk about this in my book and confirm professional and personal elevation looks different for each person. One thing that is foundationally the same is, the preparation for elevation happens when you are at your lowest point.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
When I was a stay-at-home mom, I was also an Event Producer. Those skills acquired from managing my boutique event production organization has carried over in to the luxury experiences that I curate for Black women. I also think my ability to have the “what you see is what you get,” characteristic allows for me to connect with the women that are a part of the Safe Spaces for Black Women™ movement. Authenticity is not something that comes easy for many people and I am glad that I am comfortable with being my authentic self. My third quality is my inability to quit! When I am determined to finish something, there is nothing anyone can do to stop me. During the process of publishing my book, there was an undesirable experience with a professional on my team, and I could have let that experience stop me. If I would have allowed that to stop me, my book would not have been published and I would look like a failure (in my eyes).
My advice to someone early in their journey is, KEEP GOING. There are many people that have started, however, only a few have finished. The journey is not without struggle, that’s why being successful is an elite class worthy to be a member of.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I think it is best for me to go all in on my strength and not focus on developing areas that are not my best. I intentionally say what I think is best for me because that is who I can speak for unilaterally regarding this question. For others, they may need to find balance for professional and personal reasons. One thing I know to be true is that there is no add this and stir methodology to developing your strength for ultimately achieving success, you basically have to figure out what works for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: alicianicole.org/book
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/equitywithalicia?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SafeSpacesForBlackWomen?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciacoulter?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Jamal-Akil Marshall
