We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Valerie Reed,LBSW a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Valerie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?
After the passing of my Brother(only known sibling) , my mother, and my husband 2011-2012, I knew that GOD had a plan for me. I knew that there had to be some purpose to my pain. I could not wrap my mind around the fact that I was “left alone” to fend for myself with my three young children. I did not have any idea on what GOD was up to but I knew that is was a great feat that I would have to tend to. I was always a writer and I used my writing as an outlet to express my emptions about my grief. One day while writing, GOD spoke to me in a quiet still voice saying “Write the Book.” I prayed and asked GOD if that is what you want for me, provide a way because I did not know where to start. 1-2 weeks later, while scrolling on Facebook, I ran across and local young lady that was offering a course on Writing your story to give GOD Glory. I paid $20.00 and there I was listening to the modules and I began to write my first book. I was so excited to be able to share what I thought was a unique story of grief, but suddenly realized that my story was not that different but in our communities, grief and loss is not a topic that is highly talked about.
Valerie, 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?
Valerie Reed, LBSW is the founder of Strong to the Finish LLC. She is a native of Compton, California, who grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. After attending Prairie View A&M University and obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s Sociology she worked in the Social Work Field in Las Vegas, Nevada and Houston, Texas for approximately 10 yrs. She decided to change careers and focus on education, where she has been teaching for 17 yrs. She is the mother of 3 children, Ryan 19, Kayla 18, and Micah 14. Valerie is a member of The Wisconsin Sleepers, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Order of The Eastern Star. Valerie is also the author of Stay Strong, Finish Strong! A story of hope and encouragement for those who have and will experience Grief and Loss. She is also the author of Through Micah’s Eyes, which is a children’s book that portrays her son Micah on the day of his father’s funeral. This book was featured on a Virtual Book Fair with Royston Publishing. Valerie’s latest book, Grieving Under God’s Grace (A Prayer Journal) is a book of prayers for grief and loss for 21 days. Valerie recently became the host of Strength for The Journey on Rhema Gospel Radio 101.5 FM KOER, in Houston, Texas in which we feature Stories of Strength to encourage others.
February 2020 Valerie was one of five teachers featured in TEDTALK Education San Antonio. She recently became one of the faces of Black Women Widows Empowered. Valerie was nominated and awarded The Distinguished Authors Award for Best Children’s Book. She also one of the host of the Storytime Chill with VAL&SIL, in which they feature African American Authors of Children’s Books. Pass The Hot Sauce is the latest collaborative book that VAL&SIL tackle the hard conversations of being a teen age girl and some of the challenges that are faced.
Valerie enjoys empowering other especially women by sharing her story of grief and loss. December 15, 2021 Valerie became a Licensed Minister and she is a proud member of The Word of God Christian Fellowship, where Pastor Erick W. Hoskin presides as the Pastor. Valerie’s goal is to encourage herself and others by speaking up and speaking out about grief and loss, because she has suffered loss but manages to keep going by holding on to faith and family. The whole purpose is to stay in the race and finish strong!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One valuable lesson that I had to learn was that some of your best supporters, are people who do not know you. I was intrigued by the number of supporters that I had, but I was fascinated by the number of people who did not know me but they were willing to take a chance on me and purchase one of my books, or listen to me speak at various events.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
One of the many aspects of being a creative is that ideas flow in my mind at the craziest times, so I keep paper, post its, journals, pens, etc with me to be able to take notes when thoughts come to my mind. I have also learned how to record and take notes using my smartphone.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.strongtothefinishmotivationals.com
- Instagram: @strongtothe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongtothefinishmotivational/
- Youtube: Valerie Johnson-Reed