Conversations with Karen Hewitt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Hewitt.  

Hi Karen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was always a curious learner in school, got academic scholarships to private schools starting in 7th grade in Cincinnati, Ohio. I also played soccer, basketball and ran track. I decided my sophomore year in HS that I would go to college and pay for it with Basketball. That served well for me, and I received a full scholarship attending Saint Francis University (PA). As an athlete, I was able to have some of the best experiences of my life, traveling and playing basketball and winning…a lot. I was a part of three league championship teams as player (one as a coach) and got to play in the NCAA tournament 3 times. As a student, I had amazing experiences in college with writing contests, professors that cared deeply and made it possible to miss for athletics and still catch up on work, and I was an Academic All-American. I loved St. Francis so much I stayed for 3 years as an adjunct Mathematics professor and women’s basketball coach. I took a year to teach HS math at my alma mater, CHCA, and coach HS girls’ basketball to be in Cincinnati in my grandmother’s final year of life. I went back to Women’s College Basketball coaching at Ohio University and The University of Kentucky. 

Then I decided I wanted to do some things for me after experiencing the death of a friend and realizing that it was time to be on a schedule I created, doing my heart’s work, on my own time. I got my master’s at The Ohio State University in Educational Policy and Leadership, where I focused on Diversity and Inclusion and Workforce Development. I knew I did not want to be a principal; so I was able to create a curriculum that focused on educating, administration, and leadership. This period of time prepared the foundation that would lead me into the work I do now and am most passionate about. It was intense starting a new career path, but HR and people management is a lot like college coaching. I worked in staffing, the service industry and the construction industry as a recruiter and manager. 

I am a poet, singer, improv comedian, and being in Columbus, Ohio allowed me to explore those passions. Something was not connecting with my day jobs in HR and my passions. This is how I got into non-profit work. I worked at Kaleidoscope Youth Center as the Deputy Director for 3 years and now work for Leadership Columbus as the Associate Director. I also am a contract consultant for ImprovEdge and Unifying Solutions Anti-Racism Collective. My community connections allow me to work with so many incredible people and also center educating and serving today’s leaders. I have been called a power broker, a connecter, a strategist, and I love that the community sees me in that way. I believe that a community that takes care of each other is possible, and will do what is in my power to create that within myself and within the collective. 

I started a business with my wife and partner (in life and in the work of healing) called The Ohio REST Collective. REST stands for Restorative Equity through Sustainable Transformation. We work to regulate individual and collective nervous systems through education and experiences that unpack systemically oppressive systems. We work towards Transformative Justice and removing conditions (individually and collectively) which allow harm to occur. Our work centers opportunities for rest, healing, and joy.

As an artist and creative; I have had the pleasure of self-publishing two poetry books, being a contributer to an anthology, singing in front of a sold-out Lincoln Theatre, had my art on public facing windows during poetry month, been on a billboard, and traveled nationally to perform. I just turned 40, and I am finally clear on my passions, my purpose and have prioritized them accordingly. It’s been quite a ride so far, but I am absolutely living the life of my dreams; and I wouldn’t change the journey to getting here in any way. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I wouldn’t expect it to be smooth or linear. I am a Black, Genderfluid, Gender Non-Conforming, Queer Womyn. Any barrier you can imagine, I have experienced it. My resilience is off the charts, but I think my biggest challenge is always staying tender and sensitive, and empathetic even when I do not experience it from others. I realize that in order to lead in any way, I have to lead how I want to be lead. Considering the people I want to lead and leading in power with, not power over. Power with requires that I don’t do for people without them; I have to get in community to understand the needs and wants.

I was recently diagnosed with Autism (1) and ADHD; I did not realize how much this was impacting my ability to thrive. This explains so much for me! With this information, I can now clearly move through challenges with awareness and intention; not shame and judgment of myself. I am able to apply supportive tools and resources to make sure I am prioritizing my mental health and capacity.

I kept playing basketball and refereeing after coaching college basketball and tore my achilles about 8 years ago. It has significantly impacted my physical ability. I can no longer run or jump; so that limits my ability to be mobile and work out; as that is my favorite way to complete the stress cycle. 

I believe that my humility and meekness at times can be misconstrued as weakness. Learning how to be a stand and advocate for all people *with tact* is very nuanced and complex. Navigating respectability in multiple communities (Black, Political, Creative, LGBTQ+, Activist) is incredibly challenging. Everyone believes their way will fix it. Trying to listen, synthesize and care for all in an inclusive and inviting way is very complex and time-consuming. I try to create these safe(r) spaces in smaller communities and hope that culture ripples out. 

Discernment is also a challenge. Not everyone has pure intentions; so figuring out who is doing this for the right reasons and not self-centered gain is key. Building relationships is essential to make sure that I am not being exploited or used to check off boxes to show ‘diversity’ and that I am truly wanted for my expertise and my authentic self. 

The biggest challenge was getting in the perpetual space of a growth mindset. I am grateful for parents, family, and friends that have always pushed me and expected excellence. Having a strong and vast support system is essential. Learning myself, my values, my non-negotiables, and finding my favorite self has taken years of internal work and access to resources and opportunities to do so. Once I figured that out, all of those other barriers and challenges seem to dissipate. I work with people who want to cultivate community and heal as individuals and as collectives. None of that is possible if I am not clear on what kind of person I am, leader I am, and what kind of community I want to see. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a writer, a poet, a singer, an improv comedian, a drummer, and overall creative. I am a community builder. What sets me apart is that I create experiences. I write to heal, but I share to create community and often give word and voice to how people are also feeling. I tap into the collective energy and what is created is always a unique and memorable experience. I love when people are quoting my books or sending messages about how it impacted them. I am most proud of the national reach my articles and books have had. I love that people heal reading my work or being in spaces I create, sharing my art. I am known for having my guitarist with me and doing improv poems with prompts from the crowd. People always look forward to that part of my shows. 

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
On mentoring: I first became the mentor, I wished I had. I am always seeking development opportunities, constantly evolving and learning. I currently have 3 mentees, and after a while, they begin to mentor others, and that is how I pay it forward. I did not have a mentor that looked like me or understood my belief systems and culture until I was 30. Consequently, I fumbled through decisions and such. Finding a mentor that is representative of some or all of your diversity dimensions can be challenging. Learn your values and try to find people whose values align; get multiple mentors, one for work, one for passion/hobbies, one for relationships, one for processing and unpacking things in real-time. Do your homework and then ask for what you want. Approach someone you would like to mentor you and say, “I would like you to be my mentor, and here are some of the things I would like to accomplish.” Set a timeframe and then get a new mentor (ask for recommendations) after that timeframe is up. Be a giver in these relationships and make it easy for the mentor to work with you. Remember, they are mentors, not therapists, so treat them kindly and show gratitude for their time and energy. 

On networking: Learn yourself and lead with questions you would be interested in answering yourself. Keep connection conversations to 5 minutes. Work the room. Prepare for quiet before and after if networking events are overwhelming to you. Remember, no one knows you are an introvert but you. Look alive and take care of yourself accordingly. In relationship building, reciprocity is important. Talk and listen. Give and take. Connect and uplift. Stay true to your word; if you make promises about doing something or connecting people, follow through. Be the person people will mention even when you are not in the room in a positive way. Practice what you preach. Come from a place of curiosity and not judgment. Check your biases. Have fun!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theohiorestcollective.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/love4lifekmh/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.hewitt.5/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CuriousK11
• Other: https://www.leadershipcolumbus.org/

Image Credits
Jennifer Adams
Katie Forbes