Embracing the Power Within: A Journey Through the Storm by Tiffany Booker-James

Despite our differences, I believe each of us eventually arrives at a place where external forces begin to chip away at our inner sense of self. This often leads to a gnawing discontent—a persistent feeling of not measuring up, of being somehow less than enough. We learn to live with this feeling as if it were a permanent companion, manifesting as a restless conscience, a nagging sense of inadequacy, or intrusive thoughts that invade our minds uninvited. It’s profoundly sad to live within a question mark of one’s own existence, never fully present or at ease in the rooms we walk into.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a time of unprecedented reflection and forced pivots. For someone whose passion thrived on stage or in vibrant, crowded spaces—ministering, emceeing, speaking, spoken word, and celebrating the release of my new book, the abrupt halt felt like the ground had shifted beneath me. I was just beginning to see the fruits of my labor after years of building, honing my gifts, sacrificing, and struggling. I had finally stepped out in faith to pursue my dreams after my career as an escrow officer ended. Just as I began walking through the doors of opportunity, COVID slammed them shut.

I felt lost, confused, and discouraged—yet oddly grateful. My faith and purpose kept me from giving up, but as I sought new ways to continue my work and support other women facing similar challenges, I encountered skepticism and rejection in places where I had hoped collaboration would flourish.  Feeling utterly alone, I was forced to pivot, and it wasn’t easy. But even in the darkness, God’s faithfulness shined brightly. Days before the shelter-in-place order, I met a beautiful woman named Tammi, who had launched WO3, an organization that supports women in business. Through a contest provided by WO3, I won a six-month membership to The Hivery, a co-working space that had pivoted to virtual meetings. It was there, in the midst of uncertainty, that the encourager was encouraged. Towards the end of my free membership Grace, the owner of the Hivery recognized my light within the virtual room and offered me an opportunity to become one of their coaches. What was a natural gift for me became a fulfilling role, allowing me to empower others as an encouragement coach.  

During this period, I also connected with another incredible woman from Lagos, Nigeria, named Mimi through Instagram after she saw one of my old spoken word performances. We built a real sisterhood, and for my birthday, she asked what I wanted. Feeling low and disheartened after receiving a royalty check for only $1.13, I asked her to purchase two books—one for herself and one for a friend. Mimi didn’t know about my low royalty check, yet she believed in me so deeply that she purchased 80 books to be shipped to Nigeria. Her belief in me at that moment was a profound reminder of the power of seeing and supporting another woman.

These connections reignited my purpose and helped me re-envision my work. An unexpected opportunity to become a coach reignited a fire within me. It was during those two years of sheltering in place, with every door seemingly closed, that the door to my dreams and passion opened.  I pursued a lifelong dream of going back to school, earning my BA in English with a minor in creative writing at the age of 49.

These years of transition birthed new initiatives like the 'You Belong in the Room' one-day retreats and encouragement boxes. My vision was to create safe spaces for honest, vulnerable conversations—spaces where women could discover their unique voices and walk confidently in their destinies. I wanted every woman who crossed my path to feel seen, heard, and valued. By fostering uncomfortable yet necessary conversations and challenging women to find joy beyond external validation, I sought to teach the power of simply being. I learned that the answer isn’t to change yourself but to change the rooms that do not celebrate who you are created to be.

This journey has cost me. I’ve had to become comfortable with being misunderstood, overlooked, and undervalued. But through it all, I’ve learned to become the explanation behind my own validation. With my encouragement boxes, I’ve found opportunities to purchase and showcase the products of women entrepreneurs—women who may not have a storefront, a large following, or a marketing budget, but who possess an undeniable passion and courage to believe in themselves. I aim to show what it truly looks like to celebrate, complement, and collaborate with women—not just in words, but in action.

Through creating rooms of authenticity, speaking, coaching, writing, and through my You Belong in the Room Encouragement boxes I am on a mission to dismantle the three-strand cord of competition, comparison, and criticism that too often chokes out the beauty of connection and sisterhood. We should not fear that someone will outshine us; rather, we must understand that we are all on a journey of embracing who we were created to be and walking in our greatness. I don’t want anyone to feel as I did during those challenging times. One person believing in you can make all the difference.

I am profoundly grateful to Mimi, WO3, The Hivery, my amazing husband and children, and the incredible women who God has placed in my life who prayed and encouraged me during this time. Out of the ashes, the seeds I had sown over the years produced a great harvest. 

Recently, I was honored with the prestigious Women Changing the World Award in Personal Service in London, England. This recognition is a testament to the incredible journey I’ve been on for the last 20 years—changing lives one person at a time. This award also opened another door: I will be featured as one of the authors in the upcoming anthology titled Women Living Fearlessly, launching in New York this October. It’s a reminder that when we embrace our true selves, we not only find our place in the room, but we also make space for others to find theirs.

There are several ways to join this movement. Invite me to speak and inspire women with meaningful, vulnerable conversations, or let me be your personal encouragement coach through authentic guidance. You can also support five women-owned businesses by purchasing a You Belong in the Room box, which includes my book, Living in the Land of I Am, to inspire your self-discovery. Let’s work together to embrace the power of being authentically you, both personally and professionally.

Remember, you are not just invited into the room—YOU Belong in the ROOM! I see you and celebrate the woman you are.