Dr. AYISHA ZAKIA JEFFERSON

Dr. Ayisha Zakia Jefferson

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Seer | LYF Coach | Educator | Writer | Story Doula | Advocate for Self-Love and Empowerment |

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Dr. Ayisha Zakia Jefferson is a full-time educator, lifelong learner, and scholar whose work is grounded in the belief that education is a practice of liberation, care, and becoming. Committed to helping students and communities cultivate their fullest selves, she lives by Marianne Williamson’s reminder that “as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.” Her teaching philosophy centers presence, encouragement, and intellectual courage, creating spaces where learners feel supported, challenged, and seen.

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An intermediary by calling, professor, LYF (Love Yourself First) coach, writer, seer, beauty activist, and entrepreneur, Dr. Ayisha Zakia Jefferson is a devoted lover of the written word and storytelling as a tool for healing and transformation. She is a contributing author to New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education with the article “Peer Mentoring and Communities of Practice: Reflections from Newly Mentored PhDs” and the anthology She Wouldn’t Let Me Fall: 100 Stories of Faith, Forgiveness, and Friendship. Across her writing, she explores themes of Black womanhood, identity, culture, relationships, self-love, spirituality, and healing.

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Dr. Ayisha Zakia Jefferson is a facilitator and presenter who has served as a keynote speaker, invited guest lecturer, workshop leader, panelist, judge, radio and podcast guest, and national and international presenter. Her engagements include presentations at the International Leadership Association Conference in Barcelona, Spain, Appalachian State University, Elon University, Bennett College, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Georgia Military College, Livingstone College, and numerous communities, faith-based, and wellness spaces. Whether working with college students, educators, teen girls, or women leaders, she is known for cultivating learning environments that are affirming, reflective, and transformative.

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Her academic research is inspired by a deep commitment to examining the lived experiences of contemporary Black Americans, particularly Black and Brown women, and the creative, spiritual, and communal ways they navigate and resist systemic challenges. Her scholarly interests include Black women’s studies, beauty activism, self-love, leadership, spirituality, and healing.

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Dr. Ayisha Zakia Jefferson earned her B.A. in English from Bennett College, her M.A. in English with a concentration in African American Literature from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies and Adult Education, with a concentration in African American Leadership, also from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.  Committed to continual growth, she has completed professional, spiritual, and pedagogical training and courses, including Writing to Heal at Duke University, Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome with Dr. Joy DeGruy, Spiritual Psychology with Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, African Traditional Religious Studies, coaching with Jonathan L. Harris,  conflict resolution and leadership certifications, reiki practitioner training; and numerous programs focused on authenticity, healing, and culturally responsive leadership.

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In addition to her teaching and scholarship, Dr. Ayisha Zakia Jefferson is an experienced writing consultant, editor, and proofreader for several published works, including 7 Felonies, Trust the Process, Maintenance Man, and Queen, God Has Vindicated. She is the founder of Our Beauty Matters, an empowerment movement dedicated to supporting women of color through education, storytelling, and community-building, and has been the host of Vulnerability: Let’s Talk and Let’s Read.

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In her free time, Dr. Ayisha Zakia Jefferson enjoys spending time with family, dear friends and is a lover of the arts, creative expression, in its many forms and celebrating ALL beauty. She is a firm believer in the power of storytelling as a tool for cultural transformation and personal healing.

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