Charron Monaye shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Charron, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I wouldn’t say I was afraid before, but I didn’t find it necessary or important. Life had me in survival mode. Between the struggles, motherhood, work, and carrying so many responsibilities, I didn’t even think to pause long enough to ask myself what I needed or who I was outside of all the roles I carried. My focus was on providing, protecting, and pouring into everyone else. For years, I’ve been the hustler, the mom, the employee, the friend, the daughter, the one who shows up for others, sometimes at the cost of myself.
But right now, in this season, I am being called to myself. I am being called to tune in, tap in, and truly discover who Charron is and what she really wants. For so long, I believed my worth was tied to what I did for others, my many degrees and accomplishments and how well I carried their load. Now I’m realizing that I am enough!!!!
This calling is not about selfishness, it’s about self-awareness. Can I tell you, how good it feels to slow down enough to hear my own voice, to nurture my real passion, and to embrace the fullness of my peace. I am being called to rediscover joy, to create from a place of freedom instead of pressure, and to walk boldly in it all.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Absolutely. My name is Charron Monaye, and I am an award-winning author, publisher, playwright, producer, and creative visionary who has dedicated my career to using words and storytelling as tools for empowerment, education, and transformation. Over the years, I’ve authored more than 30 books across multiple genres, including children’s literature, self-help, poetry, and stage plays. My children’s series, The Adventures of Michelle, has been especially meaningful, as it teaches young readers life lessons around creativity, leadership, and financial literacy in fun and relatable ways.
What makes my brand unique is that it is rooted in authenticity and legacy. I don’t just write and publish books; I help individuals create timeless works that will outlive them and inspire generations. Through my company, Pen Legacy Publishing, I’ve had the privilege of helping aspiring authors bring their stories to life and ensuring that voices, especially those often overlooked, are heard, honored, and celebrated. In addition to writing and publishing, I’ve had the honor to work in the film industry as both a producer and production assistant, including on projects such as The Wake-Up Call, streaming now on TMT Digital Network, and Urban Flesh Eaters, streaming on Apple TV. This work allows me to expand my storytelling into film and connect with audiences in powerful, immersive ways.
Right now, I’m contributing as a writer for HypeHair Magazine, staying active with my sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Delta Alpha Zeta Zeta Chapter, and reconnecting to myself as my sons are now grown, one’s in college and the other is serving in the U.S. Army. This season, I’m regrouping and realigning myself. I’m intentionally adding myself into my calendar while staying fully in my creative bag, continuing to create, inspire, and leave a legacy.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Ohh, good question. I am more of an introvert. I know hard to believe, right!!!! Now don’t get me wrong, I can have a great time, but I prefer sweatpants, jeans, and sneakers. I’d rather be home watching a horror movie than out in the spotlight. As a kid, I was fun-loving, full of joy, and always surrounded by music and dancing. I was just a happy kid who loved life.
But when I moved to North Philly, life changed. I had to be tough. As challenges came, I had to be stronger. As circumstances shifted, I had to survive. That meant pushing aside some of the carefree joy I once carried, focusing instead on resilience, determination, and responsibility.
So yes, I became a version of myself shaped by survival, but the fun, the joy, and the love for life never truly disappeared. They’ve always been there, tucked inside me, and now, with therapy, they’re starting to surface and lighten my spirit. And honestly, can I just say, it feels so good to get back to me. It’s so much fun.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me truths about life that success could never even touch. Success can give you confidence, recognition, and proof that hard work pays off but suffering teaches depth. It teaches resilience, empathy, patience, and humility. It strips away illusions and forces you to look inward, to confront who you are when everything you once relied on is stripped away.
Through suffering, I learned that strength isn’t about never falling, it’s about getting up again, even when it hurts. I learned that joy isn’t just found in achievement, but in the small moments of peace and love that survive even in hard times. Suffering showed me my capacity to adapt, to grow, and to keep going when the world says stop. And most importantly, it taught me that my worth is not tied to success it is tied to my ability to keep showing up for myself and others, no matter what.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Interesting question. The public knows me as Charron Monaye, but the real me is Charron Michelle. Monaye is the side of me that deals with the world, taking on projects, talking to people, showing up, creating, inspiring. She’s the version people know, the professional, polished side that carries a purpose.
Michelle is who my family and sons know. She’s the helper, the provider, the music lover, and someone who loves history and politics. Michelle is quieter, she’d rather be home in sweatpants and sneakers, watching a good horror or gangsta movie, or just relaxing in bed by 9 p.m. She’s introspective, a bit timid, and real in a way that doesn’t need an audience. The world really doesn’t get that side of me, and that’s okay.
But yes, both are me. Monaye and Michelle just show up differently. One is for the world, and one is for me. And honestly? I need both to keep myself whole and balanced.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Sad to say, I would stop doing Pen Legacy Publishing, at least in its current form. It’s been an incredible journey and a huge part of who I am, but if I truly only had ten years left, I would shift my focus away from managing and maintaining and move toward creating and experiencing. I would spend more time writing for myself, making memories with my family, exploring new passions, and fully immersing myself in the things that bring me joy and peace.
Pen Legacy has been a labor of love, but it’s also a responsibility that demands constant energy. So, with limited time, I would stop carrying the weight of everything else and give myself permission to lean into what really matters most to me, living fully, loving deeply, and smelling every rose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charronmonaye.com
- Instagram: @iamcharronmonaye
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonayeRocks
Image Credits
Marlo Davis Laney
