We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Fairren Mclemore. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Fairren below.
Fairren , appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
The mission behind Shining Through: My Journey with Incontinentia Pigmenti is to inspire self-love, resilience, and the courage to embrace differences. Through the story of a little girl with a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects the skin but it can also impact other parts of the body like the eyes, teeth, hair, and central nervous system. This book aims to raise awareness about Incontinentia Pigmenti, foster understanding, and encourage children and families to celebrate their unique beauty. It serves as a message of hope, empowerment, and inclusivity, ensuring that those who feel different recognize their worth and strength. This mission is deeply meaningful to me because it is rooted in my personal journey as a mother to my incredible daughter, who lives with Incontinentia Pigmenti. I have witnessed firsthand the challenges, uncertainties, and triumphs that come with navigating a rare condition, and Shining Through, I am turning that into a source of empowerment for others. I am passionate about uplifting others and dedicated to advocacy and that makes this mission not just a cause but a reflection of my heart and purpose. I want to leave a legacy that ensures those who feel different whether due to IP or any other uniqueness, see their beauty, strength, and value. My hope is that by sharing this story, I am not only giving a voice to those affected but also fostering a world where self-acceptance and love shine through every challenge.
Fairren , 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?
I am a native of Saint Joseph, Michigan, and raised in Elkhart, Indiana. With a master’s degree in organizational leadership, I bring a unique perspective to my writing, combining my academic background with a deep understanding of personal growth and leadership. My faith in God keeps me anchored and gives me the strength to keep moving forward in life. From a young age, I always felt a deep calling to make a difference in the lives of others. My passion has always been to help and inspire others, and I believe that every act of kindness, no matter how small, can create a ripple effect that touches countless lives. In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, my mission is to be a source of light and hope. I believe you cannot pour from an empty cup. I fill my cup so I can overflow into the lives of others. I solve several meaningful problems for my clients, particularly those seeking inspiration, empowerment, and support navigating challenges related to self-acceptance, rare conditions, and personal growth. I provide hope and education ensuring those who feel different or unheard realize that they have a place, a purpose, and a community that supports them. What sets me a part from others is the deeply personal and purpose-driven nature of my work. I do not just write or advocate, I live my mission. My unique combination of lived experience, leadership skills, and passion for empowering others creates a powerful impact. I am most proud of my daughter Kamiah. She is my greatest inspiration, and seeing her shine despite the challenges of Incontinentia Pigmenti fills me with pride. My journey with her has shaped my mission and purpose. What I want potential clients/followers/fans to know about my brand is I champion for people with disabilities and my book is more than just a story, it is a movement. Being nominated and recognized for my work by the Distinguished Authors Guild shows that my message is resonating and making an impact. The impact it has had especially on families navigating similar journeys makes it one my greatest achievements.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivot points in my life was when I became a mother to my daughter Kamiah and learned about her diagnosis of Incontinentia Pigmenti. Before that moment, I had a strong foundation in leadership, and a passion for uplifting others, but Kamiah’s birth reshaped my entire perspective and purpose. What started as a deeply personal journey, navigating the unknowns of a rare condition, advocating for her health, and embracing the emotional weight of the NICU experience became something much bigger. The pivotal moment led me to step into advocacy and storytelling. Instead of focusing on my own journey, I saw a need for awareness, representation, and support for other families going through similar challenges. That is what inspired Shining Through: My Journey with Incontinentia Pigmenti and my vision to start a nonprofit. My pivot was not just about changes careers or paths, it was about stepping into my greater purpose. It was the moment I realized that my experiences were not just for me to endure but for me to use to help others. This shift turned into a voice for inclusion, self-acceptance, and rare disease advocacy, making a lasting impact on the world.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Before becoming a mother, I naturally stepped into leadership roles, often being the one others leaned on. I was independent, driven, and capable, believing that resilience meant figuring things out on your own. But when Kamiah was born everything changed. Suddenly, I was faced with overwhelming uncertainty navigating medical terms I had never heard before, dealing with the emotional weight of wanting to protect and support my daughter in ways I had not imagined. At first, I felt the pressure to stay strong, to push through without asking for help, because that is what I had always done. A powerful lesson I had to unlearn is the idea that strength means handling everything alone. As a natural leader and someone who has always taken on responsibilities with grace, I may have once believed that being strong meant pushing through challenges without asking for help. But through my journey especially as a mother navigating Kamiah’s diagnosis I realized that true strength is not about carrying everything by yourself. It is about embracing support, building community, and allowing others to uplift me as I uplift them. I learned that vulnerability is not weakness it is courage. Whether it was seeking knowledge, leaning on loved ones during tough moments, or building a foundation to support others, I discovered that resilience is not about isolation; it is about connection. Unlearning this has allowed me to create space for collaboration, support, and deeper impact not just for myself, but for the many people I inspire. By letting go of the idea that strength means self-sufficiency, I stepped into greater truth, that real power comes from connection, advocacy, and allowing love and support to carry me forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.fairrenmclemore.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairren.mclemore?igsh=MW9tNXg3NXo3M24zeg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563428305597&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fairren-mclemore-ms-8360b767
