Sirlenda Maxwell, the visionary behind SO GROUNDED™, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. With 15 years of experience as a certified educator in the public school system, she stumbled upon the profound African Proverb, "True Teaching Is Not Accumulation of Knowledge, It Is An Awakening of Consciousness." Sirlenda acknowledges the challenges we face today such as achievement gaps, the rise in mental illness, and the lack of resources in public schools. Therefore, maintaining ties to traditional African culture and traditions is crucial. SO GROUNDED™ recognizes the value of participating in social and educational activities with an African focus to develop a strong sense of cultural identity. We are proud to collaborate with organizations and initiatives that prioritize the education of children by empowering them. Especially in secondary education. In her efforts and compassionate approach, SO GROUNDED™s fundamental belief is immersing ourselves in African-centered education while helping our students cultivate a genuine and authentic passion for their heritage is the key to fostering generational prosperity. Self-knowledge is the secret to this, and we encourage learning opportunities and facilitate community through dialogue that centers on who we are and how we present ourselves to the world unapologetically.