

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Shadeiyah Edwards.
Dr. Edwards, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I spent my earlier years growing up in South Central Los Angeles. We lived on 48th and Vermont. I attended Normandie Avenue Elementary. My mother had me at 19yrs old and was a single mother, who didn’t graduate high school. My mother wanted different for me, so she made sure she did what it took to provide. My mom purchased her first home in Gardena, in which I attended Peary Middle and Gardena High School. My mother married when I was about 13 yrs old. This was my introduction to church and two parent household. My birth father was around but had over 12 kids himself, so he couldn’t help my mother. When I was 15 yrs old, we moved to Upper Ladera Heights. My mothers drive, motivation, and tenacity was so inspiring. It was her dream for me to attend college. After high school, I went directly to college. I attended California State University, Long Beach where I majored in Criminal Justice. I had always dreamed of going to law school after graduation but went to study in the Masters of Public Administration program. After a year in the program, I decided it was not for me. I then went to collect my M.A. in Applied Forensic Psychology and Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
I had gotten pregnant by my live-in boyfriend in 2006 and had my son, May 2007. My life changed quickly and I became a single mother. I returned to school in 2008 when my son was 1 yrs old and obtained my masters. I decided to go for my doctorate soon aI i graduated in 2010.
I had a lot of childhood friends who lost their lives to gang violence or the prison system. My grandmother was apart of this organization that would do a lot of volunteering and giving back. I learned at an early age, the importance of giving back. Some of my friends that were less fortunate, I would have my grandmother donate food and toys. I along with my cousin Kenisha Edwards of Exposed Youth, give a toy drive every year for children in homeless shelters in South Central Los Angeles. I also sit on the Community Advisory Board for Black Infant Health Program in South Central Los Angeles.
My life experiences brought me to where I am today.. It is important for me to do community work and give back. I work with those that struggle to coparent effectively. Being a single mother, I understand the struggles of coparenting, juggling schedules, and having a balance between my child and career. I’m committed to empowering mothers to take control of their lives through education, entrepreneurship, or career.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I became a single mother and returned to school. My son, father and I had so many problems. It was days I wanted to drop out of school. Being a full-time student, mother, and employee was not easy. I knew it needed to be done because my son deserved it. I spent many days crying and questioning if i could finish my doctorate. I graduated on time despite all the adversity.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is Edwards Consulting LLC. I’m a parenting and gang expert, author, trainer, speaker, and professor. I serve parents, educators, and the community to bridge the gap for the success of the child(ren).I also specialize in stress management. The goal is to restore family units holistically by stabilizing them emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially. Building healthy relationships with their children and the other parent. Getting parents to start parenting at 100% by accomplishing the goals they had set for themselves before they had families, through career advancement, school, or entrepreneurship. My training and speaking topics include a client centered approach to working with gang involved youth, human sexuality, working with child and adolescents, working with older adults, stress/time management, will power, parenting, working with violent offenders, and various other mental health topics.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I believe Los Angeles is a great place for a business such as mine. As a mother myself, I understand the need for balance. Sometimes, we need someone else to hold us accountable and give us tools to succeed. I would definitely tell them to start here. Los Angeles is a great place.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drsedwards.com
- Phone: 424-652-8896
- Email: info@drsedwars.com
- Instagram: _dredwards
- Facebook: Dr. Shadeiyah Edwards
- Twitter: _dredwards
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