Jackie 'Dr. Diva' Walker
Dr. Jackie Walker is a glamorous, young, educated woman with an
infectious smile. She has written a children’s book chronicling the life a cat,
Prada Rose, who dreams of being adopted into a loving family. In addition to
being an author, Jackie has obtained a doctoral degree all by the age of
32. Take a few minutes to get to know Jackie ‘Dr. Diva’ Walker.
What is Glamour
Prestige?
Glamour Prestige is a mobile educational consulting business
that provides workshops that enhance education with elegance. However, two
non-profit foundations also fall under the company. “Mind over Matter”
(Independent Foundation for the Alzheimer's Foundation) where the motto is
"Because your Mind does Matter". This foundation and rehabilitative
services are dedicated to the late Annie Lee Rogers (mother of publicist) and
Erma Lee Hoggard (grandmother of CEO) who both died of Alzheimer's disease.
This foundation will actively execute research, provide services such as
companionship, stimulate the brain and fundraise for the disease. The second
foundation is the “MAN Foundation” (Men Alleviating Negativity) where the motto
is "All Citizens deserve a Second Chance". This foundation and
rehabilitative services are dedicated to African-American convicted felons that
want another chance at life to stop recidivism. This foundation will provide
services such as resume writing, classes on professional etiquette and training
on how to become readjusted to society after incarceration. Glamour Prestige
also includes motivational speaking and an advice column. We have also collaborated
with another company, “My Destiny Empowers” to host vision board parties.
Why the name,
"Glamour Prestige"?
My publicist, Leatha Ballard (who is also my cousin) and I
were discussing names in reference to the business that I was trying to build.
She instantly said Glamour Prestige and I loved it immediately because I feel
like that many girls are starting to “shy” away from educational careers
because they do not think that it is glamorous. Subsequently, I want girls to
know that you can be glamorous in a career that will also make you
prestigious.
Why is education so
important to you?
Education is important to me because I come from a long
lineage of educators. However, when I think of my education, then I think of
one of the most inspirational people in my life. A quote comes to mind when I
think of this person and it is by the famous philosopher, 2 Chainz. In one of
his songs, he says they ask me what I do and who I do it for. I can
whole-heartedly say what I do is improve myself and I do it for my grandmother,
Erma Harris-Hoggard. If she was living today, then she would have been 97 years
old and she had a college education. She was in the first class in 1935 at
Norfolk State College, which is now known as Norfolk State University. See,
back in those days, it was rare that African-Americans had college educations,
so if my grandmother could achieve education in the 1930s at the undergraduate
level, then there was no excuse for me not to achieve education at the graduate
level 79 years later. I thank her for handing me the torch of persistence and
determination and I will continue to light the torch and pass it on to my
future daughter or son.
Explain the 3Es of
your vision.
Our Vision for our Educational Services will be accomplished
through the 3Es:
Enhancing: Glamour Prestige wants to enhance what your
educational arena is already executing by intensifying it or elevating it to
another tier.
Education: Glamour Prestige wants to not only improve your
educational tools, but also give you a "toolbox" that can not only
improve your institution of academia, but become the blueprint for other
educational arenas as well.
Elegance: Glamour Prestige wants to enhance your educational
experiences with a gracefulness and sophistication that will not only leave
your educators and students speechless, but eager to learn more.
Tell me about the
book you wrote, "The Adventures of Prada Rose: Prada's New Home".
The Adventures of Prada Rose is about a black cat that lives
in the S.P.C.A. She dreams of going to a family that will love and care for
her. On the 8th week that she is in the S.P.C.A., the director tells all of the
animals to do something cute to try to be adopted. Prada Rose does every trick
that she can think of, but no one notices her. The book takes the reader on a
journey with Prada Rose to see if she will ever get adopted. This book is loosely based off real events and characters because
I adopted Prada from the S.P.C.A. in 2006 and decided to release the book on
Kindle in 2014.
Tell me about the upcoming
bibliotherapy children’s book, set for release in January of 2015.
The bibliotherapy children’s book set for release in January
2015 is “The Adventures of Prada Rose” in a paperback format. This book serves
a dual purpose because it is for entertainment and therapy purposes.
Bibliotherapy or a social story is therapy for people to address their problems
through books. The story of Prada addresses this because it talks about
adoption, foster homes and foster parents in kid-friendly language.
What are some of the
future goals for your educational services?
Future goals for my educational services are to become the “Beyoncé
of Education”. The reason why I use this analogy is because she exudes
glamour/prestige in the entertainment business and that is how I want to be in
the educational arena. In addition, I want to start a DIVA Academy that will be
a non-public or private school for girls with special needs. This academy will
be held to the same standard as the public school system with the exact same
academic curriculum, but students will be required to participate in character
education and therapy sessions. I also plan to market the Prada Rose series as an
instructional tool that will eventually turn into a cartoon, movie and a
billion dollar brand.
What inspired you to
obtain a doctoral degree?
As I stated in another question, I was inspired to obtain a
doctoral degree because of my grandmother’s quest for knowledge when it was
taboo. However, Zig Zigler stated, “You never know when a moment and a few
sincere words can have an impact on a life.” These words that Zig Zigler spoke
throughout his life are still very prevalent on today because I feel that my
whole life is how I impact people. I live my life with the intentions that
people are watching my every move and I need to make a good impression. That is
another reason why I received my doctorate degree at 32 years old because I
want my life to “rub off” on my family, friends and strangers. I want them to
know that if I can achieve it, then you can achieve what I have and much more
if you have drive and determination.
As an author of
children's literature, what advice would you give parents concerning the
reading habits of their children?
My advice to parents is to make children read by any means
necessary. There was an old saying that said, "The best way to hide
something from Black people is to put it in a book." This quote always
speaks to me and I want to make sure that all children especially
African-American children help to dispel this myth. During this time of technology, we have the
opportunity to allow children to read books online, download an app or even
listen to a podcast and all of these concepts help with reading. I also urge
parents to work fervently with the school and ensure that their child is
learning how to read because in the 3rd grade, then it switches to
reading to learn. If the child is having
difficulty with reading skills like decoding or phonemic awareness, then
parents need to ask the school to test their child for a reading deficit.
What do you want
Faith and Stars readers to know about Jackie Walker?
I
want Faith and Stars readers to know that you need a support system of family
and friends to help you make it in life. I needed my village to help me on this
journey and I want to thank my parents, Jack & Phyllis Walker, the love of
my life, Antoine Jones and my 6 non-biological sisters (Leatha Ballard, Aisha
Wells, Velvet Smith, DeboRon Elliott, Yolanda Thomas and Ebony Hudson). I also
want the readers to know that I live my
life through scriptures and quotes because words speak to me to help me make
it. I have to say that so many bible verses come to mind when I think of my
life and all that has happened in a short period of time. My favorite
scriptures from whence I live my life are as follows:
Life and death lie in the power of the
tongue
Your gifts will make room for you
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for
you
I know the
plans I have for you says The Lord.
God is a
miracle worker and if you keep the faith and believe in his grace and mercy,
then he will give you he desires of your heart. In closing, I want to say a
quote by Elijah Mays which states, "Whatever you do, strive to do it so
well that no man living and no man dead and no man yet to be born could do it
any better."
There is something fascinating about a person who is
humbly, dedicated to helping others achieve success. Education is such a powerful
device that can be used to accomplish so much. Jackie has made it her life’s
mission to equip people with the tools needed to succeed. It is evident that she
believes in God's purpose for her life, and has surrounded herself with people
that stand behind her and support her dreams. Believing in oneself and
consciously being surrounded by other inspiring people is basic in concept, but
sometimes notoriously difficult to master-Jackie ‘Dr. Diva’ Walker has done
just that.
Contact info:
Glamour Prestige
Check out Dr. Jackie Walker's e-book!
