Ambassador Spotlight: Shikeya Garner

Place of Birth

Maryland

Favorite quote or mantra

Team work makes the dream work

Education

Masters in Educational Counseling and Leadership Preferred Provider

Instagram:Keya_keya1

Tell us about yourself (current profession/organization, what has been your motivation behind helping others, and how you impact the world each day)

I’m currently a mental health therapist, serving high risk individuals with severe mental health conditions. I’ve always been an advocate for therapy/counseling, especially when I wasn’t provided the services when I needed them. When I saw how my traumas were affecting my life in an unhealthy way, i decided to get therapy for myself. Therapy changed my life in so many positive ways. I now make it my mission to provide services to minorities in the houston area that aren’t encouraged to seek mental support when they need it.

How have your personal goals and aspirations served as an example of how one accomplishes and sustains true success in life?

The best thing I can do is give you an example. I remember when I was in the fifth grade and I had a Caucasian teacher told me that I would never be an a nor an A / B student. I remember I had the feeling of total deceats, because I didn’t understand what I was doing wrong. Back in the day people didn’t realize the different types of learning styles. I took that statement with me literally up until now, because I believe is not The limitations that people put upon you, but more so the limitations you put upon yourself. I was determined to basically be everything that that specific teacher and or society said I could not be. So with that being stated that a negative comment that was made to me in the fifth grade sparked an energy within me to not only become an A.B. student, but I also graduate with honors through grade school and graduate school. I say all that to say, Life should never be based upon individuals opinions, but true success and fulfillment is gaged by the willingness of the individual. I believe if a person has a goal, it doesn’t matter how long it takes that individual to achieve it, just as long as within their life cycle they continue to strive towards that personal goal wholeheartedly, it can and will be achieved.

What challenges can you share with others that you have experienced to getting where you currently are professionally?

One of the biggest challenges I had to overcome was feeling in adequate amongst a group of non-minorities. I was always taught that we had to act a certain way around nonminorities and whatever was given to us as minorities in America, should be appreciated. I always struggled with that concept. Little did I know living by that doctrine was doing nothing but stunting my personal potential. The day that I went against the norm and stood up for what I believed in and my personal worth Doors beyond my own imagination started to open. All in all the faith that I put into corporate America or others value of me kept me hindered, but the day I bet 100% on self, my life has blessed me be beyond my own expectations and I believe if can do it the others can as well.

How has those challenges benefited your strides towards success and commitment to community?

Most definitely! As a person who has battled with feeling inadequate based on society’s norms and personal opinions, I use my achievement to help motivate others that have experienced the same thing, and in return they can motive others

What encouragement can you offer to our readers who may be aspiring educators regarding the empowerment of success, endurance, leadership, and the power of mentoring?

The journey, trials and tribulations that you make it through cannot only continue to empower you but also empower others that are in need of inspiration. What is does it continue an affect mentoring chain, basically no man is left behind as long as one of us succeeds.