AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Sandra Epps

Girlfriend, It’s Time to Soar! A Journal for Personal Transformation is a self help tool to spark creativity, generate new ideas and cultivate passion and induce motivation. This journal book is written for women to assist them with reclaiming their life, to affirm their success, set new habits and create what they desire.

Written and illustrated by Sandra Epps, she combines quotes, graphs, butterfly imagery and questions to ignite clarity and focus for readers to accomplish their goal. Girlfriend, It’s Time to SOAR! is a self-help and personal growth book that will encourage women with these actions: *Prompt positive introspection. *Create what you desire. *Map your mission. *Jump-start your purpose plan.

Creative, results-driven and determined are understatements when it comes to describing SANDRA EPPS, artist and author. Founder of Sandy’s Land LLC an entertainment service and the Detroit Doll Show, Epps’ mission is to empower and inspire women and girls with her innovative products, programs and accessories that promote self love, faith and creative expression. The Detroit Doll Show strives to inspire brown girls of all ages to “Love the Skin They’re In.” The charge is to celebrate history, culture, BEaUty (self love) and diversity with the promotion of dolls of color.

It is the largest black doll show in the nation. Epps also established SHE’S Empowered, (Sisters Helping Encourage Sister) which was an organization created to encourage women to live healthy in mind, body and spirit and to increase lupus awareness. SHE’S Empowered hosted the Women’s Empowerment Conference BUTTERFLY BASH which had been pivotal with providing empowerment from professional speakers, tackling health disparities with black women, intriguing attendees with creative fashions from local designers and closing out the event with a surprise entertainment.

A survivor of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a disease where the immune system attacks both the body tissue and organs, Epps uses her story of overcoming as a living testimony that others can choose to overcome any obstacle in life. She promotes lupus awareness through her many keynote addresses, lectures and health panel discussions throughout Michigan. Her triumph over lupus also inspired her first self-published children’s book -- Imani Has the Most Exciting Dream! that assist children who are faced with adversities to transform their fear into faith. Her second book, Girl Power Discover the Princess Within provide key tools to help build a girl’s self-esteem with tips to defuse a bullies action, ignite self-love, fun journaling and how to develop healthy friendship’s. And most recently Epps has written, Girlfriend, It’s Time to SOAR! A Work Journal for Personal Transformation to help women to affirm their success, prompt positive introspection and get focused on living their best life right now at any age. The book also includes her artwork that celebrates women and the transcendental meaning of butterflies.

Epps’ artistry, which ranges from face & body painting to custom designs and textiles, has been enjoyed by art fanatics throughout the Metropolitan Detroit area and abroad. Her face painting has grasped the fascination of children and adults alike at the DMC Health Fair, Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Winter and Spring Concerts, Wayne County Community College Reading Fair, DTE’s special events held at Beacon Park, the City of Detroit Police Department’s Annual Night Out, Wayne State University Annual Student Fair and the Family Head Start Awareness Day Celebration just to name a few. Her captivating artistic ability led her to be the featured artist at the International Face and Body Art Conference Gala and has also caught the attention of various local media outlets.

Epps art parties include pillow and purse painting that provides an opportunity for women and girls to experience selfexpression, release stress and create their very own décor item or wearable art.

Epps has been featured in several magazines in Detroit and abroad, along with received numerous awards.

Presently Ms. Epps operates Sandy’s Land LLC full time where the motto is,”We Party with a Purpose and Bring the Fun to YOU!” Epps has served as Executive Assistant and Director of Community Affairs for Detroit City Council Member JoAnn Watson during her tenure. She has worked as Producer for the television/radio broadcast “Wake Up Detroit!” and Co-hosted a talk show at WHPR TV 33/ 88.1 FM. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Major in Art from Wayne State University. For more information on Sandra Epps’ products or services, please call (313) 492-6953 or visit www.sandyslandtips.blogspot.com or www.detroitdoll.bigcartel.com