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

Dr. Amystique, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

My journey has been full of risks. I realized that in order to move forward in life that I had to take risks. I heard Joyce Meyer say one time that whatever you need to do it …just “do it afraid.” I often say that my life has been a testament of Tragedy to Triumph through the ashes. There is beauty in the ashes. For me it is all about “The Journey” and finding balance and the discovery of rest and peace. My latest celebration is the release of my book “Transformation: Pathway to Purpose.”

Dr. Amystique, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My humble beginning is from a low-income family living in the projects. I will say that I had a strong, supportive family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) that helped me get through—especially my grandparents and family members (aunties Gwen & Deborah) who helped with resources that were needed. My life was not easy, but I knew that my life was meant for more, even in an environment that was not set up for success. I always had a love for reading and learning and have maintained that passion today. In full transparency, my life has been filled with mistakes, challenges, setbacks, and sorrows.

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Dr. Amystique Church is a wife, mother, grandmother/Nana, author, entrepreneur, educator, testing & assessment administrator, and community advocate. Dr. Church holds six degrees (Bachelor – Mass Communications: Public Relations, Masters – Higher Education Administration and Communication & Media Studies, Doctoral- Ph.D., Adult Education, Ed.D., Higher Education Innovation & Leadership
and Th.D., Biblical Studies Exposition) and three credentials’ certifications (PgMP, CPE, and TCA/PTCA).

Amystique actively looks for ways to volunteer in the community to be of service to others. Amystique is active in volunteerism through LERN, NCTA, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Delaware chapter, LWVSC, SRCC/TSP, and others. Dr. Church has published articles/clips in local/national newspapers and journals in the selected fields of Adult & Continuing Education, Testing Administration, and Transformational Leadership. Recently, Dr. Church published a book (August 2024), Transformational: Pathway to Purpose and currently she is working on another publication that will be released September 2025. Dr. Church has served as a conference speaker (2003 to present) for several local, state, and national organizations throughout the united states (ACE, Strategic Leadership, Global Workforce Economy, Self-Care & Balance, Emotional Stability and Mental Sustainability, Mindfulness & Being a Rest, Test Administration & Proctoring Services and Program Development).

Dr. Church has received several accolades: Zeta of the Year (2010?), Delmarvous Women of the Year (2009), Agape Award for Outstanding Community Services (2003/2014), Jefferson Award for Public Service (2012), Omega Psi Phi Hope Foundation – Community Service (2017), DOARS Award (2007?), Citizen of the Year Award (2017), NCTA Service Leadership Award (2019), SC Volunteer Service (2021), Tracy Palmer Ministries Servant Leadership Award (2023) and Service Volunteerism Award (2024).

Amystique’s heart is to help others and assist in finding resources and referrals in employability, life-long learning, social and economic sustainability, and other opportunities. Dr. Church has participated in helping those who are homeless, veterans, women in transition, and those dealing with the impact of grief & loss. Service is not about oneself but what you do for others, and that is the prize of life. Amystique has a passion for serving and making a difference in others’ lives because she understands first-hand what it means to go from tragedy to triumph, from need to plenty, from termination/loss to success and gain.

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My path to the industry that I love so much is continuing education and testing services for adult learners (ages 30 and older). I am a living example of how it is possible to find one’s path later in life. At first, I started my college career right after high school but had to stop due to a lack of finances, and then, with a growing family, I had to handle obligations. I was always determined to go back to school, and finally, seventeen years later, I went back to school full-time while working full-time and raising children. I was determined to go all the way and obtain the highest-level degree possible (doctoral).

I was fortunate to be connected to mentors and others along my journey who encouraged me to take challenges with my career path. There were those who gave me an opportunity even though I may not have had the experience needed to obtain a certain position. I was a hard worker but sometimes was overlooked because of my ethnicity and because I wasn’t involved in a certain organization or group. I was determined to not allow those setbacks and challenges to discourage me. Unfortunately, I experienced loss of a position due to unfairness or giving the position to someone else based on a personal relationship. I do not hold on to those losses or hold grudges against anyone that may have done me wrong or even ways I self-sabotage a situation or opportunity; I have learned that it was all for my greater good and put me in the position where I am now in my life. So, I say I live with no regrets over tragedies or mistakes because they have made me stronger and taught me many lessons. My life is incredibly so good. I am absolutely thankful, forever grateful, and truly blessed.

There are and have been people in my life whom I am forever grateful to and for: Kitty Perry ( my spiritual mother), Joyce D. Hunter ( former boss), Naomie T. Harris ( my mom mom), Michelle Mack-Williams ( Zeta Sister), Dot Brinkley, Fannie Dill, Vickie Leonard, and Cathy Anderson ( my quarterly lunch buddies). I look forward to time with my quarterly lunch buddies because their sisterhood has enriched my life. The laughter is good, and I feel so free to be me (no judgment) with those ladies. My life would not be what is today if Kitty Perry (my spiritual mother) and Naomie Harris (my mom mom) did not provide the guidance, unconditional love, support, and example of faith and grace that I needed. My Zeta sister, Michelle Mack-Williams is a true testament to resilience, courage, and kindness. Her heart is so full of compassion and empathy. I have been blessed by her mentorship and guidance. Michelle is so creative and a true innovator. I am thankful for the people that have come into my life even though it may have been for a short season. I have learned true wealth is love and those we get to share it with in this journey called life.

I am most proud of my family (spouse, children, and grandchildren) and very thankful for my faith and the experience and acceptance of Jesus in my life (my redeemer, savior, and advocate). There are lessons I have learned that I want to share with others and hopefully they will gleam insight and gain encouragement for their journey from my story.

What I want people to know is that no matter what you may endure or how hard things seem to be, you can and will make it. I love the quote by Booker T. Washington which resonates so much with me….”Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” Or, in my case, what “she” has overcome.

Presently, as it relates to business, I provide consultant services in the areas of enrichment programs, continuing education, project management, community engagement, proctoring services, and resource referrals. https://ecdcsolutions.wordpress.com/
I love my work and bring passion, quality service, excellence, integrity, and commitment to everything I do. I want people to excel and succeed, so I do what I can to engage, enrich, encourage, empower, and equip them to be their best selves.

Have you ever had to pivot?

There was a time when I worked in human resources for several years in two state organizations. There was a position that I was more than qualified for but still, the position was given to a relative of the manager who had no experience in the industry. They wanted me to train this person for the job. I refused, and before I knew it, challenges started happening, and I lost that position. I had to pivot and decide what can I do. I began seeking other opportunities and working on a plan to be in a state where, if another position came my way, I would get a fair chance.

I found other employment that required me to take a huge pay cut and title downsize but would allow me to take classes through their educational program. The opportunity was a step towards what ended up being a great blessing. My favorite mantra during that time that helped me get through was “Plan your work, work your plan.” I would say that to my children, students, colleagues, and friends; I knew I would get on their nerves by saying this mantra all time, but it helped me, and it was the truth that one could live by.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Showing people that I serve that I care. It doesn’t matter whether it is one of my learners, a client, or a participant in a workshop. I am motivated for them to become a success, whatever that may look like for them. My five E’s in business, ministry, and life as I deal, relate, and serve people are to encourage, to enrich, to engage, to equip, and to empower.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ (2BInspyrd)
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Inspyrd.AYHC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amystique-y-h-church-ph-d-th-d-cpe-pgmp-b5240717/
• Twitter: https://x.com/home. (2BInspryd)
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5A6tlzj-rY&t=14s. (S.H.E. Table Talk)
• Other: https://amystiqueharrischurch.brandyourself.com/TikTok (2BInspyrd). Dr. Amystique Church