Many of you may be wondering how the idea of “The UnMasked Effect” came about. Before I start to tell you, I want you to know that everything I do is usually motivated by something I have experienced, encountered and want to share in order to motivate, empower and inspire you.
I am a firm believer that in order to ignite change, you have to first become the change that you want to see. I had a moment last year when I knew I had to be willing to share my story (my whole story, not just the sweet moments) in order to really impact other women. Truth is that I was dealing with feelings of shame, guilt and inadequacy because I didn’t have the resources or lifestyle as other women who were successful in this world of empowering women. I felt ashamed saying that I was from and still do live in East New York, Brooklyn because that wouldn’t resonate as “success” with others. I kept thinking thought like, “What is this girl from Brooklyn know about helping others live on purpose…I’m still trying to make it myself!” Nevertheless, I would be a fraud if I would tell others to embrace their story, honor their truths and me not follow suit. No ma’am…I will always choose courage over comfort.
So I started allowing myself to become more vulnerable with my winning circle of influence, which includes a STELLAR group of powerful, professional women. And I noticed something…I was not alone. We were all carrying feelings of inadequacy to fulfill our life-long dreams or shame from our pasts or fears of failure and success! I knew I had to do something about it and make it OK for us to share our stories because essentially we inspire others to do the same. It’s about triumphing over all the “stuff”; what you hold in secret has power over you.
That’s when my girl Cordelia Abrokwah (leadership and youth empowerment coach) and I hooked up for our occasional “superpower” dinner. The dinner is essentially us women who get together to eat, share, encourage, inspire, giggle, joke and say all things that we wouldn’t really post on Facebook if you get my drift. Cordelia begins to share this incredible exercise she proctored with a group of teenage girls, involving a mask and a mirror. (I will not give away details because we all partake in the exercise in the series which you’ll have to watch to see!) What I will share that it usually ends up with women in tears and declaring worthiness and hope for the future.
My immediate response was that we HAVE to do something like that with older, professional women. I went into brainstorming mode and out came “The UnMasked Effect.” Embrace Her Legacy executively produced a conversation of group of women to discuss their fears, price of success, vulnerabilities, beauty, confidence, self-worth, and survivor stories. Each lady came in, not really knowing what to expect but when I say we broke chains of inadequacy, cried, and laughed by the end of the day. I’m hoping you can relate to these real women, talking real issues. If you haven’t watch the trailer, please watch it here!! And make sure you watch the double-header premiere of the series on Wed. March 26th at 8pm EST via our YouTube Channel.
Maria I. Melendez: Founder & CEO, Embrace Her Legacy
Yes, I’m founder and Chief Executive Officer of Embrace Her Legacy and executive producer of this series but you get to learn me in another way throughout the series. People assume that because I’m featured in magazines and “doing my thing” that I don’t deal with fear. That couldn’t be any less true. You’ll get to see exactly what makes me feel “less than” and the real reason that makes me relentless when it comes to helping others live in purpose and define their legacy.
Cordelia Abrokwah: Founder & CEO, The Catalyst Group
As host and overall “mama” of the conversation, Cordelia really challenges each girl to take it there. She is really the person you call when you need to be reminded of just how great you are. Her jewels of wisdom, motivational words and passionate desire to help each woman not only remove her mask but recognize she’s been wearing one is showcased all throughout the series. But don’t be fooled either, she too shares her fears of overcoming past insecurities and the ability to successfully achieve her God given vision.
Shameika Bowman: Professional Make-Up Artist, Co-Founder of Poised With Purpose
Your face is surely her canvas. Shameika is an extraordinary, faith-filled make-up artist who works can be seen in countless magazines, videos and celebs. She’s not only about transforming faces but transforming lives. What you’ll learn about her is her idea on beauty and what she thinks really makes a woman beautiful. Another entrepreneur on the panel, who also shares the pressure of a perceived level of success where she is expected to have it all together all of the time. Courageously, she discusses her “evil twin” fears that she deals with on a daily basis.
Dana Johnson: Co-Founder, doBrasilshop.com
A woman that will make you smile the moment you meet her. Dana is a smart businesswoman, dancer, fashion-lover whose magnetic personality can light up a room. What we learn most about in Dana is the challenged idea of beauty and feeling beautiful. And although she doesn’t fear stepping out to launch her business doBrasilshop.com, you will learn about her fears of getting her “Claire Huxtable” moment.
Gena Camarena: Former Promotions Coordinator, Atlantic Records
Other will look at Gena and think “Girl, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about!” As an heir to a multi-million dollar empire, Gena confronts pressures that force us not to judge others. Although grateful for her upbringing and education, she shares her fears of failure when already given a platform to succeed while learning that asking for help doesn’t always equal being in debt to someone else.
Jasmine Belotte: Co-Founder, Poised With Purpose
An attitude reformed woman! I have to say that when Jasmine shared that she used to have a very bad attitude problem, I gasped in surprise because she is one of the kindest people I’ve met! Overcoming an attitude problem and feeling the need of approval of others, Jasmine comes out refreshed, renewed and revitalized to fully take on her latest endeavor of launching her and Shameika’s women empowerment company, Poised With Purpose.
Melanie Clarke: Social Media Coordinator, IMAN Cosmetics
A social media coordinator for IMAN Cosmetics with a burning desire for all things fashion and style, Melanie unveils her personal challenges of actually pursing her life-long passion of the fashion industry. As the oldest of six siblings, she is learning to balance being a great example for her siblings while on her journey to achieve true peace and joy with her life. She is stepping out on her own to become the woman she wants to be.
Quincy Mays: Aspiring Entrepreneur
The survivor. If you want to know of what, then you’ll have to watch and see. Quincy defines courage when she shares her incredible journey as a survivor. She may not fear going to Hawaii alone or sky-diving but her fears are more internal where she is learning to come out of her shell to pursue her life’s passion and purpose of becoming an entrepreneur. We see her go from a woman who normally reaches inward when in a group of women become inspirational in honoring her truth.