Meet Damita Parks of Riverdale, GA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Damita Parks.

Hi Damita, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
First, thank you for giving me the space to tell my story—because it’s not an easy one, but it’s mine.

I grew up in a very crowded, multi-generational home with my parents, paternsl grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all under one roof. From a very young age, I felt different. I was treated differently by my grandmother, and I became what people would call the “black sheep” of the family.

I remember my cousins would fight me, and I wouldn’t fight back—not because I couldn’t, but because I didn’t want to. My parents would tell me I needed to defend myself. So one day, I finally did. I stood up for myself.

But instead of being supported, my grandmother told me that I was wrong for fighting back.

That moment stayed with me. It confused me. It made me question myself—like even when I did what I was taught to do, I was still somehow the problem. That was one of the first times I really saw the inconsistency in how I was treated, and it forced me to start thinking differently at a very young age.

There were other moments that reinforced that feeling—like seeing support given to others that wasn’t given to me. I learned early not to expect help, and to rely on myself.

At home, there was a lot of dysfunction. I saw things no child should see—violence, addiction, constant tension. I remember being a little girl trying to make sense of adult problems, even telling my mother she should leave my father. I was six years old, but I already felt responsible for things I didn’t fully understand.

And then at 10 years old, I experienced something that changed me even more—I was violated by someone who never should have had access to me. That was something I carried quietly, and it forced me to grow up even faster.

Life didn’t slow down after that. I became a mother at 16, and by 21, I had three children—two daughters and a son. I was still growing up myself, but I had three lives depending on me.

And then came one of the most defining moments of my life—their father committed suicide. He took his life in front of my daughters and me.

That moment… it changed everything.

I didn’t have the space to fall apart. I had to hold it together for my children. And in that moment, I made a decision:
I was not going to let my past—or my pain—decide how my story ended.

I chose to build a life that looked nothing like what I came from. I chose stability. I chose growth. I chose to create something better for my children.

And over time, that’s exactly what I did.

I’m not proud of everything I went through—but I am proud that I didn’t stay there. I turned pain into purpose. I turned survival into strength. And I became someone my children could depend on.

My story didn’t start in a good place—but I made sure it didn’t end there.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road.

One of the biggest ongoing struggles has been the impact of their father’s suicide—not just on me, but on my children. That kind of loss doesn’t just go away. It shows up in different ways over time. My children are still navigating that pain, and as a mother, that’s one of the hardest things to witness.

My son, in particular, has struggled. He’s now a father of four himself, and he’s trying to figure out what it means to be a good father when he didn’t have that example growing up. Watching him work through that has been both painful and powerful at the same time.

For a long time, I focused on surviving—just making sure my children were okay, keeping everything together, and pushing forward. But about five years ago, I had a real moment of self-reflection where I realized I had never truly taken the time to grieve for myself.

I had been strong for everyone else, but I hadn’t allowed myself to process everything I had been through.

That was a turning point for me.

I began to understand that healing is just as important as surviving. I started doing the work—emotionally and mentally—to process my trauma, not just push past it. And that journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been necessary.

So no, it hasn’t been a smooth road—but every challenge has taught me something. It’s shaped how I show up as a mother, how I support my children, and how I continue to grow as a person.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Professionally, I’m an accounting professional with a career spanning over 20 years. I currently work as an IT Financial Analyst for a well-known restaurant chain, where I focus on bridging the gap between finance and technology—supporting systems, improving processes, and ensuring financial accuracy.

But beyond that, I’ve also built a strong presence in the creative space.

I’m an international professional model. I’ve had multiple opportunities to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week as well as in the Bahamas, and I’ve participated in multiple fashion shows throughtout the US. I’m also signed with a bridal boutique, which has allowed me to expand my work in that area.

In addition to modeling, I’m an actress. I’ve appeared in productions such as Tyler Perry’s Divorce in the Black and Beauty in Black. I’m also starring in Makin A Movie Fuh 2Bee, which will be released on Tubi this year, and I’m currently working on a series called Improv Therapy, which is in production.

What I’m most proud of is my ability to build success in multiple spaces while overcoming personal challenges. I’ve created a stable, long-term career in accounting while also pursuing my passions in modeling and acting—and doing both at a high level.

What sets me apart is my resilience, my discipline, and my versatility. I’m able to move between corporate and creative environments seamlessly, and I bring the same level of professionalism, focus, and dedication to everything I do.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can connect with me and follow my journey on Instagram at @damitajo_01 and on Facebook under Damita Parks.

I’m always open to meaningful collaborations—whether that’s in modeling, acting, brand partnerships, or projects that align with purpose and storytelling.

I’m also in the early stages of launching my nonprofit, S.O.S (Survivors of Suicide). It’s a platform dedicated to supporting individuals and families who have lost a loved one to suicide—creating a safe space for healing, connection, and awareness.

For me, it’s not just about collaboration—it’s about impact. So I’m especially interested in working with people and organizations that want to make a difference, share real stories, and uplift others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://magazineymtv.my.canva.site/damita-jo
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damitajo_01
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18Z699ojw7/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damitaparks