Conversations with Deleah Sharp

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deleah Sharp. 

Hi Deleah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2015, I started Identify Your Dream with the goal of helping children who have lost someone to violence. This mission is personal to me because I know the pain and isolation of losing a loved one at a young age. When my brother was murdered, I didn’t have the support and community that I needed to heal. Through Identify Your Dream, I aim to provide children with the peer-to-peer support, community, and healing space that I wished I had when I was going through my own grief. I became extremely concern for young people when I became a mom. And of course, just like most parents, we desire to create a world where our children are expressive, find a sense of belonging, feel safe, and operate in their full dignity. I discovered kids were not always kind, respectful, or nice. I started seeing young children that were very aggressive and hypervigilance, which a large number of them were attempting to maintain this sense of normalcy but internally dealing with unaddressed trauma. I could identify with them, and I also understand this stigma behind the idea of seeking mental health support or therapy. So, I wanted to create a safe space for them to address their trauma using a creative method that doesn’t bring shame. 

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?
Absolutely not! Even when our hearts and intentions are in the right place, seeking grants or increasing our brand awareness by elevating the stories of young people who are impacted by violence could be mistaken for exploitative tactics. And as much as we would love to say we are creative at removing the shame or stigma from the mental healing component, I have been told by several families who lost a loved one to violence that their kids are doing fine and really don’t need any support. So, over the last 8 years we have had to make adjustments to fit the needs of those who are active prioritizing their healing and taking advantage of our services. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the founder and Executive Director of Identify Your Dream (IDYD) Corporation, which has produced the Annual “Stomp Out Violence March & Rally,” “Conversations with Survivors,” “Sweet Dreams Toy Giveaway,” and IDYD’s Dreamers Mentoring Program. The purpose of IDYD is to prioritize healing and provide grief support for children (4-18) who lost a loved one to violence. I am a mother of 3, dance instructor, and author of the children’s book “Sweet Dreams – Finding Life after Loss.” After graduating from Michigan State University, I advanced into a professional career as a Medical Technologist for over 20 years. But my passion for the effect of trauma on the human mind led me to pursue a master’s in psychology. The last 15 years, I have become a community activist against violence, partnering with organizations committed to gun law reform, facilitated trauma-informed workshops in schools; and in January 2019, I became the Chapter Coordinator for Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, the first in the state of Michigan. I was honored with the 2017 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – Omicron Alpha Alpha Chapter Citizen of the Year Award, The Ascend Foundation’s 2018 Pontiac Community Service Award, the 2018 Mothering Justice Organization of the Year award, selected as Oakland County Executive Elite 40 under 40 Class of 2019, and in 2022 I was celebrated as one of Michigan’s Heroes named by Governor Whitmer, and 2023 I was selected as the Nonprofit Champion Member of The Year from the Pontiac Regional Chamber. Understanding that Pontiac has been a place of great pain, I take pride in how I have truly transformed my healing into action: I’m currently serving on the Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald’s Anti-Violence Task Force, Oakland County’s Anti-Violence Task Force, Oakland County Sheriff Relation Team, and Pontiac’s Anti-Violence Task Force. 

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Look for networking events in your area that are related to your industry or interests. Attend and actively engage with people. Reach out to professionals who are successful in your field and ask them to be your mentor. Approach them with a specific goal or question in mind. Utilize online networking platforms such as LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field. 

Join professional organizations or associations related to your industry or interests. Attend meetings and be an active participant. Ask colleagues, friends, or family members if they know anyone who could mentor you or provide you with networking opportunities. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.identifyyourdream.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idyourdream/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/idyd15
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deleah-sharp-5419a7123/