We recently connected with Kiarie DeGroat and have shared our conversation below.

Kiarie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

What I would change about the educational system is simply the system itself. In America, our system isn’t designed for success of all children. We see this, I definitely see this, as a teacher in the Westside of Atlanta at the first black high school in Atlanta. Limited resources are given to schools that have a larger “minority” population and because of the community that may be around these children they also do not have the personal financial stability or support to sustain what their counterparts can. In my classroom I integrate everything that you will see in a college setting into a high school setting. I think when it comes to preparing our children for fulfilling careers or lives we need to always teach up but give them independence to free-think and make their own decisions. Facilitate and guide them into the right directions without holding them back, dimming their light or diminishing their spirits to be successful in whatever field/means that may be for them.

Kiarie, 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?

My name is Kiarie DeGroat, formally known as BIG KEE and I am a 28 year old first time mother, educator and creative. Previously I did an interview with voyageATL at the start of my creative career as a novice tattooist, painter, artist manager and digital artist. I still do all of these things but since recently becoming a mother of the most amazing little big in the world, 💙😩, I have become an educator in high school. My creative talents have not taken a backseat as I still hone them on the weekends but have recently decided to further my career within education. I plan to become a doctoral student and change the lives of students within secondary and higher education. I am one of one. A woman of many talents. “A jack of all trades is a master of bone, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” And this saying is what I love to live by. I try to bring a personal experience to everything I do and everyone I work with because my name supersedes me and is everything I have. What I am most proud of is being a positive influence and role model to not only my son, but to other people’s children. They trust me to impact their lives and that’s huge! I am an educator and my work can be found on Instagram and Twitter at thisismisskee. I also own my own business and it’s on Instagram as thekeybrandco. I am a cheer coach and a class sponsor as well at the current high school I work at. Shout out to THEE Booker T. Washington High School a hidden gem and the oasis of the Westside 💙🤍. Feel free to give both a follow and connect with me as I love working in both realms to either create or bring new opportunities to my students and the school!

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

The fact that I am still here. Growing up there were a lot of traumatic events that happened to me and even into my adulthood that could have torn me down and really made me lose focus and faith. However, due to those same life-altering events it made me decide to not stay low for long. I sought out help (professionally – because there’s nothing wrong with that. Please don’t be ashamed y’all) and I got myself together. Growing a human inside of me also aided in my strength, as I had a new life that would count on me. I could no longer be selfish so I had to compose a plan. Who knew that in the midst of chaos I would fall in love with my art, my child, other people’s children and myself all over again. Which brought me to doing something I never thought I would do. Becoming an educator and most importantly, going back to school to obtain two more degrees. If that isn’t resilience after you decided that death was something you wanted instead of staying in this world… I’m not sure what else is.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

That I needed people’s love and validation to feel like I was a success or accomplished. This stemmed from the relationships that I had with partners, family and friends. I thought that if I didn’t have their love, validation or support it meant that I amounted to nothing. But contrary to that belief all I needed was my own approval. I had to get to a point where I felt good enough, where my standard was THE standard for my own life and that I knew what I was doing and that I was enough. No matter the rejection, the lack of support or even the support I did get. I am the star player in my life and no one else can be me so I have to be happy and confident in knowing that and think that whatever I want is already mine and whatever I touch, will be gold!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/bigkee__
• Instagram: @thekeybrandco / @thisismisskee
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiariedegroat
• Twitter: @thisismisskee

Image Credits
Felix Baker | Checkpoint Digital Kayla Quinae | Quinae Studios