Wakita Barksdale grew up in Bennettsville, SC with her parents, three sisters, and a brother. She graduated from Marlboro County High School in 1997 and went on to pursue an education at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. She graduated in 2001 with both a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and in Communication Disorders. She graduated from Ashford University with a Master’s in Public Administration in 2010.  She received a Master’s in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in May 2015 and currently offers emotional wellness support and coaching through her virtual private practice. Wakita has over 20 years of working in Human Services. Wakita has enjoyed growing in life with her husband of 20 years, Pastor Derrick Barksdale. They are proud parents. 

Wakita is the founder of Assertive Living Women’s Empowerment Network. This ministry provides an opportunity for her to assist women as they take control of everything that she has been gifted with and gone through to fulfill the purpose that God created them to accomplish.