On this episode of The Local Woman, Sierra chats with Local Woman Neisha Himes!
After leaving a toxic and abusive relationship in late 2012, Neisha Himes began telling her story years later via her gift of spoken word. Known to the poetry community as “Beautiful Dizaster”, Neisha has featured on many stages and to date, uses her talent as a method of bringing awareness. In August 2016, she founded G.R.O.W. Foundation (Girls Recognizing Our Worth), a 501c3 non-profit assisting domestic violence survivors with rebuilding their lives after abuse. To learn more about victims’ rights and navigating through the legal system, Neisha served as a Victim/Witness Advocate for the Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and a Domestic Violence Paralegal for the Chesapeake Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. In April 2020, she joined the Newport News Police Department as their Domestic Violence Outreach Liaison, playing a vital role in the agency’s newly implemented domestic violence program.
Since creating G.R.O.W., Neisha has received several notable accolades for her incredible advocacy work and relentless activism. In 2016, she was recognized by Investigation Discovery (in collaboration with Peoplemagazine) as their “Inspire A Difference: Hero of the Month,” and in 2017, was also featured on PBS channel’s “Virginia Currents.” In 2019, she was the recipient of YWCA’s “Woman of Distinction Award”, as well as the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence “Voices in Action-Survivor Activist Award”. In October 2020, she had the honor of being interviewed by Essence magazine in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Most recently, in April 2021, she was recognized by WTKR Channel 3 News with the “People Taking Action” Community Award.
Neisha’s unwavering dedication to ending domestic violence and her passion for helping others is the driving force behind her motto “from pain to purpose”.
