2024 Fellow Focus: ShaKimberly Cooper + AES Literacy Institute
Adult education and literacy advocate, change agent, adventurer… 2024 Fellow ShaKimberly Cooper of AES Literacy Institute shares more about her journey as a social impact entrepreneur.
What life experiences propelled you into the entrepreneurial space and made you decide to be your own boss?
I became my own boss because I wanted to remove the limitations of my growth and potential. By being the one in charge I have no one else to blame for my success or failures. I found that my creativity and capacity to tackle a broad range of topics were hindered under a titled position in corporate America. Being my own boss allows me the freedom I need to let my creativity flow. I get to be my authentic self without fear, doubt, and hesitation of how I will be perceived. I also get to work as hard as I want to and as long as I want to on issues that I feel are important.
As an introvert, I like to delve beneath the surface and focus on the underlying cause of a problem. As an innovator, I like to look for new and improved ways to address old issues.
What do you enjoy most about being a founder?
As a founder, I find immense satisfaction in being able to make a lasting impact on the lives of people in my community. Knowing that I am helping to shape my city in a positive way is incredibly fulfilling. It's also exciting to have the opportunity to think creatively and use my experience to help develop better solutions to existing problems. As a founder, I get to set the tone and help create the world that I want to live in.
What do you wish someone had told you before you started your entrepreneurial journey?
I wish someone would have told me that I would have to go 50x harder just because of my background and where I come from. I wish someone would have told me that my race and gender would play a factor in how successful my organization can become. That I would lose friends and family because the lines of loyalty have been blurred due to my obligations, while at the same time not being fully accepted by the other crowd. I wish someone would have told me that I would cry, be stressed out, lose sleep, get angry, feel alone, and discouraged sometimes. I wish someone would have warned me about the long hours and that I would work much harder as an entrepreneur than if I had chosen a regular 9 to 5 job. I wish someone would have told me to not be afraid to ask for help and that it's okay to make mistakes. To learn from my experiences and move on. That I can make a difference in the world. That the decisions I make today can impact generations to come. I wish someone would have told me that the effort I was putting forth would ultimately make a positive difference in people's lives and totally be worth it all in the end!
Tell us about an experience you had as an entrepreneur or in starting your company that exemplified one of Camelback's core values: "Belief in Mission + Vision"; "Unafraid of Failure"; "Constant Learner"; "Humble + Hungry"; and "Give First."
My entire venture is built around "Unafraid of Failure." When I first started in 2019, I had no idea what I was doing. I knew how to help people, not run a nonprofit adult literacy program. Having identified that there were issues within our community that needed attention, we decided to take matters into our own hands and create a new program to address these challenges. From there, we built a program with no previous experience in the industry, just a strong will and desire to help people. With that will came the ultimate attitude to win. When my efforts failed and didn't work out, I went back to the drawing board to brainstorm a different approach. This made failure a good friend of mine, teaching lessons that only lived experience can provide.
Failure has pushed me to re-evaluate my beliefs and thinking on what is supposed to work, enabling us to develop a program that has now become one of the most sought after programs in our community.
Let's talk about your legacy. What is your vision for the kind of world you hope to create through your venture?
I want to create a world where everyone has equal access to resources and the ability to pursue their dreams. I hope to help create a world that emphasizes the importance of collaboration, inclusivity, and respect for different perspectives. I want a world where race, age, gender, social class, or background doesn't stop opportunity.
I hope to inspire people to think outside of the box and to take risks to create innovative solutions to the world's most pressing problems. I want to foster a world in which everyone is valued and respected for their unique contributions and talents.
I desire a world where everyone is given the encouragement and support they need to reach their highest potential, regardless of their current circumstance. I want everyone to believe that they, too, can achieve success.
What's your favorite book or podcast that you draw entrepreneurial inspiration from?
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.
I firmly believe that having a positive attitude and outlook is essential for achieving success in life. The Power of Positive Thinking underscores the importance of our words and thoughts, and serves as a reminder that a positive mindset should not be underestimated. This motivates me to take risks and pursue my dreams, helps me to remain confident in the face of adversity, and enables me to maintain a healthy outlook on life and stay focused on my goals.
We know balancing the demands of entrepreneurship and life can be challenging. What are some of your favorite ways to prioritize your self-care?
In my free time, I love to explore new places and experiences that challenge my mind. I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie and am into watching NASCAR races and UFC fights. What may surprise people is that I'm an avid gamer. My favorites are Call of Duty, Assassins' Creed, Mario, and Battlefield V. I also love watching horror movies and murder-mysteries. When in season you can catch me at operas, symphonies, and musicals.
Anything else you want to share about yourself and/or your Camelback Fellowship journey?
I am so grateful to share in this life experience. I am grateful for the chance to gain a greater understanding of my organization and for the honor of being a Camelback Fellow.
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