Issuu

Nov 2023

MAGAZINE

NEVER. GIVE. i

Sirena

No. 4 w w w . B E B R A V E M A G A Z I N E . c o m

UP.

Credits

Faculty: Kijana Crues - Publisher/Designer/ Editor/ Director of Editorial

Writers: Kijana Crues- Interview writer/ Editor

Photography: Kijana Crues- Lead Photographer *Photographer for all features in Rochester, NY Tonya Tompson- Submitted photos. Stock photos from Pixabay.com

Graphic Design: Kijana Crues- Director of Graphic Design Graphic Designer

Artist From Gallery: KB Kreative Artistry

If you’d like to sponsor Kijana Crues Imaging, LLC and Be Brave Magazine, Contact Us! BeBraveMagazine@gmail.com All featured stories were written by the warriors being featured. All stories edited by Kijana Crues with Kijana Crues Imaging, LLC.

Letter From The Editor Welcome to the 2nd issue of Be Brave Magazine! Be Brave Magazine is an online magazine that spotlights everyday people, warriors, that pushed through life’s struggles and refused to be stopped. These are articles and stories of warriors sharing about their triumphs through adversity, sharing advice for those that need it, and are all showing the importance of having Faith and never giving up. After a whole year of putting things in order it’s finally here! The journey was long and hard but I pushed forward and continued to listen to the Lord. God put this project on my heart to complete. So I HAD to keep pushing... no matter what and be obedient. I’ve been through a lot in my life. From a massive weight loss journey beginning 2014, resulting in losing over 270 lbs... and my getting “healthy”... to then finding out I had Stage 4 NH Lymphonma Cancer in 2018. I found myself in a position of having to fight for my life... and even more later. I know all too well about the importance in valuing every day like its your last, because anything can happen. Since battling and BEATING cancer and becoming cancer-free, I’ve made it a priority to go after everything I’ve ever wanted or dreamed of. Time to make pipe dreams a reality. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. I’ve also made it a priority to use my life as an example to others... to hopefully inspire them to keep pushing too! Know that you too can achieve whatever You put your minds and actions to. This magazine is about just that! People sharing their stories so that others can relate and get through their struggles as well! These warriors talk about the real parts of life that are sometimes swept under the rug and/or are hard to talk about. They give real advice meant to truly help you get through your life and get to your goals. Also this magazine has an amazing Art Gallery section that showcases amazing artists from all over the United States. If you are an artist and you want the opportunity to share you talents on this platform contact the magazine! Be Brave Magazine is continuing to build its team. If you are interested in joining the team and feel you have a skill that could help push the magazine... contact us! Lastly... No, This isn’t a “Christian Magazine” but it IS A CHRISTIAN’S magazine. So I always have to give reverence and praise to the Lord. Its because of Him that I am here today! Thanks to everyone that contributed in this first issue. You all are truly appreciated and loved! With Love, Kijana Crues Magazine Creator/ Editor/ Graphic Designer/

Table Of Contents

4 Credits 5

Letter From The Editor

Make Dreams Happen:

People who fight to achieve their Dreams. Featuring: Goddesstry from Rochester, NY.

12 What is Faith:

Kijana Crues poses the question “What Is Faith?” She talks about what it means to have faith in God.

16 Cover Story:

Brave and proactive activist Serina Cotton talks about her journey of healing after her son was killed. She talks about her organization.

Shanukah Roberts talks about her journey to self love and acceptence. She shares how modeling makes her feel brave! Comedian Tina Marie 2.0 shares about her journey through addiction and how she is empowered by comedy.

Keeping Faith:

Tonya Thompson talks about her journey living with MS, and how she is staying strong!

For The Love Of Art:

A place to appreciate art of all kinds from photography, to paintings, to fashion designs... and the list goes on! This is a place to truly appreciate each others amazing talents and unique creations! Featured Rochester Artists: KB Kreative Artistry.

Table Of Contents

Lights, Camera, Action:

Keeping Faith

Tonya Thompson Rochester, New York

dance continued as extra-curricular activities. I participated in the Black Student Union dance group entitled Radiance. I later took that name and started a dance group at James Madison School of Excellence. I was also a member and leader in the National Association of Black Engineers (NSBE). I changed majors because I was tired of reWho was Tonya Dickens? I was a young mo- ceiving low grades. I graduated with an tivated girl who believed education was her Integrated Science degree. The University was offering black graduates a Master’s in way to a better life. I was born in Newark, education or school counseling at the time. New Jersey and lived there until 2nd grade. My mom then moved to Plainfield, NJ. As a My choices were limited so I went for the Master’s in school counseling and didn’t young girl, my mother put me her in Marie look back. Wiley dance school in East Orange, NJ and Ms. Scott charm school in Plainfield, NJ. I Moving on, I did not go to college to fall in enjoyed modeling, singing and dancing all through my former education. I did and en- love but I did. Immediately upon graduajoyed everything from playing Gretel in the tion, I married the love of my life. We start6th grade play to competing in backgammon. ed having children one year later. By then I had also secured a job as a school counselor I loved school. I was very proud to win the with the district. 3rd grade spelling bee and to win the backgammon championship for my age level in I am now a certified school counselor now Plainfield. for 30 years. It was a great career to have with children I thought because of the vaYes, my young life in Plainfield looked cations and breaks. I was moving into the promising. I made the high school band next level of my professional career when baton twirling team just before I moved to a past medical diagnosis really became evupstate New York. I disappeared from the ident. I was attending SUNY Brockport to friends I knew from 3rd grade. It was a definally get my admin certification which did pressing move for me. Nevertheless, I managed to adjust to the new world I was in. No not require much. I finally wanted to be an administrator of some type. My friends had longer did I see black people in the mainstream. I was to finish my education in a ma- already moved to that level while I was just jority white system, Binghamton, New York. not interested at the time. My name is Tonya Ann Clark Thompson. I’ve never been called all of that. However, that is my full legal name right now. I simply go by Tonya Thompson because all three of my children are named Thompson. I have been Tonya Ann Dickens for all my young life.

In college, my interest in modeling and

34 32

For The Love Of Art

KB Kreative Artistry Rochester, NY

KB Kreative Artistry on: FB, IG, and TikTok Email: KBkreativeArtistry@gmail.com

Special Thanks First I thank my heavenly Father. Thank you Lord for guiding me to do this... and thank you for leading me every step of the way. I can do nothing without you. Thank you to my mom for being with me throughout this whole journey. I love you so much. You believed in me and helped me in so many ways throughout the journey of getting this journey started. Thank you to all the people who contributed to this project. To all the featured warriors who shared their stories, thank you for sharing such personal and meaningful experiences and being willing to share to help and inspire others to keep pushing forward. You truly are warriors. And I have so much respect for every last one of you. Thank you to the artists that contributed their work to the magazine. Every last one of you are so amazing in your crafts and gifts. Your art is so inspirational and touches so many people. Im honored to have you in Be Brave Magazine! Thank you to Min. Robert Matthews for sponsoring the magazine, and thanks to everyone who paid for a promo ad. Your contributions help this magazine to be able to fund itself. Thank You to my friends and family who were ears for me to talk to and shoulders to cry on when I had a hard time pushing through. You spoke life into me when I needed to hear it. Those of you who were truly there, please know that I love you so much. I truly appreciate you. 42

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