Today we’d like to introduce you to Zondra Johnson-King.
Zondra, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
September 28th, 2024 changed my life through the passing of my beautiful sister to Sickle Cell Anemia Disease. We greeted each other daily as “Beautiful” and I always kissed her on her forehead. Prior to her passing, she had requested a weighted bear as a means of comfort. Her hospice social worker promised her that Friday to bring her bear Monday, but unfortunately, she succumbed to SSC that Saturday morning. Her social worker kept her promise and delivered her bear to us. I ensured that the bear was still delivered to my sister “Beautiful” at her final resting place. I laid it in her arms before I kissed her forehead for the last time. She had always desired to make a positive impact in the Sickle Cell Disease community, so in order to carry out her desire and to walk through my grieving process, Hey Beautiful Warriors, Nonprofit was birth. I wanted to supply comfort to these beautiful warriors from local areas. Little did I know that over the next few months, because of one social media post, I would not only connect with Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center and deliver bears of comfort to patients, but people would begin to contact us with requests to send their loved ones of all ages bears of comfort from various states. Each bear comes with a poem written by myself and a warrior ribbon. We have mailed our comfort bears to several states including Texas, California, North Carolina, Missouri, Arkansas, Ohio, Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Virginia and Tennessee. We have connected with people in Ghana and are currently planning ways to send our bears of comfort to other countries. We vow to never charge a warrior for a bear. We accept donations from generous donors and utilize our personal resources to keep providing these bears of comfort to warriors nation wide.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This has not been a smooth road, but it has been rewarding. Some challenges have consisted of walking through my grieving process and keeping a smile on those hard days. Sometimes meeting different warriors can be emotional because I see the connection of my beautiful sister and their story. We volunteer our time monthly in a sickle cell support group. This is a way to stay connected and to provide services to those beautiful Warriors. Another challenge is ensuring that we continue to have adequate amount of bears of comfort for warriors. Our vow and commitment to never turn down a warrior sometimes has us stretched, but God always opens a door for us to continue our pursuit of greatness. Although it can become difficult, it is such a rewarding feeling when we receive pictures of warriors holding their bear.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Second Grade ELA school teacher. I have been in education for the past 10 years. I walked into the educational system after my beautiful sister encouraged me. She was an educator for over 23 years. I am also an entrepreneur. I am the founder of a business named Two Fly Chicks. We specialize in holistic living for the mind, body, and spirit. We hand make anything from soaps, body butters, hair products, herbal teas, SeaMoss, elderberry, aromatherapy candles and more. We also educate others on the benefits of using our products. I am most proud of the impact that I am making within the classroom and also within the community.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Even in the midst of life’s challenges, healing often begins when we reach beyond ourselves to serve others. I know that life may throw the unexpected our way, but when we face it with a smile, we grow in ways we never dreamed possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heybeautifulwarriors.com
- Instagram: heybeautifulwarriors
- Facebook: heybeautifulwarriors
