We recently had the chance to connect with Temiika D Gipson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Temiika D, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Watching my young adult children grow and experience love has been incredibly rewarding. All three of my daughters are now married to wonderful men, and I recently became a grandmother. My grandson, Rilen, is five months old and truly the highlight of my life—he’s a joyful, loving baby full of personality. Watching my daughter as a loving mother to her son is the sweetest joy.
I’m also looking forward to welcoming my first granddaughter, Wynter, who is my son’s first child and is expected to arrive next month. It brings me so much joy to see how God is guiding each of my children in their individual purpose.
In addition, I cherish the time I spend with my seven-year-old best friend, Dallys, who is the daughter of my ex-husband. She stays with me on weekends, and we share a special bond. Having her in my life has been an unexpected blessing and a source of great happiness.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a former elected official with three decades of service in government court operations and executive administration, an ordained minister, and a dedicated consultant. I am the CEO and founder of Temiika D Gipson Consulting, LLC. My calling uniquely bridges the worlds of ministry, government, and business—allowing me to serve as a prophetic advisor to elected officials, ministry leaders, and organizational executives. I provide spiritual insight, intercessory support, and strategic counsel to high-impact leaders navigating complex roles and responsibilities.
As a professional prophetic intercessory advocate, I address challenges through a prayerful and purposeful lens—helping leaders move forward with wisdom, discernment, and confidence. My passion lies in equipping individuals in high-impact positions with both spiritual guidance and practical solutions.
Currently, I’m employed in local government and I negotiate settlements for claims filed against the City of Memphis. I’m also in my final term of graduate school at Regent University, pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree, and on track to graduate this December. My studies have further fueled my dedication to organizational leadership development and expanded my focus into business and government consulting.
With a background in executive administration, I have a deep passion for reviewing and revising operational policies to improve efficiency, equity, and service delivery. I understand how effective policy and structure can transform organizations, particularly in government and nonprofit sectors.
Whether it’s coaching ministry teams, advising political leaders, strengthening business operations, or supporting government agencies in policy improvement and implementation, my goal is to help leaders thrive with clarity, purpose, and integrity.
My story is one of faith, service, and transformation—and I remain committed to empowering others to lead with impact across every sector they touch.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A defining moment in my life came during early adulthood when I faced a series of personal challenges that reshaped how I viewed the world and my purpose within it. I became a mother at 19, married at 22, and by 27, I was a divorced single parent. I am also a survivor of domestic violence. Those experiences tested my strength, deepened my faith, and shaped my resilience.
Raising my children alone was one of the most difficult yet formative responsibilities I’ve ever carried. It opened my eyes to the reality that life often doesn’t unfold the way we expect, but it can still be meaningful and impactful when guided by purpose. I learned that while life can be tough, it becomes what you make it—with strength, prayer, and determination.
It was from that deep reservoir of strength that I made the decision to run for public office later in life. Seven years ago, I not only won that election, but I made history as the first woman and the first African American to hold that seat of authority. That moment wasn’t just a personal achievement—it was a testament to perseverance, faith, and divine purpose.
I recently shared on social media, “Heavy is the head that wears the crown,” a quote that reflects the weight and responsibility of leadership. The reality is, pursuing greatness often means pressing forward without the support you may desire or deserve. But when you are called, you must climb the mountain with strength and unwavering faith—knowing the impact is bigger than the journey.
These life experiences continue to influence the work I do today in ministry, government operations, and consulting. I serve others with compassion, intercession, and strategic insight—because I’ve lived the very challenges I now help others overcome.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me something that success never could—it drew me into a deeper, more personal relationship with God. In my lowest and most uncertain moments, I learned to fully depend on the Lord. Through prayer, worship, and the truth of His Word, I found the strength and direction I needed to move forward. That intimate walk with God became my lifeline, my compass, and my constant source of renewal.
While success often brings recognition and reward, suffering produces humility, compassion, and spiritual sensitivity. It sharpened my discernment and made me more aware of the silent battles others carry. Because I’ve walked through valleys of pain, loss, and uncertainty, I recognize those experiences in others and feel a deep responsibility to extend grace, encouragement, and support.
Suffering refined my purpose. It gave me a heart for advocacy, a passion for leadership, and the desire to lift others as I climb. I know what it means to struggle and still press on, to feel unseen and still show up, to have little and still give much. Those lessons are woven into everything I do—whether I’m consulting leaders, interceding in prayer, mentoring young adults, or shaping better systems in government and ministry.
More than anything, suffering taught me that greatness isn’t defined by titles or accomplishments—it’s revealed in how you serve, how you persevere, and how you love others through the lens of experience and compassion. Today, I carry that lesson into every room I enter, knowing that what I endured has made me stronger, more intentional, and more committed to helping others discover their own path to greatness.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. The public version of me is fully aligned with who I am in private—and I believe that’s one of the most critical components of authentic leadership. Transparency, truth, and integrity are not just ideals I talk about; they are values I live by. These qualities are foundational to building trust and maintaining credibility with those you serve.
In my line of work—whether in ministry, government, or consulting—there is no room for double-mindedness. Leaders are called to be consistent, grounded, and genuine. If your public persona doesn’t match your private character, it eventually shows, and it can cost you more than your reputation—it can undermine the impact of your purpose.
Remaining true to myself has required discipline, prayer, and accountability. It’s about showing up with the same character behind closed doors as you do in front of a crowd. I’ve learned that the strength of leadership lies not in perfection, but in integrity. And that integrity becomes the compass that guides every decision, conversation, and act of service.
Being solid in both private and public spaces is not just a personal standard—it’s a leadership necessity.
Representation matters—especially for those who carry the mantle of leadership in public spaces. I recognize that I am accountable not only to the people I serve but ultimately to God, who entrusted me with this influence. Because of that, I’m intentional about mentoring my young adult children and modeling a lifestyle rooted in self-worth, integrity, and faith. I want them—and others watching—to see a pattern of leadership that honors both God and the responsibility of being a visible example of what’s possible when you lead with purpose and truth.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
One of the principles I live by and have consistently taught my adult children and those I’ve had the privilege of mentoring is to do everything with a spirit of excellence. Whether recognized or not, our efforts should reflect the best version of ourselves. I believe that true legacy is not measured by applause, titles, or possessions, but by the integrity and consistency of how we live when no one is watching.
Giving your best, even in silence or obscurity, is a testament to character. It’s about understanding that the audience of One—God—is the only validation we truly need. He sees it all, and He rewards accordingly. This conviction has kept me grounded through seasons of visibility and seasons of quiet endurance.
If I were to lay down my name, role, and possessions, what would remain is my faith, my commitment to purpose, and the fruit of a life lived in obedience. I would still be content. As the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:12, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” That scripture speaks deeply to my journey. I have traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and I’ve also experienced homelessness as a single parent. Whether leading in the spotlight or serving in silence with very little, I’ve learned to be content with whatever the Lord allows because my identity is not tied to things, but to the One who called me.
Legacy, to me, is about how well we loved, how faithfully we served, and how consistently we gave our best—even when no one was watching. That’s the example I strive to live out and pass on and that’s the model I use in my business endeavors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://temiikagipson.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16azdZUj74/?mibextid=wwXIfr
