An Inspired Chat with Teniecka Drake of Maricopa City

We recently had the chance to connect with Teniecka Drake and have shared our conversation below.

Teniecka, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
This question is actually quite timely for me. I recently attended The Domestic Violence & Homeless Services Coaliton event on July 10,2025. The event was titled Community Connections Summit
From Surviving to Thriving: Sustaining Our Autonomy& Flourishig in Our collective Wellness. At this event I met many people I had only met previously online or by email. The award I was is called the DVHSC Lifetime Achievement Award.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Teniecka Drake but, I go by T.Drake for all my social media and podcasting platforms. I am a mother of four amazing children and would not change that for the world. I am also a :Domestic Violence advocate, HIV advocate,community advocate, an author,speaker and podcaster. What I do is I share my testimony while sharing the Lord’s word.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
One of my dear friends saw in me what I knew was there inside of me. After going through the Domestic Violence and abuse of my marriage it was evident. My friend Dr. James C. Sutton,II would always tell me when I get to where the Lord is calling me. He would say just leave me a seat in row Z. He has always believed in me and he is my number one supporter and cheerleader! He still pushes me to keep going and do what I am doing.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I stopped hiding my pain was after I wrote my book “The Gift of Finding God’s Love : Guilt and Shame Turned into my Shine”. It was at that time I started branching out. That is when I created the podcast “God’s Gift Through His Word” podcast. This is where I share my testimony about different areas of my life. I was quite empowered to find my voice and use it.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is quite real. I am the same in the digital space just as I am in person. I have always kept the things I do true to my life and being honest. It has never been an issue for me to show and be a relatable on my personal journey.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
You may face dark trials and tribulations. I just want to continue to provide people encouragement and continue to share inspiration. I am doing what I was born to do and, more is coming. I am just staying on the path that has been laid out for me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ggthw18