February 28, 2025 • 10 mins
In September 2024, Kiara officially joined New Hope as the first-ever Mental Health Ambassador. In this groundbreaking role, she uses her lived experiences to create social media content focused on mental health issues. Kiara also engages in speaking engagements with New Hope’s current residents and staff, offering one-on-one conversations and leading small group discussions to provide support and encouragement. Kiara Grace is a wife, a mother, and a woman who has transformed her life through resilience and perseverance. While her family is a central part of her identity, Kiara's journey extends beyond those roles. Overcoming severe mental health challenges in her adolescence, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and attempts, Kiara was admitted to psychiatric hospitals eight times and spent time in group homes and residential facilities before finding healing at New Hope. After completing the New Hope program nearly 15 years ago, Kiara returned to high school, excelling and graduating at the top of her class. Today, as an Event & Marketing Specialist at Wake Technical Community College, Kiara helps students confidently pursue their careers, driven by her passion for guiding others toward success. In addition to her role at Wake Tech, she is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical psychology with a focus on adolescent psychology at North Carolina Central University. Kiara is committed to supporting young people and families in crisis by sharing her continued story and relationship with mental health, showing that there is always a ‘brightside’ to mental health. Through transparency, compassion, and a "Human First" mentality, she strives to empower and positively impact those she serves.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the iHeartMedia Charlotte Women of Impact, celebrating women
in our community, presented by the Carolina Ascent and New
Hope Treatment Centers.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Hi, everybody, my name is Kiara and I am the
Mental Health Ambassador for New Hope Treatment Center.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Kiara, thanks so much for being here. Excited to get
started and talk with you.
Speaker 4 (00:18):
Thanks Gwen. Super excited to chat with you.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
It's International Women's Day, so you know, I wanted to
go to the source of some women in the community
doing awesome things. Let's talk about it.
Speaker 4 (00:27):
Hey, thanks Gun for having me.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Hey, tell me about your background at New Hope Treatment
Center and kind of some of the cool things that
you're working on for sure.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
So super excited to be a part of the New
Hope team. New Hope has actually been a part of
my life since I was sixteen years old and struggling
with mental health, so they've been a part of me
for years and years and years now and I got
to come back as their New Hope Mental Health Ambassador,
so it's really exciting. And I've been able to work
(00:56):
really close with the hearts of New Hope, the residents,
the staff, and being able to be a team member
with the very people in the very space that I did.
Tremendous healing has been incredible.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Wow, that really has got to feel like a full
circle for you, right.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Full circle moment.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Absolutely, Yes, that's exciting now thinking about empowering the next
generation of women, I know some of them you're working
with right now. Which character traits do you think have
been the most instrumental to your success?
Speaker 2 (01:26):
I would say definitely adaptability, confidence, and courage. I really
hope that this next generation of women don't feel like
they have to overwork themselves to be seen or recognized.
I hope this next generation doesn't feel like there is
only space for them at the top, and that they
know that they can bring the next person up with them.
And I hope that they see the importance of highlighting
(01:49):
people's strengths instead of criticizing them for their downfalls.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
I want for this next.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Generation to also have a beautiful amount of accountability, because
accountability leads to so much success. It's it's okay for
us to make mistakes. It doesn't define us, it just
grows us.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Absolutely. I love that thought process, and as a mom
of two young girls myself, I'm always trying to explain
to them how to build people up and keep their
light going.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Yes, absolutely, And I think.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
So often young people are struggling with what they want
to do in their careers, Like there's all this pressure
to have it figured out at a young age, or
to pick a path and just go for What are
your thoughts on trying to figure it all out in
the beginning.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Take your time.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
So learning who you are is probably the biggest part
of what you need to be successful in your career.
When I was younger, my main goal was to make money,
so I worked a full time job and I went
to school part time, which was awesome at the time,
but it elongated my process and it kind of I
lost sight of my goal of what I wanted to
(02:53):
do long term with my college degree. So when I
stay take your time, I mean map out your goals
and do things with purpose. Find the people and the
things who add to helping you achieve your goals.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
I love that, And let me just acknowledge the hard
work that was Kiara working full time, going to school,
trying to achieve your dreams.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
That's right. There's no linear way.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
You may look to someone and say and see, okay,
oh my gosh, they have this, this, and that they've
already achieved this in their career or this with school.
You have to walk your own path.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
It's about you, and don't look at.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Other people's success because you don't know what it looks
like for them.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Absolutely. Now, if you could go back in time and
talk to your younger self kind of what advice would
you give or what would you say, don't do that,
do it this way instead? Would you change anything?
Speaker 4 (03:45):
Would change whole bunch. So, But with being gentle with.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Myself, I would remind myself that the things that you
are doing are often the things that you are created
to do. I would tell my younger self to try
the things that gare me, to try them at least once,
because fear only means that it's something you want, something
that you're scared of losing, and fear often is like
(04:11):
our protection of you don't want to get hurt, you
don't want to but do the things that you're scared
of doing. I would also remind my younger self that
people are just people, no matter their job title, their age,
their appearance, their status in the world. People are people
and you don't have to necessarily feel intimidated by their presence.
So yes, it's okay to feel terrified, but don't let
(04:33):
that feeling take away your power of achieving greatness. I
think my younger self just lived in a lot of fear,
and I didn't do a lot of the things that
would have built me up. And I really wish that
I would have just done it scared, I know.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Just powered through, right, because it always works out and
we get through those dark times and those scary times
and come out on top as the goal.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
Yeah, for sure. Then you're like, why didn't I do
the sooner? Exactly?
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Now we all don't get to start with our dream job,
with our dream salary. You know, there are barriers and
different paths we have to take along the way.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Kind of explain what you've.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Come across as a barrier or when you've had to
make choices about your career, and explain how you got
through it.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Oh, Gwen, I heard a quote the other day that
said something along the lines of what you don't change,
you choose, And that quote pretty much sums up my
work experience because I've been in toxic work environments where.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
I felt like, well, this is it.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
I just have to, you know, plow through my mental
health plummeted, but I'm like, well, this is what I
need the salary, so this is just what it is.
But when I changed that situation and saw the light
at the end of the tunnel and started working in
a different work environment, it really reminded me of you
(05:53):
don't have to feel stuck. So each work experience really
molded me to understand the things that I wanted. And
it's easy to go into a survival mode at work,
especially when you're in a toxic work environment. But after
experiencing a really loving and uphill work environment, it allowed
me to see those warning signs and I knew how
(06:14):
easy it could be to get roped in on an
environment like that and feel stuck. But learning my value
and my growth through those experiences, I was able to
unstick myself if you will, and start new journey.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Absolutely, Kiara, It's so much about growth and great advice
I also got one time was don't go for the money,
go for the movement. Right where are you going to
grow the most? It's not about the money sometimes, yeah,
and every time a change and a move can be
so scary, but I know in my experience it's only
brought me to better places and better opportunities. They may
(06:50):
seem scary at first, but it'll get you there if
you're willing to take the risk.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Andrew Person absolutely, I agree with that wholeheartedly.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
Gwen.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Now you're able to speak to the young women in
Charlotte right now, what's kind of the big piece of
advice you want to give them as they set out
on their careers? Kiara, share some advice for the up
and coming next generation.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Ooh, I have a few different things that I would
love to leave I have a few different things that
I would like to leave you all with. I would
definitely remind us all that if you can think it,
you can do it. Whether your goals have been met
on the timeline you mapped out or not, you can
(07:32):
still do everything you want to do. It just may
look a little different, so be flexible and pivot. I
would also say allow yourself to be encouraged by people
who are where you want to be, and remember that
where you are currently standing is someone else's goal. It's
okay to feel stuck, but you just can't live there forever.
And last, remind yourself of all the things you have
(07:52):
overcome and gotten. Thrill, remove that tunnel vision and utilize
your resources. Women are created strong and mighty, but as humans,
we are.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Not created to go through life without support.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
So I would definitely remind us to find our village
and allow them to help, because it's one thing to
have a village, but allowing help can be really difficult.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
So I'll leave you with that.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Remember if you're in quicksand you can only sink if
you're still, so keep moving and you're doing great.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
That's such good advice. And yeah, I remember just starting
at the bottom right at a TV station, sweeping the floors,
bringing coffee because I wanted to be in that industry.
Find your way in and work your magic and pull
your weight and meet people and network and your dreams
can come true. Just like that.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Absolutely, and yes, network all the way through.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
It's so important because a lot of the time it's
about who you know. And when you have amazing people
in your corner, they can help you just like you
can help them.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Absolutely, we all want a cheerlead for each other. We
all want to support each other, So make it easy
by doing a good job and working hard.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
Absolutely, tell us about New Hope Treatment Center.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
So New Hope is a residential treatment facility that's located
in South Carolina and it serves a population of youth
and adolescents who are struggling with their mental health. So
I'm super excited to be a part of the journey
of some of our adolescents at New Hope and share
my story with them.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
And there's something.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Powerful about being able to tell somebody that you understand
where they are because you've been where they've been. So
New Hope is all about creating safe spaces for youth
who feel discouraged, getting them motivated, and finding solutions to
helping our youth who are struggling get back on track.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
I love that you guys are doing such awesome work
and we're so glad to be a part of it
and kind of shed some light on you and your
success and all the exciting things happening with the New
Hope organization. Continue to let us know how you're doing
and continue to climb and succeed and rise above all
the challenges out there.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
Sure will thank you, so.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
iHeartMedia Charlotte Women of Impact celebrating women in our Community,
presented by the Carolina Ascent and New Hope Treatment Centers.
This is the iHeartMedia Charlotte Women of Impact, celebrating women
in our community, presented by the Carolina Ascent and New
Hope Treatment Centers.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Hi, everybody, my name is Kiara and I am the
Mental Health Ambassador for New Hope Treatment Center.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Kiara, thanks so much for being here. Excited to get
started and talk with you.
Speaker 4 (00:18):
Thanks Gwen. Super excited to chat with you.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
It's International Women's Day, so you know, I wanted to
go to the source of some women in the community
doing awesome things. Let's talk about it.
Speaker 4 (00:27):
Hey, thanks Gun for having me.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Hey, tell me about your background at New Hope Treatment
Center and kind of some of the cool things that
you're working on for sure.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
So super excited to be a part of the New
Hope team. New Hope has actually been a part of
my life since I was sixteen years old and struggling
with mental health, so they've been a part of me
for years and years and years now and I got
to come back as their New Hope Mental Health Ambassador,
so it's really exciting. And I've been able to work
(00:56):
really close with the hearts of New Hope, the residents,
the staff, and being able to be a team member
with the very people in the very space that I did.
Tremendous healing has been incredible.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Wow, that really has got to feel like a full
circle for you, right.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Full circle moment.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Absolutely, Yes, that's exciting now thinking about empowering the next
generation of women, I know some of them you're working
with right now. Which character traits do you think have
been the most instrumental to your success?
Speaker 2 (01:26):
I would say definitely adaptability, confidence, and courage. I really
hope that this next generation of women don't feel like
they have to overwork themselves to be seen or recognized.
I hope this next generation doesn't feel like there is
only space for them at the top, and that they
know that they can bring the next person up with them.
And I hope that they see the importance of highlighting
(01:49):
people's strengths instead of criticizing them for their downfalls.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
I want for this next.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Generation to also have a beautiful amount of accountability, because
accountability leads to so much success. It's it's okay for
us to make mistakes. It doesn't define us, it just
grows us.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Absolutely. I love that thought process, and as a mom
of two young girls myself, I'm always trying to explain
to them how to build people up and keep their
light going.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Yes, absolutely, And I think.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
So often young people are struggling with what they want
to do in their careers, Like there's all this pressure
to have it figured out at a young age, or
to pick a path and just go for What are
your thoughts on trying to figure it all out in
the beginning.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Take your time.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
So learning who you are is probably the biggest part
of what you need to be successful in your career.
When I was younger, my main goal was to make money,
so I worked a full time job and I went
to school part time, which was awesome at the time,
but it elongated my process and it kind of I
lost sight of my goal of what I wanted to
(02:53):
do long term with my college degree. So when I
stay take your time, I mean map out your goals
and do things with purpose. Find the people and the
things who add to helping you achieve your goals.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
I love that, And let me just acknowledge the hard
work that was Kiara working full time, going to school,
trying to achieve your dreams.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
That's right. There's no linear way.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
You may look to someone and say and see, okay,
oh my gosh, they have this, this, and that they've
already achieved this in their career or this with school.
You have to walk your own path.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
It's about you, and don't look at.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Other people's success because you don't know what it looks
like for them.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Absolutely. Now, if you could go back in time and
talk to your younger self kind of what advice would
you give or what would you say, don't do that,
do it this way instead? Would you change anything?
Speaker 4 (03:45):
Would change whole bunch. So, But with being gentle with.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Myself, I would remind myself that the things that you
are doing are often the things that you are created
to do. I would tell my younger self to try
the things that gare me, to try them at least once,
because fear only means that it's something you want, something
that you're scared of losing, and fear often is like
(04:11):
our protection of you don't want to get hurt, you
don't want to but do the things that you're scared
of doing. I would also remind my younger self that
people are just people, no matter their job title, their age,
their appearance, their status in the world. People are people
and you don't have to necessarily feel intimidated by their presence.
So yes, it's okay to feel terrified, but don't let
(04:33):
that feeling take away your power of achieving greatness. I
think my younger self just lived in a lot of fear,
and I didn't do a lot of the things that
would have built me up. And I really wish that
I would have just done it scared, I know.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Just powered through, right, because it always works out and
we get through those dark times and those scary times
and come out on top as the goal.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
Yeah, for sure. Then you're like, why didn't I do
the sooner? Exactly?
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Now we all don't get to start with our dream job,
with our dream salary. You know, there are barriers and
different paths we have to take along the way.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Kind of explain what you've.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Come across as a barrier or when you've had to
make choices about your career, and explain how you got
through it.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Oh, Gwen, I heard a quote the other day that
said something along the lines of what you don't change,
you choose, And that quote pretty much sums up my
work experience because I've been in toxic work environments where.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
I felt like, well, this is it.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
I just have to, you know, plow through my mental
health plummeted, but I'm like, well, this is what I
need the salary, so this is just what it is.
But when I changed that situation and saw the light
at the end of the tunnel and started working in
a different work environment, it really reminded me of you
(05:53):
don't have to feel stuck. So each work experience really
molded me to understand the things that I wanted. And
it's easy to go into a survival mode at work,
especially when you're in a toxic work environment. But after
experiencing a really loving and uphill work environment, it allowed
me to see those warning signs and I knew how
(06:14):
easy it could be to get roped in on an
environment like that and feel stuck. But learning my value
and my growth through those experiences, I was able to
unstick myself if you will, and start new journey.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Absolutely, Kiara, It's so much about growth and great advice
I also got one time was don't go for the money,
go for the movement. Right where are you going to
grow the most? It's not about the money sometimes, yeah,
and every time a change and a move can be
so scary, but I know in my experience it's only
brought me to better places and better opportunities. They may
(06:50):
seem scary at first, but it'll get you there if
you're willing to take the risk.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Andrew Person absolutely, I agree with that wholeheartedly.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
Gwen.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Now you're able to speak to the young women in
Charlotte right now, what's kind of the big piece of
advice you want to give them as they set out
on their careers? Kiara, share some advice for the up
and coming next generation.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Ooh, I have a few different things that I would
love to leave I have a few different things that
I would like to leave you all with. I would
definitely remind us all that if you can think it,
you can do it. Whether your goals have been met
on the timeline you mapped out or not, you can
(07:32):
still do everything you want to do. It just may
look a little different, so be flexible and pivot. I
would also say allow yourself to be encouraged by people
who are where you want to be, and remember that
where you are currently standing is someone else's goal. It's
okay to feel stuck, but you just can't live there forever.
And last, remind yourself of all the things you have
(07:52):
overcome and gotten. Thrill, remove that tunnel vision and utilize
your resources. Women are created strong and mighty, but as humans,
we are.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Not created to go through life without support.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
So I would definitely remind us to find our village
and allow them to help, because it's one thing to
have a village, but allowing help can be really difficult.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
So I'll leave you with that.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Remember if you're in quicksand you can only sink if
you're still, so keep moving and you're doing great.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
That's such good advice. And yeah, I remember just starting
at the bottom right at a TV station, sweeping the floors,
bringing coffee because I wanted to be in that industry.
Find your way in and work your magic and pull
your weight and meet people and network and your dreams
can come true. Just like that.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Absolutely, and yes, network all the way through.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
It's so important because a lot of the time it's
about who you know. And when you have amazing people
in your corner, they can help you just like you
can help them.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Absolutely, we all want a cheerlead for each other. We
all want to support each other, So make it easy
by doing a good job and working hard.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
Absolutely, tell us about New Hope Treatment Center.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
So New Hope is a residential treatment facility that's located
in South Carolina and it serves a population of youth
and adolescents who are struggling with their mental health. So
I'm super excited to be a part of the journey
of some of our adolescents at New Hope and share
my story with them.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
And there's something.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Powerful about being able to tell somebody that you understand
where they are because you've been where they've been. So
New Hope is all about creating safe spaces for youth
who feel discouraged, getting them motivated, and finding solutions to
helping our youth who are struggling get back on track.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
I love that you guys are doing such awesome work
and we're so glad to be a part of it
and kind of shed some light on you and your
success and all the exciting things happening with the New
Hope organization. Continue to let us know how you're doing
and continue to climb and succeed and rise above all
the challenges out there.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
Sure will thank you, so.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
iHeartMedia Charlotte Women of Impact celebrating women in our Community,
presented by the Carolina Ascent and New Hope Treatment Centers.
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