Interview by Abernathy Cochran intern and Gainesville High School Senior Caroline Brown
Meet Cheryl Tatum! Cheryl works for the United States Department of Agriculture of Hall County. She is a mother of two children, Demarium and DeKauri. Cheryl is an author of self health and inspirational books. Cheryl has two published books, ‘Teenager’s Guide to Affirming’ and ‘Speaking Into Your Existence (Power of Your Tongue).’
We want to thank Cheryl for spending time with us recently and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County.
Question: Please tell us a little about your background and family. Answer: “I am a mother of two. I have a 14 year old freshman that attends East Hall High, his name is Demariun Tatum. He is on the varsity football team and has a 4.0 grade average. I am very proud of him. I also have a five year old girl named DeKauri and she attends Sugar Hill Elementary. She is very intelligent. I moved to Hall County in 2010 because I got a job promotion at the United States Department of Agriculture of Hall County. I moved from South Georgia and I absolutely love it here. Although, I moved away to West Virginia for two years, but then I moved back to stay because I love this place so much I had to come back.”
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: “My mother worked for the agency since 1985 and I’ve always seen her deal with the in’s and out’s of the agency. She inspired me to follow this career path. My college courses, even though I have never worked in a poultry plant, allowed me to have knowledge to work in the industry.
“My career as an author; I have always loved writing. I have been writing poetry since I was seven years old. I write poetry about feelings within your spirituality. I am an author of self health and inspirational books. My first book is ‘Teenager’s Guide to Affirming.’ That was published in 2014. My second book was published in 2020. It is called ‘Speaking Into Your Existence (Power of Your Tongue)’. They are both available on Amazon.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “My favorite restaurant is El Sombrero. I always get the Steak Americana. It is really good.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “Since 2010.”
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: “My mother always cooked her famous red velvet cakes and let me lick the spoon.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “The pyramids of Giza and to view the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Every breath you take is a chance to change your life.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I would love to get the chance to fly over the Nazca lines in Peru.”
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
A: “Neo Soul and anything inspirational that speaks to the soul.”
Q: Choosing anyone (past or present and a non-relative), with whom would you love to have lunch? And where would you have this lunch?
A: “Author Richard Dotts and I would like to have a nice lunch at a quaint cafe downtown.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “The beautiful parks by Lake Lanier at places all around Hall County.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “As a New York Times best selling author, traveling and lecturing on Metaphysics and spirituality.”
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “That I write all of my books and poetry using my cell phone.”
Q: What three words mean “Home” to you?
A: “Sweet Georgia Peaches.”
