We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Iman Hypolite and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Iman, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my private mental health practice because I recognized a need within myself and my close personal and professional circles. We tend to have a very narrow view when we think of what defines “underserved communities”, but as I repeatedly heard the same patterns of stories and struggles within my community of Black and women of color leaders, executives, academicians, and other “high-achievers”, I recognized that we are largely underserved. Because professional women of color are often seen as strong leaders in their professions, communities, families, and homes, we often don’t recognize that they have needs as well. Our humanness and vulnerabilities often go unrecognized. We are so accustomed  to seeing professional Black women as the ones who have it all together that we don’t see where and how they need help, tenderness, and support. Also, a lot of Black women have never learned how to ask for and receive help. It can be a vicious cycle. Many of us suffer in silence as a result. Many of us have achieved great success, but it has come at great cost to our emotional, physical, and relational health. I created my private practice with these exact women in mind.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Aspira, also known as DrHypolite.com, is my mental health and wellness private practice where I serve professional women of color ages 25 to 65. I specialize in high functioning anxiety, high functioning depression, and professional burnout. I serve clients online in AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, LA, MD, NC, NJ, NV, PA, TX, VA, and WA.

Everything that I have experienced and accomplished has led me to this work. It is hard to describe the level of joy and passion that I bring to my work serving professional women of color. I know that my investment in Black women leaders not only transforms their individual lives but also their careers, families, and communities because that is what Black women and women of color tend to do when we lead. We transform.

My role is to partner with my clients to help them achieve optimal health and wellness and to lead in a way that is healthy, loving, sustainable, and aligned with their values. Working with my private practice is a transformative experience.This is the work that I was built to do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love walking. It is what I do to recharge, connect with nature, clear my mind, and for exercise. One of my favorite things to do in Atlanta is to walk on the Beltline. Not only can I get my steps in, I can also catch up and spend QT with friends and family as well as stop off at the shops and restaurants nearby. One of my favorites in Just Add Honey, a Black owned tea shop. Anyone who knows me well knows that I am passionate about my tea, and they have some of the best in the city!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am eternally grateful to my circles of friends, family, colleagues who have supported and encouraged me and my efforts along my varied journeys. I am grateful for those who have allowed me to show up exactly as I am in a given season of life and created space for me to just be! I am grateful to all those who have partnered with me in my efforts to serve our community.

Website: DrHypolite.com

Instagram: Softlife.MD

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imanhypolitemd/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.