Domestic abuse awareness and gun control advocate Diona Clark is petitioning lawmakers in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and around the country to implement legislation that adds more legal protections for domestic violence victims. One shocking fact that has come to light for Clark is when women are sexually assaulted, it’s almost as if the laws protect the perpetrator more than the victims.
A survivor of both domestic abuse and gun violence, Clark has a firsthand account and testimony to urge lawmakers to act. Several years ago her boyfriend shot her twice from point blank range and left her for dead after she told him she wanted to break up. He turned the gun on himself in a failed murder-suicide attempt. Today, he is alive and paralyzed. Clark forgave him, visited him in the hospital and he asked why she was in bandages. He didn’t remember shooting her.
Using her pain as a catalyst, Clark launched the Liv Out Loud movement to help domestic violence victims by creating experiences and workshops that will be game changers. This includes building their self-esteem and providing them resources to be able to successfully transition into the next phase of their lives. It also teaches victims to be aware of the early signs of abuse, to trust their gut feelings and encourages young girls and women to find the strength and courage to end toxic relationships or not enter into them. It is only by the grace of God that Clark is still alive.
The proud Howard University alumna is pushing hard for lawmakers to require customers to not only take a background check in order to purchase a gun but to also make it mandatory for them to take a psychological exam which they must pass.
Read what she has to say.
What inspires you to show up at work every day?
What inspires me to show to work every day is seeing the results of what I do and the impact that I have on others when doing my job.
How did you determine your career path?
I determined my career path based off of my feelings of wanting to help those that are underprivileged, especially youth. When I graduated from high school I became involved in a community outreach program for youth and their families and I really enjoyed it and that’s when I knew I had a passion for working youth and their families.
Describe the skill sets that will be essential to future business leaders and innovators.
I believe that the future skill sets that are essential to future business leaders would have to be having the ability to accept change, knowledgeable about social media and technology.
Define innovative methods you apply to your business and life.
Innovative methods applied to my business and life are social media and live streaming as ways to market my business as well as networking to become familiar with like-minded people to keep me motivated in life and business.
Describe how you set goals and evaluate your success.
I set goals out 30 days, 60 days and 90 days to ensure that my behavior is congruent with the goals that I want to achieve to get the results I want for my business. This also helps with self-management and making sure that I stay on task.
Names three books that changed how you saw life and you recommend to others.
Confident Woman by Joyce Meyers, 10 Mistakes That Women Make and The Compound Effect. I would recommend all three books. Around the time, I read Confident Woman and 10 Mistakes That Women Make it was a time I had low self-esteem and trying to get over a traumatic incident that I was involved in. These two books gave me insight on embracing who I was and accepting my flaws and moving past how other viewed me. They gave me the courage to live out loud. Compound Effect allowed me to be able to manage to make changes within myself. I always thought that change could happen quickly or overnight but after reading the book I set small goals to help in some of the things I needed to change and now it’s amazing to look back and see how far I’ve come.
Describe why lifelong learning is important to you.
Lifelong learning is important for personal growth in order for the individual to grow, become better and have better judgment.
What are the three most important factors of being a successful woman?
Three most important factors of being a successful woman, in my opinion, would be transparency, give and be committed.
Technology plays what role in your daily life?
Technology plays the role of keeping me informed of what my competition is out there and what new ideas to embark on to help my business grow.
What social media or digital tool has made the biggest difference in your life and why?
Facebook has definitely made the biggest difference in my life. Because of Facebook, I have connected with so many amazing [people] that have changed my life personally, help change my brand but it has also allowed me to do the same thing to others that also use it as well. It became a vehicle to help get the message out of who I was and what I stood for.
What social media or digital tool has made the biggest difference in your life and why?
If I could change anything in the world it would be hunger. I can’t stand to see or know that there are people that go without food, clothes or shelter.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I don’t know. That’s a hard question. I didn’t like who I was for so long that when I started to finally embrace who I am, I accepted all of [myself], flaws and all. Maybe trust others a little more. Sometimes I find myself not delegating as I should because at times I feel like I want to make sure things are done right I tend to just do them myself when I have others around me that are capable of doing the job.
Who or what motivates you and why?
Who motivates me is my family. We come from a place of not being rich in material things but rich in love and unity. We have a great support system. What motivates me is knowing that I should have died when my ex-boyfriend shot me twice at point blank range. I live my life on purpose and to the fullest with the intent to impact the lives of those that I encounter.
What are the dos and don’ts for young women in business?
Do’s and Don’ts; Do take time out for yourself, do give to others, do have two types of people around you at all times one person that is where you want to be and one person that is trying to get to where you are. Don’t ever think you know it all and don’t be selfish.
How do you successfully grow from business failure?
I think you grow from business failure by simply learning from your mistakes and open yourself to innovative ways to help your business.
Name three successful female role models and explain why you admire them.
My mother, because she has overcome so many obstacles that society had placed on a person like her who became a teenage mother. She really is a survivor of life. Her endurance that she had and still have to be the best mother to me and my siblings leaves me speechless. Oprah Winfrey, she has a heart for the people and to me, she demonstrates it through her giving to so many people and helping out countries that are less fortunate. Joyce Meyers, her ability to empower and encourage others spiritually through her ability to be transparent and talk about her imperfections and to see the position she is in now helping so many others.
