We were lucky to catch up with Claressa Ham recently and have shared our conversation below.
Claressa, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I discovered my purpose by following my passion. I focused on my enthusiasm for assisting others and making a difference.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Archie’s Promise is named after Claressa Ham’s late grandfather, Archie Hughes. Mrs. Ham’s late grandfather was a big inspiration in her life and early on she knew she wanted to give back to the community the way he had when he was living. Mr. Hughes found his passion in cars and often used his skills to repair what needed fixing for free when friends were in need. At 12 years old, Mrs. Ham vividly remembers sitting on her grandfather’s lap telling him, “I want to be just like you when I grow up.” Mrs. Ham promised her grandfather that she would help the community like he did when she was older. Mrs. Ham’s promise grew into Archie’s Promise, a local nonprofit that recycles donated formal and business clothes to help people in need. In January, 2015, Archie’s Promise opened a thrift store called the Archie & Idalene Formal Shoppe. Idalene is Mrs. Ham’s grandmother and she felt that including her in the thrift shop’s name would help pay tribute to her as well.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three attributes or abilities that significantly impacted this journey were perseverance, having an inner drive, and remaining dedicated to my passions to ensure their continuity. Advice I can give to others who are just starting their journey is never to give up. Find your village of people who can help you and answer your questions.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
One of the most influential lessons my parents imparted to me was the belief that diligence yields rewards. Possessing a robust work ethic is incredibly telling. They dedicated their lives to working tirelessly and supported our family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.archiespromise.org
- Instagram: @archiepromisetn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArchiePromiseTN
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