Editor

As I write this letter, the Supreme Court ended affirmative action, coming on the heels of the third anniversary of Juneteenth as a federal holiday in the United States. Former First Lady Michelle Obama said in response to the news that our highest court struck down affirmative action programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina: “So often, we just accept that money, power and privilege are perfectly justifiable forms of affirmative action, while kids growing up like I did are expected to compete when the ground is anything but level.” It’s puzzling when we take a few steps forward and then we’re taking steps backward, something that happens more frequently than we’d like. Obama’s newest book, The Light We Carry contains practical wisdom and powerful strategies and is delivered in a way that only she can. It is one of our book suggestions this issue (see page 43).

Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of chattel slavery in America (more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation officially ended slavery in 1863) and it brings the hope that African American history will be more accepted as American history. In Cleveland, Juneteenth was celebrated on Saturday, June 17 with FREEDOM FEST sponsored by MetroHealth in partnership with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It was a beautiful and fun-filled day for everyone down on Mall C with performances by Djapo Cultural Arts Institute to the Cavaliers Scream Team. It marks a day of celebration and reflection. The Women of Color Foundation was proud to sponsor this event and the organization shared many photos to commemorate the occasion (see pages 8-13).

In “Creativity Heals,” Hospice of the Western Reserve’s Mollie Borgione talks about the power of art to heal those who are grieving the death of a loved one. “Creative expression, whether through visual arts, music, theater, storytelling, or dance can help release emotion and process grief,” she says. Read the full article on page 14.

On the cover is Dr. Victory Vernon, mentor and co-founder of The Word Church in Cleveland. The author of I Am Victory: Kingdom Principles to a Victorious Life, Dr. Victory, as she prefers to be called, ministers to women who feel broken and unseen. With her husband, Dr. R.A. Vernon, The Word Church has services on Sundays at 9 am and 11 am and sermons can be viewed online at https:// wordcity.org. Learn more about this phenomenal woman on pages 20-22.

Speaking of phenomenal women, check out the Executive Profile of Constance Hill-Johnson. This philanthropist and business coach is the owner and managing director of Visiting Angels in Cleveland, Ohio. Connie was elected the first African American woman to Chair the Board of Directors for the Cleveland Foundation. She shares her secrets to success as well as what she has come to learn about work/life balance. Connie will also serve as an Executive-in-Residence at the Women of Color Foundation’s 2nd Annual National Executive Women’s Leadership Summit (visit womenofcolorfoundation.com). See Connie’s profile on pages 24-25.

TV anchor and the founder of S.H.I.N.E. organization, the dynamic Danita Harris shares a story about an East Cleveland woman, Nicole Howell, who has become a beacon of light for homeless teens. Howell’s organization, Broken Connections, has provided a lifeline for those who are desperate to get their lives back on track. Don’t miss this moving story on pages 27.

We hope you enjoy the variety of content in this issue and stop working long enough to enjoy some summer sun. Until next time….

Jennifer Coiley Dial Editor, C L Magazine jen@cl-magazine.com