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Dr. OGECHI MUOH

MIMI MAY Founder, Maeve's All-Natural

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Rheumatologist, University Hospitals

ROBYN HILL Founder, Robyn C. Hill Counseling Services

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

To Our

Writers Shelley M. Shockley Marsha Walker Eastwood Brittany Garrett Rhonda Crowder

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Creative Belé Wondwossen Jason Garrett

READERS

Cover Story: Rhonda Crowder Photo: Jason Garrett

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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 GIVING DURING A PANDEMIC As I sat down to write this column, a sense of melancholy overshadows me because as I look around the high levels of need are causing me a great deal of pain. I understand the 'why,' yet it is still hard for me to grasp how we live in the wealthiest nation and so many people continue to go without the basic necessities to exist.

That leads me to my portion of this column and my hope that all of us will look deep into the recesses of our souls and find a way to give back to those who are less fortunate. This is, after all, the season of giving. Yet, as I write that last sentence I'm thinking is that where the problem lies? Why is there a season, shouldn't we give freely of ourselves regularly? This is not a new phenomenon, it's just that the challenges of the world have shined a bright light on the despair and the disparities that exist particularly in the United States.

necessity and we introduce you to a doctor seeking to ease the excruciating pain associated with rheumatic arthritis.

The pandemic has changed our day-to-day activities as well as our celebrations. In order to remain safe and hopefully free of the Covid-19 virus, we must isolate ourselves from friends and family, wear masks, and limit our travel. That isolation can have long-lasting effects on many, particularly those living alone or facing mental health challenges before the start of this public health emergency. Helping to deal with these issues is Robyn Hill, a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and Social Worker, who founded her own private practice, Robyn C. Hill Counseling and Professional Development Services. She is also an author and founder of Great Lakes Black Authors. Hill discusses the importance of counseling, and self-care to navigate the challenges life presents you with and speaks from a personal perspective as she had to slow down and take account of her own self-care practices.

We are hopeful that the new administration will address some of this, but realistically we all have to do our part. We can't expect the government to resolve these issues alone. It's going to take a concerted effort by all of us to have an impact.

I know that many of us are just scraping by for myriad reasons, which is why giving is such a unique commodity.

Giving is not always a financial action, we can give of our time too. If you look at the news or if you listen to the pleas in your Facebook feed, or from your community there is always a way to help.

Columnist Marsha Walker-Eastwood brings an insight into the job search process, one that has evolved drastically in the digital age. Add to that a pandemic and many who have not sought employment in years must reacquaint themselves with the various nuances associated with this process. There are “keywords,” “multiple versions of resumes and so many potential employment platforms, that it helps to have a guide to assist with the navigation. Check it out if you or someone you know is seeking employment.

Americans live in abundance, and we really don't recognize it until we really begin to perform self-reflection. Take a look in your closet, how many items do you have in there that you purchased for an event and have only worn once? Go through and determine what you know you're never going to wear again, make sure it's not that favorite pair of jeans you wore consistently because those aren't 'gently-worn,' clean them all and donate them.

Maeve's All-Natural is the company Mimi May launched as a life or death necessity. Choosing not to settle for the doctor's diagnosis as the only solution to afford her daughter a positive outcome, May, a successful businesswoman, researched the symptoms and began investigating causes and how to reverse some of the outcomes for a healthier, fulfilling life for her child. To understand her drive and how she accomplished her goal, be sure to read our feature on Mimi May.

Leave the closet and look in your cabinets or in the kitchen at all of the gadgets you own that you no longer use. You know that set of dishes you purchased for that cook-out, and you only used once because your color scheme was teal and beige. Wrap them up and donate them to a local charity helping families furnish homes after struggling to get back on their feet. Do the same throughout your home if you're not able to give a financial contribution.

Our cover story features Dr. Ogechi Muoh, a rheumatologist at University Hospitals Medical Center and the only female African American practicing rheumatology in Cleveland. Dr. Muoh offers a look at her journey to becoming a doctor, what planted the seed, and how a Nigerian-born physician brings an international view to practicing medicine. Her story is one of perseverance and commitment.

My point is, take a look beyond your personal struggles and think about the challenges of someone else and make a difference. I know you will feel better, and you will reap some level of reward in the end.

So, as we approach one year of altering our world due to the Coronavirus pandemic we offer you some tips on dealing with the mental stresses associated with it, ways to search for employment, insight on creating a business out of love and 4 ▒ NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020

As always, I hope that you find a small nugget within the pages of this edition that will either assist you in navigating the world or just add a bit of light to your day. Enjoy our offering, and reach out and let us know your thoughts.

May you have a Happy Holiday season and stay safe. Please wear your masks, practice social distancing, and wash your hands.

Until we meet again in 2021!

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WHO WINS PLAYING THE OHIO LOTTERY?

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GIVING DURING A PANDEMIC Shelley M. Shockley

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WORKING FROM HOME MAY BE THE NEW NORMAL Marsha Walker Eastwood

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Cleveland Clinic, The Howley Foundation, Ursuline College to expand ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program

Dr. OGECHI MUOH

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“My love of medicine started when I was seven years of age,” says Dr. Ogechi Muoh, DO, a rheumatologist at University Hospitals Medical Center. “I was cared for by an amazing physician who was a woman and luckily my aunt. At that moment, I knew this was the profession for me.”

FEATURES MIMI MAY PAGE 24

DELICIOUS RECIPES

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Maeve's All Natural was created by Mimi May in response to her own personal challenges and painful experience. “While I was pregnant with my daughter, her father and I were given the devastating news that she may not survive through pregnancy,” Mimi said.

ROBYN HILL

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The second oldest of three siblings, Hill was raised in a two parent household. Her father worked fulltime for a phone company while also being an entrepreneur, whether he was DJing, managing bands, or owning restaurants/bars. Her mom on the other hand raised the family and ran the businesses while her dad was at work, so entrepreneurialism and community service were a foundation that was laid for her from an early age.

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PERSONAL FINANCE: WORKING FROM HOME MAY BE THE NEW NORMAL Before the great pandemic of 2020, there were many schools of thought about the idea of By: Marsha Walker Eastwood, B.S.Ed, MSHSV working from home.

PWM Contributing Writer For many people, both men and women, the idea had a lot of allure.

The convenience of not having to commute, the comfort of a home office and the freedom to handle a project without the usual din and interruptions of the workplace were used to make the case for working from home. The picture seems so rosy - getting paid to work in a custom designed workplace where you the worker, are in complete control.

Unfortunately, the reality is that the picture can resemble a Salvador Dali painting, surrealism within the framework of an ideal job, depending on what your job responsibilities are.

For potential work from home employees, there are a myriad of issues that must be dealt with and the first is recognizing your availability. If you are not naturally a morning person, you cannot suddenly become one. Then there are the scheduling “what ifs”. Are you willing to give up weekends and holidays while other family members celebrate near you? Speaking of family members, if you live with one other person, achieving a noiseless workplace is a lot easier than if you have kids and pets.

The pandemic has made learning from home mandatory for many school systems and kids will be sharing space in the house during daytime hours.

Even if they are sequestered in their bedrooms (which is far less than ideal as they will still have questions that need to be answered) consideration has to be given to having someone serve as a monitor to keep disturbances to a minimum. If you have a dog, decide who is going to walk it or let it in and out of the yard. These issues must be dealt with and the best way to do that is to call an extended family meeting. This is the perfect opportunity to explain your intentions, your goals, and your need for ongoing support in any way possible. At this point everything is hypothetical, but it is better to have your ducks in a row before, rather than scramble after you are offered a job.

When it comes to the job search, first do an honest assessment of your skill-set, strengths and weaknesses and decide what type of job would best suit using those skills. Are you really a people person? Do you see yourself sitting in a chair several hours a day hawking the virtues of an “As Seen On TV” product? Do you envision yourself spending eight hours a day making cold calls to generate sales? Are you willing to do the work to acquire mandatory licenses to sell insurance products?

If you are looking for work from home office employment, are you proficient in Excel or have you just used it as a perpetual shopping list. Are you experienced with Google 6 ▒ NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020

Docs or Microsoft Office products? If not, all is not lost but just be aware that a great many work from home jobs require those skills. If a job is posted on Indeed that requires those skills, most likely you will be invited to take a skills assessment to determine your level of proficiency.

If writing is a skill set, be prepared to have a portfolio of your work handy, just in case.

Of course, the goal of any employment situation is to earn a living or to supplement the family income. But keep in mind money is not the only issue. Employment status: employee as opposed to independent contractor. Benefits are also an important feature of any job. Healthcare benefits including vision and dental, paid holidays and vacation policy, tuition reimbursement, in-house promotions. Is the job permanently remote? If not, are you prepared to commute at some point or even relocate to the business home base? Up to this point the discussion has centered around preparing to work from home, but now it is time to switch gears and consider other requirements for working from home.

A couple of years before the pandemic I considered the possibility of working from home. With a toe in the work from home water I quickly discovered a few things – some good and some not so good. I learned that most recruiters use Indeed as a search tool to create a pool of applicants.

I also noticed a symbol at the end of a lot of job applications that read “iCims,” and for some reason it sent up a red flag. I did a little investigation and discovered the following information from Jobtestprep.com. Apparently, that “symbol” is shorthand for a job tracking system and a cautionary tale. According to Jobtestprep.com. “ iCims provides mobile career portals that are compatible with a range of devices. This allows for easier upload and access for candidates, thus potentially speeding up the hiring process.”

However, it's important to note that candidates should be aware of the job boards, job recruiting sites (Monster.com, Indeed.com, Job.com), and postings via social media they see online, as these systems can automatically send their resumes and CVs to the iCims system. There, they will be processed, scanned, and reviewed for keywords and compatibility. Therefore, if candidates send out "general resumes" (versus job and keyword-specific resumes), the ATS will not pick up keywords or phrases, and an applicant's chances of being registered as "compatible" or "a match" will drastically decrease. Worse, the applicant may even be flagged for rejection”.

What does all of this mean? It means that while a lot of major companies subscribe to the service, many others do not. Knowledge is power in every aspect of life is no different. Do not use a job application as a fishing expedition. Only apply for those that you feel fully qualified for and avoid those that say, “many applicants”.

Your chances are almost slim to none of getting that job.

During your search for work from home opportunities, the expenses of working from home can be overwhelming to many hopeful at home workers. A great many companies will require certain computer capability as part of their employment requirements such as monitor screen size, and upload and download speeds along with a set of noise cancelling headsets. If your computer passes muster, you have one less worry. If it does not pass, you will be asked to purchase a suitable machine or monitor (assuming it is not employer-provided).

If you cannot buy a new machine, try purchasing one from a reputable computer repair shop and be sure to save the receipt because it becomes a business expense.

As soon as I was hired for my work from home job, I designed my workspace. The desktop was large enough and at a comfortable height. The lamp was positioned so as not to create a shadow effect. One thing that could not be skimped on was my desk chair. It was the priciest item purchased for my office because there is nothing worse than a throbbing backache while working. In addition to the furniture you will have to find a way to soundproof your work area. I live with a baby and a 5-year-old so I visited a thrift store and purchased an extra heavy double quilt and my husband tacked it to the inside of the door, If the room is carpeted that is a huge plus, but if not consider purchasing carpet remnants to help further soundproof the area.

create tax advantages that you may have never considered. Depending on your work status it might be extremely advantageous to consult a tax professional who can show you how that work from home job can be more financially rewarding than first imagined.

Needless to say, there are a lot of considerations that go into working from home. You will be pulling double duty just as any other worker, and you will have slightly higher utilities but if you do due diligence when searching, read the fine print of any application before you hit “Apply” you may find the work from home job that is really a good fit for you.

As important as income is, we all have to remember those famous words from George Lorimer, "It's good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it's good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven't lost the things that money can't buy”.

There is no doubt that creating your own self-designed workplace seems somewhat costly initially, and there is a lot to balance, but the rewards of working from home can be substantial. No cost commuting, significant savings in work clothing, having lunch with your family and a renewed feeling of self-worth are all things that will sustain you during the pandemic and beyond. g

While this may seem like a significant investment in a job that you do not have to get all gussied up for, it can also www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 7

MIMI MAY

Founder, Maeve's All-Natural Maeve's All Natural was created by Mimi May in response to her own personal challenges and painful experience.

“While I was pregnant with my daughter, her father and I were given the devastating news that she may not survive through pregnancy,” Mimi said. Their daughter, Olivia has Turner's syndrome; a genetic disorder that affects less than 0.1% of females in the world. She said, “Olivia wasn't expected to be here when diagnosed at 11 weeks in utero, the family was given a 1% chance for her survival.”

Problems are created to be solved and when researching the cause of the genetic mutation, Mimi learned the unsafe nature of many ingredients found in her own cosmetic drawer. She explained, “In my desperate attempt to create a non-toxic environment for Olivia to fight and survive, I poured myself into research. That was 2013 and fast forward to today, Olivia is a thriving 7-year-old and Maeve brand of skincare and CBD wellness was established in 2015 to educate and offer completely natural and non-toxic skincare and wellness products to our client base.”

Armed with a degree in International Business and Marketing, and prior to founding Maeve's, Mimi was president of a multi-million dollar consumer company Pulsar Products. She loved her work and helped create a magnificent team. Nonetheless, her desire to help alleviate her daughter's unique challenges coupled with a great entrepreneurial spirit led her to form Maeve's All Natural.

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Starting a new business is never easy and generally takes strong dedication and hard work. Mimi made the tough decision of starting her own business but she knew that had to happen. She noted, “I discovered my passion and WHY through this experience and I could not turn my back on that.”

Today, Maeve's All Natural manufactures natural skincare such as facial moisturizers and cleansers. The company also specializes in hemp-derived CBD supplements, skincare, and wellness products. “We are one of the few certified companies in the state of Ohio to manufacture, distribute, and retail CBD products.” Mimi says.

Maeve's mission is simple. “To offer you the safest products you can find on the market. From one mommy to another, together we can demand a better future for our children.” The company claims its' products are 100% Natural, Non-toxic, Vegan ingredients, and products are made in small batches in their Cleveland lab. According to Mimi, “handcrafting products is our passion and each batch is formulated, crafted, and bottled right here in Cleveland Heights. Also, we never use any pre-made bases or mixes.”

Minority and female-owned business are disproportionately affected by numerous challenges. Mimi is no exception. She had to overcome several obstacles on her journey to running her successful company. However, to narrow the gap and improve the situation, Mimi

advocates for a non-traditional way of improving the situation to adopt a 'collaborative' mindset. She said, “Success isn't a competition. Since there are fewer of us, supporting each other and boosting others might help all of us in the long run.”

She shared the following anecdote about the guy who falls in a hole, depicted in the West Wing television series.

“This guy's walking down a street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep, he can't get out. A doctor passes by, and the guy shouts up, "Hey you, can you help me out?" The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole, and moves on. Then a priest comes along, and the guy shouts up "Father, I'm down in this hole, can you help me out?" The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole, and moves on. Then a friend walks by. "Hey Joe, it's me, can you help me out?" And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, "Are you stupid? Now we're both down here." The friend says, "Yeah, but I've been down here before, and I know the way out."

Mimi has benefited from collaborations among businesses.

She said, “We all have experiences that others can benefit from. I was involved in the local chapter of Entrepreneur Organization years ago and benefited greatly from the monthly meetings with local business owners and their Csuites. I think something similar to that but for minorities and female business owners can be very beneficial to our business community.” Over and above the benefits of 'supporting each other,' there are several organizations that help businesses in general and minority and women-owned businesses, in particular, achieve greater successes.

Seeking support from these organizations, where most programs are delivered free of charge, is extremely important.

Mimi recently participated at the Core City: Cleveland Impact Program organized by JumpStart Inc. “The 12-week business assistance program has been designed to drive economic impact in the city of Cleveland by helping individuals overcome obstacles to entrepreneurship through hands-on advising and industry-specific training.” Since its establishment, the program has tangibly benefited numerous entrepreneurs. Mimi was excited to be a part of the program. She first learned of the program through a Facebook feed of a friend who posted her final pitch after being a participant in the program. She said, “I enjoyed being part of the program very much. The topics presented were relevant to owning a small business, which was extremely helpful as I came from a background of managing a much larger business.

The business and personal connections I had made in the program are lasting and beneficial.”

Mimi is grateful for the support and mentorship she has received from family and colleagues. In particular, she pointed to the unwavering support of her father whom she says is, 'my first mentor.' “My dad is my biggest supporter and number one fan. I run most of my business ideas (some outrageous) by him and trust that he would give me his honest opinion. In addition, I was fortunate to have had two wonderful bosses whom I consider mentors. Not only were they savvy business owners, but they were also wonderful human beings who taught me so much.”

Moving forward, Mimi plans to launch a newly designed website that combines both skincare and CBD under one site. She plans to expand her customer base through extensive use of social media. To young girls and women aspiring to become entrepreneurs, Mimi said, “Be courageous!

You can find a thousand reasons not to follow your heart but follow it anyway. Trust you will never lose what got you here and if you get scared, look back and see how far you've come, and have faith you will achieve your greatest good.”

For more information visit, maevesallnatural.com

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Cleveland Clinic, The Howley Foundation partner with Ursuline College to expand ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program Cleveland Clinic and The Howley Foundation are partnering with Ursuline College to expand the ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program to offer college scholarships to underrepresented students interested in pursuing registered nursing careers.

The ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program, established by Cleveland Clinic and supported by a $10 million gift from The Howley Foundation, is a local high school and college program that seeks to increase diversity in healthcare, address opportunity gaps and reduce health disparities in the community.

Approximately 25 students per year from Cleveland-area high schools enter the ASPIRE program as high school juniors and are taught relationship-based care, research and evidence-based practice, simulation healthcare and more.

Seniors who choose to return to the program participate in a clinical nursing experience and have the opportunity to earn a scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions at Ursuline College after high school.

Students work as patient care nursing assistants (PCNAs) for Cleveland Clinic's Stanley Shalom Zielony Institute for Nursing Excellence during the summer after high school graduation and throughout their college career. They will then have the opportunity to return to Cleveland Clinic to work as registered nurses for at least three years after college graduation and licensure.

“Through ASPIRE, we are increasing opportunities for underrepresented students and committed to developing a new generation of diverse and expertly trained nurses,” said Joan M. Kavanagh, Ph.D., R.N., Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Nursing Education and Professional Development at Cleveland Clinic. “In addition to providing access to Ursuline's prestigious nursing program, students will be given room and board to ensure they have an optimal on-campus learning environment to complete their degree.”

Patricia Sharpnack, D.N.P., R.N., Dean of Ursuline's Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions, agrees. “We are

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committed to providing the resources and wrap-around services that will ensure student success in the program,” she said.

Nick Howley, Chairman of The Howley Foundation and Executive Chairman and founder of Transdigm Group Inc., commented, “Supporting educational programs that directly address issues of equality and upward mobility is the central focus of The Howley Foundation. The ASPIRE program is a shining example. Cleveland Clinic's partnership with Ursuline College will enable education for underrepresented students seeking to become tomorrow's healthcare leaders, and we're excited to see the program grow and thrive in the years to come.”

Ursuline's Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions is ranked the # 2 nursing program in Ohio by Nurse.org.

The program has a 100% employment rate, post licensure. A recent study by the American Enterprise Institute ranked Ursuline #1 nationally for its record of moving students from low-income into higher income groups.

This fall, Ursuline welcomed 11 ASPIRE students. Most are 2020 high school graduates. Some transferred from the associate's degree program at Cuyahoga Community College. <

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ROBYN C. HILL Healer, Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur time out of her busy schedule to speak with Phenomenal Woman, about her life and career.

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), “Five of the ten leading causes of disability worldwide are mental problems (major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, alcohol use and obsessive-compulsive disorders). These disorders – together with anxiety, depression and stress – have a definitive impact on any working population and should be addressed within that context. They may also develop into long-term disorders with accompanying forms of disability.” The report also indicated, “More than 40 million people in the US are estimated to have some type of mental health disorder and, of that number, 4-5 million adults are considered seriously mentally ill.”

The second oldest of three siblings, Hill was raised in a two parent household. Her father worked full-time for a phone company while also being an entrepreneur, whether he was DJing, managing bands, or owning restaurants/bars.

He was also deeply involved in the community, supporting their councilman and creating festivals. Her mom on the other hand raised the family and ran the businesses while her dad was at work, so entrepreneurialism and community service were a foundation that was laid for her from an early age.

These are daunting statistics and call for strategic and coordinated intervention. Professionals such as doctors, therapists, social workers and others are making meaningful differences in tackling the issue. Robyn C. Hill, Cleveland's healer- in-chief, and an expert in the field, is making a huge difference towards this cause. An author, speaker, founder and owner of Robyn C. Hill Counseling and Professional Development Services and Founder & Codirector at Great Lakes Black Authors, Hill recently took

A proud Clevelander, Hill is a product of the Cleveland Public School System and graduated from John Marshall High School before attending Kent State University. With more than 257,000 alumni worldwide and over 10,000 career-ready graduates each year, Kent State is a pride of Ohio and one of the largest universities in the U.S. Hill's deep interest and love for studying Black History led her to pursue her dreams and earn a Bachelor of Arts in PanAfrican Studies.

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Following her graduation, she developed a keen interest in understanding mental health issues and problems and wanted to make a difference in people's lives. Coupled with other inspiring factors, Hill decided to attend Ashland Theological Seminary, a graduate division of Ashland University. “I remember in undergrad feeling that people always came to me with their problems, but I felt unequipped to advise them. I spoke with my pastor and he shared with me about the gift of exhortation, or counsel, and discussed the graduate program at Ashland.”

Once she started grad school, she knew she was in her element. Hill stressed, “The program was a perfect balance of psychology and spirituality and I soaked in all of the information. When I began to work, starting out at different community agencies, I would be warned “this is the worst of the worst” but I never had any problems connecting with the clients or understanding their pain.”

Hill worked hard and earned her Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. She also received her license as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) from the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board.

Today, Hill owns and operates a mental health private practice where she provides culturally and spiritually sensitive counseling in some of the most challenging areas; depression, anxiety, and trauma recovery. Her company offers individual counseling services to adults and adolescents in need of mental health services and works with clients struggling with interpersonal conflicts

due to Borderline Personality Disorder and life adjustment issues.

An avid reader and writer, Hill has authored two self-help books, “A Healing Conversation: Beginning Steps Towards Dealing With A Painful Past,” and “Refresh! A Therapeutic Devotional” to give people tools to help with emotion regulation.

“A Healing Conversation” is a short book that she put together to help people understand what to expect from the counseling process. It discusses in layman's terms depression, anxiety, and trauma, to help the reader understand and explain what they may be going through.

She wrote her second book “Refresh!” to utilize spirituality and mindfulness to express emotions. The journal has passages with scripture that focuses on a particular emotion per day for forty days. These books can be found on Amazon, Nook and Kindle.

For Robyn Hill, giving others the same opportunity she has been afforded is self-fulfilling. She said, “Being an author, I observed the lack of platforms for authors and a need to develop a culture of reading in the African American community, so in 2018 I founded the Great Lakes Black Authors organization which hosts an annual writers conference and author's expo.” This year, she decided to launch an online publication called 'Success InBalance.com' along with the national Success Seekers Mentoring Program to provide skills to develop and celebrate healthy life balance.

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Additionally, the strategist Hill works as a consultant with PBS/Ideastream's Health Unit working to develop programming that teaches inner-city youth to cope with toxic stress.

Hill has been working in collaboration with inmates in Grafton Correctional Facility to encourage healing from childhood trauma and one inmate who has developed a community outreach called “Books For Bruises” where literacy and trauma recovery are encouraged for the youth. That collaboration has opened the opportunity to speak with the statewide Ohio Grandparent Kinship Program on the impact of trauma on children of incarcerated parents.

Addressing mental health disorders through the right policies and more importantly through action and access to health care are critically important for any society. While some progress has been made, African-Americans and minorities have generally been disproportionately affected and narrowing the gap is important for Hill. She said, “There are Medicaid programs available for indigent populations but the working class may not always qualify. While the Healthcare Marketplace has a lot of options, the plans tend to be unaffordable or have extremely high deductibles and hence actually provide no coverage.”

Hill is deeply grateful to numerous mentors who helped shape her journey to success. She said, “I have had some of the best clinical supervision throughout my training as a clinician. Wanda Smart is one supervisor who emphasized professionalism with life balance when I worked for Murtis Taylor in 2010.” She continued, “Joining the National Coalition of 100 Black Women moved me out of stagnation. In that organization, I sat with judges, doctors, politicians, and deans; which really made me unbury the desire to start my own practice and to step up my professional identity.” She is also grateful to Yvonka Hall who was director of Minority Health for the City of Cleveland for “teaching me how to confidently make my own path.”

In pursuit of helping her community, Hill has been serving as a member of the advisory board of the Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition since its inception in 2015. Thanks to Hill's unwavering commitment, the Coalition has developed programming for domestic violence and mental health that has impacted communities all over northeast Ohio.

Over the years, Hill has offered her expertise free of charge to non-profits, such as Reason 2 Live Suicide Prevention and the Khnemu Foundation Lighthouse. She is also one of the founders of the Professional Black Christian Therapists Network, an organization of therapists across northeast Ohio who often provide mental health resources and speakers to community events.

Life and work are a delicate balance that she has managed to cope with thus far. As time is a constraint to how much she can accomplish, she had to prioritize, and streamline her activities. As an example, Hill had a 24-hour internet radio station that she founded in 2017 and decided to shut 14 ▒ NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020

it down in 2019 because she hit a wall of extreme fatigue.

“I really had to begin to focus on my health and feeling good. So, I put limits on how much I work per day by reducing hours in my private practice so that I could dedicate time during the workday for the other projects.”

She continued, “I expanded my understanding of self-care to include finances, socialization, diet, spirituality, intellectual pursuits, self-maintenance, physical activity, and professional goals. Having an understanding that they are all connected and my success hinges on the balance has made it a priority to maintain balance.”

Hill loves to travel just as much as she loves helping people. Closing out the interview and sending her messages to young girls and the community, she said “let your doing flow out of your being.” The key is knowing who you are (your being) so that you know what you are purposed to do, that is where you will find satisfaction.” < For more information visit, Robynhillservices.com

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PHOTOS: JASON GARRETT

16 â&#x2013;&#x2019; NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020

Dr. OGECHI MUOH The only Female African American rheumatologist practicing in Cleveland

By Rhonda Crowder PWM Contributing Writer

as someone did for them. It was a lot of sacrifice to send me to school in the United States.”

“My love of medicine started when I was seven years of age,” says Dr. Ogechi Muoh, DO, a rheumatologist at University Hospitals Medical Center. “I was cared for by an amazing physician who was a woman and luckily my aunt.

At that moment, I knew this was the profession for me.”

Because her dad had a cousin living in Ohio who could watch over her, she attended Kent State University, where psychology was her pre-med major.

This experience highlights how it is important to have a positive, strong, supportive female role model in a young girl's life to play a part in shaping their dreams... especially one who looks like them. And being that role model for others has become the essence of Muoh's career as a physician.

GROWING UP Born in Missouri to Nigerian parents who came to America to attend college, Muoh is the oldest of her five siblings - a role she says comes with duty. “You're expected to be the responsible one,” she says. “You're expected to take care of your siblings. There's a lot of expectations when you're the oldest.”

While a toddler, her parents returned to their homeland so she spent her formative years in West Africa, mostly Nigeria, and traveled a lot with her dad who worked as a diplomat. She describes growing up in Nigeria as “really nice.”

“My experiences having my extended family around me in Nigeria obviously played a role in me becoming a physician...” she says, “is something I would not have experienced in the United States.”

As a child, she would become ill frequently, most often related to Malaria and end up in the hospital. She says the experiences were scary, especially as a child, especially witnessing her mom's anxieties. One particular time, they ended up at her aunt's medical office. “She was just so calm and collected,” she says, “It was amazing to see a woman in the position because I had not seen many.”

To learn this female doctor was a relative, her aunt, made it all the better. “That really impressed me at a very young age,” says Muoh, who, from there knew she wanted to be a physician.

Muoh went on to spend her pre-teen and teen years in South America. She describes Venezuela as a beautiful country but shares that she lived a “sheltered life” and didn't go to school there for very long.

For college, she returned to the US—something her parents always expected and told her she would do. “My parents did not come from wealthy families. They lived in a small village,” she says. “They were lucky that a relative saw potential in them and invested in them going to school in the States. So, they figured they would give back to me

Muoh often reflects upon what her life would have been like had she grew up in the US. “I am grateful to have been able to be around my family and not really have to deal directly with the racial dynamic growing up in America, that my kids have to deal with.”

She says growing up in Africa gave her a strong sense of self. “I never doubted I was able to do anything based on the color of my skin or lack of opportunity because of who I am. That was never a hurdle I had to think about.”

But, living in South America is when the color of her skin became “a thing,” and even more so when she came to the States. “I distinctly knew that as an African American girl, I was considered a minority, something I never had to feel before.” At the same time, the experiences shaped her perspective on life. “I always felt I had a different view on things, given the places I grew up. I have a worldview,” she says.

BECOMING A RHEUMATOLOGIST Muoh received her medical degree from Ohio University and completed her residency in Summa Health System in Akron, Ohio.

Although she knew she wanted to become a physician like her aunt, Muoh says she had no idea what area of medicine she wanted to specialize in. She just knew she wanted to help people and improve lives. Her interest in rheumatology, she describes it as “accidental.”

“As a young girl, I had a lot of interest in women's health. I was exposed to stories of young girls who were forced to early marriages, pregnancies, had bladder problems, vaginal tears, being abandoned by their families... Being on that continent, I had this very strong motivation that I would help this group of girls,” she says.

With that, she started to think she might enter into urogynecology, a subspecialty of gynecology. In some countries, it is also known as Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. A urogynecologist manages clinical problems associated with the dysfunction of the pelvic floor and bladder, as pelvic floor disorders affect the bladder, reproductive organs and bowels.

“That was my plan,” she says, “When I went into medicine, I found I liked internal medicine because of the aspects of figuring out problems, and I stumbled on rheumatology as a resident at Summa.”

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She took an elective in rheumatology. “It was just amazing to get to deal with diseases that most physicians are not really comfortable dealing with because of the unknown and how difficult the problem can be. It affected a lot of women and the problem can sometimes be overwhelming and emotional for the patient.”

Being a pre-med and psychology major, that aspect attracted her to the field. “I was drawn to it instantly,” she says.

A rheumatologist is a board certified internist with advanced training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis as well as other diseases of the joints, muscles and bones.

After Muoh finished her residency, she worked as a hospitalist and clinical instructor at the Veteran's Administration (VA) hospital in Cleveland then trained at University Hospitals Medical Center for her Rheumatology Fellowship.

females in rheumatology. There are a few in the fellowship program, she says.

“Rheumatology is not a glamorous specialty or not as financially motivating but it's gratifying intellectually,” says Muoh, who is the only female African American rheumatologist in Cleveland. “More women are getting into rheumatology. There's actually more women than men.”

However, she is starting to see renewed interest in rheumatology because of the demand.

“It's not easy to see a rheumatologist,” Muoh said. “Lots of people have to wait as long as three months to see a rheumatologist, which can be tough for someone who is suffering.” That's why she leans more toward the practice of medicine than engaging in the research.

Dr. Muoh has published and presented posters on the genetics of osteoarthritis. She still has an active interest in Hospital care and keeps up with this in her spare time despite her busy practice as a rheumatologist.

THE WORK

“I personally feel like taking on patients is my priority. I'm not a researcher because I feel like patients need physicians, and rheumatologists are already hard to find,” she says. “I have put patient care as the main reason I am in medicine.”

Dr. Muoh has a private practice, supported by University Hospitals and says she continues to collaborate with the fellowship and the academic center to continue to improve herself as a physician and to stay atop of advances. She says there's been many.

However, the work can be just as exasperating on the doctor. “It can be tough as the physician to treat the patients, because sometimes you get wins and get it under control but there is no magic pill at the end of the day that can prevent the suffering.”

“Once I completed the fellowship, I started practicing as a rheumatologist in the community and I always stayed around UH because it is an academic center,” she says.

She explains that there are few rheumatologists in general and an even smaller number of African American 18 ▒ NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020

DIVERSITY EFFORTS AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS Muoh served as Director of URM Physician Recruitment & Satcher Bridge Programs in the office of Edgar B. Jackson Jr. Center for Community Impact, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

In this role, under the mentorship of Dr. Margaret LarkinsPettigrew, her responsibilities included managing the processes associated with trainee and physician recruitment programs. This position also coordinated programs and networking with GME (Graduate Medical Education) at University Hospitals. The overall goal of this program is to address the lack of black and brown people in medicine.

“Our vision is to show minority residents that there are minority doctors around them who can also provide support,” she says. “It can be isolating when you're the only person of color in the field. This can impede upon someone achieving their dreams.” Muoh says the presence of minority faculty and staff at UH is important for them in order to create a pipeline to increase minority physicians at the medical center.

MINORITY PHYSICIANS NEED MENTORS WHO UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE As Muoh matriculated through the journey of becoming a physician being a Black woman, she had hurdles to overcome as well. In medical school, she excelled but still found it challenging. No one could prevent her from advancing, she says, because her work spoke for itself but she did encounter the attitudes of others.

“There's the overt attitude,” says Muoh. “People will always doubt you, both patients and peers because you look young, are a woman, and African American. They don't know what to make of you when they see you.” Muoh says peers may question your capabilities or overlook you for opportunities while patients are just simply used to being cared for by doctors from other ethnic backgrounds.

And according to Dr. Muoh, there are definitely many barriers to getting more minorities in medicine. She praises the tireless efforts of Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew who has developed a pipeline from high school because, “The work starts early.”

Some of the barriers include; people getting discouraged if they don't have someone to push them, the lack of mentors to encourage them through the journey of becoming a physician, the lack financial and family support, the time commitments, and grade requirements to get into medical school.

Muoh, determining she wanted to be a physician at an early age definitely helped, she says. “Knowing that I wanted to do something like that helped me think about how to prepare and plan towards that goal. It wasn't

“

It is important for more minorities to enter the medical field because care is better delivered when the patient feels like the provider understands where they are coming from and has some level of shared experience. People automatically feel at ease when they feel they can relate.

“

When asked why she thinks it affects more women, she explained that the medical field doesn't know why more women are affected by rheumatic diseases. “We're not quite sure. It might have something to do with the expression of the X chromosome.”

smooth sailing. It required a lot of sacrifice to achieve what I wanted.”

It is important for more minorities to enter the medical field because, she says, care is better delivered when the patient feels like the provider understands where they are coming from and has some level of shared experience.

“People automatically feel at ease when they feel they can relate,” she says.

MUOH'S PERSPECTIVE ON COVID-19 AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY When considering how Covid-19 is impacting African American communities in the US, Dr. Muoh points out an interesting factor. She explains that in the US, minorities have a higher rate of contraction when it comes to Covid19, Coronavirus. But, she says, when you look at the data in Africa, the infectious rates are not comparable.

“It's not the same,” says Muoh. “In Africa and in the Caribbean, the infectious rates are not as dire, so I do not think race is the key reason for the higher rate of infection in minority groups …it is more like that social determinates of health factors, which overwhelmingly affects minority groups in this country is at play there.”

She goes on to explain how the medical community doesn't understand why this is happening and that there are still studies going on. However, some of the thoughts are that minorities are essential workers. “I'm considered an essential work too,” she says.

Other things to take in to consideration include how minority communities tend to live in multi-generational homes and presence of comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc that may contribute to the worse outcomes of Covid-19.

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Additionally, Covid initially impacted the way she delivered her services. At first, she saw patients via Zoom but has switched back to in-person appointments with precautions. She says, in rheumatology it is important for a patient to see the doctor and there are some symptoms that cannot be communicated over the phone. “I am a very tactile person. I feel like I diagnose better when I'm face to face with the patient,” she says.

THE FUTURE

But, for the most part, it appears Muoh lives a happy, healthy life surrounded by loved ones. Her parents, who are in their 60s, live with her. “I'm grateful to have them here. My kids get to enjoy their grandparents.” A lot of her siblings are here in Ohio as well. “I'm really happy to have my extended family so my kids can get to see what it's like to be African,” she says, “because they are truly American kids.”

As her husband is a native of the US, she foresees retiring here. “I think it would be hard to convince him to retire in Nigeria but I guess I can do more traveling,” she says. <

Dr. Muoh has achieved a great deal but there's more she wants to accomplish, like securing an administrative position. “My current position involves diversity and inclusion, which is important, but I want to also be in an administrative position to help shape those ideas because I feel like there is a lack of representation there.

And, sometimes, it's just [a matter of] being given the opportunity to be in those positions,” she says.

Across the board, in all professions, Muoh continues, “having African Americans in key positions will improve policy making.” She wants to help shape policy. “I would definitely hope to do that but I have to balance it out with all of the demands I currently have with my patients and my family,” she says with a chuckle.

WHEN SHE'S NOT PRACTICING MEDICINE...

Dr. Muoh spends most of her time doing clinical work but, in her spare time, she attends church, engages with her children, and participates in a Nigerian organization of physicians. Married for 12 years, she is the mother of three, ages 10, 7 and 5 years old. So finding the balance between her personal and professional lives, she says, is always a challenge. “I feel like I take it one day at a time.

It's not a perfect balance, but I'm lucky to have a supportive husband.”

Muoh thinks having that support is really important because, when you look at studies as to why women don't achieve at the same level as men, a lot of it has to do with the fact women are caregivers and a lot of responsibilities lie on women to make sure everyone is okay. Her extended family is key in helping her as well, she says.

She loves to read, watch movies, eat international cuisine, travel and hang out with her girlfriends. She did get a chance to go back to Venezuela and Nigeria but it's been awhile. Her favorite place to visit right now is Toronto because of the diversity and cuisine. Plus, it's not that far from Cleveland.

Dr. Muoh believes that working professional women hanging out with other women is good for the soul because of the natural inclinations to nurture. “Just imagine a bunch of nurturing women, nurturing each other,” she says. “It's important to have women take care of themselves and it's easier to do it in groups because, then, you don't feel as bad receiving self-care.”

She doesn't think women will ever be selfish individuals because of their nature. She says it's also important for professional women to take time for themselves to prevent burnout and admits that it's even a challenge for her.

20 ▒ NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020

PHENOMENAL FACTS Director The David Satcher Program University Hospitals Bachelor's degree Kent State University Fellowship, Rheumatology Case Western Reserve University - University Hospitals Residency, Internal Medicine Summa Health System Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Ohio University Certified in Internal Medicine American Board of Internal Medicine Certified in Rheumatology American Board of Internal Medicine Member, American College of Rheumatology

www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me â&#x2013;&#x2019; 21

Since I started doing makeup, I knew I wanted one day to have my own cosmetics line. This has been a dream of mine but I have always been scared to branch out and do it. When the pandemic started, I was forced to close up shop. Even when the orders came for us to reopen, I had to close my studio. This made me try and find other ways to still be involved with makeup.

Still nervous and filled with questions, I began to passively research creating a cosmetic line. With masks mandated in Ohio, why would someone want to wear makeup? What products would I sale? I've seen a lot of makeup artists start out with lipsticks which are no longer as important since we can't see lips buried behind masks. Foundation is becoming more of a hassle than a help as it has stained almost every mask I own. So I went back and forth about where to start.

I had to ask myself what represents me? My brand name is Blushing Brit so the obvious choice would be blush, right? Well just because I'm overly obsessed with it doesn't mean everyone is. I felt stuck. Then, it hit me!

What if I add highlighter which is a very popular makeup product? Seeing my frustrations, my husband offered me much needed help. With his marketing and advertising background he always has great ideas. He then turned to me and said “What if you call it a blighter kit”? I laughed at first

22 ▒ NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020

thinking it was a joke but then I started to really debate the name. I said, I like it! Let's do it!

Now that I have a concept and idea, it was time to find the product. I searched for a company that would allow me to create exactly what I had cooked up. Once I found that, I was given mock ups which made me fall in love. The hard part was over and now for the fun part. Naming the colors! I wanted all the names to represent something in my life that I could share with my customers.

With the launch of my palette on Nov 23rd, I am looking forward to sharing a great product that adds a little something special. This is me in a makeup product. My motto has always been to enhance your beauty and this product does just that. There are so many ways my blighter kit can work for you and that's what I had in mind when creating it. To turn slightly and see the glimmer of highlighter on your cheek, adding a little bit of a natural flush with a touch of blush. Even getting creative and using the shades to spice up your eyes with pink or purple lids or a dot of shimmer in your inner corner. My products are more than just pretty colors and creative names. I want my line to be about going after your dreams and getting the most out of what you have!

Perfect for Fair to medium-tan skin tones Naming this shade was pretty easy. I knew I wanted to name one of my products after my mother. She's been such a supportive person throughout my life and without her, majority of the things I've accomplished wouldn't be possible. My mother's middle name is Divine which I've loved since I was a child. The golden hue of the shade reminds me of a light or divinity, so I felt Divine was perfect.

Perfect for medium-tan to deep skin tones As a child one thing my mother and I always did together was cook sweet potato pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Everyone loved our pies, when I was 16, I took over the responsibility of making all the sweet potato pies each year. Family and friends loved them so much at one point I made 20 pies for Thanksgiving and have even sold them. When I see the bronzy/copper hue, it reminds me of Sweet Potato pie!

Great for all skin tones I have lived on the same street since I was 9. When I say that, I mean it. My husband and I purchased a house across the street from my childhood home which my mother still owns.

There are so many memories on this street and it helped create my first business with my mother; “Royal Creations” I chose to call this shade Royal because when I think of royalty, I usually envision purple velvet and gold metals.

Great for all skin tones Seeing this shade reminded me of Barbie, not wanting to be so obvious I did not want to call it “Barbie”. So my husband sat me down and asked me what my first Barbie doll was? I instantly smiled and said “Teresa”. She was not my first Barbie doll but the first one I remember getting. She has the same skin tone as mine which was big to me. She was from a series; Barbie, Teresa and Christie was an all girl band called “Beyond Pink” and they had a song called “Think Pink” which was included on cassette tape with the doll.

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I

n what's certain to be a holiday season unlike any other, you can transform your seasonal menu in 20 minutes of prep time or less by incorporating flavorful ingredients that make ordinary dishes extraordinary, ensuring the holidays are as special and memorable as any other year.

Stress-free holiday entertaining at home begins with ingredients like Holland House Cooking Wines that add an extra boost of flavor to recipes like Tuscan White Bean Soup. Perfect for chilly evenings, this recipe combines pantry staples and enticing seasonings for an easy-to-make soup that simmers in the slow cooker. This Sherry, Ham and Cheese Brunch Bake is another delicious and convenient recipe to feed your family on early holiday mornings. This simple, tasty brunch bake can be easily prepped the night before.

While holiday gatherings may be smaller this year, spending time with family can be made even more special when sharing a homemade, holidayinspired meal. Sherry Cherry Pork Loin Roast, made in a time-saving slow cooker, provides an easy way to bring your family together for a flavorful holiday meal.

This festive season, Holland House Cooking Wines provide an easy way to delight your family. They're available in four flavors – Marsala, Sherry, White and Red – made using fine grapes and blended seasonings, aged to perfection, to offer bold flavor to your holiday cooking.

Visit hollandhouseflavors.com to find more holiday-worthy dishes 24 ▒ NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020

Sherry Cherry Pork Loin Roast Recipe courtesy of Cate Meade of “Cate's Kitchen Fit” Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 5-6 hours Servings: 8-10 7 tablespoons avocado or grapeseed oil, divided 2 large Vidalia onions, halved and thinly sliced 4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided 1 pork loin roast (4-4 1/2 pounds), trimmed and patted dry 3 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided

Sherry Cherry Sauce: 3/4 cup Holland House Sherry Cooking Wine 5-6 cloves garlic 1 cup frozen Bing cherries, divided 1 1/2 tablespoons dry mustard powder 4 tablespoons Holland House Balsamic Vinegar 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 bunch fresh parsley, large stems removed, plus additional reserved for garnish 3 tablespoons cornstarch (optional) In large slow cooker on high heat, add 2 tablespoons oil, sliced onions and 1 teaspoon salt.

Season roast evenly on all sides with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.

Place large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil to pan. Sear pork loin 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Transfer roast to slow cooker on top of onions.

Cover and cook on low 3 hours.

To make Sherry Cherry Sauce: In blender, blend sherry cooking wine, garlic, 1/2 cup cherries, mustard powder, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, parsley, remaining olive oil, remaining salt and remaining pepper until smooth; set aside.

After pork loin cooks 3 hours, add Sherry Cherry Sauce around pork roast. Cover and cook 2-3 hours on low.

To glaze, brush roast with warm sauce 3-4 times in last hour of cooking.

Once pork reaches internal temperature of 145 F, remove and let rest 15-20 minutes before slicing.

To finish sauce, remove 1/4 cup cooking liquid and mix with cornstarch to make a slurry. Whisk slurry and remaining cherries into sauce. Cook in slow cooker on high 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Slice roast 1/2-inch thick, garnish with fresh parsley and serve with Sherry Cherry Sauce and braised onions.

Sherry, Ham and Cheese Brunch Bake Recipe courtesy of Jillian Wade of “Food, Folks & Fun” Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 1 hour, 20 minutes. Servings: 10 8 2 2 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 2 1 8 8 1 1/4 1/2 2 1 2

tablespoons salted butter, melted, plus additional for greasing pan, divided teaspoons olive oil large shallots, minced cup Holland House Sherry Cooking Wine package (20 ounces) frozen hash brown potatoes teaspoon salt teaspoon pepper cups (8 ounces) shredded white cheddar cheese cup (4 ounces) shredded Parmesan cheese ounces precooked ham, cut into 1/2-inch pieces large eggs cups whole milk teaspoon dry mustard powder tablespoons fresh chopped dill teaspoon fresh chopped dill, for garnish (optional) teaspoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

Move oven rack to middle position and preheat to 400 F. Generously grease 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter; set aside.

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, add olive oil and preheat pan over medium heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring often, until softened and golden, about 7-8 minutes.

Stir in cooking wine and cook until liquid is evaporated, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add frozen hash browns to prepared baking dish. Pour melted butter over potatoes and add salt, pepper and caramelized shallots.

Use spoon to mix well. Bake 30 minutes, or until potatoes are cooked through and some edges are beginning to brown. Remove potatoes from oven and reduce temperature to 325 F. Sprinkle cheddar cheese and 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese evenly over potatoes followed by ham.

In large measuring cup or small bowl, vigorously whisk eggs, milk, mustard powder and dill until fully combined and eggs become frothy, about 1 minute.

Pour egg mixture evenly over potatoes, cheese and ham. Store covered in refrigerator if prepping night before.

Bake 35-40 minutes, or until edges of casserole are golden brown and center of casserole is set.

Cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve with chopped dill and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Tuscan White Bean Soup 3 Recipe courtesy of Jillian Wade of “Food, Folks & Fun” Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 8 hours Servings: 8 4 1 1 1 1 1 6

cups chicken stock cup Holland House White Cooking Wine can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes medium yellow onion, diced small cup celery, diced cup carrots, diced large cloves garlic, minced

1 1 1 1 1 1/4 4 5 8

cans (15 1/2 ounces each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained can (13 3/4 ounces) artichoke hearts, rinsed and drained bay leaf teaspoon poultry seasoning teaspoon salt teaspoon ground black pepper teaspoon dried rosemary cups kale (about 6 ounces), cleaned, destemmed and chopped ounces pancetta or bacon, diced teaspoons Parmesan cheese, shaved (for garnish)

Place chicken stock, white cooking wine, tomatoes, onion, celery, carrots, garlic, cannellini beans, artichoke hearts, bay leaf, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper and rosemary in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours.

About 30 minutes before serving soup, stir in kale and cover.

In 10-inch skillet over medium heat, cook pancetta until crispy, about 4 minutes.

Move pancetta to paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with pancetta and Parmesan cheese shavings.

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POPPING UP Festive Holiday Fun

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COLORFUL KITCHEN INSPIRATION 5 impactful, on-trend cabinet stylings

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TO ADVERTISE CALL 216.702.0845

TIWANNA WILLIAMS Founder PearlFlower Catering /////////////////////////////////////////

VIRGINIA CARTER

OR EMAIL TO: ADS@PHENOMENALWOMAN.ME

Senior Project Engineer Ozanne Construction /////////////////////////////////////////

WHY RESOLUTIONS TO SAVE MONEY FAIL ...PG 6

DANITA HARRIS

EMMY-AWARD WINNING ANCHOR / FOUNDER OF S.H.I.N.E.

30 ▒ NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020

www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me â&#x2013;&#x2019; 31

GOING THE DISTANCE

FOR OUR

COMMUNITIES. At Dominion East Ohio, going the distance for our customers means more than just delivering safe, affordable natural gas. It means being a positive force in the communities we serve. Our EnergyShareÂŽ program has raised $6.8 million and helped more than 70,000 people in Ohio alone. These resources, combined with more than 6,300 volunteer hours from our employees, have benefited organizations as diverse as the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.