Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmela Hawkins.
Hi Carmela, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve honestly blessed to say that I’ve had a pretty normal life. I grew up in a two-parent household, graduated from Michigan State University, with a degree in finance, interned and worked at several Fortune 100 companies. It was so normal it was like I was coasting through life, with no true purpose, just here. That was until 2018 when a major shift happened in my life that started to unravel things in an unforeseen way. I can only share part of the story, and maybe, the other part of the story will be shared in a book one day. 🙂
It’s summer 2018, it’s 7 pm and I’m in LA on a rooftop overlooking the LA skyline watching the sunset. You’d normally think in this situation, a young 25-year-old woman would be blissful, not me. I am standing there overlooking probably the most beautiful sight I had seen, balling my eyes out crying, wondering what I’m going to do next with my life.
You see, three weeks prior, I was working at one of the top sportswear companies in the country. I had moved to across the country to Oregon from Michigan. One of the biggest decisions I had made in my life. I thought I would be happy, seeing as though I’m an avid sports fan. I thought working there and starting a new life 2000 miles away would make me happy. Wakeup call #1, it didn’t. One day, it just wasn’t working out and I decided I was going to move home, just like that. I was there for four months, I felt like the biggest failure. I was so embarrassed to go home. That was my reality.
Fortunately, I was blessed to have a job waiting for me when I got home that I was actually interested in and excited about at a top financial services firm. However, I had some downtime before I started. I didn’t want to be idle for too long, so I decided to start my first business. That is how Melanin Investor was born. My passion has always been in sports and working in corporate finance, I realized that I also had a passion for teaching my peers the importance of investing. I decided to use the Melanin Investor as an education and media outlet that combined both. Through this platform, I was able to interview several professional athletes in the WNBA, NFL, NBA, and MLS leagues about their personal finance journeys to inspire millennials to follow in their footsteps and invest. I learned a myriad of things by starting this platform; the access and doors it has opened for me, I am so grateful because I know they are stepping stones to my future goals and desires. For career reasons, Melanin Investor is currently on a hiatus, but it will be revisited soon in the future.
Fast forward to 2020, the world is upside down from coronavirus. Somehow, this has been one of the best years of my life. I’m in a place where I love my career, I appreciate being able to help others. I feel like I finally got enough downtime this year to learn what makes me happy, to learn faith, to learn the meaning of life, and to evolve. Of course, in true fashion, my ambition had me start a second business venture. In July of 2020, I decided to create a Delta paraphernalia line to my sweet Sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. It was something that I had dreamed of since 2014 when I was initiated. After everything I had been through, I knew anything I put my mind to, I could accomplish. So, I took the leap and poured my energy, time, and funds into this project. My business is named Thee Legacy Continues in homage of my mother, who is also a Delta. ThEE is a play on words, with two E’s to also pay homage to the chapter my mother and I were initiated, Epsilon Epsilon. My mother crossed on April 7, 1979, and I crossed, April 5, 2014. The Legacy Continues launched October 5th of 2020, and I am so grateful to all of my Sorors who have supported thus far. I have had an amazing first year in business, I’ve sold over 1000 items, participated in a few pop-up shop/vending events for Greek events/convention, and lastly. I’m on track to have a 6-figure business by the end of the year, and I can’t wait to see where Thee Legacy Continues takes me as I continue to grow and scale my brand.
I am so tremendously proud of myself and my personal and professional/entrepreneurial growth. There have definitely been some hard patches where I could have given up on myself, but I didn’t. All I know is I am at peace with where I am now, but still growing and working. My story is nowhere near finished, but I can say I’m happy and living with INTENTION and PURPOSE.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it hasn’t always been a smooth road, and STILL isn’t. Being a black woman in corporate finance was NEVER easy. Being a black woman in financial services also has its challenges too. In both situations, I am and was usually one of few or sometimes even the only black woman in those spaces. That is tricky not having anyone that looks like you to identify with or advocate for you in a professional culture.
In addition, I am embarking on a new journey being a female sports agent. That in itself is a whole other ball game, no pun intended. Doing my full-time job, my business and being a new certified Women’s National Basketball Players Association agent is no joke. I oftentimes have to sacrifice sleep, a social life, dating, and many other things to accomplish my dream and goals.
I am an extremely hard worker and I know what I want out of this life, so the sacrifices I make now I know will pay off 10 years or more down the line. In the moment it is definitely challenging to keep this in perspective as a 28-year-old woman when everyone else is having fun, I am working…hard. Like I said before, it’ll pay off. I know it will.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is Thee Legacy Continues (TLC) and TLC D9 Para, a subsidiary of TLC. Between the two brands, I provide paraphernalia for NPHC organizations known as the Divine Nine (D9). I currently provide paraphernalia for eight members of the D9 which are: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Thee Legacy Continues has two main goals. The first is to provide modern, versatile yet timeless paraphernalia for millennials and GenZ. Many Black Greek Letter Organizations have paraphernalia/apparel that is tailored towards the baby boomer/gen x audience and is truly “outdated”. That is what I am most proud of, being able to offer different products that what is currently in the market. My business will make members in these organizations proud to showcase their love for their sorority or fraternity. The second piece is to provide connection to the organizations again. Many times, people join these historic sororities/fraternities, and forget the origins and heritage of why they were founded. Thee Legacy Continues helps this disconnect by providing historic facts about the respective orgs, facts and quotes from notable members, videos showcasing current traditions such as strolling and stepping, and other things honoring the organizations legacy. Thee Legacy Continues aims to be a Greek lifestyle brand above all us, long term.
I think sometimes people forget the rich history and heritage of our organization and I want to be able to share that with my Sorors and D9 peers as well. So, Greeks, if you’re reading this, share why you love your organization as well as your old and new videos/photos!!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy? That’s a good one. A lot of simple little things make me happy. Hearing from and talking to God makes me happy. Spending quality time with my friends and family makes me happy. A new pair of shoes makes me BEYOND happy. Watching sports makes me happy, ecstatic even depending on the game and the team. Going to Miami makes me happy. Food makes me happy, specifically birria tacos. Seeing people in my TLCPara products makes me happy. Getting enough rest makes me happy. Anything related to the Neptunes/Pharrell makes me happy (lol). Music makes me happy. A good movie makes me happy. A good book about spiritual enlightenment makes me happy. When I can see my abs poke out, I get happy. Getting my hair and nails done, makes me happy. Accomplishing goals makes me happy. These things make me happy because they all encompass my core identity. I think I’ve made my point, but I could continue. I know myself.
Pricing:
- Crewnecks – $80
- Tees – $30
Contact Info:
- Email: info@theelegacycontinues.com
- Website: www.theelegacycontinues.com
- Instagram: @TheeLegacyContinues
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theelegacycontinuesdst/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tlcpara
