PROOF ONLY
FALL | WINTER
REST RESET P. 1 Cheryl MAGAZINE
inside this issue
HEALTH & WELLNESS
8loss into a powerful mission,
Patricia Baliey transforms personal
advocating for Alzheimer's awareness and holistic care for the aging.
EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP
22mentor to educational leader Dara Munson's journey from
showcases the power of unwavering commitment and resilience.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
40'IKnow' skincare celebrates
Germaine Bolds-Leftridge's
ageless beauty, empowering mature women to shine from within.
COVER STORY Explore the remarkable journey of Cynt Marshall, the groundbreaking NBA CEO. From her upbringing in challenging circumstances to her resilience, family love, and philanthropic commitment, her story is a testament to unwavering dedication to serving others, both in the limelight and behind the scenes.
Photographer: Octavia Whitlowe Make Up & Hair Simon Souvannarath Stylist: Felicia Bell
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everyday inspiration 5the Editor:
Letter from
Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson
35Wisdom
36Well:
26
46Talks with
with Tess Alexandria Embracing Solitude
Health Corner Use Your Voice For Better Health Dr. Maria D. Flowers
lifestyle
61Inspiration Faith and
with Tammy L. Woodard Dare to Dream and Don't Give Up
Money
Roni M. Talley Empowering Women's Financial Success
62Resilience and Joy
Empowering Voices: Stories of
52Waco, Texas, transformed 56Dive into Prose & Author's Corner
Perspectives with Dr. Kerry Ann Zamore Byrd's new story, "He Makes All Things New."
64Irresistible Holiday Recipes Feast to Impress
for Memorable Gatherings
72Experience Waco: Travel & Leisure
The Ultimate Guide to Family Fun in the Heart of Texas
global inspiration with sustainable luxury in home furnishings.
Let’s Talk About Co-Parenting
with Dr. Michelle Kindred Talks Nutritional Therapy
by Dr. Lindsey-Warren's groundbreaking faith film festival.
Style Matters
Laurie A. Evans
Aging
Entertainment Spotlight
28Egypt's Indigo Road combines
Family
with Charmaine Roots Castillo
20Issues
Daddy's
50Corner
Foxxy
In this edition, Cheryl Magazine proudly presents two inspiring features. Cheryle T. Ricks' 'The Power of Sisterhood: Life Is a Bud Waiting to Blossom' delves into the transformative power of female bonds and self-discovery. Following this, Benedria Smith's 'Joy in All Seasons!' offers a heartfelt account of overcoming depression and embracing joy in life's challenging moments. Both pieces highlight resilience, healing, and the importance of emotional well-being for women.
business 38SHERO Business Trendsetters: Business Sense & Sensablity
Blazing Trails
Rolodex Picks from Business 48 Brilliance to Event Mastery
Cheryl's Choice: The Essential
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Trailblazing Excellence, Overcoming Adversity, and Leading with Love:
MARSHALL
CYNT A Lifelong Legacy of Achievement, Perseverance, and Giving Back by Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson
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e know her titles—wife, mother, published author, influential business mentor, and CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. I had the honor of sitting down to chat with the beautiful being behind the success. I can honestly say that her core character is even more impressive than the titles she holds. Cynthia Marshall gained the nickname “Cynt the Sprint” as a track star in high school and has been affectionately known as Cynt ever since. As I sat down with this true survivor and pioneer, I felt such joy to highlight and capture the essence of my sister in service, whom I would describe as an angel here on earth. I knew I had to ask the right questions that would convey what a kind, humble, and gentle soul she is. I wanted to ensure that readers feel Cynt’s impact and legacy with every word, because anything short of that simply would not do her justice. Cynt gained recognition in 2018 for becoming the NBA’s first Black female CEO. She was tapped to be CEO
of the Dallas Mavericks on word-ofmouth referral alone; her work ethic, reputation, and proven track record preceded her. With no sports business management experience, she captured the attention of Mark Cuban, the team’s owner, who called her out of retirement from corporate America after thirty-six years at AT&T. Her success story began in the 1970s, though—long before she made history in the NBA. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Cynt grew up in a housing project just outside San Francisco in Richmond, California as one of six children. She credits God and her mother’s determination for her tenacity and unshakeable spirit. Although her childhood was riddled with poverty and domestic violence, Cynt praises her mother, who worked in education, for her focus on academic success. After enduring years of abuse, her mother knew she had to find the courage and strength to leave after a brutal incident that left fifteen-year-old Cynt with a broken nose. After that night, Cynt, her mother, and three of her five siblings left and never looked back. She did not allow her father’s abuse to define her but instead used it as fuel to maximize her potential.
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DADDY ISSUES with Tess Alexandria
embracing solitude
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his year has been one of the most challenging for me mentally, which was unexpected considering I had finally attained several lofty goals. It is so easy to assume that once you reach a certain place or a particular milestone, everything will be sunshine and rainbows. However, we often forget that everything will not suddenly be perfect just because we “made it.” One of my biggest surprises this year was the feeling of isolation. I accepted a position and moved to a new city, and almost instantly, I began to feel alone. I recognized changes in my friendship groups; some were starting families, some were going through hardships, and others were pursuing their own lofty goals. Either way, I could sense a shift taking place that ultimately created distance between myself and those I considered to be my closest friends. I also had to end a yearlong relationship to better serve myself, which was not an easy feat at all. I didn’t clearly understand what was happening or why this was happening, nor could I articulate my feelings about it all. In addition, my new job was so demanding that I didn’t have the time or the mental capacity to sort it all out and properly address issues with those individuals. If I’m being honest, all these changes within my relationships were hurtful. I began to feel as if what I was going through was not worth sharing. I also didn’t believe anyone would be able to relate to what I was feeling. I was convinced that the best thing I could do was to keep what I was experiencing to myself. This closedoff behavior is uncharacteristic of me, as many of you have come to know from reading my previous articles. I’m usually all about communication and not internalizing feelings, but at that moment, it felt like my only two safe spaces were my mom and my therapist. Since I wasn’t spending as much time communicating with my friends, I had ample time to be with myself and sort out my thoughts. One of the things I realized from doing so is that for as introverted as I can be, once I establish a connection or close relationship with someone, I latch onto them. I think a lot of that stems from growing up an only child and my natural yearning for a closer relationship with my dad. So, suddenly, feeling disconnected from those I allowed to get close to me was shocking. Even amid my hurt and disappointment, I tried to find the lesson in this season of my life. Perhaps this isolation would propel and prepare me for the next level. Maybe it was simply time for me to stand on my own two feet again and not be so dependent on my friendships/relationships to help me come up with the answers in my life. In turn, I decided to give the love and attention I was so used to giving to others to myself. I once again picked up some of my old hobbies that I had been neglecting, spoke daily affirmations, and even took myself out on dates. I became open to establishing friendships in this new city and became a better friend to myself. I reflected on the type of person I wanted to be going forward and tried to find the beauty in a life more focused on me. As I said in the beginning, it is not easy feeling isolated while simultaneously going through a period of transformation. However, I do believe it serves a greater purpose. If you find yourself in a similar season, try not to be offended or discouraged by things or people switching up. Take the time to find the positives in being able to experience yourself outside of your normal rhythm. An extraordinary beauty waiting for you to behold.
"Even amid my hurt and disappointment, I tried to find the lesson in this season of my life."
Thank you for joining me again for Daddy Issues. Why the name? I aim to reverse the feeling women get every time we hear that phrase. There is a stigma attached to it. It’s often used as a weapon, with the intent to make us feel like we are the problem. Dispelling the misnomer includes providing new information on something that was named before its true nature was known. I’ll attempt to do that in each Cheryl Magazine issue as I address behaviors and characteristics that developed from our father’s lack of skill and ability to bond with, encourage, teach, or support us. To all the young girls and grown women, it was never your fault. The issue was his, and because of your daddy’s issue, you found yourself improperly navigating relationships. Let’s talk about it. For the record, Daddy Issues is an opinion column. I’m not a clinical professional or expert on the subject; I’m just a girl who needed her daddy. If you’d like to connect, follow me on IG: @tessalexandria_ or Facebook: Tess Alexandria. If you have questions or a topic you’d like to discuss, email me at tess@cherylmagazine.com. P. 2 1 Cheryl MAGAZINE
Photos by Jeffan
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Egypt with the Marvel Dining Chairs and the Bianca Dining Table
Photo by Leslie Andrews P. 3 1 Cheryl MAGAZINE
Glow Forward in Confidence
IKNOW Skincare Treatment Solutions is clinically proven skincare that consistently improves brightening & skin tone evenness for a rejuvenated glow. 98%%% of conumers surveyed saw visible results in 21 days*. Discover the IKNOW Glow and elevate your confidence.
*IKNOW 2023 Skincare Clinical Study & 2023 Consumer Usage Feedback Survey P. 3 4 Cheryl MAGAZINE
@iknowskincare www.iknowskincare.com
FOXXY WIZDOM
with Charmaine Roots Castillo
T
he momentum of the hustle and bustle of the blitz season is considered the most joyful time of year for some, but for others, there is a season of silent cringes while they brace for impact. The sounds and smells of the season are in full effect, so now is a great time to execute your plan to carve out your special niche of seasonal enjoyment. For those of us who would prefer to hibernate rather than navigate the opportunities and invitations that always fill the air, let's see how we can mitigate the stressors constantly jockeying for our attention around this time of year. Choose you. With lives full of family obligations, job commitments, school, travel, community, and church involvement, adding more to our plates is not very appetizing. Are you prone to serving everyone else first? In this season, switch things up a bit. Try serving your own plate, honoring the idiosyncrasies of your unique palate, and be okay with acknowledging that your tastes have changed. Be okay with saying "no, thank you," and resist the urge to allow anyone else to put more of what they want to add to your plate. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Although it may all look good, smell good, and taste good, know your limit. Savor the taste of the experience and be fine with limiting your indulgence to the things you genuinely enjoy. Your presence is the gift, so put your best foot forward. Being mindful of just how much razzle and dazzle you can handle, set your own pace by controlling your own schedule.
Don't be a glutton. A full stomach signals the brain by letting it know, "I'm satisfied." Determine ahead of time how much of the season and what part of the season you receive the most satisfaction from, and then schedule (as a priority) those activities. Choose with you (and nobody else) in mind. Is rest an activity? I'm asking for an over-committed friend. Cat naps, power naps, just naps. Burning the candle at both ends will leave you all burned out in the end. If your end goal is to show up as the best version of you, factor in naps as an integral part of your before and aftercare. It's okay to go the extra mile with someone else as long as you're not the one carrying the brunt of the weight. Commit to self-care by padding your schedule with lots of buffers to allow for the unexpected things that will manifest when you least expect it. Grumpy is never a good look, so schedule enough rest time to segue into your next grand entrance with greater ease. When your festive boundaries are securely in place, you can take a different approach as you choose what goes on your plate. Before you accept or reject an invitation, figure in the necessary before and aftercare surrounding the commitment, check your schedule to see if you're free, and if you don't have to bend over backward to make someone else feel satisfied, prepare to eat, drink, and be merry. Charmaine Roots Castillo is a creative writer who enjoys promoting hope, encouragement, and brighter perspectives. CharmaineLaFonde.com
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ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT
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“There is Joy in this Time of Your Life”: Germaine Bolds-Leftridge Speaks About ‘New Beginnings’ in Her ‘4th Quarter’ by Kristen Myers
A
t the age of 61, Germaine Bolds-Leftridge decided to start something new. While most adults are slowing down and gearing up for retirement, Bolds-Leftridge had other plans: to start a skincare line for Black women over the age of 50. Called ‘IKnow,’ the brand features products from cleansers to moisturizers to serums, and more. All with one goal in mind: to make mature women feel good about themselves. "The name of the brand is a celebration of age", Bolds-Leftridge said. And the wisdom, honor, and privilege that comes from growing older. “If I knew then what I know now”, she said, “I would do some things differently.” “I just want women to know that when you get to the 4th quarter [of your life] that there’s still a beginning,” Bolds-Leftridge explained. “You can still create desires that can be fulfilled. This is not the end.”
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Photo Cred: Heidi Pearson
Sizzling Cajun Delights & Verdant Sips! "I do declare this is gonna be good!” As the golden crust of the fried turn harmoniously intertwines with the aromatic Cajun spices, we're transported straight to the heart of Louisiana. And what better to wash down that zesty treat than with our showstopper cocktail - the Verdant Reverie? Verdant Reverie: A Tarragon Infusion Light and Fresh, this tarragon infused blood orange martini is not only a taste sensation but also a sensory delight. A delightful and invigorating concoction crafted with just four simple ingredients, it boasts a low sugar content, making it the ultimate drink for those conscious sips. Whether you're toasting to a girls' night out or setting the mood for a romantic date, this beautifully boozy and incredibly aromatic martini is sure to leave an impression. So, grab your apron and shaker, and let's dive into the flavors and fragrances of Cajun country and beyond!
Cajun Fried Turkey Ingredients 6 quarts Water 2 cups Sugar 1 cup Salt 1/2 cup Cajun Seasoning 6 cloves of Garlic 2 stalks Celery 1 medium Onion 4 Bay leaves 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns 1 bundle of fresh poultry herbs (rosemary, thyme, and sage) Juice of 2 lemons 1 (13 to 14-pound) turkey, with giblets removed Approximately 4 to 4 1/2 gallons peanut oil* Instructions 1. Combine 2 quarts of water with the sugar, salt, and Cajun seasoning in a pot and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and
add the remaining ingredients, including 4 quarts of water. Allow the brine to cool for about an hour before pouring over the turkey in a brining bag and refrigerate overnight. 2. Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse and pat dry. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking. 3. Fill and warm oil according to your outdoor deep fryer directions. Once the temperature has reached 250°F, carefully lower the bird into the oil and bring the temperature to 350°F. Keep temperature at 350 °F. After 35 minutes, check the temperature of the turkey using a probe thermometer. Once the breast reaches 151°F, gently remove from the oil. The turkey will continue to cook and reach an internal temperature of 165 °F. Let rest for at least of 30 minutes prior to carving. *It is important to follow your fryer manufactures' recommendations. Peanut oil has a higher burn temp so it is perfect for deep frying at high temperatures for long periods of time.
Verdant Reverie: A Tarragon Infusion Ingredients: Blood oranges - sliced of course! Tarragon infused Vodka – this is the base for this martini recipe, and I think it fits very well with the flavors. Triple sec (*based on preference) Lime juice Simple syrup (*this is also optional, if you want your cocktail a little sweeter Ice 3 tbsp fresh blood orange juice 2 oz (4 tbsp) Tarragon infused vodka 1/2 oz (1 tbsp) triple sec 1/2 oz (1 tbsp) lime juice Splash of club soda Optional: 2 tsp simple syrup slices of blood orange and tarragon leaves for garnish Enjoy!
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