Black Women Sunshine

MELLENIN

APR-AUG 2020 | ISSUE 3

THE SHE VOICES OF AFRICA

THE JKOJKO

AFRICAN

CUISINES ZAMBIA’S IFISASHI

DEAR ME,

BRIDE THINGS

A LETTER TO

VEE’S WORDS

17YR OLD SELF

JOANNE’S TURF

BLACK DON’T CRACK THE MUSIC GIRLS FROM AFRICA

A NAILS AFFAIR + Much more…

You’ve Been Served!

DOOFAN AGBER, Nigeria’s

Sweet Tooth

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We wish to thank everyone who made it possible for the success of this magazine. A big thank you to Shane Engedi, Kayte Gichuru and Nyambura Gatonye who took their time and agreed to share their inspiring stories with other black women of Africa.

Kindly note that this issue is for online viewing only. No part of this issue should be printed or sold by any means.

We are now accepting editorials for our March -April Issue. Send in your submissions. Send us your feedback at melleninvoices@gmail.com info@melleninvoices.com melleninvoices.wordpress.com Also follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @melleninmagazine

IN THIS ISSUE 18. Exclusive: It’s a Nails’ Affair at Jay’s Turf

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29. Black Don’t Crack Africa’s leading vocalists 34. WOMEN IN SCIENCE The Chemist Guru, Tebello Nyokong

HELLO ISSUE

3

29 IN THIS ISSUE 38. What are you reading?

39. Exclusive: My wedding tidbits 57. African Gourmet A Zambian delicacy 60. A letter to 17yr old me Shamimma’s pen

39 We wish to thank everyone who made it possible for the success of this issue.

A big thank you to the photographers at Pexel, contributors and not forgetting the lovely team of ladies; the awesome black women who agreed to share their motivational and inspirational stories with other black queens, Joan of Jay Turf, and Violet Kibagendi. May your stars always shine bright. Not forgetting our new contributor, Shamima. Thank you!

This issue is for online viewing only.

No part of this issue should be printed or sold by any means.

Send us your feedback at

melleninvoices@gmail.com melleninvoices.wordpress.com

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PEOPLE BEHIND THE SUCCESS OF THIS ISSUE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Wangari Gatonye CONTRIBUTORS: Shalimma Melissa Chacha Kairu Winston Eric Wangari Gatonye PHOTOGRAPHERS Njugi Kariuki Livingstone Ochieng Melody Jacob Zach-Vessels-Unsplash Filipe Gomes DESIGN & LAYOUT Wangari Gatonye FRONT COVER

Joanne Photography: Models„ Own BACK COVER CREDIT @naijaphotographers

COURTESY AJUMA NASENYANA

CONTRIBUTORS Wairimu

Gatonye Hobbies: Reading, Traveling/Exploration, Photography What am reading right now: Season Of Crimson Blossom by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim Fave travel destination: I strive to go to new destinations each

shalimma

time. But Zanzibar stands out

MELISSA Outstanding feature: Ability to express myself in words Country life or city life? City. It’s more challenging and that’s a

My Art inspiration is from:

odhiambo

My curious childhood.

O’dwyre

Music or Art?

I would say art but I always

good thing.

Misconception people have on

enjoy art with music in my

my skin color: Assume my tribe

ears. Tough decision to

and lifestyle. I have to tell people am not a certain tribe and that I

make but I'll go with Art.

work hard for my money and

I feel home at? Family sit

don’t expect handouts

downs and feasts. I do enjoy

Fave holiday destination: Europe!

my art desk too.

There are a lot of places I would visit.

Been writing since? I was 10. I would create a coloring book of my

Coffee

beer? Beer any day.Nothing else does it better

own and write a story about everything I drew on.

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EDITOR’S NOTE HELLO SUNSHINE! Hello there Mellenin Queens, First off, it’s gratitude to the people who made this possible. My lovely husband and my two daughters, whose inspiration I draw my strength from. I also wish to thank you all readers who keep me going…damn that always gets me and gives motivation for every piece. Thank you oh great African women of valor.

How often do you meet with Psychologists who are into the nail art beauty business? We have one in our exclusive; an entrepreneur who knows what she wants and working hard at it..

She’s different, she’s a go getter and we just had to feature her. Get to read about her work and passion for her business on our Mellenin Entrepreneurs section.

Tebello Nyokong is nanotechnology professor Rhodes_Univeristy researching photodynamic therapy to treat cancer, she was awarded SACI Gold Medal for her efforts and we feature her story in the Women in Science section. Through her work, she encourages us young women that anything is possible if we put our hearts into.

It’s an achievers issue and it couldn’t be complete without us highlighting a young woman’s hustle in wedding planning. Violet lets us in on how she met Dave and how it was like for her planning her own wedding.

We also take a look into four amazing singers from across Africa. The never ageing ladies that nourish us with their vocals.. Who are they?

We introduce Shalimma’s pen, where we get to read on a letter by Shalimma Melissa, our new contributor.

I love happy endings. I love me some good loving from people I treasure. I love stories that end well and with a kiss to top it up. And that’s what we got for you in this issue. On a last note, appreciate every moment you go through in life. Always remembering that bad things don’t last forever…good things do.

Keep your head up, #StayCharmed.

Have a Mellenin moment. Will ya?

THE NAIL BUSINESS

by Wangari Gatonye

Since time immemorial, women have been changing and enhancing their looks for a more comfortable, confidence look.

Despite the tough economic times, the beauty industry—hair, oils, eyelashes, eyebrows and nail— continues to draw new customers as women try out edgy and bold looks. Jayne Okoth, a celebrity stylist who owns Rapunzel Hair Affair salon in Nairobi„s Westlands, says that most women nowadays come in for fulllook makeovers. ‗„A woman can spend Sh50,000 on hair and nails a month. Times have changed.

Women who come to the salon do not only ask to make their hair. They will also want their makeup done, manicure, pedicure or unnecessary hair removal,‖ she says.

The nail business is fast taking over the beauty industry. Of note, the nail business. Women now have more designs and choices. ―Very few people these days will ask for the normal nail polish, they ask for creativity, they want 3D designs, holographs that are currently trending and baby boomers,‖ she says.

Nail art prices keep rising as new trends come in. Years ago, Sh600 could give you decent-looking nail decorations, but now Ms Okoth says her customers pay from Sh2,500 to Sh6,500.

MELLENIN MAG | ISSUE 3 2020

Many women are in the frenzy of altering their nails„ natural look and flock the salons every now and then to enhance their beauty.

Art, long nails, all come at a cost. It„s no wonder Joan, a Psychology degree holder, decided to purge into this beauty nail business. We spoke to her and this was her story.

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A BEAUTY STORY

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JAY„S TURF he’s a Psychology Degree Holder from Kenyatta University, Kenya.

She’s all things smart; Intelligent, modest, a go-getter and already curving a niche for herself. She’s passionate about her job, and in a class of her own.

Meet Joanne, the bubbly, young entrepreneur making it in the Nail business. She speaks to Wangari Gatonye on her passion for her business.

Challenges?

Tell us about your business.

Yes, a lot actually.

I run a nail art business where I use art to make clients„ nails attractive.

The crème de la crème is my social life and hangs by

Most young people prefer white collar jobs to entrepreneurship soon after graduation. What made you want to venture into business?

Building a business takes time hence I have little time

the thread.

to get out there, know people and basically have fun. (laughs)

Ever since I was a kid, I have always wanted to have my own beauty brand.

Nails, jewelry, makeup…all of it!!

Then there„s the part where people end up

I always admired other people with their brands and when the time came for me, one day, I just thought tomyself, ―Why not start it?

Also there„s constant criticism from.. ummm,

misunderstanding you…a lot…but it„s worth it.

I just try to balance it all out. Its challenging.

everyone! Everyone has an opinion at the end of the day so I just try to take what I can and leave the rest.

I can say that business if brutal. It„s a constant road of high and low seasons and you can„t afford to crumble if you want good results.

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How do you market yourself?

Any way I can really.  I wear my products.  I post them on social media  Friends and family.  Partnerships with other

up on the media.

I also get most of my ideas on social media…nail art, new products, etc.

Since social media is a constantly updated tool, it keeps me on toes and frankly its fun to learn what other people have to share out there. It keeps me open minded too.

brands or artistes, Literally any way I can to get my brand out there.

What’s the effect of social media on your business?

Social media plays a big role when it comes to marketing and networking.

My work gets out there more when its MELLENIN MAG | ISSUE 3 2019

As a result, my business has grown in quite a short time and is still growing. I get constructive criticism from social media too.

What do you love about social media in relation to your line of business.?

The fact that I get to share my craft with other people and get to experience theirs in return. This is motivating.

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How do you keep up to date with trending nail art Social media mostly.

I find creative moments can also come randomly.

I would see a person wearing an interesting nail art, and I would ask to look.

Mostly though, I rely on social media a lot because of diversity

Who’s your role model That would be my mom!

Everything I am is because she believed in me first and never stopped.

I will always be indebted to her for that.

What makes you tick?

My passion for the craft. I honestly love what I do.

I eat, dream, drink, sing nails. (chuckles) There are days when the motivation lacks. But my

and quality of content.

obsession from my art gives me the psyche to keep

I usually don„t miss to see something new every day.

moving.

My clients„ appreciation too comes in handy. A lot.

Advice to other young female

Their gratitude keeps me excited and I definitely

start ups?

want to give more. I try not to take that for granted.

Believe in the work of your hands. Nobody can or will ever be able to do it better than you can.

What’s next for Jay’s Turf Am looking forward to growing this into a household, fun, beauty empire.

Fuyuka Matsuzaki, a Japanese, came to Kenya a year ago to change the traditional nail art designs by infusing technology. ―I visited several salons in Kenya and saw that many women took good care of their nails but unfortunately most manicurists are just able to do simple patterns. I thought I can bring a new technology to help change the beauty industry,‖ she says. She added pictures in the nail art market, where a photo of your husband or daughter is imprinted on your nail. This technology is the first of its kind in Africa with the nail-printing machines only available in China, Japan, USA and Europe. Ms Matsuzaki says beauty is a way of self-actualisation. ―In Japan, we say beauty comes from the hands, and this is because we do a lot of things using our hands, you great people and immediately someone is drawn to your hands, so why not make them look good. It is also a way of starting a conversation,‖ she says.

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BLACK DON’T CRACK THE 4 NEVER AGEING VOCALISTS OF AFRICA

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It„s a well known fact that people of African descent tend to wrinkle less with age than people with fairer skin. But then, how true is this cliché?

"It's due to the amount of collagen and melanin in the skin," says skin specialist and aesthetician Bianca Estelle. Melanin is a sticky pigment produced by your skin that works like sunscreen, protecting the skin from UV rays. A specific type of melanin called eumelanin creates a dark skin tone; the more eumelanin your body produces, the darker your skin will be. "That's what makes black skin age so well," Estelle says. "We have a natural protection. I call it the ozone layer of our skin."

How fancy? And to think there are thoussands of women altering their looks for a lighter tone?! My nerves! But I digress. Here„s a list of 5 music celebrities that we found aren„t ageing any time soon.

They„ve been singing and looking sleek since the 90s!

MIRIAM MAKEBA SOUTH AFRICA

ANGELIQUE KIDJO, 59yrs BENIN

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Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo, known as Angélique Kidjo (born July 14, 1960), is a Beninese singer-songwriter, actress, and activist of Nigerian descent who is noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos. In 2007, Time magazine called her "Africa's premier diva" Shes been active since 1982. She„s won 4 Grammy„s already. Our sister from the West of Africa isn„t about to crack any time soon .

Coumba Gawlo Seck , 48yrs SENEGAL

Coumba Gawlo Seck is a Senegalese singer-songwriter and composer.

Coumba Gawlo Seck has continued to pursue the tribal roots of her music.

She„s a graduate of ECMT Martin Luther King (Dakar College), She won a New Talent/Singer award at Kora '99.

Sinach, 47 yrs NIGERIA

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MELLENIN MAG ~ ISSUE 3

The MUAs Of Instagram The Secrets of online makeup artistes Page 29 of 58

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NG DR. TEBELLO NYOKONG A PIECE BY WAIRIMU

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MELLENIN MAG ~ ISSUE 3

WOMEN IN SCIENCE

Tebello Nyokong (born October 20, 1951) Growing up

is a South African

during

chemist and professor at

politically

Rhodes University, and a

unstable times

recipient of the

in Lesotho,

Presidency of South

Professor

Africa's Order of

Tebello

Mapungubwe in Bronze.

Nyokong always had an ambitious streak

She was awarded the South African Chemical Institute Gold Medal in 2012,

and wasn„t afraid of hard work. She spent her childhood alternating between going

and named one of the top 10 most

to school and helping her family as a

influential women in science and technology in Africa by IT News Africa. She is currently researching photo-dynamic therapy, an alternative cancer treatment

shepherd, and as a young adult she resisted those who argued that scientific study would prove too difficult for her.

method to chemotherapy. In 2007, she Nyokong trusts in one surefire way to

was one of the top three publishing scientists in South Africa, and in 2013 she

reach your highest potential.

was awarded the National Research Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award.

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“I believe all people can overcome their unfavorable circumstances through education,‖ she asserts.

Her H index is 49 (ISI) and she has been cited over 8000 times.

She has received many awards for her

Prof Tebello Nyokong holds a

research including the following (just a

DST/NRF professorship in Medicinal chemistry and Nanotechnology at Rhodes University in South Africa. She is also

selection): 2013: she received South African Chemical Institute (SACI) Gold Medal; she was

Director of the DST/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC)-

awarded ―A‖ rating and ―Lifetime achievement‖ by the National Research

Sensors also at Rhode University.

Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and a She joined Rhodes University in 1992 after lecturing at the University of Lesotho for five years. She has been undertaking

Science (TWAS) presented in Argentina 2012: Named by IT News Africa as one of the top 10 most influential women in

research on applications of

science and technology in Africa and was

phthalocyanines in healthcare: as photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer agents in combination with nanosized metal nanoparticles and quantum dots.

included in the National Center for Research on Human Evolution (CENIEH), located in Burgos, Spain to be one of their ―12 NAMES TO CHANGE THE WORLD‖;

She has successfully supervised 70 PhD/MSc students. She has published ~ 500 manuscripts (including patents, a book and book chapters).

medal by The World Academy of the

The same she received recognition by IT News Africa as one of the top ten most influential women in science and technology in Africa.

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When you look at her growing list of achievements, it’s hard not to listen. Since she joined the Science faculty in 1992, Nyokong has been recognized by the Royal Society in Chemistry and the Pan African Chemistry Network as a Distinguished Woman in Chemistry. Nyokong is dedicated to empowering a new generation of Africans fit to dominate the science and technology world, and she advocates for African nations to better invest in a solid science infrastructure.

We, at Mellenin are proud of her achievements!

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WHAT ARE YOU READING?

Recently, I quit a WhatsApp book club which I had been a member for a whole year.

It was an incredible book club till I realized I was a sucker at e-books. I never got myself to read more than two ebooks for the whole 365 days. So I let it go.

See, am one person who loves the smell of printed books.

So, reading on a tablet can be really discouraging. Moreso, there are very few African ebooks out there. Or maybe I have not quite gotten to where they are yet.

The good thing about this group is that we had a challenge to read a book per week. So you read 52 books in a year. Either e-books or printed. The best rule was that we weren’t to share African e-books as a sign to promote local authors. A good one, right?

The River Between by Ngugi Wa Thiong’o I did this book a few years back and I loved it. It brings about the conflict of African culture and Christianity. And Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o proves why he is such a respected legend.

The Christian missionaries bring Christianity to the locals but attempt to outlaw the female circumcision ritual and in the process create a terrible rift between the two Kikuyu communities on either side of the river. The book creates tension very well, it’s full of metaphorical depictions while at the same time brings out the Kikuyu culture as it was before the invasion of the Europeans.

As a woman," someone said, The River Between makes you realize that “you are stuck between quite similar, yet opposing male monsters of rigid patriarchal rituals, fighting each other with religious salvation vocabulary and with you as a prize”.

Find it, read it!

THE TIDBITS OF A WEDDING PREP AS NARRATED BY VIOLET KIBAGENDI

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I met my now husband when I was in Campus through a friend, two friends, actually. The plan was, we meet up but one of the two friends was a no show. We called her to follow up and she not only gave us her location, but she also invited us, and so we went, like the spontaneous campus girls we were. When we got there, there he was……

We celebrated our 9th year anniversary on 11th March.

Considering Kenya has always had tribal tension, Any superstitions you had in mind about dating another culture?

None. That never came up. The tribe of a person has got nothing to do with who they are. Good people are good people

Kenya

is

a

culturally

very rich

country and I find that to be beautiful, to be more…. We cannot possibly at this time and age be stuck

on

tribal/cultural Superstitions.

and bad people are just bad people. Their tribe/culture has got nothing to do with it.

Believe it or not, it took over 6 months before Dave and I had the ‗BTW what tribe are you?„ kind of discussion, so I believe this was a non-issue for him as well.

A kikuyu traditional attire

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Was that when you knew he was the one?

We have had our ups and downs, broke up like 2 or 3 times in between but since we met, we have always been friends, even through the break ups.

Our friendship and our 100% honesty policy has helped us a long way.

The one? At that point I did not even know we would date. We became really good friends for a while before anything became serious and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I eventually fell in love with my best friend.

Love at first sight ?

As for love at first sight, it definitely wasn’t that for my case. I liked him when we first met, (I mean, he is very handsome and charming, who wouldn't) But I grew to care for and love Dave the more I got to know him. I don’t know about love at first sight.

Actually, it May not exist in my books but I suppose we all perceive love differently and we have to acknowledge that the person(s) who coined the phrase ‗love at first sight„ must have experienced it.

Dating in campus may sometimes be very rocky for students. How did you two make it this far? How did you manage to stay faithful to each other in school?

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THE AFRICAN WEDDING around the kitchen and how stuff works…where

In our culture, we had two traditional weddings. The first traditional wedding enabled Dave's side of the family know where I come from and further, it was for negotiation and payment of dowry.

The significance is in the traditional setting, I officially became Dave's wife.

The second was for my side of the family to get

finally I am given the key to his parents„ house. It signifies ―a sense of belonging…‖

Would you say you learnt the other culture better through this traditional process?

Yeah, in a sense, I got a better understanding. I still continue to learn though and it„s an exciting experience.

The fact that I got to play dress up, wore

to know Dave's side

a traditional Kikuyu attire (of my husband‟s

better. It is called ‘itara’ which is Kikuyu

tribe), was my highlight of the traditional

for fireplace. It is at this

wedding. I thoroughly enjoyed it, we also

function that I am given

met so many people, aunts, who,

rights, in a way, showed

traditional, are supposed to teach new brides or “brides to be” on matters marriage. They gave us immense advice based on various experiences and simply celebrated life. We grew so much.

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THE WEDDING

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I was my Own Wedding Planner‌ The proposal was in December. After we came back, we discussed our options and decided to follow through the wedding process, that being around February. The wedding was to be in December of the very year.

I started looking at various service providers and we made the first deposit in March‌.9 months before the wedding.

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Challenges experienced …

First off, our wedding was an ―Invites only‖ and explaining to family that they cannot bring the entire village was no mean task. This was hard considering we both came from big family relations.

Secondly, we all know that every girl wants a story book wedding…it was a real challenge separating my thoughts from that in order to have a budget friendly wedding which was accommodative to my friends„ views.

and

families„

Then there was the sourcing of service providers. It was hectic but well, where there is a will, there must be a way, right?

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Sourcing providers can be cumbersome. Considering you were still working full time.

Some of the service providers were people we had been working with, like the photographer, we also attended quite a number of functions where the band had performed….

The rest we sourced online and through referrals by friends.

work. Why tire yourself with all this while you could hire?

Ha ha ha. I actually did most of the planning and execution because I enjoyed the process. For that reason, it was difficult to cross paths with my friends or even lose them. Also, my friends were willing to help and they

Role of family and friends…Did your friends come through for you (considering most brides lose friends at this point)

called often just to check on me and the wedding progress…..it was a quite

Advice, moral support and financial support…that was the main role of friends and family. I was overwhelmed by the willingness exuded to help and support with whatever we needed.

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Sounds like a lot of

humbling experience. They also, surprised me as they threw me a bridal shower that I will live to remember…I could say our bond grew stronger through the experience…

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My MOST disappointing moment ….

My make-up started running out after I took the vows. My makeup artist, who was to come to the venue bailed. I almost broke down. Luckily, I had a friend who was good in ‗makeup things„ and fortunately enough, we had the same complexion. Thank heavens she had carried her kit. She re-did my make-up and I was good to go If I were to do it all over again?

What would I change?

Nothing. I loved every bit of it, even the make-up, (before it ran out)…*smiles

―The love and happiness that

was in the air. It’s not every-day we find ourselves in such an enriching environment. I will carry this FOREVER”“

Advice to other young women on Wedding Planning…

•

I Love planning events, but from experience, it can be quite overwhelming for some.

My advice would be, if planning isn't really your thing and you have the resources, hire a planner.

•

However, with sufficient planning and strategizing, nothing cannot be effectively and successfully achieved! You are your own limit.

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MELLENIN MAG APRIL-AUGUST 2019 ISSUE 3

―And Forever Two Shall Become One‖

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AFRICAN GOURMET Ifisashi — Greens in Peanut Sauce Origin: Zambia

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Ingredients 1 cup raw peanuts, shelled and skins removed 1 tomato, chopped 1 small onion, chopped 1 scant teaspoon salt 1.5 pounds of greens, chopped (about 1 bunch plus a bit more). The recipe suggests collard greens, pumpkin leaves or sweet potato leaves. This is made using purple kale.

Cooked beef, chicken or fish (optional) .

Instructions Grind, chop or pound the peanuts into a fine powder. Bring a few cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the peanuts, tomato and onion. Cook on high heat for several minutes, stirring often. Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the greens. Add salt and cover. Cook on low heat for 15 minutes to an hour. (We cooked this for 30 minutes). Continue cooking until greens and peanuts are reduced to a thick sauce, or stew. Serve with meat.

Julie’s Recipe

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AFRICAN DECO Time to pimp that dining room.

You got nice seats, big table and have no idea what to put on your table? Wonder no more…these African ping pongs will spruce up your dining area like you had never imagined.

CLUTCH- BAGS It„s dinner time and you wanna go all Ankara! Why not match with a clutch bag instead? Find all these and more from www.notabenecreations.com POT PLANTS I have never known anyone that doesn„t love flowers or plants in a pot. Go all out with a touch of kitenge on the side and show off your African oomph in these unique kiondolike pots. Thank us later.

FOR ADVERTS, Contact Us at melleninvoices@gmail.com info@melleninmag.com

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A LETTER TO 17YR OLD ME

By Shalima Melissa

Courtesy Filipe Gomes

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MELLENIN MAG APRIL-AUGUST 2019 ISSUE 3

As a woman , we almost always tend to care a lot about how you fit in this world. You question how you should behave all the time. In our community, place of work, around men and even around our peers. You are cautious about mostly everything.

From how you ; walk, talk, dress, what you eat, who you date and even the things that no one

Over the years, we've seen and heard of women who have broken this cycle. Not without criticism and not without being called out on their assumed idiocy for thinking they can change the world.

These women have however forged a regime of their own and have changed the way the society

else would notice.

views their progress to a point where they are referred to with pride and respect.

It's true , you do most of it subconsciously but that's because it's the only way you know.

The truth is, the times are changing and we should

Growing up, there were things you were asked

change with it. Looking back, there are a lot of

not to do and others you were expected to do.

These two requests were presented as, 'girls are not supposed to' and 'girls are supposed to' and those were the boundaries which you grew up

things I would've done better, for myself. If I were to write a letter to the part of me that I neglected the most, this is what it would've read :

within. Passed down from one generation to the next, dating from as far as your mind can go. The way girls and women should live their lives has always felt like something that was agreed on without our consent. For some reason, you feel obligated to oblige to these ways and you do.

The impact this has on your life is so huge that you sometimes lose yourself to that particular way of thinking. You feel not good enough or unworthy, if ever you step out of line. You allow yourself to get criticized and judged for thinking you can be better and or do better than what is "expected".

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MELLENIN MAG APRIL-AUGUST 2019 ISSUE 3

" Dear 17yr Old Self, I've come a long way. I wish you could see me now. I'm more confident and out-going. I have made so much improvement in my way of thinking.

I'm sorry. For all the times I neglected your opinions for those I felt I needed to heed more. Sorry, for not having your back when everyone else didn't believe in you. I'm sorry for making you feel like you weren't good enough because of mistakes you'd make.

I can't help but wonder where we would be if I'd listened to you even at one point. But, I'm doing better now and I'm making a lot of progress on my self- growth and awareness. I believe that I'm destined for greatness just as you had once told me.

I hope I make you proud I'd like to fill you in on a few things that I've learned as well; 1. There is so much potential in you that I wish we could have let flourish earlier but I'm using now to make

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something of us.

2. Life has too much to offer than just the things you see, you have to look beyond what surrounds and affects you. It is so much easier to be happy and content that way 3. People aren't always going to believe in you or support you, it's up to you to be your own pillar when you feel like you have nothing to hold on to. Never give

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MELLENIN MAG APRIL-AUGUST 2019 ISSUE 3

Mellenin Magazine features motivational and inspirational stories of African women in africa and the diaspora. We hope to encourage our sisters through other women’s journeys of achievement Got an inspiring SHE story?

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