Her Story
About Leela
My journey in ministry began 32 years ago in 1993 at my home church in Stone Mountain, Georgia, though my path to this calling was unique. Right out of high school in 1977, I attended Patricia Stevens fashion school because I thought I was going to be a designer or buyer. In 1981, I became a professional cheerleader for the Atlanta Falcons, which was a wonderful experience even though we performed in the elements without a dome. I only cheered for one year because I went back to school and later into seminary. I also worked for the Postal Service for 25 years, retiring at age 50 with my benefits. In ministry, I served as youth pastor for 5 years, then joined Turner Chapel AME Church in 2000 as one of the associate ministers. I went out to pastor my own church in 2012 for 7 years, and then came back to Turner Chapel as associate minister over the women's ministry, where I am currently. My work is about caring for people, empowering, encouraging, and engaging them in their lives. I was the first Black cheerleader in my community, and I guess I'm a cheerleader for life. Recently, I started a podcast called Wisdom and Heels with a young lady in her late 30s who felt stuck and wanted to talk about life. We just talk about life and the Bible, and I love pouring into people.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Leela
01What do you attribute your success to?
I contribute my success to my foundation, my family first of all. I grew up in a humble community, and my success was the whole community, my church, and my family always told me that I could be whatever I wanted to be. So I really look at that as community and family and church, really the foundation of where God has brought me to thus far. He's not done with me yet, but thus far, that's what I attribute it to.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to be prepared. Through my schooling and being around the right people, I've learned the importance of preparation. The other thing is trusting you, trust in yourself. Your God gives you the ability to know who you are, so you can trust in yourself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say seek God.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In the ministry, the challenge is that it's a male-dominated profession. When I came in 1993, it was very difficult. The person that named me, like my aunt, when I told her that the Lord had called me, she said 'who called you?' She was brought up Baptist, so she did not really believe in women ministers at that time, but over the years she has embraced it. I just got out of a relationship, and the fellow told me he didn't believe in women ministers. After 1993, it's been 32 years now, there's still that stigmatism. And so that is the biggest thing when it comes to ministry, is whether a female can be in this role.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My value is, and this has been over the years, to learn to know who you are. What do you feel that God has called you to, a purpose? Because I believe we all have a purpose that we are here.
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