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

Cheree, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

In 1997 my life changed in the blink of an eye from choices I made in my past. To make a long story shorter, I dated a drug dealer a few years prior, and one morning around 5am, 2 gunman broke into my home looking for drugs, and money. Which I didn’t have, after several minutes of them finding nothing, one gunman stated he should kill me. At that very moment my life was on the line, and I remember closing my eyes and saying, Jesus if you get me out of this, I promise I’ll live right. Opened my eyes, and the last gunman walked out of my front door. My life would never be the same. Fear of everything and everyone consumed my life for the next 5 years. They only things that kept me from losing my mind was my faith, prayer, family, and my desire to be the best mother I could be to my son. I made it my mission to build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In 2014 I accepted my call to minister, and devoted my life to help others with their struggles.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I made it my mission to build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In 2014 I accepted my call to minister, and devoted my life to helping those in need, and helping people who are struggling with things things that they couldn’t, and wouldn’t share because of shame, fear, and hopelessness. My ministry became Unashamed Speaks llc. It’s a Christian Womens luncheon we have annually, and we share our story with other women, in hopes to give others encouragement, hope, increased faith, and tools to overcome what they are going through, or have been through. This year was our 8th year, and we welcomed the men into our safe space to share their stories, and it was phenomenal. We also help others outside of the luncheon with personal care needs, life coaching services, volunteering with the youth, and we want to bring awareness to others, that everyone has struggles and you really cant judge people by what you see.. Sometimes all we need is help, love, understanding and to know God’s grace is sufficient for everyone.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I got married, had a huge elaborate wedding. In less than 60 days I was filling for a divorce because of domestic violence. I blamed myself, couldn’t figure out how I missed any sign of this. And how could this happen to me. But I didn’t care about what people would say at all. I cared about healing my mind and heart. And seeking out ways to educate myself, so I could help others who would find themselves in that same situation, but had no support system or faith to help them move forward.

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 learn that no matter what has happened in my past, I had to own it. Even when it wasn’t my fault. I had to own the part I played in the 90’s dating a drug dealer and handling drugs. I had to own what i had done to the family’s I potentially hurt, just to live a lifestyle that could potentially destroy my future. I had to Owned I was abused my husband. Once I owned it, I could face it. Then I could begin my healing journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/unashamedspeaksllc
• Instagram: @Unashamedspeaksllc
• Facebook: Unashamedspeaksllc

Image Credits

Walthall Wood Jr
Caitlin Woodell