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Jessica Riddick for La Lew Public Relations//August 28, 2024//
Maisha Beard is the founder of The Maisha Experience, LLC. (Photo provided by LaLew Public Relations)
The Maisha Experience: Empowering the community through storytelling and public speaking
Maisha Beard is the founder of The Maisha Experience, LLC. (Photo provided by LaLew Public Relations)
Jessica Riddick for La Lew Public Relations//August 28, 2024//
Maisha Beard is a beacon of hope, courage and inspiration in a world where stories that can be hard to tell often remain untold. As the founder of The Maisha Experience, LLC, Beard has dedicated her life to using the power of public speaking to transform personal pain into community empowerment. Her journey is a profound testament to overcoming adversity and using one’s voice to ignite change.
Beard’s story of resilience and hope begins with a traumatic upbringing. Growing up in a household fraught with domestic violence, she endured hardships that many would find insurmountable. Her experiences, including saving her mother from her father and witnessing the devastating impacts of addiction and abuse, have shaped her into a powerful advocate for change. Her father, once a troubled addict, found redemption by dedicating his life to rehabilitating domestic violence offenders. Beard’s healing journey led her to contribute to the book “See No Evil,” sharing the story of her father’s impactful work.
“My father had the number one program in the California jail system to rehabilitate domestic violent offenders,” Beard said. “Several years ago, Rochester local news did a story on my father and the affiliates in Rochester came to interview me and my sister. It was revealed that my father helped rehabilitate over 10,000 men who never went back to batter their girlfriends or wives. I am continuing his work since his retirement.”
Beard’s mom and dad eventually divorced. After her dad received the help and healing he needed, they became the best of friends before she died.
“That’s a rare domestic violence story that came full circle and is vital to share with others going through similar situations,” Beard said. “There can be light at the end of the tunnel.”
Beard has channeled her experiences into a platform that uplifts and educates. Her mother’s death from cancer in 2022 was one of the most challenging things she has ever been through and advocating for cancer prevention and early detection is the core of her service to the community. Her mom’s condition, which was exacerbated by health care disparities, ignited Beard’s passion for addressing systemic issues.
Beard’s mother, a devoted nurse, worked through her illness, exemplifying strength and commitment. Inspired by her mother’s legacy, Beard addresses health care inequities and encourages proactive health measures, including timely mammograms.
“My mother is my inspiration. Even in her final days, she continued to work as a nurse through chemotherapy,” Beard said. “Mommy said to me, ‘The people need me and I have to do something. I am a nurse and I take care of God’s people.’ This spirit of unwavering dedication continues to drive the work I do today.”
The Maisha Experience, LLC is more than just a public speaking platform; it’s a movement grounded in personal experience and professional expertise. With a background in creative writing and a passion for storytelling, Beard weaves narratives that resonate deeply with her audience. Her speeches cover a range of topics, from overcoming domestic violence to navigating the entrepreneurial journey and dealing with grief.
One of Beard’s core messages is the power of thought. She believes that every significant change starts with a single thought, a belief that guided her path from being a successful cosmetologist to a dedicated writer and public speaker. Her transition into public speaking was marked by a pivotal moment when she saw a job posting for a speechwriter and later found herself working as one. This serendipitous event underscored her belief that thoughts can indeed shape destiny.
“Everyone got to where they are from starting where they were. “And before you start anything, it begins with a thought,” Beard said.
Beard’s commitment extends beyond personal stories; she also addresses the complexities of entrepreneurship. Drawing on her experience in helping entrepreneurs start and sustain their businesses, she provides invaluable insights into navigating the challenges of business and encouraging adults to receive higher education to accomplish their dreams.
“In my 40s, I pursued my passion for writing and completed my first master’s degree,” Beard said. “Now, I’m starting my second master’s degree in public administration to serve the community on a broader scale. This will allow me to contribute to closing the racial wealth gap in Black and brown people.”
Looking ahead, Beard’s goals for The Maisha Experience are deeply rooted in service rather than financial gain. Her mission is to touch lives, particularly within Black and brown communities, by offering hope and understanding. Beard envisions a world where her stories will inspire others to overcome their obstacles and embrace their potential.
She embodies her tagline, “Overcoming obstacles, still shining,” demonstrating resilience and hope despite her challenges. Beard’s approach to public speaking is rooted in her belief that service is a vital part of healing. She lives by the quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”
In honor of her mother, Beard is also working on launching a nonprofit organization, tentatively named “Mai’Mission,” with the tagline “I Am Cheryl’s Daughter.” This initiative will focus on addressing health care disparities and providing support to those affected by cancer.
Beard’s journey is a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from vulnerability and the impact that one person’s story can have on many. Her life’s work exemplifies the belief that everyone has the power to create change through their experiences and voices.
As Beard continues to share her story, she remains a testament to the idea that overcoming obstacles not only fosters personal growth but also enables individuals to shine brightly, even in the face of adversity.
Beard’s writing and public speaking business is in full swing. She will be emceeing the Strides Against Breast Cancer event and featured as a keynote speaker at an event for a 15-year breast cancer survivor in October. Her work has been featured in the blog “Single Dope Black Chick” and “Rochester Women’s Magazine.”
To support The Maisha Experience, follow her on Facebook @themaishaexperience. Volunteers can also join her team for Strides Against Breast Cancer.
Rochester can also find Beard working as the coordinator of business and asset development for the mayor’s office of financial empowerment, where she assists entrepreneurs in starting, growing, and sustaining their businesses.
To personally connect with Beard or to have her speak at your next event email [email protected].
Stay tuned for the “Mai’Mission: I am Cheryl’s Daughter” website launch coming soon.
Jessica Riddick is an Account Manager at LáLew Public Relations.
LáLew Public Relations, LLC partners with the RBJ on a monthly feature spotlighting Black and brown businesses. To suggest a business, please visit www.lalewpr.com and click on submit your story.
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