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.”  

​

As an intermediary (i.e. professor, LYF-Love Yourself First- Coach, Seer, writer, activist, and entrepreneur), she is a lover of the written word and has been a contributing writer in journal New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education in an article entitled, "Peer Mentoring and Communities of Practice: Reflections from Newly Mented PhDs” and published three creative fiction and non-fiction short stories and essays: two in the online magazine Encore entitled “Blind-Mate” and “Re-birth,” and one 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. In her writings, she often visits topics about ethnicity, culture, relationships, identity, self- love, and healing. 

​

She has served as an invited guest lecturer, conducted workshops, served as a panelist, a reoccurring judge, invited national/international presenter, guest speaker and interviewee on radio, and podcast. Some of them include a keynote speaker at Bennett College with Zodwa Dance Co and the Department of Business and Entrepreneurship, keynote speaker at The Chat Room with Min. Tameka Beatty with TJ Ministries, presenter at the ILA (International Leadership Association) Conference in Barcelona, Spain, presenter for D.I.V.A.S (Distinguished Intellectual Virtuous Academic Sisters) Conference at Elon College, led workshop for teen mothers at YWCA, teen girls Empowered Sparks camp, teens for Press P. L. A. Y. at New Light Missionary Baptist Church, and women at Glen Haven Community Center event Heal a Woman Heal a World with Nadirah Goldsmith, led workshop for creative innovative teaching at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, panelist lead for W.I.L.D  (Women in Leadership Development) at Winston State University, panelist at Bennett College, panelist at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for Communication course, presenter for S.I.S.T.E.R.S (Students Inspiring Success Through Education Retention and Services) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, presenter for WIELS (Women in Educational Leadership Symposium) Leadership Conference at Appalachian State University, presenter for The Healing Wheel Conference, presenter for the Black Community Conference, presenter for Revive Retreat with Dr. Katherine Igah-Phillips, M.D., co-facilitator for the upcoming Falling In Love With You Retreat in Riviera Maya, Mexico hosted by Melanie Ivey, invited poet on the radio station WNAA for the Poetry Café with Josephus Thompson III, Livingstone College, featured on the album Finally...A Hip Poet Revised with Mr. Rozzi, interviewee on the series of The Magic of Self-Love with Tonya Poole, Let's Talk About It S. L. R. with Yolonda Simone’, The Lion's Den with Scott Bonds, Ukuvusa with Dr. Zithobile Nxumalo, Elegance in Focus Magazine with George T. Conncle, Turn the Page with Michelle Davis, has co-hosted sister circles with Nomvuyo Nxumalo with A.Y.A. Organization, and she has been a recurring interviewee on the podcast Proof of My Existence with Stephen Charles.  

​

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, beauty activism, spirituality, and healing.   

​

Intermediary, (i.e. Professor, LYF Coach, LYF Messenger/Reader/Medium, Writer, 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 and Adult Education with a concentration in African American Leadership at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.  She is a board member of Momma's Olive Branch and Confidence Care. In addition, she is a Co-Director of Diagnostics at H.O.M.E.. Dr. Ayisha Zakia continues and has taken on-going workshops, courses, certifications, current and former member, to name a few: Writing to Heal at Duke University, Authenticity with Deftable, LLC,  attendee of Racelighting online series with Drs. J. Luke Wood and Frank Harris III, ATRS (African Traditional Religious Studies) course with Shantrelle P. Lewis, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome course with Dr. Joy DeGruy, certifications with Diversity Training, Guided Conflict Resolution, Empowering Leader, Effective Meeting Leadership with DDI, Spiritual Psychology with Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, Coaching/Personal and Spiritual Development with Jonathan L. Harris,  Spiritual training with Lisa Williams at Omega Institute, Reiki Practioner Training I and II with EarthStar Spiritual Center, Natural Hair with Escofari Holistic House, Afrikan Dance with Dandara/Donfoli and SUAH African Dance, member of the the Healing Wheel, and a graduate of Women on the Path with New Birth and YWCA program Passion to Purse Program.  

​

Dr. Ayisha Zakia has been a writing consultant, editor, and proofreader for novels such as 7 Felonies by Shappell Dupree, Trust the Process by Scott Bonds, Queen, God Has Vindicated: Memoirs of a Haitan American Girl by Ester Dina Valle, and Maintenance Man by Michael Baisden.

​

She is the founder of Our Beauty Matters, an empowerment organization whose mission is to support all women of color to bring awareness,  to embrace our beauty, to dispel myths, and to promote sisterhood. She is the host of an online series: Vulnerability Let's Talk and lead facilitator for a book discussion group, Let's Read. Last, she is also the owner of Eden's Love Garden which is a holistic hair/body wellness and hair apparel company aimed at helping people to feel like the most beautiful version of themselves using sacredly selected ingredients and sassy hair adornments.  

​

A lover of family, community and the arts, she enjoys reading, African dance, live music, unique fashion, natural hair and beauty. She is an active member in her community and an advocate of living LYF now.