Cheryl Magazine | Winter 2021 | Kimberly Bizor Tolbert

WINTER 2021

Cheryl

Meet

New York Times

Best-Selling Author

POLOTE-WILLIAMSON™

Kimberla Lawson One of Roby USA Today’s

MAGAZINE

100 Black Novelists You Should Read

BEE GOOD TO YOURSELF KIMBERLY

BIZOR TOLBERT

The Power To Change The Course of History

+

the

female founder

Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard National President of The Links, Inc. and Creative Consultant on the movie Soul

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FROM THE DESK OF CHERYL POLOTE WILLIAMSON

IT’S A NEW DAY! I

’ve never been shy about my purpose. Whether or not I will serve my calling in excellence has never been in question or under fire. If you know me at all, you know that I’m a fearless leader. That’s not to brag, but then again, yeah, it is. I am bold in my pursuits. There has never been a NO that has swayed me. I radically and emphatically believe in and trust God (with respect to anyone else’s fueling power or whatever gets them through the day. Not here to battle, just here to say, GOD is MY source). I cast vision. I pray. I speak affirmations daily. I project outcomes. I give generously and religiously.

I win. The end. This is my thought life, belief system, and proven activity. But somehow, beyond the conviction on which I stand and the confidence in which I walk, something new is dawning. There’s a really dope version of me emerging. There is another level with my name on it. And not only am I committed to seizing this new day, but I am also dedicated to bringing other phenomenally made, like-minded women along with me.

We celebrate this inaugural printed version of Cheryl Magazine by bringing you the grace, class, style, and power of this country’s far-most leading yet unsung women. Some of them you know, some you will come to know, but all of them, gifts to their perspective fields of endeavor. I am excited about our move to a print publication and look forward to delivering quality content and a fresh look on a familiar model. But mostly, I am excited about the work of Cheryl Magazine—lifting the voices of capable, daring, inspiring women who spark change on the local, national, and international level, and the equally amazing women we serve.

It’s a new day. There’s excitement in the air. Cheryl Magazine: the lifestyle and women’s empowerment magazine is here! I feel invincible. I feel on top of the world! I’m excited about what lies before us and the stories that we will tell along this journey. As the song goes, “I’m a bad girl and my friends bad too.” You’re about to find out exactly how true that is. Enjoy the ride!

Love,

Cheryl EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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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 © 2020 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 Editor | Charmaine Roots Castillo Contributing Editor | Tess Alexandria Financial Editor | Roni M. Benjamin Style Editor | Keri Henderson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Keaira English Michelle Franklin Mark Paul Gregory Kimberly Lee

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 1 Year (4 Quarterly Issues) US $80 Canada $101.58 CAD | International (Digital only) 1 Year (4 Digital Downloads) US $20

Cheryl

CONTENTS faith edition WINTER 2021 | ISSUE #6

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COVER STORY: Bee Good to Yourself

COVER STORY: Choose You!

Meet CEO, public service enthusiast, woman of faith, wisdom walker, and God-inspired entrepreneur Kimberly Bizor Tolbert.

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The Power to Change The Course of History Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard

National President of The Links, Inc. and Creative Consultant on the movie Soul

CEO and Founder of TANYA & CO. Luxe Designs Tanya Turner shares her story of living a life of abundance and how to reach your highest self!

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Tech Rock Star Turns Simple Idea into a $4 Million Brand

Author, One of USA Today’s 100 Black Novelists You Should Read

Rachel Sipperley The Female Founder

LIFESTYLE

Kimberla Lawson Roby Meet New York Times Best-Selling

FEATURED ARTICLES

From Family to Finances, get insight that will help strengthen and empower your life!

Interviews, Tips, and the Latest in Entertainment

P.20 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Building on the Promised Land Cheryl “Action” Jackson

P.36 OMG! Faith, Food, & Purpose

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Daddy Issues with Tess Alexandria

Loyalty can be Blinding

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The Gentleman’s Voice

What Women Should Know

with Mark Paul Gregory

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Foxxy Wizdom with Charmaine Roots Castillo

You’re More than a Bird

Felicia Guimont

P.38 May I have Your Ticket?

Thriving in a Pandemic Dr. Madge L. Barnes, MD P.42 Tips for Engaging with the Media Keaira English

P.46 NEW MUSIC REVIEW:

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Why Investing in Your Wardrobe Is Important

Simone Bridges Inspires

The Good Person Leaves an Inheritance

Style Matters with Keri Henderson

#GIRLPOWER! Money Talk with Traci Henderson Smith with Roni M. Benjamin

KORYN HAWTHORN Kimberly Lee

P.50 Author’s Corner P.54 Leadership Development and the Broken Bridge Michelle Franklin

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COVER STORY

BEE GOOD

TO YOURSELF KIMBERLY BIZOR TOLBERT

By Traci Henderson Smith Managing Editor

Photo Cred: S. Raphiel Hair & Makeup: Polished

by Melissa

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Kimberly Bizor Tolbert serves as the Chief of Staff for the City Manager of Dallas, TX, the ninth-largest city in the nation. With a total workforce of over 13,000 employees and an annual budget that exceeds more than $3.8 billion, Kimberly Bizor Tolbert is the top executive advisor to the City Manager. She works closely with the executive and senior management team executing strategies and guiding and developing policy and budget recommendations to the City Council. She proudly represents the City Manager and the City in building collaborative relationships and partnerships with business, community, and special interest organizations. In her role as Chief Operating Officer, Tolbert provides oversight and guidance to the Office of Government Affairs; Office of Communications, Outreach, and Marketing; Human Resources; Civil Service; Office of Community Care; Office of Homeless Solutions; Office of the Mayor/City Council; and the Office of Community Police Oversight. Effectively directing departmental leadership in the design and implementation of business strategies, plans, and procedures that support the City’s mission is her forte.

Tolbert spearheads the development and implementation of community programs and services tailored to support Dallas’ most vulnerable population—homeless persons, seniors, women, children, and formerly social justice impacted individuals. During the traumatic global corona-virus pandemic, she implemented a “multi-disciplinary team” to develop the City’s COVID-19 Return to Work Plan that created organizational-wide safety measures and clinical protocols for the benefit of all city employees and officials.

Professionally, Tolbert is a transformational leader and a positive advocate for change.

She has expertise in municipal management, strategic planning, communications, diversity and inclusion, employee engagement, talent acquisition, and leadership development. For nearly three decades, Kimberly Bizor Tolbert has devoted her life to public service with the City of Dallas and the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA). She is an advocate and a career-champion for the growth and capacity building of small, minority, and women-owned firms. Under her leadership, the City embarked upon its first Availability and Disparity Study

in more than a decade to identify and address the disparities between the availability and utilization of small, minority, and womenowned businesses in contracting opportunities with the City.

A mother, mentor, motivator, and new entrepreneur Kimberly Bizor Tolbert had much to share with Cheryl Magazine—beginning with boldly and confidently telling us who she is. “As an African American female leader, I am a public service enthusiast, a woman of faith, a wisdom walker, and a God-inspired entrepreneur. I do not do anything unless it is God-inspired.”

In 2010 Tolbert watched her mother go through breast cancer treatments, the side effects, and the impact on her skin and decided then, chemicals and additives were not the answer to restore the smoothness and vitality of our naturally radiant skin. “As I have grown older and learned more about organically grown skincare products, essential oils, and the importance of caring and moisturizing the skin—the idea of the all-natural, organic scrub was given to me. I put it off until 2020. In the middle of the pandemic, I made up my mind that I could no longer defer my dream. The time was right, and here we are.

Now, I have a line of luxuriating sugar scrubs that are all handcrafted and infused with pure, authentic essential oils, and embedded with love. We are excited that our launch included three amazing essential scents: Cool Beans, Hello Sunshine, and Glory. The names of the scents are actual phrases that my family and friends often hear me say, so each scrub gives you a unique reflection of my personality.”

In a global pandemic when things were and still are looking bleak for many small businesses, some having closed their doors for good, Kween Bee’s Sugar Scrubs reports being on track to exceed sales goals set by the startup launched November 1, 2020. “While the product is amazing,” Tolbert states, “the side effect of this all-natural skincare line is “self-love.”

Women and men speak highly of their skin’s smoothness and natural glow after scrubbing and moisturizing with Kween Bee’s Sugar Scrub.

“To know that I am creating a product that stimulates such a positive attribute, especially considering all that we must tackle daily, brings me the ultimate joy. I have personally P. 7 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

selected each ingredient used in each fragrance.

We focus on the fine details in every jar, from our packaging to utilizing the highest quality of authentic essential oils, organic sugar, and fresh ingredients. My motto is Bee Good to Yourself!

Kween Bee’s Sugar Scrub inspires you to do just that—repeatedly!”

Tolbert recalls a conversation she once had with her grandfather, “He challenged me at a young age, to stop complaining about the inequities that existed around me, but to be the one to make change happen that would benefit people who looked like me.” It is this conversation that Tolbert takes into every endeavor or venture. “My grandfather influenced me to be who I am today, and his wisdom guides every decision I make and every step I take. His faith in me has truly helped me know that I can truly change the world with my contributions to society, one day at a time.”

Never allowing anyone to define who you are and what you can achieve is a principle of Tolbert’s. A prime example of this belief system in practice is running towards, not away from a P. 8 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

global pandemic, God-inspired and led by her grandfather’s wisdom, launching a business with every expectation that it will not only do well; but exceed expectations. Standing firmly on the conviction that you must do what God has placed in your heart to do, and you must do it with fervor is how Tolbert feels we repay Him for the gift of life. “The gift of life is God’s gift to you. What you do with each day of life He gives to you is your gift to Him. Awake every day, and no matter what life throws at you, be your truest self. Do not allow anyone to define you. God created every human being for a purpose, search for that purpose, walk-in that purpose, and remember what God has for you no one can take away.” But she doesn’t take full credit for the ability to stand in this strength. “I know that I stand upon the shoulders of greatness, and I accept the challenge to live a life that uplifts the greatness in others.”

As a woman of color in business, pulling out the greatness in others often includes telling other women of color they can do it and encouraging younger women to keep going, no matter what.

“As an entrepreneur and a woman of color, I

believe we have a unique responsibility to invest in our younger women, also to learn from and advocate for one another. If we do not do it, no one else will.”

In addition to Tolbert’s many accomplishments, including the development of her widely popular and developing company Kween Bee’s Sugar Scrub, she has also received recognition for her efforts to build consensus and partnerships, including the Women in Transportation International Rosa Parks Diversity Award and the Luna Award for Outstanding Executive. As a leader, Tolbert lends her talents on a variety of boards. Included are: University of North Texas Public Administration Advisory Board where she served for nearly two decades; Women’s Business Council, Southwest and the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, North Texas Chapter where she is a member; and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Dallas as a mentor.

She also serves as the President of the Dallas Convention Hotel Development Corporation (Omni Dallas Hotel).

An advocate for continuing education, she’s a 2018 alumna of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service Senior Executive Institute, University of Virginia; and recently graduated from the 2020 Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, a diverse cohort of leaders from around the world.

Tolbert was also recognized as a “Sister with Superpowers” by Rolling Out Magazine in 2019 for her passion and focus on addressing issues impacting women. Finally, Kim Bizor Tolbert is a premiere co-author of Soulful Prayers—a 2020 Amazon Bestseller, and holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Texas. She is the proud mother of Joshua Kennedy Tolbert, a scholar, and athlete attending Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In her family, career, and as a mentor, Kimberly Bizor Tolbert is a leader who motivates and inspires. There is no reason we should not expect the same from her as an entrepreneur. “I want this business to be an inspiration to other women that you can have a full career, run a business, and still take time to practice “self-love” and, of course, to Bee Good To Yourself! Starting with your skin.”

Expect product line expansion and continued inspiration from Kween Bee’s Sugar Scrub in 2021.

To learn more about the company, its products, and fearless leader: Email: info@kweenbeesugarscrub.com Web: kweenbeesugarscrub.com.

Social Media: @kweenbeesugarscrubs

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CHOOSE TanyaTurner

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COVER STORY

T

anya M Turner, The Redesign Your Life Strategist, Founder, and CEO of TANYA & CO. Luxe Designs, is, among other things, dedicated to helping women foster self-awareness. As the founder of The Mending Center, LLC, her focus is on amplifying women’s gift(s) and assisting them with relieving emotional baggage. According to Turner, The Mending Center is where women can transform and learn to live a better life. She shares with the damaged, hurting, or burdened the same tools she used to reshuffle, refocus, rearrange, and redesign her life. Surviving a personal battle with depression, Turner has a passion for guiding women bound by their past towards fruitful, productive journeys where they gain a greater appreciation for the best versions of themselves. “That is my purpose,” she says.

Author of Reshuffle the Deck, co-author of Boss’d Up on Purpose, and the best-selling Soulful Prayers, Tanya Turner has also dubbed herself The Luxury Lifestyle Influencer.

Inner healing and self-care go hand-in-hand. Turner has masterfully woven together the two premises to create the luxury lifestyle brand, TANYA & CO. Luxe Designs featuring The Queen Collection and premium quality products that exude elegance, richness, comfort, décor, fragrance, and style fit for a Queen.

When asked why she went into business for herself, Turner’s reply may sound familiar to entrepreneurs who decided to turn pain into purpose, and too, discovered how to make money doing what they love. “I started my business because I wanted to equip myself with financial freedom, wealth, and build a legacy.

By Traci Henderson Smith Managing Editor

It’s my goal to be a multi-generational wealth builder. I want to give [my family] an opportunity to have freedom in every area of their life. I got the idea to start my business because I wanted to make money doing something I love to do while having a meaningful impact on others. I want to supply women with the tools they need to choose themselves, adjust their crown, and know their worth. I understand the struggle personally. I have gone through painful experiences and deep hurts. I grew up feeling unloved, abandoned, and rejected by my parents, which caused me to carry emotional baggage— feelings of rage, resentment, rejection, abandonment, and low self-esteem for the majority of my life. I learned how to live beyond the past by fostering self-awareness, alleviating emotional baggage, amplifying my gifts, and appreciating the woman I am today. Above all else, I CHOSE ME! I am now passionate about teaching others to choose them—their P. 1 1 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

health, sanity, peace, joy, comfort, confidence, purpose, all of it. Just CHOOSE YOU!” Tanya Turner turned what she learned into a lifestyle and chose to help other women do the same. The transition birthed whom we now know as The Luxury Lifestyle Influencer.

for you—good habits, good health and wellness, happiness, encouragement, inspiration, and empowerment—making the two a perfect match.

She’s Got A Habit is just one stop on Turner’s road of dreams and successful collaborations. She looks forward to one day having her premium quality products on Oprah’s list of favorite things.

There was a time when Turner’s health and Having fought depression and come out a serial peace of mind were under siege, and she did entrepreneur, three-time author, a woman of not possess what it took to live the abundant influence, and the strength to help other women life she encourages others to live today. She transform, Turner credits her spirituality for her admits to making poor choices and living an drive and determination to walk in purpose and unhealthy lifestyle. “I made poor choices in live a fruitful life with a happy heart. “I knew deep regards to my relationships, health, and finances. down in my soul that I was chosen, God called While experiencing life-changing encounters me to do a greater work, and God is my greatest that altered my life dramatically, I battled with influence. I can’t do anything without Him. He is episodes of depression, influential in every dream and darkness, eating disorders, goal I desire. God is the joy “I believe the key to stress, and mental chatters in and strength of my life. He silence. Eventually, high levels supplies all my needs, and He living an abundant life of stress began to affect my will always take care of me. health. I began to experience This, I know for sure! When is reaching your highest issues with my heart [atrial I made a decision to change flutter], anxiety, high blood the trajectory of my life and self in all areas of your pressure, and graves disease. fulfill my dreams of becoming It caused me to go from an a business owner, I knew athletic lifestyle to stress, life.” there would be resistance as obesity, and health issues. well as financial sacrifices.

–TANYA TURNER But, I was able to overcome It is in these times I always the challenges by doing the remind myself of my why. work! I did not want to leave this earth without Why did I decide to start my business and who knowing the reason for my true existence, walking will benefit from me being successful in fulfilling in my purpose, creating a legacy, and living my my dreams, visions, and reaching my goals? It’s best life. I realize now that health and wealth go imperative that we let our why be our motivation hand-in-hand. Health is the new wealth. I must to overcoming challenges. My advice to women be my best self to live an abundant life. I believe starting their journey is to stay centered the key to living an abundant life is reaching your spiritually, stay genuine to who you truly are, keep highest self in all areas of your life.” a positive mindset, control your atmosphere, build great business relationships, exhaust free Tanya Turner has many goals on the horizon. opportunities before investing, and know that it With products like soy candles infused with is ok to say “no” and make adjustments as needed. essential oils, stylish home décor, bath & body These are key strategies that will help you stay products, and luxury comfort items, TANYA & in alignment with your goals and reaching your CO. recently announced its partnership with highest pinnacle of success. I suggest having Actress and Producer Malinda Williams (Soul a go-to scripture or quote. For me, I am often Food, The Wood, First Sunday), Founder of She’s reminded of the quote, “Turn your wounds into Got a Habit Marketplace where TANYA & CO. Luxe wisdom,” by Oprah Winfrey. I learn from mistakes Designs Queen Collection is now featured. Both and use those lessons to empower me to push brands are about what’s good and what’s good through tough times.”

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Moving ahead with multiple business ventures in view, and the choice to proactively bring others along is not without a brief look back for the selfawareness guru. ”What would I tell my younger self? If I were younger and could tell myself the things I know now, I’d say, Tanya, protect your peace. Breathe. Don’t let anything or anyone disturb your peace. When I learned how to control my peace, I experienced more calmness, less stress, a happier heart, and a happier mental space. I’d say, take better care of your health, mentally and physically. And don’t worry about setbacks. A setback is a setup for an awesome comeback!”

A native of Fort Pierce, FL, Turner has a bachelor’s degree in business and human resource management from the University of Phoenix.

She currently resides in Atlanta, GA.

To learn more about Tanya Turner, The Mending Center, or TANYA & CO., or to connect with Tanya on any of her platforms, go to: www.tanyamturner.com, www.themendingcenter.com, www.tanyaandco.shop, or follow her on Instagram: @themendingcenter, @tanyandco, @shesgotahabit Facebook: The Mending Center, Tanya and Co., and shesgotahabit.

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DADDY ISSUES with Tess Alexandria

Hi! I’m Tess Alexandria and thank you for joining me for Daddy Issues. Why the name?

Well, after reading Loyalty can be Blinding, it will be obvious.

LOL. I’ll be joining you quarterly 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: Instagram: @tessalexandria_ Facebook: Tess Alexandria If you have questions or a topic you’d like to discuss, email me at hendersontess@gmail.com Singe r, Best-selli ng Author, Radio Pe rsonality, a nd Contributi ng Editor for Che ryl Mag azi ne Photo Cred: Ma rq uita Wilson Photog ra p hy

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Loyalty can be Blinding

Mislaid, loyalty can cause you to ignore all the red flags that surface, just for the sake of preserving a relationship. It can cause you to place your needs, wants, and desires on the back burner to placate the other person. With loyalty comes an attamchment. The fear of losing that attachment, and any “perks” associated with it, can perhaps compel you to persist in a situation long after the grace has left.

It may seem admirable in the beginning, as loyalty is a necessary, even vital component of any relationship: friends, family, romantic, business, and is proof of our dedication, faithfulness, and trust. There is a downside, however. Loyalty can be dark and extreme. A twisted form of loyalty creates an atmosphere where you grow accustomed to stifling who you were created to be just to keep the other person around. You know it’s not working for you, yet you remain. The relationship at this point has become gravely imbalanced. You are not getting what you need, but this brand of loyalty causes you to enable the other party, by commission or omission, to treat you in ways you do not deserve. You cover their responsibility to be accountable for towing their end of the line. The attachment—the idea of having someone and being loved—the eternal hope of it all creates unmerited acceptance, an excessive reliance, need for approval, and loss of identity. You don’t

even realize where you slipped. You completely missed the transition from healthy loyalty into codependency. Before you know it, the time has flown. Now you’re torn between staying because you’ve invested so much time and energy and leaving because the fear of starting over is too overwhelming to stand firm.

However, the fear should lie in settling for a relationship or being attached to a person that is no longer serving you but rather; draining you.

On the other side of that fear is the potential to relearn who you are and open yourself up to new possibilities. The loyalty, once reserved for another, can now channel towards creating a better you. If you allow it, starting over can bring you an immense amount of peace. The weight of trying to maintain the version of you someone else preferred will dissipate. You will then have the freedom to push yourself to align with your actual purpose. We spend a considerable amount of time investing our giftings, callings, and talents in toxic places; that we leave little life or love for ourselves. Once we recognize that we deserve the same energy we give to dead situations, we can then propel ourselves into destiny in which we are worthy.

Am I right? Or am I right? ♥

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FEATURE STORY

“As a woman of color, we possess the power to change the course of history, especially when we vote.”

–Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard

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Her biography reads like the epitome of women’s empowerment. From board seats and successfully leading in high-powered business to executive positions in multiple high-profile organizations, Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D. is a driving force for change and a committed public servant.

As the 17th National President of The Links, Inc. and The Links Foundation, Inc.; Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Life Member and Washington, DC Associate Member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. —all arguably of the most impactful philanthropic organizations concentrating on education, civic duties, and community outreach in the nation; Vice President of Administration and member of the Board of Directors of the Black Women’s Agenda, Inc.; and member of the Board of Directors of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) and Honorary Chair of the NCNW 59th National Convention, Leonard sends a powerful message to the world. There is power in women-led organizations, and women must take their rightful place at the forefront of change.

Dr. Jeffries Leonard believes there are many advantages to women in business, particularly when they lead organizations. “Female-led groups tend to foster diversity,” she says. “When those of different ages, cultures and regions feel welcome and empowered, the resulting organization is strong. Members are more creative and innovative resulting in the group and those it serves reaping the benefits. When a woman is at the forefront of industry, it can signal that many voices and opinions are both welcome and heard. Among women of African descent, we have a kinship and sisterhood that keeps us connected. We have come to lean

on each other and offer support when it is most needed. I have found inspiration, resourcefulness, passion, and brilliance from other Sister-Leaders.

While it can be difficult for women to get a seat at the table or sit at the head, it is even more difficult for a woman of color to do so. When the opportunity arises, we are less likely to squander it. We create opportunities, build strong networks, and make change happen. What was meant to hinder us has proved to be our greatest motivation.”

During the 2020 election cycle, Dr. Jeffries Leonard helped spearhead a movement, which united the influence of both women in power and women-powered organizations. Those women united their voices and votes in efforts to fight police brutality, increase voter registration, and get all legally registered voters to the polls. That power was evidenced in many local and statewide races. Perhaps most prominently, that power wielded a democratic win in Georgia’s two Senate seats as well as the presidential race and our newly elected Vice President, Kamala Harris. Dr. Jeffries Leonard’s call to vote “as we never have before” leveraged her platform to engage not only the 16,000 members of The Links and 300,000 members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha organizations, but also the communities they serve. Vice President Harris, like Dr. Jeffries Leonard, is a member of The Links, Incorporated as well as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Black women fought hard for the Biden/Harris ticket, understanding that our demographic would prove once again to be the margin of success. Dr. Jeffries Leonard saw the value of partnering with organizations like When We All Vote and Fair Fight to increase voter registration and support the fight against

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voter injustice. On November 3, 2020, and again on January 20, 2021, the world saw first hand that the power and the vote of Black women mattered. “As a woman of color, we possess the power to change the course of history, especially when we vote,” Dr. Jeffries Leonard said in an interview with Monarch Magazine.

Dr. Jeffries Leonard is also, President and CEO of Envision Consulting, LLC, a boutique public health consulting firm specializing in strategic and innovative executive-level solutions for public, private, and government entities, including strategic planning, program design and implementation, program and systems assessment and evaluation, and minority community engagement. She has a life-long commitment to public service exemplified throughout her successful professional, academic and civic endeavors. Dr. Jeffries Leonard has over twenty-five years of applied health, minority health, and behavioral medicine research, evaluation, technical assistance (TA), and training experience specializing in health promotion and disease prevention. In addition to a sorted array of demonstrated knowledge and expertise in her multiple fields of endeavor, Dr. Jeffries Leonard has also worked extensively on programs in and with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and has developed and implemented minority engagement, training, and professional development programs for non-profit organizations. She has served as a spokeswoman for federal and state government initiatives and several organizations with interests related to public health issues.

Within the last decade, Dr. Jeffries Leonard has served on numerous public health advisory committees and delivered nearly 100 invited lectures, presentations, trainings, and keynote addresses for national audiences representing various health and behavioral health interests. An enrolled tribal member of the NC state-recognized Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Dr. Jeffries Leonard is a proponent of culturally competent service provision and an ardent promoter of increased participation by Native Americans, African Americans, and other minorities in relevant research to help improve their health outcomes.

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Dr. Jeffries Leonard earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychology from Howard University and a Master of Science degree from North Carolina Central University. She also completed a National Institutes of Minority Health (NIMH) pre-doctoral fellowship at George Washington University Medical School, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences examining chronic disease and family systems; a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute post-doctoral fellowship at the Howard University Cancer Center, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics studying cardiovascular and cancer epidemiology; and the Graduate Summer Program in Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.

Dr. Jeffries Leonard serves as Director-at-Large on the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc. Board of Directors. She is a member of the American Heart Association Diversity Leadership Committee; serves as a member of the Petey Greene Program Board of Trustees; is a member of the AIDS United Board of Trustees; and was appointed Chair of the DC Commission on African American Affairs by Washington, DC Mayor, Muriel Bowser. Mayor Bowser recently appointed Dr. Jeffries Leonard to serve on the ReOpen DC Advisory Group and the ReOpen DC Task Force on Equity, Disparity Reduction, and Vulnerable Populations Subcommittee to reopen Washington, DC safely and sustainably in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

December 25, 2020, the question was asked, “What makes you...YOU?” Disney Pixar Animation Studios released an all-new feature film, Soul and took audiences on a journey to answer life’s most important questions. When making a movie about soul searching, asking questions about purpose and passion, and discovering what it means to have a soul, it helps to have a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology and an expert in Psychiatry and Behavioral Science around. Dr. Jeffries Leonard was tapped as a creative consultant. The directors for the film gathered consultants to ensure the film avoided harmful Black stereotypes.

“I am so very honored to be a part of such groundbreaking and important project. Soul is Walt Disney Pixar’s first film to have an African

American main character. The story shares important messages about purpose, passion, and selflessness, which is wonderful. The images are beautiful, but more importantly, Pixar made every effort to create characters who looked African American without falling into any racist imagery or stereotypes. I was so fortunate to be a part of a team whose input and opinions were truly valued.

Alongside Pixar’s staff, I worked with Dr. Johnetta Cole, Phylicia Rashad, and Grammy award-winning Jazz artist Terri Lyne Carrington, to share our insights and experiences. Soul is a credit to African American men, families and institutions. It proudly shows our communities and relationships in a way that is uplifting. In a time when our image is more important than ever, I am proud to have been a part of a project that shares such positive messages about African Americans. With Soul’s success, I can only hope that there are many more projects like these from other filmmakers and studios.”

Soul is the first film Pixar released with a Black protagonist and the studio’s first film with a Black

co-director. Nielsen’s U.S. streaming rankings reported Soul was the most-watched title over the Christmas week with 1.669 billion streaming minutes beating out all other streaming titles on the Nielsen rankings including the previously mostwatched, The Office.

Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard is the recipient of numerous honors, awards, and recognitions, including the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) Alumni of the Year Award from her alma mater, Fayetteville State University; AARP “African American Change Maker” and National Health Leader; the Women in Excellence Reaching Higher Award by the Afro American Newspaper; and the Chancellor’s Medallion, Fayetteville State’s highest honor bestowed on an Alum. She is also Ruling Elder at 15th Street Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC. To learn more about this driving force or to connect, follow The Links, Incorporated Instagram: @thelinksinc Twitter: @linksinc Facebook: The Links Incorporated or visit www.linksinc.org.

Thursday Therapy with T yreese Tyreese R. McAllister hosts the monthly podcast, “Thursday Therapy,” dedicated to mental health and wellness. The podcast provides a forum for thoughtful, non-clinical, and conversational discussions on mental health. Guests share their experiences, discuss treatment options, and answer questions to educate listeners about mental health.

Encouraging everyone to be intentional with your mental health!

To Contact Tyreese: Email: mcallister_t yreese@yahoo.com| Social Media: @t P. yreesemcallister 1 9 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

“My mother was a giver, I learned from her.”

- Cheryl “Action” Jackson

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Building on the

PROMISEDLAND

A n E XC LU S I V E S t o r y w i t h C h e r y l “A c t i o n” J a c k s o n

By Traci Henderson Smith Manag ing Editor

W

hen you are Oprah’s favorite, there is no question about your influence and impact. Dr. Cheryl “Action” Jackson has become a household name among the powerful, including businesspersons, celebrities, professional athletes, sports franchise owners, and has won the heart of talk show host and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey.

Jackson, keynote speaker, award-winning social entrepreneur, author, television host, and producer, is nicknamed for being a woman of ACTION! She has persevered from experiencing hunger to providing for children and families through her awardwinning organization, Minnie’s Food Pantry, a charity she founded to honor her mother, the late Dr. Minnie Hawthorne Ewing.

“My mother was a giver,” Jackson told Cheryl Magazine. “I learned from her. My grandmother owned a corner store. She was the ice cream lady, except she never sold any ice cream. She would always give it away. She would tell me all the time that if you give, it will come back to you. I’d say, that’s great granny, but we’re never going to be rich if you don’t sell something. Before she died, my mom promised my granny that the world would know her name. After her passing, my mother founded Helen’s House.

For years she ran the non-profit bearing her mother’s name and fed children and families

in honor of her mother. I used to be the voice of Helen’s House. I helped my mom serve and care for families. Then, one day, I decided I wanted to do for my mother what she had done for hers. I wanted the world to know her and how hard she worked. I wanted the world to know her name. My mother would not hear of it. She didn’t want her name out front. She expressed her love for her mother and how she just wanted to keep honoring her. I told her I wanted to do the same thing.

My grandmother passed without seeing the work my mother would go on to do in her name. I didn’t want that. I started Minnie’s Food Pantry. My mother was furious. She was so mad at me. I ended up telling her to go pray. I told her to pray about it and then tell me what God said. She prayed about it and then told me God said for her to take her hands off me. She told me that God was going to bless me, and people would know me all over the world. She said that billionaires were going to give to me and support me. She lived long enough to see parts of her prophecy come to pass. God is good!”

Under Jackson’s leadership, Minnie’s has distributed over 15 million meals to children and families in need. “I started out with two cans of corn,” said Jackson. “Now we have four locations in three states.” Minnie’s Food Pantry has expanded its headquarters from a 500 square foot building to a 28,000 square foot building complete with a Learning Lab

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to teach the people they serve. In April 2018, Oprah Winfrey joined Jackson’s cause. She served as the keynote speaker for Minnie’s Food Pantry’s 10th Annual Gala. The world leader and media mogul raised over one million dollars to help Jackson continue her mission of providing healthy meals to the community.

“She knows what it means to have a vision and go after it. I love that Cheryl understood nobody should be humiliated because they are hungry.

After eight years of saying “No,” I said, “Yes” because Cheryl was relentless. She is doing the work and anyone that can start with two cans of corn and serve eight million meals, I had to lend my name and support her. –Oprah Winfrey My time with Dr. Cheryl Jackson was aweinspiring. I’m a professional, but I found myself apologizing for getting choked up as she shared her journey and expounded upon the favor that’s on her life and work. I was listening to the voice of greatness. And just when I thought the conversation could not get more profound, she dropped a Cheryl Magazine exclusive on me.

“I’m going to tell you something I have not shared,” she said. “I was going to reveal it soon, but I’m going to tell you now.” In the last conversation my mother and I had, I told her, I’m going to build on the Promised Land. It has been my dream to have a pantry at the site of the home where I grew P. 2 2 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

up. We had a conversation about it, and I told my mom I was going to do it. Then I told her I had to go into a meeting and would call her later. When I got out of the meeting, I had 41 missed calls. My mother had passed away. Later, I was even more determined to put a pantry where my childhood home was. I drove by my old house one day only to find that it had been torn down. I was devastated.

It was an old house. There were taxes owed on it, they demolished it, and wood was everywhere all over the property. I cried. I told myself that I would buy the land one day. Guess what. I just bought the land. We’re going to have a Minnie’s Food Pantry in the spot where I grew up. My dream came true. I’m building on the Promised Land. And here is how I know it’s God. The land is zoned for residential, and you can’t place a business on it. I talked to the neighbors about it, the church across the street in particular. When I told them who I was and what I wanted to do, they were excited. They said they knew who I was. They knew my mom and remembered my grandmother. Church members said they wanted to put a food pantry in that spot but didn’t have the money. So with no opposition from the neighbors, the city approved me. I’m just waiting on the paperwork. I get my dream, and the church gets a pantry they couldn’t afford. And get this; after I bought the land and got approved, people from the church told me that in that very spot, my grandmother had a store there. I had no idea. God is just so amazing.”

There is no way to be in a conversation with Dr. Cheryl “ACTION” Jackson, and not feel the joy in her heart for serving people and the energy she exudes when she talks of honoring her mother, rush over you. “Hey, I’m just a girl who loved her mom,” she states. “And let me tell you something else. During the pandemic, we fed families every single day. We took donations at the backdoor. I said to my team, let’s put a bell at the backdoor.

My mother’s name was Minnie Bell Hawthorne. We put a bell at the backdoor to not only let us know when people came to drop off items, but also to remember my mom every time the bell rang. Then miraculously, we started noticing that every time we ran out of something in the pantry, the bell would ring, and it would be the exact thing we ran out of. No kidding. We could need kid’s snacks; the bell would ring with kid’s snacks. We could be out of peanut butter, the bell would ring, and there would be someone there with peanut butter. My team didn’t believe it at first, but then everyone started paying attention. I got so I could call it, say what we needed or was out of, and the bell would ring, and someone would show up with it.

This happened every day of the pandemic 2020.

It was like Minnie was watching over us, saying, ‘I got this. What do you need?’”

During the pandemic, Jackson and her team provided over 5 million meals, and they continue to be the voice for the hungry. Throughout her incredible work, Jackson has received support from Mark Cuban, Mark Burnett, Martha Stewart, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Roma Downey, Weight Watchers, David and Tamela Mann, Tyler Perry, Pat and Emmit Smith, and DreamWorks. The BET Network recognized Minnie’s Food Pantry and donated $30,000 to their mission. Jackson has brought awareness of food insecurity to the forefront on both a local and national level through features on national television shows, including ELLEN and Good Morning America, where she was honored with the Hometown Hero Award by singer Rihanna. Rihanna has also volunteered with Minnie’s Food Pantry. Steve Martin and Jim Parsons also came to serve side-by-side with Jackson.

Other media outlets that featured Cheryl Jackson include Essence, Jet Magazine, ABC News, NBC, CBS The Talk, Oprah Winfrey.com, TBN, The Steve Harvey Show, and the documentary “Hunger Hits Home” by the Food Network.

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THE GENTLEMAN’S

WHAT WOMEN VOICE SHOULD KNOW

ACCESSING EMOTIONAL CHAMBERS written by

T

MARK PAUL GREGORY

o ladies either believing God for their “Boaz” or already in a serious relationship, I have a question for you. How successful are you at accessing the emotional chambers of a man? What are emotional chambers? I would describe them as a set of doors, each with its own key. These doors represent a new level of trust and intimacy in communication. Behind these doors are innermost secrets that you have longed to know, like why he acts and thinks the way he does.

The notion that prohibits growth in this area is that men are tough, strong, or even callous, which prevents them from feeling. The super-human image of your father; cartoons such as Superman and He-Man may have contributed to these ideas. When in reality, we hurt. We may not allow you to see it. We may not be P. 2 4expressive, | Cheryl MAGAZINE but we want to be.

For generations, men have maintained this aura of invincibility even when it’s not

healthy to do so. Ladies, the mere fact that you are in a serious relationship with your man means he trusts you and has given you a key or keys. If you want to open more doors and go deeper emotionally, I have listed a few tips to get you more keys and further access.

1

Make sure you’re not taking up all the emotional space in the relationship. The typical

dynamic is ladies talk and men listen, which is completely fine. It becomes problematic when you do so much talking or complaining that there is no space for him to voice how he feels.

2

Know that comfort breeds conversation.

If a man is comfortable, he will talk. Hence the phrase “pillow talk.” With Samson and Delilah, she asked him multiple times what was the source of his strength. The first few times, he lied to her. The final time she laid his head on her lap and asked again.

She got him comfortable and relaxed then he told her the source of his strength. At this moment, he is disarmed, vulnerable, and open. The goal, ladies, is to create or maintain a disarming environment.

One of the best ways to master this is to minimize conflict. Why? Because comfort breeds communication! Conflict puts men in survival mode. We’re on edge and uptight. Conflict does what cold air does to muscles; it constricts them. We tighten up in these spaces. Ladies, you all set the tone of the house. If it’s a place of comfort, communication will flow.

3

Make him feel like he’s still a priority to you. Once the

honeymoon is over and you are in the real-life stage—the mortgage, the kids’ practices—it becomes a challenge to maintain the same level of intimacy that you had in the beginning. Men often feel left with the scraps. This feeling directly connects to our emotional health. Why? Because men think in terms of functionality, whereas women think about priority. You all look at everything in the house that must be done and put them in order. In many instances, the man will be last. Because you all process in that manner and we don’t, we interpret your tasks as priorities. Imbalance in the distribution of time and energy makes it difficult for us to function well.

4

Lastly, be intentional about having conversations that matter. Be mindful of the

conversations you have. Have they just been surface level? If so, commit to a quality conversation with your man.

Communication is the bonding agent that reinforces the strength of your relationship.

Mark Paul Gregory, also known as Comedian Mark Gregory, is a writer and nationally touring comedian. Though he is the nephew of comedic legend Dick Gregory, he has carved out his own path appearing on Aspire TV’s We Got Next, FOX TV’s One Mic Stand, and TBS Just For Laughs comedy festival. Check out his periodic heartfelt and insightful commentary here in “The Gentleman’s Voice, on moments he’s away from the stage. Follow him on Facebook: Comedian Mark Gregory Instagram: @comicmarkgreg P. 2 5 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

FOXXY WIZDOM

with Charmaine Roots Castillo

Photo Cred: YRS Photog raphy P. 2 6 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

You’re n a th e r Mo a Bird

Is this real life? Yes – we are indeed surviving amid a global pandemic. This is one of those real-life stories that will be etched in the history of our lifetime and passed down through the generations about God’s faithfulness through the storms of life. This is also a perfect time to reflect on our lives and remember the many times we made it through when we didn’t see a way through when we didn’t know what to do – but God!!

As we watch AND pray, we have hope that we will make it to the other side of this thing. It is easy to say we trust God when everything is going well, but it is during times like these that we have an opportunity to see, first hand, that everything that He says is true.

This morning, I sat on my patio, gently rocking back and forth in my rocking chair, enjoying the cool breeze before moving into my office to work remotely from home. There’s something about a rocking motion that is so soothing and calming to me. It’s a peaceful motion that relaxes my soul. As I was rocking, thinking, being thankful for a new day, I watched the birds fluttering from one tree to the other, enjoying the seeds that I had poured into their little bird feeders. I listened to their cheerful chirps, and as I watched them frolic back and forth with their happy-go-lucky attitudes, a scripture came to mind: Matthew 6:26 — Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather

into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

At that moment, a melody and a new song dropped into my spirit, and I began to hum and then sing the new tune that had just lighted on my heart.

Now, think about that—in the light of the pandemic that is wreaking havoc all over the world. Many are losing loved ones, jobs, and hope—practically overnight. As I watched the birds flutter about with no care for what they would eat, wear, or how they would be cared for, I began to tell myself, “I’m so much more than a bird. If God takes care of them, surely he will see that I have everything that I need without me getting my feathers all ruffled up.”

And with that thought, a wave of peace flooded over me. I captured the peace of that moment and then consciously thanked God for caring for and about me. With that expression of gratitude, I seemed to usher in hope and a smile. Be encouraged. Don’t cast away your confidence that you will be okay. If God is your Father—the one who created the universe for your pleasure—rest assured, he will take care of you. Now, how’s that for some Foxxy Wizdom?

Charmaine Roots Castillo is a model and creative writer who promotes encouragement, positive outlooks, and brighter prospectives. Connect with her on IG: @56silverfoxx or connect at 56silverfoxx.com.

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theFemale Founder

Q&A with Rent My Wardrobe

Rachel Sipperley

By Traci Henderson Smith Managing Editor

There is just no stopping TECH ROCK STAR Rachel Sipperley, CEO and Founder of Rent My Wardrobe designer clothing rental app and host of The Female Founder podcast.

With a digital peer-to-peer marketplace that enables women to generate additional income while becoming more financially savvy and a podcast that encourages us to take charge of our futures and step into entrepreneurship, Sipperley is all about women’s empowerment.

The daughter of a youth pastor, Sipperley came from humble beginnings, but she was a born entrepreneur. She completed her undergraduate degree at nineteen, was a top executive for a fortune 500 company by twenty-two, and had purchased three homes by the age of twenty-five. In 2019, she launched Rent My Wardrobe during Dallas Startup Week with Real Housewives of Dallas in attendance. Her corporate success and never-ending side hustle allowed her to self-fund the startup. Backed by venture capitalists and television personalities Court and Kameron Westcott, along with other investors raising nearly $1 million in seed funding within one month of launching her MVP concept. She was one of the only femalefounded technology startups in Dallas to receive venture funding in 2019. Now valued at $4 million, in 2020 Rent My Wardrobe was acquired by the New York-based competitor platform, Wardrobe, backed by the Airbnb, Opendoor, and Coinbase founders.

Additionally, Sipperley motivates and empowers a sizable listening audience through her podcast, The Female Founder, a Yea Network production. Her mission is to inspire and equip women and girls to become incredible entrepreneurs and foster a women-supporting-women culture for the startup ecosystem.

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Why did you start your business and where did you get the idea?

“What made me decide to start my journey as an entrepreneur was a mix of serendipity and fate. I was working in corporate America and no longer felt intellectually stimulated or challenged. I was always side hustling and finding ways to make money from a young child. I was participating in the sharing economy through Airbnb to rent rooms in my home, Turo to rent my car, and Rover to walk my dog, and found that there was nothing in the P2P rental space for fashion. A friend and I discussed the idea as a way to empower women to generate additional income streams and help women save money on items that are only worn once. As fate would have it, one week later my lucrative position was eliminated when I exceeded my sales quota 10 times over! I used the severance package to completely self-fund and launch Rent My Wardrobe.”

Tell us about your business product and service. Renting clothes. How does that work?

“Rent My Wardrobe is a peer-to-peer exchange for women’s fashion. It works very similarly to Airbnb but for clothes instead of houses.”

Ladies can put cash in their pockets by renting clothing they own to women in their third-party networks with the advantage of social media verification. Equally, women can wear designer clothes and accessories at a steal. A BRILLIANT idea! And all the ladies say, “AMEN!” Sipperley got it right with a company whose guiding principals state, “From day one, our prime directive has been to create

FEATURE STORY

Photo Cred: Rent My Wardrobe P. 2 9 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

opportunities for women. We will remain focused on this in the way we conduct business, the product we build, the company, and the brand we create.”

Having been a proven go-getter at an early age, is there any advice you would give to your younger self?

“Trust your gut. Don’t talk yourself out of things, your gut is usually right, and you probably have all of the answers you need already inside yourself.”

What would you do differently?

“About 1000 things. Every day is about learning and growing and a new challenge. I would listen more and talk less. I would sleep more and enjoy the moments more. I typically worked 90-100 hours per week when RMW was at its peak, and [that is] a fast way to get burned out. You only get one life, so you need to enjoy it and take time to continue to foster your relationships in the midst of your business, or it will pass you by.”

How have you handled setbacks?

“My grandmother used to tell me continually, in every hurt or pain, there is always a lesson. There is a reason God and the universe allowed this circumstance to happen. If something is happening over and over, there is a lesson to be learned and something perhaps you need to look inward [concerning]. I rarely see obstacles as losses; they are just challenges that help me grow and make me stronger. Imagine the challenges thrown your way are just life’s personal trainer preparing you for the next battle. The moment this clicks, and you can separate your inner world and outer world, your whole life will change and get exponentially more rewarding and more enjoyable.”

With immense intentionality and a passion for success, and seeing others succeed, Rachel Sipperley has not only created an enjoyable life for herself, but her determination to show others the way is admirable. The Female Founder podcast provides entrepreneurs with the blueprint that Sipperley did not have starting out.

“When I first started my business, I really jumped off a cliff and built the plane on the way down.

There is no blueprint for a startup, and there is no set of rules telling you step-by-step what to do.

So, throughout my journey, I have found so many founders, advisors, and mentors who have really encouraged me and inspired me. And what I wanted to do with this podcast is not only allow listeners P. 3 0 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

to feel inspired but give them tangible tips and resources that they can put into action immediately to take steps towards making their dreams a reality and launching their own company.”

The Female Founder is a resource guide for all things entrepreneurial. On the podcast, you will hear inspiring stories from fellow founders, investors, engineers, movers, and shakers. The objective is to churn out incredible entrepreneurs, equipped and ready for the marketplace. Rachel Sipperley wants to help you turn your dreams into reality—because if she can do it, so can you!

No more 90-100 hours a week, building her impeccable brand. Sipperley is delighted to take a small sabbatical after her profitable deal with New York-based competitor, Wardrobe. Once she’s rested, she’s back at it with new and exciting things on the horizon. She did, however, leave Cheryl Magazine with this gentle reminder and word of encouragement for the life we want to live: “You control your happiness and [determine] your reality with your mind and your words. You create the world around you based on what you think about and spend time meditating on.”

Sipperley’s five-star podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podcast App, Spotify, iTunes, and anywhere you can get podcasts.

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WHY INVESTING IN YOUR WARDROBE IS IMPORTANT These days, most of us are working from home, so the idea of focusing on your wardrobe may not be a priority. But zoom calls in bathrobes or pajamas, while comfy, may not be good for your overall well being. Being closed off at home for days on end is the perfect reason and time to evaluate your personal style, invest in creating a wardrobe that reflects who you are, and choose to show up every day looking and feeling your best--even while working from home.

your job would be enough for someone to make an impression about you. But first impressions are not made based on how we work; they are made based on how we look. Taking the time to invest in your wardrobe will help you make a great first impression.

Just think about it; no matter how great I am at what I do, if you were visiting my website and I looked a mess, you would not take me seriously as a stylist. You would not trust that I could Investing in your wardrobe helps build your advise you because I didn’t present myself in confidence! We have all heard the saying, a way that made a great first impression, and “When you look good, you feel good.” Think great first impressions chart the road to trust about your favorite wardrobe pieces; they are and credibility. your favorite items because you feel amazing when you wear them. You feel confident, you When you get dressed, dress authentically. feel unstoppable, and you know you look good! Don’t change who you are. Just be mindful of Lounging, comfy in your favorite sweats and the impression that you are making. What you hoodie certainly has its place. Just make sure communicate about yourself when someone you are also treating yourself to the feeling sees a photo of you online or sees you for the you get when you look incredible! You should first time on a video call is often dictated by feel fabulous every time you get dressed. your style and appearance. You can use your Especially now that we are working virtually, clothes as a tool to communicate a message. you should feel your best every time you have You are in control of the narrative. to appear onscreen for a meeting, webinar, panel discussion, etc. When you love the way Finally, investing in your wardrobe will save you look, your confidence will shine through. you money and time in the long run. Spending And in these trying times with fewer reasons money on clothes is always an investment, but to get dolled up, you owe it to yourself to boost taking the time to define your personal style, and maintain that confidence. How you look declutter your closet, and shop for the right can help do that. pieces is always worth it. Doing so eliminates the need to shop often. You will also save Helping you feel more confident is not the only yourself the stress of figuring out what to wear, reason you should take the time to invest in your whether for a special occasion or that 9:00 AM wardrobe. In a perfect world, how you solve zoom meeting. your client’s problem; or the work you do for P. 3 2 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

STYLE MATTERS with Keri Henderson

Keri Henderson is an L A based personal fashion st ylist who work s with client s in-person and vir tually.

Get Amazing Tips, Hack s, Essentials and More All At KeriHenderson.com Follow her on Instagram:@kerilhenderson and #St yledbyKeri, and on Facebook: Keri Henderson.

P. 3 3 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

#GIRLPOWER

with Traci Henderson Smith

SIMONE

BRIDGES INSPIRES Young moguls—including those in the making, fascinate me. I positively beam when I’m in the presence of early greatness. I’m all about making room for them. Let’s make room for the genius that is Chef Simone Bridges. I met Simone in 2018 when she was eleven years old.

I was speaking at a conference where she was a vendor. It blew me away to find that the most organized, professional, and magically aesthetic display in the building belonged to a child. On a break, while eating lunch with the panel of other distinguished guests, Simone approached me.

She politely introduced herself, asked if I had a moment, and then presented her portfolio. She is the author of The Science Behind It, a book about twenty-six young moguls who share the science behind building their empires. She founded Goddess Food Factory, a fun-filled bakery and STEM/STREAM company. She had appeared on the Steve Harvey Show, two episodes of Wonderama, and had made several news appearances. Her conversation was poised and straightforward. She was knowledgeable. She was about business. I offered her space on my platform at an event, and she ROCKED IT! A powerful speaker and celebrity chef; one of ten kids who are a part of LeBron James’ “Always Believe” campaign; Chef Simone Bridges is featured on three Smile of a Child commercials via Trinity Baptist Network. Creator of the Ex.S.T.R.E.A.M. Baking Program; a teacher and P. 3 4 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

facilitator; the International Junior President of the National Black Chefs Association and the youngest winner of the Black Expo, she is Founder of Simone Bridges Inspires Inc., a non-profit where she helps underprivileged youth discover self-love, self-esteem, and self-care through her “Be You” program, and where kids start businesses via her Youth Entrepreneurship Leadership platform. Her STEM/STREAM advocacy program leads youth toward discoveries in science.

STREAMchella creator! (Did I say how much I love this girl?) STREAMchella is like Coachella with live music and performances but with Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STREAM) stations with hands-on make-and-take activities for kids. Everyone gets free food and several free items for the youth.

Now, at age 15, Chef Simone is author of her second book, Truth Playmakers 17 and Under: Black, Bold, Brilliant, and Built for Success, and star of BYU TV’s new feel-good television show, OPERATION AWESOME premiering WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10th at 8:00 PM EST. The show takes a look at how kids are changing the world every day. CONGRATULATIONS Chef Simone Bridges, baker, speaker, author, philanthropist, and STREAM advocate, you are the epitome of GIRL POWER!

Follow Chef Simone

Facebook: Goddess Food Factor y Instagram: @goddessfoodjax Twitter: @goddessfoodjax Linkedin: Simone Bridges Youtube: Goddess Food Factor y or visit her website at www. goddessfoodfactor y.com.

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By Traci Henderson Smith Managing Editor

Chef Felicia Guimont, an Amazon best-selling author and owner of OMG Cakes & Southern Best Catering, LLC, a full-service caterer of Fort Worth, Texas, has been in business for twentyfour years. When her time in the corporate world ended, a new journey began. Remembering all she learned as a child during summer vacations with an aunt, she turned what became a passion into a sustainable business. Just like every other small business owner concentrating on growth, expansion, and their next level—navigating through a global pandemic was not a part of the plan. Never would Guimont have expected losing a considerable percentage of her revenue due to cancellations prompted by the horror of Covid_19 and a citywide lockdown. The devastation caused by the Corona-virus shook countless businesses. Those whose doors did not close found themselves having to pivot, but for Chef Felicia Guimont, suddenly, the miraculous happened.

“The pandemic changed the lives of so many in a negative way,” Guimont told Cheryl Magazine. “But my company experienced something that I could never have imagined during this time. I secured P. 3 6 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

a place along with a few other restaurants and catering services preparing lunch for the management team of a major company. The first delivery warranted a personal call from the director thanking me for serving them. He told me about one of the dessert experiences he loved from my selection. To have someone tell you that they plan to help small businesses in the area stay afloat was priceless because I made the list! Serving essential workers was a mission I was destined for and didn’t fear. I knew God had me covered because I was using wisdom while delivering.”

A month passed, and as Guimont stated, God had her covered. Soul Reborn, a premier nonprofit organization in Texas dedicated to an array of community efforts, asked if she would come aboard to assist with an initiative to serve the front line and essential workers. The project was two-fold. Soul Reborn had not only committed at the time to serving hot healthy meals and providing motivational and inspirational books to a thousand workers, but they had also purposed to support a Black woman-owned small business throughout the pandemic. OMG Cakes & Southern

CULINARY

“

The pandemic changed the lives of so many in a negative way...

I walked in my emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual healing during this time of so many losing hope.

Best Catering was their choice. “This project request was to feed front line workers first, then essential workers were added,” says Guimont.

“We started with a goal of one thousand people, then two thousand. To my amazement, we fed a total of 5k by November! All I could do is look at my hands and thank God for the gift! I closed my eyes and thanked God for my mind, which I didn’t lose after my stroke! I put my hand on my chest to feel my heartbeat that still ticks after my past heart attack! I looked in the mirror and saw myself melting away to a stronger body to complete the task. I walked in my emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual healing during this time of so many losing hope.”

Soul Reborn served more than 10,000 front line and essential workers and children and families in need from March through December 2020.

Chef Felicia Guimont and OMG Cakes & Southern Best Catering, LLC was a huge part of that success. Many were appreciative and reported feeling the love in the gesture and the food.

Community service is something Guimont feels is a part of her purpose. “I will forever continue

my journey in community service. I answer the call like a warrior and keep my household safe as I do God’s will.” As for other things she’s looking forward to: “I serve professional athletes as a personal chef and will continue to safely take on events as needed. I am a co-author in three anthologies that will change the hearts of many when they read our stories. I also plan to keep doing virtual cooking demos for youth and those who want to learn basics in the kitchen. I will not give up on me because I have many who believe in me and cheer me on. I am a small business owner with a big heart!”

To Book Chef Felicia Guimont

or to purchase her books: Promise, The Journey of the Chain Breakers, and Souled Out Vol. 2 contact her on Facebook: fguimont Facebook: southernbestcatering Instagram: @southernbestcatering

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

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MAY I HAVE YOUR TICKET PLEASE? Thriving in a Pandemic

By Dr. Madge L. Barnes, MD; FAAFP CEO, Barone Health and Medical Advisory Covid-19, Covid Vaccines, Coronavirus, Masks, Social Distancing, Hand Washing...

Are we done yet? The answer is not yet.

Pandemic Fatigue is a new term for the inundation with the above terms and the ongoing Pandemic. I have been a Family Physician for 30 years, and observations have surfaced in what I term the Purple Ticket and Golden Ticket when a patient visits my office.

The Golden Ticket is the Medical Concern, or what we term the chief complaint.

The question is: I have a cough, runny nose, sore throat, and am sneezing. Do I have Covid-19? The answer requires more questions. Other diagnoses with the same symptoms are Allergies, Cold, or the Flu. The following chart can clarify:

ALLERGIES No Fever

COLD Fever < 100.4

FLU Fever>100.4 Body aches Headaches

COVID-19 Fever>101 Shortness of Breath Loss of Taste/Smell Diarrhea

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Get tested. Most importantly, we know the 3 Ws, which should be our new normal: -Wear a Mask to protect you and others.

-Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.

-Watch your distance, keeping at least 6 feet (2 arms lengths away).

The other ticket is what I term the Purple Ticket, which is often the underlying reason for seeing the doctor. It is the real reason for the visit. The concerns include the following: I am worried about my sons. I am scared, nervous, sad, lonely, angry, and feel helpless. I don’t have enough money for groceries. I am angry all the time, and my kids are so annoying being home all day. I don’t think I know enough to home school my children.

My wife is picking fights with me. My husband is yelling and breaking things, and I am scared. I can’t sleep well. I am tired of staying at home but afraid to go out. I have no time for myself. I am exhausted but still can’t relax and rest. I don’t think I can take this anymore. What do I do?

First of all, these thoughts are normal. Give yourself permission and freedom.

IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY. There are so many stressors: social isolation, lack of childcare, depression and or anxiety, reduced access to health services, lack of alone time or lack of physical/mental space, financial/emotional or physical stress, substance misuse, loss of job or income, and the list goes on.

The social distancing can lead to increased risk for Child Abuse and/or Neglect, Intimate Partner Violence, or Elder Abuse. We have also seen an uptick in Domestic Violence.

IT’S NOT OKAY TO STAY THAT WAY. What do I recommend to patients, friends, colleagues, family, and myself?

It’s not an event, moment, or a minute.

It’s a Lifestyle.

Kept for God’s Glory to connect, equip, and transform lives.

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T. I. C. K. E. T. T - TALK often and from the depth of your heart to each other and include your children.

I - IGNITE the flames of family togetherness without television, phones, or computers. Play family games.

C – CARE for self by visiting “chill town”—a place just for you.

K - KEEP a “worry pad” next to your bed to list your worries, pray over them and go to sleep.

You can concern yourself with them the next day if you feel it is needed but get rest.

E - ENCOURAGE yourself as the powerful warrior you are.

T - TRUST that a pandemic always ends.

ALWAYS. This too shall pass. Covid-19 will end.

In 1720, The Plague came and ended. In 1820, the Cholera Pandemic came and ended. In 1920, the Spanish Flu Pandemic began and ended.

It seems that history repeats itself every 100 years.

Covid-19 will end. We have vaccines now available to prevent the infection. There truly is a light at the end of this tunnel. Please, T.I.C.K.E.T., and we will again thrive.

Dr. Madge L. Barnes, MD,

FAAFP, CEO of Barone Health and Medical Advisory, and Amazon Best-selling Co-author of Soulful Prayers and Souled Out, is a Community Advocate; who has practiced Family Medicine for 30 years. Dr. Barnes resides in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex.

Live the life you want! with Affirmed: 365 Thoughts and Actions to Start Your Day!

Get 30 Days

of Affirmations for free when you subscribe to the Cheryl Brand mailing list.

Get your copy of Affirmed and the digital workbook download TODAY at cherylpwilliamson.com.

P. 4 1 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

Keaira English

TOP TIPS FOR ENGAGING THE MEDIA

J

anuary 2021! We made it to see another year! A New Year brings new goals, new resolutions, and new media outlets, and journalists receive an overload of pitches seeking media coverage for their business.

If your New Year’s Resolution is to make more connections or you’re looking for advice on how you can engage with the media in a way that’s effective and professional; you may find the following tips very useful.

When reaching out to the media, of course, it can be a little intimidating. Not knowing exactly what to say or how to start a conversation is a normal feeling. However, you don’t want that to get in the way of building a relationship with the media. If you do it right, it can be a great experience!

LET’S GET STARTED!

1

Do Your Research

Before reaching out to the media, make sure that you know what types of stories the media outlet or publication covers. You must do your part by making sure that your interests match up with the interest of the publication. You can do this by reading different articles that they have published, which will give you an idea of what types of stories they focus on.

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2

Comment on a Current Story or Topic

Don’t be afraid to provide your input or give your opinion.

Find ways to be responsive to a current topic while the story is still relevant. Most media outlets and journalists are good about responding, and this is the perfect time to engage in conversation and make yourself known to the publication.

3

Offer Virtual Coffee or Faceto-Face meetup

As we are currently living in the times of COVID-19, we have to find a way to still build relationships while social distancing. Try setting up a meeting virtually. If you feel safe enough, meet up face to face. These types of personal meetings can help you establish trust and build longterm relationships.

4

Be Unique

If you’re planning on pitching a story to the media, you want to make sure that your story is interesting or ‘newsworthy’.

Think about what makes your story different or unique.

If you have a product or a community event that you’re pitching, be sure that you can explain how it can impact the audience or why they should be interested.

5

Follow the Media Outlet Journalist on all Social Media Platforms

This is the best way to get to know more about the media outlet. You will stay in the know of what type of content they post, what stories they are interested in, and you may even find out their likes and dislikes. Following a media outlet on social media is one of the easiest ways to engage and build a genuine relationship with the media.

6

Always Remember to say Hello and Thank You

Although this may sound very cliché, it’s very important to introduce yourself if you’re reaching out via social media, and to thank the outlet for their time.

Remember, most publications work on very strict deadlines, so if they take the time to respond to you or take interest in your story, be sure to thank them for their time and the opportunity. These simple words will help secure a long-lasting relationship with the media outlet.

As we are all living in the world of social media, it’s important to remember that engagement is key in establishing longlasting relationships with the media. Be sure to follow these six steps to help you with your engagement and this will no longer be a New Year’s Resolution for you but more of a new habit! Good luck and cheers to 2021!!

Keaira English is CEO and Founder of KeConnectionsPR Agency. Connect with her on: Facebook: KeConnections PR Agency Instagram: @keconnections_pr LinkedIN: Keaira English.

Or, go to www.keconnectionspr.com

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FEATURE STORY

KIMBERLA LAWSON ROBY

The New York Times Best-selling Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, and One of USA Today’s 100 Black Novelists You Should Read

By Traci Henderson Smith Managing Editor

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S

he is unafraid to tackle the real issues. With twenty-eight written and published books and multiple hits on multiple best seller lists, including The New York Times, Kimberla Lawson Roby is winning at sharing matters from her heart. Roby addresses headon: sexual harassment, racial and gender discrimination in the workplace, problems within the church and the consequences, drug and gambling addiction, marriage, infidelity, single motherhood, breast cancer, infertility, sibling rivalry, domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, mental illness, the caregiving of a parent; and Christian, family, and moral values. Roby deals with these and other topics, sharply confronting the realities of everyday life. Yet, she delivers a message of hope, redemption, and forgiveness.

Glaring is her passion for women’s empowerment.

Over the years, Toby has spoken to thousands of women at book signings, conferences, churches, expos, workshops, luncheons, colleges, and universities. She shares her journey straight from her heart with the intent of helping women become all that God created them to be. In an interview with Cheryl Magazine, Roby had this to say: “Walking in my true purpose gives me a great sense of peace. It is, of course, a wonderful feeling overall when you can do what you love. But when you can do what you love and serve others, it becomes an even bigger blessing. My prayer is for every woman to trust God, do what He has called her to do with excellence, and to believe in her purpose—even if no one else believes in it.”

A 2013 NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction, 2017 SOAR Radio Trailblazer of Honor, 2017 Southwest Florida Reading Festival Distinguished Author, 2017 AAMBC Christian Fiction Author of the Year, 2014 AAMBC Female Author of the Year; 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 African-American Literary Awards Show (New York, NY) Female Author of the Year, 2001 Blackboard Fiction Book of the Year Award recipient, and 2001 Rock Valley College Alumni Hall of Fame (Rockford, IL) inductee—Kimberla Lawson Roby knows a little something about believing in yourself. In August 2020, USA Today named her one of the 100 Black novelists you should read. USA TODAY is not alone in its theory. She has sold nearly 3 million copies of her books and frequented numerous best seller lists, including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Essence, Upscale, Black Christian News, AALBC.com, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, The Dallas Morning News, The Austin Chronicle and several others.

If you are a writer, you dream of getting published. If you’re published, you dream of hitting a best sellers list. If you make it to a list, there is a sense of accomplishment that rushes over you. But The New York Times? Oh, well, that’s a whole other level of joy! “Being a New York Times best-selling author is an honor and a blessing,” says Roby. “In 2004, about a week or so after my sixth novel was released and while we were in New York during a national book tour, my editor, publisher, and literary agent took my husband, Will, and me to lunch. Then, not more than a couple of minutes after we sat down at our table, they surprised me with the news.

I was stunned, excited, and beyond emotional, and I immediately thought about my mom, who, like my husband, supported my dream of becoming a writer from the very beginning.”

Like any smart businessperson, when you have a winning product or service, what do you do? You leverage it. “Several months after releasing my book, The Woman God Created You to Be: Finding Success Through Faith—Spiritually, Personally, and Professionally, I launched The Woman God Created You to Be Podcast. In each weekly episode, I discuss topics relatable to women. I am transparent, and I share my own experiences. At the end of the episode, I share three pieces of advice, along with scripture.”

Roby’s wildly popular podcast has helped millions of women and has only solidified that her purpose and calling are sure. “If there [is] anything I would have done differently, it is that I would have thought more about discovering my purpose earlier on and less about the money jobs would pay me. I would have done this right away in my late teens and early twenties.” Roby encourages young women to search out and believe in their purpose and discover it early.

She urges all women to learn everything they can about their calling and the corresponding industry.

“They should become as knowledgeable as they possibly can,” she says. “ [Then] do what [God] has called them to do—with excellence.”

Kimberla Lawson Roby resides in Illinois with her husband, Will.

To connect follow Roby on: Facebook: Kimberla Lawson Roby Instagram:@kimberlalawsonroby Twitter: @KimberlaLRoby LinkedIn:Kimberla Kawson Roby Clubhouse: @Kimberla, or visit her website at kimroby.com

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NEW MUSIC REVIEW Koryn

HAWTHORNE’S

I AM

by Kimberly Lee

What kind of music do you listen to when you want to be spiritually inspired but groove to a beat, possibly get up and do a quick dance? Koryn Hawthorne. Hawthorne’s music breaks barriers, and her career has proven with her powerhouse vocals, edgy gospel renderings, faith, and work ethic, you can hit life’s bull’s eye.

Twenty-two-year-old Hawthorne, a southern belle from Abbeville, Louisiana, knows about life and music. She has not allowed society to place her or her music in a box. Instead, she generously shares her gift with the world. Koryn Hawthorne is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. We have watched this authentic artist display plenty of grit instead of giving up. In several interviews, she speaks of the American Idol audition. In the second round, after being advised not to, Hawthorne sang a gospel song. Producers cut her from the show, and her dream was delayed. She later auditioned for the reality singing competition, The Voice. She finished among the top finalist gaining an RCA contract, leading to her debut album Unstoppable.

Unstoppable reached number one on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album’s Chart, yielding the number one gold-certified single, “Won’t He Do It.” The song landed on the television show Greenleaf, which aired on the OWN Network. Hawthorne now has many cascading accolades like a 2019 GRAMMY nomination, 2019 NAACP Image Award, 2019 Stellar Award, and “Won’t He Do It” has amassed 45,176,087 views on YouTube, with Unstoppable coming in overall with more than 6.1 million! I would say the dream was delayed but not denied.

Cour tesy of RCA Records

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Where I have been the last week, listening to Hawthorne’s signature sophomore work, I Am, is all the way up! My heart lifted.

It was hard not putting this euphony on repeat.

I Am is a genre-defying reflective rhapsody fused with variety

and reverence. Hawthorne sings on this project with the kind of abandon that reminds us to stop, take a deep breath, and call to mind our uniqueness, realizing that, while problems are inevitable, with some grit and a whole lot of grace, purpose will ultimately prevail. This work could not have come at a better time as the world resets from the aftermath of 2020.

One of the signature tunes, “Pray” which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Gospel Digital Song Sales Chart is a clarion call to lay our burdens down and pick-up God’s overcoming power. Koryn proves to hold fast to her foundation of faith and universal sound. This musical mélange offers everything from big-band sounds on ”You” to the melodious chords of worship that relieve the soul on “Know You”—an anthology of encouragement reminding us that we are overcomers. I have been grooving to I Am, either snapping my fingers, bobbing my head, lifting my hands in worship, or gratefully vibing as I work. The apt, impassioned, and authentic lyrics, are a bridge from stressful moments to the solace needed for a refreshing reboot.

Resources

https://doveawards.com/awards/past-winners/ , Koryn Hawthorne Bio, Wiki, The Voice, Unstoppable, Album, Siblings, Boyfriend, Net Worth (factceleb.com) Hawthorne - NBC.com, Koryn Hawthorne | Billboard , BIO — Koryn Hawthorne, (132) Koryn Hawthorne | Features on Film with Andrew Greer - YouTube KORYN HAWTHORNE » (1voicehub.com), Stellar Gospel Music Awards 2020: See The Full List Of Winners | Shows | BET, Watch The Voice Web Exclusive: After The Voice: Craig Wayne Boyd and Koryn

Kimberly Lee is a known empowerment enthusiast, passionate writer, certified life coach servant-leader, and music aficionado. She has earned a reputation as a serial encourager who is graced to take you from your pain points to your power thoughts so that you can live with purpose! Connect at b2bcoachkim@gmail.com.

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MONEY TALK

Photo Cred: Kayleigh Gut hr ie, Raw Photog raphy Images

with Roni M Benjamin

‘THE GOOD PERSON LEAVES AN INHERITANCE’ - PROVERBS 13:22

W

hen it comes to keeping my responsibility to leave a financial inheritance and pass on wisdom and godly qualities to my children, this scripture is the reminder wrapped around my finger. It’s always at the front and center of my view each day.

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Did you know the bible references money and possessions eight percent of Black families receive an inheritance over 2300 times? It’s as if God knew we would need from parents or grandparents. For someone with no buffer of savings and no family member who can help, guidance and clarity around this topic. any financial emergency—a sudden illness or job loss—is In the New World Translation of The Holy Scriptures, the a catastrophe. first part of proverbs 13:22 reads ‘The Good Person leaves Let me show you some examples of people who an inheritance to his grandchildren…” demonstrated this principle found in Proverbs 13:22: Think about that. To my ladies, pay attention if you’re out there looking for a good man. If you’re dating, ask - Here’s a recognizable name, Martin Luther King Jr. him what he believes the qualities of a good man are and Through his writings and speeches, King outlined a compare them to the attributes God says is important. I’m vision of America that was inclusive, where the color just saying. One of the qualities of a good man is he thinks of a person’s skin had no importance compared to generationally. He doesn’t just prepare for his children’s the content of a person’s character. Do you think his grandchildren remember his legacy? future, but his grandchildren’s future as well.

Here’s a question for you all. Did your grandparents leave you an inheritance—wealth, land, real estate, business, artwork, or precious jewels? Good for you all who know what it feels like to have the generations before you consider you in their financial plan. The sad news is just

- How about Sam Walton, who first started a nickel and dime store in 1950. As a result of his early success, he enlarged his territory and later opened his first of many Walmart stores in 1962. How many of you believe that his legacy will live on through his family?

What will your legacy be? What are the stories your family, friends, and associates will say about you? At

this point, many of you may be wondering: how can I leave a legacy or inheritance for my children’s children?

There are countless ways to do so. Let’s talk about Roni’s top three ways to leave a legacy.

01. Live your legacy.

Our children and the people around us listen to us most intently by watching us live. Live with the highest integrity and honesty, conviction, and passion. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Live in a way that honors our creator. Do you agree that people remember how you live more than the details of your achievements? Live a story that lasts an eternity.

02. Give your family the gift of time.

Most children and grandchildren remember your presence and you simply being there more than they remember gifts. Let your legacy include the fact that you loved enough to be there. Share family stories with your children. These conversations will lead to memories that will be valued well into adulthood.

Priceless jewels that will mold and ground your children with a sense of pride, dignity, and honor for the family’s name.

03. Your life insurance policy.

The payout from a life insurance policy can be a legacy that far outlasts your time on earth. The greatest legacy we have is our family. Life insurance helps to financially protect the people you love the most from the unexpected. If you have people that rely on your income for their day to day lives, they are the first people you should consider when deciding if life insurance is for you and how much coverage you need. Your legacy can live on through a death benefit and can help pay off the family home, fund college, fund your children’s dreams of entrepreneurship, and provide income that helps them continue to meet their financial needs if you are no longer here.

I am a financial services professional committed to helping individuals and businesses build a solid financial house and leave a legacy for their children’s children. I don’t know where you’re located in the world, but if anything mentioned resonates with you or incites you to move to action, I encourage you to reach out to me. Together, let’s create a plan for you and your family specific to your needs.

Roni M Benjamin

Licensed New York Life Insurance Company Agent Financial Editor, Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur, and winner of Dr. Boyce Watkins’ 2020 #BlackOwnedBusiness Pitch Competition (770) 685-5532 P. 4 9 | Cheryl MAGAZINE

Author’s

CORNER

#theEXCHANGE

my Truth for your Transformation By: Yvette D. McGill I ran across a container in my garage full of journals that go as far back as 1995. As I sat on the floor and read them, I wept as though I was reading the life of another person.

I had to make myself stop reading just so I could breathe.

Reading those journals reminded me of the promise GOD gave me two weeks before my fiftieth birthday in 2017. God said that if I would walk in my TRUTH, HE would take me places I could not imagine and allow me to meet people I would otherwise never encounter. I feel as though if you were still alive you would probably be full of mixed emotions about me writing this book. However, the perfect GOD we serve took both of you home so you would be able to see the necessity of me writing this book through HIS eyes. If I could speak to you one last time, I would want to be 7 years old again on that last Saturday morning we lived together as a family. I would let you both know just how much I was hurting and how the things you would say and do in the days and years ahead would not only affect me, but your grandchildren too, as well as all others who would come to know and try to love me. Despite it all, I love both of you very much. October 15,2004 and February 21, 2016 were game changing days for me.

YES, GOD!

By: Michele Noel-Peake The crazy thing about pits is that you usually don’t know you’re in one until you’re out of it. Even worse is when the pit you’re in is like being in a state of darkness.

At first, it was a game that I was dabbling in. Then, at some point, it was no longer a game...it had become an entire lifestyle of sin that I was thriving in.

In the eyes of my friends and family, I was a success story…my accolades were enough to keep them blinded and distracted from what was killing me internally…They didn’t notice that in reality, I was an adult fully dressed in lust, drowning in a toxic relationship.

- Excerpt from book Yes, God!

Signed 8th Ward

Michele Noel-Peake is a licensed minister, certified life coach, entrepreneur, and best-selling author. Yes, God! was written because she says walking WITH God is one of the most powerful things we could ever do in our lifetime and there is no greater feeling or experience we could have better than being on one accord with the Creator of heaven and earth! This incredible book collaboration with six powerful women of Faith is life changing. Her co-authors are Ashley McNeill, Crystal Adair, Catherine Jones, Inga Robinson, Tammeca Riley, and Stacy Bradner.

-Excerpt from #theEXCHANGE: my Truth for your Transformation

Order your copy today for $20 plus S&H at https:// michelereneeconsulting.com/shop.

Yvette McGill is author of #theEXCHANGE, motivational speaker, transformational coach, and anger control specialist. Copies of her book can be purchased at yvettedenisemcgill.com.

Reach out via email at: michele@michelereneeconsulting.com #YesGod! #TheMagnificent7!

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NO MORE RESIDUE

BEYOND HER

By: Roz Knighten-Warfield

By: Vatesha Bouler

The excitement and all the different personalities left me jittery and in need of a fix. I would often disappear for a snort—instead of smoke—generally because you could smell the smoke. Voila! Then my nerves would be calm once again. I called these nanosecond moments my daily feedings of supplemental nourishment. Yes, do not judge me, that’s what I called my special stash.

I forgot to add this little tidbit: I was saved many times because airport searches were not at all like they are today. What a pompous attitude I had for thinking I had not been caught! I was off the chain, self-contained in my own world of what I thought were days of blissfulness! But God! -Excerpt from No More Residue, Chapter Title-The Party That Broke Me, pg 160

Days before, I noticed that my left breast was noticeably bigger than my right breast. I was in no pain whatsoever, so I didn’t think too much of it, although it stayed in the back of my mind that I should check to see if it got bigger.

Then one afternoon shortly after, while doing Zumba, my arm brushed up against my breast and I felt a knot. I went to the bathroom, took off my bra and began feeling around. Sure enough, there was something there. I began to feel on my right breast and I felt nothing. Back and forth I began feeling around on both breasts, and I knew something wasn’t right. Later on that night, I called my mom and told her what I felt. She said it was probably a cyst. She got them all the time and so did my grandmother and my aunt. “Just call your doctor in the morning and have him check it out,” she said. After I hung up the phone, I went to sleep thinking that’s what it was.

Chapter: The Party That Broke Me

Roz Knighten-Warfield is co-author of the Amazon Best-Selling book No More Residue Vol.1, and she is the CSO (Chief S.M.I.L.E. Officer) of Roz Knighten-Warfield Enterprises. You can find her in Clubhouse every Thursday @6pm CST in the room “A D.O.P.E. Moderator”.

Autographed book purchases can be purchased at: www.rozknightenwarfield.com for $25.

Email: roz@rozknightenwarfield.com Connect with her on Facebook:@rozknightenwarfield Instagram: @rozknightenwarfield Twitter: @ZOR3

Reflection

The next day, I made an appointment with my primary care physician, and was able to get in on the same day.

He did an exam, confirmed that there was a lump there, and ordered me to have a mammogram. The next day at work, while asking around for OBGYN referrals, I asked my assistant principal where she went, and she referred me to the breast center at the hospital in Annapolis. I made the appointment. I was nervous as I waited to be called into examination. I kept telling myself, “It’s just a cyst.”

-Excerpt from book Beyond Her Reflection pgs. 93-94 Vatesha Bouler is co-author of the best-selling book Beyond Her Reflection, and host of Tesha’s Tea Room podcast. Autographed book purchases can be sent to PayPal at vateshab@aol.com for $25. Connect with her on Facebook: Tesha Bouler, Instagram: @vateshab, and Twitter: @fiestyivy.

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Author’s

CORNER

A DAILY AFFIRMATION By: Tangie Barkley Robinson

Communication strengthens my relationships.

My relationships depend on honest and caring communication. I speak and listen with an open heart.

I share my thoughts and feelings. I allow myself to be vulnerable because I want to be known and understood.

I choose my words carefully. I avoid misunderstandings by being direct. I encourage harmony by being tactful.

COLLECT THE CASH The Sale is not Complete Until the Money is in the Bank!

By Dee Bowden

The sale is not complete until the money is in the bank, but you must collect it first.

Collections are uncomfortable for everyone involved on both ends of the unfinished transaction: the flustered customer dodging the persistent calls of companies with outstanding invoices for goods or services rendered, as well as corporate employees tasked with the job of acquiring the money owed to businesses. In Collect the Cash: The Sale is not Complete Until the Money is in the Bank, financial expert and author Dee Bowden teaches the business of collections doesn’t have to be miserable but must happen.

In Collect the Cash, Dee shares the blueprint that has propelled her into success with more than ten years in the B2B collections industry, boasting $13 million (and counting) of outstanding debt recovered for corporations and government agencies. Combining personal anecdotes with proven methods of tangible solutions, Collect the Cash is a practical guide for teaching businesses at every level to collect their money with ease.

To purchase a copy of Collect the Cash go to www.collectthecash.biz/book

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I express my affection and gratitude. I tell my children how much I love them. I share credit with coworkers when we work on a successful project. I thank my partner for pitching in with household chores and being kind to my parents.

I listen closely. I put aside my own agenda and try to understand the needs of others.

I welcome feedback. I seek the truth in what others have to say rather than defending my position. I use their suggestions to learn and grow.

I manage conflicts. I address disagreements as soon as possible through negotiation and searching for common ground. I repair misunderstandings with a sincere apology or shared laughter.

I pay attention to nonverbal communication too. I lower my shoulders and uncross my arms so that I appear confident and friendly. When someone speaks to me, I pay attention to their gestures as well as their words.

Today, I communicate clearly so that I can build strong and healthy relationships. I feel connected and fulfilled.

Self-Reflection Questions: How would you describe your communication style?

How does communication promote healing?

Where can I find information and assistance for dealing with communication challenges?

Tangie Barkley Robinson is co-author of the best-selling book Soulful Affirmations. Autographed book purchases can be sent to email: info@axiomteamsolutions.com Connect on Facebook: @axiomteamsolutions Instagram @axiomteamsolutions

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Leadership Development and the Broken Bridge

By Michelle Franklin

Founder of CLS Reflection Academy, Incorporated

All my life I was taught, leaders are made. As I mature, I realize that everyone is born to lead.

It is the making process that determines a leader’s effectiveness.

As a child, I saw leadership as the bridge that everyone had to cross to make it to their next destination. Today, that bridge is broken. The question I often pose is, “is it broken due to character deficiencies in humanity?” No one is perfect. We are all flawed, and the reality is, none of us will ever be without deficiencies.

And, character development—the building and strengthening of our personalities, morals, and values only teaches us how to identify our traits and flaws. Leadership development, however, challenges us to walk in them.

Leadership development requires us to submit our character to someone who will challenge us.

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agent. Leadership development demands accountability—an area in which many leaders have failed. They have not only failed in holding themselves accountable, but they have also failed in passing on the trait when attempting to shape others. Accountability will challenge you to remain integral, honest, consistent, and loyal to your faith, family, friends, and profession.

Leadership is about your ability to execute. It does not matter how honest or even humbled you are with your employer if you are not honest and consistent with work ethics. You smile and are helpful, yet you are never on time or follow instructions.

While attending high school, I was frustrated with most of my classes being in different buildings. I thought to myself, how do they expect us to make it on time to each class. If we received too many tardy slips, we would get detention. Of course, as a child, I assumed they were setting us up for failure. When I got

into the school’s work program, I learned that successful leaders are punctual. The school was trying to prepare us for the real world. Being in that work program changed my life. It was there that I realized that leadership is also about assuming responsibility, even when you are not responsible.

Once I was on a job interview. The employer asked, “If I hire you today as a cashier but needed you to clean the tables, would you do it?” I replied, yes. If you hire me, everything here becomes my responsibility. She took one look at me and said, “I want you to remember, that is what got you this job.” My willingness to assume responsibility for someone else’s vision identified me as a leader.

There was no announcement needed.

Three tips for developing effective leaders: Renew and transform.

#1 #2 #3

Fortify your thinking concerning accountability. BE ACCOUNTABLE. Be a role model of accountability. Shape future leaders by being an example and then holding them accountable for maintaining the standard.

Sacrifice and teach.

Be a servant leader and set the example of giving, helping, and doing the work you require of others. By doing so, you influence others to do the same.

Connect and build.

Set an example of listening and communicating to build healthy relationships.

Michelle Franklin, author of The Healthy Leader, is a speaker, board- cer tified Biblic al Therapist, and Founder of CLS Reflection Ac ademy and Kingdom Global Univer sit y Bible College. Her mission is to train and inspire individuals to be healthy leader s and examples for this generation. w w w.theclsac ademy.com

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Cheryl Magazine Winter 2021