We recently connected with Kenya Feel Me and have shared our conversation below.

Kenya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve done to date would be “The Queen’s Table”. I started this platform as a safe place for black women in Montgomery, AL to be their authentic selves. Each month we get together and celebrate our accomplishments no matter how big or small. Often times as black women we often feel as if we aren’t doing enough, and our accomplishments aren’t to be celebrated. I wanted to change the narrative on that, thus “The Queen’s Table” was born.

It is here that I found my passion for event planning, curating spaces, and mental health.

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

I started my career 2017 at iHeartMedia as a promotions assistant. During my time there I hosted a weekly radio show called “Homegrown”. I was also on location hosting remote pop-ups, and it was there that my interest for event planning began to grow.

Eventually, I moved away from radio and landed a job event planning for my local military affiliate. It was there that I began really planning and coordinating events. Eventually, that led me to take a leap of faith and begin planning my own events and start my non-profit organization, The Queen’s Table.

The Queen’s Table has been just as transformative for me as it has been for the attendees. It was at the birth of The Queen’s Table that I truly realized my passion for event planning, curating spaces, and just advocating for black women, PERIOD!

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

I’ve had to pivot so many times in my life. Honestly, my life has been one big journey of trial and error. I started selling sunglasses and phone cases in college, and now I’m hosting women-empowerment dinners. I’ve had to learn how to roll with the punches and allow my business to grow with me. When one thing doesn’t work, you’ve got to figure out how to make quick decisions and find quick, yet sustainable solutions.

I think it all shapes your journey in the end though. It was because I sold sunglasses and phone cases that people noticed my style and love for fashion. Some of the people that were my customers back then are the same people that come to The Queen’s Table, because they remember when I was hustling. They’ve seen the growth and they continue to support because they’ve realized that through all the adversity I’ve never given up.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I first found out I was pregnant with my daughter, Egypt, I lost everything. I lost her father, my friend group/support system, my job, and my apartment. I had to move back in with my parents at what should’ve been the prime of my life. Just a few months prior I was working at the #1 radio station in the city, I had a group of amazing friends, a boyfriend, and a nice apartment. Within 2 months all of that was gone. I was lost, alone, and afraid. I never imagined myself being a single mother living with my parents. I never imagined myself being friendless since I was the life of the party, and I surely never imagined that my dream career would come to an abrupt end. However, this was all just a part of my story. This journey shaped me into the woman that I am today.

Fast forward to 3 years later and I have my own home, my daughter is exceptionally smart for her age, I am in a healthy relationship for the first time in my life, and my non-profit organization is helping women all around the River Region area.

It was my determination and faith in God that would not allow me to give up on myself or my dreams. Don’t get me wrong there were many nights I cried myself to sleep, many times I questioned “why me?”, but my father taught me to flip that and ask God, “why not me?” Why not allow me to be the one to go through the hardship so that I can help other women be able to defeat the odds stacked against them as well? Why not be the inspiration and success story of hard work & resilience? Why not show other women that it is possible to achieve your dreams when you put yourself first? I am living proof that it’s possible. I am proof to every other woman out there that no matter how dark it seems, your winning season is just over the horizon.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @kenyafeelmetv
• Facebook: Kenya Feel Me

Image Credits
Kerry Varner Photography