Flourish Digital Magazine: Fall 2020 - The Big Reset

SEPT/OCT 2020 ISSUE 3 VOLUME 1

FALL 2020

MIA CAREY Beauty Innovation ALL THAT

Mariea Antoinette, Harpist

IT'S ABOUT LIFESTYLE

iCARE

The measure of America is how She treats Black women.

—Chloé Taylor Brown

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 2

' Hello and happy fall to you!

I have always loved experiencing the months of September and October, at least since the end of my junior year of high school and entering into college that first fall—where I had been given a brand new opportunity to reset my whole life, to get on the trajectory of becoming who I wanted to be and who I intended to become. Fall also corresponded very well in resetting the seasons of my early career in San Francisco as a fashion model and getting ready to show the latest retail collections—and later traveling to Italy to work, live and play there during the fall months as an international model.

Now, more than ever, it’s important that we understand the opportunities that lie in our innate abilities to reset during this “new fall” we have all found ourselves in—with all its uncertainty—when we look outside ourselves. However, when we look within, and with clear eyes, then my prayer is that we can each see a higher, spiritual “new” thing that can spring up from right where we stand. I would love for each of us to look for and find the possibilities within this season of harvest. And, with my optimistic spirit-of-play self, and from my own challenging experiences, I know that through any hard time or difficult challenge, we can choose to think better-feeling thoughts—to set new goals with new intentions that fuel us and give us what we need to start feeling good, and feeling even better, having set them. Let's determine to do as much as we can in areas that matter to us.

In July, I went back home to Holly Springs, Mississippi, with nothing planned except to spend time with my phenomenal Aunt Anita, the amazing woman who raised and loved me, and my three sisters and four brothers following our mother’s death when I was only thirteen. In fact, Aunt Anita and her husband, Uncle Arvern, my mother’s older brother, decided to rescue me and my three sisters and brought us to live with them as their additional four children, which made six in all for them, with their two. This started my first major beautiful reset for my life. My long-ago desires were fulfilled as I spent an entire week enjoying Aunt Anita and visiting my home town and county as though I were a tourist—and wow, what an impactful experience, one that has provided another opportunity and clearer vision to reset for fall 2020 and for years to come (see my recollection, p. 81). Resetting is really reframing the narrative of your life in a way that makes it possible to move forward joyfully—or at least hopefully.

Another thing or three about this fall are moons—full moons.

One is in early September, the first and second of the month, which is considered too early in September to be a “real” harvest moon so it is called a Corn Moon, which I’d not heard of before this year. The “Harvest Moon” appears October first, followed by a second “blue moon” on Halloween, October thirty-first.

I believe this issue of Flourish Digital Magazine will have just enough encouragement and inspiration to propel us into a fall that can be a game-changer in areas that truly matter; and we get to choose what that is, Beloved.

Remember, especially during a time such as this, a little bit of agape love goes a long way. May we all continue to flourish.

Fall is the perfect time for a new setup, for a reset. However, sometimes it’s important to reflect on where we have come from—our roots. This gives us an opportunity to see what we’ve been made of, in regard to our heritage, our values and our views.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 4

Chloe Taylor Brown Editor-in-Chief

chloe@flourishdigitalmagazine.com Instagram: @flourishdigitalmagazine @chloetaylorbrown

CONTENTS BEAUTY & FASHION 16 RYAN CHRISTOPHER

Iconic & Intentional Style

20 SHE IS COCO

Once a Model, Always a Model

25 LYN ROSS

The Mind-Body Connection

27 RON ROBINSON Beauty Innovation

31

MICHELLE LYNCH Fall Fashion Frenzy

33

RON DONOVAN Style Maker

SHOWCASE

THOBEKILE NDLOVU 77 A Woman's Construction—in Durban, South Africa

ENTERTAINMENT & FOOD

BUSINESS & FINANCE

11

MARIEA ANTOINETTE All That Jazz

69 IVONDA S. MITCHELL Pursuit of Wealth

89

THE CONSULATE Worldwide Dining Experience

90 92

LISA WASHINGTON Vegan Soup Time SHELDON MCINTYRE SMAC-Daddy BBQ

71 MADISON CARLISTA Life Manifested 73 KAREN GAMBA & FRANK CARLISI Don't Wait, Create Coco Mitchell, International Model 20 75 KIM SCOULLER Let's Talk About Money

FEATURES ARTICLES 7

PAULA G. VOICE The Journey to Flourish

38

EDDISON SMITH III The Brand Strategist

41

JAYNE A. MASON Love Wisdom

43

RON HAKALA Living Large During Covid

49

LAURIE M. RENFRO Free Your Mind

59

JADE CHERELL Egypt: An American Woman's View

61

AVA ROXANNE STRITT A Perfect Spa Road Trip

65

ELENA TAYLOR BAGGER Hey, Mamas!

66

JANIS HUNT JOHNSON Endings and Beginnings

44 DR. JUSTINA MUTALE A Feminine Power Player 51 MIA CAREY iCARE 57 DONNELLA CRANFORD Encouraging Your Heart 83 DENITRA ISLER Alter Ego of Denitra Isler

95 MARCUS E. BISHOP Life of an Artist

WELLNESS 6 YOUR MINDSET MATTERS 23 BODY PROPORTIONS 24 YOUR WEIGHT 30 #MENTALHEALTH Sadiyah Adams Speaks Up 55 I CAN LAUGH AGAIN From the Valley of Grief to a Glimpse of Heaven

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 5

AT HOME A BAKER LIFE—AT HOME Lisa Wilder Baker

87

STRENGTH OF A KING A tribute to Chadwick Boseman

94

RESET HERE

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 6

THE JOURNEY TO

FLOURISH

THE MINDSET JOURNEY

The greatest conversation you will ever have is truly the one that takes place in between your ears. What are you speaking to yourself? Is God a part of that conversation? Are you listening to His still, small voice?

What is your “I Am”? What are you speaking into the atmosphere? The greatest conversation is taking place right now. That conversation determines whether or not you will continue reading this! That conversation determines your destiny. So I ask you again: What are you speaking to yourself?

PAULA G. VOICE LIFESTYLE INFLUENCER IG: @PAULAGVOICE WWW.PAULAGVOICE.COM

Words have power.

Whether spoken out loud or spoken softly in between our ears, words have power! We often allow ourselves to be defined by societal standards or the expectation of others. As a result, some of us live lives where we feel trapped.

Trapped in the expectation of others. Trapped in a movie where the rewind button is stuck and there is no way for us to fast forward into our own appointed future. However, there comes a time where we become sick and tired of being sick and tired. We want change. We want to hit the reset button. We want a shift in the atmosphere—especially during these times in which we have reluctantly found ourselves.

You may ask yourself: How can I use my voice to shift the atmosphere? Does my voice matter? Yes, your words matter!

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 7

The power of your voice matters, and can make a difference.

Sometimes expressing your voice calls for dialogue; it calls for research—researching that which you desire to speak into existence, into the atmosphere. Knowledge is power! Before we can speak to a particular issue in our lives, we must be knowledgeable about that issue. We are in a season of change and uncertainty.

We may have already been dealing with a season of change and uncertainty prior to this worldwide whirlwind. We probably hit the “pause button” when we were slammed with two monumental events that have reshaped our lives forever. But like it or not, we are on the threshold of change. The change has stirred us and creates the atmosphere for us to move in the direction of possibly reinventing ourselves. Many of us have found ourselves in some >

THERE IS AN OLD GOSPEL SONG THAT SAYS, form of isolation. Whether we like it or not, we have been placed in a circumstance that has positioned us to come face to face with…ourselves.

No place to run, no place to hide, just staring at the person in the mirror. For some, those moments of stillness have been revealing.

These profound moments are revealing echoes of our inner being that we have avoided facing. Avoided because we do not want to deal with the buried feelings, emotions, or mindset that bring discomfort. Some of us are also dealing with echoes of our being that have been screaming for change. Those echoes are joyfully embracing this moment. I don’t know about you, but at one point, several years ago, I reached that “sick and tired of being sick and tired” moment.

I was tired of not facing the sounds of those uncomfortable echoes. That's when I began banging on the door of transformation.

I was pleading for an entry pass! I was looking down the road that was shifting from where I was, looking for a patent on reinvention, perhaps a moment of pivoting to getting on the right track so that I could transcend into something better.

I read! I researched! I inquired! I prayed!

I dealt with the uncomfortable echoes because where I was going, there was no room for negative voices. I was looking for a place called Better, on the other side. Once I found Better, that’s when I began to flourish!

So, let us talk about embarking on the journey to Better. And let us start at a place called Change. Change…not the kind you get that jingles in your pocket.

It is the kind that occurs as you keep living. Change, as they say, is inevitable.

Some of us adapt to it easily. Some of us fight it tooth and nail. However, at the end of the day, change happens.

“ As

I look back over my life, and

I think things over, I can truly say that I've been blessed, I've got a testimony.

Each and every one of you can say the same thing. Each and every one of you can testify to how the changes in your life affected you. I often hear of the tragedy of change that occurred in a child’s life when their parents split up.

One day it was a “Leave it to Beaver” lifestyle, and the next day it was the first day of the rest of their lives. The rest of their lives riddled with feelings of rejection, fear, anger, insecurities.

All these things, left unresolved and unchecked, manifested into teenage and adult behaviors that caused lifelong issues.

Only those who were able to stop and say “I may have been dealt a bad hand in life but I have the ability to change the trajectory of my life” are the ones who can make positive changes in their lives.

At some point, I am speaking to myself as well. We all must choose to change. We may have been dealt a bad hand. We may have been unloved, hurt, rejected. All of that may have left us harboring ill feelings and resentments. We may have been labeled as one of those people who is “angry at the world.”

However, it does not have to be that way. At some point, we have the power to make the decision to change our lives. In some cases, it's a difficult decision indeed. Someone once told me that “if you don’t like the way your life is going, you have the ability to change it.” That stuck with me for a long time. I cannot recall when, how, or where I made the decision to change but I did: I made the decision to change.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 8

”

You, too, can make the decision to change if you do not like the trajectory of your life. However, the change must start with a different conversation in between your ears. This is just my opinion based on experience. I hope it helps you as well.

You must look at what areas of your life you are dissatisfied with: Why are you angry?

Why are you fearful? Who are you angry towards? What are you afraid of? Why do you feel you are not capable of accomplishing your goals?

Why do you think so negatively?

Why are you so pessimistic?

You get the picture. These questions are just examples. You can certainly utilize them, but you can also come up with your own customized questions and engage that ear-to-ear conversation.

Secondly, you must begin to answer these questions honestly. For example, you may ask yourself, “Why am I so angry?” A possible answer: “I’m angry because my mom left us when we were kids and it made me feel abandoned, angry, and mad at the world! The one person I am supposed to be able to trust with my life, left!” You can plug in father, husband, wife—whoever fits the scenario.

OK, so let’s walk through this. As a result of this person walking out of your life, you have spent many years with the wounds from that experience. And they're wounds that have not healed properly. Those improper healings have manifested into you being resentful, combative, and standoffish. >

You know what it has done to you. What needs to happen for you to heal properly? For me, it was addressing that person directly. For me, it was letting them know how their behavior made me feel and how it affected my life.

Now I approached this with no expectations. Meaning, I was not looking for them to fall on the sword, confess how much of a horrible person they were, and beg for my forgiveness! We always must remember that we cannot control, dictate, or manipulate the behavior of others.

We can only control our own behavior. I went into this experience saying to myself “Regardless of whether or not this person acknowledges or accepts responsibility for how their behavior affected me, I will walk away with the satisfaction of knowing that they heard me.” The words that came from my mouth landed in their ears and traveled throughout their being. It is an empowering experience—in that you will hopefully feel a sense of freedom and relief.

Now, you may be saying that the person or persons who wronged you are deceased. I have had this experience as well. Again, I cannot say this will work for everyone, but it is worth a try. I wrote a letter to them—a loooong letter!

Once finished, I destroyed it with the idea of also destroying the negative energy that had plagued me for so many years. Now I am not suggesting a specific way to destroy the letter. I will leave that up to you. It helped. I hope it helps you.

You have now taken some first steps to heal from these past issues that are preventing you from crossing the threshold to positive changes in your life. But there is still work to do because we are all on a journey to flourishing. But we have to hit that reset button before we can proceed. I read a book once entitled Feelings Buried Alive Never Die by Karol K. Truman. The title alone speaks volumes. I compare those buried feelings to what I call the light-switch syndrome. So, your electricity goes out. You know the electricity is out but what is the first thing you do when you enter a room? Hit the light switch to the electricity that you know is still out! It’s called muscle memory. You are going to react to the circumstances based on that subconscious experience or habit that has been embedded in you for so long. You may need some help . digging up those feelings, habits, etc.

You may need some help in doing the work to resolve those feelings so that you can respond to things differently and to feel differently about those things.

Yes, I am talking about counseling, therapy—talking to a professional.

Interview a few of them until you find one that you are comfortable with.

Now please do not confuse a therapist with a psychiatrist. While their services may be needed, they only prescribe medication. You want a professional therapist—who will help you unlock your past and heal.

Trust me, from experience that is not an easy journey but I can say it's well worth the trip!

People tell me, “Paula, you have changed so much over the last decade or so.” Yep! Sure have! Why? Because I made the journey to the place called Change. I did the work.

Lord knows, it was not easy. I was determined that I was not going to continue to live the way I was living or feel the way I was feeling. It was mostly the feeling which hindered my life’s journey. A photographer whom I'd worked with in the past once told me during a conversation:

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 9

She said we spend our adulthood trying to get over our childhood. I use the word trying intentionally because some of us are not successful at getting over our childhood traumas. We must be there for each other and encourage each other to take the journey to Change.

Our world today has changed so much. At the time I am sharing this reflection, we are amid a worldwide pandemic that is changing not only our lives but our entire world. This season of our lives will definitely force us into some sort of change.

This is an opportunity! This season presents an opportunity for you to self-reflect, honestly. Yes, I know it is hard to hold up the mirror and have a transparent (no pun intended) conversation with yourself. You have got nowhere else to go, and nothing to do, but spend time with yourself.

You are great company! Are there aspects of your life that you know need to be examined? You certainly do not have to answer me. But take some time to turn within and seek an honest answer. I invite you to try some of the suggestions I've mentioned to see if you can search your soul for all that has harmed you, and see if you can find everlasting peace and freedom from those hurtful experiences. When we hit the “reset” or “refresh” button on the computer, it clears the memory and then reboots itself. It shuts down and starts back up again. This season presents the opportunity to shut down and restart. It's a season to hit “controlalt-delete” to eliminate the aspects of our lives that are blocking our path to a place called Change. Once we have hit the reset button, the conversation in between our ears changes, and we press forward with positive energy, ready to take on the journey.

How do we get there?

May I share the following suggested route? >

Prayer…period.

Ask! Seek! Knock!

It may be a while before the door opens, but it will eventually open, so be encouraged.

Meditate. Take a moment, some time to reflect, and do some mental purging through journaling. This can be such a release because you are getting your thoughts and feelings out on paper. Men, this can be edifying for you as well. Resuscitate your “might have been.”

George Eliot said, “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” What is it that gives you joy? What is it that you never had time to do or pursue? What gift, talent, dream, lies dormant inside of you?

Hit that alarm button and wake it up! See where it takes you!

Explore! Try new foods, new places, new ideas, new fashions!

Explore something you have never tried before. You may find yourself loving the experience.

I invite and challenge you to make the changes you need to flourish. I encourage you to take that journey. While it may not be an easy journey, know that you are not alone. I am a witness. I believe in the power of prayer and I have lifted my share in the process. Have I mentioned that already?

There is another song that goes, “I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.”

The journey is what grows us, the journey is what strengthens us.

Hit the reset button, start your journey to a place called Change.

Once you arrive at Change, you will indeed walk into your destiny ...and flourish! <

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 10

I am Paula G Voice!

I am a sagacious independent lifestyle influencer. I am embracing my own journey and I am sharing a soliloquy of seasons on the journey.

I am influencing dreamers to do the same by breathing life into their vision and ultimately living the reality of that vision!

It is never too late to embrace your journey, live your dream, and flourish!

Visit Paula’s blog at www.paulagvoice.com for additional soliloquies of the journey

z z ja

IT'S ALL THAT

AND MORE

A CONVERSATION WITH URBAN JAZZ HARPIST, MARIEA ANTOINETTE FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 11

A

S O U N D

T H A T

S E T S

T H E

S T A G E

C H L O É

T O

F L O U R I S H

T A Y L O R

B R O W N

T A L K S

Mariea Antoinette If you're looking for an exquisite, diverse sound with a repertoire that consists of classical, and smooth jazz mixed with R&B, then the phenomenal Mariea Antoinette will certainly deliver your heart's desire— straight to your ears and right to your heart. Her sound is superb. It draws you in on many levels, so it was no surprise when she shared that she had been handpicked to perform for the former President and First Lady Of the United States, Barack and Michelle Obama.

My last conversation with Mariea Antoinette had been over five years ago when she had just released her debut CD, Straight From the Harp which garnered top five on the Billboard charts, along with five Grammy nods.

"There were over 160 radio stations playing my songs, and people really got a good chance to hear the possibilities of the harp," she says.

And now, this fabulous lady has just released her fourth CD titled, All My Strings. She says one of her signature attributes in all of her recordings and on stage is having an orchestra and backup singers behind her as she performs. I'm impressed, and tell her how badass that is.

She continues, "Oh, yes. Absolutely, that's a Mariea Antoinette signature."

W I T H

Still impressed, I asked if that had always been a vision of hers, or did the orchestra concept just evolve? "Well, yes," she humbly answers, but with confidence, "I have always envisioned that because I actually played in the orchestra in Los Angeles, so I'm used to strings and instrumentation behind me."

I like when Mariea Antoinette tells me that she didn't know how it would come about when she started because her vision was very expensive to pull off. "But one door opened another door. This is where the value of your relationships come in to play," she says, " and knowing people who can get things for you, such as string sections at a reasonable price." She shouts out her musical director. He makes it happen for her, she says, always telling her, "this is high-class, and we're setting you apart from the rest."

It is no accident that Mariea Antoinette was ready already when her people got the call from the Obama's people.

She was always around music in church and started playing the piano early, but she wasn't serious about music until the age of 12 when she heard and was introduced to the harp, and played through middle and high school. She is a native of San Diego, California and attended UC San Diego for undergraduate work, and the University of Arizona for Master classes in harp performance. In addition, she studied under some very notable teachers. She credits her dynamic performance technique to Russian teacher, Elena Mashkovtseva. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 12

She bends the classical harp toward Rhythm and Blues effortlessly Mariea has been sought after to perform and record for a variety of artists and events including Ne-Yo, Jamie Foxx, The BET Awards, and American Idol. Mariea’s talents are enjoyed and appreciated by a growing list of private and corporate clients as well as her dedicated fans.

All My Strings was released earlier this year and as of this interview it has reached 30 out of 100 on the Smooth Jazz Top 100 Charts and 13 on the Independent Charts.

Mariea, what are two things that you like best right now about your career and what you're doing?

"I love the marketing and promotions. I know that I can produce quality music so I love that! The marketing and the branding aspects are important to me now and I'm loving it because I have creative freedom. Most artists who are signed to a label don't have creative freedom. I have creative freedom over how my album is going to look, and what my brand is going to look like, because we have the ability now to have a global footprint—having ads all over the world. I'm finding that in having this freedom I'm now using it and with the internet and digital marketing I'm in Germany, Africa, India, and other countries, and this is exciting to me."

Do you have your hands in the designing process or are you directing your team?

"It's a combination of both. I have an amazing graphic artist who brings my visions to life through digital flyers and video promotions, We discover avenues to distribute, and I have my hand in that too. But I certainly know how to delegate. In addition to my music, I'm into health and wellness, and have been for many, many years. I live it at home. "

jazz #18 CURRENTLY

TOP 100 "SMOOTH JAZZ" ALBUM CHART

FOLLOW MARIEA ANTOINETTE ON IG: @MARIEAANTOINETTE WWW.MARIEAANTOINETTE.COM

Mariea tells me, "I go to cutting-edge lectures with doctors, specialists and other leaders on boosting our immune system, longevity, and how to stay young and beautiful. So I incorporate a lot of that into my daily regimen—including running and walking on the beach, and daily meditation. Because of this and my lifestyle I'm looking to launch Mariea Antoinette's Health Secrets and having a line of superfood powders. I'm passionate about this because there are a lot of things on this planet that the Creator has given us in order to keep us beautiful, healthy and strong, but it's not mainstream. So I want to open the doors to Chinese medicine, African herbs and so much more."

She goes on to tell me about the power of prayer and clear intentions. "I call it meditation, " she says. "And now with covid I simply go to the beach, and I love that, too. When I go to the ocean, I get present, I do my affirmations. If I have questions, I ask them and I listen." >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 13

She set her intentions at age twelve, and she could see herself there.

Tell me, darling, what was that morning like—your experience of getting ready to play and perform for Michelle Obama?

Laughing, she tells me, "It was total excitement! And I am sure I didn't sleep the night before. But, yes, I knew within myself that I was totally prepared and ready. I was ready and very excited. When I arrived I realized the tickets were forty thousand dollars per person. I was in the atmosphere of well-heeled people in a sold-out event. Oh my goodness. And to see the program with the White House seal on it, and Michelle Obama's name—and there was my name, 'Harpest Mariea Antoinette.' This is something that I will keep always. What an honor to be called for such a thing."

How did you feel when you got the call to perform for the First Lady?

"I felt that I belonged. I stepped into a world that was truly phenomenal and impactful, and I belonged."

What would you like to share with other women who want to reset, shift or just enhance their life?

"Yes," she says very strongly, "Think outside the box. Don't go with the program that's out there. Ask many questions, such as: 'What am I here for?' 'What is my purpose?' Everybody has a purpose. Discover yours and live it." < FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 14

Superconscious I wrote this years ago. It reminded me of my conversation with Mariea Antoinette.

"The superconscious mind gives you life; it is the most important part of the mind yet the one that most of us know very little about. It is the essence of who you are.

"Your ideals and your purpose lie within your superconscious mind. It is your Real Self—the self that connects with the Giver of all gifts. The superconscious mind gives you the ability to think, move and feel. Your most creative expressions and ideas come from the superconscious mind.

"In resetting and reclaiming harmony in your life, it is very important to determine your purpose and goals for your life, or to reestablish your current goals. Search without ceasing to determine who you are and your reason for being on the planet."

—Chloé Taylor Brown

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 15

ICONIC & INTENTIONAL STYLE Ryan Christopher

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 16

Ryan Christhoper starts this interview laughing out loud and having to pull over to the side of the road to do the interview. After gathering himself and telling me he's ready—that he can perform anywhere—I believe him, so we jump right in like old friends.

I ask him if he had grown up wanting to be in the fashion business as a Celebrity Fashion Stylist.

"No, actually, it wasn't a dream of mine at all," he says.

"In fact, I didn't even know people got paid to put clothes together for other people. I'm from Birmingham, Alabama, and I went to Miles College with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. It wasn't until my junior year of college that I began helping a friend with fashion shows on campus that got rave reviews. And it was how other people responded to what I was putting together that I took notice.

"My mother used to dress my sister and me when we were younger, but the fashion shows showed me that what I put together was something people paid attention to. After college though, I got a job in corporate America, stayed there for a few months and got fired." He laughs out loud again as though he's having fun remembering the moment and says, "But I was still doing little fashion jobs. And it kind of morphed from there. I began to intern for a celebrity stylist, driving back and forth from Birmingham to Atlanta when she needed me. Over time, I became her go-to assistant. From there, I got to work with important individuals and celebrities. Shortly after that I went out on my own, and have not looked back."

—Chloé Taylor Brown

To work with Ryan Christopher for your next photo or video shoot, contact him on Instagram @RyanIsStyle www.ryanchristopherstylist.com >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 17

Heavenly Kimes

Tami Roman

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 18

Tabius Tate

Algee Smith

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 19

once a model, always a model

SHE IS COCO

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 20

SHE NEVER STOPPED MODELING BY

CHLOÉ

TAYLOR

BROWN

I met Coco Mitchell, a pioneering Black African American international model, in the mid-1980's on the streets of New York City, with another pioneering international model, Von Gretchen Shepard. I had just left Milan, Italy following my first Prêt-à-Porter— where top models work for top designers strutting down long catwalks showing the "ready-to-wear" clothes to high-end fashion buyers.

Everyone knows the model stories—the Chrises, as in Christie Brinkley and

Christy Turlington—and no doubt, if you've been awake over the past three decades then you've heard of Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Pat Cleveland, Linda Evangelista, and Beverly Johnson. But among that constellation of supermodels is also Coco Mitchell, who continues to shine, and has shone just as brightly as these fashion icons.

Discovered on the streets of New York City by Eileen Ford, of the legendary FORD Agency, Coco is a graduate of City College of New York. She has graced the pages of Mademoiselle, Glamour, and

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 21

Italian and French Vogue, as well as countless other fashion magazines. She was part of Revlon’s groundbreaking women of color campaign “Polished Embers,” and became the first African American model to be featured in the Sports Illustrated swimwear issue. Yes! That's correct. Coco was indeed the first Black model in Sports Illustrated.

For over three decades Coco Mitchell has been a source of inspiration to many, and a driving force in the fashion industry. This beauty with brains has >

COCO'S GOAL IS TO BE THE FACE OF A MULTI-MILLIONDOLLAR BEAUTY CAMPAIGN FOR MATURE WOMEN worked with all the photographers I grew up dreaming to meet, such as Francesco Scavullo, Matthew Rolston, and Herb Ritts. The list of designers she has worked with is long and diverse—from Giorgio Armani and Christian Dior, to Valentino Garavani, Hubert de Givenchy, Sonia Rykiel, Patrick Kelly, Yves Saint Laurent, Issey Miyake, Princess Galitzine, Gianfranco Ferré, Ralph Rucci, Calvin Klein, Bill Blass, Badgley Mischka, Betsey Johnson, and Donna Karan. Yes indeed, Coco Mitchell is among that select group of models who season after season has been able to effectively evoke mood and fashion-forward glamour...and we love it, because she shows that grace, elegance and style are timeless and ageless.

At Flourish Digital Magazine we also love that Coco continues to give back to the fashion community by mentoring and coaching young models. For several years, she has been involved with Model Search America, coaching and mentoring thousands of young model aspirants. She also provides consultancy services for fashion publications, fashion stylists, and fashion photographers. She is available for speaking engagements, lectures, fashion panels, and consultations.

Coco is currently signed with New York City's Wilhelmina Models.

In my conversation with Coco—which felt like we were old friends catching up—I was quite surprised to learn that she never aspired to be a model. In fact, she didn't even know what a model was, and was perfectly happy being a Catholic school teacher—when Eileen Ford of FORD Models approached her while minding her own business walking home from school one day. Eileen asked her if she had a "Book." Coco told her she had lots of books. Eileen laughed and offered Coco her business card. Coco told me that, just to be nice, she took Ms. Ford's business card and threw it in a drawer—where it stayed for over a year. What finally reminded Coco of that long-ago conversation was money—and the lack thereof. She remembered that Eileen had told her she could travel and make lots of money being a model. Coco wanted to splurge.

Coco did become a model with the FORD agency in Manhattan, and soon found herself working, making money and traveling as a catalog model. She asked her agency if she could go some place warm to work, and ended up in Los Angeles working as a model for seven years.

Her agency in L.A. later sent her to Florence, Italy to shoot with Aldo Falai on several occasions—a famous Italian photographer every model dreamed about. She loved Florence so much she decided to stay, learn the language and experience the culture. Without thinking of modeling at all, a friend encouraged her to travel to Milan from Florence to give it a try. In fact, her friend took her straight to Why Not Models, the agency that had represented me when I worked and lived in Milan.

FOLLOW COCO ON IG: @COCOMITCHELL3

COCO HAS A "YOU CAN DO IT" ATTITUDE Coco's friend dropped her off—and left her at the agency with one of the owners, Tiziana Casoli, who booked a hotel for her and was ready to get to work. However, Why Not Models was not for Coco. She only stayed one week before moving over to the Ricardo Guy Agency, where she became an instant star, booking 25 Prêt-à-Porter fashion shows that first season she was there.

I love the fact that Coco grew up admiring her strong mother and grandmother. Her mother actually traveled from New York to be with her throughout Europe for many of the major designer fashion shows.

A FULL-CIRCLE MOMENT WITH ESSENCE MAGAZINE In 2019 Coco was booked for a featured spread in Essence magazine, which was a full-circle moment for her, as Essence had been one of her first jobs as a new model in New York in the eighties. In fact, this was Essence's 50th anniversary issue. Coco has found renewed joy in doing fashion shows for new up and coming designers. <

PROJECT BROWNSTONE & COCO'S ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE Coco works with Project Brownstone, a nonprofit organization that vets and supports 30 students from a local high school in New York City, providing funds for books and mentoring throughout four years of college.

1. Set your intentions.

2. Do the work and the research about what you want, and start teaching yourself before you seek a mentor.

3. Don't expect your mentor to want it more for you than you want it for yourself.

4. Don't listen to the naysayers; go for your dreams.

5. Seek out people who can help you, and always bring something valuable to the table.

6. Believe in something greater than yourself—what is already within you.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 22

body proportions & height KNOW YOURS When it comes to shopping, consider yourself fortunate if your upper and lower body proportions are somewhat balanced. You have many options in selecting your clothes and putting together a fabulous-looking wardrobe.

In fact, the ideal for any body type or shape— no matter how tall or short, or how thick or thin—is to look balanced, or to create the illusion of balance.

HEIGHT Your height is certainly a consideration, but it has very little to do with body type or shape, although we tend to believe it does. On the other hand, when it comes to getting ready and dressing fabulously, you'll want to have a point of reference.

PETITE You are considered petite if you are less than five feet three inches tall.

MEDIUM You are considered medium height if you are between five feet three inches tall and five feet seven inches tall.

TALL You are considered tall if you are between five feet seven inches and six feet one inch tall in height.

VERY TALL You are considered very tall if you are six feet two inches and above in height. <

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 23

your weight WHAT ABOUT IT? Please realize that you are uniquely created and that no other body is just like yours—you are authentic and there is no reason to compare yourself to anyone. Isn't that good to know?

Yes, we should all know what our best body is, how to acquire it and what to do to maintain it.

Therefore, the best place to start is by knowing your optimal weight, which is based on your body type, shape, height, body frame size and your age. Know that your body is living and fluid, constantly changing, depending on where you are in your life. Being flexible, patient and persistent are great personal assets in maintaining your weight—which is the foundation for optimal energy and living life fabulously. You'll want to make sure that you are as healthy as you can possibly be. No healthy lifestyle plan is worth its salt if it has given no consideration to a proper diet, along with fun, energetic physical activities that get your cardiovascular system racing.

WHAT'S YOUR FRAME SIZE? IS IT SMALL, MEDIUM OR LARGE? You need to know! It will depend on the size and density of your bone structure, your bone mass and muscle mass. Ask your doctor what your frame size is. Try this simple test to find out what your frame size is.

Wrap your thumb and middle finger around the smallest part of your wrist.

You probably have a small frame if your middle finger and thumb overlap.

You probably have a medium frame size if your finger and thumb touch.

You probably have a large frame if your middle finger and thumb do not meet. <

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 24

Did you know that emotions can manifest themselves as physical symptoms?

Think blushing when you're embarrassed, or breaking out in goosebumps when you hear something chilling. These are common examples that prove we can't separate how we feel from how our skin looks.

Well, the physical connection between the brain and the skin can be traced to the first few days of our life, when the embryo is developing. The brain and the skin are essentially formed from the same group of cells—the ectoderm layer— thus establishing a fundamental physiological connection between the skin and the brain. > FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 25

What Does Scientific Research Say? Research points to the fact that chronic stress can interfere with the immune system, thus affecting the skin's ability to heal. Also, the skin's immune cells are influenced by the brain and nervous system through receptors and chemical messengers called neuropeptides. Scientists are studying these and other substances in the skin and how they respond to psychological stress. There's growing evidence that chronic stress can aggravate certain skin conditions.

When our stress levels are high, hormonal shifts accompany every kind of stressful experience: having a bad day at work, grief over the death of a loved one, prolonged anger over current events.

When the hormone cortisol—meant to be pumped out for only a few seconds to signal a fight-or-flight response in the body—is chronically elevated for days or weeks on end, it has all kinds of negative effects on the skin.

Excess cortisol breaks down collagen, increases moisture loss, triggers inflammation, dilates blood vessels, slows cell turnover and can increases sebum production.

Translation: Say hello to wrinkles, dryness, irritation, redness, dullness and breakouts.

When skin problems due to stress are on display for the world to see, it has an intense emotional impact, because we think about others judging our appearance.

When it comes to skin products, the right formulations can be hugely beneficial. A good skincare regimen is something we can control. If you’re experiencing skin stress, seek out the help of a licensed esthetician and have your skin analyzed to determine exactly what product ingredients are best for your skin condition.

Of course, if you are dealing with a chronic skin disease it is advisable to see a dermatologist for prescriptive medication that addresses what the skin needs.

Anytime, a results-oriented yet relaxing facial treatment will help you gain a sense of control, which in and of itself, is very healing and decreases cortisol levels—to reset both your mind and your skin. <

Sleep is called "beauty sleep" for a reason. While you snooze at night, cortisol levels are at their lowest and growth hormones are at their highest. These nutritive molecules ensure that your skin is functioning properly and maximizing its ability to repair itself.

A regular exercise routine, daily meditation, listening to soft music or just drinking a cup of soothing tea all have a similar effect on our minds as getting a good night's sleep. Your skin can also benefit from another bedroom activity that begins with S! Sex not only lowers cortisol, it also increases both beta endorphins and oxytocin—an anti-inflammatory molecule—all of which work wonders for your skin. When you're relaxed and happy, your skin is calm and glowing, and this may be just the thing to clear your skin.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 26

Lyn Ross, Flourish Digital Magazine's Beauty Editor, Master Esthetician & Founder of Institut'DERMed www.idermed.com

Beauty Innovation A SKIN MOISTURIZER CONTAINING STABILIZED VITAMIN C

By Seane Shaw

FDM – Flourish Digital Magazine RR – Ron Robinson, Founder & CEO, BeautyStat FDM – Thank you, Ron for taking time to speak with me today. So you've been in the industry for quite some time, twenty to thirty years, and recently you've created this amazing product, BeautyStat. What made you break away to do some things on your own?

RR – I got into the industry totally by accident. I was studying to be a doctor, which was one of my goals and a wish of my parents. Growing up in that time, it was considered a respected profession so they wanted all of us to become doctors. Basically, two out of the four brothers became doctors. But I dropped out, and started sending out resumes to a bunch of different companies. I have a chemistry degree and Clinique called me in for an interview. And that's how I discovered the sole idea of science behind beauty. What I love about cosmetics is that it's a blend of science and art, which brings those two together to really create innovation. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 27

"Our product is really universal and resonates with both men and women. It was equal levels of wants and needs, which really supported the naming of the product."

RR – Clinique hired me on the spot and that's how I landed in the industry. So I worked for Clinique for several years developing products for them, and then I moved into other divisions of Estée Lauder, and then subsequently to other companies like Revlon, Avon and L'Oréal. That was fifteen-plus years working on the brand side developing products for other companies before I launched BeautyStat. In speaking with a good friend, he asked what was my take on vitamin C—and why is it so unstable? What can we do to help solve that? The vitamin C question came up a lot during my years when editors were contacting me to help them with their stories. So that got me thinking, What if we could solve the problem with vitamin C—which is notoriously unstable. If we could solve that problem, that would be a Holy Grail.

FDM – What were some of your biggest challenges in developing this product?

RR – There are always roadblocks. The key thing that I share with other entrepreneurs is how much inventory to order. The supply chain is very important. We also kept sharing our products with editors of various magazines and emphasized the importance of why we were unique. Towards the end of 2019 is when it snowballed. We started to get on the best Vitamin C product lists of magazines like Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan , Vogue, O, Glamour, and Women's Health. We are now launching into retailers. We got picked up in Blue Mercury (nationally), and Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. We have also expanded in the UK. Social media has really helped with this. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 28

Ron Robinson Founder & CEO of BeautyStat Cosmetics

"PATENTS AND CLINICAL TESTING WERE REALLY KEY DIFFERENTIATORS FOR US ."

FDM – Where would you like to see BeautyStat be ultimately in the cosmetic industry—say, in the next three to five years?

RR – We are really breaking through. We weren't even around a year and half ago and we are in the same sentence of major conglomerates. We are on par and in some cases better than other products. It really speaks to the team that I've surrounded myself with in that we are experts in the industry. We've been able to come up with something that's really special.

FDM – Have you had to deal with naysayers, being that you're a black male in the beauty industry?

RR – Yes. Because there are so many brands out there. Even some friends were suspicious of our potential because it's so competitive. We had a lot of momentum before Black Lives Matter. We were already a best-seller on QVC and other retailers. However, after the Black Lives Matter movement started, those conversations and deals escalated. I think that by being a Black-owned business as well as having a strong product, we answer a consumer need.

FDM – Have you considered working with influencers or celebrities to help market your product?

RR – That's interesting that you say that, because we have our first celebrity collaboration coming up. We are super excited! And if this type of collaboration sticks we can be doing much more.

FDM – We are equally excited about your product as well. I've actually purchased it based on reviews, and I love it. I've gotten compliments on my skin. I really like the matte-type feel and smooth texture. We will certainly be following you and cheering you on for continued success! <

Connect with Ron Robinson on IG: @ronrobinsoncosmeticchemist and @BeautyStat www.beautystat.com

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 29

IAM

SADIYAH Although the rates of suicide, depression, and anxiety continue to be on the upswing, there remains a stigma surrounding mental health, mental illness, and the root causes of psychiatric distress. Without avenues for expression or conversation, many people suffer in silence, failing to receive the support and tools they need to live healthy and satisfying lives.

Being a member of the youth of this generation is not as easy as people might assume. There are many things to consider when it comes to mental health awareness.

During these trying times of a global pandemic, it has been a tough run for those people who are suffering with any mental illness—e.g., depression, anxiety, mood disorders and so many more. Unfortunately, some have given up, and we have lost them due to these illnesses—or simply because of the plain fact that most of the people around us aren’t aware of the importance of mental health or choose not to help the next person.

Hi! I am Sadiyah.

I have been suffering with mental health issues as a whole for a good few months—due to many reasons, of course. Let me share a few problems that I'm sure are relatable to most people my age: struggling with low self-esteem, societal pressures, and just the idea in your head that you don’t fit.

By Sadiyah Adams

loneliness with self-love. Do what makes you happy.

The first step you need to take is to acknowledge that there is a problem, and accept it. You are much better than how you are viewing yourself at the moment. Here are some of the things that helped me along the way: I began keeping a journal, working out, and focusing on positive thoughts. That’s where you need to start: from the bottom.

I learned this the hard way. When anything negative occurs during this journey of life, people say you should build a wall and get over it. But my advice based on my experience is that you should face it and deal with it—no matter how long it takes— because when those so-called walls come crashing down, you’re gonna be needing some boxing gloves at the ready to fight your demons.

Most importantly, pray! The Almighty Well, News Flash! No one is perfect! will always listen, and will always help With the months that have passed you when you are in need. Therefore by, it's been a helluva journey—from it is said, “help yourself; then only will unproductive days to sleepless He help you.” < nights—but remember, each F L Otomorrow U R I S H D I G is ITa A Lchance M A G A Zfor I N Eyou . C Oto M fight | S E P T E #mentalhealth MBER/OCTOBER | 30 the dullness with brightness, and the

SPEAKOUT PEOPLE NEED TO ACCEPT THAT MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES ARE REAL—AND IT MATTERS.

IT'SOK

To make mistakes To have bad days To be less than perfect To do what’s best for you To be yourself

Follow Sadiyah on IG: @Sadiyah_Adams

Even though we’ve been through a lot, and clearly, it's not one of our best years, we somehow manage to get through and find joy in things that make us happy and resilient. The one thing we can depend on is that we can't depend on anything. With that being said, it’s important to find what makes us tick, sparkle and shine. What would we do absolutely for free—to be free?

Things change, and seasons come and go. But what’s energized me is how fall fashion has taken a light turn, as if it’s known all along: We needed a break. I think now is the time to become unhinged and let your inner self be known.

We have options this season, with Heavy Metal hitting the runways and other designers following— with classic silver blazers and sizzling strapless mini dresses! This exciting season of fall collectibles calls us to choose from a wide range of personalities— from school-girl preppies drenched in argyle jumpsuits to new punky plaids considered rebellious in spirit. Colored Classics will take a stand by way of tailored coats and tapered pants. I love that there’s something for the prepster, the rocker and the socialite, all highlighted in one season. Get ready for amazing bold color, striking sequins and classic silhouettes—literally something for every girl. It’s all relevant! >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 31

TOM FORD Embellished Full-Sleeve Mini Dress

Bold colors for

F A L L

Shocking as it may be, summer is almost over and it’s time to start thinking about transitional pieces that will take us into the fall months with style and ease. For whatever reason, it can be uncertain at times whether or not to wear summer clothes in September. Will it still be too hot to wear that warm sweater that you’ve been dying to wear? It’s often just a little too warm for that. So what do you do? The best answer is:

Change when the weather changes.

Slowly add sweaters, jackets and funky boots as you make strides into cooler temperatures, and you’re all set. One way to transition is to start incorporating some of fall’s fabulous trends—like the robust color red that startled the runways last February, to the rich, dark show-stopping wine hues that came in the form of leather and lace.

Go Bold Or Go Home

This summer was fun—with light blue, powder blue and sky blue—which were right in line with warm weather. But as we transition into fall, bold colors are making a strong statement, and this is the time to be seen—or at least in a scene starring Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year: Classic Blue!

This blue is not just your normal basic blue but a grand welcome to step into new opportunities in style with classic silhouettes. This sharp staple is evening-ready and full of promise. <

—Michelle Lynch, Michelle Lynch Style Fashion & Lifestyle Expert IG:@posheproductions www.posheproductions.com FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 32

RONDONOVAN Foot w ea r & A c c es s ori e s STYLE MAKER

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 33

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 34

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 35

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 36

STYLE MAKER Designer Ron Donovan named a "Rising Star Finalist" — Fashion Group International

JUNE AMBROSE Ron with June Ambrose, one of America's top style and fashion gurus, discussing trends in fashion.

ROBERT HERJAVEC Ron with entrepreneur and Shark Tank television personality Robert Herjavec, and his bespoke Stamfords.

ANGELA BASSETT Ron and actress Angela Bassett at the exclusive Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Beverly Hills. Angela is wearing her bespoke RDs. < Follow Ron Donovan on IG: @rondonovancordwainer www.rondonovandesigns.com FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 37

EDDISON SMITH III THE BRAND STRATEGIST WHO BREATHES LIFE INTO OTHER FOLKS' VISIONS

Eddison is an intuitive modern man— a precise, sophisticated man who breathes life into the visions of other folks. He works with a high level of style, elegance and excellence through his full-service graphic design and brand design company, Edspression Designs, LLC. Eddison's goal is to pave the way for other business owners and young designers to bring their very own visions to life. > —Chloé Taylor Brown IG: @Ed_spression www.EdspressionDesigns.com

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 38

HIS MOTHER ENCOURAGED HIM TO ALWAYS DELIVER HIS BEST, IN ALL THINGS MY MENTORS ARE KEY ASSETS Eddison grew up watching and emulating the style, class and sagacity of his four uncles, three who are doctors and the other an educator and retired administrator. In college he admired his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brothers, who also were his mentors.

He believes that his image goes with his personality and passion to create and design. Growing up he created monthly colorful-themed vision boards of what his family would be up to for the month.

A VISION IS A MUST While enjoying the fruits of his labor now, Eddison's long-term goal is to create a consortium for young creatives by curating the resources, networks, sponsors and space that will help creatives bring their own visions to life.

PIVOTING, SHIFTING & RESETTING Resetting for Eddison is making everything digital and virtual. As a result, his business has not skipped a beat. He believes that if he's ever not the right fit for helping a potential client, then he has just the right network for finding the best alternative.

PEER ADVICE Eddison says, "If you're looking to create something for yourself then start with passion and go for it.

Once you get a clear idea of who you are, and what you want, then do the work, keep moving forward, have fun, and stay focused." < FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 39

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 40

Love Wisdom WALKING IN THE OCEAN OF LOVE WISDOM

BY JAYNE A. MASON

I am resetting my living resonance in oneness with the strength and power of nature.

We all have a living resonance with nature, with our environment. And each of us expresses a unique persona—that is, each of us is here to make a personal contribution to humanity.

People are often amazed that I have been able to live a joyous life after having a not-so-joyful childhood. What they all seem to have in common is that they have some missing information about the brilliance and beauty of the infinite nature of the human consciousness. I was born with this information switched on and ready to use! This realization came with its own difficulties.

Over the past 48 years I have been fine-tuning my way of being a joyous creator of my life outcomes—in joyous harmony with our beautiful planet Earth and with humanity as a whole. Join me in this meditation. > FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 41

I HONOR THAT I AM LOVE. I AMPLIFY LOVE. First, and foremost, every day, I celebrate, appreciate, and acknowledge the abilities to nurture, nourish and empower my creator consciousness—with love wisdom. This is a transformational inflow for transformational outflow.

Just like breathing oxygen and drinking water, for being in motion with ease and grace.

Within my creator consciousness I honor the infinite nature of love wisdom in harmony with the light of absolute and personal creator truth, with free will.

When I feel it is time for resetting my life with a golden vision for living, I go to the beach and find a quiet spot to meditate—sitting, then standing, and then fully in motion walking in the ocean of love wisdom. This is my temple of oneness. It is infinitely sacred to me.

Here I am, being in oneness with the infinite strength and power of nature.

I meditate to be in oneness with the Earth, Air, Water and Fire, in the Spirit of Infinite Love.

I honor that I am Love. I amplify love. I leave only love in the ocean to flow to all of life on Earth. I adore the ocean in love with the dolphins. I celebrate, appreciate and acknowledge the dolphin’s ability to communicate their signature whistle and other sounds over a vast distance with echolocation, allowing them to be identified as a unique being in a social setting. A fluid authenticity in the ocean of diversity can be enjoyed with a high-frequency perception of fun and of love wisdom.

I allow my heart to be the core of my creator consciousness. This is my most loving and valued creation, my diamond heart.

In the high-frequency resonance of nature, I allow new light to illuminate my diamond heart, to reset my diamond heart with a new golden vision to be shared with others who resonate with infinite love wisdom, the light of absolute and personal creator truth, and free will.

This is how I enjoy response-ability for creating life—as I joyously desire in harmony with all sentient life. In the ocean of love wisdom, I celebrate, appreciate, and acknowledge the ability to receive infinite love wisdom for life and creating my unique Fun Prints on Earth.

In these infinite moments I hear my creator heart open and close, inflowing and outflowing love wisdom to all regions of my body. Every cell is vibrating in this love wisdom for being here in oneness with nature, Earth, humanity, the galaxy, and the whole cosmos.

I give thanks to all love wisdom keepers—past, present, and emerging—knowing that like attracts like, and that those people I am here to interact with in service to humanity will arrive in divine timing.

I trust my diamond heart and allow its magnetic resonance to attract all that is within the boundaries of my soul purpose. I receive the new social interactions and the new love wisdom within them, to continue to enjoy life and the creative process that I call my Fun Prints in the sands of infinite time.

In joyous harmony, we shine. In Love and Light, we are Divine. <

Love to All, Jayne A. Mason Follow Jayne @jaynes_star www.Templeofoneness.com.au

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 42

I love this new publication, Flourish! What a great word! How many of us flourish? People who flourish vibrate at a different frequency.

We can feel it when we are in the presence of someone else who flourishes.

We who flourish are creators. We make things happen. We make life more exciting for ourselves and others, and we make life more meaningful!

Flourish has led me to a creative thought, so I decided to start a new movement called the “Living Large” movement. And it's not complicated at all.

#LivingLarge Living Large is living your life with intention— with the intention to create fun, exciting moments in time by doing things you enjoy, which leads to creating memories. Do you know how you can predict your future? Yes: By creating it!

Set your intention by planning and scheduling time to make Living Large activities and events.

Hold on to the intention to kick fear aside and make shit happen!

Too many people develop boring routines, which they themselves have created, and then these habitual routines often take over their behavior. This behavior becomes your normal; it becomes your excuse; it becomes your anchor. As time passes you by, it becomes your life!

Get out of your box, and join the Living Large movement: Schedule an event—any event—that you know you would enjoy. Share time with a friend who could also use a Living Large moment. Schedule one Living Large activity…now! Go to your calendar and schedule it! Then share your experience with others, as this movement will become contagious.

My first intentional Living Large event was taking a day off with three close buddies, and treating them to 18 holes of golf at a premier course; then we played three hours of tennis that evening. Great time! Great memories! What are you going to do? <

All human behavior comes from our emotions.

All emotions are either positive or negative. On the negative side is fear, guilt, and lack of selfworth. These are horrible emotions that many people choose to welcome in to their everyday behavior, often without even realizing it. I hate these emotions.

Living Large, on the other hand, comes from positive emotions that create genuine fun, excitement, and new learning experiences.

Living Large comes from love! What do you love to do? Come on, folks! Break the cycle!

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 43

By Ron Hakala Follow Ron on IG: @Southwind_Ranch www.southwindranch.com

Her Excellency

Dr. Justina Mutale, talks with Chloé Taylor Brown Her Excellency, Dr. Justina Mutale is the Founder & President of the Justina Mutale Foundation, headquartered in London, England. She has inspired all of us here at Flourish Digital Magazine, and we believe you will be inspired as well. Dr. Mutale is named in the Powerlist of the Top 100 Most Influential Black People in modern Britain, and she has been globally acclaimed as one of the most influential and inspirational women of African origin. Dr. Mutale is a global influencer originally from Zambia, Africa—a beautiful land-locked country in Southern-Central Africa. Victoria Falls, the world's largest waterfall, is one of Zambia's main attractions. South Luangwa National Park has been called "the best park in Zambia" and "one of the most majestic" and expansive. Dr. Mutale lives in London now, and has lived there since her studies as a university student—apart from her frequent global jet-setting. I began following her several years ago on Facebook, and I have admired her and her tireless work on behalf of women and girls around the world since then. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 44

I COME FROM A FAMILY OF VERY STRONG, POWERFUL, ASSERTIVE WOMEN As Dr. Mutale and I gathered ourselves for this Zoom interview for Flourish Digital Magazine, I was thinking to myself, "Wow, I sure am a blessed girl."

And then I wished I had a glass of champagne for a virtual toast.

Dr. Mutale breathed a couple of deep breaths, saying she had just at that moment completed a full day-long Zoom conference, yet nevertheless she assured me that she was ready to engage in a lively dialogue with me.

CTB – How did you become one of the most influential, globally acclaimed and inspirational women of African origin?

JM – First of all I need to start by telling you that Africa has 54 countries in total, and it is a continent, not a country. The 54 countries comprised of the continent could easily be the 50 states comprised of the United States, the country.

With the legacy of colonialism, whereas Africa should have been as large as the United States—in economy, size, population and opportunities— instead it was chopped up.

Now, how I became African Woman of the year?

I truly do not know about that, but what I do know is that in 2012, there was an organization called African Achievers Awards that partnered with the Faculty for Leadership and Management at the King's College, which is what you might call one of the Ivy League universities in the UK. And they did this event to recognize people who were making sure that people were contributing to Africa. And that took into consideration Africans around the world, Africans in the diaspora and also Africans on the African continent.

This included presidents and other influential people. For example, the first recipient was Desmond Tutu of South Africa. And also on the platform of which I was then named African Woman of the Year, were many phenomenal women, for example, Joyce Banda, who was the president of Malawi, the first ever female president in southern Africa, but also only the second female president in the whole continent of Africa.

Another woman was Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who had been South Africa's Minister of Health from 1994 to 1999, and who had served in President Mandela's government and Minister of Foreign Affairs, under both President Thabo Mbeki and President Kgalema Motlanthe. Her accolades go on and on. The platform also included the former president of Tanzania. The platform included a lot of African presidents and heads of state, but also other phenomenal and outstanding Africans. So, when I was named African Woman of the Year, I was quite taken aback.

CTB – I was inspired by the way you spoke of the women in your family, their strength and leadership. Would you talk about these phenomenal women?

JM – Yes, I come from a family of very strong, powerful, assertive women. Some people have called us a little bit aggressive because of how we have—from generations before, from time immemorial—the women in my family have totally defied all the gender dynamics. From my mother's family, for example, she was a woman of the kingdom. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 45

JM, cont. – And so, of course, I grew up as a young girl thinking, "Oh, one day I will be the queen." And of course, I envisioned out of all the kingdom, including the men, who would come and fall before me, just like they do with Queen Elizabeth. So that is how powerful the women in my mother's family are. So I grew up thinking this way. And suddenly, when I came out into the world and found out that there was a fight for gender equality, and basic equality, I was trying to get women to be on the same level as the men. I got a little confused because, of course, I believe that the women were the backbone of society, and the natural born leaders. In fact, let me just go back on my mother's side. From time immemorial, women have always had and kept their own names.

You don't have to walk in the shadows of your father, and you don't have to walk in the shadows of your husband. But then, when we look at the natural order of things, women carry the children.

The children are born of us as women and we nurture them. We must nurture them. We make them grow up. They feed from us. We show them how to see, how to talk, how to walk up to a certain age. So for me, it's in this feminist movement. It's always bothered me. And I've always wondered at what point did women take the back seat?

CTB – You have painted a colorful picture that takes me to Scripture in Genesis, where Eve was created from a rib of Adam's. It seems to me that Adam may have been taken from a rib of Eve's, and that this whole narrative may have been shifted around to benefit the power of men. We've always been the leaders, we have always been the strong ones—not physically necessarily, but in every other way. Yes, it's just that, and you know it, when you look at what might be called perhaps conventional leadership or a lack of leadership in the public arena, you see leadership in the family. Even in the most basic families, even the families that have what you would call people who are perhaps suffering or going through poverty.

JM – It's the mother who has to decide how she is going to feed her children. She's got to decide the budget, she fights for the family to survive. Also, if she's got more than one child, perhaps two or three, she manages to give certain responsibilities to those children in the house. That is good leadership. Natural leadership. Leadership qualities of women that can be used in the public arena. For example, we are going through this covid-19, and for me, the top six countries that have handled the covid-19 better—or perhaps in a more sustainable way—are those countries that are led by women.

CTB – Tell me about those countries.

JM – Had America been led by Hillary Clinton, you would be one of those. But, yes, you are not led by a woman. And in the UK, we are not led by a woman, though right now, we got rid of terrorism before covid-19. But for example, there is Germany, which is led by Angela Merkel, and New Zealand, led by Jacinda Ardern.

When her country had the terrorist attacks, she handled it very well and brought everybody together rather than divide the country. She did her best to embrace the Muslim community that had been negatively impacted by the terrorist bombs by trying to speak their language and putting on a hijab just so she could identify with them. You see, the thing is, women, we have very high emotional intelligence and we identify the emotions of others, and our own emotions. We have very high social awareness and selfawareness. We can see.

For example, if you have children in your house, you can tell when they are hurting, even if they can't explain. You know just by looking at them.

You can feel it.

CTB – Do you believe that women have an ability greater than men to see far into situations with a clearer vision?

JM – Yes, in fact, I read somewhere that people who believe and practice spirituality and consciousness say that the next person to God is a woman rather than a man. Because we can sense all these things and also we have this connection with the community and connection with the people around us, and everything else that is around us. And we can see beyond sometimes what some men can see. And of course, each person has the feminine and the masculine spirit. But the feminine spirit is more pronounced in women, of course. There are a few men that have some kind of feminine spirit in them.

CTB – How do you see yourself resetting and moving forward during and beyond covid-19?

JM – I've always believed that in life, sometimes you have to go down in order to come back again. Sometimes things like covid-19 come into the world to teach us a number of things. Of course, I do sympathize, and I feel sad for all the lives that have been claimed. But one thing that covid-19 showed us, in a subtle way, is that it has brought the humanitarian spirit in a lot of people to the forefront. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 46

SHE CREATED A BEAUTY PAGEANT IN LONDON TO BRING AWARENESS TO ZAMBIA & HIV/AIDS

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 47

JM, cont. – These were the people whose children, for example, would be chauffeurdriven to school, whose children would have perhaps four helpers in the house—one to watch their children, one for the clothing, one to clean the house and one to take them to school. What generally happened in those households, for example, was that the husband or father died and just a few months later, the mother died. And then those children who had been used to this affluent lifestyle would end up in the village with their grandmother. Then, this grandmother is somebody who used to be looked after by these children's parents as well.

And, of course, working with models, beauty queens and fashion designers, we know that twenty-first-century young people are totally influenced by those in the limelight and celebrities. We thought this would be a good way to catch them—so we could speak the same language as the young people in order to get the message across, and in the process help the world to secure what is called an AIDS-free generation, and eventually an AIDSfree world. So that is the background of Positive Runway.

CTB – This has been a fascinating conversation. Thank you for sharing your story and time. <

This was the group that had gotten their education after we got independence in 1994. So, they were highly educated and more independent. They were a new group of Zambians taking over the industries and the politics, and running the economy of the country. This was the new affluent group who ran the country and looked after their families and their parents. Now there was no one to take care of the grandparents in the village and no one for the children, either.

This really broke my heart. I thought, as a mother, I don’t want the next generation to suffer this kind of thing, where the children end up on the street. So, despite all the medical and technological advancements, we were still having new infections in young people. Because many transmissions were from mother to child, and most of the parents did not tell their children that they had been found to be positive or that the child was born positive, because they didn't want the community to send those children away. So they had grown up, they became sexually active, and they didn't know their status, which means then they were passing the virus on to their sexual partners and others.

This is when I decided to start a fun, crystalclear way to help, something that perhaps is in a framework appropriate to the twentyfirst-century younger generation. So that is how we started our Positive Runway—to Follow use Dr. Justina Mutale on IG @JustinaMutale fashion, music and, of course, celebrity allure www.justinamutale.com in order to attract young people to come and listen to our message.

OU UR R II SS H HD D II G G II T TA A LL M MA AG GA AZ Z II N N EE .. C CO OM M || SS EE P PT T EE M MB B EE R R // O OC CT TO OB B EE R R || 44 88 FF LL O

Free Your Mind WRITTEN BY LAURIE M. RENFRO

Funkadelic said it way back in the 1970s, yet we are still struggling. The first two lines in the timeless funk cut are, “The kingdom of heaven is within / Free your mind and your ass will follow.” But, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Leading up to Joe Biden’s announcement of Kamala Harris as his presidential running mate, I had pretty strong ideas about who should be the VP pick. Turns out, my pick was not Joe’s pick. In that moment it seemed I had every right to be disappointed.

Fortunately, my online "Daily Word" devotional had prepared me for what was to come…again.

Having evolved from a Baptist PK (preacher’s kid) to a spiritual near-agnostic. I still can subscribe to the practice of recognizing a Christ consciousness. After all, Jesus was a pretty good dude. In that vein, the Christ consciousness–themed devotional I subscribe to keeps me thinking, seeking and growing. A few days before Senator Harris was announced, my devotional advised "the answer to many challenges is a simple change of perspective."

Now, don’t take this as a suggestion to sell out or compromise your principles. Instead, the idea is that sometimes our clinging to things—including offenses, pain and resentment—forms the stuff of our own dilemmas. For me, I had set my mind on some of the senator’s less likable characteristics (think, unapologetic strength and power moves), and I felt that all that would not be the best for the ticket. So when the Vice Presidential running mate selection was announced, I had a choice to make: Would I choose disappointment? Or could I, in full integrity, change my perspective?

So here’s what happened. I began to think about Kamala Harris in terms of her preparedness instead of her unlikable characteristics. I quickly could acknowledge that no other person on the VP shortlist had done the work needed for governing on a national level. Kamala had been an elected district attorney in a major city, and Attorney General, governing a population seconded only by the combined United States of America.

I still can subscribe to the practice of recognizing a Christ consciousness.

I’ve laid out a decent bit of politics here. But keep in mind that this is about all of us—Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike. Whatever unwelcome spirit, idea or reality crawls into your space does not have to stay. We all have the power to change our circumstances. And one approach is simply to change our perspective. As I understand it, our minds are manifestations of the Mind of God. And if you can’t tolerate the idea of the Mind of God, then try changing your perspective on a current challenge, and call it the mind of the most high, or the mind of eternal energy. Or you could just call it Bob. <

In addition, she successfully negotiated a settlement on behalf of Americans who lost billions to banks when bad loans forced foreclosure and even homelessness on too many American families. Yes. I could go with it. Kamala was a great selection.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 49

LAURIE M. RENFRO Contributing Writer, Spiritual Psychology

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 50

iCARE

Mia Carey is shining brightly today and on the winning teams of two conglomerates. And, if that twinkle in her eye doesn’t light you up with a trusting feeling, then no doubt, a few of the sparkles from her megawatt smile may fall your way and brighten up your path. Mia is an authentic, forward-thinking woman with an inquisitive attitude as well as a commitment to excellence. She has positioned herself to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right people, and with wonderful clear intentions.

Mia has created an exciting full life and lifestyle for herself. She stands tall, humbled and eagerly optimistic as an accomplished Executive Assistant working directly with Marvin Ellison, President & Chief Executive Officer of Lowe’s Companies, Inc., the only Fortune 50 Corporation with an African American man at the helm. In addition, Mia is Founder and Creative Officer of iCARE, a nonprofit organization mentoring young women and girls that she created and launched from her living room in 2012. Since her philanthropic doors opened, she has developed programs and has also contributed to The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation, working with their young women and girls mentoring program.

MIA,

tell us about your journey and how you, at age 40, have gotten into a position of contentment while striving for more in your personal life as well as in your corporate career. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 51

“To be truthful, Chloé, in 2014 I was broken and had suffered a paradigm crash—and I didn't even know what that was until I went through Personal Excellence Coaching. But I would say my journey has been one of renewal and evolution. I’m getting to know myself, professionally and personally.

"I’m a giver. I’m the middle child of five, and I’m a people pleaser. I think this is one of the reasons why I’m a great administrator and fell into an administrative role professionally. I wanted to be an educator when I was in college. I thought I would be a fantastic high school English teacher. Remember, I loved helping people, loved girls and young women; and I thought since I had a knack for helping, giving and sharing, then that would be for me... but it didn't work out that way. A shift came about.

"Several years after college I ended up working for one of the regional vice presidents at The Home Depot. My position required me to travel to all of the Atlanta stores and a large portion of stores across the southeast, using my project manager-event planningorganizing skills; and I was good at it. I use all of those abilities in my current position as well. In my current position as Executive Assistant to the President & CEO of a Fortune 50 Corporation, I bring everything I have to the table as a supporter. And I'm constantly learning, every day."

As we're conducting this interview via Zoom, I see a smile cross Mia's lips as she confesses, "I'm a perfectionist, and I love controlling things. Actually, as the middle child of five I kind of commanded the family at a young age. It's funny. My siblings will tell you today that I thought I was the boss of them. And so, yeah, I think even in the household I was being groomed to be where I am today. "

interesting to me is Marvin Ellison’s humble beginnings. Yes, his professional life is public and impressive; his commitment to family is remarkable; and he knows how to build teams that work together and win together. And it's funny, he's a middle child, too. But, seriously, he's one of the most disciplined, organized and consistent leaders that I'm blessed to learn and grow from.

"My boss is the kind of leader who says, 'I'm counting on my team,' which trickles down from the front line associates on up to the executive level —to one being empowered to make decisions that are good for the customer and their fellow associates.

"To be empowered to make decisions where you are not always on edge is quite empowering. And so, with me, I love getting to work side by side with Marvin—to learn, grow and flourish.

"Speaking of Flourish," Mia says, "I love the title of this magazine, which is so in divine order to me. It's just so the bomb.

And I hope it resonates with your readers and that they continue to flourish."

He says to me all the time, "Don't be afraid to fail, Mia. Don't overthink it and keep it simple."

Mia grins with pride and a little bit of disbelief as she says, "I have to pinch myself regularly knowing that I support and manage the office of the CEO of a Fortune 50 company here at Lowe's Companies, Inc. "

You know, Mia, I've watched you for over six years now and I am very inspired by your growth, expansion, and the ease in which you are enjoying yourSELF and your life now. What has made the difference?

Mia, I’m very inspired by the story of the new Lowe’s, and the transformation that’s taking place with the new CEO.

"I have always been a hard worker, helpful, and a team player who also knows how to command. And like my mom said, 'Dress the part, look the part and act the part because you never know who's watching you.'" >

She lights up like one of the brightest Christmas trees Lowe’s will soon be selling during the holidays and says, "Let me tell you about our CEO. What's

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 52

You speak so proudly of your son, Tyler, who is in his sophomore year of college now. How has being a single mom played out in your life?

"When I was younger in my career I had to travel a lot for work and my son was really young. I had him while I was in college and I believed I could have a big career and do both at the same time. It was very challenging. But I really thought I could be this career woman and accomplish all these things at the same time."

Yes, a lot of us thought we were Superwoman at some points in our career. And we do learn that we can accomplish our heart's desires, but perhaps not all at the same time.

"I'm a risk taker," Mia tells me, "and I know I can always go back, but if I don't go forward, I don't know what I'd be like. You get what I'm saying?"

As a risk taker, what has been one of the biggest risks you have taken?

"When I was thirty-three years old one of my cousins died while coaching his son at a basketball game. That made me question my life. I decided life is too short—so I ended up quitting my corporate job. But I realized quickly that when money isn't coming in through a steady paycheck every two weeks, one week, even a month, that it goes out very quickly. In other words, I went broke in one year. But, it was one of the most fulfilling years of my life. I met people I never would have met otherwise."

Is this when you created your girls' program that you're so very passionate about?

"Yes, I unofficially started what I call iCARE in that year. The acronym stands for Character, Accountability, Respect, and Esteem. And of course it's a spin-off from my name, Carey. And the fact is, I care.

"It was also during this crazy-coollearning year that I began working with the Harvey Foundation, which was really great because they were just starting their girls' program at the same time."

What are your goals and intentions for iCARE?

What are you goals and intentions for your corporate career?

"Our goals for iCARE are to inspire and motivate young women and girls to reach their full potential in their current and future endeavors.

"I'm working on being as authentic and effective as I can possibly be, while also striving to be the best supporter to Marvin Ellison and our executive team."

"We equip young women and girls with enhanced knowledge and resources to achieve personal excellence. iCARE creates an emotional connection and instills the four core traits that will enable girls and young women to build effective relationships and succeed in life."

What do you love about your life today?

"Oh my goodness, there's so much. But what's at the top of the 'goodness line' for me is being a blessing to other people." <

For Mia's 40th birthday on 9/9/2020, she is releasing a special project, "The Dash Documentary"—a 9-minute short film through which we get to experience Mia creating her own funeral program as she talks about how best to live life "in the dash" (the –) between our birth until our death. Look for the video on our website, www.flourishdigitalmagazine.com

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 53

A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.

The man who never reads lives only once.

—George R.R. Martin

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 55

Exclusive Excerpt!

You deserve to laugh again.

I Can Laugh Again This memoir is “All about Love.” It's truly an evocative story about love's essential and enduring qualities. Chloé Taylor Brown bears her soul—her dreams, hopes, losses, pains and gains—in a riveting account you cannot read without taking part yourself in her transformation. The impetus for the narrative involves the tragic death of her nearly four-yearold son, Justin, but Justin's life is just the stepping stone, if you will, upon which she reminisces throughout her life's journey, blazing a path from rural Mississippi to the highest strata of the world of fashion. In the end, as we've shared her passage from heartbreak to triumph, she gives us a glimpse of heaven.

My long-time friend Chloé paints a vivid and easily recognizable map of finding a practical faith. No matter the obstacles, in the end she assures us that we can trust a Power greater than we have imagined.

You'll find yourself immersed in more than one love story: a mother's abiding love for her children; Chloé's undying love for for husband, Rick, and his deep love for her; their constant love for their children and their families; and the outpouring of love from their spiritual family all over the world. Above all, there is the prevailing Power of God's redeeming Love.

I encourage you, dear reader, to accept the priceless, immeasurable, and timeless gift of reading this book. It is my prayer that you will encounter the universal language of the heart, which this memoir brings so poignantly to the surface.

You'll surely gain a new appreciation for the simple values that make life worth living.

Enough said by me. Go ahead and trust your heart: Discover and rediscover the unending Power of Love.

Read more. < —Carl A. Lee

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 56

Donnella Cranford Teaching is her gift and her talent.

She offers love, light and life by encouraging your heart

When Donnella Cranford walks into the room you will know she has arrived...not because she is loud vocally; but she is bold in her movements, her presence, her fashions and her assurance in God. Donnella is a life-long educator, the visionary and founder of Women After God's Own Heart, a nonprofit organization she founded and has led for over twenty years. She is also the author of Encouraging Your Heart: 15 Ways to See, Hear and Know God Better. Her book was birthed from her own personal experiences and lessons she has shared with other women over the years. She says, "those lessons came as a result of being present and learning more about myself and my true identity in Christ during a time I was truly coming into my own."

BY CHLOÉ TAYLOR BROWN

"Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint."

—Isaiah 40:31

Encouragement number 14 of her book is her favorite encouragement. It speaks of soaring like an eagle. I told her I could see her taking flight, rising high above, and of course, while in a very colorful, flowing outfit. She giggled and carried on, telling me that an eagle is full of power and strength. She shared that recently she had realized that God is also renewing her youth daily, because she has a youthful spirit and thinks in a youthful way, with truth and wisdom at the beautiful age of seventy. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 57

"I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A TEACHER, SINCE CHILDHOOD." Seeds can only grow and be harvested if they have been planted in fertile soil, watered, cultivated and worked.

Follow Donnella on IG @wagohatl www.wagohmin.org

DONNELLA'S ADVICE: HOW-TO PLANT DELICIOUS SEEDS FOR A DELICIOUS HARVEST

1. Start with the love of God within, and sow love. Then love will return to you.

2. Identify your authentic passions and what you can give to others joyfully to help them grow. Bless others.

3. Be a friend. It starts first with being a gentle, kind friend to yourself first.

4. Look for what's good within yourself and within others.

5. Work diligently and be deliberate in your efforts to understand others.

CONNECT WITH DONNELLA MONTHLY VIA "FACEBOOK LIVE" & WEEKLY PRAYER CIRCLE EVERY TUESDAY FROM 6:15 TO 6:30 PM EST

I asked Donnella to encourage our heart with a last word. She answered eagerly, "I know that as we move into this new universal shift that we're in right now, the one thing that can unite us is Love. I think love can unite our hearts with one single beat of being compassionate, empathetic, grateful, trusting, and faithful. I sincerely believe that if we did just one of these things, there is a universal union that can center us all: This is Agape Love." <

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 58

I

was

invited

to

travel

to

Egypt

and

live

there

for

three

months—

somewhat of a vacation. The trip was a gift from Taylor, one of my younger

brothers.

Like

everyone

else

in

my

family,

Taylor

is

tall,

inquisitive, and smart; and his height, along with his athleticism and

skills afforded him an opportunity to travel abroad playing basketball professionally. When I was invited to travel to Egypt to visit him, I could hardly contain myself!

Taylor lived and worked in a town an hour and a half north of Cairo,

Get a quote at reallygreatsite.c

Egypt, called Tanta. The place actually reminded me of Agraba from

the Disney movie, Aladdin. I’d gone to Egypt expecting to be a tourist and to find some kind of connection with Africa. I’ve traveled to many places in Europe, but for African Americans, Africa itself has always >

BY JADE CHERELL

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 59

LEARNING AND LOTS OF ADVENTURE IS WHAT I EXPECTED DURING MY VISIT IN EGYPT

been a place of mystery and longing, of knowing

However, walking around as a thirty-year-old, I didn’t

where we came from.

really have anyone to hang out with—girls or guys— besides the girls' basketball team. Essentially, that

In many ways, I got exactly the adventure I wanted.

The pyramids were as majestic as advertised.

Camels are much nicer than they would seem. And overall, Egypt was a lot like I’d expected. However, there were cultural things that prevented me from making the friendships I wanted.

The one thing I was not expecting was the treatment of women. In their culture, not speaking to women is a sign of respect. But one must ask, “When is it respectful? And when is it downright rude and

turned into a fun day that was like summer camp, where I was the counselor trying to answer questions about my first kiss and when that was. Needless to say, I so craved adult conversations. But all of the married women have full hijabs and face coverings— all the way down to gloves.

Later, my brother asked his teammate why he had

not spoken directly to me that day. He explained that it's a sign of respect to not speak to a woman, unless it is your family.

misogynistic?” I wasn't really about to speak with many women to understand and find out—or any

Taylor and I weren't sure how any of his teammates

men, for that matter. I was once sitting on the bus

dated, because they didn't talk to women. We

with my brother's team, preparing to go out of town

assumed all of their marriages were arranged. But we

with them for an away game. His teammate walked

never quite figured that out for sure because of the

up to him and asked if he wanted a baklava, and he

language barrier. In my heart I do believe they think

declined. Then the teammate asked my brother if I

they are being respectful.

wanted one...while I was sitting right next to him. I was flabbergasted. I was like, ”uummm, I’m literally right here, buddy.” But his customs and religion prevented him from speaking directly to me.

Women are treated differently—and it's unequal.

From the good Muslims' point of view, however, it's just that women do this and men do that...which is

Essentially, the only people that I could talk to were unmarried girls—teenagers; and with me being in my thirties, hanging out with teenagers was not all that fun. However, I do look relatively young. It dawned on me that everyone my age was married and covered.

I will continue my world-traveling escapades and more in the next issue, love bugs!

cool, if that's how they want live and if they are truly happy. Who am I to judge?

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 60

<

Plan The Perfect Road Trip To Primland

COMPLETE & TOTAL REJUVINATION

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 61

When the world around us changes, we have to learn how to adapt. For avid travelers and explorers, this means redefining what travel looks like until the Covid-19 pandemic has passed.

You don’t have to abandon travel entirely. You can still enjoy, relax and find adventure, if you know where to go.

If you’re in Atlanta or the Southeast, that means heading on a road trip to the Primland Resort, tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

This luxurious mountain oasis is secluded enough to wipe away worries about the potential risks of travel, while giving your mind (and body) a much needed break from the often stressful day-today life of 2020.

Primland is located on a 12,000acre patch of heaven surrounded by trees, at the top of a private mountain. Here, you will find top-of-the-line hospitality and service, plus tasty food, tons of activities, a relaxing spa and a connection with nature.

Road-trippers will be happy to learn this resort is a short and simple drive from the famous Mount Airy, the small town that inspired Mayberry on “The Andy Griffith Show.”

(If you haven’t visited Mount Airy, this could be a fun addon to your vacation.)

Primland has adapted to the new health guidelines by taking all guests’ temperatures before entering the property—eight miles away before you cross the gate and begin ascending the mountain. As you drive up the mountain and through the forest, each mile leaves the real world further behind.

When you arrive, the resort seems to be floating in the sky. It looks like a fairytale.

And in some ways, it truly is.

This sprawling golf course resort is built in the stunning embrace of nature. Best of all, with all this space, there are only 33 guest rooms, spread throughout various locations —from the lodge to a cottage, or even a quirky treehouse.

You can find as much peace and privacy as you want.

I stayed in the lodge, where I was pleasantly surprised by ample storage, a huge soaking tub, 400thread-count Frette bedding and pristine cleanliness.

Spa-lovers' tip: Pick up bath salts in the spa shop to transform the in-room bathtub into a mini private spa.

The food at Primland is another big highlight. The menu centers around organic, local ingredients. The resort even has its own organic garden.

Even if you are concerned about social distancing, you can make the restaurants here work. Dine indoors or outdoors, or have your food delivered to your room,depending on what makes you feel most comfortable. >

Some of the luxurious accommodations are even dog-friendly!

BY AVA ROXANNE STRITT, TRAVEL JOURNALIST, OFTEN DESCRIBED AS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN THE WORLD ON SPA TRAVEL, AND A TOP AUTHORITY ON LUXURY TRAVEL. FOLLOW HER ON IG @SPATRAVELGAL WWW.SPATRAVELGAL.COM

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 62

The resort has various on-site restaurants.

Elements, the elegant, seasonally influenced restaurant, was my favorite, with unique and tasty farm-to-table plates.

For example, start dinner with the Harmony Ridge Peach Salad. Main dishes span the likes of a local ribeye with chimichurri and kale, or a perfectly prepared king salmon accented by cucumber and pearl onions. I was pleased to see they had a vegetarian option each day to make us veggie lovers happy.

Make sure you leave space for dessert. I recommend the fresh and delicious Strawberry Shortcake made with a homemade biscuit, macerated strawberries and whipped cream.

Wine-lovers will also be impressed by Primland’s wine knowledge and its sommelier’s ability to pair the perfect glass with your meal.

For an after-dinner cocktail or single malt on the patio, there’s the 19th Pub. One fun happy hour option is a “Moonshine Cocktail,” a nod back to the area’s bootlegger history. When I was hiking, I think I saw some historic moonshine stills along the river. Let me know if you go hiking there and spot them, too.

Then there is Stables Saloon, a little more casual and rustic. Here, you can book a private event in a former horse stable. It’s not every day you can listen to bluegrass music while tipping back a pint like a real cowboy, in a horse’s home.

Note: Add a Chef’s Table Experience at Elements to your future bucket list (it’s not currently available). This unique offering provides a behind-the-scenes look at the kitchen as the chefs are preparing your meals.

ACTIVE Get

Balance out all that delicious food with a long list of activities offered at Primland. Golf is the claim to fame here (in fact, the course has been named one of the best in Virginia). The 18-hole course is beloved for its mountain views.

Beyond hitting balls, guests can ride horses, go off-roading and kayak down the river. The list goes on. For a unique experience, ask about skeet-shooting or tomahawk-throwing classes. My husband especially loved fly fishing on the Dan River. He loved fly fishing here so much, he has already planned to return with his fishing pals. The river is catch and release, but you can also cast out a line in the on-site ponds and keep the fish that you snag to clean, prepare and eat.

One of the most unexpected treats was stargazing from the resort’s observatory. You can watch the skies through a Celestron CGE Pro 1400 telescope. This deep in nature, the skies are crisp and clear. I even got a good look at Jupiter.

Finally, boost your wellness at the Spa at Primland, which blends European techniques with Native American healing rituals. The Native treatments thoughtfully weave in nature and the seasons.The spa area is spacious, with plenty of space between guests. For even more open space, go on a “forest bathing” experience, where you will take a meditative stroll through nature and connect with the Virginia outdoors. This experience is said to be rejuvenating and restorative— and a way to boost mental and physical health. Your forest bathing walk wraps up with a memorable Medicine Wheel ceremony. Here you can pick the seasonal herbs and flowers for your needs as the seasons turn. <

There’s so much to do at Primland that you will need to come back to get it all in. In fact, most of the people I met on my trip were return visitors.

I will be returning, too.

Primland is a rare gem—too special to experience only once.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 63

100% CUSTOMER SATISFACTION YOUR PET WILL LOVE YOU FOR IT!

TAKING YOUR PET GROOMING

NEXT LEVEL THERE'S NO REASON FOR YOUR PET TO GO UNGROOMED! WE OFFER IN-HOME, SAFE AND SECURE PET GROOMING SERVICES. YOUR PET WILL LOVE YOU FOR IT!

OWNER: COREE HAYNES | PHONE 631-505-3620 EMAIL: DOGONGOGROOMING@GMAILCOM WWW.DOGONGO.SIMPLYBOOK.ME

renew, restore, restore, repeat repeat renew, Hey, Mamas!

a single mom of five, and asking for help was not my way of doing things. I’ve since learned that it’s OK, I can put down my cape for a moment and just be vulnerable.

I’m sure you’ve heard this a million times, but this time, I want you not to just read and move on, but to stop...take a deep breath...pause...exhale….again, Now read, let it sit and resonate with your soul.

Whether your child is doing face-to-face or digital learning, we as moms will give it our all and then some.

We’ll make sure homework and lessons are done, and that our kids are fed and emotionally adjusting to the new normal. We'll also work and build companies, along with a million tasks that have been assigned to us by others and ourselves. Here’s some things I’ve found to be helpful.

Be adventurous, find places to socially-distance visit.

Go outside of your ten-mile radius to look for fun things to do—by yourself, and with your family and friends.

At the end of the day let’s not forget to be gentle and kind to ourselves. Speak soft words of love and light throughout the day, because we have to know that if depleted mentally and physically, it’s not going to go well for any of us. We must take time out to restore our bodies, and renew our mind, soul, and spirit—and repeat often. This will have a profound effect on you, on your kids, and even on those around you. Your kids will do well. You will do well. < So Much Love to you,

—Elena

If you can, wake up early and start your day visualizing the moments that you schedule in for yourself. Notice I didn’t say fit in, but schedule in. It’s crucial that we see our time just as important as anything else on the calendar. Visualization is a powerful gift. It's not just about the end result, but the ability to create your life the way you desire it to be. If it doesn’t happen right away, keep at it, it will.

Use delegation to create an atmosphere of working together. Laundry, I know we’d rather not—but if your kids can read, they can do laundry. Set the system up, write the instructions, go over it a couple times with them, then let go.

Ask for help when you’re overwhelmed, tired, sleepy, depressed, or lonely. It’s hard sometimes I know, but you will fare better when you do. Trust me on this, I’m

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 65

Elena Taylor Bagger is a single mom of five young adult children, and Founder of The Innovative Mom™ and Outside 10™, two companies that focus on the support, empowerment, education and nurturing of mothers globally.

Follow Elena on IG @theinnovativemom www.theinnovativemom.com

I.M. renewed | I.M. restored | I will repeat

Autumn

A TIME OF ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS In September in the Northern hemisphere, the summer is ending—and new beginnings are everywhere. The Jewish calendar marks the new year with the High Holy Days, followed by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The Day of Ashura (also called a Day of Atonement) is a national holiday for many Muslims. The Hindu calendar honors the divine architect of the universe on Vishwakarma Day. Traditionally here in the United States, the school year starts the day after Labor Day, with families and teachers settling in to unfamiliar routines. In 2020, school feels utterly new, as everyone involved struggles to figure out together how our children will learn in virtual classrooms during a pandemic.

Back when I was a girl, September for me meant new outfits, a new teacher, new friends, new things to learn, new books to read, and the start of a new TV season.

Autumn is my favorite time of year. As the leaves turn spectacular colors and we start wearing warmer clothes, I experience a sweeping sense of nostalgia and melancholy, which is accompanied equally by its opposite—a wonderful feeling of exhilaration and bursting potential. This is the paradox of the season.

I t ’s n o s u r p r i s e , t h e n , t h a t t h e w o r d a u t u m n c o m e s from the Latin autumnus, from auctumnus, meaning “increase,” yet simultaneously denoting a “drying-up season.”

I t ’s a t i m e o f t h e h a r v e s t ’s “ f u l l m a t u r i t y , ” a n d y e t we are also in “the early stages of decline,” because winter is on its way. I suppose people call it fall because not only are the leaves falling, but w e ’r e a l s o e x p e r i e n c i n g a c o l l e c t i v e f e e l i n g o f “falling away” from the warmth of the sunshine as the days get progressively shorter.

WHAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU REMEMBER THE AUTUMNS OF YOUR PAST? THIS YEAR, WHAT WILL YOUR NEW BEGINNING BE?

A TIME OF RISING UP, NOT FALLING With the countdown to the presidential election upon us, autumn 2020 is especially poignant, bringing us all to a pivotal moment in American history. Finding ourselves in an autumnal time of such crucial importance, we have a choice: We can b e s w a y e d b y w h a t ’s f a l l i n g a w a y a r o u n d u s , expecting continual devastation; or, we can rise above the doom and gloom—in prayer. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 66

So go ahead. With joy, dive in to autumn this year.

Jump inside that pile of crunchy leaves.

Keep the faith in the promise of tomorrow.

by Jason Collins Photos by Mary Alice W

In other words, applying a spiritual approach— instead of just looking at the material picture of t h i n g s — w e c a n e m b r a c e G o d ’s u n d e r l y i n g , u n c h a n g i n g Truth, which is perpetually offering us infinite possibilities.

I ’m n o t t a l k i n g a b o u t a n y p a r t i c u l a r r e l i g i o n h e r e . I ’m talking about the Allness of God. God is Infinite Love Itself, Life Itself, Good Itself—loving us, living us, a n d e n c o u r a g i n g u s t o d o w h a t ’s r i g h t .

In the face of unthinkable loss and uncertainty, we must keep protesting, and never give up. The word protest is about “testifying for”—that is pro, not a g a i n s t — s o m e t h i n g y o u ’v e w i t n e s s e d , a n d “ d e c l a r i n g i t f o r m a l l y a n d s o l e m n l y . ” I t ’s s t a n d i n g u p f o r w h a t you know in your heart is right. When we protest with heartfelt conviction, nothing will be able to stop us.

Marches and demonstrations are one part of what it means to protest. We also have to take it to the next level and protest day in and day out. What that m e a n s i s t h a t w e ’l l k e e p o n c h o o s i n g t o d o t h e r i g h t thing.

A n d t h a t a l s o m e a n s w e ’v e g o t t o v o t e o n November third. Voting is in fact at the heart of what protesting is all about—because to vote means “to make a vow” or “a solemn promise.” To v o t e i s “ t o d e c l a r e , i n e a r n e s t , o n e ’s c h o i c e , w i t h consecrated resolve.” It is a sacred honor to exercise our right to vote.

Many elections are decided by the slimmest of margins. This year, make no mistake: Your vote is truly going to make a difference—in the history of the entire world. Request your mail-in ballot now and send it in early. You probably do not have to mail it: In many states, you can drop it off in person—some even have a drive-thru—at your local polling place.

Do whatever it takes. And help your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same. When good p e o p l e d o n ’t v o t e , b a d p e o p l e e n d u p r u n n i n g t h i n g s . D o n ’t m i s s y o u r s t a t e ’s d e a d l i n e t o r e g i s t e r !

Get all your voting questions answered at www.vote.org.

Hope is never a cheat. But we must rise up and act.

And when we are courageous, transformation is inevitable. <

T h a t ’s y o u a n d m e , e v e r y d a y , s t a n d i n g u p f o r w h a t ’s right—choosing to tell the truth, to be compassionate, to be decent, to be kind, to be a good neighbor—to live our prayers.

JANIS HUNT JOHNSON

...has been a lover of words since she learned to read and write.

One of her favorite Bible verses is: “In the beginning was the word; and the word was with God, and the word was God” (John 1:1).

As the Apostle Paul wrote, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 67

She is an interfaith advocate and spiritual activist who seeks to teach, preach, and heal, following Jesus’ example.

Parts of this article were first published in 2018.

Find her on Twitter @CSRenewal, and on Facebook and Medium as CS Renewal Ministries.

LILIA

POSTOLACHI'S

GODDESS

CITRINE SUNSHINE

COLLECTION

Unique Natural Stones From All Over the World Growing up in Europe, Lilia appreciated and learned about the magical qualities of gemstones at an early age. She became passionate about gems in the process. She says, "Business with stones makes you a better person from within."

Since ancient times, gem

stones were thought of as healers, as protectors, as an empowering attribute to any kingdom worldwide. These stones are believed to have super powers, with energies originating from natural resources within the Earth, and believed to bring healing and balance to the whole body. Today, many unique stones are known and used as jewelry pieces to exude confidence, beauty and spiritual healing for those who wear them. Each chakra in the body has a healing stone associated with it to improve the flow of energy within the body and to help clear the senses—to revitalize and reset us, physically, emotionally and spiritually. From love and healing to protection and compassion, the universal power in these stones helps us find what we’re looking for within ourselves!

<

Find out more on Instagram @liliaglover Visit Lilia Postolachi Glover on LinkedIn

DO WE ALL HAVE THE ABILITY IN LIFE TO OBTAIN WEALTH? WE HAVE DREAMS AND IDEAS, BUT SOMETIMES WE LOSE SIGHT OF OUR IDEAS BECAUSE WE ALLOW NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND INFLUENCES TO MANIPULATE OUR WEALTH CONSCIOUSNESS.

In Pursuit Of Wealth Wealth starts In our thoughts—with the ability to have a sense of abundance. It's the experience rather than what one possesses. If we think of wealth as merely monetary possessions, this view lacks the beauty of enjoying a purpose-filled life.

My own thoughts and outside influences used to stop me from taking chances in life, which prevented me from having a wealthy mindset. Now I know, I can rewrite things and make changes because I live my life by my own design. When we have a wealthy mindset, we have liberty and we have happiness.

The interviews that follow are with two different women, Ivonda Mitchelle and Madison Carlista, who are wealthy in life. They have an appreciation of all aspects of life that pertain to being selfaware and living a purposeful life. Not only are they committed to their own wealth, but also to helping others find their wealth and happiness. Regardless of challenges, outside influences or traumatic experiences, they maintain a wealthy mindset. >

Curated by Barbara Young B. Young Enterprises, LLC Flourish Digital Magazine Contributor IG: @byoungandlove

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 69

Meet Ivonda Mitchell, a licensed real estate broker in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

"I am energetic and outgoing, and I love the adventure of life. Hiking, biking, traveling, and anything water-related is where you will find me on the weekends. I also enjoy fine dining and spending time with the people I hold dear to me. I have an 'I've always wanted to do that' list. These are dreams big and small that I want to accomplish—from traveling to Italy to learning to kayak. I start my year off with this list, and I try to accomplish as many of them as I can within the year. It gives me something to look forward to, and challenges me as well.

"In life I believe in being a good soul. I believe you should treat all people as human beings. Be kind. Be happy. Be thankful. And be forgiving. I also believe in giving to others in need, without expectations of anything in return. I hold my family and friends very close to my heart, and without those relationships I would not be who I am today. When you have nothing, your friends and family will always be there for you. I also believe in having a relationship with a Higher power. For me, it is God. I would consider myself spiritual, and I believe my spirituality helps keep me grounded.

"I think the recession in '08-'09 transformed me and my life a lot. I am much more conservative now. I do not need all of the material things that I thought I needed before. I am much more conscious about my spending. My carbon footprint is much smaller as well. The reason I was motivated to get into real estate was because I was working a job, and I was very successful at it. I asked my manager for a raise, and that conversation changed my life. He told me that I made good money. All I heard was you make good money for a black woman. I was living in an apartment and I was surviving, but I was not living. After that conversation I knew I needed to make some changes if I wanted to grow, and to define what my level of success was, so that was the motivation for me to get my real estate license—and the rest is history. Seventeen years later, I am a licensed real estate broker, so I am very thankful for that conversation. Had he given me a raise, I may have not been motivated to pursue more for myself.

"I do not believe that there is anything unique about me. I believe that having the ability to connect with people is key in real estate. Having the ability to guide a person into home ownership is one of the best feelings in the world. To know that I was instrumental in the process of helping someone achieve one of the largest accomplishments of their life is so humbling. They actually allow me to be a part of their unique journey. And for that, I am very grateful." <

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 70

"AFTER LISTENING TO MADISON CARLISTA'S TESTIMONY, THERE WAS A HEART-FILLED AND OVERWHELMING APPRECIATION FOR THE MEANING OF VICTORY OVER DEFEAT. OTHERS CAN DEFINITELY OVERCOME OBSTACLES FROM THIS STORY." —CURATED BY BARBARA YOUNG

Madison Carlista

I'm a woman of a "certain age" Grew up in an abusive environment At seven years old, I was held emotionally responsible for my baby brother’s death (he was five years old) Moved with my father to Texas at twelve years old; moved with my grandmother at fourteen years old Left home at fifteen years old—California bound!

Married a US Air Force Airman at eighteen; divorced said US Air Force Airman at twenty In between the marriage and divorce, I gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl; single mother Former dancer; first earned $1M by age twenty-three; almost broke by age twenty-five Had a fabulous career in New York City (NBA, NFL, Sony Music, EMI, AXA Financial, Zurich Scudder Investments) Cancer survivor (naturally) Holistic Wellness & Detoxification Coach; PhD in Naturalistic Medicine; RA Survivor (Naturally) Lost business, condo, and cars in 2008 Crash; homeless, lived out of a Town & Country mini-van Then…. I profited over $200K in a network marketing company in one year, reaching the top of the compensation plan. I recreated my life again to learn the financial markets.

Currently I teach women of a “certain age” how to conservatively gain compounding profits from the markets THE DEAREST THING IN MY LIFE IS MY DAUGHTER. TO SUM UP MY THOUGHTS, VALUES, BELIEFS AND MATTERS OF THE HEART, I OFFER YOU MY PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT. THIS IS NOT JUST SOMETHING I HAVE WRITTEN ON PAPER. THIS IS SOMETHING I SPEAK FROM THE MEMORY OF MY VERY ESSENCE:

personal mission statement:

The path of Godly Principles is the barometer by which I choose to govern my personal and professional development, which is an ongoing process emerging a legacy of character and integrity.

I will utilize my God-given gifts to create and magnify a life abundant in health, joy, love, peace and prosperity overflowing, as I am everevolving into a servantdriven leader. May my presence consciously inspire permission for others to do the same and step into their greatness.

I AM Madison Carlista.

THE DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS OF CERVICAL CANCER

I radically changed my lifestyle. I had made up my mind that I was not going to do surgery, drugs, radiation or chemo.

Everything that I was accustomed to doing, eating, speaking, seeing, thinking, reading... I changed everything ! I immediately stopped intaking animal protein. I turned off my television and disconnected the cable. I stopped all sugar intake. I drank alkaline water like there was no tomorrow. I sought emotional therapy. This is just a scratch on the surface of what I changed.

THE CASHFLOW BOARD GAME

I started a group of four friends meeting every Wednesday at Caribou Coffee. We would close Caribou Coffee down every week at midnight. We would gather and play Cashflow (by Robert Kiyosaki). That game led us to attending the MMI Weekend (T. Harv Eker) where I was jacked out of my mind. I came to understand how it was so easy for me to attract money, and why it was also so easy for me to lose money. It totally changed my life and my perspective about how I viewed and handled money.

The Cashflow game put that group of people I was playing with onto the path of financial freedom. Many own real estate, invest in the markets, and are very wise and perpetually growing business people. By the way, that group of four friends ended up being over thirty people, who would show up with Cashflow board games to play. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 71

eted Liiff es

Man

I knew I was so much smarter than many of the people I worked for, including the supervisors I had during my corporate career. I love the thrill of the chase. I wanted to initially prove to myself that I could legitimately create and build a successful business—and I have, many times over. I knew I could generate "street money." But I had to prove to myself that I could create a real business, file taxes, pay consultants, and so on.

I am a student of astrology. Many people do not understand the science behind nature and how the cycles of nature work in the financial markets. The very wealthy do understand this phenomenon, and they leverage it to their advantage.

In the midst of all this chaos is a wonderful opportunity for people of color to capture this moment and strategically guide the dialog to effect perpetual change at the core of this legion of injustices. We cannot let up nor can we get comfortable and forget. This is going to be a marathon run, not a sprint. We are now in the greatest wealth transfer this country—actually, the world—has seen. Ride the wave and really understand. Our reparations are in our preparation. <

Keep your head on swivel | Get out of your emotions | What do you want? | Really think about it.

YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS ARE YOUR GREATEST ASSETS. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

Are you in position to do something for your family? Do you have life insurance?

Are you taking time to learn and understand how money works?

If not, you better get on this new track of understanding the New World Order of the monetary system that is launching.

“In a world of change, the learners shall inherit the earth, while the learned shall find themselves perfectly suited for a world that no longer exists.”

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 72

DON'T WAIT, CREATE

BY KAREN GAMBA & FRANK CARLISI C O - F O U N D E R S

O F

T H E

E X V

A G E N C Y

FOLLOW KAREN & FRANK ON IG: @EXV_AGENCY WWW.EXV-AGENCY.COM

It has been a challenging year for

We were recently featured as

Speakers ranged from Jesse Itzler,

businesses large and small, across

speakers at EMRG Media’s Event &

co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks and

industries. As business strategists,

Leadership Challenge and we

Partner of Zico Coconut Water; to

we are encouraging business

focused our discussion on the

Olympic Gold Medalist, Heather

owners to look to the leadership

mindset and mission of a strategy

Feeley; to serial entrepreneur, Jen

and tactics of highly successful

we kicked off in March 2020,

Groover; and many more, including

companies to adopt lessons on how

called: “Don’t Wait, Create.”

Eva Redpath, Canada's first Nike

to better adapt and survive during

The EMRG Leadership event

Master Trainer and founding Trainer

the Covid-19 pandemic.

gathered some of the world’s top

at Barry’s Bootcamp. The event

cross-industry entrepreneurs and

featured over 40 leaders across

With scarce resources available for

business leaders to share

industries.

small businesses, it’s hard to

information on how to find success

imagine how a company with

during the uncertainty of the Covid-

unlimited budgets could teach us

19 pandemic.

>

anything at all; however, we have to remember that even the most successful corporations in the world started somewhere. Insights and lessons are everywhere, if we open ourselves to learning and seeing opportunities in a whole, new way.

ALWAYS DELIVER MORE THAN

EXPECTED

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 73

THE EVENT OUTLINED 7 KEY TACTICS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO EVERY BUSINESS OWNER IN TODAY’S ECONOMIC CLIMATE, NO MATTER THE INDUSTRY. HERE ARE SOME VITAL TAKEAWAYS FROM THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE:

1 .

M I N D S E T

A creative mindset and critical thinking are key to any successful business. This allows entrepreneurs and business owners the vision to find creative solutions to even the most challenging obstacles. A creative mindset also allows for a more open-minded look at how to innovate and restructure to help your business in the long run. Be vulnerable, ask questions, and do not be afraid to see things in a new way.

2 .

M A R K E T I N G

Now, more than ever, marketing is an important tool to update your audiences on your new safety strategies, what you are doing to get back to business and how your clients' best interests are always your number-one priority. In a time of crisis, marketing is one of the best tools you can give your business, even if your doors are not open yet. Look to websites like Fiverr.com, or contact colleges for unpaid internships to get assistance with digital design and social media, if these line items are not in your budget. Now is not the time to be invisible!

3 .

S A L E S

Even now, sales still play a key role in building trust between your business and customers. Positive feedback from sales helps to grow your business organically and builds brand awareness. During the Covid-19 pandemic, research creative ways to repackage your products or collaborate with other businesses to help you grow your business during this challenging time. Offer incentives and discounts to encourage people to support you.

4 .

B U S I N E S S

Now is the time to focus on what works in your business and what does not. Create an outline that shows the weaknesses and strengths of your businesses and where there are opportunities to scale—through partnership and collaboration. Partner with local businesses to expand your reach. The key is to look at your business as a whole and identify key lessons. Learn from past mistakes and better prepare yourself to evolve in a whole, new way.

5 .

L E A D E R S H I P

The world’s most successful leaders keep their employees and teams motivated and committed, no matter the challenge they are facing. Employees need to understand that even during a time of downsizing, their contribution to your business is still valued. There are many free events online that provide wonderful resources on how to become a better leader and how to position your team for the success and grit to weather any storm.

6 .

S T R A T E G Y

A clear, cohesive strategy creates a universal vision for everyone within your organization. Identifying everyone on your team’s core strengths and their roles can help prevent your team from losing sight of your company’s goals and from becoming discouraged. Communicate with your team and employees often and make sure that your vision remains clear and shows your commitment—not only to serving your clients, but the people within your business as well.

7 .

P H I L A N T H R O P Y

THERE IS NO REASON TO STAND BY AND WAIT FOR SOLUTIONS TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS. TAKE THE TIME TO DO THE RESEARCH AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS LEADERS, TO SEE HOW THEY HAVE MANAGED TO STAY IN BUSINESS DURING THIS CHALLENGING YEAR. SOMETIMES ALL IT TAKES IS A CAREFULLY CURATED NOTE TO A BUSINESS LEADER YOU ADMIRE—OR EVEN A WELL-CURATED COLD CALL.

An authentic, philanthropic mission is a powerful tool in building customer engagement and loyalty, and it also helps your team and employees feel committed to your business because of your social impact. Be sure you are aligning with causes that you are passionate about so that you can truly weave your business strategy into the philanthropic work you do. A positive, social mission can do wonders to grow a business, especially during challenging, economic times.

<

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 74

NOW, MORE THAN EVER, BUSINESSES ARE OPEN TO SHARING INFORMATION AND RESOURCES. SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RE-EDUCATE YOURSELF TO PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR WHATEVER COMES NEXT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT MONEY by

Kim

Scouller

Connect

with

Kim

www.wealthwave.com

More women than ever are earning college and

graduate

degrees.

We

make

up

nearly

half of the workforce. And we hold more than half

of

the

careers.[1]

management

But

women

and

still

professional

face

obstacles

when it comes to our finances.

Women earn 82 cents for every $1 earned by a man. That means we have to work an extra 47 days to earn the same amount that men do.[1] We take time away from our careers to care for our children, parents, and partners. These interruptions in our careers can significantly impact our chances for promotions, our ability to earn higher income levels, and for some women, vesting in full retirement benefits.[2]

The median annual salary for men is around $50,000. At 82 cents for every $1 earned by a man, the median annual salary for women is

THE MONEY TALK

around $40,000.[1] For someone taking care of a family, how significant do you think that extra $10,000 would be?

The Covid-19 crisis has made it even harder for women. Without childcare, mothers of young

If we want change, we have to start having open conversations about money. We should talk with our friends and co-workers about money over lunch. We should

children have had to reduce their work hours

talk to our families and our kids about money at dinner. We have to talk about the

four to five times as much as fathers, widening

things we’re concerned about, and stop keeping silent because we’re feeling

the gender gap in work hours. It may seem

embarrassed, guilty or ashamed. Have you thought about these questions?

small or even temporary now, but it heralds a big

step

backward

in

the

progress

Can I make more money?

women

have made in gender equality at work. The

How do I stop living paycheck to paycheck?

fathers who have continued to work full hours

What's the best way to reduce my debt?

during the pandemic will likely benefit from upcoming promotions and raises over the next

Do I have enough money to retire?

couple of years.[1]

While we’ve made a lot of progress in pursuing higher

education

and

professional

careers,

we’ve made only incremental progress in our

As women, we’ll talk about anything and everything with our friends. But money has been a taboo subject. The majority of women would rather talk about their own death before they’ll talk about money. Of 1,594 pages of editorial content in the March 2018 issues of the top 17 women’s magazines, only 5 pages covered

finances. The gender pay gap has narrowed

personal finance. That’s less than 1%.[3]

since 1980, but it’s remained stable over the

last 15 years.[2] If we want to bring about profound change, we have to make it happen.

When women start asking questions and talking openly about things that are important to us, the world changes. There is power in our words and intentions.

We have over 20 years of consultancy experience in this area of business, and we strive to achieve the following: develop, empower, enable and maintain.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 75

>

SAVE MORE MONEY From a financial perspective, women say their biggest regret is not investing enough money. We hold back because we don’t feel like we know enough.[3] Banish the doubts and do two things. First, start your journey to learn how money works. It’s not as complicated as you may think. Focus on the basics like the power of compound interest, the time value of money, and the Rule of 72.

Second, develop the habit of setting aside money every day or every week. This can be money from your current discretionary income. If you don’t think you have any extra income, then find it by reducing your expenses or create it with an increase in your income. Skip the latte, bag your lunch, or cut out something extra in your day or week. Without taking into account any potential growth from investing, the chart below shows how saving a little bit every day can add up over time.

Savings Amount Per Day

Total In A Month

Total In A Year

$1

$30

$365

$5

$15

$1,825

$10

$300

$3,650

THE NEXT NORMAL DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THE OLD NORMAL We may not see equal pay or equal wealth in 50 or 100 years or more. The traditional workplace is outdated. Men are promoted based on potential, and women are promoted based on improving performance. Women are held to a much higher standard. Studies suggest that these biases re-emerge strongly during times of economic crisis, like a pandemic.

We can’t expect the Next Normal to be any different from the Old Normal unless we each take steps to bring about change for ourselves. It all starts with bringing our concerns into the light with real questions and open conversations.

<

For a complimentary copy of the book “How Money Works” by Steve Siebold and Tom Mathews, please send me an email at kim.scouller@wealthwave.com.

You can also visit my website

1 Catalyst, “Quick Take: Women in the Workforce—United States,” June 5, 2019.

2 Pew Research Center, “The narrowing, but persistent, gap in pay,” April 9, 2018.

3 Merrill Lynch and Agewave, “Women & Financial Wellness: Beyond the Bottom Line,” March 2018.

4 Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 17, 2019.

5 Fast Company, “Working mothers are paying a career penalty during the COVID-19 crisis. It’s expected to get worse,” Arianne Comen, July 14, 2020.

6 BBC World Service, “Coronavirus: Will women have to work harder after the pandemic?,” Pablo Uchoa, July 14, 2020.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 76

Indeed, a woman's construction is quite different from that of a man's. In fact, this woman, Thobekile MaMtshali Ndlovu is proof of that. She is the founder and managing director for Thobethulani Trading cc, a hundred-percent Black- and female-owned company in Durban, South Africa, which she started from humble beginnings in March 2005. She has made a great impact in the general building and construction industries—so much so, that she was honored with the Best Woman in Construction Award in 2015 by The Master Builders Association.

It may strike many as odd that such a feminine girly-girl would be a serious contender and multi-million-dollar server and earner in the male-dominated construction and building industry. So my first question to Thobe was right to the point.

Chloé: How did you become who you are in this industry?

Thobe: I think it just goes with passion, to be honest, because some of the qualities that I have just come naturally: being creative, being innovative and being stylish. I just love all of that.

CONSTRUCT: TO MAKE OR FORM BY COMBINING OR ARRANGING PARTS OR ELEMENTS; TO BUILD When I was growing up, I had a love of art. I was doing art at school and used to like drawing and watching home shows here in South Africa. These beautiful homes introduced me to architecture, designing and decorating, and one day in high school—a career day—I was introduced to interior designing. And I started Googling and asked myself, "What is this?!" and I discovered how beautiful the interior design of homes is. I just fell in love with this thing.

I'm one person who believes that everything must be consistent—style and class, image, your home, your car, all to your lifestyle. It's about lifestyle. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 77

Chloé: You started out loving the beautiful interior design side of your business. How did you get into the construction side of it?

Thobe: Along the way, I ended up in construction.

Remember, as interior designers, we work more like interior architects because we deal with beautifying structures from the inside—the likes of hotels, shopping centers and so on. I was in the space, it's just that I was not actually making it, and building it; I was beautifying structures. I was working as a professional person where we're conceptualizing and putting beautiful concepts together.

But once the concept is designed, only then do we source the builder, the implementing team to come and implement our concepts.

What I did was I introduced the implementing team in my career life, because I stopped just concentrating on consulting and doing designs on CAD and AutoCAD, architectural impressions and so on. I started building confidence. But what gave birth to construction is my passion for designing structures, and my passion about putting beautiful concepts together on paper. But now I felt, Why don't I build my own concept? Then I developed the wing for the builders, fitters, painters, carpenters—a team that would execute our designs.I started construction by default because I wanted to implement my own concepts. But somehow I ended up building not just for private clients. I ended up building for the government also. And then I went back to school to study project management. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 78

IT'S ABOUT LIFESTYLE Chloé: What do you say to women who want to be in the building and construction industry?

Thobe: Cracking into a male-dominated space is not easy if you're a woman, but we cope, and lift our head high and say, I'm doing it. One thing I know about females: Once a female puts her heart on something she'll achieve it anyway.

What launched me greatly was the partnership I created and built with government. Doing buildings for government—building schools, building community libraries, offices, and other projects. Remember, it's a community structure and it's all about the service you deliver to benefit the community. Executing successful projects is how I built my name and my company. People asked, Who did this? And they would say, It's a female. I was very fortunate because everyone I worked with was willing to groom me, to support me to become a better version of myself. they believed in me and saw my potential.

Chloé: What an amazing opportunity. How did you get the opportunity to work with the government?

Thobe: In South Africa, the government advertises in the papers when looking for service providers. I saw an advertisement looking for interior designers to conceptualize the new look for the Speakers Cottage in the Parliament. After presenting my concept it was nominated as the best, I was offered the opportunity to "revamp" the Speakers Cottage.

Chloé: Is this when you felt you were on your way to greater success personally and professionally?

Thobe: That was my turning point. I was young—twenty-four or twenty-five and it afforded me an opportunity to understand my strengths. It also challenged my innovation. This is also when I introduced my own building team into the value chain - starting the implementation of my own projects.

Chloé: Is this when you began implementing your amazing style, flair and taste into your work?

Thobe: My love of fine things was always interpreted in my designs.

So, immediately, people began questioning "who did this job" and my name was always getting great recognition.

Chloé: Thank you, Thobe. It sounds to me that your ability to be your authentic self as you hold a powerful position is the secret sauce that makes you a Feminine Power Player.

All the best to you. < Follow Thobekile Ndlovu on ig: @thobethulanitrading www.thobethulanisa.co.za FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 79

LOOK...

What Do You See?

I see the possibilities of something phenomenal. I see that September and October combined make a wonderful season to look around our own environment, our own community, town and state to see what is here that's natural, wholesome and flourishing. Yes, even in the midst of uncertainty there is so much good right in our presence, right in our own back yard. There could be acres of diamonds if we would allow ourselves to open our eyes to look and see one more time at home.

Now is an ideal time to make amends, clean the slate, to communicate clearly, specifically and truthfully—with yourself and others. It's a time to get closer to family, to forgive and to appreciate more than ever before.

It's a time to be flamboyant at home this season. Paint a room a bold color, brighten your kitchen, use your good china. Pull the curtains down for another time—because you will want to let the light in. Dress up for family dinners for no reason, even if it's just you, Darling. Burn those expensive candles, and try the special bath lotions and potions. Plant something—in a pot, a jar, your backyard or a community garden.

Take it easy, sit on the porch, go barefoot, get some sun in the brisk, cool air. Put your feet in the dirt for organic healing purposes...and just for fun.

Read a book from a genre you would not normally choose. Try a new online program or class; so many are free these days. People are generous. Keep growing and sharing your knowledge.

With three new moons shinning down on us in September and October, there is no telling what the potential of our creations may bring during this very special fall season of 2020.

—Chloé Taylor Brown A Mississippi Girl

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 80

Visiting Aunt Anita Was The Perfect Opportunity To Reset On my last visit to my home town of Holly Springs, Mississippi, my eyes were opened in a wider, richer, more spiritual and loving way than ever before. Indeed, I reconnected with my roots and also saw my town as if I were a tourist, taking in its rich history.

This is Anita Moore, my 80-year-old aunt who an historian and still works as the lead librarian at Rust College, an HBCU in our town. (While there I visited the Ida B. Wells museum.) Ida B. Wells was born in Holly Springs. I walked my aunt's property, and enjoyed sitting under the shady trees waving at cars as they passed by. I really got a spiritual boost by going out into the country to Casey Road where I randomly pulled up on Howard Riley's property—the grounds where my mother, Janice Moore Taylor, last played with me and a few of her eight children, just days before the car crash that took our mother's life. Oh how delicious that experience was. I felt her spirit there...and we got real tomatoes and watermelons from Howard's garden. <

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 81

RAGZ 2 RICHEZ ALTERATIONS, HOME DECOR & MORE D E S I G N E R

B R E N D A

T A Y L O R

TRANSFORMING PEOPLE, SPACES & PLACES +1 470-261-9674

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 82

L E W I S

ALTER EGO OF DENITRA ISLER

By Seane Shaw

FDM – Flourish Digital Magazine DI – Denitra Isler FDM – How has it been getting

acclimated to doing things differently in the acting world due to Covid?

DI – Everything has literally been shut

down. We all are waiting to see how things are going to work when we go back to work, and the limitations on the number of people on set. There’s so many people involved when making a project (hair and makeup, props, directors, production crew, etc.). They are just trying to keep everyone safe. It’s really a strange time. Even the way people audition has changed. Now there are Zoom auditions out of the comfort of your home. I truly believe that some of these new approaches to our business are going to remain due to efficiency.

FDM – You’ve been busy over the last two

to three years—a new show, being in the rock band Conkrete God, and getting married. How has all that been?

DI – It has been a true blessing. To live

your life as a true artist. Every time I’m on stage holding a mic or being on set I’m excited! I love what I do! I would even do it if I wasn’t getting paid. > FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 83

FIERCE ON ALL ACCOUNTS! Photography: Chilly-O Styling: Denitra Isler IG: @denitraisler, @conkretegod

"I CALL WHAT I DO MY GOOD WORK!" DI, cont. – I always tell my colleagues that I’ll see them on the playground. I call what I do “my good work.” I get to tell these amazing stories and give Denitra a break sometimes. It’s really awesome!

FDM – You’re such a multi-talented artist. I can see who I know as Denitra in some of your characters.

DI – Yeah. You always are going to have some of yourself in characters because it’s the vessel upon which you have to draw from. Much like when Kanye says he sees the music. That’s what happens with me. I’m very visual like that as well. I see the music when I’m writing songs or going through scripts. I also think that’s why artists tend to be emotional and somewhat vulnerable and sometimes fragile. To create that art, you have to be able to tune into every aspect of yourself emotionally, and be ready and comfortable enough to live in that emotional feeling.

FDM – You’re such a talented actress. You’re on the show The Resident . And you were just in the movie No Mercy with Jamie Fox and Michael B. Jordan. We’ll get to that in a few. I want to talk about this rock group Conkrete God that you’re you in as lead singer. It’s like an alter ego of who I know Denitra to be. How did you get involved in all of that?

DI – It really is an alter ego. Funny that you say that. Before I go on stage I’m God Mama. It’s another side of who I am. I wrote the lyrics to a song called Alter Ego, and it’s about dealing with that duality. Like in the song; I say that I like my coffee dark. That’s really the alter ego side of God Mama, because I like my coffee with plenty of cream and sugar. There is another side of me that’s a little gritty and a bit of a rebel in God Mama. Shout out to my band memebers: Professor Steam Boi (guitar), Auslander (guitar), Kewl (bass), The Conkreetor (drums)!

FDM – Had you always been interested in punk rock?

Denitra as Evelyn McMillian in Just Mercy

DI – I’ve always been in bands. In fact, back in Cleveland before I moved to Atlanta, I was in a band called D’nitra and my stage name was Eve. It was a hard-hitting drum-and-base band but it wasn’t as hard as punk rock. I always loved music and being in bands—and especially in an allBlack rock band. There’s a band called Skunk Anansie that really inspired me to do what I do. There are times when we walk in venues and they have confederate flags and people looking at us like: What are we in for? What’s funny is, we would do a sound check and play some R&B just to get reactions from the audience. But when we open the set with music from Motorhead, people literally look around with a confused look on their faces. But soon they come to realize that we came to play. It’s awesome when the biker guys come up after our set to give us props and say we killed it.

FDM – So let’s talk about your latest project, The Resident. It seems like such a labor of love for you. You look so comfortable in that role.

DI – It’s like a family. Everyone that come on set says, “Ah man, this is really great! We had so much fun.” We really enjoy being on set and doing scenes together. I love the show because it’s a different pace for me. It’s really fast pace and you have to have a special rhythm with a medical drama. It’s challenging but I love it. You have to learn all these medical terms and still remain in the moment. There is always someone on set to assist us to make sure that we are doing things correctly and doing the frontlines justice. >

Seane Shaw

Chief Creative Officer, Flourish Digital Magazine IG: dinner_dialogue www.dinneranddialogueTV.com

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 84

"OUR PURPOSE IS TO BE LOVE AND GIVE LOVE BECAUSE WE ARE LOVE." FDM – The other great project you were recently

involved with was Just Mercy. That was such a great movie with a phenomenal cast. How did that all come about and the whole process?

DI – Generally what happens is your agent sends in a

submission and if they like you they do a call back, which is usually with the director. When I read for the director, it went really well and I was offered the job. It has been blissful ever since. There are projects that change your life. Just Mercy was one of those projects.

It changed me in every way imaginable. The opportunity to tell Walter McMillan’s story and to be able to shed light on the work Bryan Stephenson has being doing is reason enough to be excited. Bryan has been working many years to bring the unseen and unheard to the forefront. It was such an honor to bring this work to life. You have the director Destin Daniel Cretton, Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordon. What else can you ask for? Michael was such a pleasure to work with. He’s not only an amazing actor but an awesome man.

I have to tell you a story about Michael. Firstly, on that set, there was a diversity and inclusion contract—which meant that there had to be people of color in front and behind the camera. That changes the game.

During the table scene after the director called cut, I happened to mention to him that I'd auditioned for a role in another one of his movies, Raising Dion. He asked what role. I told him and he instantly got on the phone and asked that I be placed in that role!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to fulfill that role due to scheduling conflicts but that brought tears to my eyes.

Too often people say that they got you, and they don't.

Michael B. Jordan says that he's going to look out for you, and he does it. He said that: "I'm always going to look out for good people and make sure that they have jobs." That's the kind of actions that bring your people up. He's all about inclusion across the board. There was such a healing time for us on set. Often the director would call "cut" during a heavy scene, and we would all be silent because we would be sitting in the moment.

Very powerful!

Thanks for this wonderful opportunity. I love this magazine. Congratulations on everything! Can't wait to see what's next for you guys!

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 85

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 86

SEPTEMBER 2020, ISSUE 3

ONLINE TRENDS

A Baker Life—At Home Lisa Baker and Budget-Friendly Beautiful Home Decor

Beautiful on a Budget

By Lisa Wilder Baker

IG: @abakerlifeathome

Being British in Atlanta, married to a Georgia native, and mother to a threemonth-old, beautiful baby boy—born just before we reached our one-year wedding anniversary and just a couple months after we purchased our forever home in Grayson, Georgia, one might ask, "How Lisa, do you have time to juggle your corporate gig, photography, music, marriage, motherhood, and home decorating? Well, I certainly wish I had an answer for you, but all I can say is: life is fun, crazy, interesting, and a little wild—and filled with a lot of things that I love to do.

A little about me: I have just crossed into my forties, and I'm a type-A personality and Londoner living in Georgia. After four years, my husband, Ray, proposed on June 11th of last year and we were married on July 15th—after just 27 days of planning an epic wedding in front of 230 of our closest friends and family. Yes,

>

I am that crazy, and no, it actually wasn’t that stressful, yes it was amazing and nope, no one could believe we pulled it off—but that’s another story for another day).

I am mother to the world's cutest baby boy, Hudson. (Sure, I may be a little biased.) And I am the daughter of Linda and Keith Wilder, who was also the lead singer of the 70s group Heatwave ("Always & Forever," "Boogie Nights," "Groove Line"). Creativity and spontaneity run deep in my veins, and I enjoy diving into many creative outlets. While writing music is one of them, another happens to be home décor—and everything home and family. Specifically, I love making things “Beautiful on a Budget.” I genuinely believe there is always a way to achieve the look and feel of luxury and intentional design in your home—without breaking the bank.

I am the author and photographer behind the Instagram page @ABakerLifeatHome, where I have been documenting the decorating journey of our new forever home as well as mini-blogging about our life at home as the Bakers. Yes, yes, I watch all the HGTV shows and read the home magazines. In my mind, of course Chip and Joanna Gaines are my best friends, and I wonder how they manage to take a couple spending $130,000 on a house and turn it into a warm, luxurious, unique million-dollar farmhouse! (Insert eye-roll here.) But I realize, it's all in the eye! It’s all about when Joanna finds those “treasures” in the antique store and she finds a way to repurpose those random old items someone else looked over, and then she somehow creates beautiful wall sconces—or something equally annoyingly charming.

It’s knowing how to shop for things. Not everything is on a showroom floor of a major furniture store! Sometimes with just a little bit of patience and a watchful eye, you can find that perfect piece to really set your room up for success. Or accent, nicely, that beautiful living room couch that you did purchase at a mainstream store. “Where?” you ask. Well, my secret weapon is Facebook Marketplace. (This is in no way a paid advertisement for them. Ha ha.) And I could just as well say Craigslist and Goodwill. But honestly, FB marketplace has been my jam! You’d be surprised how many amazing things you can find that people are letting go of for much less than you’d pay in stores—or you can find very unique pieces, even handmade. I get excited with every gorgeous, unique find: From the seafoam, hand-painted antique dresser in my music room, to the vintage wooden rocking horses that can be found both upstairs and downstairs (bargain finds at $50 and $30 apiece, respectively). Ladies and gents, don’t overlook a good second-hand find, and also don’t forget to mix and match with high-end accessories or furniture pieces and...Ikea! Yup, that's my other secret weapon. I really can’t get enough—except for the long lines. They can keep those. Our home is basically a hodgepodge of Ikea, Facebook Marketplace, fine furniture stores, online furniture stores and DIY—and it all works! I hope I will have the pleasure of seeing you in Instagram-land—following along with my family journey, but also looking out for great and easy home decorating tips!

<

Subscribe to Flourish Digital Magazine

"Our subscribers trust us because they know we understand them.

Always write with honesty and heart."

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 88

The Consulate A RESTAURANT HIGHLIGHT

This beautiful restaurant draws in experiences from all four corners of the world. It's an Atlanta mid-town eatery with a swanky flair, and it's a "must have" when considering a night out on the town. <

By Seane Shaw

10 10th St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 89

Do you feel it in the air?

I love to see and feel the little whispers of fall gently dancing about in nature. The cuisine during fall is rich with warm and healing spices—like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and allspice, just to name a few. This is the season for soups, stews, chilies and heartier vegetables. >

In m y Vegan Spicy Saffron Sweet Potato Soup, I share some of the delicious key elements of fall.

I hope you enjoy it, and Happy Fall.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 90

Vegan SPICY SAFFRON SWEET POTATO SOUP Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 very large sweet potato, peeled and diced, put 1/2 cup to the side for garnish 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced 1/4 cup red onions, diced 2 garlic cloves, crushed pinch saffron threads 1 teaspoon red chili flakes 1 cup of coconut milk 1/2 cup organic vegetable broth 1 1/2 tablespoon organic maple syrup 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds 1/4 teaspoon cardamom 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a large pot, add enough water to cover half of the diced sweet potatoes. Set the 1/2 cup of the uncooked diced sweet potato aside, for the garnish. Boil the rest on a medium-high heat, until tender.

Drain and set aside.

Garnish

a few more saffron threads for garnish

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook the 1/2 cup of the sweet potatoes, along with the red onions and red bell peppers, stirring, until soft.

Stir in the garlic, red chili pepper flakes and the saffron. Add the smoked paprika, fennel seeds and a pinch of salt. Stir and cook for a minute to incorporate the spices. Set the garnish mixture to the side.

Soup

Add the remaining sweet potatoes to a blender, Vitamix or Ninja.

Add the remaining ingredients, coconut milk, vegetable broth, maple syrup and spices. Blend until smooth. Add the soup to a pot and warm up, if needed. Add the soup to serving bowls; top with the sweet potato garnish. <

! y o j En FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 91

Lisa Washington, Flourish Digital Magazine lifestyle contributor and CEO of B'Tyli Wellness and Beauty Co. IG: @lifewithlisawashington www.setthetablewithlove.com

Sheldon McIntyre A Retired Army Veteran Who Has Fused His Passion for Cooking Into a True Soldier's Story Through Mouthwatering BBQ

SMAC DADDY BBQ! Smoky, spicy and sweet!

Corporate Catering, Family Gatherings and a Commitment to Community.

813-468-3635 IG: @SMACDADDYBBQ

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 92

Let's Flourish Together

SCAN TO JOIN THE JOURNEY

LET'S THRIVE & FLOURISH TOGETHER FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 93

CHADWICK AS THURGOOD MARSHALL AND T'CHALLA

STRENGTH Chadwick Aaron Boseman was a man who embodied all that a King is.

He was a leader amongst his peers, a devoted husband, brother, son and friend.

He was loved around the world! He created memories that will transcend many lifetimes. Forever in Love and Peace.

Well done, good and faithful servant...Well done!

—Seane Shaw FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 94

MEANINGFUL IMAGES

n a f o e Lif tist Ar

Left - Boy from Troy Right - And Don't Forget It! "Effulgence"

by Seane Shaw

Marcus E. Bishop is a native of Mississippi currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia. He received his BFA in painting from Jackson State University in 1999, a BFA in Fashion Design and Marketing from American InterContinental University in 2001, and a Masters of Fine Arts from SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) in 2013. For eight years he worked as a kindergarten educator for Atlanta Public Schools, and he spent three years as a Middle School Visual Arts teacher for DeKalb County Schools. Currently, he works as an Art Instructor for Fulton County Arts & Culture. Bishop is constantly creating meaningful images using multiple mediums such as collage, photography, acrylics, pastels, watercolors, charcoal and more. Meanwhile, he finds his inspiration reading books, watching documentaries and his everyday surroundings—from the students he teaches, to people he may encounter on the streets while traveling throughout the city of Atlanta. Bishop uses many techniques to enhance his artwork from its original state to a concept of historic significance. Finally, his ultimate goal encompasses tackling the sublime or insignificant, and elevating the subjects to reflect dignity and substance. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 95

ARTIST

Marcus E.

Bishop

THE

YEAR

OF

CHANGE

It's been a year for overcoming racial inequities, disease and economic challenges. My work is a reflection of the optimism and light that continue to shine!

Shown here: Marcus at his recent exhibit IG: @wuga77

Seane Shaw

Chief Creative Officer, Flourish Digital Magazine IG: dinner_dialogue www.dinneranddialogueTV.com

"As an emerging and passionate visual artist growing up an African American male in the deep South, I have decided to center my work around my experiences and life journey from childhood to adulthood. My visual aesthetic derives from personal experiences, research and storytelling centered around critical views of cultural, political and social issues. Inspired by a number of expressionist artists, I employ my techniques and imagery of bold colors on raw materials—such as canvas, cardboard, fabric, glass and wood—used to enhance my work from its original state to a concept of historic meaning. Ultimately, my goal as a visual artist is to give the viewers a body of work that depicts the rich history of African Americans." —Marcus E. Bishop <

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 96

HONORING JOHN ROBERT LEWIS

Get in good trouble.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 97

TRANSFORMATIONAL

life Coaching 101 In order to thrive, prosper and flourish authentically and expansively we must envision the future we want to experience.

In addition, we must create a plan and strategy to help guide us there.

God's gift to us is our creative power to envision and make decisions; and to choose how we want to live our life out loud. Our gift to God and others is to self-actualize into who we desire to become and to live our purpose using our gifts.

Our future beyond coronavirus will depend on our willingness to be who we are without apology; and to create the new thoughts, the new beliefs, and the new actions that will create the new experiences with new people, places and things. That's flourishing.

LIFE COACHING GOALS & OBJECTIVES To educe and draw out excellence, To establish new life-goals, To reframe past experiences, To reset a new life strategy, To create the energetic vibrations within ourSELF to attract the envisioned and desired life setup and outcomes.

READ MORE

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 98

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

Today is the day to leverage our mental power to evoke change and to alter the narrative of our lives. This year has been one of turmoil, strife and heightened levels of civil unrest. We have had to make adjustments that we could never have imagined. We’ve gone from "20/20 vision" to a position of uncertainty—all within nine months. Who would have thought so many lives would have been impacted so severely by a vicious contagion, unemployment at record levels and racial injustices—all of which continue to plague our society like never before. With all that being said, we have to remain hopeful and diligent in order to impact our future by lifting our voices and taking action.

We have the ability to manifest an outlook that’s one of prosperity and strength even through these challenging times. I pledge to you our commitment to focus on operating on a higher vibration and on providing a magazine that is inclusive and represents lives that thrive and overcome adversity.

Thank you for your continued support of this publication. Please share the word that Flourish Digital Magazine is elevating perspective and encouraging lives!

Until next issue,

Seane Shaw Chief Creative Officer Flourish Digital Magazine

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 99

Fall is a wonderful time to reframe, refresh &

LET'S FLOURISH TOGETHER FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM