We recently connected with Ikeranda Smith, PhD and have shared our conversation below.

Ikeranda , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

The most significant risk I have ever taken was to bet on myself; however, it was one defining risk that led to a series of magical, life-changing events. The first risk I took was obtaining my Ph.D. to work for myself. It was risky because I had little kids and was newly divorced; however, I knew it would lead to the best life I could imagine. To appreciate where I am today, you must understand that when I bet on myself, the first thing I did after I filed for divorce was quit my job. Instead, I worked as an elementary school teacher, making less than $20k a year. I moved in with a good friend who had recently bet on herself, and we co-mothered for several years to help each other achieve our goals. It was magical.

I returned to school and obtained another job for a college where I got to create campus life events. That position became an opportunity to work as the Interim Asst Director of Campus Life and Intercultural Engagement. This position gave me so much freedom to work on school, step into my authentic self as a queer Black woman while learning to love myself, and decide what I truly wanted my life to look like.

I took this risk because one day, I was overly frustrated with my life, and my mother looked me square in the eye and said, ” I would never have chosen this life for you.” Of course, if I were honest, I would not have chosen it for me either; however, when you are deep in trauma, you limit yourself to the pain that you are unwilling to address in hopes that no one will notice. I noticed it and made a promise to myself to change it.

Ikeranda , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a compassionate scholar-practitioner focused on serving humanity through efforts to build and strengthen communities. As an educator, I create spaces for scholars to excel as global thought leaders by infusing theories that transform environments by teaching innovative ways to integrate psychology in traditional settings. As a Life Coach, I believe in helping people reclaim their authentic selves and achieve more fulfillment by assisting them in creating more safety in their lives while teaching them how to love themselves guilt-free.

I love what I do because it is my purpose. I look at my work as my assignment, and I enter every client relationship, classroom, and space with the understanding that I am a vessel of peace sent here to make the world a better place by helping others understand themselves better.

In my practice, I help people live more intentionally, so I spend most of my time showing people the gap between who they are and who they desire to be. People are afraid to live authentically for the risk of disappointing their family because, truthfully, everyone has a lived experience that often challenges the people around them to explore their own beliefs, and that …usually frightens people.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was fully understanding my worth. I knew that I was great at what I did. However, I used to be afraid to demand it. Now I don’t think twice when negotiating with clients or other opportunities. One thing I would tell anyone is to deal with how you were loved as a child and think about how you “wanted and needed to be loved.” Determine what you deserve and demand it, then triple it.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Absolutely not! I love what I do and know I am making a significant impact. Only love can heal us, and I am on a mission to permit people to receive the love they deserve by opening their hearts and minds to radically living in their truth.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.drikeranda.com
• Instagram: @justikeandthetribe
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ikeranda.smith
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ikerandasmith/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ikeandthetribe

Image Credits
2 professional photos by David and Jess Photography