Dr. BJ Douglass

I am driven and defined only by the Ruler of the Godhead.

Dr. BJ Douglass WHO ARE YOU – I ASKED

She said, give me an opportunity to share my story and you will know, just who I am. I felt the excitement in the air as I settled in to hear this phenomenon Woman Of God tell me just who she is. Quite often, when asked that question, words fail the woman sitting before me because they have never looked within and truly found the answer to that question. Not so with Dr. BJ Douglass. I learned that she is a renowned singer, motivational speaker, composer, ordained minister, and mentor to many. Her CD “You Are My Hero,” featuring one of the most anointed versions of “The Lord’s Prayer” and “Freedom Song,” has inspired people around the world. Dr. BJ, referred to as the Quintessential Queen behind the scenes is a charismatic, determined, divine, Dunamis Woman who knows how to pray on purpose. People seek her prayers and say she has a direct line to God. Known as a quiet storm, her work always culminates with a bright ray of Sun prior to her stepping back and then, just letting it shine. I found this piece fascinating. She is not concerned about who gets credit, her focus is always on getting the job done. When the community in Oklahoma City was notified that the Frederick Douglass High School was slated to be torn down, BJ and her husband Frederick Douglass IV were very instrumental in encouraging the State and Local governments in Oklahoma City not to demolish the dilapidated High school. She was the driving voice that would not accept no from the local governments. Once it was decided that the school would be saved, the Alumni stepped up mightily and lead the charge to turn the school into a state of the arts high school with a college style campus. In the style of Dr. BJ Douglass, this sassy, classy, fearless woman wearing hats and gloves left town, and returned only for the ribbon cutting.

There are scores of stories about this down to earth woman with an infectious smile whose fearlessness cannot be put in a box. BJ said, “I am driven and defined only by the Ruler of the Godhead.” Known as a Seer, BJ has been the motivator behind the scenes, breaking down barriers and quietly changing history. She is a philanthropist who supports people and programs from Africa to America. Wearing her daytime hat, she created Unlocking Doors, a program that generated more than 9,000 affordable housing units. She has instructed thousands of people throughout the nation at prestigious venues such as Princeton, Johns Hopkins, Rutgers and Hampton Universities, plus the Capital Speakers Club of Washington DC’s June Joint. After speaking in South Africa, BJ was invited to the Mandela foundation. She loves to help others, treating everyone fairly, showing kindness in small things and never thinking she is above anyone. Her powerful, melodious voice both speaking and in song heals hearts and changes minds. Dr. BJ Douglass is married to Frederick Douglass, IV, Mother of two children and Grandmother of five. I decided to dig deeper:

What has been your driving force in life?

Saving the children! Honoring the ancestors; Defeating Fascist Ignorance. Learning and loving drives me to climb and set a stage for my Children and Grandchildren to excel in life.

Do you have a mentor[s] or ever had a mentor?

My Mother, Lee Perl was a real pearl and my greatest mentor. She taught me how to be strong. Raised me in the oven, so,when it gets hot in the kitchen, I can always stand the heat. She taught me to keep my chin high and my standards higher. Congressman John Lewis taught me to fear anything yet be kind to everyone and stay true to embracing “good trouble.” Reverend CT Vivian taught me to be bold with grace. Dorothy Height taught me to honor the dignity of every person, and never stoop to gossiping. John Wilks taught me how to be effective in any circle and never be afraid to use power. He said “lead, follow or get the hell out of the way”. Mother Hattie Daniels taught me what can be done through hard work, God and humility. Coretta Scott King was also a quiet storm, I just wanted to be just like her. Odessa Smith, taught me how to pray on purpose.

Who or what keeps you going?

Prayer keeps me going! Knowing for sure, God loves me, and always has my back. Love for my family! My determination to stand tall in my own space, knowing the higher the barrier, the taller I become. The drive to leave a legacy, touch people’s lives, and affect change to make the world a better place. My ability to take the bricks thrown at me, build a bridge with them and get over it.

What has been your biggest hurdle or obstacle in life and how did you overcome it?

My biggest hurdle was getting over the death of my Mother and the major family squabbles her death created. The shock of knowing that the people I thought loved me and those who I thought loved each other really did not. They only loved the things that they inherited because of our Queen’s death. I never knew my strength until being strong was my only choice. My life was changed forever, when I watched two biological sisters who were also sorority sisters kick each other when they were down and capitalizing off each other’s weaknesses. Life is an uncertain roller coaster. We must choose to embrace it and enjoy the ride; or sulk in it and derail your dreams. This roller coaster of life taught me not to rebel against all of life’s challenges, but to trust God and learn from every moment of the journey. I decided to pull myself up embrace the challenges and never allow myself to be a victim. So, I chose love, dismissed evil and prayed that God would remove the pain and hatred in the hearts of others. Love allowed me to smile, and never block my blessings.

If you had the opportunity to give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Learn and read as much as you can. Pay Attention at all times. Know, that anyone who deliberately tries to hurt you, wants to be you. Believe in yourself! Know that no one can stop you but you. Embrace your gifts and do not let anyone suppress your shine. What others think of you is none of your business, so do not worry about what they think or care about their lies, just shine. Ignore bullies and never let them see you sweat. Every time you accomplish something, find a way to do it better the next time. Always be trustworthy. Know for sure that Racism is the ultimate manifestation of fear and ignorance.

How has the pandemic affected you and your family and how did you cope with this national crisis?

The Pandemic had a positive effect on my family because it made us appreciate each other even more. We all became more protective of each other and always worked as a team. We enjoyed fixing lunches and giving them to students who relied on school for their meals. Our Daughter, Melani Douglass, who is at the vanguard of leadership in the Art world, a single parent juggling work, and raising her daughter, still

managed to check on us regularly. We got through the crisis with gratitude. The pandemic taught us to never take life for granted. Live each day like it was your last because it just might be. It taught us to stay focused. Fred and I coped through loving, giving, dancing, and praising.

What would you like to change in the world?

I would love to transform fear by turning it into faith. Manage humanity between the races. Turn Inner City and rural schools into state-of-the-art facilities and make mental health care a priority in America. Encourage everyone to live by James Baldwin’s quote, “Hatred which could destroy so much, never failed to destroy the one who hated, and this is an immutable law.”

Why do you feel it’s important for women to tell their story?

Women should always tell their stories, because we are the strength in our families and the wind beneath the wings of our men. Women are taken for granted and all too often, we are the most misunderstood creatures on earth. Women are taught not to seem capable, because we will be accused of bragging. We must love who we are, enjoy our sassy and embrace our sexy. We must tell our stories! Anna Murray Douglass never told her story and that highly intelligent woman was shamefully called illiterate in history books. When women are naturally friendly and charismatic, we are accused of being flirty. When we are private people, we are accused of being stuck-up. If we are not afraid to talk, we are accused of being loquacious, and aggressive. When women are quiet, we are accused of being weak, vulnerable, and shy. Our men and our children are usually our story, the story tellers and we are a footnote, the helpmate, first-lady, and God knows what else. Women must be determined to stand in our own square, tell their story and be the same blessing we have been to others to ourselves. Women can only win when we tell our stories and embrace the stories of other Women. We cannot love other women until we love ourselves. Men pit us against each other for their own progress and purposes, by invoking competition on a regular basis. We must also learn to tell our stories to God aloud, so we can hear it and learn to embrace ourselves through, the good, the bad and the embarrassing.

What does real wealth mean to you?

The operative word is real. Real wealth is not about money; it is the ability to live life on your own terms. Being free to focus on things that matter, changing the world, helping others, and giving back. True wealth is seeking deeper relationships and positive personal growth. Being yourself and embracing it. Finding a silver-lining in every cloud. Pleasing yourself and God. When you know that you have to live with yourself and so, you must be fit for yourself to know is wealth. Although financial wealth is definitely an attainable goal when you press on, the ultimate wealth is manifested through good health, compounded with the love of friends and family. That is real wealth and real joy.

Is there anything else you would like the W.O.W readers to know about?

In spite of the lack of appreciation we have received in America, I am determined to save our Democracy in order to save our children. I am determined to defeat ignorance, with hard-work and perseverance. I know, we are the people who made it out of chains; the disappointing revocation of reconstruction; Jim Crow; Black laws: rape; beatings; etc, etc, etc. No one can stop us. I am fearless! We did not just land on Plymouth Rock, so we need to stop being shocked; stop analyzing evil; be motivated to be proactive and beat evil in its own games to save our children. We must save the children! I conclude this interview with “May God continue to bless this storyteller and her family.” If you would like to follow up with this dynamic lady please reach her at b100j99@aol.com.

Hatred which could destroy so much, never failed to destroy the one who hated, and this is an immutable law.

JAMES BALDWIN