Today we’d like to introduce you to Ansley Booker. She shared her story with us below:
Dr. Ansley Alicia (Booker) is a native of Eatonton, Georgia. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Georgia Southern University in 2008, where she was a Ronald E. McNair (TRiO) Scholar. In 2013, she earned a Master of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Georgia and her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Mercer University in May 2019. Before working in higher education for almost 13 years, Ansley traveled the country teaching leadership curricula. As a result, she was able to travel to over 33 states.
Her dissertation focused on African American/Black women who had obtained S.T.E.M. graduate/doctoral degrees in computer science, engineering, and physical science. She has published and presented extensively on the experiences of African American/Black women and minority students in S.T.E.M. education and student affairs. Her writings are featured in the books The Table, Gumbo Females of Color Book 2, Seeing the Hidden Minority: Increasing the Talent Pool through Identity, Socialization, and Mentoring Constructs, Teaching Beautiful Brilliant Black Girls & Fraternal Organizations, and Mentoring: Valuable Compacts for Young Black Males. Her passion for S.T.E.M. was highlighted in her 2019 TedTalk at the University of Georgia entitled Unhidden Figures: Uncovering Our Cultural Biases in S.T.E.M.
In addition to being a passionate scientist and author, Ansley is an educator. When she is not developing a S.T.E.M. curriculum for college students as an adjunct professor, she has served as a mentor and volunteer for numerous programs in the Middle Georgia community.
Dr. Ansley Booker is a Middle Georgia Regional Champion ( 2022) and a graduate of both Leadership Macon 2019 & the Urban Leadership Academy Cohort 3 (2019). She is also a proud member of the Macon Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Junior League of Macon, Storytellers Macon, Central Georgia Empowerment Fund, and the Career Women’s Network, where she serves as President-Elect and Programming Chair.
She also has a 5-year-old fur baby named Brownie Sprinkles.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not always been easy, but Ansley believes in self-efficacy, tenacity, grit, Faith, and perseverance. She stumbled, but she didn’t quit.
As a black woman in S.T.E.M. disciplines, she struggled to be a part of the “double bind.” Research has noted that underrepresented populations, especially Black women, have more complex academic and social experiences than majority groups due to social isolation, stereotype threat, sexism, racism, and imposter syndrome.
One of her favorite quotes to inspire others:
“Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.” – NASA Astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Dr. Ansley Alicia is also an award-winning international speaker, consultant, and sought-after thought leader for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion topics. She strives to be a dedicated community advocate committed to social justice, equity-mindedness, and inclusive leadership. Hence as a community change agent, she started her educational business in 2020 during the height of the pandemic and the summer of racial reckoning.
She believes in professional development and increasing intellectual capital to help set yourself apart from others. As a result, in 2019, she earned a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University and a DEI certificate from the University of South Florida in 2021. In addition, in 2021, she attended the Bravely Confronting Racism in Higher Education at Harvard University.
Ansley is also a 2-time Ted-X Speaker. In 2019, she was chosen as an alumni speaker alongside former NFL/UGA Football Star Malcolm Mitchell and Laura Whitaker, Executive Director of Extra Special People at the Classic Center in Athens, GA. They had more than 1,500 people in attendance.
Dr. Booker aims to help individuals, businesses, institutions, and communities cultivate inclusive learning and work environments as a catalyst for change and cultural shifts. She engages persons from diverse backgrounds, moral beliefs, and identities to discover and strategically plan how to work, learn and grow together toward a collective, inclusive, just, accessible, and equitable future for all.
Her speaking and consulting engagements consist of multiple hours of enriching, exciting, and challenging learning strategies, motivational moments, and calls to action plans with a solution-oriented focus.
Dr. Ansley Alicia (Booker) has worked with over 25+ clients on Higher Education Leadership, Team Building, Event Management, J.E.D.I., STREAM Curriculum, and Student Development.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those just starting.
The best advice for those starting is to have Faith. Faith in a higher power, Faith and yourself, and Faith in your success.
Sometimes being the first to start a business or a new endeavor will come with challenges, sacrifices, barriers, and adversity, but it also comes with pride, significance, distinction, and honor.
Always remember you were destined for a time such as this.
Please keep in mind free community resources like entrepreneurship courses, grants, small business development seminars, and opportunities to share your craft, like community networking and chamber of commerce events.
P.S. Get a business mentor. Someone who is in your desired field and is doing well. Always remember to Be Your Authentic Self. You are your brand!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dransleyalicia.com/
- Instagram: dransleyalicia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAnsleyAlicia
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ansley-booker-phd-she-her-hers-56bb8bb9
- Twitter: Adored7
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn1S7phYDMQ&t=5s
Image Credits
UGA TedX 2019 Exodus Photography Matt Odom Photography Mercer University
