Two Sista Friends With Southern Roots Take a Holistic Approach to Career Development For Women Through The Careerist Project
Andrea Imafidon and Shemika Moore met close to 7 years ago at a natural hair event in Rhode Island. Unknowingly, both ladies attended the same high school and have ancestral roots in Southern Alabama and Georgia.
Although their immediate family had settled in the northeast, Andrea and Shemika have inherited the strong mentality of their ancestors and share the same values and morals.
Today, they are the founders of a unique platform called The Careerist Project. The ladies have formed a united front to reciprocate the support they were given by empowering other black women.
Read more from my meeting with them below.
K+D: What led to the start of The Careerist Project?
“When you have Southern roots, you have to be an alchemist. You have to be able to turn nothing into something, which is what the Careerist Project is all about.
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Being Southern is not the only thing that Andrea and Shemika have in common, they both work in career fields that promote personal development.
Andrea is a clinical social worker and life coach while Shemika is a career coach with a professional development firm.
The Careerist Project is the result of their combined efforts. Their focus group is black women ages 26 to 44 who recently completed an undergraduate program.
“We know from personal experiences that black women don’t receive the same services, training and support system like everyone else does.”
“We are two black women who have come together in harmony and we want women to define and own their success.” - Andrea
K+D: We understand you are combining your professional skillsets to help women. How do your skills complement each other?
Andrea (right) and Shemika (left) from The Careerist Project
With Andrea being an extrovert and Shemika the introvert, they have found that their personalities are a benefit to their own growth, as well as The Careerist Project.
“This project has impacted us! We comfortably nudge each other to become better.”- Shemika
Andrea also weaves personality development into the program to determine whether the clients' mind, body and soul supports their goals.
“There are other areas of our clients' lives that may need adjustments, and sometimes their environments lack encouragement. So, besides being coaches, we are also compassionate folks.” - Andrea
K+D: Tell us about your cohorts and programs.
Unlike most career-based programs, The Careerist Project places an emphasis on being a safe place for black women to openly express themselves so that we can unveil the areas in our lives that need improvement.
“Black women have everyone’s back. We are viewed as strong and independent but we’re drowning, and nobody is pulling us up.” – Shemika
So, how does the program work?
First, Shemika and Andrea conduct an initial one- on-one, 45-minute coaching session with each client to discover whether their services are a good fit.
Once accepted, the clients enter a 6-week group program that requires clients to be fully committed to bettering their livelihood.
“There is work that has to be put in. We challenge our clients to reach the next level and everyone is not prepared for the intensity of our program. ”
“We’re not just being motivational and singing kumbaya. We’re asking that they show up and do the work.” - Shemika
Both ladies thoroughly plan out each group session and provide hands on exercises that will give each woman a sense of purpose and confidence.
“We give actual homework. We want them to share their wins, but we also hold them accountable for their growth and development.”- Andrea
After the 6-week course is done, Andrea and Shemika continue to work with their clients throughout their journey.
K+D: Why is it important for women to have and be able to access The Careerist Project today?
The ladies did not hesitate to stress the importance of their program.
“We want women to come to The Careerist Project and lay their burdens down. We have so much pressure to mimic someone else’s success when that is not your path. You can hold your head up high and follow your own path.” - Andrea
“We want women to be able to take off their masks and be able to ask for help and we will help you the best way we can. One of the benefits is that our sessions are offered virtually, and our clients are across the states, so we are building a network.
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If you or someone you know may be interested in being a part of the next cohort, The Careerist Project’s Social Impact Coaching Program begins October 8, 2020. Space for enrollment is available now.
K+D: How can our readers support The Careerist Project?
Andrea shared that some of the women in the program are dealing with a lack of technology and require headshot photos.
You can support this one-of-a-kind mission by visiting The Careerist Project’s help our cause page.
Additionally, you can stay updated by following The Careerist Project on Facebook and Instagram.
