We had the good fortune of connecting with Charlenette Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charlenette, any recent epiphanies you can share with us?
Sure! I knew this pandemic would affect me, I just didn’t expect this magnitude. I would be fabricating the truth if I said I was elated when Corona showed up like an unwanted guest ruining my Spring Break plans. Like everyone else, I thought it would blow over and then get back to normal within a few days. BOY was I wrong. Days turned to weeks and weeks turned into a month. Now, I’ve been living long enough to know that burdens can turn around and be a blessing if you sit still long enough to reflect. There’s always a silver lining. Allow me to be transparent for a moment. I was on the verge of a breakdown. Each day I trudge through, but stress resided in my bones. From the outside looking in- I floated but internally, I was drowning with bricks tied to my ankles desperately searching for relief. I prayed for a miracle. Little did I know, relief was on the way. The epiphany that revealed itself to me was crystal clear… The Divine was at work and it was time for me to rest. The word epiphany is a spiritual word that means the coming of something greater or the manifestation of the Divine. What I was secretly praying for arrived in a slightly different package. I needed rest for my weary soul. I was still mourning the loss of the greatest female figure in my life, my beloved grandmother. In an instant, the whole world changed. Everything came to a complete halt and we were introduced to the concept of social distancing. The biggest oxymoron known to man. I constantly vacillated with the term. How can one be social and distance at the same time? It’s simple, REST! Businesses closed; from Fortune 500 companies to classrooms. We were confined to our homes until further notice. The requirement became mandatory no matter the socioeco class or ethnicity. In a funny but sad way, everything we put our hopes in dreams in didn’t matter anymore. Everyone was on the same level. Things that were major, ushered itself to minor section of our minds. Priorities shifted. Schedules replaced solitude. Happy Hour was replaced with family time. Netflix and chill has a whole new meaning. So in a weird yet spiritual way, Corona revealed to me that rest is necessary and trust the process because something great will come from this.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Becoming an author has always been in the cards. I’ve had an infinite love of words since the tender age of 4. I would put different letters down on paper and ask my mom, “What does this spell?” She would say, “Nothing!” I knew words had power. I couldn’t wait for my curiosity and knowledge to come together to form a perfect union. How I got here? The result of a failed marriage initiated the opportunity for me to share the pain and doubt of my personal journey. I tried to compartmentalize my emotions but I was running out of space. I needed to release it. I began to journal the brokenness of my heart that I could not publically address. Verbalizing it made it real and I just wasn’t ready. Late one night, a gentle spirit spoke to me and said, “Hey! Let other people hear your story. You’re not the only one.” That’s when I decided to take negative energy and the pain that I felt and transform it into a tool to help those who struggled with the same issues. What sets me apart from others? It’s simple. I am transparent and candid with my life. I talk about taboo subjects that others are afraid to address. I have the unique ability to take the lessons that I’ve learned throughout my journey and apply them to what many women face every day to bring about hope, help, and healing. I specialize in making painful conversation easy. What should you know about me and my brand? My purpose for creating this platform was to connect a community of women who are dedicated to making an impact by using their gifts, skills, and talents. I wanted to change our narrative through encouragement, positive energy, and authentic advice. It’s all about lifting as we climb.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
There is always something to do and see in Houston prior to Corona and with me being an educator by day there is always something to learn. We would have a bevy of things from cultural to 3rd ward classics. 1. The Galleria Mall to shop and people watch. 2. The Turkey Leg Hut in 3rd ward 3.Catch a basketball game at the Toyota Center (all depends on the season) 4. Catch a football game at NRG (all depends on the season) 5. Photo session in EADO at the graffiti wall. 6. Swim with the fish at the Downtown Aquarium 7. Check at the 3rd ward Row houses and pick up some sweets from Crumbville on Dowling. 8. Hines Waterwall Park 9. Grab some Frenchy’s chicken campus special 10. Take a dip in the rooftop Texas size pool at the Marriott Marquis

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My therapist, Nancy My mom, Charlotte My transformation coach, Dr. Tierini My bestfriends, Pammy and Ren

Website: www.iamcharliemarcol.com
Instagram: charliemarcol
Linkedin: charliemarcol
Twitter: charliemarcol
Facebook: charliemarcol

Image Credits
Detra Alton Jakki Onochie