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

Hi Lakeya, what is the most important factor behind your success?

The driving force behind the success of my brand can be summed up in three simple yet powerful letters: ACT, which stands for Authenticity, Courage, and Tenacity.

Authenticity: As a Black woman, I’ve walked the path of self-doubt and fear. However, I’ve learned that despite our individual challenges, authenticity is at the core of effective leadership. Vulnerable leadership creates genuine connections with others, which has become a guiding principle in my coaching practice.

Courage: Fear held me back from a young age. It kept me from speaking up and fully showcasing my ideas and dreams. But as I grew older, I realized that courage is not the absence of fear; it’s the willingness to act despite your fears.  This realization drives me to empower others to be courageous and step into leadership.

Tenacity: Success doesn’t come easy or quickly. It often requires tenacity – the determination to keep going, even in the face of challenges. Throughout my life, I’ve encountered setbacks and obstacles, but I’ve learned that tenacity is the key to progress. It’s about not giving up, about pushing forward even when the path is uncertain. This spirit of tenacity is what drives me to continuously evolve.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

As a child, I was an engaged student, an achiever, always involved and striving for excellence. Yet, there was another side to me – one filled with ideas, opinions, and dreams of leadership. I wanted to influence people and processes, but often, I suppressed these aspirations, especially in educational and professional settings.

As a Black woman, I was raised – by society’s expectations – to be humble, to work twice as hard, and to dim my light. I didn’t trust myself enough to speak up, to fully showcase my views, to be seen and heard. Eventually, my fears became shame.

In my pre-teen years, I would use my babysitting money to purchase books from the self-help section, a testament to my enduring curiosity about human minds and behaviors. This passion eventually led me to a career in social work and executive coaching.

Over the last decade, I’ve had the opportunity to acknowledge and own my power as a leader.  As an entrepreneur and owner of Lakeya Cherry LLC, in addition to my partnership with Evolution, I’ve been fortunate to work with numerous aspiring and seasoned leaders from organizations across the country.

My journey, marked by challenges and triumphs, fuels my commitment to making a meaningful impact on individuals and organizations.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of my favorite places to hang out is Coronado Island. Although it’s only a quick 15-minute drive across the bridge from me, it’s a great place to have a mini getaway or staycation. When there, I love renting bikes and riding around the island, stopping at Hotel Del for ice cream, and eventually making my way to Little Frenchie’s for brunch. They have the best food and great service. Afterwards, you can truly choose your own adventure in Coronado e.g. make your way to the beach, park, or walk around and shop at the cute shops before heading back into the city for an evening of fun.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out Fred and Dolores, my recently deceased grandparents. They will forever be my inspiration and motivation. I am their wildest dream!

Website: https://lakeyacherry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakeyacherry/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakeyacherry/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lakeya_cherry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lakeya.cherry/

Other: https://linktr.ee/lakeyacherryllc

Image Credits
Photographer: Danielle Finney

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.