The Progression and Unfolding of the Ujima Vision

September 2021

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ANNIVERSARY Issue

The Progression and Unfolding of the Ujima Vision page 6 News • Community • Lifestyle • Food and Drink • Health and Wellness • Active Living (55+)

V I E WPO I N T Happy Anniversary to Ujima!! We are celebrating another great year. It has been thirteen years since it all began.

We have worked hard and settled into a new energy, a new way and having fun along the way.

Our team has withstood many changes throughout the Ujima journey. We are small but powerful.

Ujima is working hard on three tiers, Ujima Magazine Digital, Ujima and Friends Podcast, and the re-launch of Ujima TV. All three of these components play a role in building Ujima Magazine.

As we celebrate all month the birthday of Ujima Magazine, you will meet the team and moving forward you will hear a lot more from them.

This magazine has consistently changed but consistently has a presence in the space called Austin Texas and I’m very proud of this accomplishment.

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships -Michael Jordan Thanks for your continued support.

Embrace Your Community Damita Miller-Shanklin EDITOR IN CHIEF Damita@Ujimamagazine.com

Ujima Magazine is a free news publication. Visit UjimaMagazine.com. For Advertising Opportunities email UjimaMagazine@gmail.com

The History of Ujima Magazine

By Damita Miller-Shanklin For our longtime readers, you may have heard me talk about the history of Ujima Magazine. Due to our new readers and followers I thought I would share it again.

Ujima and Friends Podcast is another way to reach out to people around the world and share our voice. This podcast is about Ujima Magazine stories, people we interview, and our take on different issues and topics.

The podcast is hosted by Damita MillerShanklin and Eliza Edwards. We hope you join us by listening to us talk about stories and our take on different topics. We have chatted about health and beauty, voting, hope for our future, and organizing our work. But we have many exciting topics and interviews to come.

Please go to our podcast page at https://www.podpage.com/ujimamagazine-and-friends/. You will find all of our episodes in one place. Subscribe to our site, so you will know when a new episode is uploaded.

We hope you join take a listen in the future.

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I worked as a Case Manager for 17 years at Austin Travis County Integral Care. I had started to volunteer with Nokoa newspaper. I always wanted to write and tell stories and I had found my place. After working with Nokoa, I decided to quit my job and become a writer. However, I was not sure what I wanted to write about. I admired the work the late Akwasi Evans and Tommy Wyatt with The Villager did to inform our community of what we need to know. So, I decided to create a magazine that focused on the Austin Black community and surrounding areas. I wanted to highlight people who are the “everyday heroes” in our community.

I asked my sister to join me and Ujima Magazine was born. My husband helped with designers, printers and anything else I needed to get started. He has supported me from that time until now. He likes to stay in the background.

I am as passionate about Ujima Magazine as the first day it was released to the public on September 15, 2008. We have went through different variations of how to present the Ujima but we have always been consistent. We are now a digital magazine which allows us to reach more people to share our message and community. We are improving on our mission and continuing to tell stories of Black individuals that impact our community, and how we can shape the world around us.

Ujima still believes in embracing our community. #ujimamagazineatx #ujimamagazine08 #anniversary #ujimaanniversary #thevillager #austinblackcommunity #digitalmagazine #celebrating #ujimabirthday #13years

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BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE

THE LONG-TERM INVESTMENT

By Contributing Writer, Jacquie Parish

I

nvesting in your skin is essential. Your skin will be with you for a long time, so it is crucial that you invest in great skincare products that are both kind to your skin and the environment as well as incorporate healthy habits.

Our skin suffers a lot from environmental impurities to exposure to harmful rays, therefore having a skincare regimen is important to help keep your skin healthy and glowing. Here are 10 ways you can invest and be kind to your skin.

• Over-drying your skin – Avoid using products that are alcoholbased. They can leave your skin rough and tough. Switch to gentle skincare products for smooth and healthy skin.

• Drink water again and again Having plenty of water helps the skin to stay hydrated. Hydrating the skin is always essential, as lack of hydration takes the moisture from the skin and turns it pale and dry.

Therefore, consuming plenty of water is quite essential for the health of the skin.

• Sunscreen – Yes, African Americans should use a good sunscreen.

Apply sunscreen lotion with 30 SPF before going out in the sun. Skin requires a protective shield that protects the skin from harmful sun rays. Applying sunscreen protection helps to protect the skin and keeps it healthy and glowing.

• Exfoliate your skin - Removing the dead skin cells from the skin helps breathe. Exfoliating the skin on a regular basis is key to keeping the skin free from impurities.

• Hydrate your skin - Your skin loses all its moisture and hydration in warm weather, turning the skin flaky and dry. The skin gets dehydrated which requires regular re-hydration, that is why to make sure to keep your skin hydrated by quenching plenty of water and using skin hydrating products, like face masks or cleansers that will offer great hydration.

• Serums - Using serums will help to rejuvenate the skin cells creating health benefits for the skin. Serums play an important role to boost skin cells and maintain healthy skin texture.

• Healthy habits – Incorporating healthy habits such as eating also plays an important role to healthy skin. The saying is true, we are what we eat!

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• Keep the bugs away with essential oils - essential oils offer effective, natural protection against those flying summer pests. From peppermint to lemon to lavender and eucalyptus, so you can avoid

using harmful, pore-clogging bug sprays.

• Take a closer look at eye masks The skin around the eyes is delicate, and sun or heat can prove harsh to it. This may leave your eyes with dark circles. To get rid of them you can go for a gel eye mask that will soothe the puffiness around the eyes. Aloe vera is a perfect natural under eye gel. Chill it and apply for a simply divine experience.

• Proper sleep - Getting enough sleep is extremely beneficial for the overall health of the skin. Erratic sleeping habits often result in wrinkles, dark circles, blemishes, and puffiness. Make sure to get 8 hours of sleep regularly, as this will help with the great healthy skin.

Contributing Writer Jacquie Johnson is the creator of the Glow Collection by Jacquie ooh. The Glow Collection is an certified organic skincare product line that is good for your skin and the environment. For more information on the Glow Collection visit www.jacquieooh.com

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Lifestyle

Fun with Virtual Travel Source: youvisit.com

I love to travel. I need a beach so bad right now I can’t stand it. But with the pandemic, I choose to travel with friends on social media. For all the people I follow that share their photos thank you.

Of course, I’m green with envy but I made the decision to not travel right now. I admire the people that do.

I thought I would share an option for people who prefer to travel virtually. It’s not the same as visiting a bucket list location in person, but it works for me. The cost is reasonable and it saves on airfare.

Forbes.com shares a virtual travel bucket list, Tripsavvy.com which has self-guided tours, and if you are new to Austin, there are also virtual tours you can take while staying home.

1. Youvisit.com- This virtual tour site will take you all over Austin. From the Capital to Mount Bonnell and everything in between. The website is very cool and the functionality is great.

2. Blantonmuseum.org- They offer the 360 Virtual Tour that moves around to all the exhibits with audio to help you understand what you are viewing. It seems

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very fun for any person that enjoys museums and art.

If you want to visit outside of Austin, Trip Savvy offers virtual tours of Oakland California, Detroit Michigan, Nashville, Tennessee, and more. And lastly, Forbes offers unique such as the Australian Wilderness, Ancient Egypt Tours, and much more.

There is a cost with some of the tours so make sure you read the rules. I hope this is the beginning of your virtual bucket list tour.

Bucket List Travel: The World's Best Virtual Tours – Forbes Trip Savvy: 11 Self-Guided and Virtual Black History Tours Experience Austin, Texas in Virtual Reality

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Thank You! We appreciate your support.

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Ujima FEATURE STORY

Common Purpose with A Different Perspective

By Damita Miller-Shanklin

Being that Ujima Magazine is celebrating 13 years, I thought it would be great if you got to learn more about the core team. These are the people who work almost daily on the magazine. I want to thank all the contributors who have written dynamic articles and shared their knowledge with our readers.

Ujima would not be this far without all who have contributed. We recently added a new writer, Jacquie Parish, with the Jacquie Ooh Project, which tells us all about skincare. We are always looking for writers to contribute and share your voice. Just saying! Anyway, I met with each person and got their take on Ujima, their passions, and some quick flash questions.

Meet MARGARET LINNEN, Associate Editor/Social Media Manager The Motivator Damita: How did we meet?

Margaret: You are my sister.

Damita: We are celebrating 13 years.

What are your thoughts about that?

Margaret: Celebrating 13 years is very exciting. People start and stop businesses and don’t make it to 13 years. A team this small is a great accomplishment. I love it.

“There were people doing a lot and we didn’t know about it. All the people we interviewed loved it and welcomed the opportunity to tell their story. “ Damita: What is your favorite highlight being a part of Ujima?

Margaret: My highlights started and changed. I like meeting many interesting people. We did face to face interviews. It was amazing to me.

There were people doing a lot and we didn’t know about it. All the people we p6

interviewed loved it and welcomed the opportunity to tell their story. We still look for different and interesting people.

People are still in the community doing amazing things. Ujima finds those people and gives them a platform to tell their story.

Damita: Ujima is only a part of your life.

What are you most passionate about?

Margaret: I’m retired and don't do much.

Your life takes a change. Being a caregiver, your life has a way of stopping. Without Ujima I’m not sure what my life would be like. The team looks out for me and the caregiving is what I have to do. There have been some sacrifices as a Caregiver. I miss church. I don’t attend because I don’t want to bring anything inside the home with my mother being here. I don't complain much because I’m able to read, write and do stories for Ujima.

Damita: What do you get most excited about with Ujima?

Margaret: Children have been my heartthrob. I want children to read. I had a book section in the magazine where I recommended books for young people.

Rebecca Richard and Tia Miller would read books and give their review. Children must read. Without having reading fundamentals , it's gonna be hard. If you don’t read you can’t comprehend and you will have a struggle. Parents need to realize reading is important. It is important to me.

Damita: What is one thing people may not know that you want to share?

Margaret: People may not know: I have no daughters. Only sons. I’m in a blended family and gained two bonus boys. The experience has been eye opening. Keeping up with Damon Miller in sports, school and activities was a full life before I was Mary Linnen. I am very proud of him. One other thing, the Founder of Ujima is my baby sister. When she came to me and said she wanted to do this, after I could breath I said okay and the first thing came to mind was support and anything she wants to do I support her.

Didn’t think about being a writer or editor but support.

Damita: Let’s get to the fun questions Favorite Food - Seafood Favorite Thing To Relax - Go off to myself. Sit and not move.

Favorite Place to Visit - Vancouver Canada First Thing You Do In The Morning My coffee and relax. Post encouraging words to share.

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Damita: What do you love about Ujima?

Margaret: The fact that Ujima will always give recognition to everyone that is hustling and trying to make it and be heard and seen. We always look for the everyday hero because these people are making a difference in their communities. Ujima will always be able to give those people space at the table.

“You don’t have to be just be!”

Meet ELIZA EDWARDS, Operations Manager The Innovator Damita: Do you remember how we met?

Eliza: Yes, we were introduced by Quitta. I had attended a Women’s Summit and we met at that event. She then referred me to you. She also used my I Can Do It! services. Our first meeting was at the coffee shop in Pflugerville on a rainy day. It was my first time in Pflugerville.

Damita: When did you realize you wanted to be a part of Ujima?

Eliza: You first hired me to make your appointments, emails for interviews, and follow-ups. This was right up my alley. It's what I did as a business. At that time, it was a perfect way for me to get to know the Black Community because this was not my community.

That's why I went to the Summit and met a lot of black women. The summit was the key and Ujima answered what I needed.

Damita: We are celebrating 13 years, what are your thoughts about it?

Eliza: The tenure and the goal I had has grown and stuck and my position has changed over time. Right now, I have a different position than when I first started. Ujima is a huge part of why I came back to Austin. Through the years, I have grown and understood the community that I knew nothing about and I still don’t know all about the community as well as I should or think I should. There is still room for growth.

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Damita: What is your favorite highlight of being a part of Ujima?

Eliza: My highlight is when we were able to get out into the community. When we went to Chicon street and viewed the mural, hearing the stories and history of your community through you was a history lesson to my neighborhood. Being introduced to Black Women who were truly empowering. I also got to understand different communities better.

I played a big part in providing the location for Ujima TV for 18 months to 2 years. Ujima is very instrumental in showcasing the community’s highlights of touching people.

Damita: When you are asked what you do for Ujima, what do you tell them?

Eliza: I tell people I work for a publication, community magazine that empowers women of color especially local women of color. I innovate ideas and I don’t question that I’m an integral part of Ujima and I don’t take it for granted. It’s about the community that Ujima brings and I empower Ujima. I have a healthy sense of what I bring to the table.

Getting in the community and showcasing the heroes of the black community to others that are not a part of the Black community.

“At that time, it was a perfect way for me to get to know the [local] Black Community because this was not my community.“ Damita: With Ujima being a part of your life, what else do you do outside of Ujima?

Eliza: I am being the daughter of the high most King. That is first and foremost in my life. Without God, I have nothing. My faith is the essence of who I am. I’m a mother. That is important in so many ways. My daughter is 37 and a huge part of my identity. Daughter of the High Most King, and a mother unto the Lord.

It’s challenging being located 3-4 hours away from her. I like having relationships with others. I have found that many people only know me from my business. I Can Do That! They don’t know my interest. My gardening is a huge thing to my health. I add what grow to what I eat.

Oregano ,Mint leaves and more. It's not just a hobby, it is a healthy thing for me. I follow Natural medicine, Acupuncture, Chiropractor before I do traditional medicine. I am an avid reader of the Bible and meditation.

What I do miss is fellowship with a church. I will be working on that.

Damita: Let’s move the 5 quick questions Favorite Food - Cherries Favorite Thing to Relax - Spa day Favorite Place To Visit - Mount Rainier in Washington First Thing You Do in the Morning Listen to 5-min meditation Damita: Lastly, what do you love about Ujima?

Eliza - I like the rich colors, different colors of Black and the richness. The spirit of Ujima captures the spirit. I love the consistency of it. We are celebrating 13 years of what I was looking for. Consistency.

Meet CHIQUITITA HARRIS, Creative Director The Closer Damita: Do you remember how we met?

Chiquitta: Yes I do. I had spoken to your husband (Harry) when I had my brick and mortar office. He scheduled an appointment and I met you, him and your sister Mary at a local coffee shop.

Damita: When did you realize you wanted to be a part of Ujima?

Chiquitta: After the 2nd or 3rd meeting. I liked the idea of Ujima being community-oriented, highlighting local heroes and getting the readers in touch with people in our community doing different things. I liked your work ethic - your background in Social Work brought a unique perspective to this platform. I also liked Mary; you just gravitate to Con’t Next Page

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Cover Story Continued

her. She was retired, but not sitting around and still very active. Early on I realized she was your right hand and well connected in the community. She was spiritual, and earthy. Harry had a weird sense of humor but was suportive and would do anything for you. When Eliza joined the team she was a natural fit. Sometimes it’s hard when you introduce someone new to the mix but she fit right in. We are all still tight after all these years. I liked the team and how it morphed into what Ujima does as a whole, getting information to the community, caring, socially conscious and aware. All of that sparked my interest and drew me in. Before life happened, I was very active with community service but could not always give or be a part of something at the level that I was used to. Ujima provided an additional opportunity for me to contribute and use my talent and voice.

Damita: We are celebrating 13 years.

What are your thoughts about that?

Chiquitta - Wow! I think about the highs and lows and those moments inbetween that no one else will ever know about and what it takes to put a publication together. Plus we all have grown personally and professionally in so many aspects. It’s been a very interesting journey. Ujima was not just another project; you weren’t just clients you became a part of my family. We work well together but we have also grown into a close-knit family unit.

Damita: What is your favorite highlight being a part of Ujima?

Chiquitta: I will never forget the production meeting where you and Mary gave me ideas on layout but forgot to add space for ads. Y’all were so proud of that sketch and the look on your faces when I asked, “Where are the ads” - well, that was priceless! Also during the production process where we have challenges getting the perfect cover photo but we managed to pull it off.

Don’t know how we pull it off, but we do.

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I’m not a doctor nor a dietician. I glady share tips on small things we can all do based on my own personal experiences - from grocery shopping to meal prep; basic fitness tips and exercises that can be done without going to the gym and more. Lastly, BodyBuilding is another hobby of mine.

“Before life happened, I was very active with community service.

Ujima provided an additional opportunity for me to contribute and use my talent and voice.“

Damita: Ujima is just a part of your life.

What do you do outside of Ujima?

Chiquitta: I am a Creative Designer for a graphic design and marketing firm. But my interest is also in health and wellness for women over 40. I mentor and educate in that aspect. I want to make sure we get started as early as possible and that women are healthy and thriving. This is mostly because women do it all. We have so much going on. The last person we take care of is ourselves. I’m always sending information out to people to help them become more conscious of their health. I am also transitioning into getting more involved with older family members. I’m sympathetic to caregivers.

My parents are aging and I’m learning more to prepare for the what if and it’s reality. What are our next steps if something happens? It’s not a pleasant conversation but you need to have a plan.

A friend of mine is educating me on ways caregivers can take care of themselves.

This has become a new interest of mine.

Damita: I think you have discussed this, but what are you most passionate about?

Chiquitta: In this phase of my life, Health and Wellness is what I’m most passionate about. I’m not an expert, not trying to write a book or anyting like that. I simply put information out there that anyone can use and often get messages from people who respond that it has helped them. Education is my goal. I want folks to understand that small things add up over time. My soft spot is for the elderly. It’s never too late to start moving your body. The more you move now, the less you may have to depend on someone else down the line.

Damita: Let’s do some fun questions Favorite Food - Key Lime Pie Favorite Thing To Relax - Yoga Favorite Place To Visit - St.Thomas First Thing You Do In the Morning Meditate and drink coffee Damita: What do you love about Ujima?

Chiquitta: The camaraderie. The different perspectives we individually bring to the table. When we have a discussion and everyone has a different opinion we can share our thoughts openly and freely without anyone getting upset. I like that we have a nojudgement-zone.

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FOR SENIORS | ACTIVE LIVING

BY MARY LINNEN | EDITOR

Remembering Our Senior Icons Austin has so many great seniors living in this area.

Ujima will always acknowledge and appreciated all of the wisdom they share with us and the community.

As l think of Ujima’s 13th Anniversary l think of those that shared their wisdom and how we will always be grateful. They are some of the shoulders we stand on.

Edward Doyle 1922-2009 Tuskegee Airmen First Black bailiff- Austin Municipal Court, Co-owner Doyle & Freeman Builders, designer of several local churches.

Charles Akin 1932-2017 Educator,School Administrator,Sportscaster , and Community leader.

Erma Williams 1921-2021 Educator for 32 years, mentor to many, and Blessed to spend 100 years with her family and friends Susie Samson Piper 1921-2019 Educator for 41 years, Poet, Author, Play writer, and musician.

There are so many more we have enjoyed and learned from.

When wisdom speaks, Listen !

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food

Many Recipes and Many Favorites!

Looking back over the years, sharing recipes has always been a fun experience. This one was and still is a favorite.

Bacon, Cheese, & Potato Chowder Ingredients 3 cups fat free milk 1 can (10-3/4 Oz.) condensed cream of potato soup 2 cups frozen Southern-style hash browns 1 cup 2% Milk Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese 2-3 slices of bacon, cooked, crumbled 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Make It! Mix milk and soup in large saucepan. Stir in hash browns.

Bring to boil on high heat, stirring occasionally; simmer on medium-low 10 min., stirring frequently.

SERVE topped with cheese, bacon and onions.

Serving Tips!

Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper just before serving.

Serve each bowl with a crusty whole grain roll or bread.

Courtesy of Kraft Foods