We recently connected with Chevalier Deshay and have shared our conversation below.
Chevalier, 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.
Finding my purpose was a journey of faith, resilience, and embracing the very essence of who I was created to be. It wasn’t a single moment of clarity, but a series of experiences—both triumphant and challenging—that led me to where I am today.
At one point, I was told that my dreams and aspirations were beyond my reach, that I wouldn’t make it to where I wanted to go. I wrestled with self-doubt, insecurities, and the weight of societal expectations. But in those moments of struggle, I learned some of the most powerful lessons. I came to understand that my failures and imperfections weren’t meant to hold me back— God was using them to shape me. They were guiding me toward the path that was uniquely mine.
My faith played a pivotal role in helping me navigate that path. As a woman of God, I leaned heavily on prayer and the belief that God had a divine purpose for my life. I realized that my purpose was intertwined with my role in empowering other women. When my husband, Pastor Carl L. DeShay Sr., and I co-founded Kingdom Harvest Ministries International, I began to see that my calling wasn’t just to lead—it was to uplift, inspire, and walk alongside women as they discovered their own God-given potential.
Through the foundation of sisterhood, I’ve come to believe wholeheartedly in the power of women supporting each other, not as competitors, but as allies. I found my purpose in helping women learn, grow, and evolve into the individuals they were meant to be. My role now is to guide them through their journeys, to help them find strength in their struggles and rejoice in their victories.
Ultimately, finding my purpose has been about stepping into my true self, owning my journey—flaws and all—and using it to inspire and empower others. It’s a continuous process of learning, growing, evolving, and always trusting that God’s plan is far greater than any obstacle we face.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
At the heart of what I do is Chosen Women Empower, a nonprofit I founded in Bastrop, Texas, in 2021. Our mission is centered around empowering women and girls to embrace their unique potential and purpose through spiritual growth, personal growth, education, and a supportive community. We’ve been able to make a profound impact on over two thousand women and girls through our programs, and what excites me the most is seeing lives transformed as they break through barriers, both external and internal, to achieve their dreams.
One of the things that makes Chosen Women Empower special is how we focus on not just the external markers of success, but on nurturing the whole person—spirit, mind, and body. Our flagship programs like CWE Connect (Sister Circles), Aesthetic Glam Girl, and Aspire to Inspire help women and girls build confidence, gain critical life skills, and connect with mentors and role models who have overcome their own challenges. I believe that empowerment starts from within, and when women come together to uplift each other, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.
A significant part of what we do is centered around mentorship and representation. We believe this is critical for helping women and girls realize that their dreams are not just attainable but also worth pursuing with passion. We also prioritize financial literacy, academic excellence, networking, and fostering self-esteem in these women and girls, ensuring they are prepared to face whatever challenges come their way.
What’s especially exciting right now is our upcoming Aspire to Inspire: Empowering Your Path to Greatness series, which is launching soon in local high schools. This four-week program will give young women the chance to meet accomplished role models, hear their stories, and learn practical steps to overcome challenges and reach their goals. We’re also gearing up for our Sisters Night Out Part 5 in 2025, a three-day conference that brings together women from across the country to focus on financial literacy, mental wellness, health equity, and spiritual growth. The theme for this event is “My Rich Legacy”, and we are planning an incredible lineup of speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities to help women build generational wealth and strengthen their faith.
As for the future, I’m passionate about expanding our reach, both locally and nationally. We’re working on growing our programs and forming new partnerships with organizations and individuals who share our commitment to empowering women. I truly believe that when women learn, grow, and evolve together, the ripple effect of their empowerment is immeasurable.
Through Chosen Women Empower, we’re creating a legacy of strong, resilient women who will go on to impact their families, communities, and the world. That’s what drives me, and it’s what keeps me excited about the work we’re doing every day.
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?
Looking back on my journey, three qualities have been instrumental in shaping who I am today: faith, resilience, and leadership through service. These qualities have guided me not only in my personal life but also in the work I do through Chosen Women Empower. Each has been a key factor in helping me overcome challenges and pursue the purpose that God has placed on my heart.
First and foremost is faith. My faith in God has been the foundation of everything I do. There have been times when I didn’t know how I was going to make it through certain struggles, but I trusted in God’s plan for my life. Faith has given me clarity and strength when the path wasn’t clear, and it’s allowed me to walk confidently into spaces where others said I didn’t belong. For those early in their journey, my advice is to lean into your faith—trust that God has a purpose for you, even when it feels like the world is telling you otherwise. Stay prayerful, stay patient, and believe that God’s timing is perfect.
The second quality is resilience. Life will bring challenges, setbacks, and even moments of failure, but resilience is what keeps you moving forward. There were many times when I doubted myself or felt like giving up, but I learned that setbacks are simply setups for a stronger comeback. For those just starting out, it’s important to remember that every challenge is an opportunity for growth. Don’t be afraid of failure—embrace it as a lesson, get back up, and keep pushing forward. Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you, but also believe in your own strength.
Lastly, leadership through service has been a cornerstone of my journey. I’ve found that true leadership isn’t about titles or accolades, but about serving others. When I co-founded Chosen Women Empower, it wasn’t just about leading an organization—it was about being of service to the women and girls in my community. Serving others has not only expanded my capacity to lead but has also deepened my connection to my purpose. For those early in their journey, my advice is to lead with a servant’s heart. When you focus on lifting others up, the rewards—both personal and spiritual—are immeasurable.
In developing these qualities, I would encourage people to stay grounded in faith, be relentless in the face of challenges, and always look for ways to serve others. Each step you take with these principles will not only bring you closer to your goals but will also align you with the greater purpose that God has for your life.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely! At Chosen Women Empower, we are always looking for individuals, businesses, and organizations that share our passion for empowering women and girls to partner with us. Collaboration is essential to expanding our impact and reaching even more lives through our programs. Whether it’s through donations, sponsorships, or sharing expertise, we welcome partnerships that help us further our mission of Learning, Growing, and Evolving.
We’re particularly interested in partnering with:
• Community leaders and influencers who are passionate about mentorship and supporting women in their personal and professional journeys.
• Businesses and corporations that align with our values and are committed to giving back to the community, especially through sponsorships or in-kind support for our programs and events.
• Educational institutions and organizations focused on financial literacy, academic excellence, and health and wellness, as these are core elements of our programs.
• Faith-based organizations that believe in empowering women through spiritual growth and want to collaborate on faith-driven initiatives.
For anyone reading this and feeling a connection to our mission, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re interested in donating, sponsoring, or offering your time and expertise, there are many ways to get involved. You can connect with us directly through our website @ www.chosenwomenempower.org or reach out to me via email @ information@chosenwomenempower.org. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of women and girls, not just in Bastrop, Texas, but far beyond.
Your partnership and support can truly help us elevate our programs and ensure that we’re able to serve even more women in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chosenwomenempower.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChosenWomenEmpower
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chosen-women-empower-98bab7328/
- Other: TikTok: @chosenwomenempower
Image Credits
rjwashington photography
Meagan The Photographer
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
