Arabhis Nicholson Writing & Design Portfolio

PORTFOLIO WRITING & DESIGN

AUGUST 2019

ARABHIS

J.

NICHOLSON

SOCIAL-MEDIA STRATEGIST

JOURNALIST DIGITAL

MARKETING

CERTIFIED

BRAND AMBASSADOR

E V E N T @JACQUELAH_QUEENOFSHEBA

P L A N N E R

Arabhis J. Nicholson

A southern native, who recently moved to the big apple, she has already made strides in her career as a brand ambassador, prolific writer and journalist, social media influencer, event planner, community activist, administrative professional, and effective communicator. As a digital marketing certified writer, she strives to use her voice and her ability to connect with people to influence and uplift, while bringing innovative approaches to brand strategy using social media platforms. Her writing skills are limitless as she has experience in business and professional writing, creative writing, and writing to shape brand narrative.

Portfolio Includes 1 Digital Marketing certificate from Google 1 Digital literacy certificate from Microsoft 1 Excel Certification from Microsoft 3 Editorial Pieces From H.E.R. Image Magazine: One piece on sisterhood, second piece on physical health and healing From FSU The Voice: Cultural piece on theatrical performance

1 Press Release From BCA Global’s 14th Annual Food & Wine Experience

Flyer Design Samples One From MSK I hosted and coordinated One From BCA Global’s 14th Annual Food & Wine Experience

1 Piece of Collegiate Literature

Arabhis Nicholson Has successfully passed the Microsoft Digital Literacy Course.

Certificate number:235445190

Arabhis Nicholson Office Excel® 2016

August 2, 2019 wLbHP-FMps

Office Excel® 2016

Sisterhood:Black Female Organizations Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned, so when a league of women establish a network to ultimately takeover, we become unstoppable. Black Women have been pioneering movements since the beginning of time as warriors of great causes against colonial tyranny and today against sexually violent office behavior.

Let's take a look at two modern day change-making groups that are using their platform to give black women the power and resources to take their power back.

Queens at work Founded in 2016 by Kourtni Lynn, ​Queens At Work​ is thee nexus for black women to feel empowered! They are committed to the upliftment of young girls through direct mentoring and experienced speakers who can truly connect to their plight. With an authentic and engaging approach to mentorship, they are also focused on creating a safe space for these young women who may need gentle guidance in the right direction.

Led by Ashley Roseberry, their mentoring program enables young black girls to see role models excelling in their career field, bringing them to realize that the sky's the limit.

Lynn believes,

​“We combat negative messages in the media by presenting positive role models for the girls with whom they have personal interactions that alter their reality. We give them the tools necessary for them to start making informed decisions for themselves and feel comfortable in leadership positions. And we instill the practice of speaking affirmations to encourage self love.

Often times, altering one’s environment can make all the difference in what they believe. They just need someone to care enough to show them something different than they’re used to and open new doors that they didn’t know existed.”

With a newly launched series showcasing interviews with phenomenal women, their growing audience sees the power of ambition and a boss work-ethic to propel them forward in life. As this organization continues to expand their vision, they will amplify a mission dead-set on creatively strengthening the minds of young girls and nurturing a collective of black women.

This year get ready for ​Queen’s At Work​ to serve up more content for personal and professional development, with new interviews detailing the “glow-up” journey. They will also be releasing merchandise for you to rock and feel like ‘Queen At Work’ everyday in your community.

Black Women’s Blueprint The powerful foundation behind this organization continues to facilitate the healing of black women and girls. Their mission is to create a world void of discrimination and oppression for women of African descent. With humble beginnings in small and loving sister circles back in 2008, they have cultivated a much needed movement to converse and mobilize for the progress of black women. During the democratic primaries, the foremothers of this organization realized the voices and the issues affecting black women were not heard or addressed by either side of the debate; white women spoke on behalf of the entire gender and black men were the mouth pieces for an entire race.

Neither side spoke to the needs and oppression of black women, and this is where The Black Women’s Blueprint steps in to advocate for the thrown away and forgotten minority.

Their programs target black women who are at the bottom of the totem pole, being statistically more impoverished than Asian and White women and more likely to face sexual violence and not receive any care, where more than 2​ 0% of black women are raped​, according to The Institute for Women's Policy Research. Today, they have been able to provide a wealth of programming and resources to actively empower black women. With their Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling, they are giving black women the mental and emotional support needed to move forward after suffering a traumatic experience. As a part of their ongoing effort to assist black women with every aspect of life, they also have a solidarity economy in which their community has access to a bartering system of food, clothes, childcare, rides and the list goes on. The beauty of their work is the loving and self-sustaining community it creates for women of african descent in a world that underestimates them relating to job opportunities and equal

compensation, while turning a blind eye to their personal, financial, and emotional obstacles.

They are on a mission to make sure black women have a seat at all tables concerning racial and gender injustices, rather than being an afterthought to movements that greatly benefit from their economic and political backing. As Black women, we face intersectional oppression, as seen with the bias Cyntoia Brown case, a 16 year old sex-trafficking victim who was close to doing a life-sentence for killing the man who bought her, and has only recently been granted clemency by Governor Bill Haslam.

This org provides an avenue for equity, allowing for a more holistic playing field where the specific inhibitors of black women’s well being and success are no longer factors.

Organizations like Black Women's Blueprint are leading the way in changing the status quo of black womanhood.

Only when we organize with great numbers, do we begin to make progress more efficiently with synced strategy. We’ve seen that with Black Sororities and political organizations. We’ve seen that with the #Metoo movement as well, founded by Tarana Burke, as she opened the floodgates for many women in the entertainment industry and in corporate offices to come forward with their suppressed truth. There's no denying that we are powerful together.

These organizations highlighted were chosen for their distinct ability to uplift black women in a way that can rectify the injustices endured and shift the global power dynamics back in our favor. Black Women are the past present and future. Let H.E.R. reign begin.

Sources: ● http://www.forharriet.com/2015/02/12-black-womens-organizations-doing.html ● https://www.essence.com/news/woke-100-women-2018/#11121 ● http://www.blackwomensblueprint.org/ ● https://www.essence.com/news/my-sisters-keeper/ ● https://iwpr.org/violence-black-women-many-types-far-reaching-effects/ ● https://www.yourtango.com/2017308682/who-cyntoia-brown-facts-details-teen-sex-traffic king-life-prison-killing-pimp

Hey Girl Hey… So about your health?

The epidemic of Heart disease, Stroke & Diabetes among black women

I’m from the south where we eat cornbread, collard greens, fatback, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, pig feet and chitlins. For myself and many other black people raised in the south especially, soul food is central to our cultural experience. For generations, Black women are the matriarchs who have been in the kitchen making huge meals from little to nothing. Sadly though what we’ve come to love continues to be the main cause of most of our health problems we deal with today in modern black America. But as I look at growing trends online and see new blog posts from both influencers and media brands such as Essence Magazine who have created content around ​health-driven topics​, and other such platforms that cater to the h ​ ealth of black women​, I wonder if the next generation of matriarchs are turning things around by taking care of their bodies and shifting how they view and consume food daily?

I can’t lie, I absolutely love the intoxicating aroma of meals around the holidays because it feels like home. Most holidays, and even year round, women are the ones who dictate the family's diet. When I was young, my mom was is in the kitchen with the other grown folk while us kids were tearing up the living room, watching movies, or outside playing childhood games. When the food is FINALLY ready we quickly line up and begin to scarf down about 2-3 plates each. This was my childhood, and although I didn’t eat like this everyday, I became comfortable with eating junk food and any kind of snack while watching T.V.

Some of these foods, especially when eaten on a consistent basis, are the root cause of heart disease, stroke and diabetes amongst black women. It’s sad to me when I see an older person still eating the same food they’ve been eating since they were young, and then having to be injected with insulin because their blood sugar levels are dangerously high. Or, and I’m sure we’ve all witnessed this, being around your family and hearing everyone talk about their long list of health problems while chewing on the main cause of said problem. These learned and unbroken behaviors have created a pattern of numbly eating food that are killing the ones we love.

Nearly 7.6% black women suffer from heart disease, in contrast to 5.8% White Women, and 5.6% Mexican-American Women according to the C ​ enter for Disease Control and Prevention​. In 2016, 46 of every 100,000 black died of a stroke compared to 35 of 100,000 White Women.

For me, food has always been about the ambiance and experience of taking raw materials and finessing a whole meal of deliciousness. But now, as I become more conscious of my own well-being and the health issues that exist in my lineage, I’ve taken a step back and re-evaluated how I go about crafting meals. I believe life is about moderation and balance. Soul food and the southern tradition of preparing a hearty meal will always be a part of my DNA, but it should be eaten once in a blue moon, or upgraded to provide that good comfort without being so heavy and sugar-coma inducing.

I’m trying this new thing where I’m holding myself accountable and taking responsibility for how I live my life, not just the things I do and say, but what I nourish my body with. Lately my diet has been a mix of healthy, and complete junk food, but I want to make healthy eating a permanent lifestyle and not so every other dayish.

Flashback to college where I ate everything under the sun, including the sun itself. I had a bad case of fomo, and a serious sweet tooth which led to many late nights with my friends making wal-mart trips(for us southerners), and creating the most unhealthy and indulgent food combinations. Now that I’ve hit my mid-twenties the reality of how I allowed myself to eat in college has really hit hard. I feel so disappointed in the way I completely neglected my health chasing memories and “good-times”, but I’m not going to keep beating myself either. I’m evaluating where I was, where I am and where I want to be in deciding how to approach my health journey.

Before I loved to NY last year, I was cooking regularly while living at home. I made everything, and I made it with love. I also was starting to do smoothies and make more salads(may have used more sauce than needed, I’m still a work in progress). I want to

continue that tradition of cooking with love, but with more mindfulness and while adding more nutritional value to my food.

The body is truly our temple, and although I’ve been on this rollercoaster of on and off again healthy eating and health awareness, the reality is that I’m tired of struggling with something I feel I can actually change through small daily adjustments and by getting my mind and body to crave more healthy sweets and snacks(I LOVE TO SNACK).

Can you imagine climbing one flight of stairs and not being out of breathe, or coming back from lunch at work and not feeling drowsy and ready for a good nap? I’m ready to feel light and full of energy everyday. I’ve already researched detox programs, and would even like to do some serious cleansing.

We all know social media is only a tiny lense into someone’s life and doesn’t always represent the full scope of one group who may be following a trend or even living one specific lifestyle compared to many others. I can’t say definitely that there’s a huge shift in black women’s health for my generation or the one behind me, but I am becoming aware from my own social media peer view that women who look like me are gaining self awareness, doing self-care, and addressing their health. It is so beautiful when I can go on my feed and there are beautiful black women whose skin is glowing, who are proudly sharing their before and after pictures of their weightloss journey, and to see new creative smoothie recipes that allow you to feel good and look great.

As for this summer, this weather gone get whatever body I give it, but right now I’m focusing on the internal, the emotional, and things I can do daily to get be more consistent with my food choices.

Here’s my personal accountability list and steps I’m taking to become MY version of healthy: *I’m on step 2* 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

Start with Love & Self-Awareness Take responsibility for where you currently are.

Make conscious decisions: Mcdonald’s or meal prep?

Take action: gym or dance classes.

Pour in Some more Love.

Find your tribe of health freaks.

7) Be consistent, try not to to overdo it, make small changes, and don’t beat yourself up when you have an off day.

8) Womanhood: *The exception/the menstrual cycle. Find healthy ways to feed your monthly bloody-versary cravings so that your cramps will not be too intense and you can still satisfy that urge to shove food down your throat every 5 seconds.

9) And lastly, another dose of self-love.

BCAGlobal 14th Annual Celebration in Diversity in Food and Wine BCAGlobal Announces Honorees and Final Round of Menus at Food and Wine Experience; Last Week for Tickets New York, NY, October 17, 2018 --(PR.com)-- Building a broader platform for diversity in the culinary and hospitality industries is the spirit behind BCAGlobal's 14th Annual Global Food & Wine Experience that will take place on Friday October 19th at Guastavinos 409 E. 59th Street in NYC from 7 PM to 10:30 PM. This year's 2018 Vision Award will be presented to Ana Ortega from Empire Merchants. A Native of Colombia, her story of survival and tenacity to build career success in the Wine and Spirit Industry is an example for every young Hispanic woman in America.

The 2018 Jefferson Evans Award in Culinary excellence will be presented to Chef Winston Chiu the Culinary Director of the non-profit, ReThink Food NYC Inc. This innovative organization has taken on the issues of solving hunger and excess food waste.

This important evening is the only event in the country celebrating diversity, using the food and beverage industry as a nexus to bring people together. The realization that the act of sharing and consuming food and beverage has become detached from its traditional cultural contexts has emerged. The purpose is to reconnect food to cultural heritage and the community, through social nourishment in the context of “Enjoying Responsibly.�

Final Round Menus Include: Nadage Fleurimond Catering-NadageFleurimond.com Organic Pulled Pork with Pickled Red Cabbage & Harissa Vegan Mayo and Scallion, Challah Bread Pudding w/ Kremas Haitian Rum Cream Mikey Likes It Ice Cream- mikeylikesiticecream.com Non-Dairy Tropical Ice Cream in Whole Grain Waffle Cone Blondies Divine Desserts- blondiesdivinedesserts.com Vegan Sugar Free Banana Pudding Cupcakes, Organic Milk Dark Chocolate Brownies Tonnie's Minis- tonniesminis.com Organic Sorted Cupcakes Mere Viola Sweet Delights- mereviolasinc.com Fresh Beet Juice Red Velvet Waffles, Sweet Potato Crema Pastiera, Naturally Sweet Fresh Pina Colada Cake

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Winston Chiu- rethinkfood.nyc Vermont Pork Head Cheese Rillettes Salad with Pineapple Tumis Vinaigrette Soloman & Kuff- solomonandkuff.com Jerked Chicken Steam Bun, Grilled Skinless Sous Vide Chicken in a Fluffy Bun With Escovitch Amy Trevino- saltwaterrevival.com Day Boat Catch with Autumn Root Puree, Puffed Sorghum and Spicy Alliums Mike Cruz- bronxfoodcoop.com Boquerรณn Toast with Grana Pandano, Shallot, Chili Oil and Local Greens Dennis Williams- southbronx.jobcorps.gov Wild Caught Jumbo Shrimp Salad with Roasted Asparagus and Wild Mushroom Corn Risotto Karlton Harris- cornbreadandcaviarinc.com Pan Seared Coconut Curry Salmon, Squid Ink Braised Barley, Bay Scallop and Pickled Ginger Chef Jawed Halepota- jawedchef.com Eggplant and Lentil Kerahi with Coconut Cream and Cilantro, Mint-Collard Pesto atop Basmati Ron Duprat- ronduprat.com South African & Haitian potjiekos Confit of Vegetables, Black Rice, and Djondjon Marc Bynum- instagram.com/chefmarcbynum Sundried Tomato Waffle w/ "Fried Chicken" Tofu, w/Fig and Vanilla Bean Syrup Stephen Almond- theassemblage.com Enoki Mushroom "Pulled Pork" Slider Danielle Saunders- daniellethechef.com Collard Green wrapped Sushi Roll, Southern Pickled Veg, Soy Molasses Drizzle & Wasabi Crunch Cutter Cartier- facebook.com/cutterskitchen Multi Grain Quiche with Organic Barbecue Chicken and Caramelized Onions; Organic Turkey Meatballs with Parmesan Crisp and Ricotta and Basil; Cutter's Quinoa Macaroni w/Tri-Color Peppers and Smoked Organic Turkey w/Molasses Drizzle.

Kavon William Langley- instagram.com/chefklangley Smoked Venison Carpaccio, Young Vegetable and Grain Casserole, Kampot Pepper, Candied Orange Janelle Clark- Ptspecailevents@aol.com Cucumber Cups with Pineapple Salsa, Smoked Cod Fish Crostini over Toasted Coconut Bread Page 2/4 PR.com Press Release Distribution

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JoAnn Baylor- makemycake.com Mini Carrot Cake with Caramelized Ginger and Farmers Zucchini and Local Apple Bread Pudding Lenise Lee-Streeter- lenilenspecialties.com Lemon Sweet Basil Cupcake, Organic Tequila Mini Cake with Fresh Lime Sponsor and supporter participants include - Damascus Bakery, Hobart-ITW, Handsome Brook Farms, Palm Bay Wines, Tito's Vodka, Empire Merchants, R.S. Lipman, Sabra, Woodford Reserve and Gentleman Jack Constellation Brands, Remy Cointreau, The Edrington Group, VerTerra Dinnerware For more information or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities please contact BCAGlobal: info@bcaglobal.org or call (212) 643-6570. To purchase tickets please visit our website at bcaglobal.org.

We sincerely hope that you will participate and support this wonderful event. We thank you in advance for assisting us with continuing our mission to advance diversity within the food service industry. *Last week for tickets.

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Contact Information: BCAGlobal Alex Askew 212-643-6570 Contact via Email www.bcaglobal.org

Online Version of Press Release: You can read the online version of this press release at: https://www.pr.com/press-release/767626

News Image:

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Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey posted by​ ​The Voice​ | May 6, 2015 | In​ ​Bronco News Arabhis Nicholson The Harlem Renaissance also referred to as the “New Negro Movement”, was a literary, artistic, and intellectual movement that cultivated a new Black cultural identity for artists and scholars. It was an “expression of our individual dark-skinned selves” as Langston Hughes poetically worded it.

Raisin’ Cane is both inspired by the 1923 novel by Jean Toomer entitled “Cane”, and also other artists of this time period. Toomer, the poet, playwright and novelist used this work to experiment with the narrative of black culture and characters of the 1920’s. “Cane” is full of a variety of stories about the black experience during the 1920’s and features fifteen poems, a play, six brief prose vignettes and seven stories all taking place in Georgia, Chicago and Washington D.C. On a cool April 10th, the Seabrook auditorium was at full capacity to see her majesty perform highlights of the Harlem Renaissance. Jasmine Guy, the hotsy totsy livewire made the show a hit on all sixes! Translation: the amazing and energetic Jasmine Guy performed to the fullest! I watched in awe as the triple-threat Goddess graced the stage as the soul of New York City Cotton Club scene. Her performance was greatly enhanced by the Avery Sharpe Trio. It includes Avery Sharpe himself, Diane Monroe and Kevin Sharpe, who mesmerized the audience with every tune and created a jazzy atmosphere.

Jasmine Guy emanated beauty and talent in her every stride and sashay throughout the show.

We all know and love her from the hit 90’s T.V. show “A Different World”, but her multifaceted talents expanded farther than her famous character Whitley Gilbert. She plays with themes such as sexuality and religion, always taking the audience by surprise.

When she first appeared on the stage, Guy could not be heard and after checking with the audience, realized that her microphone was not working. She stepped off stage and returned.

“Rat-a-tat-tat” was heard when she came out a second time but then she stopped her performance to ask the audience to stop the flash photography which had already been forbidden by the announcer. Although the star relied on reading from a prepared text, her dance was flawless. Her defined musculature in movement resembled a combination of a belly dancer and a ballerina.

Some of the paying audience was irate that the front half of the theater was reserved for a group which arrived late, delaying the start of the performance. Even so, it was a showcase of history and art for a community in need of performing arts. The headliner was outshone by the violinist, Monroe, who received an overwhelming ovation for her solo which was described by a young audience member as modern Skrillex on the violin. That thrilling moment alone was worth the wait.

Dream-Ville

By Arabhis Nicholson

Forest Hills Drive tour-Fall 2016 In an ocean of my peers, I sway to the feeling of collective love, sadness, happiness, and admiration.

At a distance J. Cole is perched on top of a replica of his childhood home.

The stage is dim, the crowd is hype, and everyone, especially me is going insane.

He opens up the show with his intro song. With a classic hip-hop melody feel, Cole mesmerizes us. I look to my side to see friends that have dreams and goals just like me, just like Cole. I look around at the arena and smile to myself. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

J. Cole is native to Fayetteville North Carolina, nicknamed “The Ville”. At 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Jermaine Cole dreamt of what life would bestow.

He wrote lyrics and created his own musical persona in his childhood home. After graduating from Terry Sanford High school, he left the south to chase his dreams of becoming a rap artist. Cole attended St. Johns University in NYC through an academic scholarship, where he honed his craft of lyricism. After days of waiting outside Jay-Z’s office, he finally had the chance to make it into the music industry. Jay-Z saw something in Cole, aside from ambition and raw talent, he had the vision and the mind-set that stood out from his peers.

Everything in his life was leading up to this moment to shine and prove he was worth the investment of time energy and resources. Those nights

spent rhyming and mixing and creating art. Putting his heart and soul into words to be received by whoever was willing to listen.

Far from his home, he rose to become a great hip-hop figure of the y generation. Soon after came his mixtape “The warm-up”, where he showed the world, especially his hometown that he made it.

Don’t save her, she don’t want to be saved.

Don’t save her, she don’t want to be saved.

Don’t save her, she don’t want to be saved.

Don’t save her, she don’t want to be saved.

A week before this epic concert, I’m replaying one of my favorite songs “No Role Modelz” in resentment. I look out my window to see my own Dreamville. The countdown to graduation has officially begun. I was expected to leave the safety net of family support and friends, and mentors and go out into the world to be great. This feeling of a grand destiny is terrifying. I have to be the one in my family to graduate from a University, and break the cycle of poverty. I’m a writer, and I want to take my gifts to the next level, and not allow myself to live in mediocrity.

I pick up my pen and begin to write. My thoughts, feelings and ideas pour onto the page. Soon the anxiety of it all is gone, and my shoulders become un-tensed. I imagine myself post-college. Successful, accomplished, and free. The independence of being my own person, creating unapologetically, and sharing my art with the world.

I didn’t know I would have the chance to see J. Cole live and in person. I went down the memory lane of his childhood through his chronicled album and felt a true resonance with his story.

Jermaine Cole has a message for the world. His words speak volumes over the political and cultural climate. The abuse of power by the music industry, the violence against black and brown people, and the hope that we all carry in our hearts. You’re with him, in that moment, connected to the whole world. The joy, hope, and pain.

“Love Yourz”-J. Cole For what's money without happiness? Or hard times without the people you love Though I'm not sure what's 'bout to happen next I asked for strength from the Lord up above Cause I've been strong so far But I can feel my grip loosening Quick, do something before you lose it for good Get it back and use it for good And touch the people how you did like before In a crowd of 10,000 people yelling out the lyrics that carry these messages, I intuitively know that destiny is on my side.

10,000 souls packed in Crown Coliseum. 10,000 mothers, daughter, fathers, singers, dancers, writers, future doctors, college students, parents, natives to Fayetteville, southerners, northerners. All citizens of Dream Ville.

People from all over with great aspirations, and different backgrounds.

Under one roof chanting in unison. Celebrating being alive. All as one.