Today we’d like to introduce you to Bria Cole.
Hi Bria, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I am the executive director and founder of real queens fix each other’s crowns nonprofit. Initially, I created this group to serve as a safe haven for women. I got tired of constantly seeing so much negativity, especially on social media platforms and seeing so many women appear to be beaten down, defeated, discouraged or feeling less than. What was originally just a Facebook group quickly grew into something much more.
After receiving so much incredible feedback and more responses than I could’ve anticipated explaining just how much they needed this group and how it’s impacted their lives positively, it only enabled me to continue to expand in order to reach as many women and girls as possible. I thought that if I could just impact one woman’s life in a positive manner, this would all be worth it. I want to be there for other women to help them find the light, to encourage them to better their lives in whatever way that looks like and overall ultimately just make them feel like they’re not alone. We hope to achieve this by focusing on health—both mental as well as physical. We will do this by facilitating multiple events consistently throughout the year where women and girls can come out and exercise in different fashions for example with dance, cardio, running, yoga, strength and conditioning while also promoting body positivity and embracing your flaws…any kind of exercise that you can think of. Regarding mental health aspect, we want to spread awareness for the need to practice self-care. We want to have open discussions about depression and anxiety to make these topics more normalized in society so that women are able to discover avenues they could explore to try to control those feelings and do not have to feel embarrassed ashamed or alone in their battle fighting those issues.
Additionally, we have a focus on the youth. I want to be the person that I needed when I was younger-for that girl that may feel alone and needs that one positive outlet… someone to confide in and learn from — To equip them to face everyday life as a young woman being exposed to so many new things that can be overwhelming, exciting and scary all at once. We will reach the youth by having mentoring programs, setup through AISD, promoting education awarding scholarships to further encourage young women to pursue their dreams and so much more. Lastly, we’d like to provide resources to women and girls of all ages of all backgrounds to achieve their best selves-whether that’s to find job resources, financial information, advice on new endeavors, school information, volunteer opportunities to give back to our community-any thing to uplift, encourage and inspire these women and to embrace the simple idea that we are more powerful when we empower each other.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This is something I’m very passionate about. Being a young bi-racial woman in today’s society has its fair share of challenges. I’ve had to fight my way out of the darkness due to insecurity, society, depression/anxiety, childhood traumas, etc. so many times I’ve lost count. The odds of me succeeding in life have been against me but I’ve been able to surpass those obstacles and achieve feats that I couldn’t have ever imagined. The one thing that got me through was that support. My friends and I often joke about how it’s that person’s turn that day to vent. While we laugh about it, it’s such a beautiful thing. Having people you can go to vent, to speak candidly to, to have your back… it’s incredible. I cannot imagine not having that kind of support but there are so many women out there who are facing their daily struggles alone. We are here to unite and help them see their power and never ever have to feel alone again.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Since working in the corporate world following my college adventure, I’ve delved into many fields in an attempt to find my passion. Although it wasn’t until I branched out and took a bet on myself stepping into the nonprofit philanthropic world, while in corporate America there are many feats that I’m proud of that have empowered me to get where I am today. I’ve been the youngest and only woman working in a field dominated by men in construction and project management and exceeded not only my own expectations but my superiors as well. Additionally, I’m especially proud of the fact that I’ve presented my true self in each position that I’ve acquired. This hair, this voice, this outspoken opinion of mine, this unbound personality has never waivered to make someone feel comfortable despite certain workplace environments that may disapprove of that.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t necessarily believe in luck, I believe that everything happens for a reason. Each adventure, every endeavor, relationship made, challenge overcome or faced was presented for a particular purpose. It led me to where I am today. Divine intervention has played a significant part however. When I truly began to trust that everything plays out how it’s supposed to is when I was able to be free and act on my intuitions with volition.
Contact Info:
- Email: realqueensfeoc@gmail.com
- Website: realqueensfixeachotherscrowns.com
- Instagram: queensfixeachotherscrowns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RQFEOC
