It is our privilege to present our inaugural panel speaker for this year’s Her Table Conference: Shawanda Sampson. Her chosen theme for this year's dialogue is the profound concept of forgiveness, and Shawanda's narrative embodies its true essence. As a detective with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Shawanda's role challenges and grounds her, empowering her to make a tangible impact within her community each day. However, her journey to this career has been multi-faceted. Prior to entering law enforcement, Shawanda devoted over 13 years to the nonprofit sector, where she transformed service and compassion into her life's work. During this time, she grasped the transformative power of equipping individuals with the necessary tools and support to rebuild their lives—a mission she fervently pursues to this day. Her devotion to service extends further; she also dedicated 4 ½ years to the United States Navy Reserves. This experience fortified her resilience, deepened her discipline, and instilled in her a renewed sense of purpose (Jeremiah 29:11). Education has always been a guiding force in Shawanda's life. After earning her Master’s degree in Educational Instruction and Curriculum, she found her passion for learning and nurturing others to flourish. She brings this same dedication—of teaching, mentoring, and listening—to all her endeavors, whether it involves leading an investigation, supporting a colleague, or navigating her own life’s challenges. In her free time, Shawanda is an explorer at heart: traveling, kayaking, discovering new places, and embracing fresh experiences. “Learning is one of my greatest joys,” she shares. “Whether it’s about places, people, or new skills.” Above all, Shawanda takes immense pride in being the mother of her 25-year-old son, whose kindness and perseverance inspire her every day. Beneath these accolades lies a different narrative—one woven with resilience and achievement. Shawanda is a survivor of an abusive childhood, a harrowing ordeal that could have easily shattered her spirit. For many, the scars of childhood trauma often lead to a feeling of being "stuck," stifling emotional growth and allowing resentment to cloud the path forward. These wounds tend to be revisited and reopened. Yet, Shawanda has made a deliberate choice to embrace forgiveness through the wisdom of Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." This decision has freed her from the shackles of her past and empowered her to take intentional steps toward crafting a fulfilling life, one day at a time. She has transformed her painful experiences into a wellspring of strength. This journey has fostered within her deep empathy, unwavering determination, and an unshakeable belief in the life-changing power of forgiveness. For Shawanda, forgiveness transcends mere concept; it is a daily commitment and a mindset firmly grounded in her personal journey. Every facet of Shawanda’s life—her dedicated nonprofit efforts aimed at uplifting her community, her honorable military service that instilled discipline and a sense of duty, her impactful law enforcement career where she serves as a protector of the public, her nurturing role as a mother, and her remarkable personal resilience in overcoming life's challenges—interconnects to shape the extraordinary woman she is today. Shawanda’s journey is a tapestry of experiences that she hopes will motivate others to persevere through their own trials, keep evolving as individuals, actively pursue their dreams, and wholeheartedly believe in their capacity to heal and thrive, drawing inspiration from the wisdom found in Ephesians 3:18 (may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,). By sharing her story, she aims to ignite a spark of forgiveness in those around her, encouraging them to discover their strength and potential. Thank you for taking the time to learn about Shawanda. We are thrilled to have you here. Welcome to the table.
