Alana Allen & I Am A Queen and Lotus Flower Consulting Group

Empowering young women to be the best they can

I first met Alana during my undergrad years when I interned for her at the North Carolina Governor’s Press Office. Outside of teaching me how to greet elected officials, sounding professional on the phone with the press and how to “look like I have some sense,” she taught me how to be responsible and confident in my decisions. I was also able to see first-hand how adults juggle more than one business and follow their passions outside of work.

Alana introduced me to I Am A Queen way back then, and I’ve been a fan of its mission ever since. Outside of supporting their clothing, school and food drives, I’m also of fan of the organization’s mission of reminding young girls and women that they’re loved and respected from an early age, especially if certain adult figures are missing from their lives.

Due to her leadership with I Am A Queen, Alana will receive the AC Stowe Lifetime Achievement Award at the McDonald’s Rhythms of Triumph event in Greensboro, NC on February 3rd. It’s well deserved.

Learn more about Alana and her amazing businesses that are impacting the North Carolina communities I know and love.

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

First & Last Name

Alana V. Allen

Why did you decide to start you ventures?

I started my nonprofit, I Am A Queen, out of a prayer of forgiveness. In 2009, my life hit rock bottom — I was unemployed, broke, depressed and an alcoholic. I was dealing with a secret for 18 years that kept me bound. My cousin had molested me at the age of six and my family pretended like it never happened. So in 2009, I made my way to church with my issues and God met me where I was at. The preacher was teaching about the three brothers in the fiery furnace and how the Son of Man stepped in. So in my brokenness, I honestly believed that God could step into my flames. The moment I believed, I started writing down “I Am A Queen” all over a piece of paper and I heard God say, “How can you want to help other people but you won’t allow me to help you?” And that’s when I forgave my cousin but I also forgave my family. So now I’m on a mission to break chains off of women and girls through my testimony.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Revelation 12:11

I later started Lotus Flower Consulting Group based off of the success of my nonprofit as so many people were asking me for free advice. I would often find myself sitting in people’s living rooms, eating their food and helping them start their nonprofits. I seriously had an expensive hobby and God kept revealing to me that I was a business owner and I needed to stop playing. I incorporated in 2015 and I haven’t looked back.

What do your ventures mean to you?

I Am A Queen is all about purpose. I believe in my soul that God called me to manage this nonprofit. Everything we do to impact the community comes through him. The nonprofit has gained success in the media and on social media because of our programs with teen girls and the activities we do to bless many.

Lotus Flower Consulting Group is all about faith. It was birthed out of I Am A Queen due to its success. I use my nonprofit as the blueprint to help others launch out. The lotus flower means good fortune and prosperity because it rises up through murky, muddy waters and when it blooms, it opens without a blemish or stain. It’s untouched.

Ephesians 5:25–27

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

What have you had to overcome in order to achieve success?

I had to learn how to be transparent and learn how to run my nonprofit like a business. For years, my mind was stuck on everything I did as a hobby, when it was not. There was so much more for me and I had to be more accountable and responsible.

I also had to learn how to get my face and personality on camera to get things moving for my nonprofit and business. I promise you, every time I talk about what’s going on or I give out tips, I receive donations or new clients. #Boom

What does it mean to be a black business owner?

Humbled. There are many people in my profession who just settle. They become comfortable and that’s how you remain broke. My businesses allow me not to be ever comfortable and to trust the process.

What advice do you have for people who are ready to follow their dreams but are hesitating?

JUMP — When I started my nonprofit and consulting business, I was scared of what people thought of them. However, I had to keep moving forward and working on everything I was producing. Even when I felt so uncomfortable, I had to step out on faith and do things I’ve never done before in my life. I’m a leader and people look up to me. God is with me every step of the way.

Bragging Rights

I Am A Queen is working on our Fatherless Daughter Community Forum. If there are any fathers who want to give any advice or wisdom for young girls, please reach out to Alana at info@iamaqueen.org. As Queens, we need our Kings.

Want to contact Alana for more information?

Learn more about I Am A Queen via their website, www.iamaqueen.org. You can also follow the organization on social media via@IAmAQueenNC on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook.

Alana’s Lotus Flower Consulting Group can be find online at www.lotusflowerconsultinggroup.com and Facebook and Twitter via @AlanaKnowsNPO.

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

Do you know a Black Creator or Tastemaker? Of course you do! Let me know in the comments so I can feature him or her this year!

If you like this post please tap the 💚 below so other people have a higher chance of finding and reading it!