Meet Jhakira

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jhakira. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jhakira below.

Jhakira , 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?

Being the only one in the room has shaped me far more than it has ever limited me. I grew up learning very quickly that I would often walk into spaces where no one looked like me, had my story, or understood my resilience. For a long time, I saw that as a disadvantage. Over time, it became one of my greatest strengths.

One moment that stands out is when I began working in crisis, education, and mental health. I was young, Black, a woman and often the only person in the room with my background. People underestimated me before I even opened my mouth. Instead of shrinking, I learned to let my purpose speak first. I showed up prepared. I showed up grounded. And I showed up with compassion and clarity, two things that do not require permission.

I realized that being the only one in the room did not mean I did not belong there. It meant I was pioneering space for others who would come after me.

Over time, I developed habits that made me not just effective, but impactful:

1. I anchor myself in purpose. When I remember why I am in the room, to help children, families, and communities, I stop worrying about who is watching or judging me. Purpose keeps me centered.

2. I lead with authenticity. I used to try to blend in, but it dimmed my voice. I learned that my perspective, my culture, and my lived experiences are assets. They allow me to connect with people others cannot reach.

3. I prepare twice as hard. Not because I am insecure, but because I refuse to allow stereotypes to write my narrative for me. Excellence has become my form of representation.

4. I create community even when none exists. Whether I am speaking, collaborating, or problem solving, I make sure people feel seen and valued, because I know what it feels like not to be.

Being the only one in the room taught me confidence, emotional intelligence, and resilience. It taught me how to hold space for others and how to hold my head high even when I feel outnumbered. Most importantly, it taught me that representation does not start when there are many of us. It starts with the courage of the first one who walks in anyway.

And I have decided to keep walking in.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My work sits at the intersection of crisis support, education, and community empowerment. I am the founder of Achieve Now Educational Services, a youth centered organization that provides tutoring, a K to 12 learning pod, mentorship, dance, athletics, and enrichment programs that help students grow academically, emotionally, and socially. What started as a small tutoring effort has transformed into a full educational ecosystem that serves families across multiple counties.

In addition to working with children and teens, I also support college students and adult learners who are preparing for their GED. Helping adults return to education or rebuild their academic confidence has become one of the most meaningful parts of my work. I believe learning has no age limit and that every person deserves the opportunity to pursue their goals.

What makes my brand special is that everything I build is rooted in service and lived experience. I understand what it feels like to be overlooked, under supported, or misunderstood, and I never want a child, parent, or adult student to feel that way in my programs. Achieve Now was created to be a place where students feel safe, seen, challenged, and encouraged. We combine academics with real life skills, emotional wellness, creativity, and confidence building because success is not just about grades. It is about identity, purpose, and resilience.

Alongside my work in education, I am expanding my crisis support services through The Crisis Readiness Project. This initiative focuses on providing non clinical crisis guidance, safety planning, advocacy, and training for children, teens, adults, and organizations. My goal is to make crisis education more accessible and to help people feel prepared instead of powerless.

There is a lot of growth happening across my brand. We recently added Achieve Stars, a dance and color guard program, and Achieve Athletics, which will offer sports training and team opportunities. I am also launching new youth leadership initiatives, expanding our summer programs, working with college and GED students, and preparing to open a shared community space that blends education and wellness.

Everything I do is driven by one mission. To create opportunities, healing, and hope for the next generation and for adults who are rewriting their future. I want families and learners of all ages to know that the doors we are opening are not just for academics. They are for confidence, identity, community, and legacy.

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

Looking back, the three qualities that have been the most impactful in my journey are resilience, emotional intelligence, and purpose driven leadership:

1. Resilience

My path required me to keep going in environments where I was underestimated, overlooked, or the only one who looked like me. Resilience taught me how to push through hard seasons, rebuild when things fell apart, and create opportunities that did not exist before. For those early in their journey, resilience grows when you face challenges without giving up, learn from every setback, and remind yourself why you started.

2. Emotional Intelligence

Working in crisis, mental health, and education requires patience, self awareness, and the ability to connect with people who are hurting or overwhelmed. Emotional intelligence helped me manage my own reactions, understand others, and communicate with clarity and compassion. You build this skill by listening more than you speak, paying attention to how people feel, and being honest with yourself about what triggers or drains you.

3. Purpose Driven Leadership

Everything I do is rooted in service. Knowing my purpose has guided every decision I make, from starting Achieve Now Educational Services to working with children, teens, college students, and adults returning for their GED. Purpose gave me direction when things were unclear and confidence when I had to take risks. My advice is to identify what matters to you and let that guide your actions, not trends or pressure from others.

For anyone early in their journey, focus on building who you are before focusing on what you do. Strengthen your mindset, nurture your emotional health, and stay connected to your mission. Skills can be taught, but character is developed. When you lead from a place of purpose, everything else falls into place.

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 12 months has been my personal development. This year required me to confront outdated thinking patterns, behaviors, and emotional habits that were no longer serving me. I had to unlearn survival based mindsets and replace them with healthier beliefs about myself, my purpose, and what I am capable of.

I became more intentional about how I show up for myself, not just for others. I learned how to set boundaries, how to recognize my own needs, and how to give myself permission to grow without guilt. This shift has made me a better leader, a better mother, and a more grounded version of myself.

My advice to anyone on a similar journey is to be honest about what you need to release. Growth rarely happens in comfort. It happens when you allow yourself to let go of what you have outgrown, even if it once felt familiar or protective. Invest in your emotional health, challenge your old beliefs, and give yourself room to evolve. The more you grow internally, the more everything around you begins to change for the better.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.achievenowedu.com
• Instagram: @achievenowedu__
• Facebook: Achieve Now Educational Services Inc.