Meet Charliese Lewis

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

Charliese, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I recently celebrated my 20-year wedding anniversary. When most people first get married, they make a decision whether they want to have children at a specific time. After a year or so of trying to conceive, we realized that we were having some challenges. Following several extensive reproductive surgeries and a miscarriage, we decided to adopt a child. I believe the decision saved my life. Our daughter is our best gift. About five years ago, I decided to be transparent and write about our infertility challenges and adoption story. As I began writing, I realized there were other stories that needed to be told that impacted women. When I asked other women to tell their stories, it developed into an anthology called “From the Test to the Testimony: An Anthology of Women’s Faith Stories”. Our company, Robert and Charliese Lewis Ministries, Inc. published this book in 2018. I have both an English/Education and a Journalism degree, but rarely used them beyond my various educational jobs. After I self-published the book, several people started coming to me and asking if I could assist them in telling their stories and publishing their “book babies”. These projects eventually led me to become the Executive Director of Louisville Literary Arts, Inc. as well as start a division of Robert and Charliese Lewis Ministries called For Purpose Editing and Public Relations. What started out as a desire to tell my own story about overcoming infertility led me down a whole different career path in the literary arts. I never would have imagined that so many women would connect to my story. This is when I realized that purpose doesn’t have to be one thing. Purpose can be multifaceted. I am an educator, author, editor, podcaster, and writing coach who provides platforms for others to use their voices to be genuine, empowered, and courageous. I don’t have to choose just one of these things, all of these things chose me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Robert and Charliese Lewis Ministries, Inc. is the parent company with three areas of service: ministerial services, outreach/education, and publications. It is also home of “The After Church Experience” blog and radio show. The department For Purpose Editing and Public Relations Professional assists clients with self-publishing, branding, public relations, and media production. Clients span across states including Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Texas, and Washington, DC. As an editor and self-publishing servicer/educator, I have also assisted with book signing events, resumes, cover letters, and dissertation formatting. My personal brand is Charliese B, Lewis – Author, Editor & Podcast Host. I have co-hosted and co-produced a podcast and YouTube Channel – It’s About Time: Conversations with Charliese & Youlonda, which can still be found on podcast platforms and YouTube. I also co-hosted and co-produced The ‘After Church’ Experience radio show with my husband, which can still be found on podcast platforms. I am in the process of launching my personal YouTube channel – Charliese B. Lewis – Next Level Purpose. I am currently the Executive Director of the non-profit Louisville Literary Arts. I also work for The Lextropolis Magazine as a contributing writer, focusing on issues that impact BIPOC women. I was recently nominated by Today’s Woman Magazine for the Most Admired Woman in the Arts category for my work over the last three years with Louisville Literary Arts for giving authors and publishers a platform for their books and businesses. I’ve also empowered and coached new authors to publish their work. I am an advocate of telling your own story your way and owning your own intellectual property! And I always challenge my clients to think beyond the books to create lasting brands and business models! I have had the opportunity to work on some exciting collaborative projects – most recently  “Pages Full of Rhymes” by Hip Hop artist and Emmy-winner Devine Carama. I have my own upcoming writing and podcast projects. I also just completed a yearlong fellowship program with the Neighborhood Healers Project focusing on mental health advocacy in the Black community, which includes being certified in Mental Health First Aid.

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?
I am big on integrity. I believe that integrity of character will get you in doors that sometimes a resume can not. When people know you have honor and integrity they deem you trustworthy. My clients have to trust me with their stories. They know I will treat them fairly and move with integrity and care to help them tell their stories.

I work to do all things in excellence. As a writer, producer, and editor, I have to ensure excellent products and service. Whatever goes out into the world, you always want it to be the best – the best quality, the best product, and the truest and best representation of self. Always work to get better at your craft. Be a lifelong learner, even if that means you have to invest extra time and money to be better than you were last year or the year before. Skill up and scale up.

My faith is always incorporated into all areas of my work and my life. Without my faith, I never would have made it this far in my career. Every gift I have, I know came from God. I am grateful to use my gifts to serve others.

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?
Having mentors has been the most helpful in developing some of the essential skills I have. It has been mentors who have given me advice and counsel that keep me from falling into the loopholes and pitfalls of having a small business or making mistakes in my career. There are people who have gone before us in certain career paths that can teach us things that make us better or point us in the right direction. And most mentors do it for free, no charge. They are invaluable. The reason I was able to get the Executive Director job at LLA was because one of my mentors recommended me. She was my supervisor at one point, but retired. She remembered my work ethic and passion. She felt my specific skillset was needed for the position with LLA. I have also had mentors do mock interviews with me and even review my resume to make sure it was presenting the best skills and information about me.

Iron sharpens iron. Good mentors make you better. I hope someone can say that I paid it forward, made them better, and was a good mentor to them.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Photos by Robert J. Lewis

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.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

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
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your