Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Hillsman.
Sierra, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I graduated from the University of South Florida in May 2013 with two bachelors of arts degrees – one in Communication Sciences & Disorders and the other in Psychology. I relocated to metro-Atlanta after have a post-graduate crisis. Here I was, with two degrees in a job market that was paying entry-level salaries but only wanted to hire people with experience. I switched fields and began pursuing a career in entertainment public relations with some of the best agencies and international media corporations stated in Atlanta and yet, I was still unfulfilled.
Not only was I unfulfilled, but I was also emotionally tearing up inside. 2013 was the hardest year of my life being away from my family that was still in South Florida. At the time, my maternal uncle was dying of stage 4 Colon Cancer while my mom continued to be the primary provider of my family as well as her brother’s caretaker. To describe it as “difficult” would be an understatement. There were times where I felt guilty for leaving my family during such a challenging time all in the name of trying to be successful. I knew deep down inside that they supported my decision and had my back when it came to the move because they knew I wasn’t happy in Florida. However, I will never forget the day my mother called to tell me that she was feeling overwhelmed with everything. For years, we had been a mother-daughter dynamic duo; helping one another spiritually, emotionally and financially. I will never forget the exhaustion in her voice as she told me that my father had just been involuntarily committed to an inpatient facility due to experiencing suicidal and homicidal thoughts. He had been severely depressed since my high school years but unaddressed emotions, his own health complications, and the rat race of living from paycheck to paycheck really took a toll on him as a man.
I felt like my world was literally crumbling one piece at a time. I was in Atlanta volunteering, networking, and gigging to establish myself in one of the greatest cities for career-oriented millennials. All the while pushing through feelings of helplessness; suffocated by what was out of my control. I began focusing on personal development and the importance of mental health. In 2015, I enrolled in the University of West Georgia and eventually went on to graduate with my Masters of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with the goal of becoming a licensed professional counselor. Through my own personal experiences, there was a burning desire to become an advocate for mental health awareness and challenging stigmas within communities of color. Thus, the creation of Legacy Speaks – an online platform dedicated for just that.
Has it been a smooth road?
Aside from what was previously mentioned, the only struggle that I experienced when creating my platform was having the confidence to shamelessly work and promote myself. This is the first time I have been forced to be the face of something. During my time as a public relations professional, I remained in the background as a coordinator and orchestrator of media, events, and brands. I was commended for my work ethic and praised for my ability to assist with communicating and executing the visions for others, employers and clients included. I quickly learned that it’s one thing to move mountains for others, but it’s a completely different story when trying to etch out your own Mount Rushmore. Being unapologetically confident in applying my skills and talent to my own passion projects is a struggle that I continue to push through on a weekly basis. It’s gotten better and I’m grateful for every person that recognizes the effort that put into the content that I produce.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Legacy Speaks – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Legacy Speaks is an online platform dedicated to mental health awareness and advocacy. Individuals can enjoy a series of content targeting a diverse range of topics pertaining to mental health & wellness, personal & professional development, spirituality, and more. I initially started off with the YouTube Channel and eventually expanded to the online store, blog, and in-person experiences. What I am most proud of when it comes to Legacy Speaks is the ability to create healthy conversations about issues that were traditionally deemed as taboo or unspeakable. From hallucinations and suicidality to fetishes and sexual trauma – I leave no stone unturned. I love being able to take what I consider to be “counselor jargon” and break it down into something that is understandable. Every time I vend, post a video, or share a resource, I value opportunities to connect with people of color who genuinely are concerned about the well-being of themselves and/or their friends and loved ones. It’s also cool when followers submit their mental health journey stories to be shared. It creates hope across the board.
Professionally, I am a National Certified Counselor credentialed through NBCC and operate as an Associate Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia. I have experience in individual and group counseling in the areas of anger management, assertiveness training, challenging irrational beliefs, substance abuse, and emotional and psychological trauma. I’m a world changer. My number one goal in life is to create a lasting legacy that inspires growth and development. One person at a time – that’s how I’m changing the world. I want to influence the culture by empowering others to live their lives with passion and purpose. This is not just a goal, this is how I live my life.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I remember summers as a kid filled with tours of Spelman, getting candy & caricatures at the Underground, and roll bouncing at Cascade. Fast forward and this Fort Lauderdale, FL native has been living in real-life Wakanda since 2013. I’ve grown so much spiritually, emotionally and professionally in a place filled with so much history, culture, and opportunity. I love the fact that there is a space for everyone – the creative, the entrepreneur, the corporate-driven exec, the hipster, etc. Although I’m a transplant myself, I’d like to say that Atlanta is full lol and that we don’t need any more people adding to the traffic. However, feel free to visit our beautiful parks, amazing restaurants, inspiring art museums, and local festivals that give you a taste of what Atlanta truly is about.
Pricing:
- Therapy is Dope Tees – $20
- Therapy is Dope Jerseys $23
- Therapy is Dope Sweatshirts $25
Contact Info:
- Website: legacyspks.com
- Phone: 770-835-5103
- Email: hello@legacyspks.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/legacyspks
- Facebook: facebook.com/legacyspks
- Twitter: twitter.com/legacyspks
- Other: youtube.com/legacyspeaks
Image Credit:
Therapy is Dope Tank: Cory Marcus Films (@corymarcusfilms)
Therapy is Dope sweatshirts & teal Legacy Speaks shirt: Lennox Ave (@lennoxave)
All of the other headers for my YouTube videos were shot by me and I believe they have the respective handles for each guest.
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