Speak Woman Magazine 1st Anniversary issue

VOLUME 2- ISSUE 2

Founder/Editor-At-Large

Spotlighting the strength, diversity, & uniqueness of this journey called womanhood

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Editor’s Note 7

Meet Our Life Coach 15

Fashionably UNASHAMED 19

Perfectly Empowered 23

Spotlighting Business Women Kenya Baker (8)

Audra Champion (11)

Nina Frazier (12)

Maya Dorsey (16)

Dionna Walker (17)

Shaniece Wise (20)

Photography by

Stu Halfacre

Mayor Mary McDonald (26)

Kimberly Pitts (27)

Founder/Editor-At-Large SWM

Speak Woman was created with a simple mission; to uplift & spotlight the positivity in EVERY woman! We strive to be a vessel of information for our readers.

Although SWM strives to publish correct and accurate information, we do not accept liability for any inaccuracies.

The views expressed in published articles are that of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of SWM. Actions based on information in SWM are at your own risk.

Reproduction of any part of this publication without prior written consent is prohibited.

Trademark Property of Speak Woman Magazine, LLC Founder/Editor-At-Large La’Shanda Campbell Publisher Speak Woman Magazine, LLC Speak Woman welcomes submissions.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

2015 was a year of challenges & inspiration, but through it all God has sustained us!

We are so thankful for our contributors, advertisers, loyal readers, family, & friends.

You have celebrated with us in the good times & supported & prayed for us in the rough times.

For this we are grateful!!!

In this issue we celebrate business women who have stepped out on faith & are walking in their calling.

Enjoy this issue and continue to spread the word about this #PositiveMovement!!!

If you have a story that you would like to share we welcome you to do so by emailing us @ speakwomanmagazine@yahoo.com.

Thank you for your continued support & well wishes Be Blessed, La’Shanda Campbell, Founder/Editor-At-Large SWM

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Kenya Baker was born in Detroit, Michigan. She spent most of her childhood and adult life in Dayton, Ohio. She always possessed a strong love for education. Mrs. Baker holds a Bachelor of Science from Wilberforce University and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Dayton. Her time in the classroom as a school teacher fuels her passion to write children's literature. She is a certified teacher and has taught school in the urban community for over 15 years. Through literature, she hopes to inspire children in early childhood to express their thoughts and feelings through the pen.

Mrs. Baker uses much of her time and energy toward fighting community injustices such as Black on Black violence and littering.

She attributes all that is right in her life to God, the author and finisher of her faith.

www.kenyabakerbooks.com

speakwomanmagazine.com

"Speak with a word that echos; make your sound a profound voice that is not only heard but manifested"

Audra Champion of Dayton was born Audra D. Williams. She graduated from Colonel White High School for the Arts and has expanded on her education with an Associates of Applied Science in the medical field. She has always had a heart to give and care for others. She began to write and acknowledge her gift of storytelling, song, and poetic writing at the age of 11.

She was a winner of the young writers Martin Luther King prose contest and has competed in a number of poetry competitions with Dayton's own Metaphorically Speaking, The Last Poet Standing Competition II hosted by The Signature A Poetic Medley Show, and TruFiyah Poetry Slam events. She has also ministered in the Men's prison at Warren Correctional Institution, Ohio Northern University, and Wright State University.

She has hosted, co-hosted, and performed at events in Dayton area churches. She has been blessed to minister with the awesome True Voices

Cincinnati crew and was the first to ever be chosen in auditions for their event.

Audra's very first performance was at the De'lish Cafe under host Jay Martinez. Her second performance was at Dayton's own Poetry In Motion hosted and organized by Chris Wiley. She performed, for the first time, her story of OVERCOMING domestic abuse on that platform which caused a standing ovation and gravitated towards both female and male listeners.

Audra has pressed towards empowering and uplifting the people every time she delivers her wordplay and song. She is now growing her ministry SLRR 12/21 by signing on with Mt. Calvary Baptist Church orchestrating their events and vision for the arts in their ministry as well as teaming up with NFinitE ENT GRP, LLC in managing the up and coming play "Irreconcilable Emphasis" and blending the art of poetry, dance, and art to the stage.

Audra is currently seeking donations for the launch of Rhythm & Reason *an extension of her brand ministry SLRR 12/21 (Spring 2016)*

To donate &/or book www.gofundme.com/ubk5p4jg - rhythmandreason12.21@gmail.com

Nina

Nina C. Frazier a born native of Richmond, IN, has resided in Dayton, Ohio for over 17 years.

Ms. Frazier holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, OH and received her Masters of Business Administration in 2005 from Capella University, Minneapolis, MN. Ms. Frazier is the Owner of Faythful Treasures, a vibrant upand-coming Fashion Jewelry & Accessories online/mobile boutique located in Dayton, Ohio which was founded in July 2014.

The company specializes in carrying the hottest fashion, jewelry, and accessories for the Modern Day Divanistas at the most affordable prices. Nina is a strong believer in stepping out on Faith and allowing God to let you walk in the blessings that HE has bestowed up on you. Hence the origination behind her business motto which states:

“Step out on FAYTH, and let your TREASURES Shine”.

Nina is also the Co-Founder of “Our Sisters’ Keeper” a networking group comprised of diverse Women- business Owners in and around the Dayton Metro Area. The purpose of OSK is to bring together Women Entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds and professions on a monthly basis to provide opportunities for them to grow both personally and professionally through leadership, training, building relationships, and community involvement.

Ms. Frazier is a soon-to-be 1st time Mommy to a beautiful baby girl, Ebonni Joella, who is due to arrive in May 2016. She is also a devoted member of Jubilee Community Church in Miamisburg, Oh where she serves as a Teen Sunday School Teacher, and also as the Advisor over the S.U.R.G.E Teen Ministries Group.

faythfultreasures.storevny.com

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Meet our Frances Richards, Ph.D. is President/CEO of Arlean Richards, LLC, Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Author.

She has over fifteen years of coaching and assisting individuals to reach their goals and objectives, in addition to successfully mentoring hundreds of adult learners to obtain their degree. Her experience includes twenty+ years in management, higher education, and entrepreneurship.

Frances is a graduate of Jacksonville Theological Seminary (Ph.D.), City University (MBA) in Bellevue, Washington, and Marquette University (BA) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Frances has been a featured motivational speaker for numerous churches and professional organizations, including guest speaker at the first Women of Color Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has been featured in the Las Vegas Review Journal (The Centennial View) and the Sentinel Voice. She is married to Robert for 23 years and has a son, Louis.

Visit speakwomanmagazine.com to submit questions for Dr. Richards!!!

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Maya Dorsey of Cincinnati, Oh has made a bold imprint on the landscape of womanhood in Dayton. As the founder and operator of The Girls Project, she is building legacy. The Girls Project is a program designed to prepare, inspire and empower girls by helping them to view themselves as the creators of their own destiny.

Maya has served in a plethora of jobs and positions within the educational arena that led her to The Girls Project. In addition, she holds multiple degrees and life experiences that she believes have empowered her to impact the female youth.

Maya is the wife of Terrance Dorsey, and mother of two beautiful children, daughter, Jade and a son, Noah. If there is one word used to describe Maya it would be “DRIVEN”. Maya understands dream is a five letter word that does not exist without passion, dedication, and hard work.

Most profound, is Maya’s view on obstacles. “At each level of my life I can recall an obstacle. Obstacles can cause discouragement and they tend to feel very unfair and personal; especially, when you see others around you who seem obstacle free. As I grow I gain wisdom, I understand obstacles don’t mean quit, they mean find another route. My obstacles have caused me to be relentless in my journey of life”. When asked about establishing The Girls Project, Maya had this to say, “When you empower a girl, you change a generation”.

Maya embodies the definition of “Speak Woman”! www.thegirlsproject.us Written By: Kenya Baker

Dionna Walker of Dayton, Ohio became Dayton Book Expo top fiction seller in 2013! She attended Clark state university part-time in hopes of obtaining a social services certificate. Dionna is also a wife and mother of five.

As a child Dionna would help others by giving her own clothes on hopes of making them feel better about coming to school. As an adult Dionna discovered that there were needs in the community and she wanted to help, so she founded Dionna’s Helping Hands!

Dionna’s Helping Hands is a charity event that provides free clothing and other items to the public. Helping Hands is based in Dayton, Ohio with the hopes of serving more communities in need.

Helping Hands is operated solely on donations from the local community.

Dionna’s helping hands is about supporting and providing for the community!

“We know that the love of Jesus Christ is everlasting and we spread HIS love thru ministry and prayer!”

DionnaHelpingHands08.weebly.com 937-790-4793

Fashionably Unashamed By: Ebony Stroud (Romans 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

When you associate faith with fashion your initial thought may be an old, faded t-shirt you acquired from in Vacation Bible school ,but JCLU Forever, Forever 21,Under God by Diandre Byfield and other Christian clothing lines are creating lovely combinations of faith and fashion.

Serving God is the absolutely the best, coolest, most rewarding decision you can make in your life. If your relationship with God is the most important thing to you why not represent Him fashionably? Fashion is one of the biggest statements you can make.

Christian clothing has definitely evolved over the past several years. As a child the only clothing I saw that promoted faith were “too blessed to be stressed” t-shirts, but now there’s a little more of a variety. Being saved doesn't mean you should sacrifice your sense of style. It is very possible to be fly, classy, and sanctified all at once.

Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37)

Christian designers have the ability to dominate the fashion industry. In February of 2013 the first Christian Fashion Week was created.

It originally started out as a two day event, but now the event is an entire week. The Christian Fashion Week includes an International Day of Prayer for Art and Fashion, workshops, shopping days, and two days of fashion shows. Each year the show grows more and more.

It has been tradition to honor God through song and dance since the days of David but now we can honor Him through fashion. How amazing is that?

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Shaniece M. Wise is a Personal Development Coach who assists with identifying, activating, and maximizing an individuals’ gifts, talents and strengths. She educates people on how to develop personally, in business and ministry. As a Coach/Activation Specialist, Shaniece teaches individuals how to activate what they enjoy and create a career out of it. She focuses on the application of transitioning from a place of surviving to a place of thriving. Shaniece believes that a person can succeed when they are focused with a strategy and plan of action.

Shaniece is uniquely qualified in this area by the remarkable success of her business as an entrepreneur. As a Sales Director with Mary Kay for more than thirteen years, she has been able teach and coach individuals on how to grow and develop their own brand by utilizing their strengths, gifts, and talents. Shaniece has been featured in company marketing materials used to advertise to the public. She has also earned many awards and received massive recognition on a national level due to her dedication, commitment, and hard work. As a result of her success, she has been asked to speak to audiences all over the United States.

www.shaniecemwise.com

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Perfectly Empowered Written by: Denise Burns

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When you are lost and feel as though the power of the almighty river is going to sweep you away to the sea, what do you do? Do you just let the river carry you away into the freezing current, while being slammed into all the mysteries that await you around every bend? Do you allow the force of the mighty water to beat you until you wash along a shore somewhere? Do you allow yourself to just drown?

Do you try to figure out how you are going to get out? I bet while the river is beating you half to death you finally decided to scream out “Oh Lord help me”.

There is not a single person around to hear or see you. You now feel completely hopeless; powerless.

This is how so many of us live our lives, being tossed around by a violent current into all the dangers we cannot see. I know you must be wondering what does any of this have to do

with Jeremiah 29. Well, allow me a few minutes of your time to explain.

What I have found in my years of being tossed around this crazy thing called life, is I am not afraid of the river. I am not afraid of the current, or the sharp rocks that lay beneath the surface of the water that I cannot see, or whether a single soul on this earth hears my cries or sees my struggling. I have learned as long as I keep my focus the mighty current of the river will not suck me under. I find my focus in my faith, in knowing He knows exactly what plans He has for me.

I find my power in His word and His guidance. I often find it when I have forgotten to look for it, when I have let this world break me down into the tiny pebbles found on the banks of the river.

When I scream with all my might for God to help me, I learn He already has. He has already empowered me with all I will 23

ever need. I lose sight, focus and What does this have to do let the river beat me until I can with Jeremiah you may be no longer swim, right as I am on asking? Well, God has the final the verge of drowning He send say. He gives us all the authority me another breath, a burst of we need. He has authorized you determination. What He doesn’t to be completely empowered in send me all things according to His will. is an easy way out.

Empowerment does He used to, but see not come from “Pick up your as I have grown up humanity it comes Bible, you will some spiritually I from God and what feel He expects me He has chosen to find all the to know better than place in you. It has empowerment to allow myself to been there since birth, you need!” get caught in the your empowerment is current. He has as strong as the river taught me how to you allow to beat you swim and to float around the up, toss you around and leave bend with my eye on Him. Of you laying on the shore. You are course He could bail me out if He that tiny pebble all shiny and wanted to, but He empowered new, the rough edges smoothed me to do it myself. All part of His out in His perfection exactly how plan for me. To learn to trust you are. You are perfectly Him to learn He has already empowered, strong and will grow given me everything I need. I like that lump of goal that turns don’t need a human being to into a beautiful diamond. The throw me a life line or to save river has shaped you and me, He already did. prepared you for you journey to the sea. You will shine, as long as If we find the definition in you stay focused and allow the Webster’s dictionary of empower power of God to continue to it states empower you. “I know the plans I “1. to give power or authority have for you says the Lord” pick to; authorize, especially by legal up your Bible, you will find all or official means: 2. to enable or the empowerment you need! permit “

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On Purpose Women’s Network (OPWN) is a mentoring and networking organization for Women 18 + who feel the leading and calling for Christian ministry. Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist are common ministry areas but there is ministry in writing, performing arts and the marketplace such as corporate or entrepreneurial endeavors. We realize for many of us, our business is our ministry!!!

At OPWN, we define ministry as any act of service that is motivated by the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ multiplied on the earth and the goodness of God on display through our ministry.

OPWN was founded out of a sincere desire to see women move forward in fulfilling their God-given destiny. We come from diverse cultures, denominations and experiences but we commonly share a desire to please Jesus!

Through membership, you can get involved in 3 ways: 1. Become an On Purpose Mentor to a less experienced female in ministry 2. Become an On Purpose Mentee and work with your Mentor to achieve your ministry goals 3. Become an On Purpose Group Leader in your community and help women discover and fulfill their God-given purpose

For more information and membership fees visit

www.opwn.org or contact

Kimberly Jarvis at 937-673-6988

“For the Ministry You’ve Envisioned”

The city of Trotwood needed a change and by the grace of God, there was one woman who spent time diligently preparing for just the change this suburban community of Dayton needed, new leadership.

Mayor Mary McDonald is a down to earth, eager, and an ambitious face for the city of Trotwood. Mayor McDonald has been an active resident in the city of Trotwood for the last 28 years. She believes that bringing a change to Trotwood entails us “operating in the things we cannot see”! McDonald’s major premise is to set a new direction for her city.

When asked about the many business vacancies and her plans to revitalize the economy in Trotwood, Mayor McDonald had this to say, “We must educate the community! Companies and industries are in the business of making money. When income levels dropped due to the exodus of the major manufacturing company, General Motors, many businesses took note and left as well. Developers study population when looking to establish businesses in communities”.

Over the past few months of her new assignment as Trotwood Mayor, she has developed a strong rapport with local and distant municipalities, championed causes such as supporting Flint Michigan in their recent water crisis and promoted development in her very own city of Trotwood to stimulate the economy. Mayor Mary McDonald is a trend-setter and vocal leader for change in today’s society!

Kimberly Pitts is a Personal Development Life Coach who holds degrees in both Social Sciences and General Studies. She has several years of combined experience in Coaching, Training, Speaking, Consulting, and as a Solutionist.

Kimberly is a Speaker, Consultant and provides Coaching to Individuals (adults, teenagers, and children), Couples, Groups, Organizations, Businesses, and other entities. She also conducts and facilitates: Seminars, Workshops, and various Trainings. She is very passionate about helping others discover their purpose, find balance, and create their path. Her ability to connect with others allows her to help strengthen relationships (personal and workplace), facilitate teamwork/teambuilding, and trust. Moreover, she helps others with purpose, self-image, change, conflict resolution, focus and connection so they can walk in completion. Her solid reputation is built on insight, honesty, truth, and confidentiality.

Everyday women all over the world are taking on life’s challenges. Some of these challenges are small and some make us feel like we won’t make it through alive, but somehow we find the strength to make it through and come out stronger and wiser!

SWM wants to hear those stories of OVERCOMING life’s difficulties and lessons learned! Life is a journey and SWM believes by publishing these overcoming stories we give strength to those who may be in that dark moment with no light in sight.

If you have a story email speakwomanmagazine@yahoo.com

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SWM Spotlighting the strength, diversity, & uniqueness of this journey called womanhood