Q and A with Moriah from Brooklyn, New York, living in Hampton, Virginia
“…we have the greatest gift and honor in being able to control our thoughts, our perceptions of our circumstances...”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am incredibly passionate about my work with Black women—helping them to see themselves, in all their potential, but most importantly, in all they already are!
I found this passion as I navigated through different therapist roles at various agencies, but the spark was lit tremendously as I started to take a mental note of the population that I naturally gravitated towards the most—when I didn’t feel like I was “working” but simply supporting—and the burst of joy I’d feel every time a Black woman shared with me that they felt so much better (more confident) about themselves, and less shame, guilt, and inward confusion.
I found myself having visions of my future, and feeling extremely energized and inspired as I saw more and more people who looked like me, reaching the phase that I’d describe now as self-actualization (read up on “Maslow’s hierarchy of needs,” if you’d like more on this). It gives me life, as some people say!
Currently, I am focusing on creative ways to reach, inspire, and empower more Black women, using the gifts I feel blessed to have.
I have already launched my YouTube channel, which is a dedicated safe, resourceful, and validating space created specifically for Black women, and I write whenever I feel inspired and share.
I will say, though, that it is my one-on-one conversations, be it in sessions, “run-ins” with other Black women that I have in my day to day, or even with friends and family, that I value most. To me, it’s nothing like those intimate spaces where vulnerability shines bright, and each person I encounter has an opportunity to feel seen, heard, valued, and appreciated. I believe it’s my calling.
I love that I get to do this! What I’ve also learned to love in doing this “work” externally with others, is that it also causes me to reflect more often and continue doing the work within myself.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: My younger years were very much grounded in faith, family, culture, and education.
If I’m being honest though, there were also multiple experiences of fear and anxiety—only I didn’t realize that’s what it was then.
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and unfortunately, I didn’t always have the safest experiences usually when leaving school—I will also never forget what 9-11 was like as a 4th grader living there, and this still impacts my experiences when I need to fly…but more on that another time!
I remember my group of friends and I, especially in middle school, would travel in packs and had to be “ready” always to physically defend ourselves (fight) because there were often others around from other schools (usually older kids), who didn’t have the best intentions and were looking to “jump” and stir up trouble with those of us who were younger or at other schools.
It wasn’t the most fun time in those instances, but it taught me early on, that even though I had supportive and safe parents and others who loved and cared for me, that there may be others in life that I may encounter who may not have the best intentions and I’d need to protect myself (and sometimes those I love and care for) in those instances.
Those are tough lessons to learn as a child, and I’m thankful that I’m here, despite the odds, and that I didn’t allow those experiences to taint my view of everyone.
I also encountered friends, mentors, and people (during that time, and as I got older) who were beautiful souls, good-hearted, and showed themselves to have good intentions.
My parents always kept me, and my brothers, grounded as well, which allowed for me to still see the good in people while still remaining vigilant, and even prayerful.
Even while those difficult experiences occurred, I was still able to be very active, and my parents encouraged creative outlets, which I chose through dance, song, and even a little bit of drawing and theatre, particularly while in high school.
I attended and graduated early from Brooklyn School for Music and Theatre with an Advanced Regents Diploma as Salutatorian of my high school class, which afforded me the opportunity to deliver a speech to my graduating class—an experience that mustered a fondness of public speaking, and it’s when I realized I was pretty good at it too!
I remember being a very inquisitive child who loved learning from and connecting with others intimately, and I truly fell in love with the arts (of all kinds) during my teen years.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Something valuable I’ve learned that I share often nowadays with others and I would love for EVERYONE to know is that, although life’s circumstances, the initial emotions we experience in our humanity, and even society often reminds us of what we do not have control over, we have the greatest gift and honor in being able to control our thoughts, our perceptions of our circumstances, our long-term emotional experiences, our words, our responses, our behaviors, how we treat others, how we treat (and speak to) ourselves, how we choose to raise our children, how we show up in the world, and all things pertaining to ourselves. The more we focus on that fact, the better off we are, the healthier and happier we are, and thus, the better the world can become.
I want others to learn, from my story, to love themselves, so they can show more love outwardly. I also want others to know that they can do ANYTHING they put their mind to; I just hope that what they put their mind to is for the greater good!
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism is about seeing the value in and embracing womanhood, recognizing our rights, strengths, and uniqueness as women, and confidently walking in our innate (God-given) power.
MORE ABOUT MORIAH: I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York; however, for the last 15 years, I’ve lived in the state of Virginia. I currently live in Hampton, Virginia, with my loving husband of 8 years and vibrant 4 year old son.
Thank you for reading!
Let’s connect! Here:
Website: https://mpoweredcounselingservicesllc.info/
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@moriahholland-g1h?si=uUSmDoHIl4ioI2tn
Substack (writings):
https://open.substack.com/pub/moriahchollandlpc?r=4azqc8&utm_medium=ios
The Woman Wednesday Blog 