Meet ShaQuita Gatewood | I Am Chosen Ministries Founder

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

Hi ShaQuita, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was extremely blessed to have a village of support while growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana. Even though I crew up in what society deemed as a “broken” home because my mother and father were unwed teenagers at the time of my birth. My home was everything, but broken. My village consisted of my mother, step father, grandfather, grandmother, several aunties and others within my community which are to numerous to count. I am a firm believer in the saying, it takes a village to raise a child. I am the by product of my village. My grandmother never turned me away when I asked her questions. My grandfather supported by dreams in every way possible. My step father made me believe anything was possible if I was willing to put in the work. My aunties taught me to dress like a lady, walk with the confidence of a queen, speak as if I owned the world all while being authentic to who I am. My mother was and has always been my biggest supporter. I am truly grateful for the village God gave me. Without them I would not be who I am. It was the impact of my family and so many others who helped me discover my purpose in life. They were my bridgebuilders. Bridge builders are those people who God places in your life to help you navigate through certain seasons of your journey in life. Each of my bridge builders helped me in ways to numerous to articulate. There are many paths I could have taken in this life, I am thankful for my journey and those who have shaped my story along the way. As I reflect on my journey, I realize everything I went through good and bad were connecting me closer to my purpose in life.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I Am Chosen Ministries started in November of 2010 as I Am Chosen, Incorporated at my dining room table with a simple vision from God to help adolescent girls discover their purpose by igniting their passion and living a lifestyle of purity. As an adolescent girl, I dealt with various challenges as we all do. I was able to navigate through those challenges due to the positive influences of my family, teachers, and official/unofficial mentors in my community. I remember what it was like to wonder if my life had as much meaning as someone who was born without as many challenges as I appeared to have. Fast forward to my twenties, I later discovered everyone had challenges in life. I quickly discovered the presence of challenges and adversities does not mean God is not with us. In fact, God is with us throughout every season of our journey. Through this discovery, I felt led by God to help adolescent girls and women navigate through the various seasons of their lives by providing them with resources and social-emotional learning tools to help them maximize their greatest potential.

In February of 2011 my Founding Board of Directors and I hosted our first I Am Chosen Session at a local church in Douglasville, Georgia. We had roughly 10 to 12 girls present for our initial meeting. I was so grateful to see the dream God placed in my heart come to fruition. From there we continued to host our Chosen Session each month. We established partnership with local churches, schools and businesses within the community. Our impact continued to grow and even reached young ladies who were residents of the Inner Harbor Group Home. We met with these young ladies one Sunday each month. During our Chosen Sessions, our Chosen Tweens/Teens were taught about various topics such as Financial Literacy, Healthy Self-Esteem/Self Efficacy, Emotional and Spiritual Wellness, Building Healthy Relationships, Health and Wellness, Healthy Dating, and College and Career Readiness, We hosted signature Chosen Programs such as Camp IAC, I Am Chosen Back to School Jammie Jam, I Am Chosen College Tours locally and out of state, Chosen Mother and Daughter Prayer Breakfast, Mothers of Purpose weekly prayers calls, and our Chosen Purity Ceremony. Each of these signature programs are what set I Am Chosen Ministries apart. We seek to minister to the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of our Chosen Tweens/Teens/Women.

While our journey has not been easy, God continues to lead us. As of 2020, our name changed from I Am Chosen, Incorporated to I Am Chosen Ministries. It was my desire to shift from solely focusing on adolescent girls to working with all women especially mothers. We have hosted a Mothers of Purpose Prayer Call for the past 7 years each Sunday. During our prayer calls moms come together to pray for their families, our communities, and whatever else God lays on their hearts. This program has been instrumental in helping me shift from I Am Chosen, Inc. to I Am Chosen Ministries.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned over the past 10 years is to keep moving forward. Sometimes life becomes overwhelming, however we can not allow the storms to stop us from moving forward, Instead, we must gather the necessary tools, make adjustments as needed and continue to fulfill the vision and mission for which we have been called. I have learned any challenge I have faced within my ministries is an opportunity for growth and development. On those days when I feel overwhelmed, I simply take one more step. I have discovered moving forward does not mean I must run or sprint, I simply must keep moving.

I do not want to die without doing all God has called me to do. I believe God has called me to help adolescent girls and women discover their purpose. As the Founder of I Am Chosen Ministries, I seek to walk along side them to help them put one foot in front of the other when they feel as though that can not keep going. Just as others did it for me, I must now do it for them. Our foundational scripture is Jeremiah 1:5, it says, “Before you were ever formed in your mother’s womb, I knew you and I chose you and set you apart.” I help adolescent girls and women understand, they are Chosen. Once one realizes they are chosen, it changes their perspective on who they are and what they can accomplish.
It does not matter the circumstances in which we were born or the present circumstances we may find ourselves in at this very moment. God has a purpose and a plan for everyone. I Am Chosen Ministries will change the way adolescent girls and women see themselves one step at a time.

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.
My Itinerary of the Metro Atlanta area with my bestie would include the following: Monday: Hiking Stone Mountain followed by dinner at Mary Mac’s Tea Room
Tuesday: Georgia Aquarium Tour followed by shopping at Atlantic Station along with dinner at Café Sunflower Buckhead
Wednesday: Bike Ride on the Belt Line followed by lunch or early dinner at the Slutty Vegan
Thursday: Tour Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park along with some fun and dinner at Top Golf
Friday: Rest Day: Will meet for dinner at Three Urban Licks
Saturday: Shopping at Cumberland Mall along with dinner at P.F. Changs
Sunday: Attend church at World Changers Church International along with dinner at Beautiful Restaurant

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 like to dedicate this shout out to my husband Dr. Kendrick Gatewood. I am grateful for our friendship and our spiritual journey together. of more than 20 years. He has always supported me in everyway possible. I Am Chosen Ministries would not be in existence without his support and sacrifice.

Website: iamchosenministries.com

Facebook: iamchoseninc