The Story Behind: Speaking at Fresh Start

As we quickly march into 2017, I’m super excited to announce that I have been booked for my first official public speaking engagement at the 2017 Young Adults Fresh Start Conference. The Fresh Start conference will take place on Saturday January 14, 2017 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at the Harvest International Pentecostal Church of Christ in Newark, NJ. I am honored to be speaking alongside of Pastor Ryan Faison, Elder Evans Pierre, and Minister Nyle Fort.

I was invited to speak at The Fresh Start conference thanks to one of the organizers, Garmeterick Moore whom I met this past summer (2016) in Newark, NJ while driving for Uber. Who would have thought that I would end up meeting a complete “stranger” in my second summer driving for Uber who would eventually offer me my first public speaking engagement? Oddly enough, although I am super thankful, I am not quite surprised. I say this because I am a firm believer in how the magic of the universe tends to manifest answers and opportunities at just the right moments. More importantly, I believe that when we live our life on purpose, we prepare ourselves to leverage opportunities which fulfill our purpose.

Fast forward a few months and on Sunday December 18, 2016, I received the following text message which to my pleasant surprise was completely unexpected:

[Disclaimer] This screenshot was published with the permission of both participants involved in the dialogue via text message.

This goes to show, we never know the type of impact just one (sometimes short) interaction with someone else might have on their impression of us. Our reputation is our resume. Great conversations help to create great opportunities. The only limits we abide by are those which we put upon ourselves. It’s about time for us to break free and flip the narrative. We all have an experience to share. We all have a moment to share. We all have a story to share. The only thing that is stopping us from getting to where we would like to be in life is the action required to get there. So…how do we take action in an effort to discover and fulfill our purpose and vision? Stay tuned for more!!!

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(Uh • Kway • Us) Aquaus Kelley is a forward-thinking Brand Strategist, Cultural Curator, and Educator. As the Founder of A Lovers Ambition Lifestyle Group, he specializes in identifying talent and creating opportunities for brand development, exposure, and growth. Aquaus has worked with companies and organizations such as Cornerstone Agency, City Year Miami, Universal Music Group, and W Hotels. He is extremely passionate about helping companies adapt to culture and building value between brands and their consumers centered around love. His ultimate mission is to use his influence to project positivity across the globe and invest in the collective future of society through the arts, education, entertainment, and leadership.

Rita Pierson: Every Kid Needs a Champion

Whether or not you may consider yourself to be an educator, we all help to educate others in one way or another. 

Women like Rita Pierson are just one of the many reasons why I chose to get involved in education. To this day, I continue to stay involved in education in various capacities.

City Year Miami

In August of 2011, I chose to serve as an AmeriCorps Member for an education focused non-profit organization entitled, City Year Miami. As a Corps Member, I worked at Miami Edison Senior High School. Our goal as Corps Members were to help decrease the drop-out rate and get “at-risk” students in “under-resourced” schools back on track to graduate.

Where Is The Love?



So, why do students drop out in the first place? Poverty, poor attendance, and negative peer influences are just a few examples. For this reason, the need for students to form empowering, purposeful, and productive relationships is paramount.

 Human emotion transcends cultural barriers. Thus, the value and importance of human connection and relationships are pivotal.

According to Dr. James P. Comer, the Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine’s Child Study Center, “No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship.”

Be A Champion



As Sean Covey puts it, “seek first to understand, then to be understood.” In order to be a good teacher, you must be a great student. Listen and learn. There are voices out here that need to be heard. There are thoughts that need to be cultivated. There are talents that need to be developed.

“Every child deserves a champion.” – Rita Pierson

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(Uh • Kway • Us) Aquaus Kelley is a forward-thinking Brand Strategist, Educator, and Music Publisher. As the Founder of A Lovers Ambition Lifestyle Group, he specializes in identifying talent and creating opportunities for brand development, exposure, and growth. Aquaus has worked with companies and organizations such as Cornerstone Agency, City Year Miami, Universal Music Group, and W Hotels. He is extremely passionate about helping companies adapt to culture and building value between brands and their consumers centered around love. His ultimate mission is to use his influence to project positivity across the globe and invest in the collective future of society through the arts, education, entertainment, and leadership.