Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Shirley Clark
Hi Dr. Shirley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey from humble beginnings to becoming a globally recognized leader for me is surreal. My story basically began on the day of my high school graduation. Raised in gross poverty, with a mother who only had a sixth-grade education and a father who was illiterate, my childhood was filled with challenges. My parents married at the age of 16, forgoing their education to work in the fields of Washington, NC, to provide for their growing family. The youngest of seven children, I witnessed my father’s battle with alcoholism and the abuse he inflicted on my mother. At just five years old, my world was turned upside down when my mother left to find a better life, placing all of us in foster care for three agonizing years.
Yet, despite these dark beginnings, as I grew older, there was an inner strength that allowed me not to give up. So, I persevered through a difficult childhood where survival was my primary focus. My educational years seemed bleak—I even flunked my first semester of 12th-grade English, which nearly prevented me from graduating. But despite receiving my diploma, I carried the weight of a secret—I struggled with literacy and could not write a complete sentence. For over 20 years, I kept this hidden. But at 35, determined to overcome my limitations, I entered an English lab to learn what a comma and semicolon were.
This was the beginning of an incredible transformation. By 2000, I launched and owned a Writer’s Agency, Jabez Books, helping more than 70 authors write and publish their books. Within just five years, I wrote and published eight books of my own. Today, as of 2024, I have authored over 50 publications, including books, courses, and manuals, with a readership spanning Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, and the U.S. Under the Jabez Books imprint, we have published more than 400 books, half of which have become Amazon bestsellers. Now, I have grown to be a global solutionist, known for my literary influence and transformative leadership.
I attribute my success to my insatiable thirst for knowledge, which began when I worked at a library in Durham, NC from 1982-1995, and was surrounded by books. I became an avid reader, often checking out 25 to 30 books at a time, feeding a hunger for education that would propel me into greatness.
Now, I am honored that my impact extends far beyond the boardroom. I have served as a trusted advisor to governmental officials, faith-based and small business leaders, and non-profit boards. Through our Congressional Prayer Breakfasts and Marketplace Summits, we have worked alongside judges, senators, city officials, and influential leaders, which has solidified my position as a national and global force for positive change.
Also, as the Chancellor of Pray & Grow Richer University, my brand and influence reach across continents. I am an International Keynote Speaker, Certified Master Life & Business Coach, Millionaire Brand Strategist, Small Business Development Consultant, Celebrity Spiritual Advisor, TV/Podcast Host, Chief Soaking Officer (CSO), Women’s Empowerment Coach, Humanitarian, and Philanthropist. My achievements have garnered international recognition, with invitations from countries like Holland, Kuwait, London, Africa, New Zealand, and Pakistan to speak on marketplace ministry, leadership, and entrepreneurship. I am also the recipient of two prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards: Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Now, touted as one of the 21st century’s incredible community leaders, I feel truly blessed. From being selected to assist in leading a U.S. Presidential Campaign to training over 30,000 entrepreneurs, speakers, and leaders, I now know all things are possible.
Currently, I am on a global book tour for my latest release, Rich Mind Rich Life, spreading the powerful message: “Rich people educate themselves; poor people entertain themselves.” Here are some of my celebrated works and bestsellers: Pray & Grow Richer, Think Like A Millionaire, Be A Millionaire, Discovering Your Destiny, Daily Dose of Direction for Women in Business, 7 Day Guide From Being An Employee To Becoming An Entrepreneur, Pray, Push & Prevail, Blessed: How To Attract Wealth Into Your Life, and many more.
I am a devoted wife of 39 years, and I am the proud mother of two—my daughter is a medical doctor, and her son holds a degree in Computer Science and Information Technology. My story is one of overcoming unimaginable obstacles to emerge as a beacon of empowerment and a visionary leader shaping the future of business, education, and wealth creation. For the rest of my life, I desire to be a Global Change Agent/Ambassador.
To learn more about me, check out my website: at www.DrShirleyClark.org.
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?
Regardless of how much I increased my intellectual capital, I still struggled with personal development issues — self-esteemed problems. I could not speak well because of this — my poverty mentality. So, I read a lot of books on attitude, leadership, self-esteem, confidence and psychology. I also signed up for programs that helped me speak better. I graduated from the Dale Carnegie program on effective communication. But nothing helped me more than being a part of my church drama team. Being in drama allowed me to be someone else while developing my self-esteem. So while working on developing a character, it gave me room for someone to correct me without it affecting my self-esteem and confidence. The leader believed in me. Now, I have been a professional speaker for over 40 years, and have spoken to audiences from 25 to over 10,000.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Today, I am the CEO of Clark’s Consulting Firm, LLC, with 24 years of business success and five additional enterprises under my leadership. My empire spans PR, marketing and branding, entertainment & speakers’ management, event planning, a university, and corporate coaching and consulting. Our firm primarily serves corporate executives, 6-, 7-, and 8-figure business owners, celebrities, governmental officials, and high-profile community leaders. A former Senior Vice President of a Millionaire Maker Club, I have also been instrumental in creating 10 millionaires through my Pray & Grow Richer 90-Day Mastermind Wealth Challenge, where I mentor “Kingdompreneurs.”
Our clients and partners have been featured in premier media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNN, BET, Lifetime, ABC, Black Enterprise, Daystar, TBN, and many more. In 2014, our Firm was listed in the Who’s Who in Black Dallas Business Publication.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding the right mentor can be a challenge. The reason is that we often want a mentor who will be with us forever, but I have found out that your mentors will change as you grow and change. So, don’t get upset when someone is no longer in your life. Just believe that the season that you are in you will attract the right person who you need for that season. It is said that the order of success is be, do and have. Become what you need (from a personal development standpoint), and then you will attract the right mentor for that season. Remember, seasons change, and so will your mentors.
Pricing:
- Strategist Coaching Call: $1200
- Corporate Speaking: $10,000+
- Business Coaching Certification: $3500
- 90-Day Mastermind Wealth Challenge: $5000
- Master Life Coaching Certification: $2500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.DrShirleyClark.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drshirleykclark2022/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ShirleyClark
- Twitter: https://x.com/shirley54123
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shirleykeechclark
