Audrey Leechelle Hargro
Founder & Brand Manager
AUDREY LEECHELLE HARGRO, is the Visionary, Trailblazing Founder and Business Brand Manager behind the I -YAH YAH Pancake Mix Company.
I -YAH YAH is a youth powered brand with a powerful mission, known for its unique flavors, family-first mission and its signature slogan, “MMM MMM TASTES SO GOOD!” Audrey is the heartbeat of the company She leads all creative and unique initiatives to ensure the I-YAH-YAH brand is unforgettable and impactful.
Audrey is the creative force behind the brand’s growth and impact, leading with both purpose and passion.
As Business Brand Manager, Audrey oversees, product positioning, public relations, partnership development, youth mentorship, and promotional campaigns. She works very closely with the Project Manager, Wonda Montgomery, dedicated Formulator Ron Asmar of LIVE SMART, and the elite executive team. Audrey truly believes that a strong bond and work ethic between the executives is necessary to ensure customer service, high standards and quality products are our main ingredients to our company’s success.
What makes Audrey truly extra ordinary is her journey in life, “Started from the Bottom Now You’re Here, isn’t just a lyric, it’s the real foundation of her life’s work.
Audrey’s training and education is multi-purposeful as they are awe inspiring.
James A. Mulligan Elementary
Historical Society Gifted Student Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center (Chicago) where she developed her love for academic excellence.
Loyola University (Project Upward Bound) expanding her educational access and opportunity.
Columbia Broadcasting College of Chicago training in Media and Broadcasting
Northwest Missouri State University Theater & Communications
Wayne State University Advance Legal Studies where she honed her expertise in law and advocacy.
Audrey comprehends that it is vitally important to always include I YAH YAH’s young CEO and Executive Officers, in order to uphold the brand’s integrity. At a young age,
Audrey credits her Mother and Father, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew and Betty Robinson, for instilling in her a sense of purpose, a winning attitude and an unshakable resilience to rise above any challenge that she faced.
Backing up her parents were the influential educators like: Rosetta Johnson, Percy Kerrens, Lauraine Liberty, and Thomas Reed. They each played an important role in Audrey’s educational and personal life. Now it’s evident where Audrey’s get it done with excellence attitude comes from . Her positive approach is attributed to how she was built and how she was reared. They taught her early on that being number one must always be her mindset, because anything else is just placement. She took that and made it her not only her goal, but her mantra.
Her responsibilities also includes, community and national brand reach, shaping customer experiences, managing visual brand identity, co-ordinating red carpet and television and radio media appearances, and guiding the company’s cultural and philanthropic initiatives.
Beyond her leadership at I YAH YAH Pancake Mix Company, she is a registered Writers Guild of America, Certified Film Writer, Movie Producer. Audrey also serves as Royalties and Business Brand Manager to Grammy, Billboard, and Stellar Award-winning All-Genre Music Producers, Artists and Entertainers, including professional NBA and NFL athletes. She’s also an Award winning Para Professional whose teaching expertise instilled the passion in children to be the best, and was instrumental in the groundwork for her life’s passion, empowering youth.
Audrey’s work ethic and expertise continues to blend, money, power, creativity, commerce, and culture. She’s ultimately building brands that nourish, uplift, and inspire little girls and women throughout the communities and the world.
A proud graduate of Chicago Public Schools as a Gifted Student, Audrey is deeply rooted in the belief that early exposure to RESPECT, GOOD VALUES and STRONG MORALS is essential to lifelong success. Through I YAH YAH she aims to instill those principles in children empowering them with business knowledge, leadership skills and a head start to strategic and educated generational wealth.
Prior to launching the I YAH YAH Pancake Mix Company, Audrey owned and operated her award winning company Kid-E-Kastle Daycares, where she first opened in Missouri and ending in Michigan. From 1989- 2016 where children were nurtured and safe at A Home Away From Home, Audrey intertwined her nurturing love, passion for youth development and entrepreneurial innovation together and created a masterpiece.
“It is my duty and oath to continuing pouring into the next generation like hot syrup on a warm pancake, rich, sweet and overflowing with divine purpose.” That’s my promise and I’m sticking to it.