Joanne Cherisma’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

Joanne Cherisma shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Joanne, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
While intelligence and energy are valuable, integrity is to my is the most important trait because it is the foundation of trust and ethical conduct. Without integrity, intelligence can be used for malicious purposes, and energy can lead to detrimental actions. Integrity ensures that a person’s actions align with their values, fostering reliability, respect, and lasting relationships or collaborations.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Joanne M. Cherisma. I moved to the US after the Haitian Earthquake in 2010. In 2016, I started Beyond The Abuse, Inc. in order to bring awareness on abusive relationships and provide hope, empowerment, support and confidence to the victims. And since, I have been using my voice and my writing as an outlet for those who can understand the slings and arrows of life at many speaking engagements, DV events and workshops in the United States, Canada, and Haiti. In 2018, I published “I Never Thought I Would Be A Statistic” in which I shared a testimony of how I overcame an abusive marriage. In June 2019, I received the “Among Us Award” for my strength to overcome adversity and to go on to thrive and help others, and for my courageous, conquering, and victorious spirit. In October 2022, I received the “Domestic Violence Survivor Award” for all the work that I have been doing to bring awareness on Domestic Violence. In December 2023, I published “Becoming Intentional” which is a roadmap to transform your mindset and habits, one month at a time. My passion for writing embodies my empathetic nature while showcasing inner human vulnerability that sometimes goes unheard.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe that trust, communication, and emotional intimacy create bonds between people. While betrayals and neglect can cause deep rifts, conscious effort to acknowledge wrongdoing, rebuild trust, and empathize with each other can help heal and strengthen connections.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me lessons in resilience, gratitude, empathy, and true self-understanding that success could never, as it strips away pretense, forces a confrontation with one’s inner strength, and fosters a deeper appreciation for life’s small things, ultimately building a more authentic and compassionate human being.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends might say that what really matters to me includes my faith, family, authentic relationships, growth and self-belief, integrity, and compassion.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I want to be remembered as someone who lived with integrity and was trustworthy. I hope to be remembered as a kind and considerate person who made those around them feel loved, valued, and seen. I hope my story of resilience will encourage people in the face of adversity. And mostly, I want to be remembered as a woman of unwavering faith that served as the foundation of her life.

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