('22)Writing Portfolio by Arabhis Nicholson: "The New Era"

Article Originally Shared Here: https://iridescentwomen.com/2020/02/13/10 black women inspire/

10TrailblazingBlackWomenWhoInspire

First, Happy Black History Month! Second, let’s celebrate the cross generational leading women who demonstrate what it means to be a rebel, a pioneer, and a representation of defiant womanhood. The Black women listed below will inspire you to not only take risks, but to also express your most audacious and authentic nature.

She was dubbed the “high priestess of soul” for not only bringing remarkable passion and grit to the genre, but for reinventing the ideals of activism Ms Simone used her platform to reach millions and to encourage her listeners to love themselves and embrace their Black culture For more than four decades, she captured the hearts and minds of people everywhere Her innate gift to instantly connect to a crowd of strangers was, and still is, untouchable Her lyrics of being “Young, Gifted and Black” will live on in the next generation

Whitney Houston: Dreaming Is for Winners

The legendary, the iconic, the magnificent. Whitney Houston’s voice and prominence will go down in history. Her “Star Spangled Banner” halftime performance is still untouchable to this day. In the 90s, Ms. Houston mesmerized audiences as the Fairy God mother in ABC’s 1997 Cinderella. This was the first portrayal of an African American Cinderella that not only showed that all girls can be princesses, but also allowed audiences to witness a beautifully diverse cast that reflects various

ethnicities The late Ms Houston made the impossible possible and let the world know that dreams do come true

Mo’ne Davis: From Little League to the World Stage

The ESPY Award Winning Mo’ne Davis made history by becoming the first African American girl to pitch in the Little League World Series, and the first girl to throw a shutout and win a game. At 14 years old, her childhood was officially over, and her career as a historic figure in baseball history began. She has become a role model for young female athletes across the world. Her life as a star athlete has just begun as she prepares for her time at a prestigious historically Black university in Virginia: Hampton University. As one of Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Teens of 2014, Davis is well on her way to making more waves and creating a lasting legacy for young women of color everywhere

Sojourner Truth:

She Who Gave Voice to the Voiceless

In 1851, a slim framed woman with dark skin and an intense glare asked attendees of the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention, “Ain’t I a woman”? In her famous speech on racial inequalities, she listed all of the courageous qualities of womanhood and the plight that women endured in the face of discrimination. Sojourner Truth was the voice of all women, but especially of Black women who feared raising their voice and taking up space in a white male dominated society. “Ain’t I a woman?” challenged the idea that women were meek and nimble creatures that weren’t capable of intellectual prowess. Among the ranks of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, Truth spoke at large arenas and drew crowds to hear her speak on human rights and the abolishment of slavery. She had an outstanding political career; during the Civil War she recruited Black troops to the Union Army, and she was

later invited to the White House to meet with President Abraham Lincoln to share her beliefs and experiences She was a woman of undeniable courage and tenacity May her words penetrate the spirit of the next generation so they be change makers of their own communities

Aretha Franklin:

Timeless and Transcendent Artistry at Its Best

They don’t call her the Queen of Soul for nothing! She has won multiple Grammy awards and performed her hits such as “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “Respect” across the seas. As an A list performer in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ‘s funeral ceremony in 1968, this queen did justice to the Civil Rights Movement icon by singing “Precious Lord.” She is the first Black woman to be inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, and she has left this world with a soulful and spiritual rhythm to take us into the next millennium. She brought a sound that is timeless, and made rock and soul marry beautifully over a classic melody. All hail the Queen.

Beyonce: Beychella Brings HBCU’s to the Mainstage

Before shutting down Beychella, Ms. Knowles was the lead vocalist in the trio Destiny’s Child. Throughout her career, she has taken on star studded cinematic roles and branched out into her own as a solo songstress. In 2018, this “Queen B” brought HBCU culture to the Coachella stage and defiantly demonstrated the beauty, majesty, and diversity of Black culture. As the first Black woman to headline Coachella in history, Beyonce had the entire crowd in awe of the harrowing trumpets that became an anthem for Black pride.

Sheila Minor:

The ‘Hidden Figure’ Scientist You Should Know

Recently, a tribe of modern archaeologists of the Twitterverse helped to unearth the identity of an unlisted woman in a photograph taken during a scientific conference Her name is Mrs Sheila M Jones, and she was a biological research technician whose career spanned for 35 long years of diligent work ethic and unwavering passion towards her project Candace Jean Andersen came across this mysterious woman in a picture taken in 1972 at a scientific conference, and a few weeks afterward she took it to twitter to help her solve the mystery From 1972 to 1975, Minor worked for the federal government and conducted a two-island research study of mammals which she presented at the scientific conference for the American Society of Mammalogists. During this time, she also worked with K-12 schools to drastically improve science education. Her work has had a lasting impact on education and the science world for decades. Her recent Twitter fame and recognition are well-deserved.

Rihanna: The Future of Fashion is Female and Black

Having launched a body positive line of intimate apparel along with a portfolio of brand collaborations from Armani, River Island

(British), MAC, Dior, and Puma, Rihanna has taken the fashion industry by storm Earlier in her career, many saw her as a cute island girl, but little did they know that she had a grand vision for her life During the first half of her career, she experimented with various looks and turned her pain into power through music and a change in wardrobe To solidify her throne in the fashion world, Ms Rihanna Fenty, who is now a giant in the fashion industry, has become the first Black woman to lead an inhouse brand under LVMH, and the first woman period to create an original brand for this company She is living proof that anyone can triumph over hardships by aligning their passion, opportunities, and creative gifts to achieve great success in life.

Madame CJ Walker: A Vintage Mogul & Hair-Care Pioneer

We cannot mention Black woman entrepreneurs without bringing this ultimate trailblazing queen into the conversation The stars were aligned for Madame CJ Walker, who was one of the first women to become a self made millionaire She was born a free woman and had the rare opportunity of attending night school, where the sights for her life were set much higher She struck gold when she turned her story of hair loss into fortune by manufacturing her own hair care line and assembling her own team of beauticians to sell her products Once she met her second husband, who happened to be in advertising, she was in the winner circle where she worked with him to market and sell her products. Ms. Walker set the standard for female entrepreneurs during her time, and still today she represents so many women who have their hearts set on becoming their own bosses.

Simone Biles: The Gen-X Star Athlete

As the most celebrated and decorated American gymnast, she has more than two dozen Olympic and World Championship medals. In 2015, the young prodigy led the “Final Five” U.S. Olympics Women’s gymnastics team to victory and has since come out on top as a high profile athlete. Years before being a gold medalist,

during a daycare field trip, she was discovered as having natural abilities, and was soon recruited to train with Coach Ronnie Fast forward to 2019: As a young adult, she has recently won a record six national all around titles, and later that same year won her 25th World Championship medal She was born to thrive and exceed her wildest dreams through competitive athleticism As a young woman, she stands as a shining beacon to all girls who strive to be great in their respective talents, and she’s only just getting started

ThisWinter?Try TheseProducts…

byArabhis Nicholson

DECEMBER 22, 2019

I don’t know about you, but my skin needs EXTRA moisture in the winter months. During this time of year, our skin and bodies adjust to the change in weather conditions, which may mean using products that give you silky soft skin that lasts the entire day It’s crucial to be aware of how the dry air of winter and fall may affect the health of your skin After all, your skin is your largest living organ. Here are some tips for evaluating the health of your skin and choosing the right products to get the results you want!

Self Eval: Common Causes of Dry Skin

Ask yourself these Questions…

● Dehydration: Are you getting your 8 glasses of water per day?

● Not using preventative moisturizing products: How well do your products work?

● Extreme cold weather: Are you sufficiently bundled up for the harsh cold air?

● Frequently taking long hot showers: How long do you spend in the shower under high pressure hot water?

● Lotions containing alcohol: What’s in your products?

● Heavy use of detergents in clothes: Are you measuring the detergent accurately when you wash?

Ways to Moisturize

A Body butters are a heavier, more moisture rich approach to dry skin Body butter consists of whipped butter that can either come from shea, avocado, or cocoa Body butters also have vitamin rich oils added to absorb into the skin and provide deep and long lasting moisture.

B Lotions provide light moisture and easily absorb into the skin due to water content Most lotion recipes usually contain a huge percentage of water, emulsifying wax, stearic acid, oil and butter Lotion is better for summer and spring months to provide lighter moisture

C Oils are vitamin rich and provide one level of moisture to the skin, but depending on the type of oil, you may need a butter to allow your skin to fully absorb the oil itself.

Home Remedies: D.I.Y. or Buy?

Find body butters with vitamin rich oils from the products listed below, or make your own concoction at home:

● Sunflower Seed Oils contain Vitamin E and Vitamin K

● Aloe Vera gels and moisturizers consists of 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids It contains vitamins A (beta carotene), C and E, which are antioxidants. It also contains vitamin B12, folic acid, and choline.

● Coconut oil has vitamin E

● Honey contains vitamins such as ascorbic acid, pantothenic acid, niacin and riboflavin

Brands to Try This Winter…

Burt’s Bees Body Oils, Nature’s Brand: Organic Hand & Body Lotion, Mocha Whip: Body Butter

Make it a self-care routine and have a nice bubble bath with some luxurious oils Or just lather up with some delicious body butters. These are just the tip of the iceberg. Regardless of how you choose to moisturize, take note of your skin’s natural inclination towards moisture, and choose the right method for you

Yourselfona Budget

by Arabhis Nicholson ● FEBRUARY 24, 2020 ● 3 MIN READ

Some days we may need a few moments, or even hours, of “Ohmmmm.” Unfortunately, our bank accounts laugh at the slightest thought of booking a 30 minute Jujitsu body massage at a posh spa But no worries, I’m here to help you get the last laugh by enjoying some “me time,” regardless of how tight your budget is

First things first, download Groupon NOW: Groupon posts weekly deals from local spas, boutiques, movie theaters, and has almost any activity you can think of So take advantage! When I moved, a friend from college came up from our hometown to visit We went wine tasting, went to this fancy movie theater that brought food to your seat, and we had a low cost picnic near the water in a beautiful park We saved hundreds because of Groupon, and we felt like royalty Don’t want to go to the spa in the cold?

Ransack your local pharmacy or department store for face masks, bath bombs, and a scented candle Go home, stay cozy, and save money

So you could go out into the freezing cold this winter, trudge through mountains of snow, and spend $40 on a movie ticket, popcorn, and a super delux drink that will make you miss half the freakin’ movie because you are peeing every 5 seconds

Or you can stay home in your cozy bed, rent a movie online for under $7 on a streaming platform (listed below), enjoy freshly popped popcorn, and your own deluxe drink, all with the convenience of pausing the movie to run to the bathroom when needed Check these websites out: https://wwwvuducom: Movies starting at $3, https://wwwwatchvuducom/free/: Free, Crackle: Free, Amazon Video: Movies for $4!

Treat yourself to a warm $2 latte at Dunkin Donuts.

After 2pm, medium sized lattes are only TWO BUCKS! They have delicious fall flavors that will keep you warm, and it’s guilt free because you’re not spending an arm and a leg The other day, when I was off from work, I tried their Toasted Gingerbread Latte which was amazing! They also have Merry Mocha Mint, Holiday Eggnog, and Frosted White Chocolate

Get lost in a bookstore!

You can visit your local bookstore and browse their selection for hours, which is free Or if you have a Barnes & Noble in your area, they usually have comfortable seats, treats at the cafe, and books you can read without purchasing Also, if you are willing to pay $25 a year at B&N, you can get discounts on books and cafe items

Did you know Sephora offers free make up classes?

Seriously Click here to view their upcoming classes in your area: https://wwwsephoracom/happening/home

Have you been looking for adventure but don’t want to break the bank trying to camp under the beautiful night sky with the sound of ravenous wolves to soothe you to sleep?

Go on a scavenger hunt across your city. Click here to start: https://www.geocaching.com/play

It’s time to listen to that annoying voice in your head that says, “Treat yo’ self!” But let’s do it in an economically conscious way After all, rent is due every month

A writer, speaker, and champion for ALL women, Arabhis J is a dynamic professional who brings innovation into every room she enters Having worked at mission driven organizations in both administrative and content development capacities, her strategic approach to her work is both intentional and universal She serves as a voice for women who have been silenced and ridiculed, and she aims to represent womanhood in a way that sparks conversation and ignites purpose

BELOW IS AN EMAIL NEWSLETTER COPY FOR GRACE INSTITUTE (Previous role)

Career Opportunities from Grace! 2021 is still your year!

Opening Letter: Hello amazing woman,

I know what you're thinking yes we know It’s been too long since we’ve seen your faces full of hope for future opportunities We wanted to touch base with our OG Grace Alumni to see how you’re doing during this pandemic, in this new year, and having moved on from Grace You are probably well into our career journey by now, past all the morning seminars, workshops, mock interviews, and internships.

It’s time to make some major moves this year. We are diving head first in this new year with a fresh perspective on the job search In this newsletter we have jam packed lots of advice, strategies, and tools to get your blood racing

The Grace team wants you to know that you have not been forgotten, but since we trust your sense of independence, we know that you have found success in your own right. But we also know that it takes a village to uplift a community of women like yourselves. Whether you have secured employment since leaving Grace or you’re still looking, this newsletter is for you!

Take your career to the next level and stay tuned for more content coming straight to your inbox Until then, make your way through this newsletter, and we'll see you soon

Arabhis

Alumnae Career Strategist / Creator

Career Resources:

Free workbook to fight imposter syndrome: https://www.carolineouwerkerk.com/freeresources

Make a statement!Aguide to perfecting the way you sell yourself to recruiters: https://www.womenontopp.com/an-ultimate-guide-to-write-a-standout-career-summary/

Ummm, excuse me, I have value! Read this incredible insight into narratives to throw away in 2021: https://www.womenontopp.com/office-quicksand-four-narratives-that-sink-your-career/

Acknowledgement: Happy Black History Month! In honor of this month Grace Institute wants to send over some good reads and resources on the black experience

Good reads: https://theeverygirl.com/im-a-black-woman-and-i-dont-know-how-to-celebrate-my-accomplis hments/

https://theeverygirl com/ways to be an advocate for women of color in the workplace/ https://www.oprahmag.com/black history month/

Learn about black history virtually!

Quick overview: https://www youtube com/watch?v=xdxq0PAE M0

Deeper look at the intricacies of this historical month: https://www youtube com/watch?v=zUDA5NLnGYY

Upcoming Grace Events:

Closing Inspiration: We missed our OG Alumnae! Welcome back, and stay tuned for more goodies next month.