We recently had the chance to connect with Minister Shondrea Fincher LMHC and have shared our conversation below.
Shondrea, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I feel that there are so many people that are secretly struggling with their mental health, but will never say anything. There is a difference between mental illness and mental health. We are discussing everything except that.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey there!
I’m Minister Shondrea Fincher, a proud Dallas native whose impact spans both the sacred and the marketplace. As a minister and licensed therapist, I bridge faith and emotional wellness with grace and insight. My reach extends into the funeral industry, education, and publishing, where my voice and vision continue to uplift and inspire. As the founder of The HDK Agency, I am dedicated to brand awareness and wardrobe styling. I empower others to show up in purpose, with authenticity and excellence.
For at least 10 years, I’ve been deemed a dynamic force in ministry, integrating faith and mental health to bring wholeness to hearts and minds. Known for my empathetic leadership and bold vision, I’ve been able to cultivate spaces where emotional wellness and spiritual depth flourish together. Extending my reach beyond traditional walls, I’ve embraced the marketplace with purpose to empower the community through innovative initiatives, creative expression, and transformative conversations.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before titles, expectations, and roles there was a tender version of me. Quietly observing the world, wrestling with doubt, yet carrying the seeds of purpose even in that silence. The shy, uncertain parts of me wasn’t a mistake, it was the foundation that taught me compassion. The shame wasn’t my identity, it was a false lens. It made room for empathy and gave me a heart that could hold others through their valleys.
I’ve always been more than those early feelings. I was soft but strong, quiet but called, hidden but holy.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d write her a letter..
Dear 16 year old me,
I see you confused, scared, hurting, yet still believing. I know the world has already tried to crush you with burdens no child should carry. Teenage pregnancy, rape, violence, and silence. But you kept going. You walked the school halls with the weight of trauma wrapped in a smile. Someday soon, you’ll find your voice. Not just to survive, but to lead, heal, and shine. You are not broken beyond repair.
Love,
The Woman You Became
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Mental Health
It’s not a trend, it’s a lifelong mission that reshapes families, communities, and futures: I’m committed to breaking the silence by building bridges between faith and mental health. Even when systems resist, and progress feels slow, I will continue. I’m in it for the long haul.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When my name is spoken, I’d hope there’d be respect and love, not because I sought applause, but because I lived loud, in faith, in love, and in color.
I loved God with my whole heart and served him until the breath HE gave left my body.
I was bold but never shrinking in the face of adversity. A survivor turned warrior, who wore courage like my favorite red lipstick. I didn’t just preach sermons, I embodied them. My life was a walking testimony of restoration, and my voice became a healing balm to wounded souls. Church wasn’t just a building to me, it was wherever broken people gathered.
My devotion wasn’t performative. I was an innovator, always dreaming, always building, Whether launching a business, reimagining classrooms, or transforming grief through my funeral work, I found a way to birth beauty from ashes.
Having great mentors was/is KEY to any success that I may achieved. I pride myself on having a mentor that is in reach, and I highly encourage others to get one. Not someone you like, but someone that is iron to sharpen your intellect in every area of your life. Pastor Anthony Bates, Dr. John Beckwith, Pastor Cher Winkley-Huff, & Bishop Clinton Smith are all the living reminders that I did not walk this journey alone, but stood on the shoulders of those who believe in me. I am a few months from receiving my Doctorate in Ministry, but it’s MY mentors that propel me. This is how important it is to have one in your life.
My love for fashion, hair, and makeup was my creative gospel. I proved that looking good wasn’t shallow, it was self-love, dignity, and expression. Also the entrepreneur, a visionary: A woman who saw possibilities where others saw problems. One who turned broken glass into art.
An educator, not by trade but by calling. I taught life lessons between lesson plans. My students learned resilience, joy, and purpose under my guidance.
This is the story that I hope they tell.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @shondreafincher
- Twitter: @shondreafincher
- Facebook: Shondrea Fincher The HDK Agency Clarifications Mental Health
- Youtube: @shondreafincher
Image Credits
Clarity Photography by Atrion Drake
