Meet Alyssha Dairsow

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alyssha Dairsow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Alyssha, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?

I think the self-care journey can be complicated. Sometimes in leadership roles, I want to make sure everyone is taken care of and have forgotten I am a part of the everyone in the organization. I was finding not moving my body, not going outside, being on a computer for too long was wearing at my mental and physical well-being. Since making some life and employment changes, I have prioritized my rest and physical wellbeing. Some ways I provide my necessary self-care and awareness of the care are below:

I have the best clarity after a good nights sleep or an afternoon nap. I try to build my calendar in a way that I can wake up late, get off earlier than other days or take a great nap in the middle of the day.

I listen to audiobooks more. If I find the book interesting or necessary to have, I buy it after. Walking, hiking, working out and listening to something, especially motivational or industry base, sometimes adds to or reminds me of my why.

I color adult coloring books. Sometimes I will get creative programming ideas from just calming my mind from coloring.

Lastly, I make sure I am up to date on my health appts (dentist, physical, eye appts). My eyes feel so much better since getting Blu-ray protection in my corrective lenses.

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 have engaged within community since moving to Utah over 10 years ago. And as the founder and executive director at the nonprofit Curly Me!, I am passionate about helping my community see its beauty and strength. Focusing on young Black girls ages five to 14, Curly Me! provides mentoring and hosts events that help children of color embrace their best selves. From book clubs to panels to hangouts, the organization provides a village around an underrepresented community and empowers them to embrace their uniqueness and purpose.

I have worked to provide a platform where the voices in her community are heard, including my own. “Things will not change if I, or anyone else, stays silent,” I believe. Laying the foundation for the future of the young Black girls in my community is what I believe will help change Utah for the better. I personally would like to see more Black girls living to their fullest potential in Utah because their voices are necessary in space where major decisions are made in government, workspaces, and all the way to the services I receive in a restaurant.

As we continue to grow, we want to continuously be a reliable resource for parents, Black girls, and the community. We are currently expanding our events and programming with the help of local and national partners/collaborations who believe in our mission.

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?

The three areas of knowledge that were and continue to be most impactful in my journey were:

Work Ethic: I had and still have a strong work ethic because I believe in the work being done and who it is being done for.
Self-Awarness: I have taken time to stay in tuned with who I am to lead better, but also keep myself in check when it comes to workin on behalf of others.
Community: None of this is done without input and and involvement of the community.

Advice on how to best develop or evolve in knowledge is knowing you don’t know everything. Share knowledge when you have it, be a learner when you need it.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Since recently becoming a fully part-time executive director of Curly Me!, I have also taken on the †ask of grant writing. Though I have knowledge and experience of smaller/local sources of funding, applying for national funding sources is something that I need to work on. I am looking to enroll in some grant writing classes and also gather a book or two on budgets and fundraising.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Tabarri Hamilton (for some) and Danielle Rowe (for some)

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