Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Karmashia McDuffie.
Hi Dr. Karmashia McDuffie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our story begins in Benton, Louisiana, where we were raised in a home that, on the surface, had love, but underneath carried deep, unspoken trauma. Our father endured significant hardship in his own childhood, abandonment, poverty, and emotional neglect, and those unresolved wounds shaped the environment we grew up in. We witnessed domestic violence, struggled with fear and instability, and experienced firsthand how trauma can quietly transfer from one generation to the next. At the time, we didn’t have the language for what we were going through. We just knew that something inside of us felt broken and misunderstood.
As we got older, those early experiences began to show up in our own lives. We found ourselves repeating unhealthy patterns, especially in relationships, accepting behaviors that we now understand were rooted in trauma and a lack of self-worth. Typically, siblings in this situation grow up recreating their experiences or do the exact opposite. I (Dr. Karmashia “Kay” McDuffie) became a survivor of domestic violence, and for a long time, I carried guilt, confusion, and shame, trying to make sense of why these cycles kept repeating. It wasn’t until I reached a personal breaking point that I realized I had to make a change: not just for myself, but for my future.
Dr. Sharona Johnson’s experience reflects a different path. One shaped by intentional change rather than repetition. In her book “Letters from My Grandmother: Wisdom of Ages”she describes how living with her grandmother exposed her to a model of strength, discipline, and wisdom that challenged the unhealthy patterns she had witnessed elsewhere. Her grandmother’s guidance was not just spoken, but lived out daily through values like resilience, self-respect, and accountability.
Dr. McDuffie: One of the most defining moments in my journey was making the decision to leave an abusive relationship and start over. I moved to North Carolina with very little, but with a renewed sense of determination. That season of my life was both the hardest and the most transformative. I had to rebuild everything: my confidence, my identity, and my understanding of what healthy love and self-worth truly looked like. I set goals for myself, returned to school, worked multiple jobs, and committed to becoming the person I knew I was capable of being.
Healing didn’t happen overnight. It required years of therapy, deep self-reflection, and a willingness to confront the pain I had buried for so long. I had to unlearn toxic beliefs, set boundaries, and, most importantly, learn how to love myself in a healthy and authentic way. My faith also played a significant role in my journey, grounding me and helping me find purpose in my pain. Over time, I began to understand that while I was not responsible for the trauma I experienced, I was responsible for my healing.
Today, I stand as Dr. Kay McDuffie. Not defined by my past but strengthened by it. My experiences led me to a career where I can help others, particularly through my work in the nonprofit sector and in supporting individuals and families navigating their own challenges. Writing Trauma Transference – Transform to Recreate was a way for me to give language to what so many people experience but cannot always explain. Through Letters from My Grandmother: Wisdom of Ages, Dr. Johnson gives voice to lessons and lived experiences that many feel but cannot always articulate. Our mission is to help others recognize harmful patterns, break generational cycles, and embrace the possibility of healing and transformation.
If we had to sum up our journey, we would say this: We started as a product of our environment, shaped by inherited pain and difficult circumstances. But through awareness, faith, education, and intentional healing, we chose to transform our stories. Today, we are not just surviving. We are thriving, and we are committed to helping others do the same.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Our journey has been filled with challenges that, at times, felt overwhelming and impossible to overcome. We grew up in an environment shaped by trauma, witnessing domestic violence and navigating the emotional impact of my father’s mental health struggles. Those early experiences didn’t just stay in our childhood. They followed us into adulthood, showing up in our relationships (friends, church members, dating), our self-worth, and the decisions we made.
One of our greatest struggles was recognizing that we were repeating some cycles we didn’t fully understand. We found ourselves in unhealthy relationships, often normalizing behaviors that were harmful because they felt familiar. Walking away from those situations was incredibly difficult. There were moments when we questioned ourselves, blamed ourselves, and even returned to relationships that we knew were not healthy for us. Breaking that cycle required not just physical separation, but deep emotional and mental work.
We also faced internal battles including feelings of anger, confusion, and unworthiness that we had carried for years without realizing it. Healing required us to confront those emotions head-on through therapy, self-reflection, and faith. It meant unlearning what we thought love looked like and redefining it in a healthier way. It was not easy, and it did not happen overnight.
Dr. McDuffie:
Even in my efforts to rebuild my life (moving to a new state, returning to school, and working toward my goals) I encountered setbacks, including financial challenges, moments of doubt, and decisions driven by pride rather than growth. But each struggle became a lesson that helped shape who I am today.
Dr. Johnson:
Dr. Johnson struggled with nursing school and professors who were not supporters. Through positive mentorships, friendships, and a supportive husband and family, she has excelled. Dr. Johnson highlights principles that promote hope, perseverance, love, faith, and joy. Dr. Johnson’s grandmother guided her granddaughter through the continuum of life with lessons of wisdom that cumulated into a life of purpose, prosperity, spirituality, and achievements.
Looking back, we realize that every obstacle played a role in our transformation. The road was not smooth, but it was necessary. Those struggles taught us resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of choosing healing every single day.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about KGM Consulting & Throw Me A Rope, Inc.?
KGM Consulting was created from both my professional experience and my personal journey of understanding what it takes not just to survive, but to grow, lead, and thrive. At its core, KGM Consulting is about helping individuals, organizations, and communities reach their full potential through strategic guidance, training, and capacity building. We specialize in leadership development, mental health awareness, ROMA training, and organizational growth, with services ranging from executive coaching and business consultation to professional development workshops and community-based trainings. Our work is rooted in real-world application, whether we’re supporting nonprofits in strengthening their boards, helping leaders improve communication and team dynamics, or equipping individuals with life skills like financial literacy and goal setting.
What truly sets KGM Consulting apart is that everything we offer is grounded in lived experience, not just theory. I bring both professional credentials and personal insight into trauma, resilience, and transformation, which allows me to connect with clients on a deeper level. We don’t just provide training. We provide tools that create lasting change. I am most proud that our brand stands for empowerment, authenticity, and results. “Innovate Through Motivation” is more than a tagline. It reflects our commitment to helping people see what’s possible and giving them the strategies to achieve it. I want readers to know that KGM Consulting is not just a service. It’s a partnership in growth, healing, and sustainable success.
Throw Me A Rope, Inc. (TMAR) is an organization dedicated to empowering women and children who have experienced abuse by providing education, support, and tools that foster healing and self-worth. At its core, the organization focuses on increasing self-esteem and promoting mental health awareness, helping individuals better understand their experiences while equipping them to build healthier, more stable lives. In addition, TMAR works to address misconceptions within healthcare by creating space for honest conversations and education that can lead to more informed, compassionate care.
What sets TMAR apart is its holistic approach of recognizing that true transformation happens when emotional well-being, education, and family stability are addressed together. The organization specializes in helping individuals establish healthy relationships, ultimately strengthening family units and reducing disparities among economically disadvantaged communities. Brand-wise, we are most proud of creating a safe, empowering space where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported. We want readers to know that TMAR is more than a resource. It is a lifeline, committed to helping individuals break cycles, rebuild their confidence, and move forward with purpose.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
One piece of advice we would give to anyone just starting out is this: don’t wait until you feel “ready” to begin. Growth happens in the process, not before it. When we first started our journey, we thought we needed to have everything figured out, our purpose, our plan, our confidence, but the truth is, clarity comes through action. You will make mistakes, you will have moments of doubt, and you will face challenges, but those experiences are what shape you into who you’re meant to become. Stay consistent, stay teachable, and don’t be afraid to start small. Progress is still progress.
If there’s anything we wish we knew earlier, it’s the importance of self-worth and boundaries. We spent a lot of time pouring into others, seeking validation, and trying to prove myself, instead of recognizing my value from the beginning. You cannot build something meaningful, whether it’s a career, a business, or a life, without first having a strong foundation within yourself. Protect your peace, invest in your growth, and surround yourself with people who challenge you to be better, not just comfortable. Most importantly, understand that your journey is your own. Don’t compare your timeline to anyone else’s.
Contact Info:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-karmashia-kay-mcduffie-msa-mba-ssgb-pcelc-crt-ccap-67545b182/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharona-johnson-phd-fnp-bc-ne-c-faanp-8b8123b2/
