Today we’d like to introduce you to LaSonja Flowers-Ivory.
LaSonja, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been an educator for over 20 years and spent the last 14 as a high school administrator. In 2018, I created Ivory Educational Consulting, LLC (IEC). The following year, I took a leap of faith and decided to positively contribute to education in a different capacity. I started my business with prayer, asking God to help me use what He has taught me to support schools, parents, students and other organizations in their efforts to improve the learning environments for students, particularly Black males. The specific focus on Black males began with my dissertation topic: How do African American males experience a sense of school belonging and how does that influence their academic engagement. Basically, I wanted to see what research addressed an issue I (and so many others) have observed for a long period of time. It was enlightening for me to see that the inequality was nationwide and not limited to my geographical area. The journey has been rewarding. However, many schools and organizations are not ready to have the crucial conversations and trainings that will identify and address the systemic barriers that exist for Black males. In an effort to help bridge the knowledge-gap, I wrote Who Cares About Black Boys, Moving from acknowledgement to Advocacy. It is available on Amazon.
There were a lot of struggles and the lack of healthy relationships and neglect influenced my decision to remain in an unhealthy relationship at a young age. God kept me through many trials and helped me become better and not bitter. My first book covers a few of them and the title is It’s His Story.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, the path has not been easy, but it’s been fulfilling. Some of my challenges I have overcome are:
- Maintaining a commitment to education in a single-parent household where education was not a priority, but experiencing the joy of being the first college graduate in four generations.
- I had to overcome an identity crisis as it related to my appearance. I developed a condition called alopecia several years ago that caused severe thinning and hair loss. I had no idea the value I placed on hair until, I decided to cut it all off and embrace my reality. Who I am has nothing to do with the hair I wear.
- Working through the insecurities that flooded as a result of being married to a man who was unfaithful the entire 15 years of marriage.
- Being exposed to HIV in my 7th year of marriage but I am negative by the grace of God.
- Learning to forgive a father who was absent.
- Being one of few Blacks in all of my higher education classes.
This list could go on for pages.
Ivory Educational Consulting – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a new business that serves organizations by providing professional development on topics such as implicit bias, emotional intelligence and reconstructing cultures for all to be successful.
I specialize in identifying systemic educational barriers that exist for minority students, particularly Black males. I provide schools and other organizations with strategies and tools that will assist in creating a caring learning environment for minority students, particularly Black males. The vision of IEC is to Transform Educational Experiences for Minority Students (TEEMS). In addition to professional development, the mission of IEC is to provide relevant, researched-based information to parents and solution-driven forums in order to positively impact the educational experiences of Black male students.
I pray to be known for providing effective professional development with rich, productive dialogue coupled with strategic plans to create learning environments that promote academic success for Black males. In addition, I pray to be known as a Christian who shares my testimony and the gospel in meaningful ways that build the body of Christ
I am most proud of the books I have written. It’s His Story and Who Cares About Black Boys.
What sets me apart from others is my laser-like focus on Black males that offers schools and other organizations assistance in creating a site-specific plan to address an issue that has been acknowledged but without reform. It’s time to move from acknowledgment to advocacy.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Being the first teacher my sons had and watching the lights come on for them as they learn to read and write.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1320 Rusticwood Dr., Desoto, TX 75115
- Website: www.drsonjaivory.com
- Phone: 8057663425
- Email: info@ivoryeduc.com
Image Credit:
Miles Robinson and Alexis Carter
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