POWER ALUMNI
CARMALEITA WILLIS LYGHT
C armaleita Willis Lyght is the owner and creative behind Inspiring Spirits, a premium beverage mixers company. She is a Georgia native originally from Augusta, currently residing in Fayette County with her husband Otis J. and two sons Jacoby and Cayden. She is a graduate of Hampton University’s 5-year MBA program with a concentration in entrepreneurship and a minor in Spanish. She currently serves on the Cleveland Elementary School Council, volunteers with the school, assisted in introducing the Federal Aviation Administration’s Adopt A School program, and has been a member of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.
She is philanthropically and socially active. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Pi Alpha Omega chapter. Carmaleita’s non-traditional approach to bartending began when she became her father’s understudy. Joe Willis, as he is affectionately known, taught her that more important than pouring an outstanding drink, you must first know your client and their guests. Keeping that thought at the forefront, Carmaleita has worked alongside her father and two brothers for the past twenty years. And is occasionally joined by her mom, sister and husband as well. Carmaleita has held every event
staff position including janitor, dishwasher, server, bar back, bartender, project manager, administrative assistant, HR coordinator, consulting, inventory control specialist, logistics and operations and more. Carmaleita is constantly practicing her craft through research and development, hosting private tasting parties, and networking with her peers and industry leaders. It is her goal to continue to build on the success of her companies and make Inspiring Spirits a household name in the beverage industry.
4 9 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
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