Meet Carolyn Love, PhD |

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolyn Love, PhD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolyn, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
When my daughter was small, I said I wanted to raise my child in a way that she could think, problem solve, and feel good about herself. Someone who, even if she were not my daughter, I would love because she was a great person.

I told my daughter that she could disagree with anyone, but she must do it with dignity, respect, and thoughtfulness. We discussed ways to understand a situation she experienced and strategies to address the situation.

Lastly, and most importantly, I involved my daughter in church, she was a Girl Scout and usher. I purchased a pew at church during our capital campaign in the 1980s so she would know that she always has a place to go in times of trouble and joy.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am fortunate because over the course of my life I worked in all three sectors, public, private, and nonprofit. Because of the positions I held, I felt prepared to start my business. Working in organizations that undervalued my gifts and talents was challenging. I believed working for myself would give me the freedom to be me. While having your own business is not easy, for me it is better than working in organizations that unconsciously support systems of oppression. My greatest career challenges came from working for someone else.

I’ve learned the importance of knowing when to speak and when to be silent. As the saying goes, “a smart person knows what to say, a wise person knows where or not to say it.”

My business, Kebaya Coaching and Consulting, focuses on enhancing leadership talent in organizations, creating equitable and inclusive workplaces, and facilitating meaningful and sustainable change. The word Kebaya means leadership and Keba means leader. I wanted a culturally relevant name for my business. While spelled differently in western Africa, the meaning remains the same.

I started a nonprofit organization two years ago called Black Women Solutionaries. The focus of the organization is to elevate the role and work of Black women fighting for social and political change. Historically, Black women played critical roles in social change movements. Names like Anna Julia Cooper, Recy Taylor and Joan Little (pronounced “Jo Ann”) are lost to history. My goal is to highlight the work of contemporary women and those women upon whose shoulders we stand to share lessons learned.

What sets me apart is my willingness to anticipate the unspoken expectations of clients and meet them before the clients know it is an expectation.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

It’s difficult to lay out a daily routine because it depends on how we felt when we woke up. I enjoy being in conversation with nothing in particular to do, just enjoy being together.

That said, the places I would go would include Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, the Blair Caldwell African American Research Library, specifically the second floor to see the displays and any live productions playing at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the Arvada Center. I would visit the Boulder Museum to see the African American exhibit.

I would plan a trip to the Winter Park Jazz Festival and if there was time, I would do a trip to Lincoln Hills. Something else I’ve done with friends is to spend a weekend in Vail enjoying the scenery and relaxing.
Places to eat for lunch would include the Welton Street Cafe, Coffee at the Point (I know it’s closed but have to mention it) and the Whittier Cafe. Bonefish Grill, Las Delicias, Q’s Quisine, Heaven Dragon are the dinner options and perhaps a backyard bar-b-que.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I give all honor to God who orders my steps and lights my path. And to my parents who shaped my worldview. Wisdom words from my mother were “you never have to say anything bad about a person, if what you believe about them is true, others will see it.” Wisdom words from my dad were “the only thing a poor man has is his word.” My 8th grade teacher shared these words of wisdom with me, “the six most difficult words in the English language to say are ‘I was wrong’ I am sorry’ learn how to say these and you will be successful.” While not always successful, I do try to live out these principles. The more important question is “whose “shoutout” am I”?

Website: www.kebayaconsulting.com