We recently connected with Bianca Page and have shared our conversation below.

Bianca, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with inspirations and heroes. Are there any historical figures you look up to?

Denmark Vesey was an activist, slave abolitionists, and spiritual leader. I am also honored that he is my ancestor. As the direct descendant through my maternal bloodline of Denmark Vesey (my great-grandfather was Burl Henry Vesey), it is empowering to learn about his life.

Due to slavery, so few Blacks in America have an opportunity to trace back their familial roots. I count myself fortunate when we learned through research, public documents, and genetic testing that we are the descendants of Denmark. Because the bulk of our family still resides in Michigan, it was an honor that the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, had a display highlighting our family’s connection to Denmark.

A quick dive into history will reveal that Denmark’s contribution entailed pushing against an oppressive political system, teaching slaves to read and learn they were worthy to be free, being a spiritual leader at the historical African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church) in Charleston, South Carolina, and organizing a slave revolt.

When I think that things are tough now after surviving Covid-19, dealing with economic instability, wars, the rollback of voting rights, and the erasure of Black history―I lean on the legacy of Denmark to find inspiration. If a young man born into slavery who was able to become literate, purchase his own freedom, and live a life trying to inspire and free the minds of the other enslaved people. Surely, I can find a way to inspire and uplift others in this day and time.

The values I have learned from Denmark are that you must rise above world and personal circumstances. Also, It is not enough to be free yourself―go back and help others. Finally, whatever gifts and talents you have, use them to raise the vibration of the world.

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

In 2017, I was inspired to found the CoreofU with my life partner and husband, Kenneth Page, Jr. CORE stands for the Community Of Restoration and Enlightenment. TheCoreofU is a community and space where people of all beliefs, no beliefs, and different walks can find their spiritual center in coming together to learn, share, and inspire one another. We want to support people where they are on their spiritual walk through motivational workshops, speaking, one-on-one or one-to-many coaching, and partnering with other thought leaders to support community growth.

My personal mantra is “No Ceiling.” With those two simple words, I hope to inspire the people that I encounter to realize there are no limits, there is “no ceiling” to their goals, dreams, hopes, and desires. It starts by removing the personal ceiling and limits we place on ourselves.

Additionally, Kenneth and I have found a natural niche in coaching other couples. Our individual journeys have found a unified purpose in supporting couples to show up in their relationship at their best, and to show up in life as complete and whole individuals.

During Covid we went online almost weekly through our YouTube channel (The Core of U), our FB/Meta account, and IG @thecoreofU to share inspiration through addressing life topics with spiritual insight.

Our clients have been individuals and couples that are responsive to spiritual teachings, concepts, and mindfulness practices to increase their self-awareness and reinforce a positive mindset. We specifically work with couples by providing coaching on the topics of communication, finance, and intimacy, as well as working through any specific issues that arise personally or in their relationship.

What sets theCoreofU apart is that as a spiritual community and in our coaching techniques, we honor where people are as natural beings on their spiritual journey and support them in their individual goals. Our “no judgment” approach is liberating and creates a “safe space” for many to explore their own personal spiritual journey at their individual pace.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One critical lesson that I had to unlearn in life is that change is bad. As a young girl I experienced sudden change as unsettling. From twelve years old forward, I incorrectly associated change with negative life events. As a result, I was very rigid to agree to change, which as a business owner, can be contrary to growth and expansion.

In my personal development, there were so many years that I was completely unaware about how I automatically responded in a closed and inflexible way to change. This response was detrimental to my growth and creative side of operating in my gifts and talents.

Through reading self-help books and observing my habits, I realized how I was doing more harm to myself by being resistant to change. I am a co-author in the anthology book Shenomenal Women, Women Who Gave Up Excuses And Made A Way Through Life’s Most Challenging Times. In my chapter, Heal the Little Girl Within, I touch on the internal work of reflecting back on my childhood and identifying the first time that I associated change as bad. I had to literally talk to the “Little Bianca” within and let her know this belief system was no longer serving me.

In business and life, change is a necessary component to evolving and improving. As a result, I do a lot of positive self-talk and internal work around change. The key is to stay self-aware to avoid falling back into my old habit of closing myself off to new experiences, people, and things.

Have you ever had to pivot?

We are in the process of pivoting now in our business. We know that we have information to share that is very helpful and timely, but we need to repackage how we share that information depending on our audience and the method (in-person, online, and the social media platform being used).

During Covid, people had more time to view longer videos, and our FB/Meta and IG demographic was hungry and ready for our content. Once the world opened back up we had to rethink the day and time we did “live” videos, especially because we had a lot of support in the eastern time zone. Moreover, we had to address feedback about shortening our videos and creating content with a blend of humor and seriousness to reach our social media base in a more impactful manner.

Additionally, in the past two calendar years, Kenneth and I had a lot of changes in our personal life. The season we went through literally took our focus away from building our brand while we had to be about the everyday business of living. We moved, we both experienced more responsibility in our professional settings, we have young children who need our support and attention, and we became co-caretakers of my grandmother who lived with us until we laid her to rest earlier this year. As a business owner who still works to fund my dream, you must be compassionate during the pauses and curve balls that life will throw. There are only so many hours to a day, your resilience and mental health must be preserved and nurtured. This may require slowing down, which can be frustrating at times. However, if you are continuing to work toward your goal it will happen. Show up when you can, prioritize as you can, and keep yourself around those who will uplift and support you, as well as hold you accountable. Spirituality and growth will be uncomfortable at times, as well as pursuing your dreams, but if it starts to feel miserable, it’s time to hit the reset button, take a step back, and make some adjustments. Sounds a lot like the word “change” that used to scare me, and I have learned to embrace it more and more. It is during these times that I must remember my mantra, “No Ceiling.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thecoreofu.com/
• Instagram: @thecoreofU
• Facebook: ThecoreofU
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-page-121006b
• Youtube: @thecoreofu7355

Image Credits
Nikki VanBroekhuizen (white/jeans photo)