Meet Iyona Blake

We recently connected with Iyona Blake and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Iyona, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience, for me, is the ability to rise, adapt, and keep moving forward, no matter what challenges come my way. I draw my resilience from the incredible lineage of Black women who came before me—my mother, grandmothers, and aunts, both those still with us and those who have passed on. These remarkable women were mothers, prayer warriors, healers, and innovators. They used the resources and wisdom they had to nurture their families and uplift their communities. Their strength, faith, and creativity continue to inspire and sustain me in everything I do.

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 wear many hats as a philanthropist, podcaster, and artist, but what ties all my work together is my passion for creating spaces where voices—especially those of African American, Afro-Latina, and Afro-Native women—are heard, celebrated, and amplified. Through my nonprofit, HER Cause, Inc., I champion mental health awareness and education, blending advocacy with creativity to inspire and heal. As the creator of ‘Mind Your Mind,’ a wellness radio segment, I connect with audiences by sharing impactful, relatable insights about self-care and resilience. On the artistic front, my play *Diagnosed* delves deeply into mental health, sparking important conversations and fostering understanding.

What excites me most is the power of storytelling. Whether through a podcast episode, a stage production, or a community event, I believe in using art and dialogue to uplift, educate, and bring people together.

Right now, I’m especially excited about two major projects: my play *Diagnosed*, which is currently on tour and includes post-show discussions to engage with the community, and our upcoming *Wellness in Me* conference in May 2025. This event is designed to empower women with tools and strategies for holistic mental health and wellness. It’s an incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. I’m thrilled to continue sharing this journey with my audience.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, authenticity, and a deep sense of purpose. Resilience carried me through the darkest moments of my life when I battled depression, anxiety, and the weight of stigma surrounding mental health. It helped me find the courage to seek help, heal, and rise stronger. Authenticity became my guiding light as I peeled back the layers of pain and embraced my truth, allowing me to use my voice to connect with others who felt unseen or unheard. And my sense of purpose—rooted in faith and a desire to make a difference—led me to establish HER Cause, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Black women and women of color through mental health advocacy, arts, and education.

For those early in their journey, I encourage you to focus on these qualities. Build resilience by facing challenges head-on and seeking support when needed; remember, healing is a process, not a destination. Embrace authenticity by being honest about your struggles and embracing your unique story—it’s your superpower. And most importantly, find your purpose. Let your experiences shape your mission and use it to uplift others. The journey won’t always be easy, but every step forward is a victory.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

My biggest area of growth in the past year has been building and leading my organization, HER Cause, Inc. It has been a challenging yet transformative journey. At times, people who promised to take the journey with me left when things got tough, leaving me to navigate on my own. Without a clear model or guide to becoming the businesswoman I aspired to be, I made mistakes—but each one became an opportunity to learn and grow.

Through these experiences, I’ve developed resilience and determination, learning to cry when I needed to, but always dusting myself off and getting back in the game. I’ve become an avid researcher, honing the ability to find the information and resources I need to move forward. I’ve also learned the power of humility—letting go of pride and not being afraid to ask questions. This growth has not only strengthened me as a leader but has also deepened my commitment to the mission of empowering others through HER Cause, Inc.

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