Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Maricia Sherman.
Dr. Sherman, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Vancleave, Mississippi, a little girl, in a little trailer, from a little town with big dreams! Growing up the daughter of an abusive alcoholic father, I understand the woes of not receiving affirmation and support more than most others as I watched my mother endure domestic violence at the hands of my father for many years. Even as a young girl, I vowed that if I ever had an opportunity to make a difference in the world, I would. This vow to myself, God, and my mother is what drove me to keep pushing in spite of the poverty and traumatic upbringing I witnessed as a child.
So after years of misguided choices and while wrapping pennies to attend nursing school, God graced me with the strength to persevere and obtain my registered nursing license. However, I always knew that God had more for me to do so I accepted my call as a Christian minister and began additional studies that would lead me to become a licensed ordained minister and received my Doctorate in Christian Counseling.
Today, I am blessed to preach, teach, and inspirationally speak all over the country and internationally. I desire to use my voice to encourage women to be and become all that God has created them to be. Assuring each woman that using their gifts and talents, or as I would call it their “grooves,” provides value and service to others. This is not only rewarding but is a touch of fulfillment in life.
She seeks to encourage and equip women to become all that God has designed them to be through her mentoring programs, Biblical teaching ministry, Intimate Altar, and her upbeat women’s empowerment initiative, HerGroove. She is a lover of God, a careered registered nurse, proud Air Force Veteran’s wife, and mother.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road to reach the season of life I am currently walking out was difficult as I had never received any counseling or therapy for what I witnessed as a child. Mental Health services are usually frowned upon in the African American community so it was not something that I would have known to embrace. By not processing the abuse I witnessed and received from my father, I created many obstacles in my life unnecessarily early on.
I struggled with uncertainties about myself, lacked confidence and I was constantly second-guessing myself about how to move forward. Fortunately, my husband Phillip, who is a retired Air Force Veteran, and my daughters were a source of solid strength. Every time I look at my daughters, I am inspired to continue creating a legacy and to set an example of what can be accomplished when you make a heart decision to never stop growing. I want them to understand the power, strength, and beauty of womanhood and they do not just need to hear me saying it but see me doing it!
We’d love to hear more about HerGroove.
After accepting my call as a minister, I immediately began a journey toward the pulpit. Meaning I thought that God wanted me to preach within the walls as I had been used to seeing. However, I was lead to do something for women that included the outside marketplace as well. With that being said, I developed Intimate Altar Ministries that provides biblical preaching and teaching for women and then a fun, dynamic business called HerGroove!
HerGroove is an inspirational merchandising company that provides faith-based products and services to Christian women to assist them in representing who they are. Our products range from faith themed lipglosses to coaching and mentoring services that ungird and support women who are seeking to learn more about entrepreneurship but want to do so in a faith-based environment. I am most proud of the fact that a huge percentage of what we earn through HerGroove services and products are donated to provide mental health wellness for women who are in need of counseling but are unable to afford it.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck or coincidence. I believe in purpose, destiny, and the power of choice. For example, I recently choose to pick up my stethoscope and join the fight against Covid-19 to help our nation medically. Not because I was having bad luck with my businesses but because I was trained and equipped in an area that I could impact with my service. Me going to nursing school was that a coincidence or lucky thing? No, it was proposed for this moment in time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mariciasherman.com www.hergroove.com
- Phone: 817-809-6622
- Email: info@mariciasherman.com
- Instagram: @mariciasherman
- Facebook: @mariciasherman
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