How it began...

 

As a child, I always wanted to be the center of attention.  I'm sure no one can relate to that right?  I loved singing, dancing, acting, writing, drawing...anything that allowed me the greatest expression of my innermost feelings.  Then I grew up and things changed.  I still loved doing those things, but I lacked confidence...I felt that I was never going to be "good enough" to make it.  I didn't have formal training, so I felt intimidated, and I wished someone would teach me what I yearned to learn.

 

I remember sitting in church one day, and Pastor Chuck Singleton of Loveland Church urged, "Ask God to give you a passion", and I did.  I was seventeen years old. That's pretty much all I remember because after that day in church (I didn't know it then), but God was going to place a passion in my heart so unbelievably big,, and powerful that it would change my destiny.

 

That same year I won the Inland Area Urban League's Miss Black Inland Area scholarship pagent in a field of over three hundred gifted girls.  I performed a dramatic reading of "The Creation" by James Weldon Johnson (Today, they call it spoken word)...before an audience of more than 600 people.  They told me grown men were crying when I finished.  I was humbled at God's power.   I simply shared what was deep in my heart.  Right then, my vision began to form.  "I could use my talent to help others be successful, too!" 

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Well, from that moment on my life changed.  My passion took flight and I knew I wanted to inspire young people to pursue their dreams!  I began taking on leadership roles, writing plays, starting organizations for teens, married, became a mom, going to college, earning two degrees, divorced   ...( and so much more).  All of which lead me to start my company--Artisan Leaders with New-Fangled Visions Productions in 1999.  A company that embraces people who dare to dream!  Absolutely!