INDIANAPOLIS — WRTV is taking time this Black History Month to recognize those who are shaping the future of their communities.
Jacquie Murrell, better known as Lady J, goes above beyond and beyond for those around her. She kept such a busy schedule because of her life's mantra.
"First, I am a servant before I'm anything. Anything that I do has to serve other people," Murrell said. "I'm an author, speaker, serial entrepreneur, mentor, business coach." Murrell's will to serve others was born out of trauma.
"I've survived being kidnapped, raped, molested. I was homeless, addicted to drugs. Anything you can imagine. I attempted suicide as a teen," Murrell said. "I understand that everything I had gone through was not just for me, but other people." Murrell tells WRTV, she came to understand that after she had a family of her own and establishing a relationship with God. It has led her to start several organizations and businesses. From No Limits Ministry, Inc. to Business Bangers Spotlight, Murrell tries to help people in many different ways.
"People would call me in the middle of the night. They could be suicidal. There could be a show that needs to go on." Whatever their problem, Murrell tried to fix it, but that willingness to put others before herself came at a cost.
"It was a lot. I wasn't listening to my body. I suffered a brain aneurysm in August of 2019," Murrell said. "I almost didn't make it. They didn't expect me to make it. I just completed 16 months of rehab in the second week of January this year."
Murrell is still dealing with some limitations. She says if you knew her before the aneurysm, you can definitely tell. However, there has been a silver lining to all of this.
"Now, I'm just a little bit more strategic about how I go about things. I have to be now, and in doing that, now the company has grown even bigger. There's a full staff for every division and we've grown even bigger," Murrell said.
She's talking about Ego Entertainment Network. It's a multimedia production company based in Indianapolis. She's the founder, owner, and director of it. She hopes her story and the help she gives to people will continue to make a positive impact on those around her and beyond.
"You are possible. I tell people all the time if I'm possible, you're possible. It doesn't matter what your background is," Murrell said. "After all of the hell you went through, the word 'through' is an indication that you defeated the impossible too. New adversities will come but overcoming them has already made you unstoppable. The favor over your life is incomparable which gives you the right to think and believe I'm possible."
Despite COVID-19 and her 16 months of rehab, Murrell has been staying busy within reason. She continues to do speaking engagements, virtually, and is always willing to try and help those who reach out for help.
