Life & Work with Dr. Nia Bailey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Nia Bailey.

Dr. Bailey, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Dr. Nia Imani Bailey, DPA, M.A.Ed, RT(T). I am a 29-year-old, West Philadelphia native. I have been employed as a radiation therapist for the last 7 years!

I am the President and Founder of Agape–Finding Your Purpose, Incorporating Your Faith Non-Profit Organization. Its’ mission is to feed, clothe and fellowship with the homeless men and women of the Logan Square section of Philadelphia. Ultimately, the goal is to eradicate homelessness—everywhere.

I am also the creator, writer and director of A Letter To My Sisters: A Breast Cancer Documentary For Young Women. The documentary gives some insight into the journey of young women dealing with their breast cancer diagnosis and life itself—while also highlighting prevention measures.

The documentary features:

• One Jamaican/Asian/Puerto Rican Woman, Janique Rivera, who was diagnosed in her 20s
• One Mexican Woman, Brenda Dorantes, who was diagnosed in her 30s; the conversation is in Spanish with English subtitles
• One Caucasian Woman, Lynne Mitchell, who was diagnosed in her 40s

I also completed my doctoral degree at West Chester University in December 2020 where I studied Public Administration. My primary focus was and still is Breast Cancer. The title of my dissertation is Federal Health Reform: Breast Cancer Outcomes. My dissertation describes how young women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and also young women unfortunately are dying from breast cancer.

My qualitative dissertation seeks to prove the significance of lowering the mammography age from 40 years old to 30 years old. The purpose of this study was to examine policy frameworks of screening mammographies and insurance coverage.

I am also the author of a children’s book/coloring book entitled, Love Thy Neighbor. Love Thy Neighbor highlights a little girl’s mission to feed, clothe and fellowship with homeless people.

Love Thy Neighbor is also available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2HND8NN?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&fbclid=IwAR1sZpK_5MBDUz10w1Zj2Fx1K9go2R_fl_BINKxaiVR9E0g9Dui0qYqwHwQ&fs=e&s=cl

Ultimately, I just want to help people. I believe that is my purpose in life, and why God put me on this earth. To show the love He has for me and has given to me—therefore, I need to show and give to others. By doing that, others don’t see me, but see Him. Simple as that.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has certainly not been a smooth road.

One of the hardest obstacles that I faced was losing my Nana, Smiley, to Multiple Myeloma. She was the rock of the family, and when she passed, a part of me passed too.

Additionally, my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Which propelled me to my profession as a Radiation Therapist. Praises to God that he is alive and doing well.

As a radiation therapist, I’ve experienced the loss of patients that turned into family and friends. Two of them that I always hold dear to my heart are Lukas Kusters “The Dutch Destroyer” and Jaclynn Smith.

Lukas was 10 years old when he passed from Rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer), and Jaclynn was 32 years old when she passed from Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Throughout those losses, it has pushed me to further my efforts of trying to make the world a better place, through education and prayerfully eradicating cancer in all its forms.

How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in good or bad luck. I believe in blessings and bad days. Blessings in my life have propelled me to complete my doctorate program and also to be able to simply live another day.

I’m blessed to see my mother, Narda Fields, create her own meal prep business, More Than Kale Meal Prep and Catering (Instagram: @more.thankale).

I’m blessed to see my brother become an entrepreneur and create his own Junk Removal Business (Instagram: @jhill215).

I’m blessed to have a father, Curry J. Bailey III, who is THE BEST FATHER IN THE WORLD—who has taught me about my history and culture.

I’m blessed to have a sister-in-love, Dr. Mercedes, who’s not only in the medical field but has her own entrepreneurial business (Instagram: @4hillsphoto).

I am blessed because I have a friend Imani Nia Robinson who wrote and created her own TV Show, 3BlindMice (Instagram: @3blindmice_television).

I am eternally blessed because I have family who are entrepreneurs, like my cousin B. Young (Instagram: @markedbyb), and like my Uncle Alvin who has created murals all over Philadelphia!

I’m blessed because I get my drive from my friend/sister Jordan Chamberlain.

I blessed because I’m loved by my hardworking Shero Andrea Young, and get advice from Dr. Jacqueline Bailey-Davis, and strength from Live Like Lukas Inc (Website: livelikelukas.org), and I was able to Make Up My Mind thanks to MUMM, Inc (Website: www.madeupmymind.com).

I’m blessed because I know the two best realtors in the world, that happen to be family: Earnest Key (Instagram: @PhillysKeyTeam and Charlita Latham (Website: https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/pa/blue-bell/agent/charlita-latham-martin/aid_197392/)

Moral of the story is I AM BLESSED!

Life is not always perfect, but even on the bad days, I know it could always be worse. I can’t complain, I’m blessed thanks to my savior, Jesus Christ!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Thy-Neighbor-Following-Fellowship/
• Instagram: @drniimani
• Facebook: Nia Imani

Image Credits
Rian Watkins J. Taylor
MUMM, LLC
WDEL
Nahjee Grant
Beyondgrfxmedia