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

Hi KeShaun, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
Success for me is defined in different ways. Success in my existence is to build bonds with the people that I have been blessed to have in my life as my family and close friends in a way that transcends my lifetime.

Success in my work is to lend my life energy to moving the arc of time toward justice in every capacity I currently have and will be blessed to have access to.
Success in my spirit is allowing my faith to grow to enlightenment and understanding, its also taking care of my body and mind on that journey.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career path was very much a journey and not a step ladder to success. Unfortunately, its very similar to most people of color in this country, who don’t have a wealth of connections or have access to a network cultivated by my parents’ professional endeavors. I started off working in a call-center even with two degrees, B.A. in Business Administration and B.S. in Information System Technologies. Over the course of a year, I was promoted several times before actually entering a Level 1 tech role. From there I studied to sharpen my Project Management Skills and shortly after became the Special Projects Lead for a Software Company.

My work life shifted after working with MCAP, Memphis Community Against Pollution, to stop the Byhalia Connection Pipeline. The pipeline was a project proposed by billion-dollar conglomerates Plains All American and Valero Energy, and it target a low-wealth Black community in Memphis, TN my hometown. As a Director I managed and assisted with all events, volunteering, outreach, and media. This work transformed me, and it allowed me to see how to leverage my skills for social justice, climate justice, and causes that fight for equity.

My career has led me to the Project Director the Mass Poor People’s & Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington and to the Polls in 2022 on June 18th, and Executive Assistant to Executive Director Rev. Dr. Alvin O’Neal Jackson a historically acclaimed symbol of faith and justice. As stated by the co-chairs of the Poor People’s Campaign, Bishop William J. Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis “It[June 18th] is NOT just a day of action. It is a declaration of an ongoing, committed moral movement to 1) Shift the moral narrative; 2) Build power; and 3) Make real policies to fully address poverty and low wealth from the bottom up.” For me it is a dream come true to be able to use my talent, skills, and gifts for the work of Justice.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you’re visiting Atlanta, I would start my day with a hike at Stone Mountain, have lunch at Ponce City Markets’ rooftop, then start the evening at the Battery Atlanta, to end the night I would go the the Mercedes Benz stadium for a game if there is one, and if not, I would end the night at Sky Lounge.

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?
All the success I have experienced so far in my life can first be attributed to my ancestors who survived being enslaved in the transatlantic slave trade, experienced the horror of being enslaved in America, then lived through Jim Crow and Mass incarceration. They allowed my Grandma Pearson and Grandma Gwen to birth and guide my parents in raising me and my 4 brothers to love God, serve, and have a strong work ethic.

I was born to teenage parents, who had three children by the age 20. They are now the soon to be Dr. Kimberly Owens-Pearson and Pastor Jason Pearson, MDiv. They have overcome so much and deserve more shoutouts than I could ever give.

Website: https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/june18/

Instagram: @keshaunpearson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keshaun-pearson-070a9a97/

Twitter: @keshaunpearson

Image Credits
Meka Wilson Lucy Garrett

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