Aelicia Watson, affectionately known as “Chocolate,” is the founder and executor of Redeemed Women, a nonprofit organization based out of South Dallas.
Redeemed Women serves women dealing with generational poverty in the sector of Dallas.
Aelicia “Chocolate” Watson, founder and executor of Redeemed Women (Photo provided by Aelicia Watson)
Watson, 39 years old, said her story is described as a “spontaneous, exuberant, poverty-stricken, overcoming generational poverty” background.
“I’m a single mother of one, and I had my daughter when I was 14-years-old. I grew up in what I would call absolute poverty. My mother was a drug addict up until the day she died,” Watson said. “My dad is still an alcoholic. I grew up in foster care, I had cancer three times–bone cancer twice, and breast cancer.”
Watson attributes her success and triumphs through poverty to the grace of God.
“What I would like to say is, but God,” Watson said. “Had it not been for the grace of God, and my faith, and my hope, I would not be the woman that I am today.”
According to Redeemed women, their organization’s mission and focus is to transform women to lead independent lives by building relationships and addressing their spiritual, physical, and vocational needs.
Women in South Dallas attend Redeemed Women’s floral shop (Photo provided by Aelicia Watson)
Watson said Redeemed Women serves women “specifically” in south Dallas, in the Fair Park neighborhood.
“This neighborhood is overcome by generational poverty; 86% of the women are black women and are single mothers, undereducated, and low income,” Watson said. “The organization does take a holistic approach, but we don’t turn anyone away.”
Amy Moore, a pastor in the Presbyterian church PCUSA and volunteer for Redeemed Women, said she met Watson at an event that Watson spoke at and wanted to get involved with Redeemed Women.
“In the course of her presentation she mentioned that Redeemed Women has a place called ‘The Well’ which is the meeting place,” Moore said. “Which prompted me to speak with her because I have a website titled ‘Amy’s Well.’”
Amy Moore, a pastor in the Presbyterian Church PCUSA and Redeemed Women volunteer (Photo from Facebook)
Watson said Redeemed Women offers a wide variety of opportunities to help women in their community, in a safe environment for the comfort of women.
“Some of these things look like, bible study, but we don’t call it bible study we call it ‘Just for us,’” Watson said. “We do mock interviews, we have a nutrition program, we have a counseling center, and we also have a computer lab.”
Moore said she wanted to get involved with Redeemed Women because she loves what Watson is doing.
“I love what Chocolate’s doing, she’s authentic and what Redeemed Women is doing, I believe is providing that environment for healing,” Moore said.
Moore said this organization is dedicated to inviting people in, to help change the lives of others.
“It’s not a matter of getting in there and telling people what they have to do but providing the space where they can discover their own needs in order to give voice to them and embrace their own transformation and empowerment,” she said.
Moore said she recommends people to read Watson’s book, “Anointed: A survivor’s story from unspeakable pain to undeniable joy.”
“I think her book is a very worthy read, very helpful read for some insight into where she has come from,” Moore said.
Watson said Redeemed Women is a small organization that needs advocates and people to get involved to help grow and impact more women’s lives.
“I would encourage people to get in and get involved financially, and also follow us on Facebook and Instagram,” Watson said. “We are a small organization, grass-roots, but we are doing big things.”
For more information or to get involved, visit Redeemedwomen.org, or visit RedeemedWomenDallas on Facebook or Instagram.
About averydishaw
