We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaveria Lezza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaveria, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I’m not superwoman but my business does help save the world. Emphasizing the definition of “community” my organization, Building Love Amongst Cultures (BLAC) is a not-for-profit business whose mission is to unite the community through building critical consciousness and cultural competence foregrounding the aspirations of individuals.

BLAC serves as a conduit for providing laudable cultural education within communities by bringing awareness to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We create accessible communities where individuals can have a sense of belonging. We also develop toolkits of resources that enhance the quality of life for individuals within the community.

BLAC is proactive at establishing social events focusing on building inclusive and healthy communities. BLAC presents multicultural art fairs highlighting cultural diversity in the neighborhood with food, music, and entertainment. BLAC’s innovative energy also fosters annual free community health exercise classes ensuring positive community health.

BLAC partners and collaborates with other like-minded organizations. Expanding the mission at BLAC to cultivate a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable future is important.

All events hosted by Building Love Amongst Cultures are educational. Nevertheless, BLAC provides enriching classroom educational experiences. BLAC educates the community on defining culture, cultural competence, and ways to build inclusive communities to health and wellness such as how to read labels and food substitutions and modifications.

BLAC is a business that ultimately wants to save the world one community at a time. We find it important to learn about diverse cultures and healthy habits to live a sustainable positive life.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m most proud of the interactions and connections I’ve made with my business. It’s exciting to know there are many like-minded people and other organizations that support my mission or offer partnerships with my business. Getting to where I am now, was not easy. My parents never owned a business, but they instilled in me to be kind, never give up, and always finish what I start.

Every day is a new day of adventure when starting a business. It’s a lot to get accomplished to hit the ground running. The paperwork, the marketing, the meetings, and developing trust amongst the community. I had the world on my shoulders, and I weighed what people would think of me. My business catering to providing cultural and health awareness through social and educational events is what sets me apart from others. Accountability and meditation are what helped me overcome my challenges. I meditate and journal almost daily. I made lists with deadlines and ensured I hit my deadlines to stay on target. Meditating helped clear my mind which gave me the energy to keep striving. I meditate using Tony Robbins Priming Method: Breathe, Gratitude, Vision, and Celebrate. This allows me to slow down my breathing and be grateful for how much I have achieved. I then envision and celebrate where I am going next.

The most prevalent lesson I’ve learned is to be patient. Success is a journey; it doesn’t happen overnight. Remaining positive through change makes you adaptable. You’ll be able to tackle anything.

I grew up in an environment where I had the ability to be exposed to different cultures and opportunities. My parents were convinced that I was going to participate in activities that gave me different perspectives. While my undergrad in Iowa was growing in diversity, I started an organization like BLAC that provided a platform for students to learn about other cultures and feel accepted and understood. I am a veteran of the military and was afforded the opportunity to travel and learn about different cultures. I want the world to know that I want to see more of the community exposed to the same opportunity and experiences I had while growing up in diverse and inclusive environments.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a big fan of the outdoors. I don’t have favorite places to hang out. I’m very active, I bike ride, do yoga in the park, run, kayak, hike, and even fish. I will take my best friend on an adventure through the national forests. In Arizona, we would visit Cataline State Park, visit Tombstone, Mount Lemmon, and Saguaro National Park. We would kayak and camp outside. I find that the most interesting. We would then hang out in the city, listen to live music, eat tacos, drink margaritas, and laugh all night reminiscing. I love art and culture. As a native of Chicagoland, we would visit the Chicago bar to listen to live music and tour the art museums in Downtown Tuscon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my parents Kim Mallory and Avery Allen, siblings, Kayla, Avery, and Ajyah Allen, and most importantly my husband, Victor Lezza III. My family supported and encouraged me from the start, understanding my vision to want to increase awareness of this cause. To my friend Becky from Ruff Life- Lombard that provided me with mentorship.

Books that I’ve read helped establish my journey, “The Alchemist” – by Paulo Coelho, “The Power of Now” – by Eckhart Tolle; and “Awaken the Giant Within” – by Tony Robbins.

The Village of Lombard Illinois.

Website: www.buildingloveamongstcultures.org

Instagram: BuildingLoveAmongstCultures or _it_wont_stop

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaveria-lezza-91617b70/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLAC2021

Other: TikTok: Kaverialezza

Image Credits
Victor Lezza

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