The Seed
Before we go any further, I have to take you back. Not to 2021 when this blog officially launched, but to 2020. We were in the thick of a global pandemic—the world had slowed down, but inside, I was shifting. It started with a consultation with a young man—brilliant, confident, and tech-savvy. He didn’t just see my business potential; he saw me. He told me I needed to push through with Unapologetically Āja. At the time, I was 41 and deep into the transition of stepping out of my comfort zone—moving away from the “long jean skirts” and the version of me that everyone else was comfortable with, and moving toward being comfortable in my own skin.
The Validation
By December 30, 2020, that seed started to sprout. I found myself sitting down with Sha’Onnah Hunt for her podcast, “So She Did.” It was a moment of being “seen” before I felt ready to be “visible.” But it didn’t stop there. Stepping out of my comfort zone opened doors I hadn’t even knocked on yet. I was selected for the inaugural class of the Pursuing Purpose Mentoring Program under the mentorship of Kim Helton with Woman of Purpose, founded by La-kita Gilmore. Because I was finally willing to show up as myself, I spent that season guesting on several podcasts, realizing that my story wasn’t just for me—it was a blueprint for others standing at their own drawing boards.
The “House of Cards” Reality
But let’s be honest: just because a vision is born doesn’t mean the woman is ready to carry it. For a long time, I was building a “House of Cards”—beautiful on the surface, but fragile underneath. I had the title, but I was still wearing rose-colored glasses. Between 2021 and now, life happened. From family loss to shifting seasons in ministry, or just wanting to be wanted by the people I cared about—it was a whirlwind. I could have “spazzed out” or walked away from the faith like so many others, but I chose a different path. I chose the cocoon.
The 2026 Disclaimer
The years of silence weren’t empty; they were for refinement. I had to learn to walk in integrity when nobody was watching so that I could stand firm when they were. So, here is the disclaimer for 2026: I am no longer interested in being “present” just to be a part of the scenery. I’m here to be seen. The vision that started in 2020 has finally reached fruition.
This is Unapologetically Āja—no filters, no fairytales, just the truth.
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