Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Keisha Green of Loving Legs Foundation and Legless Divas Is Helping To Change Our World
God gives His greatest battles to his strongest soldiers. It is a test of faith to believe that you can handle everything life throws at you. There is nothing that you go through that you can’t overcome.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Keisha Green.
Keisha Green is a true Mogul with many hats: Author, Mentor, Philanthropist, Speaker, Women’s Prayer Leader, Public Figure, and 6 Figure Salon Suite Builder, who’s impacting the world. Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, the 8th highest rated poverty-stricken city in the United States, Keisha became a bilateral amputee in 2013; she is a true survivor. As the Founder of the Loving Legs Foundation and Legless Divas, she has become an advocate and community activist for the Wheelchair community. As a Certified Life Coach, Keisha is making an awe-inspiring impact as she globally empowers women to understand that no matter their disability, they can tap into the greatest force and ability that they possess — their mind. Keisha is building bosses with ABILITY by inspiring and empowering disabled women across the globe to enhance every ability in their bodies so that they can live a life by design, not by default.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Becoming a bilateral amputee back in 2013 really changed the way I viewed things. I was able to see things were missing in the community. Places were overlooking situations that would benefit the disability community; aid them to have additional access to live their lives freely. I wanted to advocate for us.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
Well, it began when I first moved to Atlanta to start my business. I didn’t know anyone, and I had no idea how I was going to get my business running. However, I knew that no matter what was thrown at me, I had to make it work. It was a learning process, in the beginning, but I was determined to be successful. Life and perspective for me are always very interesting because as an African American woman in business, there are always barriers and boundaries that we must break through. Being an African American woman that is seen as disabled and a leader, it can get very tricky as I’m always fighting for my stance while still being seen as an underdog.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I believe that often one of our biggest mistakes can be launching too quickly when we have an idea. We get excited and begin to move too fast which leads to complications in birthing the vision. I made that mistake before and made early investments toward my vision that wasn’t the best. In the end, I either lost the investment or had to rebuild from scratch. Take the time to learn, plan and produce greatness.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
One of the ways that we impact communities is by assisting those that are seen as disabled to become bosses using the abilities that they do have. We are also building and providing accessible housing. I’m extremely excited about the impact that is to come.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
A lot of what we do is from the heart, so there isn’t a specific person that inspired me per se. However, it is the ministry and the community that has motivated me to do what I do. I’ve been able to create a community of several hundred African American women who are either amputees or in wheelchairs that can now connect and meet other women like themselves.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Pushing the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) law is something that I believe the community and politicians should push more of. It creates independence for those who are living with a disability and are dealing with added pressure.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
My definition of leadership is being called to a position in which you can inspire and impact others. That means when in the position of power, it is an obligation to empower those to influence the world in a positive way. Doing that causes a chain reaction for the next person and so on.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- Not to care so much about what others think. Worrying about people’s opinions sometimes can hinder your progress because you’re worried about pleasing everyone instead of doing what feels right to you.
- Pain birth’s purpose. Sometimes in our dark times, it gives us the motivation to elevate ourselves into a better life. I’ve learned from my journey that I wanted more for myself and because I went through hardship, I didn’t want to take life for granted.
- How you start is not how you have to finish. Things don’t always start how you want them to, but if you stick it out, you will be amazed at how far you came.
- God gives the greatest strategies. I’m a firm believer in faith and that you have to trust that God knows best. For guidance, you must allow for Him to move in your life.
- God gives His greatest battles to his strongest soldiers. It is a test of faith to believe that you can handle everything life throws at you. There is nothing that you go through that you can’t overcome.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I was able to influence a movement throughout the world, it would be the Big Sister Program that has been placed in my heart. This program will connect minor-aged amputees with adult amputees with the same amputations. This will help younger amputees see their selves in adults that are thriving regardless of their situation.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Who needs legs when we are all working for wings “- This quote means that when it’s all said and done, God is working through me regardless of my disability. I want to go to Heaven and that’s the only thing that really matters.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Oprah, because I believe she is so inspirational. She would definitely help elevate my life to another level.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Follow me on Instagram at @iamkeishagreen and/or visit my website www.Keishagreen.com
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Keisha Green of Loving Legs Foundation and Legless Divas Is Helping… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.