EVERY WOMAN HAS A STORY!
Our mission is to spotlight amazing women by sharing their stories of OVERCOMING trials and coming out stronger and wiser! We truly believe that by telling our stories we serve as a light to other women that may be going through trials. Giving Life to Revelation 12:11 "And they OVERCAME by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of their TESTIMONY"!
Their Stories...
|
Tasha Odunuyi is an author, inspirational speaker, and a serial entrepreneur who is dedicated to helping women overcome trauma and hardships in their lives and find the way of love, forgiveness, and healing as they let God take first place in their lives. As an entrepreneur, sitting at the helm of her own successful fashion label, Diella Designs, Tasha empowers women to show up bold and fierce, unapologetically commanding any room they enter with style and grace. Nothing of her ambition and her glowing business and personal accomplishments as a wife of 28 years and mom of two amazing boys and a beautiful girl speaks to the stain of abuse, trauma, grief, and utter devastation she has endured and overcome. Some 20 years ago Tasha endured a tragic turn in her life when three of her brothers got into a heated argument that led to the death of one of them due to injuries from the fight. It was this incident that led to the subsequent sentencing and 4-year incarceration of one of her brothers for second degree murder. It was also the beginning of a slow mental erosion of a third brother. Mental health is not an easily understood topic amongst African American families and fighting the stigma of therapy is not easy. One of Tasha’s brothers suffered silently with his mental health after the family tragedy of his brother’s passing. Eventually his condition spiraled and deteriorated and ended in his own tragic death two years later. As the eldest, Tasha felt a moral obligation in all the upheaval in her family to fight for the way of love, peace, dignity, and unity. |
Tasha has consciously chosen the long and often difficult path of compassion, love, and forgiveness and is actively committed to breaking generational cycles of abuse. At the start of what many may deem a real life horror story, Tasha chose to support her brother through a number of arduous court cases while still nursing a 6-month old baby and maintaining her work and family obligations. What Tasha has been able to achieve is nothing short of the grace of God operating on the inside of her. Standing for unity and forgiveness in families in very unprecedented circumstances and serving as an advocate for mental health amongst the black community, Tasha has been dubbed a modern-day Joseph, and is now one of the voices of our generation that God is using to empower women to live healed, whole, and free. Tasha is on a mission to help women look within and tell their stories of triumph and resilience and to start shifting the perception of past trauma and find purpose in their pain. We all have a choice Tasha believes– “we either can choose love and a life lived abundantly or accept and live into our fears and live small and limited. Choose wisely! Your Story could very well be the thing that unlocks healing for someone else. Every story may not start off beautiful, but God can make everything beautiful at the right time. There is purpose in your pain. I am on a mission to empower you to empower other’s so we can begin healing our communities. READ FULL INTERVIEW
Meet Daj'za Demmings
|
Daj'za Demmings of West Dayton, Ohio is Executive Director of Dayton Young Black Professionals. Through this role she has created a network that serves as a safe haven for young, African American career men and women to unite, network, cultivate their resources, and thrive; together. Daj’za has taken tremendous pride in her hometown and makes a point to consistently support local initiatives and businesses, especially within minority communities.
Daj’za studied at Central State University and Wilberforce University, the only two Historically Black College/Universities (HBCUs) in the state of Ohio. Through her collegiate tenure, she was able to cultivate a range of skills and credits that contribute to her professional development in leadership, education, activism, empowerment, and service. Daj’za has committed to a life of service and philanthropy for minority groups and marginalized people everywhere! |
|
|
|
Tell us about your journey to service in the community.
I grew up in church. My nana ran a pantry that my family ran twice a week for over 5 years. In high school I had the most community service hours because of it and I have always taken pride in giving back. What is the inspiration behind starting the organization Young Black Professionals? The inspiration was seeing a need in my community and being active in feeling that void. A need for intentional spaces for us to learn ourselves, to grow, and to thrive. What inspired you to discuss your political views? I never considered myself a politician, and never plan to; however, I understand the power of civic engagement. I understand the importance of representing the underrepresented. I want to be able to not only advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves, but also help change the conditions of what's being advocated for. What is next for you in 2021 and how can we support your organization? 2021 will be an amazing year for DaytonYBP. Please make sure you follow us on social media to stay updated with everything that’s going on. facebook.com/DaytonYBP instagram.com/DaytonYBP_937. You can support our organization by going to the donate tab on our website www.DaytonYBP.org. We are constantly looking for grant writers to help us find funding to help us fund our initiatives. |
www.DaytonYBP.org
|
