Educator, author, motivational speaker, and founder of the youth and community empowerment organization I Am S.T.R.O.N.G, Natalie Clark is on a mission. She is dedicated to encouraging others to prioritize purpose in their lives and believe in their vision. Mrs. Clark was my science teacher in eighth grade, and I’ve looked up to her ever since. Read more about her journey with confidence and what motivates her empowerment initiatives today.

What drives your confidence?

The fact that I’m intrinsically motivated, and if you’re not confident people pick up on that right away. The level of confidence that you have in yourself really determines how people treat you. So what drives my confidence is that I want to be comfortable in any room I walk in. Think about it, when a person is not confident, they don’t necessarily go after their goals and dreams that they are highly capable of. So I’ve got to be confident because that one shot can lead to so many different things. 

How have your experiences as an educator inspired you to empower youth outside the classroom?

As an educator, I want to push the kids to be their best. I teach the importance of chasing their goals and dreams, but a lot of times, as we become adults, we get a career and that’s it. My dream is not just being a teacher. It has allowed me to be in the position to do something that I really enjoy, but my big dream is to work for myself, doing all the things that I am passionate about. The influence that I have had in challenging children made me reflect; how am I still challenging myself to do more and to chase my goals and dreams?

I love that you foster a supportive community through women’s empowerment brunches. Could you share a memorable one you’ve hosted recently and its impact?

The mother- daughter brunch means so much to me because of the important relationship that should be present between mothers and daughters. Anybody who knows me knows that I am the biggest mama’s girl. It really breaks my heart when I meet women that have no relationship with their mother. I can’t even imagine because even if you are a daddy’s girl, there are still times when you need your mom.  So being able to host that brunch was an opportunity for moms, grandmothers, and daughters to be in a space celebrating a moment together. It also gives the opportunity for my mom and my girls to be present and share their experiences with me. Creating and establishing the importance of a mother-daughter bond and celebrating that through an annual brunch means a lot to me. 

Can you tell us about a recent conversation or interaction that inspired you?

Last week, I was talking to a lady who reached out to me on social media. She was sharing how she wanted to get out and meet more people, but she doesn’t have time. I shared with her that I completely understand, however; how will people know what you have to offer if you do not put yourself out there? I said, when going in the room, don’t feel like you have to talk to everyone because you don’t and that’s overwhelming. Instead, focus on one to two connections that you want to be able to make. If I go to any event or I’m around people, I give myself 30 minutes. It allows me to be able to pick up on energy, observe the room, and show that I came to support someone else. We all have 30 minutes to spare. That interaction really inspired me to say little things that I found work for me, which people are then inspired to apply in their lives.

Can you share the story behind your new book Dare to Dream: A Guided Journal for Confidence and Success?

It’s been way over 10 years since I have wanted to be an author, and I actually have other things that I have written but not published. And through the years, I would write a little bit. I would stop. I would go and do a little research about publishing something, get a little bit overwhelmed and just be like, No. God reminded me of this in November 2023. As an educator, I teach children to chase their goals and dreams, and dreaming never has to stop. Achieving never has to stop. I said, I have wanted to achieve this for over 10 years, and I still have it. So I decided, in 2024, I will get it done. I didn’t announce it. I didn’t share it with anybody. I got to work. I already had all the topics. I reached out to a mentor that I knew could give me some guidance, and I got it done.

I really admire your outfits and I’ve noticed your event attire often follows a theme. Who or what inspires your fashion choices?

I love fashion! I always have. My first job was actually in retail. When I was in college, people were always saying, ‘You have the cutest outfits. Can we borrow that?’ For me, when it comes to fashion, when you look good, you feel good. I am not a person that’s caught up on brands. I am very conservative with my money, and so I’m a bargain shopper. Fashion also works with confidence. When I go in a room, my outfit, hair, makeup, is about to be on point, period. Your level of confidence truly determines your level of success: how you’re showing up, how you interact, how you stand on your word, and how you’re there for others. 

Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram @im_s.t.r.o.n.g to stay updated on her events and learn more about her inspiring story.

You can order your copy of Dare to Dream on Amazon.