Winter Edition 2023 BGDB

BROWN GIRLS DO BUSINESS W I N T E R

E D I T I O N

Season of Hope

LIFESTYLE

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

OUR POLITICAL VOICE

OUR TIME : BLACK WOMEN IN POLITICS We had hope and faith, then we ran and won! You have heard that Black Women are in the lead; well that resonates in politics! Black women’s seats at the table proves a Record Number of Black Women Run Some of the Biggest U.S. Cities, mainly because we as Black Voters exercised our power by pulling up a chair to those tables. We demand to shift the low tides As of January 2023, a total of 2,003 persons have served in the senate (including those currently serving).Of the 2,003 people who have served in the US Senate, only two have been Black women. The 2024 election may add at least one more. With these staggering low numbers, you are probably assuming what most of us are; the assumption is that without being born into a political family the odds are impossible however The Constitution sets three qualifications for service in the U.S. Senate: the first being age one must be at least thirty years of age, This one I will never forget because even a former president accused the 44th President the honorable Barak Obama of not being a U.S. citizen. The second qualification is that citizenship must be held for at least nine years, and thirdly residency in the state a senator represents at the time of election. The details of these qualifications were hammered out by the Constitution's framers during the Constitutional Convention since its inception in 1787.

Black women achieved a historic milestone as mayors of eight major American cities this year. Political analysts say the record number points to “the age of Black women in politics”. For decades, there were no more than two or three Black female mayors serving at the same time. That number only began to shift six years ago, rising to four in 2015, seven in 2018 and eight this year. And even as more Black women have won Mayoral Races across the country, We honor Queen Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968. Today, a record 28 Black women are serving as voting members, plus two non-voting delegates, all of them Democrats. even more of an acceleration over the next decade at the congressional level as more seats become open for reasons varying from retirement to redistricting.

One third of America’s top cities are governed by African Americans, 8 of those mayors being women. Among the best known are Lori Lightfoot of Chicago, London Breed of San Francisco, Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta, and Muriel Bowser of Washington DC. The first black woman mayor of a large US city was Jessie Rattley, who was elected Mayor of Newport News (Virginia) in 1986. She served four years. I am a firm believer that opposition isn't just natural it's supernatural! I'm affirmed in that belief because I've had the opportunity to watch in happen from my own back yard. Let me introduce to you LaDaena D. Thomas. LaDaena D. Thomas was re-elected as a write-in candidate after serving a full term then being tossed from the ballot as an Independent. A state appellate court rejected Thomas’ appeal: they said she could have attended the court hearing, even though she was undergoing heart surgery at the time. This November Election showed forth the power of a people united in vote and prayer! Let's continue to keep these women in our prayers!

Quarterly magazine SHOWCASING Community Leaders| 2

BGDB Winter Issue OUR POLITICAL VOICE: BLACK WOMEN FOR THE WIN PAGE 2

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH STYLE PAGE 5 with Stylist and Columnist Asha S. Farley AGELESS LIVING: OVER 50 YEARS OLD AND STILL GLOWING PAGE 7

BGDB COLUMNISTS The Foodie by Francina Best Page 10 Dollars and Sense by Carmen Bernard Pages 11 and 12 The King’s Table by Eric CROW Draven Page 14 b Health News Nurse Practitioner Wendy Walker-Pinnock Page 17

SPIRITUAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP New Year Newer You Page 16

y a d i l o H m r a W s g n i s s e Bl

THEY WERE HERE FIRST: THE TRUTH BEHIND THANKSGIVING PAGE: 8 Marketplace Wisdom page 18

Quarterly Magazine SHOWCASING Community Leaders | 4

Editor’s Note Blessings,

Lady Farley-Draven

Editor-in-Chief

My name is Lady Abiké-Mineuittie Farley-Draven.

Welcome to The Brown Girls Do(ing) Business Publication. I am excited to share with you a World of entrepreneurship: owned, birthed and managed by extraordinary African-American Small Business Owners.

As a Black Owned Publication our goal is to disseminate relevant and pertinent information to our communities. Our publications reflect our values and passions. Our culture is more than the passing of time for entertainment purposes; it’s how we celebrate each other’s wins and give voice to our truths. I am honored to present this publication that features us in ways that you’re guaranteed to be proud of without costing us dignity or respect of Faith.

Be Blessed Always, Abiké Mineuittie

Follow me at instagram.com/fashunfamous for Fashion, Food and Culture For a Style Consultation Message me

Step into the room like it's a catwalk." — Lady Gaga, 'Fashion' THE STYLE SECTION

I’m guilty of spending weeks on end planning the PERFECT NYE Outfit. I mean these pictures will be memorialized by this beast called the Internet. Realistically trying to figure out what to wear on New Year's Eve is exhausting, so I’m here as your fashion bestie to help you take the guesswork out of the equation. Trust my 3 solid tips and walk into the New Year like a Boss!

PRO TIP #1 COLOR It’s all about choosing. Color that evokes celebration mode. For me that color is red. I wear red every year traditionally on my Birthday, it makes me feel powerful.

What better color to send the old year out in?! Now, your color could be green or white. The principal remains the same choose the color that gives you the most confidence, so that even if you showed up in a red paper bag- you’re going to feel like the winner that you are!

PRO TIP #2 SHINE silver and diamonds can glitzy up even an old dress. You can shine from your head to your toes, like a human disco ball. Go for it but don’t spend a fortune because girl, it’s a New Year and we are saving our coins! Not to mention that in a crowded room it all shines the same.

PRO TIP #3 CROWN-UP a good Do makes everyone feel like a million bucks! In this picture I’m rocking a high pony that directs your eyes to my feetwhich are Comfy yet strappy pumps that make me feel festive and able to dance the night away without pain, because there is nothing cute about catching a cab in your bare blistering feet because you can’t take another step in your uncomfortable shoes.

If these tips have helped you reach for your desired holiday attire look, let me know. No matter what you choose go into 2024 and don't look back — unless you want to, of course.

Quarterly magazine SHOWCASING Community Leaders | 5

FAMILY PHOTO ALBUM

Meet Siblings Christine McCary,Terrell Best , Verna Best and Francina Best

Meet the White-George family Jamael George, Natasha White and 7 month old Enzo George

Quarterly magazines SHOWCASING Community Leaders | 6

From the files of a Fashionista: Asha and mommy

Quarterly magazine SHOWCASING Community Leaders | 7

AGELESS LIVING How do we experience healthy aging?

There are a plethora of factors that can affect our ability to manage aging.

What proves to be most effective is taking care of your physical, mental, and cognitive health for healthy aging. You can begin now with small changes in your daily life to help you live longer and better. In general, you can support your physical health by staying active, eating and sleeping well, and going to the doctor regularly. No need to wait for troubles to appear! Prevention is always the best remedy.

When I turned 50 a few years ago, I realised that my second chapter had started. I don’t know what I was expecting but I never expected to age; even after turning fifty. My life suddenly transformed shortly after my 50th birthday when I had to pivoted into retirement after a brain injury and then I had to reinvented myself professionally. Spending 4 Months in the hospital , I learned quickly all of the beautiful realities associated with aging; number 1 being the fact that not everyone get the opportunity to do so.

Life changes are challenging one would imagined; but find the joy in living and work hard towards living well. Take long walks, do the things that you live, pass on wisdom, drink plenty of water and laugh hard!

Here First

There are always two sides to a story.

Unfortunately, only one of them will be the truth. When observing the history of Thanksgiving, it is vital to remember the culture and the legacy of the true Americans; the Natives whom we call Indians.

As an African American, I understand the miseducation around the one-sided history in homes and schools.

The dominant cultural and historical story has been told from the perspective of the European colonialists who landed near Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts in 1620, We sing about this in schools even today I remember being a child in the 70s and seeing a commercial with a Native American man on a horse crying at the Earth. They told us that he was crying because of pollution. I know that he was crying because the settlers had killed his people and stole the land.. In this version of the Thanksgiving story, the holiday commemorates the peaceful, friendly meeting of English settlers and the Wampanoag tribe for three days of feasting and Thanksgiving in 1621.

Every year the monetized version of Thanksgiving Day waters down the “Thankfulness” we should be sharing with our familie.

There is little coverage of the fact that November is Native American Heritage Month or that the day after Thanksgiving, known to most as Black Friday is Native American History Day. In truth Thanksgiving is a day of mourning and protest since it commemorates the arrival of settlers in North America and the centuries of oppression and genocide that followed.

Quarterly magazine SHOWCASING Community Leaders | 8

EDITORIAL

STYLIST: ASHA FARLEY

Quarterly magazine SHOWCASING Community Leaders | 9

We are in favorite time of the year my month which is November my holiday my birthday!! Yall didn’t come to read about me, however Happy Birthday to me!! Now let me feed you! Topic of discussion is Cornbread

Oh Stuff it!

Relax, they don’t Call it stuffing for nothing!If you place it inside the turkey it’s stuffing, now if you lay it in a nice dish or platter to dress the table it’s called dressing. Either way who doesn’t like stuffing?? There is variety of stuffing such as white loft bread, chicken, turkey, cranberry, cornbread etc…. Let’s get into the recipe: 1 stick unsalted butter, melted, cooled, plus more, softened, for pan 2 cup all-purpose flour 2 cup cornmeal 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 tbsp. baking powder 1 tsp. kosher salt 4 large eggs, room temperature 1/4 c. whole milk

STUFFING 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, divided, plus more, softened, for pan 1 white finely chopped onion 3 stalks celery, thinly sliced 2 tsp. kosher salt, divided 2 tsp. Black pepper 2 tsp garlic powder 1/4 cup sage 2 tbsp. finely chopped thyme 4 large eggs, temperature 2 c. low-sodium chicken stock

CORNBREAD a. Step 1Place a rack in center of oven; preheat to 400°. Grease a 13" x 9" baking dish with butter. b. Step 2In a medium bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, whisk eggs until blended. Whisk in creamed corn, milk, and melted butter. Fold in dry ingredients with a rubber spatula just until combined. Pour egg mixture into prepared dish. c. Step 3Bake cornbread until golden brown around the edges and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 30 minutes in pan. d. Step 4Cut cornbread into pieces. Using a flexible spatula, lift pieces out of pan and transfer to a wire rack. Let cool completely. e. Step 5Make Ahead: Cornbread can be made 1 day ahead. After cooling, cut into cubes and spread between 2 baking sheets. Let sit, uncovered, at room temperature overnight.

STUFFING a. Step 1Preheat oven to 375° and grease a 13" x 9" baking dish with butter. b. Step 2In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 stick butter. Add onion, celery, and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and onion is sweet to the taste, 7 to 9 minutes. Add sage, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, poultry seasoning, and thyme, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in remaining 1 stick butter until melted. c. Step 3In a large glass measuring cup, whisk eggs until blended. Add stock and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and whisk until combined. d. Step 4In a large bowl, combine cornbread and onion mixture and toss to combine. Drizzle egg mixture over and gently toss until combined. Transfer mixture to prepared dish. e. Step 5Bake stuffing until golden brown and crispy on top and heated through, 30 to 35 minutes.

ys a d i ol H y p Hap

Our Dollars and Sense

LEGACY BUILDING WHILE LIVING Carmen K. Bernard Wealth Strategist & Independent Insurance Broker

The Gift of Life Insurance : Elevating Financial Planning for the Future Life insurance is like a secret treasure chest. When someone has life insurance, it means they've planned ahead so that when they're not around anymore, their family receives the booty. This bag helps the family keep going without worrying too much about bills or expenses. That is a gift?

And the best part? This money doesn't have to pay taxes, so you get the full amount! Let's delve into the nuanced advantages that make life insurance a pivotal component of comprehensive financial planning.

Passing on Wealth to Future Generations: Life insurance serves as a powerful wealth transfer mechanism. The death benefit, a hallmark and arguably the most important feature of life insurance, ensures a tax-free transfer of assets to beneficiaries. This not only facilitates the seamless transition of wealth to the next generation but also mitigates the impact of taxation, allowing for a more substantial legacy to be passed on.

Investing for a loved one: The concept of life insurance expands beyond personal security; it can be a thoughtful and impactful gift for others. Whether it is for a parent, child, grandchild, or any other family member, friend, or loved one, securing life insurance coverage for someone else is an expression of care and foresight.

Charitable Giving: Life insurance opens up unique avenues for philanthropy. By designating a charitable organization as the policy beneficiary, individuals can contribute to a cause close to their hearts. The tax-free nature of the death benefit ensures that the impact of the contribution is maximized, allowing for a meaningful legacy in support of charitable endeavors.

Tax-Free Benefits: Beyond its fundamental role as a financial safety net, life insurance presents notable tax benefits. The death benefit, exempt from income tax, stands as a significant advantage. Additionally, the tax-deferred status of cash value growth within certain policies provides a strategic edge in optimizing longterm financial goals while maintaining tax efficiency.

In essence, life insurance emerges as more than just a financial tool it is a strategic instrument that shapes legacies, optimizes financial landscapes, and ensures a meaningful impact on both personal and communal levels.

From safeguarding wealth for future generations to supporting charitable causes, the gift of life insurance encapsulates a forward-thinking approach to financial planning that extends well into the future.

BGDB Quarterly magazine SHOWCASING Community Leaders| 11

Are you 100% sure you're going to have a great retirement or do you have some doubt?

What if I could show you how to get out of debt in 9 years or less, including your mortgage, without out spending any additional money...would you want to more?

Watch video for more information https://vimeo.com/254012451

BGDB Quarterly magazine SHOWCASING Community Leaders| 12

AT THE KING’S TABLE TIME IS WEALTH

When we think of time we think in linear measurement of hours, minutes, and seconds. While others think about the past, the present, and the future. Some look back on what we doing this time last year.

Without fail it is almost impossible not to think of what one will be doing this time next year.

I once heard a story about man and his two pets. One of his pets he loved and provided endless attention.

He made sure the pet never missed a meal. He spoke to the pet and spent his free time with the pet. He sways had something amazing to say about this pet and greeted the pet with joy and a smile on his face.There were times, despite his own rules. He'd allowed the pet to crawl into the bed and read by the moonlight until they slept next to each other.

While the other pet he avoided. He did not feed it well nor enough. When he spoke to the other pet, it was always with negativity and hostility. The other pet stays in trouble or creates problems with the neighbors.

The pet craved his attention and would attack anyone who got to close the man. This act of jealousy went on for years. The pets were kept separated to maintaine manipulation by the owner and to ensure that they would never attack each other.

One day, that man became a grandfather and spoke with love and disappointment about they way he treated two favorite companiions over the years. He said the pet he nurtured, loved him unconditionally.

The pet he neglected protected him with his life, eager to prove he belonged in the house and not in the yard.

One day, his grandchild said, "PaPa, which one of your pets lived the longest?" Grandfather said,"the one I feed the most. " Time is the ultimate measurement of wealth. What are you feeding your life? What are you feeding it with?

May you spend the rest of your life feeding your greatest desires Good and healthy substance.May you find scriptures, mentors, and advocates that align with your drive. May you wake up well-feed, motivated, and financially secure based on the time you've invested into building yourself up instead of the time you wasted being someone's neglected pet.

- Eric Crow Draven King at the King’s Table

BGDB Quarterly magazine SHOWCASING Community Leaders| 14

A new year is here, a time to sigh . . . and wish the old one a fond good bye.

A time to put, the past behind for the new one God has designed.

A New Year has come, a fresh new start . . . one to receive with an open heart.

A time for God, to reveal to us why this one to Him we must trust.

A new year is here, a time to sing . . . for all the wisdom God will bring!

A New Year's Plan I tried to think of a clever new phrase— A slogan to inspire the next 365 days, A motto to live by this coming New Year, But the catchy words fell flat to my ear.

And then I heard His still small voice Saying, "Consider this simple, daily choice: With each new dawn and close of day Make new your resolve to trust and obey."

"Don't look back, caught in regret Or dwell on the sorrow of dreams unmet; Don't stare forward anchored by fear, No, live in this moment, for I Am here."

"I am all you need. Everything. I Am. You are held secure by my strong hand.

Give me this one thing—your all in all; Into my grace, let yourself fall."

So, at last, I'm ready; I see the way.

It's to daily follow, trust, and obey.

I enter the New Year armed with a plan, To give Him my everything—all that I am.

--Mary Fairchild

~~~~~ Psalm 98:1

BGDB Quarterly magazine SHOWCASING Community Leaders| 15

SPIRITUAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP New Year Newer You As a believer, I’m prone to believe that we have the ability to renew our minds, bodies and spirits! Renewing our minds and lives isn’t an easy task because it takes a lot of looking over our flaws and shortcoming. I’ve designed a short list for you to begin taking practical steps towards a Newer You! Above all of the items below, remember that you are a product of God’s Love and Grace. It’s who you are at your core; that ought to set you on fire with renewed love of life and self.

I pray that these 10 practical steps help you to live more fully and healthily lifestyle all the year long.

1. Don’t take life so personally: good and bad it’s happening to us all.

2. FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE Especially yourself! Your soul will than you!

3. Practice an attitude of gratitude. It will take you far!

4. Stop looking back. Regret gives you gray hairs.

5. Commit to becoming healthier with a physically fit routine.

6. Your body is a temple- what you put in it edifies or defiles it.

7. Make quality sleep a priority. You can prevent Stress and disease.

8. Plan to strengthen valuable relationships.

9. Look for ways to pay it forward! You’re blessed to be a blessing.

10. Make learning a life-long practice.

Quarterly Magazine SHOWCASING Community Leaders | 16

IN HEALTH NEWS By:Adult Nurse Practitioner Wendy Walker-Pinnock

Influenza vaccines, often called “flu shots”, are vaccines that protect against the influenza virus. Most modern flu vaccines are referred to as quadrivalent as they inoculate against the four main strains of the influenza virus that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming flu season.Most flu vaccines are administered via needle (flu shot), usually in the arm, but now a nasal spray flu vaccine is also available. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends that everyone 6 months and older in the United States gets each flu season with rare exceptions. The efficacy of the flu vaccine varies from season to season and depends in part on the age and health status of the person receiving the vaccine and the similarity between the viruses in the vaccine and those in circulation.

Flu vaccines prevent millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor’s visits each year.

During 2019-2020 flu season, flu vaccinations prevented an estimated 7.5 million influenza illnesses, 3.7 million influenza-associated medical visits, 105,000 influenzaassociated hospitalizations, and 6,300 influenza-associated deaths. Annual flu vaccinations reduced children’s risk of severe life-threatening influenza by 75% and a 2020 study found that during the 2018-2019 flu season, flu vaccination reduced flurelated hospitalization by 41% and flu-related emergency department visits by half among children (aged 6 months to 17 years old).

Common side effects from a flu shot include soreness, redness, and/or swelling at injection site, headache (low grade), fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue. The flu shot, like other injections, can occasionally cause fainting. Getting vaccinated does not guarantee you will not contract the flu, but studies have shown that among adults hospitalized with flu, vaccinated patients had a 26% lower risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and a 31% lower risk of death from flu compared with those who were unvaccinated. Therefore, it is vitally important to get your yearly flu shots..

QUARTERLY MAGAZINE SHOWCASING COMMUNITY LEADERS | 17

Market Place Wisdom for 2023 Welcome to the world of entrepreneurship! I fully believe that entrepreneurship is a calling that is not just tangible in nature, but inherently a Spiritual calling. The reason we are faced with many natural and spiritual opposition and challenges is because of the spiritual nature of entrepreneurship.

You can agree that it has taken us, generations and generations, as a nation of people to be able to obtain the right to have economical wealth. The reason being that your legacy and your financial power is dependent upon your ability to move financially free in a world where gain is set up for a select few. living in a world where we are under racial and discriminatory injustice. It is not hard to believe that we would also face those same injustice when trying to obtain business loans, personal loans, and any type of gran.

Oklahoma City and the truth of Black Wall Street is not just history; but the real story for many persons of color in current America. It matters a great deal, then, that White Americans hold 84 percent of total U.S. wealth but make up only 60 percent of the population—while Black Americans hold 4 percent of the wealth and make up 13 percent of the population.

Is there anything that we can do as a Nation of People?

The very first thing we need to do is to be a collective in our communities. We need to have our own banks set up our own lenders and have our own real estate developers. It’s why I believe so much in networking and networking with people like myself, people who look like me, people who know what I am trying to achieve, people who know the red tape that I am trying to cut through. It will take all of us recognizing who we are, and not looking to the celebrities and the celebrity brands, who have built their fortunes off of our backs in dollars without any respect and return.

LAST PRINT