Business
Meet Local Changemaker and Leader Khariyyah Shabazz
What is your area of expertise, who do you serve, and how do you serve them?
My area of expertise is inspirational speaking. I serve local businesses, community organizations, and large corporations. I train, coach, and provide key ways on how to make an impact within your community. I break down several strategies on how to get involved based on the needs within your community.
Why would someone choose you over a competitor?
I should be chosen over my competitor because I am actually doing the work that I speak about. For the past 11 years I have successfully created partnerships, leveraged funding opportunities, engaged community members, determined community needs, and completed successful projects and programs.
Share a specific time you encountered an obstacle and describe how you overcame it.
I came upon an obstacle while working on a project I managed. The project was to create a greenway at Brookfield Elementary in Oakland Ca. After the project was created and sustained for 3 years the funding ran out. Instead of abandoning the project I collaborated with local community organizations to help highlight the importance of the greenway. Funders were able to see the health and educational benefits it brought to the students, teachers, and overall community members. We were able to convince funders to keep this project funded for another 5 years.
Share a short story about your best (or favorite) case study.
My favorite case study would have to be is the creation of my peer leadership workforce development program. This program employs middle and high school students to serve as peer leaders. We provide them with local internships that teaches them the soft skills they need to succeed. The goal is to guide them to discover their own talents that will lead them to the college or career of their choice.
What advice would you give the “20-Year-Old-You” who’s eager to start in life?
The advice I would give myself is to be patient, do not take student loans that are not needed, join school clubs and engage with like minded individuals in college, and aggressively go after opportunities that benefit my success.
Please describe a monumental time in your life that you’ll never forget.
I will never forget during my senior year of college reading The Alchemist. This was the moment I realized my true potential and limitless opportunities I can create for myself and others.
List your social media profiles where people can follow you:
Instagram: @khariyyahspeaks
