Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Cole.
Hi Alexis , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Alexis Cole is from the great city of Memphis, TN. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in May of 2014 and she will also be receiving her Master Degree in Management and Leadership in Fall 2026. Alexis is also an exclusive female alto saxophonist. As an influential musician, she was the only female alto saxophonist in the UAPB Jazz Ensemble. Through her music, she seeks to mentor to young ladies that are dealing with low self-esteem. Alexis is also a Spring 2012 initiate of Delta Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. In the name of grace and royalty, Ms. Cole is The 84th Miss University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for the 2013-2014 academic school year and her notable and influential platform during her reign was “Be True, Be You!” which encouraged everyone to be true to who they are no matter how everyone else perceived them to be. Through this platform, she was able to be and active mentor to the girls of the Delta GEMS program. Since fashion is her passion, during her reign Alexis coordinated a fashion show entitled “Shoes for Africa” where she donated over 500 pairs of shoes and raised over $10,000 for her platform. As a former queen of the university, Alexis Cole was featured in the 2014 September Issue of EBONY Magazine HBCU QUEEN EDITION as one of the Top 10 HBCU QUEENS in the United States of America. Since graduation, Ms. Cole was blessed with an amazing summer internship from the legendary Stax Music Academy’s Soulsville Foundation where she served as a Social Media Marketing Representative. As beauty queen, she placed in the Top 15 and won Most Photogenic in the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant brought to you by the Miss Universe Organization in October 2017. Alexis is also the reigning Miss Black Tennessee USA 2019. As the reigning state title holder, she received The Community Ambassador Award and placed 3rd Runner Up in the National Miss Black USA Pageant Competition. She also won the title of Elite Miss Tennessee Earth 2020 and placed 3rd Runner-Up in the Elite Miss Earth USA in 2021. As a business professional, Ms. Cole a Manager of Environmental Services at St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis,TN. She believes that with pray, hard work, and dedication anything is possible
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Growing up, I had extremely low self-esteem. I was 5’9 in the 5th grow which caused me to feel like I didn’t belong. I also felt like an outsider in my own environment. Because my mom saw what was occurring in my life at an early age, she started registering me into programs that would capitalize on the things that I thought were my weaknesses, such as my height, curvy body type, and big curly hair. I also wore glasses. lol
My mom started putting me into modeling, acting, and pageantry classes in hopes that it would boost my self-esteem and personality. This helped me to grow my confidence and self-worth in more ways than I could even imagine. Once I started the 6th grade, my dad thought that I should try out for the basketball team and with his guidance and training, we did basketball drills and warmups in the backyard almost every night. During this time, I also joined the marching band which was super exciting for me. While I was on the band, I wanted to play the saxophone very badly, but the band director was giving me a lot of push back on the idea. Because of this, I called my mom to the school for a conference with the band director and the rest is history. My mom did not play. lol
As I began to advance more and more with my music, I had to have a tough conversation with my dad about ending my early basketball career because of my passion for music. Not only was my dad disappointed, but he believed that I would be the next Lisa Leslie. lol I was sad that I disappointed him, but I had to go with my heart.
Once I started high school, I had a newfound confidence in myself. I was still playing my saxophone, competing in pageant competitions and winning, and I was also still modeling and acting on different occasions which was great. However, my atmosphere in high school started to make me feel like an outsider all over again because I was extremely active outside of school and there was a lot of peer pressure in my environment. Alot of people around me during this time were into things that I knew was wrong and even though I wanted to be around them, I knew my life had a greater calling and I had to stay focus on my faith and goal. My escape from this was going to music school in the evenings at Stax Music Academy. I loved this place so much because I was around people that had the same passions as I did, and I was also able to work with some amazing instructors.
Once I started college, my world opened up in a tremendous way. I graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff which is an Historical Black College located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. I always dreamed of attending an HBCU and not only was I able to share my gifts and talents, I met some great people that I am still friends with to this day. While in school, I was the only female alto saxophonist most of the time in the UAPB Jazz Ensemble. Because I was the only female and the youngest person in the section, I really had to practice, learn my sound, and walk in pursue which pushed me to even greater heights.
During my junior year of college, I was crowned the 84th Miss University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff which gave me the platform to inspire young ladies not only to believe in themselves, but to always work hard, and push the standards with this influential title, “Be True, Be You.”
Today, as a working professional at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, I use this same statement to defeat the odds. Because I am a young black female in my leadership role, there are many times where I have to consistently prove myself and go beyond the standards. One of the biggest stereotypes when it comes to young people in leadership, is that we are not consistent, and we don’t have a sense of responsibility. I strive every day to debunk that stereotype by moving with a sense of purpose.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a working professional, I am a manager of Enviromental Services at St. Jude Children’s Reach Hospital where I ensure that the hospital is cleaned and disinfected to our healthcare standards. One of the most defining moments during my journey in healthcare, began before I was born. My great uncle was a patient here at St. Jude and his name was William Wayne Amour. Sadly, he passed away at 18 years old due to leukemia. My family witnessed the diligent work and outstanding care that the St. Jude staff provided. Since then, my family has continued to share the story of my Uncle Williams’s life which inspired me to pursue a career with St. Jude. As one of the youngest managers in my department, I believe that I am a representation to anyone who has a dream to make a difference. It doesn’t matter how old you are or your background. I am a firm believer that if you work hard, push the standards, and perform with integrity that anything is possible. I hope my presence in my current role shows the next generation to never take “No” for an answer and to always believe you are capable of achieving your goals and dreams. Your age, ethnicity, or gender does not define you in your role in leadership. At this time, I am using my influence to provide my team with different leadership strategies and critical thinking skills as they advance through the organization.
What matters most to you? Why?
Following my own life’s path and journey means so much to me. Alot of times, people will ask me, ‘Why I don’t you have children or why I’m not married? And honestly, I have always prioritized my own happiness and fulfilling my life’s calling and purpose before settling down. I believe that you cannot genuinely be happy for others if you are unhappy with the path you have chosen. That’s why I pride myself on living my life on my own terms and if God blesses me with a husband and a family then that’s great and I would be so happy. However, I don’t live my life based around that being my sole purpose on earth.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexis.cole1234
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18nJhNbbxs/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-cole-699012a2
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@alexiscole8614
