We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Shakira Lynn recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Shakira , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I always dreamed of impacting the lives of girls around the world. I first came up with the idea of my non-profit organization in 2014 while having a conversation with my sister Latoria. I was getting glammed up for a photo shoot and we came up with the idea of giving away a dream prom for a young lady at Cedar Shoals High school where we both graduated from. We imagined giving away a worry free experience for a deserving young lady.

Prom night is one of the most exciting nights in high school. It’s the night you get to dress up like you’re walking the red carpet and dance the night away with friends. Usually you attend prom during your final years of high school, which can make the occasion bitter sweet because it means the end of an era and the hope for thrilling months (and years) to come. But in anticipation for all of the excitement, the last thing you want is to worry about what you’ll wear or how you’ll do your makeup. We have it handled! Dream Prom contestants write an essay describing their dream prom and are chosen by our staff to have their dreams come true!

I had so many emotions about this vision of starting the organization. I was elated to be able to provide experiences for young ladies that I only dreamed of as a teenager. This has been a worthwhile endeavor because we have been able to give away this experience every year since 2014 (with the exception of 2020 and 2021 when there was not a prom).

Providing the Dream Prom giveaway met the need of a problem that had not been addressed by any other organization in the Athens, GA community. We give away an unforgettable experience to deserving young ladies.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. I currently work as a Nurse Practitioner committed to practicing medicine using a holistic approach. I graduated with honors from Cedar Shoals High School in 2002. After graduation, I matriculated in the nursing program at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia where I became a charter member of Sigma Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I completed my Bachelors of Nursing degree at South Carolina State University with honors in 2008. After working for several years in inpatient hospital units, I went on to complete my Master of Science in Nursing degree at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing and became a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2013. While matriculating at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing, I traveled each summer to provide care on medical mission trips to over 2,000 residents near Agalta Valley in Olancho, Honduras. I was awarded the Edna Earle Teal Award in 2016 for my distinguished service to God and humanity. In 2015, I obtained my Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from the Medical University of South Carolina with an emphasis on clinical practice-oriented leadership training.

I began my career as a Family Nurse Practitioner at a Federally Qualified Health Center in South Carolina where I provided coordinated and comprehensive care for patients throughout the lifespan. I also worked on a mobile bus providing care for the homeless living in shelters across the upstate of South Carolina.
I was recognized as ‘Clinician of the Year’ in 2017 for services rendered to these homeless populations.

I founded my non-profit organization, Essentially Elegant, Inc. in 2014. The organization serves communities through action and purposeful leadership. I work diligently to empower communities to create social change. Through interactive and supportive programs, Essentially Elegant, Inc. seeks to improve the lives of both individuals and communities. I mentor girls in the Athens, GA community. I teach these girls etiquette, business ownership and study skills.

I have published three books- two highlighting my travel journey on mission trips throughout the world and one children’s book about an African American girl going on worldwide adventures. My influence is now worldwide. I continue to strive to be an asset not only to the communities I serve locally, but to the world.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

We depend on grant funding to support our programs. When I first started writing proposals for grants I had to research the correct process in order to provide detailed information about our programs. I developed my grant writing skills without any formal training. I was able to present grant proposals that highlighted measurable outcomes for each of our programs. There were several applications that I submitted which were denied. I became discouraged for a while, however I asked the organizations to provide guidance on why the applications had been rejected. I used the feedback I received to update the proposals and develop more informative proposals. We have since been granted funding that supports not only our programs but scholarships for students in our community.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I began marketing the organization to close friends and family first. My first group of mentees were mostly the daughters of friends and family. The best advertisement is word of mouth. Once word was out that our programs led to educational success for these girls, I began to receive inquiries from parents in the community. At one point, I had more applicants that I had staff to assign as mentors. The program has grown exponentially since 2014.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.essentiallyelegantinc.com/programs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EssentiallyElegantInc

Image Credits
Kalila Smith-Cooper