We caught up with the brilliant and insightful D’Authentic Purpose a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi D’Authentic, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
To be honest, my purpose really found me. I have always wanted to do something with my life, to become more and make a difference in the world. I had dreams as a child, like all children do, I remember wanting to be a doctor, then a Lawyer, by middle school, I wanted to go to the WNBA, but by the time I got to the end of my Junior year, I was enlisting into the Army. When the Army didn’t work out the way I planned, I took a break from life and got into the party life instead. That quickly got played out and it finally clicked to me, that was not the life to live. I had to switch it up; I enrolled in culinary school. I have always enjoyed cooking, I stayed in the kitchen with my Mama as a child, cooking and baking and we would always watch cooking shows together. I was going to get the chance to learn things that I have watched on TV, make different sauces, prepare different dishes. I was excited. Almost 9 months in and that was over, due to a life-threatening injury I suffered from a relationship at the time. This was all between 2006-2010. After my injury, I no longer wanted to pursue anything, I was depressed for a little while but I knew I needed to get money and make something happen. My hustle has always been inside of me so getting a job was no problem. I recovered and got to work. Between 2011-2012, I had nothing going for myself and the party life quickly found me again, this time I lost everything in the process and went to a Women’s Shelter for a few months. I eventually moved back in with my parents and in April 2012, my son Elijah was born. At that moment, that spark came back. I wanted to become more, I wanted to make a difference, I wanted to be somebody in life again. I wasn’t partying anymore, I got a job, driving about 40 minutes to and from work just to provide for my son. May 2013, I was putting my two weeks in, getting ready to start a job that if you got hired by them, it was a major blessing. This type of job is like the ones you get and you can finally breathe again, the ones that you know things are going to get better, that your living conditions are about to change. That type of job. Everything was going smoothly, living life, no worries, making sure my son was taken care of but I still wanted to become more in life. I enrolled in college to get my Associates in Psychology because I knew I wanted to make a difference and help people. At the same time, work had gotten too complicated and I had to take a break from college after only one year in. I knew I would graduate. I was determined and I would be the first person in my family to go to college. I took that year off and had no regrets, a two-year degree ended up taking me 4 years, by June 2016, I was walking across the stage. My son was 4 years old at the time, he got to witness his Mama getting a college degree and that made me so proud. My journey took off from there. I had some major setbacks between 2015-2018, but I still had wanting to become more in my head as well. During those years, I got a lot of motivation and inspiration, things that would uplift me, the same things that I used to read and used to uplift me as a child. Not to include the motivational speakers that I listen to, Lisa Nichols, Eric Thomas, Les Brown, Motiversity, Steve Harvey, just to name a few, They all have made a difference in my life and helped me. Didn’t think much of it, I became drawn to it and I knew that those things and people can help others in many ways. I had positive quotes and sayings all over my wall in my bedroom just to keep me inspired. The beginning of 2018, I made a platform to post different pictures and quotes, anything pertaining to making a difference and helping someone, I posted it. I received feedback and the rest is history. Fast forward now to 2023, I now know what my real purpose is and that is to make a difference in the world by giving The Real Purpose of Me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have a vision. To create a better world because life has a purpose. We are all born to do something great in this short life. I enjoy nature, playing basketball, going on trips, and especially writing. I believe that if we write down our feelings about whatever it is that is going on in our lives at that time or even something from the past, we could all have a book out. Our life stories can impact the next. I sometimes like to just chill at the house and watch movies with my baby. I am currently working on D’Authentic Purpose Podcast, a show with candid convos on mental health, childhood trauma, depression and much more. It will be weekly on Mondays and Thursdays. Go to @dauthenticpurposepodcast to stay in the know. I am also the Founder & CEO of Unite The Community Project Incorporated nonprofit organization (UTCP). The mission is to help the homeless and others in need. To motivate, inspire, and uplift our communities. Our vision to create a better world because life has a purpose. Impact over 1,000,000 people. Definitely have some things in the works. The way I see it is that we all get one shot at this, just one, might as well go for dreams. From personal experience, if you don’t put some work into your goals and dreams and stay on them, you will not get anywhere. It is only going to slow you down from the extended level of success you are trying to reach. Keep working and stay focused!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Time management, Communication, and patience. I hate being late to anything and anywhere. I see being 15 minutes early as on time. I try my best to be on time but I fall short sometimes lol. Time management is definitely a quality to develop. Be punctual. Being on time to an interview for a job carries weight. It shows discipline and dedication. Communication is another quality to develop. Without communication skills in life, you’re not going to get far. Being able to communicate with your peers regarding a group project or responding to a suggestion, will provide long term solutions. Developing this will have you ready for that first interview, for your board meeting conferences, speeches, etc. Last but not least, patience. This is really big. Self-control over your emotions. Controlling your AAE, Attitude, Anger and Emotions. That’s having patience. You’ll be able to embrace the future with confidence. When you’re patient, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to look at the situation differently. Nothing is being rushed. A fast decision could be a bad decision. Be patient.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson; Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter. I have read this book twice. The first time I didn’t obtain the information the way I should’ve but the second time, I grasp every word. It taught me that you can dominate the streets and the business world if you follow 7 basic principles. 1. Be Fearless 2. Cultivate the heart of a hustler 3. Build a strong crew 4. Know your value 5. Evolve or die 6. Shape perception & 7. Don’t be afraid to compete. Also, Learn from your Ls and Avoid the entitlement trap. All of these lessons came from this great impactful book. If you have not read it, I recommend getting it. If I had to sum this book up in 2 words, it would be ‘Life Changing’.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/unitethecommunityproject
- Instagram: @Dauthenticpurpose
- Facebook: D’Authentic Purpose
