Bio
Dr. Ayisha Zakia Jefferson- Evans is a full time life-long learner and believer in people in their passions. She strives to live by the quote written by Marianne Williamson that “there is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that others will not feel small around you.”
As a Professor, she is a lover and writer of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction and has published two short stories in the online magazine Encore entitled “Blind-Mate” and “Re-birth” which demonstrates the journey to find love and resistance of a Black woman transitioning from a relaxer to natural/virgin hair. In her writings, she often visits topics about racial issues, relationships, identity, self- love, and relationships.
She has served as an invited guest lecturer, conducted workshops for women, served as a panelist, a reoccurring judge for poetry slams, invited ILA (International Leadership Association)Presenter in Barcelona, Spain, presenter DIVAS conference at Elon College, invited poet on the radio station WNAA, interviewed on the series of The Magic of Self-Love with author Tonya Poole, and has been featured on podcast Proof of My Existence with Stephen Charles.
Her academic research is inspired by a desire to investigate the challenges facing contemporary Black Americans, specifically Black women, and to better understand the multiple, creative ways that African-Americans respond to these challenges. Her interests include the study of Black women, self-love, and beauty.
She is the founder of Our Beauty Matters and a Beautiful L.Y.F. (Love Yourself First) which include: L.Y.F. Coaching, L.Y.F. Messenger, L.Y.F. Courses, L.Y.F. Lessons, L.Y.F. Line, L.Y.F. Leadership, L.Y.F. Coaching, and L.Y.F. Support.
A lover of African dance, Line dancing, and Motown Ballroom dancing, live music, unique fashion and beauty, she is an active member in her community,
Ayisha Jefferson-Evans has received her B.A. in English from Bennett College, her M.A. in English with a concentration in African-American Literature from North Carolina Agricultural Technical State University, and a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies with a concentration in African-American Leadership at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. In addition, she is certified in Diversity Training, Guided Conflict Resolution, Empowering Leader, Effective Meeting Leadership, and a graduate of the YWCA program Passion to Purse.