Tea for Creatives: Akilah Richards
Meet Akilah Richards, she helps women “un-mute” as a lifestyle coach and creative branding consultant. She is the founder of The LightCaster’s Project, Live Your Grain™, and The Mast(H)erMind Experience.
Define creativity. What does it mean to you? And how has it inspired your career?
I see creativity as the deliberate act of lowering the volume of external noise. When I’m truly creating, I’m tuning into myself, and using my art to express whatever is living inside of me in that moment.
How do you navigate the creative process?
I need to get still and silent in order for my “Big Give” to feel safe enough to express itself. I limit social media interaction, I re-read some of my favorite books, I allow music to coax my work out of me, I do my life chanting work in an effort to stay in a space of trusting whatever process is happening, and I pay attention to the answers the Creator has placed around me as resources. I also have a close circle of women, my “Survival Circle,” whom I often entrust with my ideas. I believe in mastermind techniques peppered with self-trust, moxie, prayer, and meditation.
Describe the biggest creative obstacle you’ve faced in the past. How did you hurdle it?
Each time I deliver my “Live Your Grain” workshop, I am faced with the challenge of connecting what I think I know and the needs of the women in the group I’m serving. I’m always so nervous about not serving them well, but I always leave my sessions knowing that I allowed myself to be a channel through which the messages they needed flowed freely. That’s part of my mojo – I have a gift of simply being a channel and sharing without the filters of what I think should or should not be said.
Who is your favorite creative figure? How have they inspired your creativity?
I don’t have one particular favorite as far as creatives go, but I will single out neo-soul singer and songwriter Maxwell as one of the most inspiring artists I’ve experienced. Watching his work, listening to the words, and feeling the depth of his productions often gives me a nudge to enter my own creative space, and I’m grateful for that.
If you could choose one quote as your life mantra, what would it be?
“Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, ‘This is the real me,’ and when you have found that attitude, follow it.” ~ William James
The Tea for Creatives series celebrates the creative minds that Possibiliteas seeks to serve with its brews. We aim to bring the creative community insightful and eye-opening profiles of the best and brightest creative professionals across various industries. Join us on Facebook and Twitter for more conversations on creativity.
Tags: akilah richards, creativity, execumama, life design
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Denise S. Nixon
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I have been following Akilah’s work since inception and I find her captivating. She is absolutely brilliant!
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Takeyah ¦ Core Connection Lifestyle
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” I believe in mastermind techniques peppered with self-trust, moxie, prayer, and meditation.” – Akilah
I am SO with you on this. It’s great reminder for me about going within to shine externally.
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Shelley | The Food Relationship Coach™
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I’ve worked with Akilah on numerous occasions and I can attest to her gift of being un-muted and helping other women do the same! “Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, ‘This is the real me,’ and when you have found that attitude, follow it.” ~ William James –> Nothing summarizes her personality, work flow and delivery inasmuch as this quote. Thanks for sharing
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Fati
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[…] out Embracing Creative ADD and Thinking Inside the Circle  from Jonathan at ‘Illuminated Mind’. This pedoivrs a faster, cheaper and more focussed […]
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Best Ellipticals
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Strongly suggest adding a “google+” button for the blog!
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Starly
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That’s the smart thinking we could all bneifet from.
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Rosa
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I just hope whoever wirtes these keeps writing more!
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