Celebrating the Women Behind ITAVcollab’s Innovation: Stories of Strength and Success

At ITAVcollab, innovation is not just about groundbreaking ideas—it’s about the incredible women who bring them to life. These women lead with passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to their community. Today, we honor their journeys, challenges, and successes in shaping ITAVcollab  into the thriving wellness hub it is today.
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From Personal Healing to Collective Empowerment
For many women at ITAVcollab, their journey began with deeply personal experiences that transformed into a shared mission. Aishia’s story began with a realization that healing should not be a privilege but a community-wide opportunity: “My journey with ITAVcollab began before our non-profit was founded. I faced personal challenges in my marriage, motherhood, and well-being and was diagnosed with a life-changing autoimmune disorder. Seeking healing, I joined a Women’s Healing Circle, which deeply impacted me. I was saddened that this wasn’t available to the community publicly and realized I wanted others to have the same support. I shared my thoughts with Shoa, who shared my vision for a safe space for women to grow. This led to the creation of ITAVcollab and our first initiative, Queen Bee Talks.”

For Shoa, ITAVcollab started as a dream—an idea that lingered for years until a graduate school course changed everything. A professor’s advice, “If you have an idea or a mission that speaks to you, act on it now, because if you don’t, you’ll keep putting it off,” ignited the courage to bring ITAVcollab to life. With the support of her sister and longtime friend Sydni Turner, ITAVcollab was officially born. “The experience of building ITAVcollab has been incredibly fulfilling. It’s been a journey of growth, learning, and connection, and I’m beyond excited to see where this path leads.”

Sydni has always been deeply committed to giving back to the Black community by leveraging her privilege, knowledge, expertise, and resources. Her journey with ITAV Collab began through her long-standing connection with Executive Director Shoa, whom she met in college. They always knew they would collaborate in some capacity, given their shared vision for social justice and community empowerment. When Shoa invited her to be a founding board member, it was a natural fit. Sydni served on the board for five years, including two as the chair, before successfully transitioning into her current role as Director of Social Justice Initiatives at the organization. This journey has been incredibly fulfilling, allowing her to deepen her impact within the community.

Overcoming Challenges: Trusting the Journey

The path to leadership and community impact is never without obstacles. For Sydni, the biggest challenge was transitioning from working for others to working full-time for herself to better serve the community.  In addition to managing the demands of growing ITAVcollab, she had to navigate financial uncertainties, establish sustainable funding sources, and redefine her sense of professional stability. However, her passion for social justice and the unwavering support of her team kept her grounded. By leaning into collaboration, trust, and a shared vision, she has been able to build an organization that not only supports the community but also empowers those who lead within it.

Shoa faced challenges securing funding, especially in the competitive nonprofit space, where being a Black woman advocating for social justice initiatives can feel like working twice as hard to gain respect and investment. Additionally, the toll of burnout and the “superwoman complex” required her to prioritize self-care, set boundaries, and lean on the support of her ITAVcollab team. “Balancing a full-time job while building this organization from the ground up has been overwhelming at times. But with a team that affirms my leadership and shares the workload, I’ve been able to sustain this work.”

The Most Meaningful Moments at ITAVcollab
Every initiative at ITAVcollab has played a role in shaping its mission, but some moments hold an especially deep meaning. “There have been so many meaningful moments at ITAVcollab , but what stands out most is witnessing the evolution of the organization and its natural alignment with holistic wellness. When we started, we didn’t know exactly what need we were meant to fulfill, but we took an approach that allowed the community to guide us. Through this process, we’ve grown into a wellness hub, and that journey itself is the most meaningful part of what we’ve accomplished.” — Shoa

For Sydni, one initiative stands above the rest:
The To Be Me program is my baby—it’s the work I am most passionate about. This program is deeply rooted in providing returning citizens with the support, community, and holistic self-care they need to successfully reintegrate. It has been incredible to see the impact it has had, not just on individuals but on entire communities. One of the most exciting moments was securing the largest organizational grant to expand the program into Prince George’s County, validating the work poured into the initiative.

Mentorship and the Power of Support
The women of ITAVcollab have not walked this journey alone. Mentorship and sisterhood have played a crucial role in their growth.

“Shoa has been a major influence in my journey. She has reminded me of who and whose I am in purpose and through resilience. As human beings, we go through seasons of doubt, loss, and discouragement. Shoa has encouraged me to remember, reinvent, and assert myself in true awareness, acceptance, and change to what I desire. I call her the ‘Aaron to my Moses before he went left’—IYKYK! God used her as a vessel to help me ground myself and move effortlessly in this work of health and wellness.” — Aishia

Shoa credits her mother, spiritual mentors, and fellow community leaders for guiding her path: “The interns and volunteers I’ve met along the way have shaped my leadership and the work we do. And, of course, the phenomenal women we’ve connected with in our mission to empower and equip Black women to thrive holistically have been powerful influences and teachers in this journey.” 

Advice for Women Looking to Make an Impact
For women hoping to create change—at ITAVcollab or in their own communities—these leaders offer simple yet profound advice: “Start where you are, trust that you are enough, and know that you can make a difference. Too often, we get caught up in perfectionism, forgetting that life isn’t about being perfect or having everything figured out. Embrace the uncertainty and do it scared—that’s part of the journey.” — Shoa


“Choose one specific focus and pour your all into it. It’s easy to feel like you have to do everything at once, but when you commit fully to one passion, all your other dreams and aspirations will naturally grow and blossom through your hard work and strategy. At the same time, don’t lose yourself in the process. Make it a priority to create time for yourself—rest, reflect, and recharge. Burnout is real, especially for Black women who are often expected to carry so much. Building a strong village of positivity and support is just as important as the work itself.” — Aishia

“Listen to your heart for guidance, seek support, and network, network, network. Participate in events of personal interest which will open doors and attract what you wish to manifest.” — Sydni

The Future of Women in ITAVcollab and the Wellness Space
The role of women at ITAVcollab is on the brink of a major evolution. With the leadership being defined,  the organization will deepen its focus on holistic health and wellness for historically resilient women. ITAVcollab is building a national model with the Self-Care Beyond the Surface approach, leading the way in reimagining wellness, healing, and justice-centered.

“In the future, I want to see more Black women in leadership positions within this space, not just doing the work but being fully supported, well-resourced, and recognized for the transformative impact we make.” — ITAVcollab Leadership Team 

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