I AM QUEEN MAGAZINE Spring Issue 2022 by Elle Clarke

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SPRING ISSUE 22

Women’s History Month

Dr.Moneshia Dashiell We celebrate women everyday.

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BEAUTY BROWN SKIN GIRL, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Photographer Adrienne Andersen

Contents

WHAT’S INSIDE

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every woman

Stevie J & Monie Love On TV One’s UNCENSORED & UNSUNG Pg. 7

Nickie Nougaisse’s Haitian Roots Inspired Her to Launch An All Natural Hair Care Brand And Take Pride in Her 4C Hair Pg. 8 WHM/ Spotlight w/ Sunshine Smith Williams Pg. 11

hey Queen w/ Cover Queen Dr. Moneshia Dashiell Pg. 15

hey

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HELLO@IAMQUEENMAGAZINE.COM W: WWW.IAMQUEENMAGAZINE.COM — EDITORIAL ELLE CLARKE EDITOR CONTRIBUTORS Sunshine Smith-Williams SUBSCRIPTIONS SUBSCRIBE ONLINE WWW.IAMQUEENMAGAZINE.COM

EDITOR’S NOTE I love spring time! The beautiful colors, the fashion, the fun. Spring is a time that reminds us that winter is OVER! Queen it is time to bloom. It is time to take your dreams out of storage. It is time to dust off that old plan and launch into your next. Fear, our very own self inflicted prison has keep us bound by our own insecurities. You have what it takes to get the job done. Ask yourself, what do you have to lose? If you fail so what, if you win hooray! I don’t want you to take another step second guessing yourself. I’m rooting for you. I’m praying for you. I beleive in you and I need you to beleive in you too. You can do this!

ELLE CLARKE FOUNDER EDITOR IN CHIEF I AM QUEEN MAGAZINE

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TELEVISON

Stevie J & Monie Love On TV One’s UNCENSORED & UNSUNG

UNSUNG: MONIE LOVE TV One’s signature music biography series, UNSUNG, spotlights entertainment’s most influential and talented artists. This week’s episode highlights Monie Love. Monie made her own lane as a rap star in the late 80s and early 90s with a unique style and socially-conscious lyrics. In this episode of UNSUNG, Monie tells her amazing story that started as a dream and ended up changing the world of hip hop. UNCENSORED: STEVIE J The hit autobiographical series UNCENSORED explores the lives of your favorite personalities as they provide first-hand accounts of their success and the obstacles they faced throughout their careers. This week’s episode highlights the infamous Stevie J. In his episode, he breaks down why there should be no discussion of 90s R&B and hip hop without mentioning his name. He’s most known for his iconic appearances on reality TV, but Stevie J has produced a long list of musical hits during his run with Bad Boy Records and beyond. Now, he’s telling his story in his own words. I AM QUEEN MAGAZINE

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WOMEN MAKING HISTORY

Mother and beauty founder Nickie Nou (Nougaisse) returned to wearing her natural hair several years ago, but the journey was not as glamorous as some may think. Only a few years back, kinky hair was too commonly associated with negative terms like brillo pad, dry, or uncontrollable. Born in Haiti and always being a lover of nature, Nickie decided to help create a safe place for women with kinky hair and launch the all natural hair care brand, Curls Dynasty.

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Nickie Nougaisse’s Haitian Roots Inspired Her to Launch An All Natural Hair Care Brand And Take Pride in Her 4C Hair

his brand is one of the newest emerging black woman owned hair care lines that’s made especially for hard to hydrate hair! Yes, those with super thick, kinky, curly hair have a brand they can depend on to make their hair soft, manageable and healthy!! The growth of Curls Dynasty has been exceptional but not without struggle. Nickie has experienced poverty, homelessness and racism, but didnt let it stop her from building an empire and she credits her Haitian culture with her perseverance and determination! Today Curls Dynasty is sold at Target and dozens of other beauty supply stores across the country. Nickie’s story is quite inspirational and she’d love to share more with your audience. Please let me know if you’d like to set up a time to interview her in the near future.

Sunshine Smith-Williams

QUEEN

Sunshine Smith-Williams

QUEEN Sunshine Smith-Williams is an author, wealth educator, youth advocate, philanthropist and serial entrepreneur. Featured on the hit shows “American Gangsta” and BET’s “Cooking With Love,” Black Enterprise, Forbes, Source Magazine, Inside Edition, as well as Yahoo Finance, and a variety of other print, digital and broadcast media.

Sunshine Smith-Williams is also a film producer who has partnered with veteran production companies to develop stories that are loosely based on real life issues. Sunshine Smith-Williams was raised in south Jamaica Queens, New York by her mother, who struggled to make ends meet. Smith-Williams grew up in impoverished housing projects with dim hope. Utilizing education as a weapon to overcome poverty, she obtained several degrees and certifications, climbing the corporate ladder to achieve success. After being laid off from a paralegal job in 2010, Smith-Williams gained the faith to start her own business. Sunny Legal Realty is a financial firm that assists clients obtain their real estate, credit restoration, and credit building goals. Her firm also specializes in consumer law, housing law and contracts. Through an intense journey that equipped her to discover her gifts and talents, dethrone her character flaws and increase her self-esteem, she successfully opened other thriving businesses and mentored others to do the same.

Spotlight Women’s History Month

As a financial educator she believes in ownership. To date Smith-Williams is a best selling Author of five books. The self published Author is the owner of Sunny side-up Publications where she writes workshops, programs, scripts and books. She also is the owner of “Ambitious Beauty Collection” animal cruelty free global cosmetic line. Her global cosmetic line is in Africa, Sudan and London. Education has been a very important factor to the best selling author. In 2020, while the pandemic crippled the world Smith-Williams successfully completed and obtained her degree in Education in family engagement from Harvard EdX. She also created her latest book/journal “Speak it, Until You See it” to help readers break down future goals and next steps into actionable to-do lists, speak affirmations, record daily events and arm readers with words of wisdom and positivity. As a youth advocate and co-owner of “Investing In Us Organization” she has implemented workshops, lifestyle, financial curriculum, and programs in her homeless shelters for formerly incarcerated women and men. Investing In Us also has trade workshops in charter schools and at DYRS. This experience enlightened Smith-Williams to her purpose. Her life is a living testament that the past, regardless of the mistakes you make or your background, does not have to dictate your future! She shares this message of hope with both youth and adults across the world, inspiring them to overcome life’s difficulties.

IAQM: You have been in some of the most influential publications. Black Enterprise, Forbes, Inside Edition, Yahoo Finance, and so many others. When you were a little girl did you dream about being in publications like this? SUNSHINE: I wanted to be an anchorwoman. I’ve always wanted to work with Sue Simmons; she was my mentor. I loved her on NBC. Sue was definitely someone I wanted to be like. IAQM: When I say knowledge is power: what does that mean to you? SUNSHINE: That is a very powerful question. Knowledge is the strongest tool, providing us with the power and the information we need to navigate this life. It gives me the ability to survive in this world. The more knowledge you have the better decisions you’ll make. Knowledge is power and that power is freedom. IAQM: When hearing your story, many would say that your chances of becoming successful were limited, but you did it. How did you rise above the noise in your life? SUNSHINE: The ability to grow and talk about your past is such an admirable thing. But when you come from a place where success was limited-I’m from the concrete jungle. New York is known as the BIG APPLE to many but for me, it was the rotten apple. I’m from South Jamaica Queens. What made my borough so unique was that I saw firsthand people who grew in the dark. I admire people who can grow without water and light. My native American ancestors prayed for me and

“I’d like them to say that I was a powerhouse a business mogul, resilient, and that I never gave up. I want them to say that I helped others achieve and accomplish their financial goals. But most importantly, that I was a spiritual being and that I never compromised.” -Sunshine Smith Williams

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instilled everything in me that I needed to rise above the noise. I knew I wanted more and I went for it. IAQM: That is so powerful. One of the things that can become a major distraction in our lives is friends. We understand that it was because of a friend that you were sent to federal prison. Tell us a little bit more about that story. SUNSHINE: Absoluetly. So in 2013, I reunited with an old friend from my area of South Jamaica, Queens. Some people have it and some people don’t, and the majority of us are trauma bonded. If you don’t know what trauma bonding is, that’s when you share something that might have been a trauma, whether it’s being poor together, it could be something that was not healed properly. We all know that with trauma if it’s not healed properly, becomes bitterness. When it’s healed properly, it becomes wisdom. I found myself in a federal, for my association with an individual that I normally would not talk to. What I didn’t know is that you’re supposed to only be around those that have a common future, not those that have a common past. Sometimes we feel like we need to still be in contact with those that we have left behind. It is okay for us to say hi, it is okay for us to see each other in passing. But to reconnect on that level where you’re trying to be, you are the five people that are around you. I have forgiven that individual and I am grateful for that seadon. I’m not angry about it. But I will tell you this in my book, Sunny 101: The 10 Commandments of a Boss Chick, which I wrote in federal prison. One of the commandments is dedicated to him and that was chapter is titled, Thou Shall Be Leery of The Company You Keep. And I’ll leave that there. IAQM: In 25 years, what would you like the history books to say about you? SUNSHINE: In 25 years, I would like the history books to show that Sunshine Smith Williams didn’t come from a wealthy family but a wealthy family came from her. I’d like them to say that I was a powerhouse a business mogul, resilient, and that I never gave up. I want them to say that I helped others achieve and accomplish their financial goals. But most importantly, that I was a spiritual being and that I never compromised. Overall, I do see myself living along healthy, wealthy, happy life surrounded by those I love and those who push me every day to become a better version of myself. That’s what I see.

hey

QUEEN w/ Cover Queen Dr. Moneshia Dashiell

“I’m too busy mothering nations through education.”

Tell us some details about you and your story. My name is Dr. Moneshia Dashiell. I was born in Atlanta GA, to Lorain Rich and the late Joe Nathan Gardner. I have three sisters and two brothers. I graduated from Monroe Comprehensive High School Albany, GA. In June 1993 I had a strong desire to become an educator. I graduated from Christian Bible College & Seminary in April 2016 with a Doctorate in Education. I continued my education at Albany Technical College. In 2004 I graduated with a degree as an Infant Toddler Child Care Specialist. In 2005, I received a degree

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as a Child Development Specialist and in 2007 I graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Care & Education. I also have a doctorate in Psychology. I love education and I love helping children who are dealing with depression and anxiety. I have received countless awards for my work. One of my books was honored and placed in the Black Writers Museums and six of my books were honored and placed in the Clemson Area African American Museum. As an educator, I can truly say that my students have inspired me to continue to author books. I have the opportunity to see my students go from struggling to advancing in their academics when my books are presented to them and that’s why I do it. IAQM: I am sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way? Dr. Moneshia: My success did not come easy nor did it come overnight. I made many sacrifices. I invested time and resources to complete many years of college so that I may possess the proper training my students need. IAQM: Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in? Dr. Moneshia: I am an infant-toddler Child Care specialist. I spend my time providing developmentally appropriate, research-based basic and intensive technical assistance, training, support, and assistance to infant /toddler programs. IAQM: What were you the first to do in your family? Dr. Moneshia: I was the first African American woman to be inducted into the I AM QUEEN MAGAZINE HALL of Fame in October 2020. I am also the first one in my family on my mother’s side to obtain a doctorate in education and psychology. I had to make many sacrifices to get to where I am today. There were many late nights and early mornings. IAQM: What are 3 things people would be surprised to know about you? Dr. Moneshia: I have authored a total of 40 children’s books. I am a Doctor of Education and Psychology and lastly, a HALL of FAMER. IAQM: What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life? Dr. Moneshia: Schedule time to read. Pick a location that is conducive to reading. Choose and use a specific reading strategy, monitor your comprehension, and take notes as you read. Reading is where it all begins. IAQM: Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more? Dr. Moneshia: Email me at moneshia.d@yahoo.com

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