Ra l e i g h , N o r t h C ar o lin a ( 919 ) 4 1 0 - 6 8 1 2 www . di a mo n d d iv am ag .c o m Happy 5th Anniversa ry Diamond Diva. It has been a great and trying 5 years but I have loved every minute of it. Throughout this last year many changes have tak en place and the maga zine has began to evolve into something that is amazining and ever changing for the good of all women pressing their way in business and in life. It has been a honor to find these women and shine a light on them and all the great things they are doing in business and in the communities. As always these women are business women, mothers, women of God and truly Di amond Diva;s to the fullest defintion of the word. Thank you for staying with us and for your continued sup port, it really means alot to us both. Renee & Martin Dawkins
F o r G e n e r a l Advertising Inquiries Please email o r c a ll u s a t : d i a m o n d d iv amag @g mail.com ( 919 ) 4 1 0 - 6 8 12 Disclaimer: Diamond Diva Magazine is published monthly. Any reproduction of any part of this publication without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Diamond Diva Magazine does not accept responsibility for st atements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication should be submitted to the editor by email at info@ diamonddivamag.com Diamond Diva Magazine’s publisher, staff and other persons involved in the creation, production or delivery of the magazine (in whatever format) or it’s content, do not assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information provided in the magazine, nor shall they be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages arising out of the magazine.
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He alt y Sw itc hes f or YOU BA CK TO S CHO OL by: Tama r a Wi l l i a ms
It’s the last month of summer and also time for Back to School. There are new activity times, grade levels, school changes and so much more, you have to fit in healthy eating somehow. I got you cov ered on easy snacks that are not time consuming and are delicious. I love to have grab n go items and great snacks that last. Here are few you can try: 1. Egg Muffins These egg muffins are an as sortment of veggies, cheese, and meat with a variety to choose. Ingredients: • 9 eggs • Vegetables: spinach, broccoli, peppers, onions or your favorite combination • ¼ cup Cheddar cheese • Meat: Cooked 1 cup diced ham or 1 cup diced turkey or 1 cup crumbled sau sage or you can choose no meat • Seasons: ½ tsp pepper, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp garlic pow-
der Tools: 12 count muffin pan, muffin foil liners, vegetable cooking spray, whisk Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350. Line the muffin pans with the foil liners. Spray with vegetable cooking spray (this helps for easy clean up). 2. Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Add your veggies and seasonings. Stir in your meat choice and cheese 3. Spoon 1/3 cup of the mixture in each foil-lined muffin cup. Do not allow mixture to reach the top 4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean *These egg muffins are freezer friendly. • Let egg muffins cool • Wrap individually in wax paper and place in freezer stor age bags. • To reheat you can microwave each one for 40-60 sec onds 2. Energy Balls These energy balls provide ener-
gy, antioxidants, and no oven time! Enjoy Ingredients: • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats • 1 cup creamy peanut butter • 1/2 cup honey • 1/2 cup mini dark chocolate chips • 1/2 cup dried cranberries • 1/2 cup almonds • 1 tablespoons flax seed(can be purchased in small amounts at Wal-Mart) • 1 tsp vanilla extract Directions: 1. Stir all ingredients to gether in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. 2. Once chilled, roll into 1 inch balls or whatever size you choose. 3. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week. 4. Makes about 20-25 balls. 3. Banana Oatmeal Cookies I am not a fan of eating a banana alone but when it is baked in something, it is my second best friend. These cookies are a base and you can take them up to soo many levels based on what you like. Ingredients: • 2 old bananas (remember they look ugly but work the best) • 1 cup of quick-cooking oats • ½ tsp vanilla extract • ½ tsp cinnamon Directions: 1. Combine all ingredients in
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www.diamonddivamag.com a bowl 2. Bake @ 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes on a parchment lined cookie sheet. If you like your cookies crispier, add a mi nute 3. Enjo y *They may look different from your ordinary cookie but they are healthy- you’re eating oatmeal and bananas(potassium and fiber) just in a cookie form. *Add-In suggestions 1tbsp or less Pecans/walnuts Dark Chocolate Chips Peanut butter Nutmeg I hope these recipes will help you and your family in maintaining healthy options and saving time. These are suggestions that you can use. I hope you enjoy them.
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Honoring her long time friend Rev. Clementa Pinckney is only one reason Sheree Darien is playing to win. She believes that together South Carolina can and will thrive again by creating safer com munities, jobs in green technology, and healthier options for our children. Charleston, SC –July 30, 2015—– Sheree Darien was born and raised in the great state of South Carolina. Her resolve to provide access to healthier school lunch programs, safer communities and bring Eco-friendly business es to the state and people she loves run as deep as her roots. Darien, a mother of four, wife, and community leader from Jasper County, is running in the upcom ing special election to gain the Democratic nomination for the vacant seat in the 45th district. The seat became vacant after Rev. Clementa Pinkney was murdered during a bible study at Emanuel A.M.E. Church. Running for his vacant seat has special meaning for Darien. He was not only her mentor but a classmate, friend, and colleague. “I am running for state Senate because it is my belief that investing in our children, keeping our communities safe, and creating jobs through green technology are our community’s top priorities,” Darien explains. “I will continue to support and push for initiatives Senator Pinckney championed for such as safer communities through the use of police body cameras, the actualization of the Jasper Port and ensuring the fruition of an emerging Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI); a promise zone initiative designation recently granted by President Obama. Second Chance CDFI is essentially “a bank to the unbanked” which will provide access to resources for those currently left out of the traditional financial mainstream.” Disarming predatory lending practices is a shared mission of both Pinckney and Darien. Darien believes the voters of Senate District 45 deserve to have a Senator who accurately rep resents their values an d vision. She believes in second chances and in the people of South Carolina who honor the rich history of their region but refuse to get stuck in the past as they move forward into a brighter future, thriving together. Darien is an ordained minister, former bank executive, owner of Darien Coaching and Consulting, and Commissioner of the Technical College of the low country. Her other accomplishments include working with Senator Pinckney on the Jasper County port project, Jasper County Chamber of Commerce Board of Director, Jasper Community Fund Advisory Board Chair, Jasper County St. Peters Parish County Financing Committee, and Past President of the Jasper County Rotary Club. She is also the Founder of Second Chance Community Bank. Darien is a Jasper County native and currently lives in Ridgeland, South Carolina with her husband of more than 25 years. They have four children. The special election for the 45th District senate seat will be held on September 1, 2015. For interviews with Sheree Darien contact Michelle Renee at Michelle@VerbEntertainmentGroup.com or 760-809-5832.
www.diamonddivamag.com Women business owners are increasing at astronomical rates by the millions. According to National Association of Women Business Owners, “More than 9.1 million firms are owned by women, employing nearly 7.9 million people, and generating $1.4 trillion in sales as of 2014.” That is the torchlight to let consumers see that women are making a huge stamp in the business world. Not only do they own their own independent businesses they are partnering with other women to create foundational organizations. Two dynamic business partners that met at an organization function decided to merge as one powerhouse women’s organization. Today, Professional Women Entrepreneurs has an infused network of over 10,000 social media followers and membership. The organization has been inception since July 2013 and as they have reached 2 years of successful business ownership they are ready to share their individual skill sets with other women entrepreneurs. Based in Atlanta, Georgia they have been able to network with women from all aspects of business. So I had an opportunity to chat with these great women, Trinita L. Williams and Tershant Rhodes-Smith about their business and thoughts on entrepreneurship. What was your inspiration behind forming Professional Women Entrepreneurs? Trinita: After meeting Tershant at another women’s organization meeting it was event that we shared the same passion for women. After strengthening are relationship we decided to form our own non-profit to empower women. Tershant: I wanted to create a business that went against the status quo that women cannot work together and prove others wrong that
we could uplift other women all while building a successful business. What has been your greatest triumph and most challenging trial as a business owner? Tershant: Our greatest triumph has been seeing the growth of the organization and the ability to work together for this amount of time while trusting God in the process. Trinita: The start-up formation to date has been our greatest challenge as well as the revision of our Board Members because we are now rebuilding our Board of Directors and building a group that share in our vision.
and determination to focus on your entrepreneurial goals. Having no one there to guide them, they created a network to pay it forward for all women. Their mission is to guide women entrepreneurs to the next level in their businesses and to share with all women that, every woman has a business inside of her she just has to be willing to pull it out. If you would like to learn more about these awesome women and their movement, visit them at www.professionalwomenentrepreneurs.org or like them on Facebook at Professional Women Entrepreneurs.
What services does your organization offer to women entrepreneurs? Trinita: We host workshop events on business ownership start-up processes, an annual empowerment conference in October about Breast Cancer & Domestic Violence Awareness, in which we award women and college students seeking entrepreneurship. We also donate from our own personal businesses as well to the growth of the organization. How have you been able to interject your own personalities in PWE? Tershant: I am all about self-discovery, finding your pathway to happiness, and having spiritual balance in your business. I believe that we as women should be able to go anywhere and do anything to arrive at our full potential. Trinita: I focus on business etiquette which reflects my multi-tasking personality as a single mother of four children. Finding balance in my businesses and my family provides me with a huge sense of accomplishment. Becoming a business owner is a milestone step and a path that not many will understand. It takes courage, faith,
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