Meet Kami Anderson: Language Coach, Scholar and Founder of Bilingual Brown Babies

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

Hi Kami, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
This pandemic has brought on significant changes to what I understood to be the harmony of work and life. I have never really been a huge proponent of the notion of “balance” because each day we make a decision as to what we will prioritize and that can shift depending on whether its family or our business that needs us most. What this pandemic has taught me, is that GRACE more than anything is needed in order to feel good about what you choose to prioritize any given day. Virtual schooling with four children means that I need to make time in my day for any number of technological glitches with them. Working from home means that there are days when I walk past the dirty dishes in order to finish a product launch. Having clients that are dealing with the day-to-day stress of all of the above may mean we don’t do language today, let’s just talk about how you’re feeling today. All that to say, over time, especially this one, grace takes precedence over balance these days. I no longer concern myself with a work/life balance. My focus is grace though my lifestyle as a mompreneur

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Bilingual Brown Babies is a MOVEMENT to get more African Americans fluent in more than one language. I change the way Black families are seen globally through language. I am extraordinarily successful in teaching and leaving a lasting impact through language. My “right away, every day” language techniques are the best methods for Black families learning languages. I am most proud of the ways in which I am able to show that bilingualism is possible because for so long implicit bias in society has convinced Black people that we can barely master the English language. I had to take a HUGE leap of faith one year. I was a full-time, tenured professor but I wanted to make more of impact in my community. My background as a intercultural trainer and as linguist made the apth choice easy, but the jump was NOT. I have four children who need to eat and to make the decision to just walk away from my job was something I mulled over for a couple of years before I actually did it. I am so glad I did. Building a business is never easy, but the results I see in the toddlers, the families and the adults I work with, motivates me. I want the world to know I am the go-to girl when it comes to language, Blackness and identity. I will ALWAYS make sure that Black history in language is centered for everybody to learn as I am building a cadre of Black bilinguals who will make their presence known through language.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would do all things artsy, natural and hip! I would take them to climb Stone Mountain, walk through the Cascade Nature Preserve and explore Sweetwater. We would go to the High Museum, check out the shops in Little Five Points, all things that we could enjoy as family fun. At night, we would discover live music and of course, dance a bit at MJQ. All of this provided I have the babysitter!

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?
My children deserve so much credit! I started my business for them and this past year has brought and put a LOT on them. It’s always hard when you have to make serious life changes that you know will have an effect on your children, but what I have seen is that even this difficult decision has been positive for them and they have grown in compassionate, resilience and child-like strength that I could not have imagined. I shout them out for being my inspiration for my business but also inpsiring me personally to see what it looks like to love without abandon and jump feet first into joy regardless as to what may be happening around them!

Website: www.bilingualbrownbabies.com

Instagram: bit.ly/BBBonIG

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kami-anderson-phd-she-her-hers-dr-43492839/

Twitter: bit.ly/BBBonTwitter

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

Image Credits
Kami Anderson