We had the good fortune of connecting with Kiawana Leaf and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kiawana, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from the DMV area. Born in Silver Spring, Maryland raised in Washington, DC. My background and upbringing impacts the woman that I am today by molding me into passively living and defining my purpose. Raised by a single mother, eager to become daddy’s little girl. A lot of life decisions that I’ve made allowed me to find myself. Making wrong turns, I found myself in bondage of a lot of traumatic wounds, depression, stress, and suicidal just to name a few. From overcoming a domestic violence relationship to becoming the abuser, finding myself in front of a judge fighting for my freedom, to barely passing high school, the lack of self-love, low self-esteem, and searching for love and validation in the wrong places alcohol and marijuana became my way to escape. To bandaging church wounds and turning my back on Christ I finally found His light. Flourishing into a mother myself, a lot of ways from my background I decided to break.

Although I knew my mother always loved me by her actions the sacrifices she made. My mother barely told me she loved me, she isn’t the affectionate type where hugs and kisses as a gesture of love were limited. However, after every phone call with my dad we always ended the call with “I Love You”. But still, dad wasn’t there. Attempting to heal from my parental wounds I knew that was one generational curse that I wanted to break.

My background and upbringing inspired me to remove my mask to heal, grow, glow, and evolve into the woman that I was destined to be. Every test, trial, and tribulation is all apart of our assignments. But, just how do we respond? And that’s what makes me the woman that I am today!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In 2019 I stepped out on faith and released my first Best-Selling novel “Confidence Unlocked”. Confidence Unlocked is based on my true story that weaves through accounts and incidents of my journey to finding and fulfilling purpose. At the time of my release, healing wasn’t as popular as it today. Many weren’t acknowledging their traumatic and/or parental wounds, abuse, depression, or suicidal feelings.

Many rather wear façade and be one that they really were not. Hiding behind pictures on social media posting a happy person where on the other side of the screen they were broken, hurt, and lost. With my professional life I had and have a passion to change that trajectory. I was once there and know the feeling to consistently mask my pain.

No, I am not saying to open and transparent with any and everybody, but displaying my story shows there are steps to healing and be an impact not an influence.

Where I am today I got here, by being obedient to my assignments even when I didn’t want the world to see the most vulnerable parts of me. However, I had to grow to learn and love that it’s never about me.

Was it easy, absolutely NOT! I recall one I thought was a friend at the time. In excitement telling them about “Confidence Unlocked” and they discouraged me. Telling me, “why would I release something like that, nobody is going to support that, you are not talking about turning up, drugs, partying” etc. and it did frighten me. I thought they were right, but ultimately they were so wrong. As stated that book became best-seller, not only that blessing but many souls poured into me. Letting me know that I wasn’t alone and they needed my light to help heal, inspire, and encourage them.

Through my journey I’ve grown to learn and accept that my mission and purpose isn’t for everyone but as long as I’m able to reach just one. I am beyond thankful, grateful, and blessed to reach just one!

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.
Aside, from the Nations Capital landmarks like the monument, White House, Black Lives Matter plaza, Dr. Martin Luther King statue and many of our presidents. I would take them to all of my favorite restaurants like Trulucks, Mastros, Ocean Prime, Eddie V’s, The Oceanaire, Chart House, Blackwall Hitch, The Wharf, Potomac Pointe Vineyard just to name a few. I love love love good food, so I am always game for a good time to with food and wine.

I’m not big on the party scene, but if that’s what my bestfriend wants to do partying is what we’re going to do! The Park, Rosebar, Opera, Society, CUT above, there are so many but, a select few that I would choose.

A few museums and landmarks to snap a few good pics for memories of visiting the DMV area!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many who deserves credit in my journey of growth, but I will say my childhood friend Kayla Ross Perry. In 2017 Kayla transitioned from Epilepsy, SUDEP to define the type. At the time of her transition, my daughter was 6 years old and I wanted more for not just herself but as well as mine. Seeing how short life was to see at a blink of an eye my friend was gone. I became inquisitive and desperate to find and fulfill my purpose before my time was up.

Kayla would always inspire and encourage me to share my story, to use my voice to help heal another brokenhearted. But, I always feared the backlash, critics, and non support of me being to vulnerable and transparent of sharing my story. If it wasn’t for Kay, there wouldn’t be a Empower Too Inspire, best selling book Confidence Unlocked, Beautifying Sins, and Put A Nail, End It. There wouldn’t be any of this, because I believe I would still be living in fear.

Although I was sadden by her transition, I am beyond grateful to have known her and have the chance to call her friend. So moving in purpose and my assignment aside from God giving me the strength, I pray daily that I am making her proud.

Please visit www.kaylarossperrymemorialfoundation.org!

Website: www.empowertooinspire.org

Instagram: @kiawana___ and @empowertooinspire

Facebook: Kiawana Leaf and Empower Too Inspire

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