Today we’d like to introduce you to Alysha Ellis.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in a survival environment. Limited resources and limited opportunity. There wasn’t much hope either. I mention this because it might better help you understand my story by understanding where I come from. More importantly, what I’ve overcome.
Long story short, once I finally allowed myself to align with God my life changed! From being the first in my family to attain a master’s degree to developing multiple businesses and brands. I’ve discovered that I’m a very passionate person with hidden talents that are continuously evolving daily. In the midst of launching my multimedia platform in 2020 called Mas LaRae where we share, connect, and inspire by sharing stories and uplifting voices I noticed a sense of urgency to take ownership of the narrative. Too often our communities of color are promoted from a negative point of view. But I know amazing people doing phenomenal work in our communities. From multi-million-dollar companies to social justice. For many reasons, their stories aren’t always told. This led me to creating safe places for us to share and connect with each other.
I’ve done so much over the years to help people and my community such as public health initiatives and community engagement. I’ve learned a lot to say the least. But there’s something special about creating space for us to discover ourselves and unlock our fullest potential that ignites me personally.
After sharing over a hundred stories these past two years it was time to share mine. This year I published a book to share my story. The book is called COMPLETE. In Complete, I share my personal journey of transformation, faith, and revelation of identity. It is authentic and vulnerable, down-to-earth and transparent, and is an encouragement to anyone questioning their purpose and destiny. Although my journey is nowhere near over it’s important to stop, look, and listen to see how far you have come and where you are going.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think it’s ever a smooth road for anyone, but it’s about how you combat the obstacles along the way. For me, I wasn’t born into money or even stability. Since I could remember everything was a struggle. From my mother trying to make ends meet to graduating college. Everything we had or wanted we had to fight for.
For me, a personal struggle was not accepting the false narrative that I’m a product of my environment. In my book COMPLETE, I talk about how I changed my mindset to believe that my environment is a product of me. I have the power on the inside to change the outside. Don’t get me wrong it was hard! Coming home to my community and seeing addiction, death, and violence every day has had a toll on my mental health. But God’s grace guided me.
The hardest part is not having any examples or role models around you. No one to show you or guide you to do it a different way. That’s why I believe when I finally received mentorship it changed me.
Now that I’ve lived through that and see the light at the end of the tunnel, I can say I’m thankful. What I’m learning now is how to sustain all that I’ve learned and who I’ve become because it is so different from what I’ve seen. Being the first to break through generational cycles isn’t easy. However, it is the only option if you want change.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve learned that I’m a creator. Although I never viewed myself as one until these last few years, I know now more than ever. With that being said, I specialize in many things including strategic planning. storytelling, creating safe places for expression and public speaking! I have a lot of experience in diverse fields but what I’m most proud of is getting my book published. Although it is a recent accomplishment it feels like a lifelong journey. I’m also proud of empowering others and igniting together. I love to create and collaborate with others. I believe what sets me apart from others is knowing that there’s a light within me that shines! I’m no longer afraid of the light because I’ve been awakened to the source it provides in life. It’s the knowing and the occupying of the light that many aren’t aware of, however, it is in all of us!
What do you think about happiness?
I think happiness comes and goes. What I aim to experience and own is joy! I have a choice to believe that the sun shines everyday within me whether or not I can see it outside. This is something for me to personally apply because in Cleveland, Ohio we know the sun doesn’t always shine!
Pricing:
- $15.00 book
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maslarae.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maslarae/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maslarae
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/alyshalellis
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH2-9Mx19zcuBd_CiT3_u5w
