Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kierra Watson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kierra, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Our mission didn’t come from a boardroom — it came from real life. Grounded Stars was born out of lived experience: trauma, isolation, resilience, and the urgent need for spaces where Black and Brown youth feel seen, safe, and supported. I’ve walked through systems that failed to protect, uplift, or even listen. I’ve watched young people carry more than they should ever have to. And I’ve felt the weight of trying to heal while surviving.

So this work? It’s personal.

And to be real — I’ve received more side eyes, eye-rolls, and pretended confusion than I can count. Some people act like they don’t get it just to avoid supporting it. I’m still waiting on a full YES, but I’m not waiting around. I know what we’re building is beyond needed, and every “no” or dismissal just pushes me harder. The vision is bigger than their approval.

Grounded Stars is my response to a world that often overlooks us. We lead with empathy, we serve with intention, and we show up in ways I wish someone had shown up for me. Our mission is meaningful because it reflects a promise: to build something real, something rooted, and something that gives our youth a fighting chance to thrive — not just survive.

That’s why I’m here. And that’s why I won’t stop.

Kierra, 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’m the Founder and CEO of Grounded Stars LLC, a youth-centered mental health service and creative wellness company rooted in Harlem. We serve youth nationwide. I built this from the ground up — no outside funding, no shortcuts — just vision, grit, and a whole lot of lived experience. I’m a mom, a writer, an educator, a rebel, a crisis responder, and someone who’s seen firsthand what happens when systems fail our kids. Grounded Stars isn’t just a business — it’s the response to everything I wish existed for me, my children, and so many young people I’ve mentored along the way.

I got into this work because I’ve been on both sides of crisis many times — as the one breaking and the one helping others hold it together. I’ve worked in text and chat-based crisis services, and I’ve seen how much is missing when youth, especially Black and Brown youth, try to reach out for help. Too often they’re met with required scripts, judgment, ignorance, or beige clinical walls instead of real understanding. Grounded Stars flips that. We offer engaging and unique treatment plans for clinical care, crisis prevention, education, relevant resources, emotional support, and mentorship rooted in cultural understanding and community care.

Our services range from nonclinical creative wellness classes and trauma-informed SEL programs to long-term clinical support (currently virtual) for youth and young adults ages 0–24. We also create digital products, youth-driven content, wellness products, and custom group curricula for schools. Everything is designed with our kids in mind — from the way we speak to the way we build. If it doesn’t feel safe, real, and relevant to them, we don’t do it.

We’re not here to compete with traditional mental health orgs — we’re here because they often miss the mark. What sets Grounded Stars apart is that we listen first. We speak the language of the kids we serve, and we build programs with them, not just for them. We’re trauma-informed without being cold and robotic. We’re structure and softness. And we’re committed to keeping youth safe without silencing their experiences.

What I’m most proud of is that we’ve made something out of nothing — and it’s working. We plan to support youth through major turning points, help families reconnect, and create content that actually speaks to what kids are going through right now. There’s no manual for what we’re building — but that’s because it’s never been done like this before.

If you’re just learning about Grounded Stars, know this: we’re here for real. We center Black and Brown youth unapologetically. We believe healing should feel human. And we’re building a future where young people aren’t just surviving — they’re grounded, growing, connecting, and shining in their own power.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My biggest advice? Be honest. Always. Even when it’s uncomfortable. Especially when it’s uncomfortable. I’ve learned that the best way to manage a team and keep morale high is through consistent, open communication. People don’t need perfection — they need truth, clarity, and the feeling that they’re respected enough to be brought into the real conversations.

At Grounded Stars, I don’t hide when things are hard. I don’t sugarcoat delays or challenges. I let my team know what’s going on, how we’re adjusting, and what I need from them. In return, they show up with more trust, more loyalty, and more willingness to push forward together. That transparency builds safety. And safety builds morale — because people can’t thrive where they don’t feel informed or included.

So whether you’re leading one person or a full organization, start with honesty. Build trust on the front end. And never forget: how you communicate in the hard moments defines your culture more than anything else.

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

A lesson I had to unlearn was putting myself down — constantly doubting my voice, my worth, or whether I was “enough” to build what I’m building. I also had to unlearn letting other people’s opinions shape what I thought I could or couldn’t do. That kind of thinking used to live in my head rent-free.

The backstory? I’ve been overlooked, underestimated, and dismissed more times than I can count — sometimes directly, sometimes through subtle side comments or passive doubt. For a long time, I internalized that. I thought maybe I was too much, or not qualified enough, or just doing things “the wrong way.”

But at some point, I had to decide: either I keep shrinking to fit other people’s expectations, or I grow into who I actually am. So I chose growth. I chose to bet on myself — loudly. Now, whenever the doubt creeps in, I remind myself that no one’s opinion is stronger than my purpose.

I thank my children for giving me the strength to overcome my fears. They are the reason I wake up each and every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.groundedstars.com