Meet Brieanna
my Story
Tragedy to Triumph
I was 15 years old when I first contemplated suicide.
I was in the middle of a toxic friendship and I didn’t even know it because darkness filled my days. This lack of approval from someone’s opinion that I valued so much led me brushed off encouragement from family. Most tragic of all, over time I began to believe my life had no meaning.
It wasn’t until I found my identity in Christ and built a solid relationship with him that I began to experience joy and fulfillment. Suddenly, I had a reason to get out of bed. I started to understand my life did matter and began my pursuit of purpose.
Fast forward to 23-year-old Brie when I was working in youth ministry. The teenagers in my group were also struggling with a lack of self-esteem. They were having similar struggles with friendships, self-worth, and identity. I felt like I needed to help put an end to this. So, the following year I published my first book The Black Girl’s Guide to Living on Purpose and I have been encouraging women to live intentionally and cultivate community ever since. I love to speak to people and let everyone I meet know their life also has a purpose.
As Seen In.
Previous Audiences I’ve Spoken To:
Here’s a recap from a recent event I hosted.
Others Have Said…
Prime example of a woman walking in her purpose.
I selected Brie as a speaker for our Women of Excellence event simply because [she is] the prime example of a woman walking in her purpose. Excellence overflows to each person she speaks with, each event she plans and executes and just the life she lives. After she spoke one young woman came to me and said “I need to buy Brie’s book so that I can get my life together!”
[Brie’s] glow literally sparked every young lady in the audience which inspired them to speak to her after the program and continue their strive for excellence after the event.
T'Yanna JSouthern University of New OrleansA visionary
Brie’s visionary skills and the way she plans things out is sensational. There’s no way anyone should pass her up! Since her talk, I see myself working more on my patience – whether it’s something on Facebook, dealing with work, or speaking to family, I reevaluate my thought process before I speak. It’s something I always needed to work on and she made me realize I needed to start working on serenity.
Obriana RocioBrie has the ranks for the job
A good speaker is not just someone with credibility, but also someone who is able to connect with his or audience. [Brie] has the ranks for the job, as well as the pleasant spirit that allows people to open up to her and receive her message. After her talk many said she’s funny, pushed them to have more faith in themselves and is very enthusiastic.
Alia JosephDillard University
Prime example of a woman walking in her purpose.
I selected Brie as a speaker for our Women of Excellence event simply because [she is] the prime example of a woman walking in her purpose. Excellence overflows to each person she speaks with, each event she plans and executes and just the life she lives. After she spoke one young woman came to me and said “I need to buy Brie’s book so that I can get my life together!”
[Brie’s] glow literally sparked every young lady in the audience which inspired them to speak to her after the program and continue their strive for excellence after the event.
A visionary
Brie’s visionary skills and the way she plans things out is sensational. There’s no way anyone should pass her up! Since her talk, I see myself working more on my patience – whether it’s something on Facebook, dealing with work, or speaking to family, I reevaluate my thought process before I speak. It’s something I always needed to work on and she made me realize I needed to start working on serenity.
Brie has the ranks for the job
A good speaker is not just someone with credibility, but also someone who is able to connect with his or audience. [Brie] has the ranks for the job, as well as the pleasant spirit that allows people to open up to her and receive her message. After her talk many said she’s funny, pushed them to have more faith in themselves and is very enthusiastic.
Official Bio.
About Brieanna Lightfoot Smith
Brieanna Lightfoot Smith is the author of The Black Girl's Guide to Living on Purpose and Founder of the Black Girls with Purpose movement. She has worked with women across the southern region over the course of her career and used her experience in the New Orleans education system to design a workshop style curriculum that covers topics such as identity, healthy self-esteem, time management, and goal-setting.
In the summer of 2018 Brie partnered with the Essence Fest Day of Service to present a Boss Up! workshop on entrepreneurship. In the fall of 2018 Brie launched the Black Girls with Purpose podcast which airs weekly and has over 20,000 downloads. Her audience spans across the United States and internationally.
After battling against suicidal thoughts as a teenager, Brie emerged as a twenty-something with a story to tell. She has now dedicated her life to educating women on the importance of living intentionally and cultivating a healthy community.
When she’s not writing or teaching women about purpose and identity you can find Brie spending time with her family or working on programming for her nonprofit Unity Queens.
