Story & Lesson Highlights with Keya Jest

Keya Jest shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Keya, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I lose track of time when my workload is full. Full meaning, attending Savannah State University full time as a Graduate student, interning and showing up for my schedule at work. The majority of my time is spent, pouring into others and at times, I have to remind myself to take a self care day in order to rest, regroup and refocus on my goals.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Keya Jest and I am a non traditional, returning student at Savannah State University. I received a Bachelors in Social Work in May of 2025. Now, I am currently attending the university as a Graduate student pursuing my Masters in Social Work. My story is unique because I am a person in long term recovery and have been on my journey since January 2014. I reclaimed my life which included my education.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
After making the decision to reclaim my life after addiction, I knew that I couldn’t do it by myself. I had to restore my relationship with God and allow him to guide and strengthen me on this journey. Because of this strengthened relationship, I was able to trust him and have the confidence in myself to pursue my dreams.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain the day I decided to change my life. I had to let go of the guilt and shame of my addiction and embrace the new me. The new me that I began to create gave me the power to walk in my truth as well as to give back to the community by helping others who had the same challenges as I did.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version is the real me. I lived a life caught up in the streets and the character I displayed was a character of survival, hurt and bitterness. It was the unhealed me. Today, I live my life authentically, flaws and all. Authenticity is the attraction that others see that wants what I got. That want is to live a life free of alcohol and drugs and free of the jail and prison system.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace when I do not have to live up to others expectations while living in my truth. Also, I feel the most at peace when I rely on God to direct my path and trust that he will.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keya.jest
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeyaMJest/

Image Credits
Shot by Somi Studios in Savannah Georgia did the featured pic of my head-shot.