Following a history of exclusivity and oppression of marginalized segments of the population, the world today realizes the importance of inclusive representation in all fields of life, allowing all the members of the society to feel like they belong. It also reinforces positive attitudes and inspires them to achieve more, explains Dr. Antoinette Liles, the founder of Mint Dental and Mintorship and a fierce advocate for equal opportunities for all regardless of background and gender.
Raised in Michigan, Antoinette went through a troubling childhood and saw education as her way toward a better future. She overcame her struggles to become an accomplished entrepreneur and a celebrated community leader determined to uplift others and enable them to follow her example.
Mint Dental is a new state-of-the-art dental office located in Pearl, Mississippi, “Where Art Meets Science.” Antoinette finally executed her business plan with sheer perseverance and unfettered efforts as a recently divorced, unemployed independent dentist living through a pandemic that had halted the world. Antoinette’s dedication to pursuing her ambitions led to remarkable success despite the hardships, as she was included in the Top 50 Leading Business Women by Mississippi Business Journal, 2021.
Besides being a successful entrepreneur, Antoinette is a TV star appearing in Oprah Winfrey Network’s reality TV series Belle Collective. Mint Dental is the official dentist of the Jackson State University football team, offering services to the entire team of 107 players, coaches, and support staff. Coming from a humble background, Antoinette remains grounded despite her incredible success and shares that her heart smiles at realizing that Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and Oprah Winfrey know who she is.
As an African American woman, Antoinette understands the struggles of belonging to a minority group. She wants to contribute to the betterment of her community by helping others through her non-profit organization, the Mentorship/Scholarship program aptly named Mintorship, providing shadowing and scholarships to pre-dental HBCU students in Mississippi.
You may donate to MINTorship program here and help minority students to obtain support, development and participation in dentistry in the state of Mississippi.
Antoinette wishes to retire by the age of 40 but only after ensuring that she leaves behind an accountable dental office that delivers confidence through beautiful cosmetic dentistry. As the founder of Mintorship, she remains resolute in her commitment to producing more black dentists from HBCU schools as she believes representation of her community in dentistry matters.
Through her life’s journey from a child growing up witnessing the hardships restricting her community to a remarkably successful entrepreneur and visionary, Antoinette hopes to inspire people across the world to have the drive to succeed regardless of the challenges. She proudly recalls treating her first patient, who was none other than Dr. James Meredith, the man who integrated Antoinette’s alma mater, the University of Mississippi, and paved the way for the rest of the African American students there.
Inspired by the likes of her first patient and hero, James Meredith, Antoinette wants to pave the way for others similarly. She has succeeded as an African American woman in the male-dominant field of dentistry and believes if she can do it, so can others.
Facebook: @mintdentalms
YouTube: @Mint Dental: Antoinette Liles DMD
