The HERoine Legacy
Honoring the women of yesterday by the works of women today Women’s History Month
See who’s making our foremothers proud!
March 2016
Rev. Addie L. Wyatt, Labor & Civil Rights Activist
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The HERoine Legacy TABLE OF CONTENTS
Background Story… page 6 LaKeisha Harrison… page 8 Sherpri Giles… page 10 TaSheba Thornton… page 12 LaTrice Ryan… page 16 Lauren Mattox… page 18 Karen Williams… page 20 Tami Sawyer… page 24 LaKisha Johnson… page 26 Ashley Northington… page 28 A Prayer for Women… page 30
her·o·ine1/ˈherōən/ noun: a woman admired or idealized for her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities: synonyms: brave woman, hero, woman of courage, woman of the hour.
Publisher: TELL Publishing Editor-In-Chief: TJ Jefferson Designer: Issuu Graphics: Brian K. Wyatt Writers: TJ Jefferson LaShundra Richmond Media: Fresh Touch Publicity PO Box 902150 Memphis, TN 38190 www.ftpublicity.com
EDITOR’S NOTE Girls Will Be Girls
Behind-the-scene is what made this project so very special to me because some of these women were not ready for my questions. All were extremely humbled but some were nervous and wanted to talk out some of their thoughts first. I was reminded that even in the midst of doing our individual great things, we all get scared sometimes, we get antsy, we get nervous but we all push forward in spite of. We’ve all digested the pill that this life is bigger than us individually and playing it safe just doesn’t cut it for the greatness that permeates through us. We’re trying to be a light to those who refuse to come out of the dark. That sounds so familiar. These phenomenal women are running down that path so many before us fought for. They knew that standing still wasn’t an option. Our foremothers had us in mind when they had to speak up for equal pay or for our right to vote. They knew that their work was important. They knew we would be here today. I thank them for having vision. I thank them for seeing the end at the beginning. And I thank these women for forging ahead in pursuit of being great because of them. SALUTE!
TJ Jefferson
Story behind The #HERoineLegacy
Rev. Addie L. Wyatt March 8, 1924- March 28, 2012
#theFRESHteam of Fresh Touch Publicity wanted to celebrate Women’s History Month 2016 in a different way. Instead of highlighting the amazing women of our past, we wanted to celebrate the amazing women of today who took advantage of opportunities shouldered on our behalf from women like Rev. Addie L. Wyatt (left), the great-grandmother of our Creative Director Brian K. Wyatt; she was a Labor and Civil Rights Activist in Chicago. We are inspired by the women of today making strides towards etching a legacy for themselves.
These stories are dedicated to Rev. Addie L. Wyatt. Thank you for your sacrifice!
Leading the Pack: LaKeisha Harrison
Sometimes you can’t buy into how “they say” a leader is suppose to look and act like because you would surely lose your money, if you bet on it when watching leading lady LaKeisha Harrison. She isn’t the life of the party, these days. She walks into a room and you just might miss her, not because she isn’t memorable but because she has a low-key, cool presence. BUT when she opens her mouth, then you’re like “hey, where did you come from” because she is going to contribute substance and innovation to the conversation, every time. She will have mapped out the entire plan with intricate detail. Harrison is a strategic thinker. She is a forward thinker. She is the ultimate optimist and planner to her core. So her walking quietly into a room is strategic, too. She is peeping what’s going on and watching people’s body language, so she can plan what card she has to play to win. That goes back to her childhood growing up in Rancine, Wisconsin, where she was taught about surviving in the world. That came in handy when she moved to Memphis, found out there was no upward mobility at her job. Eventually, she lost her house and had to live with friends for nine months. You’d think that was scary enough, but no, she then quit her fulltime job as a Medical Technologist with benefits to pursue what made her happy. Aha, we should like our leaders taking risks, right?! “After years of always having a paycheck every other week, I had to learn how to depend on my skills and myself, rather than be dependent on a check,” Harrison shared “I shouldn’t have succeeded. I should have just gotten another job. But then I would have died inside and the thought of replacing money with my personal happiness was heartbreaking. I wanted to give up because I was so out of my comfort zone. But I didn’t. And I have somehow managed to achieve more success since than I ever have before.” Harrison is a Health and Life Insurance Producer; she helps people protect their assets and incomes, if and when, a health emergency strikes. She graduated from Alcorn University with her undergraduate degree in Biology, and she earned a Master’s of Business Administration in Health Care Management. She wanted to connect with like-minded people in the city so she joined the committee of Health Literacy and Advocacy of the Memphis Urban League Young Professionals. Fast forward six years later, Harrison is the President of the MULYP. She leads over 150 young professionals and strives to be a transformative leader. She isn’t scared to have the hard conversations and to hold people accountable.
There are lots of strategies going on behind LaKeisha’s huge smile.
“I like to develop people to reach their potential,” Harrisons said of her leadership style. “I try to inspire confidence and greatness.” Speaking of inspire, Harrison keeps inspirational people close to her and, someone she really admires is her business partner Rhonnie Brewer because she has this ball of energy, who you would think woke up to the sunshine and roses every day. Apparently, Rhonnie’s testimonial is one that will make you wonder how you even got out of bed every day. The type that makes your problems seem insignificant. “And it’s not because of the hardships she endured,” Harrison said. “It’s because she smiles and pushes forward and pushes you forward.” The fact that she can admire someone close to her tells you how present and perceptive she is when she’s around. Even when she recognizes conflict, which she says is natural, she understands someone has to be level-headed in the room to mitigate the conflict so a solution or compromise can be formed, and she is usually that person. Conflict resolution is a skill that she teaches to the students enrolled in her nonprofit organization, the Memphis Entrepreneurship Academy, an organization that teaches kids how to develop and launch a business. Also, Harrison is a charter member and now President of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc- Zeta Alpha Chapter., an organization for professional women. Harrison definitely keeps her hands in a lot of cookie jars but they all work together in that all of it is geared towards helping others. “I want my legacy to represent doing epic sh!t that helps people realize their dreams.”
“I try to inspire confidence and greatness.”
LaKeisha (left) at a MULYP event.
The Traveling Odds Defyer : Sherpri Giles
This traveling diva, Sherpri Giles, has lived in six different cities in five states and three time-zones within the last 16 years and has enjoyed the experience of meeting so many people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The ability to adjust goes hand-in-hand with how her parents, Patricia and Willie Giles, Jr. raised her and her two older siblings to be independent, self-sufficient, and go-getters. Sherpri was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama and matriculated at Tennessee State University (TSU), where during her freshmen year, she got the news that her father, who was her best friend and who never met a stranger, died. “Remember, at the time I was a young lady from Mobile, Alabama trying to make it in the big city of Nashville, Tennessee; I was SCARED!” Sherpri recalls. “My initial options were to dropout or transfer due to him being the guarantor on my student loans for out-of-state tuition. However, President James A. Hefner, rest his soul, met with me and was able help me through that situation.” Former TSU President Hefner’s help didn’t go in vain because she did complete her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communication and Theatre with emphasis in Print Journalism. Literally 48 hours after her undergraduate ceremony, she began law school classes at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis (IUPUI). After a year of law school, she realized the law profession wasn’t for her. “I did not cut it. That door closed, but I knew I was destined for something and I had no clue what that something was at that time,” Sherpri says. “After having a one-on-one with one of my biggest cheerleaders, my big sister Shanda Giles, I pursued a degree in health administration.”
She found her new love within health administration but then her mother, whom she called her rock, suddenly died from a pulmonary embolism in 2006. As you can imagine, that was a devastating period in her life. She was a 24-years-old having lost both parents, but their teachings kicked in overdrive. Sherpri managed to complete her master’s degree in Health Administration from IUPUI. She has worked in multiple healthcare roles in St. Vincent’s Health, Riley Children’s Hospital, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, and Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic in Yakama, Washington. Currently, she is the Alabama Regional Director for Physician Services with LifePoint Health. Her perseverance in everything she touches is unwavering. “Let me just say everything I was, am and will ever be is because of my crazy mom,” Sherpri laughs. “That’s the best summary I can give about the role Patricia Ann continues to play in my life.” Sherpri has a sweet, squeaky southern drawl, but she is a pretty tough cookie and has a die-hard work ethic and standard of excellence in all of her pursuits. She knows how to have fun and enjoy life. That is a great thing considering the things she has witnessed in her career. She said she learns daily that this is a very “sinister world we live in” and despite that, she loves it.
Sherpri basking in a moment of joy.
“I love that I can make a difference in society by simply providing resources to providers, support staff, and the community,” Sherpri says. She has compassion but there is a time limit on feeling sorry for yourself when you’re around Sherpri. She is a thinker and wants to help you figure out the step-by-step plan on solving the problem so you can move on to whatever makes you happy. She is brutally honest but not malicious in her intent. She has zero patience for people wanting to live in their misery. “Leave the excuses at the door. I promise I know every excuse, justification, and/or pity party theme ever created- STOP!” Sherpri declares. “Allow the situation to be your motivation. Make a way; a closed mouth does not get fed. Scream and make it happen.” One of her favorite people she admires is her sorority sister and friend Eno Ikpe, who is a single mother determined to beat the odds. With her child, Eno balanced finishing college, participated in countless civic organizations and still has time to be a great family member, church member, co-worker, a friend and an active mom and never complains. “Whew, I get tired just thinking about Eno’s daily tasks, but it motivates me to make it happen,” Sherpri continues about how she wants her legacy represented. “I hope to allow the next generation to see that your situation doesn’t have to create the limitation on your destination; the sky is the limit.” So what’s next for Sherpri? She is relocating back to her hometown of Mobile from Birmingham, a dream she’s had for years, and she will be starting a new job still within Healthcare Administration. “My goal for 2016 is accountability to myself and others,” Sherpri says. “I am really excited on what this chapter of my life has in store for me. I really want to get acclimated to being back home while placing some work-life balance in the world of Sherpri Giles.” Every other step of her journey, Sherpri was getting knocked down but she got up the very next step. How can you beat someone who just will not give up? How Sway? You don’t. You take the steps with her because you know whatever trouble may come you alls way, you all are going to beat it. Period. And Point Blank.
“Leave the excuses at the door.”
The Three-peat Champion: Tasheba Thornton When you hear the phrase “three-peat champ” typically, the Chicago Bulls or the Los Angeles Lakers winning a championship three years in a row comes to mind. Not for me, when I chose Tasheba Thornton, the first thing that came to my mind was “three-peat champ” because she balances motherhood, career, and her social life pretty well. A lot of professional women have a hard time with balance; usually, some aspect of their life is suffering. One minute you’ll see Tasheba videoing those proud moments of her son’s achievements, then the next minute, she’s taking a trip to the Capitol to meet with legislators about current bills and policies in Social Work, and, lastly, she will end the night with a painting and wine session with co-workers, family and life-long friends. I remember sharing this with Tasheba and she loved it and said she wanted to implement the name at work for her honor students as a Site Coordinator for Melrose High School. It was interesting in speaking with Tasheba about her perspective on parenting now that she has matriculated through school getting her Bachelor’s in Education and Master’s in Social Work and from seeing first-hand working directly with troubled youth. Also, she works as weekend therapist at Lakeside Behavior Health Center. What is the impact your day-to-day job has on your views about the world? Since majority of my social work experience has come from working with youth with high risk behaviors, and social emotional issues, my views of parenting have changed tremendously. I have witnessed the negative long-term effects caused by adverse childhood experiences; and for that reason, things that once seemed to be best parenting practices are now unacceptable practices. Parenting quotes such as “do what I say, not as I do” was perfect at one point but now I understand that most children today will eventually stop doing what you say, and will do what they see you do. I feel that it is imperative for parents to model the person they want their child/children to be. As parents, we have to understand that our decisions made today can possible predict the future for our children. I grew up in an era when whipping your child was the key to fixing everything such as bad report cards, unsatisfactory behavior, breaking curfew etc. and now I advise parents to search for the root cause of the problem, if any, because these issues can possibly be solved with tutoring, mentorship or therapy. I must add that I am not against corporal punishment; I just feel that parents should use alternate punishments when warranted. Because we all know that one person that got whippings all the time; but they still continued to do the wrong thing in spite of it all.
Tasheba with her son (left) and at the Capital (right).
“I feel that it is imperative for parents to model the person they want their child to be.”
Explain your mothering style in raising a son in today’s world. My son father and I have a really great co-parenting system; however I would consider my mothering style as firm. Even though my son and I have a really fun time together, he knows that I am his mother and not his friend! I really don’t focus on restricting him from minor things such as rap music and video games; I have always explained to him that those things are fiction and for entertainment purposes only. My main focus is education, mannerism and proper speech. I strongly support him in all his endeavors. If he is on the football team, then I become a football mom. If he is on the soccer team then I become a soccer mom and on and on. I empower him to be his best at all times; and I refuse to consciously let the streets have my son. Share a story in your life that was suppose to take you off the road to being successful but it didn't. Ten days before my 19th birthday, I gave birth to a 9lb baby boy. At this point, my life objectives changed; my goal to go to college was replaced with a new goal to get a job to provide for my child. I was hired full time by AT&T Wireless, and about 5 years later, I enrolled back into college. According to society, being a teen parent was supposed to take me off the road to becoming successful; but it was only a detour to another path to success. In my opinion, being a parent does not mean you have to abandon your plans or dream, you just may have to go back to revise the plan to fit your new life. What are you the "first" in your family or amongst your friends to do? Were you aware of you being the "first" before it happened? I am a First Generation College Student! Well, my mother achieved an associate degree in business; but I am the first person from my maternal grandparents to obtain a four-year college degree. I later went on to get a Master’s degree, which also made me the first person in my family to get a graduate degree. I’m proud to be the first! I feel that I have raised the bar! Since I have received my degree, many members of my family have decided to further their education; whether it’s vocational school or community college, everyone is getting on the right path to better themselves. My desire to go to college stemmed from a long time dream of being a teacher; I wasn’t aware that I was a firstgeneration college student until graduate school. The University of Memphis offered paid opportunities for first-generation graduate students to become mentors for first-generation undergraduate students. As I read the requirements for the position, I was saying to myself, “hey, this is me!” Although I didn’t get the mentor position at the University; I am able to mentor my younger generation family members with difficult college issues such as financial aid, scholarships, and pesky paper formats. What everyday woman (not in your family) is a hero to you or someone you look up to or admire from a distance and why? The woman that I admire from a distance is Dr. Elena Delevega. She is currently the associate director of the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change. She is most known for her many publications; my favorite publication of hers is the Memphis Poverty Fact Sheet. Dr. Delavega is an incredible woman that is devoted to improving the life of Memphians; she motivates others by letting them know that it is okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them. In her words, “It’s ok to splatter.” Describe in one-sentence what you want your legacy to represent. That she found a healthy balance between motherhood, career and a social life. I know a work-life balance is hard for some women and it may not be realistic for others but when I see it done right, I have to give credit. TaSheba does it right and that is something to aspire to and cheers to! CHEERS!!!
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The Smiling Anointed: LaTrice Ryan I’ve always believed in being aware of who you’re sitting next to and being intentional in smiling at strangers. You never know people’s struggles. You never know the potential impact small gestures or how just being obedient to God could be on someone’s day or life, for that matter. Evangelist LaTrice Ryan knows that all too well. She tells a story of a young man approaching her at a Revival she preached at in Charlotte, North Carolina and him telling her that she saved his life. On a Tuesday morning, the young man made up his mind to end his life that day but he saw a flyer about Ryan’s weekly prayer call and decided to dial in. “He said I was praying against depression and suicide,” Ryan recalls. “He listened to the entire prayer call and he’s been dialing in ever since. That young man’s testimony blessed me. I often think about his story when I’m frustrated or tired. It’s because of people like him that I go as hard as I do for Jesus!”
Evangelist LaTrice Ryan
Her mere presence at the pulpit is her dispelling that not-so-literal scripture in 1Corinthians 14:34 that people use to say a woman can’t preach in the pulpit. The amount of people blessed by her preachings and teachings is the fruit that proves her anointing can’t and should not be questioned. She has yielded to Jesus and embraces the assignments given to her and makes no apologies about it. As the first female preacher in her family, Ryan is proud to use that title although her family, who is “rigid, traditional, and often stoic,” only acknowledges her as a minister or a speaker; to them, never in a million years could a woman stand in the pulpit and declare the Word of God.
“Start small and finish big.”
Ryan laying her anointed hands.
“To maximize the learning for all people, Paul insisted upon order in worship, which consumes Paul’s thoughts in Chapter 14,” Ryan explains about what 1Corinthians 14:34 means. “Women and men sat in different parts of the synagogue, so for women to asks questions of their husbands, would disrupt the entire assembly. For this reason, married women would need to ask questions of their husbands at home. The trouble was not with women speaking generally, but with their choice to disrupt worship, specifically.” Ryan is the first to admit that accepting her calling wasn’t an easy thing to do. She advises other to yield to the will of God. The purpose God gives you is not about you; it benefits those connected to you. “You’re not supposed to know it all or have it figured all out,” Ryan advised. “Just because you don’t know doesn’t mean you can’t start. Start small and finish big. Trust Jesus and never doubt. He will not leave you hanging.” Her mother even knew there was something unique about her and highly encouraged her to preach if God called her to do that. Her mother believed in the gift. Even still, Ryan was hesitant to preach because of her other family members. When she was in the Army, she started praying for others because that came easy for her. “While I was in basic training, I was the unofficial prayer warrior for my platoon,” Ryan said. “We would have prayer meetings in my barracks. However, our prayer meetings would turn into revival.” Being prayerful didn’t exempt Ryan from going through trials and tribulations. Ryan experienced physical, mental, and emotional abuse from a previous marriage, which as you can imagine, traumatized her and was clinically depressed. “I lost my voice, my identity, and my confidence,” Ryan said. “I am naturally and effortlessly strong. However, during that time, I lost my strength. I lost my fortitude. Until one day God gave me the strength to do something that I could not do on my own ... LEAVE.” She credits aggressive counseling, fervent prayer, and time for God to show her how to love herself again was how she was able to completely heal. Ryan is thankful for those hard times because it taught her how to love again, be resourceful, and how to persevere. Ryan has now remarried and definitely does not look like what she’s been through. “The one lesson that I will cherish from those times is that God can take pain and turn it into power.” Speaking of power, one woman Ryan admires is a 94-year-old businesswoman and fashion icon- Iris Apfel. She is known for her quirky, eccentric, and over-the-top accessories. The kicker is her world-renown fame is only just over 10-years-old, when she was asked to contribute pieces to Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. “Iris is proof that it’s never too late to launch or relaunch again,” Ryan said. “She teaches us that when you find your voice sing out loud and offkey if you want to. The last lesson iris teaches me is to keep living life.” Ryan wants her legacy to represent resilience- the capacity to recover from difficulty; toughness. “It’s not about what you lost, it’s about what you have left,” Ryan said. “You can use what you have left to get back better than what you lost.”
The ICONic Dreamer: Lauren Mattox
It is always a beautiful sight to login to any of the social media networking sites and see a mother basking in pure joy in pictures with her husband and her kids, especially her daughters. You see the possibility of life continuing for the next generation. You see the innocence of the kids and the mother taking in that incredible still moment. Lauren Mattox captures those moments well when she posts images of her two daughters, Parker, 2, and Prestyn, 7 months. They are the prettiest little girls, whom she affectionately calls P-Squared. Lauren and PSquared have mommy dates, afro & eskimo kisses, slay sessions, cooking lessons, and usies to keep us double tapping every picture we see come across our timelines. Lauren has a sister, who she is close with, and says that P-Squared are already just as close. She said Parker has a sweet, giving spirit, and she is extremely smart like her aunt. Prestyn is starting to show her spitfire personality but she is a cuddle bug, too, like both her mom and aunt. “I think they will both have a mixture of both of our personalities,” Lauren says. “Their bond is already amazing. They literally hold hands in the backseat on the way to and from the sitters.” She prays every day that she and her sister are setting a great example of relationships between women for P-Squared. They have rough patches just like any kind of relationship but having each other’s back and loving each other through it all is what counts. “I would like my legacy to be that I honored women of color with the way I raised my daughters, my actions, and my company, The ICON Collection,” Lauren shares.
Lauren rocking her signature ICON tee.
The ICON Collection apparel line was created from the lack of trendy items that feature beautiful brown girls. There are countless of shirts, artwork, and home décor with the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn but rarely can you find those items that showcase women of color who are trendsetters in their industries. The ICON Collection has a catalog of tees with the signature one with names like Michelle Obama, Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Minnie Riperton, Wilma Rudolph, etc, outlining the word ICON.
While celebrating the legendary women of our past, Lauren reflects on being able to work with, associate with and do business with some amazing women in her life today. She really admires her friend Arnita Johnson, who is a mother and business owner, too. “Arnita is always very transparent with things that are going on with her, which make her super relatable to people, especially women,” Lauren said. “I admire her drive and resilience and hope to one day be half the business woman she is.” Lauren is a project manager by trade and a lifestyle blogger for her Chic Urban Mom site. The goal of the site is to share ideas, thoughts, and beautiful things with other busy modern moms to help find the perfect balance in being everything to everyone all while taking better care of themselves and feeling fly. Lauren, originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin but now resides in Atlanta, was the first among her friends to purchase a house at the age of 24 and she encouraged all of them to do so, too. “There is nothing like having your own and your money going toward something of yours,” she said. “Instead of paying someone else’s mortgage, why not pay your own.” Being around strong, independent women and having their support came in handy a few years back, when she suddenly lost a paternal aunt, whom she was extremely close with. Her aunt was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and she was gone within three weeks of diagnosis. Lauren said she didn’t take it well, but was able to get lots of support from her sister, friends, and her then boyfriend (now husband). “I still have my bad days missing her and wondering ‘what if,’” Lauren said. “But I have learned to live with the emptiness and be confident in the fact that she is watching me create my legacy and that she is proud.” Lauren quotes “live your legacy” based on living every day to be the best you and leaving the best impression on those that come in contact with you. I believe it is safe to say Lauren is leaving her best impressions on the world with her intentional will to be a great example to the beautiful P-Squared and to give the world something fly to wear to reflect all of the beautiful examples of ICONS that were set before us. Lauren is dreaming out loud and we’re thankful she’s sharing these ICONic dreams with us!
“I would like my legacy to be that I honored women of color with the way I raise my daughters.” P-Squared
The Limitless Viewer: Karen Williams Rumor within the entrepreneurship community is some investors will not invest in your business unless you’ve failed a few times at entrepreneurship. It is said they understand that you digest lots of gems in those failures that can help you for the next endeavor. Basically, you learn more by doing or better yet, doing it wrong. This Memphis native, wife and mother of two, Karen Williams, bounced around in all types of businesses- a clothing line, bookkeeping and a children’s bath and body collection. She liked them but they didn’t ignite her passion as much as starting her business consulting company, Beyond the Sky. Even the name of Karen’s business has a cool story attached to it. She said she was driving down the street and saw a sign that said “The sky is the limit” but she told herself “There is no limit to my success; it is beyond the sky,” hence the name. We had a Q&A with Karen Williams about her life and the experiences that lead her to the inspiring woman she is today. Share in one-word what you want your legacy to represent. Determination. Share a story in your life that was supposed to take you off the road to being successful but it didn't. I have had a great journey through life. I didn’t come from poverty or an unstable home. I was loved and told I was beautiful and special on a daily basis. I was treated like the golden child, which I’ve learned can be a hindrance. I did what everyone wanted, which was go to college and get a good job, but I was never truly happy. Ever since I was 16-years-old, I have wanted to own my own business, be my own boss and call all the shots. Every time I reached out to start something, I failed, and couldn’t understand why. Maybe it wasn’t my true calling; maybe I wasn’t patient enough to see the growth, but, nevertheless, the failure still hurt. No one saw the hurt I felt from not reaching my dreams because I had already touched the dreams they wanted for me. Their dreams are not the ones that make me happy or help me feel fulfilled. In life, you have to make sacrifices and jump out on faith and believe you will be carried to your true purpose. The only thing that has stood in my way is me being afraid of failure and the unknown of where I will land after the jump.
Karen sitting pretty.
What are you the "first" in your family or amongst your friends to do? Were you aware of you being the "first" before it happened? I was the first in my family to graduate from college. Yes, I was aware I was the first to accomplish my college degree. What everyday woman (not anyone in your family) is a hero to you or someone you look up to or admire from a distance and why? I'm inspired by all types of women; they don't have to be multi-millionaires, or CEO's of a company to be an inspiration. The everyday woman who raised a child on her own and still finished school. The woman who opened her own salon failed, but got back up and tried again. The woman, who was molested by a family member, but still made her dreams come true without being bitter and negative. We are all human and go through different things in our life that makes us who we are. I love the underdog, the one everyone has counted out and they turn it all around and win. We can all be an inspiration to each other.
“In life, you have to make sacrifices and jump out on faith.�
What kind of advice would you give to those who make the statements that women can't get along? There is that preconceived notion of women not being able to work together. Some women want to be the only one at the top looking down on everyone else and some are just jealous of one another. You have to understand we are so much stronger together than apart hating in a corner. If we work together, we would be unstoppable. I recently went to an event and met a lot of female entrepreneurs and some shared my company information to their followers without me asking just because they want to see everyone succeed. So, put aside your emotions and humble yourself to what another woman can offer you in your growth. Create a quote YOURSELF; something YOU made up. You are great beyond your own imagination. Fear of the unknown keeps us from reaching that greatness. I loved this interview, especially Karen’s answer about having a stable upbringing yet still had to deal with the struggle of pleasing other people. That was such a beautiful, transparent moment that I wanted to share it in its essence and not paraphrase it for you. Karen has found her way and has removed the limitations from her sight and we know greatness will manifest. Keep flying high!
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The Televised Revolutionist: Tami Sawyer
I met Tami Sawyer via sending her a direct message on Twitter the day before the first “die-in” at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis that she organized following the death of Mike Brown of Ferguson, Missouri that made national news thanks to their local residents and activists posting on social media. I asked did she have the permission of NCRM to organize there because another group failed in their attempts when they didn’t get permission. She did in fact have permission. I went. I laid on the ground. I repeated the chants. I listened to Tami speak compassionately about injustice. I walked over and formerly introduced myself and we hugged and parted ways. I didn’t tell a soul that I went and participated. I couldn’t figure out the role I wanted to play. But while I was figuring it out, an activist blossomed right before my eyes. “I wanted to show solidarity to all of the movements that were happening across the country in response to [Officer] Darrin Wilson not being indicted for the killing of Mike Brown,” Sawyer shared. “I spoke out and that was the day I found my voice and I haven’t stopped speaking on behalf of Black people.
Sawyer speaking at the Minister Louis Farrakhan’s “Justice or Else” rally in Memphis.
She, along with local pastor and activist Earle Fisher, created the Memphis Grassroots Organization Coalition, whose mission is to support and affirm all meaningful acts of resistance in Memphis and abroad. MGOC has been instrumental in organizing, trying to hold our local officials accountable for answers and justice in the death of Darrius Stewart, a local unarmed, Black man killed at the hands of the police. Sawyer has been on several panels and hosted events that attempted to spark dialogue and change in Memphis. Sawyer also had the opportunity to give a speech when Minister Louis Farrakhan came to Memphis for his “Justice or Else” Rally back in August 2015. “We are agents of the movement of Black people,” Sawyer said. “We organize reactions to events of social injustice and coordinate long-term policies to change mindsets that discriminate against Black people.” As you can imagine, Sawyer receives lots of backlash for her defense of Black people, but she says she has a pretty deep support system of family, friends and colleagues. Whether it’s her dad silently
watching over her as she speaks at rallies or joining her friends for dinner and drinks, or her co-organizers offering a listening ear, she realized, after taking an inventory, that there are many people who care about her well-being. “With anything, it is for me to utilize that support system,” Sawyer said. “Often we think that we’re alone when there’s really a wide net of favor and love cast around us. I remind myself of that daily, and it helps so much when I’m reading a negative comment or just hitting a wall from fatigue.” I know there are days of fatigue with fighting with the media, racists, politicians, and local residents but Sawyer references a popular meme of a man chipping away through a tunnel and he gives up right before the pot of gold. She said it sticks with her because you should never stop trying. “Hard work pays off sometimes, and sometimes it doesn’t, but what you can’t ever do is give up on yourself,” Sawyer said. “I think as a whole, there is a lot of apathy in our Black community, and it is hurting us. We have to wake up and get back to digging in our tunnel.” She could have given up on herself when she decided to drop out of Howard Law School. She said a lot of people were disappointed in her as she was disappointed in herself but she doesn’t regret the decision; she regrets not having made the decision before taking out student loans. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I knew that I did not see a future for me as a lawyer,” Sawyers reflected. “I wanted to be a change maker.” So when she returned to Memphis in 2013, Tami began to organize get out and vote initiatives before being recognized as the leader of the local Black Lives Matter Movement. She sits on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region and the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center.
Sawyer started admiring School Board Commissioner Stephanie Love after hearing her story about being a single mother and the need for parents to stand up for their children. Love shared that she “woke up one day and decided to be a good mom.” That stood out to Sawyer because we often think that’s a natural thing- to be a good mom, dad, friend, spouse, etc. “I admire her for making a decision to be a good mom, a good advocate, a good person,” Sawyer said. “If we all decided consistently to be good people, we’d be living in a different world.” Sawyer’s talent extends beyond just activism; she’s works as a diversity leader, she’s an entrepreneur and she bakes, too! She was on the Food Network cooking show “Cupcake Wars” back in 2012, when she made it to the first round with a collard green cupcake with a molasses frosting topped with a hushpuppy. The University of Memphis alumnae currently works as the Director of Diversity & Leadership Development at Teach for America Memphis. Sawyer also founded the PowerBox, a digital Black-owned business directory designed to route the $1.7 Trillion African-American buying power into the Black community.
The Radical Writing Minister : LaKisha Johnson Writing books about sex and ministering about God isn’t typically in the same conversation but Memphis native LaKisha Johnson says show her in the bible where it says that can’t happen. HA! We’ll wait. Actually, the bible talks about sex, in detail, quite often but I digress. Ministering isn’t limited to the pulpit and there is no box on how you get the word of God to the people. Johnson said the Lord told her, “daughter, reach the folk.” You can catch her [p]reaching to the folks at her home church Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Hollywood, Mississippi with her husband of 17 years and their two teenagers in the pew smiling at her. Her two published risqué book series, A Secret Worth Keeping and Ms. Nice Nasty were on the top selling Amazon lists. I’ll say she’s being obedient, right?! Johnson is currently enrolled at Memphis Center for Urban Theological Studies, where she is getting her bachelor’s in Biblical Studies. Her passion for the ministry and writing permeates through her everyday walk. I’m very excited to share this interview with this vocal, radical woman of God. Get ready. She’s unapologetic. What happened when you realized your calling to minister and to preach? I was terrified. At first I was more scared of how folk would see me than I was of the actual calling. I don’t know why but I was. So I toiled with it, for a long time. I knew God had something in store for me but when people would tell me years ago that I would preach, I told them it wasn’t part of what God had destined me to do but that was because I was looking at my life through my natural eyes. When I stopped worrying about how folk would see me or if I could actually do it and I accepted it … my life changed! I don’t mean in a matter of months but I mean the very next day. That is why I have the date of 8/29/14 tattooed on my wrist. It’s not the day I accepted my calling but it’s the day afterwards because when I stood in the bathroom stall at work on that Thursday crying out to God that I am ready and willing to accept the calling He’s placed on my life; it changed and I saw the evidence of the change the very next morning. What happened – everything about the way I thought my life was supposed to be died and the way I was destined to be was born!
Minister LaKisha Johnson laughs at those who questions her calling.
You're a minister and an author of secular books about sex, how do you explain that to people who may question it? I don’t! To hell with what folk think (negative folk). I don’t owe them an explanation of my calling or my gifts because they weren’t there when God etched them in my loins when I was created. See, before I was even born; God had already mixed in my DNA the calling of ministry and writing. It was me who was being stubborn about accepting it. But when I did, He didn’t give me a limitation on how I should use it. He simply says, “daughter, reach the folk” and I do. Some I have to reach one way (ministry) and some I have to reach the other way (fiction writing) yet these two things combined doesn’t negate the fact that I am walking in my calling daily. Plus I’ve never read anywhere in the bible where it says it is a sin to write about sex neither have I seen a scripture on the qualifications of a preacher that says I have to choose between writing and preaching. If I’ve missed it, I welcome someone to show it to me. Until that time, I have no plans on giving up either. Whether you accept me, that’s a personal choice but I’d hope you get to know me for me and not based on what someone else logic of thinking is. Talk about how you use your Facebook page as a part of your ministry. What kind of inboxes or texts messages do you get? I’ve realized, even before Minister/Rev was in front of my name, that sometimes you have to meet people where they are. And for some, that’s on Facebook. I’m good with that. I use Facebook as a means of reaching those who need an unconventional way to get to know the God I serve. I sometimes get messages from people who are looking for encouragement or advice and sometimes I’ll get a message that asks, will you call and pray for me. Guess what, I do. Why? Because I don’t take a minute for granted and if you have to be prayed for over the phone, I’ll do it. I also get messages to let me know when it has been too long since I’ve made a post. LOL! If you’re on Facebook all day, every day; you might as well get some Jesus! What everyday woman is a hero to you or someone you look up to or admire from a distance & why? There’s a few I admire from a distance but there are two I admire up close. Firstly, TJ Jefferson. Here you are, a young African-American woman who is doing the damn thing! You don’t allow circumstances or societal thoughts to put you in a box because you come out kicking, fighting and roaring to get to the top by any means necessary and I LOVE IT! You’ve step in to pave the way for others, who look just like you, to do it, too. The second person is LaShundra Richmond who leaves her mark wherever she goes. She doesn’t get defeated when it comes down to the last round and she’s being counted out as the underdog. She still comes out swinging for her life and her destiny. She has stood in places, sat at tables and even graced the TV in spots not designated for someone like her. Yet she puts on her ‘wig of the day’ and she kills it EVERY TIME! This is why I admire you ladies. You are black women who rock! What kind of advice would you give to those who make the statements that women can't get along? My advice would be to find some other women to hang around. Usually it’s other women who make this statement and it’s truly sad. And usually the one making the statement is the one who is the biggest problem. It’s not the fact that women can’t get along, they just can’t get along with you. And that sometimes stem from underlying issues that one has within them. So my advice to anyone, especially a woman, who says women can’t get along do two things; check yourself and then check the women you’ve been hanging with. Describe in one-sentence what you want your legacy to represent. I want my legacy for generations to come to represent “If she can do it despite her circumstance, surely I can do it if I simply take a chance!” Who can’t learn from someone who gives it to you straight, no chaser all while rocking a fab pair of six inch heels? I don’t know about you but I’m taking notes. I adore LaKisha for loving God the way she does and spreading His gospel through radical means. Before you judge, make sure your walk and evangelizing methods are just as impactful. Bloop!
The Dramatic EntrepreGENIUS: Ashley Northington I didn’t know I had an appetite for the dramatics until I met the smart, brutally honest, communicator named Ashley Northington. You have to hear her to understand how the inflection in her voice rises or falls when she says certain words. She emphasizes and drags certain words when she’s telling a story. Sometimes she uses the word “ummm,” not because she’s searching for the right word, but because it makes the story sound better for dramatic purposes. Ashley is always ever so confused when I’m laughing at whatever story she’s sharing; I liiiiiiiive for her stories. It gives me everything I need for entertainment -- characters, lines, plot, lesson, and dramatic ending with a possible sequel. You’ll have to stay tuned for that. But trust and believe, with all of the dramatics, I am listening and hanging on to every word because the girl is a genius, in my eyes. She gets public relations; she gets branding; she gets media; she gets professionalism; she gets business. She. Just. Gets. It. Ashley is the owner of DENOR Brands and Public Relations firm in Nashville, with a client lists that includes photographers, small business owners, dignitaries, and a Grammy-nominated opera singer. Hell, she went to the Grammy’s last year! “I’d like to see more entrepreneurs actually become obsessed with being good or great or extraordinary, and abandon the fixation with merely looking good, great, or extraordinary,” Ashley sharesd. “I would love for people to promote authenticity over perception; substance over fluff; and excellence over mediocrity. Looking good only lasts so long. Actually being great will last even after you’re gone.”
“The best leaders are not always the best experts.”
Her passion about that drove her to create the #LiveYourBrand movement. Ashley defines #LiveYourBrand as the intentional, persistent, and consistent act of aligning your professional actions with who you are and what you do to connect with your audience in a meaningful way. #LiveYourBrand started off as a virtual personal branding course but took a life of its own due to the amazing response of the participants. It now has grown into a podcast (launching in April), a vision strategy workshop, and a virtual business conference (launching later this year). I had the pleasure of participating in one of the first virtual courses and she had me really thinking hard about the tasks. I left knowing I had to step up my business branding, especially since I helped other with their brands. “The essence of #LiveYourBrand is to talk the talk and walk the walk,” Ashley noted. Ashley’s honesty is refreshing especially when she speaks about entrepreneurship, which she credits as one of her most challenging experiences. She works on it daily and can admit that she doesn’t always have the answers. She adamantly pushes that entrepreneurship is not for everyone and it is not supposed to be.
“The journey of being an entrepreneur is physically and mentally draining,” Ashley said. “There are days when I feel on top of the world at 3 p.m. and by 4 p.m., I feel defeated. I am resilient though. I always bounce back. I know that I’ll get to the top of the mountain one day -- even if I feel like I’ve been in the valley for far too long.” Ashley’s background in journalism and as a press secretary prepared her for the life of entrepreneurship in public relations. Also, she worked as a public information officer for a state department and research analyst for a nonprofit think tank. All of that helped to polish, connect, and ground her. She doesn’t “romanticize” entrepreneurship. She doesn’t think it’s better than having an employer, or that it is more fulfilling, or the only way to freedom, or the only way to have schedule flexibility, or that you don’t work for someone else. Ashley believes at its core, entrepreneurship is about leadership. “The best leaders are not always the best experts,” Ashley reiterated. “I don’t believe the best teachers make the best principals or superintendents. The best hair stylist doesn’t necessarily make the best salon owner. Translating expertise to enterprise is a very serious, extremely rigorous thing. Oftentimes, the skills required to fine-tune expertise are vastly different from those needed to build an enterprise. Few of us have both skill sets.” Ashley, a native of Nashville, is the first in her immediate family to graduate from a university. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University and her master’s degree from Louisiana State University. Also, she is the first to play an instrument seriously; she plays the flute. She studied with private tutors and participated in several programs aimed at improving her skills. Ashley was a member of the marching band in high school and college. She says she breaks out the flute when she needs a “pick me-up.” She is well read and even contributed a chapter on branding in a book called #BossLiving: A Practical Guide for Starting Your Sustainable Small Business. I have the digital and physical copy of the book and I can attest the chapter is good, like really good. Like, it is written well and is a full-display of Ashley’s personality. Again, the girl can tell a story. She is set to release her own book later this year titled Counting Dollars and Likes: Growing Your Brand and Business in the Digital Age. “I want to be known as a person who helped people communicate to win,” Ashley said about what her legacy is to represent, “one who communicated in ways that helped people grow tremendously by informing them with reliable information and inspiring them to pursue positive change.” Her favorite quote stems from the pressure most entrepreneurs have experienced, which is to give more value to their clients without changing for it. Because they feel pressure to earn the potential client's business, they end up lowering the amount they'll ultimately be paid for the work they perform. So instead of adjusting the service to fit the client’s budget, they keep the service as is and just lower the fee. They feel like they can get more business or make more money in this practice. Ashley vehemently disagrees. “This is short-sighted. This never works,” she said. “You do not get more pie by doing more. You get more of the pie by doing less.” That nugget of wisdom is why I know Ashley will cement a deep legacy because of her authenticity and deep appreciation for speaking the truth. And it doesn’t hurt that the way she tells the truth (a story) is like a one-woman dramatic play that you can visualize. So enjoy the show and don’t forget the popcorn!
The Destiny Coach stopped by to deliver a powerful prayer for the ladies in this issue and for those ladies inspired by them. Dear Heavenly FatherI come to you now with the most humble heart and sincere spirit first saying thank you. Thank you for breathing life, thank you for choosing me, thank you for loving me. Thank you God for being unwavering in your favor, limitless in your mercy, and giving with your grace. God, I come to you with a specific prayer. I come petitioning your throne of grace with expectancy in my heart and every ounce of boldness that you've granted me lifting up the ribs of the universe, the mothers of this world, the nurturers of the planet, the cultivators of seeds and the vessels that you have specifically designed and ordained to bring life into this world. Oh God, I pray for women-your daughters, precious treasures that you’ve formed, fearfully and wonderfully made, with purpose, promise and productivity in mind. Remind us daily that we win. It's not a devil in hell that can stop what our Heavenly Father has for each of us. Help us to know that we are more than conquerors, overcomers, achievers . We walk out of the house in victory. We're not showing up unless we know we’re going to win. We have Dominion; it’s connected to our identity. It runs in our blood. It’s an inheritance that we can’t disown. We can't lose with all of Heaven backing us. Strengthen our faith. The faith that just doesn't move mountains-or alters the atmosphere but also sets the tone. It goes before us. It takes the place of any fear or doubt. Because God says so. Conversations can happen, naysayers can keep naying-but God you get the final say. Somebody right now might be struggling with something, holding on to what is impossible for you to hold on to (all by yourself)-I dare you to grab hands, lock arms with someone else, and hold that thing together, hold that thing up and pray together to the good Lord to give you strength to simply keep holding on. I am standing with you my dear sister. I am standing for you woman of God. I am standing because of you.
Somebody right now needs to know and feel the power of you God. That the entire world is in your hands, including, but not limited to: our dreams, goals, hopes, wishes, desires and destinies. Woman of God: I decree and I declare: You shall birth your destiny. You shall live and not die and declare the works of the Lord. You shall tap into and utilize every gift that God has placed inside of you. You will become all that you’re destined to be. You shall walk the walk and talk the talk; you shall represent the Kingdom of the Lord-our God. Women-we will rise up and be the women of God-we’ve been called to be. Grace and mercy will cover us, peace will lead us, favor will follow us, God’s love will comfort us, Miracles and blessings will chase us and God’s glory will fall. Today. Now. In this moment, in this hour, I seek God on your behalf, I stand in the gap for you woman of God on today. I don’t care how dark your days may seem, I speak life and light to you right. I don’t care what struggles were presented to you yesterday, God told me to tell you today to go ahead and live. Go ahead and smile. Go ahead and win. He’s covered every space and place for you. He’s opened every door that you will need to walk into. He’s closing every door that you need to never go back into. He’s widening narrow spaces. He’s enlarging your territory. I dare you to make space for grace. I dare you to watch God work. I dare you to allow the spirit of the Living God to fall fresh on you right now, right in this moment and get a shout in your spirit-because your God loves you too much to see you fail, to see you falter and to see you abort the promise. It won’t happen. It can’t happen. May as well get ready, get ready! Raise your expectation. Raise your praise. Raise your voice and let God know that not only are you expecting a move from God, but that you’re ready to receive it. In the name of Jesus- What’s in you to do is bigger than you. Stay the course-remember the assignment, your eyes can’t see in the natural what our God can see in the spiritual-keep going, Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, nor entered into the hearts of man what God has prepared for them that love him. Trust that God knows best. It is working in your favor God knows what you’re working with and knows exactly where you are right in this moment. Embrace God. Celebrate God. Love God. Oh God, teach us to continually apply your word, to ensure we remain in your will, as we strive to become the women you’ve destined us to be. And we will forever give you the glory, praise and honor that you are due. This is your servant’s prayer. AMEN!
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