JUNE 2022 / ISSUE 2
SISTAH’S PLACE
literary:
CONTENTS
8-10 Judy A. HewittForgiveness, Healing & Purpose by Marcie Hill
COVER Story:
Business:
Mental Health:
12-15 Myrna Gale: Trusts God & Serves Her Community by Marcie Hill
17-19 How Do You Think About Money? by Shurvone Wright
21-22 Juneteenth Where Are we Now by Dr. Barbara Evans
24 WEALTH: Health, Wealth, and Legacy by Pillar Henderson-Smith
12 MYRNA GALE: Trusts God & Serves Her Community by Marcie Hill
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Words from Our CEO 5-6
Contributors & Editors Cover Design-Tyron Roshantha Magazine Layout Graphic Design- Nizngr Cover Story Photo Credit- Cedric Mohr Photography www.sistahsplace.com
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Welcome to June 2022 From The Desk Our Chief Editor & CEO We Celebrate our Heritage & Family during Juneteenth Month Sistah’s Place was birthed on June 15, 2015! Can you believe it’s been seven amazing years? We have experienced growth, inspired women around the globe, and continue to serve our community. We are looking forward to celebrating many more years. We are here to serve our community by sharing others truth, purpose, passion, and wisdom to lead a generation destined for greatness. We honor and celebrate where we come from and where we are going. In honor of Juneteenth, we we will be celebrating the men and women who graced our platform across all of our social media from 2015 to Present. We are celebrating our ancenstors triumph journey to freedom. Juneteenth represents the celebration of freedom of a people. Freedom is more than a State of Mind that no man can take from a people. We stand on the backs of our ancenstors to tell their stories of truth, instill values of worth, define our legacy, rebuild our family, and pass down knowledge to thrive not just survive. I will leave you with one of my favorite women in history quote in honor of Juneteenth Month, “Hold those things that tell your history and protect them. During slavery, who was able to read or write or keep anything? The ability to have somebody to tell your story to is so important. It says: ‘I was here. I may be sold tomorrow. But you know I was here.’ ” —Maya Angelou
@authorLetrise LetriseC Letrise@sistahsplace.com
Letrise T. Carter Founder and Chief Editor 4
SISTAH’S
PLACE TEAM
Carmen Elle Sr. Editor Carmen Elle is an author and editor from Columbus, Ohio. A self-proclaimed book nerd, Carmen holds an M.A. in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and currently serves as Senior Editor for Sistah’s Place Magazine and works as a literary coach with the incredible collective, Literary B.A.E., helping writers just like herself take their manuscripts from computer file to books in the hands of their readers. www.carmenelle.com
Jennifer Brown Banks Sr. Editor/Contributor Jennifer Brown Banks is an award-winning content creator, creative strategist, editor, author, columnist and writer-entrepreneur. Over the decades, her articles, poetry and commentary pieces have appeared extensively in print and online publications which include Today’s Black Woman Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, Being Single Magazine, Rigorous Journal and Rolling Out. Banks holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. She formerly served on the board of directors of Chicago Writers Association for ten years. Learn more at Newsbreak.com. www.original.newsbreak.com/@ jennifer-brown-banks-561129
Contributors Marcie Hill Marcie Hill is a freelance writer, blogger, trainer, and author who left her job and a 12-year career in human resources to pursue her dream of writing. She owns three blogs; has authored and self-published eight books, and has presented at national and local writing, blogging, and social media conferences. She is currently working toward making her dreams come true and helping others do the same. Visit her website www.marciewrites.com
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Editors
Editors
Dr. Barbara Evans, EdD, LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology, Education & Supervision. She has over 20 years of experience in the counseling field specializing in Women’s Emotional Issues and Empowerment. Barbara is providing Telehealth services in the community due to the Coronavirus Pandemic supporting Individuals, Couples and Business Owners/Entrepreneurs. Visit her website www.Barbeface2face.com
Attorney Pillara Smith-Henderson Pillara Henderson-Smith is an attorney with a focus on estate planning. Shortly after graduating with a Juris Doctorate from The John Marshall Law School and early into her legal career, she was called to serve as a Children’s Ministry Director. It is in that role she developed a passion for building relationships and supporting families. That same passion has become the foundation of her estate planning practice, where she builds relationships and supports families with the creation of unique plans for life transitions of mental or physical incapacity and death. With each transition comes a change and her goal is to empower individuals to create a plan for their family that allows for a legacy of support, stability, security, and peace of mind. Visit her website
www.hendersonsmithlaw.com
Shurvone Wright Shurvone is an Author, Speaker, Mentor, and founder of Confidence Without Regret- The Butterfly Experience, CEO of La’ BossPreneur Marketing, LLC, and Everything Wright, LLC. She encourages women to stand in their truth, helping them to find their voice, to go after their dreams and goals unapologetically. She encourages women to stand in their truth, helping them to find their voice, to go after their dreams and goals unapologetically. She has a gift of encouragement and exhortation, changing lives across the country. Visit her website at www.shurvonewright.podia.com
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Contributors
Dr. Barbara Evans
Carmen Elle
HELP, WRITING IS GETTING ME DOWN! Help is here! If you're just starting out or struggling with your current project, I'm here to help! Openings available now for one-on-one sessions, specializing in fiction and non-fiction. Visit www.carmenelle.com today to book your session.
Also available at www.carmenelle.com Show your author pride with creative wear from the shop Book recommendations to support Black Authors Writing resources for your creative process
Literary
JUDY A HEWITT
Forgiveness, Healing and Purpose By Marcie Hill Cinderella to being a stepsister,” Judy recalled. “I felt abandoned, as she left us to live with my grandmother in Trinidad WI. When we reunited in New York…I was met with verbal abuse, insults, and criticism. This was startling as I had experienced so much love from my grandmother.” Judy left home after the birth of her son at age 20, because she and her mother had a big fight. For the next 20 years, Judy thought those feelings of abandonment and verbal abuse were behind her. But those old feelings of anger and resentment resurfaced in 2000 when she moved to Florida to take care of her mother at age 40. Her mother had not changed very much. In fact, she began to verbally abuse Judy again, even though she went to Florida out of service and duty.
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udy A. Hewitt and her mother had always had a tumultuous relationship and she never understood why. Even when her mother passed away in 2008, she still did not have an answer to why they never connected. She did, however, gain a sense of peace that resulted from forgiveness and healing. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Judy lived a carefree life, filled with love from her grandmother. Her mother and father left the island to live in the United States “to make life better for the family.” When Judy, her grandmother and brother moved to the United States when she was 13 years old, her world changed drastically. “I went from being
How could Judy care for her mother while harboring feelings of resentment, anger and pain? She credits God for meeting her need and helping her through the process of forgiveness; which began right after she relocated to Florida and continued through her entire nine-year stay. Judy found a church home and the process of deliverance started. “I went to every bible study, deliverance class and worship service so I could heal. I meditated on the word and spoke positive affirmations over my life.” She also formed an accountability group with three sisters that allowed her to be transparent and journaled her thoughts and feelings. “It [forgiveness] took a long time because I just wanted that validation and love.” Total
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forgiveness came after her mother passed in April 2008. Judy wanted to move on with her life but got annoyed because she was not crying or missing her. After two months of grief therapy, she learned that when fractured relationships end, “you are relieved because you no longer must fight for validation.” Judy was still trying to get validation from her mother a week before her death. “In hindsight, she gave me the best she could give me. It took me half of my life to figure that out.” After her mother passed, Judy was not ready to retire or stay in Florida, so she moved back to Maryland. She stayed there for nine more years, and in 2019, a few months shy of her 60th birthday, Judy decided that she was done. “I’m done raising a black man
who was in jail for ten years and with family issues. I’m going to start my early retirement and live my life for me.” She sold many of her possessions, packed everything that could fit in a car and U-Haul, and moved to Florida for a new beginning. Judy’s move to Florida was not at all what she expected. She was in a new place, all alone, with nobody to fix and nothing to be busy about. Then Covid-19 hit, and it was just God and Judy. She told God, “My God, you’ve got me all to yourself. You’re resetting the world, you’re setting my life, you’re resetting me.” During this period of transition, she learned that “I have a bad identity crisis with Judy” and she started seeking her purpose.
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To address her identity crisis, Judy rediscovered things she loved and brought her joy: writing poetry; listening to music of all genres; and appreciating art. She also began to enjoy the beautiful sunsets in Florida. Most importantly, “I rediscovered my relationship with God, which showed me how depleted I was; how empty I was; how I was literally serving from an empty cup. I realized…I didn’t love myself. How could you want to give out love so much to everybody and do so much for everybody and sincerely mean it; but then when it comes to yourself, you can’t pour that back into you? That was one of the tricky transitioning things I learned about myself. I needed to nurture Judy. I needed self-love, self-care and get back with God.”
over 20 years ago when she first moved to Florida. She didn’t know how or when. The opportunity to become a published author came in 2020 when she joined Facebook and met Paula Harper, a visionary publisher of anthologies. Judy has contributed to two anthologies, “For Such a Time as This” and “The Breaking Point: When Life Requires a Shift,” an Amazon bestseller endorsed by Les Brown. Judy says, “I’m still working out my purpose because I want to be purposeful in my next steps.” To stay abreast of Judy’s purpose-filled life or to purchase “For Such a Time as This” and “The Breaking Point,” visit her website www.judyahewitt.com or Facebook page at Judy Ann Hewitt.
On her quest to find her purpose, Judy often asks God, “What will you have me to do? What am I called to do?” While waiting for answers, she remembered God telling her that she was going to write a book
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Entrepreneurs
COVER STORY
Myrna Gale Trusts God & Serves Her Community By Marcie Hill Encourages Everyone to Write Their Story…their Truth! 12
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yrna Gale, Founder, and CEO of 3G Publishing, Inc, believes, “...your life holds a story waiting to be told,” and she is doing everything in her power to help people publish stories for the world to read. Her passion for children inspired her to develop a company that would keep the basics of reading, writing, and creativity a top priority for children, adolescents, and adults. Myrna’s experience with the publisher of her first book was also a motivator. Myrna was elated when she finally completed her first book. The legal firm where she worked had even offered to sponsor her book launch. What should have been a dream come true turned into a nightmare thanks to her publisher. “They first entice you with a small amount of money you have to pay upfront to get the book done. At the end of it, when it’s time to find out what you have to pay for your copies [of the books], what they don’t tell you at the beginning is…they don’t really edit your work.” The editing team transposed her book and the final product was heart-wrenching. When she got the final copy two days before her book launch, “…It was terrible. I had to tell people who purchased the book at the launch that their books would be replaced. That’s how bad it was.” Myrna was also turned off by the extremely
impersonal service she received. Every time she called them to correct something they had done, she would get a different representative to address the same issue. They also held her book hostage. When she told them how many copies she needed, they told her it would cost close to $5,000. She sent them a partial payment upfront. They did not care that she needed the books for the launch in two days; they did not release the books until they received full payment. These negative experiences drove her to create a publishing company that would do things differently. Thus, 3G Publishing, Inc. was born. When Myrna started the business, children were her focus. After publishing children’s books for two years, she got a revelation that we’re all his children. “I felt that I was hearing God say, ‘Direct my children to tell their stories because everyone has one story to tell.” Her vision expanded to helping everyone, not just children. She then found ways to help illiterate and elderly people tell their stories without feeling hindered or afraid. “Everyone can speak, everybody can’t write,” observes Myrna. This is why she gifts them tape recorders. People record their stories, and her staff transcribes and publishes them. A staff member meets with the person, reads their words to them to ensure they’re accurate; and makes necessary revisions. The publishing company is Myrna’s heart, but it almost didn’t happen. Myrna started on the journey with a dear friend. God gave Myrna a vision for a creative
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writing program. She presented it to the city of Atlanta and was hired immediately. She’s been teaching children creative writing and publishing their work for six years. Myrna says that there are two things that make 3G Publishing unique. First, they help people understand and know they have a story to tell and then give them tape recorders and instructions to record. Second, they take time to develop individual connections with clients. Myrna knows all of 3G’s clients personally and allows them to contact her via email, text, or phone. They communicate all issues with her directly and she then speaks to her team
members. Knowing that anyone of any age can feel comfortable publishing with 3G is one of the rewards of the program. “It doesn’t matter who you are. If you want to write something, it’s going to get done.” Myrna also loves to see her clients’ smiles. “And I love the fact that every one of my authors knows me.” Despite her successes, she feels like she’s not reaching as many people, especially children, as she would like. Her greatest goal would be to teach children the creative writing program, to meet their parents, and to teach their parents that they have the greatest influence
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and impact on their child’s future. Myrna offers the following advice for seasoned and aspiring authors. She wants to encourage seasoned authors to, “stop modifying your work and write what you initially saw. Stop letting some editor or …someone who doesn’t know you or what you’ve gone through put your words in proper verbiage for everybody to read. Everybody’s not going to read your stuff. But whoever reads it is reading because somewhere that title or back page has drawn them.” For aspiring and new authors, “If you have a story and don’t know how to write it down, just talk and record it. It can be transcribed, and the proper editor can make it sound like you want it to sound. Stop being afraid to just talk. Make that recorder your best friend.” Entrepreneurship is not easy but Myrna has learned a lot over the years. She wants women who are thinking about starting a business to have a passion for their venture, do not just look at it as money. “Because if you look at it as money, you’re going to be real mad when you only have 10 clients the whole year. When you look at it as a passion, you’re driven.” She also advises to stop spending money on classes and not applying the skills and knowledge you learned. Visit 3G Publishing Inc.’s website www.3gpublishinginc.com to learn about the company, purchase books, and contact Myrna. Photo Credit- Cedric Mohr Photography
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business LEARN HOW TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT MONEY By Shurvone Wright
A 26 Method Approach
“A penny saved is a penny earned.” -- Benjamin Franklin
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t may not be obvious to you, but you have a relationship with your finances. Think about it: when you get paid, how do you feel? What emotions do you experience when you spend money? Your relationship with money affects how you live your life. Use these 26 methods to put your relationship in your hands now and
take back some control. A healthy relationship with money enables you to live the kind of life you want! 1. Adopt a “Start Today” attitude. Say to yourself, “Starting today, my goal will be to improve my relationship with money.” Then, maintain that focus throughout the day.
2. Shift your paradigm. Convince yourself that it’s better to save than spend.
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3. Reflect on your money history as an adult. 15. Establish real financial goals. Set up a simple Ever since you’ve left your parents’ home, how has your relationship with money progressed? What do you think you could do to improve your relationship with money?
4. Now, ponder your money history as a child. Did you parents teach you anything about money? Let’s consider that question from a different angle: what did you learn from observing how your parents managed their money? How do your money management attitudes reflect what you learned from your parents?
5. Consider money as the gateway to the future you seek, because it likely is.
6. Take a look around you and be honest with yourself. You have enough tangible “stuff.” Isn’t it true you have everything you need, maybe even too much of some things?
7. Add up your unnecessary expenditures for last week. Now do it for the last month.
8. Recognize the money you spend unnecessarily could have been banked for your future, like retirement.
budget and follow it. Write your overall goals across the top. For example, “I will save 20% of my net pay each week.” Then do it.
16. Use positive self-talk when you do something you’re proud of related to your money. Tell yourself, “I’m really pleased that I met with that financial advisor” or “Good for me, I saved 10% of my paycheck this week.”
17. Stop a spending episode on your way to the check-out. It’s never too late to back out of a purchase. Whose account would you prefer to fatten up – the store’s or your own? 18. Set a new rule: no buying the first time you go shopping for something. Consider your first shopping trip as “surveillance.” See what’s available to meet your need and note the cost. Reflect on your possible purchase. Decide if you really want the item and whether it’s worth your hard-earned money. 19. Realize that having money in the bank is far more important than having that new trinket. Because it is.
9. Identify your negative money habits. In what 20. Consciously think of your budget each day. If ways are you spending frivolously?
10. Get tough with yourself. Set up a steel-clad plan to combat your negative money habits.
11. If having a credit card in your wallet causes you to spend freely, leave it at home. Doing so will prompt you to carefully consider whether you’ll spend money today or not.
12. Recognize the negative points of using credit cards. Write out the issues you come up with.
13. Vow to carry just one credit card. Make it a major one (Visa or Master Card, for example). Pick one that has no monthly fees and offers low interest rates. Avoid charging more than what you can pay off in a month. Doing so improves your relationship with money.
14. Charge to a credit card ONLY when the purchase is an emergency. For example, paying for medical care would qualify as an emergency. Buying a new bag or smart phone game would not.
you keep your budget in the forefront of your mind, you’ll likely focus on saving. Otherwise, you could spend without thinking and doing so would place a wrench in your financial plans.
21. Put your math skills to work. Each day, add up what you spent. Did you fill the tank with gas on the way to work? Grab a gourmet coffee drink? Eat lunch out? Add it up. Then, determine how much you can cut from your daily expenditures. 22. Speaking of math, get excited about your rising bank account numbers. If you have $20 more in your savings this week than you had last, be thrilled with yourself. The number is going in the right direction! 23. Choose having money in the bank over possessions. Rather than living like you want to have the most “toys,” decide you want to have the most financial stability. 24. Don’t try to keep up with friends or family when it comes to owning the latest thing. Remind
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yourself that the next best thing will be replaced tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. 25. Ask yourself what you really want for your financial future. If you want to retire earlier than 65-plus, plan now so you can successfully do it. In fact, pondering your retirement frequently will help you stay focused on your financial habits in the present.
a few things you can implement in your life, and in the lives of your children. The thought process around money does not happen overnight, but with practice, patience, and consistency you can do anything. I hope these methods help to give you a different approach and outlook regarding your view on money.
26. Give up your loyalty to self-sabotaging money practices. Recognize the self-damaging patterns in how you manage money. Then, leave them behind you. As we honor Juneteenth in the month of June, the end to slavery in the United States, I reflect. The fact that it took until June 17, 2021, before it was an official federal holiday, saddens me, but also give me a sense of hope for the African American people. I struggled a bit as to what I would write about in this edition, because the subject is so profound. I thought about what I can share that would have a lasting impact on my readers, what they can take away and apply to their life and the life of their children. As an African American woman, it is so important for me to leave a legacy for my children and their children’s’ children. Then it hit me: I should share A 26 method approach to learning how to change the way you think about money. As adults, the way we think about money can not only affect our lives but the lives of our children. As a former Insurance Agent, we helped families learn the importance of getting their finances in order and what the future could look like if they did not. The methods below are just
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Mental Health
JUNETEENTH & MENTAL HEALNESS Where Are We Now?
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By Barbara Evans, Ed.D, LCPC
n June 1, 1863, when President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became official, an executive order was written to destabilize the Confederacy amidst the Civil War and free enslaved people. Two and a half years later, on June 19, 1865, Union Soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas announcing the end of the war and the end of slavery. This day became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated day commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. However, it’s important to acknowledge that it was only the beginning of freedom. After all, many slave owners deliberately withheld the news of slaves’ emancipation until the completion of the following harvest season. And even afterward, former slaves remained in economic bondage through sharecropping well into the late 19th century; Jim Crow laws continued to regulate and restrict Black people’s freedom well into the early 20th century and to this day, people of color continue to be exploited, dehumanized
By Marcie Hill
and disenfranchised systemic injustices.
through
countless
Juneteenth is central to Black American mental health and wellbeing because it’s defined by Black humanity and liberation. It’s a part of Black identity formation. Juneteenth also represents the resilience of the Black American community- a community that is healing from years of racial trauma. Through self-acceptance, self-celebration, and having these conversations, this community can continue to heal. Here are three simple guidelines for supporting Black mental health in honor of Juneteenth: 1. Listen to Black Voices. Seek out rallies, articles, stories, artwork, poetry readings, music and social media accounts and Black-owned businesses that offer rich authentic Black perspectives to learn from. 2. Respect Black Spaces. Juneteenth is not just a Black Holiday. It’s an American holiday. It’s a part of our history that every American should learn about and honor. For those of
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us that are not Black- especially white peopleit’s important to remember that supporting Black mental health means not dominating or appropriating Black voices and spaces. Work to bolster, not burden. Aim to amplify, not invade. 3. Learn Your History. Honoring Juneteenth and respecting Black identity means working to fill the significant gaps in our knowledge of American history. Look for documentaries, books, workshops, professional development seminars and other educational opportunities that will challenge your understanding and beliefs as they relate to race in America. The wounds of historical, generational racial trauma run deep. And while confronting trauma
is never easy, the willingness to be vulnerable and honest about it is always the first step toward healing. Know that seeking mental health is not a sign of weakness. Historically, we are strong people. Strength is knowing when to ask for or seek out help. Juneteenth is an opportunity for us as an organization, as individuals and as a county to do just that. Juneteenth is a reminder to remain critical about progress measured. American Counseling Association, June, 2021 Juneteenth: Freedom is a Work in Progress. Nami, June, 2021 What Juneteenth Can Teach Us About Racial Trauma and the Resilience of the Black Community. JED, June 2021
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Wealth HEALTH, WEALTH, AND LEGACY by Pillar Henderson-Smith We were no longer considered property after the adoption of the 13th Amendment; however, systems were put into place to deny us the right to acquire and maintain any property using Jim Crow laws, redlining, discriminatory lending practices, and fear. As a result, many Black families were unable to achieve property ownership until recently. So, the idea of creating a plan to distribute property remains meaningless to many descendants of slaves.
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y the end of the thirteenth-century statutes had been enacted which allowed a man to determine what would happen to his property at death. It is from these statues that today’s Estate Planning finds its foundation. It is a concept that has been practiced and benefited by many for generations over hundreds of years. Yet to most of the Black Community in the United States, Estate Planning is overlooked and underutilized to most in the Black Community in the United States. Why is that? History gives the best answer It was not long ago that we, Black people, were the thing being given to someone of choice (usually a descendant) at the owner’s death. Before slavery was abolished by the 13th Amendment enslaved Black people were considered chattel, an object of tangible personal property. Tangible meaning: a thing that is perceptible by touch and personal meaning: belonging to a particular person. This means that we were the object of the Estate Plan, the wealth being passed from one person to the next.
Today more Black families are in a position of property ownership however, the idea of Estate Planning still eludes us because of our past experiences. Estate Planning in the United States was used as a tool to perpetuate slavery and to build generational wealth for the slave owner’s descendants. A wealth that was then intentionally denied Black people through the restriction of any type of property ownership. And so, it is difficult to break free from the crippling effects that have shaped our perceptions and ideas around creating an Estate Plan, especially when it was a tool in which we had no access and it impacted us negatively. My hope is that we as a community will begin to see that we are no longer being denied access to Estate Planning. It is now available to Black families as a tool to build generational wealth. Therefore, it can be just as beneficial to our families as it has been for so many other families for hundreds of years. My hope is that Estate Planning will become ingrained into the fabric of our families so that creating a plan for our health and wealth becomes a legacy that is passed from one generation to the next.
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