CONTENTS 04 Editorial 06 Boomerang Relationships 08 Healthy Switches for a Better YOUl 10 Growing Weary
12 Cover Article:
A Purse for Every Dream w/LaKeisha DeShazor
15 Diamond Diva Magazine
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Honors MOTHERS
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EDITORIAL Raleigh, North Carolina (919) 410-6812 www.diamonddivakonnect.com ...................................................... Editor: Renee’ Dawkins Finance Manager: Martin Dawkins Copy Editor: Imani Editorial Graphic Designer: Diamond Diva Konnect Staff Photographer: Marie Cassasy Gales Photography Cover Photo by: Knyla Harris Photography
Welcome back to another issue of Diamond Diva Magazine and as always your continued support means the world to us.
Divas on Fire the All Women’s Award show is over but we are keeping the celebrating going by honoring our mothers this Mothers Day and every day. Aside from our great articles by our staff of writers we will be showcasing a host of mothers with and without their children who has earned them the title of MOTHER. We are all about Empowering and Celebrating Women that are about their business and not afraid of telling anyone of the struggles that it took to get to where they are today. During this issue and all issues you will have the opportunity to meet a phenomenal women who has definitely stamped her mark on the world. These women are business women, mothers, women of God and truly Diamond Diva’s to the fullest definition of the word. We trust that you will enjoy their life stories and all that it has to offer. Renee and Martin Dawkins
OUR TEAM
T.M. Tawwab Imani Editorial Copy Editor
Kimberly M. Knight Konvos at Knight Cover Interviews
Carla Johnson Olds Contributing Writer
Stephanie Nicole LilMissChitChat.com Contributing Writer
Tamara Williams Contributing Writer
For General Advertising Inquiries Please Email or Call Us At diamonddivakonnect@gmail.com 919-410-6812 Lisa Faulkner Game Changers Contributing Writer 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 statements 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.
Diamond Diva’ s Pink Pages
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Boomerang Relationships By: BreYanna Mitriece
Many of us have been there before. You meet a guy; he's charming, he's a breath of fresh air, so you open up and let him into your life and you begin to spend countless amounts of time with him. He makes you smile and things couldn't be more perfect. He does have some ways about him, but you overlook them and proceed anyhow. You haven't felt this way in a long time and you weren't going to let him go and you missed having a companion; you aren't getting any younger. He makes you his girlfriend and you couldn't be more elated. Things come crashing down over the next couple of months. Mr. Perfect turns into Mr. Wrong and you can't understand how you've gotten to the place where he can do whatever he wants and you stay. You try to break things off with him only to get back involved with him a few days later. You guys begin a boomerang relationship and no matter how much you let him go, he always comes back to you and you always let him back in. Hopes that he's changed and things will be different, but things always remain the same. The relationship begins to drain you, your hair is falling out from stress and you find yourself compromising your morals; your self-esteem is at an all time low. Everything in you wants you to leave, but your love for him allows him to come back. There is nothing healthy about a boomerang relationship where you guys are constantly breaking up to make-up. If you guys have to constantly break-up then its means you aren't good together. The only reason you guys keep reconnecting is because you are familiar and comfortable with one another and because you "love" one another. If you are in one of these Boomerang Relationships it's time to get out
now! Here are a few steps to help you walk away for good! Step One: Choose you first. Even though you love him, you have to love yourself more which will prevent you from tolerating mistreatment. Step Two: Pray for strength and pray to God to help you walk away for good. Don't let him come back this time, you know he hasn't changed he's proved it time and time again Step Three: Change your number, remove him from the social media sites you both are connected to. Step Four: Focus on yourself and your goals and career and give yourself time to heal from the relationship
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Before taking out add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar on top.
Put veggie mixture on top of mashed potatoes and garnish with tomatoes
You have delicious healthy loaded mashed potatoes Benefits Vitamins A, C, K, and B6- helps maintain healthy skin and hair
Healthy Switches YOU for a Better By: Tamara Williams
Protein Potassium Iron
Eating healthy is a great benefit, but can also be challenging. You are not sure what calories to cut, add which super food and what can give you the most BANG for your buck! Well I'm here to help by offering healthy alternatives that do not taste like paper. These recipes are tasty, inexpensive and can be interchangeable.
Low sodium NOTE: If you do not like kale, try broccoli or spinach but you will lose some of the benefits that kale has. Any variety of veggies can work
Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie (2 servings) Side - Loaded Veggie Mashed Potatoes (4 servings) You have probably had loaded mashed potatoes with bacon, cheese, and scallions. Well let's cut 400 calories and 700 mg of sodium by using delicious veggies sautéed on top of mashed potatoes. Ingredients: 6 potatoes, 1 cup of kale, ½ cup onion diced 1 garlic clove, ¼ green pepper, diced seasonings of choice (watch your salt intake), 1 tomato diced *Super shortcut- Frozen kale, frozen three onion pepper blend (1 cup) still great as fresh
It's warm and we love picking up shakes at your favorite place, but give this delicious smoothie a try Ingredients 1/2 cup of ice 2 bananas 2 tbl of peanut butter 1 tbl of cocoa powder 1 /2 cup of almond milk, milk or water Directions Add ingredients to your blender and blend. Pour into glass and enjoy Benefits: Bananas add great potassium while peanut butter is an excellent source of protein. The almond milk/milk is additional calcium
Directions
Peel and cut potatoes into small pieces
NOTE: this taste best with real ripe bananas (I call them ugly bananas)
Boil potatoes in water for 15 minutes or until tender
Drinking this smoothie instead of a shake cut close to 200 calories and you still have a healthy delicious treat.
Mash potatoes as normal and add your seasonings; watch your butter and milk intake
Sauté veggies except tomatoes in two tsp of olive oil.
Let steam for 1 minute by putting a lid on top of skillet.
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I hope you try these recipes and enjoy them. This is about maintaining a healthy you. A few minor adjustments can make major changes for you and your family.
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Growing Weary
Be Blessed! & HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! Rev. O!
During various times in our lives we can grow weary. Physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally and financially; we can grow weary. We grow weary when we strive to provide and care for others. We grow weary when we lust after the “things” of this world and not necessarily what God has created and provided for us. We grow weary when we allow people to cloud our vision and flood our hearts with foolishness and lies. As mothers we grow weary when we've done all we can for our children and we feel like there is still a struggle. As Diamond Divas we rise. As Mothers we rise. It's hard as a mother when you are struggling to raise your children and all you see is struggle. We understand that times won't always be easy. We understand that just as a beautiful diamonds we come from coal grown in the earth and we are purified and we must go through the process. As we experience life we will grow weary in various aspects of our lives. The one verse that continues to help me get through weary and tough times is Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season you will reap if you faint not.” Keep planting the good seeds you're planting and know that you WILL reap a positive harvest if you don't give up.
Reverend Carla Johnson Olds, M.Div. is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina and a current resident of Richmond, Virginia, where she lives with her husband and 3 children. She enjoys preaching, teaching and sharing God's word with everyone she meets. She has a special passion for empowering, inspiring and uplifting the people of God to experience the glory of God.
I was in the middle of a mother-daughter struggle with my child at one point in our relationship and one morning in my kitchen God said, “Look at those plants over there. You've planted the seeds in anticipation of their growth? You've done the same thing with your child. You've planted seeds in her with anticipation of her growth. It's coming. Your due season is coming.” As I write to you today I write the exact same thing, “its coming. Your due season is coming. Don't faint. Don't give up. The struggle is worth it in the end!” Life throws us some tough blows that we have to deal with. At times it seems unbearable. God knows what you are encountering and enduring. He's the ONE that will get you through those tough times and situations. Stay focused on what GOD has for you, not what you are lusting after. Stop listening to the naysayers. Remember motherhood is not for chumps but CHAMPIONS! Get some rest! There is comfort in knowing that with God, when those seeds are planted in good ground in due season you will reap a bountiful harvest!
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Me & My Babies
Vernette Moore
A Purse for Every Dream with
LaKeisha DeShazor
www.diamonddivamag.com
A 35 year old small town girl from Danville, Virginia is reaching her goals and dreams one step and one purse at a time. Along with those purses, she also wears many hats; Wife, Mother of two, Evangelist for True Holiness Ministries and owner of not one but two businesses, Divine Boutique and Director with Total Life Changes.
their lives by simply using products through the company. Through this product she prides herself on assisting people to lose weight that haven't been able to lose for years. LaKeisha stated that being a business owner comes natural. She was never the type of person that liked a 9 to 5 job and receiving a set rate of pay or being told when she could take a break or even what day she could have off. Having the mentality to think out of the box, she felt that if she worked real hard there was nothing she could not accomplish. All while making her own schedule or making as much money as she needed or wanted to make. Knowing that the best part of making your own schedule or working when you wanted was the fact that she would be able to be there for her kids and not miss out on the important parts as they grow up.
Being in business for two years now, it has become evident that what she enjoys most about being a boutique owner is being able to teach women about fashion. Also having the ability to show them how to accessorize by adding new pieces to what they already have in their very own closet. Aside from having some of the most stylish and affordable handbags, she also adds to that inventory, jewelry, scarves, hats and so many other items. Not only does she make them feel good on the outside, but on the inside as well. As a director with Total Life Changes, she is able to help people focus on their health and change Praying daily that God will send the right
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people into her boutique, LaKeisha is a firm believer that Divine Boutique is a part of her ministry, even the name was God inspired. It's bigger than just selling purses; LaKeisha believes she is selling an experience. Behind these doors there has been some crying, dancing, plenty of hugs between old friends and the meeting of new friends. It's the experiences that confirm that Divine Boutique is a part of her legacy and destiny. Trial and error is all a part of learning and growing through business. The best advice she has received has been to stay humble, but remain courageous. She learned very early on that you will never have all the answers or even the money. Some days you will feel on top of the world and make lots of money, but others you will struggle and feel like quitting, "You will have to sacrifice a lot, but it will be worth it!" Anything worth having she knows all too well. If you have passion in your heart and the guts to stand up and make it
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come to life, you can take your dream beyond your wildest expectations. "You only get one life, don't spend it working to make someone else richer and pushing your dreams to the back burner, live with no regrets!" Family is very important to LaKeisha and knowing that spending time with family is priceless. She often plans weekend get-aways with her husband and kids. With both her and her husband working very hard they sometimes just need a timeout. Taking this timeout, they will have the kids stay home from school on a Friday, pack a bag, jump in the car and hit the road. They stay in a nice hotel, go shopping or simply relax and they're back on the road, headed home on Sunday morning just in time for church. She states that spending time with just the four of us is her favorite thing to do, no matter what they may be doing. Making sure she took some time out before the end of the interview to shout out to a few people, she wanted to make sure she said thank you to the people who make it all possible. To her husband who is her biggest supporter, she wanted to say, "Thank you for holding me up when I'm weak, for cheering me on when I can't and for making sure my boutique succeeds, you are one in a million baby." To her kids Jordyn and Krishaun, "Mommy thanks you for the sacrifices you make so that I am able to live out my dreams; I promise to make you both so proud. To my mom and dad I LOVE YOU! To my pastor Charles Walker, thanks for being a great example and entrepreneur. To Tiffany Graham, the owner of Virtuous Designs, thank you for doing all of my graphic work and making sure my business is represented well through advertisement; I really appreciate you. To my hairstylist, Stephanie DeShazor of Family Creations Hair Salon, thank you for always making sure I'm ready for every event. To my photographer Knyla of Knyla Harris Photography, you are anointed to take pictures! Thank you for my sessions and getting me ready for the spotlight, I love you girl. To my customers and my friends I love all of you and appreciate every single time you have walked through my doors for anything; thank you for believing in me. To Renee Dawkins and Diamond Diva Magazine, thank you for this opportunity, it means more than you know. And finally I thank God for the crazy thoughts, dreams and visions that you have given me. I know you have great plans for me. (Jer. 29:11) I promise to keep you first in everything I do and to always represent you well.� To book Divine Boutique for a purse party, vendor event or to simply place an order or book her for a speaking engagement, please feel free to contact her at: Email: divineboutique.shop@gmail.com Social Media: facebook.com/Divineboutique.shop Boutique Location: 620 Westover Drive Suite E Danville, VA 24541 Phone: (434) 203-0918 To order, join my team or simply learn more about our amazing TLC products you can contact me at (434) 203-0918 Email: Skinnteabodydetox@gmail.com Website: skinnteabodydetox.com Rep ID# 3231111
Evangelist
Angela Dawkins
Rest in Paradise
Apostle Marilyn Winslow
Moni Brodie
Frankie Baldwin
Teresa Smith
La’Sheri King
Rest In Paradise
Rev. Doris Morrison
Shon White
Knyla Harris
Silva Wiggins
Stephanie Motley
Mavin Tawwab
Carolyn Locklear