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.

Zeitgeist Minds Presents: Bryan Stevenson

I initially came across this video not too long after it was posted on YouTube’s Zeitgeist Minds channel back in October of 2015. I’ve been meaning to post this video since then but I just couldn’t make the time to do so due to the intensity of my schedule. Thankfully, I was recently able to make some time to revisit this clip and extract all of the meaningful bits of insight and wisdom shared by the very inspiring, Bryan Stevenson.

In this video, Bryan discusses 4 things we can do to change the world and create better relationships, more justice, more compassion, and less poverty. Hope you enjoy!

1. Proximity (2:53)

We can’t be responsible influencers until we understand the importance of getting proximate to the problems in our world. Proximity teaches us things that we cannot learn from a distance. When we get proximate to problems we see things and hear nuances and details that we cannot see from a distance. In order to solve problems and create breakthroughs, we must get very close and inside of the problems that we intend to solve. Proximity is essential if we want to change the world.

2. Change The Narrative (10:05)

Anger and fear as a narrative is the cause of many human rights issues such as inequality, genocide, and oppression just to name a few. The narrative of anger and fear must change. We need truth and reconciliation. Changing the narrative is important if we want to change the world.

3. Protect Our Hopefulness (15:45)

Injustice prevails where hopelessness persists. Hopelessness is the enemy of justice. As long as we continue to think that we cannot do anything, we will not make any progress. It’s important that we protect our hopefulness. Increasing our hope is essential to changing our world.

4. Do Uncomfortable Things (22:09)

Justice cannot be created through only doing what is comfortable and convenient. We have to do uncomfortable things. We will not succeed until we do what’s uncomfortable. It is the uncomfortable things that we do in service of justice that ultimately honor us as a human race and community of people who are committed to changing the world.

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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. 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.