We were lucky to catch up with Carmen Mann recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carmen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

My dad is my hero. Over the years, he has taught me countless lessons, but two stand out the most:

Finish what you start – No matter how things look in the middle, see them all the way through.
Priorities, Responsibility, and Accountability – His mantra for success in life was simple: align these three, and you’ll go far.
One of the toughest moments in my life happened during college. I had moved off campus into an apartment, and my dad agreed to help pay half my rent while I covered the other half. One month, I fell short—not because I didn’t have opportunities to earn it, but because I hadn’t prioritized wisely. I had mismanaged my wants and needs, assuming that if I came up short, my dad would step in and cover the rest.

So, I called him, explained my situation, and asked if he could pay the full amount. I expected a reprimand, sure—but I also expected him to cave and bail me out. Instead, in his calm, unwavering voice, he simply said, “No. I’ll give you what I agreed to, and you’ll have to figure out the rest.”

I was in complete shock. And angry. I didn’t talk to him for a while after that. But his lesson on priorities, responsibility, and accountability came to life in me that day.

I had no choice but to find a way to cover the rest. So, I worked extra hours at my part-time job while still managing my coursework. My free time disappeared. I spent less time hanging out with friends because I had to work. But I did it—I made up the difference. And in doing so, I learned one of the most valuable lessons of my life:

Prioritize wisely – The most important things—relationships, work, health, growth—each have their place. If you neglect what truly matters, you’ll feel the consequences.
Take responsibility – If you lead it, own it. Simple. Let your actions speak louder than your words.
Embrace accountability – Be just as quick to own your losses as you are to celebrate your wins. Humility will take you further than talent ever will.
That experience shaped me. It taught me to stand on my own two feet, to manage my priorities with discipline, and to never expect an easy way out. My dad didn’t just teach lessons—he lived them. And because of that, I carry them with me every single day.

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

My name is Carmen Mann, and I am a writer, speaker, and minister dedicated to helping others grow in their faith and purpose. I am a Washington, D.C. native and a proud graduate of Virginia State University, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. My journey later led me to Virginia Union University, where I obtained a Master of Divinity, deepening my passion for ministry, service, and leadership.

My love for God, His Word, and His people is the foundation of everything I do. Through my writing and speaking, I strive to inspire and equip others to pursue God wholeheartedly, trust in His promises, and walk boldly in their purpose.

Beyond ministry, I enjoy reading, fitness, and spending time with my family. I have a deep love for biographies, as I am drawn to the stories of those who have overcome great odds and turned adversity into triumph. Health is also important to me—I’m in the gym 4-5 times a week, and I start my mornings with a workout to set the tone for the day.

Above all, I am blessed to share life with my wife, Shanta’ Mann, the love of my life. Together, we are the proud parents of our daughter, Mackenzie, who continues to be a source of joy and inspiration in my life.

David Walker and I founded Fresh Faith with a simple idea—a message on a T-shirt. We noticed a shift in church culture, where the traditional practice of dressing up for Sunday service was evolving into a more relaxed, casual style. However, we also realized that not every T-shirt was appropriate for church, and frankly, many Christian T-shirts lacked creativity and appeal.

We wanted to change that. Our goal was to offer a fresh, stylish approach to faith-based apparel while subtly incorporating evangelism into the designs. We took on the motto: Flare & Faith—blending bold, creative fashion with a meaningful message. Every design included a scripture reference, strategically placed to spark curiosity, invite conversation, and provide a biblical foundation behind the artwork.

What made the journey even more special was that I was creating something alongside my best friend, David Walker, the creative genius who brought our vision to life through his incredible designs. Unfortunately, during the COVID crisis, David passed away, leaving an irreplaceable void.

After his passing, I felt a deep sense of loss but also inspiration—I wanted to keep the Fresh Faith vision alive. However, I knew I wasn’t an artist like Dave, and continuing the T-shirt line alone didn’t feel right. But I also knew that my passion for words, speaking, and encouragement could take Fresh Faith in a new direction.

So, I reimagined Fresh Faith—not just as a T-shirt brand, but as a platform for inspiration. Today, Fresh Faith Ministries is built on the same heart and mission: to encourage and uplift others in their spiritual journeys. Instead of using fabric as my canvas, I now use my writing, speaking, and social media content to share the message.

At its core, Fresh Faith Ministries exists to remind people of one simple yet powerful truth: faith is the foundation of our hope. Our brand is built on Hebrews 11:1—“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This verse captures the heart of our mission: to inspire others to trust in God’s promises, even when they can’t yet see the outcome.

Simply put, with God, all things are possible.

Honestly, what I’m most proud of right now is the upcoming release of my devotional, Fresh Faith: A 30-Day Devotional Journey. This devotional has been in the works for over 10 years, and to finally see it come to life is both humbling and exciting – shameless plug (haha).
Your readers can grab a copy at www.freshfaith-min.com

But the journey to writing it wasn’t easy—not because of a lack of discipline, but because, for a long time, my motives were misplaced. I originally wanted to write it to build a bigger platform for myself and, to be honest, to make money. And that mindset kept me stuck. The words never felt right. The purpose wasn’t clear.

Then, everything changed with the birth of my daughter.

I realized that I may never make a fortune that guarantees she’ll never have to worry about finances. Maybe I’ll be blessed to give her a better start in life than my wife and I had, but the greatest asset I could leave her wasn’t money—it was a legacy of faith in Christ.

One day, I won’t be here. I won’t always be around to answer her questions about faith, guide her through tough seasons, or encourage her when she needs it most. And that thought hit me hard. What could I leave her that would remind her to trust God in every circumstance and help her develop a deep, personal relationship with Him?

That’s when it clicked.

Everything I’ve experienced—the highs and lows, the victories and struggles—wasn’t just for me. They were for her. My words could outlive my time here on earth and continue to guide and strengthen her faith long after I’m gone.

And beyond just my daughter, I realized this devotional could help others as well. It could encourage someone who feels lost, inspire someone who needs clarity, and point people back to God when they need Him most.

That’s why I’m so proud and excited for this devotional. Fresh Faith: A 30-Day Devotional Journey is designed to meet people where they are—guiding them toward healing, clarity, and a deeper connection with God. Each day offers a blend of scripture, heartfelt reflections, and guided prayers to help strengthen their faith.

So right now, I’m just grateful—to plant this seed and watch the fruitfulness it can bring into the lives of others.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Right now, my goal is pretty straightforward: to use whatever gifts God has given me—whether through speaking, writing, content creation, or even my clothing line—as a way to point others to Him and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I believe that faith isn’t meant to be confined to a church building—it should be woven into everyday life. That’s why I’m passionate about creating content that meets people where they are, whether it’s through a powerful message, a thought-provoking devotional, a meaningful social media post, or even a faith-inspired design on a T-shirt.

At the heart of everything I do is one mission: to encourage, uplift, and remind people that God’s love is real, His promises are true, and faith in Him changes everything. If just one person is drawn closer to Christ through my work, then I know I’m walking in my purpose.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Absolutely. I believe there are moments in life that shape who we are—defining experiences that either break us or build us. One particular moment from my journey always stands out, and I often look back on it for strength when I’m facing a challenge.

In 10th grade, I was placed in a reading class. Now, on the surface, that might not sound like a big deal. But while most of my friends were taking foreign language courses, I was in a small room with four other students, learning how to read. Yo, talk about embarrassing. My school advisor didn’t think I was capable of handling the coursework for a foreign language, and instead of pushing me to improve, they placed me in remedial reading.

The truth is, I wasn’t a star student. I wasn’t failing, but I also wasn’t fully applying myself. I did just enough to stay eligible for sports. But being in that class? It felt humiliating. I got teased. I hated it.

Then came parent-teacher conference night. My dad and I sat down with my teacher, and she explained my progress. She told my dad I was improving but still had areas that needed work. I was sitting there, already uncomfortable, when the conversation suddenly shifted to my future.

And that’s when she said something I’ll never forget.

“Let’s not focus on college,” she told my dad. “The best hope we have for Carmen is for him to graduate high school.”

Man, those words stung. It felt like she was saying, This is all he’s capable of.

But my dad? He believed otherwise.

I now understand why he was so tough on me—why he pushed me, challenged me, and never let me settle. Because he saw something greater in me than I saw in myself at the time.

And now, I can proudly say that not only did I graduate high school, but I went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and later a Master of Divinity degree.

I often reflect on that moment whenever I face doubt, obstacles, or people who try to limit me. And I remind myself of something a great preacher once said:

“Never put a period where God has placed a comma.”

That teacher thought my story was written, but God had more chapters to add.

And looking back now, I can’t help but smile because the kid who once struggled to read books is now writing them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.freshfaith-min.com
• Instagram: carmenmann719 and freshfaithmin
• Facebook: Carmen Mann
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carmenmann2040/videos
• Other: TikTok: fresh.faith.min

Image Credits

Nate Denmark