Breaking Barriers: Corichia Briscoe’s Journey from Equality Advocate to Founder of ReeLyfe Solutions

By Viktoria Capek

When Corichia Briscoe was in first grade, her teacher lost the signed permission slip she turned in for a field trip, barring her from going on the trip with her classmates.

“I sat underneath the table and wouldn’t come out from under my desk,” Briscoe remembered.

Briscoe had done everything right. She talked to her parents and turned in her forms on time. At six years old, she knew it was unfair for her to take blame for her teacher’s mistake. So, she stood up for herself.

“I had a heart and a passion for fairness,” she said.

This early demonstration of courage and conviction foreshadowed a lifetime commitment to standing up for what is right.

Briscoe’s journey spans military service, government jobs and corporate landscapes. With over two decades navigating the complex world of Human Resources, Briscoe stands out as a trailblazer.

She followed in her mother’s footsteps and entered the military after high school, serving with the Arkansas Army National Guard for 13 years in roles such as HR Specialist. This paved the way for her work as DEIA Program Manager, Special Emphasis Program Manager, and Lead Labor and Employee Relations Specialist, among others, with the federal government.

Not without facing hurdles, however.

“When I officially got out of the service, we were entering into a time period where that recession was going on,” Briscoe said. “It’s like 18 months before I finally got a job. I got the job at the Department of Homeland Security.”

But her biggest hurdles were just beginning to form. Early and often, Briscoe faced race and religious discrimination during her time working for the federal government. This led her to navigating the tumultuous process of filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a breaking point for Briscoe, who watched others take credit and recognition for the decades of work she committed to her employer.

This experience propelled Briscoe’s future roles as Founder and CEO of ReeLyfe Solutions, an HR consulting firm, and the Equal Employment Advocacy Firm. The latter was born out of her personal experiences, echoing her determination to empower others who face similar challenges.

“I vowed to do everything in my power to create inclusive workplaces where everyone feels valued and respected,” she said.

And it led her to an intersection with The Venture Center’s Veteran Owned Small Business Accelerator at just the right time. She left her full-time job in October 2023, just two weeks before the start of the accelerator program.

Briscoe found more than an opportunity—she stumbled on a meeting point of purpose and potential and knew focusing her energy on ReeLyfe Solutions was the right thing to do. 

Now, Briscoe spends her time working with federal, state and local government, private for profit and non profit organizations to achieve HR compliance.

“I knew right off the bat that I wanted to be a part of this cohort,” she said about the VOSBA. The program aligns seamlessly with Briscoe’s mission to create positive change through advocacy, education, and policy reform.

Briscoe’s involvement in the VOSBA program is significant, not just for her, but for the communities she represents. It symbolizes her continued commitment to breaking barriers and fostering inclusive spaces since her first fight for equality in first grade. 

“It’s a full circle moment for me,” Briscoe said. “The same thing that I was taking a stand for in first grade as a kid is the same types of things that I take a stand for now.”

As she embarks on this new chapter, Briscoe’s story remains an inspiration—a testament to enduring resilience, unwavering conviction, and an unyielding pursuit of justice.

Learn more about Corichia Briscoe and ReeLyfe Solutions, here.