Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jennifer Keitt.
Hi Dr. Keitt, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey started in what I now lovingly call my “summer of chaos.” I was 27 years old, working in Chicago – the number three radio market (at that time) in the U.S. I was a morning drive news anchor who walked into the newsroom early one morning in the summer of 1991 and I quit. In my mind! I just knew at that moment that I did not want to deliver the news to people every single day – no matter how big the station. This ‘quiet quitting’ sent me into a tailspin that summer – and out of that dark chaos my radio show, “Today’s Black Woman” was born!
That showed debuted in December, 1991 – and I retired from radio in 2021 – 30 years later! When I chose to launch that radio show – purpose and destiny chose me. Opportunities opened for me to educate, equip, and encourage millions of listeners through the years with the shows I hosted both here in Atlanta and nationwide. During my tenure as a radio host – I gravitated toward empowering, educating, equipping, and encouraging my audiences both on the air and in person as a keynote speaker, conference host, teacher, and trainer. That path broadened my purpose and launched me into the work I am doing now.
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 don’t believe there is any such thing as a smooth journey. I’ve been married over 37 years, and I have four young adult children. Life has been – life. There’ve been times when business is booming and times when the phone was silent. There’ve been health challenges, money challenges, family challenges – emotional and mental challenges. But every step along the way, it’s been worth it! Everything in my life that I’ve had to fight for has been more than worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Keitt Institute?
I am the co-founder of The Keitt Institute – which is a center for emotional development and well-being. When my eldest daughter, Morgan Holmes, graduated as a biomedical engineer at Georgia Tech over a decade ago, I was stunned when she came to me and said she wanted to join me in the work I had been doing her entire life! We then set out to launch our 501 c (3) organization in 2014.
Using the best practices of instructional design (Morgan’s expertise) and educational psychology (my expertise) we build, high-energy, engaging, powerful learning experiences for professionals. Our goal is to help build leaders that people actually want to follow! Every day we produce informative, bite-size, education videos covering a wide array of topics- from motivation to mindsets and emotional well-being to valued living. We are intentional about creating ‘grab, go, and grow’ learning opportunities for professionals to build their leadership toolkits – all with the goal of helping them rise and thrive in their personal and professional lives.
We have trained professionals in tech, the military, education, finance, and aviation. Our clients include Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Workday, KPMG, and more. When we are not producing bite-sized learning or engaged in Corporate training, we keynote events and engage future leaders through our teen and college programming. We are excited about the work that we are doing!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.keittinstitute.org
- Instagram: @thekeittinstitute
- Linkedin: @thekeittinstitute
- Twitter: @jenniferkeitt
