Her Story: Quiana Grant Pinckney

her |həː, hə| pronoun 1 used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a female person: her heart was as beautiful as she was stunning.

My dear friend, Quiana Grant Pinckney is as beautiful on the inside as she is stunning on the outside (and absolutely glowing at nearly 9 months of pregnancy!). She shared her heart and journey to motherhood with our sisterhood last evening at Equipped by Faith, and we were all inspired by her resilience and steadfastness through such pain and adversity.  

Quiana Pinckney began her journey as Quiana Grant, hailing from Newport News, Virginia. At the young age of 13 she accompanied her cousin to a model search in Washington, D.C. Quiana had no aspirations of rising to the top of the fashion industry but was selected out of thousands by one of the world’s top model scouts. Quiana joined the elite modeling agency, Wilhelmina, and by the age of 16, she had secured a GAP campaign followed by an editorial layout in Harper’s Bazaar. Her modeling career provided opportunities for Quiana beyond what she could have ever imagined. Quiana has traveled the world strutting the catwalk for Tom Ford in Milan, Oscar de la Renta in Paris, Karl Lagerfeld in Spain, and Michael Kors in New York City. She has graced the pages of Italian Vogue and has worked with many world-renowned photographers. Her resume is as remarkable as she is!

Despite her obvious outward beauty, Quiana's heart and faith play an integral role in every facet of her life. I often say, she gets her glow from being with the Lord because this woman is a prayer warrior! She shared with us her stories of devastation through the loss of her first child, her faith in God, and her beautifully difficult journey to motherhood. So many women were touched by her transparency and authenticity. I can't wait for you to hear the podcast from last evening and to read up on Quiana's Q&A below.

Q&A with Quiana Grant Pinckney

 

1.) What do you think you were put on this earth for? What's your biggest dream in life?

I was put on this earth to be a light. My prayer always has been, especially when I started modeling, that God would let His light shine through me in every encounter I had with anyone. I don't want my light to blind anyone. I want it to attract those that need it.

My biggest dream was always to be a wife and a mother. My dad always told my brother and me that our biggest dream is God's smallest desire for our lives. I've got to dream bigger! *lol*

2.) What are some of the obstacles that you have had to go through to get to this point?

As it pertains to my career as a model:  I started modeling 22 years ago, so things were very different and not as diverse. Being judged just based on looks alone was a tough time for me. I was told I wasn't dark enough to be a black woman, asked if I had a nose job when I was 14 years old because my nose wasn't "black", I went to a Prada show casting and they had a sign on the gates saying not casting for black girls. So I'd say racism. Having to fight to get paid by your agency. You can do a job today and it takes 3 months to sometimes a year to get a payment. No one educates you on the "business" of modeling so it was tough to learn as I went. I stayed in model's apartments with 7 other random girls from the agency. It was like a revolving door so you never knew who your roommate would be. I was the only American most of the time in the apartment. So I encountered many different girls with different religions often. I was also raped at age 13, and that could have really changed my destiny to thrive in the industry--but God had a much bigger plan for my life.

As it pertains to motherhood: Losing our first child on 9.24.14. Then, racing the clock to try and conceive naturally. Then, facing the reality that we wouldn't be able to conceive naturally. Then, having to go through IVF and losing so many embryos to get pregnant.

3.) What motivates/inspires you?

Realizing what God has done in the past motivates and inspires me.

4.) What do you want to be remembered by?

I want to be remembered in a way that if you've experienced me then you've experienced Christ. I want people to look at my life and believe that God is faithful and that He can be trusted with anything in their life.

5.) What advice would you give other women searching for their purpose, passion & faith?

Don't give up on yourself, and don't give up on God. Trust Him and seek Him above all else, then He will give you the desires of your heart. When you identify your gifts or talents you can begin to use them in ways that are personally fulfilling which leads to ways to share them with the world. I believe your passion lies in your purpose, and faith is a day to day, moment by moment building block.

6.) What has been your greatest achievement in life?

Career: Praying with a photographer who asked me to and didn't believe in anything, and landing 3 large cosmetic contracts.

Personally: Making my parents proud. Marrying my husband and becoming a mommy.

7.) How does what you do reflect ministry, and what God placed on your heart to share with the world?

My industry is a very dark place where everything opposite of what the Bible teaches is accepted. God has given me a unique ability to connect with people. Because of the platform my career has given me I am able to share my experiences with all types of people from many backgrounds and they listen just because they've seen me in a magazine or on TV.

8.) What books are you reading?

Right now, everything baby! Baby Wise, Baby Sleep Solution by Robert Bucknam M.D.

I also get together with a group of my closest friends every Monday and we are reading The God Girl Journey by Hayley DiMarco, which is about the fruits of the Spirit.

9.) How do you stay encouraged & faith-filled?

I surround myself with faith-filled people so that I never have to pour from an empty cup. You can't go through life alone. We often joke that this baby is a "community baby" because of the number of people that have prayed with us, and feel ownership of this blessing with us. I'm constantly listening to sermons via podcasts and I pray about everything. I have a war room, and I really bring every need to God there. You have to give whatever you have to God. Whether it is tears, or curse words, or praise. I've also had to learn how to surrender to God. To give everything to Him. Whatever is worrying you is out of your hands. Ask God to open your heart to whatever HIS plan for your life is--and surrender. Pray until you can praise, then--praise him for what is to come!

10.) Favorite Scripture of the moment?

"Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." Galatians 1:10

"You can make many plans but the Lord's purpose will prevail." Proverbs 19:21

But this week, God has been bringing me back to the simplicity of John 3:16, "For this is how God loved the world, He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." He gave His only son for us. Now that I'm having a son, I can understand this. I wouldn't give up my son for anyone! This is a love that is so great, it's overwhelming and indescribable.
 

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Quiana! If you or someone you know has struggled with infertility, a miscarriage, or discouragement from waiting on a promise from God--check out these encouraging resources below!

In Due Time by Caroline Harries

In the Wait, a Six Week Study on Waiting

Anchored in Hope, Devotionals for Infertility by Ali Forrest

Faithing It by Cora Jakes Coleman
 

Be inspired and today that God is the same today, yesterday and forever!

XO-

Sabrina