We recently connected with Cornisha Cunningham and have shared our conversation below.

Cornisha , appreciate you joining us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

One of the most important lessons/experiences I had in my professional career was finding my voice. The ability to assert yourself while remaining respectful at the same time is vital. I learned that standing up for myself and expressing my views in a positive way was the best way to reach a resolution. Growing up, my mother always taught me that “it’s not only what you say, but it’s how you say it” and I live by that daily. I also learned that being proactive and being open to feedback were important components of successful communication. I learned that it is important to be able to compromise and be open to new ideas. All in all, I learned that effective communication is the key to resolving conflicts and achieving successful outcomes.

I found my voice and became a keynote speaker for the College Prep Academy at the Metropolitan Indianapolis-Central Indiana Area Health Education Center on March 11, 2023. As a former college prep academy student, speaking at the graduation gave me the opportunity to motivate and inspire the graduates with my testimonies. I shared my story of perseverance and resilience, and encouraged the students to never give up on their dreams. I was filled with joy and pride when I saw the faces of the students, knowing that my words had resonated with them. It was an unforgettable moment that I will never forget. I hope my words will encourage them to stay motivated and take on whatever life throws at them. I told them that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. It was an honor to share my story with these graduates. I ended the speech with a challenge to them to strive for excellence and never give up on their dreams.

Cornisha , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

It’s my pleasure to introduce myself as Cornisha Cunningham, BSW, MSW, and soon to be DSW. In addition to being an author, I am also an entrepreneur and a psychiatric social worker. I have experienced circumstances that have inspired me to give back to my community as a Gary, Indiana native. I am passionate about empowering others and helping them reach their full potential. I believe that everyone should have access to resources, support, and hope. I am committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others. I am committed to using my talents, experience and connections to create meaningful change in my community. I am committed to providing support and guidance to those in need and to creating opportunities for others to succeed.

I now offer consultation and editing services to individuals who need help writing their academic papers. I can help individuals perfect their writing or provide feedback on their work. I can also offer advice on how to improve their writing technique. I have extensive experience in academic writing and can provide individuals with valuable insights into how to structure your work, create a strong argument, and use accurate language. Additionally, I can help proofread work for accuracy and clarity. So, if anyone is in need of assistance, do contact me and I will do my best to help.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Yes. The “Four Agreements” by don Miguel Ruiz. Throughout this book, we are exposed to a source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create unnecessary suffering in our lives. With The Four Agreements, we can rapidly create a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love, based on ancient Toltec wisdom. My life was changed in so many ways by this book. I first read this book when I was in my early 20s and it has stayed with me ever since. It has essentially helped me to gain insight into my life and to gain a better understanding of myself. It has also helped me to create a more positive outlook on life.

The second book that changed my life is “Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be” by Rachel Hollis. Can we say reality check? As a result of reading this book, I am more determined than ever to get real and become the joyous, confident woman I am meant to be. I started reading it with the intention of just finishing it, but it ended up being much more than that. This book motivated me to take action and to start living the life I’ve always wanted. It was truly an eye-opening experience that I will never forget.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Having been in the doctoral program for four months and only living in Texas for one month, I found out I was pregnant with my first child. My emotions were so intense that I knew I couldn’t continue. Due to limited family support, my fiance and I had to figure out our new lives on our own. First time mommyhood scared me, but brought me so much joy. I was overwhelmed with feelings of uncertainty and confusion. I had to be strong and take charge of the situation. I was determined to make the best of it and give my child the best life I possibly could.

Having had my first daughter three months before our second daughter entered this world ten months later (Irish twins). As I tried to learn and adjust to the new me, I knew I couldn’t continue with school while having a three month old. With my second daughter, I sought a therapist after being in denial about postpartum depression with my first daughter. When I knew I had resources that could help me overcome PPD, I did not want to fight that battle alone. I was blessed to have found a therapist who helped me recognize the signs of postpartum depression and provided me with the resources and support I needed. I am now better equipped to handle the challenges of having two small children and I am thankful for the help I received. Overall, I am thankful for the resources and support I received that enabled me to overcome PPD and continue to enjoy my motherhood journey, while being a fulltime doctoral student.

Today, as I approach the completion of my Doctorate in Social Work this quarter, I am grateful for God’s blessing on my academic endeavor. So to me, resilience is not just about surviving difficult times, but also about using them to become stronger and more successful. It’s about finding the courage to face the challenges life throws our way and using those experiences to learn and grow. I’m proud to be an example of resilience and hope my story can inspire others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://innerpeacepathways.org/
• Instagram: c.yvonne._
• Facebook: Cornisha Yvonne
• Linkedin: Cornisha Cunningham
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Your-Radiance-Self-Love-Colorful/dp/B0CK3ZWTW7/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=38PDGRIS06YND&keywords=embracing+your+radiance&qid=1697298001&sprefix=embracing+your+radiance%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-1

Image Credits
QuietbutDeadly Photography Whitney Nicole