We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kallista Marie a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kallista , thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.
When I was fired from a job that had employed me for over 20 years, it became the catalyst to a new chapter. It presented all the things that a new chapter might bring. It was unknown, it created an intense curiosity surrounding what characters from my previous chapter might be a part of the new one and it brought on a bit of anxiousness. I soon discovered there was a lot more to learn about myself, my personal history and how it would ultimately lead me to very fulfilling heart work. I nervously talked about it with close family and friends and leaned in.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am Kallista Marie, the founder and Executive Director of Our Community Reads, a non-profit that’s been making waves in the community for three years now. As a Black woman, I’ve always been passionate about creating a platform where young Black children can feel seen, valued, empowered, and celebrated. There’s nothing more important to me than giving them the opportunity to explore their potential and imagine a brighter future.
What sets us apart is our focus on creating immersive experiences that transport these young minds to new and exciting places. We believe that when children have the chance to engage with different cultures, foods, and people from diverse backgrounds, it sparks their imagination and broadens their horizons. Our programs are designed to be interactive, fun, and explorational, so kids can build meaningful connections with others who look like them.
We achieve this through a range of activities, from reading together (hence the name Our Community Reads!) to exploring new places, learning new skills and trying new foods. We also prioritize building community through shared experiences, because we know that a sense of belonging is essential for young people’s mental and emotional well-being.
One of the most exciting things about our organization is the impact we’ve seen in just three short years. We’ve had the privilege of working with over 500 children, gifting hundreds of free books at book fairs in collaboration with Books For Kids (another non-profit organization located in Washtenaw County), travelling to Washington D.C with 12 young ladies for an exploratory field trip, taking families on trips to New York and to Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. We’ve witnessed firsthand the confidence boost they get from being part of our community. Seeing these young minds light up when they discover that the White House is a real place, a new favorite book or try new foods is truly magical.
As we look to the future, we’re excited to announce a few programs we want to explore more. We will be adding more emphasis on community reading starting in the Fall with our Queens and Pharaohs and having more adult storytimes. We also have a few trips planned to Stanford University in California, Pittsburgh, PA and Cuyahoga Valley National Park Waterfall. We are also happy to be collaborating with Mentor2Youth, Ypsilanti Community Schools, Ypsilanti District Library and Underdawg Nation to create book clubs for our young people. Books and travel ignite hope, possibility and expand our world and we are honored to invite the families from our community to embark on this journey with us. A community that reads and travels together can grow together. We’re also partnering with local businesses and organizations to create more opportunities for our young participants to engage with their communities.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my own journey as a founder are:
1. **Emotional Intelligence**: As a Black woman, I’ve had to navigate complex emotions and societal pressures throughout my life. Developing emotional intelligence helped me recognize and understand my own emotions, as well as those of others. This skill has been crucial in building strong relationships, making informed decisions, and staying grounded amidst challenges. For those early in their journey, I recommend practicing self-reflection, journaling, and engaging in open conversations with trusted individuals to cultivate emotional intelligence.
2. **Resilience**: Starting a non-profit can be overwhelming, to say the least. Building resilience has allowed me to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to changes, and stay focused on our mission. Resilience is not about being invincible; it’s about developing the ability to navigate uncertainty and adversity with grace. I advise those early in their journey to practice mindfulness, sit/walk in nature near trees and water and drink in sunshine and moonlight and reframe failures as opportunities for growth.
3. **Visionary Leadership**: As a founder, I’ve had to tap into my inner visionary to create a clear sense of direction for Our Community Reads. This involves setting ambitious goals, being adaptable, and inspiring others to join the journey. For those early in their journey, I recommend taking time to reflect on their values and passions, setting achievable goals, and seeking mentorship from experienced leaders who can offer guidance and support.
In terms of advice for developing or improving these qualities, I’d say:
* Emotional Intelligence:
+ Practice self-awareness: Take time to understand your emotions and how they impact your actions.
+ Seek feedback: Ask for constructive criticism from trusted individuals to improve your emotional intelligence.
+ Develop empathy: Put yourself in others’ shoes and try to understand their perspectives.
* Resilience:
+ Practice mindfulness: Take time to breathe, meditate, or engage in activities that calm your mind.
+ Reframe failures: Instead of seeing setbacks as defeats, view them as opportunities for growth and learning.
+ Build a support network: Surround yourself with people who encourage and uplift you.
* Visionary Leadership:
+ My journey has been one that has been amplified by my connection to Spirit. I truly believe that energy is the best guide and the more I tune in to things and people that feel aligned with me in my joyful states of being, those things and relationships flourish more and are more impactful and joyful. Define your vision, encourage your team to share their dreams (cultivate safe spaces for dreaming together) and invite questions for clarity of the vision.
+ Inspire others: Share your vision with others and empower them to join the journey.
Braving The Wilderness by Brené Brown and The Rest Deck by Tricia Hersey were impactful on my journey and I would highly recommend them.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I am stretched really thin I sit in my backyard as early as possible while the world is quiet, close my gate (shut the world out and leave my technology inside) and just breathe and be. I listen, I watch nature and I wallow in gratitude and joy as much as possible in that moment. There are times I read and I am normally barefoot too! Another strategy is taking a drive while listening to great music or a book (bonus if the weather is nice enough to have the windows down). Water, lakes and waterfalls are another favorite and of course a beautiful library/bookstore/tea shop visit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ourcommunityreads.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourcommunityreadskm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063763706390
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ourcommunityreadskm/videos
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