We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Akecia Owens-Cunningham. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Akecia below.
Akecia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
Naming a business is no small task —especially something as close to your heart as your business! Academically Victorious Consulting was created during my time as a classroom teacher, although it was not formally established until years later. During that time, I noticed this recurring pattern: so many of my students were struggling not just with academics, but with confidence, self-worth, and a sense of purpose when it came to learning. There was this heavy cloud of negativity surrounding education—like learning was something to dread rather than something empowering. As years passed, I saw that this pattern continued.
I wanted to shift that narrative.
To me, being academically victorious was never just about getting straight As or making the honor roll. It was about cultivating a mindset. It’s about helping students see their worth, believe in their ability to grow, and define success in a way that reflects their unique journey.
Victory can look different for every student. For one, it might be earning a C after pushing through a tough subject. For another, it might be choosing a trade over college and finding pride in a hands-on career. And for many, it’s the commitment to being a lifelong learner—not just in school, but in every area of life.
At its core, Academically Victorious is about vision, voice, value, and village. It’s about cultivating a personal vision, using your voice to uplift yourself and others, valuing your growth, and building a strong, supportive village. That’s the philosophy behind the name, and the mission behind the work.
Akecia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As the founder of Academically Victorious Consulting (AVC), my mission is grounded in one core belief: every student has the ability to be victorious—academically, personally, and beyond. My journey started in the classroom, where I witnessed students, teachers, and families often struggling with confidence, clarity, and consistency in learning. I knew something had to change!
Hence, AVC was created to transform the educational experience—not just for students, but for the entire learning community. We focus on three key areas:
*Professional Development for schools, district leaders, and community partners
*Pedagogical Development for educators and support staff
*Student Development through innovative, student-centered learning models
What makes us unique is our signature MILK Professional Development System, which stands for:
*Measurable Data
*Instructional Strategies
*Lesson Planning
*Know-How
MILK makes instruction good! It’s a simple yet powerful framework that helps educators deliver more effective instruction to improve student outcomes.
Our services include leadership training, educator workshops, instructional coaching, tutoring, parent engagement, and personalized coaching for personal and professional growth. But we’re also expanding our impact through creative products—a new line of books including coloring books, puzzle books, activity books, and children’s books designed to uplift and inspire students, parents, and educators.
At the heart of AVC is transformation. We’re not just about delivering strategies—we’re about building confidence, capacity, and community. Whether you’re an educator ready to grow, a student striving for more, a parent seeking support, or simply someone committed to lifelong learning, there’s a place for you in our village—and victory is yours to claim.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
The teachings of John Maxwell have had a profound impact on my approach to leadership, management, and entrepreneurship. Three of his books, in particular, have been instrumental in shaping my mindset:
*Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn
*Put Your Dreams to the Test
*The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
As an Independent Certified Coach, Trainer, and Speaker with the John Maxwell Team, I’ve been able to integrate these principles into my consulting work in a meaningful and practical way. His focus on growth, leadership, and influence aligns with my belief that leadership is a responsibility to serve others, which is also deeply rooted in God’s word. I believe that my work is grounded in integrity, compassion, humility, and wisdom, which has shaped my entrepreneurial journey and how I interact with clients.
In addition, earning my Professional Coach Certification from the Academy of Creative Coaching further expanded my understanding of what it means to coach with empathy, structure, and results in mind. That experience gave me the tools to support clients through transformational growth—not just academically, but personally and professionally.
These resources continue to guide my work and philosophy, helping me lead with clarity, serve with integrity, and empower others to reach their full potential.
Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?
I sell my Victory A–Z books on Amazon, and I also provide a direct link to the Victory A–Z Collection through my website. My latest release, a children’s book entitled No Victory Too Small: The Power of “We Can”, will also be available on the Amazon platform. I chose Amazon because of its wide reach, ease of access for customers, and the trust it brings as a global platform.
In addition to online sales, I also sell my products at various vendor events and hosted events. These in-person opportunities allow me to connect directly with readers, educators, and families—which is always meaningful and energizing.
Beyond physical products, I offer online courses and coaching sessions through my website. When clients want to book me for workshops or professional learning sessions, they can submit a request via the website. From there, I schedule a consultation and provide a customized plan of action along with a payment schedule.
There are definite pros and cons to each approach:
Amazon offers convenience, reach, and handles the logistics, which saves time. However, it limits control over pricing and branding, and can minimize profitability.
Selling through my website gives me more control over the customer experience and direct engagement with my audience, though it requires more backend management.
In-person events provide a unique chance to build community and connection, but they can be resource-intensive and depend on timing and location.
Using all three methods—Amazon, my website, and vendor events—allows me to serve a diverse audience while maintaining both professional reach and personal connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.academicallyvictorious.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/academically_victorious?igsh=dWMzMWVmc2s4b3Fh&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AtFnRh6Nh/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-akecia-owens-cunningham-7026b61b2?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: https://x.com/avc_success?s=21&t=eCkvq6hFXa1m85mSS9cI9w
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@academicallyvictorious2020?si=ZWwh5-tsRM8JD-ZR
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@academicallyvictorious?_t=ZP-8wFyR63MhOZ&_r=1
Image Credits
Diamond in the Back Productions
https://www.diamondinthebackproductions.com/
SlyView Photography
https://www.facebook.com/share/1APJoVf4y4/?mibextid=wwXIfr