HERE I AM!! May 11, 2013, I decided to step out on faith and advertise an All Ladies Ccw/Cpl Class. No social media. Only a rinky dink black and white flyer that was made on the computer. I must admit I was nervous as hell because I didn't think many would attend. At that time I felt I had something to prove especially to the couple that said my idea was BS and wasn't going to work. I posted flyers up in the the surrounding stores and a few gas stations. Needless to say, my class filled up in 3 days. As shocked as I was I was also very happy. Now, I have all these women coming to my class in a couple of weeks, what do I teach them? How do I keep their attention for 8 hours? Remind you I had been teaching coed classes for many years prior, but a room full of women. Hummm! That was going to be a challenge. Because I'm very picky, I decided to think about how I would want to be taught. Safe to say that's how my journey began.
I look back from 2011 till today and its surreal of how far I've came, how I've grown as an instructor, how many wonderful women I've had the pleasure of teaching and the friendships I've developed. The feedback of letters, phone calls, emails, posts and face to face chats of how I've changed so many lives. Just the thought of it literally brings me to tears. The secret in all of this, is how they all have changed my life. I am so blessed, grateful, humbled and just overwhelmed with all the love I get from my Sisters. Because of you, I have become a better person, a business owner, a sister to thousands and a confirmation that I have a voice that women will listen to. I couldn't be me without them.
So here I am many years later and I can't believe that I've accomplished and experienced the things I have.
But, this is not the end, only my BEGINNING!
The most influential people that have been in my life when it comes to my firearm training have been men. Yet I choose to teach women (imagine that) Lol. In the beginning, I felt that the ladies in and around my community needed me because I was so passionate and I felt like it was my moral duty to educate about firearms. In addition, opening up a discussion that women face in their everyday lives. So I did that.
Then one day after my class had ended. One of my students came up and said "Listen, you will be ok, and all that is happening to you will pass. So, my first thought was is she some kind of psychic or something. So me being me, that's exactly what I said. She then laughed and explained that she was not, she had just noticed all the pain that I had in my entire body. She explained that I had taught and entertained for 8 hours like nothing was wrong with me.
But, she could see past all of that, As she was talking, I was crying like a baby (luckily everyone was gone) except Stephanie. After that day, I realized that not only did the women need me, I needed them just as much.
Over the years, no matter what I might have been dealing with (if anything), when I said "Good Morning Ladies!!!
All my issues go on pause. Those faces, no matter Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, etc. my more mature sisters and my young babies. The visual of their faces literally gives me life. I truly believe that I was put on earth to help people. I always thought my purpose was to help my family and friends. But then one day that wasn't enough. So yes it took years for me to figure it out but here I am. I am positive that saving lives, forming a siserhood amongst all and educating about firearms is truly my purpose.
My name is Nneka Lawrence and I am "Beyond the Steel"
My name is Nneka Lawrence and "I CAN"T STOP I WON"T STOP!"
My Mission
My mission is to Educate, Motivate and Empower. My goal is to educate through instruction, demonstration, and participation. I'm an advocate of gun safety and personal protection for women. My second goal is to motivate through conversation and engagement. I motivate women to protect themselves, embrace their voices and take back their power. I'm a gardener planting seeds of hope, strength, and sisterhood. Empowering women to believe in themselves and rise above status quo.