Iyanla Vanzant was born in Brooklyn New York as Ronda Eva Harris. She is an inspirational speaker, New Thought spiritual teacher, author, and television personality currently residing in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, United States.
In the year 2000, she was named one of the 100 Most Influential Black Americans by Ebony magazine which said that "Her books, lectures and television appearances have made her a multimedia high priestess of healthy relationships."
She is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.