Iman Cassells Alleyne Of Kind Academy: Why We Need More Women Founders & Here Is What We Are Doing To Make That Happen
An Interview With Vanessa Ogle
Visibility and Representation: Promote female founders in media and speaking opportunities to inspire others.
As a part of our series about “Why We Need More Women Founders”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Iman Cassells Alleyne.
Iman Cassells Alleyne is a visionary educational leader and the founder of Kind Academy, a progressive microschool focused on innovation in education, utilizing alternative approaches such as Conscious Discipline, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia to create a nurturing and inclusive school community. Originally established in Coral Springs, Florida, Kind Academy has grown into a nationwide network of physical schools and an online global school, offering families flexible and personalized education options that extend beyond traditional academics, and providing a beacon of hope for families seeking an alternative to traditional schooling. Alleyne also holds a Masters’ degree in School Counseling and is an accomplished author and public speaker.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
My education journey started from a deep desire to create something meaningful for my children and community. I knew that education was crucial for growth and empowerment, but I noticed that traditional schools didn’t always foster the creativity, curiosity, and emotional intelligence I wanted for my kids. With a school counseling and education background, I felt there were better ways to approach learning. So, I began exploring alternative methods like Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia. This journey led me to found Kind Academy, where we focus on creating a nurturing, inclusive, decolonized, and innovative learning environment.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
One of the most interesting moments was when we decided to offer virtual programs in response to the pandemic. We created an online community and sent out boxes of curriculum-based activities. Initially, we weren’t sure how families would respond to a fully online program, but the demand was overwhelming! Families from all over the world reached out, and it became clear that our work resonated beyond our local community. It was awe inspiring to see how many families sought a change in education and valued what we offered.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? What lesson did you learn from that?
One funny mistake was when I scheduled a big outdoor nature lesson for our homeschool co-op but forgot to check the weather. On the event day, it rained nonstop, and we had to move everything indoors. The kids created an indoor “rainforest” using craft supplies, which turned into a beautiful lesson in creativity. Flexibility and embracing the unexpected are essential, especially when working with kids!
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are?
I’m incredibly grateful to Laurel Suarez. Her expertise in the administrative side of microschooling has been invaluable. She helped me navigate early challenges and find spaces for our microschools, and her dedication to pioneering scholarship-paid microschools in South Florida has been inspiring. Her guidance and support have been instrumental in shaping Kind Academy.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you?
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero had a huge impact on me. This book helped me reframe my mindset around self-worth, abundance, and taking bold action. It gave me the confidence to embrace my potential and take risks in my personal life and career. The unapologetic approach to embracing your power and pursuing what you truly want resonates deeply with me. It is a message I strive to pass on to others, especially the kids and families we work with at Kind Academy.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”?
One of my favorite quotes is, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” This mantra reflects my approach to both education and life. It reminds me that if I want to see positive change, I need to embody those values and lead by example. At Kind Academy, we’re constantly evolving to meet the needs of our students and families, and this quote reinforces that our growth and commitment to making a difference are part of a continuous journey.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
At Kind Academy, we’re reaching families who are often overlooked in traditional schooling systems. By providing a conscious alternative, nurturing, and decolonized, we’re helping children from marginalized communities feel seen and valued. Through our physical and virtual schools, we empower families to take control of their children’s education in ways that honor their identities, cultures, and learning styles.
In your opinion and experience, what is currently holding back women from founding companies?
One of the most significant barriers is access to resources — whether funding, mentorship, or the confidence to leap. Many women juggle family responsibilities, making it challenging to dedicate time and energy to founding a company. There’s also a systemic lack of support for women in leadership roles, making the process feel isolating.
Can you share with our readers what you are doing to help empower women to become founders?
We prioritize hiring and mentoring women, especially women of color. I also participate in speaking engagements and workshops to share my journey and offer advice to women interested in starting their businesses in the education sector. Our recent “Kind Con” conference focused on “Mindset, Money, Microschools.” We spent time empowering women at the foundational level to flourish as founders and leaders.
Can you share a few reasons why more women should become founders?
- Women bring unique perspectives essential for innovation.
- We often lead with empathy and care, which can transform industries.
- Founding a company offers financial independence and the power to impact our communities.
- Women are natural multitaskers, a key trait in entrepreneurship.
- We set examples for the next generation of girls, showing them that leadership is within their reach.
Five things that can be done to help empower more women to become founders:
- Access to Funding: Increase grants and venture capital for women-owned businesses.
- Mentorship Programs: Establish formal mentorships to connect aspiring female founders with experienced women entrepreneurs.
- Flexible Workspaces: Create work environments that support mothers and caregivers through flexible hours and remote options.
- Networking Opportunities: Women need access to networks and events to build industry connections.
- Visibility and Representation: Promote female founders in media and speaking opportunities to inspire others.
If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be?
I’d inspire a movement to make progressive, inclusive education accessible and celebrated everywhere. By empowering communities to create inclusive, small learning environments, we can nurture generations of children who are not only well-educated but also compassionate and socially responsible.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why?
I would love to sit down with Rachel Rodgers. Her work on empowering women, particularly women of color, to build wealth and embrace their financial potential is incredibly inspiring. As someone who advocates for entrepreneurship and financial independence, I admire her unapologetic approach to creating abundance and helping others do the same. A conversation with her would be both insightful and energizing, as her mission closely aligns with my goals of empowering women to become founders and leaders.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can follow our journey at Kind Academy through our website, kindacademy.org, and on social media @kind_academy on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok! We share updates, resources, and educational tips for parents, teachers, and anyone interested in progressive education.
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iman-cassells-alleyne-744677169/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheKindAcademy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kind_academy/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kindacademy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kind_academy
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kindacademy745
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children.
Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle.
Iman Cassells Alleyne Of Kind Academy: Why We Need More Women Founders & Here Is What We Are Doing… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.