Today we’d like to introduce you to Shemika Denise.
Shemika, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am originally from Birmingham, AL. I have spent my entire adult life in Nashville, TN so I consider it home. I moved here to attend Tennessee State University for undergrad where I met some amazing people who I remain connected to today. I am a true lover of people. I fell in what a college kid considered “love” with my college sweetheart my freshman year. We married after graduation and two years later had a child. Through the years, the marriage began dissipating… life happened. We separated and soon after divorced. It was during the separation that I began soul searching. I had to heal by figuring out the “what’s” and “why’s”- Why didn’t it work? What part did I play in the ending of the relationship? What could I do differently the second time around if I choose to marry again? I began journaling. Of course, in divorce you go through various stages of grief. Similar to the stages experienced when a loved one dies. Initially, my journaling was full of resentment and anger that eventually turned in healing and restoration. This journaling eventually turned into a book called, “Behind These Eyes I Hurt: 8 years of Life, Love and Lessons. People have raved about it being an AMAZING book! It’s a quick, easy, and helpful read for singles, those in relationships, marriages, desiring marriage, enduring separation, divorce or healing.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Honestly, The journey was not easy but it was necessary! There were many days I had to remind myself that there was purpose for the pain…and it was! This book tells my truth which resonates in the lives of others. A good friend told me that daily people are finding liberation through my words and experiences. Many people unknowingly struggle daily with many different situations that go unaddressed hence the title of my trademark/brand, unM.A.S.K.ing Me.
Initially, it was not easy being vulnerable and allowing people into my personal word so the words weren’t connecting. It took another dear friend of mind to say, “Shemika, you have a story to tell! Either you are going to bleed on these pages and let it flow or stop writing the book!” I decided to bleed. The challenging piece was being fearful of what people would think and how people would feel. After suppressing those feelings and moving forward, I must say that 4 years later I am better because of it! Although the hardest part is over my next steps are a book tour, speaking engagements with a variety of organizations, a podcast and a second book! With my busy professional career and personal life things will be challenging but with proper planning (not being prideful and asking for help), effective implementation, and extensive execution, it will all be done with ease.
Please tell us about unM.A.S.K.
unM.A.S.K.ing Me is a movement intended to change the way we love one relationship at a time, beginning with the way we love ourselves. unM.A.S.K. stands for Many Are Struggling unKnowingly. This means we all are dealing with or have dealt with something in our prospective lanes or positions in life that we have decided not to deal with or either struggle with communicating. My goal is to help us to deal with those issues and productively move forward. We have to be whole and complete humans before we can be or do anything for or with anyone else. I am most proud of how the first component of this brand, the book, has helped so many people. I have a good number of IG direct messages, text messages and emails that I would love to share with the world! My next steps are to ask these individuals to leave these same comments on Amazon and my website.
What sets me apart from others is my love for people and genuine heart. I’ve given out a number of books to people after hearing their story because although money is great, I care about wholeness and healing. If my book has created that space for at least one person, I have fulfilled my assignment.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up as an only child to a single mom. I was SPOILED. Although she had to work extra hard to provide for me, there was nothing I could not ask for that I did not receive. However, there were rules. My mom was strict but fair. For example, there was an age for talking to boys on the phone, having them over, and even dating. One time I was caught on the phone with a boy and my mom moved all of the ages for those privileges, I had not yet earned, up by one year. I also had to make straight A’s and B’s in school which allowed me to graduate one of two Salutatorians from my high school. I was very active. From liturgical dance at church, to bring a dance girl in the band, to track and field to holding presidential positions in all clubs like the Honors Society, Beta Club and Student Government Association, I was in everything! Sarcasm and Stubbornness were definitely areas I needed to work on growing up. In all transparency, those characteristics tend to sometimes creep back up in my adulthood! I will forever be a work in progress. Ever changing, ever evolving.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.IAmShemikaDenise.com
- Phone: 615-916-0144
- Email: info@iamshemikadenise.com
- Instagram: @iamshemika_denise
- Facebook: Shemika Denise
- Twitter: @IAmShemikaDenis
- Other: @IAmShemikaDenise Facebook
Image Credit:
NDY Images
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
