Kayla Alexis named Black Impact Magazine's 2025 Woman Of Impact

Kayla A. Hicks is a trailblazing leader, entrepreneur, and humanitarian whose work is redefining what it means to empower individuals and communities. As the Founder, President, and CEO of Sustain Equity Group (SEG), Kayla has dedicated her career to advancing leadership, economic growth, and violence prevention, particularly among women and girls in marginalized and rural communities. Her nonprofit organization is a beacon of hope, fostering equity, trust, and resilience through innovative programs and partnerships that address critical societal challenges.

Beyond her nonprofit work, Kayla is the owner of The Private Investigations Firm, LLC, a groundbreaking venture that uniquely combines private investigation expertise with dating coaching and relationship profiling. With unmatched skills in relationship vetting, Kayla specializes in helping individuals—particularly those 45 and older—navigate the complexities of modern dating. Her exclusive and highly personalized approach ensures that clients are not only matched with compatible partners but are also equipped with the tools to foster emotionally healthy, lasting relationships. By integrating private investigation methods, emotional profiling, and security protocols, Kayla’s services offer a level of authenticity and safety that sets her apart in the dating industry.

Kayla’s firm also provides comprehensive support through background investigations, security services, and relationship vetting for new partnerships, divorces, and personal safety. Her Vetted Security Services Department ensures that every client receives tailored, high-quality assistance, whether they are protecting their personal lives or safeguarding their professional environments. Kayla’s mission is to inspire individuals to invest in themselves and take intentional steps toward building relationships rooted in trust, integrity, and emotional readiness.

A certified nonprofit professional, executive coach, and trauma-response specialist, Kayla’s career is marked by integrity, impact, and innovation. Her contributions include published research, national program development, and editorial work with higher education authors. Known for her resilience and transformational leadership, Kayla has used her own journey of overcoming adversity to fuel her passion for helping others.

Her work has captured national attention, not only for its originality but also for its effectiveness in addressing critical gaps in the fields of relationship development, safety, and empowerment. Kayla’s ability to merge her investigative expertise with her coaching services creates a one-of-a-kind experience that attracts discerning, high-income singles who are ready to invest in their personal and romantic growth.

In addition to her professional achievements, Kayla is a dedicated advocate for equity and truth. She is also pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer through a rigorous apprenticeship program in Virginia, further expanding her expertise to better serve individuals and communities.

As a 2025 “Woman to Watch,” Kayla A. Hicks is more than a leader; she is a force for transformation. Her unique blend of skills, vision, and dedication to fostering trust and equity continues to inspire countless individuals to take bold steps toward personal and relational growth. Whether you’re ready to invest in exclusive dating services, relationship coaching, or simply looking to build a life rooted in intentionality and authenticity, Kayla is the expert you’ve been waiting for.

For those seeking to elevate their personal lives and relationships, Kayla A. Hicks offers a rare combination of expertise, empathy, and empowerment. She invites you to take the next step and experience the unmatched value of her services.

Q&A with Kayla.

For those who don’t have any positive role models or mentors around them, what direction would you give them?

"The most critical step is to seek yourself and become the role model you need. Not every leader is a role model, and not every role model is equipped to lead. To find guidance, you must first understand what true leadership means—a harmony of mind, body, and spirit working in sync. Without this understanding, you risk being led into chaos. If you lack positive influences around you, look inward. Begin by aligning with your values, setting clear intentions, and leading yourself with integrity and purpose. Remember, the strongest foundation comes from within, and only then will you attract the kind of people who elevate, rather than diminish, your potential."

Tell us why you made the choice to choose a greater and higher path for your life. If there was a specific moment, event, circumstance, or person that helped convince you, tell us about it.

"I didn’t initially choose this path—it chose me. Losing my identical twin sister as an infant and being placed in foster care until I was five or six shaped my earliest memories. Those years were marked by unimaginable hardships, but they also planted the seeds of resilience. My grandmother once told me I was a natural-born leader and urged me not to fear the spirit guiding me. For years, I doubted myself, but as I grew, my life experiences pushed me toward becoming the person I was always meant to be. The Bible says, “Your gift will make room for you,” and my gift to lead others has been both a calling and a responsibility. Along the way, I was blessed with angels—people who lifted me, guided me, and protected me. Their love and support inspired me to give back and be better to the world than it was to me."