We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cherise Davis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cherise below.

Alright, Cherise thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Mission: To Challenge Young Ladies to Accept Only God’s Best for Their Lives

I grew up in a 2-parent Christian home, infused with much of the good that a young girl can experience. My maternal grandfather was a pastor, with my grandmother at his side and my paternal grandparents were active church leaders. I had extended family, godparents, friends and mentors that encouraged and supported me. I was also learning to have a personal relationship with God. Somehow, I still defaulted to low self-esteem and pessimism, cluelessness on my life’s purpose, and my perceptions of others were often distorted. How could other young ladies who did not have such a village thrive and be “successful” in life? Home, church, nor school offered all that I needed. Something was missing. Media statistics seemed to show young ladies, especially those of color in a less than desirable light. Young and old ladies struggle with a variety of experiences. Knowing this and an awareness of my own life experiences made the mission and vision of GLOSS very clear. Something to serve as a bridge between home and church in the life of young ladies is what God lead me to create in GLOSS. Young ladies all over the world need committed individuals to walk alongside them as they strive to accept only God’s best for their lives. Doing so will enable them to shine, flutter and blossom like butterflies through the multiple phases of life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am multi-dimensional, consistently enhancing my mind, body and soul. Currently, I am living in the vastness of what is possible for my life. Through GLOSS and other activities, the limitations I once placed on myself are vanishing. I am intentional about becoming a hospitality magnate, using my talents, interests, and innate gifts to build wealth. My hospitality passion is evident within the organizational structure of my nonprofit (GLOSS), my career, my Airbnb, my travels, and my volunteer roles in other communities. Good eating, travel and spending time with my family and friends always puts me in a happy place. I am learning the Argentine tango and Angolan Kizomba. Next on my bucket list is a skydive experience.

How You Got Into Your Industry
I’ve been intrigued by aspects of the hospitality industry since I was a little girl. I am reminded of wanting to always set the table for every meal. Growing up, we used dishes more so than paper plates and cups. I helped my mom prepare meals in the kitchen and planned personal and business events. Vacations were the best—hotels, restaurants, tourism, and the people were fascinating to me. When it was time to choose a college, the struggle was real. I wasn’t sure what major to select nor what school will I attend. It was during this time that I learned the things I enjoyed had a name: hospitality. After many disappointing moments in my search for a major and a college, my every desire was met. I am now a proud alumni with honors from Johnson & Wales University (Charlotte campus), A.S. in Restaurant Management and B.A. in International Hotel & Tourism Management. Studying abroad and having entrepreneurial parents encouraged me to pursue an M.B.A. from Devry’s Keller Graduate School of Management. My passion for hospitality is weaved in to the tapestry of my work. Within GLOSS, the “food & beverage”, “travel & tourism”, lodging and entertainment & recreation” sectors are revealed in its 7 core values, signature programs and special events. I am also an adjunct professor for the hospitality and culinary arts program at Atlanta Technical College and the host of “Pineapple Talks”, a podcast that highlights the stories of professionals in the hospitality industry. Recently, I became a Career Advisor for Goodwill’s Helms College, where I connect with individuals in hospitality and other industries to better serve the students in active and post-grad success.

Type of Product/Service Provide
The service my nonprofit GLOSS provides is the opportunity for young ladies between 5 and 25 years old to become a part of a sisterhood that challenges them to accept only God’s best for their lives. This is done through peer mentoring, facilitated Biblical themes, and community service opportunities. GLOSS creates a safe space for young ladies to share their highs and lows. The problem is that child abuse, child trafficking, child neglect, bullying, depression, anxiety, poverty, and other crises are on the rise. What makes GLOSS different is the lifetime sisterhood, the commitment of volunteers/mentors to God, Biblical principles and the young ladies they serve.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn how I thought life worked. Some things I learned by being taught. Other things I learned by what was caught. My parents were an integral part of teaching me what I know in all aspects. I am the product of private, public and homeschool educational settings. I spent about 6 years in college for my 3 degrees and many hours in church, and extracurricular activities. Conversations about a wide range of topics over the years, listening to documentaries, reading books and most of all observations have shaped my intellect, thoughts, values and activities. While the facts of what I’ve learned may always be true, it’s the interpretation of those facts that I have had to unlearn. My biggest lesson to unlearn is: “things change”. I am still unlearning this. As a young girl, I grew up believing certain things that now as an adult I can see is different. There is no Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny nor Leprechaun. I had to unlearn that people don’t live forever. I’ve had to say goodbye to both of my grandfathers and other loved ones. I had to unlearn that relationships with others will not always be the same. I had to live through the divorce of my parents and my own failed relationships. I had to unlearn that jobs are not forever. I’ve had 3 jobs that closed, forcing me to look for another income source. I had to unlearn that just because I study for a test, I may not pass it. I took my driver’s permit test three times before passing. I had to unlearn misinterpreted scriptures and spiritual truths. Praying doesn’t get what you want right away. People in church leadership are not perfect. I had to unlearn that my car will not run forever. I’ve had to trade in/sell four cars. My backstory is that as a child, I just believed that however it was, it will always be. The unsuspecting changes are grievous, sometimes creating trauma with lifelong triggers. In every current situation, I attempt to recognize that change is inevitable. It’s not “if”, but “when”. Accepting changes for the good or bad comes with the need to recalibrate. I have had to unlearn quite a few lessons, but each of those lessons came with something I did learn that some day in the future I just may have to unlearn. But that’s just what change is about.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Disappointed! Disheartened! Even teary-eyed! My story of resilience is not from the past, but current and in full bloom. Mid-thirties and still single. No grands for my parents. I can easily do without another social media post with engagement pictures, gender reveals, brides’ maid dress purchases, helping a friend with her wedding or wedding anniversaries. Becoming a wife and mommy were my greatest desires. I was reluctant to share this journey because it is not direct to the “work” I do and I am not sure how this journey will end. However, this unfulfilled desire impacted me at the core of my faith and trust in God, my sense of worth and my commitment to inspiring young ladies and women. The genuine well-wishes for others were entangled with the piercing pain of their hallmark progressions being reminders of my stagnated love life. The glimmers of hope over the years faded with relationships that did not end with a proposal and my ticking biological clock. Sad, angry and fearful are just a few of the myriad of emotions that I have had to manage while holding GLOSS meetings, teaching classes, hanging with family/friends, and just doing life. Times when my weight dropped because my appetite had dissipated. Where is God? Does He not love me anymore? Why has He given me so much, but not my heart’s desire? Where did my motivation and energy run off to? I became overly acquainted with cynicism, self-sabotaging behaviors, and hopelessness. Tears in the shower, in the car, at work, in the store, before and after awesome events, and on the pillows at night became routine. Praying without relief through sleepless nights and even moments of panic as I began to accept that my heart’s desire may never become my reality. The treacherous waters of envy and comparison creeps in uninvited. Breathe Cherise! Breathe Cherise! My daily routine is managing the disappointment. Resilience? I am resilient. I am the great granddaughter of West Virginia coal miners. I’m the daughter of the Sovereign God. I am a joint-heir with my Lord. I am resilient daily. I cannot and will not drown in my own ugly thoughts. I daily remind myself to not accept the narrative that my life is moving along at a deficit because I do not have what others appear to have. These days I meal prep, sleep better, affirm myself, take dance classes and focus on professional development more than I ever thought I would. My leadership role in GLOSS is also transforming me into a unique and beautiful butterfly. As I continue to evolve and mature in my womanhood, I am becoming more compassionate for others and more willing to surrender my desires to God’s desires. I have chosen to not allow this “one thing” to destroy everything. The best is yet to come!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.CheriseDavis.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherisemichele/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/CheriseDavis
• Other: www.GLOSSsisterhood.org