Meet Molesa Coleman

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

MoLesa, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I’ve always been a creative and a lover of music. Freedom of expression has always been important to me. Growing up with strict parents, one of which was very mathematical and unwelcoming of almost any kind of expression was very difficult at times. I remember there being times, where I would have to sneak to listen to secular music or where even a hug seemed to be discouraged. While one parent was very welcoming of expression, the other would barely show up to any of my activities.

I found early on in my childhood that I loved music, and art came pretty easy for me. I even had one of my childhood art projects selected to be displayed in a local art museum. Although, my favorite subject was always math, I found that I was a natural when it came to singing, dancing, writing, even learning instruments. I was always into activities, and I always stayed active. I took swimming lessons, gymnastics, ballet, played basketball. I would always sign up for talent shows and my friends were into the arts as well. There was nothing my mom would hold back from me as she seemed to support me in all that I aspired to do. My mom used to say, “she can do anything she puts her mind to.”

I once discovered I could really freestyle dance out of frustration at home. I turned on some music and just started dancing my heart out. It was then that I discovered my real passion for dance and movement. I would later go on to dance for my school, try out as a sports team dancer and even become a liturgical dance leader at my church for over 10 years. I suppose it is from these moments in my life where I was always actively keeping my creativity alive. My mother, who passed away when I was just 19, has always been the voice in my mind letting me know that I can do all things I aspire to do.

In a world that can be so cruel and restrictive, I’ve always fought to keep my freedom of expression alive. I didn’t always have a voice at home… it was quite hard in fact as a child wanting approval and acceptance from an unimpressed parent. It wasn’t always encouraged for me to be myself or even speak my heart. I learned to express myself through writing, because even speaking my thoughts were said to be disrespectful and often dismissed. I felt suffocated and stifled. At times, my own creativity was all I had. I suppose I kept my creativity alive all these years, to keep my sanity. It has always been my outlet and way of communication.

Now, whether, I’m journaling, dancing, skating being free around my home, or creating ideas for business, it’s because I have joy and must protect my joy and peace. Keeping my creativity alive is self care. Taking time to skate, for my business (Wake Up and Skate) and to be expressive is a priority and I find that when I listen to my heart, creativity comes very natural. Even in rough or busy times, I find that expression is release and being creative helps in those moments.

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

I am currently studying accounting while pursuing several business ventures.

My passion is freedom of expression.

One of my brands is called Wake Up and Skate where we encourage all people ages 3-65+ to pursue a life a purpose and abundance through the art of roller skating and other forms of expression.

By offering high quality branded t-shirts, athletic wear and accessories, we aim to spread the message to Wake Up and Skate worldwide. Our product line is just one way to spread awareness into the brand but also a way to offer unique products and skate accessories to a broader audience. We would like to partner with other brands and skate manufacturers (like Moxy, VNLA, and Riedell) in the future to expand our product offerings.

In addition, Wake Up and Skate welcomes all art forms, including dance, skate boarding, cycling, spoken word, etc. Wake Up and Skate is a faith based and family oriented brand that aims to inspire others to learn to skate but also maintain their mental, emotional and physical well being. We believe in living holistic and free. We also strive to serve the community and partner with nonprofit organizations around Dallas-Fort Worth to serve those in need. Wake Up and Skate will support and be an asset to an upcoming women’s ministry that I am working on to uplift and educate women and children.

I also work with a nonprofit right now called YouTopian Estates aimed to provide housing and resources for our unhoused friends in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Future plans for Wake Up and Skate:

Wake Up and Skate is currently in the process of being incorporated as an LLC. I’m super excited about what the future holds as we have many plans for new products in the making along with new color choices of our brand logo t-shirts and soft line apparel. We are also partnering with YouTopian Estates to put on an annual skate event next year that will raise awareness and support for the homeless. We are looking to expand this event and open invitation for many skaters in the skate community to participate from all over the US.

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?

I’ve always been a fighter, determined, and strong willed. I’ve always had a passion for integrity. As far as I can remember, even before I was in school, I was always fighting for others. I remember an incident at my old apartments when I was a little girl. I don’t believe I was even school-aged yet. I was playing at the park and one of my neighbors was about to slug his brother with a huge bolder. I immediately took action and took the giant rock from his hands and pushed him. That kid went home and told his mom but only that I’d pushed him, not about him threatening his brother with a rock that could have really hurt him. The mom got mad at me, and allowed her son to repeatedly hit me with a bat. I wasn’t hurt physically but I will never forget that moment. I was more worried about the brother than my own feelings. I didn’t argue with the mom or tell her what her son was attempting to do. But, I knew I did the right thing. I sat there and just let him hit me and then went home like the mom said. I feel like I’ve been advocating for others all my life. I hate bullying and I just want people to live in freedom and truth knowing they can do all things and be healthy and free.

My advice would be to trust your instincts and follow your heart. If something is weighing on your heart to do, just do it. The best way to get over obstacles and barriers is to involve others in your vision. There are many resources around the city for sharing ideas. Don’t be afraid to network. Sit down and write up your vision the best way you can. Whether is a project or business idea… write it down. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but get the idea across or write it down to where it will inspire you to tell the story. Then share it with someone who has the expertise to clean it up or put actionable items to it.

Lastly, I always want to inspire others to work on their character and inner self. And be true to that. There are too many people who feel they have to hide themselves or fit into a certain image. A lot of people live double lives and run from their imperfections and dark areas of their lives. Truly, the only way to live free is to shine light and expose those areas. There is nothing new in this world that has not been seen or done before. No matter how “dark” we feel, it’s been experienced before. There is no tragedy that hasn’t already happened before. So that tells me that no matter what someone’s truth is, it can be handled. There’s no reason to run or hide or be ashamed of anything these days. There’s no inadequacy that cannot be overcome. We’re all just humans. The best way to live is free. To be open and honest and strive to make impact and always work on that inner self as it dictates the voices in our minds and ultimately our success.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I love being resourceful and having resources at my fingertips not only for myself, but for others. I would love to partner and collaborate with designers, artists, models, photographers, accounting & financial analysts, marketing experts, and anyone in the service and nonprofit sectors. I can be reached by email at molesadione@outlook.com.

I would like to connect to open minded individuals who might be reading this and have creative ideas to incorporate their own mission and vision with Wake Up and Skate. Whether it’s an offered product line or an idea to connect to the community. The more uniquely we tie resources together, the better our competitive advantage becomes to offer something different and inspiring.

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