Today we’d like to introduce you to Zakevia Lewis-Kendrick.
Hi Zakevia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Dr. Zakevia Lewis-Kendrick’s life journey is a powerful testimony of resilience, faith, purpose, and unwavering commitment to service. Born with a heart for people and a calling to uplift others, her story reflects a life shaped by transformation, perseverance, and divine alignment.
Raised in Miami, Florida, Dr. Lewis-Kendrick was exposed early to the richness of culture, community, and ambition. Those formative years planted the seeds of adaptability and strength that would later define her path. Seeking broader horizons and opportunity, she relocated to New York, where she pursued a career in aviation and became a flight attendant with American Airlines. That role not only allowed her to see the world, but also sharpened her ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
Her life and the nation’s was forever altered by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The devastation of 9/11 marked a profound turning point, stirring within her a deeper calling toward healing, service, and purpose-driven work. What followed was not a retreat, but a redirection—one that would ultimately lead her into the fields of counseling, education, and community leadership.
In 2009, Dr. Lewis-Kendrick partnered with her close friend, Raphael Ekong, to support and grow a private practice Divine Intervention Professional Counseling Services. Through dedication, vision, and leadership, she played a pivotal role in expanding the organization. In 2012, she officially became the sole owner, transforming the practice into a cornerstone of mental health support and empowerment within the community. Under her leadership, Divine Intervention became more than a counseling service it became a place of restoration, hope, and transformation.
An entrepreneur, philanthropist, motivational speaker, teacher, counselor, author, trainer, and thought leader, Dr. Zakevia Lewis-Kendrick’s accomplishments mirror the depth of her compassion. She has dedicated her life to improving the lives of others through education, insight, advocacy, and transformative change.
Dr. Lewis-Kendrick earned her Doctorate in Pastoral Community Counseling/Counseling Psychology from Argosy University. She also holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Limestone College. Her professional credentials include Human Services Board-Certified Practitioner (SC), Certified Life Coach, Licensed Clinical Social Worker–Associate, and Certified Adoption Investigator.
With over 17 years of experience as an educator, counselor, and clinical therapist, Dr. Lewis-Kendrick is deeply passionate about empowering individuals, families, and communities to live spiritually, mentally, and physically healthy lives. As a family therapist, she skillfully integrates education and mental health to help families navigate challenges, heal relationships, and foster positive home and school environments. She also provides individual counseling to adults facing life transitions, mood disorders, grief, and spiritual struggles meeting clients where they are and walking with them toward wholeness.
Dr. Lewis-Kendrick is the founder and owner of Divine Intervention Professional Counseling Services, where her mission is to inspire individuals to become their Best Self. In honor of her late son, she established the Jeremiah Henry Kendrick Memorial Foundation, a living legacy of love and service. Through initiatives such as “Jeremiah’s Journey,” an Adopt-A-Highway program in Goose Creek, and scholarship support for individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease pursuing higher education, she continues to pour hope into her community.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Lewis-Kendrick is the proud and devoted mother of her son, Zion Kendrick. She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Association of Social Workers, and the National Organization for Human Services. Adding “author” to her list of accomplishments, she co-authored W.O.M.B. (Women Overcoming Men Blues): Sisters Chronicles, Volume II, amplifying the voices and healing journeys of women.
Dr. Zakevia Lewis-Kendrick’s life is a testament to turning pain into purpose, loss into legacy, and calling into action. Through every chapter, she continues to lead, serve, and inspire proving that healing is possible, purpose is powerful, and impact is eternal.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Owning a business is often celebrated as freedom, success, and independence but the truth is far more complex. Behind the titles, the visibility, and the impact lies a journey marked by sacrifice, uncertainty, and resilience that few truly understand.
For me, entrepreneurship was not just a career choice it was a calling. Yet answering that call came with heavy responsibility. Business ownership meant carrying the weight of decisions that affected not only my livelihood, but the lives of employees, clients, and the community I served. There were moments when the pressure felt relentless when I had to lead with confidence while quietly navigating fear, exhaustion, and doubt.
One of the greatest struggles was learning to balance vision with survival. There were seasons of growth and recognition, but also seasons of financial strain times when resources were limited, systems were still developing, and every decision carried risk. Payroll, overhead, compliance, staffing, and sustainability were constant concerns. The work did not stop at the end of the day; it followed me home, into sleepless nights, and into prayers whispered for strength and clarity.
Another challenge was loneliness in leadership. When you are the owner, there is rarely space to be vulnerable. You are expected to have the answers, to stay strong, and to keep moving forward even when you feel uncertain yourself. The higher the responsibility, the smaller the circle becomes. I learned quickly that leadership can be isolating, especially when you are building something rooted in purpose, ethics, and service rather than profit alone.
Owning a business also required confronting personal growth head-on. Every weakness was exposed boundaries, confidence, delegation, and self-care. I had to learn when to push forward and when to pause, when to trust others and when to trust myself. I learned that burnout does not mean failure, and that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but wisdom.
Perhaps the most difficult struggle was staying aligned with my values and mission during challenging seasons. When obstacles arose whether financial setbacks, leadership changes, or emotional fatigue I had to continually remind myself why I started. Purpose became my anchor. Faith became my foundation. Service became my motivation.
Despite the struggles, entrepreneurship refined me. It strengthened my leadership, deepened my compassion, and sharpened my resilience. Every obstacle taught me something valuable not just about business, but about myself. I learned that success is not measured solely by profit or recognition, but by impact, integrity, and perseverance.
Owning a business is hard. It requires courage, discipline, and faith. But it is also transformative. Through the struggles, I discovered my voice, my strength, and my capacity to lead with authenticity. And through it all, I remain committed to building something that heals, empowers, and leaves a lasting legacy.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Divine Intervention Professional Counseling Services is a purpose-driven mental health and human services practice founded to provide holistic, compassionate, and culturally responsive care to individuals, families, and communities.
At its core, my business exists to help people heal, grow, and become their best selves—mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and practically. The work goes beyond traditional counseling. It is rooted in the belief that healing requires understanding the whole person, including their lived experiences, environment, faith, and personal goals.
The practice offers a range of professional services, including:
Individual counseling for adults navigating life transitions, grief, trauma, mood disorders, and spiritual challenges
Family and relationship therapy focused on communication, conflict resolution, parenting, and strengthening family systems
Clinical and educational support that bridges mental health and learning environments
Life coaching and personal development services that empower clients to move from survival to purpose
Community-based education and training, workshops, and facilitation focused on emotional wellness, leadership, and resilience
What distinguishes my business is its mission-centered approach. Divine Intervention was built not solely as a service provider, but as a space of restoration and transformation. The work is grounded in ethics, faith, professional excellence, and advocacy
especially for individuals and families who have historically been under served or overlooked.
As the founder and owner, I lead the practice with more than 17 years of experience in social work, counseling, education, and clinical therapy. My role extends beyond administration I actively engage in service delivery, program development, mentorship, and community collaboration. The business also serves as a platform for broader impact through partnerships, prevention initiatives, and outreach programs.
In addition to direct services, Divine Intervention supports community healing and legacy work, including scholarships, memorial initiatives, and programs that address long-term wellness and social responsibility. The goal is not only to respond to crises, but to help prevent them by building emotionally healthy individuals and strong support systems.
Ultimately, my business represents the intersection of professional expertise, lived experience, faith, and service. It is a calling turned into a practice designed to restore hope, empower change, and create lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.
What matters most to you?
Working in the mental health and human services field is not just a profession for me it is deeply personal. My love for family is the foundation of why I do this work and how I show up every day.
Family is where identity is shaped, values are learned, wounds are formed, and healing can begin. I have seen both professionally and personally how unresolved trauma, grief, poor communication, and lack of emotional support can ripple through generations. I have also witnessed the power of healthy families: when individuals are supported, children thrive, relationships strengthen, and communities become safer and more resilient.
My work in counseling and education allows me to stand in the gap for families who are struggling but still hopeful. Whether I am supporting a parent overwhelmed by life transitions, a couple working to rebuild trust, or an individual navigating grief or emotional pain, I approach each situation with the understanding that no one exists in isolation. What affects one person ultimately affects the entire family system.
The loss I have experienced in my own life deepened my compassion and sharpened my purpose. It taught me that healing is not optional it is necessary. It also reminded me that families need safe spaces where they can be seen, heard, and supported without judgment. That belief is what fuels my commitment through Divine Intervention Professional Counseling Services to help families not just survive difficult seasons, but grow through them.
My love for family also shapes how I practice. I believe in teaching skills that last beyond the counseling room: communication, emotional regulation, accountability, boundaries, and grace. I believe in empowering parents, strengthening marriages, and helping individuals understand their role within their family and community. Healing one person often creates a ripple effect that touches many lives.
Ultimately, this work is an extension of who I am. I do this because I believe strong families build strong communities. I do this because I know pain does not have to define a family’s future. And I do this because love when paired with knowledge, compassion, and action has the power to restore what has been broken.
This field allows me to combine my professional expertise with my deepest values. It allows me to serve with empathy, lead with purpose, and honor the legacy I am building no t just in my work, but within my own family and the families I am called to serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.divineinterventioncounseling.com
- Instagram: @charlestonzgirl
- LinkedIn: Zakevia Lewis-Kendrick
