Justikeandthetribe

Leading With Love and Compassion

This blog is for the individual that desires more of themselves + the people in their lives.

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Embracing Growth and Togetherness

July 08, 2024 by Ikeranda Smith in Black Women, LGBTQIA, marriage, queer, self-discovery

My wife and I are approaching a beautiful milestone: our marriage anniversary. With six children between us, we've journeyed through countless challenges and celebrated many triumphs.

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July 08, 2024 /Ikeranda Smith
marriage, queer black love, lqbtqia, love
Black Women, LGBTQIA, marriage, queer, self-discovery

Embracing Joy and Rest

June 12, 2024 by Ikeranda Smith in black, Black Women, love, mental health, purpose, personal growth, self-discovery

Rest and joy have become my guiding lights, my ministry. I discovered their transformative power during one of the darkest periods of my life, right after my first marriage ended. With my kids' father gone, I faced the daunting task of starting over. In that turbulent season, it was reading and seeking joy that sustained me. I vividly recall the relentless pursuit of happiness, finding reasons to smile even when it felt impossible.

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June 12, 2024 /Ikeranda Smith
rest, joy, love, healing, black women
black, Black Women, love, mental health, purpose, personal growth, self-discovery

Celebrating The Next Chapter ...Fifty!

May 06, 2024 by Ikeranda Smith in love, personal growth, purpose, self-discovery, wellness

As I reflect on my journey through my thirties and eagerly anticipate the dawn of my forties, I can't help but marvel at how life has surpassed my expectations. In those earlier years, I had a clear vision of the woman, wife, and mother I aspired to be.

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May 06, 2024 /Ikeranda Smith
love, womanhood, Aging, Black Women, Love, Self love
love, personal growth, purpose, self-discovery, wellness

Negotiating Love: Unpacking Our Baggage

April 30, 2024 by Ikeranda Smith in black mothers, love, marriage, relationships, self-discovery

Parental wounds, huh? They're like these deep grooves carved into our souls, especially when you've felt their sting firsthand. My wife and I are no strangers to this. We've spent countless hours unpacking the baggage from our relationships with our folks, especially our moms.

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April 30, 2024 /Ikeranda Smith
love, relationships, marriage, parents
black mothers, love, marriage, relationships, self-discovery

Healing from a Legacy of Anger

March 04, 2024 by Ikeranda Smith in generational healing, love, mindset, self-discovery, relationships, spirituality, wellness

As a Black woman raised by a single mother, navigating the complexities of my family history has been an integral part of my journey. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the destructive power of anger woven into the fabric of our family lineage. My father's abusive behavior towards my mother left scars not only on her body but also on my psyche.

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March 04, 2024 /Ikeranda Smith
love, anger, trauma
generational healing, love, mindset, self-discovery, relationships, spirituality, wellness

From Stuff Animals To Shaping Minds

January 15, 2024 by Ikeranda Smith in black professionals, Black Women, education, personal development, purpose, self-discovery, self-improvement

Join me on this odyssey as I navigate the complexities, disrupt stereotypes, and strive to be a beacon of encouragement for those who, like me, discovered the power of education against all odds.

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January 15, 2024 /Ikeranda Smith
education, educator, educated queer black woman
black professionals, Black Women, education, personal development, purpose, self-discovery, self-improvement

Navigating Blended Love: A Journey of Healing and Family

January 01, 2024 by Ikeranda Smith in black blended families, Black Women, love, relationships, self-discovery

Dive into the intricate tale of blended love, where the dream of a larger family clashes with the complexities of reality. As an only child, the allure of noisy holidays and unfiltered laughter was irresistible, but my journey through blended families unfolded as a nuanced narrative.

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January 01, 2024 /Ikeranda Smith
black blended families, blackmarriage, black daughters, queer blended families
black blended families, Black Women, love, relationships, self-discovery

Jan 13, 2023

January 01, 2024 by Ikeranda Smith in personal growth, spirituality, self-discovery, relationships, life, mindset

Buckle up, brave hearts, because we're about to embark on a tale that kicked off my 2023 with a bang—quite literally. Picture this: a cascade of shattered glass, the screech of metal against metal, and the deafening silence that followed. My year didn't open with champagne toasts and resolutions; instead, it began with the echo of a life-altering collision.—this is the story that set the tone for my year of resilience and rebirth.

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January 01, 2024 /Ikeranda Smith
survivalstory, resilience, hope, lifepostaccident, transformativeexperience
personal growth, spirituality, self-discovery, relationships, life, mindset

Navigating Perimenopause as a Black Woman in Her Mid-40s: A Journey of Resilience

September 06, 2023 by Ikeranda Smith in black female doctors, black mothers, motherhood, self-discovery, self-improvement, spirituality, transformation, women of color, Black Women

Join me on this thought-provoking journey as we explore the multifaceted landscape of perimenopause through the lens of identity, culture, and empowerment. Together, we'll shed light on the unspoken and share wisdom that transcends generations. It's time to rewrite the narrative and embrace the beauty and strength that comes with this transformative phase of life.

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September 06, 2023 /Ikeranda Smith
black woman, aging, perimenopause, menopause, Black women aging
black female doctors, black mothers, motherhood, self-discovery, self-improvement, spirituality, transformation, women of color, Black Women

Navigating the Intersection: Proudly Queer and Black in a Heteronormative and Patriarchal World

May 22, 2023 by Ikeranda Smith in black, marriage, self-discovery, transformation

In a world that often adheres to heteronormative and patriarchal norms, being both queer and black can present unique challenges. As individuals who proudly embrace our identities, we navigate the complexities of societal expectations and family dynamics while advocating for respect and understanding. In this blog, we will explore the struggles faced by queer black individuals, particularly within the context of marriage and family, and discuss empowering ways to teach others how to treat us.

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May 22, 2023 /Ikeranda Smith
queer black love, queer black female doctor, black woman, black love, blackmarriage
black, marriage, self-discovery, transformation
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Nurturing Parenthood and Marriage: Unveiling the Struggles of Raising Teens

May 15, 2023 by Ikeranda Smith in black blended families, black mothers, black female doctors, parenting, relationships, raising secure kids, self-improvement, self-discovery

Parenthood is a transformative journey filled with love, laughter, and countless memorable moments. However, it's no secret that raising teenagers presents a unique set of challenges that can significantly strain our relationships with our children and our marriages. In this blog post, we dive into the thought-provoking insights that explore the intricate dynamics of parenting middle and high schoolers while balancing the needs of a marriage and self-care. Join me as I unveil parents’ unspoken struggles and uncover practical strategies for navigating this critical phase of family life.

  1. Finding Balance Amidst Responsibilities: Raising teenagers often means juggling academic demands, extracurricular activities, and social pressures. It's no wonder that many couples find it challenging to strike a balance between nurturing their children and maintaining a healthy marriage. My wife and I are strict about keeping our regular date nights.

  2. Unlocking Effective Communication: Communication is the key to any successful relationship, but it becomes increasingly complex when raising teenagers. Hormonal changes, emotional sensitivity, and evolving identities can strain the lines of communication between parents and their teens, consequently impacting the marriage. My wife and I communicate often and daily; it helps to find humor and stay connected in a busy world (also, we are not glued to our phones).

  3. Nurturing Identity and Connection: Couples need to navigate their personal growth while nurturing the marriage as our children grow into independent individuals. However, the demands of parenting often leave little room for self-discovery and shared interests. Therefore, my wife and I support one another as we continue evolving into the women we want to be.

  4. The Power of Self-Care: Parenting is an all-encompassing journey that can leave us emotionally and physically drained. Neglecting self-care affects our well-being and adds to the stress experienced in our marriages. Therefore, my wife and I always ensure that we are active such as taking yoga and walking in our community (being active is essential to growth).

  5. Seeking Support and Professional Guidance: Recognizing when to seek external support is a sign of strength and a valuable resource for couples navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Whether through counseling, joining parenting groups, or seeking advice from trusted mentors or friends, reaching out for guidance and how it can positively impact marriages and families. My wife and I swear by counseling (I firmly believe that as much as you help others, you must seek help as well).

Raising middle and high schoolers while nurturing ourselves and our marriages is undeniably challenging. However, we can actively work towards creating a harmonious and fulfilling family dynamic by acknowledging and addressing the unspoken struggles.

May 15, 2023 /Ikeranda Smith
mothers, motehring, motherhood, parenting
black blended families, black mothers, black female doctors, parenting, relationships, raising secure kids, self-improvement, self-discovery

How Mother Wounds in Black Women Create Barriers to Community

April 24, 2023 by Ikeranda Smith in black, black mothers, generational healing, Inner child healing, self-discovery

Whether you're struggling with your own mother wound or looking to support a friend or loved one, we hope you'll find this information helpful.

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April 24, 2023 /Ikeranda Smith
trauma, motherhood, black mothers
black, black mothers, generational healing, Inner child healing, self-discovery

"Unlocking Your Full Potential: Why Life Coaching is More Than Just a Last Resort"

February 20, 2023 by Ikeranda Smith in personal development, self-improvement, life coaching, transformation, goal setting, mindset, wellness, self-discovery

"Are you tired of feeling stuck and unfulfilled in your life? Life coaching can help you unlock your full potential and achieve your goals, but it's not just a last resort. Life coaching is a proactive personal growth and development approach that can transform your life. With the guidance of a professional life coach, you can identify your strengths, overcome obstacles, and create lasting positive change.

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February 20, 2023 /Ikeranda Smith
#lifecoaching #personaldevelopment #transformation #selfimprovement #selfgrowth #mindset #wellness #positivechange #goalsetting #motivation #selfempowerment #successmindset #lifegoals #personaltransformation #selfdiscovery #selfawareness
personal development, self-improvement, life coaching, transformation, goal setting, mindset, wellness, self-discovery

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