"I did the process, just in a different order! I turned out OK" she says jubilantly. Indeed she has. She lives in a quiet Waukesha neighborhood not far from Carroll College with her husband of eight years, Tydus, their daughter Trinity and stepson Damon. Vivacious, pretty as a picture and bearing just a hint of that famous smile, Hayes could choose from a number of careers using her bachelor’s degree in English or her college minor in psychology. She has chosen to share her talents primarily with the meek and lowly.

Currently, she works in a federally-funded program titled Word of Hope Ministries through her church, Holy Cathedral Church of God in Christ. It helps former prisoners re-enter society. She has a case load of 50 young men averaging 18 to 20 years of age, and shepherds them to the resources they need such as social services, mentors, job training or educational opportunities. "We’re a one stop location. Otherwise, recently released prisoners can get overwhelmed being sent everywhere for different programs.

"The difficult part is getting them to trust us. I have to build rapport even if it means using street talk. They’ve grown up without one or more parents, they’re scared of the system and they lack education. I make it clear they must work at their success at least as hard as I work for them. I’m a certified mental health professional which helps. It is important to let them know they’re not just a number; I and all the staff are there for them. Even so, the recidivism rate is about 50 percent."

Among her community projects is the Waukesha Women’s Center; she serves on the board of directors. Hayessees it as a great networking opportunity and says with a mischievous smile, "They put me on the marketing committee."

Much like her Aunt Oprah, Hayes discovered a lot about herself in Africa, specifically, Kenya and Tanzania. In 1998, Hayes went with a group of Carroll College students and professors for a month. "They called me the Video Cam Queen. I took my video camera and a big bag of batteries to capture every moment in places like Masai Mara, a game reserve in Tanzania, or Lamu, the beautiful island off the coast of Kenya. Everyone wanted a copy of the tape." The filming hobby has become a major part of her life.

Her gracious home is a small gallery for enlarged, still life photos of Kenyan children as well as big game. A contented lioness stares out above the mantelpiece.

While Alisha is quite adept behind the camera lens, Tydus shows his talents with music and they share their talents in their new business.

Recently, she and Tydus created Studio 51, located in downtown Waukesha, Tydus helps any number and genre of musical groups get their sound recorded and produced. Alisha has taken her expertise in video to "helping people visually record just about anything they want. "The saddest was videotaping someone’s will, but the weddings are wonderful. I’ve done events for the YMCA’s Young Leader’s Academy and an informational video for the Prisoner Re-entry Program which is used in 30 states."

Hayes met her husband at the Milwaukee School of the Arts. "He was always the D.J. at school events and I sang. At Carroll College I sang in the opera, ‘The Pirates of Penzance.’"

Third-grader Tiffany keeps her mom and dad on their toes. "Trinity is into everything: gymnastics, modeling and swimming." Handsome, 16-year-old Damon knows the importance of protecting his mother and her world famous aunt. Oprah came to visit shortly after they moved into their home. As she was coming up the front steps, Tiffany ran out to greet her, calling "Aunt Oprah." A neighbor gasped, "Is that like the Oprah Winfrey on TV?" Damon responded, "Nah; just looks like her."

Being related to the woman who is a household name around the world isn’t always easy. Hayes says that frequently, tabloid reporters show up looking for something salacious about Oprah. Hayes shakes her head in wonder, remembering her trip to Africa. Harpo Productions, (Oprah’s company) sent along a box of T-shirts to give away. "Even in the bush, people knew Oprah!" On the other hand, there is a photo of Hayes and her sister, who lives in New York City, getting a big hug from Oprah at the famous 50th birthday bash. That was a great ticket to have.

"When people ask me about her, I want to say she was my aunt before she was Oprah. I remember as a little girl walking through Dineen Park in Milwaukee with her. She had an Afro and was holding my hand. Sometimes I wish for those simpler times. We communicate mostly by e-mail. I’ve always been close to my grandmother, Vernita, Oprah’s mother, especially now that my mother has passed away. I talk on the phone to my grandmother every day.

"What I know for sure is I’ve made my own life; Oprah appreciates my independence and what I’ve done."

No doubt the meek and lowly with whom she spends so much time also appreciate her.