Meet Claudia Phillips: Founder/CEO

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

Hi Claudia, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
On My Mother’s Shoulders Inc. greatly impacts the community by assisting college students experiencing housing insecurities. We achieve this goal by providing full size toiletries, on college campuses, to students who may not be able to purchase items as simple as soap, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products deodorant etc. Having these materials not only boosts self esteem but frees students from the concern of personal hygiene allowing them to focus on their studies.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
On My Mother’s Shoulders goal is to ensure that students attending colleges have easy access to hygiene products. To achieve our goal, we research colleges in areas that have students who are disadvantaged. The thing that sets us apart is that we are serving those that are suffering in silence, living in their car or sleeping on a friends couch something that not many people are aware exist, it’s a silent epidemic. To protect their identities we don’t have pictures to show because students experiencing housing insecurities are often hidden. we are excited that since we established OMMS, we are proud to say that we are now on 20 campuses!! It has been a difficult road being able to get funding to supply toiletries but what keeps me going is knowing that a student that may have just aged out of foster care being able to attend college, to know that someone cares by supplying something as simple as a bar of soap. Don’t give up is one of the lessons learned and no matter what life throws at you someone is depending on you. I would like the world to know that no matter how little you have you can still help others. I discovered that my purpose in life. after going through a dark time, is to serve others. As my mom taught me to as a child growing up in Jamaica, that no man is an island and we all need each other, thinking less of self and more of others. OMMS goal is to be able to have a toiletry pantry on every college campus that’s in need so it will help boost our students self esteem which in turn provide higher college success rates, not only in the United States but also the Caribbean, where the seed was first planted.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Surprising to say I’m somewhat of an introvert lol. However there are some phenomenal sights like Amicalola Falls in North Ga is great for a morning hike. I love to paint, so my go to spot is Sip and Strokes Sandy Springs in Atlanta. As far as eateries, Garden Parc for Sunday brunch pre Covid with Big Man Sax belting out some amazing tunes. A few other go to spots are Ms. Icey’s Kitchen and Bar, Nouveau Bar and grill and The Beverly Atlanta. Since Covid I’ve learned to utilize delivery services such as Rooted in the Loop and By Your Side. My favorite spot of them all and that keeps me grounded and fulfilled, is my place of worship Elizabeth Baptist Church Smyrna location,

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh wow where do I start. It started with serving people who are unhoused on the corner of Peachtree and Pine Street in Atlanta where I met my mentor Jasmine Crowe and my BCG family, and seeing the great need for toiletry items. Over the years OMMS have partnered up with several organizations that help those who are experiencing housing insecurities, such as Will2Way, UMI Feeds, HUGS Ministry, Misty Rose Daughter and Homeless Period Project. Shoutout to our community supporters The Atlanta Braves, Comcast Cares, Ron Greene of State Farm, The Village Market Atl, Amazon Smile, America Grand Miss Pageants and Destiny Dash Brunch Club. Of course then there is my immediate circle who push me, stand in the gaps and are my accountability partners,my family, past and present Board Members , Mona, Cecilia, Nita, AnnMarie, Yasmeen, Pamela, Marchelle, Shundrika, Jacqueline, Lando, Renata, Samantha, Raioni, Jamaica, Sydney, Bre, Stacey, Donna, Sabrina and of course my Cartersville community and those that have supported the vision. Last and certainly not least, my mom because of her there is On My Mother”s Shoulders Inc.

Website: OnMyMothersShoulders.org
Instagram: on_my_mothers_shoulders
Twitter: @OnMyMothersShoulders
Facebook: On My Mother’s Shoulders