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

Hi Christian, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am originally from Dallas, Texas. As a result of the crack epidemic I was not fortunate enough to be raised by my parents. My mother’s mother carried the responsibility of caring for me and my older sister. My grandmother was a hustler. She was an avid church goer and held many positions in different auxiliaries. She was a cook. She sold plates to everyone! We even went “on the block” to sell plate lunches. She had doctors ordering her food! We went around to hospitals dropping off plates. Anything left over, we went under the bridges to the less fortunate and gave it to them. We had car washes, garage sales, we even parked cars for the Dallas Zoo before they acquired all the space around her home for an official parking lot. She believed in hard work, and tough love. Her daily influence impact my way of thinking, way of life and how approach life as a whole. The way she showed love to others, her selflessness stays with me. I watched her do so much for others. She was a black woman living in a society that threw black women away. She made it very clear early in my childhood to become more than what I see. I strive to do that still.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
House of the Divine Feminine was created to assist women in their personal healing/spiritual journey. As a black woman, I have found it almost impossible to be seen, heard or encouraged in our society. We must find safe spaces to express ourselves and heal. As I uncovered past trauma and pain in my life I had to learn what to do with it. Like, “What now?” We all reach that point at times. We realize something is wrong, but what do we do now? We must ask the questions necessary to encourage deeper understanding and self awareness. I assist in the uncovering, the discovery and the recovery. As a creative, I utilize my artistic mind set to reach women in spaces that are usually dismissed. I aim to bring awareness to the healing journey one woman at a time. “Heal the woman, heal the world.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dallas is a melting pot of cultures. With that being said I would definitely tap into the different flavors of Dallas. I would definitely want to visit “Standard Service” for brunch/lunch. “Southern Gourmet Kitchen” if it’s a Sunday! SGK is definitely a vibe for any day of the week! Down home food and amazing drinks! Staff is top notch as well!! For some artsy vibes I would visit Deep Ellum. Food, drinks, sights, sounds, photo opportunities…. Can’t go wrong there. I am also a poet/spoken word artist, so I would definitely tap into that frequency. Open mics happen all over the metroplex! I would check out Dallas Poetry Slam to see one of their weekly shows. For some herbal assistance I would link up at Odd Leag Apothecary for a quick pick me up! For a history lesson, I would definitely recommend Pan African Bookstore. They have a saying, “The quickest way to Africa without a passport” and it is. Back to the Freeman or Sandaga for live music and high vibrations. Dallas has an amazing nightlife, but mostly I tend to entertain at home!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is dedicated to the women who rallied around me to support my grandmother in raising me. My mother, who I love massively. Though unable to find safe space to heal, she loved me fully. She placed me in safe hands and for that I am forever grateful. My aunt, Allison, who is like a mother to me. She always made room for me in her heart, her home, and her life. You can’t tell her I don’t belong to her. To the ladies on 12th Street, who had permission to correct and scold me when needed. My sister, who cared for me like I was her child, when she herself was still a child. My protector. My father who I adore. Though mostly absent, when I needed him the most he was there to catch me. The teachers who cheered for me and those that signed me off due to my home life. House of the Divine Feminine tribe who holds me accountable. The love of my life, who awakened my spirit. Without Demetrice, my healing journey would be non existent. I dedicate it all to you.

Website: Houseofthedivinefeminine.com

Image Credits
Demetrice Ingram Krys’chunn Ross Paul Sanders III

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