We were lucky to catch up with Nichelle Wilson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Nichelle, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I found my passion through a deeply personal journey of healing. For a long time, I lived in a state of emotional turmoil, marked by resentment and unresolved pain. It wasn’t until I faced the difficult and soul-shaking battle of forgiveness that I began to discover what truly mattered to me and where my heart found peace. The act of forgiving—something I had always believed to be simple—became a powerful tool in reclaiming my identity, my faith, and my sense of purpose.
As I navigated this complex, painful journey, I realized that healing wasn’t just about letting go of past wrongs. It was about learning to forgive myself, my faith, and the people who had hurt me. The process was messy and humbling, but it ignited something within me. It helped me uncover a deep reservoir of resilience and strength that had been quietly building throughout my life. From this strength emerged my passion: to help others find their way through their own struggles, to heal from emotional wounds, and to teach them the power of forgiveness—not as a quick fix, but as an essential step toward peace and freedom.
In essence, my passion was birthed from my own journey of healing, where I found the courage to face my wounds, to forgive, and ultimately, to rediscover myself. Through this process, I gained a deeper understanding of how to help others find the same peace and freedom, and that became my driving force.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As a Mental Health Advocate and Nonprofit Leader, my work is deeply personal and rooted in my own journey of overcoming immense hardship. Years ago, my life was torn apart by domestic violence that left both me and my child physically hurt. The trauma from that experience created emotional wounds that seemed impossible to heal. But through this dark chapter, I learned the powerful lessons of forgiveness, resilience, and the strength to move forward, not just for myself, but for my child as well.
Through my nonprofit, Happy Mama Happy Mini, Inc., I now focus on supporting other parents and children who are navigating similar struggles. What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to provide resources and programs that help families heal, especially after experiencing trauma like domestic violence. Our initiatives are designed to foster emotional well-being, build resilience, and promote the critical importance of mental health support, so families can move forward with strength and confidence.
The most special aspect of my work is that it goes beyond simply providing mental health support. Happy Mama Happy Mini, Inc. offers a variety of activities aimed at empowering parents and children, including community outreach programs, counseling support, and educational resources focused on overcoming trauma, building emotional resilience, and creating healthier family dynamics. These initiatives are designed to provide both immediate support and long-term solutions for families affected by violence and trauma, so they can heal together and rebuild their lives.
In addition, we are expanding our outreach programs to focus on support for survivors of domestic violence, parenting with trauma, and healing for children. These efforts are part of our larger mission to create a more supportive environment where families feel empowered to break the cycle of trauma and take control of their mental health and well-being.
I want readers to know that my brand is about healing, empowerment, and community. It’s about providing practical, actionable support to those who need it most. Through Happy Mama Happy Mini, Inc., my mission is to ensure that every parent and child—especially those affected by violence—has access to the resources they need to heal, thrive, and create a better future.
Recently, I became a co-author of a book entitled Phenomenal Forgiveness. This experience was a powerful extension of my journey and a way to share the deeper insights I’ve gained about forgiveness and healing with a wider audience. It’s an honor to contribute to a project that highlights the strength and transformative power of forgiveness, something that has been a core part of my own healing process.
At the heart of it all, I believe in giving back through life-changing experiences. It’s not just about offering support, but also about creating opportunities for individuals to transform their lives. Through my work, I strive to help others see that no matter what challenges they face, they have the power to overcome and build something beautiful. The life-changing experiences I offer are about giving people the tools to take control of their futures and empower them to make a lasting impact on their own lives and the lives of others.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey were resilience, forgiveness, and community building.
Resilience: After experiencing domestic violence, resilience helped me push through the darkest moments. Advice: Start by embracing small wins—whether it’s getting through a tough day or seeking support. Resilience grows with each step forward.
Forgiveness: Forgiveness of self was key to my healing, allowing me to reclaim my peace despite deep pain. Advice: Forgiveness is a process, not a one-time act. Be patient with yourself, and seek help when needed.
Community Building: A supportive community has been crucial in my healing and in helping others. Advice: Surround yourself with uplifting people and give back whenever possible. A strong support network is vital.
For those early in their journey, focus on these qualities, be kind to yourself and your mind, take it one step at a time. Healing is a process, but it’s always worth it.
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?
The person who has been most helpful in helping me overcome challenges and develop the essential skills, qualities, and knowledge needed to be successful is my 9-year-old daughter.
She has been my greatest source of strength and motivation throughout my journey. Despite the hardships we’ve faced together, her resilience, unconditional love, and perspective on life have taught me so much. Watching her handle her own challenges with grace and courage has reminded me of the importance of resilience, forgiveness, and the power of community. She’s not only my daughter but also my greatest teacher, pushing me to be better every day, for both of us.
Through her, I’ve learned the power of showing grace, giving grace, and embracing a graceful mindset. I am constantly reminded that no matter what, the happy mini’s are always watching, and that alone is motivation to wake up and do the right thing. It pushes me to maintain a positive mindset and look at life through a lens of grace, knowing that she is learning from my example. Her unwavering belief in me fuels my determination to heal, grow, and create a better future for us both.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.happymamahappymini.org
- Instagram: happymama.happymini
- Facebook: Happy Mama Happy Mini, Inc.
- Linkedin: Nichelle Wilson
- Youtube: Happy Mama Happy Mini
- Other: www.hmgolfclassic.com
Annual Fundraiser – Supporting HBCU scholarships, introducing the game of golf, and creating a fund to secure resources for mothers and children in need.
Image Credits
Love Byrd Photo | Crystal on Brand
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
