Today we’d like to introduce you to Chiamaka Duru.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chiamaka. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After living a life full of heartache and brokenness, I decided by faith to give my life to Christ in 2014 and start building a relationship with Him. I enjoyed so much the things I was learning about God that I wanted to share what I was learning and experiencing with other women, which prompted me to host my first Pillow Talk event in 2016, which was originally called Girl Talk. I truly enjoyed hosting the event and bringing women together that I made it a biannual event. In 2017, the relationship I was in got seriously unhealthy to the point that it took my focus away from God and I lost myself. After ending that relationship & after the course of yet another failed relationship, I decided in January 2019 that it was time to take God seriously & re-surrender my life to Him and live my life for Him. 2019 was my re-birth year, where I discovered God in a new and fresh way. This was the year I had to face my wounds and my issues, & heal from brokenness. This was also the year that God revealed to me a more profound vision of my purpose and I got to writing it down. Today, I host Pillow Talk conversations on my YouTube channel, where I interview women about their story and create the space to have real talk about what it’s like to be a woman of faith in this day and age. I also started an Instagram page for Pillow Talk to share the content I create and to post prayers, a word from God, affirmations, and inspiration. And I of course, still host Pillow Talk events! Outside of Pillow Talk, I do have a blog where I share my journey as a woman growing in her relationship with God and I also lead a small group where I pour into women and do life together in Christ.
Has it been a smooth road?
Nope. Before getting started, I had experienced a lot of pain, abuse, & brokenness. I grew up in a broken home where my immigrant parents were struggling trying to find their way. I did not get to experience the love of a father, even though mine was physically present. I’ve forgiven him now of course, but it did severely affect the way I viewed myself and the way I functioned in relationships. Because I did not have much emotional support growing up, I subconsciously went looking for that in relationships to the point people took advantage of the love I so freely gave in hopes to receive back in return. This then made me even more broken, to the point I became an angry savage and nobody wanted to be around that. I was deeply hurting inside, wanting to be love in a way I knew existed, but still never experienced. After hitting rock bottom from a multitude of broken hearts & failed relationships, that’s when I realized I needed to surrender controlling my life to God and trust that He will work everything out the way it should, just as He promised. And He’s been making a way ever since.
Please tell us about the organization.
Pillow Talk Ministry is an organization I started for women to come together to connect and build an authentic community with each other. Pillow Talk is a space to have real talk about real life and the things we as women experience and go through on a regular basis. I host Pillow Talk events where we dive in deep discussion on different topics such as relationships, mental health, self-love, etc. and God is always the center of these discussions/studies. I specialize in GOD. Haha, no but for real, God is all things, and I touch on whatever God wants me to speak on, but I know my niche is women, mental health, self-love, & healing. I’m currently working on my Masters in mental health counseling, so my goal is to bridge the gap between counseling & Christianity. I believe my love for authentic conversation and community with women, my passion for mental health & healing, and the merging of the two are what sets me apart. I think it’s so dope how my passions all come together for the glory of God.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I’m from Dallas, born & raised! so I will always have a natural love for the city that birthed me. The least thing I like about the city is the gentrification and seeing my people on the streets. Truly breaks my heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chiamakaduru.wordpress.com/blog/
- Email: chiamakaduru.j@gmail.com (personal) | pillowtalkministry@gmail.com (business)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chmakaduru [AND] https://www.instagram.com/pillowtalkministry
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chmakaduru
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/pinkdiva77/videos
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