The Stiletto Talks Magazine July/August 2023

SUNDRESS SEASON

FESTIVAL TIME

THE HISTORY OF WEARING WHITE

ERASING HISTORY

MINIMALIST FASHION: GET YOUR GROOVE BACK SISTER OWNED WINES THE BIG SHAKEBACK

JUNETEENTH

FASHIONANDBEAUTYHACKS

JOURNEYTOHAPPINESS

LINKEDIN REVIEW

Basedontheongoingdisruptions fromdigitaltechnologytoour traditionalwaysofdoingthings,this issuewilldiscusshowwecandeal withsuchdisruptions.

Editor’s Note

Whew! It has been a minute. The Stiletto Talks LLC. took a little break for healingandrestoration.Wearebackandstrongerthanever.Our2023-2024 goalsandobjectivesareclear...SafeSpacesforBlackWomen.Wewillnever back down from our stories, our wins, our health, and our future We are committedtotellingourstoriesinauthenticwaysandcontinuingourlegacy ofcreatingcollaborativesafespaces.Pleasestayconnectedwithusaswe expandourreachnationallyandinternationally.

Wewouldlovetohaveyoubeapartofour upcoming issue for September/October. If you have expertise in an area, we welcome youtoshareyourviewpointsinanobjective way Please send your interest to contact@thestilettotalks.com.

www.thestilettotalks.com

Paula Johnson-Hutchinson

CEO&Founder,TheStilettoTalks,LLC.

FASHION FASHION FASHION

It'sofficiallyHOT!!!Thatmeanslighterfabrics,bright colors and mixtures of textiles Linen is an inexpensive fabric that you can dress up or down Leather bags that are crossovers are great for adding some sophistication Consider mixing the fabricsupforheadwrapsandwraparounds Thereis something for everyone in this season to keep cool and stay in style. Don't forget to check out Black ownedstoresandboothsforoneofakindpiecesto completeyourlook.

LINEN...LEATHER... COLOR...OH MY!!!

Black in White

Long before we adorned white for en blanc events or Frankie Beverly & Maze, we wore white for baptisms. Before that, we adorned white in our native land Known for its representation of purity, white is the official color for Black folks and culture Bottom line, we look good in the color PERIODT!!

It began in West Africa We wore white as a symbol of clear judgement We wore white for purification ceremonies. We wore white for rites of passage. Harriet Tubman wore a white lace shawl in her later years gifted to her by queen Victoria in 1897 during the Diamond Jubilee

Then we integrated white into the church Deaconess still adorn white today Christening gowns in white are a must Traditional lace head doilies are still headlining in the church choir There is not a Black female organization that does not have white on in some part of their attire. We typically put on our best behavior almost instinctively We understand that regal behavior is in our DNA

Let's Go Way Back Black & White Today

Fast forward to now, and the tradition continues. We have flipped white to represent our culture and resilience The garments match today's trends with the historical significance of our past We are indeed our ancestors wildest dreams

The Stiletto Talks Magazine

Our culture has vines !!! We influence everything. When it comes to fashion and accessories, we have something to say

Summer time means we got colors ! Those colors look like the Motherland. Hues of red , yellow and green combine with wooden beads for elaborate designs

Ethereal blues , orange and white accent arms, waists, and necks The jewelry has taken center stage from local markets to runways. Then there are those talented enough to create the signature works of art.

Now there are plenty of websites that provide easy shopping access

However, we want to challenge our sisters to shop in person. Our art starts conversations. Why not start conversations with the creators and vendors Many will often ask you what your style is From there, they often pull out one of a kind pieces , depending on your vibe.

Ourjewelry will ALWAYS be in style

Please take the time to get to know local and international talent You may be surprised at how your pieces not only put dollars into someone’s dream but perpetuate our timeless culture and world contributions

Our culture rules the fashion world in accessories.....

FASHION

THE BIG SHAKEBACK

BUSINESS NEWS

The world has continued to evolve and has finally come for Gen X We have grown tired of our jobs and desire to fulfill our passions If we stay at the job, it's for the benefits and to bankroll our "next " This means learning something new to enhance and reach our goals Many have entered school , taking courses that align with their goal. Others are joining empowerment groups. Here are a few tips.

Identify your goals Be clear on what you want to to do before spending money that may prove discouraging

Be consistent Whatever you choose, you must commit You cannot be lukewarm about your goals If it isn't important to you, how can it be important to someone else.

Find meaningful support. There are lots of support groups for any path. Do your research and be selective.

Resources:

Small Business Association-www.sba.gov

Black Chamber of Commerce-www.nationalbcc.org

SCORE-www.score.org

EXPLORING THE DESERT

Chile, we are hot out West! As the region boasts record heat, it remains a beautiful place for reflection, rest and relaxation.

Quiet as it’s kept , the Westside has cooler spots with trees, mountains, canyons and lakes. There are hidden gems to connect with your inner thoughts and hide from the rest of the world.

We have spas Suga ! Arizona boasts more spas than anywhere else in the United States. To that , we have vortexes! A vortex area is known to be a place to not only center yourself but feel the energy of nature.

Last but not least we got Black folks. Do not let the location fool you. Keep in mind that our people not only searched for areas to establish themselves up North, they headed in the direction of gold , railroads and opportunity. Many settled out West to get away from the political issues of the South. That 7 percent of us still equates to over 325,000 according to the Census of 2020.

Be sure to check out Sedona , Show Low, Lake Greer, Lake Havasu, the Snow Bowl (yes, we got snow), Tuscon and more. You will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of beauty we have. We are more than the Grand Canyon, respectfully. Our people settled everywhere and it’s important that we open our minds to the beauty they found beyond the borders that were set for them.

Juneteenth New to Some... Reminder to All

The Brand Newness of Juneteenth

It just seems like yesterday when many had no clue what Juneteenth was. Now that many have awakened themselves with trending knowledge, we have seen an increase of events around the historical holiday. We now have festivals, concerts, and community reflections. While some chase a dollar by monetizing the event, we need some education to go with all that.

Freedom is not free and the true story of Juneteenth should be learned by all. Quiet as it is kept, the South has celebrated Juneteenth every year since 1865. Parades to honor those that fought in the wars for freedom are acknowledged along with the reading of the proclamation.

Then there are the foods and desserts. Red velvet is not just your aunties favorite cake. It is the cake of Juneteenth in that the red represents Congo and all of the blood that was shed for freedom. The colors of Juneteenth mean something too Then there is Ashton Villa. On the balcony, Maj. Gen. Granger read said proclamation that was

two years old. Many were met with mass incarceration while many of the sick and elderly were not properly supported. On the other hand, literacy increased by 70% after 1865 and we had political power

History often hides in plain sight awaiting discovery. The event are great but the education of the moment is needed. We are resilient We adapt We fight as we always have.

Every generation is a gatekeeper of knowledge. If we do not share the truth about Juneteenth, how will our children and grandchildren know ? Just like the fight is continuous, our stories of victory and triumph should be as well

Paula J Hutchinson is CEO and Founder of The Stiletto Talks, LLC.

Summer time means lots of rest and vacations. This is also a good time to reimagine our homes and give them a good cleaning Let’s add some plants to reduce toxins that may be in the air Pull the curtains down for a good wash Clean that closet out of winter clothes you know won’t be on your wardrobe list. Get those offices cleaned real good. Open up the windows for some fresh air and release the negative energy Get your ex-bae’s drawer emptied and reclaim your space

There are many that are struggling to figure out what to do with their living space Nothing says brand new like adding a pop of color Pinterest and other sites have made it easy to see what an area can look like when colors and textures are added Don’t be afraid to spend some time looking for styles that suit you

Our spaces are like us ever evolving You don’t have to spend tons of money and energy but one must be willing to explore what their next looks like Remember, your spaces are your sanctuary If you can’t find what you need , hit the internet or seek out a professional Feel amazing by treating yourself to a reimagined look at home.

S I S T E R W I N E S

Now that brunch season is here, many are seeking out wines that adda special touch to their events. Some sisters prefer pinot while others prefer moscato. Then there are those that love strong and bold wines , such as a a shiraz or a chardonnay Let's get into some wines that are sister own and approved!

Happy Cork Brooklyn , a dope wine and spirit store has the tea on the wine They ship too! First up, The Mcbride Sisters. Their wine, Black Girl Magic is just that. They offer multiple selects of red and white wines for your diverse sister-girl events.

Feeling Rose'? Well, Deborah Cox has one called Kazaisu Rose! Rose' is a great in-between wine for those that do not prefer their wine too bitter or too sweet

Now a brunch aint a brunch without the positive vibes of Mary J. Blige. To keep the vibe going, she has entered the wine world with Sun Goddess wines She has a prosecco, which pairs well with charcuterie!

Black consumers make up 11 percent of the wine drinkers in the United States. Only 50 out of 10,000 wineries in the United States are Black owned. (Wine Market Council Consumer Segmentatation,2020)

For those who love all things organic, check out Amour Geneve' This wine promises soft fruit and floral notes. The brand has a Nebbiolo, vedejo and a chardonnay.

There a lots of sisters venturing into the wine game and they have chosen to showcase some of the best refections of our culture's preferences Add a few selections to your events this summer

I N E C O U N T R Y

The Stiletto Talks Education

DIGITALDEFICITS & OURCHILDREN

Weareallawarethatmanystudentsdidnothave consistentdigitalaccesstoonline access during the pandemic When students returned to in-person learning, the loss was prominent. What could have occurred that Black children are at the forefront of learninglossinthesubjectsofliteracyandmath?

According to the nonprofit NWEA (2020), Black students experienced a 15 percent deficit in reading assessments. This is prevalent in areas with high-poverty communities.Thiscouldbetroublingasdistrictsworktoreducetheamountofstude rs that can be negatively impacted long term. One factor is disengagement. The chronic absenteeism continues to be an issue as Black students dominate the data Our students should be present at all times When absences occur, especially during stateassessments,itcanbedifficulttogaugewhatinterventionsareneededandwho needs them the most. We must continue to be advocates for being present and supportiveofeducators,studentsandparentsthatrequireassistance.

Please consider showing up for district school board meetings, parent-teacher meetings and read all information relative to your community schools The goal is to closetheeducationgapandindoingso,chipatthehistoricalfinancialgapthathas existedinourcommunitiessinceoureducationaljourneybeganintheUnitedStates

T H E S T I L E T T O T A L K S H I S T O R Y

We have all seen attempts to erase our history. From textbooks to legislative tactics, history that includes people of color , especially for Black folks. While this is nothing new, the resurgence is ignorant and troubling, respectfully.

It is no secret that there are ugly parts of history. Slavery is one example of the historical atrocities of recorded information. Jim Crow is another ugly moment in time that is still a picture in the minds of millions that experienced it The only way to make progress is to acknowledge the facts and learn Hiding the history will not change it and with technology everywhere, exactly what is there to erase?

We must be present in advocating that our history is learned by all , just as the cultures of others are required It is not our fault that there is a dark side Instead of focusing on the dark, perhaps focus on what one can learn and how to prevent the world from entering thee darkness again Stand tall in your skin, and culture We are created exactly like we are meant to be We are not going anywhere and may our stories be forever told.

They try to hide the history, but they know who we areE Badu

P O D C A S T

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