Meet the CEO
Carlotta C. McDaniel
Founder | Visionary | Mentor | Advocate for Purpose
Carlotta C. McDaniel is a bold, faith-filled leader who believes that nothing about you is small—and her life’s mission is to make sure you believe it too. As the Founder and CEO of I’m A Big Deal Inc., Carlotta has dedicated her life to reminding girls, boys, women, and men of their God-given value, identity, and purpose.
With lived experience, unwavering faith, and a heart for the overlooked, Carlotta built I’m A Big Deal Inc. from the ground up—offering mentorship, healing, life skills, and empowerment through dynamic programs like GEMS Mentoring, Dear Broken Girl…Love, God, Becoming Her, The Genesis, and No Vets Left—which she co-leads alongside her husband Marlon McDaniel, a proud United States Navy veteran.
From classrooms to stages, from prayer to purpose, Carlotta’s voice is one of restoration, identity, and activation. She’s not just raising leaders—she’s helping people become who they were always meant to be. Because to her, you’re not just somebody. You’re a big deal.
Our Mission
To empower and equip underprivileged and at-risk individuals with the life skills, mentorship, creative expression, and faith-based guidance they need to discover who they are and walk boldly in their purpose. We create spaces for growth, healing, and identity—reminding every person that nothing about them is small. They are a big deal.
Our Vision
To create a world where individuals—no matter their age, background, or past—are equipped to grow in purpose, lead with confidence, and live knowing they are a big deal. We envision communities transformed by people who are empowered mentally, emotionally, creatively, and spiritually.
GEMS Mentoring
(Girls Evolving and Moving Toward Success)
At GEMS, we don’t just mentor—we speak life, build confidence, and create safe spaces for girls to grow into the women they were created to be.
This program was born from a real place. I saw young girls struggling with identity, self-worth, and situations they didn’t ask for. So I created GEMS to pour into them early—before the world labels them, before trauma tries to define them, and before they forget how powerful they are.
Through monthly sessions, creative workshops, and real-life talks, we help girls ages 5–25 walk in confidence, purpose, and self-awareness. We focus on life skills, the arts, emotional development, and faith without force—because we believe healing doesn’t have to look like church, and mentorship doesn’t have to be stiff.
At GEMS, every girl is a diamond in the making.
Our Programs
Dear Broken Girl… Love, God
This isn’t just a brand—it’s a letter from Heaven to every woman who’s ever cried in silence, questioned her worth, or carried wounds she never asked for.Dear Broken Girl… Love, God is a movement, a moment, and a ministry wrapped into one. It’s for the woman who’s been through abandonment, betrayal, heartbreak, and trauma—but still gets up.We remind her that she is seen. She is chosen. And she is still becoming everything God created her to be.Through events, devotionals, real conversations, and raw healing, we help women pick up the pieces—and realize they were never disqualified.You can be broken… and still complete.You can be healing… and still powerful.You are still His.This is your reminder—God never stopped writing your story
The Genesis
Where a new beginning becomes a way of life.The Genesis is more than just a program—it’s a safe space where young mothers and girls facing life’s hardest moments are reminded that their story isn’t over. Here, healing meets growth, and broken chapters become the foundation for purpose. We provide mentorship, housing support, life skills, and unconditional love to help young women rise from survival to stability. At The Genesis, we don’t just restore—we equip. Because every girl deserves a fresh start, and every mother deserves the chance to rewrite her future.
No Vets Left
No Vets Left is our unapologetic commitment to ensuring that no veteran is forgotten, overlooked, or left behind. This initiative is co-led by my husband, Marlon McDaniel, a proud Navy veteran, who understands firsthand the silent battles many veterans face after service ends.
We provide referrals for housing, job training, life skills development, and access to essential resources to help our veterans rebuild and thrive. Whether transitioning from active duty or struggling years after separation, No Vets Left offers more than a handout—we offer a hand up, built on respect, purpose, and support.
Because they served for us, we stand for them. No vet gets left behind.
Stories
I thank God for Ms. Carlotta and I'm a Big Deal, Inc when my 4 girls and I were homeless we lived with her and her family for 8 months until I gained employment for housing
Portia's Journey
I use to be so shy.I would never speak in public let alone sing or dance. Ms. Carlotta encouraged me and give me voice lessons weekly through GEMS.I found confidence and leadership skills through workshops with GEMS, enabling me to advocate for other girls .and women.
Ayana's Transformation
I'a Big Deal, Inc helped me access job training and secured a job, changing my family’s future.
Vondemere's Success