We Empower We Stand Strong We Educate
Celebrating Women of The Future
Exclusive interview with the most dangerous woman in the world
Fredia Gibbs
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CONTENTS MAY 2021 Kimberly Pinkston 04 Fredia Gibbs 06 Kimberly Gowdy 10 Zhe Scott 12 Chef Claudia Diawara 15 Jackie Keller 18 C. Renee Wilson 20 Tamika Harden 25 Monica Brown 27 Maisha Rush 29 Malikka 32 JaLia S 35 DREA Kelly 38 Chong Kim 40 Julie Manriquez 43 Chelsea Beyerman 46
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40 Founder – Cece Hymes
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W.I.B (Where It Begins) is an Independent agency with the aim to always be innovated in each approach taken to projects and making sure excellence is given in a projects execution when it comes to media marketing, branding, networking and management. Founded by the well experienced and ever growing force; D.C native - Cece Hymes, the most important and integral aspect of W.I.B is that branding for both Creatives and Businesses is taken to the next level with each and every project undertaken.
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We’ve continued to represent a very diverse and well acclaimed roster of emerging talents in the entertainment, and businesses! With a determined persistence for continued excellence, our Founder – Cece Hymes, with a college Degree in Business Management, has also worked within radio and with many companies such as: RDE Entertainment, H.I.G.H Entertainment and Caribbean Gospel Records Ltd.,
WIB Magazine
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“ My proudest achievement, outside of being a wife and mother, is writing my book, The Colorless Womb "
Kimberly Gowdy 10
WIB Magazine
and negotiation skills which make me feel very powerful.
Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do? A. I am Kimberly Gowdy, a wife, mother, friend and recently I became an author. I’m a Christian, I studied Marketing at Cheyney University, an Insurance Professional, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Q. How do you define your purpose in life? A. My purpose in life is to use my God-given talents and abilities in a way that not only benefits me but also benefits those within my circle of influence. Q. As a Boss Babe how do you balance personal Tribulations & Being Successful in Business? A. It starts with self-care. As a woman, I am uniquely able to balance multiple tasks as they come my way, but also as a woman, I sometimes neglect the things needed to strengthen my well-being. Now I take time to meditate, pray, and exercise. I also feel no conviction when I have to say no. Q. How has your experience been being a licensed Strategic Account Executive in 40 states including the state of Georgia? A. Being licensed in 40 states allows me to discuss and retain business across state lines. Having to keep track of state-specific mandates and laws can be a challenge, but it’s an opportunity to grow my blocks of business. I work predominantly with men and they rely on my expertise
Q. Can you tell us a little detail of your journey being a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha charter member? A. I was volunteering for the Obama Campaign. A group of Alpha Kappa Alpha women who were interested in chartering a chapter hosting our phone banking event. Naturally as an AKA, I was drawn to their efforts. I began to work with them and ultimately, we chartered the Psi Omega Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha. I love it because it embodies sisterhood, supports community initiatives and awareness and has a positive impact based on role models who are a part of the organization. For instance, Kamala Harris, Phylicia Rashad, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and more! Q. Tell us about your book “The Colorless Womb” and the motivation behind it? A. The Colorless Womb is a story of selflessness. It is a beautiful story of pain, heartache, perseverance, and triumph, some of life’s experiences that can either break us or make us. It’s my story where I struggle to conceive and carry a child to term amidst misfortunes—three miscarriages and being trapped in an abusive marriage with my former spouse who valued his drug addiction more than me. It’s my journey in search of alternative ways to have a family while I’m confronted with racial and societal pressures of parenthood but after seven failed surrogacy attempts with two embryos left, the biggest surprise comes in an unexpected package.
my son was born, I poured love into being a great aunt, an amazing godmother, spending time blessing others. Sometimes blessing others takes the focus off our misfortunes. Before long, your blessing will meet you headon. Q. What awards or achievements are you most proud of? A. My proudest achievement, outside of being a wife and mother, is writing my book, The Colorless Womb. I knew that I had a story, we all do, but putting pen to paper, or in this case, fingers to keyboard, is something not many people take time to do. I’m glad I finished what I started. Q. Are you working on any new events or upcoming projects? A. I am working on MOBY, which stands for Mommy Older Baby Younger. This is a group I put together to give support to women who become Mothers at 35 or older. This is a unique demographic with specific challenges, e.g. interacting with much younger moms, because your children are the same age, physical stamina to keep up with younger children, looking older than the other moms, all of these can make older motherhood a bit more challenging. I am also working on a second book. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. You can follow me on: and @thecolorlesswomb_
Like and follow me on: The Colorless Womb.
Q. So many women are infertile and sad thinking there are no alternatives, can you give any encouraging words for them? A. First, realize that God will give you the desires of your heart. Infertility was one of the most stressful challenges I’ve faced. Watching those around me receive the blessing I so desperately wanted…. a child. It is natural to cry, to feel left behind, angry and disappointed. Before WIB Magazine
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