Life & Work with Rachel Russell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Russell.

Rachel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story is pretty simple and summed up in my favorite quote “Live the life you love, love the life you live.” Statistically at birth, the odds were stacked against me as I was a black infant child born to an unwed teenage mother in Little Rock Arkansas but my mother knew she was not going to be a statistic. She knew she was going to break barriers and preconceived notions others had simply because she had her first and second child in high school. My mother did just that – graduated from high school, earned a 4-year college degree, completed her master’s, and thereafter was the first in her family to get her PHD in Physical Therapy at the University of Kansas Medical Center. I’m so very proud of her and the inspiration that she has been in my life, in the midst of adversity and beating the odds. That’s where my story starts and ends! The fierce, fun and dedicated person I am today is because of her. I’m the proud mother of three children (Kaiya, Halle, & Josiah) and currently reside in the Rosedale community of Wyandotte County. I have a strong commitment and dedication to volunteerism and service in both my professional and personal life, currently serving as the Director of Community Engagement for a local social service agency, where I oversee the volunteer program and strategic partnerships and collaborations. I’m passionate about education, creating more diverse and innovative systems that address systemic and racial issues in the community and building community with community. I’m a current candidate for the Kansas City Kansas School Board, where I hope to bring my leadership skills, values, and authentic spirit to create innovative and inclusive ways of creating a more engaging public education system. In my free time, I enjoy self-care practices, eating at new local restaurants, and traveling to new cities.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Until recently, the biggest hurdle or challenges I’ve faced is not showing up as my true and authentic circles that I was involved in. I wanted to fit in and not shake any feathers, so I code switched A LOT. Because I grew up in a neighborhood with individuals that didn’t look like me, I kept many of my opinions and perspectives to myself. In the last couple of years, I’ve redefined who I am and told myself that “I’m not for everyone” and that’s okay but what I refuse to do is not be me in my networking circles. I overcame this challenge with self-care, counseling support, and surrounding myself with individuals who see the best in me but will challenge me, my friends and family.

As a single and divorced mother of three, challenges and obstacles still arise but I’m committed to seeing my dreams fulfilled and the dreams of my children while creating an everlasting legacy. When other’s look back on my legacy, I want them to say “She lived life to the fullest and loved every moment of it.”

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
When I’m not working my day job, you can find me advocating for race equity, supporting my community, and volunteering with organizations that share my values. Being and developing civic engaged communities is how we address community issues. If your not at the table, your on the menu. I’m focused on community-led, community-driven, and researched solutions to real community issues.

How do you think about happiness?
Happiness is what you make it. Most people say I’m a really busy person and they are probably right but I strongly believe that I was not put on this earth to work, sleep, and die. I’m not promised tomorrow so I’m living everyday to the fullest, creating opportunities, and making things happen. I hope that the passion, the journey, and my heart are changing the minds and thoughts of others to be good people. I love the saying “Be a good human.” because it speaks volumes to the legacy and purpose behind my community involvement and the things I do both professionally and personally.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.rachelforusd500.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rach_gabby89/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rrussel8