Today we’d like to introduce you to April Bowman, M.S.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In May 2015, I was on my way to speak to a group of students at Austin College about, “Leadership and Starting a Movement.” The same week of this speaking engagement, I was preparing for my ministry school final and working on launching an educational consulting company, all at the same time while working a 50+hr full-time job as an Educational Director for the largest charter school in North Texas. I was barely sleeping and doing too much.
While in the car heading to Austin College, I had a God encounter that redirected my focus! God asked me these two convicting questions, what movement are you leading? When are you going to be about My business? He further communicated that people are dying who do not know Jesus and that education is important but salvation is more important. God then told me to unite His people across the globe. In that exact moment, God gave me Bold Believers United. I went home and purchased the website domain, cried and asked God to forgive me for taking so long to answer His call on my life to do ministry. When I was in high school, I started a Christian bible study that eventually became a church, which still exists today in Everett WA. Apparently, I was running from ministry even in my pursuit to impact lives through education. I do not think it was either or but God wanted me to prioritize what was most important, which is people being introduced to Jesus and having the opportunity to choose Him as their Lord and Savior then learning how to live a life that reflects God.
In May 2016, I put in the notice with my employer that I would not be returning after the school year ended. As of July 1, 2016, I began Bold Believers United full-time and the journey continues to unfold with every yes to God.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has been far from smooth! I describe this journey as an exhilarating roller coaster with tons of scary loops. It has had so many high, highs and low, lows as well as everything in between. My journey is two-fold: 1) Learning to embrace my call to Christian ministry even as a vocation through Bold Believers United Ministries and 2) Continuing work in education through for-profit services such as training, empowerment speaking, consulting and curriculum design.
Prior to launching Bold Believers United, I never thought twice about money. As a first-generation college graduate, I earned a Master’s in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL and Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Part of my motivation for going to college twice was so that I could impact lives and build wealth. Within the journey of entrepreneurship, especially the beginning stages, money fluctuates and is hard to predict even a few months out. Even promising contracts fall through at times. Other times, unexpected contracts come your way.
Before this journey, I did not recognize how much of my identity was tied into what I did or the titles that I held and the money that I made. When I first started 3.5 years ago, I moved from downtown Dallas, I lived with friends and family at one point and I have learned how to do my own hair, makeup and nails, lol. I have given up some relationships as well as my ambitions that are not God-aligned and my expectations of how life is supposed to go. I have given up needing other people to see “it” or support me. Since God directly gave me the vision, I do not need approval or validation from anyone else. I have learned that advice from even well-intentioned people can abort the very thing or path God is calling you to. It is critical to hear God for yourself and that comes through personal relationship and time in His presence. Through it all, God has been so faithful! He has opened doors for me that I could never had gone through without His divine favor. Just to name a few I was named by the Dallas Business Journal as a Top 40 Under 40 Leader, contracted with the Obama Foundation, presented at national conferences and preached to women from Zimbabwe Africa. I have truly learned to trust God every step of the way!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Bold Believers United – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Bold Believers United seeks to ignite hope, purpose and transformation in the lives of those who need it most.
On the non-profit ministry side of Bold Believers United, we exist to awaken, equip and activate Believers in Jesus to boldly impact the world through uncompromised truth, love, power and unity. Currently, our primary focus is empowering and equipping young people between the ages of 12 years and 24 years old. We do this through various programming, training and discipleship. As a licensed Christian minister and college/career guidance expert, a signature program that I host through Bold Believers United is the annual C4: Christian, Character, College and Career Camp.
The C4 summer camp is held for middle and high school students who likely would not have this level of exposure to college, information on how to successfully complete the application process or the various career pathways available. At the same time, students across DFW establish a positive community of peers who are like-minded while growing in their Christian faith, self-esteem and character. The C4 Camp has taken place at Southern Methodist University since 2017. In 2019 C4 expanded from a one-week camp to three weeks. The plan is to add college partners each year in which the C4 Camp will be held in order to provide local students with an opportunity to spend a week at different colleges across Texas throughout the entire summer. I continue supporting C4 participants throughout the school year, graduation from high school, throughout their college career and as long as they are open to receiving guidance.
Additionally, on the for-profit side, I work with school districts and non-profits locally and nationally to share my expertise in supporting students to and through college. This is accomplished through educational consulting, coaching, training, motivational speaking and curriculum development. Through Bold Believers United, I also lead trainings on racial justice and unity as well as host independent youth programs in which I empower students and families directly.
Within the first six months of starting Bold Believers United, my company was contracted by an all-boys boarding school in Pennsylvania to work as a college program development consultant. This boarding school, which is 100 years old, serves fatherless boys of color across grades 9-12th. I created this school’s first-ever college success program that follows the high school graduates throughout their college career. By continuing to support these students post-high school, those who are most at risk for dropping out of college have on-going guidance, encouragement, resources and a network to help them push through barriers and complete college.
I contracted with this school from 2016 – 2019 to provide consulting, coaching, training, connections and various resources. The increasing college persistence rates of this school’s graduates have gained national attention. In the Fall of 2018, the Oprah’s Winfrey Foundation awarded this school a grant to fund the continued work of this college success program. Additionally, my client and I presented at the 2018 Biennial National Episcopal School conference in Atlanta to share the created program model on supporting students to and through college.
My goal is to honor God with the gifts He has given me and love His people well!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am excited about the future of Bold Believers United! We are only 3.5 years and really just getting started. Looking forward to launching our BOLD GIRLS program this winter that will focus on empowering young girls to develop a positive sense of self, discover their gifts and see their beauty while actively becoming whole. Excited to partner with schools and community programs to bring BOLD GIRLS where it is needed most. We are starting with middle school girls. A cohort of high school girls will also be added. If your school, community center or church is interested, definitely reach out soon. BeBold@BoldBelieversUnited.com.
Additionally, we are continuously expanding our C4: Christian, Character, College & Career Camp. Looking forward to adding a college partner as well as the opportunity to stay in the dorms for the 2020 camp. Camp is for middle and high school students. Join our waiting list to receive updates. Also, if you are interested in being a sponsor, please visit www.BoldBelieversUnited.com.
We are also expanding our racial unity curriculum and looking forward to facilitating trainings with churches, schools, non-profits and corporations in 2020.
Lastly, I am looking forward to speaking more this year locally, nationally and internationally. I already have some amazing opportunities on the calendar. Kicking off the new year speaking in New York. Traveling to Seattle this Spring. I am currently booking 2020 speaking engagements, if you are interested in me speaking at your event, school, organization or church, please email April.Bowman@BoldBelieversUnited.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BoldBelieversUnited.com
- Phone: 805-633-0782
- Email: April.Bowman@BoldBelieversUnited.com
- Instagram: @April_M_Bowman
- Facebook: April Bowman
- Twitter: April_M_Bowman
Image Credit:
first solo image: Anthony Rose
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