C L Magazine Volume 8 - 2022 Spring | Summer Issue

Spring/Summer 2022 • Volume 8 • Issue 2

cl-magazine.com

We Are Women…

Hear Us

ROAR! Alysha LaRae Ellis Author, Marketing Maven, Award-winning Business Leader

Cassandra Hill Christian Holistic Wellness Coach, Best-Selling Author and Speaker

+

Stories of reflection, embracing your passion and self-discovery

GOING THE DISTANCE

FOR OUR

COMMUNITIES. At Dominion Energy Ohio, going the distance for our customers means more than just delivering safe, affordable natural gas. It means being a positive force in the communities we serve. Our EnergyShare® program has raised $6.8 million and helped more than 70,000 people in Ohio alone. These resources, combined with more than 6,300 volunteer hours from our employees, have benefited organizations as diverse as the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.

contents 7

Why Self-Care? Five Benefits of Creating a Life-Changing Self-Care Routine

by Cassandra Hill

9

How Hospice Became My Life’s Purpose

by Sherron Dotson-Sowell, RN

13

People Can Stop Your Progress....

But, Don’t Let Them

by Montrie Rucker Adams, APR

16 2nd Annual Juneteenth Freedom Fest The event in photos 20

Local Cleveland Author Finds

New Passion

by Alysha LaRae Ellis

25

Key4Women and SCORE Sponsor Women-Owned Business Pitch Contest

27 Book Suggestion: Black Faces in High Places

by Randal D. Pinkett and Jeffrey A. Robinson 31

Book Suggestion: Believing

by Anita Hill

33

Book Suggestion: The Power of Mustard Plant

Faith: Growing Beyond the Seed

by Celeste Glasgow Ribbins

35

Recipe from Freshly Rooted Yolanda Ramos’ Gluten-free Summer Pasta Salad

36

National Executive Women’s Summit Sunday-Wednesday, October 23-26, 2022

Dr. Randal Pinkett is one of our Executives-in Residence at the 20th anniversary event!

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 3

career + lifestyle magazine

Spring/Summer 2022 • Volume 8 • Issue 2

CL Magazine Team Publisher and Chief Editorial Officer Alexandria Johnson Boone Creative Director Jennifer Coiley Dial Senior Copy Editor Michelle E. Urquhart Business Manager Paula T. Newman Assistant to the Publisher Bernadette K. Mayfield Senior Strategist, Subscriber & Community Development Simone E. Swanson Database and Information Coordinator Cheretta Moore For advertising information please contact us at: advertising@CL-Magazine.com Subscribe free online: www.CL-Magazine.com

CLMagazine_ CLMagazine_ CLMagazine

C L Magazine is published digitally on a quarterly basis by the Women of Color Foundation (WOCF), a 501 (c) (3), tax-exempt organization, for the benefit of women and girls of all colors. Our offices are located at 4200 Warrensville Center Road, Medical Building A, Suite 353, Cleveland, Ohio 44128. Toll Free Phone number: 866-962-3411 (866-WOCF-411).

Copyright © 2014-2022. All rights reserved.

No portion of this publication may be distributed electronically, reproduced or duplicated in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher. Readers and advertisers may subscribe for free at: www.CL-Magazine.com Magazine Production: GAP Communications Group

4 | CL MAGAZINE

SAVE LIVES.

LETTER from the

Publisher ERSARY

20 th A NNIV

We Are Women...Hear Us Roar!

Dear Readers, In these unprecedented times, women have been called upon to do amazing things: to champion world causes, lead historical movements for change, conduct research for vaccinations, and discover and celebrate the greatness in each other.

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Women of Color Foundation, I have chosen this moment to celebrate two recent major victories for Black women (and women in general). Kamala Harris, the first Black/ Asian Indian woman to be elected Vice President of the United States; and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman confirmed to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States of America!

In the next column, you will find links to websites that have chronicled major achievements by women since the beginning of time. Women who were pioneers in business, politics, medicine, science, art, journalism, research, space exploration, aviation, education, literature, music, and entertainment.

These women ruled countries, led global corporations and non-profit institutions,

and reigned supreme, despite their gender, age, or color. https://www.rd.com/list/female-firsts/ https://www.britannica.com/explore/100women/ know-the-history/female-firsts

Please take time to visit these websites to explore and further understand the true history of women in the world and perhaps right here at home in our/your local communities. Heroines who inspired us to be great! Share these stories with girls every chance you get to motivate and inspire them to do their best no matter the challenges and obstacles.

We cannot break the chain of groundbreaking achievements by women, and we must now re-double our efforts to truly achieve equity in our lifetime.

In the spirit of the greatness in us all,

Alexandria Johnson Boone Publisher/Chief Editorial Officer C L Magazine and Chairwoman/Founder Women of Color Foundation

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 5

ERSARY

20 th A NNIV

2022 Calendar of Events Cleveland, Ohio (Live Event)

Women of Color Foundation Board Retreat (Invitation Only) Sunday - Tuesday, April 3-5, 2022 Walden Inn & Spa, 1119 Aurora-Hudson Road, Aurora 44202 HOSTED BY: Women of Color Foundation Cleveland, Ohio (Virtual Event)

19th Annual Personal and Professional Development Retreat “Connections, Community and Career 2022” Thursday, July 21, 2022 9:00 am - 12:00 pm HOSTED BY: Women of Color Foundation’s M-Suite Network Cleveland, Ohio (Live Event)

20th Anniversary Celebration & National Executive Women’s Leadership Summit Sunday-Wednesday, October 23-26, 2022 The GRAND Resort 9519 East Market Street, Warren, Ohio 44484 HOSTED BY: Women of Color Foundation LEARN MORE AT:

womenofcolorfoundation.com 216.391.4300, ext. 307 or 866-962.3411 (toll free)

Women Color Foundation of

4200 Warrensville Center Road Medical Office Building A, Suite 353 Cleveland, Ohio 44128 6 | CL MAGAZINE

SPRING | SUMMER 2021 | 25

Why Self-Care?

5 Benefits of Creating a Life-Changing SelfCare Routine

by Cassandra Hill

Self-care is simple. It’s all about tuning in to your needs – mentally, emotionally, and physically – and doing things on purpose to take care of yourself. It’s about setting boundaries and putting YOU first. When was the last time you actually allowed yourself to slow down and do something that recharged you? Life can be busy and chaotic, and we rarely give ourselves a moment to rest. We end up putting our needs on the last rung of the ladder and we struggle because of it. Making self-care a part of your daily life is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and well-being.

Here are 5 life-changing benefits to making self-care a priority.

1. More Productive: When you start making self-care a priority, you automatically become more intentional with your time. You learn to scratch the tasks or commitments that don’t align with your values and say yes to those that do. Instead of pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion, you begin to watch for signs that

and wellness. You begin seeing the importance of an active lifestyle as well as listening to your body when you need to relax and recharge. Nourishing your body with good food and taking yourself to the doctor on a regular basis are also part of a healthy self2. Better Caregiver: It’s very hard to care for or give care routine that can boost your immunity and keep someone else your time and energy when you are sickness and fatigue at bay. You’ll find your energy running on empty. Self-care allows you to fill your levels will begin to skyrocket and your mood will imcup first and recharge your batteries, so you have prove as well when you make self-care a priority in more to give to others when the time comes. No mat- your daily routine. ter if you have small children or you’re taking care of an aging parent, the concept is the same. In order 5. Self-Love: What areas of your life could use a litto operate at 100%, you have to make time for your tle more love and compassion? Self-care helps you to own needs before anyone else’s. You’ll be much more become much more aware of how you treat yourself compassionate and giving when you intentionally inside and out. When you start taking care of your make yourself a priority. mind and body, it will be easier to see how you’ve neglected yourself over the years. It opens your eyes to 3. More Gratitude: Practicing gratitude, in itself, the negative self-talk, unhealthy eating habits, and is a powerful form of self-care that can bring about bad coping mechanisms you’ve allowed yourself many positive changes to your life. You’ll feel hap- to rely on. That awareness is key in bringing about pier, more confident, and less likely to put much more self-love into your life. thought into what you don’t have. You start appreciating the small things that used to go unnoticed and These are just a few of the many benefits of making make more time to reflect on what’s truly important. self-care a priority in your life. It doesn’t take a lot You become more aware of the blessings in your life of time, effort, or money to begin, just a simple deciwhen you intentionally start making yourself a pri- sion that you are going to start putting yourself first from this moment on. ority. you’ve reached your limit and you simply stop. Selfcare allows you to refresh and recharge so you can accomplish your to-do list in a much more efficient way.

4. Improved Physical Health: Through self-care, Cassandra Hill, Christian Holistic Wellness Influencer you take on a more proactive approach to your health https://linktr.ee/healercassandra

How Hospice Became My Life’s Purpose

by Sherron Dotson-Sowell, RN Hospice work is my life’s purpose: serving and supporting others with dignity, grace and love at one of the most vulnerable times in life. There is a story about how I began living out my life’s purpose nearly 10 years ago: the day I first began working as a hospice nurse.

Life can lead us in some unexpected directions. My career journey is no exception.

The road I traveled to eventually become a hospice nurse is an interesting one.

I took care of my grandparents all of my life. Caring for them shaped who I am and why I care for all of my patients with so much passion. Both grandparents were Diabetics. My grandmother had a Peg tube, a device that can be used to administer medications and liquids, including liquid food known as enteral nutrition. The lower portion of her leg was amputated, so I changed her wound dressings, assisted with physical therapy and helped monitor blood glucose levels for both of my grandparents.

Caring about their health led me to be interested in the health and wellness field in general. As a result, I soon become a Certified Fitness Instructor, teaching health, wellness and Aerobic line dance classes at Tri-C and in our communities before going on to earn my degree as a Registered Nurse at the historic Huron School of Nursing in Cleveland.

As a side note, a career achievement unrelated to the nursing or health and wellness fields occurred when I was employed as an interior designer at Ethan Allen Interiors. I was humbled to earn their coveted “National Rookie of the Year Award” from a field of 2,500 of my peers. It was an honor to be the company's first African American woman to achieve this level of success.

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 9

caregiving duties in the home setting.

My role as a hospice nurse is one of care and compassion, supporting the needs and concerns of our patients and their families. As a nurse, I am the frontline caregiver. My role includes admitting patients, providing assessments, taking vitals, obtaining and transcribing orders, documenting plans of care, administering medications and implementing safety measures for patients. As an IPU nurse, I report any updates or changes in condition to the patient, their Working at David Simpson Hospice House Today, I am proud and honored to work as a family and the IPU medical team.

Registered Nurse at David Simpson Hospice House, one of four inpatient hospice units (IPUs) Care is provided by a team of specialists working owned and operated by Hospice of the Western together: a team leader, physician, nurse Reserve. The 40-suite facility is located at the practitioner, nurse, nursing assistant, social foot of E. 185th St. in Cleveland nestled along worker, spiritual care/bereavement coordinator the shores of Lake Erie. The grounds feature and dietary aide. A unique benefit is that the spectacular gardens and views of nature for entire team is housed on-site. A specific plan patients and families to enjoy. The sunrises and of care is developed for each patient/family.

Ongoing communication is shared via daily sunsets are stunning! rounds and weekly team meetings.

Our IPUs are homelike settings that provide short-term symptom management and care for As a hospice nurse, I am honored to support our patients in our community who are referred to patients and families in their time of need. I pray us from their hospice home care team, hospital or my compassion shines through and radiates nursing facility. When a loved one needs intensive hope, peace, comfort and joy from my heart to 24/7 care to manage pain or the symptoms of yours as you embark on a sometimes tumultuous, their advanced illness, we provide state-of-the- scary, difficult and challenging journey known as art support. Lab monitoring and pharmacy the end of life. I'm grateful to work for Hospice of services are provided around the clock. Our care the Western Reserve knowing that I'm walking in incorporates ongoing emotional and spiritual my gift or purpose. It’s as true blessing. support to patients and family members.

Whenever possible, our goal is to manage a patient’s symptoms in a brief time so they can return to whatever location they call home to continue their care there. This can often occur in a matter of days. We also provide care for the final days of life and respite care to give family caregivers a short-term break from their

10 | CL MAGAZINE

Sherron Dotson-Sowell, RN Registered Nurse sdotson-sowell@hospicewr.org hospicewr.org

12 | CL MAGAZINE

People Can Stop Your Progress…

by Montrie Rucker Adams, APR

Sometimes our family members can be dream killers.

...But Don’t Let Them other family members:

“That’s not a field for girls (or boys).”

F-A-M-I-L-Y. This six-letter word is all-powerful. It encompasses the people who know and love us, and “You can’t do that.” the people we know and love. It has been said that “Some of the most poisonous people come disguised “That’s crazy!” as friends and family.”

“Who’s going to pay for it?”

It is within this bond of familiarity and love that we are often brought to confusion. When our loved ones “What about the last time you tried something like seem to contradict themselves - by not supporting that?” our dreams – we’re thrown off-kilter, unable to make “I don’t think it’s in you.” sense of their actions or behavior.

What do you do when your spouse doesn’t embrace your dream? How do you respond when your parents don’t support your passion? How do you relate to those who claim to love you, but seem to do all they can to discourage you from moving forward with your goals and purpose?

Dr. Angela Ali, a psychologist, clinical therapist, and board-certified coach says, “At times, family members may frown upon our dreams or goals. We may receive negative vibes once we share our plans with them, but often it is because they have fears that you don’t. They may feel as though it’s impossible to accomplish your dream and are afraid that you’ll fail Some adults move through life deterred, because as without a backup plan. They may feel that you have children they were teased or discouraged from doing a track record of not meeting your goals,” she says. certain things – especially the things they loved. They “In these cases, they may not provide you with the may have heard similar comments from parents and encouragement you want and need. You can still SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 13

“Family is supposed to be our safe haven. Very often it’s the place where we find our deepest heartache.” –Iyanla Vanzant, spiritual teacher, author appreciate the honesty and advice of others regardless of whether it’s positive or negative but refrain from trying to convince others because your dreams are worth pursuing. It’s not their job to see the value in your dreams. It’s yours.”

people and new places. That may make those around you uncomfortable.

• Be ready. It’s important that you are emotionally mature enough to anticipate changes in both yourself and others. You may even fear “rising above” friends Sometimes it’s hard to tune out the voices that tell us and family and the inevitable changes it will have we can’t do something. After all, they know us. They on your relationships. Understanding others’ fears were around when all our other attempts failed. They and having compassion for them may be important, were there to listen to our disappointments. They however, never play down your achievements or give were our cheering section before, why not now? up altogether. If God put your dreams and purpose inside you, then you are the one that must make it How do we respond to the people closest to us, those happen. “With God, all things are possible.” (Matwho should have our best interests at heart (or used thew 19:26) to), but they are now the ones who tell us our goals are way too big for us to achieve? We can start with – • Stay Focused. Friends and family, especially those that are not on board, can be a distraction. It’s im• Not sharing our dreams with everyone or “That’s portant to move forward with your proverbial blindnone of your business.” It seems the new word du ers on and ear plugs in. It means you are focusing jour is “authentic.” We’re deemed authentic when we forward, not listening to chitter chatter about what share everything about us, especially on social media you’re doing, not caring about whether people agree – what we’re doing in the moment, what we cooked or disagree with your purpose. As mentioned before, for dinner, our successes and failures, vacations, par- your connections will change, and they will be the ties, who we’re sleeping with, and the last fight we people you need to help make your dreams a reality. had.

• Be Grateful. As disappointing as it may be to not Authentic means genuine and real. You are not inau- have the support of friends and family, be grateful. thentic if you don’t share all your business. Sharing Move with an attitude of gratitude that you do have your dreams with people who may not support you goals; you do have purpose and you are moving forwill set you up for disappointment and my derail ward. your dreams altogether. As my mother used to say, “Keep your mouth closed. Everybody does not need Everyone can’t say that. There are many people who to know your business.” Some people love mystery. are struggling with what they want to do. They don’t have dreams or goals. They have no idea what moves • It is lonely at the top. If you are the cream that ris- them or how they want to contribute. es to the top of your community, inevitably you will bring your friends and family face-to-face with their Knowing your purpose is a gift. Be grateful for that own sense of failure or their own inability to take gift and keep it moving. risks. It’s not your fault.

Remember, everybody does not need to know your Everybody can’t make the climb. Don’t expect every- business. body to “get” you or support you. It doesn’t mean they don’t love you, but certain relationships may Excerpted from the book, Just Do Your Dream, 7-Steps to Help change as you move forward. You may not have the You Do What You Always Wanted. Montrie Rucker Adams, time to spend with family and friends the way you Chief Visibility Officer at Visibility Marketing Inc. info@ used to. Chasing your dream will lead you to other visibilitymarketing.com 14 | CL MAGAZINE

Step Forward is tasked and trusted to lead the fight on the ground against poverty in our community. From temporary assistance to address immediate needs, to early childhood education so children are set up to succeed in school, to adult skills training that leads to better jobs and more stable families, Step Forward is committed to building a stronger community in 2022 and into the future.

Through step forward services in 2021

100% of clients that secured employment with the assistance of Professional Development services maintained employment for 90 days.

1,114

clients received assistance through the COVID Relief Fund from July to December 2021.

91%

of Early Head Start & Head Start students met or exceeded expectations in cognitive thinking*. *Data based om Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment tool.

How can you help?

Donating

Donations help us provide the best services to Cuyahoga County residents. stepforwardtoday.org

Spreading the word

Joining our team

Help us connect with residents in need and keep up-to-date with our services on social media

Check out our open and available positions at

stepfwrdtoday SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 15

The Women of Color Foundation was proud to be a sponsor of the 2nd annual Juneteenth Freedom Fest in Cleveland!

• 10,000+ attendees • 75 Black-owned business vendors and community organizations • 100+ artists, musicians and performers

The event is always fun to participate in. The culture of it all is so beautiful and rewarding to be apart of. We loved the entertainment, the murals, and the free resources.

16 | CL MAGAZINE

Enjoyable and interesting conversations with strangers.

Reading chalk board comments about what freedom means.

Given everyone freedom of expression was powerful.

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 17

Seeing the diversity within our community coming out to learn and enjoy the event.

It was beautiful family friendly day! Loved seeing the young people running around.

18 | CL

MAGAZINE

It was amazing to see the steady stream of shoppers at the various vendor booths. It was apparent that the vendors and the food trucks were appreciated and patronized.

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 19

20 | CL MAGAZINE

Local Cleveland Author Finds New Passion

by Alysha LaRae Ellis

My journey to becoming an author hasn’t been easy. It came out of a place of desperation and necessity, but that has been pretty much my whole life. Fighting for everything to survive.

Generationally it was no different for my mother and her mother. Although writing has always come natural to me, I struggled academically as a child. I had a learning disability. A speech impediment that attempted to handicap me. It not only impacted my speaking ability, but also my reading and mostly my confidence in the classroom. It discouraged me from applying myself. Writing was my way to communicate! I remember as a young girl, I would journal and write short stories and poems.

In the third grade, I won my first book competition at school. At times writing seemed like a way to escape while other times it was a way to express myself. To put words on paper that I struggled to share aloud, it was like releasing a bird from its cage. Things I saw and experienced ran marathons through the lines on the paper. Tears blended the ink as pain and hurt tried to hide out.

Writing has always been freeing for me.

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 21

As I got older my speech improved, but my education didn’t as the struggle continued through high school. The chaos and inconsistency at home contributed to my poor performance at school. By the ninth grade, I had already gone to nearly ten different schools; different cities, new teachers, and fewer friends was the cycle on repeat. I couldn’t even tell you when the little bit of hope I had left about catching up with the other students faded away, but I knew it faded. So, when I had the opportunity to go to college to play softball I wasn’t as shocked as my teachers were when I didn’t meet the academic requirements. I didn’t know how to structure an essay, write a check, or even expand my vocabulary. I was lost in the classroom and I knew it. I managed to barely get by to attain my associates degree. It wasn’t until a year later when I realized I needed more education if I had any chance at a better quality of life. I soon enrolled to complete my BA at Cleveland State University. Through my campus job I met a woman that helped change my life. She showed me the value of knowledge. She created an environment for newness and self discovery. This is where I fell in love with education. I learned the power it has! I began gaining my hope back. With knowledge and my creative writing ability some would say I was destined for authorship.

22 | CL MAGAZINE

I believe my journey to becoming an author started way before I was born. God knew that I would be the one to help tell our stories. Over time my confidence has been restored. My ability to speak, learn, and apply the information has advanced. And if I didn’t tell you most likely you wouldn’t know about my struggles. But I share my story because it’s important to know that if God did it for me God would do it for anyone. My first book COMPLETE is a small example of God’s love for all of us. See, I’ve always known I was a writer and that I would one day become a published author. There has been something down in the inside of

me that never let that little girl’s dream die.

Although my light has been dim at times it has never gone out. I never gave up! In 2020, I created a platform to share stories and uplift voices. I started with blogging, now I’ve helped share over one hundred stories. My journey to becoming an author has been one full of restoration, hope, and reassurance that no matter what, don’t give up! We all have dreams to live out. We all have a story to tell. We all have a purpose!

Alysha Ellis is the Founder & Creator of Mas LaRae. www.maslarae.com

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 23

Sharing the magic of reading by distributing free books to kids in Greater Cleveland The Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank gives away 30,000 free books every month to kids in Greater Cleveland through a network of 1,500 community partner organizations. It is focused on increasing the number of diverse books it distributes so all kids can see themselves in the stories they read.

kidsbookbank.org 24 | CL MAGAZINE

You can support our Books Like Me Campaign to get diverse books to kids: • Make a gift • Donate books • Volunteer

“I believe that this organization is so important. Reading is fundamental, and I’m so excited that we can make a serious impact.”

Alexandria Johnson Boone Chairwoman and Founder Women of Color Foundation

info@kidsbookbank.org

Key4Women and SCORE sponsor women-owned business pitch contest Northeast Ohio start-up and existing WOB businesses will compete for $22,000 in awards KeyBank’s Key4Women program and SCORE Cleveland are sponsoring a business pitch contest for women-owned businesses located in Northeast Ohio. The competition will take place October 4, 2022 from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Cuyahoga County Community College. Two track-opportunities for start-ups and existing businesses will be offered, with cash awards totaling $22,000. The grand prize winner will earn $10,000.

To be eligible, businesses must be 51 percent owned, controlled, operated and managed by a woman or women. They must also be headquartered in Ashtabula, Carroll, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Harrison, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas or Wayne counties. The application deadline is July 31, 2022.

year’s contestants clearly demonstrated the vision, ingenuity and grit to one day successfully compete in and contribute to Northeast Ohio’s growing economy,” said Sharon Rose, Co-chair of Cleveland Score. “Our volunteers look forward to helping contestants submit applications as well as fine tune their ‘pitch.’ Additionally, we are available to provide free comprehensive business expertise and mentoring to all applicants once the contest concludes. In our mission to foster small vibrant business communities, we serve all entrepreneurs, whether a start-up or growing business seeking additional expert support.”

Ten finalists will be selected by representatives from SCORE. The finalists will then present a 4-minute pitch and field questions for 6 minutes.

Final awards will be chosen by a panel of five judges, which will include 3 local women business “We are excited to once again work with with owners and two KeyBank bankers. Criteria used Key4Women on this year’s pitch contest. Last to determine winners include the quality of the SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 25

presentation, clarity of business vision and mission, economic impact of the idea and the soundness of value proposition.

SCORE mentoring is available on an as needed basis to advise applicants on submission and presentation requirements. Mentoring is also available post contest to all applicants.

“Key4Women is on mission to advocate, connect, and empower. We are happy to once again sponsor this pitch competition that provides women business owners and entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio an opportunity to network, build their brand and grow their business,” said Rachael Sampson, chair, Key4Women. “SCORE is a great organization to work with in this endeavor, and through this pitch contest we look forward to offering two critical supports women-owned businesses often struggle to find or ask for: mentorship and capital.”

ABOUT KEY4WOMEN Key4Women started in 2005 as a campaign to lend $1 billion to qualified women-owned businesses within three years. The program achieved that in two years and has now generated more than $12 billion in loans to women-owned businesses. Membership in Key4Women is free. In addition to helping women business leaders and owners tap into capital to build and grow their businesses, Key4Women members gain valuable access to a team of local Certified Key4Wome Advisors who advocate, connect and empower women on their journey to financial wellness. For more information, visit key.com/ key4women.

Last year, Ashley Starr, owner of Roughin’ It RV & Cycle, won the grand prize of $10,000, which went toward helping bring a new facility online, revitalizing an existing building in Lake County Ohio.

ABOUT SCORE CLEVELAND Since 1964, SCORE has helped 11 million entrepreneurs to start or grow a business. SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers provide free mentoring, workshops and educational services to 1,500+ communities nationwide, creating For Key4Women/SCORE Pitch Contest rules 45,027 new businesses and 74,535 non-owner jobs in and specifics, including eligibility, submission 2020 alone. Visit SCORE at www.score.org. Follow requirements and the application, visit Cleveland. @SCOREMentors on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. SCORE.org/K4Wpitchcontest.

26 | CL MAGAZINE

CFMA #220523-1585579 KeyBank is Member FDIC

Book

Suggestion 10 Strategic Actions for Black Professionals to Reach the Top and Stay There More than ten years ago, Dr Pinkett and Dr. Jeffrey Robison wrote their first book together, Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness. It was about rising to the top and navigating professional environments to make a positive impact on community and society. They encouraged their Black readers to see their ethnicity as an asset and not a liability; take charge of their careers; establish their circle of influence; and be strategic in developing their career path, entrepreneurial journey, or agenda for change. ​ his follow-up book charts the path for those who are in T the middle of their career or in the growth phase of their business or organization. It draws on the life lessons and professional experiences of Black women and men who have successfully made the climb to become a Black face in a high place, navigated success and remained at the top of their profession. A timely resource for Black professionals on how to rise to the top of their organizations or industries and, just as importantly, to stay there.

Black Faces in High Places is the essential guide for Black professionals who are moving up through their organizations or industries but need a roadmap for how to get to the top and stay there. It highlights the experiences of other Black faces in high places who were able to navigate various crossroads, reach the top, and stay there, including insights from President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Cathy Hughes, Bob Johnson, Ursula Burns, David Steward, Angela Glover Blackwell, Ken Chenault, Senator Cory Booker, Geoffrey Canada, and others.

Description courtesy randalpinkett.com and amazon.com

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 27

32 | CL MAGAZINE

BUILD THE CONFIDENCE TO ACHIEVE CAREER GOALS

WELD develops and advances women’s leadership to strengthen the economic prosperity of the communities it serves.

Join our community and help create positive change Individual Benefits

Company Benefits

Best in class leadership development

Bold demonstration of company commitment to women’s leadership and gender equity

Productive business and community connections Meaningful opportunities to pay forward your success

Strategic connection of company brand to a premier women’s leadership organization Access to special programs and events

Membership in WELD provides the best opportunity to leverage our leadership programs, influential connections, and highly visible volunteer positions to propel your career or business forward.

Learn more at www.weldusa.org 34 | CL

MAGAZINE

Book

Suggestion “An elegant, impassioned demand that America see gender-based violence as a cultural and structural problem that hurts everyone, not just victims and survivors… It's at times downright virtuosic in the threads it weaves together.”—NPR Winner of the 2022 ABA Silver Gavel Award for Books From the woman who gave the landmark testimony against Clarence Thomas as a sexual menace, a new manifesto about the origins and course of gender violence in our society; a combination of memoir, personal accounts, law, and social analysis, and a powerful call to arms from one of our most prominent and poised survivors.

In 1991, Anita Hill began something that's still unfinished work. The issues of gender violence, touching on sex, race, age, and power, are as urgent today as they were when she first testified. Believing is a story of America's three decades long reckoning with gender violence, one that offers insights into its roots, and paths to creating dialogue and substantive change. It is a call to action that offers guidance based on what this brave, committed fighter has learned from a lifetime of advocacy and her search for solutions to a problem that is still tearing America apart.

We once thought gender-based violence--from casual harassment to rape and murder--was an individual problem that affected a few; we now know it's cultural and endemic, and happens to our acquaintances, colleagues, friends and family members, and it can be physical, emotional and verbal. Women of color experience sexual harassment at higher rates than White women. Street harassment is ubiquitous and can escalate to violence. Transgender and nonbinary people are particularly vulnerable.

Anita Hill draws on her years as a teacher, legal scholar, and advocate, and on the experiences of the thousands of individuals who have told her their stories, to trace the pipeline of behavior that follows individuals from place to place: from home to school to work and back home. In measured, clear, blunt terms, she demonstrates the impact it has on every aspect of our lives, including our physical and mental wellbeing, housing stability, political participation, economy and community safety, and how our descriptive language undermines progress toward solutions. And she is uncompromising in her demands that our laws and our leaders must address the issue concretely and immediately.

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 31

CLIMB TO SUCCESS. COMPLETE YOUR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE AT THE HISTORIC WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY, THE NATION’S FIRST PRIVATE HBCU.

Wilberforce University

C L I M B CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP IN

MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS CLASSES BEGIN IN AUGUST 2022 5 WEEK COURSES ONLINE CLASSES EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CREDIT TRANSFER UP TO 90 CREDITS FROM AN ACCREDITED HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION AND MORE...

COMPLETE YOUR DEGREE APPLY ONLINE TODAY

WILBERFORCE.EDU

Book

Suggestion The Power of Mustard Plant Faith: Growing Beyond the Seed For centuries many Christians have regarded the mustard seed as the faith standard: as long as we had “faith the size of a mustard seed,” we were ready to tackle any challenge that came our way. But what if mustard seed faith is just the beginning? What if there is so much more to what God wants from us and for us? This groundbreaking book explores what is possible when we grow beyond the mustard seed to a mustard plant of faith--a faith that fuels creative action for powerful results across the spectrum of our lives. Celeste Glasgow Ribbins is a process-oriented problem-solver who served as a public relations and communication professional in the public and not-for-profit sectors for more than 25 years. She has designed performance management systems, led teams charged with improving business processes, orchestrated administrative operations systems, and written speeches for national figures.

In 2017, Ribbins launched The Powershift Experience, a customized coaching and facilitation company. In addition to a range of services that include helping leaders with goal setting, team building, and conflict management, The Powershift Experience offers Powershift Circles for individuals who need support to solve a problem, discuss and resolve an issue, or move a goal forward and Shift My Power coaching sessions for individuals looking to take their performance to the next level.

Ribbins served Cleveland State University’s Division of Diversity, Inclusion & University Engagement by training and coaching internal and external clients on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, bias, and cultural competency and directing and overseeing special projects. She also directed operations for the NEOMEDCSU Partnership for Urban Health, a premedical program designed to support underrepresented students who desired to become physicians in an urban center.

Prior to her tenure in higher education, Ribbins served as statewide director of communication for Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio where she garnered positive editorials and articles about the organization from every major Ohio newspaper and empowered marginalized women to tell their stories of healthcare and hope. She has further served as press secretary for former Mayor Jane Campbell and public information officer for former Attorney General Betty Montgomery.

Ribbins is a certified diversity professional with a master’s degree in Psychology from Cleveland State University and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Rochester, where she volunteers to help develop an affinity group for first-generation students. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is married to the Reverend Mark David Ribbins, pastor of Avon Avenue Baptist Church in Cleveland. Together they have a creative, tenacious teenager named Julia and a rambunctious beagle-terrier named Jackson.

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | 33

Yolanda Ramos’ Gluten-free Summer Pasta Salad 1 pound pasta (your choice), cooked 1 green zucchini (raw or cooked), small diced 1 summer squash yellow (raw or cooked), small diced 1 cucumber peeled and seeded, small diced 1 bell pepper your choice of color (raw or cooked) diced 1 red onion (optional) (raw or cooked) diced 2 large or 3 small portobello mushrooms (raw or cooked), roughly chopped 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half 5 oz green pitted olives (optional) roughly chopped 8 oz shredded parmesan cheese (optional) 1 lemon zested (optional) SPTT (salt and pepper to taste) Dressing 3 tbsp Fresh herbs of your choice (basil, oregano, chives, tarragon, Italian flat leaf parsley) 1 small head of roasted garlic, peeled ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar ¾ to 1 cup extra virgin olive oil SPTT (salt and pepper to taste)

Directions for Dressing – can be mixed in choice of mason jar, mixing bowl or blender. Begin with vinegar, then add garlic (if NOT using blender mash garlic first by chopping with knife or smashing with fork) and olive oil. The last thing to mix in is herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions for Pasta Salad – in a large mixing bowl place cooked pasta inside and add in all remaining ingredients EXCEPT lemon. Fold in the dressing and if using add lemon zest. May be eaten cold or warm and will keep refrigerated for up to 5 days. www.freshlyrooted.com

Danita Harris

Mike Brookbank

Courtney Gousman