Happy Birthday Ujima Magazine

www.UjimaMagazine.com

September 2022

When You Believe In Yourself Your Dreams Can Come True

Happy Birthday Ujima Magazine “Embrace Your Community”

V I E WPO I N T

The Why of Ujima Magazine

By Damita Miller-Shanklin

We are celebrating this month! We have come a long way in learning to manage a magazine in general. Systems are the key for our staff. Putting systems in place has allowed us to reach many goals throughout the years. There has been trial and error and of course, we have had to tweak things as we work the system. This applies to almost all jobs.

Deadlines are not my favorite thing. My team has worked with me to get me on board with meeting deadlines. They are still working on me. :) But I’m much better. When you are a procrastinator, you need systems and deadlines to get the job done.

Since the very beginning, I have loved sharing stories of people in our community. I have found the back stories of how people become who they are and what they do very interesting. It’s amazing what people go through and just by looking at them, you would never know their journey. I learned that no one is one-dimensional but has many life stories that make them the person they are currently. Interviews allow me to get where that person is now, and their journey to their current place in life. I like telling stories of people who

never give up despite hardships. To be honest, listening to others and their journey inspires me to get stronger and believe in myself and what I do. I have learned something from each person I have interviewed. I can feel their passion, their why, and much more.

I thank you all for reading Ujma Magazine and being a part of Ujima’s readers. We appreciate you taking the time to read the stories online. We are off to another year!!

Embrace Your Community Collective Role and Responsibility

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

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BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE

CELEBRATIONS, THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

By Jacqueline Johnson, creator of Jacquie ooh

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he saying life is but a vapor is so true. One minute you are here and the next you’re not. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. Therefore, it is important to celebrate life while we have breath in our bodies. We should celebrate milestones such as graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. These things represent continuity and growth, the unbroken threads that shape a person’s life. They are a sign of triumph over adversity, of strength, and of hope, particularly in the later years when they represent decades of experience. When we celebrate life, it is reflected in our physical being, mental being, family, and community relationships.

Celebrating is good for people. It’s an opportunity for bonding, activity, conversation, laughter, and excitement. Did you know that laughter opens the airways, lowers blood pressure, and relaxes tight muscles? Laugher is truly good for the soul!

Celebrating Life…

Mentally…

Celebrating life is also important for our mental being.

We are social creatures, and we’re happier when we connect with each other. Multiple generations of family come together at family reunions, graduations, birthdays, and anniversaries; to think about their shared history, to tell familiar stories and unveil new ones, to enjoy seeing how the children have grown, to feel close to people they’ve known their whole lives.

Wedding anniversaries remind life partners of the years they’ve shared, the struggles they’ve endured, the triumphs they’ve savored. Celebrating these events allows people the chance to feel like they’ve achieved something significant, that their commitment to each other has value in the eyes of their family and friends. The joy and comfort of these events is an important source of strength.

With Family…

Celebrating life with our families are very important! I absolutely love celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday with my family. This is a time when my whole family comes together. We get a chance to catch up because everyone is so busy throughout the year, we play games, eat a whole lot, and just enjoy each other’s company. It’s an opportunity to deepen our bonds.

These moments reinforce the continuity and endurance of family ties, another important source of strength and peace when challenges arise.

Our Communities…

Let’s not forget about how our communities also play an important role in celebrating life. When we look at community, we find that community relationships and bonds are just as important as family relationships and bonds. Family bonds aren’t the only ones that help us stay connected. When a person has worked UjimaMagazine.com

and lived in a community for years, longstanding friendships are often the result.

Relationships of parents who raised their children together, professionals who worked together, people who shopped at the same stores, sent their children to the same schools and doctors and baseball practices, are also important to celebrate on special occasions.

A healthy person understands the whole picture of life as a continuous journey, punctuated by moments of pain and of joy and always evolving. What are some ways we can celebrate life each day?

• Wake up with a grateful and thankful heart no matter what is going on around you.

• Live each day as if it is your last.

• Focus on the positive in your life.

• Have a REAL conversation with yourself!

• Let go of the past! Release YOUrself! Give yourself some GRACE! • Live in the present moment.

• Flourish where you are planted.

• Think outside of the box! Explore new things! Be a risk taker!

• Believe that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD! • Dream BIG! Don’t put yourself in a box!

• Do things that make you happy!

Contributing Writer, Jacquie “ooh” Johnson Jacquie Johnson is a native Texan who resides in Denton, TX with her husband and two daughters. She has two older sons who reside in California, and one grandson. Jacquie is the founder of Jacquie ooh an online resource hub for women. Her goal is help women live healthy and whole lives. She is the creator of the Glow Collection by Jacquie ooh, an organic skincare line where she provides gourmet food for your skin. Jacquie is heavily involved in her community where she has been sworn in as a precinct chair for the Democrats of Denton County. She is also a new author to two books: Glow Through It 21 Day Devotional Journal for Women and Dare to Sparkle Entrepreneur Startup Guide+Dream Big 4 Day Devotional. For more information on Jacquie “ooh” Johnson please visit her website at www.jacquieooh.com

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She Speaks Wellness –

Black Women – CELEBRATE! I am excited to share and contribute to the celebration of the 14th year of Ujima Magazine. I thank Damita Miller Shanklin, Editor-in-Chief, for enduring and persevering to accomplish her God-given assignment to share women's stories that reach the nation.

As Black women, we must celebrate one another and ourselves. Our purpose comes with sweat, tears, and sometimes loneliness. However, God sees the bigger picture.

During the pandemic in 2020, I witnessed women experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, and fear. I, too, had to battle with my emotional health. Because of my

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mental health background and as clergy, I knew God wanted me to do something to address these challenges. That is when the Spirit of God downloaded his purpose to birth the She Speaks Wellness Network.

I celebrate the She Speaks Wellness Network, which represents women across the nation and bridges expertise, resources, training, and education to improve women's overall Wellness of women. We have hosted live Facebook and zoom interviews, shared resources, provided leadership tips, secured scholarships from holistic providers, and, more importantly, shared personal stories.

We cannot do anything without the talented individuals who have poured out their gifts, resources, and services that support the network's vision.

SHE SPEAKS WELLNESS is one of several projects funded through resident-led participatory grantmaking made possible by the St. David’s Foundation through their investment in rural health and network weaving.

Minister Sonya Hosey, Founder She Speaks Wellness is a program of Moore 4 Sisters Ministries (501c3) Ironsharpensiron4mysisters.com

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DAMITA MILLERSHANKLIN Founder/Editor-in-Chief

The Last Fourteen Years

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elebrations are a time to enjoy your accomplishments and reflect on the journey. The magazine's foundation was always to uphold our community by sharing stories of our “everyday heroes.” I wanted to have our stories told from a positive perspective to show how we are a part of the world with hopes and dreams as everyone else. Our culture matters. Our history and legacy are essential for future generations. I feel Ujima is a vehicle to ensure our history is continued.

I feel Ujima is a vehicle to ensure OUR HISTORY is continued.

In 2008, I quit my job and started Ujima Magazine. I asked my sister Mary if she would help me and it grew from there. I wanted to write stories about people who are making a difference. I wanted their stories to inspire others. The Villager and The Nokoa newspapers were my inspiration. Thanks to Mr.Tommy Wyatt and the late Mr. Akwasi Evans.

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I have had failures but I learned from them.

Because Ujima Magazine is my business and my passion. I’m always working, along with my team, to make Ujima better. So what does success look like to me?

It looks like a magazine that continues to tell stories and uplift our Black Community. I can work a full-time job and come home and write, promote, interview, and stay up late to get it all done. Yes, I know you are saying “what about being profitable?” I say yes, it is important but I’m not gonna let that stop me from keeping my dream and passion going because I feel it is important to tell our stories and history.

Over these fourteen years, I have learned many lessons but the things that have stuck with me throughout this journey are: *Believe in yourself and your dream. *Build a team that believes in your mission.

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reaching more people and our readership continues to grow. We are currently working to improve our social media presence, relaunch our podcast, and get more involved in community activities and community service.

BE DIFFERENT. You don’t have to do what everyone else does. *Be different. You don’t have to do what everyone else does. *Invest in all the tools you need to be successful. *Never stop learning. *You have to be flexible. Things change all the time.

Ujima Magazine is a digital community magazine. We are

As the Editor-in-Chief, I enjoy talking with people and sharing their stories.

There is always something to learn from another person's journey. As I celebrate this year’s birthday, I am very proud of the magazine. I’m proud of the work we have done in celebrating our Black community and our people.

My team and I thank all our followers and readers of Ujima Magazine. Please follow us on Twitter @UjimaMagazine, Facebook @Ujima Magazine, and Instagram @Ujimamagazine1 Help us celebrate by sharing the link to this issue with friends and family and your social media feeds.

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active LIVING EXERCISE AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH Exercise for Optimal Mental Health: Here's Why Moving Can Be as Effective as Drugs

Mary Linnen Editor

FAVORITE TIMES We all have favorite times, this is one of them for me.

Sharing with the community things that make a positive difference.

A major study confirms that regular physical activity—and it doesn't have to be a lot— improves mental health. So get moving!

Try jogging, jumping jacks, or stretching every morning. Even doing your daily chores could be used as exercise, carrying the groceries in or loading the dishwasher. Just keep moving in some capacity.

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Each month l learn something different and love sharing.

There is so much going on around us. Sharing with the community is such a great pleasure.

My greatest takeaway this year was the health information for the mind and body. Learned that foods and drinks could be healthy and tasty at the same time.

I hope something was shared that encouraged you and helped you as we start a new year.

Happy Anniversary Ujima

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Individual Mini Peach Cobbler Ingredients Cobbler Mixture • 2 tbsp unsalted butter • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1/8 cup granulated sugar • 1/2 tsp baking powder • a pinch of salt • 1/8 cup milk • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Time Well Spent

By Damita Miller-Shanklin

Every year the team celebrates our accomplishments as a group. We achieve our goal of producing an issue of Ujima Magazine each month. Here are a few photos from past celebrations.

All our celebrations were time well spent!

Peach Mixture • 1 cup peaches sliced • 1/8 cup granulated sugar Other • 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream or more!

Instructions • Pre-heat oven to 350ºF. • Prepare two 6 oz ramekins by adding 1 tbsp of butter to each ramekin. Bring to preheated oven to melt butter. Remove promptly once melted (should take only a few minutes).

• In a small bowl, bring together all the dry mixture for cobbler – flour, 1/8 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.

• Dig a hole in the middle of the dry mixture and add wet mixture – milk and vanilla extra.

Combine until there are no lumps in the mixture.

• In another bowl, combine sliced peaches and 1/8 cup sugar.

• Evenly divide the peach mixture into two ramekins. Then top both ramekins with cobbler topping.

• Place ramekins on a baking tray or cookie sheet to avoid drippings onto the bottom of the oven. Bake for 30 minutes. Then broil for 3 minutes to brown the top (optional).

• Cool for 5-10 minutes.

• Serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

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