Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Kelly.
Hi Natasha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 1998 I became a teenage mother. My mother not knowing exactly what to do had sent to me live with my aunt when she found out I was pregnant and from there I ended up going from house to house. I landed in a facility for homeless teenagers which qualified me for section 8. Life was crazy though because even though I was from a large family I was too ashamed to reach out for help or guidance and no one reached out to me either. I was always working a job and trying to finish school. While I worked at this diner Carmichaels in New York I met a man who told me that I was too beautiful to be a waitress and that I could work with him and have anything I wanted in this life. One night I ended up going to his place with my baby cause I didn’t have anywhere else to go. He had this lady watch my baby and ensured me she would be taken care of. That night we first stopped by the LIRR to pick up another girl, a girl names Jealousy. He then took us to a spot in Connecticut and told me to stay with Jealousy. When we got inside my eyes popped out of my head. I was in a strip club for the first time in my life. When we got in the dressing room, I was questioning Jealousy to death and that’s when I found out that Mag – Mag was a pimp. I had no idea that pimps were real, this was the furthest thing from what I grew up around. The next day I told him I needed to do homework and I needed to go to the library. I’m a huge reader so I had to find out what I had gotten myself into. I scanned through a number of books that day and confirmed what Jealousy told me. I knew I had to figure out a plan and run away. There was no way a man on this earth was going to pimp me. Of course, I ran away and ended up staying with a friend for a day. That same day my section 8 came through and the rest was history. I had my own apartment at 17 years old. I ended up meeting my first husband and we had 2 more kids. I’ve always wanted to reach back and help teen girls. I’ve always wanted my life to be a gift to other teen girls to make better decisions. In 2020 I read a book – Intentional Living and I knew right then I couldn’t leave this earth without doing what I was called to do. I had accomplished some of my biggest goals – ensuring my oldest didn’t become a teen mom and helping her start her own business, became a leader in the merchant services space, and bought a home. I didn’t know if I had all that I needed but I had God so I knew that was having everything. I started ygyl.org which stands for Young Girls ~ Young Ladies a 501c approved nonprofit. It’s an online coaching and mentoring program designed for teen girls. We talk about everything from boys, sex, how to choose friends, relationships, and boundaries. It’s a safe environment for teen girls to learn and share with guidance. As we know kids need to hear things from another voice at times. I partner with other professional women who help me host these sessions. We’ve had a nurse do sex ed, an esthetician teach our girls skincare routines, and I’ll show them bills and the cost of living. Occasionally, I’ve interviewed teen moms to share their life’s experiences which I’ll be doing a lot more of. But mainly we focus on setting goals and smashing them. So far 3 of the girls have started their own business and are doing pretty well. In the future, I’d love to have a brick-and-mortar similar to the Inn that I lived in to continue helping families cause it still takes a village to raise a child.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Other than nearly being kidnapped, there was times of not having food to eat, and having to sleep outside. It was really scary not knowing what the next day would bring. Being in the streets of New York with a baby is crazy. I remembered not realizing that I needed blinds, I used to close me and my baby in between the rooms cause I was so afraid of the creaky sounds in our building. I remember when people used to meet me, they’d ask did your mom die, that used to hurt like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t see myself so I didn’t realize how young and vulnerable I was. I’m grateful though because those struggles and those feelings is what drive me today. It allows me to know the importance of reaching out to those young girls cause they’re not going to reach out to you.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For the past 15 years, I’ve been in credit card processing. I manage teams and help them find solutions. I am known for being a servant leader. Anyone that works with me knows that I’m going to get them what they need with a great attitude every, single time. I am a certified life coach and eventually plan on operating my organization full-time. I’m most proud of my children. My oldest is my angel, she’s the reason why I’ve set out after success. From the moment I looked into her eyes my heart and my mind agreed that I was going to do whatever it took. My son, he’s such an honorable God-fearing young man and my baby girl is a real diva set out to live on top of the world. Really great children. I am set apart from others because I am the daughter of the most high. I am a child of God and know without a shadow of a doubt that he has kept me. I know there’s nothing I cannot do because I know who my father is the King.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
For the past year, Dr. Michael Carrera has been my mentor. He ran an organization Children’s Aide of NY which also has a backdrop in preventing teen pregnancy so I’d definitely say that it’s important to find someone who has already done what you’re trying to do. This way you can go further faster and learn from their mistakes. What has worked best for me in life has been just always being humble. I try to make sure that on social platforms I’m focused on others who are walking the journey that I want to walk in. It’s allowing me to stay motivated and encouraged while finding the best version of me.
Pricing:
- $30 monthly membership donation for ygyl
Contact Info:
- Email: ygyl@ygyl.org
- Website: ygyl.org
- Instagram: theemperorsdaughter
