We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Selina Ealey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Selina below.
Selina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
I have 2 different personal stories behind my mission.
The first one is founding Ke’Niya Speaks Foundation. It is very near and dear to my heart. My own journey stemming from losing my first born, my preemie princess Ke’Niya. It’s so many things I can say about this. The main purpose and mission is to raise awareness about babies being born premature and to be of assistance to parents with babies in the NICU. I remember going through this process myself for 4 months, and then suddenly losing Ke’Niya unexpected. I did a lot of research on her death. When she was alive, I educated myself and my family on preemie babies and the ups and downs. Being in the NICU is a whole other world. Just when I thought I been through it all myself with my own health issues, Ke’Niya came along and showed me something different. She is the reason I started her foundation. It’s above me, it’s her legacy that will continue to live on. Purple has become my favorite color because of her. It represents preemies so purple it is! I am not only her mother, I am also her voice. 4 years after her death, on June 14, 2021, God blessed my husband and I with our preemie prince. Our son Keng will definitely learn about his sister Ke’Niya and will help carry her legacy.
I recently became a licensed Realtor in the state of Florida because I saw a need within my community. I love to help and inspire people; it’s my passion. My story behind this is simply put; I want to help people like me. I want to educate others to let them know it is possible to buy and own their own home. We have to learn to not be stuck and comfortable where we are in life. To go above and beyond. I want to help those who aren’t motivated enough or those who “just don’t know” that it is possible to own a home. No more renting and making your landlord rich. It is time to own and build generational wealth while breaking generational curses. Create a legacy. Fire your landlord and let’s get the home buying process rolling. Let’s come up with a solution and a plan to get you there. I used to be so discouraged in wanting to buy a home because all of the hassle and requirements. After 20 long years of renting in Palm Beach County, I have started the home buying process for my family and I. I am always educating myself and researching. I attend a lot of trainings and get certified in various things. I need to know what is going on and what is to be expected, so that I can be able to help my clients from beginning to end. I want them to be confident within themselves as well as comfortable with me being their Realtor. I am all for “let’s do this” It is not an easy over night process but I am willing to take the ride with my clients until they get the keys and have said “yes to the address”. My passion to help others in need, gives me the ability to assist new home buyers and meet them wherever they are on life’s journey.
Selina, 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?
In 2006, at the age of 24, I was diagnosed with Kidney Failure. I had to start dialysis immediately in the summer of 2008 because my kidney functions rapidly decreased. Being on dialysis at such a young age was no joke. I remember, at one point, all my hair fell out. I suffered a seizure and a stroke. I battled with potassium, protein and low iron issues over the years. My skin was dark and bumpy. I was tiny as a toothpick. I was doing dialysis at home peritoneal dialysis. I was trained on how to connect and disconnect myself from the machine every day. I had to do dialysis for nine hours, every single night, for over three years.
In 2011, I was at my mother’s house, searching craigslist for furniture for my new apartment. My mother made a comment (that I thought was silly at that time) to post on craigslist for my need for a kidney transplant. I had to think about it for a while and I knew the only way to get my mother off my back about it was to post the ad. Within 24 hours of posting on craigslist, I received an email from a local news station. I was skeptical at first, but I decided to reply back when I was able to confirm that the information within the reporter’s signature was legit. Next thing I knew, the news station was in my living room, filming my story about my need for a kidney transplant. People from all over the world sent me emails wanting to donate and/or telling me their health stories as well. I was doing countless interviews, even filming for a show that aired on Oprah Winfrey’s Network, called “Lost and Found” That is when I knew that this was more than just me needing to be saved. I had to be a voice for others as well. I would continue the fight long after I received a new kidney.
Within numerous emails that I received, which happened to be close to a thousand, a young lady by the name of Stephanie Grant reached out to me and for some reason, her email really stood out to me. It was like I could feel her good spirit as I was reading her email. I invited her to do a news interview with me, not knowing she would be the one to donate to me. Five months later, on December 13, 2011 I received the gift of life. Stephanie Grant donated her kidney to me, a complete stranger at that time, and gave me a second chance at life. I have been dialysis free since then and I thank God for her! She is an amazing person! We keep in touch a lot. After our transplant surgery, she moved back to her home town in Springfield, IL. We take turns visiting each other almost every year.
A few years later, after my kidney transplant, I found out that I was pregnant. All of those years went by and I was always told that I would never be able to have kids. Well, they were proven wrong! I gave birth to my very first child, Ke’ Niya, my preemie princess on October 6, 2017. She was born at 25 weeks and four days old. I was suddenly diagnosed with HELLP and had to have an emergency c – section. It was all new to me, but I was just so happy to be a mother at the age of 34 (2 months before I turned 35).
The NICU was a whole other world for my family and I. Just when I thought I had been through it myself and knew everything medically, my daughter had common preemie issues. My baby girl was a fighter. She went from weighing 1 pound 7 oz to 6 pounds within four months of being in the NICU. She was everything to us! Both my parents were finally grandparents and my sister/my only sibling, finally an aunt. Ke’ Niya was born on my sister’s birthday.
Unfortunately, our lives changed forever in the blink of an eye. Just two days before our Ke’ Niya was due to be discharged and come home to us, tragedy struck and she passed away in the NICU. My life has never been the same since. I had plans for Ke’ Niya, we all did!
Being a grieving parent changes you forever. I have always felt like you are not supposed to bury your child; your child should bury you. I knew I had to do something to keep her memory alive.
The other part of the foundation also consists of being a support system for people who have dealt with kidney failure. You have no idea about a situation until you go through it yourself. I live by “You never know how strong you are until being strong becomes your only option” I am learning to turn my pain into purpose.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to learn to not get comfortable with where I was in life. I had to learn to get up and keep pushing. Once I stepped out of my comfort zone, I was able to see what’s out there; the other side of business and changing my mindset. Now I realize, there is no stopping, this isn’t the end for me. Faith without works is dead.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I had to and continue to work through my pain and suffering of losing my first born and overcoming kidney failure. There isn’t a day that goes by where I do not think of my Ke’Niya. I wear purple faithfully to keep her memory alive and to honor her daily. It’s like a night mare that I can’t wake up from. Nonetheless, both of my children, Ke’Niya and Keng, give me the strength to keep going. My daughter was taken from me within the blink of an eye and years later, I was blessed with my son. I definitely have my ups and downs but I have been blessed, no matter what obstacles have come my way. I slay Goliath with my sling.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Therealtorselina
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selinatherealtor AND https://www.facebook.com/KeNiyaSpeaksFoundation/
Image Credits
Imagery by Jules Kenneth Lamor Signature Photograhy D Suave 247