Dr. Phenessa A. Gray is known as The Emotional Intelligence Doctor. Her life's purpose is to empower others to FEEL better, THINK better, and LIVE better. She has over 25+ years experience working in the library information services industry with corporate, government, secondary education, higher education, and non-profit sectors. Her holistic approach fosters engaging authentic conversations and promotes safe, equitable spaces to address the “pink elephants” within ourselves and in the room to cultivate psychological safety, build community, and encourage a sense of authenticity, being, and belonging.

Her educational background includes earning a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in English from Florida State University; Master of Science in Library Services (MSLS) from Clark Atlanta University; Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology (MS/IOP) from University of Phoenix; and, Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management (PhD) from Capella University. She holds multiple certifications including but not limited to Biblical Counseling Certification from the American Association of Christian Counselors; High Fidelity Wraparound; Social + Emotional Intelligence Certified Coach; Thinking for a Change (T4C) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention Certification from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office; Mental Health First Aid (Adult and Youth); Inclusive Leadership; and, Dale Carnegie Leadership Excellence.

Dr. Phenessa is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business, Xi Delta Chapter and Institute of Social + Emotional Intelligence. She has also served on the Advisory Board, Jacksonville Women’s Business Center; past Commissioner and Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women; and, past Co-Chair, Fund Development and Board, Jacksonville Sister Cities Association. Additionally, she has authored and published seven books of which six are still in print.