We recently connected with Rhonda Jenkins Mba, Mha, Qmhp-cs. and have shared our conversation below.
Rhonda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
The most significant risk I took in both my personal and professional life was leaving my second hometown, Houston, Texas, to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2023. At 18, I moved to Houston to attend Texas Southern University, leaving behind my disabled mother in pursuit of my dreams and a better life for both of us. Growing up in a lower socioeconomic area and in subsidized housing, my primary goal was to escape that environment. My 15 years in Houston provided me with valuable spiritual lessons that I learned repeatedly. Professionally, I earned two bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degrees and worked in various roles, including English teacher, state parole officer, case manager, certified nurse assistant, and mental health technician. However, by the end of 2022, I felt like I had hit a plateau. Although I was foundational to my own journey, I experienced a lack of growth and direction in my career. As a case manager and English teacher, I felt increasingly suffocated. I isolated myself to focus on my work, but my personal life suffered as I lost joy and passion in Houston. When I encountered old college classmates or colleagues, they often asked if I still lived in the city. In the fall of 2022, I began preparing to take the leap into the unknown, ready to soar toward new possibilities.
Throughout the winter of 2022, I traveled to Atlanta to search for housing and explore job opportunities. My objective was to grow I Was Her Foundation while financially supporting it through my education. I had the chance to connect with an excellent counselor in Gwinnett County, who graciously wrote me a letter of recommendation for my first career with Fulton County Schools at a charter school in southern Georgia, as a Reading Interventionist. Once I secured employment, everything began to fall into place; within weeks, I found long-term housing and started planning my physical move.
On March 9, 2023, I moved to Atlanta Georgia. It was a lot different than when I left Waco, Texas on the greyhound bus. This is a new state, this is the big leads, this is where stars are born. I was excited and thrilled.
A year into my 19 months of residing in Atlanta, I was able to walk away from corporate America and devote my energy full-time into expanding I Was Her Foundation.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a Qualified Mental Health Professional and community advocate with eight years of experience in implementing innovative community outreach programs and services aimed at bridging the gap between communities and schools. In April 2021, I founded and became the CEO of a nonprofit organization called I Was Her Foundation. Additionally, I am a YouTube creator for the channel Heal • Build • Transform • Rebirth, which focuses on self-empowerment and lifestyle vlogging. I hold two Bachelor’s degrees—one in Administration of Justice and the other in English. In May 2022, I earned my Master’s degree in Business with a concentration in Health Administration. My journey to where I am today has been marked by hard work and determination. I started from humble beginnings, and I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything. Since then, we have expanded I Was Her Foundation to include a behavioral health pilot program called I Was Her Behavioral Services LLC. I have also been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who and am honored to be listed among their esteemed members. You should also check out my article with VoyageATL-Hidden Gems edition!
I Was Her Foundation is a leading not-for-profit community-based social service organization servicing the Greater Houston and Metro-Atlanta areas, built with a team of highly qualified mental health professionals, which include: social workers, licensed professional counselors, and psychiatrists. I Was Her offers the unemployed, low income, and people struggling with an extensive amount of aid and financial support, including information on free new or gently used clothing, uniforms, work attire, back to school assistance supply programs and more. We also offer job and career services. I Was Her Foundation includes a host of Certified Teachers and Community Activists, who collectively work together to educate under-served communities on solutions that drive their success.
Mission: I Was Her Foundation provides hope and healing to at-risk girls and disadvantage women, through effective outreach programs and mental health services.
Vision: I Was Her Foundation is to address the mental , physical , financial, social, and vocational wellness of girls and women from lower-socioeconomic areas by building government partnerships, establishing housing support, utilizing effective data analysis, driving collaboration amongst the board of directors, and educating the public on solutions.
Heal • Build • Transform• Rebirth is my personal brand and YouTube channel. This channel was created to share holistic ways to healing and building the life you want! I will share my healing journey and at-home strategies to help your internal healing; which if done correctly, will lead to you reaching your fullest potential. I am now living a life I once dreamed of. All things LUXURY. It was not easy, believe me, I Was Her. Make sure to subscribe, to get weekly updates on how to become HER!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
After spending 19 months in Georgia, my life took an unexpected turn on September 11, 2024. I was involved in a three-car accident on a Georgia freeway that left my car totaled, and I suffered a few minor injuries, including a fractured left knee, a fractured right pinky finger, and some torn tissue in my neckline. I was grateful to have a few people here with me during this time. I’ve endured back spasms at night that could bring a woman to tears. With no car and feeling mentally overwhelmed, I took some time off to reflect and get my life back in order. Yet, after colliding with three highway barriers and being hit by two cars, both traveling at speeds of at least 45 miles per hour. I couldn’t believe after that type of impact, I was still walking and talking. It’s my time now! This day I felt invincible.
I came to understand that there was a purpose behind my survival. Now, I feel more alive than ever. This traumatic experience has instilled in me a sense of fearlessness, motivating me to pursue new heights and face my fears directly.
How’d you meet your business partner?
During my time at Fulton County Schools, I had the pleasure of meeting a social worker named Ms. Doss, whom I admire greatly. Ms. Doss connected me with an individual who has the potential to elevate I Was Her Foundation significantly. As a social worker for the State of Georgia and a native of Atlanta, Ms. Doss has an extensive network. We collaborated closely with her at Fulton County Schools, where we frequently discussed social services, and I shared the business model of I Was Her Foundation. Ms. Doss words was “you need to put this out, your website is amazing.” We now have contracted with that individual and we will disclose her at a later date. She is the foundation for I Was Her Expansion. I Was Her Foundation is forever grateful for Ms. Doss!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iwasher.org
- Instagram: _iwasherfoundation_ & heal_build_transform_rebirth
- Facebook: I Was Her
- Linkedin: I Was Her Foundation
- Youtube: Heal • Build • Transform• Rebirth
Image Credits
No Regret Media
Chase Gozy