Today we’d like to introduce you to Belinda Addae.
Belinda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, I felt like I did not really have a voice to share what I was going through. As the oldest daughter of immigrant parents from Ghana, there was no space for that. Not out of their own intention, but culturally they did not have the capacity to do so, so how could they teach their child something they were never taught? Everything culturally was, and still can be, hush hush. Do not talk about it until it is over or until the success story comes.
Mix that in with the culture of the church two decades ago, where women also were not talking about the process of how God brought them through. There were a few, but not many. I found myself longing for the real, authentic stories of women who had faith when I was in a season that made it look like God was not doing what He said He would do.
For context, I am a DACA recipient. I received it in 2016 and was so excited to finally live life outside of the shadows. Outside of faith and culture already telling me to stay quiet, my story as a Black immigrant always felt invisible in the larger conversation on immigration. When I applied for DACA and got it, I thought life would be smooth sailing. I was 18, freshly graduated from high school, and had been accepted to James Madison University with plans to start in the fall of 2016.
However, because DACA recipients cannot receive federal aid and only qualify for private loans, which my family did not qualify for, I was unable to go. I was so sure that God told me I would attend that school, and when it did not happen, I was devastated. I spent the latter half of that fall and early winter depressed, feeling like I had heard God wrong and that He was not for me.
In January of 2017, I made one last effort and joined a 21-day fast with my church. I remember telling God during that fast that I was sick of hearing “God is faithful” or “Don’t worry, God is going to work it out” from women around me when it came to my schooling or my future.
I started calling those kinds of blanket statements ‘Jesus Glitter.’ They sounded spiritual, but in the moments when life had knocked me flat, they felt more like a quick cover-up than true comfort. It was as if people were sprinkling shiny words over deep pain instead of sitting with me in it.
At that young age, and even now, what upset me most was when people did not take the time to 1) listen to my story and 2) share theirs. Whether or not it was the exact same situation, I wanted to hear how God had been faithful to them so that I could believe He would do it for me too. The Jesus Glitter made me feel worse.
It was during that fast that I remembered God telling me I would be that woman for others. He would use my story of being hidden, living in the shadows, and desiring authenticity in faith to create a platform and organization where women could openly share their testimonies. Through their stories, other women would be seen, heard, and reminded that God could do the same for them. They would not have to walk alone the way I often felt I did. God even gave me the name back then: A Rose in Bloom.
That was in 2017. At the time, it was something I carried quietly, not something I acted on right away. I like to say, “God showed me a glimpse of my mountain top in the middle of my valley to give me hope.” Later that same year, God opened the door for me to attend JMU after all, and the vision of A Rose in Bloom stayed in the back of my mind.
Five years later, in the fall of 2022, I felt an urgency to bring the vision to life. God highlighted the people in my life who could help me, and in February of 2023, we recorded the very first episode of A Rose in Bloom. Since then, we have grown in so many ways, expanding to retreats, live shows, and mentorship opportunities in addition to the podcast.
The heart of it all remains the same: to make sure women boldly share their stories, build community, and walk this journey of faith together. Because we were not created to do life alone. We were created for relationship, and my life is a testimony of that truth.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has not been a smooth road.
One of the biggest struggles has been dealing with doubts about whether I truly heard God correctly. I often ask myself, “What if I am not doing this the way He wants? What if I should not even be going down this path?” Along with that comes questioning whether I am really called to do this work.
The financial side has also been a challenge. While others have started organizations, built something from the ground up, and pursued creative work, it is not something I have often seen modeled in my immediate sphere of influence or community. That can make it hard emotionally and spiritually. As the oldest and first daughter of immigrant parents, the pressure to conform has been, and sometimes still is, very real. Breaking away from a traditional career path has been difficult to explain to my family and to others, even though I still hope to practice law one day.
Another challenge has been overcoming a scarcity mindset, which often connects to perfectionism. I find myself thinking, “If I do not have the financial backing to execute this in a specific way, will it even work?” That fear of failure has been something I have had to bring to God repeatedly. I have also been learning to break free from people-pleasing and the weight of worrying about what others think or say about me.
On top of all of that, my life has not unfolded the way I once imagined it would. I genuinely thought that by now I would be settling into a legal career, married, with a house and children. At 27, even though I know I am still young, life looks very different than what I envisioned. Yet, I also recognize that the life I am living now is more beautiful than what I could have dreamed. I am genuinely grateful that God did not allow me to settle for the life I planned, because what He is doing through me is so much better.
As you know, we’re big fans of A Rose in Bloom. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
A Rose in Bloom is more than a podcast or an organization, it is a community rooted in the belief that women overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” Our mission is to create spaces where women can boldly share their stories, grow in their faith, and walk alongside one another so that no one feels isolated in their journey with God.
What sets us apart is our focus on authenticity and community. We specialize in cultivating environments where women are encouraged to speak openly about their lives and testimonies, not just the highlight reels or success stories. We are known for real, unfiltered conversations that point back to Christ and remind women that they are not alone.
I am most proud of the community we have built and continue to build. I truly love people and believe in the power of connection. There is nothing that warms my heart more than creating opportunities for women to meet, talk, and connect. Hearing their stories, making sure they feel seen and heard, and watching genuine relationships form is what makes A Rose in Bloom so special.
Our offerings have expanded beyond the podcast into retreats, live shows, and mentorship opportunities, all designed to help women grow spiritually and relationally. We are excited to announce that our retreats will officially be launching soon, and we will also be opening our mentorship program in the near future. These are opportunities for women to go deeper in faith and community, and I cannot wait to see the fruit that comes from them.
Ultimately, I want readers to know that A Rose in Bloom is a safe, Christ-centered space where women can gather, share, and flourish. Our vision is not just about storytelling, it is about building sisterhood and empowering women to live out their faith boldly, knowing that their testimonies matter and can inspire someone else’s breakthrough.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I would love for readers to know that beyond A Rose in Bloom, I am a people person at heart. I love travel, creating content, and finding beauty in new places and experiences. I have visited 25 states so far (with the goal of seeing all 50 by the time I am 30), and every trip reminds me of how vast and creative God is. I am also passionate about storytelling in all its forms, whether through podcasting, community events, or even casual conversations over coffee.
At my core, I love bringing people together. My personality is very relational and community-focused, which is why I am so committed to building spaces where women can gather, share authentically, and grow. A Rose in Bloom is a reflection of my life, my faith, and my passion for connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/aroseinbloom
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroseinbloompod/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aroseinbloom
