Speak Woman Magazine - March 2024 Issue

Harnessing

Her fight for justice and to reunite with her child!

Michelle Loud

Michelle

EDITOR S NOTE

EMPOWERING WOMEN

CELEBRATING SISTERHOOD #SPEAKWOMAN

March is upon us, the world is celebrating Women's History Month - a time dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions of women across the globe. This excites us because every month Speak Woman Magazine proudly celebrates the strength, resilience, and sisterhood that define women everywhere.

One of the cornerstones of empowerment is sisterhood! Sisterhood plays a pivotal role in the journey towards empowerment. The bond between womenbuilt on empathy, support, and solidarity - serves as a powerful force for change. When women come together, we amplify each other's voices, challenge societal norms, and create spaces where all women can thrive. In a world that often pits women against each other, fostering sisterhood is revolutionary.

In this issue we spotlight the story of Michelle Loud who was thrust into the public eye after sharing a heartbreaking LIVE video of her courageous fight to reclaim custody of her son Jason; a battle that continues today. Read her story and let’s continue to fight for what is right! #BringJasonHome #LetsBeClear

Continued Blessings,

Shanda Campbell, Editor-At-Large

Speak Woman Magazine strives to publish correct

Breathe In, Breathe Out

Harnessing the Power of Breath to Relieve Stress and Anxiety

In the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, stress and anxiety have become all too familiar companions. From looming deadlines to endless to-do lists, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and consumed by the pressures of daily life. However, amidst the chaos, there lies a simple yet powerful tool that has the potential to bring calm and clarity to even the most chaotic of moments: The Breath.

As we welcome the entrance of Spring, now is the perfect time to explore the transformative power of conscious breathing and its profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being.

Let’s talk about the importance of breathing to relieve stress and anxiety, and explore practical techniques to incorporate breathwork into your daily routine.

Understanding the Connection Between Breath and Stress

The way we breathe directly influences our body's stress response. When we experience stress or anxiety, our sympathetic nervous system kicks into high gear, triggering the body's "fight or flight" response and leading to shallow, rapid breathing. This shallow breathing pattern signals to the brain that we are in a state of danger, exacerbating feelings of stress and anxiety.

Conversely, deep, diaphragmatic breathing activates the body's parasympathetic nervous system, inducing a relaxation response and promoting feelings of calm and well-being. By consciously controlling our breath, we can override the body's stress response and cultivate a sense of inner peace and tranquility, even amid chaos.

The Benefits of Conscious Breathing

The benefits of conscious breathing extend far beyond stress relief. Regular practice of breathwork has been shown to have numerous positive effects on both the body and mind, including:

- Lowering blood pressure and heart rate

- Improving sleep quality and promoting relaxation

- Enhancing concentration, focus, and mental clarity

- Boosting immune function and reducing inflammation

- Alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD

Practical Breathwork Techniques to Try

1. Deep Belly Breathing: Sit or lie comfortably. Place one hand on your belly and the other on your chest. Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your belly to expand fully. Exhale slowly through your mouth, feeling your belly deflate. Repeat, focusing on the sensation of your breath moving in and out of your body.

2. ‘4-7-8’Breath: Inhale deeply through your nose for a count of 4 seconds. Hold your breath for a count of 7 seconds. Exhale slowly and completely through your mouth for a count of 8 seconds. Repeat, allowing each breath to become slower.

As you navigate daily life, remember that your breath is always available to anchor you in the present moment and provide solace amidst the chaos. When you experience anxious thoughts, take a moment to pause, close your eyes, pray, and connect with your breath. Inhale deeply. Exhale fully. And let the rhythm of your breath guide you back to a place of inner calm and balance, where the beauty of spring blooms in your heart and soul.

Feedback From Our Family

In life and relationships, Strong Black Women often find ourselves navigating a delicate balance between strength, vulnerability, resilience and exhaustion. The societal expectation of the "Strong Black Woman" not only affects our relationships with others, but also shapes perception of ourselves and our ability to express femininity and softness. Let’s delve into how the burden of strength impacts Black Women's relationships with men and our understanding of womanhood.

The Impact: The trope of the “Strong Black Woman” perpetuates the notion that we must epitomize self-sufficiency, independence, and resilience at any cost. While these qualities are admirable, they also create barriers to intimacy and vulnerability in relationships. Strong Black Women may feel pressure to maintain a facade of strength, even when they are struggling and need support, leading to feelings of isolation and disconnection from their partners. This emphasis on independence undermines the essence of interdependence, which acknowledges the inherent interconnectedness of humanity and significance of fostering meaningful connections rather than embracing solitude.

Challenges in Romantic Relationships

In romantic relationships, the constant pressure to remain strong can create challenges. This affects how Black Women communicate, connect emotionally, and resolve conflicts with partners. Often, Strong Black Women find it hard to express vulnerabilities, fearing it might make them seem weak. As a result, communication breaks down, and emotional intimacy suffers. This reflects societal norms that associate vulnerability with weakness, promoting the idea that strength means always being dominant. This severe misconception can hinder genuine intimacy and harmony in relationships.

The Struggle to Be Soft and Vulnerable

The expectation of strength can also impact Black Women's ability to embrace our femininity and vulnerability. From a young age, Black Women are often taught to be strong and resilient in the face of adversity, leaving little room for expressions of softness or vulnerability. The stress of constantly living up to this expectation can lead to mental and physical illnesses, as our minds and bodies are not equipped to handle the immense pressures forced upon us. This struggle is especially prevalent and difficult for women who have experienced sexual or physical assault.

So, what can be done to rejuvenate Black Women who are exhausted?

1. Cultivating Healthy Communication and Boundaries

It's important for Black Women to become comfortable cultivating open, honest communication with our communities and partners to establish clear boundaries around our time, energy, and emotional wellbeing. By communicating our needs openly, Black Women can create relationships that honor and respect our strength and vulnerability while eliminating those that do not.

2.

Honoring Softness and Femininity

It's crucial for Strong Black Women to honor and embrace our softness and femininity as integral parts of our identity. This may involve practicing self-compassion and forgiveness of self and others. It also means allowing ourselves to be open and vulnerable in our relationships. By embracing our full range of emotions and experiences, we can reclaim our sense of womanhood and create relationships that celebrate our strength, softness, resilience, and humanity.

Unleashing the Lioness Within

As we roam the vast savannah of the business world, it's undeniable that certain brands stand out like majestic lions, commanding attention, respect, and loyalty. Just like our counterparts in the wild, a powerful brand exudes strength, confidence, and authority.

The Lioness's Roar: Defining Brand Power! Picture the roar of a lioness echoing across the plains it leaves a lasting impression, just as brand power resonates with consumers. But what exactly is brand power?At its core, it's our ability to captivate and influence, instilling trust, loyalty, and recognition.

Crafting Your Brand's Mane: Building a Strong Brand! Identity Much like the mane distinguishes the lioness, a strong brand identity sets us apart from the competition. Clearly defining our purpose and core values create a compelling narrative that resonates with our audience.

Mastering The Hunt: Strategic Brand Marketing! As skilled hunters, we understand the importance of strategic planning and execution. Identifying our target audience and tailoring our marketing efforts to meet their needs is vital. We must utilize digital channels to amplify our message and reach a wider audience.

Embracing the Pride: Cultivating Brand Loyalty! Cultivate communities of loyal customers and advocates. Prioritize customer experience; delivering exceptional products and support. Engage with your audience and address concerns promptly. Reward customer loyalty to foster long-term relationships.

The Lioness's Share: Measuring Brand Success! In the competitive jungle of the marketplace, tracking and measuring our success is essential. Monitor key performance indicators and analyze feedback, social media engagement, and sales data to identify areas for improvement and fine-tune accordingly. So, fellow lionesses, let your brand roar, and watch as it commands the attention and loyalty of consumers far and wide! Need Branding assistance?

Michelle Loud, a true "Woman After God’s Own Heart," embodies a remarkable blend of roles and talents.As a devoted mother of five, author, licensed cosmetologist, and skilled in medical billing & coding, Michelle's dedication to empowering women and girls shines through every aspect of her life. When asked about her passion and life’s purpose, Michelle humbly shares, “I am a vessel God uses to fight for the voiceless,” highlighting her unwavering commitment to advocacy and upliftment.

Michelle catapulted into the global spotlight following a heartfelt LIVE video on May 18, 2022. In this emotionallycharged narrative, she bravely shared her journey after learning distressing news about Cora Jakes-Coleman's divorce and concerning allegations of child harm. Uncertain of her son's safety and overwhelmed with maternal instinct, Michelle courageously stepped into the public eye, breaking the silence surrounding her struggle. "I had been working on getting my son back for years behind closed doors," she revealed, "but this respect was not getting us anywhere."

Reflecting on her relationship with Cora Jakes, Michelle recounts their intertwined history, from childhood friends to the role of God-motherhood for her oldest daughter. However, in 2014, Michelle reports their dynamic took a troubling turn when she was pregnant with her fourth child, Jason. Michelle shared that she found herself in a vulnerable state, battling severe post-partum depression and instability. Despite seeking solace in her friend, Cora, Michelle felt unsupported and states she later realized the “manipulation” that occurred.

Michelle reports that the process through which Cora obtained legal guardianship of her son Jason, “disguised under the guise of assistance”, is a testament to the deception she faced. Michelle states that she unknowingly signed documents without fully comprehending their implications, only to later discover the truth, igniting her resolve to reclaim her son. In her LIVE Michelle tearfully shares how she was “set up” and lacked resources and support causing her to act as her own legal counsel against the Jakes family with endless resources and influence. Michelle shared that what was presented as “help and ministry”, including recorded sessions and spiritual “rituals”, were later used as evidence against her in court to take custody of her son.

In 2015, Michelle's poignant question, "what do you do when you feel like you ’ve made the wrong decision?" marked the beginning of her fight to reunite with her son a battle she continues to wage with unwavering determination.

Michelle, Tell us about your book.

‘Dare to Stand: The Authenticity of My Mother's Journey’ is a compelling exploration into the intricate layers of my life, weaving a narrative that unfolds the profound story of resilience and self-discovery. From the complexities of my familial relationships and the impactful loss of my father to navigating the labyrinth of religious upbringing and confronting the challenges of mental health, this book unravels the threads that have shaped my unique journey.

The narrative takes a poignant turn as I reflect on the trials of motherhood, grappling with moments of hopelessness and the heart-wrenching loss of custody of my son to someone I once considered a friend. Unveiling the unsettling reality of ritual abuse, I courageously expose my uphill battle to reclaim my child, magnified by the presence of a formidable adversary – a wealthy and influential family deeply entrenched in power dynamics.

In this raw and unfiltered account, I lay bare the emotional toll of defending myself against overwhelming odds, confronting a Goliath-like force with connections that reach far and wide. The narrative documents not only the personal impact on me but also the reverberations felt by my other children and extended family.

The book transcends personal experiences, delving into my childhood memories with my grandfather and the enduring consequences of past decisions. Through this captivating journey, ‘Dare to Stand’ invites readers to witness the profound resilience of a mother who defies adversity, ultimately embracing authenticity in the face of life's most formidable challenges.

Tell us how you are empowering women and young girls?

As anAdvocate for mothers, I provide personalized guidance and support to those in need. I help them to gain clarity, set meaningful goals, and overcome obstacles. Her methodology is empathetic, non-judgmental, and action-oriented. Through my advocacy work, I strive to empower others who have faced similar challenges and to make a difference in their lives.

I am empowering young girls by narrating my journey as a young mother. Through my story, I emphasize the significance of fostering open communication with parents and stress the importance of maintaining transparency with one's own children. I delve into the crucial aspect of recognizing signs of mental health challenges and advocating for seeking treatment.

Above all, I want women and young girls to understand that they are never alone in their struggles. I encourage them to actively seek positive support systems. I share my experiences through various social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram.

Additionally, I actively engage with and support other mothers who have undergone similar experiences by fostering a sense of community. Ultimately, my goal is to inspire mothers and young women to persevere and never give up, promote resilience, and determination.

Tell us about your brand

My brand embodies the essence of a nurturing mother, deeply in love with God's grace and walking confidently into my purpose. My brand reflects my belief in the transformative power of God's grace as I strive to inspire others to embrace their unique journey and live purposeful lives. When people see me, I want them to see an authentic, unapologetic, strong black woman and mother.

My brand reflects who I am and what I believe in. It centers around transparency and authenticity, values that I hold dear in every aspect of my life. My brand incorporates elements of religious faith, emphasizing the importance of spiritual guidance in navigating life's journey. It also delves into the realm of good and responsible parenting, sharing insights and experiences on this profound aspect of life.

Advocacy and education are integral parts of my brand, as I strive to create awareness and impart knowledge on subjects close to my heart. Above all, my brand is founded on the belief that all things are possible with the help and guidance of the Lord, serving as a guiding light for those who connect with its message.

ARE YOU READY TO PARTNER WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT & DOMINATE IN BUSINESS?

SWM