Member Spotlight

 Dezada Galloway was born and raised in the Birdneck area of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Throughout her life, she faced numerous challenges, but she has come to view them not as struggles, but as pivotal moments of growth. These experiences shaped her into the resilient, faithful woman she is today. Raised in a community where poverty was the norm, Dezada’s early years were marked by adversity. Her father was incarcerated, and her mother was grappling with her own battles. It was her grandmother, now laid to rest, who became the heart of the family, raising Dezada, her siblings, and extended relatives with unwavering grace and compassion. Her Aunt Vicky, her father’s sister, also played a key role in Dezada’s life, offering an example of love, stability, and spiritual grounding.

Although she left school in the 9th grade, Dezada always knew she was meant for more. Becoming a mother at 21 marked the beginning of a powerful transformation. While working full-time and raising her sons, she made multiple attempts to return to school, consistently placing her children’s needs before her own. Once they were both in school full-time, Dezada earned her GED and enrolled at Tidewater Community College. After balancing work, motherhood, and studies and taking a brief pause to refocus she transferred to ECPI University, where she is now proudly pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration. Her journey has been guided and sustained by the divine placement of mentors like Dr. Kay Eloi, Dr. Lou Edwards, Eric Montgomery, and Rashawna Brown, whose support and encouragement helped her stay the course. 

While raising her children remains her greatest achievement, Dezada continues to walk in her purpose, driven by faith and a commitment to growth. As she often reflects, the scripture in Luke 16:10 speaks to her journey: “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much.” For Dezada, this is just the beginning the best is yet to come.