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

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

As a young girl growing up on the southside of Chicago, in a single-family home, I struggled with self-worth, which led me to engage in unhealthy behaviors. I didn’t have a safe space to talk about or get support for the challenges I faced in my adolescent years. I became a teenage mom and victim of domestic violence but I didn’t want that to be the end of my story. I was determined to create the safe space I didn’t have, for black girls, in underserved communities who are currently struggling with mental well-being and adolescent development. A space they can be authentic about their emotions and experiences and not feel judged. A space where girls can gather with peers and positive role models to build healthy relationships. A space where they can be empowered to challenge what the world says they are supposed to be and be inspired to write their own narratives. Distinctively Me is that safe space.

With the stigma around mental health, the lack of supportive services in schools and black communities, and the alarming rate of girls being impacted by the school-to-prison pipeline, I knew the need for services was great. Engaging adolescents can be challenging, as they are in a stage of finding their voices and formulating their identities. Incorporating a space for them to feel comfortable with speaking up and speaking out was necessary. This builds, confidence, self-esteem, and mental well-being. There is great joy in seeing girls come out of their shells and positively express themselves.

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.

I’m a licensed clinical social worker with a passion for mental health. In 2018, I obtained the 501c3 for Distinctively Me and began hosting monthly workshops for a small group of girls that allowed them to express themselves through art and voice. For years, the mental health crisis taking place in black communities has been swept under a rug but it can no longer be ignored. While the pandemic had a great impact on the world, black people were also battling the racial social injustice of police, in addition to the disproportionate rates of unemployment, violent communities, and unaddressed trauma. Actual suicide death rates for Black American girls ages 13 to 19 increased by 182% from 2001 to 2017. We cannot afford to sit back and wait for this crisis to fix itself. Distinctively Me’s goal is to provide easy access to high-quality socio-emotional and culturally responsive school programs, community-based workshops, and community outreach. Distinctively Me is also preparing to offer individual and group therapy to adolescent black girls in the Chicagoland area. We are aware some girls need more professional support.

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

Starting a nonprofit with very little knowledge of the industry and nothing in my pocket but passion would make the average person throw in the towel after a year or two, especially when you’re unable to pay yourself. I would not tell anyone this work is easy. There seem to be a thousand moving pieces at play every day. You have to pull a good group of people together to form your board, fundraise, develop programs, build relationships and partnerships, make sure the finances are in order, and so much more. The only thing that has kept me going is my why. I don’t do this work for me. It’s the purpose and gift God has given me to serve others. Seeing the positive impact on the lives of girls allows me to never give up.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When you are new to building a business, you solicit the input of various people who are already doing the work. What I’ve had to learn is to take what is useful information and throw the rest away. If you listen to everything recommended by others, you will be all over the place. What works for them may not work for you. I do my research, take web courses, and seek consultation which helps me learn and grow, but at the end of the day, my guiding light is prayer. When I stick with God, it all works out, even if I have to take a longer route.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.distinctivelyme.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dm4girls/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/distinctivelymenonprofit/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gdotsonlewis