Story & Lesson Highlights with Cherisse Stephens

Cherisse Stephens shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Cherisse, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are significant; they set the tone for everything else. I usually start with prayer and some quiet time, just centering myself and ensuring I’m grounded before diving into the busyness. That’s where I reflect, give thanks, and align myself spiritually.

After that, I like to read or journal, whether scripture, a leadership book, or just jotting down what’s on my heart. That helps me clear my mind and focus on what matters. I also make sure to move a little, whether it’s stretching, a walk, or some light exercise—because I’ve found that when I take care of my body early, I have more energy and focus throughout the day.

Before I officially “start work,” I look over my priorities. I don’t jump straight into emails or social media. Instead, I ask, “What are the top three things that will move me forward today?” That way, I’m leading my day with intention, not just reacting to it.
Those first 90 minutes are really about alignment, renewal, and getting clear on my focus for the day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Cherisse Stephens—an author, philanthropist, mentor, and CEO of God’s Cover-Girls®. My passion is creating spaces where leaders can grow, collaborate, and leave a legacy that outlives them. My work is unique because it’s not just about building businesses or titles—it’s about building people and fostering true community.

Right now, I’m especially excited about the launch of my new book, Let’s C.E.O.—Cover Each Other and Lead with Legacy. It’s a message about collaboration over competition and leading with purpose. Alongside the book, I’m also launching the CEO Network on the Skool platform—a space where leaders from the boardroom, classroom, living room, and business can come together. Parents, teachers, CEOs, and entrepreneurs all have a place here.

At the heart of the book and the network is the belief that we all rise higher when we cover each other.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I was a young girl and discovered the power of my voice through singing. I still remember standing in front of people and watching the room shift. Some would cry, others would smile joyfully, and I realized that my voice could move people in ways words alone couldn’t.

It wasn’t about performance for me; it was about impact. Even as a child, I understood that something bigger was happening—that I had been given a gift that could touch hearts, lift spirits, and create connection. That moment shaped how I see power today: not as control, but as the ability to inspire and transform others.

“As a little girl, I learned my voice wasn’t just sound—it was impact.”

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: “You don’t have to figure it all out. God already has a plan for your life.” According to Jeremiah 29:11, His plans are to prosper you, not harm you, to give you hope and a future. I’d tell her, “Just trust God and the process.”

That would have lifted a lot of the pressure I put on myself when I was younger, trying to control the outcome. Looking back, every step, even the ones that didn’t make sense, was part of the bigger picture God was already writing for me.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief I’ll never let go of is that leadership is about legacy, not just titles. Leadership is generational; it’s about equipping people, especially women, to rise and lead in every sphere of life. That’s the heartbeat of my Let’s C.E.O. framework: covering each other, collaborating instead of competing, and creating impact far beyond us.

One project I’m especially committed to is the CEO Network. My vision is for it to grow into a global movement where leaders from the boardroom, the classroom, the living room, and the business world can connect in authentic community. And this builds on what I’ve already been doing through God’s Cover-Girls® and the VIP Leaders Retreat, which were both created to give women the tools, the confidence, and the support to step boldly into leadership. It may take years to see the whole picture, but it will transform how we lead, connect, and pass on legacy worldwide.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is that I used my voice, platform, and gifts to build others up. I didn’t just create books, retreats, or networks for myself, but I created spaces where women and leaders from every walk of life could grow, be covered, and be equipped to lead. I want them to remember that I was about building people, not platforms, collaborating, not competing, and showing others how to lead with legacy.

Through God’s Cover-Girls®, the VIP Leaders Retreat, and now the CEO Network, my mission has always been to pour into people so they could step boldly into their own calling, whether that was in the boardroom, the classroom, the living room, or their business. Ultimately, I hope my story isn’t about what I built but who I helped to rise. That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave behind.

Contact Info:

• Website: CherisseStephens.Com CherisseStephensFoundation.Com
• Instagram: Cherisse Stephens God’s Cover-Girls
• Linkedin: Cherisse Stephens
• Twitter: Cherisse Stephens
• Facebook: Cherisse Stephens
• Youtube: Cherisse Is On!
• Other: Podcast: Spotify Apple and Google: Cherisse Is On!

Image Credits
Brandon Stephens