C L Magazine Volume 7 - Spring | Summer Issue 2021

career + lifestyle cl-magazine.com

Spring | Summer 2021

Our New Look!

Dr. Jacklyn CHISHOLM:

Visionary + Change Agent

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 A Gentle Nudge 8

by Natalie Rudd What Happens When You Have Already Died a Death by a Thousand Paper Cuts? 9

by LaShon N. Sawyer, MSSA, PhD, LISW-S Black Women in Crisis 15

by Cassandra Hill Black women are paving the way to the future.

No One Said It Would Be Easy 17

by Rev. Heidi L. Barham COVER STORY

Dr. Jacklyn Chisholm: Visionary + Change Agent 20

by Jennifer Coiley Dial The president and chief executive officer of Step Forward is a change agent, author, mentor, visionary, community activist, wife, mother, and grandmother!

SPECIAL FEATURE

Executive Profile: Deborah Riley Draper 28 Award-winning and critically-acclaimed filmmaker and advertising executive.

A New Book 29 Leah Berdysz, MSSA, LSW, authors a new book Conscious Empowerment: A Guide to Helping Girls Build Self-Esteem and Confidence Book Suggestion 31 Black Birds in the Sky by Brandy Colbert Gourmet Safari: Kenya 35

by Kareem George Take a gourmet tour of Kenya!

SPRING | SUMMER 2021 | 3

career + lifestyle Spring | Summer 2021 • Volume 7 • 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

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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 44122. Toll Free Phone number: 866.962-3411 (866.WOCF.411).

Copyright © 2014-2021. 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 Revisiting and Reinforcing the Women of Color Covenant!

To My Sisters of All Colors, This message is especially for you. In light of the many changes and challenges facing all of us today, we must reinforce our commitment to love, honor, respect and support each other.

So please adopt and share this covenant silently or publicly, with a group of women in your personal and professional networks: I regard myself and you, as being created in the image of God I see your beauty and I sense your power I celebrate your potential I support your prerogative to sing your own song I share your pursuit of a high quality of life I will tell you the truth and I will have your trust I will listen to you with my heart, and I shall speak to you with my smile I will care enough to confront you and comfort you In you I see God, and in God I see you You are my friend and I love you!

At the end of the day, it is our turn, and our chance to turn things around for the elevation and empowerment of women and girls of all colors around the globe. And yes, white is a color.

Please feel free to visit our website at: www.womenofcolorfoundation.com to learn more about our training programs, career and leadership development events, conferences and celebrations of the vision, wisdom, brilliance and accomplishments of women. You may also visit us at www.cl-magazine.com to subscribe to our free digital publication.

In the spirit of the greatness in us all,

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

SPRING | SUMMER 2021 | 5

>>>a Gentle

Nu d g e 6 | CL MAGAZINE

by Natalie Rudd One day, while walking my dog, I noticed a tiny bug on the sidewalk. Somehow the little guy had gotten turned over on his back and was desperately struggling to turn back over, with all his little insect legs flailing in the air.

It appeared to be a hopeless case. As I glanced down at the tiny creature, I thought to myself, “Oh, that’s too bad” and kept walking. A few moments later, I started thinking, “Perhaps if I just turned him back over, he would be okay.”

I knew if I left him alone, he would eventually die.

With that thought in mind, I turned around and went back to the spot on the sidewalk where I had seen the tiny bug, and found him right where I left him – still struggling to right himself. I gently extended my foot and, giving him a gentle nudge, turned him over, right side up. Immediately he started slowly crawling, then to my surprise, he flew away. I just stood there smiling as I watched him disappear in the air.

Don’t we often have a similar experience as that tiny bug?

We find ourselves seemingly turned on our backs struggling with a situation, not sure how to ask for help, but secretly hoping someone will come along and give us a slight nudge to get us going in the right direction. We need that person to give us a gentle nudge rather than ignore or judge our struggles.

What does a gentle nudge look like?

It could be words of encouragement, a smile from a passing stranger or the offer of a helping hand. It could be a short text message saying, “Hey sis, I was just thinking about you!

Have a great day! Or even an uplifting post on your social media. So often we miss these opportunities because we are consumed with

our own thoughts, problems and struggles. We turn inward and focus so much on ourselves that we don’t see the pain or needs of others.

We walk past each other as if the other person doesn’t exist.

No matter how different we seem – we are connected, and because we are connected we are to encourage our sister when she is discouraged, feeling unloved or hopeless.

Think back over your life. Do you recall a time when you felt alone? Was there a time that your life didn’t seem to be working out as you had hoped or expected? Did you find yourself struggling with your finances, a deteriorating relationship, a health issue? Were you depressed, suffering from anxiety or shame from past mistakes?

Whatever the situation, did someone come along and give you the gentle nudge you needed to encourage you, to walk alongside you? If your answer is yes, then pay it forward and do the same for someone else.

Take some time out of your busy schedule and smile at a stranger (still wearing a mask?

Pull it down and smile!), engage someone and take a genuine interest in what’s going on in their life. Slow down and examine your relationships, have you been missing, not paying attention to your loved ones? Take advantage of each day and make a difference and give someone a gentle nudge and then you too will be able to smile as they fly on and soar above life’s difficulties, feeling as though someone cares. Someone did – it was you! , Natalie Rudd, The Original Wise Woman Strategist™ spiritual growth, and personal development coach, teaches women how to experience victory in every area of life. Connect with her through her YouTube channel and Instagram, Coach Natalie Rudd.

SPRING | SUMMER 2021 | 7

|

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- Finalists must be able to attend the Pitch Contest Event, October 7, 2021, 1 p.m. ET at Tri-C Main Campus, 700 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

Key4Women is a registered trademark of KeyCorp. ©2021 KeyCorp. KeyBank is Member FDIC. 210525-1072959

What Happens When

You Have Already Died a Death by a Thousand Paper Cuts?

by LaShon N. Sawyer, MSSA, PhD, LISW-S

There is a tongue-in-cheek phrase suggesting that one can die from 1000 paper cuts. It implies that one small superficial cut will not likely kill you, but if you endure one thousand of these same small cuts, then this stressful situation feels like a slow death is looming.

What do you do when the paper cuts keep coming before you can begin to apply the salve to the most recent paper cut? How do you cope with the pain of 1000 paper cuts simultaneously? Can you continue on when it feels like death by paper cuts changes from a metaphor to a reality?

This was my reality starting in 2004. In June of that year, I received news that would give me feelings of exhilaration and devastation within less than a 30-day period. During the first week of the month, my family and I received the sad news that my father’s second battle with cancer was declared terminal. The cancer had

spread from his lungs to his brain. The chemo, radiation, and clinical trials were not working as we had hoped. As a certified-grade-A daddy’s girl, this was a huge blow for me to hear this news. My father was my original superhero, my first love, and the essence of all things a father should be.

My 30th birthday was only days away, when I found out that my life with my father was coming to an end. By all outward appearances, society had deemed me an adult based on my age, career success and responsibilities, but I felt like a mere child when I heard this news. I don’t think there is ever an age that is “appropriate” to lose a parent, but I didn’t feel I was adult enough to bare this news. This paper cut was definitely going to leave a mark that I questioned if this wound would ever heal.

As I readied myself to enjoy these last days

SPRING | SUMMER 2021 | 9

with my father, God blessed me with the news that I was pregnant. Finding out that I was pregnant for the first time, came with so many emotions. As my heart was growing to love the life forming inside me, I wondered, “am I ready to be responsible for another human being”? The roller coaster of emotions about my pregnancy coupled with thoughts of my father, created a sea of emotions with many peaks and valleys. This experience was only magnified by the fact that I was engaged and already planning an early spring 2005, wedding before any of this news in June came to be. “Do I keep the wedding date, knowing my father may not be able to walk me down the aisle?”

“How do I manage my life now having a due date and a wedding in the same month?” I pondered, do I figuratively and maybe literally, roll myself down the aisle with a baby belly in tow? (If there is such a thing as a baby following directions and staying in the oven until after the wedding?!) After talking with my fiancé, we decided to move the wedding date up to October. At the time, I thought this was changing our plans; a year in the making by a few months. This would hopefully allow my father to participate in some manner and keep us a good distance ahead of my pregnancy due date.

As they say, “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” My dad became weaker.

My engagement became stressful and filled with many arguments. I decided to call off the wedding. At the time, making this decision seemed so difficult. Time would reveal that it was indeed the right decision. But, at that moment, it was yet another paper cut.

The stress of trying to be a support to my parents (in different ways), my unborn child, work responsibilities, and probably ten other random responsibilities I was trying to juggle was beyond stressful. I was trying to be all things to everyone and I was being neglectful of myself. Neglecting my own self-care was another paper cut.

10 | CL MAGAZINE

My father exceeded the doctor’s estimation of his remaining days. Although every additional day was a blessing, I could see the strain it was having on my mother. To wake up every day after the doctor’s best guess about my dad’s final breath, became a double edge sword. On one hand, she would rejoice in knowing she had more time with him, but each day was delaying the inevitable. My older sister and I decided to give her a ‘night out’ to relieve some stress. My sister sat with our father, while I took Mom to a movie and dinner. She had a wonderful time. I would have never known that the following morning our lives would change forever.

On the morning of November 13, 2004, I phoned my mom as I did every morning to check in and to see what was needed for the day. It was around 9 am. Strangely, my mother was still in the bed. To know my mother was to know that she was an early riser. For her to be still in the bed at 9 am meant that the Earth was definitely off its axis. She said she couldn’t move well and could not get out of bed. I told her that I would come over. When I came into the house, I checked on my father. He had made it through the night, but his breathing was labored. I called my sister because I could feel that he time with us was limited. While I waited for my sister to arrive, I sat on my mom’s bed. Although she never said it, I think she knew my dad was leaving us soon. I think these are the things that science can’t explain when a couple had been together for 33 years at that time. I heard my sister come through the front door. I stayed with Mom for a few minutes to give my sister time with Dad. She had the same ritual to check on Dad when we arrived. I walked to go meet her. I will never forget the look in her eyes. Without saying a word, I knew she was the last person to spend time with my father before he transitioned.

My sister and I cried together, then realized we had to tell Mom. I honestly believed she knew our father; her husband had passed before we told her. But nonetheless, we had

to tell her. From that moment on, my mother never walked without assistance from others.

As other family members began to arrive, we assisted my mother to my father’s side for her final goodbyes. The loss in her eyes ran so deep. I hurt to see her hurting so deeply. Yet another paper cut wound for me to nurse.

sister and I used to press forward. However, death also brings about family strife and tension. Carrying out my parents’ wishes to handle and close out my parents’ wishes and affairs, is not a job I would wish on even the worst human. Handling the affairs of not one, but two people and the family dynamics that comes with the process can break even the strongest person. The emotional wear, the time sacrifice, the courts, the paperwork, the opinions of family and spectators dealt a load of paper cuts that may eventually heal, but the scars will always remain.

My father passed away that morning and that evening my mother was going to the emergency room. The doctors could not find anything scientifically wrong with her. The doctors sent her home to rest. She laid in the bed, worn and brokenhearted. Soon thereafter, we called the ambulance because her condition did not improve.

Shortly after arriving at the hospital, my mother called out my dad’s name before becoming unconscious.

Although my parents are listed as She remained in a coma passing 13 days apart, it felt as if I for 13 days before passing.

Although my parents are lost them on the same day. The doctors listed as passing 13 days suggested that she passed due to a apart, it felt as if I lost broken heart. A double paper cut ran them on the same day. The deep through my soul. doctors suggested that she passed due to a broken heart. A double paper cut ran deep through my soul.

I was blessed to grow up in a home with both of my parents and have them around for a decent part of my adult life, but in November of 2004, I felt like an orphan. To go from having unconditional love from two parents to become a parentless child was a type of loneliness I had never experienced. To begin the month of November never having the experience of planning a funeral for a loved one to planning two services two weeks apart was a heavy load.

A ridiculously heavy load. The paper cuts kept coming. I think I loss count at this point.

Death can bring people together and love and support can begin to be the salve needed to heal wounds. Thankfully, this was what my

I was so emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted, I didn’t leave the house for days. In particular, I recall a day that a loving sorority sister came to check on me. She asked when was the last time I had eaten. I couldn’t recall.

She asked when was the last time I had taken a shower. I couldn’t recall this either. She sprang into action. She ran a bath for me and prepared a meal. As a grown woman, it felt embarrassing to have another grown up telling me to eat and bath.

Both other aspects of this experience was the medicine I needed to realize I could not disconnect from the world.

My days between November and January were a blur of grieving, court papers, canceling wedding-related reservations, and a stressful work environment. I had used so many days off with the unexpected deaths of my parents, that I was using up many days that I had saved for my upcoming maternity leave. It was when the HR representative asked when I planned to go out for maternity leave in January that I remembered I was pregnant. Yes, I knew I was SPRING | SUMMER 2021 | 11

physically pregnant, but I really loss track of planning for a new life to come in this world because I was handling so many other things.

Where would the baby sleep? What would the baby wear? I had far more questions than answers.

Due to all the stress that I was under, my OBGYN was concerned that I was losing weight instead of gaining during the pregnancy.

My blood pressure was rising. Also, my ultrasounds continued to report that the baby was smaller than other babies at this point in the pregnancy. I’m sure every parent prays and hopes for a healthy birth. In my case, I couldn’t imagine how I could cope if I didn’t have a healthy pregnancy. I was so emotionally fragile at this point that I couldn’t handle sad commercials, let alone any more difficult news.

More stress meant more paper cuts.

My sister and I went to the mall one day in February with the sole mission to walk this baby into this world. I believe we saw every square inch of that mall that day. After all of that walking, not even a firm kick from the baby. I was convinced that I was destine to be pregnant forever at this point. I hadn’t seen my feet in months, my belly was my own portable tabletop, and if my pants didn’t have elastic or a drawstring, I wasn’t wearing it.

During these days, I was not sleeping well.

Between the stress of recent events and being unsuccessful of trying to sleep on a beach ball, I would sit up and talk to my baby until I feel asleep. I promise you, at the precise moment that I finally fell into a deep sleep for the first time in months, I had a contraction that went from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. This continued throughout the night and the next morning. Just by chance, I had a OBGYN doctor’s appointment that next morning.

My doctor took one look at me and said “I’ll meet you at the hospital. It’s time.”

12 | CL MAGAZINE

Eighteen hours later, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Phoenix. If you recall, my doctor stated that the ultrasounds indicated that my son was underweight for his size at that point in the pregnancy. Well, God always has the last word. Phoenix came out a healthy massive 10-pound baby. When I reflect about the amount of stress, sadness and frustration that was running through my veins during this pregnancy, but I gave birth to a healthy baby. I knew that my Heavenly Father had bigger plans for me than the turmoil was experiencing.

Seeing my son for the first time was the salve I needed to begin to heal some of the paper cuts.

The day I returned to work after my maternity leave was the same day I was laid off. I walked in the building to return to my office and found a sticky note telling me to report to HR. I thought that I needed to fill out paperwork to return to work. That was not the case. The job said they had to lay off people and I was selected. No, I wasn’t the most recent hire.

No, I wasn’t the one with the least amount of experience. No, I wasn’t the one with the fewest credentials. In my mind, any one of the factors may have justified the decision to me, but I couldn’t find a rational in my understanding. Beyond the explanation of downsizing that was given to me, it didn’t feel fair. As I sat listening to an HR representative talk to me, everything she said sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher from the Peanuts cartoon. I didn’t process a word she said. I felt alone. Unjustly laid off. And, an inadequate mother for not having a job to provide for my child. I was beyond emotionally drained.

When times are difficult, people often say “God doesn’t give you more than you can bear.” This day, being blindsided by a layoff on the first day I return from maternity leave was a load that I was questioning if my back, my spirit and my overall wellness could endure. The marks of previous paper cuts and the yet to heal paper cuts were beyond my realm of understanding

how one person could endure this much pain and disappointment in less than a year.

When my son was four years old, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The debilitating joint pain came on quickly in less than 24 hours. I went to bed walking, the next morning, I was could not move out of bed without assistance. I wholehearted believe that in addition to having a genetic family trait for arthritis, the intensity of the pain was heavily influenced by years of not managing my stress effectively. My body had taken on that it could.

I wasn’t taking things off of my plate, so my body shut me down to get my attention.

I believed I probably wouldn’t even have thought to write my truth if only one of these negative experiences had happened in the same time frame. I probably would have mustered up the fortitude to press on. One or two paper cuts here or there is another day in my life as a woman of color. As Langston Hughes says in his poem Mother to Son, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.”

I have lived a life of hearing others tell me, “LaShon, you are so strong!” As Black woman, I wore these compliments in the highest regard. Being seen as someone that takes on life challenges with grace and appearing unbothered by the challenges of life, work, family and generalized social injustice seemed to invoke superhuman superpowers in me to be ready to fight the next fight. But what happens when superheroes cape becomes so tattered and torn due to repeated battles?

What happens when the superhero has no more strength to be a Strong Black Woman?

What becomes of the single mother that thinks that being selfless for her child is the only way to be a good parent. If I was ever considered a superhero, I would say that the paper cuts of life quickly became my kryptonite. I wasn’t making space for myself to restore my energy,

my mental health, my physical health, and my spiritual health to brave the next life event. I kept wearing my Strong Black Woman badge of honor and putting on a good face for the world, while I was weary on the inside. I thought that being strong was what would get me through.

There are some elements of this statement that are indeed true, perseverance can be a noble characteristic, but without restoration of the parts of my emotional and physical self, I was not being strong at all. There is a false myth associated with being a strong woman that suggest that admitting weakness or vulnerability were are not being strong. I am here as a living testimony that being vulnerable is indeed being brave. It wasn’t until I admitted to myself that I could not continue to carry heavy emotions and stress any longer, that the paper cuts began to heal.

This healing process took years to shed the strain of heavy emotions and negative experiences. Moving through these experiences for me was part of me managing stress.

Through prayer, self-reflection, therapy, supportive friends, supportive family, and just taking time to heal and restore my wellness, I have begun to reap the benefits of making myself a priority.

Being strong was only possible when I recognized my limits. I learned that part of being strong is knowing when it is ok to admit moments of weakness. I learned to pay attention to those small paper cuts. They are small, but can be mighty. They need time and attention to heal. I would not wish my journey on anyone, but I thankful I have come out the other side to share my struggles and my victories with the next person. I continue to strive onward and upward.

LaShon N. Sawyer, MSSA, PhD, LISW-S is the Executive Director of Adult & Online Programs at Hiram College in Ohio.

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Save the Date

PLEASE SAVE THIS VERY IMPORTANT DATE! The Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation is proud to announce that Mr. Darrell McNair, President & CEO, MVP Plastics Corporation is the 2021 Black Professional of the Year!

The 2021 Gala “LIVE” Event honoring Mr. McNair will be held

Saturday, November 13, 2021 6:00-8:30 pm

Driftwood Catering at Landerhaven (formerly Executive Caterers at Landerhaven)

6111 Landerhaven Drive, Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124 Sponsorship opportunities available. Visit: www.bpacf.org for more details

TABLES & TICKETS ON SALE AUGUST 1, 2021 FOR YOUR SAFETY, COVID-19 CDC GUIDELINES FOR WEARING MASKS, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SANITATION WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.

14 | CL MAGAZINE

Black Women in Crisis According to Forbes, Black women represent 42% of new women-owned businesses. Black women are the most educated group of people in America. This is according to the National Educational Center for Education Statistics.

This is the first time in history that Black women have led the way in higher education.

It is great that we have made incredible strides in recent years. However, there are some hurdles that require our attention.

EQUAL PAY While Black women are starting businesses at an alarming rate the revenue generated is below the poverty line. In the 2019 report released by American Express the average revenue for a Black woman in business is $24,000 while revenue for over-all women owned business is $142,900.

Black women must command their worth in their business as well as career. It is past time for us to be compensated fairly. Looking at our history Madam CJ Walker became a millionaire because she refused to accept what was offered to her and demanded more.

Given our current climate your gifts and talents are greatly needed and should be valued. Negotiate your package whether it is in business or career. Create an inventory skill set listing your degrees, certifications, professional development, media, etc. Once this list is created write a monetary value next to each item on the list.

When these numbers are calculated this will give you a rough estimate on how much you have invested in yourself. Knowing how much you have invested in yourself will help you feel more comfortable in commanding your worth.

HEALTH CARE Right now, Blacks are dying at twice the rate of whites with Covid-19. Black women with college education are seeing their babies die at a higher rate than white women who did not complete high school. When we look at chronic conditions like hypertension and lupus the numbers are alarming.

by Cassandra Hill Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects 43% of black women. Over a period of time hypertension can cause heart damage, kidney issues, and stroke. The cost of prescription drugs and other healthcare expenses can become awfully expensive when living with a chronic condition.

Lupus is an autoimmune condition that primarily affects women. However, lupus affects women of color 2-3 times more than whites. A recent study titled LUMINA concluded that 1 in 537 Black women are diagnosed with some type of lupus. It is estimated that 10-15% of people with lupus will die prematurely due to complications.

As a Black woman keep in mind no one knows your body better than you! Use a journal to keep a record of anything that you feel is atypical with your body. When going to the doctor keep a list of your concerns handy and if the doctor does not acknowledge your challenges maybe it is time for a change.

Be proactive about your health. Do not wait until disease comes to start taking care of yourself. Invest in a wellness coach so you can have help in restoring your body. Your body is actually designed to heal itself it just needs some help from you!

BLACK WOMEN’S FUTURE Black women are paving the way of the future.

Although we have some hurdles our future has never been so bright. As we continue to excel the sky is truly the limit, we just need to love ourselves. Love is the foundation to us knowing our worth and treasuring our bodies.

Whenever you need a reminder of your worth listen to these positive affirmations.

Walk in your brilliance. You are a bold, beautiful Black woman and the best is yet to come!

Cassandra Hill is a Christian Holistic Wellness Coach, Life Coach, Best-Selling Author,and Speaker SPRING | SUMMER 2021 | 15

No One Said It Would Be Easy

by Rev. Heidi L. Barham Working as a Hospice of the Western Reserve spiritual care coordinator has afforded me the opportunity to companion patients and their families during challenging times as they come to terms with the end of their own life or the life of a loved one. They have much to teach us as it relates to navigating through sometimes turbulent or even treacherous waters.

We all face challenging times in our lives.

Simply put, life can be hard. But then again no one who is telling the truth ever said it would be easy. The late Robert H. Schuller is credited with saying, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” And we have all seen more than our fair share of tough times recently including relationship issues, financial hardships, job losses, health challenges and the deaths of loved ones.

We will likely face more tough times ahead, but that thought does not need to cause us to panic. We have made it through before and

we will again. The key is to take what we have learned and build a firm foundation to stand on whenever we face difficult times in the future.

The building blocks for that foundation include Flexibility, Accountability, Ingenuity, Thoughtfulness, and Hopefulness.

Flexibility – The ability to remain flexible and accept that things will not always go as planned makes taking sudden detours in our day a little less stressful. Rather than being angry that things are not going as anticipated, try looking for the silver lining in the cloud.

Perhaps that delay in getting out the door might actually have been just enough time to avoid being part of that accident on the highway.

Accountability – Holding ourselves accountable for our role in difficult relationship issues can help keep disagreements from escalating out of control. It can also help bring SPRING | SUMMER 2021 | 17

closure and resolution as loved ones near their journey’s end. The daughters of a patient I once cared for had not spoken to each other for years. Then one asked for help in getting her sister to talk to her. Thankfully, I was able to bring them together to clear the air. As they talked, it became evident that both had made false assumptions about why the other was upset. Once they accepted accountability for their roles in the disagreement, they were able to reconcile. Their finding peace helped their loved one find peace as well.

Ingenuity – They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And with all the lemons we have gotten lately, we can make lemon bars, lemon tarts and lemon sorbet! As we have faced various difficulties this past year, we have found creative new ways to handle the challenges. Who could have imagined that words like “Zoom” would find such a prominent place in our vocabulary? Seeing how effective we have been with problem solving should boost confidence that we can manage whatever comes our way in the future.

Thoughtfulness – Helping someone else in their time of need, takes the attention off our problems and makes them seem less daunting.

Extending kindness produces feelings of fulfillment and satisfaction that help us find a sense of purpose beyond ourselves. Rather 18 | CL MAGAZINE

than focusing on how bad things are, look for ways to do something good for someone else.

It can be as simple as sitting at the bedside of a loved one or grabbing a few items on your next trip to the store. It’s the little things that count. Thoughtfulness goes a long way in showing people that you care.

Hopefulness – There are no guarantees that our lives will follow the paths we set for ourselves. Disappointments will happen along the way and storms are bound to arise. But rest assured they will not last forever. Hold onto hope that there will be brighter days ahead.

Because as long as we have hope, anything is possible.

Heidi L. Barham supports patients and their families as a full-time spiritual care coordinator with Hospice of the Western Reserve. An ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), The Rev. Barham is pastor of Ledgewood Christian Church in Novelty, Ohio. She is a member of the adjunct faculty at Indiana Wesleyan University and also volunteers as part of the clergy faculty for the Job Opportunities Breakthrough Services (JOBS) program at Mt. Zion Congregational Church UCC. Rev. Barham serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors of God Before Guns, a multi-faith coalition working to reduce gun violence through community engagement and has recently joined the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Memorial Society.

A FIVE-PART VIRTUAL SERIES STREAMING ON FACEBOOK THIS SUMMER!

“It’s up to us to take back our HEALTH, our LIVES, and our COMMUNITIES, one VOICE, one VACCINE, one VICTORYat a time.”

Sponsored By:

From the Executive Producer of The Coronavirus Urban Report

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Dr. Jacklyn Chisholm:

VISIONARY + CHANGE AGENT

by Jennifer Coiley Dial

Looking at Dr. Chisholm’s incredible list of accomplishments, achievements, degrees, and accolades, it doesn’t take long to realize that this woman of faith is as equally ambitious as she is focused. The president and chief executive officer of Step Forward (formerly Council for Economic Opportunities of Greater Cleveland – CEOGC) is a visionary leader.

The nonprofit currently has a budget of $140 million, and more than 420 employees who serve low-income residents in Cuyahoga County. As a child, Chisholm’s family was eligible to receive the services Step Forward provides.

Education was important to Chisholm’s mother, one of eight siblings. While her grandfather owned a trucking company and did well financially, he didn’t believe in investing money in his children’s education. Chisholm’s mother always wanted to be a nurse, but couldn’t go to school because her grandfather wouldn’t pay for it, so she emphasized education to young Jackie and her two sisters.

A Cleveland native, Jackie grew up primarily in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. When the family moved to East 93rd Street, Dr. Chisholm’s mother divorced her abusive father and knowingly married a man who was an alcoholic. Even though her exhusband was ordered to pay a small amount of child support, he still didn’t pay, and she didn’t know how she would care for her Photos of Dr. Chisholm

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Jacklyn A. Chisholm, Ph.D.

President and Chief Executive Officer Step Forward HOMETOWN: Cleveland, Ohio

EDUCATION: B.A., Medical Anthropology; M.A., Psychological Anthropology; Ph.D., Psychological Anthropology with an emphasis in Educational Anthropology

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Board of Directors: Women of Color Foundation, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Ohio Urban Resource Systems, Cuyahoga County Family and Children First Council Advisory Boards: Early Childhood Education Partnership Council, Cleveland Early Childhood Compact, United Way Accountable Health Communities MY MANTRA… “Dream Big” because it takes as much energy to dream big as it does to dream small.

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children. The promise of a new home for the single mom with three girls was the impetus behind the decision to remarry. Naturally, a lot of drama came with the marriage.

Chisholm’s fifth-grade teacher at the former Mt. Auburn Elementary School, Mrs. Mattie Stephens, was the “calm in the midst of the storm” at a time when she needed it. Mrs. Stephens expected the best from Jackie, and wouldn’t accept anything less. She believed in Jackie’s ability when Jackie didn’t believe it herself. While attending middle school, she had another teacher, Dr. Bert Holt, who expected her students to excel. Dr. Holt introduced her classroom to the world, setting their sights higher than other classrooms or the community.

By the time Chisholm was about 18 years old, most of her peer group was talking about boyfriends and future children they would have. No one was talking about going to college, but Chisholm had decided, “I’m getting out of here.” She didn’t yet

know how she was going to do it, but did know that education was her ticket out. She didn’t feel comfortable going home – her stepfather had started making sexual advances toward her – so she used to spend all of her afterschool hours at the library.

She would spread out on the floor reading Greek mythology and other books, checking out as many as eight at a time. The library was her safe space outside the home, while her bedroom with a book and a vision for her future was her safe space at home.

She knew she was going to college.

“I didn’t know necessarily what I was going to do,” Chisholm says.

“Originally, my plan was to become a cardiothoracic surgeon, because my mother used to come home talking about surgery.” Even though she didn’t become a nurse, Jackie’s mom eventually became a surgical technician. “She was in the operating room everyday and would tell us about it.”

Initially denied admission to Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Chisholm was not one to be deterred.

Case was the only school she wanted to attend; there was no “B” option.

With the help from the chair of her high school Math department, Chisholm was interviewed and granted conditional admission.

She started off as a pre-med student, but at some point had to become honest with herself, as she couldn’t stand the sight of blood, and couldn’t fathom cutting into a cadaver. This put her in a position of having to decide what to do. She had worked hard to get there, now what? Dean Robert Davis, an advisor and professor at

Case, gave her tough love when she faltered academically in her freshman and sophomore years. He helped her to understand where she was, how to access campus resources, and gave her a vision for what she could achieve.

At the time, Case had a global studies requirement, so she signed up for an anthropology class, and fell in love with it. It “spoke” to her. When it came time to declare her major, she discovered that the majority of her A’s were in anthropology classes, making the decision clear. (She still minored in pre-med, just in case.) In the end, all of Dr. Chisholm’s degrees are from Case: B.A., Medical Anthropology; M.A., Psychological Anthropology; Ph.D., Psychological Anthropology with an emphasis in Educational Anthropology.

Before taking the position at Step Forward, Chisholm held leadership positions at Case Western Reserve University, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum, and Global Music Cultural Center (GMCC) in Atlanta.

She assisted in the planned development of the GMCC and is immensely proud to have led the effort to build the Rock Hall’s Library and Archives facility in partnership with Cuyahoga Community College.

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Dr. Chisholm is a wife, mother of two, and grandmother of two, and by most standards, she is considered successful. But she believes success is relative. “My title confers a certain amount of success, but that can be fleeting if I lose the title. I try to measure my success by whether I made where I was better, or made someone’s life better or easier because I was there or through my efforts or support.”

However, balancing career and lifestyle remains a challenge for Chisholm, but she’s learned to allow herself time away from work when she needs to mentally decompress or to think more strategically.

feel.’ I strive in all my interactions to make people feel that I ‘see’ them,” she says.

A chance meeting with poet Maya Angelou early in Chisholm’s career profoundly changed the way she interacts with others. “Ms. Angelou had a way of making me feel that I was the most important person during our brief encounter. I try to embody her famous quote: ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them

Equity, diversity and inclusion is vital to the longevity and success of any professional. On a challenging day, she recalled what a friend shared with her when she complained too often of being the only woman or Person of Color in the room. “She said that her son told her, ‘God must trust you if He keeps putting you in that situation!’ I also recognize that it is a privilege to serve.” stepforwardtoday.org

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Dr. Chisholm loves the work she does at Step Forward. Reminding her staff of “why” they exist and seeing the positive results in how they care for and serve their clients brings her the most joy. “I also especially enjoy hearing stories about how our programs or services made a difference in our clients’ lives or how our efforts to improve the agency, including our salaries and benefits, have helped our staff feel more energized by the work and their connection to our organization.”

2021 Calendar of Events Cleveland, Ohio (Virtual Event)

18th Annual Personal and Professional Development Retreat “Connections, Community and Career 2021” Thursday, May 20, 2021 9:00 am - 12:00 pm HOSTED BY: Women of Color Foundation Cleveland, Ohio (Virtual Event)

10th Annual “Speaking of Women: A Dialogue Series for Women in Leadership” Thursday, August 5, 2021 11:30 am - 1:30 pm HOSTED BY: Dominion Energy Ohio Cleveland, Ohio (“LIVE” and Virtual Event)

5th Anniversary C-Suite Executive Women’s Summit Sunday-Tuesday, October 24-26, 2021 Walden Inn & Spa 1119 Aurora-Hudson Road, Aurora, Ohio 44202 HOSTED BY: Women of Color Foundation LEARN MORE

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 44122 SPRING | SUMMER 2021 | 25

Executive Profile: Deborah Riley Draper

Deborah Riley Draper is an award-winning and critically-acclaimed filmmaker, motivational speaker and advertising agency veteran. Variety magazine named Draper to their “2016 Top 10 Documakers to Watch” list. She is a 2018 TEDx speaker, 2019 Facebook SEEN Initiative participant and frequent guest on panels and in media speaking on storytelling, diversity and advertising. Her 2019 short film Illegal Rose starring Jasmine Guy tells the story of a disengaged nurse who accidentally kidnaps a 9 year-old ICE Detention Center runaway. Draper adapted the screenplay and will direct her next project, Coffee Will Make You Black, which will be produced by Octavia Spencer and Tate Taylor based on the coming-of-age novel of the same name. Her 2016 documentary, Olympic Pride, American Prejudice (www.1936olympicsmovie.com), tells the untold story of 18 African Americans who defied Hitler and Jim Crow in 1936 and was a 2017 nominee for the NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Documentary Film and qualified the 2017 Oscars. The film world-premiered at the 2016 LA Film Festival and was an official selection at many festivals, including the Traverse City Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, St. Louis International Film Festival, Cambridge International Film Festival (UK), and the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. ​ er debut film, Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution (www.versailles73movie.com), H opened New York Fashion Week and Toronto Fashion Week in 2012. Versailles ’73 is the first intimate look at the infamous Palace of Versailles fashion show fundraiser, which catapulted the American ready-to-wear to global prominence. The film was theatrical released and premiered on Viacom’s Logo TV in September 2015. Draper will serve as executive producer of the feature film version of the optioned documentary.

Draper’s leadership in advertising can be seen in campaigns for Lamborghini, CocaCola classic, FedEx and adidas. She has earned two regional Emmys, a Gold Effie, and several Addy Awards. Source: https://www.deborahrileydraper.com/ 26 | CL MAGAZINE

Q&A PROFESSIONAL TITLE: Filmmaker HOMETOWN: Savannah, GA EDUCATION: Florida State University CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Film Fatales MY MANTRA… Greenlight Yourself

EARLY YEARS Thinking back to your early years, was there a teacher or professor that had a significant impact on your professional journey?

I was very fortunate to have an incredible group of teachers in Middle School who collectively poured into me and expressly encouraged me to be myself. Among that group of teachers was Mary Thomas. And, I still Facebook with her today. She pushed me to lean into my creative side and provided a very thoughtful environment for learning and exploring.

CAREER What professional accomplishment are you most humbled by and why? I am most humbled by the 2017 NAACP Image Award for my documentary Olympic Pride, American Prejudice, which follows the story of 18 African Americans athletes who defy Hitler and Jim Crow at the 1936 Summer Games. It was so important to me to bring the stories of these overlooked real-life Black superheroes to life.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is vital to the longevity and success of any professional. On your most challenging day, where do you draw inspiration to continue feeding your passion for this work? I draw my inspiration from the words and pictures of the strong Black women in my family and the knowledge of the generations before me that have already carved a path for me to follow and make my own.

What is the toughest decision you’ve made professionally? The toughest decision to turn

down a lucrative advertising agency role to pursue my life as a filmmaker.

PHILOSOPHY The essentials to creating a harmonious work environment are…

For me, the essentials are solitude, a great desk by a window, my Spotify playlist and my coconut water.

What have you come to learn about success?

Success is redefined daily and how you measure suggests evolves as you evolve. And your measurement of success can only be defined by you.

What have you come to learn about balancing career and lifestyle? This is a still a work in progress. But both my body and my mind tell when in no uncertain terms when I am out of balance or when I just need to sit down.

MY CONFESSIONS What part of your job brings you the most joy?

I am on set directing a script that I have written.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned professionally? How do you apply this lesson to the work you do? I can trust my instincts and only ask the advice of people I trust.

FUN FACT My ideal vacation is…

It is a tie between the South of France and St. Bart’s filled with beach time, spa time and amazing food.

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View the PREMIER ISSUE of

Experience the Multicultural Flavors of Cleveland

culinarycle.com

A New Book

from a new author “Being vulnerable is hard.

Being someone you’re not is harder.” These are the words that start off Cleveland native, Leah Berdysz’s, brand new book Conscious Empowerment: A Guide to Helping Girls Build Self-Esteem and Confidence.

Her book is geared toward helping adults living and working with young women understand the unique challenges that race, culture, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status have on developing a young girl’s selfesteem and confidence. It provides suggestions on how to tailor an approach that works for the individuals in your life and offers reflection questions that can help you pause and consider how to implement the lessons with your girls.

Leah realized through her years of working with youth, founding Empowered & Poised LLC – a girl’s wellness and empowerment program – and recently graduating with her master’s in social work from Case Western Reserve University, a one-size-fits-all approach to helping girls build self-esteem and confidence does not work. She believes we must take into consideration an individual’s unique background to best empowerHER. To illustrate, she dives into

intersectional feminism – initially coined by feminist law professor and researcher, critical race theorist, and social justice advocate Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw. This idea highlights how individuals are simultaneously shaped by their group memberships and identities.

Crenshaw explains intersectionality by saying, “You can’t just take the experiences of a Black man and a white woman and put them together to describe a Black woman’s experience. A Black woman’s experience is not the sum total.”

Leah’s book also helps you learn how to do the following, keeping in mind everyone is beautifully unique: be the adult that girls need in their life, expose them to opportunities that will help them grow and flourish, ensure representation is a part of your everyday life, affirm them, give them the power to be who they want to be, and encourage healthy habits such as physical activity.

If you’re interested in supporting or learning more about Empowered & Poised and promoting our young women’s social, mental, and physical development, visit www. empoweredandpoised.com and follow @empoweredpoised. You can also learn more about how to get a copy of Conscious Empowerment on the website.

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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

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Best in class leadership development

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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

Book

Suggestion A searing new work of nonfiction from award-winning author Brandy Colbert about the history and legacy of one of the most deadly and destructive acts of racial violence in American history: the Tulsa Race Massacre.

In the early morning of June 1, 1921, a white mob marched across the train tracks in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and into its predominantly Black Greenwood District— a thriving, affluent neighborhood known as America’s Black Wall Street. They brought with them firearms, gasoline, and explosives. In a few short hours, they’d razed thirty-five square blocks to the ground, leaving hundreds dead. The Tulsa Race Massacre is one of the most devastating acts of racial violence in US history. But how did it come to pass? What exactly happened? And why are the events unknown to so many of us today?

This title will be released October 5, 2021

These are the questions that award-winning author Brandy Colbert seeks to answer in this unflinching nonfiction account of the Tulsa Race Massacre. In examining the tension that was brought to a boil by many factors—white resentment of Black economic and political advancement, the resurgence of white supremacist groups, the tone and perspective of the media, and more—a portrait is drawn of an event singular in its devastation, but not in its kind. It is part of a legacy of white violence that can be traced from our country’s earliest days through Reconstruction, the Civil Rights movement in the mid–twentieth century, and the fight for justice and accountability Black Americans still face today.

The Tulsa Race Massacre has long failed to fit into the story Americans like to tell themselves about the history of their country. This book, ambitious and intimate in turn, explores the ways in which the story of the Tulsa Race Massacre is the story of America—and by showing us who we are, points to a way forward.

Description courtesy Amazon.com SPRING | SUMMER 2021 | 31

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|

Power Moms: How Executive Mothers Navigate Work and Life Key4Women Virtual Event

a ,000.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST Register Today Power Moms, the latest book from Joann S. Lublin, a Pulitzer Prize‑winning journalist and former career columnist for The Wall Street Journal, provides lessons and advice to help today’s professional women, their families, and their employees navigate the business landscape.

Joann will lead a multigenerational discussion with Jerri DeVard, founder of the Black Executive CMO Alliance (BECA) and former Office Depot executive, and Emily Chardac, HRwired founder and a former Guggenheim Capital executive.

This trio of working moms will explore tradeoffs between work and family that mothers must too often make - plus their root causes, including policies needed to make being a working mother easier.

• What’s Work/Life Sway? And why it works better than the impossible ideal of work‑life omen. balance at restoring sanity to our crazy, Cuyahoga, Erie, crammed lives Tuscarawas,

• The Generational Shift in ways that working mothers juggle career and family

r service that

• The extent to which COVID‑19 exposed persistent problems

n form.

ET at Tri-C Main

The first 50 registrants will recieve a copy of Joann Lublin’s new book “Power Moms: How Executive Mothers Navigate Work and Life.” In order to qualify for the book, you must be one of the first 50 registrants, a woman in business, and not an employee of KeyBank.

Register Today Registration required by Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Gourmet

Safari

by Kareem George

Kenya Everyone expects to see incredible wildlife while “on safari.” A wonderful, unexpected surprise of the experience is often the inspiring gourmet cuisine and fresh local ingredients that guests savor on a daily basis.

Scrolling through photos on my iPhone, I seem to have taken as many pictures of colorful dishes as exotic animals during my March trip to Kenya. Our partner, Micato Safaris, curated a wonderful journey exploring three distinctive geographic areas of the country: Tsavo West National Park, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. In each region I enjoyed incredible lodge accommodations that provided a true sense of place, the highest standards of service and delicious meals … and treats.

Whether you are ready to plan your first bucket list safari or to return to the bush again, high quality, flavorful food need not be of concern.

The choices, diversity and presentation will certainly impress. A typical day starts with an early rise and continental breakfast offerings

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before heading out on a morning game drive. Once back, a bountiful breakfast awaits: eggs made to order, fresh local fruit and freshly squeezed juices, flaky pastries baked that morning, meat of your choice and American breakfast staples such as pancakes and waffles, if desired. Or you may be spoiled with this elaborate meal set up out in nature. I will never forget the breakfast arranged by Micato Safaris and Lewa Safari Camp at the top of a scenic plateau with a sweeping panoramic view of Mount Kenya – spectacular!

Lunch time comes quickly, perhaps following a late morning spa treatment, relaxation by the pool or time spent in your gorgeous accommodations organizing photos from the morning’s wildlife sightings. I LOVE lunch and especially the light, yet elaborate dishes offered at the lodge for midday sustenance. One of my favorite entrees was an incredible pad Thai inspired dish with rice noodles, red and yellow peppers, beetroot strands, cashews, ground peanuts and parsley. It is also common to be offered an array of salads and local proteins featuring ingredients from down the road.

These meals are a true farmto-table showcase: the reddest, juiciest of tomatoes; the greenest leafiest of lettuces; savory cheeses and home-made dressings; fresh breads; and desserts that are just modest enough (but still delicious) to prevent feelings of guilt.

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Gourmet

Safari

In case you were fearful, please do not worry as tea service is indeed available in the late afternoon before climbing into the vehicles for evening game drive. Or a cocktail (or two) of your choice. The local beers are also great. These libations are, of course, accompanied by the likes of scones with cream and jams, coffee cakes and other afternoon pick-me-ups. My favorite, and clearly a favorite of our Micato Safari Director Peter as well, was a moist, airy poppy-seed, lime coffee cake baked at the Sand River Camp. Need I say any more?!

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Gourmet

Safari 38 | CL MAGAZINE

Finally, at the end of each incredible day of safari adventure, we returned to the lodge following the evening game drive for an absolutely delightful dinner.

These multi-course affairs are truly gourmet and may be paired with African wines. Have a look at one of my favorite menus: • Naan Bread Sticks and Honey Brown Bread Rolls • Carpaccio of Beef, Crispy Capers, Parmesan shavings, Rocket and Fresh Lemon OR Soup of Seasonal Vegetables with Bruschetta and Aioli • Grilled Pork Loin Chops with Mustard Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Braised Vegetables & Caramelized Apples OR Paneer and Vegetables in Coconut Gravy with Basmati Rice, Raita, Mango Achar and Chutney • Lemon Mousse with Salted Coconut Crumble OR Local Cheese Platter with Homemade Chutney, Fruit & Crackers I could write on, but I now have become too hungry and need to wrap it up. The amazing wildlife will always steal the show on safari, however the incredible cuisine must be noted. So, cheers to the Chefs! And may you soon be able to share your own firsthand gourmet safari experience.

Contact me to start planning your own gourmet safari!

Kareem George Principal, Culture Traveler kgeorge@culturetraveler.com @culturetraveler

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WE ARE STRONG TOGETHER