Today we’d like to introduce you to Allana DA Graca.
Allana, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always had a passion for teaching and believe that learning allows us to grow individually and collectively! I have had the pleasure to watch hundreds of individuals reach personal and professional goals.
I have worked with (k-12) students and adults who have decided to return to school after years of being in the workforce. My most notable learning experiences stemmed from the teachers who were passionate and committed to the subjects they taught. Their dedication inspired me to want to guide others towards finding a way to adapt in a changing world with intellect and integrity. My initiation and appreciation for learning began in an urban performing arts school called Boston City Lights. My ten-year involvement with this organization was fascinating as the dance team used this art form to build bridges between cultures in the community of Boston. At just seventeen the Duggan Hill became my mentor and allowed me to lead vocal warm-ups and choreography classes which taught me the discipline of offering sound encouragement and coaching to all of the members who attended.
My love for written and oral communications was crafted at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. My involvement in the journalism, radio and arts clubs set a precedent in my academic trajectory. My active involvement led me to write articles about the social and financial challenges that students experienced as they tried to complete programs successfully as a columnist for the University of Massachusetts Daily Collegian Black Affairs page. After my time there I received several freelance opportunities at Black Entertainment Television in the Corporate Communications Division. I formed a student-led Arts group called Boundaries which received national recognition for bridging cultural ties on campus through the arts. Many of the participants have starred in films, commercials, events and more. I am the author of Tomorrow Can’t Wait, Chronicles of A Poet, Women Build Confidence Coaching Series, Social Media for Business online course, Women Build Confidence Coaching Online Course, Public Speaking Coaching Series Online and Upgrade My Life Women Series.
Teaching The Early Years (2000-2003)
Although I loved the energy of the entertainment world, I sensed an urgency to help individuals channel communication skills that would aid them in being effective in their chosen disciplines. I returned to Boston and began to direct an after-school program called Circle of Girls. As the After School Director of the Circle of Girls programs, I created educational tools to help at-risk girls strengthen in decision-making and life skills. This was one of the most profound experiences for me. These young ladies were from one of Boston’s most dangerous areas of the city, but they came to that program with hopes of something more. Together we read narratives that spoke to their experiences as pubescent girls. We closed the doors from the outside world and allowed these girls to become kids again! In addition to this, they were tasked with creating self-written monologues about their lives as pre-teens. Overall this experience reminded me of the importance of building a sense of community and cohesion in the class setting. There were girls in this program who were bullies that changed to become leaders in the program. In addition to this, there were several young people reading below grade level, and the group process allowed this young girl to receive the support from her peers with building her literacy and comprehension skills. I knew that work to train educators around these non-cognitive concerns were vital. The premise of this work would lead me to teach Graduate students about ways to foster community building techniques in their k-12 classroom.
Professorship (2001-2018)
Lesley University, Cambridge (2001-2011)
Westminster Schools, Atlanta (2004-2007)
Bauder College, Atlanta (2007-2010)
Walden University (2009-present)
Bentley (present)
Northeastern (present)
Scholar Practitioner
As a scholar-practitioner, I focused my doctoral research on the topic of persistence and academic self-concept of adult learners. I agree with the theory of Andragogy that suggests that all adult learners have a desire to find ways to solve complex challenges.
Turning On the Lights Global Institute (2015-present)
After spending many years in the classroom, I formed Turning On the Lights Global Institute in Atlanta Georgia with husband and partner Manuel Da Graca, MBA., and designed personal and professional development products to help people win in life. My clients are within my seminars, webinars, live events, deep dive sessions and more. This year my focus has been on the following themes:
1. Women Build Confidence Coaching
2. Business Communication Practice
3. Entrepreneurship and Social Media Content Design
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Every entrepreneur understands that entrepreneurship is like Dorothy headed down the yellow brick road. There are many challenges that a startup has. Recognizing that I had to remove negative self-talk and focus on the positive aspects of my “WHY,” I was able to persist in developing this growing company. We also may feel overwhelmed with all of the challenges our society has with a sense of apathy that we will not be able to put a dent into these societal ills. I am happy to say that I have learned to do “My Part,” of inspiring audiences by creating products and experiences that allow individuals to win.
Turning On the Lights Global Institute – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company uses digital products to help clients develop in their personal and professional lives. On the communication end, we specialize in public speaking courses that highlight Communication Practice, and Personal development
Professional Development and Coaching
1. Public Speaking Coaching
2. Social Media Blueprint
3. How to Design a Winning Pitch’
4. Speaking Fundamentals
5. How to Teach Online
We also have designed a customized selection of Women Confidence Trainings
1. Upgrade My Life in 7 Days #UPML
2. Women Build Confidence Coaching Series
3. College Women Build Confidence
4. Teen Build Confidence Coaching
5. Rise Above Average College Talk
6. Womenpreneur 101
We also offer Ideation training for new start-ups and corporations.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success-To me we can have success when we wake up and decide not to shrink who we are. We are a success if we wake up with a desire to engage with humanity in a manner that utilizes our talents and capabilities. If we can still find a reason to smile although we may have some challenges in life, we are successful! We are a success when we can leave self-talk that compromises our winning potential. We are a success when we dare to believe that we can still lead exciting lives after 30, 40 and 50!
Pricing:
- International Women Build Confidence Conference VIP 225
- Speaker Coaching 425 for 5 weeks
- Custom Workshops ( 1000-5000)
Contact Info:
- Website: drallandagraca.com
- Phone: 617-682-5626
- Email: subscriber@drallanadagraca.com
- Instagram: drdinspyre
- Facebook: drdeducates
- Twitter: drallanadagraca
- Yelp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allanatodmandagraca/
Image Credit:
Fisher College (Student with my books), my workshops WBC participants, President of Fisher College (Dr. Alan Ray)TEDx
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