Leisha McKinley-Beach draws you in quickly with her big smile and twinkling in her eyes. As a student in my nutrition education class about two decades ago, she spoke very little. However, her eyes followed my every movement. At the end of the semester, she gave the best presentation in the class. This shy, quiet young woman roared when she stood in front of the class. By the time she finished her presentation, I knew that this was a woman who would a national speaker.
However, the thing that I will always remember that semester was her visit to my office with a “thank you card.” Among other things, the card simply stated, “Thank you for remembering my name and calling me by my name.
Today, I introduce you to Leisha McKinley-Beach, a Warrior Woman!
Tell us a little about yourself
I’m from DeFuniak Springs, Florida, which is a small town in the Florida Panhandle. As of today, the population is about 5,100. However, it is important for me to introduce myself as a first-generation college graduate, southerner, and a Black woman that is proud to celebrate my Blackness. I’m a woman of faith and allow that faith to guide my personal and professional life. I struggle with talking about myself, I allow my work to speak for me.
You have had an amazing career journey. Tell us about your career path, and how you got to where you are now.
I started my career in HIV prevention at the University of Florida as a college work study student in the student health center. In fact, my official title was “student peer educator.” I educated women on the process for their first pelvic/pap exam and additional testing that would be offered including HIV testing. I was 17 years old and now 29 years later I am still serving the community by educating about HIV prevention.
Within that period, I’ve been fortunate enough to serve as CEO for a minority HIV community-based organization, serve as a Prevention Manager for the Florida Department of Health, Administrator for the Georgia Department of Health and the Fulton County Health Department in the state of Georgia. Additionally, I’ve served as a Community Mobilization Specialist and Health Department Manager for the Black AIDS Institute. Currently, I am an independent consultant serving as an HIV Prevention Strategist serving health departments and nongovernmental organizations (NGO) across the South.
What are some of the professional accomplishments of which you are most proud?
I’m most proud of leading an initiative titled “Sistas Organizing to Survive” (SOS) with the Florida Department of Health. And, this awesome program aimed to test 100,000 Black women in Florida each year.
As a female leader, what is one significant barrier that you faced in your career? How did you overcome it or are trying to overcome it?
The biggest barrier is ensuring that women are prioritized in an epidemic that overwhelming impacts men. I continue to raise awareness both within the HIV workforce and in the public so we are not ignored in this movement.
Tell us about a time you failed.
Well, it’s not just about a time that I failed. Unfortunately, I had an unhealthy pattern of putting the “movement” ahead of my own personal well-being. And, the end result was institutions that put themselves first leaving me very vulnerable to be a scapegoat.
And, I think you will agree that there is always a lesson to learn in failure. And, the lesson I learned is that “jobs will come and go but your reputation will follow you.” I had an uphill battle recovering from negative press but I’m so grateful that my reputation of serving with integrity proceeded me. Otherwise I wouldn’t have survived nor would I be doing here doing this interview.
What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned in your lifetime?
The leadership lesson that I learned is that I must always serve in a spirit of excellence. And, here’s why that is important. Leadership is not about others serving you. It’s about your services to others, and when you serve, you should do so in a spirit of excellence.
Which woman has had the most significant impact on you as a Warrior Woman? Why did you choose her?
The woman who has had the greatest impact on my life is my mom!!! She dedicated her life to offering the gift of health as a nurse. Even though she was a nurse, the community saw her as the neighborhood doctor because they came to her with all their health questions. Observing her taught me that the message and the messenger mattered, relationship building mattered and don’t take it lightly when you gain the trust of the community . . . treasure it.
Who are some of your female mentors? How have they contributed to your success?
Dr. Delores James was my mentor without knowing her knowing that she was. As a college student at the University of Florida in the 90’s, I didn’t have examples of Black women who were leading in the health field. Unfortunately, there weren’t many Black women professors in the College of Health and Human Performance. She was well on her way on becoming a leader in our discipline. And, she became an example for me of what persistence and hard work could help you achieve.
The other is Dr. Dawn Smith with the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She taught me that advocacy isn’t optional but necessary to ensure that women are included in this movement.
Define a “Warrior Women.” What are some traits that you think a Warrior Woman should possess?
A Warrior Woman is one that lives by a principle: “Find A Way.” She doesn’t take “no” for an answer and “no” is never an option. She is committed to retooling and reinventing herself to ensure forward movement.
How do you encourage and lead other women to be Warrior Women?
It is important for me to lead by example. I tell women that I mentor, “I will never ask you to do something I’m not willing to take a risk myself and do and remember that in service whether you are working for yourself or other institutions, strive to leave a program better than it was when you got involved.”
What career advice would you give to the next generation of Warrior Women?
Success doesn’t happen randomly. First, you must plan for it. Always develop a personal plan for what you want to accomplish professionally and be accountable to that plan. Second, you can never be discouraged by the phrase, “that has never been done before.” And, yes they are right. It has never been done before because the world was waiting on you to do it.
What are some of your hobbies? What do you do in your down time?
I love to sing. My husband is a music producer so I get to spend time in the music studio working on projects with him. And, I just love spending time with my family. He and our daughter are the most important people in my life and we really are the three musketeers. So, I love creating environments where we spend quality time together as if we are the only three people on the planet!!!
If you could have dinner with one famous person—dead or alive—who would it be?
Whitney Houston. If I could meet her, I would ask her to visualize what a life of freedom would like for her and how can I help support her to make that dream a reality. She was favorite musical artist since I was kid, and it saddens me that someone who gave so much left this earth without truly being able to live a life of freedom.
Tell us about your self-care routine.
Well, I meditate every date. As a matter of fact, my daily meditation is not optional but necessary. My meditation time varies from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Additionally, as I’ve gotten older I realize that I can’t help anyone else if I’m depleted from strength and energy. So, my faith and spirituality are as important to me as the air I breathe.
In what areas do you struggle the most in your self-care?
Physical fitness! Indeed, I treated it like a casual friend instead of as a family member, but I’m working on it!!!
Name one song on your playlist that keeps you motivated.
“When You Believe” by Whitney Houston.
What book are you currently reading?
Medical Apartheid by Harriet A. Washington.
What’s your go to comfort food?
Key lime pie. As you know, I’m a Florida girl, and key lime pie reminds of Florida summers. In fact, it’s definitely my comfort food of choice during the winter months.
What’s your biggest shopping vice?
Candles. Aromatherapy is my friend.
What’s your dream vacation?
South Africa.
What would you like to share about your family life?
Well, I have an amazing family. My husband and daughter mean the world to me, and I remind them daily I don’t take for granted that I have them in my life.
Thank you for this opportunity!
Now, It’s Your Turn
Well, I hope you enjoyed this interview with Leisha McKinley-Beach. I think that you will also enjoy our post on sisters gotta hustle to stay healthy and how to set SMART exercise goals.
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Warrior Woman Playlist
Our Warrior Woman playlist is part of our music is healing project. The playlist features songs of liberation, freedom, empowerment, and resilience by female artists. It was compiled by Brittney Drakeford.
It is available on Spotify and Apple Music. Please follow and be inspired!
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