Table of Contents 3
Poetic Justice Us
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That Church Hat
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Setting Your Difference Aside
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Success In Business
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Meet Coach Latrea Wyche
Destinee M. Thompson See Page 10
Publisher’s Letter My motto is “No Matter the Situation or Circumstance Keep it Moving, It’s Going to be AUlright”. I am a native Washingtonian who now resides right outside of the nation’s capital in Capitol Heights MD. I am a wife, mother of three children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, # 1 best-selling author, producer, educator and licensed minister. I f ind joy in spending time with my family and f riends, attending church with my family, and singing Karaoke. I have worked in the f ield of early childhood special education for the past 20 years and am currently pursuing my doctorate degree in educational leadership. I have a background in Psychology, and Curriculum Instruction and Assessment and a passion to spread awareness. I often travel locally to different organizations sharing about Autism, mental health, and early intervention services.
April Green Publisher - Exposure Mental Health Magazine
With my husband, I co-host and produce the podcast “Keeping it Moving” which sheds light on health, mental health and autism awareness. My thirst to share my story and bring awareness also led me to writing a blog called Ausome-Sauce, which chronicles my experiences raising multiple children living with Autism. I strongly believes that awareness is key to acceptance and I am dedicated to being a vehicle for change, while helping others f ind peace and purpose through the pain.
MENTAL HEALTH MAGAZINE
i am proverty I wish I could have killed you at birth; my soul’s purpose is to ruin the earth and cause death among the black race first I am Poverty The reason why your whole family hurts, cause your black bloods gushing in spurts, f rom your face rapidly rushing the dirt I am Poverty The foundation of the black ghetto curse, your hard times is solely due to me corroding your minds What if I told you my creators were the essence of swine, and then I showed you crime and genocide is part of my design I am Poverty You witnessed truth in this but yet you seeing it blind now your thoughts collide with logic and it opens your eyes Understanding now that your life was simply built upon lies, rage entwines with a fury and you sever all ties. Malcolm L. Green
The History and Symbolism of Black Women Wearing Church Hats by April Green
Women wearing hats to church in the African-America community is a tradition with deep roots. The wearing of headpieces is something that carried heavy importance as part of Af rican rituals. African-American slaves carried over this custom to the United States. The practice of wearing elaborately adorned dress hats to church in the African – American community is still present today in both Sothern and Northern parts of the United States. Worship and Dignity Prior to the 20th Century, Sunday church service for the Af rican-American community was a place of worship and refuge from the hardships faced on a daily basis. This was a time where the only place that an African-American could hold a position of dignity and authority was within the church. The practice of covering one’s head for church in the United States is rooted in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 11 says that a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head. Church was not only a time for prayer and worship, but also a time of celebration. On Sunday, women would trade their aprons and head wraps for vibrant colored dresses and hats fashioned with flowers, ribbons, and feathers. Culturally the wearing of church hats 6
signified dignity and pride. Representation of Success During the Renaissance period around the 1920’s the African-American middle class began to rise. During this period, Black women flaunted extravagantly decorated hats, during work and leisure as a symbol of success. In this era when Black women would attend church they would wear colorful widebrimmed hats lined in silk and adorned with flowers, feathers, silk, and lace. Mildred Blount and Mae Reeves are among the earliest African-American milliners that achieved fame and notoriety for their design work. Popularity Shifts Around the 1960’s the popularity of the church-hat fell off as the younger generation rebelled against what they thought of as symbol of oppression and the black bourgeois. In the 1990’s the same generation that rebelled against wearing church-hats started to embrace the culture as elders in the church. Today most African-American women own at least one church-hat. During special times within the church such as Easter, Mother’s Day, and Christmas it is common to see African-American women wearing beautifully crafted hats that match their outfits perfectly. Church Hat Etiquette
She wears her crown in the house of the Lord. There are many unwritten rules about church hat etiquette among African-American women. Although no official rules are in place, it is understood that your hat should not compete with your outfit, shoes, purse or accessories. In the book, “Crown” by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry they reveal the unwritten rules of wearing a church hat in the Black community through words, and photograph. Excerpt from Crowns: Don’t wear a hat wider than your shoulders. Don’t wear a hat that is darker than your shoes. If your hat has feathers, make sure they are never bent or broken. Sequins don’t look good in the daytime. Easter hats should be white, cream or pastel — even if it’s still cold outside. For a look that is both elaborate and demure, try a chapel veil.
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Teaching Youth the Importance of Self-Care and Hygiene with Youth Author Kami Love Kami Love is the youth author of the book Kami’s Spa Party. Kami enjoys reading, writing and gymnastics and wants the readers of Kami’s Spa Party to find joy and excitement in reading while learning things they need to know to take care of themselves and grow! I had an opportunity to talk with Kami Love about her book Kami’s Spa Party and the importance of youth learning about self-care and hygiene. See below for what she shared. AG:Tell our readers about your book Kami’s Spa Party? KL: Kami’s Spa Party is a fun book about being a good friend, and learning how practice self-care and good hygiene. AG: What inspired you to write Kami’s Spa Party? KL: My mom owned a kids Spa and I loved it. I also like to write and this was an opportunity to combined two of my interest while helping other kids learn the importance of caring for their bodies and being kind to one another AG: Why is it important for young people to learn about and practice self-care? KL: It is important for young people to learn about self-care early because it helps to build self-esteem and self-awareness of the importance of caring for your hygiene. Practicing self-care will make you feel good
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about yourself and may help prevent bullying that may happen due to poor hygiene. Practicing self-care early may also help you practice healthy self-care habits into your adulthood AG: What are some ways for adults to help young people to practice self-care? KL: It is important for young people to have a good example to learn from so parents and other adults in their life need to practice heathy hygiene and self-care habits themselves. Adults can also talk to youth about the importance of eating healthy, exercising, personal hygiene habits, and the importance of getting enough sleep and sharing your feelings. Check out youth author Kami Loves book Kami’s Spa Party, it can be found on Amazon Connect with Kami Love: FB: Kami’s Spa Party| email: shopkamilove.net .
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Be Inspired With Destinee M. Thompson, Youth Inspirationprenuer Destinee is an 11-year old best-selling author, motivational speaker, inspirationprenuer, and owner of Inspired2inspire, LLC where she inspires youth to reach for their dreams and goals through empowerment, education, partnerships, and community service. She is a creative, outgoing, anointed young lady who brings life to every room she enters. Destinee is a natural born multi-talented artist who has developed her skill as an artist, animator, actor and writer. Her book, The Be Inspired Journal is a journal for youth of all ages to express their thoughts, dreams, art, and aspirations. She uses the book to do workshops, vision board parties, and inspire others. Destinee landed her first acting role in 2018 with Native Images Film Company in a movie called Welcome Home and is looking forward to filming soon. In her spare time, she enjoys skating, drawing, animating, swimming and spending time with family and
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f riends. It is important for youth to have different outlets to express themselves and journaling is a creative way to do so. Journaling can help alleviate stress and allows you to get out emotions that you have bottled up in a healthy way. Destiny’s book The Be Inspired Journal is a vehicle to support self-expression and well-being in a creative way. I had an opportunity to talk with Destinee about her book and what she shared follows. AG: Tell our readers what they can expect f rom The Be Inspired Journal DT: The Be Inspired Journal is a vehicle to inspire you to dream, live, and be the best you. We want you to draw, write, have fun, but most importantly have a safe place to express yourself. The journal also includes affirmations that encourage youth to be inspired! AG: What motivated you to develop The Be Inspired Journal? DT: This journal was birthed from a passion to help others by sharing encouraging words to young people who have experienced bullying or are misunderstood. I know the feelings I wrestled with and wanted to provide a platform for others to vent, have a voice, and heal. AG: Who has been your biggest inspiration and why?
First Lady in the White House. This proved to me that all things are possible. She taught me that as a black woman I can be positive, respected and inspirational. All power lies within. AG: What are some of the benefits of journaling? DT: Journaling gives ability to express yourself creatively. It also provides an outlet for those who may experience depression and have no one to talk to or trust. Journaling gives the ability to express yourself creatively and is a safe place to record thoughts and dreams with no judgement AG: What advice would you give a young person that may be thinking about journaling? DT: Journaling and art saved my life. As a young person we can be misunderstood so, do not be afraid to journal to relieve the stresses you may experience in life. Start by sharing your ideas with someone you trust and set aside some time daily to write or draw. Find a special place to think, be real with yourself, but most importantly have fun and be creative. Check out The Be Inspired Journal by Destinee M. Thompson, it can be found on Amazon Connect with Destinee: IG: destineeinspires email destineeinspires@gmail.com
DT: Michelle Obama is one of my greatest inspirations. She was the first Black 11
Setting Your Differences Aside by Nicola Ross
How to manage and support your child with exceptional needs in the face of divorce, and co-parenting? That is the million-dollar question as divorce rates in the United States are high and have an even higher rate among families with children living with exceptional needs with 85% of marriages with exceptional needs children ending in divorce. My daughter, now 21 years old, was diagnosed with Intellectual Disability and Asperger’s Syndrome around age six. She was born into a two-parent housel hold along with her two siblings. As she grew up, we faced many obstacles regarding her emotional state as she struggled with feelings of not being accepted. Around the time our daughter was diagnosed, I was pregnant with our second child. While adjusting to having a sibling she was also learning to cope with the demands of school in the face of challenges living with a disability, and at the same time trying to understand the changing dynamics of life at home.
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When she was 16 years old, her father and I were separated and preparing for a divorce and she had a difficult time managing all of the changes.
that both her parents are here to help, support, and love her.
As my daughter entered into her next stage of life upon graduating high school at the age of 21 she became very defiant exhibiting forceful, controlling rude, and aggressive behaviors.
Give your child lots of love and positive encouragement. When parents’ divorce, a child may experience different emotions and may even exhibit a change in behavior. It is important that both parents still provide love an encouragement to the child.
Her dad and I realized that some of her frustration and aggressive behaviors were also stemming from our separation. My daughter was living with me full time and the trials and tribulations continued to rise. Her behaviors began to escalate to self-injurious behaviors and both her father and I knew that she needed more support. He and I set aside our differences and worked together to ensure that she was able to have the proper support she needs. Shortly after graduating high school, she began to attend a residential setting. In this setting, she shares a residence with other housemates, and has an opportunity to learn how to navigate the community. Although her father and I are no longer married, we are both dedicated to working together to support our daughter. Ensuring that her needs are met and she knows
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Tips and Strategies for Parenting through Divorce
Communicate, communicate, and communicate. The ability to have effective communication is going to be a crucial element in co-parenting an exceptional needs child through divorce. Have an open line of communication between both parents and any therapist, doctors or providers involved. If necessary, involve a third party to help facilitate communication. Take time to care for self. As parents of child with exceptional needs, we often are absorbed with the needs of our children and put our own care on the back burner.
Setting You Differences Aside continue...
Taking time for self-care is important for everyone but especially in the case of a parent of a child with exceptional needs with the added dynamic of divorce. You are not only a parent you also play the role of caregiver and setting aside time to focus on you should not be neglected. Take the time to pour into you; as the old saying goes “you cannot pour from an empty cup�, you cannot effectively manage providing care and support for your loved one if do not take care of yourself as well. Nicola Ross FB: Nicola Ross
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Meet Coach Latrea Wyche Latrea Wyche Disability Empowerment Coach is a native of Prince George’s County Maryland and currently resides in Fayetteville, NC with her teen-aged daughter. It is Latrea’s purpose to empower people with disabilities to live above the limits of societal stereotypes and stigmas. Latrea is a Professional Certified Life Coach and a leader of disability ministry. Latrea is also a motivational speaker, and a published author. Born with Pfeiffer Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder where the bones in the skull and other parts of the body do not fuse properly, Latrea has had to endure more than 30 operations over the years to correct various health problems.
Dealing with major family issues to include drug-addicted parents, she and her sister entered the foster care system when Latera was 12 years old. Throughout their time in foster care both girls encountered countless incidents of abuse until they were adopted when Latrea was 16 years old.
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Throughit all, Latrea has managed to defy the odds; earning a B.A in Psychology, and a Master’s in Education. Latrea has also had her book “Intimate Conversations with God” featured at the 2017 NAACP convention. Latrea travels all over the state of North Carolina speaking among the disabled community. Latrea was also a part of the first black mental health tour “Crazy Like a Fox” tour, which featured an all black female panel traveling from state to state talking about mental health matters within the Afro-American community. Latrea credits all of her success to God and His Glory.
“Without His Glory, there would be no story” Latrea Wyche
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Being disabled can cause one to face many challenges throughout life. These experiences can play on our emotions and self-esteem, which tend to make life challenging to navigate. This is where depression comes in.
Depression is a mental disorder characterized by depressed, low, or “blue� mood that lasts more than a few days. Depressed people often lose interest in activities they formerly found pleasant, and feel hopeless and sad.
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THE LINK BETWEEN DISABILITY & DEPRESSION by
How does disability lead to depression? Becoming Disabled Later in Life– Acquiring a disability in life may impact your ability to work and can significantly change your direction in life and may also impact your sense of purpose. For example, an airline pilot whose vision becomes seriously impaired is no longer able to fly. Such a devastating loss can easily open the door for depression. The painful loss of a sense of purpose affects many disabled individuals who were formerly the primary breadwinner in the home. When you are no longer able to provide for your family, you may develop feelings of helplessness worthlessness, and frustration that leads to depression. Decrease in self-esteem – Having a disability often affects how you perceive yourself. A study of individuals with traumatic brain injury revealed they had lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of depression than healthy individuals did. Some disabled individuals lack confidence in their ability to control their body and manage their life adequately. The loss of autonomy can take a severe toll on self-esteem. Struggle of living with a disability – Quality of life often decreases after a significant injury or illness, especially when it limits the ability to perform normal daily activities. A serious brain injury, for instance, requires a person to relearn any number of tasks, f rom how to speak to how to button a shirt. In some cases, he or she is not able to relearn important functions. This new reality could
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lead to feeling of depression Feeling bored – Some disabilities leave a person housebound, with few opportunities to interact with others. You may find yourself at home alone all day while your spouse is at work or confined to an assisted living center where community activities do not match your interests. Boredom fosters negative emotions, including loneliness and f rustration, which can trigger symptoms of depression. Disability definitely raises depression risk; however, depression can also make the disability worse. For example, depression can make it more difficult for you to take proper care of your health. You are more likely to miss important appointments and may neglect to take your medications as directed. The result is a cycle in which the injury or illness triggers depression, which, in turn, makes the disabling condition worse.
Signs of Depression The following are signs of clinical depression: • Difficulty remembering things, concentrating or making simple decisions • Feeling tired all of the time despite getting enough sleep • Feeling helpless or worthless • Feeling pessimistic •Having insomnia frequently or sleeping more than necessary • Frequent irritability and having trouble calming down
•Loss of interest in things that you previously enjoyed doing •Increased appetite or loss of appetite •Frequently feeling ill, such as having headaches, digestive problems or other unexplained aches and pains •Constant feelings of sadness or anxiousness •Frequent suicidal thoughts or attempts at suicide
Tips to combat depression •If feelings of depression overwhelm you don’t be afraid to seek help from a medical professional •Learn to speak positive words over yourself and over your life: The more you start to think positive about yourself the more positive you will feel •Surround yourself with positive people •Find a support group •Volunteer to support others in need. This will boost your mood and give you an opportunity to help encourage others If you are experiencing depression, the following resources can help
Text Depression Hotline-Text CONNECT to 741741 in the US. U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 If you are having thoughts of suicide, call this number immediately.
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