Where It Begins May Issue 2022 by Where It Begins

The Journey of Parenting

Celebrating The Essence of Mothers

Shanta Lana Hereford

Shares her life lessons of Motherhood

CONTENTS MAY 2022 Nephtalie Hyacinthe Ella Destiny Shanta Lana Hereford Louanna Miller Dretona Maddox Zoevera Jackson Dr. Jada Moore Ruffin Ebony Karim Rebecca Lynn Pope Shawn Brown Markevia Mincey Deblar Tate Nychol Lyna Dr. Rachel & Ronald Wilson Sherri “Onica” Valle Cole Irma Kacharava Sherika Stroud Wendy Jacob Jennifer Schwert Avis Brown-Riley Reshae Danielle Consquilla Carey

04 06 08 11 15 21 23 25 27 27 29 34 38 42 46 48 52 54 56 60 62

Cece Hymes

Founder

W.I.B (Where It Begins) is an Independent agency with the aim to always be innovated in each approach taken to projects and making sure excellence is given in a projects execution when it comes to media marketing, branding, networking and management. Founded by the well experienced and ever growing force; D.C native - Cece Hymes, the most important and integral aspect of W.I.B is that branding for both Creatives and Businesses is taken to the next level with each and every project undertaken.

We’ve continued to represent a very diverse and well acclaimed roster of emerging talents in the entertainment, and businesses! With a determined persistence for continued excellence, our Founder – Cece Hymes, with a college Degree in Business Management, has also worked within radio and with many companies such as: RDE Entertainment, H.I.G.H Entertainment and Caribbean Gospel Records Ltd.,

"For this child I have prayed and the Lord has granted the desires of my heart."

NEPHTALIE HYACINTHE 4

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Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I am a penned and published writer, a public relations strategist and President of Talie & Co. Strategies PR Agency. Q. How would you define motherhood in your own words? A. Motherhood is a gift to love someone sacrificially and unconditionally. The beauty of motherhood is in the process because the mother is learning at the same time the child is learning. Q. What has been the hardest period of motherhood for you and how did you deal with it? A. The hardest part of motherhood for me is not being able to change something that she was really unhappy about. Prayer is the most powerful tool one can have. We came up with ways that both of us can be happy while we pray for a solution to the problem. I will tell you that God wiped that issue away faster than anticipated. Q. Tell us one of the most memorable moments you’ve had being a mom? A. One of my clients, Biggy Records, sent both of us to Paris for my birthday. It was an allexpenses paid trip. We bonded more than I expected. I had the chance to actually give her my undivided attention. My daughter is a pre- teen so that was really powerful. I will cherish this forever.

Q. If you could choose one parenting mantra for yourself, what would it be? A. I will always apologize to my child when I am wrong because this is the strongest weapon that I am giving her. Q. Let’s talk about your business and the motivation behind your brand. A. Talie & Co. Strategies is my other baby. Talie & Co. Strategies is a full-service public relations boutique specialized in media placements, community outreach, financial campaigns and special events. I love the world of public relations and because of that I always want to evolve and do better. My motivation is simple, I find great satisfaction when I help my clients achieve their dreams. Q. Looking back, if you could do anything differently in motherhood, what would you do differently? A. I would take the risk and quit my job earlier. My job was making me sick. My job made me feel like motherhood was a horrible thing and that I had to choose them over my daughter. Let me not say my job, I had a horrible manager. Q. What are some goals you want to accomplish in the next couple of years? A. In the next couple of years, I will develop the Media and finance department of my agency. I have been working diligently to make that happen. As a strategist who wears many hats, under

my Agency you will start seeing a lot of other talents, skills and certifications that I have. Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events? A. Yes, I just signed up 2 new clients. They are going to take the Haitian Music Industry by storm. Jay-Do and Dena are just talented singers. My daughter, Delphine Dauphin, is writing her 3rd book and I can’t wait to read the final draft and start planning her book tour. You can connect with her on @cupcakesbydel. My other client, Recording Musician WID, is working on a great project that he will embark on in July. He is truly someone that everyone should follow @widmusicofficial. Biggy Records is going to come out soon with a series of intellectual gems that will inspire many. Heavenly Purpose is coming with a new platform that will be catered to Christians. I have Caribbean Culture Fest on October 15 & 16 which is organized by a mastermind in marketing Patrick Fabre. This festival will be one of the top festivals in the world soon. Queen D. Excellence Pageant on October 9th. I also have my own event, Christian Women Entrepreneurs Summit, which will be held later this year. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Readers can follow me or say a quick hello on all social media platforms @taliestrategies or https://linktr.ee/taliestrategies.

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"There is Nothing Wrong with Saying So What!"

ELLA DESTINY 6

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Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I am Coach Ella Destiny. International Speaker, Women’s Health Advocate, Author and Life Coach. My mission and commission are to aspire women to live in their purpose, ON PURPOSE. I am also a brand ambassador for USA Fibroid Centers. Q. Let’s talk a little bit about your journey and how you became the woman you are today? A. I became the woman I am today by the way of trials, tribulations, hardships and struggles yesterday. Although my life wasn’t easy at all, and not because I was raised by a single mother or anything like that, that’s not my story at all. However, there were lots of things that happened “for” me as opposed “to” me. Q. How would you define motherhood in your own words? A. Whew...motherhood is a multitude of JOBS! When you become a mom, you take on so many roles and so many hats and like my dad used to always say, “95% of your life is gone.” It’s also a joy, an honor and a blessing. To think that God chose me to carry the responsibility of bringing his children into the world...wow. The fact that he even deemed me worthy. It’s a blessing. Q. Can you talk to us about your life threating scare with fibroids and what kept you going? A. I suffered with fibroids for many, many years beginning when I was in high school. I used to pass out a lot, I had very heavy menstrual cycles, I was soaking millions of pads and tampons per day. Always tired and

drained; no energy. I remember going into labor with my oldest son and the doctors telling me I needed to have a blood transfusion right away or one of us wasn’t going to make it through the delivery. That’s when I knew it was serious. After my youngest son, I was told that my fibroids were so big and causing so many issues that the only remedy was a hysterectomy. Back then I wasn’t given any other options and I certainly didn’t know that there even were any. So, I did what I knew to be right. I had the procedure and that’s when all of the real problems began. In short details, as a result of the hysterectomy, I ended up with severed intestines, spending a week on life support, I no longer have a navel and I have a scar from hip to hip as if someone cut me in half. What kept me going was my will to live. My children and my family but more importantly, GOD! I knew that there was a purpose for my pain and God was going to use me for the building in His kingdom. Q. How has the experience been with your kids helping you get back to where you need to be? A. I think for my children, they have mixed feelings about this experience. They were quiet young when all of the issues started, but as they grew to become older, there were lots of things they missed out on because they had to take care of me. My daughter’s entire senior year of high school was devoted to school, work, coming home, giving me a bath, changing my drain tubes, feeding me, paying the bills, and taking

care of her brothers. My sons, I had to teach them to love, honor and respect their sister as if she were me just in case one of the many surgeries I had, I didn’t make it. She would be the closes thing to me that they would ever have, and so they needed to carry on as if she were. On the other hand, I think my illnesses were a blessing because none of my children have ever been in trouble. I say with the most humility, they were and are really good kids. I believe because of the situation and all that we went through, it allowed us to grow close. A bond that was built by God. Q. What scares you the most about being a mother? A. The thing that scares me about being a mother the most is getting in God’s way. We know that God is who he is, and he can do all things, and that we all belong to Him, but the natural mother instinct wants to fix it all, do it all, and give it all to our children and that can sometimes be dangerous. Q. What is one of your most memorable moments you’ve had with your kids? A. One of the most memorable moments I’ve had with my kids...I’d have to say the moment I was able to tell them NO MORE SURGERIES!! That I was healed, I was ok, and I would not leave them ever again. Q. If you had to choose one parenting Mantra for yourself, what would it be? A. “There Is Nothing Wrong with Saying So What!” Q. Are you working on any projects for 2022? A. Yes! I’m working on my second book and also teaching aspiring authors how to write and publish their own books. I have a huge health and wellness conference coming up spring of the year, and my continual 4-week purpose courses. I’m also traveling the world as an advocate for USA Fibroid Centers bringing awareness to women’s health and wellness. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. They can find me on FB and IG: @coachelladestiny. They can also visit my website: www.elladestiny.com. WHERE IT BEGINS

"My mission is to help prepare people today for the problems of tomorrow and the Future of Work."

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. First off, Brand Rising to you and all of your readers. My name is Shanta Lana Hereford. I’m a mother of three adult kids and one teenager. I’m also a 8

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Business Development, Branding and Crowdfunding Consultant helping MSMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs to start, sustain, and scale their businesses with innovative strategies and digital technologies that align with the

UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Q. How would you define motherhood in your own words? A. I would describe it as never-

SHANTA LANA HEREFORD Q. What has been the hardest period of motherhood for you and how did you deal with it? A. The hardest period was when my ex-husband abandoned me and my kids. He couldn’t hold down a job and didn’t have any hustle in him. My savings were stolen by a former roommate who had done my taxes that year and had access to activate my debit card when it came in the mail. I didn’t have the money to pay the rent, so we were evicted. Instead of helping us get the money to move, he left. At the time, I had my three small children, temporary custody of a younger cousin, and an 18 or 19-year-old cousin that was staying with us. I was working at Volume One Studios in Tucker, GA, managing and booking artists, and finding gigs online. I didn’t want to go stay in a motel initially, so I went on Craigslist, found a nice home with rooms for rent, and put my furnishings in storage until I found a small house in Decatur to rent. Ironically, a few months later, we learned our new landlord was a con artist and ended up living in a motel anyway. ending. Your love for your kids is never-ending. No matter how old or responsible they are, your concern for them is never-ending. Motherhood is a never-ending series of tests and rewards.

Q. Tell us one of the most memorable moments you’ve had being a mom? A. My most memorable moment was the first time I was able to take the kids on vacation to Universal Studios in Florida as a single mom when

they were younger. Seeing their smiles while we enjoyed the quality time together was everything. It’s moments like that that motivate me and keep me going. Q. If you could choose one parenting mantra for yourself, what would it be? A. I strongly believe in self-care. Taking time out for myself and my mental health. As a single mom, there are very few moments that you get to yourself so any time I’m able to escape and get some “me time”, I take advantage of it. Even if it’s something as simple as sitting alone at the park. It helps to keep me sane. Q. Let’s talk about your business and the motivation behind your brand. A. My primary role is a business development and branding consultant. I also recently added crowdfunding consulting as a new service since I have developed a wealth of knowledge in that sector as well. Until last month, I was the Primary Consultant for The Star Factor Effect (TSFE), an awardwinning agency recognized as the “Best Business Development and Branding Agency in the Southeast USA” by Acquisition International. I started TSFE back in 2013 to help independent music artists access the help they needed to start, sustain, or scale their entertainment careers. Today, what motivates me is being able to take the lessons, experience, WHERE IT BEGINS

and knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years to help MSMEs, nonprofit organizations, and government officials implement cost-saving strategies, digital tools, and advanced technologies that save them money and help their businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively. My mission is to help prepare people today for the problems of tomorrow and the Future of Work. Q. Looking back, if you could do anything differently in motherhood, what would you do differently? A. Honestly, everything. It’s like that saying, “if you knew better, you would do better”. I wish I had known as much as I know now back then so I could’ve taught my children much earlier about our true history, financial literacy, civil rights, entrepreneurship, technology, and many other subjects. I would also exercise more patience and less aggression in certain circumstances. I grew up in an era where “children were to be seen and not heard” and when you would get your butt whooped. I’m not saying children shouldn’t be disciplined, it’s just better ways to do it. Unfortunately, many of us are unconsciously passing along centuries of trauma and toxicity.

Q. What are some goals you want to accomplish in the next couple of years? A. I’d love to get my children more involved in the operations of the other businesses I’ve started. They are the main reason I have invested so much time, effort, and money into building the empire and legacy I plan to leave behind. I also would love to travel internationally to see the rest of the world, to train youth and young adults for the Future of Work, and to advocate for World Peace. Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events? A. Currently, I am working on multiple projects in various sectors including but not limited to tech, crowdfunding, real estate investment, international trade, workforce training, and entertainment. My partner, Kathy McKinstry, and I are currently raising a pre-seed round of $350k to scale our tech company’s management team and for marketing our new QwikCare app. I’m a Managing Partner and Chief Brand Strategist of Crowd WallStreet, which just became the 3rd Black-owned equity investment crowdfunding platform

to register with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2022. Currently, I am collaborating with Producer Blessing Amidu and her company Hot Ticket Productions out of Nigeria to produce my animation film, Baby Trap. Hot Ticket Productions is responsible for releasing the first full-feature animation film in Nollywood titled “Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters,” which was recently added to Netflix. Our nonprofit organizations, the Center for Truth and Healing (CFTH) and the East Memorial Drive Revitalization Foundation (EMDRF) have a number of events we are working on including our Clean the Block initiative, community meet and greets, Lunch and Learns, and workforce training workshops. In addition to the themed brunches, I am hosting in partnership with Atlanta tastemaker, CeCe Hymes of Where It Begins Magazine. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Readers can follow me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by searching for “@Shanta Lana”. Readers can follow the business pages at @ shantalanallc @myqwiktrips @ crowdwallstreet @babytrapkids @beloitblackwallstreet and @ unite2build

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"All things work together for good to them that love God, To them who are the called according to his purpose."

LOUANNA MILLER

help them bring their brand to life. www.realtalkenterprise.com Q. Define motherhood in your own terms. A. Motherhood starts when you get pregnant, and you feel that first kick and you are talking to your unborn child throughout the day. You feel that baby growing inside you. As a mom you do everything to protect them by staying away from certain foods, beauty procedures while sacrificing your whole body just to make sure they are healthy. Once they make their day view in the world it doesn’t matter how much it hurts cause once you hold them it was worth it. Motherhood is when they are first born you don’t sleep, you will do anything for them. Motherhood to me was despite of all the pain of breastfeeding I kept doing for my daughter. Despite of how sick I was during my daughters second birthday I built all the strength to decorate the house for her birthday. It’s about being vulnerable but protecting your child at all costs. Motherhood is about pushing through all the sleepless nights because your child needs you. Motherhood is the most rewarding job/ title I ever carried.

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I’m Louanna Miller (Faine). Wife, Mother, Journalist, and Branding and Digital Marketing Specialist. While I’ve been fortunate to create a life that I love with the love of my life Desmond and my daughter Laila and being pregnant with my second child it’s been a long road getting here. The journey that I went on to arrive at this point in my life wasn’t easy but arriving where I am now is one of my greatest accomplishments. Because of my brutal childhood, the thought of becoming a mother myself sent me into a whirlwind of emotions. But one thing was for certain, I was determined to give my daughter a loving childhood, the childhood that I never had. When asked about my experience as a mother, “I

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didn’t want to be like my birth mother and how I would raise my own daughter would reflect that. To this day, I still have my own issues from all the neglect and abuse that I suffered through but with the love and support of my husband and daughter we get through them together. Laila is now 2 years old and is my world. I am currently expecting baby number 2 in September. Being a mom is the greatest gift that I could’ve ever asked for. After years of desperately trying to fit in and create families with foster homes and people who mistreated me, I can finally say I have my own family that genuinely loves me. I currently have a branding agency where I coach small business owners to

Q. What are some things you love about being a new mom? A. The best part about being a new mom for me is the unconditional love I feel for my daughter and the love she feels for me. I never realized how big my heart would get, especially since I’ve never experienced this kind of love before. The way my daughter looks at me and smiles, or how I can be doing work and she climbs up on the couch and cuddle with me is priceless. I love watching her grow and try new things every time I praise her, she gets so excited. Experiencing the small moments that can’t be explained, characterized, or memorized. Those fleeting moments go by so fast. I look at pictures when she was a newborn, like where did the time go. It’s her love that helped me get through postpartum depression I knew I needed to be strong for her.

It’s even her love that has given me the strength to fight all these health scares during this current pregnancy. When you become a new mom there is nothing like it. Q. Can you tell us some of the difficulties you’ve had during your pregnancy? A. In my first pregnancy I had extreme nausea and every smell bothered me. I struggled with having swelling in my feet and legs I was put on bed rest and then my second trimester in the middle got a little better. Then here comes preeclampsia where I had to go see my doctor weekly and get weekly stress test. I was supposed to get induced at 37 weeks cause of the high blood pressure but due to Covid my doctor held out which I later found out was more dangerous. The week my daughter was born I started having contractions and she gave me morphine and send me home. I ended up having more contractions and went back to the hospital and because I hadn’t dilated, she proceeded to give me morphine the third day I went in I only dilated .5 cm and demanded them to induce me. 20 hours later of pain and hard delivery I deliver a beautiful baby girl. This current pregnancy where I am 23 weeks has been even a harder one, I have Hyperemesis and was unable to hold down any food for months causing me to lose weight and being hospitalize. I than had to receive IVs daily where I had doctors coming in and telling me that because of the hyperemesis and my Addison’s Disease flare up I have 50% chance of dying along with my unborn baby. It ended causing me to have an emotional breakdown and had to trust myself and even though the doctor told me don’t force myself to eat, I pushed myself to eat so I could stop getting IVs and started taking natural medicine to combat my Addison’s Disease. Right when we thought there was light at the end of the tunnel, I started struggling with having a high pulse and shortness of breath. It’s still a struggle so I have to take it easy, and a lot has been put on my husband. We are hopeful that I will

not get preeclampsia but as of right now I must limit my trips to the store and take my blood pressure daily and see my doctor every 2 weeks. Q. Let’s talk about juggling life, love and business all at the same time. A. Don’t believe the hype in movies about how perfect motherhood will be especially for those first-time mothers who are business owners. The fake reality of Hollywood will showcase how you snapback instantly, with a sleeping baby while catching up with your friends. Then on top of being married and being a wife to my husband. I’m not going to lie I failed on this one over and over my husband kept expressing how I put my daughter first and feeling left out. I didn’t learn how to balance this one until my daughter became a toddler. The key is balance. As a founder and business owner and a first-time mother, I can say that it’s harder than I ever could imagine. I must remind myself there are only 24 hours in a day. Especially when I was a breastfeeding mother, I must prioritize with my clients because when my daughter wants to eat or just wants to be comforted by mommy, she doesn’t care about what work needs to be done. Now that my daughter is 2 years old the demand for my attention is much greater. I can be working on a project, and she wants my attention she doesn’t care what is going on all she knows is that she wants mommy. I thought that was demanding and then in January I became pregnant with my second child while having a toddler it is no joke and not for the weak while running a business and being a wife. In the beginning of pregnancy, I thought that time management would be the key but then I got hyperemesis and other health issues. I had to prioritize my health by

praying and having regular self-talks daily because I was beginning to feel guilty. I’m constantly filled with selfdoubt and feeling doubt am I am able to do both. Every day I found myself beating up on myself about my appearance and failing to complete every task from cleaning and working. I recently had to take a moment and remind myself I am enough and that I can conquer what is ahead. I must say having my baby girl and being pregnant may have had challenging days but is the best gifts I ever received. Q. How did motherhood change your life? A. As a young girl, I always felt like my childhood destroyed any chance of being Someone’s mom. When I found out that I was pregnant with my first daughter, the reality of being a mother hit me hard. As someone who had been in foster care her entire childhood and lacked any family support system to back up these feelings it scared me because of all the things I’ve gone through in childhood, but now as a mother it’s given me a true meaning in life. I never experience unconditional love before until my daughter came in

WHERE IT BEGINS

the world. It’s the greatest feeling in the world. I realized that it no longer matters if I had a mom, sister or family because I was going to give my daughter everything I didn’t have. I had to learn the hard way through my postpartum journey that even so called friends wouldn’t be here but that’s ok cause I was exactly what she needed. I became extra protective of my child because of what I went through. There was one point that the only thing that matter was my daughter I had to learn that wasn’t healthy and learn how to trust others and learn how to take some self-care time so I can be the best mom for her. Now that I am expecting baby number 2, I can say things will be a little different but she was my first. Q. If you had to choose one parenting mantra for yourself, what would it be? A. I choose to be proud of myself today. The transition into motherhood was a shock for me. My daily routines, expectations of myself and life in general were all challenged after becoming a mama! It felt like everything I had created for my own personal success just didn’t fit anymore - from the way people treated me; to feeling fulfilled as if this is what’s expected out of you when you become someone else’s momma... I struggled a lot with not really having a support system

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and dealing with postpartum depression but it’s okay because many other women have gone through similar feelings too. You are the only one who can stop yourself from going down a dark path. Choose to be proud of yourself now and every day, focus on what you’re grateful for in your life instead! Q. What are you most proud of in your motherhood journey? A. Growing up, I had very little access to regular meals, appropriate clothing, and proper education. I experienced rejection, neglect, and abandonment at such a young age by my biological mother who was a drug addict who sold me for drugs so needless to say, I had never had an example of a mother and how to be one. Becoming a mom was one of the scariest but rewarding

at the same time because of not an example of what a mother should be. Granted I had mother figures in my life that offers their knowledge but it’s not the same as having your mom. despite of not having a mother or family when my first daughter was born, I instantly became the mother hen. To be able to show her unconditional love and never experience it myself must have been one of my proudest moments in life so far! One thing that made me feel good about giving birth is how much effort went into breastfeeding for almost 2 years- even though there were many obstacles when I made the choice to breastfeed my daughter, it wasn’t an easy path but one that has been worth every minute. She is currently over two years old and never got sick even with Covid. The bond that me and my daughter have is like no other every time I leave the house, she runs up to me. I am so blessed to be her mother and experience this gift called motherhood. Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events? A. After struggling with health complications during my pregnancy, I’ve had to put all future projects on hold. It’s not easy but it has been worth every moment spent taking care of myself and our second baby girl. My pregnancy isn’t an easy one but will be worth every moment when I hold her in my arms. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. www.realtalkenterprise.com www.realtalklouanna.com @realtalklouanna on all social.

"Motherhood is a responsibility that I believe women are chosen for but not necessarily prepared for or trained to do."

DRETONA MADDOX

WHERE IT BEGINS

therapy, tutoring, and on-site child care for girls that go to work or school. Our ultimate goal is to make sure that they graduate and get their high school diploma because the risk for these teen moms are very high of them not graduating so that’s a huge part of our program.

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I am Dretona Maddox, a registered nurse, clinical social worker and the founder and executive director of Purposely Chosen, Inc which is a nonprofit organization that provides services for pregnant and parenting teens who are in foster care. Q. How would you define motherhood in your own words? A. Motherhood is a responsibility that I believe women are chosen for but not necessarily prepared for or trained to do. For some people it comes naturally. Being able to nurture, care for and to guide your children as they grow into adulthood is a beautiful thing. Although we may not all be equipped, I think that if we are willing, then we are all capable of being effective in our roles as mothers. Motherhood is something that we learn how to do. It’s on the job training. Q. Let’s talk about “Purposely Chosen, Inc” and the motivation behind it? A. The motivation behind Purposely Chosen, Inc is my life story. It’s about me. It was created out of the pain that I endured as a young pregnant 15-yearold teenager. The organization was birthed out of my pain. Initially I wasn’t clear on what Purposely Chosen meant. People

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often ask me, how did I come up with that name…I didn’t. I literally was asleep one day and woke up, with the name in my mind. It was like a sounding alarm, over and over again… “Purposely Chosen, Purposely Chosen, Purposely Chosen. I wrote it down because I kept hearing it to the point where it was getting on my nerves. I went back to sleep and I left it alone. The next morning when I got up, I looked at what I wrote, and I couldn’t figure it out. I kept saying to myself, “Purposely Chosen, Purposely Chosen?” My life has been a discovery of just that. The things that I’ve endured, the pain that I went through, I didn’t know what it was for, but as time went on, I realized it was for Purpose. I was Chosen for this. There’s a tagline that I have for my organization that we are Chosen for trials and then it’s realized by Purpose. So, the trials that we go through, we are chosen to go through them, and at the end of it you realize that those trials are ultimately, what leads you to your purpose. Q. What programs does your nonprofit have that helps teen parents? A. We have residential care facilities that house pregnant and parenting teens and their babies, a mental health program that we provide, parenting classes, individual counseling groups,

Q. What advice can you give to teen parents being an advocate? A. That they don’t have to know everything, but they have to have the courage to ask the questions. They have to find a safe person, a person that they are comfortable with to ask the questions. It’s important for them to understand that they are not asking for themselves, they are asking for their child. If they keep their child at the forefront of their mind, and understand that ultimately, they are caring for this baby that is dependent upon them, then they will realize that the questions they are asking will ultimately save or help that child. It’s not about you anymore, it’s about the child you are caring for. So that child’s life depends on you having the courage to ask the questions. Q. Have you made any major changes in your outlook or approach to life being a parent? A. Yes. The major change that I made in my life was, although I did my best to keep balance in my life, I ultimately put my kids at the forefront of everything that I did. I’ve always had goals. I knew that I would graduate from nursing school, I knew the steps I needed to take to get my degrees (Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate). I am 48 and just now getting my doctorate so literally my whole life, everything changed, and I became ok with the pivots I had to make in life because it was for my children. It wasn’t just for me it was for them. If I had to stay at home and care for them because they were sick then that’s what I did. If I had to put my goals off and I couldn’t go to school for a while then that’s what I did. I never got a chance to enjoy the college life. I never partied, and got to enjoy the tailgates because I

had kids. I literally took the train to campus from San Bernardino to Los Angeles (2 hours on the train) got on the bus, got to campus, as soon as class was over, got back on the bus, and rode the train to get back to my kids. I never stopped my goals, I just had to pivot. I had to keep moving forward but with a pivot. Q. What is the biggest challenge you had to face being a mother? A. The biggest challenge was learning that my middle child, my daughter, had a condition called Neurofibromatosis. She was diagnosed at 6 months of age. She had these brown spots (like a cheetah) at 6 months old. I was only 20 years old when she was diagnosed. I was a young mom, and I didn’t know what it was. Come to find out, under every ‘spot’ is a tumor. That was the biggest challenge that I had to face, that things happen that are out of my control and I had to learn how to care for a child who was sick but also keep her where she was confident. Her largest tumor was on her face, right on her lip. She’s had 15 surgeries to remove the tumor, but it was a challenge because I didn’t know what it was and there aren’t a lot of kids that have that condition, so it was hard to find the resources. That was also when I first found my voice to advocate for my kid, to get her needs met. When she was diagnosed, we had gone to so many doctors that when she was seven, they told me that she had developed these brain tumors and that she wouldn’t live. My daughter then decided at seven years old that she didn’t want to go back to the doctor. She told me she was done and I was torn. I was torn because I didn’t know if I should let her make that choice as a child. Do I respect her decision to no longer want to go through the process of being poked on? It was very hard for me. We eventually took a break and after the break she was willing to go again but that break lasted from age seven to eleven. At age eleven, we went back and then around 14, again she said no more, so we stopped again and she didn’t go back again until she was 22 and now, she is 28.

Q. If you had to choose one parenting mantra for yourself, what would it be? A. It would be that I’m Okay. It’s something I use to tell myself every day. My kids are what you would call stair steppers. I had my first child at 19. When he was 6 months old, I got pregnant with my second child, two years later I had my third child, and the others were adopted. I didn’t have parents. By definition I am an orphan. My mother died when I was young, I didn’t have a father, my grandma died and because I didn’t have parents, I didn’t know how to parent. When I was overwhelmed, crying, mad that my mother wasn’t there to teach me and didn’t know what to do, or if I wasn’t sure that I was doing the right things as a parent I had to tell myself every day that I was Okay. Still to this day, I do mirror work and tell myself along with other affirmations written on post it notes that I am Okay. Q. Are you working on any projects for 2022? A. Yes! I am working on a documentary in my doctoral problem where we will be talking about the health inequities experienced by AfricanAmerican pregnant teens. Also, I am in the process of building a network of teen parent advocates across the United States.

Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. IG, FB, Linked in all under my name. Instagram: Dretona Maddox Facebook: Dretona Maddox LinkedIn: Dretona Maddox

"I do mirror work and tell myself along with other affirmations written on post it notes that I am Okay."

WHERE IT BEGINS

"The energy, joy, and excitement of children can be contagious."

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ZOEVERA JACKSON

2. Treat your foster children as you would treat your own children. We treated our foster children like they were our birth children, taking them on family vacations with us, celebrating birthdays, having parties, doing yoga, and running 5ks. Alongside our foster children, we also went camping, swimming, boating, gardening, roller skating, attended historical museums, botanical gardens, parades, and got their hair braided at beauty and barbershops.

eing a foster parent was something that I did not have to consider but I did not know the joys it would bring. Foster parenting goes beyond helping an individual foster child, extending into helping fight problems of homelessness, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse, poverty, and incarceration.

3. Lead by example. Most importantly we led by example, teaching good hygiene, table manners, and etiquette. We also visited colleges and enrolled them in fun after-school gymnastics and martial arts programs. One of the joys of being a foster parent for me is feeling the need to give back and wanting to share my experiences, my time, and my yoga with a child. As a yoga instructor, I know the joy yoga brings to people, but I did not know how impactful it could be on youth. The transformation I’ve witnessed inspired my children’s book, Yoga with My Foster Mom. While caring for foster children, foster parents give a child’s birth parents the chance to receive the necessary help to overcome problems that may have contributed to the removal of their children from their home. During my time as a foster parent, I’ve learned three things. 1. The energy, joy, and excitement of children can be contagious. As an adult, it can be fun to spend the day outdoors at the park or read a child his or her favorite book for the sixth time. As a children’s book author, I really enjoy that. I also think spending quality time with your foster child is key to bonding and developing a trustful, respectful, and long-lasting relationship.

As a child I had my own challenges with child neglect, so as a foster parent I empathize with children who may have lost a parent, or a child who is dealing with a family member’s addiction or even experiencing abuse. I have fostered children who have experienced all of these things. I am thankful to have my husband who is also a foster parent. Together we are resilient, and we as a couple combine our strengths with the resources and support of the foster care agency to overcome these difficult and challenging situations for foster kids. We also have a parent and a youth support group that we attend to gain knowledge and skills from other foster parents.

WHERE IT BEGINS

3H Yoga Foundation Inc., which is her non-profit organization. 3H Yoga offers discounted to no-cost yoga sessions to kids in foster care, foster parents, at-risk teens in group homes, senior citizens, and other underserved communities to teach the importance of selfcare and how to deal with their emotions and anxiety. She is also the T.V. host for “Happy, Healthy, Healing Yoga” on Global Television Networks, FOX5 PLUS, The Capital Forum, Washington, DC.

About Zoevera Jackson

Zoevera Jackson is the Yogi Entrepreneur Extraordinaire. As a wounded warrior, the military veteran spent two and a half years in recovery, and yoga and meditation helped her healing process. Her love for yoga inspired her to make a business and non-profit. Under the umbrella of her company ZBody LLC, Zoevera is a yoga teacher, yoga services provider, and Yogic life coach. Because of her desire to give back, she also founded

The Virginia resident is a retired military veteran with over 23 years of honorable military service. She served as a U.S. Army Public Affairs Officer and has an extensive educational background and experience in writing, radio/ television broadcasting, and teaching college-level English composition courses. While stationed in Germany, Zoey earned her master’s degree in Human Relations and became a certified group fitness instructor, and she has competed in bodybuilding competitions. The yogi is also a foster mom, which is why she is so passionate about foster families. Zoey is the author of four books, “Yoga with My Foster Mom”, "Yoga, Yoga in the park", "Just Keep Dreaming", and “Journey to Yogi Fine Fit, Total Mind & Body Transformation”. This year Zoey launched her Happy, Healthy, Healing Yoga Poses Flash Card deck to promote the benefits of yoga on the mind and body for long-term health and wellness. The flashcards can be purchased by yoga teachers, school educators, parents, athletic coaches, health coaches, and more. Website: https:// authorzoeverajackson.com Instagram: @zbodyllc

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"Teach them young to do the best they can."

DR. JADA MOORE RUFFIN WHERE IT BEGINS

to me and therefore to shift my priorities to reflect that. How I did that was by putting myself first.

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I’m Dr. Jada, weight loss specialist and wellness expert, bestselling author, inspirational speaker and entrepreneurial leader. I help high achieving and results driven women, to weigh less and further their personal success so that they not only look great but feel better and live at their best. Q. What inspired you to want to be a wellness expert? A. I got tired of herding humans through the traditional health care system that prioritizes sick care and encourages the management of chronic diseases with check boxes and pill bottles. Early in my career as a resident physician I realized that the best strategy was to prevent illness and disease and to reduce/eliminate the root cause of the condition was better than treating the symptoms as a goal. I knew there was a better way. Q. How have your priorities changed when you became a mom? A. I wish I could say I always prioritized my family during my entire career, but I’d be lying. There were times when work and career would pull me away from being fully present with my family. I hit a point in my personal life where I struggled with the push and pull of trying to be 100% in everything all of the time. And that was a turning point that motivated me to get really clear on what mattered most

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Q. Let’s talk about your book “Girl, Get Ready to lose the Damn weight” and the motivation behind the book? A. Though I started the preliminary writing in 2019, this book was largely completed during the first year of the pandemic. I was inspired more than ever to get this message out at the height of the most critical and widely publicized health threat of our lifetime. Yet I knew Obesity, stress, anxiety and depression collectively was far more destructive. It’s just publicly emphasized as the epidemic it is. I wanted to get women to see the complexity of carrying extra weight and provide inspiration and a sense of urgency to just lose the damn weight! Q. Can you give us more details on your virtual summit you have yearly? A. The Virtual Wellness Summit was also birthed during the pandemic. After almost a year of watching the mayhem unfold of the deaths and despair, I was led to bring this summit to life to focus on wellness and not sickness. It was a chance to bring an amazing and diverse leaders and experts in all areas of wellness to the virtual stage to motivate and encourage people to do their best of their abilities to focus on their health and wellbeing and all the positive changes they could make to be at their best no matter what. Q. What challenges did you have to overcome being a mom and entrepreneur? A. There were too many challenges to recount. What I will say is that starting a successful business takes a lot and what can be the biggest challenge is time. Because time we don’t get back and we can’t make more of it. So, one of the biggest challenges was feeling like I invested enough quality

and impactful time into my close relationships, family and friends. Q. What advice can you give to new moms about parenting? A. I’ll pass along a bit of advice that was given to me by one of my patients when my first of 3 children was a toddler. She said wisely, “don’t do anything for them that they can do for themselves” she went on to say, if they can pull toys out, they can put them away, if they can put clothes on they can take them off, let them make their beds even if it doesn’t end up the way you would do it. Teach them young to do the best they can. Q. Can you give us one of your most memorable moments you’ve had being a mom? A. Again, this won’t be a pretty answer. The time I missed my son receiving his award after my daughter had gotten hers earlier in the ceremony. I was in such a rush; I forgot his class was coming up next and left to go back to work (a job at the time). That was a part of that turning point I mentioned earlier. I learned a valuable life lesson that day. Q. Are you working on any projects for 2022? A. Yes, I’m planning a Wellness Retreat this Summer in August and I’m doing a workbook and success guide to go along with the book. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. @drjadamd on IG, FB, Twitter, LinkedIn and @realweightlosspros on Fb and IG the for REAL weight loss and wellness center.

"My purpose is to create opportunities that support urban professional women as they cultivate and develop their entrepreneurial skills."

EBONY KARIM WHERE IT BEGINS

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. My name is Ebony Jowharah Karim. I am the CEO and Founder of Embarkus Solutions, a womanowned small business consulting firm located in northern Virginia, specializing in providing subject matter expertise in government program and project management, contracts management, business development and Acquisitions. Q. How would you define your purpose in life? A. My purpose is to create opportunities that support urban professional women as they cultivate and develop their entrepreneurial skills. Q. Let’s talk about “Embarkus Umbrella” and the motivation behind the brand? A. My motivation behind creating the Embarkus brand was to create an opportunity for me to create generational wealth for my family and also empower other women to become entrepreneurs. Q. How has your experience been partnering with Bowie State University in Maryland? A. My experience partnering with Bowie State has been an amazing and humbling experience. I was initially brought onboard to serve solely as a consultant under another firm and ended up developing my own relationship with the university. Being a part

of a HBCU provides many benefits, some of those being a diverse and welcoming student body, a supportive campus environment, a unique learning experience and being a member of a community. Q. What has been your biggest accomplishment you’ve received in your life? A. My biggest accomplishment to date has been affording my family the opportunity to grow beyond boundaries that I didn’t have a chance to experience as a child. My ability to create my own pathway to success has enabled my family to see that anything is possible. Q. Tell us of some of the programs you offer with your business?

A. Embarkus provides extensive professional services support in two (2) across two major verticals: 1). Public and Private sectors: providing full life-cycle program and project management consulting services to the small and medium-sized government contractors and federal agencies and 2) providing extensive business consulting services to small businesses looking to become federal contractors. Q. What is one fun fact about yourself? A. One fun fact about myself is that I am a former musician- Viola player. Q. If you can go anywhere in the world, where would you go? A. South Africa! I’ve always wanted to visit Victoria Falls and some of the amazing wineries. Q. Are you working on any projects for 2022? A. For 2022- we will continue to expand the Embarkus brand with our non-profit, The Embarkus Project which provides STEM education to urban communities K-12. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Readers may follow me on all social media platforms @ebonyjKarim and @ embarkussolutions.

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"As a mother, you want to protect your children from pain, but pain is necessary for growth."

REBECCA LYNN POPE WHERE IT BEGINS

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I’m Rebecca Lynn Pope. I’m a CEO, wife, mother, Abundant Life & Love Coach, pastor, author, and influencer. I coach and teach people how to get unstuck in life and heal their hearts and minds in order to live abundantly. Q. Let’s talk a little bit about your journey and how you became the woman you are today? A. I’ve gone through a lot of hell before I got to my heaven. Lots of loss, failure, trial and error, before finally learning what is best for me. Q. What do you enjoy most about motherhood? A. I have 3 sons and a bonus daughter. What I love most is nurturing them to be their best and reach their full potential. Q. Can you tell us what you find most challenging about being a mom? A. One of my biggest challenges is

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letting your children learn their own lessons. As a mother, you want to protect your children from pain, but pain is necessary for growth. Q. Let’s talk about “Abundant Life Path” and the motivation behind it? A. Abundant Life Path came about organically as I was coaching clients through the difficult places of life. One step led to the next and the next. When I combined all of these courses and steps together, I called it the Abundant Life Path. It’s all about the journey. Q. What are some of the programs that your company offer? A. We offer masterclasses on Dating and Healing. We also offer business courses and certifications for life coaches. Q. Let’s talk about “Marry Me Now” and how it empowers women? A. Marry Me Now was like a social experiment to see what happens if

do a role reversal on who proposes marriage. I think it’s important that women don’t get stuck in long term relationships just “waiting” on their boyfriend to propose. Q. What’s one of your most memorable moments you’ve had being a mom? A. My most memorable moments are of holding my sons as infants. Holding their tiny little hands in my own. So small, so precious, such miracles. I cherish those memories especially as they are all three grown men and over 6’ tall. Lol. Q. Are you working on any projects for 2022? A. I’m currently working on 2 new book projects and a new non-profit to help heal issues facing couples and families. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. You can follow me; @rebeccalynnpope on all social media platforms.

"My children are my reason and everything I do is for them."

SHAWN BROWN WHERE IT BEGINS

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I am Shawn Brown a Mother, Entrepreneur, Health Warriorand the owner and founder of the popular Atlanta Cheesecake Boutique, Cheesecaked. I’m a VIBRANT woman Who isn’t afraid to live on the edge. I’ve colored my hair many colors of the rainbow and my desserts are a close match! Q. Let’s talk a little about your journey and how you got to where you are today? A. Cheesecake has always been my favorite dessert and I always used to sit and watch my grandmother make her sweet potato cheesecake recipe. After overcoming several adversities and tragedies in my life, I decided to open Cheesecaked. It brought me so much joy to bring other people joy. It really allows you to be your creative best. I’ve got locations in the underground and in Norcross. Q. How has your experience been being a mom? A. My experience being a mom is among my greatest accomplishments. I lost a child tragically in 1994 and it changed the course of my life. After recovering from that loss, I was blessed with more children, and raising them has been my life‘s work. Just like all other parents, I’ve learned that there is no manual or perfect way how to raise good children but like I do with anything I love, I give them my all and I’m proud of all of my children.

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Q. Can you give us more details about your company “Cheesecaked” and how it got started? A. In 1994, I was the victim of a drunk driving accident that left me with serve face and body injuries, where I had to have my face reconstructed and at one point pronounced dead. This accident also injured my sister and took the life of my 10-month-old son Jakori. Throughout my recovery I found myself baking. It allowed me to go into a zone where I didn’t have to think about my current situation and the loss of my son. I use my creations to spread awareness and bring joy to others. Q. What makes your business more unique than others? A. We offer over-the-top milkshakes and desserts that are homemade, family-inspired recipes. I never get tired of hearing people say how different and futuristic some of our dessert options are. If you can think of it, we can make it and you will definitely enjoy it. Our mascot is a unicorn for a reason, we are magical!

Q. What is your favorite go-tomom recipe that’s easy for a busy mom? A. You can never go wrong with the classic cheesecake recipe, but another one Happy Days- traditional cheesecake with strawberries! Q. Looking back, if you could do anything differently in motherhood, what would you do differently? A. Honestly, from everything I’ve experienced in life, I realized that there was no such thing as a perfect day, perfect moment, or perfect anything. I have learned to embrace where I am in life and if I mess up, I get up the next day and try again. That is also something I’ve instilled in my children, confidence in themselves— that they don’t have to be perfect to be amazing. I give myself grace and other mothers should as well. As long as you lead with love and continue to show up every day, the end result will be admirable. Q. What are you most proud of in your motherhood journey? A. I’m most proud of pushing through all of my adversities to continue being a mother. My children are my reason and everything I do is for them. I even have cheesecake flavors honoring my children and their uniqueness. Q. Are you working on any projects for 2022? A. This year I recently opened my second location since my official grand reopening in November 2021 at The Underground. So, the goal is to continue expanding and bring the euphoria of our cheesecakes to one city at a time. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. To see more of me and Cheesecaked, you can follow us on Instagram @Cheesecaked!

"Motherhood means to me being blessed with the opportunity to birth a child into this world and lead, guide, care and sacrifice for that child."

MARKEVIA MINCEY WHERE IT BEGINS

Q. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned being a mother? A. The most important lesson I’ve learned by becoming a mother is… there are so many but I truly have had to understand my priorities, patience and how important it is to have a support system.

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. Hello, I’m Markevia Mincey. I am a wife, a mother, an occupational therapist, children’s book author and philanthropist alongside my husband! Q. How would you define motherhood in your own words? A. Motherhood means to me being blessed with the opportunity to birth a child into this world and lead, guide, care and sacrifice for that child. Q. Being a mother of 3 what has been the hardest period of motherhood for you and how did you deal with it? A. The hardest part of motherhood for me was right after birth with all of my children. It’s an adjustment. Each additional adjustment was different. I was initially scared and unsure of how well I would do but I had no choice but to get over it and take care of my blessings! I’m very thankful for the support of my husband. Q. Let’s talk about your children book and the motivation behind the book. A. The Mincey Kidz Adventures is about experiences my children have encountered. My children and I talk a lot, so I decided to use some of their experiences to show other children that may have experienced a similar situation that they are not the only one.

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Q. Let’s talk about “Kumfee Kush” clothing line and how it got started? A. Kumfee Kush Clothing was created by my husband and I in 2018. I remembered coming home from work one day saying I want to leave something to our children. I want it to be something that they can continue to grow and keep the Mincey legacy flowing. So, I said let’s start with a clothing line. We started brainstorming and that’s the name that stuck. The name can be used for multiple products. Our goal is to be able to take the brand into multiple areas outside of clothing such as, jewelry, cosmetics and furniture etc. Q. What is one thing you want to leave behind for your family?

A. Outside of tangible assets we want to make sure we leave our children with a sense of self awareness, honor, respect and to know being a good person can take you a long way in life! Q. If you had to choose one parenting mantra for yourself, what would it be? A. “Every day is a new day to try again.” “No one is perfect and has all these answers!” It’s hard to choose just one. Q. Are you working on any new projects for 2022? A. Actually, yes. I have some new stories to add to the Mincey Kidz Adventures- Hanging Out with My Dad, New Student Jitters, and My Grandma’s the Coach. I’m also working with my husband on the release of his new movie titled 13th and Pine which will be out this year. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. My readers can find me on IG@mgkeva, Facebook Markevia Mincey, Minceykidzbooks.org, and Markeviamincey.com.

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"Your mindset dictates your every move. It's the difference between trying and learning, or being too afraid to try at all."

DEBLAIR TATE

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Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. DeBlair Tate is from a small town in Mississippi called Winona. She is a celebrity Health & Wellness Coach, Life Coach, Published Author, Designer, Master Resilience Trainer, former professional figure competitor, a Military Training Instructor, and the successful owner of the 8Figured Brand. With a primary focus on mental & physical health, wellness, and making people feel confident about who they are and how they treat themselves, DeBlair’s goal is for those she encounters to reach a place of wholeness—mind, body, and soul. Her passion centers on helping others break through barriers and fully realize their ability to live happy, healthy, and prosperous lives. In addition, she helps professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs redefine success, recommit to themselves, & reactivate their personal goals. Q. What made you want to pursue a career in Health & Wellness? A. My journey into health and fitness wasn’t something I wanted

to do, it just fell in my lap, and everything started fitting like a glove. After college graduation, I moved to the coast to work for the Air Force. I was there for less than a year when Hurricane Ivan hit, and I decided that I did not want to continue fighting against the storms. I moved to Atlanta, landed a job as a loan officer, and worked part-time at a gym near my apartment. One evening while working at the juice bar in the gym, a gentleman who had come to purchase supplements asked if I had ever thought of doing fitness competitions. He said I looked like I worked out and that I probably would do well in the competition. Unknowledgeable of the competition world, I responded with an & “absolutely not!” My image of female bodybuilders were not something I wanted for myself, so I politely declined. He attempted to explain the difference, but I wasn’t interested. Later that day, a young lady came into the juice bar with a book. She introduced herself to me and stated that she was asked to come in and show me some pictures of her as a fitness competitor. I was in awe. She looked amazing. At that moment, I was sold and ready to begin training to become a fitness competitor. I joined their gym and began training and prepping myself for upcoming shows. I learned quickly that fitness competitions are not for the faint of heart. It is a serious business, and it requires a commitment of time and effort and a perfect diet. I began training for my first fitness competition in 2006. I hit the stage in April of 2007, where I placed 4th out of 32 competitors in the nationally recognized Supernatural Bodybuilding and Fitness Competition. I later competed in another show where I put first overall, which allowed me to compete worldwide in

a Pro-Status—an accomplishment that can take many years to reach. From that point, I competed in shows where I’ve won many titles and awards. I was crowned Miss Georgia Fitness two years in a row. During this time, my body changed dramatically, and everyone noticed. I would be out shopping, and people would approach to ask questions as if I was a professional trainer and ask if I could train them. For a long time, I would say no and direct them to one of the trainers at the gym until I realized that this had become my lifestyle, and I knew to guide people just as I had been guided. It became a journey of not only sculpturing my body but having the ability to affect the lives of others. I trained clients to compete in numerous shows. Along the way, I gained several certifications and was on the road to becoming one of the best trainers in the game. To experience the impact my training had on transforming people’s lives—whether for image, health concerns or self- confidence— passion burned within me and grew increasingly over the years. From there, I began to really channel my energy into my hometown and became an advocate to educate

WHERE IT BEGINS

them on the importance of being healthy. Mississippi was labeled one of the most obese states among the 50. Young people were passing away at an early age, people suffering from heart disease, diabetes, and poor eating habits, and I wanted to step in and make a difference. That’s where the passion got extremely deep, and it grew full force from there. Q. Let’s talk a little about your journey and how you got to where you are today? A. The previous questions pretty much sum up a lot of it. In addition to my journey, I lacked balance in my personal life. I was spending more time hustling and less time with family. I realized that I had to restructure my life and get my priorities in line, but I didn’t want to forfeit the love and passion I had for the health and fitness world. The pandemic really molded me

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and caused me to reshuffle my journey, allowing me to create my apparel line, 8Figured. 8Figured has grown so much in a short period. What started as an apparel line has turned into a trademarked brand. Under the brand is my 8Figured Body Coaching Program, supplement line, paraphernalia, and my new book, Resilient As F*ck (Release date 1 June 2022), just to name a few. I’m so excited that it is continuing to grow. Q. What are some of the challenges and hurdles you had to go through in life? A. This journey has definitely been a struggle. The hardest part of it all was achieving a work-family life balance. I struggled to balance my career, extracurricular, and personal life for a long time. I can’t even say today that I have it all together, but my priorities are much better aligned. I was always the one that wanted to support everyone and

participate in everything. I valued my clients and the organizations I was a part of, so it was vital for me to share important things with them. That sometimes meant neglecting self-care. I was always sleep-deprived and exhausted, but I found energy in knowing that I could support the ones that supported me- which was not healthy for my body. The younger mind took a lot for granted. Saying no was not in my vocabulary. I had to learn through my experiences how important it was to make an effort to provide myself the opportunity for balance and downtime. I also learned how important it was to create boundaries between my work, extracurricular, and family. That meant determining where my priorities should lie. With clear boundaries, it made things easier. My health was no longer a factor, and my family no longer had to ask where I was. Moving too fast and taking life for granted can definitely catch you off guard, especially as a career worker and business owner. Q. Let’s talk about your book and the motivation behind the book. A. The book. Yes. This started from an interview I received from a company that wanted to do a mini documentary on me. While prepping and interviewing with them, I began to tell my story, and they were in total shock at some of the things I was saying. I actually was shocked at some of the things I was saying as well because I never really processed my life- I just lived day by day. I started to realize that as a trainer/ coach, I was helping everyone else

and just looking over my life and how my story could potentially help someone else. I am a very private person, but when I decided to be a coach full-force, I knew I needed to open up, so, I could relate to the people I encountered. Q. What are some tips on staying healthy and fit? A. Yes, Find your “Why.” With everything you do- have a purpose and hold yourself accountable to that purpose. Make sure you love yourself first, then start setting realistic goals to make you better. Stay consistent and be patient. If you need help, then seek it. Q. What is one positive message you would like to leave for the readers? A. Change requires doing things differently. It’s necessary to shed old belief systems, patterns, commitments, and priorities in order to grow. So never

stop growing and striving to be a better version of yourself every day. Q. Are you working on any projects for 2022? A. Yes! As I stated, my book, Resilient As F*ck, launches on 1 June. I have theResilientAF Women’s conference in Atlanta, GA, on 16-18 Sept. I am still working on the cookbook. This should be ready to go in December. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. You can follow me on social media: IG: @iamdeblair and @8figuredbrand. LinkedIn: https://www. linkedin.com/in/deblair-ftate-16516638/ You can also visit my website, www.8figured.com, and join my community by texting the keyword 8Figured to 770-685-6709, then follow the prompts.

WHERE IT BEGINS

"Moments like these force me to stop and acknowledge how far I've come and how much further I have to go. With every step I take, my journey leads me to uplifting children in foster care through literaly arts. "

NYCHOL LYNA 38

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and trafficking of women and minors, and the preventative measures taken to deter them from solicitation and prostitution overseas. The disheartening facts presented to me in my research, as well as the admiration ignited in my heart for the women and children who persevered beyond their unfortunate circumstances, I was inspired and felt a sense of obligation to devote my journey to uplifting at-risk and minority youth and women across the globe. Thus, Dream North was established. I’m working on several film, novel, and community projects and have aspirations to touch at-risk women and children across the globe.

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. Hi, my name is Nychol Lyna and I’m an author, producer, entrepreneur, and founder of the 501(c)(3) non-profit, Dream North Foundation. I grew up in Los Angeles and Inglewood, California, as an only child raised by my devoted single-parenting mother. Growing up as an only child, I often found myself alone. This allowed me to have the freedom to think creatively and entertain myself. Later, these experiences (including being exposed to gangs within my neighborhood, and racism and bullying outside of my community while enrolled at various private schools) inspired me to put all my emotion into writing. After working for the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), Head Start, and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), and obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, an MBA in Management, and a Master’s in International Business, I was fortunate to reside in Spain to begin working on a research study entitled, “Prostitution among Women & Minors: Global Assessment of Causes and Prevention,” geared towards gaining insight into the social science aspects of people in our society and to determine the factors that contribute to the exploitation

Q. Can you define in your own words what motherhood means to you? A. Being a mother is being there for a child no matter if they come from you or not. While this major life transition no longer feels like a difficulty, it was not easy adapting to the new life of “motherhood,” let alone a fairly new relationship with my partner. At this time, before we got full/sole custody, I was still learning myself and had plans to travel the world and build my company. But I stand by that everything happens for a reason! I am her mother now and proud to be. And I do my best to learn from her and grow with her. I’m surely imperfect. But I’m doing my best to love unconditionally and selflessly as a true mother would. And I can proudly say to all the ambitious parents out there; there’s room to accomplish your goals, so never give up on who you are and what you desire from this world! Q. Let’s talk about foster care and you being in the process of adopting a former foster child? A. Zemirah had been exposed to the foster care system on multiple occasions by the age of 9 before she gained a permanent court-appointed placement with her biological father. The day that changed her life for the better was in the Summer of 2016. Due to concerns of abuse occurring in the household, Zemirah and her two younger siblings were kept after school and immediately directed over to social services and law enforcement. After several weeks

in foster care, she was granted full custody by the child services courts to her biological father. For the past five years, Zemirah has blossomed into a well-versed, jovial and helpful young lady. She has maintained a 3.5 to 4.0 Grade Point Average. And now at the age of 15, she’s recently become the parent to a homeless kitten, Enzo, rescued from her grandmother’s backyard! If you sat down to have a candid conversation with MyMy, she would tell you, “I just miss my brothers and sisters. I want to see them! But I know I’m in a better place now…” As a parent of a former forgotten baby and full-time mother, Founder of Dream North Foundation, Nychol Lyna has expressed, “To witness the tears fall from her eyes, knowing I cannot take THAT pain away, is a weakening experience.” Yet and still, Zemirah has found her place in her new life. A brand-new built home, constructed from the ground up. A bedroom of her own with a 2,000 square foot backyard to enjoy anytime, day or night. A kitten and three dogs to fill the absence and longing for her family. New friends that she cherishes most. And a stable home filled with love and growth, encouraging her to be her best self with each step she takes as she aspires to become a doctor with hopes of sharing her love and kindness with others. I filed request to the courts for her biological father to obtain full legal custody in January 2022. Once we are successful, I will be in position to file for adoption myself. This has been a taxing and emotional process, but it’s what’s in the best interest of now 15-year-old Zemirah. I am her mother. She knows that. And I will do what I have to do to ensure she is provided for and protected, forever. I don’t have any biological children. So, I’m proud of the love and support I’ve provided, and of the young woman, she’s become. I’m grateful for the family and home her biological father and I have been blessed to make for her. The opportunity to love this child who no longer has her biological mother is a feeling that cannot be summed up in words. And to be able to publish my book, which WHERE IT BEGINS

was in my heart long before she walked into it, is the icing on the cake. Taking this journey with my best friend is more than I could ever ask for. Q. Can you give us more details about your program and how it uplifts more than 1,000 foster children a year? A. Dream North Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been dedicated to building a global community that supports women and underprivileged youth since May 2016. We are committed to delivering artistic and literary outreach to foster and at-risk youth across America through our “Story Time with Dream North and Friends” literary arts programming. “Story Time with Dream North & Friends” is an ongoing book reading experience for foster and at-risk children from underprivileged demographics throughout the USA and abroad. These events are hosted to uplift readers who face similar social and economic challenges, inspiring them to persevere and find an outlet through creative writing and art. We seek to inspire enthusiasm toward reading, writing, and art by making the event a carnival experience with live cultural performances, celebrity and political guests and speakers, workshops exploring artistic

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mediums, rides and attractions, potted lily sustainability exercises, and more. The program centers on the book “Forgotten Baby,” published by me, which follows the story of Mytaé, a young girl entering the foster system and learning to chase her dreams. In conjunction with our in-person programming, we are launching “Story Time Place,” an app that will be a safe place where youth participants from all of our events can interact safely around the world. It is similar to an online classroom. Through our iPad portal, youth participants from all of our Story Time programs will be able to share memories, attend virtual Story Time Sessions, work on a “Forgotten Baby” novel, interact with “Story Time Young Entrepreneur Internship” peers & mentors, attend virtual Storytime Book Readings, and creative writing sessions. We project to service more than 3,500 at-risk children by the end of 2023. Lastly, our “Story Time” programming includes an opportunity for 11th, 12th and 1st year college students, current or former foster, to submit to our “Story Time Book Contest.” The winners will co-author and illustrate a novel published through the “Forgotten Baby” children’s book series. By promoting the importance of arts-forward youth programs, incorporating literature, literacy, and creative writing into the everyday norm of the everdeveloping child, we utilize our versatile forums to shed awareness on the racial and judicial inequities that at-risk children face in underserved demographics on a global scale by also partnering with local constituents within our targeted demographics, such as the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Los Angeles Police Museum and Locke High School (Green Dot Public Schools), in order to bridge cultural barrier gaps between various government agencies and at-risk demographics by providing safe learning spaces that promote literary efficacy and educational/ career preparedness. Our current demographic focus is California, Nevada, and Oregon. And we

partner with a different host country each year, focusing on the Bahamas in 2022 and London in 2023. Q. Let’s talk about this event in May you have coming up and the motivation behind it? A. In May we had facilitating our first 2022 installment of “Story Time with Dream North & Friends.” In partnership with the Los Angeles Police Museum, we bridged cultural barrier gaps between local governmental agencies and at-risk communities. The event inspired enthusiasm toward reading, writing, and art by being a carnival experience with live cultural performances, celebrity and political guests and speakers, workshops exploring artistic mediums, carnival game attractions, potted lily sustainability exercises, and more! We were able to uplift more than 100 community members. Due to COVID, none of the foster agencies were able to attend, but we are tentatively expected to take Story Time to Sycamores in Altadena on July 15, 2022. We are so excited about this celebratory community event that will give us an opportunity to unify and enjoy one another’s company as we shed light on the conditions that foster youth are dealing with. Q. You also will be going global in the Bahamas in August what can we expect from this event? A. Our August 11th event in Nassau, Bahamas, will be a special packing party to uplift 140-145 children inhabiting nine children’s homes. Our event will feature food, entertainment, awards, and Keynote Speaker Rob Scheer (Founder of Comfort Cases). We will be gifting books, art supplies, gift cards, clothes and shoes, and more to each child attending. Following the activities at Atlantis Resort, I’ll have an opportunity to visit five children’s homes to personally deliver gifts and host a special book reading. With the support of Amour Affairs and Kiwanis Club of New Providence, we will be taking our Story Time with

Dream North & Friends to the next level and will officially be a globally recognized organization! Most exciting, we are offering scholarships to up to 3 talented high school students from the Bahamas. These students will exemplify excellence in education and in their communities. And the grand prize winners will have an opportunity to contribute content to a published Book VI, “Mytaé Prepares for College,” from the “Forgotten Baby” children’s book series! Q. What is your biggest accomplishment you want to achieve this year? A. I have several goals I’d like to accomplish this year, including secure a licensing partnership for our “Story Time Place” eLearning Platform featuring book reading and creative writing workshops, securing a licensing partnership to stream our large scale events on a global scale through a network such as Pocket. Watch or even a Netflix special, securing sponsorships with Nickelodeon, WWE, Activision, and other brands that align with our literary arts and entrepreneur internship programs, and developing integral relationships with government officials and local social services and law enforcement agencies in order to collaborate and refer our at-risk audience for resources they need. Q. What is one piece of advice

you would like to give to other mothers that are wanting to adopt? A. Do your research. Adopting is not a simple process. In addition, it’s a lifetime commitment. There are many reasons one may consider adoption. Perhaps they are suffering with infertility or other difficulties with getting pregnant. Perhaps they have yet to secure a partner and are simply ready to become a single parent. Of course, there are many who just want to help and uplift children who do not have a home. Regardless of the reason, make sure you are not only doing this for the sake of the child, but for yourself. Be sure that this is what you want for your life. It’s always great to have a support system. But making this decision shouldn’t be taken lightly. I didn’t fully assess my choice when I decided to become a permanent/sole mother to a 9-year-old. And I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t patient. I wasn’t adequately affectionate. I made many mistakes with my daughter. And now I’m able to look back and acknowledge my areas of improvement, so that I can better encourage new parents, either adopted or biological, to aspire to be their best selves for the sake of their children. We cannot nurture or caretake if we are not properly nurturing our own hearts.

efficacy and educational and career preparedness, while also shedding awareness on the racial and judicial inequities that atrisk youth (ages 5-14) face in underserved demographics, establishing opportunities for global cooperation where our students from various countries are able to interact with one another. Lastly, I’m currently working on pilot for our animated series “Mighty Mytaé” inspired by our children’s book “Forgotten Baby!” Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Instagram: @ dreamnorthfoundation @ dreamnorthllc Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ dreamnorthfoundationlosangeles Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/ DreamNorthEnt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin. com/in/nycholwoods/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCFwisFuCMVvtrYo0j9ZIXjA?app=desktop

Q. Are you working on any new projects for 2022? A. We are planning on taking Story Time with Dream North & Friends to the next level in 2022, already securing partnerships with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District for our December 2022 Holiday Giving Drive at Windmill Library for 400 attendees. In addition, we will be hosting a Summer 2023 literary carnival at Summerlin library for 1,500 attendees. We plan to launch our iPad app, Story Time Place, this fall to reach children on a global scale. Our year-round program provides safe learning spaces that promote literary

WHERE IT BEGINS

"I encourage everyone to put God first!"

DR. RACHEL & RONALD WILSON 42

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Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. Hi, my name is Rachel Wilson. I have the pleasure and honor of doing several things. I like to say I am a woman of faith, and I am a wife and mother, I also have the honor of serving as a Pastor alongside of my husband, Dr Ronald Wilson at The Center in Greensboro, NC. I am also a national and international recording artist, executive director of Girl Talk International and a Certified Life Coach. Q. How would you define parenting in your own words? A. I would define parenting as being a leader, example, and template to one’s children. Just like everyone else, I’m not a perfect mom because I’m not a perfect person. I do make mistakes and have flaws that I show in front of my children. But I think being a good parent means to go back and apologize to your children and share with them your flaws and mistakes, then show them the way it should be done. Q. Tell us a little about your journey and how you help others? A. My journey in the area of being an artist and in ministry has been a long, slow dried out process. The strenuous and dry process has been a building mechanism to build me into the woman that I am today and still becoming. Along the way, I have been able to develop many wisdom keys. Q. Let’s talk about “Marriage on the Rocks” and the motivation behind it? A. Marriage on the Rocks is a marriage ministry that myself and my husband facilitate. God gave my husband the vision for it. Most times when you hear “marriage on the rocks” you can think of something bad or that a marriage is falling apart, but these rocks are not rocks as many would suppose, but rather the rocks mean foundational principles of God that we encourage couples to build their marriage on. Our motivation behind it is to preserve,

rebuild, and reestablish marriages the Kingdom way, which simply means God’s way according to his word. I heard one of our mentors, Bishop Michael Blue, say that he has never seen a Kingdom Marriage that ended in divorce. This goes to show that doing marriage God’s way makes marriage divorce proof. Q. Can you give us more details on the programs, retreats, and seminars that you’ve been doing in the community? A. One thing we have done was established Girl Talk International 13 years ago. It is something that I am very passionate about because it is a Kingdom mandate for women to establish the mind, body, spirit and soul of women. As a result, we have been able to put into action multiple conferences, seminars, educational workshops in order to educate and support women. It is a building community mechanism and I am very excited about being a part of something that empowers women. Q. How do you make a marriage last for over 25 years? A. Wow, this is a big one. I know personally I didn’t make it last at all. For those of you who are married know that marriage is work and I like to even spell marriage as W-O-R-K. When you put God’s principles to work it will make a lasting marriage and it will be established. As a result of the principles of the Kingdom of God, we have been able to stay married for 25 years. I’m not perfect and my husband is not perfect. We are two imperfect people, but one of the things we have come into agreement with is working the principles of God and his way of doing things. Because of that agreement, I can definitely say our marriage is a prime example of marriage on the rocks due to building our marriage off of the principles.

Q. What has been the hardest period of motherhood for you and how did you deal with it? A. The hardest part of motherhood for me was when my second pregnancy was terminated at three months. I absolutely love God, love life, love my family, and I absolutely love and enjoyed being pregnant. Other women may not feel that way, but that is something I have always looked forward to even as a young lady being married and having beautiful children that I can nourish in the Kingdom of God. In this particular pregnancy I got close to my third month and started hemorrhaging and I knew something was not right because I had been pregnant before. And I will never forget the moment when we got the news. The doctor took us in this big office with big chairs and made me and my husband sign papers of termination. The baby was terminated.

WHERE IT BEGINS

When I was signing the papers, I literally felt like I was not a woman of faith because it was like I was endorsing this termination, but I had to sign these papers. I was not signing to get a house, or signing a contract with a label, but it was literally signing papers of termination for a baby. So, any woman that has gone through that, knows that it was really a rough patch. But through Christ and knowing that he is the giver of all life, I allowed him to heal me and restore me and four months later I was pregnant with our son Gabriel. I am so amazed that after that God gave us another gift through me, who was named Gabriel. During the process I experienced some anxiety and torment that I would have to sign termination papers again in three months. I remember asking the doctor if I was going to deliver the baby or will it be another miscarriage? The doctor brought comfort and said that the baby was in there dancing, and at this point not even really have feet yet but was in there dancing with joy. I knew then that my son Gabriel at three months in the womb was a dancer and was so happy. I hope that this story is an encouragement to others. Q. What is your best advice you can give other relationships and parents to keep striving? A. I would definitely have to say, as I say a lot, to put Kingdom first! One thing that I have learned throughout my journey is that sometimes people go to church and say they love God, but he is not really first. Not to say that they don’t love God but he may not be first on the list. Really loving God is illuminated when you put him first. So, I would say to every family, that the recipe for my husband and I has been putting Kingdom first. I believe that principle has been proven in our life that when we put God first, he is going to, in return, make sure our marriage makes it and make sure our children make it and that

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we don’t lack anything we need. So, I encourage everyone to put God first! You are going to need him through the processes of life like miscarriage, as I mentioned earlier, and all the ups and downs of life. The King has always been first and always made a way for the Wilson family. Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events? A. I have a few songs coming up and there is one in particular that is pending. We are waiting for the right time to release it. My current song “I Can” is doing very well, thank God, so we don’t want to rush that process. Great things are still coming from that song, but I do have some amazing projects that are coming and I pray that all of you will join us in prayer for the right timing to release them. Also, my nonprofit organization, Girl Talk International will also be hosting our annual Unmasking Barbie Conference on July 29th and 30th.

This year’s conference is for all men, women, teens and preteens! We have something for everyone. Unmasking Barbie conference is designed for women who grew up playing with Barbie and men who grew up desiring what Ken had. Both characters brought the & “Make Believe” into our reality, which caused a life full of hurt and disappointment. Women and men will leave the conference unmasked of the & “Barbie & Ken Mentality” and begin to live a life of healing, restoration, and fulfillment. We also have some phenomenal guest speakers! For more information and to register visit www. girltalkinternational.com. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Readers can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube @rachelmwilson44. Thank you in advance for your support.

WHERE IT BEGINS

"I'm running to protect Los Angeles from crime and corruption and to shelter the unsheltered."

SHERRI “ONICA” VALLE COLE

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. Sherri “Onica” Valle Cole is a mother, teacher and attorney specializing in domestic violence, tenant›s rights and homeless client›s re-entry into housing and the workforce. Onica is the first African-American candidate for the office of Los Angeles City Attorney in the history of the city. Once elected, she would be the first woman, first AfricanAmerican and first Latina to ever 46

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head the office. She spent nearly sixteen years in the office and was fired when she opposed the corruption within the office and spoke truth to power. Onica was appointed as Temporary Judge for the Los Angeles Superior Court and served as a judge throughout Los Angeles County. While at the City Attorney’s Office, Onica developed expertise in prosecuting both criminally and civilly consumer and workforce

protection cases. Since then, Sherri Onica has been tasked with working for several large insurance companies, litigation cases and conducting jury trials on behalf of her clients. The day after the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict she left her position and opened a practice to help the vulnerable members of the Los Angeles community. Onica’s first client, was a domestic violence victim who could not stand up

for herself against her abuser and was unsheltered. A distressed homeowner has retained Onica to confront an abusive loan servicer that took advantage of her when her mother died. Onica has also helped minorityowned businesses, domestic violence victims and others caught up with the child and protective services department. Currently, she works as a teacher to help keep the schools open during the day and as an attorney in her law practice. Q. How would you define parenting in your own words? A. I see parenting as the most challenging and joyful job, but my mother made it look easy. The sacrifices are great, but the reward is infinite. I developed multiple sclerosis after the delivery of my second child and had to parent a special needs child and recover at the same time. Q. What made you want to pursue a career as a criminal prosecutor? A. I love to fight and perform so being a prosecutor was the perfect blend for me. After I started with the office, I fell in love with helping community members get justice. I am a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault so I understand how important to have your day court can be to a crime victim. Q. Let’s talk about the campaign that you are running for and what we can expect if you get elected?

A. I am running on the following values: 1.

Police accountability - holding law enforcement accountable includes prosecuting them and also making a decision to not defend them in court if/when they do not follow policy. 2. Mental Health/ Unsheltered - We need to get the mentally ill out of the criminal justice system, off of our sidewalks and into supportive housing with supportive services. 3. Environmental Justice Sherri Onica is a long-time member of the Sierra Club and hike leader. We need to clean up Los Angeles and not continue degrading our community with pollutants. 4. Protect Consumers - Enforce housing regulations and section 8 applicants and landlords to improve the amount of low-cost housing available in Los Angeles. 5. Small Business - Los Angeles has lost more than 50% of its businesses, we need to bring back the diversity of businesses within Los Angeles. Q. Can you tell us what your favorite part is about being a mom? A. I grew up very poor. In fact, there was a point in my life when we were homeless. I like showering my children with the things and opportunities I didn›t have. Q. What are some of the things you do for the community as far as being an advocate on mental health and the homeless population? A. I volunteer and work with the Los Angeles Mission to help

the “unhoused” living on skid row. I provide legal services to allow people to locate well-paying jobs and permanent housing. Q. Raising a child with Autism, what were some of the programs and support that helped you with parenting? A. What helped me was the local school districts that had pre-school for children with Autism. Also, local communities had a parent and child program for autism families (Good to Grow) and a local non-profit provided play therapy and training for parents and families. Q. What has been the biggest obstacle you had to overcome being a mother? A. I was a superstar at work, but once I needed to take time off for my family or myself the workplace became hostile. No one understands that the best worker needs to step back to take care of family. Q. Are you working on any projects for 2022? A. Yes, I’m building my campaign and my law practice, Law Offices of Sherri Onica Valle Cole. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Campaign website www.Cole4Change.com

WHERE IT BEGINS

"I would define motherhood as a woman who shares her heart, wisdom, and her legacy with a child."

SHERIKA STROUD 48

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through marriage -- as I currently am to my awesome bonus son, or through fostering or adoption -- as my mother is to me, or by village appointment -- where women in our communities are appointed to «mother» children who have been abandoned and neglected, or just need that extra love. Mothers are naturally givers, and when a woman connects with another human being to give her heart, her gifts, and her love; that's motherhood. Q. Let’s talk about Alpha Omega Theta Sorority, Inc and how it motivates women in business? A. Actually, it was over five years ago, and I was in Wal-Mart with a friend and told her I was inspired to start a sorority. I had many that doubted and questioned me, but my assignment was already written and established by God. I took an entire year to take that vision and form the foundations of what you see now. Alpha Omega Theta Sorority is a national sorority for women in business as well as professional women that seek a place to serve their communities and build business legacies through networking. The sisterhood component of our organization is where we find strength and resources. This organization has been my pride and my joy. I always tell my Sorors that it is my pleasure to serve them.

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I am Sherika Stroud, and I am a native North Carolinian, business coach, best-selling author, and entrepreneur. Q. Who are some women who motivated you to be the woman you are today? A. One of my greatest influences is my grandmother Barbara Jean. Her fortitude and big heart for others has shaped me into being the woman that I am today. My mother also has been a great influence. She has shaped my

beliefs and work ethic, and the way she supports and encourages me has been an important piece in my success. It has been by the strength of these women that have anchored me as a businesswoman, a wife, and a mother. Q. How would you define motherhood in your own words? A. I would define motherhood as a woman who shares her heart, wisdom, and her legacy with a child. Motherhood is not always defined by giving physical birth to a child. Mothers can be established

Q. Can you give us more details on the Barbara Jean Project? A. As you can guess, this project (also known as Granny’s Heart) is named after my late grandmother, Barbara Jean. Her influence has impacted me more than I can even express. I was adopted, and she played a major role in making that happen. So, it has been a labor of love for me to launch this project, where we gather resources and provide support for foster children and families going through the adoption process. Some of the other things we do include providing toiletries and other necessities to children in foster care, because a lot of them when they are being placed in foster care come with nothing

WHERE IT BEGINS

"We all have something to give, and what better way to give than by motherhood through adoption."

but the clothes on their backs. We also provide financial assistance to parents to cover necessities for children being placed in their home, sometimes at a moment’s notice. It is a rather intimate process, and because I know how adoption has positively impacted my life, this has become the cornerstone of how I want to honor her legacy as a mother and woman of impact in the community. Q. What are some of the steps that women must go through to adopt a family? A. Number one, consider starting out as a foster parent. This gives you the experience on life changes and how to build a rapport with the child you›re bringing into your home. Secondly, be prepared for a background check. If you have anything questionable in your history, make sure you discuss it with the agency before the process begins. Next, I would encourage potential adoptive parents to understand that anyone can be a foster or adoptive parent. Don›t let traditional parenting styles discourage you. If you have a 50

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heart to love and give to a child, I say go for it. And finally, don›t allow finances to stop you. You don›t have to be wealthy to be a foster or adoptive parent. There are various resources available in your state, and scholarships for adoptive children. Q. What advice can you give to other women that want to adopt? A. As I stated before, being a mother comes in many forms. Adoption is a beautiful thing, and although there may be challenges along the way, don’t allow that to stop you from giving the best of your heart to a child. Make sure you go through the proper channels and follow the statutes in your state and embrace the journey. We all have something to give, and what better way to give that than by motherhood through adoption. Q. How has motherhood changed over the years? A. To be honest, I view motherhood as becoming more evolved. Women may be choosing to wait longer to become mothers or choosing different avenues to become a

mother, but motherhood in itself has not really changed. Mothers are still the foundation of the fabric of life, giving their hearts and souls to children, whether they are theirs by birth or other means. We do see even more today than ever women who are opting to become mothers through adoption, foster parenting, surrogacy, or even scientific procedures. But that doesn't change the definition of motherhood. Q. Are you working on any events for 2022? A. Aside from our official launch of the Barbara Jean project, we are completing our legacy year with our fifth anniversary as an organization this year. Our local chapters are presently launching events such as their scholarship and mentorship programs and networking mixers. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Readers can follow me on Instagram at @iamathetawoman and on Facebook at @AlphaOmegaTheta. They can also connect with me and find more information on our website at www.thetawomenunite.org.

"I never knew how strong I was until I became a mother."

WENDY JACOB 52

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Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. My name is Wendy Jacob, owner of Wayne Anthony (https:// wayneanthony.com/). I’m a mother, wife, daughter, niece and aunt. My story can be summed up in four words: #Survivor. #Fighter. #Relentless. #Power. When life knocks you on you’re a**, you have two choices. You can give up. Or you can get up. I chose door number two. I chose to survive my heartache, fight the hopelessness, be relentless in the pursuit of my dreams and own my power. I did it for my son, and I created Wayne Anthony for him too. Q. Let’s talk about your business and the motivation behind it. A. Wayne Anthony is a black owned motivational brand that respects your life’s journey, and we aim to encourage others to never stop living with passion. Our goal is to provide you with inspiring products that keep your head and heart moving in the right direction. We celebrate and inspire anyone who’s looked life flat in the face and didn’t flinch. If that’s you, you’re my hero. Survive. Fight. Be relentless. Own your power. Wear your story.

Q. How does your brand inspire and motivate others? A. Wayne Anthony reminds women, men and kids that they’re built to last…. that they should never give up even when they feel like quitting. Life is a demanding journey. More often than not, it demands an effort that seems to exceed our abilities. We as parents, mothers, fathers should instill the will to stand and fight in our children. As kids grow, they must learn to stand their ground even when it hurts to stand. Q. Where do you see your shop in 3 years? A. In 3 years, our goals are to do the following: • Increase the total income of our company by 10%. Year over year growth is one of our top business priorities. • Increase your company’s share in its market. • Select a charity to begin sponsoring. Q. How is your shop more unique than others? A. I believe that Wayne Anthony belongs to a very specific niche and is filling a market gap for motivational clothing and decor companies. Izzy and Liv is a Blackowned t-shirt company whose target audience is black people. That is an important niche to be in, however, inclusivity is one of Wayne Anthony’s core values. Ban. do is another inspirational brand that focuses on encouraging its audience to have fun experiences throughout life. In comparison, Wayne Anthony is an inspirational brand that is centered around motivating consumers to never give up on anything they desire in this life –– or the next. Q. When you think of celebrating life and everyday heroes what comes to mind? A. It’s about time we celebrate our heroes, the everyday heroes. As a brand, we’ve chosen to celebrate the smaller moments in life – the little things that make life better.

The everyday people who do extraordinary things in big and small ways that demonstrate amazing courage, kindness, compassion, and selflessness. Q. Do you have any new motivational apparel that you’re working on? A. Yes, we’re working on new motivational tees for the fall. Q. What advice can you give others that would love to start a business A. Tenacity and optimism are closely linked. Both lead to the constant, energetic striving that underlies successful businesses. You will encounter speed bumps and roadblocks, but you must persevere and overcome them. Many businesses fail because the founders simply quit when they could have punched through. Q. Where can readers follow you? A. Follow Wayne Anthony on social media @shopwayneanthony to keep up with our latest news and product launches. Also, subscribe to our newsletter.

WHERE IT BEGINS

underrepresented founders and gives our investors a return on the investment along with a myriad of other perks and benefits.

JENNIFER SCHWERT CREATOR/FOUNDER Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I’m Jenn and I’m an artist, engineer, inventor and founder. I take ideas from napkin sketches to prototypes to building them to launching them and build the brand and business plan around the product too. I’m also a new mother to a 4 month old baby girl we’ve nicknamed The Maximax, a stepmom to a sassy, strong 14 year old daughter we’ve nicknamed Turbo. I’m an activist for animal welfare and rights. And I’m an investor in startups, real estate, stocks and cryptocurrency. I’m adamant that everyone, every single person, is an investor with their time, attention, energy, focus, saving, spending and investing. If we all understood that, and how much power we have, things would be wildly different.

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What are you most proud of in your motherhood journey? A. I love that The Maximax is happy and healthy and doing great. But I’m really proud that I’ve not succumbed to the mom guilt and comparison trap that society wants to mire us in. Building and launching STEMinists with a newborn means I’m not her only caregiver and I’m more than ok with that, I’m proud of it. When I’m not taking care of her, she gets to spend time and bond with her dad and others and I get to build something that will change our future and other people’s futures. Let’s talk about your business “STEMinists” and the motivation behind it? A. STEMinists is a combination of Kickstarter (crowdfunding), SharkTank (pitching and investing) and YCombinator (incubating and accelerating) that utilizes NFTs to fund new companies led by

The motivation: I’ve spent my career building and launching other people’s product ideas…and making them a lot of money! When I went to get my MBA I pitched my product ideas to VCs and did several business plan competitions. I’d done more work developing and refining my idea, finding the product-market fit and building the business plan and would always get really close to getting the funding but lose out in the end to a team of male founders with a less developed idea. Estimates currently have women founders getting about 3% of VC funding. That got old real fast. When I found NFT collections last year I saw a way to raise capital outside of the current VC system by using NFTs to crowdsource the funding. And immediately decided I wouldn’t just raise the capital I needed, I’d bring a whole bunch of other underrepresented founders with me and get them the capital they need too. The Nitty Gritty: STEMinists is a collection of 10,000 NFTs featuring a STEMinist character (female, non-binary, and male), a quote, 6 facial expressions that encompass the range of women’s personalities and great fashion. It was important to me that they show women in all ways - body types, mothers, pregnant, dressed down, dressed up, dressed elegantly, different cultures, different ethnicities, different emotions (angry, frustrated, “over it,” elated, intriguing, proud), etc. For too long women have been boxed into certain prescribed representations so this collection breaks through that. We have included a percentage of the characters that are male to let men know that we are not trying

her mom and I can see the trust she has in me. I savor each one of these moments. She’s changing so rapidly and knowing that she trusts me in all that she has to learn and navigate as she learns this big crazy world is the best feeling.

to exclude them, we are trying to join them! And to lead by example of including both genders in NFT collections. All the big NFY collections, they’re all male characters. We’re calling them out for being exclusionary and leading by example by including them. But I’m most excited about what our NFT holders (owners) get! Purchasers of these NFTs are joining a crowdsourced fund to launch companies led by underrepresented founders. They will be the “sharks” (a la SharkTank) in our STEMtank and vote on which companies get the funding and they’ll get a share of return on those investments in perpetuity. But they’ll also get access to exclusive product presales, VIP passes to the launch parties and swag bags when the companies launch. They’re the VC’s making this happen, so they get to live it with each of the launches. They’ll also be invited to join an investing mastermind with top names of crypto investing and go through a Strengths Finder coaching cohort. It’s important to us to not just nurture and launch our companies that we fund, but to develop and accelerate our investors as well so we’ve got programs for both groups. Q. Can you give us more details on NFT’s? A. NFTs are a digital file on the blockchain whose ownership is always verified. They’re not just jpegs, they’re so many things it’s hard to wrap your head around: a new way to own art, to support artists directly, a pass to exclusive events or communities or trainings,

a share in revenue of an asset like IRL or metaverse real estate or a startup investment. I think of them as art plus a ticket to so much more. Q. What has been the hardest period of motherhood for you and how did you deal with it? A. The hardest part for me was realizing I want so many things for my daughter that I wasn’t giving to myself. My inner critic, no surprise, is a monster. I hope The Maximax is able to tame hers or not develop one in the first place, but I realized quickly that the best way for her to navigate that was for me to tame my own. So, I’ve made some different decisions that were right for me that don’t necessarily make sense from the outside looking in. And you know what, I have so much more peace having made those decisions. 100% recommend. Q. Can you tell us one of your most memorable moments you’ve had being a mom? A. It’s mostly a blur - you’re truly surviving in the beginning. Randomly we just have these looks between us where I know that she knows that I’m

Q. What are some goals you want to accomplish in the next couple of years? A. I’m looking forward to turning STEMinists into an ongoing crowdsourced VC fund starting with this 10k collection of NFTs. We’d like to be launching new startups a couple of times each year and develop a supportive, collaborative ecosystem for incubating and accelerating these companies and our NFT holders. I’ll also be launching my next company with capital from STEMinists and develop my own consumer products. I am planning a huge, amazing launch party for this company so stay tuned! Q. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? A. Alaska. I’m a city girl but I need to get in the wild every now and then to get grounded and remember how we’re just one part of this enormous and complex ecosystem. It’s good to understand just how small we are. Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events? A. We’re preparing to open up the applications for founders to apply for funding with STEMinists. Our first launch will be a limited release of NFTs, and we’ll be giving $50k each to 6 founders. We’ll be taking all of our applicants through pitch practice and getting them ready for our STEMtank where our NFT holders will vote on which 6 receive the funding. The other big event we’re preparing for is for The Maximax to start crawling in the next few months. Our German Shepherd has no idea what’s coming! Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Twitter: @STEMinistsNFT Website: www.STEMinists.io WHERE IT BEGINS

Champion in Life:

AVIS BROWN-RILEY Wife, Mother, Survivor, History Maker, and Golf

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vis Brown-Riley promotes her life’s philosophy that dreams can come true, don’t give up, never give up, and anyone can become a champion in life. As told by Avis Brown-Riley and written by Marie Y. Lemelle Photos by: Tonya Riley

While the 2020 U.S. Census data is not yet available, the World Bank reported that women account for nearly 51 percent of the population, yet inequality is higher than males. The women empowerment movement is a way to uplift and celebrate woman who may be viewed as ordinary people but in actuality are living extraordinary lives and contributing to the future of the world. So how did a little seven-year-old girl from the inner city become a history maker, a champion in golf, a successful manager in a Fortune 500 company, breast cancer and fire victim survivor, and learn to empower herself in life? My extraordinary path to becoming a champion in life began with golf which quickly became my passion. After suffering from third degree burns at 7 years old, I learned to deal with life’s unexpected disappointments and adversities. I found solace in playing golf. As a little girl, it was my dream to be an LPGA Tour player. Under my father’s tutelage, I

had a very successful junior golf career: I won the 1974 Junior World Championship and the only African American female to hold four Junior World trophies, the San Diego Women’s Amateur Championship and more than 50 Junior golf tournament titles. I earned a collegiate golf scholarship at the United States International University in communications. I competed in more than 100 Professional Golf events including the United States Women’s Open; it was a challenge being the only African American woman competing at that time. After 25 years of playing competitive golf, I made a pivot and joined FedEx that presented a different challenge in my life. Against all odds, I rose up the ladder and pushed through the glass ceiling to be promoted to Operations Manager. As a wife and mother of two, I felt I had it all. My world quickly changed in 2010, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My Stage I cancer quickly progressed to Stage IV. It was the toughest eighteen holes

of life I have ever played. I made the decision to retire early. I am happy to say that I am now 12 years cancer free. Looking back, it brings tears to my eyes, I never gave up on me and returned to my passion of golf. I knew I had to keep fighting. Becoming a Champion in Life is not easy, and I attribute my accomplishments and becoming the women that I am to my mother, Harriet Brown. She has always been my best friend, role model and number one supporter. Even today, she continues to help me to prepare the realities of the world and empowers me through her wisdom and knowledge. Her unconditional love and personal sacrifices epitomize motherhood. My mother showed me that motherhood is a remarkable part of being a woman. From day one, the love she has for my siblings and me never ends. In turn, I have followed her footsteps, as I watch my children grow, learn, and excel in life. I will never stop loving, cherishing, protecting, guiding, and teaching them to be responsible and accountable as a woman and a man. Mothers want the best for their kids. As a mother, I pray that God protects them as they navigate their lives. I taught them to develop a Godly attitude and above all have faith. I have given my kids back to God.

Quality family time is a top priority for Avis Brown Riley. As a wife of 25 years to James and mother to two adult children Ayanna and Amari, Avis cherishes her family bond.

WHERE IT BEGINS

My mantras are, “Follow your dreams, don’t give up, never give up!” It’s not the number of times you stand in the winner’s circle that makes you a Champion,” and “Dreams can come true, don’t give up, never give up, and anyone can become a champion in life.”

Avis Brown Riley book, “Building of a Champion, How I became a Champion in Life: The Avis Brown-Riley Story” takes you on her journey to success. Among her many awards, the Women of Wealth Magazine Honored Avis Brown Riley with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Billionaire Roundtable Power Summit in Hampton, NY.

Walking in faith has led me to extraordinary achievements, I earned the coveted LPGA Professionals Class A certification to help make a difference and introduce this wonderful game to women and young girls. It was extremely rewarding being inducted in the San Diego Hall of Champions and the African American Golfers Hall of Fame, serving on numerous Boards. Accolades do not compare to the joy of giving back. During the past four years, I had the opportunity to introduce the game of golf to women and young girls and watching their eyes light up in amazement as they hit the ball. It’s priceless. Their joy has become my joy, and I realize that there is no greater gift than the sharing of knowledge and experience. Before my battle with cancer, in my heart, I also knew that I wanted to give back and share my story with others who may face similar challenges. I am a firm believer that champions are winners at succeeding in life and everyone’s success meter is different, whether in sports, the classroom, or the business world. We all benefit from sharing knowledge, opportunities and empowering people with health awareness and life skills, it enhances everyday life experiences and promotes a readiness level to face and conquer daily challenges and recognize opportunities. 58

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“Building of a Champion, How I became a Champion in Life: The Avis Brown-Riley Story”, chronicles my achievements and success, how I overcame breast cancer and the building blocks for becoming a Champion in Life. I also share my trademark 3D’s (Dedication, Desire, and Determination) that empowered me to become a Golf Champion and a Champion in Life. I discuss the building blocks and the 3 components that are pivotal in contributing toward lifelong goals and success and becoming a Champion in Life. Building of a Champion is available on Apple iTunes, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble Google play, Target.com and Walmart.com. My book is also on display at the USGA Golf Museum and Library. My oldest brother Gordon Brown, Jr. once told me, “It is not the adversity that you face, but how you face the adversity, that defines you as a person and builds character.” A Champion in Life understands that, if you have reached your potential for that day, you must remember, that there is always tomorrow. A champion in life: • Learns and builds on their life experiences; • Faces adversity with class, dignity, and the belief that you will overcome it; and • Gives back to their community, with open hands, a warm smile, and a generous heart.

Avis Brown Riley book, “Building of a Champion, How I became a Champion in Life: The Avis BrownRiley Story” takes you on her journey to success. Among her many awards, the Women of Wealth Magazine Honored Avis Brown Riley with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Billionaire Roundtable Power Summit in Hampton, NY. The LPGA and ABR Golf, along with social media are the platforms, are my ways to enlist, engage, encourage, and empower women, especially our young women who are our Future! I share three main points during my motivational speaking events, conferences, seminars, workshops, and golf exhibitions. 1. Health Awareness It is so important to stay healthy and drink plenty of water daily. As a cancer survivor of 12 years, I learned to keep my immune system strong with proper diet which has helped me to stay healthy and mentally strong. 2. Developing a winning attitude Life is not about winning and losing; if you have reached your potential for that day, you must remember, that there is always tomorrow. Developing a winning attitude allows you to overcome culturally challenged people, brake down the barriers and take advantage of opportunities. 3. Building tomorrow’s leaders today! We can accomplish this by: “Empowering women and girls with knowledge, opportunity and awareness.” As an author and businesswoman, I emphasize the importance of a

#4: Self-Care Isn’t Just Okay, It’s Necessary. Yes! Like my mother, I too am guilty, it’s quite easy to put yourself at the bottom of the Totem pole and I felt guilty about spending a moment, or a dollar, on myself. As a mother, your children’s health, well-being, and safety come first. My child is my child and will always be my child; good, bad, or indifferent, a mother will always be a mother. Projects and opportunities for me are ever-evolving. My greatest joy is serving as the President of Avis Brown-Riley (ABR) Golf. In spite of a busy schedule, I will continue as a Motivational Speaker and Mentor to young women by Enlisting, Engaging, Encouraging and Empowering women, especially our young women. They are our Future! woman’s opportunity of how to use golf to succeed in business. I share with my listeners, the current state of “Women Buying Power.” The Rise of the Sheconomy as reported by Time Magazine: • Young women have pulled ahead of their male counterparts in higher education; • Women now hold about half of nonfarm jobs in the US and own nearly a third of companies; • Women controlled more than $22 trillion in US spending in 2022; and • Women influence 80% of all purchases. Finally, I leave them with this thought: Ladies, where is your coworker or business competitor at on Wednesday afternoons? They are on the golf course, closing that big deal, talking about promotional opportunities, networking, and creating lasting partnerships. One of my more memorable life moments occurred during my battle with the “Big C,” I had a double dose of “Chemo” and Radiation” treatment. It was very hard for my daughter Ayanna to see me in my stage, so she stayed away. However, my nine-year-old

son Amari would run home every day to be by my side. It was very hard for my children to see me go through the toughest 18 holes in my life and not to be afraid. I told them that mommy is a Champion and Champions always win. I had just finished from one of my chemotherapy treatments and had to pick Amari up from school. When he got in the car, he said; “Mommy are your feeling OK?” I said “NO"! Amari, the chemo has me a little weak.” Amari then said, “Mommy, I don’t want you to die. You need to be in the stands at my first Major League Baseball game, holding a sign, saying Go Amari. “I need you mommy”. Every mother knows that they would do anything for their children and I was determined not to let Amari down. This was the turning point in fight with cancer. I truly wanted to be there in the stands at his first Major League Baseball game. I have many parenting mantras. The one that stands out is the importance of self-care throughout your lifetime. It does not matter if your child is a newborn or an adult, parenting is one of life’s biggest blessings but also most challenging task. You are on duty 24/7. I believe

Taking ABR Golf to the next level is my vision. One of my proudest achievements, is referring girls to golf programs across the country including our HBCUs. Women and young girls around the world need inspiration, hope and the belief that dreams can come true, don’t give up, never give up, and anyone can become a champion in life. I hope to be a beacon in someone’s life. I welcome the Where It Begins Family to connect with me on social media platforms: LGPA Golf Pro Avis Brown Riley has broken records that have yet to be beaten. She works tireless to recruit young girls to learn golf and learn to be champions. Golf attire courtesy of KINONA and shoes by FootJoy. Facebook https://www.facebook. com/avis.brownriley Twitter https://twitter.com/ avisleebrown Instagram https://www. instagram.com/avisbrownriley/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin. com/in/avis-brown-riley1a493247

WHERE IT BEGINS

"There is truly nothing more necessary for our journey of healing than acknowledging that we've been damaged."

RESHAE DANIELLE 60

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Q. If you had to choose one parenting mantra for yourself, what would it be? A. “I am not an irresponsible parent for prioritizing peace and relaxation above all.” Q. What’s the most memorable moment you’ve had being a mom? A. My most memorable moment is holding all 3 of my kids after giving birth, there’s nothing more than feeling your skin again at theirs that shuts everything happening around you out and it’s just you and them. Q. Are you working on any projects for 2022? A. I have several podcast and YouTube interview coming up this year along with my selfpublished book that will be out Mid-September. Along with many many more. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. I am on all social media platforms https://www.facebook. com/reshae.ellzey.rajalife IG-@ Only1_Reshaedanielle TikTokReshaeDanielle

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I am Reshae Danielle I’m 37 yrs. old I am a serial entrepreneur. I am an up-and-coming author, I am a professional tax preparer of 7yrs, I have my own truck dispatching company, along with a fright trucking company itself. Q. Define motherhood in your own words? A. Motherhood is a feeling of selflessness, sacrificial love, sustained by grace, joy, and fortitude. Motherhood is beautiful as well as messy in its moments, it’s draining and full filling, last but not least it’s a BLESSING‼️ Q. Let’s talk about your book “The Grass Ain’t Greener” and the motivation behind the book? A. My book is about a young woman going through marriage, ends up divorced, and allowing a

man to deceive and ends up finding herself through all of the deception. The motivation was that it’s so many women young, and old that needs to know they are not alone in whatever walk of life they are in. Q. Have you made any major changes in your outlook or approach in life? A. The changes I’ve made is that I no longer allow myself to be last. I’m putting myself first in every aspect of my life. Q. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned being a mom? A. Listen before reacting. Q. Where do you see yourself in the next three years? A. In the next 3 years I envision myself as a well-established writer, maybe working on a movie. But most importantly at peace with myself and my life. WHERE IT BEGINS

“I have taken the knowledge that I learned from my organization and incorporated it into my business and daily life. Overall, I have learned a lot about sisterhood and being a team player.”

CONSQUILLA CAREY 62

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Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. My name is Consquilla Carey. I am the owner of Affordable styles Hair Salon in Baltimore, Md and CC’s Beauty Institute LLC in Richmond. I am a licensed cosmetologist instructor and a Certified Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher. I graduated from Morgan State University with a B.S in Family and Consumer Sciences. I have a Masters in Education from Cambridge College. I am a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. I have 14 years of teaching experience in the public schools. I have 30 plus years of experience as a hairstylist. I combined both careers and created a beauty and career school. Q. What are you most proud of in your motherhood journey? A. I enjoy watching my son become independent. He has autism. He is developing into his own person. I›ve worked very hard to help him grow. He is very respectful. I am proud of how respectful he is.

Q. Let’s talk about your business and the motivation behind it. A. I always wanted to educate. My business allows me to educate and give back. I give out scholarships to students. Q. What are some things that you teach women about beauty? A. I offer a 1500-hour program in cosmetology. Students will learn sew-ins, relaxers, cuts and prepare for the state board exam. Q. What has been the hardest thing about motherhood? A. Raising a son with a disability. Q. How do you keep up with new styles trending in 2022? A. I constantly educate myself and collaborate with other beauty industry professionals. Q. Let’s discuss some of the successful things you’ve accomplished despite life obstacles. A. I graduated from college in three years with a B.S. I opened a beauty school during the pandemic. I have had a lot of struggles financially.

I worked multiple jobs until I could establish financial freedom. Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? A. I would love to travel to Africa. I would love to connect with nature and see the historical landmarks. Q. If you could choose one parenting mantra for yourself, what would it be? A. I can do anything, but can’t do everything. Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events? A. I will be an educator at the Bronner Brothers Hair Show in Miami. I will offer a business class to a licensed cosmetologist. I have a nail technology program starting in September. Participants will have the opportunity to become a licensed nail tech. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. They can visit www.ccbeautyinstitute.com follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ccbeautyinstitute.

WHERE IT BEGINS

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Photographer: Gudrun Gabriel Stylist: Vivian Dinkins-Stith Make-up Artist: Yolanda Marshall Hair: Lisa Newton, Hair Game

Where It Begins May Issue 2022

Articles inside

Consquilla Carey

Reshae Danielle

Deblar Tate

Avis Brown-Riley

Jennifer Schwert

Dr. Rachel & Ronald Wilson

Sherika Stroud

Wendy Jacob

Sherri “Onica” Valle Cole Irma Kacharava

Markevia Mincey

Ebony Karim

Shanta Lana Hereford

Nephtalie Hyacinthe

Dr. Jada Moore Ruffin

Dretona Maddox

Zoevera Jackson

Ella Destiny

Louanna Miller