Vision, Purpose, and Legacy: Dr. DeShonda Jennings on Empowering Childcare Providers
- Tammy Reese
- Mar 17
- 5 min read
By Tammy Reese | Monday, March 17, 2025 | 7 :30 pm ET
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we honor the trailblazers shaping industries, communities, and futures. Dr. DeShonda Jennings is one such powerhouse — an advocate, educator, and mentor whose mission extends far beyond her own success. Through DJ It Takes A Village Too, she has transformed the landscape of family childcare, empowering providers to turn their passion into thriving, sustainable businesses.
With a vision rooted in legacy and purpose, Dr. Jennings is changing lives — one childcare provider at a time. In this exclusive conversation, she shares her insights on balancing business and family, reigniting passion, and building a lasting impact in the ever-evolving childcare industry.
Hello Dr. Jennings, thank you for speaking with us today! Family childcare is a deeply personal and transformative field. How do you guide providers to balance their own families’ needs while fostering a sense of purpose in serving their communities?
Dr. DeShonda: Balancing family life while serving others is no small feat, but it’s possible when you create systems that honor both. I remind providers that their families are their first ministry. If you’re running on empty at home, it will spill over into your business. That’s why I teach childcare professionals how to set boundaries, automate systems, and implement self-care as a non-negotiable. One of the biggest game-changers we’ve added this year is our co-working days — a space where providers can step outside their day-to-day operations and actually work ON their business instead of just IN it. Community is key, and through DJ It Takes A Village Too, we ensure providers aren’t navigating this journey alone.
What was the moment when you realized that your purpose was larger than your own business, and how did that realization shape your vision moving forward?
Dr. DeShonda: That moment came when I saw the weight childcare providers carry every single day — the burnout, the financial struggles, and the lack of recognition for the life-changing work we do. I knew then that my success wasn’t just for me; it was my responsibility to pour back into the childcare community. That’s when I expanded beyond just running my own program and started coaching providers on how to create profitable, sustainable businesses. From there, DJ It Takes A Village Too was born — not just as a business, but as a movement. I wanted to make sure that providers had access to both free resources and paid opportunities to help them grow. That realization also led to our annual conference, which will not only equip providers with business tools but also focus on child development and mental health resources — because when we’re well, we can serve well.
You’ve built a career on helping others create sustainable and thriving businesses. What strategies do you teach childcare providers to stay true to their vision while adapting to an ever-changing industry?
Dr. DeShonda: The childcare industry shifts constantly — regulations change, families’ needs evolve, and burnout is real. That’s why I always tell providers: your “why” must be bigger than your circumstances. I teach them how to:
Build strong business foundations — Without the right structures, passion alone won’t keep you in business.
Diversify income streams — Depending solely on tuition is risky. I show them how to incorporate grants, sponsorships, and additional programs to sustain their businesses.
Stay adaptable while staying true to their mission — Growth doesn’t mean losing your purpose. I coach providers on how to expand services, implement new curricula, and even scale into coaching or consulting while remaining aligned with their core values.
Through DJ It Takes A Village LLC, I also guide providers through my L.A.U.N.C.H. framework, which helped me personally turn my financial struggles into a six-figure business. The key is leveraging what you already have and making it work smarter for you.
As a childcare coach, you see the dreams and struggles of providers firsthand. What advice do you offer to those who feel disconnected from their initial vision and are searching for a renewed sense of purpose?
Dr. DeShonda: The first thing I tell them is: your vision may need adjusting, but that doesn’t mean it’s over. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the day-to-day stress of running a business that we forget why we started. That’s why Mental Health Action Day is so important to me. This work is heavy, and if we’re not taking care of ourselves, we lose sight of our purpose.
For providers feeling disconnected, I recommend:
Going back to the beginning. What was your “why” when you first started?
Finding community. Isolation fuels burnout. That’s why we built the DJ It Takes A Village Childcare Association — to give providers a network where they’re supported, encouraged, and resourced.
Giving themselves permission to pivot. If the way you’re doing things isn’t serving you anymore, it’s okay to shift. Whether it’s restructuring your business model, adding new revenue streams, or stepping into leadership roles, there’s always room to grow.
You’ve been honored with prestigious awards recognizing your contributions to education and childcare. How do these accolades reinforce your vision, and how do you stay grounded in your purpose amidst such recognition?
Dr. DeShonda: Receiving awards like the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and earning my Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism were humbling moments. But they weren’t just about me — they were about every provider who has felt unseen, undervalued, and overworked. These honors reminded me that our work matters.
At the same time, I stay grounded by remembering the mission. The real reward is seeing a provider go from struggling to thriving, or hearing a parent say, “You changed my child’s life.” That’s why I keep pushing forward — not for the titles, but for the legacy we’re building in this field.
You’ve accomplished so much, yet your work is far from over. What’s the next big vision for your journey, and how do you plan to use it to continue empowering families and childcare providers worldwide?
Dr. DeShonda: My vision is expansion and impact. I want to see more childcare professionals become a part of our community and truly feel supported — not just as business owners, but as leaders, educators, and change-makers.
Here’s what’s next:
Growing our membership community — We’ve reopened the DJ It Takes A Village Childcare Association, giving providers access to resources, mentorship, and networking.
Launching more retreats and self-care experiences — Because providers need more than just business tools; they need time to recharge and refocus.
Hosting the annual conference — This event will bring together business and child development resources to ensure providers are not just surviving but thriving.
Expanding funding opportunities — We’re working on securing grants and sponsorships so we can continue offering free and low-cost resources to providers who need them most.
At the end of the day, this work is about legacy. I want providers to know that they are not just running businesses — they are changing lives. And as long as I have a voice in this field, I will continue lifting up, equipping, and empowering childcare professionals worldwide.
Get connected by visiting https://www.deshondajennings.com/chat
About Tammy Reese
Owner of Visionary Minds Public Relations and Media, Tammy Reese is an award-winning writer and journalist best known for landing major interviews with Angela Bassett, Sharon Stone, Sigourney Weaver, Laurence Fishburne, Geena Davis, Billy Porter, Morris Chestnut, Nelly, Mona Scott Young, Giancarlo Esposito, Luke Evans, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jennifer Connelly, Joseph Sikora, Meagan Good, Leon, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Phylicia Rashad, Omar Epps, Courtney Kemp, Vivica A Fox, Ryan Coogler, and so many more.
She is a proud member of ForbesBLK as well as New York Women in Film and Television.
Other articles by Tammy Reese in Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine.
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