We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Catovia Rayner DHA, MPH, MSW, LCSW recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Catovia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.
Taking a chance by diving into being my authentic self not only was a defining moment in my professional career but personally liberating. A conscious decision to be open and transparent about the treatment and suffering I endured as a woman of color in the American workplace. So when the opportunity presented itself to write a book chapter to a broader audience, I jumped in. In the book, Everyday Struggle How Toxic Workspaces Impact Black Women, by Dr. Carey Yazeed, I wrote ” The Narrative”. Plunging into an emotionally charged discussion of The on my traumatic experiences being subjective to repeated harassment and bullying in the workplace. In my formal training, there is no preparation or discussion for the mental brutality that one may experience in the workplace. As a result, I have this commitment to work with individuals experiencing challenges in the workplace. This project has allowed me to contribute to the healthy conversation of ensuring women of color have psychological safety and security in the workplace. In addition, I provide some key pointers on how to avoid the common pitfalls.
So this experience has ignited a spark of innovation and creativity. I have always had a desire to be a writer and share my story about my life experiences. I self published my first book in 2012, . After that experience, I continue to write articles in various publications that promote the overall wellbeing of others. This experience led me to my latest project on A Life of Optimal Health, The Discovery of Self While Living with An Eating Disorder. Being able to share the struggles of experiencing an eating disorder as a person of color. The lack of focus and equity to provide resources that are cultural based are needed during this time of health equity. The goal is to spark the conversation of inclusion and developing treatments based on the needs of people of color.
So storytelling is my mission and the focus of Urban Butterfly Media, I have worked on several projects that include a documentaries of people of color:
Bipoc in America
Finding Ken A documentary unveiling Ken Terrell’s Life
Fighting For Christ Tito “Tiburon” Ocasio’s Story
Essentially, my hope is that individuals feel included in life. Free to live authenticity and unapologetic. See where you can make a difference in others lives and be willing to listen.
Stay focused and positive in making an impact on others lives each day.
Dr. Catovia, 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?
Dr. Catovia, DHA, MPH, MSW, LCSW, is a cultural anthropologist, sociologist, social worker, and historian. As a professional speaker, she brings awareness to social and cultural issues related to underrepresented individuals and groups. She is a best-selling author developing works that bring awareness to the Black Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) perspective in American culture. She is a certified Diversity and Inclusion Specialist with vast experience as a professional speaker. She is an avid Change Management practitioner as a coach and professional mentor. As an accomplished author she has written books and articles that are culturally inclusive. This includes approaches that enhance and promote diversity in American culture.
Facebook @DrCatC
Website: www.urbanbutterfly.media
Email: [email protected]
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I learned to be the best version and the top of my profession, so many individuals are athletes but we only see the best and the most extraordinary. So I learned to operate at the top of the game and excel to that level being the best. This takes hard work and dedication to working and learning effective techniques and skills. Stay in a conscious state of learning and growth to evolve into a better you.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I have to unlearn that everything is not a fight. Deciding when to stand up and when to stand down, this takes time and effort.
Taking moment to breathe and decide, Does this really matter in this moment? If so, why?
What will taking a stand change?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.urbanbutterfly.media
- Instagram: @urbanbutterflymedia
- Facebook: @DrCatC
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/dr-cat-rayner-70b8b1230
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzJAoY_9jhEJK5sjs61Y3YA