Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiana Bobo.
Hi Kiana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story has been shaped by both personal challenges and a career path that unfolded in ways I never expected.
On a personal note, I am a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, a 20-year survivor of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and a 10-year survivor of triple-negative breast cancer. Those life-changing experiences taught me resilience, gratitude, and the importance of living with intention. Through it all, I have been blessed with the unwavering support of my family. I married my college sweetheart, Dr. Issac Hatley, 21 years ago, and together we have two amazing children, Izaiah and Reaghan, who are truly the center of my world. They remind me every day of what truly matters.
Professionally, my journey didn’t start in social services. I began my career in business, where one of my supervisors noticed how naturally I connected and engaged with customers. He believed my true calling was in helping people, and he encouraged me to pursue a path in social services. He even supported me by allowing me to transition into part-time work while I pursued my passion. That encouragement was the spark that set me on the path I’m on today.
Since then, my professional journey has included working with unhoused veterans and providing mental health services for people experiencing homelessness, as well as working in community mental health with individuals living with complex trauma, substance use challenges, and Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) youth. These experiences have deepened my understanding of trauma, resilience, and the importance of dignity in care.
Today, I serve as the Quality Assurance Director for a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth. In this role, I ensure that we provide the highest standard of care and that our programs truly make an impact. Alongside this work, I am also part of a group practice where I provide individual therapy for people navigating life’s challenges; relationship issues, employment stress, anxiety, depression, and grief, to name a few. Recently, I stepped back from direct client work following the death of my grandmother. In my grief, I recognized that I could not ethically hold clinical space for others while not being fully well myself. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and non-directive, and I believe in being a present co-pilot for my clients. I knew that while heavily grieving, I could not truly offer that presence, and honoring that responsibility was essential.
Looking back, I see how every chapter from surviving cancer to raising my family to serving vulnerable populations has prepared me to do the work I love today. My journey has given me purpose, compassion, and a strong belief in the power of human connection to heal.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been an easy road. Personally, I’ve faced two major health battles, surviving Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 20 years ago and triple-negative breast cancer 10 years ago. During my own cancer treatment, my mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer, and we underwent double mastectomies just one week apart. Those experiences tested me to my core, but they also taught me the value of perseverance, hope, and embracing each day as a gift.
Professionally, the path has also come with its own unique struggles. Transitioning from the business world into social services was both exciting and intimidating. There were moments of financial uncertainty, times when balancing work, family, and my health felt impossible, and plenty of moments of self-doubt as I grew into my calling.
I also could not ignore the reality of cultural differences and systemic challenges I encountered along the way. As an African American woman, I have witnessed firsthand how implicit biases and stereotypes disproportionately impact people who look like me, regardless of education, experience, or skill level. Too often, I saw environments where African American women were dismissed, minimized, or expected to shrink themselves in order to fit in. From those experiences, I made a personal commitment: I will never shrink myself, dilute my presence, or make myself palatable for spaces that do not value me. I refuse to “code switch” to be accepted. My authenticity is my power, and I want that to be a model for those I mentor and serve.
Despite the obstacles, each struggle has reinforced that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. These experiences shaped my empathy and deepened my passion for serving marginalized communities, whether with unhoused veterans, people experiencing homelessness, or at-risk youth. They confirmed that this work is more than a career for me; it is a calling. The road hasn’t been smooth, but it has been meaningful, purposeful, and transformative.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and over the years my professional journey has centered around serving communities that are often overlooked or underserved. My specialty areas include substance use, working with chronically homeless veterans, treating depression, crisis management, clinical supervision, and program and contract management. Currently, I serve as the Quality Assurance Director for a nonprofit organization that supports at-risk youth, ensuring that our programs not only meet compliance standards but also uphold the highest quality of care for the young people and families we serve.
What I am most known for is my ability to build authentic connections with the people I work with. Whether it’s in a clinical setting, supervision, or community-based work, I prioritize creating a safe and trusting space where individuals feel seen, heard, and validated. I believe strongly in the power of a therapeutic alliance, that genuine connection between client and therapist is often the foundation that allows real healing and growth to occur.
I am most proud of the work I’ve been able to do with populations that many people disregard or write off. Everyone has a story, and often, it doesn’t take much more than listening, validating, and showing up consistently to make a profound difference in someone’s life. Being present with someone in their most vulnerable moments and helping them recognize their own strength is what continues to fuel my passion for this work.
What sets me apart is my commitment to authenticity with clients, colleagues, and communities. I don’t believe in shrinking myself to fit into systems or spaces that weren’t built with people like me in mind. Instead, I lean into who I am, both personally and professionally, and bring that into my work. That authenticity, coupled with my clinical training and lived experiences, allows me to meet people exactly where they are and walk alongside them in their journey toward healing and hope
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up was not easy for me. I was raised in a home with an abusive father who struggled with substance use, and that shaped a lot of my early experiences. Even as a child, I carried a deep awareness of how fragile safety and stability could be. At the same time, I was also very observant of the world around me. In the 1980s, LAPD’s community policing left a huge impression on me; I was fascinated by police officers and dreamed of becoming a homicide detective one day. That aspiration shifted later during my internship, but it was the first spark that drew me toward wanting to help people and seek justice in some way.
Outside of those heavy realities, I also had a vibrant and expressive side. I absolutely loved to dance. I had opportunities to choreograph for a girl group called GiGi, and I used to tag along with a DJ to “get the party started” through dance. I was a huge fan of choreographers Lance and Big Leslie, and I looked up to them with so much admiration. Dancing gave me freedom, joy, and a creative outlet when so many other parts of my life felt heavy or unstable.
Academically, I struggled in my early teen years. Being bused to the San Fernando Valley for my seventh-grade year of middle school was especially difficult, I was kicked out of LA Unified School District and placed at Hollywood Opportunity Center. At the time, it felt like a low point, but that experience ended up shaping me in ways I never expected. It ignited a determination in me to strive, to push forward, and to succeed no matter the obstacles in my way.
Looking back, I can see how those challenges built the resilience and perseverance that I carry with me today. More importantly, they gave me the ability to see and feel the humanity of others who are often overlooked or misunderstood. My childhood taught me how much it matters to be seen, to be heard, and to be validated. That lesson has carried into my career as a therapist and now as a leader. I gravitate toward working with populations that others might disregard because I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone finally believes in you.
