MAGAZINE
WINTER 2024
Never Give NEVER. GIVE. Up
UP.
Carvin
Eison
No. 4
www.BEBRAVEMAGAZINE.com
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 Ronda Taylor- Submitted her photos Meta Avatar image and likeness does not belong to Be Brave Magazine or Kijana Crues Imaging, LLC. Image is only being used as an example for educational and informational purposes. Images Provided by the subject being featured. All rights of Meta Avatars belongs to Meta (Facebook). Stock photos from Pixabay.com
Graphic Design: Kijana Crues- Director of Graphic Design Graphic Designer
Artist From Gallery:
Katrina Gaspar Rachel Daze Kijana Crues
All images of artwork submitted by the artists
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. Copyright © 2023 By Kijana Crues Be Brave Magazine is a magazine owned and created by Kijana Crues Imaging, LLC
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Letter From The Editor Welcome to the 2nd year 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/ Lead Photographer
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Table Of Contents
4
Credits
5
Letter From The Editor
8
14
Make Dreams Happen:
People who fight to achieve their Dreams. Featuring: Ronda Taylor
Cover Story:
Twice EMMY-nominated, award-winning filmmaker, Carvin Eison, shares about his Films, his journey, and what inspires him.
Featured music artist: Gerard Conyers shares about his
22
journey!
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: Katrina Gaspar, Rachel Daze, and Kijana Crues.
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Table Of Contents
Music Corner:
Ronda Taylor
Anderson, Indiana
Make Dreams Happen I’m Ronda Taylor—a retired statewide Dean of entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, and devoted Super Aunt. Originating from Anderson, Indiana, I hold a PhD in Education Leadership, an MBA in Global Management, and a BS in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. In the metaverse, I go by BlackSandz, actively engaging for over three years. With a diverse background spanning global travel, professional experience across industries, raising four girls (nieces), and shaping local entrepreneurship, I’ll delve into my entrepreneurial journey for this article. I own Startup Sprint and Idea to Empire, driven by my lifelong passion for entrepreneurship. Startup Sprint supports entrepreneurs through consulting, workshops, and events. Idea to Empire helps established businesses expand their market reach into the metaverse. It’s a thrilling passion project, and I’m constantly learning in this dynamic space! My motivation is clear—I aim to establish a legacy for my nieces and initiate a generational wealth trend in my family. Driven by passion, I dedicate myself to assisting small business owners, breaking down barriers to their success, and empowering them to expedite business development and growth. In 5th grade, I started selling candy for “McDonald’s money,” evolving into a babysitting and tutoring business that lasted through high school. My first taste of entrepreneurship set the stage. In college, one entrepreneurship elective ignited my passion. My project, Taylor Enterprise, envisioned a conglomerate supporting member companies financially. The dream of being my own boss, planted in childhood, grew close
to reality. While not the exact college idea, it was a significant step toward my entrepreneurial journey. My journey began as a front-line supervisor at Delphi, offering me a free MBA and valuable skills. Downsized, I entered academia and contemplated entrepreneurship. After stints in recruiting and consulting, I started teaching online and launched a daycare. In pursuit of medical benefits, I applied for an adjunct position at the local community college. God’s touch led me to a full time teaching position and an 18 year career in academia shaping my journey further. My childhood entrepreneurial spirit thrived in a 10-year daycare business venture, spawning projects like a tween career camp, childcare networking organization, and an investment group. These experiences paved the way for my current businesses. As mentioned, I started my journey as early as the 5th grade. I’ve always possessed and entrepreneurial mindset. It wasn’t until I was working for the University of Phoenix that I had my first concrete business idea - to start a daycare. It took five years to launch, overcoming failed attempts, partnerships, career changes, and a move back to my home state. Understanding my struggles to start, I identified the need to help childcare providers navigate startup challenges such as gatekeepers, complex processes, and overwhelming information. From this desire I birthed BRIDGES—a childcare provider networking organization with a mission of decoding the process of starting a daycare and empowering providers for success. Experiencing my own hardships, I decided to ease the path for others, marking the beginning of my journey to support entrepreneurs. Adversities were a constant in my entrepre-
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For For The The Love Love Of Of
ART
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 Muck Duck Studio for supporting the magazine’s Anniverary Party. You guys are so awesome! 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.
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Be Brave Magazine is owned and designed by Kijana Crues Imaging, LLC