Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy V Brown Willis.
Hi Nancy V, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m originally from Costa Rica. Growing up in Costa Rica, I lived with my mom, she was a single mother she worked as a maid. One time we got kicked out in the street with our bags in the rain. I watched my mom work very hard her whole life. She has always been my inspiration and example of someone who has worked hard, fallen down but continues to get right back up. Around age 5, I experienced child sexual abuse from a close family member. The abuse continued multiple times and every time it happened I was always told never to tell. I tried to keep the secret inside for as long as I could but the abuse became more aggressive. I reached out to my mom for help and she saved me by addressing the abuse and closing off access. The abuse had a big impact on my life, even though I always tried to act as if I was ok. At age 6, I was bitten and attacked by a Doberman pincher attack dog. He bit my face, my neck, head and leg.
I came to the United States around age nine. When I got to the USA, I learned to speak English. I’m still learning English everyday…. When I was around age ten, My mom went to Beauty school but never worked in the field. She worked nights and while I was bored at home while she slept in the day and worked nights, I would play with the hair manikin heads. I would read the cosmetology books and practice braiding. (The seed)
In school kids used to tease me about the way I looked, they would call me ugly, big lip, big nose, scar face, black girl. I began to believe I was ugly, I wished I wasn’t born, I felt like a mistake, a failure and then I began having suicidal thoughts. I felt exhausted. Around age 12-13, while I was home alone in my room, I attempted suicide by taking pills. I fell into a deep sleep but luckily, I woke back up. I remember asking why I was still here. I guess GOD had other plans for me.
Growing up, I went through a rebellious stage in my teen years, as a result I ended up going through the Juvenile justice system and Foster Care and teenage pregnancy.
Many things happened in between, but the one thing I will focus on here is the fact that what I went through was truly bigger than just me. It has truly leading me to walk into my purpose on purpose. Everyday that I live my focus is in helping others who have been through similar experiences, how can I help save a five year old me. I’m constantly getting educated about child sexual abuse, how to respond to abuse and helping educate the public so that we can be a safer and stronger community together.
I have been doing hair since I was 15, I’m currently a Master Hair Cosmetologist with a specialty in hair loss and a master cosmetology instructor. I’m currently in school working on my Doctorate degree in Christian Psychology, I’m studying Hebrew and have many certifications and provide coaching in the areas of mental health, at risk youth, addiction recovery, trauma healing and child sexual abuse prevention and recovery.
I lost one of my sisters by way of suicide in 2020, three days after Thanksgiving. People were dealing with depression, divorce, isolation, loneliness and the pandemic. People are in pain and people need support, empathy and love. I wrote a book in 2017 called My Costa Rican Hummingbird Sings, breaking the bondage and answering the call. This book was so prophetic I honestly had no idea how powerful it would be for me today. I wrote about my earlier years in Costa Rica, the abuse I endured, challenges with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.
Although I have been through a lot of trials and still face trials GOD reminds me of His LOVE and His GRACE.
Genesis 50:20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
* Take your Losses and turn them into lessons
* Improbable does not mean impossible
Set boundaries, forgive yourself and others.
FORGIVENESS is the master key of LOVE – Nancy V Brown
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Haters, mean girls, judgmental people, school bullying, hazing, crabs in the barrel, racism from white people and from black people. I’m Afro-Latina it’s even harder to fit in, language was a barrier.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in Hair Extensions, hair loss, hair restoration, Scalp Micro Pigmentation SMP. Microblading and PMU.
I’m a radio host on STOP child abuse NOW.
I recently finished my hours and am now a master’s cosmetology instructor. I’m always taking a class, I’m always in school learning and growing.
Certified Life coach
I’m bilingual, I have empathy. I feel proud and it brings me great honor helping others grow. Love working with the youth and broken women. Healing sessions.
- Brave Girls Rise Up: started in 2017 it’s mission is to stop suicide and supports at risk girls with advocacy, mentorship, education, coaching support, resources, technical training in the beauty industry and permanent makeup. We are partnered with free children’s wigs for children dealing with hair loss. We are Anti bullying advocates, empowerment coaches at schools, centers, churches, youth programs and beyond. Our goal is to stop suicide and prevent bullying, especially with our youth. Bullying is one of the leading causes of trauma which contribute to mental health illnesses and Suicide.
- NAMI GA and NAMI GWINNETT They are a grass root organization. We were at the state capital last week advocating for parity as it relates to mental health funding.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention(peer support for loss survivors)
- Zero Abuse Project (child abuse first responders)
- NAASCA: National Association for Adult Survivors Of Child Abuse. (Radio host)
- Darkness to Light stewards of children. ( helping educate our community on how to handle a child when they outcry. My mom didn’t know how to handle it.
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Volunteering in our community with my home church The dReam Center Church of Atlanta: Groceries on us (feeding the community), Hope thru Soap, Dekalb youth RYDC, House of Cherith. We are currently working on mental health community initiatives.
- DJJ I’m the chair council for the advisory board. Boys detention in Decatur, boys lock up facility. I translate in spanish for the parents and we collectively work on ways to help keep the boys encouraged through this season and working with them to avoid recidivism.
- I have a podcast called MY HUMMINGBIRD SINGS: This is a safe space were people can share their healing journey and testimonies.
Contact Info:
- Email: Nancyvbrown100@gmail.com
- Website: Nvmyhairsalon.com
- Instagram: @Bravegirlsriseup @nancyvbrown @nancyvbrownministries
- Facebook: Bravegirlsriseup and @nancyvbrown @nancyvbrownministries
- Twitter: @nancyvbrown1
- Youtube: @nancyvbrown
- Podcast: MY HUMMINGBIRD SINGS
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Nvmyhair
Image Credits
Photographers #1 By: Nancy V Brown Me tattooing 2 pics Hair Oil pics And ambassador pic #2 By: Joanna Petite-Frere 1. Nv my hair academy flyer pics (purple flyer) 2. Forgiveness is the master key of love my pic. #3 The all white clothes: 1 pic By Tonya reeves
