May 2019 Issue

MAGAZINE

BRONZE may 2019

BEAUTY Q&A: SKINCARE ESSENTIALS FOR WOC

BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM

OFFICERS’ WIVES ON LOVE BEHIND THE BLUE LINE MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

STYLIST & DESIGNER SHATAVA LINDSEY MAKES GIRLS PROM DREAMS COME TRUE

LAVENE GASS EMPOWERS OThERS TO BE FREE & FEARLESS

JAYELL ALEXANDER CEO OF

m o m Happy Mother’s Day Beautiful!

Bronze Magazine celebrates, empowers and inspires!

If you would like to share your own personal inspirational journey or good deeds in the community (or your industry) with our digital issue readers, then please submit your interest to: editor@bronzemagonline.com Your email should include the following: •A brief bio about you and a history of your brand/company (may include any press releases, media kits, website info, model tear sheet, etc.)

•How you (company and/or brand) pay it forward by empowering and inspiring others to be their best.

•Why you feel Bronze readers will want to know about you.

•Your contact info (email, phone, etc.)

Where to find us

BRONZE MAGAZINE

MAY 2019 Editor’s Note Wishing you an early happy Mother’s Day Bronze Beauties! May your upcoming special day be as beautiful as you. For those of you who are like me, unable to celebrate with mom because she’s no longer here, I send you a huge embrace. I know it can be hard, but try to hang in there by holding on to the love and warmth she has within your heart.

Cover Credits:

Photographer: R. Thomas Jackson Photography

FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shawn Stuldivant CO-OWNER Barry Stuldivant GRAPHIC DESIGNER Casey Blackman EDITOR/PROOFREADER Katrina Sivels WRITERS Jaukia McConeyhead Patrice Rivers Shawn Stuldivant Kiara Timo Makeda White

Speaking of the heart, our beautiful cover star this month wants you to have a healthy one. JayEll Alexander, the new CEO of Black Girls Run! Is on a mission to help African American women get fit and healthy by getting them to start running. The VA native acquired the national organization last year and plans to continue its initiatives on growth and support of its local communities and members. BGR! is well loved and respected in the African American community, and our exclusive interview with JayEll will inspire you to take positive action about your health.

Make sure you check it out!

Our other articles and features are amazing as well, so make sure you don’t miss out on the inspiration this issue brings. I’ll take this time to also wish you all a very happy Memorial Day holiday at the end of this month, and I look forward to seeing you all again in June for our special beauty issue! Happy reading!

xoxo, n Shaw nt a v i d Stul

CONTENTS

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Feature: Stylist & Designer Shatava Lindsey

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Feature: Officers Wives & Love Behind the Blue Line

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Cover Star: BLACK GIRLS RUN CEO JAYELL ALEXANDER Photo Credit: R. Thomas Jackson Photography

20 Beauty: Skincare Essentials for Women of Color

22 Feature: Media Entrepreneur & Motivational Speaker Lavene Gass

Shatava Lindsey 8

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Fairytales Do Exist: Shatava Lindsey is a Fashion Godmother

By Makeda White

Every girl wants a Cinderella prom: the ball, the carriage, the handsome prince. Now ladies, choosing the right prince is up to you. But this fashion godmother can help you find the right dress.

Stylist, designer, boutique owner, and proud HBCU graduate Shatava Lindsey strives to encourage women of all sizes to love and accept their shape. Her clothing line, Ourglass, has been featured in New York Fashion Week twice.

Currently, she is running a dress drive for girls to help relieve some of the financial burdens of prom.

Interview highlights: Bronze magazine: As a curvy woman, I remember how hard it was to go prom dress shopping. It was so stressful. What are some ways your dress drive is taking this stress away from these young girls?

Just being able to collect dresses of all sizes. I stress when I talk about this, I’m looking for dresses of all sizes from small to plus size and I’m so happy about the response that I have been given, especially with plus size dresses. The biggest thing for a lot of plus size women and girls is they have a hard time finding dresses. You may go to a Dillard’s or a Macy’s and they have all the little cute dresses for smaller sizes but it’s different when it comes to plus size. I don’t think it should be that way and I know there are a lot of other girls who had that issue. It’s those ladies who are the ones donating their old dresses because they understand what that felt like.

Bronze Magazine: With the dresses that are being donated, are there options to get them tailored or resized through your organization?

Bronze Magazine: Confidence is the best accessory to any outfit. What is some advice you can give to young girls about building self-confidence and self-love?

Yes, Correct. I have taken it upon myself to alter any of the dresses that need to be altered. I freed my schedule to make sure I have time to do this. I also have two additional sewers that I work with. They are assisting me in that process.

It’s okay to be you. It’s so nice seeing other brown girls, especially on television and in leadership roles. You can be anything you want to be. There is no hesitation in what you can achieve in this life. If you believe in yourself and put your best foot forward, you can be anything you want to be. Knowing that gives you confidence to keep going forward and keep pushing forward, especially when going after your goals or when doing something you may be afraid to do. There’s all types of girls out here; brown girls that are working hard to push through those doors, and it’s okay to do that same thing.

Bronze Magazine: That’s really cool. Can you give us some advice for prom? Any color or trends to look out for?

Pops of colors are always nice, especially on our brown skin, so don’t be afraid of color!

Sometimes simplicity is best when it comes to makeup. You don’t have to overdo it; your dress is already a statement piece. So, I say simplicity on the face and overdo it with the dress!

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Bronze Magazine: For anyone interested in donating, how can they do so?

I have a store in Sandy Springs at 290 Hilderbrand Dr., Atlanta, Georgia 30328. But they can also reach out to me on social media. My Facebook, Instagram and Twitter is Iamshatava. They can email the store at runwayboutiquestores@gmail.com and just let us know. We would be happy to help!

Bronze Magazine: Any last remarks about donations?

You can also donate online. I have a link on my social page so you can do that. If a girl needs help with her makeup, shoes or something like that, I would love to be able to help. I plan on helping a lot of young girls who really can’t afford it.

Bronze Magazine: You’re like the fashion godmother!

I know how hard it is. I come from humble beginnings. I had to walk into a store and my mom was like, “Get what we can afford,” and it may not be the best looking dress but it’s what my family could afford. I know that feeling.

For me, in the situation that I am in, being in fashion and being in my career at this point in my life, I just want to be able to bless that girl who may be feeling the same way I felt in high school when I couldn’t get the best dress.

Bronze Magazine: Would you prefer heels or flats for prom?

Oh! Heels! I will say bring a pair of flats in your purse to walk to the car but definitely heels!

Bronze Magazine: What is one of the first steps one can take to open an online business?

So, the first step to starting a business is to have a business plan. You have to have a plan in mind before you walk into a business. That’s going to allow you to write everything out and see your vision, see who your customer is, understand how much money you’re going to need for inventory and to understand how much inventory you’re going to have. That’s all outlined in your business plan and that’s so important. I tell women all the time, “Don’t skip that step!” because that’s going to give those mental tips in order to keep going.

Bronze Magazine: Should there be a time limit for the business plan? What types of deadlines should be considered?

I would think to put a timeline on it just because with any goal it’s important, otherwise you are going to be wasting time. Definitely, give yourself hard deadlines on achieving certain goals. Challenge yourself! You may not think you are able to do something, but challenge yourself. You’ll never know how much you will be able to accomplish by just sitting down thinking about what you’re looking to achieve and working hard to achieve it. Set financial goals and what you are going to do to reach those goals and the time frame you have to reach those goals. That’s going to allow you to challenge yourself and be a better you, especially as an entrepreneur. Keep making those hard deadlines for yourself so you can keep working hard to achieve them. If goals are too easy, you need to step it up a whole three, four, or five notches in order to work harder.

Bronze Magazine: Is there anything you’d like to say to people who want to pursue their own business? Any ideas or inspiration you can give them?

Just know that it’s not always going to be easy. Trust yourself, trust what you’re putting into it and just give it your all. I tell people all the time, “If you can work 100 percent at a job, then you can work 150 percent at something that you love to do.” Don’t turn down your hustle!

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Wives of Officers Share What It’s Like to

Love Behind the Blue Line

By Kiara Timo

Being the spouse of a law enforcement officer (LEO) comes with its challenges, and it can take a lot of love, strength, faith and courage to maintain a strong marriage to a partner in blue. In the recent book, Love Behind the Blue Line, four wives of police officers share their narratives on the sacrifice, weakness, pain, anger, and isolation that often come with being part of the law enforcement family. We caught up with a few of these blue line sisters (Rachel Dolcine, Charlia Moulton-Campbell and Cindy Roopchand) to talk about the book and its impact, on being a black LEO wife, and why the voices of law enforcement family members matter.

It’s no secret that underprivileged communities tend to have a tense relationship with law enforcement for a range of reasons. What do you have to say to those who may not understand the desire to be an officer or an officer’s wife?

Rachel Dolcine: I believe that everyone is purposed to do something with their life. I believe choosing to become a police officer is choosing to fulfill the purpose for your life and is no different than choosing to pursue one’s purpose to be a teacher, doctor, lawyer, etc.

I chose to be a LEO wife because I loved my husband and was supportive of him having a career where he would be living out his purpose. He is a veteran of the Marine Corps and always told me that helping and protecting people was in his blood. When he left the Marine Corps, he told me that he could not see himself doing anything else other than helping people as a police officer. I was very, very unhappy at first, but as the years flew by, I saw the man that my husband became, and I am grateful he chose this line of work.

Someone must do the work of a LEO. I am proud that my husband has chosen law enforcement as his legacy.

The voices of the family members of law enforcement or government officials often go unheard. Is this your way of telling the world that voice matters?

Rachel Dolcine: Absolutely! I was tired of the loudest voices in the discussion on policing in this country being the voices of those who were not offering a well-rounded discussion on police and the work they do in their communities; the voices of hate, the voices of division, the voices of the self-serving. I married a man who chose to be a LEO and has made many sacrifices in order to do what he believed he was called to do. I was no longer willing to sit by and allow what I KNEW about LEOs and the work they do (that speculation because I live the LEO life 24/7…365 days a year/366 on leap years) to be lost in the noise of others.

Charlia: I have come to realize that while we as spouses know our stories, there are many people who do not know and understand them. As it is today, many law enforcement spouses simply do not see the need to share their stories. We believed it was time to share what happens behind that blue line for spouses and families. Oftentimes, we are so immersed in our own world, which to us seems quite normal, but we do not realize that those on the outside are unaware of the challenges we face. In writing this book, I have learned that our stories changed perspectives and piqued self-awareness in many.

Why do you think, historically, the opinions and presence of law enforcement spouses is often unheard or not addressed in society?

Rachel Dolcine: I believe this happens for three reasons: 1.) LEOs are not viewed holistically as human beings. They are rarely depicted as men and women with families or even feelings. Our society has become accustomed to seeing story after story about dirty and abusive LEOs. Their uniform is all that matters. 2.) We (family/wives) do not push our way into these conversations because there is a safety concern in our LEO community.

There are LEO families who live in communities where they can be harmed if neighbors knew they were a LEO family.

Silence protects our children. There are many of us who tell our children never to tell anyone that their mom/dad are LEOs. We do not want our children to be bullied or harmed and 3.) Our opinions will not get ratings unless they are inflammatory and scandalous.

You are all members of so many communities, as women, as black women, as the life partners of officers. Do you feel particularly marginalized in any of these communities?

Rachel Dolcine: Yes! Being a black LEO wife is EXHAUSTING! I am the mother of a black son and the wife of a black man who chose to be a LEO. I do not fit in anywhere. If I state my opinions/ feelings on LEO behavior that is negative, I am seen as anti-police. If I state my opinion on black men’s behavior that is negative (in relation to police), I am seen

as anti-black man. In the LEO community, there are not many active LEO wives of color. We mostly hide in the shadows, keep our heads down, keep our opinions to ourselves and do our best to be invisible. This is our protective mechanism.

I walk the line of both worlds. As a black mother, I grieve every single time a black male is killed at the hands of police (whether justified or not). As a LEO wife, I also grieve every single time a LEO dies in the line of duty by the hands of a member of the community he/she serves. I am human and complicated. I will not ask permission to be multi-faceted. I will not live my life in either/or. I choose to live my life as an emphatic and conscious human being. Period.

Your spouses put themselves in vulnerable positions every time they go to work, and you have put yourself in a vulnerable position by writing this book.

I would imagine that it takes a particular kind of bravery to expose yourself in this way, so why do it?

Cindy Roopchand: I would have to admit, being vulnerable and transparent with others does require some form of bravery. Society teaches us we need to be private and perfect, but the truth is, we all encounter difficulties. We live in a tough, imperfect world and so many people are suffering in silence. I suffered in silence for many years. However, I realized there is so much power and healing when you open up and tell your story.

Charlia Moulton-Campbell: It takes a very special kind of person to be a law enforcement officer’s spouse. Knowing this as a spouse is not enough; we must be ready to live this life. There is power in sharing a story that can impact and make a difference. It was a very difficult task to finally gain the courage to open up and share some of my most personal stories, but there was a need to let others know that they were not alone and that there is a community out there to support them. Being a law enforcement officer’s spouse can be a very lonely life. By sharing our stories, others can feel comforted in the fact that there are ways to make this work.

This book shows that being a law officer’s spouse can be extremely lonely, yet you have chosen to stick it out.

What’s an example of how you keep

your marriage strong when you spend so much time apart?

Cindy Roopchand: I value the time we do have together. Therefore, on his days off, I ensure we have date night and we do things we enjoy together. I make the best of it. I think it is so important to value each other and focus on the things we can control.

Charlia Moulton-Campbell: For us, the key to keeping our marriage strong is maintaining effective communication, spending quality time with each other when possible and striving to always be understanding.

What response are you hoping to get from this book?

Rachel Dolcine: I want LEO wives to know that they are not alone. I want them to step out of the shadows and begin to speak. Our voices need to be heard. I want police departments and police unions across this country to invest in spousal and work support groups.

Charlia Moulton-Campbell: I am hoping that readers will be inspired and motivated. I am hoping that they will find strength to face difficult situations or challenges in their lives. I am hoping that they will understand that there are going to be many highs and lows in a relationship, but with faith and effective communication we can survive.

Where can Bronze readers continue to follow your stories and voices?

IG: @writerlyvisions Facebook: writerlyvisions Website: www.charliamoultoncampbell.com Blog: writerlymom.org

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Photography by:

R. Thomas Jackson Photography

Owner & CEO of Black Girls RUN! Brings Together African American Women for “Sole” Empowerment and Fitness

By Patrice Rivers

Jay Ell Alexander is kicking things into high gear as the new Owner and Ceo of Black Girls RUN!. The national running organization was created in 2009 for African-American women who are consistent and passionate about running, with a mission of encouraging women to make fitness and healthy living a priority. Prior to her acquisition and appointment in 2018, Jay Ell served as the organization’s national manager as well as its Public Relations and Communications lead. In an exclusive interview, the Norfolk, Va native and this month’s cover star talks about her own relationship with running, the history of BGR!, the organization’s goals for its members and its direction for the future.

BRONZE MAGAZINE: How did Black Girls RUN! get started?

Jay Ell: Black Girls RUN! started as a blog in 2009. Our founders used this blog to journal their experience of losing weight after college and participating in race events. At these race events, they saw African American women were underrepresented. They soon realized the need to bring black women together in these races, and launched running groups in 2010 and 2011. I really consider Black Girls RUN! to be the pioneer of changing the face of running and introducing women to race endurance events (not track and field).

BRONZE MAGAZINE: What are the ultimate goals and mission for your organization?

Jay Ell: Our mission, on paper, is to encourage ALL women to make health and fitness a lifestyle and serve as a resource to get women started running. Essentially, we want you to MOVE and KEEP MOVING; and through healthy living and physical activity, we are changing the myth that black women don’t run and changing the epidemic of obesity in our community. Black Girls RUN! and the Black Girls RUN! Foundation each focuses on creating more spaces where African Americans are better represented and supported on the pavement and in health and fitness.

BRONZE MAGAZINE: Where do you see the organization going in five years?

Jay Ell: That’s a huge question and with just a year under my belt of owning the company, to be honest, I do not know. I know I want our foundation to continue growing strong and have sustainable funding to support our local communities and members from training to scholarships for race registrations.

“Our mission is to encourage ALL women to make health and fitness a lifstyle and serve as a resource to get women started running.”

BRONZE MAGAZINE: How does BGR! help African American women stay in good health?

Jay Ell: African American women are the unhealthiest community and rank at the top of most chronic health diseases. It is the mission of Black Girls RUN! to get more women healthy and active and in turn change this epidemic. We know that if the women in our communities are getting healthier, this will also translate to our children and men.

BRONZE MAGAZINE: When did your passion for running begin?

Jay Ell: When I started running in 2010, it was not a passion but rather something I had to do to get healthy and active. I had reached my heaviest weight and I knew I needed to do something to change the path I was going down. Over the last nine years, my relationship with running is still love and hate.

BRONZE MAGAZINE: As a runner, what types of preparation/ training is required, mentally and physically?

Jay Ell: I think the first step is a genuine commitment to getting started and staying on the path. The first step is the hardest. Also, it’s the understanding that you may not be able to go out and just run 3 miles and that it takes small steps. With any rigorous physical activity, it is definitely best to check in with your doctor before starting if you have health concerns and have been out of the loop for a while.

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BRONZE MAGAZINE: Have you participated in any marathons or races?

JAY ELL: Yes, I have run one marathon and numerous half marathons, Ragnars, 10ks and 5ks.

BRONZE MAGAZINE: What goal(s) did you want to achieve or have achieved as a runner?

JayEll: I am still growing as a runner. I am still trying to achieve a sub 60 10k and sub 30 5K. But I am still running and training to make sure I am active. It is a success for me to get up and run each morning.

BRONZE MAGAZINE: For any African American females who want to change their health and their weight by exercising, what advice would you give them?

JAY ELL: My advice is simple. Everyone’s journey is different and even in running, this is your race, your pace.

BRONZE MAGAZINE: Tell us more about the BGR! 2019 Homecoming/Sweat with Your Sole National Conference.

JAY ELL: Our national conference is our annual signature event that includes two days of workshops, great speakers and a race. The 3-day event brings together our community to celebrate the organization, and also features opportunities for you to become healthier and active and take this information back to the community.

This year, the Sweat with Your Sole National Conference is September 19-21, 2019 in Charlotte, NC. More information and registration can be found at www.sweatwithyoursole.com.

BRONZE MAGAZINE: What types of programs does BGR! offer?

JAY ELL: We offer run training programs, fitness events, meetups, etc. It all depends on the local city or national programming planned.

BRONZE MAGAZINE: How can readers reach out to you and BGR!? What are your social media links and website?

JAY ELL: www.blackgirlsrun.com IG: @officialblackgirlsrun Facebook/Twitter: @blackgirlsrun

SKINCARE ESSENTIALS FOR WOMEN OF COLOR

by Shawn Stuldivant

Women of Color are often ignored in the beauty industry; therefore, we must be proactive when it comes to our skincare. We’ve enlisted leading ethnic skincare expert, dermatologist and Dove partner, Dr. Mona Gohara to answer important questions that all women of color should know for a healthy Bronze glow this spring/summer.

Q: Women of color have skin in shades that range from the lightest to the darkest. How can we break through all the noise to find the right skin care product for our diverse skin tones?

A: With so many beauty products out there, it can be difficult to find one that best suits your skin type – especially since everyone has their own personal skin issue. In cleansing your skin, I would stay away from using harsh cleansers as it can lead to skin irritation, which can leave behind discoloration, something women with darker skin tones tend to suffer more from. The best cleansers are gentle ones, that do not disrupt the skin barrier. In terms of medicated washes, salicylic acid is my favorite for brown skin.

Q: What sunscreen SPF works best on women with darker skin tones?

A: The most common misconceptions about sunscreen usage among women of color is that we don’t need to use it- we sure do!! Especially those who suffer from Melasma or Skin Discoloration. Women of color wrinkle less than those with lighter tones. Brown skin has a natural SPF of about 13, while lighter skin has an SPF of about 3. However, 90% of the signs of aging come from daily, unprotected exposure to UV light which is why Sunscreen is essential. I recommend choosing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher for everyday use and reapply to your face and body every 2 hours with intense sun exposure.

Q: What types of specialized skin issues do women with Melanin-rich skin face during the warmer weather months?

A: Going from cooler to warmer weather can really take a toll on your skin, especially for women of color who suffer from specialized skin issues. Women with Melanin-rich skin may suffer from excess oil, hyperpigmentation, acne and eczema. To find the perfect regimen in tackling these issues I would choose a product that fits your lifestyle and skin for a longer lasting relationship. For optimal skin health, remember to use a gentle and hydrating cleanser, SPF, an antioxidant and a Vitamin A derivative.

This is the perfect combo for healthy skin.

Q: Why is Dove Body Wash Mousse with essential oils a good choice for any skin?

A: The most important factor when searching for a beauty product is to choose one that is gentle and moisturizing on the skin, which I’m happy to say is something Dove offers. The new Dove Body Wash Mousse is a great choice for all skin types as it’s paraben and sulfate-free formula helps prevent dryness and it’s 100% gentle cleansers ensure that skin feels fresh and moisturized for all day softness. Not to mention, it doubles as a shaving cream!

Q: Do women of color need to do selfskin checks? If so, how often and what should we be looking for?

A:Yes, I recommend monthly selfskin checks, with special attention to the palms, soles or under the fingernails and toenails. In performing these checks also look for anything new or different, not healing spots in these areas.

Q: What tips can you provide women for keeping our skin healthy and hydrated during the hot summer months?

A: Because our skin takes a hit from all the UV rays during Summer, make sure to always apply sunscreen! Even when the sun isn't as strong. As long as you can see your hand in front of your face, there is enough UV light to cause damage. Besides sunscreen, I would add in a gentle exfoliant to help shed those skin cells, this keeps that dewy summer glow going, as well as a hydrating cleanser and moisturizer to keep your skin fresh all day.

Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist. Mona is currently a partner in a practice in Danbury, Connecticut and holds a faculty appointment at Yale where she continues to see patients, and teach residents/medical students.

Mona spends time educating the public on skin health, skin cancer, skin cancer in people of color, and sun protection. She has done this through writing, lecturing on the local and national level, through popular media, and by planning community skin cancer screenings.

MAY 2019

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“Seeing isis believing! believing!

“Seeing Before any any goal goal isis Before attained, one one must must attained, first visualize visualize first themselves attaining attaining themselves that goal.” goal.” that -Lavene Gass Gass -Lavene

Meet Girl Boss Lavene Gass: Defining Her Own Path through Art, Motivation and Meditation

by Jaukia McConeyhead Bronze Magazine: Do you feel as if your career aligns with your purpose?

Lavene Gass: Yes I do feel as if it is. I do a lot of personal and development workshops. The bases of it are vision boards. I incorporate setting goals, law of attraction and visualization. Teaching everyone that should walk with queen and king mindsets. It all ties into self-esteem and how people feel about themselves and I want to change that dynamic. Also incorporating positive vibes in my seminars.

BM: How do you stay motivated and energized juggling more then one career?

LG: Funny thing is I am ALWAYs tired because I have so many things I juggle. I do yoga once a week. It is a great way of balancing myself out. I do it right in the middle of the week. So it is very motivating to finish my week off strong. Yoga helps and I feel invigorating. It’s all about breathing and it makes me feel amazing. I meditate as well. I teach meditation classes every Saturday. Throughout the week I prepare for Saturday and I meditate during these times as well. I am a believer in practicing gratitude. Journaling as well helps me juggle my every day life and I am appreciate going back and reading in my gratitude journal lets me know how far I’ve come. I pray all the time.

BM: What piece of advice would you give to Lavene graduating from college?

LG: When I went to Clark Atlanta University I had 2 internships. One was with MTV networks and it was my first internship. My next internship was with V 103 in ATL. There was no social media in college and I should’ve keep in contact with the higher up people. I learn it is always a need to build a network. So keeping in contact with people who hired me at my internships would have been beneficial to me because once I graduated. I left ATL and moved back to New Jersey.

BM: Who is your biggest influence and how have they impacted you or your career?

LG: My family has really been very instrumental in my life. In terms of pushing me to reach the highest heights. Whenever I come to them with an idea they never turned me down. The always encourage me and say I should do it. Sometimes in fear I let them be dormant. My family always pushed me. I have a close nit of friends I call my tribe. Within this group we share things. Just like my family they always push me and tell me to follow my dreams. My immediate family and my tribe who are my very close group of friends. I call them my accountability partners they stay on me at all times. It is very motivating and encouraging.

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Website: http://www.lavenegass.com Instagram: @lavenegass Twitter: @lavenegass Facebook: @lavenegass

BM: What is the thing you love the most about your career choice?

LG: The art, because it allows me to be totally free and there is no limit. There is no box as an artist. You’re creating a world. I have written plays, short films and poetry. I am not answering to anyone. I have total control over the things I want to do. I work with people who are free thinkers and they don’t have a limit to things they want to accomplish. We create art. Meditation is total freedom and it is a part of one of my career choices as well. No one is telling me what to do.

The passion and the freedom allow me not to feel caged in. I am never boxed in. I am an entrepreneur. I am my own boss; I’m free and that’s what I love.

BM: In moments of doubt or fear how do you push through?

LG: I always ask myself, “A year from now, would you want to be in this position?” If I allow this doubt or fear to cripple or paralyze me, I am still going to continue to be in this position in the long run. It brings me back to reality and I don’t want to be in this position. My fear is to be stagnant and not live a fulfilled life, and that is following my dreams. The little steps are important to get to the big picture and I always pat myself on the back for the little steps as well. Take the necessary steps it takes to get past them. It always works out.

BM: Speaking in front of crowds is a part of your job. Over the years, how have you aced feeling comfortable and being your true authentic self?

LG: I used to have a major fear of speaking in front of crowds. Then I created my alter ego “Porsha.” Porsha is fierce and fabulous and doesn’t get scared of anyone or anything. She comes up with ideas and rides with it to get to the destination she wants to get to. Whenever I am hosting events and they’re paid, I always remind myself they’re paying me to be me. So that means there is something in me that they admire.

The biggest way I get over it as well is research whatever I am talking about. I never want to get in front of people and stumble and fumble.

Being secure of what I am talking about. I love it so much because it is freedom and passion. After the first 2-3 minutes, the fear is gone and Porsha takes over.

BM: What type of legacy do you want to leave

behind?

LG: I want people to know that anything that they want is attainable. You have to believe in yourself and have faith and go after your dreams. Everyone needs to know everyone is gifted in some area. In my seminars, I let people know that they’re worthy. I didn’t have any handouts; I am the first entrepreneur of my family. I like for them to look at me and think, “If she can build something from nothing, so can I.” You have to believe in yourself and never allow anyone to make you feel as if you’re not worthy.

BM: When did your vision for your career align, making it easy for you to navigate your way?

LG: After I did my first vision board in 2014, many things came to life. For example, getting into grad school, selling out my play 300 seats. I never did anything like that before. It was my “AHA” moment, making me realize that I could do it. In 2014, I was afraid of failure. The moment I came into my individuality with who I was in terms of an artist, being fearless, no doubt, my career entirely came into full circle. I had no limits and continued to accomplish my goals.

BM: Do you have mentors or mentees that you pass knowledge on to?

LG: Yes, on my Instagram or Facebook. I post things people send to me, such as emails or texts from my workshops. Many people say that the information that they receive is inspirational and helpful. Many have bought homes and they have truly understood all the things I have taught them. Teaching people to change the way that they think. They have started their own business, lost weight and balanced their chakras. Their life has changed due to how chakras work and meditating.

These are my mentees changing the way they eat, think, and live, getting rid of fear and doubt and going full force attacking life. While they grow, I grow as well. Let’s me know what I’m doing isn’t in vain.

“If I allow this doubt or fear to cripple or paralyze me, I am still going to continue to be in this position in the long run.”

MAY 2019

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BRONZE @bronzemagazine

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Photographer: R. Thomas Jackson Photography