We recently connected with NAHJEE GRANT and have shared our conversation below.

NAHJEE, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

While I was working a full time job I had an idea for a children’s story and I had to take action to see this story come to fruition. I made the conscious decision to invest most of my paycheck from my job into finding an illustrator. $20 would be my allowance from the paycheck every two weeks. There weren’t as many online resources to self-publish books as there are now back in 2012 so I had to learn by trial in error. In January the following year my first children’s book was published and I haven’t stopped since.

NAHJEE, 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?

The one thing that drives me is the ability to give back to his community. I am a humanitarian, motivational speaker, and celebrated storyteller that shares my amazing life story through books I’ve authored. Other initiatives included Aces Global Enterprises LLC, DayDream Kreative Studios, World Was Made For You, and The Cool Smart Kid. These organizations promote literacy to children of color in underserved communities by giving them access to books.

My journey to become an author and humanitarian is an inspiring one that is a testament to hard work, faith, and perseverance. I discovered a passion for writing in 2007 during a short story writing course in high school – the same high school where I repeated 9th grade! I’ve written 20 books children’s books, Founded three businesses, and one nonprofit.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After 5 years of writing children’s books and establishing myself as speaker/presenter at schools, I realized there could be a bigger role I can play at the schools I’d visit and reinvented myself as an education consultant. I created a Story-Book Based Curriculum for students of all ages that builds upon motivational stories with captivating illustrations that schools/districts could adopt into their education plans.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Growing up I was always told to save and think about money as being a scarce asset. Throughout my journey as an author, and entrepreneur I had to develop new ways of thinking that matched the way I view the world now vs how I was taught. The more value I add through my work to the world the more I receive and than able to reinvest in myself and my business. Leaving behind a scarcity mindset and adopting an abundance mindset is a life changing lesson to unlearn.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nahjeegrant.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nahjeegrant
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/nahjeegrant
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nahjeegrant/