From Mentee to Mentor: Legacy in Action with Kelly Fair - Episode 21

Some moments plant a seed so deep, they end up shaping not just a life—but a legacy.

In this episode of the Purpose Finder Podcast, I sit down with the inspiring Kelly Fair—author, speaker, and founder of Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program. Over the past 15 years, Kelly’s vision has empowered more than 10,000 girls across Chicago, and her reach now extends globally to places like South Africa, Kenya, Chad, and Jamaica.

Her story began with one pivotal experience: a “Take Your Daughter to Work Day” that cracked open a new world. That day, made possible by her father’s intention, became the spark that lit her lifelong mission—helping girls see themselves as leaders and equipping them to thrive.

In our conversation, Kelly invites us into the behind-the-scenes of purpose. She talks about navigating seasons of self-doubt, being the “new kid,” and learning to lead before she felt fully ready. We explore how she found confidence not through credentials, but through community, mentorship, and a willingness to serve. And we challenge the lie that you need money, status, or degrees to make a difference—sometimes, all it takes is your yes.

This episode is full of heart. It’s about resilience, the quiet strength of women who show up, and the power of legacy—built not in headlines, but in relationships. Kelly reminds us that failure is part of the process, and that purpose is less about perfection and more about presence.

You don’t have to have it all together to make an impact. You just have to care deeply—and act intentionally. Let this conversation remind you: your influence begins right where you are.

Timestamps:

00:00 Empowering Chicago Girls: Career Mentorship

10:25 Empowering Through Everyday Mentorship

16:09 Mentorship's Impact on Confidence

16:59 Sixth-Grade Confidence Crisis

25:57 Experience Over Degrees

30:26 Curiosity: Key to Success

36:54 Embracing Failure for Growth

38:53 Embracing Failure in Success

45:47 Mentorship and Support Fuels Success

49:36 Recognizing Black Women's Invisible Labor

55:18 Mentorship for Early Career Women

01:04:57 Leadership Through Convening Diverse Stakeholders

01:07:07 Empowering Girl-Centric Leadership Programs

01:12:07 Love: The Universal Success Language

#CharisaMunroe #GirlsMentoring #Empowerment #BlackWomenLead #YouthDevelopment #CareerInspiration #Service #GivingBack #Purpose #Mentorship #Leadership #Legacy #WomenInLeadership #WomenSupportingWomen #SelfLove #FaithInAction #SocialImpact #EducationMatters #WomenEmpowerment #Inspiration #PersonalGrowth #ServeYourPurpose #SoftLife #CommunityLeadership #Resilience #PurposeDriven

About the Guest

A graduate of Howard University and the University of Iowa, Kelly is deeply rooted in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood, where she continues her advocacy through roles on the U.S. Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls Taskforce and the Illinois Council for Women and Girls.

Kelly is an urban youth mentoring practitioner who has been intimately involved in developing and implementing successful youth mentoring & development programs for 10+ years.

Kelly is also an author and a renowned speaker championing girls’ and women’s causes, mentoring, and workforce development. She wrote "They're All The Same Girl! " a candid “How-To” Guide for effectively engaging and developing urban girls. She also wrote Every Girl Is A CEO! for girls from the elementary school years through high school and college. It is also an important guide for the parents, teachers, mentors and all who care about them.

Connect with Kelly Fair on Social Media:

Instagram (Kelly Fair): @kfairthementor

Polished Pebbles Instagram: @polishedpebbles

Follow Charisa on Social Media @charisamunroe1 

Check our website www.charisamunroe.com

Join our Purpose Finder Facebook Community

Subscribe to Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharisaMunroe1

What’s next…?

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