Conversations with the Inspiring Tamara Charles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Charles.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Tamara. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I survived sexually assaulted at the tender age of six years old, three domestic violence relationships and now living as a multiple sclerosis warrior. Through it all, I fought and never gave up on myself. Today, I am a Best Seller Author on Amazon, Founder of Sisters In Charge. I have my own lipstick, lashes and online boutique, and documentary named after my book “Unbroken, Still, I Smile.”

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I am a survivor of sexual assault at the tender age of six years old, survived three domestic violence relationships and now living as a multiple sclerosis warrior. On December 26, 2016. I rented a pick-up truck from rent a prize in Boston, Massachusetts. I put just me and my two minor children’s clothes in the trunk of the pick-up truck, drove 17 hours to Atlanta with no family and took the leap of faith and never looked back. I knew God was calling me for something much bigger but didn’t know what it was going to be. But, I knew I kept feeling this urge of emergency to go to Atlanta and make all my dreams come true. I was following God’s footsteps. God spoke with me and told me that you’re going to start fresh at a new state and you are going to fulfill all your dreams and make me proud. I knew I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless. I knew I wanted to help other women from going through what I had gone through. I didn’t have the resources and the network that I needed to get out of my situation but I knew in my heart, I was going to change that immediately. One day, I woke up and was sitting in my bed and talking to God. I told God I want to write a book and tell my story, my truth, and survivorship. I did just that. I wrote and published my book in 30 days and it made the best sellers list on Amazon within 24 hours. I remember that day, I cried and cried. But those were tears of joy, happiness, and peace within myself. It took me 39 years to share with the world and my family my story and truth. My parents had no idea what and why I was such a rebellious and out of control child and adolescent when I came to America at the age of seven years old. It’s because I was so angry at my parents for leaving me in Haiti while they both came to America to make a better living to send for me and my siblings.

It was during that time, I was being molested by a friend of the family for a whole year before I was able to connect with my parents again and when I did I felt that my parents failed me because both weren’t there to protect me. My dad wasn’t there to protect his little girl. In my teenage years, I tried to kill myself to where I was hospitalized in a mental hospital for 14 days for evaluation. I looked for love in all the wrong places. I bounced from foster homes to foster homes because I refused to live with my parents because I was so angry with both of them for not being there to protect me. Through all of the pain and obstacles, I faced it still didn’t stop me from being a multiple times college graduate, a Bestseller Author, Founder of Sisters In Charge, a non-profit organization for battered women with children and to now owning my own lipstick, lashes, and hairline online.

Through it all, I’m still being a voice for the voiceless and still being a motivator and inspiration to other women who need the courage and support. My advice to other women is to never give up on your dreams and God’s calling for you. You will face some bumps on the road but giving up is not an option. It’s okay to cry. You just need to believe that God doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle. Put God first in your life and everything else will fall into place. God may not come through when we want him to but believe that he will come through at the right time.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m known as a motivational speaker, Author of “Unbroken, Still I Smile.” I specialize in being a voice for the voiceless when it comes to domestic violence victims and survivors. My non-profit Sisters in Charge is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a safe haven, support network, and resources to help victims of domestic violence regain dignity and control over their lives. We also have our 4th Annual Masquerade Gala Fundraiser for domestic violence awareness month on October 19, 2019, from 7 pm to 11 pm. This year, we have Q Parker from the group 112 appearing live to support the cause of domestic violence awareness. I am so proud of my brand because we teach other women no matter what storms and challenges you’ve gone through. You are “Unbroken, Still, you are here and Smiling.” What sets my organization from others is all my products are dedicated and cost-effective to survivors and victims that think that they need to a lot of money to dress up and look beautiful. I want them to look beautiful and feel good about themselves. I want them to know that you can be beautiful without looking at what you’ve gone through. Love yourself first and everything else will follow. Keep pushing through and continue to put God first in your life.

Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
My mother Carol Charles and my aunt Lelene Benjamin. These two women have shown me throughout life you will face some obstacles but giving up is never an option. They both are a true definition of what two strong black women and warriors look like when you continue to keep pushing through all the pain and obstacles that you endured. They’ve taught me to always put God first in my life and for that, I am blessed to have both of the strongest, loving and prayer warriors in my life.

Pricing:

• $5 lipgloss matte
• $7 3D Mink lashes
• $14.99 for my book called “Unbroken, Still I Smile “
• Online Hair Boutique, prices varies. www.tamarasboudoir.com

Contact Info:

• Website: www. [email protected]
• Phone: 678-789-1953
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: tamaracharles_
• Facebook: Tamara Charles

        Image Credit:
Majestic Royce

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.