pdwmag.com
Latracia Tolbert Brite
Women of Faith Helping to Heal the Nation
Black Woman Salute History is made!
Feb. 2021 Special Edition
INSIDE: Bernadette Evans Trasetta Alexander Shanta Moore Tracey Gunn Alison Stallworth
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Publisher Kimi Johnson, PurposePals LLC.
Editor-in-Chief
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Carmelita Mcroy
Design Editor Kimi Johnson
Special Contributors Kiawana Leaf,
Cover Feature
Latracia Tolbert Brite
In This Issue
Bernadette Evans Trasetta Alexander Shanta Moore Tracey Gunn Alison Stallworth
Purpose Driven Women Magazine is a publication of PurposePals, LLC. The information in this publication is presented in good faith. The publisher does not guarantee accuracy or assume responsibility for errors or omissions. Copyright 2020 © PurposePals, LLC.
OUR MISSION Imagine a world where every woman knew exactly why they were created. Despite their economical background, past failures, trials, or tribulations they believed they were more than enough to thrive as the person God created them to be with ease and flow. Our Vision is to create an international publication that creates unification and connection amongst women from different walks of life, giving them an opportunity to uplift each other by sharing stories, resources, products, and expertise.
OUR VISION Purpose Driven Women Magazine’s Mission is to inspire and encourage women to discover and surrender to the plan God has for their life. We give everyday women a voice and platform by means of testimonials, interviews, training, resources, and informative articles to share stories of how their faith helped them to overcome hardship. EBSITE: pdwag.com
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Purpose Driven Women Magazine is the woman's guide to connecting to and thriving in their purpose. We are a bi-monthly digital faith based magazine designed to provide inspiration for women on their purpose journey. Our publication is published by PurposePals, LLC on the first Tuesday of every odd month.
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From My Heart to Yours
The past few months have been filled with countless reports of devastating news. Seeing the month of February was like a breath of fresh air. Finally, we can focus on something positive, the beauty, success, and power of African Americans. The origin of Black History month began in 1926 when Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced a Negro Week. Proudly we have progressed to celebrating and honoring African American achievements, both young and old, throughout the month of February. What extraordinary accomplishments of which we have to be proud. African American women have been trailblazers in this country for centuries. From Madam CJ Walker, who was one of America's first self-made millionaires, to Sarah E. Goode, who was the first woman to receive a United States patent. We can never forget Michelle Obama, who became the first African American first lady and now Madam Kamala Harris making history as the first female, first
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black, and first Asian-American Vice President of the United States. Black women are on the rise, and we couldn't be more proud! In this special edition of Purpose Driven Women Magazine, we highlight African American women from our past, present, and future who are letting their light shine and making a difference in the world. We also share an inspiring story from our cover girl, Latracia Tolbert Brite (owner of Brite Pathways) and discuss how women of faith can help heal our nation. Although 28 days in February are not quite enough to highlight the rich heritage of the African American culture, we will own every last day of the month and those to follow. We will move forward with our chest poked out and our head held high as we continue to strive toward victories, letting our voices be heard and our presence known. Black lives matter! See us, respect us, embrace us because the best is yet to come. African American women, we salute you!
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KAMALA HARRIS: BLACK WOMAN SALUTE
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HOW WOMEN OF FAITH HELP HEAL THE NATION
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WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
LaTracia Tolbert Brite
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BRITE PATHWAYS FOR US ALL!
CONTENTS
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Letter from the Editor
women shaping the world Hello, Purpose Driven Women I hope everyone has had a great and prosperous New Year so far. Purpose Driven women never stop working toward their goals and dreams in life, and that is what this issue will enlighten you to do every day; to pursue your dreams and make history. Excited about Black History Month, we want to highlight women of the past, women of our now, and women of our future. Women have shaped and will continue to shape our world. History is being made in all our lives every day; we must make sure we cherish every moment. I encourage all readers to start keeping track of the history you are making in your life, for your legacy, for your family, and the world. This special edition is unique because it is dedicated to all black women as we celebrate Black History Month. Never forget where you come from, because it will help shape you to become a better version of yourself. Remember, Expect It, Believe It, Receive It!
JOIN OUR TEAM Are you looking for a professional and inspiring platform to share your content? Our design team will transform your content into a beautiful editorial design to be published in Purpose Driven Women Magazine. This is a great way to help expand your reach, jump start your writing career, and gain more followers all while inspiring women on their purpose journey. Our inspirational topics include: Spiritual Inspiration Love and Relationship Wealth and Prosperity Family Beauty and Wellness Health and Fitness Visit pdwmag.com/submissions to get started.
Carmelita Mcroy Editor in Chief
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Madam Vice President
Wealth & Prosperity
Madam Vice President Kamala Harris By: Editor-in-Chief Carmelita Mcroy
Kamala Harris is an American
politician, author, and attorney serving as the 49th and current vice president of the United States. She is the United States' first female vice president, the highest-ranking female official in the U.S. right now, and the first African American and first Asian American vice president. Born in Oakland, California, Harris graduated from Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office before being recruited to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and later City Attorney of San Francisco's office. In 2003 Kamala became District Attorney of San Francisco. She was elected Attorney General of California in 2010; at that time, she became the first woman and first African American woman to hold that position. Then she was reelected in 2014. Harris served as junior United States senator from California from 2017-2021. When she took the Senate office, it made Harris the second African American woman and the first Asian American to serve in the United States Senate.
Kamala has been married to Doug Emhoff, an attorney, since 2014. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She is a proud graduate of a Historically Black College (HBCU) Howard University, making her the first Vice President to graduate from one. Kamala Devi Harris is a woman with a purpose and shows us black girl magic during this Black History Month celebration.
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My mother would look at me and she’d say, 'Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you are not the last. -Kamala Harris
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Tell us a little about your organization, Brite Pathways, Inc., and the work you all are doing to inspire others to be purpose-driven. Brite Pathways is an organization geared towards giving LIGHT, LIFE, to BIRTH in the lives of youth, teens, young adults, and adults through motivational speaking, self-empowerment workshops, sports camps, and mentorship. The Mission of Brite Pathways is to reach each age group through Motivation & Inspiration, Witnessing & Saving Souls, And Empowerment. All can go to my website www.britepathways.com to further learn about my organization and for booking. What is your motivation behind this work?
My Brite Girls. My goal is to inspire women and girls to let their gifts flow and dare to dream. So many times, we let the fear of the unknown creep in and hide our God-given talents placed on the inside of us. Once we understand the magnitude of the gifts that has been mandated to us by God, we can't hide our gifts any longer. We have to release those gifts into the atmosphere and do like the song says, "Let It Go" and be that Purpose Driven Woman God intended us to be. You have written two books, the first book is called "This GAME called LIFE" which we will discuss in just a bit and you also have a children’s book titled "Being Unique is Okay." As a mom of two beautiful browned skinned daughters and considering all of the things that have taken place in our nation this past year alone, how are you reaffirming this message to them? Transparency is Key. I let my Brite Girls know that on this journey in "This GAME Called LIFE" life has a way of surprising you. We all want what's best for our children. I first start with the obstacles I faced growing up to let them know that there will be days when things may not go in your favor and it’s okay to make mistakes. You live and learn and what's most important is the lesson you learned in the process of going through. I reaffirm my Brite Girls by letting them know that they are beautiful, smart, and talented. I tell them all the time whatever goal or dream they want to achieve in life, to be confident and know that they can do all things through Christ which strengthens them. They know what's going on in the world. We watch the world news every day and sometimes they speak to their dad and I on different topics concerning the pandemic, why do different races hate one another ect. I wasn't really expecting all that but we have to do our part and be truthful to our children. First and foremost, I tell them God is in control concerning this pandemic. All we can do is pray and do our part to stay safe. When talking about why different races/ethnicities hating on one another. I simply said, "Jesus Is Love." And because Jesus is love, we should always walk in love, unity, and peace concerning one another coming together on one accord. Love Trumps Hates.
So as well all know, February is Black History month and I personally know that history is very important to you. We actually covered a story about how you were recently able to reconnect with your family from Liberia. How important do you think it is for women of color to teach our children about race and the stories that are embedded in the history of African Americans? Yes! First of all, Black History is every day. We have to teach our children our history and tell them to take pride in knowing where they came from. We are a peculiar people and a royal priesthood. Connecting with my Liberian family at the age of 16 has been a blessing. Knowing your lineage and family tree is truly wonderful. I'm so humbled God allowed me to be the bridge that reconnected The Tolbert's of Liberia and America after 20 years in our nation's capital back in 2016. To receive a letter from former President Barack Obama celebrating 75 years of unity at the American Tolbert's 75th Family Reunion, was a happy and emotional moment in time for me. All the pieces came together and we were able to connect with even more family and the next generation of Tolbert's on both sides. We have strong genes!!! All the same family. This has given me so much more. I hope to visit my family soon and donate books to some of the schools in Liberia. My Brite Girls know who they are and where they come from. To me, that is priceless. Latracia, you are the epitome of what it means to embrace your story and turn it into your superpower. Those of us who have shared our story before know that with transparency comes a level of vulnerability that doesn’t always feel comfortable. And actually in your book, This GAME Called LIFE, you really open up about how you and your twin sister Delacia struggled with discovering self-worth, being rejected, and a lack of self-confidence. How has this journey been for you? It's been overwhelming but I would trade it for nothing in the world. Everything we went through made us stronger, wiser, and better. When we connected with our purpose and allowed God to take complete control of our spirit of success, knowing God had a bigger plan for our lives and the obstacles we faced only prepared us to become the awesome purpose-driven women we are today together and individually. What are you looking forward to this year and what can we expect to see from Brite Pathways, Inc.? I'm looking forward to God leading and guiding me every step of the way. I want to make sure that I'm aligned to hear God's voice and receive all of the promises God has for me and everyone I'm connected to. You can expect to see more speaking engagements, book signings, collaborating with other organizations, book drives, and more.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH INTERVIEW
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In a world where global turmoil is on the rise, women of faith must remain steadfast. Embracing a spirit of unity is unexplainably the most impactful thing believers can do alongside prayer. The rise in Covid-19 cases and political unrest have caused devastation in the land. People are hurting, confused, and scared. It may even appear that God has forsaken us. They are looking to the church for answers, but how can women of faith help heal the nation? In the story of Esther, she found herself in the midst of the unknown. She was pushed into a relationship with the king of Persia. As she transitioned into the royal lifestyle, her comfort zone was interrupted. Her true identity as a Jewess became
threatened by the decree in the land to destroy her people. With her back against the wall, she was persuaded by Mordecai (her cousin) to intercede for her people. Like Esther, women of faith must accept God’s call to intercede for our nation through steadfast prayer and fasting. Ultimately corporate healing begins with an individual sacrifice. Each individual must be intentional to contribute to the change they want to see in the world. Together we can remain one nation under God. Our vigilance is the key to healing our bruised nation.
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How can women of faith help heal the nation?
Minister Bernadette Evans Click here to watch the entire conversation.
Healing Starts with You We all must start with ourselves; it begins with one person at a time. She believes that you cannot help heal a nation if you are messed up as an individual. Everything starts at the bottom, and healing begins from town by town, city by city, and borough by borough. We are not perfect, but we are perfectly human, making mistakes. Have Difficult Conversations Our nation has been fractured, and it has never healed because it was built on a fractured nation. As a nation, we have never discussed racism; therefore, it has never healed; it has just escalated. Our country needs reconciliation because many people have not reconciled from the past. Unfortunately, people are looking to the church for answers, but the church does not know what to do, especially multicultural churches. We need to have a sincere heart to heart conversations
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with all races. Until we are ready to face those conversations our nation will continue to have issues. Embrace the Role of a Leader The church needs to take leadership in helping to heal the nation. There is a racial divide in the church. What we have seen in the church was necessary; we need to see what we have seen; the racism in the church. We needed to see how people stand in the church about world issues. God is doing a particular work, and we see the true church moving forward while other churches are being exposed. Churches feel obligated to political leaders for different reasons, and it has hurt the church in some ways. Keep Church and Politics Separate Our country was built on the separation of church and state (politics), and we should have left it that way because some pastors are misusing their authority in that area.
How can women of faith help heal the nation?
Productive Coach Trasetta Alexander Click here to watch the entire conversation.
Start with You Trasetta said, start with you, we see all the junk in the world, and it can be overwhelming, but healing yourself helps you deal with others because hurting people hurt people. Then when you heal, you can help heal the land. Be a Light A portion of this generation were not raised in the church, so they do not have a foundation, and their children do not have a foundation. There are young single moms whose church was not their background; their mothers did not have a church background, so the foundation to go to God is not there. The people of God need to be a light during this time to help lead them to Christ. Start a Love Revolution
Love is the only thing that can cast out the darkness. Try to minister to people and meet them where they are because people are hurt, angry, and fearful, and they do not know what to do or who to trust. Since people do not connect with God, they do not realize they need Him. We need a love revolution. The Lord is needed in this hour, even though the world does not see it. The way to introduce Him to them is with love. Share Your Faith If you are a believer, you are called to evangelize, share your faith with others, and this can help heal our nation. More believers are moving into marketplace entrepreneurship, and this allows you to minister to people; working for someone else would limit you. When COVID happened, it forced us not to focus on the four walls, it forced us to do church differently. People may not come to your church, but they will do business with you. Be Yourself I show up as myself and let God be God. I believe he makes divine connections with believers and non-believers for me. If we love people and show love, it will draw them. February Special Edition 2021 PDWMAG.COM 18
How can women of faith help heal the nation? Be Unapologetically Saved
Prophetess Shanta Moore Click here to watch the entire conversation.
God doesn't want us mentioning him vaguely and not giving distinction to his deity. No, God has called us to be unapologetically saved. He has called us to be unapologetically women of faith. He has called us to be distinct ones with the determination to see God and His will be planted in the earth. And that starts with us. Ask God for Wisdom The word of God is our final authority. Everybody needs to be listening, but they don't need to listen to a coach who has no clue of how to win the game. Everything that we say in this particular atmosphere and this environment that we're living in is important. Proverbs 14 tells us, but it also further tells us that wisdom, repossess it in the heart of the discerning. And even amongst fools, she lets herself be known. We need wisdom. Seek the Lord We are not going to get the answer to impact our nation as women of faith, without the supernatural power of God that leads men to repentance so that they can be free. Our real problem is not bedded just the color and the differences of skin. We have a sin problem. Understand For Which We Are Fighting This is a fight for the soul of America. This is a fight for whether or not this nation will remain a nation under God. This is not a political move. Politics doesn't have that kind of power. This fight is in the realm of the spirit for the soul of mankind. Who will you believe? Who will you trust? If God is God, follow Him. If Baal is your god, follow him. Extend the Love of Christ The Lord desires for us as women of faith to stand and arise in the love of God. How are they going to know that we belong to him? It is by our love. That's the only way that the people are going to know that we belong to him. It is how we love one another. It is near impossible for unbelievers in this nation to be healed if we, the people of God are not showing the love and the compassion that has been commissioned by God, on mind for us to show to one another. We have a commission from God to apply the Word of God and to restore our brothers and sisters in love. The Father is anticipating that we arise and be the answer to the most complex problems in the world.
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Dr. Tracy Gunn
How can women of faith help heal the nation?
Click here to watch the entire conversation.
I interviewed Dr. Tracy L. Gunn and asked her the question, "How can women of faith help heal our nation?" Healing Starts Within the Family We must start with healing our family and ourselves before healing the nation. We run to heal people when we need to heal our own families and our community. Look at your family structure; what issues are your families facing? Sometimes we need to sit down and heal before we can heal others. Take a sabbatical, time away from others, and the hustle and bustle of life. Families out here are hurting. They are depressed, lost, suicidal, and believe no one cares about them. So, we need to deal with the hurt inside people to heal a nation. We must look at 1 Chronicles 7:14 and do what the word of God says to heal the land. As parents, it is our responsibility to teach our children about other cultures and how to respect them. Seek God for Guidance We are a divided nation and churches do not know what to do to help people. As Christians, we can turn to God and ask him what strategy we need to win souls in this hour. Prayer is our weapon, and there is no white or a black God; He is a God of all people. Racism is a generational curse, and most cannot tell you why they hate another race. Racism is a learned behavior. Renew Your Mind We see a repeated cycle of years past, and it is getting worse. People in leadership need healing. Competition in churches needs to stop. How can we heal a nation if we are jealous of each other? People's mindset about God keeps our country divided. All races come together for sports. Why can't we come together in unity on our nation's issues? We must start having candid conversations asking each other questions to get to the problem's root. Prayer is a start, but we all have a part in healing this country.
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How can women of faith help heal the nation?
Prophetess Alison Click here to watch the entire conversation.
Help Those in Need When there is something you can give of yourself, person to person, assignment to assignment, call to call whatever that looks like you should help those in need. When we're able to lend our hands and help by giving and sharing ourselves with others we place ourselves in the position to heal. There are individuals that need our gifting. They need our voice, our prayers, and our intercession. Do Not Allow the Actions of Others to Dictate Your God-Given Assignment Sometimes we get the backhand of the stick, but I have learned is to not allow that, to alter who I am, because you know, you encounter hurt. You encounter all types of different things, but if you let that be the definition of who you are, you will never help another person. You will never go on to do what God has called you to do. I do not let that alter what I am to do as it relates to expanding the Kingdom of God, the work still has to go on. Do Not Listen to the Naysayers People are going to talk about you. They're going to say all manner of evil things about you, but you don't let that define who you are. The work still has to go on. There are still people that are waiting on us to make ourselves available to do what God has called us to do. Don’t be so easy to throw in the towel, give up, and walk away when it doesn't look favorable to you. Understand that people
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are going to be people but you must stay true to your assignment--To help heal the nation. Live a Life of Fasting and Prayer Fasting and praying are vitally important. Fasting breaks us as the individual. It keeps us from operating in our flesh. It keeps us from analyzing the natural things that are going on around us. When we fast and implement prayer we get to hear the voice of God, his directives, and his instructions, not just for our lives, but for the assignment and the lives of others. Let God’s Light Shine Through You I wake up every day and I say, “God, what can I bless today?” It doesn't matter if it's by way of a word or way of a financial situation, or getting somebody's lunch or buying someone's grocery. whatever that looks like. I asked the father every day, show me what I can do to be a blessing, to be a blessing to the kingdom. I want people to be able to see him. That's important to me. I want people to know that the only way that they are going to know that God is real and that he's answering their prayers is that he answers them through people. He answers their desires through us. And so whether that be by way of a word or physical, it doesn't matter. They will have seen God. And that's, what's important to me.
Women of Our Past
Amelia Boynton Roberson – First African American woman and first female Democratic candidate to run for a seat in Congress from Alabama.
Jane Bolin- was the first black woman to graduate from Yale Law School, the first to join the New York City Bar Association, and the first to join the New York City Law Department.
Sarah Rector- Became the richest black girl in the nation at 11 years old in 1913.
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Viola DavisAmerican actress and producer who was the 1st Black woman to win Emmy in 2015, and the first African American to win the “Triple Crown of Acting”.
Women of Our Present
Rosalind G. “Roz” Brewer- An American businesswoman was the first black and first woman to become COO at Starbucks; she was former CEO at Wal-Mart where she was the first woman, the first black woman, and first African American to hold that position; now in March of 2021 she will be the only Black Woman CEO in Fortune 500 right now, by becoming the CEO of Walgreens.
Alexa Canady- A retired American medical doctor, known for being the first African American woman in the United States to become a neurosurgeon. February Special Edition 2021 PDWMAG.COM 27
Women of Our Future Marsai Martin- An actress and producer, she is the Youngest Executive producer in Hollywood.
Misty Copeland- American Ballerina became the first African American be a Principal Dancer for a Prestigious American ballet theatre.
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Strengthened by Experiences Purpose in Pain It may take a while to understand that saying Parental wounds, single parenting, failed engagement, domestic violence to name a few God knows my strengths, but this is some of what I’ve been through It took awhile to understand how there’s purpose in pain Because, I have been weak God, I did not seek Creating so much more pain Letting go of God’s hand I couldn’t grasp hold of His plan To be strengthened by experiences birthing purpose in my own pain
I wept and sowed tears Fought demons, lived life in no fear Knowing I wasn’t sincere Wishing the pain behind the mask could somehow disappear Neglecting that my life is not my own Casting my own stone Believing I’m not deserving nor chosen How can I be strengthened by experiences birthing purpose in my own pain I’m sobbing, weeping, crying, yelling, and screaming God, God, Where are You, How could You, Why Me Could God really be the one to blame? When I’m the one creating chaos and my own stain That wasn’t part of His plan You see, God never change His promise remains the same But our response to His plan can create our own chain Missing the mark to birth purpose in our pain When I am weak He is strong Hopeless, He is my hope I’m gaining strength by experiences birthing purpose in my own pain If I experienced nothing in life I could not be authentic in revealing His glory If I experienced nothing in life I wouldn’t appreciate God’s grace and mercy It’s been through experiences that I gained His strength Birthing purpose in my own pain By letting go, committing, and submitting My will and way to Christ Simply just by saying YES! I’ve been Strengthened by Experiences
Kiawana “Key” Leaf, a God-made entrepreneur, best-selling author, actress, and inspirational speaker, Kiawana aspires to inspire and empower women who are survivors of domestic abuse, men and women who are masking their truth, oblivious to childhood trauma, as well as the brokenhearted through her first business venture, Empower Too Inspire LLC. February Special Edition 2021 PDWMAG.COM 29