Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Demmerelle. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Michelle is no stranger to the pageant world as a former contest in the Miss Georgia USA organization where she was selected as a top fifteen finalist and is the reigning Ms. Black Georgia USA 2022. Michelle will be competing in 2023 for the National title in the Miss Black USA organization. She is inspired to continue pageantry; because it provides a platform to highlight critical issues. Michelle is a member of GRLS ATL and Head of the GRLS give ATL committee, a group focused on creating a culture where women can come together, build long-lasting relationships, encourage one another, and develop an unbreakable sisterhood. The group focuses on personal development, uplifting each other, and supporting the community. They donate their time to supporting youth in under serve communities in Atlanta through mentoring and volunteer activities.
Michelle is committed to advancing professional development, talent and offering mentoring to help develop leadership potential. Michelle is currently working on developing a blog platform that gives a platform to share their experiences and provide insights to youth that are in need of a mentor. Provide resources for those that are looking for guidance as they enter into college and their professional career paths. I want every young person to know that their paths can be carved out without being chosen by others even when detours or obstacles come along. You can still get the career you desire and graduate from college. Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself as many times as you need to build the platform needed to not be afraid of a no but be more afraid of the shots you miss just by not taking them. Even in the midst of the detours of life that you may take like mine took me from traditional attendance of college, motherhood, professional career and pageantry I still was led back to all of these things and have been able to achieve my goals.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I learned early on from her parents that God, family, and showing charity to others is the most valuable part of life. When Michelle went to middle school, she joined the school’s news team where she was able to share information on important issues impacting her schoolmates, the people in her community, and people in the nation. In her junior year of high school Michelle was able to encourage her peers to form a support group for teen; which focused on providing clothing, essentials, and tutoring to help them graduate It was during this time that she was inspired to try pageantry; because it provided a platform to highlight important issues. As a contestant in the 2007 Miss Georgia USA pageant, Michelle was selected as a top 15 finalist. It was a great experience and she planned to try again for the title the next year. Becoming pregnant with my daughter change the path of competing in the pageantry world. It drove me to still advocate for being impactful to those in my community and using my story as a mantle to where detours occur path can be created that can impactful to those around me. Driven by her passion to serve the community and advocate for financial literacy. Michelle has taken up the mantle to commit to a long-term plan of teaching young adults the importance of education, understanding finances, and being prepared to be self-sufficient. Michelle has eleven years of diverse background in the financial market and currently works for a brokerage firm.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
When you believe that you have what it takes to make a difference in the world and in the life of others, you move forward with purpose. That is how Michelle lives her life. A consummate professional who makes the best of every situation; and puts her best foot forward. My mother Pamela Parham and father Darryl Parham have always been an example of professional and community servitude by mentoring youth, serving in Church and always giving to those in need. My Dad passed away this September unexpectedly as a begin advocate for my success and role model it has really pushed me to continue be an example of servitude and overcoming obstacles.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://michelledemmerelle.wixsite.com/becomingher
- Instagram: Michelle.demmerelle
- Other: https://www.thegrlsatl.com/grlsgive
Image Credits
Slam Atlanta North Georgia State Fair GRLs ATL Miss Black USA Ms Black USA Clarkston High School
