Rising Stars: Meet Nikeidra Battle-DeBarge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikeidra Battle-DeBarge.

Hi Nikeidra, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
As a young girl, I always knew that I wanted to help people. My stepfather, Charles Johnson, was a Clinical Social Worker, and my mother, Vivian Vance, was a Registered Nurse. After working in a residential program, I was certain that I had found my calling. I was a young mother and wife trying to navigate the woes of parenting and wifehood while also learning how to care for and mobilize hurting youth. My entire career was based around helping youth and families regardless of working in residential, in the schools, as a foster care case manager or running the human trafficking program that I was so indebted to. In 2012 I was able to watch my passion intersect with my dreams. My business partner and I opened a non-profit called New Destiny Pathways Inc., where we ensure that youth aging out of the foster care system have housing and tools for life to become successful contributors to society. My journey has recently taken me to a career as a Juvenile Probation Officer for a Treatment and Support Court providing supervision and connecting mental health resources to youth and families who have entered into the criminal justice system. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have had to overcome many obstacles and challenges, including my own fear of failure. I think like most, I was my worst critic. I began to set the bar higher for myself after I stopped struggling to see my own potential. On my journey I began to become more aware of my own capabilities, I decided to stop looking back at the mistakes that I had made which created the insecurity that I wasn’t doing enough, well enough. I also stopped looking for permission to be in places and spaces that I deserved to be in regardless of me being the only black woman or because I had not yet reached the economic status as some of the individuals that I was at the table with. The work that I started with New Destiny Pathways didn’t necessarily have a local blueprint, so it was challenging to know exactly what to do. Yet, 13 years later, the thing that was once a thought is a living reality. My pastor, Jathan Austin has always told his congregation, “If there isn’t a blueprint, you make one”, I live by that to this day. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have found myself to be a visionary. Not a term that I would have previously coined myself until I began to see the things that I thought of come into fruition. As previously mentioned, I specialize in connecting with people. I use their sadness, their pain, and the things that I have experienced to evoke hope. Over the years God has deposited so much into me that after a life of self-reflection and growth, I have learned to not keep those things to myself. I would say that I am known for my calm, yet bold demeanor, I am known for leading with a caring spirit and unapologetically championing the things that I desire out of life. I recently became a published author of my memoir, “Cake Without Icing. I saved a PEACE for me”. The entire reason for me writing this book was the notion that I could not be the only person who has experienced the pain and uncertainty of going through an unwanted divorce. I wanted to curate a space where others could be honest about the pain and devastation of divorce without the shame and feelings of failure that come with the decision of choosing yourself over destruction. I believe that my story of resilience, vulnerability, self-love, strength, and triumph can be a healing balm to someone’s hurting soul. I just believe that! There is no way that God would challenge me to expose my intricate thoughts and feelings to a judgmental world without him getting the glory of healing someone through my work. The only thing that sets me apart from anyone else is that when I get an idea or vision, I don’t just dream about it; I find ways to succeed and produce the results that the vision was intended and hoped for. 

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am an extroverted introvert. Though mostly extroverted. Most people who will read this will be like, “Girl, please.” But it’s true! When I am around people, I relish in it. I absolutely love all kinds of people. I am the life of the party and all of that. But there are often times when I feel my best when I am alone. That could be traveling, eating dinner, or going to the movies by myself. This was a thing for me way before it was popular to embody self-care. 

Pricing:

• Book Sale: Cake Without Icing, I saved a PEACE for me
• $20.00
• Nikeidradebarge.com
• Amazon

Contact Info:

• Website: nikeidradebarge.com

Image Credits
ACT Photo Media