Dr. Maurya Dominica Cockrell Presents The Side Hustle Honors

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Dr. Maurya Dominica Cockrell

What is a side hustle? According to a definition taken from the online dictionary of dictionary.com, a side hustle is a job or occupation that brings in extra money beyond one’s regular job and primary source of income. Well, there is an individual who has made it her business to highlight and recognize individuals who’ve been successful as side hustlers.

Dr. Maurya Dominica Cockrell is the founder of Side Hustle Honors. Founded in 2015, Side Hustle Honors is an annual intergenerational awards ceremony that celebrates those who balance full-time responsibilities such as a (9 to 5), or school while maintaining their entrepreneurial endeavors. The first awards ceremony was held in St. Louis, MO, in 2018 and has grown every year since, giving over 60 awards to St. Louis, Metro East, Chicago, and Florida areas. Side Hustle Honors launched its Side Hustler Jr. brand in 2022, which celebrates the achievements of young entrepreneurs under the age of 18. It also offers business coaching to individuals looking to start their side hustle.

Dr. Cockrell was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. Her mother is from St. Louis, and her father is from East St. Louis. Both were educators for the East St. Louis School District, and she says education was extremely important in her family while growing up.

Side hustling runs in Dr. Cockrell’s blood. She is also a third-generation side hustler and entrepreneur, as her maternal grandfather was a full-time contracting and real estate entrepreneur. Her paternal grandfather worked a full-time job and freelanced as an electrician, and her father worked as a band director, played smooth jazz on the weekends with his band, and was the musician for a local church.

She graduated from Saint Louis University with a B.S. in Health Management and Policy and a Minor in Theological Studies. Dr. Cockrell also received an M.A. in Human Resources Management from Webster University and her Doctorate in Health Professions Education from Logan University. She holds additional certificates and certifications in human resources and career/business coaching. “I’ve been coaching and consulting for over seven years, helping educational institutions, small businesses, and side hustlers,” she says. Dr. Cockrell is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Dr. Cockrell says she decided to produce the Side Hustle Honors event because she saw a gap in the awards ceremony market. “There were many events tailored to those who climbed to the C-Suite or generated milliondollar sales, and those that were strictly a popularity contest. I could not find any ceremony that recognized and motivated individuals who were side hustlers,.” she says. One thing led to another, and in 2015, she started coaching individuals. In 2018, her first event was held and has grown ever since.

Dr. Cockrell says she genuinely loves celebrating others. “With so much negativity in the world, I’ve tried to carve out a space where those often overlooked are honored, celebrated, and respected for what they do. I love the stories from honorees and that individuals aspire to be award recipients,” she says.

Dr. Cockrell is truly inspired by the commitment and involvement of others with her program and shares how she relates to their cause. “My family’s entrepreneurial spirit motivated me to create my dream when I could not find it in a (9 to 5) position. My background in human resources taught me to be an advocate for employees. Seeing the inner workings of organizations motivated me to have a backup plan in case of layoffs or career burnout. Most importantly, I am inspired and driven by my faith.”

Hosting an awards event, Dr. Cockrell says, is no easy task. However, she believes it is something God called her to do. “My spiritual gifts are administration and mercy. I genuinely believe I fulfill my calling when hosting the Side Hustle Honors. I can gather and organize individuals, businesses, and sponsors to create an amazing show,” she says.

As a business owner, Dr. Cockrell says she has made her fair share of mistakes but wouldn’t change anything about her journey. “Every failure or mishap has taught me a lesson. I now share my mishaps with aspiring business owners so they will have a smoother path than I did.”

Dr. Cockrell says she is excited about the future of Side Hustle Honors. She is looking forward to it being hosted in cities across the country and even internationally. Recently, she incorporated a non-profit, Side Hustler Alliance, to provide free workshops to individuals looking to start a side hustle. These underresourced individuals will now gain the knowledge and resources needed to take the first step into entrepreneurship. To learn more about the Side Hustle Honors, please visit their website.