Today we’d like to introduce you to Salathiel DeLoach.
Hi Salathiel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
What began as a deeply personal battle with lupus transformed into a mission much larger than me. After being diagnosed and living with lupus for over two decades, I experienced firsthand the physical, emotional, and spiritual toll of this invisible disease. Rather than allowing my pain to define me, I chose to use it as a platform to empower, educate, and connect others walking the same difficult path.
In 2020, just before the world officially entered the pandemic, I submitted the paperwork to establish the DeLoach Lupus Foundation Savannah GA Inc. What began as a personal mission to turn my challenges into purpose quickly became a space where lupus warriors could find the support, resources, and community I once needed myself. What started as an effort to raise awareness has grown into a thriving organization that hosts impactful events like Operation Hope, Lace Up for Lupus Walk, and Warrior Link-Up support gatherings—each designed to foster education, wellness, and hope. This year we have the honor of celebrating our 5th year as an organization and our 3rd year serving in the community
Through partnerships with medical professionals, community leaders, and local organizations, the foundation continues to shine a light on lupus awareness and patient advocacy in Savannah and beyond. Today, I stand not only as a 23-year lupus survivor, but as a voice of strength, faith, and resilience—committed to ensuring that no lupus warrior ever feels unseen or unsupported.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been an easy road. When I first started, I was starting from scratch when it came to the community scene, and honestly, I didn’t know many people beyond those I worked with or the few connections I’d kept since middle school. Years of dealing with health challenges had kept me on the sidelines, focused more on surviving than networking. On top of that, there are times I have to fund things out of my own pocket just to bring my vision to life. Balancing my health, purpose, and the financial weight of it all can be tough—but it also builds resilience, faith, and a deeper sense of purpose. Every obstacle reminds me why I started: to make sure no lupus warrior ever feels isolated, unseen, or without hope.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I wear a few different hats, but everything I do has one common thread — serving people with excellence, empathy, and intention. Professionally, I work in Human Resources, where I lead with integrity and strive to treat people with fairness, understanding, and respect. I believe leadership begins with how you show up, especially when challenges arise. When conflict happens, I focus on listening, finding common ground, and responding with both professionalism and compassion. My faith keeps me grounded and reminds me that even in tough moments, grace and integrity go hand in hand.
Beyond HR, I’m the founder of Speak Up DeLoach LLC, a creative and motivational brand that allows me to merge my voice with my purpose. Through this platform, I offer voiceover services, design work, speaking engagements, and my podcast — The Light, Lupus, and I — which focuses on faith, resilience, and real-life experiences. It’s my way of creating spaces where people can find hope, laughter, and encouragement even in hard seasons.
I’m also an author, and my book, Chosen for This Journey, is deeply personal. It’s a devotional that reflects my walk with lupus and my faith, written to remind others that even difficult seasons can lead to divine purpose.
What I’m most proud of is how each piece of my work — from HR to the foundation to my brand — connects back to service. What sets me apart is that I don’t just talk about purpose; I live it daily. Whether I’m onboarding an employee, encouraging a lupus warrior, or speaking life into someone through my voice or writing, my goal is always the same: to help people feel understood, uplifted, and equipped to keep going.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality that’s been most important to my success is integrity. It guides every decision I make — personally and professionally. Integrity keeps me grounded when things get difficult and helps me lead with honesty, fairness, and consistency. It reminds me that how I treat people matters just as much as the results I produce. Whether I’m working in HR, running the foundation, or serving through Speak Up DeLoach, I strive to show up as someone people can trust — even when no one’s watching.
Pricing:
- Book – Chosen for this Journey – $17.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deloachlf.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeLoachLF
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deloach-lupus-foundation-savannah-ga-inc/
- Other: Link to book – https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084
Image Credits
Shaunii Rawls – Confident Studios
