Meet Allison James – Frison

 

We were lucky to catch up with Allison James – Frison recently and have shared our conversation below.

Allison, 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.

Hello, my name is Allison K. James – Frison. I am an overcomer, and my journey reflects the true persevering spirit of lifelong Newarkers. I was not a child born of means, privilege, or access. I was raised in Newark subsidized housing, an environment that presented a unique set of life challenges. At a young age, I lost both of my parents. I have also experienced and survived; domestic violence, child sexual abuse, gun violence, and homelessness. Although, I survived an incident of gun violence, I would later go on to lose my fiancée tragically to that same fate.

Despite life’s hard knocks, I used these adversities as fuel for my fire to be and do more! Each traumatic experience served as a unique catalyst for my aspiration to create something larger than myself. I felt that during my childhood I was deprived of opportunities to live, love, and laugh, so I vowed to one day create an organization that would fill the void for girls in the community who may have had similar experiences.

As a woman of action and true to my word, in 2009, I founded Girls Live, Love, Laugh Inc.; a 501c(3) nonprofit organization focused on girls living with limited resources in the inner city of Newark. The organization builds a safe passage for building leadership skills, developing self-esteem, fostering entrepreneurship, acquiring college readiness skills, learning the fundamentals of savings, and teaching the importance of civic engagement in the community.

There is no greater feeling than waking up every day living your purpose in real time, knowing that you are not only making a difference in your community; however, making a positive impact in the girls and young women that you serve. However, establishing Girls Live, Love, Laugh Inc. was not enough. I know I had more to give; therefore, I am currently working with New Jersey Department of Child Protection Services where I have the opportunity to protect, serve, and advocate for children just like me when I was growing up allowing them a chance to live, love, and laugh as well.

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?

Personally, my husband Andre Frison, and I are focused on our daughter Rashanna last year of high school. We are doing our best to pour into her self-believes , morals, values, to ensure that she has a best college experience as possible. I was not a traditional college student. I went back to school at the age of 47 years old, and graduated when I was 50 years old. I am the First Generational College Graduate out of eight siblings. My mother always wanted one of her children to graduate from college. I am glad that I was the one, perhaps that was what my father meant when he used to say “You are the one.”

Professionally , I serve as the Vice President at The Newark Public Schools advocating for 44, 000+ students. This position is special to me because it allows me to gain a better understand of the importance of an education, and provide students with the services, tools, and resources they may need to achieve academic success. . Believe it or not, I am a person with a learning disability; however, I was never diagnosed in school somehow, I fell through the cracks of the Newark Public Schools system, and went my entire childhood education with a disability I never knew I had until I enrolled at Rutgers University- Newark. It was there at the age of 50 years old, when I was diagnosed and learned of my learning disability. Without the University’s learning plan there was no way I could have graduated with a college degree. I am forever grateful . As a Board Member, I have the opportunity to ensure other children are not left behind when it comes to evaluations.

It is amazing how my love for children and serving my community has come full circle. At times I am still in disbelief that my story did not destroy me; however, prepared me for such a time as this.

My hard work and dedication to the City of Newark, New Jersey did not go unnoticed. On September 14, 2019 the Honorable Mayor Ras J. Baraka declared September 14th as Allison James – Frison Day as a result; the entire City has the opportunity to celebrate me. A little poor black girl from Stella Wright Projects.

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?

From the day I was born my father nicknamed me Al-Duke. At that time I did not know the meaning of Duke (leader). My father would tell me everyday that I was smart, I was going to change the world one day, and called me his special child. When I was seventeen years old my family heard a knock at the door, and we received the news that my father was murdered. When my father died my self-esteem died with him. The narrative changed on how people valued me. I was told that I was never going to amount to anything, I was ugly, dumb, and so many other negative adjectives. However, what they could not take away from me was my father’s voice that was enbibed in my heart. I could still hear my father saying your are the one, you are going to change the world; therefore, I used those words to motivate me. As such I started to believe in myself, and I started to teach myself everything that I know today.
My advise is to never forget who you are, believe in yourself, don’t be afraid of failure, build a support and accountability system, and most importantly don’t just be ready – be prepared.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

The Bible has helped me overcome all my obstacles, and helped me believe in the power of prayer.
Some of my favorite scriptures are;

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“What no yes has seen, what no ears heard, and what no human mind has conceived – the things God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

When I think about my career and the passion I have for the over 3000 young ladies that my organization has mentored. This scripture always come to mind: “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

#AllisonKJamesFrison✔️

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