What is the “WHY” behind the name Alice & Company? Let me introduce you to my guardian angel, Alice Cooks-Pollard. Some people live their lives in a variety of ways. Alice lived hers on purpose. At the end of her failed marriage, she came into my life at the early age of three years old. She never had a daughter, but we both didn’t know at that time, I would soon fill that role. Her heavy involvement in the community and church led me and other children from the projects to begin attending Macedonia Baptist Church weekly. Every Sunday she’d pick me up for church, she always had a cute Sunday dress for me to wear as well. She was like a fairy godmother and it was hard to believe my life was so fun and safe. Reason being, my biological mother Joyce at that time struggled with drug abuse to the point she decided living in a safer environment was best for me at the age of four. My mother Joyce, who I love dearly and now have a great relationship with, has been clean since 2008, would tell anyone she meets how grateful she is that I was blessed to have two mothers in my life.

A natural born leader and dynamic role model in the community, my God-Mom Alice was a role model for many, with a resume spanning over 50 years of service teaching, equipping, and empowering others to be their personal best. In 1972 Alice became the first female Black police officer in the Waco Police Department. By 1978 she began her teaching career with Waco ISD, where she taught, coached, and sponsored student organizations in elementary, middle and high school for twenty-four years. For 30 years she also worked part-time as a recreational aide for the City of Waco at the Dewey Recreational Center, mostly working with precious five year olds. In 2014 she began working for Neighborworks Project Aspire’s financial literacy and mentoring program serving children in McLennan County.  So, for Alice Pollard, working and serving in the community have always gone hand and hand.

I had a front row seat watching my God-Mom do things that would have taken multiple women to accomplish, all the while never feeling neglected. Being raised by an independent, loving, God-fearing black woman has made an impact on the woman that I am today. Because of her, I have been able to go through life with a great deal of confidence and belief I can achieve any goal that I set for myself. Alice Pollard always told me that God has placed favor in my life and I believe that wholeheartedly. Not sure where I would be if God didn't bring her into my life. For that I am truly grateful. 

Unexpectedly, on November 4, 2019 my angel went to heaven, leaving a multitude of family, friends, co-workers and former students to mourn her loss. Although it hasn’t been an easy transition without her physically here with me, I constantly think about the strength that she showed throughout her life to help me get through each day. Alice & Company Beauty Lounge was created so that my moms legacy will continue to live on in a very special way. By the way, she LOVED, LOVED, LOVED looking good all the time, especially when she wore her Zeta Blue! 

Whether you knew Alice or not, my hope is that you see her strength, tenacity and love for people in my work as I strive to enhance the natural beauty of women all over the world. 

 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).