LYF Philosophy

Rooted in the meaning of my name, Ayisha Zakia, Pure Life, alive, prosperous, mother of the believers, my LYF (Love Yourself First) philosophy is about honoring life by beginning with love of self. It is a holistic framework that guides my work as a Black beauty and women of color beauty activist, Seer, Educator, LYF Coach, and Story Doula. At its core, LYF is about nurturing wholeness, cultivating empowerment, and helping people become the highest version of themselves.

My approach blends the roles of Educator, Allomother, Writer, and Leader, a model that integrates transformational communication, authentic storytelling, spiritual visioning, and community-centered care. With over twenty years in academia and professional practice, my work is about creating experiences, narratives, and spaces that resonate, inspire, and empower.

Transformational Living: Vision, Inspiration, and Collective Empowerment

Drawing on transformational leadership (James MacGregor Burns), I see LYF as a path to elevate vision, not just for organizations, but for individuals and communities. Love Yourself First is an invitation to align personal growth with collective empowerment. Through teaching, coaching, and activism, I help people see themselves as agents of change, connecting their inner transformation with the greater good.

Authentic Communication & Presence: Leading with Integrity

As a Black woman and Seer, authenticity is at the center of my practice. Inspired by authentic leadership (Bill George), LYF calls us to live in alignment with our values and identities. Whether I am guiding students, coaching clients, or advocating for Black beauty, I lead from a place of truth, integrity, and lived experience. Authenticity is not only about words; it is about presence, decisions, and actions rooted in love and integrity.

Self-Leadership: Love Yourself First as Daily Practice

Informed by self-leadership theories (Anna Kazan & Andrew Bryant), I teach that one cannot effectively support others without first being grounded in self-love and self-knowledge. LYF is about cultivating personal growth, spiritual discipline, and emotional intelligence as foundations for leadership. When we love ourselves first, we create lives that are sustainable, compassionate, and powerful enough to overflow into others.

Social Learning & Modeling: Teaching Through Example

Inspired by social learning theory (Albert Bandura), I believe people learn most deeply through example. LYF requires living as a model of wholeness—showing, not just telling. Whether through my role as an educator in the classroom, a mentor in the community, or a doula for stories and transformations, I embody the values I teach. By modeling love, resilience, and authenticity, I invite others to step into their own fullness.

Cultural Grounding: Rooted in Black Intellectual & Womanist Traditions

My LYF philosophy is grounded in African American intellectual traditions and frameworks like Drylongso (John Langston Gwaltney) and Black Woman Leadership (Toni King & Alease Ferguson). I affirm that leadership, beauty, and transformation must be rooted in culture, community, and justice. As a Black beauty and women of color beauty activist, I center equity, inclusivity, and care. LYF is not just self-love—it is community love and cultural love.

Educator, Allomother & Leader as Operational Framework

The LYF model operates through three interconnected roles:

Educator: Creating spaces of learning, reflection, and growth.
Allomother: Offering care, guidance, and nurture to communities beyond one’s own children, extending love and protection as a collective practice.
Leader: Empowering individuals and communities toward vision, justice, and transformation.

Together, these roles form the operational heart of LYF, guiding how I teach, coach, advocate, write, and create.

Conclusion: LYF as a Philosophy of Wholeness and Empowerment

Love Yourself First is not selfish; it is the foundation of service, leadership, and transformation. Through LYF, I help people and communities live in ways that are authentic, empowering, and culturally grounded. Whether through writing, teaching, coaching, or activism, my philosophy is purpose-driven: to cultivate lives of wholeness, love, and prosperity, while building a world rooted in justice, beauty, and collective flourishing.