Life & Work with Chondrea Black

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chondrea Black.

Hi Chondrea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello!  Thank you for this opportunity.  I am a native Memphian and career banker.  My husband, Robert and I will celebrate 29 years of marriage this year.  We have two children, Danielle, and our son Corion who transitioned in September 2020.  Our greatest joy are our 5 grandchildren, Jacori, Jace, Aria, and the twins, Benjamin and Daniel.  I am currently employed as the First Vice President of Credit and Compliance at Paragon Bank.

I’m proud to say, I recently added Self-Published Author to my list of titles.  My debut book, “God is REAL…You Don’t Even Have to Wonder”, is a non-fiction story of my family’s six-year journey with my son’s illness.  Despite his near-death experience, kidney failure, and anoxic brain injury he thrived.  Readers tout the book as a “faith journal”, “a must read”, and often express how their “faith was strengthened” after reading the scripture-rich memoir.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In retrospect, there have been many challenges and lessons. Our son’s road to recovery was definitely not smooth. Our greatest challenge was finding the care he needed for the best outcome. I quickly learned that patients with anoxic brain injury are said to have “reached their peak” after little to no therapy and hopes of recovery are usually minimal.

To give you some background, Corion experienced a sudden cardiac arrest at the age of 26 in the ER at Methodist Germantown, on January 23, 2014. The ER staff worked diligently to resuscitate my precious boy for more than an hour. In the midst of their work, I cried out to the Lord to spare his life. The doctor on call declared that he would shock him one last time and asked everyone to step back from the bed.

It was then that I turned to the wall and said to the Lord, “If this is your will I surrender to your will, but I truly believe he can be a testimony to your kingdom.” The doctor shocked him and his heart began to beat. And just as the Lord granted Hezekiah more time in Isaiah 38:2, he gave us more time.

During this time our faith was strengthened, and we are now able to recount the prophecies Corion shared even with a brain injury diagnosis. He said, “God is REAL. He has everything laid out. You don’t even have to wonder.” The book chronicles the many revelations he gave us and provides a deeper understanding of God’s character. I am assured this book was my assignment from the Lord.

Though he required full care, with the assistance of skilled nursing facilities, our family provided the best quality of life we could. We traveled and made sure he remained connected to family. He was a true fighter and did not look like all he’d been through. He far surpassed medical expectations. He assured me that everything we experienced “was necessary; it was all necessary.”

What we learned most was to honor and respect the time we have with loved ones. We knew we had been blessed by God with the time we had with him in our care. Corion taught us all so much during our journey and his mere existence increased the faith of many that followed our story.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do? What sets you apart from others?
I enjoy reading and studying the word of God. What sets me apart from others is my ability to nurture and encourage. What brings me joy outside of my family, is sharing God’s word and a deeper perspective that fosters positivity even in the most challenging moments of life. I believe God has graced me with this gift.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up. What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory. I guess that would be the time I spent running track in grade school. I enjoyed the competition. I especially recall the race I won the day my mom was able to take off work to be there to see me win the 100m hurdle. My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader and inspiration. She consistently encouraged her girls to do our very best and stood by to cheer us on along the way.

Pricing:

• Book on Amazon Paperback $19.99
• Available in EBook on all platforms $9.99

Contact Info:

• Email: godisreal.ydehtw@gmail.com
• Website: www.corionsmom.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/corionsmom
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NRFJJWL/

Image Credits:
J Graves Elite Photography