“I want others to take from my story that faith, persistence, and purpose-driven action can change the trajectory of your life.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am passionate about helping people build, protect, and pass on their legacies.
As both an attorney and real estate broker, my work sits at the intersection of law, property, and empowerment.
I found this passion by living it—I started as a teen mom with a GED, and step by step, worked my way to becoming a lawyer, broker, and business owner.
Today, I’m focused on bridging the gap between communities and the systems that impact them; whether that’s probate, real estate, or business law.
I’m currently working on expanding my law practice, growing my brokerage, and building technology and education platforms like my AMELIA AI Blueprint to help professionals embrace innovation while staying true to their faith and purpose.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up facing challenges that forced me to grow up quickly.
Becoming a young mother while still in school was a turning point, but it gave me grit and resilience.
Education became my lifeline: from GED to college, and ultimately to earning my Juris Doctor degree.
Along the way, I worked in financial services, real estate, and legal support roles, each teaching me skills I still use today.
Those early years taught me perseverance, and that legacy isn’t just about wealth; it’s about showing up, pushing through, and proving to yourself that you can rewrite your story.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is this: your current circumstances do not define your destiny. Obstacles aren’t stop signs; they’re detours that can build strength and wisdom if you don’t give up.
I want others to take from my story that faith, persistence, and purpose-driven action can change the trajectory of your life.
You don’t have to come from privilege to build a legacy; you need the courage to keep moving forward.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism is about agency, equality, and empowerment.
It’s about ensuring women not only have a seat at the table but also the tools, resources, and confidence to use their voice once they’re there.
As a Black woman in law and real estate, feminism also means breaking barriers and lifting as you climb—because true empowerment multiplies, it doesn’t compete.
More about Alisha: I believe in blending faith with professionalism. My journey is not just about contracts, closings, and courtrooms; it’s about legacy and purpose. Everything I build—whether it’s my law firm, my brokerage, or my empowerment platforms—is rooted in service, excellence, and leaving something greater for the next generation.
Q and A with Ana from Georgetown, Guyana, living in Westchester County, New York
“We always have the ability to pivot, change direction, and move forward.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am a passionate, diligent, and determined mother with an infectious smile and personality. After practicing law for 20 years, I stepped out on faith and transitioned into grant writing—a path that perfectly aligns with my purpose of serving others.
My background as an attorney sharpened my research, writing, analytical, and communication skills, all of which prepared me to craft compelling grant proposals and strategic arguments for causes that matter.
I believe that each of us has a single purpose in life: to do God’s work through service. For me, grant writing is how I fulfill that calling.
What I love most about grant writing is how it brings together my unique talents and achievements to make a tangible impact while also providing a healthy work-life balance. I partner with nonprofits addressing homelessness, food insecurity, and social justice, offering a full range of services—including grant readiness assessments, research, proposal writing, and grant management—to help them secure the funding they need to fully support their missions.
Currently, I volunteer as the development officer for the United Community Center of Westchester, where I research funding opportunities, write proposals, and oversee fundraising activities. Through this work, I continue to honor my passion for service while empowering organizations to create lasting change in their communities.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: My passion for law began in the seventh grade, when I took a pre-law course that ended with a mock trial competition. Our class visited a law firm in Manhattan, and I was completely captivated by the atmosphere. I served as one of the defense attorneys in the mock trial, and I loved every moment of the experience.
From that point on, I was determined to become an attorney. I took every pre-law course available, joined the debate team, and pursued every opportunity that could move me closer to my dream.
My dedication paid off early—I graduated from high school a semester ahead of schedule after completing an internship during my senior year, which allowed me to begin college sooner. I went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Albany with a double minor in psychology and criminal justice, along with a concentration in sociology.
From there, I pursued law school at Brooklyn Law and then completed my LLM at NYU Law School. I sometimes joked that I was a professional student because I truly loved learning, researching, and discovering new information.
My legal career began at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and later I went into private practice.
I started as a solo practitioner, then cofounded a firm with a law school colleague, Hercules & Irick, before returning to my own private practice. Over the span of 20 years, I focused primarily on real estate law, probate, trusts, and estates.
While I poured myself into my legal career, I also began to realize the personal sacrifices I was making—particularly time with my family. That reality hit me right before the pandemic, when my son asked me to chaperone a school trip.
I apologized and told him I was too busy, to which he replied, “Mom, you’ve never done anything with me.” That moment was a wake-up call.
Soon after, the pandemic arrived, giving me the space and opportunity to reset, re-evaluate my priorities, and choose a path that allowed me to spend more time with my children while still serving others.
And thus, my grant writing career was born. Grant writing became the bridge between my professional skills and my deeper purpose: to serve God by serving others. It allows me to use my legal training, research abilities, and writing expertise to help nonprofits addressing homelessness, food insecurity, and social justice secure the resources they need to make lasting change.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: If there’s one lesson I’d like others to take from my journey, it’s that life is a process. We set goals, pursue experiences, work diligently toward them, and then pause to evaluate and adjust.
Nothing is set in stone. We always have the ability to pivot, change direction, and move forward.
My own path—from law to grant writing—reminds me daily that it’s never too late to embrace a new purpose, and that growth often comes when we allow ourselves the flexibility to evolve.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism is the belief in and advocacy for the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. Society has historically—and continues to—prioritize the male perspective and place men in positions of power. That imbalance should be corrected in order to create a more just and equitable world for everyone.
Feminism is also about empowerment and voice. It means ensuring that women are not only given equal opportunities but are also encouraged to lead, to shape policy, and to define their own paths.
As a woman who has built a career first in law and now in grant writing, I’ve seen firsthand how vital it is to stand firm in spaces that were not always designed for us and to create new opportunities for the women coming after us.
Feminism, to me, is both a belief and a responsibility—to advocate, uplift, and help build a more inclusive future.
More about Ana: I was born in Georgetown, Guyana, and immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s when I was just eight years old. Moving to Brooklyn, New York, at such a young age shaped so much of who I am today. Brooklyn gave me resilience, grit, and drive—it’s where I learned to dream big and work hard for the life I wanted to create.
Today, I live in Westchester County, New York, where I’ve built both my family and my career. My journey from Guyana to Brooklyn to Westchester reflects not only where I’ve been but also the values I carry with me: perseverance, faith, and a deep commitment to serving others.
“Educate your mind to think good thoughts and to be focused on the important.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I’m passionate about mental health, political psychology, arts, sports, SDG, and human rights. I’m passionate about all that is related to international development on the basis of a well-being economy.
I consider people an intrinsic element of international development.
Societies with poisoned leadership reflect an aversive practice that affects our capacity to cope as a community, our dialogue as a main source for change, our happiness as a process rather than an outcome, and, nevertheless, our dignity due to political differences.
Let’s Talk Mental Health LTMH (2022). Hosting a webinar about mental health and relationships for LTMH, a platform dedicated to providing accessible mental health support through education, art, and advocacy. Founded in November 2018 by Anusha Chowdhury and Sankhulani Daka, driven by their shared passion to address the global mental health crisis in Bangladesh and worldwide. Anusha, a mental health advocate, was deeply motivated by the tragic loss of her best friend to suicide, while Sankhulani, who once battled severe depression and anxiety. Their journey from struggle to strength became a cornerstone of the organization’s mission, as they co-led efforts to build a global community of support.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I believed a life-changing element in my childhood was receiving a Montessori education. I went to a Montessori school for six years, from 6 years old until 12 years old.
It was a place where I was introduced to a cooperative style of dynamics.
The classrooms were small places with a rooted rule that nobody could be alone during break time.
We did homework at the end of each day with classical music, we had poetry classes each day for about 20 minutes in the middle of the morning, and classes where we stretched and practiced yoga poses.
All of this at the same time as a family dynamic with a roller coaster of emotions, instability, and the grief of a 1-year-old son with Down syndrome. Not forgetting to mention a cultural male dominance and a mother with narcissistic tendencies.
Microdose (2023). As a logistic control staff member during Wonderland in Miami. One of the biggest events in psychedelic medicine werevisionaries and pioneers from around the globe met during a 3-day event to explore the captivating realms of psychedelic medicine. The current approaches, recommendations for the future, and state of the art in public policies worldwide. A beautiful moment next to Jim Kwik, a widely recognized world expert in brain performance, mental fitness, and memory improvement. After a childhood brain injury left him with learning challenges, Kwik created strategies to dramatically enhance his cognitive performance. He has since dedicated his life to helping others unleash their true genius and brainpower. Kwik is the host of the acclaimed “Kwik Brain” podcast and NY Times bestselling author of “Limitless.” His mission: No brain left behind.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Each person has a history to live; each person has a pain to carry. Your pain is at the end of your best professor.
What you fear the most is what brings the most of you.
Each experience that you live brings an empowerment component within, not in the way that you want, but in the way that you need to be positively impacted.
The essence of personal power is to take care of your mind, rely on the positive judge that all of us have, and ignore the negative self-talk that comes to advise us once in a while.
Educate your mind to think good thoughts and to be focused on the important.
Let pain be an anchor for continuous self-improvement, but not a guide for your life. Remember, it’s not another day; it’s one less day in our lives.
Elected Officials to Protect America E.O.P.A (2024). As a National Fellow for Elected Officials to Protect America, coordinating the Public Leadership Certificate and the Electric Vehicle Tour (EV) in New Jersey and Philadelphia. E.O.P.A. is a network of current and former bipartisan elected officials who care deeply about protecting our planet and democracy with education on energy security solutions. E.O.P.A. educates lawmakers through value-based storytelling. E.O.P.A. is the only national organization that mobilizes veterans who are lawmakers to work together on energy security solutions.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism means to me the freedom of men too. Fixed roles incapacitate all the individuals of a society at the same level.
It is about what you think about yourself, how you perform in life, where you think you belong, and where you can go. The history of your own path is, in an undeniable way, the construction of multiple direct and indirect experiences in a personal, familiar, and cultural way.
Misogynous discourses have been on the books of humanity from dated and undated times. However, history has been showing us that men also suffer from historical social injustices.
It is a reality that men commit more suicide than women, and their human suffering is silent; silence in this case is a non-consensual agreement.
Feminism means to me that women can own their “destiny” without the fear of misogynistic tactics as silence, intimidation, humiliation, underestimation, and the use of physical force for self-centered purposes.
It means to me a much more dignified society due to positive mental health. Has someone ever questioned the resentment caused by misogynistic discourses? Has someone ever questioned how historic resentment is at the root of armed conflict?
Being born in the only country in South America that had an armed conflict for 50 years was a blessing and a curse at the same time. I became interested in everything related to negotiation processes and invisible weapons of mass destruction at a very young age; that was the moment I started to understand the use of sex as a mechanism of human control and emotional espionage to defeat adversaries from the depths of their souls. While the world relegates women to caretaking roles, power-hungry dictators use us as both a weapon and a shield. The use of women as weapons of war and psychic destruction is a secret at loud voices.
“You can’t expect people to support you when you aren’t advocating for yourself.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am passionate about problem-solving and seeking solutions. The fascinating thing is that this can come in various forms, so it’s important to stay well-rounded.
I recently discovered my passion.
For a very long time, I thought that my passion was digital marketing.
After working at my last corporate job at a marketing agency, I learned that my passion wasn’t digital marketing.
Instead, my passion was to leverage digital marketing and UX design to create solutions.
I quit my job in December 2021. I am currently working on growing my online marketing agency called Ekko Media Inc. and I’m also about to launch my very own app called Bite Reel!
My team is primarily made up of strong independent women.
We provide digital marketing solutions such as paid social ads, content creation, e-commerce strategy, and design.
Bite Reel is my second startup.
Bite Reel is a social media app for all things food and recipes.
You can save, share, and organize recipes all in one place.
If there is a recipe you’ve come across online, there isn’t a way to save those links or videos, but on Bite Reel, you can save all of it and be able to share it with friends, family, and followers.
UX Design stands for user experience design.
These designers are responsible for researching and creating the best and most seamless experience for people so they don’t have to think about the action they’re taking.
To better explain, software developed is responsible for the code and the structure of an app, similar to how the bones are for the human anatomy.
UX Designers are responsible for making sure that everything is working properly, efficiently, and effectively, just like the muscles and the organs of the human anatomy.
UI Designers or user interface designers are responsible for the overall aesthetic and design of the app, similar to how the eyes, skin, hair play a role in the human anatomy.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I am the eldest of five kids and a first-generation American from a conservative Muslim family. As a child, I remember always struggling with my academics.
I needed to study for a week to get an A in my classes, whereas my siblings would study the day before and ace it.
I knew I wasn’t the most intelligent from the group, but I was the most hardworking. I believed that once I put my mind to something, I will see it through.
Because I struggled in my academics, I would put more pressure on myself and therefore more stress. Stress is a common theme throughout my life and it’s still something that I’m working on today.
From the outside, people saw that I am a hardworking and intelligent individual chasing my dreams.
The reality was that I was a struggling student trying to break stereotypes within my community and hoping to have a better future for my siblings.
My father always emphasized education and working towards an honest living.
However, everything needed to be accomplished quickly.
It was a race.
I completed my high school diploma and my associate’s degree at the age of 18, finished my bachelor’s at the age of 20, and finished my master’s at the age of 21.
I started my first company at the age of 22 while working a full-time job. Today, I am 26 years old and I’ve created my second company.
Being the third parent, the driving force to combat cultural and societal stereotypes, and dealing with my own personal demons, are all part of who I am.
All these events in my life have shaped who I am today. I am grateful for my experiences because now I can do better and take care of myself better.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: The most valuable thing I’ve learned is that it’s absolutely crucial that you be your biggest advocate.
There will be a time when you won’t have anyone’s support and people who are closest to you are making suggestions about your future that doesn’t make you feel excited.
You need to be able to hold your ground and make the final decision. Just because people around you aren’t seeing your vision, it doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
Everything happens in its own time, you need to do what is best for you.
You can’t expect people to support you when you aren’t advocating for yourself.
Be confident and have faith in yourself.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism means that men and women have equal opportunities in all facets of life. This includes roles at work, responsibilities at home, and opportunities for the future.
Everyone will make decisions according to what’s best for their lifestyle, but women should have the option of choice similar to their male counterparts.
MORE FROM SARA: Ethnically, my family is from Pakistan and India. My siblings and I are born and raised in Dallas, Texas.
We have been in Dallas for most of our lives, but also spent a fair amount traveling.
My goal is to be able to travel to learn about different cultures and cuisines.
I want to learn different languages and expand my perspective, so one day when I’m ready to open my own orphanage and school, I will be ready.
Q and A with Jaycel from Papua New Guinea, living in England, UK
“I remember one of my uncles discouraged me to take up law as he believed it was a male’s profession. I did not let that crush my spirit and dream of becoming a lawyer. I proved him wrong.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I love helping people in whatever ways I possibly can and reading and watching inspirational or motivational quotes or videos, gardening, cooking and baking.
Family time is important to me. I love spending time with my husband and my three-year-old son, my family, my extended families.
I like discovering new adventures and traveling! I am an outdoorsy person, so I just love nature because it makes me feel refreshed and helps me think clearly.
I have a career in law, but I was always passionate about venturing into the entrepreneurial world. I guess my profession aligns with my interest of helping people. I wanted something that I could do from the comfort of my own home, which is what I’m currently working on. I mentor and teach people to work online.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I was the second born of six children. Since my elder brother was adopted, I was seen as the older one and looked out for my other four siblings.
Our parents were average hard-working people who sacrificed a lot. They did not have so much money, but they had enough to make sure there was food on the table, enough to buy our necessities, and enough to put us all to school. What they really wanted was for us to get a better education and excel in life.
Seeing how much my parents had sacrificed really pushed me to study hard and do well in my primary school days to high school and eventually to university.
I was fortunate to be selected to university amongst the top students around the country and completed my bachelor of law degree (LLB). Coming from a society where women were seen as inferior due to cultural and ethnic beliefs, I really wanted be the voice of the voiceless and prove that women can take up any role in the society.
I remember one of my uncles discouraged me to take up law as he believed it was a male’s profession. I did not let that crush my spirit and dream of becoming a lawyer. I proved him wrong.
My parents, especially my mum, had the greatest impact on my life. She pushed forward in life no matter what obstacle she encountered. She always believed in me even when sometimes I did not believe in myself.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: The most valuable thing I’ve learned is to never trust anyone but yourself. I’ve watched people go from being someone I loved, trusted, and looked up to…to being people I never speak to or even want to talk to ever again.
I’ve experienced so much deceit, lies, manipulation, and disgusting behavior from people I thought I knew and cared about; it broke my heart.
I had experienced the worst relationship in the past to being conned and deceived by my own friends whom I trusted. That’s why I’ve learned not to ever trust anyone but myself. I’ve faced so many challenges in life.
I’ve learned that life can be messy and painful sometimes, but always learn to be focus on what you can learn from these moments and become stronger and smarter. That’s the only way to keep forward.
Do not let other people’s negativity or opinions discourage you from what you truly want in life. You can conquer anything! You just have to have that self-confidence to deal with whatever life throws at you. You are responsible for yourself and no one else is. Always be yourself. If you want to be happy, you go to work for it.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism means standing up for yourself and for the voiceless. It’s about empowering other women about anything really. It’s about women being accepted and recognized in leadership roles and given the same or equal treatment and respect.
MORE FROM JAYCEL: I’ve paused my career for a while to concentrate on my online business. I mentor and teach people especially moms to set up their own online business.
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