Meet Dawn Davis | Personal Development Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Mental Health Advocate

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

Hi Dawn, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
Woman Evolve by Sarah Jakes Roberts. I like it because it allows room for women like myself who have made more mistakes than they can count to begin to see themselves through the lens of grace so they can begin to heal from what has held them back and evolve into the women they were meant to become. The impact the book had on me is tremendous. After reading the book I began my non-profit, I AM H.E.R (Healed, Empowered, Restored). The book inspired me to put a purpose behind my pain and help other women to do the same.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I will say the primary thing that sets me apart from other entrepreneurs is the fact that I am still on active duty while pursuing my entrepreneurial goals. Additionally, how I have transformed my story of being a survivor of trauma and childhood abuse into a catalyst for change and healing in the lives of other women is unique.

It definitely wasn’t easy to rise up the ranks and become a Senior Chief in the Navy. The military is still primarily a Caucasian, male-dominated field and I struggled a lot earlier on in my career. I am originally from Baltimore, MD and we are known to be aggressive. However, in addition to the aggression that comes from growing up in an inner city, I also experienced sexual abuse and childhood trauma that led to a brokenness within me which highlighted my aggression even more. Coming from that type of background it wasn’t easy for me to adapt to military culture. However, I was able to overcome these challenges because at each command I was assigned to there was a leader who took me by the hand, and instead of pushing me aside, they taught me how to be successful while still maintaining my identity and sense of self. They also taught me that I don’t have to fight every battle that comes my way.

I will forever be grateful for my mentors in the military because they taught me that it’s important for me to show the same grace to my junior sailors that was afforded to me when I was coming up the ranks. They taught me to keep an open mind when it comes to leadership and to understand that you don’t have to conform to the Navy, but instead, It’s OK to be uniquely you in the space that you occupy.

What I truly want the world to know about my brand and story is that no matter what you have experienced healing and moving forward is possible. I want the world to know that You don’t have to be a slave to the pain of your past and that there is a way for you to begin to shift your perspective and make what happened to you begin to work for you.

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.
I’m not from Atlanta but if they were visiting DC then we would go to the African American Museum and Museum of the Bible. We’d do a good brunch at Founding Farmers or any other the mom and pop spot with great French toast. We’d have to take a trip to the Baltimore area for a crab cake from G&M and a shrimp cheese steak from The Real Thing in Towson. We might hit a nice lounge although I don’t go out much. We’d also do a good sip & paint, a spa day, and shop at some of the area’s outlets.

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?
I would have to shout out everyone who has allowed me space to be myself, whatever that might have looked like at the time. My process of growth and healing has had many ups and downs, and there were many people who tossed me aside or put me in a corner. However, along my journey, I was blessed with one or two people who decided to hold my hand and help me to get to the next level. I was blessed enough to have just a handful of people who were able to be patient with my process, and maybe that was because they saw themselves in me. But for whatever their reason had they not been patient with me as I developed, then I definitely would not have become the woman that I am today. And of course, as I stated previously, I would have to shout out Sarah Jakes Roberts for writing the book Woman Evolve which has truly allowed me to step into the full evolution all that is Dawn.

Website: capeforcrown.com

Instagram: healed.empowered.restored

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealdawndavis