Iyanla Vanzant

Some may call her God’s secretary, the woman I am referring to is Iyanla Vanzant. She is truly a remarkable Black African American Woman of Color. The purpose that God has put on her life to empower, motivate, encourage, uplift, and to be the light in someone’s darkness is the same calling that God has put on my life. Ms. Vanzant is a life coach, inspirational speaker, ordained minister, spiritual teacher, author, TV personality, and some may not know that she is also a lawyer. I inspire to be like her daily in my journey as a Life Coach/Therapist.

Iyanla Vanzant was born Rhonda Eva Harris on September 13, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York in the back of a taxi. She was raised by paternal relatives because her mother died when she was 2 years old from breast cancer and her father was a petty criminal that was not present in her life. When she was 9 years old, she was raped by one of her relatives, and that is one of many trauma's that she had to endure growing up parentless. In 1980 Vanzant and her children left her abusive husband, and she began to regain control over her life again. Three years later she was given the name “Iyanla” which means “great mother” after being initiated and ordained as a priestess in the Yoruba tradition.

Vanzant did some public assistance work and in 1983 she graduated from Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. In 1986 she graduated with a Juris Doctor, Suma Cum Laude from the University of the New York Law School. She was a public defender in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1988 to 1992. Vanzant was not getting any fulfillment out of the legal field so she wrote a book called Tapping the Power Within A Path to Self-Empowerment for Black Women. This book was the first of many that were designed to teach pre-employment skills to marginalized women and four of her books were New York Times Best Sellers.

Vanzant connected with one of the world’s most powerful influential black women on television today, Oprah Winfrey. After hearing Vanzant as a radio host Oprah was impressed and invited her to appear on her show 20 times. Vanzant had gained a level of confidence and developed a TV program that was canceled after one season. Vanzant blamed Oprah for the low ratings and their relationship was estranged for 10 years.

Vanzant faced many hardships after her falling out with Oprah. She lost contracts with publishing companies and her second husband filed for divorce after their firstborn died on Christmas Day at 34 years-old of colon cancer. Vanzant ended up homeless, suicidal, depressed, and had to file bankruptcy. This trauma that she experienced inspired her to write another best seller, Peace from Broken Pieces. That is when the pieces started coming back together and she and Oprah reconciled and created a show in 2011 called “Iyanla Fix my Life” on the OWN network. This show has helped so many families and individuals to overcome difficult challenges and obstacles in their lives.

Vanzant has made her mark in society as an empowering, inspirational, and phenomenal black woman. In 1991 the International Congress of Black Women awarded Vanzant an “ONI” as one of the nations’ unsung heroines. ("ONI" is a word from the Nigerian Culture that means all that is good in African People). In the year 2000 Ebony Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential Black Americans. She also listed number 7 on the Watkins’ Mind Body Spirit Magazine’s 100 most influential living people. In 2016 she was named Oprah Winfrey’s SuperSoul 100 list of visionaries and influential leaders. Vanzant and her daughter that passed away founded Institute for Spiritual Development where she trains spiritual leaders and ordained ministers.

I get my strength from women like Iyanla Vanzant because taking care of our mental health is important just like a person taking care of their physical health. In our physical health, we have to see a doctor and in our mental health, we have to see a counselor, therapist, life coach, spiritual leader, clinician, etc. The African American community is just now starting to embrace therapy and everything that comes with it because we have been conditioned not to talk about our feelings and emotions. We were taught that what goes on in this house stays in this house or there will be consequences. In strong Christian-based homes, the go-to is prayer and prayer alone should be enough.

“Iyanla Fix my Life” was a game-changer in the African-American community even celebrities were opening up about their traumas and misfortunes in life. This show saved so many lives because the OWN network gave black families a chance to see what therapy looks like in our community. Some of the situations and issues we see on the show are what people go through in everyday life. Seeing the show showed families and individuals how to handle conflict and issues more constructively.

It is hard as a Life Coach/Therapist sometimes, but we are the chosen ones that are put on earth to bear other people’s burdens. Sometimes it’s hard to balance because we are not exempt from everyday life stress and we have challenges in life too. Just like Iyanla, I was born in September and lost my mother at a very young age and my father was not around. I also had a lot of trauma and challenges growing up. I didn't have anybody I could talk to about my feelings and in the '80s and '90s therapy was unheard of in the black community.

As I got older, I had to learn how to tap into my own emotions before I could help someone else tap into their emotions. When I do therapy with my clients, I am getting therapy myself because I can relate to everyday struggles. That is why I am a strong, unique, trustworthy, caring, and compassionate Life Coach/Therapist. I do what I do from the heart and knowing that I was the light in someone's darkness is bigger than any paycheck someone can deposit into my bank account.

Iyana has inspired me in so many ways with my style of therapy. I appreciate her approach of telling clients what they need to hear and not what they want to hear. I often say my purpose as a Life Coach/Therapist is to help people through life, by giving them the right tools they need to survive but it's their responsibility to use them. People may often negatively look at therapy or say I don't have a mental health problem why do I need therapy? Therapy is not always about a mental health issue sometimes life happens or unexpected traumatic events.

1. You may lose a loved one and that may cause you grief and bereavement.
2. You may lose your job and that may cause you stress and depression.
3. Your job may be stressful, and you just need someone to vent to.
4. Homelife may be overwhelming
5. Your child may be getting bullied at school and that may cause depression, anxiety, stress, or even suicidal thoughts.

There are a variety of issues that could contribute to someone needing therapy. Never be afraid to get the professional help that you need. What we go through in life we never get OVER we just learn how to get THROUGH. Remember: Whatever you are going through is temporary, not permanent. Anything temporary can be changed!

I just wanted to pay homage to Iyanla Vanzant for molding me into the Life Coach/Therapist I am today.