Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Champion.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Valerie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up on both the Northeast side (4th Ward) and the Westside of Atlanta (5th Ward). This gave me an advantage when it came to being able to safely go in both areas without any issues. When I entered middle school, we were living off Simpson Road, which is now Joseph E Boone. Here is where my life as a teenager begins. This is where I learned the concept of opening up your home to others. If you needed a place to stay, my mother would open her door. There was not much space as there were five of us living in a two-bedroom apartment. But that didn’t stop people from asking because they knew Blackgal had a heart. That was her nickname. She was about five feet and thick with it. I used to dream of having her legs.
A month before I graduated high school, I had my first son, who I often remind myself, saved my life. I was headed down the wrong road by hanging with the wrong people. Even though most were family, they tend to steer you or help you steer yourself in the wrong direction. This is why I say my son came at the right time.
Almost four years later, I had my last son, who would be the one to send me on a rollercoaster ride with the juvenile system from the sixth grade to the tenth grade. As a result of his behavior issues and under juvenile probation, I wanted to know who his friends were. I consequently opened the doors of my home to young men, my son considered friends. My house was considered the neighborhood house where kids would gather to play Xbox or PlayStation. As time passed, somehow, several of those friends ended up needing a place to live.
I never really understood why I was going through the things I was experiencing with my son. As time went on, I began to realize that I was placed in Douglasville for a reason. It dawned on me that had I not been there, these young men and women could all have a totally different fate. They were not hanging in the streets, getting into trouble. There were times when I would have to suggest that they go somewhere and have some fun. Then were times when I had to warn them about going to certain teen clubs. There always seems to be a fight. I would simply remind them not to get themselves in some trouble that Douglas County would have to get involved and I wouldn’t be able to help them out. I must say that dreaded day came upon us and changed our lives. So you see, this is how Mama Goose, Mother of Many podcast manifested. I only birthed two sons but have had a hand in raising many others.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, I have not had a smooth road getting to where I am not. I struggled with being a victim of child molestation and domestic violence. I struggled with rejection and abandonment issues as a result of not being raised by my mother for the first five years of my life. Then to be snatched up from the only home I knew. As a teenager, I was very sexually active, which, of course, resulted in a baby while in high school.
I have worked for ASCAP for 20 years and during those years, I was afforded the opportunity to get my college degree. All of this while not being able to take a vacation from 2004 through 2009. My 25 or 30 days of paid leave time was used to attend any juvenile hearing, probation appointment, or juvenile visit. Prior to these incidents, I had just separated from my husband in 2002 and for good in 2004. We finally divorced in 2012. He just wouldn’t have signed the papers.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Let’s see, where should I begin? Well, I was a poet first. During my son’s juvenile season, I begin to express my feelings through poetry. That was in 2003. I became a self-published author by creating a book of my poems. Most are a bit spiritual because of my newly developed relationship with God.
I am the co-founder of Prayers of the Righteous Prayer Ministry that is housed solely on Facebook. We have been interceding on behalf of God’s people for over seven years now. Our weekly prayer calls are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 pm and every Saturday morning at 7:00 am. I am also the owner of the Champion Travel Escape travel agency, established in 2013. Our mission is to assist our clients in building a lifetime of memories.
In July 2019, I created a blog title “Your Spiritual Tea,” which aims to encourage, inspire and motivate others to live according to the Word of God.
In Feb 2020, I launched Mama Goose podcast, where we aim to offer a safe place for parents and children to discuss issues raising children.
I am most proud of my soon to be published prayer manual/journal titled “It’s Spiritual Thing!”. Finally, I finished it! All of the above can be found on my website www.iamvalerichampion.com. What sets me apart from others is the wisdom I receive from God that I apply to my life and my heart full of love for others to be encouraged.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood was my first camping trip through the Girls Scouts. We stay at Camp Pine Acres for two weeks. The best experiences I ever had as a child.
Pricing:
- Expressions of the Soul Poetry Book $12
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iamvaleriechampion.com
- Phone: 678-949-1416
- Email: iam.valeriechampion@gmail.com
- Instagram: iamvaleriechampion
- Facebook: iamvaleriechampion
- Twitter: iamvaleriechampion
Image Credit:
Jolye Toi Photography
Anneka Maquay
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.
