Myra W. Armstead, JD, MPA, MCJ, BCJ, is a person of passion purpose, and impact. She is a law school graduate of Miles School of Law and has a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, Master’s in Criminal Justice, and a Master’s in Public/Business Administration. Myra believes wholeheartedly in giving back. She served as a volunteer for many nonprofit organizations. However, she has a passion for assisting women within her local community and abroad. She has her own clothing ministry “The Trunk Ministry” in which she donates gently used clothing to needy single mothers in surrounding communities as her personal ministry towards empowering women.
This woman of God is a licensed and bonded notary public “M A Notary & Signing Agent Services” for the State of Alabama where she provides free notary services to senior citizens and poverty-stricken individuals in surrounding communities. Myra volunteers with several local church mission ministries in her community specifically serving needy families. She’s served on various boards and maintains memberships with several organizations. She even volunteers with several legal clinics and voter registration drives in her community
Myra is an advocate for people specifically the underserved. She is the founder of “Sister Circle Seven”, the author of “Divine Purpose”, and recently became a WAGG 610 AM Radio host for her own talk show “The Myra Armstead Talk Show.” Learn more about this awesome spirited woman below.
Fancy: Please tell us a little bit about where you are from.
Myra: I am from the Marvel City of Bessemer, Alabama. I lived in the city most of my life until well into my adulthood. The City of Bessemer is definitely a city that represents family. Everyone knows one another, and most of us either went to school together or our siblings went to school together. Many of us lived in the same neighborhoods, where families looked out for one another, and fed one another’s children plus so much more. The genuine concern for one another here in the deep South is like no other. Living in the South has taught me compassion, manners, and what love looks like. There is a BIG difference in saying that you love someone and actually showing it. There is nothing like Southern hospitality, food, and manners.
Fancy: What inspired you to found your platform, “Sister Circle Seven”?
Myra: Sister Circle Seven was a spiritual epitome that was revealed to me through the Holy Spirit. I was actually making my bed one day when the spirit spoke “Sister Circle” and I was like huh… Once again the spirit said “Sister Circle.” I was like no way, there’s already a “Sister Circle” TV talk show. The spirit said again “Sister Circle.” Thereafter, further instructions came instructing me to be an agent of change in the women's community. I was also told that there are so many women that need me and are “waiting” for me. I then wrote down the name Sister Circle and added Seven because it signifies completion as well as my date of birth, and both my daughters' date of birth.
Fancy: What type of projects has Sister Circle Seven done in the past?
Myra: Sister Circle Seven has been solely an inspirational platform for women. We are currently working on building our community through faith-based inspirationals, [and] incorporating intercessory prayer days while working to plan unprecedented events that will allow us to connect while yet being impactful.
Fancy: You also have your clothing ministry The Trunk Ministry. Tell us more about that.
Myra: The Trunk Ministry is my personal ministry towards serving others. I remember as a child I was the recipient of hand-me-downs and used clothing. I remember how thankful I was as a child to receive such blessings from others. I have the privilege to be a vessel of a blessing to others. Therefore, I started my clothing ministry. It is geared towards women because I started out just giving away my personal clothes. Once other women started to learn of my ministry, others willingly and readily donated to the cause. My ministry focuses on donating gently used clothing to needy single mothers in surrounding communities.
Fancy: “The Myra Armstead Talk Show” has recently launched. Can you share a little more about the show and what that experience has been like for you?
Myra: The talk show is spiritually-based. The purpose of the show is to assist others in discovering their life’s purpose and connect the audience with everyday life encounters to provide exposure for an overall better quality of life. This is an opportunity for me to continue my personal mission of giving back through uplifting, encouraging, and being a resource to others.
Fancy: I know you are still pushing your first book, “Divine Purpose,” however are you working on any other book projects?
Myra: Yes, I have other book projects that I am working on. The interesting thing with me is that I have to be spiritually led in everything I do. I have learned the hard way to wait for God’s instructions before I move. I am patient, and in no author’s race for my next release because I am being used as a vessel and that comes with effectiveness. God expects me to be meaningful in my journey, not one that is trying to collect volumes of any one thing.
Fancy: What fuels your advocacy for underserved people?
Myra: I have noticed that people are treated differently according to their financial, social, and education status. I personally feel that is unfortunate. I can work to change the mindset of people, but I cannot force them to change their mindsets. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to serve those who others are not willing to serve. I have chosen to be the change I would like to see. Reciprocity is real… actually it is just the common term for “sowing.” Treat others the way you want to be treated. We all know where we are now, none of us know where we will end up. I choose humbleness.
Fancy: How do you balance so many hats since you also mentor and volunteer?
Myra: I am intentional about spending time with God daily. It is important for me to keep myself spiritually protected and covered. I take time out for myself more often than one probably realizes. I take time to just relax and do literally nothing. We have to allow our minds to rejuvenate. Why do we think a computer has to be restarted and shut down periodically? In order for anyone to be effective, schedule management is essential. We have to control our businesses and not allow our businesses to control us if we want a balanced mind, life and business.
Fancy: How would you describe your swagher?
Myra: My swagher is the definition of WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, women HIGHLIGHT, women opportunities, women collaboration, and the list goes on and on. My swagher has been the cornerstone of my independent author/ speaker platform. I would not have had the exposure, connections and platforms offered had it not been for SwagHer. The community of women serviced by SwagHer are TOP TIER women! Their personable, professional, and expansion of service is beyond any other. SwagHer is one of the best investments I have ever made and I am forever grateful for their service.
Fancy: What makes Myra, Myra?
Myra: My relationship with God. My struggles, my failures, my mistakes, my insufficiencies, my trials and tribulations have all played a part in my character. Had it not been for those things I would not be the person that I am today. I can recall being in my own little pity-party thinking why are these things happening to me [and] why am I doing these things? The thoughts ran on-and-on. I now understand that some of those things had to happen. They were a necessary part of my journey and “divine purpose.”
Fancy: What does it mean to you to be a Black woman in business?
Myra: It means change, independence and vindication. If we just glance back into our history, women were not as independent as we are now. We are what our ancestors more than likely imagined or dreamt. I can recall my great-grandmother, who was born in 1900, sharing her struggles with me as a child. I recall her mentioning she worked in someone’s home up North and sent her checks back down here to Alabama for the care of her husband and two children. Her paychecks were like $8.00 to $11.00 a month. I still have copies of her letters to her husband with the amount of the checks included. It’s things like that that aid me in appreciating the opportunities that we as women have today.
The foundation of my upbringing through my mom, the hands, back and perseverance of my grandmothers, great-grandmother, hard work and dedication to the call is the true meaning to be a Black Woman in business.
Connect with Myra below.
TikTok: @MyraDeunique
YouTube: @MyraDeunique
About Fancy
Francheska “Fancy” Felder is a quiet Southern, media mogul in the making. In 2010, she launched SwagHer Magazine, an empowerment and lifestyle publication for the progressive Black community.
Fancy’s passion for all things creative combined with her love for writing, Black culture, and business guided her to also offer her public relations, creative, and branding services, making the magazine more of a media boutique having its own subscription clients as well as advertisers, hence why the name changed to SwagHer Magazine & Media.
SwagHer Magazine uses positive media and storytelling to create new narratives and mindsets around Black people, their communities, and the businesses and organizations they lead. Fancy executes campaigns for Black women-led businesses, coaches, authors, and girl bosses so that they receive more visibility and establish themselves as an authority.
The Mississippi native is also one half of Theories & Thoughts Podcast, a discussion-driven show that tackles Black issues and taboo subjects with a kitchen table talk feel, which she hosts with Arnya T.M. Davis. The two also co-produce and host Theories & Thoughts Deep Dive, a millennial talk show.
The former teen mom graduated from Southwest Mississippi Community College with her associate’s in marketing management and studied mass communications with a focus in public relations from Southern University A&M College.
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/swaghermagazine
