Meet Danielle Richardson (Charleston, South Carolina)

Danielle Richardson was born on October 1, 1974 in Charleston, South Carolina to the late Janet L. Richardson and the late James Maxwell Jr. She is the eldest of three siblings and the proud mother of 6 beautiful children. Danielle was inspired to become a Domestic Violence Advocate after the tragic experience of witnessing the murder of her mother by her stepfather when she was a child.  

She published her first book “God Heard My Cries: The Deliverance” in April of 2012. She is also the proud owner of http://www.charlestonholycitydirectory.com/ and the Charleston Gospel Publications. The Inspired Diva: Motivational Experience book will be release in spring of 2013.

She is very active in her church, schools and community. She is a Sunday School Teacher Assistant, a member of the Young Adult Ministry, and a Women’s Missionary. She holds a Medical Administration Certification from Low-country Consulting Firm, a Charleston Clemente Course Certificate in Humanities from Trident Technical College and has studied Social Work at Benedict College. She is a member of the Clemente Players Production Company which raises money for adults to return to college.

Danielle is also a part of the Rawlinson Entertainment Company. She starred in the 2011 short film “Ugly" which was nominated for an SEA Indie Award. Danielle is a member of the Charleston Chapter of National Survivors Support Group of Homicide Victims.

Her Motto is: Let Go & Let God. Her advice she gives to women of Domestic Violence is “A women was born beautiful and shall die gorgeous. You were not born with bruises so don’t die with any.” Her focus statement of success is: “Your legacy is not what you been through but what you have accomplished.”

Danielle’s future goal is to hold seminars, workshops, and open forms to increase the awareness of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. She plans to open Safe Heaven Centers throughout the United States, as she continues her spiritual journey using her faith and trust in God to inspire her to write and speak about how domestic violence affects children as they grow into adults.

About “God Heard My Cries”

God Heard My Cries represents the life of a young woman who has been haunted by her past. She carried so much hurt, pain, and hatred in her heart. She believed that she was a nobody and no one loved her. Until she was drawn to Ebenezer AME Church by a friend's tragic death, where she learned how to forgive and let go of things that hindered her from being somebody. God heard her cries and sent angels in the church to teach, comfort, fellowship and pray with her. As her strength grew, she was able to forgive her step-father for killing her mother in front of her and her brothers.

UBAWA: When did you first decide you wanted to become an author?

Danielle: I decided to become an author when I wrote a poem about my mother after she died. It was published in my high school's Literary Newsletter. Everyone was touched by the words of how I loved my mom. After that I began to write poems and essays for scholarships.

UBAWA: How did you decide on the idea for your 1st book? 2nd book? 3rd book, etc?

Danielle: My first book came from my testimony of salvation. After witnessing the death of my mother to domestic violence and dealing with mental illness I had to tell the world how God heard my cries. He answered my prayers and sent angels of the church to teach me how to pray and fellowship. Now I am saved and ready to allow God to use me to help teach other women and children about awareness of domestic violence and promoting peace, love, and happiness.

My 2nd book, A DIVA 'S VICTORY is a collection of poems that I wrote that express victory in every trial I went through during the time of depression and healing from my childhood to adulthood.

UBAWA: How long did it take you to complete your first book? What was the process like?

Danielle: God Heard My Cries took me about 1 year to write. The process was painful at times because I would cry about the things that happened to me. I would just pray and think to myself I know that there is someone who is going through the same thing and they need this book to help them out.

A Diva's Victory was put together by poems I have written throughout the years. It only took a few months to decide which ones I wanted to place in this book.

UBAWA: What’s so rewarding about writing books and being an author?

Danielle: The most rewarding part of writing books is that I can express how I feel and no one can tell me different. I live in my own world when I am writing. I can be myself. The best reward for being an author is hearing how my books have helped others reach out to the Lord for salvation. Many people have told me that my book has inspired them to challenge their heart to forgive and let God take control of their lives.

UBAWA: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up?

Danielle: Yes, right after I published, “God Heard My Cries,” I heard a comment that one of my family members said that hurt me deeply. The person said I should not be talking about my personal life in a book or telling the family business. I thought I had offended the family by talking about what happened to my mother. I thought about taking the book off line and not market it. Then I found out that the person never read the book. I prayed about it and I was told the book was not about me, my mother, or family. It is about the process of forgiving and letting God do his will. I was only following his command by sharing my testimony. Today my book stands as a healing tool to many people who are looking for redemption.

UBAWA: There’s more to being an author than writing a book. How do you manage to handle the business side of things?

Danielle: I am a first time self-publisher so I am learning everything so fast. I used helpful websites and did a lot of research on marketing my books. Now I am working with a public relations agency that is helping me with marketing and promoting my books and victim support meetings.

UBAWA: Do you have an editor or do you edit your own books?

Danielle: I used an online editing system for my first book. I will be using another source for editing my upcoming books.

UBAWA: Who does the cover art for your book(s)?

Danielle: I used a free online book cover design program for my first book and I designed my 2nd book cover myself.

UBAWA: Do you ever encounter writer’s block? How do you get past it?

Danielle: When I was writing my first book, writer's block happened often. I could not figure out how to write an event in the book without being too graphic or dramatic. I got past it by just writing down what I felt then going back over it to organize it.

UBAWA: How often do you write?

Danielle: I write every day. If am not writing a poem or writing a self-help tip to use for my support group, I am working on a gospel play and domestic violence guide for women.

UBAWA: Tell us about your last book signing.

Danielle: My last book signing was at the National Victim Holiday Vigil for Murdered Victims done by the South Carolina Chapter. I read a poem for theme “Strength.” I had a book signing after the program. It was awesome. There were many people there from the justice system.

UBAWA: Beside social media, what other methods are you using to get the word out about your book(s)?

Danielle: I am handing out postcards, business cards and flyers. I put them in storefronts and churches.

UBAWA: As a Woman of Color, what inspires you the most?

Danielle: My inspiration comes from many other women of color. When I see them as mothers, wives, teachers, and spiritual leaders allowing God to order their steps in their lives, it gives me great joy. We have been labeled and misunderstood for a long time. Today we are stepping up and standing out in the world as powerful women. When I look at women such as Michelle Obama, Maya Angelou, and Mae Jamison I get inspired to be the best I can be. If they did it I know I can.

UBAWA: Who is your biggest influence?

Danielle: My biggest influence is my mother. When I was very young my mother told me that my gift was to be an author. She encouraged me to write essays for local scholarships when I was in the fourth grade. She passed away when I was 16 years old. I continued on with my dreams of becoming an author by winning major essay scholarship in high school. Then one day, my dream came true. I became an author with a powerful message. This is what my mother saw in me. I thank her every day for showing me at a very young age what I am supposed to be in life.

UBAWA: Have you ever done something in the past you regret? How did you get through it?

Danielle: After my mother passed away I stopped living spiritually. I did not want to do anything because she was not here to see me. For a little while, I stopped writing. I quit the band and drama clubs. I sat at home to be sunk in depression for many years. I got through by realizing that depression was not the life my mother intended for me to live. I gave myself to the Lord and began to live again. Now I am in a play production. I have starred in a short movie and I’m a happy self- published author.

UBAWA: How do you get through the tough times in life when life throws what it throws at you?

Danielle: I was a victim of misery for a long time. Being a victim of violent crimes and having PTSD was not easy for me. I cried many nights. I wanted to give up on life but God sent some very good friends to me that helped me along the way. They were on hand to listen to me and hug me when I needed it.

UBAWA: What is one goal you want to accomplish for yourself in 2013?

Danielle: I want to open up my school of Inspirational Divas. It’s a program that will teach women how to restore peace, love, and happiness back into their lives after violence.

UBAWA: What do you have planned next?

Danielle: If God is willing I want to open up my first family intervention center. It will run programs for children and adults to promote healthy family values. I also plan to write more books. Hopefully I can have my book turn into a lifetime movie.

UBAWA: How can readers and others in the literary community reach you?

Danielle: I can be reached at [email protected] or www.danielletrichardson.com.

---