Meet Charmeka Lipscomb | Author, Doctorate Prepared Dual Certified Nurse Practitioner, Mental Health and HIV Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charmeka Lipscomb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charmeka, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Overall, the thought process behind starting my business (es) is financial freedom, building generational wealth and leaving behind a legacy that my children, family, and ancestors can be proud of.

Separately, GAUX which is pronounced ‘go’ based on the French language and pronunciation, is an acronym which stands for GOD.Ancestors.Universe.NoLimits. The brand idea came to me in a small voice back in 2020 as we all navigated through the new powerful and deadly phenom called COVID. As an essential worker, I wasn’t placed on lockdown as early as most, but it did eventually happen. I started seeing my patients solely via telehealth, most, if not all days of the week. What stood out for me, however, is how we all quickly adapted to the new norm of “shelter in place.” Students that weren’t normally homeschooled or should I say taught at home, had to become virtual learners. We had to learn how to entertain ourselves in the confines of our own home for months. We had to learn to co-exist and maneuver most aspects of our lives isolated from the rest of the world and this called for extreme creativity and flexibility. What this showed me even in the midst of crisis is that GOD is so amazing!!! HE and the ancestors (DNA) have given us so much resilience and strength that when we tap into the resources available to us and use them appropriately, we are unstoppable as individuals and as communities. Living life on GAUX (pronounced go) makes the impossible, possible.

ReVITALized Wellness, PLLC was birthed due to the shortage of mental health providers in the presence of a need. The goal of ReVITALized Wellness, PLLC is to provide affordable, high quality, professional mental health care that is also easily accessible to the patient. Oftentimes, people forget that “Mental Health is as important as physical health.” As a nursing professional for over 20 years, I understand that both are equally important and ReVITALized Wellness, PLLC strives to ensure that each patient leaves each visit with a desire to obtain wellness and well-being by promoting: healing, health, and happiness.

Another component of ReVITALized Wellness is the promotion of self-help books. In May of this year, I self-published my first children’s book “I Did Not Wet the Bed Last Night” under the pen name Dr. Charm. My desire through this book and the more to come, by request, is to educate, uplift, and create a reference tool for open and healthy communication of health topics that directly and/or indirectly affect us all.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I currently work as a mental health provider for a non-profit organization that offers several medical services for patients living with HIV. I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. After a few years of floor nursing, I thought I wanted to take on management, so I obtained a dual master’s in business administration (MBA) and healthcare administration (MHA) from Texas Women’s University. While working as an associate unit manager for Parkland’s HIV outpatient services, I was introduced to my first true passion, and it wasn’t management; it was HIV. What I noticed while working in this role was the disproportionate number of black health care providers (MD, NP, PA) in comparison to the black patients living with HIV. The representation just wasn’t and still isn’t there. According to the National Medical Association, only 5.7% of US doctors are black. Black nurse practitioners make up 8% of healthcare providers while only 3.25% of physician’s assistants are black. These are staggering numbers when 40% of people living with HIV and/or AIDS in the United States are Black/African American while only making up 12% of the population. As mentioned earlier, the drive to be the change I wanted to see prompted me to return to Texas Women’s University to obtain a Master of Science (MSN) degree to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. My first job upon completing nurse practitioner school was with Metrocare Services. Metrocare, commonly referred to MHMR, provides mental health services to individuals across the lifespan that are uninsured or underinsured. It was there that I discovered my second love, mental health, which prompted me to return to higher education, yet again, to obtain my post master’s certification in mental health from University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. At the inception of this program, I was rounding out my doctoral coursework for my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. I received my doctorate from Chatham University. Prior to my present role, I was the HIV provider for Parkland’s (Dallas County) HIV jail services for over 5 years. I’m very passionate about mental health and HIV because they are two of the most stigmatized disease processes in the black community and in most communities in general. Until they’re openly discussed, the numbers of people living with HIV and untreated mental illness will continue to grow, and people will continue to suffer in silence.

Was it easy? Absolutely not. At every level of my journey and I mean every level, I faced discrimination from professors, other students, and/or co-workers. On a couple of occasions my name “Charmeka” entered the building long before I clocked in for the first day of work and there was a preconceived notion and stereotype of how a “Charmeka” would behave and/or perform in her role. However, as GOD would have it, I dispelled the myths and provided a safe space for people to disclose what had been said and/or admit that they penned this “Charmeka” all wrong.

Luke 12:48 reads, “To whom much is given, much is required.” My dad has spoken this scripture to me and over me for as long as I can remember. After applying to one nursing school, getting in, and then having to be up all night studying, my dad reminded me, “Do you know how many other people wanted that spot. To whom much is given, much is required. Keep GAUXing.” When I had a job before completing nursing school but had to work nights and as a medical assistant because I didn’t pass boards (NCLEX) for licensure the first time, “To whom much is given, much is required. Keep GAUXing.” To this day when I’m in my feelings about how things are going, he listens to me and lets me get it all out and simply says, “BG1 (baby girl #1, my daughter is now BG2) it comes with the territory. To whom much is given, much is required. Keep GAUXing.” Long before GAUX the brand, my dad encouraged me to keep GAUXing. #GODAncestorsUniverseNoLimits

Both GAUX the Brand and ReVITALized Wellness were established to motivate, encourage, and empower people to work towards becoming the best version of themselves. No, life isn’t easy. Life will throw you curve balls and take you through many storms. However, if you keep getting up to bat you will eventually hit a home run. Stay encouraged because there is a rainbow waiting on the other side of most storms. I strongly believe in servant leadership and want my story to be one that gives hope to those that have not tapped into their full potential. Even though I’ve accomplished many things, I know that GOD is not done with me. I’m excited about what is up ahead. One of my favorite new quotes is, “The W-I-N (win) is coming, don’t let the W-H-E-N (when) worry you!” I’m not going to lose, and neither will you! Stay focused. Let’s get it, let’s GAUX. #GodAncestorsUniverseNoLimits

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I must be very honest. This is a very tough question for me. Most of my days outside of work and entrepreneurial responsibilities are spent playing chauffeur to two very active and socially engaged little people, ages 7 & 9. I would hope by way of being my best friend that she would have already done some research on her own of locations she would like to visit during her stay. I know, worst host ever. LOL
However, just to throw some ideas out there…
Dinner at the Crown Block in the Reunion Tower.
A visit to Black Lit bookstore. I’m an author plus I love to read.
Hang out at Epic Central for food, shopping, and the water and light show.
Maybe visit Texas Live.
Perot Museum. She better have her walking shoes.
Klyde Warren Park for food and fun.
Depending on the time of year and weather, a trip to the Dallas Arboretum.
I’m not really a steak eater but maybe a visit to Dakota’s Steak House.
Live music at the Free Man or the Balcony Club. We could also check out events at the ATT Plaza.
But most importantly, REST. Be reminded that most of my days include a full time job, entrepreneurship and being the personal driver for two little future game changers. Another favorite quote, “I can do anything but I can’t do everything!”

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would first like to thank GOD. I know that sounds cliche but when I tell you that GOD has shown me favor time and time again, without GOD and my parents I wouldn’t be the person and GAUX (go) getter that I am today. Before I believed in myself, my parents gave me spirituality and poured into me the belief that I could do anything that I desired but I had to understand that I would have to work twice as hard for it.
I would then like to thank the many ancestors that fought and died for the many freedoms afforded to my family and I today. Because of them doors and opportunities that were once closed to people that look like me have been opened and I’m able to walk through them with my head high knowing that I deserve a sit at the table because my ancestors gave their all for me to have permission to.
I then would like to thank my husband who encouraged me on our first date to move forward in returning to school to get my third master’s degree in effort to become a family nurse practitioner. His exact words were, “If we’re going to be together, I’m going to encourage you to go for it. I mean, why not?” Two master’s and a doctorate degree later, here I am, and our marriage survived it.
Finally, my children. They motivate me every day to become a better version of myself. I work hard to be a mom that they can be proud of. Also, I want to lead by example as I can’t expect them to soar if all they hear is “do as I say!” My job as their mother is to exemplify what discipline, confidence, integrity, and hard work looks like. I must be the change that I want to see, and it starts at home with my children whom GOD has entrusted me to guide to become future game changers.

Website: www.revitalized-wellness.org https://liveongaux.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revitalizedwellness_tx_/ https://www.instagram.com/liveongaux?igsh=MXJhMmk2aWxtbHFqbw%3D%3D

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReVITALizedWellnessTX https://www.facebook.com/LiveonGAUX/

Other: https://dot.cards/revitalized_wellness
https://dot.cards/liveonGAUX

References: https://www.nmanet.org/news/632592/Only-5.7-of-US-doctors-are-Black-and-experts-warn-the-shortage-harms-public-health.htm#:~:text=X%20Email%20LinkedIn-,Only%205.7%25%20of%20US%20doctors%20are%20Black%2C%20and%20experts%20warn,the%20shortage%20harms%20public%20health&text=Unfortunately%2C%20this%20news%20should%20come%20as%20no%20surprise.
https://ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/research-updates/black-nurse-practitioners-lead-the-fight-against-health-inequities-but-not-without-consequences/#:~:text=The%20NP%20workforce%20remains%20over,quality%2C%20patient%2Dcentered%20care.
https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2022/01/new-data-pa-students-have-diverse-backgrounds-life-experiences/

The Impact of HIV on Black People in the United States