We’re looking forward to introducing you to Danielle Bray. Check out our conversation below.
Danielle, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
We have worked in rural and urban communities. No matter the size of the project, people feel that you are doing the work for “free”. Unfortunately, nothing is “free”. Your time and knowledge cost in all avenues.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Danielle Bray, the Founder of Everlasting Vessels Inc, a 501C3 approved organization working to close gaps in underinvested rural and urban communities. We have closed in gaps with access to efficient broadband, food insecurity, housing negligence, reading initiatives, self-development, and more in various communities. Over the years, we partnered with different ministries and nonprofits.
I experienced a layoff in 2013 and started seeking God for my next steps. In 2013, Everlasting Vessels Inc was created to help disadvantaged single parents. Everlasting Vessels Inc has a unique creation. In 2013, I went back to work in the corporate sector and never did anything with Everlasting Vessels Inc. In November 2014, a friend asked if I wanted to come visit her and my goddaughter in Texas for my birthday coming up in December. The Thursday before I flew out, my friend says, “Do you want to go to Bishop T.D. Jakes’s church?” I said, “Of course, I read his books.” Over the years, I did not pay attention to his church being in Dallas, Texas. On the Sunday, December 7, 2014, we went to the Potter’s House. We enter the church. My friend asked, “Would you like to go to the visitor’s desk?” I really wanted to go in and just sit down. However, we went the visitor’s desk, and they give me a gift. Then, they escorted us towards the elevator because we were being led to sit in the balcony. Bishop Jakes was not there, but I recall the message, “You Are Worth it”. Later that night, I am packing to come back home. My thoughts were let me look into the bag and see my gift. I have two CDs, one by Bishop T.D. Jakes called “You have Unfinished Business” and the other by Bishop Henry Fernandez, “You Have Just Been Upgraded”. I knew that I had unfinished business because I did not finish putting everything in place for Everlasting Vessels Inc. The story continues, but I will stop here. When we seek God for answers or direction, God will circle us back around in the oddest ways if we do not finish.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
On our first assignment in 2016, our organization had the opportunity to partner with a shelter by conducting our self-development sessions. It was week two of the session, and we were working on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. One of the ladies would bring her baby to the session each time. She says, “Opportunities do not matter at this point in my life.” She was always very pleasant, and I became puzzled by her changed demeanor. She says,” I’m going to jail. My mama will raise my child.” My body became froze and hear the words “pray with her”. We all came together, and I led prayer. The next week, she says,” The charges have been dropped.” At that moment, I knew God was allowing me to see the world in a different view and using me in a different capacity.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
At seventeen, I became pregnant with my son. I felt like I let down my parents. I was ashamed, disappointed in myself, and scared of the next. It was the pain of the constant gossiping at first. Sunday at church in 1997, I stood up in front of the congregation, I said, “I am pregnant and will bring my baby up in the church.” You could hear a pin drop because everyone became very silent. I recall the Pastor embracing me and quoting John 8:7. I realized that people use your pain to decrease your value if you let them. Therefore, I have always found ways to turn my pain into power.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would definitely say God, my family, and staying true to myself matters deeply to me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Times, I asked God for something and did not understand the “true root” for it. Therefore, I did not truly value it and did not find true satisfaction. It is important to understand “the root” or “the why”. Why do you truly want something? What is the “true root” for it in your life?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.everlastingvessels.org
- Other: TikTok – Everlasting Vessels Inc
*Unfortunately, we experienced fraud. Therefore, we have not relaunched our Facebook page yet.
Image Credits
Xavier Foster, Photographer, Professional Photo
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