Novemeber issue by Diamond Diva Magazine

C O M I N G SO ON ! This show will look into the lives of four single moms raising their children, work ing part and fulltime jobs, juggling the responsibilities of being single moms all while balancing and building their businesses and brands as entrepreneurs. These women meet with certified personal trainers to focus on the ir physical health and struggles with weight loss; as well as life coaches that assist in thei r mental and emotion growth of being single moms and the obstacles that come with it. They also meet with a financial advisor to ensure they are growing financially as business owners in Atlanta where business in booming in so many industries for entrepreneurs.

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 WELCOME BACK DIVAS! Havi ng a bout with depression and Fighting to get my Happi ness back I have realized the importance even more on shin ning a light on women doing awesome things, still yet while they are alive! As woman we go through so much but we still continue to smile pass the the pain. Diamond Diva Magazine has always and will continue to be a platform to Empower and Uplift Women. Just like in years pass Diamond Diva Magazine is all about shinning a light on women doing great things in business, their communities and in ministry. Throughout this last year many changes have taken place and the magazine 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. As always these women are business women, mothers, women of God and tru ly Diamond Diva’s to the fullest defintion of the word. Thank you for coming back with us for another year and for your continued support, it really means alot to us both. Sheleta Renee’

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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Ma s k a re fo r Ha llo w ee n By: B ever l ey B os e m a n

s he ’ s w ea ring a ma sk . I f she i s a ngry at men but denies it, t h e n she’s wearing a mask. If s h e goes along with what her f r i e n ds say about love, but feels t o t a l ly opposite, then she’s we a ring a ma sk .

The m o n th o f O c t ob e r is k nown fo r th e c e l e bration of H a lloween. It i s c e l e bra t e d b y p e op le eati ng su gary t re a t s , p a r t ic ip a t i ng i n sc ary bu t f un a c t iv it ie s , top pe d o f f w i t h we a r ing m a s k s and c o st u m e s. T he p u r p os e of the m a s k s a n d c o s t u m e s i s t o prete n d t o b e s o m e o n e e l s e fo r th e h o l i day . A lt houg h H a l lowee n i s o n l y o n e d a y a y e a r , many s i n g l e w o m e n w e a r m a s k s all ye a r l o n g . T h e s e m a s k s a r e no t l i k e t h o se fo und d ur ing H a ll o w ee n . Th e y ’re not s c a r y, heroi c o r re se m bl ing a f a m ous perso n . T h e t y p e o f m a s k s t h a t y o u’l l se e are , “ I ’ m ha p p y b e ing s i n g l e ” , “ I ’ m w a i t i n g o n God” , “ T h e r e a r e n o g o o d m e n o ut th e re ” an d a hos t of ot he r s . The pu rpo se o f t he s e m a s k s is t o cove r u p i s s u e s , e s p e c i a l l y t h e o nes sh e w o n ’t ad d r e s s . The p r o b l e m w i t h w e a r i n g t h e s e mask s i s, mo st s ing le wom e n don’t k n o w t h e y ’ r e w e a r i n g one. H e r e a r e a f e w w a y s t h a t a sing l e w o m a n c a n t e l l i f s h e i s w eari n g a mask . I f s he is m a k i ng e x c u se s fo r b e ing s ing le in stea d o f te l l i n g t he t r u t h, t he n

I f a single woman wants to get r i d of her mask, then there is s p e cific work that needs to be d one . One o f t he ma jo r c o m p o n ents of the work is being h o n est with one’s self. This may s e e m lik e c o mmo n k no w ledge, b u t to so me single w o men it ’ s a n ac t t ha t t hey’ v e nev er p a rt i c i p ated in. Where in society a r e single w o men (o r a nyo ne f or t ha t fa c t ) b eing enc o u ra g e d t o b e ho nest w it h t hem s e l v es? The way I see it, you m us t b e w it h yo u 2 4 ho u rs a d a y , so why not be honest with y o u r self? You may be thinking, b e honest about what? For s t a r t ers, b e ho nest a b o u t t he r e a s o n(s) yo u ’ re single. Ca n you ho nest ly sa y t ha t it ’ s b e c a us e, t here a re no go o d men? C o u l d the truth be that you are a f r a i d to go places other than w o r k, church and home? With a s i n c ere heart, can you say that y o u don’t have time to date? C ou ld t he t ru t h b e t ha t yo u h a v e low self-esteem and can’t s e e anyo ne desiring yo u ? A s e co nd ma jo r c o mp o nent o f t h e work, is to take inventory o f t he people in your circle. It d o e sn’t matter if they’ve been i n y o ur life for 2 years or all your lif e . Ev eryo ne needs a n ev a lua t i o n. (I’ll use a car analogy t o e x p la in.) The p u rp o se o f t he e v a lu a t io n is t o det ermine if t he y a re lik e ga s, w a t er, o r dirt . Ga s a nd w a t er a re b o t h essen t i a l to the performance of a c a r . The differenc e is t he p u rp os e a nd freq u enc y o f u se. I f a c a r is driv en a lo t , t hen it needs g a s oft en. The ga s ma k es t he c a r f u lfill t he p u rp o se o f p ro v id-

ing t ra nsp o rt fo r the d r i ver . T he people in your life who keep you focused and encouraged are your gas. Water helps the components under the hood t o ma int a in p erfor mance. Alt ho u gh, w a t er is es s enti al , mo st c a rs c a n t ravel for s ome distance without it. There are those in your circle who can only motivate or support you for a certain time. These are t he w a t er p eo p le . T he r eas on doesn’t matter. They’re time, level of commitment or interest is limit ed. The dirt, i t total l y us e less, u ninv it ed and unwanted . It will show up and won’t leave u nt il yo u ma k e it leave. It won’t hinder yo u fro m dr i vi ng. It can however, make it tough for you to feel like the Q ueen stepping o u t o f a filt hy rid e. T he d i r t i n your circle can be found in the people who are no benefit to yo u r life. They a re qui ck to tel l yo u go ssip o r sh ar e thei r neg ativity, especially about your lo v e life. S o me single w o men can ad mit t ha t t hey ar e wear i ng a ma sk . Fo r t ho se, they ar e hal fw a y t here. Fo r other s i t’s jus t the beginning. What I mean is, so me single w o m en wear mor e than one mask. They need to recognize every mask, the root behind it and what it will t a k e t o remo v e i t per manent ly. Therefore, it is so crucial to no t c o mp a re yo ur l i fe wi th an other single woman. You never know what a woman is going through or what it will take to o v erc o me. Regardless of the type of mask o r t he rea so n for wear i ng i t, yo u a re so w o rt h y of bei ng i n a n a w eso me relati ons hi p. You must believe that over any lie that you’ve been told, any negative experi ence or any person who may not have your best interest.

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WO MEN TOGE T HE R W E M U L T IP L Y By: N a tal i e B ul l ock A d e s a n y a

Since the be gi n n i n g of t im e wom e n c r e a t e a nd a dd mo re a nd it st ill reigns t ru e t o da y. I n t he b o ok of G en esis it rea d s t h a t G o d c r e a t e d A d a m a n d i t w as made very clear that “It’s not good for man to be alone so God m ade h i m a he lp m e e t ” H e nc e wom a n “ Ev e”. Go d sa id Ada m needed help , b u t w ha t hel p was he really tal k i n g a b o u t ? A D D I T I O N ! G o d i n h i s i n finite wisdom did not create Adam to reproduce in and of himself. C r e a t i o n n e e d e d a W o m a n , [ A W O M B ] (Now this is not to belittle our strong, amazing, wonderful, giving, c a r i n g m e n , b e c a u s e W E N E E D O U R M EN) but I’m a women and so yeah, that’s what this article is about lo l . A n y w a y , as A d a m a n d E v e j o i n e d themselves together Adam gave her a seed and she in turn cr ea ted an o t h e r l i k e him , s he A D D ED m or e , a nd mu lt ip lied t heir fa mily. I sn’ t i t am azi n g w h at one wom a n c a n c r e a t e b y herself? All hu ma nit y c a me t o b e w it h o ne W OM B. So i f one wom a n a d d s t h e n w h a t d o m a n y w o m e n together do. WE MUTIPLY. Addition is great, but when you mul ti p l y y o u t e n d t o g e t t o g r e a t e r a lit t le f a s t er. Wa tch: 3 + 2= 5. 4+ 2= 6. 5+ 2= 7.

3× 2 =6 4× 2 =8 5× 2 = 1 0

NOW do y o u u n de rs t a nd ? I t ’ s a m u s t t ha t woma n st a nd t o get her a nd enc o u ra ge, u p lift , a nd compl ete each oth e r . J o i n f o r c e s a n d l e a v e a n i m p r e s s i on on our men and our young women. Don’t allow DIVISION to s ta nd i n th e w ay b e c a us e if we d o we will a lw a ys end u p w it h less. E xampl e 8÷2= 4 10÷5= 2 1 0 0÷10= 10 No matte r h o w y o u s lic e t he p ie . We will a ls o b e o n t he lo sing end if w e a re div ided. S o let ’ s come tog ether l a di e s i n h arm ony a nd lov e . A nd m u lt iply t he lo v e a nd life t ha t Go d ha s p la c e in ea c h of us .

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Our destiny is what makes us into the person that we were intended to be and Elder Joyce Hardnett made sure her destiny was nothing less than what God would have her to be. Straight out of Jacksonville, Florida Joyce found her way. By day she manages a staff of 12 at Tricare Valueoptions but her love is for Destiny Changers Foundation Inc. Joyce is a wife to Kenneth S. Hardnett where they have shared love for 20 years and 2 bonus kids Steve Jr. and Stacey. Joyce states that her greatest accomplishment about being in business has been, that she was able to provide education and training to low skilled adults including homeless, nonviolent first time offenders, exotic dancers and displaced homemakers which in turned allowed them a chance to further their education and to have economic success. The inspiration and driving force which pushes Joyce is the inspiration given by a young lady that she hired in her first salon who had been homeless and needed a job. She was hired to be the receptionist in the salon and Joyce states that she was one of the best choices she ever made, “she inspired me to start my nonprofit Destiny Changers because while working in the salon she would also host our Little Diva Parties which consisted of little girls ages 4-10 that had the opportunity to enjoy our salon services”. Joyce shared that she was a very hard working, very loyal and dedicated young lady. Everyone has that one person that gives great advice and pushes them to move further. Asking Joyce what has been the best advice that she has been given, she said, “Always keep the Lord first in everything I do”. Aside from learning that Joyce is very shy, we also learned that in her spare time to relax and unwind she enjoys watching the Golden Girls and the Chrisleys. Reaching back and having the desire to help a young girl just starting out but having no idea what to do with her desire to go into business or what to do with her hopes and dreams, we asked Joyce what advice she would give her and she said, “Don’t look for friends to support you” and I must say that is very good advice. Before closing we wanted to give Joyce the opportunity to share with everyone anything that may have been left out or she really wanted to share, “I am an ordained Elder, an accomplished author and a breast cancer survivor. My first book was the Little Girl Now Lives and my second was Walking In My Healing, My Road Through Breast Cancer. I am currently working on my 3rd book, The Marriage of Ahab and Jezebel”. Through all her accomplishments she has also partnered with PURE Radio FM 103.7 in Jacksonville, Florida where she host a radio show called Making a Joyful Noise with Elder Joyce Hardnett that gives business owners, ministers and authors an opportunity to be interviewed to get their brands out to not just the community of Jacksonville but the entire world.

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D ON ’T D OW N PL A Y YO U R G R E A T N E S S B y: K ar en B . Mo ore

observe and to do them.” JUST DO IT! “ Go d ha s no t given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind,” (2 Timothy 1:7). Stop do w np la y ing yo u r grea t ness by allowing fear to rule and reign in yo u r life. Go d didn’t create it a nd yo u mu st no t b eliev e it ! O u r He ave n l y F a t he r c r e a t e d us i n Hi s i m ag e , in H is lik eness. D o y o u h a v e a ny id e a wh a t t h a t m e a n s ? Y O U A R E GRE A T! YO U A R E R O Y A L T Y ! Why are y o u l e s s e ning t he v a l ue o f w h o y o u w e r e c r e a t e d to be ? Th o se id e a s , v is ions , wit t y i n v e n t i o n s a n d p a s s i o n fo r mak i n g t h e wor ld a b e t t e r pl ac e are f o r y ou t o g iv e a nd sha r e w i t h t h e w o r l d s o t h a t the y k n o w G o d ! H e m a k e s no mis t a k e s a n d H e d i d n ’ t b e g i n mak i n g th e m w he n H e c r e a ted y o u w i t h y o u r GR EA T s e lf ! You are de st i n e d f or g r e a tnes s . N o w , i f y o u d e c i d e o n you r o w n f r e e w i l l t h a t y o u a r e goin g t o bac k d own f r om p ursui n g y o u r de s t iny a nd wa lk ing o u t y o u r p u r p o s e , y o u have j u st tak e n c ont r ol a nd as w e bo t h k n ow, t ha t c ou ld end u p pre t ty m e s s y. L e t G od be G o d ! D o y o u k n o w w h a t He s a y s a b o u t y o u ? H e s a y s i n D eu t e ro n o my 2 8 : 1 3 , “ A nd t he Lor d s h a l l m a k e y o u t h e h e a d and n o t t h e tai l ; a nd t hou s ha lt be abo ve o n l y , a nd t hou s ha lt no t be be n e at h; if t hou he a rken u n t o t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e L o r d t h y G o d , w h i c h I com m a n d t h e e t h i s d a y , t o

I w ill be transparent...I have a lwa ys felt t ha t I ha d t o c o m p e t e. I have always felt that w h at I did was not good e n o ugh and I had something t o p ro v e t o so meo ne, w het he r it b e my p a rent s, my fa m ily, f riends, et c . This p a ra lyz ed m e for years. I kept saying t o m yself, “ Y o u a ren’ t c ert if i e d as a marriage coach, so how c a n yo u b e a n ex p ert in t h a t area? You didn’t go to s c h ool to become an event p l a nner, so how can you take t his p a ssio n a nd t u rn it int o p r ofit ? Bu t w ho w a s I list ening t o? I t w a sn’ t Go d b ec a u se H e t e lls me ev eryt hing t ha t I a m a nd w ho H e c rea t ed me t o b e and that all I have to do is w a l k it out with Him! Humph!!! S o gu ess w ha t ...let ’ s w a lk it out ! Let ’ s p la y t he mu sic o f our grea t ness t o t he w o rld b y h o l ding God’s feet to the fire a nd t ru ly b eliev ing ho w grea t y o u are! As you go about your d a y , your week, your month a nd yea rs t o c o me, c o nt inu e t o believ e w ha t H is w o rd sa ys a b ou t yo u a nd mo v e fo rw a rd. N o lo nger w ill yo u do w np la y y o u r greatness because of w h at you have been made t o f eel o r b eliev e b y o t hers, n o l onger hang around at the

b o t t o m o f t he b a rrel when y ou w ere c rea t ed t o be above ONLY! Keep cultivating your p a ssio n, yo u r desires becaus e w hen Go d giv es you a bur ning desire and passion to do something great...d o it! Don’t question how it is going to be done, because He gave the v isio n a nd w ill ma k e the pr ovi sio n. Ju st p ress p la y and al l ow Go d t o p ro v ide t he r i d i ng mu sic fo r yo u o n t his jour ney !!!! # E m p o w e r i n g y o u f r o m t h e i n s i d e o u t # D i v i n e L i f e #ia mgrea t

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As we ge t r e a d y f o r a n e w y e a r o f m a k i n g r e solutions, promises or commitments to lose weight, save more mo ney , or fi n d a n e w c a r e e r ; d on’ t f or g e t t o f in d a grea t er yo u . Lea rn ho w t o lo v e yo u rself mo re i n thi s com ing New Y e a r . Y o u w e r e c r e a t e d i n t h e i m a g e of perfection by the Creator. Begin to see the greater you. Start y o u N e w Ye ar o u t wit h t hink ing a b ou t what ha s c a u sed yo u t he grea t est hea rt a c hes, p a in, or tur moi l i n y our l i fe. S e e k t o fi n d t ha t inne r p e a c e . Foc u s o n t he New Y ea r, New Beginnings, New Op p o rt u ni ti es . Befor e y ou ca n c h an ge t h e out s id e , c ha ng e t he ins id e. Lea rn t o fo rgiv e, lea rn t o lo v e, a nd lea rn t o move for war d . Reminisci n g o n w h a t u s e t o b e w i l l o n l y h i n d e r you from becoming the greater you. Find out where You left Y o u i n 2 0 1 7 an d de te r m ine d t o f ind t ha t g r e a t er Y o u in 2 0 1 8 . Do no t a llo w o t hers t o define w ho y ou ar e but take the i n i t i a t i v e t o d i s c o v e r Y o u a n d y o u r destiny in life. You can have anything you want, be anything you want o r g o a n y w h e r e y o u w a n t . Y o u c a n rewrite the script that has been written about you. Start a new chap t e r i n y o u r l i f e t o d a y t i t l e d , “ S E E T H E GREATER YOU.” How do y o u s e e t h e g r e a t e r y o u ? F i r s t , c o n sider your current status. Determine what you want to see changed i n y o u r l i f e . S e c o n d , t a k e s m a l l s t e ps to change what you don’t like. Start with th e inner you. Third, beg i n t o c e l e b r a t e e a c h s t e p y o u a c h i eve. As a reward for experiencing the internal changes, take yourself t o d i n n e r , c a t c h a m o v i e o r g o t o t h e mall. So, how d o e s t h i s a l l m a k e s e n s e ? P e r h a p s , s omeone has betrayed or wronged you in some way. You’ve hel d un-fo r g i v e n e s s i n y o u r h e a r t a g a i n s t t h a t person. They have moved on and continued to enjoy their live s, b ut y o u are st u c k in t he m om e nt . T a k e the st ep t o fo rgiv e yo u rself fo r a llo w ing so meo ne to hol d y ou in bonda ge o r pri so n . N e x t , f or g iv e t he p e r s o n. There is su c h a freedo m t ha t o ne w ill ex p erience. Fi nal l y , move forw a r d . T h i n g s h a p p e n b u t d o n ’ t a l l o w them to hold you captive. Create a v i s i o n b o a r d . D e t e r m i n e w h a t y o u w ant to become in 2018. Visit that board each day. I believe in self-fulfilli n g p r o p h e c y . I f y o u s p e a k w h a t y o u want to see and begin to walk in it, the new you will manifest. Get rea dy , G e t se t… . Go f or wha t Y O U wa nt in 2 0 1 8 .

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www.diamonddivamag.com Ring around the rosy a life filled with poison, ashes to ashes, we all fall down. Karma is a Beast! How do I know….Cause she came to visit me and she held no punches. They say what goes around comes back and it came back worst than ever... Take a walk with me as I tell you a story about a diva who dished out more than she was willing to recieve, a diva who was once sitting high and how she fell to the deepest of lows... Will Karma ever let this Diva rise again? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I was young and truth fully I got married too early. I should have allowed myself time to date and experience other men. As the months passed my desire to be with men other than Ron increased and I couldn’t shake it, they were like candy and I was the kid and I had to have them all. I wanted to be the committed wife but the outside temptations pulled me in. I needed to be free. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To hear him utter the words “ I love you but I don’t want you.” I finally jumped, I jumped over the edge. I never had a man leave me, I never had a man play with my mind the way Malik did. That night between the tears and the “Why me Lord?” I found myself sitting in my living room alone with a razor in my hand - ready to end it all. I thought the pain was just too much to bear and that death would be easier. I couldn’t wrap my head around him leaving me. I sat there wondering if my family would be mad, would my kids ever forgive me, I even wondered if Malik would even care if I was gone. I sat there with tears running down my face, for what seemed like forever.