Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Chasity Dean-Anthony.
Hi, Dr. Chasity. We are excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From my earliest memories, I’ve been deeply tuned into the well-being of others—be it their mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical state. This innate concern always propelled me into action, whether helping a friend up on the playground, drying someone’s tears, offering my presence for comfort, or calling for assistance when it was beyond my capability. This instinct to act, support, and uplift followed me throughout my life, manifesting in minor and significant ways.
As I grew older, I realized that this inherent empathy and readiness to act were not traits commonly shared by many I met or behaviors often seen in others. This realization came into sharper focus as I faced my periods of hurt, disappointment, and need, feeling a profound sense of isolation and lack of support from those around me. This personal pain deepened my resolve, transforming my sadness into a powerful drive for advocacy. I saw a critical need in the world for the kind of support and positivity I yearned to see more of—a need to lift others, inspire action, and foster positive impacts in individual lives, within communities, and across the globe.
This calling shaped my life’s mission, weaving its essence into every role I undertook. Whether as a middle school teacher, a youth leader in my church, a liaison and curriculum specialist in higher education, the founder of a non-profit, a Ph.D. graduate serving students internationally through a national university, the initiator of gender-specific discipleship that evolved into a global sistHERhood, or the entrepreneur behind a real estate brokerage and building company aimed at dismantling systemic and generational poverty among black homeowners, my goal remained unwavering: to be a catalyst for positive change.
Each of these ventures was infused with my core mission to uplift and inspire, demonstrating a life dedicated not just to the pursuit of personal success but to making a tangible, positive difference in the lives of others. Through education, community building, and entrepreneurship, my journey has been about creating spaces and opportunities where support, positivity, and empowerment are abundant, ensuring others never feel the loneliness and lack of support that once marked my experiences.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Speaking out or challenging the prevailing norms and behaviors in society often invites opposition, a truth I’ve lived through firsthand. My journey has been fraught with considerable challenges. Born into a profoundly marginalized community in the delta region of Arkansas and raised in a fervently Pentecostal household, the odds were stacked against me from the start. Both my community’s marginalization and my family’s religious fervor fostered mindsets that clashed with my evolving beliefs about myself and society at large. Marginalization presupposes a dominant group intent on maintaining the status quo, making pursuing progressive change a tumultuous endeavor. Yet, such change is crucial for fostering societal shifts that can beneficially alter generational trajectories and encourage others to advocate for improvement in the lives around them.
My upbringing in a family of seven, cramped within a three-bedroom single-wide mobile home, alongside my parents, siblings, and a nephew, was modest. My parents, both high school dropouts who eventually obtained their GEDs—with my mother earning her bachelor’s degree at forty—embodied the struggle typical of our community, a reality I was oblivious to until adulthood. Becoming a teen mom added to my challenges, complicated further by my role as a pastor’s daughter. Shortly after turning twenty, I entered into what some would call a “Shotgun Marriage,” assuming the responsibilities of a wife and mother at a young age.
In addition to family life, I was committed to my education, attending a local junior college an hour’s drive away, working evening shifts in a neighboring county, and, whenever possible, participating in choir rehearsals, bible studies, and Sunday services to support my parents’ community church. Reflecting on these hurdles is exhausting even now, yet they were just the beginning of my story of perseverance. Despite these obstacles, I have navigated through adversity to become who I am today—a testament to resilience and overcoming.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I fall into all these categories. I co-own a real estate firm with my husband. I co-founded and operated a local non-profit along with my husband. I am a university professor in the School of Education/Teachers College. I am the digital content creator for all of our businesses. I specialize in teaching. I teach at all levels, starting with my daily career as an associate professor at Western Governors University. I teach life skills and practical application in my community in Christian Discipleship. I’m known as a powHERhouse who does all things well. I’m most proud to have earned my Ph.D., I want to build a family legacy and business with my husband and build my beloved women’s ministry girls.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Three fundamental truths stand out when reflecting on the lessons life has taught me. The first and perhaps most profound lesson is the importance of keeping God first. This principle has not only offered me guidance during times of uncertainty but has also provided a foundation of peace and strength regardless of the circumstances. It reminds me that there’s a greater purpose and order to our existence, encouraging me to trust in something beyond the immediate and visible.
The second vital lesson is recognizing the immense value and reward of developing a solid work ethic. Hard work has been a key driver in overcoming challenges and achieving goals. It’s taught me that persistence, dedication, and effort are indispensable in the pursuit of excellence and in turning visions into reality. This lesson has underscored that shortcuts are fleeting and that true success is a product of consistent effort and resilience. Lastly, the importance of being true to oneself cannot be overstated. Maintaining authenticity has been both a challenge and a reward in a world where pressures and expectations can easily sway one’s thoughts and actions. Being true to myself has fostered a sense of inner peace and confidence and enabled me to live a life aligned with my values and beliefs. It’s a reminder that our unique perspectives and qualities have the power to make a meaningful impact.
In summary, these lessons form the cornerstone of my approach to life and work. Keeping faith, embracing hard work, and valuing authenticity have guided me through various endeavors and challenges, shaping me into the person I am today.
Pricing:
- GIRLS SistHERhood Summit Experience 150
- Women Who inspiHER positive Change Awards Gala $75
- Woman UnABridged Brunch $75
Contact Info:
- Website: www.godlyinspiHERation.com
- Instagram: girlswhoinspiHER
- Facebook: GodlyInspiHERationinRealLifeSituations
