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

Hi Queen Taese, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind building The Liberated Minds Black Homeschool & Education Institute Brand is love, family, sincerity, passion, and LIBERATION! There is a lot of love circulating within our organization. We function more like a family by sharing resources, experiences, healing, and support. Although our members are spread out across the country and around the globe, we are all committed to our passion of creating a new reality of LIBERATION for our children and family through homeschooling and/or seeking out how to best be in the drivers seat of our children’s education even if they are in public or private school. Together we are affirming our identity and uncovering our rich history and legacy of greatness. This is really a spiritual process. Liberated Minds is not an US. It is a WE!

What should our readers know about your business?
I have worked directly with over 50,000 Black children and families in diverse settings and have now officially expanded Liberated Minds in 12 countries, now having an even greater impact throughout the Afrikan Diaspora. My works have been featured on everything from NBC and Huffington Post to Your Black World, Voyage ATL and more. I also love working with the Cares Mentoring Movement founded by the former Essence editor-in-chief, Susan Taylor, in which I have done staff development, certified yoga instruction, and facilitated my “Little Seeds To Baobab Trees” early childhood development program. I have taught and learned from thousands of children, as well as designed Afrikan-centered curricula, educational tools, resources, children’s events, and cultural conferences globally. To name a few, some of those entities are Roots to Fruits Homeschool & Cultural Collective of which I serve as director. The Children’s Afrikan Ball, The Children of The Sun Fun Fest, The Watoto Kwanzaa Jamboree, Brunch By The Baobab Tree, The Children’s Afrikan Cinema, Indigo Vibes Yoga, The Brown Baby Soul Lounge, and our signature gathering, The Liberated Minds Black Homeschool and Education Expo that draws thousands of Black people from all over the US and around the world featuring hundreds of Black scholars, homeschoolers and educators. I am excited to now be preparing for the Liberated Minds Expo’s 10th Anniversary Global Celebration as well as the 7th release of the Liberated Minds Black Homeschool & Education Magazine and the Liberated Minds Black Education Resource Directory App (available on Apple & Google), which both are the first of its kind. In addition. we are also operating a virtual campus. In addition to Liberated Minds providing the resources, training, and support to Black families, I will continue to create and provide support to culturally conscious community projects and endeavors aimed at Liberating the Minds of Afrikan families everywhere. Currently I am traveling and worldschooling to share my story as a speaker, passion-preneur coach, and master class facilitator offering information, inspiration, “ancient-innovative” perspectives, and proven tools and techniques that have been known to be life-changing for those who use them. I am grateful to my Blacknificent team that makes it all happen and the support of the community! Teamwork makes the red, black, and green work!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well I am a foodie. So the first places I would take them is to all of the great vegan restaurants around Atlanta. There are so many soulful vegan spots now like Healthful Essence, Lovin it Live, Tassili’s Raw Reality, Creole Vegan, Chelsea’s, Go Vegetarian, Soul Vegetarian and more. We would probably hit the parks next like Morgan Falls, Sweetwater Creek, etc. Lots of great state parks within 1 hour of Atlanta. Oh, I would also take them shopping in Afrocentric Network and Jah World Trading, two of my favorite shops.

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?
I definitely want to give lots of honor to my Ancestors, whose shoulders I stand on and Divine Spirit. My parents have been a huge factor as well because they reared me in a way that instilled in me Black pride and a love of self and others. They focused on developing an “I can do anything mindset” that not just taught me to think outside the box, but eliminated the box altogether. They lived a mighty example of that through their work, achievements, and love of family. Family love is at the core of my being! My grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, and even extended family were full of a lot of love and they showered me with it. So, when various challenges would come up, I received the support. It meant everything to me and still does. My children are also a joyful motivation in my life! They are so influential in my decisions and have kept me growing leaps and bounds, so I can be the best parent possible and the best woman. Liberated Minds would not be in existence had they not been born! I also have to say that there are endless others, such as elders and those in the community who are my kindred souls. There are countless books that I can give my gratitude to as well. One of my favorite authors is Nana Amos Wilson. His books really changed my life and perspective immensely. Queen Afua’a books also had a huge impact. There are so many like Baba Mwalimu Baruti, Nana Marimba Ani, Nana Frances Cress Welsing and more. The elements too. I can’t forget the ocean, the trees, the rivers, the mountains, the fire, the earth. Spending a lot of time in nature has also given me breath of life.

Website: www,LiberatedMindsInstitute.com

Instagram: @Liberated_Minds_Expo and @QueenTaese

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiberatedMindsBlackHomeschoolExpo

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1V2uKKRza0anIHiHbvCb4A

Other: Linktr.ee/QueenTaese

Image Credits
Shakeesha Semone Jeffries (pic with mascots)

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