Hidden Gems: Meet Javonia Smith of ReForum Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Javonia Smith. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Javonia is a Social Worker and Mental Health Consultant with over a decade specializing in impact-driven, culturally humble, and trauma-informed work. In 2008, Javonia received a Bachelor’s in Criminology at The University at Buffalo, followed by a Master’s in Criminal Justice at John Jay College in 2012, and a Master’s of Social Work from Silberman School of Social Work in 2016 and was licensed in 2018. Javonia’s interest in this work lies at the intersection of each of these disciplines and is facilitated through the lens of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. After extensive experience of direct service working with various underserved populations, including 12 years of case management for youth experiencing homelessness, Javonia transitioned into a role as a Mental Health Manager for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) that provides mental health support for the Department of Education (DOE) and focuses on shifting the culture and macro level policies and practices. Javonia also facilitates agency-wide workshops on racial justice and workforce culture transformation. Additionally, Javonia is passionate about developing strength-based, whole-person curriculum and policies. Javonia believes her mission is to design and facilitate much-needed conversations about racism, equity, cultural humility, team building, crisis and stress management, trauma-informed practices, and self-care while demystifying these concepts and mental health. Later co-founding ReForum Consulting in 2018 which has allowed for an elevated that mission. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have certainly experienced moments in my journey where I’ve felt the strain of not only trying to survive but thrive. With every great purpose there’s passion and also challenges. In the pursuit of my purpose, I have experienced disappointment, loss, failure, realignment of my values, imposter syndrome, and setbacks. Fortunately, for everything that I have endured I am now prepared to handle and overcome with resilience, grace, and strategy. And in these obstacles, I have not only reframed by perspective of challenges to ‘divine pressure on the urge of something great’ but I have also learned some valuable lessons. Including, mindfulness, gratitude, letting go of things I cannot control, the importance of space for healthy reflection, the power of social capital, how important it is to believe in yourself and being surrounded by people who believe in you, grace as a necessity, and self-care. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about ReForum Consulting LLC?
Founded in 2018, ReForum Consulting has emerged as lead facilitators and consultants, supporting corporations and communities seeking to reform their organizational culture and climate through curated conversations in various forums. ReForum Consulting was conceptualized as a brave and safe space where change happens. In their personal and professional lives, the co-founders all witnessed a void of wellness and mental health support in their communities; in addition to a lack of quality, engaging, and culturally relevant service offerings. Our suite of services covers topics like Mental Health and Wellness, Cultural Humility, Trauma, Diversity and Inclusion, and Team and Community Building. As a Black, women-led company, our team has successfully applied lived experiences to program development and execution, helping clients see themselves in the facilitators, see value in their emotions, and see a way forward for navigating life’s challenges as an informed and accountable global citizen. We strongly believe that personal and professional growth and wellness is intrinsically tied to a strong network, civic awareness, and engagement. It is with this understanding that our work has been so “real, authentic, accessible, and necessary”. From extensive experience hosting and facilitating events for various groups. To anger management and mental health workshops for court-involved individuals, as a condition of their probation. We have also hosted stand-alone, public events to spread awareness about self-care and wellness, and reach new audiences. Our work is not only unlike your traditional trainings and workshops, but it is also curated for the specific needs of any organization. Our teams experience with various populations, organization settings, management styles, and team dynamics has created a unique opportunity and platform for our work. Our engaging, immersive, culturally humble, and trauma-informed brave and safe spaces facilitate growth and development increasing intrinsic motivation and extrinsic productivity. In other words when you feel good, you do good and essentially you produce good work and put good energy into the world. 

How do you define success?
Success is one of those concepts that are so individualized that it is hard to define. But if I had to conceptualize what it means I would use Maya Angelou’s quote, “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” The freedom to healthily pursue success in life comes from self-love and self-knowledge, fulfillment through our passions, and knowing that we are loved and accepted regardless of what we ever do or don’t do. We are all completely unique individuals with unique missions, visions, strengths, interests, experiences, relationships, and opportunities. And because of that, we each have to find our own measures of success and find peace with that. Our definition of success should not be defined by other people, or by what society has deemed as successful, or we should not force upon us measures of success that isn’t aligned with our values and don’t fit with who we are. My thoughts on success have changed as I have grown and learned, an in embracing my seasons and these shifts; I am truly in a place where I love myself, love what I do, and love how I do it. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.reforumconsulting.com
• Other: linktr.ee/ReForumConsulting

Image Credits
peakaspectinc.com