Daily Inspiration: Meet ShaMeeka Campbell

Today we’d like to introduce you to ShaMeeka Campbell.

Hi ShaMeeka, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Flint, Michigan — a city full of strength, but also struggle. Growing up where crime was high and graduation and college degree rates were low, the odds were definitely stacked against me. My mom didn’t focus heavily on grades; her motto was always, “It’s your bed, you’ve got to lay in it.” She wanted me to understand accountability — that if I wanted a certain kind of life, I had to put in the work for it.

I didn’t do great in high school and honestly didn’t think college was for me. I didn’t see a lot of examples around me of people going to college or building careers they loved. But one thing my mom always recognized in me was my writing. From the time I could hold a pencil, she encouraged me to tell my stories. When it came time for college, she suggested I study journalism.

I started small, earning my A.S. in Mass Communications at Columbia State Community College. Crossing that stage changed something in me — I realized I could do it. I went on to earn my B.S. in Electronic Media Management from Middle Tennessee State University, and eventually, my Master’s in Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University. That girl from Flint who once doubted herself would have never imagined this path.

Early in my career, I worked as an Associate Producer at a Nashville news station. I loved storytelling, but I also knew I wanted more out of life — more purpose, more impact. Around that time, after years of a long-distance friendship, I got engaged to my best friend and moved to Atlanta to start our new life together.

In 2022, we welcomed our first and only son, and motherhood completely shifted my world. It was beautiful, but it was also hard — and full of things no one warned me about. I found myself constantly saying, “This ain’t in the baby book.” That phrase became the title of my first book — a real, unfiltered guide to the parts of pregnancy, labor, and postpartum that often get left out of the conversation.

This Ain’t in the Baby Book is my way of creating the resource I wish I had — something honest, funny, and raw that reminds women, especially women of color, that they’re not alone in what they’re feeling. It’s a mix of truth, humor, and sisterhood — and it’s the start of a bigger mission to make space for mothers to feel seen, supported, and understood.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. My road has been anything but smooth, but it has been real, and it has shaped me into who I am. Growing up in Flint, I dealt with a lot of self-doubt. When you come from a place where opportunities are limited, it is easy to feel like certain things just are not meant for you. Even after earning my Master of Public Administration, I struggled with imposter syndrome. I kept wondering if I really belonged in certain rooms or if I was qualified enough. Truthfully, I still have those moments sometimes.

I have also faced my share of mental health battles, including anxiety, stress, and moments of feeling completely overwhelmed. That is a big reason why I am such a strong advocate for mental health awareness today. I have learned that you can be strong and still struggle. You can be grateful and still tired. Talking about it does not make you weak, it makes you human.

These past few months have probably been some of my toughest yet. I recently lost a job I loved, a place I called home for almost seven years, because of a change in administration and grant funding cuts. It was not just a workplace, it was family. Losing that was painful and disorienting.

But even in that loss, there has been light. I have had incredible support from friends, family, and former colleagues, and this season has given me the space to focus on my book, This Ain’t in the Baby Book. What started as something I was squeezing in between work and motherhood turned into a passion project I could finally bring to life.

So no, it has not been smooth, but every challenge has built resilience. I have learned to stop questioning whether I belong and to start embracing that maybe I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in nonprofit program management and grant coordination, particularly in areas that promote education, health, and community empowerment. Over the past several years, I have managed federally funded programs that train and support future behavioral health professionals. I have always taken pride in connecting people to opportunities that help them grow, whether that means building partnerships, securing funding, or creating spaces that encourage learning and collaboration.

Beyond my professional work, I am most proud of becoming an author and publishing This Ain’t in the Baby Book. The book is honest, real, and deeply personal. It shines light on what mothers actually experience during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery, especially the parts that are not discussed enough. I wanted to create something that educates, comforts, and validates women—something I wish I had when I became a mother.

What sets me apart is my ability to combine professional structure with personal storytelling. I bring the same level of care and strategy that I use in nonprofit work to everything I do, but I balance it with empathy and transparency. Whether I am managing a program or writing a chapter, my goal is the same: to make people feel seen, supported, and capable of creating change in their own lives.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: real_talk4moms