Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Heron.
Camille, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was invited in 2018 to participate on a panel of women from different walks of life to speak on feminism. Sitting among a theatre owner, a professor of Gender Studies, and a co-owner of a Coding School, my role for the night was to speak on women leading in ministry spaces. At the end of the event, I was most struck by the newfound freedom some ladies in the audience gained to go, be and lead simply because of the presence and stories of the panelists. From that night on I vowed to let my life speak and, when necessary to use my mouth. It was also impressed on me that there is a need for more women to share their stories. There is an unspoken permission given to the reader or hearer when we do that. Stories of our struggles, our triumphs, our dreams, and our resilience free our sisters to go forward towards their purpose, bounce back from adversities and press into who they’ve been created to be. From that #SheSpeaks was born.
My story started long before then, however. I was born in Jamaica and migrated to the US at the age of 14. I started working in the Hospitality/Leisure industry at 16 years old because I thought that would be a sure ticket to return to Jamaica. I completed my bachelor’s in Hospitality Management at FIU, worked as the Events Manager for the Miami Beach Chamber for a few years, before leaving the field to explore working in social welfare. After working for a few years with the Access program through DCF, I took almost three years off from work to volunteer in ministry spaces. Six years ago, I began working with a local faith-based nonprofit foster care agency that marries all of my past experiences while raising funds and awareness for the tens of thousands of children in our state who have been traumatized by entering the foster care system.
I am also near the end of completing my Master of Arts in Religion while serving as an ordained minister in leadership at my local church, and being blessed by the opportunity to serve on the board of a couple of nonprofits.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Is there even a smooth road? There have been many challenges along the way of starting #SheSpeaks, and there continues to be. I am constantly fighting imposter syndrome, as well as valuing my own voice and expertise. There were years where I simply did not work and rarely socialized. I am still quite terrified of networking and would rather remain quietly in the shadows serving others. However, I am learning that our presence, our voice, our experiences, our skills, and our faces are needed to push others forward. That now propels me. That propels #SheSpeaks.
I’ve also had to learn to ignore voices that were not meant to sow into my life. Not everyone gets your purpose, and whether with good intention or ill intent, can derail you in various ways from fulfilling what you’ve been called to.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
#SheSpeaks is more like a movement, a social media movement that has drawn stories from women across the United States, Canada, and Jamaica since launching in December 2019. While it is new, the movement is poised to include women across various continents in its next season, all while launching other mediums in an effort to inspire more women and girls. There is no financial gain to #SheSpeaks, and I think that is what makes it easier for women to contribute. The goal in the next year is to produce other content driven to create a global community of women not only taking up space but making a difference of living an #UnselfishLife and inspiring the next generation to show up boldly.
I continue to also work in raising awareness about foster care, and in de-stigmatizing the need for mental/emotional health resources in our community, particularly among people of color.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Impact. If I could sum up success in one word, it would be an impact. Whether it’s in inspiring one or one million or connecting someone to resources they need, I believe the marker should never be in your own gains, rather in the way another’s life has been changed because of what you did… what you are doing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://camispeaks.com/she.speaks/
- Phone: 9544785292
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakwomanspeak_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/speakwomanspeak
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/camille_heron/
Image Credit:
Shots by Priiincesss | Ryan Arnst
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