We were lucky to catch up with Deshannon Celestine recently and have shared our conversation below.
Deshannon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
At the young age of 17, I decided to enter womanhood before my time. What I mean is I made a choice to become a teenage mother. Some may read this and disagree with me referring to this as a choice, but we choose to do right or wrong. Having sex before marriage was a choice that came with consequences. Getting pregnant at 17 was one of those consequences. Some women in similar situations describe this as a mistake or an accident…I didn’t! You trip on accident and words slip my mistake, but having sex out of wedlock was in fact a choice for me.
This decision left me with another choice! Should I choose my independence and freedom or take a life for my convenience. Guess what? I decided to make my bed hard, so I made a choice to lay in it. It’s as simple as that! Teen motherhood in my day was pretty taboo. Classmates were pointing fingers and adults were whispering. I came from a church home, and I was a PK (Preacher Kid), so you know the church folks were talking! LOL! I received so much judgment at the break of news and no support from anyone. My ears were filled with a bunch of shouldn’t have, wouldn’t haves and couldn’t haves. No one showed support! Not one person gave me a shoulder to cry or lean on! I was left to simply figure it out!
I experienced plenty of trials and tribulations during that time from mental battles, financial battles, and physical battles. I no longer identified as Deshannon, but I was now referred to as the “Single Mother”! One thing I told myself was that this scar was self-inflicted. By owning my truth, I begin to rewrite my story. I was determined not to fall into the system and become what my family said I would be. Was it easy? Heck No! It was hard then and it’s hard now! At the tender age of 41, I’m still living the life of a single mother!
Over the years I struggled to make ends meet, but with faith I kept pushing!
Presently I have made it my goal to give women in my situation what I craved…which was love. Over time I was able to work my way climbing up several ladders in the workplace which allowed me to better my circumstances. Change didn’t happen overnight!
In 2019 I answered God’s calling to create a space where single mothers could go for encouragement. With the help of God, I launched a multicultural sisterhood called “Shades of Power and Love”. I wanted to provide a haven filled with love and not judgement. It was my desire to give single mothers the love, encouragement, empowerment, and resources that weren’t given to me. Basically, a second chance! A place where women were able to obtain the skills and resources needed to rebuild their lives.
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
Shades of Power and Love is a Multicultural Sisterhood!
Our sisterhood became a magnet for women who craved authenticity.
Women gravitate to a sisterhood…Not a clique.
Over the years we were able to make a difference in the lives of women both domestically and internationally.
In 2020, our sisterhood evolved into a registered nonprofit organization.
Our mission became simple.
Shades of Power and Love became a vessel used to break down barriers and disprove stereotypes in a safe space. We begin to work with women to provide them with the resources they needed to lead fulfilling, successful lives personally and professionally.
Our organization begin to work with women step-by-step to assist them in reaching their goals while providing a safe space for them to thrive. This allowed women to no longer have to feel alone or be fearful of judgement. Together, we begin to help them change the narrative of their stories to build a promising future. With the help of many donors and sponsors we were able to create change domestically and internationally. Our nonprofit launched a Teen Mother Mentorship, Single Mother Mentorship and Immigration Support Group. We provide women with career development resources, childcare assistance resources, job placement resources, empowerment, encouragement and so much more.
Shades of Power Love offered a unique approach to helping women in rural areas by exhibiting the power of love.
I allowed my passion for change to become my fuel to create change.
Recognizing the gender gap for women and lack of access to resources, I had the vision to exhibit the power of love by supporting sisters in need. Since its inception, Shades of Power and Love has helped the community through support groups, life coaching, food drives, and various programs. We serve the needs of our clients through training and providing the resources they need to help them transcend to their next level.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
After working my business part time for years, I decided to finally take a leap of faith by stepping into Shades of Power and Love full-time. I provided my full-time employer with a one-month notice of resignation. Was this easy? No! Hence, I described it as a leap of faith! I mainly describe this leap as Insane Faith. Stepping into the unknown requires a level of faith that makes you question your own sanity! But, with hard work and God all things are possible! Notice I didn’t say with money and God, nor did I say with work and money…I said with hard work and God! Walking away from over six figures to a questionable number of figures was not easy!
August 1st was my day one of being my own boss and stepping into my ministry full time. Guess what happened? My father died on the 7th day! Many would have stopped before they finished right at that point. This could’ve been a sign to retract, but instead I interpreted it as a sign to strap on my seatbelt and get ready for the ride!
Whenever God chooses you to create change in the lives of others you give up the right to quit!
Once you understand your assignment, you push through your pain for the sake of others! Lives depend on it!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Perfection is key! No, it’s not! Love is key!
When I started my new business, I strived for perfection.
I quickly realized that perfection is a level we’ll never reach. Becoming better at what we do while learning to sharpen our skills is a goal to work towards. Meeting clients where they are creates more impact than perfection.
When working with people perfection is something that tends to turn others in need away from your doorstep.
Once I begin to share my truth and exhibit my scars, I begin to create real change in the lives of my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shadesofpowerandlove.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadesofpowerandlove/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shadesofpowerandlove/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deshannon-celestine-757106229/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCecQGpxXq8JL6xkoIZtnung/featured
- Other: https://shadesofpowerandlove.networkforgood.com/projects/155952-single-mother-emergency-childcare-voucher