Inspirational Moments pg. 6 Press On, Sis!
Business & Entrepreneurship pg. 15 Women Who Lead
The Young Professionals Corner pg. 24 Rising Above The Circumstances
Contents
Business & Finance pg. 27 Business Credit Scores Six Things Every Entrepreneur Should Know
Education is Key pg. 38 The Golden Door of Freedom
Health & Wellness pg. 42 You Get to Decide Start - Grow - Expand
Community Outreach pg. 46
Cover Story pg. 30 "Community is EVERYWHERE!!"
All Things Fashion pg. 50
Community Heroes pg. 10
National Women's History Month
Community News Flash pg. 48
Arts & Media pg. 54
Authors Speak pg. 57
Media, A Party of One for All
Inspirational Moments
Press On, Sis! By Marjorie Middleton March is Women’s History Month and Vision and Purpose Community Magazine is very supportive of women. Women of color are an intricate part of the triumphs and successes in our homes, communities, this nation and the world. God has placed us on this earth with a passionate vision and for a remarkable purpose. I honor and applaud that sisterhood and give greater homage during this Women’s History Month. When I began writing, I thought about what it means to be a woman in 2023, and also wondered, what does God think of Black women as we navigate the world? How do we measure up to the expectations he has for us? After all, we are created in his image. How are we doing? Well, my sisters, Jesus thinks we are fabulous and he wants us to walk in that fabulousness. He wants us to believe in ourselves and soar! So, hold your heads high and walk that walk with a sassy strut, throwing caution wherever the wind blows, because we are bold, beautiful and in charge. We have plans and God is very much a part of them. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. Knowing our history, as Black women, keeps us prepared for anything. We are equipped to handle whatever life offers. We are ready to claim our successes and recreate our losses. There are many stories in the Bible that illustrate the strength and tenacity of Black women.
6 Vision & Purpose Community Magazine
The story of the Queen of Sheba and her visit to King Solomon starts out as an uninteresting story of a visit and a gift for the king. But, there is more to the story about the strong, Ethiopian queen. Seeking knowledge, Sheba went to visit Solomon because he had information she craved to know. She was wealthy and wise, but craved to know more. She is also intrigued by Solomon’s close relationship to God. The Queen of Sheba brought King Solomon many gifts and riches in order to glean his ability to be used by God. The strength of Sheba is that although she is in awe of Solomon she presents her own anointing as she learns more from the king. Trade (exchange of gifts), wealth, wisdom and anointing are shared throughout the tale and what is most interesting is the Queen of Sheba’s unabashed strength in rejecting the attitudes that still somewhat exist, as to where a woman’s place is. She should have been at home minding her family, not out seeking position and knowledge. A strong Black queen, indeed. Black women are the most beautiful ever seen, admired worldwide; other women scamper to recreate the fullness of our hips, the natural pout of our mouths. They pay exorbitant amounts to be us while in many cases treating us unfairly. No matter the unfairness of this world, Black beauty is undeniable, unfailing. Under the created umbrella of oppression, poverty, weariness from striving and even success – still our beauty is unwavering. God created us to stand as tall as a tree, yet bloom as beautifully as a fragrant, colorful orchid. The most alluring faces I have ever seen are those of a Black woman. The beauty is steadfast, even as God allows our journey’s paths because he trusts our strength, our resilience. A Black woman as a slave persevered beatings and abuse as she illustrated that the melanin God gifted her with healed and hardened those wounds to birth the beauty of the richness of her soul and power. No matter the struggle, her caramel skin glowed. No matter the fight or the obstacle, her mocha skin glistened. No matter the barriers created to stop her, her taupe…umber…cocoa…onyx…charcoal skin goes on towards greatness. We are descendants of survivors, we stand up. We stand out.
Vision & Purpose Community Magazine 7
Education Is Key
The Golden Door of Freedom By: Michelle DeMarcia Davis
I am so excited to celebrate my one-year Anniversary of writing Education Is Key! It is such a blessing to be able to write for this positive platform reminding us of the importance of vision and purpose. All seasons delight me in some way, however, Spring is my favorite. It may be because March is my birthday month and true new year. After taking the time to reset, realign and restart my mindset in January and February; I now think about how we currently L.I.V.E (Lead, Invest, Visualize and Evolve), versus how we want to L.I.V.E. “Education is the key to unlock the Golden door of Freedom” (George Washington Carver). Education is something no one can take from us. It is a gift we can use for many purposes of our Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, Financial and Social freedom. The dictionary definition of freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. The definition of wellbeing is the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy. Wellbeing is my freedom, so education is also the key to unlock my wellbeing. When we think about life and education, we must constantly consider who, what, when, where and why we are doing what we do. Who am I doing this for? What am I doing? When am I doing this? Where am I doing this? Why am I doing this? Every stage of life requires us to learn. The Bible says “study to show thyself approved,” 2nd Timothy 2:15. Every action starts with a thought and a decision. This is why it is very important to guard our hearts and minds. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (NIV). 38 Vision & Purpose Community Magazine
One of the best books I’ve read is The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. He states “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.” World Teen Mental Wellness Day is observed across the globe on March 2 every year. It is a day that aims to raise awareness about the mental health issues that teenagers deal with. This Day is about making efforts to educate everyone and destigmatize something that is becoming increasingly common. I am blessed to mentor an awesome group of students at the high school I graduated from. My mentees are working on mental health/self-care activity and workbooks that will benefit them now and in the future. Hopefully they will be able to share it and bless others, also. Redoakrecovery.com states emotional health is the ability to cope with and manage emotions. It's also the ability to have positive relationships. Mental health is the ability to think clearly and make good decisions. It's also the ability to cope with stress and manage emotions. Spring allows us to get outside more for physical activity. As my twins online Learning Coach, we must do at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. We research to get creative so we don’t get bored. AARP.org states “One of the world's largest studies on physical activity has found that doing household chores can be just as effective as running or working out when it comes to cutting your risk of heart disease and extending your life.” I agree because I totally count things like running around the house picking up tree limbs, raking leaves, etc… as their physical activity. I even try to make it fun as a competition to see who can pick up the most sticks and cardio dance parties.
Vision & Purpose Community Magazine 39