Meet Dr. Janet Bentley-Ewers

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Janet Bentley-Ewers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Janet, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

I think for me, being the only one in the room like myself has been frequent and often enough, through my early financial services career as an advisor and presently as a successful business owner and doctor, that I have learned how to navigate it with agility. One of the most important observations has been that while I may be the only one like myself in the room, that doesn’t mean I shrink back or become a false representation of what I embody. As a Christian, a mother, a wife, a dancer, a doctor, a business owner and a black woman, these all define me and make me unique in any space in which I enter. When I was younger, I often was unclear about who I was and what I embodied, so being in a room with those unlike myself was uncomfortable and awkward. Most of the time I would shrink back, try to blend in as much as I could and not try to attract attention (even though I always managed to get it anyway!). But I slowly began to realize, as I was more and more entering these spaces, that while I was becoming a stronger more resilient version of myself, my posture and attitude also started to shift into showing the authentic and true Janet- the bubbly, likes to laugh alot, determined, talkative, joyful woman of God. The interesting anecdote to this is that once I started blossoming and becoming my true self with others, the sky was the limit for all types of interactions, with older people, younger folks, black, white, Asian and any other nationality and ethnicity. Once I became my true authentic self, I saw no color or age when talking to others- I only saw another person- someone who may have the same insecurities, fears and life worries as me but continues to live on to fight and win another day- I looked at others like fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. This opened a whole new world for me and has been my constant posture for the past 15 years and oh does it resonate with others because of the vibrancy and different vibe I bring along with me. So if you are the only one in the room like yourself, know that you are MEANT to be in that room to bring your uniqueness, your authenticity and character to it- there are no coincidences and no mistakes- you indeed BELONG in that space too!

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am currently the Founder and President of Metro Atlanta Dance studio, located in Roswell, GA. We are going into our second season as a studio centered on all genres of dance, i.e., jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, heels and musical theater. Our emphasis is on having inclusive and positive dance experiences for all adults, children and teens. We have close to 100 students and offer performance and tuition waiver opportunities to all ages, regardless of how long they have been taking dance classes. All levels, from beginner or newcomer to experienced has an opportunity to partake in the performances that we offer throughout the year. Personally, I have been in dance for 15 years, including leading two praise dance ministries at 2 different churches as well as being a part of several dance companies in Pennsylvania and Georgia for modern, African, ballet and jazz. I consider dance as the gift that keeps on giving, as it not only is enjoyable and good exercise, but can offer so many other benefits even after the dancer has moved on to other endeavors, including endurance, focus, teamwork, commitment and good posture. These are habits that any dancer can take into life and translate into something profound.

Recently, Metro Atlanta Dance expanded our studio to house 3 studio spaces, so we can add more class offerings, particularly for our beginner classes and that has been a successful venture thus far.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Thinking back, I believe the 3 qualities or skills that were essential to my journey was resilience, persistence, and purpose. Throughout my life, I have had to overcome many obstacles, such as poverty and homelessness as a child, however that pushed me to be more resolute in reaching my goals and becoming a person who is making an impact in whatever field I am involved in. This leans into the persistence part, which may seem like the same as resilience, however resilience allows you to bounce back from obstacles while persistence IS the push to continue on in good times or bad, when wore and tired. These two attributes are the key to overcoming setbacks and reconditioning your mindset to strive for greater. Finally, having a sense of your purpose in the world- why are you here and what are you meant to do or fulfill in this world is a game-changer, as it allows for target focus ability and a resolve that no other person can take away.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

The most influential book for my growth and development has been and continues to be The Bible. Every time I am struggling with something in life, The Bible has been my answer, my rock, my anchor that holds me steady despite any storm. One of my favorite verses that I lean on daily is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God has a plan and a purpose for us and those plans are for our good always, so we must trust in that even when things may not seem like they are going the way we desired. Finally, Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” We must be open to ask and then receive the blessings that God has for us, according to His will for our lives. He has the ultimate control and final say in my professional and personal life- in Him I trust and have my confidence.

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