Today we’d like to introduce you to Destini Jordan.
Hi Destini, 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 have always had a passion for helping girls and women and creating spaces where they feel seen, heard, and empowered. For a long time, however, I did not know how—or in what capacity—I wanted to pursue that passion.
I remember sitting in the living room of a family friend when my mom said, “I want to have a confidence-building workshop for young girls.” From that conversation, the I Am Beautiful Movement™️ was born. What began as an idea has grown into an annual nonprofit workshop dedicated to empowering girls and young women, promoting confidence and self-esteem, and strengthening mother-daughter relationships and female friendships.
Witnessing the impact this event had on girls and women throughout the community brought me a profound sense of joy and fulfillment. It also helped me realize that I wanted to continue supporting not only girls and women but people throughout the broader community as well. At first, I believed I could fulfill that purpose by becoming a teacher and working in education. However, I quickly realized that education was not the career path meant for me, which led me to pursue a career in mental health counseling.
Through this career path, I have formed many meaningful connections, engaged in work that brings purpose and fulfillment to my life, and created spaces where others can feel seen, heard, supported, and empowered. Today, we are celebrating the 13th year of the I Am Beautiful Movement™️ workshop, and I am practicing as a mental health counselor. Looking back, I can see how each step of my journey has connected and guided me toward a career and purpose rooted in empowering others and helping them recognize their own strength and worth.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have certainly faced challenges. After high school, I attended the University of Houston where I met the coolest people and made some of my closest friends. However, I was only there for two semesters before the Covid-19 pandemic, and that was one of the most challenging times in my life. I transferred to The University of Texas at Tyler where I made meaningful connections and life-long friendships. We ended up having to put the I am Beautiful Movement workshop on hold because graduate school was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I didn’t have the capacity to give it the time and energy it deserved. There were also a lot of post grad steps I had to take that no one prepares you for, and the licensure process is definitely a journey. The job market is also terrible, so it was a struggle for me to find a job while also navigating being in charge of a nonprofit for the first time, putting together an advisory board, and managing various other responsibilities. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the president and co-founder of I Am Beautiful Movement™ (IABM) a Non-Profit Organization, established in July 2013. Our organization encourages and promotes Mother/Daughter relationships through bonding activities, helping 6th-12th (ages 12-18) grade girls deal with self-esteem, self-image and confidence issues they face daily. We have provided events for girls, and created programs for younger students in 2nd to 4th grade. We host an annual workshop that encompasses how to dress, age appropriate makeup, financial literacy, and budgeting information. IABM also guides girls on how to create vision boards and plans to reach their educational and entrepreneurship dreams. Self-evaluation activities and DIY projects ensure the girls are comprehending information being shared. Female motivational speakers and entrepreneurs partner with IABM to encourage young girls to succeed and reach their goals. Our organization has hosted and sponsored several events, such as Tea Parties, Pads & Panties Mission Drives, GlamProm Dress Closet(provided free Prom Dresses to Seniors), and a Girls’ Self Defense Class.
I am most proud of our impact and outreach in the community and the confidence and beauty we have instilled in young women. What sets us apart from others is the fact that we are providing a space for girls and women to feel empowered, learn various skills, and build life-long connections. There aren’t very many spaces built for meeting and supporting the needs of women—specifically—so I’m very proud of the fact that we have been able t0 succeed in creating this space, and that I have lovely women beside me who our invested in doing the same.
What makes you happy?
This sounds vague, maybe a little silly, and a little #livelaughlove of me, but I think just life and simply living is what makes me happy. I find myself really enjoying and appreciating the little things. Laughter is a big one. Having a good laugh makes me really happy; connecting with friends and family makes me really happy; listening to music, engaging in media, and having hobbies makes me happy; I think just going out and living life, having side quests, and connecting with people gives me a sense of fulfillment and makes me really happy.
These things make me happy because being grounded and forming and maintaining connections are essential to growth and the human experience and just being able to wake up and start a new day and learn something new about life or yourself is just really special and something I try not to take for granted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Iambeautifulmovement.org
- Instagram: iambeautifulmovement; readwithdes
- Facebook: I Am Beautiful Movement
