Meet Alexander Freeman | Business Owner & Assistant Principal

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexander Freeman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexander, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In 2019, when Kaleidoscope Tutoring and Consulting LLC was founded, the mission was clear: to help students and adults chase their dreams. I embarked on the challenging and rewarding path of entrepreneurship with the hope that one day I could show the people who helped mold me that their love and support paid off.

I graduated from Miami University in 2014 and had experience teaching and coaching in various schools within the Greater Cleveland Area, along with part-time roles as a tutor and writing consultant before I started my business. In 2019 I questioned whether I was truly making a difference in my students’ lives.

Simultaneously pursuing a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University in 2019, I sought to merge my knowledge and experience in education with my passion for leadership and business. With the motto, “The world is a kaleidoscope of dreams, ideas, faces, and places. It’s our goal to nurture the colorful and vibrant minds of our students,” Kaleidoscope Tutoring and Consulting LLC was born. I often dress up in costumes to entertain my students, or create fun engaging songs and games to help them learn. I try to utilize advances in technology to assist me in providing exceptional service to my clients. Having fun and utilizing creativity has helped me strive as an educator and entrepreneur; and it is what drives my company.

Our mission at Kaleidoscope Tutoring and Consulting is to provide exceptional educational support to students and empower them to reach their full potential. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality tutoring and academic assistance to students, enabling them to excel in their studies and develop confidence in their abilities. Through personalized instruction and tailored support, we help students overcome challenges and achieve academic success. As an African-American entrepreneur, I recognize the importance of representation in education. I aim to serve as a role model for students of color, inspiring them to believe in their own potential and demonstrating that success in education and entrepreneurship is attainable for everyone. My vision was to actively engage with my local community by offering cost efficient tutoring services to underserved students. I believe that education should be accessible to all, and my company’s commitment to community engagement allows us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who need it the most.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey with art began at a young age, as I started drawing at the tender age of five and discovered a passion for writing poetry during my high school years. Over time, I have crafted over a hundred poems, a handful of which I have had the pleasure of sharing with close friends and family. However, I am thrilled to announce that in 2024, I will be taking a significant step forward by publishing a book of my poems.

In addition to my poetry endeavors, I have also ventured into the realm of children’s book creation, digital artistry, and designing logos and materials for my esteemed clientele. One might say that my brand is always evolving, as I perceive my business as a blank canvas. Each day, I strive to add to this canvas, leaving behind love, pain, and the essence of life through the strokes of a paintbrush.

As an educator, it is my utmost mission to empower my students to find their unique voices and express themselves through the enchanting world of art. However, it is worth acknowledging that I, too, grapple with the vulnerability of showcasing my artwork to the world. Nonetheless, I believe that true growth comes from embracing courage and taking the leap to share one’s creations with others.

Allow me to share a small excerpt from one of my poems, titled “The Trodden Brown Dove”

“Dear Queen,

I’ve seen that same smile before… a thousand stories buried in those misty brown eyes…
You are as beautiful as a golden-bronze dove, in Cleopatra’s Utopian Egyptian Garden.
Your eyes are mesmerized by desire, but your heart still peers over the horizon.
Searching for the glory that your heart deserves, your emptiness can’t be described in words.
You smile until the pain widows your soul into a plethora of weathered soft roses.
Each petal of your soul’s roses float away from the treachery, the secrecy, the atrocities.
Your hands are quicksand absorbing every painful river running down your cheek…”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If one of my best friends came to Columbus I would try to take them to a few of my favorite areas to give them a glimpse of all the amazing restaurants, architecture, events, and cultural experiences the city has to offer. I would take my best friend to the Short North Arts District because it is renowned for its art galleries, boutiques, and unique shops. It offers an enriching experience for art enthusiasts and those seeking a vibrant cultural atmosphere. My wife Melinda and I would more than likely take my best friend to The Guild House, it is hands down our favorite restaurant in the area. The food is impeccable and the ambiance is intoxicating, modern, and charming.

I also would take my best friend to the Columbus Museum of Art; we would delve into the diverse collection of American and European art. This museum frequently showcases special exhibitions and hosts engaging events, offering an educational and immersive art experience.

My best friend is a sports fanatic so we would visit Ohio State’s campus to grab a few cocktails and buy some Ohio State gear. We would also take a helicopter tour over Ohio State and the city so they can enjoy Columbus from a bird’s-eye view.

The last area I would explore with my best friend is Scioto Mile. We would take a leisure stroll along the scenic Scioto Mile, a picturesque riverfront park featuring captivating views, serene walking paths, and recreational spaces. The Scioto Mile also hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year; one of my favorite events that my wife and I frequent is the Jazz and Ribfest.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Starting a business was daunting, but I also drew strength from my parents, (my mother) Viza Freeman, and (my father) William Freeman, who have made countless sacrifices for my four younger siblings and me. From an early age, education, leadership, and compassion were instilled into my D.N.A. and it was the fusion of passion and purpose that propelled me to turn my educational expertise into a business. It is a blessing that I have been able to give back to my community and my parents helped mold me into the man I am today.

It was also the encouragement and support of family members, such as my grandmother Caroline Haynes, my grandfather Billy Haynes, and my cousins/mentors Joy Brown and Robb Brown, that inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and push the limits as a young African-American entrepreneur. There were also a plethora of former teachers, friends, and mentors who helped build my brand, find clientele, and dared me to embark on a path of Black Excellence.

I want to give a special thanks to The REACH Program and all my brothers and alumni; especially Terry Lipford who has mentored me since I was 16 years old at University School in Hunting Valley, Ohio. The REACH Program was my second home and helped me succeed as a scholar at Miami University and Western Governors University. The Reach Program helped me learn about many prominent African-American figures such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Dr. W.E.B. DuBois; and growing up I had teachers and students who helped teach me about the African Diaspora. I was able to teach during the summers of my college career at The REACH Program and strengthen my skills as an entrepreneur, a teacher, and a leader.

My beautiful wife Melinda Gachett-Freeman has been my biggest supporter in all my entrepreneurial endeavors. I love her to the moon and back and she inspires me every day to continue to be a great father and role model for my son Elijah. They continue to invest their time and energy towards helping my company grow and I am truly blessed to have them in my life.

Finally, I want to thank all my former professors, family members, my supervisor (Kathryn Kountz: Superintendent/Principal at Imagine Great Western Academy), and my students for always being supportive and challenging me to be the best version of myself.

Website: https://alexanderafreeman1.wixsite.com/ktctutorme

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaleidoscope_ceo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexfreeman1/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ktctutorme

Other: https://www.aceohio.org/marketplace/240544

Image Credits
Lonnie Griffin Photography