We had the good fortune of connecting with Paul Bashea Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul Bashea, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“You either commit to your breakthrough or submit to your breakdown” I created it after being faced with many challenges personally and professionally. I was praying and this WORD was given to me and I committed to my breakthrough. Life went up from there. It didn’t become perfect, it became purposed. Whenever I faced a challenge, I found ways to recommit. I like it because it’s a constant reminder of choice. Even when in a low space, we can find ways, resources, people, and God to rely on.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I currently own and operate Bashea Williams, LLC which was originally started for my speaking on relationships, products, Dear Future Wife trademarked and registered brand, consulting. I later started Hearts In Mind Counseling which is my mental health private practice. I never felt comfortable working for someone else and I wanted to have a bigger impact on the community. I felt restrained by the companies I worked for. I was forced to spend more time in the office as opposed to being connected to the community. In order to start my private practice, I needed to obtain my Social Work Clinical License, which wasn’t easy. This required me to obtain a Masters in Social Work. I graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelors Degree and was offered a scholarship to their one-year Accelerated Masters Program as opposed to the traditional two-year program. I had to make a choice because I was also encouraged and backed by a Junevile Judge to attend Vanderbilt University for their MSW/JD Dual degree program which would take three years. At that time, I had a son on the way so it was a no-brainer to complete the one-year program so I could be present for my son. During that program, I experienced some racism from the Dean of Social Work which almost prevented me from finishing and obtaining my degree.

After obtaining my degree, I chose to make sacrifices career-wise in order to be present and available for my son. I chose jobs that were less pay and more flexibility. I chose the jobs that were closer to home while offering little to no opportunities for growth. He was worth it and I would not change anything about those sacrifices. This helped expedite the entrepreneurial spirit in me because I was motivated to create a life where I could control the time I spend with my son. I started different companies that earned just enough to supplement the lack of income. I was also a promoter for clubs/events all over the DMV.
As far as career-driven jobs, my thought-process was different wherever I worked, I learned the business as opposed to just learning how to work the job. I wanted my own so I could have control of my schedule and money which would allow me to be present for my son while making a good living. That is what I am most proud of, being there for my son and still providing him with the things I could not receive or my family couldn’t afford growing up. I am also excited about the impact I have on the community. My purpose and goal were always to heal the man as opposed to focusing on women. I purposely made that a focus. I felt I needed encouragement and direction and didn’t always have the connecting I needed so I created for myself and modeled it for other men. I also wanted to create an environment of vulnerability, authenticity, and forgiveness because society doesn’t teach us that. I wanted to do this in relationships and normalize the focus on mental health in the black community. I have faced many obstacles and challenges along the way but I always remember(ed) my quote: You either commit to your breakthrough or submit to your breakdown! The world should know that I strive to live up to the meaning of my name Bashea which means, Born to Excel in All Things. My story is filled with highs and lows and I embrace them both.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
If a friend came to town and I had to plan the week for us, I would start out with maybe a tour of DC and eventually end up at one of the brunch spots in the City. Sequoia is the brunch spot to go for ambiance and great food. I would definitely take them to National Harbor where they have shopping, lounges, and a casino. They also have an outside movie theatre on the water which would be cool to watch and connect with people of the DMV. The African American Museum in Washington, DC would be a place we would go. There are also many black restaurants to eat at while they were here. Because I am more of a homebody now, I would be relying on other friends to give me the places to go outside of the ones I used to frequent like Jaspers and Society which both have amazing wings. The Wharf is nice as well. It’s filled with tons of new diverse restaurants and rooftop bars.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents. My mother taught me how to express myself and encouraged me to write the way that I do by her writing me throughout high school and college. I could always depend on words of encouragement and speaking power into my identity. My father for his work ethic. I watched him work two and three jobs, not just to put food on the table but to also enjoy life. He encouraged me to own as opposed to working for anyone else. He has always been my biggest cheerleader. They both prayed for me daily and reminded me that they were and still are!

Website: http://www.basheawilliams.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basheawilliams/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basheawilliams/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/basheawilliams
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BasheaWilliams/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/basheawilliams
Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/hearts-in-mind-counseling-gaithersburg-md/354502 https://www.heartsinmindcounseling.com/

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