We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nikiya Jeffries. Check out our conversation below.
Nikiya, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: When have you felt most loved—and did you believe you deserved it?
I have felt most profoundly loved during quiet, intimate moments that often carry the greatest weight. These are the instances when my child reaches for me without hesitation, offering a kind of trust and warmth that words cannot fully capture. It is in the calm presence of my husband, who notices my exhaustion before I even acknowledge it myself, and responds with tenderness, patience, and a genuine desire to lighten my load. These expressions of love are not always loud or extravagant, but they are deeply intentional, quietly affirming my value in ways that linger long after the moment has passed.
Still, there have been times when I questioned whether I truly deserved such love. As a mother and a wife, I have often internalized the belief that love must be earned through selflessness, through constantly meeting the needs of others, and through striving to appear unshakable. I equated being worthy of love with being endlessly capable, which left little room for vulnerability or rest. Over time, I have come to understand something much deeper. Love, when it is genuine, is not contingent on perfection. It does not ask for proof or performance. It offers presence, grace, and an unwavering recognition of one’s humanity.
Now I am learning to embrace love as something I am inherently worthy of, not because of what I do, but because of who I am. I have begun to allow myself to receive love without apology and to offer it in return from a place of abundance rather than depletion. This understanding has not only transformed the way I see myself, but also the way I connect with those closest to me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nikiya Jeffries, also known as NikiMarie. I am a wife, a mother, and someone who is deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of others through education, media, and advocacy. I currently serve as the Assistant Director of Financial Aid, where I help students and families navigate the often overwhelming process of paying for college. I believe that access to education should be guided with patience, empathy, and a clear understanding of each individual’s journey.
In addition to my work in higher education, I am a co-host on The Recess Bell On Air and a radio personality on The Nassau Mix for 90.3 WHPC. These platforms allow me to speak to a broad audience and bring attention to both everyday stories and larger cultural conversations. Whether I am covering trending topics, sharing personal insights, or offering motivational content, I use my voice to connect with others and encourage dialogue that matters.
I am also the founder and owner of NikiMarie Productions, LLC. My business focuses on podcasting, photography, and creative content that is rooted in storytelling and representation. I created this brand to offer a space for real voices, real stories, and real connection. Through my work, I strive to uplift communities, inspire self-expression, and promote healing through honest communication.
Mental health advocacy is a key part of who I am. I am passionate about creating space for vulnerability and fostering understanding for those who live with mental health challenges. This work is personal, and I view it as both a responsibility and a privilege. I am currently studying Sociology at Nassau Community College, where I am deepening my understanding of society, behavior, and the structures that shape our world. My academic journey fuels my work in every area, allowing me to approach people and systems with greater insight and compassion.
Everything I do is grounded in purpose. Whether I am advising a student, speaking on air, running my business, or studying for class, my goal is always the same: to empower others, share meaningful stories, and be a positive, authentic voice in every space I enter.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mother saw me clearly long before I had the language or confidence to see myself. She recognized strength in me when all I could feel was uncertainty. She saw leadership when I was just trying to find my place. Even when I doubted my voice or questioned my path, she reminded me, sometimes with words and sometimes just with her presence, that I was made for more.
She always had a quiet way of pushing me forward while still allowing me to stand on my own. Her belief in me was constant, even when I could not see my own potential. Looking back, I realize that her vision of me shaped the woman I am becoming. Her ability to see beyond my fear helped me step into every space I now occupy with purpose, confidence, and grace.
I carry her faith in me everywhere I go. It is woven into how I lead, how I parent, how I speak, and how I pour into others. She saw me, and because of that, I am learning to see myself more clearly every day.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power the moment I decided to be honest about my mental health on my podcast. For a long time I carried the weight of postpartum depression and social anxiety in silence, feeling isolated and unsure if anyone else could understand what I was going through. But launching my podcast gave me a platform to speak my truth and break the stigma around mental health.
Opening up about my struggles was terrifying at first. It made me vulnerable in a way I had never been before. Yet it was in that vulnerability that I found strength. Sharing my story helped me reclaim my narrative and connect with others who felt unseen or unheard. It transformed my pain from something to hide into a source of empowerment not only for myself but for the community I serve.
Since then I have embraced the power that comes from honesty and authenticity. My mental health journey has become a driving force behind my advocacy work, my creative projects, and the way I support others. What once felt like a burden is now a beacon of hope and resilience.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire people for their character rather than their power, and two women who come to mind immediately are my mother and Michelle Obama. My mother embodies strength through her kindness, patience, and unwavering support. She has taught me the true meaning of resilience by quietly facing challenges with grace and always putting others before herself without expecting anything in return. Her character is a daily inspiration to me, showing that real power comes from compassion and integrity.
Michelle Obama is another person I deeply admire for her character. Despite her immense influence and visibility, she remains grounded, humble, and committed to uplifting others. Her dedication to education, health, and empowering young people demonstrates a leadership style rooted in empathy and authenticity. She uses her platform not to exert power, but to inspire and create positive change.
Both women remind me that true leadership is about serving others with heart and staying true to your values, no matter the circumstances.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I am gone, I hope people remember me as a woman who loved with a depth that cannot be measured and lived with an authenticity that refuses to be compromised. As a mother, my greatest hope is that my legacy is one of unconditional love, unwavering strength, and relentless support. I want my children to know that I was their fiercest champion, someone who believed in them even when they struggled to believe in themselves. I want them to carry forward the lessons I taught them to stand tall in their truth, to speak with conviction, and to embrace every part of themselves, the light and the shadows, without shame or apology. The love I gave was not always easy but it was always real. That love is the foundation upon which I built my life and I pray it remains a guiding light for those I leave behind.
Beyond my role as a mother, I want to be remembered as a woman who faced her fears head on and refused to be silenced by pain or doubt. My journey with mental health, including the battles with postpartum depression and social anxiety, was not something I hid away. Instead, I chose to use that pain as a source of power, transforming my vulnerabilities into strength and connection. I want people to know that I was not perfect but I was brave, brave enough to speak openly about my struggles, to break down walls of stigma, and to create spaces where others could feel safe to be their authentic selves. I want my story to inspire courage, courage to be vulnerable, courage to seek help, and courage to stand firm in one’s worth.
I also hope to be remembered as a woman who dedicated her life to uplifting others, whether through my work in financial aid, my voice on the radio, or the creative endeavors of my business. Each role I have taken on has been driven by a deep desire to make a difference, to educate, to heal, and to connect. I want my legacy to be one of impact, of changing lives, shifting perspectives, and building communities rooted in empathy and understanding.
Ultimately, I hope the story told about me is one of resilience, love, and purpose. A woman who refused to let circumstances define her, who embraced her full humanity, and who lived intentionally every day. I want to be remembered as someone who left the world a little kinder, a little braver, and a little more compassionate because I was in it. That is the legacy I strive to build with every choice I make and every word I speak. It is the gift I hope to leave for my children, my family, and for all those whose lives I have touched.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.therecessbell.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikimarie_radio
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikimarie1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NikiMarieRadio
Image Credits
Images by: NikiMarie Jeffries
