Meet Alysia Lee

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

Hi Alysia , 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?

Through the arts I developed self-confidence and self-esteem on a journey rooted in
embracing my unique strengths and passions. In music making, I was able to find
community, take risks, and reflect and grow. After two decades as a singer and
conductor, in 2020, I began composing and publishing my work. I learned that
confidence comes from authenticity—embracing who you are and sharing that with the
world. Additionally, surrounding myself with a strong support system and communities
who believed in me and my potential played a crucial role. They provided
encouragement and constructive feedback that helped me grow. Over time, I realized
that confidence is not about being perfect but about being resilient, open to learning, and
proud of your unique qualities.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am the President and CEO of the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF), and I have the privilege of leading an organization dedicated to empowering Baltimore’s youth through equitable funding and support for community-driven initiatives. What excites me most about this work is witnessing the transformative impact of our grants on grassroots organizations and the young people they serve. We fund a diverse array ofprograms—from political and self-advocacy to the arts—that provide youth with opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, and build a brighter future.
This August, we are celebrating BCYF Month by launching a month-long fundraising campaign to raise awareness and support to strengthen BCYF’s impact in honor of our 5th birthday. We will be hosting several opportunities for the community to get to know those involved with BCYF and announcing our new 2024 grantees.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

First, I would say resilience because this quality empowers you to face challenges with determination and maintain a positive attitude, no matter what the situation may be. Secondly, I would choose empathy because it allows you to see the world from a multitude of perspectives outside of your own, which is essential to being an effective leader and establishing community. Lastly, I would say passion because that is what fuels my commitment to making a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of Baltimore’s youth. When you are passionate about something, it shows in the quality of your efforts and the people around are often inspired by it.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

I believe in a more balanced approach. Focusing on your strengths allows you to operate in your authentic power and make an impact in those areas where you are confident and can thrive. However, when you invest in your weaknesses, you are opening yourself up to more opportunities for personal and professional advancement. By challenging yourself to improve in these areas, you become more adaptable and more comfortable being uncomfortable. This balance not only enhances your overall capabilities but also ensures you are well-rounded and prepared to tackle diverse challenges and opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bcyfund.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcyfund/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCYFUND
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcyfund/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bcyfund

Image Credits

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