Conversations with the Inspiring Zeeda Michele

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zeeda Michele’.

Zeeda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born in San Francisco California and when I was 4 years old, my father was murdered and that left my mom with 8 kids to raise me being number 7 and the youngest girl. She moved us from California to housing projects of New Orleans, LA.

One thing I am certain of, is the first man a girl will fall in love with, is her father and because I had no one to donuts with dad and I had no father-daughter dances or talks, it left me searching for love in all the wrong places. So by age 16, I found myself a pregnant high school drop out and the guy that told me I was beautiful and who said he loved me, left me to raise a kid alone. Well, technically my mom… still allowed me to be a teen which was amazing, but not the best thing for me because I was on a quest for Love.

By age 21, I was dating one of the biggest drugs dealers in New Orleans and transporting kilos of cocaine from Baldwin heights California to New Orleans, LA not to mention I was 7 months pregnant for my drug-dealing boyfriend. After being under surveillance by the federal agents for months, they kicked in the door and took my boyfriend and his entire family to prison. He met our son one time at 3 weeks old and was sentenced to 21 years. When he was released he never came to look for us, but he loved me.

That still didn’t stop my search for love, by 23, I was dating another dealer and months into this relationship, I found myself being physically, mentally and sexually abuse. I was hiding bruises on my arms that had knots inside of them, the size of jawbreakers. This man had stolen my identity, self-esteem and strength. I later try to attempt suicide. A few weeks later, I found I was pregnant carrying my abusers baby I was devastated and I didn’t want the baby, but God is in control of all because I was involved in a forgery ring and had a history of writing checks for cars at the dealership, my criminal background had caught up with me and I was hauled off to prison!

While incarcerated, I had time to think and I knew I needed to change my life, especially for my kids. So, when I got out of jail my brother had a record label called smoke one records and he asked me to be the first female artist on the label and I did a song on a compilation for master p project down south hustlers. My hip hop career later caught the attention of an A&R for bad boy records. But God quickly stopped that a week before we were scheduled to meet the guy was hauled off to prison!

After sitting in prison for 5 months I knew hustling was not an option, something had to give. I later was invited to a church service that led me to Bishop TD Jake’s ‘Woman Thou Art Loose Run to the Water Conference’ and there, my life changed! I gave my life to Christ then later became a Christian hip-hop artist. I started sharing my testimony before I would get up to rap and afterward, people would always say you need to write a book, so I did From Pain to Power and I started speaking and sharing my story all over through The power tour! Yes, a book tour. I was later inspired to launch my organization and apparel making power moves! We have women’s inspirational Tshirts, music and books.

Today, I am a wife of 21 years to a man God sent to show me how to love again! I have 6 amazing kids and I am a glam-ma to 3 scrumptious dumplings, lol! You see there is life after the pain!

Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, the struggles I had was battling in my head that I was a good enough. I had to learn to love myself again. I have been broken in so many areas. My advice to other women would be… don’t talk yourself out of your greatness before you even try! Don’t live with the regrets of… what if, or I should’ve or could’ve do it NOW, NO OPPORTUNITY WASTED.

Dream again! Live again! Love again!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Making Power Moves story. Tell us more about the business.
When you hear Zeeda Michele’ or making power moves you see inspiration through fitness, music, books and empowerment events! I am most proud of our Power Gala where we choose 18 people from all around the city of Houston and surrounding areas for doing amazing things, but these are ordinary everyday people doing extraordinary things. From organizations that go into the communities and do outreach, or the hair dressers, that makes others feel beautiful, especially those that struggle with a sickness that prevents hair growth or the single moms who endure life trying to be her everything for her kids. Even the praying prison guards who always has an encouraging word for the inmates. These people don’t have a platform to be honored on for doing these amazing things… so this is our rendition of the Grammys. We celebrate them with dinner, a live band, crystal awards and so much more. And, all their family can come out and see them celebrated!

What sets me a part from others is transparency, I’m not perfect and I’m not a shame to say it. My struggles have given me the strength to tell my story in hopes of preventing the next woman to dodge those struggles or to help the next woman conquer her struggles.

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Over sexualizing things. We don’t have to be naked to be attractive or sexy. We are beautiful in so many ways, we are intelligent and strong and because we are living in a male driven dominant society, we should function as queens, who demand respect and not only that we should be recognized for our gifts and not our hips.

Contact Info:

• Website: Makingpowermoves.com
• Phone: 832-638-7073
• Email: makingpowermoves16@gmail.com
• Instagram: Zeedamakingpowermoves
• Facebook: Zeeda veal
• Twitter: Zeeda1

Image Credit:
CMO media, Kaye’s photography

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.