Meet Sonya Covington

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sonya Covington a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sonya , thank you so much for joining us today. There are so many topics we could discuss, but perhaps one of the most relevant is empathy because it’s at the core of great leadership and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your empathy?

Through Christ Jesus is how I’ve become more empathetic. I was raised by a single (divorced) mother of two. My father was a very hard worker as well and provided support but during the weekdays and some weekends, we spent a lot of time with my grandmother. My mom worked very hard but there were times we needed assistance and times we went without a car, catching rides from family and friends. We didn’t have things my peers enjoyed. I didn’t get to wear and choose name brand clothing or have items, but we always looked our best and had a safe place to stay with my mother. My grandmother was on a fixed income. I watched my grandmother raise some of her grandchildren as her own and feed several family members who lived in her home. We didn’t live with her, but she fed us and took care of us during the week while my parents worked. My grandmother would walk me to the bus stop as a little girl, protect me from bullies, and made sure I got home safe every day. She sat on her porch as a watchman many of days looking down the street to see what was going on in her community. My grandmother is one of the examples of empathy that’s given me the ability to understand and care for others. Years later, my mother-in-law would have the same traits. She was a very caring individual who took care of and loved many of her family members. Many other challenges in my life have open my heart to understand what others may be experiencing in their life.

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 wife, mother of three, and a children’s book author. I’ve been married to my husband Loil for 26 years. We have two sons Loil (Tre’) and Joshua Covington. Loil and I became the parents of Ken’Janay (KJ) in 2023 through fostering. My husband and I met in college. We are both graduates of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical (A&T) State University. My oldest Tre’ graduated from NC A&T where Joshua is currently attending and is a Junior. KJ attends pre-school. I am a mother at heart. I am a helper. I’ve been described as a bridge. One who helps others to the next place in life.

I started gardening in 2019. I love watching the plants grow from a tiny seed into something special and edible. It is so amazing to see how God created the plants to multiply and fertilize each other. I love my plants like humans and take care of them to become their best product.

I am a 13-year breast cancer survivor. After surviving breast cancer, my mother told me I’d write a book one day. I didn’t want to write about breast cancer, but I’ve always loved children. I wanted to write about a character my son drew but I could never put pen to paper. In 2022, I was listening to an online prayer group, and the minister spoke about God hearing our prayers. Instantly, I wrote “God’s Ears Are Bigger Than Mine”. I wrote a few follow-ups and a special story about my dad. My dad fell ill unexpectantly in August 2023 and passed in a few days. Before his passing, I was able to read the story to him. Through much prayer and research, “God’s Ears Are Bigger Than Mine” was published in November 2023. While waiting on the publication, I wrote other books and currently am waiting on my next book to be published about two young girls named Faith and Sight. I’m excited to release it hopefully by the beginning of 2026. I’ve been employed by Cigna for 28 years. I’m looking to embark on some new challenges in the future including adult books, journals, and coaching.

Like my grandmother, I’ve had other family members and friends come live with me and my family. I love having family in my home and celebrating holidays together. I wish I had a home large enough for everyone to stay.

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?

Three qualities include being honest, loyal, and dependable. I am a good listener and observer. I love teaching and sharing with others, I’ve always been honest and upfront. If you are my family and a true friend, I am loyal and dependable. My closest friends are the same. We have deep conversations and rely on each other in our small circle of friendship.

Pray, research and don’t let others discourage what God has placed in your heart. Don’t allow life’s negative impacts to steal or diminish your dreams. See the lessons in those moments. God has given you everything you need to move forward. It will take work on your part and may not happen exactly in your expected time and the way you want it to, but it will.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

Neither of my parents had a lot of money. They had a great job when I was first born but the plant they worked for closed and relocated. My mother worked two jobs and often on the weekends. My dad would pick me and my brother up on Saturdays and take us on rides. We’d often ride to Raleigh, NC which was about 30 minutes from where I grew up in Smithfield, NC. During the ride, he loved to tell jokes. We’d ride and visit family between Selma, Clayton and Raleigh, NC. My great-grandmother lived in a high-rise. It was always fascinating to go visit and watch her move about in the little apartment. Afterwards, we stop at Shoney’s for a burger, fries and hot fudge sundae. It would be a great day. My dad had 11 siblings, and we’d go visit them and my grandparents often. My dad took us to see the battleship in Wilmington, NC, Bush Gardens, VA and Kings Dominion in VA to name a few. As I got older, I realized my dad didn’t have a lot of education. He often talked about his limitations when it came to school and getting an education. Before he passed away, he shared he knew where we were going because I would read the road signs out loud. Both my parents had great work ethics. My mom still works now in her early 70s. She still enjoys taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I have worked since I was 14 years old and consider myself a hard worker and a person who loves to share and teach others.

Without saying family is important, my mom and dad showed me by making sure we knew our grandparents, uncles, aunties, and cousins. My dad also wanted us to see there was more outside of where we lived. I believe to this very day, it’s the reason my brother and I both left home for our future careers. My parents both made sure we got our education through high school. That hard work ethic pushed my brother and I to go beyond. I did the same for my sons. My husband and I have taken them on trips since they were little boys. Pushed them in their education and watch them grow into young men. We look forward to doing the same for Ken’Janay and our future grandchildren.

Contact Info:

• Other: email: [email protected]

  God’s Ears Are Bigger Than Mine is available on www.amazon.com, Barnes & Noble online and www.target.com.

Image Credits

Jason Velazquez, Illustrator
Hot Chocolate Run