Today we’d like to introduce you to Lotus Wilson
Hi lotus, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story was one of me almost losing my freedom and my life. I was a teen mom with a record and was withdrawn out of school at 16. I was homeless staying in strangers’ houses and filthy hotels while my mother was fighting for life (I lost her last year). I went back to get my GED, then I had made some bad choices in men that put myself and my children in peril until I went to counseling. I was trying to do everything and anything to break the cycle of brokenness-lack of education, generational welfare, abuse, molestation, family enmeshment and internal familial violence that led to protective services and law enforcement getting involved. In 2024 I broke the cycle of mental, emotional, social, financial, and physical abuse. I left my ex with clothes and children. In 2019, I received my bachelor’s degree with a major in Sociology (statistics concentration) and a minor in Black Studies (concentration in Jim Crow). I received this degree at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. I then moved to Durham, North Carolina to start anew and got a masters in addiction at Liberty University. I have cowritten two books, “Destined to Win Vol. 5-I Crushed Me but I Survived” and “Destined to Win Vol. 6-Single Mother Anthology-God, You, and Me”. I am working on my solo book, “Angry Black Woman, Hear Me Cry-A historical look at the generational foundation of the angry black woman”. I also have done table talks, debates, have been on podcasts that specifically speak about race relations in America and around the world, and I am big on speaking about history.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road, but I can say that life is hard but it’s fair. Living life is forever learning and acquiring education from the womb to the tomb. I have suffered from abuse, racial profiling, purposeful misgendering to where violence almost ensued, civil and criminal injustice, food and housing uncertainty, and I was homeless with two children as a teenager (I have six children now and three grandchildren). I was pregnant in May of this year and miscarried and suffered from medical disparity to the point where medical personnel attempted to insult my intelligence. I almost lost my life then. In times past, I was trying to adhere to the social norms of “having a man” not realizing that I needed to set boundaries for myself as well as do introspection. I look to external affirmation and instant gratification to fill a void that should have filled by me, which is why I sought and continue to have counseling. I was at a point in my life mentally where I almost took my own life because I was taking on too much trying to be the “strong black woman”…
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I write books, I do talks and debate about things that are important to me and others in the community. I am an orator that speaks for those who feel they don’t have a voice. I educate people on how important it is to know not only history but learn from the mistakes of it, so it does not happen again. I am most proud of having platforms in which to speak from (the podcasts, the internet lives, and even speaking in public at schools and social service places like Community Empowerment Fund that advocates for disadvantageous community members, specifically with the housing crisis.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
What has worked extremely well for me is going out into the community and asking questions. Closed mouths don’t get fed. Establishing a rapport and a fanbase of trust is paramount. Having honesty and integrity along with the intestinal fortitude to listen to understand and not listen to respond is the true draw.
Pricing:
- 25.00 per book
- 500.00 for table talks
- 2000.00 to speak at grand forums
- 1500.00 to 2500.00 to be interviewed
- 500-1000 for debates
Contact Info:
- Instagram: lotuswilson
- Facebook: lotus tara deva wilson
- Twitter: @LodiBfine76
- Youtube: @lodibfine
- Other: @lotusflowerbomb76 (TikTok)
