Meet the ALIV Creative Using Her Voice to Empower Others
By day, Antonia Lightbourne brings ideas to life through design, creating impactful visuals as part of the marketing team at ALIV. But beyond the graphics and campaigns, there is another side to her calling: using her voice to inspire, empower, and remind others that purpose lives within them.
For Lightbourne, creativity and purpose have always gone hand in hand.
Her journey into graphic design began nearly 20 years ago after being let go from a previous job, an experience she now sees as divine redirection rather than disappointment.
“I had just gotten fired, and I remember crying, wondering why it happened,” she recalled. “But that moment led me to my uncle, who encouraged me to explore my creativity. I started training in Adobe InDesign, and from there, history was made.”
What began as a difficult season quickly became the foundation for a thriving creative career. Since then, Lightbourne has spent years sharpening her craft, mentoring upcoming designers, and using her talents to help others grow in their own creative journeys.
In fact, she says one of the most fulfilling parts of her professional life has not been the designs themselves, but the people she has helped along the way.
“Mentorship has been the most rewarding part for me,” she shared. “Teaching others design, helping them get started, and then seeing them go on to build businesses and thrive in their own careers, it’s been incredible.”
When a Magazine Became a Movement
While her hands were building brands, her voice was preparing something greater.
Seventeen years ago, Lightbourne launched a youth organization called ENUE. It was originally intended to be a magazine spotlighting people making a positive impact in the community. What began as a publication quickly evolved into something much bigger.
“It became more than just a magazine,” she explained. “It turned into a mentorship movement and a creative hub for people. Singers, dancers, artists, so many people came through that organization.”
Although she now commands stages and inspires audiences, Lightbourne admits public speaking was never part of the original plan.
“I used to be the quiet one,” she laughed. “I never saw myself as a speaker.”
That changed when circumstances required her to begin speaking publicly on behalf of the organization. Later, her decade-long tenure as a radio personality strengthened her confidence and sharpened her voice.
“I realized eventually that speaking was something I was called to do,” she said. “Fear had me saying no in the beginning, but once I embraced it, it became part of my journey.”
Written by:
Daniella Dorsette