About the Founder
Born as the second of five children, and a native of Louisville, Kentucky, Vanessa was destined to serve and lead others. She came from very humble beginnings from the time of conception. The child who was created by unwanted advances, grew up facing many challenges in life that some would not be able to endure.
Vanessa, somehow, not only endured the challenges, but has excelled beyond the expectations of others who waited to see her fail. God had a special plan for Vanessa. She had the heart of a servant. Despite the bullying, rejection and hurt that she encountered as a child, Vanessa was determined to be a blessing to her family, community, and nations.
Vanessa was born to perform and teach music. She was eager to learn, share her knowledge and talent. She attended the Louisville Youth Performing Arts High School. There she learned dance, theatre as well as vocal and instrumental music. She, however, still faced some challenges that would test her strength of endurance. Her vocal teacher loved her skills but hated her ethnicity. He once told Vanessa that she would “never be more than another black welfare mother.” He felt that Vanessa was too friendly with a fellow white classmate, and that seriously disturbed him.
Vanessa did not allow his bitter words to stop her. She received a music scholarship from Kentucky State University. Vanessa gave birth to her first two of five children, while attending Kentucky State University. She never quit school. Vanessa carried her children to class when necessary. In 1989-90 Vanessa was elected as the KSU Student Government President. She was the first female to be elected in seven years. She was able to collaborate with the ever-changing student population, during a time when international and non-African American students were seeking to attend and define themselves as minority students to qualify for grants and scholarships.
This caused a major problem for the “traditional African American students, considering the history of how and why Kentucky State University, and other HBCU schools, were established. They were not permitted to attend white schools. God gave Vanessa a vision and showed her how to bring about a peaceful and fair resolve. The students, staff, and Board of Regents agreed to the proposed vision and plan. Policies were changed, grants, scholarships for all who qualified, were awarded and peace was established. The following year Vanessa got married and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. Vanessa and her family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Vanessa began her teaching career as a music teacher. She was assigned to a school filled with a diversified population of students; many were in gangs. Vanessa quickly saw the serious needs of the students and developed strong positive relationships with the students and their families. Vanessa could relate to the struggles of life that the children were facing, so she used her talents to create original plays and musical productions. The productions united the students and communities.
Vanessa was introduced to Mary Kay and became an Independent Sales Director in only four months and received a company car for the success of her team. She unfortunately struggled in her marriage with domestic violence and her firstborn child was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of eighteen.
Vanessa stepped down to care for her family. While caring for her children and separated from her husband, Vanessa started an in-home daycare, to help her students, who had considered getting abortions and dropping out of school. Vanessa went on to take into her home eight displaced children for three years. Vanessa reunited briefly with her estranged husband until 2018 when her daughter passed away from multiple sclerosis. She returned to Louisville, Kentucky. Vanessa started teaching and reconnected with Mary Kay.
Once again, she became a car driving director. Vanessa used her proceeds to do missions work in Nigeria, where she has traveled three times, building two homes and water towers for families. She desires to continue serving others.