Dr. AYISHA ZAKIA JEFFERSON

Dr. Ayisha Zakia Jefferson is a full time, life-long learner and is committed to helping people be the best version of themselves. She strives to live by the quote written by Marianne Williamson “as we let our own light shine that we unconsciously give people permission to do the same...and there is nothing enlightened about shrinking so others won't feel small around you.” 

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As a Professor, she is a lover of the written word and has published short stories and essays: two in the literary magazine Encore entitled “Blind-Mate” and “Re-birth,”  and a contributing writer the article Peer Mentoring and Communities of Practice: Reflections from New Minted PhDs in the book She Wouldn't Let Me Fall,: 100 Stories of Faith, Forgiveness, and Friendship which demonstrates the journey to find love, renewal of life, and resistance of a Black woman transitioning. In her writings, she often visits topics about racial issues, relationships, identity, self- love, and relationships.

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Dr. Ayisha Zakia Jefferson has served as an invited guest lecturer, leadership team member, board member with Confidence Care, conducted workshops for women, served as a panelist, a reoccurring judge for poetry slams, invited ILA (International Leadership Association)presenter in Barcelona, Spain, D.I.V.A.S Conference at Elon College, WIELS Leadership Conference at Appalachian State University, The Healing Wheel Conference, invited poet on the radio station WNAA with the Poetry Cafe, Black Beauty Healing Part I and Black Beauty Healing Part II facilitator, interviewed on the topic of Arise Beautiful Black Queens, with Yolonda Simone'  #13 episode of Ukuvusa Podcast and episode #7 of Ukuvusa Podcast  with Dr. Zithobile Nxumalo, The Magic of Self-Love with author Tonya Poole, and has been featured on podcast Proof of My Existence with Stephen Charles. She has been an invited guest feature on Elegance in Focus Magazine, a presenter at the Falling In Love With You Retreat Dr. Ayisha has also been an editor for multiple non-fiction novels and one children's book. She has also been a presenter at the Revive Retreat with Dr. Katherine Igah-Phillips. She was the keynote speaker at Bennet College for Zodwa, LLC, Deftable, LLC and the Department of Business. She was also the keynote speaker for Chat with Tameka. Currently, Dr. Ayisha Zakia Jefferson is the host facilitator for the series, Vulnerability Let's Talk. 

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Her academic research is inspired by a desire to investigate the challenges facing contemporary Black Americans, specifically Black women, and to better understand the multiple, creative ways that African-Americans respond to these challenges. Her interests include the study of Black women, self-love, and beauty.

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Professor, LYF Coach, LYF Messenger, and LYF and Beauty Activist, Dr. Ayisha Zakia has received her B.A. in English from Bennett College, her M.A. in English with a concentration in African-American Literature from North Carolina Agricultural Technical State University, and a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies with a concentration in African-American Leadership at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.  In addition, she has taken courses at Duke University and has certifications in Diversity Training, Guided Conflict Resolution, Empowering Leader, Effective Meeting Leadership, New Skills Academy Life Coaching, and a graduate of the YWCA program Passion to Purse. 

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She is the consultant and Spiritual LYF Coach/Seer at Beautiful LYF, Eden's LYF Garden, and the founder of an upcoming  non-profit organization Our Beauty Matters, an organization whose mission is to support all women of color to embrace our beauty, dispel myths, and promote sisterhood.

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A lover of the arts, she enjoys African dance, live music, unique fashion, natural hair and beauty, an advocate of living LYF(Love Yourself First) now.