We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anya Covington a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Anya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

The first 30 years of my almost 33 years have prepared me for walking out the mission of human2human. This is God’s plan.

My mother, a 30 year educator, allowed me access to her playwrights, diversity training sessions and speaking engagements like at the Black Legislative Caucus when I was simply eight years old. I watched her use her gifting, story and powerful experience and words to transform the lives of everyone in the room. She is magnetic. During this time, my earthly-father served our country as a 101st Airborne Army Ranger. He led fearlessly. Service is my bloodline.

But there have been complexities to serving God’s people. As a child living in Alaska I walked to school with my older brother each day, ate all my lunch, excelled in all my school work and ran the second fastest out to recess daily. But it was the 3 high-staggered bars in between the jungle gym and swing set that played at my heartstrings. Each day I flipped on all 3 bars, as an aspiring gymnast, this was necessary. Until a particular day a classmate of mine wanted to flip on the tallest bar. In my spiraling movement I missed the memo. Until rocks hurled at my kindergarten body and sticks stung my dangling ponytails. As I hit the ground the punches landed. Then slurs pentrated my innocent ears, words I did not know by name but knew by feeling. As spit hit my cheek, I ran from the two fourth graders, a second grader and my classmate as my teachers watched motionless. But God. My second grade brother was lined up at the very door I was running towards, as the motionless teachers beckoned me to come back to the place of my trauma. I lost my attackers on the jungle gym after retrieving the torn pieces of my favorite jacket as I lept for the slide, bloodied cheeked from the wipe of a stick, bruised bodied from the well timed hits of rocks and the color of my skin made to feel different for the first time I could recall in my 5 years of life.

Fast-forward to my senior year of college, after creating systems of diversity, equity and inclusion that are still being used today, after restoring student organizations that brought equity to people of color, after captaining a basketball team for 3 1/2 years and representing every student-athlete in the nation on a prestigious national committee, I experienced the adult version of racism. Beat in the street by law officials for walking up to a pub with too many human beings that looked like me already dwelling in the establishment. The spit on my cheek, the slurs, the bias of believing prejudice judgements of a people group and using that as means to terrorize innocent, being in a position of helplessness while fighting attempted rape from a man in a position of power. A public servant. These situations showed me two things. One, I am not invincible. Traveling the world and representing my country as a Global Ambassador for racial relations was not a security blanket from the throws of hatred. Serving God and preaching the gospel from the Ukraine to the streets of Milwaukee was not a saving grace from ill-intent. Studying and learning from counselors would not control the mental trauma of others and their reactions towards me and those perceived to be inferior. Being a Division One and Professional Athlete with a physique of strength could not protect me from the blows to my body and character that killed my sense of security. Coming from a loving family, with parents that sheltered, taught and fought for my siblings and I well-being and safety with their lives, still was not enough. Only God could keep me, guide me, restore me and lead me. The struggle was allowed to grow my character and faith into the purpose I’ve been destined for.

The second realization was simpler to digest. I was purposed for tangible avenues of change in the mindset of humans. In the eyes of those that hurt me, hurt reflected back. Racism, sexism, hatred does not begin with the whole world, it begins with one heart. It started with mine. Would I respond with bitterness or hatred? Would I forgive and work towards making a difference in human lives where it’s violently uncomfortable to operate in?

I choose to meet violence face to face. I choose to say yes to the uncomfortable that has currently and historically had blood, dehumanization, bitterness and confusion all over it. Yes! We chose, all the power players within human2human, chose to meet this violence with love. Heal the soul (the individual) to heal the whole (the collective). It’s one person being recognized as a whole human, through their own tailored path of healing, that we find healthier humans. We have diversity everywhere, in every room and in every home. Is it included? Does every human have access to their basic needs? Is everyone being welcomed and valued? Are their B.R.A.V.E. Spaces in every work place, department, team and home that allows for identity and understanding to belong? We do the long-term emotional, mental, spiritual, physical and relational work to make this equity the standard.

human2human came to fruition after 7 years of trying to mentor others (collegiately and professionally) without first doing my own work. I choose to take accountability of my health and the sickness brought on by stress and emotional depravity to progress towards healing in every area of my life. God moved me along this path and allowed me to step out in 2020, amongst the multi-layered pandemic to be a long-term advocate, consultant, coach, mentor, trainer, friend and solution for all humans. Those disenfranchised, those in denial, those hurting, those without hope, those needing connection and those ripe for the edification of love. Everyone needs love. God is love. It empowers, educates and equips us by advancing our thinking and understanding of self and others. Then we will see the change that we seek. We will be the change human2human.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

human2human LLC is a consulting, coaching and training business that meets each human emotionally, spiritually, mentally, physically and relationally. Our approach is humane, tailored to the needs of the individual and group and long-term. We are in this for genuine relationships.

We provide specific services:
1.) Large group/facilitated B.R.A.V.E. Space sessions (A 4-phased process that addresses the person, the culture, the problem, and the change. A platform that creates spaces of belonging and gives space for marginalized voices, team development and solution based results).

2.) Leadership Academy (Middle School-College) Pouring into Young Leaders by teaching communication skills, accountability, responsibility, confidence through hands on training, role playing, team bonding practices and interactive facilitated conversations.

3.) Coach2Coach (Sport Coaches) Individual/small group mentoring sessions. Emphasis range from practice planning, game prep, career advice, handling adverse situations, spiritual guidance, mental/emotional wellness and personal growth.

4.) Sharpening Sessions (College Age – Up) Individual/small group mentoring sessions. Advisement on Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health. Centered in Self Love/Self Care, Grief Management, Life Skills and more.

5.) Temple Tending (College Age – Up) Combining Fitness and Faith, we create an environment to attain positive habits through Nutrition, Fitness Classes and Biblical/Spiritual Consistency.

We also have tailored sessions to meet the needs of as many human beings as possible:
Hiring Retention | LGBTQ+ | Relationship Reconciliation | Race & Ethnicity | Leadership | Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity & Belonging | Self-Love | Ministry Reformation | Team Building/Bonding | Conference

WE have/ are currently working with over 17 universities/colleges/schools, 9 businesses (law firms, healthcare centers,etc), 30+ individual teams and small groups, 3 church related organizations,3 international clients, 2 partnerships and 50+ individuals in different capacities. Every client has an in-person or virtual option for every session. We are most proud of the fact that 98% of our clients are/have received recurring services! Relationships are most important.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Consistency. Weekly our team takes dedicated time to reach out, stay current and support our clients and potential clients. Because we see it as a relationship. We see that being consistent is effective, constant with our communication and care is compassion and humbly considering our actions and methods with understanding is love (Christ).

Consistency takes time and pure motives. We keep the main thing the main thing, the advancement of humans through love. Following the two Greatest Commandments.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I began human2human with a really large scope. It was hard to pinpoint our exact clientele because we truly wanted this to be a space where everyone is welcomed. Recently, after reassessing and receiving wanted feedback, we pivoted our emphasis. We are still a space for all people but we have a focus on mentoring the mentors, coaching the coaches and leading the leaders.

This pivot has given us more clarity and better means of communicating what we do and how we do what we do.

Contact Info:

• Website: hu2man.com
• Instagram: _human2human
• Facebook: human2human
• Linkedin: Anya B. Covington
• Twitter: @AnyaBCov

Image Credits
Miles Benton