Meet Rev. Dawn | Officiant & Premarital Counselor

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

Hi Rev. Dawn, how do you think about risk?
When I think about risk, I think about potential for growth, impact, and excitement. Interestingly, my perspective on risk has become a lot more intentional in the last few years, as, in addition to my ministry, I serve as a career coach guiding established professionals to navigate tremendous shifts. Individuals like Tim Ferriss have helped me consciously focus more on the potential benefits of a major choice, then on the potential risk, or on what I might leave behind. Those who have studied how to navigate change effectively, like Martha Beck, have helped me make decisions based on my “essential self” (“intuition”), even if they appeared ‘crazy’ from a practical perspective. In the past, I was extremely idealistic, and made major sweeping changes based solely on an idea that it could make my life and the lives of others better- now I make the choices a bit more with a sense of deeper connection, belonging, and sense of long term potential for sustainability and impact.

What should our readers know about your business?
All the way back in 2009, burnt out in the social service sector, I decided to go back to school: a seminary, started by a Rabbi, a Priest, and a Swami. I had no idea what I wanted to do with that education, but I knew I had found my home. Just as I was getting ordained, my best friends at the time asked me to marry them: a Mexican Catholic bride, and a Thai Guatemalan groom. I was hooked. I started a small business officiating custom ceremonies, specializing in multicultural, bilingual (I speak French & Spanish) ceremonies, and premarital sessions.

Only a few months in, I realized for the first time in my life I was waking up every day doing work that felt meaning, that I loved doing that I was good at, and that I could see myself doing the rest of my life. Recognizing how rare that was, I started a career coaching practice, Whole Life Solutions, to assist overwhelmed, established professionals in navigating into a career path that felt more fulfulling and in alignment with their values.

Since then, I’ve officiated over 600 ceremonies on both coasts, and helped 100s of couples and inviduals navigate some of the biggest transitions of their lives. I’m incredibly grateful to still get to wake up and do what I love every day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being a mostly-vegetarian, and semi-foodie with a background in social justice and hip-hop culture, Atlanta is in many ways a mecca of history, art, food, music, and culture. Here are the places we would check out, in no particular order:

Center for Civil and Human Rights
Krog Tunnel– the original social media site: an absolute treasure area of every-changing Atlanta art, messages, and announcements
Sweet Auburn District/Ebenezer Baptist Church (MlK ‘s church and neighborhood)
the Buford International Farmers’ Market (aisles and aisles of ingredients and produce from ALL over the world, frequented by many chefs)
Any of Top Chef Kevin Gillespie and Richard Blais’s restaurants
The Goat Farm: former goat farm and current live/work space for artists featuring occasional unique exhibits and performances
The Claremont (rooftop) : Just because
The Beltline: ideal for art, exercise, nature, and people-watching
Whatever festival is happening that week

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Hey folks! Shouting myself out..

Website: www.RevDawn.com

Instagram: rev.dawn

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wholelifedawn/

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

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/seventh-sense-atlanta-3?osq=seventh+sense