Rashema Melson grew up in the impoverished area of Southeast, Washington, DC. Throughout her youth, adolescent, and young adult stages of life she experienced multiple traumatic events such as sexual abuse, food disorders, physical abuse, depression, and homelessness: living in abandoned houses, couch surfing, motel hopping, and eventually the DC General family homeless shelter with her family. However, she did not let that deter nor stop her from moving forward. She graduated high school as Valedictorian, then received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Justice and Peace Studies from Georgetown University. Rashema has worked with multiple non-profit organizations, government agencies, and grassroot campaigns; helping to dismantle oppressive systems, gradually leading individuals experiencing homelessness to self-sufficiency, and striving to eventually reduce and cease homelessness. She is the founder and CEO of Pain Into PURPOSE, a Black Woman Owned Business that helps to motivate others to embrace their trauma, find their lost hope, and transform it into their purpose. Working on an individual and institutional level, including: life coaching, motivational speaking, and utilizing consulting expertise to organizations and communities. Influencing and operating in speciality areas such as strategic and development planning, racial equity coaching, cultural humility training and support, project management, community bridging and outreach, and more. She also founded the Melson Foundation, whose mission is to provide knowledge, accessibility, and tools to assist families, and individuals who were birthed into generational poverty and generational trauma to overcome their barriers and assist them in achieving financial freedom and generational wealth. In addition, the Melson Foundation hopes through its actions it is able to restore lost hope and love to help families and individuals to eventually reach their destination of healing and peace.