Today we’d like to introduce you to Destine Drake.
Hi Destine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Destiné Drake, and I’m originally from Decatur, Illinois. In the summer of 2017, I packed up my kids and our clothes and moved to Texas, starting over with my son, who was 10 at the time, and my daughter, who was 7. I’m now married and also a mom to a toddler who was born in November 2022.
Not long after moving, my son began going down the wrong path and eventually ended up in juvenile detention. While he was there, he started counseling and began asking me questions to help him heal. The truth was I didn’t know how to answer them. So, I started writing. What began as a way to find the words for him turned into something much bigger. As I wrote, the Spirit tugged at me, showing me that my story could help someone else. At first, I ignored it, but the more I wrote, the more I realized I was on my own healing journey. If sharing my truth could help even one person, I knew I was doing what God called me to do.
My story takes readers through my high school years, where I faced mental, physical, and emotional abuse not just from others, but from myself. It shares the heartbreak of discovering, after nine years, that the man I thought was my son’s father was not his biological father. It also reveals the pain of not properly healing and how that created even more damage, including not giving my son the support he needed to grieve “the living.”
But my story is not just about pain it’s also about growth and accountability. I call them my accountability corners the moments where I stopped blaming others and took ownership of my actions. I share those moments so others can learn to do the same, whether it’s escaping abuse from someone else or breaking free from the abuse we put on ourselves.
I didn’t write my book for likes or attention. I wrote it so others could see that even though I walked through the valley of the shadow of death, God still saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself. He changed me, restored me, and made me whole again. I truly believe we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and my story is living proof of His power to heal and transform.
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?
“To whom much is given, much is required.” I always remind people that your biggest critic will always be yourself. For me, that became very real while writing my book. Moving to Texas, most people I met only knew the new me not the me who had endured so many trials. So when I began putting my past on paper, it forced me to relive those moments, and I felt paralyzed in my own mind.
As my book reached its final editing stages, anxiety hit hard. I remember telling my publisher, “Never mind, I don’t want to do this anymore.” I started comparing myself to others, convincing myself I wasn’t like them, and that I couldn’t do this. Deep down, I realized I was my own biggest obstacle.
I had to fight through my self-doubt the fear that I was giving too much of myself, the worry that no one would read my story, or that it wouldn’t make an impact. In the end, I had to push past those thoughts and trust that what God placed inside me was meant to reach the people who needed it most.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the founder of Becoming Whole Co., a women’s empowerment organization dedicated to helping women embrace their worth, value, self-awareness, and confidence. I am also a published author of Fragments of My Reflections, along with its companion workbook Fragments of YOUR Reflections, which was released in March 2025. Through Becoming Whole Co., we not only focus on empowerment but also give back through community efforts. In the future, our vision is to expand into programs that merge young girls and teens, creating a bridge of guidance and mentorship.
Many know me as Ms. Fragments because my book isn’t just a title, it’s a reflection of who I was and a snapshot of who I am becoming. Without the fragments of my past, I would not be the Destiné I am today. My greatest pride is my growth. While there are times I cringe at who I used to be, I stand in awe of who I’ve become. I’m proud that I can now help young women and other women navigate through difficult times. I’m proud that I’ve shifted from being only a student to becoming a teacher. I’m proud that I had the courage to face my own reflection and acknowledge the changes I needed to make. Above all, I’m proud that I recognized my need for a higher power to guide me into who I was created to be.
What sets me apart is my commitment to remain teachable. I’ve come a long way, but I know I still have a journey ahead. Even as I mentor others, I remain open to being mentored myself. I believe we must never forget that we don’t have all the answers, and there is always someone directly or indirectly who can teach us. My faith also sets me apart, because I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am today without my faith in God.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
From the perspective of both a founder and an author, I believe it’s essential that we incorporate literature into the lives of the generation coming behind us. I still remember my grandmother reading to me at night and even giving me money to buy books at the drive-up book fairs. Those moments shaped me.
As a mother, I want to pass that same foundation on to my children teaching them how to speak intellectually, and to read not just for words but for true understanding and clarity. Beyond my home, my vision is to host workshops that empower women and youth to grow, learn, and embrace their self-worth. My ultimate goal is to be a vessel that helps move my community forward.
Pricing:
- • Fragments of My Reflections- $30
- • Fragments of YOUR Reflections workbook- $20
- • Becoming Whole T-shirts- $25
- • Fragments of My Reflections T-Shirt- $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Becomingwholeco.square.site
- Instagram: Destine_Lakel
- Facebook: DestineDrake
Image Credits
Clarity Media & Photography- Atrion D. Drake
