Robyn Chavis Tatum wants to give women a House of Refuge
BUSTA’S PERSON OF THE WEEK
By Busta Brown
The Chronicle
“Busta, I hit rock bottom. I had nothing.” She was jobless, homeless, and then hit with illness. Robyn Chavis Tatum said co-workers at WGHP-TV Fox 8 called her “The Rev.”
“My sales manager back then would say, ‘If you want something done give it to the hustler.’ I would dig up a rock and find the sand.”
Tatum’s clients and the community called her “The Fox 8 Lady.”
“I enjoyed meeting people and making them feel special,” she said.
She was one of the top sales reps at WGHP for over five years and was always active in the community. Tatum said she loved her job.
“It never felt like work. It was one of the best parts of my life,” she said.
In 2009, she came to work and was blindsided; the TV station had been sold. Tatum lost her job, but she’s always been a hustler, so she quickly picked up a few odd jobs, but not enough to keep the bills paid. Over the years, the bills began to pile up, with plenty of late notices, including a foreclosure.
During that time, she was a radio personality and sales rep for a radio station in Lexington, N.C. Her listeners tuned in for Robyn’s inspirational messages.
“The topics my listeners connected with most were building your self-esteem and the importance of all churches, communities and schools working together.”
The day she was locked out of her house, the message was about how to find peace during your trials and tribulations. It was October 2014; Tatum came home to her beautiful 3,000 square foot home, only to find out, she was no longer the owner. For the first time in Tatum’s life, she was homeless. That same day, the radio had a huge community event,and how she got through will truly inspire you. Check out the rest of my interview with Robyn Chavis Tatum on the Winstonsalem Chronicle YouTube channel.
Robyn is a woman of God, divinely appointed to serve and support others in their visions. She’s an inspirational speaker, highly motivated leader, visionary and producer. Tatum is often referred to as “LadyDivine” from her former radio show, “A Voice to Be Heard.”
Robyn is executive director of WOAMTEC Winston-Salem Chapter. WOAMTEC stands for Women on a Mission to Earn Commission. The first Commission is The Great Commission. She’s the founder of “Trinity House of Refuge,” a women’s home that will open soon to serve women who have endured traumatic life experiences.
Robyn is active in her community, supporting various homeless ministries, outreach events as well as being an integral part of her local church, Dunamis Ministries.
Robyn is a certified minister, leadership coach, spiritual coach, substance abuse counselor and certified chaplain with Abundant Life Ministries in Salisbury N.C.
Robyn is also a certified life coach through TRIUNE Coaching. She is a certified speaker through the “Don’t Talk Speak” speakers association. She’s walked in the shoes of being a teen mom, a youthful wife, a divorcee and dealt with a few life relationships that taught her various lessons.
In Tatum’s free time, she enjoys spending time with family, especially her two grandsons, who she lovingly calls “my mighty men of valor.” You can reach her at: trinityhouseofrefuge@gmail.com
