Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Ford and Jermaine Brown.
Ashley and Jermaine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started as this very intelligent, book work little girl in a small town called Danville, Ky but I had always had big city dreams. My heart and passions were spread all over the place but music and dancing were my main things. I lost my dad when I was nine and I watched him take his last breath which I think causes me to be a very troubled child as far as my anger and other mental issues I faced but its nothing I was going through interfered with my schooling. My future was bright but I met an older guy when I was 15 and ended up pregnant a year later and had my first kid when I was 17. At 19 I had two kids, gave up my scholarship at the University of Kentucky to become a dancer so I could provide for my kids on my own. I came from an upper middle class family so I grew up fine material wise but all families have their secrets. School uses to be my escape from my problems at home but when I became a mother, having my own money became my motive so then the stage became my new escape as well as my way to put food on the table fast. By the time I was 21 I had four kids and my youngest is four now and she’s autistic and epileptic so life got real and rough real fast. I also spent two years in prison which was an eye opener for me. It gave me time to sit down and get to know myself. While I was doing time my mom found out she had triple negative breast cancer.
My mom fought hard and traveled Everywhere and shared her story and journey along the way. She passed away May 31st, 2019 and that was the reason I started my organization Erica’s Angels which is named after my mom. I’ve set out to keep my mom’s story alive because she always tried to help others in her similar situation even though she wasn’t feeling well or was struggling herself she always gave back and she was admired for that. She even had all four of my kids while I have done time while she was fighting her sentence. So my organization sets out to find ways to help breast cancer patients to inform them of the disease, inspire them to not give up and to provide the support that they may need along the way, especially those without family. I founded Erica’s Angels but my support comes from my car club Louisville Camaro Dragons that is under my big brother Jermaine Brown aka Smooth. Our car club does a lot for Kentucky’s urban communities and he helps me with my fundraising.
Since I started dancing I’ve always went back and forth between KY and ATL and have met various people to help both organizations to spread to the south. I have always admired Atlanta and how every African-American person that I’ve met no matter where we may had came across each other everyone was always doing something positive and had their own business going. I have a place in Atlantic station but I also have returned to the UK to gain a degree in criminal law and I plan to return to Atlanta permanently you go to Law School at Spelman College. Until then I’ll be going back and forth from Lexington, Ky to Atlanta, Ga to make my organization a brand that everyone knows about!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve overcome many struggles to be the woman I am today. Most of my family calls me the girl with wings. They say I’ve always ended up in many predicaments but I also always grew wings and overcame them. I’ve battled depression, many deaths of loved ones; for instance, both of my parents are now deceased, my youngest daughter’s biological dad was murdered when I was three months pregnant, and one of my best friends was found dead in a ditch back in 2013. Dancing opened me up to a lot of danger and bad decisions but it wasn’t dancing itself but the people it attracted. I got on drugs for a while to deal with things I was going through, I’ve been kidnapped by a crazy ex, been in several abusive relationships, been locked up, and had to fight back for custody of one of my children.
I’ve been up, had plenty of money, and everything I desired but I lost myself chasing money. I had to be broken down and broke and in a position where I had nothing but myself, a prayer, my mind, and my voice to find myself again, figure out what I wanted and not what the trend was to be able to be the best mother I could be, the woman I was destined to be, the potential I knew I had, and the wife to the man I was designed for. After all the demons I’ve fought on my own I feel invincible and I know that if I can make it so can others. That’s why I’m not ashamed to share my story because I know I can help someone. I even plan to spread the basis of my organization to not only help breast cancer patients but people in general! Because I am Erica’s Angel! The strength my mother had to battle cancer she also instilled in me to battle life in general and that’s why I want to give back. It’s important to me to help others even if I can only successfully help one person I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished something.
Tell us more about the organization.
Erica’s Angels is a non profit that is named after my mother Erica who just passed away from triple negative breast cancer. My organization goes to the hospitals and hope centers and gives gifts to patients and we volunteer to sit with patients without supporters during their chemotherapy. We also host 5k runs to raise money and to have fun events for patients. I’m hoping to spread and be able to help more than just cancer patients but also kids with autism and those just having a hard time in life in general. I think what I’m most proud of is that this organization was based on love and life experiences so we’re a “ no judgment” zone.
We want to help those that have help and did okay in life and those that had a hard time. I don’t care if you were a CEO of a firm and fell on hard times or you were homeless a thief, or a criminal… I want to help you if you need it and I think that’s also what sets us apart from other organizations. I don’t have any requirements or limits. My organization doesn’t care what you need help with even if it’s something we’re not focusing on right now. If you contact us and say you need help and we don’t have the resources at the time I can promise you I’ll come up with it to help you!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck. The only thing that’s played a role in my life and business has been my self dedication, faith, lots of prayers, my kids, family( not necessarily blood), and a higher power.
Contact Info:
- Email: ericas.angels1971@gmail.com
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/Ashley.fordedelen
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