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S H E I N S P I R E S
BLACK MEN ARE MAGIC TOO THE GOOD , THE BAD ,
WELCOME
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THE UGLY AND GODS '
GRACE BY : DAN T . BUTLER
! BLACK - OWNED ALTERNATIVES
THE SHOPPE @
INSPIRES , NEW
YORK ! SHE
NEW EMERGING ARTIST !
MEET LATONYA SMITH 8 HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT DISPROPORTION ATELY AFFECTED BLACK WOMEN
SINGLE MOMS FOOD INSECURITIES
Hello Soulshines!
Thank you for reading the "NEW" She Inspires Online Community Magazine dedicated to empowering girls, teens, and women. Our vision is to celebrate us one page at a time by bringing a spotlight to our talents, emerging businesses, community events\activities, social issues, health awareness, and sharing words of inspiration and support. As the owner, creator, and editor I am constantly networking with passionate, professional individuals who are eager to join SIOCM. Our content will focus on various topics that promote and\or affect African Americans. And will also provide opportunities for individuals to highlight, explore, and advertise the best of black; i.e business, brand, history, culture, fashion, beauty, art, building black and bettering communities. My mission is to show our society that we are a movement, by collaborating and closing the gap of outdated stereotypes.
Join the She Inspires family! I am glad you ’ re here.
Tina Cummings Owner. Creator. Editor Email @ sheinspiresmagazine@gmail.com
"Celebrating US on every page"
THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY AND GODS’ GRACE
I am a native Rochesterian being born and raised here. I grew up first on the eastside and then we moved to the southwest side of town. My story is one of redemption and my prayer is I will encourage someone to move beyond their mistakes. In the early 80’ s I became addicted to Crack Cocaine and it became a 17-year journey of addictive Hell. Being unable to have a positive self-image was a key point in developing the addictive personality in my life. It was during this time that my daughter Shayla was born and I was unable to be a good father to her. I married my first wife in my midtwenties and became a husband and stepfather. My daughter was a toddler at the time and I quickly realized that I was not ready to be a husband or stepfather. I was looking to get some stability after a long relationship that did not end well. I went into the relationship without wisdom and understanding. I was not mature at all. The adult development in my life was in a downward spiral and the continued stressors of being a husband, step-father, and addict was overpowering. This was the period in my first marriage when I received Christ as savior. This was the period in my first marriage when I received Christ as savior. It was a time of great joy and the new experience of being a new Christian. I became a minister a few years after becoming a Christian and it was a life altering event. It is amazing to be called by the God of creation to be a minister of the gospel. It was the beginning of the inner struggle of being minister of the Gospel and having an addictive personality. Nevertheless, I went into the Teen Challenge program for the first of three times and was only in the program for a month. I thought I had it all together only after a month in a 12 to 18-month program. I was in a bad marriage and my addictive behavior compounded a tenuous situation.
I was in terrible condition and looking for a way out of the consequences of my addiction. I would continue to look to others for help and never follow through with the advice given. My life trajectory was in a downward spiral. I stopped preaching and went from one program to another to try to overcome the addiction in my life. I went through 15 different programs in the 90’ s. I have called the 90’ s the missing decade! Much happened that I do not remember. It was during this time that my younger brother died suddenly and the effect on my family was devastating. I was in denial and depression for a long time after the incident. This was due to the fact when he passed I could not be reached until much later. Consequently, I divorced my first wife the same year of my brother ’ s passing which caused more pain and anguish. It was after this when I decided to make a change in my life. The transformational stage of my life occurred after entering the Teen Challenge Program in New Haven, Connecticut June 1999. This was after I stole the days ’ proceeds from a store I was managing to get high! By God’ s grace I received community service and had to pay restitution to the store. I thank God for Rev Dr Samuel McCree who worked with me and told me to get it together! This was my third and final time going into Teen Challenge.
The Teen Challenge program in New Haven was a turning point in my life that initiated change. Furthermore, there was a need to break the pattern of the addiction that had consumed my life. It was when I graduated from the Teen Challenge program in New Haven Connecticut when I began to see transition from being an addict to a successful person. This was the first time I had completed a Teen Challenge Program. This was a turning point in my life when I began to think differently and not in self-destructive ways. I moved to Danbury Connecticut and began to have success in my new location. I was hired by the Danbury Housing Authority and received the first of my Public Housing Certifications. It was during this time when I was promoted from the maintenance department to working in the Section 8 Department which was a first in the agency. Also, my daughter graduated from High School in Rochester. I began to see how strong the grace of God is in the life of a believer. He has the ability to fix what has broken. It was during the time in Danbury when I found out that I was capable of more than I realized. The ability that was latent within me was delayed by bad life choices. During this time, I was able to develop the determination needed to be successful. I received my first Public Housing Certification in 2002 and my second Regulatory Management Certification in 2005. I had graduated from the Teen Challenge program and moved to Danbury without any marketable skills. I was hired by the Danbury Housing Authority and discovered an abundance of skills, talents, and ability. The transition was difficult because I was in a city and state without any close family or relatives.
began to understand that there was life after bad choices and the future was going to be better than my past. Sometimes, the most profound change comes from being in the uncomfortable place.
Furthermore, I met and married my second wife and it was during this time when my academic experience began. My wife enrolled me in Housatonic Community College after helping her with her homework at the master ’ s level. This was another significant turning point in my life. I went back to school at the age of 46 and found that I could do the coursework. However, going to school, working, family, church, and community commitments was challenging and required reassessing of priorities. I was working with a startup nonprofit agency called Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises for which I was only slightly prepared for. The new position caused role strain in my life. But I began to immerse myself in the new position and learned several roles within the agency. I learned how to conduct interviews and hire employees, recruit persons for training opportunities, assist in grant writing, create policies and procedures, perform payroll, bid on contracted jobs, and build work schedules. The experience of working with Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises was a turning point in my life and allowed the opportunity to acquire marketable skills for future employment and business endeavors. My daughter graduated from Brockport State University, and I received my Certificate in Behavioral Healthcare from Housatonic Community College in 2008. I was a former addict who was able to see my daughter graduate from college. It was the culmination of a lot of hard to work and allowing the Spirit of God to transform my life. Next, I received my associate degree in 2010 and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for Community Colleges. This was all due to the grace of God who has directed the steps of my life. Also, at this time I was divorced from my 2nd wife. I learned in relationships that it is important to have someone in life that will support my ministry call, dreams, and aspirations. I was laid off from Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises and I was wondering if moving back to Rochester was the right decision. But I knew that the Lord was in my moving back home. The move back home without any employment prospects was a daunting task.
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly and Gods’ Grace
The move back home was to help my sister with caregiving for my parents but God’ s plan was bigger.
In 2012 I moved back to Rochester, gained employment, and enrolled at Roberts Wesleyan College. I am learned that transition is at times uncomfortable, but necessary to fulfill the destiny that the Lord Jesus has for my life. I have been restored by the grace of God. Since moving back to Rochester, I have received my Organizational Management Degree and Masters in Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College. I am the senior Pastor of St John Baptist Church and the Equity and Advocacy Division Director at the Urban League of Rochester. I officiated the wedding of my daughter in 2018. I am a witness that God can restore a father ’ s relationship with their children. In addition, I was blessed to eulogize both of my parents. God truly restores to the upmost! I am thankful for my sister Denise Butler who has my back and encourages me to keep moving forward. I am married to a wonderful woman Marcella Cunningham Butler who brings joy to my life and step father to her children who are wonderful. I say that I am a father who steps up! I have found that there is life after bad choices. God is the only one that take a misfit and make them fit. I want every Black man that reads this to know that you can get up, stand up, and stay up! I am now 21 years ’ clean
and sober from alcoholism and crack addiction. I am excited about is ahead
of me. I will end with this: God says He will restore the years that the locust hath eaten and that the latter will be greater than the former.
SINGLE MOMS & FOOD INSECURITY
Written By Tina Cummings
It is a humbling experience when a single mom has to skip a meal to make sure her children are not hungry and go to bed with full bellies. I have been in this place of hopelessness and uncertainty as I stressed over the next meal and slept on an empty stomach. As a single mother of three who has experienced food insecurities I can relate to the shame of not being able to feed my children.
The stigma of receiving help from a community pantry and the anxiety, fear and sense of isolation that followed made my first visit stressful to say the least. I worked hard to learn, gain and maintain self-sufficiency and this moment effected my mental health in more ways than one. Honestly, my first time experiencing a food pantry was embarrassing, overwhelming, and placed me in a place of vulnerability while, questioning my parenting abilities. It had been a long time since I had to reach out in order to make ends meet. Single mothers carry a heavy load as it is; they do the parenting , earn all the revenue, manage the household singlehandedly ,still try to maintain a balance, raise well- rounded children and attempt to have a social life. And food insecurity is one less thing they should have to worry about.
What is food insecurity? The lack of access to affordable and nutritious food.
There are many factors that lead to food insecurities; unemployment, family circumstances, unexpected expenses, medical bills, and, underemployment etc. So taking initiative to ask for extra support should not be a shameful experience. Food pantries matter, They provide nutritious foods to the community to fill the gap in between paychecks. I am thankful for the support and I recommend reaching out if you need help. There is no shame. There are many food cupboards in Rochester, New York . The next page includes various agencies that may be able to assist you.
Have you reached out to community resources for food support? How was your experience with services and staff? Did you receive fresh food? How did you feel?
LaTonya Smith
IG @ Classy Not Sassy Custom
Connect on FB
Emerging Black Artist !
WRITTEN BY LATONYA SMITH & TINA CUMMINGS
A part of our vision at She Inspires Online Community Magazine is to embrace black artist and share their elegance, power, emotion, history and personal symbolism of art expression. I connect with emerging black artist to showcase their work and be a voice that speaks directly to the audience. Meet, Latonya Smith an emerging black female artist on the rise. It was pleasure to interview her and share her story.
"Tell me about your introduction to art?"
I" was naturally drawn to art as a child. My mother encouraged my passion to create and embrace my talent. I remember, selling pieces in my front yard, attending high school art shows winning cash and other prizes. It was an amazing feeling to be recognized and appreciated for all of my hard work. But, as we know, life happens and art was placed on the back burner. In 2015, I was diagnosed with stage five kidney failure and had to start emergency dialysis. This life changing moment took me to a dark, lonely and fearful place. I experienced difficulty concentrating, nausea, headaches and fatigue" . I needed something to make me feel better so painting became my outlet and kept me motivated. It helped me through my depression and hard times in general.
As someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, actively seeking change. I launched my small business "Classy Not Sassy Artwork & Apparel" selling custom artwork and apparel. I can be found on FB and IG @ ClassyNotClassyCustom. My love of art has opened doors to be a driving force in our cultural experience of art and increase my visibility as a black artist.
Written By Tina Cummings
TIMOTHY TAYLOR
Increasing black representation is an important part of She Inspires Online Community Magazine. My mission is to connect with people who are "building black" and working to increase generational wealth. I want to provide a visual to recognize that "Black Men Are Magic Too" . Our kings are not to be viewed as criminals or victims of violence but, fathers. sons. The most inspiring part of networking is to support black-owned businesses and celebrate black men. And SIOCM is here for it!
Meet, CEO Timothy Taylor owner of Data Brilliance Software located in Rochester New York. A graduate of SUNY Empire State College and single father dedicated to taking care of his son while working hard to build his first business into a million dollar business. He is focused, driven, and motivated to always be a positive role model for his son and the community.
His company and staff will assist you in handling all the filing and legalization of your business ideas and goals. Don't hesitate to connect!
Let Data Brilliance handle all the filing and legalization of your business ideas and goals.
(585) 465-6750 Info@databrilliancesoftware.com www.thedatabrilliance.com
Inspired living
" I will continue to inspire my son and all the people around who know me. I will not let you down. " ~Timothy Taylor, CEO
How do you support black communities?
Shop at local black-owned stores.
Dine at black-owned restaurants.
Move your banking out of megabanks, and into blackowned and community development banks and credit unions.
Seek out black professionals. Look for a doctor, dentist, lawyer, therapist, wedding planner, fashion designer or chef.
Take part in the 15% pledge. Encourage national stores you shop in to carry 15 percent of BOB products.
DO MORE OF WHAT YOU LOVE
I want to send a warm and heartfelt thanks to all of those who support She Inspires Online Community Magazine. I am excited to see what 2022 brings! It was a pleasure collaborating with everyone and I am proud to be a part of your business ventures. My mission is to continue to inspire girls, teens and women. And celebrate building, promoting and sharing information that matters to us. I am in love with what I have created but, I could not do it without you.
