Meet Jessica Carter

We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Carter recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, really appreciate your meeting with us today to talk about some particularly personal topics. It means a lot because so many in the community are going through circumstances where your insights and experience and lessons might help, so thank you so much in advance for sharing. The first question we have is about divorce and how you overcame divorce and didn’t allow the trauma of divorce to derail your vision for your life and career.

How I Overcame Divorce and Rebuilt My Life

Walking away from a 14-year relationship was one of the hardest decisions I ever made, but it was necessary—not just for me, but for my daughter. I wanted to be a better version of myself, a stronger mother, and a happier, bolder woman.
For years, I stayed, hoping things would change. I convinced myself that maintaining the idea of a family was more important than receiving the love I truly wanted. I feared the stigma of a failed relationship and the inevitable changes. But deep down, I was exhausted—tired of leading, tired of waiting, tired of feeling alone in a full house.

It wasn’t until my daughter started to pick up on my unhappiness that I realized I needed to do something different or my daughter would ultimately repeat the same cycle of exhaustion. Children are very observant. They learn lessons that we don’t always intentionally teach. I couldn’t let negativity and resentment define her childhood. I knew the Generational Glow-Up had to begin with me.

I found myself at my lowest, searching for direction with no compass. I had no idea where to go. I was all tapped out of answers. I was desperate to understand what was happening and where the Universe was leading me. At that moment, I went deeper into my faith. I prayed more, leaned into my beliefs, and had honest conversations with God. I was weak. I was mad. I was scared. I was fed up. Life had me- – well, you know the saying. I had to be honest with God so that I could be honest with myself: This is not the life I want. This is the life I’ve adapted to. I deserve better! When I finally surrendered and admitted that I didn’t have all the answers and chose to trust God, the guidance I had been seeking came to me. My mindset shifted. My mood was lifted. I found strength I didn’t know I had. It was time for my transformation to begin.

I wouldn’t tell you that everything was perfect from that moment forward. It was not! Healing isn’t immediate. Healing is not linear. Healing takes having vulnerable, gut wrenching moments with yourself when no one else is around. Healing takes committing to doing the self-work to reach a place of acceptance and pure joy in your new life. It took me some time to unlearn patterns, to stop settling for less than I deserved and to realize I lacked boundaries. I was turning red flags green and hurting myself before others even got the chance. I needed to learn how to walk away the first time people showed me who they were.

I rushed into dating too soon and found myself repeating old cycles. But through those experiences, I realized the importance of learning lessons and implementing what they taught us or be prepared to repeat the test! I had to be patient with myself and show compassion to the younger me who didn’t know what she wasn’t taught. I had to be still, focus on self-love, and rebuild from the inside out. I made a promise to myself—no more dimming my light for others.

I had to step up in areas that were normally a shared responsibility. I started forming new goals that once included a partner. Life was all about being the best ME so that I could be a better mom for my children. I had to reimagine what family, wealth and other core aspects of my identity looked like. My identity changed when I made the conscious decision to move out of our marital home. Reassurance and self-love finally took over where shame once lived. These moments —they were proof of my resilience. They were proof that I was doing the right thing. I walked away from what no longer served me, and in doing so, I began to create a life that aligned with my happiness.

Now, as I move through 2025, I do so with gratitude—for my God, who carried me through one of the hardest times of my life with strength and grace. For my daughter—the kind, empathetic, loving, majestic, and bold soul who saw through my mask and knew that we needed a new path. A new pasture to step into freely, without restrictions, with the space to be our true authentic, messy, weird, intelligent, magical celebrated selves. And lastly, but never least, I am grateful for my family and friends—for showing up, sharing laughs, and for being a shoulder when I needed it most. Divorce was not my ending; it was simply my new beginning. And for that, I am grateful.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Jessica Carter: A Leader in Community Building and Innovation

Jessica Carter is a visionary leader with a proven track record in fostering strong communities and driving innovative solutions. Her diverse experience encompasses entrepreneurship, real estate, education, and non-profit leadership.

Currently, Jessica serves as the Site Director of the North County Community Nexus, where she leverages her leadership skills to manage staff, develop impactful programs, and create a thriving community hub. Her dedication to community development is evident in her role as a driving force behind the organization’s success. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated and member of the Missouri Foundation for Health Food Justice Cohort,

As a Ph.D. candidate specializing in Integrating Psychology, Technology, and Cognition, Jessica brings a unique perspective to her work. Her academic pursuits equip her with the tools to analyze complex challenges and develop evidence-based strategies for positive change.

With a passion for innovation and a commitment to making a difference, Jessica Carter is shaping the future of community development and leadership.

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, I see resilience, a commitment to education, and the strength of community as the cornerstones of my progress. To anyone starting out, I’d suggest these: never stop learning, be receptive to correction, cultivate patience, and remember that love and support can come in many forms, even at a distance. We all face struggles, and finding common ground is how we truly grow together.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful things my parents did for me were instilling the power of inquiry and the art of love. My dad’s constant encouragement to ‘ask questions’ taught me the value of discovery, and the responsibility that comes with newfound knowledge. My mom’s ability to love even the ‘unlovable’ showed me the depth of compassion, while also teaching me the importance of discernment and healthy boundaries. Mastering these lessons—knowing when to seek truth and how/where to extend love—has been the defining journey of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jessicakcarter.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-k-carter-1034ab5a/

Image Credits

I have rights for all photos