Curvy Girls Slay Fall/Winter Launch Digital Issue

Letter from the Editor…

Shanta Patrick, Editor-in-Chief It’s official! This is the LAUNCH ISSUE of CURVY GIRLS SLAY MAGAZINE! We are so excited to bring you all things #CURVY! This issue is PACKED with interesting and intriguing material. Topics about fitness, health, domestic abuse, sexual health, curvy girl shopping, fiction, poetry and more are tucked into these pages. Allow us to be your go-to source for a curvalicious good time!

This inaugural issue of Curvy Girls Slay Magazine is a special three cover edition!

Our beautiful cover girls are singer and fashionista, Rajdulari; pageant queen, model and host Chenese Lewis; and the founder of Full Figured Fashion Week, Gwen DeVoe! One of the defining moments of my adult life was the first time that I experienced Full Figured Fashion Week in New York City. I had never been to New York before, and there I was, in a new world, ready to experience the thrill of a lifetime. I enjoyed everything about that trip, from walking the lively streets of the city, to the FFFWeek all-white attire boat ride, and culminating with the Friday and Saturday night fashion showcases. I never would have imagined that I would have an opportunity to honor the brainchild and creative genius behind Full Figured Fashion Week, Gwen DeVoe. She is the official Curvy Icon Award Recipient for the 2017 I Got Curve Appeal Beauty, Fashion and Wellness Convention! Congratulations, Queen DeVoe! I look forward to working with you more in the future.

It is my sincere hope that you find something that piques your interest in this issue.

Always remember…Curvy Girls Slay!

Yours Curvy, Shanta Patrick Photographer: Sumika Phillips, S. Phillips Photography

Featured Content WORDS FROM THE #CURVYGIRLSSLAY TEAM Letter from the Editor B Got A Point Curves Come in All Sizes

HOW TO Curves n Assets: Taking Control of Your Financial Health NARRATIVE

INTERVIEWS The Model...The Mogul: GWEN DEVOE

Bullied...to Beauty Queen The Victorious Victim: Domestic Abuse Love Shouldn’t Hurt

Checking in with our 1st Curvy Icon: CHENESE LEWIS Twenty Questions with: RAJDULARI Quick Interview with the Curvy Fashionista, MARIE LEGETTE Curvy Compositions: GRANDE’ BEAUTY #TEAMHEALTHYCURVES: TAKING CARE OF YOU 17 Seconds, 10 Minutes, 21 Days Top Ten Things to Have in Your Gym Bag More Than a Survivor: These Curvy Girls Slayed Breast Cancer Taboo: Let’s Talk About SEXual Health

ROUNDUP Curvy Girls SHOP Sapphire: Adventures with the Ultimate Curvy Girl Ask Anastacia He Says, She Says: What He’s Really Thinking #CurvyGirlsSlay Photos

Dr. Shanta Patrick Editor-in-Chief

Yolanda Givens Executive Director

Bev Wilson Designer/Publisher Queenofcreative.com

Brand Management BluelightBusiness.com —————————————————————-

Contributors Susan Russo Tanichia Deshann Grays Phyl “Shisha” Thomas Melissa Hector Anastacia Del Rio Dr. Jataya Wiley Danita Gregory-Puryear Patrice Jackson Felisha Lewis Felicia Gladney Laura Cowan Lavesha Draper Kaya Rainey Ollie-Shareese Bias Beauty Squared

Here for the Interviews?

AWESOME...

WE HAVE FIVE!

Meet this years Curvy Icon The Model...The Mogul:

Gwen DeVoe Catching up with our first Curvy Icon,

Chenese Lewis

Checking in with next years Curvy Icon, the Curvy Fashionista herself,

Marie Legette

Twenty Questions with curvy singer and model:

Rajdulari Curvy Compositions:

Grande’ Beauty

OCTOBER 14, 2017 CURVY ICON AWARD DINNER HONORING GWEN DEVOE AT THE I GOT CURVE APPEAL CONVENTION

Photog: Alexander Le'Jo | MUA: Ebony Malika | Hair: Monique Aaron

He Says…She Says….

By Beauty Squared In recent years, the size acceptance movement has given the greenlight to women to accept their bodies, what they may consider as flaws and all. However, instead of seeing our bodies as amazing, beautiful masterpieces, we dissect them into parts; arms, rolls, bellies, thighs, muffin tops, double chins, etc.

While we know that it really only matters how you personally feel about your body, it is quite interesting to hear the difference in the way a woman feels about her body versus the way a man feels about her body. I questioned several men from all walks of life to be completely honest about their thoughts. They did just that.

She Says: My body is terrible after having a baby. While I definitely love my baby, I hate what pregnancy did to my body. It will never be the same.

He Says: I see the beauty in her body after she has had a baby. Some women’s bodies actually improve after giving birth. But, hey, I love the female body regardless. A few marks that are a constant reminder that she was a giver of life are actually super sexy! (Tony, 50) I can accept it all. The changes a women go through after having a child is BEAUTIFUL. Big is just as beautiful as small and size does not dictate health. To me, stretch marks are tiger stripes and I am in the king of the jungle. Sometimes what women call their “fanny pack” belly is actually sexy. (Jason, 34) She Says: I hate the shape of my body. I need to be the perfect hourglass shape, no matter what size I am.

He Says: Some men like women who have an athletic build and other prefer a curvier woman, while others enjoy a plush sized woman. Every man is different. Every woman is different. It’s not about the shape of your body, but more importantly the shape of your mind, your heart and how you feel about yourself. (Alex, 23) She Says: My arms are HUGE and FLABBY! I need to be sure that I cover them year round.

He Says: I never really met an “arm man” before. I mean, I am sure they are out there, but I don’t know of any. The arms are a part of the female body that unless the woman points out what she feels is a flaw, we won’t really notice. I just need her arms to be a warm and inviting place for me to relax in at the end of a hard day. (Marq, 42) She Says: I need to get a mommy makeover complete with a breast lift. My breasts are saggy a squishy now!

He says: Breasts come in all sizes and shapes, with varying softness and lift. While there are definitely men who prefer bigger or smaller breasts, either way they prefer you in your natural state. As a woman ages, her breasts begin to soften. I was overjoyed the first time that I was intimate with a mature woman. The softness of her reminded me of her femininity. If she were to get implants, her breasts would be denser. I understand wanting to hold on to what you used to have, but sometimes change is good…especially when it comes to becoming softer.

(Terry, 27)

Model: Shanta Patrick Photographer: Delontaye Taylor, CLU? Photography MUA: Kristian La’Don

SAPPHIRE

By Anastacia del Rio

Sapphire stood before the full length mirror in the sitting area of her bedroom and brushed her thick, long ebony locks. She never thought the day would come when she would be able to look in the mirror and actually be happy with the reflection. Not just the reflection of the plush, full figured frame that was wrapped in her warm, mahogany skin, but also the inner person. When her mother named her 35 years ago, she either knew exactly what she was doing, or she was trying to speak some things into existence for her. Her full name was Alayna Sapphire Griffen. Through some research, she found out exactly wha her name meant. Alayna meant “beauty”, Sapphire was a strong element that came in her favorite hue blue, and her last name Griffen meant “strong on faith”. Indeed, Sapphire was beautiful and life had required her to be long on faith.

Sapphire had grown up in a home with two loving parents. Her father had been in the Army and she was a proud Army brat. She had never seen a day of lack in her childhood; she received many academic

accolades, and had a good group of friends that she kept in touch with even as her family travelled from coast to coast. Yes, to the outside world and even to her parents, Sapphire’s life was enviable and was of to a great start. This Army brat, however, was hiding secrets from the outside world. Secrets so ugly, so deep and so painful, that she dared not whisper a word about it to anyone.

But alas, Sapphire stood before the mirror today, and only saw the fun, sexy and successful woman tha she had become. She gave her hair a few more strokes, applied some shimmery pink gloss to her lips and sauntered down the steps in her hot pink pumps.

The day was beautiful. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and it seemed as if even the trees could tell that Sapphire was on her way as they swayed their branches the same way that she swayed he hips. Yes, today was going to be a great day. She was going to meet up with her sisters from Projec Curve Appeal for a little while and then end the evening with a good work out and dinner prepared by her beau, Antonio. Project Curve Appeal, PCA for short, had been a godsend for Sapphire. She had

discovered the organization about a year ago when she was looking for full-figured fashions. PCA was an organization that empowered full figured women to embrace their curves and to live a healthy lifestyle Sapphire felt that joining the organization was one of the best decisions she had ever made. She had a very curvy, sized 18 figure, and was always complimented on how well she dressed “for a big girl”. Tha irritated her so much in the past. Why couldn’t they just tell her that she looked nice and leave the extras off? Oh, well, it didn’t matter. Her and her PCA sisters were working overtime to show the world jus what curvy girls could do.

The ladies were all meeting at the Olive Garden for a business luncheon today. She arrived there a few minutes early to make sure the reservations were secure. They were and she went ahead to their corne table and waited for the others to arrive. Jessica soon came, followed by Temeika, Shanta, Valerie, Stacey and Sheryl. The ladies shared a bottle of wine, dined on some delicious Italian cuisine and got down to business.

They discussed their upcoming events and the big Sisterhood Conference in Miami, Florida.

“And remember ladies, in the words of our fabulous sister, Danielle Woods, “Foundation, foundation foundation!” They all laughed with each other about this remark. They knew that it was good advice about how to look neat in their clothing at all times, though. After they wrapped up all loose ends and scheduled their next fitness activity, they exchanged goodbyes and hugs and left to go their separate ways

g, d s s e at e,

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s er ct r

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Once in the parking lot, Sapphire walked towards her new silver Mercedes S500 and prepared to open the door, but as she did she heard someone yelling her name.

“Alayna! I know you hear me, Alayna! Oh, I’m sorry, it’s Sapphire, now! Can’t call you by your real name out here, huh?” The voice sounded so familiar to her that it made her stomach churn. She thought the chicken tetrazzini that she had just eaten was going to end up all over the parking lot.

She opened her door and sat down behind the steering wheel. As she closed the door, the face behind the voice was standing there. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t Miss Alayna Griffen. You look like you are doing well these days. Why didn’t you want to stop and speak to me?” Standing there, with only the glass between them was her worst nightmare, Theresa Williams. Theresa had known Sapphire since she lived on Fort Benning when she was fifteen years old. She was also the one who encouraged Sapphire to do most of the things that she was unhappy about in her past.

Sapphire slowly spoke. “Hi, Theresa. I’m sorry if you felt like I was ignoring you, but I didn’t hear you. It’s nice to see you, yes, I am well, and I am also in a hurry. I really have to be going.”

Sapphire cranked up her car and put it in drive as Theresa was standing there yelling that she could drive off but she couldn’t erase her past.

How did this happen? How did such a beautiful day turn sour just that fast? The sight of Theresa conjured up those bad memories…the molestation, the dancing, the drug use, the abuse, the days of being a date-for-hire. Sapphire shook her head and took a few deep breaths as she drove to Antonio’s house. She had to get herself together before she got there. No matter how fast she drove, how the sun was shining through the leaves of the trees, or what song she tried to blast through the speakers, she still kept having the flashes of negativity that Theresa had sent her way. She pulled up into Antonio’s driveway and turned off the ignition. As she looked in the rear-view mirror, she tried to wipe the tears that had begun to leave streaks on her face. Suddenly, she saw a figure standing there. She cautiously turned her head, prepared for the worst. Instead, it was the best…Antonio.

He looked down into the car at Sapphire with a big, wide grin plastered on his face. In his hand, he held Sapphire’s favorite flowers, calla lilies. Antonio was so handsome. He had strong features, beautiful mahogany skin, and a muscular physique. Not too large, but firm and chiseled.

When Sapphire had first met him, she felt insecure about the fact that he was so Adonis-like and she felt like she looked like a fluffy marshmallow treat. He soon assured her, however, that he, number one, loved her mind and personality, but he also adored her full figure. He loved the way she looked like a perfect figure 8, the divine fragrance of her and how soft and feminine she felt in his arms. He had proved over the last two years, that he was being honest and that she deserved his attention and love, and more importantly the he deserved hers.

Antonio’s grin quickly faded when he saw Sapphire’s face. He quickly opened the door to help her out. As she stood he embraced her and asked her what was wrong.

“Oh, I’m fine, love. Just got something stuck in my eye, that’s all,” she lied.

“I know when something is wrong with you, Sapphire. I wish you would tell me. That’s what I’m here for. Dinner is cooking. I want you to come on inside and freshen up. I think the gym can wait for us for a little while. Something’s wrong and you are going to sit down and tell Daddy all about it.”

Sapphire looked deep into Antonio’s eyes. She knew he was being sincere, but there was no way that she could even began to tell him the ugly truths that her past held…

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE SERIES, SAPPHIRE, BY ANASTACIA DEL RIO. LOOK FOR MORE IN FUTURE EDITIONS OF Curvy Girls Slay Magazine.

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