Coach Ayesha's Dedication to Public Service, Youth Development, and Business Leadership
- Tammy Reese
- Apr 22
- 5 min read
By Tammy Reese
Coach Ayesha is a force of change in Atlanta, GA, blending leadership, youth advocacy, and entrepreneurship to create a lasting impact on her community. As a dedicated public servant, she has played a pivotal role in shaping policies and initiatives that uplift underserved communities. From her work on the NAACP National Council to her role as a council member for DeKalb County, Ayesha has championed programs that foster educational advancement, career development, and youth empowerment.
Her journey into business ownership was a natural extension of her commitment to service. By launching and sustaining nonprofit and business ventures, Ayesha has provided crucial resources and mentorship to young leaders, helping them navigate career pathways and entrepreneurship. Recognized with numerous awards, including the NAACP Community Service Award and the Stone Mountain Rotary Club Award, she continues to break barriers, ensuring that marginalized communities gain access to the opportunities they deserve.
In this exclusive Heart of Hollywood Magazine feature, Ayesha shares insights on her leadership journey, the challenges she’s overcome, and her vision for the future.
What inspired you to transition from community service into becoming a business owner?
What inspired me to transition from community service into being a business owner is I was able to transition my business. I’m doing something I love but it also allows me to earn income. I’m still highly engaged in groups in my organization. With my organization, I’m able to do community service, give back and earn money.
What were the biggest challenges you faced in building and sustaining your nonprofit and business ventures?
The biggest challenges I faced while trying to build and sustain my nonprofit is getting in the knowing of who’s who. Learning when and where to rub elbows with the right people, and of course, in our profit, knowing how to fill out paperwork correctly when trying to get opportunities.
What leadership qualities have been most essential to your success, and how have you developed them over the years?
The qualities that I have developed have been definitely organizational skills, programmed skills, grant writing, passion, drive, and just knowing how to be persistent. As a business owner, I will often turn down many opportunities, but you have to keep pressing forward. Out of 100 knives, one guess could be it.
What gaps in the system do you see for underserved communities, and how does your business work to bridge those gaps?
Gaps in the system that I see are under certain communities, such as of course, the African-American community, Latinos, the brown and black community. Oftentimes these communities have lack of certain resources and low income, or suffer from lack of education and housing disparities.
How do you ensure that your programs remain sustainable and continue to make a lasting impact?
Today, I’m trying to ensure along with my team that our program remains sustainable and continues to make an impact by continuing to apply for grants, making great partnerships and friendships in the community, and then on our words to serve.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to launch businesses that also serve the community?
The best advice I can give to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to launch their businesses or serve the community is to make sure that they have the drive, passion, and the perseverance to stand through. Not all journeys and roles are very easy and serving people comes with many obstacles that can be accomplished.
You have mentored countless young leaders — how do you identify and cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs?
Throughout the decades, I have mentored several young leaders and continuously inspire and educate them along the way. I am continuing to cultivate the next generation by continuing to educate them on the past while we’re transitioning into new times. Technology, network, knowledge, and building positive relationships is key.
What can you tell us about your involment with the historical black Dance Team from Morris Brown College?
My passion for dance began at the young age of four, where I quickly found joy and confidence through movement and cheer. My journey continued through middle and high school as a member of the renowned Dancing Divas at Southwest DeKalb High School. I further elevated my dance career at Morris Brown College, where I proudly served as a dance captain for the iconic Bubbling Brown Sugar from 1998 to 2001.
In 2008, inspired by the encouragement of Mrs. Kim Coln, I founded the Bubbling Brown Sugar Alumni Association. Leading as President until 2022, helping to strengthen the bond between alumni, current students, and the school’s dance programs. Under my leadership, the association was developing to grow, serving as a vibrant bridge between generations of dancers and preserving the rich legacy of Morris Brown’s dance tradition and beyond. This curated experience allowed me to develop my own dance nonprofit organization 5678dancenow.inc to help continue to connect dancers all around the world to education, opportunities, and scholarships.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of your business and nonprofit over the next five years?
Looking ahead to the next five years, I envision my organization to grow, multiply, as well as continue to be able to serve individuals in the community on a bigger scale. Our organization wants to strive to open its mental and behavioral health technical training school so that we can continue to empower, educate, and uplift, our community of mental and behavioral health, individuals, and families as much as we can!
As production kicks off in Spain, I’ll be covering every update, cast insight, and behind-the-scenes moment exclusively for Heart of Hollywood Magazine. It’s going to be an exciting journey — and I can’t wait to share what unfolds next.
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