October is nationally recognized as domestic violence awareness month. As Executive Director of Walking Into A New Life, Inc. and personally celebrating my 10 year as a survivor, I invite everyone to please visit our facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/walkingintoanewlifeinc/ for the very latest on upcoming events, news, and highlights of brave men and women who are surviving and thriving. We’ll also remember those who lost their lives to violence and continue our efforts to save as many individuals as possible.
WIANL is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide tangible resources to individuals affected by domestic violence. Since 2010, we’ve hosting a series of programs, town halls, and events designed to provide awareness and encourage action. We’ve been able to provide resources to include bus, gas, and gift cards, food, toiletries, clothes, and relocation assistance We continue to need financial donations, but we also need donations in a number of other areas, including volunteering. If you or someone you know would like to support our efforts, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@wianl.org or call (901) 466-6182.
Greater Faith Tabernacle has been hosting the Daddy’s Girls Conference for the past 14 years. It has been an honor to work with and support the GFT family over the years for such an important event, as the event and the members of the congregation are dear to me. It was especially gratifying to be asked to serve as the Keynote speaker for their annual Kick Off Brunch.
I spoke about the importance of walking in faith, working through fear and trusting yourself and others. I shared my own experiences of abuse and what it means to be an overcomer. I shared about my earthly father and the relationship we had. We talked a lot about walking which was a big part of their theme for this year. Ironically, my organization is called Walking Into A New Life, Inc. And, as I always say, I do not believe in coincidences, so everything said and done that day was as it was intended to be.
The following is quoted directly from Greater Faith’s website to better provide the history of Daddy’s Girls and why it’s so important. I do encourage you to visit GFT if you’re living in Memphis or there visiting. Pastor and 1st Lady Johnson are beautiful souls and so is their entire congregation.
“Getting Families Together (GFT) is the nonprofit arm of Greater Faith Tabernacle Ministries, an edifice established for the community by the community. GFT is housed in the Institute for Success Center, a 15,000 square foot multipurpose community family life center, that opened its doors in 2004.
During the construction of the IS Center and approximately one year prior to its completion GFT’s founder, Pastor Orlester Johnson, received numerous women bearing similar experiences during altar call. Although their ages and nationalities varied, each woman spoke of the need to break free of the secret bondage holding them. These women shared similar stories of enduring sexual molestation as children, intimate partner violence (IPV), various other forms of domestic violence (DV), and other abusive situations. They spoke freely about the abuse they had suffered as a child and some confessed that they continued to suffer from violent situations in adulthood. Each of these individuals had grown up in households that did not include their biological father. Several spoke of being subjected to abusive stituations with men who were a relative, teacher, coach, pastor, or other person holding a supposedly “respectful” leadership role in their lives and that of their family.
As a direct result of receiving numerous disturbing accounts of this nature, the first annual Daddy’s Girls Conference convened in 2005. “
My 10 Year Milestone: On this day, ten years ago, I took my life back and became a DV survivor. To some, this may not mean a lot. There will be some who I KNOW will question why I’m sharing this at all. But, if you had known me the way that my children knew me 10 years ago, you’d know I was holistically broken with no real plan of how to care or love me or them the way we all deserved. Today, I can honestly say I love myself & do my best to make sure my children know they have my love & support. I am a happy, healthy wife, mom, MiMi, entrepreneur, executive director, national speaker, 2x Best selling author and committed to helping the community in the way it has been given to me to do. I’ve met the most beautiful people who’ve helped/supported me along the way (celebrities, and more importantly, ordinary people like me). I have never desired to be popular. I do, however, desire to be impactful. I want to have to heart of service like Edna with the smile & realness of John (my grandma & daddy).
If you’ve done anything (marriage, a job, a business, etc.) consistently for 10 years, you know it takes dedication, discipline, consistency, strong belief and your why (personal/professional) has to be stronger than any opposition you face (family, friends, colleagues, your own self doubt). It’s encouraging for others to see, hear and know.
I cannot begin to tell you what a personal and professional honor it was to be the Keynote speaker for the NHBW, Inc. Dallas Chapter’s Women of Excellence Awards. To be in the company of so many prominent, professional and inspiring women of color from all walks of life is an opportunity I will always cherish. The food and entertainment was wonderful and everything was well planned.
I do not believe in coincidences. So, when I arrived and looked at the bios of each of the recipients, it made my address that much more personal. Each woman, in their own area of service, represented a woman who had supported me during my transition from victim to survivor to thriver of abuse and self sufficiency. I felt as though I started my journey alone. But, along the way, I met other women who would stand in the gap for me. It was extremely inspiring to see and know these women went above and beyond to do the same for others while maintaining some of the most high profile positions at their places of responsibility.
The National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc. is a nationally recognized organization founded by Dr. Arnita Young Boswell and 13 other spirited women in 1974. Fannie Lou Hamer is connected to and recognized as an NHBW, Inc. Shero. If you do not know about this amazing organization, I strongly urge you to please visit their website and learn how you can get involved at http://www.nhbwinc.com/history.html
I truly appreciate every freelance writing opportunity I receive. My latest came in the form of interviewing Chauniece R. Thompson, executive artistic director of Ballet on Wheels (BOW).
Attendees witnessed a future Misty Copeland, Ashley Murphy or Ebony Williams over the Memorial Day weekend as they experienced a magical twist on the broadway classic “Annie” at the Ballet on Wheels Dance School and Company’s End of Year Dance Recital.
Ballet on Wheels Dance School and Company is Memphis’ only non-profit, pre-professional, community-based classical ballet school and youth dance company. Tamia Elliott starred as Annie. (Photo: Courtesy of Ballet on Wheels)
