Dr. Jeri Godhigh is a prominent public speaker, driven leader, real estate maven, best-selling author, and life-enhancing consultant in the Acworth, Georgia community. She captivates audiences with her undeniable charisma, engaging demeanor, powerful dictation and genuine passion for enhancing the legacy of generational wealth. Dr. Godhigh is a certified Trauma and Life Coach, is Founder and CEO of The Godhigh Agency, of Godhigh’s Associates Realty Company, and of Josie’s Girls Lead, a nonprofit organization geared toward the betterment and building of women in various walks of life. She turned a love for the art of real estate into a career that has continued to flourish for over 17 years. Recently, Dr. Godhigh was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for her humanitarian efforts and commitment to helping Georgia families.
Hailing from Washington, DC, Jeri always had a desire to be an avid educator. She attended real estate school after falling in love with the art of selling real estate. She became a licensed realtor and saw several opportunities in the South. As a result, she moved to Acworth, Georgia to enhance her real estate brand. The move offered Jeri an opportunity to dive into the expansive Georgia real estate market, which at that time, had little representation from African American women. Jeri truly enjoys helping millennials navigate the home buying experience and uses her knowledge and relatability to engage with them. So much so, she is not only an active real estate broker, but also a certified instructor with American Real Estate University where she teaches the fundamentals of sales.
Godhigh has been recognized for her work in Formidable Magazine as a ‘Queen of Real Estate, and has graced the cover of many well known magazines. Her servitude toward her community includes operating as an Ordained Minister and volunteer work within the counties and State of Georgia as well as serving on many organizations as Board of Director. In her downtime, Godhigh loves spending quality time with her family and close friends. Dr. Godhigh will be releasing her third book with the newest book entitled ‘Who’s Sleeping with Your Husband Too? A Woman’s Guide to Live Life Her Way’ which is a collaborative book co-authored with powerful leading women destined to be another Best-Selling Book. You can find her latest published work in bookstores and major retailers. Additionally, Dr. Godhigh’s new TV Show ‘ Live on Purpose Talk Show by Dr. Jeri & Chaun will be airing in March 2023.
Dr. Jeri, along with her daughter Jamia Ponder, curated Jeri & Jamia: Unfiltered, a powerful movement and coaching program created to help mother-daughter relationships to heal and break generational curses. They also launched the Unfiltered podcast as an additional resource in offering healing and advice. Dr. Godhigh continues to shatter glass ceilings with her generational legacy intentions, and continues to make both her family, and herself, proud.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Jeri to discuss her transition in career fields, her passion and her future plans:
Can you tell us about your remarkable journey from being an insurance agent to becoming the owner and broker of Godhigh & Associates Realty Company? What inspired this transition?
It has been a blessing to have the opportunity to serve in both arenas. I began real estate in 2005 as an agent and immersed myself in becoming a full-fledged Real Estate Broker, operating my business as a Premier Boutique servicing sellers and buyers alike. Our firm is growing and evolving into what I have always dreamed of—helping and serving others to realize their dreams of homeownership. While I had the pleasure of owning an Allstate Insurance Company, it was a blessing to all who partnered with us. We serviced our clients and customers with excellent customer service as our top priority. I owned and operated both companies simultaneously, as real estate and insurance can complement one another. We opened the insurance company at the very beginning of the pandemic in 2020 as a brand-new agency. I count it as a true blessing to have had the opportunity to do both.
You’ve had a successful career spanning 17 years. What are some key lessons you’ve learned along the way that have contributed to your success in both insurance and real estate?
I would say some of the key lessons that have helped me get better at what God has entrusted in my hands are to develop a team that you can trust, even if it’s a team of two. Planning is important, but I found that treating and treasuring your team is very important. When people know you care, they care about what is important to you. And most importantly, learn to embrace failures. Failure is a key instrument in making us better. It isn’t a failure unless you don’t grow and learn from it.
As a certified Life Coach, you help individuals let go of trauma and build success. Can you share some insights into your coaching approach?
You know, I never wanted to be a Trauma & Life Coach. I always thought that I was going to be a Business Coach, but God said not so. Because of the trauma I have experienced in my life, it has enabled me to impart strategies, wisdom, and direction to my clients, providing tools necessary for success and growth.
Your story involves overcoming trials and tribulations. Could you elaborate on some of the challenges you faced and how they shaped your path to success?
I was diagnosed with an incurable disease called Scleroderma. It is an autoimmune disease that can attack your major organs and your skin. When I was diagnosed in 2009, I thought I was going to die right then. After months and months of testing and going in and out of the hospital, the Lord told me that I was going to live. From that day forward, I determined in my spirit that I was going to live until I die. While doing so, I was going to do my best in helping women everywhere I go. It is not always easy living with this disease, but I wouldn’t stop doing life the way God has seen fit for me to do. It is certainly a blessing to have the opportunity to share the Lord and to help enable someone else on this journey called “Life.”
Building a brand in a market that had little representation of African-American women is a remarkable achievement. Can you share some strategies you used to establish your presence and make a difference in your industry?
I believe that you can achieve what is in your heart to do. It may take much prayer and persistence, but it is certainly attainable. I believed that if I could just continue to push forward and pull those levers before you, one day things would open up and make a way for me. Don’t stop at no, keep going. You must have tenacity, a strong will, and a willing heart to go. You can do it. If someone else has done it, certainly you can too.
Congratulations on your newly released book, “Who’s Sleeping with Your Husband Too?” What inspired you to write this book, and what can readers expect to gain from it?
Thank you! “Who’s Sleeping with Your Husband” was an inspiration from God over 10 years ago. I had no idea that it would become a movement. A movement to help women everywhere to stand in their truth and to walk in their true, authentic selves. Book 1 was born from the premise of the discovery of who the woman is and all that God has created her to be. After being married for 31 years, I did not know who I was. It lends to be a source to show how to be bold and to establish her non-negotiables to be able to fully live a life of freedom. “Who’s Sleeping with Your Husband Too,” Book 2, is an anthology that was given to me when God showed me that I wasn’t the only one needing to share their story. Other women came to the forefront to share their story on how they have been delivered and are living a life of freedom and true authenticity.
Your impact on the community extends beyond your professional accomplishments. How do you see your work empowering and influencing the women in your community and beyond?
I am so thankful and grateful to serve! God birthed through me “re:Discover re:IgniteHER” as a catalyst to reach women all over the world to help create a sense of urgency to stand in your truth and be all that you were created to be. We now have an annual Summit and are doing Mastermind Women Retreats throughout the country, soon to be international as well. I am grateful for the opportunity to expand God’s vision through the passion He has imparted in me. I am forever grateful!
Can you share any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re working on that our audience should be excited about?
I am so excited about our upcoming new book entitled “Who’s Sleeping with Your Wife?” where men will have the opportunity to share their stories as well, to be released in March 2024. At the beginning of the year, we will have a 2024 Tour of re:Discover re:IgniteHER Mastermind Women Retreats throughout the country, and we are anxiously organizing the re:Discover re:IgniteHER Summit in May 2024 with well-known Celebrity Speakers and Musical Guest Artists to be held in Atlanta, GA.
Connect with Dr. Jeri
Social Media Handles: @jerigodhigh – Instagram; Jeri Godhigh – Facebook Jeri Godhigh – LinkedIN
Website: www.jerigodhigh.com
