The Joy of Giving Winter 2022

hope

Vol. 19 No. 24 | Winter 2021

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WOMEN LEADING THE CAUSE OF GIVING BACK

Chase Away the

WINTER BLUES 3 TOP DESSERT TRENDS TO ADD TO YOUR TABLE THIS

HOLIDAY SEASON

Winter Warriors for Skincare 2021 Indiana gift guide

Chef Twinkle VanWinkle

Shares Her Favorites: Food, Family and the Patachou Foundation

Our Recipe for Wealth Creation

Black

SheaMoisture has been serving Black entrepreneurs and investing in the Black community for 30 years. To better serve you, we’re constantly reimagining our recipe for success.

A crucial part of our recipe for eradication of the $11 Trillion wealth gap is supporting entrepreneurs like you.

Visit us at sheamoisturefund.com to learn more about the Black businesses we’ve supported and stay up to date on our new programs to support Black entrepreneurs.

@SheaMoisture

Editor’s Note

They are everything to me. We feature a piece on pg. 20 about the joy of family. I hope it makes you smile as you realize the joy your family brings to you, no matter how annoying they may be at times.

Oh, speaking of family… I can’t wait to start buying gifts for everyone! Do you enjoy gift shopping or does it overwhelm you? Whatever the case, Hope has you covered this year with our Indiana gift guide (pg. 12). We have listed some unique gift ideas for you to be inspired by and we are so excited about this guide – the first of our many guides featuring exclusively Indiana businesses and products.

I think one of the absolute best parts of the holiday season has got to be all the festive food and sweet treats! This issue, we are so excited to feature our cover story on Chef Twinkle. We catch up with her as she talks about who she is and what she does on pg. 36.

This holiday season, I also want to remember those who have been in need throughout the year and the seasons. I want to use this time as an opportunity to reach out and give. Where I see a need, I want to fill it. Whatever it may be, big or small, for a family member, friend or stranger. And I want to do it with

The most wonderful time of the year is here! There is excitement in the air. Fairy lights are being strung; their warm glow like stars all around us. We get to wrap up in our favorite sweaters, coats, scarves and cute boots. It’s a beautiful time of family, food and festivities.

I know we have all faced great challenges and perhaps even great loss this year. We cannot forget who and what was lost.

Things are likely to never be “normal” again, but we must embrace the beauty that still comes through in the small ways every day and we must hold on to what we have. I hope that whatever this year was like for you, you are able to celebrate this season with someone you love.

Despite the change and uncertainty, I believe that being grateful is essential and important. Regardless of your beliefs, this is something we should share. This issue discusses the attitude of gratitude (pg. 30) and the secrets to becoming full of gratefulness. One thing I am so grateful for is my family!

I hope this issue inspires you to do small things with great love and to see the beauty in the chaos. I wish you a very warm holiday season, spent with the ones you love, creating new and beautiful memories.

All my love, Angie

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The Joy of Giving

great joy. I challenge us to find true joy in giving this season.

In the spirit of the joy found in giving, we are so glad to feature five incredible women on pg. 24 whose lives are committed to making a difference where they have found their purpose, leading the cause of giving back to their communities and serving others. On pg. 22, we also feature Amina Pierson as she does her part in the fight against homelessness and unemployment.

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Hey girl!

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Photographer: Haley Lewis, Hair: LaShonda Harris, Makeup: Joshlyne Freeman, Stylist: Temera Payton, Set Creation: Shanbri’

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I want to use this time as an opportunity to reach out and give.

CONTENTS Vol. 19 No. 24 | Winter 2021

1 HEY GIRL! Angie’s Editorial The Joy of Giving

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EVOLVED 6 BEAUTY Winter Warriors for Skincare Our list of 9 skincare products for the cold season 8 BEAUTY Best Beauty Presents to Give Your holiday beauty gift guide 10 STYLE Brands You Should be Investing In A list of brands taking action towards sustainable fashion 12 STYLE Indiana Gift Guide Your list of Hoosier-approved businesses for unique last minute gifts

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20 RELATIONSHIP The Joy of Family Treasure your family and the moments spent with them 22 COMMUNITY Amina Pierson: A Career Her passion for transformation and change in community and economic development 24 COMMUNITY 5 Women Leading the Cause of Giving Back Inspiring stories of women committed to making a difference 26 HOME Embracing Friluftsliv This Winter 8 ideas for the perfect backyard patio inspired by this Norwegian concept 28 HOME Store Your Seasonal Décor Ideas and 8 products for storing your seasonal items 30 WELLNESS An Attitude of Gratitude Secrets to help you stay grateful as the holiday season comes and goes

32 HEALTH Chase Away the “Winter Blues” Dr. Saundra talks through advice on navigating the winter blues and stress of the season

ENRICHED 40 FOOD 3 Top Dessert Trends Find out what charcuterie boards, decorating techniques and flavors are trending this winter 43 FOOD Q&A with Tanorria Askew A look at Tanorria’s new cookbook, Staples +5 and delicious winter recipes 44 READS Looking Back to Move Forward: Keeping the Walker Family Legacy Alive A’Lelia Bundles shares her family story

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46 READS 5 Gifts for a Girlfriends Getaway with Good Reads and Good Eats Ideas for taking a trip without leaving your cozy corner 48 CULTURE Celebrating Cultures How different cultures have inspired holiday traditions

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36 COVER STORY Chef Twinkle VanWinkle on Food, Advocacy and Self-Love Chef Twinkle shares her favorites: food, family and the Patachou Foundation

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18 STYLE 4 Midwest Brands Giving Back Take a look at these womenowned brands who have found purpose in giving back

34 SPECIAL HEALTH Black Women, Heart Health and COVID-19 A Q&A with Dr. Jayne Morgan

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14 STYLE Re-Styling Closet Essentials for the Holiday Temara Payton showcases beautiful fashions you can recreate at home

Vol. 19 No. 24 | Winter 2021

hope EVOLVING TOGETHER

PUBLISHER & FOUNDER

Angelia L. White - Stone FINANCE COORDINATOR

Eldred “Cookie” Jones ART DIRECTOR

CONTRIBUTORS

Leah Goldblatt, Anna Call, Lauren Klein, Jen Chavarria, Rita Taylor, Mary Farucci, Sydni Ellis, Adia R. Louden, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, Holly Riddle, Laura Tuzzio, Samantha M. C. Luck, Emily Cunningham

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

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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 Creating JOY this season by gifting and giving

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Inspiration for all things style and beauty this holiday and gifting season.

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Winter Warriors for Skincare 9 skincare products for the cold season

By Leah Goldblatt Winter can be a magical time of year! A season that brings the holidays, snow-filled adventures and time spent with friends and family. However, the shift between the seasons isn’t always so wonderful on our skin. The drop in temperature, changing winds and stress can leave us with dry, cracked and, dare we say, lackluster skin that might have us counting down the days until spring. Fear not, because we have you covered with these 9 skin-saving products that will have your back during your winter wonderland.

GENTLE FACE CLEANSER

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser $15 laroche-posay.us This gentle cleanser works beyond the physical skin barrier to further protect its microbiome. Prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3 and niacinamide work together to repair the skin’s natural moisture barrier, soothing and locking in hydration in dry skin.

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LIPS

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BITE Beauty Agave+ Intensive Vegan Lip Mask $26 sephora.com Save your chapped and dehydrated lips with this nourishing vegan treatment. Agave nectar, mangosteen extract, açaí and oat flour soothe and hydrate parched lips. It comes in two shades: Agave (clear) or Buzzed (rose gold pearl).

BODY WASH

FACE MOISTURIZER

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream $100 charlottetilbury.com Thanks to its “Magic 8” ingredients, this powerful moisturizer reduces the appearance of wrinkles, brightens, hydrates and softens all skin types from just one jar.

SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Hydrating Body Wash $12 target.com We regularly think of our face, and often neglect the dry skin on the rest of our bodies. This body wash formulated with raw shea butter, frankincense and myrrh will help heal, soothe and provide deep hydration to your parched skin.

BODY MOISTURIZER

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration $36 firstaidbeauty.com This whipped, ultra-moisturizing body cream it can also be used on the face - works on dry, irritated skin, and even for those with eczema.

Colloidal oatmeal, shea butter and their own antioxidant booster combine to relieve itching, rehydrate and protect the skin’s barrier.

FACE MASK

HANDS

CeraVe Theraputic Hand Cream $12 ulta.com Say goodbye to dry, cracked hands with this non-greasy, water-resistant hand cream. Hyaluronic acid and ceramides lock in moisture while protecting and restoring your skin’s natural barrier.

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque $40 dermalogica.com Send dry skin packing with this moisture-enriching mask. Hyaluronic acid and tomato seed lipids seal in moisture and restore the skin’s barrier for smooth, supple and fresh looking skin.

FEET

Leah Goldblatt is a beauty and fashion writer with a passion for photography and travel. Follow her journey traveling with her husband in an RV @lifemoretraveled.

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EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen $37 eltamd.com Don’t let the lack of summer sun fool you into skipping your sunscreen. Protect your skin all year long with this lightweight, oil-free sunscreen formulated to calm and reduce redness and lessen dry skin while providing UVA and UVB protection.

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Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Creme $10 burtsbees.com While your feet may be hiding in boots this time of year, they still need some love. Enriched with coconut oil, massage this cream into your feet, especially the heels and any dry or rough areas. Cover with socks overnight to soften and soothe.

Best Beauty Presents to Give Your holiday beauty gift guide

By Anna Call We all know the feeling of walking down the beauty aisles and becoming a little overwhelmed with options. With endless brands and products, it can be hard to find what you’re looking for. Whether you’re searching for gifts for your family members, girlfriends or even yourself, nailing down the perfect present can get tricky. With sales coming in at about 483 billion dollars this past year, it’s no wonder beauty products are so highly sought after. From skincare to sleeping accessories, there is something for everyone. To simplify your holiday shopping, we researched which commodities are hot on the market. Make sure to check these products out next time you’re shopping!

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Charlotte Tilbury The Sophisticate Look Set $220 charlottetilbury.com Charlotte Tilbury has made a lot of noise within the beauty industry lately. Used by makeup gurus and enthusiasts across the country, this brand stands out from the rest. The Sophisticate Look Set is the perfect starter pack. With an eyeshadow palette, eyeliner, mascara, blush, lip liner, lipstick and lip gloss, this is a gift that will never disappoint. From the long-lasting formula to the aesthetically pleasing packaging, this is well worth the price tag.

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Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 $28 olaplex.com Known for strengthening hair strands and reducing breakage, this formula leaves hair sleek and shiny from the inside out. This product isn’t a conditioner, but an at-home treatment for revitalizing damaged hair. Made without parabens, sulfates and phthalates, Olaplex delivers the hair of your dreams for only $28.

Do your hair a favor and add this to your routine.

Ouai Leave-in Conditioner starting at $26 theouai.com Ouai has created a name for itself across social media platforms for some time now. Their leave-in conditioner stands alone against the rest by reducing hair breakage by 52%! Not only does it double as a detangler, but it also shrinks natural frizz. Not to mention it also hydrates all types of hair. Use as a styling heat protectant or as a part of your washing routine. This leave-in conditioner is a must-have stocking stuffer for yourself or your friends and family.

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.

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Yves Saint Laurent Kiss and Couture Lipstick Trio Set $98 yslbeauty.com The perfect stocking stuffer finally exists. The Kiss and Couture Lipstick Trio Set by Yves Saint Laurent comes with three timeless shades to complete any holiday look. From shiny to a satin finish, any mood or style can be perfected with these lipsticks. Not only do they come in full sizes and mini’s, but they are packaged in a signature YSL pouch.

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Lunya Washable Silk Sleep Mask $48 lunya.co There is nothing more annoying than the sun waking us up when we try to continue sleeping. Whether you’re at home or on a flight, sleep is the building block to our day. Lunya has solved our problems and released a limited-edition silk sleep mask that blocks out light and reduces sound. This mask fits over the eyes and covers the ears is machine washable and can double as a headband. And since it comes in seven different colors, you can coordinate it with any outfit.

Brands You should be Investing in A list of brands taking action towards better environmental choices

By Anna Call With the holiday season approaching, the amount of time we will spend shopping for our loved ones increases dramatically.

Perhaps this year you have decided to be more sustainable in your shopping choices. Although we are not oblivious to the movement brands are making toward better environmental choices, it can be hard to find which ones are actually taking matters into their own hands.

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With the fashion industry’s waste weighing in at about 92 million tons globally and 17 million tons within the United States alone each year, it is important to invest in brands trying to limit their textile excess. These textile scraps can take up to 200 hundred

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Naked Cashmere nakedcashmere.com Naked Cashmere has truly upped the cashmere game. Not only are their materials sustainable and traceable, but they have also created a collection called Cashmere Reborn. Within this collection, there is luxurious loungewear made entirely from postconsumer cashmere sweaters. This is completed by washing, cutting, sorting by fiber length and spinning back into 100% cashmere yarn. Joggers, buttonups, pullovers, tanks and hoodies are all available in recycled material. This is a must-have for your Christmas list.

years to decompose. Throughout the course of decomposition, textiles create greenhouse methane gas and leak dangerous chemicals and dyes into our water and soil.

The term “green-washing” was coined for brand marketing strategies to convince consumers that their practices are green when, in reality, that is not really the case. This can be very deceiving when coming from stores we habitually shop and love. Therefore, after researching which brands are rolling up their sleeves and putting in the environmental work, we rounded up a list for you to know which ones are worth the investment!

Eileen Fisher eileenfisher.com Eileen Fisher is not new to the sustainability game plan.

For years now, she’s been leading the pack in improved environmental practices. On her website, she has her goals bulleted for today, tomorrow and the following year. While working on regenerative fibers, renewable energy and repurposing materials, she wants to continue setting goals.

One of these goals included using sustainable materials in 100% of their products by 2020. Eileen Fisher’s products consist of minimalistic, comfortable pieces that are the perfect addition to any wardrobe. Do yourself a favor and check out her garments.

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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.

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Levi’s levi.com When it comes to producing denim, the waste can be severe. Not to fear, Levi’s has found a way to continue delivering our favorite jeans without the side effects. The goals set to accomplish by 2025 consist of consuming 100% sustainably sourced cotton, using 100% renewable energy in Levi’s facilities and reducing their greenhouse emissions by 40% throughout their whole supply chain. Not only is Levi’s taking these changes into their practices, but they have also started using new fabric such as cottonized hemp that demands fewer resources to create. Jeans are an essential piece needed for any closet.

Make sure to get yours from Levi’s.

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Sleeper the-sleeper.com/en Sleeper may be known throughout the fashion industry as the it-girl brand that put feathered pajamas on the market, but now they’re getting recognition for their textiles. With 90% of their garments made from 100% natural linen, cotton, silk and rayon, Sleeper studies their materials before purchasing to guarantee textiles are approved by international standards and certificates. Becoming circular instead of linear in their manufacturing process is at the top of their to-do list. As stated on their website, the eight strategies to accomplish this goal consist of innovation, efficient distribution, optimized end-of-life, animal welfare, low-impact materials, low-impact use, optimized manufacturing and optimized lifetime. Helping the environment has never looked so stylish.

Indiana Gift Guide

Your list of Hoosier-approved businesses for unique last minute gifts

By Lauren Klein and Jen Chavarria With the holiday season settling into Indiana, we have rounded up our favorite Hoosier-approved businesses for some last minute shopping and gift inspiration.

bNutty Peanut Butter Portage, Indiana bNutty Peanut Butter was named minority-owned small business of the year for Indiana. It was founded by two mothers who wanted better, convenient snacks for their children. The business creates gourmet peanut butters in 16 exciting flavors that could be the perfect small gift for any peanut butter lover.

Ahh Hah! Organizer Kits Indianapolis, Indiana

A gift guide isn’t complete without one of Indiana’s staples, Vera Bradley. From handbags to home accessories, distinctive patterns and colors are what create this adored brand. Their home office is in Fort Wayne, but you can find Vera Bradley stores all around Indiana. So if you’re looking for quality products with beautiful designs, it doesn’t get more Hoosier than Vera Bradley.

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Ahh Hah! sells expertly created organizers that can be used with 3-ring binders. Each one has tabs, a table of contents, a cover and spine specifically made for the customer’s needs. If you’re looking for a customized gift that is both aesthetic and functional, look no further.

Vera Bradley Fort Wayne, Indiana

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3 Dope Souls

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Indianapolis, Indiana Eight signature soy wax candles perfect for the gifting season. Each candle is blended with essential oils and aromatics for an everlasting scent. These little tins bring huge impressions visually and aromatically.

You can find them exclusively at The Little Studio in Broad Ripple, or shop online and have your gifts delivered to your door.

Lauren Klein is a professional nutritionist that believes ‘all foods fit’. You can find more from her on Instagram @piece.of.lulu and on her website pieceoflulu.com

Three Dog Bakery Indianapolis, Indiana Found Downtown or in Broad Ripple Village, this business sells freshly made pet treats that have the right nutrition for your beloved pup. For all you dog moms out there, this is the perfect place to buy your fur baby a wholesome, natural and nutritious treat for the holidays.

Beth Clary Schwier Fine Arts Indianapolis, Indiana

Huber’s Starlight Distillery Borden, Indiana

Frangipani Body Products Castleton, Indiana

1 Oak Up

Owner, Tracy, began the business when she was trying to come up with a product to aid her own rosacea. By 2008, she was creating plant-based and cruelty-free products that have made their way into many natural food stores. If you’re looking to gift someone plant-based and cruelty-free body products, hers are definitely worth the purchase.

1 Oak Up is known for their upcycled accessories made from old belts, leather, soda pop cans, bullet casings, copper, silver and pretty much anything else. If you’re looking for something truly unique and memorable to gift a special friend, this is the place to look around.

Jasper, Indiana

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 at @jen.chavarria

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A family business that dates back to1843, this company is a part of a winery and distributes Huber wine and whiskey that are perfect for cozy evenings spent reading a book or with a loved one.

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Fischer Farms was named familyowned small business of the year for Indiana. A natural meat producer that is both local and sustainable, you could find a different gift here for anyone who loves good food and a good time spent around the grill.

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Fischer Farms Celestine, Indiana

Owner, Beth, was discovered by design scouts for the hit HGTV show “Good Bones”. She now owns a gallery and studio space where she paints and meets with clients. If you know someone who loves art, this could be a unique option.

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Styling Closet Essentials for the Holiday PHOTO | HALEY LEWIS MODEL/MUA/STYLIST | TEMARA PAYTON

Model & entrepreneur Temara Payton showcases unique from-the-closet looks

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Shop from your closet this season to rediscover old favorites that can be re-imagined for the holiday season.

Temara Payton leads the way when it comes to looking gorgeous with things you already own. As an actor, model, creator of Eighty One Face + Body, image consultant for Wish TV, and contributor for Indy Style, Temara knows a thing or two about fashion — and how to work a runway (or the office Christmas party) with the clothes, shoes and accessories collecting dust in your closet. Admire her looks, then get inspired to have your own fashion scavenger hunt this month!

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Who says florals are just for spring? Bring out your favorite flower-patterned jumpsuit or dress, and wear with winter booties and a warm trench coat or oversized pullover. Make a statement by pairing with bold earrings and a fierce pout.

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Baby, it might be cold outside, but you can stay warm in a cozy cashmere

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turtleneck. Slip on your favorite sweater with faux leather leggings or a jumpsuit (hello florals, we see you!) for a winter glam look.

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Winter makeup fundamentals come down to two main things: high quality skincare and a daring lip. Make sure you always prep with sunscreen (yes, even in the colder months), then follow your regular skin routine. From there, swipe on a bold red lip with black mascara and dark eyeliner, balancing the whole look with a soft concealer under your eyes. You will glow from the inside out!

Sydni Ellis loves talking about her passions: writing, shopping, and reading all things spooky and/or swoony. Follow her on Twitter @sydnimellis to see her latest stories — and 500+ pictures of her two blonde babies.

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hope’s LOCAL GOODNESS guide

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Midwest Brands Giving Back Highlighting women who have used their businesses for good

By Jen Chavarria With the holiday season right around the corner, we want to highlight four Midwest brands that give back. From their communities to around the country, each one of these women-owned businesses are innovative and transforming people’s lives in both big and small ways.

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AndySunflower Café | Chicago, Illinois, founded by Andrea O. Robinson First launched as a mobile coffee cart in 2018, AndySunflower Café is now a full brick and mortar. Currently, they are giving back with their Spread Love with Coffee™ campaign. 100% of all donations go to safely delivering coffee, teas and lattes to first responders, teachers and medical workers in the Chicagoland areas.

Spiritless | Louisville, Kentucky, founded by Lauren Chitwood, Abbey Ferguson and Lexie Larsen A non-alcoholic option, the Kentucky 74, is meant to complement bourbon cocktails. Founded by three women, they give back through 2% given to the Girls who support non-profits, programs and partnerships for young women. They also partner with Step Up, an organization that aims to empower girls in under-resourced communities to become confident professional women.

TransTech Social Enterprise | Chicago, Illinois, founded by Angelica Ross TransTech is a space for LGBTQ talent, focusing on empowering trans people in the community. They provide education, support and tech jobs for trans people, giving them access to an online community and a co-share working space in Chicago. Z

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The Empowerment Plan | Detroit, Michigan, founded by Veronika Scott It started off as a coat that turned into a sleeping bag that turned into an opportunity to transform the lives of those in need. The mission of the Empowerment Plan is to educate, employ and empower homeless individuals.

They have created over 80 jobs for homeless individuals, and have made and distributed over 35,000 coats.

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Jen Chavarria is 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 at @jen.chavarria.

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Enlightened Enlightened Find inspiration in the stories of those who pursue their passions & advice in home and health.

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Finding JOY this winter wherever you find yourself

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THE JOY OF

Treasure your family and the moments spent with them

By Rita Taylor

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he first relationship you will experience is that of family, and what a precious gift family can be. It’s a joy that can easily be taken for granted because you tend to spend more time with family than you do with anyone else. You come to expect them to always be there or around when that isn’t always the case.

As you embark on the holiday season, I want to encourage you to be thankful for your family and the moments you have together. Be intentional and in pursuit of closer and more intimate relationships with your loved ones. David R. Mace once said, “Nothing in the world could make human life happier than to greatly increase the number of strong families.”

As you spend time with your family over the winter holidays, do your best to focus on the good in each individual. Sometimes we’re too quick to point out all that’s wrong within the family, that in doing so, it robs us of the moments and memories that could be made. Each family has its ups and downs, but at the end of the day, you will find that being thankful for family outweighs the differences and challenges that you and your family may face.

Family can be your place of strength, laughter and security from all the day-to-day challenges you might face in the world. It becomes your place of serenity, a place of momentary escape. Whatever the case, I just want to encourage you to embrace every opportunity you get to spend with your family. Laugh a little more. Smile a little more. Hug a little longer. Forgive quickly. Love a little harder.

Family is such a beautiful gift given to us by God. You may not all be the same, but the beauty in your gift of family is the uniqueness of each individual. Be thankful for your family, for they truly are a gift. Z

Rita Taylor is the owner of RitaJ Enterprises LLC and is an Author, Producer, Director, Speaker and former Radio Host for Kingdom View Global Radio Network.

You can learn more about her at www.ritajenterprisesllc.com

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Do you have a self-care action plan? Equip yourself with practical self-care ideas for everything from breathing with intention to memorizing Scripture to letting go of anxiety. Take care of yourself—body, mind, and soul—with this 52-week guided journal.

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Amina Pierson

How a passion for transformation fueled a community Amina shares her career in community and economic development and passion for transformation and seeing things change

By Mary Farucci

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mina Pierson is all about community building.

Over the last two and half years, she has been serving as the Executive Director of the MartindaleBrightwood Community Development Corporation in Indianapolis. The neighborhood itself is situated on the near northeast side of the city, bounded by 30th Street, Massachusetts Avenue, 21st Street, Sherman Drive and the Monon Trail.

“I always wanted a community center,” Amina said. “I’m just really happy to see the progress. When I say progress, I mean community development and economic development.”

Originally from Orange, New Jersey, Amina spent most of her life in Philadelphia where she graduated from Temple University in 1985. It was there she discovered her love and passion for community and community development.

“I’ve always been extremely outgoing and I love people,” she said. “I mean, I’m just very fond of different types of people.

Where they live. How they live.”

Amina explained that upon her arrival at Temple, she had always wanted to go to a college that wasn’t segregated into a college town.

She wanted to be right in the middle of everything in a city setting.

“Temple is in North Philadelphia, which is an extremely urban area, and I would say, low-to-moderate income. That’s what got me into community development,” she explained. “I saw the differences between the different areas of Philadelphia.”

During her days as a fresh-faced, inquisitive college student, she began thinking about her desire to own a community center that would take care of the neighborhood. Since North Philadelphia is a predominantly African-American neighborhood with a low-tomoderate income level, this prospect was important to her.

She also mentioned that while it was her surroundings that inspired her, Amina realized what she really saw herself doing was making an impact on communities and neighborhoods.

“Where I grew up in Orange, NJ it was one small town. It was one small town with one small high school. Then, you come to Philadelphia and it’s a huge city with a variety of different types of neighborhoods. So, yes, I saw the disparity. I saw the differences and I just said, ‘It’s not fair.’ There are so many talented people who may not reach their potential because they might not have access to resources.”

When Amina came to Indianapolis, she spent many years working in community economic development, which was called community reinvestment. Over the years, she delved into community and economic development, learning much about small businesses as well as the policies around housing.

“Transformation and seeing change is a great feeling,” she said.

“I’m a really optimistic person, and just naturally, I want to solve problems. I’m always looking for a resolution. So when I think about what I want to happen here, I definitely want to be a part of the change.”

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I’m a really optimistic person, and just naturally, I want to solve problems. I’m always looking for a resolution. So when I think about what I want to happen here, I definitely want to be a part of the change.”

The Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood happens to be one of the highest impacted areas of COVID-19 in Indianapolis. “There has been a drastic impact here on unemployment, homelessness and other things that come from COVID-19,” Amina added. “I think that a lot of growth came with connecting people. I’m very much focused on purpose. I love to see stepping stones where you create something sustainable.”

Amina mentioned that what inspires her most in her role is the reaction to what gets done. “We get letters, cards and things from homeowners who appreciate the repairs that have been done. There are many seniors in the area who love it here and wouldn’t mind new development on their block or even new greenspace on their block, but they want to stay on the block too. They don’t want to be pushed aside so that this new development can come in.”

Her goal for the Martindale-Brightwood community is to see the revitalization of the area without displacement, and the unemployment level decrease. “I want to see a modern neighborhood, even innovative and advanced, without displacing people.” Z

Mary Farucci is a contributing writer for Hope Magazine. Her focus is on people: profile features and news articles. She currently lives in Indianapolis.

Amina Pierson

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hope’s INSPIRING guide

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Women Leading the Cause of Giving Back

By Mary Farucci This holiday season in the JOY OF GIVING, we’re featuring 5 incredible women who lead inspiring lives dedicated to giving back to their communities, serving others and making a difference where they believe they have found their passion, purpose and calling

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Inspiring lives committed to making a difference where they are called:

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Stefanie Jeffers Stefanie, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence and sex work, founded the non-profit Grit Into Grace. The organization exists to walk alongside women who have experienced sex trafficking through commercial sex exploitation and sex work. “Here we provide refuge where women can find a place for community, advocacy and connection with access to all they need.” Stefanie says her biggest inspiration who showed her how to love is her mom. “Though she didn’t always understand or agree with the choices I made in my past, she loved me fiercely.” Stefanie is no stranger to adversity. “One obstacle led me to be more vulnerable to the next. I felt worthless, broken, lost and scared.” As she began the long process of healing, it was God who redeemed everything in her life that she lost or tossed. Her best advice to other women would be to keep taking the next step and do the right thing. “I want all women to know that they are worthy of great love.” Her greatest passion is to share the love of Jesus with the incredible women she serves. To Stefanie, sisterhood is what she sees each day. “I have a sweet sisterhood of women in my own life with whom I am safe to be seen, to be heard and to be loved.” She says there is a personal healing in giving back. “Giving back allows me to make sure that all I went through is not for nothing, but for something. I believe that we complicate making a difference in the lives of others when it is simply being present, listening without judgement, opening your heart to people who aren’t like you, and showing love without conditions.”

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Haley Bougher Haley and her work at Women4Change allows her to have a small role in making Indiana a better place for Hoosier women, where one in five women experience sexual assault.

Her biggest inspiration has been all the women in her family.

“My mother, sister, grandmothers and aunt have all endured and triumphed.” However, an obstacle for her that she is constantly working on is self-doubt. “Imposter syndrome is something that is so prevalent. We must believe that we are good enough or qualified enough, because we are… we just have to believe it and take the next step.” The best advice she can give to someone is if an opportunity is presented to you, regardless of how far it may be outside your comfort zone, say yes. Haley adds that she could not do the work she does every day without sisterhood. “I have amazing colleagues, board of directors, friends and family who make it easy to do the heavy work.” When it comes to giving back, Haley suggests that someone can give back in the form of time, talent or treasure, and all are important.

“I try to give back by using my time and talent, but organizations can’t survive without the community’s support. Be an active citizen. Reach out to us at Women4Change. Elected officials need to know that citizens care and they often won’t take action unless they hear from the constituents.”

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Rupal Thanawala Rupal is the President of the Asian American Alliance whose full-time job is with Trident Systems. In addition to her work with the Asian American Alliance, one of her recent endeavors was helping to bring about a computer lab for the Afghan refugees at Camp Atterbury. Rupal says her biggest inspiration is her mother. “Something she does to encourage others is to lead by example.” What Rupal enjoys most about what she does and her work is seeing the smiles on the faces of people as well as the success others have achieved through her own small contributions. One message she wishes all women could hear is “You are enough” and some of her best advice includes, “If you don’t define yourself, others will. Take control.” Her greatest passion is to share kindness, to be the change you want to see in the world. She also says that every successful woman has her sisters beside her. To Rupal, giving back means lighting others’ lamps with her own lamp. “I’m not going to lose my light, but it is only going to make the world around me even brighter. Z

Mary Farucci is a contributing writer for Hope Magazine. Her focus is on people: profile features and news articles. She currently lives in Indianapolis.

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Krista Sides Beyond establishing a successful salon to encourage women to be self-sufficient, Krista has served as a cosmetology instructor and mentor at the Muncie Area Career Center. She serves on the board of Women in Business Unlimited and is also part of a group that formed the nonprofit Metanoia Foundation, serving as the fundraising arm for underresourced students. Krista’s biggest inspiration has been Women in Business Unlimited, the networking group of women supporting women.

“I am inspired by watching other women’s passions drive their purpose.”

Her greatest passion is helping people. “My mission is to empower others mentally, physically, emotionally and financially in an environment that respects ideas, diversity and hard work.” Krista is passionate about connecting people not only to others, but to themselves, helping them be and see who they want to be. “I want all women to know that your voice can change the world! Speak up, be vulnerable and let your heart guide you.” To her, the importance of sisterhood is that sisters remind you that you matter.

“They cheer you on while investing in your hopes and dreams, encouraging you they can be a reality. They are an ear for you to be vulnerable, a voice coaching you to be yourself and a hand to hold while walking with you as you find yourself.”

Krista believes that giving back means contributing your time and talents to a bigger cause. “As a society if we all work together, quality of life and relationships can improve.” Krista adds the one thing we can all do to make a big difference is collaborate. “Encourage others, use all your unique talents to unite for a greater cause. If you can’t find those with your vision, let your passion shine and you will attract those who are meant to be on your journey.”

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Nikki Kirby Nikki, manager of Animal Rescue Fund in Muncie, feels being kind, respectful and patient at all times with the animals, her co-workers, volunteers and visitors is the best way to show how to care for the animals and be the best representative of ARF she can be. Her biggest inspiration has been Terri Panszi, founder of ARF in Muncie. “Terri began a non-profit animal rescue that allows animals openended time for adoption. She practices what she preaches and is an inspiration to many.” Nikki says she has also been lucky to have supportive, loving parents, sisters and very close friends in her life. Her greatest passion is her work. “I am lucky enough to have a job I truly enjoy and love, and if money weren’t a concern, I would do it for free.” Vegetarian and believing all living things deserve the right to a life free of fear, her best advice would be to “be the person your dog thinks you are.” Nikki is a firm believer in giving back. “It costs nothing to be nice to someone, and you never know how your actions will impact someone.”

Nikki also believes that in sisterhood, women should understand the unique struggles we face and empower each other instead of being in competition. “Imagine a world where everyone was impacted positively by other people’s actions.” She says that one thing people can do to make a big difference is to understand that one person doesn’t have to do it all. “If everyone did a little, it would add up.”

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Embracing Friluftsliv This Winter Make your outdoor space cozy and warm by channeling this Norwegian concept

WINTER 2021

By Sydni Ellis

HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM

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Flickering fire pits. Unbelievably soft blankets. Illuminating lanterns and pretty hanging lights warming the cold night air. Patios can be so romantic, especially during the frigid winter temperatures!

Remember hygge, the Danish word for all things cozy? This year, Etsy predicted a new trend taking over: the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv (pronounced free-loofts-liv). According to National Geographic, friluftsliv means committing to “celebrating time outdoors, no matter the weather forecast”, and when it’s cool outside, the best way to enjoy fresh air is by making your backyard a warm, inviting place to spend time.

Sydni Ellis loves talking about her passions: writing, shopping, and reading all things spooky and/or swoony. Follow her on Twitter @sydnimellis to see her latest stories — and 500+ pictures of her two blonde babies.

Follow these tips to add a little friluftsliv into your outdoor space.

Seating Area Relax with a cup of coffee and a good book on this Devoko Patio Furniture Set ($450) from Amazon. The pretty light pink cushions are made with a thick, water-resistant fabric that will hold up in a cold Indiana winter. The durable set comes with two corner chairs and one armless chair as well as a glass coffee table that can be rearranged to fit your needs.

To help keep your feet warm, add an outdoor rug to the concrete or deck. The Junie Black Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug ($135) is a fantastic choice. The rug measuring 7’ 10” x 10’ 2” features a black and white geometric striped pattern that will go perfectly with any outdoor style.

Outdoor Heat You can’t genuinely enjoy friluftsliv in the winter if you are freezing! Combat this by adding a fire pit. The Legacy Heating Square Fire Table ($150) is a nice option from Target. This all-black, wicker-looking fire table fits a standard 20-pound gas tank. All you need now are the marshmallows and chocolate!

For those bitterly cold, mid-winter evenings when perhaps just a firepit won’t do, put up the Heat Storm HS-1500-TT Infrared heater ($101) from Amazon. This weatherproof heater sits on a tripod and heats patios, balconies and garages.

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Create a soft glow on your patio by hanging up these Solar LED String Lights ($100) from West Elm. These pretty lights will soak up the sun during the day, allowing them to shine brightly in the evenings. You can also add patio lanterns, like the Caleb Handcrafted Metal Indoor/Outdoor Lanterns ($99 for the 21.5” ones) from Pottery Barn.

Next, cuddle up with the softest pillows imaginable when you cover your outdoor pillows with the Luxe Faux Fur Pillow Covers ($56 each) from Pottery Barn. The plush covers come in five shades of neutral, each fluffy and perfect for snuggling up with in the cold. Since these aren’t technically outdoor pillows, they should be brought outside only when you are planning to use them.

Finally, hang up a piece of Norwegian Art ($5) from Swiftand Sycamore on Etsy to complete your cozy outdoor area. She has one that says “friluftsliv” and features a pretty mountain scene with a setting sun. Plus, it makes for a great conversation starter as you explain your new life motto to everyone.

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Cozy Touches

Store Your SEASONAL Décor Ideas for organizing your storage space after the holidays

By Sydni Ellis The holidays have come and gone. All the baubles and blitz of the season are strewn across your dining room table. The stray pine needles have been vacuumed, the torn gift wrap has been trashed and everyone is excited to get back into the routine of the New Year. But before that can begin, the long process of un-decorating must take place.

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This awkward, beginning-of-the-year chore always makes us realize we bought way too many Christmas decorations, and now have nowhere to put them. Don’t worry, Hope can help! With unique storage solutions and organizing tips, you can make packing away your seasonal décor a breeze — and unpacking next year even easier.

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Tall Collectible Storage

Store your artificial tree in a protective canvas bag, like the Elf Stor 9’ Heavy Duty Canvas Christmas Storage Bag ($24) from Target. Simply take apart your tree and zip it up in this bag to protect it from moisture and bugs all year.

($20) from The Container Store will hold your nutcrackers, figurines and other décor.

Light Storage Bag Wrap up the lights from the tree in a round light cord wrap, like the Premium Christmas Light Storage Bag ($19) from Amazon.

This one comes with three reels that store up to 375 feet of Christmas tree lights and a sturdy case that can be zipped up to protect the inside. No more tangled strands for you!

Ornament Storage Box Wreaths Keep your front door wreath looking fresh year after year with a sturdy wreath box, like the Iris 30” Wreath Box ($28) from The Container Store. The circular box has an inner ring to keep your wreath secure, a clear lid so you can see what’s inside and a handle for hanging or a stand for sliding on a shelf.

I used to keep ornaments in their original boxes, which would start to crumble after years of use. Now, I use an ornament storage box instead, and it’s been a game changer! It has organized compartments to separate each one and a clear side so you can easily see what’s stored. Put each ornament in the Whitmor Ornament Storage Box ($30) from Kohl’s.

Without proper storage, your beautiful gift wrap could get damaged or torn by the time you need it again. I love this Customized Gift Wrap Center ($34) from The Container Store, which doubles as a storage container and an easy access wrapping station during the holiday season. It is long to fit your wrapping paper and big enough to hold other small containers, which you can fill with ribbons, bows, tape and tags.

Sydni Ellis loves talking about her passions: writing, shopping, and reading all things spooky and/or swoony. Follow her on Twitter @sydnimellis to see her latest stories — and 500+ pictures of her two blonde babies.

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Unused Gift Wrap

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For all your other holiday décor, pick up a variety of containers to hold it all. The OSTO Holiday Dinnerware Storage Box ($18) from Target will keep your seasonal dishware organized.

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Dinnerware Box

Secrets to staying grateful way past the holiday season

WINTER 2021

By Adia R. Louden

HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM

30 What is Gratitude?

The holidays are here, a time during which many of us focus on the most important aspects of our lives. We gather around the kitchen table, hold hands, share gifts and sometimes we even share one thing we’re grateful for. But what is real gratitude? Why is it important? And what are the secrets to staying grateful past the holiday season?

According to Positive Psychology, gratitude is an emotion very similar to appreciation. Research has found neurological symptoms that could benefit from a consistent practice of expressing thankfulness in our lives, not just during times of warmth, pumpkin spice, Thanksgiving turkey and joy, but even in times of trial, challenge and change. While many people may show gratitude with

a simple “Thank you”, this practice is not just an action. It is a positive emotion that serves a biological purpose.

Everyone can benefit from having an attitude of gratitude.

Gratitude has the power to help us appreciate life, improve our health, build strong relationships and handle adversity. In fact, research shows having an attitude of gratitude is consistently associated with greater happiness.

feeling grateful isn’t easy either. Thankfully, as with most things in life, gratitude becomes easier with practice until it becomes a habit.

Here are some secrets to creating your attitude of gratitude way past the holiday season: u

Gratitude and Your Happiness Happiness can often be a trap that makes you believe you always have to have something happening. But gratitude is different.

Gratitude requires you to lead with your head and activate your heart’s happiness. In the moments of darkness and difficulty, your heart is your superpower, and activating it means pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and intentionally choosing to find and focus on what you are grateful for. Then, and only then, can you reap the benefits of gratitude’s healing power and impact on your joy.

u

u

This new attitude spills over into all aspects of your life, and the following benefits may be experienced as a result: u

improved immunity

u

decreased stress levels

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improved ability to handle stress and crisis

u

improved energy levels

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improved sense of well-being and happiness

u

strengthening of relationships and social bonds

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transformation of anger into forgiveness

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transformation of fear into faith and courage

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enhanced self-esteem

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better quality of sleep

u

u

ive yourself grace. While cultivating your new gratitude G practice, understand that you are not superhuman. Thus, gratitude isn’t your genie in a bottle. It won’t just appear overnight. And maybe it won’t appear at the end of the week... or the next... or the next. But you keep trying. You always keep trying.

Keep a gratitude journal. Spend at least five minutes each day writing about things you’re thankful for, things that went well for you and/or why you think those things happened. When the five minutes start to go well, shoot for ten. Then, shoot for fifteen.

Keep going until you’re just a bustling, grateful machine.

Be present. We live in a world full of phones and social media everywhere. Consequently, we also live in a world where the aforementioned cause us to doubt and compare ourselves.

Unplugging can offer a sense of authentic gratitude and a chance to reflect on your “why” for posting.

Send letters. Because no one actually writes anymore, write random letters of gratitude to loved ones, detailing all the reasons you are thankful for them.

List the important and positive events in your life. Reflect on what life would have been like without them - the good, the bad and the ugly.

That’s it. You have the secrets to your new attitude. Your new mindset. Your new weapon. You now have everything you need to fight your battle and embrace your scars. After all, our wounds just remind us that we survived. So, what are you grateful for? Z

Gratitude isn’t just for rough patches. A daily practice for as little as five minutes is guaranteed to fill your cup so you experience more peace and vitality. The more you practice, the more your cup overflows. The more your cup overflows, the more you have to pour into creating a life that you love.

Whether your peach cobbler is already in the oven or not, it’s important to understand that gratitude isn’t just a once-a-year feat.

I understand that some days... living just ain’t easy. And as a result,

Adia R. Louden is a first-year doctoral student in Maternal and Child Health at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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The Secrets to Becoming Full of Gratefulness

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Now that we know what gratitude is, the next important question is “Why?” Why is gratitude important? Well, the holiday season is temporary. Santa will mount his sleigh back at the north pole, kids will open new treasures and a new year starts all over again with the temptation to set lofty resolutions you’ll never reach. Therefore, as we face another day, another week and another year, support and agape love must reside.

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Why is Gratitude Important?

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WINTER 2021

hope’s happiness guide

5

Things TO CHASE Away the Winter Blues

By Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

This time of the year is often a whirlwind of activity and busy schedules filled with holiday shopping, church programs and gettogethers with friends and family. All of the busyness helps keep us mentally engaged and numbs some of the emotions that can arise.

Unfortunately, when all the activities come to an end, many are left with feelings of sadness and fatigue referred to as the winter blues.

There are many factors that contribute to the winter blues. The cold weather and the short periods of daylight force us to spend more time inside, decreasing exposure to sunlight and reducing our vitamin D levels. You may also find that you have trouble sleeping due to the changes in your circadian rhythm from the lack of daylight. If these feelings persist they can become more severe and

develop into seasonal affective disorder (SAD) . When the sadness advances to this stage it can interfere with your day-to-day life and make it difficult to get out of bed in the morning.

It’s important for each of us to get real about what we need to feel emotionally well. What we need isn’t more retail therapy buying things we won’t use. What we really need are more people we can rejoice with, even in difficult times. What we need isn’t a tidier home. We need more moments where we find joy and hope in the messiness of life. What we need isn’t more energy spent on resolutions we won’t keep. It’s more time spent reflecting on what matters most to us.

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Reconnect with an old friend.

There’s something wonderful about making that call you’ve wanted to make. Hearing your friend’s voice again will automatically make you feel better. It might be a friend from your old neighborhood, a former college roommate or a past coworker you were once great friends with. Reach out to them and it will bless you both. It is comforting to have people in your life who celebrate you and desire your company without a hidden agenda.

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Illuminate the inside.

Our bodies are designed to respond to sunlight. It’s needed for vitamin D production and it controls our sleepwake cycles. It may be too cold to go outside, but you can bring the sunlight inside. Open up the curtains immediately upon waking in the morning to help your body wake up. Keeping your work spaces well-lit during the daytime will also help your body’s circadian rhythm.

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Eat happy foods.

Serotonin is a mood-regulating chemical inside the body and over 95% of it enters through your gut. According to Harvard Health, serotonin is found naturally in a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, unprocessed grains, fish and seafood. Eating a serotonin-boosting diet can help you chase away the winter blues. Z

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a Board-certified internal medicine physician in practice for over 20 years. She is a sought-after speaker, best-selling author, and media guest featured on many outlets including CNN, FOX, and TED.com. Learn more about Dr. Saundra at DrDaltonSmith.com

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2

Focus on positive forward changes.

If the past year has taught us nothing else, it has made it very clear that the only thing that is consistent is change.

Life is full of changes. Some you can control, most you cannot. The way to stay resilient is to continue to make forward progress during times of change. Perhaps you want to exercise more or spend more quality time with your children. Ponder how you might go about making the changes you seek. Think of taking little steps toward your big goals.

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Think about small goals you’d like to accomplish.

Do you want to finally get that hall closet cleaned out? Maybe now you can complete that special project you’ve been thinking about doing. It’s a great time to make a list of all those little tasks you want to get done. Having a list will help you concentrate on your goals. Plus, it’s a wonderful feeling to draw a line through an achieved goal. Don’t see your list as a must-do list but a can-do list. You can do it or not. It’s your choice with no added pressure. These small wins can be a big mental boost.

FALL 2021

If you are experiencing the winter blues, here are a few strategies to lift your spirits:

Black Women, Heart Health & COVID-19 A Q&A with Dr. Jayne Morgan

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By Adia R. Louden

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R

esearch from the CDC shows that people with heart conditions, such as heart failure and coronary artery disease, are at an increased risk of hospitalization for intensive care and respiratory support due to the COVID-19 virus. In addition, the virus could also cause heart damage in people, even when symptoms are not severe. Unfortunately, racial minorities, including Black Americans, are more likely to be affected by COVID-19 due to a higher prevalence of underlying health conditions, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as being more likely to die from heart disease.

In this Q&A, Dr. Jayne Morgan shares how COVID-19 disproportionately affects the heart health of Black women and how women can manage and/or cope with their health, with or without the virus.

The Creator of Pilates with Dr. Jayne and Stairwell Chronicles, Dr. Jayne Morgan, M.D. is a Cardiologist and the Clinical Director of the Covid Task Force at the Piedmont Healthcare Corporation in Atlanta, GA.

people information in very short, succinct segments, 60 seconds or less. Just a short amount of information about COVID and about the vaccines. Not such that you can run out and get the vaccine, but just enough so that Black women can start to hear the information and have some place where they can get information that’s not from their buddies, their friends, co-worker or some social media rabbit hole that you run down with thousands of other rabbits all there circling around.

How does the COVID-19 virus directly affect the heart?

Could you spend some time explaining the work you do with the American Heart Association and how it affects Black women directly?

Even though I’m leading the COVID Task Force, I’m a trained cardiologist, and not only do I have the background and training in cardiology, I have always had an interest in women’s health.

Therefore, I advocate for what we need to do to stay healthy. As we talk about the heart and all the ways to keep your heart healthy, it becomes important for Black women to keep a very good diet, a regular form of exercise as well as not smoking. Furthermore, if you’ve got chronic medical conditions, be sure to control them. Make sure your diabetes is controlled if you have it. Make sure your blood pressure is controlled if needed. Make sure your cholesterol and your triglyceride levels are controlled. If you are prescribed medications, it is so important that you take them. If you have follow-up appointments with your doctor, go. Go to those appointments. Get yourself checked out so that you can reset.

We’re starting to understand that this disease is primarily an endothelial disease, meaning one of the ways it affects the heart is by affecting the lining of the inside of your arteries. Affecting the lining of the arteries, the virus can cause people to have heart attacks or strokes because of blood clots developed in this endothelial lining, especially in those who already have these chronic medical conditions. The other ways the virus can directly affect the heart that we know of are pericarditis, a fluid-like gathering around the heart, or simply inflammation of the heart due to the virus process itself.

What are some of the warning signs Black women should watch for as it relates to heart disease, a heart attack, etc.?

A good question as sometimes the warning symptoms for women can be different from men. You might not have crushing chest pain and then call 911, like all the dramas you see on television. What we’re finding is women can have more symptoms. You could just be tired with one or several of the million reasons Black women have to be tired. You might just have a kind of mild jaw or back pain that could be due to anything, especially back pain. Aspirin helps to take care of it, so you might not think to do anything else about it. Right? But, those could all be signs of a heart attack in a woman. Those signs are subtle, and we just don’t advertise them.

So be sure to take care of your overall health and keep watch for anything unusual that starts. Z

As a physician, have you found that many Black women don’t even know that they are at a higher risk for COVID-19? How do you respond to this?

For more information about Dr. Jayne Morgan, visit gabio.org/about/board-of-directors/jayne-morgan/.

Adia R. Louden is a first-year doctoral student in Maternal and Child Health at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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But now, we find we’re saying “No” to something that could actually save us. This is why I’ve really taken the initiative to develop a series called the “Stairwell Chronicles”, where I literally sit on the steps. I don’t have a white coat on or anything. I’m just like your sister, your neighbor, your friend. I’m whoever you want me to be. My aim is to really just demystify science and try to give

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Absolutely! I think that we don’t think we’re at high risk. But mostly, we don’t trust the system. We don’t trust that the healthcare system, research, and even the United States government are going to do anything for our benefit. For example, here’s this vaccine that is coming from all three areas. Therefore, we, as Black people and Black women think, “we probably shouldn’t do that.” We don’t say “No” to be difficult. We have learned to say “No” over generations to protect ourselves. We have to say “No” because saying “Yes” generally means that harm will come to us. So our “No” is always our first position because that’s the one that protects us.

Twinkle VanWinkle on Food, Advocacy and

Self-Love

By Bianca Mestiza

“

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Make your life shine,” says Twinkle VanWinkle.

“I really think it’s important and there’s so many ways to do that.”

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“There have been so many systemic hurdles in place for decades that make things difficult for marginalized groups. When fighting for food access, one has to dig in and fight against those systems built a long time ago,” states Twinkle. After all, the school food system is not the one they grew up in. Seeing the changes that have taken place shows her that children are not getting healthy food, especially those who depend on their two school meals every day.

“My grandmother was in charge of our cafeteria, and she cooked everything from scratch. It was awesome,” says Twinkle. “[Now,] my son goes to school and if I don’t send him with lunch, he eats something that somebody microwaved in a little package.”

With their love of food, Chef Twinkle has dedicated her work to providing assistance for those in need. “I had been working in non-profits for a while,” she says. “I always wanted to help people in some way.” The Patachou Foundation was a good fit for her, as it’s focused on educating and empowering youth by amplifying the value and power of food.

“Everybody deserves to eat good food, that’s really what it comes down to,” says Chef Twinkle. “Unfortunately, there’s many barriers for a lot of people, especially the ones who do not have access to or as many privileges… Being a food access advocate really means helping other people understand how food is a basic need that everybody deserves. You just have to keep fighting for it because it doesn’t end. There’s always some kind of hurdle.”

The Patachou Foundation combats hunger in several ways, one of them being the after-school program where 1,500-2,000 meals are made from scratch and served to kids. The program began with meeting immediate hunger needs and has since expanded into a multi-tiered way of fighting hunger from its source.

In addition, The Foundation offers a paid, six-week food fellowship program that takes place in the summer. The program is centered around the food system and open for high school students, who learn transferable skills in farming, cooking, hospitality and customer service, along with career-readiness, finance and business basics, and communication techniques.

“They receive skills that give them a jumpstart. [From there,] they can support themselves and they can go right into a job that they want,” says Chef Twinkle. “It’s another way of trying to end hunger before it starts.”

Their newest project, PataSchool, is a school lunch program, providing breakfast and lunch meals made from scratch that follow USDA guidelines. Chef Twinkle mentions it’s a great way to build a community and bring educational programming into meals and cafeterias.

THE FUTURE IS FEMALE

Reflecting on her career as a chef, Twinkle says this is the first time the kitchen they’re working in is full of female-identified employees. The kitchen is an equal opportunity kitchen that has female-identified or non-binary staff. It’s a fun place where there is always music and dancing involved, and she says everyone is a real team.

“It’s really refreshing to work in an atmosphere where you have these supportive people with you in a kitchen,” says Chef Twinkle. She’s also involved with community groups that help support female presenting individuals. Currently, she is active in Indy Women and Food, a local organization that promotes female-identified people in the food industry, as well as Women in Hospitality United, described by Twinkle as “a group for femaleidentified hospitality and restaurant workers [that] helps promote a fair and equitable workplace where you’re not marginalized because of your sex, race or gender.”

As the year is coming to an end, Chef Twinkle shares she is looking forward to the upcoming projects The Patachou Foundation has in store for the next year, specifically for The

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FOOD IS FOR EVERYONE

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(they/she) currently serves as the Executive Chef of The Patachou Foundation and Manager of Foundation Coffee Company, the proceeds of which fund the mission of the Foundation.

Born and raised in Mississippi, Chef Twinkle attended the University of Mississippi during the 90’s. Though influenced early on in her life by her grandmothers, it wasn’t until this time that she truly began to get into cooking, even though the only places to work in town were in a restaurant, on campus or at a gas station.

“I lived like 20 minutes away from Oxford, Mississippi, so I didn’t go very far but it felt like I was going to a big city,” says Chef Twinkle. “I had a friend that hired me to be a dishwasher, after I delivered pizzas for a while and then I just moved up to prep from there.”

Chef Twinkle then worked in a vegetarian restaurant which she mentions was very unusual for Mississippi in the 90’s. Eventually, they landed a job at Bottletree Bakery, where she stayed for 10 years, gaining a lot of experience, ultimately moving up to pastry chef and manager. She was also met with incredible opportunities like being on “The Food Network” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show”.

Now, whenever Chef Twinkle is cooking and coming up with new recipes, she likes to think about the impact it’ll have on people. She credits her way of cooking and making food to her time at the bakery.

“One of my best influences was Felipe Flores. He taught me it wasn’t just technique, but more of a creative emotional way to think about food,” voices Chef Twinkle. “That’s how I think about everything when I cook now, too. I love technique, but I really am someone who is about flavor and how it makes somebody feel.”

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Twinkle

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

All information for The Patachou Foundation can be found online and anyone can get involved. Volunteer, donate, share the foundation on social media and follow them @thepatachoufoundation.

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Faith Blackwell Photography, Makeup Artist Nikki Brown, Creative Director – Dlang (Denisha) Ferguson, Cover model clothing: 5631 N. Illinois St., Indpls, In 46208, Faces Dress/Top with colored leggings, Kozan Black Taffeta Dress, Helens Hearts Boots

Foundation Coffee Company. Personally, she sees the new year as a way to reinvigorate the things she’s been doing.

Twinkle tries to make her life shine with what she has. She’s a positive person and wants to make things better for people.

“I want to be able to go out and make things good for others. To do that, I have to love myself and make my life shine so I can help other people too and make things at The Foundation work,” Chef Twinkle says. “I have to have that drive to be able to do those things.” Z

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Bianca Mestiza is Mestiza is a journalist/writer with an interest in all things arts and culture. She is Hope\s public relations assistant.

Enriched Enriched

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Book recommendations, sweet treats ideas and empowering women in the publishing industry.

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Experience JOY in the little sweet things of life this season

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Top Dessert Trends to Add to Your Table This Holiday Season

From super-simple to super-sophisticated, make these trends your own for your next holiday soiree

By Holly Riddle

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Hot Chocolate Fixin’s Board You know, and likely love, charcuterie boards. Meats, cheese, dried fruit, a few crackers — what’s not to love? You may have even glimpsed a chocolate charcuterie board on Pinterest recently, where all things sweet replaced the typical savory charcuterie board items. There is one trend that first appeared last year and is gaining steam this year - the hot chocolate fixin’s board!

Think piles of marshmallows in various colors and shapes, crushed candy canes, sweet-and-salty swizzle sticks made from chocolate-dipped pretzels, caramel squares, shredded coconut and candy toppings in rainbow colors. Arrange it all artfully like you would a charcuterie board, then serve it up along mugs of steaming hot chocolate for a sweet treat that’s as interactive as it is visually appealing.

Photographer: Haley Lewis, Set creation: Shanbri’

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It doesn’t get better than the holiday foods and beverages starting to trend, showing how different this year will be. Whether your family will start to come together again to celebrate after a long period of being apart, or you’re celebrating with new faces and in new ways, you will be sure to find something new on your plates - better yet, on your dessert plate! It’s time to say goodbye to your overdone pumpkin or pecan pie and consider ditching the eggnog because these three dessert trends are where it’s at for the 2021 holiday season.

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At the start of this year, the cake-decorating pros at Wilton recommended a few cake decorating trends to jump on, and all are seriously impressive, surprisingly easy, including woven cakes and the even easier-to-master half-combed cake.

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Eye-Catching Cake Decorating If all of those sourdough loaves on your Instagram feed are any indicator, a lot of us turned to baking for comfort over the last near-two-years. Now that it’s the holidays, it’s time to whip out all your hard-earned baking skills to impress your guests. Take everything you have learned from binging The Great British Bake Off while in lockdown, and turn out some truly eye-catching cakes this season in lieu of your standard pies.

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Calming Flavors We could all probably use a little calm this season, so why not incorporate one of the two trending flavors of the year into your holiday dessert spread? If you need to calm your tummy and your immune system which is oh-so-important during the winter, go with a ginger-heavy tart, cake or even cookie. If you need to calm your mind, add lavender to your next cake or batch of cookies. Just go easy with the dried lavender or you’ll end up with a dessert that tastes more like soap than festive fun. The key is to purchase lavender specifically made for cooking and use it either ground or infused into a liquid. Don’t care for lavender? Rose, elderflower and hibiscus are also popular options to add some floral flavor to your holiday.

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Holly Riddle is a travel, food and lifestyle writer, and a full-time freelance content creator after several years on editorial staffs around the country.

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Q&A

with Tanorria Askew Tanorria discusses accessible cooking, delicious winter recipes and her new cookbook

By Sydni Ellis

Staring into my pantry, wishing that something would magically appear for a delicious family dinner is the bane of my existence. Why is cooking good, nutritious and easy meals night after night so difficult? Former “MasterChef ” contestant and local personal chef Tanorria Askew has released her first cookbook written and designed to help everyone make easy, yet fantastic food at home.

Staples +5: 100 Simple Recipes to Make the Most of Your Pantry, published by DK Penguin Random House, lists a helpful shopping guide of 35 basic, staple ingredients that form the basis of every recipe in the book. Keep these on hand as well as up to five additional ingredients for each recipe to totally transform your kitchen.

T: I live in Indianapolis, which is one of the largest food deserts in the nation. Often, I am asked to participate in cooking demos to help people in under-represented areas make “healthy meals.” It feels insulting and insensitive to tell people what and how to eat. Staples +5 is a book full of accessible food for everyone — everyone deserves good, wholesome meals.

H: What do you want BIPOC communities to know about this cookbook?

T: I want people of color to know that they don’t have to feel shame for eating delicious food. They don’t have to explain that choice. I also want more people of color to take pride in the food connected to their culture.

H: What is your favorite thing to eat in the winter months?

T: I love low and slow food during the winter months. Staples +5 has a recipe for red beans and rice, slow-cooked black-eyed peas, taco chili, and roast chicken. All of these take time and care. They stick to your ribs, as my mom would say, and make you feel cozy.

H: What else do you want Hope readers to know about you or your new book?

T: I hope Staples +5 empowers people to get in the kitchen and get creative with what they have. As grocery store shelves become bare again, this book is a guide to help navigate that without worry or fear.

H: Where do you find hope every day?

T: I find hope in the kitchen. Beyoncé is playing in the background. A rolling pin or santoku knife in my hand. I feel like I can change the world in those moments. Z

Sydni Ellis loves talking about her passions: writing, shopping, and reading all things spooky and/or swoony. Follow her on Twitter @sydnimellis to see her latest stories — and 500+ pictures of her two blonde babies.

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H: Why did you want to focus on making cooking accessible for everyone?

Staples +5 celebrates things like okra, sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas and collard greens. It honors how these foods came to America and why they are so beloved now. I’m also very proud to have so many women of color on my team for this book and excitedly express that whenever I can.

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Tanorria: Staples +5 came from watching my mother and grandmother make everything from scratch. Scratch cooking usually uses basic pantry items as the base for every dish. It was also something I had to refine during my time on “MasterChef ” season 7 because no matter what was under that mystery box, I knew I could rely on my staple pantry. My goal is to encourage others to make the most of pantry items by making full meals from them.

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Hope: What was your inspiration for this cookbook?

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A’Lelia Bundles

In sharing Madam Walker’s story, she is continuing a legacy of empowering women to be independent and to come together as a community to support one another, which is what she feels Madam Walker would be most proud of her for.

Looking Back to Move Forward: Keeping the Walker Family Legacy Alive A’Lelia Bundles shares her family history and legacy in hopes of inspiring a generation of young women.

By Laura Tuzzio

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Laura Tuzzio is a freelance writer who enjoys books, travel, music and spending time with her family.

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As a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, A’Lelia gives great attention to her research and fact finding. “I’ve watched how media has evolved over time” and regarding social media as a news source, “I am really conscious of the source and who is writing and broadcasting the articles,” she says.

The amount of misinformation and its intentional spread concerns her due to the dissension it creates. For A’Lelia, these practices are what make her work all the more essential. In sharing Madam Walker’s story, she is continuing a legacy of empowering women to be independent and to come together as a community to support one another, which is what she feels Madam Walker would be most proud of her for.

With a passion for preserving stories that matter, she again focuses on her own family for her fifth book project about her

own namesake, A’Lelia Walker. Known for her glamorous lifestyle and throwing legendary parties in Harlem, welcoming impressive and diverse company, A’Lelia Walker’s life provides a great deal of material. The book title will be taken from a moniker given to A’Lelia’s great-grandmother by famous poet, Langston Hughes, The Joy Goddess of Harlem: A’Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance.

“This book about A’Lelia Walker is the last major biography that I’m going to write,” A’Lelia states, “because these books take more than a decade to work on.” Once the book is finished, she will continue to write and speak about the notable women of her family, just on a smaller scale.

To learn more about the inspiring life of Madam C.J. Walker and A’Lelia Bundles’ work, go to aleliabundles.com. There, you can order On Her Own Ground and share it with a young woman in your life, encouraging an appreciation for the past and the potential of her own biography-worthy future. Z

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It is this legacy of Madam Walker that A’Lelia is honored to keep alive.

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’Lelia Bundles has been researching her family history for the better part of 50 years. That research has produced four books, several speaking engagements and even inspired a Netflix series. A’Lelia is the great-great-granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker, an entrepreneur known to be the first selfmade American woman millionaire. Madam Walker began building her empire of hair care products in the early 1900s, traveling doorto-door to spread the word.

A’Lelia and many others credit her with paving the way for women, especially African American women, by instilling in them “a vision of themselves as being able to be economically independent.” Madam Walker further encouraged women to “use their good fortune to try to benefit their communities.” It is this legacy of Madam Walker that A’Lelia is honored to keep alive.

In a society where young girls are seeking out role models on social media, it becomes an even greater responsibility to ensure the information being made available to them is of some substance to better promote positive female experiences online. Being conductors of truth in the information we post and share is how we encourage a higher level of media literacy.

hope’s Reading guide

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Gifts for a Girlfriends’ Getaway with Good Reads and Good Eats

A ticket to get away without even needing to leave home

By Samantha M. C. Luck

With the holidays just around the corner, you’re probably wondering what to give your close girlfriend who, like you, loves to travel, immerse herself in other cultures and partake in native, tasty treats. An international girls’ trip would be amazing, right? But how? Given the lockdown the world has been in for the past (almost) two years, perhaps as people start to gather more, they are prioritizing family first.

Unfortunately, despite the cabin fever, a girls’ trip may have to wait.

How about cutting the wait short and gifting a trip that doesn’t require leaving the house at all? All you’ll need is a captivating book, a good drink and a delicious cozy treat to transport you and your friend to another place. Getting lost in another world, miles away from the United States might just be the ticket (without a plane ticket).

Share a girlfriends’ getaway with a trip to the D.R., South Africa, Madagascar, the Philippines or Barbados with the books and goodies below:

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Visit South Africa and follow the ambitious Masechaba in an eye-opening exploration of the country’s public healthcare system and the remnants of Apartheid in Evening Primrose by Kopano Matlwa. Add a bottle of the vibrant, red South African wine, Goats do Roam and a recipe for a caramelized Malva Pudding.

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Spend some time in the Dominican Republic with Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo where half-sisters grapple with the loss of their father, the sudden discovery of each other and the uncertainty that lies in front of them. Give a bottle of the aged Dominican Rum, Brugal Extra Viejo a try, and if you want to go the extra mile, try your hand at baking a decadent flan (Dominican style).

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Photo: credit Laura Donohue, Cottage Garden Cookery

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Discover love in the paradise of the African island, Madagascar, and the dangers that lurk beneath the surface with Red House Island by Andrea Lee. The island is known for its rhum arrangé, a flavored rum with macerated spices and fruits. Try your own version with a bottle of your favorite rum and these Rum It Yourself kits. Finish out the travel gift with a Malagasy Fruity Clafouti, a cherry custard with rum and vanilla.

Photo: www.internationalcuisine.com

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Take a dive into Dr. Diana Gallagher-Cary’s family history as she goes on sabbatical in the Philippines and learns more about herself and her ideas on love in Once Upon a Sunset

by Tif Marcelo. Throw in a bottle of Don Popa rum and home-made Biko, a sweet rice cake with coconut milk and brown sugar.

Samantha M.C. Luck is a novelist who loves reading non-fiction almost as much as she does fiction. She enjoys art, music, family time, spreading inspiration and sprinkling joy.

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Photo: Allrecipes.com

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Try the audiobook version of Cherie Jones’ How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House and immerse yourself in the Bajan accent and rhythmic cadence of the narrator as she tells of four people whose lives are connected through tragedy, violence and survival in a resort town on the island of Barbados. Don’t forget to include 896 8yr Rum. The warm caramel and smooth vanilla flavors will complement a Barbadian Plain Cake.

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Photo: Allrecipes.com

Celebrating Cultures Pieces other cultures have brought from their homes into the holiday season

By Emily Cunningham The U.S. is chock-full of global cultures, people, languages and traditions. So many parts of our collective “American” winter holidays have been enriched by or lent to us by people from other cultures, who continuously add new cultural elements to our American salad of a country. Here is a small breakdown of some things we commonly utilize that we should recognize were graciously brought to us by other parts of the world.

Poinsettias These popular holiday flowers originate from Central America and Mexico and were delivered to the masses by the botanist and U.S. ambassador, Joel Roberts Poinsett. Though he earned himself an infamous reputation for stealing cuttings of the “Mexican Flame Flower,” they are no doubt an instantly recognizable holiday icon.

The Nutcracker This two-act ballet premiered in Moscow for the first time in 1892, but it didn’t become a holiday tradition until almost 100 years later. It premiered in Western countries in the 1940s, and the music suite is one of the most popular to date.

Christmas Trees Dated all the way back to the Middle Ages in Germany, evergreen trees were used in “Paradise Plays” performed on Christmas Eve to celebrated the feast day of Adam and Eve. The oldest Christmas tree market can be located in Strasbourg in Alsace, and the first decorated indoor trees were recorded in Strasbourg in 1605.

Cookies and milk for Santa Believe it or not, leaving cookies for Santa became popular in the U.S. during the Great Depression. But the practice actually dates back to Norse mythology, where Santa and his reindeer are likened to Odin and his eightlegged horse Sleipner. During the Nordic Yule season, children would leave bits of food in hopes of having small gifts left in exchange.

Christmas Wreaths

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Holiday wreaths can be associated with the cutting of Christmas trees in Germany. However, before becoming a holiday icon, wreaths were a symbol of victory and power in ancient Greece and Rome. The pruned branches were molded into a circle for convenience but also to symbolize divine perfection and eternity.

Combined with the evergreen aspect, they became a symbol of resilience and hope in European areas.

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Luminarias Small bonfires were lit alongside the road to guide the way for the Mexican people celebrating Las Posadas, a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter.

They are commonly now smaller and more contained, often inside small lanterns or paper bags, and some even use string lights or battery-operated candles for safety.

How our team celebrates the winter holidays multiculturally: “ I often celebrate Simbang Gabi, which is a tradition celebrated in honor of the Virgin Mary by Filipino Catholics. Simbang Gabi (translating to Night Mass) happens for nine days and leads up to Christmas Eve. In the Philippines, we frequently hang lights and lanterns that fill up the streets. I still see this celebrated in the Catholic school near me and predominantly Filipino communities.”

- Keisha de Castro “ My family is from Italy, and we go to Midnight Mass, and panettone is a classic food!

My boyfriend is German, and Advent is an important part of our Christmas traditions. It’s common to make an Advent calendar for your loved ones.” - Rosabella Bojin “ My parents were born in Mexico and moved here [to the U.S.]. A tradition for us is Noche Buena – we do our celebrations on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day! Christmas Day is more relaxing, and Christmas Eve is when we have our big meal and stay up until midnight to open gifts!” - Jen Chavarria

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.

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