We recently connected with Ms. D and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ms. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I’ve always wanted to work with children- my vision was to have a variety from different backgrounds and all areas of the educational spectrum. Me, Ms. D, would be the linking person among students, and teach them that coming together would be a “unifying” success. That’s really all there was to it. I didn’t know what type of business or service I would have, nor did I know how I would be the one responsible for bringing the youth together. As I continue to provide many opportunities through programs, private tutoring, mentoring and school appearances, I look around and am always reminded of who and what I am. I am Ms. D, the educator who unites children and their families with educational resources for collective success.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Miss D! I am originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, and have always known that I wanted to be in the education field since I was a little girl. This was a passion of mine and something I knew I would excel at. I remember being awarded the “Teacher’s Pet” award my senior year of high school (lol). Looking back, it’s just amazing how much of an influence my teachers had on me and my decision to teach. Why didn’t I go into college to be a teacher after high school? Why did I partake in social work and psychology? These are questions I still ask myself to this day. Neither of them filled my niche to teach and be involved with children on a day-to-day basis. After having to leave college and being forced to redirect my life, I decided that I would try to get into my passion, which was the education field. So, my first job working with children was at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club as a teacher aid. This is honestly where the name, “Miss D” was established. My co-teacher’s name was Miss T, and at that time I was going by Miss Shandrika, which is my government name. My students were eight and nine years old they were unable to say my name without messing it up. So, one day I shortened it, and I asked them to call me “Miss Drika”, which again they either couldn’t remember, or they would completely mess it up (lol). One of the students happily asked why they couldn’t just call me “Miss D”. I looked up and smiled because they had made life that much easier. This was in 2017, and since then everyone knows me as Miss D. Shortly after the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, I decided to start a business dedicated to children and doing my own thing. I did this by partnering with the Salvation Army- located on Spring Street in Charlotte, North Carolina on each and every Saturday. During our time spent we would engage in a variety of activities, play numerous games, and watch movies related to our theme to list a few. I presented toiletry items as prizes. I would also work with the children in the shelters offering tutoring, mentoring, and whatever other support I could provide. I had a small SUV at the time, so I would pack them in my car, take them to the library to work for a few hours, get something to eat and drop them back off the parents at the shelter. Everything I was doing had come together to form my new business name- Children United with Miss D. It all made sense and came together so perfectly from there. I started promoting these activities on social media. I was not doing it to gain popularity, rather show people that there are good people who may not be in a school system, but in the community. This led to me working with over fifty children a week! I remember being completely excited and overwhelmed altogether. The public libraries have really helped me in reaching my goal. This is why I’ve always decided to keep this as our home when I’m unable to meet with children in their home. Since then, I have rented out spaces and transitioned them into classrooms to provide an educational-theme experience for all of my students. In year 2022, I became great friends with a young pastor, and she and I collaborated to create a summer program for the youth in that area. In year 2023, I finally decided to utilize my degree and teach as a pre-kindergarten teacher in a charter school. I absolutely loved the experience and the growth it offered, being that I’ve always enjoyed teaching. Here we are in year 2024, and I am now a Cabarrus County resident. I have partnered with a local church to create an after school and summer school program for the children of Cabarrus County.This program is available for students’ kindergarten through twelve grade. In the near future, I plan to offer GED courses and other programs that will allow older students/adults a second chance at their education. I would love for college students in the education field to volunteer. I really have a plan, and I am really betting on myself. I really don’t see failure as an option. I see myself doing a great thing and an actual NEED in my community. I live to learn each and every day. What I didn’t know today, I just look forward to learning on tomorrow.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

You know, I’ve always seen my mom work overtime plus some more. Little did she know, not only was I watching her and learning from her every move, I, too, thought that a woman was supposed to overwork herself. Days when all I needed to do was paperwork, I would literally swamp myself with one hundred other things to do because I didn’t “feel” busy. I did this nonstop for about four years. I finally had no choice but to stop. I had to do a lot of self reflection. I had to ask myself, “what is it in life that you’re really seeking to have? A constant hardship? Why continue to overwork yourself when you know slow and steady work is all of the work you will need?” We never realize how much we have to work backward when we overwork ourselves. This was definitely an unlearning experience that was needed in so many different situations.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

When I branded my organization, “brand loyalty” was in my heart. Having the same clients each week is truly a gift. Miss D is ALWAYS professional, communicative and feasible with the soul to match! Children are like magnets to me because I am everything that I present to them. I understand when to apply pressure and when they just need a hug because I care. I simply give personality and children can read energy. To be honest, I’ve created the work family I’ve always dreamed of. After our sessions I ask for their honest feedback in ways I can improve. I am a FUN tutor (lol). I want to make learning fun again. I can say 100% of my students leave me and can not wait to get back. The babies love me, and I adore all of what I do for them. Being a light within my community, a genuine educator to my students and displaying honesty and professionalism to my parents is how I plan to continue fostering brand loyalty!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.CUWMD.com
• Instagram: Missesdrika
• Facebook: Missesdrika
• Linkedin: Children United with Miss D-CUWMD
• Youtube: @CUWMD
• Other: TikTok: beautywithbrains_missd