We were lucky to catch up with Celisha J recently and have shared our conversation below.

Celisha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

My book “I Survived” is not an idea. It is a true story that I lived. I was molested, raped, physically and emotionally abused from an early age. Experience was my teacher and because of my life experiences, I want to let other women and children know that they are not alone. What happened to me, happens to children every day. Then we grow up to be women and not receive the care or therapy that we need to survive. We feel that we need to defend ourselves against almost everyone. Some women break to the point that they aren’t able to get ahead, achieve their goals, or follow their dreams because they are holding on to the traumas of their past. This must change! I want to be their voice and their safe space to discuss the things that happened to them and not feel judged. I want to motivate them and help them to get the help that they need to deal with society and to trust again, knowing that they are not alone. The Celisha J Foundation is just that. Their peace and solitude amongst the chaos in the world.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an Author, Actress, Motivational Speaker. I have always wanted to be an actress but didn’t know how to become one. I attended “TSAW” during Covid and started to follow my dreams. I have always wanted to write a book about the traumas of my past, but I kept making excuses until I couldn’t make them anymore. It took me years to write my book because it was an emotional rollercoaster. I had to relive some things that I wanted to forget. Sometimes it took me months to go back to the book because I needed to heal from what I had just written. The Celisha J Foundation is a part of me for everyone that needs me. There are so many women and children like me that just need a safe space. Someone that they can talk to. A place to heal, for motivation, etc. I knew when I was growing up that I needed help but there was no place out there for me, so I continued to make poor choices, I couldn’t get ahead but now I FOUND me!! Now I want to help motivate other people such as myself to find themselves too. This is what makes me happy. Knowing that I will help motivate people to Survive!

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

My book “I Survived” is a complete story of my resilience. It’s a must read!!

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’ve been on my own since I was 14. The streets raised me. All I knew is how to hustle and do what I had to do to survive. I lived in my masculinity for a long time because of being raised in the streets which means I didn’t trust anyone, including my family or friends. I was ready to fight at any given notice because that is what I was used to. I had to unlearn living in the mindset of street life, thinking that people didn’t love you unless they put their hands on you and that all people can’t be trusted.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.celishaj.com
• Instagram: Celishaj_
• Facebook: Celisha J
• Linkedin: Celisha Jones
• Twitter: Celishaj
• Youtube: Celisha J

Image Credits
I have rights to the images