Cheryl POLOTE-WILLIAMSON™
MAGAZINE
SPRING 2021
MIKKI TAYLOR Editor-At-Large
ESSENCE Magazine
Affirming Black Beauty: Mastering Excellence and Distinction
DEBORAH RILEY DRAPER Writer, Director
“Twenty Pearls: The Story of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated”
An American Story
LISA FREENEY
Lemons to Lemonade
The Multi-Million Dollar Brand
MICHELE THORNTON GHEE
EBONY/JET CEO Walking in Purpose and Power to Elevate Black Women P. 1 | Cheryl MAGAZINE
THE NEW BOOK ALERT ARTOF INFLUENCE COMING SOON I am excited to announce my newest book The Art of Influence launching Summer 2021! Sign up now at bit.ly/TheArtofInfluence so we can let you know when it is available!
- Cheryl
P. 2 | Cheryl MAGAZINE
For tips on how to master #TheArtofInfluence, follow us on Instagram @the_art_of_influence.
FROM THE DESK OF CHERYL POLOTE WILLIAMSON
I'M FEELING MYSELF I
t’s not just allowed for celebrities, you know. Once in a while, we are all allowed to completely immerse ourselves in our own magic. We spend a lot of time admiring, praising, and even investing in others. There are people we esteem greater than ourselves—we place on pedestals or make mentors—that’s fine. We are to find others we can mark as examples and emulate. That is supposed to happen. However, there are also times that we should toot our own horns and acknowledge the fierceness and wonder in which we are made as well as the strength of what we’ve accomplished... and it’s ok to say so! “I’m feeling rather pleased with myself.” Say it! Literally, say it. Open your mouth and repeat after me: • • • • • • • • • • •
“I feel pleased with myself.” “I look good.” “I feel good.” “I’m proud I made it this far.” “I’m amazed at what I have accomplished.” “I did a great job.” “I have conquered a lot.” “I have contributed to the greatness of others.” “I am a testament of my own success.” “I am crushing my lane.” “I’m feeling myself.”
That’s right. I’m feeling myself. Not only am I allowed to, but I am also allowed to say as much. I invite you to do the same. My confidence is through the roof. Is yours? I am pure magic.
Are you? OF COURSE you are! Nothing can stop me; I’m all the way up! Will you join me? I certainly hope you will. I’m feeling good about a lot of things. One thing I’m most proud of these days is Cheryl Magazine. Our team has successfully created a formidable print media source for women, about women, by women. With the inaugural print issue happening just this past winter, it is already making a mark that cannot be erased. In this issue of Cheryl Magazine we have the pleasure of the company of seasoned industry leaders who support the women-supportingwomen ideals that Cheryl Magazine is founded upon. I am excited to have Michele Thornton Ghee, CEO of the iconic brands Ebony & Jet Magazine and creator of BETHer grace this quarter’s cover, and Mikki Taylor, Beauty and Cover expert and EditorAt-Large for ESSENCE Magazine join us for an intimate conversation. Having these ladies support Cheryl Magazine means the world to me, as with every woman that graces these pages. While others speak on what’s not possible, I hope you will soak up this moment in time with me and help me rejoice in what is possible. Then take my moment, hold it close to your heart, and realize what is possible for you as well. Love,
Cheryl EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
P. 3 | Cheryl MAGAZINE
CONTACT US CHERYL MAGAZINE
Williamson Media Group, LLC 6101 Long Prairie Road Box 744 #269 Flower Mound, TX 75028 info@cherylmagazine.com Please include your name, mailing and email addresses, and telephone number with any correspondence. Cheryl Magazine is not responsible for returning unsolicited manuscripts.
Editorial Email
editorials@cherylmagazine.com TO SELL CHERYL MAGAZINE IN YOUR STORE info@cherylmagazine.com ISSN 2766-6360 (Digital) Cheryl Magazine a lifestyle and women’s empowerment publication, is a Cheryl Polote Williamson, LLC (CPW) quarterly produced by Williamson Media Group, LLC (WMG) 6101 Long Prairie Road, Box 744 #269, Flower Mound, TX 75028. Periodicals postage paid at Flower Mound, TX and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send changes of address to Cheryl Magazine 6101 Long Prairie Road, Box 744 #269, Flower Mound, TX 75028. Subscribers allow 4-6 weeks for change of address to become effective. Subscriptions ordered are non-cancellable and non-refundable unless otherwise promoted. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. All rights in letters sent to Cheryl Magazine will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and as subject to unrestricted right to edit and to comment editorially. Request for permission to reprint should be sent to the Permissions and Reprints Department by emailing info@cherylmagazine.com and placing “Request for permission to reprint” in the subject line. The title Cheryl Magazine is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Contents copyright © 2021 by Williamson Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Nothing can be reprinted in whole or in part without express written permission from the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. P. 4 | Cheryl MAGAZINE
CHERYL MAGAZINE
A lifestyle and women’s empowerment publication Editor in Chief | Cheryl Polote Williamson Managing Editor | Traci Henderson Smith Contributing Features Editor | Siobhan Davenport Contributing Editor | Charmaine Roots Castillo Contributing Editor | Tess Alexandria Financial Editor | Roni M. Benjamin Style Editor | Keri Henderson
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kerry-Ann Zamore Dr. Madge L. Barnes Jamel D. Jackson Jelia Coleman-Hepner
OPERATIONS Creative Director | Shannon Skipper-Green Business and Media Director | Kymberli Williams media@cherylmagazine.com Sales & Marketing Director | Tammy Woodard sales@cherylmagazine.com Project Director | Danette Brown
WILLIAMSON MEDIA GROUP, LLC EXECUTIVE President | Russell Williamson Chief Executive Officer | Cheryl Polote Williamson Chief Information Officer | Traci Henderson Smith
SUBSCRIPTIONS www.cherylmagazine.com 1 Year (4 Quarterly Issues) US $80 Canada $101.58 CAD | International (Digital only) 1 Year (4 Digital Downloads) US $20
Cheryl
CONTENTS media edition SPRING 2021 | ISSUE #7
P.10
P.06
Mikki Taylor Editor-At-Large
ESSENCE Magazine Affirming Black Beauty: Mastering Excellence and Distinction
P.16
Deborah Draper Riley Writer, Director
“Twenty Pearls: The Story of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated” An American Story
P.20
Lisa Freeney Founder of Lisa's Lemonade
COVER STORY: Walking in Purpose & Power
Lemons to Lemonade The Multi-Million Dollar Brand
Michele Thornton Ghee EBONY/JET CEO uses her platform to help Elevate Black Women
LIFESTYLE
FEATURED ARTICLES
From Family to Finances, get insight that will help strengthen and empower your life!
P.14
Daddy Issues with Tess Alexandria
Fear of Abandonment
P.34
The Gentleman’s Voice
What Women Should Know
with Jamel D. Jackson What's the Big Idea?
Business, Health, Community, and the Latest in Entertainment
P.24 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Pearls & Purpose Cheryl Polote Williamson
P.36
Foxxy Wizdom with Charmaine Roots Castillo The Torches We Carry
P.30
The Power of Sisterhood Janiece Evans-Page
P.41
How to Maximize Your Well-Being
P.43
Mental Health Care Barriers
P.50
Artist Spotlight Key LeBlanc
P.44
P.48
P.54
Safety Net
How to Find Luxury Items for Less
KidzMic Founder Kira Pugh
Money Talk with Roni M. Benjamin
Style Matters with Keri Henderson
#GIRLPOWER! with Traci Henderson Smith
P.52 Five Women Who Shifted the Culture of Media & Entertainment P.56 Radical Resilience Tyreese McAllister P.60
Author’s Corner
P. 5 | Cheryl MAGAZINE
COVER STORY
P. 6 | Cheryl MAGAZINE
MICHELE THORNTON GHEE EBONY/JET Magazine CEO Walking in Purpose and Power to Elevate Black Women by Siobhan Davenport Contributing Features Editor
During the pandemic and ensuing shutdown, many used this time for self-reflection, reordering priorities, and defining their purpose. No one knows this better than Michele Thornton Ghee, a woman of faith on a mission. Ghee is the newly appointed CEO of the iconic EBONY & JET brands and an award-winning media industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience in corporate America and managing over a billion dollars in revenue. Most prominently, she is recognized as creating and running the first and only network for Black women, BETHer at BET Networks, and her contributions at WME, CNN, A&E, and The History Channel. Ghee is proud to honor the rich past of the 75-yearold brands by playing a leading role in EBONY/ JET publications’ online resurgence. However, she wants to make the publications current and relevant by providing Black stories on platforms that women, men, and families enjoy. “I love Black culture. I want to do the same as EBONY/JET publications founder, Mr. John Johnson. He was a trailblazer. I want to elevate those making significant contributions to Black people, while recognizing emerging Black journalists.”
P. 7 | Cheryl MAGAZINE
FEATURE STORY
P. 1 0 | Cheryl MAGAZINE
MIKKI TAYLOR of
Author, Speaker, Executive Producer, Editor-At-Large ESSENCE Magazine by Siobhan Davenport, Contributing Features Editor
Imagine a time when Black beauty was invisible. As Beauty and Cover Director at ESSENCE Magazine for three decades, Mikki Taylor made it her purpose to change that. By branding the magazine’s cover with distinction and sharing the truth of Black women on the beauty pages, she saw that no one missed out on the celebration that is Black beauty. Taylor is an author of three critically acclaimed books about lifestyle and beauty, but chose to take a new direction with her first audible book, Force of Beauty: A Newark Family Memoir. In this intimately personal project, she took time from her busy schedule to share about her storied career as the leading authority on empowering women of color to embrace their inner and outer beauty. Set in Newark, NJ, she honors her grandmother and mother’s determination and
perseverance during the ‘50s and the civil rights movement of the ‘60s. You have an award-winning career and many accolades to your name. Of what accomplishment are you most proud, and why? “I’m most proud of the role I played in the lives of millions of Black women in affirming our beauty— all shades, shapes, and sizes. In my 30-year role as Beauty and Cover Director at ESSENCE Magazine, it was critical to me to hold up the mirror on Black womanhood in a society and at a time we weren’t considered the standard in beauty.” In Force of Beauty: A Newark Family Memoir. What was most surprising or inspiring about your family and why?
P. 1 1 | Cheryl MAGAZINE
integrated the film with their major fashion exhibitions. Fox Searchlight optioned the feature film rights. Draper’s 2019 short film Illegal Rose, starring Jasmine Guy, was selected for fourteen film festivals, winning Best Actor at the 2019 Downtown L.A. Film Festival and Best Director and Best Actress at the 2021 Black Film Festival of New Orleans. She shot the film in three days during Guy’s Grey’s Anatomy and newcomer Lucca Rodriguez-Pedraza’s elementary school schedules. “The executive producers and the crew were so incredibly diverse,” says Draper. “I was proud to introduce filmmaking to so many first-timers in both cast and crew.” '
With the wind fast under her sails, Draper leads the charge as writer and director to once more make Alpha Kappa Alpha first, with the truly American story, Twenty Pearls: The Story of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Alpha Kappa Alpha has a history of firsts, beginning with its pioneering role as the premier intercollegiate historically African American Greek-lettered sorority. Now, with a documentary that displays the extraordinary ways Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has helped shape positive motion in America and direct the advancement of Black America, Draper dissects the legacy of the legendary organization in homage to its Founders. Chronicling Alpha Kappa Alpha’s impact on the country and lasting cultural significance, in Twenty Pearls, Draper conjures a vision of diplomatic achievements rooted in ‘Service to All Mankind’ during a period in America when women had little say; and Black women had virtually none. The victories modeled in this historic documentary speak to the truth that Alpha Kappa Alpha’s history is America’s history with every barrier broken and every opportunity created for African Americans that had the women of AKA at the helm. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has improved education, influenced legislation, bettered social and economic conditions for African Americans, enhanced communities, created and guided programs like the Mississippi Health Clinic, and placed men on the moon—for the first time—bringing an end to the U.S.-Soviet Space Race. Since 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha has been at the forefront of advancement in the U.S., including another organization first: the first female vice president, highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, first African American and first Asian American vice president, Kamala Harris, who stars in the film narrated by Phylicia Rashād. Draper believes in taking chances. “The worse thing that can happen is you will fail forward,” she says. She looks forward to directing episodic television and creating a television series in the future.
P. P. 11 88 || Cheryl Cheryl MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
P. 1 9 | Cheryl MAGAZINE
FEATURE STORY
Lisa Freeney
Lemons to Lemonade by Traci Henderson Smith, Managing Editor
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It’s an affirming
phrase we tell ourselves when we need the strength to move beyond setbacks or the pep talk we give friends when encouraging them to look on the brighter side of things. We commonly use it, but where did the phrase originate? It was inspired by the life and legacy of Marshall Wilder, who rose to fame in the mid-to-late 1800s for his story-telling skills and humorous monologues. Wilder, intentional and determined not to become a sideshow exhibit, as was typical among kyphosis-affiliated dwarves like Wilder, went on to perform for the wealthy elite, the British Royal family, and Vaudeville. He later authored three books, “The People I Smiled With,” “The Sunnyside of the Street,” and “Smiling Around the World.” He also edited humor compendiums and acted in motion pictures. People adored him the world over—known for tipping graciously and ending all correspondence, “Merrily Yours.” By the time of his death in 1915, Wilder had gained a reputation as someone who faced life’s obstacles with a smile on his face and a song in his heart. At his memorial service, writer Elbert Hubbard said of Wilder, “He picked up the lemons that fate had sent him and started a lemonade stand.” Lisa Freeney looks to Wilder for inspiration in all that her famed organic lemonade company, Lisa’s Lemonade, does. As a person who chooses to live on the bright side and someone who has overcome countless setbacks, Freeney picked the perfect example to follow and the idiom to embody. After wrapping up a successful 10-year career at World Class Promotions with growing a company branch from 0 to $2.1 million in sales in its first twelve months, Freeney left to focus on raising her two children. It was during this period she conceived the idea for her company. After 15 years as a stay-at-home mom, Freeney was ready to re-enter the workforce. Instead of resuming her career in marketing, she decided to launch Lisa’s
P. 2 0 | Cheryl P. 2 0 | MAGAZINE Cheryl MAGAZINE
Lemonade and Lisa’s Lemonade Cocktail Mixers under the brand name PIDCO--an acronym for Passion, Innovation, Determination, Caring Community, and Optimism; all values that Freeney holds dear. When her kindergarten-aged son was diagnosed with ADHD, Freeney became determined to create a variation on her homemade lemonade recipe that did not utilize cane sugar or artificial sweeteners, dyes, and flavors. The resulting lemonade became a hit among her family and friends.
the Go Texan beverage category for Texas-made products at the Texas state fair. While adoration for the nationally acclaimed brand comes easy, the climb to the company’s award-winning success did not. “At first, I thought this isn’t reasonable to have this many difficulties starting a business, but the people I talked to that had very successful businesses, that have made it have said, “No, that is how it goes.” And the people that make it in business are the ones that know how to deal with setbacks.”
In 2016, Freeney sold her house to launch PIDCO entirely debt-free, and as a single mother, embarked on a journey. “When I set out to create this product, I wanted it to be something that I would be happy for my kids to drink all day, every day. So, I spent about two years perfecting it before deciding to bring it to the marketplace.” Lisa’s Lemonade won the People’s Choice Award in
Lisa’s tips on dealing with setbacks: 1. GET ADVICE. Build a strong advisory board. – I have an amazing advisory board of people that have given me the gift of their time to help me when I have a problem. 2. RESEARCH YOUR PROBLEM. Make a list P. 2 1 | Cheryl MAGAZINE
P. 6 8 | Cheryl MAGAZINE