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From overcoming a challenging and traumatic upbringing to becoming a force of Black Excellence, Dr. Ebonee Gresham, affectionately known as Dr. Ebonee Empowers, is the embodiment of resilience, grace, and determination. Today, as the CEO of Dr. Ebonee Empowers, LLC and Promise Health Medical Institute, Dr. Ebonee is not only transforming the healthcare landscape but also empowering individuals to overcome adversity and realize their full potential. Her life story is one of persistence in the face of hardship, faith that moved mountains, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others, especially women.
Photographer Credit: Dihanah M. Photography
Raised in Buffalo, NY, by a single mother who was a drill sergeant in the United States Army, Dr. Ebonee's early life was structured, disciplined, and filled with love. "My mother instilled great values and morals in me as a young child, which carry with me today," Dr. Ebonee says. Despite the strict upbringing and the absence of her father, her mother ensured that Ebonee had a solid foundation, setting her up to be a visionary from a young age.
Photographer Credit: Dihanah M. Photography
Dance, an art form that became her lifeline, played a significant role in shaping Dr. Ebonee’s character and discipline. As a dancer from birth, she studied ballet, modern, pointe, and African dance, a passion that saw her become a master dance instructor, traveling state-to-state, sharing her knowledge with others. But, life took a different turn for Dr. Ebonee when, at the age of 16, she became a mother.
Photographer Credit: Dihanah M. Photography
"I had my first child at the young age of 16. My mother was devastated because I was always the quiet, 'picture-perfect' child. But she was supportive after realizing that she would have a grandchild," Dr. Ebonee recalls.
Although her pregnancy came as a shock, it marked the beginning of a new chapter that would ignite a fire in her to pursue greatness. Juggling the responsibilities of motherhood while being a top student, Dr. Ebonee didn’t let her circumstances define her. "I believed my children didn’t ask to be here and they deserved the world," she says, a sentiment that fueled her drive to push forward.
Photographer Credit: Dihanah M. Photography
Despite the challenges of single motherhood and financial instability, Dr. Ebonee graduated in the top ten of her high school class, earning scholarships to colleges including Howard University, where she pursued a Pre-Med track to become an OB/GYN. Her academic success wasn’t the end of the struggle, though. “None of their fathers were in their lives, so that was a challenge in itself,” Dr. Ebonee explains, underscoring the resilience that would come to define her journey.
Her story took a heartbreaking turn when her mother passed away, spiraling her life into homelessness with six young children. "We were homeless, living in my truck. I stayed up all night, praying over them, asking God for protection and provision. These innocent babies did not ask to be here and deserved so much more than this struggle," Dr. Ebonee shares, her voice unwavering despite the intensity of those memories.
Photographer Credit: Dihanah M. Photography
Through hardship, Dr. Ebonee found her strength in her faith and in the belief that nothing could stop her from creating a better life for her children. “It taught me humility, perseverance, patience, forgiveness, and a grind like no other,” she reflects. Her faith became her anchor during the darkest days, and it was through God’s provision that she found resources, programs, and people to help her get back on her feet.
In her journey from homelessness to success, Dr. Ebonee achieved a career in nursing, earning her doctorate in Nursing Practice—a dream that was initially birthed from her mother’s terminal illness. In her journey from homelessness to success, Dr. Ebonee achieved a career in nursing, earning her doctorate in Nursing Practice—a dream that was initially birthed from her mother’s terminal illness. "Obtaining my doctorate in nursing was a way to pay homage to my mother, who never got to see me become a doctor," Dr. Ebonee shares, her pride in her accomplishment evident. From there, she went on to launch her business ventures, including Royalty Body Spa & Wellness, and ultimately the Promise Health Medical Institute.
Photographer Credit: Dihanah M. Photography
“I’m like the 'modern-day Harriet Tubman,'” Dr. Ebonee says. “I was sent by God first to find the way, and now I am called to take others on the journey to freedom—mentally, financially, emotionally, and spiritually through God’s Promise.”
Promise Health Medical Institute, which she founded as both a medical school and a ministry, is a reflection of her life’s work to help others escape the hardships she once faced. She empowers individuals, especially women, to turn their pain into prosperity.
Through all her success, Dr. Ebonee is relentless in her mission to empower others, particularly women, and to provide opportunities for growth and leadership. “I help women turn their past into promise, their poor choices into purpose, and their pain into prosperity,” she says. Her work as a keynote speaker, mentor, and author of the best-selling book The Grit, The Grind & The Glory demonstrates her commitment to inspiring others to achieve greatness, no matter the obstacles in their way.
Her advocacy work on issues such as domestic violence, single motherhood, mental health, and women’s empowerment has reached national and international platforms, from SHEEN Magazine to NBC Nightly News, and her recognition has included the prestigious 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Photographer Credit: Dihanah M. Photography
Dr. Ebonee’s journey is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and the determination to turn every setback into a comeback. As she continues to break barriers in business, healthcare, and mentorship, her story serves as a beacon of hope for women everywhere who are striving to overcome their own struggles and achieve success.
“Nothing in life can stop YOU, but YOU,” Dr. Ebonee firmly believes. And with her mindset and unwavering determination, she proves that the impossible is always possible. Her journey is far from over, and the world is waiting for the next chapter of this inspiring, empowering woman who is changing lives one step at a time.
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Dr. Ebonee is a powerful woman of God! A woman who is a wife, mother, and friend who will never give up on helping others be the best they can be! She is my Sisterly friend and a woman of her word! Much love and well deserved ♥️‼️