The goodness of God has been far better than anything I have had to endure.
Now we have the affordable healthcare and their are places who will give you a free mammogram. In my own opinion we really do not raise our health as high on the priority list as we should. I think as black people, we don’t go to the doctor like we’re supposed to I’m a perfect example and I feel really stupid for that because I brought so much hurt on my family because I didn’t get my mammogram for years. If I had a mammogram earlier, I wouldn’t even be doing this interview, but by the time I went I was at stage 3. The only reason I went was because I was losing my job and insurance, so I’m thankful for the journey that God trusts me enough to do. This had to be for a reason because it still blows my mind, we need to talk to our young men and women about their bodies about how to take care of them.
A lot of women don’t know how to do self exams of their breasts and don’t go for medical exams. I waited till it was a crisis in my life, maybe that’s one of the reasons God trusts me with this journey. I want to tell the black women don’t do what I did, you don’t have to go through this it’s a horrible thing, but I can tell you the goodness of God has been far better than anything I have had to endure.
About Freda L. Mays
Gifted with a portfolio of varied roles, Freda L. Mays also known as “Free” has demonstrated her multifaceted skills in the entertainment industry with a savvy business sense and creative intuitiveness. Through the years, Mays has succeeded in the fields of talent management, marketing and branding, business consultation and now taking on the new role of her life, author. Her astute understanding of the urban market and business leadership credentials were instrumental in engineering a conglomerate of musical talent that has shone with platinum luster.
Her music expertise has been pivotal in the multi-platinum success of acts such as the 69 Boyz and the Quad City DJs. As a definitive leader in the business community, she has utilized her leadership skills in the marketplace by assisting in negotiating multi-million dollar lucrative deals with independent and major record labels; such as Atlantic Records, Elektra Records, LaFace Records and So So Def Records. Mays also oversaw the day-to-day operations for the independent label, QuadraSound Records based in Orlando, Florida. In addition, she demonstrated exceptional marketing strategies by placing strong emphasis on street promotions and targeted marketing through aggressive street campaigns, prominent media exposure, and negotiating soundtracks appearances.
She also implemented artist development programs to enhance artists’ performances and stage-personas. As a former personal manager of several successful acts that included, the 69 Boyz, Quad City DJs, 95 South, RAab, Dis-n-Dat and the vocal R&B quartet II D Extreme, Freda Mays has been instrumental in helping most of these acts reach platinum or multi-platinum success. With her assistance, the 69 Boyz’s debut album 199Quad went double platinum boosted by the phenomenal success of the hit single “Tootsee Roll”. As a result, she spearheaded the Bass Fest Tour, which introduced “Southern Hip-Hop” to the masses. The first of its kind, the tour featured artists; Outkast, 69 Boyz, Quad City DJs, 95 South and Dis-n-Dat. She was pivotal in the in the platinum success of the Quad City DJ’s debut album and hit singles “C’mon N Ride It (The Train)” and “Space Jam”.
She also utilized her extensive business connections to afford the acts the opportunity to land on some of the most lucrative soundtracks to date including; Dr. Dolittle, Dangerous Minds, Blue Streak, High School High, Sunset Park and Space Jam, just to name a few. The title song off the Space Jam Soundtrack titled “Space Jam” performed by Quad City DJs led to a 1998 Grammy nomination for the Best Dance Song of the Year. Freda L. Mays began her music career in street promotions. Her work in street promotions provided her with a great training-ground and gave her the motivation and incentive to bring other creative ideas and goals to life. From street promotions to showcases to management to business consultant, Mays has explored all facets of the music industry.
In 2003, when income from the music business was becoming less and less due to the so called recession, Freda returned to the working world of nine-to-five. She was able to secure a job with a local non-profit agency promoting the hiring of individuals with disabilities. During this time, she was still providing consultant services to several music industry related companies, but on a part-time basis. Returning to world of nine-to-five was something that was not planned, but being the warrior that she is, she takes every challenge by the horn and leaves it in God’s hands. The non-profit project was only scheduled to last one year, but one year turned into five and as much as Freda loved the new job, she was eager to return to her true passion, full-time. In 2008, as Freda was closing the chapter of non-profit work and making her return to the music industry, three days after she closes the chapter, she gets diagnosed with a form of advanced stage breast cancer.
She endured a mastectomy and after an entire year of chemotherapy and radiation, Freda went into remission in December of 2009. Three years later, in February 2012, the cancer returned, but this time it spread to her lung, which led her into going onto another phase of chemotherapy. Fast forward to early 2013, Freda began celebrating when her Oncologist delivered what appeared to be great news and mentioned to her that her current treatments were working well for her body and that the moment she receives three clear scans in a row, chemotherapy could stop. As fate would have it, when Mays went in for results from her third scan in February 2014, she was not expecting the news that the doctor was about to deliver. It was not good. She was told that cancer had spread to six other areas in her body and will now have to be on treatments indefinitely. By August 2014, Freda had to give up working full-time in order to concentrate on her health. However, this multitalented career woman from Virginia is unstoppable and full of faith.
About JPE: Livin' Well
A seminar featuring designed to educate, empower and inspire.
Part of the Judah Praise Experience and created by David M. Wallace, the Livin' Well Seminar features individuals who are committed to empowering and educating people, it is also a showcase for special programs designed to give back to the community.
The vision of Livin' Well seminar is to help people live life to the fullest. Livin well seeks to partner with speakers and professionals who help individuals deal with everyday challenges and realize their dreams. This series is committed to helping people take that next level of success in their lifes naturally and spiritually. Livin' Well will also educate on how to use the latest digital trends and implement them into their business and daily lives.