MARCH 2017
Women’s History Month
pg .8
Commissioner Barbara Jordan
and Olivia Benson, Esq., two of Miami’s shining lights
™
MakeupbyRory.com
Award-winning make-up artist and entrepreneur. Philanthropist who helps girls discover their beauty from the inside out with her Our Girls Enrichment Program. Change Maker selected to attend the inaugural White House Women’s Summit for her philanthropy work and leadership. 2
THE SISTER HOOD | M A RCH 2017
CONTENTS COVER STORIES:
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OLIVIA BENSON, ESQ., &
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COMMISSIONER BARBARA JORDAN TWO OF MIAMI’S SHINING LIGHTS
WOMEN AND WEALTH
TEAM SISTERHOOD MICHELLE HOLLINGER Publisher and Editorial Director CATHY CHARLES Senior Graphic Designer and Illustrator ALEXANDRA HARRIS Staff Photographer STEPHANIE HARRIS Contributing Writer C O N TA C T : sisterhoodnewsmag.com 305-924-5773
6 SISTERS IN THE NEWS
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S.O.S COUNCIL: THE RETURN
Elevate your bathroom to a work of art
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4 tax changes that could impact your 2016 return
Copyright © 2017 HOLLINGER PUBLICATIONS Volume 1, Issue 8 THE SISTER HOOD | M A RCH 2017
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PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE
Women and Power MICHELLE@SISTERHOODNEWSMAG.COM @MSMHOLLINGER
The most powerful woman knows her power has nothing to do with controlling others and everything to do with creating her life, on her terms and her standards. Power is an inside-out process that grows with spiritual development. Powerful women put in their work. They understand who they are and what they want. They believe they deserve it and their life unfolds in a way that reminds people of their power not because they announce it but because they live it. (FYI: Boasting about power is evidence of a shortage.)
her constituents and to help improve their quality of life.
Authentically powerful women are all about using it effectively in and through their lives. Powerful women do not need co-signers to validate their power; so any discussion about power is to genuinely encourage other women to embrace their own.
Janice Coakley’s power shines through Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida, Troop 347, which she has guided for the past 30 years. Coakley understands that girls live what they know so she’s been busy making sure they know, among other valuable truths, their magnificent worth.
Olivia Benson is a powerful woman. And because powerful women attract other powerful women, sisterhood has played a significant role in her life. From planting a seed that eventually blossomed into a career in law; to exploring the depths of her soul for a closer look at how religion impacts women; other women have encouraged Benson to embrace her power. Her embrace of power has shaped her life tremendously. She writes about women’s power and society’s attempt to curtail it in her new book, Answers from Within: Answers to Work Life Issues in the Age of Spiritual Evolution.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, the topic of power should be front and center. How are you using your power? Does your life reflect how powerful you really are? Do you know how powerful you are? How do you nurture your power? What’s one thing you did in the last 30 days that reminded you of your power? What is one thing you can do in the next 24 hours to become more acquainted with your power? (It could be as simple as listing the 10 most powerful decisions you’ve ever made.)
Some of Commissioner Barbara Jordan’s power comes by virtue of her position, however; how she uses her power is the testament to her wisdom. When powerful women use their power to help others, their power is maximized. As the commissioner for District 1, Jordan is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to engage
La Shonda Thornton’s power is evident in how she serves. When she discovered how prevalent human trafficking is in our community, her power led her to create an organization to affect change. The Anzora Foundation is poised to help women and girls escape abusive lives where they are victims of human trafficking – many right before our eyes.
When we understand that developing power is an inside-out process, we can commit to doing the work necessary for it to manifest. Introspection, understanding, vision, desire and spending time in the silence all determine how power shows up in our lives. It looks and feels differently for everyone, but according to Glinda the Good Witch, “You had the power all along, dear.”
Michelle
In sisterhood,
7 PRINCIPLES of an active S.O.S. SISTERHOOD OF SELF
• All women have an S.O.S. that is either active or inactive. • The only way to activate your S.O.S. is to spend time in the silence, daily. 4
• Self-forgiveness elevates an active S.O.S. • Paying attention to thoughts and words is imperative to maintaining an active S.O.S. • Gratitude helps an active S.O.S. thrive. THE SISTER HOOD | M A RCH 2017
• An active S.O.S. points the way to inner splendor, which reveals life purpose. • An active S.O.S. impacts a woman’s sisterhood exchanges with other women
Women and Wealth #RelationshipGoals
The same holds true for your relationship with money.
HYACINTH HENDERSON My parents (32 years), Oprah & Steadman (30 years), The Obamas (24 years). Whoever your favorite couple is, the commitment and work they’ve put in to their respective relationships is a commonality. Everyone wants the perfect relationship however, folks don’t put in the work. Save your ‘there’s no such thing as perfect’ comments. The standard definition of perfect is: having all the required or desirable elements, qualities or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be. If you aren’t striving for perfection, you’re settling for mediocrity. Settling is the other side of the coin. Period. Sometimes folks don’t realize they’ve been sucked into the vacuum of mediocrity because they’re surrounded by people that operate from the same mindset so it’s become their norm. They’ve convinced themselves that people with extraordinary relationships breathe some type of special oxygen or somehow got lucky. Many people also share these beliefs when it comes to money and accumulating wealth. Your relationship with money is no different than any other relationship in your life- the success is dependent on your efforts and commitment to the relationship. One wouldn’t reasonably expect to have a harmonious union without taking time to get to know their mate and making a commitment to the relationship.
You must first make the commitment to getting your financial house in order. Once you’ve made the commitment, an assessment of where you are (present) and where you’d like to go (future) needs to be done. Your financial planner will work with you to create a roadmap to get you from point a to point b. A key component of your roadmap is a budget, which is like a prenup to your financial responsibilities; the terms are outlined ahead of time and adhered to throughout the duration. Your budget tells your money where to go and how it’s going to work for you instead of you wondering why you’re broke two days after payday.
WHAT WOMEN ARE SAYING ABOUT
“PHENOMENAL” “Love it!! Great magazine and articles!”
Once executed, the other party of the prenup doesn’t get to alter the terms. If you’ve set a monthly amount of $200 for food, the idea is to stick to the plan. You shouldn’t spend $400 on food and complain that you don’t have enough money to save for retirement. Many of you have been allowing your money to spend itself and then complain that you need more money when the truth is, you don’t have a money problem, you have a problem controlling your emotions. People hate prenups and people hate budgets, funny thing is, the purpose of both is to outline terms before emotions run high and logic goes out the window. Spending money is an emotional process and if you can’t control your emotions, you’ll always need more money. Get your emotions under control by incorporating a written budget in your life. Call me if you need help! Hyacinth Henderson is Managing Director at The Henderson Financial Group and is a registered representative of IFS Securities, located in Atlanta, GA. FINRA/MSRB/SIPC. Contact her at 305-825-1444 or www.TheHendersonFinancialGroup.Com.
THE SISTER HOOD | M A RCH 2017
“OMG! This is awesome!”
“So inspiring!” Fantastic!!!!” “Amazing achievement.” “AWESOME!” “THIS IS SUPER COOL! LOVE IT!” “I AM TOTALLY ECSTATIC!” “Beautiful magazine!” “Sensational! Your passion explodes from every page!”
“Enjoyable and uplifting from cover to cover!”
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SISTERS IN THE NEWS BROWARD WOMEN HONORED
Nerissa Street - Founder, Be Your Own Answer
A group of Broward County-based women were honored by the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce at its annual Women of Distinction ceremony. The program honors women who are “executives, change makers and public officials who greatly improve their communities, and ours. We honor the whole woman and their amazing contributions to Broward County,” according to a statement by the LRCC.
Dee Thompson - CEO, Dee Thompson Speaks Veda Coleman-Wright - PIO Director, Broward Sheriff’s Office
Dr. Traci Lynn - CEO, Traci Lynn Jewelry Sherry Friedlander-Olsen - Founder, A Child is Missing, Inc.
For more information, visit anzorafoundation.org.
Donna Borland - General Manager, VITAS Healthcare Sandra Carey - Deputy Consul General, The Bahamas Karen Pandy-Cherry - President, Refresh Live Foundation Ilene Lieberman - First Female Strong Mayor in Broward County
The committee will serve in an advisory capacity to the City of Miami Gardens Commission for Women and the City Council by conducting investigative studies and reports regarding education, health care concerns of young women, social services, living conditions of young women and the importance of mental health care/suicide prevention.
LUNCHEON RAISES AWARENESS On Feb. 4, the Anzora Foundation hosted Save our Children; the Fight Against Human Trafficking, an informative luncheon at the Signature Grand in Davie to raise awareness regarding the prevalence of human trafficking. With Florida being third in the nation as it relates to cases, the work being done by several women to eradicate the horrific crime is even more imperative. Kudos to La Shonda Thornton, Anzora founder and CEO; Jumorrow Johnson, Vice President Broward Human Trafficking Coalition, Dr. Elizabeth Swain and Somy Ali, founder of No More Tears, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking – for their relentless work to raise awareness and assist women and girls to reclaim their lives.
The honorees:
Applicants must be between the ages of 13 and 18 and reside in the city of Miami Gardens or a student at Miami Carol City, Miami Norland or Monsignor Pace High Schools.
Councilwoman Lisa C. Davis MIAMI-DADE COUNCILWOMAN SEEKS TEENS’ INPUT In an effort to ensure their voices are heard regarding issues affecting them and their peers while also encouraging their participation in improving the quality of life in their community, teenage girls in Miami Gardens are being invited to apply for a seat on the Miami Gardens Junior Commission for Women Advisory Committee.
The initiative is the brainchild of Councilwoman Lisa C. Davis, who was recently nominated by the Miami-Dade County Black Affairs Advisory Board and the Commission for Women to participate in their exhibition “VESSELS: A TRIBUTE TO AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN,” which will be featured during the Women’s History Month program and housed in the Stephen P. Clark Government Center located at 111 NW First Street Miami, Florida 33128. For more information on either initiative, please contact LaShara Bostic at 305-9149179 ext. 2705 or by email at lbostic@miamigardens-fl.org.
Celebrating
Women’s History Month “We must continue to trail blaze, we must continue to break glass ceilings...we must lift as we climb.” —Beverly Bond
LISA C. DAVIS
Council Member - Seat 2 A PROVEN LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY
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THE SISTER HOOD | M A RCH 2017
Janice Coakley uses the Girl Scouts to help young ladies embrace sisterhood BY MICHELLE HOLLINGER One of the most important aspects of sisterhood is passing on wisdom to young sisters and encouraging them to live fully. As the leader of Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida, Service Unit 44, Troop 347, Janice Coakley knows a thing or two about sisterhood and the importance of instilling valuable perceptions about it in the young girls she leads.
more motivated and they each have their own unique qualities. I have discovered that, the group as a whole has matured greatly in how harmonious they are with decision-making outcomes. When a decision has to be made as a group, they always or mostly agree to disagree. 4) What three words would you use to describe your troop?
Girl Scout Troop 347 Members Timaya Everett Arianna Gay Jauntre’ Gray
The Sisterhood caught up with Coakley to ask her a few questions about her work with the girls, how they’ve grown and how they have impacted her and each other.
Unique, Smart/Intelligent and Innovative
1) How have the girls grown over the years?
I foresee these young women becoming strong leaders of the future. I have had the privilege to watch them grow and see the attitudes and behavior they had displayed, and so I strongly believe that they will emerge as strong women, who will take on leadership positions in business, government and in the home.
A’Rawni McPhee
6) I’m sure as their leader you’ve taught them many valuable life lessons. What have they taught you?
Ma’kia Moulton
I have had the privilege of watching these girls mature and become little ladies and young ladies. I believe that children have grown up too fast, and I feel that this accelerated maturity is mainly due to peer pressure, TV, Internet, and social networks. Some of them have become so addicted to cell phones and growing technologies, that as a leader, if you are not aware, you can lose their focus and attention. 2) What role does sisterhood play in the troop’s success? It is very important, because it helps the troop to be effective. I try to teach them that they are sisters in meetings and outside of meetings and not to speak poorly to each other. Not to bring outside conflict to meetings that would affect the troop. 3) What are the most significant qualities the group as a whole has discovered about itself? That some girls are shy, some aggressive, some are
5) What kind of women do you think they will become?
Patience: Working with children has taught me great patience. Every child learns at their own pace and so I have to practice patience daily. Satisfaction: Knowing how hard and long you have worked with each child gives you a sense of satisfaction at the end of a task or tasks. Appreciation: When I see what they have become in life. Motivation: They have motivated me to continue going; not quitting when things aren’t going as planned. Their smile, laughs and motivation keep me going. THE SISTER HOOD | M A RCH 2017
Tamia Johnson Dionne Mapp Rachel Mazyck
De’Monti Pipkin Brianna Placide Bria Renna Amari Thompson Eboni Williams Nashei Williams 7
Attorney turned author on sisterhood, faith and overcoming fear By MICHELLE HOLLINGER Sisterhood has played a significant role in Olivia Benson’s professional life. It was instrumental to her success in the banking industry and it was a factor in her becoming an attorney. As an undergraduate at the University of Miami, she excelled in a business law class, unwittingly getting the professor’s attention. The instructor saw a future lawyer and encouraged Benson to consider the profession. (Benson said the professor’s kindness and encouragement are unforgettable, but because she can’t recall her name, she plans to retrieve her undergrad transcript to identify and thank the woman who played a role in her successful legal career.) She also encountered powerful demonstrations of sisterhood when she was hired at then Barnett Bank after college. Rachel Stern, Benson’s supervisor, recommended that the energetic young woman be promoted to the Brickell branch, where yet another woman, Deloris Ingram, nurtured her talent and encouraged her progress. Benson’s law professor’s words remained with her throughout her banking career; and when a judge offered to write a letter of recommendation for law school after hearing her speak in court on a
family member’s behalf, she saw it as a divine sign that she should pursue a legal career.
She’s learned to rely on her faith regardless of what’s going on in her life.
With the help of Victoria Garrigo, another woman whose grasp of sisterhood significantly impacted Benson’s banking career, Benson continued to excel at Barnett and beyond.
“I’ve come from some challenging circumstances, God has walked me through.” The most significant, she said, was getting divorced and, as a single mother, raising her son; who is now a 27-year old attorney.
“After I left the bank and went to law school, somebody asked her for a recommendation for a young lawyer to come to a firm,” and Garrigo gave them Benson’s name. “That’s how I went to work for a law firm that I was with for five years,” Benson shared. While she’s had experiences “where women can be less than supportive,” Benson said she’s had “many, many women along my path,” who genuinely grasped sisterhood and helped her. One potential obstacle that all women face is fear; which Benson said is inevitable “if you’re on the planet.” The challenge, she explained, “is how you deal with it once it shows up. I can never say I was without fear – and times in my life where fear dominated as the first emotion,” she said. Regardless of the circumstances, “Faith has been a part of my walk for a very long time. I’m a woman of faith.”
“I don’t know how you make it without knowing God. Without having some sense of connection to a higher power and knowing that there is an order beneath what looks like chaos – a plan and order in place for you,” she shared. “It’s more than that, the universe is genius, in the process of raising your child…you’re really growing yourself…in amazing and incredible ways.” Benson will talk about her faith and more at an event on March 4 at the Universal Truth Center. The centerpiece of the discussion will be her book, Answers from Within, Answers to Work Life Issues in the Age of Spiritual Evolution. She encourages attendees to “consider this a conversation between us and to be open to rethinking everything we’ve believed so far.” As it relates to inequality and the disparate treatment of women,
she plans to explore, “How did we get to where we are, our underlying fundamental beliefs, particularly as women.” She also plans to delve into the “Adam and Eve story,” as well as “some things about how the bible is put together.” More than anything, she wants women to know, “You’re never walking alone. That is the thing that has taken me through every single challenge.” IF YOU GO: WHAT: Sisters in Law: Civil and Spiritual Law WHEN: March 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. WHERE: Universal Truth Center, 21310 NW 37th Ave., Miami Gardens COST: Suggested $25 offering CONTACT: For more information, call 305-624-4991
Commissioner Jordan talks sisterhood STAFF REPORT Commissioner Jordan succeeded former Miami Dade Commissioner Betty Ferguson when she was elected in 2004. Now in her twelfth year, Jordan was elected unopposed for a fourth term in 2016. The popular leader represents District 1 – which includes the predominantly Black cities of Miami Gardens and Opa-locka – in addition to other unincorporated areas. In honor of Women’s History Month, the commissioner answered a few sisterhood-related questions. What does sisterhood mean to you? Sisterhood is a genuine closeness and bond with other women. It’s about caring, empowering, and being supportive of women with whom you share a close bond. It means making an effort to maintain these friendships and alliances. I’m fortunate to have experienced sisterhood many times in my life, especially within my family, among my own sisters, daughters, and granddaughters, among my
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close circle of friends. How has it shown up in your life?
uncharted waters, but we navigate it by being confident in ourselves. If you don’t dare to try, you won’t accomplish anything. It’s about knowing how to approach a situation and being prepared. You can’t let fear hold you back.
An integral part of sisterhood is imparting wisdom and teaching, guiding, and mentoring young women and offering them the wealth of knowledge that we possess. It’s important to give our young people a historical perspective about womanhood and pass down our predecessors’ stories of struggle and the sacrifices that have been made.
Equality in the workplace. “Equal pay for equal work” is still a widespread issue that persists.
How does it inform your work as a commissioner?
How do you use your power to help women?
As a commissioner, I look through the lens of my own experience as I encounter people from all backgrounds and walks of life. As women, we share common challenges. So I speak out and stand up for those who can’t.
Growing up in South Dade, I used to work in the bean fields with my family. I attended school during segregation so my life is a testament to the power of progress and change. I represent so many women who have worked hard to overcome discrimination and sexism in order to realize their own dreams. It’s a blessing to be able to provide women opportunities and resources so that they can get involved and become a voice of change.
If fear has been an issue for you, how do you navigate it so that it doesn’t stop you? It’s natural to have fear when we’re in
THE SISTER HOOD | M A RCH 2017
What is the most important political issue facing women?
of Women’s History Month, we salute “ Inthehonor women who continue to be the backbone of communities throughout Miami-Dade County.
I would like to recognize those women who work tirelessly to uplift the lives of our residents.
”
The Honorable Barbara J. Jordan Miami-Dade County Commissioner District One
THE SISTER HOOD | M A RCH 2017
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T he S.O.S Council An unfolding novel
By MICHELLE HOLLINGER She blinks her eyes slowly; not sure what to make of the commotion. Trying hard to figure out where she is, Shelby decided sitting up would allow a better look but the throbbing pain pushed her head back to the pillow. Although it felt like she nearly sat up, her head didn’t actually budge. Vision is limited to her right eye, but not for lack of trying. She tried to open her left eye but glue seems to be keeping the lids together. Why would anyone glue my eye shut, Shelby wonders. She doesn’t recognize the voices she hears. A man and a woman. She still doesn’t know where she is, so not being able to identify these strangers is adding to her frustration. Strange people and strange surroundings notwithstanding, Shelby senses that she’s safe. “This is nothing short of a miracle,” the female voice says. “You saw her. She was gone.” “What happened when I left,” the male voice questions. “Did you do anything to help her.” Dr. Jones thinks about the prayer she said, her first time ever uttering anything remotely close to a prayer since being forced to attend church as a child. Her belly flutters like it did while she was praying and something similar to the profound emotions that washed through her as she asked God to save Shelby bubbles up in her gut.
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The Return “No, I didn’t do anything,” she tells Dr. Hernandez, who is busy taking Shelby’s vitals. “Well something happened,” he says in a tone that could be mistaken for being accusatory.
Shelby thrashes wildly on the bed, nearly disconnecting the IV while grabbing at the oxygen mask. Her eyes are locked into Danita’s as she tries to free her mouth. “We need to calm her down,” Dr. Hernandez says.
“What difference does it make,” Dr. Jones says.
“Wait, she’s trying to say something,” Dr. Jones responds.
The nurse who was dismissed from the room returns, mouth agape and eyes stretched wide with surprise when she realizes that Shelby survived.
She gets closer to Shelby, who is contorting wildly in the bed, arms flailing, palms up as though she’s expecting something to drop into them.
Dr. Jones’ look says more than any lecture could.
Danita removes the oxygen mask and the deep, guttural sobs coming from Shelby move her to tears. She holds Shelby’s hand and tries to sooth her.
“I am so sorry, Dr. Jones,” the nurse says as she wipes away a tear. The nurse flinches as Danita reaches over and places a hand atop the nurse’s hand. “That’s behind us now.” The conciliatory moment is broken by a deep, guttural cry from Shelby. Everyone turns to her. Danita moves closer and touches her arm. Tears are streaming down the right side of Shelby’s face as they pool together and spill from her left eye. “She must be reliving the beating,” Dr. Hernandez theorizes. “You’re safe, Shelby,” Danita says. “You’re safe now.” THE SISTER HOOD | M A RCH 2017
“It’s ok, Shelby, it’s ok. You’re safe now. He can’t hurt you anymore.” Shelby’s eyes search desperately around the room. When she doesn’t see whatever she was looking for, her sobs deepen. Danita gets close enough to realize what Shelby is saying between sobs. “I want my mama. I want my mama. I want my mama.” EDITOR’S NOTE: The S.O.S. Council is an unfolding novel being written by Michelle Hollinger. Each month, a new chapter will be included in The Sisterhood. To read preceding chapters, visit https://issuu.com/thesisterhood/docs/the_s.o.s._council_1.4.
Stun with a standout shower Most Americans spend six to 10 minutes or more in the shower each day, according to multiple surveys. But a shower is so much more than just a place to get clean. A shower can soothe at the end of a trying day, or invigorate your senses in preparation for a busy day ahead. Statement showers incorporate luxury features such as multiple shower heads, wall jets, hand showers, rainfall showerheads, seating, customized lighting and even sound and video.
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Elevate your bathroom to a work of art
turn everyday fixtures into striking statement pieces. Whether you choose the subtle, carved texture and the complex color transitions of the Derring collection, the organic beauty of the Nature’s Chemistry glass lavatories or the old-world stylings of the Sartorial Line, each piece is a unique statement of your personal artistry.
The Sisterhood is available in a FREE print edition at several locations throughout Miami-Dade and Broward. You can have the FREE online version delivered via email each month by becoming a subscriber.
While bigger may be better in a statement shower, it may not always be possible. Start with a glass enclosure that makes the shower feel open to the room. If your space is small, choose lighter-colored tile. Bigger showers can withstand darker tile work. Create luxury with countertops (BPT) — Investing in a bathroom upgrade is in the cards for nearly a quarter of homeowners planning to renovate within the next 12 months, according to a new survey by Bankrate.com. Improving a bathroom is rewarding on multiple levels; if you’re selling, buyers love great bathrooms. If you’re staying, a luxurious bathroom can be a relaxing oasis where you’ll be happy to begin or end a busy day. Your bathroom is also an expression of who you are, and it should reflect not only your needs but your unique artistic flare as well. What could be more satisfying than making an artistic statement in one of the most-used rooms in your home? If you’re planning a bathroom renovation, here are four ways to make a statement in the space - and elevate your bathroom to a work of art: Choose a showpiece sink Few design elements afford such a perfect opportunity for utility and artistry to blend beautifully as does the bathroom sink. A striking statement vessel in patterned porcelain or smoky glass can be a focal point for your vanity while still providing ample space for essential functioning. It’s not difficult to find statement-style sinks, but to truly elevate the basin to a form of art, look for options that evoke the look and feel of the era when luxury items were handcrafted by learned artisans. Kohler, a trusted name in bathroom fixtures for more than 100 years, offers Kohler Artists Editions collections that
Options like granite, marble, concrete, limestone and other natural stones might be too costly for a kitchen, where you have a lot of counter space, but they’re a cost-effective way to make a statement in a bathroom where you have less square footage to cover. These high-end materials pair perfectly with statement sinks to create a unique, one-of-a-kind look. Upgrade bathroom countertops to your dream material and then add luxury touches like a matching backsplash or under-counter LED lighting. Transformations with tubs Tub options are virtually limitless these days, and you can find statement tubs in every size and style imaginable. The tub is often the essential element homeowners and designers first fall in love with, and the one that establishes the direction for their overall bathroom redesign. Soaking tubs continue to be popular installations for bathroom renovations, according to the 2016 National Kitchen & Bath Association trend report. Whether you choose a traditional claw-foot design that evokes a bygone era, a concrete tub that creates a more modern or industrial look, or a porcelain confection with sweeping, graceful lines, you can find a statement tub to match your personal sense of artistry.
The Sisterhood is a South Florida publication like no other. Each month, it delivers information, wisdom, insight and guidance with a singular purpose of motivating you to live your absolute best life. On its pages, you will not only read about tips and strategies for moving beyond fear, overcoming obstacles, becoming financially independent and living the life you were born to live – you will read about women who are who are doing all of that and more. We will regularly spotlight powerful characteristics in real life women because repetition is an extremely effective approach to empowerment. The more you read about women overcoming fear, the easier it becomes for you to do the same thing. The more you hear women talk about money, building wealth and how they took control of their financial life, the easier it is for you to embrace prosperity as your birthright. The more you see women checking dreams off their bucket list, the sooner you will check important dreams and goals from yours.
Renovating a bathroom is an investment well worth the time, money and passion and it’s an opportunity to put your artistic mark on one of the most important rooms in any home. THE SISTER HOOD | M A RCH 2017
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Black Tech Week Wrap-up
Attendees enjoy Black Tech Week activities.
The week long cultural celebration that highlights cutting edge technologies and entrepreneurial innovation - AKA Black Tech Week - was a huge success. Founded by Felecia Hatcher Pearson and hubby Derick Pearson, the annual event kicked off on Feb. 23 with seminars, panel discussions and workshops and culminated on Feb. 25 with a Black Miami History and Innovation Tour and Black Nerd Superhero Gang events. 12
THE SISTER HOOD | M A RCH 2017
Engagements | Maternity Shoots | Family Sessions | Special Events | Graduation Shoots
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4 tax changes that could impact your 2016 return (BPT) - With tax filing season upon us, it’s a good idea to educate yourself on what’s changed since last year. While it’s been a relatively quiet year in terms of new tax laws, there are a handful of items for which you’ll want to prepare.
view income tax returns - and prevent the agency from inadvertently processing fraudulent returns. Fraudsters file bogus returns before the actual filer can complete their taxes and often claim credits like the EITC and ACTC.
1. The Tax Deadline is April 18.
Both the EITC and ACTC are refundable tax credits. That means they are beneficial even after reducing your tax liability to zero. If the amount of these credits is more than the amount of taxes due, you’ll get the difference back as a refund. Savvy criminals know this - and input numbers to make it look like they should get more money back.
This year, the deadline to file returns is Tuesday, April 18, 2017, rather than the traditional April 15 date. That’s because the April 15 falls on a Saturday and Emancipation Day, the anniversary of the abolition of slavery, is recognized on Monday, April 17, 2017 and is a holiday in the District of Columbia. For tax-filing purposes, the IRS treats this day as a federal holiday. 2. Delayed refunds for some early filers. If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) this year, you’ll have to wait until after mid-February to get your refund. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, passed in late 2015, says the IRS cannot issue credits or refunds for an overpayment before Feb. 15, 2017 to any filer who claims the EITC or ACTC. The delay gives the IRS more time to re-
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If you don’t file either of these credits, the IRS says your refund will likely get processed in the typical time frame of 21 days. 3. Don’t be surprised if your state asks for your driver’s license number or state ID. Depending on the state in which you live, you may be asked to provide your driver’s license number (DLN) or state ID number when you file your 2016 state return. This is part of a broad effort by the IRS, states and the entire tax industry to lessen the risk of tax-related identity theft. Identity
thieves may have personal information such as your name and Social Security number, but not your DLN. The additional information helps states verify you are who you say you are.
hold met health insurance requirements established by for the prior year. What’s new is when you’ll receive some forms.
“Some states, such as Alabama, will ask taxpayers who e-file to provide both the DLN as well as date of issue, expiration number and issuing state,” says Mark Jaeger, director of Tax Development for TaxAct. “If you use a DIY tax solution like TaxAct, you’ll be prompted to enter the information required by your state as you prepare your return.”
The deadline for companies and insurers to issue Forms 1095-B and 1095-C to individuals has been delayed this year. Employers and insurance providers must mail your forms by March 2, 2017 considerably later than the original Jan. 31 deadline.
Implementing additional identity verification measures, such as requesting a filer’s DLN and related information, can help curtail the number of fraudulent returns states process this year. The IRS now requests this information, but it is not required to electronically file a federal return. 4. Affordable Care Act (ACA) forms may be late this year - but don’t wait to file your return. By now, you’re probably accustomed to receiving ACA-related forms reporting whether you and members of your house-
THE SISTER HOOD | M A RCH 2017
coverage the ACA this year of those
“Remember, you don’t need to file these forms with your return,” Jaeger says. “However, the forms can be helpful in identifying coverage months if the entire tax household did not have fullyear health insurance coverage. Once you receive the applicable form, keep it with your other tax documents. The IRS gets their own copy so you don’t need to attach it to your return.” Keep up to date with a little help from your friends. Staying abreast of tax changes before you file your return can be tough. Fortunately, taxpayers can turn to a number of resources, including TaxAct, for help.
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