Today we’d like to introduce you to Tinika Sumlin.
Hi Tinika, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I loved to write ever since I was a child in elementary school. My grandmother and My aunt raised me until I was 12 years old. I had a normal childhood and enjoy birthday parties, family cookouts, and family vacation trips until I was 12 years old when my life took a traumatic change for the worst. My grandmother and my aunt ask me to move home with my mother to help her take care of my six siblings then once I moved in with my mother, I was raped by a family member for two years until I was 14 years old and told my mother and grandmother what had happened to me, I wanted to tell them when it happened but the family member that raped me threatened me with a gun that if I told he would kill me. After two years of being sexually abused at age 14, I decided due to me being sick and tired of being sexually abused that I was going to tell so I did. I then went to live with my aunt for a while then she told me after a few months I could return home I didn’t want to, but I didn’t have a choice, so I moved back home and finished high school and graduated and moved out of my mother house immediately living there I felt like a live-in maid. I moved out and worked different jobs on and off to survive on my own I went through numerous bad relationships of abuse and domestic violence. I had my first child at 21 and lost the baby due to a tubal pregnancy which left me with only one tube and my doctor told me my chances of having kids were slim and that I only had one tube left and it was severely scarred so, I decided to change my life and started to take care of myself and my health mentally, physically and emotionally and heal. A year later I met my husband who was an amazing guy who cared about my future and not my past. I went to college and received my certificate in early childhood development while continuing to write in my everyday journal in my spare time. My husband and I became Licensed Therapeutic foster parents of over 20 kids in distress and helped change their lives for the best. I had seven great years with my husband and lost him to cancer in 2015 and started writing my first book called God Brought Me Through It All which is sold on over 20,000 websites Amazon, E bay, Books A Million, Barnes and Noble, etc. I became an author and I dedicate my life to my now 2-year-old miracle baby that I gave birth to and my fiance his father. I currently travel the world inspiring others as a motivational speaker encouraging and uplifting others to find their purpose in life, strive and heal and become successful. I am currently working on my second Book and a home for women who have been sexually abused and who have been through being in domestic violence relationships so they can have a safe place to live, heal and start a new life. I want to let others know that God will bring you through it all, Never Give up on yourself and forgive others because God forgives us.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been a smooth road I had my share of struggles ups and downs. I wanted to give up a lot on my dreams but I’m so glad I didn’t from moving around a lot not having a stable home to call my own and trusting others who hurt and used me constantly made me want to lose my mind, but God kept me through it all. God showed me a miracle Doctors told me I couldn’t have children, but God said I could at age 33 I got pregnant and went into labor at 21 weeks pregnant and was told my baby wasn’t going to live if he was born that early, but I prayed to God and at 23 weeks I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy who doctors said had 48 hours to live but he lived past 48 hours he had numerous health problems and is known doing amazing at 2 years old and doctors are amazed at how well he is doing. God showed me a miracle so many times in my life I am truly grateful to have a relationship with God.
We’ve been impressed with God Brought Me Through It All, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am an Author, motivational speaker, a survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence, I have a certificate in Early childhood development a licensed Therapeutic foster parent, mother, and advocate for sexually abused women and children. I am known for helping others strive, heal and achieve life goals and dreams. I am different from others because I love to help, educate and be a blessing to others and I don’t expect anything in return. My most proud brand-wise is my Book God Brought Me Through It All. I want readers to know that my book will help others heal, thrive, achieve, believe, encourage, uplift, educate, live, never give up, and help others forgive each other so they can become unstuck and move on with their lives to be all they can be. I also want others to believe in their self’s and to not let their environment and people determine their future and never give up in life no matter what you are going through keep going until you win and accomplish your dreams. I always offer to motivate others and help others get the services and help that they need through community resources.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I like that our city is great at creating so many resources, businesses, and educational opportunities for our generations to become successful and strive to be all that they can be. I don’t like that our city has so many crimes happening in great areas of the city.
Pricing:
- $20.99 Book
- $500-$1000 motivational speaker
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amazon.com/author/tinikasumlin
- Instagram: tinikacollardgreen
- Facebook: Tinika love collardgreen
- Twitter: @Tinika sumlin
Image Credits
Bubble Photography
Lavish Life Studio
Flawless Beauty Studio LLC
