Today we’d like to introduce you to Aza A. Shukura
Hi Aza A., we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ll put it this way, going from an extremely lost human being to the executive director of my own business, that’s in high demand, has been nothing short of HARD asf. It took falling a million times and getting back up a million and one to get to where I am now. My journey was far from a straight shot. The road has been ice covered, bumpy, full of potholes, flash floods, no streetlights, detours, wrong way signs, “YOU BETTER STOP” signs, flat tires, engine failures, fender benders and total crashes.
However, the journey forward doesn’t stop unless you decide to stop. I whole heartedly understand why some people choose to give up. The grit can cut deep one too many times to the point you become numb; “especially” if you have mental health challenges along the way. I knew good and well that the journey would not be easy. Yet, I still found myself saying “My God will it ever ease up, even just a little”.
My daughter has absolutely been a shining light in my life. It’s overwhelming to see the kind of young lady that she has become. She truly does live up to her name “Ariel” – Lion of God. Her integrity, talents, gifts, intellect, strength, heart, beauty and just who she is as a human being has made me a better person. Our children watch everything we do – and don’t do. As much as we have the power to shape who they become, they also have the power to push their parents to evolve. So, no matter the trials and tribulations, I have to continue to move forward for her sake and for mine.
As hard as the road was for me, my job was to always clear it of all that debris to make a brighter path for Ariel.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The main struggle that I have dealt with along the way was overcoming various traumas. My biggest being the loss of my twin sister when we were 25 yrs old. All the things that led up to it and the after math was gut wrenchingly difficult. The road started getting really dark and I struggled for a “very” long time to see the light. There is no greater war than the war in our minds. OG (Only God) is truly the reason why I’m still here today. I dedicated Authenticity of Recovery to my sister and all those that have lost their battle with mental health challenges.
I’d say the second biggest thing I’ve had to overcome was managing my BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder). I didn’t even know what the heck that was until I was told, and BOY did a lot of things make sense afterwards. However, BPD is developed out of complex trauma. It’s not like there is a light switch that you can flip, and it all goes away. Many people, including myself, have felt that they are not allowed to speak up about what they are dealing with. They feel they have to hide it, or just “get over it” and move on as if nothing ever happened. But that’s not how trauma works. That’s not how healing works. If everyone just needed “thick skin” and could easily move on from trauma or difficult situations, then there would be no need for recovery, support groups, counseling, self-care initiatives etc.
Healing is a process that cannot be rushed. The impact of trauma (even if it happened years ago) comes in waves, and you have to allow yourself to ride every single one of them, until you get to shore safely. You have to give yourself permission to say “I am not ok” out loud and to whom you need to say it to (whether it is received or not).
As a Black woman, that is an extremely hard thing to do. Many times, we feel that we have to be “Super Woman” and save everyone but ourselves. Our feelings and experiences get pushed to the back burner. I had to learn to take off my cape and focus on saving myself. I had to learn to speak up about things that were hurting me. I had to literally tell myself that “this hurts, this is not ok, I am allowed to feel these feelings, I do not deserve this, I am allowed to walk away from this situation, I am allowed to remove myself from this person/people, I am allowed to speak out loud and take the time to process and heal from this experience, I am allowed to be a human being”.
Before I was able to do all of that, I struggled a lot. I functioned on auto pilot, and I was damn good at it. I excelled at my job, at school, the programs I was a part of, events that I directed, everything I did, I did it well. Just because someone has a good heart doesn’t mean that it isn’t heavy. Just because someone seems to have it all together, doesn’t mean they aren’t hanging on by a thread. Just because someone seems to be the happiest one in the room doesn’t mean their eyes don’t struggle to hold back an ocean of tears and just because someone is always the “go to” person doesn’t mean they have someone to go to themselves.
Once, I allowed myself to be vulnerable and live 1,000% in my authenticity everything changed.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Authenticity of Recovery LLC.?
I’ve engaged in many endeavors. However, Authenticity of Recovery embodies absolutely every single thing I’ve ever done. I finally feel “free”. It’s what I love most about it. I can completely embrace who I am, put down the burden of who I once was and thrive in the anticipation of who I will become. The program is designed to allow everyone that is a part of it to do the same.
I’ve taken all of my experiences and created a platform of “Possibilities”. A mirror to reflect the reality of how much people can overcome. The finding of hope, for those that have lost all hope. The grip for those that don’t know what else to hang onto and the belief in the unbelievable.
There are several services that I provide for individuals, schools, groups (small/large), businesses, organizations and of course artists. My services are as follows:
– Motivational Speaking (Aza the Rock Star Speaker Series)
– The Art of Authenticity (Creative/Performing Arts Program)
– Online/In Person Workshops
– Group Support Meetings (Women, Children and BPD Support)
– Summits/Conferences
– Academy of Authenticity (Youth Education Program)
-1:1 Peer Support Sessions
What sets my recovery program apart from others, is that I provide a wide variety of unorthodox and artistic support that is custom made and catered to various needs. I’m based in Atlanta GA, but I also have the ability to travel and extend my program in other cities. There is a special piece dedicated to youth and young adults. As a parent and former educator of Title I academic programs I firmly believe that young people need more safe spaces to address their mental health challenges.
Brand wise, what I am most proud of, is having the opportunity to be for others what I once needed so desperately. I don’t “save” anyone. I merely give them the tools and/or a safe space to save themselves. I’m also very adamant about maintaining high values. Last year I learned that around 53% of women in recovery programs experience sexual misconduct, sexual coercion or abuse by people (particularly men) who have been in recovery for many years. They experience this misconduct not just from their peers but most from therapists, counselors, sponsors and even program directors. When people come into a program that is deemed a safe space for individuals who are very broken and at their lowest point in their lives and it is crawling with predators, I have a “very” big problem with that, and it needs to change. Many of these women’s experiences are not believed and they do not know where else to go for support. I’ve seen firsthand, what that kind of experience does to women in recovery from programs I’ve come across on my own journey. Authenticity of Recovery welcomes them and allows them to feel seen, heard, understood, but most of all “safe”. You cannot have a program for recovery where accountability is merely a familiar word to your mouth but foreign to your actions.
Another thing that I am proud to say about my Brand is that it is a place of support for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder. BPD is considered one of the hardest mental health disorders to live with. As someone with BPD, I made it a point to create outlets specifically for BPD support. I’m currently working in partnership for weekly BPD support group sessions as well as our upcoming World of Borderline Personality Disorder Conference. Many individuals with BPD feel so hopeless. I seek to change the narrative of how BPD is viewed, as well as the trajectory of how it is treated. There is absolutely a way to live without it being an anchor on your feet for the rest of your life.
Lastly, it is an incredible privilege to go on this journey with my daughter. I am extremely happy about incorporating youth recovery into the program. It is youth led and my daughter directs the youth recovery program. She is truly a multi-talented young lady. Our children and teens mental health is just as important as adults. They need safe spaces also to express themselves, heal, embrace their individuality and evolve just like grown-ups.
What I want readers to know is that recovery is not a one size fits all concept. It looks different for everyone, and people have all kinds of things to recover from. Some people have small tote bags to unpack, and others have multiple large suitcases that they are afraid to even open. Whatever the case maybe, Authenticity of Recovery is here to be the courage, strength, ear, shoulder and love you need to unpack all that needs to come out, all that needs to be put down and see yourself through a new pair of untainted eyes.
How do you think about happiness?
I’m most happy when I am in a space where I can just be myself. Whether it is creating an art piece, writing (I’m in love with writing), performing or listening to my favorite bands (I will forever love Deftones & Massive Attack including Horace Andy/Tricky). Just being in my own skin, with my own style, living freely. Control free. Carefree. Just “Free”. That’s what makes me happy.
I also like to ground myself. I find joy in standing still outside, clearing my mind and just listening to the Earth. The birds, the wind blowing through the trees, the things in the distance. Just taking time to be present away from life and enjoying the sound of the deep breaths that I get another chance to have each day.
I think true happiness comes when you “know” who you are and nothing and no one can change that.
“Be authentically who God called you to be and everything you need will come to you”. – Eric Thomas (ET The Hip Hop Preacher)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.authenticityofrecovery.com
- Instagram: authenticityofrecovery
- Facebook: authenticityofrecovery
- LinkedIn: Aza A. Shukura
- Other: https://www.azashukura.com
Image Credits
Ariel J. Shukura (Authenticity of Recovery Creative Youth Director, Youth Group Leader, Visual/Performing Artist and Daughter of Aza).
Eric Thomas (ET The Hip Hop Preacher – APOC Atlanta GA)
