"How I heal is with my voice"

Reflecting on my journey, I am reminded of the profound impact that a single voice can have. My voice is not just my own; it carries the hopes, dreams, and struggles of those I serve. Every word I speak is a testament to the resilience and strength of my community. It is through this voice that I find healing, and it is my deepest hope that it brings healing to others as well.

 I believe that true healing begins with understanding and compassion. By listening deeply and speaking truthfully, we can bridge divides and foster a sense of belonging. My voice is my tool for healing, a beacon of hope, and a catalyst for change. Through faith, love, and unwavering commitment, I strive to uplift those around me and inspire them to find their own voices.

From a young age, growing up in the northern part of Alabama, I knew that my ambitious and driven mindset was destined to take me on a journey filled with God’s divine purpose and plan for my life. My soul was always yearning for more, and I felt a profound calling in my heart that there was much for me to learn and receive from this world. As a young woman, I moved to Massachusetts with my toddler daughter, and that’s when my spiritual journey truly began. My daughter and I lived there for 30 years. This journey has not been easy, as many would say, and I can attest to that. One crucial lesson I had to learn was that I was not exempt from hurt, pain, or sickness. Despite the numerous accomplishments I have achieved and the many young lives I have touched, I was not spared from experiencing the same trials and tribulations as those I prayed for when illness afflicted their bodies. God used my voice as a vessel of healing. When I mentored a young child with no direction, God used my voice to provide guidance and wisdom. The strength I bore for others was so that God could use me as His instrument. I often asked my Heavenly Father why I had to put others before myself. I soon came to understand that God was fortifying me with spiritual armor that I would later need when He called my best friend and daughter’s name to rest in peace. Tennille “T” Lashay and I did everything together when she was a girl. We were exceptionally close when she became an adult. She was well-accomplished like her mother and loved to travel the world. Together, we could move mountains, and at times I wonder how life would be if she were still with us. She always kept it real with me, and I could trust that she had my best interests at heart. She brainstormed many ideas with me that are now in action. The feeling of losing a child is indescribable and requires deep soul-searching to endure. Despite all the losses I have faced in my lifetime, I never lose the zeal and purpose God has instilled in me. My role in this world is much like the heart: to be a vessel that pumps life into those I am assigned to help along this journey, providing physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. I cannot conclude without expressing how rewarding it has been to be chosen by God and to know my purpose. There have been countless opportunities and doors opened for me that only God could have orchestrated. I am a testament to "Mending Broken Hearts." Through my offerings of cooking (serving), music (worshiping), and arts (manifesting), my heart began to mend its brokenness.

Peace, 

 Rev. Dr. Linda Parham, sometimes I still can’t believe I accomplished something so significant. My educational journey has always been driven by a passion for understanding and serving my community. I earned a Doctorate of Divinity in Complex Urban Studies, focusing on urban youth and young adult ministry, from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Along the way, I also picked up several master's degrees in Communications, Community Development and Planning, Business Administration (MBA), Organizational Communication, and a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School. My academic adventure began with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Clark University.

To deepen my expertise, I pursued certifications in areas close to my heart: Women Politics and Public Policy (UMass-Boston), Youth and Young Adult Ministry Studies (Boston Theological Institute), Faith-Based Community Economic Development (Harvard Divinity School Summer Leadership Institute), and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) from Berkshire Medical Center.

From building leaders within the African Diaspora in my local community, providing financial literacy and education to those in need, and collaborating with health advocates to create programs that assist individuals living with disabilities, to founding and serving as the Executive Director for three non-profit organizations:

The Skills Group Center Inc., a non-profit, faith-based organization, has uplifted the community through strategic public health policy development and planning. Understand New Identifiers That Empower Youth Community Development Corporation (UNITEY CDC) is at the forefront of motivating Black youth and young adults to revitalize their communities, bridge gaps through civic and community engagement, and transform their dreams into reality by focusing on youth self-empowerment. Mending Broken Hearts allows me to be a voice that God is using to bring revolution and impact the spiritual climate in cities around the world. Through speaking, teaching, and preaching at social and cultural events, I have been given a distinctive voice for this hour, helping churches, para-church ministries, and civic leaders alike.

Some might see this as tedious, but I thoroughly enjoy it. I am a person who sets high goals and works diligently to achieve them. I am a woman with a reputation for putting my words into action. I am prolific in my ability to effect significant change in the lives of each person I encounter. I have spent the past 20 years working with the local and global community as a leader in advocacy and service because I believe we are “better together.”