Reka Robinson Freed Herself from Abuse and Launched “Single You Academy”
KISH: Tell us about you..
Radio is probably the reason why most people know me. Ever since getting into the field at Howard University over 18 years ago, radio has been in my life. For the last seven years, I was the lead host of the morning show on Power 99.1 called the Just me Reka Show. Being a woman in radio, with my name stamped so heavily on a radio show, is kind of a big deal. Unfortunately, you won’t find many women, or Black women for that matter, leading a radio morning show.
Outside of talking and posting about my curly hair, workouts, my pitbulls “Champ” and “Thor”, and discussing self-love, I am a certified NLP Life Coach who is also known as the Single Girls Life Coach. I am also the Founder of Single You Academy, You First Academy (501c3) & the host of Single You the Podcast.
In September of 2020, after 18 years in radio, I stepped down from my full-time morning show job to focus on what God was calling me to do in THIS season. I was called to guide women who need to hear that singleness is not a punishment and that you are worthy regardless of your relationship status.
KISH: What is your dream and how will accomplishing your dream benefit you and others?
Reka: My dream is to decrease the numbers of abuse, especially for Black women, while also educating those that will listen – that abuse can be way more than just physical. I want to give as many women as I can the tools to stop the cycle of dysfunctional relationships. I envision a world without abuse, in which people are empowered, uplifted and walking in their purpose WAY before one gets married.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to pursue this dream?
Reka: In my journey from abuse to discovering my worth, I learned that I get to decide how men treat me, in addition to the fact that having a man doesn’t determine my happiness. I do. And when you learn, you teach! Plus, I felt that God was calling me to share my story. After my abusive ex broke up with me, I heard God say, “I will use this story.” At first, I was NOT going to share it with anyone, because I was embarrassed and ashamed. I didn’t understand and couldn’t believe that I went through something like that.
It wasn’t until I went on a solo trip to Mexico in December of 2017. That’s when I decided to share my testimony. After reading “The Purpose Driven life” there was a part of that book that really resonated with me. Pastor Rick Warren states, “Your greatest shame will be the thing that heals others”…. From there, I knew I had to share.
I began to share my trials and tribulations about my journey with men in 2018 on my radio show. I shared the shame I had about my “abusive ex” and the embarrassment I had about the “$10,000 boyfriend” (one of my relationship stories), which I got over to encourage other women!
I became vulnerable with my listeners and because of the courage I displayed, I found that there is always someone who has gone through what you’ve gone through, and if you know that, you will feel less alone in this world. Loneliness is really about a lack of purpose, connection and inspiration. The more I share my story, the more I can be a bridge to that connection for women.
KISH: What challenges have you encountered while pursuing your dream?
Reka: Definitely financial challenges, as well as Impostor syndrome, dealing with Covid …you name it! All of those things combined have presented obstacles and made it harder for me to grow and to build awareness. But, I refuse to let that stop me.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to keep pushing regardless of the challenges you’ve encountered?
Reka: So, as I mentioned, I feel like God is calling me to be a light for women. To encourage them, to be a positive example, to share my stories and the stories of other women in order to 1) weaken the stigma of ‘single’ and 2) to strengthen the understanding of boundaries, self-worth, self-love, and what makes a healthy relationship vs. an unhealthy relationship…. That is what keeps me going.
Financially, I would have to say my community, my hustle and savings!
Mentally, my routine, which consists of journaling, reading, mentorship, therapy, coaching and making sure I am mindful of what I listen to and watch.
KISH:Please provide final thoughts/advice for others by finishing this sentence… dream.
Reka: Dream, but don’t share with others. Not the ones who don’t have faith. Family, friends and peers can squash a dream quicker than you can even get it started. Find a core group of people that can feed your faith and not your fears – a core group of people who are doing and understand what you’re dreaming to do.
