Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrhonda Hillman.
Hi Terrhonda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My Story: Terrhonda Hillman
I am Terrhonda Hillman—author, playwright, producer, speaker, and the resilient spirit behind Poised Productions. I didn’t begin this journey with a silver spoon or a roadmap. I began with a pen, a purpose, and a fire in my soul to transform pain into purpose and storytelling into legacy.
At 48, I self-published my first book, Daughter of the Other Woman. That story was my release and my reckoning—a bold, healing step into the world of authorship that cracked open a deeper calling. I was encouraged by a mentor to convert the book into a one-woman show and I did just that. I starred in my one-woman show acting as 8 different characters. From that moment, I knew I wasn’t just here to write books and plays. I was here to awaken conversations, challenge systems, and honor the ancestors who paved my path.
Driven by a sense of justice and cultural responsibility, I created Reparations: What Will They Do with the Money?—a stage play that imagined what life could look like if foundational Black Americans received $1.2 million in reparations. It wasn’t just a story. It was a movement. And when I tapped into my history, I felt my ancestors guiding every scene, every line, every lesson.
That play gave birth to more than applause—it ignited action. It inspired my book, 8 Reasons Why Black Descendants of Slaves Are Owed Reparations, and a growing commitment to educate, uplift, and preserve Black American history through theater, books, and community programs.
In 2019, I became the proud owner of Brighter Day Cleaning, a residential and commercial cleaning company I launched to establish agency for myself. I needed to prove—to the world and to me—that I could create my own lane, generate my own income, and stand fully in my power. Today, Brighter Day continues to grow, serving clients across generations, with a special expansion focused on elder care cleaning under Golden Years Home Cleaning Services.
Coming soon is my next bold leap: the Poised Institute of Community Theatre (PICT)—a training ground for actors, stage crew, and creatives who want to break into the world of theater and production. Through performance-based learning, PICT will offer real-world experience, mentorship, and access to professional opportunities rooted in culture, discipline, and expression. But I am more than my projects.
I am a woman who believes in divine timing, in taking bold leaps, and in holding space for others to rise. I cherish quiet moments, deep conversations, and giving flowers to women who don’t always get their roses.
My journey has not been perfect, but it has been powerful.
I stand today not just as a writer or a producer—but as a vessel, guided by faith, driven by purpose, and fueled by a calling bigger than myself. My story is still unfolding. And through every chapter, I remain poised—on purpose, with power, and in service to my people.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My Struggles Along the Way
My journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has shaped the woman I am today.
I didn’t start writing until I was 48 years old. For a long time, I believed the lie that it was too late for me—that the best parts of my story had already been lived. But I reached a point where I knew I had to move, create, and speak. I had to silence that voice of doubt and prove that purpose has no expiration date.
Being a Black woman who tells raw, unapologetic stories about our people hasn’t always been welcomed. I’ve had to fight for space at the table—or build my own table from scratch. Whether I was promoting my stage plays, pushing my books, or launching my business, getting people to take me seriously was often an uphill climb.
Much of my work comes from a deeply personal place. Daughter of the Other Woman wasn’t just a title—it was a truth I lived. Writing it meant peeling back layers of pain and exposing my healing process in public. Every story I’ve told, especially Reparations, has required me to dig into wounds—mine, my ancestors’, and my community’s. That kind of work is not easy. It’s spiritual.
When I launched Brighter Day Cleaning in 2019, it wasn’t just about starting a business—it was about reclaiming agency over my life. I needed to show myself that I could create income, opportunity, and stability on my own terms. But building from the ground up—with limited resources and no safety net—was tough. I wore every hat: owner, marketer, cleaner, and everything in between. And even when things got hard, I refused to quit.
Balancing my purpose-driven work with the realities of life hasn’t been simple. There were times I poured everything into my art and advocacy, even when it didn’t pay. I’ve had to trust that sowing seeds would eventually bring a harvest. Sometimes I questioned if I was doing the right thing—especially when passion didn’t immediately equal profit.
One of the hardest parts of this journey has been the loneliness. I’ve carried visions that others didn’t always understand. Whether it was dreaming up the Reparations play, planning the Juneteenth Art Van, or digging deep uncovering suppressed pain when writing Daughter of the Other Woman and performing the one woman show—I often found myself walking alone before anyone else could see the path.
And then, there’s the physical and emotional toll. I’ve sacrificed time, energy, and even parts of my health chasing these dreams. I’ve pushed past exhaustion, fear, and grief—because I knew the work was bigger than me.
Asking for help has been a lesson too. I’ve always been the strong one, the do-it-yourselfer. But I’ve had to learn that receiving support doesn’t make me weak—it makes me wise. I’ve had to let people in, trust others with my vision, and be open to community.
Despite everything, I’m still here. Still creating. Still believing. And I wouldn’t change a thing—because every struggle was a seed. And now, I’m blooming.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
More of My Story: Purpose in Every Corner
In 2019, I started Brighter Day Cleaning not just to make a living—but to reclaim my power. I wanted to create something that was mine, something that would give me freedom, dignity, and control over my future. What started with me and a few supplies has now grown into a respected cleaning company serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. We offer both residential and commercial cleaning, with a commitment to excellence and care that leaves every space feeling like a fresh start.
As I built Brighter Day, I realized that my creativity and my entrepreneurial spirit could co-exist. So I established Poised Productions, a woman-owned creative company committed to telling bold stories rooted in Black American history and culture. Through theater, books, and film, we educate, inspire, and empower. Poised Productions is more than a business—it’s a movement.
One of our proudest works is Reparations: What Will They Do with the Money?—a gripping stage play that imagines what life might look like if foundational Black Americans were finally paid what they are owed. It’s not just a play—it’s a national conversation starter. And now, I’m thrilled to announce that the Reparations Stage Play is coming to the historic Farr Best Theater in Mansfield, Texas, February 20–21, 2026.
Following that, I will return to the same stage for a deeply personal performance: my one-woman show, Daughter of the Other Woman, based on my debut book. It’s an emotional, powerful journey through truth, forgiveness, and identity—and it will take place at the Farr Best Theater on May 8–9, 2026. This show is my soul laid bare—a testament to the power of storytelling to heal, transform, and liberate.
Through Poised Productions, I create more than shows—I create spaces for dialogue, legacy, and community healing. And through Brighter Day Cleaning, I create spaces for peace, order, and fresh beginnings.
So whether I’m scrubbing baseboards or standing center stage, my mission is the same: to build a legacy of purpose, one story—and one space—at a time.
And trust me, the best is yet to come.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
A Risk Worth Taking
When I launched Brighter Day Cleaning in 2019, I was still working a full-time job. Like many new entrepreneurs, I started small—just trying to create something of my own, something that gave me a sense of ownership and purpose. But less than six months into the business, the world shifted. COVID-19 hit, and everything became uncertain.
At the time, we didn’t know much about the virus. Information was limited, fear was everywhere, and I had a tough decision to make. I chose to take a leave of absence from my full-time job to protect myself and my family. That decision, made from faith and instinct, eventually led to being laid off.
I had just started a business—and now, I had no stable income, no guarantees, and no roadmap. All I had was a vision and a deep belief that what I was building mattered.
Instead of giving up, I leaned all the way in. I stepped out on faith and poured everything I had into Brighter Day Cleaning. I marketed, hustled, and trusted that the seeds I was planting would grow—even in a pandemic.
And they did.
Brighter Day Cleaning not only survived—it thrived. In one of the most uncertain times in modern history, my business became a source of stability for me and a blessing to others. I became proof that taking a risk, even in the middle of chaos, can lead to something greater than you imagined.
That experience taught me what it truly means to bet on yourself—and win.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeClean21
- Other: https://www.brighterdaycleaning.net
Image Credits
Whitney Hillman
Gilbert Azahar
Stephanie Bolton
