A dream delayed is not a dream denied

FELINA MARTIN is the Co-CEO of be. in_ marketing, an event marketing company that she launched with her son in December 2022. The company provides inventive solutions that inspire inclusivity in environments that traditionally lack representation from marginalized communities. In addition, she has a wearable art clothing line and author of the book, Sunshine in Hell, which will be released on National Ex-Spouse Day on April 14, 2023.

Martin is the former Director of the HUB for Community Innovation, a $20 million investment start-up nonprofit organization in Augusta, Georgia. Martin previously served as the Executive Director of the Institute for Nonprofit Innovation and Excellence (INIE) in Tallahassee, Florida. While at INIE, she launched multiple initiatives including the Revenue Research Center, that in its first year assisted nonprofits with over $8 million in grant funding leads and generated $100,000 in capacity-building investments from the county and city.

She has served in progressive leadership roles in both the nonprofit and business sectors that included director of healthy living for the YMCA, the division director for the March of Dimes, corporate outreach manager with the Florida Chamber of Commerce and member services director at the University Center Club.

During her 16 years in Tallahassee, Florida, Martin served as the CEO and founder of Eventions, an event planning company that designed festivals, conferences and special events for nonprofits, universities, city municipalities, Greek organizations, and others. Her talents and achievements have been recognized in various sectors including BizBash Florida Magazine as Event Planner of the Year and SBDC of Florida Regional Volunteer of the Year.

Martin is a graduate of the University of West Florida, where she earned her degree in Marketing and a graduate of the Harvard Business School Nonprofit Leadership Program where she earned her certificate in Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management. She was an ambassador of the YMCA South Africa Coalition in which she participated in an immersive leadership learning experience for 15 days.

UPW: We’re fortunate in this interview to actually have a theme to guide the narrative. Tell us about what you call your Delayed Dreams and why now is the best time to be talking about them.

FELINA MARTIN: I refer to “delayed dreams” as those dreams that you have never pursued for one reason or another. That dream (or dreams) have continued to percolate in your spirit. So, “why now?” There is no time like the present to release your dream. “Time” is not guaranteed to us so move beyond the thought and talk to act on your dreams.

When I was a little girl, I lost a close aunt. She was beautiful and full of life. Her loss taught me that life is precious and it can be lost in a moment. During the 70’s, there were few, if any, black women represented in the dreams that I wanted for myself. I had dreams to become a fashion designer, but I was discouraged by both the lack of representation and words from my mom. I wanted to be an airline pilot, and that dream quickly fizzled as I was told by school counselors about the expense, testing and more. I have been told of obstacles to my dreams for most of my youth. At age 16, I fell in love with a man that encouraged my dreams. At age 50, my son reignited my dreams. And I have been dream-catching ever since.

“If not now, then when?” – John Lewis

And a “dream delayed is not a dream denied.” -

Sihlangule Siwisa

UPW: Let’s get into more detail about your three primary initiatives that comprise the delayed dreams — tell us about the genesis of pamoja na.

MARTIN: Funny, I have been on a journey from dream-catching to dream-crushing over the last few years. So, I’m glad that you stated “three primary initiatives”. Pamoja na is fulfilling the dream of “fashion

Continued on next page design”. I find that after experiencing trauma in my life, I retreat to creative arts. In December 2021, for the first time in my advancing 50-year career, I was fired from a job. It was one of the most toxic work environments that I had ever experienced. I had left a job that I loved in Florida to relocate to Tennessee for what I thought was a great career move. As a result of the overt discrimination, microaggression and micro management that I had experienced on the job, I painted. I painted a piece of artwork that I call “Diversity Chattanooga” that reflected the pain and possibilities that I experienced living in the city. The painting inspired me to pursue researching a company to print the artwork on other materials and I discovered the Canada-based company, Le Galeriste. With their predesigned options and online platform, I was able to replicate the artwork onto a variety of products while hosting an online shop that sells everything from clothing to pillows to bags. I see Pamoja na as an opportunity to share my story and painting through wearable art. I am also able to channel my lineage to Ghana through the brand name and logo. In Swahili, Pamoja na, means “together with” and the symbol in the logo is Adinkra and translates to “unity and diversity”.

UPW: You are the co-founder of a marketing event company, be.in_ marketing LLC. Why do you feel that this type of service is so important at this point in history

MARTIN: I believe that any service or product that ethically and responsibly promotes diversity, equity and inclusion as a way of life is important in shaping the future. Be. in_ marketing LLC is an event marketing cooperative that provides inventive solutions that inspire inclusivity in environments that traditionally lack representation from marginalized communities. I have over 20 years of experience in event production and program development. I have planned events for nonprofits, universities, city municipalities, Greek organizations and more. If done strategically, an event can provide an immersive opportunity to learn, connect, innovate, and escape. Be. in_ marketing designs events that are part of a movement, not just a moment.

UPW: And this is a family affair. Tell us about your son’s involvement?

MARTIN: My son, Kendall Martin, is the Co-CEO/Founder of be. in_ marketing. He has witnessed his parents as business owners his entire life. The fact that he founded a nonprofit organization in 2019 while in college is not surprising. It is called WeClimb whose mission is to use rock climbing as a tool to help underserved youth become better versions of themselves and to increase diversity in the climb- ing world. When I lost my job in 2021, I jokingly mentioned to him that “we should start a marketing company”. I never thought that he would be interested in going into business with his mom but he replied “we should”. A year would pass, and I would relocate to Augusta for another “great career move”. That job did not work out. A year later, Kendall had now witnessed another unsuccessful career move. So, Kendall and I revisited the idea of working together and more importantly answering the question of “What can we do to influence a more inclusive environment?” During Kendall’s visit to Augusta over the Thanksgiving break, we spent four days pondering a company vision, name and branding. And be. in_ marketing was born. We have established our other business endeavors under the brand and are currently harnessing our respective networks to grow our clientele. Kendall is leading the creative efforts for the companies digital marketing, that will include launching a podcast series of inspiring stories of triumph over tragedy for people of color in underrepresented environments.

An original art piece titled “Diversity Chattanooga” was created by Felina Martin. The painting is featured as wearable art on fashion apparel designed by Martin, who is the owner and designer for the brand pamoja na.

UPW: You have a new book coming out in April. Tell us about what led to the writing of Sunshine in Hell, a personal memoir.

MARTIN: Writing Sunshine in Hell is a dream that has been simmering for over 15 years. It had taken years of soul-searching, praying and therapy to recover from the betrayal of my husband to sex addiction. What led me to finally finishing the book and releasing it was having the time to edit it.

Writing this memoir has been the most difficult journey of my life. Intentionally trying to recall hurtful words, conversations and acts has been an emotional rollercoaster. I would like to think that I poured myself into work over the last 15 years, that I did not have the time to write the book. But I would be lying to myself. Initially, I avoided writing the book and releasing it to the public because of the shame associated with sex addiction. All of those associated with the addict become the victim of the addiction. After I became aware of his addiction, my husband’s shame became mine. Besides of a fist-full of people whom I could trust and loved me, my story was an isolated scar in my journey. Sharing the story will hopefully help to heal at least one heart and to let them know that they are not alone.

The book will be supported by a monthly online talk show with myself, licensed mental health therapist and website with resources for assistance in healing. The book will be released on April 14th, which is National Ex-Spouse Day.