Meet Kalilu Kamara

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kalilu Kamara a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kalilu, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose by overcoming the challenges I went through in foster care and group homes. I did not let this get the best of me, as I stayed motivated and continued doing well in school, although I did not have much family support. My Mom and Dad enrolled me in Marcus Garvey Private School when I was young, so this gave me good knowledge on my cultural history, When I went to college at 17, I was selected to be a Ronald E McNair Scholar, with a mission of obtaining a doctoral degree. I completed the mission of the McNair Scholars Program and earned my doctoral degree in business in 2018. I also obtained my Masters Degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. In my career I focused on working at nonprofit organizations. I took an entrepreneurial training program course when I worked at Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation in 2009, and I decided I wanted to start a nonprofit that helps foster youth graduate from college. Fast forward,, in 2024 I became the Urban Oasis Program Manager for a nonprofit organization called Youth Mentoring Connection that does mentoring for underprivileged youth in South Central Los Angeles, which is my hometown. I also feel that part of my purpose was helping my Mom when she got sick. I had to resign from a job in 2020 because my Mom had Parkinson’s disease and osteoporosis. I took care of her from 2018 until 2022 when she passed away. I am glad that I was able to be a good son to her in her final days.

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 started my own record label called Sounds Awesome Records. When I was studying for my doctorate in business, I conducted a research on the music industry called “Music Artists’ Strategies to Generate Revenue Through Technology”. I interviewed six artists in Los Angeles on the strategies they use to remain successful in the music industry. As an independent artist myself, I have sold over 25,000 albums independently through face to face marketing. Last year I released five albums independently which are, “Moorpheus” “Magic, Metaphysics and Manifestations” “RebELation” and “The Lion King of Sierra Leone” (double disc album). I am currently in a class for small business entrepreneurs in Los Angeles called LaPreneur. I am increasing my knowledge in music production, and I have started a photography component with a professional camera that I have. I hope to expand my business as I complete the LAPreneur program. My website is www.soundsawesomerecords.com

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three skills that were most impactful are strategizing, having faith, and researching. The best advice I would give someone is to stay motivated and never give up. I wanted to give up on my music career last year because I was not generating enough revenue, but I found a career opportunity that allows me to utilize what I learned on my artist journey. At my current job, I just applied for a grant that deals with music and entrepreneurship which is my specialization. I have been doing music for 12 years independently and I am glad that I am seeing the benefits from the hard work that I have put in. If you would like to develop these skills I would suggest creating a library of books that are interesting. I am the type of person that likes to study, so I read a lot of different books. You can get a lot of different ideas from reading books. I am an avid reader myself.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

The book that gave me the most development on my journey is called Spiritual Warriors are Healers. The nuggets of wisdom I got were learning how to meditate, eat better exercise, and pray to my ancestors. While I was on my artist journey I got spiritually awakened in New Orleans. I had to go through several battles with family members, but because of my spiritual beliefs I was able to remain victorious. I learned how to use my African spiritual powers effectively and they have gotten me to where I am in my life as a successful Program Manager in the nonprofit industry.

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