Every Heart Every Woman Episode 191 ”She’s A Survivor” with Sophia Strother Lewis

Guest, Sophia Strother Lewis

Sophia is first and foremost a survivor and overcomer. She is also an entrepreneur, community advocate, and an inspirational speaker. Her goal is to empower others who are victims of domestic, sexual abuse and trafficking. She doesn’t just want to help those who survive it, she wants to help to put an end to it.

She does this by engaging with all level of survivors – the ones who witness the abuse, the ones who are abused, and the ones who are affected by a generation of abuse. She takes it a step further and shares her story and engages with those who have perpetrated abuse, in the hope they will be inspired to change their behaviors.  This is the true form of breaking the cycle of abuse.  She has spoken to audiences of all ages and in various settings.

Sophia is a doctoral candidate at Liberty University focusing on Public Policy - diving into the intersectionality of race and sexual trauma. She holds an MBA in Marketing and BSBA in Business Management from American International College. She is the CEO of L2E Industries, Trustworthy Consulting and Learning to Exhale Restoration Strategies. She’s certified as a Crisis Intervention Specialist, Mental Health First Aid Responder, and Advocate. Simply put Sophia is a survivor thriving, restoration strategist, national advocate, and inspirational speaker.

About Host, Karla Nivens:

After graduating from Texas Tech University, Karla earned her teaching certificate and began her career as an elementary music teacher in the Dallas Independent School District. She also sang for Grammy award-winning Gospel recording artists Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Crystal Lewis, Willie Neal Johnson, John P. Kee, Alvin Slaughter, Tamela Mann, and Michael Buble’. She's traveled the world and ministered to diverse audiences in music. During her travels, she had the opportunity to sing on the Jay Leno Show, Soul Train, the Stellar Awards, and the Billy Graham Crusade with Kirk Franklin.

She took a hiatus while staying at home with her children for several years and re-entered the workforce as a worship leader at Highland Park United Methodist Church. Karla has worshipped with Highland Park for the past 17 years. Currently, Karla is building the Racial Justice ministry for Highland Park UMC. Karla has also served as an adjunct instructor for Visible Music College and in 2014 released a CD entitled “True Worship.” Five years ago a good friend suggested she turn her heart toward fulfilling the Great Commission. Karla began traveling on yearly mission trips to Costa Rica and Africa. On those trips the Lord began to awaken the motto He gave her in college – “Influencing Culture for the Good of the Kingdom.” As an answer to this awakening, Karla and Dr. Roosevelt founded Karla Nivens Entertainment. Under this umbrella, Karla partnered with Love Ministries, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, started a small group for women, and a radio show both titled “Every Heart Every Woman.” Karla encourages her audience to quiet the noise and restore balance in their daily lives through inspirational entertainment. The show airs Sundays as a podcast on iTunes and Podbean weekly. The show also airs in video on YouTube. In 2019, Karla released her book, True Leaders with Heart, packed with weekly meditations for leaders.