We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rasheeda Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rasheeda, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

One of the most defining moments in my professional career was realizing that I had entered the field of social work carrying the very same wounds I was trying to help others heal from. I went to school for social work, driven by a desire to make a difference but it wasn’t until I was deep in the work that I began to fully understand just how much I had been impacted by the very systems I was working within. I had lived through incarceration, trauma, and mental health challenges, but I hadn’t yet named or processed those experiences in a meaningful way.

Despite everything, I had always shown up with wisdom, with love, and with resilience but I hadn’t yet turned that inward. The real shift happened when I was supporting a student who reminded me so much of myself. In trying to be there for them, I realized there were parts of me that still needed tending to parts that I had ignored for far too long. That was the moment I knew that my healing had to be just as much a part of my work as the helping.

From there, I began to engage in my own deep and intentional work. I started writing and sharing my story, not just to release what I had carried, but to create something that could guide and inspire others. That led me to create tools, books, and spaces where people could be vulnerable, feel seen, and start to reclaim their narratives. My work now is rooted in creating safe spaces for people to use their voices, explore their stories, and transform their pain into purpose especially through writing.

The lesson I carry with me is that we can’t give from a place we haven’t tended. When we begin to heal ourselves, we don’t just change our own lives we give others permission to do the same. “You are no good to others if you are no good to yourself first”.

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’m a social worker, author, and a mental health advocate but above all, I’m a vessel for love and life. My work is deeply rooted in community and guided by the belief that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and safe. I’ve spent years creating space for individuals to be there most vulnerable selves, and what began as my personal healing journey has now grown into spaces that reaches individuals and homes across the country.

My presence in this field is intentional. I lead with a soft voice, a warm smile, and grounded in lived experience and professional expertise. I carry both resilience and deep empathy, and those who encounter my work often describe feeling both held and empowered. I’ve written my way through it. I’ve built an entire body of work around turning pain into purpose.

Through my two books, consulting, workshops, and advocacy, I’ve created offerings that meet people where they are:

• As an author, I write with honesty and vulnerability, offering tools and reflection for people navigating being impacted by incarceration.

• As a speaker and facilitator, I lead healing circles, writing workshops, and restorative spaces where people are invited to feel, be informed, and release through topics of self-care, self-love, writing to heal, amongst so many others.

• As a mental health advocate, I normalize the conversation around emotional wellness, especially within Black and brown communities where it’s often stigmatized or ignored.

But this work goes beyond met it lives through the brand I’ve built. My brand is a living, breathing reflection of my mission: to advocate, to empower, and to create space for others to heal out loud. It exists at the intersection of mental health, social justice, and storytelling. It’s not a product of trend it’s a response to need.
What sets my brand (me) apart is that it doesn’t stop at awareness, it leads people into action. It equips them with tools. It inspires them with language. And what I’m most proud of is that my work has become a mirror for others. This isn’t just my work but it’s my offering. My legacy. And it’s only just beginning.

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

My whole life has shaped my resilience, but one chapter stands out. When I launched my small business to sell my books and offer services rooted in healing and mental health I was working two full-time jobs. I was constantly traveling, and still showing up as a sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. Every day felt like a marathon, but I couldn’t ignore the calling in my heart. I remember writing my children’s book Justice on my lunch breaks, barely sleeping. I’d take meetings after hours just to make sure every detail was right. I created my Mental Note Cards by Imani filled with ideas, reminders, and dreams again more late nights and early mornings. I poured every dollar I had into my vision of writing, printing, building with no outside support, just faith. It was exhausting, but I kept showing up because it was rewarding. Because people needed what I had to give; something real, authentic, relatable, and tangible.

No matter how tough it got, I kept working because I knew the work was worth it. Resilience is about showing up, pushing through the hard times, and continuing to move forward even when it’s not easy. It is all a marathon!

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

For me, the most important thing in succeeding in this field (social work, author, or mental health advocate) is authenticity. As someone who is the brand and the business, I’ve learned that people connect to the real me, not just what I’m offering. My story, my struggles, my growth they all shape the work I do. Passion, dedication, and a love for people are at the core of it all. When you put yourself into your work when you’re genuine about why you’re doing it it resonates with others. But what truly makes a difference is being vulnerable and open about your journey. It’s not just about selling a product or service; it’s about sharing who you are, what you’ve learned, and how you can help others on their own journey. That connection, that trust, is what leads to real success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mentalnotebyimanitawfiq.com
• Instagram: Imani_x_change
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rasheeda1500