Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianca Hardy.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Brianca. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Dancing In The Rain Ministries (DITRM) was birth in October 2016 and founded by myself Brianca Hardy. When I started college in 2010, I was uncertain of what career path I wanted to take, but I knew I wanted to have a life-changing impact on women and young girls. While attending The University of Alabama, I was a member of the UA Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). The NCNW, through volunteer opportunities, opened doors for me to mentor young girls at local high schools and Boys & Girls Clubs. After graduating from college, I started a job working in the hospitality field and worked for a couple of years. When the door to that position abruptly ended. Surprisingly I wasn’t as devastated as one might imagine. It simply fueled my passion. I thank God for closing that door and swinging open the door for Dancing In The Rain Ministries.
Today, Dancing In The Rain Ministries is a faith-based, state-recognized, non-profit organization that challenges women and girls of all ages to embrace life’s rainy seasons of pain, loss, and brokenness, and celebrate the harvest that each rainy season brings. DITRM has hosted many events to include Seated At The King’s Table Brunch, dance workshops, and worship encounter services. Dancing In The Rain Ministries focuses on two elements that are dear to my heart, which are women empowerment and dance. Whether it is with words or dance movements, I enjoy ministering to people
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I would love to be able to say that it has been a smooth road for Dancing In The Rain Ministries (DITRM). However, there have been some bumps in the road. I have battled with personal fears and financial struggles along the way.
My personal fears and financial struggles often collided with one another. The more events I hosted, I found myself going into what felt like financial sinking sand. The feedback from the women and young girls after each event have always been amazing. Unfortunately, my personal bank account seems to take a hit that seemed to echo even louder. I began to loathe hosting events because I knew my personal bank account would take another blow. There were times when I cried out to God with much anger and frustration when no one was around. I would shout to the top of my lungs, “I’m not personally funding another event for Dancing In The Rain; I’m not going to do it”! I was overwhelmed and ready to throw in my white flag of surrender and defeat.
Nevertheless, in the midst of all that frustration, God sent church members and family and friends that would sow into DITRM. Those monetary seeds showed me and continue to show me that people believe in me and the vision of Dancing In The Rain Ministries. On the other hand, DITRM still was not able to balance the expenses of the events. I needed to explore sponsorship.
I put reaching out to sponsors on the backburner year after year out of fear of being rejected. I would overthink and feel that the response of no, spoke relevancy to DITRM. I allowed the fear of rejection to cripple and, for three years, stagnate the financial growth of the ministry. Once I realized that hearing no did not mean that DITRM was not needed for such a time as this, I reached out to local business and companies to seek sponsorship for Dancing In The Rain Ministries. It was not until year four of the ministry when I rolled up my sleeves and contacted sponsors by way of letters and phone calls. Writing and mailing the letters were easy for me, whereas making the phone calls were a challenge. Nevertheless with my consistency, I found myself connecting the right people and thankfully local businesses began to sponsor our biggest annual event, which is “Seated at the King’s Table Brunch”. I’m so thankful for the support from those business owners, my church members, and family and friends. It is truly a blessing to finally plan an event and not watch my bank account suffer.
Dancing In The Rain Ministries – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am an ordained minister of the Gospel under the leadership of Pastor Charlie Davis of Passion of Christ Family Worship Center located in Montgomery, AL. In addition, I am a youth mentor, liturgical dancer, and choreographer, and the Founder of Dancing In The Rain Ministries. DITRM specializes in women empowerment and dance. The ministry is known for the Gospel of Jesus Christ being taught and shared in various arenas to include the following: worship services, small women gatherings, Saturday brunches, dance workshops, and more. October 2020 will be five years that the ministry has been in existence. I am most proud of the longevity of DITRM. Sure we have had some struggles along the way. However, Dancing In The Rain Ministries is still standing and amazingly progressing.
There are many ministries similar to DITRM, but what sets us apart from them is our authenticity and passion for seeing inner healing in every woman and girl that we encounter. I wish the participants to feel and see the realness of Brianca as the founder of the organization. There was a time when I wanted to appear that Brianca Hardy was well put together with no flaws or issues. I grew weary of masking my true self and having a public façade of how people thought I should be. I feel that it is important for people to know that I am a woman of God that has fallen several times and has some of the same issues and struggles they may have. I am not afraid to show my humanity and my blemishes. Dancing In The Rain is not just a cute name; it is my walk of life. I decided to walk in wholeness and health, and at every event that I host, you can see the end goal is inner healing for all. When I experience light and sometimes heavy rain, I choose to dance in the rain.
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shirts, changes, trends?
In the next 5 to 10 years, I see Dancing In The Rain Ministries expanding and venturing down new avenues. I believe that our annual women empowerment brunch, Seated at the King’s Table, will continue to grow in numbers and ultimately grow beyond the city of Montgomery. I think Atlanta, GA will be the next great major city for the annual event. This will allow more people to gravitate to the organization and the various events we host. Next, DITRM will embark upon college campuses in the form of small groups catered to collegiate women. I want these small groups to consist of bible studies, girl talk nights, group outings, and more. Finally, I desire to drive the organization more as it pertains to dance. My ambition is to inspire and challenge dancers and choreographers alike, whether it be workshops, dance recitals, or retreats.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.briancahardy.com
- Phone: 334-320-029
- Email: dancingintheraininfo@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i_danceintherain/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HappilyDancingInTheRain/
Image Credit:
Reminisce Photography and Film
Revived Photography
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