Today we’d like to introduce you to Tera Carissa Hodges.
Tera Carissa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey first began as a faith-based empowerment speaker in 2006, right here in Atlanta, GA. From tapping into my work experience in ministry, media, sales, and public relations to create and host events for Dr. LaJoyce Brookshire, author of best selling novel Soul Food, which is also a staple movie within the African-American community, to being tapped by Bishop T.D. Jakes’ team to help launch his book, “Instinct,” via a teleconference series, amongst other notable millennial empowerment speakers, to being featured in Black Woman Redefined amongst celebrities such as Soledad O’Brien, Sherri Shepherd, and most recently winning the Walker’s Legacy Power Award for my media company, www.lrglobalmediagroup.com for helping women launch in business and in media, empowering others through faith is how I got started and why I got started.
To date, I count celebrities, public figures, religious leaders, politicians and more amongst the many clients I have coached in the areas of faith, media, business, and more. My international invitations include South Africa, where Mercedez Benz Johannesburg sponsored a conference I headlined as the featured speaker, which saw women from over 17 countries on the continent of Africa in attendance, to England, Canada, France, the Bahamas and more. I am fiercely committed to empowering women in every area of their lives.
I am where I am today because, despite any obstacle, or mistake I’ve made, I had more faith in my purpose as a trailblazing woman created to impact and empower other women to be their best selves–despite their past or pain, than I did any problem life threw my way.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Along the way, I have encountered being my own worst enemy and needing to face the demons of self-doubt, and procrastination. Often times, when you are a trailblazer, striving to leave a legacy for other women who will undoubtedly walk in your shoes and travel a similar path one day, you can doubt if you are doing things the right way, because there is no pattern to follow. Next, procrastination, which in my case, was linked to over thinking and self-doubt. I have learned to trust myself more, knowing there is no such thing as failure; either I win or I learn. Both are the best case scenarios.
In addition to personal demons, I’ve encountered copy cats, other women who have blatantly tried to steal contacts, duplicate my products, services, undercut my success, and more. However, my journey has taught me, when your purpose, passion, drive, and determination to follow your dreams is real, you are the je ne sais quoi that may be imitated, but never duplicated. Your audience–the people you are called to serve and empower, will always request you.
Please tell us about LR Global Media.
With a legitimate following on Twitter (www.twitter.com/teracarissa) and Facebook, (http://www.facebook.com/speakteracarissa), I am known around the globe as a faith-based empowerment speaker, life coach, and businesswoman. To date, I have coached over 1,000 people in over 25 countries. I specialize in helping women tap into their faith to move beyond their past, heal, reset, and live their best lives.
I am most proud of the testimonials that flood my inbox weekly from women saying, you said something today that changed my life. To have been called out by the iconic singer, Anita Baker, at her Mother’s Day concert last year in Atlanta, and publicly celebrated for messages I have shared that have inspired her, was humbling, to say the least. You never know who is watching. She is not the only one. At least twice a month, a celebrity, with a verified account, inboxes me.
I believe my authenticity sets me apart. I live my life out loud with no shame. Two quotes drive my life: Make a mistake, but don’t allow a mistake to make you and when you own your story, your story can never own you. You strip your past and negative people of their power when there is nothing they can “shame” you with. If I did it, I did it. Now, watch me own my story, tell my story, and empower millions with the lessons learned.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I was a tomboy growing up (laughs). I wrestled with the boys, ran with the boys, beat up the boys and more (laughs). I did not embrace the traditional societal view of femininity until my freshman year in high school. Because of this, I totally believe my willingness to play with and against the boys at an early age, prepped me for being unapologetic, unrepentant, and fierce, when as a woman, I have needed to stand my ground as a woman in the board room. Men do not scare me or intimidate me. I see them as my equal, which means I give respect but I also expect respect.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lrglobalmediagroup.com, www.teracarissa.com, www.liveyourbestlifemedia.com
- Email: tera@teracarissa.com, info@lrglobalmediagroup.com,
- Instagram: @teracarissahodges
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/speakteracarissa
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/teracarissa
Image Credit:
Brian L Christian, Photography, MdGrFx Graphics, Tony McKoy, Photography
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