Soignée Lifestyle Publications | Self-care Issue with Workbook

S O I G N É E

FEATURED AUTHORS

Kofi Annan

Robyn Gigl

Stacy Spikes

Lauren Wilson

Pashtana Durrani

Angela Marshall, M.D

LOVING ME MORE

DECLUTTER YOUR MIND WORKBOOK

DMV SISTER SCRIBES

TRIUMPH OVER SELFSABOTAGE

7 PILLARS OF INCLUSION

25RECOMMENDREADS

Soignée Lifestyle Publications - The Art of Self-love Inspiration. Motivation. Empowerment. Transformation.

CROWN HOLDERS TRANSMEDIA ELLA D. CURRY

Soignée Lifestyle Publications - The Art of Self-love Inspiration. Motivation. Empowerment. Transformation.

WELCOME!

Soignée is the French, feminine form of soigné. This woman is pampered, polished, sophisticated and a woman of elegance. Well-groomed, well-informed and understands to importance of securing the bag while taking care of home and her intimate relationships. Are you looking for a more Soignée lifestyle? One that is full of peace, purpose, and passion? If so, you are not alone.

Many people are searching for ways to live a more fulfilling life. If you are ready to explore more means to a Soignée life, keep reading. This issue is dedicated to decluttering your life and embracing self-love to the max. A Soignée lifestyle is one starts with self-love, self-care and awareness of our mental health.

This lifestyle is all about taking the time to pamper yourself and make sure you look and feel your best It’s also about living a healthy lifestyle and making choices that make you happy When you love and care for yourself, it shows in everything you do You glow from the inside out People can’t help but be drawn to you So start embracing self-love and self-care today and live the Soignée Life!

Ella D. Curry, founder of Soignée Lifestyle Publications

Afro-Bougie Blues: A Collection of Short Fiction

by Lauren Wilson

In a beautifully written debut collection of short stories Lauren Wilson gives us a reflective meditation on ordinary people's expectations and assumptions with stories that are emotionally rich whilst feeling fresh and disturbingly relevant in today's world

In a short story, nothing is superfluous and that's certainly true in Afro-Bougie Blues where the focus of Wilson's sentences is sharp and vivid but splendidly elliptical too Particularly skilled at compression Wilson is not afraid to take risks, with form, content, style, and structure as is clearly evident in "Transformations" where she writes a story that doesn't look how short stories are meant to look by presenting it as email exchanges It's close to faultless, ingenious, singular and full of the echoes of real life

The best short stories should explore ideas as well as emotions centering around an instant where intense change becomes possible or, at least, imaginable for the character and this is true in all of Wilson's stories but perhaps no more so than in "Mourning Angela" where every sentence is as full and alive as a sentence can be while managing to stay ordinary and wholly relatable to her readers And it's this kind of attention to detail and richness of texture that lifts her characters from the page into some more lasting place in a reader's mind

With twelve stories for readers to immerse themselves in and characters that feel vulnerable and real Afro-Bougie Blues is a must-read for fans of short fiction and is an unreservedly recommended 5-star read!

Crown Holders Sisterhood

Meet

DMV Sister Scribes

Featured authors introduced left to right from the photos

Cherrie Woods | Website: www.eclecticpr.com

Cherrie Woods, founder of EclecticPR, is a 16-year plus public relations veteran Woods is an adjunct faculty member at Maryland College Institute of Arts and is the author of Where Do I Start? 10 PR Questions and Answers to Guide Self-Published Authors and an awardwinning author of Free to Be Me: Poems on Love, Life and Relationships under the pseudonym Cherrie Amour.

Terri Ann Johnson | Website: www.terriannjohnson.com

2

Candy Jackson | Book Info: https://bit.ly/3wwliej

Washington, DC author, Candy Jackson is a veteran cosmetology teacher who loves to create poetry and short stories Her reading rose to a brand new height with the discovery of many black writers whose work exploded in the ‘80’s An avid reader, she began to tap into her own creative side and decided to write stories of her own Candy, the author of Pink & Patent Leather, is the mother of three young adult children and one grandson

Eartha S. Dunston | Media Room: https://bit.ly/3EmsrlH

Eartha S Dunston is an award-winning author and quintessential southern cook She is a co-author in the cookbook, Necessary Goodness: Delicious Cuisine for Gathering and Entertaining, that is an Amazon Bestseller in 3 categories. Eartha holds a bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University and a master’s from Virginia Commonwealth University. She resides in the Washington, DC, area.

Cerece Rennie Murphy | Website: www.cerecerenniemurphy.com

Cerece Rennie Murphy earned her master’s degrees in social work and international relations at Boston College and Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies, respectively, and built a rewarding 15-year career in program development, management, and fundraising To date, Cerece has published ten speculative fiction novels, short stories, and children's books Cerece launched Virtuous Con, an online sci-fi convention in February 2021 Cerece lives and writes in her hometown of Washington, DC

Dee Lawrence | Website: authordeelawrence.com

Terri Ann Johnson is a national bestselling author Terri works in the financial field and loves to travel with her family and friends She is the mother of a young son and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc , where she is a featured author for the 2019 Delta Authors on Tour in Washington, DC and Hampton, VA Faith Alone is her debut novel 3 4 5 6

Deliah (“Dee”) Lawrence is a Maryland-based attorney, and award-winning author of two romantic suspense novels (Gotta Let It Go and Gotta Get It Back). She’s also a blogger and workshop facilitator who writes poetry and short stories. Her short stories have been featured in the Creatures, Crimes and Creativity 2013, 2014 and 2018 anthologies. Dee is also an active member of the Maryland Writers’ Association, Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland, Sisters in Crime and Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance.

Crown Holders Transmedia and EDC Creations

Media Group has evolved from a one-person event planning operation to one of the nation's leading African American, woman owned, Internet publicity and book promotion firms

We support independently authors and hybrid authors. Especially women authors of color.

Crown Holders Transmedia and EDC Creations

Media Group are marketing, branding, and PR firms that specialize in transmedia storytelling. Transmedia storytelling is the technique of telling a single story or story experience across multiple platforms and formats using current digital technologies.

Black Pearls Magazine is an award-winning magazine committed to inspire, encourage and empower a international group of readers. Our mission is to provide information that is essential, enlightening and entertaining Tantalizing stories, memorable characters, provocative storylines are all here! We bring you the hottest titles released by the most talented authors, writers, and poets of the craft.

The Black Pearls Magazine family would like to thank each of you for joining us in celebrating the best in literature and the arts. Our team of writers, book clubs and authors are so humbled that you have allowed us entrance into your life We hope to bring you more provocative topics and life empowering books to shape your lives.

Self Love is a Must!

6 WAYS TO EMBRACE SELF LOVE

Get enough sleep!

Express gratitude!

Get outside!

Thomas Dekker

“Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together ”

“Gratitude is most beautiful when it is expressed, and not just when it is felt ” Dada J P

Vaswani

Watch your stress!

“What worries you masters you.”

John Locke

Stimulate your mind!

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.”

― Roy T. Bennett

"If you wish to know the divine, feel the wind on your face and the warm sun on your hand ”

Buddha

Spread Love!

“Purpose and passion - purpose is what will guide you to your best self and the passion will keep you there.”

Nikki Rowe

Triumph Over Self-Sabotage

5 Ways to Change Your Mindset

Self-sabotage can rear its ugly head in many different ways Maybe you constantly procrastinate or make excuses not to go after your dreams Maybe you allow yourself to be engulfed in negative thinking, which only leads to more anxiety and stress.

The good news is that you can triumph over self-sabotage by practicing self-compassion and learning to forgive yourself. Here are ways to get started: Be mindful of your thoughts and words. Don't beat yourself up over past mistakes. Let go of perfectionism.

Seek professional help if needed If you are seeking direction, we recommend Alkeme Health, the destination for the Black community to access the wellness tools needed to empower, heal, inspire, and thrive today while improving generational health for tomorrow

Visit the Alkeme Health website: https://alkemehealth.com

Triumph Over Self-Sabotage

Challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative mindsets

Start by identifying and acknowledging your selfsabotaging behaviors. Without acknowledgement, it will be difficult to make any changes. Once you've identified them, you can start to reframe them.

Challenge your negative thoughts and reframe them into more positive ones. A way to challenge your negative thoughts is to question them. Why are you thinking this? Is there evidence to support it? If not, then it might not be worth your worry.

Work on building up your self-confidence and self-esteem. There are many things we can do to improve our self-confidence and self-esteem. By taking steps to improve our mental state, we can lead happier and more successful lives. We can do this by setting goals, working on positive self-talk, and by seeking help when needed.

If you can learn to be more gentle and understanding with yourself, you will find that your self-esteem improves, you become more productive, and your overall outlook on life becomes more positive.

Commit to your happiness by making a conscious effort to do things that make you joyful Find out what makes you truly fulfilled and then make a plan to incorporate those things into your life. It means making yourself a priority and taking care of yourself, both mentally and physically.

Securing the Bag

“Girls and women of our race must not be afraid to take hold of business endeavor and, by patient industry, close economy, determined effort, and close application to business, wring success out of a number of business opportunities that lie at their doors.”

- Madam CJ Walker

Chile, Please Podcast

Grown. Enough. And still figuring it out.

Black women over 40 are out here defying odds, grabbing happiness, and living unapologetically. Hosted by Felicia Pride, writer and pleasure seeker, and Ivy Grant, corporate strategist and selfindulger in training, “Chile, Please” is a personal and fearless exploration of the pleasures and pains of being Black and women of a certain age. It’s the sister talk that hoots and hollers, testifies and satisfies, to remind you that you’re not alone in this

HONEY CHILE is an independent media + production company, run by Black women, that develops, creates, and produces content by, for, or about Black women 40+

HONEY CHILE celebrates and inspires Black womxn over 40 to live abundantly and authentically. And we do this by creating and producing compelling content across TV, film, audio, and digital that centers the full, complicated lives of Black women like us because

Being over 40 presents a new set of opportunities and fears. The conversations are different. We have a ton of wisdom and life experience. And we’re still vibrant. Ambitious. Messy. Full of desire. Still figuring things out and often just getting started.

Between Felicia’s Pride work as a writer and producer in television and film and past roles in marketing and distribution and her extensive career in corporate strategy where she helped to build major brands, she and Ivy Grant plan to cultivate a real community of honeys, as we affectionately call them. We will develop and attract emerging and established talent, especially those who are honeys. And finance, produce, and distribute content in innovative ways. Because in the end, we want honeys to see themselves fully realized and the star of their own stories

Felicia Pride, Head Honey

Felicia Pride is a TV writer / producer and an award-winning filmmaker. She wrote on Ava DuVernay's QUEEN SUGAR and was most recently a producer on GREY’S ANATOMY. She’s currently developing shows with Amazon, Netflix, and FX. In film, she’s the writer and executive producer of REALLY LOVE, produced by MACRO, which debuted on Netflix and became a Top Ten Movie on the platform And she’s sold features to Universal, Sony, and AGC Studios Felicia was a Film Independent Screenwriting Lab Fellow and a graduate of NBC's Writers on the Verge program as a comedy writer. She started her writing career nearly twenty years ago as an entertainment journalist before going on to write several books, including the essay collection, The Message: 100 Life Lessons from Hip-Hop’s Greatest Songs. Prior to transitioning to screenwriting, she worked as a film distribution exec and an impact producer Felicia holds an M A in writing from Emerson College and runs The Create Daily, a resource for underrepresented storytellers that she founded in 2012. Read more https://www.honey-chile.com/podcast

Sistahs Securing the Bag

women of color in Entrepreneurship

Run the Stats

01 02 03 04 05

There are over 2.5 million African-American women owned businesses. According to the Census, black women are the only ethnic race accountable for more businesses than their male counterparts.

Latin American and African American women business owners are the fastest-growing companies. Small business owners statistics show that there were 2.1 million Latina-owned businesses. Women of color hold 89% of new businesses opened each day.

Minority women have been crushing the entrepreneurship game. In fact, the number of businesses owned by women of color has skyrocketed in recent years. Minority women-owned businesses made $422 billion in revenue in 2019.

The top three motivations for women starting their own businesses are pursuing their passion, gaining financial independence and increasing their flexibility. Note 42% of all U.S. businesses are owned by women.

Part-time entrepreneurs working around 20 hours a week on their businesses have grown by 39% vs. 21% of full-time business owners. Full-time business owners only grew by 21% against 39% of female part-time entrepreneurs.

Victories come in all shapes and sizes. Some may be major accomplishments while others are more low-key but no less valuable. Oftentimes, we get so wrapped up in achieving our goals that we forget to celebrate the wins along the way. This is a shame because taking the time to acknowledge our successes, no matter how big or small, is crucial to maintaining our motivation and forward momentum.

One of the most important things to remember when it comes to celebrating wins is that selflove and self-worth are essential ingredients. If we don't believe that we deserve happiness and success, it will be much harder to achieve either. That's not to say that people who don't love themselves can't be successful, but it does make the journey a lot harder.

So, if you're looking to add more celebration into your life, start by giving yourself a pat on the back. Acknowledge your accomplishments, large and small, and let yourself feel proud of what you've achieved. From there, it'll be easier to let the good times roll and enjoy the ride to success.

“Document the moments you feel most in love with yourself what you’re wearing, who you’re around, what you’re doing. Recreate and repeat.” Warsan Shire

Legends & Leaders

“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” Franz Kafka

ANGELA MARSHALL, M.D.

“With Dismissed, Dr. Marshall is a champion for Black women. She amplifies their stories and their lives with this thoughtful examination of the ways the healthcare system too often fails us and how we can all make it more perfect ”

Sharon Thompson, MD, National Medical Director, Black Women’s Health Imperative

“History has covered up the tragedies suffered by Native Americans and the bias that has been a source of inadequate access to healthcare, shelter, and food, significantly impacting their quality of life and longevity. Dr. Marshall takes a refreshingly inclusive approach when talking about bias in this important book.”

—Andra Rush, Native American Business Leader and Founder and CEO of Dakkota Integrated Systems

“Dr Marshall exposes the many barriers that get in the way of adequate and quality healthcare for all, especially those who have been most marginalized, and offers a prescription for eradicating the biases that undermine healthcare and contribute to health disparities. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants medical justice. “

—Dena Simmons, Founder of LiberatEd, visiting professor at the Institute for Racial Justice at Loyola University, and author of White Rules for Black People

DISMISSED

Tackling

the Biases That Undermine our Health Care

by Angela Marshall, M.D. and Kathy Palokoff

“My son’s death because of the dismissal of his medical emergency by his doctor was the most painful lesson I ever learned and the single experience that made me vow to NEVER be that kind of doctor and to ALWAYS listen to my patients

I went on to start a practice that focused solely on women’s health because women have historically been dismissed by the health care system Many of my patients were African American like me, and they shared their stories about medical racism.

Among my women patients are a number of lesbians who gave me new insights into the biases faced because of sexual orientation. My practice also includes a significant number of people with disabilities and seniors. I realized that biases were everywhere in health care and that both health-care providers and patients could prevent dismissal through empathy, compassion, and respect.”

–

Angela Marshall, M.D., author of DISMISSED: Tackling the Biases That Undermine our Health Care

Here's the uncomfortable truth: Race, gender, sexual orientation, age, body size, income, and other cultural factors have a significant bearing on whether you will be diagnosed and treated correctly. The good news is regardless of whether you are a patient, healthcare provider, or administrator, there are steps you can take today to combat medical bias

The only book on this subject written by a primary care doctor who is a woman of color, DISMISSED examines all forms of bias – those related to race and ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation, age, disabilities, obesity, and the increasing bias against science – instructing patients, doctors, and administrators alike on how we can all identify bias – and how we can all do better.

Health-care providers and their patients are human, and all humans have unconscious biases that affect how we listen, observe, and act. Bias impacts patients when they are at their most vulnerable. Health-care bias can mean the difference not just between suffering and relief, but between life and death.

For the first time, an author with the unique perspective of being one of America’s top doctors, a woman, and Black, candidly addresses the issue of bias in health care, sharing personal and patient stories and pragmatic solutions. Dr. Angela Marshall, repeatedly named a “Top Doctor” by Washingtonian magazine, draws on extensive research, poignant stories from some of the thousands of patients she has treated, and her own compelling personal experience, to examine the bias from both patients’ and health care providers’ points of view. She offers a bold blueprint for change, filled with fresh solutions that can help everyone in our health-care system

Dismissed not only explains what so many people feel so profoundly that the system is working against them. It also reveals what health-care practitioners, patients, and society in general can do to make it right.

“Ignorance and misunderstanding of people with intellectual disabilities is a problem in our healthcare system. Dismissed shines the light on ableism and other biases that seriously affect the meaningful care of individuals with differences.”

David Egan, Author of More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome

DISMISSING WOMEN, GENDER IDENTITY & SEXUAL ORIENTATION

MEDICAL BIAS AND LGBTQIA | EXCERPT FROM PAGES 137-139

With increasing awareness of gender identity and sexual orientation, health care has an increased need for selfeducation aimed toward unbiased treatment. These issues were not even talked about when I was in medical school. Historically, America (and most of the world) has ignored the fact that not all humans identify simply as men or women Our historically rigid definitions of gender and sexuality affect the health of millions of Americans

An estimated 5 6 percent of Americans identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer, with nearly 16 percent of Generation Z (18 to 23) considering themselves something other than heterosexual. That number compares to just 2 percent of Americans fifty-six and older. Out of 330 million adult Americans, a lot of people are being dismissed

Many medical professionals are struggling to understand the fluid nature of gender identity and sexual orientation. We may find ourselves googling terms such as cisgender, genderqueer, intersex, pansexual or non-binary. Some of us bristle at the need to reshape our language to use “they” instead of “he” or “she ” Others work hard to be aware of gender identity and chose words carefully We are grateful when our patients correct us

Not just the medical community but society as a whole must face its biases about sexuality and gender identity. In American mainstream culture we don’t talk openly about sex and gender. Human sexuality has always been a spectrum rather than just a duality We cannot deny the rights of these human individuals simply because we see them as “other ” By denying the existence of the many points on the spectrum of gender identification and sexual orientation, mainstream society has caused them pain and suffering. We in medicine are among the guilty.

Copyright © 2023 Marshall Health Enterprises, LLC Citadel Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing

DISMISSED: Tackling the Biases That Undermine our Health Care

Published by Citadel Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing

ISBN-10: 0806542047 | ISBN-13: 978-0806542041

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

This book is sold to readers with the understanding that while the publisher aims to inform, enlighten, and provide accurate general information regarding the subject matter covered, the publisher is not engaged in providing medical, psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services If the reader needs or wants professional advice or assistance, the services of an appropriate professional should be sought Case studies featured in this book are composites based on the author’s years of practice and do not reflect the experiences of any individual person.

ANGELA MARSHALL, M.D.

Health-care providers and their patients are human, and all humans have unconscious biases that affect how we listen, observe, and act Bias impacts patients when they are at their most vulnerable. Health-care bias can mean the difference not just between suffering and relief, but between life and death For the first time, an author with the unique perspective of being one of America’s top doctors, a woman, and Black, candidly addresses the issue of bias in health care, sharing personal and patient stories and pragmatic solutions Here's our intimate conversation with Angela Marshall, M.D. about her new book.

Angela Marshall, MD, FACP, is the founder of Comprehensive Women’s Health, Inc , a primary care practice for women with two locations in the Washington, DC area A Board-Certified Internist and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, she is an expert on all forms of bias in health care and how they affect both individuals and our society at large Throughout her medical career, Dr Marshall has impacted the lives of thousands of women by promoting a style of medical practice that emphasizes patient-centered empathic listening

She has been repeatedly named ‘Top Doctor’ by the Washingtonian Magazine and is the recipient of the 2020 Maryland Top 100 Women Award, 2015 Enterprising Woman of the Year Award by Enterprising Women Magazine, SmartCEO Magazine’s Brava Award, and the Circle of Excellence Award A contributing health expert on CNN, Fox News, PBS NewsHour, and OWN, Dr Marshall currently chairs the Board of Directors for the Black Women’s Health Imperative and is a staunch advocate for achieving health equity for medically vulnerable populations

Kathy Palokoff is the founder of goFirestarter, a company that helps changemakers ignite, fuel, and accelerate their growth and fulfill their missions A mentor and educator, she has taught at Syracuse University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology and Nazareth College She holds a BS in Journalism from West Virginia University, Master’s in Public Administration from SUNY at Brockport, and completed doctorate coursework from Rensselaer Polytechnic institute in communications and rhetoric

In beginning of book, you describe your personal experiences being dismissed by the medical field. How did that impact you?

AM: My son’s death because of the dismissal of his medical emergency by his doctor was the most painful lesson I ever learned and the single experience that made me vow to NEVER be that kind of doctor and to ALWAYS listen to my patients

I went on to start a practice that focused solely on women’s health because women have historically been dismissed by the health care system Many of my patients were African American like me, and they shared their stories about medical racism

Why did you decide to include multiple biases in the book instead of just focusing on race and gender?

AM: In addition to my own experiences seeing more than 50,000 patients in the last 20 years, I decided to address race and ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation, age, disabilities, and obesity because it became clear in our own research and those of others that bias is widespread

Dismissal of people because of who they are is just plain wrong, and in health care, can be deadly

Awareness and education are critical as we try to curb the effect of bias It’s important to remember that many people are faced with multiple “isms For example, an older person can be dealing with ageism, ableism, and mentalism If you then add racism and sexism, then you have an intense list of stressors that affect health

ANGELA MARSHALL, M.D.

A GROUNDBREAKING AND UNWAVERING DIVE INTO ALL FORMS OF MEDICAL BIAS, WRITTEN

BY AN INFLUENTIAL WOMAN PHYSICIAN OF COLOR, THAT DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE CHALLENGES THAT BIASES CAUSE AND PROVIDES SOLUTIONS FOR HOW WE CAN DO BETTER

Does everyone have bias?

AM: The bottom line is that everyone has bias. We are hardwired for bias to help us quickly make decisions. We can’t avoid having bias, but it’s when we don’t recognize it in ourselves and then make decisions based on stereotypes that we get in trouble as a society and as individuals. It becomes a particular problem when our actions are driven by biased assumptions about race, body type, age, disability, or gender. Nobody is without bias. Health-care providers are no different but, because of our power position, the effects of our biases can be profound.

You talk about bias against science? Why is that so important? Interesting!

AM: Resistance to vaccines and other medical treatment is one type of anti-science bias that I regularly witness as a doctor. Globally, an estimated 37 million lives were saved between 2000 and 2019 because of vaccinations. Imagine the toll if we rejected vaccines completely because of our bias against science. Anti-science does not only affect individual and public health. For example, COVID has taken a huge physical and emotional toll on every health provider I know. I was elated when the vaccines finally came out, but then deeply disheartened when so many people rejected what I considered a miracle.

Another bias that I have seen growing in recent years is what I call “know-it-all” bias. A patient gets “medical” information from friends or Dr. Google that is not evidence-based, but they accept it as fact. I do believe strongly in shared decisionmaking between health-care providers and their patients. Your body is your body. My job is to diagnose and treat it based on accepted and proven standards of medicine. As a patient, it helps when there is mutual trust and we can work together on choosing a solution that will produce the best outcomes.

You explore the idea of blame bias. What do you mean by that?

AM: Blame bias is when we blame an individual, not their group, environment, circumstances, genetics or other factors outside of that individual’s control.

Blame bias is rapidly increasing, even among doctors. In health care, it has been amplified by patients’ belief that we can prevent illness if we simply live a “clean” lifestyle. Minimizing risk factors is good for your health. But, and it is a very big BUT, people get sick all of the time for no reason. Life and death happen. We can’t always blame lifestyle.

The uneven power dynamic between health care providers and patients can bring on blame bias at a time when people are in their most vulnerable state: in pain, sharing personal information, and often literally naked. They walk into a doctor’s office or hospital and feel judged and blamed that they have brought health problems upon themselves. And the truth is that it really happens way too often.

What can patients do to protect themselves from bias in health care?

AM: Patients need to treat health care providers with respect while standing up to bias. This means clearly communicating that you feel that you are being treated with bias as soon as you sense it, instead of letting it build into anger. The health care provider may not know they are acting in a biased manner.

For example, a patient may have a clear way they want to be addressed based on their race, ethnicity, age, or gender. They need to tell the provider. If your doctor does not alter their behavior, you may need to find another doctor.

You also need to communicate to the doctor biased behavior you experience among their staff. In turn, patients need to recognize that shared decision making in health care is about getting evidence-based information, having a dialogue with the health care provider, and then being compliant to the agreed upon treatment.

What can health providers do to minimize bias?

AM: We need to recruit and support doctors from diverse and vulnerable background who can relate to patients.

ANGELA MARSHALL, M.D.

A GROUNDBREAKING AND UNWAVERING DIVE INTO ALL FORMS OF MEDICAL BIAS, WRITTEN BY AN INFLUENTIAL WOMAN PHYSICIAN OF COLOR, THAT DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE CHALLENGES THAT BIASES CAUSE AND PROVIDES SOLUTIONS FOR HOW WE CAN DO BETTER

Anti-bias and cultural humility training needs to be part of training for all people in the health care system from the time they are in training and continuing as part of regular continuing medical education. We need to survey our patients to find out as much as we can about what they experience during delivery of health care services. Outcomes are not simply related to physical improvements.

Bringing in community and patient perspectives through patient advisory groups can provide health providers with keen insights.

We also need to better utilize technology and our staff in order to provide more time with patients. Bias increases when health care providers are feeling stressed and vulnerable.

What does society need to do to fix this problem?

AM: We cannot expect a reduction in medical racism while racism runs rampant in our society. We need to continue our social justice efforts with a goal of achieving equality and justice for all

We need to monitor health outcome disparities, not just among racial groups but among patients with disabilities, patients who are obese, our seniors, and individuals who identify as LGBTQUIA Modern data aggregation and analysis tools can help us understand and change the gaps

Additionally, improving access to smart technology and Internet services is vital so that all can benefit from better delivery of health care services Finally, we need to remove politics and religion from the health care We have seen what happens when vaccination and reproduction rights are influenced by politics and religion

I believe that in order to have equitable health care that eliminates bias as much as possible we need to acknowledge that access to basic health care coverage is a human right That means we need universal basic health care coverage for all, regardless of a person’s ability to pay

Do you have hope that this is a fixable problem?

AM: Yes, I do have hope. I believe many people are working hard to come up with solutions. Solutions are complex and will not be solved solely by technology or new payment models. Instead, we need to dig deeper and approach the issues from a multi-discipline, inclusive and holistic framework.

My biggest concern is that the stress we have put on our health care providers – particularly in the critical primary care area – is growing exponentially and we are at a crisis point. So, my hope exists only if we work together right now.

“You cannot really listen to, respect, show empathy for, and believe people if you are operating with an attitude of bias, mistrust, dismissal, or fear. That attitude clouds communication, distorts diagnosis, misdirects treatment, and lessens patient compliance.” —Angela

Marshall, M.D.

Praise for Dismissed

“Drawing on her insights from both sides of the doctor-patient relationship, Marshall offers an accessible, wide-ranging, and ultimately hopeful exploration of the biases that harm so many patients and how we can combat them.” Maya Dusenbery, author of Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women

Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick

STACY SPIKES

“Like [Steve] Jobs, Spikes built a company from scratch only to be pushed out. Like Jobs, he watched from the sidelines as it fell apart. And like Jobs, he will attempt a triumphant return to the business he built.”

— Eliana Dockterman, TIME magazine

“Stacy Spikes provides rare insight into the vulnerable journey of being a founder. His story is an inspiration to those often written off and a reminder to always believe in yourself.”

—Henri Pierre-Jacques, cofounder of Harlem Capital

“In these pages, Stacy guides you through his career that’s filled with glory and hardships. An unflinching examination of what it really takes to be an entrepreneur in today’s world.”

—Jason Guerrasio, award-winning journalist at Insider

“Stacy gives revealing insights into the business world and its challenges. He delivers a powerful yet vulnerable view of the entrepreneurial journey rarely seen, and that’s guaranteed to inspire anyone with a dream ”

Brenda Gilbert, cofounder and president, BRON

BLACK FOUNDER

“Spikes’ story reminds us what’s possible when inspiration meets determination. A must-read for anyone who strives to achieve excellence.”

Smokey D. Fontaine, author of E.A.R.L The Autobiography of DMX

If you are reading this, chances are you might be an entrepreneur too You find yourself walking around in the world thinking, Hey, I have an idea how to improve that You wake up in the middle of the night to scribble an idea in the notepad you keep on your nightstand to collect the thoughts that are always populating your mind You might be starting your first business Maybe you are struggling to raise money Maybe you’ve crashed and burned and have lost hope Maybe you are feeling that familiar feeling that you don’t have the right stuff That you are not good enough That you will be stuck at your desk job forever That you’re not cut out for this That no one understands you and your ideas That you are an outsider who doesn’t fit in Well, if any of that’s true, you are in the right place

Throughout my career and on many occasions, I have been all of these things. The outsider looking in on a world who didn’t think I had what it would take to build a world-class product. I have met so many founders who’ve felt the same, especially women or founders of color. Being a founder is hard; it doesn’t matter who you are. If you want to be a founder, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Being a member of this club means you will give everything you have to make something out of nothing, and if you get lucky, you might get a chance to share your experience to help those coming behind you. That is what I have attempted to do here with Black

Founder

In this book, I have related my personal experiences at different stages of my career When I started out, I worked for others but felt that gnawing feeling that I was working so hard but I didn’t own anything Not only was I living paycheck to paycheck, I didn’t even own my own work Everything I did was in service to someone else I was an instrument to fulfill their dreams Finally, I took the leap to start my own business, crashing and burning several times before I was able to get traction My trajectory had many ups and downs, but I believe there’s a lot to be learned from someone’s successes and failures In fact, I would argue that the failures and challenges offer the greater lessons

As I’ve said, throughout my life I’ve been viewed as an outsider, and that designation has often made my journey a little more difficult. However, being an outsider actually has many advantages. An outsider has a unique point of view and can see things others can’t. Being an outsider, there are lower expectations of you being able to succeed, but being underestimated can make your entry a bit easier; no one is threatened by you because they don’t even think you’re in the game.

Stacy Spikes

Copyright 2023 Kensington Press/Dafina. All rights reserved. ISBN-10: 1496739566. ISBN-13: 978-1496739568

BLACK FOUNDER

The Hidden

Power

of Being an Outsider by Stacy Spikes

BLACK FOUNDER: The Hidden Power of Being

an Outsider by Stacy Spikes is the book that no one thought he should write It rips open the world of financial privilege and entertainment and reveals what it really takes to succeed when power, money and race collide.

In this the captivating business memoir, Spike tells the story of a young man with a singular vision, who packed up his truck at 18 and drove from Houston to Hollywood with only $300 in his pocket. Spikes worked his way up the ranks at Motown Records, Sony Music Entertainment and Miramax Films, was the founder of the Urbanworld Film Festival, and named by USA Today as one of the 21 most influential Black leaders in tech, and as one of the “People to Watch in Silicon Alley” by Crain’s New York

The strength, resilience and skills Spikes acquired to achieve these successes became the foundation he built upon to create MoviePass with his Cofounder, Hamet Watt. At the time, only 1 percent of venture capital funding went to Black entrepreneurs. Even in 2022, that number has only improved to 1 2 percent, according to TIME

MoviePass was a subscription company that allowed passionate movie fans to see movies in theaters for a monthly fee, was purchased by a private equity group. Spikes was ousted because of his defiant stance on their new doomed business model and could only watch from the sidelines as his creation was driven into bankruptcy and dismantled. But like all great plots, there were unforeseen twists ahead.

BLACK FOUNDER

As Spikes writes, BLACK FOUNDER isn’t just a book for winners, it’s a book for everyone willing to try.

While Spikes was pondering his next act, he was told MoviePass might be available to purchase out of bankruptcy. After some tough negotiations, Spikes rebought his company—with the goal of re-launching the beloved brand

BLACK FOUNDER grants us access to the hidden world of tech start-ups, it’s a journey and guidebook to cracking the glass ceiling for any outsider facing impossible odds. The lessons come with humor, poignancy and enlightenment that will fuel the ambition and drive of anyone who wants to manifest their dreams. Taking listeners inside the battles of the boardroom and beyond,

BLACK FOUNDER is a business memoir that will inspire every outsider who has a dream of becoming an entrepreneur.

Stacy Spikes is an award-winning entrepreneur and inventor who USA Today named one of the 21 most influential Blacks in technology. He holds several technology patents and is the cofounder and CEO of the nation’s first theatrical subscription service, MoviePass. In addition, Spikes is the founder of Urbanworld, the largest international festival dedicated to nurturing Women and BIPOC filmmakers.

5

Leadership in Action

Key Principles of Effective Racial Justice Work by

As painful and upsetting as George Floyd’s murder was, it was encouraging to witness not just the intense condemnation–and ultimate prosecution–of the officers involved, but the almost universal recognition that that incident was a mere symptom of a greater problem, systemic racism In the subsequent months, more resources and energy were invested into efforts to fight systemic racism than ever before

America experienced the largest and longestrunning protests in its history, and corporate America pledged over $200 billion to racial justice initiatives Unfortunately, according to research conducted by Forbs Magazine, as of late 2022 the majority of that money either went unspent while

Kofi Annan

the rest was spent on efforts that had little systemic impact. The problem is that even individuals and organizations that have the best of intentions are clueless about how to craft an effective strategy to conduct racial justice activism This work can be daunting, and even seasoned veterans can become overwhelmed or burned out

In this book, Kofi Annan, a nationally recognized racial justice activist and award-winning author, lays out his five key guiding principles for conducting efficient and effective racial justice work The guide serves as a tool for individuals, corporations, or nonprofit organizations whose heart is in the right place but could use help crafting a strategy

Leadership in Action

5 Key Principles of Effective Racial Justice Work

At Some Point Patience Runs Out

I find it incredibly ironic that the very white people who scold Blacks for violently protesting police violence perpetrated against them celebrate the January 6th demonstrations who also resorted to violence. The hypocrisy cannot be overstated, especially when juxtaposed against the coup attempt and the endless list of violent events perpetrated by white people

I am in no way advocating violence as a viable or sustainable means to achieve racial equity; however, as a former member of the military, I appreciate that violence applied selectively and strategically can be an effective extension of diplomacy.

No one knows that better than white Americans. There isn’t a group of people more prone to use violence to achieve political or economic ends The difference is that when white people choose violence, they label themselves heroes and patriots and erect statues and monuments in their likeness. Since they control the media and education systems, they control the narratives that are repeated throughout history. The socalled patriots that conducted the January 6 uprising were just the latest in a long history of white people that were lionized for acting on their impatience and willingness to use violence to achieve their goals.

White people slaughtered the Native Americans and stole their land, amiably known as colonization or “Westward expansion.” Then they used violence to enslave the stolen Africans brought here to work that land. They used violence to gain America’s independence from Britain, and it was the Civil War that kept America united and ultimately ended slavery. Violence enforced the segregation and continued oppression of Black people, and violence led to the annexation of Puerto Rico and the Hawaiian Islands.

Violence or the threat of it, by the way of the gun or economic isolation, keeps America at the top of the global pecking order. The U.S. averages more homicides and mass murders per capita than any other developed nation, and we have more guns than people. The right to carry a gun is enshrined in the Constitution or at least that is what gun rights advocates argue.

So, when people say violence is never the answer, I can’t help but wonder to myself, since when?

Violence is as much part of American culture as apple pie or cheeseburgers Again, I am not advocating for the use of violence. But my reason is a strategic one and not a moral argument—even though I believe Black people have the moral high ground of self-defense and defense of their community.

( Continued )

Leadership in Action

5 Key Principles of Effective Racial Justice Work

At Some Point Patience Runs Out

Again, I am not advocating for the use of violence. But my reason is a strategic one and not a moral argument even though I believe Black people have the moral high ground of self-defense and defense of their community. From a moral standpoint, the victim of violence and oppression reserves the right to defend himself and his community and retaliate against the aggressor. If person A attacks person B, person B could choose to attempt to negotiate an amenable solution. This will probably yield the fastest end to the violence, as the attacker might feel sympathy for his victim. Some will feel comfortable taking this approach.

Retaliating violently, on the other hand, will almost always lead to an escalation of violence in the short term To those who feel justified in retaliating to defend themselves, express their frustration, or restore their dignity, you’re also not wrong Just be prepared for things to get worse before they get better…if they get better. Omar Wasow, a professor of politics at UC Berkeley, explained in an interview with The New Yorker that violent protests can be effective to draw attention to the cause but eventually backfire because they spawn backlash in the form of more violence or diminished sympathy for the cause.

“I would say nonviolent protests can be very effective if they are able to get media attention, and that there is a very strong relationship between media coverage and public concern about whatever issues those protesters are raising. But there is a conditional effect of violence, and what that means, in practice, is that groups that are the object of state violence are able to get particularly sympathetic press and a large amount of media coverage. But that is a very hard strategy to maintain, and what we often see is that, when protesters engage in violence, often in a very understandable response to state repression, that tends to work against their cause and interests, and mobilizes or becomes fodder for the opposition to grow its coalition ”

While Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., rightfully gets a lot of credit for sticking to his message and tactics of nonviolence, make no mistake about it the messages of militant self-defense from Nation of Islam leader Malcolm X and Black Panther leaders Fred Hampton, Huey Newton, and Bobby Seale generated significant pressure on white America that was impossible to ignore and should be equally credited for the passage of the Civil Rights Act and other meaningful progress For those who argue that nonviolence evokes sympathy, it is worth noting that the FBI made no distinction between any of these organizations, and in conjunction with local law enforcement successfully destroyed all of them and arrested and killed several of their leaders.

Kofi Annan is the author of the award-winning book, Bull in a China Shop: Evolution of a Racial Justice Activist and Leadership in Action: 5 Key Principles of Effective Racial Justice Work He and his wife founded Fighting Words LLC, a racial justice and DEI Consulting Company in 2023

He is the former president of The Activated People (TAP), an independent activist organization dedicated to promoting racial equity.

Kofi previously served two terms as the president of the Fairfax County, Virginia National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which was awarded the NAACP’s Thalheimer Award for being the best branch in the country in 2018

Crown Holders Conversation with Kofi Annan

Listen & Share today: http://tobtr.com/s/12194953

Kofi is also the owner of Soul Rebel, a food truck based in northern Virginia that serves a unique blend of Caribbean-American fusion cuisine.

Kofi Annan served eight years in the U.S Army, and holds a Master’s of Science in International Relations from Troy University, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from Tennessee State University.

Website: https://42fightingwords.com

C ROWNHOLDERSSUPPORT S D I V ERSITY.EQUITY.INCLUS I O N .

LAST TO EAT, LAST TO LEARN

The harrowing yet ultimately inspiring memoir of the young educator and activist who has become the face of women's rights in Afghanistan

“Pashtana's story highlights the resourcefulness and bravery of young women in Afghanistan. I hope readers will be inspired by her mission to give every girl the education she deserves and the opportunity to pursue her dreams."—Malala Yousafzai, education activist & author, I am Malala

“Riveting [Pashtana] is an exceptional role model for girls around the world, exemplifying the power of determination and passion in achieving the nearly impossible ” Mursel Sabir, Founder, Afghans Empowered

“As an American, I meet many who know little and feel no likeness to the land where so many of our sons and daughters gave their lives Idealistic yet logical, Pashtana serves as a portal between two seemingly divergent worlds, illuminating the shared human values that connect us. The relevance of her story has no bounds. It belongs in the hands of the politician as much as the soldier, the parent, or the child. While we may characterize Pashtana as an activist, or educator, let us first characterize her as a leader ” Major Jessica Yahn, Cultural Support Team, U.S. Army Special Operations Command

“Pashtana’s voice is once-in-a-generation A born leader who took her own dreams and broke them into a thousand pieces to share with others Her story is an inspiration Her work, a mission more necessary now than ever Pashtana Durrani came to live out loud And we should all be listening ” Amna Nawaz, co-anchor PBS NewsHour

LAST TO EAT, LAST TO LEARN

My Life in Afghanistan Fighting to Educate Women

by Pashtana Durrani and Tamara Bralo

Pashtana Durrani has spent her life continually resisting expectations. In a society where men have more opportunities than women, her father told her she could be anything she chose to be In the powerful Afghan tribal system where only men are chosen as leaders, her tribe chose her. Offered admittance to a preparatory program at Oxford, which would have allowed her to rise out of an Afghan refugee camp in Pakistan, instead she chose to go to Afghanistan. In a country where women’s rights have disappeared under Taliban rule, she provides learning tools help raise up her fellow Afghan women and girls.

LAST TO EAT, LAST TO LEARN: My Life in Afghanistan Fighting to Educate Women is a stirring and engaging call to action by a remarkable young woman. Her book is aptly named, as Pashtana reminds us that in her home country, women come last in nearly every aspect of society. Here she shares the arresting, often shocking story of her journey from refugee to activist and catalyst for global change.

Pashtana has spent her already extraordinary adult life defying gender expectations and using her considerable energies to deliver innovative solutions to the women and girls of Afghanistan. At just 25, her NGO, Learn, has already been recognized by the global community, including Malala, The United Nations, The Clinton Global Initiative, The Aspen Institute, and many more.

Deeply poignant, compassionate, and inspiring, Pashtana embodies the power of feminism in a society where women have been stripped of their identities, livelihoods, and basic freedoms.

Pashtana Durrani is an Afghan human rights activist and community development expert whose focus is girls’ education. Durrani is the founder of LEARN Afghanistan, a grassroots organization established to safely and securely provide education to girls through a distributed network of tablet computers using an offline platform. Through LEARN, she has educated 7,000 girls and boys in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and trained more than 80 teachers in digital literacy.

LAST TO EAT, LAST TO LEARN

“The breathtaking story of a young Afghan activist who will make history. . . Pashtana shares an acute and clever insight. . . She understands Afghanistan and Pashtun society as well as Western culture She brings an enlightened view of these two worlds that do not understand each other ” Marina Wutholen, Director of dev.tv and Founder Young Activists Summit

“Pashtana's story is not only one of gender empowerment, it is one of communal pragmatism and realization that together, men and women in Afghanistan, for the sake of their community, can transcend barriers and transform their society for long-term prosperity and peace ” Dr. Victoria C. Fontan, Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the American University of Afghanistan

“With a spirit that echoes through these pages and a voice that rises above the din, Pashtana Durrani shares her compelling story and mission to empower women in Afghanistan. Having worked with Pashtana, I am in awe of her consistent drive towards bringing innovative learning solutions to women and girls in Afghanistan, despite socio-political instability in the country This book is a reflection of her spirit--bright, passionate, driven " Tanya Qadir,

Director of Partner Success, Rumie Initiative

Inclusion refers to how people with different social identities feel as part of the larger group. Creating a space where everyone feels a sense of belonging or feels welcomed, seen and valued is our mission at the Soignée Lifestyle Journal.

Our Pillars of Inclusion

Choice. Access. Attitude Community. Partnerships. Opportunities.

7 Pillars of Inclusion

ROBYN GIGL

Robyn Gigl tackles the complexities of power, public perception, and human trafficking with a ripped-from-theheadlines plot in her second legal thriller featuring Erin McCabe, a protagonist who, like the author, is a transgender attorney. Now she and her law partner are drawn into a dark world of offshore bank accounts, computer hacking, murder, and the devastating impact of sexual abuse

Survivor's Guilt by Robyn Gigl (Erin McCabe Mysteries #2)

Robyn Gigl's unique protagonist, transgender attorney Erin McCabe, returns in a fascinating and timely legal thriller that delves into the dark world of human trafficking by the rich and powerful . . .

At first, the death of millionaire businessman Charles Parsons seems like a straightforward suicide. There’s no sign of forced entry or struggle in his lavish New Jersey mansion just a single gunshot wound from his own weapon But days later, a different story emerges Computer techs pick up a voice recording that incriminates Parsons’ adoptive daughter, Ann, who duly confesses and pleads guilty

Erin McCabe has little interest in reviewing such a slam-dunk case even after she has a mysterious meeting with one of the investigating detectives, who reveals that Ann, like Erin, is a trans woman. Yet despite their misgivings, Erin and her law partner, Duane Swisher, ultimately can’t ignore the pieces that don’t fit

As their investigation deepens, Erin and Swish convince Ann to withdraw her guilty plea. But Ann clearly knows more than she’s willing to share, even if it means a life sentence. Who is she protecting, and why?

Fighting against time and a prosecutor hell-bent on notching another conviction, the two work tirelessly Erin inside the courtroom, Swish in the field to clear Ann’s name But despite Parsons’ former associates’ determination to keep his and their own illegal activities buried, a horrifying truth emerges a web of human exploitation, unchecked greed, and murder. Soon, a quest to see justice served becomes a desperate struggle to survive...

Unlike many novels featuring trans characters, SURVIVOR’S GUILT is not a story about a journey towards self-acceptance and the process of gender confirmation It’s a fast-paced thriller that confronts today’s hot-button issues including gender, class, LGBTQ+ rights, the American criminal justice system, and human trafficking by the rich and powerful.

Robyn Gigl is an attorney and activist who’s been practicing for over 40 years and fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in and out of the courtroom for more than a decade In her novel, she raises relevant issues of how race, class, sexual orientation, and gender identity impact the justice system

SURVIVOR’S GUILT

“Robyn Gigl’s SURVIVOR’S GUILT is so good that it may end up counting among this year’s standouts. A groundbreaking series is poised to become a definitive one.”

—The New York Times Book Review

“Stunning…Gigl delightfully flips the usual terms of the genre with a murder victim readers are quickly drawn to hate and a murderer whom they will be rooting for Her takes on big questions of justice, revenge, and the nature of victimhood will resonate with many.”

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

The New York Times Best Mystery Novel in a Series 2022 | The Los Angeles Times Best Crime Novels Winter 2022 | LAMBDA

Literary Most Anticipated LGBTQIA+

Literature | CrimeReads Most Anticipated and Best Crime Fiction Of 2022 | SheReads Best Mystery Books

Crackling with authenticity and featuring a protagonist who, like the author, is a transgender attorney, Survivor’s Guilt is a gritty, riveting legal thriller and an “Own Voices” story bringing much-needed diversity to the genre.

When his difficult mother is diagnosed with ALS, a sharp-witted yet sensitive artist named Noah York reluctantly returns to his New Hampshire hometown – and all the ghosts he left behind.

T H E L A N G U A G E O F L O V E A N D L O S S

The Language of Love and Loss by Bart Yates

Bart Yates is the Alex Award-winning author of novels including Leave Myself Behind, The Brothers Bishop, and The Third Hill North of Town, written as Noah Bly. He is also a musician, and plays clarinet, saxophone, and bass guitar. He lives in Iowa City, IA and can be found online at BartYates com

The Language of Love and Loss by Bart Yates

What does “coming of age ” mean in an era where 40 is the new 30? When adults are getting married, having kids, starting careers, and generally “finding themselves” much later than previous generations? Through humor and poignant storytelling, THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE AND LOSS by Bart Yates shows the story of one man ’ s everlasting journey as he continues to evolve through all stages of life.

From the acclaimed author of the award-winning Leave Myself Behind comes a witty, touching, deeply satisfying new novel about a man who has no choice but to turn back and find himself

As it turns out, you can go home again. But sometimes, you really, really don’t want to...

Home, for Noah York, is Oakland, New Hampshire, the sleepy little town where Noah’s mother, Virginia, had a psychotic breakdown and Noah got beaten to a pulp as a teenager. Then there were the good times and Noah’s not sure which ones are more painful to recall

Now thirty-seven and eking out a living as an artist in Providence, Rhode Island, Noah looks much the same and swears just as colorfully as he did in high school Virginia has become a wildly successful poet who made him the subject of her most famous poem, “The Lost Soul,” a label Noah will never live down. And J.D., the one who got away because Noah stupidly drove him away is in a loving marriage with a successful, attractive man whom Noah despises wholeheartedly. Is it any surprise that Noah wishes he could ignore his mother’s summons to come visit?

But Virginia has shattering news to deliver, and a request he can’t refuse Soon, Noah will track down the sister and extended family he never knew existed, try to keep his kleptomaniac cousin out of jail, feud with a belligerent neighbor, confront J D ’s jealous husband and face J.D. himself, the ache from Noah’s past that never fades. . . . All the while, contending with his brilliant, unpredictable mother.

Bittersweet, hilarious, and moving, and as unapologetically candid and unforgettable as Noah himself, The Language of Love and Loss is a story about growing older, getting lost and finding your way back to the only truths that really matter

IN THE TIME OF OUR HISTORY

BY SUSANNE PARI

“This jewel of a novel is a universal tale that naturally leads to selfreflection and conversations about the changing relationship between mothers and daughters, and the choices we make, good and bad, early in life and late, which determine our identity " Amy Tan, New York Times bestselling author of The Joy Luck Club

IN THE TIME OF OUR HISTORY A NOVEL OF RIVETING AND EVOCATIVE FICTION

This sweeping, multigenerational saga transports readers into the world of the Jahani family, Iranian immigrants grappling with the future of their traditions as an American-born daughter steps outside her expected role, shaking loose their foundations and their secrets in a novel that poses larger questions about the meaning of marriage, motherhood, and starting anew even as we long for the place we once called home...

Twelve months after her younger sister Anahita’s death, Mitra Jahani reluctantly returns to her parents’ home in suburban New Jersey to observe the Iranian custom of “The One Year.” Ana is always in Mitra’s heart, though they chose very different paths. While Ana, sweet and dutiful, bowed to their domineering father’s demands and married, Mitra rebelled, and was banished

Caught in the middle is their mother, Shireen, torn between her fierce love for her surviving daughter and her loyalty to her husband. Yet his callousness even amid shattering loss has compelled her to rethink her own decades of submission. And when Mitra is suddenly forced to confront hard truths about her sister’s life, and the secrets each of them hid to protect others, mother and daughter reach a new understanding and forge an unexpected path forward.

Alive with the tensions, sacrifices, and joys that thrum within the heart of every family, In the Time of Our History is also laced with the richness of ancient and modern Persian culture and politics, in a tale that is both timeless and profoundly relevant.

IN THE TIME OF OUR HISTORY

In the Time of Our History is about more than a family confronted by grief. It’s more than a portrait of Iranian American culture, the immigrant experience, and generational culture clashes.

“There is so much wisdom and love in this irresistible and assured novel. Susanne Pari understands the complex and flawed thing that is family, and carves right into the center of the human heart ” – Meg Waite

New York Times bestselling author of The Postmistress

of Paris

Clayton,

“For years, I’ve been waiting to read a novel that captures Iranian Americans in all their complexity Susanne Pari’s In the Time of Our History is that masterful gem. More than that, it is a beautifully refined tale of the conflicts, secrets, tragedies, and revelations that many immigrants and their American-born children must live through in order to preserve the fragile fabric of family in the diaspora ”

Anita Amirrezvani, author of The Blood of Flowers and Equal of the Sun

In the Time of Our History is a story about home and the roles of women within it –mother, daughter, sister, wife, aunt – the different paths to becoming each, and what happens when we release cultural expectations around these roles.

Crown Holders Book-A-Week Reading Challenge

We are asking our readers to join us in a year long reading challenge. Each week we will read a new book and discuss it on the Black Pearls Magazine Facebook fan page. Log into Facebook and scan the QR code below. Under each book listed on our page, feel free to leave your thoughts, comments, questions and book reviews. We welcome all book lovers!

Each year thousands of people and educators, concerned parents, community leaders, authors, poets and publishers and devote their time and resources to presenting the reader with great books! However, too many outstanding books do not get the attention and reader support that they deserve.

It is our mission at Crown Holders Transmedia and Soignée Lifestyle Publications to connect readers with these hidden gems and bring them books that will impact their lives Please visit all of our bookstore shelves and share the reading lists with your friends.

Scan the QR code to shop for new books at our bespoke online bookstore or visit our reading list at www.amazon.com/shop/edc1creations. There are books for the entire family including poetry book, faith-filled fiction, business & self-help books, non-fiction, children's books, cookbooks and even history books

Scan & Shop

Mary Jane McLeod Bethune was an American educator, philanthropist, humanitarian, womanist, and civil rights activist. Born to former slaves a decade after the Civil War, devoted her life to ensure the right to education and freedom from discrimination for African Americans. She was an educator, an organizer, and a political activist, and opened one of the first schools for African American girls.

The whole world opened up to me when I learned to read”

– Mary McCleod Bethune

Soignée Reading List

Inspiration. Motivation. Empowerment. Transformation.

Finding My Voice: On Grieving My Father by Emerald Garner

Rehearsals for Living by Robyn Maynard and Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

You Don't Know Us Negroes and Other Essays by

Zora Neale Hurston

Wanting: Women Writing about Desire by Margot Kahn and Kelly McMasters

Real Self-Care A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness by Pooja

Lakshmin

Queen of the Conquered by Kacen

Callender

Soignée Reading List

Inspiration. Motivation. Empowerment. Transformation.

When We Were Sisters

by Fatimah Asghar

by Cheryl A. Head

Williams

by Eleanor Shearer

by

Harris

River Sing Me Home

Time's Undoing

What the Fireflies Knew

Kai

Gone Like Yesterday by Janelle M.

Moonrise Over New Jessup by Jamila Minnicks

Soignée Reading List

Inspiration. Motivation. Empowerment. Transformation.

How Beautiful We Were

by Imbolo Mbue

Bright

Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny

You Could Make This Place Beautiful: A Memoir by Maggie Smith

Remarkably

Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Maame by Jessica George

Odell

Inciting Joy: Essays by Ross Gay

Hope Leans Forward: Braving Your Way toward Simplicity, Awakening, and Peace by Valerie Brown

Daily we are asked to move toward bravery, to stretch in the direction of goodness, kindness, forgiveness, patience, and vulnerability Yet life's tender fragility, fear, anxiety, and our own practiced self-sabotage can derail us from growing and thriving, leaving us fractured and afraid.

Ordained Buddhist teacher and Quaker Valerie Brown invites us into the heart of compassion, insight, and courage. Filled with Quaker wisdom, mindfulness meditation practices, and portraits of real people living out simple yet life-affirming bravery, Hope Leans Forward is a guidebook for all of us who are on journeys of self-transformation, self-discovery, and spiritual discernment

Centering small, everyday acts of bravery with diverse stories from marginalized communities, Brown's unique perspective as a Black Buddhist Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition and her extensive leadership experience shepherd us in navigating life's essential questions to discover true aliveness and meaning. When we focus on cultivating clarity and discernment in our purpose, we begin to understand that we are truly connected to--and that we contribute to--a larger whole

Written through a period of profound personal loss and in the urgency of the Black Lives Matter movement, Brown's spiritual insight and life- and spirit-tested wisdom offers a new source for anyone seeking hope, and seeking to alleviate suffering within ourselves and our communities

About Valerie Brown

Valerie Brown a Buddhist-Quaker Dharma teacher, facilitator, and executive coach

A former lawyer and lobbyist, she is co-director of Georgetown's Institute for Transformational Leadership as well as founder and chief mindfulness officer of Lead Smart Coaching

She is an ordained Buddhist Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition, founded by Thich Nhat Hanh, and is a certified Kundalini yoga teacher In her leadership development and mindfulness practice, she focuses on diversity, social equity, and inclusion She holds a juris doctor from Howard University School of Law, a master of arts from Miami University (Ohio), and a bachelor of arts from City University of New York. Brown tends a lively perennial home garden in New Hope, Pennsylvania Website: valeriebrown us

Bipolar Faith: A Black Woman's Journey with Depression and Faith by Monica A. Coleman

Overcome with mental anguish, Monica A Coleman's great-grandfather had his two young sons pull the chair out from beneath him when he hanged himself. That noose remained tied to a rafter in the shed, where it hung above the heads of his eight children who played there for years to come

As it had for generations before her, a heaviness hung over Monica throughout her young life.

As an adult, this rising star in the academy saw career successes often fueled by the modulated highs of undiagnosed Bipolar II Disorder, as she hid deep depression that even her doctors skimmed past in disbelief.

Serendipitous encounters with Black intellectuals like Henry Louis Gates Jr , Angela Davis, and Renita Weems were countered by long nights of stark loneliness Only as Coleman began to face her illness was she able to live honestly and faithfully in the world. And in the process, she discovered a new and liberating vision of God.

Written in crackling prose, Monica's spiritual autobiography examines her long dance with trauma, depression, and the threat of death in light of the legacies of slavery, war, sharecropping, poverty, and alcoholism that masked her family history of mental illness for generations

About Monica A. Coleman

Monica A. Coleman teaches theology and African American religions at Claremont School of Theology, where she also codirects the Center for Process Studies

Her writings cover womanist theology, sexual abuse, and the African American experience. She is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a sought-after speaker and preacher

African American Pulpit named Coleman one of the "Top 20 to Watch-The New Generation of Leading Clergy: Preachers under 40."

Microjoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life Is Not Okay by Cyndie

Spiegel

“After the most difficult year of Cyndie Spiegel’s life, when she suffered devastating and unexpected losses, the author decided to zoom in on the small things and bask in the pleasure they bring. In her new book, Microjoys, Spiegel gives actionable guidance on how to take in these moments of joy and find relief For Spiegel, those include her mother’s cake recipe, her local spice shop, and a sunsoaked room in her new apartment Each chapter ends with a prompt to invite readers to shift their thinking this way, too ” TIME, One of 12 New Books You Should Read in February 2023

“Spiegel challenges readers to find joy in any situation, especially during the tough times And she knows firsthand how difficult that can be In the book, Spiegel shares essays on the microjoys that have kept her going and shows the rest of us how we can learn to see the microjoys in our own lives ” The Root, February 2023

Books by Black Authors We Can’t Wait to Read

Microjoys are a practice of uncovering joy and finding hope at any moment. They are accessible to everyone, despite all else. When we hone the ability to look for them, they are always available. Microjoys are the hidden wisdom, long-ago memories, subtle treasures, and ordinary delights that surround us: A polka-dot glass on a thrift store shelf. A dear friend’s kindness at just the right time. The neighborhood spice shop. A beloved family tradition. The simple quietude of being in love A cherished chai recipe

Microjoys don’t change the truth of loss or make grief any more convenient, but they allow us to temporarily touch joy, keeping us buoyed and moving forward, one moment at a time.

About Cyndie Spiegel

Cyndie Spiegel is a born storyteller–turned–writer; she’s an aspirational voice and an igniter of powerful conversation around self-acceptance, integrity, and joy.

She is a former fashion executive, adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology, and holds a masters of professional studies She is also a TEDx speaker and a certified yoga and meditation teacher

Her honest storytelling and vulnerable selfinquiry has made her a sought-after speaker for conferences, brands, and organizations, and she has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Glamour, Teen Vogue, and The Huffington Post

She is the founder of Dear Grown Ass Women, an inclusive and highly relatable social community for women 35+, and she is also the author of A Year of Positive Thinking.

In My Grandmother's House: Black Women, Faith, and the Stories We Inherit

by Yolanda Pierce

"In a world eager to promote the newest wunderkind, grandmother theology carries us two or more generations back: to the kitchens, hair salons, gardens, and church basements of older Black women who are often invisible in theological discourse but without whom the American Christian church would cease to exist "

The church mothers who raised Yolanda Pierce, dean of Howard University School of Divinity, were busily focused on her survival. In a world hostile to Black women's bodies and spirits, they had to be

Born on a former cotton plantation and having fled the terrors of the South, Pierce's grandmother raised her in the faith inherited from those who were enslaved.

In My Grandmother's House follows Pierce as she reckons with that tradition, building an everyday womanist theology rooted in liberating scriptures, experiences in the Black church, and truths from Black women's lives.

Pierce tells stories that center the experiences of those living on the underside of history, teasing out the tensions of race, spirituality, trauma, freedom, resistance, and memory.

A grandmother's theology carries wisdom strong enough for future generations The Divine has been showing up at the kitchen tables of Black women for a long time. It's time to get to know that God.

About Yolanda Pierce

Yolanda Pierce is professor and dean of Howard University School of Divinity. She is a scholar of African American religious history, womanist theology, race, and religion, as well as a public theologian, activist, and commentator. An alumna of Princeton University and Cornell University, Pierce served as the founding director of the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life at the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Pierce's writing has appeared in Time, Sojourners, and The Christian Century, and she is the author of the book Hell Without Fires

Pierce lives in Washington, DC.

Website: yolandapierce.com

Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit by Mary-Frances Winters

This is the first book to define and explore Black fatigue, the intergenerational impact of systemic racism on the physical and psychological health of Black people--and explain why and how society needs to collectively do more to combat its pernicious effects.

Black people, young and old, are fatigued, says awardwinning diversity and inclusion leader Mary-Frances Winters It is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining to continue to experience inequities and even atrocities, day after day, when justice is a God-given and legislated right. And it is exhausting to have to constantly explain this to white people, even--and especially--well-meaning white people, who fall prey to white fragility and too often are unwittingly complicit in upholding the very systems they say they want dismantled

This book, designed to illuminate the myriad dire consequences of "living while Black," came at the urging of Winters's Black friends and colleagues. Winters describes how in every aspect of life--from economics to education, work, criminal justice, and, very importantly, health outcomes--for the most part, the trajectory for Black people is not improving It is paradoxical that, with all the attention focused over the last fifty years on social justice and diversity and inclusion, little progress has been made in actualizing the vision of an equitable society

Black people are quite literally sick and tired of being sick and tired. Winters writes that "my hope for this book is that it will provide a comprehensive summary of the consequences of Black fatigue, and awaken activism in those who care about equity and justice-those who care that intergenerational fatigue is tearing at the very core of a whole race of people who are simply asking for what they deserve "

About Mary-Frances Winters

Mary-Frances Winters is the Founder and CEO of The Winters Group, Inc., a 36-year old global diversity, equity and inclusion consulting firm She is a passionate advocate for justice and equity; a provocateur not afraid to have the difficult conversations. MaryFrances has over three decades of experience working with corporate leaders in support of enhancing their understanding of what it is like to be the “other.”

Mary-Frances Winters has served on national not-for profit, corporate and university boards, and has received many awards and honors including the ATHENA award, Diversity

Pioneer from Profiles in Diversity Journal, The Winds of Change from Forum on Workplace Inclusion and Forbes 10 diversity trailblazers

Unbossed: How Black Girls Are Leading the Way

by Khristi Lauren Adams

Black girls are leading, organizing, advocating, and creating They are starting nonprofits Building political coalitions. Promoting diverse literature. Fighting cancer. Improving water quality. Working to prevent gun violence.

Are we ready to learn from their leadership?

"Black women are literally at the helm of every movement," says Tyah-Amoy Roberts, an activist and a survivor of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting. "Every push for social justice. Every push for social change We need to take our stories into our own hands " In Unbossed, they do

From Khristi Lauren Adams, author of the celebrated Parable of the Brown Girl, comes Unbossed, a hopeful and riveting inquiry into the lives of eight young Black women who are agitating for change and imagining a better world Offering practical lessons in leadership, resilience, empathy, and tenacity from a group of young leaders of color who are often neglected, Unbossed includes profiles of Jaychele Nicole Schenck, Ssanyu Lukoma, Tyah-Amoy Roberts, Grace Callwood, Hannah Lucas, Amara Ifeji, Stephanie Younger, and Kynnedy Smith

These are the young Black women we will be reading about decades from now. Like their foremothers in earlier freedom movements, Black girls are transformational leaders They are pacesetters, strategic thinkers, visionaries, mobilizers, activists, and more. Their stories may often be overlooked. But Black girls are leading the way.

About Khristi Lauren Adams

Khristi Lauren Adams is a speaker, advocate, ordained Baptist minister, and award-winning author of Parable of the Brown Girl.

She is the founder and director of The Becoming Conference, designed to empower, educate, and inspire teenage girls

Her ministry and youth advocacy have been featured on CNN, and her work has appeared in Huffington Post, Off the Page, and the Junia Project.

She is currently the Dean of Spiritual Life & Equity at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Website: khristilaurenadams.com

Declutter Your Mind Workbook

“Your

willingness to look at your darkness is what empowers you to change.” -Iyanla Vanzant

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