Today we’d like to introduce you to Shante Graham.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Shante Graham, I’m 35 years young, born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Helping people from all walks of life has always been a passion of mine, and seeing a smile on their face in the process makes my heart happy. 2020 was a year of perseverance adjusting to working from home due to COVID-19 and going through a divorce. During that difficult time, I began to write things down on how I can make an impact in my community. I was determined not to allow my current situation dim my light. Honestly speaking, fear was getting in the way of starting my own organization, I began to look for organizations in Dallas to work within the background. After no results, I was determined to walk in my purpose, I began to focus on how to start a mentoring program that will empower young girls ages 7-17 in South Dallas, where I grew up. I chose to name my organization Serenity Mentoring because I love the Serenity prayer “God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Serenity Mentoring is a 501 (c)3 community-based non profit organization that will provide Free mentoring services for young girls in low-income area in Dallas. Our mission statement is empowering each mentee with a big sister designed mentoring program that will instill life skills, social skills, self-esteem skills, academic skills, and goal-setting skills. Our vision statement is Be the Change you want to See! Making a positive impact in each mentee’s life to ensure that they will have a bright future. Serenity Mentoring’s values we believe that impacting each mentee with this program will instill integrity, positivity, and courage to be successful in their life. By leading, by example, being an positive role model to ensure our mentees have a successful future. Serenity Mentoring age groups will be categorized by name such as Ladybugs 7-10 (adaptability and peace), Butterflies 11-14 (transformation and love), Mermaids 15-17 (transition and luck), and Phoenix 18-20 (strength and determination).
The program is designed to have one on one mentoring sessions every Thursday with an option of virtual or face to face meeting. However, COVID is still a factor in our community that our mentors will be required to provide negative test results with consent from parents for a face to face meeting. Every last Saturday of the month we host a community outreach event that will focus on the theme for the month such as Anti-Bullying, Self-Esteem, Life Skills, Academics, Social Skills and Goal-Setting. During the event we will highlight our Mentor/Mentee of the month as well as acknowledge our parents for participation. Serenity Mentoring will have a total of 9 mentors and 9 mentees will recruit at least six additional young girls from the community to participate in our monthly events each month. During our mentoring program we will host four community outreach events such as a Carnival, Mer-mania, Back to School Bash, and Trunk or Treat. Furthermore, our goal is to partner with schools, begin afterschool services, and assist with other youth organizations in Dallas.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While creating this program, I continued to work my full-time job at State Farm processing Homeowners claims from 9:00 am-5:30pm and working on my undergraduate degree in Business Administration. When I complete my shift at State Farm, I would dedicate at least two hours for school work, and the remainder of the night I would work on my business plan and required documents for Serenity Mentoring. I faced several challenges in the process, each obstacle I faced I used that to learn and make needed adjustments as I continue to work on my business. Furthermore, it haven’t been an easy road, but overall it’s fulfilling to see how the long nights and early mornings has paid off to see my dream turn into my reality is the greatest reward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I currently work at State Farm for five years now within that time span I worked Auto liability Claims for three years, one year I work in our Auto Weather Catastrophe Claims, and now currently working in our Homeowner Claims. In my profession I encounter people that are face with an unexpected loss which could be a difficult task at times to assist. No matter how hard the conversation get between myself and the customer, I always put myself in their shoes, lead each conversation with compassion and empathy. I’m most proud of the resilience that I’ve shown with the high volume of claims not allowing my current situation to change my mindset of letting the first impression be the best impression with each customer I interact with. Over time, I received numerous of accolades for my customer service and eagerness to focus on our customers. My career correlate with my passion and my purpose in life which aligns with my mentoring program. Although, I’m currently helping adults, I personally want to make an impact in our youth life to ensure they will have a bright future.
How do you think about happiness?
I just love karaoke being on the stage singing as if I’m a celebrity that people paid to see, while singing my favorite song of choice, somehow I make so many friends in the process. Singing, laughing, and going to new food places makes me over the top happy. When I was going through a divorce in 2020, I’ve learned that in my tough times I didn’t allow myself to get sad nor depressed, helping people makes me happy as well, whether it’s giving advice, being an ear to active listen, or making corny jokes to my family or friends to make their situation better. I learned to grow through what you go through not to allow your tough times to bring you down mentally or emotionally, trouble, don’t last find a reason to smile or laugh in the process.
Contact Info:
- Email: serenitymentoring1@gmail.com
- Website: https://serenitymentor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenity_mentoring
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenitymentoring01
Image Credits
Trishia Williams- Serenity Mentoring Brand Photos Keith Clark Pegus- Black History Talent Fundraiser Photos
