Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Dawn.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gabrielle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started Queens ANU with my sister and business partner Rèy Faith in 2015 as an international fashion and lifestyle blog. I was currently living in Germany at the time and saw so many opportunities to share my experience. I was performing spoken word at different events and venues and had the opportunity to perform at a couple of concerts in 2015 and 2016 and it was such an amazing experience and opportunity. My sister has always been more fashion, whereas I am more on the lifestyle end of things. So, it has been an interesting balancing act for us both, but all praises to The Most High because it has been worth it. I was working and volunteering during my three years in Germany and was truly discovering my purpose. I met the founders of Teonda Children’s Foundation 501C3 Teopista and Chris in 2016. The organization builds self-sustaining communities in their home country of Uganda.
After briefly hearing their story, we exchanged information so they could tell me more about their work. It was such an amazing happening because I had been praying for so long to be a part of such a beautiful mission on the Mother continent of Africa. I knew it was truly Divine. I was asked to come on board as Executive Director and was so honored. In December of 2016, I took my first trip to Uganda with the team and it was truly life-changing. We were able to touch and reach the community in any way and light, and they reached back into the depths of our hearts and forever changed us as well. I shortly moved from Germany to South Korea with my spouse as he serves in the military and felt almost as though all of my progress had come to a halt. I was deeply discouraged and made a trip back to the U.S. to gather my thoughts and reconnect with my family. And when I returned back to South Korea, I made up in my mind that I was going to actively pursue all that I desired to have. I changed my eating habits, became more invested in yoga, and began putting myself in spaces to do what I had been called to do. To speak! In 2018, I performed in Seoul, South Korea after an almost 2-year dry spell. I was diligent in my rehearsal, deliberate with my words and powerful in my delivery. And it was received so well by the community! I organized a trip to head back to Uganda to continue to lay the foundation, but this time I returned with four additional volunteers. I set the goals for myself and kept myself accountable. It was truly a learning curve, but I would do it all over again. I recently moved back to Dallas, after being gone since 2010 and was wondering how I would adjust.
So many transitions were happening. I’ll be honest y’all, I wanted to run. I really wanted to run away. I had a plan and everything! But I knew that all that I had been working towards though there were challenges I would face it was necessary for the process. I was given the opportunity to organize an artist showcase an event at the amazing Pan African Connection in Oak Cliff, I appreciate them so much for what they do in our community, but also the amount of faith that they put in me to just put this event together. I collaborated with Yezi Dance and it was such an amazing and beautiful event. We were able to raise funds for the Black Star Action Network International in Sierra Leone. We organized another event and were able to help create a platform for our gifted local artist. I have since had the honor of speaking at other events and getting involved with my local community.
Great, 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?
It has been a journey, one that I am thankful for. Challenges of isolation have nearly buried me at some points. But when I realized I had been planted and to embrace the brief moment of darkness for what it was, it made and continued to make the journey bearable. One of the best things a person can do is to reach out to others in their time of need, but reach out to those that have the capacity and love to reach back out and into you. My support system is undefeated, haha. I know that I am beyond blessed to have the coverage that I have in my family and friends. But had I have never reached for them then who would I have had? Continuing to nurture and foster love in those relationships has been the most enriching part of this journey. And truth be told, I wasn’t expecting a smooth road because I am working to pave anu way. Everyone may not be privy to the vision and it isn’t my job to force them to see, I am at peace with knowing that those around us will benefit from our efforts when the time comes.
Please tell us about Queens ANU.
Queens ANU is ever-evolving! We are currently focusing on helping women in our community enrich their lives and being their absolute best selves. We educate women on their Divine power and calling, encouraging them to find what their purpose in this life is and help them to bring about their best through; mindful living, styling, motivational speaking, and creative consulting. We also have ANU Chosen Image LLC. geared to helping reach and inspire our community through changing the way we see ourselves. We work with programs to educate our community through the arts, workshops, and curriculums.
I’m working on my first yoga and self-care workshops for women called Sister to Sister Self-Care this August. I’ve been blessed to collaborate with Graceful Renew an amazing company that creates safe and beautiful spaces for women retreats and workshops. Other workshops will be focused on self-enrichment and craft mastery as well. I’m looking forward to our 2020 calendar and the blessings to come.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Constantly playing pretend with my sister Rèy and our cousins. We just knew the sky was the limit and were always such curious children. My parents say how ticked they were watching us play as children. You can definitely see our no limits mindset was manifested in us since childhood. From frolicking through our creek adventures with our Daddy and going on community mission trips with our Mama. We were pretty active and constantly stimulated as children. I am thankful for that because it gave us the space to explore and be our best creative and intellectual selves.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.queensanu.com
- Phone: 972-861-2307
- Email: letstalk@queensanu.com
Image Credit:
Réy Faith, Chancey D. The Black Swan, Nautica D.
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