Flourish Digital Magazine: Fall 2021 by Flourish Digital Magazine

FALL 2021 ISSUE 5

VOLUME 2

A "ROCK STEADY" CONVERSATION WITH CHEF CHRISTIAN "LUCKE" BELL Chloé Taylor Brown

THE ARTIST WHO REPURPOSES GRAFFITI Denise Leitch Jackson

Kim Scouller

STRIVING TO ERADICATE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE The Younique Foundation

AFFORDABLE LUXURY

Jacqui Lewis

CHADD BLACK BLACKING ENTERTAINMENT By Chloé Taylor Brown

Fall Things! Lets's live our best life amidst the splendor of Fall— happening all around us!

CHADD BLACK

Available NOV 1ST

Barnes & Noble

Editor's Note

Happy crisp Fall!

I've always thought of Fall as a time for "turn-down" and reset—and because of the coziness and warmth of the season, it just seems in perfect order that we not only wrap ourselves up in comfy warm blankets and scarves, but also in the good feelings of contentment and appreciation. Fall feels like comfort and intimacy with family and close friends. It smells like homemade soups, warm apple cider and fresh-baked apple pie, and all sorts of comfort foods. Lisa Washington, Flourish Digital Magazine's Food & Lifestyle Contributor, shares one of her tasty yet simple home-cooked cozy meals: Cornbread and Spicy Mexican Beans. Fall is a natural time when many things may fall down and others may even fall apart. With a little insight to know what's happening, we can ride the wave and stay in flow because we know that life and seasons are cyclical, and that Spring will be a time to rise up for the glow up. And. . .until then, take advantage of cold, rainy, snowed-in days by sitting and being near the fire. Snuggle up with your thoughts, goals and intentions for the upcoming year. Don't pull back. Lean into these days with your pen, journal, soft music, candles, and your favorite hot beverages. Be present to hear the promptings of your Higher Self. Be intentional about what you want and the desires of your heart, your Fall goals, and what you want to accomplish in 2022 and beyond. And remember, on those beautiful Fall days with beaming sunshine, make sure to get out and enjoy the magnificent colors of the leaves changing, and watch how they get ready, in all of their natural, organic essence, for new things to happen—in the new year and in the blossoming Spring to come. All the best to you during this very colorful season.

Chloé Taylor Brown Editor-in-Chief

chloe@flourishdigitalmagazine.com Instagram: @flourishdigitalmagazine @chloetaylorbrown

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FALL IS PROOF THAT CHANGE IS

BEAUTIFUL

@flourishdigitalmagazine @sadiyah_adams

30-day self-improvement plan

from a promise to prevention

Chloé Taylor Brown

Shelaine & Derek Maxfield work to stop child sexual abuse

america's game changer

HEY, MAMAS!

Chloé Taylor Brown

Elena Taylor Bagger

Paula G. Voice

WHAT WE HOPE IS ON THE MENU

ACCOMPLISH YOUR fall GOALS

live your hope

40 when the kitchen is rock steady

a conversation with Christian "Lucke" Bell

fall down, get up & own your power Laurie Renfro

Chloé Taylor Brown

Janis Hunt Johnson

THE MORALE BOOSTER

Paula G. Voice in conversation with Dr. John Ughulu

BLACKING ENTERTAINMENT: CHADD BLACK, mogul in the making

a Chloé Taylor Brown interview

meet georgia state representative DOREEN CARTER

a life of service

TIMELESS BEAUTY: the lady in the mirror

AROUND TOWN

Lady Carol Causieestko

PHOTOGRAPHY

jac painter: the artist who repurposes graffiti

KAI SHANI GEMS one-of-a-kind jewelry creations by Jacqui Lewis

set the table with love Lisa Washington

by Joshua Brown

Denise Leitch Jackson

with Chloé Taylor Brown

the best kept money secret Kim Scouller

GETTING BLACK TO BUSINESS 2.0

Getting ready chloé-style

meeting the sun halfway

tower of hope

GIRL-SWAG

Chadd Black

Chloé Taylor Brown

Seane Shaw

Anita Walton Moore

Chloé Taylor Brown

WWW.CHLOETAYLORBROWN.COM

FROM AGE 19 TO 90, WE ALL NEED ENCOURAGEMENT AND REAL-LIFE PROCESSES TO DRAW OUT OUR BEST—TO THRIVE AND TO FLOURISH! EXPERT LIFE COACHING FOR WOMEN & GIRLS TO RISE UP, SINCE 2001 FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 8

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BRANDING FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION: BOOK CHLOÉ & HER TEAM TO "CELEBRITIZE" YOUR IMAGE & BRAND Before

After

Your image IS your BRAND. It could be worth a fortune to you when you're poised, polished and positioned for SUCCESS, Chloé - Style!

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FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 10

LET'S FLOURISH TOGETHER.

C O N T I N U E

T O

MASK UP

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When the Kitchen is Rock Steady

HE IS "LUCKE" BELL Executive Chef Christian "Lucke" Bell shares a conversation with Chloé Taylor Brown

www.rocksteadyatl.com

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CHEF LUCKE

I first met Christian "Lucke" Bell in July 2021 and instantly caught the "family vibe" from him based on the food he generously served me. Well, it wasn't just for me. Those exquisite dishes that crowded our table that night were for an entire group of us, and even for the whole restaurant of evening diners at Rock Steady, a Caribbean–African inspired restaurant and nightclub. Its unique ambiance offers an immersive sensory sampling of the vibrant cuisines of the West Indies in an upmarket setting in Atlanta, Georgia, where Lucke is executive chef and leader of the kitchen. He takes his exceptional culinary background to lead his team with style, mastery and Chi-Town finesse. On the fine September day of this conversation, Lucke had invited my husband and me back for a different experience, as Rock Steady was throwing a two-day Chicago-Style Block Party—and wow! It was a legitimate, old-fashioned, uninhibited fun time. There was a DJ on a huge stage in the middle of the street. Caribbean music blasted so I could feel the bass in my body. We danced, drank, ate, laughed, danced again, and met amazing new people. As the sun slowly began to fade, the Rock Steady crew started getting ready to move the party inside, and this was my opportunity to catch Lucke for a precious eight minutes. When I walked inside, I only recognized the bar from my first visit, so I asked, "Lucke, is this the same area where we all dined when I was here the first time?"

Lucke: Yes! We cleared everything out because we wanted to make it more about the festivities and the Labor Day weekend. People are going to be coming inside from the block party and it’s all about enjoying the full event. And as we get into the later hours and it gets darker, we're going to be opening up the space here—inside, from until 1:00 AM, on both days of the two-day party—for all the partygoers who still want to continue hanging out a little bit longer and don't have to work tomorrow. We'll have DJs upstairs and downstairs. We are really trying to incorporate the food and the vibe. That's our big thing. It's all about the vibe. And for us, everything goes hand in hand. It's the cocktails. It's the food. It's the ambiance, and the music. Everything works together. Not one thing is more important than the other. Everybody has their part, and it makes it all work. Chloé: Lucke, it sounds like you all have come together and created a masterpiece. Lucke: Absolutely, Chloé. Every piece has its part, and every part is important—from the dishwasher to the bartenders, down to the managers.

We can't make this successful without every single piece in place. That's one of the big things that I appreciate. I think that's why people enjoy working for me. I treat people like people. I don't feel like I need to downplay or degrade anyone. I think you are an individual and I am a firm believer that you get more flies with pudding than you do with trash.

Chloé: How did you come be the chef that you are today? Where did you start?

This is a family at Rock Steady. We're all about networking and bringing the team together because at the end of the day, especially in our field, you spend more time with the people that you work with than you do with your own family. So, you have to make sure all the personalities can mesh. You have to make sure that people feel comfortable enough to voice their opinions on certain situations, and the best way to resolve those situations.

Lucke: Both! We had two tables jumping off at the same time in our basement. If you wanted to play Bid, you're on this side; if you wanted to play Spades, you’re on the other side. And yes, it was about the gathering. And my mom always cooked. So, yes. It was about the cards and the trash talking. But when everybody left— they always talked about the food. I started to realize that food and memories go hand in hand. It's birthdays, graduations, funerals, weddings, Thanksgiving, and any holiday. Most of the best memories that people have about togetherness and about family are surrounded by food. >

And you want people to feel like they are heard—all the way down from the dishwashers and all the way up to management. We want everybody to feel like they are part of a family. That's what I’m about and that’s what Rock Steady is about.

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Lucke: It was really my mother, who is from the South Side of Chicago, and a graduate of Northwestern. She and my father used to throw card parties. Chloé: Bid Wiz or Spades?

"IT WAS A WHOLE VIBE AT ROCK STEADY."

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How About a 30-Day Self-Improvement Plan WHY SHOULD I WAIT UNTIL JANUARY?

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Let's start here! BETWEEN NOW AND 30 DAYS FROM TODAY, I WILL BREAK THESE HABITS: NEGATIVE THINKING AND LANGUAGE ABOUT MY BODY. OBSESSING ABOUT THE SIZES THAT I WEAR. GOSSIPING ABOUT ANOTHER WOMAN'S LOOK BEHIND HER BACK. THE MORE I CAN APPRECIATE ANOTHER WOMEN'S BEAUTY, BODY AND UNIQUENESS, THE MORE I CAN APPRECIATE MY OWN.

BETWEEN NOW AND 30 DAYS FROM TODAY, I WILL ACQUIRE THESE HABITS: GIVING MY COLLECTIVE BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES. REFINING MY POISE, POSTURE AND THE WAY I WALK. FOCUSING MORE ON MY ASSETS AND WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT MYSELF. LOVING MYSELF, AS I AM AND WHO I AM.

BETWEEN NOW AND 30 DAYS FROM TODAY, I WILL: ASK MYSELF WHAT I WANT TO PROJECT FOR THE DAY AND DO IT. BE ARTICULATE, WELL INFORMED AND WELL VERSED. ENJOY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIFT OF ALL: THE SOUND OF LAUGHTER. FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 16

From a Promise to

PREVENTION THE YOUNIQUE FOUNDATION STRIVES TO ERADICATE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

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Shelaine

Derek Maxfield Founders in 2014 of The Younique Foundation. Shelaine remains President and Board Chair. ONE IN FIVE. ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTRY WILL BE SEXUALLY ABUSED BEFORE TURNING 18.

MORE THAN ONE MILLION CHILDREN WILL BE SEXUALLY ABUSED THIS YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES.

These sobering statistics represent the faces of adult women who have desperately reached out for help from The Younique Foundation because they were sexually abused as children. They are no longer victims. They are survivors. The story of The Younique Foundation is as unique as each survivor it serves. The Foundation began with a promise—a promise Derek Maxfield made to a dying friend in which he vowed to do something great with his life, something that would make a difference in the world. That promise changed the direction of Derek’s life and the life of his wife, Shelaine. Years later, the Maxfields learned about a loved one who had been sexually abused as a child.

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They discussed how unfair it was that she had taken on so much shame and guilt for the abuse she had endured. It was so unjust that she was the one to carry that hurt and trauma. It was in that moment that the Maxfields knew they had to do something to help survivors going through similar pains. In 2014, The Younique Foundation was created. Shelaine became the founder, president, and chair of the Foundation, driven by their main purpose: to help eradicate child sexual abuse and its effects on survivors. The Foundation’s mission is to heal the individual—by providing an educational retreat for adult female survivors of child sexual abuse; and to protect the many—through its online prevention resources for parents and caregivers. >

Now, seven years since its start, the nonprofit—which houses offices in Alpharetta, Georgia, and in Lehi, Utah—has offered hope to more than 3,800 survivors as they move forward on their healing journey. And its Defend Innocence brand offers a website with more than 200 videos and online resources to help parents and caregivers reduce the risk of their children being impacted by sexual abuse. “We have seen reports of an increase in cases of sexual abuse during the pandemic, leading to an overwhelming urgency to protect children who are isolated in places where they are frightened and unsafe,” says Shelaine Maxfield.

Eighty percent of children who are abused know their abuser. Children are most vulnerable to sexual abuse between the ages of seven and thirteen. Twenty percent of abusers are family members. Children with disabilities are three times more likely to be victims of sexual abuse.

This issue extends nationwide, where many children and teens have experienced, or continue to experience, sexual abuse. “Educating ourselves is the first step to preventing—and ultimately eradicating—this epidemic,” says Maxfield.

Maxfield knows that child sexual abuse is an issue so daunting that it can be overwhelming for parents to know where to start to help their children. “We have the choice to help or look away. It requires courage to engage the suffering of others and provide relief where we can. Sometimes we feel helpless—that what we can do won’t matter. But it does,” she says. “One of the most important things parents and caretakers can do this month is to have candid discussions with their children and teens."

Knowing the statistics and learning the risk factors are among the most important steps parents can take to protect their children. Some of the most alarming statistics include:

Parents, caregivers, educators, and community leaders, who need ageappropriate resources to start these prevention conversations, are invited to visit www.defendinnocence.org.

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Atlanta couple Chloé Taylor Brown and Rick Brown are lending their support to The Younique Foundation for its annual Giving Tuesday campaign set for Nov. 30. The purpose of Giving Tuesday is to unleash the power to transform communities through the gift of hope and healing. Rick is a former NBA and European League basketball player who launched Brown-Ball Training and Coaching to inspire young men and boys through sports. Chloé is not only the publisher and editor-inchief of this magazine, she is also an author, lifestyle model, personal excellence facilitator, executive life coach, mentor to women and girls, and child sexual abuse survivor and thriver. >

“We are thrilled to have the Browns advocate for us,” says Executive Director Chris Yadon. “The Browns know this is not just a Younique Foundation issue but a worldwide cause that needs everyone’s attention.” Giving Tuesday is important every year, but it has taken on an additional urgency during the last two years. “More than ever, survivors of sexual abuse are suffering from isolation and loneliness, and this Giving Tuesday we have an opportunity to give the gift of hope and healing,” says Yadon. The effects of child sexual abuse last into adulthood and long after the abuse has stopped. Most survivors don’t talk about the abuse until adulthood. And as they carry this weight throughout their lives, many experience a variety of trauma symptoms that can lead to devastating challenges. It’s not a coincidence that survivors are more likely to experience mental or health challenges, are more prone to attempt suicide, and have an increased risk of substance and alcohol abuse.

Three weeks a month, The Younique Foundation offers a four-day educational retreat in the mountains of Utah County and Northern Georgia to support survivors as they learn to heal. “We consider it a privilege to help so many begin their healing journey. Due to the generosity of donors, survivors attend The Haven Retreat free of charge,” Maxfield says. "The curriculum taught at our retreats is researched-based and has been lauded for its effectiveness by graduate researchers from the University of Michigan and from Brigham Young University. We know these retreats are working and changing lives. Research indicates that after attending the retreat, participants experienced, on average, an increase of 45 percent in life satisfaction, and a reduction of 37 percent in post-traumatic stress." Maxfield personally invites adult female survivors to visit their website to apply today to attend one of their free retreats. She also asks for your help. “We need your resources. We need your voice. We need you to become involved,” Maxfield says. "And Giving Tuesday is a

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wonderful way for all of us to do our part. No donation is too small.” For more information, or to make a donation, please go to: www.youniquefoundation.org. <

A L I G N M E N T , B A L A N C E

H A R M O N Y : A M E R I C A ' S G A M E C H A N G E R BY CHLOÉ TAYLOR BROWN

As a nation, if we’re ever going to reposition ourselves as healthy Americans who win consistently and significantly again, to be greatly admired by our own citizens and by the world, and to even exceed where we once thought we were in decades past—then we must reimagine ourselves. We must think of new, delicious, innovative ways to play the global game of life—at higher levels of consciousness, authenticity and excellence. In my opinion, an elevated way of pulling this off is by enriching our personal awareness, integrity, and overall excellence

THE SITUATION

levels across the board. Our ability to hold a strong position, to hold on to our creative and competitive edge at a higher level globally, has been slipping through our fingers over the past few decades; now,

WHERE DO WE START?

the respect of our country is also hanging in the balance. As a result, we Americans have become self-righteous,

I believe we start by educating ourselves and our people, and by demonstrating how to apply what we learn through repetition—until we reach mastery in our innate skills, talents, and subjects of interest. These innovative methods, coaching strategies and teachings must be for all Americans and all ages—from birth until we expire—for rich, middle class and poor; for urban, suburban and rural dwellers, individually and collectively. And for sure, we know this by now: It’s accepting it and doing something about it that will make the difference.

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unenthusiastic, and uncertain about what we stand for and what we are striving for collectively. Individually, many of us don’t have a purpose or life goal, feeling as if it’s “survival of the fittest” because we don’t see a big picture. And since we don’t know what the big picture is for us, or what it looks or feels like, we don’t have the energy, power, or strength to sustain much above average, at best. We simply go through life in a routine, run-of-the-mill, mediocre way, not living up to who we are, nor to our true potential as a nation.

ANALYSIS

THE SOLUTION AND GAME CHANGER

We don’t value ourselves as much as we did in previous

Transformation starts by implementing a more excellent

decades. We don’t know who we are or what we are made of

innovative, integrated, super-learning system. A learning

intellectually, scientifically or spiritually; and because of this,

system that incorporates a sustainable, transformational

we don’t see that there are formulas, methods, strategies and

method that combines all of the above elements. This is the

processes to integrate the wholeness of who we are—to

PEP System. The Personal Excellence Profile Self-Awareness

create a more excellent, harmonious, prosperous way of living

& Assessment Tool is the transformational game changer

individually. Let's unveil the secrets to the masses, and

when it comes to showing where an individual or team is

collectively recreate ourselves and our nation.

currently showing up in their personal levels of excellence, in twelve abilities. The PEP is life-changing for individuals,

Our value of self is extremely low—average at best right now.

families, teams and groups within corporations, organizations

Our ability to perceive is distorted and unstable; as a nation

and institutions. The Personal Excellence Profile helps people

our decision-making ability is straddling the fence at best,

to excel, bringing them out of where they are currently;

maybe even leaning toward destructive. Not wanting to

educating and demonstrating how to rise, how to be better

offend this one or that one, our decisions are costing us and

or greater than; and to do it authentically, intentionally,

hurting us significantly. The way we communicate with our self

passionately, and with grace and style. Why? Because we

verbally and nonverbally is limiting, and how we speak to

Americans have the capacity to regenerate the necessary

each other goes from fake-friendly, to demeaning, to hostile—

energy and power we need to accomplish what we intend to

depending on the topic and who we’re speaking with or

accomplish, moving forward.

about at the moment. We are one America.

What happened to our ability to communicate— to listen with eloquence and excellence with each other? As a nation—within our states, corporations, institutions, communities, schools and families—we have become ineffective in building rapport in a way that inspires, empowers others, helps everyone to grow, and gets us to connect with each other and interact in an expansive, honorable, influential, truthful and creative spirit. Indeed, it is effectual interaction that gets families, communities and businesses to act confidently, and to become successful and masterful in the way we produce our goods and products, and how we serve others.

This high-level ability to produce with excellence will give us more certainty as a nation—to create more businesses and to bring lost jobs back home to America and to our communities again. This assurance will elevate our ability to birth new leaders who know how to lead and how to draw out the best in others in the way they command and lead across the board. With this elevated ability to command and lead, we will begin to expand once again—as individuals, families, communities, states, small businesses and large corporations. With our

DISCOVER YOUR PEP HERE

collective abilities to increase and elevate our personal levels of excellence, we will accomplish our highest ideals, because we will thrive, flourish and prosper.

@coachchloetaylorbrown @chloetaylorbrown WWW.CHLOETAYLORBROWN.COM

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"The PEP helped us see the God within ourselves and our relationship. It helped us see where we are currently and how to level up and get where we want to be. We raised our internal vibration and power, which translated into real usable external power." Take the PEP.

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POETRY BY

SEANE SHAW A collection of poems that came to life as a result of living through one of the most challenging times .

Now Available

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 25

THE BEST KEPT SECRET In previous articles, I’ve talked about the importance of learning how money works. Let’s start with a basic financial concept many people do not know—but it's something that can make a huge difference in your personal finances.

Have you ever heard of the Rule of 72 before? It’s a littleknown mental math shortcut that the wealthy have used for years. It’s one of the best kept money secrets. You simply divide any interest rate into the number 72 and it tells you about how long it takes for money to double. It works for you if you save money and against you if you borrow money.

72 ÷ Interest Rate = Approximate Years to Double Let's look at a few examples:[1]

1% = 72 years to double

72 ÷

3% = 24 years to double 6% = 12 years to double 9% = 8 years to double 12% = 6 years to double

If you’re setting money aside for retirement or another long-term financial goal, understanding how many doubles you need to achieve your goal will inform your decisions about the amount you’re saving and the potential rate of return you can expect. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic many people, especially women, are concerned about market volatility and are not comfortable with investment risk.[2]

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Currently, there’s almost $10 trillion in money market and passbook savings accounts, which average 0.09% and 0.06%, respectively.[3] If your money is held in a money market account earning just 0.09%, it would take 800 years to double. So, $1 invested in a money market account today would become $2 in the year 2821.

Now, let’s look at how the Rule of 72 can work against you. The average existing credit card interest rate is 15.10%.[4] While funds in the money market account you hold at the bank are doubling every 800 years, the bank is doubling its money from your credit card every 4.8 years. Can you see why the Rule of 72 is the best kept money secret?

Next Steps Knowledge is power. Knowing how money works can mean the difference between reaching your personal financial goals or falling short. Gather all of your bank, retirement and investment account statements and all of your credit card and loan statements. Do the math: Apply the Rule of 72 to the rates of return to see how many doubles you can expect in your favor and how many doubles your bank or other lender can expect against you. Then make adjustments as necessary to increase the potential rates of return on your savings and to decrease the rates of return on, or the amount of, your debts.

[1]The Rule of 72 is a mathematical concept that approximates the number of years it will take to double the principal at a constant rate of return compounded over time. All figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the performance risks, fees, expenses or taxes associated with an actual investment. If these costs were reflected, the amounts shown would be lower and the time to double would be longer. The rate of return of investments fluctuates over time and as a result, the actual time it will take an investment to double in value cannot be predicted with any certainty. Investing entails risk, including possible loss of principal.

[2] ThinkAdvisor, “Retirement Literacy Among Women (and Men) Is Woefully Low: Survey,” Ginger Szala, January 11, 2021.

[3] https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/H6/20210223/; https://www.valuepenguin.com/banking/average-bank-interestrates#:~:text=Average%20interest%20rates%20at%20major%20U.S.%20banks%20,% 20%200.25%25%20%206%20more%20rows%20

[4] https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/average-credit-card-interest-rate/50841

Kim Scouller is a financial professional and attorney. For a complimentary copy of the book “How Money Works: Stop Being A Sucker” by Steve Siebold and Tom Mathews, contact Kim at:

https://wealthwave.com/kimscouller

kim.scouller@wealthwave.com

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THE MORALE BOOSTER

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with a man of great wisdom and insight, Dr. John Ughulu. Dr. Ughulu is an author, motivational speaker, life strategist, philanthropist, entrepreneur, leader, husband, and father. He shares his insights on the consequences of limiting beliefs and on seeing the value in opportunity. If you have ever followed my radio or television shows, you know I always advise my audience to “get paper and pencil, and take some notes” when my guest is about to drop some knowledge on you! #paper #pencil #takenotes #knowledgeispower > FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 28

Paula G: My first question is, who is The Morale Booster? Dr. Ughulu: Thank you so much for asking that question. First of all, I am The Morale Booster. Dr. John Ughulu is my name. I am a speaker and an author, and I transitioned from shyness to public speaking. And currently I am also teaching people the strategies that helped me transition from shyness to public speaking. So, with every work surrounding everything that I do, it's all about boosting morale. So that's my calling. I am The Morale Booster. Paula G: So, you are transitioning from shyness to being a public speaker. What inspired you to do that in the first place? What inspired you to step outside of that comfort zone of being shy? Dr. Ughulu: First of all, when I was growing up, my dad was a mechanical engineer and a leader in the community. He was always called upon to take on some leadership responsibility. I admired that so much about my dad. But after my dad passed, when I was in high school, I started hanging out with the wrong crowd. And my dreams of becoming an engineer—someone who is a leader—just died. So, I had so much love for speakers and orators, from time immemorial. But I just didn't know how to step into those shoes. And my dad's demise just made things worse for me. So, when I was able to realign with my true purpose, to get out of the crowd that was helping me face in the wrong direction, I got out of that crowd possessing a high level of shyness. I don't know how that happened. I became so shy that I couldn't even imagine myself doing what I'm doing right now. But I knew deep down inside of me that I had some powerful, great content that I had learned during my life journey. >

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Dr. Ughulu, continued: So, I was wallowing in pity and shame over the fact that I couldn't speak. But I did have what I wanted to speak about. At some point in my life, I knew that the time was right. I was hearing Mr. Les Brown speak about how "you've got to be hungry. If you want something badly, you've got to go for it." And I knew that within me, shyness was a limiting belief and I had to get rid of it. So first I developed a mindset that would help me step into my calling— first by identifying my limiting belief and then working diligently—working so hard to get rid of that limiting belief. And I got coaching. I got mentoring. So, I was inspired to step into what originally I'd had a passion and a flare for. And that's what I'm doing now. And I'm also showing people the strategies that helped me transition, by helping them develop the mindset of an achiever. Paula G: You mentioned leadership. Share a bit about what you feel is the key to great leadership. Dr. Ughulu: Just like every other thing, we need an understanding of the principles, an understanding of the precepts of leadership. So, when you understand the precepts of leadership, that automatically makes you suitable for a leadership position. And I would like to share some of those principles with you if you don't mind. The first one is taking charge, which means understanding that leadership is all about stepping into a new role, and that new role could be more complex than anyone thinks of. And it involves fostering neutral learning, engaging people interpersonally, encouraging collaboration to get technical tasks done, and helping diverse groups maximize their productivity. And what are the tools you require to take charge as a leader? For example, one of them is direction. Having a direction, understanding the importance of relationships, having a design on the process to lead people, and also being able to use yourself as an example. And the second principle of leadership is leading your team using the four E's —one of which is Enhancement, which means you need to let them know their different abilities. Let them know that those abilities could be their greatest asset.

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And another is Empathy: showing people the importance of putting themselves in other people's shoes. And also making people feel appreciated. And the third principle, which is unleashing potential in yourself and others. You should develop the following imprints, which should be authenticity, competence, humility, resolve, warmth, elevation, and faith. So, when people know that as a leader, you are authentic, you are competent, you have a high level of humility, you have a great resolve, warmth, and elevation. And they know that whatever comes your way, faith is always there to get that thing accomplished. Yes. That leads to good leadership. And understanding the importance of having a network. So, anyone who wants to step into that role of leadership should follow these four principles. These are natural principles. These are natural precepts. Taking charge is the first one. The second one is a leading your team using the four E's. The third one is unleashing potential in yourself and others. And the fourth one is your network. Paula G: Very insightful and very specific. And you mentioned a bit ago about mindset—your mindset when it came to transitioning from being shy to becoming a public speaker. And you just shared with us about leadership and what it takes, and the keys and the steps and the strategies to great leadership. Again, a mindset. And you also have this mindset, shall we say, when it comes to billionaires, millionaires, and witnesses. Explain to us about your mindset with regard to billionaires, millionaires, and witnesses. Dr. Ughulu: Great! I love that. Now I'd love to use this pandemic as an example. We all know that in the middle of every difficulty lies an opportunity. That's what Albert Einstein said. We have just gone through a pandemic. My question to your readers right now is: What are you doing? What have you done during this pandemic? Because after this pandemic, there will definitely be billionaires, there will be more millionaires, and there will be witnesses. Which category do you fall under? Now, let's use Jeff Bezos as an example. >

Dr. Ughulu, continued: Jeff Bezos would come out stronger. Why? Because while we were merely going through the pandemic, he was thinking about his space tourism business. He was trying to take his business to the next level. He wasn't sitting back and complaining. So, anybody who sees an opportunity in every difficulty—they will come out stronger. And that's the mindset that I have. While this pandemic was in the heat of the moment, I was thinking of the opportunities. I was developing myself. I was taking courses. I was looking for ways to harness that innate gift. The human system is designed to look for solutions by default. I wasn't blaming people. I wasn't trying to blame anyone. That also means I came out stronger. My mindset is that in the middle of every difficulty lies an opportunity. So, for those who were busy blaming China, or blaming the government, and not acting on the possibilities—they will simply end up becoming witnesses. At the end of the day, at the end of it all, we will have more billionaires, more millionaires, and more witnesses. The choice is yours. Paula G: That is a challenge, right there. You put the ball back in our readers' court. That's powerful. So along with that is the importance of understanding the worldview perspective. Can you speak to us about your viewpoint on looking at the current worldview, and why that is important? Dr. Ughulu: First of all, when we're talking about "the worldview," we're talking about what is generally accepted. But you have to step out of the box to see the labels. You have to be eccentric! It is the crazy people who change the world. It is the people who do things differently who change the world. The common worldview is that the pandemic was caused by someone—there's blaming other people, blaming governments. And I know so many people lost their jobs during this pandemic. My heart goes out to them. So many people lost their loved ones. So many businesses went into the ground—they folded up. I honestly do feel the pain that people >

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Dr. Ughulu, continued: are going through right now. The level of depression has increased. The level of domestic violence has increased. Even the level of anxiety has increased globally. But what I want to tell everyone who's reading this interview right now is: It is you alone who can create opportunities for you! You need to step away from those things that will not help you move on. A wise man once said, "Let go or be dragged." To those who have lost loved ones, I commiserate with you on your loss. But I want you to know that those who are no longer with us are in a better place. They are in a place free from pain, free from deceit, free from politics. And they would want you, those who they left behind, to be happy. They would want you to look for solutions. They would want you to let go, so that you can heal and move on. So, the worldview is to do what you can from your end without principles. But I want to share principles with you. Step out of the box so you can see the label. Whatever is going on right now, I want you to only see opportunities. My mentor, Les Brown, would say, "If you do what is hard, your life will be easy. If you do what is easy, your life will be hard." Easy things are things like blaming other people for challenges that we go through, and procrastinating—those are easy things. If you do those easy things, your life will be hard. But if you do hard things, like taking action, stepping into your greatness, letting go of the past, and moving on, your life will be easy. So, let's forget about the worldview for now, and move on to what is necessary to help you take charge of your life! Paula G: In addition to being a life strategist, a motivational speaker, an author, and a philanthropist, you're also a husband and a father. Would you speak to the husbands and the fathers who might be reading this article?

Dr. Ughulu: Oh, yes. As a husband and a father, I want to share with you some strategies that have helped me work effectively in both areas. Those are two different job descriptions for those who are in these shoes. If you're in these shoes, then you understand what I'm talking about. You should take time out to unlearn and relearn. Alvin Toffler said, “The illiterate of the twenty-first century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." Paula G: Wow. Dr. Ughulu: So, I want you all to understand that being a father and being a husband is a partnership. You must take it as a partnership. You have to constantly unlearn to relearn. You have to constantly hang around people who would make you a better father and a better husband. Hang around positive minds only. Hang around people who will teach you all that is required to merge both. I heard John Maxwell talk about leadership some time ago. He said, "A leader listens, learns and leads." So, I want to share this with all the fathers and husbands out there. I'm not perfect. For let us learn to listen. Learn and lead. Because we are the role model for our kids. They are watching us. They're watching every moment. Our wives are looking up to us to understand them. So, we should be able to do what is expected of us. To help us lead a healthy family. To help us build a healthy family. So, I want you to think about it. You must unlearn to relearn constantly. Paula G: You are a man of many gifts, a man of many talents and a man of much wisdom. And I thank you so much for taking the time to have this conversation and to share so many valuable nuggets of wisdom with our readers, I really appreciate it. So, thank you so much. Dr. Ughulu: You're welcome. I recently published a book entitled The Morale Booster. So I want you all to go and look for this book. It's available everywhere. >

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Dr. Ughulu, continued: Just go look for it. There is a favorite chapter of mine, which is chapter four, which talks about your dreams. And I offered an acronym there, called MOVE—because you have to make the move to take charge of your life. So let's look at M-O-V-E. M stands for mindset. You need to have a positive mindset, have the mindset of an achiever. And when you make that move to take charge of your life, the O—the opportunities —will show up. You don't need to think about how they will show up. The opportunities will show up. And when those opportunities show up, the V stands for values. Hold on to your values. Your values help you stay aligned to your goals. And the E stands for excellence. When you constantly work towards achieving your dreams, your goal, you will become excellent at it. Vince Lombardi said, "Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence." So, this is a great book, The Morale Booster. It is a practical handbook on how to be intentional with your life. I know your readers will appreciate it. Paula G: Thank you, Dr. John Ughulu. You are definitely The Morale Booster! <

www.johnughulu.com

PAULA G. VOICE WWW.PAULAGVOICE.COM @PAULAGVOICE

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Hey, Mamas! FALLING DOWN & GETTING UP

What type of mama are you? Are you a single mom, married mom, mom parenting children with special needs, mom taking care of both children and parents, mom with health challenges, working mom, stay-athome mom, entrepreneur mom? The list could literally go on for days. No matter what type of mom you are, you will have those times when things simply just may not jive. However, it’s important to know that when things are down, it’s the getting up that moves us forward toward the life that we want to create. Allow me to share a parenting story with you.

When I became a single mom, there were times when not all of my children received equal amounts of attention. Dare I say, some fell by the wayside at times. For me, being a provider was my top priority and it meant that I not only had to fund day-to-day necessities, but I still had to be a mom and keep their hopes and dreams intact—as well as my own. So I worked, sometimes to the extreme. As time went on, I realized that the relationship had changed between me and a couple of my children. With one in particular, we just didn't seem to mesh well. I loved her, and she loved me; but there was a lot of dislike prevalent. Because I worked, I didn’t really have time to stop and fix what was going on. So I prayed for time to restore our relationship. Before she graduated and left for college, I needed her to know that I, her Mommy, was her ride or die—unstoppable in loving her unconditionally—no matter how weird our relationship was. > FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 34

Fast forward, I shattered a disc in my back, leaving me out of work for 18 months, which just happened to coincide with her senior year of high school. Here we were—she homeschooled, and me with a back injury in the house—alone for hours every day! I needed her help to bathe, walk, get up and down. I needed her help just to do simple tasks. So as life would have it, this time was spent renewing the relationship. Talk about answered prayer! What once was truly an atmosphere of miscommunication, unvalidated feelings, and misunderstandings, turned into days of restoration and apologies (on my part). And the healing and trust-building began. This was our time. This was what I'd desired—and probably what she wanted as well. Yes, you would think that having a back injury and being out of commission was a tragedy. But honestly, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Now she's finished college, and moved away. And we talk or text every day. It's not necessarily the circumstance that we should focus on, but on the greatness that comes out of it. Your situation may or may not be like mine. However, I know that whatever type of mom you are, when you’re down, the possibilities of getting up and moving forward are greater than the possibilities of you staying down. Sending you love, nurturing, and the limitless possibilities of getting up. I.M. Getting Up!

ELENA TAYLOR-BAGGER Founder of The Innovative Mom, & single mom to five young adults

www.theinnovativemom.com

@theinnovativemom

The Innovative Mom

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It’s that time of the year when most of the country is experiencing cooler temperatures. We want our pumpkin spice, and the leaves are showing us their true colors— in brilliant yellows, vibrant purples and muted reds.

Fall is in the air, and I am thinking about comfort food—but of course with a healthy twist. One of my favorite things to eat during the Fall months is beans. They are easy to prepare, and high in fiber and protein. The best combination for me is beans and cornbread. This was always a family staple in my household, especially during the cooler months. I remember my mother putting on a pot of beans before we went to school, and they cooked all day. As soon as we walked through the door you could smell the aromas of lima beans, some days red beans, and pinto beans. And of course, black-eyed peas (technically not a bean, but I had to include it).

And of course, in my household, no bean dish was complete without my mother’s homemade Southern cornbread. I want to share with you my childhood tradition of cornbread and beans. Yet this version is a healthier gluten-free adaptation of my mom’s cornbread, and a quicker bean dish, which your family will surely enjoy. And it will not take all day to cook! These two recipes will give you back some time in your life, to maybe play a board game with family or take a nice, hot bubble bath—possibly both. Enjoy, and always remember: Set the Table with Love.

CORN BREAD RECIPE (VEGETARIAN)

WET INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 large eggs, lightly beaten, at room temperature

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cast-iron skillet. Set aside.

1 cup unsweetened oat milk 1/2 cup organic cane sugar 1/3 cup olive oil

DRY INGREDIENTS 1-1/4 cup Bob’s Mills gluten-free flour with xanthan gum (or any gluten-free flour of your choice) 1 cup Bob’s Mills gluten-free cornmeal 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. sea salt

2. In a large bowl, beat the wet ingredients with an electric mixer on low speed until well blended. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together dry ingredients until thoroughly blended. Gradually, with a blender on low speed, add in the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients until the mixture is thick like cake batter. Spread evenly in the cast-iron pan. 4. Bake 25–30 minutes, or until the top is firm and edges are lightly browned. 5. Remove from the oven and set aside.

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SPICY MEXICAN BEANS INGREDIENTS 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1/2 cup onions, diced 1/2 cup red bell peppers, diced 1 can organic dark kidney beans 1 can organic pinto beans 1 Tbsp. Williams Sonoma applewood smoked herb rub (optional) 1 Tbsp. chili powder 1 Tbsp. smoked chilis 1 Tbsp. garlic powder 1/4 tsp. turmeric 2 Tbsp. vegetable broth sea salt and black pepper to taste 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped, for garnish 4 Campari tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, cut in fours (or halves if using cherry tomatoes), for garnish 1 cup of grated white cheddar cheese (for the vegetarian version) as a topping

DIRECTIONS Add olive oil to a deep sauce pan on medium heat. Add onions and red bell peppers, cook for about 3 minutes. Add beans and stir. Add spices and stir until beans are coated with the spices. Add 1 Tbsp. of the vegetable broth, and turn the heat down to medium. Cook for 4–5 minutes more, adding the rest of the vegetable broth. Cook on low heat for another 7–8 minutes, until beans are a little tender, but still have a firmness. Remove the cornbread from the cast iron pans, by flipping them over into a plate. The bottom part should be face up. Scoop the middle of the cornbread out, about 1-1/2 to 2 inches down, keeping the bottom intact. You need to just scoop out enough to allow a space for the beans. Add the hot beans into the hollow of the cornbread. The beans need to be hot to melt the cheese, so if you need to warm them up some first, do so. Once they are heated up, add the cheese on top, and the cilantro. Add the quartered tomatoes around the entire dish, if desired. <

LISA M. WASHINGTON Flourish Digital Magazine Food & Lifestyle contributor, CEO of B'Tyli Wellness and Beauty Co., and author of Set The Table With Love.

www.setthetablewithlove.com @lifewithlisawashington FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 38

Embracing and Loving your body type and shape is an organic super-power. IT IS PURE, AUTHENTIC AND NATURAL TO LOVE YOURSELF AND YOUR BODY. LEARN TO MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT WHO YOU ARE, WHO YOU WANT TO BECOME, AND HOW YOU WANT TO SHOW UP IN LIFE— UNAPOLOGETICALLY.

BODY IMAGE: HOW YOU THINK AND FEEL ABOUT YOUR BODY.

BLACKING ENTERTAINMENT

AN INTERVIEW WITH CHADD BLACK BY CHLOÉ TAYLOR BROWN I am genuinely inspired by Chadd Black. His demeanor is cool, confident, and laid-back. From Houston, Texas, he has been called "The Mogul in the Making" because of what he has been able to accomplish over the past ten years in his twenties. He has worked as a strategic brand manager with corporations such as RCA Records, Sony Music, Atlantic Records, Interscope, and Epic. In addition, this now thirty-one-year-old man has done entertainment and campaign consulting for major networks, including VH1, WE tv, and BET.

@CHADDBLACK713 FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 40

WWW.THECHADDBLACKACADEMY.COM

I'M A SPIRITUAL PERSON, AND I DO BELIEVE IN BEING LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. Chadd contacted me first through an Instagram DM.

So, I run into that. But a little less over time because

"Hello there!" he said, "I'm a publicist, entrepreneur, and

there are ways to investigate and/or to research me,

media executive, and I've had an amazing career thus

where you can maybe find comfort in other ways

far." He went on to say, "I'd like to grace the cover of

before you even speak to me. But it's taken time to

your magazine and introduce Flourish Digital Magazine

build that portfolio. But yes, I have much experience

to my followers." One thing for sure, he got right to the

with that. Even today, with all that I've accomplished,

point, and went on to lavish more compliments on me

I still run into having to combat that doubt because

about the magazine. "I like what you're doing. I love

of my age.

that you're a Black woman. I love that you're the owner, the editor-in-chief, and the publisher." He added, “There

Chloé: How have you woven all your talents, gifts and

are other magazines and people who have asked me to

connections together to be the young mogul that

be on their covers first, but I don't want to be on their

you have become?

cover. I want to be on your cover." Chadd: I'm a spiritual person, and I do believe in

I loved Chadd's boldness and confidence—his

being led by the Holy Spirit. I have been blessed with

accomplishments, his visions, how he works, and the

the ability to discern the Spirit within a person. Also, I

fact that he has just released a new book, which I find

can just kind of feel what my next move should be.

very interesting. Therefore, as you can see, we're

And if I don't get a certain feeling of confirmation, I

featuring Mr. Chadd Black as our Fall cover model and

don't move. And when I do move, I move in certainty

sharing his story within the pages of our luxury

—and with a certain confidence that can easily be

publication.

misread. One of the ways that I knew that you and I were confirmed in my spirit was when you didn't

Chloé: Chadd, as a young Black man with big visions

take offense to my approach or my certainty. I think

who's not afraid to go for it—to accomplish what you

my boldness and certainty made you curious about

intend to accomplish, do you ever run into people who

who I was. I am Spirit-led, and that is a very hard

mistrust you?

thing to explain. It's just something that I feel, and I

Chadd: I do. That "mistrust" word. Some people associate my youth with an inability to be able to handle big projects, or big visions of theirs. It's never my vision that's in question. It's moreso, can I handle their vision? Because in Public Relations, I'm usually placed as an "overseer." And so the question is, can I oversee other people and their projects? That is, people who may be often older than I am.

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get confirmation and act. So, if I feel convicted by something and it grabs me— no matter if it's positive or negative—as you know, that can go either way. So I move by those feelings, confirmation, and conviction. I have to credit some of my best and my most important moves to those two things.

I'M A FIERY PERSON! Chloé: How did you learn to be attentive to those promptings of the Holy Spirit and to allow yourself to trust your gut? Chadd: Because I am a fiery person and very headstrong; and I'm being nice to myself right now. I spent a lot of time just kind of running my head into the wall. So, I figured out very quickly that it was going to take more than just my own abilities, my own senses. I just realized at a very early age I was not that talented without God’s leadership. So, I think with the combination of both the gifts that God has given me and His leadership, I am all that I can be. I think, to depend solely on myself, I learned very early on through a series of events and failures and things like that that I needed a combination of things, and God is at the top of that list—His leadership and His ability to let us know when things are for us. I can't really lay out a plan or a timeline of how or when I learned to trust my gut. But I do remember having a thought when I started to let Him in more and allow Him to guide me. I just remember having peace in my decisions, and then I remember the results starting to get better and turning around more in my favor than when I just took off and did things myself. I learned that very early on, thankfully, because I've been able to spend the last decade—my twenties—more on the side of success because of this. Chloé: That is tremendous. Congratulations on having the awareness to know that this—your innate power—is within you. You created the 713 Agency in 2018, one of Houston's top talent agencies, and it has since become a

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I FEEL CALLED AND CHOSEN, NOT SHOWING UP JUST DETERMINED TO DO MY OWN THING. Chloé, continued: worldwide favorite, attracting

is a choice, and it's something that you don't

some of the industry's top talents. You're offering

necessarily need to participate in to be both

music management, career consulting, public

helpful and successful yourself.

relations, music production, songwriting services, and probably more. How did you come up with such a big concept? And soon you will be launching the Chadd Black Agency, too; right? Chadd: It came about because of just a lack of resources in my own career. I came into this world of entertainment and media as a recording artist. I didn't have a huge budget, sponsor, or anybody to help me push through. So, a lot of it was just me going as far as I could take myself.

The Chadd Black Agency has been purposely built with intentions around being able to provide artists with services that I would have

Chloé: Who are your clients, Chadd, and what do you do for them? Chadd: I do Talent Management. "Talent" is anything that you can monetize by way of a natural gift or a learned technique. So, an author is a talent. I can manage an author and plan out that career. I manage that career the same as I would a singer. I don't know that I would take on a juggler. I do have my preferred talent that I'd rather manage, and that moves all the way into sports because an athlete is technically considered on an entertainment-based contract and is a talent as well.

never been able to afford myself as an artist

Chloé: Do you feel called, chosen, driven, led, or

starting out. And I found a way to make those

determined?

services that are typically very expensive, affordable for new and/or seasoned artists who kind of just want to revamp things and then align them and their content with the way digital marketing and entertainment runs and works today—things that they just may be out of the loop with today. And it's just hard for them to

Chadd: I feel like I am somewhere between called and chosen, mainly because there is usually a magnetic pull happening within me. Two situations. I'm completely oblivious to some of the people and some of the things that need my attention. Somehow, they are magnetically pulled

understand where we are now. I've been able to

to me. I know that when I continue to see and/or

provide some talented people with exactly what

think about a person, when I continue to have a

they deserve, and they didn't have to not eat to

certain dream, or just run into the person, that is

be able to attain their goals and success. So, I

not by happenstance. And I have learned how to

have created literally everything that I once

confirm that, and know I'm supposed to be

needed but could not afford because it was

connected to this situation or in some type of way.

unreasonable, in my opinion. And I'm still able to

Then it's just about finding out in what capacity.

be successful, which shows me that being

But yes, I feel called and chosen, not showing up

greedy

just determined to do my own thing.

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I want to speak to my core people. Chloé: It's just a wonderful thing to be able to hear from

And I'm now comfortable with not looking like I have it all

and be in alignment with your Higher Self. That's when

together all the time.

the magic happens. Right? And when you're in "the zone" you can accomplish almost anything. What would you like people to know about you and your business, Chadd? Chadd: I want to speak to my core people, those who know and follow me and look to hear from me and read the details of what I put out. I know there is an impression to some that it has been easy for me; and

Chloé: Chadd, the lifestyle strategist and coach in me knows that you can't help looking and showing up how you look, because that's just you. It's the light within and your calling—on you and your life. And sometimes people are intimidated by that light. You can write a whole dissertation about how you struggle, Chadd. They don't care, and they're not going to believe you anyway because you just look too darn good.

that I get up every day and live a life of what they

In other words, you can't make other people feel about you

consider to be luxurious. And that I just float through life.

the same way that you yourself feel and how God feels

I am not floating. I am operating in my gift, and at a high

about you. That's their thing, right? Your job is to stay in

level of excellence, and it should look easy. But I have

alignment with yourself, keep trusting your gut and keep

challenges and struggles sometimes too, yet people

your inner circle small—as you continue to be authentic.

don't get that impression because I’m doing what I've

What do you enjoy doing to relax and have fun?

been put here to do. I guess that's a result of being in alignment. But it's not an easy task every day. I also want people to know that I have to manage my mental health just like everybody else should be doing. Not every day is a good day for me personally, or in

Chadd: Outside of work, I love to bowl. I think I like it so much because it's humbling. I just never know if I’m going to get it or not. And for me those are moments where I am uncertain because I'm not a pro. I'm not great at it; but it’s fun and I do love it.

business. I have to troubleshoot. I have to create

I also love to be in the studio and help other artists find

alternate routes when the one I was highly confident in

their sound in the studio. That's something that I really

maybe doesn't work out. All of that is to say that I am

enjoy and I'm good at that. But I've never really

more relatable than what it may seem. That's something

commanded money for it or tried to make it into a career.

that I would want my followers to know.

It's just something that I literally enjoy. It's almost like seeing an artist in a cocoon and then watch them blossom

Now, of course, because I am a businessman, I could say

into a butterfly. Sonically, that's just fun for me to do.

all the wonderful things that I feel about myself and my company. But more so. I think I've done that already. I

I love to spend time with my family, and with friends that

think in this interview, I want to say something more

have become my family. I can't cook, but I love to have my

personable—to let people in to me as a person and not

friends and Chef Shani cook for me—and nobody can tell

just as the businessman. And that just could be because

me anything about her. She can cook anything, in my

of the comfort that you're providing me in this interview,

opinion.

Chloé, that they would even be getting anything personal out of me. The interviewer sets the tone. I am— or anybody being interviewed—is only going to open up as much as they feel that they can. I want people to know that I am a regular person with a higher calling. FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 44

So those are just a few things that I keep in rotation in my life to keep a good balance, which is also a big lesson I had to learn—to not be so obsessive with career things and to create a good rotation of good energies for good people. Those would be my top things I do for fun.

Getting Black to Business 2.0: Persevering to Success Amidst Inevitable Setbacks Chloé: What are some goals you have for yourself, moving forward? Chadd: I'm trying to enjoy the moments, so I don't look back and regret that I didn't just enjoy the moments. But I am a person that once I achieve and complete something, my brain is on to the next thing. And that has been a double-sided sword with me. It's the reason why I keep going. It's the reason why I've been able to obtain success. But it also is a thing that gets in the way sometimes and disturbs my balance in life. But my next project is The Chadd Black Network. The Chadd Black Network is my own streaming platform where I'm able to put the kind of content in front of the world that I believe in. it would be no different from the OWN Network. It will be in the form of an app. The content and shows will be diverse. If you have an iPhone, you will be able to download the app and stream live. I’ll have my own talk show. I'll be signing some other talent to come aboard as well. It will be a safe place for even people such as yourself to be able to have a platform that can reach a nation—without having to sign away your complete soul, existence, and rights in order to be able to have that opportunity. So that's my next baby, which should be birthed in 2022. Through the Chadd Black Network, I will also be launching the pilot for my own talk show and that will be coming out soon and running until January. FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 45

Chadd, continued: In addition to this, I'm happy to let you know I have just landed a major book deal with Martin Publishing Worldwide for my book, "Getting Black to Business 2.0: Persevering to Success Amidst Inevitable Setbacks"—and I will be doing a book tour with Barnes & Noble this Fall. In the book I offer some suggestions as to how those who may have challenges or who are struggling to obtain success and live their dreams in the entertainment industry can overcome hurdles. These hurdles may be serving as excuses as to why they can’t obtain their goals. The book will be available online and in Barnes & Noble stores in October 2021. Chloé: This is wonderful news. Congratulations! I love your creativity, gentle heart, and authentic ambition. We talked about what you want people to know about you personally. We talked about what you have coming. We talked about what you have going on. Is there anything else that you would like to share? FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 46

Gift yourself a good foundation. Chadd: I'm feeling the urge to encourage anybody

I think some people feel like if you're not enrolled in

who has been sitting on great content and a dream,

school that you shouldn't be studying. Or that you

or anything that feels impossible—oftentimes that is

can't obtain honest information and knowledge for

the very thing that would be the key to unlock

yourself. So I have spent hundreds of dollars on

whatever your next level is supposed to be. So, I love

books and on educating myself. Even if it was a book

this quote. I always see it everywhere: “You miss 100

a year when I started, I would always go buy books

percent of the shots that you don't take.” I encourage

on what I have an interest in, and I studied it myself

people to go ahead and take their shot. I believe

and just made myself aware of at least the

everybody has at least one dream outside of their

fundamentals. So, I would say to those wanting to be

nine-to-five job or outside of what they do to survive.

in any industry: Submerge yourself in the things that

At least take that one shot—on the thing that's been

you want to be knowledgeable about.

bugging and nagging you since you were a kid, whatever that may be. So, I want to encourage people going into 2022 to take that shot. And then if it doesn't work out, then, for me, that's a cue to troubleshoot, to find another route. But at least take the shot. Chloé: I'm a big "steps" kind of person. Would you

And there are many ways to do that. Some are free. Some you may have to invest in a little bit, but for me that's the route I took. It's just getting as much knowledge as you can get yourself. And then hopefully you're blessed enough to run into somebody that you can trust to lead and guide you in a mentorship, or even management.

happen to have some of your own? A one, two, three,

But still, I go back to this: If you can gift yourself with

that you could share with those who may be

a good foundation and have your own knowledge of

interested in knowing more about your field? In your

how things work, then that's priceless. And it will

arena, for instance, how would a talent start to take

never leave you.

the next step, if they have these ideas, dreams and talent? How would they take that shot—or at least the next step? Chadd: I think many people really underestimate the power of conferences and workshops. I don't

Chloé: I agree with you 100 percent, Chadd. And also learning how to practice and apply our new knowledge is key, because a lot of us can get a whole bunch of knowledge, but we don't know where to stop, and we don’t know how to apply it.

know when we got out of that, but I think those are

So, I want to encourage people reading this to get

still valuable learning spaces today. I think that there

that knowledge, and then to engage a coach or a

is no better way—outside of reading and taking a trip

mentor, to learn how to apply your new knowledge.

to a bookstore—after you leave the mall, or preferably

That's called an apprenticeship. Be an apprentice,

before you get to the mall and spend up all your

people. When you're working with a master from

money. Reading and researching for yourself is a

whom you're able to glean knowledge—a master

tool, that in my opinion, will never go out of style.

such as yourself—then you are indeed lucky. Truly

And this is where I learned the most, and it gave me

blessed.

the confidence to walk into rooms where maybe I was the least experienced, but sometimes the most

Chadd: Thank you for that, Chloé. You have such a

knowledgeable on a certain subject, because I just

sweet spirit.

read and researched. FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 47

Chloé: All the best to you, and all that you do.

beauty

by Carol (The Lady)

TIMELESS

Causieestko

TTH HE E LLA AD DY Y IIN N TTH HE EM MIIR RR RO OR R I’ve always been in love with September, for it is my birth month—full of new beginnings, renewal, recharge, rebirth, and reflection for this “Lady in the Mirror.” My life is full of daily reminders of my goal to live a timeless lifestyle. I rise every day smiling back at this reflection, whispering to myself in a kind and patient voice, “Good day, Lady in the Mirror. Do you like what you see this morning?"

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Now, to be honest, my day has not always started out this way. As someone with a long journey of living and achieving through adversity, some days are certainly better than others in my acceptance of this reflection. However, I’m always grateful for the simplest of things, even those over which I have no control. I am blessed to exist to embrace the love surrounding me, the comfort of shelter, complete health and wellness, an abundance of ongoing nourishment, and a daily awakening to the gift of this vessel I call “The Lady.” To live my most authentic timeless life, I surround myself with positivity and the purest of energy, inspiring me to be all I was created to be. Meditation and prayer are my awakening routines—never connecting to other humans until that morning hour has passed—where I restore and recharge with support and fulfillment from the Universe. From here, the addition of daily exercise is where I gain my light and the energy needed to be my most powerful self. To center my light in order to inspire others and expedite change in the world is my biggest desire. As facilitator of The Return of the Lady seminars, one of our opening exercises is for attendees to peer at their reflection in a sweet, pink heart-shaped mirror, with this question looming: “What do you see in the mirror?” With looks of dismay, they normally think I am referring to parts of their anatomy. This is never the answer I’m seeking from my attendees. My inquiry is rooted in supporting others to “see” beyond their aesthetic, requiring them to dig deeper into the core of their being—of this internal embodiment we call our soul. >

mirror

YOUR SOUL IS THE

OF YOUR INNER LIGHT, THE GIFT FROM WHICH YOUR BRIGHTNESS IS REFLECTED UPON THE WORLD.

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Stereotypically, the core of the nature of the feminine soul is to nurture and care for others, to emote, to have a heart that reflects our inhibitions, insecurities, and at times, our vulnerabilities. Traditionally, it has also been assumed that the beauty of being a woman is that femininity is inborn. However, in this post-modern age of subverting and dismantling gender norms, it is more widely realized and understood that women do not share the same thoughts, experiences, desires. We are not a monolith. Nevertheless, the expectation remains for the Divine Feminine to nurture and care for the collective. As each of us digs deeper into our souls and those images we see in the mirror, we are challenged to go inward, to become familiar with our “inner make-up.” When we give ourselves permission to connect with our inner self, we do the work necessary to bring about the changes we desire within. To go deeper is not for the weak or lighthearted; it takes time, stillness, courage, clarity, and tenderness—to activate our minds and to enlighten our souls to go below the surface of things. In doing so, we open the door to the exploration of our vulnerability. Once opened, this door is unlikely to be shut. As a believer in the idea that I am my sister’s keeper, I see it as my responsibility to inspire the young women coming behind me to truly get to know all the selves that they see in the mirror. Looking back on my experiences as an undergrad and young (19-year-old) mother—with all kinds of dreams and inspirations directed by my outer beauty—I lacked the rationale for deeply knowing my inner self. As I came into my own as the mother of a daughter, it became my charge to know who I am completely, so that I could assist my daughter with discovering her identity as she grew into her own version of womanhood. This persuaded me at that young age to take that deeper look into the mirror (perceived imperfections and all), to truly get to know all that makes me unique and authentically me. >

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In spiritual concepts, light is a powerful symbol of wisdom and awareness. As a result, the light imbued from these mirrors reflects onto the world around us. It is my assessment that the Divine Feminine tends to act out of fear to keep hidden Its true image, often failing to realize that we (in our human form) are so much more alike than different. We are led to believe as young girls that we must seek perfection at all costs—a status that our inner wisdom knows is unachievable. Yet the unattainable ideal continues to pursue us. To be prettier, shapelier, or [insert any other patriarchally-celebrated superlative here] than anyone else within the feminine gender is the goal. These thoughts often result in hostility, envy, and emotional insecurity, and end up causing—for some— the ongoing threat of discord with other women. It is unfortunate that many women, from childhood into adulthood, have been indoctrinated with the pressure to embody these gender norms. The unfortunate result is that this pressure too often brings discord and harmful behavior within the sisterhood. It is believed that this form of negative behavior tends to result from the relationships we’ve had with our mothers and/or female caregivers. Essentially, it is thought that the quality of the bond you have had with these female figures determines how you respond to the other women in your life. Why does the Divine Feminine care so much about what others see? Is this something we truly inherited from our mothers/caregivers and our feminine ancestors? Why do these unattainable goals continue to be passed on to us, for generations? How do we recreate the image of the way we view ourselves in a healthier manner, rooted in a radical self-love? Far too often, the reflection projected from another’s “mirror” directs our interpretations of ourselves. Our fears and egos limit our attainment of the quality relationships desired by us all. >

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We hide behind false images created by our aesthetic “masks": make-up, hair extensions, and apps that edit us to perfection. Thus we lose the beauty of what is within, and we struggle to see ourselves in the beauty of our truth rather than caring about how others see us. It makes me ponder a world without mirrors. In a utopian existence without mirrors or reflections, we could embody a comfort rooted in inner beauty and not in aesthetic perfection. At what point will we trust our inner wisdom for our confidence-building, and relinquish the trivial thoughts connected to how we are perceived by others? In the uncertainty of this post-pandemic “new normal,” it is our duty (as individuals and as a global collective) to rise to ascend to our Highest Selves. We can do this by embracing our unique differences and experiences, and honoring the power within our united voices embodied in the Divine Feminine. Mother Universe is rooting for us to lead, to love, and to seek peace for a world that is still as beautiful as the day it was created. In doing so, we will save the beautiful Earth we are so blessed to occupy. As elders, it is our responsibility to the generations coming behind us to be our most authentic and most genuine selves—to show up as bright lights of energy in relation to one another. The gift of each birthday is the opportunity to ascend to the beautiful truth of who we are and to embrace a timeless mindset of learning, growth, strength, and inner wisdom. If you are reading this now, it is my prayer for you that you will continue to seek to reinvent yourself inwardly toward your personal best—starting now with the “Lady” you see in the mirror. < Smooches and a cup of tea—

The Lady LADY CAROL CAUSIEESTKO CEO|Inner The

Lady's

Makeup Dressing

Enterprises|The Room|The

Return

the

The

Lady

Gentleman

www.returnofthelady.org @thereturnofthelady @theladysdressingroomofficial LadyCarol

Causieestko

McCollum

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 52

AMAZ

HAPP

WRITE THE LIFE YOU WANT TO LIVE!

K B I GG

FEELING MY BEST LIFE INTO EXISTENCE

SPEAKING MY BEST LIFE INTO EXISTENCE

CHLOÉ TAYLOR BROWN

URS

Write Your Own Mantra & Live it Every Day.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 54

REWOP RUOY NWO

FALL

DOWN GET. UP ..

At some point in time, we all may have been guilty of giving up our power. We’ve allowed the opinions of others to validate how we feel about ourselves. In hindsight, it was not a good thing. We are so influenced by the perceived norms of society that we often cave to the trend. Sometimes the trend goes against what resides within us. We see things differently, we interpret things differently, we understand things differently. This reminds me of Noah, in the Bible. Talk about owning your own power! Can you imagine how he must have felt, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year? He was a lone star. It would have been understandable to us if he succumbed to the naysaying voices around him, to the ridicule. He could have easily listened to everyone around him telling him that what he was doing was crazy. Yet he had enough faith in his Higher Power and enough resolve within himself—to press forward, stay focused, and maintain his power. Sometimes we must stand alone in what it is that we believe in. Sometimes we must go against the trend. Sometimes we see beyond the moment to discern a different outcome from what the majority may be seeing. We must stand in our own truth! Whatever or Whoever you may deem to be a Higher Power will sometimes drop a nugget into your spirit. That new treasured idea may be a foreign concept to the majority of people. That's OK. Nurture it anyway.

MINDSET QUESTION: What is something you have always dreamed about doing or accomplishing?

LESSON LEARNED: Life is short. Live! Love! Thrive! Prosper! Enjoy and embrace each day with a smile and with purpose.

WISDOM CHALLENGE: Write out a plan with short-term goals, deadlines, and a completion date for your most desired dream. Make the goals and deadlines realistic. Sometimes, things do take time, so be patient with yourself and with the process.

Think of it: When certain common electronic devices were first invented, they were a foreign concept. When many technological wonders were first introduced, some people could not even imagine utilizing such things. Look how we depend on so many of those foreign concepts today! Each of us has the power to manifest the things that we desire in our lives. We all have dreams and hopes, things we have always wanted to do or accomplish. I am a witness that it can be done. At times it may seem unimaginable. But if you can visualize it, you can actualize it. I have had visions of certain dreams I desired to fulfill. I took a day and simulated what it would be like to live in the manifestation of that dream. Then I jotted down what would need to happen to really make this dream come to life. It was a powerful exercise because it helped me to see that the manifestation was more realistic than I had initially thought! You can do this, too. If we have learned nothing else from the ramificaitons of 2020, we learned that life and time are precious. I say this often, because it bears repeating: Live now! Live today! Do you have a dream? Something you desire to achieve? Visualize! Walk it out! Write the plan! Begin the journey! Own your own power, and manifest your dreams! <

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Paula G. Voice is a sagacious lifestyle influencer— influencing dreamers to breathe life into their dreams and ultimately to live the reality of their vision. It is never too late to embrace your journey and live your dream. Flourish!

WWW.PAULAGVOICE.COM @PAULAGVOICE

WHAT WE HOPE IS ON THE

by Laurie Renfro I recently reunited with a distant cousin from Oklahoma. Then I sent a picture of the two of us to our mutual cousin in California. Her single reply to my text was, “Is that the infamous robe?” It seems my bathrobe-wearing practices have become known from coast to coast to be worthy of mention. Probably because the way I live in my robe sometimes stretches the limits of what is considered wardrobe-appropriate. As I did when I reunited with my cousin, I wore my robe when I was being introduced to the new young man my daughter is dating. Before the handsome suitor arrived, my daughter—who, while she is my first baby, is technically my stepdaughter—asked if I was OK with receiving the gentleman while wearing the robe. Not skipping a beat, she apologized saying, "I take that back. It’s my [biological] mom who wouldn’t be caught dead meeting someone in a robe. Sometimes I have to take a minute to get my moms straight.” >

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I’m proud to say that I have wonderful family and friends who feel free to reel me in when I’m about to go too far. If I move to hop in a car with my robe on, for example, there’s always a loving yet firm voice of decorum to keep me from becoming that bonnet-girl whom YouTube comic Mo'Nique forced into viral shame. Which brings me to my recent birthday celebration. I had a vision for the day: my beautiful friends in whimsical attire, together in a well-lit space that elegantly honored the last days of Summer. A Google search for "Sunday Brunch” yielded lots of choices but none was more compelling than the fare and ambiance of Atlanta’s Le Bilboquet. I promptly made a reservation and invited my girls, pointing out to each that the restaurant has a firm dress code. Several days later I received a call from one of my invitees asking, “Are you aware that we’re going to the spot where Dominique Wilkins was refused service? The incident went viral.” A panicky second Google search resulted in several stories about the legendary Atlanta Hawks player’s encounter with the French restaurant’s dress code— with Mr. Wilkins stating he was turned away based on the color of his skin. This alarmed me on its face, so I felt the story warranted a little more investigation. Now, let me say that I am not a restaurant critic, political writer or investigative reporter. My writing is grounded in my personal spiritual journey and formal study of spiritual psychology. Still, I felt a call to explore the Wilkins controversy, not just for the sake of my birthday brunch but also for its potential edifying gifts.

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"Seek and ye shall find,” says Matthew 7:7—and in doing so, I had a conversation with Le Bilboquet’s General Manager, Mark Hoefer. Without advanced notice, Mark seemed ready for the conversation. He explained that only the dress code was at issue in Mr. Wilkins’ case, and that the goal of the dress code is to further the heightened dining experience offered by the restaurant. Feeling reassured, I decided to stick with Le Bilboquet. I believed that by taking the rational step of inquiry I could avoid a distasteful phenomenon that the entire nation has been forced to grapple with over the last several years. That is, identity politics. I didn’t want to summarily dismiss the restaurant just because I, like Dominique, am African American. At the same time, Dominique is a bona fide Atlanta son with a consistent reputation of integrity. If I were going to choose a restaurant that made him feel unwelcomed, I damn well better do my homework. And I thought I did it. But when I arrived at the beautiful Buckhead Village location, I felt like I was in a Spike Lee Joint with Miles Davis on the horn—playing So What from Kind of Blue—in the background. This timeless hit from the masterpiece, best-selling jazz album of all time delivers a syncopated, progressive melody that is tinged with a melancholy that suggests an underlying something that is not quite right. Despite Le Bilboquet’s aesthetic and welldone classic French menu, that “something not quite right” was made clear in our marginal service experience and confirmation of Dominique’s claim of unequal treatment. The dress code was either loosely enforced or only required of certain people. >

After all, the distinction between the required business casual attire and that of some White diners wearing shorts, sneakers and the like is as clear as me wearing my bathrobe in public versus appropriate day wear. Despite this sad confirmation of unequal treatment, there was still no mistake in selecting Le Bilboquet for my gathering. Making choices—whether good or bad—is how we grow. If I had taken on Dominique’s complaint as my own based on our shared racial identity, it would have been no less repugnant than a person who identifies as Caucasian latching onto White Nationalist ideas solely based on that particular shared racial identity. With healthy curiosity and risk assessment, I was able to navigate away from the pressured constraints of racebased obligation without the moral compromise of becoming a race-traitor. This protected me from falling prey to the practiced selfexclusion that often besets peoples with a history of marginalization. And for the right to approach this situation in my own way, I have the responsibility to contribute what I learned for the collective good—which I have been blessed to do right here and now. Of course, the Le Bilboquets of the world have their own work to do as well. Don’t get it twisted. My experience at Le Bilboquet, and that of Mr. Wilkins, is not entirely about race. Instead, it’s also about the possibility of transformation.

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Our divine call is to become more fully human. Not more fully Black or White, or any other thing that by definition is exclusionary. This requires us to stretch beyond societal categories and personal comfort zones for encounters with those who are different from ourselves— even in cases where there is a history of bad acts. There is no journey toward wholeness in isolation or segregation. And if we truly desire a life in which we flourish, we will grind and find our way to ever more healthy minds, souls and interactions. <

L L

R R

A A

U U

R R

E E

N N

F F

I I

E E

R R

O O

is a writer and spiritual seeker with a Master's degree in Spiritual Psychology from Sofia University in Palo Alto, California (formerly the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology).

@routineinterrupted Laurie Renfro

MEET

DOREEN CARTER Georgia State Representative, financial educator, & entrepreneur FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 59

For her entire life, Doreen Carter has affectionately called DeKalb County home. As a proud Georgian hailing from the city of Atlanta, she has worked tirelessly for the educational, financial and spiritual advancement and empowerment of the people in her community. As part of her mission to serve her community, Doreen was elected to the Lithonia City Council and led several safety and economic development initiatives. In 2014, she won the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State, and soon made national history as one of "the Georgia Five"—the first time ever that five Black women were simultaneously on the ballot in a major party in the United States. Currently, Doreen serves as the State Representative for House District 92 in the Georgia General Assembly. An accountant by profession, Doreen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Georgia State University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Kennesaw State University, and a Master's in Theology from Life Christian University. These qualifications set the stage for her financial services career in various corporate and nonprofit organizations, where she developed and implemented initiatives designed to enhance their service deliveries and resource capacities. She progressed to leveraging her business acumen to establish her own organization: The Wealth & Wisdom Resource Group, a financial education company. Doreen is the author of The Mis-education of the Christian. . .on Money and Giving and the creator of the Who Mooved My Money?® cash management software. An award–winning entrepreneur, she is also a widow and a mom who believes that being of service is her highest calling. >

What’s your back story and how did you get to be who you are today? Speaking with my college counselor in my senior year in high school about my future, I told her that I wanted to be a lawyer. This was in 1980 in Atlanta, Georgia. She told me that I needed to find something else to do because Black women needed something to fall back on. But honestly, I didn’t have a plan B. The only other thing that I was good at was Math. So, I decided to study Accounting—which has definitely turned out to be my fallback of the last forty years. It has provided me with a nice life. Over the years, I considered going to back to school to study Law. But I am done with college. I have an undergraduate degree in Accounting, a Master's in Theology, and a MBA. I am good with Education! Then in 2015, I was elected to the Georgia General Assembly. It’s funny how life plays out. So, I wanted to be a lawyer —and God’s plan has me making laws. Yes, I am a lawmaker. Never in my life would I have thought that I would be holding an elected office. I am the State Representative for Georgia House District 92, and Accounting is my fallback. I got here by God’s divine plan.

What have been the toughest challenges you’ve faced and pulled through in a way that makes you proud of yourself? I raised three sons practically by myself. I was married to a man who fell ill shortly after we had our third son, and he subsequently died when our youngest was twelve. He lost his job when he told his employer that he was ill. Then a few years after that, I lost my job. Imagine raising three children with a sick husband and no job—at the brink of the 2008 Financial Crash. In 2007, I'd thought that things were turning around. I ran for office and won a City Council seat. I had to figure out how to take care of my family and serve my community with integrity. If my finances had fallen apart before I qualified to run for office, I would never have done it. It was tough. I kept hearing God’s voice. Will you do what I tell you to do, no matter what is going on with you? That was a powerful lesson, and it stays with me. That time in my life taught me how to stay focused on my goal. I learned so much about finances—even though I had been teaching personal finances for years. Struggling later in my life gave me a different view of the emotional trauma that people experience when having financial hardships. I am a better leader, friend, and mother because of that time in my life. I owe it all to God’s faithfulness. I trusted the process even when I could not see what He was doing. >

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What is it that you do, and what part do you like best? I love helping people, and I am good at it. I enjoy finding solutions that will help people to live their best lives. It brings me joy. So, being an elected official allows to me to support policies that benefit my community. As an Accounting professional working with nonprofit organizations, it allows me to use my financial intelligence to support organizations that are doing great work. In 2020, I signed over a million dollars in financial support for individuals who had been affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

What are your plans for the future? Serving in elected office gives me a platform to support my community. I have led several economic development initiatives, which became the foundation to the creation of a new city in my community. I am currently working to address a development that is a clear case of environmental racism. We passed legislation recently to ensure that we will not have similar development come into our community. I am working on a safety project at one of the schools in my district. Each year that I have been in office, I have had the opportunity to bring in an intern. I plan to continue that. My ultimate goal is to start a leadership program and expand the college scholarship that I started when I was the president of our local Chamber.

How do you encourage those who desire to be in your line of work or to follow in your footsteps professionally? My life’s motto is:

"TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE." I live a life of integrity and service. By doing so, I am leaving a legacy of service that is an easy life to follow.

What has been one of your greatest inspirations in life? My mother is my greatest inspiration. She was one of the strongest and kindest people I have ever known. She led with love, integrity, and service. She taught me leadership. She taught me advocacy. She taught me love. I live to follow in her footsteps of serving people and loving God. <

DOREEN CARTER State Representative | Entrepreneur | Controller

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreencarter

@doreenrcarter

https://www.facebook.com/doreen.carter

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CHOOSE JOY AND

FLO UR ISH

IN YOUR FALL

HOW TO START ACCOMPLISHING YOUR FALL

GOALS! BY CHLOE TAYLOR BROWN

If you don’t know what you want, you can’t have it. So, to accomplish any goal, you have to decide what you want to accomplish. Think and consider three new positive choices that you will initiate immediately to get you closer to your main goal—the thing you have decided you want to accomplish. Example: If you have a weight problem, 1) stop eating late at night; 2) do not buy whole cakes; and 3) get slices or none at all; and so on. What are three things you can do right now to help you live a more on-purpose, harmonious life? List three changes you need to make in your life to maintain integrity, substance and style while accomplishing your ideal.

List three things you absolutely love about yourself and your life— things you want to carry over into your ideal life now. > FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 70

INCORPORATE YOUR GOALS AND PERSONAL PLAN OF ACTION INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE.

WRITE IT DOWN! To reach your ideal, you must incorporate the goals and actions that you have defined into your daily life. If you do not currently use a personal planner, start using one — either a computer or paper version, whichever works best for you. Working backwards from the date you want to achieve your ideal, record your goals and action steps into your daily planner and on your daily To-Do List. This will help to ensure that you are consistently working each day to achieve your ideal time frame to do this. Take the information from your Plan and:

First, define and record the goals and action steps that need to be accomplished monthly to reach your goal. Write down what you want and what you have decided to accomplish. Record these right at the beginning of each month—and remember, they really do need to be accomplished.

Chloe´ Taylor Brown Editor-in-Chief | Author | Lifestyle Coach & Strategist www.chloetaylorbrown.com

@chloetaylorbrown Chloé Taylor Brown Lifestyle-Strategist FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 71

Break this down further by identifying and writing down action steps that you need to accomplish weekly (record these right at the beginning of each week). Write out your weekly assignment to yourself.

Now, break this down one step further by noting what you need to accomplish daily to move yourself toward your goal. Put this in your calendar on your daily To-Do List for that specific day. Write out your daily assignments.

Now, get excited and feel good! In fact, feel wonderful and full of glee because you know some things are about to shift and change.

Around Town FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 72

Joshua Brown Photography, Videography, Editing & Music Production brightproductions6@gmail.com @jb.juice3 FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 73

AN EXHIBITION

TO FLOURISH JAC PAINTER talks about her art with Denise Leitch Jackson

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the artist who repurposes graffiti

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Jac Painter (yes, that really is her name) creates heartfelt pieces of art. She repurposes graffiti chips that have fallen off the walls of the Krog Street Tunnel in Atlanta. Each chip has layers of paint, as the street art murals are layered one on top of the other. Often Jac uses Crayola candy colors to create work that is bright and visually compelling. She has participated in a number of juried art shows around Atlanta. In 2019, I curated an artist talk titled "Inside the Artist's Mind," in which Jac and Atlanta artist Adam Cook interviewed each other, one artist to another. I recently caught up with Jac to find out more about her journey with art and her recent series, "A Thin Black Line (Say Her Name)." How did you get started as an artist? I have always dabbled in art. However, as the youngest of nine kids, I had not been dubbed the artistic one. So, I never pursued it. But at some point, I decided to hang only original art on my walls.

Not able to afford the originals I wanted, I started to paint my own, made specifically for me. In 2018 I stumbled on some chips of graffiti discarded on the ground in the Krog Street Tunnel in Atlanta. I was mesmerized by them and everything they represented. I wanted to preserve them, and I learned how to pour resin. After my first pour, I became hooked. I had found my jam. What brought you to Atlanta? I was in global commercial real estate. I was with Starbucks, and they moved me to Amsterdam in the Netherlands for three and a half years. My aging father was of failing health, so I asked to relocate back to the States. I had two options: Miami or Atlanta. I had only been to either city one time, each for one weekend. But "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" was one of the few American TV shows I could watch in Amsterdam. Not a Kardashian type, Miami was out. I fell in love with Atlanta immediately, and met my husband on the first day on the job.

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Tell us about your art. As I work with resin and graffiti chips from the Krog Street Tunnel, I try to honor the tunnel's history. I try to convey messages of love, growth, and a bit of whimsy. Love to me is not just romantic love; it is also my love of the city. How do the street artists who created the murals feel about you repurposing the chips? Before I decided to offer my work for sale, I reached out to a few street artists. They were overwhelmingly supportive as long as I did not attempt to recreate their original image. At one point, I found a bunch of chips from one work with the artist's Instagram handle. I reached out to them and offered them the chips. They didn't want them and were supportive of my using the chips in my work. I was so touched. My artwork gives permanence to street art. >

"I try to honor the tunnel's history."

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What is your process in creating a painting? Sometimes I start with the chip of graffiti. But usually, I pour colors I love and then find chips that can shine on the resin. I often cut or rip the chips and then layer them into the heart or other shapes. I've also carved them and create threedimensional butterflies and even paper dolls. On rare occasions, I use them just as I found them. The resin I use is non-toxic once cured, but it only has a working time of about thirty minutes. Each layer requires about twenty-four hours to cure before I can work on the next layer. Once poured, I use a blowtorch to remove the bubbles, and then cover it with a box and plastic sheeting so no dust can land on it while wet. It's a lot of creativity and preparation, and then it goes fast and furious. Then I back out of the studio, turn off the light, and wait—rarely patiently. How did your new series "A Thin Black Line (Say Her Name)" come about? I watched Donald Williams' interview on CNN right after the George Floyd video came out. Mr. Williams was the man on the scene who pleaded with the cop who murdered George Floyd.

As I watched his soul just crack in the retelling of that day, something broke inside me, too. I went to my studio, and all I had were these small panels. The piece evolved in the coming weeks. It started out as "Say Her Name" after I went to a luncheon with twenty-five White women and twenty-five Black women. I researched as many as I could find of the women and girls of color who were killed by police or who had died in police custody. I learned their stories. I read their obituaries. I tried to synthesize as much of that trauma as this middle-aged White woman could. I let that guide the work.

There used to be forty-nine names, but I had to add one more before it was ever shown publicly. When finished and lined up in my studio, I changed the name to "A Thin Black Line (Say Her Name)." What inspires you? I am inspired by all the creative energy around Atlanta, from music to street art. It is not hard to find something that sinks its teeth into you and makes you hum with inspiration. What is the best lesson you learned along the way? Create what you love. Sometimes love takes time. <

The result is fifteen 5" x 7" black panels, each with a black heart formed from chips of graffiti from Atlanta's Krog Tunnel. They are mounted on wood blocks of varying depths, which invite the viewer to get close and to look at the panels from all sides. On the back of each panel is a plaque with the names and ages of fifty women and girls.

Denise Leitch Jackson, Curator/Art Consultant @denisejacksonartcurator

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www.townandculture.com

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LIVE YOUR

hope

Falling down and getting back up—it’s a part of life. It begins when we first start to walk. We have to keep falling down to get it right. Innocent and fearless, a baby learning to walk gets right back up, time after time. There’s no notion of failure or embarrassment.

As we grow into adulthood, though, it’s not so easy to fall and get back up. To lose the big game. To miss the cut. To lose your job. To go through a divorce. To lose someone you love. To not be chosen. To be overlooked.

What happens when you get it all wrong? I have to admit, I often don’t want to get back up. I feel defeated, and I wallow in self-pity.

But that gets old.

What shakes me free from my selfish little pity party is to stop thinking only about me. I reach out to God in prayer —and once I finish complaining and asking “Why me, Lord?” I can eventually hear what God’s been telling me all along: “You are loved. You are blessed. You have a purpose.”

Then, even if I don’t see what direction to take, it comes to me that there are plenty of people who need help besides me. As soon as I reach out to lend a hand to someone else, my sulk is over. It could be as ordinary as running an errand for my husband, or as profound as helping a stranger out of a crisis. Whatever the opportunity may be that presents itself, I quickly realize how many things are working in my life—and this leads me to count my blessings. Ultimately, I am transformed by gratitude. I have compassion and hope—for myself and for others.

For instance, when money got tight after the 2008 Crash, we had to rely on food banks to make ends meet. After months of feeling depressed about it, I was asked to volunteer. At first my stubborn self resisted, but after praying about it, I saw that this was a way I could

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The difference between those who can be leaders and those who can't is resilience— the ability to get back up again and again and again and again. give back to the community that had

When things go wrong, it’s easy to feel

been helping take care of my family.

sorry for yourself. It takes resilience to

As I got to be on both the giving and

accept defeat, and then to summon

Like the Shakira song Try Everything

receiving end of the process,

the strength to try something new.

goes:

everything shifted. I appreciated the abundance available to all of us, I made new friends, and my shame was gone. The acquaintances I made even led to new work. Neighbors, strangers, friends—we all had our troubles. But we were helping each other do better.

Knowing you’re not alone makes all the

Don’t give up. Don’t give in.

Resilience, as Rowe describes it, “is a kind of lived hope, a way to keep

Birds don’t just fly

getting up again that has its roots in

They fall down and get up

God’s permanent faithfulness.”

Nobody learns without getting it wrong I won’t give up

In every circumstance, God keeps an

No, I won’t give in till I reach the end

everlasting faith in us: “‘I know the

And then I’ll start again

plans I have for you,’ God declares.

No, I won’t leave

‘Plans to prosper you, not to harm you

I want to try everything

—to give you the future you hope for’”

I want to try even though I could fail[2]

difference. Our Creator has put us

(Jeremiah 29:11). We can count on this

here to take care of each other. Every

rock-solid promise.

On a really bad day, you can pray with

one of us, made in God’s image,

this uplifting tune—you can even find a

conveys God’s gifts in our own unique

No matter how many setbacks we

version posted on YouTube that’s on

way to the world. Thus God is always

encounter, we still make progress. I’ve

an hour-long repeat. (Yes, I've done

supplying us with what we need,

learned over and over that God’s

this before.) You might just jump up

telling us good ideas, and stoking our

possibilities are endless. An infinite

and change the world after singing

God—Love Itself, Life Itself—always

along to that!

best life.

knows there’s another way. The key is But none of this will happen unless we pay attention.

to get out of our self-centered mindset. Then we are able to see the miracles that are right in front of us, waiting to happen.

The truth is, all of us get knocked down, and all of us long to get back up. “The difference between those who repeatedly get back up and those

To live our hope day by day, we’ve got to stop whining and why-ing, and get out there and do something. Just take

[1] Rowe, C Kavin. “Cultivating Resilience in Christ-Shaped Leaders.” Faithandleadership.com, 23 Apr. 2012, www.faithandleadership.com/c-kavin-

who don’t,” says Duke Divinity School

a step. One step. It could be a baby

Professor C. Kavin Rowe, “is exactly

step. It may turn out to be the wrong

the difference between those who are

one, but even then, God will be there

able to lead and those who aren’t. The

to catch you and steer you in the right

name for this difference is resilience,

direction.

Music Company (soundtrack to

rowe-cultivating-resilience-christshaped-leaders.

the ability to get back up again and

Zootopia), lyrics by Tor Hermansen,

again and again and again.”[1]

Mikkel Eriksen, and Sia Furler.

JANIS HUNT JOHNSON Flourish Digital Magazine's Copyeditor | Author | Spiritual Therapist

www.medium.com

@CSRenewal

facebook.com/CSRenewal

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Anita Walton Moore leaves no stone unturned. Mrs. Anita Walton Moore is the author of "Tower of Hope: The History of Rust College Founders and Presidents, 1866–2020." She served Rust College, a historically Black college, and the Leontine Price Library, in many capacities for 53 years—from 1967 to June 2021. She was named Head Librarian in 1988 and held the title of Library Director until her retirement.

Mrs. Moore graduated from Mississippi Industrial College with a major in Mathematics and a minor in English. She received a Master of Science degree in Library Science from the University of Mississippi in Oxford in 1969, and was the first Black student to graduate from the Library School—and among the first Black students to graduate from the university. Read Mrs. Moore’s fascinating story and inspiring historical accounts from the inception of Rust College up until 2020. <

Everyone who has attended Rust College— a historically Black college— will enjoy the rich history within Tower of Hope.

Special orders at 662-274-4597

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IDE TO PERSONAL GU S' RL GI #1 E TH R FO Y AD RE GET SFORMATION! AN TR & CE EN LL CE EX T, EN PM DEVELO

t n e m e c n a h n E h t r o W Self for Girls & Gen Z Women

FACILITATING TRANSFORMATION THROUGH TRAINING CONCEPTS THAT LAST.

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Let's be real, ladies and gentlemen. Most of us struggle with accepting ourselves, loving our bodies, finding our identity, connecting with others, and finding purpose in our lives. Or at least we have had this struggle at some point. It seems that a day doesn't go by without hearing people talk about being dissatisfied with themselves or their life situations. Whether it's about their looks, their relationship status, how much money is in their pocket, how popular they are, or how afraid they are, people just don't seem to be all that satisfied with themselves these days. Let's face it, not only do magazines, commercials, and the news bombard us with massive negativity—from every corner of the world it seems—young women are also assaulted by unrealistic and sometimes comical and fake images of what the “ideal” image of beauty, money, intelligence, friends, and popularity should look like. It takes a discerning eye, ear, and heart to know the difference between real and advertisements that are completely unreal — while pretending to be real. Unfortunately, some people aim for perfection in their lives instead of valuing who they are and uncovering their authenticity. What do I mean by authenticity?

Authenticity means understanding who you are—your real self— learning how to let that self shine through, and showing the world how fabulous you truly are. It's your authentic fabulousness! If you are an adolescent girl, teen, or Gen Z young lady, and you have been unhappy and dissatisfied with how you feel about yourself—your looks, popularity, or personality, or if you're wondering about what you have (or haven't) been able to accomplish so far, then we would like to offer you a complimentary downloadable PDF copy of the Girl-Swag Workbook. If you are an adult woman or mom, and you can relate to feeling this way at some time in your life, or you know a young girl or young lady who can relate to this, then please share this information with her, too. These issues touch girls and boys, women and men—all races and ethnicities, religious sectors, socioeconomic classes, athletes...everyone! My goal is to give you tools (coping skills and alternative ways of looking at things) in your toolbox for living a happy, healthy, fun life—a life in which you will be able to thrive and flourish.

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I do expect that you will be challenged by certain issues at times in your life, because that’s life; however, when you are faced with challenges, you will know better how to handle them, and you'll be able to avoid falling into the funky pit of sadness, depression, anxiety, or isolation. I have a high level of certainty that after reading and completing the Girl-Swag Workbook—and that means actually doing the work—you will have the ability and know-how to value yourself, maintain a high level of energy, and be connected to people you really enjoy. If you would like to purchase Girl-Swag in book form, they are available at Amazon.com. In addition, if you would like me to facilitate a program for you and your Girl’s Group or organization, please contact me personally. >

Girl-Swag is a resource guide with platinum appeal.

F I N D I N G

Y O U R

" g a w S l r i "G B Y

C H L O É

T A Y L O R

B R O W N

We want you to be confident and powerful in all areas

We’ll help you learn to appreciate your genetic and

of your life and to express yourself authentically—with

cultural make-up, while expressing your authentic self—

truthfulness and girl-swag. Girl-Swag is your

through your acceptance and confidence about your

appearance, your style—the way you present yourself,

body, your fashion style, and your personality style.

the goals you have chosen, and the way you feel about yourself. This is important, ladies, because you get to define your own girl-swag. You have the power to choose what thoughts you think, how you feel about yourself, how you feel about your body, who you want as your friends, and what goals you want to set for your life. It’s all about you and your natural gifts and abilities. Don’t let anybody else define you.

The way you feel about yourself, your body image, your goals, and who you want to become are important. Please know that it is essential that you understand this: The way you speak, behave, look, and dress are important; but the most important fact to realize is that you are completely unique.

There is no one in this Universe exactly like you, even if you have an identical twin. You are one-of-a-kind— flawless and beautiful. You already have all the qualities and elements that are necessary to be you. You may not have realized this yet. But as you work through the Girl-Swag Workbook, you will start to uncover your “fabulosity” by recognizing what works best for you. You are already an authentic superstar, so let’s get busy on shining the spotlight on you, Darling.

We want you to embrace the uniqueness of your body, your fashion and personality styles, and the individuality of your being. We realize that when you are happy with your body you feel good about yourself. This thing called body image is an essential aspect of your life and your self-expression. We can’t ignore it or make it insignificant. Therefore, we are going to help you identify the positive traits and characteristics about your body, your body type, and your body shape and proportions.

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To find out more about uncovering your magical Girl-Swag, purchase the book at Amazon.com or ask about buying at a special bulk rate for your After-School Girls' Program or Girls' Group here, or send an email for more information to chloe@chloetaylorbrown.com.

START DESIGNING YOUR BEST

FA LL

TO LIVE AN AMAZING NEW YEAR

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

BE MINDFUL! OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR BREASTS? PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE. GO AHEAD, FEEL AND CARESS YOUR BREASTS OFTEN.

NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION www.nationalbreastcancer.org FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 88

EARLY DETECTION MATTERS AND SAVES LIVES. SCHEDULE A MAMMOGRAM TODAY. #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 89

WWW.CHLOETAYLORBROWN.COM FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | FALL 2021 | 90

FALLING DOWN AND GETTING UP, 2021 It's finally Fall! And my mantra this season is, "Fall is proof that change is beautiful." We need to value each phase and season of life that passes us. Embrace the Fall breeze and watch how each leaf falls to the ground, keeping in mind that soon a new season will be in full bloom. I've heard it said: Don’t just "be yourself"; also work on yourself. Don’t just "be who you are”; be who you ought. Don’t just "follow your dreams"; but also face your realities. And don’t just "live your life"; but live a respectable life. Then you will find out that you cannot do everything, but at least you can do something. Remember: It's not the length of life, but the depth of life. Let's flourish together. Stay safe and be well. Until next issue! Best wishes, Sadiyah Adams Chief Creative Designer Flourish Digital Magazine

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u o Y

f l e s r

BE MINDFUL & FLOURISH F L OURI SHDI GI TAL MAGAZ I NE . C OM