Meet India Harris

We recently connected with India Harris and have shared our conversation below.

Hi India, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Building my confidence and self-esteem was a long and arduous process. Many years of loss, despair and hopelessness disallowed me from becoming confident and strong. Losing my mother at an early age of 14 was one of those destructive occurrences that attacked my confidence and self-esteem. Being a motherless child at 14 made me withdraw and seek shelter, hiding my face, thoughts and dreams from the world. One year after losing my mother at the tender age of 15, I then became a teen mom and a statistic. Becoming a teen mother was a double edged sword that pushed me to become bold and come out of the cocoon I built for my protection. Beginning my motherhood journey without my mother to guide me, lit a fire in my belly. I gathered strength whenever I looked into my daughter’s eyes, knowing I was her mom and would not allow fear and failure to envelope me. So each lesson I learned, I added my toolbox and used it to climb upward towards My Destiny. Yes, motherhood catapulted my confidence and self esteem to become More, Strong, Powerful, Unapologetic, yet Empathetic, and the educated Queen I am today.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am India Harris CEO & Founder of a new trailblazing Nonprofit Black Doves of Excellence Inc., here in the wonderful Metro Atlanta area. I am elated to introduce this up and coming organization. Black Doves of Excellence Inc is a nonprofit whose mission is to reduce teen pregnancy rates and bring heightened awareness to teen mental health and wellness here in Dekalb County. This labor of love is evident of what I am most passionate about, ensuring these teens reach their highest potential. As a teen mother, I know firsthand, teen motherhood is not easy, but if I can make a difference in just one teen’s life and offer them a different perspective on making positive decisions that will greatly affect their future and allow them to live a full life, then my job is done.
This year Black Doves of Excellence has had a blanket drive, clothing drive, we bring sweets and treats to seniors and the disabled at the Marietta Center for Nursing and Healing, we hosted our 1st Annual Mother’s Day Tea party, in July we will be hosting Our 1st annual All White Affair on July 27, and in October we will be hosting our 2nd Annual Sneaker Ball. All the events are fundraising driven, Black Doves of Excellence Inc is seeking community assistance so we can find a home for the organization prayerfully by the end of the year.

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?

Knowledge, Awareness and Patience. Knowledge is not always regarding attending college, although I have obtained an MBA. Knowledge is applying the lessons you’ve learned throughout your life. Each experience teaches you something, the what, who and why is what you have to figure out. Most people do not take the time to acknowledge these questions; but when you do, you will unlock the answers that you seek.
Awareness is understanding where you currently are in your journey, not comparing your status to others, but realizing your present state does not determine where you will end up. You must understand you are in competition with no one but yourself.
Lastly, Patience. Be patient with yourself, Rome was not built in one day. Remember, the race is not given to the swift or strong, but to he that endures to the end. Allow yourself grace in troubled times, so you can see the journey more clearly.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I am seeking any and all teachers, dance instructors, etiquette coaches, grant writers, home economics teachers(retired), schools no longer teach this anymore, Finance coaches, life coaches, nurses, planned parenthood liaisons, and fundraising experts.
I am seeking people who have hearts of gold and want to make a difference in the lives of young ladies, that want to partake in a beautiful journey that produces good fruit. Black Doves of Excellence Inc will build great leaders, teachers, politicians, nurses, Directors, Presidents etc, etc.
My email address: i.harris @blackdovesofexcellence.com. We are in the beginning phase of this organization, and I would love a team that sees the finish line too,,,

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blackdovesofexcellence.org
• Instagram: @blackdovesofexcellenceinc
• Facebook: @blackdpvesofexcellence

Image Credits

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