Authentic Self Inc. is a mental health and public education platform focused on emotional intelligence, cultural literacy, psychological wellness, and accessible educational media. Founded in 2014, the organization was created to help individuals, communities, educators, and organizations develop greater emotional awareness, healthier communication, stronger relationships, and more inclusive environments.
The organization was built from years of professional experience across counseling, higher education, diversity training, community engagement, and public education. Authentic Self Inc. combines psychology, education, public speaking, writing, podcasting, workshops, and digital content creation in order to make mental health and cultural education more accessible and practical for broader audiences.
Dr. Africa L. Rainey, founder of Authentic Self Inc., is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, professor, public educator, and content creator with over twenty years of experience in clinical practice, higher education, and community service. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Counseling Psychology and Supervision, with doctoral research focused on LGBTQ populations and perceptions of conversion therapy.
Throughout her career, Dr. Rainey has worked with diverse populations including LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, women, gender minorities, racial minorities, people experiencing homelessness, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and people navigating trauma, identity, and emotional distress. Her professional experience includes clinical counseling, university teaching, diversity and cultural literacy training, educational workshops, and community advocacy.
Authentic Self Inc. has remained committed to community engagement and public education. Dr. Rainey helped co-found a Diversity Committee in McHenry County, led diversity and cultural literacy workshops within the community, and served for three years on the diversity committee within her son’s school district. She is also a West African drummer who has participated in free community workshops and performances designed to increase cultural awareness and appreciation of African traditions and music.
The organization creates educational resources through workshops, presentations, podcasts, books, online learning, and digital media platforms including YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Dr. Rainey previously hosted the Real Talk podcast, which focused on diversity, emotional wellness, and mental health education. She has also created educational video content focused on emotional intelligence, psychological wellness, neurodivergent nervous systems, masking, burnout, emotional regulation, and cultural understanding.
Authentic Self Inc. is currently expanding its educational and digital media infrastructure in order to reach broader audiences through scalable learning opportunities. Current growth initiatives include online course development, expanded educational media production, public speaking and training opportunities, and the upcoming book, Deconstructing the Supreme Disease. The book explores emotional intelligence, psychological wellness, systems of oppression, disconnection, shame, identity, and cultural understanding through a psychologically informed and community centered lens.
The long term vision of Authentic Self Inc. is to create accessible, research informed, and culturally responsive educational programming that helps individuals and communities better understand themselves and one another. Through education, emotional awareness, cultural literacy, and psychological wellness, the organization seeks to support healthier individuals, stronger relationships, and more compassionate communities.
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