Alumni in Business Spotlight:
Demarra West
"Relationships have the power to help us rise more fully into who we are—or take us to some of the lowest parts of ourselves."
For Demarra West, that belief has become both a guiding principle and a global mission. A 2003 graduate of Kalamazoo Valley Community College, West has spent more than 25 years leading work rooted in healing, equity, and meaningful systems change. Today, she shares that message as an international speaker, author, and retreat curator, with her work featured in publications such as Essence, Black Enterprise, and Encore Magazine.
At the core of West's work is a commitment to building spaces where individuals—particularly those historically excluded—can access healing, connection, and opportunity. Since 2023, she has led Be Well Beautiful People, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to wellness and liberation for BIPOC, LGBTQI+, low-income, and system-impacted communities. This work builds on her earlier founding of Be Well Beautiful Woman in 2018, born from her recognition that traditional wellness spaces often failed to meet the needs of women of color and other marginalized groups.
Through direct service, advocacy, and research-based practices focused on trauma recovery, West has created pathways for individuals and organizations to engage in healing that honors lived experience. Her long-term vision, to establish an urban retreat center, reflects her belief that healing should be both accessible and rooted in community, creativity, and cultural understanding.
Earlier in her career, West served as founding executive director of Educating for Freedom in Schools and co-founded the Kalamazoo CDF Freedom Schools. These initiatives provided culturally relevant programming for Black and Brown children and families, addressing academic disparities while affirming identity and strengthening family support systems.
Her leadership extends beyond program development into governance and institutional change. Over 12 years on the YWCA Kalamazoo board (including roles as chairwoman and vice chair) West helped shape governance structures, expand leadership pathways, and center racial and gender equity in decision-making. Her work contributed to stronger accountability and more inclusive service delivery.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, West has spent 15 years as a therapist and clinical leader, taught at Western Michigan University, and founded a consulting practice that has supported more than 150 organizations nationwide. Through strategic planning, leadership development, and equity-centered capacity building, she has helped organizations grow in ways that are both sustainable and impactful.
Her voice extends beyond her professional work. Through writing and public engagement, including her memoir, Me Too: A Therapist's Journey to Heal, Find Liberation, & Joy—West has reached thousands, helping shift conversations around trauma, healing, and personal transformation.
West's career is defined by intentional leadership, deep compassion, and a commitment to creating spaces where people and communities can thrive. Her work continues to inspire, empower, and build pathways for others, making her a powerful example of the impact Kalamazoo Valley Community College alumni have in the world.
To learn more about her work, visit https://www.demarrawest.com.
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About Alumni in Business
KVCC Alumni Business Spotlight shines a light on alumni who are building businesses, creating jobs, and serving our community with purpose. Each interview shares what they do, what inspired them to start their business, and how their KVCC experience helped shape their journey.
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