We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stacey Bryant. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stacey below.
Stacey, 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 believe my purpose chose me….and that it was planted in me long for I knew what it was. I can’t actually say I found it…But what I can say it was most definitely a God thing.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the proud Founder and CEO of Hello Beautiful Outreach Ministries. Outside of raising my amazing daughter, it is one the best things I’ve ever done that gives me so much joy and takes me right to my happy place. Growing up I never thought or imagined that giving back would be so self gratifying and fulfilling. Especially on a volunteer basis! “Volunteer! What! Who does that?” Now I can say, “I do.” Proudly and cheerfully. We were established in 2020 and we are based in Cincinnati, Ohio. We are walking into our 4th season and we are excited about what God has done and is going to do!
At Hello Beautiful Outreach Ministries, we offer enrichment programming for Black girls and young women, with ages ranging from 5 to 25. We are faith-based, but not a bible study group, however, we do exercise and activate our faith in this organization/ministry. Hello Beautiful Outreach Ministries creates a safe and sacred space for our black daughters to come and be facilitated into courageous conversations that will challenge, enrich, equip, and encourage them to live their best lives in an authentic, safe and wise manner. Our motto is “Where the Heart of the Matter is the Matter of HER Heart”. Yeah…Hello Beautiful cultivates a safe place for our daughters to tell us the matters of their heart, whether it be relationships, school, jobs, or church hurt. Not all of our daughters come broken or with heavy issues, some are looking and longing for connection and community. A community of aunties and sisters who looks like them. Who easily relates to them. Did I say “daughters”? I did….and on purpose.
At Hello Beautiful, we refer to our members as “daughters” to foster that extended family connection. We believe extended family is so important, as we say, “it takes a village”…and it does. Every little girl, young lady, and older women, I believe wants to feel like she belongs to someone or something and desire a family like connection. Even myself at 54, my father is deceased, my mom has dementia and I still long to be “daughtered” often. My earthly father is not here any longer to do that, and my mother can’t. Each girl, young lady, young adult, and full grown women are welcomed to come and be “daughtered” by our volunteers….and to know that God our Father will “daughter you” too, if we let Him.
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?
For me…I’m speaking about ME and MY journey. The most impactful and profound piece of knowledge I learned was when I was invited to speak at my first women’s empowerment conference this past August. I asked God, “What do you want me to say to the women I’m about to speak to?” He told me to tell them to “SOW”. Most of us, churched and unchurched have heard about “reaping what you sow”. I thought that’s what He meant, but it wasn’t. He was using the word SOW as an acronym.
S – Surrender
O – Obey
W – Work
“Surrender” meaning surrender to your calling/purpose – spiritually you’re surrendering to Him and his plan for you.
“Obey” meaning obeying how He is instructing you to move in life and in your calling/purpose.
“Work” meaning go to work on that thang!
We also have to trust the process and trust Him and His process. Trust me it’s easier said than done. But with the village God chooses for you, they will pray for and with you, love you, support you, challenge you and hold you accountable to the vision God has given you. Let me tell you about My Village, these amazing women not only do all the things I mentioned, they protect the vision of this ministry and hold it dearly in their hearts. They fearlessly guard and look out for me. THEY SHOW UP.
Trust who God sends to be there for you, even when it makes absolutely NO SENSE! I found myself saying in the beginning of planning season of Hello Beautiful, “God are you for real? I mean seriously Lord…him….her…Lord you know I don’t even rock with her like that.” Then I smack my lips and surrender to it. Guess what, the ones I thought made no sense to invite to the table, show up and get it done! Trust Him and His process…it works. Not always easy and does not always “feel” good. I mean …Growing Pains….Right? Right.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Our number one obstacle and challenge in doing non-profit work, is just that, it is non-profit! Funding is a HUGE obstacle. In order for us to serve and reach more daughters it takes funding. We come out of our own pockets often and we do have current supporters who are doing what they can and are gifted to do. Right now we have been blessed to use my school to do the daughter session
work. However, we desire our own “home” to grow out this ministry. A place where our daughters can feel like it’s a home away from home, a safe retreat and refuge just for them.
Not to mention, operations, promotion, materials, art/culture experiences, guest speakers, areas of insurance, licensing and protection of the organization and it’s family members. We are getting the things done that are within our reach, but more funders, donors, sponsors are in great need. Trust me your dollars will not be wasted and is going to a great cause.
Your seed, will help us to provide what our daughters need to help them on their journey of healing and self discovery. Did I hear someone ask, “How can I support and/or how can I reach Hello Beautiful?” Bless your sweet potato soul! I’m so glad you asked! Below is our contact info:
Hello Beautiful Outreach Ministries
7350 Montgomery Rd. #126
Cincinnati, Ohio 45236
Email: hellobeautifulsb18@gmail.com
Donation Link: paypal.me/hellobeautifulinc / or you can mail a cashier’s check or money order to the address above.
Website: hboministires.org
Hello Beautiful Outreach Ministries, Inc is a 501c3 non-profit organization, your donation is received as a tax-deductible gift.
We thank you in advance for your consideration and support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hboministries.org
Image Credits
Lee Smith Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
