Iyanla Vanzant

Author of seventeen titles, six-­time New York Times bestselling author, four-­time NAACP Image Award recipient, three-­time Gracie Award winner, and three-­time Honorary Degree recipient are not the best ways to describe Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant. Mother, grandmother, good girlfriend, wise-woman, life coach, spiritual teacher, soul technician, attorney, and “the fixer” are better, but still not quite right. Minister, prayer warrior, servant, cultural custodian, and student of life are the words she would use because this captures the presence of her being and the essence of her soul.

Vanzant is an internationally renowned speaker in the fields of personal development and spiritual empowerment is best known for her riveting work as the host of "Iyanla Fix My Life" on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Oprah herself has called Vanzant “the most powerful spiritual healer, fixer, and teacher on the planet.”

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Vanzant did not have an easy life. The product of an extra-­marital affair, she lost her mother at the age of 2. Shuffled between family members, suffering physical and sexual abuse, Vanzant gave birth to her first child at the age of 16. By age 21 she was the mother of three living on public assistance and projects. After spending nine ­years in an abusive relationship, she found her way to Medgar Evers College. Three and a half years later, she graduated Summa Cum Laude, with a degree in Public Administration and Education. Immediately after graduating, she entered the City University Law School at Queens College as a member of the inaugural class. After graduation, she made her way to Philadelphia where she served in the Public Defender’s office. It was the urging of a still, small voice that told her to leave the Defender’s Office, and never return.

Two years later, after being evicted from her home, Vanzant was sleeping on a friend’s sofa when she got a call to teach women on public assistance who were preparing to rejoin the work force. She created a workbook for her students entitled: "Tapping the Power Within." When that title turned twenty years old in 2009, Vanzant had authored thirteen additional titles including; "Acts of Faith: Daily Meditation for People of Color;" "The Value In The Valley: A Black Woman’s Guide Through Life’s Dilemmas;" "Until Today: Daily Devotions for Spiritual Growth and Peace of Mind;" "Yesterday I Cried: Celebrating the Lessons of Living and Loving;" "The Spirit of a Man: A Vision of Transformation for Black Men and the Women Who Love Them;" "Every Day I Pray : Prayers for Awakening to the Grace of Inner Communion;" and "In the Meantime: Finding Yourself and the Love You Want."

In 1994, Vanzant and her daughter Gemmia opened the doors to the Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development, which offers classes and workshops for Personal Development, certification for Spiritual Life Coaching, and training for ministers of Spiritual Consciousness. As a life coach on NBC’s first daytime reality program, "Starting Over," Vanzant supported women in finding their way back to themselves, and onto a new path in life. As the host of her own daytime talk show, Vanzant inspired viewers with her down-­to-­earth style and wicked humor before she left the television arena to pursue her Master’s Degree in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica. Today, Vanzant is a certified Tapping practitioner, a Certified Aromatherapist, and is currently studying to become a Master herbalist. According to Vanzant , each of these technologies has supported her in recognizing and understanding the role energy plays in the ability of an individual to have dominion in every area of their life.

Vanzant shares her deep respect for and knowledge of spiritual law and principle in her fourth New York Times bestselling title: "One Day My Soul Just Opened Up: 40 Days And 40 Nights Toward Spiritual Strength and Personal Growth" and again in her fifth New York Times bestselling title; "Peace From Broken Pieces," where she chronicles her own healing journey after the death of her daughter. As an ordained minister and Yoruba priestess, Vanzant has garnered a deep and abiding respect for the tenacity of the human spirit and the power of the human mind that she offers to her loyal readers and faithful followers in a very practical way; do your work!

Cooking and scrapbook making are her guilty pleasures. Making soap and body products is her hobby. Studying the Bible and other sacred texts is the foundation of her life. Watching re-­‐runs of Law and Order is her joy. Spending time with her grandchildren and doing her own laundry is what keeps her grounded. Knowing that she is on purpose, loving what she does, and doing everything with excellence is what Iyanla Vanzant says makes her the woman that she is today.

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