Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Courtney Gaddy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gaddy, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Faith is….

In 2020, three weeks before my father’s untimely and heartbreaking death, we received a massive opportunity.

Faith is….

I wasn’t sure what to do after my father transitioned. Was it a sign to stay put or take it? What about my family? Could we do it? I love my career; am I supposed to let it go?

Faith is….

People will say I don’t deserve it. Am I prepared? Is it my turn?

Faith is….

I’ve never done this before. The territory is literally and figuratively foreign to me.

Faith is….

In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, we engaged in a tremendous act of faith and purchased a retreat center in Ecuador.

Gaddy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Since I was very young, I have always been passionate about community transformation and movement. Even as a child, I had the ability to capture the attention of many and direct them towards a goal. At the age of 7, I initiated my first campaign to raise funds for field trips for some of my impoverished classmates. I asked for help from my parents, unaware that we weren’t financially well-off. Although it hit their pockets directly, they supported me and sponsored dozens of field trips for my classmates throughout my elementary schooling. From a young age, I felt a calling to advocate for the marginalized, ostracized, impoverished, and alienated. With my background in music, spiritual upbringing, and 30 years of community outreach experience, I have developed my skills in creating presentations that resonate with people on an emotional level. My focus is on the heart, which is the most crucial aspect of human connection. My goal is to inspire individuals to embark on a more aware and healed journey in life.

For the past 30 years, I have dedicated myself to philanthropic work and raised more than $15,000 for various causes. Along with crowdfunding, I also work as a life coach, autism advocate, and business owner. After being diagnosed with autism at the age of 35, I joined forces with others to fight for equality for people with disabilities. Currently, I am working on building my consulting firm, where I aim to collaborate with corporations and those in the educational system to bridge the gaps for autistic individuals and raise awareness. Lastly, I’m the Co-Owner of a retreat healing center in Macas, Ecuador. We are the first BIPOC Women Queer-run centers of our kind in the world.

Our clients come to us for healing, with the use of plant medicine. We have been featured in Travel Noire and Black Enterprise.

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

I began my management career at a young age, but it wasn’t without its challenges. Most of my colleagues were much older than me, which made it difficult to connect with them. As a leader, I always tried to be true to myself and push my team in unconventional ways. I believed that everyone had the potential to grow and develop, and I wanted to give them the tools to succeed. Of course, I had to assess their commitment before investing too heavily in their growth, but I considered all of them to be my mentees. When I took over the NY market, I faced some resistance from the employees and managers there, many of whom were people of color and older than me. I even assigned them a book report, which didn’t exactly go over well. But I was determined to help them reach their full potential, no matter what.

They hated me at first- i set bars they had to reach, or they decided to leave the company, they weren’t let go. While challenging, I always told them it was so they could eat. I let them know people in leadership, especially the client, didn’t think we could make it. I was 24, standing in the country’s most complex and unique market. Neither of my predecessors walked away in success. Can you imagine how they looked at that young Black woman? Several people left, and I continued to show up no matter what. Before we spoke about business, we talked about how they were doing. The company would be there, but what did they want in life? When someone did anything, big or small, I was loud about it.

We began dreaming together. I don’t believe anyone ever thought NY would be the number-one district.

I was getting gas one afternoon, and Mary, my National Director, called me. I’m like, damn, what happened?? She called to tell me we were number one in the country. 🙌🏾

I couldn’t get off the phone fast enough, and I broke down with Mary on the phone. 🥺 The underdogs did it, the misfits did it, and the young Black woman did it. 🖤

Thanks to Mary and Rich (my direct leadership), they believed in us.

We would hit number one several more times before I left. My management team took me out to celebrate our achievements over the years. 🖤.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When my Baby momma and I split, she and Chipmunk kept our spot, and I had trash bags to move my clothes and some sentimental items. I asked a “friend” of mine about housing in his area. I knew it was quiet and a good place for my son to visit. He told me he and his wife had a spare bedroom.

I double-checked with him to make sure he didn’t misunderstand my intentions of wanting to move in, and he confirmed that he understood. We shared a workplace and grew close over time. During a coffee break in the cafeteria, he confided in me about his recent diagnosis of kidney cancer. I expressed my support and offered to keep him in my prayers, but also let him know that if he ever needed a kidney and I was a match, I would be willing to donate one.

He and his family appreciated me even though they didn’t know me.
I resided there for a period of two years. Throughout my stay, my son and I would stroll the streets and offer prayers for the house we wanted to manifest. We have since found and moved into our dream home in Ecuador.     

Contact Info:

• Website: Gaddyseed.com
• Instagram: La Vida Divine
• Facebook: Courtney Gaddy
• Linkedin: Courtney Gaddy

Image Credits
Photo of home taken by Christian ( I have to locate his last name). The wedding picture was taken by one of the photographers on Celebrity Cruise.