Meet KYLENE REDMOND | Ceo & Future Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with KYLENE REDMOND and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi KYLENE, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started Blackdiabetic Girl as a way to show representation in the Diabetic Community. Black and People of Color are under represented and I wanted a way to show people that we are here and apart of this community as well. We also needed more Black Women Businesses in the DOC and in general.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Im a 9-5 girl. I work for a healthcare organization in Va. I have been in healthcare for over 20 years working in Revenue Cycle. I currently and have for the past 7 years work as a Behavioral Health Operations Consultant. In this role I wear many hats, I assist in building new programs, contracts, making sure daily operations from patient care to billing run smoothly along with working as a patient liaison for Behavioral Health. Working in healthcare can be overwhelming especially now days with so much going on and also being a person with an autoimmune disease. While my BDG is my passion I also have a passion for Behavioral Health and the population we serve. This is the force behind wanting to go into Social Work. My dream is to marry my two passions Diabetes + Behavioral Health.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ok so we’re going to visit The Black Lives Matter Plaza, The African American History Museum and a few hot spot restaurants in DC and MD such as Oohs and Ahhs because you can’t come to DC and not check them out, Hanks for the oysters and drinks, Mikes Crab House because how can you come to MD and not eat crabs and then we have to hit my girl Sassy Pans up for a private menu. Im a DC Metro Girl so outside of the places I listed we can go pretty much anywhere and have a good time, but only after we visit everything I mentioned.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First I love this so now let’s get into it. I first have to shout out my sister Trisha, who helps me run BDG. She encourages me so much to bring my ideas to life. Cherish ( whom we have never met in real life but you wouldn’t know this ) is someone who pushes me out of my comfort zone. She brings out something in me that I didnt or dont know I have inside. She’s such a inspiration. Mila is someone else I can call on anytime I need advice about business and beyond. TeeAira and Emilia are two of my best sister friends who I can pick up the phone and say hey I need your help with this project and they are always down. They push me to be the best in everything I do, from business, work, health to school. My Mother goes without mentioning she is my biggest supporter and my friend Nikki who without her Blackdiabetic Girl wouldn’t even exist. Nikki is the reason I even started my business, she encouraged me to branch out and create this brand.

With out these people and so many others I wouldn’t be where I am today nor producing the products , content or events I bring to life. Thank you isn’t even enough.

Website: www.blackdiabeticgirl.com

Instagram: @blackdiabetigirl

Linkedin: Kylene Redmond

Twitter: @blkdiabeticgirl

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/dopediabeticgirlsclub/

Image Credits
Dalyce Wilson of Blackbird Photos