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MARGARET MITCHELL President and CEO YWCA Greater Cleveland ANNE HARRILL

Owner, Océanne Boutique

AALIYAH BROWN Process Engineer, Rockwell Automation

Beletu (Belé) Wondwossen Founder / Publisher Shelley M. Shockley Managing Editor

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Writers Shelley M. Shockley Marsha Walker Eastwood Brittany Garrett Nirvana St. Cyr

Creative Belé Wondwossen Jason Garrett

Cover Story: Shelley M. Shockley Photo: Jason Garrett Contributing Writers Rhonda Crowder Michelle Phillips Fay Marianna Marron Letitia Nall Stephanie Phelps Kimberly Smith-Woodford

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From the Editor: Shelley M. Shockley What's going on? 2020 is taking its toll Forty-nine years ago, a young Marvin Gaye penned these words: Mother, mother There's too many of you crying Brother, brother, brother There's far too many of you dying You know we've got to find a way To bring some lovin' here today.

These words ring true today, just as they did then. Writing a column today has taken a toll because while all may seem right in my home, and yours, our country cries loudly, “What's going on?”

We are fighting unseen enemies - Covid-19 and the institutional, inherent racism in need of eradication.

The question remains, how is this possible, what fuels such hate and fear in one group of people against another? Why is one group provided the resources to survive, and the other is blamed for their lack of resources? How does a man, Dylan Roof, walk into a church and gun down innocent people and live to stand trial while Jacob Blake tries to break up a fight and ends up paralyzed with seven bullets in the back?

All of this can be summed up in one word - perception. There is a perceived fear of black and brown people that runs through the fabric of this country. The darker the hue, the more dangerous the lazier, the more illicit. You pick the adjective that depicts less than and add it in place of dangerous, lazy, or criminal, and you have the key to America's problems.

Many years ago, writer, historian, and Professor John Henrik Clarke wrote, “Most human behavior is controlled by images.

Image is a factor in how people look at themselves and what they use to reflect themselves. The control of images is a major factor in world power.”

In America particularly, but across the world, the AfricanAmerican image as a threat has permeated imagery ever since the enslavement of Africans. The depiction is meant to evoke fear and to justify perceived supremacy. It continues today, and there is an uprising among young people saying, “Enough is enough.” So what can you or I do to bring about change? The answers are manifold, and I don't have all of them, but I hope to offer a few that you can accomplish after reading this.

First, this is the year of the Census in the U.S., and this is your opportunity to be counted. Why do I want to be counted? To bring much needed federal, state, and local dollars to the communities that suffer from institutionalized poverty due to lack of resources. Also, to even the playing field when it comes to providing representation for your neighborhood. The census helps determine the appropriation of funds and defines the drawing of political boundaries used to elect the leaders of your communities.

All of your reasons for not being counted work against you and do not protect you. The excuses range from a fear of law enforcement knocking at your door to 'big brother' having too much information. These all work to your detriment and are false excuses. It is a count, strictly numbers, and only the 4 ▒ JULY - AUGUST 2020

occupants' names - no social security numbers or other identifying information is shared. The information retrieved is not shared with law enforcement to go out and check for outstanding warrants. The only information you are providing helps to determine the needs of a community.

As an example, as the population ages in a census, tract begins to show an increase in senior citizens, the hope and plan is that these areas would receive more services to assist those individuals with aging gracefully. If there is a spike in births, public policy evaluators will know that there is a need for more elementary schools and other resources to aid these children's growth.

Secondly, if you want to see change, it is your responsibility to vote in the upcoming election and every election. Today, we are focused on the critical presidential race, but we also vote for our congressional representatives, which in many ways, is more important. Additionally, your local elections for Mayor, City Council, Judge, etc. are the most important because they impact your daily life. Exercise your right - get out and vote, and take someone with you.

Finally, listen and hear what others are saying. It is okay to disagree, but at least try to hear what they have to say. You just might learn something.

To help take you away from all of the world's strife, we have features to help you focus on you and your self-improvement.

Our cover story features the dynamic Margaret Mitchell, President and Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Greater Cleveland. Mitchell is a true source of inspiration, having navigated several careers while staying grounded in her faith and raising three incredible children and nurturing a marriage of 35 years. Take a few moments to get to know her, and their work at the YWCA. Then there is our up-and-coming Engineer, Aaliyah Brown. A Process Engineer at Rockwell Automation, Brown is passionate about her work, but her true passion is in helping young women find their way in the field of technology. She is giving back to the community as those before her did to inspire and navigate this highly competitive field.

If you're looking for real inspiration, you need to look no further than the feature on Anne Harrill, the French jewelry designer who left her home and accomplished her dreams in Cleveland, Ohio. Take some time out to read about her and if you get a chance, stop by her studio & boutique, Océanne.

Of course, we have some straightforward advice from columnist Marsha Walker Eastwood on how to keep our financial house in order. In this issue, she brings your attention to the fine print found in everything from the latest app on your telephone to that new Smart TV. So before you make that next purchase, be sure to read Eastwood's column.

I hope that each of you will do your part, no matter how small to help effect change. Most importantly, let's show one another love and grace by offering a smile or holding open a door. The little things count.

Until next time,

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WHAT'S GOING ON? 2020 IS TAKING ITS TOLL Shelley M. Shockley

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HOW THE FINE PRINT CAN SABOTAGE YOUR FINANCES Marsha Walker Eastwood

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Willoughby Native ARIANA BERRY Named Blue Jacket of the Quarter

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During our interview with Margaret Mitchell, President and Chief Executive officer of the YWCA Greater Cleveland, it became clear that her life exemplifies Obama's theory of life's evolution. As a youngster, Mitchell developed a love for the written language which led her to pursue a career in journalism.

That career actually began before she made it to college, but she knew at that point what she wanted to do with her life.

FEATURES ANNE HARRILL

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The youngest of three children, Anne grew up in a small town near Avignon in the south of France. As a teenager, the family moved within close proximity to Cannes, a resort town on the French Riviera, famed for its international film festival, sandy beaches and upmarket boutiques. She grew up surrounded

by Lavender fields, wineries and olive trees.

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Aaliyah's love for engineering led her to Cleveland State University, where she received a bachelor of science in Electronic Engineering Technology.

An engineer by profession, she is passionate about her job. Still, her true passion lies in expanding the future of women working in technical fields.

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HOW THE FINE PRINT CAN SABOTAGE YOUR FINANCES In this very chaotic and often confusing world, finding a quick fix for an annoying problem can be a problem itself, because the “fix” not only does not work, it By: Marsha Walker Eastwood, hurts our finances.

B.S.Ed, MSHSV Case in point – PWM Contributing Writer recently, while trying to thread the needle on my sewing machine, I became very frustrated at the number of fruitless tries. My eyeglasses seemed to fail me, so after trying several different lighting ideas, I decided perhaps a magnifying glass would be just the thing. After searching for nearly an hour, imagine my delight in finding one with a light and batteries already installed. That delight quickly faded when I tried it, and the magnification was too high, and I still could not find the irritating hole in the needle. Now, I was stuck with what was sure to be another useless tool.

After I calmed down and collected myself, I realized that had I read the fine print, I would have noticed that the magnification level was 3x, which was far too powerful for my immediate need.

After I abandoned my project, I sat there holding that magnifying glass in my hand, and I thought about how much money the average consumer wastes by not reading the fine print. From a simple bottle of over the counter preparations to prescription medication labels, cosmetics, household chemicals, and yes even the front card of a magnifying glass, we are so consumed with the quick fix and that the information contained in those size eight words seem too troublesome to bother reading.

There are four personal finance drains secondary to fine print overlook. One is money spent on items that we use a few times then leave to collect dust on a shelf such as unique personal care products. The second is the enormous array of health supplements. The third is “As Seen On TV” merchandise. The fourth is contracts and warranties. The first two categories are products that are heavily advertised by the bath and body products industry and the cosmetics industry.

According to Verified Market Research, The US skincare market was valued at $26.92 billion in 2018. The projection for 2026 is $37.13 billion, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.08% from 2019 to 2026. This market includes bath, shower, and after-shower products as well as anti-aging lotions, creams, and serums that all tout their ability to soften and relax skin and take care of those pesky lines and wrinkles found in aging skin. Some of them promise to reduce the bags and dark circles under the eyes and provide a fresh and healthy glow to the skin. Some of them even created sticker shock. But what they all must do is provide labeling, aka, the fine print that includes the ingredients and informs you that all skin types are different, so the

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results vary by user. They should also tell you what they will and will not do.

Depending on the product, the fine print may include warnings not to use it under certain circumstances.

Sometimes they include a suggestion to do a skin patch test, but who has time to read all of that. After all it worked for your Aunt Shirley, and your best friend Janet, so why bother with all that little print. Just slather or dab it on. Those eye bags that promised 8 hours of invisibility or near invisibility are highly visible like a 5 o'clock shadow at 3 pm. The products are moved to the dust collecting shelf of a medicine cabinet or a drawer to join other products of similar ilk.

Often the problem is not the product but the user. Looking in the mirror at those fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, and bags can create a call to action. New routines start great, even if they're time-consuming, and there must be more than a slow drip infusion of motivation to keep things going. The routine may go well the first week or so, but then those few extra steps getting ready for work or before bedtime become challenging to maintain. The number of products you have on those shelves represent a financial gain for the skincare products industry and financial hit to your finances. If you purchased them with a credit card, it is a double loss because more than likely you paid interest on your collection of dust catchers.

In a society that is more than moderately obsessed with health and wellness, a 2019 report by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)indicates, the dietary supplements business has grown from a $4 billion industry comprising about four thousand products to more than $40 billion, with eighty-thousand or more products available to consumers in twenty-five years. These supplements include botanicals, vitamins, minerals, proteins, among others. They also include products that promote brain health, joint health, and heart health. More often than not, these items are purchased for conditions that require a medical diagnosis for treatment and based on clinical data serve no useful purpose other than to empty wallets and increase credit card debt.

The fine print, which often goes unread provides information about contraindications with other medications and warnings about existing medical conditions. Frequently the medical community is at odds when it comes to the benefit of certain supplements.

Many ophthalmologists recommend fish oil for their diabetic patients, only to be discounted by their internists.

There are households with medicine cabinets filled with unused supplements, collecting dust.

When it comes to warranties, personal documents, and contracts, nothing is more important than the “As Seen On TV” category, which can tempt even the most frugal among us. The products seem to hawk sales of just about everything you could ever want, need, and even provide some pricey food for the ego as well. One item can take the

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place of all of those counter clutter items you paid tidy sums. They start at the low price of $59.95 per month for three months, including bonus items and for a limited time only, you can get a second item for just additional shipping and handling. If the order is placed online, the fine print details your consumer rights. An order that started out at $60.00 a month has now ballooned to $100.00 for the first payment using a credit card. The buyer will pay interest on the amount before they even receive the item. And what about all of those barely used counter and cabinet clutter items? One of three things – they will continue to collect dust, be sold on an online marketplace for pennies on the dollar or given away.

That bold headline of a credit card offer lets the consumer know they have been preapproved for the card, the amount they are approved for and the percentage of interest on an outstanding balance. Other relevant information such as penalties for missed payments and the circumstances for cancellation of the card, or reduced credit are written in a significantly smaller font. If you borrow money online, the entire contract is written in fine print by design. The lenders know that most people are so desperate for the money they skip through most of the fine print and scroll down to check the box marked “I accept”.

Hidden in that small print are terms of the loan, refinance options, potential changes in interest rates, penalties for missed payments and options for extensions. The refinance information is extremely important as it gives a clear picture of how long it will take to repay the loan and how much the consumer will end up paying for money borrowed.

Almost all business contracts are in small print and the fact that some contain two or more pages makes for tedious

but necessary reading. This includes car repair estimates, leases, rentals, home repairs, and others. The fine print details your rights which includes arbitration procedures and timelines to file a complaint. Hospital and nursing home consent for treatment, legal representation contracts, and even the fine print on a driving or parking ticket can save you money. It details your payment options and timelines. A $20.00 ticket when paid within a certain amount of time will cost you $20.00. If you do not pay it within the specified timeframe you may be required to appear in court and suddenly that $20 ticket now includes a penalty and court costs.

Product warranties can be money generators for people who do not read the fine print. If you buy a smart TV, warranty information is usually hidden in the fine print near the bottom of the box. It details what is covered and what is not. The same information is included in a package insert inside the box. Bearing this in mind when the cashier asks if you want to purchase a warranty, there are two questions you need to ask. The first one is does the warranty cover anything above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty and how long do you have to decide? Remember if you decide to buy the warranty, it will increase the cost of the unit and if you use a credit card, that little warranty can become more expensive than you imagined.

Fine print has always been the bane of consumers. It can be tedious and uncomfortable, what with all the squinting required to read it. However, if you have a magnifying glass lying around somewhere, maybe it is worth the effort to take it along with you on shopping trips or when conducting business. It can help prevent you from sabotaging your finances. g www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 7

French Designer

ANNE HARRILL brings her Talents to Cleveland France is well known for architecture, fashion, wine, cheese and several attractions that make it famous worldwide. The country is also home to designers of exquisite jewelry. This connection to art and beauty prompts millions to flock to France for a first-hand view of the world renowned attractions and see the beautiful country.

For those unable to make it across the ocean to purchase fine jewelry, Cleveland is fortunate to have French jewelry designer, Anne Harrill living and practicing her craft in the city's Gordon Square neighborhood.

To gain insights on how this French designer left France and made Cleveland home, Phenomenal Woman recently sat down with Anne Harrill, Owner of Océanne Boutique.

The youngest of three children, Anne grew up in a small town near Avignon in the south of France. As a teenager, the family moved within close proximity to Cannes, a resort town on the French Riviera, famed for its international film festival, sandy beaches and upmarket boutiques. She grew up surrounded by Lavender fields, wineries and olive trees.

Hailing from a multi-cultural family, Harrill's dad is from the French Island, Ile de la Réunion, off the coast of South Africa, and her mom is Franco-Italian. She said, “I always felt and looked different than my friends but visits to my parents' home countries inspired my love for exploring new places.”

While attending college, Harrill sought to improve her English and with the assistance of her church developed connections to Cleveland. Armed with these connections, she traveled to the northeast Ohio city two summers in a row, and met her future husband.

In France, Harrill studied English and literature and after moving to Cleveland, she enrolled at Tri-C and earned an associate degree in Human Services. After working less than a year in the field, she became a nanny while starting Océanne. She said, “It was just a hobby for a few years and slowly grew. When I became pregnant with my son, I invested all my time and money in growing Océanne. I bought supplies and applied to as many shows as possible.

It took a few years to become what it is now. I opened the Boutique in 2017 and love having a storefront where we can offer classes, and meet our customers.”

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Océanne is a tribute to Anne's childhood in France and her journey to the American Midwest. She said, “While my move across the ocean inspired the name Océanne, it was the vastness of that distance from anything familiar that led me to start handcrafting jewelry.”

Moving to a new country and adjusting to a new culture is never easy. Of her experience, Harrill said, “When I first came to Cleveland, I was visiting and loved all the new experiences and discovering a new country. But after I got married, reality started sinking in and it was a huge culture shock. I missed my family, I missed my friends, I missed my culture and was having a really difficult time. It was really hard to connect with people, and I felt like I had lost a part of myself.”

Harrill started making jewelry as a hobby in 2008 as a creative outlet. She had just finished school and was trying to connect with people and the community. As she was selling her pieces at art shows and local festivals, she loved meeting people and slowly started getting to know people in the artist community and her neighborhood. She noted, “It became a great outlet, but it took a few years to become what Océanne is now.”

Océanne's jewelry, apparels and accessories are all handmade with love in their studio & boutique located in

Gordon Square, a neighborhood on the west side of Cleveland. There you will find necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, sweatshirts, hair & beauty accessories and much more. The craftsmanship and attention to details laid on each of their pieces easily makes them a stand out among their peers.

Harrill said, “I am inspired by fashion with a French Flair. I love creating pieces that are wearable, and make a statement.”

While Harrill has mastered the creativity, design and workmanship of jewelry, her business wouldn't flourish without adequate entrepreneurial skills. Fortunately, Clevelanders benefit from free programs offered by supportive organizations like JumpStart Inc. One such program is the Core City: Cleveland Impact Program which offers free consulting services to any entrepreneur or small business owner who lives or owns a business in the city of Cleveland. In these free sessions, JumpStart advisors will help participants identify key tasks for their businesses, develop a plan for achieving them and access the people and resources needed to grow.

Grateful to her friend Val from Yellowcake Shop who encouraged her to join the program, Harrill enrolled and completed the intensive 12-week business assistance program. She learned all the important tools on various key business issues with significant emphasis on financial projections and capital pitches. Anne said, “I can't believe I have never heard of them - [JumpStart.] They have been such a huge help the last two years.”

The Impact Program culminates in a demo daystyle competition where the entire cohort pitch to a panel of judges for a chance to take home up to $10,000 to grow their businesses (all other cohort participants receive $2,500). Harrill delivered the winning pitch for her business, Océanne, during the program's culminating entrepreneur showcase— receiving the highest prize of the competition.

On lacking a woman mentor in her life, she said, “I always wanted a woman mentor, in both life and business, but never found one. Thankfully my husband has several mentors and I have been able to glean from it. And my husband is my biggest support in business and life. I would not be where I am now without him.” She continued, “I also have a lot of peers, and I am able to learn from many other women entrepreneurs in my community including Jackie Wacher from Fount, Lauren from Lauren HB, Valerie from Yellowcake, etc.”

To better serve her community, Harrill sits on the board of Safe Families, a nonprofit that provides hope and support to families in our local communities. The organization's mission is to “host vulnerable children and create extended family–like support for desperate families through a community of devoted volunteers who are motivated by compassion to keep children safe and families intact.” She also meets and mentors a few younger women who have started a business and ask for guidance or help.

Moving forward, Harrill said, “we are focusing more on the store the next few months since shows and workshops have been canceled. We are hoping to expand our brand with more apparel and our candle line.”

As we close, Harrill offers these words of wisdom to young girls, “Find what you love and you are good at, and focus on it. I tried fitting in for too many years, and did everything everyone was doing. That was way more work than pouring my time and energy into who I was meant to be.”

For your French twist jewelry, apparels and accessories, visit Océanne Studio and Boutique, at 6515 Detroit Ave. Cleveland, OH 44102 or www. oceanne.net g www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 9

Willoughby Native

ARIANA BERRY Named Blue Jacket of the Quarter

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariana Berry, a native of Willoughby, Ohio, was selected as Blue Jacket of the Quarter serving at Training Support Center Hampton Roads (TSCHR) Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Blue Jacket of the Quarter is awarded to a junior sailor who exemplifies outstanding leadership and superior performance by going above and beyond their assigned job.

Berry, who has served in the Navy for two years, is a Navy information systems technician responsible for communications, processing messages, security and network administration.

"We continue to maintain systems we work on while integrating other plans we receive to update the physical hardware or software of our machines," Berry said.

TSCHR is an echelon three shore activity located onboard Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. TSCHR provides centralized U.S. Navy and international student military training/management, facility support, information technology, security support, business resource/logistics support, and fleet liaison/quota control to NETC activities in the Hampton Roads area of responsibility.

"What I like and enjoy the most out of TSCHR, is mainly the family aspect that I get from my department and the loyalty from my entire chain of command," Berry said. "I feel as though if I ever needed help or guidance, I can reach out to anyone and they would make time for me."

Berry, a 2018 Cornerstone Christian Academy graduate, was confident in her decision to join the Navy since she was seven years old.

"My father served in the military so I've always been influenced by him to be great and make a life-changing decision that would better myself in the future," Berry said. "Alongside that, I know that I wanted to travel and be a part of something bigger than myself that could continue to push me to be a better person every day. I continue to strive for excellence in anything that I am involved in, and my motivation will not change for the last 18 years of service I am determined to complete.”

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According to Berry, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Willoughby.

“My parents taught me discipline and being committed," Berry said. "I never had the easiest lifestyle but my parents always told me, 'If you are going to be involved in ANYTHING, do it the best you can for as long as you can and never give up on yourself.' This showed me I needed to be disciplined and be committed to anything I put my mind to. Every day as a sailor, I think of ways to better myself and continue educating myself and others around me. This allows me be a mentor to those around me and to be a role model sailor as well.”

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Berry's proudest accomplishments are being in the Accelerated Advancement Program, winning Blue Jacket of the Year in 2019 and receiving a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

"During "A" school in Pensacola, Florida, I graduated at the top of my class and got promoted in rank," Berry added. "I am proud that I had won Blue Jacket of the Year and earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for my hard work and dedication.”

As a member of the U.S. Navy, Berry, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance.

Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.

"Serving in the Navy means that I am willing to dedicate my life to this country and it makes me proud that I am a part of the world's greatest Navy," Berry said. "The Navy gives me a warm feeling that I am protecting my family and loved ones back at home, while also giving back to the people of this country. I love that feeling.”

"Over my two years, I have learned that there is nothing more important than knowing that we are all one team, with one fight, to complete a mission together," Berry added. "Once I learned that myself and truly understood that meaning now as a sailor, I am a force to be reckoned with." g

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AALIYAH BROWN, Process Engineer at Rockwell Automation With a mission `to improve the quality of life by making the world more productive and sustainable,’ Rockwell Automation is committed to enabling the next generation of smart manufacturing. It is a global leader in industrial automation.

Rockwell is also committed to the next generation of engineers, and Aaliyah Brown has found a home as a Process Engineer at the global company.

Aaliyah's love for engineering led her to Cleveland State University, where she received a bachelor of science in Electronic Engineering Technology. An engineer by profession, she is passionate about her job. Still, her true passion lies in expanding the future of women working in technical fields.

She recently spoke with Phenomenal Woman about the work she is doing and her plans to increase the number of women and minorities pursuing careers in engineering studies.

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Born and raised in Cleveland, Aaliyah was enrolled in Gifted and Talented programs in elementary and middle school, before entering MC2 Stem High School, specializing in engineering. While these programs inspired her to pursue studies in technology, she stressed that the biggest impact was made through the Aspire Program at Hathaway Brown. This was a summer program that aimed to give middle school aged girls the tools needed to succeed in those grades at a private school. Here, she was introduced to engineering, and to one of her best friends of more than 10 years.

Statistics show that science and engineering jobs have lower levels of unemployment and higher levels of wages.

The vast amount of opportunities brought by engineering attracted Aaliyah to pursue it as a career. She said, “I really liked the idea of potentially having influence over multiple things. What made me stick with it as I learned more was my passion to improve the world around us.”

Aaliyah's journey to where she is today hasn't been a smooth ride. Biases still exist in our society deterring girls from joining technical fields of study, perceived to be challenging. Moreover, to prove their capabilities women generally need to put in extra efforts to thrive in the engineering industry, one dominated by men.

Role models like Aaliyah are examples of success stories that prove anything is possible if you put unwavering effort and hard work into it. “Being a woman in engineering is a gift. There are so many other words I could have used but I prefer to focus on the fact that I'm an individual that can bring so much more perspective because I identify as a different gender and a different race. I am blessed to be surrounded by others that value the diversity I bring to my team and want to see me succeed in my career.” Aaliyah noted.

During freshman year, Aaliyah questioned whether to pursue engineering as her field of study. While discussing this with her classmates, she noted that most of them had engineers as parents, family members or close acquaintances. Moreover she was the only black person in class and the only person from Cleveland Schools.

Nonetheless, these stumbling blocks never affected her goals of becoming a successful engineer.

In her sophomore year of high school, Aaliyah got an opportunity to work as an intern at Rockwell Automation.

She said, “This catapulted me into the world of industrial automation and eventually led me to settling into manufacturing. My intern rotations included product marketing, project management, printed circuit board design, and process engineering.”

Acquaintances within the company convinced her to pursue opportunities which led to her present position as Process engineer. In this capacity, she focuses on the way the company's circuit boards are built and utilizes her expertise to make that process better. In addition to her BS degree in Electronic Engineering Technology, Aaliyah is also a SMTA (Surface Mount Technology Association) certified SMT Process Engineer, which means she is capable of mounting electrical components directly onto the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB.) Recent studies indicate that only 20 percent of bachelor's degrees were awarded to women in engineering and computer sciences and only 6 percent of bachelor's degrees in engineering were awarded to women of color.

These unacceptable levels have been a concern to Aaliyah who decided to do her part by introducing girls and minorities to science and engineering early in school.

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To lead by example, Aaliyah founded a non-profit organization, Build Sessions CLE. She said, “Build Sessions CLE was created out of frustration. Back in college I was frustrated because I didn't have a community of engineers that looked like me, that I could relate to, that could support me if I were to reach out.

During my intern rotations, I'd been involved in some community outreach activities but those communities were never my own and it saddened me.”

The goal of Build Sessions is to establish a foundation for Cleveland-area students interested in engineering so when they go off to college, they're encouraged to keep pushing through their courses because they have those support systems backing them. Still in its infancy, her organization has already worked with The United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland (UBF) and their collaborative coding program with the Richmond Heights Schools has taught students about coding as well as robotics.

Aaliyah explained, “The role as a coding instructor with UBF was to teach the students the basics of coding using an online platform. The program was two days a week for 14 ▒ JULY - AUGUST 2020

grades 5th through 9th. Based on the grade, there were different teachers with similar goals. For example, the younger students focused on coding basics while older students were tasked with creating a website. It was a very rewarding program that really tested the willpower of the students and pushed them to work harder at the end of a sometimes stressful school day.”

Aaliyah enjoys her work and said, “There are several projects that I am working on in parallel and my role within these projects changes. There are some that I lead and others I'm just a contributor on. Some of my days are filled with speaking with some of our material suppliers with the goal of strengthening our relationship and looking to solve an issue together.” She continued, “There are also other days when I'm pounding away at my keyboard in Microsoft Excel trying not to get my eyes crossed from the amount of data that I have to interpret. Overall, working toward accomplishing a goal and solving an issue is a great reward.”

While some progress has been achieved, women and minorities are still disproportionately represented in science and engineering fields. According to Aaliyah, “the lack of representation is systematic and does not fall solely on the corporations. Access to education and the resources that would influence women and minorities to pursue these careers needs to be magnified and refreshed.” She continued, “There are so many jobs that will be needed in the future that have not been created today. Why not encourage these young minds to chase after the possibilities? The requirements to enter into these STEM fields as well as the education behind it has long been contained and follows the same old methods. I believe that impactful and long lasting change can be made by teaching the necessary foundational skills then capitalizing on creativity to lead the way.”

Aaliyah appreciates the support she received from various individuals in the course of her career. In particular, she is grateful to Marzell Brown at Rockwell Automation who has been a key mentor in her life. She said, “Marzell Brown saw the potential in me and had great influence on the path taken to get to where I am in my life. Seeing his passion to create opportunities for youth is what influenced me to make an impact in my community as well.”

Aaliyah comes from a large family and when engineering doesn't keep her busy, she spends quality time with them. As she has gotten into the swing of her career, she is planning to focus back on her goals with this effort and hope to make a bigger impact in the coming year. She said, “I work very hard and early on realized that I'm my best when I give time back to myself.” The advice she has for women in engineering and the community is “to realize that you are the gift! It's time to shake things up and you are more than capable of leading us into the next century.” g

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PHOTOS: JASON GARRETT

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MARGARET MITCHELL, Leading the YWCA of Greater Cleveland into the future

By Shelley Shockley PWM Managing Editor Life is a process of evolution beginning with birth. The growth process includes learning about oneself and the world. It is a basic assumption that once a child matriculates through the secondary schooling experience, they have developed ideas of what they want to pursue as a career, but former First Lady Michelle Obama finds fault with that assumption.

As she prepared to debut her bestselling memoir, “Becoming,” Obama offered the following perspective on why asking young people “What they want to be when they grow up,” is the worst question an adult can ask, because the question insinuates growing up is finite and there is no room to evolve.

During our interview with Margaret Mitchell, President and Chief Executive officer of the YWCA Greater Cleveland, it became clear that her life exemplifies Obama's theory of life's evolution. As a youngster, Mitchell developed a love for the written language which led her to pursue a career in journalism. That career actually began before she made it to college, but she knew at that point what she wanted to do with her life.

She said of her pursuit of a degree in Communications at Hampton University, “I get to communications, because of a passion for writing. I started writing in the fifth grade.”

She not only started writing, but she was published in local and national publications while still in Junior High School.

As most professionals discuss career choices, they indicate a passion for the job, and Mitchell was no different. She continued that “love” during her collegiate career at Hampton, and from this pursuit she had the opportunity to meet some of the most prolific writers of our time. She continued, “I had an opportunity to sit with Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison when they visited Hampton. I loved writing, I loved journalism.”

During her career as a writer, Mitchell wrote for both black publications and white-centric newspapers, while also publishing books with a small publisher. It's a career she enjoyed, but also one that she describes as tough, and one that has gone through a number of changes. She recalled her beginnings, “When I was growing up you wrote a letter in terms of what your idea was, and sent that off, you would get a letter back if they were interested. There were so many inequities even back then. It was difficult for women and doubly difficult for Black women and very limited if you were writing around black subjects and for the most part I wrote about the black experience, and parenting.” She did not limit herself, and also wrote some

pieces that reflected the majority, yet she found that, “oftentimes you could hide who you are, but as soon as they saw Hampton on her resume, it was over because you could count the number of non-black alumni at Hampton pretty quickly.”

When looking at journalism and communications today as a career option, Mitchell said it's still “a very solid bread and butter career.” In explanation she looked at the skills that she developed as a reporter that she continues to use today in her current role. She elaborated, “I use my basic skill as a journalist every single day. You know how to get information fast. I don't think New York Times reporters would say they don't go into a story without a predisposed position. You have to, in order to dig anything out, you must take a position and start moving towards that. You uncover things along the way. The ability for me, today to get my arms around information quickly to investigate, all of this comes back to my journalistic skill and DNA.” Ultimately, Mitchell believes this is true of many positions, not just journalism. She said, “There are nurses today that are in the field of business but their background as a nurse or as an engineer still helps you no matter what you go into going forward. It is a philosophy and teaching around an approach and how you approach your life and your work.”

After working as a reporter, Mitchell began a career in publishing with Plenum Publishing in New York City. During this time she also married her husband, also an alumnus of Hampton University. At Plenum, she was responsible for editing the front and back matter of the book which included the legal requirements and references. After working there a number of years, her husband's job relocated to Plano, Texas and she began her most rewarding career - raising her children. She also worked as a freelancer, until one day she felt she had run the course of her writing career. As she noted, “I wasn't going to win the Pulitzer Prize, but I had been recognized for my writing. I felt it was time to wrap this up.”

From there she truly began her corporate career as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for now defunct Mentium. This is where she first became involved in sales, and this experience would come serve her well in her next position at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dallas. This position offered her the ability to, “bring together my communications and relationship skills.” At this time the agency was the third largest in the country, and would later become the largest. During her tenure, she served as Vice President of Resource Development, managing offices throughout North Dallas as well as their teams and fundraising while serving as the liaison to the Board of Directors.

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Margaret Mitchell in her office

Mitchell's success was noticed by her boss in Dallas who encouraged her to consider taking a seat as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Heeding his advice she began interviewing in Cleveland and Charlotte.

With deep family roots in North Carolina, both her parents born in the state, and the enjoyment of the many opportunities there, they were set to head there before an offer came in late from the Cleveland Big Brothers Big Sisters which led to an interview in Northeast Ohio.

Mitchell recalls that first visit to Cleveland, “it was a very sad and depressed place when we came in 2007 and we immediately thought we need to come to Cleveland.”

Even with the depressed state, she said, “We could see how unique the city was, not a cookie-cutter community.

In Cleveland, there was this incredible expression of uniqueness, an incredible expression of the community.”

She spoke of the low self-esteem Clevelanders had about their city even asking, 'why would you come here,' but she and her husband felt, “This was an opportunity to be a part of something different.”

Mitchell and her family relocated to Cleveland and she took the helm of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland, where she served for almost four years before shifting to her present position with the YWCA of Greater Cleveland.

On the surface, it may seem that Mitchell has evolved, but actually she is just following the path of a family steeped in the pursuit of a better, equitable future for themselves and others. Her background is fitting for the leader of the YWCA of Greater Cleveland, The 152-year18 ▒ JULY - AUGUST 2020

old organization committed to “working for the empowerment, leadership, and rights of women, young women, and girls in more than 100 countries.”

Mitchell's path started in Weaverville, a Northern California town where her father worked as the only black engineer for the Bureau of Reclamation, the government agency charged with managing land and mostly water, west of the Mississippi. Those living east of the Mississippi, are familiar with its sister agency, the Army Corps of Engineers. In this small town, the birth of Margaret Mitchell was notable. She was the first black baby born in Weaverville and because of that honor, bells were rung, and schoolchildren were let out of school early to see the new baby.

Her father was “not at all pleased,” by the actions, yet it demonstrates the times they were living in. Her family relocated to Fresno, a city in the Central Valley of California where she was raised, and where she was part of a community that included both Native Americans and Mexicans.

She described Fresno as desert-esque, located in the center of San Joaquin Valley and the gateway to Yosemite. In this community, she was given a first-hand look at both the United Farm Worker Movement and the Civil Rights Movement. “It was a unique and interesting time. I can remember being at the Reyes's and they would receive death threats,” she recalls. This experience gave her an early look at people working on the front lines as well as those doing strategy work. One of these people would be Cesar Chavez, who her Dad knew because a good friend of her Dad's was one of Chavez's lieutenants.

This background makes it only fitting that she is now leading the YWCA of Greater Cleveland. The agency's mission has evolved on its 152-year history, but in 1850 the mission of this organization included this statement, to provide “Peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people.”

Mitchell said of the history of the YWCA, “We had a history of being in the bed and bread business. Focused on women experiencing a housing crisis in need of basic needs, shelter, food and so much more.” Over the years she said as the organization began to grow and emerge they entered into what was known as the “Swim & Gym” season, similar to their brother organization the YMCA. The pivot away from swim and gym came in the 1970's, when Dorothy Height, considered the grandmother of the Civil Rights era, and the first national Racial Equity Director for the YWCA spoke at a conference and said, “Our one imperative is to eliminate racism and empower women.” That mission was adopted and has been a key focus of the YWCA since.

In her tenure, Mitchell has led the non-profit from a staff of thirty to more than one hundred and increased the operating budget from $2.7 million into an $8 million agency. The growth is evident in the myriad services and programs offered, programs that support its mission and further its impact on the community.

As the country struggles with systemic racism, the work of eliminating racism locally began about four years ago at the YWCA. The work began internally, and recently the community has seen first-hand the external work the agency has done.

The YWCA 21 Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge was launched in 2019 and has been widely supported by the community. The agency's website notes that to date, there have been 3,500 participants representing 52 postal zip codes, inspired by Food Solutions New England, a network of organizations and individuals with shared values around a sustainable food system. They believe that it must include democratic empowerment, racial equity and dignity for all, sustainability and trust. The network was inspired by Dr. Eddie Moore and Debby Irving's book into the interactive 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, which they launched in 2014. The challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership.

Additionally, Mitchell and the YWCA hosted a summit in 2019 with First Year Cleveland to celebrate 400 years of

“

“We are one of a few preschools in the county that is trauma informed. ...

Our staff, our service delivery model is built to be able to support the trauma and the realities of homelessness.”

“

This is just an example of her exposure as a child, but prior to her birth it is clear her family focused on the pursuit of education and creating a way in the world. Mitchell was a third-generation Hamptonian, a feat that speaks to a commitment to education, but also to preserving and supporting their community.

inequity. “1619, marked the commercial end of chattel slavery as an economic driver in the United States,” she explained. The two-day summit sought to commemorate the occasion, and bring understanding to 400 years of inequity in the country.

They also declared racism a public health crisis, and sought the support of the city of Cleveland and other legacy organizations including the NAACP, the Urban League, and United Way. Mitchell is pleased to note, “Now you have seen as a result of that summit, communities all over the state of Ohio step in to declare racism a public health crisis. Fortunately, for many of the white communities, the tragic murders that were witnessed helped to wake up the white community and enliven the conversation around racial inequality.”

As the struggle continues amid racial strife and Covid-19 concerns, Mitchell said, “We are at that point where there will be a shift. I don't believe it is the final shift. We are working against 400 years of inequity that is baked in.”

She suggests Germany as an incredible model to look at, explaining, “You see in Germany a country that can both acknowledge and own the horror of the holocaust, but in the schools, in the community there aren't statues celebrating Hitler. There is an education in the schools that teaches the truth.”

For the United States she says, “The narrative today is that the south won. We have a very strong false narrative. It is important for us to take this moment and begin to step into the truth. It is the truth that will set us free, and it is the truth that will lead us into the next step.”

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Racial injustice is of heightened interest today, but the YWCA's work touches on many levels to help in the fight against racism. In explaining Mitchell said, “When you look at racism as a public health crisis, you have to look at homelessness, the inequities in early childhood education, in women's leadership, in pay equity. So it all hangs together underneath the harms that have happened and how we are working to both inform and right those wrongs. We see not so much all these different things, but how they all tie together and work together.”

As an example she pointed to the YWCA's preschool where most of the families are experiencing a crisis of homelessness. To be of service to these individuals, “We are one of a few preschools in the county that is trauma informed. At enrollment, the focus is on families that are experiencing or living in an emergency shelter and experiencing homelessness. Our staff, our service delivery model is built to be able to support the trauma and the realities of homelessness.”

In the area of housing, they work with young women aging out of the County Foster Care system, and have experienced homelessness before coming to them. The YWCA manages the Norma Herr Shelter, an emergency shelter for individual adult women experiencing homelessness and recently acquired Cogswell Hall on the Westside, which is majority female and a permanent solution to prevent homelessness.

Mitchell notes that homelessness is a reality that is disproportionate across the country and, certainly in Cleveland. Yet when you begin digging for the answers or the 'why,' you run into the various inequalities and systems that make this a reality.

In order to try and create solutions she said, “This is nothing one organization can do on its own, because it touches so many other different systems which is why you always work with others around this issue. You have to look at housing, at mental health, substance issues.”

When she's not working to help bring about change in Cleveland and the country, Mitchell is an avid gardner and loves to spend time creating beautiful spaces at her home. She also enjoys spending quality time with her husband of 35 years, and her three adult children. They spend time cooking together and talking politics. A very spiritual woman, she is actively involved in her church, New Community Bible Fellowship, where she serves on the Women's Ministry Team. She is also very involved in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), a large intergenerational, interdenominational fellowship she has been involved both in Cleveland and Texas.

Margaret Mitchell's works have positively changed the lives of many and her accomplishments perfectly align with the renowned poet, Maya Angelou's quote. “The thing to do, it seems to me is to prepare yourself so that you can be a rainbow in someone else's cloud.” Mitchell continues to make great impact in our communities and challenges us all to do the same! g 20 ▒ JULY - AUGUST 2020

PHENOMENAL FACTS ·

BA. Communications Hampton University

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Served on the National Leadership Council as a founding member of the Diversity Committee.

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An Associated Press (AP) award winning journalist

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Developed the National African American male recruitment strategies

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Served as Managing Editor, Today's Dallas Woman Magazine

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Author of more than 12 books.

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Named a 2014 Power Player of the Year by SMART BUSINESS Magazine

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Named as a 2013 Woman Worth Watching by Diversity Journal Magazine

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A member of Leadership Cleveland 2011

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Getting Married soon? Planning on a budget? Looking at things to cut out to save a penny? My advice…don't cut out the makeup! When you're at any event where you will be photographed a lot,I always recommend makeup. This is especially true on your special day. The camera picks up many flaws that the naked eye may not see. A professional makeup artist knows all the products and techniques needed for a flawless, long lasting, water proof make up products, because you will cry, on your special day. So.... Say “I Do” to makeup.

Oftentimes brides consider makeup an accessory instead of a necessity. I encourage you to think of your makeup artist as a vender just like your florist or caterer. Makeup requires the same amount of research, communication and relationship building.

Find an artist that does the kind of work you're looking for; if you like ultra glam, natural, or to glow to the gawds you want to look for someone that can deliver. My biggest advice is once you find your artist it's best to stick to that artist. If you jump from person to person you never fully build a relationship with anyone. For myself I'm pretty familiar with a client's face after two applications. This is important because your artist begins to learn what is needed for your specific skin type, tone, what type of looks you like, the products that work well with your skin and which do not. Also the artist learns what you like and do not like such as natural brows, no lashes, or even if you prefer a dewy or matte finish.

Knowing your artist and building a trust makes for a less stressed wedding day.

You don't want to book someone shortly before your wedding especially if you don't have time for a bridal trial, then the day of not knowing how it will turn out. On your wedding day you should be as worry free as possible and your day should consist of getting pampered by your glam team.

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My First Bride of the year, Jillian did this exact thing. She was referred to me by someone and during our first conversation she expressed interest in building a relationship and how she wanted me to potentially do her makeup for every wedding event. I had the perfect Bridal package for her. My Blushing Brit “Glamorous” package.

The package includes makeup for the wedding day and up to 3 events associated with the wedding. After making an appointment for me to do her makeup for her proposal, yes she knew it was coming, but it was the cutest thing ever! She then came back to me raving about how much she loved her makeup and wanted to move forward with booking my Glamorous package.

Since then I have done makeup for her engagement pictures and video and Bridal shower. Doing her makeup I have learned that she likes natural brows, no under eye liner, shimmery eye shadow and red lipstick. I know her preferences,

Working with Blushing Brit has made me confident. I will be a stunning bride. By the time my big day rolls around she would have done my makeup five times!

- Jillian -

what works well on her skin and she knows what she will look like when she hops out of my chair.

As wedding season rolls around, be sure to consider makeup a major part of your planning. Spend the money on a pro who can enhance your level of confidence and create a glow that will be noticed by your groom and guests. Allow their artistry to take the worry out of these special moments and help you be relaxed and confident you will get out of the chair BEAUTIFUL.

Photo Credit: Making the Moment www.makingthemoment.com

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