Hi! I’m Ilesha “CoCo” Graham
All trailblazers, rule breakers, truth tellers, hope spreaders, big dreamers (+those who want to be) are welcome here. So, relax, grab a warm cup of cocoa (get it?) and hang out a bit. ‘Cause you + me . . . we have some stories to share.
Stories connect us to each other. They open hearts and shape minds. Stories heal wounds, move us to action and drive change.
So let’s get acquainted and connected. I’d like to share a bit of my story with you . . .
Ever since I was a little girl . . .
deep down inside, I felt . . . different. I never quite fit in. I was always a little bit unique. I marched to my own drum. I danced to my own beat. The tune to which I skipped was a bit irregular, maybe a bit odd, when compared to those around me. And I knew, with certainty, that I was created for something . . . BIGGER!
But I never knew what do to with those feelings
They were exciting, but scary, too. So, over time I stopped talking about them. And I began to conform. I made it a point to never stand out. I played it safe – colored inside the lines. Did what I was told to do – went to school, got a solid education, and then secured (as my grandmom would say) “that good paying job”. But one day, I realized that I wasn’t fulfilling my purpose and decided it was time to create my own path because I just couldn’t (+ didn’t want to) continue being less of me. It was time to write my own story. And that was the day MY. WHOLE. LIFE. changed!
You can relate, can’t you?
For a long time you’ve been marching to the beat of someone else’s drum. For a really, long time. But now, something in your life has started to shift. You’re ready to live fully in your purpose (’cause life’s way too short not to!) And you’re ready to re(write) your own story. AND, you’ve landed in the right place.
Here’s what I know to be true
We are all telling a story – either with our life or with our words (or both). And telling our story . . . our real, authentic, imperfect story is one of the best ways to inspire others, to advance our mission, share ideas, break out of the mold, transform our life and work culture, and build our tribe. You feel it stirring something deep inside of you. Your mission. Your message. Your greater legacy. Now is the time.
And You’ve Landed In The Right Place
I‘m Ilesha (pronounced E-lay-sha), speaker and leadership consultant for ambitious women. I have a gift for communication (+ a few degrees to go along with it) and there are few things that I love more than (1) wrangling words into relatable, exhilarating and actionable talks and (2) crafting transformational trainings and fail-proof programs that confidently launch high achieving (and big dreaming) women into their greater mission and purpose.
Today, I help women all over the world say good-bye to overwhelm, overthinking, and overcomplicating the process of re(writing) their own life story.
Working with Ilesha has been one of the most powerful things that I have done. Not only is she an extraordinary strategist and encourager, but she has an uncanny ability to speak into one’s life in such a way that it propels them towards clarity of purpose and destiny. Ilesha is passionate about women walking in destiny and flourishing, and it is that desire that clearly fuels her work. I can say with certainty that she has played a huge part in where I am today.
A few fun facts
I am a California girl, born and raised. I am the proud wife of a law enforcement officer who drove from NYC to Florida, sailed from Australia to Japan to the Middle East, and then flew 8000+ miles to California just to find me! We have two incredible daughters who also march to the beat of their own drums!
I heart all things communication – teaching, speaking, writing, coaching. I also have 20+ years experience in the field of education (teaching, school site administration, higher education administration) where I’ve honed my skills as a trainer, curriculum developer, team builder, and leader launcher.
I love to read. I love learning and researching . . . almost anything (I’m quite the nerd). I love blackberries and butter pecan ice cream (though, not eaten together). I couldn’t hold a note if it came with handles, but singing worship songs is one of my favorite things to do. I can make a mean curry chicken and dumplin’ dinner and I’m the household Wii champion in the “Michael Jackson Experience”.
In a single session with Ilesha, she was able to help me strategize, organize and prioritize a new part of my life that I want to expand. Her confident insight will help you move your mission toward the success you were always meant to achieve!