Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitley Grant.
Hi Whitley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am from a small town called Ahoskie, NC. My family emphasized both education and social justice work when I was growing up. I would say my life experiences have led me to my current role which is mental health therapist and owner and operator of The Melanated Space, PLLC. It is through my business that I provide training, supervision, individual/group therapy, and workshops. My work is heavily Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion focused. I have expertise in racial trauma as well as helping organizations with equity assessments to see if their missions and practices align with anti-racism work.
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 would say that it has not been a smooth road. Whenever a person has multiple marginalized identities, they will more than likely face some type of obstacles and challenges. As a Black Woman who is both a therapist and a critical researcher, I have used these challenges to fuel my research and services. It was because I experienced racial trauma in several places of employment that inspired me to focus my efforts towards helping people of color cope. As well as gaining expertise to help challenge workplace policies and procedures that support discrimination and bias toward people of color. Additionally, chronic illnesses can also provide additional barriers to success. My community has been helpful in helping me combat these struggles.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am currently a third-year doctoral student pursuing a doctoral degree in Higher Education. Additionally, I am a full-time student affairs professional and owner of small mental health private practice called “The Melanated Space”. I am most proud of starting a new business and starting a doctoral program during the pandemic. Working from home gave me time to focus on defining my values and being able to channel these values into my work. I specialize in helping women of color increase self-esteem, challenge the concept of imposter syndrome, set boundaries in relationships, and deal with racial trauma in the workplace. Additionally, as a Black Feminist Researcher, I am gaining research experience that helps me develop workshops, support groups, and other services for higher education institutions. My work is not been limited to higher education. I have also facilitated these workshops at non-profits and corporations.
What sets me apart from others is my unique professional experiences. I am a dually licensed mental health and substance use therapist. I also have experience working with the general population, community-based counseling, and college students. Additionally, because I am pursuing a doctorate degree, I have additional knowledge on how to inform best practices through research that I have conducted.
I would also like to share that I am most proud of my two degrees from the greatest HBCU in the world. (North Carolina Central University) I am also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Most importantly, I am proud of being a sister, daughter, granddaughter, and friend.
What’s next?
My plans for the future include taking my business full-time. I am looking forward to expanding my services to help people deal with racial trauma nationwide. Additionally, once I finish my doctoral program, I plan to start teaching part-time and using my expertise to conduct equity assessments and training for companies and other colleges and universities.
Contact Info:
- Website: themelanatedspace.com
- Instagram: @themelanatedspace
Image Credits
https://www.rotcelisrose.com/
