Mia Jackson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Mia , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think a lot of people struggle with the fear of truly showing up especially when it feels uncomfortable. We’ve been conditioned, particularly as women, to focus so much on how others perceive us. There’s this unspoken pressure to be liked, to be accepted, and to fit into boxes we didn’t create. Sometimes, we chase approval before we even take the time to ask ourselves, Do I like me? Have I learned to love me?
Personally, I learned early on to embrace who I am. Growing up with strabismus taught me a powerful lesson that I don’t need to shrink myself to make others comfortable. What some might see as a flaw, I see as my superpower. It gave me the freedom to stop worrying about what others think and start focusing on showing up as my full, authentic self.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Mia, and I’m a proud first-generation college graduate, a passionate community leader, and most importantly a mom to a vibrant little boy named Caiden. I’m the founder of Healing Her House, a community-driven organization based in Baltimore City that’s dedicated to helping women — especially mothers — heal, grow, and step into their power.
Healing Her House was born out of my own journey. I became a mother during the pandemic, all while navigating college and life’s responsibilities. I saw firsthand how isolating and overwhelming it can be when you’re trying to do everything alone. That’s why I created a space where women feel seen, supported, and celebrated no matter what stage they’re in.
What makes Healing Her House unique is our heart. We’re not here to fix anyone we’re here to walk alongside women as they rediscover themselves, rebuild confidence, and reclaim their voice. Right now, we’re in the process of officially becoming a nonprofit, building out our board, and expanding our programs to serve even more women in our community.
This work is personal for me. It’s about legacy, purpose, and making sure no woman ever feels like she has to heal by herself.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I used to believe that my kindness was a weakness that caring too much or helping people too often would leave me drained or taken advantage of. I thought that being “too nice” made you a target. But as I’ve grown, I’ve come to understand that kindness is actually a strength.
Some people go their whole lives without experiencing real community, real grace, or someone simply showing up for them. I’ve learned that treating others the way you want to be treated still matters and showing grace is a lost art in today’s world.
Now, don’t get me wrong I’m not saying let people walk all over you. Boundaries are important. But I truly believe we’re all placed on this earth for a reason, and part of that purpose is to uplift each other. Being kind, being gracious — that’s not weakness. That’s powerful
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
In high school, my mom finally got her own place, and for a while, things felt like they were starting to look up. But soon after, we were evicted, and my siblings and I had to stay with different friends. I was lucky enough to have a best friend whose mom opened her home to me, but I remember feeling so disappointed and even angry with my mom. I couldn’t understand how, as a parent, she could let something like that happen. I felt abandoned and let down.
But as I got older, I started to see things differently. I realized that our parents are just people first-time adults trying to navigate life’s struggles, disappointments, and setbacks, often without the tools they need. That shift in perspective changed everything for me. It helped me build resilience and taught me that I never want my children to go through what I went through.
Growing up in Baltimore, I know many kids who had it even harder — but that moment, for me, was defining. It was the beginning of healing my mother wound. I stopped seeing her as someone who failed me and started seeing her as a woman — just a girl who never got the support she needed, trying her best with what she had.
During that time, I went through a depression. I partied, drank, and used substances trying to numb the pain and heal that little girl inside me who had been hurt, let down, and abused. But that season pushed me to focus on my goals. It helped me turn my pain into purpose. And now, through my work with Healing Her House, I want to help other women heal too from their wounds, from their past, and from the silence that too many of us carry.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies I see in the nonprofit and community wellness space is that helping people has to look polished, perfect, or come from professionals with fancy titles. The truth is, healing and support don’t always come from a textbook they come from lived experience, real connection, and genuine compassion.
There’s also this idea that impact is only measurable in numbers — how many people you served, how much funding you raised. But what about the mother who finally found the courage to leave a toxic situation because she came to one of our workshops? Or the young woman who felt seen for the first time in a long time because someone listened without judgment? That’s real impact and it’s often overlooked.
Another lie is that you have to separate personal from professional when doing this work. For me, Healing Her House is deeply personal. I bring my whole self my story, my struggles, my healing into this work. That’s what makes it authentic. The women we serve don’t need another system telling them how to live they need someone who’s been where they are, standing beside them, reminding them they’re not alone.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What light inside you have you been dimming?
Honestly, I am the light I’ve been dimming.
For a long time, I held back afraid to be vulnerable, afraid to let people see the real me, flaws and all. I used to worry that if people saw my pain, my struggles, or the things I’ve been through, they might judge me or see me differently. So I stayed quiet, kept parts of myself hidden, and dimmed my own shine.
But not anymore.
These days, I tell people, “I’m letting life enjoy me.” I truly believe the world deserves to experience all of who I am the healed parts, the healing parts, and even the messy parts in between. I’ve realized that my story, in all its complexity, has power. It can help others heal. And the more I embrace it, the more I give others permission to do the same.
No more shrinking. No more hiding. I am the light and I’m finally letting it shine.
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