We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ronkeia Lewis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ronkeia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Where can I even start? My background is in health and wellness and I’m currently a cooperate wellness coach. I’ve dedicated most of my life to helping people, so stepping outside of sports and health was new to me. I never imagined that I’d be an author or a speaker. I always knew I had a niche for helping people, but walking someone through what can be a spiritual journey was not on the menu lol. This project came about from me building my relationship with God. I always felt as if I was built for something greater, but could never put the pieces together. Then one night it’s like God said”Trust The Process”. I’ve heard that term many times before but it never made sense as it did that night. I began to just write about how I was feeling over that month and included motivating words and I would send them to my friends without their knowledge that I was talking about myself on every page. That was a risk within itself. I don’t believe as people we get the chance to fully express ourselves until we acknowledge where we are. I was in a place that wasn’t necessarily dark, but it seemed murky. I just couldn’t shake the things that were bothering me but yet outside looking in I seemed well put together. My poker face could have earned me millions. With this book, I risked opening up to people about my deepest feelings that I only shared with God and I sat on my hands for months until that very night I heard “Trust The Process”. I asked in prayer if I go forth I need a name and a vision and I heard him as clear as day say ” Ohwrd(oh word)” and that was the name I adopted not only for this book, but for this brand. I believe Ohwrd was God’s saying ” yeah alright” in a ” watch this” type of way. Since starting this brand, doors have opened that I couldn’t imagine and things have happened that you can only justify as a miracle. But the beauty is I feel as If I finally took a risk for myself and God said it wasn’t risk, this is Purpose.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I believe im a work of art lol. If you ever meet me, I can guarantee you will never forget me. My Name is Ronkeia, but I’m affectionately known as Keia, or Red as my Father calls me. Im from a small town in North Carolina known as Vanceboro. Im the youngest of my siblings and without a doubt the favorite lol. Many will describe me as a playful, caring person, but also someone who gives to a fault at times. I try to be a beacon of light, even when my own light isn’t shining as bright as i would like. Writing was something I’ve always done I wrote poetry for years and have plenty of journals that I’ve kept throughout the years. I joked for years to my family that I would write a book based on the adventures me and my cousins had growing up. But writing about faith, was something I would have never imagined.
I like to say I got into the writing industry on purpose, but that’s not all I like to do. I also brand myself as a motivational speaker and podcast host. When it comes to getting this faith thing right, I can talk for days because I still struggle daily to get it right. I pride myself in encouraging myself and other women to find their purpose and to Trust God in all that he does for us. My brand Ohwrd has many plans that have yet to be revealed, with the first of which being my book “Trust The Process”, which is set to be released Nov. 19th 2022.
Within this book, not only will you take a journey into my personal experience with faith, but you’ll find a piece of yourself on every page as you continually build your relationship with yourself and God. What makes me most proud of this project is its authenticity. I pride myself in being ME and nobody else. I admit every struggle, shortcoming, and triumph. We’re in a day and age where people want to think having it all together is the only way you can be. I’m here to tell you, I’m far from perfect and that’s the best part of me. Readers will see and know Ronkeia and no one else.
When it comes to the brand Ohwrd what we have in store will continue to show the world that faith comes in all ages, that perfection doesn’t exist, and that favor is fair. I’m proud of not only me, but for you reading this because you’re further than where you started and its only going to get better, no matter the circumstances
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Everything you do is art. If you take pictures for a living it’s art. If you talk on a podcast or radio it’s art. If you cut or style hair it is an art. Art is all around us and in us. Everything you do has a purpose and we have a purpose while in this lifetime. I think the misconception about my art is that I strive to do everything for God and that could come off strong to some. The truth is I encourage everyone, no matter their gift, to live in it and do their best.
A favorite verse of mine is “Proverbs 18:16 “A man’s gift makes room for him” That’s confirmation that whatever you put your mind to, God will back you up. I’ve been writing privately for years and the moment I decide to share my message with the world and fully embrace my gift, I haven’t lacked in anything.
Some may even struggle and say ” I don’t want to read a book about God”. That’s fair because that is not what this book is about. It’s about my journey and how God had a plan for me. I just had to trust him. My journey as a creative doesn’t have a humble beginning, it’s not full of sadness and loss, but it is full of reality and a constant journey of me finding the joy and light within myself that I bring to so many people. So recognize that you’re already an artist. Writing, Singing, Teaching, Pastoring, Business owner, you put time and effort into that so by default not only are you a boss but you are a creator!
Make your lane as I did. I took the Jesus that lives within me and owned it. I’m not ashamed of anything I’ve experienced or the purpose I strive for. So if you’re struggling to understand my journey as a creative there’s no need. I strive to be the best me and inspire everyone I can and I encourage you to do the same.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of this is being able to pour back into the lives of the people that helped me on this ongoing journey and pour into strangers. Often, we believe that when we pay people back it has to be monetary and that’s not the case. So many people have helped me during this process. I simply asked “why” and they responded “because I believe in you”. Those simple words propelled me into rooms and built relationships I never thought I would have.
People would stop me randomly and say “I heard the words of encouragement you gave this week it helped me”. Knowing that I have the power to speak life to someone is what keeps me going. My parents tell me often ” I’m proud of you” and its a million reasons behind that statement. I asked a dear friend of mine once “How would you describe me” I sat eagerly with my pen waiting for his response and he said “Tell me what you see in yourself”. I will admit his response bothered me cause I was trying to move quickly, but his response revealed a side of me that stayed hidden for so long. He told me the way you pour into people, pour into yourself and watch God work. He was absolutely right. A lightbulb went off and I felt as if I found myself in that moment
Being in this creative space, not only do I get to pour into someone, I get to pour into myself every time I pick up my pen to write and every time I open my mouth to speak. The most amazing part is that my wisdom reaches every generation. As a millennial, its tough out here. Sometimes it seems as if each choice we make is considered the wrong choice to others. But I believe that any choice that you make that defines you as a person is a right choice! Trust The Process.
Doing God’s work is not easy, but the reward is great. I don’t consider myself someone who has it figured out, I’m just someone who has faith. The reward is the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ohwrdttp.com/
- Instagram: Ohwrditskeia
- Facebook: KeiaLewis
- Linkedin: RonkeiaLewis
Image Credits
Image Credit to Johnathan Watkins