Meet C.L. Suggs

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful C.L. Suggs. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with C.L. below.

Hi C.L., we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

As I go through the process of sharing my story, I realized that developing my confidence and self-esteem did not come naturally. The true and stable foundation of confidence, for me, is my inner being and resolve. My self-esteem has nothing to do with outward expression. Looking at my life, there are many factors that have played an integral role in my confidence and how I express myself. Being a part of a shared community and breaking out of my daily routine has helped me tremendously, as all new beginnings aren’t easy but the reward of starting new and finding community is plentiful. When I got serious minded about growing in my prophetic gift, I didn’t chase after influence, clout, or even a prophesy of what others saw or heard. Yet, I chased after kingdom wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

My hunger for God and for understanding who I was in Him was my confidence booster. It was necessary to be around prophetic voices that made me feel normal and understood. Some beginnings are only possible because of hard goodbyes, silent cries, and moving on from what was once seen as comfortable or familiar. In life, we can cultivate the kind of confidence that is unshakable, persistent, tenacious, resilient, and certain. I developed my confidence and self-esteem not from a feeling, but from action. The action of trusting in the one who created me to stand with such confidence, as declared in Philippians 1:6. When I trust the process, I find even more trust in myself. Taking actions that align with that truth has left me no choice but to embody confidence and walk with self-esteem. Like most things in life, walking in that truth can ebb and flow. The more I chose to walk as my authentic self, the more confidence I gain. At the root of it, confidence is a natural God-given gift that we are all capable of possessing – as long as we turn away from the earthly urge of people-pleasing.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is my brand. Which is my authors name “C.L. Suggs.” When the business was starting and later moving into ministry, a great deal of time was spent searching for the right names. The name that was chosen for the business was Change Requires Change (partner agreement) which was based on the idea of women and girls who wanted an effective change, and then it went into CRC International Ministries, because ministry was starting to bloom within me. Although those brands are still very much a part of who I am, and have legs, I decided while the books are still young and building, my author brand name would never grow old. Even when it came to the decision of the author’s name CL Suggs; honestly, I can’t take any credit. It was all God! One night as I was asleep, I recall hearing the name in a dream. Then I put it on paper. As I stared at the letters C.L. I heard… Christ Loves, so I put it all together: Christ Loves Suggs. My name is not important as long as Christ is at the forefront of the brand. After all He is the CEO of my life. From 2020-2023 I have written a plethora of books under that name. When I started to grow confidently into my role as an author, it just seem right as I now coach other ascribe writers to allow their voice to be heard. I am my brand, and my brand is whatever God decides it to be. It was declared in Genesis 12:2, “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” Proverbs 22:1 corroborates, “a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor than silver and gold.” Respectively, we should all understand, He wouldn’t bestow as the scriptures stated on anyone whose arrogant or self-centered but one that is willing to be used in such a capacity that brings Him glory. Everyone has a story to share, and that story will always bring God glory if we remain focus.

Only with a full heart to serve can we even begin to be attentive to the needs of others. To wholeheartedly serve is the paramount way to display genuine love. For me, I wouldn’t say serving is new, but in this capacity it is new. A long-time vision was to work or partner with the American Heart Association to help meet the needs of those in my community. I would see advertisements about the “Go Red” day or other events at schools and thought I would love to tell my story. Personally, I’ve endured a heap of cataclysmic issues regarding my health. Too much to discuss in this interview, but in Chapter 18 of my memoir, I disclosed how I went from giving birth to a traumatic heart attack- undergoing double bypass surgery. The medical terminology for my condition was peripartum cardiomyopathy. I constantly wondered how this happened to me. Honestly, I was one who was addicted to eating healthy, exercising, and doing healthy things. I didn’t have any known causes during pregnancy but after giving birth I was hit with this rare condition. The left heart ventricle was ripped, and no other method could be performed but open-heart surgery. Yes, there is a family history of heart disease, but most is contributed to self-afflicted wounds of substance use. But that was not my story. Through that life and death experience I can boldly tell others how life can happen to the best of us. Courageously, I’m able to speak, present, and volunteer in the community sharing evidence-based knowledge about ways to have a healthy heart.

As I now work for the American Heart Association, they’re committed to addressing healthcare inequities and improving blood pressure control and cardiovascular health in rural communities throughout the US.
HeartCorps, is a Public Health AmeriCorps program, is a service opportunity for those interested in driving health equity in rural America with the Association. HeartCorps members work in health centers, community organizations and public health departments in rural communities to help people improve and control their blood pressure and promote cardiovascular health. The Association is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. At the American Heart
Association, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity for a longer healthier life. For nearly 100 years it’s been our mission to fulfill that vision. Working alongside a global family of volunteers, donors and advocates, we
are transforming the way the world understands, treats and prevents cardiovascular diseases and stroke. With bold hearts, we now forge ahead into our Second Century, fueling science and innovation, funding lifesaving research and boldly standing for the rights of patients and caregivers, to empower healthier communities and transcend the
way we live, work and play.

Currently, I’m serving in my hometown at the Kinston Community Health Center engaging in a few activities such as:
 Increasing awareness of cardiovascular health and high blood pressure,
 Building community connections to support a healthier community,
 Engaging youth in tobacco and vaping prevention programs,
 Volunteering at local food drives (Grainger Stadium and LaGrange).

The Association has four pillars of community impact work which include smoking and
tobacco cessation, nutrition security, community readiness to make sure everyone is prepared in the event of a cardiac emergency (includes providing Hands-Only CPR demonstrations and how to use an AED machine), and hypertension/high blood pressure. It is known that under-resourced communities face higher death rates from high blood pressure due to a shortage of health care professionals in their area, so my colleague (Allyson) and I wanted to be a helping hand in our area.

Serving never goes out of style.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
3 Qualities that were most impactful to me would be:

Integrity-It is essential for building trust, promoting healthy relationships, and living a fulfilling life. If we look at the letters in the word, we can find “grit” in it as well. Which is also a vital piece to having integrity because now one will persevere in all effort to overcome any obstacles or challenges to accomplish whatever is set out to be achieved the honest way. In essence, I don’t desire an unlearned process; I want a learned process that I know whatever was received was well worth it. We have enough unprocessed individuals and things in the world today.

Communication-Having strong communication is my ability to impart information to others by either speaking, writing, or any other capacity I wish to convey. I do a great deal of speaking but the ink has been a great help to get out what this generation needs to develop properly going forward.

Leadership-I’m thankful for the gift to motivate, instruct, and offer guidance to those on this journey. I am confident in my God-given ability to help, inspire, and push others while we all are working towards a common goal, and

Problem solving – All types of challenges will arise in everyday life. Thankful for Holy Spirit who is the greatest problem solver. Who is able to analyze issues, make sound decision, and overcome whatever problem that might or try to arise. Common sense is good but having the spiritual intellectual ability is even better. He is the greater one inside us to help with demanding settings where instant resolutions will either mean profit or loss (contingent on how well we hear). We are solution-oriented when it comes to things of the Kingdom, and that area of knowledge can take us as far as we want to go in life.

The only suggestion I can give someone early in their journey to develop or improve such skills as I have mentioned is to always be studious and eager to learning. People perish for the lack of knowledge and the lack of what they’re not willing to apply. In the days of I know it all, is the day you will fall. Never be ashamed of your life story. I may have apologized for many things, but I make no apologies for who God created me to be or what I endured to be where I am today. Even in bad situation there is a learning lesson, and our right decision will change the trajectory of our life. Whether we believe it or not, but one bad decision can change a whole generation, or one good decision can change a whole generation. We must choose wisely! If not, we will stay in the same class until we learn the lesson. Therefore, it is best to learn it early so we can teach it to others.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I would have to say my husband, Sheldon. He and I got married 25 years ago. I can confidently say I love him more today than I did back then. Truly, one of the reasons I say I love him more is because I also love me even more. We helped each other grow into a happier, healthier, and more loving and generous person. He is always encouraging me to be my best authentic self. Whenever I aspire to something new, he helps me figure out how to make it happen, and if it doesn’t make sense, he will tell me that as well. He is my best friend and (main) cheerleader. Not every relationship is deemed notable to make it safe to fail so taking risk in my endeavors felt easier when I knew he was there (even if others walked away). His love remained. And, he not only says I love you, but live, I love you each and every day.

There were times I thought I had changed but I was a long way off. Yet, he gave me room to change, and I definitely gave him room to change in his proper season. He was not attached to one idea regarding this was how our life, marriage, or anything would be whether it be short-lived or ongoing. It is easy to overcome any challenge or set back when we have room to change. Again, he always encourages me to be my best self. He is effusive in his praise, always noting what he loves about me and acknowledge when he sees me doing something impressive, especially in ministry or the community. That is the tool he uses to bring to my attention when I’m not my best self, or he would take my hand and pray us through whatever situation may arise. If anyone has my best interest surely, it’s my husband and children. Having such an exceptional team has allowed me to overcome many challenges that I’ve faced on this journey. Whatever we are looking for …..is already looking for us. We just have to pursue it!

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Apostle Brittany Jones for professional images

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Where does your self-discipline come from?

One of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. We asked some

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
Working hard in 2025: Keeping Work Ethic Alive

While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that