Meet Syreeta Ziegler of Guide My H.E.A.R.T. (Health Energy Ambition, Relationships, Time & Talents) in Alpharetta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Syreeta Ziegler.

Syreeta, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am currently a FEMpowerment Speaker, Author, Singer and the founder of the Non-Profit, Guide My H.E.A.R.T. My motto is “I want to inspire, inform, empower and transform!”

Amongst building up my non-profit, I am also currently working on the release of several projects and publications including, “Guard Your H.E.A.R.T.” (based on bible scripture Proverbs 4:23  to help empower women on how to avoid toxic relationships) which will also feature a Music EP to compliment the book. I plan to combine my talents, experience, and educational background to help empower women, educate teen girls and cultivate her community.

I’m also a passionate mother of two college students, Christin (daughter) and Christopher (son), a devout Christian since professing life to Christ in 1998, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. since pledging undergraduate in 2001, Communication Ministry Leader and  I enjoy singing, painting, reading blogs, writing, and volunteering in local outreach efforts and spending time with my family and friends.

My Background:
My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a major in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing and Journalism from the University of North Alabama in 2002 which included two internships at the University Relations Office(PR Assistant), and the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art (PR/Marketing Assistant). She later completed a Master’s of Science in Continuing Education in Psychology/Counseling in 2011 from the University of West Alabama. My diverse educational background has given me the opportunity to learn necessary skills and knowledge for success in marketing and communications and has also offered a unique psychological perspective for clients and my overall mission.

Some of my most highlighted appearances include: speaking on behalf of Guide My HEART for the International Women’s Day “Balance for Better Brunch” London, UK, 2019; featured speaker at “Networth and Vibe” London, UK, 2019; featured speaker for “Dating Doesn’t Have to be Complicated” Single’s Symposium, Charlotte, NC 2019; facilitator, speaker and hostess for “Good for H.E.R.” workshop, 2019; hostess and featured speaker of “Ladies in R.E.D.” empowerment lunch, 2018; featured artist at “LHTY Scholarship Gala”, 2018: featured artist at “Touch of Red Christmas”, Dekalb County, 2013 & 2015; mistress of ceremony for Sweet Auburn Fest Legends Dinner, 2014; featured artist at Kim Tumey’s “Women Supporting Women Globally Weekend”, 2013; featured artist at “Love Confidential” forum, 2013; featured performer at Chicago Springfest, Chicago, IL 2013; featured artist at “Women Let’s Speak”, 2013; featured artist at Georgia Spartans Back to School Event, 2013; guest speaker and facilitator at workshop for Junior Diamond League of Atlanta, 2011; featured opening artist for platinum selling artist Marques Houston at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, NV for the Magic Convention in 2011; and featured artist at B.B. King’s Restaurant, New York City, NY, 2010.

I have also appeared as a featured guest on several local television and radio programs including: “Let’s Get Personal with Latonya & Rae”, 2017; Specialist TV “RnB Live”, Comcast Cable 26, 2014; “The Stan Watson Show”, 2012 and worked behind the scenes with talent and production for several major award shows including: Steve Harvey Neighborhood Awards 2015; United Negro College Fund Evening of Stars, 2014; BET Hip Hop Awards 2012,2014, 2015; and Black Girls Rock 2013. I have also volunteered for numerous local Atlanta charities and organizations including Atlanta Street Picnic, 2018; Drake House, 2017; Atlanta Union Mission, 2016; Feed My Starving Children, 2015; Ingersoll Rand-Trane Green Team, 2012-2015 (team recipient of 1st Place Award for “best Adopt-A Marta Stop of the Year Award”); 100 Black men of Dekalb County High School Workshop Development, 2014; Read Across America, Atlanta Public School System, 2013; SafeHouse Outreach, 2012.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has not always been smooth, but I have not allowed that to discontinue my journey. It’s usually more difficult to pursue an entrepreneur role while working full time. Some of my initial challenges have been limited financial support, resources, participation, and time.

But overall, I have overcome these obstacles and our non-profit is continuing to thrive and grow. The rewards of being able to help other women has made the not so smooth travels worth it. This journey has been a true blessing and empowering to myself of how much that I can accomplish even with initial limitations.

Please tell us about Guide My H.E.A.R.T. (Health Energy Ambition, Relationships, Time & Talents) – what should we know?
What is Guide My H.E.A.R.T.?
I am the founder and executive director of Guide My H.E.A.R.T., a Non-Profit Organization for teen girls and women to live healthy lifestyles, build self-esteem, prevent and end unhealthy relationships while cultivating talents, growing closer to God, and fulfilling life’s purpose. (Health-emotional, physical, spiritual; Energy; Ambition; Relationships-with God, self and others; Time.)

Why Guide My H.E.A.R.T.?
After experiencing several unhealthy and broken relationships, I began to reflect on my experiences and how each scenario, in the very beginning I would have a gut instinct telling me this person was not good for me but would not follow that voice. I came to the conclusion it takes courage and a strong sense of self-worth to listen to your inner voice and leave a relationship before it is at it’s worst.

I also realized how heavy these toxic relationships burdened not only my heart, but also my physical and emotional health, my good energy, affected my self-perception and distracted me from my goals, ambitions, and really took time away from me achieving my purpose. The more I thought about it, it became clear that every essential part of our life is also a part of our HEART!

One day, a friend and I were discussing Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Though I had read this verse many times before, at that moment, I realized why it was so important for everyone, especially women and teen girls to literally Guard Your Heart. I quickly connected the dots. The true key to guarding our hearts begins with knowing our self-worth and staying connected to our purpose.

God gave us specific instructions to guard. To guard is to protect which means that you have something of value and it could be in danger of being harmed. He gave each of us the task or responsibility of guarding our own hearts. That responsibility gives us accountability for who and what we allow in our lives which gives us power to protect ourselves, make better choices in relationships, and to achieve our ultimate purpose! This scripture Proverbs 4v23 and my experiences with life and relationships inspired me to create an organization to truly help Guide Teen Girls and Women on how to protect our hearts while standing in purpose!

Our First Year Proud Moments:
We kicked off our organization with a Ladies in R.E.D. Empowerment/Networking luncheon (Ready to Empower and Dominate).This year Guide My H.E.A.R.T. had several accomplishments and successful events.

P.R.E.T.T.Y. for Prom (Prepared, Respected, Educated, Talented, True to self, and Yearning to succeed which is an initiative lead by myself as the founder of the organization and Events Coordinator Dr. Cynthia A. Steele. It is designed to give a prom dress and makeover to three (3) deserving female senior students attending Centennial High School (Roswell) Prom 2019, who had powerful stories that will hopefully inspire other students to work hard in school, never give up on their dreams despite difficulties and to remain respected by their faculty and peers. Each participant had to write a 500 word inspirational essay, have at least a 2.5 GPA, be a high school senior girl at Centennial High School and get faculty approval based on character.

In collaboration with JCPenneys of Northpoint Mall and Sephora, we were able to award 3 high school seniors with full promo makeovers including dress, hair, shoes, and accessories. We were also featured in the Appen Media Newspaper for Alpharetta/Roswell highlighting the winners.

In March of 2019, I spoke on behalf of Guide My H.E.A.R.T. at the International Women’s Day Balance for Better Brunch in London, UK. We were also able to organize three workshops for teens girls and women covering topics addressing H.E.R. (Health, Energy, Education & Relationships).

Another landmark for our organization was recently obtaining a leased office space in our founding city of Alpharetta.

The Mission: Guide My H.E.A.R.T’s mission is to guide teen girls and women to healing, self-love, healthy relationships and growing with God to fulfill life purpose. Guide My H.E.A.R.T. wants to prevent women and especially our young girls from experiencing unnecessary pain and defeat of broken and unhealthy relationships, avoid low self-esteem by embracing self-love, and also help them positively focus their energy on developing their talents and achieving their goals. We also want to help embrace women in transition in life who need a fresh start to achieve their purpose.

The Vision: We will guide our girls and women nationally through quarterly strategic programs, events, seminars, and scholarships to include: Health Seminars, Talent Showcases, Talent Development, Relationship Panels, Counseling Services, Shelter and Financial Assistance for women in Transition, Child Care Assistance for Single Mothers, Mentoring Programs, and Scholarship Awards. Guide My H.E.A.R.T. wants to help our girls and women to become the person that God has truly designed them to be. Even preventing just one person from going through unnecessary heartache, abusive relationships, pruning their talents, learning to love themselves, or becoming inspired to achieve their purpose will make a difference. Let’s Guide, Let’s Give, Let’s Grow, Let’s Go!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Yes.

James Ziegler-Supporter; Cheerleader

Jaesen Ziegler-Supporter; Cheerleader

Justin Ziegler-Supporter; Cheerleader

Janice Ziegler-Supporter; Cheerleader

Christin and Christopher Owens-Cheerleaders

Iris and James Tompkins-Supporters; Cheerleaders

Cheryl Anderson-Cheerleader

Tamara Ziegler-Cheerleader

Dorrell Hankins-Supporter; Cheerleader; Advocate

Lanota Fludd-Teammate; Supporter; Advocate

Fiona Small- Mentor; Teammate; Supporter; Advocate

Cela Williams-Teammate; Supporter; Cheerleader

Dr. Cynthia Steele-Teammate; Supporter; Cheerleader

Destiny Adams-Teammate; Advocate

Let’s Get Personal with Latonya Lyke and Rae Fortes -Cheerleaders; Advocates

Sharon Nichols Smith-Supporter; Advocate

Faith North-Cheerleader; Supporter

Shida Porche’-Cheerleader; Advocate

CrownedByGod- Shaquille-Cheerleader; Advocate

LuShundra Sullivan-Advocate

Angelique Sky-Cheerleader; Advocate

Lori A. Manns-Cheerleader

Kimberly Mosely-Cheerleader; Supporter

Tiffany Brown Njovu-Cheerleader; Supporter

Kari Sylvester-Cheerleader; Supporter

Starla Fayson-Cheerleader; Supporter

Sheree McDaniel-Cheerleader; Supporter

Tawanda McAllister (Jamene)-Cheerleader

Kelly McDonald- Cheerleader

Lysa Romine-Cheerleader

Kim Thomas-Supporter

Deloris Tullous-Cheerleader; Supporter

Starlett Moore-Cheerleader; Supporter

Latara Lewis-Cheerleader; Supporter

Renee Webb-Cheerleader

Melissa Williams-Cheerleader 

Kevin Gainer-Supporter; Cheerleader

Wealth Builder Curtis-Supporter; Advocate

Cynthia Bailey-Cheerleader

Giselle Bryant-Cheerleader

Dr. Jackie Walters-Cheerleader

Ashley Boalch Darby-Cheerleader

Attorney Patrick-Cheerleader; Supporter

Brad Jarmon-Advocate