Today we’d like to introduce you to Cloris LaRue’ Foster.
Hi Cloris LaRue’, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am an Artist so there are many layers to my story. As a Poet, the first poem I ever wrote was about the death of my maternal grandmother. She passed away in a house fire when I was 17 years old, just a few months before I was scheduled to graduate high school. I wrote the poem as therapy; my Language Art’s teacher later published my poem in our school ‘magazine’ if you will. That publication was the very time that I saw my name in lights. But even though I was very proud to have had my poem published, truly, I had been stricken with grief.
I would later become a Published Author by way of compiling journal entries that served as my therapy. I was desperately trying to process the fact that my 13 year marriage plus years of dating my children’s father would soon be over. Initially I wrote in a journal that later turned into an online blog where I publicly shared my grief to later discover that there were many other women who could relate to my story. I then began to receive emails where women would thank me for my transparency in sharing my story. Many had also begun to share their story with me. Little did they know, they helped me as much as I may have helped them. The greatest part of sharing that journey publicly was that I quickly learned that I was not alone.
As an adult I was introduced to the spoken word poetry scene by way of my ex-husband (the father of my children) whose high school associate insisted that he not only attend her and her friend’s new poetry set that they were hosting, but that he would also bring me along; and so he did.
The first time I was in that artist environment I was hooked. I enjoyed watching other poets pour the souls of their literary work onto the stage. I was still married to my children’s father at this time; we had only separated hoping to rekindle our marriage however; that time was short lived.
I continued to frequent the poetry set and was later given the opportunity to speak about my upcoming book every week after the very last poet would perform. This opportunity fueled my confidence to speak in front of others.
After my divorce I wrote yet another poem in hopes of healing. The name of this poem was “Freedom Ring” where the last line written read, “Freedom ring, Freedom ring; thank God almighty for removing my lack of freedom ring’. Writing poetry was not only therapeutic, it was easy for me to tell stories that not only rhymed but that had cadence. After speaking and promoting my book for several weeks before its launch, I had finally built the confidence to share my poem publicly. This would be the very first time that I had ever “hit the mic”. Translation; this was the very time that I would be sharing my heart in person, on a stage in front of strangers.
And unlike when many of the other poets performed they received snaps and the jingling of keys which is poetry etiquette. To hear snaps and the jingling of keys would be a good thing, but I did not receive that. Instead, the audience was silent, and even when I had finished reading my poem there a was a hesitation like they wanted more. I remember audibly saying, “That’s it!” followed by nervous laughter. The audience waited until I was completely done before they clapped seeming to be in complete and total disbelief.
After performing my first poem a fellow poet invited me to compete in a “For Black Girls” poetry competition. Though I did not place in that competition, I did gain somewhat of a hunger for the stage. I loved that I could help enlighten others as I shared my life’s experiences through poetry. At this point I was somewhat hooked; as well as astonished that people wanted to hear more from me.
Fast forward, after having had my book Herstory published, it was selected to became a mandatory read for psychology students at both The University of Houston as well as Prairie View University. Shortly after that I then began to get calls to perform poetry at different venues as well as opportunities to speak at several empowerment events including but not limited to women’s conferences.
Not only do I write and perform poetry and speak at different types of events, I am also an Entrepreneur who sells inspirational products under the umbrella of my personal brand “The Cloris LaRue'”as well as I am the owner and baker of Southern Charm Teacakes.
Southern Charm Teacakes is an online bakery who offers an array of the most delectable teacakes one may have ever tasted in their life. Not only do we offer what is known to many as the Classic Vanilla Teacake; we also offer what we call “Twisted Flavors” that include but are not limited to Lemon, Strawberry, Sweet Potato, Apple Cinnamon, and S’more flavored teacakes. The flavor of these teacakes are truly unmatched. And their texture; you can either choose to chew them or you can just allow them to melt in your mouth. It was my late grandmother who encouraged my teacake baking by asking me to bake teacakes for her when I was just a young girl. Southern Cham Teacakes is unique in many ways but one way in particular is that each teacake is not only baked with love, but we stamp each teacake with an open heart as a subliminal message to always be open to accept God’s love while loving one another.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I do not believe that any road to success is smooth, nor should it be and I am no exception. I have definitely had times when I doubted my ability to empower, encourage, enlighten, inspire and ultimately ignite the souls of God’s people. In my opinion, bumpy roads make us better and I always hope to be able to learn something new to make me a better steward of my gifts.
I have forgotten lines of own poems, those times are the absolute worst. I have also forgotten to add an ingredient to my teacakes; and without every single ingredient that is supposed to go into a teacake it will not delight in the same way. Unfortunately there has been times when I have had to throw batches of teacakes away simply because they did meet our standard. I am one of those people who strive for one hundred percent at all times. And when I am baking or even speaking; I strive to always give those who I serve my absolute best, therefore even ninety-nine percent will not do.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Poet, an Author, an Inspirational Speaker, an Entrepreneur as well as the founder and owner of Southern Charm Teacakes.
As a speaker I specialize in igniting the souls of God’s people. I am known as the modern day Harriet Tubman; here to help free, heal, and uplift people’s souls. As a baker I am here to help bridge generational gaps. Classic Vanilla Teacakes are an old school dessert that derive from slavery days. Our twisted teacakes are more new school which were created to entice young generations to sit at the table alongside of their elders in hopes of evoking conversations between the two. I believe that we can all learn a lot from one another and break generational curses while doing so.
I am most proud of becoming a published Author and for once upon a time being featured on the websites of both Essence and Jet magazine.
What sets me apart from others is that I was not just called; I was chosen. I can clearly hear the voice of God, I am conscious and I am beautifully creative. There is really nothing that I can not do once I put my mind to it. But I do not dare take all of the credit, instead; I give all of the glory to God.
How do you think about luck?
I will have to go against the grain here because I am not a believer of ‘luck’. Instead I am a faith-walker. The difference in someone being lucky vs being faithful is that luck is attained by chance however faith is of the divine. Luck means that it “may’ happen but it may not whereas for those of us who believe in faith know that having faith is believing that “it”; whatever it is WILL happen if it is in God’s will for your life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theclorislarue.com {AND} www.southerncharmteacakes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theclorislarue?igsh=MmtwOG1rYnlmc3pm&utm_source=qr {AND} https://www.instagram.com/southerncharmteacakes?igsh=bHFkaW11NTIzbzA5&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16dsBpByAG/?mibextid=wwXIfr {AND} https://www.facebook.com/share/19rWwr4wKN/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheClorisLaRue
Image Credits
“IvyWayne Photos” was the photographer for the polka-dot outfit, the cream pant suits and the one in the black shirt, yellow pants sitting in the brown chair.
“Unique Creations by Tish” provided the makeup on the same shots
“ExpresSeans Barber Lounge” for my haircut on the above photos
