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TABLE OF CONTENT
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Editors Note
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Athlete Of The Month
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Antwan Johnson
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How To Execute 2022 Goals
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Dealing With Holiday Grief
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Turning The Page
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Brown Beauty Of The Month
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HIV/AIDS Awareness
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Home For The Holidays With The Rispers
Deborah S. Risper Quadrell Hill,Jr.
Judgemental Community VS. Black Men
Nyla Wright
Dr.Courtney P. Hendrix Christina Marie Mikkita Moore
Deborah Risper
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EDITORS NOTE Deborah Risper
Happy December!!
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elcome to one of the most wonderful time of the year. I cannot believe we’ve been connected for 12 months now! It seems like yesterday W.O.E started and my nerves were ALL over the place. Nevertheless, we made it. Not only did we make it but we are constantly growing and became an international read in such a short time. These things are a sure sign that W.O.E will be a household name sooner than expected. Thank you to every writer, advertiser and subscriber. Without you W.O.E wouldn’t be here. As we gear up to celebrate life, family and fun be sure you reflect on the real reason for the season. While some may say religion is their reason, others are simply glad they made it through this year alive. For some, losing loved ones is hard during this time. Please continue to show compassion during this time and keep those with loved ones in your prayers & thoughts. Please enjoy this edition packed with holiday fun. Not only is it packed with fun, I especially thank my family for sharing the cover with me. See you guys in 2022!! -Deborah S. Risper Editor-In-Chief
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ATHLETE OF THE MONTH Quadrell Hill,Jr.
W.O.E is excited to feature Quadrell Hill, Jr. who is a Senior at Michelle Clark High School. Quadrell has a big & bright future and we know that his talent, heart and desire for greatness will lead him to his dreams. Please take a moment to read about his greatness thus far. W: Outside of your sport, who are you? Q: I Love Learning About Something New Each Day,Chilling With My Family, And playing the game with my friends from school or family members W: Why/how did you choose your sport? Q: I guess It was meant to be honest. I saw my Uncle play football and he’s my role model so he influenced me. Also I heard a story from my family that my Dad played football so it was like a Big extra step for me to do it.
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W: How long have you played your sport? Q: I played football since 6th grade W: What is your position and how important is it to your team? Q: I am a Running back and Linebacker. My position plays a big role on my team because I gained important yards and made important tackles on defense. W: What has this sport taught you? Q: This sport taught me Leadership,Not to judge anyone and to stay humble and wait your turn.(Stay down till you come up) that means keep grinding until you shine. W: What does teamwork mean to you? Q: Teamwork is a beautiful thing to me because you can get a lot done if you work together. Also it’s even better when y’all have chemistry together.
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W: Do you see yourself playing this sport for life or as a professional?
in your life or sport that you’d like to share?
Q: Yes. I will be a professional NFL player!
Q: For my last year I had over 75 Tackles, Over 800 Yards, 14 Touchdown
W: What are your goals for this sport now and in the future? Q: I will work on my craft everyday and learn from people on how I could improve myself. Until then I will continue to apply for colleges and text college coaches W: What advice would you give to newbies in your sport? Q: I would tell them to work hard and to give everything 110%. that just don’t go for football that can go for everything. Love,School,A job etc…
If you have a social media page you’d like us to include, please list it here.
Twitter-@QuadrellHill Instagram-@Quadrell Jr Hill Snapchat-@idgafau35 Facebook-@Quadrell Jr Hill
W: Do you have any exciting things
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JUDGEMENTAL COMMUNITY VS. BLACK Antwan Johnson
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here can be a question “can a man born in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s or even in the 2000’s be upright according to society, community, or religious standards today?”. Many will say no for there are no good men, all men are dogs, a real man should make this amount of money, can’t have a record, should have this many records, talk like this, look like that, should have this many baby mamas, or none. However, let’s put this in perspective what if there was a male child that was born to a woman who became single before giving birth and to a father that was raised in the projects of the south side of Chicago, what would you say then. The odds were against him based on those two factors society already said he would not make it in this world at all before him being born. What if the single mother had some sort of agreement with the
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father, then the father got killed when the child was not the age of three yet? The judgmental community would say that a child’s future is a failure or that woman might as well get her bond money ready at an early age. Not one time has the community said “let us help her make this son a man”, instead, the same community that says “it takes a village to raise a child” will place traps before both the mother and the son. Traps such as drugs, gangs, poor housing which is causing one to be mentally unstable, debt, doubt, and more. What if that same male child decides instead of turning to the streets such as joining a gang, robbing, killing, or doing or selling drugs no matter how high the household bills are or how hectic the household is? What if working to take care of the household needs is not a fun opportunity for him? He decides
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to go into debt so bills can be paid even though those same bills were not originally his. There comes a question, how can a child especially a male child overcome such obstacles? Fortunately, some male sons were born with a strong will to be upright; not allowing the communities they were born in to define their destiny. Everyone isn’t born with that will unfortunately and when one does not have any will at all to do the right thing that is when they will fail the parents, community, or even religion. What if a male child has a strong will but their family or community will not give them a helping hand? That is when the burden of darkness of the impossibility is truly upon their shoulders. This kind of weight is not easy, not even for a man. Society tends to close its eyes to a man that struggles to be a man such as a male child becoming a man at an
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early age because the single man has some sort of sickness. Should only that male child be responsible for that mom? No! The next question should be the is the male child the only one responsible for that household? No again. His family and his community should give a helping hand. What happens when the family and community turn a deaf ear to the male child? The male child will struggle and will fall short in some shape form or fashion in being the man according to what that society may deem necessary. It’s time for the family and community to stop saying what the male child did right or wrong, it’s time for the family and community to stop saying what the mother did right or wrong. It’s time for the family and community to stand up and say “What must we do to help”.
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HOW TO EXECUTE
2022 GOALS Nyla Wright
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ecember is the month that many people think about the goals they want to set up for the upcoming year. I, myself have struggled with being unsuccessful at accomplishing my upcoming yearly goals. Each year I simplify, organize and prioritize my goals by working on the high priority goals first. Within the month of December, I look for a skilled professional and discuss with them what my goals are and when I would like to have the goal accomplished. Hiring a skilled professional has been a game-changer for accomplishing my goals. Most people’s common goals are health, increased income, new business, travel, and getting organized. Only 8% of people are successful at accomplishing these yearly goals. The other 92% of people are unsuccessful because they don’t have the tools needed to execute their goals. The 8% that are successful in accomplishing their goals usually get help from professionals that are skilled at helping others reach their goals. If you are one of the 92% and have struggled to be successful at accomplishing your goals, let December be the month you hire a skilled professional to accomplish those goals for next year. If you are not able to organize and prioritize your goals for next year maybe hiring a Professional Organizer could help
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get your goals prioritized and executed. Many people think Professional Organizers only organize homes and offices, yet they do so much more. As a professional organizer, I work with my clients to implement a holistic system that helps with their unique needs. Top 4 Ways to Execute Yearly Goals • Simplify Goals • Organize Goals • Prioritize Goals • Hire a Professional To Execute Goal Reach out to me, I have an AAS degree in Advanced Behavioral Health and also provide services as a Professional Organizer specialized to help people with mental health disorders. My contact info is listed below. Website: www.eyeforitorganizing.com Email: nyla@eyeforitorganizing.com Facebook: Eye For It Organizing Instagram: eyeforitorganizing
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DEALING WITH HOLIDAY GRIEF Dr.Courtney P. Hendrix
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eath is inevitable; it’s something that none of us will be able to bypass. The question is always posed, “are you ready to die?” A better question would probably be, “are you prepared for those close to you to leave; even when it’s unexpected…” Grief is heavy, but it’s also a part of the healing process… they say, “it gets better with time…” I say, “they are lying…” Time is irrelevant if you’re not being INTENTIONAL about your HEALING Process! We have all lost someone who was near and dear to us. As the Holiday Season approaches, embrace your grief in a way that brings you joy. The reality is, you may not always be happy BUT you can always have joy. Do things in remembrance of your loved one like cooking their favorite dish, make an ornament in their memory, volunteer or do something charitable, or visit a sentimental place. Keep their memories alive by talking about them often! Avoid secluding yourself and pushing people away. Surround
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yourself with those who care about you and don’t be afraid to ask for support from friends or family. Take the opportunity to lean into your faith during trying times of grief. Know that it’s okay to NOT be okay, however, it is NOT okay to stay that way. Take the opportunity to seek professional help. You must be INTENTIONAL about your HEALING! Journaling is a great way to express your emotions, take the time to pour out your heart and process as well as acknowledge what you are feeling. Begin to ask yourself questions about what you are experiencing emotionally. This may be a good time to ask God to increase your faith and as you do this come up with a strategic action plan towards your healing. Make a commitment to yourself to be fully present and vested in your healing. As you deal with your grief during the holiday season take note of your prayer request by recording what you are believing God to do for you in this area and as you see the hand of God move on your behalf
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keep a track record. This encourages you to stay in the fight. When you see your prayers begin to be answered it helps you trust God for more. Find yourself not only in God’s word, but in therapeutic sessions as well addressing your grief place; maximize your potential for healing by covering all areas in your life (mentally, spiritually, and emotionally). As you journal about your state of grief and healing, take time to increase your prayer and meditation time. Here is a prayer to lead you into a place of healing as it relates to grief: PRAYER: Father God, I need your mighty hand. I need you to breathe on me. Lord, help me to accept your will and destiny for my loved ones. Help me to accept that healing doesn’t always take place on this side and that you do nothing without reason. Father God, help me to see your hand move even in death knowing that to be absent from the body is to be present with you, and with you there is no more pain and sickness.
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Help me not to despise you because my loved one has gone on. Send the Holy Spirit as a comforter and in my lowest moments please remind me that You will never leave me nor forsake me, and that every pain I feel you feel it too. Heal my heart Oh God and fill the void with the unconditional love you have for me by allowing me to feel Your Spirit… In Jesus Name I pray, Amen! Holiday Grief Tips: https://thepsychologygroup.com/how-tocope-with-grief-during-the-holidays/ ● Set Boundaries with Holiday Events. ... ● Tune Into Your Grief Emotions. ... ● Plan Ahead to Fill Empty Holiday Roles. ... ● Honor Old Traditions & Honor Memories. ... ● Create New Traditions. ... ● Identify Grief Coping Skills. ... ● Volunteer/Do Something Charitable. ... ● Ask For Help When Struggling with Grief. *For more information or services on Healing I can be reached at: CourtneyPHendrix.com*
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TURNING THE PAGE Christina Marie
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uess what? We have made it to the 12th month of the year. And if you are turning these pages that means that GOD has kept you through the year. I pray that you have a lot to be grateful for and happy about this season. Thanks for sharing Christina Corners with me! Well, I am so grateful I am in Africa serving GOD’s children that are forgotten on Christmas. Here is a prayer to get you through the rest of the year. See you next year!!!
that You have walked this earth before us and have been tested in similar ways so that You understand what it means to be alone and isolated.
Dear Heavenly Father, the holiday season can be quite a trial and even a deep sadness to many people, especially those that are alone at this time, perhaps having lost a loved one through death or divorce or for some other reason.
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/ Prayers-for-Holidays
Comfort the lonely, console the grieving, support the weak, give grace to the afflicted, and reassure those who have allowed fear to invade their peace, with the certainty that You are their ever-present help in time of trouble. This we ask in Jesus’ name,
Draw very close we pray, to those that are alone and lonely over this holiday time. May they discover closeness in their relationship with You that perhaps they did not enjoy before. Thank You, that You are a God Who is able to sympathize with all our weaknesses, disappointments, and difficulties, knowing
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BROWN BEAUTY OF
THE MONTH Mikkita L Moore
www.mikkitamoore.com info@mikkitamoore.com www.artoftransparency.org
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ikkita L Moore, an author, international motivational speaker and mother of five, starting at the tender age of 14 from the South Side of Chicago. Mikkita is the Founder and CEO of The Art of Transparency, NFP an organization with a vision and mission to “Heal ONE Person, One City, ONE State, ONE Nation at a time. We provide the pivotal tools resources and fundamental needs necessary to create lasting impact for those affected by various traumas.”. The CEO of Invisible Daughter, LLC a publishing
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and Writing Coach Company. Although passionate about teaching others about her journey which includes forgiving a father that wasn’t, in her opinion, able to be the model man she had desperately needed as a young girl growing into womanhood, she continued to struggle with her inner feelings. Being able to convey these imbedded emotions is also comforting for her. Learning the Art of Transparency is equivalent to facing and being fully aware of who she is, her ability to candidly speak from the heart about real life issues and how to conquer life’s trials is one of my greatest gifts. Speaking to participants is a time for meaningful engagement. Time used to encourage, lead and offer real life situations and results to enable listeners to truly understand and connect with her, not only as the speaker but to have empathy for the topic. One of the results that Mikkita obtains when speaking to audiences is her dynamic ability to ignite an awakening within those 18
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who hear her story. It allows them to realize and understand their issue more clearly, that she has been through similar situations and how they, too, can overcome the feelings and possible stagnations from its impact. These processes are all facilitated with audience in mind. How beneficial it is to have the skill to ignite the path of change. Mikkita’s niche is engaging her audience with realistic topics that help identify the issues and the willingness to work towards resolutions. Her first two books, The Letter From, the Invisible Daughter as well as The Cause and Effect of The Invisible Daughter, talks about, among other topics, parenting a child that’s different from the rest and her doubts of being a good mother. As she speaks candidly about her thoughts of suicide and being in unsafe relationships that included domestic violence; emotional, mental and physical, she creates and implements strategies to be used in the moment to begin healing
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processes for others. Most gatherings include hands-on activities. There’s only room for results; a growth mindset. Mikkita continues to receive multiple invites to speak due this direct approach which call for peace and progress in the lives of others. During the pandemic of 2020, Mikkita was blessed to birth another seven books through collaborations with other Authors, giving her a total of nine published books. In the words of Mikkita about what inspired he to write her books… With all of my books I wanted to reach my audience on a level that’s different from the rest. I needed to reach an audience that hasn’t heard about the Black girl from the south side of Chicago that wasn’t poor and not knowing where her next meal would come from. The girl that her mother wasn’t a drug addict, father wasn’t a drug pusher. I was tired of the stereo types that I had to be from this type of family or that kind of family because I had my first child at the age of 14 years
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old. My all-time favorite was the one that says teenage moms can’t raise their children effectively or the one that says teenage moms are all high school drop outs. Neither of which proves true for me. My books are not about the average poor Black girl living in poverty. My book is about my life, from a perspective of a teenage mom that didn’t struggle, that didn’t drop out of high school but in fact graduated high school a year ahead of time with honors. This book is my life from a perspective that thought about suicide, went through domestic violence, emotionally mentally and physically. This book talks from a perspective of not feeling the love of my father searching for that type of love from boys/men that either couldn’t give it or just didn’t know how to give love. My books talk about parenting a child that’s different from the rest of her five children. Wondering where I went wrong as
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a parent, or as a real mother. I talk about being fatherless and how that affects my relationships with men. In my books I talk about how my struggle with alcohol was the only way I could cope with the depression and anger that was built from all the “life issues” that I didn’t know how to let go of. My books come from real life situations that happens in our community far too often and over looked because it’s not society’s “norm”. Mikkita along with The Art of Transparency, NFP tour has scheduled and appeared for several presentations and speaking engagements, over the last five years with heightened interest in each state. Moving forward there will be plans to host expos, workshops and conferences on trauma healing and awareness. This tour has touched over 950,000 lives through the AOT tour platform, the AOT talk/radio show, as well as their community outreach.
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HIV/AIDS AWARENESS Deborah Risper
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ou have H.I.V……the words no one ever wants to hear. Unfortunately, over 1.1 million people in the United States live with H.I.V or AIDS. While there is no current cure for these diseases, there is hope and help. Medication and lifestyle changes can assist with a longer life span. Patients with a healthy lifestyle and consistent education tend to live a good life. Below you will find factual information provided by the CDC to help spread awareness about HIV/AIDS. For those living with the diseases it is our prayer at W.O.E that you not allow the diagnosis to overcome the life promised to you. In the United States, HIV is mainly spread by having sex or sharing syringes and other injection equipment with someone who is infected with HIV. Substance use can contribute to these risks indirectly because alcohol and other drugs can lower people’s inhibitions and make them less likely to use condoms.
taken as prescribed, HIV medicine reduces the amount of HIV in the body (viral load) to a very low level, which keeps the immune system working and prevents illness. This is called viral suppression—defined as having less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood. HIV medicine can even make the viral load so low that a test can’t detect it. This is called an undetectable viral load. Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load* is the best thing people with HIV can do to stay healthy. Another benefit of reducing the amount of virus in the body is that it helps prevent transmission to others through sex or syringe sharing, and from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. This is sometimes referred to as treatment as prevention. There is strong evidence about treatment as prevention for some of the ways HIV can be transmitted, but more research is needed for other ways. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/art/ index.html
People with HIV should take medicine to treat HIV as soon as possible. HIV medicine is called antiretroviral therapy, or ART. If
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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
WITH THE RISPERS
“Hunny, Hunny can you grab my decor out of the garage? It’s time to turn the house into Risper Wonderland” As a child growing up I was always fascinated with driving past the homes with all the decor on the outside and my mind often wondered what the inside of their homes looked/smelled like. I dreamt of someday having a family with a big house where I could put up as many trees as I could. That today is my reality! Each year picking a theme for each of our trees (3 Large and tons of mini trees)is the highlight of the process. Carefully placing garland and ornaments is something I take pride in because each tree has to be “perfect”. The feeling of the holidays gives me a great sense of joy. Growing up in a low-income household we had 1 tree that I put up faithfully. My Mom knew that she didn’t have to put up the tree because Christmas was my favorite.
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Today, my children each help in their own way to help transition our home to Risper Wonderland. Although it’s a 2-week process, I am Grateful for the love that abides in our home and the decor the represents love, hope, joy, and peace. As we burn fall candles I am reminded of God’s promises to us all. There is a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how small it may seem. To those experiencing grief during this time I pray that you reminisce on the great times, you had with your loved ones. This Christmas the Rispers took pictures in our home and I decided to ask our family what they loved most about this holiday. Many of our answers were common but the one that stood out is the love for family. We appreciate our W.O.E family for being so amazing and allowing us to share from our home to yours. We love you guys!
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What we love most about Christmas and spending time with our family and seeing our children happy and healthy! We are Grateful to reap the fruits of our labor. Also we lovr just chilling watching the NBA games all day.
What I love most about christmas is being with my family & being in good spirits. Decarah
What I love the most about Christmas is waking up with the excitement of seeing my family and just enjoying each other’s company. Martreon
Mitchell & Deborah
What I like mostly about Christmas is waking up and opening presents with the family. Marreon
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What i love most about Christmas is waking up to seeing my family and see presents under the tree and have fun with family. Maliyah
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Disorganization can cause stress, anxiety and a feeling of being out of control. Many mental health disorders such as depression, ADD, ADHD and hoarders etc, would benefit from the services of a professional organizer
Call us today to set up your consultation
833 695-2917 ext. 3 www.eyeforitorganizing.com
nyla@eyeforitorganizing.com Eye For It Organizing eyeforitorganizing
Thank You December Writers
Quadrell Hill, Jr. Maliyah Risper Antwan Johnson Mikkita Moore Nyla Wright Martreon Risper Dr. Courtney Hendrix Decarah Myers Marreon Risper Christina Marie Mitchell Risper
Eye For It Organizing-Nyla Wright The Sparkle Specialist-Brandi Readus Make It Mines-Jessica Rankins-Williams Deborah Risper Inc
Thank You Advertisers Thank You Designers Cover Photo-Perfect Capture Photography Cover Makeup-Decarah Myers Hair-Arrogant Dame (Mz.CeCe) Front & Back Cover Design-TA Media Co
Informational Credit: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/art/index.html
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