Tahkeena Carlson, Best-Selling Author and Co-Author of Unbreakable, Empowered, Inspired, and Determined

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FWM: You are a Best-Selling Author and Co-Author of Unbreakable, Empowered, Inspired, and Determined to Succeed! By Theresa-Hawley Howard. Tell us about the book. Why did you take on the project?   

I was initially introduced to this book by a close friend of mine, Cyndi. One day she called me and said Happy early housewarming party gift! She said I have gifted you this opportunity to share a story in your life that hasn’t shattered you but has made you stronger. I accepted the challenge and decided this is an amazing opportunity to get my voice heard and cover a traumatic time in my life that perhaps would resin with women. Being an Unbreakable woman has taught me life lessons the hard way. This book is a collection of stories from numerous women that faced some trying times in their lives that devastated them but by the grace of God, they continued to fight for themselves and in my case my children, and we were Unbreakable! 

FWM: What inspires you? 

My inspiration comes from my personal experiences and my children. Just 8 months ago my children and I were living in a homeless shelter. I worked however we could not afford our own place. Regardless of my circumstances, I knew the value if speaking positivity and love into my children. During these past 8 months, we have been blessed with many opportunities for success and growth. My main focus has always been to teach my children that regardless of our circumstances we can be a blessing and inspiration to others. We have experienced many blessings, and its important to always pay it forward.

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You are an influential speaker. What topics move you? 

I often focus on self-empowerment. I want to uplift people because I know the power of having positive influences in your life. I have personally overcome very difficult situations that could have held me back without positivity surrounding me and guiding me. I do my best to instill the same values into my children and the effect is seen with how they encourage themselves, each other, and even me. Feeling empowered and having positive influences in your life can help you through any struggle that comes your way. 

“Being someone who has gone without I know how receiving kindness can completely change your outlook.”

FWM: Share some of the challenges that you have faced and the lessons you have learned. 

To truly be appreciative of the blessings that have been bestowed on my family there have been many challenges that should have broken us. We have experienced poverty and homelessness, lack of food, clothes, and the financial means for the basic essentials. Traumatic relationships with men tried to break my spirit and have me devalue myself. With everything that has ever come my way that was negative I have always worked diligently to keep my faith strong. Focusing on positivity has been a saving grace from drowning in personal trials and tribulations.

FWM: How are you making an impact in your community?

I constantly look for opportunities to give. Being someone who has gone without I know how receiving kindness can completely change your outlook. In my current employment, I have the pleasure of working with the homeless. Before that, I would give and volunteer as often as I possibly could. I also would include my children to help instill the value of giving. 

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FWM: Where does your passion to help others stem from? 

I see myself in the people I help. I see their struggles as my own because I have been in their shoes. You have to have empathy. You don’t want to do more harm to a person who is in need. All the times that I felt lost, depression, or smothered by my circumstances I see that in those I try to help. I was blessed to have others speak into me with love and positivity until I could do it for myself. I aim to do the same for others.

FWM: Why are you a Formidable Woman? 

When I googled the definition of formidable it stated “ Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable”. I have been molded into a formidable woman through all of the positive and negative I have had in my life. Most important are the positive influences that helped me to continuously grow.