The Black Family Magazine: MAY 2022 EDITION by The Black Family Magazine

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TABLE OF CONTENT 04 Strength of a Woman Stories

Dr. Monica D. Reed - Strength of Woman: I AM S.H.E.

Cordea Reid

16 Diana M. Collins

Dr. Lorelle Strong Rich

Dr. Karen Hills Pruden

Veronica Simon

Y. Rená

34 The 20 Year Infertitility Journey with Kenqwonna & Yasmina Emani Clarke

“A Mommy Miracle”

Evangelist Tina Michelle Baker

53 59

Consuella D. Hopkins

Martha Davidson

65 Dr. Constance Craig-Mason, MRFC®

70 Eugenia Yvette

STRENGTH OF A WOMAN STORIES DR. MONICA D. REED

DIANA M. COLLINS MSN, ACNP

DR. LORELLE STRONG RICH

DR. KAREN HILLS PRUDEN

CONSUELLA D. HOPKINS

MARTHA DAVIDSON

CORDEA REID

VERONICA SIMON

Y. RENÁ

DR. CONSTANCE CRAIG-MASON

EUGENIA YVETTE

EVANGELIST TINA MICHELLE BAKER

Dr. Monica D. Reed Strength of Woman

”As Women Heal, the World Will Continue to Heal” - Dr. Monica D. Reed

I Am S.h.e.

Shielding HER Empire My eyes closed, my husband and children standing in a circle holding hands for prayer. The tears began to run down my face. Tears of happiness. Tears of gratitude. Totally embodied in worshiping while weeping, I would hear the words hit the microphone and the bass loudly playing in my ear. “We are standing here only because you made a way. You move mountains, you cause walls to fall. With your power, you brought Miracles” the words of “You Made a Way” sung by Travis Greene. Totally grateful that He would entrust me with not one but four of his children. At that moment, I knew that I had done all that I could to Shield Her Empire. Rewind the time with me... I was sitting in my car listening to Yolanda Adam - “Open My Heart”. The lyrics would go on to say, “Alone in a world, it’s just me and you, I am so lost I don’t know what to

do” As the song plays now, all I can think of is the promise that He made to me as a broken, lost and confused sixteen girl who had felt like it was the end of the world at that moment. After gathering my thoughts and emotions, I went home with the strength that I needed to come up with a plan to support, love and protect the little human entering an uncertain world. I made a promise at that moment to protect my child and any other children that He would give me from harm or danger. I would raise them close to me and listen to them and who they are and build the family in which I wish I had. He sent me a man who agreed to take on life with me and to raise my children. I can honestly say that we truly did our best as young parents.

So, how do we get to the point of destruction and dysfunction within a home that was loving and full of laughter twenty years later. My children were fighting and crying like I had never seen before. How did a family that I built on love, unity and happiness seem to begin to all fall apart? Then it dawned on me. See while raising my kids, others would begin to challenge my way of parenting and ridicule the love that we had. At the time I could figure out why the outsiders were so mad. See for years my husband and I made a conscious decision to ignore the negativity that was happening outside of our home. We would always say, we may not have much but we have everything we need inside of our home. Our love for our children. That was until the outside began to try and lure my child outside of their home. People began to try to get into their heads and slowly taint their minds with lies and manipulation. I spent years self-healing and working to get through the trauma of my life. However in this moment, I felt as if my family had cut me from a different angle. Just when I thought that I was healed. How in the world did I find myself cut again. The people around me, my very own family, the people who I lived for and supported for years - cut me! I thought the song said, “No weapons formed against me shall prosper. It won’t work.”

THIS was the moment that I spiritually lost my faith. I felt like a true lioness. At that moment, I felt my home was trespassed. It was my job to protect my children (cubs). Something had to be done. It was time to SHIELD HER EMPIRE! I intentionally built this family on love and unity and no one was going to come in and harm them. Their minds, body or soul. I immediately sprung into action to shut the outsiders who knew they couldn’t get to me off. It was time to take my POWER back. It was time for me to reclaim my VOICE. It was time to STAND up to the outside predators. It was time for me to protect my children from the dysfunctions that I grew up witnessing. It was time to BREAK the CYCLES of the dysfunctional family that I was born into. It was time to heal generational hurts in order to build my generational legacy. It was time for this girl to put on the FULL armor of God as I continue to “SHIELD HER EMPIRE”.

ABOUT DR. MONICA D. REED

Monica D. Reed was born to impact the nation. She has been on a mission to change the world one woman at a time. In addition, Monica is an award-winning, 18x #1 International Best-Selling author, transformational speaker, relationship consultant, and serial business owner. Monica Reed is a mother of four beautiful and amazing children.

Many people may not know that she WON second place in 7th grade for reciting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have A Dream” speech. She did not win the award because of the words spoken. Dr. King accomplished that already. Her deep passion for “CHANGE” came from her heart that showed up through her tiny body (back then) with a BIG IMPACT that later led to

the middle school AWARD! Monica lost her passion within that little girl behind life experiences, insecurities, childhood trauma, becoming a wife, a mother, and being anyone else for everyone else. However, her unique life experiences led her right back to her life’s purpose. NEWS FLASH. That girl is back! She is again fighting for CHANGE! Monica started her journey as an entrepreneur by sharing her marital journey with the world by publishing her first book. Her story led to reconciliation and healing for many couples and women individually. Her fight will continue for change in families, marriages, and, most importantly, personal transformation. Her advocacy for change led to building healthy married couples and women empowerment communities. In 2017, Monica launched her coaching then speaking career to serve those passionate about sharing their journey, helping more women find their voices, and utilize their voices to reach back and pull another woman up. In 2018, she won the Indie Author Legacy Award in the relationships category. She will forever take the stand for healthy families. Monica Reed completed the Global Leadership Academy under and was mentored by #1 Transformational Speaker

Lisa Nichols and Profit Coach Susie Carter, speaking on the same platform alongside Dr. Cheryl Wood and the Legendary Motivational Speaker Mr. Les Brown. Monica continues to make a significant mark of her legacy in changing the trajectory of families for generations to come through new business HER Creative Corner: The Entrepreneur Business Center. The multilocation business is the platform and opportunity for new, aspiring, and existing companies to take their businesses to the next level. Her business has been marked as the FIRST black-owned, full-service, entrepreneur business center in Bucks County, PA. All of her endeavors support the overall good works of her non-profit organization, Love Mama Inspires Foundation. The foundation serves children and young adults who have lost their mothers due to unforeseen circumstances. The organization ensures to continue empowering, inspiring, and guiding the children with the love, support, and community they need to carry out their family legacy. She is not only the founder of the FIRST Black Owned Entrepreneur Business Center in Bucks County, but in Pennsylvania, she is also the visionary behind the FIRST Black Family Breakthrough platform, The FIRST Black Family Magazine, the Executive Director of the Love Mama Inspires Foundation, and HER Impact & Success Leadership Academy.

Monica Reed was the FIRST in her family to receive an Outstanding Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy of Entrepreneurship and Business Administration along with the prestigious United Nations Global Woman of Distinction Award presented by the fully accredited Trinity International University of Ambassadors School of Business honors program. Dr. Monica D. Reed is a solid voice to change the trajectory of adverse childhood experiences and a prime example of what happens when thought leaders raise awareness, create solution-based environments, and face life with a choice point; community outcomes become an excellent example of positive post-traumatic growth.

Monica has led several social-impact movements, such as Reneww Your Marriage, Reneww You, and the “I Am the VOICE of My Ancestors” movement, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Her work has been featured on ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, BlackNew, and a host of media outlets. Dr. Monica D. Reed has committed to spending the rest of her life creating platforms and programs to help womenled social-impact entrepreneurs, thoughtleaders, and legacy leaders rise and to help to build stronger family foundations. Her motto is:

“When one woman heals, one family is healed.”

- Dr. Monica D. Reed

Follow Dr. Monica D. Reed on social media: @Monicadreed @TheBlackFamilyMagazine

Websites: Monica D. Reed www.MonicaDReed.com Her Business Center www.herbusinesscenter.com Love Mama Foundation www.lovemamafoundation.com The Black Family Magazine www.theblackamilymagazine.com

C ORDEA REID Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. - Ruth Bader Ginsburg

I remembered this day as if it was yesterday. I felt so revived and rejuvenated from a much needed vacation on the island. Today is the day where I will face the reality of going back to work. At the time we lived in the Bronx on the 6th floor of an apartment building, therefore as I exited the building a few guys were hanging outside, one guy in particular was eyeing me. Eventually they moved out of the way and I headed to work. Not long after they arrived at my job (KFC) pretending to order but we all knew that they wanted free food. One guy in particular, I was stuck on his persona. He was the typical Jamaican man, handsome, white teeth, bow legged with skinny jeans on. He was hot with a whole lot of unidentified baggage. After a few days we connected and this was the moment my life changed. I went from an independent , self confident young lady to an abusive relationship in no time. I was in love and was blinded by the signs. I was caught up as a single mom , providing for me and my child to now take care of a grown man. He became obsessed with me and my possessions. There were all types of abuse in our relationship. He would hit the heck out of me and then want to be intimate right after. Who does that? He was a narcissist. I had to find me again, that young girl who once lost her voice in this relationship. It took the pregnancy of my second child for me to walk away. Today I am whole, why??

because I had to realize that in order to move on. I had to lay it down at HIS feet. Since I have done that, I have healed, first I had to forgive myself of my past pain and hurts. I had to also forgive him for how he treated me and our unborn child. Today I live to hear him ask for my forgiveness and that is nothing but the grace of God. We now have a cordial relationship despite our past. Now I share my vulnerability so that other women can heal and turn that trauma into triumph . My story can be found in my book “Courage & Perseverance” One woman’s journey into believing in herself. Woman Of God, Author, Inspirational Speaker, Philanthropist & Domestic Abuse Advocate Author Cordea Reid Book: Courage & Perseverance Amazon Best Seller 2020

ABOUT CORDEA REID

Cordea was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and in 1995 she migrated to the states. She is also one of Amazon Best-Sellers in less than a 1 year after releasing her self published book Courage & Perseverance.

Cordea has shared her story on several platforms such as FOX61 and local community channels i.e HPATV(Hartford Public Access Television) and through speaking engagements. Cordea established Courage & Perseverance Talk Show aired on EPATV East Hartford Community TV

Cordea has received several awards since she started her journey as an author in 2019 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

You Are Beautiful- Domestic Survivor Award Philanthropist Of the Year Women of Strength Pen to Profit Speaker Award 100 Women of Color in Connecticut & Massachusetts Phenomenal Woman in Business Connecticut

She is on mission not just to share her story, but to help others turn their pain into a story, while recognizing their God given purpose and potential. Cordea’s Motto: Stay True to Yourself. Be Fearless. Keep Moving Forward and Keep The faith. Her favorite verse: Philippians 4:13 KJV “I Can Do All Things Through Christ Which Strengtheneth Me”

Diana M. C ollins MSN, ACNP “Be the Woman that fixes another woman’s crown without telling the world it was crooked!” - Unknown

ABOUT Diana M. Collins MSN, ACNP

Diana M. Collins is a woman of character and strength. She is empathetic and caring with the best intentions for those in her Presence. She is an Army Veteran, the mother of two women and the wife of an Army Veteran who was injured in Afghanistan. She is a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and an entrepreneur. Using her knowledge of life and healthcare she has cultivated a

community of caring and scholarship as she finishes her Doctorate in nursing practice and builds her empire. Currently she has Collins Education Resource management LLC this is a tutoring company focusing on helping those in the black and brown community and English as a second language achieve their goals in healthcare education. Divine Nubian Essentials LLC

is a vegan, holistic, handcrafted hair and skincare company bringing natural products to those who are looking for chemicalfree skin and hair care products for both men and women. The Soulful Eclectic is a Podcast that discusses being your Authentic self-using conversations about Mental health, Mindfulness, spirituality, and love of self and others. She is also working on her career as an actress and model. She has participated in a few local films with a goal to reach the big screen and television. There is no limit to where she will go as she helps those along the way.

Dr. Lorelle Strong Rich “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” - Oprah Winfrey.

ABOUT DR. LORELLE STRONG RICH

Dr. Lorelle Strong Rich is Founder & CEO of FIT SOUL in Houston, TX. And the Senior Pastor of Excel Forward International Virtual Church. She is a 3 Times Bestseller Author, and Certified Relationship Empowerment Master Coach, Pastor, Prophet, Certified HIIT/Personal Trainer, & Certified Zumba

instructor and Etiquette Consultant. Dr Lorelle was born In Atlanta,Ga. She is a graduate Of Howard University- where she earned a BA in Television Production. She earned her Masters of Divinity in Pastoral Counseling at Vanderbilt Divinity School and her Doctorate in Christian Counseling at Word Bible College.

She is a proud affiliate of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. she serves as an Ambassador for Live The Life You Deserve and a Co Chair & HerAmbassador for the Herprenuer Network. As well as on the Board for One Albany a Non profit organization. Dr. Lorelle has an ebook on FIT TO WIN which gives women exercise strategies & food plans to empower them to see quick effective results with their bodies. As well, she offers Virtual workout training & empowerment workshops to motivate women to see GREATNESS within! She was selected as an Empowered DIVA for business & inspiring her community. As well as selected as one of the 50 Top Empowered Women of Inspire 2 WIN and she was selected as Woman of Success Influential Woman and featured in P.O.W.E.R. magazine as an Empowered Woman. She was also the 1st Woman to be Ordained at the Historical Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Nashville, TN under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Joseph Walker, III. Throughout her ministry journey she has been blessed to author #1 Top Seller book & other books/ journals & DVD workouts & she travels Internationally. Her FIT SOUL business facilitates personal and group training In person & Virtual Workouts targeting areas individuals,

especially, weight & Kingdom the Mind renewed.

women are in need of to lose toning. As well she facilitates empowerment workshops for & Spirit to be transformed and

In addition her LS Destiny Driven NonProfit Organization targets teaching youth & Women in the community & schools in etiquette skills and self esteem application skills. Dr. Lorelle loves helping God’s people to MAXIMIZE their full potential and to reach new heights in their Destiny!

To contact Dr. Lorelle Strong Rich please FB Lorelle Strong Rich or 832-418-5695 To order books or set up Free 10 minutes Mindshift Consultation visit Websites: LorelleRich.com FitSoul2.godaddysites.com

DR. K AREN HILLS PRUDEN “You cannot make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.” - Michelle Obama

Strength to Del ay Grief DR. KAREN HILLS PRUDEN

My ‘first love’ experience was a powerful, addictive drug. I did not listen to any of the warnings from my family. And there were many. I always knew I was a strong woman. And that trait would serve me well throughout my life. By the time I reached thirty years old, I had experienced quite a bit. I had survived being a teenage bride. I had survived a divorce. And I survived pursuing the difficult path to get my life back on track after the failed

marriage. I later found love with a gentleman named Robert whose cancer diagnosis would challenge the level of strength I knew I had. This time in my life was one of the most painful experiences I can recall. Watching someone battle cancer can emotionally drain you. I was optimistic even when my eyes told me Robert was dying. I put on a brave smile. I am not sure where I got the strength. But I tapped into it.

Robert was diagnosed with a form of cancer that normally attacks children. It was surprising that he was diagnosed with that form of cancer. He had no bad habits. He happened to be losing weight at the time of his diagnosis. His body drastically changed. The weight came off so fast, it scared him. He consulted a doctor. He found out that his weight loss was accelerated by cancer that had invaded his body. When Robert was diagnosed with cancer, we had recently ended our relationship. We had previously dated for eight years. I felt it was time for marriage. He wanted to wait. So, we separated. It was a phone call from one of my friends that alerted me that he was in the hospital. I am forever grateful for that phone call. I immediately went to the hospital to see him. When I entered the room, he would not even look at me. The doctors had given him two months to live. As we later talked, Robert shared he did not want me to see him sick. The cancer had morphed his body into a different person. He did not look like his former self. His mind and his sense of humor were intact. We rekindle our relationship. One day on the way to chemotherapy, we stopped by the jeweler. He purchased me another engagement ring. This time we set a wedding date. He regretted that he previously hesitated about something that was so important to me. Deposits were paid and the invitations were mailed. We planned a wedding that we always knew we would have.

The strength of a woman is that she can delay her grief to comfort her loved ones. When I grew tired of crying in the bathroom so that Robert could not see me, I called my friends. We would eat and recall all the crazy escapades of Robert and me. They were right beside me most of those times, anyway. One morning, Robert woke me up very early. I slept in a neighboring chair so that he could be comfortable in the bed. He whispered, “Call the ambulance.” He was calm. I called and then asked him why. He said he was having problems breathing. As we waited for the doctor in the emergency room, Robert laid his head on my shoulder. I was talking nonstop trying to distract him from whatever could be going on with him medically. I eventually noticed he was no longer engaging. I raised his head. His eyes were open, but he was not responding. I called for someone. The nurse came in and checked his pulse. He was pronounced dead. Fluid had accumulated around Robert’s heart. I ran out of that hospital. Tears began to roll down my face as I picked up my speed to get to my car before I exploded with emotions. I could hear footsteps behind me. As my hand reached for the car door, I heard my name being yelled in unison. The voices were familiar. They were my closest friends. They were sitting in the lobby to support me. Robert lived for 8 months after his diagnosis. He died two weeks before our wedding. I could not have made it through that experience without my closest friends. I am grateful I was with Robert when he took his last breath. I repeat, the strength of a woman is that she can delay her grief to comfort her loved ones.

ABOUT DR. KAREN HILLS PRUDEN

Dr. Karen Hills Pruden is the C-Suite Career Coach for women seeking senior leadership positions. She has decades of experience in leadership, influencing employees through global keynote speaking, coaching, workshops, and 19 book publications. Dr. Pruden transformed her life from a teenage bride to a doctor. Her blueprint is, ‘No Excuses, Make It Happen!’

Dr. Pruden works as a Chief Human Resource Officer/Assistant Vice President, CEO of Pruden Global Business Solutions Consulting, Founder of Sister Leaders community, and Owner of Boss, Brand & Business TV Channel. Sister Leaders is a global community of diverse, multigenerational female leaders who are past, present and future female leaders who

share knowledge, experiences, networks, and resources to create a legacy of exceptional female leaders. A graduate of Yale University Women’s Leadership Program, Dr. Pruden has been interviewed on television on: Roland Martin Unfiltered, WAVY, WTKR, and WVEC. Dr. Pruden has been a keynote and featured speaker at NAACP, Black Wall Street, SpeakerCon, Virginia Commonwealth University, Norfolk State University, Thomas Nelson Community College, Christopher Newport University, Global Fluency, EmpoweringHER, NAACP, Success Women’s Conference, Sister Leaders Conference, BadAss Women’s Events, Power-Up Summit, and Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Pruden is an award-winning professional being recognized by former Governor Northam (VA) for work in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, ACHI Magazine Author of the Year, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Leader Award, ACHI Magazine Woman of Influence, 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year by Black BRAND (nominated) and the 2021 Leading the Charge For Equity Award. Websites: Sisterleadersconference.com Drkarenhillspruden.com

VERONICA SIMON “It Takes Courage To Be Yourself!” - VSimon

Where shall I begin, is the question. I am a woman who wears many hats, which became an inheritance before I was even born. Decisions were made by the parents of two teenagers as to the roles that I would inherit. I would not only be a daughter of a teenage mother, but also her baby sister. My biological father would be silenced into the background to supposedly fade into the night while my mother’s parents would be my biological parents in which I became legally the baby sister to four sisters and two brothers. My mother’s family I’ve known all of my life and my father’s family, before my 16th birthday, I honestly didn’t recall a lot of memories even though there were pictures of when I was much younger with them. Yet I distinctly remember receiving a call on my 16th birthday from my biological father, John T. Howell, where when I asked who was calling, he said, “This is your father”. <BOOM> Make NO mistake, I’ve not missed a beat of being loved beyond reproach by my parents, Maggie Wilson Scott and Thomas W. Scott, Sr., THEY ARE MY parents and grandparents. I honestly didn’t think much of how things really were while I was growing up because I NEVER missed anything. I honestly felt blessed to have had so many people that genuinely cared about me. It was simply normal for me to have parents that were much older than some of my friends’ parents but I also had a dual inheritance as it was explained of having siblings who had dual roles in my life. My brothers and sisters were not only my brothers and sisters but my uncles and aunties. WOW, what

a blessing and honestly, IT HAS BEEN JUST THAT! I can remember two of my cousins saying to me, “Nik, you do know that momma and grand-daddy aren’t your parents, right? Aunt Di is your mom. Momma is your grandmother and daddy is your grandfather. Of course being a smart ass, I said, “I know that, I’m not stupid!” While thinking how special I must be, as I honestly, never questioned the dynamics of my family. There was NO reason to. After the phone call from my father where he wanted to re-establish a relationship with me as his oldest daughter, one would think that the thread of my life would have unraveled. To the contrary, it was the very day in which I recognized my own strength and knew with every fiber of my being that I was purposed to love others to life, a phrase that I have tucked in my soul and have taken actions towards effortlessly, even NOW. The phone call re-opened a door for me to make a decision like a young adult as to what I desired to do. My daddy (grandfather) is the man who never thought twice about me being HIS VERY OWN, said, “Baby, Let’s talk”. We had a soul to soul conversation on that day where he wanted me to know that nothing would change, I am his baby girl. He shared how as a father, the heartbreak and blessing that he experienced at the same time when they found out that my mother was pregnant. The heartbreak was that he didn’t want college to be derailed as he took pride in ensuring that his girls would have a debt free college education. The blessing was to meet the gift that the Lord would bring into their lives, “ME”! I gave them

motivation to continue to farm as I became an asset in learning and maintaining their books as entrepreneurs and ministers. As an ambassador of a multi-faceted inheritance, my call to duty has been to LOVE, while possessing a high work ethic! My strength lies in my ability to love as close to how the Lord loves each of us, as I know how, while being an example and a safe place for others like me to not be ashamed of their beginning. I didn’t have a choice in how I came into this world yet on my 16th birthday it was re-confirmed that I had the choice on how I would choose to live my life. I learned how to be business savvy and to operate with integrity as a life lesson. My soulful message to you is that YOU also have the choice on how YOU will choose to live your life, regardless of how YOUR life started!

ABOUT VERONICA SIMON

Mother of 4, 6X International Best Selling Author. Independent IT Consultant and Certified Leadership Development Coach and Soulpreneur. Natural Soul Engager who

thrives on AUTHENTIC connections that create win-win opportunities and help you tap into your power so that you can fulfill your destiny.

You were born to be real, not perfect -Unknown

Exclusive Interview with KenQwonna Moneak Clarke K.Moneak

20 YEAR INFERTILITY JOURNEY “A MOMMY MIRACLE” Black Family Magazine: Kenqwonna, can you give a brief history behind your infertility journey?

Since I was a young girl, I've known that I wanted a family, a successful business, a traveling lifestyle, and to make memories. It may sound cliché, but as forward-thinking as I am sometimes, there are certain traditions that I grew up with and wanted to create with my own family. I married my childhood sweetheart at the young age of twenty-one. We are only six months apart and met when we were twelve years old. So, we basically grew up together.

Photo Credit: Sharvelle Photography

K.Moneak:

We were like two peas in a pod, inseparable. We knew that babies were the next step once we got married and moved into our new home. I knew something was wrong when my physician said I was having "spontaneous abortions ."My body was refusing to carry my babies. This was hard on both of us, and at the beginning of our journey, we could not imagine the road ahead. We went from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist, with no success. If I had to capture my husband's emotions on this journey, it would be a disappointment, intense concern, and still very loving, nurturing, and faith-filled. My emotions were privately ripping me to pieces. I felt inadequate, shamed, anguished, and angry that my body was betraying me and I had been chosen for this experience. All I had was my faith and belief that GOD cannot lie! I was going to be a mommy no matter what and how long it took. We leaned on each other's faith and lived into our intention to expand our family. That means not only did we pray together, but we started our nursery (a whole room filled with baby stuff ), and every car and house we purchased was always big enough for our children. We made every choice with them in mind because they were coming. We did this for twenty years! Until 2019, after celebrating 20years of marriage on November 27th. I whispered my annual prayer to God." Lord, it was an amazing Christmas/Birthday gift to bless my husband with a child." We unknowingly conceived

our daughter on the Christmas weekend of 2019 and had a confirmed pregnancy test that read "Pregnant" on January 22nd, 2020. God did it! Black Family Magazine: Was there ever a moment when you wanted to give up or thought that conceiving a baby was not possible? K.Moneak: I would be lying if I said that giving up didn't cross my mind. Watching my family and friends expand their families so effortlessly was difficult, and we couldn't. I attended birthday parties, sports games, graduations, and other milestone moments. We smiled and genuinely celebrated, but there was this aching in our hearts and souls. We grieved the children we lost and never met and longed for the ones we knew were coming. People have good intentions when they suggest that you can adopt. Even though we considered that option many times, when we considered that I was able to get pregnant, you can't help but want to try again for your biological child. The other embarrassing time that made me feel like giving up was that familiar pep-talk from people that may be "it's not God's will for you all." As if the disease called infertility should be accepted and embraced. It's a disease like cancer, diabetes, depression,

anxiety, and lupus. You don't accept those diseases; you fight them until you win or can't fight anymore. I can't list twenty years of moments that I wanted to quit. But, I can say that no matter what came at us, nothing could make us give up. Everyone needs a "promise partner," and I thank the heavens for mine.

K.Moneak:

Did you ever stop believing in God in the process?

Healing was the key to unlocking my womb and healing my total being. My mind, my heart, and my body. 2019 was a year of detoxing and detaching from everything that no longer served me. First, I had to be alone and work on myself. That was hard and lonely because we are designed to connect with others and thrive in a community. However, you can't do it in a crowded space when you need to heal. You have to be willing to separate for a while and do the work.

K.Moneak:

Black Family Magazine:

I can honestly say that I felt so many things toward God during this process. I felt disappointed and abandoned by God. I felt angry toward God for allowing so much pain, insecurity, and shame for so long. But again, having someone to believe with, making quiet time to talk to God and hear Him, and reading my Word kept me focused. I truly believe without my husband being on the same page with me and having each other behind the scenes on this journey; we would not have made it this long. Challenging seasons came, but the consistent thing we both felt towards God was "love" and "trust ."That's the thing about faith. You either believe or you don't; there is no gray area when you believe God for something. Commit to your faith! Anything Can Happen- Believe That!

Did you find yourself anytime during your journey experiencing a mindset shift?

Black Family Magazine:

K.Moneak:

What do you think was the key reason you were finally able to conceive?

K.Moneak: Yes. The shift was admitting to myself that I needed to do some internal work. But, also that no matter how shameful and inadequate I felt like a woman, "I deserved to be a mommy." I learned that my role as a mom didn't define me as a woman. I was still an amazing successful woman before I conceived a child. I had to learn all this along the way. The mind shift was real. Black Family Magazine: Can you speak to the internal & spiritual healing that had to take place before you could conceive?

This healing is done in phases; some parts are accomplished alone. At the same time, other

phases are completed with professionals and trusted individuals. I had to let go of memory recall sessions that kept me stuck in the past. I was full of hurt, disappointment, and anger. All those things were taking up space in my body and soul. It was blocking my babies and causing my body to reject life. Thank God for giving me the plan to heal and become a parent. Black Family Magazine: You mentioned in the book about having a "promise partner" what does having a promise partner mean to you and the women during their infertility journey? K.Moneak: Promise Partners are essential individuals. A "promise partner" can be a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a friend, or a trusted individual in your life that is on the promised journey with you. They believe in you; they challenge you to stay focused and accountable to do your part to receive your promise. Promise partners are present and available while discouraging quitting and self-sabotage. Promise partners celebrate with you without envy and competition. These may seem like big shoes to fill, but being a promise partner is effortless when you are connected to your person. In short, friendships, love, trust, compatibility, and a shared desire, make for a perfect promise partner. When you are on the infertility journey, you need a sober, loving, and an invested person that will be present at every phase. We are designed to do life with others, not alone. So, my suggestion would be to be thoughtful, intentional,

prayerful, and selective about your promise partner. This selection is not always obvious and apparent for some of us because we are in a relationship, friendship, and family. Our lives and relationships are complex. So be discerning who you place in that seat. Black Family Magazine: Tell us about the moment you FIRST found out you were pregnant after 20 years of trying to conceive? K.Moneak: It was January 22nd, 2020. It was about one week after my husband's birthday, and I felt a little off. I was having consistent, intense migraines, which was not normal for me. It was a Wednesday at about 4 am when I woke up to use the bathroom. I heard a small voice (that I refer to as the Holy Spirit) say, "take a test'. I remember thinking, I'm too sleepy to take a test now. So, I kept cups and tests under the sink. I collected the specimen in a cup, sat it in the tub, and went back to bed. When I got up a few hours later, I tested what I collected in the cup, and WHOA! Two lines appeared. I was in shock, so I used another test because the line was faint. The same thing happened again. I was pregnant. I dragged my husband into the bathroom to show him. Whispering, "look at this '. He said, "stop playing; that's an evaporation line." We both looked at each other and stared for a moment in silence before erupting in smiles and laughter. We took eight tests that day, including two that said the Word pregnant on the screen.

Black Family Magazine:

Did you have any scary moments during your pregnancy?

Now that your beautiful baby girl is here, we know it may feel surreal some days. So how is Mom's life? Is it truly all you expected?

K.Moneak: We had a couple of scares during the pregnancy. One scare was after confirming a successful 8week intrauterine pregnancy, and I woke up in the middle of the night with severe abdominal pain in a pool of blood in my bed. Fear came in, and I immediately felt I was losing my baby again. But, my Promise Partner stayed calm and reminded me to adjust my faith and confessions (in my mind and from my mouth). He called the doctor and scheduled an appointment for the first thing the next morning. We got cleaned up, back in bed, and prayed on the way to sleep. The next morning's visit confirmed that she was still alive and kicking. She was so active so early. During labor and delivery, the second scare was when her heart kept dipping during my contractions. She was delivered at 10:14 pm with no heartbeat, and she was a silver-blue, the same color as the placenta, somewhere in my fourpage handwritten birth plan to clamp her cord. The OR staff worked for 2min and 24 seconds to bring our promise back to us. She took her first breath at 10:16 pm. After twenty years of waiting, we weren't gonna lose heart and faith now. Even when you are facing a lifeless promise, keep the faith and speak life without wavering!

K.Moneak: Surreal is an understatement. My daughter will be two years old in August this year, and it's unreal. Some days watching her brings tears of joy and gratitude. Other days bring a sense of pride and great responsibility. It is all we expected and more. Seeing her personality unfold, preferences and dislikes all reflect a perfect combination of her parents and her own identity mixed. The most challenging parts of mom life include balancing her picky toddler appetite and my new-at-home mom/businesswoman lifestyle. The best parts of mom-life included her hugs and kisses, hearing her call my mommy, and being a party of three. Black Family Magazine: Lastly, what words of encouragement would you give a woman experiencing infertility issues? K.Moneak: Don't waver in your faith in my Sista-Mamas who are still believing. Any moment now, your promise will manifest. Do your part to prepare your body, heart, and mind for your baby. Advocate for yourself unapologetically and connect to individuals and communities

to help feel supported. Identify your Promise Partner and wake up daily saying thank you aloud for your promise! I only recently learned of the Eggs Over Easy community when the documentary debuted this January 2022. So here is a shameless plug to connect with me on IG, FB, Tik Tok (kmoneak), and the Eggs Over Easy community. My full journey will be released in my new book: The Pandemic and the Promise summer of 2022. Thank you for this incredible opportunity Dr. Monica Reed & The Black Family Magazine staff, and to all the amazing readers and supporters.

ABOUT KenQwonna Moneak Clarke - K.Moneak

K.Moneak is known as the “ Possibility Powerhouse”! Her energy and enthusiasm for life, people, and helping others is inspiring and infectious. She is a wife, mom, and businesswoman whose faith is woven into everything she

does. She has been speaking and coaching for many years, with a background in social service and early childhood education. K.Moneak’s speaking career has afforded her the opportunity to speak in places locally and abroad. She has spoken at places like

Teachable NY, Harvard Law School, and multiple times for the prestigious Global Woman Club. In addition, K.Moneak has hosted her global podcast with guests and invitations to speak worldwide. As a Branding Strategist specializing in Brand Messaging, K.Moneak helps aspiring women influencers create visibility, credibility, and income by writing their first/ next book. She uses her eight-week course and proven writing system to collapse time for the new authors. Together she helps them write, brand, and publish their work. K.Moneak was reminded by one of her coaches that winners and champions have two things in common - a coach and a successful system to follow. K.Moneak has created the success system and would love to be your coach. If you are ready to “Make It Happen!” Contact: K.Moneak at contactwomenthatwrite@gmail.com Follow K.Moneak on Facebook, Instagram, and Clubhouse.

Y. Rená The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. - Eleanor Roosevelt

WHO AM I? Hello, I’m Y. Rená… have we met? I laugh to myself every time I say that. Why, well most times it’s to my friends who know me but may have forgotten who I am so to speak. Let me give you an example. I can be very sarcastic at times (I get it from my dad), so when I say or do something my friends think I shouldn’t have done or said, I just re-introduce myself. But for you the reader, I want to tell you a little bit about me, so let me introduce myself. My name is Y. Rená Cooper, founder, and CEO of 4 My Voice Matters. A 501(c)3 organization that advocates for and brings awareness about domestic violence & suicide. And also, CEO of Y. Rená Unlimited, LLC. I work for the government, and I am living my best life now. Not a perfect life, but better than years past. There was a time that I didn’t think that I would be alive, let alone writing this book and talking to you. When people ask me to describe myself, I would always shy away from it because there was a time that I didn’t like me. I didn’t like the way I looked (still sometimes an issue), I didn’t like my job, I didn’t like the direction that my life was going, I didn’t like my mate, I just didn’t like anything.

Fast forward to now, we can revisit some of those places a little later. I am a person who now believes in affirming yourself. Words are very powerful so before I get into the meat of this book, I am going to give you a few words that describe who I am after I began to learn to like and even love myself. Daring… I am a thrill seeker now. After going through all that I have, I enjoy a good roller-coaster ride from time to time. Well actually as often as I can. I am a season pass holder to our local amusement park and will sometimes go to the park two or three times in one week. I also once jumped from a perfectly good airplane, on purpose. Gasp, imagine that. I laugh all the time at that. People use planes to get from one destination to another and I decided that I prefer to jump out of one, with a parachute of course but jumping from the plane is what I did. I loved every exhilarating, nervous moment of the entire experience. Resilient… recently I had the opportunity to participate in a calendar and I had to choose a word that describes me in my winning moments. I chose resilience because it took me a while, but I realize that I have ‘bounce

back’. For me to survive 15 years of domestic abuse, four suicide attempts and being shot four times, I know that it was with the grace of God that I made it, and for that reason I know that if I made it through those things, I could make it through anything. And the blessing is that I recovered quickly. Amazing… This is more so a word about how I feel rather than me being. After years of battling depression and low self-esteem, I have to say, the majority of my days I feel ABSOLUTELY amazing. I keep reminding myself that life could be so different if one of the bullets would have hit an artery or my heart. I wake up most days feeling more positive about the direction my life is going in now, then it was 15 plus years ago. Things are bright where they were once dim or even dark. I can see clearly now. However, it’s those moments in life, when we feel like there is no out, when we feel like there is no solution to the problems that we are having, there are no answers to the questions that we have. It’s a sure sign that you’re right there, breakthrough is just around the corner. You can move from the edge of death, to living in destiny. Believe me when I say this, and I am telling you for a good reason. You can see your purpose fulfilled, and you can see destiny defined. Moving away from the edge of death and living in destiny is something that will seem possible when you’re done reading this. It doesn’t seem real. My life today is so far removed from where it was. To look at my

life now, I never would have imagined. Well let me be honest, some stuff we do imagine, but it’s just that… in your imagination. You’re not thinking that this stuff is really going to happen. There is always a maybe, or a could be, or might be, but my life today is so far removed from where it was. There are times that I can’t even believe how much I was hiding. Now that I am standing in the front, traveling throughout the country, speaking in front of rooms of people, on live videos, the ‘world wide web’. I’ve been on the radio; I have been on podcasts. I look back at my life and all I can do is be grateful and thankful for all that I have. See, sometimes it’s very easy to get spoiled by the things that you are used to, the way that you’re accustomed to living. It easy to just take things for granted. However you look at it, I know that sharing my story of survival with the world is going to change some lives, save some lives, and help some people know that their voice truly does matter.

ABOUT Y. Rená Cooper

Motivational Keynote Speaker, Y. Rená Cooper works with individuals and organizations to assist them from a place called STUCK, to a place called THRIVING! Y. Rená helps her clients work through triggers associated with various types of traumas. Connecting with them in such a way that they become confident that no matter what they have been through,

they can ‘bounce back’ making an influential and positive impact in the lives of others. She mentors with passion and guides clients towards understanding their “why”; all while pushing through pain to thrive in purpose and destiny. Y. Rená’ s down-to-earth humor compels audiences to laugh while they identify pain points. She leaves them with tools that empower progress; and focused

mindsets that they will use long after the lights have gone out on the event. Y. Rená is passionate about people and assisting them to THRIVE in their AFTER. She specializes in helping people overcome emotional obstacles and mental roadblocks that would have them to believe that their past defines them – and it DOES NOT. Y. Rená is an International Best-Selling Author, CEO, and founder of the non-profit 4 My Voice Matters, NFP and Y. Rená Unlimited, LLC. She still finds time to be a member of several women’s organizations, as well as the creator and host of the Level Up Tour for speakers. This touring platform assists aspiring and emerging speakers to find their voice while giving them a launching pad to their speaking careers. Y. Rená also hosts a podcast called Intimate Conversations w/Y. Rená.

EVANGELIST TINA MICHELLE BAKER Blessed is that woman who overcomes the many challenges in her life that would have made her an enemy of herself. - EtB

Sleeping with the enemy Sleeping with the enemy, when the enemy is you. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14 We have all been victims to something that has happened to us in our lives. How do we overcome the cycle of sleeping with the enemy, when the weapons formed against us are self-afflicted? I believe there’s a way to overcome the pain, the disappointments, the additions and the lies that have caused us to become enemies of ourselves. I realized some years later that being the victim of a lot of things that didn’t go right in my life influenced a lot of my decision making and in those fluent decisions I found myself living a life that was contrary to who God said I am. For years I silenced my own voice and went to bed many nights struggling with myself. I was the one-onone enemy of myself. How is that possible coming from a Christian family full of love? The Bible tells us: The thief does not come

except to steal and to kill, and to destroy. When you’re not mentally strong, the thief of your soul will make you believe everyone is against you and nobody loves you, when in fact, it’s really you against yourself. If you were to read on in that same scripture ( John 10:10), Jesus tells us that I have come, that they may have life, and that they have it more abundantly. I didn’t understand this powerful promise back then, life more abundantly right here on earth. Sleeping with the enemy, how did I become the enemy of myself. It happened slowly. I never dealt with my victims. Let me explain. I was a victim of child molestation, a victim of teenage rape, a victim of physical and mental abuse, a victim of what others thought about me, a victim of not being accepted and loved, and a victim of bad attitudes. I played the victim role for years inside my head and I was okay doing the day, but at night I went to bed angry, overwhelmed with life and hating myself. I wanted people to sympathize with what I had gone through, but no one knew my story nor the struggles I slept with every

night for seven years of my adult life. I didn’t know what the number seven represented in the Spirit. I didn’t know that one day in that seventh year coming clean with God and how I was feeling and dealing would be the day He would bring all that turmoil of my past into completion. The cycle of sleeping with myself as the enemy was broken. How was it broken? through forgiveness. I had forgiven and let go of the victim mentality. While I was holding on to the bad decisions I had made in the past, the real enemy of my soul was standing by waiting for me to end my future. I had to let go of the fear and forgive the hurt, forgive the pain, forgive the ones that mistreated me, and most of all, I had to forgive myself for the parts that I played. I had to come to grips with what happened to me as a child wasn’t my fault as I was repeatedly told by the offender. I had to let those whispers of you’re a bad girl go and allow the whispers of God’s promises to fill my broken heart.

Breaking the cycle of sleeping with the enemy can only happen when we look deep within ourselves, acknowledge the problem, and then seek God for the solution. I wanted to stay the victim of my past, facing the enemy within yourself can be difficult but the freedom I’ve found in trusting God is my peace. I keep my mind focused on who God says I am. I am no longer a victim. I walk in victory totally surrendered every day, one day at a time because love never stops winning and I am still overcoming to become that woman God has destined for His purpose on earth. I am Evangelist Tina M. Baker – The “Love Never Stops Winning” Messenger of Hope! Please email me at teebaker48@gmail. com for speaking engagements or hope connections.

ABOUT EVANGELIST TINA MICHELLE BAKER

Evangelist Tina Michelle Baker is the Elect Lady of Kingdom Hope Ministry. She is a native of East St. Louis, IL and the fourth of eight siblings born to Rev. Dr. Matthew and Elect Lady Gloria S. Turner. She is a retired U. S. Navy veteran with 20 years of honorable service. She holds

a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and a Master of Arts Degree in Business Administration from University of Maryland, College Park and Strayer University. Affectionately known as “Tina Baker’’ by her husband and those close to her. She is a humble servant leader who has a

genuine love for everyone. She is purposeful in her pursuit of using her God-given gifts and helping others to glorify God in the development of their gifts. Evangelist Tina resides in Jessup, Maryland with her husband and Pastor, Elder Daren J. Baker. She is blessed with some amazing children and grandchildren. By faith and through grace, she has been given the mandate to teach and preach the Gospel of Jesus The Christ. She is determined to go wherever the Spirit of the Lord leads and will uplift the name of Jesus to all generations. To God be all the glory!

C ONSUELL A D. HOPKINS “Behind Every Successful Woman Is A Tribe Of Other Successful Women Who Have Her Back!”

I am Consuella D. Hopkins, the founder, president and CEO of Consuella’s Accounting and Tax Firm where I have served as a tax accountant for over 25 years growing the company to a multimilliondollar business. I’m blessed to assist over 1,000 clients each tax season overcome challenges related to their taxes and proper filing of personal, corporate, partnership, and nonprofit tax returns. I am proud that this firm is responsible for providing more than $100 million in tax refunds. My firm not only provides tax planning, tax resolution and tax preparation services but also accounting, bookkeeping, receipt management, and CFO services for both business clients and real estate investors nationally and internationally. The knowledge and skills I acquired earned me the nickname The Good Money Multiplier where I now travel the world teaching six and seven figure earners how to see the money they didn’t know they had, and show them how to multiply their income with business strategies, financial consulting, coaching and online programs. Here’s the thing most people don’t realize. I wasn’t always in this financial place. I am a woman who had a child at 16 and a second at 19. By all standards I shouldn’t be here. I should be on welfare, uneducated, and financially bankrupt. I can remember standing in line to purchase groceries and watching the older women look at me in disgust, looking down on me for using food stamps. The embarrassment of going to the

welfare department and having to give them all my information for assistance, which was designed to keep me in a vicious cycle, was hard!! But it was here I realized that if I were going to be successful, I would have to figure out a way to balance it all. I didn’t always get it right but even those lessons helped build my womanly strength. These circumstances allowed me to create my financial discipline, which I call Real Money Matters. I had to learn very early in life that money was something you had to respect and monitor. As a 19-year-old college student I prayed and asked God to show me how to live within my means and budget what little money I had. I had to learn how to organize and create systems that would allow me to balance my schoolwork, my children’s schoolwork, my housework and all of our activities. I relied on the lessons passed down from my Great-Grandmother Minnie Lee to my mother, Verna Louise on not letting anything or anybody stop me. My mother taught me that no matter what I was going through, I had to invest in me. I had to face the world, with my lipstick on and my head held high, and bet on me! And that I did! A characteristic of an entrepreneur is one who sees a need and fills it. As I looked around South Bend, I saw my own community in need of economic healing so instead of waiting for someone else to fill the need, I did exactly what I learned from the women in my family. I took power into my own hands and started A New

Huey Properties, LLC. The mission of A New Huey Properties, LLC (ANHP) is to Create Purposeful Opportunities Working Economic Revitalization (C-POWER) by providing quality homes to rent and buy. ANHP also develops commercial and retail properties to increase commerce and economic prosperity. Currently we have 20 homes, lots, commercial properties and spaces in our portfolio, including SVOSS, Swella’s Ville Office Studio and Suites…. and we have plans and blueprints for many more. Members of sustainable communities grow personally, professionally, and economically. Swella’s Ville Foundation’s blueprint for sustainable communities offers both in person and virtual workshops ranging from Home Maintenance, Parenting Classes, Money Management, Life Planning, and Entrepreneurship through Kid University, Tenant University, Business University, and Landlord University. I know that knowledge is power. What you learn can never be taken away from you and I want to empower communities globally.

It is the resilience of my family to keep moving forward, to make things better, and to motivate and inspire the world that empowers me to be the woman that I am today! I am forever grateful for the strength of the women that came before me and I am determined to pass on that same strength for those that come after me. Consuella D. Hopkins Facebook: www.facebook.com/consuellaDHopkins Instagram: www.instagram.com/consuelladhopkins LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/consuellaDhopkins

ABOUT CONSUELLA D. HOPKINS

Consuella Hopkins is the founder and CEO of CDH Enterprises Inc. Consisting of the award-winning Consuella’s Accounting and Tax Firm, the online brand of Good Money Multiplier, the community redevelopment of A New Huey Properties and the nonprofit, Swella’s Ville Foundation, Consuella

has dedicated her life to empowering others through economic and financial prosperity. With over 25 years of overseeing Consuella’s Accounting and Tax Firm,she has successfully assisted over 1,000 clients each tax season to overcome challenges related to their taxes and proper filing of personal, corporate,

partnership and nonprofit tax returns. She is responsible for not only securing more than 10 million dollars in tax refunds, the firm also provides accounting, CFO, receipt management, and payroll services for both personal and business clients both nationally and internationally. Through her work as a community redeveloper, Consuella’s mission is to create economic revitalization through residential and commercial real estate. Her latest project is Swella’s Ville Office Studio and Suites which provides 15 professional office spaces for growing entrepreneurs and their businesses. Serving as Commissioner and Vice President for both the Economic Development Committee and Venues, Parks and Arts for the City of South Bend, Indiana, Consuella has received numerous awards over the years including Business of the Month from the City of South Bend and the 2017 Person of the Year. Consuella currently resides in South Bend, Indiana with her husband of 22 years, 4 wonderful children and 4 precious grandchildren.

Mar tha Davids on Her motto is: Live Optimally Vibrationally Exceptionally (L.O.V.E.) and be the light that keeps shining bright.

NO MORE SILENCE Reclaim Your Authenticity Become an Inspirational Generational Healer

Emotional silence or unexpressed emotions is the result of societal conditioning and is often generational that transcends all racial, familial boundaries, beliefs, and traditions rooted in naiveness with regards to the consequences of holding on to unexpressed emotions. These emotions have lasting impact that often affects individuals physically, emotionally, and mentally. Most people are unaware that their emotional silence reflects their current reality and the origin of their beliefs formed from childhood events that are aligned with the lack of emotional intelligence and the understanding that the formation of these beliefs create their personality. Childhood experiences such as sexual abuse and verbal abuse get masked or silenced for fear of negative repercussion in speaking their

adverse experience with nurturers. • Unknown by many is that unexpressed emotions are the primary contributors for various stress related illnesses and the cause of more than 70% of primary care office visits for illnesses such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes. See, our stress is what I characterize as the S.T.R.E.S.S. Identity Factor which is often a compilation of our Stories, Thoughts, Responses, Emotions, Selfvictimization, and Self-communication S.T.R.E.S.S.). Gaining the awareness that your Stress Identity Factor is your unique life imprint is essential to understand this is a reflection of your personal reality. Another unknown is your perceptions of your S.T.R.E.S.S creates your identity or

reality. Identity determines if you live as a victor or as a victim of your unaddressed emotions. The stress statistics referenced earlier are not discussed or exposed for various reasons primarily due to economic benefits received by the medical and pharmaceutical industry. People are now awakening to the fact that through nutrition and lifestyle practices individuals can change their stress identity. However, far too many are unenlightened to the fact their undue stress is a result of adverse life experiences primarily occurring in childhood and oblivious that their unreleased emotions from these experiences can linger for a lifetime and leave one in physical and emotional pain or even become a contributing factor in one’s death. Adverse experiences frequently affect everyone impacting family dynamics and the trajectory of family traditions and conditioning that we all experience. Family traditions and beliefs that have been placed in silenced mode for decades bring unwanted generational conflicts. What we often experience and many can attest to is our nurturers become our hurters. In these surreal scenes of our life story parents, family members and others in our childhood circle of influence (teachers, religious leaders, protectors and rescuers) often unintentionally embody the role of abusers, verbally, physically, mentally, and even spiritually as as a result of their own

unresolved childhood experiences. Many of us became victims of our trusted nurturers far too often they become our adversaries knowingly or unknowingly. How could this be? This perplexity is a result of emotional negativity and naivety that evolved from unexpressed thoughts/ experiences and unaddressed emotions that have the capacity to morph into a fury of the hurt syndrome, a cyclical pattern of hurt people hurting people. One of my mentors shared this prolific expression that was the life changing moment for me. Emotions buried alive never die. Living in silence without any emotional release of childhood adverse experiences creates a pressure cooker of negative emotions looking for release. Without awareness and knowing how to release silenced emotions and the desire of wanting to speak one’s truth it shows up as the abuser, or an addict, addicted to alcohol, prescriptions drugs, tobacco, fear mongering, and other behaviors. Many find themselves engulfed in beliefs of failure which are frequently associated with false narratives like the road to success is paved when you study and receive your college degree, by gaining the recognition and approval from others somehow becomes a determining factor of validating one’s success. If one never releases their truth from adverse experiences, then they become victims of

their truth. They lack the understanding that voicing their truth represents liberation and inner peace which eliminates innate emotional dis-comfort and stress. It was not until I had my own awakening in my Sage year (55 plus) did I acknowledge my silenced story and begin to grapple with the impact my unexpressed emotions had on me and its impact on me emotionally, physically, spiritually, personally, and professionally. I spent the majority of my life seeking external validation for my worthiness and trying to find or experience inner peace all went awry because what I was looking for in regard to worthiness was inside of me. When I released my silenced emotions, this altered my life’s purpose and passion. I started my transformational coaching journey and experienced that I no longer needed validation from others; this was a monumental shift for me. I no longer was searching outside of me to determine my worthiness. I am intelligent, loveable and enough as I am. I also recognized the power in speaking my truth in unleashing unexpressed emotions. I no longer experience the emotional and physical pain from my being silent and living in emotional fatigue. It is so liberating to speak my truth unapologetically. We can create new beliefs that can change our thoughts and feelings to align with our desired reality, hopes, and heart desires. We can begin the releasing of unexpressed emotions, transcend and transmute the victim story of not enough, not lovable and

it is unavailable to me. Rise up and find the power and purpose in your story eradicating, eliminating, and freeing the negativity and embracing the lessons, gifts, and blessing to emanate the powerful, passionate spirit that you are here to be. Be a generational Legacy Cycle Breaker and become the divine light that you are glowing and flowing knowing that there’s dignity and pride in your true authenticity. You no longer need to remain in captivity of your silence. You are free to be the radiant being you are here to be. Celebrate your life’s story embracing the negativity and positivity, find the gifts, lessons and blessings then rise to unimaginable inner peace and living your heart’s desires. Martha Davidson - Neuro-Transformational Leader and Coach

ABOUT MARTHA DAVIDSON

Martha is the CEO and Founder of InnerMe Transformation Center and is passionate about her project No More Silence movement breaking Generational Cycles of Emotional Dissonance. She’s a Global Inspirational Speaker, International Best-Selling author, and a transformational

Mindset Coach, a Certified NeuroTransformational Leader and Coach. Her mission is to educate and advocate releasing unexpressed and unaddressed emotions that impacts relationships personally and professionally. Her goal is sharing her message to 10,000 professional women that

it is possible to. become legacy initiators advocating new perspectives on success. In March 2022 she was a Plenary Speaker in Paris, France at the Women Rise Conference. She was recognized in March 2020 by K.I.S.H. Magazine as a Sensational Woman to watch in 2020. Spending over 30 years in corporate as Cyber Security senior level manager leading global teams, she is a dedicated mentor and empowers high achieving females to secure their selfworth and become influential leaders in their respective niche. She is the mother of one son and loves being with her family and friends. An avid reader and loves to travel. Martha enjoys serving the underserved, especially the homeless and children and is currently on the Board of Directors of Umi Feeds in Atlanta and Love Mama’s Legacy Foundation You can reach Martha Davidson Phone 800 375-3302 Email: contact@marthatdavidson.com

Dr. C onstance Cr aig-Mas on, MRFC® “I am no longer running from the life that I don’t want, but I am driven by the life that I do want!”

The Strength of a Woman Let me ask you a question sis? How do you define the strength of a woman? Is your definition based in part from a quick Google search, what you have witnessed in your family, the bible, your own personal experiences, what you have seen depicted in tv sitcoms, movies and reality tv, etc? Is it a combination of all of those sources? Is the strength of a woman also measured by physical, emotional, spiritual, financial metrics and who is determining these things? I had not considered my “strength” until I reached 40 and all hell started breaking loose in my mind and body. Up until that point, I had experienced lots of traumatic experiences, but just “kept moving”. I had not stopped to count the costs of my oil along the way. The line, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” from the Langston Hughes poem, “Mother to Son” is a very relatable

phrase for me. I am almost certain you can also relate. I wear perseverance, resilience and determination around my neck like a diamond choker. But I must say as beautiful as it is to see and own those characteristics, it doesn’t always feel so beautiful. Growing up in poverty to a young, single mom in the inner city of Baltimore was challenging to say the least. My mom was 17 with two little baby girls-- a baby raising babies. She married young also with the hopes of providing us with a stable, loving, family environment. But unfortunately that is not what the reality was for us. We watched my mom struggle to thrive in a home plagued with domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health crisis, poverty, toxic masculinity, etc. As she wiped her tears, picked herself up and went on to school or work, we wondered what was giving her the strength to push through.

The unconditional love of God, the undeniable love of a mother, the whispers in her ear of her ancestral matriarchs,.. We do not give up. I remember my grandmother sharing stories with us about how she was an orphan living in the streets of Baltimore. She talked about how she had been hurt and harmed in many devastating ways, but would encourage us to figuratively, “Go in that corner and cry your tears, but then wipe them and come out fighting!” Hearing those words in retrospect almost sounds like the boxing coach to his prize fighter, but why are we training our daughters and granddaughters to fight so hard? In my 40+ years on this earth, I have experienced my own traumas from molestation, rape, domestic violence, poverty, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, etc and had felt like a victim for a great deal of that time. Imagine the contradiction of feeling like a victim needing to be saved but also feeling like the savior that runs to aid everyone else.. I had to break free from the mindset that the world owed me something and the “why me” mindset. I hope I am not the only one who has felt this way. In my opinion, the strength of a woman is a very complex concept. I have learned and experienced as women we bear many things from bearing children in our wombs, generational traumas in our blood,

relationship pains in our hearts, community burdens on our backs, etc. Yet, we find ways to lift our heads, hands and bodies to rise to the occasion every day with a renewed hope, prayer and word of encouragement for someone. We do not give up. When I think about “the work” that it takes to heal and walk in a “balanced strength”, I am reminded of the quote by the late Maya Angelou, ‘Someone was hurt before you, wronged before you, hungry before you, frightened before you, beaten before you, humiliated before you, raped before you… yet, someone survived… You can do anything you choose to do’”. Dr. Angelou also encouraged us by saying, “As soon as healing takes place, go out and heal someone else.” With that said, I believe a woman’s strength is not measured by how many burdens she can take on and still push forward. It is by her courage to heal.

ABOUT Dr. Constance Craig-Mason, MRFC®

Dr. Constance Craig-Mason, MRFC® is the CEO of Concierge Financial Group and the Co-Founder of The Real Connected Co. As a dedicated Financial Consultant, award-winning Insurance Broker, passionate International Speaker and a x8 Amazon Best Selling Author, she teaches her clients

to correctly manage their money, so they can live the life they want without worrying about money! She has received numerous awards for community impact in her field including amedallion “In Recognition of Excellence,

Service, & Sacrifice” from the Comptroller of Maryland. Dr. Constance has also received an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy for her eminent contributions to financial literacy, financial advancement and entrepreneurship empowerment within the community. She was an honoree at The Black Business Review’s 2019 Class of 40 Under 40. She was nominated for Financial Expert Speaker of the Year at the SpeakerCon convention in November 2019. And Constance is a graduate of the 2020 Inaugural Class of Dr. Cheryl Wood’s Vocalize Women Speakers Academy. Dr. Constance is active in her community and is an Awareness Advocate for financial literacy, breast cancer, sexual assault and mental health. She is also very passionate

about women’s empowerment as evidenced by her memberships in the Baltimore City Commission for Women: Women in Leadership, Shay Sharpe’s Pink Wishes (SSPW), Empowered Women in Business International (EWBI) and Smart Women Partner & Grow Rich. Dr. Constance is also a proud member of the FDIC’s Money Smart Alliance, National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Financial Planning Association (FPA), International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC) and also the Black Speakers Network (BSN). You can connect with Dr. Constance on all social media platforms as @ccraigmason or find out more about her at bit.ly/ccraigmason

Eug enia Y vette “Holding on is believing that there’s only a past; letting go is knowing there’s a future.”by Daphne Rose Kingmaker “Everything I touch is blessed by God to grow and flourish.” - Eugenia Yvette

I’m Eugenia Yvette I offer steps to emotional wellness. Have you ever felt overwhelmed with life’s challenges or daily tasks? If you have answered yes then I have some information that I would love to share with you. It is important that we cleanse our emotions regularly in order to transform our lives. Emotional cleansing is an ongoing process and I would love to share some tips and technique with you. Please don’t allow stress and unforgiveness to dictate our lives then our mind, body, soul and spirit can become a habitat in which disease is more likely to flourish. I am Eugenia Yvettle and I thank you for your time.

Carlotta Pace, LSW, MSW

Carlotta is known for her courage to keep loving, and giving, her passion for all connected to her to win in life, and her desire to be more like Christ. While Carlotta is an international best-selling author and certified life coach, she also holds degrees in Community Service, and Social Work, and

is a Licensed Trainee and Therapist in the State of Ohio. Carlotta enjoys working with other community leaders, at-risk families, and single parents on both preventative and intervention levels. She has worked in

child welfare, later deciding to do full-time counseling services, supervision in mental health, and creating culturally sensitive group work in a variety of areas. Carlotta manages her own company, IWas Here, LLC in Akron, Ohio, and Caterpillar 7, LLC in Columbus, Ohio. While both focus on similar ways they aim towards specific groups: grief, parenting, helping the helpers, self-love, increasing self-awareness, and building unity. I specialize in rebuilding other leaders while Caterpillar 7 is a nonprofit designed to give more vulnerable populations quality service.

In discovering herself she found that selflove and awareness must be intentional. Carlotta believes we are all born different, we get in this world and try to all fit in, when we were created to STAND OUT! Carlotta has had the ability to teach and speak in multiple areas; her three main focuses are self-care and rebuilding leaders ( afterlife changes), managing conflict while parenting, and adding grace, forgiveness, and love to gain Unity. Lastly, she believes in all you do, and shows up for yourself, like you, and for you. So just be you!!!

Author and Coach Carlotta Pace, LSW, MSW Instagram and Facebook: Carlottaspeaks Email: callcarlottatospeak@gmail.com 330-344-0622

ABOUT EUGENIA YVETTE

“I am a life changer” - Eugenia Yvette

Eugenia Yvette grew up in Panama, Central America; but is a native of Nashville, Tennessee. She is the proud mother of six children and grandmother of 2. The motivation behind her “Emotional Wellness” conferences comes from her personal journey as a woman, mother, visionary, and realization of the need to be emotionally well.

Her Creative Corner Customer & Client Appreciation Spotlight

HER IMPACT & SUC CESS ACADEMY “DEAR BLACK WOMAN, I SEE YOUR STRENGTH…YOU GOT THIS! Always remember your journey was God’s plan. Teara F. Stewart Martha T. Davidson Eugenia Eyvette Stephanie Carter-Jernagin Ashley E. Moore Tina Michelle Baker Angela S. Gibson Shawntia Emilus Noreen N. Henry Chanel Spencer Veronica Simon Moirar Leveille Dayna Marie Sabrina Thomas Monique R. Johnson Grace A. Crockett-Beacham

Genasha Cotton-Sharpe Lolita McNeal Mona Lisa Lafosse Koko Brown Saniya I. Reed Eboni Pressword Winnie Julien Nejri Grubbs Alfredia Fuller Shelly Matlock Charnell Williams Keon Sabree Detras Powel Tina E. Hooks Charlita George Delia Diggs Felicia Brittingham Chantai Rae

“Her IMPACT is Her SUCCESS” - Dr. Monica D. Reed HER Journey HIS plan www.herbusinesscenter.com Email: contact@herbusinesscenter.com

HER IMPACT & SUCCESS ACADEMY Love Mama Inspires Foundation

MISSION STATEMENT

VISION STATEMENT

Our mission is to empower and inspire children and young adults who have lost their Mom due to an unforeseen circumstance enabling them to enhance and develop their quality of life by availing resources to help them create sustainable change for themselves, their families and the community. We endeavor to assist individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds in achieving sustainable development and mold them into socially cognizant leaders who are well equipped for them to become engineers of their futures.

We aspire to create a world-class non-profit organization that provides shelter to young adults and children as well as provide services and facilities to encourage and empower them. At our foundation, we aim to assist them convert personal problems into lifeenhancing opportunities and prepare them for future pursuits by providing culturally competent, holistic, and wellness-focused programs. Through our technologically sound techniques, we focus on providing an environment where they interact and build their capacities by implanting knowledge and skills in them in a loving and caring way.

Website: www.LoveMamaFoundation.com Email: LoveMamaInspires@gmail.com

C onstance Woul ard

Professional speaker, visionary nursing leader, leadership subject matter expert, mindset coach, and 6x best-selling author Constance Woulard is an emerging force in the national and global community. At the Women’s History and Empowerment Conference, Ms. Woulard recently presented

in Paris, France. She collaborated with Dr. Cheryl Wood and the legendary Les Brown in the Unleashing Your Undeniable Impact anthology and speaking tour November 2021.

She is a co-author of the Women Who Pray collaborative, igniting 90 days of prayer. Ms. Woulard is a featured author of The Heart of a Leader. She is also a co-author of the Sister Leaders Anthology and of More Precious than Gems: She Knows Her Worth anthology. She is currently the visionary author of the upcoming anthology, The Invisible Soul, released in September 2022. She collaborates with leaders by assisting them with clarifying core values, prioritizing well-being, and effectively communicating to resolve leadership dilemmas. She is dedicated to motivating and empowering others to be their best. Constance’s speaking encompasses numerous podcasts, such as Mogul Media, Long Term Care Heroes, and Becker’s Healthcare Review. She was chosen to speak at the Shawn Fair Leadership Experience

Tour in Troy, Michigan. She was also a speaker for the Che Brown Comeback Champion 2021 Summit. Ms. Woulard is a featured speaker at the WYN Conferences, Women Influencers, and Women’s Rise Leadership Conference, Dubai/UAE. Her motivational speaking provides strategies for recognizing sabotaging behaviors and how to overcome those behaviors. Ms. Woulard is a dynamic powerhouse and strives to inspire, motivate and empower others to become and present their best self. She tells her struggle of lacking self-confidence and low self-esteem related to issues surrounding childhood obesity. The main focus of her talks is raw and personal, as she encourages others to unleash the residue of their struggles and soar and strive towards personal excellence and accomplishment.

THE SPEAK EASY P OD CAST CHECK OUT THE MONTH OF MAY

Mavis A. Creagh

Mavis A. Creagh is an executive director, best-selling author, speaker, consultant, mental health proponent, women’s advocate, entrepreneurial strategist, columnist, and online show host. Proven to be a prolific writer, Mavis will release her first solo project, a Women’s Devotional later this year!

She currently serves as the Executive Director of R3SM, Inc. (Recover, Rebuild, and Restore Southeast MS) a nonprofit founded following Hurricane Katrina. Recently she established Mavis A. Creagh Consulting, LLC a brand that offers editing, writing, speaking, and business consultation

along with We Women Ministries, Inc. a ministry created to empower, enrich, and elevate women from all backgrounds. She has an extensive knowledge of recovery following natural disasters with a foundation in revitalization of communities, philanthropy, and economic development. Over the past five years, Mavis provided oversight of 30 new constructions, 150+ repair projects, and over 5.5 million dollars in volunteer labor and donations throughout the State of Mississippi.

In addition, she serves on multiple regional, state and community boards. Most recently she was recognized Awarded Business Woman of the Year 2022, Top 10 in the Mississippi Business Journal. One of her proudest accomplishments is being a mother to her amazing teenage son, Jordan! For more information on Mavis visit www. mavisacreagh.com and social media at mavisacreagh.

Michelle Ander s onBenjamin

Michelle Anderson-Benjamin is a mother of two, wife and healthcare administrator from New York City. After being diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 36 in 2020, she was inspired to turn her pain into her purpose and started The Fearless Warrior Project, LLC. As a Certified Master Coach

and Mental Health Advocate and Coach she helps others find their voice. Michelle is also a Patient Advocate and a Young Advocate for Living Beyond Breast Cancer. To demand change you must be willing to participate and demand a seat

at the table where decisions are made, and Michelle is seated at every table in her path. Her faith in God gives her purpose and an understanding that her assignment was designed just for her. Michelle’s motivation is creating a legacy for her kids to be proud. Michelle has always been a Superwoman but now wears a Pink Cape! Fearlesswarriorprojectllc.com Info@fearlesswarriorprojectllc.com

Dr. Josephine Harris.

Modern day superheroes are not the ones we familiarize in motion pictures, but rather the quintessential professionals; gifted with a sharp sense of servant leadership, willing to show up greatly; in the lives of those who need it most. Yielded to this profound ethic; is the multifaceted advocate, Dr. Josephine Harris.

Dr. Josephine Harris is a military spouse, a Certified Mental Health and Wellness Coach & Advocate, an International Bestselling author and 6X Times Amazon Bestselling author, Global speaker, philanthropist, serial entrepreneur, Vice President of the HERpernuer Network

(Western region), and Founder of Calming Minds LLC, a multidimensional coaching practice, helping clients to connect with the mind, body, and soul, by way of inspiration, coaching, and other dynamic mechanisms. Dr. Harris’ mantra is simple: She is inherently committed to the emboldening of women, particularly military spouses; facilitating for them all, an opportunity of hope.

Additionally, Dr. Harris is certified in both, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and is an Internationally Licensed Psychotherapist, proudly serving the Seoul Counseling Center in South Korea, since 2018.

Dr. Rhonda M. Wo od

Dr. Rhonda M. Wood is an award-winning international keynoter, empowerment expert, and mental health advocate. Leveraging over 30 years of corporate experience, Rhonda impacts audiences with her mission to normalize and destigmatize mental health conversations. She trains

individuals and corporations worldwide on how to shatter mental health stigmas and embrace compassion, awareness, knowledge, and acceptance. Rhonda is a compelling thought leader and motivational speaker dedicated to

supporting women’s personal empowerment worldwide. In line with her unyielding passion for helping women succeed, Rhonda founded RMW Enterprises, a global movement that focuses on Helping Women Win from Within™. She specializes in helping women reclaim their inner power, make peace with their past, and prosper in their purpose so that they are empowered to reach their highest potential, personally and professionally. Rhonda uses her unique voice and talents to serve women from the classroom to the boardroom and beyond. She unapologetically shares her mental health journey with a level of transparency that allows her voice to resonate in the hearts of women around the world. In a world where women are expected to stay silent about mental health issues, Rhonda chooses to speak up and shine light and awareness on matters that have remained in the shadows. She has a

deep-rooted passion for helping women reset their value, renew their vision, restore their vocation, and rediscover their voice. Rhonda was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Philosophy in Entrepreneurship & Business Administration by Trinity International University of Ambassadors School of Business Honors Program in recognition of being a successful leader in business and her work with mental health advocacy and women’s empowerment. She also received the United Nations Global Women of Distinction Award for her lifelong commitment to building a strong global reach of service to the world. Rhonda has also been recognized for her leadership, dedication, and contributions to her community and the next generation. Her work has been featured on prominent media platforms such as ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, talk shows, radio, podcasts, newspapers, magazines, and more.

Michele D. Cl ark

Michele D. Clark, affectionately known as a “Hope Dealer”, founded LIFT Life Coaching Solutions and LIFT Nation, and has become that beacon of light for women who have gone through similar life-altering events. Conquering Stage 2 Breast Cancer, two strokes, a transient ischemic attack,

divorce, domestic violence, sexual assault, and multiple complex traumas, Michele is more than qualified to empower others! Ms. Clark is a licensed mental health clinician with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Master’s in Social Work, in addition to being

trained in trauma therapy and certified in the evidenced based therapeutic model of Parent Management Training - Oregon Model (PMTO)/Parenting Through Change (PTC). Michele has been in the helping profession for more than 20 years, worked with diverse populations and has earned several certifications and awards. As a life coach and transformational keynote speaker, Michele injects hope into the lives of women by emphasizing how she transformed her own traumas to live an inspired life. Ms. Clark has been a keynote speaker on international platforms, including the Leadership Experience Tour, Comeback Champion Summit, 1% Better Speakers Conference, Northwestern Mutual Leadership Conference, Wayne County Women’s Commission and the Global Caregiver Speakers Summit. Ms. Clark is a member of Shawn Fair’s Leadership Experience Tour corporate team and has played critical roles in enhancing the platform, including interviewing prominent

speakers. Michele is also the owner of INSPIRE TV channel on one of the world’s fastest growing streaming platforms for underserved communities and independent content producers - Exposure Network TV, a best-selling author of the anthology HUSH: Breaking the Cycle of Silence Around Sexual Abuse, and an actress. When asked what inspires thee “Living Inspired Coach”, Michele proudly asserted that her loving parents, supportive siblings, miracle son, who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at birth, brilliant daughter, and a resolute drive to leave a legacy are the pinnacle of her inspiration. To connect with Michele D. Clark for life coaching, as a keynote speaker and to broadcast your product or services into 160 million homes in 128 countries, please visit her website at www.MicheleDClark.com. Follow Michele on the following media platforms:

clarkmd@liftlifecoachingsolutions.com www.MicheleDClark.com phone/text: 586-298-2121 FB @micheledclark.lift https://www.facebook.com/micheledclark.lift FB @lifecoaching4women https://www.facebook.com/lifecoaching4women IG @micheledclark.lift https://www.instagram.com/micheledclark.lift/ Twitter @micheledclark https://twitter.com/micheledclark Linked In @micheledclarklift https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheledclarklift/ INSPIRE TV channel on Exposure Network TV (download on iPhone, Android, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV and Roku TV)