Today we’d like to introduce you to Shameria Howell.
Hi Shameria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After a Stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis, I was determined to persevere by any means necessary, so I created a brand to bring awareness to breast cancer and also to encourage people daily. I was diagnosed at 28 so I definitely wanted to connect with my peers because black women are actually dying at faster rates than any other race. I started off with Worship Wednesdays where I would go live on Facebook with encouraging videos and life inspirations. I relied solely on my faith. It was actually just something that I did to keep me focused while undergoing chemotherapy. During the pandemic, I switched roles and took thing to another platform, I created Wonderfully Wounded podcast to continue to inspire and speak out about breast cancer and also added t-shirts with different inspiring messages. It was amazing and very much so needed. I wanted to reach more people and let them know that just because things happen in life, we don’t have to let it steal our lives. We can’t control certain things and how they occur in our lives but we can choose how we respond to them. One of my favorite saying is “trust the process”.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, being diagnosed at a young age came with a lot especially self-esteem issues. I lost my hair, I gained weight (due to the steroids I had to take before the infusion), I had a hysterectomy, lost my boyfriend at the time (which was a big deal for me). It was so much happening and way too fast. In the midst of it all, I end up losing a close friend to breast cancer, who played a huge part in my sister’s circle. I was soooooooo sad, but I couldn’t lose my faith because my kids needed me. This journey has been everything but smooth but I can’t focus on the because it will bring you down. So that’s why I scream “Trust the Process” because as a young 31 years old mother of 2 kids who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer at the age of 28, I can’t afford to be down. I have to move forward and focus on the present. So my brand is a poster card for women like me, they need to see me do it, so they can push through anything life throws.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work now is to encourage people, because of the diagnosis, I’m considered disabled. Yes disabled at the age of 31, but that’s exactly why I created Wonderfully Wounded because I wanted to show people its so much more you can do after a fatal diagnosis. I chose to live. I chose to let people know although you were wounded, you still have a chance and you still have purpose. That’s why I create the shirts, the podcast episodes, and participate in clinical trials because I am hope. When people see how God has allowed me to weather this storm, it helps them. I do this for everyone affected by that C (cancer) word.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If we continue to focus on the bad then that’s all you will see. Refocus, Regroup, and Restart!
Contact Info:
- Email: shameriahowell@icloud.com
- Website: www.wonderfullywounded.net
- Instagram: @_wonderfullywounded
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/WonderfullyWounded
