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March 2018
™
contents on the cover:
Women’s History Month “Women You Need to Know” Katherine Johnson Mary Jackson Dorothy Vaughn
Special Feature
pgs 8-11 - We are celebrating Women’s History Month! The 2018 Theme is- NEVERTHELESS SHE PERSISTED: Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. We have selected a group of phenomenal women to spotlight that are perfect for this year’s celebration.
Feature Articles 20 SINGLE LIFE
18 WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE Tiffany Bethea
Write Your Own Legacy
Ruth Young Tyler
3 Women, 1 Faith
It's Going To Take A Lot
Healthy Mind
24 GOSPEL INDUSTRY NEWS
Entertainment
16 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH
Dr. Carla J. Debnam, (Founder, Renaissance Christian Counseling Center)
Ericka Johnson
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scripture page
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For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11
Contributors PUBLISHER/ Jackie Epps EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITORIAL
Herline A. Knights Dr. Carla J. Debnam Ericka Johnson Rev. Tim Tooten Brandie Manigault Tiffany Bethea Ruth Young Tyler
GRAPHIC ARTIST Claire Lesesne www.JandCDesigns.com WEB ADMINISTRATOR Andre Felipe for Arts Period www.artsperiod.com
Grace & Glory Magazine is published monthly by JE Media, LLC, a Baltimore based, independent publisher. Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. Reproduction without expressed permission is prohibited.
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Advisory Board Chairman — Dr. A.C. D. Vaughn Sr. Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church, MD Vice-Chairman — Bishop Frank M. Reid, Jr. AME Church Dr. Michael A. Battle Sr., U.S. Ambassador President, ITC Seminary, Atlanta, GA Dr. Timothy Boddie Friendship Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA Bishop John R. Bryant Presiding Prelate of the 5th Episcopal District Dr. Harold A. Carter, Jr. Pastor, New Shiloh Baptist Church, MD Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, U.S. Ambassador Dr. WIlliam H. Curtis Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, PA Archbishop Ralph L. Dennis Kingdom Worship Center, MD Wanda Q. Draper/Media Executive Michele J.K. Epps/Health Sciences Cassandra Vaughn/Media Executive Dr. Donte’ L. Hickman, Sr. Pastor, Southern Baptist Church, MD Pastor Timothy V. Manigault Healing Voices Ministries Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson Pastor, Dream Life Worship Center Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr. Pastor, New Psalmist Baptist Church, MD Dr. Timothy Tooten, Sr. Pastor, Harvest Christian Ministries, MD
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March is ‘National Women’s History Month’. The public celebration of March is ‘National Women’s History women’s history in this country began Month’. The public celebration of inwomen’s 1978 as “Women’s history in thisHistory countryWeek” began in Sonoma County, California. The in 1978 as “Women’s History Week” Editor opportunity to honor women within week includingto March honor 8,California. International opportunity within in Sonoma County, The women opportunity to honor women within our week including 8, In International our families and communities. Women’s Day, wasMarch selected. 1981, Sen. our families and communities. families and communities. Women’s Day, was selected. In 1981, Sen. We are dedicatingsthisissue month’s issue Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara We are dedicating this month’ We are dedicating this month’s issue Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara of Grace & Glory to God’s Mikulski co-sponsoredMagazine a joint of Grace &(D-Md.) Glory to Magazine God’ s Mikulski (D-Md.) co-sponsored a joint of Grace & Glory Magazine to God’s phenomenal creation called ‘woman’ Congressional resolution proclaiming a phenomenal creation ‘woman’ phenomenal ‘woman’ . .. Congressional creation resolution proclaimingcalled Weare arefeaturing featuringawomen fifew ve dynamic We dynamic women women Women’s History Week. In 1987, We are national five dynamic afeaturing national Women’s History Week. ininour story; all their ourcover cover spread; allsuccessful successful in their Congress expanded celebration in our cover all the successful in their In 1987,spread; Congress the expanded professions and careers. There are also professions andare careers. There are also tocelebration a month, and March wasMarch declared to a month, and was There professions and careers. also several great articles this month from several great articles this month from declaredHistory Women’s History Month. this Month. several Women’s great articles month from our female contributors that will inspire, National Women’s History Month our female contributors that will inspire, National Women’s History Month that our female contributors will inspire, encourage and motivate our readers. provides an an excellent excellent venue venue toto encourage and motivate our readers. provides encourage and motivate our To all ofreaders. God’s Women, I salute all of you recognize and celebrate women’s To all of God’s Women, I salute all of and celebrate women’s To allrecognize of God’s special poem. all of historic achievements Women, as well as an withIthissalute you with this special poem. historic achievements as well poem. as an you with this special
Jackie Epps
Arise AriseWoman Woman Of Of God God Rise up O woman of God In what He has given you The things God has laid on your heart Rise up, go forth, and do Unlock what God has placed within The potential you have inside The world is waiting for your release To expand your wings and fly Arise in your God-given gifts For this is your finest hour Arise in the Lord’s holy might Ignited and empowered For God is calling you to come forth To impact this world for Him Don’t hold back or limit yourself Let His power arise within
And take His message to the world To those that have lost their way For you can surely make a difference If you’d hear His voice and obey You shall be strengthened in the Lord As you begin to arise Conquering those doubts that pull you down And believe who you are in Christ For you shall surely be transformed As, in you, God increases more And become a woman of true excellence Bringing honour to her Lord © By M.S.Lowndes
Jackie Epps Editor-in-Chief www.gracenglorymagazine.org 77 www.gracenglorymagazine.org
NEVERTHELESS SHE PERSISTED: Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination Against Women In 1987 the US Congress designated March as National Women’s History Month. The 2018 National Women’s History theme presents the opportunity to honor women who have shaped America’s history and its future through their tireless commitment to ending discrimination against women and girls. The theme embodies women working together with strength, tenacity and courage to overcome obstacles and achieve joyful accomplishments. Nevertheless She Persisted: This phrase was born in February 2017 when Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, was silenced during Jeff Sessions’ confirmation hearing for Attorney General. At the time, Warren was reading an opposition letter penned by Coretta Scott King (a past NWHP honoree) in 1986. Referring to the incident, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, later said “Senator Warren was giving a lengthy speech. She had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless she persisted.” Feminists immediately adopted the phrase in hashtags and memes to refer to any strong women who refuse to be silenced. Fighting all forms of discrimination against women takes persistence. 8 March 2018 | Grace&Glory 8 March 2018 | Grace&Glory
In additional to National and Community Honorees we recognize the ongoing persistence of our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, neighbors, and friends. We hope you will join us in celebrating all women this month and throughout the year. Grace & Glory Magazine has chosen these phenomenal women to spotlight for this month’s celebration. ◆◆◆
NASA’s Hidden Figures: Women You Need to Know Katherine Johnson One of NASA's human 'computers,' Katherine G. Johnson performed the complex calculations that enabled humans to successfully achieve space flight. In 1952, Johnson learned that the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was hiring African-American women to serve
as "computers;" namely, people who performed and checked calculations for technological developments. Johnson applied, and the following year she was accepted for a position at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Johnson not only proved adept at her calculations, she displayed a curiosity and assertiveness that caught her superiors by surprise. After only two weeks, Johnson was transferred from Katherine Johnson the African-American computing pool to Langley's flight research division, where she talked her way into meetings and earned additional responsibilities. In 1958, after NACA was reformulated into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Johnson was among the people charged with determining how to get a human into space and back. For Johnson, calculating space flight came down to the basics of geometry: "The early trajectory was a parabola, and it was easy to predict where it would be at any point," she said. "Early on, when they said they wanted the capsule to come down at a certain place, they were trying to compute when it should start. I said, 'Let me do it. You tell me when you want it and where you want it to land, and I'll do it backwards and tell you when to take off .' " As a result, the task of plotting the path for Alan Shepard's 1961 journey to space, the first in American history, fell on her shoulders. The next challenge was to send a man in orbit around Earth. This involved far more difficult calculations, to account for the gravitational pulls of celestial bodies, and by then NASA had begun using electronic computers. Yet, the job wasn't considered complete until Johnson was summoned to check the work of the machines, providing the go-ahead to propel John Glenn into
successful orbit in 1962. While the work of electronic computers took on increased importance at NASA, Johnson remained highly valuable for her unwavering accuracy. She performed calculations for the historic 1969 Apollo 11 trip to the moon, and the following year, when Apollo 13 experienced a malfunction in space, her contributions to contingency procedures helped ensure its safe return. Johnson continued to serve as a key asset for NASA, helping to develop its Space Shuttle program and Earth Resources Satellite, until her retirement in 1986. Johnson was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. ◆◆◆
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson was hired by NASA in 1951 as a research mathematician in the segregated West Computers Section, and would later work as an aerospace engineer. While her contributions to aerodynamic studies were significant, Jackson sensed that she could have a more profound impact at the agency by transitioning from the applied sciences to human resources. If that seems like a selfimposed demotion, don’t be deceived. By 1979, Jackson had taken Mary Jackson on a new role as an affirmative action program manager and federal women’s program manager. In that capacity, she was able to make changes that helped women and people of color, and assisted managers in noting the accomplishments of their black and female employees.
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Continued from page 9 For too long, Jackson had noticed that her qualified and talented black and female (and, especially, black female) colleagues were not always getting promoted as quickly as their white male counterparts. Jackson took a searching look at the structural inequalities within NASA that contributed to these failure-to-thrive scenarios, and decided that she could have the greatest impact in a formal human resources role, rather than simply in one of informal advisement to disappointed and frustrated colleagues. Jackson’s work in this capacity was instrumental in ensuring greater visibility inside the agency, but also—and crucially—outside of it. While NASA administrators were finally forced to acknowledge black women’s work at the agency, the general public was still largely in the dark about the black women of NASA, and, equally important, about the relevance of the space race and the agency’s activities to their own lives during the 1960s. Mary Jackson was hired by NASA in 1951 as a research mathematician and retired from the NASA Langley Research Center in 1985 as an aeronautical engineer. Her work in human resources helped advance women and people of color at NASA. ◆◆◆
Dorothy Johnson Vaughan Dorothy Johnson Vaughan was an AfricanAmerican mathematics teacher who became one of the leading mathematical engineers in early days of the aerospace industry. After the U.S. defense industry desegregated, Vaughan worked with leading computer operators and engineers, becoming an expert in the FORTRAN programming coding language at NASA. She 10 February 2018 | Grace&Glory 10 March March2018 2018||Grace&Glory Grace&Glory
worked on the SCOUT Launch Vehicle Program that that launched America’s first satellites into space. Vaughan was employed as a mathematician at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (the predecessor agency to NASA) in what she thought would be a temporary job. A beneficiary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 8802, Vaughan was among the first group of African Americans to be hired Dorothy Johnson Vaughan as mathematicians and scientists. The executive order prohibited discrimination based on race, religion and ethnicity in the defense industry. However, even with the executive order, state and local laws required "colored" mathematicians to work separately from their white female counterparts. Dorothy Johnson Vaughan was assigned to the segregated “West Area Computing” unit, where she was required to use separate dining and restroom facilities. At NACA, she was responsible for calculating mathematical computations for engineers conducting aeronautical experiments in wind tunnels on the variables affecting drag and lift of aircraft. In 1949, Dorothy Johnson Vaughan became the first black supervisor at NACA when she was promoted to manager of the West Area Computers. This work group was composed entirely of African-American female mathematicians. The title gave her rare visibility and she collaborated with other well-known computer operators on various projects. She also became a dedicated advocate for female employees who deserved promotions or raises, often supporting white women as well. During the final decade of her career, Vaughan worked closely with fellow NASA
mathematicians Katherine G. Johnson and Mary Jackson on the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, which brought confidence back to America’s space program. Vaughan died November 10, 2008. ◆◆◆
Christine Darden Racial discrimination in hiring practices at NASA hadn’t improved much by the time Christine Darden applied for a position in the late 1960s. Darden, who held a Master’s in engineering and was qualified for an engineer position within the agency, was nonetheless assigned to a human computer Christine Darden role, which represented a sub-professional category. NASA could take advantage of the knowledge conferred upon her through her degree, but wouldn’t assign her a position or corresponding pay grade that was commensurate with it. Darden, however, wasn’t one to be cowed into conformity. Fully cognizant that she was capable of holding a professional position within the agency, she confronted her supervisor and was transferred to an engineering job in 1973. In this role, she worked on the science of sonic booms, making specific advances on sonic boom minimization and writing more than 50 scholarly articles on the subject. In 1983, Darden earned a doctorate degree and by 1989 she was appointed to the first of a number of management and leadership roles at NASA, including technical leader of the Sonic Boom Group of the Vehicle Integration Branch of the High Speed Research Program and, a decade later, director in the
Program Management Office of the Aerospace Performing Center.
Annie Easley Annie Easley, who joined NASA in 1955 and would work at the agency for 34 years, shared the same self-awareness and confidence as Darden, as well as the same tenacity for ensuring her rights were respected. In the 1960s, Easley wrote the computer code used for the Centaur rocket stage. Dubbed by NASA as “America’s workhorse in Annie Easley space,” Centaur has been used in more than 220 launches. Easley’s code was the basis for future codes that have been used in military, weather, and communications satellites. Despite this accomplishment, Easley encountered staggering discrimination, particularly when it came to accessing educational benefits promised to NASA employees. NASA had instituted a policy that allowed employees a grant of sorts to cover coursework that was relevant to their jobs. Easley wanted to take some math classes at a nearby community college, and asked her male supervisor if NASA would pay for the classes. “Oh, no, Annie, they don't pay for any undergraduate courses," he said. She informed the supervisor that she was aware of NASA’s policy about paying for classes, but he dug his heels in, saying, “They only do it for professionals." She paid for her own classes and earned her Bachelors in Mathematics, but not after being denied paid leave (another NASA policy) to pursue the degree. Annie Easley wrote the computer code used for the Centaur rocket stage that was used in more than 220 launches. Her work influenced codes that have been used in military, weather, and communications satellites. www.gracenglorymagazine.org 11 www.gracenglorymagazine.org 11
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to your good health
Week after week I hear the life narratives of people who are working through struggles and life issues to get to their desired goal. Some have had lifelong battles while others have experienced recent life events that have left them lonely, angry and sometimes afraid. They are actively seeking healing, comparing solutions and working towards closure. Many have scars that are deeply embedded into who they are now that they do not know who they really are. With these various layers of issues and concerns there is one thing we can be certain of on the journey to freedom and that is – it’s going to take a lot. The freedom and deliverance people are searching for is going to be a fight but the blessing we have as Christians is that we do not have to fight alone. Our fight is waged with prayer, faith and the power of the Holy Spirit. There is hope for conquering our pain even if the process gets long and weariness sets in.
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“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.” 2 Corinthians 10:34. It may take a lot out of us to overcome what life throws our way but our strength is in our ability to endure and our faith in the promises of God. “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1. Faith is shaped in the fire and our problems can be the tool to help us become the person we hope to be. We cannot give up while going through but we must use the experiences to guide us in our decision-making and in our path to freedom in Christ. It’s going to take a lot so stand firm, get battle Dr. Carla Debnam, ready but know that the battle is Founder, not yours but the Lords. Renaissance Christian Counseling Center
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woman’s perspective
Happy Women’s History month my sister! During this month we take time to celebrate the accomplishments of incredible women like Katherine Goble Johnson one of the first black human computers at NASA, Mary McLeod Bethune a pioneer in education, Coretta Scott King a powerful figure in the civil rights movement, Condoleezza Rice the first Black woman to serve as the US National Security Adviser and Secretary of State, Shirley Chisholm the first Black congresswoman and the first major-party Black candidate to run for President, and so many more. We honor them for their courage in the face of fear, their tenacity despite the obstacles, their vision for the future despite the horrid past, and their audacity to hope and work for a brighter tomorrow. During this time, do you know what else I think about? I think about the history that is currently being written. Our history that is. Each one of us is inscribing our own story now and carving a place for ourselves in history. The question that comes to my mind is, “What will history have to say about us?” When our name is mentioned to future generations, will they say that she was a visionary and lived a fearless life or will they say otherwise? Will they say she lived a life poured out and impacted everyone who knew her, or will we go unnoticed? The good news is we get to determine how we will be remembered. We get to write our own narrative! Who will 18 18 March March2018 2018| |Grace&Glory Grace&Glory
history say that you were? Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us that, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” When I read this passage, I am encouraged by the fact that it says we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. This is so true! We are surrounded by and have been preceded by incredible godly women who knew how to trust in Him and lean not to their own understanding. We are coming on the heels of fierce and courageous women who dared to look opposition in the face and triumph. We are standing on the shoulders of women who didn’t let race, class, gender, education or lack thereof keep them from achieving the impossible because they knew God was on their side. So since we are surrounded by such incredible witnesses, we can run the race before us and walk out the assignment that God has given us. We can be that Proverbs 31 wife. We can be an incredible mother like Mary. We can lead like Deborah. We can do absolutely anything that we set our minds to. So what mark will you leave on the world? How will you make the announcement that you were here? Will your family, our community, our world be better because you walked alongside us? I challenge you today not to let this world write the narrative for you. The enemy has a plan and a legacy he’d like to assign to your life. His plan includes killing, stealing and destroying your destiny. BUT Jesus came that you would have life and have it more abundantly. Don’t let the enemy write your legacy or cause you to be distracted and lose focus of the fact that your history is being written right now. Be intentional about the type of woman you want to be. Be intentional about the type of relationships you wish to have. Be intentional about your physical health and wellness. Be intentional about the career success you would like to achieve. Be intentional about your financial stewardship and wealth. Be intentional about every single breath you take and every single minute of life you are blessed with. I speak over you right now my sister. I decree and declare that your legacy will be a powerful one. I decree and declare that you will live a life in the overflow and everyone who crosses your path will be blessed. I decree and declare that you will be blessed to be a blessing and that God will cause your name to be great. THAT is how you will be remembered powerful Tiffany Bethea woman of God. Remember that until She-EO Life Mentor next month when we chat again. Kingdomboss Founder
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single life
The month of March is recognized as Woman’s History Month. In His infinite wisdom and foresight, GOD designed women so uniquely amazing that we should be humbled and honored about our individual greatness. It’s a time to celebrate the accomplishments of women past and present. Oftentimes we shrink back into a proverbial “corner” yet the true power of being a woman is when we exercise our faith. The scripture says that faith without works is dead. Simply implied: Faith is an action word. “A faith that does not do things is a dead faith. Someone may say. “You have faith when you are doing nothing and I will prove to you I have faith by doing things.” You believe there is one GOD. That is good! But even the demons believe that, and because they do, they shake.” (James 2:17-19 NLV) We all are granted a measure a faith according to Romans 12:3, of which we have to exercise. Faith is like a muscle. When it’s exercised it gets stronger. Conversely, when it’s not exercised ~ the fat (which is equivalent to doubt) surrounds the muscle and causes interference. Nevertheless, there is hope. The Latin word for faith is fides. Faith is defined as the strong belief in GOD or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof. 2. Complete trust or confidence in someone or something. 3. Allegiance to duty or a person; sincerity of intention. Herein lies the power of our faith. Faith is demonstrated through action. Oftentimes, others are blessed by our faith and the patience we show. The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. (Hebrews 11:1-2 The Message Bible) The Bible details the power of faith of many noble men and courageous women. Many of them we know by name. However, there are several women in the scriptures that do not get the same name recognition but, we remember them by their acts of faith.
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1. The woman with the issue of blood. 2. The Samaritan woman at the well. 3. The woman with the alabaster box. Their actions became synonymous with their demonstrated faith. I discovered that faith teaches us new lessons, grants us tenacity and it transcends generations. The woman with the “issue of blood” was tenacious. Although her condition plagued her for 12 years (Matthew 9:20-22), she did not resign herself to her condition. The situation left her with limited resources and labeled as a social outcast. She was healed on many levels. She demonstrated courage, humility and the belief that her physical, financial, social and emotional situations would change for the better ~ “if only she could touch the hem of His garment.” The woman at the well was being taught. Through a divine encounter and conversation with Jesus at a well in Sychar, the woman asked a series of questions. I believe the responses she received from each question strengthened and elevated her belief of the unknown. She was willing to be taught how to increase her faith. The woman with the alabaster box and her faith were transcendent. Her demonstrated gratitude and faith in GOD and His son Jesus is well-known. After she poured precious ointment on His feet, Jesus said to the woman “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Luke 7:50 The Message Bible) Sermons are preached and songs are written about the woman with the alabaster box. In 1999 award winning Gospel artist CeCe Winans debuted the song Alabaster Box. The song has become synonymous with gratitude, the power of forgiveness and peace. In spite of the opinions of others, social standing or political affiliation, these women exercised a level of faith that was beyond human comprehension. Regardless of our marital status: single, married, divorced, separated or “complicated” we can all evolve and learn the power and grace through faith. Let’s focus and grow.
Ruth Young Tyler @Journalistlife
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gospel industry news Anthony Brown The Winners Circle Tour is happening! Anthony Brown & Group Therapy are heading out on the road for a little bit, and taking some friends with them, this tour will feature Deon Kipping, Maranda Curtis, and Gene Moore. The official kick off will take place on April 5, 2018 in Bridgeport, CT. The musical gifts on this line up, accompanied with the production and creativity of Anthony Brown is definitely one for the books, and you should find yourself in the building in your city, or a city near you, to experience The Winners Circle!
Gospel Industry News
By Ericka J.
Jonathan Nelson Welp! It’s time! Baltimore’s Own Award winning Jonathan Nelson is releasing his new single “I Agree” on March 2, 2018. I’m not being biased but I must agree this is a GREAT SONG! It gives an upbeat, uplifting contemporary island worship flavor, that we all can sing and degree, “We agree with all that God says about us, because God can’t fail!” Let’s break the internet and grab this single on March 2, from your favorite digital media outlet. Stay tuned June 2018, look forward to the duet with his twin brother Jason Nelson titled “Faith For That”, these two are the “Wonder Twins”!!! Get Ready!
William Murphy William Murphy will be doing his LIVE Recording on March 1st, as the kick-off event for his Demonstrate 2018 Conference, at the dReam Center Church, in Atlanta where he pastors. The project will be produced by Tasha Cobbs-Leonard and her husband Kenneth Leonard. William Murphy always delivers us a hit, can’t wait to hear what comes out of this recording. 24 March March2018 2018| |Grace&Glory Grace&Glory 24
gospel industry news
Billy Graham Billy Graham one of the biggest names in televised evangelism passed away in his home in Montreat, North Carolina, last month on February 21, 2018, he was 99 years old. For over six decades, historically, he served as a prayer covering and or spiritual counsel to various presidents ranging as far back as President Harry Truman, and more recently to President Barack Obama. He evangelized to almost 215 million people, more than 3 million people committed their lives to Christianity due to his compelling teachings of Jesus Christ, and out of the 195 countries in the world his preaching was heard in 185 of them. Ricky DillardRest on soldier! May the works he’s done speak for him.
VaShawn Mitchell Congrats to VaShawn Mitchell on inking a deal for his label VMAn Entertainment, with Fair Trade Services, a partnership with Tyscot Records. In addition, he signed with marketing executive Larry Blackwell and the Blackwell Agency, the two companies are working collectively delivering his latest project “You Took The Nails”, which was released last month and very timely for this Resurrection season.
Top 5 Gospel Songs
Top 5 Gospel Albums
1.“Change Me” - Tamela Mann 2. “Trust In You” - Anthony Brown & Group Therapy 3. “Wont He Do It” - Karyn Hawthorne 4. “You Waited ” - Travis Greene 5. “I’m Blessed” - Charlie Wilson feat TI 1. Evidence Collective 2. WOW Gospel 2018 3. Heart, Passion, Pursuit - Tasha Cobbs-Leonard 4. Your Great Name - Todd Dulaney 5. The Hill - Travis Greene
As we continue in this Lenten season let’s draw nearer to God through this time of self-reflection and self-examination, but let us also draw closer to ourselves in a way that is reflective of continual change beyond this season. Remember, the first step to change is choice and until you make a choice about maintaining your change you won’t experience the change you want to see. Wishing one of the strongest women I know, my grandmother Mother Vena Jackson a Very Happy 85th Birthday (March 23). Until next month! Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @MissErickaJ www.gracenglorymagazine.org 25 www.gracenglorymagazine.org 25
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