Ashro Woman: Alysha R.

Meet Alysha from Camden, NJ

“The fuel that wakes me up every morning is purpose and knowing that God has blessed me with another opportunity to walk in my purpose.” This way of thinking has led Alysha to earn her master’s degree, caretake her beautiful 95-years-young mother and even start her own business after being laid off from her job. Her best advice? “Never let your past define you.” One of her favorite Bible verses, Philippians 3:13, speaks to this, “Forgetting those things that are behind and pressing forward to the things which are before me.” Let’s all keep on pressing forward toward our purpose.

1. Why are you an Ashro woman?

“ A Life lived without purpose it not a life lived to its fullest” I think what makes me a Ashro Woman is my fearless determination to live on purpose and inspiring woman, men and children of all ages to find their purpose and strive to live their Best Life. What truly defines a woman is not just the style of the garment she wears, but the spirit and power of the woman wearing it.

2. What is your favorite part about fashion and style?

I love fashion and I as a woman of style I have rocked several. My belief on style is that one type of style dose not define you, and that you can take any style and put your personal touch on it and make it your own

3. What makes you get up every morning?

The fuel that wakes me up every morning is purpose and knowing that God has blessed me with another opportunity to walk in my purpose and inspire others to pursue their individual goals and encourage them to find their purpose.

4. Your best advice?

Never let your past define you, create the future and happiness you desire and press forward! So many times we dwell on past failures and mistakes and allow those things to dwell in our present and define out future. One of my favorite bible verses is Philippians 3:13 forgetting those things that are behind and pressing forward to the things which are before me. This will be my best advice to anyone to let them know you are not stuck in your past and to keep on pressing forward.

5. What small thing makes you happy?

Laughter

6. What has been your greatest struggle…and your greatest (or latest) triumph?

In 2009 right after graduating with my master’s degree I was laid off from my job for almost 3 years. During that time of great struggle in my wilderness God birthed and ideal in my spirit to do radio. Little did I know that doing radio would birth my own company, and connect me with people from all facets of the entertainment industry and would eventually lead me back to acting. Since then I have been blessed to be in three movies one of which Jason Letter (2017) staring Vivica A. Fox, a popular web series The Book of Nimrod (2017), and a political TV crime drama Chase Street (2018). And I can’t wait to see what God has next for me in this area.

7. How do you spend your free time?

As a full time care giver to my wonderful 95 year old young mom, working and pursing my career in acting, free time is rare, lol. I thank God that I have been blessed with an awesome opportunity to have and be a blessing to my mom, usually when I do have a moment to my self I would be reading, listening to music or cooking up a delicious vegetarian meal.

8. What do you do for a living? What do you like most about it? What don’t you like?

I have worked in the field of education for over 15 years, and during that time I have seen a decline in the resources provided to teachers and educators. Unfortunately, in some cases teachers are left with no choice but to purchase their own supplies for the students. What gives me the most joy about working in education is making and impact in the lives of the students I teach.

9. Who influenced you the most in your life. Why? And in what way?

I have been blessed to have several strong women of God pour into my life that have inspired and influenced me in my journey. One in particular would be my former principal the Riletta L. Cream, who always found time to listen to her students, counsel them, tell us when we mess up and loved us through it. To many she was Mama Cream, and she went on to work in city government as a county freeholder because she wanted to improve the conditions in our city schools. I believe Ms. Cream is the reason why I worked in education and obtain my bachelors of science in political science, because I to share the desire to improve the conditions in our local public schools.

10. What is your best dish? Who do you make it for—and where do you typically serve it?

Vegetarian pasta, and my mom loves it but will always say she is not a vegetarian.

11. Are you a woman of faith? How does that faith affect your life? Please tell us more.

Yes, and it is my faith in God that has helped me to endure through some of life most challenging moments. I truly don’t know where I would be without it.

12. What makes you laugh?

I love a good comedy.

13. Do you wear hats? How often and what type of hat? Do you wear them to church? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a hat with us!

Yes, both my mom and I are Mad Hatters.

14. Do you wear wigs? How often and what length or style? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a wig with us!

I wear my hair natural, weaved and wigs are my best friend in times when I cannot get in to have my hair done.

15. How would you describe the Ashro woman? How do you embody her? Does the brand mean something to you? Any memories associated with the catalog?

A woman who walks in her own truth, and is moving in her purpose.

16. What occasions/events do you dress up for? (for example-do you often dress up for church, cultural events, charity events, going out, etc.) And how often do you typically get dressed up?

Church, Banquets, Weddings, Extravaganzas, Birthday Parties.

17. Do you wear hats? How often and what type of hat? Do you wear them to church? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a hat with us!

Not really, unless occasion calls for it.

18. Do you wear wigs? How often and what length or style? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a wig with us!

Not really. But have as a preaching prop.

19. Do you wear headwraps? How often? Where did you learn how to tie it? Share a pic of you in a headwrap with us!

Only to bed.

20. Are you in a sorority? Or is anyone in your family in a sorority? If so, which one and what does it mean to you?

Not that I recall.

21. How would you describe the Ashro woman? How do you embody her? Does the brand mean something to you? Any memories associated with the catalog?

The Ashro woman is a woman of style and strength. The clothing brings out those qualities. If the brand did not mean anything, I would not purchase the clothing.

Thanks for inspiring us, Alysha!

If you’d like a chance to be a future Ashro Woman of the Week, share your story with us—then watch your weekly Ashro emails to see if you’re featured next! Already filled out our questionnaire? Then you’re all set (you may see yourself featured in next week’s email)! Make sure to tell your friends and family to sign up for emails. We can’t wait to see you!