We were lucky to catch up with Chevalier DeShay recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chevalier, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

How Chosen Women Empower Was Born: A Journey from Family Inspiration to Community Transformation

Growing up in a tightly knit family, I often witnessed my grandmother and her sisters interacting in the most loving and bonded way. Their laughter, encouragement, shared stories, and support for one another filled our kitchen with warmth and joy. This sisterhood was a source of inspiration, and I knew I wanted to create a similar circle of support and empowerment for women when I grew older.

Fast forward to 2015, my husband Carl and I established Kingdom Harvest Ministries in Bastrop, Texas. With servant hearts and a passion for helping others, we then felt a calling to create a space where women could come together to discover and embrace their uniqueness. This vision gave birth to Chosen Women Empower.

Turning Vision into Reality: Steps to Launching Chosen Women Empower

1. Pray: Every decision I make begins with prayer. While some may find this unconventional, it is my way of seeking guidance and clarity.

2. Define the Mission: I outlined the mission for Chosen Women Empower with three simple words: Learning, Growing, Evolving. These words became the foundation upon which our mission stands. We are dedicated to the profound journey of empowering women to embrace their innate potential and become the embodiment of their unique selves. Our path leads to the discovery of purpose, igniting every facet of their being and propelling them towards a life rich with meaning, impact, and fulfillment.

3. The Team: I sought out individuals who shared my passion for empowering girls and women. Having a diverse group of individuals with different talents and skill sets was crucial to our success in launching Chosen Women Empower.

The Journey Begins

After conceptualizing Chosen Women Empower, I shared my vision with Carl, telling him, “God is directing me to bring women from all walks of life together to help them discover their calling.” I wanted to create a community where women could experience healthy, supportive relationships, much like my own sister circle.

The following days, months, and years were filled with relentless dedication. I balanced my day job with late nights spent creating strategic plans for Chosen Women Empower. I reached out through social media, phone calls, and in-person meetings to garner interest and support.

We designed programs to grow communities, such as:

Sisters Night Out: A night of unity, connection, and sisterhood, intertwined with our spiritual performing arts heritage and worship.

Aesthetic Glam Girl: This program supports teen girls in our community by covering the costs of their prom experience, alleviating the financial burden on families.

Growing N2M: A program empowering young ladies on their journey to discovering their true purpose, providing guidance and support along the way.

CWE Connect: Small Group Sister Circles—an avenue where women come together, united by shared interests, dreams, aspirations, and life stories. These circles stand as sanctuaries for growth, fostering connections that transcend boundaries and nurturing a collective journey as ONE cohesive unit.

Overcoming Challenges

Running a non-profit, especially a faith-based organization, presented its own set of challenges. Many companies were hesitant to donate to faith-based initiatives, and finding consistent funding streams was a struggle. We faced a lack of experienced grant writers and struggled to secure consistent donors.

In our first year, we kept our operating budget low, relying on donations from family and friends to fund activities. This support, combined with shared knowledge and experiences from other non-profit founders, helped Chosen Women Empower not only exist but thrive.

Looking Ahead

The journey of Chosen Women Empower is one of faith, perseverance, and community. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to our mission of Learning, Growing, Evolving. Our goal is to empower women and girls to embrace their potential, discover their purpose, and lead lives filled with meaning and fulfillment.

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.

Getting to Know the Heart Behind Chosen Women Empower

For those who may not be familiar with my journey, let me share a bit about myself and how I ventured into this fulfilling path. As a pastor’s wife, I naturally found myself in roles of service and mentorship, pouring into others daily. This calling allowed me to build meaningful relationships with like-minded individuals who shared my passion for ministry and community service.

My educational background also played a significant role in shaping Chosen Women Empower. With a degree in Business Administration from Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, and an MBA from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, I combined my love for ministry with solid business acumen. It felt as though this path was divinely orchestrated for me.

The Essence of Chosen Women Empower

What sets Chosen Women Empower apart from other organizations is our holistic approach to the well-being of women. We focus on nurturing the whole woman—spiritually, physically, and mentally. Our mission is to empower women to embrace their full potential and become the best version of themselves.

Our Services and Impact

We offer a variety of programs and services designed to support and uplift women at different stages of their lives. Our initiatives range from social and community-building events like “Sisters Night Out” to targeted programs such as “Aesthetic Glam Girl”, “CWE Connect”, and “Growing N2M”. Each program is thoughtfully created to address specific needs and challenges, providing women with the tools and support they need to thrive.

One aspect I am incredibly proud of is our commitment to accessibility. All our programs and activities are offered free of charge. We believe that financial constraints should never be a barrier to personal growth and empowerment. By removing this barrier, we ensure that every woman who joins us can walk away with a seed of growth, ready to continue evolving.

Looking Forward

As Chosen Women Empower continues to grow, we are seeing a profound impact on women and communities. The stories of transformation and empowerment that emerge from our programs are a testament to the power of support, community, and faith.

Our journey is just beginning, and we are excited about the future. We are dedicated to expanding our reach and touching more lives, always staying true to our mission of Learning, Growing, and Evolving. Women following us can expect a nurturing environment where they are encouraged to discover their purpose and achieve their dreams.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Effective Strategies for Growing Our Reach

When it comes to expanding Chosen Women Empower’s footprint, our most effective strategy has been rooted in the genuine experiences of our participants. From its inception in the rural market where it was founded, Chosen Women Empower has grown to touch lives across Texas and the United States. The transformative experiences of both women and men who engage in our activities and programs serve as our strongest ambassadors.

Each event, whether it’s a community-building night or a focused empowerment program, leaves a lasting impact on the participants. Their stories of personal growth and empowerment naturally spread through word of mouth, creating a ripple effect that extends our reach far beyond our local community.

Additionally, we utilize data strategically to enhance our marketing efforts. By capturing detailed information about our attendees and the locations from which they participate, we are able to tailor our outreach and engage with a broader audience. This data-driven approach allows us to identify areas of high engagement and direct our resources to amplify our presence there.

Our commitment to offering free programs ensures that financial barriers do not hinder participation, allowing us to reach a diverse and widespread audience. This inclusive approach, combined with strategic data use and the powerful testimonials of our participants, continues to drive the growth and impact of Chosen Women Empower.

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

A Story of Resilience: Balancing Education, Work, and Passion

Starting a non-profit from the ground up while pursuing my MBA from Baylor University presented numerous challenges. There were moments when the weight of it all made me consider pausing my education. Balancing the demands of Chosen Women Empower, a full-time job as a healthcare administrator leader, and my roles as a wife, mother, and ministry leader often felt overwhelming. I questioned my sanity and wondered if I had taken on too much.

During one particularly trying period, I found solace in one of our many CWE Connect small group studies. This one particular 7-week study became a pivotal moment for me. Listening to the women share their struggles, their journeys, and the confirmations they received for their next steps was profoundly inspiring. Their gratitude for the space we created for them to grow and connect reaffirmed my purpose. It was in these moments that I realized I couldn’t give up.

As of today, Chosen Women Empower has impacted more than a thousand women since its inception in 2021. This ever-growing community of empowered women continues to inspire and strengthen my resolve to pursue our mission. Each story of transformation and empowerment fuels my passion, reminding me why I started this journey and why I must continue.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chosenwomenempower.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chosenwomenempower/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChosenWomenEmpower

Image Credits

RJ Washington Photography
Meagan Manno