Meet Dr. Ikeranda Smith, PH.D

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Ikeranda Smith, PH.D.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been ahead of my time since the moment I was born. I remember distinctly being a precocious child who had a deep connection to others yet was acutely aware that relationships were something people struggled to maintain. I remember vividly watching people in my family disagree from a place of pain and uncertainty. No one said, “I’m sorry, I’m hurting, or I want a better relationship, and I don’t know how to achieve it.” My life has been forever changed by the things that didn’t make sense in my life. I have come to realize that love’s absence in my life and in the lives of others led me to this work. I believe people desire a deep connection with others but struggle to allow themselves to be “seen” when they are still uncertain of who they are.

When I started this work, it was more out of necessity. I felt that people desired a practical way to deal with heart-centered issues in a way that demanded their attention; yet created a pathway for change while encompassing hope. I believe that people want radical honesty without feeling judged. I provide that. People need to know love even as they discover it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It is never easy when you decide to do work that most people don’t desire to do—committing to a calling more significant than you is hard. Teaching people, even as you sometimes are on your journey at the same time, is even more challenging. I tell people that the seat I sit in costs me a little something each day. People don’t realize the things you give up along your journey. I believe we are all obligated as black people to help other black people. We are compelled to open a door even as another one closes. We are obligated to create a space even where none exists. We are compelled to go the length of certain races so that when someone comes behind us, their path will be easier to find and not as complicated. I believe black people are another black person’s prayer personified.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
In my line of work as a Life Coach, I help people live more intentional lives, so I spend most of my time showing people the gap between who they are and who they desire to be. I believe people are afraid to live authentically for the risk of disappointing their family because, truthfully, everyone has a lived experience that often challenges the people around them to explore their own beliefs, and that usually frightens people.

I am known for helping people have better relationships by tackling their parental wounds. Once we deal with those barriers, it opens up the door for me to help people find love, ask for a promotion, start a new job, leave an old job, get married, succeed, and so on.

What sets me apart from others is my radical honesty. I help people by challenging them through my years of doing research. How I lead people to themselves creates a path to them loving themselves.

I am the proudest brand-wise of how my business is based on referrals. I believe a referral is the highest compliment you can receive as a business owner.

What I want readers to know about my services is that I love working with people who desire better relationships with themselves and others. My approach is often unconventional such as, I meet people where there are, so whatever is going to unequip people of their fears, I have something in my bag of tricks for that. The goal is to change the narrative of people and give them a fresh perspective.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned is to “do my work.” We live in a world where people feel that things should be instant and there is a destination to healing. Healing is a journey; I am always in the student seat. I want to ensure that my integrity precedes me and that people see the work, not me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.drikeranda.com
• Instagram: @justikeandthetribe
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ikeranda.smith.5/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ikeandthetribe
• Other: www.justikeandthetribe.com

Image Credits
Picture credit by David and jess photography