Aja'Dae Lajoy Trent

Aja’Dae L. Trent is an educator, creator, and founder of Lajoy’s Legacy, a platform dedicated to healing, leadership, and legacy building. Her success is grounded in resilience, visionary leadership, and restorative practices, while also being deeply shaped by the relationships and mentorships that have guided her journey. Standing on the shoulders of those who came before her, Aja’Dae blends scholarship, advocacy, and cultural awareness to empower others to break cycles, embrace healing, and live boldly in their power. Through her work, she continues to build bridges between personal growth and collective liberation.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was to understand the embodied politic—the idea that who I am, how I show up, and the body I carry into spaces is not neutral. My identity, lived experiences, and presence hold political meaning whether I acknowledge it or not. As a Black woman navigating higher education, leadership, and entrepreneurship, I’ve come to realize that my body is not just physical—it is historical, cultural, and communal. This advice taught me that professionalism is not about erasing parts of myself to fit into dominant systems but about reclaiming the power of my embodied self. The way I speak, teach, organize, and even rest challenges narratives about who belongs in certain spaces. Understanding the embodied politic means recognizing that every choice—whether in voice, dress, or leadership style—is shaped by, and in turn reshapes, the larger systems of race, gender, and power. It has shifted how I approach my work. Rather than seeing my embodied difference as a limitation, I now understand it as a site of resistance, healing, and transformation. My career is not just about titles or roles—it is about carrying legacy in my body, creating space for others to belong, and leading with authenticity. This advice anchors me: the politic is already present in the body; the question is how I choose to embody it with intention.

My advice to young women stepping into this work is to lead with authenticity and resilience. This industry—whether in education, advocacy, or healing-centered leadership—will test your voice and vision, but don’t shrink to fit the mold. Instead, ground yourself in your purpose and let your values guide your decisions. Seek mentorship and build relationships—you don’t have to walk this journey alone. Stand on the wisdom of those who came before you, honor their sacrifices, and allow their guidance to sharpen your own path. At the same time, invest in sisterhood and community with those walking beside you; collaboration is power. Most importantly, prioritize your healing. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and your ability to thrive in this work comes from nurturing yourself first. Remember that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about impact, accountability, and creating space for others to rise. You belong in every room you walk into. Don’t just chase success—build legacy.

One of the biggest challenges in the coaching field right now is perception—both of who can become a coach and what coaching actually looks like. Too often, coaching is seen as a luxury reserved for those with financial privilege, when in reality it is a necessity at every stage of life. Everyone deserves access to guidance, accountability, and growth tools, not just a select few. At the same time, this challenge creates a powerful opportunity: to redefine coaching as an accessible, healing-centered practice that empowers people from all walks of life. By expanding the image of who can be a coach and who can benefit from coaching, we can move away from elitism and toward equity. The future of coaching is not just about individual success—it’s about building systems of support, mentorship, and legacy that ripple into families, communities, and generations.

The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are deeply intertwined with my purpose, my experiences, and the people who inspire me—none more profoundly than my daughter, Anna ‘Naki Legacy. She is my greatest accomplishment, my reminder of what matters most, and the living embodiment of my purpose: to live fully, love abundantly, and heal intentionally. Her presence in my life constantly draws me back to a childlike lens, encouraging me to approach the world with curiosity, wonder, and openness. At the heart of my work and life is authenticity. I strive to live and lead in alignment with my true self, honoring my values even when it requires courage. Being authentic means showing up fully for Anna, for those I serve, and for the communities I impact—creating spaces where vulnerability and truth are welcomed and celebrated. Equally important is growth. Life, like motherhood, is an evolving journey. Anna teaches me daily that growth is not always linear; it is patient, persistent, and often found in the small, tender moments. In my professional endeavors, I carry this understanding into mentorship, education, and leadership, recognizing that fostering growth in others is inseparable from cultivating my own. Finally, impact drives the work I do and the life I lead and serve. Whether through community engagement, advocacy, or the creation of spaces for healing and empowerment, I am motivated by the opportunity to leave the world better than I found it. Anna is a living reminder that impact begins at home, in love, and through intentional presence. She inspires me to nurture not only her legacy but the legacies of everyone whose lives I touch. In all of this, my purpose is clear: to embrace life fully, to love deeply, and to create healing in myself, my family, and my community. By approaching the world with the innocence, curiosity, and wonder that Anna models daily, I am reminded that our values are not abstract—they are lived, embodied, and reflected in the ways we nurture, guide, and uplift others.