We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gerina Jade’ Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gerina Jade’, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My purpose revealed itself to me through a series of life events that, when looking back, all pointed me toward where I am now. A pivotal moment occurred in 2009, during a time when I was deeply depressed. A friend once told me she looked into my eyes and saw emptiness, as though my soul had disappeared. She admitted it scared her because she didn’t know what was happening to me.
This period followed my work as a cast wrangler on a reality show. Spending so much time with the contestants, I became a trusted confidant. They opened up about their fears and desires, often seeking me out to talk or to help them navigate anxiety attacks—though I didn’t have the language for what was happening back then. One contestant, in particular, experienced a severe mental breakdown and refused to speak with anyone but me. I was able to calm her and help her stay grounded while calling 911 and notifying the producers to get her the care she needed. However, I wasn’t allowed to follow up or know how she was doing afterward. That lack of closure shook me, leading me to question my career path and reflect on my deeper purpose.
At the same time, while working part-time as a maitre d’ at a French restaurant, my colleagues—managers and hosts alike—frequently confided in me about their struggles and personal lives. These experiences made me realize I wasn’t living in alignment with my purpose. People naturally came to me for support and clarity, and I began to feel that my purpose might lie in helping individuals, couples, and families navigate their lives.
With that realization, I applied to the best graduate program for Marriage and Family Therapy at the time. I was accepted and moved to Abilene, Texas, where I lived for four years. Every day in that program and while pursuing another degree confirmed I was exactly where I was meant to be.
The same friend who had been so worried about me told me she saw the life return to my eyes when I made the decision to go back to school. It was clear that pursuing a purpose aligned with who I truly was had brought me back to life.
That’s how I discovered my purpose. Over time, it has crystallized and expanded beyond therapy, but its core—to guide, support, and help others grow—remains the same. It is most visible in my work as a therapist, but it shapes every aspect of how I engage with the world.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter most to you, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a therapist, creative, and founder of Healing Minds and Hearts, a platform dedicated to helping people navigate their personal and professional lives with intention and purpose. My work focuses on supporting individuals and couples (dating, engaged, and married), subsequently impacting their families, especially within Black and Brown communities. My objective is for people to get to the root of their issues, uncover their unique identities, and live their life authentically as they find healing in their journeys. My approach blends traditional and non-traditional therapy with creative arts, spirituality, and self-discovery to provide holistic support.
What excites me most about what I do is the transformative power of connection and creativity. Through Healing Minds and Hearts and its sister initiative, the Healing Arts Experience, I create spaces where people can explore their identities, process challenges, and uncover their resilience through the arts. This includes hosting live events, therapeutic workshops, and creative shows that combine storytelling, poetry, music, and candid conversations.
The most special part of my work is seeing people feel truly seen, heard and set free. Whether it’s a client having a breakthrough in therapy or an audience member moved by a Healing Arts Experience event, witnessing those moments of impact fuels my passion.
In the coming year, I plan to grow both ventures by offering new services, hosting events, and creating a book of my spoken word pieces that integrates the arts and therapeutic nuances that have helped me navigate my healing path- the good, bad, and ugly. My ultimate goal is to foster spaces that inspire healing, growth, and self-expression, making these tools accessible to more people.
Through my work, I hope to build a legacy of creativity and connection that uplifts others and provides opportunities for transformation. Whether you’re looking for therapeutic support, a space to create, or an opportunity to reflect, my platforms are designed to meet you where you are and walk alongside you in your journey.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are critical thinking and asking the right questions, creativity and the arts, and faith/spirituality.
Critical thinking was fostered by my parents, particularly my father. My mother instilled wisdom and faith, while my father encouraged me to think critically and challenge ideas. As an inquisitive child, I often asked questions that seemed odd, and my parents nurtured this by asking me questions about what I read or heard. This shaped my ability to get to the root of an idea, think outside the box, and explore the “why” behind people’s beliefs and behaviors. It helped me see beyond black-and-white thinking and embrace the complexity of life. I’ve come to realize that being locked into black-and-white thinking often stems from a fear of life’s unpredictability. But, as Pocahontas asks in one of my favorite Disney movies, Can you paint with all the colors of the wind? This question has always resonated with me because it encourages us to think beyond ourselves and see the world as an interconnected, beautiful space. My advice to others is to stay curious. Ask questions, challenge assumptions, and be willing to explore perspectives outside your own. It’s through this process that we grow in understanding and empathy.
Creativity has been a lifeline throughout my life, helping me navigate big emotions and complex thoughts. Whether through movement, writing shows, or performing spoken word, the arts have provided healing when words failed me. During difficult times, I’ve found solace in writing poems, crafting monologues, and expressing feelings through allegories that felt too big to process in real time. The arts have been a constant companion, bringing me back to myself when I began to fade. For anyone starting their journey, I encourage you to find your creative outlet—whatever helps you express yourself authentically. Creativity doesn’t have to look a certain way; it’s about finding what feels natural and healing for you.
Faith and spirituality are the foundation of my life. Growing up in a traditional, conservative Christian household, I loved the supportive community and authenticity I saw in my mother, who lived her faith genuinely. My mother had a deep appreciation for nature, seeing it as an extension of YHWH’s masterpiece. While I didn’t understand her perspective as a child, I’ve grown to connect deeply with the Divine through nature. There is something calming, grounding, and profoundly beautiful about being surrounded by creation. My faith has taught me humility and freed me from shame, allowing me to embrace myself as a work in progress, always growing. Even when I read the Bible or watch movies, I sometimes feel a divine presence that moves my heart in ways I can’t fully explain. My advice is to seek a spiritual connection that resonates with you, one that fosters both humility and love for yourself and others. Faith, when authentic, can ground you and provide hope even in the hardest times.
Together, these qualities—critical thinking, creativity, and faith—have shaped my journey, helping me navigate challenges and embrace growth. They’ve taught me to see life in all its colors, to heal through expression, and to trust in the transformative power of grace.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
A significant challenge I’m currently facing is financial. I have a wealth of ideas and a vision that I know can positively impact others, and I’ve seen how these concepts have already benefited many. However, at times, my ability to fully realize and expand on these ideas feels limited by financial constraints. This challenge has led me to seek additional opportunities, including applying for jobs, to create a more sustainable lifestyle and secure the resources needed to bring my business and its ventures to life in a way that allows them to reach and impact more people.
The road of entrepreneurship often sounds glorious, but it comes with uncertainty and challenges. It’s a journey that must be rooted in passion and purpose because, without that foundation, it becomes even harder to endure when difficulties arise. This part of my journey, where I am relying not only on myself but on my Creator, has been incredibly humbling. It has given me a new perspective and strengthened my faith that I can still live a fulfilling life, even though my finances don’t reflect that.
There is a scripture that has been my anchor during this time: if God can dress a flower in beauty and feed the birds, then why wouldn’t He take care of His children? It reminds me not to worry about tomorrow and to trust that what I need today will be provided. And I’ve seen this truth in action—despite my financial limitations, I’ve had everything I’ve needed, and for that, I am truly thankful.
This season has been a refining point in my life, teaching me to be intentional with how I use and manage money. It’s a valuable lesson that not only impacts me but also informs how I approach my work and the people I serve. While financial constraints remain a challenge, I view this time as an opportunity for growth, trust, and gratitude, and I am confident that with persistence, creativity, and faith, I will see my vision come to fruition.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://healingmindsandhearts.org
- Instagram: healingmindsandhearts_nyc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerinadavis
- Other: https://linktr.ee/healingmindsandhearts_nyc
Image Credits
Most of the photos displayed were taken by family and friends.
The images that are of performances are from two shows: Healing. A Journey and HER ESSENCE which is a part of the Healing Arts Experience
The image in yellow, the main picture, was taken by a Zencare photographer.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
