Today we’d like to introduce you to Deliyah Ledford.
Hi Deliyah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in East Tennessee (Chattanooga Area) but was born in Alabama. I came to Memphis for college during the pandemic in 2020 and I’ve been here ever since. While here, I’ve completed my Bachelors of Science in Chemistry. I had two minors in Spanish and Biology. I has always been important to practice being a bilingual speaker and i love to learn and celebrate other cultures.
I am an eldest daughter, so I grew up with a lot of responsibility, taking care of my two younger brothers who are now young adults and taller than me (I’m 5’2). That’s why it was important for me to leave for college and have space to grow into my young adult life.
I joke that I am anti-social socialite, as I love to go out to new places and events but, I don’t feel the need to engage with strangers. As a December Sagittarius, I like who I like and I feel it’s important to vet the people I let into my life. I’m working on being more open but it’s more important to be my most authentic self and I usually connect with others who do the same. I like to connect with others in an genuine and organic way.
Currently, I juggle between finishing my Masters and working at my first official job in the lab. I working to set myself up for mental and financial freedom.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I come from a “disadvantage background”, having young parents who didn’t have the support for a college education. While I understand I didn’t have what others would consider normal at times, I’ve had so many blessings and amazing moments that it all balances out in the end.
I’ve always had to figure things out, so things that others would consider a challenge, is just the reality of my life. Taking care of a sick parent, traveling/working every summer without a car, 6 consecutive semesters of schooling, working multiple jobs at a time, finding an apt, job, car etc.
While in college, I dealt with my mother having serious health issues. She is a bariatric patient and had many complications following her surgery in 2021. She caught covid a few months after that very invasive surgery and I spent that Christmas break nursing her back to health. It was a very difficult reality to deal with at the time, knowing that I had to return to school 5 hours across the state, as her most responsible and capable child. She has had many other surgeries, even as I am finishing grad school, so that has been my biggest obstacle recently. Over the last 6 years of growing into adulthood and with my mother’s health, I found myself not able to focus on my academics as any reasonable concerned daughter and I’ve had to dealt with the consequences, for example having to take an extra semester to excel in my classes to finish my masters.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an eldest daughter who quit being in the band in high school to work for college funds I’ve held several jobs. Chick-fil-a, Little Caesars, Amazon, UPS, Fed-ex, Target, Starbucks Barista, Tennessee Tutor, Babysitter, Summer Camp Counselor. My most exciting work was as an Lead Intern Educator at the Aspen Science Center in Carbondale Colorado in 2024. Prior to my current job I worked at ALSAC/St. Jude for 8 months. At heart I enjoy educating and working with children. I worked every summer i college, even up until the day I left for my Study Abroad in Madrid Spain in 2022. I was there for a month and love it even with 6 hours time difference and an online data analytics class in the US.
I currently work as a Quality Control Chemist for an Chemical Company that produces agricultural products as I finish my Masters in Chemistry. As I finish my degree, I’m looking to gain more experience in the lab and eventually get my cosmetic chemistry license. I plan on creating my own products as I love to serve my community, women, POC, children, etc.
As shopaholic, I love going to all the stores (TJ Maxx) and finding the best skincare and supplements. So I may be looking into being a personal shopper but for body and skincare and I could using my chemistry background to personalize the service but I’m jumping ahead of myself.
I’m my dream life, I have unlimited money, travel, go to events, dinner and galas, workout and shop till I drop. AND I DON’T WORK… at least not in the traditional sense or for someone else.
How do you think about happiness?
I am a huge skincare enthusiast, anything skin, body makeup. I create videos on TikTok sharing my personal favorites or new products I’m trying out. I plan on formulating my own products in the future!
I love music. I try to be open to new music and artists but I grew up on the late 90’s and early 2000’s so I kinda like in a time loop with that. I grew up playing clarinet (8-19) and I was in the band all throughout middle and high school. I had performances, auditions, and parades all before I got serious about being a scientist. They are some of my fondest memories and I own my clarinet so I break her out to practice every once in a while.
I love going out to new places with my friends. We even have an Instagram page dedicated to trying local restaurants, bars & events, so its been fun to work on that as well. I have been trying to stay active on social media since its a great way to find new opportunities.
I am really into health and fitness. Back in 2020 I gained more than the freshman 15! Covid + scholarship money + door dash = realizing in the spring of 2021 that I needed to do a complete 180 to take control of my health. I was by no means ever skinny ( I come from a country family with thick women who like to cook and eat ) but I had to make some serious changes knowing the type of health issues that run in my family. Over the past 5 years, I’ve lost 50lbs, gained 10lbs of muscle and look way better than I did in high school. I do yoga and Pilates 4-5 a weeks, take supplements, meals prep, drink water, get my steps in, sleep. And still not skinny, because I can’t give up chocolate or any pastries with cinnamon and sugar, but so much healthier than I used to be and that’s always been my goal.
As much as I enjoy loving alone and taking care of myself, a lot of my happiness comes from being able to take care of my family. As the eldest, I just can’t help it, so my best bet is to get my life together, take care of myself and by extension my family.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liyah_lashay
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deliyah-ledford-05ab10195
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/eatingaroundmemphis
