Meet Hope Sims Sutton | Master Coach for Women of Faith & Ordained Clergywoman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hope Sims Sutton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hope, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from Atlanta, Georgia. My background and upbringing impact me daily. I have always loved Atlanta. The rich culture, the influence of the Civil Rights movement, and the way women show up in government and in the market place made and still make a significant impression on me. I attended school near Ebenezer Baptist Church and I was able to see Auburn Avenue and the Boulevard through a child’s eye. There were so many thriving black businesses on Auburn and I appreciate the influence those risk-takers took to show me and other young people (at the time) what was possible. There were several churches that lined that corridor as well. Walking up and down that one street was as if each business and church was making a deposit in my spirit as I passed by going from school to downtown.
Today, when I think that I can’t do a thing, I create the flashback, the necessary memories to push myself forward. The spirit of possibility was right before me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a certified coaching specialist and I use my education and skills to help move women from idea to manifestation. As an ordained clergywoman, my practice is set apart as prophetic coaching and mentoring. I use my calling to usher women into greater depths of their vision. For many women, they have followed my ministry and for that reason, there is built in trust. They are drawn to me as a person because I attempt to be as authentic with them as possible. I am gifted and anointed to push women forward. My entryway into prophetic mentoring and coaching was simply by hearing God’s voice. Each time, it was through social media, which is ironic since I do not have millions of followers. Yet, I am connected to women who understand that my hashtags (#HopeIsHere and #SHEISPOWERFUL) are more than that; they are a consistent movement. Social media has done for me what I was missing in the traditional church. While my preaching and teaching ministry are strong in the church, for some reason, social media brought me to women who were beyond my denomination. It has been a joy-filled experience. The women whom I have coached and mentored are at the top of their game in business and ministry. I do not disclose who they are until we are in community, or with their permission, however, even I often wonder to myself, “how did I get here to coach these women?” Only God could have made the connection for me.

Lessons I have learned along the way are the following: 1. Do not waste your wandering season. Too often we lament over the length of time it takes us to get to a certain destination. We are often delayed and detoured, yet there is a purpose and plan for it all. Take notes of reroutes. Learn to go with the flow. There are lessons to be learned even when you feel as if you don’t know where you are being led.
2. Learn to make quick decisions. When it comes to choosing yourself, decide quickly on what you want and what you do not want. If you want better for yourself than you currently have, make the decision today that you want better. Then decide again what better looks like for you. Make a list. Determine what you need to do to get there. Follow that path.
3. Have fun on the journey. While we are seeking our next steps, remember to have fun. At some point, you will have to silence the notifications, turn off the laptop, and disengage with the television. Living life is important. Invest in learning new skills. Take road trips. Plan an over the top themed photo shoot. All work and no play leads to a boring life.

What I want people to know about me is that I am unapologetic about being a spiritual midwife to women–a doula, even. I will coach a woman on birthing, I will mentor her throughout the birthing process. I will be there to cheer for her as she pushes through the pain. I will even help catch what a woman births. I will, however, put it back in your hands and help you create a better life for that which you possess. I will not do all the heavy lifting though. Coaching, mentoring, and spiritual midwifery are ways I show up for women.
I believe that each woman is powerful. When God whispered three words to me, “She is Powerful” I had no idea what it really meant. I wrote it on the door post of my then office. From that day to this one, every woman I come in contact with, I believe that about her–she is powerful because God said so. Three words became my business name and core value.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to the spa first thing. There is nothing like getting a good hot stone or Swedish massage, manicure, and pedicure. Next, we would venture to Perimeter and have a meal at either Capital Grille or Seasons 52. We would do a bit of retail therapy in the area. We would then head over to Buckhead to do some site seeing of the homes, take in Phipps and then check in to the JW Marriott. Dinner would probably be at South City Kitchen.
Sunday would be a trip to an historic church to get our praise on, then Breakfast at Barney’s for brunch.
We would probably leave there and head toward Auburn Avenue and the Beltline to take some cools pics.
Leaving the Beltline, we’d hit up Ponce City Market area. More pics.
If time permitted, we would venture out to Tyler Perry Studios.
The evening would probably end with tapas at Barcelona Wine Bar.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my Mother and Father, to all of her sisters. I also would like to give honor to my Uncle who has been like my Father since my Dad is deceased. I also would like to thank the Reverend Theresa Dunston for the recommendation.
I am grateful to lead a dynamic group of African American clergywomen–the Atlanta North Georgia Conference Women in Ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
I must give a huge shoutout to the women who support my purpose through SHE IS POWERFUL! GLOBAL MINISTRIES INCORPORATED. These women really are my heartbeat.
My family’s love undergirds everything I do, for they are my first supporters, first cheerleaders, and first critics. I love them all.

Website: www.sheispowerful.com

Instagram: @sheispowerful

Linkedin: Hope Sims Sutton

Facebook: Hope Sutton

Youtube: SHE IS POWERFUL INC.