Meet Kelsey (K. Alyse) Jones: Community Advocate & Spoken Word Poet

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelsey (K. Alyse) Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelsey (K. Alyse), how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
It to reach mental and emotional fatigue after pulling ourselves in too many directions. Beginning my career there was opportunity for professional and personal development through getting involved in organizations within the company and through partnerships outside of the company, happy hours, social activities with old friends, family commitments, hobbies, and of course the work I was hired for. Between all of these obligations I quickly realized I was missing out on being present at each of these as I was planning for what was next instead of what was now. This caused me to miss out on growing deeper relationships and connections with the people I was with in the moment. Over time I have learned to prioritize and be content with knowing I can only do what I can do and saying “no” to places where I am unable to be fully present is critical. I have always selflessly placed others before myself and did not wish to disappoint anyone but I have learned to establish a sense of stronger boundaries that way I do what is best for my well-being. When doing these things I saw my time commitments as less of checking these obligations off of a list and more of an enjoyable experience.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Working in the field of Community Relations, I am blessed to lead and see that direct impact translated from the business to our local community. I applied for nearly fifty jobs my last semester of college and did not receive much luck. Three weeks after graduating from college I was blessed to be presented a position for a notable global corporation that was right under my nose in the city where I grew up. This position was completely new to the company and by God’s grace appeared it was crafted especially for me right in the timing that I was seeking. In this role, I work with our twenty plus community partners, lead our internal business resource groups, oversee our global volunteer network, technology grant, and I am one of our two company leaders as we work with the American Heart Association to raise our $200,000 annual company goal for the Dallas Heart Walk. I additionally own my own event planning company where my team specializes in the planning and promoting of positive community events. My day job allows me to project manage events on a much larger corporate scale which in returns allows me to build my network, relationships and key contacts that are beneficial for growing my own unique brand through my business. In between both my job and business I perform original spoken word poetry pieces at events, schools, churches and similar speaking engagements and enjoy being able to inspire others through the gift God has given. Through all of these initiatives I love that they each are a bit of me and make a difference to others. It has been an extremely difficult journey that has pushed my mental health and overall purpose in life but it is my faith that has truly allowed me to reach the level of success that I have achieved thus far. I was a ministry major at the private Christian university that I attended my freshman year and was led to appreciate that we can all make a positive difference in any profession that we seek.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Sidebar Social is a newly built interactive lounge and not only are the food and drinks phenomenal but the atmosphere is enjoyable for a happy hour or an outing for adults. The “kid at heart” in me loves being able to dine in the spacious open area and they have basketball hoops, eight player foosball, ping pong, giant games, karaoke and so much more along with giant TV’s all around as you can dine in the middle of an arcade atmosphere. I have yet to witness an experience as such and look forward to returning in the near future.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
God first and foremost is my number one and I aspire to inspire through the words that I speak and he has given me the gift of spoken word poetry where I can make an impact to others. I always have to shout out my parents for paving the way for me through their successful careers and support, my grandfather and aunt back home in Houston, along with my church home “Bethel moms” and strong village of believers that continually pray for me I have so much appreciation for each and every one of these individuals.