WINTER 2023
HolidayRecipes
P. 1 Cheryl MAGAZINE
A warm drink and some inspiration. Afternoons were made for moments like this.
Cheryl Magazine It’s inspiration for the Everyday Woman. P. 2 Cheryl MAGAZINE
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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: 2766-6352 (Print) 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 are subject to unrestricted right to edit and to comment editorially. Requests 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 © 2022 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.
CHERYL MAGAZINE
A lifestyle and women’s empowerment publication Editor-in-Chief | Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson Cover Director & Managing Editor | Traci Henderson Smith Contributing Features Editor | Siobhan Davenport Contributing Editor | Charmaine Roots Castillo Contributing Editor | Tess Alexandria Financial Editor | Roni M. Benjamin Copy Editor | Dr. Michelle Kindred
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jessica L. Dupree Darlene McCoy Jackson Denise Polote Kelly Kimberly Noel Sweet
Donita Thrower Nina Wooten Nikki Wright
OPERATIONS Creative Director | Shannon SG Jarrett Sales and Advertising | sales@cherylmagazine.com Circulation & Distribution | Kristen Hansen Kristen@cherylmagazine.com Art Department | art@cherylmagazine.com Media | media@cherylmagazine.com Projects | Tammy Woodard projects@cherylmagazine.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Damon Barnes (Orlando) Reuben Chandler (Atlanta / NYC) Eryk Gross (Houston) Corey S. Guevarra (Los Angeles) Heidi Pearson (Chicago) Octavia Witlowe (Dallas)
WILLIAMSON MEDIA GROUP, LLC EXECUTIVE President | Russell Williamson, Sr. Chief Executive Officer | Cheryl Polote Williamson
SUBSCRIPTIONS www.cherylmagazine.com 1 Year (4 Quarterly Issues) US $80 Canada $101.58 CAD | International (Digital only) 1 Year Digital Subscription US $20
P. 3 Cheryl MAGAZINE
FROM THE DESK OF COVER DIRECTOR AND MANAGING EDITOR TRACI HENDERSON SMITH As we close out another successful year of extraordinary work, we thank you, our dedicated readers, for your appetite for valuable business resources, practical lifestyle tips, and great stories on astonishing women. Thank you for sharing our passion for women supporting women and continuing to believe in our vision while we deliver elevated elegance, style, and awareness in print. May the warmth of family, friends, and tradition surround and bless you this holiday season. Moreover, we pray that you approach the new year encouraged to know your worth, live the life you desire, and understand the power of living AFFIRMED. In this holiday issue of Cheryl Magazine, we take a moment to celebrate a woman who has mastered the art of living affirmed. Beyond jet-setting circles and celebrity-laden socials, Editor-in-Chief Cheryl Polote Williamson is the epitome of living on purpose. Living, leadership, and building a legacy are not always synonymous with one another. Leading can be taxing in nature. Even the greatest of vision casters experience stress, anxiety, and disappointment in their quest for innovation and achievement. Adding to the difficulty of charting waters for advancement, influencing and guiding others takes defined expertise and persuasive skillfulness, a feat not easily accomplished. Building a legacy means being remembered for great works. It takes intentionality beyond good leadership, working hard, and working well. It takes sacrifice and a stern determination to be remarkable and unforgettable—to have your name remain long after you are gone. Being a great legacy-minded leader often comes with a price. Creating a lasting world that opens doors and provides opportunities for others while giving your offspring a name that resonates in the earth, at times, comes at the expense of living the life you endeavor to grant others. But she has not sacrificed a life she loves as she leads with vigor and fervently builds an inheritance. Instead, Cheryl Polote Williamson has orchestrated a life doing what she loves. The world-renowned influencer squeezes every ounce of joy from serving others, building platforms that provide opportunity, and stamping her name on every field of endeavor—from business to media, books to film, speaking to coaching, and outreach to philanthropy. All the while setting an example of gratitude, care, and giving that her children and grandchildren can follow. She does not apologize for not being mediocre, not playing small, or demanding the best from life. Her attitude that abundance is your birthright is a lesson to us all. Her relentless pursuit of the Affirmed life—visualizing it, speaking it, working for it, and achieving it, is a roadmap to the success and existence we all deserve. It makes sense that she is our cover story closing out 2022. Come and look behind the scenes of her life and legacy and be inspired to step into 2023 doing what it takes to live your best life, lead with charge and power, and leave an undeniable and lasting legacy. Cheryl Polote Williamson is "Inspiration for the Everyday Woman." Enjoy!
P. 4 Cheryl MAGAZINE
TOP TEN WAYS TO MAKE
2023
YOUR YEAR
Make this your year! Yes, we know you either hear that or say it every year. But isn’t that even more reason to make it real this time? No more resolutions, no more drifting away from the mark. It’s time to hold one another and ourselves accountable. 2023 belongs to those who will fight for it with intention. So let’s go!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Family, Community, Human Interest: Help, Hope, and Legacy
THE CONFIDENT WOMAN Two Perspectives: A Married and Single Woman's View
WINTER 2023 | ISSUE #13
CONTENTS
40 68
PARENTING TIPS Creating and Practicing Holiday Memories to Last Generations
96
AUTHOR'S CORNER Featuring Part Two of Short Story, "Not on My Watch"
COVER STORY: Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson Let the Work I've Done Speak for Me
8
LIFESTYLE
Celebrate LIFE With Family, Good Food, and Fun!
46
STYLE MATTERS Holiday Style Guide
50
HOLIDAY FEAST Non-Traditional Recipe Options You’ll Love
92
22
Damita Chandler Bearing the Burden
30
Dr. Stacie NC Grant A Lifetime of Dedicated Service
CeCe Winans Believe for It
BUSINESS & FINANCE Get insight that will help strengthen and empower your life and business! P. 6 Cheryl MAGAZINE
42
OUR FAVORITE GIFTS TO GIVE & RECEIVE
104
TRAVEL & LEISURE What’s the Difference Between Global Entry, CLEAR, and Mobile Passport?
74
BUSINESS SENSE & SENSIBILITY Leveling the Playing Field: Achieving Equal Pay in the Workplace
76
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Meet Ten of the Leading Black Female Executives at Intuit Corporation
84
THE LIST: Cheryl's Favorite Business Resources
IN EVERY ISSUE We THRIVE! Motivation, Inspiration, Action Plans, and POWER
5
4
26
38
Traci Henderson Smith
with Tess Alexandria As I Heal: Learning to Walk Free
What Women Should Know Join us as we flashback to words of wisdom from four of our past contributors
42
65
70
with Charmaine Roots Castillo The Present is a Gift
with Traci Henderson Smith Sa'mya Renee - Shining in the Midst of Hardship
A Letter From the Cover Director and Managing Editor
Daddy Issues
FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH
Foxxy Wizdom
with Denise Polote Kelly Three Truths About Black Women and Depression
Top 10 Ways to Make 2023 Your Year!
The Gentleman's Voice:
#GIRLPOWER
82
Money Talk
with Roni M. Benjamin Financial Freedom That Offers Hope
Y
ou are beautiful. You are enough. Celebrate and be kind to yourself. Know your power, value, and worth.
COVER SHOOT:
- CHERYL
Photographer: Octavia Whitlowe of Felisha Belle Makeup: Styles by Simon
HEALTH & BEAUTY Look Well. Heal Well. Feel Well. Live Well!
48
FIVE COMPONENTS OF AGING WELL
80
Avoid Holiday Stress. Your Hair is Begging You! Donita Thrower P. 7 Cheryl MAGAZINE
AFFIRMED BY DR. CHERYL Spiral Bound Journals Various Styles $20 Write down your dreams in style on these cool spiral-bound journals. Personalize it with a cool design to make them shine. These notebooks feature a thick gloss full-color laminated protective cover that is much more durable than the average flimsy paper covers. Made in the USA, the journal comes in 5x7 size with 150 pages of lined paper.
P. 2 0 Cheryl MAGAZINE
It's Time to Live Affirmed Affirmation and Empowerment products by Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson, designed with intention to help you create the vision for the life you want. You are AFFIRMED. Dr. Cheryl is a multi-bestselling author, award-winning filmmaker and executive producer, transformational speaker, and certified success coach. She is the CEO and founder of Williamson Media Group, LLC, and Cheryl Polote Williamson, LLC, where her knowledge, expertise, and resources connect others to their purpose.
AFFIRMED BY DR. CHERYL "Empowered" Affirmation Scented Candle, 9oz $21
I WALK BOLDLY. I SHATTER GLASS CEILINGS. ABUNDANCE IS FOR ME. GOD ELEVATES ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES. I MANIFEST THE LIFE OF MY DREAMS. MY MINDSET IS MY SUPERPOWER.
Relax body and mind with this personalized candle for soothing aromatherapy. Made from vegan soy coconut wax, these scented candles are hand-poured and come with a permanent adhesive label. Choose between ambrosial fragrances of Cinnamon Stick and Vanilla.
www.affirmedbydrcheryl.com
P. 2 1 Cheryl MAGAZINE
Your guide to the perfect
Holiday feast
Garlic Herbed Cornish Hens See page 53 for recipe CherylMAGAZINE MAGAZINE P.P.5 500 Cheryl
FEATURE STORY
G
athering with family and friends during the winter provides the perfect opportunity to dine and celebrate. However, meal preparation for the holidays adds stress and pressure during a festive time, supposedly filled with joy and good cheer. If you are tired of the traditional turkey dinner and scratch your head at what courses to serve, don't worry. We have you covered! From the perfect charcuterie board to Cornish hens to roasted figs to decadent cocktails, there is something for everyone. Pull your favourites, or try them all. Be sure to tag us on Instagram @CherylMagOffical and let us know if you tried a recipe. Happy holidays and bon appétit! Wild mushroom soup
Instructions:
Ingredients: 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms (can use dried chanterelles) ¾ cup good sherry 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 cups white onions 1 pound cremini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced with stems 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 cloves garlic, finely diced 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 4 cups chicken stock 8 sprigs thyme, tied with string 2 teaspoons kosher salt ½ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper ½ cup crème fraîche
REHYDRATE DRIED MUSHROOMS 1. Place dried porcini mushrooms in a small bowl and add sherry. 2. Soak for at least 30 minutes, but no more than an hour. Stir to incorporate. 3. Strain the liquid from the mushrooms, and keep the strained liquid. Dice the re-hydrated mushrooms prior to putting them into the soup. FOR THE WILD MUSHROOM SOUP 1. In a 3-quart soup pot over medium heat, add olive oil and white onions. 2. Sauté for 8 – 10 minutes or until soft. Add cremini mushrooms and continue to stir for another 15 – 18 minutes or until they start browning. Add butter and P. 5 1 Cheryl MAGAZINE
Invite Success Into Every Area of Your Life with
The Art of Influence Written by Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson
Order your copy today at cherylpwilliamson.com.
For book signings, speaking engagements, and other inquiries contact: info@cherylpwilliamson.com.
P. 1 0 2 Cheryl MAGAZINE
TOP TEN WAYS TO MAKE
2023
YOUR YEAR
#9 Journal and affirm
Create a gratitude journal. Make a habit of writing down what you’re grateful for. Include daily affirmations and throw a personal vision board in the mix. Speak life daily. Envision what you want, embody your goals, write them down, keep them at the forefront of your mind, speak to them, make decisions that lead to them, and manifest them. P. 1 0 3 Cheryl MAGAZINE
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CHERYL MAGAZINE
Williamson Media Group, LLC 6101 Long Prairie Road Box 744 #269 Flower Mound, TX 75028 info@cherylmagazine.com