hope
Vol. 18 No. 23 | Fall 2021
12 Inspiring
plus
EVOLVING TOGETHER
Indiana Women
A Magical
Pumpkin Spice and (Literally)
Career
The low-down on fall’s biggest obsession
Disney
Everything Nice
YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE
BEST MIDWESTERN WINERIES THIS FALL
Make a Real Fashion Statement in
FAUX FUR Rima Shahid on Seizing the Day and Fighting for
WOMEN’S RIGHTS
5 Ways to
WOW in Any Public Speaking Situation
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FALL 2021
In this issue: fall 2021
25
3 HEY GIRL!
Angie’s Editorial
Find out what perfumes are in this fall
14 CAREER
IN EVERY ISSUE
Ways to WOW in Public Speaking
EVOLVED
Helpful tips to feel confident and comfortable when speaking
6 STYLE
ENLIGHTENED
Fall Accessories Find out what accessories are trending in fashion this season
8 BEAUTY
Fall Makeup A step by step guide
16 COMMUNITY
Mary Clark: A Woman with a Calling The story of how Mary and her team help an area accept all cultures
18 CAREER
Tracey Powell’s Magical Disney Career A BTS look into how she works to make the Disney experience memorable
20 SOCIAL MEDIA
Influencer Chenese Lewis Shares 5 ways to live your life unapologetically
21 CAREER
12 Women Making Indiana Shine Bright Get to know these brilliant and empowering women
25 CAREER
As Told by Lalanii Wilson Her inspiring business story
Cover photo Tahari Dress, Michael Kors Denim Jacket, I.N.C. Necklace, I.N.C. Waist Belt , I.N.C. Gold Bracelets, DKNY Handbag
FALL 2021
Perfumes
1 TOGETHER
12 BEAUTY
EVOLVING
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20
14
8
40
32
46 33
37 33
43
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26 BUSINESS
RISE to the Challenge Comcast Business helps entrepreneurs
Candle Guide
Visit Indiana and Ohio this fall to celebrate the change of season
Curl up and relax with these favorites
30 HEALTH FALL 2021
Indoor Workouts
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38 DRINK
Your Ultimate Guide to Wineries
28 LIVING
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ENRICHED
The perfect fitness equipment as you move your workouts indoors during this cool season
32 FAITH
Dr. Richardson Answers the Call One woman’s leap of faith in following her calling
33 COVER STORY
Fighting for Women’s Rights Rima Shahid on seizing the day
40 FOOD
Pumpkin Spice Find out why it is such a big deal and why we look forward to it every fall
42 SWEET THINGS
Pastry Chef Grace Kelly May Her hopes for the Fort Wayne culinary scene, her inspirations and her foodie guilty pleasure
43 TRAVEL
5 Small Midwestern Towns Hit the road and discover the beauty of fall through these destinations
44 READS
Big Friendship Lessons and advice on friendships and relationships
45 COOKBOOK
Bea Moore and Vernita Harris A cookbook with a vision to give back
46 SOCIAL MEDIA
Connecting, Filtering and Thriving How social media improves life experiences
48 READS
Patti Callahan Takes Us Beyond Narnia A novel with a question that has more than one answer
Editor’s Note
I want us, as women, to celebrate The Life-Changing Beauty of YOU. Our past and mishaps don’t define us. I am so grateful for this. Keep moving forward, keep pursuing what you love, keep embracing each season – and this fall, enjoy watching the leaves change, wearing your favorite sweater, and cozying up with your favorite hot drink! Desiring to bring Hope home to something familiar, I found there are so many women in Indiana who represent so much. I want to evolve Hope into a space where we normalize and celebrate diverse women, and yes, women of color - giving them all a fair shot at exposure. In this Issue of Hope, we feature 12 inspiring women who share their stories and represent every fiber of Indiana (pg. 21). One woman we are so excited to feature is Rima Shahid, an empowering advocate for women’s rights (pg. 33). We were very excited to have her at our Fall Mixer and celebrate her sweet passionate spirit for her family, culture and change for women here in Indiana. Check out our social media pages for the event highlights. We’ve also featured Bea Moore and Vernita Harris, whose passion for food has found an inspiring way to give back to their community (pg.45).
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As I watch summer slowly fade away into the oranges, yellows and reds of fall, I realize the importance of embracing change and growth – and celebrating it. Noticing how the leaves gracefully accept the beautiful change of fall, I’m understanding the importance of perseverance and continuing on your journey, consistently evolving into the woman you are meant to be. While driving to work one morning, it hit me – for the first time in a long time, I was in a good place. For this Issue, I had finally found the right team to keep things moving on schedule and the money to keep things going. It wasn’t a struggle. I didn’t struggle. I was in a beautiful place where I accomplished a goal. I realized that I evolved into this place – hope evolved here. And I know it all depended on my trust in God and belief in myself and my leadership.
We also hope this Issue will empower you in any public speaking situation. I used to be terrified of public speaking, and I know I’m not alone. Rebecca Parker shares some great tips and ways on how you can wow people in these situations on pg. 14. It’s time to get cozy with all things fall, and what could be more ‘fall’ than the perfect candle? Find Hope’s ultimate fall candle guide on page 28. When I think of fall and candles, the next thing that comes to mind is wine. We’ve got you covered with the ultimate guide to the best Midwestern wineries to visit this fall with scenic views and the best wines to try (pg.38). Remember to embrace the life-changing beauty of YOU.
FALL 2021
Embracing the Change
3 TOGETHER
Hey girl!
EVOLVING
Photo by Rebecca Welch
While driving to work one morning, it hit me – for the first time in a long time, I was in a good place.
Vol. 18 No. 23 | Fall 2021
hope EVOLVING TOGETHER
PUBLISHER & FOUNDER
Angelia L. White - Stone FINANCE COORDINATOR
Eldred “Cookie” Jones ART DIRECTOR
CONTRIBUTORS
Anna Call, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, Lisa Deneal, Mary Farucci, Ericka Flye, Brittany Hunt, Lalanii Wilson-Jones, Chenese Lewis, Emily Longnecker, Bianca Mestiza, Kristen Miller, Rebecca Parker, Rita Taylor, Laura Tuzzio, Brianna Vacca, Ann Walczak
Cat Kahnle PROJECT DIRECTOR SENIOR EDITOR/CREATIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR
Cara Jimenez
Jennifer Chavarria MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA INTERNS COPY EDITORS
Tikvah Vismer Ann Walczak
Bidipta Chakraborti, Nyjah Jones, Mahima Hazarika, Makenna McLeod, Morgan Beasley, Morgan G, Madeline Lett, Maddy Wagner
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Kristen Miller
PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSISTANT
Bianca Mestiza
FALL 2021
DEPARTMENT EDITORS
Emily Cunningham (Arts & Entertainment) Leah Goldblatt (Style & Beauty) Jocelyn Merrill (Health & Fitness)
EVENT PLANNER
InnerG Consulting LLC Angela Cooper Collins
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HOPE MAGAZINE LLC Muncie, Indiana 47307 | www.hopeforwomenmag.com HOPE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OWNED BY HOPE MAGAZINE LLC COPYRIGHT 2021
Evolved Evolved Embrace the life-changing beauty of YOU
FALL 2021
Cozy and trendy ideas for all things style and beauty so that you can fade into fall with confidence
EVOLVING
TOGETHER
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Fashion
STYLE ACCESSORIES FOR this FALL SEASON Find out what accessories are trending in fashion this season By Anna Call If anything is better than fall weather, it’s got to be the accessories. From chic hats to chunky boots, these add-ons find a way to make outfits simply superior — and let’s not forget how comfortable they are! As the fall season approaches, now is the time to prepare and keep an eye out for the hottest items on the market. With the 1990s making a major comeback, we’ve rounded up the best trends that should be on your radar as you shop.
FALL 2021
Chloé Medium Darryl Leather Tote $1,150 nordstrom.com As you jump from task to task throughout a busy day, you need a dependable bag that’s going to keep up. As the micro bags craze dwindles, eyes are turning back to the shopping bags. These large totes are in the clutches of off-duty models and fashion gurus from NYC to LA. They’re great for carrying around your work materials and personal must-haves — and, bonus, they’re super cute! This Chloé Medium Darryl Leather Tote is everything we’ve dreamed of, from its caramel color that seamlessly coordinates with every outfit to its knotted strap detailing. Purchase this tote in-store or online at Nordstrom.
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The Chunky Necklace $49 stories.com Chunky necklaces are the best way to emphasize the collar. With fall fashion having simpler colors and patterns compared to summer apparel, bulky pieces add some dimension effortlessly. It girls and influencers across the globe are putting on their chunky chains and taking over the fashion world. Not only does this accessory make standard pieces next level —they’re also available at every price point.
Fashion
Madewell Broken-in Baseball Cap $30 nordstrom.com Nothing is more 1990s than a cute baseball cap. Fashionistas everywhere have brought back this retro look and made it more stylish than ever. This classic cap adds street-style flair to any outfit. For an easy woman-on-the-go look, pair this accessory with your favorite basics. With a wide variety of styles and colors, there are unending options to choose from.
Style accessories
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Anna Call is a fashion merchandising and apparel design student at Ball State University. While interning at Hope, she’s working on her degrees and spending time with her friends.
EVOLVING
TOGETHER
Chloé Platform Booties $995 nordstrom.com Platforms are known for their natural elevating ability. They can be incorporated in heels, sandals, boots or sneakers to ensure a stylish outfit with ease. Platforms have risen from the 1970s and 1990s in variants that work for everyone’s style preferences. For a simple, clean look stick to a neutral color, such as these black leather Chloé platform booties. These can be purchased online or in-store at Nordstrom. Want to try something bold? Grab a pair of platforms in a print or different material.
FALL 2021
Gold Prizm Hoop Earrings $320 thirdcrown.com Statement-piece earrings were seen everywhere throughout Fashion Week. From hoops to drops, these earrings are taking center stage. Paired with your favorite fall ensembles, this accessory will do all the work for you. Forget the past year’s loungewear and sweatpants — it’s time to show the world those eye-catching outfits you’ve been stashing in the closet. These gold Prizm Hoop Earrings from Third Crown are the accessory your ensemble needs. Third Crown is known for their statement pieces worn by such trend setters as Beyoncé.
Beauty
A Step by Step Guide for Your Fall Makeup Look Steven Coleman shares his secrets and tips on achieving a fall inspired makeup look By Leah Goldblatt As we look forward to the cool months of fall ahead, most of us associate this time as an opportunity to transition our wardrobe from summer to fall, however, it is also the perfect time to update your makeup look. This fall, pack your bright summer shades away and opt for a fresh-faced makeup look, leaving you appearing youthful with just a hint of subtle colors that perfectly match your new autumn outfits. We found inspiration in Jizyah’s flawless look and were eager to know how it was achieved. For all his secrets and tips, we reached out to Steven D. Coleman who is a makeup artist, the creator of this look and the Founder/CEO of coleCOLORS, LLC. Start with the Skin To begin, Steven advised, “A good skincare regimen is the best way to achieve many looks when wearing makeup. Her skin was prepped with a cleansing towelette, moisturizer and a setting spray.”
FALL 2021
Bold Brows Now for the brows, one should “use an angled brush and a matte, no shimmer, brown eyeshadow and apply in the direction of the hair, filling in as desired. At the base of the brow, draw a soft, straight line to achieve the desired shape and use your brush to flick hair-like strokes for fullness.”
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Daringly Defined In order to add definition and depth to your face, apply contouring and highlighting. Steven suggested, “using an angled, fluffy brush and contouring powder, start at the top of the ear and swipe down the jawbones to just below the roundness of the cheekbone. To contour the nose, begin at the brow bone swiping down both sides to just
Jizyah Injil; Photo by Grant Foto
Beauty
below the tip. Lightly brush around the hairline and temple. With concealer that is one shade lighter than the skin tone, translucent powder and a wedge sponge highlight the high plains of your face—forehead, cheekbones, nose, top of lip and center of chin— to create an even and subtle enhancement to the face.” Flawless Foundation Foundation is one of the most important applications in makeup. Steven recommends, “to find your perfect skin tone match, swipe the foundation across the neck just below the jaw bone. If the color is unnoticeable between the two areas, it is a match. With a foundation brush, cover the outer perimeters of the face then move inward, blending for an even tone.”
Look at Me Lashes Beautiful, natural-looking lashes complement these bold trends by allowing them to stand out. Steven’s advice is to “try a full, wispy lash that works for almost every eye shape. This look enhances the volume and the length of the natural lash without the drama.”
Steven D. Coleman founder/CEO of coleCOLORS LLC Photo: Tanya Rawlins from The Photo Firm
Leah Goldblatt is a beauty and fashion writer with a passion for photography and travel. Follow along her journey traveling with her husband in an RV @lifemoretraveled.
TOGETHER
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EVOLVING
Luscious Lips Choosing a lip color can be a reflection of your personality, but should also compliment your skin. Steven selected a nude lip for this look to work off the bright blue outfit and to give her lips a soft, sweet finish with just a touch of color.
FALL 2021
Entrancing Eyes “A brown palette is a must-have,” Steven recommends. “Look for ones with browns that have red, orange and purple undertones which helped to create great variety to achieve this look. On the eyes, use darker browns in the crease and blend with softer browns. On the lid, apply a frosty or sparkly color to attract the light and darker color in the crease and outer rim of the eye.”
Beauty
FAUX FUR FOR the fabulous FALL SEASON Find out what is trending in fashion this season By Anna Call Fur has been a controversial subject for years. Faced with the fashion industry’s continuing debate over the ethics of using real fur, many brands and designers have been making the switch to faux fur. As animal-rights protesters continue to shine light on the wrong doings taking place within the fur industry, high-fashion companies such as Gucci, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Versace and Armani vowed to eliminate the use of real fur. Most brands today are proud to be faux fur advocates. Made from a blend of acrylic and polyester fibers and seen on shoes, shirts, hats, scarfs, jackets and coats, this material can be found anywhere and, due to its mass production, at any price point! As with any product, especially fur, designer versions tend to come with a higher price tag, but you can still purchase a luxe look without the high-end cost. If you’re looking for a piece that will become an instant staple in your wardrobe, invest in a quality faux fur coat. Coming in many styles and prints, the perfect coat for fashionista is just waiting to be discovered. The product featured is a Stella McCartney Melina Koba FFF coat in the color light fawn. This shade of tan is the fundamental neutral that your wardrobe needs, making the coat a naturally elegant addition to any favorite ensemble.
Jackets are an essential item for cooler weather. Wearing a fun statement piece that catches the eye boosts not only your mood but your confidence! Nothing screams “fashion forward” right now more than a faux fur puffer jacket. Coming in colors of army green, ivory, navy blue and noir, Apparis has this season’s must-have cropped puffer jacket. The product shown is in army green. Made from polyester faux fur, this item is comfortable and stylish. Fur may not come to mind when you think of hats, but the classic bucket hats of the 1990s are back with a furry twist. Faux-fur bucket hats have taken over the fashion industry and runways. From streetwear to chic apparel, this hat goes with everything. The bucket hat featured is a La Seine Et Moi original. Coming in colors of yellow, cream and mint, it can be purchased from their online store. For a laid-back approach, pair this hat with your favorite jeans and sweater. Looking for something more daring? Snag a bucket hat with a dazzling color or pattern. And don’t forget about your shoes! Stella McCartney is known for her vegetarian and anti-fur stance, and her latest collections reflect this dedication! These Emilie Teddy Boots are the ideal mix of woodsy and funky, guaranteed to take your fall outfits to the next level. You can preorder these boots on Stella McCartney’s website.
FALL 2021
Fall is approaching fast, and you’re going to need something to throw on for some extra warmth. Not ready for the bulk of winterwear? A wrap is the ideal solution. Coming in any material and silhouette of your choosing, wraps add that effortless boho feel. Unreal Fur has released
an Ecuador Wrap that changes the game. Made of faux alpaca wool, this product drapes the body balletically. Make sure to add this item to your cart the next time you’re shopping.
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Anna Call is a fashion merchandising and apparel design student at Ball State University. While interning at Hope, she’s working on her degrees and spending time with her friends.
Beauty
Apparis Billie Cropped Puffer Jacket $290 apparis.com
Stella McCartney Emilie Teddy Boots $895 stellamccartney.com
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Unreal Fur- Ecuador Wrap $199 unrealfur.com
EVOLVING
La Seine Et Moi Faux Fur Hat $77 laseinetmoi.com
FALL 2021
Stella McCartney Melina Koba FFF $3500 stellamccartney.com
Beauty
Falling in Love with Fragrance Find out what perfumes are in this fall By Leah Goldblatt As the temperature begins to drop and the leaves start to change color, the crisp feeling of fall may have you looking to change up your scent. From roses and jasmine to vanilla and sandalwood, these six fragrances are perfect to spritz on, leaving a cozy aroma you’ll want to be wrapped in all season long!
FALL 2021
Dior J’adore - Eau de Parfum Infinissime $145 (100ml) dior.com Leave a lasting impression with this bold and sensual perfume. It’s the classic J’adore bouquet— a mix of rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang— enhanced with tuberose, pink peppercorn, blood orange and sandalwood for a surprising floral, woody scent inside a bottle adorned with a beautiful golden J’adore necklace.
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Giorgio Armani - My Way Intense $128 (90ml) giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com The newest fragrance in the My Way line was created to encourage you to live life intensely. Tuberose, jasmine, Calabrian bergamot, orange blossom, sandalwood and vanilla bourbon fuse together for a rich floral, fruity and warm aroma that invites you to open yourself up to new experiences and live life your way.
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Midnight $115 (100ml) sephora.com Femininity and power meet at midnight in this black diamondshaped bottle. Night-blooming jasmine, patchouli, musk, blackcurrant, peony and vanilla leave the wearer with a bold yet intoxicating fragrance that fills the evening air, letting your mysterious side run free.
Beauty
Yves Saint Laurent - Black Opium Eau De Parfum Extreme $130 (90ml) yslbeautyus.com You can be sexy and sweet with this warm and spicy fragrance that is perfect for a night on the town. Along with its glamorous, glittery black bottle, you can enjoy notes of coffee, vanilla bourbon and jasmine in this sensual and fresh combination that is longlasting and perfect for whatever life has in store for you.
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Leah Goldblatt is a beauty and fashion writer with a passion for photography and travel. Follow along her journey traveling with her husband in an RV @lifemoretraveled.
EVOLVING
TOGETHER
Valentino - Voce Viva Intensa $135 (100ml) valentino.com Voce Viva’s message is for each person to find their dreams, passions and voice. Let your confidence and strength take center stage with the newly launched Intensa scent that envelops you in Calabrian bergamot, mandarin, orange blossoms, jasmine, crystal moss and vanilla for a floral bouquet with fruity and spicy notes.
FALL 2021
Lancôme Idôle - Aura $129 (100ml) lancome-usa.com Become your own idol and tap into your selfconfidence with the latest from the Idôle fragrance line. Aura was created by three female perfumers in the hopes of inspiring all women to come together to take on the world. Bergamot, pear, rose, jasmine, bourbon vanilla and the heliotrope flower offer layers of strong femininity from start to finish.
hope’s INNER Strength guide
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Ways to WOW in Any Public Speaking Situation
By Rebecca Parker
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Introduce yourself with your full name. Your co-workers may know you as Jenny. However, when you’re speaking up at an important meeting with the higher-ups or giving a big presentation, introducing yourself with your full name and title conveys confidence and makes you more memorable. You’re not just Jenny — you are Jennifer Washington, Managing Consultant.
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Nervous about speaking up? Build confidence before the meeting. Pop your AirPods in and listen to a playlist or song that makes you feel bold and confident. Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” is my go-to. A few minutes before the meeting, follow Amy Cuddy’s famed “power pose” principle and alter your body language to build confidence and get comfortable with taking up space. I like to sneak into the bathroom for a moment and do the Superman pose — hands on hips, chest broadened, shoulders back — before every big interview and speaking engagement. Finally, I take a deep breath and tell myself that I’m not actually nervous — I’m excited, and I’m going to kill it!
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FALL 2021
Rebecca Parker; Photo by: India Potter
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Be over-prepared. If I’m giving a speech or major presentation, it’s likely I’ve run through it out loud nearly a dozen times before the presentation date arrives. I’ve nearly memorized my notes, I know the content of each slide before it appears onscreen and I’ve familiarized myself with every slide transition. I find that when I’m better prepared, I am more comfortable dealing with the reality of public speaking. In the real world, I don’t want to just talk at people — I want to talk with people. I want to be responsive and adaptable. The best way to do this, especially if public speaking isn’t your forte, is to over-prepare.
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Don’t fill every moment. Silence and pauses are your friend. When you’re nervous, every pause and lull can send you into a panic. Do they like me? Are they bored? Do they want me to hurry up? At the beginning of the presentation, I like to reassure myself by taking a thoughtful pause and surveying the audience with a confident look. I notice the people looking back at me. I remind myself that I know my stuff and that what I have to say is worth waiting for. Starting with a pause helps empower me and reminds me to slow down, breathe and let silence punctuate my important points. Silence is powerful, so use it.
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Share something meaningful about who you are. Whether I’m making a comment to a higher-up in a staff meeting or giving a big presentation, I always want my audience to learn more about who I am. This starts by introducing myself with my full name and title, but that’s not enough. I want them to remember me. Tell a short anecdote about yourself during a presentation or connect a comment or idea to one of your core values: “This project means so much to me because. . . .” Z
Rebecca Parker is the Owner-Consultant of The Bold Edit, a consulting firm specializing in presentation design and facilitator coaching. She co-owns the firm with her close friends and business partners Amy Logan and Emily Karas.
Enlightened Enlightened Expand your horizons, find your inspiration, and live your best life
FALL 2021
Empowering and inspiring stories and features on women paving the way forward
EVOLVING
TOGETHER
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MARY CLARK:
A Woman Shrinking the globe in Indianapolis, Indiana By Emily Longnecker
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t first, 42nd and Lafayette Road may seem like the last place you would expect to discover all the cultures that the world has to offer. In fact, you might even feel like you’re not in Indianapolis anymore — but you are, standing in the city’s new westside Global Village Center. “We hope when people walk through the doors, the first thing they say is, ‘Wow! I didn’t know a place like this existed,’” says Mary Clark, the executive director of The International Marketplace Coalition who led the center’s creation and is now its director. Although it opened in March during the COVID-19 pandemic, the center is planning to host a grand opening in October. It is a place where people can meet others whom they would never normally see and meet. The building has even received visits from ambassadors and consul generals. If an old furniture store on the westside seems like an unlikely place to host foreign dignitaries, you need to have a look inside the 5,500-square-foot building. On display are artifacts and cultural pieces from almost 90 countries, featuring everything from ceremonial masks from Ghana and Australia to a bull statue from India and a hanbok from South Korea. “Here on the westside of Indianapolis, we’re finding ways to shrink the globe and create a village,” explains Mary. She adds that the village really started growing in the mid90s, when the area around the once-popular Lafayette Square Mall started to change and any crime that occurred there received widespread media attention. “We started getting this little stigma about us being a bad place, and so businesses began to leave,” Mary remembers. “But, you know what happened? Our immigrant brothers and sisters started moving to Indianapolis around the same time.” As traditional businesses started leaving what they perceived to be a declining area, immigrants began to move in
and take over the storefronts of the strip mall along Lafayette Square Road. At the time, Mary was working as the manager of a bank branch in the area, and she admits that she wasn’t happy about the changing demographics at first.“All of these ugly stereotypes were stirring up in me, but I never said it out loud.” But one day, when she decided to share some of her thoughts with a co-worker, the response stopped Mary in her tracks: “Mary, who do you think you are? Don’t you know, they’re God’s children, just like you.” Mary didn’t know it then, but she now sees that time as the day God started to soften her heart and prepare her for what she is doing now.
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Why would you not embrace this? This is beauty. This is like God’s work. Mary’s current path started more than 60 years ago, while she grew up in a segregated city in which she was part of the first integrated class at Crispus Attucks High School. “I grew up in an era where in Riverside Park, I could only go on Thursdays,” she explains. Decades later, Mary would find herself helping lead the westside’s transition from an area once filled with traditional chain restaurants and a thriving mall to one tthat, today, boasts more than 120 ethnic restaurants — so many that, in 2008, the,
the Lafayette Square Area Coalition changed its name to The International Marketplace Coalition. “God said, ‘We’re not going to stay traditional. We’re going to make a place where everybody is welcome,’” Mary explains. In what felt like an overnight transition, she says the area where she lived and worked became a melting pot of cultures. Having never been outside the United States, Mary laughs at the irony and plans to travel internationally in the next few years, but, in the meantime, she revels in the global community all around her. Visitors to the area can go to China, Japan, Greece, Guatemala, Mexico or Ethiopia in just one block. “Why would you not embrace this? This is beauty. This is like God’s work,” Mary exclaims. It’s work that has brought her to a place that she could have never imagined 15 years ago. “I would have said, ‘No, you’re crazy,’” she laughs. “This would have been so out of my comfort zone.” But today, it is exactly where Mary feels most at home, and now she can’t imagine not being part of a global family that isn’t inclusive of everyone. “We’re showing that our differences aren’t so different,” she explains about the impact of the Global Village Welcome Center. “If we all just take the time to talk to one another, we can learn that we aren’t so different.” This is what Mary has learned, and this is what she hopes that others will learn as well when they visit the center and see all it has to offer. “Just walk through the doors and discover your neighbor,” she says with a smile. “We can’t love ourselves if we don’t love each other. It’s really that simple.” Z
FALL 2021
with a Calling
EVOLVING
Emily Longnecker is a 7 time Emmy Award Winning reporter at WTHR-TV, covering breaking & general assignment news. You can follow her on Instagram @emilywthr.
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Tracey Powell’s
Magical Disney Career A behind-the-scenes look at how she works to make the world of Disney a memorable experience for families By Lisa D. DeNeal
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he Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, will kick off Disney Vacation Club resorts,” she says. “And through Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions, we offer its 50th anniversary in October with Tracey Powell in the thick of it guided group vacations to some of the world’s most sought-after all, and not as a visitor but as a long-time employee. This November destinations, delivering the unmatched guest service we’re known marks 19 years that Tracey has been a member of the Disney family. for.” Tracey adds that her most memorable moments with Disney The native of Gary, Indiana, is vice president of Travel were when she was responsible for resort operations because of the Services, Pricing and Revenue Management for Disney Signature direct interactions with guests. Experiences. These experiences include Disney Cruise Line, Disney Tracey’s career is definitely what dreams are made of, and Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, National Geographic anybody who wishes to join the Disney family has an abundance of Expeditions and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii. While opportunities. “The sky’s the limit at The Walt Disney Company,” that may seem like a lot of hats to wear, this is nothing new for she says. “You can start in one area where Tracey, who started as a manager for Walt you may have an interest, but as you Disney World Resort. She has also served network and build relationships, you as director and executive responsible can move to another area of interest. for pricing at both Walt Disney World You can redefine your career without Resort and Disneyland Resort as well as leaving Disney. My advice would be to vice president of Global Initiatives and The sky’s the limit never put limitations on yourself. We are Integration, leading international teams a company of innovation, where no idea in Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai at The Walt is a crazy idea.” Disney Resort. Disney Company. When asked to share fun facts about In her current role, Tracey is herself “before Disney”, Tracey laughs, “I responsible for turning consumer demand graduated from Roosevelt High School in into revenue for each business. “My 1983. I come from a family of Roosevelt team develops pricing and promotional alumni and I was a cheerleader. My strategies for Disney Signature mother was a cheerleader at Roosevelt and Experiences with the goal of helping graduated in 1963.” Tracey has enjoyed acting most of her life, and achieve our business objectives while also delivering the most value to our guests,” she says. “I also lead our guest contact centers, which her last acting role was as “Ruth” in a production of A Raisin in the Sun. She loves to travel and is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha provide some of the first Disney interactions for our guests and set Sorority, Incorporated and serves as Vice Chair for Heart of Florida the tone for a phenomenal vacation experience to come.” United Way in Central Florida. Whenever Tracey returns to visit Tracey explains that Disney Signature Experiences and its family and friends in Gary, she satisfies her food cravings at White portfolio of businesses are expanding the Disney brand in unique Castle, even though “there’s one in Orlando now,” and at Lincoln’s ways for families. There are currently four cruise ships with another Carryout in Crown Point. “The original Lincoln’s was, of course, one under construction – the Disney Wish will sail its maiden in Gary. There are a lot of memories there. I still get the U.S. Steel voyage next year. “We also offer Disney Vacation Club, which is an opportunity to own a real estate interest in one or more of the 15 sandwich. That’s a must!” she says. Z
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Lisa D. DeNeal is a freelance writer and author/co-author of four books, with more to come. Follow her on Instagram (@ldd1986) and Twitter (@diolette).
hope’s happiness guide
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Things In My Life That I Make No Apology For
Women have been told by society that they can “have it all” — careers, families, Instagram-ready meals made in Pinterest-inspired kitchens, supple skin and great figures — but the reality is difficult to achieve at best. Social media personality Chenese Lewis is here to remind us how we can live the guilt-free lives we deserve. By Chenese Lewis
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DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR:
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Failing to meet unrealistic expectations Outdated societal expectations and double standards, especially for women, are still alive; whether it be European beauty standards that celebrate thinness or expectations that women be soft-spoken and downplay their their accomplishments or assume all women desire marriage and children. Don’t attempt to live your life by trying to meet others’ expectations of you. It is a guaranteed way to be unhappy. Live life on your own terms, unapologetically!
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Saying no Make no apologies for telling someone no. If you say yes to everything, you will end up being exhausted, physically and mentally. Say goodbye to being a people pleaser and learn how to confidently say no to someone without feeling bad about it. Remember that “No” is a complete sentence that doesn’t need an explanation. Learn to be comfortable saying no and refuse to be stressed out unnecessarily.
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Setting boundaries You must create boundaries. Healthy boundaries are set in place to ensure your mental and emotional stability. Unhealthy boundaries cause emotional pain that can lead to dependency, depression, anxiety and even stress-induced physical illness. It is empowering to create healthy boundaries, so practice self-care and self-respect by setting boundaries for yourself and all your relationships.
Photo by: Meka Matthews; Hair & Make-up: D’Shanye Washingtone
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Changing your mind You should not feel ashamed about or apologize for changing your mind. Sometimes you find out more information that enables you to make a better-informed decision. Other times, you have to sleep on it, and your gut tells you that you made the wrong decision. Unless you have a signed contract, you are entitled to change your mind. You have to do what’s best for you, and sometimes this includes changing your mind to avoid situations with potentially bad outcomes.
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Putting yourself first Focusing on yourself is not selfish — it is essential. You cannot pour into others from an empty cup. Putting yourself first and taking care of yourself means not always putting others’ wants and needs before yours, taking time to do something you’re passionate about, asking for help when you need it and making time to rest and rejuvenate. You have to advocate for yourself when no one else will. Put yourself first by focusing on projects that feed your soul, staying away from negative people, eating healthier and taking breaks when they are needed. Z
Chenese Lewis is a host, multi-media personality, speaker, podcaster, and influencer. Learn more about her online at CheneseLewis.com and follow her on Instagram at @CheneseLewis.
WOMEN MAKING INDIANA
SHINE BRIGHT Get to know these brilliant and empowering women By Mary Farucci
Thresette Briggs
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Thresette is passionate about helping women achieve their highest performance. Her company provides keynotes, training, facilitation and coaching so women “will have the right mindset, the right opportunities and the right culture to do so.” Having firsthand experience with poverty, the near loss of her physical voice and a lack of confidence and self-esteem inspires Thresette to help others find the tools to overcome them. What she enjoys most about what she does is getting to use her spiritual gifts and strengths every day, seeing significant transformations in the leaders and companies her business helps, and the absolutely wonderful people in her tribe. “Identify and use your gifts and strengths,” she says. “By doing so, you’ll have the most impact on everything you do and everyone you touch. And you’ll be in the best position to help others.” Thresette believes that sisters give us strength when we don’t have any. They lift you out of the darkest valley and applaud you when you’re shining. “You know they have your back and they keep you on track. There’s nothing like a strong, supportive sisterhood.” Most importantly, she adds, “Be uniquely you, you won’t get anything original from an echo.”
Mariah Oliver
Mariah, founder of Boss Babe Network, has been able to use her platform to uplift and empower women in a variety of ways. She holds events to connect boss women, incorporates blog contributions to educate on related topics, and provides opportunities for women-owned businesses to showcase themselves. Mariah has had to overcome many things, but she has found her biggest obstacle to be “imposter syndrome” and is overcoming it by reminding herself that she is deserving of everything that comes to her. “Positive affirmations can truly be useful!” Mariah exclaims. And she keeps what drives her close by, as her biggest inspiration is her older sister, Whitney, whose character inspires her professionally and personally. Mariah says she finds the most fulfillment when she meets ambitious entrepreneurs, hears their “why”, and gets to work with them in some capacity. She believes that you can truly do anything you put your mind to, as long as you take the leap with passion and discipline and, as she puts it, “don’t over think it!” Mariah understands that we, as women, face many unique challenges daily and believes the most valuable benefit of sisterhood is being reminded that we are not alone. “No matter what you are going through, there ARE other women out there that can relate to you and offer support.” And remember, “be yourself; the rest will follow.”
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Gloria tries to help people see the good in everything, even in the darkest of situations. She likes to radiate joy through her smile and make people laugh. Raised in a low-income household, Gloria says there were times when she didn’t have a whole lot and resources were scarce, but her mother and grandmother always had a way of doing a lot with a little. “As a student affairs educator working at a Black Culture Center and teaching freshman students, I get the best seat in the house when it comes to watching students grow and develop,” she says. “My Black students in particular are incredibly special. I mentor a lot of them, and I love to witness their journeys. The successes, the growing pains, all of it. It’s such a joy to support them and to learn from them.” For Gloria, sisterhood is magical. For Black women in particular, she believes sisterhood can transform so many aspects of our lives, including how we think, which is so critical to how we act. “True sisterhood is one of the best demonstrations of love. It exudes compassion, joy and the capacity to weather any storm,” she says. “Value integrity and don’t let anyone or anything cause you to compromise that.”
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Gloria Howell
Kirsten Norwood
Kristen and her husband created a podcast titled “All Things Career,” where their mission is to empower people of color with the unwritten rules of careers. Kristen agrees that our professions play a critical role in our lives, and she wants to encourage people of color with helpful information that she wishes she had known earlier. Kristen’s personal career path started off tragically when, two weeks before she was scheduled to leave for college, her father was killed in an accident at work. In that moment, Kristen said her world as she knew it came crashing down. “I was now a caregiver for my special needs sister,” Kristen says. “While that obstacle was not easy, it shaped me into being a better woman, wife and colleague.” For Kristen, working professionally in the diversity, equity and inclusion space is truly a dream come true. “[Beyond] caring for others at home, I get to care about others every day at work. I’m a walking example of when your passion and purpose are on display, the right opportunities will find you.” Some of the best advice Kristen was given is to be the person you wish you had, especially professionally. “According to research conducted by Lean In, women have worse experiences than men at work. That means that we have to pass on our learnings to one another and be our sister’s keeper,” Kristen says. “We have to help each other because there is no other [support] like a tribe of women cheering another woman on!”
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Denasiha Christian
“I love encouraging others by making them feel comfortable in their own skin,” Denasiha says. She explained how her biggest obstacle in life has been reprogramming herself in terms of what she wants and what she requires out of life. “There are too many people acting and trying to look like someone else. Why? I encourage everyone to get familiar with who they are authentically,” Denasiha says, “The person they were before someone convinced them not to be. There is always room for healing and growth as individuals, but I believe that as long as it’s coming from a place of positivity and love we should be who we are unapologetically.” To Denasiha, a healthy and balanced sisterhood is important because it gives you a place of comfort when you need it, a kick in the butt when you’re trippin’ and inspiration to grow and be the best version of yourself when you have the right people in your circle. Two things Denasiha lives by: 1. Authenticity is the number one beauty hack; no pressure, no diamonds. 2. As her dad told her, “It’s okay to be upset about something, just don’t stay upset for too long.” In other words, Denasiha says, “acknowledge how you feel. Let it out if you need to but keep moving forward. Don’t let it stop you.”
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Nikki Fultz
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Nikki says she’s lucky to have multiple places in her life to be able to encourage others. “As a teacher, I get to encourage my students to try their best, develop a wider growth mindset, and celebrate both their successes and failures,” Nikki says. “As a leader in the LGBTQ community, I can encourage people to be their authentic selves and be proud of who they are. As a mom, I encourage my kids to be kind and compassionate and to find ways to help others.” One of the biggest obstacles Nikki has overcome is having some people she cares about reject her because of who she is. “Coming to terms with losing important people is extremely difficult, especially as a teenager,” Nikki explained. “I hope that this decreases, and that acceptance of LGBTQ people becomes commonplace.” Nikki began volunteering with Pride and joined the Board of Directors as a teenager in the early years of the organization. Throughout her time there, she met some incredible people and has been able to see young, struggling LGBTQ youth grow up to be successful adults. “Most importantly, I am a part of an organization that puts on many events throughout the year where people can come together, be themselves, and find their sense of community,” she said. Nikki believes that women in general “should be equally represented across all parts of society, and if we fight for that and for each other, our world will be so much stronger.”
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Raquel Lopez
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Raquel believes that so often, we see other’s successes and compare it to ourselves and where we are in our journey, without realizing the work and hurdles that that person has been through to get where they are. And she’s no stranger to hurdles. Raquel is the first person in her family to be born in America, and to teenage parents no less, mostly raised by her father. After an unsuccessful marriage ravaged by her husband’s addiction, she went on to raise three children as a single mother and earn her Master’s degree. She feels in so many ways her life embodies the American Dream, but she also feels bound by a lot of expectations. “I try to live my truth,” Raquel says. “I feel that I can encourage others most effectively by being open and honest about my successes and failures. We are enough. I find that so often we are trying to be the perfect spouse, friend, mother, daughter, that we forget to simply be ourselves. That in being true to who we are will find fulfillment and honor.” Raquel explained she understands that having love and unconditional support from women that see you, love and accept you where you are in your journey is vital for our growth. “Women can both encourage us and call us to task when we are falling short. It is an incredible blessing.”
Angel Cassandra Nathan
Angel serves as a project manager for a research grant that promotes equity awareness among primary school teachers. Her favorite part of the job is the self-exploration she encourages teachers to do in an effort to acknowledge the hidden biases we all hold. She believes this will help them become better educators, but more importantly, she believes it will allow them to see themselves more clearly and the impact self has on our interactions with others. “Blind positivity can feel daunting and inauthentic. Instead, I attempt to acknowledge the challenges of a situation and help others think through positive and negative aspects,” Angel says. “For me, this is a better long-term solution to difficult times.” Angel affirms that you don’t have to do it all. Many of the messages in an attempt to build positive identities have built unhealthy and unrealistic practices. “As women, many times we attempt to do everything on our own, and we can. However, the cost for doing it all can have devastating effects on your physical and mental wellbeing,” she says. “We all need help, rest, and security and it’s okay to have a support system so you can have that.” When it comes to sisterhood, Angel believes it’s an essential part of restoring your soul. “Although I do not have any biological sisters, I have a host of cousins and friends who have evolved into my sister circle. This group of women help support me when I am down by uplifting and reminding me of my own strength, beauty and limits.”
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Rebecca says it’s so incredible to see the smile on someone’s face when they see and own all of their greatness. “I think one of the best ways to encourage others is to become a mentor,” she says. Through a partnership with Women & Hi Tech, Rebecca mentors female college students, emerging female leaders and women making a career pivot to tech. “It’s awesome to be a part of these amazing ladies’ lives and for them to be a part of mine! I’ve also enjoyed mentoring K-12 students with the Brandon Foundation, a nonprofit very near and dear to my heart,” Rebecca said. “I have been in technology for almost 20 years now, a field still highly dominated by men,” she explains. “Several times throughout my career, I have been excluded from the conversation, my opinion has been discounted, I have been talked over and I’ve been “mansplained” to more times than I can count.” There was even a time when a client refused to negotiate a contract with her because she is a woman and asked to speak to her boss. According to the client, women didn’t understand financials or negotiating. “Being challenged by these obstacles has taught me how to use my voice, to stand in my worth and to take up the space I need and deserve to be an effective leader in business and tech,” Rebecca says. “It has also given me a fierce passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion for all, particularly women in STEM.” Her message to all women is this: “Fully know and accept in mind, body, soul and spirit that you are enough. You are beautiful. You are worth it. You deserve it. You matter.”
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Rebecca Bormann
Reesha Howard
Reesha admits she’s known for correcting others when they speak poorly about themselves. “The power of tongue is so much stronger than we give it credit for,” she says. A self-described problem solver and nurturer, Reesha’s one to roll up her sleeves to help her loved ones seek solutions. “I am a huge advocate of getting proper rest and taking time to assess what systems can be put into place to make life more peaceful,” she says. “By employing the will to fight for your life (and a great therapist), all things are possible.” Reesha adds that as women, cliché or not, we need to take up space. And she encourages Black women in particular to correct folks when they mispronounce their name and to make people say things with their chest. “Style your kinks and curls however you please and fight tooth and nail against the culture of code-switching,” she said. “The world needs everything we have or my God, would it be a total snooze-fest.” Reesha says although she doesn’t have any sisters by kinship, it doesn’t feel that way. “My friends allow me to vent, share all my crazy quirks (and funny Tweets), and we just pour into one another. We are very invested in seeing one another reach our dreams and it helps to know you have women on your side when things get sticky out here,” she said. “My sisters keep my tank full, and I do the same for them. Our hugs are tight, our wine glasses poured, our Kleenex ready, and we cover one another in prayer daily.”
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Katie Jackson-Lindsay
Katie grew up in a single parent home attending public school in the inner city of Indianapolis. On those demographics alone, she was continually reminded from a young age that there were limitations to her achievement, often told that her goals were too high or unrealistic. And, upon starting her career in law, she was reminded that as a young, Black, female there were things that she could not do right away and definitely could not do alone. “I defied these expectations by excelling very quickly at my first job as a Marion County deputy prosecutor,” Katie says. “I was one of the youngest attorneys promoted to major or felony court and I developed a reputation as a formidable trial attorney within my first five years of practice.” In 2013, she started her own criminal defense law firm. Since then, she has successfully represented more than 500 clients across in the State of Indiana, advocating for each one during what is likely one of the most challenging moments they have ever faced. “Being charged with a crime comes with significant losses, beyond the obvious loss of freedom. These losses often cannot be repaired even if and when they are proven to be innocent,” Katie says. “Doing this work allows me to meet people from all walks of life that simply need to know that someone is with them on this journey to ensure that they get the best possible outcome, and ultimately, a fair shot.” “I firmly believe that I cannot inspire another person to do something that I am not working on myself,” Katie says. She wishes that all women could truly believe in the idea that you miss 100% of the shots that you never take. As women, she believes that we tend to be so selfless, fearful and focused on the care of others that we often forget our own needs and goals. “Years go by where we have deferred our own dreams, big and small, as a result of putting others first or simply because of our fear of failure,” Katie explained. “If we as women simply took each shot, despite the extra burdens, potential for failure, or the [guilt over] the idea that we are doing something just for us… I think we would live lives that are so much more fulfilled. I will not limit myself to do small things in life just because others do not believe that I can do something better. I will always find a way or make a way.”
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Starla Kay Mathis
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Starla is all about words of affirmation! She loves to pour into others and encourage them to reach their goals by sharing her processes, her struggles, her wins and her challenges, which is just what she does for female business owners and creatives as the founder of Create. Connect. Collab. Starla says it’s truly a blessing to a part of a community of women that want to see each other win. “Every day, I have to shut down the negative self-talk, fears, or doubts, or I’ll get nothing accomplished,” she said. “I have quotes all around my home and office to remind me that I am capable of great things!” Starla’s passionate about creating lifestyle content on her blog, YouTube channel and podcast that bring value and inspire others to create a life they love. Her therapist once told her, “Focus on what matters most,” which has helped her with being overwhelmed and living in the moment. “As a wife, mother of two, business owner, etc. I have many different things going on at once and it can be overwhelming,” Starla said. “[Now], if my body needs rest. I rest. If my kids have a program, I’m there. Nothing else matters before my family and self-care.”
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Mary Farucci is a contributing writer for Hope Magazine. Her focus is on people: profile features and news articles. She currently lives in Indianapolis.
As Told by
Lalanii Wilson
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i there! I’m Lalanii Wilson-Jones, a serial entrepreneur with an extensive background in healthcare administration. I was 14 years old when I started working in the healthcare field with my mother, who co-owned one of the first black-owned home healthcare agencies in the area. I have always felt different and that I was destined for a different path, but I never dreamed that my entrepreneurial journey would be so vast. I never took the traditional path and I never worried about what others thought. I think that is one of the reasons I have found success in forging my own path. My first real business was a home healthcare agency. My mother and I started small and grew into a multi-million dollar business while I was still in college. Unfortunately, the business eventually closed due to regulatory changes. This was my first experience with a business disappointment and I didn’t know what I was going to do. I had always had a peak interest in childcare, so I decided to open a childcare center. After a few years of development, I knew that I needed to branch out and extend the business model. I have learnt that the road to success will always be challenging, but it will also be rewarding in the knowledge you will attain along the way. In 2007, I found I missed my administrative days with home health care. I decided to go back into the field and have not regretted a day of doing so. Administration comes naturally to me, and I have forged new successes out of the necessity of stretching the vision. As my portfolio grew, I was able to do other things that I truly enjoyed learning about which only sharpened my skills and acuity for business management. I have found that it is important to understand that we are diverse as human beings, and that our potential is only limited by the boundaries we establish for ourselves. I can only encourage you to put your best foot forward on a daily basis and make every day count. Do not let your past define your future and do not be limited by your circumstances! Know that you will succeed if you continue forging down the path of success. Remember that not every day will be easy, but learning how to overcome obstacles and challenges will fill the potholes in your journey and build character. Know that you must employ all the elements of business to successfully compete, even if you have to outsource pieces. Remember that they are all crucial. One of the biggest business game changers is social media. Be sure that your business social media is on point and reflective of what you provide. Be conscious of what you post and remember that your posting is the DNA of what you do. Always look for the positive in your messaging and stay clear of negativity. Maintaining relevance through social media platforms is essential to thriving in today’s markets, you do not want to be caught without a social media presence and a website to back it up. Z
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Lalanii Wilson-Jones is a business powerhouse with successful imprints in the healthcare, education, beauty, and wellness sectors. With offices across the state of Texas, she has excelled as a powerful chief executive officer and executive director of more than a dozen dynamic companies. Her parent company, Mogul247 Enterprises leads her ambitious collection of companies including Altruist Home Health Care, Inc., Tender Hands Home Health Care, Inc., Altruist Hospice, Stepping Stones Early Child Development Centers with four locations in Dallas and Houston-based Briar Patch Learning Center. You can find her at www.lallaniijones.com, on Instagram @Lalaniij, or on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/sugarmamabook.
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ADVERTORIAL
Representation, investment, strength, and empowerment
Business Helps Entrepreneurs RISE to the Challenge
Find the tools your business needs with a free consultation Comcast’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion means continued support for small business owners through the Comcast RISE program. This initiative was designed to provide support for small business owners in the black, indigenous and people of color community who have been dealing with the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, social unrest and environmental events that often hit them the hardest. Businesses that are selected from applications to join Comcast RISE receive support via marketing consultations, media, creative production or a technology makeover from Comcast Business services.
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Comcast RISE grant recipient Roxanne Watson is the owner of Beautif Eye Me 360, a beauty salon in Indianapolis. She says her inspiration to delve into the beauty industry stemmed from her mother. As a young girl, Roxanne watched her mother apply cosmetics and was floored by her magical transformation with just a little red lipstick. She recalls, “I remember looking at my mom and how when she put her red lipstick on, it made her feel like a beautiful person.”
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Being in the beauty industry, Roxanne strives to ensure that every woman who walks into her business feels that same magic. Beautif Eye Me 360 aims to offer an experience that allows customers to feel beautiful from the inside out. “To me, beauty starts within,” she explains. “You believe it first, then you’re able to execute it on the outside, and then you have a beautiful exchange.” Thanks to her Comcast RISE technology makeover grant, Roxanne received state-of-the-art equipment and a technology upgrade from Comcast Business. For an entire year, Comcast will also provide technology consultation, essential equipment as well as internet, voice and cybersecurity services.
The highlight of the technology makeover for Roxanne has been a highly reliable, fast internet connection, as a strong connection is critical to ensure that Beautif Eye Me 360 runs smoothly. For her, it’s essential that a steady stream of music plays to keep her clients calm and relaxed. In addition to the excellent connection, Roxanne has taken advantage of her access to a new Dell laptop, allowing her to market and grow her business online. She looks forward to being able to expand her business with all the technology services that have been provided by Comcast Business. With the convenience of all services being offered by one provider on an easy-to-manage monthly bill, Comcast Business delivers a wide range of tools designed to provide businesses with advanced professional technologies that meet existing demands and have the scalability to grow with the businesses while helping owners save money. The company’s plans include 24/7 business support and a dedicated local account team at no additional charge. For entrepreneurs looking to power possibilities, Comcast Business has the reliability, technology and solutions to ensure that they are ready for whatever is next. This technology includes Comcast Business internet, voice, TV, connection pro and video monitoring as well as Comcast Business SecurityEdge, Wi-Fi solutions, cybersecurity, ethernet and cloud solutions. To schedule a complimentary technology analysis and gift, please contact Alexandra_ barron@comcast.com. For more information on the Comcast RISE program, visit ComcastRise.com or contact Roxanne at beautif.eye. me360@gmail.com.
ADVERTORIAL
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Roxanne Watson
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To me, beauty starts within. You believe it first, then you’re able to execute it on the outside, and then you have a beautiful exchange.
Home
your FALL CANDLE GUIDE FOR 2021 Are you looking for some new scents to try this fall? By Jen Chavarria Nothing beats a good fall candle! It’s the perfect touch to any room, adding a cozy feel and delicious scent. The best way to get into the fall mood is to stock up on your favorite candles and maybe even try a few new ones you’ve had your eye on. The variety of fall candle scents is unmatched. They range from sweet aromas like apple pie or pumpkin spice latte to woody scents like pine and leaves. It can be overwhelming to pick the perfect scent this season, so we’ve rounded up some of our favorites along with some tips and tricks to get the most out of your candle. Marshmallow Fireside | White Barn Scent Description: Toasted marshmallow,
smoldering woods, fire-roasted vanilla, crystallized amber with essential oils
“ It’s a really nice fall scent that’s reminiscent of a campfire and roasted marshmallows.” Kristen Miller, Editorial Intern
CANDLE CARE
Cinnamon Spiced Vanilla | Bath and Body Works Scent Description: Ground cinnamon,
sugar crystals, vanilla bean with essential oils
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“ F all spice with a hint of sweetness.” Jocelyn Merrill, Health & Fitness Editor
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Harvest | Yankee Candle Scent Description: Ground cinnamon, sugar
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crystals, vanilla bean with essential oils
Did you know there’s a preferred way to burn a candle? You can actually extend the life of your candles by following these tips from the National Candle Association: • Trim the wick: Trim the wick to about a quarter inch before lighting. This will prevent uneven burning and dripping • Burn it long enough: The first time you light a candle, you can avoid what’s called a “memory ring” by burning it long enough to allow the wax to melt completely, edge to edge. This will ensure that future burns won’t create a tunnel. • But not too long: Burning a candle for too long can cause the wick to “mushroom” and produce a large flame that can become dangerous. Read the instructions from the manufacturer before lighting.
“ Crisp with hints of cinnamon. Always reminds me of Thanksgiving.” Laura Tuzzio, Travel Writer
Jen Chavarria is a freelance writer and graphic designer passionate about promoting low impact living and mental health awareness, along with writing about other topics. In her free-time, you can find her at jenchavarria.com or on Instagram @jen.chavarria.
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Fall Fitness Gift Guide FOR indoor workouts
Find the perfect fall fitness equipment as you get ready to workout this cool season By Jocelyn Merrill As the weather starts to cool down and exercising moves indoors, fall is the perfect time to invest in fitness products, either for yourself or as gifts for friends. Here are some of our current favorites that will be worth your while, whether you’re working out at home, hitting the gym or taking a day to recover.
[for the home gym]
ProForm 50 lb. Select-a-Weight Dumbbell Pair
This pair of dumbbells is really five sets in one, allowing you to save space and money in the long run. The weights range from 10 to 50 pounds, making these the perfect option for upper-, lower- and fullbody workouts.
GoFit Speed Jump Rope
A jump rope is perfect for adding cardio to your home workout or to take on-the-go. If low ceilings are a concern, check out a cordless rope from APLUGTEK.
Glute Resistance Bands
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The derrière has become a celebrated feature, and to achieve that round peach, you need to add resistance to your squats, hip thrusts and deadlifts. These glute resistance bands, which come in three resistance options and non-slip fabric, add just the right amount of tension to build your muscles.
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[for recovery days] Gaiam Restore Total Body Foam Roller
Give yourself a post-yoga massage on your recovery day (or any day for that matter). This foam roller easily targets sore muscles.
CBD Daily Massage Candle
Continue on the self-care train with this product that doubles as a candle and massage oil with CBD to moisturize your skin and relax your senses.
Lululemon The Reversible Yoga Mat
Ideal for your recovery-day yoga session, both sides of this mat offer enough grip for a power yoga session or an easy-breezy flow.
[for the gym] Blender Bottle Classic
Perfect for your post-workout protein shake or BCAAs, this bottle is small enough to tuck away in your gym bag.
Nike In Season Training Sneakers
Jocelyn Merrill is an educator and freelance writer-for-hire specializing in guest posts, blogging services, and copywriting. She has a passion for fitness, mental wellness and culturally relevant education. When she isn’t teaching, writing or teaching writing, you can find her chasing after her toddler. Find out more at jocelynmerrill.com and justworkingitout.com.
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This black duffle from Nike is big enough to store all your post-workout essentials, taking you from the gym to whatever’s next.
EVOLVING
Gym Bag
FALL 2021
These lightweight sneakers are comfy and stylish for completing all your reps in and out of the gym.
Health
Dr. Richardson Answers the Call
Dr. Nieasha Richardson
During a stressful time for many health care workers and their patients, one dedicated nurse practitioner is serving as a change agent for local families By Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
W
hen the pandemic made in-person health care difficult for many to receive, the patients of DNP Nieasha Richardson, continued to have their health needs met in the safety and comfort of their home. Nieasha is a family nurse practitioner with a doctorate in Advanced Practice Nursing. She is passionate about proactive health care and tearing down the barriers that prevent patients from receiving critical care. She launched Premier Healthcare Consultants because, she says, “I never planned on doing house calls, but I could see the difficulty that my church members and neighbors were having trouble getting to a doctor for preventative care. I realized that there was a huge opportunity here to help the underserved, to help those who are falling between the cracks.”
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Transitioning from working for a company to owning a company was a big leap of faith for Nieasha. She shares, “It was very difficult because I’d never seen it. I didn’t know anyone who had their own practice. So, there was a huge learning curve for me. Not only was I stepping out in faith into this new nurse practitioner realm; I was stepping out in faith into this entrepreneurial realm.” Her innovation in developing a hospital-based house call program in Indianapolis is allowing her to also help other hospital systems learn how to do the same all over the United States.
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Home-based health care benefits not only the patient but also their caregivers and extended family. One patient’s daughter affectionately refers to Nieasha as their “Earth Angel.” When asked how it feels to know that she is having that level of impact in the lives of these families, she replies, “It feels amazing. It is truly a blessing to be able to know that you’re doing what you were called to do.” Despite her success and the positive changes that she has already made in the healthcare field, Nieasha has a few new projects on the horizon. “I was recently approached by a psychologist who said, ‘Dr. Richardson, I’m taking care of all of these patients with anxiety and depression, and we need somebody to provide medication
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I realized that there was a huge opportunity here to help the underserved, to help those who are falling between the cracks.
management.’ The mental health community was not even on my radar, but there is a need and the feeling that God has brought this new opportunity to me. Without a shadow of a doubt, I know that I’m walking in whatever it is He would have for me to do. Is it easy? Absolutely not. I’ve gone back to school to get my certification to be a mental health nurse practitioner because the need is so great, and people are hurting. In order for me to care for them effectively, I’ve got to get that training. It is absolutely amazing to know that I’m in the space that I was created to be in.” Z
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a board-certified internal medicine physician and international wellness expert. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Baker College and Davenport University in Michigan, teaching courses on health, nutrition and disease progression. She is the author of numerous books and shares her expertise with audiences globally on the topics of mind-body-spirit wellness. Learn more about Dr. Dalton-Smith at IChooseMyBestLife.com.
Rima Shahid on Seizing the Day and
FIGHTING FOR
I
t’s 9:30 on a Monday morning, and Rima Shahid is remembering the promise that she made to herself the day before — “I’m going to drink more water this week.” Laughing, Rima says, “I go to bed every Sunday saying this.” At this moment, though, the 37-year-old is on her first cup of coffee, sitting behind her desk on the third floor of the Indiana Interchurch Center, home to Women4Change Indiana, the non-profit Rima has led as the executive director for nearly four years.
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By Emily Longnecker
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RIGHTS
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WOMEN’S
“Women of color make up 20 percent of the workforce, but only five percent of senior-level officials and managers are in the S&P 500. In 2020, only three women of color and no black women were CEOs of Fortune 500 companies,” Rima explains. “There have been fewer women elected to the United States House of Representatives over the entire history of this country than episodes of Grey’s Anatomy.” With that, she brings her point home. Rima loves it when someone is able to make a crack in that glass ceiling. However, she wishes that society would make it so normal that “firsts” would no longer be acclaimed because people would already be fully represented in all private and public sectors. But Rima is so much more than the statistics that keep her up at night and her diligent advocacy work during the day. When you look at her desk and the bookshelves in her office, you get a sense of this.
Caught Between Two Worlds
From inside her small office that she describes as a “shoebox,” Rima’s guidance has led to some big changes for women in Indiana. On her business card are the words that sum up Women4Change Indiana’s motto and what has become Rima’s life’s work — “Activate, Educate, Collaborate, Advocate.” “That’s what we do. It’s a lot,” she admits. “But it’s meaningful work. It’s work that’s necessary. It’s work that fuels and fills my heart and gives me hope.” Some of that hope has already become a reality in Rima’s short time leading the non-profit.
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Hope Through Advocacy
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Rima explains that, since 2018, she has had hope because they were able to help pass Indiana’s first nonconsensual pornography law. This legislation makes it a crime to share intimate photos or videos of a person without their consent, and it includes civil penalties. That’s not all. Rima also says that they were able to get bias crime legislation passed that, in 2019, became law, aiming to protect victims of hate crimes. At the time of its passage, Indiana was only one of five states without such legislation. Rima points out that the law is not perfect, as it doesn’t include protections based on age, gender or gender identity. “But it’s a step in the right direction,” she says. “We’re trying to work together to help Indiana women. And when you help a woman, you don’t just help that woman. You also help her family. You also help her community. You help the state overall.” She knows that there is still so much work to be done on behalf of women, both at the state and federal levels. Rima comes ready with some statistics to prove her point. Such statistics keep her up at night.
Rima is the child of immigrants. Her parents came to the United States from Pakistan, but she was born in Indiana and is the oldest of three children. Despite being as “Hoosier as the next person,” Rima says people ask her where she’s from, and when she replies, “Indiana,” they don’t often believe her, asking her where she’s really from. She also has a similar experience when she travels to Pakistan. When asked where she is from, her response, “I’m a Pakistani American,” leads to “Ahh, you’re American.” “As children of immigrants — and this you’ll find true for many folks — we’ve never had a home because in America, I’m Pakistani, and often in Pakistan, I’m an American,” she explains and laughingly adds, “It’s like, ‘Somebody take us. Somebody want us!’ We’re like the kids on the dodgeball team. Nobody’s picking us.” Rima has tried to take the best of both cultures that make up who she is.
Faith Comes First
At the end of the day, though, Rima identifies herself first as a Muslim. “Something that goes above my national identity or my heritage is my faith,” she says. “That is what will always come first, and that’s what I will always try to carry myself with.” Rima’s office displays proof of that, as one of the bookshelves holds the Quran, the sacred scripture for Muslims. She says that her Islamic faith and being Muslim is her guiding principle in how she lives her life, including daily prayer. “We often call on God in moments of despair, but it’s in those moments of happiness where we have to remember to say, ‘Thank you,’” Rima says. “I firmly believe that the blessings in my life, I’ve done nothing to receive them, but they are just blessings.” Rima considers her family to be part of those blessings. She’s been married to her husband, Muneeb, for 18 years. They have three teenage children, Minaal, Mousa and Inaya.
Questions That Keep Rima Up at Night
Her children inform much of the work that Rima does at Women4Change. “The fact that we rank fifth highest in the nation as far as sexual assault among high school girls worries me, as a mom of two daughters but also the mom of a son. That worries me for their friends and their peers,” Rima says.
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I firmly believe that the blessings in my life, I’ve done nothing to receive them, but they are just blessings.
Rima seems fine placing her favorite basketball player on a pedestal, but she herself isn’t comfortable being on one, despite the recognition that she gets for her advocacy work. “I don’t deserve to be put up on a pedestal,” she says. “I’m just another person that’s working, working to make a difference in the state that I love.” And that work never seems to end. Maybe that’s why just three hours into her Monday, Rima is already on her second cup of coffee, even though she’s promised herself to drink more water. “I don’t have any excuses,” she says, not trying to come up with any. Rima is too busy comfortably “taking up space” while speaking out about the issues affecting women, and it’s apparent that people are certainly listening to what she has to say, and for good reason. “Professionally, I’m there for a reason, and I’m not going to waste that time or opportunity. We have limited opportunities. We have to seize them.” Z Emily Longnecker is a seven-time Emmy Award–winning reporter at WTHR-TV, covering breaking and general assignment news. You can follow her on Instagram @emilywthr. Cover credits Model: Rima Shahid Photographer: Faith Blackwell Creative Director: Denisha Ferguson MUA: Jasmine Perry Stylist: Nicole Rene & Bloomingdale’s Personal Stylist Indiana/Ohio Outfit: Tahari Dress, Michael Kors Demin Jacket, I.N.C. Necklace, I.N.C. Waist Belt, I.N.C. Gold Bracelets, DKNY Handbag
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Has Rima mentioned how much she loves former Pacer superstar Reggie Miller? Has she told you about the time she got to meet him two years ago? Just ask and Rima recalls, with little prompting, everything she knows about the man who appears with her in a framed picture that sits on her desk. “He’s my first love,” she admits, laughing, explaining that her childhood crush started when she was in the fourth grade and watching Reggie play for the Pacers and organize events to raise money for
One Final Note
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Rima’s “First Love”
local charities. She even remembers the year he was on the cover of the Indianapolis Business Journal, for which she made her father drive through Indianapolis to find just so she could have a physical copy. In 2019, she finally got the chance to meet Reggie. “It was a blessed day,” Rima says, laughing. “My husband pointed out that he’s never seen me smile that big,” she adds, still smiling as she enjoys the memory two years later.
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Beyond the here and now, she is also thinking about what the future will look like for her children and their children. Rima questions whether her daughters will ever live in an Indiana with a woman governor or whether her daughters and son will live in a time when Indiana will be represented by women senators. To that end, Rima is quick to remind her children, especially her daughters, of the importance of speaking up and being heard. She recalls a recent conversation with her youngest daughter, Inaya, following a meeting she had taken her 12-yearold to. Rima says that during the car ride home, Inaya questioned her about two of the men at the meeting who seemed to dominate the conversation. “She was mad and said they talked too much,” Rima recalls, laughing. “I told her, ‘What you have to say is important. What you’re bringing to a meeting is important, and you have to insert yourself and not let yourself get drowned out. Take up space. Say what you have to, but do it respectfully and civilly, and people will respect you for that.”’ Rima isn’t timid about following her own advice, as evidenced by her work. Given her willingness in her professional life to “take up space,” she tends to stay surprisingly quiet in most social situations. Her friends often point out that she is the quietest person in the room — that is, unless she’s talking about her favorite sports star.
How Rima Describes Herself:
“First and foremost, Muslim. Hoosier. American. Mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and advocate. I think you can throw ‘funny’ somewhere in there — I’m pretty darn funny.”
MEET
RIMA SHAHID
“Two people: my parents. To have come to the United States, not knowing a single person, leaving your family, leaving your way of life and to build a family, support your extended family, have children, somehow raise them, grow a business and build community — I don’t think I have that in me.
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i Rima’s Favorite Food:
“There’s this very cultural dessert that we make at the end of Eid al-Fitr and at Eid al-Adha, two official holidays celebrated within Islam. It’s milkbased, and I’ve become lactoseintolerant, so I break out, but I will still eat it because it’s worth it. I actually have a scar on my cheek from acne that I got last year, but I will still eat it.”
“The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak. It is a book about Maulana Jalal-Ud-Din, known as Rumi, a Persian poet, and his companion Shams Tabrizi.” “It’s a book I read often. I have two copies, and they’re floating around Indiana. Actually, one of my friends has a copy that she took on her recent trip to Lithuania.”
Her Biggest Inspiration:
“I respect them, and I love them. I’m grateful and blessed. We didn’t choose our parents, but that is life’s greatest blessing.”
Her Favorite Book:
The advocate talks inspiration, her favorite food and the importance of a smile.
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What Rima Enjoys Most About Her Work:
“Seeing firsthand the positive changes that we are able to make. We, as in our interns, our board, our committees, our members, our supporters, our coalition members, our allies. These are seven large groups of people, and I’m just one person who gets to be a part of it.”
Her Favorite Quote:
“‘A smile is an act of charity.’ Prophet Muhammad. Peace be upon him. If you’ve hit that pothole or traffic is backed up on Interstate 465 because of a sinkhole, if your day is not going the best, don’t ruin somebody else’s. Make their day with a smile. It could be the one thing they need. Bring a smile to someone’s day.”
Enriched Enriched Expand your world
FALL 2021
Get comfy and warm this fall after these fun articles on candles, wine, books and food
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Drink
Your Ultimate Guide to Wineries
The best Midwestern wineries for the change of season By Brianna Vacca
The crisp fall air pairs exceptionally well with a glass of wine crafted for your palate, so check out these must-visit wineries in Indiana and Ohio. Urban Vines
With berries, strawberries, apples and grapes sourced from honorable farmers and vineyards, Urban Vines Winery & Brewery in the heart of Westfield, Indiana, offers an assortment of luscious wines matched with award-winning charcuterie boards, tasty plates and live music. Reserve a fire pit, cozy up with your favorite sweater and let the wine do the talking.
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What to try: Carnival Candy Wine, Pink Magic, Chocolate Covered Cherry, PB&J.
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Daniel’s Vineyard
This complete production winery started by husband-and-wife team Daniel and Kimberley Cook is outfitted with an event venue for many different gatherings and a private wine club. Located in McCordsville, Indiana, it is furnished with a list of red and white wines and more than 14,000 grapevines rooted in the soil of Indiana that have since blossomed through the maturity of the vineyards. What to try: Harvest Pear Rose, Racing Rose, Pumpkin Spice Blanc, Citrine Pet-Nat.
Fruit Hills Winery and Orchard
Dreamed up by David and Michele Muir in 2010, Fruit Hills Winery and Orchard is based in Bristol, Indiana. Located on two acres of David’s family farm since 1852, the family-friendly farm winery is recognized for its five-star Traminette — Indiana’s signature grape and composite unfolds a splash of white wine mixed with doses of aroma akin to its predecessor, Gewurztraminer. More recently, Fruit Hills released a vigorous red Petite Pearl and a collection of fruity wines, including a delicate apple wine intertwined with cherry juice to entreat a savory flavor. So, submerge yourself in a glass of red or white, perhaps both, and appreciate the scenic fruit hills of Bristol and a whole lot of love. What to try: Marquette, Tempranillo, Malbec, Petite Pearl Rose, Black Velvet, Traminette, Brianna.
Laurello Vineyards
Nuzzled in the heart of the Grand Valley of Geneva, Ohio, Laurello Vineyards landed the Best Winery Award on the Cleveland Hot List Best of 2020. Laurello specializes in a vintage palate and
Brianna Vacca is a new contributor to Hope Magazine. From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she is a lifestyle + entertainment writer who loves music more than the next and will end the day right with a true crime documentary.
single-varietal wines with a shy dose of astringency and flavorful symmetry. They are made from grapes grown locally in Northern Ohio, appearing in their signature off-dry Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Christopher Meritage Blend and other hand-crafted wines aged in French oak barrels. In addition to their blends, Laurello produces top-notch ice wines, such as their finest habanero ice wine, Simply Mad, and their Platinum Medal Award–winning Sweet Genevieve. What to try: Montepulciano, Josephine. Connie’s Blush, CASK 1020, Cosmo Bourbon Barrel Aged Dry Red, Simply Mad, Sweet Genevieve.
Valley Vineyards
With more than 45 years of experience, 20 wines, craft beers and steak cookouts, Valley Vineyards has only one thing in mind: turning moments into memories. The all-in-one winery, brewery and restaurant is located in Morrow, Ohio, a short distance from Little Miami River. Valley Vineyards supports vineyards in the Ohio Valley region, Northern Ohio and a number of locations on the East and West Coasts. They produce the wine on location using favored grenache, catawba, blue eye, cabernet, franc and sauvignon grapes. Each glass is brimmed with joy and laughter. What to try: Niagara, White Reflections, Honey Mead, Pink Catawba, Hillside Red.
Hartland Winery
Located in the heart of Ashley, Indiana, Hartland Winery hosts wine tastings stocked with more than 18 wines fashioned for your taste buds. Composed of regionally grown grapes, including grapes grown right outside their door, Hartland offers a sweet-bitter line of wines designated for a variety of taste profiles that can be ordered online and shipped to your doorstep. Couple your tasting with homemade food from The Kitchen at Hartland Winery. What to try: Gabby Tabby Blush, Lustrum, Fox Hollow Reserve.
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What to try: Blonde Ambition, Endless Summer, Pink Camo, Blue Bucket, and The Baron. Z
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EVOLVING
Hundley Cellars is a family-owned vineyard and winery in Harpersfield Township, Geneva, Ohio, that overlooks acres of vineyards, forestry and pastoral fields right in the heart of Grand River Valley. Hundley offers warm welcomes with outdoor deck seating or wood-burning fireside seating a glass of Hundley’s popular Blonde Ambition, named after the two main ladies of the Hundley household, Nana and Sis, who cherish a delicate white on ice.
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Hundley Cellars
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Food
Pumpkin Spice and (literally) Everything Nice The low-down on fall’s biggest obsession
T
he days are finally cooler, announcing in their own subtle way that the official arrival of fall won’t be much longer now — which means that whether you’re running errands or scrolling through your Instagram feed, you are bound to run into the signs proclaiming that THE PSL IS BACK! You’ve probably been seeing pumpkin spice pop up in many more places than a billboard or social media ad for weeks now. Nowadays, pumpkin spice isn’t just reserved for coffee drinks, baked goods or candles. It’s in everything from cereal to hummus and hand soap to dog shampoo. The pumpkin spice trend not only endures year after year but seems to get more and more popular. Are companies shamelessly grasping at anything for a profit? Sure. But perhaps there’s something to be said for its longevity and, quite honestly, mind-boggling versatility. In fact, pumpkin spice might not actually be a trend after all but a staple that is here to stay.
What exactly is pumpkin spice?
Although the name suggests the presence of that beloved orange gourd at the center of all fall decorations, pumpkin spice typically just refers to the warm spices used in pumpkin pie: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and sometimes allspice. In 1930, Thompson & Taylor Spice Co. first debuted the combination of these spices in one product called “pumpkin pie spice,” which made fall baking a breeze and forever changed the American home spice cabinet. Others, including McCormick, quickly followed suit. Eventually, the “pie” was discarded, leaving “pumpkin spice” as we know it today. Even the beloved PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) at Starbucks didn’t have any pumpkin in the recipe until 2015. The argument can certainly be made that nothing is more synonymous with fall than pumpkin spice. It is the quintessential go-to when your mind drifts to thoughts of autumn — cozy blankets, sweaters and scarves; color-changing leaves; a crisp breeze; and all the familiar, comfortable vibes of the season.
So why the obsession?
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Ann Walczak is a food writer, editor, mixologist, and former hospitality manager and consultant from Cleveland, Ohio. She is based in Nashville. Follow Ann and her food adventures on Instagram @annstagram58.
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TOGETHER
There has to be a reason why businesses get more zealous with their addition of this flavor to products on the shelves each year and why Starbucks not only sells more PSLs each season —
hundreds of millions of units since its debut in 2003 — but releases it earlier and earlier, even commissioning special mugs designed to commemorate the flavor. On the surface, aromas that we’re exposed to during the holidays improve our mood. The smell of pumpkin is associated with Thanksgiving and harvest time in autumn, which is historically a prosperous time. Cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg are homey and familiar and bring up feelings surrounding moments of “slowing down,” self-care and relaxation, or quality time with family and friends without the stress often associated with the winter holidays. Companies rely on reactance theory, the belief that knowing that something is only around for a limited time makes it more appealing. Although there’s something to be said for that, our lust for the stuff goes much deeper indeed. Now, here comes the science. Not only do we choose the food that we eat and the drinks that we imbibe based on our moods (whether consciously or unconsciously); these spices, like most, were once used in a medicinal manner. Cinnamon, for example, was used to improve brain function, nutmeg was believed to be an antidepressant and creativity enhancer, and the health claims for ginger are quite numerous. In addition, our olfactory system, aka our sense of smell, transmits scent to the amygdala, the part of the brain that controls emotions, and then to the hippocampal formation, giving this particular sense a direct connection to our brain’s memory regions. In short, this combination of mood-enhancing, memory-inducing spices once used for more physical benefits now brings comfort and a type of emotional healing that we yearn for (apparently all year). Pumpkin spice is truly about the experience more than the flavor. With its ability to evoke such a visceral reaction, pumpkin spice transcends the word or very idea of “trends,” and, as with chocolate, we probably shouldn’t expect to see to go away anytime soon. So, whether you prefer to see the fall staple in as many places as possible or would rather keep it to a smaller, more curated amount, pour yourself a little extra pumpkin spice creamer in your coffee or have another slice of pumpkin bread. You deserve it. Z
FALL 2021
By Ann Walczak
Food
An Unofficial Love Language Baking and eating: the emotional experience By Brittany Hunt Q: What do you feel when you bake/cook? A: “Baking is my happy place!” Q: W hat do you want family, friends and customers to feel when they eat your dishes? A: “I want them to feel that WOW factor. You don’t have to travel to famous cities like New York or Paris to have delicious food. I want my customers to know they can have a high end experience in their own backyard. I want my customers to leave feeling happy.” Q: What’s your favorite food to cook/bake? A: “ I like to take the classics and elevate them, like our Cinnamon Roll.” Q: What’s your favorite food prepared by someone else? A: “This is my guilty pleasure... believe it or not, it’s supermarket cake! The more food coloring the better!” Grace Kelly May, Owner and Executive Pastry Chef of GK BakedGoods
Eating delicious food is absolutely an unofficial love language. Delicious food makes you feel good! Cooking and eating can be such an emotional experience that hopefully summon happy memories or create new ones. Grace Kelly May, Owner and Executive Pastry Chef of GK BakedGoods, hopes to “share joy” through the bakery with the people of Fort Wayne. Grace has worked in well-known food cities (Chicago, Hawaii, and Houston) over the course of her career and now she is back in her home state of Indiana.
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Q: How does it feel to be back home?
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A: “Unexpected and wonderful! And being close to family is helpful in having a built-in support system.The culinary landscape is changing and to be a part of diversifying the food scene in the Fort Wayne area so it’s not all chain restaurants is great for the community.” Q: Is there a particular event that was the spark that lit the fuse of baking for a living for you? A: As a little girl, Grace spent a lot of time in the kitchen with her mom baking and she developed an interest in working in kitchens after working in a local restaurant as a teen. From there, Grace discovered that baking is her passion and pursued it further by attending culinary school in Chicago.
Q: Do you have a favorite flavor combination? Describe what it tastes like and how those flavors make you feel. A: “I’m known for balanced desserts. I like the salty/sweet combination. Salt is my secret weapon. The menu item that best demonstrates this combination is the Almond Croissant. The flavors dance on your tongue!” It is a 3-day process which reinforces the GK BakedGoods motto: “Handmade everything!” Q: For you, what is baking/cooking connected to? What memories are evoked when you’re in the kitchen? A: Baking is a meditative space for the pastry chef, and being in the kitchen transports Grace back to childhood baking with her mom and grandmother. It’s also a privilege to be “connected to people’s celebrations. I get to bring a fun little ray of sunshine to people’s day,” she says. GK’s pastries are also being transported via their pastry truck that sells their vegan hand pies in flavors like Blueberry Ginger. Q: What do you want your legacy to be? A: G race grew up watching her mom as a small business owner and so did her husband learning the value of hard work as well as independence. This is a life skill that she is glad to model for her children. As an entrepreneur, business owner and pastry chef, Grace wants people to enjoy GK’s food as a demonstration of love. Furthermore, she wants GK’s BakedGoods to continue to be an integral part of the community, working with other local businesses to cultivate a thriving network. The next step in building her legacy is the downtown storefront opening early next year. Z
Brittany Hunt is a self-professed foodie and gladly tells everyone that “good food is her unofficial love language!” She has a degree in English, and lives in an Atlanta suburb with her husband and 2 daughters.
Travel
SMALL MIDWESTERN TOWNS TO EXPLORE THIS FALL By Anna Swenson
Tawas City, MI Situated in the heart of Lake Huron, Tawas City begs you to bring your boat out into the gleaming blue waters. The area provides several launching points, including the breathtaking East Tawas State Dock. The expansive dock provides not only several amenities, including a new shower building, playground and electricity, but also serves as a gathering place for community festivals and events.
Anna Swenson is an advocate of “bloom where you’re planted” and hopes to illustrate the specialities present in destinations close by and far away.
FALL 2021
Madison, IN This little rivertown is the perfect place for a fall getaway. Watch as the colors of autumn seep slowly into the rich atmosphere of the historic downtown area as you explore the antique shops, art galleries and curated boutique stores all within sight of the Ohio River. Stay on Main Street in the Iron Gate Inn, one of the region’s beautiful historic homes, and feel as if you were transported back in time.
Stockholm, WI Witness how Stockholm lives true to its status as an art colony with the 23rd Annual Fresh Art Tour taking place from October 1st to the 3rd. With 21 sites located on the tour, you are sure to find inspiration not only in the studios and galleries, but also throughout the scenic autumn countryside. Arthur, IL Get back to what makes the Midwest great at The Great Pumpkin Patch located just south of Arthur. Open September 22nd through to October 31st, this farm hosts a variety of mazes, animals and, of course, pumpkins. As you wander through the autumnal gardens or step into the fresh smells of the Homestead Bakery, the sights and sounds of an Illinois harvest sing in harmony. Z
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Iron Gate Inn
German Village in Columbus, OH You could spend the whole day perusing The Book Loft of German Village with its winding staircases and book filled rooms. It’s the perfect place to get lost in! After you’ve picked out your next favorite read, cozy up with a warm drink and pastry from any of the five coffee shops nestled in German Village. Fox in the Snow is a local favorite, featuring a delightful array of treats as well as caffeinated cups.
EVOLVING
All the yellows, oranges and reds of fall make this change of season one of the most beautiful times of the year. The changing landscapes create the ideal time to take a road trip and explore all the beautiful places that make fall a truly spectacular season. Here are five small Midwestern towns that construct the perfect fall scene, making you feel as if you’ve stepped into a movie.
Books
BIG FRIENDSHIP
Promises that big work brings big rewards By Emily Cunningham In their new book, Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman share their friendship story — but can readers apply their lessons to their own relationships?
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Aminatou and Ann define ‘big friendship’ as a bond of great strength and significance that transcends the critical life changes that we all face.
omewhere in the middle of the mess that was 2020, two women published their shared story of creating, building, traversing and mending what they refer to as their “big friendship.” In their aptly titled book Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close, Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman recount the little victories and big misunderstandings, the ardent discussions and inside jokes that lend to their dually lived bigness. They believe that theirs is a common story that many women can relate to and experience together. Aminatou and Ann define “big friendship” as a bond of great strength and significance that transcends the critical life changes that we all face. It is active, generous, reciprocal and confident that it can outlast any challenges that lay ahead as long as the big friendshippers collaborate with love, respect and honesty. Their story sets up steadily but dives swiftly, exploring their shared yet separate experiences as women in the male-dominated political and journalistic worlds. They recall their childhoods spent in the wildly different worlds of Nigeria and Iowa in the 1990s. They disclose their perspectives and intimate conversations concerning skin color in an interracial friendship. They describe the strain that distance, chronic illness and outside relationships compound on top of feeling disconnected, and they analyze historical constructs of friendships between and among men and women. This book is fierce but never hard to read. Simultaneously writing in first and third person, they tell a story in a shared voice with separate instances of defining their individual outlooks. It feels as breezy as reading a favorite novel under an umbrella on the beach in August. But as you make dinner, wrap up your day and go to bed, it’s impossible not to consider all that they’ve divulged and reflect on your own experiences. Some aspects of their story might provoke defensiveness, especially if you’ve struggled to make authentic and long-lasting connections with other women. Maybe Aminatou and Ann overlap boundaries that some of us require. But these women continually remind us that every friendship is different and, as they note near the conclusion, that’s kind of the point. Regardless of how your friendship functions, you still have to show up and, well, work for it. Big Friendship is a great option for book clubs, but consider this instead: Give a copy to that friend with whom you want to revive a relationship. Read it together. Embark on the journey together. Learn together. Move toward each other and move forward together. What do you have to lose? As Aminatou and Ann explicitly promise in their final words of the book, “If you take your friendships seriously, you won’t regret it. We never have.” So, read the book. Have that difficult conversation. Find a reconnecting point. Experience it all, in your own ways but together, and remember to love each other through everything. If you’re in it together, it will be worth it. Z
Emily Cunningham is a freelance magazine writer with a passion for wildlife conservation, civil and societal issues, and artistic pursuits, including dance, creative writing and handmade art.
Books
Recipes that Give Back Highlighting a cookbook with a greater purpose By Laura Tuzzio
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ith access to restaurants limited during the lockdown, the concept of sharing recipes for quick and delicious meals came to light once again. Throughout these months, two long-time friends decided to write a book inspired by what inevitably became the revival of the home-cooked meal. Pinch-Dash-Done: A Gateway to Flavorful Recipes by Beatrice Moore and Vernita Harris now provides an answer to the age-old question, “What’s for dinner?” and so much more. While working from two different countries with Beatrice in the U.S. and Vernita in the Bahamas, they managed to compile an eclectic assortment of recipes reflective of both locations over a three-month period. Growing up, both authors watched and admired their family matriarchs’ natural abilities in the kitchen, and about her and Vernita’s collaborative efforts, Beatrice shares that, “Some recipes were family treasures and others were simply bold creations.” Teaming up with small local minority-owned businesses in Texas, the two women were able to create a cohesive gathering of recipes for their book, one chapter at a time. Along with writing the book, Beatrice and Vernita also started to look for ways to help dissipate local need as they wanted the book to serve a more meaningful purpose to their community in Texas. How can a recipe book help people? Well, all it took was two intelligent and caring women aiming for a greater purpose. Both alumni of Prairie View A&M University where they met and community advocates in Houston, the women knew there was
a great need during the pandemic for access to food supplies.The creation of Pinch-Dash-Done LLC was made possible through their own personal investments. Through the company, they were able to use a portion of their book sales to provide donations to the Houston Food Bank to help supply relief from food shortages. Houstonfoodbank.org. donations were also given to Prairie View A&M University in hopes of establishing a scholarship for economically challenged students majoring in Agribusiness. Beatrice and Vernita describe themselves as “resilient, confident, risk-taking and optimistic.” Taking on challenges and achieving success comes from what Vernita calls a “why not me” attitude. It wasn’t enough for Beatrice to be a nationally recognized leader in the world of mathematics, mother to three who also makes time to work in ministry, and someone who has contributed to and authored several books. For Vernita, it wasn’t enough to be the first woman Board Chair of The Greater Houston Black Chamber, or to help form the first International Alumni Chapter for Prairie View A&M University in the Bahamas while living abroad. She said her “biggest accomplishment is yet to come.” With that mentality in mind and two more publications already in the works, these savvy business women with philanthropic goals show no signs of slowing down. Order your copy of Pinch-DashDone: A Gateway to Flavorful Recipes on Amazon and feel good about finding wonderful recipes to share with loved ones while helping a worthy cause. Enjoy a sneak peek into the book with this Butternut Squash Soup recipe, perfect for warming up on a cool autumn day. Z
Cook time: 25 minutes Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 48 oz. butternut squash (frozen or fresh, cubed) 2 cups vegetable broth 2 cups chicken broth 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Laura Tuzzio is a freelance writer who enjoys books, travel, music, and spending time with her family. lauratuzziowriter@gmail.com
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Prep time: 10 minutes
Heat the oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the onion, then cook and stir until tender. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add in the squash, broth, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until the squash is tender. This should take about 10 to 15 minutes. Once the squash is tender, use an immersion blender to puree the soup in the pot until smooth. (Or you can allow the soup to cool and then puree in small batches Beatrice Moore and Vernita Harris in a blender.) Add the cream to the pureed soup and simmer until heated. If your soup is looking a little thin after pureeing, whisk together two tablespoons of olive oil with two tablespoons of flour until smooth and add to the soup, stirring constantly; simmer until it thickens to desired consistency.
EVOLVING
Pinch-Dash-Done: A Gateway to Flavorful Recipes by Beatrice Moore and Vernita Harris
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Butternut Squash Soup
Culture
Connecting, Filtering and Thriving: How Women Are Using Social Media to Live Better Online By Emily Cunningham
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hen Facebook launched in 2004, it was intended exclusively for students at Harvard. Eventually, other Ivy League schools began to use it, and, by 2006, it was open to anyone over the age of 13. Now, 15 years and 2.8 billion users later, it’s one of the biggest sources of digital “connectedness,” along with Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and others. Social media connects everyone in genuine and “filtered” ways on any day at any time and any place.
Thriving
“Kayla” (not her real name) founded a Facebook group in 2019 to help herself cope with anxiety and PTSD. She constructed a health-focused semester in college, attending classes on general wellness, yoga and psychology to learn how to live “a better life with intentionality.” When she discovered Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores and the Seven Dimensions of Wellness, she felt compelled to share her newfound information with others.
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I don’t believe we can thrive until we start learning how to be ourselves, regardless of how that looks.
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“I desperately wanted to figure out how to thrive, and I knew that other people around me felt the same way,” she says. “I wanted to create an environment where we could help each other do that in a way that was healthy and safe.” Fitness influencer Whitney Perez (@whitp.fit) adopted social media usage for personal accountability and to inspire others to take better care of themselves. She now represents a wellness supplement company and two fitness apparel companies.
“My social media presence is what ultimately aligned those companies and myself. . . . I have people I’ve never physically met become close friends as part of my support system,” she says. “Their different perspectives and levels of education as well as just being genuine humans have only encouraged me to be the best version of myself.” Both women point out that social media has provided a way for them to connect with other women like themselves: moms, small business owners and supporters, trauma survivors, and strong individuals fighting to be better.
Filtered Reality
However, the problem with “connecting” is social media often shape shifts into a “highlight reel” instead of an honest portrait of people’s lives. Kayla points out the environments on social media can be unforgiving, and it’s easy to filter not only our photos, but our emotions as well. “We treat social media like a display case for the parts of ourselves we think are good enough to be seen … We take the dopamine hit when the likes roll in. But we are left lonely and fragmented.” She noted popular terms like “GirlBoss,” which at first glance feels empowering and ambitious, highlights the issue of why “girl” needs to be asserted. Men don’t write “BoyBoss.” However, women in charge are often viewed as masculine and intimidating, so highlighting “girl” softens the blow that a woman is in control. This, sentiments like “good vibes only” and referring to any form of criticism – even constructive – as “hating” is considered toxic positivity and leaves no room for setting boundaries or actual positivity. “Society has placed such an expectation of what a “successful” woman should be,” said Whitney. “There are always negative interactions and bad apples, but there is so much love and support shared as well.” For more information on ACE scores and the Seven Dimensions of Wellness, see: cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/ and yourhealthandwellbeing.org/about/sevendimensions/. Z
Emily Cunningham is a freelance magazine writer with a passion for wildlife conservation, civil and societal issues, and artistic pursuits including dance, creative writing, and handmade art.
Women share what they love about connecting on social media. “ It’s so freeing to have a safe space where anything goes, and no men are watching and giving their opinions.” - Estleen P. “ [It’s] the ability to express myself openly with strangers who are there to give me perspective instead of a fight.” – Anne Marie B. “ My pregnancy was rough, and I wouldn’t have gotten through it without the support of the friends I made in the group.” – Emily J. “ I feel safer when I meet a woman in a Facebook group for an online game than when I meet a character in a game who just says they’re a woman.” – Sarah H. “ Social media has helped me find communities of other women with invisible diseases, just like me! It makes me feel seen.” – Anna E. “ Body norms such as stretch marks being shared and acknowledged as normal and beautiful.” – Emily P.
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“ It’s done wonders for my mental health to have [my friends] feel so close when we can’t be near one another.” – Ogimaa I.
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“ I love keeping up with a few friends from childhood and high school.” – Sasha K.
Books
PATTI CALLAHAN TAKES US
Beyond Narnia A story with more than one answer By Laura Tuzzio
FALL 2021
Patti Callahan
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Amanda Bostic shares, “We want Harper Muse to be a place where readers can escape with novels that offer hope and encouragement and find the kind of stories that continue to make you smile days after you have put the book down.” Readers are sure to experience this joy as they fall in love with Patti’s characters, both fictional and real. Introduced to the genius works of C.S. Lewis at a young age, Patti recalls, “I have been reading Lewis for most of my life.” She eventually “fell down the wardrobe door of Narnia” and years later was inspired by her deep appreciation of his work to write this book. Her main fictional characters are Megs, the logic-driven, rational college girl who adores her younger brother, and George, a wise-beyond-his-years boy filled with wonder regarding all things Narnia. As luck would have it, Megs has access to the one man who can answer George’s question — C.S. Lewis himself. Patti has captured a form of realistic escapism by effortlessly blending her fictional characters with the very real author C.S. Lewis and his brother, Warnie. Imagine trekking on a snow-laden path from historic Oxford to the Lewis brothers’ residence at the Kilns alongside Megs. Picture venturing through the green door to their cozy home, sipping some tea while engrossed in thought-provoking fireside conversations between Megs and the Lewis brothers, conversations that extend far beyond Narnia and the one simple question about its origin that Megs seeks to answer. Patti assures readers, “You don’t have to read Lewis to read this book; it’s a story on its own.” This imaginative and touching book will introduce readers to Narnia or remind them of why they first fell in love with the enchanting land. Among its many layers and the characters’ many dimensions, what’s revealed to readers is the importance of asking questions that provide more than just one answer. It’s a wonderfully immersive book meant for anyone who — well, anyone who loves to read! Z
he question “Where did Narnia come from?” is all young George Devonshire wants to know after reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, and Megs, his older sister, is determined to find the answer for him. Along their journey into the magical literary world of C.S. Lewis’s creation, the two discover so much more than just Narnia’s beginnings. New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan presents a wonderful story with heartwarming characters in her newest book, Once Upon a Wardrobe, in which Megs and George discover that some questions aren’t so easily answered. Patti’s book will be the debut novel published by Harper Muse, a new imprint of HarperCollins. Vice President and Publisher Laura Tuzzio is a freelance writer who enjoys books, travel, music, and spending time with her family.
From bestselling author Patti Callahan comes another enchanting story that follows Meg and George Devonshire seeking to discover Narnia’s origin. Talking with C.S. Lewis himself, Meg learns the answer will change everything.
Books
Finding More Time to Read: A Librarian’s POV By Kristen Miller
Kristen Miller is a part-time barista and an editorial assistant at Hope Magazine. While working with Hope magazine, she also enjoys writing fiction, having a nice cup of coffee, and spending time with her cat.
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Kelly Staten has been a librarian for ten years, and she mentions that it’s even hard for librarians to find time to read! She says, “I always set aside at least 30 minutes of my lunch break to read as well as a few hours on the weekends. If you have a long commute, consider listening to audiobooks, or downloading eBooks to read in the car or on a plane when you travel. I am usually able to read a couple books waiting in the airport and during the time it takes my flight to get to the destination.” She also mentions that it’s not about “focusing on the number of books you read” but making sure you take the time to relax and enjoy what you’re reading. Overall, it is recommended to find time to read in the down-time or relaxing moments of life. Trying out an audiobook instead of a physical book may be one of the best options to work reading back into your life, whether it be on your daily work commutes or during your day as a stay-at-home mom while the kids are at school. As for what to read next, Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson, A Spy in the Struggle by Aya de Leon, and The Dawning of Apocalypse by Gerald Horne are books that were mentioned by these ladies and you might find worth checking out! Z
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EVOLVING
Reading is something many of us enjoy, but managing to find the time to do so can be a challenge. Ask almost any woman in her adult life when she last sat down to read a book. You’ll probably hear something along the lines of, “I can’t remember the last time I was able to read. I can’t seem to find the time!” Whether it’s due to trying to find the balance between work and home or finding something you really enjoy and actually feel motivated to read, it’s definitely a struggle many can relate to. Audio books can be helpful, but if listening isn’t enough to keep your brain stimulated, then you may not find them very effective either. We decided to reach out to a few librarians, and asked these cultured ladies what they enjoy reading and their tips on how to carve out some time to read. Akilah Nosakhere has been a librarian for thirty-four years, and has made a great observation that we go through everyday of our lives reading. She recommends “taking time to read for relaxation during lunch time and leaving time for reading before bed.” Take a break from your phone during lunch by picking up a book, and instead of scrolling before bed, perhaps you could finish that one chapter. Lauren Freeman has worked in a library for more than twenty years. She spoke about how the pandemic affected her relationship with reading and how recently she’s been more drawn to audiobooks. She mentions, “listening to audiobooks is a good way for busy people to take in content. And since the pandemic could be soul sucking, I took the opportunity to listen to a bunch of fun books.”
