My guest this week is Dr. Dravon James. This week on SHLTMM. you'll have the opportunity to hear stories of Ruby, my guest's mother. Ruby was a woman of principle. "She persevered against all odds. She was a woman who carried a lot on her shoulders and was full of pride," shares Dr. James. My guest was insistent that "when her mom's heart was breaking on the outside, you could never tell. She was the quintessential lady at all times." Ruby and her family were originally from the Southside of Chicago and she was the eldest of eight children. And Ruby was determined to give her three children a better life, regardless of how hard it would be for her as a single mother. So, she left the support of her family and moved with her children to Springfield, MA. Her religion, spirituality and faith helped her through all of her struggles as she was on her own but insisted that her children get a good education, go to college and in Dr. Jame's case become a doctor.
Dravon was the eldest of the three kids and would sometimes hear her mom crying at night. That was really hard for Dravon because she knew how hard her mother had worked and how much she gave up in order to give her children a solid family foundation and a good education. So Dravon was afraid to disappoint her mom because of all the sacrifices her mom had made for the family.
Now, Davon is a doctor, an author and a Life Coach. She has so much to thank her mother for, including how her mom instilled in her the power of positive thinking, hard work the power of forgiveness.
In Dravon’s new book, “Forgiveness: The Pathway to Happiness,” she shares her expertise and personal experience with forgiveness. She teaches that "it is not denial, amnesia, or even reconciliation, but a pathway to peace and a lifetime practice." A few inspirational influencers include Oprah Winfrey, Miya Angelou and Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.
As a young child, my guest’s journey began in poverty on the South Side of Chicago. Though she had always dreamt of a career on the stage, Dravon went on to earn a doctorate in pharmacy from Creighton University and has worked as a pharmacist for over 30 years. A leader in the healthcare industry , she is the recipient of the Secretary McDonough Coin of Recognition for her leadership efforts to combat the COVID pandemic.
Along with her medical career and theatrical aspirations, Dr. Dravon has always had a keen interest in personal development. After reading Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking in college, she went on to make a lifelong study of the power we all have to create the life we want.
Ruby wasn't all hard work and business. Because of her Southside of Chicago roots, she was the queen of "Chicago Steppin.'
Chicago Steppin', which I was not familiar with until Dravon shared this story of her mom's love of dancing, is a unique and improvisational partner dance, originated in Chicago's Southside and is rooted in soul, jazz, and R&B music, with influences from styles like the Chicago Bop, Lindy Hop, and Western Swing.
Dr. Jame's says her mother always instilled in her children to "be dogmatic and be committed to something." Ruby was unwavering, reflects James. "Her commitment to success was the endgame!"
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