SpeakUpSis! - 2023 Summer Edition by SpeakUpSis®

TABL EOF CONTENTS 1

Edi t or ’ sNot e

SpeakUpSt or i es

Chef ’ sChoi ce

1 1 34

Gett oKnow Hi m Communi t yEvent s

WomenI nBusi ness Spot l i ght

EWSQuot e

TakeCar eOfBusi ness

41 SisColumns 44 Body,SpiritandSoul 45

Cr eat i veCor ner

ButGod!Test i moni es

FEA TU R ES

ThePowerof MyVul ner abl e Voi ce DamagedBut NotBr oken God’ sLove SeenThr ough HazelEyes I t al i an/ t r adi t i onal meat bal l s How t oBui l da Per sonal Br andThat St andst he TestofTi me

Edi t or ’ s Not e

he e,andt yl t onals i at s conver e eswer i or t SpeakUpMens . ves el hems hement enbyt t t i wr rown hei nt ulhow,i f i sbeaut ’ t I ows l ,eachmanal queway uni n ki owor yt t i l abi ner orandvul val . e f i l s i h n andem i t

Thi st i meLet ’ sChangei tup

eonedoes at ebr ocel e,t f i nl Asi count s d,di car s notmeanwedi .The her heot dt egar r s ordi ce, sChoi ’ ,Chef ner veCor i eat Cr e ,andTakeCar t i r BodySoulSpi ong onsal i ect ss nes i ofBus ng i r ecur hour2023r t wi , nds ngMi owi ,Gr umns col e f i L , s t r a e H g n i d r Gua ng i ant ,Pl 01 ons1 s Les , s nes eat SeedsofGr s kMoment RealTal ual t i r andYourSpi ude ncl Teai onsby i s s ubmi s ngwomen. amazi

tmakess ens eaf t err eadi ng t henameoft hi smagaz i ne you’ dexpectt or ead empower i ngandi ns pi r i ngs t or i es aboutwomens peaki ngup. Typi cal l y ,t hati sexact l y whatyou’ df i ndont he pagesofSpeakUpSi s ! Magaz i ne;however ,i n t hi sedi t i on,you won’ t .Fat her ’ s Dayi scel ebr at edi n June,t her ef or e,f or t hever yf i r s ts ummer edi t i on,Ideci dedt o honort hemeni nour l i vesbys har i ngt he s t or i esofmenIhave hadt hepl eas ur eof meet i ngont hi s SpeakUpSi sj our ney . “ Mani snevers omanl yas whenhef eel sdeepl y ,act s bol dl y ,andexpr es s eshi ms el f wi t hf r anknes sandwi t h f er vor . ”Benj ami nDi s r ael i encaps ul at esbot ht het heme andt hemenyougetan oppor t uni t yt omeeti nt hi s 2023SummerEdi t i onof SpeakUpSi s !Magaz i ne.I nour cur r ents oci et y ,t her ear e ext r emeper s pect i vesont he t opi cofmas cul i ni t yandhow muchofi ti sheal t hyort oxi c andwhati ts houl dors houl d notl ookl i ke.AsIs atwi t h mys el fandt heLor dt o det er mi net hedi r ect i onIwoul d

Phot ogr a pher : S na ppedbyConni e

t akewi t ht hi sedi t i on,I deci dedt onott akes i desbut t os i mpl yal l ow yout omeet andheart hevoi cesofmen. Eachmani nt er vi ewedf ort he Gett oKnow Hi ms ect i onhas as t r ongper s onal i t y accompani edbyas t i r r i ng s t or y ,andIwant edyoual lt o heart hem wi t houtmy s ubj ect i vi t yi nt henar r at i ve. Ther ef or e,eachi nt er vi ew i s wr i t t eni nat r ans cr i bed

almen Sever t uppor ys l u n i t con ous ! s heSpeakUpSi t dom, s rwi m.Thei or f at pl tand uppor me,s i ove,t l oour et but i r nancescont i f s hi et cat ,andIdedi s ucces s y oever ont i t needi magazi y vel i t i ulmanwhopos f wonder yand l ami sf shi mpact i nued i .Mycont y t communi he ngt e r r e adi t hataf st ayeri pr ng edoi ydaypeopl dsofever wor d, l swor hi nt ngsi hi omet awes dand een,hear eels oo,f you,t ood. t s under , ght Love&Li ne mai AngelChar

SpeakUpMen Stori es

ePo we ro f My Vul ne r a b l e Voi c e

er hapsI coul dpoi nt t omy8year ol ds el fwhen cons i der i ngt heear l i es t i nkl i ngofmaki nga cons ci ent i ouschoi cet ot ake t hemuzzl esoff earand appr ehens i onof fofmyvoi ce.

I ’ dj us twr i t t enapoem f oran as s i gnmentwi t ht her es tofmy s econdgr adecl as s r oom,and whi l et heypr oudl yr eadt hei r pr edi ct abl yr hymi ngandneat l y met er edbar s ,her eIwas ,t he conf i dentcont r ar i an,boas t i ng qui t eadi f f er ents ong. Teacher :“ That ’ sani cepoem, Gabr i el .Buti tdoes n’ tr hyme. ” Me:“ Al lpoet r ydoes n’ t havet or hyme,cor r ect ?” Ther oom wents i l entas mys econdgr ade t eacher ,Ms .Hanus a, car ef ul l ycons i der edmy r et or t ,s eemi ngequal par t sannoyedand i mpr es s ed. “ Yes ,s hes ai daf t ermuch hes i t at i on.“ Is uppos eyou’ r e r i ght . ” Mymom woul dpr obabl y count erwi t hadi f f er ent exampl e.I tcameaf t ers her ead oneofmypaper sf ormyni nt h gr adecompos i t i oncl as s .I cannotr ememberwhatIwr ot e about ,butt her e’ sone cher i s hedl i net hats hewon’ t l etmef or get .

“ I fyoual l ow your s el f t obei nt i mi dat ed,you becomenobet t ert han t hei nt i mi dat orhi ms el f . ”

Pr et t yheadys t uf ff ora 1 4yearol d,r i ght ?Wel l ,l et Mom t el li t ,i twasherf i r s ts i gn ndeed,hadas cr i beon By:Gabr i elSt oval l thatshe,i h e r h a n d s . I d i d n ’ t r e a l i z e u n t i l Phot ogr apher :JayDani el l at er— af t erIbegancol l ege— t hats hekeptt hatpapert ucked awayi napl acewher es heknew s he’ dal wayseas i l yf i ndi t .That af or ement i onedl i nehi ghl i ght ed i nyel l ow. Onmor et hanoneoccas i on, s he’ st ol dmehow i ns pi r i ngt hat l i newast oherandhow many t i mess he’ dal l owedi tt o encour ageands t r engt hen herwhenherwor kasone oft hever yf ew Bl ack r egi s t er ednur s esatone oft henat i on’ smos t pr es t i gi oushos pi t al s becamedaunt i ng. Iwon’ tl i e— t hat l i t t l enuggetof conf es s i onf r om mymom i gni t eda f l amei nme— a f l amet okeepon wr i t i ng.Tokeeponl et t i ng mypendot hewor kofa t ongue. So,her e’ swheni tr eal l y happenedf orme.Iwasi n anot herf r es hman compos i t i oncl as s .Thi st i me i twasatt heUni ver s i t yof Nebr as kaLi ncol n.Iwasa j our nal i s m maj or .Iwas

el St ov al l ThePowerofMyVul ner abl eVoi ce -Gabri

pr epar i ngmyl i f e,t hr ough educat i on,t ol etmypenbemy pr edomi nantvoi ce. I ’ l lneverf or gett hedayt hatI wal kedi nt oaoneonone conf er encewi t hmypr of es s or . Shewaspr ovi di ngf eedbackon anas s i gnedpaper .Onceagai n,I don’ tr ememberf ul l ywhatI wr ot eabout .Ir ememberi twas mi l i t anti nt one,andi t champi onedt hes t r engt hof Bl ackpeopl edes pi t eourpl i ght . Shes ai dt ome,“ I ’ veal ways want edt omas t ert hi ss t yl eof wr i t i ng.I t ’ spower f ul .I t ’ s per s uas i ve.I t ’ sal mos tl i ke you’ r e…s peaki ng…pr eachi ng even.Yeah!Li keyou’ r e pr eachi ngas er mon. ” Myexpr es s i ont owar dherwent f r om apr ouds mi l et oabs ol ut e di s bel i ef .Her e’ swhy:Att hi s s t ageofmyl i f e,Iwas vehement l yf i ght i ngt omake s ur eIknew f orcer t ai nt hatGod wascal l i ngmet opr each.I di dn’ thavet het es t i monyt hat s omehad— wher et heyr an f r om t hecal l i ngbecaus et hey di dn’ twantt odoi t . Iknew t hatt heBi bl es ai d,“ A manwhodes i r est heof f i ceofa bi s hopdes i r esagoodwor k. ” ( 1 Ti mot hy3: 1 )Somi newas n’ ta mat t erofr unni ngf r om f ear , r at herIwant edt or unt o cer t ai nt y .Mywr es t l i ngmat ch waswi t hmaki ngs ur eIhear d God’ svoi ce.Becaus ei fIknew i t wasGod,I ’ dr unwher everHe woul dt el lmet or un. ButIdi gr es s .Thenextt hi ngmy pr of es s ors ai dt omes hookme

neededmyvoi ce.Si ncet hatday , asan1 8yearol dcol l egeki d,my voi cehast akenmei nt opul pi t sal l acr os st hi scount r yasapr eacher andpas t or .Myj our nal i s t i cvoi ce hasgi venmet heabi l i t yt obr i ng l i ghtt omat t er st hataf f ectt hos e whoar evoi cel es s .Ius emyvoi ce asaj our nal i s tt ohel pot her peopl et el las t or yt heyot her wi s e coul dn’ tf i ndt hewor dst o ar t i cul at e. Ius emyvoi cet ot eachot her s how t ous et hei rvoi ce.Whet her wi t ht hepenormyvocalchor ds , Ias s umet hepos i t i onofGod’ s mout hpi ecet ot henat i ons .I t does n’ tal waysf eelgood. S o me t i me s my v oi ceget sme t omycor e.Ther ewasabeat i n t o t r o u b l e . B u t b e c a u s e i t ’ s ort woofs i l encet hatwas r i g h t e o u s t r o u b l e , i t ’ s — i n t h e pr obabl yj us taf ew mer e wo r d s o f t h e l a t e J o h n L e wi s — s econds ,t houghi tf el tl i ke goodt r oubl e. hour s .Then,s hes poke. Del i ber at el y ,asi fs hewer e ceof t enl eavesme car ef ul l ychoos i ngherwor ds Myvoi v u l n e r a b l e t o t h e at t acksoft hos e — orwai t i ngf oranot hert o wh o c a r e l e s s l y c r u c i f y wh a t t h e y pr ompther ,“ If eell i ke, ”s he don’ tunder s t and.Butanyt i me began,“ l i ket her e’ st hi s y o u r v u l n e r a b i l i t y g i v e s a n o t her cal l i ngonyourl i f e.And s t r e n g t h , t h e n y o u r v u l n e r a b l e you’ r ef i ght i ngi t .Notr eal l y v o i c e h a s n o t b e e n u t t e r e d i n f i ght i ngi t ,but vai n. you’ r e…uns ur e. ” Il ovemyvoi ce.It hankGodf or myvoi ceandt hevar i ouscar eer pat hsonwhi chi thast akenme. Al lofmypoemsdon’ tr hyme. Somet i mesIs t i l lf i ght i nt i mi dat i on.Buteacht i me,I r ememberhow Godus eda f ects t r angert ocaj ol emei nt o “ I ’ m her et ot el lyout odoi t . per ma k i n g f u l l p r o o f o f my v o i c e . Dowhatyou’ r ehear i ng.Do ypr ayeri st hatI ’ l l whatyou’ r ef eel i ng.Dowhat Now,myonl f o r e v e r u s e i t f o r G o d ’ s g l o r y a nd youknow God’ st r yi ngt ot el l n o t my o wn . yout odo, ”s hes ai d. Icoul dn’ tbel i evemyear s .I ’ d as kedGodaf ew daysback t oconf i r mt hati twasHi s voi ceIwashear i ngi nan unmi s t akabl eway .Thi s s eemedt obei t !

t h Thatwast hedayIknew t hat Connectwi G a b r i e l C . S t oval lon Ihadr ealpoweri nmyvoi ce. T wi t t r & I G @G a br i el CSt oval l e Thatwast hedayIbecame

es SpeakUpMen Stori t oar es pect ed,devot ed, “ DAMAGED BUT V Act i vi s t ,I nt er nat i onal NOT BROKEN” Speaker,Author,

By:Ar kevi ousAr mst r ong Phot ogr apher :Raki ya

r owi ngt i r edoft he s t r uggl eand chal l enges ,Ichos et o changemyl i f ef ort he bet t er .Ihadt omakea choi ce,i twasei t hermeor t hes t r eet s ,andt hes t r eet s hadal r eadydoneenough damage.Ihadmyf ai rs har e ofhi ccupsandencount er s wi t ht hel aw.Spendi ngmy whol eyout hf ulyear s t hr oughoutt hej udi ci al s ys t em f r om f os t ercar e, gr ouphomes ,det ent i on cent er s ,t r ai ni ngs chool , evenevent ual l yl andi ng mys el fi nFeder alpr i s on. At41year sol d,Ihavegone f r om bei ngaf ear edhel l i on

Abs ol ut el y!Letmes har ewi t h i twasj us tmyever ydayl i f e.I t youhow.Mymom anddadwer e wasnor malunt i lIhadt he us er sandabus er s ,Is aw t he hur tofs eei ngmymom bei ng ef f ecti thadons omanypeopl e beat enbymydad,r ecei vi ng aswel lasmyownpar ent s .I bl ackeyesandbus t edl i ps . wi t nes s edt hedr ugus ageand Event ual l y ,Iwast akenaway t heact i vi t i ess omucht owher eI f r om mymom andpl acedi n t houghti twasnor mal ,andasa f os t ercar ebecaus eoft hei r ki d,mymi ndwasi nnocent ,not addi ct i ons .Is t ar t edl ooki ngat f ul l yunder s t andi ngor t hi ngsal otdi f f er ent l y ,as ki ng compr ehendi ngwhatwasr eal l y mys el fques t i onsl i ke,“ WHY t aki ngpl acear oundme. MEorWHYDO IHAVETO EXPERI ENCETHI S?”Asan Manypeopl ewi t nes s edwhatI adol es cent ,becaus eoft he hi ngsIhadexper i enced,I wasgoi ngt hr ough,butasaki d t

Tr ans f or mat i veMi nds et Coach,Cogni t i veBehavi or al Speci al i s t ,Yout hAdvocat e. I ’ m al s ot hef ounderoft he nonpr of i t ,St epUpTo Leader s hi pMent or i ng Pr ogr am.Ouror gani zat i on pl acesper s onal&s oci al devel opmentpr ogr amsf or t heyoungboyswi t hi n s chool sandcommuni t i es .I know mys t or ycanchangea l i f e;peopl ecanr es onat e wi t hi t . Iwasbor ni nt oawor l dt hat woul dl at ers hapeandmol d mei nt ot hei ndi vi dualt hatI am t oday .Gr owi ngupi nt he ear l y80’ swhent hecr ack epi demi cwaspr omi nentand r ampanti nal otof communi t i esand hous ehol ds .Theques t i oni s , wasIaf f ect edbyi t ?

haddevel opedahat r ed t owar dsever yone.AnyoneI f el tknew mys t r uggl eand pai n;Il as hedoutatt hem wi t h anger ,eveni nt hecl as s r ooms andi nmycommuni t y . I twast hewor s tbecaus e t hos ei nt hecommuni t yknew mys i t uat i on,andIf el tnoone car edenought ohel p.So,I act edoutal ot .Iwasnota badki dathear t ,butIdi dnot know how t ochannelmy angerandf r us t r at i on.Iwas

ousAr ms t r ong “DamagedButNotBr oken” -Arkevi

s ear chi ngf orat t ent i onandwas goi ngabouti tt hewr ongway . Ther ef or e,myact i onsl edmet o dot hi ngst hatwoul dl at ercaus e met ohaver uni nswi t ht hel aw. I n1 992,Iwaspl acedi n handcuf f sf ort hef i r s tt i mef or t r yi ngt obr eaki nt oa conveni ences t or e,andman,di d If eels t upi d.Idi dnotknow anyt hi ngaboutt hes ecur i t y s ys t emsandal ar msi ns i de s t or es .Mypl anwast ot akeas manybagsofchi ps ,candybar s ands odasaspos s i bl ebecaus e, s omedays ,Iwoul dgowi t hout eat i ngandnotbychoi ce.That ni ght ,s omet hi nghadt ogi ve,I WASSTARVI NG!

s moki nganddr i nki ng, andbys i xt hgr ade,I beganbei ngpl aced i nandoutof det ent i oncent er s ever yweek becaus eIwas cons t ant l yf i ght i ng andget t i ngki cked outofs chool .See, Idi dn’ thavea s t r uct ur edhome; i twasver y unbal anced and dys f unct i onal . Nooneever s t eppedup t ot each, gui de,or s avet hi s Iwasj us tayoungki dt hathada l i t t l eboy . l otoft i meonmyhandsand Looki ng not hi ngt odo.Thepol i cet ook back,i t ’ s mes t r ai ghthomemai nl y notl i keI becaus eIwasanadol es cent woul d’ ve andt her ewasnot hi ngt hey l i s t ened coul ddot omebecaus eIwas anyway . s oyoung.Boy ,di dt heymes sup Thehur t byl et t i ngmeknow t hat !Att hat andpai n poi nt ,It houghtIwasat ough t hatwas guyandf el tunt ouchabl e.My caus ed chi l d’ smi ndt hought ,“ Youar e t owar ds t el l i ngmet hatIcangeti nt oal l mecaused t ypesoft r oubl e,andt her ei s met o not hi ngt heycandoabouti t ?” wantt o Thati swhenal lhel lbr okel oos e. hur t her s .Bei ng Is t ar t edf i ght s ,s t ol ef r om s t or es ot mol es t edf our andpeopl e.Idi dwhat everI t i mesbef or eIwas want edt odo.Is t ar t edus i ng e l e v e n y e a r sol d dr ugss uchasmar i j uanaand c a u s e d me t o n ever al coholbyt heageoft wel ve.I t r us tanyonebecaus e wasj us texper i ment i ngwi t h Iwasaf r ai dt ot r us t .I anyt hi ngIcoul dgetmyhands s t ar t edget t i nghi gh on,andexper i enci ngdr ugsat t o e s c a p e my r e a l i t y , anear l yagepl ayedamor e I d i d n ’ t wa n t t o f e e l des t r uct i bl er ol ei nmydeci s i on t hehur t .Mydr ug maki ng. habi tgotwor s e, andmy Byt hef i f t hgr ade,Iwas

at t i t udewasuncont r ol l abl e.No onecoul dt el lmeanyt hi ngandI meanNO ONE.Byt heageof t hi r t een,Iwasheadedi nt he wr ongdi r ect i on.Att hi r t een,I pur chas edmyf i r s tf i r ear mf r om ani ndi vi dualwhowant eddr ugs . Ihadt hedr ugs ,andhehadt he gun,s oi twasaf earexchange. Canyoui magi nea1 3year ol d ki dwi t hnogui dance,no s t r uct ur e,nomor al s ,val ues ,or r es pectf orhi ms el forot her s wi t hagun?Theonl yt hi ngt hat i sguar ant eedi sdes t r uct i on. Iwentf r om us i ngdr ugst o s el l i ngt hem.Gr owi ngupar ound i t ,mymom andf at herus edi t , br ot her ss ol di t ,andi twasa par tofmyever ydayact i vi t i es .I s aw dr ugswhenIwal kedout myhous ei nt hemor ni ngs bef or es chool ,af t ers chool ,and t hr oughoutt heday .Thedr ugs andvi ol encewer enor malf orus . Ibecamemor edes t r uct i veby t heday .Iwant edt odoandbe whatIs aw ar oundme.Iwant ed t obei nt hemi xofever yt hi ng,t o makemat t er sevenwor s e,I want edt obej us tl i kemy br ot her s .Yes !Iwant edt omake money ,s el ldr ugs ,andhave r es pectf r om ot her s .I twasmy br ot herwhoi nt r oducedmet o s el l i ngdr ugsatt heageof t wel ve.Igues syoucans ayhe s aw i ti nme.Her eIam i nt he s i xt hgr ade,emot i onal l yt or n, di s connect edbecaus eoft he t r aumaandabus e.I ’ m doi ng dr ugs ,s el l i ngdr ugs ,andr unni ng t hes t r eet satal lt i mesoft he ni ghtwhenIneedt obehomei n bed.Ihadmanyl ong,l onel y , andcol dni ght s .Why?Becaus e t her ewer eni ght swhenIs t ayed upwor r yi ngaboutwher emy

ousAr ms t r ong “DamagedButNotBr oken” -Arkevi

mom was .Ther ewer emany ni ght smymom di dn’ tcome home;t her ewasnoheator r unni nghotwat er ;wewer e us i ngt heovent owar m upt he hous eatt i mes ,andmys t omach r umbl edf r om bei nghungr y . Al mos tever yni ght ,Icoul dhear guns hot sr i ngi ngout s i deofmy wi ndow,peopl ear gui ng;t hes e wer et ypi calni ght s-vi ol ence, j unki es ,ands i r ens .Iwoul ds t ay ups omeni ght sei t heraf r ai dt o f al las l eeporj us tl ooki ngoutmy wi ndow bei ngnos eyand amazedbyt hi ngsgoi ngon t hr oughoutt heni ght .

evenl ookathi mi fhegl anced myway .Somepuni s hment s wer et r aumat i zi ngand humi l i at i ngl i kebei ngf or ced t os t andi nt hecor neronone l egf oral mos tanhour ,bei ng s l appedacr os st hef acewi t h as hoe,orbei ngf or cedt ol i ck wat erof ft hef l oor .

actoutdes pi t et he cons equencesIwoul df acef r om mydad.Iwascr yi ngoutf or hel pandneedi ngl oveatt he s amet i me.Foryear s ,Ij us t coul dn’ tunder s t andwhy .Why washel i ket hi s ?Maybehe di dn’ tknow how t ol oveme,or maybehedi dn’ tcar et oo.Asa f at her ,Ivow t onevert r eatmy Theexper i enceswer e chi l dr ent hewayhet r eat edme. unbear abl e,andr egar dl es sof It r ul ybel i evemyf at herdi dnot myf eart owar dshi m,Iwas know how t ol oveort obea af r ai dt ot el lanyonewhatwas f at her . happeni ng.So,what evert hi s mant ol dmet odo,Idi di t Lor dJes us ,Igotmyf ai rs har e becaus eIwasaf r ai dofhi m, ofbeat i ngsf r om hi m,butdi di t butpr i vat el y ,Ihat edhi m,and hel p?Notatal l .I tmadei twor s e. s hedt hathewoul ddi e!I Yes ,Iwant edt obeapar tofi t ,I Iwi Theonet hi ngi tdi ddowas wat chedt hi smanpur pos el y want edt obeoutt her e.What makemedevel opahat r ed veat t ent i onands how doyouexpectf r om achi l dwho gi t owar dshi m.Becaus eofhow he compas s i ont omybabys i s t er t hasexper i enceds omuchi na r eat edme,hedi dnotl i keme us tal i t t l eundera s hor tt hi r t eenyear sofl i f e?The whowasj becaus ehedi dnotl i kemy yearyoungert hanme.I r el at i ons hi pbet weenmydad mot her ,andIl ookj us tl i kemy dwonder ,whatdi dIdo andIwasnonexi s t ent .Myf at her woul mom.So,t ot el lyout het r ut h,I t oyou?WhydoIdes er ve wasanabus i veman,andhe di dnothaveaf at her .I tf el tt hat t hi s ?I n s chool ,I abus edmement al l yand waymyent i r el i f e.Iwoul d woul d r phys i cal l y .Weneverhada at hernothavehadaf at her r el at i ons hi p;If ear edandwas t hanexper i encewhatIdi d.Wi t h af r ai doft hi sman.If ear edt hi s nopos i t i vemal ef i gur eorf at her manmai nl ybecaus eI i nmyl i f e,Iadopt edand wat chedhi m phys i cal l y adapt edt ot heonl yt hi ngIs aw beatmymom andt akehi s andknew. f r us t r at i onoutonme.At t i mes ,If el thopel es s Thes t r eet sr ai s edmef r om t he anddef ens el es s . ageoft enunt i lIwasni net een.I Iwasaf r ai d wentf r om bei ngi nf os t er t o homes ,det ent i oncent er s , t r ai ni ngs chool s ,t of eder al pr i s on.Myent i r el i f ewasf i l t er ed t hr ought hej udi ci als ys t em unt i l Iwast went y .Att heageof1 3 year sol d,Iwaschar gedwi t ha hor r i f i ccr i met hatIcommi t t edi n 1 994.Thecr i met hatIcommi t t ed wasat t empt edmur der .Att hat ageIdi dnotcar eabout anyt hi ng,notevenmyownl i f e.I wasf aci ng24year st oLi f ei f

ousAr ms t r ong “DamagedButNotBr oken” -Arkevi

t heywoul dhaveboundmeover t oadul tcour t .Iendedup s er vi ngf ouryear sbecaus et hey keptmeasaj uveni l e.Wi t hno s t r uct ur e,gui dance,nor r es our ces ,If oundmywayr i ght backi nt hes ameenvi r onment ar oundt hes amepeopl e.Two year sl at eraf t erbei ngr el eas ed at1 7year sol d,I ' m backi n t r oubl ef aci ngmor es er i ous char gesandi t ’ snotl ooki ng good.I ' m1 9year sol dand f aci ng35year st ol i f ei f convi ct ed.

t heyf oundoutaboutmy r ecor d.Wi t hever yt hi nggoi ng oni nmyl i f e,s omet i mesI r eal l ydi dn’ tknow whatt odo orwhot oas kf orhel p.I s t r uggl edwi t hpr i deandmos t mendo.Somet hi ngt hatIhad t ounder s t andver yqui ckl y , not hi ngwi l lnotbehandedt o you,andnoonewi l lj us tgi ve yout heoppor t uni t y .Iknew I woul dhavet ocr eat emy oppor t uni t y .

anew per s on.Imus ts how t hem t hatIam anew i ndi vi dual .I s t ar t edt or es t r uct ur eandr et r ai n t hewayIt hought ,t hewayI vi ewedt hi ngs .Es peci al l yaf t er bei ngt ol dNO r epeat edl y .I r eal i zedt hatf ormet oheart he wor dYES,whatdoIneedt o changeaboutmef i r s t .Soci al l y andper s onal l y ,Ihadt ochange met henenf or cet hos enew habi t st hatwoul dbebenef i ci al f ormei nt hel ongr un.I per s ever edandef eat edt heodds i nas oci et ywher emanybl ack boysdon' t .I ' m gr at ef ult onow be avoi ceandf aceofl i ghtand hopef ort heyout handmany ot her s .

Is i gneda1 0yearpl eaand s er vedmyt i mei nf eder alpr i s on. Whi l ei ncar cer at edIdeci dedt o t aket het i met or ef l ectonmy Connectwi t hAr kevi ous l i f eandt hechoi cest hatIhad Ar mst r ong madei nmyl i f e.Is t ar t edt or ead books ,es peci al l yt heBi bl e.The Emai l :aar kevi ous@gmai l . com Bi bl ewast hebookIr eadt he mos t .I ti st hebookt hat Websi t e: changedmyl i f ebecaus ei tkept www. ar ki nspi r e. com mes ane.Is t ar t edt aki ng www. sut l nc. or g educat i onalcl as s eswhi l e i ncar cer at edbecaus eIknew I Booki ngI nf o: neededt oappl ymys el fandget admi n@ar ki nspi r e. com ment al l ypr epar edf ort he out s i dewor l d,I ’ m get t i nga Li nkedI n: s econdchanceatl i f e.Iknew I www. l i nkedi n. com/ i n/ ar kevi ousar mst r ong Bei nga3t i meconvi ct ed hadahar dr oadt ot r avelt o f el on,Iknew i twasgoi ngt o r emai nont her i ghtt r ack.The l engef orme.Thes e Facebook: chal l engewas n’ twhet herIwas beachal f acebook. com/ St epUpTo en' tor di nar ycr i mes .Iwas www. goi ngt os t ayf r eeorgetl ocked wer L e a d e r s h i p S o c i a l D e v e l o p me nt ct edf orpos s es s i onofa backup.Thechal l engewas ,doI convi Pr ogr am232852487741 61 69/ i r ear m,s hoot i ngi nan havet hement als t r engt hnott o f eddwel l i ng, gi veupandgetf r us t r at ed.Lor d occupi www. f acebook. com/ Ar kevi ouss es s i onofcocai neand Iwasi nf orabi gs ur pr i s e.Pr i or pos A r k I n s p i r e A r ms t r o n g 1 9 9 7 6 766 t empt edmur deret c.Who t obei ngr el eas edf r om pr i s oni n at 1 7 1 1 0 9 2 2 / woul dgi vemeachancer i ght ! 2006,Ihadover25pl usj ob Theyowemenot hi ng!Iowe i nt er vi ewsand20t ur nedme t hi st omys el f .So,wi t hme down. under s t andi ngandknowi ng t hatt her ear es omechanges Theot her sof f er edmet hej ob t hatneedt ot akepl ace andgavemet heoppor t uni t y bef or eanyonecans eemeas butr el eas edmes hor t l yaf t er

Premui m Reci pes ORANGESHERBETFRO YO

nj oyadel i ci ous ,heal t hydes s er tt hatyoucaneatanyt i me you’ r ecr avi ngs weet s !I t ’ sagr eatwayt ohavei cecr eam wi t houtgai ni ngapound.

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S EENTHROUGH

HAZELEYES

MEET CORYGREEN

By:AngelChar mai ne Dat e:Apr i l28, 2023

I t i st h ec h a r a c t e r i s t i co ft h e ma g n a n i mo u sma nt oa s kn of a v o rb u t t ob er e a d yt od ok i n d n e s st oo t h e r s . –Ar i s t o t l e Angel : Cor y ,f i r s t ,j us tl etmes ayt hank youf ors ayi ngyest odoi ngt hi s i nt er vi ew wi t hmeandbei nga par toft hever yf i r s tSpeakUpSi s ! Magazi needi t i ont hatwi l lf eat ur e menont hecoverandt hr oughout t hemagazi ne.WhenIas kedyou aboutbei ngapar toft hi s ,what wer eyourt hought s ? Cor y: No. Angel : Yourf i r s tt houghtwas ,no? Cor y: Yes . Angel : You’ vegott ot el lmewhy .

Phot ogr aphy:HazelEyesPhot ogr aphy

Cor y: Asaman,youwantt ohave t hatwal lup.Youdon’ twant ever ybodyi nyourbus i nes s ,s o Igues st hat ' st hevul ner abl e par tofus .

Cor y: I ' m at r uckdr i verbyt r ade. Angel : How l onghaveyoubeendr i vi ng t r ucks ,anddoyoudr i vel ocal l yor l ongdi s t ance?

Angel : Whatt ur nedt heNoi nt oaYes ? Cor y: I ' vebeendr i vi ngt r ucksf or25 Cor y: year s ,andIpr et t ymuchdr i ve I nmybus i nes s ,Ihavet obe r egi onal l y .Ius ual l ywor kt hi r d i nvi t i ngt opeopl e,s oI ’ mt r yi ng s hi f t .Wheny’ al lar eupandgoi ng t os t opbei ngs ot ough.I t ’ st oo t owor k,I ’ mj us tget t i nghomeand t ought oal waysbet ough. goi ngt os l eep.That ' swhyIonl y wor kwi t hHazelEyes Angel : Phot ogr aphyonFr i dayand Oh,t hat ’ sgood,andwhati s Sat ur day .That ' si t .Idr i veSunday yourbus i nes s ? ni ghtt hr oughpr et t ymuchFr i day mor ni ng. Cor y: Phot ogr aphy . Angel : Wow!So,l etmegett hi ss t r ai ght . Angel : You’ r edr i vi ngont her oad Ar eyouaf ul l t i me t hr oughoutt heweek,andonyour phot ogr apher ,ordoyoual s o daysof f ,you' r et aki ngpi ct ur es wor kat r adi t i onalj ob? andvi deos .Youar ei nhi gh demandher ei nt heCSRA,s oI

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GOD’ SLOVESEEN THROUGHHAZELEYES

MEETCORYGREEN

know youar edoi ngas i gni f i cant amountofwor kdur i ngt he weekendt oo. Speaker2: Yep.Yep. Angel : Mygoodnes s ,Br ut ha.Al loft hat t akesagr eatdealofdi l i gence. How di dyougof r om t r uckdr i ver t ophot ogr apher ,andwhydoyou l ovei ts omucht hatyous pend yourof fdaysdoi ngi t ?

f orbecaus et hat ' swher eIgotmy Cor y: t ar t . Yeah.Is t ar t edr ecor di ngvi deo. s Angel : Theypr obabl y l i kedt hef act t hatyouwer e r ecor di ngt hei r per f or mance eveni fi t

Cor y: Nocl as s esatal l . Angel : Ohwow.Real l y?

Cor y: Is t ar t edaboutf ouryear sago wi t hagos pelgr oupcal l ed Bl es s ed.Iwas n' tt hi nki ngabout phot ogr aphyorvi deogr aphy .I hadonevi deocamer aand s t ar t edvi deoi ngt hem.Thef i r s t t i meIr ecor dedt hem,i twasugl y , butt heyaccept edi t .Theynever s ai dawor d.Ever yt i met hey wentaf t ert hat ,Ikeptgoi ngwi t h ' em andgoi ngwi t h' em.They nevert ol dmet hatIcoul dn’ tgo becaus et hevi deosdi dn’ tl ook good.Theyj us tkepti nvi t i ngme al ong;Ikeptgoi ng,andt hat ' s wher eIgotmys t ar t .Bl es s ed gos pelgr oupoutofAppl i ng,GA. Angel : Di dt hegr oupas kyout ocome t akepi ct ur esf ort hem? Cor y: Ohno,no,no.Iwentt ot hem.I wentt oas how ands aw t hem per f or m.Il ookedar oundand not i cednobodywasr ecor di ng, andi twasagoods how.That ' s whatmademebuyacamcor der . Angel : Oh,s oyous t ar t edvi deoi ngf i r s t , nott aki ngpi ct ur es .

Angel : Andt hat ,Cor y ,i scommendabl e ands peaksvol umesaboutyour char act erbecaus emos tpeopl e wi l lnotdot hat .How di dyouget bet t eratyourcr af t ? Di dyout ake cl as s es ?

was n' tt hebes tqual i t y . Cor y: Event ot hi sday ,t hey' r er eal l y t heonl ygr oupt hatIdon' t char get odoanyt hi ngf or

Cor y: Notonecl as s .Iwoul dn' t s ayI ' m per f ect .I ' ms t i l l l ear ni ng.Idon' tknow i tal l , butIl ear nal otbyt al ki ngt o andwat chi ngpeopl e.It r i ed t heYouTubet hi ng,butmy at t ent i ons pani saboutt hes i ze ofaf i nger nai l .Idon' thavean at t ent i ons panatal l .Icannots i t andl i s t ent os omebodyt al kf or l ong.OnYouTube,t heyt al kf or t went ymi nut esandgi veyouonl y t womi nut esofgoodcont ent .I j us tcan' tdoi t .Iwat chot her phot ogr apher s ,andwhatIs ee t hem doi ngget ss t ucki nmy head.Then,Igohomeandut i l i ze whatIs aw.Ibui l dof fwhatIl ear n i nor dert ogetwhatIl i ke.Idon' t wantt obel i ket hem,butIwant t ous ewhatIs eet hem dot o makemys el fbet t er .Is t i l ll ear n l i ket hi st ot hi sver yday .WhenI s eephot ogr apher sand vi deogr apher s ,Ij us twat cht hem. Idon' tcar ewher eIam.I fI ' m ata s how,I ' m pr obabl ypayi ng at t ent i ont ot hem.I ' m wat chi ng whoeveri sr ecor di ngandt aki ng pi ct ur es .Iwat chwhatt heyar e doi ng,how t hey’ r edoi ngi t ,what

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GOD’ SLOVESEEN THROUGHHAZELEYES

MEETCORYGREEN

angl est hey’ r eat ,whatt hel i ghti s Angel : l i ke.Ibr i ngwhatIs aw backhome, Mi s chi evous . andIus ei tt omakemys el fbet t er . I ' ms t i l ll ear ni ngbutnotwi t h Cor y: cl as s es .Ever yt hi ngIdoi sf r om Yes ,ver y .Igotal otof s i ght . s panki ngs .MeandBel thad aper s onalr el at i ons hi p. Angel : Yep.Is t ayedi nt os t uf f .I fIgot It hi nki t ’ samazi ngt obe i nt r oubl eandwass entt omy s el f t aughtatanyt hi ng. r oom,I ' dbei nt her es i ngi ng, beat i ngont hewal l ,maki ng Cor y: mus i c,pl ayi ng,anddoi ng Ipl aybas st oo,andI ’ venever what ever .Noonecoul dmake t akenabas scl as sormus i cl es s on mebequi et .Iwasgoi ngt obe i nmyl i f e;i t ’ sal lof fear . doi ngs omet hi ng.I ' ms t i l ll i ke t hat .I fi tget st ooqui et ,Is t ar t knocki ngons t uf f ,maki ng Angel : i c,maki ngs ounds ,s t ar t I ' m goi ngt opi votal i t t l ebecaus eI mus ng,doi ngs omet hi ng.I t ’ s t hi nki t ' si nt er es t i ngt hatyoudr i ve hummi di f f i cul tf ormet os i ts t i l l . t r ucksf oral i vi ng,buti ts ounds l i keyou' r eacr eat i veathear t . : You' r eamus i ci an.You' r eanar t i s t Angel Dr i vi ngt r uckskeepsyou wi t hacamer a.Whatwasyour movi ng,butdoyout hi nk chi l dhoodl i ke?Wher edi dt hi s y o u ' l l e v e r s t o p d r i v i n g t r ucks cr eat i vi t ycomef r om,t hi sl ovef or andf ocuss ol el yon t hear t s ? phot ogr aphy&vi deogr aphy? Cor y: Cor y: I t ' scr azybecaus ebot hmeand Iwoul dl ovet o,butI ’ m not mybr ot hercandr aw.Whenwe ur eaboutt hi sar ea. wer eyounger ,hedr ew way bet t ert hanme;hecoul ddr aw Angel : peopl e,andIdr ew car t oons .We woul ds i tandl ookats omet hi ng t hi nkyou anddr aw i t .Asachi l d,Idr ew a woul d ear n l i t t l ebi t ,butourmai nconcer n t heki ndof waspl ayi ngout s i dei nt hedi r t .I moneyher e wasnotahous ebody .Idi dnot t hatyou s t ayi nt hehous e. needt oear n i nor dert o Angel : s us t ai nyour Wer eyouat oughki d,orwer e l i vel i hood? youmor eofaqui etchi l dor gent l echi l d? Cor y: Notar ound Cor y: her e,no.I t Iwasanout goi ngchi l dwi t ht oo muchener gy .Is t ayedi nt os t uf f .

f l uct uat est oomuch.I t ’ l lbe goodunt i lmaybeJuneorJul y . We’ r ebookedupt ot heendof June,r i ghtnow.Then,i t ' l lf al l of ff ort wo,t hr eemont hs ,and i tki ndofpi cksbackupar ound Chr i s t mas ,butI ' m qui t es ur ei fI putmys el foutt her eandgof ul l t hr ot t l eands t ar twor ki ngwi t h bus i nes s est oo,I ’ ms ur eIcoul d. Angel : I ’ ms ur eyourpr i ceswoul dhave t ogoupi fyou' r edoi ngi tf ul l t i me. Cor y: Yes .That ' st hepr obl em,and s eer i ghtnow,Idon' tdoi tf or moneybecaus eIgotaj ob.So, whenpeopl ecomet omenow, mypr i cesar er ockbot t om. Peopl ewi l las khow mypr i ces ar es ol ow.Theyar es ol ow becaus eIwor k,andt hi si san ar t ;Ij us tl i kedoi ngi t .About 90% oft heequi pmentwe have,Iboughtoutofmy pocket ,notwi t hwhatImade f r om t aki ngpi ct ur esorvi deos .I boughtever yt hi ngIwoul d needf i r s tandt henIs t ar t ed

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GOD’ SLOVESEEN THROUGHHAZELEYES

MEETCORYGREEN

much,t heyputmywor kona bi l l boar di nt heci t y . Angel : Oh,mygoodnes s .Theyhat ed t hephot os ,butt hephot os wer egoodenought obe pl acedonabi l l boar d. Cor y: Amen. Angel : Okay .Got cha.Sohow di dt hat makeyouf eel ? Cor y: I thur twhi l eIl i s t enedt owhat pr of i t i ng. s hes ai dt omebecaus ei t ’ sl i ke as l api nt hef ace.I twasmor e Angel : aboutt hewayt heycamet o Doyouhavecl i ent syouwor k meabouti t .Theydi dn’ ts ay , wi t hwhocompl ai naboutt he “ Wedon' tl i ket hi s ,s ol et ' st r y wor kyoudoevent houghyou t or edot hem. ”Theywent havequal i t ywor kats uperl ow s t r ai ghtt o,“ It hi nkIneeda pr i ces ?I fs o,how doyouf eel r ef und. ” It houghtt omys el f , aboutt hatcons i der i ngyoudoi t oh,of ft hemus cl et heyar e becaus eyoul ovei twhi l eal s o as ki ngf orar ef und.Tome,i t knowi ngt heywi l lbehar d l ookedl i ket hat ' swhatt hey pr es s edt ogetyourqual i t yat or i gi nal l ywant ed-f r eewor k. yourpr i ceanywher eel s e? Soyeah,t hatr eal l ymademe f eels omet ypeofway .Iwas Cor y: goi ngbackandf or t hwi t h n t Idon’ thavet hatpr obl em of t en.I hem,andIhadt ocat ch f act ,Ionl yhadonecl i entl i ket hat mys el f .I ' mt hought ,youknow t hi syear .I twasagr oup,and what ?Theyai n' twor t hi t .I ’ m t heyhat edt hei rpi ct ur es .Li keI j us tgoi ngt ogi vebackt hi s s ai d,t hepr i cewasabs ol ut er ock moneyandcutt i es .I ' m not bot t om.Igavet hem al ower doi nganyt hi ngel s ef ort hem. pr i ce,butIknew t hei rpl at f or m Haveani ceday .Then,Is aw coul dbr i ngot hercl i ent s .Ir epeat , wher emyphot o,t heonet hey t heyabs ol ut el yhat edt he hat eds omuch,wasona pi ct ur esIt ook.Theycamet ome bi l l boar d. f orar ef und.Ir ef undedhal ft he moneyaf t erwewentbackand Angel : f or t h.Toans weryourques t i on, Wow! yes ,If el ts omet ypeofway becaus ei t ' smyar t ,mycr af t . Cor y: Event hought heyhat edt hem s o Ther ewer eaboutt enoft hem

i nt hegr oup,butonl yt hr eeof t hem wer el i ke,“ Oh,Idon' tl i ke t hi s .Idon' tl i ket hat . ” The s amet hr eear eus i ngmy pi ct ur east hei rpr of i l epi ct ur e ons oci almedi a. Angel : Thi ss i t uat i onl endsi t s el ft ot he t hemeoft hi smagazi needi t i on. Ir eal l ywant edt ot api nt ot he i deaofmenbei ngbot h cour ageousandvul ner abl e, andwhatIhear df r om your s har ei samanofval ors ayi ng, “ Iam t aki ngmyl ei s ur et i met o per f ectacr af tt hatIl oveand t oof f eri tt omycommuni t y ,a communi t yt hatIknow needs whatIhavet oof f er ,s ot hey cangetwhatt heyneedatan af f or dabl epr i ce.However ,I havef eel i ngs ,andmyf eel i ngs canbehur tt oo. ” Toput your s el foutt her eonl yt obe s mackedi nt hef ace.That ' s vul ner abi l i t y .Somet i mesI bel i evepeopl eappr oach womens l i ght l ydi f f er ent l yi n s i t uat i onsl i ket heoneyou s har edbecaus et heydon’ t wantt ohur tourf eel i ngsor haveust hi nkorf eels omeki nd ofway ,butwheni tcomest o men,t hatconcer ns eemst of l y outt hewi ndow.Maybet he t houghti st hatmencanhandl e t hes mackands houl dn’ tf eel anywayabouti t .Hopef ul l y , t hemor emens peakupand s har et hei rs t or i esand exper i ences ,weal lwi l lbegi n t oacknowl edget hatmenf eel t oo. Cor y: Ohyeah.Att heendoft heday , It el lwomenal lt het i me,when t heys aymenar es ot oughand

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GOD’ SLOVESEEN THROUGHHAZELEYES

MEETCORYGREEN

s t uf f ,wecomef r om y' al l . Ever yt hi ngyouf eeli snow i nus . We’ r ej us tt aughtt ohaveas hel l ar oundi t .That ' sal l . Angel : Ouch! Cor y: Ever yt hi ngawomanf eel s ,men f eelt hes ameway .Si mpl e.We j us thi dei tmor e,andwehavet o bet ough.That ' st heonl y di f f er ence. Angel : Speaki ngofwomen,I ’ l lgetback t ot he“ t oughguy”t opi ci na moment .I ' vehear di ts ai dt hat behi ndever ygr eatmani sa s uppor t i vewoman.I syourwi f e, Ani t a,s uppor t i veofyour phot ogr aphyandvi deogr aphy car eer ?

Angel : Il i ket hat .I tt akesusbackt o, whatIt hi nki saf al s ei deaof , t hemanhavi ngt obes t r ongi n ever yt hi ng.Cl ear l y ,yous har e i nt hegr owt hofyourcr af twi t h yourwi f e.Doyouhavea pr obl em wi t hal waysbei ng cons i der edt ough?Woul dyou pr ef ert onothavet obet ough? Cor y: I ti sapr obl em andIwoul d pr ef ernott obe.Butt hewor l d makesyout ough. Becaus ei fyoucome of fasweak,peopl e wi l lus eyouunt i lyou havenot hi ngl ef tt ous e,and you' l lbedonef or .You’ l lbe r unni ngar oundher eweakf or r eal .

Angel : I fyous ay ,Ipr ef ernott o becons i der edt oughal lt he Cor y: i me.Whati sawor dyou Shei sver ys uppor t i ve.Shehel ps t ef ert obecons i der ed? mees peci al l ywhenIhavet odeal pr wi t hwomen.Shedoesal oti nt hi s Cor y: t hi ngt oo.A l otoft hes t uf ft hat Ipr ef ert ober es pect ed.So peopl es eei nt hepi ct ur esor manypeopl e,evenot hermen, peopl edoi nt hepi ct ur esi sher don’ thaver es pectf orot her s t andi ngbehi ndt hecamer a peci al l ynotf orbl ack t el l i ngpeopl ewhatt odo.Idon’ t men,es men,weweart hatt oughnes s pos epeopl e.Icoul dn' tt el lyou t os ay ,“ Don’ tbot herme. ”Even how t os t and,s i t ,s quator houghont hei ns i de,wemi ght what ever .Shedoesal lt hat .When t g,ol ds qui s hyt eddy s he' snotar ound,Icat chSam Hi l l bebi bear s .Ther ei smor et oust han t r yi ngt ogetpeopl et odoi t . mos tpeopl ecar et oknow.You She’ smys uppor t .Shel ooks know,myl i f egoesdeepert han t hr ought hephoner es ear chi ng al loft hi s . andf i ndi ngal lt ypesofs t uf ft o do.Imayt aket hepi ct ur es ,but : whenpeopl es eet hepi ct ur es ,s he Angel Andwhatdoyoumeanby i st heoneget t i ngpeopl ei nt he t hat ? pi ct ur et odowhatneedst obe done.She’ snotj us ts uppor t i ve; Cor y: s hehel psandwor ksr i ghtal ong Idi dcocai nef or1 6year s wi t hme.

s t r ai ght ,s t r ong. Angel : Whoa!Real l y?Iwas n’ t expect i ngyout os ayt hat . Cor y: I ' mt al ki ngabouta$500t o $1 000aweekhabi tf or1 6 year s .Is t oppedabout1 5year s ago.Col dTur key .Bef or eImet mywi f e.

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GOD’ SLOVESEEN THROUGHHAZELEYES

MEETCORYGREEN

Angel : Sohow' dyouf i ndyour s el fwi t ha cocai nehabi t ?

I ' ms i t t i ngher eat t empt i ngt o s ayt hat ’ snotr egi s t er i ngwel lwi t h wr apmyheadar oundt hi s . mybr ai n. Fi r s t ,t hankyouf ors har i ng s uchaper s onalexper i ence Cor y: Cor y: wi t hus .I tpr ovest hatmen,t oo, That ' swhathappened.Mys on Peopl e.Wr ongpeopl e.That ' si t . havel i f eexper i encest hey wasbor nandt henIj us tgott i r ed Wr ongpeopl e.Is t oppedcol d ands t oppedcol dt ur key .Ihadl i ke keept ot hems el vesofwhi ch t heydon’ ts peakupand t ur key .Nohel p.Nonot hi ng. $300pl uswor t hofi t .Iputi ti n di s cus s .Second,Iknow you t het oi l etandf l us hedi t . s ai dyouwer ei nt r oducedt o Angel : cocai nebyhangi ngwi t ht he Whatl edyout ot hepl aceof Angel : wr ongpeopl e.Doyoubel i eve Ther s ayi ng,“ Idon’ twantt odot hi s e’ sgott obemor et ot hi s . t her ewer eunder l yi ngi s s ues anymor e. ” Cor y: t hats or tofkeptyoui nt hat Cor y: That ' si t .Onedayi nt het oi l et , pl acef or1 5year s ? f l us h,done.Neverwentback. Igots i ckofi t .Thatwasi t .Ij us t y: gots i ckofi t .Iwasdone.Andt hat Cor ThankGod.Neverwentback,and I twast hef eel i ng.I tf el tgood wasal ls hewr ot e. aboutei ghtyear sagoIs t opped att het i me. s moki ng.Col dt ur keyaf t er25 Angel : year s . Angel : Wer eyouwhatt heycal la ' si nt er es t i ngaboutwhat Angel f unct i onaladdi ctorwer eyouone What : oft hos epeopl ewhower e ai dwow al otdur i ng you' r es ayi ngi st hatmos tofus Wow.Ihaves s t r ungoutoutt her e? hi sconver s at i on. t hi nkpeopl ewhododr ugs ,of t anys or t ,wer eabus ed,hada Iam s i mpl yi naweoft hi spar tof l otoft r aumas ,hasal lt hes el i f e yours t or y .Thes t r engt hi tt akes Cor y: i s s uest hey’ r et r yi ngt oes cape t odowhatyou’ vedonei smor e Iwasver yf unct i onal .Iwor ked;I andt her e' ss omet hi ngl i nger i ng t hanmanypeopl ecan pai dal lmybi l l s .Neverwent behi ndt hedr ugus e.But compr ehend. wi t hout .Myhous ehol dnever hear di t .Ever yt hi ngwast aken you' r es ayi ngt hatwas n’ tt he Cor y: car eof .I ’ ds t ayoutanddr i ve cas ewi t hyou. Andt hat ’ swhyIs ayal lt het i me t r uckst wo,t hr eeweekss t r ai ght Cor y: t omakes ur eever yt hi ngwas t hatIt hankGodf oras t r ongmi nd No.Not hi ngf or cedmet ogo t akencar eofandcomehome, andwi l l power . t hatwayort ol eadmet hat j us tgethi gh. way .Ij us twent ,andwhenIgot Angel : t her e,i tf el tgood,andIs t ayed. Haveyoueverhadt Angel : her apy? Di dpeopl eknow t hatyouhad t hi shabi t ? Cor y: Angel : al kedt oanybody Ear l i eryous ai d,yougott i r ed. Nevert Cor y: Whatdi dyougett i r edof ? Angel : Ot hert hanmywi f eandmaybea Cor y: coupl eot herpeopl e,t hi si st he Whatdoyous ayt opeopl ewho t i nghi gh. f i r s tt i meI ’ veopenl yt ol danybody Get s ay ,It hi nkyouneeds ome el s e. t her apy ,andyouj us tdon' tknow Angel : youneedt her apy? I fi tf el tgood,whywoul dyou Angel : It endt ohavet hatef f ecton bet i r edofi t ?Whowant st o peopl e. s t opf eel i nggood? Ihavet o

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GOD’ SLOVESEEN THROUGHHAZELEYES

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Cor y: Youdon' tknow whatyou' r e t al ki ngabout . I ’ l lt el lt hem,youmayneed t her apy ,butt hankGodIdon' t needt her apy .Hegavei tt omet o know me,andGodhass t ayedi n me,wi t hme,andt ol dmeIdon' t needt ot al kt onobodyel s et o hel pmys el f .Ibel i evei ti spos s i bl e f ormet obet hef i r s tper s ont o hel pmys el f .Ihaveal wayshada s t r ongheadonme.I ' m bul l headed.OnceImakemymi nd upons omet hi ng,Idoi t .I ' ve al waysbeenl i ket hats i nceIwas achi l d.I ' m gl adi ts t ayedi nme becaus eImademymi ndupt o s t opdoi ngdr ugs ,andIj us t s t opped.Thatwasi t . Angel : Iappr eci at et hatyout r us tmy pl at f or mt os har eyours t or y becaus et hes ear econver s at i ons t hatmus tbehad.It hi nkpeopl e needt ounder s t andt hat ever ybodyhasbeent hr ough s omet hi ngsandhavet hei rown s t or i est ot el l .Ourj our neysmay bedi f f er ent ,butt hey’ r eour s r es pect i vel yandr es pect f ul l y . Cor y: That ' si t .That ' swhati ti sal l about .Res pect .Iwasbor nand r ai s edi nchur ch.Ibel i evei nGod. Iknow He’ st her eas onIs t opped doi ngwhatIwasdoi ng.That ' s t heonl yr eas onIkeepget t i ng bet t eratwhatI ' m doi ngnow.I don’ tputnot hi ngbef or eHi m. Anyt i meIgot ot akepi ct ur es ,t he f i r s tt hi ngIdoi ss ay ,Godpl eas e gi vemeaneye.Idon' tj us twal k i nt her el i keIknow whatI ' m doi ng al t houghIknow whatIneedt o do.Somet i mes ,I ’ l lpul lup s omewher e,s t op,s i ti nt hecar ,

andI ’ l las kGodt oj us t gi vemeaneye.Show mea vi s i on,s oIcandot hi s .Is i t t her ewi t hmyeyescl os edt hen l ookar oundf orami nut e,get outandgoati t .Her e’ s s omet hi ngmos tpeopl edon’ t know.Ourphot ogr aphy companyi snamedaf t ermy wi f e’ smot her ,Hazel .She’ snot wi t husanymor e,buts hewas aGodl ovi ngwomanwhos ang wi t ht heGeor gi aMas sChoi r wi t hmymot her ,s oIgues s whenyoul ookatHazelEyes Phot ogr aphy ,you’ l lal wayss ee God’ sl ove.

Whataper f ectwayt oendt hi s conver s at i on.Thankyous omuch Cor yf ort aki ngt i met ot al kwi t h meands har eabi tofyours t or y wi t hourSpeakUpSi s !Magazi ne r eader s .I ti smyhopet hat s omeonewi l lr eadaboutyouand know t hatt heyt oocando what evert heybel i eveGodf or andwhat evert heys ett hei rmi nd t odo.Ipr ayyouhaveenj oyed meet i ngMr .Cor yGr een.

Angel : Iabs ol ut el yl ovei t .Youhave s uchacal m di s pos i t i onevenas I ' ves eenyououtwor ki ngwi t h al lt ypesofpeopl e.Thewor k t hatyou' vedonef ormehas beenphenomenalever yt i me. Hehass ur el ygi venyouagood eye.Iwantt owr apour conver s at i onbygi vi ngyout he oppor t uni t yt oencour age s omeone,es peci al l yaman, whoi sr eadi ngt hi si nt er vi ew. Cor y’ sCont actDet ai l s: Cor y: Gof ori t .Don' tl etnobodyhol d Facebook: youback.Don' tl etnot hi ng www. f acebook. com/ Hazel Eyes7 s t opyou.Don' tl etnobodyt el l 06 t hatyoucan’ t .Iwast ol dIcan' t . I nst agr am: WhenIs t ar t edt aki ngpi ct ur es ,I @hazel _eyes_phot ogr aphy_l l c_7 wast ol dIcoul dn’ t .Iwast ol dI 06 waswas t i ngmyt i me.Iwas t ol dIwaswas t i ngmoney .Look atusnow.Yeah.Don' tl et nobodys t opyou.Idon' tcar e whoi ti s ,notevenf ami l y .They s ayno;youmakei tyes . What everyouf eel ,yougof or i tandl ockyourmi ndi nt oi t anddoi t .

THEKI TCHEN

KI NG

MeetPJWARE By:AngelChar mai ne |Dat e:Apr i l30, 2023 Phot ogr aphy:HazelEyesPhot ogr aphy

wasi nt r oducedt oPJt hr ough hi ss oci almedi apageand pi ct ur esofhi sf ood.I t ’ sdi f f i cul t f ormet os cr ol lpas tt abl esf i l l ed wi t hcr abl egs ,s hr i mp,pot at oes , andcor nont hecobandnotwant t ot as t et hef oodandwantt o know whot heper s oni sbehi nd t hedel i ci ous l ooki ngpl at esand t abl esoff ood.Il ovegoodf ood, s oofcour s e,If oundouthow t o pur chas eoneoft hos et akeout boxesf i l l edwi t honeofPJ’ scr ab boi ldi nner sandt r i edt hef oodf or mys el f .Iwasnotdi s appoi nt ed! WhenIhadt heoppor t uni t yt o meethi m andl ear nmor eabout hi ss t or y ,Iknew i twasas t or yt hat neededt obes har edandhi swas avi s i ont hatneededt obe s uppor t ed,s oIdeci dedt os t ar t wi t hhi sbegi nni ng.Wewentback t ohi ghs chool . Angel : Ar eyouor i gi nal l yf r om Augus t a, Geor gi a? PJ: Yep,al lmyl i f e.

Angel : Wher e' dyougot os chool ? PJ: Iwentt oGl enHi l l s andBut l er , butIgr aduat edf r om t heJob Cor psatf i f t een. Angel : Whatmadeyoul eave t r adi t i onals choolt ogoi nt ot he JobCor ps ?

outofGl enHi l l sands entt o But l er .Iendedupget t i ngputout ofBut l erands entt ot he al t er nat i ves chool ,s oIj us t deci dedt ogot ot heJobCor ps . Angel : Icans eet hatbei nganot her opt i on.Yous ayyouwer e,“ get t i ng i nt r oubl e. ” Wer eyouf i ght i ng? PJ: Yeah,f i ght i ngand,wel l ,Igr ew up i nHar r i s bur g,youknow whatI mean?

PJ: If el tl i kes choolj us twas n' tf or me,l i kewas t i ngf ouryear s . Wel l ,i twas n' tawas t e,butIf el t Angel : l i ket her ewasabet t erway .So, Forpeopl ewhodon' tknow what Iwent . Har r i s bur gi s ,whatdoest hat mean? Angel : If i ndi ti nt er es t i ngt hatyoul ef t PJ: hi ghs choolats uchanear l y Har r i s bur gi sanei ghbor hood,a age.I ’ m cur i ous .Wer eyour hood.I t ' st hes l ums .I twasagood par ent sokaywi t hyoul eavi ng ar ea,butever yt hi nggoeson, hi ghs choolatf i f t eenf ort he downt her e-dr ugs ,ever yt hi ng. JobCor ps ? Angel : PJ: I t ’ sanhi s t or i calar eaher ei n No,notl i ket hat .Iwasget t i ng Augus t a. i nt r oubl ei ns chool .Iwasput

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PJ: Yeah.Ther ear eal otof l andmar ksdownt her e,but t hat ' swher eIgr ew up.Ri ght t her eonBr oadSt r eet ,acr os s t hes t r eetf r om t heBoys&Gi r l s Cl ub. Angel : It ol dyout hi sedi t i onoft he magazi nei saboutval orand vul ner abi l i t y .It hi nkal otof youngmens t ar touti npl aces wher et heyl ear nhow t obe t oughorbr avebys t andi ngup f ort hems el vesandnotget t i ng bul l i ed.Youdi dt hat ,butyou al s odeci dedt ol eaves chool . Waschoos i ngt ogot ot heJob Cor psaneas ydeci s i on?

i nf i vemont hs . Angel : Whatdoesa1 5year ol ddo wi t hahi ghs chooldi pl oma who’ snotpl anni ngt ogoi nt o hi ghereducat i on?You' r enot ol denoughatf i f t eent ogeta t r adi t i onalj obt hat ' sgoi ngt o s us t ai nyourl i vi ng.Ri ght ? You' r enotol denought oeven s i gnyour s el fi nt ot hehos pi t al wi t houtpar ent soraguar di an. Youcan' tgoi nt ot hemi l i t ar y . You' r es t i l lachi l datf i f t een. Now,you’ r ef i ni s hedwi t ht he JobCor psandbackhome. Whatdi dyoudoonceyou r et ur nedhome?

PJ: PJ: Theygavemeacheckf orI Yes ,becaus eIwass mar t ,you t hi nkabout$4, 200.Iwent know whatImean?Ij us tkept home,boughtmeacar get t i ngi nt r oubl e.Iwas n' ti nt o –aCapr i ce.That s choolanymor e.Igr ew upi n wasmyf i r s tcarat Har r i s bur g,andwemovedt o s i xt een. Meadowbr ook.Att hatpoi nt ,I wasgoi ngt os choolwi t hpeopl e Angel : t i l l Idi dn’ tknow.Ipl ayedbas ket bal l Doyous havei t ? t oo,buti twas n’ tt hes ame pl ayi ngwi t hpeopl eIdi dn’ t PJ: know,s oIt hi nkt hat ' swhat No,I mademet ur nof ff r om s chool wr ecked ands t ar tget t i ngi nt r oubl e. i t .I Comi ngf r om Har r i s bur g,Iwas wr eckedi t al r eadywat chi ngOGss el l i ng dr ugs ,andt hat ' sr eal l yt her out e f as tt oo. Iwant edt ogo.I t ’ swhatIknew. Butwhen WhenIwasputoutofBut l er Iwasout Hi ghSchool ,Is t ayedoutof ofs chool , ever ybody s choolpr obabl yaboutt woor el s ewasi n t hr eeweeks ,andIwentt ot al k s chool ,s oI t ot hi sdudeaboutJobCor ps ands i gnedup,butIwasonl y wasgoi ngt o t her ef oraboutf i vemont hs .I t hehood.Iwent gr aduat edf r om t heJobCor ps backt ohangi ng

wi t ht heol dercat s .Is t ar t ed s el l i ngdr ugsagai n.Is t ar t ed atayoungages el l i ngdr ugs f r om aboutt hi r t een.At t hi r t een,Iwasoutt her e. That ' swhymymom moved ust oMeadowbr ook.Shewas t r yi ngt ogetmeawayf r om al l t hat ,butever ychanceIgotI

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wentbackt oi t .So,af t erJob Cor ps ,Iwentbackhomet ot he s t r eet s .

Ri ch,andacoupl eDonal d Tr umpbooks .Ther ewasa dudei nmycel lwhowasa r eal t or ,andIus edt ot al kt o Angel : hi m al ot .Hewoul dputmeon Now,you' r e40year sol d.You' r e gameaboutal otoft hat . WhenIgotoutandwent abus i nes sowner ;you' vegota home,Iwas n' tonpr obat i on.I new r es t aur antyou' r eopeni ng owor katPl antVogt l e wi t hyourwoman;you' r eachef . wentt asani r onwor ker .Iwor ked Yours oci almedi apl at f or mi s outt her ef orf ouryear sand boomi ng.You' vegotas t r ong f ol l owi ng.Peopl el oveyouher e i nt heci t y .Pl eas et akeusont he j our neyofhow youwentf r om t hes t r eet st ot heki t chenasa chefaboutt oopenyourown r es t aur antl ocat i on.How di dyou gether e?

t her et oo,andIl ear nedal ot t her e.WhenIwentt opr i s on, t heguar dst hatwer eovert he ki t chenwer er ealchef s ,andI l ear nedal otf r om t hem.They t aughtmes omuchi nf i veyear s . Outher e,i t ' shar dcooki ngf ora coupl ehundr edpeopl ebecaus e i ns i deIwascooki ngf or3000, 4, 000peopl e.Iwoul dwakeup i nt hemor ni ng,andt heymi ght s ay ,“ Yougot t acookf or3, 800. ” Icoul dwakeupt henext mor ni ng,andi t ' s4, 1 00becaus e peopl ewer el eavi ng,andpeopl e wer ecomi ng.So,f orme,i t ’ s eas i ert ocookf oral otof peopl et hanf oral i t t l ebi t .

PJ: Angel : WhenIwast went yone,I How di dyous t ar tKi t chenKi ngs , caughtaf eder alchar geand andwher edi dyougett he wentt opr i s on.Iwass entt o name? YazooCi t y ,Mi s s i s s i ppi .They gavemef i veyear sf orapi s t ol PJ: anddr ugs .Whi l eIwast her e,I WhenIwasi nt hes t r eet ss el l i ng di dal otofr eadi ngandwr i t i ng;I dope,weus edt o“ cookup” wasal r eadys mar t .Ievenwr ot e dope,andIwoul dt el lmy f ourbookswhi l ei nt her e,andI homeboyt hatI ' mt heki t chen gotoutaboutayearandwent ki ngbecaus eIdi dn’ tf eell i ke r i ghtbacki n.Igotoutofpr i s on nobodycoul dcookt hatbet t er andgotdr oppedbacki nt he t hanme.Youknow whatI ' m s t r eet s .It r i ednott o,butwi t h s ayi ng?So,t hat ' swher et he pr obat i onandal lt hat ,i t ' shar d nameKi t chenKi ngscomesf r om. t ogetaj ob.Iwas n’ tr eal l yus ed Evenwhenyou' r ei nt hes t r eet s t oas ki ngpeopl ef oranyt hi ng.I wasdoi ever yt hi ngr eal l ygoesdowni n nggood,butt he di dwhatIknew how t odot o heki t chen,butwhenIgotout whol et i meIt ol dmys el ft hi si s t makes omemoney ,s oaf t era t h e s e c ondt i me,Iknew Ihadt o t hepl at f or mt os t ar tmyown yearout ,Iwasbacki npr i s on, getawayf r om al lt hat .Oneday , bus i nes s . andi twas201 3.But ,t he Iwasatt hehous ewi t hmy Thecooki ngcameabout s econdt i meIwentt opr i s on,I godbr ot her ,andIwasj us t becaus eIhaveal ways wentt oEdgef i el d,Sout h ayi ngar oundbecaus eIwoul d cooked.WhenIwasi npr i s on, pl Car ol i na,andIs atdownand s eeever ybodypos t i ngf oodon Iwast heheadcook.Even r eadbookst hatcoul ddome oci almedi aandt al ki ngabout backwhenIwasf i f t een,Ihad s s omegood.Booksl i keRi ch t hei rcooki ng.So,Ipos t ed,“ PJ aj obatWi f eSaver s .My Dad,PoorDad,TheAr tof i sgoi ngt obehavi ngpl at es uncl ehasbeent her e40 Hus t l i ng,Thi nkandGr ow Fr i day . ”Ipos t edt hi sona year s ,mydaddywor ked

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Wednes day ,andman,t heywent t ot henumber s-ounces , cr azyf orr eal ,andIwasj us t pounds ,gr ams-i t ' st hes ame pl ayi ng.WhenIs aw how cr azy t hi ngwi t hf ood,andt hat ' s t heywentaboutt hepos t ,Iwent how Il ookati t .How canIs el l andboughtever yt hi ngIneeded mor eandmakemor ewi t h andcr unkupt heki t chent hat whatI ’ m doi ng? Fr i day .Ihads omef oodl ef t ,s oI di di tagai nonSat ur dayand Angel : Sunday .Then,Ij us tkeptgoi ng. I t ' si nt er es t i nghow you Fr om t hatFr i dayon,Icooked compar et het wot ypesof ever yday . ent r epr eneur i alvent ur es . Ther e' sabr ot hernamed Angel : Aar onSmi t hi nChi cago.Hi s Wow.Ever yday? bus i nes si scal l edEs capi ng t heOdds .Ibel i eveoneoft he PJ: cor epr i nci pl esbehi ndhi s Ever yday .Wi t hi nt hr eemont hs , pl at f or mi st hi si deaof outofnowher e,Igota “ s wi t chi ngt hehus t l e”f r om r es t aur anti ns i deSul t r ySounds . i l l egalanddet r i ment alt ol egal Mymi ndi sal waysonhow Ican andpr oduct i ve.Ther e’ sa makemor emoney .Iwas gr eatdealofgeni usbehi nd t hi nki ng,i fIgetabui l di ng,Ican t hos ewal l s ,andmany makemor emoney .Mymi ndi s i ncar cer at edpeopl ear en’ t al waysonmor e.Iwantt hef ul l amazi ngwhent heycomeout ; pot ent i alofwhat everI ' m doi ng. t hey’ vegotamazi nggi f t s , I t ’ saboutt henumber s . t al ent s ,andi nt el l ectwhen Ever yt hi ngi saboutwei ght ,j us t t heygoi n. l i kedr ugs .Idon’ ts el ldr ugs anymor e,butI ' ms t i l ls el l i ng PJ: s omet hi ng.Now,I ’ ms el l i ng Yeah,def i ni t el y .Def i ni t el y . poundsofs hr i mp;i t ’ st hes ame Angel : t hi ng.Ever yt hi ngcomesdown I ts oundsl i ke al l t hes ki l l s youl ear ned i nal l t he ki t chens you' vebeen i n,whet her behi ndt he wal l ornot , yous or tof br oughtal l t hatgeni us , al l t hes ki l l s , i nf or mat i on, knowl edge, andcr eat ed

yourownki t chen. PJ: Exact l y .Evenwheni tcomest o mar ket i ngandbei ngs oci al ,I cant al kt oanybody .Icanbeat Sam’ sCl ub,Wal mar t ,t hegas s t at i on,anywher e,andI ’ l l pas s outmycar dsandt al kt o anybodyes peci al l ywheni t ’ s aboutbus i nes sbecaus ei t ’ snot aboutme.I t ’ saboutmy bus i nes s ,andI ' ms t andi ng behi ndmybr and.Ievent al kt o mygi r l ,andIt el l her ,“ Youcan bes hy ,butyourbr andcan’ t .I t ’ s gott obel oud. ”That ' show Iam, andIgett hatf r om mypas t .I don' tr egr etmypas t .I tmade mewhoIam andmademet he manIam t oday .Idon' tcar e aboutwhatpeopl et hi nk,and t hathast akenmeal ongway . I ' m goi ngt ogi veyouapr i me exampl e. Whent hi ngsdi dn’ twor kout wi t hmyf i r s tr es t aur antatSul t r y Sounds ,Iwentbackt ot he hous e.Idi dn’ tknow whatIwas goi ngt odo.Ius edt ol ovet hat r es t aur ant .I twas n' tt hatIf ai l ed; i twasj us tt hatmeandt he ownerhadadi s agr eement .One day ,Ir emembermybr ot her as ki ngmewhatIwasgoi ngt o do.Hewasl i ke,“ Yougot t af i nd youanot hers pot . ”Is ai d,“ I got t acr ankt hehous ebackup. ” Hewasl i ke,“ Br o?Youcan' tdo t hat .Youcan' tgof r om a r es t aur antbackt ot hehous e. ”I f Iwoul d' vel i s t enedt ohi m,I pr obabl ywoul dn' tbecooki ng r i ghtnow.Thats amedayIcr unk t heki t chenupf r om t hehous e, andpeopl ewentcr az yagai n. That ’ swhyI ’ m caut i ousabout whoIgetadvi cef r om orwhoI l i s t ent o.Il i s t en,buts omet i mes ,

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yest os har i ngyours t or y t hat .Theyar es t i l l s t uckon ns i deSpeakUpSi s !Magaz i ne, t hat ,s oIs t ayawayf r om al ot i i der i ngi ts aysSi sont he ofpeopl ewhoknew met hen. cons end. I ' m adi f f er entper s onnow, andIs t ayt omys el f .If ocus PJ: onmybus i nes sandmy You’ r ewel comeandyeah.I br and,butt hepeopl et hat l ovet hatt hough.Forr eal .I know menow,peopl el i ke l ovet hewhol emovement you,youwoul dneverknow you’ vegotgoi ngon. t hos et hi ngsandpr obabl y woul dn' texpectanyoft hos e Angel : t hi ngs .Toans weryour Iappr eci at eyou,andIhave ques t i onabouthow If eel onel as tques t i ont oas k aboutpeopl eknowi ngme bef or eIl etyougo.I ft her e' sa per s onal l y ,Iwoul dn' tmi nd per s onwhoi dent i f i eswi t h peopl eknowi ngt he“ now” t or ybutj us tcan' ts ee me.Iwoul dn’ tmi ndbei ngout yours i tgoesi noneearandoutt he t h e s u c c e s s f o r t h e ms e l v e s , t h e r e . I j u s t d o n ' t r e a l l y k n o w ot her . whati syourbes tpi eceof how.Evenwhenyouas ked advi ce? meaboutt hepodcas t ,l i ke Angel : h o w y o u c a n s p e a k p u b l i c l y , I It ot al l yagr ee.Iof t ens ay , thavet hatdownpacked, PJ: “ Chew upt hemeatands pi tout don’ Keeppus hi ng.Keepl ear ni ng. butt hi s ,t al ki ngr i ghtnow, t hebone. ” Ineverdi s count N o ma t t e r wh a t y o u ’ v e d o ne, f e e l s g o o d . I a i n ' t c u r s e d s i n c e anybody .Ibel i eveyoucanget b e e n t h r o u g h , a n d n o ma t t er w e ' v e b e e n t a l k i n g . good,s ol i di nf or mat i onf r om y o u r p a s t , l e a r n a s mu c h a s anyonei ft heyhavei tt ogi ve. youcan.Knowl edgei st he Angel : However ,ever yt hi ngpeopl e ,f orr eal .Lear nasmuch Ihaveenj oyedt al ki ngt oyou key gi vemei s n’ ts omet hi ngIneed asyoucan.Act i onover andl i s t eni ngt oyous har e; t odi ges t . ever yt hi ng.Keeppus hi ng, you’ r es uchawel l r ounded k e e p l e a r n i n g a n d t a k e act i on. p e r s o n . A l t h o u g h y o u h a v e PJ: h a d a t u mu l t u o u s l i f e , y o u r Ri ght . : di s pos i t i onanddemeanorar e Angel ovei t . cal mi ng.I t ’ sbeaut i f ul t hatyou Il Angel : ar eabl eandwi l l i ngt obe AsIl i s t ent oyou,Iheart he Onceagai n,I ’ dl i ket ot hank vul ner abl ewhenneces s ar y . val or ,t hecour ageous nes s ,but P J f o r t a k i n g t i me f r o m hi s Y o u h a v e p u t y o u r s e l f o u t whatIdon' theari st he b u s y s c h e d u l e t o t a l k wi t h me t h e r e i n a wa y o t h e r p e o p l e vul ner abi l i t y .How doyouf eel a n d t o s h a r e h i s s t o r y i n d i d n ' t t h i n k t h a t y o u c o u l d aboutpeopl eknowi ngyoumor e s !Magaz i ne.Ipr ay l eknowi ngt hatyoucoul d SpeakUpSi per s onal l y ,t hehear toft heman whi youhaveenj oyedmeet i ng bet al kedaboutor behi ndt hebr and? Mr .PJWar e. di s cour aged,yetyous t i l l di d P J ’ s C o n t a c tDet ai l s : i t . N o w , y o u a n d y o u r wo ma n PJ: a r e o p e n i n g y o u r o wn Al otofpeopl eknow me,but Facebook: r es t aur ant–Ki t chenKi ngsX t heydon' tknow t heme“ now. ” www. f b. com/ pj . s . war e t aSweetTr eat s !Iam Theyknow mef r om t hes t r eet s . Nat t edf orbot hofyouand Theymi ghtbet el l i ngol ds t or i es exci I ns t agr am: congr at ul at i ons !Ial s ol ove aboutmef i ght i ngi nt hecl ubs @k i t c h e n_ki ngs _201 9 t h a t y o u w e r e wi l l i n g t o s a y ands hoot out sandt hi ngsl i ke

F ORT HECUL T URE MEETDERRI CKTURNER By:AngelChar mai ne |Dat e:Apr i l29, 2023 Phot ogr aphy:HazelEyesPhot ogr aphy Manyofusmi s souras s i gnment sbecaus ewef ol l ow s omet hi ngot hert hanwhat ' si nus . ” Der r i ckTur ner Angel : Thankyouf ori nvi t i ngmei nt oTheCul t ur eShoppet os i tandhave t hi sconver s at i onwi t hyou.Idon’ tknow t hei nsand out sofyourper s onall i f e,butI ' m exci t edt ol et peopl egett oknow yout hewayI ' vegot t ena chancet oknow youass i mpl yagoodmanwi t h aki ndhear t .Let ’ sbegi nwi t hwhati ti syoudo her eatTheCul t ur eShoppe,andi st hi swhat youdof oral i vi ngnow? Der r i ck: TheCul t ur eShoppei st heonl yt hi ng t hatIdof oral i vi ng.

Angel : Di dyoudos omet hi ngel s epr i or t oTheCul t ur eShoppe?

Angel : Di dyous t udybus i nes s management ?

Der r i ck: Pr i ort oTheCul t ur eShoppe,I wor kedatSam' sCl ubf oryear s f r om pus hi ngcar t swhi l ei n col l eget os t or emanagement . Af t erSam' sCl ub,Iwor kedat anot hercompanyf or1 0year s andTheCul t ur eShoppeevol ved f r om apl aceofwant i ng f r eedom,ofwant i ngt odo s omet hi ngonmyown.I t ’ s s omet hi ngIf el twoul dbean out l et ,notonl yf ormebutf or ot herpeopl et oo.

Der r i ck: Is t udi edCr i mi nalJus t i ce.

Angel : Wher edi dyouat t endcol l ege? Der r i ck: Benedi ctCol l ege.

Angel : Real l y?How di dyouendupi n bus i nes smanagement ?

Angel : Idef i ni t el yunder s t andt hat .Tel l me,whati si tt hatyoudoher e att hes t or e? Der r i ck: I ’ mt heCEO.Idoever yt hi ng f r om openi ngt hef r ontdoort o t aki ngt het r as houtt heback door .I t ’ smybaby .

Angel : Der r i ck: acet ot al l yl i tup;your Wel l ,It hi nkwhathappenswi t h Yourf bodypos t ur eevens hi f t edwhen al otofpeopl ei swegot o youbegant ot al kaboutThe col l egeandt r yt of i nd s omet hi ngt odowhi l ewe’ r e Cul t ur eShoppe,s ol et ' st al k eabout“ yourbaby . ”Why t her e.Mos tofusdon' tgowi t h mor hi sbus i nes sver s us ,Idon' t apl an.Wet hi nk,“ Imi ghtwant t es t aur antors ome t odot hi s .Soundsgood. ”Then, know,ar ot hert ypeofbus i nes s ?Why aswegot hr oughcol l ege,and TheCul t ur eShoppe? notj us tcol l egebuteven t hr oughl i f e,wef i ndot her Der r i ck: pat hsandwes ay ,“ Youknow, t hi sr i ghther ei sf orme. ” Ibui l tTheCul t ur eShoppeof f

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ener gy .I t ' sadi ver s epl ace. Ever yonewhoent er sbr i ngs s omet hi ngwi t ht hem.Ther ei s al s os omet hi ngt heygetwhi l e t hey’ r eher e,andever ybody t akess omet hi ngoutt hedoor whent heyl eave.Somet i mesi t ’ s knowl edge,wi s dom,i nf or mat i on aboutt hei t emsi nher e,ors i mpl y apeaceofmi nd.Thi si sa peacef uls et t i ng.Iwant edt os t ep awayf r om whats omecons i der t het ypi cal ,bl ackbus i nes sowner andcr eat eas pacef orever ybody t ocomei n. Angel : Asawoman,i twasext r emel y har dt ol eavemycar eerand embr aces el f empl oyment . Somet i mes ,If eell i kemenget di f f er entper kst hanwomen,or youhavebet t eracces st ocapi t al andf undi ngandt hi ngsoft hat nat ur e.I st hatt r ue?Tel lmeabout yourj our neyi nt o ent r epr eneur s hi p. Der r i ck: Abs ol ut el ynot .Abs ol ut el ynot . Der r i ck: Myj our neyofs t eppi ngaway f r om at r adi t i onal ,whatwecal la ni net of i ve,wasr eal i zi ngt hat t hey’ r eonl ypayi ngyouf oryour t i meands omeoneel s ei s benef i t i ngof fyouwhenyouwal k i nt oapl ace,punchi n,andget pai dever yweekorever yt wo weeksf oryourhour swor ked. Bas i cal l y ,youar ej us tbei ngpai d f ort het i met hatyouar et her e,i n t hei rpl aceofbus i nes s ,t odo whatt heyneedyout odot o maket hem l ot sofmoney .Ial s o under s t oodt hati twas guar ant eedi fIwentt owor kand di dwhatt heyneededmet odo.

So,Imadet hedeci s i ont os t ep outonmyownands ay ,you know what ,Icandot hi sf or mys el f .Ofcour s e,i t ' sgr eatt o l eaveandwor kf oryour s el f , butwheni t ’ st i met ogett hat f undi ng,youcan' tgetf undi ng becaus eyouhaven’ tmade $50, 000ayearf ort hr ee year s .But ,how am Igoi ngt o make$50, 000ayearf ort hr ee year swhenIhaven’ ts t ar t ed t hebus i nes syet ? Angel : I ’ vehear di ts ai dt hati tt akes moneyt omakemoney . Der r i ck: Yes .Igothi twi t ht hehar s h r eal i t yt hati t ' sgoi ngt ot ake ever ys i ngl edi meIhave,pl us s ome,t omaket hi soper at e. Then,i tbecomesaf ai t hover f ears i t uat i on.AndI ' vel ear ned t hatI ' m notgoi ngt ogi veupon mys el f .Nomat t erwhat ' sputi n f r ontofme,nomat t ert he obs t acl esIgot hr ough,and t her ear eobs t acl esever y s i ngl eday ,I ' m notgoi ngt ogi ve uponmys el f ,andt hat ’ swhyI wal kedawayf r om 26year sof t r adi t i onal ,ni net of i ve,wor kt o doi tonmyown. Angel : Wher e' dt hat ,“ I ' m notgoi ngt o gi veuponme”mi nds etcome f r om?Di dyouhavepar ent s whoi ns t i l l edt hos et ypesof val uesi nyouorwasi t es t abl i s heds omewher eel s e? Der r i ck: I twases t abl i s hedl at eroni n l i f et r avel i ngand,t obehones t , l ooki ngatdi f f er entcul t ur es . How cant heycomet oapl ace

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wi t habs ol ut el ynot hi ng,a pl acewher eIgr ew upandwas r ai s edmywhol el i f e,andt hey becomet opt i eri nt he communi t y? A l otofpeopl ewi l l s ay ,“ Oh,wel l ,t heygotper ks , ” butIknow s omewhocamewi t h not hi ngandj us tbel i evedi nhar d wor k.I ' m notgoi ngt os ayt heyal l don' thavebenef i t s ,getper ksand al l oft hat .Ij us ts ayt omys el f ,i f anybodycandoi t ,i ft hi sper s on cangobui l dahous eont hel ake, whycan' tI ? Onet hi ngwedo ever ydayi st ot el l our s el veswhat wehavet odo.Ihavet ogobr us h myt eet h.Ihavet ogetupandgo t owor k.Ihavet ogetupandgo s t ar tt hi scar .Yout el l your s el f whatyouhavet odo,andyougo doi t .So,Ial wayst el l mys el fI ' m notgoi ngt ogi veuponme. Angel : That ' sgood. Der r i ck: Il ooki nt hemi r r ori nt hemor ni ng andt el l mys el fwhatmydayi s goi ngt obe.I fyous i ti nt hemi r r or ever ydayandt el l your s el f ,“ I ' m s obr oke;Iai n' tgott hi sort hat . ” Theper s onyou’ r et el l i ngt hatt oi s youbecaus et heonl yot her per s oni nt hemi r r ori syou.You r ef l ectt hatbackt oyour s el f ,s oI got el l t hemani nt hemi r r orI ' m goi ngt omakeami l l i ondol l ar sa day .I fIdon' tmaket hemi l l i on dol l ar s ,Il eavet hehous ewi t ht he at t i t udet hatIam goi ngt omake i t ,s oIgogi vei tmyal l ever y s i ngl eday . Angel : Il ovet hatyouar eabl et ol ookat ot herpeopl e' sl i ves ,ot her peopl e' ss i t uat i ons ,l i s t ent oot her peopl e' ss t or i es ,andt heys er ve asi ns pi r at i onver s usa compet i t i onorachal l enge.I cons i deri tcour ageoust os t epout

andcr eat es omet hi ngofyour own,yetwoul dyouagr eei t pl acesyoui naver yvul ner abl e pl acet oo?

Angel : Asabus i nes sowner ,whi chdo yout hi nkyouus et hemos tona dai l ybas i s–cour ageor vul ner abi l i t y?

Der r i ck: Yes ,you' r emaki ngyour s el f .I ti s Der r i ck: acour ageous ,br aves t ep,but Forme,t obehones t ,Il i ket ous e i t ' sal s over yvul ner abl e t hevul ner abl epar t .Is ayt hi s becaus eyouneverknow becaus eIknow I ' m cour ageous .I what ' sont heot hers i deoft hat know I ' m ahar dwor ker .Iknow I ' m s t ep.Ofcour s e,youent ert he goi ngt ogooutandgetmi ne doorl ooki ngatal l t hepos i t i ves , ever yday ,butIal s oknow ever y butyoual s os t epi nands ee dayI ' m onemi s t akeawayf r om t her ei sabackdoort ot hat bei ngoutofbus i nes s .So,Il ookat r eal i t yofever yt hi ngbei ngs o t hevul ner abl epar tasmys t r engt h gr eat .Youl ear nqui ckl yhow t o t opus hme.Event houghThe bot t l eever yt hi ngup.I nan Cul t ur eShoppei smybaby ,and i ns t ant ,i naday ,ever yt hi ngcan ever yt hi ngr evol vesar oundme changef r om wher eyouar et o i ns i det hi sbui l di ng,whenIgoout wher eyou’ r egoi ngt obe,and t opl acesl i ket heAugus t a youmus tbewi l l i ngt oaccept Sat ur dayMar ketands t ar t t hat . s omet hi ngt her e,i tt akes

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Der r i ck: Tr us tandbel i evei nyour s el f . Don' tl etanybodyel s eki l l your dr eams .Somet i mesyou’ vegot t os t epout .Evenwhenyou doubtyour s el f ,you’ vegott o s t epoutt her e.I fi t ' sacal l i ngi n Angel : yourhear t ,i t ' st her ef ora Icans i tandt al kwi t hyouf or r eas on.Manyofusmi s sour hour s ,asI ’ vedoneons ever al as s i gnment sbecaus ewef ol l ow occas i ons . omet hi ngot hert hanwhat ' si n However ,Ibel i evet hi si saper f ect s .Wedr eam.Wehavemany pl acet owr ap.Bef or eIl etyougo, us i deas .Wehavegoal s .Wewr i t e Il i ket oas kal l myi nt er vi eweest o hi ngsdown,andmanyofus s har es omewor dsofwi s dom.For t got oourdeat hbedwi t hi tal l t hei ndi vi dual r eadi ngt hi swho' s becaus eweneverpur s uedany i nt er es t edi nt aki ngt hatl eapi nt o t .Youcanal waysgobackt o ent r epr eneur s hi poranyt hi ngnew ofi “ t hat , ”butyoucanpas sone anddi f f er entf ort hem,whatar e t uni t yat“ t hi s ”andnever s omewor dsofwi s dom youwoul d oppor tbackagai n.I foppor t uni t y gi veaboutpur s ui ngwhat everi ti s geti i st her ef oryouandyous eei t , t heyhaveont hei rhear t st odoi n pur s uei tandgoaf t eri t .Don' t t hi swor l d? gi veuponyour s el f .Bel i eve vul ner abi l i t yt opus hmei nt oot her s pacest obeabl et odo s omet hi ngnew anddi f f er entt o makes ur et hi ngscont i nue accor di ngt omypl an.

t hatyoucandoi tanddoi t . Shoul dyouf i ndyour s el fi nNor t h Augus t a,SC,s t opbyTheCul t ur e Shoppe.You’ r eguar ant eedt o l eaveal i t t l emor ecul t ur edand wi s ert hanwhenyouent er ed.I pr ayyouhaveenj oyedget t i ngt o know Mr .Der r i ckTur ner . Der r i ck’ sCont actDet ai l s : Webs i t e: www. t hecul t ur es hoppe. com Facebook: www. f acebook. com/ t hecul t ur es h oppel l c Addr es s :207Edgef i el dRd,Nor t h Augus t a,SC29841

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BERNARDGRACY,I I By:AngelChar mai ne Dat e:Apr i l29, 2023 Phot ogr aphy:HazelEyes Phot ogr aphy

omet i mes ,whenI ’ m Coas t alHar borTr eat ment as kedmyt i t l e,I ’ l ls ay Cent er .Af t ert hat ,enoughwas Iam anI ns pi r at i onal enough.Mypas s i onwast o Conver s at i onal i s t .Ibel i evewe wor kwi t hki ds ,peopl ewi t h bui l dr es i l i enceandheal ment aldi s abi l i t i es ,orol df ol ks . t hr oughaut hent i c Iwat chedmybi gmamaand conver s at i ons .Al t houghIdi d aunt i esal waysdoi ng notwal ki nt oGr acyEl i t e s omet hi ngf ors omebodyi nt he Fi t nes sSt udi ot oi ns pi r eand chur chandt hepr oj ect s .They f aci l i t at ea“ heal i ng” wer eal waysf eedi ng,cl ot hi ng, conver s at i on,Iknow t hati s ordoi ngs omet hi ngt ohel p.My exact l ywhatt r ans pi r edonce Aunt i eWi l l i eMayal wayss ai d, Ber nar dGr acyandIwal ked “ Bl es st hepoor ,f eedt he t ot hebackofhi sgym t os i t hungr y , ”af t erever ypr ayer downi nhi sof f i cet obegi n bef or es heat e.Shewasan t hi si nt er vi ew. evangel i s tandami s s i onar y . Angel ,you’ r egoi ngt ohaveme Angel : t ear yeyedwhi l et el l i ngt hi s Hel l o,Mr .Gr acy . s t or y .Man,Ihaven’ tt hought aboutmyAunt i eWi l l i eMaei n Ber nar d: year s . Wel l ,hel l ot her e.How ar eyou doi ngMs .Angel Angel : Wr i ght ? That ’ swhathappensher ei n SpeakUpSi sl and.I t ’ sl i kea Angel : couch. Iam doi ngwel l .Thank youf ors ayi ngyest o Ber nar d: t hi si nt er vi ew.Iknow you’ r e Igetmos toft hatt ypeofs t uf f abus yman,s ol et ’ sdi ver i ght andmydr i vef r om t hem.I i nt ot heconver s at i on.Ar e al waysas kedmygr andma, youaf ul l t i meent r epr eneur , “ Whyyoual wayss weepi ng andhaveyoueverwor ked t hes i dewal ksoft hepr oj ect s ?” f oranyoneel s e? She’ ds ays omet hi ngl i ke,“ The communi t ygott ol ookgood, Ber nar d: baby ,andwear et he I ’ m af ul l t i meent r epr eneur , communi t y .I fal lofuspi ckup andIhavewor kedf or onepi eceofpaper ,t hi swhol e numer ouscompani esl i ke Suns et[ Homes ]wi l ll ookgood. Lowe' s ,UPS,andot her Oncewes t ar t edl os i ngour backbr eaki ng,s t r enuous el der sandar ebecomi ngt he j obst ot hepoi ntwher ei t el der s ,wedon' tl ookf ort hat s t ar t edt ot akeat ol lonmy t ypeofpr i det hatcomesf r om phys i calbody .Iwasput t i ngi n communi t y .Wedon' teven mor et hanIwasget t i ngout . t aket het i met ocons i der Thos ej obst ookal otofmy r edi r ect i ngachi l d.Ther ewasa t i mebutdi dn' taddupont he t i me,backi nt heday ,whenan f i nanci alend.Iwentt o ol dper s oncoul ds ayt oal i t t l e SavannahSt at e,al i t t l e boy ,“ Comeher e,l i t t l eboy ,go Augus t aboyi napl acewher e t ot hes t or ef orme. ”Andyou’ d Idi dn’ tknow anybody .I nno bet t ergoandbr i ngbackher t i me,Iknew ever ybody ,and changet oo.Shemi ghtgi ve ever ybodyknew mebecaus e youal i t t l es omet hi ngt oget Gr acyEnt er pr i s esLLCwas yous omebut t ercooki esor myf i r s tent r epr eneur i al s omet hi ng. vent ur e.Myl as tvent ur ewas wi t hGeor gi aRegi onal Angel : Hos pi t al ,andIwor kedat Yeah,ors omepennycandy

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f r om t hecandyl ady . Ber nar d: Yep,ort earyouoneoft hem dol l ar soutt hef oods t ampbook. Angel : Oh,you’ r er eal l yt aki ngusback wi t ht hatone.Wer eyoua s ens i t i vechi l d,orwer eyoua knuckl eheadofaki d? Ber nar d: I nt hebegi nni ng,maybef r om f i r s t t hr oughf i f t hgr ade,Iwasar eal s ens i t i veki d.Il i keds t uf fl i keCar e Bear sandTheMuppet sonTV. Angel : Real l y? Ber nar d: Yeah,man,butast i megoesby , l i f echangesyou.Yourpeer s changeandpar adi gmss hi f t .I gr ew upi nSuns etHomes ,t he pr oj ect s .Meandmyf r i ends pl ayedwi t heachot her ' st oys . Wewoul dputal l t het oys t oget her ,s owecoul dpl aywi t h t het oywedi dn’ thave.We’ d maket oysoutoft hi ngs ,go out s i det opl ayf oot bal l unt i l i twas t i met ogoi ns i de,orwal kt ot he pool .We’ dl eavehomebr own s ki nnedands t ayi nt hepool unt i l we’ dgohomedar ks ki nnedand hungr y .Weneverr eal l yknew we di dn’ thavemuch,andal otofus r eal l ydi dn' thavef at herf i gur esi n t hehome.Att hatt i me,Idi dn’ t , buts uddenl y ,Idi d. Angel : Whatdoest hatmean?Pl eas e expl ai n. Ber nar d: Letmet el l youhow Imetmy daddy .I twasal ongt i meago whenmymom anddadgota di vor ce.Mypopsus edt opas s

byi nawheel chai r ,butIdi dn’ t know hewasmydad.Il ear ned l at er ;hewaspar al yz edf r om t heneckdown.I nt he s event i es ,hewasaj az z mus i ci an.He,mygodf at her , andot herbandmember swer e i na1 6pas s engervandr i vi ngt o gopl aywi t hBenTuckeri n Savannah,GA,andt heywer e i naheadoncol l i s i on.Att hat t i me,t her ewer eonl yt wol anes goi ngt hr oughMi l l enand St at es bor o,andi twashar dt o s eedr i vi ngoverhi l l s .A dr unk dr i verwascomi ngovert hehi l l whi l epas s i ngacarand hi tt hem headon.Myf at herhi t

hi sheadont hes t eer i ngwheel whi ch br okehi sneckandpar al yz ed hi mf r om t heneckdown.My godf at herwaspar al yz edf r om t hewai s tdown,andt wooft he bandmember sdi dn' tmakei t . Angel : That ’ st r agi c. Ber nar d: Ever yday ,Is eet hi smani na wheel chai rbei ngpus hedbyt hi s l adywi t habi gJer r yCur l ,anda Ger manShepher dwoul dbe l eadi ngt hei rway .Thr oughmy chi l deyes ,i tl ookedmor el i kea char i ott hanawheel chai r .One day ,Iwal kedoverands ai d,“ Hey s i r ,canIpetyourdog? ”Hes ai d, “ Yeah,l i t t l eman,comeonover her e.Youcanpett hi sdog. ”I wentovert her e,andhes ai d,“ He s hakeshands ,t oo. ”Is ai d,“ Wel l , what ' shi sname? ”Hes ai d,“ Hi s namei sKi ng. ”Angel ,you’ r e‘ gon makemecr y? Angel : No,you’ r eaboutt omakemecr y . Ber nar d: I ' ms haki nghandswi t ht hedog, r ubbi ngt hedog,andIas khi mi fI canpethi sdogever ydaywhen hecomest hr ough.Hewasl i ke, yeahman,youcanpethi m any t i meyouwant .Hecoul dhave eas i l yl ett hecatoutt hebag,but hewasbei ngagoods por t .We l i vedaboutl es st hanaf oot bal l ' s l engt hf r om hi shous e,att hat t i me.Iwaspr obabl yabouts even orei ghtyear sol d,andoneday ,I gues smymamaj us tcamet oher s ens esands ai ds hewant edt o t akemes omewher e.Shewal ked met ot hes t ops i gnands ai d, “ Countt hehous es .One,t wo…You s eet hem t wohous esr i ghtt her e t ot her i ght ? ”Thehous ewasof f

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SwaneeQui nt etandLyndon St r eet .Shes ai d,“ Goupt her e andknockont hatdoor . ”Iwal ked upt her e,ands uddenl y ,Is eeand heart hedogbar ki ng.I ' ml i ke,ooh, s hoott hi st hewhi t eGer man Shepher d’ shous e.It hought maybes hes etupal i t t l epl aydat e f ormeandt hedog.Tomakea l ongs t or ys hor t ,t hel adyIs aw pus hi ngt hemancamet ot he door ;Il ear nedl at ers hewasmy s t epmot her .Shes ai d,“ HeyLi l Nar d. ” Shecal l edmeLi l Nar d, andIt hought ,t hat ' st hef i r s tt i me I ' veeverbeencal l edLi l Nar d.She s ai d,“ Comeonbackher e.Igot s omebodyIwantyout omeet , ” s oIwal kedbackt ot heback;i t wasal i t t l es hot gunhous e.Is eea guy ,andi t ' st hes amedudewho wasr i di ngdownt hes t r eet .He t ur nedar oundi nhi schai r ,andhe hadt hebi gges ts mi l el i kemi ne.I t wasal mos tl i kel ooki ngi nami r r or . Hes ai d,“ Hey ,Iwant edt oal ways t el l yout hi sman,andIf i nal l yget t hechancet ot el l yout hi s .Look her e.I ' m yourdaddy .Is ai d,“ Oh man. ”Igotadaddy!Igota daddy! Angel : Mygoodnes s .Youwer eexci t ed, andnow,yougotmecr yi ng. Ber nar d: Yeah,s oIwasgl adwecamet o gr i pswi t ht hat .Af t ert hatday ,he nevermi s s edaf i r s tdayofs chool . Henevermi s s edhonor sdayor anyt hi ngl i ket hat .Wehadagood r el at i ons hi p.Ther ewas n' tani ght t hatmandi dn' tcal l met ot el l me t hathel ovedme.EvenwhenI wasmadathi m anddi dn’ ts ay l oveyouback,he’ ds t i l l t el l me andbel aughi ngwi t hi t . Somet i mes ,he' dgot hr ough hi sembar r as s i ngmoment s , l i kei fIhadabas ket bal l game ors omet hi ng,andhedi dn’ t

wantt obewheel edi n.Idon’ t t hi nkheunder s t oodt hathi s pr es encechar gedmeup.I t mademegoevenhar der .I s etas chool r ecor datt hef i r s t t r ackandf i el deventheever wentt owi t hme.Iwasgoi ng t oSavannahSt at e,andt he meetwasatFor tVal l ey .He wasat t endi ngFor tVal l eyt o getadoubl emas t er ’ s degr ee.It ol dmys el ft hati t wast hef i r s tt i meIwas goi ngt or uni nf r ontofhi m, andIwas n’ tgoi ngt ol et anyt hi ngs t eal mygl or yf r om myf at her .Hegr aduat edf r om Pai neCol l egeandFor tVal l ey Col l ege.Hi sbi gges tt hi ngwas t os eemegr aduat e.Hes aw megr aduat ef r om hi gh s chool ,buthedi dn’ tgett o s eemegr aduat ef r om SavannahSt at e.Hewoul d s ayheal wayswant edt os ee mewal kacr os st hats t age.He woul ds ay ,“ I fyoueverl os e yourbodyl i keIdi d,yous t i l l gotyourmi nd.Al waysknow t hes t r ongr ul et heweak;t he f as tcanbeatt hes t r ong,but t hewi s er ul et hem al l . ” Angel : Oh,t hat ’ sgood.Youcan' t hel pbutbeamanofval or .I t s oundsl i keyoucomef r om a manofval or .Yous oundt o havebeenaki ndand compas s i onat echi l d,and yourdads oundst ohave beenacar i ngandwi s eman, t oo.However ,becaus eIknow al i t t l eaboutyour backgr ound,Iknow youhave hadl i f eexper i encest hat woul dl eadpeopl et ot hi nk ot her wi s e.Ri ght ? Ber nar d: Yes ,yourhonor !

Angel : I t ’ sal mos tl i keyout ooka 1 80degr eet ur n.Whats hi f t edt o l eadyoui nanot herdi r ect i on? Ber nar d: I ns chool ,Is t ar t edt of i ndout f r i endsar en' tal wayswhot hey s ayt heyar e.Iconf i dedi npeopl eI cons i der edbes tf r i endsonl yt o f i ndoutot herpeopl eknew i nf or mat i onaboutme,andIknew I hadonl yt ol doneper s on.Then, t her e’ sf ami l y .I t ’ sl i kes cr at chi nga per s on’ sback,butwheni t ' st i me f oryourbackt ogets cr at ched, you’ vegott ous et hewal l ort he f l oorwhi l eyou’ r es ur r oundedby f ami l ywi t hnai l s .Theycanhel p makeyourl i f eal i t t l eeas i erbut don’ t .Letmebecl eart hough,I know t hatIwasnotanyone’ s r es pons i bi l i t y .Ij us tt houghtI ’ d haveal i t t l ebi tmor es uppor t ,but i tmademet ougher ,andIhadt o l ear nt ot hi nkf ormys el f .Asmen, we' r ehunt er sbynat ur e.I f anyt hi ng,i tmademydes i r et o wantt ohuntevengr eat er . Looki ngatmybabi es–Ibe damnedi fwewer egoi ngt obeon gover nmentas s i s t ancef or ever . I ’ m notknocki nganybodyon gover nmentas s i s t ance,buti t doess omet hi ngt oaman’ spr i de

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menott ocomehome,Iwal ked whenhe’ sgott ohi dehi scl ot hes os st hes t r eetbecaus emy becaus et hes ect i onei ghtmanor acr es pons i bi l i t ywasi nt her e.My womani scomi ngt hr ough.Imade r eswer ei nt her e.That ’ s s ur ewedi dn’ tgot hr ought hatf or babi i ght .Theywer enotaboutt o l ong.That ' swhenIknew Ineeded r t akemywi f e,wel l ,t hemot her t os t ar tmaki ngmor emoney ofmyki dsatt hatt i me,t oj ai l becaus eIdi dn’ thavet hebacki ng onmychar ges .Doyou oft hef ami l y ,andIneededt o under s t andwhatI ’ ms ayi ng? makeendsmeets omet ypeof So,event houghs hewasgoi ng way .That ’ swhenIgott hej obat t obeas t r ai ghtG andt ake Geor gi aRegi onal .Att het i me,I hat ,nahman,t her ewasno waswor ki nga$7. 50/ hourj oband t wayi nt hehel l Iwasgoi ngt o a$1 0/ hourj ob,andbot hwer e l ett hathappen. danger ousj obsbecaus eIhadt o r es t r ai npeopl e.Yougetbi t , Angel : s cr at ched,al l t ypeofs t uf f .So,I Ther e’ st hatval or .Ther e’ san s t ar t eddoi ngs t uf fl i kecut t i ng abl emani nt her e. i l l egal cabl e,t ur ni ngonut i l i t i esf or honor mi s f or t unat epeopl ef orf or t yor Ber nar d: f i f t ydol l ar s .Ievencl i mbed Ohyeah,s oIt ookt hatont he t el ephonepol eswhi l eoneofmy chi n.Iendedupi nt hecount y . bes tf r i endshel dt hel adder Chat ham Count yDet ent i on di s gui s edasal i t t l ehar dhatman Cent erof fCar l Gr i f f i nDr i ve. j us tt omakeal i t t l e$50.I ’ ds ee 033Car l Gr i f f i nDr i ve.Ical l t hat Mar cybr eas t f eedi ngt hem babi es , 1 ar r es tar es cuebecaus e,whi l e andt heonl yt hi ngt hatwent ’ mi nt her e,mypar t ner sar eon t hr oughmymi ndwass ur vi val and I hes t r eetcomi ngups hot .A i ns t i nct .Iwasl etdownbyal otof t eoft hem di ed,butIwas el der sIhel di nhi ghes t eem,butI coupl s ur vi vi ngt hewave.Iwasi ns i de event ual l ymetagr oupof t hecount yonFat her ' sDay .My mi s f or t unat es ,andwe’ r es t i l l PO wasagi r l Iwentt os chool f r i endst ot hi sday .Ical l t hem The wi t h,andIwasl i ke,Ms . Bi gFi ve;wecal l our s el vesThe Wi nt er s ,ar eyougoi ngt ol et Br ot her hood,butbackt henwe i ti nher et oday?Shes ai d, di dwhatwef el tl i kewehadt odo, mes “ Man,myvoi cemai l aboutf ul l andIgotcaughtupi nt hegame upbecaus eyougotMar cy t r yi ngt opaybi l l s . cal l i ngmeever ydayaboutyou andt r yi ngt ogetyououtof Oneday ,Mar cyt ol dmenott o her ebecaus eyouhaveki dsout comehome.Ihadbeengr owi ng her e.I ' m goi ngt ol etyous i t , mar i j uanaoutback,buti twasi na t s owhenyougetoutt hi st i me, di t chonSavannahpr oper t y ,and youwon’ tcomeback.I ' m goi ng t heci t ydeci dedt ocl earoutt he odoi tonFat her ' sDay di t ch.Is atacr os st hes t r eeti nt he t becaus eIknow youl ovet hem par ki ngl otwat chi ngpeopl ei n babi es . ” Is ai d,“ No,Ms . KobeBr yantandRayAl l en nt er s ,don' tdoi tonFat her ' s j er s eys ,under coverof f i cer s ,got o Wi Day . ”Is ati nt her eonFat her ' s myhous ewi t hbadges .Is aw Day .Thequi et es tt i mesoft he t hem comi ngoutwi t hpl ant son yeari nj ai l i sonChr i s t mas , t hei rs houl der s ,s owhatdi dI Fat her ' sDay ,andMot her ’ s do?Event houghMar cyt ol d Day .Mot her ’ sDaybecaus e

youcan' ts eeyourmama.You’ r e i ns i de,andyou’ r eadaddy ,or youneverhadadaddy .I t ’ squi et , andyou’ r et hi nki ngabouti tal l . Theonl yt hi ngyouhearnow i s commer ci al af t ercommer ci al . Angel : Real l y? Ber nar d: Yeah.Commer ci al af t er commer ci al unt i l aboutt wo o' cl ocki nt heeveni ng.Then, s omebodywi l l j us ts ay ,“ Happy Fat her ’ sDay ,f el l as , ”and ever ybodywi l l s t ar ts ayi ng, yeah,yeah,yeah.Then, ever ybody’ sbackt os hucki ng andj i vi ng.Thatwhol edaywe’ r e t hi nki ngabouty' al l .Manyof t hem f el l asIwasi nt her ewi t h di dn' twantt obei nt her e.I t ' sj us t mi s f or t unat eevent s .Somet i mes , i t ' sbi l l s ;i t ' spr es s ur ef r om t hi nki ng,“ I ’ m havi ngt hes e babi es ; ”s omet i mes ,i t ' seven pr i deorego. Angel : Haveyoubeenbackt oj ai l ? Ber nar d: Neveraf t ert hat .Youcan’ tkeep meawayf r om mybabi esbut onet i me,butIhadt obet es t ed.I hadt obet es t edt os eei fIwas goi ngt ogobackbecaus eIgot t hes ebabi es ,andIdon' twant t hem t ocomeupt hes amewayI di d.Theyai n’ tgr owi ngweed. Theyai n’ tcl i mbi ngt el ephone pol es–noneoft hat .Daddyt ook t hem s car s ,s t r i pes ,andj ai l t i me t ogett hem r i ght .Thatt aught meabi gl es s on.WhenIgotout , Igaves omenew t hi ngsat r y .I metwi t hamannamedMr . Char l i eBr ownwhot aughtmea

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mor ni ng.Nobody’ soutt her eat f r i endofmi negotusi nt oMay f our ,f i vei nt hemor ni ng,but Par kCommuni t yCent erdowni n meandol dpeopl e. t hehood.Then,Iwor kedt hem on Butever yweekt heys aw me t hecour t .Theywer ebui l di ng get t i ngs mal l er ,s mal l er , mus cl e,bur ni ngf at ,andgai ni ng s t r onger .I tgott ot hepoi nt s ki l l s .Thepar ent ss t ar t edas ki ng wher ei fImi s s edadayand met ot r ai nt hei rs onsand wentbackout ,t hey’ ds ay daught er sdur i ngt hehol i days . t hi ngsl i ke,“ Heyyoungf el l ow, Peopl ebegi nt os ay ,“ Ber nar d, wher eyoubeen? ”and“ Iwas yous houl dbeaper s onal t r ai ner . goi ngt or unar oundwi t hyou Haveyouevert houghtabout t oday . ”St uf fl i ket hat .Iwas t hat ? ”Somepar ent ss t ar t edt o t ur ni ngi nt ot hepar kher o.I as kmet ohel pt hem l os ewei ght di dn’ tas kf ort hat .Ij us twant ed l i keIhel pedt hei rchi l dr en.Idi dn’ t new game.Het aughtmeabout t o b e i n s h a p e , s o I c o u l d c u t k n o w wh a t t o t h i n k . I wa s n ’ t r e a l l y t hei mpor t anceofcr edi t .Il ear ned mygr as s ,changemyoi l ,r ai s e aper s onal t r ai nerl i ket hat ,but keyboar di ng,andIevenwentt o my k i d s , a n d c l e a n s o me s o me t i me s , t h e g a me c h o o s es s emi nar swher et heywer e c a r p e t s a n d c l e a n mo r e t o i l e t s y o u , a n d y o u c a n ’ t j u s t p u t t h aton t eachi ngt hi ngsl i keRi chDad, b e c a u s e w e w e r e c l e a n i n g a s h i r t . T h e g a me i s i n y o u ; i t ’ s not PoorDad. hous esatt hatt i me.Ij us tgot onyou. t i r edofbei ngf at ,andIdi dn’ t Angel : wa n t a n y b o d y e l s e t o f e e l l i k e Ever yday ,Icomei nt hi sgym,and Whendi df i t nes sent eryourl i f e? t hat .It houghtt omys el f ;t hi s s omet i mes ,mymi ndi sgone.My bodyi sapr i s on.I t ’ snotabody s pi r i ti sdown.Mybodyi sachi ng, Ber nar d: a n y mo r e . T h e b o d y t u r n s i n t o a b u t I ’ v e s t i l l g o t t o d e l i v e r b e c a us e Li f es t ar t edget t i ngal i t t l ebet t er . p r i s o n , a n d n o w I ’ v e g o t t o l i v e I ’ m wo r k i n g wi t h s o me b o d y ’ s Mar cydonehadal l t hes ebabi es . nt hi sj oker .That ' swhenI aunt i e,br ot her ,gr andmama,and I ’ vedonemyl i t t l ej ai l t i me,andwe i s t a r t e d r e a l i z i n g I ' m n o t my n o n e o f t h a t s t u f f p er t ai nst o endedupbacki nAugus t a.Now, b o d y . T h a t ’ s wh y my b u s i n e s s t h e m. E v e n o n my wo r s t d a y s ,I ’ m I ' m get t i ngf at .I ' m encas edi na l o g o r e p r e s e n t s t h e mi n d , b o d y , i n h e r e . A f t e r my s o n wa s k i l l e d , I di f f er ents hel l .Ihadgonef r om a n d s p i r i t . My b o d y b r e a t h e s s a w h i m o u t t h e r e i n t h e s t r e e t . bei ngat r ackandf i el ds t arat t houtmeandbl i nkswi t hout Jer omeBat es ,Godbl es st he SavannahSt at et obei ngaf atguy . wi me , b u t I ’ v e g o t t o g i v e i t wh a t d e a d , a n d t h a t ’ s a s h o u t o u tt o I tcamef r om I ' m eat i ng;s he’ s i t n e e d s . My s p i r i t i s me , a n d J e r o me B a t e s . T wo o ’ c l o c k i n t he eat i ng.A l otoft hatcamef r om t h e mi n d i s a s k i n g wh y I ’ m mo r n i n g I g o t t h a t c a l l o n J a n u a r y depr es s i onandnotknowi ng d o i n g t h i s c r a z y s t u f f . I t n e e d s 1 9 , 2 0 2 0 . I h a d t o g o i d e n t i f y h i s wher eyournextt hi sort hat ogi cal expl anat i onf ort hi ngs , bodyandans werques t i onsi nan comi ngf r om,butIus edal l t hatas al a n d s o me d a y s , I ’ v e j u s t g o t t o e mp t y r o o m. T h e n e x t t h i n g I f uel .Al l myl i f e,It ol dmys el f ,“ You t el l i t ,“ Man,j us tbecaus eyou’ r e know,i twasal mos tf i veo’ cl ock ai n’ tnovi ct i m Nar d.Us eal l t hi s . ” wo r t h y . ” b o o t c a mp t i me , a n d I wa s l i mi t ed Spor t sdi dal otf orme,es peci al l y My k i d s w e r e g o i n g t o o n h e l p . I s u c k e d i t u p a n d c a me i n whent heyt r as ht al ki ngand I mma c u l a t e C o n c e p t i o n , my o l d h e r e t h a t d a y a n d p u t i n t h a t wo r k s ayi ngwhatyoucan’ tdo.Ther e mi ddl es chool .A s chool t hat l i kei tneverhappened.The ar et hr eet hi ngsIcan’ ts t and– o n c e h a d c h a mp i o n t e a ms , h a r d es tt hi ngi sdoi ngt hi sover t el l i ngmeIcan’ tdos omet hi ng, d i d n ’ t e v e n h a v e a b a s k e t b a l l a n d o v e r a n d o v e r . I t c a t c hesup notknowi ngs omet hi ng,and t e a m, s o I v o l u n t e e r e d a s t h e wi t h y o u , a n d y o u ’ v e g o t t ogo bei ngaf r ai dofs omet hi ng.Igot b a s k e t b a l l c o a c h . I wa s a n d h a v e t h a t g o o d b r e a k d own. i r edofwaki ngupf atf ors ome t c l e a n i n g c a r p e t s a n d r u n n i n g T h a t ’ s t h e h u ma n i n me , a n d t hat ’ s r eas on.Fors omes t r anger eas onI e v e r y d a y wi t h t h e m l i t t l e b o y s . j u s t a n e x p e r i e n c e . I ’ v e l e a r n e d keptwaki ngupatt hr eeo' cl ocki n Wedi dn’ tevenhaveagym at myexper i encei snotwhoIam.I ’ m t hemor ni ng.I ’ dbeupwal ki ng f i r s t . We w e r e o u t s i d e wi t h a s p i r i t h a v i n g a n a t u r a l ar oundBel l eTer r aceever y s not t ynos esandnocoat s .A exper i ence.Iknow Igot hr ough

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s omeoft hi ss t uf fbecaus et her e wi l l bepeopl et hatcomet omy gym whoar egoi ngt hr oughwor s e t hi ngst hanme. Angel : Yes .Iunder s t andandagr eewi t h you. Ber nar d: Thats ameyear ,oneofmycl i ent s , whol os tahundr edpounds ,l os t hi sgr andbaby .Hedi dn’ tt el l meat t het i me,buthes ai dhewasi n her et hes amedayhi sgr andbaby wasgone.Hes ai d,“ Nar d,Idi dn’ t wantt ocome, ”buthewor kedout i nt ear s ,andIwasr i ghtt her ewi t h hi m becaus ei twast womont hs pr i ort hatmys onwaski l l ed.I ’ m l i ke,man,peopl ear egoi ng t hr oughal l t hi s ,andt heys t i l l come i nandt r yt odot hi s .

hands ;wewer eatt he cr emat i onofmyf avor i t eaunt i e att heSavannahRi ver .Iyel l ed, “ Bel i ndaDenni s ,Bel i nda Denni s ! ”Shewasr unni ngand s ai d,“ Ah,Deni s e? ”Is ai d,“ Oh, I ’ ms or r y .Bel i ndaDeni s e…oh, t hi smyaunt i e,andI ’ m Ber nar d Gr acy . ”Shes ai d,“ Oh,you’ r e Ki ngBer nar dGr acy .You’ r et al l er i nper s on. ”Is ai d,“ You’ r es hor t i nper s on.It houghtyouwer ea l i t t l et al l ert hant hat . ”Thatwas t hef i r s tt i meImether ,ands he al wayshasanencour agi ng wor d,andal otoft hes t uf fs he s ayshel pst obr i ngmeoutof dar knes s .

pi ckeduponepi eceofpaper …” Angel : Ber nar d,t hi shasbeens uchar i ch, r obus tconver s at i on.I t ’ scr az yt hat at went ymi nut ei nt er vi ew has t ur nedi nt oanhour l ong conver s at i on,butIwantt os ay t hankyouf ort r us t i ngmeand SpeakUpSi st os har es odeepl y andvul ner abl y . Ber nar d: Youar ever ywel come,andIt hank youf ors uchagr eatoppor t uni t yt o s har emys t or y .

Angel :We’ l l wr apwi t ht hi sf i nal ques t i on.I fyoucoul ds peak Angel : di r ect l yt ot heper s onr eadi ngt hi s s at i on,whatpi eceof Per s onal t r ai ni ngs oundsagr eat conver s dom woul dyougi vet hem? deal l i ket eachi ng,coachi ngand wi ment or i ng.Hel pi ngot her scan nar d: r eal l ywearyououti fyoudon’ t Ber haves omeonet ohel pyoucar r y Don’ ts t op.Don’ tqui t .Youwentup Angel : yourownbur dens .Tr us tme,I agai ns t280mi l l i ons per m cel l s , Ber nar d,Ihearyous ayi ng,l i s t en, dmor ehel pcomeyour andyou’ r et heonewhomadei t . s omet hi ngmus tgi veats omepoi nt know.Di way? Now t hatyou’ vebeenbor n,you’ r e becaus et hi si st oomuch.Ial s o goi ngupagai ns t8. 5bi l l i ons per m under s t andi fs omet hi ngdoes n’ t cel l swi t har msandl egss t r apped Ber nar d: gi vet hens omet hi ngi sgoi ngt o t ot hem.Jus tkeeps wi mmi ng. Manypeopl ehavecome br eak.Whatdoyoudowhenyou wi mmi ng,man. hr oughandwor kedher eatt he Keeps f i ndyour s el fi nt hatpl ace?How do t gym.I ’ vehel pedt hem cr eat e youcr eat et hegi ve? car eer s .Peopl edon’ tal ways Angel : agr eewi t ht hes ys t emsIhavei n Il ovei t ! Ber nar d: ace,s ot heyl eave,andi thur t s Ohyeah.A l otofs t uf fbr oke.Ihad pl l i kehel l whenyoui nvi t epeopl e Ber nar d’ sCont actDet ai l s : t obr eakbel i efs ys t emsl i ke i nt oyourhome,f eedt hem, r el i gi on;Iembr aceds pi r i t ual i t y .I Webs i t e: t r eatt hem l i kef ami l y ,andt hey hadt or eal i z et her ei s n’ tanyt hi ng www. gr acyel i t ef i t nes s . com/ akef r om youands t abyoui n outher et hatcoul ds aveme.Seek t t heback.Angel ,noneoft hem Facebook: f i r s tt heki ngdom ofGod.Wher e wer easl oyal asMi ni me.Thi s www. f acebook. com/ Gr acyEl i t ef i t n doesGodl i ve?I ns i deus .Iwent whol et al ki st hebehi ndt he es s i ns i de.Ipr ayed,medi t at ed,as ked s cenest hatmos tpeopl edon’ t Addr es s :3254Wr i ght s bor oRd, Godt ohel pme,t os endmet he os eeaboutme.Theys ee Augus t a,GA 30909 r i ghtf ol ks ,t os endmeaf r i endl i ke gett t hes mi l eyf ace,butpeopl e me–Mi ni me. needt oknow t hatIf eel pai n That“ l i l ”onei scr az y .Shegotan t oo.And,Iknow,wecan’ t ener gi z erbat t er yi ns i deher ,and otf r om ot her s ,butwe s hel ovespeopl e.I t ’ shar dt omake expectal canchangeour s el ves .I fwedo herhat eyou.It houghtt hehel p bet t erwi t hs el f ,wecanchange wasgoi ngt obeadude.It r yt o hi swhol es pot .Li kemy t eachherever yt hi ngIknow.If i r s t t gr andmamas ai d,“ I foneper s on metherwi t hmyaunt i ei nmy

Wes uppor tl ocal communi t i esacr os st he gl obe. Thankyouf or i nvi t i ngSpeakUpSi s Magaz i net oyourEv ent s . Gr andOpeni ngof Ki t chenKi ngsxNat t a’ sSweetTr eat s

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NESS W OMENBUSI i n

S P O T L IG H T

RenattaEarl y Renat t aEar l y ,ownerandheadbakerofNat t a’ sSweetTr eat sgr ew upi nAl l endal eCount y ,Sout h Car ol i naandgr aduat edf r om Al l endal eFai r f axHi ghSchool .Af t ergr aduat i on,s heat t endedt he Uni ver s i t yofSout hCar ol i naUps t at eandr ecei vedabachel or ’ sdegr eei nBus i nes s Admi ni s t r at i on/ Account i ngi n201 2. I n201 5,Renat t a’ shobbyofbaki ngbecameherpas s i on.She begant ot akebaki ngs er i ous l yasabus i nes swhi l ecr eat i ng s weett r eat st hatnotonl yl ookedphenomenalbutt as t ed evenbet t er !OnMay22,2021 ,s hes wungopent hedoor s t oherf i r s ts t or ef r ont ,Nat t a’ sSweetTr eat sl ocat edi n Bar nwel l ,SC. Wi t ht hes ucces soft heBar nwel ll ocat i on,Nat t a’ s expandedi nt oAugus t a,GA andcannow bef ound i ns i det heAugus t aMal landt henewl yopened Ki t chenKi ngsxNat t a’ sSweetTr eat sr es t aur ant whi chhadi t sgr andopeni ngSat ur day ,May20, 2023. I fyou’ r eeveri nt heCSRA/ Augus t ar egi on, s t opbyandt r ys omeofheri ncr edi bl e t as t i ngconf ect i ons ! Connectwi t hRenat t aandf i ndNat t a’ s Sweett r eat sat : Nat t a’ sSweetTr eat s 39Fr ankl i nSt r eet ,Bar nwel l ,SC2981 2 Ki t chenKi ngsxNat t a’ sSweetTr eat s 1 370Gor donHwy ,Augus t a,GA 30901 Webs i t e: www. nat t as s weet t r eat s . com

Mar ch1-31 ,2023 TO PIC:

TO PIC: TO PIC:

Gr acedf orThi s " Wehavet obecar ef ult o choos eal i gnmentover al l egi ance.Weneedt ochoos e t obei napl acewher ewe' r e s uppos edt ober at hert hani na pl acewher ewear e. "

Fi ndi ngMeAgai n( Whi l e Wal ki ngi nGod’ sPur pose) " I fyoueverneedanyt hi ng,i fyou everneedt ot al kt os omeone, needs uppor t ,orneedahug,i f youhaveaques t i onr eachoutt o mebecaus et hat ' smypur pos e. Mypur pos ei st ohel pot her women. "

Keni t r aMason

TO PIC:

Jus tKeepPus hi ng " Is t r ongl ybel i evedGodnever putanyt hi ngonyout hatyou cannothandl e.Is t r ongl yand t r ul ybel i evehewi l lnotput anyt hi ngonyout hatyoucannot handl ei nt hi sl i f e.Sokeep pus hi ng. "

TheWor ki sYou! " Is t ar t edmyj our neyasan ent r epr eneurt hi nki ngt hati fI wor kedhar denough,Iwoul dbe s ucces s f ul .Iwasbus ydoi ng t hi ngsbutnotget t i ngt her es ul t sI des i r ed,whi chl edmet oa r evel at i on.Thi sr evel at i onwast he pr act i ceofs el f act ual i zat i on, whi chpr oducest hedes i r ed r es ul t s . "

Adr i anBr oadway

Kr yst alGl enn

TO PIC:

Taki ngi tDaybyDay

TO PIC:

WhoKnew? " Embr aci ngourexper i encescan hel pusl ear nandgr ow.When wef acechal l engesors et backs , wel ear nf r om t hem andgai n s t r engt hf r om over comi ngt hem. Byembr aci ngt hes el ows ,we canbet t erappr eci at et hehi ghs whent heycomeourway . "

At i yaMoor e

" Ihadt odi gdeeperwi t hi n mys el ft of i nds omet hi ngt hat coul ds uppl ementmyhus band' s i ncomewhenhebecames i ck andunabl et ocar ef ort he home. "

Cat har i ne Mont gomer y

Shant r el lSi mmons

TO PIC:

Embr acet heJour ney ( El i mi nat i ngDi st r act i ons) " Godi sgood,butwhatt heenemy does n' twantyout odoi ss peak upandembr acet hej our neyof l i f e.Theenemywant syout o r emai ni nbondage,t or ment ed, anddi s t r act ed,s ot hatyouwon' t hel ps omeoneel s eembr acet hei r j our ney . "

TO PIC:

Wat erYourDr eams " Youmus tl ear nt os how your s el f s omegr aceandvi ew your s el fas as pi r i t ualgar denerwhopl ant s t hes eedsofl ove,compas s i on, pat i ence,andki ndnes s . "

Robi nI ngr am Rachi elMor r i son

Fr eeYour s el f " Al lmyl i f e,Ial wayss t r uggl ed wi t hmyi dent i t yunt i lIhadan encount erwi t ht heLor d,andt he wor dofGodgavemeami nds et s hi f t .Youcanbef r eef r om your pas tandt ur ni tar oundf or good.I t ' snotabouthow you s t ar t ,buthow youf i ni s h.Fr ee your s el ff r om yourpas t . "

Ni col eDudl ey

TO PIC: TO PIC:

TO PIC:

MyExper i encesDon' t Def i neMe

Of ft heBeat enPat h( Wher et he Begi nni ngandt heNow Meet )

" Yourj our neyi si mpor t ant .Your hi l l sandyourval l eysar eal lpar t oft hej our ney .Bet r ans par ent wi t hyour s el fandknow t hat yourexper i encesdon' tdef i ne you.Fi ndyourgi f tami ds tyour chal l enges . "

Cassandr aTer r y

" Ihavedi s cover edmor eaboutl i f e byl ooki ngwi t hi nandnotout s i de. Fi ndwhati smi s s i ngbeyondwhat wecal lt heAmer i candr eam. Ther ei smor et ol i f e,andwehave t of i ndt hemi s s i ngpi eceoft he puzzl e.I nyours ear ch,youwi l l di s covert heper s onyouwer e bor nt obe-yourpur pos e. "

Fr om Or phant o Mot i vat i onalSpeaker " I tt ookmes omet i met omove f r om mypas tofbei nganor phan t obecomi ngamot i vat i onal s peaker .Igr ew upf eel i ngr ej ect ed andabandoned,ands oIi s ol at ed mys el f .ThenIneededt of al li n l ovewi t hGodandgetbackt o mys el f .Yourbads t or yi s def i ni t el ynott heendofyour j our ney . "

Ant i guaMar t i n

Jani ceSi ms

TO PIC:

Embr aceyourAut hent i cEssence ( Recl ai mi ngyourpoweri n per sonalst yl e) " Ther ei schaosi nempt i nes s . Youmus tdi s covert heper s on youwantt obeandwhatyour es s enceandener gyf eell i ke.The beaut yofl i f ei si ns hi ni ngi nyour aut hent i ces s ence. "

Jessi kaCox

TO PIC:

Fr eet oFLOW

TO PIC:

Ever ydayBeaut y " I nor dert obef r eet of l ow,you mus tl etgoandr emovet he l i mi t sonyourf ai t h,obedi encet o God,andemot i onalbaggage.I f yout aket het i met opr oces s youremot i ons ,youwi l ll ear nt o f r eeyourener gyandf l ow wi t houtr es t r i ct i on.Thi si saway t oempowerandl i ber at e your s el f . "

" Beaut ygoesbeyondt he phys i cal .I t ' sahol i s t i cconcept . We' r edes i gnedt ol i vef r om t he i ns i deoutandnotf r om t he out s i dei n.Yourt r uebeaut y comesf r om youres s enceand i nnerper s onal i t y .Youmus tt ake car eofyours pi r i tands oulas muchasyout akecar eofyour out war ds el f . "

Onni ePoe

JayRober t s

TO PIC:

DoI tScar ed " Yourpl ayi ngs mal ldoesnots er ve t hewor l d.Yours hr i nki ngdoesnot benef i tanyone.Whatar eyou af r ai dof ?Whatar eyour obs t acl es ?What everyour chal l engesar e,f eelt hef earand doi tanyway .Doi ts car ed! "

NaomiWi l l i ams

TO PIC:

Pur pos eSavedMe

Fi ndi ngPur pos e Thr oughPai n

" Ial waysknew s omet hi ngwas mi s s i ng.Deepdowni ns i de,Ihad f ear s ;If el tl onel yand abandoned.Butmypur pos e f oundmeandr es t or edmeback t oj oy . "

" Ther ei sapur pos ei nyourpai n. Gr i efi st hepr i cewepayt ohave l oved.Li f et eachesushow t o gr ow ar oundt hatpai n,andi n t hatpr oces s ,youwi l lf i ndyour pur pos e. "

Adr i anTur ner

Tr acyDancy

HOW TOBUI L DAPERSONALBRAND THATST ANDSTHETESTOFTI ME BY: CJBENJ AMI N

nt oday' sdi gi t al age,bui l di nga per s onal br andhasbecomean es s ent i al par tofper s onal and pr of es s i onal s ucces s .However , cr eat i ngabr andt hats t andst he t es toft i mer equi r esas t r at egi c andi nt ent i onal appr oach.Iwant t ohel pyouexpl or et i psonhow t o cr eat eaper s onal br andt hati s t i mel es sanddur abl eandcan adaptt ochangesi nyourl i f eand car eer . Def i neYourVal uesandMi s s i on Bef or eyoucanbui l daper s onal br and,i t ' scr uci al t odef i neyour val uesandmi s s i on.Whatdoyou s t andf or ?Whatar eyourgoal s andas pi r at i ons ?Under s t andi ng yourcor eval uesandmi s s i onwi l l hel pyoucr eat eabr andt hat r ef l ect swhoyouar eandwhat yous t andf or . BeAut hent i c Aut hent i ci t yi st hekeyt obui l di ng aper s onal br andt hats t andst he t es toft i me.Bet r uet oyour s el f andyourval ues ,anddon' tt r yt o bes omeoneyou' r enot .Peopl e cans potaf akef r om ami l eaway , andi t ' si mpor t antt obui l dt r us t andcr edi bi l i t ywi t hyouraudi ence.

t obui l di ngaper s onal br and t hats t andst het es toft i me. Devel opacons i s t enti mage t hatr ef l ect syourval uesand mi s s i on.Us eacons i s t ent col ours cheme,f ont ,and des i gnel ement sacr os sal l your onl i nepl at f or ms ,i ncl udi ngyour webs i t e,s oci al medi apr of i l es , andemai l mar ket i ng campai gns . FocusonBui l di ng Rel at i ons hi ps Bui l di ngr el at i ons hi psi scr uci al f orbui l di ngaper s onal br and t hats t andst het es toft i me. Engagewi t hyouraudi enceby r es pondi ngt ocomment s , s har i ngval uabl econt ent ,and of f er i ngs uppor tandadvi ce. Focusonbui l di ngacommuni t y ar oundyourbr andt hats har es yourval uesandmi s s i on.

evol ve.Keepanopenmi ndand bewi l l i ngt ol ear nnew s ki l l sand expl or enew oppor t uni t i es . Bui l di ngaper s onal br andt hat s t andst het es toft i mer equi r esa s t r at egi candi nt ent i onal appr oach.Def i neyourper s onal val uesandmi s s i on,beaut hent i c, es t abl i s hyouronl i nepr es ence, bui l dacons i s t enti mage,f ocuson bui l di ngr el at i ons hi ps ,s t aycur r ent andr el evant ,andbef l exi bl eand adapt abl e.Byf ol l owi ngt hes et i ps , youcancr eat eaper s onal br and t hatr ef l ect swhoyouar eand whatyous t andf or ,andt hatcan adaptt ochangesi nyourl i f eand car eer .

St ayCur r entandRel evant Tobui l daper s onal br andt hat s t andst het es toft i me,i t ' s es s ent i al t os t aycur r entand r el evant .Keepupwi t ht he l at es tt r endsandnewsi nyour i ndus t r y ,ands har eyour i ns i ght sandopi ni onswi t hyour audi ence.St ayact i veons oci al medi aandpar t i ci pat ei n Es t abl i s hYourOnl i nePr es ence i ndus t r yevent sand I nt oday' sdi gi t al age,havi nga er ences . s t r ongonl i nepr es encei ses s ent i al conf f orbui l di ngaper s onal br and. BeFl exi bl eandAdapt abl e St ar tbycr eat i ngawebs i t eor Fi nal l y ,bui l di ngaper s onal bl ogt hats howcas esyour andt hats t andst het es tof exper t i s eandi nt er es t s .Us es oci al br t i mer equi r esf l exi bi l i t yand medi apl at f or msl i keLi nkedI n, adapt abi l i t y .Bef or eyour Twi t t er ,andI ns t agr am t obui l d Connectwi t hCJBenj ami nat per s onal br andt akesi t sf ul l yournet wor kands har eyour www. br andr oom. i ooremai l f or m,youwi l l evol vet hr ough cont entwi t hawi deraudi ence. cont act @br andr oom. i o t hepr oces s .Bewi l l i ngt opi vot andchangedi r ect i onasyour Bui l daCons i s t entI mage nt er es t sandcar eergoal s Cons i s t encyi skeywheni tcomes i

KNOW YOURMONEY

BY: VAL ERI ECHAMPI ON

i r s t ,l etmej us ts ayIam no exper t .I ’ m her et os har e whathaswor kedf orme. Ther ewasat i mewhenI t houghtpayi ngyour s el fmeant goi ngs hoppi ngf oranew out f i twhenIr ecei vedmy paycheck.Ihadj us tgot t en hi r edf ormyf i r s tr eal cor por at ej ob,s ot hati dea r es onat edwi t hme.It hought t omys el f ,“ Ineeds omenew cl ot hesanyway . ”Oh,wasI wr ong!Thi spaymys el fwi t ha s hoppi ngs pr eei deawas pl ant edi nmymi ndby s omeonever ycl os et ome, andIs hal l nots ayt hei rname.I wi l l s ayt hatIl ear nedt hehar d way .

outher e?Si mpl yknow your Her ear es omer es our cest o money . checkoutf oras s i s t ance. Takeaf ew hour st or ecor d DaveRams eyyouri ncomei nonecol umn ht t ps : / / www. r ams eys ol ut i ons . c andt henr ecor dyour om/ ar t i cl es ? s ni d=ar t i cl es expens esi nanot hercol umn. Mi cr os of tAddeachcol umn ht t ps : / / t empl at es . of f i ce. com/ en i ndi vi dual l y .Then,s ubt r act us / per s onal mont hl ybudget t yourmont hl yexpens esf r om m041 01 071 youri ncome.Spend30t o 60dayst r acki ngwhatyou Oh,andonemor et hi ng.Pr ay , buywi t hyourmoney Pr ay ,Pr ay!As kGodf or i ncl udi ngyourbi l l s .Youwi l l wi s dom i nbei ngagood ei t herbei nt hepos i t i ve s t ewar doveryourf i nances .I ( bl ack)ori nt henegat i ve hadt odoi tandi twor ked! ( r ed) .I fyouar ei nt her ed,i t i st i met ogetr eal about

Idi dnotgr ow upi na hous ehol dt hatt aughtmoney management .Il ear nedasI went .Ihadnocl uehow much moneyIwasbr i ngi ngi n,what wasneededt ocovermybi l l s orwhatmoneywasgoi ngout . Idi dnothaveas avi ngs account .Al l t hes et hi ngswer e s i mpl yt hemaki ngofaf i nanci al cr i s i s . Payi ngyour s el ff i r s t ,i sput t i ng moneyas i deori nas avi ngs accountf orar ai nyday .When al ar gef i nanci al emer gencyor pur chas ecomesup,youhave f undst ous e.Manypeopl e, andIwasoneoft hem,ar e Connectwi t hVal er i eChampi on i gnor antt ot hef actt hatyou www. i amval er i echampi on. com s houl dhaveatl eas ts i xmont hs f orhous ehol dexpens ess aved. So,whatam It r yi ngt opoi nt

GROWI NG MI NDS, GUARDI NG HEARTS

myvi s i oni nt eachi ngand hol dsmei nhi sar mswhenI havef al l ens hor t .

REALTALK

MOMENTS

Theki dsenj oyr eadi ngan es s ayal oudt ohi m or Ar eWePr epar edf ort he demons t r at i ngt hel at es t Mar r i ageorJus tt he magi ct r i ckt hey' ve ng? l ear ned.Andbel i eveme,when Weddi “ Got ot hePr i nci pal ’ sOf f i ce! ” t hedaysar el ong,If eel l i ke r oundt hegl obe,coupl es pul l i ngoutmyhai r ,andIam a n d f a mi l i e s s p e n d ep,eveni nt he chas i ngmychi l dr ent hr ough mi l l i onsofdol l ar sf ort he homes chool i ng t hehous e,pr ocl ai mi ng," You weddi ngday .Thecos toft he envi r onment ,t her ear e j us twai t‘ t i l yourf at herget s ngi ncl udespayi ngf or t i mest hatr equi r eourchi l dr ent o home! "Is ur eam gl adhei sour weddi i nvi t at i ons ,br i dal s hower s , r epor tt ot he" pr i nci pal . "Wehave pr i nci pal . weddi ngdr es s es ,t uxedos , onei nourhome,andt r us tme,I f l ower s ,f ood,cake,et c.I tcan am notaf r ai dt ous eHI M!You Weneedyou,men.Weval ue l eavecoupl esover whel medand gues s edi t ;myhus bandi st he you.Wedon' twantt odol i f e anxi ous .Thecos tf ort he pr i nci pal . wi t houtyou!Thankyous o weddi ngaddst ot hel i s tof muchf ort heact i ver ol eyou t r i g g e r s t h a t c a u s e n e r v ous Iwant edt oi ncl udea t akei nourl i vesandour j i t t e r s i n a n t i c i p a t i o n o f t he homes chool i ngt opi ct hatwoul d chi l dr en' sl i ves .Whet heryou w e d d i n g d a y . T h e b r i d e i s compl ementourexci t i ngMen' s ar eadaddy ,anuncl e,a as s i s t edbybr i des mai dst ohel p i Edi t onofSpeakUpSi s !Magaz i ne. br ot her ,agr andpa,a herar r ayj ewel sandpr ot ectt he Whatbet t erwayt ocel ebr at e hus band,orament or ,your dr es sf r om bei ngs mear edwi t h t hes es t r ongandcour ageous s t r engt handl eader s hi par e makeup.Thegr oom andhi s ment hant ohi ghl i ghtt hei r val uedand gr ooms menwai tpr oudl ynear i mpor t ancei nahomes chool i ng appr eci at ed. t hepr i es ti ns uppor toft hei r envi r onment ?Des i gnedby f r i endont hi snew j our ney . Fat herGodt obet hel eader sof Asal ways ,Mar ch4t h, Fami l ymember ss i ti nt hei rs eat s ourf ami l y ,i ti ss uchanat ur al Li s a t owat cht hei rf ami l ymember s pos i t i onf ort hecher i s hedmen exchangevows .I thasbeena i nourl i vest of i l l . whi r l wi ndi npr epar at i onf ort hi s momentandf i nal l yt hecoupl e Idomos toft hedai l yt eachi ng, s eal st hei rf ut ur ewi t haki s s . s pr i nkl edi nwi t hs omebr i l l i ant Camer af l as hesf l oodt he andexci t i ngonl i nei ns t r uct or s r omant i cmomentandgues t s whot eachmychi l dr ens ubj ect sI l eapf r om t hei rs eat si nj oy .The don' tchoos et ot each.Mos tof br i dal par t yi ses cor t edt o t hei rwor ki scr i t i quedbyme, pi ct ur es quevi ewst ocapt ur et he pr ai s edbyme,anddevel oped beaut yoft heday .Thedayi sa byme.However ,t her ei saneed bl urast het woar es weptaway f ors omeoneabovemet ohel p t ocel ebr at et hei rnupt i al sand keepusont r ack.Myhus band' s e n j o y t i me o n t h e i r h o n e y moon. " pr i nci pal "r ol ei nour L i s a T a y l o r homes chool i ngj our neyi svi t al . Fol l owerofJesus,Wi f e,Ho- Muchpr epar at i onwenti nt ot he Hehel pst aket hel oadwhenI weddi ngday ,buthavewe cannot .Hecel ebr at esaj obwel l meschool i ngMomma,Mul pr oper l ypr epar edf ort he doneandr ewar dsourki dswhen t i busi nessOwnerSur vi vi ng mar r i age?Ir ai s et hi sques t i on hewi t nes s est hei rbes tef f or thas Gr i efJaden’ sMommy a f t e r wi t n e s s i n g c o u n t l e s s beengi ven.Hei sanexcel l ent 06/ 25/ 07-03/ 04/ 2008 cel ebr i t i esandpeer sget di s ci pl i nar i anwhent hati swhati s d i v o r c e d wi t h i n t h e f i r s tyearof needed.I naddi t i on,hehel ps Let ’ st al k.Emai lmeat ma r r i a g e . S e v e r a l q u e s t i onsar i s e keepmeaccount abl et oachi eve GMGHear t s@gmai l . com f r om t hes hockofhear i ngoft he

s uddendi vor ce.What ourcommuni t yt ohel ppr ot ect happened?Whatchanged?Was andt omai nt ai nt hes anct i t yof i ti nt er nal orext er nal pr es s ur e mar r i age. t hatr us hedt heweddi ng?Each per s onhashi s / herown per s onal i t yandi di os yncr as i es t hatar ebr oughti nt ot he r el at i ons hi p.I tcanbechal l engi ng t oadj us tper s onal pat t er nsand behavi or s .Thi schangecan cr eat ef r i ct i oni nt hel i vesof newl yweds .Ar ewepr epar edf or t hes mal l f oxest hats poi l t he vi ne?Coupl esar gueover t oot hpas t e,l aundr y ,di r t ydi s hes , s chool l unches ,et c.Coupl esar e f i ght i ngaboutwhi chwayt o Lat oyaWashi ngt on hangt oi l etpaperi nt he A ser vant ,wi f e,aut hor , bat hr oom.Count l es scoupl es al mi st ,andent r epr eneur haves epar at edf r om t hes es mal l ps www. RhemaCr eat i onz. com f oxes . However ,bei ngunpr epar eddoes notmeanyourmar r i agewi l l f ai l . Somecoupl esf ai rt he t ur bul ence.Ther ear emoment s i nmar r i agewhencompr omi s ei s neces s ar yt opr eventdi s cor d bet weenahus bandandwi f e. Har dconver s at i onsar er equi r ed t ohel pmai nt ai nuni t yi nt he mar r i age,andt hef ocuschanges f r om s i ngul art opl ur al .I ti sno l ongeraboutf ul f i l l i ngone’ sown needsanddes i r es ,butbei ng cogni z antofbot hpar t i es ’ per s pect i ves .Bot hi ndi vi dual s mus tbewi l l i ngt oputi nt hewor k t ohonoroneanot herandt hei r vows ,buti tappear sourcul t ur e pl acess i gni f i cant l ymor e emphas i sonpr epar i ngf ort he weddi ngdayt hanl i vi ngi nt he mar r i age. Manymar r i edcoupl eswi t hs t and adver s i t y .Wecel ebr at et hem andar egr at ef ul f ort hei r exampl esofper s ever ance.But wi t ht heal ar mi ngi ncr eas eof di vor cewi t hi nourcommuni t i es , wemus tas kour s el ves ,“ Ar ewe mor epr epar edf ort heweddi ng dayt hant hemar r i age? ” Pr ayer f ul l y ,wewi l l begi nt ohave mor eoft hes edi s cus s i onswi t hi n

LI FE LESSONS 1 01 BePr epar edf ort he Unexpect ed

wi t hdet our swedi dnotpl anor des i gnt obeont hecour s e. I ' veof t enhear di ts ai d," I fyou wantt omakeGodl augh,t el l Hi m yourpl ans . ”Now,I ' m nott el l i ng yout onotmakepl ansbutt obe pr epar edandopenonyour j our neyf ort hi ngst os omet i mes notgoorbeasyouexpect ed.I t maybepeopl et hatyout hought woul dbet her et os uppor tyou butar enot ,andpeopl ewhoyou t houghtwoul dn' tordi dn' teven know you-do.Youmayhave pr ayedapr ayerandt henal l hel l begant obr eakl oos es i mpl y becaus eyous ai d," Lor d,your wi l l bedone,Amen, "butyou di dn' tmeanl i ket hat !Youl os t s omef r i ends ,maybeevens ome f ami l ymember s .Yourwas her s t ar t edact i ngup.Yougota negat i ver epor tf r om t hedoct or , oryouj us tf oundoutyour pos i t i ononyourj obi sbei ng el i mi nat edi nt woweeks . Dur i ngt i mesl i ket hes e,I ' ve l ear nedt hatoneoft hemos t i mpor t antt hi ngsi st obei n pos i t i onf orGodt obl es syou.By pos i t i on,Idon' tneces s ar i l ymean phys i cal buts pi r i t ual .Wemus t havet her i ghtat t i t ude:oneof t r us t ,s ubmi s s i on,andgr at i t ude butmos ti mpor t ant l yobedi ence.

ass omet hi ngever happenedandyous ai d t oyour s el f ," Wel l ,Idi dn' t s eeTHATonecomi ng? " Maybe,youhadi nyourmi nd how youwant edt hes t epsof yourpl ant ogo,buti tj us t I fwecanl ear nt odi s ci pl i ne di dn' tgoqui t et hewayyou our s el vest os t ayi nt hi spos t ur e, pl annedi t ?Her e' sagoodone.. whent heunexpect edcomes .Youpr ayedt oGodaboutt hat andi twi l l wewi l l beequi pped " t hang"andhadi nyourmi nd t o" r i deoutt hes t or m. "Iam a j us thow Hewasgoi ngt odoi t , l i vi ngwi t nes st hatt he buti tdi dn' tgoanyt hi ngt he u n e x p e c t e d wi l l h a p pen,butover wayyous aw i torexpect edi t t i me , I ' m l e a r n i n g t h a tdoi ngwhat t ogo.Ont hecont r ar y ,i t G o d h a s i n s t r u c t e d me t o dohas s eemedt obet het ot al a l wa y s b e e n my " s a v i n g g r ace. " oppos i t eofhow youwoul d I s i t e a s y t o t r u s t h i m i n t h e mi d s t havedonei t . ofchaosort of i ndgr at i t ude whenever yt hi ngs eemst obe Wel l ,i nmyj our neyofl i f eand f a l l i n g a p a r t ? A B S O L U T E L YNOT! mywal koff ai t h,I ' vecomet o H o w e v e r , i t r e a l l y i s y o u r b es t l ear nI ' vegott obepr epar ed b e t , a n d j u s t wh e n y o u l e a s t f ort heunexpect edbecaus e expecti t ,t heunexpect edwi l l t hepat hwedes i r et ot aket o happen,andyou' l l l ookbackand ourdes t i nat i oni sof t enf i l l ed

s ay ," Wel l ,Idi dn' ts eeTHATone comi ng! " AsmyMommaal waysus edt o s ay ," Jus tkeeponl i vi ng. " PeaceandBl es s i ngs , MommaCooki e

Ol i vi a“Cooki e”Pont oo Act r ess,Si nger ,Encour ager ol i vi apont oo@gmai l . com Phot ocr edi t :Cr ys t alSmi t hMi l l er

PLANTI NG SEEDSOF GREATNESS

di r ect i onst hatcaus ebad out comes . Choos i ngGuar dRai l s : Asyouknow t hebowl i ngal l ey now hast heopt i onoft he guar dr ai l sf orbegi nner bowl er s .Theyhel pt oavoi d t hegut t er .Guar dr ai l sf or bowl er si ncr eas et he oppor t uni t yf ors ucces sand keepyourbal l i npos i t i ont o knockdowns omepi ns .Guar d r ai l shel pwi t hs el f es t eem, l i mi tf r us t r at i onandkeepyou i nt hegame.I nl i f e,guar dr ai l s ar ef ami l y ,yourvi l l age,r ul es , expect at i ons ,t eacher s , ext r acur r i cul aract i vi t i es .

El enaNeel y

Aut hor / Publ i sheratBl essonsForLi vi ng, LLC.whi chf ocusesonshar i ngl i f e’ s gr eat estl essonst ot heyoungestmi ndsi n anef f or tt oi nspi r e,andenr i chf ut ur e gener at i ons.

Goi ngf ort heSt r i ke: www. bl essonsf or l i vi ng. com Wewantt hebes tf orour chi l dr enandweal wayswant t hem t ohi tas t r i ke.Thes t r i ke i nt hi scas er epr es ent s YOUR r eachi ngs peci f i cgoal sand SPI RI TUAL accompl i s hment s .Goi ngf or TEA t hes t r i kemeansar egul ar f ocust os t r i vet obeyourbes t ; Togof ort hes t r i kei n YouAr eCal l ed ever yt hi ngyoudo.

Keepi ngScor e: I f y o u k n o w a n yt hi ngabout GoodPar ent i ngi sal otLi ke k e e p i n g s c o r e i n b owl i ng,you Bowl i ng know t hatyouwon’ tknow yournew s cor eaf t eras t r i ke ecent l ywhi l es i t t i ngi na o r s p a r e u n t i l y o u ma k e y o ur di ml yl i tbowl i ngal l ey n e x t mo v e . I n l i f e o n c e w e wai t i ngonmyt ur nt ogr ab accompl i s honet hi ngyoumay mybowl i ngbal l t odomybes t n o t s e e t h e o u t c o me / benef i t nott os endi ts t r ai ghtt ot he o f i t u n t i l y o u t a k e y o u r n e x t gut t er ,Ir eal i z edt hatpar ent i ngi s t ep.Wekeepourchi l dr en al otl i kebowl i ng.Al l ofas udden s ng. al l oft heanal ogi esr us hedi ns i de movi myhead.Ibetyout oocan Wi nni ngt heGame: not i cet hecommonal i t i es . Ul t i mat el yyouwantyourchi l d t o wi n t h e g a me o f l i f e . I n Avoi di ngt heGut t er : i ngt her ear es t epst o Aspar ent swewantourchi l dr en bowl wi n n i n g t h e g a me . Y o u n eed t os ucceed.Wewantt ogi veour s o me s t r i k e s , s o me s p a r e sand chi l dr ent hebes toppor t uni t i esi n p o i n t s . T h e s e mi l e s t o n e s l i f e.Thats t ar t swi t hens ur i ngt hat houl dbecel ebr at edandi n t heyavoi dt hegut t er .Avoi dbad s t h e e n d y o u wi n . E v e n i f y o u i nf l uences ,bads chool s ,dr ugs , don’ thavet het ops cor e,you gangs ,et c.Thes ear eknown WI N becaus eyouenj oyedt he

wi nsal ongt heway .You’ l l t hi nk oft hi sanal ogyt henextt i meyou bowl andI ’ m cer t ai nyou’ l l s ee s omet hi ngel s e.

nJer emi ah29: 1 1 ,Godt el l sus t hatHeknowst hepl ansHehas f orourl i ves .Pl anst hatwer el ai d outbef or et hef oundat i onoft he ear t h. “ ForGods avedusandcal l edus t ol i veahol yl i f e.Hedi dt hi s ,not becaus ewedes er vedi t ,but becaus et hatwasHi spl anf r om bef or et hebegi nni ngoft i me—t o s how usHi sgr acet hr oughChr i s t Jes us . ”2Ti mot hy1 : 9 Wemus tcomet ounder s t and Godhascal l edal l ofust ol i ve hol yl i ves .Thepl anhadal r eady beenmadebef or et hes per m hi t t heegg.Wear enott oconf or m t ot hedi ct at i onsoft hi swor l d. Li vi nghol yl i vess i mpl ymeans doi ngl i f eaccor di ngt ot hepl ans andwi s dom ofGod.I n1 Cor i nt hi ans7: 1 7,Paul s ays ," Each ofyous houl dcont i nuet ol i vei n

what evers i t uat i ont heLor dhas pl acedyouandr emai nasyou wer ewhenGodf i r s tcal l edyou. ” WhathasGodcal l edyout odo? Andar eyouwal ki ngi nyour cal l i ng?Ther ear es omet hatdi dn' t heart hef i r s tcal l ,s oappar ent l y Godhashadt ocal l youagai n.He won' tl etup,j us tl i keHedi dn' twi t h Jonah.Weal l know how Jonah f i nal l ydeci dedt oheedt ohi s cal l i ngaf t erbei ngi nt hebel l yofa whal ef ort hr eedaysandt hr ee ni ght s .Theas s i gnmentwi l l be compl et ed.God' swor ddoes n' t r et ur nt oHi m voi d,buti ts hal l accompl i s hwhatHes eti toutt o do. Don' tevent hi nkf orami nut et hat Godcan' tus eyou.Youar ecal l ed t ol i veal i f ef r eeofs i n.Youar e cal l edt ol oveot her sasyoul ove your s el f .Youar ecal l edt oext end gr acet oot her s .Youar ecal l edt o hel pt hos ei nneed,t ohel pt ocar r y t hei rbur dens .Youar ecal l edt o pr ayonef oranot her . Ther ehavebeenmanyor di nar y peopl ecal l edbyGodwhohave doneext r aor di nar yt hi ngs .Lookat Noah,Jos ephandDavi dj us tt o nameaf ew.WhathasGodcal l ed yout odo,butyouar ehes i t ant becaus eyout hi nkyoucan' tdoi t ? Al l t hi ngsar epos s i bl ewi t hGod.I f Hecal l edyout oi t ,Hewi l l s eeyou t hr oughi t .

BOD Y , S OUL, S P I RI T Aspi r e. Af f i r m. Accent uat e.

By:Dr .MayahWood

as hi oni st hebr i dget o nowher e,yeti ti st he pat ht hatl eads ever ywher e.Fas hi ons t i f l es manki ndast i ght l yast he t hr eadwoveni nawoman’ s f avor i t ehi ghendpur s eori t s ecur el ybi ndsust oget herl i ke t het hr eadsi nourf avor i t e, t at t er ed,f orhomeonl yout f i t , t hatwe’ vewor nf oryear s .Our t hr eadbar eout f i ti s unappeal i ng,however , meani ngf ul ,f ori twi t hs t oodal l t hewas hes ,al l t hechor esand al l t heemot i onswehadabout ourbes tandwor s ts i t uat i ons l i f ehadt oof f er .

Fas hi oncr eat est hi si deat hat wear er eady ,t hatwear e whatt heyar el ooki ngf or ,t hat webel ong,ort hatwear e Godhascal l edeachofust odo nei t her .Muchofourf as hi on wor kf ort heki ngdom.Youar e s ens ebi ndsust owhatot her s cal l edt os har et heGos pel ofJes us t hi nk,of f er i ngusabr i dget o Chr i s t .Youar ecal l edt obepar tof n o wh e r e , b u t f o r t h o s e o f u s God’ sf ami l y . whos eekf as hi onf r eedom,we ar emuchmor ei ncl i nedt ol i ve al i f eofconf i dencenot excl us i vel yboundt os oci et y’ s appr ovedbr andsorwi del y accept edt r ends .See,t he pat ht oever ywher ei st r ul y ourexpr es s edaut hor i t yover our s el vest obuywhatwel i ke, wearwhatwepr ef er ,s hop whatwecanaf f or d,and i mpr es sonl your s el ves .The Val er i eChampi on connect ednes st hatmos t Aut hor&Spi r i t ualCoach peopl es eekt hr oughf as hi oni s www. i amval er i echampi on. com

appr ovalandbr andl oyal t yonl y becaus econf or mi ngt opopul ar demands eemst obemos t accept abl eal t houghnevert r ul y l i ber at i ng.I s n’ tt hataf al s es ens e ofconnect i vi t y-t hebr i dget o nowher e?I s n' tt hatt het i ght t hr eads t i f l i ngourabi l i t yt o s epar at eour s el vesf r om al l ot her s ? Fi ndconnect i vi t yt hr ough meani ngf ult hr eadsl i ket hat f avor i t ewor nout f i tbecaus e t hos eunbr andedbr ands ,t hos e unpopul arbydemandout f i t s , andt hos eunmar kedcl ot hesar e ever yone,ever ywher es eeki ng t hewayweal ls houl ds t r i vet o l i ve-r el i abl e,uncompr omi s ed, andequal l yi mpor t ant .Real f as hi oncr eat esbal ancei nt he wor l d,notdomi ni ont hr ough names ake. Fas hi onas pi r est oi ndi vi dual i t y . Fas hi onaf f i r msuni quenes s . Fas hi onaccent uat esl i f e. Tocont actDr .MayahWood, vi si t accent uat eme. company. si t e oremai l i accent uat et oo@gmai l . com

Beaut i f ul l yBl ank Myhear ti sanempt ycanv as Readyt obepai nt edwi t ht hec ol or sof l ov e I wantyout ogaz euponi tandf eel t he r hyt hm Ther hyt hm ofl ov e I wantyout oc ol ori twi t hnot es Heavyandl i ghts t r okes Thatonl yl ov ecanmake Pai ntmycanv aswi t ht hec ol or sofl ov e Wecanembl az oni twi t hbeaut i f ul mel odi es Andnamei t“ Lov e’ sSong” Let ’ sc ompos eal ov es cene Al i t t l echaos ,butal ots er ene We’ l l pai nti magesofagr ownl ov et hat ’ s r eal Ar eal l ov et hathasgr own Anempt ycanv asi smyhear t We’ l l s pl as hi twi t hyel l owsandr eds Gr eensandbl ues Li keMi l esKi ndofBl ue I nBi t chesBr ew I ’ l l s how youwhatl ov ecando We’ l l gethi ghof fl ov e Whi l ewal ki ngamongs tt hes t ar si nadaz e ki ndofl ov e Pai ntapi ct ur eper f ect Thoughl ov ei snotper f ect I ti sper f ect l yf l awed Thr ought hef i r e Lov ei sf i r eanddes i r e Sol i dasar ock I ti sj oyandpai n I cans t andt her ai n I ’ mr eadyt odot hi sher et hang Pai ntapi ct ur eper f ect Thoughl ov ei snotper f ect Empt yi st hi scanv asofmyhear t

Shawnt eBl ys sBar r

I ns t agr am:@Fl yygi r l z one

TheGoal

Ther oadmi ghtl ookr ough Butkeepgoi ng Godmadeyout ough Jus ts t ayont hepat h Focusont hemi s s i on AndI pr omi s eyou’ l l getev er yt hi ng you’ r es uppos edt ohav e Jus tkeepbel i evi ng Becaus et hel ooksoft her oadcanbe decei vi ng Youhav et ol ookatt hebi ggerpi ct ur e Thi nkaboutwher eyou’ r egoi ng Andj us tr emember Thegoal

Debor ahJef f er s on

I ns t agr am:@har obeds _t hought s

ICan' tFi ndMyWat ch I can’ tf i ndmywat ch,i t ' sbeen mi s s i ngf ordays . St r angel yI f i ndI ' m notmi s s i ngi t , pecul i arI know. Ti mi ngi sev er yt hi ng,i nmyeband f l ow Amaz i ng,I ' m nott r i ppi ng,j us t l ear ni ngt ot r us tHi sgo. I can’ tf i ndmywat ch,mypr et t y Fi t bi tt hathubbybought Mynakedl ef twr i s t …Shoul dI be t r i ppi ng,t hi nkI ought . I can' tf i ndmywat ch,myr ef er ence f orwhatt odo I t ' show I ’ v eknownwhi cht obe t hr oughoutt he s panofmyl i f eal l t hewayt hr ough I can' tf i ndmywat ch,I t hi nkI ’ l l be okay . I ’ ml ear ni ngt ot r us tHi svoi ce,Hi s l ead Eachandev er yt i me,eachandev er y day . I can' tf i ndmywat ch,bynow I don' t needi t Godst i mei smyt i me I us et i me,nott i meus i ngme. Seet i mecanbet r i cky I twant sust obow t oi t , s ubj ectour s el v esandyi el dabi t . Thi nk,ohhur r y ,youmi ghtmi s syour moment . Butt r ut hi st hemoments t ar t swi t h me Thet hi ngt hat ' swai t i nghas c ont i ngenci es WhenI s how upt hepar t ys t ar t s Li ghtc omesandt hemomentbegi ns I ' m notwai t i ngonat i meors eas on

anymor e Thes eas ons hi f t swhenI s t epi n Hol dupnow I ’ ms t ar t i ngt ot hi nkbi g, Lemmet akeabr eat hbef or eI br i ng t hewi nd. I don' twantt ot eardownordes t r oy anyt hi ng. Butt hat ' sal i e, I camet oupr oots omes t uf f ol di deas ,ol dt hought s ,yourt i mei s up. I can' tf i ndmywat ch,maybeI t hr ew i t away . Thenew mei s n’ tboundbyt i me I ' v egot t enmor ef r eedaybyday I can' tf i ndmywat chbecaus et he t i mei si nme He’ sl eadi ngandgui di ngmet o exact l ywher eI s houl dbe I won’ tbel at e.I don' thav et or us h. Obedi encei smypor t i on.Wat chGod c omet hr oughcl ut ch I can' tf i ndmywat ch.I t hi nkGod meanti tt obet hatway . Ohyeah,I ’ m wr ecki ngs hi pon dar knes sev er ywher eI may Not i mef orchai ns ,nos hameor bl ame Thi smet hatHe’ sf or mi ng,getr eady orgetoutt heway I t ' st i met os hi f tt hes eas on I hav ear r i v ed Nomor ewai t i ng I ' mr i ghtont i me.

Keni t r aMoz el l e

Vi s i t :Keni t r amoz el l e. c om

WhenIt hi nkaboutGodandal lhehas donef ormemys oulcr i esout , " Hal l el uj ah! "Ther ewasat i mei nmyl i f e t hatIl i vedi nadar kpl ace.At t empt ed s ui ci de,wasbei ngphys i cal l yand ment al l yabus ed.ButGods avedme.

Icoul d’ vebeendeadori nj ai laf t er s har i ngal i f ewi t ht hi sman.Hewas ment al l yandphys i cal l yabus i ve.Butmy Godpr ot ect edme!I fi twas n’ tf orHi s gr ace,Idon’ tknow wher eIwoul dbe. ~Debor ahJef f er s on

~Det r aD.Ri char ds

Idr oppedoutofs chooli nt he1 1 t h gr ade.Theys ai dIwas n' tgoi ngt o amountt oanyt hi ngandwoul dendupi n j ai l-BUTGOD! ~Cor yGr een

I ndeat hyoucangi vet hegi f tofl i f eby bei nganor gandonor .Ir ecent l yl os t s omeonever ycl os et omet hr ough s ui ci de,whi chhasbeenhear t br eaki ng. Eveni nmygr i efandbr okennes s ,Ihave peace,comf or t ,andabi tofj oybecaus e oft hedeci s i onmyl ovedonemade whi l el i vi ng.Theymadet hechoi cet obe anor gandonort huseveni ndeat ht hey havegi vent hegi f tofl i f e.Whi l eIwi l lnot s eet hei rear t hl ybodyagai n,t hei rhear t i sbeat i ng,t hei rl ungsar ei nf l at i ng,t hei r l i verandki dneysar es t i l lf i l t er i ng.Whi l e t heyar en’ ther ewi t hme,t heyar es t i l l wi t hme. ~NaomiWi l l i ams

Oct oberof2022,Iwasdi agnos edwi t h anadnexalmas st hatwas appr oxi mat el y20cent i met er si ns i ze. Tes tr es ul t ss howeds hewascar r yi ng cancer .Themas swasr emovedand t her ewasnoneedf orchemot her apyor r adi at i on;t hecancerwasgone!Yes , i ndeed,Godcancel edt hecancer .Shout ! Qui ckl y! becameanaut horandIhave beenbl es s edt oachi eves omuchi nl i f e. ~LaChandaRyans

I nt hes ummerof201 2,t hedoct or s i nf or medmeofl i f eal t er i ngnews . I ns t eadoff al l i ngundert hepr es s ur eof f earanduncer t ai nt y ,Ichos et obel i eve i nGod.El evenyear sl at er ,Godhas bl es s edmet ol i veanot herday .MyGod madeawayoutofnoway . ~Lat oyaWas hi ngt on