What's Really Good - Dominica Sharda Sims

Updated 3 days ago

In this episode of 'What's Really Good', Matthew Lipsey interviews Dominica Sharda. Dominica shares her inspiring journey from prison to becoming a community leader. She discusses her books 'Convicted Pressure' and 'Gracefully Redeemed', which chronicle her life transformation. Dominica also talks about her nonprofit work, including the GLOW program for young girls and the SLAP initiative for reintegrating former prisoners. The episode highlights her dedication to empowering women and making a positive impact in her community.

Chapters

Introduction and Guest Announcement (00:00:14)
Matthew Lipsey introduces the podcast and welcomes the special guest, bestselling author Dominica Sharda.

Matthew Lipsey greets the audience of 'What's Really Good, the podcast' and introduces the special guest, Dominica Sharda, a bestselling author and founder of Dominica's Promise and Initiatives.
Dominica's First Book: Convicted Pressure (00:00:34)
Dominica talks about her first book, 'Convicted Pressure,' which details her life story up to her release from prison.

Dominica Sharda discusses her first book, 'Convicted Pressure,' an autobiography that chronicles her life experiences leading up to her release from prison. She shares her motivation for writing it to inspire others who have faced similar challenges.
Upcoming Second Book: Gracefully Redeemed (00:01:08)
Dominica shares about her upcoming book, 'Gracefully Redeemed,' covering her life after prison and her journey of personal growth.

Introduces her upcoming book, 'Gracefully Redeemed,' which will explore her life after prison. She emphasizes that rebuilding her life was not instantaneous and shares the struggles and growth she experienced during this period.
Starting Over and Building Support Systems (00:02:00)
Discussion on the challenges of reintegrating into society after prison and the importance of support systems and personal resilience.

The conversation delves into the difficulties of starting over after incarceration, especially during the pandemic, and the importance of having a support system. Dominika explains how prayer, family, and friends helped her navigate this challenging time.
Promise and Glow Program (00:02:34)
Dominica talks about founding Promise and the Glow program, aimed at mentoring young girls.

Dominica Sharda describes her nonprofit, Dominica's Promise, and its initiative, the Glow program, which focuses on mentoring young girls. She shares her vision of empowering young women through mentorship and support.
Financial Literacy Initiatives with Old National Bank (00:06:43)
Dominica discusses her partnership with Old National Bank to teach financial literacy to young girls.

Dominica Sharday outlines her collaboration with Old National Bank to educate young girls on financial literacy. The program covers essential topics such as managing credit, budgeting, and planning for financial freedom.
Challenges and Barriers in the Glow Program (00:08:08)
Dominica shares the challenges faced in the Glow program, including transportation issues, and efforts to overcome them.

Dominica discusses the obstacles, particularly transportation, that the Glow program faces in reaching young girls. She talks about the consistency of participation and mentions efforts to secure funding for better transportation solutions.
The SLAP Program: Starting Life After Prison (00:09:42)
Introduction to the SLAP program, which supports individuals transitioning from prison to society.

Dominika introduces the SLAP (Starting Life After Prison) program, which provides resources and support for individuals reentering society after incarceration. The program offers practical help such as bus passes and connections to job resources.
Building a Nonprofit and Empowering Others (00:11:00)
Dominica reflects on her journey of building a nonprofit and the importance of community support.

Dominica Sharda shares her experience in establishing a nonprofit and highlights the critical role of community support and relationships in her success. She emphasizes the importance of giving back and creating positive impacts in her community.
Upcoming Projects and Initiatives for 2024 (00:12:29)
Dominika reveals her upcoming projects for the new year, including a reality show and a Pistons game fundraiser.

Dominika Sharday talks about exciting projects for the upcoming year, such as casting for a reality show featuring female entrepreneurs and organizing a Pistons game fundraiser to support the Glow program.
Felony Girls and Changing Narratives (00:13:26)
Discussion on the Felony Girls group aimed at changing the narrative for female felons and empowering them.

Dominika introduces the Felony Girls group, which focuses on transforming the narrative surrounding female felons by supporting them in becoming successful entrepreneurs. The group aims to inspire others by showcasing success stories.
Final Thoughts and Contact Information (00:21:20)
Dominika shares her contact information for those interested in her initiatives and programs.

In the closing segment, Dominika provides her social media contacts and encourages individuals who need assistance or want to get involved with her initiatives to reach out. She highlights the importance of community and support.