Today, we’d like to introduce you to Camille Essick.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Life is so interesting. In the second grade, I attended Dodson Elementary School and was a corresponding reporter for the school news station. Yes, my elementary school has its own news station! I enjoyed being a reporter and even had my photo in the local paper with my team.
My family moved away which resulted in my having to transfer schools, which resulted in my no longer being able to participate with the news staff at my school.
Fast forward, I attended Middle Tennessee State University and joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. which became a contributing factor to my coming out of my shell. Ten years later, I joined the U.S. Navy which took my confidence to another level. It was here ln found myself in the world of digital media, brand development, and communication.
During my time of service with the military, I obtained an Associate degree in Paralegal Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. After my naval service, I completed my Master’s degree in Communications. Since then, I’ve worked in freelance brand development, digital media, and publishing.
I developed and launched The Speak [Her] Podcast in 2019 which streams across various platforms such as iHeart Radio, Spotify, Pandora, Audible, and Google Podcasts. We are currently streaming in 936 countries and globally in 48 countries.
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?
No one told me the road would be easy. As a child, I became more introverted – only talking to close friends and those I felt extremely comfortable with.
This was due to experiencing child molestation at the age and seven and again at the age of ten. I never discussed it openly until recent years. I feel it’s extremely important to address our trauma to reclaim our power and to let other people know they are not alone. I have definitely had my share of challenges ranging from adolescent depression to being a two-time suicide survivor. Various experiences and traumas led to my becoming more introverted and a torn confidence or self-esteem. Culturally, such topics have been taboo in the Black community. Add the church and it only becomes another layer of complexity.
I do not say that for sympathy but as a testament to God’s purpose and intentions for my life. And because of those experiences, I found myself falling in love with mental health advocacy. In 2023, I became MHFA-certified for adolescents. As a result of my experiences, my podcast has become a space to address such issues in a way that it communicatively safe. I believe in God and the power of prayer However, I do believe therapy can be coupled with one’s relationship with God especially when someone has experienced trauma. It is my goal that we as a community continue to discuss such issues to not only heal, but also to become whole from the pains of our past.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love the digital media and communication space. TSP is a place where innovators and creators connect as we discuss topics and issues impacting the community and the culture. I developed and launched The Speak[Her] Podcast in 2019 which streams across various platforms such as iHeart Radio, Spotify, Pandora, Audible, and Google Podcasts.
We are currently streaming in 936 countries and globally in 48 countries. I am truly excited about the expansion of TSP and I look forward to what the future holds for my platform.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I grew up in church and I’m a PK (preacher’s kid). So those who understand what being a PK entails already understand where I’m coming from. Something most people don’t know about me is I’m an undercover nerd.
I love documentaries that involve psychological crime – something I found interest in while working legal cases with NCIS while in the Navy as a paralegal. I am also a serial reader, meaning I’ll read two or three books simultaneously. I love jazz annd neo-jazz and listen to such artists as Kamasi Washington and Robert Glasper.
What many people may not know about my podcast is why the color pink I always featured throughout my digital presence. In 2003, I lost my grandmother to a long battle with breast cancer. As my way of always remembering her, I incorporated the color to continuously honor her memory. So any time you see the color pink in anything I create, that is my wink to her.
Contact Info:
- Website: camilleessick.com
- Instagram: @camille.essick
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camille.essick?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilleessick?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CamilleEssickOfficial
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-speakher-podcast/id1456507899
Image Credits
DeShon Gales and Brandon Rashad
