Winter Wealth, Elegance & Beauty

Vol. 22 No. 27 | Winter 2022

A LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

The Liberated Woman: A story of self-care that goes beyond the surface

A Food & Wine Experience with Aminah Robinson (Chef Mimi)

Winter Gift Guide 2022

The Most Luxurious Beauty & Lifestyle Gifts

A Talk with Her financial advice in times of uncertainty and how she’s expanding wealth globally through real estate

We are Hair. We Are Here.

Our love story starts with our ingredients and ends with you, our community. We’ve been here, doing it for the culture before it was a trend, and community is at the root of our commitment to innovating and creating economic equity for the next generation of millionares. From Black-founded to Black-led our commitment to creating economic equity for our community is unmatched. We’ve built our table so you can take a seat at your own.

Vol. 22 No. 27 | Winter 2022

3 HEY GIRL! Angie’s Editorial What Matters Most

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6 BEAUTY Meet Melissa Hibbert A Letter from Our Creative Director 8 BEAUTY Winter Gift Guide 2022 The Most Luxurious Beauty & Lifestyle Gifts 12 FASHION 8 Winter Fashion Statement Pieces Wrap up. Now go and be fabulous!

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14 TRAVEL Great Weekend Getaways Start with Self-Care Five Unique Message Spas in Chicago

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16 WEALTH GUIDE 5 Tips on Managing Your Credit Advice from Malik Davis 18 WEALTH GUIDE 10 Things Every Woman Should Know about Financial Wellness Let your financial wellness journey begin today 20 BLACK WEALTH Moving in Silence The centuries-long existence of quiet Black wealth

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22 SMALL BUSINESS PROFILES Hope Profile Features A Q&A with Yolanda Smith, Jasmine Jackson Lewis, Demetria Baker Jackson and Bridgette Burke

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Vol. 22 No. 27 | Winter 2022

26 CAREER Developing Your Discipline Advice on how to fine tune your habits and mindset 28 HOME The Five Years from Now Dinner Party Gather your girlfriends and connect over your futures

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30 WELLNESS The Liberated Woman A story of self-care that goes beyond the surface 32 COVER STORY A Talk with Makeda Smith Insight into her journey to success & her financial advice in uncertainty

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36 FOOD & DRINK Food & Wine with Chef Mimi The creator of The Black Food & Wine Experience tells a holiday story

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40 FOOD & DRINK The Best Warm Drinks 5 cocktails to curl up with this winter 42 FOOD & DRINK How to Give Your 2022 Holiday Spread a Luxe Upgrade 4 tips for this holiday season 44 ARTS A Round of Applause Five women we clapped real loud for in 2022 45 READS Fiction 22’ Wrap Up Recommended reads to get cozy with

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Hey girl!

As we close 2022, I can’t help but sit back and reflect on what matters most. I had to have a “Yes Sister” moment with myself, ladies. The truth is, I feel wealthy.

Often, we equate wealth with money, but I have developed a different spin on it. Wealth to me are the people we love and the people who support us. This kind of wealth is beautiful.

This year has been extremely challenging for me emotionally, physically, financially and mentally, however, I haven’t felt as happy as I do now with this Issue. Each issue of Hope has been amazing, but in this season of my life, I have discovered the true meaning of support. This time, I’ve recognized the value of true friendship; of those who really had my back and cared enough to stick around. This powerful truth gave me the strength to keep moving forward.

Despite the fight, it has all been beautiful. As we come toward a positive pivotal point in Hope’s journey, I have also learned what true elegance looks like. It is having the strength to get up each day to keep moving forward and showing up. The elegance of creativity, friendship, love and opportunities is what goes more than skin deep and is what matters most.

I didn’t come from wealth, and I didn’t have conversations about finances growing up in my home. This is why I am grateful we can share many conversations about finances throughout this Issue. It is just absolutely loaded with information and inspiring stories we all need so we can level up in 2023!

Our cover story with Makeda Smith (pg. 32) is a deeply inspiring story of hope and resilience. Her insights and advice on establishing your own brand and gaining financial wealth is one we are excited to share with you! You never know what a year may bring. God is just amazing, and He is still showering her with blessings that are seen and unseen.

Yetta Young shared her personal story of self-care that went beyond the surface as she fought a battle to accepting herself and beauty. She is now a Liberated Woman (pg. 31).

Of course, no Winter Issue is complete without a food and wine experience (pg. 36). We spoke with Aminah Robinson, aka Chef Mimi, about some of her favorite delicious winter recipes, including her wine pairings for the cold season. Let’s also not forget the gift buying madness… We put together the Gift Guide of 2022 (pg. 8) complete with the most luxurious beauty and lifestyle gifts.

This Issue is truly stuffed with all the winter wealth, elegance and beauty features and articles for you to curl up with and page through. From self-care to fashion and warm drinks to a fiction wrap up, we hope you enjoy our Winter Issue of 2022. We are also so excited to welcome our new Create Director, Melissa Hibbert, who has definitely been sent by God in this hour. Be sure to read her welcome on pg. 6 as she shares her remarkable career to being a leading brand and beauty expert.

Remember whatever season you are in -- you are born for such a time as this. That means you are strong, you are capable, you have a true community surrounding you and you will come out victorious!

Love, Angie

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PUBLISHER & FOUNDER

Angelia L. White - Stone FINANCE COORDINATOR

Sherrell Jenkins CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Melissa R. Hibbért ART DIRECTOR

Cat Kahnle SENIOR EDITOR

Tikvah Vismer COPY EDITOR

Ann Walczak CONTRIBUTORS

Melissa Hibbert, Morgan McMurrin, Jennifer Leigh, Malik Davis, Courtney Randolph, Lula White, Dr. Lorenka Joseph, Vetta Cash, Yetta Young, Jennifer Streaks, Aminah Robinson, Ann Walczak, Holly Riddle, Brittany Hunt MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA INTERNS

Nicole Thomas PROJECT COORDINATOR

Gwen Finley HOPE MAGAZINE LLC Muncie, Indiana 47307 | www.hopeforwomenmag.com HOPE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OWNED BY HOPE MAGAZINE LLC COPYRIGHT 2022

Cover Feature: Creative Director, Melissa Hibbert; Photographer, Carl Ankrum; Makeup Artist, Brittany Corrine

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This Is It Network your digital tv network

™

Connecting remarkable women to inspiring stories. Shows. Editorial. Courses. Events.

partners with

WATCH: THISISIT.TV LEARN: THISISIT.COM FOLLOW: @THISISITTV hopeforwomenmag.com

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Meet Melissa Hibbert

A Letter from Our Creative Director

Hello Readers and welcome to the Winter Issue!

As the newly appointed Creative Director, I’d love to share a little about myself and my journey to HOPE Magazine.

Growing up, I always enjoyed magazines as a reader. I genuinely enjoyed the experience of flipping through each page, of being guided through a complete experience from beginning to end with the pleasure of discovery. This curated nature of print media and that it defines a very particular moment in time is what has always made magazines so special to me.

After graduating college from the illustrious Fisk University, I hopped on a one-way flight to New York City in hopes of landing a job with the leading publication for women of color. I received a job offer, but the income was low – extremely low. Although the magazine was prestigious, I knew I would not survive or thrive on that income. Despite being tearfully disappointed at the time, I forged ahead, landing a great and financially rewarding position with an agency in brand licensing and marketing at the age of 21.

For the next 14 years, I climbed the corporate ladder successfully. Armed with a Bachelor’s and an MBA in Media Management, I had a “seat at the table” in Executive roles in brand strategy as well as product and entertainment marketing with some of the biggest organizations such as Monet & Napier Jewelry, Nike Inc./Jordan Brand, Viacom/BET Networks, Uniworld Advertising Group, 944 Magazine and The Los Angeles Time Entertainment Marketing division.

In 2012, I knew it was time to pursue the industry that had been tugging at my heart strings since I was a teenager.

I leaned on faith and I left corporate America to launch a business in beauty as a Creative Makeup Professional/Expert, in addition to hiring and staffing behind-the-scenes makeup and hair talent to work in film and television.

In 2019, I launched SHYFT Beauty, where I have the distinct pleasure of accelerating the growth and scale of female-founded beauty brands through strategic partnerships, product development, consumer product testing, marketing and omnichannel distribution. Along my journey in beauty, I have met some incredible women, including HOPE Magazine Founder & CEO, Angelia Stone – there was an instant rapport and relational energy that connected us.

Within a very short period, I was honored to have been asked to be featured in the 2020 Summer Issue. We kept in touch and a few months ago, I was asked to serve as the Creative Director. I was absolutely thrilled at the prospect of not only joining the team, but this was a great compliment to the work I am doing within SHYFT Beauty. This is a natural extension of my business and background, as an integral part of this legacy powerhouse publication for women, by women and about women who inspire!

As the Creative Director, I am proud to lead in shaping the visual direction behind HOPE Magazine and its quarterly cover stories. Our Winter Issue features a cover story on Real Estate CEO, Makeda Smith. The photographs, in collaboration with photographer Carl Ankrum, illustrate Makeda’s legacy as a regal, yet formidable symbol of Black wealth, global mindset and creativity in real estate.

I have always loved being around passionate, ambitious, smart, authentic, savvy and bold women. I am in awe of women who are on the move, making things happen, being courageous, having hope, living their best life or creating their dream life, while building a legacy. I decided on the theme “Winter Wealth, Elegance & Beauty” for this Issue as it’s time we not only highlight women and the pursuit of wealth, in addition to unique stories related to the history of wealth, but also dynamic articles from writers who share the passion to help others strive for greatness, along with a holiday beauty guide that features emerging brands we should all support.

What a joy it is to work with HOPE Magazine’s awesome team of women and play a part in amplifying excellence in each and every issue!

Grateful, Hopeful and Inspired,

Melissa R. Hibbert Creative Director Founder of SHYFT Beauty

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beauty and style

Winter Gift Guide 2022

T he Most Luxurious Beauty & Lifestyle Gifts

The holiday season is officially upon us. Whether you’re looking to buy a present for friends, loved ones or maybe something special for yourself (because you deserve it), our Creative Director at HOPE Magazine, Melissa Hibbert, has curated the very best holiday beauty gift ideas of 2022 to make your shopping experience a little easier and less stressful. From a gorgeous fragrance to prestige timepieces and more glorious surprises, these brands are independently owned and are some of the most luxurious beauty and lifestyle gifts to give – and receive! – this year.

B Fragranced

Founded by Marilyn Jones, the Embellish Parfum Spray is classy, romantic and glamorous… all characteristics of a sophisticated lady. An indulgent, light fragrance, Embellish infuses sparkling notes of apple and peach with a splash of citron. Effervescent notes of jasmine and honeysuckle balance the base of soft amber and sandalwood.

Embellish, 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray, $78 bfrangranced.com

Beauty Done Right

Founded by Bianca Edwards, Ice Dice is a revolutionary luxury beauty tool everyone should have at home! The Gold Ice Dice are designed to calm inflammation and increase blood circulation to your face. They can be used chilled or warm. Transform your skincare routine with the most trendy beauty tool on Earth.

Gold Ice Dice Luxury Beauty Tool, $64 bdrbeautydoneright.com

InnerG by COMPASS

A true ode to inclusivity, this unisex timepiece is characterized by elegant simplicity. Founded by David Carrington, the COMPASS “innerG” takes you on a journey of discovering your inner-self.

This La Chaux-de-Fonds, Swiss made skeleton watch will be a constant reminder to analyze the inner workings of yourself and ensure they are aligned with your purpose. innerG by COMPASS, $7,500 compasstimepieces.com

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103 Collection

Something for him! Founded by Melinda & Delfondo Herron, the 103 Collection celebrates the man in your life with a limited edition gift set featuring premium beard care products and coffee by Chicago French Press. The Men’s Self-Care Box features: • CFP Skyline Box • 3oz CFP Black Tuxe Ground Coffee • Beards + Coffee Black Ceramic Mug • 103 Collection Lavender & Lemongrass Beard Wash • 103 Collection Lavender & Lemongrass Beard Oil • “Beards & Coffee” Greeting Card (blank inside) Men’s Self-Care Box, $78 103collection.com

Canvas Colors

Founded by Ashley Lee, this luxury lipstick brand is rooted in a cause! Ashley was inspired to create lipsticks that would be free of toxins and unnatural ingredients when she began seeking natural remedies in her everyday life after being diagnosed with endometriosis. Canvas Colors represent those who don’t ascribe to society’s views of beauty. They look in the mirror and see beauty!

“Audacity” Luxury Lip Gloss, $22 canvascolors.co

Enzuri Beauty

Founded by Kisha Tyrrell, Enzuri Beauty is a lifestyle brand that encourages skin health through the wellness of skin, body and spirit. This carefully curated,luxurious skincare collection combines powerful active ingredients of natural origins to improve the quality of your skin.

Luxury Skincare Collection: A Beauty Ritual Rooted in Bermuda, $80 - $225 enzuribeauty.com

People of Color

Founded by Jacqueline Carrington, the You’re a Gem collection by People of Color was inspired by you! It celebrates the day you arrived on this planet and serves as a reminder to live, love, discover, grow and fulfill your purpose. This 12-color collection features the birthstones of each month of the year. Non-toxic, vegan and cruelty free, People of Color polish is 10-free, meaning it is free from 10 of the most common toxins found in the majority of polishes on the market.

You’re a Gem Collection, $12 peopleofcolorbeauty.com hopeforwomenmag.com

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beauty and style

Mudgirls Studios

Chatham Natural Skincare

All Over Butter Eczema Therapy is specially formulated for people suffering from eczema. Made with a combination of ingredients proven to be highly beneficial for dry, sensitive skin, it temporarily protects and helps relieve minor skin irratation. It’s also been awarded the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance™.

All Over Butter Eczema Therapy, $24 chathamnaturalskincare.com

Shop for a cause! MudGirls Studios is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization that empowers disadvantaged women through training and employment. MudGirls Studios helps women transition onto a pathway towards self-sufficiency and out of poverty. They use clay as the vehicle to change lives through their own creations and sales of functional art and aesthetic utilitarian objects. These women gain a source of long-term supplemental income along the way.

“WinterStar” Plate - 9” round, $28 mudgirlsstudios.org

Wachira Wines

Founded in 2017 by Dr. Chris Wachira, her wines take you on a Californian adventure infused with a safari across the Kenyan savannah. Wachira Wines is the first Kenyan-American winery in the U.S., celebrating Kenyan culture, Kenyan values, and the family’s dual Kenyan-American adventure. As an independent, woman-owned, family-run winery, Wachira Wines is dedicated to crafting world class wines. This Wooden Collectors Gift Box features any three of their four gold medalist wines: Wachira Chardonnay, Wachira Cabernet Sauvignon, Wachira Muscat or Wachira Sparkling white.

Wachira Wooden Collectors Gift Box, featuring the The Golden Trio, $215 wachirawines.com

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Fabilous Cacao

Treat your skin to the ultimate Fabilous Cacao experience.

This complete kit combines all three of their best-selling flagship products in a gorgeous gift box. Nourish, soften and heal from head to toe with their real sugar lip scrub, foaming body scrub and raw cacao body butter. Sustainably packaged in glass and bamboo, Fabilous Cacao products are handcrafted without any additives or chemicals.

Fabilous Cacao 3-piece skincare, $78 fabilouscacao.com

Shea Yeleen Balance

Touted by Ashanti, Yandy Smith-Harris, Angela Yee and more, Balance by Coach Gessie of TheDeToxNow.com is a powerful, female reproductive health balancing daily supplement designed to help the body restore hormonal balance and regulate estrogen levels, improve menstrual cycles by reducing bleeding and cramping, boost libido and metabolism, promote healthy weight, and restore sleep and rest.

Balance Supplement, $59 TheDeToxNow.com

Soft, rich and creamy, Shea Yeleen’s Lavender Honeysuckle Body Cream is your go-to moisturizer. Packed with natural, plant-based shea butter, the ultra-hydrating formula nourishes skin with vitamins and smooths instantly, leaving you soft and glowing, enjoying a floral scent.

Shea Yeleen is founded by Rahama Wright and offers ethicallysourced body care products. They aim to redefine beauty, proving that nourishing skin with the purest, most lush plantbased ingredients does not preclude us from empowering our sisters across the globe. Their motto is “Generous self-care because we know that caring for ourselves can extend to caring for others.” Shea Yeleen works with women-owned shea butter cooperatives in Ghana, providing living wages at 5 times the country’s minimum wage.

Lavender Honeysuckle Body Cream, $20 sheayeleen.com

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Winter Fashion Statement Pieces

BY MORGAN MCMURRIN

Winter does not mean you can no longer be stylish. If anything, the cold weather is the perfect opportunity to layer on that long coat with your favorite scarf and embrace the season’s styles and trends. Check out a few of our fashion favorites, keeping you warm and looking great from head to toe!

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Floral Cardigan Let feminine patterned cardigans take over your closet this winter. They will help incorporate color into your cold weather wardrobe and keep you feeling cozy. If you’re wanting to go for the more laid-back feel, order one in a size bigger than you normally wear.

Oversized is extra comfy anyway!

Shein Mod Floral Pattern Ruffle Trim Cardigan, $32 us.shein.com

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A Printed Coat When it comes to winter outerwear, find a coat with a striking pattern. A black and white houndstooth one will bring any outfit to the next level. Plus, it’ll look gorgeous when paired with a red or fuchsia scarf. You can even size up if you want it to have an oversized appearance.

Chicwish Women’s Comfy Casual Long Sleeve Heart Houndstooth Pattern Coat, $75 hm.com

3 Lace-Up Booties When the cold temperature calls for you to swap your shoes, opt for comfy combat boots, like these. They’ll not only keep your feet warm and keep you from slipping and sliding on the icy sidewalks, but they’ll look fashionable thanks to their sweater ankle cuff.

Mandy Lace-Up Lug Sole Booties, $55 macys.com 12

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A Handknit Cardigan Cardigans are a timeless staple that every woman should have in their closet this winter.

They can be layered over pretty much anything from dresses to long-sleeved blouses, T-shirts and even tank tops to give you a cozy and pulled together look.

Generic Women’s Aesthetic Clothes Casual Knit Your Love Cardigan, $76 chicwish.com

Colorful Wide-Leg Pants Bring a pop of color into your winter looks with wide-leg pants. They are a stunning statement piece and look great on everybody. To make them warmer on a chilly day, wear nude tights under them.

Nobody will ever know, but the hack will help you feel extra toasty.

Wide Leg Menswear Style Pants, $50 zara.com

5 6 A Plaid Scarf Amp up your wardrobe this season with a warm scarf.

The best part about one with plaid print is that it can be worn both with a coat and with a plain top. It is a must-have winter accessory you’ll find yourself wearing over and over again.

Classic Plaid Scarf, $30 jcrew.com

7 Bold Blazer You can never go wrong with a black blazer, but if you really want to be on trend, opt for an oversized one in a print, bright color or with unique markings and buttons. It can act as a light coat, be worn with jeans or even over your favorite sleeveless dress.

Oversized Plaid Blazer, $90 zara.com

8 Statement Jacket Having a coat you can wear as part of your outfit that you don’t have to take off is great when the temperature starts to drop outside. This denim jacket with pearl accents is a standout. Remember to size up if you want an oversized look or if you plan on wearing it mostly over sweaters.

LifeShe Women’s Embroidered Pearls Beading Denim Jean Jacket, $39 amazon.com

Morgan McMurrin is a fashion and beauty editor based in NYC where she lives with her husband and dog, Boo. She has over 10 years of experience writing for national publications like ELLE, Timeout New York, J-14, and JustJared.com. She loves creating editorial eye candy for all ages that can inspire people to try new trends and feel beautiful. hopeforwomenmag.com

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travel

Great Weekend Getaways

Start with Self-Care Five Unique Massage Spas in Chicago

BY JENNIFER LEIGH

A

Travel Guide

For many Midwesterners, road trips to nearby states are a favorite childhood memory. Even with the hustle and bustle of life, road trips don’t have to end with childhood. When there’s no time for an extended vacation, sometimes all you need is a quick getaway to relax, relate and release – and any GREAT weekend getaway starts with self-care.

So why not pack up the car, grab your girlfriends and head to a place with much to do, much to see and much to eat, creating the perfect environment for you to destress; somewhere that feels like, depending on where you’re from, a home away from home. Hello Chicago! To kick off your escape, here are five unique spas you must visit for a massage.

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Lang Ocean Spa Thai Bodywork Lang Ocean Spa Thai Bodywork’s West Chicago Avenue location is their first location in the U.S. They focus on bringing harmony and balance of the mind, body and spirit through the sense of touch. Massages on offer include deep tissue, traditional Thai and aroma Thai. Unique add-ons include body scrubs, herbal compresses and candle (hot wax) therapy. They also offer facials and often run specials for couples. Don’t miss their Tuesday and Thursday deals for 90 minute massages. For more details on their unique massage techniques, visit langoceanspachicago.com.

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Urban Oasis Massage Therapy Spa Urban Oasis has been in business since 1992 and has 40 massage therapists on staff. Located on North Ave, they offer over 10 massage modalities including, but not limited to, hot stone, prenatal, oncology and sports massages. Some of their unique add-ons include CBD massage and cupping. They also have promotions and special packages, so be sure to check their website before you go at urbanoasismassage.com.

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travel

Ruby Room Ruby Room, the style of wellness located on Division Street in Chicago, is North America’s first “All Spiritual Spa”.

For those into alternative medicine and tapping into your spirituality on your healing journey, this spa is for you.

Every massage begins with an essence reading using aroma infused flowers and gems to assess your energy and massage needs. With service offerings like Chakrassage to release tension and blockages in your chakra system or add-ons such as hand & foot crystal polish, tuning forks and infrared bio mats, their unique massage offerings are sure to awaken all your senses.

They also have group classes for Sound Bathing, Reiki and much more. Visit rubyroom.com for details and enjoy a different kind of relaxation.

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Milk + Honey Gold Coast Milk + Honey Gold Coast located on State Street in Chicago is now open for business and ready to serve not only your massage needs, but your med spa needs as well. This luxury spa has massage service offerings ranging from traditional massage to sports and prenatal massage, with enhancements such as body brushing to awaken the lymphatic system, scalp & neck massage for focused tension relief, and back and foot polish to slough away dry, dull skin. Visit them on the web at milkandhoneyspa.com to check out their full lineup of spa services and make a day of it.

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Oxygen Spa Studio Oxygen Spa Studio is located on W Chicago Ave. They have eight therapists and offer 30 different treatment options for massage, body and facials. Massage offerings include, but are not limited to, traditional Swedish, deep tissue and prenatal. Unique treatment options include Myofascial Release and Raindrop Technique, just to name a few. They also have memberships and are currently running a special on their Silver and Gold tiers.

So, if you plan to be a frequent flyer, check them out at oxygenspastudio.com for more details on their unique service offerings or to book an appointment.

Jennifer Leigh is a writer & creator of No Forehead Kisses Here, a Lifestyle & Relationship blog curated to inspire women to heal and become their most authentic selves. hopeforwomenmag.com

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women wealth guide

Tips on Managing Your Credit

BY MALIK DAVIS

T

he long-term economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on many consumers as well as financial institutions who are in the business of lending money. Today, many consumers are facing unemployment, mounting debt and bankruptcies among other financial hardships.

Banks and financial lending institutions are now also facing more challenges when it comes to assessing the credit quality of borrowers.

In other words, they are tightening up on their lending criteria due to the quality of credit, inflation and reduced tolerance. In a recent Federal reserve survey, the borrower’s ability to pay back debt has deteriorated and the value of collateral is decreasing along with the credit quality of loan portfolios, causing financial institutions to tighten their credit standards.

Navigating this uncertain financial world can be a huge stress, so we had a talk with The Credit Guru, Malik Davis. For over 29 years, Malik has been in the business of restoring credit and comes with a team of experts who help his clients expand their financial portfolios.

This self-taught businessman quickly realized credit (not cash) was king in the business world and that it was the key to get him to where he needed to be. Malik took control of his financial destiny by starting with a few simple steps, opening a new world of financial opportunities and a better quality of life for him and his family.

Now, he shares what he has learned to show others the road to financial freedom and how to navigate this uncertain climate and break the chains of financial stress.

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women wealth guide

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1.

Pay Your Bills on Time Your payment history is the most influential factor in determining your credit score.

Payment History makes up 35% of your FICO score. The best way to avoid missing a loan or credit card payment is to set up automatic bill payments. Make sure you have set aside enough money in your account each month to cover every bill and avoid costly overdraft fees. Every missed or late payments will result in your credit score dropping by 60+ points.

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2.

Pay Down Your Credit Card Balances (Revolving Debt) Your credit utilization plays a crucial role in the calculation of your credit score. It is the next biggest factor, making up 30% of your credit score. It is based on how much of your available credit is being used (credit cards). Most experts say to keep your credit utilization below 30%, but I like to tell my clients to keep utilization 20% to 10% (optimal) below utilization for the best results.

A utilization rate that exceeds 30% tends to lower your credit score.

Bonus tip: If you want to avoid paying the interest on your credit card, pay the balances off in full each month before the due date.

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3.

Add to Your Credit Mix You should have a healthy mix of credit use, such as having both revolving credit (credit cards) and installment credit (loans: personal, auto, mortgage). Your credit mix makes up 10% of your Fico score. 90% of lenders, especially mortgage lenders, consider your credit mix when making lending decisions.

If you only have one type of credit on your profile, consider adding a mixture of both types of credit.

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4.

Sign Up for a Credit

5

Monitoring Service

A credit monitoring service, such as ID Club, Smart Credit or Identity IQ, acts as a personal assistant that keeps a daily track of your credit report and watches for any changes that can be linked to fraudulent activity on your report with real-time alerts. Make sure the monitoring service provides score tracking as well so you can monitor increases or decreases to your credit score. This way, you can intervene quickly if your score decreases and you can promptly address factors that influence your score, such as high balances, late payments or credit inquiries.

5.

Dispute Credit Report

Inaccuracies

Once you have a credit monitoring service that tracks all three major credit bureaus, check your credit report for inaccuracies.

You can file a dispute with the appropriate bureaus, or you can hire a reputable credit repair company to help fix those inaccuracies.

Fixing any issues in your credit report will give your credit scores a boost.

If you wish to retain the services of Malik Davis, The Credit Guru, visit his website at malikdavis.com or to purchase Malik’s book, Break the Chains, visit amazon.com. Z IG: @Malikdavis211 FB: Malik Davis Credit Guru

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women wealth guide

Things I wish every woman

knew about financial wellness

BY COURTNEY RANDOLPH

F

inancially well-off women are those who are financially secure and don’t experience financial stress. Many aspects of a woman’s life are impacted by financial stress, including her mental health, mood, relationships and even productivity.

Financial health involves more than just numbers. It involves more than simply keeping up with bill payments, making investments and saving for the future. Focusing your attention on the things that are important to you will give you control over your daily finances and put a strategy in place. In this article, I will highlight and discuss 10 things I wish every woman knew about financial wellness.

1. Making Future Plans

By developing a plan for the future, you can ensure your continued financial stability and success. You know where you’re going and have a plan for how to get there, which is beneficial for both your physical and emotional health. A financial plan, like a diet plan, makes you healthy. Knowing how much you can spend, save and invest makes you feel organized and in control of your finances. It’s an exemplary practice for financial wellness.

2. Set Your Financial Objectives

Setting goals is a unique step to financial wellness.

Make a list of your immediate and long-term objectives, no matter how big or small, as well as your projected income and expenses. You will be able to see your target more clearly as a result.

3. Start Investing and Saving Today

Once you have the essential knowledge and your goals are in place, focus on investment and saving. Understand the advantages money gives you. This will make more sense when you consider it from the perspective of your long-term objectives. Saving money in the bank will not provide you with enough interest to meet your objectives. An investment strategy is required. Start with getting your financial house in order, then assemble a team of financial confidantes – these individuals are engaged in your interests and are trusted professionals with whom you feel comfortable, and develop a personal relationship with each of them. You should never be dissatisfied with the wealth advice from your team – always advocate for yourself!

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4. It’s Vital to Have Financial Education

Women need to become financially educated because it is empowering. After working with countless clients, I know you wouldn’t know what you don’t understand, so without additional guidance, you don’t have full control over your finances. Money is the cornerstone of life, and managing it better basically means managing your whole life better. Clean your credit as thoroughly as you would clean your home. For banks, your credit report is a representation of your financial integrity. It’s the love letter that enables you to transact with banks, achieve financial stability and build wealth.

5. Financial Well-Being is a Holistic Concept

Traditionally, we associate wealth management with our net worth, but it involves much more. A good financial consultant will approach your finances holistically and consider your overall financial health. Personal finances involve more than just building capital, they also involve protecting and conserving assets in the right way, whether through mortgages, debt management or estate planning. Building savings, managing cash flow and protecting assets are the three main goals of wealth management. Each of these areas offer opportunities for an adjustment that could improve your financial status.

6. Financial Guidance is for Everyone

Every woman has the right to consider their options and see if there are ways to strengthen their financial situation. Don’t be afraid to talk to a professional about

women wealth guide your financial situation and get rid of that insecurity.

Never feel embarrassed about trying to educate yourself and looking into what you could be doing to improve your financial status. And usually, all that needs to be done is to restructure what you already have.

7. Don’t Dismiss Retirement

Planned retirement is a key that needs to serve as the basis for all of your long-term financial objectives.

Women are more likely to experience poverty in their old age and be forced to rely on government assistance for living expenses due to improper planning. Saving money is essential, and using it to invest in growth over time can give you the financial wellness you need and deserve during retirement.

8. Budgeting is Key

Making a budget is necessary for financial wellness. As a woman, understand how your household finances operate and make an effort to manage spending. Once you’ve established a budget, you’ll be able to track where your money is going and how much you have available.

You can find out how much money you are spending and on what by using something as basic as a bank app on your phone to track your income and expenses. I would advise against using credit cards, but if you must have one, make sure to monitor it, set a spending limit, make monthly payments and search for 0% balance transfer offers. Women who don’t plan their budget end up wasting money on things that are not important.

Additionally, you are not in a position of power if you are in debt or spend all of your income each month.

a business loan. Through the application process, you gain valuable information that allows you to be more informed in the future, if at first you don’t qualify at the amount you truly need.

10. Bottom line

Financial wellness for women entails building a routine that will allow you to feel in control of your money.

There is no easy way out, and the path is not linear.

It involves modifying your routines and behavior to achieve your financial goals. You must constantly work on every part of your financial life and never stop learning if you want this comfort to become the standard.

Start TODAY. I wish I would have started 15 years ago.

Every day the market is moving and every day we wait is $1 that we didn’t invest in an asset, even if it’s simply starting an emergency fund in a savings account. You can be one car problem away from a ripple effect into the poverty line (a place I have visited - and a place from which my “WHY” came from in order to help other women obtain their wildest dreams.)

Bonus: One of the most powerful things is a group of women with great financial character. Women can shift wealth too. I think the number one thing is income and growing your income year after year. I wish the message was less about simply chasing the dream and more about how to grow your income and finding career strategies to do just that. Z

9. Assets

Contrary to popular belief, the bank wants you to have assets and has many programs to help you get them. We know people have had a bad taste in their mouths when it comes to banks ever since 2008, but from my experience, we see so many programs being implemented to help people obtain assets such as homes.

Understand the three-letter acronym DTI - Debt To Income. Watch your DTI like a HAWK. 1% over can make or break your dreams.

When credit is unavoidable – qualify! I know we grew up hearing DON’T let anyone run your credit until you’re ready to buy anything, but I say qualify so that your banker can tell you what steps you need to take to get to your dreams whether that is a car, a house or

Courtney Randolph is a MVP Award Winning Mortgage Banker, NMLS# 2259849, for Rocket Mortgage, LLC Company NMLS# 3030

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women wealth guide

Moving in Silence

T he centuries-long existence of quiet Black wealth

BY LULA WHITE

Photo credit W. E. B. Du Bois with the Fisk University class of 1888 Photo credit vieilles_annonces on flickr

Madam C. J. Walker (1867-1919) “the first Black woman millionaire in Americ history.com

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s the world turns on the turbulence of dictators and shaky global markets, Black America trains our eyes on our financial freedom and liberty. Let us remember the power plays we’ve always made, quietly and shrewdly against the backdrop of mass brutality. For centuries, across Europe and the New World, we’ve risen above the hand that was dealt to us.

Going as far back as 1532, when Alessandro de’Medici became the first Duke of Florence, Italy. Nicknamed “il Moro” because of his darker skin, Alessandro effectively became the equivalent of a Black Italian prince, according

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to Catherine Fletcher’s The Black Prince of Florence. He was backed by the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope, who, it was rumored, may have been his father.

The royal courts of England were scattered with Black Tudors during the Elizabethan age, as is made clear in Onyeka Nubia’s historical work, England’s Other Countrymen.

Across the Atlantic on the shores of the New World in 1655, a former indentured servant from Angola, Africa, named Anthony Johnson filed a lawsuit to protect his property – another Black man being claimed by white slaveowners. Anthony became the first legal slave owner in

women wealth guide

the thirteen colonies when the court ruled he could keep John Casor permanently.

Over a century later, in 1776, as America’s epic battle for independence unfolded, so too did another revolution – that of the wealthy, influential Black aristocracy. Our grade school history books omitted the hard-nosed, disciplined titans of industry who wielded the most potent of American weapons: capital.

“ To discuss class in America is to venture into an area fraught with perils. It may well be that ‘class is the toughest, slipperiest opponent in the lexion,’ all the more so when applied to Afro-American society.”

Black bourgeoisie continues to defy the stubborn American trope of a downtrodden Black race.

Far more than the fantasy of Bridgerton, wealthy Black families have operated in secret for centuries in ways they do not discuss openly. It is taboo to reveal their homes, accounts, investments, property holdings, stocks or access to the “right” powerbrokers.

For most of us who didn’t know they existed, this discovery destroys the narrative of a singular Black American tragedy we learned in school. It is through this lens of prestige, discovery and cultural refinement that I decided to write stories of love and ascendance among the Black privileged class. I sought to depict Black wealth as far more complicated than the one-dimensional messages we’re fed in pop culture.

Themes of hierarchy, family wealth and ages-old ingenuity set the stage for Kevin Middleton and the preeminent Middleton family in my fictional series, Explore Men of the Hamptons. For readers of romance and women’s fiction, it’s been my honor and pleasure to illuminate our high society. May the excellence of our forebears serve as the blueprint for our own pursuits of wealth and empire. We’ve thrived in the crucible of hardship before, and we will no doubt do it again. Z

– William B. Gatewoord Jr., quoting Michael B. Katz, The Journal of Southern History

But ever since the 1700s and 1800s, the likes of Paul Cuffee, James Forten, Benjamin Banneker and William Ellison ascended socially and politically as sea captains, farmers, blacksmiths, grocery store owners, whalers and machinists, all of whom were highly respected.

Our Kind of People by Lawrence Otis Graham and The Original Black Elite by Elizabeth Dowling Taylor depict eye-opening details on how the engine of Black high-society has hummed in America for centuries.

Prominent Black property owners and businesspeople sent their children to the finest Black boarding schools and started secret fraternities such as the Boulé and the Girl Friends.

Mingling and intermarrying exclusively within their class, shrewd in how they deploy power and influence, the

Lula White is an Author of Romance, Historical Fiction and Women’s Fiction

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Small Business Profile Features: “ You Are Enough.”

personally rewarding, especially when the Ah Ha moments occur and the light bulb comes on when they can see it. The recognition and awards are nice, but it’s the people that truly matter most.

What do you do to encourage others?

I encourage others through coaching and speaking, sharing my experiences that have not always been pretty, offering knowledge and insights, but more importantly, practical tips and tools to get and stay in action. I invest my time, talent and treasure in people to empower them to be their best and live authentically, bringing their whole self to what they do. I believe we all have gifts and talents and shouldn’t rob people of our gifts by not using them.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

Hands down, my mother. She was a wonderful woman who was full of love, encouragement and strength. She taught me the value of a strong work ethic and belief in myself. She instilled in me great confidence because she said I could be anything I wanted, do anything I desired if I was willing to work hard, treat others fairly and have faith in God. I believed her.

WITH YOLANDA SMITH

YOLANDA

is a speaker, author and success coach with expertise in personal branding and professional development. With 15+ years of public speaking experience and a passion for empowering others to achieve their highest potential, she founded Branding 4 Success, LLC where she currently serves as Chief BrandthrupistTM. She is a certified brand analyst and diversity, equity and inclusion communicator, coaching corporate professionals and entrepreneurs to develop and master a powerful brand signature to achieve visibility, financial freedom and success through career advancement and business growth.

What do you most enjoy about what you do?

I would say building relationships and connections with others, supporting them along their journey. I love working on the business structure with strategy and personal branding – it’s exciting when I can help clients through knowledge sharing, pushing them to identify and solve problems with innovative solutions. Most of all, inspiring others to dream big. Seeing opportunities to add value is so gratifying and 22

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What inspires you?

My biggest inspiration comes from seeing others achieve. That is so gratifying, especially knowing that I played a small role in helping them get the results they desired. I am in my element when I am engaging, educating and empowering others to be their best and reach their highest potential.

What obstacles have you overcome?

Whew, where do I start? I was mid-career before I ever had a mentor, coach or sponsor. I didn’t know what it was because no one ever told me or suggested that I needed them. So, imagine matriculating through your career by trial and error, with no formal guidance from those who have been where I am trying to go. It wasn’t easy, I made many mistakes, was demoted, passed over and often felt undervalued. Yet, it was my tenacity, curiosity and take-charge attitude, with a whole lot of grace from God that allowed me to experience success in my career. In essence, I like to think I built my storied life and career brick by brick, fighting fears, failures and setbacks to have the success I always knew was mine to claim.

What is your personal quote or life’s motto?

Never give up. When you know who you are and you know your worth, no one can take that away. They will try and you may buckle or bend, but you will not fall. If by chance you do, Look Up so you can Get Up. Never stay down!

What’s one message you wish all women could hear?

Plain and simple, “You Are Enough”.

Follow Yolanda @branding4success.

WITH JASMINE JACKSON LEWIS

“You Got This!”

JASMINE

is a Corporate Litigation Paralegal by profession as well as the Creator & Founder of Plusher Chic Boutique & Modeling Agency. Plusher Chic Boutique is an emporium of fashion, specialized in serving an assortment of body types with timeless looks and supreme quality. They offer an array of selected fabrics cultivated into powerful collections that promote confidence and comfort. With “More Luxury, More Fashion for All Women!” as their motto, Plusher Chic Modeling Agency is one of the newest and most fierce agencies in the Midwest and Dallas area with their first signed model Kim Kay, who represents Plusher Chic women primarily for their boldness in setting trends in high fashion and high confidence.

What do you most enjoy about what you do?

I enjoy choosing new collections and styling our models. I’m always looking for new ways to be creative and stand out from the crowd.

Producing innovative ideas, incorporating my clothing for each model into the concepts I have created for our social media platforms, seeing what I have created worn by our customers, and watching my vision manifest are the most rewarding experiences for me as a stylist.

What do you do to encourage others?

I encourage others by being kind. I’m always smiling and willing to be a listening ear if needed. Most importantly, I inspire those around me to set goals, to never dim their light and know that anything is possible.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

My mother. My mother is/was the epitome of classy. All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my mother, my angel... Gladys Jackson!

What inspires you?

Challenges inspire me. I’ve found the times when I have been doubted are the times when I succeed. During the most challenging times, I am driven to become the best at whatever I have chosen to do.

What obstacles have you overcome?

I have overcome my fear of the unknown. I recently relocated from Indiana to Texas. Each day, I am now reminded that overcoming my fears and stepping out on faith was not easy, but it has been well worth it. I now have new rooms to go into!

What is your personal quote or life’s motto?

I am sure it may sound cliché, but… take one day at a time! “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” – Matthew 6:34 What is one message you wish all women could hear?

You are appreciated. As women, we do so much for others and we often get lost and forget who we are. Sometimes, just a reminder is enough to let you know YOU GOT THIS and NEVER GIVE UP! Follow Jasmine @plusher.chic or go to plusherchic.com. hopeforwomenmag.com

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WITH BRIDGETTE BURKE

What do you most enjoy about what you do?

The creation. I love fashion and technology. I dream about designs while I am asleep and wake up sketching to refine the design. Then I store them as future possibilities to be created in 3D, then in real life. In the near future, I hope to be able to mentor more young designers and create a space for them to learn, connect, collaborate and grow.

What do you do to encourage others?

I like to praise efforts and progress, no matter how small. It builds morale, confidence and hope.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

Of late, Tory Burch, or should I say her foundation, has been my biggest inspiration. I tune in to her webinars and blog to gain insight on how to best succeed in the business of fashion. I specifically love how the foundation supports women of color.

What inspires you?

Nature, color and textiles.

“Be Authentic.”

BRIDGETTE went to fashion school at age

36, graduated with honors and had absolutely no idea how she was going to take her love for fashion design into the real world. With the knowledge of how costly it is to start a line, she decided to start a clothing pattern business called The Crazy Grader, working to help other designers. She worked this business for 8 years, however, when the pandemic hit, the business took a hit. So she began to connect with other professionals in the industry and started taking courses from designers who had succeeded in the business. This gave her a great deal of drive and creative energy. With that energy, Leisure Miss was created.

What obstacles have you overcome?

This is a great question. Though I have two degrees in fashion, have placed high in a design competition, been awarded design scholarships and such, there is one thing that has never happened for me. I have never been employed as a designer for a fashion company and I have applied for many. I have actually interviewed with one specific company over the years probably 10 times. I have stopped applying, but they still continue to contact me for interviews for some reason. This has taught me to “Boss” up. Maybe, just maybe, I am meant for bigger things.

Another obstacle I have had to overcome is social media. A designer has to showcase their work on social media, which is something that has been a great challenge for me. I can remember when I got started on social media, I would have these slight anxiety attacks prior to posting something. But I am finding that the more I do it, the easier it becomes for me.

What is your personal quote or life’s motto?

Less is More. Leisure Miss is born from this motto. The brand will grow to become seasonal capsule collections that will make outfitting your life easy. Around town leisure looks with the comfort and functionality of athleisure.

What’s one message you wish all women could hear?

Be authentic, be you no matter what and never give up on your dreams.

Follow Bridgette @leisure.miss or go to leisuremiss.com.

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What do you do to encourage others?

I desire to support others with the gift of presence. Because encouragement is defined and perceived so differently by so many, I want to be mindful in how I can support a person to feel heard, validated and connected in a way that feels authentic to them. Holding and creating a calm space is the way I encourage others.

“I can forgive myself.”

WITH DEMETRIA BAKER JACKSON

DEMETRIA is a licensed marriage and family

therapist, trauma therapist, wife, mother and friend. She has a private counseling practice, Free to Flourish Counseling and Consulting, LLC. She is passionate about empowering individuals and couples to transform their emotional, mental and relational world by supporting them to overcome anxiety, stress, trauma and relationship conflicts. She is also specifically trained in utilizing brain-based modalities to process and heal distressing experiences. It is her mission to empower adults and couples to connect with their sense of worth and be free to flourish with dignity, respect and authenticity.

What do you most enjoy about what you do?

I enjoy empowering individuals and couples to experience a healing revolution that impacts their family, workplace, community and society, allowing them to connect with others in a healthier way! I believe life is a gift and we should live with quality of life and not just quantity of days alive. I love supporting people to become aware of their triggers, providing specific tools to decrease their current symptoms and gain new perspectives to resolve their own problems.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

I find so much inspiration from a variety of people throughout my life.

I would have to say the person who has most greatly inspired me has been my grandmother, Annette. What stands out most is she was always dedicated to serving God by being His hands and feet to others and prioritizing her family. Because of her example of support and sacrifice throughout my life, it empowers me to be radical in my self-care and create safe spaces for others.

What inspires you?

Reading, music and people inspire me! My clients often inspire me.

It takes courage to talk with a stranger and be willing to learn new ways to confront their traumas and emotional distress. When I see their transformation and empowerment, it inspires me to keep growing and developing.

What obstacles have you overcome?

When I decided to pursue the goal of becoming a licensed therapist over 25 years ago, it was challenging for many reasons. I did not know any other BIPOC therapists I could connect with as a mentor and it required extensive time, study and financial investment. One of the most challenging experiences included having to start my professional licensure hours all over again when I moved back to my home state due to a personal family crisis. However, all of the extra hours and work gave me more experience and expertise to connect with a variety of people and it prepared me to overcome other newer obstacles I would have to face.

What is your personal quote or life’s motto?

One of my favorite personal quotes is “When you have hit rock bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up.” This quote helps me to put into perspective that no matter how difficult and even damaging the betrayals, injuries and traumas that I or others have experienced, growth is always possible and it is up to me to actively change my narrative.

What’s one message you wish all women could hear?

I work with a lot of women and one of the core issues I hear about is women feeling false or unhealthy guilt, shame and even responsibility for people and situations that were out of their control. I wish all women could truly hear and receive the message that “I can forgive myself and learn from every mistake. I did the best that I could do for that time.”

Follow Demetria @free2flourishcounseling. hopeforwomenmag.com

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Developing your

Discipline

It’s time to share your unique skills, talents and expertise

BY DR. LORNEKA JOSEPH

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As you, a professional woman, navigate this winter season with a heart full of hope and expectations, I want you to understand how having a strategic action plan to develop your corporate greatness will determine how well you show up in your career and your calling.

The last two and a half years have been challenging, to say the least, but one thing is for sure - as a HOPE Magazine reader, you actually have what it takes to stand out in your respective industry. Pause and reflect on what you just read.

As an advocate for women, I want you to know everything that happened in your life, including your feelings, backgrounds and experiences, it all happened for you. The valleys and inconveniences of life may dictate differently, but the world is ready for your elevation.

Here are some practical tips to help you fine tune your habits and mindset so you can share your unique skills, talents and expertise without giving power to limiting beliefs.

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Revisit Your Vision

Working with women over the years, I’ve recognized that when life happens to us, we can tend to forget the vision we had for our lives, which leads to accepting any and every opportunity that isn’t aligned with our career goals and income.

For example, you may be a human resources director who enjoys serving people, but because you experienced betrayal with your previous employer, you’ve accepted another job in a different industry which pays you less and demands overtime. This calls for some healing.

As you revisit your personal vision, see if your habits and mindset have you excelling in your career now or in the near future. Anything else is a distraction and a “Houston, we have a problem.”

Acknowledge Your Body

In addition to your mind, your body is vital to your professional development. I truly believe that when your body is not well, you will eventually underperform and even experience resistance within your work relationships.

Schedule your medical appointments for a check up and complete blood work, and discuss your lab results with your provider. This will improve your energy, productivity and performance.

Redefine Your Routine

In a world competing for our attention, one of the ways to elevate your routine is through simplification.

Before you pick up your cell phone to check emails or respond to invites, drink a glass of water and meditate for about ten to fifteen minutes. While it seems basic, dehydration can lead to reduced concentration and short-term memory in adults. Your daily routine must be evaluated and re-defined as you evolve in your career.

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Affirm Yourself

The enemy of your soul enjoys you living in the past, but it doesn’t serve you, your community or colleagues. One of the ways to build your confidence within your career is by speaking life (repeating affirmations) throughout the day.

When something happens personally that makes you anxious or your supervisor gives you another task, before responding, discern if you have the capacity to fulfill the request. This is holistically important because as women, we identify with serving others, but you shouldn’t lose your peace and prosperity in the process. Shared boundaries can help you shine at work.

Make Your Requests Known

Whether you’re commuting to the office or working remotely, don’t let false humility overshadow your burning desire for change. As a woman, you deserve to not only be seen, but to be heard.

Make your requests known by reading tip #1 (your vision) and see if there’s any alignment. If your vision and your company goals do not align, schedule time to connect privately with leadership and make your requests known. If your goal is to not only upgrade your mindset and experience abundance, you cannot be afraid to speak up at work, even if it’s met with resistance.

Life has happened and will continue to present its challenges, but you’ve worked hard and invested to get to where you are now. Your soft skills, creativity, resume, personal experiences and unique background all serve a purpose and are needed more than ever.

Here is your permission to upgrade your mindset, heal intentionally and develop your discipline so that your industry can experience the hope and transformation you provide as an expert. Z

Dr. Lorneka is a mindset and wellness coach who helps industry experts and entrepreneurs improve their quality of life. She invites women and men to join and connect with her at www. drlorneka.co to become awakened and alive on purpose. hopeforwomenmag.com

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The five years from now

dinner party

Connecting with your future now

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BY VETTA CASH

Wonderful things happen when powerful women get together, so don’t be surprised when your next dinner party is nothing short of amazing. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine it: the decorations are exquisite, the food is scrumptious and the women are gorgeous.

Everything is exactly how you planned it, and although the setting of your party is Instagram worthy, the highlight of the evening is the conversation. Listening to your guests discuss their success journey is like attending a Master Class on success and wealth building.

Each of your esteemed guests, who are all brilliant professionals, share their success stories with unwavering passion and vivid detail. They discuss the personal development tools they use, books they read and notes from conferences they have attended. They talk about the wins and the setbacks, and advice for maintaining momentum. Your guests swap advice about building good habits, self-care practices and travel recommendations. The conversation is fun, authentic, inspiring and full of faith that dreams do come true.

But there’s a catch. The success the women joyously describe has not happened yet. None of it.

This event is not a regular girlfriend get-together but rather a creative exercise in seeing yourself and your best girlfriends obtaining the goals you all desire. This is a Five Years from Now Dinner Party. The host and all her guests come to the dinner party as the women they plan to be five years from the date of the party. They dress, converse and present themselves just as they will when they’ve reached their goals. Each guest is fully committed

to playing make-believe for the night because she knows these dreams will absolutely come true. The event is a detailed, vivid exercise in visualization, in seeing your success on the canvas of your imagination so that you can later see it unfold in your life.

There is an abundance of research and proof about the power of your imagination and visualizing what you want to manifest. The ability to imagine yourself achieving your goals is an indicator of your ability to achieve them. You must be able to see yourself winning in your mind before you will see yourself winning in life.

The Five Years from Now Dinner Party is the perfect way to mentally connect with your future and jump start your wealth building journey.

Celebrate your success before it happens.

Here’s how to attend the party: 1. Arrive in character, as the woman you want to be in five years. How does she dress and present herself? What is her typical day like?

2. Create two fictional stories to share over dinner about your success journey. Example: booking your first client, a speaking engagement, making your first $10k, etc.

3. Bring a list of 3-5 book recommendations to share with the group.

4.

Prepare to have fun living in your future.

Love this idea? Contact Embassy Home at embassyhomeinfo@gmail.com if you’d like assistance planning one in your home. Z

Vetta Cash is a Speaker, Content Creator and Home & Hosting Savant hopeforwomenmag.com

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inner self

T he liberated woman

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A story of self-care that goes beyond the surface

BY YETTA YOUNG

I was moved to tears… My friend Denise had just shared her testimony and some hard, authentic, vulnerable truths about herself as a mother and where she needed to improve – all in front of a circle of 50 women at the Women on the Grow Retreat. I could relate to her story and couldn’t stop weeping. Although I was trying to cry ‘silently’, my entire body was in a state of convulsions. Women started passing the tissue boxes down my way as my friend consoled me. She asked, “Do you want to go up and share your testimony?” I shook my head no and through the tears, silently mouthed, “I’m scared.”

“I’ll go with you,” she assured me while raising her hand and proclaiming, “Yetta wants to share!”

That retreat was a huge part of my self-care. Our stories connected as Denise and I had both had strokes in our 40’s. It was during my eight-day hospitalization at 47 that I wrote off self-care as I knew it. My recovery depended on me disrupting the narrative that self-care was just pampering, pedicures and prosecco. I needed a radical plan that would liberate me from my own self-imposed limitations. The kind of self-care that would take me into the shadows of my deepest fears. The kind that would be a refuge and would bring me back to myself, renewed, restored and healed.

I also began exploring ‘community care’ as the backdrop of my plan and how the two complimented each other. I became more active in Jewel Diamond Taylor’s Women on the Grow group, which she curated as a holistic incubator for women to reflect, renew and rejuvenate.

As I approached the middle of the circle, weeping, I could barely speak. My friend kept her promise and stood behind me, like the ladies do in church to catch you if you fall. Through barely inaudible words, I shared with them about not taking up space and how I was still learning to trust myself. Denise had my back and I could feel Jewel, off to the side, holding me up spiritually – like they had done on other occasions.

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“I’m newly in love and I want to be 100% authentic with him. When do I tell him that because of my medication, I’ve lost all of my hair?” I asked the ladies rhetorically.

At that moment, I unconsciously reenacted a conversation I had had with him one morning when he video called me and God had told me that NOW was the time to share. At that moment, I removed my wig in front of the 50+ ladies.

EVERY lady in that room was moved to their feet.

They closed ranks around me and the circle got smaller, while others waited in line to hug and love on me.

As I heard the African drums come through the speakers, Jewel shouted, “LIBERATION!” and started to dance. I danced a little as the ladies waited in line to affirm me: “You are beautiful.”

“Honey, you should be on the cover of Vogue!”

“You freed me today, Yetta” as she took off her scarf to reveal her shiny beautiful head, bald from chemotherapy.

“I’m not ready to date because I’m afraid to show anyone my alopecia, but I thank you for giving me the courage, should I change my mind.”

And of course, many asked, “Well, what did he say when you showed him your hair?”

They danced around me, hugged and affirmed me until my tears dried.

Although I haven’t quite found the courage to unveil publicly like I did with my sister cohorts, what I discovered that day was a healing balm that was so very needed for my soul.

Self-care is a beautiful act of loving you back to you. It is not a selfish pursuit, but the very tool that can be used to liberate you. Z

“ Carrying and caring for everyone else requires that you be intentional about being carried and cared for too. It requires a new pace and sacred space to go within.”

– Veronica Very

Dr. Yetta Young is a producer, director and playwright and she creates sacred spaces for women to connect and heal. She attends 1-2 retreats per year for restoration, renewal and fun.She is a self-care advocate and Chief Scent Curator of Incense, Love & Meditation, premium self-care products, curated as a therapeutic ritual for creatives, healers and those seeking to vibrate higher. IG: @IncenseLoveMeditation FB: Yetta Young hopeforwomenmag.com

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A talk

WITH

MAKEDA

SMITH

BY JENNIFER STREAK; CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MELISSA HIBBERT; PHOTOGRAPHER, CARL ANKRUM; MAKEUP ARTIST, BRITTANY CORRINE

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Makeda Smith has charted her own course to success.

Her company, Savvy Chicks in Real Estate®, was born out of her love for real estate and marketing, and guides women in the field on how to maximize their online presence and create additional streams of income.

Makeda has been a multi-million dollar real estate producer for over 18 years and is known as an educator, digital marketer and business wealth strategist.

With over 100,000 followers across social media, she has helped female agents scale up their businesses through e-books, masterclasses, courses and guides – and now, with the current mortgage interest rates and a looming recession, her expert advice is even more important.

HOPE Magazine spoke with Makeda about her journey to success, her goals for the future as well as the financial advice she has for homebuyers in the face of this uncertain economy.

“ When I look at billionaire companies like Uber or Google; I see that they have taken their brand global. I want to take my brand global.”

– Makeda Smith

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Q: Makeda, how did you get your start in real estate?

A: I got started as an entrepreneur in 2004 when my husband suggested I get my real estate license. At the time, I was working for a Cobra insurance company as a customer service representative and I didn’t see real estate as a business opportunity for myself. However, my husband thought I would do well in real estate, so I went ahead and got my license and I haven’t looked back since.

Q: You have been in the industry for a while now. What has been your strategy for standing out and staying competitive and how would you advise others?

A: My first real estate brokerage firm was Century 21. I had a mentor who had been in the industry for over 30 years and I was able to learn how to build a real estate business from him. The first step I took was to partner with neighborhood housing programs. These programs, similar to NACA, would send me business once the clients had gone through their counseling program and that helped me close my first seven deals in real estate. Today, having an online media presence is huge in terms of standing out and growing your business and that is what I teach agents who work with me now.

Q: Tell us about the Savvy Chicks in Real Estate® community.

A: Savvy Chicks started in October 2017 because I had realtors sliding into my DMs and responding to these questions was becoming a full-time job. It was something I really enjoyed doing, so I thought about how I could help fellow realtors as well as how I could monetize it.

I opened the business as a marketing agency and a business consulting firm. Once the agents started buying my courses and booking appointments, I realized this was a viable business. Then in January 2018, I decided to build a community and launched a membership program.

I call it Savvy Chicks Social Penthouse®. When we started, I had less than 10 people join the community, but now, just four years later, I am proud to say that we have over 200 members and have helped so many agents build six

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and seven figure incomes. What I am most proud of is the fact that they do not see each other as competitors but as a sisterhood, lifting each other up in business.

Q: How do you define Black wealth and luxury?

A: When I think about Black wealth and luxury, it is really about freedom; the freedom to be able to enjoy life and go places that you normally would not have thought about.

Understand, I grew up on the West side of Chicago in an apartment where my brother, sister and I all shared a room until we were teenagers. It was pretty cramped. Now, I’m able to offer the next generation, my children and my grandchildren, different options. It’s mind blowing.

It’s also about knowing how to handle your money. When I made my first six figures, I did not understand about filing my taxes and I ended up having to get on a payment plan with the IRS to pay off back taxes that I owed. Even at seven figures, you need to upgrade those who handle your money. At this level, you need a strategy and advisors around you to help you keep more of what you earn.

Now, I tell business owners these are the things you go through when building a business that most won’t tell you about.

Q: Because of rising inflation, gas and grocery prices, financial literacy is now top of mind for so many people.

When should we start having those conversations about money and building wealth?

A: I think as soon as possible, from the time you are sliding that dollar bill under your kid’s pillow for their missing tooth. I have fellow agents who tell me they are taking their kids with them to work to show them how the money is being made in their respective households and I think that’s great. For a lot of us, all we knew growing up was that bills were paid, but we did not know how or even what some of our parents did for a living. With the economy we are living in right now, it’s vital we start having these conversations early with our kids and even family members. Show them how the money is made, how bills are paid and how to save.

Q: In this housing market, there are still those who want to purchase their first home. What advice would you give them?

A: I would advise anyone to find out how much purchasing power they have. People wait until they are ready to buy a home to get a copy of their credit report and that is too late. Know what is on your credit report before you try to get a mortgage loan. The law gives you access to a free credit report every year; you don’t get your credit score, but you will be able to see what is on your credit report and make any corrections if necessary.

Q: What are a few of your proudest moments as an entrepreneur?

A: I am really proud of helping people achieve their goals. I was excited as a real estate agent to see my clients be able to buy, sell and generate wealth. I remember helping an elderly couple in their 60s buy their very first home. I think about a personal friend of mine, Attorney Rosezena Pierce, and I am very proud of the fact I helped her build her multi-million dollar law firm early on. I help my clients grow bigger and better and I am very proud of being a small piece of what God is doing in their lives.

Q: What is next for your business?

A: I remember Master P saying that products will outlast you. So, my next goal is to create more products for Savvy Chicks in Real Estate®. I am 47 and I want to retire when I am 50. When I look at billionaire companies like Uber or Google, I see that they have taken their brand global.

I want to take my brand global. I often say the world is a playground and we are not limited to our backyard and the local area. That is the next step for Savvy Chicks – global accessibility. I now have my real estate license in the Dominican Republic - it’s just the first country where the opportunity makes sense.

one man had to build a man-made island. That island has some of the most expensive real estate in the country.

Sheikh Mohammed, Prime Minister of the UAE of Dubai, assembled a team of experts to help him make their country one of the #1 destinations in the world.

People told him it couldn’t be done but he proceeded with his vision. He is the epitome of someone who turned around to the naysayers and said let me show you how it’s done. Game on. As I build my global brand, I’m moving with this mindset.

Q: Is there anything else you want our readers to know?

A: Yes. When it comes to Black wealth and luxury, I believe that if you are not taking somebody with you, you’re not really doing anything. There are three women I would like to highlight who I look up to and are doing big things in our community. They are not celebrities, but they are influencers making a huge impact and have us thinking differently about what is possible to build wealth.

The first is Alexis McDowell, a Chicago-based attorney who has built a hard money lending company to help investors invest in the Black community. Next, is Cassandra Cummings, the founder of The Stocks & Stilettoes Society. She is a financial planner who is showing other women, especially Black women, how to invest and trade within the stock market. And finally, Davonne Reeves, who just left Chicago a couple of weeks ago on her hotel property tour and I will say I would’ve never thought as a Black woman (and even for my husband as a Black man) that we could invest in and own a hotel. Davonne now owns three hotels and she has shown through her crowdfunding program how other people can own and invest in hotels. I have learned so much from these women. Z @makedasmithceo savvychicksinrealestate.com

My husband and I recently had an opportunity to speak internationally in Dubai at a business retreat. What I took away the most from this trip was the audacity that Jennifer Streak is the Senior Personal Finance Reporter for Business Insider and is a nationally recognized expert on money and affordable lifestyle living.

Her sought after financial tips show consumers that you can achieve an affordable and enjoyable lifestyle and that finances do not have to be a chore. hopeforwomenmag.com

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food

Food & Wine with

with Chef Mimi

The creator of The Black Food & Wine Experience tells a holiday story

BY CHEF MIMI It is part of my story that the holidays are my favorite time of the year. It’s a time when family and friends get together to enjoy each other. Food and drinks are on the top of the list and who is bringing the mac n cheese is always a topic.

Here, I’m sharing some of my unconventional recipes, introducing one of my favorite Black women owned wines and recommending some tasty cocktails for you to enjoy in your home this season.

So let’s get this party started: Wachira Wines NV Brut With aromas of candied apples, mangos, pears, tangerines, melons, pineapples, lemon peel, raspberries and red cherries, this sparkling is vibrant and youthful, but with a dry finish and medium acidity. Notes of bread dough and lychee on the palate. A perfect aperitif or pairing with breakfast, brunch and pastries – it’s a friend to mimosas.

Chef Mimi’s Vegan Greens 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided ½ cup chopped onion 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 pound collard greens, chopped 3 cups vegetable stock or water hot sauce, to taste salt Old Bay seasoning salt or whatever seasoning you like freshly ground black pepper 1. In a large pot over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil. Once hot, add onion, bell pepper, garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for one minute. Add greens and cook for another minute.

2. Add remaining oil and vegetable stock or water, cover and bring to a simmer.

Cook until the greens are tender, about 10 minutes. Add extra seasoning such as hot sauce, salt, Old Bay and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.

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Chef Mimi’s Holiday Short Ribs Serves 6 5 pounds boneless beef short ribs, cut crosswise into 3” pieces kosher salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste garlic powder, to taste Lawry’s seasonings, to taste 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 ½ medium onions, chopped 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped 3 celery stalks, chopped 1 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 750 ml bottle red wine by Wachira (preferably cabernet sauvignon) 2 sprigs thyme 2 sprigs oregano 2 sprigs rosemary 3 fresh or dried bay leaves 3 cloves garlic 1 cup low-sodium beef stock ¼ cup butter 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Season short ribs with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Lawry. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, brown short ribs on all sides, about 9 minutes per batch. Transfer to a plate. Pour off all but 4 tablespoons of drippings from the pot.

2. Add onions, carrots and celery to pot and cook, stirring often, until onions are browned, about 6 minutes. Add flour and tomato paste. Cook, stirring constantly, until well combined and deep red, about 3 minutes. Stir in wine, then add short ribs with any accumulated juices.

Bring to a boil; lower heat to medium and simmer until wine is reduced by half, about 25 minutes. Add all herbs and garlic to the pot. Stir in stock. Bring to a boil, cover and transfer to the oven.

3. Cook until short ribs are tender, about 2½ hours.

Transfer short ribs to a platter. Pour sauce from the pot into a measuring cup. Spoon fat from surface of sauce and discard; season sauce to taste with salt and pepper, and add butter. Stir until well combined. Serve with grits, mashed potatoes or mac n cheese.

Short Ribs Wine Pairing: Wachira Cabernet Sauvignon The Rhino of our #winesafari. A light-bodied Cabernet, bottled young with grapes from three wine regions in California – Napa, Lodi and Paso Robles. With its soft integrated tannins, this wine is incredibly well balanced.

Youthful and fruit forward in presentation with blueberry and blackberry notes on the palate and hints of black raspberry crumble, vanilla and cocoa on the nose.

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food Chef Mimi’s Holiday Stuffed Meatballs Serves 4-6 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided ½ cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, minced 1 12 ounce bag fresh spinach 1/ cup cheese spread 3 (ricotta, feta or vegan option) 4 ounces shredded cheddar (about 1/2 cup) or vegan option 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon black pepper 1 pound ground beef, turkey or Impossible Burger Old Bay or cajun seasonings, to taste

2. Season meat with Old Bay or cajun seasonings and roll into medium sized balls. Place on a tray. Press your finger into each meatball, making a hole ¾ of the way in. (Don’t push all the way through.) Spoon spinach cheese filling into each hole and seal meat tightly around it. Re-roll into ball shapes.

3. Heat a large skillet over medium. When hot, add remaining olive oil and swirl the pan to evenly distribute it. Carefully add the meatballs, cooking 3-5 minutes on each side until brown, being careful not to crowd the pan. (If you try to turn the meatball and it sticks, wait a bit longer.) Transfer meatballs to a nonstick baking pan. Cook in the oven for 7-10 minutes, or until meatballs are tender and cooked through.

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Add oil to medium skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add onions and saute for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add spinach and stir 2-3 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.

Add cheese spread, cheddar, salt and pepper. Stir until combined.

Stuffed Meatballs Wine Pairing: Wachira Chardonnay The Buffalo of our #winesafari. This is not your typical buttery, oaky, style California Chardonnay. Wachira’s love of blending resulted in a marriage of exceptional fruit aromas with carefully balanced acidity capturing the best qualities of the cool Central Valley regions of California. Warm pear, green apple, peach, butterscotch, ripe banana as well as citrus notes tinged with the scent of baking spice and toasted oak are highlighted in this crisp, dry wine. Also pairs well with Chef Mimi’s Quick Holiday Vanilla Yams.

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food Chef Mimi’s Quick Holiday Vanilla Yams 4 ½ 1½ 1 1 1 salt

large yams (sweet potatoes) cup salted butter (1 stick) teaspoons cinnamon teaspoon nutmeg tablespoon vanilla extract tablespoon honey

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a nonstick pan into the oven to heat. Peel yams and slice into circles 1-inch thick.

Mix butter with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Set aside.

2.

3. Place yams on the preheated pan. Bake 5 minutes each side, until brown. Toss together and bake for an additional 7-10 minutes, or until tender. Top with vanilla butter, drizzle with honey, sprinkle with salt and serve.

Vanilla Yams Wine Pairing: Wachira Black Label Sparkling Wine The lion of the safari. A very tasty sparkling white from Lodi, California with delicate bubbles; the effervescence is not overwhelming. The best part is its distinctive aroma at first nose. Hints of candied apples and tangerines. Ripe fruit with a good bit of lemon peel, pear, raspberries and red cherries.

Chef Mimi’s Holiday Cocktail 1 ½ ounces Patron silver tequila 2 ounces fresh pineapple juice Wachira Black Label Sparkling Wine Cherry or dehydrated orange, for garnish Add ice to a highball or wine glass. Pour in tequila and pineapple juice and top with sparkling wine.

Garnish with a cherry or dehydrated orange slice.

Chef Mimi’s After Dinner Drink After being stuffed and full, sit back and enjoy the smooth taste of an anejo tequila of your choice, neat or on the rocks.

“ A party doesn’t start until you have a holiday toast with some bubbly. Before we get into the dishes and wine pairings, we will toast to the good life.”

About Chef Mimi A proud Oakland native, Aminah “Chef Mimi” Robinson-Briscoe is the Founder of Chef Mimi LLC and signature event, The Black Food & Wine Experience. She is passionate about bringing Black culture and tasty food, cocktails and wine together for the most amazing culinary experiences. For more than a decade, she has focused on the often overlooked intersection of food, social justice and entertainment.

Through Chef Mimi LLC, she has brought to life three distinct brands: The Black Food & Wine Experience, an interactive annual event that bridges food, beverage, education, health and Black culture, “Bringing It to The Table,” the first culinary competition show highlighting the talent and passion of Black chefs, and Chef Mimi Catering, a boutique catering company that services Bay Area tech companies such as Facebook, Slack, Twilio and Lyft as well as non-profits and cultural events like The Coalition of Black Excellence and more.

A graduate of the California Culinary Arts Academy in San Francisco, Chef Mimi is an active board member of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce and Diablo Valley College’s culinary and wine program.

Most recently, she was recognized on the list of 2021 Forbes Next 1000, which highlights entrepreneurial heroes who are redefining what it means to build and run a business today. She was also named a 2022 Wine Enthusiast Top 40 entrepreneur and game changer.

About The Black Food & Wine Experience The Black Food & Wine Experience is a mission-driven event created to bridge food, beverage, education, health and Black culture. It aims to provide a space where hospitality and Black excellence are cultivated, celebrated and explored by all. Through its Black Food & Beverage Summit, The Black Food & Wine Experience invests in educational programs and initiatives to support Black & indigenous owned food & beverage entrepreneurs to create the next generation of hospitality leaders. Since 2016, the Black Food & Wine Experience has supported more than 150 Bay Area businesses, impacted over $1 million in sales, created and placed over 50 jobs, provided structure to new businesses and revenue to the City of Oakland through hotel stays, airfare, transportation, restaurant visits and wine tastings. hopeforwomenmag.com

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food

The BEST warm drinks 5 cocktails to curl up with this winter

BY ANN WALCZAK Curling up in a cozy chair with a blanket and clutching a steaming cup is the epitome of relaxing bliss during fall and winter. Comforting, pleasing and (to be honest) needed, hot cocktails have been around since colonial times, illustrating that adding booze to a cuppa is synonymous with joy. There’s just nothing like a strong sip of warming liquid to simultaneously enliven and relax the body – to reattach you with your humanity.

Here are five of the best, complete with suggested recipes.

Hot Toddy

Glühwein

Though the most familiar of hot cocktails, the Hot Toddy is also the most varied in terms of recipe from place to place and person to person. Traditionally, the Toddy is simply made up of spirit, sugar and water and it’s been popular since 1750, proving some things don’t ever go out of style.

Glühwein, essentially a type of mulled wine, is traditionally served at stalls at the Christmas Markets in Germany and Austria. A similar drink in Sweden is called glögg. My family is part German, and we make it darn near every year. Any dry red wine will work – we tend to use Merlot. You also want to add a shot of liquor to each glass, usually rum or brandy, but amaretto is also a good choice. My family? We keep it überGerman with Jägermeister.

Traditional version: Rinse mug with boiling water and dump. To a hot mug, add ¼ ounce demerara sugar, a lemon peel and 1 ounce hot water. Stir. Add 2 ounces whiskey and another 1 ounce hot water.

My version: Rinse mug with boiling water and dump. To a hot mug, add ½ ounce honey, a clove studded lemon slice, 2 ounces whiskey and 4-6 ounces hot brewed black tea. Stir.

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In a large stock pot, bring to a simmer 1 orange, peeled in strips, ½ juiced and ½ sliced in rounds, 1 ½ cups water, ½ cup turbinado or granulated sugar, 40 whole cloves, 4 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole star anise and 2 750ml bottles dry red wine.

Let simmer for about 30 minutes. Add 1-2 ounces rum, brandy, amaretto or Jägermeister to each mug and ladle glühwein on top.

Apple Toddy This version of the Hot Toddy, substituting a roasted apple flavor, has been enjoyed for over 200 years. In this recipe, we’re simply swapping hot cider for water.

Rinse mug with boiling water and dump. To a hot mug, add ¼ ounce or 1 teaspoon demerara sugar or mulling spice blend (optional), a cinnamon stick and lemon peel (optional), 2 ounces whiskey, rum or brandy, and 4-6 ounces hot cider. Stir.

Tom & Jerry Described as a “soul-soothing winter warmer” and truer words could not be spoken. This combination of brandy, rum and an egg batter with hot water or milk came about sometime in the early 1800s. You’ll be hard-pressed to find one anymore unless you’re making it yourself, but from the mid-nineteenth century until the mid-twentieth, Tom & Jerry’s were a cold weather staple in American bars.

Traditional recipe as by David Wondrich, 2015: Separate yolks and whites of 12 eggs. Beat whites to stiff froth and yolks until well blended. Mix yolks and whites together and add 4 ½ cups sugar, 1 ounce rich Jamaican rum, 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground allspice, ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves. Stir well. Refrigerate immediately until needed but use within 4-6 hours. For each drink, pre-heat mug, add 1 ounce batter and 1 ounce cognac, then 3 ounces hot milk or water. Garnish with fresh nutmeg.

Hot Buttered Rum This colonial-era drink was once medicinal. It’s chock full of calories and a hot staple many either love or hate.

Rich and tasty, the butter can be shocking or oily in the mouth, so it’s best to prepare a batter-like mixture out of the butter, sugar and spices before mixing with rum and hot water.

Recipe from Kenneth Roberts, 1937: Combine ½ pound melted butter, ½ pound brown sugar, ½ pound sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground clove and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Add ½ quart softened vanilla ice cream and stir again. Cover and store in the freezer. To serve, add 1 tablespoon butter batter to a mug with 2 ounces golden rum and boiling water. Stir.

Ann Walczak is a food writer, editor, mixologist and former hospitality manager and consultant from Cleveland, Ohio. She is based in Nashville.

Follow Ann and her food adventures on Instagram @annstagram58. hopeforwomenmag.com

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food

How to Give Your 2022 Holiday Spread

a luxe upgrade

BY HOLLY RIDDLE

There’s nothing wrong with being casual. There’s a time and a place for paper plates and Solo cups like at your tailgate or a backyard barbecue. However, the holidays are a time of glitz and glam, sparkle and snow, twinkling lights and tempting treats. Shouldn’t your holiday spread reflect that same magic, that same level of luxury and elegance?

Luckily, imbuing your upcoming party or holiday feast with a little extra love isn’t as difficult as you might think.

Here are four easy ways to give your spread that necessary upgrade.

1

All real, all the time

2

Add a little sparkle and keep the details in mind

3

Pick a theme

4

Make the spread an experience

While it’s true that paper and plastic makes for easier cleanup, it lacks finesse. For the low price of just a little post-party elbow grease, you can upgrade your guests’ dining experience with real plates, real silverware and real wine or Champagne glasses. You’ll have to do more washing up than normal, but it’s worth it. You’ll also be doing your part to save the planet when you save all those paper plates from the landfill.

Don’t forget the napkins either! Luckily, cloth napkins are easy to clean by tossing them in the wash.

Don’t just stop with serving your spread on the good china. Add a little sparkle to your spread, whether you’re serving buffet style, a sit-down dinner or a grazing board filled with charcuterie delights. You can find beautiful and affordable pieces at your favorite home goods store, easily upgrading the look of your dining room or buffet table. Think marble or gilded cheese boards, table runners and candle holders with a bit of sparkle or glitz, tiered dessert stands and carefully crafted place cards. It’s the details that really matter when you’re putting together an impressive guest experience.

At a loss for what to buy or how to add that extra special touch? Pick a theme! A theme can be as complex or simple as you like. If your theme is vintage Christmas, for example, this can influence your overall event decor, but it might also play into your dish menu, what cocktails and spirits or wines you add to your bar cart, or even the font and design of your invitations.

As you’re putting together your holiday spread on the day of your event, try to make the dining experience just that — an experience.

If you expect your guests to mostly graze throughout the evening, maybe you set up various food stations through your hosting space — a cheese and charcuterie station in the dining room, the bar cart in the den, the desserts in the living room. Try to avoid cramming all your guests into the messy kitchen, even if you’re hosting a buffet-style event. Rather, serve the food on a long buffet table. Make sure each serving and dining area is aesthetically pleasing.

Not only will this keep guests from crowding in certain areas of the house, but they’ll also naturally mix and mingle as they search out their food and drinks. The dining portion of your event will be seamless, and all because you took the extra steps necessary to give your spread a slight luxury upgrade.

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Holly Riddle is a travel, food and lifestyle writer, and a full-time freelance content creator after several years on editorial staffs around the country. hopeforwomenmag.com

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A Round of

applause

Five women we clapped real loud for in 2022

BY BRITTANY K. HUNT

2022 has been a year of triumph for these ladies, and we are celebrating with them as the year draws to an end.

Sheryl Lee Ralph

This headliner became a first-time Emmy winner for best supporting actress in a comedy, Abbott Elementary, this year. Without question, her performance was outstanding and her acceptance speech was PHENOMENAL, which garnered a roaring standing ovation. While the show is a break-out hit, Sheryl has been gracing screens and stages for decades. The actress played the role of Deena in the original Broadway show Dreamgirls and starred alongside the singer/actress Brandy in the sitcom Moesha.

Tembi & Attica Locke

These two creatives are sisters and the force behind the Netflix series From Scratch. The series tells the story of two people who, on the surface level, are from totally different backgrounds, but at their core are reflections of one another. Food and family are core components in each of their lives, which is only the beginning of them falling deeply in love. The kind of love that is transcendent, soul-nourishing and liberating. If you are looking for something to binge watch over the holidays, this is a must-see series! Kudos to Tembi and Attica for their vulnerability and courage to share their heart on the small screen through this series.

Quinta Brunson

This talented writer provides some of the best medicine there is through her comedy series Abbott Elementary, currently in its second season. Quinta also stars in the laugh-out-loud mockumentary show, depicting an underfunded fictional school in West Philadelphia capturing the realities of what it takes to cultivate engaging learning environments despite their lack of resources. This rising star won an Emmy earlier this year in the category of Outstanding Writing in a comedy series, the second Black woman in history, and inked a multi-year deal with Warner Bros. Television. Quinta is doing her thing! You can stream Abbott Elementary on HULU and watch new episodes on Wednesdays nights on ABC.

Gina Prince-Bythewood

Lights, Camera, Action! Behind the camera, this woman is calling the shots and has been for many years. Gina is the filmmaker who has directed some classic films, telling stories that may not have been told otherwise.

Movies like Love & Basketball, The Old Guard, and most recently, The Woman King which brought in 19 million dollars during its opening weekend in September of this year. If you haven’t seen the The Woman King, please go see it! You will not be disappointed by the action or storyline. She is a master of art imitating life or life imitating art depending on the viewer’s perspective. Gina consistently puts out masterful films that are authentic and resonate with the audience.

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books

fiction 22’

wrap up

Recommended reads to get cozy with

BY BRITTANY K. HUNT Many new books are published by both debut and established authors every year. Fiction is entertaining and can prompt great conversations or thoughtful introspection. Here is a short list of this year’s publications that are worth adding to your to-be-read list:

If I Survive You

The Rabbit Hutch

by Leila Mottley

by Jonathan Escoffrey

by Tess Gunty

Leila Mottley and Nightcrawling are bound for eminence. The story of Kiara Johnson and her desire to maintain what family she has left goes to lengths that she did not know she would have to simply to keep a roof over her and her brother’s head. When Kiara becomes a key witness in an Oakland Police investigation, life takes a turn that she never anticipated all because of nightcrawling.

This is a book of short stories that are connected by telling the stories of a Jamaican family trying to earn a piece of the American dream and the impediments and hurdles they have to overcome to get a glimpse of success. It is set in Florida with the tangible hurdle of rebuilding the family home post-Hurricane Andrew amongst rebuilding relationships.

Community is a chosen family of sorts and the main character, Blandine Watkins, has chosen a family of neighbors that rally around her after she is assaulted on day one of living in the apartment complex nicknamed the rabbit hutch. Tess, a debut author and National Book Award Winner, brings the audience in with both delicate and bold writing about life and the community within it.

Nightcrawling

Our Missing Hearts

by Celeste Ng

If you are a fan of Little Fires Everywhere, this book will not disappoint you. Celeste does a fantastic job developing characters and weaving reality with possibility. She dives into topics like paranoia, racism and government. The main character, Bird, is separated from his Chinese-American mother and reassigned to another family, and as this dystopian story unfolds, he seeks the truth about his mother and their family.

Brittany K. Hunt is a book lover with a continuously expanding To Be Read (TBR) List. She lives in an Atlanta suburb with her husband and two daughters. hopeforwomenmag.com

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books

fiction 22’

wrap up

Lessons in Chemistry

by Bonnie Garmus

Elizabeth Zott is the epitome of two opposite traits coexisting. Bonnie writes brilliantly using humor and intellect.

This book grabs your attention from page one and holds on tightly to the last page.

Sweet, Soft, Plenty, Rhythm

by Laura Warrell

A middle-aged musician, Circus Palmer, is a ladies’ man and the only thing that he is devoted to is the sound of his trumpet. After learning that one of his companions is pregnant before a gig, he leaves without a conversation, and the ride commences with loops of love, passion, risk and reconciliation. This is Laura’s debut novel.

Guidance for women facing

a new season of life!

Are you feeling adrift as you face transitions in a new season of life? It’s time to start dreaming again...

In the new book WOMEN AT HALFTIME, Shayne Moore and Carolyn Castleberry Hux help you find renewed joy and purpose for your next season.

Identify the building blocks for getting unstuck by asking yourself key questions to help eliminate the obstacles that are holding you back.

Know you are not alone. Transformative growth takes time, but the end result is worth it.

GET STARTED BY BUYING YOUR COPY TODAY! 46

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#womenwednesday

Across all Hope’s social media platforms, this biweekly series will highlight inspiring women to know.

is a team of thinkers, seekers and creatives who find inspiration in movement, exploration and sisterhood. We want to create meaningful relationships inspired by real women and their stories all designed for the way you live today! Only at www.hopeforwomenmag.com

Flavor Awaits

A season for sipping, savoring and seasonal sights.

Find all your fall favorites in Fort Wayne, Indiana

hopeforwomenmag.com WINTER 2022 47 Plan an affordable getaway at VisitFortWayne.com/Fall

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Being there for you means being there for you, now.

A cancer diagnosis can make time stand still, and you find yourself asking, “What now?” But when that happens, Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center provides a guaranteed, 48-hour window from initial contact to initial consultation.

Get faster access to all the expertise and innovative treatments of one of the country’s top cancer centers at Community MD Anderson. So in moments of great uncertainty, you can be certain of what comes next.

Now, more than ever, we want you to remember that when you’re part of a community, you’re never alone.

Let’s start the journey together at eCommunity.com/cancer