Meet Deonica Sanders of 3 Stones Foundation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deonica Sanders.

Hi Deonica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello!

My name is Deonica Sanders and I am 31 years old from Raleigh, North Carolina.

I am a firm believer in Christ first, mother, activist, community leader, and nonprofit owner. I have designed my life around the act of service. As a young African American girl in the Southeastern part of Raleigh, North Carolina. At a young age, I already had a clear sense of the realities of the world we live in. The discrepancies between poor and rich, right or left.

How these realities can affect us all as human beings. Most importantly how humans have to find purpose in life in order to fulfill a destiny. Service and helping other people was at first just a habit I believed I had because I am a kind human being. Throughout life, I learned that it is a passion and I often find myself still trying to find ways to give back for the sake of righteousness.

My high school and college years were dedicated to being creative and finding out about my gifts. I attended Southeast Raleigh High School a center point for all my youthful success. Also, where I learned to enjoy the gift of learning and make sure technology was used to help advance. North Carolina Central University my Alma mater, I learned to soar and be bold. I learned the uniqueness of diversity and how to master professionalism. We are planted by God where we are born.

Raleigh, North Carolina has been my map to life and a special place where I felt a duty to make a change for the better. For that reason, I started my non-profit 3 Stones Foundation.

Since creating my nonprofit, I have been able to do community events and co-partnerships in Raleigh. I’ve worked with Wake County Government Maternal and Child Health (BBZ Initiative), Safe Families(Child), Wake County Smart Start, Hands Of Protection, WC Tobacco-Free Coalition, Alternative Learning Center, League of Women Voters, Triangle Area Parenting Support, United Health Care, SER YMCA, The Green Chair Project, WCHHS-CMHRP&CMARC, Raleigh Police Department, Social and Economic Vitality Program, ICO4MCH, WCHHS-Maternal, and Child Health, Friends of WCAC, Dega Mobile Veterinary Clinic.

Around the age of 7, I had a vision that stayed with me until my adult years. I was standing in a field with vibrant green pastures surrounding me. As I looked in a distance there was a long line of people standing hand in hand. All ages, all races, male and female both children as well. Everyone was smiling raising their hands in the air and shouting “We are Free!” I heard the shouts and ran towards everyone and joined in the middle. The visions were clear and almost iridescent!

When I realized I had a vision of my future, I knew then that my purpose was to lead and to be a server of humanity. My mission through my nonprofit is to create doors for people who do not have access to information that can change their lives. It also creates awareness for citizens in the community to have a passion for the community. My family instilled hard work and dedication in our mindsets a standard very early on. My brother Daniel McCullers NFL DT Player also understands the importance of my mission by collaborating with his national platform. Also creating sponsorship availability through his partners.

He has created successful efforts as a public figure to make a change in Raleigh as well. We are working on creating a hub of networking capabilities for those who are not in reach of help. I want to show some sort of advocacy for people and my life as well because we all matter. I think what is important is that I continue to expand and collaborate with as many other like-minded professionals today. Show them that when you feed the land and the people there is a different state of peace on the other side. Having fun and revitalizing your space (community) and environment is for the better.

This is something that is very important and should be done throughout all communities in the world and areas where revitalization lacks. My Nonprofit 3 Stones Foundation, has opened areas of endless possibilities. I am hoping that my creative efforts get the job done here in Raleigh, North Carolina. I have continued to build relationships on the political side. Having meetings with District Council members David Cox, and Corey Branch and speaking with our mayor.

These steps will create an olive branch for the people of Raleigh in the future. Community Leaders as very necessary to create a voice for the voiceless. My duty as a woman of service, advocate, and nonprofit affiliate is to do just that bring peace and joy to the land!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road for me and my journey to success. Like most young people, I experienced difficulties growing up. Especially being an African American DARK SKINNED young lady. I experienced different types of racism that stuck with me until I was an adult. Those feelings of inadequacy fueled something inside of me to want to help others like me.

These people may look different or they do not think like the majority. The color of my skin has created some blockages with job opportunities as well as created a brand for my nonprofit that ALL people will respect. Being raised in a Christian background, I was always told to make sure I put God first. I did not know how important that was until I experienced the ups and downs of being a young adult and life’s “growing pains”.

The bullying that occurred from a grade school child to a college graduate also built my own self-confidence and self-respect. When others told me I could not do it, I made it a mission to complete the task. That taught me to be resilient and to also never give up! I think over the years feeling like the “black sheep” around my peers allowed me to want to explore myself. I realized that a lot of people who come from humble beginnings contribute a lot to this world. It is not always celebrated but frowned upon because riches overshadow it.

I’ve decided to not let that break my spirit and hope to be a part of making the world a better place to live. It made me want to work harder in creating a life for myself and my children that we could be proud of. As well as growing up on the Southside of Raleigh although my family was middle class. I lived around a lot of impoverished areas and I noticed that there were a lot of drug and mental health issues that needed to be addressed in our community.

I saw a lot of my peers go down the wrong paths and I always felt like if they have mentors or a safe haven there would be change. Building self-awareness was something that was not easy to do. It takes a lot of courage and self-love to be able to pick yourself up out of any bad situation. My mother Phyllis McCullers who passed away in 2019 taught me to be a warrior in my own right.

She gave me the strength to not be afraid of anything or anyone and to be fearless. Taking those lessons that I have learned from family and my own life experiences, I was able to get back up and create a passionate job opportunity that I enjoy.

Starting my nonprofit was another way to jump over those hurdles and create a material and spiritual foundation.

We’ve been impressed with the 3 Stones Foundation, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At 3 Stones Foundation, we are raising funds and promoting initiatives to serve the people who need them the most. The youth and less fortunate. Not discriminating against any other sector of people but here to help all of humanity. We believe in taking action with urgency in order to raise public awareness about some of the most pressing issues facing today’s society.

Supporting our efforts will make an immeasurable difference in the lives of the citizens of Raleigh, North Carolina, and abroad. We are driven by a single goal; to do our part in making the world a better place for all. Our goal is to join with local community leaders to provide a network and have safe reliable resources for those in need. We are dedicated to helping all people in different areas of their lives but are driven toward those who are less fortunate.

We strive to build productive relationships and make a positive impact with all of our pursuits. 3 Stones Foundation is achieving with our initiatives more than ever before. Building professional relationships with our county (Wake County) and speaking with county officials about the changes that need to be addressed within our community. We have worked on many exciting projects to help improve and impact the lives of our local citizens.

Creating partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits within the community that is interested in community engagement. What sets our nonprofit apart is our affiliations with National Football League, Wake County Government, and other private organizations. We also have a diverse background of business relationships that expand abroad. Our nonprofit has a lot of outside support that will allow our clients or volunteers to learn more and open doors for big opportunities.

We are able to touch and walk with the people of these areas because this is our home and where we were born and raised. I am most proud of the youth services and events we have worked on within the last few years. A community car wash, outdoor movie night, trunk or treat during Halloween, back-to-school event, and also a tablet giveaway through Wake County Smart Start. These events fulfilled our staff in so many ways to be able to give back to the children. The services we provided are all created through our partnerships with other businesses and non-profits.

We are a connector for businesses to reach certain people who are sometimes unreachable. Through our advocacy and our abilities to build relationships with others within our community we link and then create projects to transform the happiness of those around us. When working with the 3 Stones Foundation you will leave with a new perspective on how to be a better you.

Not only will you meet people who will be able to change your life and shape you in new ways. You will have a lot of fun at our events and seminars. If you are interested in joining our being a part of our team. I welcome anyone who has a passion for change and seeks morality and meekness. I want to provide a new understanding to the mind of our youth so we are able to save lives and live an abundant future!

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality that is most important to my success is my authenticity. Accepting who I was born to be and taking pride in myself is a gateway I think a lot of people are missing. Self-love and the reassurance of your self-worth in your own right.

It allows you to push the limits and have a belief in yourself that people on the outside cannot influence. I also believe that my dedication to people and community is a staple in my nonprofit journey. I have had the ability to build relationships with so many different people and organizations. That has taught me how to expand my business and accept people for who they are!

I pride myself now on being humble, passionate, and in some way nomadic about my approach to life and my business. My overall love for people and the world is why I am successful. I believe in others so in return they believe in me!

Pricing:

• $0 Volunteer Fee
• $75 Vendor Fee
• $100 Consultation
• $500 Speaker Fee
• Donations Accepted

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @_3ovl13
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/Queendxvii
• Twitter: 3StonesFoundation
• Youtube: 3 Stones Foundation