Utica Cason shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Utica, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’m walking a path with clear directions, focus, determination and a divine purpose.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a dynamic and influential professional who has woven over 25 years of dedication into the fabric of the Raleigh, North Carolina community. Blending my academic foundation in real estate, nonprofit leadership and technology, I serves as a powerful advocate for community development and social good. My work is driven by a profound passion for helping others and giving back either as a mentor/advisor at my full-time job, as a community advocate and a nonprofit leadership as the Founder and CEO of SOAR Outreach.
I bring an integrated, 360-degree understanding of the real estate sector, nonprofit industry, and technology making me a vital resource for both operational efficiency and investment strategy as a Real Estate Investor, Property Manager, NC real estate agent, and providing real estate technology support at Yardi Systems, Inc. as a Project Manager.
I’m currently working on real estate investing opportunities, capacity building tasks and projects for my nonprofit organization, and growing my technology skills.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mother. My mom’s vision often cuts straight through my self-doubt and focuses on the core truth of who I’m meant to be. She recognized my fundamental need to nurture and connect with people. She saw my passion and drive to help others, be a leader, and business-minded.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, July 2024. I was ready to stop being a nonprofit leader of my organization that stemed from a variety of personal, professional, and organizational factors. Due to:
Personal Burnout and Well-being
Organizational Stability and Transition
Professional Shift and Skill Utilization
Financial and Resource Constraints
Nonprofit work, while rewarding, is emotionally and professionally taxing. Sustained, high-intensity effort without adequate recovery leads to burnout. You experience emotional fatigue, neglectiing personal health due to demaning schedule, leading to chronic stress and exhaustion. The need for balance to reclaim time for family, personal interests, or simply a slower pace of life that the demanding.
Sometimes, the best thing a leader can do for their organization is to step aside and facilitate new growth.
Shifting from executive management back to direct service or programmatic work that initially inspired them.
The relentless pressure of fundraising and financial management can become overwhelming and unsustainable.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real me. It reflects an expression of my deepest and most consistent private values and beliefs. My consistent behavior across different situations which are genuine kindness, helpfulness, self-expression, living my core values, and transparent communication are the same at my workplace, my family, friends, and in the community.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most peace when I’m spending time with familym, vacationing, and spending time at the ocean. Spending time with my family allows me to drop the professional mask and be the “real you” without judgment. This feeling allows you to fully relax. Family time satisfies the innate human need for belonging and intimacy. Family provides a link to your past and a vision for the future. Vacationing offer a complete break from routine and responsibility, allowing the mind to shift from “doing” to “being.” Spending time at the ocean provides a calming sensory rhythm sound due to the waves
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soaroutreach.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soaroutreach14/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-outreach
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soaroutreach
