“Black Fairy Godmother” Simone Gordon Delivers Hope During The Holidays – An ImageGal Exclusive!
By Samantha Bessudo Drucker | December 10, 2020 | Gal Approved
Our resident ImageGal Samantha Bessudo Drucker has a heart-to-heart with Simone Gordon, a.k.a. The Black Fairy Godmother.
These past months can feel like a zombie-apocalypse sci-fi movie, yet there are still angels among us.Enter real-life angel, Simone Gordon, a.k.a: The Black Fairy Godmother. However, Ms. Simone is not concerned with princesses going to the ball. This philanthropist/special needs advocate/black community organizer/motivational speaker is creating miracles every day for real-life women in need.
Ms. Simone is all about making sure that a couple hundred bucks is not what’s standing between a hard-working mom and her apartment and children, and other survival situations for so many women in this country. ImageGal had the pleasure of interviewing The Black Fairy Godmother to find out why she’s giving back to so many in need.
All superheroes have their origin story. Please tell us how you became The Black Fairy Godmother?
“I lost my job. The father of my son skipped out for another woman. My son is on the spectrum. I was living with my son and back home with my parents in a small two-bedroom apartment. I was depressed. I would spend hours trying to get help. I would call 211 for assistance but our system is a disaster. There are long waiting lists. Some numbers take one to agencies that no longer exist. In our current system, if you lose your home, social services will take away your children with can do more harm than good.
I want you to know that there is a disconnect between non-profit organizations and grassroots direct giving. With direct giving, you can specify exactly where the money is going. I prove this by posting the recipe for all to see. Sometimes we place a woman in an Air BnB so she can be safe while we work with them to help them get long term housing and a job.”
You inspire people to give back. Please give us an example.
I helped a woman who paid it forward by starting a diaper drive. I don’t want women to become another statistic. One woman has risen up to have her own nail salon. There is a misconception that these women must have done something wrong to deserve their circumstances; it must be their fault. But disasters happen, domestic violence happens. Many of these women have an education. Bad things can happen to good people.
How did you become an advocate for children with autism?
My son is autistic. He is non-verbal and requires full-time care. I had to fight for services and for a special needs school. The public school system would not pay for it so I took it to court. It took five years but we won.
You are currently manifesting one of your goals, please share with us.
Reparations Offerings and Requestion is a Facebook group to help women of color. They paid for my tuition so I could start my new life. I have one more semester to go for my nursing degree. I want to work in public health with people with mental health issues.
You won a Webby Award this year! How did it feel to have won?
It felt ok. I’m humbled. The work had to be done.
Please follow the Black Fairy Godmother on Instagram @theblackfairygodmotherofficial.
