Michele Rucker shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Michele, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I would say integrity is more important than intelligence, energy, or prominence. Integrity means, in essence, uprightness of character or action. You are who you say you are, and you will do what you say you will do. Having integrity is being someone who can be trusted. That is a person of excellence. And as a woman of strong faith, a person with an excellent spirit, is a person who reflects God in his/her life.
I want to be that person to people. I want my life to reflect the character of the only one who truly can make a lasting impact on one’s life. If I can make an impact on the earth, I need to be someone who can be trusted to be TRUE in every aspect of life. Integrity will carry more weight in a person’s life. When you pass on, it will be your integrity that will live on in the hearts and minds of those you have encountered.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Michele Rucker. I am honored to be a wife, mother of three adult children, and grandmother to six, with soon-to-be seven grandchildren. I also serve humbly in the Kingdom of God as a teacher, mentor, and builder of victorious believers.
I am the proud CEO of Dancing on the Promise Ministries International, also known as DOP. It houses the Institute of Kingdom Living, the Pursuit Mentoring Program, and many other initiatives. Our mission is to cultivate victorious believers through the arts and biblical studies, emphasizing the practical application of knowledge. We are not just hearers of the Word but doers of the Word. Through dance, music, drama, and pageantry, individuals can express themselves comfortably. When combined with an understanding of Kingdom principles from the Bible, this expression can bring strength, confidence, and even healing. For example, during a difficult time raising my children alone, dancing as worship helped strengthen my faith in God. It gave me strength, direction, and a deeper connection to Him.
What makes DOP unique is that we truly are a family. No matter where you come from or who you are, you are loved and respected here. The only way you will be left behind is if that’s what you choose. Our goal is to help you become who you are destined to be and to go beyond.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I have to turn that question around to truly answer that question. What did the world tell me I was before the Lord told me who I am?
In my youth, my parents instilled in me the confidence that I could be all I wanted to be. They often spoke positive affirmations to me. They provided opportunities for growth through culture, education, and affiliations—such as the best schools and the best neighborhoods. However, society placed a stigma on African American children that limited their dreams. Society didn’t expect you to succeed; there was only so far you were likely to go statistically.
Because I had a dream to dance on Broadway, in my father’s experience of African Americans in the arts, I was told I wouldn’t succeed. I needed to conform to the norm and study Business Administration in college. When I became a single mother, society labeled me as a welfare case, most likely to become a burden to society. My children were stereotyped as a menace because that’s what happens to welfare families, so they say.
As life went on, I found myself at the foot of Jesus during my struggles. I gave my life to the Lord. As my relationship with Christ, not religion, grew, I gained a deeper understanding of who I am. I learned that I am victorious. I am above only, not beneath. I realized that the greatest man is one who serves others. A man who needs to create fear in others lives in greater fear himself. That revelation became my truth. I rose above welfare, excelled in the marketplace, and regained my passion for dance. I even created a space, DOP, where others can find salvation and unleash their creativity. And my children have become successful, productive adults with families of their own. They never spent a day in prison or on drugs.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I love this question. I stopped hiding my pain when I understood the proper perspective: that pain can become your sounding board for your breakthrough. Let me explain. There is a force that wants many to stay hidden in pain, shame, or guilt about the life they are living or where they come from. Secrets have been the catalyst for the downfall of many families, businesses, and careers. As long as there are secrets, there is ammunition to destroy what exists. When pain, shame, or guilt is exposed, there is nothing left to hold over you. There is no ammunition to kill your life, dream, or defame your character. You have already been down; the only way is up now.
There was a time in my life when I was silent about my struggles as a single mother. The bad breaks I experienced put me in despair. I was so embarrassed that I didn’t ask for help. If I had no money to get home from work, I would walk twelve miles in the middle of the night. Or I would feed my children and go without eating myself. I would go to work with a smile, never showing my pain. I hid it from my children as well, so they could have a normal life. Then one day, during the Christmas season, when I knew there would be no Christmas for my children that year, a knock came at my door. My son opened the door, and in walked a coworker of mine with his twin brother and mother. They brought Christmas gifts for my children— not just one or two, but a room full of gifts. I asked my coworker how he knew. I had never told anyone. He explained that he received an impression from God about my circumstances. He then said he watched me, how I didn’t let my pain dictate my performance.
From that day on, I used my pain as fuel to push me forward. I didn’t share my pain to seek pity. I owned my pain. If someone asked how things were going, I would not hide it if things weren’t well, but I didn’t dwell on it. I kept pushing through.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say yes to that question because of my belief in integrity. What you see is what you get, both in public and private. I know how to behave appropriately, but you won’t get any pomp and circumstance from me. I don’t want my actions to belittle anyone because no one is greater than anyone else. I am a woman with great love for all mankind. Even if you hate me, I will still show love toward you. However, I will not tolerate disrespect or demeaning speech from anyone. I don’t hide who I am in any way. You’ll see the same person at church, at work, and at home.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
When someone passes away, their tombstone displays the date of birth and the date of death, separated by a simple dash. The real question is, what will that dash represent about your life? Did your time here leave a lasting impact on the lives you touched?
If all you left behind were a name, a title, or possessions, you would have lived a poor life and left your family without true wealth. Leaving this world with others’ lives changed because of knowing you, or with people who can share stories of your meaningful impact, is how you create a legacy that lasts for generations.
If I were to set aside my name, title, or possessions, what would remain are marriages that chose to fight for love, single mothers who became virtuous wives, African American boys once destined for failure who grew into successful husbands, fathers, and business owners, and some powerful voices in the Kingdom of God. Above all, the integrity of my life would continue to live in the hearts of those who knew me. That is the goal I strive for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dopempowerment.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michele_rucker
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-rucker-15b56221
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DancingPromise
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@dancingonthepromiseministr403
Image Credits
Protected Essence Photography
