Meet Mel Alston | Youth Advocate & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Mel, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work-life balance has fluctuated so much over different periods of time in the past couple years. Since speaking with you all last year, my business partner Monet Wright, and I were entering and adjusting to new career paths in our respective fields that were more aligned with our entrepreneurial endeavors. We are still actively learning how top-tier organizations operate. With these new aligned career paths, it takes time to learn the respective systems, workloads, new schedules, and making the necessary adjustments in our lives. Working consistent 12-16 hr shifts, sometimes doesn’t leave much time for anything else. At times, the scale leans more in work than personal or entrepreneurial endeavors. However, as we continue our journeys, it has helped us improve upon our rebrand model. We have remained in a soft opening status for 2023; however, I am excited for you all to see the official rebrand debut coming soon in Spring 2024.

Work-life balance also comes with a dose of “life just be life-ing.” It’s where you finally and deeply understand the meaning of the phrase, “If it ain’t one thing, it’s another.” This year has been full of “life just be life-ing” moments. As I have said before, you have to turn your focus away from the company, the career, and instead turn your focus onto those situations. Sometimes those situations, if not handled properly, can impede on the daily mainstays and unravel every section of your life.
Resilience. Perseverance. Consistency. Dedication. Being a Student. These laws have helped me to keep going and push through those adversities. It’s a mindset that you have to have in order to become a successful entrepreneur. You must learn the lessons of those interruptions and disruptive situations. If at all possible, do not let it stifle your creative process. You should catch the new rhythm, and operate from that space as best you can until you can change the chord, or frequency. I am a firm believer in, “All things in life, conspire for your greater good,” and “Believe, Do not doubt.” (I actually have that tattooed on me as a daily reminder.)

Work-life balance also makes you prioritize SELF-CARE. I preach it daily to staff at work, and to my family and friends. Lack of self-care in balancing work and life will have you stressed, burned out, and can cause physical, emotional, and spiritual damage.

You must prioritize time for yourself to just re-group, or just to sit still and be. A scheduled lazy day, a day at the spa, a day at the gym, a day doing your favorite activities, going out to eat, going to listen to music and dance, whatever activity helps you decompress and re-group, you should prioritize it. Make time for it, and do it. No excuses !

I just learned in depth about a month ago, The Four Quadrant Matrix for time management. It helps prioritize and properly balance work and life. I urge everyone reading, to look it up and apply it to your life. I have now used it weekly to incorporate all sections in my life: duties/tasks to be completed at work, my son’s activities and Mommy-Son outings, our company – Cosmicality. – tasks and creative brainstorming sessions, self-care, and relationships. It’s a life-changer and has lessened the stress and burnouts.

Having this mindset against all adversities and challenges we faced this year, where we had so many high level expectations for our company, has made us excited for our rollout next year. We look forward to giving you update and showcase when have our official re-opening debut in Spring 2024.

And don’t forget to, Self-Care !!!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I got where I am today in my career by being myself, hard work, dedication, perseverance, grit, and networking. I took a promotion at the beginning of the year to better align with my career and entrepreneur endeavors. I am now a Director of Group Life at a juvenile detention center. I oversee the managers and supervisors and ensuring that we are in compliance, and that our youth are safe and secure at all times.

This new position has its challenges with the work-life balance at times. However, I am learning how our juvenile system operates from a different point of view, the executive and administrative perspective. I’ve learned how operations function in sync to keep the agency going – even if you disagree with certain perspectives. I’ve learned how pouring into your staff and showing that you care goes along way. Most importantly, I’ve learned the importance of Self-Care and promoting it with my staff.

At each level of my advancement in this agency, I have learned how each cog in the wheel works, how every department intertwines and intersects with each other. This is the biggest lesson as we continue to build the R.E.B.E.L system. All of these lessons I have learned in my 14 year career will help me and our company properly serve our youth.

R.E.B.E.L is still standing tall and we are working hard behind the scenes. We are building the REBEL system. R.E.B.E.L stands for Relinquishing Erratic Behavior Enhancing Life. The Cosmicality. brand is the one of many that will come from the REBEL system, and we will also have our official re-brand debut in Spring 2024. The R.E.B.E.L system is built exclusively for our young people who come from impoverished and underserved backgrounds. A system that aims to prevent, reduce and combat juvenile recidivism. A system that will help youth achieve their goals and aspirations through resources, jobs, advocating, opportunities, and mentorship. A system that will aid our community in creating generational wealth, and breaking generational curses. Please stay tuned !

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would be here all day and night giving you all the best food spots, and the best hangout spots in area. We have so many outings, activities, concerts, and festivals. In addition, different neighborhoods have annual block parties and events as well. Don’t forget our brunch season that is especially lively in the summertime.

Everybody has different palates, and interests. I would recommend on following several people who keep their ear and palates caught up on all things in the region: @YoungToon, @IBetItBuzz, @Theskinnifoodwhore, @Chimaeats, @Bloomingblackfoodie, @Thedmveater, @Dmvfoodiecrew, @DevourDC.

@Weareblackalley, @Backyardband, and @Tobbandandshow are some of our well-known and popular musical artists. Follow them for any upcoming events and concerts.

Go visit the Wharf, U St NW, H St NE, Dupont Circle, and the Penn Quarter for more outings, events, and restaurants/bar/lounges.

One of my favorite hidden gems is located in Dupont Circle, a restaurant and bookstore called Kramer’s.

Our region is so diverse with many different interests, Following this short guide, will guarantee a good time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Monet Wright – My business partner and Cosmicality.’s Creative Marketing Director. I couldn’t do any of this without her. She has remained solid, encouraging, and reassuring since the beginning, but especially these past three years. I appreciate her.

Melrose – My son. My Yoda. He remains the constant motivation and driving force to all that I do and want to accomplish. His love is endless. Every smile, hug, dap, kisses, “Love you’s,” and light that he possess, motivates me to go harder and is a daily reminder of why and who I am doing this all for. He remains the checkpoint to ensuring I focused, motivated and stay on the right path to accomplish these goals.

The PowerPuff Squad – I would name them individually, but they know who they are. I know I am a known rebel and disrupter in my agency, lol. But they don’t know how much they have poured into me in so many different ways. They been a sounding board and they motivate me to come in and do my job on those tough days.

Family, Friends, Clients – They have been supportive, understanding and reassuring while Cosmicality. has been in a soft opening status for 2023. Their belief in the business and affirmations have been a motivating force and brings calmness to storm that have arisen of the course of this year. They remain steadfast in showing their support through purchases, promoting the business through word of mouth, hearing and seeing the reviews and story of their experiences.

Voyage ATL – Thank you for every time you all have shed light on Cosmicality.. You all definitely deserve credit and recognition in the Cosmicality. & R.E.B.E.L story. I hope one day, we are able to go more in depth with how you all have helped us.

Instagram: @_cosmicality._

Facebook: Cosmicality.

Other: Stay tuned via Instagram and Facebook for our debut of media platforms we will be utilizing soon.

Image Credits
Cosmicality. & Ena.Rochelle Photography