Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deonica Sanders . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Deonica , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

I was born and raised in Raleigh on the Southeastern side of town. When I was a child I was not exposed to much of the violence and poverty in the area. Growing up with a middle class home and family. However I was exposed to the mental health and drug abuse crisis at a young age. I really did not start to see all the neglect and impoverishment until I was in Highschool. Southeast Raleigh is about one quarter of the Capital City. Around 85,000 people live on the so-called “Southside” of Raleigh. Notoriously known for its crime and poverty. Most of the residents in this area are predominantly black, but there are also elder residents and middle class residents who live in the area as well. Within the last 10 years the ethnicity statics have drastically changed. With different races and ages of people moving to the area from different states. With gentrification and the developer, state government relationships growing. These developer investments being made and approved are creating a new metropolitan like Southeast Raleigh. The decaying neighborhoods are being torn now and rebuilt into luxury apartments. As noted though these apartments and townhomes should fall under affordable housing. Theses new constructions are not affordable housing for the almost 85,000 residents who grew up in this area. Leaving them again to be pushed out or bought out, for families who own their homes. I decided to use my efforts since being a resident who was born and raised in this area. To start a non profit that would cater to effectively helping residents with service needs in Southeast Raleigh. Especially our youth and elder communities who are almost like a lost population. I created 3 Stones Foundation to be a “connector” nonprofit to other business and non profits in the area. A lot of local businesses felt intimidated about reaching out to the residents in Southeast Raleigh. Mainly because most residents felt inferior to other races of people not family with the area. Business and non profits did not know how to connect to the people to find out what “their service need” is. I did an interview with Spectrum News highlighting the indifferences in how Southeast Raleigh was displayed. How the area is not growing and how the leaders in Raleigh should focus more on advancing this “hotspot” of an area than tearing it down for profit. Over 15,000 online views and a lot of feedback from many local community leaders and business owners on how we could connect to help build Southeast Raleigh up. I decided to cater to canvassing and spreading awareness about any business or non profits that were looking to provide services to any Southeast Raleigh resident. To allow them the opportunity to get out of these low income living conditions. To make room for services to be created in order to help them. Through different programs or any community service events. My brand created conversation to local government and businesses. On how to include those lost residents of Southeast Raleigh. How to not use the area as an investment for real estate ploy.

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.

My name is Deonica Sanders. I was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. I am a Gemini and I have a passion for people and service. Since I was young I always wanted to be social, vibrant, and authentic. I did several activities including gymnastics, ballet, dance, and cheer. I also did track and band and plenty of other clubs like girls scouts. Those programs I believe throughout my childhood shaped me. It taught me how to work with people of all backgrounds no matter the age. It also showed me how to be in a leadership position and how to work with others. I originally had dreams of being a lawyer and still do to this day. I graduated from North Carolina Central Universal with a BA in Political Science and a minor in History. After I graduated I pursed my law degree attending Emory Law School. Going into year 2 of law school I lost my mother. That life changing event allowed me into rethinking my path and deciding exactly what I wanted to do. During these next few years I had my children and life started to change. I was off track and scattered since the passing of my mother not knowing which way to go. I knew though I still had a love for people and bettering the community. So I started my non profit 3 Stones Foundation. In honor of my mother and siblings. My mother always said we were her 3 stones my brother, sister and I. I felt starting a non profit would open up doors for me to do public service in my area. It would also give me more connections with government resources and those in leadership in Raleigh. Since I started my organization in 2019. have received over 10,000 in donations and sponsored over 200 different families. Through my social events, we have had a rabies clinic and outdoor movie night for Southeast Raleigh. Also many other events that solidified my non profit as a community gem. I have also partnered with several other organizations and businesses for promotion. We as a community of business owners here in Raleigh have decided to collaborate. It has truly pushed my business in the right direction creating opportunities for me to have meetings with city council members and the mayor. I think what sets my non profit apart is the relatability with undeserving communities. Since I was born and raised in this area it is easier for me to relate and talk to people. Many of these people know who I am, so they feel a sense of safety when communicating to me about their needs. Especially those growing up in Southeast Raleigh. I come from humble beginnings a middle class family but I never wanted for anything. When I see so many families and people within the community suffering. It made me want to make a change because I grew up there walking those same streets. I’m most proud of my ability to create opportunities for those who are in need to get the help they deserve. Also to be able to advocate for the Southeast part of Raleigh. To maintain efforts in helping getting the revitalization the area needs and helping people at the same time.

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

When people meet me they automatically do not know I have small children. Being that I am 32 and will be 33 this June 17th. I think my journey navigating motherhood was a time I showed resilience. It highlights what some women have to go through when faced with the premise of being a single mom. I think most women do not go into any relationship believing they will not end up married and having a family. For me when I thought I found my person I fell in love. Dedicating all my time, attention, and energy into making my partner happy. By doing that I took several years off not focusing on my own personal goals. I was rather trying to help everyone else around me pursue their own dreams. When I finally realized the relationship was not going to work out. I told myself I would get back to work. I would work hard and make major strides at whatever I decided to do. When I started my non profit it made me feel like I could accomplish anything again. I made extreme efforts to meet as many likeminded people as I could. I wanted to make sure I could expand the best way possible. I did! When I focused on myself and I was determined and resilient. I was PREPARED! It helped my collaborative efforts with other businesses work out and allowed me to have accreditation. This past year I took a Professional Certification course on trauma and resilience with Florida State University. When taking this course I learned about how all people go through some form of trauma in their lifetime. That trauma pushes you into resilient behavior because you have to decided to fail or keep going. I was never raised to give up and when you fall you always get back up. Having children and defeating trials while still creating and running my business. Has literally been one of the hardest things to do in life. Sacrificing in each department of my life to make sure everything is balanced takes extreme courage. I had the courage to be the best mom that I could be and to still also create a life for them I was pleased with. It has not been all easy there were many nights I asked myself how did I get here. I wondered if having such a giving heart was more of a curse than a blessing. I am true believer and I felt it was just a part of my journey to create the best possible ending. I can say that even though I am a single mother. There are so many amazing women of all races. Who have children, raise them and create them to be some of the most successful people in this world. It took extreme courage to face motherhood the way that I did. I am inspired though because I did not give up! In this world you need the guts to face whatever is thrown your way.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My non profit orginally was centered around making efforts to help people in Southeast Raleigh. Since the President of my organization is my brother Daniel McCullers. It will be easy to share how we met and why we decided to work together on my non profit. Although I am the founder and CEO. I decided to make him the president instead of a founder. One reason being is that he has his own non profit Daniel McCullers Foundation. My brother is a NFL Defensive Lineman. He played 8 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and a year with the Chicago Bears right now a free agent. Since we have used our affiliate connections. My non profit has expanded to several different states and even Hawaii. Using the connections we have pulled together on both ends to have resources and leadership around us to create. We both come from humble beginnings and decided trying to help those around us in our area would be a good cause. Since I originally did not have many donations or grants. I have paid for most of my events with my own funds but Daniel has helped supply monetary compensation as well. It has extremely helped with canvassing my business and getting information out to the public. Having a president as a sibling at first I thought would not be good for business. I decided that keep things in the family would bring us closer. Giving us time to see where we come from with a close lens and creating opportunities to help citizens get in a better position.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://3stonesfoundation.wixsite.com/website
• Instagram: @3ovl13
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/deonica.sanders/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deonica-sanders-7309831a6
• Twitter: @3STONESFNDN
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeq8tpiPQex2nCSaERleROw