Sara Cowan (centre) poses with her father Tommy Cowan (left), her ‘bonus mom’ and gospel recording artiste Carlene Davis and Joy Semien.
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Ordained pastor, life coach and entrepreneur Sara Cowan, founder of Imagine More Coaching, is making an impact one foundation at a time.
On May 27, Cowan built her first home for a single mother of five in Parottee, Black River, St Elizabeth, in partnership with philanthropist and founder of the Boss Mom Network, Michelle Gordon, Ziggy Marley’s URGE Foundation, and Food for the Poor Jamaica.
For Cowan, this was more than a project—it was personal.
“It was very successful because this is where we saw partnership in action and we were able to do real-life transformation. You know, sometimes you have to wait for a long, long time to see the transformation happening in somebody’s life or for somebody. But, you were able to see that immediately,” Cowan told Observer Online.
She said the initiative, which is the first of many to come, started in that parish partially due to sentimental reasons.
“St Elizabeth is very important to me. It’s where my father, Tommy Cowan, was born. I wanted to do something that would honour his legacy as a man who supports and encourages women. I want to honour the spirit of support he gave to my deceased mother, my bonus mom Carlene and my sisters to follow your dreams,” said Cowan.
Born and raised in Jamaica and now based in Texas, Cowan has spent her life as a pastor and coach teaching women how to generate purposeful income through digital products, public speaking and personal development. Her Imagine More Coaching clients from around the world helped fund this build as a tangible expression of the principle — when purpose meets profit, lives change.
Noting that Gordon, her friend of 40 years, had already built nine homes for families in need across the island, Cowan said she was inspired to take on a project of her own, marking their first home built together.
“I’ve watched Michelle build house after house, and I knew I had to join her. This is a dream come true—not just to give, but to give alongside someone who’s inspired me for decades,” Cowan added.
Having reflected on her own mother, Valerie Chang, who, for a period of time lived in Trench Town, Cowan has a passion for serving single moms who need a hand up instead of a handout.
Her clients Joy Semien, Eboney McCain, John Williams and Derrick Butts fell in love with Jamaica on her hosted Imagine Retreats in the island and were ready to jump in and get it done. Cowan hopes to build more with Gordon in the future as a testament that “single doesn’t mean stagnant. You can succeed with whatever hand you have been dealt”.
Adding that the mother of five, who was cooking outside and only had two beds, was immensely grateful for the donation, Cowan and the team look to contribute to others in need.
“Hopefully we can do two to three next year, or who knows if we’ll be able to finish another one before the year is done. We’re getting more people involved because, like I said, it’s an immediate reward,” she said.
Tommy Cowan (left) assists his wife Carlene Davis with painting the new home.
Sara Cowan (left) and Michelle “Boss Mom” Gordon share a selfie