Today we’d like to introduce you to Salathiel DeLoach.
Hi Salathiel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, to two of the most amazing people I know—Jessie and Willie DeLoach Sr. From an early age, they instilled in me the values of resilience, faith, and love for community. I’m a proud graduate of Beach High School, but my journey there wasn’t traditional.
During high school, I was diagnosed with narcolepsy—a condition that often left me drifting off in class and drained of energy, both physically and mentally. Just when I thought I might be turning a corner after graduation, life handed me another unexpected twist: a diagnosis of lupus at just 17 years old.
That’s just the beginning—stay with me, because the deeper layers of this journey are still to come. God had other plans.
I’m not walking this journey alone—four of my cousins have also been diagnosed with lupus. While each of our paths has been different, we share a deep respect and understanding shaped by our individual battles and the challenges we’ve faced. Each of their stories has taught me something meaningful, and I carry those lessons with me as I support others on their own journey.
I’m also deeply passionate about community engagement—whether it’s organizing events like Lace Up for Lupus Awareness and Operation Hope, hosting Purple Praise Sunday, or collaborating with local leaders to promote wellness and education throughout the year. While some of these initiatives highlight lupus awareness, they all reflect a greater mission: to uplift, inform, and empower. For me, each effort is a reminder that even in the face of life’s unexpected battles, purpose can still rise from pain.
I didn’t get here overnight. It took faith, favor, family, and a fire that lupus couldn’t extinguish. But I’ve come to believe that being chosen for a hard journey is proof that you’re trusted to lead others through theirs. And that’s what I plan to keep doing—one story, one voice, one warrior at a time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The journey has been marked with pain, uncertainty, and a constant need to adapt. Being diagnosed with narcolepsy while still in high school was one of the few detours—I struggled to stay awake in class, which affected my confidence, and my ability to have a typical teenage experience. I had to be homeschooled for most of high school, while my friends went on with their lives, and many people thinking I passed away, which isolated me during a time when most young people are playing sports and forming lifelong friendships.
Being diagnosed with narcolepsy while still in high school was one of the first major detours in my life—I struggled to stay awake in class, which affected my confidence and robbed me of a typical teenage experience. I had to be homeschooled for most of high school while my friends continued with their lives, and during that time, many people even assumed I had passed away, leaving me feeling isolated during a season when most young people are playing sports and forming lifelong friendships. Then, just as I was beginning to envision a new chapter after graduation, I was faced with another life-altering diagnosis—lupus—at just 17 years old. What should have been a time of fresh beginnings quickly became a fight for my health, identity, and purpose. Lupus didn’t just impact my body—it tried to silence my confidence, disrupt my plans, and dim my voice. There were days when pain spoke louder than my will, and I went from mentally preparing for my future to simply trying to figure out how to survive.
On top of the physical struggles, there were emotional and financial ones. I often felt misunderstood, especially because lupus is an invisible illness. People didn’t always see what I was carrying, which made the burden feel heavier. There were seasons of depression, wondering if I would ever be able to live a “normal” life and wondering why me.
But through it all, I’ve learned how to fight back with faith. I’ve turned those dark seasons into platforms, and movements. I don’t hide my scars—I use them to serve. Every struggle, every delay, every tear has helped shape the advocate, leader, and voice I am today. Even when the path felt unclear, I held onto the truth of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.”
That promise reminded me that every detour still led to destiny.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
From 8 to 5, I work as a Human Resource Generalist/Manager, grounded in compassion and connection. I strive to be a dependable resource—offering guidance, resolving challenges, and creating a positive experience for every individual I engage with. —supporting employees through onboarding, transitions, and the everyday challenges that arise in the workplace. My goal is to make people feel seen, heard, and valued in every interaction.
Beyond my professional role in HR, I wear many hats rooted in advocacy, encouragement, and amplifying the voices of those often overlooked. I’m the founder of the DeLoach Lupus Foundation Savannah GA Inc., where I build bridges between patients, the resources they need—mentally, spiritually, and physically, and the community through safe spaces, impactful events, and essential resources. Through the years, I transformed my pain into purpose. I became a fierce advocate for lupus awareness, not just for myself, but for every warrior who felt unseen and unheard. I’m known for creating initiatives that blend compassion with practical support, especially for lupus warriors and underserved individuals.
My story didn’t stop there. I embraced every part of me—faithful, creative, different—and launched Speak Up DeLoach, a purpose-driven brand that includes public speaking, my podcast (The Light, Lupus, and I), voiceover services, and creative design. I use my lived experiences to inspire others—whether I’m teaching, writing devotionals, speaking at medical conferences and faith-based engagements, encouraging other to use their gifts, or helping someone turn their story into impact.
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve kept going. Despite the health journeys I’ve been called to walk through, I’ve transformed pain into platforms and setbacks into service. From hospital beds to boardrooms, I’ve shown up with purpose.
What sets me apart is that I live the message I give. I’m not just a professional or a speaker—I’m a patient, a survivor, a servant leader and a follower of Christ. My story fuels my work, my compassion fuels my leadership, and my faith fuels it all. I don’t just talk about hope—I create it, live it, and extend it to others every single day.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
The DeLoach Lupus Foundation Savannah GA Inc. is more than just an organization—it’s a living tribute to my grandparents Salathiel Potter, Louise and George DeLoach, whose legacy continues to shape everything I do. They planted the seed of faith, service, generosity, and creativity deep within me. Watching them serve the body of Christ and the community selflessly, create with purpose, and show up for others laid the foundation for how I move through the world today. This foundation is a reflection of their spirit—one that believes in lifting others, building community, and turning compassion into action.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/DeLoach
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lentwarrior
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/salathiel.deloach
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/salathiel-deloach-959639110
- Youtube: @salathieldeloach9587
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/4GqgnSlr4WXoBnHELXeRiq
