VBD Magazine - January 2023

VICTORIOUS BY

DESIGN

Victorious By Design (VBD) Magazine is a quarterly literary and empowerment haven for personal, professional, and organizational transformation. We feature inspirational authors, business leaders, industry experts, and other phenomenal individuals who are simply brimming with delight to pour into you.

We created VBD Magazine just for you. Our lifestyle magazine delivers actionable advice, strategies, teachable moments, and tools to light the path to your next level of unprecedented success. We do all this to inspire you to reach beyond your fears and walk in your God-given purpose so that you can live victoriously. We are your go-to literary and empowerment oasis and we are excited to be a part of your growth and success.

VBD Magazine is a publication of Victorious By Design (VBD), LLC. The content is published in good faith. The views expressed in the articles, editorials, and all other content, reflect the author’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or publisher. VBD does not endorse any organizations, programs, websites listed, advertisers, or the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers in this magazine.

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Contents copyright 2022@ Victorious By Design, LLC.

All rights reserved. Reproduction, in part or in whole, without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Printed in the U.S.A.

FROM THE DESK of Ann Marie Bryan

Live,Laugh,Love, and Pray

Happy New Year! All the best to you and your family for the new year. I’m super excited that 2023 is here because I’m looking forward to an amazing year.

I’m incredibly proud of the VBD Magazine team because they have consistently delivered useful content to keep you informed, entertained, and motivated to carry out your purpose. As you turn the pages of this issue, you’ll discover purpose-driven individuals and organizations that are using their expertise to positively impact lives.

Our cover story features transformational leader Prof. Joseph Plummer who is inspiring change and achieving success in every step. We turn the spotlight on the amazing accomplishments of Christel and Howard Gibson, Executive Producers of Dem Gibsons Films. Our exclusive interview with Paul Campbell, award-winning actor and artist, is a must-read. Don’t miss my article celebrating the life and legacy of Second Lieutenant Austin Theo McWhite, U.S. Army (Combat Engineer). He is a reminder to pursue your purpose relentlessly.

It was a pleasure to include the health and wellness section in this issue, highlighting Betsy Mathaikutty, Myofascial Release Therapist, and Dr. Austin Wendell, Founder of Vario Health. They are passionate about helping their clients maintain a healthy lifestyle.

It’s over to you now. I pray this issue will move you in the direction of your dreams. Thank you for reading. Stay safe, stay connected, and as always, stay victorious.

Ann Marie Bryan Editor-in-Chief

VBD Magazine

ISSUE 6/2023

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Meet Our

DR. VELMA BAGBY

Award-Winning Author & Minister

Dr. Velma Bagby is the CEO of Adoni Publishing LLC, an award-winning Author of Christian fiction/creative nonfiction, and co-author with her granddaughter on her children’s books. She is also a Christian datingrelationship coach, ordained minister (Th.D.), and speaker. God is at the forefront of everything she does in ministry, writing, and serving others.

RAMONA POWELL DENNIS

Author, Teacher & Inspirational Speaker

Ramona Powell is an author, teacher, and inspirational speaker. She has used her upbringing in a Christian home to help channel her love for Christ and her desire to be an inspiration to all. "Sometimes we go through things to strengthen our faith and to be a testament to others." She loves sharing her life experiences to show that no matter what life throws at you, you can overcome and prevail.

Bindu Chowritmootoo is the Founder and CEO of Manifest with Bindu, a life and leadership coaching company. She is an investor and partner in projects that specialize in healthcare education and women's empowerment initiatives. Bindu is also the Founder and President of Precise Venture Consulting, LLC, a company that offers full service for startups. In addition, she is the Managing Editor of VBD Magazine.

PAULA HAMILTON

HR Professional & Copy Editor

Paula Hamilton is a Human Resources Professional with over 20 years of expertise in Benefits & Compensation Administration, Writer, and Copy Editor, woman of God, wife and mother. She is enthusiastic about the work she does, has a passion for excellence, and has a gift of budgeting and organizing. Paula is also the HR Administrator for Victorious By Design.

BINDU A. CHOWRITMOOTOO Life & Career Coach

W. MASON DUNN

Bestselling Author & Writing Consultant

Waletta Mason Dunn is an author, publisher, and writing consultant. She is the author of five Christian fiction novels and several journals. The breadth of her personal and professional experiences has contributed enormously to her fascinatingly inspirational writings. Waletta uses wisdom gained in the trenches as the foundation for her writing and consulting ministry.

DANYELLE SCROGGINS

Author & Senior Pastor of New Vessels Ministries

Danyelle Scroggins is the senior pastor of New Vessels Ministries North in Shreveport, Louisiana, and chaplain at Ochsner LSU Health Center, Louisiana’s trauma one health center. She owns Divinely Sown Publishing LLC, a company that specializes in the publication of books divinely sown into the hearts of writers. Danyelle is the author of both Christian fiction and non-fiction books.

ICYLIN MORGAN

Contributing Editor

Icylin Morgan is an educator who has held many positions in the education system including master teacher, guidance counselor, and principal. She gained a Bachelor of Education degree from Western Carolina University and a Master's in Education in School Counseling from Florida A&M University. She is involved in several projects and church activities in her community. Icylin operates as the Contributing Editor for VBD Magazine.

MARGO THOMAS

Author & Financial Expert

Margo Thomas is an author, speaker, and coach. She has published five books: two related to preparing for college, a short fiction story, and two related to grieving a loved one. Margo recently created a children’s Christmas book chronicling the adventures of her late husband and grandson. She hopes that one day her grandson will read this book to his children as he shares his memories of his Pop Pop.

SHANITA ROWSEY

Author, Speaker, & Personal Development Coach

Shanita Rowsey is an author, speaker, and Personal Development Coach. She is the founder of Girl, Cultivate Movement, where she helps women gain clarity and confidence to create a life of wholeness. Shanita is the host of Girl, Cultivate Podcast where she provides practical tips for life, purpose, and personal growth.

BEVERLYN JOHNSON WILKS

Wellness Consultant & Style Editor

Beverlyn Johnson Wilks is the Wellness Consultant and Style Editor for Victorious By Design. Over the past thirty years, she worked first as a Registered Nurse and subsequently entered the area of Nursing Management in the healthcare industry. Her compassionate behavior is not only reflected in her profession but also in her everyday interactions with family, friends, and others.

DESIGN

VICTORIOUS BY OF A CHAMPION The Heart

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF SECOND LIEUTENANT AUSTIN THEO MCWHITE U.S. Army (Combat Engineer) (28 June 1995 - 16 July 2018)

“A blessing may be delayed, but never denied.”—Austin Theo McWhite

The

Of A Champion

by Ann Marie Bryan

Austin Theo McWhite was born in Orlando, Florida, on June 28, 1995, to a loving family, one that lived and breathed his favorite motto, “Let your dreams take flight.” Austin’s parents, Theo and Sha’ron McWhite, both secondary school educators with combined service careers surpassing seven decades, instilled in their children the value of education. Both Austin and his elder sister, Saudia George, completed university studies. In keeping with his family’s tradition, Austin earned his Bachelor of Science in Flight Aviation Studies from the University of Dubuque in Iowa in May 2017. Saudia holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Services-Health Care Management, awarded by Walden University in 2019. Dr. George was determined to finish her doctorate as a tribute to her little brother.

Austin’s father taught and coached him from Little League baseball, through middle and high schools. He attended Dr. Phillips High School and Wekiva High School, located in Orlando and Apopka, Florida, respectively. His father, now retired from the Orange County Public School System (OCPS), shared that some of his most treasured memories of Austin include those years of driving to work with his son, teaching him during the school day, coaching him after school, and then returning home at day’s end.

VBD Magazine is deeply honored to share Austin’s incredible journey. In our exclusive interview with Mr. and Mrs. McWhite and Dr. George, they recounted many heartfelt stories about Austin, along with his amazing accomplishments. As anticipated, our conversation was intensely

emotional yet inspiring. We stand with the McWhites as they remember and celebrate Austin’s remarkable life and legacy.

ALL ABOUT FAMILY

The family’s unconditional love and support for Austin were evident throughout the interview.

“There is nothing like being able to tell your own story,” says Mrs. McWhite. “It is important--no, essential--to us that Austin’s true story is told, and not a modified version of the life he lived. He was very family oriented. On a day like today, he would say, ‘Okay, let’s sit and watch a movie together, or let’s play a board game.’ He always wanted us to do something as a family. He loved the institution of family.”

She characterizes Austin: “He surprised me at every level of his life. He could just grasp things so easily as if he had lived this life before. Hebrews 13:2 (KJV) reminds us, ‘Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’ While I always viewed Austin as my angel, after his transition, I realized just how much of an angel he truly was.”

Supporting his wife’s view, his father shares a touching recollection of what he perceives as an angelic visit from Austin. “One night shortly after Austin’s

death, I needed to save some documents on a thumb drive. I could not remember where I placed it. I found several thumb drives in a box in Austin’s room but not the one I was looking for. Then, I stumbled upon a thumb drive in the kitchen drawer and thought, Surely, this is the thumb drive I am searching for. After opening the thumb drive on my computer, I discovered it contained multiple essays that Austin had written.

“I wanted to share the essays with Sha’ron first before reading them. Then, in my spirit, I heard Austin tell me to go back to his room again. I had placed the thumb drive I needed on his little league baseball hat rack. In the process of looking for it, though, I found the thumb drive with his writings. I smiled and said, ‘Thank you, Austin.’ There have been so many reminders that he’s still here with us, not physically but spiritually.”

In an undated writing, Austin commented on his love and appreciation for family by citing St. John 15:9-12 (NIV): “As the father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Austin wrote: I have grown up in a loving family. My mother has taught me the importance of loving one another. This is a scripture that is taught and carried out in my family. There are times when I questioned my mother’s love for me especially when I got in trouble or do something that is displeasing to her. But I knew in my heart that her love is unconditional, and she wants only the best for me. Love can be expressed in so many ways… At home, faith is one of our spiritual beliefs…I feel stronger when I have the support of my family behind me… My family has always showed me love, faith, strength, and courage.

RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORP (ROTC)

“When Austin was in high school, he began planning where he would attend college, what he would choose as a major, and how he would finance his studies,” Mrs. McWhite tells us. “That was Austin, always thinking ahead, and always wanting to be an active participant in the process. I remember suggesting that he pursue an ROTC scholarship. Students in the ROTC had to wear their uniforms each Wednesday. At first, Austin was like, ‘Oh mom, I can’t wear a uniform.’ Family and friends who know me tease that I must have served in the military because I said, ‘Son, wear the uniform.’ He entered the ROTC, stuck with it, and at the end of his junior year, applied for the scholarship associated with it. He also took the test associated with the scholarship and we were waiting to hear his scores. We had a break in school, and I will never forget that morning.”

“Yes, it was spring break, 2013,” Mr. McWhite interjects.

Nodding, Mrs. McWhite continues, “I woke up that morning and Austin was still asleep, so I went out to run errands. While I was driving, I received a call from an officer who told me that he had just spoken with Austin and told him that he was awarded a scholarship. Shaking with joy and excitement, I said, ‘Sir, hold on, wait a minute, let me pull over.’ After I pulled off the road, the officer said, ‘Well, I don’t know if he really heard me because

he sounded as if he were asleep.’ Austin was awarded a 4-year full-ride ROTC scholarship to the University of Dubuque.”

A LICENSED PILOT

“Back in 1999, when Austin was four, he took his first flight with me,” Mr. McWhite reveals. “He just went straight to the cockpit. I'm like, ‘Austin, you can't go up there,’ and the pilot said, ‘No, it’s okay, he can come up here.’

“So we got pictures. I didn't realize at the time that flying was something that Austin really wanted to do. When he entered 11th grade, he said, ‘Dad, I want to take flying lessons.’ So we went to Apopka airport and he took some flying lessons there. When he decided to go to college, he wanted to go somewhere where he could fly airplanes. The University of Dubuque had a program in Flight Operations and that was perfect for Austin.”

Mrs. McWhite chimes in, “At the age of 21, Austin had to complete his required flight hours, before receiving his pilot’s license. He flew from the University of Dubuque all the way to Orlando. We

were awaiting his arrival at the Orlando Executive airport. And I'm a mother who’s all over the place. My husband is more of the calm one. I said to the airport official, ‘It’s so dark out here. How are you going to know when my son is here? You must turn these runway lights on.’ The man replied, ‘Ma’am, you're going to have to go back inside.’ And I persisted, ‘No sir, my boy is coming here, and I need to be able to see him and he needs to be able to see the runway.’ In the airplane, there’s a switch control that allows pilots to control the runway lights. I did not know at the time. He was late because the weather was so bad, and we were out there waiting for him. He was making a turn up in the sky when the man said, ‘Ma'am your boy is safely home.’ Austin lit the runway up with all the blue lights.”

FAVORITE MEMORIES

“One of my favorite memories is of Austin beginning his college studies at the University of Dubuque,” Mrs. McWhite shares. “I received a call from him, and he joked, ‘Mom, you mean to tell me you sent me to Iowa, and everything is white out here? I can’t see anything. I can't believe you’d send up a Florida boy to UD and all this snow.’

“It was so beautiful to me because of course I wasn't in it. But for him, I think of many days how did I do that to him, but what an experience it was for him to go to UD and really make a name for himself.”

Mr. McWhite adds, “A favorite memory of Austin was his senior year in high school. He needed a mathematics class.

I was teaching a class called Algebra Finance. It was based on teaching students about financial literacy--how to budget, manage money, write checks, use credit cards, buy a car, etc. Having Austin in my classroom for that year was great. Because of Austin, several of his teammates also took the class.

“After he completed that class, Austin used what he learned. ‘One day he called me and said ‘Dad, I’m buying a new car.’ I asked, ‘what kind of car are you buying?’ He was thinking of buying this expensive 2009 Mustang. I said, ‘Son, how are you going to afford that?’ He said, ‘Don't worry about that, Dad. I got a loan.’ He did all of that by himself. It was just amazing. Sometimes, I just sit in his car in the garage and I feel so close to him. He often said, ‘If you want to be king, then you’ve got to work your way to the top.’ “Austin worked hard, and he used Mufasa from the Disney classic, The Lion King, as a symbol of his steadfast commitment to that philosophy.”

THE HEART OF A CHAMPION “RELENTLESS… A child of God, dedicated soldier, inspired pilot, honorary student, decorated baseball player. UNSTOPPABLE.”—Austin McWhite.

Champions are skillful, determined, dedicated, proactive, resilient, hardworking, and unstoppable. They are all-in, never holding back. Austin personified the characteristics of a champion. Austin was a servant leader and a committed child of God, President of the Youth Usher Board in his home church, an accomplished sports enthusiast, a college MVP baseball player, an ROTC graduate, a licensed pilot, and a second lieutenant and combat engineer in the U. S. Army. Austin’s life epitomized excellence, arduous work, a passion for success, a love of family, friends, and others, and a record of irrefutable achievements.

Austin lived life with a sense of urgency. He had to get things done. He was intent on living out his dreams. He set goals, created a flight plan for goal attainment, and then went about the business of achieving his goals. He was fun-loving, without parallel; however, when he set a goal he was focused and determined to achieve it. He knew how to balance work and play, but he didn’t play when it came to working toward his goals.

“He accomplished more than the average person in 23 years,” his sister, Dr. Saudia George, mentions. “Missing Austin is constant, but with grief, you have good days and bad days. The second half of the year is always harder than the first part because when we get to mid-year,

there’s Austin’s birthday in June, then the date of his passing in July, then my parents’ birthdays in August, and then the holidays. I think my brother would want us to continue living and to do all the family things we did when he was here. No, it isn’t the same, obviously, but knowing Austin, he would want us to celebrate his life and the wonderful times we shared. That is the special type of brother, son, and person that he was. And I can still hear him saying, ‘A good time is all that I know how to do.’ Remembering the good times and all the wonderful memories we created as siblings and a family has helped me. Our Bubba, our Austin, our Bub, was a good person and that is what we want the world to know and remember about him.”

“Austin’s life made a huge impact on the lives of so many people,” says Mrs. McWhite. “With his passing, we met people who we had never seen, never heard of, but who knew him. At 23 years old, to be so well known so that we couldn’t have the service at our church but had to have it at a larger facility. And the church was packed, standing room only. That said a lot about our son and the legacy he left behind.”

“He was the kid that really did things a lot different from a normal kid,” his father asserts. “He was our child, but really, Austin was a child of God. He

is constantly touching our lives and the lives of other people. We have traveled to the University of Dubuque, several times since his death. They are keeping his memory alive there and it helps to see that he’s still remembered.” For me, adds Mrs. McWhite, “Joining the private Facebook group, Mothers who have lost their sons, has also helped by providing a haven where I am able to freely express my grief. There are so many young people who have lost their lives…so many parents who are grieving.”

COPING AND MOVING FORWARD

It has been four years since Austin’s death. As a celebration of his life, the Austin McWhite Foundation

was established to continue his legacy. The foundation offers scholarships at the University of Dubuque, as well as supporting students, locally and nationally, who are interested in majoring in aviation. The foundation represents Austin’s adherence to the philosophy, “Let your dreams take flight.”

The death of loved ones brings about immense grief. While the pain of these losses will always be a part of us, with time, we will hopefully find a way forward. “It has been an uphill battle,” Mrs. McWhite discloses. “In 2016, my mom passed away. One day, I was at work and Austin called, and he said, ‘Mom, are you sitting down? You will never believe where I received orders to go. Let me text it to you.’

“I read the text and it was Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. So, I said, ‘I think my father was stationed there.’ Austin said, ‘But that’s not the kicker, keep reading the text.’ His military assignment was on Cooley Avenue. I said, ‘No. You know what, granny has already gone to Fort Leonard Wood; she’s still waiting on you.’” Smiling, Mrs. McWhite explains, “My maiden name is Cooley. So for the time that Austin was stationed there, he had to go by Cooley Avenue, every day to work.

“As I think back on raising children, you know, where would you want your children to be? Always with your mom. If you needed a babysitter, then you would know your children are safe with your mom. So, when Austin passed away, I said wow, he’s up there with my mom. My sister, Pam, also passed away in February 2022. It hasn’t been easy.

“We are forever grateful to the U.S. Army. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) sent grief counselors to help us. They have been truly amazing. Also, I often wear a commemorative t-shirt of Austin. Sometimes, when I’m out and about, people see his photo -- that face, that smile, read the shirt imprint, and I will share his story. Teachers at my school wore the shirts as a show of support and it’s just so much that you grieve, but at the same time, he is so much alive. We also have commemorative bracelets

with Austin’s name. We ran out of those. People are wearing his bracelets even four years later.”

“It has become a bit easier for me to talk about Austin,” Mr. McWhite mentions. “It has been therapeutic for me to talk about him. We wear the same size in clothes and shoes. I went to the Florida Classic, the historic rivalry between Florida A&M University and Bethune Cookman University, and I wore a hat with Austin’s name on it. That is one of my ways of keeping close to Austin. It also helps me when I talk about Austin because it strengthens my faith in the Lord.

The McWhites treasure the collection of poignant writings Austin penned during his lifetime that they discovered after his

death. In a letter, written May 2013--his senior year in high school--he offered these comments:

My God is an awesome God. He is a man of great works which he has used upon me since the day I was born. I am thankful God has never abandoned nor forsaken me. I’ve known people that think everything is His fault when He is the only one helping them. You only make your life harder yourself and that’s when you are on the verge of losing sight of what matters most. God works in mysterious ways and works miracles when you least expect it. He’ll be there for you when you think all is lost and you think you have nothing, by pulling you out of your misery and getting you back on the path He has made.

My God has given me a talent to play the game I cherish and love. Baseball has become my life, a life God paved for me to follow so I can succeed. I’m pleased to know that God watches over me in everything I do; His guidance provides me with the actions I need to use to be the man He wants me to be. I have received and took advantage of this great ability God has bestowed upon me. This game is constantly there for me, and I practice my aptitudes and pass on my skills to the upcoming new talents to play this game. So I can teach them the way to becoming the finest baseball players to play the game.

I grew up playing baseball at Dr. Phillips Little League where I now volunteer coach and mentor the players with the desire to play. There’s always a right to do something and a wrong way, I like to show kids the right way to being a contender on the field and out in the real world. God gave me the gift of playing baseball, why keep it all to myself when I can show someone else the way He shows me? I want to give the same opportunity I had to as many kids I can. Kids are our next generation into our world and we as people should guide them into the right direction.

FINAL THOUGHTS

“As parents, it is important to raise children with a reverence for God,” Mr. McWhite states. “We thank God for giving Austin

to us for 23 years on earth. We miss him more than we can put into words, but we are still thankful that he was our son, and we had the wonderful times we shared with him.”

In closing, Mrs. McWhite says, “For those who believe there should be an expiration date on grief, we would be less than honest if we offered support for that false hypothesis. The loss of our son, Austin, is something that will never change. Sadly, we will never be whole again, and there is no fixing our transformed lives. We have found support and solace with family and friends who are unafraid to talk about Austin and who listen to our loving memories of him.

“We are so grateful, thankful, and blessed that VBD Magazine allowed us an opportunity to share a brief overview of the life and legacy of Austin Theo McWhite. We appreciate each person in this magazine’s readership who will take time, with open minds and hearts, to find out more about him. Allowing us to share Austin’s life story brings immeasurable joy to our hearts and helps us navigate our never-ending journey of grieving his loss.”

VICTORIOUS BY Health &Wellness

CREATING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Dr. Austin Wendell

FOUNDER, VARIO HEALTH

by Bindu A. Chowritmootoo

From building Functional Medicine practices and participating in fitness competitions to serving alongside his wife’s nonprofit, Dr. Austin Wendell is the epitome of health and wellness. One may say that Dr. Wendell is a pioneer in preventative medicine. Join VBD Magazine as we explore how Dr. Wendell is determined to change the landscape of healthcare.

UNDERSTANDING HIS WHY

Dr. Wendell is the Founder of Vario Health a holistically integrated health center located in Frisco, Texas. Professionally

trained as a chiropractor, Dr. Wendell specializes in Functional Medicine. His practice is managed with the concept of personalized lifestyle medicine. “Health and wellness is simply a journey to a better version of yourself,” says Dr. Wendell.

Most of Dr. Wendell’s time is spent working with and educating patients on not just fixing issues, but on living a long vibrant life. He prides himself in building long term relationships with patients based on his dedication to guiding patients to use their body to heal their body. His desire to treat conditions in a non-traditional manner stemmed from his parents and

sisters dealing with autoimmune thyroid issues. Although his family was being treated by their own physicians, they continued to experience symptoms that did not result in feeling their normal self. This sparked a desire for Dr. Wendell to help both his family and his patients to live their best life.

DISRUPTING HEALTHCARE

Dr. Wendell and his team of highly specialized physicians provide patient centered custom treatment plans. When asked how Vario Health is different from a traditional primary care office, Dr. Wendell shared his out of the box testing and treatment proto-

cols. In addition to providing Chiropractic care, Vario Health provides IV Vitamin Therapy, massage therapy, hormone therapy, and advanced testing. Imagine having custom vitamin supplements based on your individual deficiencies. Imagine having a personal trainer customizing a weight management program based on your personalized fitness goals. Imagine treating inflammation throughout the body without prescribed medication. Imagine receiving massage therapy services as a part of your treatment protocol. Dr. Wendell and his team have diligently built relationships with insurance companies to ensure most services are covered through a patient’s plan benefits.

CREATING LIFE-CHANGING HABITS

Dr. Wendell is determined to practice what he preaches. “I try to live a healthy lifestyle in regard to diet, exercise, stress management, and positive mental health,” he tells us. To help take his practice to the next level, Dr. Wendell has created a transformational program for his patients entitled Purpose 67 This is a nine-week condition based weekly education and lifestyle group program where his team guides patients to be physically active, eat healthy, and create positive mental fortitude for their health in a community setting. “It takes 66 days to create a habit and it's our passion to help patients create healthy habits for life,” says Dr. Wendell.

IRON SHARPENS IRON

Dr. Wendell has three rules that he follows to ensure a healthy lifestyle: Have faith that God is in control, love others and put them first, never stop learning as a physician. These rules are seen across the services provided at Vario Health. Most recently, Dr. Wendell added a life coaching service to his practice. A Life Coach serves as a guide, accountability partner, and mentor for his patients as they begin their transformational journey at Vario Health.

“By adding Life Coaches to our practice, we are able to motivate patients to fully commit to building and maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” Dr. Wendell states.

FUTURE GOALS

Dr. Wendell plans to open additional Functional Medicine practices across Dallas/Fort Worth in 2023. He will continue to provide educational seminars on Functional Medicine and serve as a member of Melody of Hope, a nonprofit that uses music to help support and advocate for other nonprofits across the Dallas metroplex.

Tranquility, peace, and warmth is what you feel when you enter the practice of a highly driven health and wellness provider Mrs. Betsy Mathaikutty, founder of Live Free Myofascial Release Integrative Therapy & Wellness. Betsy is passionate about helping women enjoy a pain free lifestyle so they can live their lives to the fullest. She created a safe space that women can share their experiences with pain, be acknowledged, and be heard. Her customized therapy sessions integrate the body, soul, and mind, and empower women to take back control of their wellbeing. Out of this desire to help women live free from pain in a practical way, Live Free Myofascial Release - Integrated Therapy and Wellness was born.

SETTING THE STAGE

Betsy was born and raised in Queens, New York along with her two brothers. Her parents were first generation immigrant parents who taught her the importance of faith in God, family values, and hard work. She earned her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and specialized in Pediatrics. Betsy met and married the love of her life and moved to Chicago. She continued to pursue her career in Occupational Therapy until she was blessed with three beautiful children. She then decided to stay home to raise her children. In that time, she learned a new way of life, as her compassion, intuition and therapeutic touch were being refined in a different way. She began to have a soft heart towards women, especially those who were dealing with various physical and emotional traumas. Eventually she and her family decided to relocate to Dallas, Texas, where she currently resides. While in Texas, her family continued to grow with the addition of their fourth child. With her family now complete, a new season was unfolding, and she started to pursue continuing education in Myofascial Release Therapy.

THE SPARK THAT LIT THE FIRE

An incapacitating back injury caused Betsy’s life to come to a screeching halt. Traditional medicine and therapy served as a temporary band aid fix. Betsy was in constant pain and was determined to not use pain medications to mask the

pain. She lived in fear that one wrong move would cause debilitating spasms and pain. As an occupational therapist, Betsy believes in the holistic view of the human body. She knew that her body wasn't broken. She was determined to find the missing puzzle piece to help bring the healing her body desperately needed. Within the healthcare community, she was introduced to Myofascial Release Therapy. Myofascial Release is a whole-body manual therapy where the therapist uses their hands to gently melt into the fascial (connective tissue) system and slowly stretch restricted or strained fascial tissue without using oils or lotions. This form of therapy will increase the flow

of healthy bioelectric energy and cellular nutrition. As a result, restoring balance in the mind and body, and facilitating the body’s natural state of wholeness and healing. Once she experienced Myofascial Release, Betsy knew that this form of therapy was the key to unlock her body’s healing potential. After her therapy sessions, she was able to move, bend, reach, and even dance, with ease, and without fear. She was able to take back control of her health and wellness. This life changing experience birthed the desire to give that same hope and freedom to other women. “It is my joy to help women live a pain free lifestyle so that they can live their best life,” says Betsy.

NON-TRADITIONAL APPROACH

There are different types of Myofascial Release, but the John F. Barnes approach is non-traditional, vastly different, gentle, and proven effective. Having studied the John F. Barnes approach, Betsy was able to learn specific techniques that allowed her to stand out in the world of Occupational Therapy. The art of John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Therapy is to find the restriction or strain pattern which is unique to each individual even if they have a common symptom such as a headache. One great aspect of Myofascial Release is that it helps calm the nervous system bringing a sense of relaxation and peace to the body and mind. Clients have the option to have this work done to bring relief to the effects of stress and anxiety. “I empower women with therapeutic touch through Myofascial Release Therapy and provide education to help their bodies and minds intuitively heal and return to an optimal state of wellness,” states Betsy.

SERVICES OFFERED

Betsy offers personalized therapy sessions at her private practice Live Free Myofascial Release - Integrative Therapy and Wellness located in McKinney, Texas. She is currently partnering with local women’s health providers for pain management services for women ages 21 to 64.

LITERARYDen

IT’S TIME TO RESET AND REFRESH

Dorothy R. Harris-Curry BREATHE AGAIN WITH PASTOR

by Beverlyn Johnson Wilks

God has taken her formal education and put it to use in the Kingdom.

WRITING TO INSPIRE

Pastor Renee’s book Can You Trust Me In The Hard Places takes you on a journey of faith and obedience. This book reminds readers to trust God in every area of their life. “When your back is against the wall, God wants to use the hard places to minister to you,” says Pastor Renee. “It's in the hard places that you are being shaped and molded into what the Lord has ordained for your life. Go through the pressing, you will come out oily.”

Dorothy R. Harris-Curry is a prophet, preacher, psalmist, and Christian author, affectionately known as Renee. With a commanding presence, people are drawn to the anointing on her life, which helps Pastor Renee fulfill her passion for the hurting, helpless, and downtrodden. Her desire is to see souls saved, planted in the kingdom, healed, set free, and delivered. She desires to see God’s glory manifested through miracles, signs, and wonders. Plainly put, she is determined to have heaven on earth.

THE CALL TO MINISTRY

Saved at the tender age of twelve, Pastor Renee, a Chicago native knew she was

different from the others because of several visitations from angels and demons, as well as several encounters with Jesus. In 1993, she answered the call to ministry. As an ordained evangelist she took the experience gained from living in Rock Well Gardens and Cabrini Green, Chicago to boldly minister to people others would have walked past. Her fiery form of ministry launched an all-out aggressive assault on the enemy’s camp that continues to this day. Currently, Pastor Renee is co-laborer and under-shepherd with her husband Pastor Leon Curry of Center of Love Kingdom Ministries in North Richland Hills, TX. Pastor Renee has several certifications in the medical field and a Bachelors in Christian counseling.

In December 2021, Pastor Renee published Journaling Thru The Hard Places, 30 Days To A New You. “The purpose of journaling is to help with organization skills,” Pastor Renee tells us. “It helps you to set and achieve goals and helps with creativity, what you’re feeling in the moment. It’s a stress reliever and it allows you to self-reflect. Also, it is that moment when you can be honest with yourself, dig deep, and turn the mirror on yourself and heal.”

Pastor Renee wrote the book and journal because she wanted to heal from past traumas of shame, embarrassment, rejection, and suicide. “I came to a point where I stopped trying to please everybody and putting myself last,” Pastor Renee discloses. “It was during that season that God asked me, can you trust me in the hard places? My answer was Lord, I trust your plan for my life. With tears in my eyes, my journey to healing and redemption began. I began to see every trial as a life lesson. Did it feel good? No, but God worked it for my good. I want to encourage you that God is faithful, He is with you, and He will strengthen you for the journey.”

EMPOWERING OTHERS

“My desire is for my readers to know that God will never leave them nor forsake them,” says Pastor Renee. “That they come into the knowledge of who they are in God, that they are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ and to be their authentic self. You don't have to prove yourself to anyone, love yourself, you are not your past mistakes. God will take your test and turn it into a testimony and your trials will cause you to be triumphant, so you don’t look like what you've been through.”

A LESSON LEARNED

“The most important lesson I’ve learned since becoming an author is that God has entrusted me with His people,” Pastor Renee informs us. “I take it seriously. Being an author is also a ministry. I wake up with purpose and I’m intentional about what I want to achieve. I try to make sure

that when people leave my presence that they have an encounter with God.”

GO TO SCRIPTURE

me from the adversaries of the enemy, He has given me power and authority of the enemy.”

Pastor Renee’s favorite Scripture is Isaiah 54:17 (KJV), “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, said the Lord.” This Scripture “is a guarantee from God that no matter what comes my way I will not be harmed. God will protect www.renee-harris.com

ON THE HORIZON

Currently, Pastor Renee is writing another book on The Supernatural and preparing for a trip to Africa to equip leaders and be a source of encouragement to others.

Natasha D. Frazier

Natasha D. Frazier fell in love with love around the age of twelve because of artists like Babyface, Boys II Men, Whitney Houston, and New Edition. When she was sixteen years old, her mother purchased a romance novel and left it lying around the house untouched, Natasha read it and a spark for the written word was ignited. In 2011, Natasha accepted the call to write and has penned both fiction and award-winning devotional titles that encourage readers to pursue a deeper relationship with God.

She believes that writing is one of her life’s purposes and contributions to the world. Natasha feels accomplished when she can get a few words written and like blah when life gets in the way. Her hope is that at the end of every one of her books, readers will have experienced God’s love through the pages and feel like they’ve been wrapped in a cozy blanket with a mug of their favorite warm drink.

Natasha graduated from Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting and earned a Master of Science degree in accounting from Texas A&M University. In addition to being an author, Natasha is also a Certified Public Accountant. Natasha is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Jackson State University Houston Area Alumni Chapter. She resides in the Houston, TX, metro area with her husband, Eddie Frazier, Jr. and their three children, Eden, Ethan, and Emilyn.

It was our pleasure to connect with Natasha. During our interview, she discussed her books and writing process. As Natasha begins to speak, you get a glimpse of her innate ability to push her limits and stand in purpose to change lives around the globe.

GETTING THE STORY OUT

By Icylin Morgan

Writing is what I consider my purpose and contribution to the world. I’m passionate about my writing and when I don’t get a chance to pen a few words, I feel like my entire day is thrown off. When I write it’s like I’m transported into this alternate

space and time, and I get to bask in who God created me to be. And if I’m getting close to the end of a story, “watch out, world!” It is difficult to focus on anything else until I can get the story out of me.

PUBLISHING JOURNEY

I’m in that place now as I wrap up book 2 in my newest series, The Langston Sisters. And speaking of a new series, I’m writing in the Christian Romantic Suspense genre. This is a new endeavor for me, and I’ve enjoyed stretching myself as a writer. My other fiction titles are Christian Fiction Romance. I’ve also written several devotionals and won awards for two. To date, I’ve published sixteen books. That alone is exciting because ten years ago, I was solely interested in publishing my first book, not knowing where this journey of obedience would lead me. I’m glad I said yes.

WRITING PROCESS

For the past year, I’ve approached my writing differently. Now, I build my characters first, then I work on the plot concept, although I’ve had an inkling of an idea of the plot. It is easier to flush out the storyline when the characters are in place. For me, the characters drive the story. With my current series, I started with the idea of three sisters and created their characters, along with photos of which actresses I imagined would play their part. Pictures also help me with character creation. While writing the story, I keep the main characters’ pictures in front of me on my white board. This helps them become even more real to me.

LATEST RELEASE

The Reunion (Langston Sisters series) was released on October 25, 2022. This is my first romantic suspense series. Our main character, Crystal Langston, has been divorced from her abusive ex-husband, Dante Green, for over a year. She is now the CEO of her family’s luxury handbag business, Langston Brands, and attends their twentieth college reunion mixer to prove to her peers that she’s doing okay outside of Dante’s shadow. However, Dante ends up dead by the end of the night, and Crystal is the number one suspect.

Marcel Singleton is Crystal’s childhood best friend who is a successful criminal attorney in Houston, TX. Marcel has just launched his campaign for District Attorney when he and Crystal reconnect. He represents Crystal in the murder accusations against her ex-husband but works to find a delicate balance between his suppressed feelings for Crystal, his District Attorney race, and representing a suspected murderer.

One theme in this book is the idea of second chances, whether that be in romance or in other situations. We don’t always

get a second chance to right our wrongs or fix our regrets, so I’d like to encourage readers to be courageous in love and in pursuing whatever is placed in their heart.

I enjoy telling stories about love and especially second chances because love is the one thing that never fails, God’s love, that is. We can sometimes believe love has failed us when it isn’t love, but people. So, we should all trust God’s love.

ADVICE TO ASPIRING AUTHORS

Read as much as you can and write even more, and even when it isn’t making sense, write. And when you’re feeling stuck, read some more.

ON THE HORIZON

I’m currently wrapping up the first draft of Ava Langston’s story, who is the second oldest Langston sister. Her story is titled The Wrong Seat and will be released in Spring 2023.

www.natashafrazier.com

Stacy T. Simmons A LIGHT TO THE WORLD

by Denise L. Barela

This is a hard one for me to write and share. I’m writing this article, not as an author, but as an editor. This past year we lost

an amazing sister in Christ, and her loss has been felt even in the small things. This month, Stacy T. Simmons’ book, A Journey for Hope, releases. We were still

in the editing process when she passed away, so I’ve taken over the editing of the book and have been working hard to ensure it stays as true to the way she wrote it as it can be. Stacy worked hard on this book, and we wanted to make sure her words were shared with her readers.

Stacy was such an encouragement to so many people. She would respond to emails letting you know how grateful she was or sending a little bit of encouragement for that particular day. She’s touched so many people’s lives, and it was so heartwarming to see all the authors posting how much she’d touched their lives in the last several years. We wanted to honor her memory and hard work with this book.

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I’ve never had to take on another author’s role in applying edits. I’ve only ever tackled my own. I know I’m bound to make a few mistakes since I don’t know all the thoughts she put into some of what she wrote, but I’m doing my best to keep her ideas and message intact. I’m so grateful for the privilege of knowing her for the short time I did. She was an incredible person whose love for the Lord shone through. I know I’ll get to see her again in heaven one day. Until then, I will work to bring her story to the world all shiny and polished. I hope you find her words inspiring and heartwarming.

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stacytsimmonsauthor.com

Writing Your Vision STRATEGIES FOR CHRISTIAN AUTHORS

by W. Mason Dunn

Have you ever had a great idea for a book when you were in the shower?

I don’t know how many times God has given me a creative idea or concept in the middle of the night, but I was too tired to write it down. And when I woke the next morning, the idea or concept had disappeared.

Has God given you a vision for your writing? It is the guiding principle to help you decide what activities to focus on and where to spend your time and energy. Your vision will keep you on track to achieve your goals. Could that be the reason God tells us in Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV) “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it”?

WRITE THE VISION

Write down your perfect writing future. Make it specific enough that you know when it is complete. Attach numbers to your goal. Be sure the numbers are entirely under your control, such as completing one novel each year. Keep your goals realistic and challenging. If you are currently writing one book each year, perhaps you can challenge yourself to write two instead. And be sure to give yourself a deadline.

MAKE IT PLAIN

Have you ever tried to drive during a terrible rainstorm? Heavy rain can severely limit visibility on the road making it difficult to reach your destination. It may be best to pull over and wait until you can see clearly where you are driving your vehicle. The same concept applies with following your vision. A written plan that is clear or plain helps us to stay on course and walk in the direction of success.

RUN WITH IT

When we know the plan God has for our writing, we can give it our all. We can commit to God’s call on our life. We can start every project seeing the end from the beginning. Since we know it is part of God’s plan, we can deal with any obstacle that comes our way.

What is the God-given vision for your writing? And how do you plan to accomplish your assignment? Start by writing it down. Make your vision measurable, realistic, and challenging. Be sure to keep it plain, so you can stay on course. Then run with all your might to the finish line.

Photo Credit: Toa Heftiba

A NEW SET OF MYSTERIES IS UNFOLDING

by Denise L. Barela

Iam so excited to be sharing about the newest collection I’m a part of! Coming in 2023 and 2024 are the next set of Ever After mysteries, but these are all set in the 1940s. We’re all tackling new fairy tales and there are some new names joining the lineup!

Chautona Havig’s newest novella, A Ransomed Grete, is the bridge between the 1920s mysteries and the new 1930s. She’s chosen Hansel and Gretel , and she’s cooked up quite the mystery to weave into it!

For my book, I chose the Russian tale, The Little Match Girl. But I chose to shift it to

Manzanar in the 1940s. During a summer trip in 2019, my parents and I visited the Presidio in San Francisco. They were featuring an exhibit called Then They Came for Me. It was stories from the Japanese who had been in the internment camps during World War II. By the time we finished walking through and reading everything, tears were streaming down all three of our faces. It was heartbreaking to read everything they had been through. What angered me even more was the fact that no one really talked about it. It wasn’t something we really covered in school. There was so much suffering, and it’s been barely acknowledged by history.

My goal with that book is to help bring attention to not only the parts of history we’ve forgotten, but also to the incredible kindness and perseverance of the residents of the camp. It’s incredible to read about how they handled the situation and responded with kindness rather than hatred and repaying how they were treated. I know I’ve responded worse in much more minimal situations, so I felt a bit convicted as I read about it. It speaks volumes about who they were, and I hope more people use my book to learn more about what happened.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Denise L. Barela’s passion for fiction, her faith, and general creativity define her life. In all things, she strives to glorify God, though especially in and through her writing. She has spent the past six years working for a publicity company and five years working as the head editor for a publishing company. With an MFA in Creative Writing and a Professional Writing certificate, Denise enjoys using her education and work experiences to help authors achieve their own writing dreams. When she’s not working away at her desk, you might find her reading a good book or following Alice down the rabbit hole…

Diana Hill

AUTHOR & CERTIFIED LIFE COACH

WRITING TO INSPIRE OTHERS

FOR BETTER TOMORROWS

by Beverlyn Johnson Wilks

“God will literally put you in a complete metamorphosis in this season of your life. He will make crooked places straight. He will make you see the light in a most peaceful way. Every butterfly is different and unique. I celebrate all butterflies in this season

because the metamorphosis journey is just that, an amazing scary journey.”

Diana Hill is an author and certified life coach, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In January 2022, Diana published The 30-Day Daily Devotional For The Everyday Woman. If you need to

be uplifted from everyday struggles as a woman, this devotional is for you. The book shares great messages for everyday situations. As you read it, you will hear from God. You will gain wisdom as you go through trials and tribulations. The devotional will show you how to live a joyful life even when you are going through challenging times.

“I was inspired to write the daily devotional as I was recovering from having COVID-19 in May 2021. I want readers to realize that for everyday issues in life there is always a solution through prayer and faith, as well as hope for better tomorrows.

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I am the visionary of an upcoming anthology that will showcase the work of 10 co-authors. The title of the anthology is The Other Side of The Storm, and it will be released at the end of spring.”

Dianahill

Dr. Richelle R. McMillan

OBEDIENT TO HER CALLING

by Icylin Morgan

Dr. Richelle R. McMillan is a native of Durham, North Carolina. She is a woman of God who was ordained as a minister of the gospel at the age of 16. Dr. McMillan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development from North Carolina Central University, Master of Science degree from North Carolina Central University, Master of Theology degree from Isaiah College and Seminary, and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Higher Education Leadership from Capella University. This powerhouse has served in several leadership roles in higher education and is now serving as Dean of Academics at Strayer University.

CALLED TO SERVE

Dr. McMillan has been instrumental in overseeing various sectors within her community and different ministries. She has assisted with implementing viable children's tutoring programs within several organizations. She has had the opportunity to train numerous organizational departments on specific topics such as servant leadership styles.

On October 10, 2015, Dr. McMillan was appointed Executive Pastor of Dominion Cathedral Ministries located in District Heights, Maryland, and she operated in that position for over two years. She now serves as an Apostolic leader and mentor to women and men all over the world.

Dr. McMillan is the Founder and President of Richelle McMillan Enterprise, LLC. This new initiative is a monumental ministry called the Spiritual Sons & Daughters Movement. This platform entitled Pathway 2 Me empowers women all over the world through mailing over 200 monthly hand-written personalized inspirational postcards and hosting weekly conference calls. In addition, her company collaborates with agencies in various ways—from delivering food boxes to making handmade chemo caps, gloves, and scarves for seniors. Dr. McMillan has made a commitment to equipping women around the country to reach their zenith and find their purpose in life.

MENTORING & LEADING OTHERS

Known for her clever mentoring and leadership styles, Dr. McMillan instills in people that their life is a vast opportunity of unlimited possibilities. She is actively involved in community activities and has a desire to move people towards discipleship, spiritual leadership through worship, ministry, and edification.

THE GIFT TO WRITE

The breath of Dr. McMillan’s talents extends to being an author of seven books, titled The Gifts of Life Nobody Wants, All Eyes on Me to Achieve My Destiny, Behind Closed Doors: Married to the Church, My Wife is My Mistress, The Jesus Chair: Married to the Church, My Wife is My Mistress Sequel, and Why am I still SIN-GLE?

Dr. McMillan traveled extensively pre-pandemic to various states conducting book tours and hosting seminars. She writes mainly about fighting through tears and overcoming obstacles. Her speaking engagements offer spiritual nuggets and ignites global conversations to assist women with discovering their voice so that they speak louder in their life.

One of her favorite scriptures is Romans 8:31 (NKJV), “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” instagram.com/dr.richelle Click & Visit

BOOKS BY DR. MCMILLAN

To Purchase: email: richelle.mcmillan@yahoo.com or phone: 904-469-8113

by Shanita Rowsey

She Nell is an award-winning author, blogger, and avid reader. She is always searching for a great read that draws you in but does not draw you away from the Christian lifestyle. As a believer, she is mindful of the atmosphere she

creates for herself and the messages that she entertains. She is mindful, not perfect.

In a quest for edification and entertainment, she learned about the Urban Christian Fiction genre. It was in the pages of these books that she found the drama that not

only satisfied the hunger for a juicy story but also filled her desire for spiritual truth.

In the summer of 2017, she began a blog where she reviewed Christian fiction and interviewed Christian authors and readers. In the fall of 2017, she signed with Anointed Inspirations Publishing, and her debut book A Good Thing was released in October 2017. In 2021, she created Light and Salt Press, LLC.

Importantly, She Nell is a wife, mother, and daughter of the King. She lives in Tampa, Florida.

Go behind the scenes with VBD Magazine as She Nell shares her writing journey and the message she hopes readers will receive from her latest project, Resting on the Word

VBD: How did your writing journey start?

SHE NELL: I started writing around the end of elementary school. At the time, there weren’t many books with black characters, so I wrote stories about myself and my friends. Years later, I stumbled across Christian fiction and fell in love with it. I started blogging about the genre and I was discovered by a publisher who signed me to her company. Since then, I have had the honor of being selected The Path to Publishing Conference’s author of the year, and the Endie Fyah radio author of the year and best interview.

VBD: Tell us about your writing process.

SHE NELL: Once I know what I am going to write, I do a Bible Study about the topic, and that usually leads to the anchor scripture for the book. Afterwards, I take some time to daydream about the story before selecting plot points. Once I have nailed down the plot to some degree, I start writing.

VBD: What inspired your latest book?

SHE NELL: Resting on the Word came from a place of pain. The thought of knowing that God can and will bless, but not seeing the blessing over time. Resting on the Word is book 4 in The Flawed but Faithful Series.

THE BLURB:

RESTING ON THE WORD

Death took God’s promise from Jade and Devin. They prayed, fasted, and prepared for God’s blessing. Jade and Devin knew God would bless them with children. Tragically, losing a child has strained their marriage and faith. In their pain, they do not understand how all things work for their good. When they give up on God’s promise, they find that His word will do everything but fail. God gives heavenly grace and restores hope in ways Jade and Devin could never have imagined.

This is a stand-alone series. Each book can stand alone or be enjoyed in the following order:

1. Walking Crooked with Christ

2. Sitting on the Fence

3. Fighting the Good Fight

4. Resting on the word

5. Book 5 is in progress

VBD: What did you learn from writing this book?

SHE NELL: I learned that words matter. It can be scary writing books not knowing if people read them or got anything out of reading them. After chatting with a couple readers online and reading reviews I felt like the words I wrote had an impact.

VBD: What message do you hope readers will take away after reading this book?

SHE NELL: The message of Resting on the Word is to do just what the title says, rest in the Word. Know that God can, and He will, even if we can’t see it or feel it now.

VBD: What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

SHE NELL: Understand that being an author is a two-sided coin. You are an artist and a business.

VBD: Why is Christian fiction the genre to read?

SHE NELL: Christian fiction is a genre that will draw you in but not away, a place where ordinary people live Godly lives just like you, and a great way to relax. Christian fiction is above all a literary genre that will satisfy the spirit and soul.

There are a million reasons why Christian fiction is a genre you should take interest in, but I will spare you 999,999,995 and focus on 5 reasons why you should put these books in your collection.

• We are commanded to guard our hearts.

• It is fiction that draws you in without drawing you away.

• You get examples of modern real-life characters and events.

• The books sharpen your faith.

• You can relax in the comfort of Christ.

VBD: What’s next for you?

SHE NELL: Resting on the Word is a book in a standalone series called Flawed but Faithful. I am currently working on the last book in the series Carrying the Cross which will be released in 2023.

by Paula Hamilton

On Thursday, December 8, 2022, bestselling author and entrepreneur Ann Marie Bryan released Love Again, the highly anticipated second book in the McIntosh Brothers series. This is a 3-book series, Dream Again, Love Again, and Trust Again. Intensely emotional yet beautifully romantic, Love Again is a deeply moving story about faith, courage, a second chance at love … and what it really means to be a family. This book brings together love, forgiveness, healing, restoration, and new beginnings, while illustrating God’s desire to free people from the disastrous effects of life-altering events.

“I can’t wait for you to witness the incredible transformative power of love as you read Love Again. I would use the words—emotional, inspirational, fluid, compelling, romantic—to describe my writing style. I like to put readers in the heart of the story—to pick a side, a team, a couple, or a cause—and give them a chance to think how they would react in a similar situation.”

“I am excited about my writing journey, and I am thankful for the opportunity to share with others. I believe in working together, exchanging ideas, and sharing resources, so I hope that my writing adventures take me all over the world to share at conferences, seminars, and workshops.”

DREAM AGAIN

One random day. One burst of laughter. One perfect moment. That’s all it takes for Gianna Barrett to capture Carter McIntosh’s attention—and his heart. His whole life has been a series of miracles, so this falls right in line. If only it were that simple. The object of his desire refuses to give him the time of day. Not deterred, Carter is sure he’s ready to put his heart on the line for love. Big mistake. He isn’t quite prepared and finds himself wrestling a soul-deep hurt into submission.

“There has been an accident....”

That devastating revelation shattered Gianna’s life, and in that one chaotic moment, everything she had was taken away. She has spent years carefully crafting her new normal, so there is no way Carter can just insert himself into her life. The fight is on but not for long. Their attraction is instant, and before she knows it, all her cynicism goes out the door.

When Gianna learns more about Carter’s life, she gets a better understanding of her beginning. As she starts her journey to healing, she uncovers Carter’s startling secret. In the days that follow, she struggles with feelings of regret, fueling her natural tendency to retreat. But the flames of desire burn hot and it’s not easy to break their unexpected connection. As the past reaches for them, they soon realize that to move forward, they must look back. Will they allow God to be the anchor they so desperately need—before it’s too late? For all they ever wanted was to be loved.

LOVE AGAIN

Rylan McIntosh was twenty-three years old when Savannah McKenzie shattered his world. Everything was almost perfect … until she disappeared. Nearly seven years later, Savannah stands before him with not a hint of remorse. The naive young girl is gone and the woman in her place is at the top of her game. She’s all glam in a tailored suit, acting like they were nothing more than mere acquaintances. But she’s forgotten something—how relentless he can be.

Having experienced more than her fair share of tragedy, the last thing Savannah

wants is to contend with Rylan. Back then, she’d surrendered to her feelings for him and conceded to his request for a relationship … well, until she was forced to flee. Seeing Rylan again stirs up buried memories she has no intention of reviving.

providing top-notch literary services and innovative personal and professional development solutions to clients. As Founder and CEO of Victorious By Design, she uses her extensive knowledge and experience in human resources, information technology, banking, and writing to bring a well-rounded perspective when working with clients.

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All bets are off as they battle through the hurt and pain of their shared past. Savannah begs for a truce and, surprisingly, Rylan agrees. That’s until he discovers a web of secrets and lies that run deeper than he could have ever imagined. Still, some connections are too powerful to ignore. Will Rylan and Savannah develop the courage to leave the past behind? Will they allow God to restore what has been broken?

ABOUT ANN MARIE BRYAN Ann Marie Bryan is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and writing consultant, with more than a decade of experience

A Christian fiction author, Ann Marie writes to inspire and empower others. Her celebrated bestselling Encounters of the Heart series blends faith and romance. In addition, Ann Marie serves as the Editor-in-Chief of VBD Magazine, a quarterly literary and empowerment resource for the faith-based community. When she is not writing and training, Ann Marie enjoys speaking at conferences, retreats, workshops, and special events.

Ann Marie's greatest passion is to empower others to succeed by tapping into their God-given potential. She enjoys writing, reading, dancing, teaching, meeting people, and traveling. With all the knowledge and experiences that God has so graciously blessed her with, Ann Marie is determined to make her life a ministry for the Lord.

By Ann Marie Bryan

DESIGN Victorious By BeyondTHE PAGES

Howard and Christel Gibson UP CLOSE WITH

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS OF DEM GIBSONS FILMS

by Ann Marie Bryan

There has never been a better time to work in the film industry. It is an ever-expanding creative hub that has seen many transformations over the past decades, and there is no denying that the Internet has dramatically changed the industry. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the demand for home entertainment. Today, there are many streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, and people worldwide are consuming content through computers, tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs. With the changing industry landscape, audiences are better informed about filmmaking. Nevertheless, no matter what form the final product takes, it must provide a memorable experience and be accessible virtually on almost any device that has an Internet connection.

Film producers wield enormous power behind the scenes, and it is always fascinating and eye-opening to hear them talk about their latest films—their approaches, casting, budget, and more. VBD Magazine is honored to feature Christel and Howard Gibson, Executive Producers of Dem Gibsons Films. The dynamic brother and sister team established Dem Gibsons Films which now has a diverse slate of quality titles for multi-platform release and distribution in domestic and foreign markets. The duo has 30 years of combined experience in media production.

As we sat down with Christel and Howard, it was their work ethics, heartfelt stories, candid confessions, and genuine smiles that fueled our fire to know them on a deeper level. The film industry experts provided incredible inspiration as they gave us a glimpse into their filmmaking journey, discussed what drives their filmmaking ambition, and shared upcoming projects.

FINDING PURPOSE

In the 1970’s, Christel and Howard’s father handed them an 8mm camera with the hope that they would begin to create memories that would last a lifetime. “There was always a camera in our home, and I cannot imagine a life without it,” says Christel.

At the ages of seven and eight Christel and Howard were filming their own short films. Christel recalled the time in the second grade where her teacher wrote a letter to her parents. Her teacher stated that Christel was one of the most gifted writers she had ever met. She was convinced that Christel would become a famous writer one day.

For years to come, Christel focused on writing and Howard concentrated on mastering the camera. They began their film careers as teenagers working as production assistants on movie sets. Christel recalled her days of offering her services for hair and makeup on the set as well as casting actors.

“Film is a jump in business, it's all about your attitude and altitude,” says Howard. As a team, Christel and Howard work so well together that the film crew would call them twins. There is a strong trust factor between the two that allows them to work together with great ease.

GETTING STARTED

Christel wrote her first screenplay, A Trail of Tears at the age of 20. Her screenplay led to offers from Warner Bros and Disney. She also received a scholarship to Disney’s Writers Program. She went on to write three self-published novels under the pen name Crystal Michaels. One of her novels ranked #1 on Amazon in its genre for eight weeks. Her radio show the Crystal Michaels Show with co-host, comedienne and actress Queen Aisha ran from 2012-2014. Christel went on to direct music videos and became the CEO and founding member of Keletiv Films, Inc. She concentrated on writing and directing her own short films which included The Birthday Wish and Jay’s Truth which brought awareness to domestic violence. Her other short films include Professional Habit, Jomo & Mimi, and A Trail of Tears.

After leaving Kelektiv Films, Inc., Christel’s passion for writing and directing was noticed by producers who gave her the

platform to write and direct BETHER’s first original film, Her Only Choice. It’s a heartfelt story about a woman faced with the decision of receiving treatment for breast cancer or forgoing it to ensure the safety of her unborn child. Her Only Choice was nominated by the International Press Academy Satellite award for Best TV Movie 2018. Further, this film was loved by the viewers hence it then premiered on BET. Christel is also an Associate Producer on the upcoming BET film Angrily Ever After

In the late 1990’s, Christel stepped out of the industry to focus on her newlywed husband and raising her children. She is a mother who is dedicated to her children, one of whom is special needs. In 2011, Christel returned to the industry and began writing novels and scripts and directing films.

Howard is passionate about bringing knowledge, support, and resources to the creative minds of underserved mi-

norities worldwide. He has held C-Level positions in branding for two technology companies, where he was responsible for cultivating and negotiating strategic alliances: building a value of over $90 million. Howard has a wide range of experience working with large brands as a creative director—Disney, Viacom, Sony, Nike, Mercedes Benz, and Time Warner, to name some.

In the 1990’s, Howard shot and produced 100 music videos for top billboard recording artists. As a young minority director, there were limited things he could do. Howard focused on record labels with the intent to deliver high quality content. “Music videos are always different, always a challenge,” says Howard. “Take what you learned from one video to the next.” Later, Howard produced four DVD films and documentaries, grossing over $100 million in sales. He also ran a successful management and production company developing TV series and films.

DELIVERING A MESSAGE

When asked what message is being shared with their audiences through their films, Christel responds, “Each film is different.”

Christel wrote the TV series Double Cross to bring awareness to sex trafficking, which is a very sensitive topic. She shared that it was challenging to write about the subject with an entertainment value so that the audience would continue to see the episodes. “This topic can be so hard on the soul, so I had to put other stories around it,” Christel reveals. “The importance of family and perseverance is in the overall messaging of this series.”

Currently, Double Cross has three seasons, with the fourth season scheduled to be aired in April 2023 on ALLBLK, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and WE tv. Double Cross won the IPVFF TV Spotlight award for 2022. Further, Christel wrote the entire script for the movie Christmas Deja Vu in four days. This movie is about faith and believing in your talents and pushing forward regardless of the challenges faced. This feel-good holiday movie stars Loretta Devine and Amber Riley on major networks such as BET + and is on its way to Hulu.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

Christel and Howard are living proof that it is possible to manifest your dreams.

The siblings experienced hardships even as their careers developed.

Howard’s health was compromised when he had a double stroke. “I was comatose and paralyzed for a while,” Howard tells us. “It was a reboot for me. I am blessed to be able to recover from it.”

Christel was diagnosed with thyroid cancer while she was pregnant with twins.“I decided to go through with surgery even though there were so many risks involved with my pregnancy. God blessed me and the twins. My faith got me through it,” says Christel.

Having experienced these challenges, Christel and Howard made it a point to share their knowledge with others. They have held several workshops for attendees to learn best practices in the film industry. In addition, they have provided many opportunities for family members to learn various roles within the film industry and casted family members in their TV series and movies. “Opportunities must be met with preparation,” states Christel. “You have to be comfortable with God’s timing.”

Christel’s path crossed with well-known actress, singer and director, Phylicia Rashad. Phylicia read Christel’s screenplay A Trail of Tears, and told her, “You are so talented, it just takes one person to give you an opportunity. “You are so talented, it just takes one person to give you an opportunity. You are that talented.”

“But, it was all God’s timing,” Christel mentions.

UPCOMING PROJECTS

The Dem Gibsons Films principals will be releasing Season 4 of Double Cross in April 2023. They will be writing and producing season 5 in July 2023. In addition, Dem Gibsons Films has been greenlit for another TV series Conspirators to be aired on ALLBLK. Filming will start this year in Atlanta, GA. demgibsons.net Click & Visit

DM, FASCRS, FACS LEADING WITH AUTHENTICITY & ACHIEVING SUCCESS IN EVERY STEP

by Ann Marie Bryan

Transformational leader, Joseph M. Plummer, DM, FASCRS, FACS, is inspiring change and finding success every step of the way. Dr. Plummer serves as a Professor of Surgery (General and Colorectal) at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), and Head of the Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anesthesia, and Intensive Care at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus.

Dr. Plummer is recognized for his practical expertise in the surgical management of patients with colorectal diseases, specifically as they relate to the benign and malignant transformational changes. He has clinical and translational research expertise in these areas. In addition, Dr. Plummer has the leadership, training, and motivation to successfully collaborate with local and international colleagues with the expertise to train surgeon-scientists and build a stronger academic environment at UWI.

His research interests and collaborations are directed towards innovative strategic mechanistic studies of colorectal diseases including colorectal cancer, its prevention and treatment with minimally invasive surgery and introduction of enhanced recovery protocols. Dr. Plummer is primarily focused on improving the management and understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms of these diseases with an emphasis on personalized precision care, including modified radiation protocols to suit Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC).

A thought leader, Dr. Plummer operates as the Assistant Editor of the West Indian Medical Journal and is a member of the Association of West Indian Gastroenterologists, and a council member of the Association of Surgeons in Jamaica.

In his interview with VBD Magazine, the celebrated surgeon shares his inspirational journey into the medical field, contribution to science, and the importance of cancer screenings. Dive into our interview and witness Dr. Plummer leaning into the dream God created for him.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Hailing from the parish of Trelawny in Jamaica, Dr. Plummer grew up in a single parent home. “I am one of several children for my parents. At both primary and high schools, I was thought to be ‘bright’ and was encouraged by my mother and teachers to do well in school. True, too, I was motivated by my abhorrence of poverty, which was our reality, so I concentrated on my studies and went on to do sixth form at Cornwall College and Medical School at UWI.”

Dr. Plummer earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S) degree and a Doctor of Medicine (DM) General Surgery degree from the UWI in 1995 and 2002, respectively. In 2006, he received a fellowship from the University of Toronto which focused on Colorectal Surgery. Further, he was offered two international scholarships—one from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons to study Colorectal Surgery (2016), and the other from the American College of Surgeons to explore General Surgery (2017).

“

JOURNEY INTO GENERAL SURGERY

I chose surgery because you get a ‘sense of doing more’ for the patient. A surgeon is a good doctor who can also operate. It is a practical specialty and can be rewarding at times. General Surgery chose me rather than me wanting to do general surgery.”

“I actually started the program initially with the intention of being a heart surgeon. The mentorship by the general surgeons at the UHWI allowed me to do this area. Looking back, it was one of the best things that happened to me. The colorectal focus is now allowing me to fulfill a need and that direction was supported by my then Head of Department, Professor A. McDonald, who went on to become Dean and Principal of the Mona Campus.”

THE LADDER OF SUCCESS

Prior to being promoted to his current position, Dr. Plummer held the positions of honorary lecturer, lecturer, and senior lecturer at the UWI.

“My promotion was taken in stride and while it was a brief ‘feel-good moment,’ I am more humbled by my role as Head of Department. I do have a good team of surgeons, anesthetists, radiologists, and emergency room physicians, but we are challenged by funds to improve the quality of teaching and clinical services at the UHWI. Also, our plans were affected by the COVID-19 black swan.”

“One of my objectives as Head of Department is to improve the quality of our postgraduate programs including increasing the number of DM graduates. In doing so, we would be able to offer the quality care we practice to more members of the population. We are still working on this objective, which includes mobilizing private sector support in order for us to achieve same.”

CONTRIBUTION TO SCIENCE

A man with an unwavering vision, Dr. Plummer’s legacy—immersed in dedication and commitment—lives on in his continued contribution to science; some of which are highlighted below.

“I have been interested in investigating the introduction and use of minimal invasive surgery (MIS) and management challenges in the West Indies. I am involved in the introduction of video endoscopy to the general surgical service and to the training of surgical residents at the UHWI. This is in addition to the documentation of the more widespread use of MIS in a middle-income country such as Jamaica.”

• JM Plummer, ND Duncan, DIG Mitchell, AH McDonald, M Reid, M Arthurs. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Jamaican patients with sickle cell disease: preliminary experience. West Indian Med. J. 2006; 55 (1): 22-24.

• JM Plummer, ND Duncan, AH McDonald, DIG Mitchell M Arthurs. Bile duct injuries in the laparoscopic era at the University Hospital. West Indian Med. J. 2006; 55: 228-231.

• PA Leake, A Qureshi, JM Plummer, A Okrainec. Minimally invasive surgery training in the Caribbean—a survey of general surgical surgery residents and their trainers. West Indian Med J 2012 Oct; 61 (7) :708-15

• JM Plummer, PO Roberts, PA Leake, DI Mitchell. Surgical care in Jamaica

in the laparoendoscopic era: Challenges and future prospects for developing nations. Perm J. 2011 Winter; 15 (1): 57-61

“The quality of surgery being delivered to patients with pathologies of the large intestines and the outcome from these interventions was another area of focus and this included emergency procedures, laparoscopy, and endoscopy. These studies demonstrate the need to re-evaluate our surgical approach to various procedures with an emphasis on quality and outcomes.”

• JM Plummer, AH McDonald, MEC McFarlane, MS Newnham. Civilian rectal trauma: The surgical challenge. West Indian Med. J. 2004; 53: 382-386.

• JM Plummer, Gibson TN, Mitchell DI, Herbert J, Henry T. Emergency subtotal colectomy for lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage: over-utilized or underestimated? Int J Clin Pract 2008 Feb 1. Epub 18248394 & Int J Clin Pract 2009; 63: 865-868

• RPD Graham, JM Plummer, KA West, NP Williams. Adequacy of lymph node harvesting in colorectal cancer management: Improving standards,

ensuring quality. West Indian Med J. 2012; 134-138

• JM Plummer, DI Mitchell, D FerronBoothe, N Meeks-Aitken, M Reid. Colonoscopy in Central Jamaica: Results and Implications. West Indian Med J. 2012 Sept; 61 (6): 610-4

“Factors affecting colorectal cancer treatment and outcome were also poorly documented in our setting of resource restriction and this was investigated and documented with collaborators. They however demonstrated that outcomes can be similar to a developed world setting.”

LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

Laparoscopic surgery limits the anatomical and physiological insults of surgery. This minimally invasive surgical technique is used in the abdominal and pelvic areas. Dr. Plummer has been credited with being the first to perform laparoscopic surgery and popularizing laparoscopic colon resection in Jamaica.

For the period 2007-2017, Dr. Plummer operated in the role of principal investigator for the Advanced Laparoscopy

Surgery Project. This project facilitated the introduction of advanced laparoscopic procedures to general surgical service and training of surgical residents in the postgraduate surgical program at UWI. It was financed by the CHASE Fund.

“The advantages of laparoscopic surgery include less pain, less time in hospital, faster recovery, better cosmoses, and taken altogether reduced health related costs. Most elective surgeries can be done in this manner, and I would like to see us doing more operations via this approach. We are about to roll out surgical training for minimal invasive surgery in the skills laboratory using a simulator much like how pilots are trained. This is a major and necessary development for our surgery training program.”

CANCER SCREENING

At the 12th annual Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) Colon Cancer Medical Symposium, Dr. Plummer advised Jamaicans not to delay colorectal cancer investigations. Also, he emphasized the importance of routine screening of at-risk persons, meaning anyone over the age of 45.

“I cannot overemphasize the importance of screening investigations for cancer in

maintaining health rather than waiting for symptoms to develop, oftentimes by then cancers are incurable. One out of every five persons living in our region (20%) will be diagnosed with one type of cancer or another. Cancer of the breast and cervix in women, prostate cancer in men, and colorectal cancer in both sexes can be prevented if diagnosed early, by using currently available screening tests. If left until symptoms develop, the treatment is more difficult and more expensive, and cure is less likely.”

“Screening alone is not the solution however as a balanced diet, limiting obesity, exercise and regular health checks with your family doctor will also allow a greater percentage of the population to live longer with better quality of life.”

ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGERIES

Robotic surgery allows physicians to perform complicated procedures with more precision than would be possible using traditional techniques. Almost two years ago, the first set of robot-assisted surgeries to be done in the English-speaking Caribbean were carried out in Trinidad and Tobago.

“Robotic surgery is very expensive to maintain. Only in a few operations is

there good evidence for its benefit. While I would like to see this technology being available in at least one of our tertiary care facilities, we have a far way to go. For now, such an investment is better spent ‘leveling up the quality of care’ across more institutions. For example, more of our institutions need to have laparoscopic surgery more readily available or the ability to perform endoscopy. I am confident that in time, the UHWI will be able to deliver quality robotic surgery to the benefit to our patients who qualify for and would like this service.”

CHALLENGING TIMES

“My challenges were similar to those experienced by people who live in lower income households. Fortunately, I had a supportive family and wider community including our school system and caring teachers. My philosophy is to work hard daily and take life one step at a time and with that rewards will come.”

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

While the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the weaknesses in healthcare systems worldwide, it also created opportunities for health care professionals, and above all, showed the resilience of the medical community as they developed and executed strategies to keep us healthy.

“For me the COVID-19 pandemic has further reduced the size of the global village by pushing more of us online to conduct our daily activities for both work and play. It has reinforced the importance of my immediate family and has required that I be a bit more patient in my interactions with colleagues and others because of the increased stress that is associated with the fear surrounding the pandemic.”

FUTURE PLANS

“I would like to contribute more to the university and health care in Jamaica by facilitating quality studies that should help to guide most treatment protocols for our population. We need more affordable solutions for our health care problems. I am hoping to see the UWI forming more partnerships with various government and NGO entities for these solutions.”

DESIGN VICTORIOUS BY POWER LIST Star

INSPIRING AND LEADING CHANGE

Paul Campbell

ICONIC ACTOR, ARTIST, PRODUCER & ENTREPRENEUR

by Margo Thomas

Paul Campbell dreamed of becoming an actor from a young age. Today, he is Jamaica’s most popular contemporary actor. Campbell is recognized not only in Jamaica, but also throughout the Caribbean, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Africa. He was honored at the Media-mix 25th Anniversary Award Ceremony where he won the Doctor Bird Award (The Jamaican Academy Award) for excellent performance in film and television. He has also been awarded the best actor award at the Jamerican Film and Music Festival two years in succession.

In Jamaica, Campbell’s unique voice can be heard on the local radio as the voice of Fame-FM as he delivers the station’s many sound bites. Campbell is also an accomplished painter, producer, and entrepreneur. Those are just some of his titles, but his aspirations don’t stop there.

VBD Magazine caught up with the iconic actor during the week when he was showcasing his artwork at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum in Plantation, Florida. No topic was off limits when Campbell sat down for his interview. He spoke candidly about his career, current projects, and mentoring youths. Enjoy the peek into the mind of the method actor.

WORKING HIS TALENTS

Campbell embraces his challenging upbringing, which has propelled him to become the artist he is today. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica, where he grew up with his single mom. He recalled that his mom took him with her everywhere, introducing him to movies, plays, and Saturday morning shows. Therefore, his passion for acting and the entertainment industry had been brewing since childhood. Campbell is a past student of Kingston College, where he participated in a number of the school’s drama festivals. Later, he attended the Jamaica School of Drama in Kingston.

As his interest in acting deepened, Campbell took on roles in local shows in Jamaica. One day, he auditioned for a role in a pantomime he saw in the local paper.

He got the part, which ended up being the breakthrough role that jumpstarted his acting career.

Today, Campbell is known for his leading roles and timeless appearances in films such as Dancehall Queen, The Lunatic, Third World Cop, Shottas, Out the Gate, and The Heart of Summer.

His screen credits include Jamaica Beat with Sheryl Lee Ralph and Wide Sargasso Sea, along with Shottas. Television credits include leading roles in Entry Denied, Final Verdict, Country of the one-Eyed God, and Salome for Television Jamaica Corporation. His stage credits include leading roles in Intermission, Flame Heart, Checkers, The Mikado and White Witch of Rose Hall, Foreign Mind, Masquerade, and Mansong for various prestigious theaters companies. Campbell has also worked in the United Kingdom and the United States, including the lead role of Bogle in Catch A Fire for BBC TV, and the lead roles in the stage productions Nine Nights, Whiplash, Jumbie Jamboree and Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

His New York credits include the world premiere of the Stage Production Christopher Columbus by Nikos Kazantzakis (Zorba the Greek and The Last Temptation of Christ) directed by Tony Award winner, Lloyd Richards.

Despite being in the entertainment industry for over 30 years, Campbell confessed he is still passionate about acting and continues to look forward to playing new roles; even though he is more selective about the projects he undertakes.

A METHOD ACTOR

Like some of the all-time great actors such as Daniel Day-Lewis, Robert De Niro, and Tom Hanks, Campbell considers himself a method actor. This rather emotionally consuming approach to their roles, means that these actors transform themselves into the characters they are portraying, even before the director shouts “Action!”

After pursuing his passion to become a movie star for many years, Campbell received a call to screen test for a movie. After the third screen test, he got the

role to play Aloysius in the movie The Lunatic. Following that, he quit his job as entertainment manager of an amusement park, left his car in Kingston, and walked barefooted to St. Ann’s Bay where they would be shooting for 3 months. To put this into context, the distance between Kingston and St. Ann’s Bay is over 50 miles. “Barefooted, without stopping,” Campbell tells us.

You might be curious to know why?

It was simply because the character Campbell was going to play never wore shoes. Aloysius was “a village madman who had the tendency to hold a conversation with everything.” Campbell realized that in order to become Aloysius, he had to develop the essence of his character within himself. After a month without a shower, he became friends with the local men on the street. Before he knew it, he became known as the local madman. When the film crew showed up, his newfound friends started laughing and saying, “They’re gonna use the madman in the movie!” This was a testament that Campbell is incredibly passionate about the craft.

Campbell transfixed audiences in his first villainous role in a film called Dancehall Queen, the highest grossing film out of Jamaica. After that film, he played mostly sinister characters. “My most memorable role will always be Aloysius because that role helped to make my passion for acting a reality. Plus, Aloysius’ character provided more depth than any of the other villains I had played in my career.”

MENTORING YOUTHS

In 2012, Campbell received a proclamation for teaching from the Mayor of Mount Vernon in New York, where he developed a youth initiative called Shoot with The Camera, Not with The Gun. In this program, Campbell meets with underprivileged students for three days of the week, talking to them about life and filmmaking.

After his classes, he then goes back to his hotel at nights to write film scripts. The next day, he pairs a group of students with a cameraman and soundman. Although

the students get the opportunity to film in front of the camera, this isn’t all they do. They also learn how to use the camera and understand the use of sound in film production.

“Imagine the excitement for these students as they see their edited work on film. The look on their faces illuminated by the light on the big screen is nothing short of priceless. They see themselves on the screen, they see the film they created, and they understand the skills that got them to that moment. It’s worth it, you know.”

Campbell believes in exposing youths to all aspects of filmmaking. He reminds the students that the most important part of the film production is the credits, “where all of the people who contributed to the film are listed.”

PAINTER EXTRAORDINAIRE

“I am inspired by my children, my boys. I paint because it is ingrained. Painting is one of my happy emotions, akin to reading a brilliant book by a brilliant writer.”

Campbell’s artistry goes beyond acting and films; he is also a talented painter whose amazing masterpieces have been exhibited in Kingston, Jamaica, London, England and Lugano, Switzerland. However, Campbell will be the first to admit, this wasn’t always the case. He recalls living in Paris as a struggling artist. He had an ingenious idea to partner with his next-door neighbor, a carpenter. His neighbor would build wooden boxes and he would paint on the sides of them. He thought these boxes could be purchased for the paintings but could also serve the dual purpose of holding a sculpture. He sold out! Later, he began creating paintings on walls in Paris and London. He created graffiti in the West End. While attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, Campbell moonlighted in local theaters.

There was a time when Campbell was in an environment where he only saw “shades of gray.” He didn’t have paint to create art, but instead of letting that deter him, he found a way to squeeze out the chlorophyll from leaves and used that

as paint. As a result, his initial paintings were completed in shades of green. He recognized that his inner spirit wanted more, even when the odds were stacked against him. He has come a long way from those days.

Today, his paintings are bright and vibrant. Recently, Campbell showcased his paintings at the Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, under the theme “Color and Time.” In his thought-provoking presentation, Campbell revealed abstract pieces that were colorful and compelling.

“My goal is to create more digital media of my work. I strongly believe that times

are changing and someday art will no longer be fixtures on a wall, but rather a series of digital replicas so I’m making every attempt to keep up with the trends.”

MOVING FORWARD

Campbell recognized that business had become an extension of his acting career. “I never wanted to only be an actor. I have an innate desire to create. I want to produce and develop films. I want to tell stories from my own perspective. The end goal is to eventually sell the project. Unfortunately, not all films will make it to the big screen. However, with the introduction of a myriad of streaming services, many creators now have more opportunities for their work to be seen. They don't have to give up if their project is not accepted by the mainstream film platforms. Their business model should be to continue going out and selling their projects to whatever platforms are available.”

One of Campbell’s current projects is a TV series called In God We Trust, which is still in its production stages. This series provides six-minute vignettes—stories about people who are faced with desperate situations and what they would do under the circumstance.

When Campbell isn’t busy shooting his next blockbuster, painting another masterpiece, or undertaking entrepreneurial ventures, he’s most likely spending time with his three sons. When asked how he remains grounded in light of all of his accomplishments, Campbell smiled as he shared that his sons should receive credit for this. His ability to overcome the various challenges he faced in his life should also be credited to them.

Campbell doesn’t have any intention of slowing down anytime soon and his passion for making movies, painting, and undertaking other projects remains as strong as ever. His compassion motivates him to use his platform to advocate for others as well as share his passion with them.

Paul Campbell

by Icylin Morgan

Véronique George is a marketing wunderkind with a decade-long record of conceiving, crafting, and executing award-winning campaigns. Beneficiaries of her marketing expertise have enjoyed bolstered sales, increased awareness, and heightened engagement. She has consistently achieved results that exceed expectations, a record that has honed her reputation within the industry as a respected marketing authority.

Véronique’s creativity fuels her passion for sharing her time, talent, and unique perspective through service. To that end, she is a former board member of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and Council on Culture & Arts. As a show of the regard the University of South Florida has for her, she is a former Committee Member for the University.

A native of Tallahassee, Véronique currently lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. VBD Magazine interviews the creative thought leader to learn more about her journey to becoming a marketing expert and her passion for the performing arts.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Véronique’s wide and varied work experience is matched by an equally diverse educational background. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree and an MBA with a concentration in marketing from Florida A&M University, the No. 1 public Historically Black College and University. She has been intentional in broadening her global marketing acuity. To that end, she traveled to Shanghai University in China in 2009 to study abroad and teach English. Renowned for being at the center of marketing advances, the strategies she mastered from Shanghai University added a new dimension to her marketing portfolio.

To acquire more digital depth, she enrolled in the Digital Content Marketing Workshop at Harvard University’s Division of Continuing Education. Through this online professional development program, she added heft to her marketing profile.

MARKETING EXPERTISE

Véronique’s skill set embraces the broad marketing spectrum that includes branding, production, and advertising. She also possesses strengths in digital marketing and is fluent on social media, including emerging platforms. She has an uncanny marketing sixth sense. This gift enables her to gauge trends that keep her at the cusp of marketing breakthroughs and enables her to incorporate them into her marketing practices. This proficiency has yielded hits, views, clicks, impressions— and results.

The marketing expert’s wide and varied work experience underscores her versatility as her skill sets cross disciplines and industries. Higher education, consumer packaged goods, manufacturing, food, hospitality and travel, and fashion industries are the areas where Véronique has successfully plied her skills. Her creativity and ability to transform an idea into a bustling product have earned her widespread recognition and industry acclaim.

Véronique was honored with two coveted Silver ADDY awards by the American Advertising Awards in recognition of outstanding creative excellence.

PASSION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

For as long as she can recall, Véronique has been involved in the performing arts. This passion has shaped her life because it is the cornerstone of her work and purpose. From marketing to playwriting, crafting and telling compelling stories has been at the center of Véronique’s amazing ventures.

“I did not choose the arts, the arts chose me. I have always had a passion for the arts and performing. It is that passion that led me to start writing skits and producing them as an Elementary School student for a small audience, my parents at the time, in the living room of our house. I also wrote poems from Elementary School through college and as an adult. Later, in high school and college, I started

producing early versions of what I now know to be musicals. I wrote scripts for dramatic, seasonal performances that would incorporate dance, singing, and acting. From there, I decided to pursue acting professionally and landed local, regional, and national theater and film projects. I transitioned from acting to crafting and producing my own stories as a playwright in 2018.”

ESTABLISHING VLG PRODUCTIONS

Driven by her passion for the performing arts, Véronique leveraged the opportunity to become an entrepreneur. Today, her company, VLG Productions, stands out as an asset for providing excellent theatrical productions in a collaborative and welcoming environment.

“I started VLG Productions to provide a solution in the storytelling community. I noticed that there was an opportunity to write and produce uplifting content that inspired audiences to take positive actions that could lead to great impact.

The solution to this opportunity area was VLG Productions. Through VLG Productions, I hope to uplift, inspire, and impact communities that have been historically marginalized and underrepresented.”

SERVICES OFFERED

VLG Productions offers services that are a strategic approach to storytelling. The company is the intersection of creativity and data. It offers the following services:

1. Live Theatre Performances – The company produces plays that tackle themes such as domestic abuse, human trafficking, homelessness, financial abuse, relational issues, unconventional family structures, and healthcare inequities.

2. Digital Programming – The company produces a digital show called The Conversation to shed light on success stories in the entertainment industry and provide practical advice to those interested in or working in that industry.

3. Marketing Strategy Services – VLG Productions offers branding, digital marketing, and leadership strategy services. The company’s strategic approach to storytelling is grounded in science, data, and trends to ensure clients’ goals are actualized.

• Branding – VLG Productions guides clients through a series of creative branding activities to determine new Brand Architecture, Visual Identity, Verbal Identity, Brand Guidelines, and Brand Assets.

• Digital Marketing – VLG Productions provides social media, website, and advertising services that support a company’s brand structure and strengthen their position in the marketplace.

• Leadership Strategy – VLG Productions works with clients to create a customized roadmap and tools for leaders and teams to be successful.

VLG Productions’ nonprofit arm, VLG Foundation, provides performing arts scholarships to high school and college students every fall.

PARTNERSHIPS

“VLG Productions partners with award-winning agencies, photographers, and videographers based in Florida and

North Carolina to deliver premium branding, digital marketing, and leadership strategy services.”

TEAM BUILDING & MENTORING

Through her various work and life experiences, Véronique has mastered the art of leading teams with knowledge and confidence to extract the best from its members. That has generated imaginative, innovative, and compelling outcomes. Further, she has exhibited poise and deft management during a crisis. This quality is a tribute to her ability to grasp and devise solutions in a measured manner.

Desiring to give back, Véronique discovered a community-service agency that sparked her interests and whose mission intrigued her. The organization is LEAD, an acronym for Learning Every day Ac-

complishing Dreams. LEAD provides the tools and resources that low-income, at-risk preteen girls must have to become productive citizens and active leaders in their communities. In this agency, Véronique has found gratification as she interfaces, interacts, and inspires young Black girls and girls of color.

UPCOMING EVENTS

“VLG Productions is working on its next play, Journey, Season 2 of The Conversation and producing a webinar to assist entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small businesses with their marketing strategy.”

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

TRANSITIONING TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Kimberly Codr

CEO, PLUSH RECOVERY

by Bindu A. Chowritmootoo

It takes a special person to be a nurse. The role of a nurse has evolved from traditional bedside patient care to teaching, concierge services, aesthetic services, and even medical sales and marketing. VBD Magazine had the opportunity to meet with Kimberly Codr, a trailblazer in the nursing industry.

Kimberly is the Founder and CEO of Plush Recovery located in Little Elm, Texas. Plush Recovery provides nursing care for patients recovering from a surgical procedure in the comfort of their home or a preferred hotel. This one-of-a-kind concierge nursing service has changed the landscape of patient care.

ON A MISSION

Kimberly has an extensive background serving as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse and as a Hospice Nurse Administrator. After undergoing a surgery, Kimberly realized that there are immense gaps in pre- and post-operative care. She experienced complications from her surgery and was given minimal guidance and

support. Kimberly began to provide her own nursing care. This included changing her own wound care dressings, monitoring for infections, and researching ways to optimize her healing process. Her personal journey with less than adequate nursing care inspired her to find a solution for post operative care. Plush Recovery was born.

LUXURY NURSING CARE

Kimberly designed a luxury post operative concierge service for patients undergoing reconstructive or cosmetic surgery. She designed a one-stop shop for everything a patient would need prior to surgery and during the recovery process. During a consultation visit, Kimberly and her team customizes a plan of care that is based on the patient’s specific type of surgery and the orders of the physician for full recovery. The plan of care includes transportation, nursing visits, 24-hour access to nursing, incision supplies, medication pick up and delivery, IV vitamin therapy, vitamin supplements, and coordination with the patient’s physician for any urgent care

needs. Her focus is on providing extra pampering to patients when recovering from a surgical procedure. Plush Recovery has partnered with 5-star upscale hotels and transportation companies to provide a high level of sensitivity for patients following surgery. “Everyone deserves a little pampering for proper healing,” says Kimberly.

STEPPING OUT OF HER COMFORT ZONE

Making the leap from a full-time employee to owning her own business was a decision that Kimberly made in a time where there was and continues to be a nursing shortage. She was determined to establish herself as an entrepreneur within the healthcare industry. Kimberly started to build her business and marketing plan with assistance from a business consultant. The business consultant helped her set realistic goals. This included forecasting her sales and development plan. As a nurse, understanding the business side of patient care services was new to her.

“I realized there was so much that I didn't know about starting and managing a business,” says Kimberly.

Kimberly quickly increased her business acumen by surrounding herself with a network of entrepreneurs. She attended several networking events every month where she connected with likeminded individuals within the healthcare industry. “I have met several inspiring individuals who have made it easier for me to transition into being an entrepreneur. You truly are a sum of the five people you surround yourself with,” Kimberly states.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Kimberly’s goal is to continue to grow Plush Recovery across the Dallas metroplex. She plans to expand her clinical team with exceptional nurses. In addition, she hopes to engage in speaking engagements on her experience as a nurse within the hospice and post-surgical care services industry.

plushrecovery.com Click & Visit

DEVELOPMENT HAVEN Personal & Professional

“Each of us has been given a variety of unique characteristics that are instrumental in our success. Our job is to embrace those characteristics and find out how to use them to our advantage.”— Jujuana Howard

VBD Magazine is honored to feature Jujuana Howard, a US Air Force Veteran, HR professional, and author with more than 18 years of experience in training and development, public speaking, and career consulting. Jujuana is passionate about helping others define success through personal and professional development. She has published several books and a variety of online training materials which are focused on enhancing your everyday skills. “They are designed to provide practical information on how to navigate life and help you reach your ultimate goals,” says Jujuana.

Jujuana has a Bachelor of Science degree in Resource Management from Troy University and Associate degrees in Human Resource Management and Healthcare Management from the Community College of the Air Force. She is also a John Maxwell Certified Coach, Speaker, and Trainer. In addition, she is a Certified Workforce Development Professional with the Florida Workforce Development

Association and a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional.

Like many women entrepreneurs, Jujuana was wrapped up juggling her career and family when she realized her dreams got put aside. She tells us her epiphany came when she realized that God had bigger and better plans for her life, which required her to step outside of her comfort zone. Soon, Jujuana began to lean into God’s calling on her life and found joy, peace, and fulfillment as she began to operate in her gifts.

This interview will encourage you to crush mediocrity, think big, and pursue your dreams. Seize the moment! It’s time to succeed in your life and business so you can give from a cup that overflows.

VBD: What inspires you to write?

JUJUANA: I have always loved to write and started journaling as a child. I wrote my first book when I was 9 years old. It was a classroom assignment that ignited my creativity and inspired me to write about my life experiences. My genre is

non-fiction. I have published four books, Lessons My Father Taught Me, The Mom Chronicles: Navigating Life, Work, & Motherhood During A Pandemic, Ed The Adviser, and Moving From Powerless to Powerful: Developing Self-Confidence.

My books are created to inspire, educate, and release individuals to start pursuing the things they are passionate about. My goal is to teach others how to create the life they want to live through personal and professional development.

VBD: Tell us about your latest book. JUJUANA: My latest release, Moving from Powerless to Powerful: Developing Self-Confidence, is for anyone who is tired of settling for a life filled with mediocrity and mundane routines or stuck in a state of helplessness, and wants to start living as God intended.

I wanted to provide a blueprint on how to maximize the hidden potential that lies within each of us. You don’t have to settle for a life filled with mediocrity. I

want to teach people how to use practical information to unleash purpose, fulfillment, and destiny in their life.

VBD: Why did you establish Jujuana Howard, LLC?

JUJUANA: I created Jujuana Howard, LLC, to help individuals define success through personal and professional development. We help individuals enhance their skills through personal and professional development training, achieve their goal through motivational speaking, increase their knowledge through online courses, and receive expert advice through career and HR consulting.

VBD: We’re sure your success did not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?

JUJUANA: The biggest challenge that I have had to overcome is fear. Fear of not being good enough, confident enough, and strong enough to accomplish the things that God has called me to do. I have learned that I cannot do anything in my own strength but when I put my trust in the Lord, there is nothing that I can’t do.

VBD: How do you successfully practice work-life balance?

JUJUANA: There are several things I do to maintain a healthy work-life balance. I have learned to always put God first, incorporate daily self-care routines, create quality time with my friends and family, and pursue the things I am passionate about. Quality time is important to me; therefore, I believe every moment counts. So regardless of what I am doing, I make sure that I am completely focus on the task at hand.

VBD: What’s next for you?

JUJUANA: I will be releasing my online course Moving from Powerless to Powerful: Developing Self-Confidence on Teachable.com. I am also working on my new book, Broken But Not Destroyed: Prayers and Poems for the Broken-Hearted, as well as a journal.

make them laugh out loud, think or see life from a different perspective, and even make them cry. Stories that just make readers feel.”

Deborah is a single mother of two young adults, Precious and Preston, whom she counts as her miracle and blessings. She has one granddaughter Natalie that she sees as the promise.

VBD Magazine caught up with the woman of God to discuss her life as an author and her reason for establishing Milk Ministries Publications Global Network. You’ll love getting to know Deborah. During our interview, she was down-to-earth, gracious, and forthright.

VBD: With respect to writing, what legacy are you planning on leaving behind?

A LEADER IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Deborah R. Brandon

AUTHOR & CEO, MILK

MINISTRIES PUBLICATIONS GLOBAL

NETWORK

by Beverlyn Johnson Wilks

Award-winning author, publisher, co-owner of Loyalty Reigns Publications, and Founder of Milk Ministries Publications Global Network, Deborah R. Brandon has dedicated her life to helping others grow in their personal relationship with God in the most elementary sense. “I believe that there is no better time than now to impact lives by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ,” says Deborah.

As Deborah grew in her personal relationship with God, she felt that He gave her the ability to write but with an extended purpose—to educate, empower, equip, encourage, and enrich the life of those who desire to have a deeper relationship with Him. An unstoppable woman, Deborah has written 25 books to date. She started her writing career as a romance author. “I enjoy writing stories with characters that readers can relate to. I like creating storylines that captivate readers, that

DEBORAH: I have personally written 25 books to date across multiple genres— romance, family life, and Christian life. I have always loved the written word. I love getting lost in a story. Regarding my fictional characters and storylines, I want to create content that people can relate too. I want them to be able to see themselves reflected in the characters. I hope that readers laugh, cry, rejoice, and feel hopeful after reading my work. With respect to living a Christian life, my goal is to educate, empower, and encourage others, pointing them to Jesus Christ. The Bible is a life source to the person who is willing to be trained and developed by it. In essence, I write to help set both myself and others free.

The Bible Studies I prepare focus on coming into God’s presence, seeking His face, and desiring intimacy with Abba Father. They are about daily worship and personal growth. The living Word of God speaks to me, encourages me, corrects me, and shows me the heart of our good Father.

When I am no longer on earth, the future generations of my bloodline will be able to say, this is what she believed, and this is how she thought. My books and blogs will travel to places that my feet may never see. They will live on forever. The

revenue will feed my family for generations to come. Lives will be changed for generations to come and that’s amazing. That is a blessing.

VBD: Tell us about your writing process.

DEBORAH: For fictional content, I develop the characters and outline the story. As experienced by some authors, the characters may want to go in a different direction than I originally planned, and I try to go with the flow. For my Christian life content, I study as the Holy Spirit leads in my personal quiet times with the Lord. Sometimes, it’s clear that the message is for me as well as others. It’s

about edifying myself first and then edifying the body of Christ.

VBD: What inspired your latest book?

DEBORAH: My latest book is titled Finding Rest for Your Soul. This book is about embracing the moments where God is allowing you to be in a paused state. It’s a place of waiting, a place of preparation, and a place of surrender. It’s where you come to the end of yourself, and you simply trust and obey God. In doing so, you enter a place of calm, peacefulness, a stable environment, a place of healing, rebirth, restoration, clear directions, and gain fresh anointing, wisdom, and revelation. It’s a place of elevation.

It was also a place where I fell deeper in love with Abba Father. It was not an easy place to be in nor was it comfortable. It was a place where I was stretched. It was a place where I was being emptied and refilled by the power of the Holy Spirit. It was the place where I began to take the limits off myself and off our Heavenly Father. It was a place where my faith was increased, and my heart was enlarged. Also, my vision was corrected.

As always, I invite others on the journey with me. Do not despise this place. I promise you if you allow yourself to be trained by it. You will soon realize that you are being planted and established on fertile ground. Get ready to receive a harvest of blessings.

VBD: Why did you establish Milk Ministries Publications Global Network?

DEBORAH: Milk Ministries Publications Global Network’s ultimate goal is to create various streams of faith-based content to get out to the world. We currently produce a blog, podcast, and books and we are planning to introduce films in the future. Sisters United In Christ Belong, a Facebook Group, is a division of Milk Ministries.

VBD: What services do you offer?

DEBORAH: We offer publications and a private group via Facebook for women to let down their hair, speak truthfully, honestly without judgment, and give and receive the love they need. Currently, it is 243 women strong. Also, we host one free conference a year with praise and worship, exhortation from the Word, and support for each other’s small businesses. People have been healed and restored from these conferences. They are powerful. We plan to continue doing the conferences as long as the Lord allows. In addition, we offer proofreading, editing, graphic design, and marketing services to authors at affordable prices.

VICTORIOUS BY DESIGN Inspiration OASIS

EMPOWERING WOMEN ACROSS THE GLOBE Shilpa Cacho

CO-OWNER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, CLS DIGITAL AGENCY

by Bindu A. Chowritmootoo

In a world full of uncertainties, when you come across an individual who always sees the glass half full, it gives you hope. VBD Magazine would like to introduce an inspiring, driven entrepreneur - Mrs. Shilpa Cacho. Shilpa lives and works as an entrepreneur in Dallas, Texas.

RESET AND REFRESH

Shilpa is a first generation American who was pushed out of her home during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Her family lost everything and came to America with

nothing but the hope to live the American dream. Her parents, being of Indian descent, raised Shilpa and her siblings with Indian traditions. For most of Shilpa’s life, she struggled with bouts of depression, childhood insecurities, and low self-worth. As an adult, her divorce catapulted her to making drastic changes in her life. Her experiences from different phases of her life serve as a source of inspiration to positively impact the lives of others.

“With the help of my therapist, I learned how to save myself. You can start over at any age,” says Shilpa.

POWERFUL IN PURPOSE

Shilpa is an acclaimed makeup artist, results driven content creator, social media strategist, and a passionate serial entrepreneur focused on empowering women across the globe. Shilpa is currently working on expanding her personal brand with the goal of helping more timid women embrace their power to manifest their dream lives. Having experienced depression and surviving a suicide attempt, Shilpa is on a mission to empower women to step into their power and creating a life they love. Shilpa is a well-known

Instagram influencer who tackles sensitive topics on love, intimacy, marriage, relationships, and most recently parenting. She has over 37,000 followers who voice their support for her willingness to share her personal experiences and stories on a public platform.

CELEBRATING LOVE

Upon the finalization of her divorce, Shilpa started her healing journey of traveling across the globe to countries such as Scotland, Portugal, and Germany. She was determined to experience new cultures and people, and to find the spirituality within her for long term healing. It is during her travels that she met her soulmate, Isaac. In a whirlwind of love and romance, she eloped with Isaac to the mountains of Big Sur, California. Their love story inspired her to share the importance of rebuilding yourself after divorce. She and her husband created numerous social media posts and videos that share vital best practices on a healthy, practical relationship as husband and wife. The overwhelming response to their videos inspired them to create their social media agency which provides customer-oriented video content creation services to businesses looking to expand brand awareness and improve sales through social media.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Shilpa’s love for travel led her to coordinating a group of six women on a spiritual journey to Bali, Indonesia for seven days. The trip consisted of intimate discussion of love, loss, and reinvention. The women shared yoga sessions, spiritual cleansing rituals, and meditations along the beautiful mountains of Bali. Feedback from this trip fueled Shilpa’s fire to coordinate an international trip for an intimate group of women at least once a year. “Live your purpose and serve others as you do” is a mantra that Shilpa lives and breathes.

DRIVING RESULTS

Shilpa has worked in the beauty industry for over 15 years. Being a makeup artist, Shilpa believes in the power of transforming women in a positive manner. Her number one passion has been to empower women to look and feel beautiful and confident in their own skin. She has helped thousands of brides on their wedding day transform into beautiful works of art as

they walk down the aisle. Shilpa’s craft as a makeup artist has allowed her to travel the world. Shilpa is professionally trained as an occupational therapist. She decided to leave her career and transition to being an entrepreneur so that she can be in control of her own growth and success.

“Being an entrepreneur, when I connect an amazing product or service to a customer, I truly feel that I have done my job to make a difference,” Shilpa states.

UP NEXT

Shilpa strives to provide inspiration to women across the globe through multiple platforms. She is now planning women’s conferences, podcasts, and international trips for 2023.

Click & Visit

Sarah Johnson

DESIGNING WITH PASSION

by Bindu A. Chowritmootoo

What if your craft is to be a designer? A designer that can help create a living and working space that evokes emotions that you never knew existed. A designer that can help create your brand as your personal stylist. VBD Magazine is proud to introduce Sarah Johnson, Founder of Pash Design Studio. Sarah’s sense of style makes a fashion statement as soon as she enters a room.

CONSTANT STATE OF INSPIRATION

Sarah’s journey towards being a designer began when she served clients in luxury retail with the likes of Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Giorgio Armani, and Oscar de la Renta. Her inspiration stemmed desiring to transform an individual’s personal style with her love for dynamic fabrics, patterns, and colors and how they channeled positive energy.

She has assisted clients with looking and feeling their best as they prepared for interviews, celebrated countless milestones, and glammed up for high-profile red-carpet events.

Her passion for design inspired her to transition into providing interior design services for clients for both residential and commercial spaces as well as fine jewelry designing. “I am in a constant state of inspiration. I love the element of the unexpected and every detail matters no matter the project,” says Sarah.

DESIGNING AN EMOTIONAL SPACE

Sarah expanded her clientele to physician offices. She played an instrumental role in the overall design of medical spaces which included construction and design. Over the past decade, her medical office space designs were created by understanding

the importance of the services provided and how the office space made the patients feel. “I enjoy creating a design that makes patients feel warm, welcomed and inspired to the point they look forward to frequent visits,” says Sarah.

WHAT’S NEXT?

As Sarah evolves as a designer, she constantly searches for ways to give back to the community. Sarah has recently launched a yard sign rental company called Sign Me Up Dallas, serving the North Dallas area. Her artistic eye allows her to design one of a kind yard signs that create memories for a lifetime. Proceeds from the company are donated to local women’s and children’s shelters.

by Bindu A. Chowritmootoo

Welcome to 2023! A new year to hit the reset button on life. Many of us tend to start the new year with the hopes of setting new goals. How many of us actually reach our goals? What prevents us from accomplishing our goals? Fear. There are different levels of fear that can stop us dead in our tracks. The fear of failure can prevent you from considering an opportunity that can change the trajectory of your life. Let’s explore five ways to overcome your fear of failure.

IDENTIFY YOUR FEARS

The first step in facing your fears is first identifying them. What has kept you from finding your passion in life, advancing in your career, or finding the love of your life? It’s the fear of the unknown. If you have a type A personality (like me), you will most likely want to be in complete control of different scenarios in your life. When things do not go your way, you self-blame and dwell in the thought “I knew this would not work.”

You may even find yourself being the biggest barrier in reaching your highest potential. Earlier in my career, when I would focus on starting new projects, my self-doubt and fear caused me to walk away from life changing opportunities. The moment I started to write down my fears, I realized that there were ways to confront my fears that were preventing me from achieving my goals.

CREATE A VISION BOARD

Studies have shown that most people are visual learners. Once you have identified your fears, it is now time to create a vision board so that you can visualize your fear. Start with your top five fears. Find relevant images from magazines or online resources that correspond with each type of fear. Next start to identify the pros and cons of conquering that particular fear. Does the long-term outcome overcome the fear itself? For example, I may want to start my own restaurant because I truly enjoy cooking. When creating the vision board, I find images of one-of-a-kind dishes, families and couples enjoying a meal together and me celebrating our success with my kitchen

staff. What kinds of emotions does the vision board invoke? Does the possibility of a successful outcome outweigh the fears? Visualize manifesting your dreams!

CREATE A PLAN B

In 2011, I decided to leave my secure full-time position in corporate America to create my own company focused on health and wellness. As an entrepreneur, one of the biggest fears you have is the fear of failure. My entrepreneurial journey grew, and I started to work on multiple projects. I always had a plan B. How does this help your fear of failure? It allows you to not place all of your aspirations into one specific goal. When you have a plan B, you are able to distribute your focus and energy on a contingency plan that supports multiple goals. This may be a little challenging for those who prefer to focus on one project at a time. How-

ever, I have discovered that when you practice having a plan B when creating your aspirations, it allows you to fully think through scenarios that help prevent your fear of failure. You begin to think “if for some reason this project is not successful, I will have another project in the works.” Having a plan B gives you a level of confidence and reassurance that your efforts will not go to waste.

FIND AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER

Regardless if you are an extrovert or introvert, there is something powerful about having an accountability partner when working on your personal or professional goals. An accountability partner can come in the form of a close friend, family member, significant other, mentor, therapist, or a colleague. Be selective in who you choose as your accountability partner based on the level of honesty he/ she can provide. It is important that this individual is unbiased in their observations and in providing timely feedback. When you are discussing the reasons why you fear failure, this individual should be able to provide you with a positive outlook and support your determination to achieve your goals. At the same time, your accountability partner will be brutally honest so that you have unhindered growth.

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO FAIL

There is no one or nothing that can guarantee you will not experience failure when working toward a goal. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned as an entrepreneur is that each experience, whether positive or negative, resulted in an invaluable lesson. Give yourself permission to fail. When I look back at my early years as an entrepreneur, I am grateful for the mistakes that were made. Each mistake was a teachable moment that contributed to my ongoing growth. Do not be fearful of failure. Be fearful of trying new things.

Visionaries

by Ramona Powell Dennis

Visionaries are people who can see what is to come. They see something that needs improving or something that is missing And have a strong determination to bring it to pass. They don’t see problems, they see opportunities. They don’t see roadblocks, they see steppingstones. They don’t listen to the nay-sayers and allow them to stop them in their tracks. They take the words of the nay-sayers and use them as building blocks to reach the next level. It’s more than just a dream.

It is a dream on steroids, that has a deep burning passion with it. You can see it as if it’s in front of your face, like it already exists. What do you have a burning desire to accomplish? Can you see it?

I can see it because I believe in you. What do you SEE taking place if you could SEE anything that you wanted? So, what’s stopping you from moving forward? You don’t have to go it alone, but you can if you must. Build your team and Enlist likeminded people who share the vision. Make it happen, you can do this.

The world is counting on you for the next best thing!

Photo Credit: Nadi Whatisdelirium

DESIGN VICTORIOUS BY Love ZONE

by Ann Marie Bryan

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

To celebrate the power of love, VBD Magazine had the pleasure of interviewing Rulx and Janet Beauchamp. The couple desires to grow in “Christlikeness” throughout the life of their marriage and be a constant source of encouragement to each other.

Rulx (Joe) was born in Port-de-Paix Haiti but migrated to the United States at the age of 9. Currently, he operates as a software engineer. Rulx is known for his hard work in every project he undertakes. He is a proud father of 2 young ladies who are now attending college. In his free time, he likes to ride bicycles, play chess, and travel.

Janet is a native of Jamaica, born in Kingston and raised in Montego Bay. She is the only child of the late Bryan and Iciline Fearon. She graduated from Montego Bay Community College with an Associate's Degree in Business Administration. In 1993, Janet migrated to the United States. She has three beautiful children, two daughters and a son. Currently, she works in customer service for the State of Florida. A woman of faith, power, and praise, Janet has been an ordained elder in the ministry since September 2009.

Rulx and Janet open up about their love story, the importance of having a Christ-centered marriage, and divorce. As we chatted with the amazing pair, they were relaxed, renewed, and ready to share from their hearts. We caught a glimpse into their romantic relationship along with the blessings obtained from a second chance at love.

VBD: In a nutshell, tell us about your love story.

JANET: Our journey has been a testimony to many. God never makes mistakes. He knows that we are not perfect and that’s why there is a backup plan. God took the time to orchestrate our past, present, and future so we can fulfill our God-given purpose.

About five years ago, we were both facing health and life challenges. That bonded us in a unique way, to the point that I can’t even express. At that time, we were friends

who encouraged, counseled, supported, and prayed for each other. That created a healing process for us—mentally, physically, and spiritually.

As we got to know each other during our friendship, we noticed that we had a lot in common and our personalities complimented each other. We had similar goals and were heading in the same direction. That brought us closer to the point that people started to link us together as husband and wife before the thought even crossed our minds.

There were times God would send confirmation through a word of wisdom to

tell us that our friendship was not of our own choice, but a divine appointment for purpose. In the past five years, we have encountered people that would confirm that we should be together—they ask what we were waiting for to get married and knew who the cook was in our friendship. That always made us laugh. However, the final confirmation that sealed the deal was when Joe and I visited a church in Miami Gardens. The pastor called us out, prophesied that we are joined together in a union ordained by God, and that we are called to ministry. We are both so thankful to God. We have embraced what God has ordained for us.

VBD: What kind of legacy do you want to leave with your marriage?

RULX: We want others to understand that marriage was created by God and that love is great and beautiful even with its imperfections. Marriage is filled with highs and lows, but there are the blessings of love, understanding, patience, friendship, and communication.

VBD: What are some tips that couples can use to improve their relationship?

RULX & JANET: Express appreciation daily for each other. Celebrate and have fun together. Be physically affectionate each day and send love notes to each other.

VBD: What’s your number one financial advice for couples to strengthen financial compatibility?

RULX: A couple's agreement concerning finances will be successful, if they are heading in the same direction. Early in your relationship, talk about where you stand financially and set short and longterm priorities.

VBD: What’s your take on marriage therapy?

JANET: Couples should have therapy regularly before a problem arises. Therapy can cultivate a stronger relationship. However, communication with each other is a form of therapy.

VBD: What is one tip you would give to a couple who is considering marriage?

RULX: First be friends with each other and get professional counselling before saying I do.

VBD: What do you want to say about divorce—its effect on you, the children, and your ministry?

JANET: St. Matthew 19:6 states, “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

First, not every marriage is joined by God. In some cases, divorce is necessary, and it does affect us in many ways. My kids were affected by my divorce and that cannot be avoided no matter how easy I make it for them. It affected my ministry because the church I attended at that time did not accept the divorce and the leadership body would not allow me to do anything in ministry. They made it look like I committed a crime. Some people around me even stop associating with me.

VBD: What’s next for you?

RULX & JANET: Our union was ordained by God, so by His grace and mercy we will walk in obedience to the perfection of His Word. We will continue to love each other according to how God said that we should. We plan to enjoy every moment that we get with each other.

A Vision Of Love

by Dr. Velma Bagby

Creating a vision can be overwhelming. In business, they traditionally completed this task during the last three to six months of the prior year. Even the beautifully designed stories found in this magazine, that have captivated its readers, do not rise to the occasion as a first draft. These stories moved through several layers of scrutiny and edits before the final

version was ready for print. Each story began as a vision but required lots of work to become a reality in this fabulous magazine. Similarly, we create our vision before the new year using common tools such as a vision board, a to-do list, or a new journal. We identify what we are believing God to do in the new year and will add it to our prayer list. If you’re single, it’s likely what’s

sitting on the top of your prayer list is your request that God sends the husband you deserve—that’s your vision of love. There are a plethora of songs written about a vision and scriptures written with instructions like, “Write the vision, and make it plain…” Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV) and warnings, “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Jeremiah 29:18 (KJV).

Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema

You, too, must begin your vision of love by applying the steps needed to achieve your goal. The steps you create while you wait on the vision to become a reality are like the layers of scrutiny used for the articles in this magazine and the steps taken with a business vision. These steps are an important part of the process, and you cannot overlook them. Therefore, your vision of love isn’t focused on finding the love of your life, but on the steps you should take to achieve your goal before he arrives. You cannot achieve this by reading a mountain of romance novels, binge-watching your favorite romance movies and tv shows, or picturing yourself as the character in one of your favorite fairy tales and expecting the same outcome—your husband will not arrive on a horse, sweep you off your feet and marry you.

Ask yourself, what have I done to prepare me for him (vision/goal)? And how do I get there? Like the steps built into a business vision, and those used to create magazine

articles, you need to create the steps for your vision of love to come to fruition.

Here are some foundational steps you can use:

• Love begins with God. God is love. This is not the love seen in fiction or fairy tales and it isn’t physical, but spiritual. We cannot understand love, its depth, spiritual significance, commitment, or that love is sacrificial, apart from God. Discover and embrace the love God gives you.

• Love yourself. I am surprised at the number of folks who do not love themselves. If the love of their life comes along, they’ll find it difficult to accept it, because they do not love themselves. God clearly instructs us to love him with all our hearts, but also instructs us to love ourselves like our neighbors. To do this, love requires that you let go of your past and forgive yourself.

• Love others. Open your heart to showing love to others as instructed. In the same way, you are going to love your husband, according to First Corinthians 13, by practicing patience and kindness towards others, not envying, or boasting, refusing to be arrogant or rude towards them, not being selfish, irritable, or resentful, never celebrating wrong but always rejoicing with the truth. It ends with bearing, believing, hoping, and enduring all things. As love flows in your life, God promises others will see this fruit. What you practice from your heart (love) is the fruit that others will see—including your future mate.

• Love your husband. When you arrive here, you have achieved your vision of love, because you prepared your heart to love God’s way and learned that it is sacrificial.

Now create your vision of love and the steps to achieve your goal.

Photo Credit: Alexa Willaims

by Pastor Danyelle Scroggins

“B

e angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27 (KJV)

It took me a minute to get this scripture, but now that I understand it better, I refuse to turn from the guidance given here. This is especially true when it concerns my husband and our marriage.

You know as women we are the chiefs when it comes to putting up this sign… CLOSED! It just naturally feels so right to shut down everything, and I do mean everything, when my spouse makes me angry. And believe me, when a woman is done and through, she is done and through. However, I have come to realize that every time I allow whatever it was that made me angry to fester, it only gets worse. It feels right to be angry and shut down, but it isn’t right.

Why? Because in doing this I will have done exactly what the scripture said not to do… give place to the devil. When we allow the devil’s tactics to work (and believe me, he has plenty of tactics and sometimes he slips beyond our radar), we lean more towards the side of sin instead of forgiving, understanding, and finding resolutions.

It’s easy to be angry because it’s a natural emotional response, but it consumes so much energy when it lingers beyond the appropriate time frame. I know… I felt it too… how can someone tell me how long I’m supposed to be mad?

I can’t answer for our Creator, but He specifically admonishes us not to allow the day to turn into night before we have dealt with whatever caused us to be angry. In a perfect world, I could get mad at my spouse and in the next minute forget all about the offense. But we all know, we don’t live in a perfect world.

Nevertheless, we do have a perfect God and if we follow the narratives set in place by His Word, we could have a life saturated in the peace of being in the right standing with God. That is what righteousness is right?

THE WAY THAT FEELS RIGHT ISN’T THE WAY THAT IS RIGHT

Photo Credit: Heather Mount

Well, it’s story time…

Ashley and Brad go to a party. Brad fails to acknowledge her in the presence of some co-workers. This angers Ashley to the point that she finds a table, sits down, and allows Brad to mingle and enjoy the party while she sits and floats through social media, wishing she would have stayed home.

Ashley rehearses everything that she’ll say as soon as she gets in the car. Finally, after Brad’s satisfied that he’s been at the party long enough, he comes to get Ashley from the table and they both go to the car.

As soon as Ashley puts on her seatbelt, and Brad gets in the car, she lets him have it. She starts slinging accusations the enemy has planted in her mind, making her even angrier, and before long, they’ve both said some damaging things that have put a nick in their foundation.

They get home.

Both slam doors.

Both have decided that the other did and said too much.

After Ashley showers, she goes to her bedroom where she finds a showered Brad already asleep. Her first thought is to kick him because he should have tried to resolve the issue but instead, he’s fallen asleep. So, she does the same, turning her back to him and his back to her.

Then morning comes. Ashley calls his name, but Brad doesn’t answer. She shakes him, and instantly realizes he’s cold, not responding, or breathing. She screams his name over and over, as she frantically dials 911.

When the paramedics arrive, Ashley is informed that Brad has died.

The End. There are two things I want to show you in this:

• Had her response to what upset her been different, she could have enjoyed the night with her husband.

• We never know when God will pronounce… The End… of our story.

So, no… you do not have any time to waste being angry to the point that you sin or give place to the devil. You never want to overestimate that you will be here together, forever.

What you do want to do is… to get whatever has caused an offense resolved quickly so you can move forward, with a better understanding and a resolution or compromise that is saturated in love, patience, gentleness, and peace.

A reader once said, “In her story, the person who has done wrong always realizes what they’ve done and changes. I think it happens too quickly.”

See, she’s not wrong in her opinion, but she’s like so many people who find resentment easier to harvest and keep, than forgiving.

And this is the energy that is causing so many marriages to fail. If it feels right to stay angry, do the opposite, because I promise whatever feels right or easiest to us is never right to God.

Photo Credit: Eric Froehling