Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlene Roberson.
Marlene Nickol Roberson born and raised in San Diego California. She is a woman who thinks out the box. She was the girl who saw things differently than others. She would sit back and intake life as it came to her. Her smile will confuse the pain, hurt and betrayal. Her cry will make the spectator think that she lost her best friend. The offense she caused others with no intent will make them think she just don’t care. She spent her whole life trying to meet peace, and for some reason, she had not found it; until now.
After many trials and errors, although she didn’t have the opportunity to walk with her graduating class due to 1 credit, she was determined to accomplish and complete something to make not only herself proud, but also her sons and family. In 2004 she decided to find a trade as a Certified Medical Assistant, where she worked the medical field for over 15 years. She has always had the desire to be “her own boss”; however fear, procrastination and distractions allowed her to absorb the dysfunctional thought of “I’m not worthy enough”. After many years of praying, fasting, and peeling the layer, God finally released her to birth that very thing she dreamt for years.
Marlene is now the Author of (Inner Emotions; The Reason Why volume 1) with Inner Emotions; When Bondage Breaks volume 2 releasing 2020.She is the CEO/Founder of Peaces of me Restored nonprofit and Director of S.L.A.Y Your Way Academy; for young girls ages 10-17. She is a Deacon in the church, Play Writer, Director, Mentor, Motivational Speaker, Survivor of Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, a mother of two men and much more.
Marlene experienced a domestic violence relationship, where she nearly lost her life due to her abuser attempting to throw her over a bridge, she also experienced sexual assault by someone she trusted and his close friend. In result of that, she developed depression, suicidal thoughts, lost faith and herself. One day she was tired of feeling sorry for herself: she was tired of blaming herself and giving herself reasons of why it was okay to remain resentful, lost and broken. Therapy became her healing process.
Marlene started Peaces of Me Restored Inc. nonprofit so that all especially women and young girls would have the platform of maintaining their situations and controlling the words that are written in their story. Peaces of Me Restored provides healing, restoration and freedom to all who have experienced verbal, sexual, mental and physical abuse. Marlene’s goal is to manifest throughout the states, share her testimony and connect with other survivors.
Her Mission Statement is “Remember your Purpose and let NO ONE tell you different”.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth ride. I struggled for a long time with blaming myself for my shortcomings, I struggle with self-doubt, shame, faith. I became my biggest enemy. I had to survive sexual assault, domestic violence, and betrayal. It took me a long time to heal. It took me a long time to understand why God had taken me through those life-changing situations that left me broken. I always had a vision that I would change the world, I just never thought I was worthy or capable of doing so. I struggled with people receiving the true me versus my misunderstood past. I self-diagnosed myself thought with “You Can’t” “You are not valuable” “No one cares what you have been through” “No one will ever receive you or your past” etc. I created my own struggles along the way.
Please tell us about Peaces Of Me Restored Inc.
Peaces of Me Restored “She Has Everything Within” a non-profit organization, which emphases on reaching young ladies and women who are experiencing depression, self-esteem issues, insecurities, and anxiety due to domestic violence, sexual assault or other life-changing conditions. Also, we would also like to bond with women or girls who were raised deprived of their parents, due to incarceration.
October 2018, we implemented S.L.A.Y Your Way program for girls ages 10-18. This program was inspired by the Founder Marlene Roberson. As a child, she experienced bullying, rejection, insecurities, peer pressure, shyness, “the dark space” and more than you can imagine. All things girls go through daily and even more now. We have created a safe “US girls” only environment where we discuss specific topics that are not easy to discuss at home or with friends. Our goal is to Educate, Elevate and Empower each girl and ourselves.
This program also includes:
How to Handle Peer Pressure
How to Find Her Own Confidence
The Does and Don’t of Social Media
Effective Ways to Communicate
Body Positivity
Bullying
Etiquette Classes 101
Mandatory Community Service and so much more!
What makes me proud is that the girls come back. Also that myself and my team has gained the trust of each of the girls. The fact that I was able to trust God, let my guard down, have faith, and be okay with the NO’s and thankful for the Yes. It allowed me to see that he had already assigned me to these young ladies lives.
While there are similar organizations out there, Peace Of Me Restored Inc. program has been able to bring different girls from all walks of life into the same room. I am committed to the process rather 2 or 10 girls are in the room. When there is no funds for a building, I use my living room. When there is no funds for food, I use my own. No matter what it takes, I make sure there is a space for our girls to come, so that they are EDUCATED, ELEVATED & EMPOWERED. I don’t look for accolades. I look for purpose. I make sure my team and I are living and practicing what we pour into the girls daily.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would refuse to start over.
The things I’ve been through created the woman I am today. I didn’t understand any of it when I was going through it. I would cry and pray to God: boldly asking him “Why are you taking me through this?” “Why Me?”. I was mad at God, because in my head; why would he take me through the hurt, pain, or shame when he loved me and died for me? Then the enemy started tapping my shoulder, asking ” Why are you praising this God that keeps placing you in situations where you constantly are soaking and bathing in your hurt?”
I was finally given the answer when I submitted to him completely. I wouldn’t have this testimony, had I not gone through what I’ve gone through, The women and girls wouldn’t know what strength looks and walk like, had I not walked through the storms. They wouldn’t know what it looks like to smile and live life with no regrets had not allowed God to use me the way he did. I was cracked not broken. I would do it all over again if it meant, saving another woman or young lady from experiencing such darkness.
Pricing:
- $40 Registration Enrollment Fee for S.L.A.Y Your Way Girls Program (enrollment fee are subject to changing)
- $12 Autographed copy of “Inner Emotions..The Reasons Why”
- $15.99 on Amazon
- Sponsors Needed
- Donations Welcomed
Contact Info:
- Website: www.peacesofmerestored.com
- Phone: 4048085656
- Email: peacesofmeinc@gmail.com
- Instagram: slay_your_waygirls and peacesofmerestored
- Facebook: Marlene Nickol
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.
