Meet Josha Cunningham

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

Josha, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilence comes from being the black sheep, the one who always had to carve my own path. After being knocked down over and over again, I learned to rely on myself – no safety net, no back up.
I became my own source of strength, finding creative solutions and going deep within myself to rise above whatever stood in my way”
I adapted thrive because giving up is not an option. I learned to become a swiss army knife in supernatural circumstances – versatile, resourceful, and unbreakable in the face of adversity.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a mother of 2 beautiful children. If asked to day what is my biggest accomplishment it would still be the ability to be chosen to carry such vessels. I grew up in a small town of Lincolnton, NC. I grew up in a two family home, that was cursed by domestic violence and substance abuse. I was a cheerleader,played sports and was known as an avid reader and fighter. Little did I know I would be fighting for freedom, independence, and a family legacy,all my life. With little opportunity I relied on the good life I often read about in my Nikki Giovanni books and got me a dope boy.
While looking for bigger dreams from a small town. After being released from prison on drug charges I started a new life in Washington D.C.
My grandparents were all growers. Our Saturday would be spent picking tomatoes,or watching other neighbors prune and garden. The children would often grab snacks off the muscadine trees and eat the blackberries straight off the bushes and get the itchies..lol The good ole days.
I promised to reclaim my family legacy of growing and herbalism.
After the green wave in 2015 and our fight against 420 Prohibition in the Washington DC area. I interned at a cannabis grow center and learned every aspect of the cannabis business. The work I do is deeply rooted in my goal of creating a non profit transition house for displaced veterans, domestic violence victims,and gangs talking victims.
Interning taught me every aspect of the cannabis business. I started to build a community of people from all prowess of life that would meet up unabashedly to talk about weed strains,play bingo,partake in rolling classes and partake in my flagship products: My Custom Canna infused wine! I birthed my Business Custom Canna and took my show on the road. Back to the community that I once left to teach about the new cannabis laws . After covid hit I thought it would be a great way to help others create jobs and learn how to start and brand a booming cannabis business.

My efforts – whether through community meet ups,one on one consultations,or in home patient care- are aimed at demystifying cannabis and bringing it’s healing properties directly to who needs it most. It’s about empowerment, education, and transformation.
I want people to understand that cannabis isn’t just for recreational use,it’s a tool for healing.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back I have developed 3 essential skills and discipline because of the nay-sayers.
1.Self Reliance
2. Facing discrimination and biased
3. Turning adversity into purpose.
Looking back in a male – dominated cannabis industry, I found myself even further tested. As a black woman in a field that mostly devalues both I had to prove my worth not once but almost everyday, and still do!. Whether to test my knowledge or belittle my contributions,I didn’t cower. My advice is don’t cower. Stand your ground,do what you love!
I didn’t bow to the bigotry and politics that prevaded the industry.
Instead I stood tall ,refusing to let anyone dictate my values or voice.
I wasn’t going to let the growing cannabis tsunami swallow me whole.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

My Haters..
To be honest my haters,evil doers,and happy haters have been my biggest motivators.
Self Reliance taught me to be self made and a one woman army with the heart of a million soldiers. This experience taught me to trust my instincts and problem solve with integrity, turning each set back into an opportunity to build inner strength.
Facing discrimination and Biased taught me to Gatekeep the Gatekeeper. Nobody puts baby in the corner” ya dig…These experiences of being marginalized and blackballed were painful but also pivotal in strengthening my resolve.
Turning adversity into Purpose , through this experience I developed resilence to not just overcome my circumstances but inspire others to heal, Loudly..

My efforts to create a non profit and shatter cannabis stigma are all expressions that comes from turning pain into purpose.
One thing I learned is to bet on myself. Believe in yourself, Your Power,Your gifts. Never give up!
” Keep Going”

Contact Info:

• Website: www amazon.com/stores/Joy-Cunningham/author
• Instagram: @joy2theworldbooks
• Youtube: joy2theworld