Church Girl CEO Spring '23 Issue

MAGAZINE

Church Girl CEO

BRIDGING

THE GAP BETWEEN

Ministry & Business IN THIS ISSUE Family reunion tips, inspiration, beauty secrets ...and more!

Girl Talk with

Gina NEELY SPRING 2023

C HUR CH G IR L C E O MAGAZI NE

STAFF CEO/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Deborah Franklin SENIOR EDITOR JC Gardner LEAD LAYOUT DESIGNER Brandon J. Jolly

12 Check out our Cover Queen:

Table of

Gina Neely

Contents 3 5 8 21 25 29

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A Drink from The Well Spiritual Corner: Debrayta Salley Confessions of a Foodie: JC Gardner Travel & Tourism: Tracy Shorter Beauty and Fashion: Nichelle Johnson, Kolor Beauty

Leader in Ministry Spotlight by JC Gardner: Deborah Franklin Soul Focus: Dr. Latanya Henry-Smith, LSSP

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Editor’s Letter Happy Spring. It’s time to put away the winter wear and pull out the flip flops and shorts. I love how things come to life and new colors fill our space. But if I can be completely honest with you, I could do without the pollen. The sneezing and my yellow car that I promise you was silver when I purchased it, I could do without.

Pollen is necessary to make the flowers grow and the bees buzz. So like pollen, all of the trials and tribulations that you have been experiencing are needed to make you grow. Your growth during this season is going to amaze you. You will talk and walk differently when you realize all of what you’re experiencing is needed to catapult you to the next level.

In this issue, we get to meet up-close and personal Gina Neely, Food Network star, author, and television host. She chats about her comeback and about her new role as GiGi. Let’s jump into Spring expecting new things and ready to conquer all of our goals. Seek out ways to help someone and be the light in darkness for someone. Remember, you are the solution to someone else’s problem.

Deborah Franklin Deborah Franklin Editor In-Chief, Church Girl CEO Magazine

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Sunshine IN!!!

LET THE

BY D E B R AY TA S A L L E Y

Hey Movers and Shakers, Chain and Cycle Breakers!

I’m sure that you’ve already noticed this, but “time is not standing still” for anything or anyone! It’s moving right along and the clock is tick/tocking and rotating at its usual pace along with the sun.

The first quarter of the year has come to a swift close and here we are again -- springing forth, moving forward, and getting more “daylight-hours” in each day to get more done. I pray that your life, business and ministries are growing, thriving and making Jesus famous along your travels.

I just wanted to remind you to take an intentional pause break and selah daily for self-care, the key word being “intentional.” I mean so much so, that you put it in ink (not pencil) on your calendars.

Truth is that for a lot of us who are passionate and creative about various things, our minds are always spinning with new ideas, fresh content, etc., etc. All of this is a gift and blessing, but never forget to take a pause to rest, replenish, restore, refill everything that you pour out.

It doesn’t always have to be a yacht cruise on the Mediterranean. I’m

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talking about doing (or not doing) things that are simple, but effective: 1. Take a 20–30-minute break to drink your favorite beverage in your favorite cup, mug or tumbler.

2. Take a short walk around your community, a local attraction or body of water and get f resh air in your lungs.

again and again. Let the Sunshine IN!!

Visit my Boutique at: www.debraytadenise. com. We offer Inspirational Apparel, Home Decor and tools to support your self-care regimen.

Use Code: SUNSHINE to save 20% on all Home Décor orders (Mugs & Tumblers) orders must be $50.00 or more. Discount valid through May 31, 2023.

3. Open up all your blinds and let the sunshine into your home while relaxing on your sofa, floor, balcony, hammock, etc.

4. Put on a cute, but comfortable outfit and grab a bite to eat with someone you’ve been too “busy” to connect with.

5. Get a haircut or protective style that will last for a while and free up your schedule to do more of the list above.

Let’s continue to make moves, change mindsets, be used to heal souls, but also live to be more like the sun. Even the sun sets at a particular time of the day to recoup the power it has beamed out upon the earth.

It takes intentional time to pause and get prepared for another opportunity to show back up the next day as its BRIGHT, WARM, and CHEERFUL self; lighting our paths

Debrayta D. Salley aka “Debrayta Denise” is an online boutique owner and the Founder of Debrayta Salley Enterprises where she writes, speaks & hosts intimate meet ups with intention to Empower Paths, Support Growth and Inspire Change.” She also Blogs and provides “Safe Spaces” for Women to unwind and get renewed in Body, Soul and Spirit.

Subscribe to the “A Safe Place to Land” Blog: https://bit.ly/3ihpqe.

Shop for Inspirational Apparel & Home Decor: www.debraytadenise.com.

One Stop view of opportunities to connect: https://linktr.ee/DebraytaDenise

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Snack Attack!

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BY JC GARDNER

Hi there fellow foodies. I pray in this season of blossoms and blooms that you are planting your own seeds for what you desire in life, whether it be early retirement, new job, a big move or continuing your education.

Planting those seeds early and watering them constantly can only help to move you to your “next,” no matter what that may be. Internal gardening, weeding, and pruning are key to allowing new and fresh ideas to come your way, so make sure you are planting your heart’s desires in rich soil and fertilizing that ground with faith and expectation knowing that what God has for you is for you!

Speaking of good soil, what about some good snacks?

I find that I really do enjoy my snacks and when they are not in the home and I have a snack-attack, I tend to gravitate towards something I really don’t need.

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Oh, that is so easy to do. Some folks say don’t buy anything that is not good for you, that way, it’ll help you avoid eating unhealthy food. I’ve tried that and what happens is then I want it two-fold and overeat, so that does not work for me.

My go-to snacks are many…ahhh, the life of a cook who loves to eat! Baked Cheetos, potato chips, and pretzels are mainstays --it’s the crunch for me! If I want chocolate, I prefer fair trade chocolate over Hershey’s.

If you’ve never had fair trade chocolate, give it a try.

The taste is worlds apart. Then I love fresh pineapple and mango and yogurt smoothies. Sliced avocado with seasoning is also great! I love nuts – but not a fan of peanuts – and buttered popcorn. Yes, buttered all day! Then there are the assorted cheese and crackers, sometimes topped with turkey pepperoni. As you see, I’m a mix between healthy and dangerous. What can I say?

One time I tried kale chips. I LOVE kale in salads and sauteed, but that kale chip almost took me out! My tastebuds were damaged, and I sought lots of water to wash that flavor away. Bleh! (Think the movie “Big” when Tom Hanks tried caviar. If you have not watched that scene, it’s hilarious.)

When I’m feeling super healthy, I do love snacks made with lentils. Those are really quite tasty. And I’ll eat a bowl of raisin bran with almond milk if I’m feeling hungry late at night. Another control method I’ve used is the small quart-size baggies. I’ll loosely fill those baggies from the bigger bags and that is a way to do some portion control.

All in all, do what works for you, but try to limit what you know is bad for you. If you’re serious about it, you can see a nutritionist to help with finding substitutes that will satisfy your cravings and give you a tailored approach to healthy living.

JC Gardner is an award-winning author, ghostwriter, speaker, poet and writing coach. Visit www.blossomlitservices.com to see how to bring your literary dreams to life!

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Family Reunions:

It’s Time to Come Back!

BY TRACY SHORTER

Like the lizard who came uninvited into my home this week, the pandemic came without warning and invitation. The two-year quarantine caused many families to postpone their annual family reunion gatherings. But in a quest to get back to sharing and creating memories with your family and friends, I will be discussing 4 tips to assist with planning your next destination family reunion.

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The Opening Conversation - To plan a great family reunion event, it’s important to

get a majority agreement on a location, time, and budget. This conversation usually starts with a few key people from each family unit. So spend some time discussing the pros and cons of each location, the best time of year (i.e., remembering schoolage children), and a budget per person. There will be those who will immediately say yes, those who will be on the fence, and then the definite no’s. But just start with the confirmed number you have and don’t worry; it always grows bigger.

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Sharing the Information - Waiting

to the last minute to provide family with event

decisions,

timelines,

payment

due dates, etc., is not a good idea.

Participants will need time to budget this reunion expense into their monthly bill payments. Finding the best way to keep everyone informed is tricky.

There are

many options, such as those who prefer email, texts, and those who appreciate a phone call. But apps like Google Docs and Trello are great at keeping family informed, and changes are immediately noted so everyone stays updated.

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All-Inclusive Has Benefits -

Deciding

to

book

an

all-inclusive

resort or cruise can make the financial obligation for families easier. These preplanned vacation options will allow family members to explore on their own during the day or do group activities and then come together for dinner and dessert each night.

The one price that

individuals pay save money because it

includes

accommodations,

food,

activities, and evening shows or parties.

Often there are incentives that can be spread across the entire group that serve as amazing bonus perks.

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The Right Vendors are Key to

Enjoyment - A strong and committed planning committee is vital to success, but there are some other people and resources

that

when

used

properly

make the reunion experience enjoyable for everyone. The first resource is your area Convention and Visitor Bureau.

This organization can provide you with free

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pamphlets,

area

coupons,

and

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free or reduced bags for swag items for your reunion attendees. The second person is a local travel agent. This person can review and be sure all contracts for room blocks meet your group’s needs, arrange group air and ground transportation, even group excursions.

If you

or your committee are left with all these details on event day, you most likely will not enjoy the reunion to its full effect.

Tracy is a Group and Cruise Travel Specialist with Shorter Route Travel and has been in the

Reunions are an opportunity to continue family

travel industry since 2017. With over 15 years’

bonds, legacy, and make memories that become

experience as a former wedding/event planner,

your family’s history. Many people dread the

she has a broad knowledge in planning group

chance to serve as a reunion chair or committee

and individual travel. A few of her personal

member, because proper planning is not done

travel destinations have included Jamaica,

soon enough. We are now back to our in-person

Puerto Rico, San Cabo, St. Thomas, Nassau,

meetings, so get started planning your next

and Alaska. Providing her clients with excellent

family reunion event today.

customer service is her top priority.

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Girl Talk with

Gina NEELY

BY DEBORAH FRANKLIN

In celebration of Women’s History Month (March 2023), and in celebration of just being able to show how we can be survivors no matter what we go through, no matter what is happening around us, or how the world sees us, I had the awesome opportunity to chat with someone who I have admired from afar for a long time. Whether I was watching her on the Food Network or trying out the recipes from her cookbook – trust me, you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t her cousin with the hook-up with the family favorite dishes.

I hope you enjoy my chat with none other than Ms. Gina Neely.

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Deborah Franklin I just have to tell you one thing that used to make the show for me is what you would say about the crushed red pepper flakes -- you got to get a little kick in it. That was my thing right there, I would wait for that, well I used to wait for it. That was then but now you are doing something new.

Gina Neely I was really blessed to start a job in my hometown. It’s Bluff City Life with Gina Neely, it is a lifestyle show. We talk about everything that’s good in the city. We highlight businesses, we highlight nonprofits.

Anything that’s positive and forward-thinking. That could be from design, interior, furniture, whatever. Anything you create, anything that you want to share with the audience to get your name out.

So, I feel like I’m operating as a conduit of bringing fresh ideas and information to people. I still feel like I’m at my calling, if you will. I still feel like I’m in that same lane, but I’m not cooking. I do have chefs that come on, and we talk about it; it’s really so sweet to see how I touched them and admired them. he good part about it is I’m home. My mom is 85, so I can be here. I’m not traveling as much because I’m a new GiGi, and if my daughter needs me, I’m here. So, I’ve been blessed. And oftentimes, it’s rare that you can kind of land in a space where you can still live your best life but not at the hectic or the pace, and it works perfectly for me. It is the right pace, the right time. I feel like I’m sitting in the right seat.

Deborah Franklin What advice would you give somebody that’s got the career, not necessarily even in TV, even in the limelight, they were doing well and then, all of a sudden, something happens; they had to transition, and they had to reinvent themselves. What advice would you give them?

Gina Neely Actually when you talk about that reinvention… because oftentimes, we just came out of a pandemic where a lot of people had to do a pivot or shift, if you will. It’s important that we don’t feel so compelled to be doing something right away. If you’re coming from

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a big life… because I came from a really, really big life… and I realized the sacrifices that came along with that. But at this season in my life, I don’t want to be running hectically like that, I wanted something a little slower paced, but that I really still enjoy. So, I would just always say, “Think about what you want to do, don’t be so hasty and move too fast. Know your price, know the time that you want to spend doing it, but also, try to remain true.” But the most important piece to that is that you have to keep moving, no matter what you feel, because that little inside voice talks to us all the time, so it’s important that you stay in the lane of hearing that inner voice and just being still. And being comfortable being still with that and let God just move in you, all through you. Let Him talk to you, just sit with it. And I’m telling you, if you sit with it, and you ask God, and you be intentional about what you need, and you pray big, God will make it happen big.

Deborah Franklin I’m all about the prayer of intentionality because so many times people say, “I pray all the time,” but what are you praying for, baby? That’s why you aren’t seeing anything happening because you’re not being specific.

Gina Neely You’re not being specific, and you might not be thinking big enough.

Deborah Franklin And I think that might be the biggest thing right there, no pun intended, is that we might not be thinking big enough because a lot of times, we don’t think so big because we don’t expect it to happen.

Gina Neely Then we’re trying to survive, we’re in survival mode. We need to get something happening, we need to get something moving. But even in

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that, there’s a reason why you’re in that space.

Sometimes God has to slow us down to get our attention. And I tell people all the time, I wouldn’t have not even imagined my life would have been like it has been. I went through a very big life, and then I made the choice to walk away because I knew that, in my heart of hearts, it just wasn’t going to heal. And I couldn’t do it by myself, and it has to be two willing participants, and I can’t save a soul in that regard. You got to want to have the soul be saved, you got to give it to me a little bit and we can work on it together.

But I’m just telling you, oftentimes we go through life just trying to appear to be happy, appear to be content. We get caught up in what we’re supposed to look like as opposed to how we feel, and what’s really happening. We want to paint the picture. And that’s what social media has done because they create a narrative for you, and that’s not even your story. But you try to rock with it because it’s what it created for you, but you have to have the courage to stop that train yourself and say, “Listen, this is not what I want to continue to do. This is not working for me. I’m not happy, I’m not healing, I’m not at my best state.” So why would you stay?

Deborah Franklin As Christian women, as business owners, do you think we stay in friendships or relationships longer than what we should when the writing is on the wall? Do you think we stay there too long because of our titles, because of our expectations of being this woman in leadership?

Gina Neely I definitely think we stay too long. And we can stay too long in a lot of our relationships, but specifically, in a marriage, especially if the couple is working together, so we have to think about tearing things up. We think about the

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family, we think about the kids, but we don’t look at the situation. And if you can go in and talk about it, and you have a spouse that is open to a conversation, open to do the work, because you got to do the work, you can’t just talk about the work, you got to do the work. But it comes down to us just not wanting to start over. The age I am, “Oh Lord, I put in so much time so I might as well stay.” You can’t imagine but people tell me all the time, “You were married for 24 years. At that point, that’s most of your life.” And I said, “But I got some more life to live.

It’s not my whole life, and I’m going to get the rest of my life.”

That was really hard to hear and receive was that women sort of attacked me for trying to get my happiness. And now we’re all about selfcare and living our best life, but I was trying to do that back then before it was popular, but I was chastised for it. I really have to make sure I stand strong on my faith. I ask God how to move, if this is for me. That’s why it took so long for me to leave because I was in turmoil with myself about my decision. And when I’m in turmoil, I needed to be still. So, I stayed longer because I was trying to be still to listen to God and let my steps be ordered. But once I got word, and once God spoke it to me in my heart, I had the shift.

Deborah Franklin Sometimes, we are afraid of the shift.

Gina Neely And let’s be clear, the shift isn’t easy. I don’t want to minimize like I just made this decision overnight. It was a long-standing tussle within my spirit. I’m smiling and working but in my spirit, it was a tussle and I just got tired of tussling with it, and I had to bring some order to it.

staying so long, you talk about how you had to transition. But I also want to talk about what we all deal with as women: The weight gain, the change in the lifestyle because you actually talk about how you even made a lifestyle change in how you’re eating. How did you do that? So, what are some tips that you would give to somebody that needs to do that lifestyle change?

Gina Neely Well, let me tell you, I have an older lady because I’m very big on my older ladies. Like, I go to my mom’s. I’m that girl who believes in learning to listen from my elders. I don’t read a lot in that regard, I like to talk and get the wisdom right in my face. But I remember this church member of mine told me, she said, “You make a big change in your life, you have to get your body up to be able to handle the battle, to be able to take those hits.” And that’s really why I started working out. And then, it just so happened, I had the opportunity to work with the George Foreman campaign for weight loss. And I was just like, “Well, look at God.” He presented this opportunity to me that just included me. I started eating right, and I had a blog about what I ate, how I exercised, and the water I drink. Got my mind together, and I went into therapy. It wasn’t just outside makeup, it was an inside makeup as well, which you can’t really see.

I think oftentimes, we just don’t look at our elders as for that wisdom and that gift. And that’s what food does. That’s how I heard my best stories in the kitchen on my great, great grandmother’s knee, and I watched her throwing her seasonings in and cooking, and she’ll tell you, “You smell that, taste a little bit.”

That’s how I learned to have a love for food.

That’s how I showed love

Deborah Franklin I want to ask you this because you talk about

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Deborah Franklin Yes, and those are some things we just can hold on to and just savor in it. And one thing, I got to ask you this too. Are pigs still your favorite item?

Gina Neely No, I haven’t eaten pork in ages. Once I changed, I changed my life. I don’t even eat pork or beef.

I kept my really special ones, like the ones somebody gave me. The other things I donated to charity for auctions so they can raise money for their organization. Things that I believe in.

Deborah Franklin I am so excited about what you are doing now because it is such a motivation to other young girls, other young women that aspire to be on Food Network, on local stations and working because I was sharing with somebody in an interview, I said, “I didn’t have the Oprah’s or anybody I could relate to on TV growing up.”

So now, to see all of these women of color just popping up everywhere.

Gina Neely And our crowns are our crowns.

Deborah Franklin That part right there. They don’t have to come on trying to fill a certain look; they could just be their authentic self, and that is so great, and I appreciate you for doing that.

Gina Neely I can remember when I first started Food Network, and they didn’t know what to do with my hair, my skin matched the carpentry, the lighting had to be changed. So when I said we were like a trailblazer, one of the first breaks in all of that, I wore jewel-tone colors because I was dark. And I’m not really considered dark to some people, but for them, that was dark. So, it’s just actually how colorism, ageism, and sexism plays a role in those kinds of industries. And it’s

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all about what you look like. You can easily get caught up in that world, but I thank God that I always kind of had confidence. Even as a little girl, I was always just the bubbly one and never worried about that. I didn’t have those kinds of issues, and I tried to make sure I passed that on to my daughters as well.

Because I have daughters, it’s important for me that my daughters see what healthy love looks like. I never cried in front of my daughters. I didn’t realize I was doing them a disservice until they told me. I didn’t let my girls see me broke, and I was wrong for that because I needed them to see me in every form of my life and the way life happens because life is just life the minute it unfolds. But I tried to protect them from certain things, but I realized I was doing a disservice to them by putting blinders on them because they needed to see so they would know how to handle themselves if need be. Love should be exciting, love should be beautiful. Love, it does have its moments, yes, but you work through those because you want to get to the other side of that good love.

Deborah Franklin We all want to be loved.

Gina Neely Absolutely. It’s just different for me now because I am a public person. So, it’s difficult for me to date, even to navigate that. I was dating this guy. But it was just always a big production, like you don’t have to run my resume down to anybody. Just let people meet me where they are and let me meet them. And unfortunately, it just didn’t work out, I don’t move that way.

Deborah Franklin I love it. Because, you know, sometimes it’s okay to fly under the radar. Everybody don’t have to know your business.

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Gina Neely That’s right. And that was the toughest part because people felt like they knew my business.

It’s such that they felt like I was a fraud, and I was just dealing with what life gave me with the tools that I had at that time. I know better now. I did the best I could with what I knew then and kept my mind together. I think we can judge a little too harshly sometimes because you’re not necessarily walking in that person’s shoes. You may see them for a bit, you see them every day at a certain time on your TV, but you don’t truly know that person. You don’t know their journey. So allow them some grace, some mercy to get through whatever, but be supportive. If you don’t have anything nice to say, just don’t say anything.

Of course, now through the world of internet and social media, everybody has an opinion. Everybody. And you just have to tune it out.

I’m talking to young girls soon and they say, “Say Yes to the Dress.” These are young girls who are going to prom for the first time, and they’re having dresses supplied to them, and they have nails and hair done. Girls who couldn’t afford it normally, so we want to make sure they have a good time.

And I want to push that whole

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narrative of know who you are and stand on that. You’re NO is your No. Your limit is your limit. You don’t owe anybody anything. You don’t.

Deborah Franklin Absolutely. I love it. I’m having so much fun with you. And I’m excited about everything that you’re doing. I promise you, don’t be tripping if I come to Memphis, and I come to the studio, and I’m knocking on the door, “This is Deborah, let me in.”

Gina Neely Come on, girl. And every guest that comes through the door says, “Oh my God, just meeting you in person is so different. You’re so sweet.”

But I like to leave people with a good feeling when they come here because you never know what a person is going through or what it took for them to even walk through that door, so I want their interaction with me to be a pleasant one. I want to leave a lasting impression. I want them to see God in me. I want to tell them God is in me. I want them to see God in me. I don’t want to say I’m a Christian -- you will be able to tell by my behavior who I am and whose I am.

Deborah Franklin When you hear ‘Church Girl CEO,’ what does that mean to you?

Gina Neely A woman who walks in her fullness and knows that she is a child of God and is not ashamed of it. She doesn’t allow society to put anything or any labels on her because she knows who she is, she knows who created her, and she knows the goodness that’s in her heart, and she also knows that God will bless you. That’s just how I’ve moved, doing good by people, but because I also know that when I give goodness, goodness comes back to me.

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Deborah Franklin Thank you for chatting with me, but most of all having us make history -- women’s history.

Gina Neely You have such a big personality; it’s not often I find people that match my energy. You’re even bigger than me and that’s really good. People gravitate to that, they love it because they don’t have that kind of love. And it’s a blessing, and it’s a gift that you’re sharing with others. And that’s what God wants you to do.

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CREATE YOUR OWN SPRING AFFAIR WITH BEAUTY BY KOLOR BEAUTY

BY NICHELLE JOHNSON

Hello Beautiful! Happy Spring 2023! Can you believe it? We are in Spring already! It seems as though we were just last seen bringing in the New Year with our sequin dresses, red lipstick and popping champagne, toasting to the coming of a new year! NO time to waste -- time waits for no one. So, let’s get right into it.

Let me first start by saying we are going to keep it simple and to the point. By

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now we know what we have to do to stay up to

to achieve and

date with our beauty needs. As we move into

maintain good

Spring, the need for thick cremes will be set

skin health. With

aside for a few months and we want to add the

that being said, I

light cremes and mattifiers to our skin regime.

am only going to

Whichever skin product line you choose for your

feature 3 products

preference, I suggest you invest in the lighter

this month.

weight version of it to avoid having excessive oil.

The focus is always, always beautiful skin and

First, the CHANEL

this summer it will be more emphasized. More

LES BEIGES Water-

and more women are having their cosmetic

Fresh Tint mineral

modifications removed, i.e., Botox, fillers, etc.,

moisturizer ($75)

which means they will have to do the work

is absolutely the answer for those who do not like to wear foundation and those who do prefer a light veil of color during our spring and summer months. It is water-based and mineral.

If you know anything about

minerals and warm climates, the longer your day with a mineral based product, the more beautiful your skin looks. It comes in 8 beautiful colors from light to deep dark. During my recent travels to St. Lucia, everyone was complimenting me on my skin.

This is a

must have. For those who like to be a little more specific with color tones, they also have an additional plethora of options that are number coded.

Be sure to add a bronzer to your collection as a bronzer is a nice finishing touch or it may be all you need for the change in seasons. My first favorite is LES BEIGES Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream ($50). It is beautiful to pair with the water tint.

The texture is souffle’, very lightweight

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but creamy, not oily, but hydrating. You have 3 colors to choose from and it is an easy decision. My second favorite is Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess ($45). It’s in 2 colors. She also has a matte bronzer that is hotter- than-hot gorgeous.

Last but not least, the eyeshadow is at minimum. Monocramatic is the preference to finish a perfect clean glow face. I am rocking all things in the coral zone this spring -- many shades of the one tone. Add it with a highlighter and the gloss of your choice. I am stuck on Anastasia Beverly

Nichelle has over 25 years of

Hills Lip Glosses ($16) with 7 colors at the

experience in the makeup industry.

moment; Freya and Sunscape are the best.

Less is more right now. Woman are getting back to their true selves. Beauty is skin deep and in the eyes of the beholder! Be your own kind of beautiful! We got your back!

She has worked with some of the top cosmetic lines such as MAC, Estee Lauder, Fashion Fair and Benefits Cosmetics. She is currently freelancing as an Estee Lauder Expert throughout the MD, DC, VA, & DE Corridor where she teaches

So ladies, that is my short list of things this

women skin care and makeup daily

season. I will see you in a few short months

routine techniques.

to give you some extra beauty secrets to make your summer memorable for those who are graced with your presence!

I’ll see you in the Sunrise of Summer!

Nichelle Johnson aka Kolor Beauty Enterprise…

Kolor Beauty…Stay Blessed

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LEADER IN

MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT

BY JC GARDNER

Deborah Franklin “Trust what God has told you to do!”

Our leader in ministry spotlight is none other than the dynamic minister, leader, author…and so much more, Deborah Franklin. She is the publisher of this magazine, along with fostering and helping many others to become published authors. Deborah lives life out loud. She is passionate about taking care of others both home and abroad.

She is currently a public-school teacher here in the U.S. but is also serving women and children in Kenya through missions and outreach. Deborah has a servant’s heart, a love for Jesus, and a joyful spirit.

JG: Tell the readers about your business/es?

DF: Deborah Franklin Publishing (DFP) is a full-service publishing and marketing company. We work with aspiring and current authors to amplify their voice in the marketplace. We assist them with taking their stories from a dream to reality. Our service also includes but is not limited to coaching services that can create a platform for their book with media and podcast coaching. Our goal is to develop multiple streams of income from your project.

JG: What is something people don’t know about you just by looking at you?

DF: I love to read the stories in cookbooks. Usually if the stories are good, I’ll buy it.

JG: What book are you currently reading or what book had a major impact on you?

DF:

The books that had a great impact on my life would have to be “Juggling

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want to start their own business?

DF: My biggest advice would be to just do it.

Trust what God has told you to do and don’t get discouraged if you fail. Failure is the best teacher to learn from. Don’t be afraid to keep learning and to build your team to execute your vision.

JG: Share with us any published literary works.

• #5 30 Days of Motivation and Inspiration • ‘adjectives’ • The Prayer of Jabez in The Marketplace • Several collaborations projects JG: Share with us any upcoming events.

DF: What is Your Superpower Book Tour starting on June 3rd in Atlanta; Missions & Crusade in Elephants” and “Who Moved My Cheese.”

Nairobi & Kitale Kenya, June 24-July 8.

“Juggling Elephants” helped me to realize how to put things in perspective -- that I didn’t have

JG: Who or what is your inspiration?

to do everything at once. I didn’t have to be a

DF: my grandmothers and great grandmother

professional multitasker. I could prioritize what

were my biggest inspiration. They always spoke

I had to do in a doable fashion. But, I would

life to me, encouraged and challenged me to be

have to say that, “Who Moved My Cheese,”

a better person.

hands down helped me know that it was ok to CHANGE, especially when the situation was

JG: Where do you see Church Girl CEO in 3

not working in my favor and if the area was not

years?

going to benefit my growth and development

DF: In 3 years I see Church Girl CEO being a leading entity in the marketplace, education,

JG: What has been the most rewarding part

missions nationally and internationally, leading

of being an entrepreneur and what have been

women-based businesses to be experts in their

some key learnings or challenges?

prospective industries.

DF: The most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur is the ability to activate my dreams

JG: What does it mean to be a Church Girl

into reality. It is also rewarding because I get to

CEO?

see the fruits of my labor when my clients have

DF: To be a Church Girl CEO you are a leader in

a breakthrough.

your expertise who operates with integrity, with purpose and power.

JG: What advice do you have for those who

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SPRING FLING

LOVE ON

YOURSELF B Y L AT A N YA H E N R Y - S M I T H , P H D , L S S P When you hear the phrase “spring fling” what comes to mind?

If you are like most of us, it is images of hot, passionate sex with your lover. Dial it back a bit. I submit to you that this Spring you take time to love yourself. Yes, you could indeed touch yourself like Tweet, but that is not the only way to love yourself.

We as women often neglect our own needs to meet the needs of those around us. We are so busy taking care of everyone else that we oftentimes lose ourselves. We stop doing the things that bring us joy while providing opportunities for those in our circle to experience joy. We make sure that those we care about enjoy the things that they like to do, but we rarely, if ever, engage in our own “likes.”

Just for a moment, think about the things you enjoy doing, especially those things you have not done in a long time. Do you enjoy swimming? Baking? Dancing? Fill in the blank. When was the last time you did it? If you cannot remember, that is too long.

That is exactly why a Spring Fling is necessary. During these warm months take time to love yourself by doing the things you immensely enjoy. Neglecting ourselves in this way makes us feel unmotivated, apathetic, and lethargic. Just plain burnt out. One of the best ways to recharge is to partake in those things that make you happy.

So go ahead and take yourself on a date. Scratch that. Take yourself on several dates. Do whatever it is that brings out that hot passion in you. Leave everyone else at home. Spend time loving you. No one can love you better than you love yourself anyway.

Go love you. Make this the best Spring Fling ever!

PS: Your Spring Fling does not have to stop. It can go on and on and on…..

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Dr. Latanya Henry-Smith is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology who provides mental health services in Texas public schools. She is a contributing author for a national magazine and public speaker and founder, Sapphire Emerald Solutions & Associates. She earned her Doctorate from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. Her passion is to bring healing to children and their families as they navigate through school and life.

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