We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Risa Jenkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Risa below.
Risa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
Once, I was told I was unable to conceive and I held on to that truth for many years. In 2011 on Valentines Day I found out I was pregnant. It was a girl and immediately I begin to change my life. Fast forward years later Rhianna is six and I’m in yet another abusive relationship. My fight was with self to find a reason to get out and I was determined to win no matter what!
I survived as well as my daughter and we began our journey of healing. One day God spoke to me through her and gave me the blueprint on what my next mission was, heal the world. The start was to create a organization that caters to those in need when in crisis.
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
Risa Jenkins- Born and raised in Chicago. Currently CEO of Rhianna’s Treasured Gifts; a nonprofit organization that advocates for domestic violence.
To start understanding my trauma I had to find a purpose to live. Reasons to want better. Make promises to try then vowing to fight for my life or die trying. It took me being a SURVIVOR to truly start putting things into perspective. More importantly, I had to learn that it was not my fault. It was not until I began to heal that I knew it was my duty to be a help to others. To be an ally, a resource…an advocate.
• Rhianna’s Treasured Gifts was established March 9, 2020.
• We host consecutive donation drives monthly.
• RTG made our 1st partnership with CAWC (Connections for Abused Women) by August 24, 2020
• By November in 2020, RTG developed a mentorship program called “Breakthrough”
A 12-week curriculum-based program that focuses on the youth who are left behind due to their demographics, adversaries or are economically impacted. Youth explore a variety of topics ranging from: Identity, Stress relief, Healthy coping, and Financial literacy
• BY 2021 We were partnered with YCCS-West, ASN (Alternative School Network), Elite Treatment Center, Direct Distributors for Lisa Jenkins the creator of The SlipOut App, Christ Temple Baptist Church, Zakat Foundation of America, and Global Soku Foundation
Rhianna’s Treasured Gifts is a 501 (c) non-profit organization whose mission is to uplift and support victims of Domestic Violence.
Our hope is to collect donations of clothes, shoes, toys, hygiene products, beauty products, and household items so that we can give them away to victims in need.
We are committed to serving battered individuals to be an aide in the process towards healing so they can know that they have support and are not alone. This service is completely charitable in nature and designed to help victims heal.
With the President and her daughter both being survivors of Domestic Violence, they know firsthand the many fears victims face; the feeling of hopelessness and feeling completely defeated.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Like many first time entrepreneurs I created a team based on personal connections & relationships. I didn’t do my part to ensure the roles they were entrusted with was something they could professionally manage. Because of that the business suffered financially and our relationships quickly became conflicting. I wanted to give up and throw in the towel but I had a “coming to Jesus” moment and knew I had to go back to the drawing board so I did.
Currently my board consist of professionals who are experts in their field. More opportunities are presenting itself and we’re creating partnerships that are impactful. My team holds me accountable and encourages me to keep going. I’m so grateful for the earth angels God sent me to assist in carrying out this mission.
We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.
During my transition of changing my mindset and pivoting the business I cried int to the universe to prove to me that this work is for me. Almost immediately I received a request of all the items I had in my inventory from another DV specialist. When I met with her the next day to exchange we clicked instantly!!
Lisa Jenkins the creator of TheSlipOutApp is an app developer, PR specialist, author, and therapist. Although our names are almost identical we are not related. Our business relationship is thriving and have developed a bond personally. I affectionately call her my sister and she really is. Love ya girl!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rhiannas-treasured-gifts.business.site/
- Instagram: rtgchicago
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rtgchicago/
- Twitter: rtgchicago
Image Credits
MAP_Productions Drew MIchael Photography