Today we’d like to introduce you to Emilymai Dunbar.
Emilymai, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a Liberian born and raised for about seven years and then migrated to Ghana where I attended boarding school for about three years. Where I come from, it takes a village for one to succeed, that village was my family and other people who saw potential in me. Growing up, I was privileged in Liberia until we moved to Ghana me and my siblings (Amadu and Elvis Dunbar), and then reality hit me that we needed to survive. My experience in Ghana ignited the fire in me for me to be better. I was told growing up by an aunt who was supposed to take care of us that I would never amount to anything, she used to constantly say “Emai you are going to be useless” I would always fire back and say “One day you will hear and know about me.”
Now as much as I wish I could say that it was all me, the truth is my strength came from knowing Jesus Christ. I was raised in a Christian home, my grandmother who is now singing with the angels used to tell us to build our hopes on nothing less but Jesus’ blood and His righteousness, which stuck with me. She used to also say, I named you Esther for a reason so know your worth! Now that I know my worth, I can conquer anything. Now this is how I was able to birth the organization, Mending Hearts Life Coaching Non-profit after obtaining my social work degree from Bethel University and Master’s in Leadership from Regent University. With everything that was going on around me, I realized that I needed to do something to better the lives of others.
Three things drive me to do what I do, they include GOD, FAMILY, and IMPACT, these three go hand-in-hand for me. After graduating with my Master’s, I wanted to learn more, I am a learner at heart. I came across Health Coach Institute online which was offering dual certification for 5k, Health, and Life Coaching, I enrolled in 2018 and obtained my coaching certification with a specialization in relationship coaching. Later I went on to obtain a mental health coaching certification from Light University and went on a mission to coach and impact as many lives as possible.
Now the focus of MHLC is to develop and inspire BIPOC individuals, couples, and families by providing them with coaching, counseling and therapy services to thrive in relationships. At MHLC, we are offering mental health, relationship , spiritual, wellness career building, and financial empowerment services for our BIPOC community to thrive. I believe that the foundation of every society is family, we are all where we are or do what we because of our family dynamic. I want to be a part of the development of healthy families, healthy individuals, and healthy couples.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
NOOOOOOOOOO, smooth? what is that word! Nothing that has to do with healing is smooth. It is extremely difficult to say YES to being holistically healthy, especially in an unhealthy world.
My biggest struggle was having to forgive myself for a lot of pain, I had to forgive my family for the hurt caused in my life that I felt they knew about, I also felt like I needed to forgive God (funny to even mention this) for not being present when I needed Him the most. It was hard, it took me a long time to be comfortable with who I am and to accept that I am ME! Forgiveness was a huge part of my journey. My parents got a divorce when I was about 13 years old, it broke me because I was a daddy’s girl (and still am) but at some point, felt like it was our fault my parents got a divorce not knowing that it was the BEST decision they made for our family.
My dad Amadu Dunbar is an amazing father but I am glad he and my mother Mai Teta Diggs Garpue did not stay together for the sake of their children. Now my mother is married to an amazing man, Nathaniel B. Garpue who is by far one of the best humans I know and love dearly. So, you see my journey has been nothing but smooth, the Emily that is here today was once an angry, bitter, and resentful young woman who is now blossoming into this beautifully imperfectly progressively growing human.
As you know, we’re big fans of Mending Hearts Life Coaching. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
MHLC was once a for-profit that has now been registered as a nonprofit in the State of MN. The mission of MHLC is to develop and inspire BIPOC individuals, couples, and families by providing them with coaching, counseling, and therapy services from Mental health, to marital, to relationship, to health and wellness to spiritual growth that will assist the BIPOC community to thrive in their relationships.
MHLC was once known for premarital and singles coaching but now that we have transitioned, we will be known for connecting BIPOC individuals, couples, and families with coaches, counselors, and therapists so that they get the assistance they need to thrive in holistically. Not just that, part of MHLC programming is to host family, singles, and couples’ retreats, workshops, seminars, and conferences for our community to thrive. I am most proud of the fact that God sees me worthy to use my pain and created a platform. The pain of others has inspired me to create an organization that will impact lives.
I want readers to know that MHLC is here for you and with you, especially our BIPOC families. I want you to know that you don’t have to heal alone, there is a community where that can be done and it is being created. I also want our readers to know that we are going to launch this nonprofit officially on March 23rd (more details will be provided) for our community to be introduced to our services. The launch will be to raise awareness in our community and to introduce MHLC to the community. Email me if interested in knowing more: info@mendingheartslc.org. If you also want to be a partner coach, counselor, or therapist, email me also.
Our community will be driven by LOVE, EMPATHY, COMPASSION, ACCOUNTABILITY, and lots of SUPPORT for people to thrive
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Hmmm, this one is tough. Most people don’t know that I am a fun person (hahaha). A lot of people who know me know that I am focused and goal-driven (which I am) but a lot of people think I don’t have fun, I do, my fun is just different from others which is also okay.
I want people to know that I am easy to talk to especially men, I have heard that I am hard to approach(lol) I am not, you can talk to me and I will talk back as long as you are respectful. I want to throw it out there that, I AM FUN! Also, I am the host of the DEAR EMILI show produced by KEGG MEDIA the founder George W Wallace III provided a platform for me to thrive in my gifting I celebrate Mr. Wallace III and KEGG Media for being a part of my journey. Dear Emili is now a show where we talk about life and relationships, you should check it out.
One more thing, I want people to know that I LOVE JESUS, and everything I do, He is the focus of my impact, though the people I work with and serve don’t have to be Christians but I am and love when people respect that as I respect them. I respect everyone and their views, and love when others do the same.
KNOW THAT I AM FUN, I LOVE JESUS and EVERYONE!
Lastly I want to thank the BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MHLC,Equitable Development Actions(EDA), MHLC is headed in the right direction because of you(JUDE NNADI), I celebrate you. Father Benjamin Jones, I Love you and thank you for being one of my biggest supporters! I want to thank my biggest supporters and prayer warriors- MY FAMILY, I do what I do GOD BEING THE FOCUS AND YOU ALL! I want to also publicly celebrate my pastor, Apostle Judah Praise Martin, your prayers and the unseen battles you fight on my behalf, I thank God for you sir, thank you. Lastly to everyone who is cheering on MHLC , thank you. May you be celebrated as you celebrate this amazing organization we are running. May God bless and reward us accordingly!
Let’s make the world a better place for future generations- Keep making IMAPCT! Blessings!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mendingheartslifecoaching.com ( old website)
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mendingheartslc?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHeartsLifeCoaching?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilymai-esther-dunbar-93a527247?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/lW3KzV4W23Y?si=stdlarH2gLB1RCRG
Image Credits
KeGG Media Studio, Ernest Norris, and KeGG Solutions
