We recently connected with Delashawn Bordeaux and have shared our conversation below.

Delashawn , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Speak Our Truth started as a blog in 2018 after I was advised by my therapist to start journaling so I could release the pinned up emotions regarding my sexual assault. I started writing and in the midst of the continuous tears I realized I wanted to share my story to see if i could help others. Helping others to me was way different than expected. I thought i would tell my story have a few people say me too and that would be it. So I wrote my first blog and set it up to publish. The day we were scheduled to post I invited my best friend and my significant other over as support. Considering my story was about a family member I knew I wouldn’t have much support and truth be told I was beyond afraid. Afraid of the backlash, afraid of those who would accuse me of lying, and most important afraid of being the only person to speak up about what happened to me. After the excitement we were ready to hit the button but sure enough we ran into huge technical issues which lead me to believing I made the wrong choice by going this direction. After continuous set backs I stopped trying to publish the blog at that moment took a break and came back to the blog later that night to fix the issue for a successful publishing . After the blog was posted nothing happened, there was no backlash, and everything I was afraid was just that FEAR ( False Evidence Appearing Real) i allowed to take over my purpose, but something happened, I realized I was getting support from people across the world who shared a story similar to mine. I met people who needed support just like me without feeling judged and that lead me to wanting more.

In 2019 I decided to take things to the next level. I wanted to see what it truly meant to help sexual assault survivors and be a voice for an issue that is swept under the rug in the Black community. So we went legal filed our formation papers to be a nonprofit and went forward without a clue in the world as to what was coming next. The Great pandemic of 2020. Things were out of wack the event we planned for sexual assault awareness month could not happen and I was back to feeling like I made the wrong choice but little did I know God was preparing me for a bigger assignment.

During our time in shelter It kept bothering me to think that victims were forced to be in the home with their abusers and I knew when the lockdown ended there would need to be boots on the ground to help those in need. So instead of waiting on the pandemic to end we went virtual. We started with small videos, IG lives, and survivor stories to bring awareness. We started educating our virtual community on what sexual assault is and for some unfortunately it was the IG lives that brought attention to what they had experienced but could never put a finger on.

We continued building relationships, educating and doing what we could until the doors opened again. Since the doors have re-opened in the world we have provided community events to bring awareness to sexual assault, we speak at events to ensure awareness is spread but most importantly we are working to build an organization for survivors that focus on advocacy, support, and education until sexual assault is no longer issue.

Delashawn , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi everyone my name is Delashawn Bordeaux and I’m the founder of Speak Our Truth. I started this organization because I’m a sexual assault survivor and understand what it’s like to not have the support or resources needed to overcome such a traumatic experience. Speak Our Truth offers, survivor re-entry meaning we assist survivors with updating their resume and looking for employment. At the end of 2nd quarter we will start our group therapy sessions lead by a licensed therapist, and we are looking to build relationships with some of our local shelters so that displaced survivors have the necessities needed. Along with survivor assistance we facilitate educational classes that discuss consent, sexual harassment, speaking out, and the effects of sexual assault in the Black community.

What sets me apart? Well I am driven and I am willing to have the uncomfortable conversations others shy away from. I believe these conversations lead to change and it is time for a change so that we can really start dealing with the mental health crisis on a deeper level. I am proud of myself for not giving up despite the obstacles places before me. I enjoy being a servant to God and my community and as long as I can continue I will forever be in a state of gratitude.

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

Being seen in the community has been the most effective strategy for growing clientele. Survivors aren’t always comfortable talking about their experience because they fear being judged as if it was their fault, but when you put yourself in the community and meet survivors where they are they are drawn to you opening the door to relationship, support, and advice. I have come to learn that my purpose has nothing to with me and everything to do with serving other so with that understanding I can’t expect them to track me down i have to make myself available to them whether it is through giving out necessities to lower income areas, cleaning local parks, showing up to health fairs, or just hosting events that are focused on both resources and fun you will see me out.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Professional development has been key to my success. I have taken classes to help me along my journey but there are some key books that played a huge role in where I am. The first one being The Year of The Yes by Shonda Rhymes. That book taught me to say yes when no seemed easier. It forced me out my comfort zone and into a space where I now understand I am the determining factor in my success and failure.

I am a bad ass; I don’t remember the author but it has been my self help book on bad days. When I feel unaccomplished or like things are slow I return to that book to remember where I left and where I am headed and how my experiences have played a role.

Then last but not least The Peace Index by Jeremie Kubicek it has been teaching me how to develop inner peace when there is no outer peace. It also taught me that I feel less at peace when i feel like I am not fulfilling my purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.speakourtruth.org
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/speak_our_truth_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakourtruth2018/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delashawn-bordeaux-713241a7/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@delashawnbordeaux6730

Image Credits
Tanesha Nate Photography Empress Marketing