Meet Lace Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lace Johnson.

Lace, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story as an entrepreneur has been nothing glamorous with the trials and tests of faith-but I wouldn’t trade a moment. I was born in England and raised in between Germany and NY. My parents (mom and stepdad) both being military, allowed my first years of childhood to be in NY with my amazing grandparents. I’m sure my love of fashion started in NY-to be bold and in the melting pot of so many cultures and styles-I was in love. Being a military brat taught me to be resourceful, get the job done no matter what and that with constant moving-it was inevitable-I was going to stand out. With rejection, physical abuse, doubt in me-I wanted my outside appearance to be better than my inside feelings-ie creating my own style in fashion. Traveling to over 11 countries, multiple states, I became a bit of everything. I believe as I connected with a girlfriend with the same love of being bold, Honey and Cocoa Consignment was born. For those of color that needed to express the love, culture, and creativity on the outside and on a budget, lol.

As a child, I developed and MIMICKED a giving spirit that was shown by mom and grandparents. I wanted to give the love that I believe everyone deserved (even if I didn’t always feel it). So, if I saw someone on the street, crying at a desk, working hard with no recognition? Oh, you were going to get this love lol whether it was my jacket, some flowers, an encouraging word-didn’t matter. I remember a prayer when I was very young of praying for love and how my name was exactly four letters like love, so it was a sign to always give it-I was love. A bit shocking to some as to how I always tried to give out love with what I’ve been through (i.e. multiple rapes, racism in the workplace, bullying, physical abuse, betrayal, etc.). But I had to realize WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT CAN HAPPEN THROUGH ME-change the narrative basically & bless others. During a period of unemployment in 2017, God presented the same vision to my friend, Shaynna and I, for a street ministry to spread his message of love, covering and hope. Creating Covered N Loved Street Ministries. So, even in our low times (& we both struggled at that time bad), we still made it a point to bless others with the little we had with prayer, food, blessing bags, and an ear to hear on the street. Our job is to spread the love no matter what.

Coming from a loving family didn’t save me from hard times (experiencing over 30 deaths, abusive relationships, unemployment etc) eventually doubt, insecurity and shyness crept in. I kept to myself unless asked because no one wanted to hear what I had to say-I was to be the listener, encourager-nothing else. Although it looked like sunshine on the outside, I was dying on the inside from keeping all the battles in. Praying constantly, but seeing no fruit (shatttttering breakup, friends passed away, work NOT working out) I was over life… and to die. So, with a suicide attempt (pills on the table, my phone constantly ringing with messages of prayer, please, don’t give up), I decided to try it God’s way-I had a story to be heard. I’ve been a fan of poetry, working with kids and my love for God for as long as I can remember. I had always jotted down a few poems here and there. It wasn’t until a Sunday at church, where my Children’s Church kids were ill and couldn’t perform a poem, that I had to get up and do it. When I did it though, it was one of my first real interactions with the Holy Spirit taking over-the church loved it. Wait for a sec-my story matters? Do my words matter? They mattered. After that, I began to feel led to write more, but in a way that was Spirit-led, not Lace-led lol. I started performing slow (insecurity still there because my story isn’t pretty), but that’s not how others felt. I would receive comments that it blessed people I was speaking DIRECTLY to them and it gave them hope to keep going. My story mattered, but it needed just a touch from God in it, birthing His Poetic Word.

Sometimes, we have to get out of our own heads. I’ve learned that every time something has scared me or looked impossible it’s probably something I should do. It’s where in the unknown, that our strength is discovered, our light breaks from the darkness, joy can be picked up from accomplishment and love… love can be restored when we stop being fearful. So, whoever needs this push, please know your vision matters, your story matters, that business matters, and you matter. And despite your past, you matter and the world has been waiting for someone just like you. Be blessed.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely… not, lol. It has been soooo hard. And it’s mainly because I thought I was supposed to be what the world said ie a teacher, a secretary, an assistant, just minimal Lace. I’m still not who I want to be fully, but looooove let me tell you, lol, thank god I’m not who I used to be. My struggles have always been trying to show I’m good enough in business, in relationships, even to God at times. That kept me in many abusive friendships, relationships, and working environments. Because I didn’t see MY VALUE when I usually bring the most to the table.

So, I’m still a work in progress-every.day. And though I may not see the fruits of my labor in my businesses, ministry all the time or just yet-I still keep going because harvest time will come. I don’t like the push I got to get here by a company lay-off (from God-Quite the comedian lol )and the way it went down, but I needed it and the freedom. I forgive those who hurt me to do it in an unflattering way but thank you-truly. Hallelujah for freedom lol! Because I am my own boss every day under my Heavenly Father. I live in Purpose, which means every struggle is beyond worth it even on the seemingly “fruitless days and alone seasons”.

Please tell us about His Poetic Word/Honey & Cocoa Consignment/Covered N Loved Ministries.
With Honey and Cocoa Consignment, I am a frugal shopper/stylist/photographer (they do what you have to do lol). Honey and Cocoa were created to showcase style for African American culture-all while on a budget. We’re going in a more bold direction this year in terms of styling because… well, the style wasn’t meant to be plain lol. I didn’t even dress regular at my former corporate job. I’m proud of us stepping outside of the box and new partnerships this year.

Covered N Loved Street Ministries was co-founded with my friend, Shaynna. I specialize in collecting donations, creating the fundraisers, blessing bags and praying for those on the street. Shaynna, is in charge of the ministry-prayer warrior, getting resources for the homeless, being a listening ear, etc. I love that we both are fearless and we will go in alleys, under bridges, anywhere to reach the homeless and let them know they’re loved. Love that about her.

His Poetic Word is a spoken word about many topics from stories in the Bible, to knowing you are more than enough, to “Move in my Life God” to have a purpose attached after trauma. Whatever God places on my heart. I’ve performed at conferences and events, but my biggest accomplishment was performing at my grandfathers funeral last year. He was a man of God and always wanted me to get to know God with my grandmother. Performing in front of his coffin was so hard, but it blessed so many and at the end of the day, that’s what it’s about. Reaching people for God.

What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
I would say being recognized as an influencer this year at a widely known Women’s Conference this year for Honey and Cocoa Consignment.

Covered N Loved Ministries was when a guy who was homeless with his friend (who later passed away) finding out he finally got home. As I was chatting with him about it, he was saying it was because of CNL feeding him and his friend every day, giving them hugs, making sure they had clean clothes etc that he even made it that far. That one blessed me. (Crying thinking about it-water works girl). We want to get at least 10 off the street this year.

His Poetic Word-I was in the paper twice last year for poetry and didn’t know it until a neighbor told me. It was sweet to know God’s working his magic.

Pricing:

• HNC items start @ $25
• His Poetic Word starts @ $150

Contact Info:

• Email: coverednlovedministries
• Instagram: Honeyandcocoaconsignment

Image Credit:
Jessica Simpson’s photography, Cassie Belford, Xavier Smith, Jade Smith, Andre Burton, others by me

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.