Today we’d like to introduce you to Charmaine Marie.
Charmaine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am from Omaha, Nebraska. I was raised by my mother and my father, along with my two siblings. I had my first child at the age of fifteen years old and when I graduated from high school, I was pregnant with my second child. It was always my dream to go to the Navy because I loved seeing my aunt in her uniform. However, with two children, I was not willing to give up custody, so I went to school for a little while and worked to make a living for me and my family. At the age of twenty, I had my third child.
Although I came from a good home, I was not a stranger to the streets or to trouble and I enjoyed every minute of the trouble I would find myself in, calling it fun because it was, and I have no regrets. I enjoyed raising my children as we grew up together, learning how to live and love together. I have always valued my family and friends and I enjoy being around and spending time with them.
Wanting to change my life for the better, I packed up and moved my family to Orlando, Florida in 2000. The big move started out rough, but Orlando ended up being a great place to live. We stayed in Orlando for seven years then moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 2007, the number one place to live at that time. I found Texas to be a place of peace. It just felt like home. The weather was great, the people were nice and friendly, and I knew this was my forever place.
In 2007, I started college at the University of Phoenix where I received my Associate of Arts in Communications. In 2010 I started a youth organization called Real (L.O.V.E.) Leadership Obedience Victory and Excellence, where I now administer a Life Skills Program, a Mentoring Program, and an Abstinence Program. Youth are truly my passion.
In 2010 I published a book called What About the Children, a book I plan to republish in 2021. In 2011 I fulfilled a lifelong dream and joined the World’s Greatest Navy Reserve as a Machinist Mate. I have completed ten years and have reenlisted for an additional six years. In 2015 I received my Bachelor of Science in Business Communications, got married in 2016, and in 2018 I received my Master of Science in Psychology. I will be receiving my Doctorate in Educational Leadership in the summer of this year, 2021. I am also a Master Certified Life Coach.
I am the best-selling author of the book I Am Unstoppable, a book of self-inspiration for children. I wrote this book to help instill in children that they can do anything they want to do, and they can be anything they want to be because they always have the green light, and the sky is the limit. The book I am Unstoppable gives children the words to say to inspire and encourage themselves. I also have two other books, My Daddy’s Baby and My Daddy’s Baby Too the Aftermath, that are fictional stories of a picture-perfect family full of drama and family secrets. These books give a first-hand look at why dealing with your past is a must or you can bring others into your turmoil accidentally, with no easy way out. My Daddy’s Baby 3 The End will be coming out soon.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road for me, although some may think it has because I am not a complainer and I move quietly. I have struggled financially and never really understood why that happens because I have always worked very hard. Sometimes I was forced to work two and three jobs just to make ends meet. Financial struggles are stressful. My sleep was off, I was grouchy, I was unhappy on the inside, smiling on the outside, and sometimes I was angry. But I persevered in my pursuit to work on me. Now I work three jobs because I choose to, and I enjoy staying busy. My parents have always said save your money, invest your money, and make sure you keep your credit good. I never could do those things because there was never enough, and I always needed anything I thought I might be able to save. However, now I am able to save, I am an investor, and my credit is good.
I will never forget where I came from because without my backstory leading me, I would not be who I am today. I would not change anything. I have come a long way and to know that there really is a breakthrough at the point when you least expect it is truly inspiring.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a youth advocate. I love working with youth. It is my desire to see them succeed in every aspect of their life. My organization administers our abstinence program at schools and community centers, I mentor at the Department of Juvenile Justice and administer the Character Counts Program, tutor at the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County, and volunteer for different events that are held in the DFW area. I am a writer. I have been writing since I was a little girl. I remember when I would write stories every day and my mom would read them all and tell me how much she loved them. At school, I use to write stories too. When I was in elementary school a friend of mine and I, wrote a play that our teacher let the class perform. Aside from having my three books available on Amazon, I have a short film called Daddy’s Girl that will be available soon. I am also working on doing a feature film of my books.
I am so humbly proud of who I am today. I am thankful for my downfalls that taught me how to get back up and keep moving. I am thankful for all the mistakes that taught me how to do it better next time. I am thankful for everyone who prayed for me, spoke a positive word about me and to me, inspired me, pushed me, led me, told me the truth, and even those who lied on me and tried to kill me with their evil ways. I have come so far, and this is where I belong. I love the woman I have become, and I am thankful for the process. There is strength in the process. I am humble and my loyalty does not sway. I am loyal to the bone. I am a realist and I recognize real. I treat everyone how I want to be treated regardless of who they are because who would I be to treat anyone like less than what I expect. Someone under a bridge is just as valuable as the president I mean, who am I to judge.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
In finding a mentor, it is important to find someone who is already doing what you are trying to do, that does not mind teaching you or showing you. A mentor inspires and encourages they are not there to beat you down and discourage you. However, in seeking a mentor, you have to listen and be teachable. When networking, make sure you are networking with people that are sharing information, not just people who are looking for praise all the time. Networking is about helping each other out, not bragging about what you have that you refuse to share.
Contact Info:
- Email: reallovepublications@
yahoo.com and projectreallove@yahoo.com - Website: http://projectreallove.org/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charmaine_marie1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charmaine.marie1
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharmaineTucker
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbxjRx3OOf14zseHFVGY_bg
