Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Dezell.
Hi Maya, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been passionate about helping people and creating positive change in my community. My journey has been shaped by my experiences in behavioral health , advocacy and education , all of which have reinforced my desire to empower others.
Professionally , I’ve worked in roles that allowed me to support individuals and families while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges many people face. Those experiences inspired me to continue my education and today I am pursuing a PhD in Health Education and Promotion with an emphasis in Behavioral Health. My passion lies in helping address health disparities and finding ways to support and empower communities.
Outside of academia , I am the founder of Rooted for Impact , a brand I created to promote confidence , self love and empowerment. I wanted to create resources that celebrate identity and representation , which led me to publish coloring books such as Roots of Confidence and Crowned by the Roots.
Faith, perseverance, and purpose have guided my journey. Through every challenge and opportunity, I’ve remained committed to making a positive impact, inspiring others, and growing into the best version of myself.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No , it has not been a smooth road. One of the hardest things I’ve had to navigate was losing my mom. There’s really no way to prepare for a loss like that. It changed my life and there have been times when I’ve had to keep showing up for school , work and publishing my books while carrying that grief.
As someone who is ambitious and always striving for more , I’ve had to learn that I can’t do everything at once and that it’s okay to give myself grace.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the founder of Rooted for Impact and the author of Roots of Confidence and Crowned by the Roots. I create resources that are really centered on confidence, self-love, and helping children feel good about who they are.
For me, this work is personal. I grew up understanding how much representation matters, and as a natural hair woman, I’ve always felt strongly about embracing identity and encouraging others to do the same. I just wanted to create something that felt affirming and uplifting for kids.
What I’m most proud of is that I actually did it. I didn’t just think about the idea. I brought it to life, even with all the self-doubt and uncertainty that came with it. It makes me happy seeing people connect and it feels like I’ve accomplished something great.
At the end of the day, I think what sets me apart is that I’m just creating from a genuine place. It’s not complicated for me. It’s about kids feeling seen, confident, and proud of who they are.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I am from the Mississippi Delta, a place where family, tradition, and simple living shaped so much of my childhood. One of my most treasured memories is picking figs from the fig tree in my backyard with my mom. It was something we did together during warm days, taking our time as we filled baskets and talked about life while being outside in the quiet of our home.
After gathering the figs, we would go into the kitchen and make homemade fig preserves. I remember watching her carefully prepare everything, teaching me along the way without ever rushing the moment. The process itself felt peaceful and grounding, like time slowed down just for us. The kitchen would fill with the sweet smell of figs cooking down, and it always felt like love was being preserved along with the fruit.
Those moments are deeply tied to my memory of her….her presence, her patience, and the way she created something meaningful out of something so simple.
Pricing:
- Crowned By The Roots 9.99 (Amazon)
- Roots of Confidence 9.99 (Amazon)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedforimpact_?utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-dezell-a46803168
