Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Stewart.
Natasha, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Brooklyn, NY (I know hard to believe, I have no accent)! My parents separated when I was four. A few years after the separation my mother relocate to Boston, MA with my older brother and me.
My mother faced the typical challenges that come with being a single parent, with no education beyond high school and no real support system. Between the ages of six and 18, I moved 14 times, attended multiple schools, and experienced food shortages, financial obstacles and homelessness. However, she did the best she could with the resources and knowledge that she possessed. One of those resources was faith in God, and being connected to a community of faith.
I am a firm believer in the idea it takes a community/village to raise a child. It was the protective factors of my faith community and my 4th-grade public school teacher that gave me inspiration and exposure to be more than my current circumstances.
My 4th-grade teacher told me “You are intelligent, you can go to college.” This teacher began exposing me to college and the idea, this is where I belonged. My faith community gave me the foundation of strength and purpose greater than myself.
Looking at my life, I should be a statistic. Statistics would suggest I should be a product of my environment and have little or no achievement in my life. However, those protective factors kicked in and I’m proud to say I am not a statistic but I am. I am a college graduate, awarded multiple degrees (B.A., M.A. & PH.D.). I am an international motivational speaker. I am a homeowner. I am a businesswoman. I am a negative cycle breaker (daughter currently in law school and a son at a big ten school on full academic scholarship). I am the recipient of the 2019 Presidential Volunteer of the Year award. I am the 2019 United Nations Medal of Honor awardee. I am hope. I am purpose. I am living proof it doesn’t matter where we start.
Now I have the amazing opportunity to empower people to reach their full potential. I am currently the Director for The Center for Counseling and Behavioral Health at The Potter’s House under Bishop T.D. Jakes. I also have my own business Natasha Stewart Consulting and Coaching.
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?
L.O.L…No it has not. Initially, in childhood always being the “new” kid was hard, always moving and trying to explain why you moved. Going away to college and being the 1st in my immediate family to do so. I left Boston and went to Oklahoma, big culture shift.
As a young adult trying to figure out who I was and trying to navigate my path. I couldn’t ask my mom and not having real mentors to speak with. As an older adult not feeling guilty for my success. Learning I didn’t just want coping skills, I wanted a healthy lifestyle. Learning to let go of toxic people, patterns and ideas.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I have the distinct pleasure of serving as the director of The Center for Counseling and Behavioral Health at The Potter’s House. Most people are familiar with the visionary Bishop T.D. Jakes. What they don’t always know is we have a full-service counseling center at the church. The center employs advanced degreed individuals that are passionate about helping people. You do not have to be a member of the church, you do not have to look like us or believe like us to receive services from us.
All of our services are donation-based, we do not bill insurance companies. We remove the financial obstacles that would hinder people from receiving professional-grade services. We are faith-based, but we do not try to convert people or recruit for membership. I am most proud that we do not turn people away for financial reasons, denominational reasons or any other reasons. If you want professional counseling services and are able to consent to services, you can be seen.
I also have my own business. I do several things from empowerment events, corporate trainings, mental health awareness seminars and education, preaching/teaching engagements, mentorship and life coaching. I’m most proud of the relationships I have built and that most of my new opportunities are generated from past clients. Clients sharing how they were enriched and transformed or empowered. What sets me apart is me. What I bring to the table in authenticity and transparency. I believe I make genuine connections with people.
What were you like growing up?
Oh my goodness, I was painfully shy. People do not believe that looking at me now. I was the girl who didn’t talk unless I had to. I wanted to blend into the background. My escape was reading. I absolutely loved to read. I could get lost in a book. I was always a critical thinker, I always wanted to know the cause and effect. I also developed good listening skills, but I think it was so I didn’t have to talk. If I could keep you talking about yourself, I didn’t have to divulge anything. I was also a rule follower, I didn’t want to get into trouble.
Pricing:
- The Center for Counseling and Behavioral Health Donation based (suggested amount $25)
- Natasha Stewart Consulting and Coaching (Pricing depends on service requested)
Contact Info:
- Address: 6777 W. Kiest Blvd Dallas TX 75236
- Phone: 214-333-6483 (CCBH), 469-333-3306 (NCC)
- Email: nstewart@tdjakes.org or natashastewartconsulting@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Jordan Mkwanazi, Jason Renville
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