Emilymai Esther Dunbar
Emilymai Esther Dunbar is a Certified Life, Relationship & Mental Health Coach, background in Social work(BSW), Master’s in Leadership. She is the founder and executive director of Mending Hearts Life Coaching and the host of Dear Emili show produced by KeGG Media.
She tells us that, “I am a firm believer of Impact. I have a background in Social Work , Leadership and coaching. I love JESUS. I believe it takes God and a village of like minded people to be successful.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
Before venturing into the business/ organization world. I was just a young woman passionate about learning. Mostly about God, Family dynamics and impact. As I stated before, I am a Christian. As a young woman and growing up, I was always told by my parents to “put God first in everything and the rest will sort itself out.” Now I wasn’t always good at putting God first, it’s natural for humans to want to do things in their own strength- ME, I failed miserably every time without HIS guidance and the people He needed me to connect with. Growing up, I participated in multiple things, I received the Servant Leadership award at Bethel up to date I have no idea how, I also received a Rose Rees award in High school for my leadership and servant heart within the community. I started the group called Girl Leadership at Armstrong High School when I was a sophomore with the help and guidance of my teacher Mrs. Colleen Kennedy. She was instrumental in my growth, as well as Mrs. Dornbusch who I used to call my school mom all through middle school guided me and made sure I was on the right track. Truth is I’m just an ordinary woman trying to impact as many lives as possible before leaving this world and God has always created a way for me to do that everywhere I go.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
My best friends Victoria Nicole Featherstone and Mary Dashiell before anyone knew about Mending Hearts Life Coaching they both heard all about my dream and passion. Victoria used to say “okay so now what are you going to do with all of what you have changed and how can I help?” Mary would always say “Emai, you can do anything, I am praying for you, know that I love you.” Two of my biggest cheerleaders aside from my parents and siblings have been them.All through undergrad , they heard it all. I personally want to thank Victoria and Mary for being God’s gift to me in a chaotic world. One of the things that motivated me to say YES to impact was the community I am from. I am Liberian born and raised. When I would go places people always said it was not possible I was Liberian, I used to wonder why until one of them said to me “ Liberians are unserious people, all they do is fight, argue with each other and party.” I was sad hearing that because truth is every community has that but as a Liberian I saw it prevalent in our community. I told myself, I will be that example among many that will change the hearts of people who think nothing good can come out of Liberia, I will be part of the good things that came out of there. Another motivation was the hurt in the world I saw people going through. It broke me and needed to do something. I asked God to help me because I want to be a part of the greater good for His name sake. Lastly, my parents are the backbone behind everything I do. Their guidance and support is unwavering. Everything I do is God first, my parents. My prayer is to make them proud as much as I can. God has helped me answer those prayers. I owe my mom a book , I promised to write a book about her life, she’s one of the strongest women I know and I’m privilege to call mom, though we don’t get along sometime(haha). Amadu Dunbar Jr, I love you, you motivate me daily without even knowing. Elvis, Kennie, Melvin, Veronica, Pordea, Pretty, Edwina, Paulrisa, Nate, Precious, Princess, Favor, Stephanie, Blessing, Facia, and Beth, love each of you, you are all part of my journey. I missed some names, but you know yourself, thank you.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
My current role as the executive director of Mending Hearts Life Coaching is to ensure that the organization is doing that which its mission States which is to develop and inspire BIPOC individuals, couples and families by providing coaching, counseling, and therapy services in mental health, finances, spiritual, wellness and marriage for them to thrive in relationships. We will do this by hosting conferences, workshops, retreats and other events tailored to growth. It’s easy to get distracted in a distractive world from goals of what you want to do, my role along with the board of directors is to ensure that we stay on track. The impact we are trying to make at MHLC is to ensure that BIPOC couples, individuals, and couples know that there is an organization among many out there to assist them in their healing and growth. Let me add though MHLC heavily supports BIPOC, we are not limited to offering help to anyone who needs it. We just saw that the need for BIPOC to receive these services was in high demand. Our goal is to impact as many as we can! Let me give a shout out to JUDE NNADI founder of EDA and the entire team(Equitable Development Actions) for taking MHLC under his wings to nurture, thank you, sir. Also to the founder of KEGG Media, Mr. George W Wallace III, thank you for being instrumental in my life and MHLC, when no one could see me, you saw me and have supported me with EVERY RESOURCE YOU HAVE, I don’t have the money now to pay you and express my gratitude but one day I will honor you in a way only God knows. I celebrate you, sir! Everyone else the board of directors, thank you all for your support and love, Jeffrey P. Asamoah, one of my closest friends in business, thank you for always supporting me, Mr. MichaeL Franks and his beautiful wife, Rhonda Franks, thank you for believing in me, shout out to Advisory Pro Financial and Thrivedge Solutions LLC, lastly to my spiritual father Apostle Judah Praise Martin, thank you for all your prayers and unwavering support, I honor and celebrate you, sir! Everyone who has helped in this journey, thank you. I can’t name you all but you know yourself so thank you.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
This might seem odd to many but my proudest achievement and accomplishment aside from the accolades I have received over the years is being a child of God and following the mandate of Christ(silly right?). Honestly, without Christ, NO ONE WOULD KNOW ME BUT BECAUSE I am connected to HIM, He has in His infinite mercy has considered me worthy to be noticed, knowing and loving Him has been my greatest accomplishment.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
Yes I would, connect with me!
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
Women in leadership today is a great blessing, for many years women were unable to exercise their gifts and expertise so the fact that opportunities are being created for such is HUGE, especially for women of color who have been seen as less then to their counterparts, seeing them do great things makes my heart happy, it’s only the beginning. Let me also add that I have seen women in corporate today lack balance in their homes, have coached women who are unable to keep up with the two worlds, and these two are distinctively different, that’s a story for another content. Kudos to all the women breaking barriers in our world, thank you for paving the way for women like me.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Don’t settle, don’t let anyone tell you you can’t and even if they do know that you can, find the strength within and conquer, you have the power so exercise it. Another thing, remain humble when lifted, no matter where life takes you, never forget your roots, it’s important to know where you once were, make sure you remain humble and have a servant heart. Know that your gifts are not for you but the world at large so remain focused on what you do. If you are a Christian Lean on GOD for guidance and strength, He has so much more for you to do, seek Him for direction. Lastly, know that you are capable of anything.