Life Development Strategist and Mentor Nakeia Clark Homer Speaks with AC from YAHOO!

This month I am interviewing artist and business owners around the world. When I was a child growing up in the Bronx, New York, I use to play the organ and thought music was the most wonderful thing. Although I always wanted to play an instrument, I just couldn't seem to remain fully committed to that pursuit. However, I was fully able to express my heart through writing and praise and worship music.

I recall listening to Frankie Crocker on WBLS in New York and thinking to myself, "Lord I want to do that"! My passion became music, so it was no wonder that I found myself on the air as a radio announcer for the past ten years. I had never taken one class in Broadcasting, but quickly realized that picking up a microphone was as natural as breathing to me. As an artist myself, it always warms my heart to see all of the wonderful gifted artist and musicians that we have in our world. There is just something about music and how it has the ability to move you to tears or to dance. That's a very powerful gift!

Today, I want to introduce you to a powerful woman that I met recently when I attended her "Lunch & Learn" meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. Her name is Nakeia Clark Homer. Nakeia is a wonderful motivational speaker that is able to take her life journey and be an encouragement to others. Nakeia and her husband Charles "Tony" Homer own a Music Production company by the name of Remnant Productions, LLC and Remnant Sound Studios. They have made beautiful music for some of the world's biggest names in both the Gospel and Secular world.

Yahoo: Good afternoon Nakeia. How are you today?

NCH: I am absolutely wonderful!

Yahoo: I have heard a little bit about your background, but I want you to share with our audience, where you are from.

NCH: I am originally from a small town in Southern New Jersey by the name of Bridgeton. After meeting my husband and graduating from Rutgers University, I was swept off to the state of Delaware and just a few months ago, however, we relocated to Georgia.

Yahoo: How did growing up in your neighborhood affect your thought process?

NCH: Well, as I have shared with my audiences in my daily blog and as a Speaker, Life Development Strategist and Mentor, what you see in me now is a new and improved, ever evolving, and eternally grateful...Nakeia C. Homer. As you know, Karen, I grew up in a public housing development, or "The Projects". My mother and father were unable to raise me, so my paternal grandmother did. I was exposed to all sorts of violence, drug abuse, and unhealthy sexual behavior in my neighborhood as well as among my core family members. Even though that lifestyle was typical to that sort of environment, it was never acceptable to me. I felt uncomfortable with it early on in life, and all I could think was "I can't wait to get far, far away from here!" I still can't explain why I thought differently than almost everyone around me, but I did---and for that I am grateful. What I know for sure, is that there was a life of purpose waiting for me!

Yahoo: When did you begin to make a conscience effort to change your "mind"?

NCH: I was ten years old when my mind began the process of changing my life. I saw everything around me that made me uncomfortable, out of place, and desperate for change, and I made what I call an "intentional decision" to do something about it. It was at that time that I made my first major life goal. I set a goal of graduating high school and also college in order to obtain gainful employment so that I could afford to move out of the projects. That is where my journey through whole-life development began.

Yahoo: Are you a woman of Faith? Tell me how that has helped in your journey?

NCH: Yes! Yes, I am. James Allen, one of the greatest inspirational thinkers and writers, says it best, "There is nothing that a strong faith and unflinching purpose can not accomplish." I choose to place my faith in God---The creator of all things good. Since He created me, I must be good! Good things dwell among the good. Since living in the projects wasn't good enough for me; I set out on a journey that made creating a "good" life my purpose. I am here today by no strength of my own; it has been God who has guided me almost every step of the way. I say almost because there were times when I decided to try my own path, but even then, He made sure that goodness and mercy was with me.

Yahoo: I understand that you and your husband have your own business. Tell us about that?

NCH: My husband, Charles "Tony" Homer is a truly gifted musician, composer, and producer and he allowed me to partner with him, in business, about nine years ago. We create great music together at Remnant Productions, LLC. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have known that I could write songs. We have had a successful nine years and have been a part of over ten albums...some of which have been nominated for Grammy, Stellar, and Dove awards. I am excited about the future of Remnant Productions.

Yahoo: Now, tell me about Makeup by Nakeia. When did you first realize that you had a gift in helping others to feel beautiful from the inside out?

NCH: Wow. I fell in love with makeup at 16 years old. That is when I was allowed to start wearing it. I started getting paid as an artist in college. Girls would pay me to do there makeup for dates, formals, and other occasions. I started formally working as a freelance makeup artist after I discovered the booming business of wedding makeup and that is when Makeup by Nakeia was born! Actually, 6 months after my launch I began getting requests from photographers, agency models, and recording artists. I am grateful to have had my work featured on television, on the runway, in magazines, and some music videos. But, I can't forget to mention how great it feels, as a makeup artist, to be apart of making the most important day in a bride's life special.

Yahoo: How can people find you on the World Wide Web?

NCH: For now you can check out my daily blog at http://nakeia.blogspot.com. My website for Nakeia C. Homer is in the process of being developed, and you will be able to visit me there some time this fall.

Yahoo: Nakeia, what advice can you give to women in particular that are still struggling with low self-esteem?

NCH: I will say this, you were created for a purpose, and that purpose is simply to live your best life. Every person on earth was born with a gift, talent, and skill that is unique to only them. No one else on earth has the ability to do what you can do, in the way that only you can do it. Understand who you are. Spend time developing yourself from the inside out and you will begin to see the "you" that is special, unique, wonderful, and good begin to blossom. For those that need assistance in doing any of the things I mentioned, please feel free to email me at Nakeia.h@gmail.com. I will use my gift as a Life Development Strategist and Mentor to introduce you to the person you were born to be. There is NO ONE like you!

Yahoo: Thank you so much for speaking with us today Nakeia. I pray that everything that you put your hands to will prosper!

NCH: Thank you Karen. It was a pleasure speaking with you!

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