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Meet Katina Davis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katina Davis.

Hi Katina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a 33-year-old single Mom of three; two girls, one boy. Myself and my three kids moved to Atlanta almost three years ago for a fresh start. However, our move really did not go as planned. I unknowingly entered into a relationship with someone who was violent and mentally unstable. The abuse began as emotional abuse, not physical so, it was not easy for me to identify what was happening and when I finally did put a name to the abuse, it was just too late. After calling the police to my residence numerous times and months later being arrested and charged with battery for defending myself, I vowed I would never let this happen to anyone else. This was the start of the birth of my non profit organization, The Melanin Motherhood, Inc. I had originally began this project while living in Washington, DC but, put it on hold due to all that was going on in my life. It’s mission was to foster sisterhood while helping working single mothers reach their full potential. However, after experiencing Domestic Violence, I kept the name the same but changed its purpose. Our mission is now to raise Domestic Violence awareness through preventative education and community involvement; Fostering sisterhood by telling my story so other survivors know that it’s okay to live their truths too. Your voice matters. Your life matters. It’s not talked about enough in our communities. Too many turn a blind eye but, the more we talk about it, the better our chances of ending Domestic Violence altogether. As of today, The Melanin Motherhood, Inc is recognized as a domestic non profit corporation in the state of Georgia! Very excited about that. We actually have our first women’s empowerment brunch coming up in August here in Atlanta. There are a few things in store for this year, actually. God is really using me and I am grateful. If you are experiencing Domestic Violence, our website is available as a resource to you and it is a SAFE place. You may visit us at www.themelaninmotherhood.org.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. I now have lifelong memories of my abuser and all I endured. I am triggered just by certain songs that come on the radio, places we’ve been in the past amongst many other things. I had to move completely away from that side of town because everything reminded me of him all the time. I have been in therapy since exiting the relationship and have been formally diagnosed with PTSD. Although the road to recovery is a long and hard one, it is doable. I don’t ever want to give the impression that recovering from Domestic Violence is easy because it isn’t but with a great support system and therapist, you can absolutely overcome and recover from this. Surviving Domestic Violence, it’s almost like you have to re-learn yourself and adjust your life to better cope with the aftermath of the abuse.

I have found that journaling, exercising, talking to my therapist and minimizing self-blame all help me cope with my thoughts, memories and triggers. It’s important to find things that work for you in the healing process. I’ve also found solace in my work in the community and my non-profit. Educating others and raising awareness makes me feel good inside because I’m contributing some positive into a world filled with so much malice; so much anger and hatred. It gives me purpose. Reading the messages from men and women who are inspired by my speaking out and my transparency throughout my healing, it just leaves me humble and speechless all the time. I really felt like I was alone when I was experiencing Domestic Violence. I never want anyone else to feel that way so I’m here to help in any way that I can.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I am a Human Resources professional in the Atlanta area. However, my background is finance. I come with 14 years of banking and finance experience. I love the banking industry because of the constant opportunities available to advance in your career and learn from your peers. I started my first banking job at 18 years old in Washington, DC at Industrial Bank which is the oldest African American owned bank in DC. I felt like I was on cloud nine working in such a place. I was scared as well because I was so young and had no skills whatsoever. However, it’s there that leadership saw something in me and took a chance on me. I thank them for giving me the opportunity and continuing to push me to succeed and strive for better. I am most proud of my journey upward in my career. I started as a teller and worked my way up the corporate ladder over the course of 14 years. I ended my banking career as a Senior Consumer Loan officer prior to moving to Atlanta. I am diligently searching for employment opportunities to get back into my field and doing what I love. What I love most about banking is helping people. I call them and say “you were approved,” and they get so happy. The joy I hear from them knowing I was able to help with their needs is what kept me going. I loved my customers and they loved me. A handful of them followed me to every institution I went to. Literally.

What matters most to you?
I would say my children and their happiness. Can I be honest? No mother is perfect. I’m not perfect, my Mother isn’t perfect nor was her Mother perfect. There is no handbook to this. However, through attending therapy after experiencing Domestic Violence, I learned that there were so many issues festering inside of me that were unresolved from my childhood. It was then that I learned childhood trauma is real no matter how minimal it may be and could have lasting effects. Childhood trauma was the reason I settled for a lot of things and relationships that I probably shouldn’t have. Through my own experiences with my childhood I’ve learned to listen to my kids, empathize with what they feel, and to not subject them to emotional invalidation just because they’re children. That’s where most people go wrong. Children are people too. They have feelings too and as adults, we aren’t always right. I could go on all day with this but the point is, I am correcting what I felt caused so many issues within me as a child and not making those same mistakes with my children.

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Image Credits
Photos taken by: OMG Photography , LLC (IG & Facebook)

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