Introducing Melody Shari Rodgers

Please allow me to introduce Melody Shari Rodgers to all of you! You may have been introduced to her as Melody Holt when she appeared on season one of the popular reality television show Love and Marriage: Huntsville, which airs on OWN. However, things have changed for her as she is now returning to her roots, starting with embracing her bloodline’s name, “Rodgers.” She is currently embracing her soft girl era, prioritizing her peace, and diligently managing her responsibilities. Melody has reached a new phase in her life where she is confident in her knowledge and is focused on moving forward, without dwelling on the past. As she progresses in life, she aspires to inspire others through her perseverance, determination, and transparency. Although she never sought to be an inspiration to others, people are in awe of her because of her natural qualities as a woman, mother, business owner, motivational speaker, and leader.

Cox: Melody, you are in this new era of your life right now. With everything being so public, where does your strength come from? Because you aren’t shy about being open and honest with us all. 
Rodgers: I come from a very strong bloodline. I’m going back to Rodgers, which is the name of my bloodline. The viewers are going to see my name change ceremony on this season of Love & Marriage: Huntsville. When they were first introduced to me, they knew me under my married name. Now they will be reintroduced to me under my maiden name. That name is where my strength comes from—being a Rodgers. 

Cox: Why does so much strength come from being a Rodgers? 
Rodgers: I have witnessed my mom, aunts, and uncles fight for what they wanted and never give up. I’ve seen them all go through some of the toughest struggles in life. And they are still standing today. They are not only living but thriving in many ways. That’s the strength I draw from. It’s the strength of my ancestors. 

Cox: You mentioned the renaming ceremony. It’s the first time I’ve heard of that. Please tell me more about it and why it was important to you. 
Rodgers: I hadn’t heard of it either. I learned about it from someone else and I wanted to experience it for myself.  

The renaming ceremony was important to me because there is power in the names to which we are attached. We talk about things like blessings and curses when it comes to names. Even having favor and not having favor. Back in the day, kings and queens were particular about how they named their children and how the bloodline would continue. There is a vibration that comes with a name. 

I was Melody Shari Rodgers long before gaining exposure on national television. I was strong then and I’ve regained my strength since. The renaming ceremony was like the icing on the cake for getting back to myself and the Rodgers name. So, this season, I wanted to share this special moment with viewers. 

Cox: What does this new stage in life for Melody Shari Rodgers look like? 
Rodgers: I’m getting back to the roots of who and what God created me to be. I’ve been created with a purpose and drive in life. And that’s to bring about change in our world. I would have never thought I would get to be on the Oprah Winfrey Network or that I would have access to all the things that would come after. But God had something greater and bigger for me. Now we are here. Like you said earlier, I inspire other women. I didn’t set out to be an inspiration at first; I just wanted to be open, honest, and transparent. I wanted people to see the strength that comes from it and that whatever you go through, you can come out on the other side stronger. 

Cox: For Ms. Rodgers, what does the idea of marriage look like for the future? 
Rodgers: I will say that 37-year-old Melody and 22-year-old Melody are extremely different. Their outlooks on what it means to be equally yoked with someone are also extremely different. I can say now that I know what it means to really desire someone because you are equally yoked spiritually and emotionally. And I know some may not like to hear this, but you have to also look at finances when it comes to being equally yoked. At this stage in my life, these things must be present for me to say that we are equally yoked.  

Cox: You are exuding this amazing energy, especially this kind of feminine energy. You know it’s like you are walking into this Goddess time in your life. What does that look like for you now, walking into spaces and rooms with this rejuvenated energy? 
Rodgers: I’m in my soft girl era now. When I’m walking into rooms and spaces with this feminine energy, I’m smiling and being pleasant. There isn’t much that’s going to get me out of character or have me yelling. I’m not raising my voice at anyone. I was just talking to my manager and reflecting on how this past season of the show, I can’t think of anyone that I really got into with either fussing or yelling. But they all still knew I was in the room. 

Michael, my presence can be known and felt without me having to let my masculine side take over. It doesn’t have to overshadow my femininity for me to be able to prove a point. I’m about to engage with people in a way where I can be pleasant, calm, and bring peace while still resolving conflict. To me, all of this is part of walking in femininity. 

Cox: I love hearing women talk about this soft girl era. You touched on it a little, but I want to know what else this soft girl era looks like for Melody. 
Rodgers: It has been me learning when to bite my tongue. Knowing when to sit back and not get my feathers all ruffled up in a bunch because I’m upset about something. I’m not responding to everything. In the past, I would go live in a minute. But now I’m walking in this soft woman era where I have learned to rise above the noise. Nothing and no one will take me off my throne. 

Cox: With everything you are doing and living in this new space in life, What message do you have for the next generation of women? 
Rodgers: I want women to know they are unstoppable. There will be times when we get hit with things and we’ll need to take a break and reassess, but that should not be a reason to completely stop. I used to hear about people saying they were unstoppable, and I didn’t realize that for myself until I went through some major changes. That’s when I truly knew what it meant to be unstoppable. 

I’ve learned that being unstoppable means setting your emotions aside and staying focused on your purpose. Sometimes you must save those emotions, put them in a little jar, and deal with them later. 

And remember your purpose, if connected to God, is meant for you. It might not always be perfect, but it is ordained by God.