Becoming an Advocate Counselor & Businesswoman
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 04/17/20
Kadidiatou Ballo was born in Harlem and studied in public schools. Throughout high school, a nonprofit organization called Harlem Children Zone supported her in a plethora of ways. She was apart of the program since 3rd grade. In 10th grade, she took college courses at the University of Southern California. The organization payed for her tuition and books.
After Kadidiatou graduated from community college, she transferred to the University of Albany, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree. She switched her major from Criminal Justice to Africana Studies because she wanted to learn more about people of color.
From when she was 21 to 25 years old, Kadidiatou felt insecure and depressed due to cultural and societal expectations of marrying young. She had to isolate herself from her family to find her own happiness. But in doing that, she fell into depression.
Because she moved out of her parents’ house, there were times when she struggled with paying rend and tuition. But Kadidiatou always figured out how to get herself out of a hole.
Overcoming depression taught Kadidiatou the importance of living a balanced life. She explains that part of the reason why people become depressed is because they take up more than they can handle and don’t take a break. “You should know your limits. Not taking a break and not taking care of your mental health can break you,” she said. “If I’m not happy or comfortable with doing something, I won’t do it .”
After completing college, she became an Advocate Counselor. Today, she works for the nonprofit organization SCO Family of Services. Through the organization, she provides counseling to students from North Queens High School, helps them achieve their high school diploma and reach emotional stability.
Most of the students she works with come from dysfunctional homes. Though Kadidiatou comes from a happy family, she knows how to sympathize and connect with the students who don’t.
“Children are becoming adults at a young age. They need a good support system,” the Advocate Counselor said. She tries try to show the students that everyone is not bad. “Every child wants to know that there’s one person that cares,” she adds.
Kadidiatou has a spirit of serving others. “I always wanted to be a CEO of an NGO that’s giving back to my community,” she said.
“Kadidatou is a very honest, strong and humble woman. She’s always looking for ways to support and help the family. She is definitely the one to go to if you need good advice or anything. Her business is amazing. She is one of the first females in our family to graduate college and have a successful business. Greatness will come to her because she is a good person and has a free spirit. Her success is already on its way,” said her cousin Mamady Deen Ballo.
Giving back to the less fortunate is important to her because she understands that not everyone is privileged. Kadidiatou says that the things we take for granted here are important to people back in the mother land.
Since the Corona outbreak, Kadidiatou has offered to help anyone who reaches out to her that needs financial support. She owns an eye lash business (La Joie MS KB) and 25 % of proceeds from her lash business will go towards providing academic supplies for children in the Ivory Coast. Although we are in the middle of a pandemic, she plans on sending 200 book bags worth of school supplies to children in the Ivory Coast. She will rely on her family’s support to complete the mission. Also, in the next 3 year, she plans on building a trade school in the Ivory Coast.
The Ivorian Advocate Counselor and businesswoman says that being a person of service means having the willingness to give even when you don’t receive sufficient funds. There are times when she has to pay out of pocket to help others. But she does it with a smile. She is motivated to keep pouring onto others because she has a passion for it. “If you do something that you love, you’ll keep doing it,” she said.
At the moment, she is finishing up her Master’s in Public Administrations with Nonprofit concentration at Sacred Heart University.
Kadidiatou's success story reminds us that if you don't come from a broken home, find a way to help those who do. And, she always kept in mind that certain opportunities were available to her because a nonprofit organization invested in her. Now, she is paying it forward by also investing in others.
Welcome to Kadidiatou’s World
“If you do something that you love, you’ll keep doing it.”
“A strong woman is someone who can adjust to the world we live in by her own terms.”
“You own the pen to your book of life. Decide how you want to write it!”
Business IG: @lajoiebymskb
Personal IG: @thereal_ivorian
Email: kadidiatou.ballo@gmail.com
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
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