Red Silk Carpet #95 March 2024 by Shelly Jernigan Pekala

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On The Cover

K a t hy T u ccaro

Re na i s s a nc e Wo m e n Co- host of Making Global Award Winning Aka Designer Miner I m pact in 2024 W o m e n R o a d W a r r i o r s T a l k S h o w Super Tr ucker Extraordinaire

Tyla Rihanna Maye Musk Natalia Dyer

Kat Satava Cristobal Toral

LESLY KAHN Kristy Mickelsen Meghanne Storey

Marilyn Green Anzhelika Steen Olsen

THE MET

R E D S I L K C AR P ET E X E C U T I VE D I VI S I O N

S H EL L E Y P E K AL A E DI T O RIAL DI RE C TO R G RAP H I C DES I G N

MIKAYLA P EK ALA E D I T O R - IN - C H I E F

C R Y S T A L GILLEY AS S IS T AN T E DI T O R IN C H IE F

S AI F RAH M AN S O ZI B I NT E RNA T IO NAL J O URNAL I S T

S EP EH R N I K P O URI P H O TO J O URNALI S T

S EP EH R N I K P O URI RE D S I LK C ARP E T U S A B RAND AMB A S S ADO R

N A T A C H A C O S TA RE D S I LK C ARP E T I NT E RNA T IO NAL B RAND A MB A S S ADO R

S P EC I A L G U ES T C EL EB R I TY W R I TER J U L ES L A V A L L EE

www. re ds ilk c arpe tllc . com s he lle y@re dsilkcarpe tllc.co m

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R E D SILK CARPET VIP LIST

March 2024 COVER STORY

Kathy Tuccaro GRAMMYS

Kiki Layne

Tyla Rihanna Natasha Lyonne

Awkwafina Jesse James Keitel

OSCARS

Bailey Bass

Lucy Hale

GETTY IMAGES

THE MET

STARS in DIOR

Anzhelika Steen Olsen

Charlize Theron

Queen Jackie A

Alexandra Daddario

Tata Gev

Christian Serratos

Barry S. Ricoma

Rachel Brosnahan

LESLY KAHN

Monica Barbaro

Marilyn Green

Natalia Dyer

Cristobal Toral

Anna Diop

Author Kristy Mickelsen,

Stephanie Hsu

Author Kat Satava,

Maye Musk

Meghanne Storey

Meghann Fahy

Demaryl D. Roberts-Singleton

Kristine Froseth

Lisa Dove Washington

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K a t hy T u c caro Aka Designer Miner Super Trucker Extraordinaire

Co- host of Award -Winning Women Road Warriors Talk Show By Shelly Pekala

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For International Women’s Day, it’s important to showcase women who have fought not only for their rights, but in many cases like mine, fought for their lives. We, as women have come a long way since the turn of the century, and as dictated by the National Women’s History Alliance, here are a few items to refresh your memory:

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Married women were legally dead in the eyes of the law.

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Women were not allowed to vote.

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Women had to submit to laws when they had no voice in their formation.

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Married women had no property rights.

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Husbands had legal power over and responsibility for their wives to the extent that they could imprison or beat them with impunity.

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Divorce and child custody laws favored men, giving no rights to women.

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Women had to pay property taxes although they had no representation in the levying of these taxes.

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Most occupations were closed to women and when women did work,

they were paid only a fraction of what men earned. ✓

Women were not allowed to enter professions such as medicine or law.

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Women had no means to gain an education since no college or university would accept women students.

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With only a few exceptions, women were not allowed to participate in the affairs of the church.

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Women were robbed of their self-confidence and self-respect and were made totally dependent on men.

That’s a pretty huge list don’t you think? I still get irate over the fact that women need to ask permission for something. Over the years, things have changed substantially (thankfully) but in today’s world, I have realized that the biggest factor in preventing women from advancing, isn’t so much society

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anymore, but perhaps those women who have been so beaten down by verbal/physical abuse, trauma, and lack of self-esteem, that they just don’t believe in themselves enough to even try. (Why bother when nobody would want to hire a mess like me?) I call it “Stinking Thinking.” I say that if you really think you are a mess, then start the process of changing what you don’t like in your life. The number one step being to remove all toxic people who surround you, then start taking a long, hard, honest look at yourself. It’s hard but so worth it. I was one of those said women. Although I was a nurse for 13 years, I came from literally a lifetime of trauma and abuse filled with multiple rapes, domestic violence and greeting death on its doorstep many a time. Being strangled to the point of losing consciousness gives you a whole new outlook on life. Just saying. I pretended that all those very bad things that happened to me was a long time ago, so I put it in “The Vault” which I safely locked and threw away the key.

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Taking care of others was easy for me because it allowed me to forget my own pain until the day came at the age of 42 where I ended up losing everything, I owned including my nursing career, and there I stood drunk and homeless on the streets beside a man named Toothless Joe. For the whole story of my recovery from trauma, alcoholism and how I changed my life, you can read my book Dream Big or visit my website www.kathytuccaro.com.

In my early recovery days, I had a quote on my fridge that says, “When sleeping women wake,

mountains move!” This resonated with me deeply because I felt that I had woken up and was finally seeing crystal clear at the age of 45. It doesn’t matter when you start to open your eyes and change, just start. Learning to believe in myself again didn’t happen overnight, it took many years and lots of personal challenges I needed to face. My desire to change my life overruled any fear or insecurity I may have had, so rather than remain paralyzed in the face of fear, I shook in my boots and did it anyway. I took the leap of faith and boy am I ever glad I did. I am now an author, a motivational speaker, a

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philanthropist, and co-host of an award-winning positive change “Women Road Warriors Talk Show” with the incredible Shelley Johnson. (If only Toothless Joe could see me now.) I make a point of visiting women’s shelters and youth centres everywhere I go, I give talks at schools, juvenile homes, centres for women who have been sex trafficked and are in the process of healing, and I even visit prisons to inspire them that change is possible if only they would believe in themselves.

Today I operate the world’s largest mining equipment in the world up in Northern Canada. The truck as seen on the cover is over 2 ½ stories tall and carries 400 tonnes of dirt on its back when its going full speed at 50 mph down the road. The tires alone are 14 feet high! When the dump body is up, the truck is 5 stories tall! Talk about a rush driving this incredible machine! When you have a million pounds of metal coming at you on the road in this monster machine, and you are in a tiny pickup, you had better hope and pray that operator is having a good day! I also operate the world largest water truck which carries 52,000 gallons of water; a 24M motor grader and a D11 Dozer; all the biggest in the world. The confidence this job has given me is unbelievable. When I am 2 benches above a giant shovel ripping the frozen ground and pushing the ore down the shovel, as terrifying as it is, it is also character building. It pushes me to the edge of my own fears and mindset. I had to re-train my brain into using my past pain and suffering into fuel to motivate myself to get to the next level in my life. This job has enabled me to walk taller, believe in my ability to do absolutely anything I set my mind to, and show other women that they too have the inner power to rise beyond their past traumas. Did I mention that this job is also men’s best kept secret?? Did I say how much fun it is to play in a giant sandbox all day and get paid well to do it? Ladies!!! If you need a change in career, this is it! Get moving and look into becoming a heavy equipment operator. It will change your life for the better, this I can guarantee it.

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I am an award-winning Ambassador for women operating heavy equipment two times in a row. I will be accepting The Outstanding Leadership Award for Education and Learning this month at the CXO 2.0 Conference in Las Vegas.

I am very grateful for this honor!!! What I have decided to do with my personal story of being the phoenix rising, is to encourage, empower and inspire women and youth worldwide that it truly does not matter what has happened to you in life. No matter what trauma you may be subjected to, you can choose to use it as a stepping stone and advance. Life is certainly not meant to remain stagnant in one spot; it’s about growth, change and being resilient in the face of disaster. Its ok to cry and suffer when you are hurting from the

throes of life, but just don’t stay rooted to one spot. Keep moving even if you cry all the way to the next step. Remember it can only ever be one step at a time.

I started Operation Hydration in 2014 and distribute ice cold water to the homeless on the hottest days of the year, in every city that I happen to find myself in. The homeless don’t have access to cold water and its shocking to see the amount of people literally running to get water, to ask if they can have the ice cubes and even the melted ice in the cooler. There are lineups of people waiting for water! Las Vegas water distribution every August when the heat is crazy, is the most impactful, I think. When there, I also buy a few hundred miniWhyte Castle burgers and distribute them along with the

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water. The simple gratitude in their eyes makes me cry every time. In 2014, I also started a work boot recycle program in which I have collected and distributed over 10,000 pairs of gently used boots, and over 4000 hard hats to programs that assist people in finding employment. I do this because when I had the golden opportunity to get into Women Building Futures, I didn’t have the money to buy the needed steel toed boots. Talk about a barrier! A girl kindly gave me boots so that I could start a new career which in fact, literally changed my life. So now, I do the same for others. The gratitude in the eyes of men when they have a job ticket, but no boots, as they look though my donations to find themselves a pair that fits their feet, is priceless.

I also collect and distribute school supplies for children in disadvantaged countries, along with toiletries for women’ shelters and make sure I give free personal development classes to them when I am visiting their city. Especially when I go to the Caribbean Islands, I make a point of contacting the local business groups, and ask them to bring me to the hood, so I can talk with the ladies and young girls about having a voice in their own stories. The amount of sexual assault is sickening and therefore I make a point of talking with them, sharing the gift of hope everywhere I go. My Hands of Hope project gave 138 students in Grenada hope via the hands of people in recovery, women shelters, high schools and youth centres. People who are themselves in pain, outlined their own hands-on colorful papers and decorated them with inspiring art and words. The

children who received them thought they were gold, and it was such a beautiful gift to be able to give. I now have written a children’s book called The Mystical Swordsmen of the Sugmad, which is my own personal spiritual journey of hope, viewed through the incredible artwork of Claude Gruffy. I give this book away to children who are suffering as a gift of hope. Its available in English, French and now Spanish.

My book Dream Big is also available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. I also have an accompanying workbook and have released 6 chapters so far, with 4 more soon to be released. I am currently working on my next book which is a fiction based on true events from us playing with the Ouija Board as teenagers, and all the paranormal activity that went with it. It’s a journey of where

1st Spanish children's book donated to 3 beautiful girls in Tijuana this past Jan when I went with Our Lady of Malibu church to distribute 400 toys & 400 bags of food to the locals.

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the young heroine (myself) battles evil forces by enlisting the help of guardian angels. Most of it is based on true events that happened not only in reality, but in very vivid dreams where I would wake up still hurting from being attacked in the dream state. In conclusion, I just want to tell anyone reading this, that the answers you seek are all inside of you. You just have to want to access them. Your inner power, strength and courage are your keys to success. Nothing happens overnight and there are many obstacles that will arise on your journey but know that you are worth every tear you shed and every success that will ensue your efforts. Do not let the opinions of others stop you on road to change. Self-discovery can be the most beautiful and beneficial gift you give to yourself. Love yourself a bit more every day and you will start seeing the changes within.

“When sleeping women wake, mountains move!”

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Nominations for the 2024 César Awards: 16 films from the Official Selection of the Can n es Film Festival in th e r u n n in g

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49 nominations in total including 12 for The Animal Kingdom by Thomas Cailley, presented at the opening of Un Certain Regard and 11 for Anatomy of a Fall by Justine Triet, Palme d'or 2023.

Best original music

The nominations for the 49th César ceremony were revealed this Wednesday, January 24. The films presented in the Official Selection during the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival were warmly welcomed by the voting members of the Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques.

11 nominations Best Actress Best Supporting Actor Best Set Design Best Film Best Editing Best Cinematography Best Direction Best Male Revelation Best Original Screenplay Best Sound

In total, 16 films are represented: 12 nominations for Le Règne Animal by Thomas Cailley, presented at the opening of Un Certain Regard, 11 for Anatomie d'une chute by Justine Triet (Palme d'or 2023), 4 for L'Amour and Forests by Valérie Donzelli, 4 for Last Summer by Catherine Breillat, 3 for La Passion de Dodin Bouffant by Trần Anh Hùng (Director Prize), 3 for Little Girl Blue by Mona Achache, 2 for Jeanne du Barry by Maïwenn, presented at the opening of the Festival, 2 for Le Théorème de Marguerite by Anna Novion, 1 for L'Abbé Pierre – Une vie de combats by Frédéric Tellier, 1 for Acide by Just Philippot, 1 for L'Enlèvement de Marco Bellocchio, 1 for Dead Leaves by Aki Kaurismäki (Jury Prize), 1 for Les Filles d'Olfa by Kaouther Ben Hania, 1 for Mars Express by Jérémie Périn, 1 for Perfect Days by Wim Wenders (Male Actor Prize ) and 1 nomination for Simple as Sylvain by Monia Chokri.

The Cannes Film Festival would like to thank and congratulate all the film professionals whose works have been acclaimed by the members of the Academy. ABBÉ PIERRE – A LIFE OF FIGHT by Frédéric Tellier Out of Competition 1 Best Actor nomination ACID by Just Philippot Out of Competition Midnight Sessions

1 nomination Best visual effects LOVE AND THE FORESTS by Valérie Donzelli Cannes Premiere 4 nominations Best actress Best actor Best adaptation

ANATOMY OF A FALL by Justine Triet Palme d’Or Competition

THE KIDNAP of Marco Bellocchio Competition 1 nomination Best Foreign Film LAST SUMMER by Catherine Breillat Competition 4 nominations Best actress Best adaptation Best direction Best male revelation THE DEAD LEAVES by Aki Kaurismäki Competition Jury Prize

1 nomination Best Foreign Film THE GIRLS OF OLFA by Kaouther Ben Hania Competition 1 nomination Best documentary film JEANNE DU BARRY by Maïwenn Out of Competition 2 nominations Best costumes Best sets LITTLE GIRL BLUE by Mona Achache Special Screenings

3 nominations Best actress Best documentary film Best editing

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MARS EXPRESS by Jérémie Périn Cinéma de la Plage 1 nomination for Best Animated Film THE PASSION OF DODIN BOUFFANT by Trần Anh Hùng Competition Director Award 3 nominations Best costumes Best sets Best photography PERFECT DAYS by Wim Wenders Competition for Male Actor

1 nomination Best Foreign Film THE ANIMAL KINGDOM by Thomas Cailley Un Certain Regard 12 nominations Best Actor Best Costumes Best Sets Best Visual Effects Best Film Best Editing Best Original Music Best Cinematography Best Direction Best Male Revelation Best Original Screenplay Best Sound SIMPLE AS SYLVAIN by Monia Chokri Un Certain Regard

1 nomination Best Foreign Film MARGUERITE’S THEOREM by Anna Novion Special Sessions 2 nominations Best female revelation Best male revelation

The 77th Cannes Film Festival will take place from Tuesday May 14 to Saturday May 25, 2024. The Official Selection will be revealed in mid-April 2024.

PHOTO: JASON ARMOND / LOS ANGELES TIMES VIA GETTY IMAGES

Tyla with Her Golden Gramophone Sou th A fr ic a n Sin g e r Ty la Wo n T h e I n a u g u r a l B e s t T h e 2 0 2 4 G RA M M Y s . Wh a t D oe s It M e a n F or A fr ic a n M u s ic A fr ic a n M u s ic P e r for m a n c e C a te g or y At On The Global Stage? While Afrobeats and amapiano are certainly crossing over in America, Tyla’s win reflects how Western influence is often necessary for African music to transcend the continent. Is "Water" what African music needs to blossom? TILÉWA KAZEEM |GRAMMYS/FEB 12, 2024 - 05:43 PM As the first recipient of the inaugural Best African Music Performance GRAMMY Award, South African songstress Tyla has officially etched her name into history. At the 2024 GRAMMYs, the 22-year-old's amapiano-infused Afro pop hit "Water" beat out several long-established names in African music. While Tyla's success on Music's Biggest Night stresses the Recording Academy's continued efforts to showcase diverse African music, her victory is more of a one-armed hug rather than a full, legs-off-the-ground embrace of African music. This is chiefly because "Water" was successful and marketable for its use of Western pop influences. While Afrobeats and amapiano are certainly crossing over in America, bestowing a golden gramophone upon an artist whose work reflects familiar sounds is a curious step forward for African music. Still, Tyla's win may foster a greater embrace of the African sound, and the virality and pervasiveness of "Water" propelled the Johannesburg-born singer/songwriter to unheard of heights. ©Red Silk Carpet

What Tyla's Win Means For African Music Globally Her 2024 GRAMMYs win reflects how Western influence can help music transcend borders.

"Water" hit No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs and Hip-Hop/R&B charts, and became the first African song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 since 1968. The track peaked at No. 7, making Tyla the highest-charting African female solo musician in Billboard history. The "Water" dance challenge on TikTok further pushed the track into the global sphere, and the song has been featured in over 1.5 million videos. The widespread appeal of "Water" is a culmination of elements, notably a fusion of Western pop with subtler amapiano influences. The song melds sleek American R&B and pop compositions with the log drums and piano trails synonymous with the South African amapiano genre. Read more: 10 African GRAMMY Winners Through The Years: From Miriam Makeba To Angélique Kidjo & Burna Boy Indeed, most musical genres (regardless of continent of origin) draw inspiration from and contribute back to each other. The resulting music transcends regional boundaries and appeals globally — and Tyla's "Water" is proof of this resonance. Yet it also reflects how a major Western influence is often necessary for African music to transcend the continent. The Recording Academy's new Category was designed to highlight "strong elements of African cultural significance," said Shawn Thwaites, Recording Academy Awards Project Manager and author of the Category. In describing eligibility for the Best African Music Performance Category, Thwaites noted that songs must feature "a stylistic intention, song structure, lyrical content and/or musical representation found in Africa and the African diaspora." Still, when it comes to recognizing lesser known genres — from South Africa's gqom to Tanzania’s singeli and Ghana’s asakaa — the global audience still has a long way to go. "We need to go deeper and in more detail within different genres of music. We know there are multiple different types of music — hundreds of genres, in fact — coming from Africa and from all 54 countries on the continent," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. told GRAMMY.com after his three trips to the vibrant continent. "I'd love to see us be able to honor even more music from Africa and other areas of the world." Thwaites hopes that celebrating the diversity of African music will also lead to greater cultural exchange. Eventually, this could lead to "more collaborations between artists of different genres and more artist relations between labels and executives in America," he said. But for this progression to happen correctly, there has to be a cultural education about the music within the continent and it's something Ghazi Shami, CEO/Founder of Empire Records, Distribution and Publishing — who consulted with the Recording Academy on the new Category — is looking forward to watching develop. "I think we'll see expanded categories in African music in the years to come, but this is a great start toward recognizing the merits and impact of African music," he told GRAMMY.com prior to the ceremony.

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Tyla's GRAMMY win is an exceptional achievement — particularly so for a young African woman. Popular African music has often been skewed towards male artists. At the 2023 GRAMMYs, Tems became the only female solo artist currently living in Nigeria to win a GRAMMY. (Sade, who was born in Nigeria, has won four GRAMMYs but lives in the U.K.) A similar trend is observed in South Africa, where Miriam Makeba was both Africa's first GRAMMY winner and the country's solo female vocalist to win prior to Tyla. Tyla's win is a beacon to other young female performers in Africa — including fellow Category nominee Ayra Starr and singer/songwriter and producer Bloody Civilian — proving that female artists can and will be recognized, regardless of their country of origin. It also demonstrates how the distance between African artists and international prestige has been shortened, thus furthering the likelihood of artistic innovation. Her win is also notable in a Category stacked with Nigerian artists. Of the five nominated works, "Water" is the only one not created by an artist of Nigerian descent or currently living in Nigeria. (Though South African producer Musa Keys is featured on Davido's nominated "UNAVAILABLE.") Although South Africa has a lengthy history at the GRAMMY Awards, Tyla is proof the world is listening to what her country has to offer. While her fellow nominees — Starr, Burna Boy, Davido, ASAKE & Olamide — and artists such as Wizkid have also shouldered the responsibility for the globalization of popular African music, there is still a long road ahead. Tyla’s win holds significant promise for African music as pop music. While "Water" certainly has noticeable South African elements, its Western appeal may partially lay in its use of familiar sounds. For Africa to truly win, the world has to embrace African music for what it is, and not for what it's trying to be. Big First Wins At The 2024 GRAMMYs: Karol G, Lainey Wilson, Victoria Monét & More

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PHOTO: AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN / FILMMAGIC / GETTY IMAGES

Rihanna attends Marvel Studios' "Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever" Premiere on October 26, 2022, in Hollywood, California.

10 Love Songs That Have Nothing To Do With Love Don't let the song titles fool you. Many popular love songs aren't about love at all. JASON COLLINS |GRAMMYS/FEB 14, 2024 - 10:46 AM Many studies on love have proven that it seems to be a trait present throughout species. Although it's undeniable that the capacity for love is universal, evidence suggests love manifests differently across individuals. That is why, for many people, love is undefinable, with the word meaning something for one and something else for another. This point has never been proven more true than in love songs. Numerous musicians and bands have sung about love, but their definition or meaning of the word and yours might be wholly different. You would be surprised to learn how many love songs have absolutely nothing to do with emotional or physical love. When you delve beneath the surface, "love" songs are sometimes twisted, uncomfortable, sadistic, and unsavory. So, let's look at 10 love songs with nothing to do with love and everything to do with what they shouldn’t. ©Red Silk Carpet

"U m b r e l l a " - R i h a n n a

Most believe that one of Rihanna's most famous songs is about a woman comforting her partner and explaining that she will be there for him through the good and bad times. "Baby 'cause in the dark you can't see shiny cars/And that's when you need me there. With you, I'll always share," she sings. However, a few people believe "Umbrella" is about the corruption of a person's soul – Rhianna's in this case. Some believe that the 2007 hit is about Rhianna welcoming the devil into her heart, body, and soul. While this is more of a conspiracy theory than anything else, a pastor recently posted on TikTok that he came back from hell, and "Umbrella" was one of the songs being used to torture individuals.

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PHOTO: KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY IMAGES FOR THE RECORDING ACADEMY

Beyoncé at the 2024 GRAMMYs.

Everything We Know About Beyoncé’s New Album, ‘Act II’: Two New Singles, A Shift To Country & More Beyoncé released two new singles and announced a forthcoming new album after teasing the new music during a Verizon 5G commercial during the 2024 Super Bowl. Here's everything we know about the 'act ii' album dropping March 29. GLENN ROWLEY

“OK, they ready: drop the new music.” With those seven words, Beyoncé announced new music during a commercial for Verizon 5G during the 2024 Super Bowl. As the Beyhive clamored frantically to discover what, exactly, their queen was teasing, the answer soon became clear as the superstar unveiled two new tracks titled “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and “16 CARRIAGES.” But that’s not all! The two new songs not only follow Beyoncé’s seventh album, Renaissance, and her megasuccessful concert tour of the same name, but also build on the single “MY HOUSE” from last year. The dual ditties appear to be components of a larger project, potentially marking the next phase of Beyoncé's ongoing Renaissance. Below, GRAMMY.com rounded up everything there is to know about Queen Bey’s surprise drop and what cards she may have up her sleeve.

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INTERNATIONAL FASHION, FILM, ENTERTAINMENT, LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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LET’S WORK TOGETHER! Summary of magazine Digital copy 20.00. The print is also available at a print-ondemand pricing.

We are read in over 156 countries worldwide. We are a monthly publication with special issues scattered throughout the year.

Each month we publish links to purchase digital or print copies. Link to view provided each month.

Credits for all those connected with photo, hair and makeup design, designers, stylist, etc. will be included with the article. Please send approximately 5 photos so that we can choose accordingly. Our magazine pages are 8.5x11, and all photos must be 300 dpi. No watermarks, please. Please make sure all photos are editorial, that they tell a story! shelley@redsilkcarpetllc.com

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The 96th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC at the new time of 7 p.m. EDT/4 p.m. PDT and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is home to a global membership of more than 10,500 of the most accomplished film industry artists and leaders. The Academy recognizes and celebrates all aspects of the arts and sciences of moviemaking through renowned awards for cinematic achievement, including the Oscars®. With the world’s largest film museum and collection, the Academy preserves our cinematic history and presents honest and powerful programs about cinema’s past, present, and future. Across all initiatives, the Academy connects global audiences – its members, the film industry, and film fans – through their shared passion for making and watching films. FOLLOW THE ACADEMY www.oscars.org www.facebook.com/TheAcademy www.youtube.com/Oscars www.twitter.com/TheAcademy www.instagram.com/TheAcademy www.tiktok.com/@Oscars ©Red Silk Carpet

CHARLIZE THERON The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Charlize Theron wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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ALEXANDRA DADDARIO The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Alexandra Daddario wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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CHRISTIAN SERRATOS The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Christian Serratos wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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RACHEL BROSNAHAN The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Rachel Brosnahan wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty

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MONICA BARBARO The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Monica Barbaro wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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NATALIA DYER The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Natalia Dyer wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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ANNA DIOP The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Anna Diop wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty

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STEPHANIE HSU The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Stephanie Hsu wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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MAYE MUSK The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Maye Musk wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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MEGHANN FAHY The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Meghann Fahy wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty

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KRISTINE FROSETH The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Kristine Froseth wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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KIKI LAYNE The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Kiki Layne wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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AWKWAFINA The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Awkwafina wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty

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JESSE JAMES KEITEL The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Jesse James Keitel wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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LUCY HALE The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Lucy Hale wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty

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BAILEY BASS The celebrities dressed in Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel Bailey Bass wore Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Makeup by Dior Beauty

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THE MET •The Met Fifth Avenue •1000 Fifth Avenue •New York, NY 10028 •The Met Cloisters •99 Margaret Corbin Drive •Fort Tryon Park •New York, NY 10040

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The Costume Institute’s Women Dressing Women Exhibition Is Extended Through March 10, 2024 Coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8, the timely exhibition celebrates the creativity and artistic legacy of women designers

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(New York, February 7, 2024)— The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced today that The Costume Institute’s fall 2023 exhibition, Women Dressing Women, will be extended through March 10, 2024, coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8 and the launch of Women’s History Month celebrations at the Museum. A suite of educational programs will accompany the final weeks of the show’s run, including a discussion on March 1 titled Empowerment Through Practice in Fashion, which will feature a panel of experts and advocates working in the areas of accessible and sustainable fashion. Originally scheduled to close on March 3, Women Dressing Women traces a lineage of women makers from the turn of the 20th century to the present by highlighting celebrated designers along with new voices and forgotten histories. With nearly half of the show’s works on view for the first time, it presents more than 80 objects from The Costume Institute’s permanent collection that document the work of more than 70 makers, celebrating influential women-led fashion houses and the pioneering designers who led them.

The exhibition and catalogue are made possible by Morgan Stanley. The Family Afternoon program on Sunday, February 11, will feature drop-in fashion-related hands-on activities for families

with children of all ages and abilities.

On February 15, Picture This! will offer a behind-thescenes look at highlights from the exhibition for visually impaired audiences. Mellissa Huber, cocurator of the exhibition and Associate Curator of The Costume Institute, will be joined by Shelly Tarter, Assistant Collections Manager, and Izabel Cockrum, Virginia Barbato Intern, for an in-person exhibition talk that engages visitors through touch, incorporating detailed descriptions and materials. A Met Expert Talk, held in the galleries, will offer visitors a chance to hear directly from Costume Institute staff who worked on the exhibition. Huber will provide insights on some of the exhibition’s key themes and objects on February 20. The popular Date Night at The Met evenings continue at the Museum, and on February 23, visitors will have a chance to learn more about the designer Ann Lowe through gallery chats celebrating Black History Month. The March 1 panel discussion Empowerment

Through Practice in Fashion will welcome Sinéad Burke, CEO and Founder, Tilting the Lens; Grace Jun, CEO and Board Member, Open Style Lab; and Amanda Lee, Senior Director of Market Access & Sourcing, Nest, for a conversation about accessibility,

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sustainability, and the collective nature of design. Huber will moderate the discussion following a series of short presentations. Public tours are another way visitors can gain a deeper knowledge of the themes explored in the exhibition. They are offered weekdays from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m., and every other Sunday from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Museum Members have earlymorning access to the galleries on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 to 10 a.m., before the Museum opens to the public.

Women Dressing Women is organized by Mellissa Huber, Associate Curator, The Costume Institute, and guest co-curator Karen Van Godtsenhoven. The show is accompanied by a catalogue published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Insightful essays that consider notions of anonymity, visibility, agency, and absence/omission reveal women’s impact within the field of fashion, highlighting celebrated designers and forgotten histories alike. Written by Huber and guest exhibition co-curator Karen Van Godtsenhoven with contributions by Amanda Garfinkel, Jessica Regan, Elizabeth Shaeffer, and Elizabeth Way; a preface by Andrew Bolton; and photography by Anna-Marie Kellen, the catalogue is distributed by Yale University Press and available for purchase from The Met Store.

H a ni fa R unwa y P res ent a t i o n E x cer pt , May 2020 Courtesy Hanifa

In the words of Anifa Mvuemba: “When I stopped trying to fit into an industry that unfortunately wasn’t ready to embrace me, I quickly began to see milestones of success.” She introduced the “Pink Label Congo” collection during one such pivotal moment, following the cancellation of her New York runway debut due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Mvuemba utilized lockdown to create a virtual presentation that was the first of its kind, digitally rendered and launched via Instagram, featuring garments animated by invisible bodies beneath. Her highly symbolic “Kinshasa” dress, featured in Women Dressing Women, references the collection’s dedication to African seamstresses and draws its colors from the Congolese flag, the hues emblematic of suffering (red), peace (blue), and hope (yellow).

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CRE DITS

Women draping garments at Worth’s Paris couture house, 1907. Photo: Jacques Boyer (French, 1869–1960). ©Jacques Boyer/Roger-Viollet Sewing workshop at Worth’s Paris couture house, 1907. Photo: Jacques Boyer (French, 1869–1960). ©Jacques Boyer/Roger-Viollet Maison Chéruit, 1910 Photo: G. Agie (Jacques-Gabriel François Agié, French, 1871–1932) Maison Chéruit, 1910 Photo: G. Agie (Jacques-Gabriel François Agié, French, 1871–1932) Atelier de brodeuses, 1910 Photo: G. Agie (Jacques-Gabriel François Agié, French, 1871–1932) Women workers in a French couture studio, ca. 1920. Photo: Albert Harlingue (French, 1879–1964). ©Albert Harlingue/Roger-Viollet Parisian modistes, ca. 1930. © Collection Roger-Viollet/Roger-Viollet Woman choosing clothing in a Parisian couture house, ca. 1925. Photo: Albert Harlingue (French, 1879–1964). ©Albert Harlingue/Roger-Viollet Seamstresses at the Maison Paquin, 1926. Press photograph, Agence Rol. Courtesy Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris, department Estampes et photographie, El-13 Seamstress at Callot Soeurs, 1931. Photo: François Kollar (French, born Slovakia, 1904–1979). © François Kollar/Bibliothèque Forney/Roger-Viollet Seamstresses in the Callot Soeurs atelier, 1931. Photo: François Kollar (French, born Slovakia, 1904–1979). © François Kollar/Bibliothèque Forney/Roger-Viollet Alix, later known as Madame Grès (Germaine Émilie Krebs), draping on a model, 1933. Photo: Boris Lipnitzki (French, born Russia, 1887–1971). © Boris Lipnitzki/Roger-Viollet Women in the Le Monnier workrooms, 1931. Photo: François Kollar (French, born Slovakia, 1904–1979). © François Kollar/Bibliothèque Forney/Roger-Viollet Seamstresses at Vionnet, 1931. Photo: François Kollar (French, born Slovakia, 1904–1979). © François Kollar/Bibliothèque Forney/Roger-Viollet Women sewing garments in a U.S. textile factory, 1930. Photo: Sueddeutsche Zeitung Photo/Alamy Stock Photo Solange Lefèvre and other apprentices in the Bruyère workrooms, 1935. Photo: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images Seamstresses in the Lanvin atelier, ca. 1937. Photo: Roger Schall (French, 1904–1995). Courtesy Schall Collection Modistes in the Lanvin atelier, ca. 1937. Photo: Roger Schall (French, 1904–1995). Courtesy Schall Collection Eartha Kitt dressed by Zelda Wynn Valdes (detail), 1952. Photo: Gordon Parks (American, 1912–2006). Courtesy Gordon Parks/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock Madeleine Maltezos and Suzie Carpentier of Mad Carpentier, 1950. Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann via Getty Images Designer Claire McCardell and Parsons students, 1955. Photo: Martha Holmes (American, 1923-2006). Courtesy Fashion Institute of Technology/SUNY, Gladys Marcus Library Special Collections and College Archives Ann Lowe fitting a dress of her design on model Alice Baker at a fashion show (detail), December 10, 1962. Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann via Getty Images Plan Your Visit

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Wo m e n D r e s s in g Wo m e n

Women Dressing Women honors the contributions of women fashion designers represented in The Costume Institute collection, tracing a lineage of makers from the turn of the twentieth century to the present day by highlighting celebrated couturiers, emerging voices, and forgotten figures alike. Among their diverse experiences and creative practices, they share a commonality in that they design garments for people who identify as women. As such, they are women who dress women in the embodied and performative sense of the verb. Their achievements are cultural as well as material, artistic as well as technical, conceptual as well as practical.

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The exhibition is anchored by four key notions that underlie the historical trajectory of women working in fashion: anonymity, visibility, agency, and absence/omission. While the center sections explore stories of progress and success for women designers, the first and last acknowledge some of the challenges that women have encountered in navigating the fashion system—functioning as a prologue and epilogue of sorts that signal an ongoing conversation rather than a complete history. Though the immeasurable accomplishments of women fashion designers are impossible to contain within one exhibition, this show provides an opportunity to consider the larger canon alongside our own collecting and exhibiting practices. Like the broader Museum, The Costume Institute collection is a continuous work in progress. More than a dozen acquisitions were made for this exhibition, including works from designers who are newly represented in the collection and clothing made for a variety of body types.

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I. Anonymity

In French and European fashion centers, the right of women to dress women was a slowly earned privilege. Male tailors dominated the industry until the advocacy of Parisian seamstresses led to the establishment of the first French guild for women dressmakers, in 1675. European women continued to fight for expanded opportunities in the field. By the start of the nineteenth century the guild system was abolished entirely; this deregulation, and the appeal of fashion as one of the few trades available to women, catalyzed a rise in female dressmakers, milliners, and seamstresses. In the United States, where the vocation was seen as a natural extension of domestic responsibilities, dressmaking came to be regarded as an inherently “feminine” occupation, and it was increasingly categorized as “women’s work” throughout Western culture. With some exceptions, most dressmakers served a local clientele and had few opportunities for recognition within a system that rarely acknowledged or elevated the work of individuals. Most surviving garments that date prior to the 1850s contain few links that trace them definitively to their creators. The practice of labeling garments began with the emergence of the eponymous couture house in the mid-nineteenth century. Since then, artistic achievements in fashion have been often attributed to a single maker. Yet, design is a collective endeavor. Most garments are the product of multiple hands, from textile-mill workers to patternmakers, seamstresses to embroiderers. These images document the labor of crafting garments and include both known designers and anonymous workers, illuminating the often-overlooked women at the heart of the industry.

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II. Visibility

The interwar years in France encapsulate a unique period in which women designers outnumbered their male counterparts in fashion. Some entered the rapidly growing industry by necessity. Others, against challenging odds, established fashion houses of incredible prestige and longevity. Workroom staff who had previously functioned as premières d’atelier (workroom heads), modelistes (model makers), and vendeuses (salespeople) rose through the ranks to become designers or business owners, many assuming positions of leadership in a field that offered unprecedented creative, social, and financial autonomy. Though most women had limited legal agency and lacked access to capital, the investment potential of their skills often attracted entrepreneurs who may not have had the technical or creative expertise to establish a fashion house independently. As the role of the couturier gained stature, the fate of a business increasingly relied on its figurehead, who was often centered as the identity—and even embodiment—of the house. This growing visibility was a phenomenon that affected designers of all genders, yet it had particular significance for women, marking a dramatic break from the relative obscurity in which dressmakers had labored previously. The pantheon of designers represented in this gallery includes women who trained or worked within the stratified and interconnected constellation of Parisian haute couture houses in existence by the early twentieth century. While several are relatively forgotten today, they all contributed to shaping the direction of modern dress.

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III. Agency Exercising their newfound agency in the twentieth century, women designers in the United States and Europe sought ways to distinguish themselves while also navigating a competitive fashion system. As the U.S. ready-to-wear industry endeavored to escape the hegemony of French haute couture, many of the country’s first widely promoted designers were women. Midcentury innovators such as Claire McCardell and Bonnie Cashin not only advocated for professional autonomy and credit but also introduced elements of ease and freedom to women’s clothing that remain intrinsic to contemporary dress. Boutique culture flourished in cities throughout the 1960s and 1970s, led by designers such as Betsey Johnson, Vivienne Westwood, and Sonia Rykiel who imbued their work with progressive artistic, social, and political ideas. Within the cultivated spaces of these shops, fashion empowered women as both producers and consumers. Since the 1980s and 1990s designers have increasingly experimented with ways to reclaim the body as a site of creative expression, disrupt conventional standards of beauty, and design inclusively for previously overlooked groups. Many of the women leading fashion today continuously explore new ways to apply a socially conscious ethos to their work that considers the broader impact that our actions have on current and future generations in a globalized society.

Liminal Spaces of Fashion

The creative boundaries between the arts were relatively hazy during the early twentieth century. As fashion became an increasingly attractive pursuit, some women entered the field from the periphery, forming spaces that introduced analogous disciplines like fine art and craft. These small -scale workshops, boutiques, and galleries cultivated collaboration and supported broader artistic networks. Within these environments, designers moved beyond the intimacy of the dressmaker’s shop and rejected the congestion of the department store to provide an equally refined—but frequently more bohemian—take on the luxury of the couture salon. Despite their differences in approach and circumstance—and their liminal status outside both the art world and the contemporary garment industry—these women and their international collaborators were brought together by the connective thread of fashion. ©Red Silk Carpet

Am e r ic a n Wo m e n

Several industry professionals were instrumental in advancing fashion in the United States during the twentieth century. In 1928, The Fashion Group was founded to promote awareness of domestic businesses and women’s important roles within them. Eleanor Lambert—who established the New York Dress Institute in 1941, New York Press Week in 1942, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 1962—partnered with Dorothy Shaver, a formidable fashion executive known for her “American Look” advertising campaigns, to catalyze the merger of The Costume Institute (then known as The Museum of Costume Art) with The Met in 1944. Committed to supporting creativity free of Parisian influences, these organizations not only fostered opportunities for women designers like Elizabeth Hawes, Tina Leser, and Claire McCardell, but were also critical to the conceptualization of a national fashion identity.

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Appropriating Menswear

Trousers and tailored suits for women have been indicators of agency and social mobility in Western culture since the Bloomerite dress-reform movement in the second half of the nineteenth century, whose adherents wore bloomers under their skirts. Though tailoring historically has been gendered as male, women creatives have appropriated the skill as a means of expanding their professional and artistic control. Their designs borrow versatility and functionality from men’s wardrobes and challenge the ways in which women’s dress is traditionally “othered” through excessive ornamentation. Pants and suiting have become relatively ubiquitous in modern women’s dress, but for some wearers today the suit still serves as an emblem of liberation and transgression, or as a signifier of gender performativity.

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The Boutique Generation

Boutique culture expanded women makers’ access to creative and economic agency, while the emergence of ready-to-wear introduced a system of design in accord with women’s evolving lifestyles and increasing independence. The boutique revolution of the 1960s democratized fashion by appealing to a young generation of women who rejected the formality of custom -made clothing in favor of the ease and affordability of ready-made garments. This model presented an opportunity for designers to bypass the manufacturers and department stores that dominated the industry in the 1950s and create fashions under their own names, selling to and often interacting directly with their customers in cultivated environments of their own making. These boutiques often operated as not only retail stores but also as communal spaces, encompassing a socially conscious ethos that was reflected in the clothes—from rallying political messages to criticism of fashion’s overconsumption.

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Reclaiming the Body

In the late twentieth century women designers found ways to subvert conventional gender expectations by redefining the relationship between body and garment. Rather than focusing exclusively on visual impact, they considered how clothing impedes or encourages movement and how dress informs the wearer’s self-awareness and psychological state. Through techniques like selectively exposing or concealing the body, altering its silhouette, and adding new prosthetic shapes, these fashions create a symbiotic relationship between garment and wearer. As Rei Kawakubo stated in 1997: “Body meets dress, dress meets body, and they become one.”

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Bodily Agency

Contemporary designs in this section emphasize how dress has served as a site of political and bodily expression and address lived experiences that have often been overlooked within high fashion, such as pregnancy and disability. While objects from designers like Simone Rocha and Isabel Toledo overtly or subtly engage with previously taboo notions of sex and reproduction, others by No Sesso move beyond the gender binary entirely with creative clothing that can be worn indiscriminately. By introducing elements of choice for the wearer, such as length and style, and allowing for adaptation or customization, these garments can foster forms of physical, creative, social, and even financial liberation.

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Empower ment Through Practice

Works in this section exemplify ways in which the ethics and value systems of contemporary designers guide the creative and conceptual possibilities of design. Whether uplifting artisanal makers, crediting partnerships, or introducing new perspectives and dialogues, these women are motivated by broader principles. Their works underscore the mindset of collaboration, sustainability, and plurality that has come to define the spirit of fashion today. The intentionality behind the way that clothing is made has implications that extend far beyond the maker and wearer, and these designers approach their practices in relation to their larger place in the world, whether they are focused on small-scale production or influencing policy at the largest global fashion houses.

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I V. A b s e n c e / O m i s s i o n

The intergenerational juxtapositions at the center of this gallery build upon themes from throughout the exhibition and introduce types of absence or omission that can occur within museum collections and the canon of fashion more broadly. Such lapses can take many forms, from missing maker attributions, to the lack of extant objects, to poor record keeping, to the prioritization of established narratives. The pieces that survive and enter museum collections typically reflect elite modes of production and consumption and are prized for their craftsmanship and prestige over notions of cultural resonance and meaning. With clothing, an element of absence is inherent due to the nature of displaying and caring for objects that are designed to be dressed on a figure.

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Objects in this section demonstrate some of the factors that have historically influenced fashion. Specifically, they highlight the social and structural inequities women designers have faced; the mythology of the sole creative genius; the limited legal rights and protections historically granted to women; the erasure of designers of color; and the persistent exclusion of bodies deemed incompatible with traditional standards of the feminine ideal. The stories of these designers and objects are not singular and can simultaneously reflect shifting aspects of agency, visibility, and even anonymity throughout time.

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Acting Teacher, Lesly Kahn, Founder and Artistic Director of

LESLY KAHN & CO MPAN Y By Jules Lavallee

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Lesly Kahn is one of the most prolific, highly regarded, and well-known acting teachers of her generation. During the past 30 years, more than 30,000 actors have passed through her doors with many going on to have successful careers in film, television, and theater – including several who have won or been nominated for an Academy Award, Emmy, or Tony.

As the founder and artistic director of Lesly Kahn & Company, Kahn works with a faculty of approximately 50 professionals who teach, train, and prepare thousands of actors every year through a variety of courses, workshops, classes, and individual coaching that cover every aspect of an actor’s career. Classes are offered on a wide range of acting topics, as well as specialty subjects such as selftaping, auditions, social media, martial arts, commercial acting, voice work, stand-up comedy, and accents. Kahn started teaching acting because she found her own actor training did not adequately prepare her to obtain work in television or film. The traditional acting techniques she studied did not address the needs of today’s actors. Over the years, she created and fine-tuned a program for actors that was practical and provided them with the skills required to book and keep jobs. Kahn has maintained a meritbased scholarship program at Lesly Kahn & Company for more than 20 years. The program ensures that exceptionally talented actors from marginalized groups who would not otherwise be able to afford training receive the same opportunities as others.

You are one of the most prolific and highly regarded acting teachers of our time. When did your passion for entertainment begin? When I was five or six years old, I loved ballet. I wore a little pink tutu when I went to the basement to rehearse in front of the mirror my mother convinced my father to install to prepare for my future as a prima ballerina. One evening, when I walked in to practice my pliés, my older sister Genie was rehearsing a production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM for a local theater with her friends. They all froze and stared at me. “Your sister is soooooooooooooooooo cute!” they exclaimed. And my theatrical career was born. You know the challenges all too well of becoming a working actor. Share your insight. Like winning in Vegas, getting work as an actor is a crapshoot. If you’re going to gamble for a living, you’d best be a superb, knowledgeable, and practiced card player. My first step would therefore be to make sure my acting would not be the problem in my acting career.

Many hot, cute, charismatic, young people are “discovered” when they are noticed, and it is suggested they “try acting.” Thrilled, they take expensive headshots and hop on a plane to LA. After all, they did that play in high school! How hard could movies be? But most of them have no idea what is required for a successful acting career today, particularly on screen. They are chewed up, spit out and on a very cheap bus back home within a year.

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The public perception is that actors memorize lots of lines, wear expensive wardrobes. While that may be true, skilled, successful actors do literally hundreds of other, far more important things in order to produce memorable performances as well. If you are an actor, PLEASE do not audition until you know that you can act everything brilliantly, effortlessly, and immediately -because that’s the job! If you did not receive praise for whatever you just did, don’t audition! If no one is begging you to be in their shows, don’t audition! Get great first. Become a master of your craft. THEN you can audition. What will people notice when working with you?

Most actors find me … intense. But that’s only because I’m in an amazing position: I see what the script needs the actor to do! In most cases, the actor doesn’t. They sometimes know what THEY want to do with the material, but very few know what the WRITER needs. It’s a problem! Actors want to tell THEIR story. But the writer, the director, the producers, the studio, and the network -- they want to see the story THEY wrote, bought, will direct, or produce. Ninety-five percent of the actors I see don’t understand this basic fact. Moreover, I am also able to see the distance between where the actor is where he has to be to fulfill that. And while that path is incredibly clear to me, I still only have maybe an hour to get them there! That can make me extremely passionate, pushy, assertive, and absolutely unrelenting in my coaching. This is it. They have to be great.

We actually do an exercise in class in which I ask the actors what they think of me. In addition to intense and passionate, they say I’m eccentric, loud, straightforward, funny, no BS, caring, generous, insightful, committed, wise, confident, refreshing, blue, genius, yells because she cares, makes me feel safe, and irreverent.

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While talent is a plus, it isn’t required. Craft helps.

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Luck. “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Seneca

Throughout your career, can you share your proudest moment?

Tell us about the Merit-Based Scholarship Program.

What does it take to make it in the business?

This happens more and more often! While working with name actors is fun – they’re knowledgeable, have great stories and are so educational, I can’t take credit for their accomplishments. In most cases they were famous well before we began working together, so I’m thrilled when they do great work or win an award, but I’m not necessarily proud.

We’ve had a merit-based scholarship program at Lesly Kahn & Company for more than 20 years. The program ensures that exceptionally talented actors from both marginalized and nonmarginalized groups who would not otherwise be able to afford training receive the same opportunities as others. By now it has helped thousands of actors achieve their dreams.

However, when an actor who initially couldn’t get out of bed, get the words out of their mouth, get rep, or get a callback -- when that actor books their first costar, gets a yummy guest starring role or starts out as a guest star

Lesly Kahn & Company offers training both online and inperson at Kahn’s studio in Los Angeles.

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Grit and an unwavering belief in oneself.

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An infatuation with and obsessive curiosity about learning everything acting and industry-related, from literature to lenses.

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Extreme social intelligence.

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Charisma and extroversion.

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Fearlessness and patience.

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and turn into a series regular? Then I’m pretty freaking proud. When they book yet another series regular, lead an amazing film, or star in, write and direct their own show for a major outlet? Well, then I’m over the moon.

More information is available at LeslyKahn.com.

Serial Entrepreneur Anzhelika Steen Olsen, Founder of Eliann Media Consultants and Founder of TheSHERgroup By Jules Lavallee

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Anzhelika, a Russian-born New Yorker, embarked on a dynamic career journey that saw her transition from the world of high finance to becoming an acclaimed designer and philanthropist. Armed with a design degree from F.I.T Manhattan, she initially pursued a path in finance before reigniting her passion for design and philanthropy after embracing motherhood. Her venture into the world of fashion led to the creation of an award-winning handbag line, adorned by celebrities such as Halle Berry, Kathryn Winnick, and Kerry Washington at prestigious red-carpet events including the Oscars. With her handbags gracing the shelves of major department stores and online platforms, Anzhelika's entrepreneurial spirit flourished. Driven by her commitment to making a positive impact, Anzhelika co-founded Eliann Media Consultants, alongside the non-profit organization theSHERgroup.org. This platform is dedicated to empowering women and addressing critical issues such as Teenage Mental Health and Human Trafficking. Anzhelika's passion for philanthropy culminated in the creation and production of the very first U-For-Ukraine Benefit Concert which garnered widespread celebrity support, with proceeds dedicated to providing essential medical supplies, food, and facilitating the evacuation of over 2,000 orphans to Romania at the onset of war. Anzhelika's professional expertise extends beyond

fashion and philanthropy; she is a skilled event producer, marketer, and PR specialist, with notable experiences as a correspondent for InStyle magazine and collaborations with prominent brands like Maxim and Blanc. Over the past three years, she successfully revived and produced The Big Daddy Celebrity Golf Classic and Gala, supporting the UN's #heforshe initiative and amplifying voices for gender equality and equity.

Anzhelika's dedication to philanthropy is further exemplified through her annual SHER luncheons, raising funds for various charitable organizations, including veterans, autism, and cancer organizations. Her upcoming national celebrity event will benefit the renowned St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Outside of her professional endeavors, Anzhelika is a devoted mother to her 15-yearold daughter and serves as a board member of GershwinCompetition.org, as well as holding the role of VP at the International Academy of Arts, Sciences, Edu, and Business. Residing in New York City, Anzhelika epitomizes a commitment to excellence in all aspects of her multifaceted career and philanthropic pursuits. You began your career in the world of high finance to become an acclaimed designer. Please share your background. My journey has been anything but conventional. I had my

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heart set on diving into the world of design after getting into the Fashion Institute of Technology. I mean, creativity was practically coursing through my veins. But after graduating and simultaneously getting married, in the pursuit of stability, finance seemed like the logical path to take. But somewhere along the way, I realized I had hit autopilot. I was just going through the motions. It wasn’t until the tragic events of 9/11 and a deeply personal loss that I was jolted awake. That was my turning point. Fast forward to years later, after the birth of my daughter, the desire to express my creativity became undeniable. Suddenly, I knew I had to reclaim my purpose or rather live a life of purpose.

There I am, holding my newborn daughter, feeling this undeniable urge to get creative again. It all started with a simple sketch, a way for me to express myself in the midst of motherhood. A simple sketch evolved into designing unique handbags for friends and family and naming them after these amazing women in my life. The overwhelming response led me to take a leap of faith and develop my own line. I'll never forget that moment when my designs caught the eye of the Henri Bendel’s accessories buyers at the Open See Event. It was like everything fell into place. And from that point on, well, that's when my whole life changed.

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Many of your handbags were adored by celebrities. Who are some of the celebrities wearing your handbags?

Eliann became a staple handbag on the red carpet, and I've been fortunate enough to share my creations with incredible women like Katheryn Winnick, Halle Berry, Kerry Washington, Kelly Ripa, AnnaLynne McCord, and Denise Rich, among others.

It's been an incredibly humbling journey. You are committed to making a positive impact, tell us about Eliann Media Consultants. Social responsibility and involvement in renewable energy are central to our mission. We're dedicated to cultivating a culture of "giving back" through active participation in initiatives benefiting both

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our communities and the environment. Partnering with companies like EnviroCharge underscores our commitment to sustainability. Mentorship and entrepreneurship are keyways we're committed to creating a brighter future. We believe that by supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and fostering sustainable practices, we can create a brighter and more equitable future for all.

Tell us about the impactful platform, theSHERgroup.org. SHER means something different for every woman. But collectively, we’re a force empowering change, celebrating the resilience of “She” and “Her.” Together, we lend our voices to address the escalated challenges faced by women and girls, especially in these very complex times. SHER stands as a symbol of diversity and inclusion and we’re a work in progress, just like each and every one of us. I want to add that together we are rewriting the narrative, uplifting women, and creating a legacy of strength and inspiration. Supported by influential figures like Michael Strahan, Jeff Hoffman, Rich Salgado, united under the #HeForShe initiative, engaging men as allies for accelerating gender equality and equity. How has your organization evolved over the years?

It's become both a safe place and a playground where women from all walks of life can find comfort, companionship, support, and encouragement so they don't just survive, they can thrive. With that said, I have to admit, this journey has been transformative. Though at times quite challenging, it has also been monumentally rewarding. Within these shared challenges and achievements and along with others, I've witnessed personal and professional growth and fostered connections that are

undeniably priceless. We are seriously powerful women and having that mirrored is our God-given gift as women in community. Over the years, we've conducted successful fundraising campaigns for noteworthy non-profits. We've advocated for autism support with Pop Earth Org, supported children with cancer and serious illnesses through Kids Need More, and championed mental health with Jay Glazer's MVP Organization. Additionally, we've participated in St. Jude Children's Hospital Annual Celebrity Golf Classic and Gala event. We've also created and launched a U-For-Ukraine concert to support relief efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war, facilitating the evacuation of over two thousand orphaned children.

Furthermore, we've engaged in mentorship programs for school children in sports across the Tri-State area and hosted inclusive events for women of all ages, emphasizing leadership, equity, mentoring, networking, and storytelling to foster unity and inspiration within the community. You are also a successful event producer and PR Specialist. Tell us about your work with the Big Daddy Celebrity Golf Classic and Gala. Since 2010, prominent celebrities from the worlds of professional sports and entertainment have eagerly participated in this impactful charity event. I had the

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opportunity to resurrect the event after it was on hiatus for almost 4 years and had the privilege of co-producing and hosting it. Thus, the BDCG Classic and Gala returned in full force, expanding its events beyond its traditional golfcentric day by partnering with The SHER Group. In addition to the golf activities, female guests will join SHER's fourth annual women's empowerment luncheon to raise awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The list of notable celebrities from sports, broadcast television, and entertainment, among others, includes: Michael Strahan, Tracy Morgan, Justin Tuck, Hisham Tawfiq, Bernard Hopkins, Scott Ferrall, Jim Trotter, Merril Hoge, Neil O'Donnell, Kevin Weeks, Brian Baldinger, and Joe Schoen.

What is your vision for 2024? We're actively engaged in a range of impactful initiatives. This includes collaborating with Tara Og and ISF Intl. Soccer Festival Org to combat human and child trafficking, as well as promoting teenage mental health awareness campaigns while strategically partnering with major brands. We're also committed to empowering Native American Women through tribal collaboration efforts and spearheading celebrity fundraising initiatives for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Additionally, we're dedicated to supporting the reintegration of incarcerated minorities through VR technology with Promising People Org. As well we plan to host themed events with A Soulful Heart Org, tackling social justice, trafficking, and teenage mental health issues head-on. Together, we have the power to create a more equitable and empowered world. We invite women from all walks of life to join us in a legacy of strength, inspiration, social justice, and meaningful change. theshergroup.org

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In Honor of Women’s History Month,

M e e t Ta t a G e v, F o u n d e r o f Luxur y Picnics in SoCal, Picnic Fa m LA , a n d T& T Eve n ts By Jules Lavallee

Tata is an Armenian, with her roots in the beautiful country of Armenia.

Throughout her adult life, she developed a deep passion for organizing and coordinating events. Although her background was in law, and she spent many years working at one of the top law firms, her heart was always drawn to event planning.

Three years ago, she decided to settle in the United States after marrying her husband. During their beach visits, they often saw stunning picnic setups that sparked her imagination. “The beauty and creativity of these arrangements greatly inspired me.” “Eventually, I reached a turning point where I realized that dreaming about a career in events wasn't enough—I needed to take action. This was the start of my journey in the picnic business.”

Share your background and what led you to launch Picnic Fam LA? I worked in a production center in my hometown, specializing in law. This production center was closely connected with artists and singers.

I remember working 8-hour shifts and then attending various parties, events, music, or movie premieres, and shows almost every evening, as the production center received numerous invitations. The next day, I would return to work on documents, which I found quite tedious. During my education, I realized that law might not be the right fit for my personality, but it was too late. However, I am happy to have a law background as it is helpful in life and in communicating with customers. Within the company, I assisted in organizing different events and private parties. I loved the process and the interaction with various people.

It was during this period that I realized my true calling. When I moved to LA, I started from scratch.

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My English wasn't very good at the time, so I was unsure about what I could do. Being an independent woman, I found this challenging, but my American husband helped me improve my English.

One day, I reached a pivotal moment where I realized that simply dreaming about a career in events was not enough—I needed to take action. The first challenge was finding the perfect picnic tables and selecting a brand name that encapsulated my vision. This initial step was difficult, but it marked the beginning of my journey in the event planning industry. I decided to create a small family business; hence the name "Picnic Fam LA." "Fam" represents family, and as we are based in Los Angeles, it perfectly embodies our values and location.

What makes Picnic Fam LA so special? Tell us about the broad spectrum of events you offer.

from Santa Barbara, San Diego, and even Catalina Island, although setups there can be a bit challenging.

For me, Picnic Fam LA is like a "newborn baby." I started my picnic business with just one picnic table and one umbrella, unsure of its future. My initial investment was $1,000, and I am very proud to see how much others love my brand. Receiving compliments from our clients after a setup means the world to us. For us, it's not just about business, but also about human relations.

TikTok - Make Your Day https://www.instagram.com /p/CugNIHivnU1/

Southern California is certainly the place to have a luxury picnic on the beach. Valentine’s Day is coming up. How can you make this Valentine’s Day a day to remember for couples?

This is why many of our clients have become friends over time; one of them even invited me to their wedding in Mexico. We offer a wide range of event services, including tea parties, birthdays, kid’s parties, anniversaries, proposals, showers, gender reveals, and more. We can set up at the beach, park, backyard, or other locations. It's very easy for our clients; they just need to choose a color theme, and we do the rest. They simply show up and enjoy themselves. We often receive inquiries about whether we handle weddings, and the answer is yes. We have experience with beach weddings. In fact, I have decided to start a second project to explore interest in non-picnic style weddings and other events. This new venture is called T&T Events. We serve Southern California, but we also receive requests

To tell you the truth, whether it's a date night, a proposal, or a Valentine's date, each request is incredibly unique because we want everyone to feel special and loved. We deeply appreciate details and go above and beyond to ensure our clients are happy and have a memorable day. This Valentine's Day, we already have a special setup planned for an NFL player. We recommend booking us 2-3 weeks in advance of the event date.

Can you share a few client experiences that moved you? We once organized a proposal where she arrived blindfolded with friends. Upon removing the blindfold, she was greeted by her loved one with a ring in a "Marry Me" setup.

We also organized a wedding for a couple who decided to marry after 14 years together. The ceremony was incredibly emotional.

On another occasion, a client requested a Queen Charlotte (Bridgerton) themed tea party. All guests dressed in Queen Charlotte-themed costumes. This was an event where even we wanted to join in and experience the Queen Charlotte (Bridgerton) themed party atmosphere.

Your tea party birthday celebrations on the beach for beautiful princesses have been adored by so many. Tell us what you enjoy the most about these events? Our tea parties are one of our most popular events; we host them for both adults and kids . We have tea sets in various colors. The tea party you saw was a birthday celebration for Sydney Morgan, an American actress, model, and makeup artist. She was celebrating her 21st birthday, and other influencers were also invited. Everyone loved and enjoyed it.

How is Picnic Fam LA a perfect solution for busy moms and dads?

My team and I take care of everything, including setup and cleanup, and we bring all the necessary items, so our clients can just enjoy themselves. We have many clients who typically don't have the time for this, and we are here to help create a memorable day for them.

What are you looking forward to in the upcoming months? Are there celebs you would like to work with?

Oh yes, I have lots of ideas, but I would prefer to keep them under wraps until realization. I would love to create something for The Kardashians, Leila Milani etc... www.PicnicFamLA.com

Instagram @picnicfam TikTok @picnicfamla T&T Events Instead, and TikTok @luxe_events_company

Q u e e n Ja c k ie A , a C e r tifie d H olis tic Life / In tim a c y C oa c h a n d Ta n t r ic P r a c t it ion e r By Jules Lavallee Queen Jackie A has received numerous awards for her work in the community such as the Ben Carding Award for community development, Black Wall Street Award for leadership, and an Expy Award given by NAEWS National Association of Experts, Writers & Speakers. She has also had the pleasure of being interviewed by 11-time Emmy Award winner Nick Nanton on the Time Square Today Show. Queen Jackie has also thrown her hat into the comedy arena as a standup comedian, who’s quite edgy in regard to material. Queen Jackie is also a co-founder of Baltimore’s Black Wall Street. Baltimore’s Black Wall Street is dedicated to honoring business leaders, activists, coaches, community organizers that are doing amazing things within their community. I take great pride in honoring the unsung heroes of the community. Queen Jackie can now add the title of best-selling author to her resume as well. It was such an honor to be part of the Joy 365 devotional anthology with Dr. Vernessa Blackwell at the helm. “Writing the devotional portion of the book gave me an opportunity to finally share my childbirth story with the world. The scripture I chose was John 3:16 because God sacrificed his son for humanity, and during childbirth my love for my baby was so great, that I was willing to sacrifice my life to bring him into the world.” As an intimacy coach, I have had the pleasure of working with so many amazing couples and singles.

I am a believer in once certain traumas are overcome, then we can have the most amazing relationships. However, the more important relationship is the one we have with ourselves.” Queen Jackie A is also the host and creator of Intimate Connectionz featured on Mixxstation Radio every other Wednesday from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. “We discuss all things intimacy. I chose to speak on Intimacy to educate our community and to assist with creating more healthy relationships, by overcoming trauma, busting myths with regards to intimacy, and creating a safe environment for us to become naked with self. The world is such an amazing place, and if we focused more on the happiness within, then that happiness will light the world and we would be more loving towards each other. I stand on that.” Coming soon, Queen Jackie will be launching a tv show on the Paradigm Network.

You are a Certified Holistic Life/Intimacy Coach. Tell us about your background. I chose this area of healing based on upbringing. My mom suffered from Sarcoidosis, and I remember every time she was prescribed a new medication, in my eyes she became sick. I always wondered what if we can use herbs to treat instead of receiving poison into our bodies from the prescribed medicine. I asked my dad to buy

me some encyclopedias and books on herbs. I started learning how the herbs work and how to incorporate them with medicine in order to minimize side effects. My mom was also instrumental in teaching because she told me to always do my own research. She says, “you will always know your body better than a doctor.” She encouraged me to dig deeper into holistic healing and remedies.

Still having a thirst for knowledge, I decided to look more into intimacy because in my community sex was so taboo, and I knew nothing lol. I remember at 9 years old; I got my period and the extent of the conversation that my mom had with me was “you can’t play with boys anymore”. I knew the period thing was my enemy if I could no longer be a tomboy. I thought as I got older, how many other girls were told a similar story about their cycle. I wanted to educate my community and arm these young women with knowledge. I learned that intimacy consists of physical (touch), sexual, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. I took an online course and received my certification. I teach that Intimacy is Love, and in order to love someone else, you have to be able to fully love yourself. That means getting naked with self, accepting your flaws, and having the courage to allow yourself to grow by overcoming your shortcomings. I wanted to educate my community so that we could fully explore all areas of intimacy, in order to have healthier relationships.

What challenges have you overcome in your journey? I have overcome so many challenges in my journey. From a complicated childbirth experience to losing a 30-year marriage, but I accepted responsibility for my role in the demise of the marriage. That period in my life left me deeply broken, but my saving grace was my son and granddaughter. I struggled with finances and being misunderstood. People judge what they don’t understand. At a young age, I was always different and at times I thought something was wrong with me. As a child, you’re taught to be seen not heard. However, I had so many questions that it seemed to make my parents uncomfortable. Once I turned 18, I decided to seek my own answers. I’m very outspoken and believe me my mouth has gotten me in trouble so many times. I learned to embrace myself, and never to dull my shine to make others comfortable. As I got older, my immediate family became my biggest supporters. You are the best-selling author and co-author of the Joy 365 devotional anthology. What inspiration do you want to share with the world? It seems surreal to be a bestselling author in Joy 365 devotional anthology. My biggest inspiration was my son Greg and my granddaughter London. My son has always been my number one supporter, and he gave me the courage to finally speak on the complications of giving birth to him. I call him my miracle baby, because I wasn’t supposed to have any children because I was

epileptic. It’s a miracle that we both survived. I also wanted to show my granddaughter that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to do. Dr. Vee was another inspiration because she believed in me I take great pride in working with couples and giving them the necessary tools to grow their relationships, such as open communication, honesty, holding hands, meditation and creating a safe zone to speak honestly without judgment. I think we go into marriage with a lot of preconceived notions, and oftentimes those things cause complications. I have saved quite a few marriages, but I appreciate the trust that my clients have in me. It’s rewarding to see the fruits of your labor. I have one couple that was at the brink of divorce because they could not get out of their own way. I made them write a list of all the things they loved about each other, and to write about their dislikes. The dislike list was short, but I asked how strong their commitment to each other was, and whether they were willing to work on the problem areas together. They agreed, so I made them sign a contract and every week they had to explain what they worked on and how it impacted their relationship. The couple is still together, and they understand that marriage requires constant work, but you have to be honest, committed, find balance with each other, build trust, and I also added be willing to compromise. Share the pleasure of working with couples throughout the years as an Intimacy Coach. The feedback that I receive from clients is that I make them feel comfortable. One couple said I am the best friend that they never

knew they needed. I’m an open book, and I want to share my experience with others, but I am also open to learning from others. I love to laugh, and it’s never a dull moment around me. I can bring anyone outside of their comfort zone. I was told that it’s hard to tell me no lol. Intimate Connectionz was created in order to create a safe zone to have open discussions about intimacy, taboo topics, financial intimacy, love, traumas, and healing. I want to arm my community with knowledge on how to effectively love one another. It’s such an amazing show, and I have touched so many lives. As a result of Intimate Connectionz, I have been interviewed on Times Square Today, American Reporter, LA Wire, and a few other publications. I won a Black Wall Street Award for Community Development, and I received an award by Senator Ben Cardin. I also won an Expy Award for Thought Leaders and Expert Writers and Speakers. The show airs every other Wednesday from 7:00pm to 8:30pm on Mixxstation Radio and YouTube, iHeart radio and Facebook live.

What is next for you? I have so many exciting opportunities. I’m going to be acting in a stage play called Tribute to Sanford and Son. I am a stand-up comedian, and I have a new tv show airing April 9th called Letz Get Naked, and I have a few publications that I will be featured in. I’m creating the life I want to live and living my best life. www.queenjackie.net

Barry S. Ricoma Two-time Best-Selling Author By Jules Lavallee Photographer : Taryn Lenon (tarynlenonphotography.com)

Barry S. Ricoma is a native of Brooklyn, New York, a Father to one son (Ryan), and a 21-year Veteran of the Military Armed Forces (U.S. Army). Currently, residing in Hawthorne, Nevada Barry continues his service to the Armed forces, working as a Quality Assurance Specialist Ammunition Surveillance Inspector at Hawthorne Army Ammunition Depot. His profession affords him the opportunity to travel the world supporting soldiers from all the armed services {Army, Navy, Air Force & Marine Corps) ensuring that they have the best equipment at their disposal.

When not working Barry can be found engaging in his passion for the great outdoors. Whether it be cruising the highways on his motorcycle (2018 HarleyDavidson Fat Bob) or enjoying nature to its fullest beauty when camping in the nearby National Forests located in California. It is his thirst for adventure and the desire to experience what life has to offer on his personal journey that has brought this uniquely fun opportunity to explore a new creative outlet as an aspiring writer which has gained him recognition as a two-time BestSelling Author. My personal mission and vision are to simply share my love for Travel and the outdoors and hopefully inspire others through examples of both my failures and achievements.

What is the best way to refresh

yourself from daily routines and have fun with loved ones? Well, currently I am working at my dream job. I am working as a Quality Assurance Specialist involving the inspection of Ammunition and Explosives for the Department of the Army. As a retired Army Veteran, it affords me the opportunity to continue serving my county and supporting the men and women that are currently serving in the Armed Forces. It is an occupation that provides me with the ability to travel the world and I do go where the soldiers go in support of their missions as well. To further answer your question, the way I refresh myself from daily routines is to get LOST! And by that, I mean getting out into nature whether it be camping, hiking, or riding my motorcycle on the open highway. I recently had a conversation on this very topic and aside from my current job I had said, if I could do anything else it would be traveling around the country in my adventure van with my motorcycles, and my cat Bella (Yes, I’m a Cat dad ) exploring all that the world has to offer then writing about my adventures. There is nothing more peaceful than sitting outdoors, letting the sounds of nature envelope you. You are inspiring others through your love of travel and outdoors. Can you share a few of your favorite places and your mission to inspire others? Well, to date. I recently traveled to Bishop, CA with my friend and hiking partner Jolene

Burkholder to visit the Manzanar War Relocation Center (WRC). That trip was particularly emotional for J (Jolene), as she is of Japanese descent, and she had distant relatives that were interned there during World War II. A few other favorite places from past adventures include Ft Churchill State Park & Trailhead, Winter hiking at Sand Harbor Beach in South Lake Tahoe, and my first hike of 2024 at Wilson Canyon Trail in Yerington, NV. What has surprised you the most when traveling on your motorcycle to different locations? Since living in Nevada, the most surprising thing about traveling on my motorcycle is the number of hidden locations I’ve discovered. From ghost towns to small towns, quiet lakes to cozy hot springs, long roads to winding roads (twisties). Nevada has so many hidden gems to explore! Also, there’s the added experience of riding through the open desert (day or night) like the Pony Express Riders of the old west. I swear I feel like I’m a cowboy from that era every time I get on my Iron Horse. You are a co-author for the Joy 365 Devotion Book. What intrigued you about this project? Initially, a longtime friend Dr. Theresa Smith referred me to Dr. Vernessa Blackwell (Dr. V). Dr. Smith and I both served in the military (US Army) together but eventually took different paths within the same career circles.

Photographer: Taryn Lenon (tarynlenonphotography.com)

We reconnected in 2020 and that is when she presented me with an opportunity to be part of Dr. V’s devotional project. During that time, I was recovering from some difficult life struggles. Divorce, starting a new career, moving to a new location. At first, I was hesitant and honestly, I did not see myself as an author.

Additionally, this is something that I rarely share but I am being vulnerable right now in saying I was having self-doubts. Not just about being a part of this exciting project but more about where my life was heading. I was just now starting to recover from a period of feeling unappreciated, unloved, and undervalued as a husband, father, and a son. I thought to myself, “I barely know who I am as it is, let alone who I want to become. I thought to myself, “I do not have time to write a page for a book!” However, after speaking with Dr V. and taking time to consider her proposal I decided to take a leap of faith and join the devotional group. Even though I had a lot on my plate, I told myself that the future I am creating now is going to be about embracing new challenges and adventures as I was now stepping forward on a journey of self-love, growth and renewing my selfworth as a man. This has been my mindset ever since.

Can you share a bit about your chapter? My chapter is about self-

reflection. When I decided to accept Dr. V’s invitation, it was like I had a spark of inspiration the moment the word yes sounded from my lips. I wanted to draw from personal experience, and I had plenty to choose from, but I wanted to keep it short in length. I tend to add words when I speak and that transfers to my writing as well. So, for my chapter I opted to draft a short poem. It is me talking to the man in the mirror and him (spirit/angels) answering back with comforting and encouraging words.

What was it like to work with Dr. Vernessa Blackwell? Working with Dr. V on this project has been a blessing, for real. Her mentorship has been invaluable to my navigating the subtleties associated with promoting books. Her enthusiasm and motivation for the project just made me want to be the best that I could be. She is truly inspiring. You are also the co-author of the King Conversions: An Anthology of Men. What do you want people to know? As I stated earlier, being an author has been an amazing new opportunity for me. Since joining the JOY365 group I have been introduced to some phenomenal writers and business entrepreneurs. One such person is Marissia Bloedoorn, CEO & Editor-in-Chief of OWN It! Magazine & Publishing for which

I am a contributing writer for the LIFEStyles & Leisure Living Magazine. She offered me that opportunity after a podcast (My first ever) interview that was highlighting the co-authors of Joy365 in which I mention my passion for riding motorcycles and newfound passion for hiking & camping. Everything that had to do with being outdoors and exploring. After about 4 months writing for the magazine, she came to me with a proposal for another book project, King Conversations: An Anthology of Men. She presented it as a book/Guide for young men to gain knowledge and inspiration from elder successful men in their respective career fields in which they (WE) shared life experiences and lessons learned as we worked towards our own success in life. I laughed to myself about this because she had already submitted my name for the project before she informed me! It is a testament to the potential she saw within my writing, ergo me, that I did not see within myself at the time. As it turns out, that book became a #1 Best-Seller on Amazon last year. Then we just completed Joy365’s Campaign on Amazon in January of this year as well. It also became a #1 Best-Seller as well as an international best-seller for its category. 2 months apart I find myself being recognized as a 2-time Best-selling author with international bestseller credentials! How amazing is that?!!

What’s next for you? As fun and exciting as being an author is, I don’t believe I will be quitting my day job any time soon! HAHA!! Seriously, writing is a new creative outlet that I look forward to continuing exploring further as it keeps me active and outdoors so I can share my adventures through my Blog posts and videos. So, to answer, YES, I am eager to be part of another book project. Ironically, this experience has also brought to my attention that I am quite photogenic. Being a content creator, I take lots of photos/videos of locations scenery, so it is only natural that I have a few pictures of myself. A certain hiking partner has mentioned that I have a bit of a selfie addiction. I personally, do not see it (wink, wink). I just like to capture the moment with me in it! Anyway, while embarking on this path the need to have professional photos done for both my book promoting as well as my website (www.twowheeledfreedom.com) has been essential. I can honestly say that I love the photos that have been done for me, some of which I chose to be included for this magazine by an exceptionally talented photographer, Taryn Lenon (tarynlenonphotography.com). She really captures my authentic self and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge her work. Whew!!, all of these words to say, if I could choose what’s next for me then I would be receptive to opportunities that would open doors to becoming a professional/published model. Yeah, that’s something I just might quit my day job for! Photographer : Taryn Lenon (tarynlenonphotography.com) ©Red Silk Carpet

my website (www.twowheeledfreedom.com )

In Honor of Women’s History Month, Cristobal Toral, President, and Founder of Toral Wines & Spirits By Jules Lavallee

“It's not whether the glass is half empty or half full, it’s who is pouring the wine.”

“In my 14 years of experience in the industry I have dedicated myself to creating brands from scratch with wineries, overlooking all the marketing and commercial strategy, back office, selling and most importantly building long standing relationships with retailers, importers, distributors, wine clubs from Canada to Brazil with a special focus on the United States, Mexico, Central America/Caribbean and cruise ships. In this territory, I was able to sell more than 450,000 cases a year (+USD$11 million), including more than 300,000 cases in the United States alone.”

If you are an importer, distributor, retailer, restaurant chain, hotel chain, etc., I will connect you with producers focused on their winery brands and exclusive/private label production. I have been developing brands of wine (and spirits more recently) for over 14 years. At Toral Wines & Spirits, we continuously aim to deliver the greatest, creating trending products with substantial quality. We build brands from the bottom up and work alongside our partners across the continent looking to capitalize on market trends. We have a team in the US,

Mexico, and Colombia. We know that boots in the market sets us apart from our competition. What led you to the passion for wine? One of my favorite quotes is the following:

“It's not whether the glass is half empty or half full, it’s who is pouring the wine.” The wine industry is very competitive, and it reminded me of my years as semi-professional tennis player. Also, it allowed me to stay close to my Chilean roots since as part of what I do is to travel back home to continue adjusting products such as @VOS.WINE to stay relevant in the industry. You have spent the past 14years creating and building brands from scratch with wineries, overlooking all the marketing and commercial strategy, selling, and most importantly building longstanding relationships. Share your journey. Be great, nothing else pays (especially in the most competitive wine market in the world).

I graduated from the University of Toledo in 2008, moved to Miami and immediately started selling bottles of wine door to door in Florida and learned quickly that it wasn’t going to be easy. Luckily, I had a few products that were interesting for restaurant buyers mainly due to pricing points. My next step was to travel to other states and repeat the formula. “First, focus on the volume products that gave me the logistics and then focus on the premium products.” The second part of the strategy of premium products took me years to understand since it takes a lot of studying of the US market. The breakthrough arrived in 2012, when as part of destiny I met my dear friends of the cruise line industry and that became a huge booster for my business and from there it catapulted me to conquer the rest of the countries in the continent. Today, I have amazing relationships with retailers, importers, distributors and brand owners from Canada, USA, Mexico and all the way to Brazil in South America.

Tell us about Toral Wines & Spirits and the success in the US.

beverage companies can star growing again in a sustainable way.

My slogan is: ¨YOUR WAY TO GREAT WINES. ¨ I built amazing relationships with key players throughout the years by pure passion & relentless drive. Also, I am constantly creating value to them by bringing proven brands and products. Some of these products are in categories that are super-hot such as sparkling wines, buttery Chardonnay, Bourbon Barrel aged wines and Rum Barrel aged wines. Learning the gaps in the market is something that you only get by playing the game firsthand. That translates to a lot of setbacks, but you only have to get it right once :)

Sourcing and tailor product development “Brand” development Marketing support and investment Sales and local distribution platform Compliance and logistics

Your brand VOS, Vineyard Oaks Selected represents over 15 years of eco-friendly market. Tell us about your vision for VOS in 2024. “Enhancing everyday life with great wines for all, planting 250 trees for every new market. Our goal is to open 2 new countries this year.”

What sets you apart from the competition?

Share your proudest moments.

Most beverage companies are tired of not selling in the US market. We have a 5-step process that helps them clarify their message by solving the compliance, developing, building, and representing brands locally so their

My most satisfying moments have been when we started with the cruise line industry. Also, an amazing accomplishment was when we opened the Mexican, Central American, and Brazilian market in 2024.

Additionally, it was an amazing recognition to have been named executive of the year by the Chile US Chamber of Commerce. What are your goals in 2024? Our goal for Toral Wines & Spirits is to achieve a 20% increase in revenue compared to the previous year through expanded market reach (2 new countries) and increased customer acquisition.

What would you like to tell beverage companies about breaking into the US markets? If you are a brand owner, retailer, importer, or distributor, reach out to Toral Wines and we will solve your problem of not selling in a sustainable way and getting traction in the US market for your brands. What is your next event? I will attend Prowein in Germany, March 10th-12th. See you there!!! For more information, please contact: toral@cristobaltoral.us www.cristobaltoral.us

Marilyn Green, CEO and President of JFY Consulting, Inc, Fondly Known as a “ Str a te g is t for Str a te g is ts .” By Jules Lavallee

Marilyn Green is the CEO and President of JFY Consulting, Inc. where they “produce results just for you.” Throughout the years, she continued to build her brand and is now considered one of the most innovative strategists in the area and is fondly known as a “strategist for strategists.” Ms. Green is a highly regarded, dynamic motivational speaker that shares timeless insights and sage wisdom from her life experiences. She is the Host and Producer of her own podcast called “Girl, Who Don’t You Know?” and a Co-Author of the best-seller book, “Stuck is Not Your Story: I Overcame, and I am Victorious.” She is also the co-author of the anthology devotional Joy 365. Academically, Ms. Green holds an Associate in Science, a Bachelors in Workforce Education Development and a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy Analysis. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The life journey of Marilyn Green is likened to the Greek mythological bird, the phoenix. She has cyclically regenerated herself about every 20 years and rises again from the ashes to another unapologetic successful level. Share your journey. As I reflect upon my life journey, I fully understand why I regenerate myself every 20 years because I have so much inside that I have been gifted with that I want to share with the world, basically, “squeezing all the juice” out of me. I love to give! I know that we are all gifted and I

just happen to be that person, who had my listening channel turned to God and He has been guiding me to leap and that He would catch me. I believed in my degree of courage that would afford me the opportunity to start a new part of me and not be ashamed to do it no matter what age. I hear and I do and truly believe God that when I leap, the parachute will appear, and His wind will guide me in the positive path for that season in my life. I have had the faith that I can experience an unapologetic renaissance in any season in my life. In 20 years, I will be 88 years old and looking forward to the change!!!! Stay tuned. Visit my website, www.iammarilyngreen.com

You speak about movement in regard to your strategy with clients, take us through the lens of working with you. When you get the opportunity to work with me and my team, it will be a blessing for us and for you. It must be a “win-win” for all parties. I believe that all money is not good money, if it steals your joy and peace and you do not have a seamless, smooth experience with us. I always assess my clients for more than just what service they are wanting us to complete, but I am looking at their following attributes as a person: Are they genuinely kind? And do they really want to help their clients and/or the community? Those two questions are not asked but I can discern from their conversation of 15 minutes or less. Once a potential client passes that test,

then after more questions, I map out what I think they are wanting to achieve and present a strategic plan to them and work to adjust based on our conversations. In the end, we establish a great friendship, and they know that they can always reach out to me to assist them. Tell us about your Grant Writing Webinars and other resources you offer clients. My grant writing webinars have been designed with the potential grantee in mind. I have been a grant reviewer for many different sectors – Federal, State, Local since 2005 and during my journey, I have read many grant applications. Based on my love for teaching and/or training, I noticed that the potential grantee had great ideas based on the need in their community but did not know how to put their “passion on paper” to make the grade to be considered for funding. I decided to develop webinars to meet that need and I have taught many participants since 2016 and they have been successful in receiving funding. I offer grant writing classes monthly, and on my website, jfyconsulting.com, I have self-paced grant writing courses. In addition, I offer grant writing coaching, meaning that you write that grant proposal, and I will work with you to help you strengthen it so that it will get the attention from the funder. I have a team that looks for suitable grant applications and will write grants for you.

You are the co-author of the anthology devotional Joy 365. Why was this important to you to be involved?

legacy. I share the secret of how I raised two Sons to greatness when the odds were against us.

When I saw that title of the book, I immediately knew that I wanted to be a part of this great work. One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible, Nehemiah 8:10 “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength”, came to my mind and I wanted to share the revelation that I received from God for my life and how it kept me moving forward knowing that if I am obedient to His word, that He would afford me the strength I needed to fulfill His purpose for me.

It talks about how I received healing from the trauma of that journey. It was truly a blessing to share.

What did you enjoy the most about working with Dr. Vernessa Blackwell? The part I loved working with Dr. Vernessa Blackwell is not a micromanager. She will give you your orders and from time to time, she would gently remind us of our deadlines. She is patient and kind and always wants the best for you. She is also a genuine person that you can trust. You also co-authored the book, "Stuck is NOT Your Story: I Overcame and Am Victorious." Tell us about your incredibly moving chapter, “A Brave Heart.” This opportunity was so important to me because I had never really shared a part of my life that was still healing since the journey began in 1997. I share my process of saving my

Tell us about your Podcast “Girl, Who Don’t You Know?” Absolutely! I love meeting new people and I love to talk. In high school, I was voted “most talkative” out of 564 students. Yes!!! I have always wanted a talk show ever since I saw the Johnny Carson and David Letterman shows and to have a podcast was a desire that God stirred up in my spirit in 2021 and I just did it. The name of the show was given to me by God after deep meditation and I knew it was the right one because I do know a lot of people and people would say to me often, “girl who don’t you know”! My podcasts are about “transforming minds one show at a time” and bringing guests on to discuss topics that I deem is important for my audience to know about so that they can make rational decisions about their lives. In addition, I birthed a small show under my main podcast, and I called it, “Snap Shot: Home of the 15minute Selfie”. I thought about how people are always taking selfies and they love to talk about themselves, Viola,’ a new show was born! Just having fun!!!

What is next for you? I will continue to develop all the things that I love! I am working on a book soon about networking that will build the confidence to move to your best next level no matter what!!! I plan to implement creative ways to market my show, “Snap Shot” and get those afraid to interview out of their shell! I plan to look to find speaking engagements that needs a person to motivate moves aka a “hype person.” I am just open to what God has next for me because I am not afraid to leap!!! Okk! You can find information about me on my websites, iammarilyngreen.com and jfyconsulting.com

Romance Book Author, Kristy Mickelsen, Author Kat Satava, and Singer Meghanne Storey O n Tou r in N Y By Jules Lavallee You can also connect through my website at www.kristymickelsen.com You can follow Kat Satava at

Romance Book Author, Kristy Mickelsen

Singer Meghanne Storey

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katsatavaauthor/ Fan Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/354820917466730 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katsatavaauthor/ X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/KatSatavaAuthor TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katsatavaauthor?lang=en Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/katsatavaauthor/

Author Kat Satava

Kristy Mickelsen is a Romance Book Author, The Host for the W.W.A.A. Podcast, and an Advocate for causes such as Cancer, Autism, and Lupus Awareness. Her passions include her two autistic young adult children, reading and writing. She was born in Upland California, and raised in Riverside, and now happily Resides in Amarillo Texas. www.kristymickelsen.com (www.x.com/kristybooks Kat Satava is the epic fantasy author of Nightmares and Stars: Book 1 in The Witch War Series, as well as the supernatural serial Canton Ghost Town Season 1: The Harvest. In addition to being an author, Kat is the owner/operator of Maddening Moon Manuscripts, an independent publishing imprint. www.katsatavaauthor.com Singer Meghanne Storey “I have always loved my home here in the Pacific Northwest and I have always sang. The story my mom tells is that I sang before I spoke. By the time I was 3 years old I had memorized the entire soundtrack to Jesus Christ Superstar. When I was 7, I joined the Seattle Girls' Choir, and at 14 I was involved in a project called Everyone Has a Song. As a teenager I sang for multiple YouthCare fundraising events as well as other events within the organization. I sang the National Anthem for The Tacoma Rainiers 2 times.” The Meghanne Storey Project/TMSPMusic LLC | Good Live Music | Washington, USA These dynamic creatives are going on tour in NY from April 5th to April 10th. Their first stop is a book signing on April 6th at The

Bookmark Shoppe at 3pm at 8415 3rd Ave, Brooklyn NY. Kristy, how has writing been therapeutic during turbulent times? Actually, for me writing is very therapeutic, especially since I lead a very hectic life. Back in 2004, when my life was pretty crazy, writing became my only way of releasing some of the bottled-up emotions I had inside. I was a young mom with two young children both on opposite ends of the autism spectrum, a wife to a truck driver, a daughter and caregiver to my dad who had been diagnosed with stage four renal clear cell carcinoma on May 10, 2004. I felt very alone at a very trying time in my life. I started writing journals just to get my feelings and emotions out somewhere instead of keeping them locked inside of me. I found that when I was writing about how I was feeling, I didn't feel quite as alone for some strange reason. That's how I began writing books actually. My son saw me writing in a journal one night and said mom, why don't you try writing professionally? At first, I told him no, that I wasn't good enough and I didn't know what I was doing to do it professionally. He then looked at me and said, well, if you can give up on your dreams, I guess I can give up on mine.” Ever since that day I have written some books and self-published them just to prove a point to my son and anyone else out there to never give up on your dreams! I have stumbled and made mistakes along the way, but I now have a decent following who loves my stories. Even when I make mistakes along the way,

which I am truly thankful for. I have some truly terrific supporters behind me cheering me on! I love it. Kat, you are the epic fantasy author of Nightmares and Stars: Book 1 in The Witch War Series, as well as the supernatural serial Canton Ghost Town Season 1: The Harvest. What books are you taking on tour in April? Nightmares and Stars is definitely coming on this tour, as I am currently working on the second book in that series! Nightmares and Stars is the first book in my trilogy The Witch War series. Here we have a world ruled by witches who draw their power from either the moon and stars or the sun. Since the Convergence Massacre a decade ago, the two empires have been fighting for revenge and dominance. This is the backdrop for Nightmares and Stars, the story of Princess Alora, a witch approaching her confirmation to be the next member of the Luminae matriarchy to command the throne. She is determined to break the shackles of safety in the court to become the Warrior Witch Queen of Noctourne legend. Not surprisingly, it turns out to be a little bit more complicated than just wishing it were so. One mistake forces her to step out of her boundaries and open herself up to depending on others and love she has turned a blind eye to for too long. Not something she is good at all, bt-dubs. Along the way, we have magic, a quest, sword fights, and war horses, even a little romance. Basically, an all-around fun adventure to get lost in.

Canton is a little bit different as this cool ghost detective story is told over the course of five novella-sized episodes that are published as ebooks only biweekly. (The first three of which are available now on Amazon and KU!) Canton is kind of my Gotham if you will, and we were welcomed into this little town in Northern AZ in 1977 and they have a big problem with a serial killer. Our main detective, Jo Callahan, is the latest victim. But death won’t stop her from solving the Harvester case and she is determined to stop him. Trust me it will have you rushing to download the next episode. Once all the episodes have been released, a full season in both print and hardback will be released. Canton Ghost Town has two more full seasons scheduled so I can’t wait for you all to just eat up the first season, The Harvest. I am doing a special Give-A-Way Scavenger Hunt. Now you can get all the rules and details on my website at www.KatSatavaAuthor.com, but the basics are that I have wrapped and left several of my books, Nightmares & Stars, throughout our visit here in NYC. I have already started posting pictures of each book with hints to its location in my Facebook Fan Club Kat’s Fans of the Maddening Moon. I gotta give my village a leg up, so if you want an edge join up. If you find it because you were looking or just stumbled across what the universe thinks you should read, if you post a picture with the book and where you found it make sure to tag me in it to get even more free stuff.

Kristy, In April, you are joining forces with your creative friends for a tour in NY. How excited are you?

I am super excited to be getting to do a mini tour in New York with two wonderful women that I love very much. Author Kat Satava and I have actually been best friends since we were twelve years old. We have both gone through a lot of ups and downs and some very trying times in our lives. But one thing's for sure: whenever I have needed Kat she has been there. And I thank her for that. Singer Meghanne Storey and I met about three years ago through my brother. My brother and Meghanne share a love for music, and they got together to play some music and see if they would be a good match for each other. My brother introduced Meghanne to me and her and I have been very close friends since. Both Kat and Meghanne are very talented ladies that have a passion for what they do. We all have a really good work ethic as well. When I was planning where I was going to go to promote my works this year, I decided to ask Kat and Meghanne if they wanted to join me and promote our works together! After all, teamwork makes the dream work! and these ladies are amazing so why not!

Kristy, your book signing for “Lady for Hire” will be at The Bookmark Shoppe on April 6th at 3pm in Brooklyn. Tell us about your passion for romance and why this book is a hit. Well, I think growing up a lot of little girls dream of meeting prince charming, falling in love and living happily ever after. With romance novels we get the opportunity to be a part of that fantasy for at least a little while, when we picture ourselves as the

female main character. Kristy and Kat, where will you be touring in April? Share your goals. Kristy- In April we will be in New York the 5th-10th in the cities of SoHo and Brooklyn on April 6th, Long Island New York April 7th for a Live In Studio Radio Interview on WGBB 95.9 FM at 9 am Eastern time. On April 8th we will be in Asbury Park New Jersey and Avenel New Jersey for some book donations and meet and greets. On April 9th Meghanne will be flying back to her home in the Seattle area and Kat and I will be doing some last-minute sightseeing of NYC before we fly back home to the states on the 10th. I live in Texas and Kat is from Arizona. We will be posting our itinerary on our X.com and Facebook accounts where people can follow us and hopefully find us each day. KAT -When I get back home to Arizona, you can catch me on the author panel at Phoenix ConFusion 2024 Day 4: Somebody’s Watching Me at the Cholla (ch-oyya) Library in Phoenix, AZ. And to follow me so we can become book besties you can find me at KatSatava, Author on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest, and of course my website where you can sign -up for my newsletter and get all sorts of BTS and free stuff at www.KatSatavaAuthor.com You can follow Kristy at X.com@Kristybooks, and on Facebook at Kristy Mickelsen (I have 2 Accounts so make sure you follow the one with the blue check mark). I am also on TikTok as Author Kristy Mickelsen and on Instagram I am KristyMickelsen43.

Meet Best-Sellin g Au th or, D emar yl D. Rob er ts -S ingleton By Jules Lavallee

Professionally, Today, Demaryl Singleton is a Senior Acquisition Coordinator with System Planning and Analysis (SPA), a Defense Contractor providing support to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, OUSD (A&S)/ Strategic, Space & Intelligence Portfolio Management (SSIPM). Demaryl retired after serving 37 years of exceptional Federal civilian service with a wide range of experiences, including leadership roles while working for the

Department of Defense and other federal agencies.

During her tenure, she served as an ACAT 1 Program Manager (PM) for the DoD Teleport Program Office (TPO) within the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). She led and managed the DoD Teleport, a $3.1B major defense program that provided satellite communications to the warfighters. Ms. Singleton previously deployed and served

dual-headed as the 408th Deputy Commander/Deputy Director of Contracting Army Contracting Command – Kuwait. While in this role, she held an unlimited contracting officer warrant, providing direct contracting support to ARCENT, Office of Military Cooperation-Kuwait, Defense Representation-Pakistan, US Embassy, and general support to other units in the CENTCOM AOR.

Ms. Singleton led and mentored Military, DoD civilians, and contractors in planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and supervising all actions required to provide approximately $55 million annually in contracting support for Operations Enduring Freedom, Defense of Kuwait, and ARCENT multi-national exercises. Ms. Singleton previously served as a Loaned Executive on detail to the Combine Federal Campaign (CFC) for the Chesapeake Bay Area, providing intensive planning, training, management, marketing, program implementation, reporting, and evaluation in fundraising. Her efforts led the team to exceed the overall goal of $6.7 million for a total of 6.8 million dollars for Chesapeake Bay Area CFC and ranked 3rd in the country for the 2011 CFC Campaign. Ms. Singleton previously served as a Supervisory Program Analyst while assigned to the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), providing acquisition oversight and budget execution to support the transformation efforts for the Vice Chairman and Joint Chiefs of Staff initiatives for the Chief Technology Officer. She also served as a Program Manager for the Acquisition of Services in the Program Executive Office, Satellite, Teleport and Services (PEO-STS), and Chief of the Contract Management Branch, GIG Enterprise Services Engineering for DISA. In addition, she has served as a Contracting Officer for the United States Air Force, Navy, Army, and General Services Administration. Demaryl is an energetic, result-oriented professional with outstanding independent experience in DoD

Contracting, Information Technology, acquisition, and program management. Demaryl is a persuasive communicator, strategic leader, and motivator with proven people and program management. She is a flexible, loyal team player who embraces new challenges. Enabling DoD to provide best value solutions to address warfighter capability needs. Demaryl is a Bestselling Author, and she has three books as a coauthor "Her Story Is My Story" Her Truth My Healing, "Finding Joy in The Journey Vol 2" and Joy 365: A Devotional for Joy Restoration. Demaryl participated in the 2023 Discovery Spotlight Expo for Models and Talent, producing a Macy's marketing video for Mother's Day in Orlando, Florida. Demaryl's hobbies are traveling internationally, Missionary work, Ice skating, Physical Fitness (HIITS), community service, reading, writing, and dancing.

Share some of the challenges in your life and how you beat the odds to succeed.

Growing up in Cleveland as a foster child for the first seven years of my life and not knowing that I was a foster child was extremely challenging. In 1970, I was abruptly removed from what I thought were my parents, and my foster mother had a massive heart attack after my removal. I was moved into an abusive situation with my real family— growing up in the streets of Cleveland, Ohio, on welfare, physical abuse, moving from house to house throughout the

city. Secretly pregnant at the age of 17, my mom, teachers, family, and friends did not know I was pregnant until about 8.5 months. I used my mom's welfare card, went to all of my prenatal medical appointments, and gave birth to a healthy baby boy that was born on my mother's birthday. At the time, my boyfriend/father was not allowed to come to see me in the hospital because his so-called religious and hypocritical parents forbade him from coming to the hospital to see his son. After all, it was an embarrassment to his religious and hypocritical family. I finished high school in December of 1980 and graduated with honors in June of 1981. My son was about two months old, in my arms, and my mom chased me down the street with a gun. I became homeless, working and going to school. Through the grace of God, determination, wisdom, and many blessings, I overcame those challenges in my life. In addition, having book sense, common sense, and street sense got me to where I am today. Staying inspired is not easy, but keeping my inner fire lit as I moved toward my goals personally and professionally as an African American girl to a woman was essential. You are the Co-author of "HER STORY IS MY STORY." Tell us about what this means to you.

I decided to tell my story, hoping to inspire troubled teenagers and young adult women globally. My sisters and brothers, there is hope at the end of the tunnel. My life was not easy growing up in Cleveland, but God was there every step of the way through my ups and downs.

However, no matter the situation, I have always had an emotional attitude of gratitude, and God has traveled and protected me throughout my life's journey through difficult and good times. Most importantly, education and leaving Cleveland, Ohio, were the keys to my success. I have always had inspired dreams, energy, God, and good intentions throughout every stage of my life. I am so grateful for the achievements that I have received throughout my life's journey. Throughout my journey, community service and being a loving person have always been my focus and forte. Having faith and directing my positive energy helped me stay centered and grounded, no matter what was happening in my life. My why is the action that came from within, and my fulfillment is to tell my story finally.

How has writing your story been therapeutic? Telling my story has released me from being shy and in bondage, and it allowed me to share my unbelievable life-changing story. Also, sharing my story provides me the opportunity to share a piece of myself with the world, and it has been incredibly healing for my mental and physical health. "Life is a camera; just focus on what's important and capture all the good times." Share a proud moment in your life. In my life, I've lived, I've loved, I've trusted, I've made mistakes, but most importantly, I've learned and stayed focused. My proudest moments are being a Colored girl from Cleveland who suffered and succeeded— graduated with a Master's in

Procurement and Acquisition Management and an MBA with an emphasis in Information Technology Management. I have traveled to 43 Countries, lived abroad in Germany and Kuwait, lived in nine US cities, and retired at the GS15 level in the Department of Defense. Also, I saw my son, whom I gave birth to at the age of 17, receive his bachelor's degree at the University of Memphis in May of 2019 and witness his marriage at the age of 40 two days later after retiring from DoD.in 2021. Tell us about some of the charities you support.

As an African Dancer and cofounder of Umoja Dance Troop, we performed throughout Colorado Springs and Denver Co, participating, supporting, and fundraising activities for numerous charity organizations, such as Sickle Cell Anemia, HIV, Breast Cancer, Battered Women Shelters, Hillside Community Center, and homeless adults and Veterans. I have supported the Divine Nine activities in education and uplifting the black communities from racial inequalities in Colorado Springs, Co Prince George County, Charles County, Calvert County, and internationally.

While living abroad from 2013 to 2014 in Kuwait, I was an advocate for abused women. I participated in several fundraising activities for the AKA and Omega Psi Phi, such as a 5K walk/run for breast cancer and diabetes research. My recent community service and fundraising activities include volunteering at the Maryland Food Bank and Paul's Place in Baltimore. Over the years, I have participated in numerous AKA monetary donations, such as the HBCU million-dollar fundraising activity, the 5K walk/run in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Calvert County Bowling fundraiser. I participated in Southern Maryland Diaper Drive Charles County and National Day of Service at Project ECHO House in Calvert County, Md. Over the last ten years, I have donated over $40,000.00 to various charity organizations, which includes Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi educational fund DC, Open My Heart Foundation Org, Breast Cancer Research for African American Women, HBCUs, Diabetes Research for African Americans, The Links Inc. And Higher Heights. What is next for you?

I tutored math for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), in Prince George County in 2009 and 2010 at Potomac Landing Elementary School. I am an active member of the Order of the Eastern Stars and continue to participate in and support community activities such as the Breast Cancer 5K run/walk, diabetes research, clothing, and shoe drives, and have donated to the annual educational scholarship drive for students in the DC community 2012, 2014 & 2015.

To continue missionary trips to various African countries, teaching, and leading project care for children, seek an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities, and continue charity and community service work, modeling, writing, and acting. Demaryl Singleton’s Website/Blog Page https://demarylrobertssingleton. wordpress.com

Lisa Dove Washington,

Inspirational Speaker, and Author of The Power of Shut Up, Unleash Your Superpower By Jules Lavallee

Known for her wit, candor and her passion, Lisa Dove Washington is a wanted speaker, interviewer, and event host. A DC native that is a magazine publisher of Dove Style Magazine (www.dovestylemagazine.org) and Founder of Touched by A Dove Publishing, Lisa has a connection to the local community that many rival. Whether she’s volunteering with a young girl mentorship program or hosting a product launch party with DC finest, Lisa’s gift to gab and contagious energy sets the mood of the room. A proud graduate of Howard D. Woodson Sr. High School, Lisa, and her family support educational and social activities throughout the DMV. Currently, Lisa is using her communications skills that she gained from Spelman College to co-host an internet radio show, The Power of Shut Up Podcast that streams LIVE on Facebook and YouTube every Thursday, 7-8pm est. The podcast also streams on other platforms like Spotify, iHeart, Apple podcast, Google podcast, and more. In addition, Lisa has landed a role in several movies, plays and web series since 2010 and she loves to craft with a specialty in home décor. To learn more about Lisa’s upcoming schedule and her books, The Power of Shut Up, Unleash Your Superpower, and When Gigi Meets Kam and more, please visit

www.lisadovewashington.com . You can also book Lisa for your next event for moderator, speaker, book storyteller or hosting and check out all the wonderful ways she uses her gifts. When did you discover your passion for media?

I started writing in elementary school but when I entered high school, I joined the high school newspaper and started doing interviews with teachers. I also had my own column called Dear Asil, where I would answer students’ concerns anonymously. That is where I discovered a love for the media and knew it was something that I wanted to do. Initially, my dream job was being a journalist. I loved watching the women who were Anchors on the news and I envisioned myself in that space. I loved journaling, writing plays and poems and it grew from there. I have always loved English and believe it or not, I loved doing research papers and book reports, so it wasn’t surprising to most when I went off to Spelman College and became an English Major/Communications Minor. Share your work as a publisher and radio co-host.

This question reminds me that I

wrote my first book in a writing contest, unpublished, when I was in the 5th grade. I had to create the entire book, cover, illustrations, writing everything, it was the best thing ever! I wrote my first play while in 8th grade and knew that this was something I enjoyed tremendously. I mentioned the column in my high school newspaper and the interviews I had done but in 2010 I decided to launch my own online magazine. I had the opportunity to cover the Martin Luther King Memorial event in Washington DC and reached out to interview some national and global celebrities and started to showcase those interviews in my magazine Dove Style Magazine. I had the writing bug in a major way and things took off from there. My magazine grew fast, and we became global, reaching other cities and countries all over the world. Within the same year, I had the opportunity to be interviewed on a radio show and from that interview, I was given the chance to produce the show. I enjoyed every part of it and have been doing that ever since along with becoming host of my very own show. I have hosted several shows but currently, I am hosting The Power of Shut Up Podcast, and we focus on the importance of communicating effectively as well as shining the spotlight on people who are living in their gifts.

What was the catalyst of your book, “The Power of Shut Up”? The catalyst for writing “The Power of Shut Up” was my marriage. We are a blended family with all the challenges that can come along with that dynamic. As a wife and mom of a blended family, there were times when my husband and I had difficult conversations. Some of those conversations were difficult because I felt like I was being unheard and that he could not understand my perspective. He also had his own frustrations with communicating with me so at times we were not on the same page. I had a heartfelt discussion with a friend about my frustrations about not being heard and she literally told me to “Shut Up.” There were two other people that are mentioned in my book that were also part of that message. After stepping back and taking it all in, I decided that maybe taking a minute to be quiet and listen before responding emotionally might help. Well, it did. I started to see the difference in the way my husband and I started to communicate with each other, and things got better. It wasn’t always perfect, not at all, but it was working. I made some conscious decisions about how I was communicating and was able to admit to myself that maybe I talked too much. I also experienced a health scare that I share in the book that pretty much forced me out of fear to shut my mouth. It affected my eating, my mental, and my perspective on life. I found peace in the silence that blessed me in a wonderful way. Because I believe that this experience was a gift, I decided to do what I have

mentioned I believe in, which is to share that gift with others, and from there, the book was born. And it has been a blessing ever since. I was able to release my book on a billboard in Times Square. I also had the opportunity to appear as a guest on Great Day Washington, WUSA Channel 9 and talk about The Power of Shut Up and shared some tips on how we approach our spouse, friend or children when having difficult conversations. I am on a mission to change the perspective of the words Shut Up and use it to motivate others to communicate better. Mentorship is important to you. Please share how you are inspiring youth.

Years ago, along with a group of friends, we started a social club, our theme was “Unity in the Community.” We hosted many events over a 15-year span that included events for the youth in the community. We brought leaders from all over the community to come speak to the youth as well as entertain. Years later, I joined a mentoring group for young ladies and had the amazing opportunity to be a mentor to two beautiful young ladies for a 6-year period. I have worked alongside youth in my business, specifically allowing youth to even take over one of my magazine editions. I allowed them to shadow my team, including me, and then manage their own edition. I think that the youth are so important to our communities, and we need to be very intentional in reaching out to share, teach and communicate with them. We all need each other. Bridging the gap between

generations is a necessity.

You are a much sought-after speaker. Tell us about some of your signature speaking topics. I especially love speaking about Communication because I have a great love of words. I have had the opportunity to speak on many platforms to speak about topics such as: How important it is to share your shine with others. We must stop holding our gifts hostage, they were given to you so you can share them with the world! They are given to us so we can pour into others. Leadership is another topic that I love to speak about, and I share how you can be a leader from many positions. I specifically speak to the unseen leader. There are many people who are leading in a major way, but they are not always seen. Leading from behind can sometimes be the design. Another topic is Women Empowerment. Women have been making major moves in the world and always have and I want to keep that going by helping inspire, empower, and enlighten women of all ages. United We are an Unstoppable Force! Speaking about Youth or Our Future is also important. Bridging generations and embracing our history is something I believe we need to do more often. And of course, The Power of Shut Up is my baby. I love talking about learning to communicate better and learning to listen to understand. Words hold so much power and we must learn to use them wisely.

What is next for you? I am truly excited about what’s to come. I have wonderful plans for The Power of Shut Up in the way of Coaching and more. I am looking forward to helping to change lives in the world of communication. I believe words have the power to hurt or heal and I want to be on the side of healing. I am planning for my 4th Annual Power of Shut Up Symposium where I bring in speakers from

as far as Canada to come speak to attendees and share tips, stories, and ideas so we can learn to communicate better with each other. We are attempting to change the world through positive and effective communication. I have also been working on my 2nd Hidden Treasure Awards event that started from the celebration of my Dove Style Magazine’s 10th Anniversary. I started the awards event to shine the spotlight on those

Website: www.lisadovewashington.com

FB: Lisa Dove Washington X: @LWashingtonCCM Instagram: @mrsldwashington Tik Tok: @ThePowerofShutUpPodcast YouTube: Lisa Dove Washington Channel

who do not always get the acknowledgment and visibility they deserve. I want to give them their flowers while they are here and thank them in real time for all their hard work, dedication, and loving hearts. I will also be releasing two more children’s books to add to my Kam Kapers Children’s Book Series. It focuses on family and building family and youth along with great communication skills can move mountains.