Lynda Potts Is Making A Change!

Lynda Potts is a Licensed Masters Level Social Worker, and the Founder of I Am N.I.T.A. (not in this alone). That caters to empowering, educating, supporting, and mentoring youth girls in the Detroit area. She was also born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, by her mother, who she described as such an influential person in her life because "She always made the best at what we had and we never went without. Yes, we may not have always had everything that we wanted, but we had everything that we needed." Lynda also explained, "My experiences have made me into the person I am today. My support system and growing up with a strong mom. Who did the best for her kids—also, my failures because they make you into the person you are, and sometimes people think it is such a bad thing when you fail, but it isn't because it shapes you."

I asked Lynda what inspired her to become a social worker and entrepreneur? She replied, "Growing up, I felt unworthy. I just wanted someone to love me, and with me being at University Preparatory, the high school was designed to prepare kids for the future. You had to come up with a graduation requirement of interest. That led me to start my program because I wanted to create a space for girls to talk, bond, and share life stories without judgment." Which ultimately led Lynda to take up her Bachelor's in Art with a Social Work concentration and a Master's degree in Social Work.

In other words, what began as a senior requirement to graduate in 2009 turned into I Am N.I.T.A. L.L.C. in 2016 once she graduated college. Following, we touched on what made her want to cultivate her business around support, education, and mentorship for youth girls? Lynda expressed, "You should never have to go through life by yourself or have to do things alone. Things are just so much better, and you thrive when you have that support and someone uplifting you. I also believe that we are always students with something to learn. So, I wanted to educate my girls because when you know better, you do better, and gaining that knowledge is something that no one can take from you. Mentorship is also important because you need someone you can go to for guidance."

Thus far, Lynda has done some amazing things through working as a social worker in schools for the past four years. In addition to creating an 8-week program in 2019 through I Am N.I.T.A. for the eighth-grade girls at her school. She hopes to have her I Am N.I.T.A. program at schools throughout the state one day! Unfortunately, because of the pandemic changing how we all operate, she had to put some projects on hold while restructuring others to virtual sessions for now. However, she plans to release some upcoming events and projects this spring. She also mentioned the possibility of catering to older women in the future, which I think is incredible. There are a lot of older women struggling with childhood traumas still that need support, education, and mentorship due to them not having the resources as youth girls or young women.

Personally, this organization's mission really hit home for me because I was once a little girl who would have truly benefited from these services. So, I am genuinely rooting for I Am N.I.T.A. because this is something that I think is so needed, especially within the black community. Sadly, mental health and seeking support from outside parties are taboo subjects in most black homes. Thankfully, the times are shifting, so it is becoming an avenue discussed more within the culture to the point that we are seeing some programs in black communities that support, educate, and mentor our youth. Of course, not as much as it should be, but it is a start. This business in itself is a prime example!

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