Meet Brittany Jenkins of DearBrittany in Fulton County/ West End Area

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Jenkins.

Brittany, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY on July 28, 1998 but who knew my acceptance to the Clark Atlanta University would bring me closer to my dreams starting August of 2016? How does an ordinary girl from Brooklyn, NY turn her dream of being a psychiatrist and opening her own practice into reality? I didn’t know the answer to that question and honestly, I still don’t have the answer. When I first took an interest in marriage and family counseling, I just knew I had an interest and a goal but how was I going to get there? Being from Brooklyn gifted me with having that “get it by any means” mentality, even if I had to push my personal struggles to the side. That’s the problem growing amongst almost all black women every day. It wasn’t until another black woman sat me down one day and said “it’s time to take care of you”.

I didn’t know how to do both, have a successful start to my career while enjoying the festivities of college. I struggled for a while finding an equal balance, but with the help of my two best friends/support systems I got through it. That’s what inspired DearBrittany. An advice column which provides insight to help ensure that you are at your best mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually while also balancing stability in your business life. It’s time to put a greater emphasis on mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual stability so what better way to do that with one another? You never know, the same person you’re afraid to confide in could be the very person fighting the same demons you are.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Some obstacles amongst creating DearBrittany would definitely be myself. I am my biggest critic, so I would constantly go back and forth with myself making sure I was giving good advice, and looking at things from an overall perspective not my own perspective. I literally had to remove my own personal judgement for the benefit of the audience because that’s only what is fair to them. In the midst of doing so however, I had to remember that I was only putting my personal biases and feelings to the side for the audience. That didn’t mean to dismiss my own feelings outside of the advice column. I was basically learning how to separate business from “pleasure”.

Please tell us about DearBrittany.
As I mentioned earlier DearBrittany is an advice column, allowing a safe space for all to express themselves or seek guidance through a rough time. The difference between DearBrittany and other advice columns is that DearBrittany is designed for us to grow together! The advice is never specifically catered to one person. Advice is given in a way that anyone could relate to or use. That’s what makes me proud. Knowing that I’ve created a space where one can open up without judgement which sets the example for other readers to come and do the same. The way I look at it is “if they can open up, so can I. It’s safe”. That’s all I’ve ever wanted because at a time in my life, I didn’t have a safe space and that was one of the worst feelings in the world.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
The only thing close to luck that has played a role in what I’ve accomplished so far is God as well as God’s work. My relationship with God, throughout the journey of creating DearBrittany as well as my matriculation in college, has grown tremendously and it feels amazing. To know that God has blessed me the way he has, and continues to do so everyday? It may feel like luck but it’s love.

Contact Info:

• Email: dearbrittanyinc@gmail.com
• Instagram: @dearbrittanyco

Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.