SISTER CHAT

from Grace & Glory Magazine June 2022

A WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE

Shelah

Kakat

The Sister Chat

In September 2016 an idea of creating a new community of empowered women emerged as a result of conversation between two longtime best friends. The idea had been brewing for quite a while and finally on a flight from a wedding in Montego Bay, God gave the outline of how to pursue the idea to manifestation. Thus, was born The Sistah Chat.

The idea of community has become especially important even before the pandemic. After meeting such beautiful, gifted, talented and powerful women in their own rankings, it was necessary to bring these ladies together and develop a community of women to share discussions of like and unlike concerns and open themselves up to other women, all in the process of becoming.

The initial idea was to create a safe environment in bringing women of ALL ages together crossing the “generation gaps” in order to share ideas and opinions - old and new. The idea of forging new relationships and influencing perspectives was not a novel idea but certainly a necessary idea. As the Lord would lead, sisters were invited to join The Sistah Chat with the hope of inspiring, encouraging, motivating and empowering women in whatever God has called them to do.

One of the key tools we encourage is to incorporate a journal to record thoughts and ideas. My mentor has said, “Once you commit something to paper, you in essence form a contract between yourself and God.” When we initially started our group, we were able to meet in person and each lady was given a journal and an ink pen to record notes from our gatherings as well as recording ideas and thoughts between our gatherings that were impactful and important.

We have seen growth in individuals that show us, we are being impactful in these simple 90- minute monthly gatherings. Our conversations have included subjects on Mental Health During the Pandemic, The Power of Words, Paying Attention to Our Finances, The Effects of Internal and External Stress, Mindfulness – inclusive of breathing and meditation techniques, Relationships, Racism Outside of The Black Community, Self-Care, Habits, etc. We also have “homework” as well as challenges. This helps reinforce information shared during our gatherings. One of our home assignments, for example was to take five minutes at the end of each day for at least one week and record meaningful activities in order to see how we lived our day. It was not an assignment to determine our accomplishments. This was a challenging assignment for some of our sistahs because we generally judge ourselves by our accomplishments and “internally bash” ourselves for the things we don’t get done.

We are blessed with an array of talented sistahs from Educational Administrators, ministers, business owners, at least three published authors, artists, an attorney, government workers and other professionals. With an eclectic mix of ladies, we have experienced personal growth and breakthroughs. Our essential foundation is the Word of God. Our motto is “Everyone Matters In The Circle.”

md_szakat@hotmail.com

Ericka J.

Kirk Franklin & Maverick City Music

Oh Yea! New Music dropping from this insane collabo! “Bless Me”, June 3rd! I’ve heard the snippet and it’s a vibe! Kirk doesn’t let us down, and accompanied by Maverick City, they are a good problem! It’s a head boppin chant kinda vibe! I’m diggin it! It’s the lead single from the upcoming project “Kingdom Book One”, which is currently available for pre-order. Now if you didn’t know, now you do, they are on tour together RIGHT NOW ! Coming to a city near you!

Tamela Mann

She’s breaking all kinds of records and making a whole lotta noise! Apparently, she is now the “#1 of #1’s”, breaking Kirk Franklin’s record who formerly held the title, he’s gotta feel like a proud brother!

News Leonard will be doing her first live recording since 2015. “It will be an experience that will impact our future”, says Tasha. Oh and dare I add that featured on this project is Mary Mary, Donald Lawrence, Kierra Sheard, and The Walls Group. HYMNS LIVE FROM GREENWOOD OASIS, I’m looking forward to hearing what shall come out of this!

Jason Nelson

“All I Need” is ALL I NEED TO SAY! Jason Nelson yet another sound and song of declaration, please check out the music video now available on You Tube and VEVO! Let it bless you!

“He Did It For Me” is her 9th #1 on Billboard’s Most Gospel Air Play! She is currently on her own tour, and in addition she has some spot date appearances with the Kirk Franklin & Maverick City Tour, WORK SIS!

DMV let me slide this in, we can’t leave her music director and producer Phillip Bryant out, he’s all over her album! Keep reppin DMV! We love to see it!

Lisa Knowles Smith

This vocal powerhouse has been quite busy doing kingdom business!

She and her family have released a new single titled “Jesus Knows” and if you know anything about The Brown Family, they deliver that good ole quartet music we love, they understand the assignment and they keep it alive! That good ole Hand clappin’, foot stomping’ music, WE LIVE TO SEE & HEAR IT! It is available at all digital media outlets RIGHT NOW GO GET IT! Oh, and I can’t neglect to mention she just signed the emerging quartet group “Men Of Prayze” to her label EVO Music World Group.