We were lucky to catch up with Felicia Cummings recently and have shared our conversation below.

Felicia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.

Breaking into the mass communications industry and succeeding is no easy task. It’s because of the support and encouragement I received from my mentors and friends that I was able to take a leap of faith and start my own PR business. Today, I stand proudly as a PR Superwoman because others put in the time and effort to help me spread my wings and fly. Now, I’d like to do the same. I recently have started a Scholarship Fund through my PR business to help the next generation of PR superheroes. The Cummings League scholarship program aims to help create seasoned journalists, dynamic public relations professionals, and communication superheroes by awarding two $500 scholarship to a graduating senior whose actively pursuing a career path in Communications or PR. I’m hoping to be able to award more scholarships as my business continues to flourish. I think it’s important to use a percentage of your sales to help others, especially in the community where I received the most support for my career. To learn more about the Cummings League Scholarship or to donate visit https://www.cummingsleague.com/scholarship.

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

I’m Felicia Cummings, but most people know me by my nickname, “Superwoman” or “SuperFe”. As a big comic book nerd, I wear my red cape with pride. The nickname was given to me by my friends in college during my time at Georgia College & State University. My friends noticed I was multi-talented, yet I used all my skills equally. I was an avid writer, crafting creative works and I dabbled in technical writing as a news writer for the college newspaper. Music was a big part of my life as well; I was a vocalist who sang alto and I was one of the top 10 clarinet players in the state of Georgia in 1997. In addition to my music and writing talent, I also loved Theater and took great pleasure in acting, stagecraft, and directing. My big dream was to one day become a famous playwright or screenwriter, but God had other plans in store for me.

After earning my B.A. in English Literature, I obtained my teacher certification and entered the field of education. I returned to her alma mater as a high school British Literature and Journalism teacher at Wilkinson County High School. It was a surreal moment in my life as I worked alongside my mentors who supported and encouraged my writing talent when I was a student there. After nine years of teaching, I was moved to take a leap of faith. My love for writing and mass communications was beaconing to me so I abruptly resigned from teaching and my life in Public Relations began. I then became a crime and education news reporter for The Union-Recorder newspaper. My unbiased news reporting skills gained the respect of local educators and law enforcement officials. After five years as a news writer, Chief Dray Swicord, Chief of Police at the Milledgeville Police Department, came to me with a vision. He saw my potential as more than a news reporter. He was creating a Public Information Officer position and wanted me to step up to the plate. I was a bit apprehensive at first, but I excelled in this role. After five years, I left the law enforcement agency and went back to education, but this time in a leadership capacity. I worked as the School and Community Relations Coordinator for the Baldwin County School District, where my PR skills continued to grow.

I secured regional, state, and national recognition for my work in both PR jobs. The PR work I provided for the community also garnered recognition from my college. In 2021, Georgia College’s Arts & Sciences Department named me the 2021 Humanitarian of the Year. It was the first alumni award of its kind. I was nominated by professors of GC’s Mass Communications Department. It was a humbling experience for me. By the summer of 2021, I felt something move in my soul–that there was something more that I was meant to do. I was working my life away for other people and that wasn’t how I wanted my life to be. I prayed and made a very difficult decision. I resigned from my position at the school district in August of 2021.

By September 2021, I had started The Cummings League Marketing & Design Company and I have no regrets! After resigning, I expressed to an acquaintance how I was afraid and confused as to what I was going to do next. The last time I left a job unexpectedly, God brought another opportunity to me right away, but this time, there was nothing in sight. She quickly reminded me that because I know how to do so much in PR, perhaps it was time for me to start my own PR business. I had always dreamed of doing that, but I never really thought I would have the opportunity or funds to do it. She was hosting a Faith it Out event that was going to award one local woman and one local graduating senior scholarship money to start their own business and she encouraged me to enter. Initially, I didn’t take her seriously. It took multiple attempts on her part to get me to write up my business plan and create a video for submission. Then once it was time for the event to take place, she had to remind me to purchase a ticket. I was so preoccupied with applying for other jobs, I wasn’t thinking of the scholarship. I honestly didn’t think it would happen, but I did purchase my ticket and decided to support and celebrate whomever received the award. I was decked out in all red and my heart about burst through my chest when my name was called to receive the $500 dollar start-up business scholarship. 10 years ago, when I was a high school English teacher, if you looked into a crystal ball and told me I would be the owner of my own PR company, I would think you were out of your mind, but if I knew all the wonderful things God had in store for me ahead of time, I never would have taken a leap of faith. My faith is at the core of who I am and I’m one spiritual hard working PR Superwoman!

With a desire to keep moving forward as a Public Relations Professional, shortly after starting my business I also began pursuing my master of arts degree in Public Relations & Media Communications with Full Sail University. My graduation date is just around the corner, November 21st. God has provided an opportunity for me to bring both my love of educating and PR together by giving me an opportunity at Fort Valley State University to share my experience and expertise with others as an Adjunct Professor of Media Studies!

The name Felicia comes from the Latin word that means happy, lucky, fortunate. I can sincerely say I am one happy and fortunate Superwoman!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect about being creative is seeing someone’s vision come to life. You are the master and creator of anything. The look on a client’s face when what they have explained to me comes through in a logo–their vision for a promotional video is a tangible piece of material for the whole world to see–that is one amazing feeling!

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

The best way to keep in touch with my clients and foster brand loyalty is through engagement, whether on social media or in person. When their company has a success, I share it, I tweet about it, I shout it from the rooftops, I attend company events or social gatherings. I don’t benefit from it in any way, but the support I show them is a testament to my appreciation for them. In return, every time there is a new PR need, they automatically come to me. Also, they refer my business to others. It’s all about building upon the relationship and sharing in your client’s experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cummingsleague.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cummingsleague/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cummingsleague
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/feliciacummingssuperwoman/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnPs205eGyszcQ6KfsGy_Hg