Dr JoAnn Ajayi-Scott

Dr. JoAnn Ajayi-Scott (born August 9, 1961) is an African-American philanthropist, global empowerment speaker, and non-profit entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Essence of a Lady, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit sustainable organization supporting women and youth through education, mentorship, and empowerment.
Dr. Scott is a retired special educator and interventionist. She is also a nationally acclaimed non-profit consultant and a certified national differentiated instruction trainer and coach, training teachers, administrators, and consultants on motivating and empowering children for success by teaching them how to meet them where they are in their learning journey.
Her contributions have been recognized with various awards, including Outstanding Young Educator, Outstanding Girl Scout Leader, Outstanding Volunteer, Who's Who Among Business and Professionals, Girl on Power "Philanthropist of the Year," NWOA's "Pillar of Strength" Community Award, NAPW's "VIP Woman of the Year," IWLA's International Woman of Leadership, and President Obama's Volunteer Service Award. She has also been featured in several publications and graced the covers of several magazine issues.
==Early life and education==
Dr. Scott was born and raised in Ocilla, Georgia, as one of the twin daughters of Julia B. Davis and Ronald Maddox. Her early academic achievements were notable, including tutoring a 2nd grader to read while in 5th grade and being recognized for performing 3rd-grade math while in 1st grade. She piloted a magnet curriculum in high school and was selected to attend Florida State University without taking the SAT or ACT.
Since a young age, Dr. Scott has been committed to inspiring women to achieve their aspirations. During high school, she played a key role in founding the first black girls' club, the Ebonettes. During college, she established the first dormitory girl's group, DeGraff's Dolls.
In 1983, Dr. Scott graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2004, she pursued a master's in curriculum and instruction in literacy at Lesley University, which she completed in 2006. Dr. Scott also was ABD in educational leadership from Walden University and a Ph.D. in organizational leadership from Juliana King University.
==Career==
In 2014, after completing her master's in curriculum and instruction, Dr. Scott became a certified national differentiated instruction trainer and coach, training teachers, administrators, and consultants on how to motivate and empower children to be successful in school and life.
She started her career as a speaker and workshop presenter in Atlanta, Georgia, and as a literacy and reading coach in St. Augustine, Florida. In her capacity, Dr. Scott trained teachers on effective methods for teaching students to read and implementing differentiated instruction strategies in the classroom.
Dr. Scott also served as a speaker at the Florida Association of Media Education, guiding media specialists on integrating differentiation into their library lessons. Additionally, she contributed to educational innovation by creating curriculum resources tailored for reading, specifically designed for teachers at a middle school in St. Johns County.
===Essence of a Lady===
In May 1989, Dr. Scott founded Essence of a Lady as a social club comprising over 23 women. The club evolved into a sustainable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2003. The organization aims to educate, mentor and empower women and you to achieve their goals and live a prosperous life.
As the CEO and founder, Dr. Scott leads a team of women to provide youth, particularly girls, with tools, resources, and financial support for career development, leadership, and social skills. She recruits women and entrepreneurs to become philanthropists, contributing to the organization's mission of educating, mentoring, and empowering girls. In 2004, Dr. Scott introduced two signature programs, Essence Ladies (E'Ladies) Network and Young Essence Ladies...Learning (YELL!) Mentoring to empower women and support girls.
Dr. Scott travels nationally and internationally, advocating for women's engagement in educational and mentoring programs. In 2013, she founded eLadies.biz, a digital platform providing women with business resources, networking opportunities, and an online marketplace for connecting with other women entrepreneurs. Dr. Scott is also the creator and co-chair of the annual Females Are Fabulous conference, bringing together hundreds of women and girls for an empowering experience. 
Over the past 35 years, Essence of a Lady has facilitated the development of businesses and self-esteem in girls through mentoring sessions, workshops, webinars, events, and scholarships. The organization has partnered with schools and organizations like Big Brother Big Sister and MENTOR to foster mental, emotional, physical, and social development. Collaborating with over 400 local, state, and national professional and entrepreneurial women, Dr. Scott has educated, mentored, and empowered over 1,000 youth, especially girls, across three states and six school districts.
Dr. Scott holds affiliations with various organizations, including Girl Scouts, the National Women of Achievement, the Public Speakers Association, the National Council of American Executives, the National Association of Professional Women, the International Society of Female Professionals, and the International Women’s Leadership Association.
==Awards and recognitions==
* Dr. Scott was credited with the ALCAM Entrepreneur Award in November 2023.
* Dr Scott was credited with Forbes “Next 1000” in 2022
* She received the Congressional Proclamation in June 2019.
* She received the Outstanding Young Educator Award.
* She has been credited as the Girl Scout leader and volunteer awards. 
* Dr. Scott received the Who's Who Among Business and Professionals Award.
* She has received the Girl on Fire "Philanthropist of the Year."
* She was credited with the NAPW's "VIP Woman of the Year" Award.
* Dr. Scott was honored with the IWLA's International Woman of Leadership Award.
* She received President Obama's Volunteer Service Award.
* She was acknowledged as the 2015 Hats and High Heels Community Honoree by Sparkles of Life.
* She was recognized as one of the "Top Ranked U.S. Executives" by the National Council of American Executives in 2014.
* Dr. Scott earned the 2013 Philanthropy Award and was invited to join the International Board of Directors by the Girl on Fire Awards.
* She was honored with the 2012 "Fabulous Female" Award by E'Ladies Network.
* She received the 2012 Profile of Prominence "Pillar of Strength" Award from the Humble Houston Chapter of the National Women of Achievement.
* Dr. Scott was listed among the Top 50 Business Stars by @TheBOSSNetwork in 2016.
==References==
==External links==
* Essence Ladies
* Official website
* Fabulous Female blogspot
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Category:1961 births
Category:American philanthropists
Category:Motivational speakers
Category:Entrepreneurs
Category:African-American people
Category:Walden University