From Clipper to Calling: Daniel’s Path Beyond the Bottom Line
19-year-old Daniel discovered an unexpected passion for barbering that became his path toward purpose.
Latin America + Caribbean
September 10, 2025
“If you want something, you have to work for it. It’s not just given to you.”
These words, instilled into Charity at an early age, shaped the trajectory of her life to come. In elementary school, she sold custom hairbows to her classmates. During the pandemic, Charity—of Vicksburg, Mississippi—sewed masks and gave them to first responders, free of charge. More recently, she supplemented her day job with a T-shirt business until she felt the Holy Spirit calling her to do something else.
Except it wasn’t yet clear what that calling was. “What am I supposed to be doing, Lord?” she asked. “Because I really don’t know.”
As Charity wrestled with uncertainty, she recalled the obituaries she’d crafted for her father and a member of her church community. She wondered if maybe that was her calling.
Then a friend told her about a microenterprise training program led by Jackson Endeavors, a local partner of Partners Worldwide that helps entrepreneurs grow to their God-given potential.
“This sounds like exactly what I need,” Charity said.
Divine Radiance
"Charity was an enthusiastic participant in the training,” recalls Denny Vander Molen, founder and chairman of Jackson Endeavors. “She is highly motivated, passionate, and contributed greatly to the morale in the gathering each week.”
Charity displays her business training certificate with Denny Vander Molen, founder of Jackson Endeavors.
Surrounded by a community of likeminded entrepreneurs and caring coaches, Charity began to develop her new business: writing, designing, and printing obituaries. She incorporated learnings from the PW microenterprise training, including a business plan and a vision statement. And she even got her business, Divine Radiance, licensed with the state!
Once Charity graduated from the training program, it was time to get to work. When clients requested her services, she took their provided information and photos and crafted it into loving documents—often four or five pages in length! More than producing a printed document, Charity stepped in as a healer during the most difficult times to help families capture the essence of their loved one in a way they might not be able to in that moment.
“I want to give a finished product that represents excellence and can be a lifetime memorial for that person who has passed on,” Charity said. “I want to make sure that it is representing that loved one in a way that will honor them.”
A Light for Others
Inspired by his mother, Charity’s son has become an entrepreneur in his own right, creating shirts for Jackson State University. It’s a testament to the ripple effect that businesspeople can have in the lives of others.
Since she launched Divine Radiance in 2024, Charity has caught the attention of many in her community. She’s received requests to design and print program booklets for conferences and school events and is considering expanding the reach of her business.
Always one to be prepared, Charity has already written her own obituary. “All they need to do is put an end date on it,” she said. “I don’t know when that time is, but until the Lord seizes me, I’m going to continue to work and heal people as much as I can.”
And Charity isn’t alone in this fight. Jackson Endeavors is empowering a growing number of entrepreneurs to restore communities and revitalize their shared city.
