We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Guy A. Holley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Guy A. , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I’ve often struggled with accepting who I am, especially in spaces where I was the only one who looked like me. For a long time, I felt less than and fell into the trap of trying to fit in so everyone would like me. It wasn’t until I began to truly understand my gifts, who I am as a person, and the heritage I come from that things started to shift. When I took ownership of those things, I realized they were my strength.
In spaces where I wasn’t necessarily qualified by others’ standards or was the only African-American male, I began leaning into those gifts. I became bold and courageous about my voice, my purpose, and why I’m there. I stopped shying away because I realized I have a purpose, and my voice matters in moving things forward.
I also leaned into my results—what I’ve been able to accomplish. I reminded myself that I add value wherever I go. Now, when I step into a room, I walk in as authentically me. I’m not dressing or acting to meet others’ expectations but showing up in a way that reflects my brand and how I want to present myself to the world. It’s about owning who I am and knowing I belong, no matter the space.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the owner and founder of Access GrantEd, a grant consulting firm where our mission is to educate, empower, and equip organizations and individuals to access grant funding so they can transform their communities. Our vision is to radically transform communities so families flourish.
What makes this work most exciting for me is seeing the transformation in people when they realize that accessing and writing grants isn’t as complicated as it seems. Yes, there are technical aspects to learn, but those can be taught—and once people have the right tools and strategies, they see that they can do this. It’s empowering to watch that shift happen.
I’m also incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished in just a year and a half. We’re about $150,000 shy of helping organizations secure a combined total of $1 million in grant funding. We’ve worked with 80 organizations so far, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to access funding and create meaningful change in their communities.
Looking ahead, we’re thrilled about the rollout of a new program launching in mid-2025. This program will guide organizations step-by-step in creating their own grant toolkits. Think of it as a personal class where we walk through the process with you live over several weeks. From building toolsets to learning how to strategically search for grants and refining your applications for competitive markets, this program covers it all. A unique aspect of this program is teaching participants how to leverage technology—specifically AI—to streamline their processes. By using AI tools strategically, organizations can stay competitive without feeling bogged down by repetitive tasks, freeing them to focus on creating real impact.
We’re currently testing this program with a beta group, and the results have been exciting. It’s about giving people the confidence and expertise to compete at the highest level, and I can’t wait to see the impact it will have.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Knowledge: Understanding Who I Am through Whose I Belong To
One of the most impactful areas of knowledge for me has been understanding who I am through the lens of whose I belong to and the promises associated with it. This journey required doing the hard work of aligning with my unique wiring. After exploring various religious and non-religious perspectives, I found my anchor in Christianity—not as a religion, but as a pure relationship with God through His son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This relationship helped me unlock and release so much of the “junk” in my life through studying and applying biblical principles.
I’m not perfect, nor have I arrived, but I’ve seen clear, measurable results from this approach in every sphere of my life: as an individual, in my relationship with my wife and children, and in how I serve through business and volunteering. In addition to knowing who I am through God’s lens, I also leaned heavily on psychometric assessments. Two that radically transformed my perspective are the CliftonStrengths assessment and the Flight Assessment by Dr. Eric Thomas (a derivative of the DISC assessment). Becoming a practitioner of the Flight Assessment helped me see how my behavioral strengths align with my purpose. These tools gave me the confidence to recognize where I’m strong and the wisdom to identify areas where I need help, limit my time, or give myself extra grace to complete tasks.
Quality: Faith
Faith has been one of the most essential qualities in my journey. To be bold in anything—especially something you’ve never done before—requires faith, and often a radical kind of faith. Faith helps you see possibilities when others only see obstacles. For me, faith isn’t just hope; it’s now. As defined in Hebrews 11:1 (AMP): “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].”
When I left a well-paying job that provided a stable income for my family of six, people thought I was crazy—and, honestly, some days I questioned it too. But after months of prayer, I knew this wasn’t a reckless decision; it was purpose. I had dreams about this work, an undeniable conviction, and confirmation during a 44-day fast. For those starting their journey, I’d say: people will doubt you. Sometimes you’ll doubt yourself. But faith—combined with preparation—will carry you through. That preparation often comes from your lived experiences—things you didn’t even realize were shaping you for this moment.
Skills: Communication and Self-Assessment
Two skills have been critical to my success: communication and self-assessment. Communication impacts everything—from how we sell our products and influence others to how we talk to ourselves. Internal dialogue, or self-talk, is especially important when facing tough times: no sales, personal challenges, or unexpected setbacks. For example, shortly after I submitted my 30-day notice to leave my “stable” job, I had three contracts lined up worth six figures, ready to close. Within a week, all of them backed out. The frustration and fear were overwhelming, but my internal dialogue, coupled with my faith, kept me grounded.
Self-assessment is equally crucial. For years, I struggled with low confidence, stemming from failing our graduate school. My identity and purpose had become fused to a specific career pathway, and when that path didn’t work out as I’d envisioned, I questioned my worth and abilities. That failure, combined with the negative self-talk that followed, led me to believe I wasn’t enough—that I wasn’t qualified and needed to constantly acquire more skills. I carried that limiting mindset into every endeavor, always feeling like I had to prove myself and operating from a place of deficiency.
Through hours of counseling, coaching, and intentional work, I developed healthier self-talk and a better self-assessment routine. These practices have significantly improved my relationships, business outcomes, and overall confidence. A major success born from this shift was my recent graduation with a Master’s in Youth, Family, & Community Sciences from an R1 research university in the spring of 2024. I earned a 3.96 GPA while working full-time, being married, and raising four young kids!
For anyone starting out: strengthen your communication skills—especially with yourself—and adopt a positive, honest self-assessment routine. It will transform how you perform in any area of life.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I learned that becoming a reader is essential. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to learn from others who’ve achieved their version of success. While I was an avid fiction reader as a kid, I shifted to personal development books and daily Bible reading as an adult. From Abraham’s faith journey in the Bible to the decisions of Santiago in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist to books by my coach, Dr. Eric Thomas (ET The Hip Hop Preacher), I’ve found invaluable wisdom.
A book that recently resonated with me is The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Bilbo Baggins’ journey mirrors my own in many ways. Initially reluctant, he’s “bamboozled” into an adventure that exposes hidden strengths and attributes buried beneath years of comfort. Like Bilbo, I had pushed down my entrepreneurial spirit after challenges with my first business and the growing responsibilities of family life. But the itch for more wouldn’t go away, and a force greater than me compelled me to take the leap.
One scene that struck me was when Bilbo and the company strayed off the path in Mirkwood Forest. Hunger, exhaustion, and frustration led them to veer off course, causing unnecessary danger. Similarly, during tough times, I’ve felt tempted to chase distractions instead of staying focused on my mission.
My lessons from The Hobbit:
1) Use mechanisms to stay focused, as distractions will always come—especially during tough times.
2) Even when you veer off course, grace can redirect you.
3) Boldly taking the journey reveals hidden strengths, helps others achieve their goals, and allows you to change the world in your unique way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.accessgrant-ed.com
- Instagram: access_grant_ed
- Facebook: Access Grant-Ed
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guyaholley
- Youtube: @accessgrant-ed
Image Credits
I own all images, taken with my phone.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
