We recently connected with Kesha Knighten Hughes and have shared our conversation below.

KESHA, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

Legacy becomes more meaningful when you become a parent. You start to think about what you will create for your children to carry forward. This makes you reflect even more: What will your obituary say? What story will your life tell?

As you grow older and gain more insight into how life has unfolded for others, you learn the hard lessons you may have been shielded from as a child. Now, at the proverbial “grown-up table,” you understand more deeply the missteps and decisions that shaped others’ legacies—some of which I strive to avoid.

That’s why I’m passionate about inspiring others to focus on creating meaningful impact and fostering a sense of community. I founded the Grace and Wisdom Institute with the belief that our teenagers need to reconnect with the foundational life skills we’ve lost over time—skills that once built stronger, more resilient communities.

Today’s youth are drifting away from those essential skills, like critical thinking, adaptability, and community service. They’re losing touch with practices that nurture well-being, connection to nature, and presence in the moment—qualities that helped previous generations face adversity with strength. If today’s young people can develop social, personal, and community awareness, while harnessing the advantages of modern technology and resources, they have the potential to become impactful leaders and help build a thriving society.

Ultimately, success is about how well you live out your values. It’s a privilege to be able to live authentically, knowing that you’re contributing to something greater, leaving a lasting legacy.

For me, I hope my children will know that I deeply valued our community—our neighbors, friends, family, and colleagues—and that I took care to build an environment rooted in our core values. It’s something worth fighting for. Access to tools, resources, hope, education, and compassion is what allows communities to flourish. And with dedication, generosity, and shared purpose, we can create legacies that not only reflect our values but help those around us thrive.

I believe leaving a nonprofit organization that will continue to serve this mission after I am gone, is a legacy I can be proud of.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey into the world of production began as a Production Assistant, where I worked on video, commercial, and photo shoots. I also had the chance to serve as a Wardrobe Assistant for print media, music artists, and several independent films. Early on, I discovered a passion for blending creativity with business, and my degree in Organizational Management has always played a pivotal role in navigating these spaces, especially while working with individuals on the verge of major breakthroughs and creative ventures.

Over time, I found my niche in event production. It allowed me to not only utilize my skills in styling and concept development but also to apply the customer relations expertise I had honed along the way. Event planning became a rewarding way for me to craft and curate unique experiences for clients.

As my career evolved, so did my focus on making a lasting impact. Today, I channel my passion for programming and experience curation into my nonprofit, The Grace and Wisdom Institute. This life skills development program for teens is a legacy project that holds deep significance for me, and I am excited about the meaningful work we are doing to build something lasting for future generations.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I believe a business coach could have been beneficial earlier in my creative journey. I have an unlimited supply of ideas and concepts, and like many artists and creatives, ideation is endless.

Having a guide, or advisory collective to help steer the direction of the business focus of my creative vision in terms of what has a scalable life cycle and how to craft that map on the front end would have been great 20 years ago.

I also really like analytic and metric access in this digital age, I believe the numbers are extremely important as you assess growth, branding, etc.

Any advice for managing a team?

Throughout my career in production, I’ve had the opportunity to lead many teams, and one lesson has always stood out: treating others with the same respect you expect as a leader is key to boosting morale. At the end of the day, titles and roles aside, we all appreciate being treated with dignity and given the opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways.

My leadership approach focuses on identifying each team member’s strengths and leaning into them. By allowing people to shine where they excel, they naturally become more confident and engaged as team players. I make it a point to listen to my team and, when appropriate, invite their input on plans or solutions. This not only increases their investment in the outcome but also strengthens our collaborative efforts.

That said, there is always a clear understanding of leadership. My team knows I make the final decisions, but by including everyone in the process, we consistently achieve better outcomes. It leads to happier teams, fosters a positive work environment, and ultimately translates into a more pleasant experience for our clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kkhcreative.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: @kesha.k.hughes
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kesha-knighten-hughes-6a403816
• Other: My nonprofit is https://www.instagram.com/graceandwisdominstitute/

Image Credits

Mahogany&Co Photography, KKh Creative, Michelle Flores Photography, Brown Haus Photography, Editblock Media