Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsealya Payne.
Hi Chelsealya, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a native Atlantan who started a non-profit organization, PAYNE & Glory, inc., in 2005 as an outlet for women who were like me. Women who had been in domestic violence relationships, and although no longer physically in the relationship, the emotional and mental grip still had a firm grasp.
In 2014, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, we launched our most recent initiative, “Pain in the Pews: Mental Health and Ministry”. What started out as a meeting turning into a conference and now is a full movement. This movement is inclusive of various events that we host, an online community as most recently our own Pain in the Pews: Mental Health and Ministry show on our PAYNE & Glory TV channel (on-demand on Roku, Firestick, Apple TV, IOS and android devices).
Additionally, I have received many awards in the area of community and ministry. I have appeared on radio broadcasts such as the Frank Ski and Wanda show, 108 Praise Radio, TV 57, Love 860, a regular on The Therapeutic Conversations, and many other podcasts and articles.
My most recent accomplishment was being awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Christian Leadership from The School of the Great Commission Bible College and Seminary.
I am also a licensed minister and a certified Women’s Inner Purpose and Power Coach and Certified Christian Life Coach, and the founder of the Payne Purpose Academy, LLC.
I am a published author “The Amazing Advocate: A Parents Guide to Helping A Child With Learning Disabilities” (2020), “There’s No Health Without Mental Health” (2020) and “The Metamorphosis: The Miracle of Becoming me” (2022).
I am a wife of 25 years and a mother of an amazing son and daughter.
As a person with a disability, visually impaired, I did not allow my physical challenges…and sometimes outright limitations, stop me from going after what God predestined me to be. There were certainly some pitfalls along the way, but my trust in God was never one of them.
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?
Smooth road? Ohhhh no! I doubted myself on so many things and in so many areas. There were times that I missed some truly amazing opportunities because I talked myself out of them or listened to the wrong advice. Whether the struggle was with my self-esteem or struggling financially, struggles have always been present. When you try to fund your dream while still running a household, doubt and fear try to creep in at every turn.
When you miss out on an opportunity that you know would have been right for you and could have helped others in the process but struggle with whose voice was ringing the loudest in my head (faith our doubt), that’s a really big struggle.
I am thankful that have come through them, but I am not lost on the fact that there may be more in the future – and I have to pull upon the strength that got me through the others to pull me through the new ones.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about PAYNE & Glory, Inc.?
Our services included live, virtual and hybrid events that are designed to educate, empower, heal and help. From Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention to Mental Health and Ministry, we take every bit of what we do seriously and with hope and faith. We have formed partnerships over the years with domestic violence prevention organizations, health and wellness professionals as well as mental health providers to not only have engaging events but to be able to provide resources to people when there is no event taking place and there is an immediate need.
I believe that what possibly sets us apart is the fact that we are not only faith-centered but we are driven by outcomes. Outcomes of knowing that the family that we referred to get assistance is now safe. Outcomes in knowing that the person that was having suicidal ideations is now getting the much-needed help that they needed. Outcomes in knowing that business owners and ministry leaders successfully completed their mental health first aid certification and now know what to do to help colleagues, employees, members, loved ones and friends and not assume in error and do more damage. The outcomes is what sets us apart.
The organization has built its foundation on helping women to find their voice, shed the weight of regret, embarrassment, low self-esteem, worthlessness and powerlessness. We successfully have done this by hosting a variety of events that featured guest speakers that were strategically and divinely designed to aid in each area where there was a pain point that the women could identify with. Our message of hope and healing in the area of domestic violence awareness and prevention gave many their voices back while simultaneously educating others on the taboo topic. From there, we expanded to include “What’s A Girl To Do?”, which is centered around teen dating violence awareness and prevention. This included topics from middle school, high school and college-age dating to self-esteem and self-worth. We bring in experts on the perils of sex trafficking and how to be aware and protected.
As our organization grew, so did the programs, events and services. Those would include our annual women’s health and wellness expo, mental health first aid certifications, our annual Restoring the Bond: Mother/Daughter Love event and our annual Pain in the Pews: Mental Health and Ministry Conference.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I like that there is something for everyone to do. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert – creative, artistic, quirky, quiet, outgoing or a little bit of everything, there’s something for everyone.
What do I like least? Oh my, it’s the traffic! I also don’t like how divisive we can be politically. Not that people can’t support their political party – but it goes deeper, it almost seems personal. I actually don’t know that I want to say “politically”, but looking at us through a humanitarian lens, we seem to have lost our way. Yes, that’s more accurate in my assessment – the humanitarianism of the city seems to be falling away.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.payneandglory.com
- Instagram: @payneandglory
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/payneandglory
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/payneandglory
