Editorial Congratulations ZanYe for the release of your new Sophomore CD “Conversations". Now it’s your time to blossom into all of the blessing that God has in store for you. Stay humble and prayed up because eyes have not seen nor ears heard the things God has prepared for you. This is just the beginning. As Founder/Publisher of Impact Detroit Magazine I want to personally thank you, ZanYe for allowing IDM to cover your success in our Event Magazine. I am so honored to be one of your sponsors.
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I would also like to thank Cheryl Patterson and Universal Xperience for your vision to see and lead others to success. I believe God has given you a special and unique anointing. Thank you for this linkage with ZanYe.
! Susan Y. Jones
IMPACT DETROIT MAGAZINE is dedicated to leveraging positive stories about people and families in the city of Detroit and the Greater Detroit Area, on national platforms. We provide both a print issue and a digital issue which we call our social media edition. It is designed to engage our readers, connecting them to each other, to mutual causes and common interests, on a global public platform. Again, Congratulations ZanYe and much success for you in the future. Stay Blessed!
!Walking in my purpose! Susan Y. Jones
I am very humbled and honored that you decided to join me and my special guest Actor Darrin Henson and Comedian Coco tonight to celebrate the rich history and experiences of African Americans and celebrate my music! How wonderful is that! I appreciate all of you so very much. God Bless!
MEET ZANYE ZanYé (pronounced: ZAHN-yay) is not afraid to be real. She had a difficult childhood. She’s raising a family. She knows marriage takes work. And she’s lost a loved one to tragedy. She’s learned we don’t go through life alone, and the only way to cope is to be real. She also knows the flip side to hard times is joy. And to get there, and stay there, sometimes we have to talk things out. “Conversations,” her new SoundThought Recordings release is about relationships, the good, the bad; relationships with life, and romantic relationships – what it takes to stay in one, and keep the fire burning. As her second CD, there was no better time than now for “Conversations.” “It’s a project of healing, of real life experiences, and real relationship experiences,” says the singer. Her aim was to create songs that are counter to a lot of the music of the day. Music that, in her impression somewhat glorifies the ’I don’t need you’ concept. That’s just not realistic,” she says. So, ZanYé offers what she says are songs that dive below the surface and sing of the all too well-known emotions of what love really is in “Crazy Love,” “Extra Ordinary,” “I’m Gonna Keep Ya,” and “Mistake.” And tracks that bounce back up and make you want to dance for the sheer joy of living like “Feels Like Rain,” “Keep It Moving,” and “Celebrate.” Then ZanYé puts her spin on two classic tracks “Funny Valentine,” which she speeds up and jazzes out, and “Don’t Let It Go To Your Head” the 1978 Jean Carne soul/R & B classic. The title track “Conversations” pulls the whole album together and explains why ‘just talking’ is important. “A conversation is the beginning of any relationship,” says the singer. “If you have children, when they’re tiny you’re teaching them to talk; you’re developing that verbal communication, which helps to build that relationship. Conversations are the start of everything. Without conversations we just co-exist. So, I thought it was important to call it ‘Conversations’ and bring that out in the music.” ZanYé is confident this album comes from a place of huge growth – life, lyrically and vocally – since her first album “My Story Today,” produced in 2012. “I was very green and hadn’t been in the studio in over ten years,” ZanYé chuckles. For “Conversations” the singer partnered with producer, singer/songwriter Inohs Sivad on her SoundThought Recordings label in Detroit, Michigan. This partnership brought with it a songwriting team (Inohs Sivad, Lavell Williams, Dana Anderson and Naomi Daniel), adding to the vocalists existing team of Kyle Rushing, Anesha Birchett and Antea Shelton. There was also a blending of musicians – Tony Gordon (keys), and STR’s team of Deus Christian (bass and guitar), Chris Donaldson and Duane Dawkins, Sr. (drums). And, at my CD Release Concert, I am joined by Grammy Nominated producer/songwriter Brandon Williams and singer Jerrel Young. ZanYé believes you can pretty much say anything through music. It’s a format that touches not only her heart, but others, as well. “This music works for me because it’s my outlet for everyday life. Some people cook, some people jog… music is that outlet for me.” “Designing my CD Release Concert as a benefit for The Wright Museum and Actor Darrin Henson’s support is the remarkable work of my PR Marketing partner, Cheryl Patterson and Universal Xperience. Her input is a huge added value. Cheryl’s work speaks volumes and the beautiful thing is, what she produces is inclusive and celebrates others. What a blessing.”
IDM: Oh wow do you remember your first message?
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Mary: As a matter of fact I do. My first message was out of Jeremiah it was message about knowing God and who you are. God has a life already predestine and prepared for you. So I really talked about stepping into your calling and the vision for your life. I just think overall I’m a people person and my passion is for the people.
Mary Sheffield Detroit City Councilwoman District 5
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Impact Detroit Magazine sat with Detroit City Council Woman Mary Sheffield and had a candid conversation about things that are personal and passionate to her. Find out about her plans for district 5, who she has a relationship with and what she is doing in and for District 5 communities.
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IDM: Tell Impact Detroit Magazine about your passions, what are you most passionate about.
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Mary: Well I’m very passionate about service and helping others, as a young girl I just remember always serving the community wanting to help other people and preaching the word of God. This position as City Council had really given me an opportunity to reach out. A really true passion of mine is that I started preaching at the age of 16.
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IDM: That is wonderful you were grounded in the Lord at such an early age.I understand that you are very devoted to children.
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Mary: Yes, I have a strong passion for our youth for young women in particular. I know for me growing up I had my mother, my grandmother and my aunt as my backbone as women who inspired me and motivated me. When I got into the political field and into my career I didn't have a lot of women that I could look to that could help me. So for me I always visioned myself always wanting to look back to those who are coming behind me and provide resources to help young women who need it. I mentor young women, at risk youth in Detroit, and inner city girls. We help them with the resources they need in life. The age groups are 16-19. I will also be starting a Task Force Project in the very near future and that age group will start 15 - 20 . I really don't want to cut anybody off cause I think a lot of our women need help.
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Continues The Task Force project will be focused on health. I’m big on health it's always been important to me to maintain good health, I have a father who has diabetes. I just think health is a big part of who you are. We will also focus on education because we want these young women to understand the importance of education, and will also focus on self-esteem, self-worth and who you are as a woman. Our goal is to build up confidence and motivate young women and let them know what really lies within them.
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IDM: Are you married or in a relationship?
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Mary: Well I wish I had something interesting to tell you but, I’m 26 and single right now and I’m still learning who I am as a young woman. I’m spending more time in my spirituality and learning who God is, what I need in my life, and what I want in a man, also where I want to go in my life. I think that being single gives me an opportunity to share with other young women that its okay to be single because that time you share with yourself is so so very important. It’s been good learning myself and hopefully one day that will all change.
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IDM: I’m sure it will, that husband that is looking for you will find you in due season (Laughter)
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Mary: But I do want children however many God blesses me with. IDM: Let’s talk church would you like to put in a plug for your church. Mary: Yea, Sure I was raised in New Destiny Baptist Church, we actually started off at New Galilee my father was the minister there and now he is the minister at Destiny Baptist that is were I attend and it has been a blessing. I actually go to other churches as well there is another church I want to shout out Zion Hope Baptist Church Rev.Curtis Grant were I sometime attend and experience his ministry and the word that God has put on his heart.
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IDM: Okay, so what can IMD expect from your Church when visiting.
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Mary: You can expect to get the word of God. ( Laughter) My father, Pastor Sheffield is big on community and helping with resources. In regards to me, cause I do minister, when you come to me you can expect to get realness. Most of my ministry is what I've learned from real life struggles and just life in general people come to me aside from my father just to get resources. I think from me you can get a real hands on real life approach to things. Some people don't go to church because they don't feel like it’s as real as it should be. I’m very hands on and just real, like this is how it is and this where we need to go.
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IDM: Mary, that is great you will have to invite me out to one of your speaking engagements. Are you a foodie? What are some of your favorite spots in Detroit?
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Mary: Well there are so many But “Joe Muer Seafood” has a great happy hour menu, they have a very good Salmon Slider. “They Say” is another one they have really good wings. I just like to keep things healthy watch what I eat to maintain good health and always keep things in moderation. IMD: You are council women of District 5 which just so happens to be my district and I’m very excited about that, what are some of your plans to better our neighbors?
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Mary: It’s so much I want to do I will probably focus on safety number one. Blight then make the district more economic competitive by bringing in an investment and creating a district were people will want to move into and a place they will want their children to attend neighborhood schools. We are working now on bringing neighbors together to engage with one another without waiting on city government, or the Mayor. Ive been holding theses different events monthly were we bring in residents in the immediate area and talk about whats going on and how can we help one another. In fact I helped your husband start a block club which is so important. As we move forward we have to get the community engaged and the fact that your husband even wanted to start a block club is huge.
! IDM: We are excited about the block club too. !
Mary: Yea, Yea I am too. So starting block clubs focusing on safety getting rid of blight and making our district economically competitive are my main focus.
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IDM: What are some of your other passions or hobbies?
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Mary Sheffield staying in shape
Mary: I’m real big on Family I lost my Mother 2 years ago.
! IMD: I’m so sorry. !
Mary: Oh, Thank you, so I just value family I spend a lot of time with my family. I just have a lot of passion for the betterment of life in general and just trying to help people and serve the city, our young people, our women, and that’s about it.
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IDM: Well Thank you so much for allowing Impact Detroit Magazine to come sit and chat.
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Mary: Thank you for coming and you can come back any time you want. -end
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‘Conversations’ is dedicated to my beautiful family. Without you I am incomplete. You are my team! Together we are the wind under each other’s wings. I celebrate your loving kindness toward me! How fortunate I am to be loved by you. To my husband, lover and friend, Jason Reece. Your’re Number One In My Book. To all my children! Justin, Jaila and Jasmin. I see a little of myself and Daddy in each of your lovely faces. All of you are shining stars in your own unique ways. Now that’s what’s up, lol. XOXO
Congratulations ZanYe on your sophomore project ‘Conversations’ produced by Soundthought Recordings. What a great collaboration and the results are in the music. How delightful and generous of you to turn your CD Release Concert into a special event to benefit the meaningful work being done at the largest facility in America dedicated to the African American experience. Having the support of Actor Darrin Henson and Comedian Coco, makes it all, a Universal Xperience, indeed. It is a pleasure representing your PR Marketing efforts. I thank God and celebrate you tonight!
Cheryl Patterson, President
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