Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Ferguson.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Unfortunately a perfect family is just a dream.
At the age of 11 my mother moved to Baltimore for a new life after divorcing my father. At the age of 12 my father was arrested for bank robbery .
I remember those prison visits like yesterday. I can still feel the anxiety from the sound of the bars closing behind me, the guards checking my mother’s purse, and nervously going through the metal detector.
I was excited to see him but could not shake the jitters of visiting him in prison.
The impact of all this trauma was attached to me mentally. It had a strong hold on my mind, and I played what I thought was the end of my story over and over again.
There were three things I rehearsed in my mind:
#1 Because my father allegedly died by a drowning and/or drug overdose in his 40‘s, I too would die prematurely.
#2 My marriage would end early but just yesterday me and my husband ,Tony, celebrated 35 years of marriage.
#3 How do I hide my father’s past? I feared people would think I was a thief or associate me with a criminal, so I didn’t talk about it.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
I had to overcome inferiority and shame of someone else mistake.
Daddy issues was the main one.
I remember attending a Sunday service and Bishop Johnson was preaching on unforgiveness. He said, “even if the person is dead, you still need to forgive them”. At that moment I let out a loud scream, “I forgive you!” “I forgive you!” I felt the pain and feeling of shame leave me. This was the beginning of my healing journey.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I had various jobs including one at Burger King as a cashier and got promoted to Team Lead, cashier, a teller marketer, and then finally a job at the IRS as a Customer Service Representative. Getting a government job requires an intense background check. To be honest I thought I wasn’t going to get it after they saw my father’s background. I got the job. After a couple of weeks on the job I was pulled into an investigation room, I said to myself “Here we go, they are going to ask me about my father.” They never once mentioned my father and I left out that room thanking God and praising him for victory.
From the IRS I went to work at the Social Security Administration. After 8-9 years, I resigned and pursued my dream of owning my own mortgage/tax business. I did that for about 8 years until the housing market crashed in 2007 and I had to shut the doors.
I began another career search and I landed jobs with major banks. I helped save consumer homes from going to foreclosure and monitored employee’s investment accounts.
From the bank to a Financial Counselor for Johns Hopkins Hospital, to a Radio Host/Author, to Program Manager for a non- profit where I continue to teach financial literacy to the youth in Baltimore. Now I sit at conference tables with Bank VPs.
After God continued to show me his grace over my life, I still felt unworthy, ashamed and scared.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Never give up on your dream. Here’s one of my favorite poems that illustrates why you should never give up on your dreams:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
-Marianne Williamson
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success is intertwine with purpose. As long as you are living and working out your God given purpose you will be successful.
What’s next for you?
What’s next for me is up to God. One thing for sure is I will listen for God’s voice and follow the direction and path he has laid out for me. I will die empty.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
You can contact me at 443-307-1241, elevationglobalmediagroup.com or info@elevationglobalmediagroup.com