2020 March/April "Women's" Issue

March-April 2020

The Women’s Issue

Charlotte’s African-American Magazine

Living Your

Healthiest Life Don’t Let Stigma Kill You

STI risks and prevention

N.C. Women in History

Trailblazers you should know

Bring Your Own Vibe

New Tea Bar offers a twist

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Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. ©2019 Bank of America Corporation. Bank of America Community Homeownership Commitment is a trademark of Bank of America Corporation. What would you like the power to do?, America’s Home Grant and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. MAP2824526 | AD-11-19-0396 | 12/2019

PROUD TO GIVE BUSINESSES A LIFT CATS is proud to provide opportunities for businesses to create local jobs through the advancement of transit projects. CATS also seeks to create an environment that gives small and socially or economically challenged local businesses the opportunity to compete for publicly funded contracts by participating in the Small Business Opportunity (SBO) and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Programs.

To date, 11 DBE firms have been awarded contracts of over $13 million to help build the CityLYNX Gold Line Streetcar.

As the major provider of public transportation to Charlotte and the surrounding region, CATS relies on the communities we serve to build and operate the service every day. By working together on these new opportunities, we can all keep our communities moving in the right direction.

For more information, visit ridetransit.org.

CATS. YOUR RIDE IS HERE.

P

ublic health is what we do together as a society to ensure conditions that allow everyone to be healthy. Although many sectors play key roles, government public health is an essential component. Health departments in North Carolina are charged with protecting the public’s health under federal and state laws. Mecklenburg County Public Helath (MCPH) is governed by the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners and functions under the guidance and support of the county manager’s office. The department envisions assuring the health and safety of our diverse and changing community today and for future generations, as we build our efforts on the work of public health pioneers such as Madie Smith-Moore and Thereasea Elder.

The work of MCPH falls under four goals. We work to protect the health of our community by reducing preventable disease, by assuring food safety in restaurants and preventing and when necessary investigating and treating communicable diseases. We promote long and healthy lives for all, by decreasing premature death and disability with attention to underserved populations and health equity. This work involves assessing the impact of diseases on the community, working with partners to assure that needed services are available, creating opportunities for healthy behaviors across Mecklenburg County and supporting those most vulnerable in our community.

We partner to build a culture of health and wellness in Mecklenburg County through innovative community collaborations. This work involves partnering across multiple sectors, and leveraging data and resources to address conditions that affect health and health equity in our neighborhoods. A comprehensive public health approach that targets the root causes of health and community issues for sustainable outcome improvements is critical to our work with community partners. The ReCAST grant, focusing on trauma and resilience, is part of a comprehensive effort to tackle violence prevention in Mecklenburg County. Developing a community plan to address the HIV epidemic, engaging with our two hospital systems in the One Charlotte Health Alliance Partnership and supporting our faith-based organizations through Village HeartBEAT, as they work to improve health outcomes in their communities, are a few more examples of these efforts.

And last, we work to provide exceptional services through highly engaged employees.

MCPH workforce is dedicated to improving the health of our residents, using data and quality improvement efforts to assure that our services are focused on the needs of those we serve and addressing the disparities in our community. Over the past several years, in our work to transform the department, staff members have committed to accountability, professionalism, respect, teamwork, trust and transparency. We strive to support each other so that we can better serve our community.

And while we work to meet these goals, we’re also focusing on improving the social determinants of health for everyone. The social determinants of health are the economic and social conditions that influence individual and group differences in health status. These conditions vary in the places where people live, learn, work and recreate, and affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. The recognition that these issues have a great impact on an individual’s ability to be healthy requires that we work together as a community to assure that all have equitable access to the resources they need.

As I mentioned earlier, public health is everyone’s business. Our role as a department is to shine a light on the issues affecting individuals, neighborhoods and the community, and to work with multiple partners across many sectors to improve the health outcomes of all. Working together, we can build an equitable health-promoting system — in which a stable, safe and thriving community is a norm rather than an aberration.

Gibbie Harris Public Health Director Mecklenburg County Public Health

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

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Not your grandma’s Wedgwood On view now | Mint Museum Randolph For the first time ever, the black basalt sculptures of iconic ceramic artist Josiah Wedgwood will be the focus of a special exhibition that breaks all the molds. Organized by The Mint Museum, Classic Black: The Basalt Sculpture of Wedgwood and His Contemporaries will feature more than a hundred 18th-century works, ranging from library busts and ornamental vases to dynamic statues of mythological heroes.

The themes are classical, the presentation contemporary.

It’s timeless. It’s provocative. It’s Classic Black.

Exhibition organized by The Mint Museum and made possible with generous support from presenting sponsor Wells Fargo Private Bank. Additional support provided by Moore & Van Allen and the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. IMAGE: Wedgwood. Mercury, 19th century, stoneware (black basalt). Collection of Lindsay Grigsby

March – April 2020

Departments 10 From the Publisher 12 Notable Names 13 By Faith 14 Book Review 15 The Mindful Parent 38 Scene and Seen 46 Events Calendar

Business

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28

32

35 N ew

Business Pauline’s Tea-Bar and Apothecary

40 F YI

News & Notes

Health 42 S elf-Care

Tips for taking care of you

44 E ating

for Life Do’s and don’ts for women over 50

Log on to pridemagazineonline.com for more features including our weekly calendar of events.

Features 16 Mecklenburg

County

Public Health Creating opportunities

18 Green

is the New Black City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services

26 Black

Nurses Blazing a Trail Thereasea Elder and Madie Smith-Moore

28 You

Go Girl!

Tips for women who travel solo

20 D on’t

32 Women’s

21 Leading

37 Child

Let Stigma Kill You Get tested Students, Shaping Futures Meet Lisa Knight

22 S etting

An Example Miss USA Cheslie Kryst

24 L ife

Control Facts about birth control

History 5 African American women to know Development Community Policing Every family matters

On the Cover Mecklenburg County Public Health Leadership Team from left to right – Francine Walton– Assistant Public Health Director, Population Health Angela Lee – Assistant Public Health Director, Preventive Health Gibbie Harris– Public Health Director Anthony – Assistant County Manager, Health and Human Services Tesha Boyd– Assistant Public Health Director, Clinical Services Tamikia Greene– Assistant Public Health Director, Case Management and Health Partnerships

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

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Charlotte’s African-American Magazine

CEO/Publisher Dee Dixon

Editor-in-Chief

Lashawnda Becoats

Copy Editor Polly Paddock

Lead Writer Angela Lindsay

Creative Director Larry Preslar

Design & Production SPARK Publications www.SPARKpublications.com

Distribution Watch Dog Entertainment®

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Account Executive Nikelle Fesperman

Public Relations Nepherterra Estrada

Subscribe to Pride

$13.25. Please subscribe online at www.pridemagazineonline.com, mail to P.O. Box 30113, Charlotte, NC 28230 or call 704- 375-9553

Letters to the Editor

Please send an e-mail to info@pridemagazine.net fax to 704-375-9550 or mail to Pride Magazine 402 W. Trade St., Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28202 www.pridemagazineonline.com

Copyright© 2020 Pride Magazine All rights reserved. Copying or reproduction, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited.

Pride Magazine reserves the right to deny any advertisement, listing or feature that does not meet Pride Magazine standards or that is outside the scope or mission of our magazine. Pride Magazine assumes no responsibility for information, products, services, or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Pride Magazine prints with soy ink.

Vol. 28 No. 2 March-April 2020 All rights reserved for PRIDE Communications Inc. Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/PrideMagazineNC

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

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FromTheCEO

By Dee Dixon

Black Hair And Exercising

H

i, ladies. I read with interest an online article in Blackdoctor.org with the following title: “Black Women Aren’t Exercising?!” I chuckled when I read the following quote from the article: “I want to become more active, but I just don’t know about all that sweating! What would I do with my hair? I sweat through my scalp!.... my edges!”

I can relate. I, too, sweat through my scalp.

In fact, I remember as a very young girl having great struggles with my mom about my hair. It was not a good experience – at all. She would wash my hair on Saturdays and straighten it with a comb hot enough to set hell on fire. All of this was in an effort to get all of the “kinks” out, especially around the edges, so that I could look presentable for church. Of course, when that blazing hot comb came near me, especially around the edges, I did what any normal person would do – I ducked and dodged to the best of my ability. Unfortunately, I was never quick enough to escape, as my mother was a pro at the proverbial “head jerk” that would fling my head back around, just in time for that hot comb weapon to burn my ear lobes, temples or neck. It’s no wonder I was immediately drawn to the Afro when I went off to college.

Back to the article, which goes on to say that Black women have been programmed to believe that success and status are defined by how our hair looks. I would agree with this and I certainly believe, in a lot of cases, our mothers set this precedent for us. But, I do see more Black women exercising because natural hair is now more acceptable and “in vogue,” if you will.

No matter the motive, this is a good thing when it comes to our health.

Now, according to research cited in the article, about 56 percent of Black women 20 or older are obese. This makes them vulnerable to stroke, diabetes and heart disease. With this in mind, according to the writer, discussions about Black hair should be included in medical education curriculums.

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May I now take the liberty to urge us, ladies, to pay more attention to our health than our hair? It’s imperative we change the trajectory of our thinking and most importantly, make sure our daughters are free of this bondage. Let me assure you that although the program your mother may have formulated about your hair may be powerful, it can be deleted. I deleted mine. I always wear a scarf when I exercise, even though my hair is natural. I actually get compliments on my scarves, but folk don’t know I wear the scarves because I sweat profusely through my scalp.

Can I get an amen?

Take care,

Make your employees your business.

Many employers and co-workers are surprised to find out colleagues, while employed, are still homeless.

That’s because affordable housing is harder to find in the Carolinas these days. Please consider supporting us as we help people go from homeless to safe, affordable housing to (hopefully) home ownership through our services. And ask your co-workers about their situation—you might be surprised, too.

Fifth Third Bank is a proud sponsor of Community Link Learn more at CommunityLinkNC.org

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March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

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NotableNames

By Ryan Kouame

KYMBERLYN GARDNER

Kymberlyn (Kym) Gardner is the community and citizenship director at Turner Construction Company – Atlanta/Carolinas.

As the director of community and citizenship, Gardner plans and executes innovative strategies achieving workforce, small business, and long-term community development objectives in North and South Carolina.

Gardner holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Clemson University, where she was an orientation ambassador, on the minority recruitment task force and a peer mentor for the college of engineering and science. She is a sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and also serves as an ACE mentor — a program dedicated to exciting, enlightening and engaging, high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering and construction through mentoring and supporting their continued advancement in the industry.

“As an ACE alumna, I've witnessed firsthand how meaningful interactions with industry professionals can influence a young person's future, because it happened to me,” says Gardner.

JON FORD

Vaughn and Melton Consulting Engineers has announced the addition of Jon Ford as the new engineering office leader for the Charlotte region. In his new role, Ford is responsible for planning and executing strategic growth initiatives as the company continues to expand.

Ford has extensive experience in civil engineering and project management, with a focus on transportation, hydraulics and storm water management.

“After working with him and seeing how personable and professional he was, I made the recommendation that he take the role,” says Reece Schuler, vice president of Carolina operations.

Prior to joining Vaughn and Melton, Ford served as a water resources engineer for HDR Architecture — a global engineering, architecture and environmental services provider where he helped analyze and design plans for civil infrastructures, including roadway construction and drainage systems.

“I love what I do and the people that I get to work with. No two days are the same, so it’s always interesting and I’m always being challenged,” says Ford.

Ford received his bachelor of science in civil engineering from the University of South Carolina. He is originally from Charleston and now resides in Charlotte with his wife, Joscelyn, and his son, Cairo.

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CAMERYN MITCHELL

Cameryn Mitchell is a career consultant, leadership development coach and the founder of Hustle Career Co. Mitchell currently works as a human resources professional and has taken initiative through many opportunities to reach, enrich and empower young professionals in underserved communities to reach their fullest potential.

Mitchell is a native of Memphis, and received her bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Winthrop University. She is currently working on obtaining her master’s degree in learning design and technology from her alma mater — and founded Hustle Career Co. because she saw a need for high-quality, well-designed and affordable career consulting, branding and development services.

“I’d like to see everyone experience success as defined by their own terms — by using my experience, education and intuition to provide strategic and innovative solutions to help career blocks and transitions.” says Mitchell.

Mitchell also serves as an executive board member on the Black Economic Leadership League (B.E.L.L.), a nonprofit in Rock Hill made up of Black business owners and community members that develops programs and events to promote and assist with economic mobility, leadership development and job training.

CLAUDIE JOHNSON

Claudie Johnson Jr., is the new city executive for Self-Help Credit Union — Charlotte branch.

Self-Help has provided more than over $8.5 billion in financing to more than 159,000 families, individuals and businesses to help drive economic development and strengthen communities, by providing responsible financial services to thousands of individuals, small businesses and nonprofits throughout the country.

“Self-Help is more than a credit union; we are a community development organization helping families and neighborhoods grow and thrive,” says Johnson.

Johnson is a native of Sidney, Ohio, and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Heidelberg College in Ohio.

While at Heidelberg, Johnson was a four-year letter winner in men’s basketball, earning all-conference awards, and was inducted into the Heidelberg Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.

His career began in Dayton as a management trainee at Society Bank, now known as KeyBank, where he held various positions ranging from branch manager to vice president. In 2004, he earned his Certified Financial Planning™ certification and ventured out to work as a senior financial advisor. As city executive for Self-Help, Johnson works in collaboration with other regional branches and serves as an advocate in community developments and policy initiatives that help develop local economic priorities, programs and activities. P

ByFaith

You Are Enough

By Rev. Dr. Dwayne Bond

W

ill I ever be good enough? Will I ever measure up? Will I ever have what it takes?

It is common for women to find themselves evaluating whether they are good enough to be valued, cared for or desired…as people, employees, mothers, wives, business owners and potential marriage partners. Emotionally, they attempt to make sense of their feelings about themselves with unspoken mental musings such as, “If I was good enough, I wouldn’t be so lonely, discouraged, on edge, moody and dissatisfied with myself. I would be happily married, in a meaningful relationship, excelling in my career, have well-behaved children and exercise regularly. However, no matter what I do, I’m not satisfied with who I am.”

Unsatisfied and unwittingly troubled within, some women gauge their value by making comparisons with other women.

They create unspoken competition with women who they deem attractive and who possess personality traits that they long for, and have the well-proportioned figures that they crave. They are known to say things like, “If I only had her shape and her pizzazz, I would feel so good about myself and be more attractive to the men around me.”

Consistently, women are telling themselves, “If I dropped 20 to 30 pounds, I’d be more attractive and alluring to men. If I purchased a more fashionable wardrobe, I’d feel more confident about myself. If I had ‘good’ hair or wavier natural curl pattern, I wouldn’t be so insecure about my appearance. If I pursued my academic dreams, I wouldn’t be unfulfilled in my career. Maybe if I got a manicure, pedicure, wax and a hairdo weekly, I’d feel more complete.”

Women are having silent conversations with themselves, anguishing about whether they are good enough for someone else to value them. Oftentimes, the constant enhancement of the outward veneer disguises the disappointment.

However, unsettled, insecure and discontented, women strive to feel worthy.

Unable to find contentment, security and confidence in their God-given identity, some women seek to do everything possible to enhance themselves, or they simply give up and become resolute to despair.

But here’s the good news. Regardless of the false messages you’ve unknowingly embraced as truth, the feelings of being unwanted and unimportant or the discontentment with your physical image, when God made you, He said that what He’s made is “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

Whether you really believe it or not, God created you in His image and likeness, and calls you “very good.” In other words, He has perfectly fashioned you with His hands and celebrates you. Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your

works; my soul knows it very well.” The psalmist is literally saying that the wonder of humanity is so excellent and perfectly designed that if we understood its intricacies, we would be in awe and praise God. Since God has created you, then you are extraordinarily amazing.

You are not only valued; you are marvelously made. Embrace this. Believe this. Rehearse this. Remind yourself of this. Rest in this. Understand that being good enough is not based on what you can do to make yourself better; it’s based upon what God has already done. God has created you, given His life for you and desires for you to rest in His love. May God encourage your heart to enjoy and find rest in His extravagant goodness, unending grace and creative wonder. P The Rev. Dwayne Bond is the lead pastor of Wellspring Church.

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

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BookReview

By Angela Haigler

Make Your Women’s Month Reading Exciting

“We Want Our Bodies Back” by jessica Care moore Oh, these poems! Expect to be carried away on a poetic journey of what’s important to Black women in these times. jessica Care moore tackles topics such as: patriarchy, criminology, stereotypes, hatred, death threats, suffering and celebration. moore has always been a firebrand for Black women in society through her poems, and in this full-length collection, we are immersed in her strength and love.

“April Ryan Under Fire: Reporting from the Front Lines of the Trump White House”

by April Ryan, with foreword by Tamron Hall April Ryan’s 20-year career as a White House correspondent saw her grow from new reporter on the block to a position of respect; she was known to be tough but fair. Under the Trump administration, news reporting changed drastically. Ryan gives us a front-seat view of the changes; sharing how she and other reporters coped.

“We can Overcome: An American Black Conservative Manifesto”

by Allen Bernard West “What about Black conservatism? Where do Black defenders of the right stand in today’s divisive political world? Former Republican Congressman and retired Lt. Colonel Allen B. West offers his opinion in this manifesto.

West believes it’s time for Black people to reject “progressive socialist” policies as the way forward, and return to behaviors that helped Blacks become successful in the 1920s and 1930s.

“Over the Fence”

by Mary Monroe In a true page-turner, two Black families are pitted against each other in an attempt to hide their dirty dealings. At first, it’s Milton and Yvonne Hamilton who have the upper hand. But will they be able to hold onto their status versus the wealthier Watsons?

New York Times-bestselling author Mary Monroe provides four characters we can care about. We will savor each juicy detail, holding our breath with excitement as the story unfolds.

For the young reader “Just Like a Mama”

by Renée Watson. Illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow A growing love emerges between an adoptive mother, Mama Rose, and her chosen child, Carol Olivia Clementine. We don’t learn why little Carol isn’t with her biological mother and father, whom she misses deeply. However, we are shown with lively illustrations the motherly kindness Mama Rose bestows upon Carol Olivia Clementine. Her love is often balanced with a firm hand. Over time, we see the little girl embrace her adoptive mother, celebrating the special bond that can grow between adoptive parents and children. P

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TheMindfulParent

Cutting: Uncovering the Secret

I

n my clinical experience, I’ve sat with numerous teenagers who have donned the mask of bravery while breaking underneath. Some of them carry unimaginable burdens. After much exploration, I soon learn their life stories include abuse, abandonment, life struggles or social stressors and so much more.

When emotions are externalized, it is easier to identify a problem. It's the child who internalizes the pain that can be more difficult to recognize.

“Cutting,” or what is medically referred to as self-injury, is often done in secrecy, but it happens. It involves using a sharp object (i.e., knife, razor, paper clip, pencil eraser, or wire) to cut or break the skin on the wrists or less obvious places such as the stomach, shoulders or thighs. Many hide the objects under a mattress or other discreet locations for easy access when the nagging urge hits.

Cutting isn’t the only method. Some burn their skin, punch themselves or bang their heads. After the initial rush of emotion and relief, there’s often guilt and remorse. Selfinjury is a very unhealthy method of coping with very strong emotions.

Although the reasons for self-injury are vast, the intent is often to cause pain and is not a desire to die. Some actually describe feeling a sense of emotional control, while others seek to feel pain instead of their usual emotional numbness. I recall listening to one young man describe cutting and seeing his blood as confirmation of being alive, because he felt completely numb in his existence.

The average age of onset is between 11 and 15 years old (selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu).

The Black community is not exempt;, I’ve seen it in my own practice. Some research shows just as much prevalence in minorities as in Caucasians (self-injury.com). About 12 to 37 percent of adolescents and 12 to 20 percent of young adults have self-injured, based on research by the Cornell University Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery. However, like many other statistics, Blacks are less likely than others to seek professional help, and when our children are in treatment, they are less likely to report the behavior to their counselors.

Statistically, 30 to 40 percent of those who cut are boys, so this is not justa female problem. And when you discover your own child or someone you love is self-injuring, the reaction is one of fear and helplessness.

What puts a child at risk?

Teenagers are more likely than others self-injure. The cause might be attributed to more volatile emotions in teenagers, such as loneliness, peer pressure and social stressors. A child or teen who has been abused or neglected is also at risk. A diagnosis of bipolar disorder, depression, borderline personality disorder, anxiety or even substance abuse can increase the risk, while at other times there is no diagnosis.

There are even YouTube videos of teens cutting, and although some teens have described feeling a sense of support, others might normalize or learn the behavior from the videos.

teen and determine how he or she is coping. Some warning signs of self-injury might include: • Wearing long-sleeve shirts or jackets regardless of the weather • Odd scars without clear explanations • Abrupt changes in moods and emotions • Periods of withdrawing from the family or isolating Being informed helps parents and friends prepare for addressing the issue and noticing warning signs. If you suspect your loved one is at risk, don’t judge him or her…Listen and seek professional help. Self-injury can stop and doesn’t have to be the way your loved one choses to cope. P Shavonda Bean is a licensed psychological associate and owner of Essential Assessments & Behavioral Health. Visit Essentialhealthnc. com for more information.

Recognize the warning signs…There is hope If you notice significant changes in behavior or academic performance, this is a good reason to get closer to your

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

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Creating Opportunities to Help Everyone Live

Mecklenburg County Public Health:

Their Healthiest Life

your neighborhood, access to health care, education, employment, public safety, transportation, income, housing and much more.

Unfortunately, not all people share the social and economic advantages that lead to good health. These disadvantages can often create inequities in healthy living.”

Education and income are two of the most powerful drivers of health. As your education and income increase, your chances of getting sick, getting injured, or dying early decrease. People with less education or lower income often have fewer resources to purchase healthy foods, exercise regularly or pay for health services. Their communities are often flooded with advertisements from fast food chains, tobacco companies and alcohol products that promote unhealthy habits. In Mecklenburg County, adults with a high school diploma or less are twice as likely to smoke than people with college degrees. People with more education and higher income also tend to exercise more. Education and income are also tied to many chronic conditions.

I

magine getting every opportunity you need – or your family needs – to reach your BEST HEALTH EVER. That could include fresh fruits and vegetables at your neighborhood corner store, safe streets in which to walk and exercise, support from your church to lose weight, someone to help you navigate the maze of health services, tobacco-free jobs or access to HIV testing and treatment and reproductive life planning.

Now imagine a healthier, more equitable community—a time and space where you and your neighbors have everything needed to make the healthy choice the easy choice.

Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) works every day to turn these visions of a healthy community into reality, where everyone has the opportunity he or she needs to be healthy. Public Health serves all communities, by building our teams to serve you where you live, building and strengthening partnerships with a variety of community organizations and groups, identifying health priorities and disparities (differences in health outcomes) and evaluating our efforts to continually improve.

Our goals are to protect, promote, provide and partner to build a culture of health and wellness where people live, learn, work, play and worship.

Factors that influence your health

“At every stage of life, your health is shaped by the social, economic, and environmental factors that you face every day,” says Gibbie Harris, MCPH Director. “Those factors can include

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“At every stage of life, your health is shaped by the social, economic,and environmental factors that you face every day.”

—Gibbie Harris, Mecklenburg County Public Health Director

Working to provide local opportunities for healthy living

Promoting health equity means working together to find solutions. MCPH employs a variety of strategies to influence policies, systems and environments with the goal of ensuring health equity. These strategies include: Health care services: We aim to provide high-quality, patient-centered clinical services that are accessible and affordable to all, regardless of health insurance status.

Our clinics specialize in reproductive life planning, sexually transmitted infections, breast and cervical cancer screening, immunizations, refugee health, tuberculosis control and pediatric dental care.

HIV and STDs: Screening, treatment and counseling on HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, which include helping people with HIV access and maintain medical stability and education programs to reduce risk factors.

Healthy mothers, healthy infants: Healthy birth outcomes for both babies and mothers are impacted not only by good prenatal care, but also by careful planning before, during and after pregnancy. Public Health promotes the use of holistic reproductive life planning to help women and their families decide their best paths.

Mental health: We offer training for law enforcement officers and human service providers on methods and resources for dealing with individuals who experience trauma and mental health crises.

Village HeartBEAT: This program partners with faithbased groups to encourage healthy behaviors and improve factors such as weight, blood pressure and blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Village HeartBEAT also helps faith-based organizations develop health ministries to encourage healthy food choices and incorporate environmental changes such as exercise trails, community gardens and edible landscapes.

Tobacco-free living: Public Health collaborates with local partners to establish policies and ordinances to create tobacco-free environments, including restaurants, government properties, public parks, schools, hospitals, workplaces and multifamily housing.

Safe Routes to School: This program works to provide a safe environment for walking or riding a bike to school, encouraging physical activity among students.

Food Security: In addition to increasing access to healthy food options where full-service grocery stores are not available, our programs facilitate the acceptance of SNAP/EBT benefits at local farmers markets and the establishment of “edible landscapes.”

MCPH is committed to building healthy communities by fostering and strengthening community partnerships, engaging local leaders and addressing gaps in healthy outcomes. We are dedicated to influencing and creating diverse opportunities across Mecklenburg County so ALL people can lead their healthiest lives.

To learn more about our programs and services, visit us at meckhealth.org. P Content sponsored by Mecklenburg County Public Health

What Factors Impact Health in Mecklenburg County?

Smoking Rates are Higher in Persons with Less Education & Income

23%

10%

28%

8%

of those with a high school diploma or less smoke

of college graduates smoke

of those who make $50,000 or less smoke

of those who make $50,000 or more smoke

Physical Inactivity is Higher in Persons with Less Education & Income

32%

15%

26%

11%

of those with a high school diploma or less are inactive

of college graduates are inactive

of those who make $50,000 or less are inactive

of those who make $50,000 or more are inactive

Rates of Certain Chronic Conditions also vary

by Education & Income

9%

6%

11%

6%

of those with a high school diploma or less have Cardiovascular Disease

of college graduates have Cardiovascular Disease

of those who make $50,000 or less have Diabetes

of those who make $50,000 or more have Diabetes

Smoking and Lack of Physical Activity are two major risk factors for chronic conditions like Diabetes and Heart Disease, HOWEVER...

1 in 7

adults currently smoke cigarettes

1 in 5

adults are physically inactive

Source: 2018 Mecklenburg County Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

17

Green Is the New Black The Environmental Justice Movement is the Civil Rights Movement of the 21st Century City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services

D

r. Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for civil rights for all American people.

He believed that everyone should have equal rights. As a result of Dr. King’s passion and perseverance, the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968 were signed into law. Both the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

They ended unequal application of voter registration requirements, housing discrimination and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the public.

Dr. King’s unwavering fight for equal rights laid the foundation for many other movements. One that is especially important today is the environmental justice movement. Dr. King’s work paved the way for environmental legislation, such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. In 2019, before taking office, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called fighting climate change “the civil rights movement of our generation.”

With studies showing climate change affecting communities of color and lower-income areas at a disproportionate rate, whether it be natural disasters or chronic illness, her statement could not be more true.

Luckily, we all can take small steps to combat climate change and promote environmental justice for all. Three simple actions that you can implement immediately are:

1 Upcycle, reuse, compost and recycle. Simple actions such as upcycling (aka DIY projects), reusing and composting can go a long way.

Upcycling can give new life and charm to your living space. Examples include using metal trash cans as planters, using wooden pallets as shelving units or using old shutters as a headboard.

Not sure if composting is worth the hassle? Did you know that food waste is the number one item in household trash in America? Simply composting your leftover food scraps lowers your carbon footprint and reduces methane gas emissions.

2 Reduce the use of environmentally harmful products, such as single-use plastics and Styrofoam. Plastic debris clogs street drains, litters the ground and even ends up in our water system, soil and eventually the food we eat. It is predicted that by 2050, the mass of plastic in the world’s oceans will exceed the mass of all the fish that live there. Switching from plastic water bottles and bags to reusable thermal bottles and cloth bags are easy swaps that can make a big impact.

Another commonly used and extremely harmful material is Styrofoam. Styrofoam takes more than 500 years to break down, is not recyclable and is likely unable to be reused. There are many alternatives that can be used instead of Styrofoam, such as glass/metal storage containers and cardboard. Just say no to Styrofoam!

3 Dispose of all items properly. Making sure your unwanted items are disposed of properly is the first step to going green. For instance, throwing a non-recyclable item in your recycling bin could result in an entire load being contaminated and ending up in the landfill. With recycling regulations constantly changing, it is understandable that you might be unsure about where items should go. The City of Charlotte Solid Waste Service has a tool to answer your questions.

The Waste Wizard is a web-based application that allows you to search any item and find out how to dispose of it properly. The Waste Wizard can be found at curbit.charlottenc.gov.

What Dr. King’s fight taught us is that civil rights are involved in not only racial inequity, poverty and politics, but also human rights such as health. A clean environment is a human right.

Every person deserves clean air, soil and water.

We all must do our part to ensure this. P

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Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

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March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

19

&

Don't Let Stigma Kill You

Get Tested Know Your Status

A

re you, or perhaps someone you love, at risk from sexually transmitted infections? Not all cases show symptoms right away, so someone could be infected and not even know it—and pass it along to others. With sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, on the rise in Mecklenburg County and across the country, it’s important for everyone to know his or her status and seek treatment if necessary.

The most common sexually transmitted infections include gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. Since 2014, we’ve seen a dramatic jump in STIs in Mecklenburg County—an 11 percent increase in chlamydia and a 23 percent increase in gonorrhea. Syphilis infections also increased dramatically in that period, before showing a decline in 2017.

As those rates have climbed, some communities in Charlotte have borne the brunt of it, especially the African American community.

While the risk associated with receiving a positive test result for a sexually transmitted infection is the same for all ages, genders, racial and ethnic backgrounds, African American women are experiencing greater health disparities. An individual's social, economic and demographic background can play a role in the risk of infection. But African American women are 12 times more likely to get infected with HIV than their white counterparts.

African American women do not typically engage in riskier behaviors than their white counterparts. So why do such disparities exist? It may be a matter of timing. African American women tend to put off getting tested until the infection has worsened. A number of factors may contribute to their delayed testing: poverty, limited access to health care, limited knowledge of HIV and unrecognizable symptoms.

Also, African American women are less likely to receive preventative care or receive HIV care within 90 days of diagnosis. This has led to one of the most significant health gaps in the County.

in 11%increase chlamydia in 23%increase gonorrhea

in Mecklenburg County 20

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Unlike HIV, bacterial sexually transmitted infections are curable.

But if they go untreated, STIs can cause infertility, pregnancy complications or even serious health complications to a newborn.

While not curable, HIV is treatable. That’s why it’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your health care provider about getting tested and treated.

Highlights efforts by community partners: Charlotte Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, along with Research Triangle Institute International, in raising HIV awareness. World AIDS Day Symposium December 3, 2019, organized by the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Any sexually active person can develop a sexually transmitted infection, often without knowing it. For example, about 50 percent of new HIV cases come from a person that has been diagnosed with HIV but is unaware of his or her status. Knowledge of one’s HIV status is an important element of prevention and treatment. The sooner a person is diagnosed and treated, the more he or she will benefit from that treatment. The sooner an individual begins antiretroviral therapy, the more he or she will benefit from the treatment.

People who are on an HIV treatment plan and take it as prescribed can keep themselves undetectable or virally suppressed.

Persons who are undetectable or virally suppressed cannot transmit the virus to others. Women who engage in more risky behaviors can also take steps to protect themselves and their partners, by speaking to their physicians about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is an HIV medication that effectively prevents a negative individual from acquiring HIV. Protecting the health of the community is the top priority for Mecklenburg County Public Health Department. Help stop the stigma by talking about sexually transmitted infections and getting tested. To learn more about testing and how you can get involved, contact Getting to Zero Mecklenburg at G2ZMeck@mecklenburgcountync.gov. P Content sponsored by Mecklenburg County Public Health

Leading Students, Shaping Futures

By Angela Lindsay

I

t can be said that institutions of learning are only as good as the people leading them. After all, those people have a direct and often lasting impact on the lives of the students with whom they interact. As Providence Day School’s (PDS) newest addition to its leadership team, Lisa Knight is committed to continuing to attract, enroll and retain talented and motivated students.

Last summer, Knight joined PDS as its director of admissions and enrollment management. She brings more than 20 years of experience in education, with expertise in admissions, marketing, recruitment, advising and developing programming to support success and institutional advancement. In her role at PDS, she leads and oversees all aspects of the

admissions, enrollment management and financial aid operations. She is responsible for creating, leading and executing a comprehensive annual and multiyear enrollment program that builds strong relationships with PDS’s internal and external community and is guided by best practices in the industry.

“After over two decades of experience in independent day and boarding schools, and, as a parent of an independent school graduate, I knew I wanted to join a school community that embodied all of the elements that I believe make an independent school great—passionate teachers and staff, forward-thinking leadership and governance, a studentcentered approach, a supportive and dedicated parent community, a commitment to global awareness and diversity and excellence in and out of the classroom. Providence Day checked all of those boxes for me. I am thrilled to be a part of a community that exists to inspire and prepare tomorrow’s leaders!” she says.

PDS currently enrolls about 1,700 students in grades TK-12, with 28 percent of its students being of color and with families representing more than 70 countries of origin.

The PDS enrollment process includes completing an initial

inquiry form, followed by a planned campus visit. PDS offers two open house opportunities for prospective families in the fall of each year, which provide an overview of its curricular and cocurricular programs.

The third step is the application, in which in reviewing applicants for entrance, PDS considers factors such as: academic aptitude and achievement, transcript of grades from previous school, teacher recommendations, participation in extracurricular activities and evidence of social-emotional maturity, initiative and responsibility. What Knight loves the most about her role is the opportunity to collaborate with all aspects of the school community to attract and retain students and families.

“Providence Day has always done a great job of helping families get to know our school community and articulating our value proposition,” she says. “We, like any great independent school, will continue to examine more and more ways to enhance the experience and processes for our families seeking admission.”

Many of the families she has met so far are attracted to PDS’s commitment to academic and personal excellence, she says, along with the school’s commitment to global awareness, building cultural competency and diversity and inclusion.

She looks forward to highlighting the intentional ways in which PDS students gain these proficiencies during their matriculation at the school and in an increasingly interconnected world. In addition, delivering on the school’s promise “to provide an exceptional educational experience that inspires a passion for learning, a commitment to personal integrity and a strong sense of social responsibility” would signal success in her assessment. With that in mind, her experience so far foretells a promising partnership for the future.

“My experience has been great,” she says. “ I took on the role on August 1, and have spent a good deal of time getting to know the Providence Day community. I have been so impressed with the wealth of passion, talent and dedication that exists within the entire Providence Day community.” P

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

21

Cheslie Kryst

Photo courtesy of The Miss Universe Organization: Cheslie Kryst of North Carolina is crowned Miss USA 2019.

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Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Sets an Example

By Hope Yancey

“Really, it’s just me being my authentic self. But making sure that that authentic self is positive, and just real.”

—Cheslie Krist

C

heslie Kryst was born in Jackson, Mich., moved to Charlotte at about age 4, then South Carolina as a teenager. She graduated from high school and college in South Carolina, before earning law and MBA degrees at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem and returning to Charlotte to practice law.

Now, the attorney and pageant winner is living outside the Carolinas in New York City, while she completes her reign as Miss USA 2019 and works as a correspondent for the TV program “Extra.”

Kryst spoke with Pride Magazine by phone recently from the offices of The Miss Universe Organization in midtown Manhattan. She represented the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in December 2019, placing in the top 10 finalists.

Kryst, 28, is aware that she is a role model for young women and girls. “I think it’s one of those things that’s constantly in the front of my mind,” she says. Setting an example is not new to her, as she has four younger brothers; the youngest is 10 years old. She also has an older sister.

Being a role model “doesn’t always have to be something that’s overly filtered. Really, it’s just me being my authentic self,” Kryst says. “But making sure that that authentic self is positive, and just real.”

Presenting a good outward appearance is part of it. Kryst started a style blog called White Collar Glam. Her posts have a substance and depth that transcends fashion. Some writings address women’s empowerment and natural hairstyles for women of color in the workplace.

“I just don’t think that you should be prohibited from wearing your hair the way that it grows out of your head,” Kryst says. She remembers the discomfort of chemically relaxing her hair in her earlier years.

Kryst references the CROWN Act. It’s legislation enacted, or under consideration, in states around the country to prevent discrimination in employment, housing or education based on hairstyle or hair texture, according to a website for the movement.

Serving as an ambassador for Dress for Success is a logical extension of Kryst’s interests. She volunteered for the local group in Charlotte, which empowers women to reach economic independence through professional business attire and other tools, according to its mission statement.

The national organization learned about her and created an opportunity for her to travel to affiliates in different cities to speak and lend support. She’s visited Raleigh, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Ohio, Memphis and other locations.

Another cause she cares about is Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, on whose national board she sits. Her interest began when she volunteered for a similar program run by the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, called Senior Academy, while she was a law student. For three years, she mentored high school seniors at risk of not graduating. All three women finished school, she says.

Championing the arts also is important to Kryst.

She serves on the Millennial Advisory Board of the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. “I’m smiling right now, because I love that board,” she says.

When she was growing up, her mother, April Simpkins, insisted she and her siblings learn a musical instrument. Kryst chose the violin.

Photography provides an additional creative outlet.

Criminal justice reform is another passion.

Reading the book “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson after law school influenced her. “It really changed my view on our justice system, and it made me angry, and also passionate about helping people who really needed it,” Kryst says. She took on pro bono legal cases for low-level drug offenders.

Her career with the law firm Poyner Spruill in Charlotte involves complex civil litigation cases, according to a profile on the firm’s website. Kryst has been on leave during her pageant duties. “I’m constantly overwhelmed by how supportive they are,” she says.

Visit www.whitecollarglam.com to read Cheslie Kryst’s blog. P

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

23

Life Control,

Not Just Birth Control I'm ready to have a child.

I don't want any more children.

My daughter may get pregnant soon.

If I am not ready to My son may father a child soon. be a father, what is my role in preventing pregnancy?

What life goals do I want to achieve before becoming a parent or having What can I do now to keep myself and another child? my sperm healthy for the future?

If my partner and I want to have a baby, what can I do to help ensure a healthy pregnancy?

If I am not ready to be pregnant right now, what matters most to me about my birth control?

If I want to become pregnant this year, what do I need to do to make sure that I am healthy and prepared?

How long should I wait to have another baby?

W

ith so many things in this world outside of our control, it is wonderful to know that a woman, and a man, can be in control of their decisions, their health, their goals and ultimately whether or not to bring another life into this world. In other words, all women and men need a

Reproductive life plan.

Reproductive life planning is making decisions about if and when to become a parent, based on your own goals, values and beliefs, and developing a plan to achieve those goals. If you are ready to have another child now, reproductive life planning is an important first step for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. If you do not want to become a parent right now, your plan will help identify steps to prevent an unintended pregnancy until you are ready.

Why is planning so important?

Factors around a man and woman’s health, nutrition, emotional well-being and time between pregnancies impact pregnancy outcomes. When planning pregnancy, preparation is key but not everyone plans pregnancy, so focusing on optimal health for men and women of childbearing age through reproductive life planning is an effective means to increase healthy outcomes for all.

Health issues before, during and after pregnancy can lead to complications and/ or prematurity (early birth). National data shows significant racial and ethnic disparities continue to exist for adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight and premature births. In Mecklenburg County,

24

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

African American women experience premature births at a rate almost twice that of white women (in 2018, African American 14.0 percent, vs. white 7.7 percent) This is significant, in that prematurity is a leading cause of infant death. In addition, while the number of maternal deaths is relatively low in Mecklenburg County, African American maternal deaths occur at a rate four times that of white women. These statistics need to change. We need to continue working toward broad changes to address poor birth outcomes and health disparities.

We’re here to assist

Achieving healthy outcomes and health equity are key components of Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) services and goals. MCPH reproductive and sexual health clinical services are accessible to all, with multiple locations and a sliding scale rate from low-cost to zero. Our clinic offers open dialogue for reproductive life planning discussions. We support patients’plans with: • Counseling on how to plan a healthy pregnancy • Birth control counseling to help

interested clients choose the method that works best for them • On-site prenatal vitamins and birth control methods that are often available the same day • HIV/STI testing and on-site treatment for STIs • Pregnancy testing and counseling MCPH supports pregnant women and new parents through our Care Management for High Risk Pregnancies, Newborn Post-Partum and the Women, Infant, and Children’s (WIC) programs.

The Improving Community Outcomes for Maternal and Child Health (ICO4MCH) program addresses social and economic factors that affect health and well-being.

MCPH programs support overall community health, by engaging in chronic disease prevention through innovative programs such as Village HeartBEAT, activities aimed at reducing tobacco use and exposure, enhancing food security and promoting active living. Finally, we engage in community collaborations aimed at increasing access to reproductive and sexual health services in the community.

Life is happening. Being in control of life and life’s decisions is important.

Planning puts you in control of the expected, and better prepares you to rebound from unexpected and inevitable hiccups. Regardless of whether you want to have children, everyone should have a reproductive life plan --ultimately, it is your life. P Content sponsored by Mecklenburg County Public Health

Did you know

1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime?

Mecklenburg County Public Health is offering free and low-cost breast screenings, colorectal screenings, pap tests, and follow up for qualified residents.

Eligibility Criteria: 1. Household income 250% of federal poverty level or less 2. No Medicaid / Medicare 3. Uninsured / Underinsured

Early detection saves lives! Call to Schedule Your Appointment! 704.336.6500 4. No Mammogram and/or Pap test within the past year

Black Nurses

Blazed a Trail To Keep Us Healthy

By Tonya Jameson

I

n Charlotte, we often recognize trailblazers in government, education and businesses, but we’ve paid little attention to the men and women who worked to keep poor Black people healthy.

This month, we’re taking time to recognize Thereasea Elder and Madie Smith-Moore, pioneers in public health.

“I just want to give a huge thank you. They’ve been quiet giants that really paved the way for many of us to be competent professionals to make a difference in public health,” said Cheryl Emanuel, senior health manager at the Mecklenburg County Health Department.

Emanuel is the architect behind the department’s nationally recognized Village HeartBEAT, a faith-based community engagement program to reduce high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease among African Americans.

Affectionately known in the community as T.D., Elder may be familiar to some readers.

She’s worked with Emanuel on Village HeartBEAT, and she’s a vocal community leader about health and education. She has a park named after her in northwest Charlotte.

Elder, now 92, integrated the public nursing profession when she worked for the health department from 1962 – 1989. Before joining the health department, Elder worked at the white-only Charlotte Memorial Hospital while in high school, doing minor tasks such as filling salt shakers for the kitchen. Her career started in

26

earnest when she worked at the all-Black hospital Good Samaritan before later joining the Health Department as a nurse.

Back then, nurses were assigned to regions, and they took care of families and schools in their areas. Elder made home visits and conducted screenings in school.

Initially, she was assigned to the Fourth Ward area, which was predominately Black.

In the ‘60s, she was part of a pilot program to integrate Charlotte's community health program in the Paw Creek area, near the airport. She described it as “Klan country” in an interview.

Elder faced racism from fellow nurses and the white patients she helped. Some of her fellow nurses wouldn’t accept her as a peer, which lead to arguments at work.

Some of her white patients treated her like she was a maid and asked her to take out the trash. Despite these obstacles, Elder convinced other Black women to become public nurses.

Madie Smith-Moore joined the health department while Elder worked there. While Elder earned a reputation for speaking out, Smith-Moore quietly fought her battles. After also starting her nursing career in the kitchen, Smith-Moore would eventually rise through the ranks to become the first Black public health supervisor in Mecklenburg County.

“It was Miss Madie’s leadership that began to open up the door for other African Americans to believe they should also apply in leadership roles,” Emanuel said. “She coached and mentored other

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

THEREASEA & MADIE

notable dates

1950s

Elder begins her career at the white-only Charlotte Memorial Hospital filling salt shakers for the kitchen. Smith-Moore also starts in the Charlotte Memorial kitchen, where she learns about vegetables and fruit and how to eat a healthier diet.

Elder and Smith-Moore work together at the all-Black hospital Good Samaritan because they are still unable to work as nurses.

1960s

Elder joined the Public Health Department and was part of a pilot program to integrate Charlotte's community health program in the Paw Creek area near the airport.

1970s

Smith-Moore was one of the first nurses in an integrated group to visit and work in schools that were predominately white in the early ’70s. She continued to take on more responsibility, and became the de facto program chief at the department’s clinic in Huntersville

African American women in the system.”

Smith-Moore, 89, like Elder entered nursing by starting in the diet kitchen at Charlotte Memorial when she was a teen.

Her supervisors described her as swift of mind and feet, she said in a phone interview.

Smith-Moore said working in the kitchen taught her about vegetables and fruit and how to eat a healthier diet.

Smith-Moore received her bachelor of science at St. Augustine. After college, SmithMoore taught nursing arts at Good Samaritan, but she wanted to be a nurse. Back then, she said, Black nurses couldn’t get a job at the health department unless another Black nurse died or retired. So, she got a job as a nurse in the mid ’50s, but she was assigned to Monroe. Once a Black nurse in Mecklenburg County died, Smith-Moore transferred to Charlotte.

Smith-Moore was the only nurse with a B.S., but unlike the other nurses on staff, she did not have any experience in public health. The health department sent her to Duke University for training. Smith-Moore soared, because she volunteered to complete assignments and did what needed to be done.

She shared information about the health department’s services at PTA meetings and community events. Smith-Moore was one of the first nurses in an integrated group to visit and work in schools that were predominately white in the early ’70s. She continued to

take on more responsibility, and became the de facto program chief at the department’s clinic in Huntersville. Smith-Moore never received the title or compensation of a program chief, but she performed the duties that accompanied that title.

“You often don’t get the recognition,” said Jacqueline Glenn, retired health department director of nursing. “It’s unfortunate, but that still goes on.”

Smith-Moore added, “There were attempts to sabotage. I had to keep cool. There were a lot of challenges, and I just always tried to keep God first.”

Her level head opened the door for other Black nurses to rise through the ranks. She encouraged young nurses to pursue graduate degrees so they could get promotions that weren’t available to her. Glenn was one of those nurses that Smith-Moore pushed.

“She was an excellent, excellent role mode,” Glenn said.

Glenn is also a role model.

In 2017, she was demoted after ordering her staff to report that 185 women had not been notified of their risk for cervical cancer following abnormal Pap smears.

Glenn and so many other women who were inspired and mentored by Elder and SmithMoore are now the guardians of public health. We all owe a debt to the two public nurses who blazed a trail to keep the community’s most vulnerable healthy. P

Thereasea Elder

Madie Smith-Moore

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

27

You Go, Girl!

Safety Tips for Women Who Travel Solo

By Lashawnda Becoats

M

ore women than ever are packing their bags and pulling out their passports to embark on solo adventures around the globe. Many women are in search of exciting adventures that include meeting new people, exploration and trying mouthwatering food.

I’ve been a solo traveler for years.

In fact, by the time you read this, I’ll be in Grenada, exploring the Spice Island alone. As a woman who doesn’t mind traveling without anyone, one of the most popular questions I get asked is, "How does traveling alone make you feel, and what do you do to protect yourself?”

Honestly, safety is always my first concern, and I decide on my destination based on destinations rated highly for those who travel alone. Whether you’re a seasoned solo traveler or looking to plan your first trip, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way.

Before the Trip

Research your destination to be sure that it’s safe to travel to, especially for women. Not all destinations are suggested.

Check websites such as tripadvisor.com, travel blogs and ask others who’ve traveled to your destination. It’s a smart way to get the vibe and be make sure you’ll feel comfortable.

The first time I traveled alone was in1998. Now that I’ve gotten the hang of it, it’s easy and fun.

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Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Copy That

After you’ve decided where to go, be sure to email a digital copy of your passport photo page and signature to yourself and several trusted family members or friends. If you lose your passport abroad, you can always find a computer to access your email and print a copy of your passport, if necessary, for proof of who you are. Also, don’t forget to share your lodging information, flight itinerary and tours you may have booked, as well.

Alternative Lodging

It’s fun to use accommodation other than hotels or resorts, such as AirBnb or hostels, as a way to switch things up. If you’re considering alternative lodging, try staying in a home with a family with children. It can be way to feel safe and to interact with locals and learn information that you’d never learn on your own.

Write It Down

We all rely on our cell phones for everything when we travel, from language assistance to maps, but what if your phone is lost or stolen? Be sure to write down

your address on paper in a small travel notebook or on a notecard. Carry it with you while you’re out exploring, just in case you get lost. The handwritten information is helpful to be able to show to a cab driver, especially if there’s a language barrier or your cell phone battery dies.

That way, you can still get back safely to your residence.

Be Cute, But Not Too Fancy

Looking stylish when you travel is important, but don’t be a target. Leave your expensive jewelry, handbags and designer sunglasses at home. Attracting too much attention when traveling alone is a no-no and can make you a target for crime. My rule of thumb: I don’t travel with anything that I’d be devastated to lose.

Check in with Family or Friends Via Social Media

Solo holidays can be a way to disconnect from everyday life, including friends and family. However, it’s important

Solo holidays can be a way to disconnect from everyday life, including friends and family.

However, it’s important to check in every now and then, so your loved ones know you are safe. to check in every now and then, so your loved ones know you are safe. Use email, social media messenger or apps such as WhatsApp to keep them posted. I’ve also used social media by adding my location to posts, especially when I take a tour, as an added precaution, so that I can be tracked via my last destination in case of emergency.

Your Gut Knows

Traveling alone can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never done it before.

Don’t worry; if you decide to make it happen for yourself, remember: If something doesn’t feel right, then don’t second-guess yourself. Follow your gut and be aware of your surroundings at all times. P

Dominique J.

WOMEN MAGIC

Simpson Milton

2020

C arolinas Vi rginia Minority Supplier Development C ounc il 70 4 -5 4 9 -10 0 0 w w w . C V M SD C . o r g

MY MISSION: My business mission is to impact Economic Growth by developing and connecting our certified MBEs with our Intentional Corporate Partners.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: I am afraid of heights and don’t like rollercoasters. This fact made it especially difficult to join the 1% club in 2019 when I did a Tandem Sky Dive from 15,000 feet in the air!

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I HAVE EVER RECEIVED: One of my mentors told me to get as much experience as possible in corporate America and parlay that experience into my own operation.

I STAY EMPOWERED BY: My Faith in God, the support of my family and compartmentalizing activities.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Take charge of what they want in life.

Women who are not afraid to wear pink in a sea of black.

Women who enjoy helping other women to realize their dreams.

THE SECR ET TO DOING GOOD BUSINESS IN CHAR LOTTE: The same as in any market; bring VALUE to the table, be PRESENT to realize opportunities, be INTENTIONALLY ENGAGED, and be COACHABLE.

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

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Brittney

WOMEN MAGIC

2020

Bogues

B og u e s C on su l t i ng G r o u p 7 04- 2 80- 9 842 w w w. b og ue s c o n s u l t i n g g r ou p. c om

MY MISSION: I try to enter all situations with a positive attitude, honesty and a hopeful heart. It truly does make a difference in daily interactions.

few photographs. One of which has a home at my alma mater Wake Forest University.

I STAY EMPOWERED BY: My faith, family and trying new things.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I HAVE EVER RECEIVED: Go after your dreams and be willing to fail.

Learn from those failures by applying those lessons to constantly improve and grow.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Love themselves unconditionally and remember to take care and time for themselves.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Genuinely support and root for other women.

THE SECRET TO DOING GOOD BUSINESS IN CHARLOTTE IS: Being authentic, relatable and reliable.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: I used to study photography and have sold a

WOMEN MAGIC

2020

DeAnna SWtoarelMMaanrat ger Bogli

MY MIS SI ON : To be a high caliber mentor that supports growth and ambition from group learning, peer to peer support along with providing accessability to growth within the corporate world.

I A D M I RE WO M E N WH O : Aren’t afraid to take risks, and if they fail, they remain confident and determined to rise even stronger than they were before.

B E ST BU S IN ES S AD VICE I H AVE E VER R ECE IVE D: Believe in yourself and always say yes to opportunity!

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Y O U ’ D N E V E R G UE S S T H A T : I originally wanted to become a marriage and family therapist because I love helping people, but now through different opportunites in retail I found my true passion which is building my team up and helping them make their aspirations come to life.

I H O P E M O R E W O M E N W I LL : Be CONFIDENT in themselves and their abilities to be successful in life and know that they DO measure up.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Sharai Lavoie CPA PLLC

704-392-2311 www.walmart.com

Lavoie

MY MISSION: To provide strategic clarity and innovation to emerging businesses at all stages of their life cycle.

Creating a culture of curiosity, team and community.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I HAVE EVER RECEIVED: Be willing to change and adapt and always listen.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: See no glass ceiling and reach back to ensure other women do not either.

CEO/Managing Member 704-644-0235 www.lavoiepllc.com

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: I would love to design my own line of golf attire and have a custom shoe business.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Encourage each other.

THE SECRET TO DOING GOOD BUSINESS IN CHARLOTTE IS: Relationships.

WOMEN MAGIC

2020

Peggy

Davis Harris

M Y M I S S IO N :

I S T AY E M PO W ERE D B Y :

To be a light and an inspiration to younger women I encounter by modeling integrity, graciousness and confidence.

Expressing gratitude for where I am in my life; being an inspiration to my wonderful accomplished daughters; and knowing I embody the dreams and hopes of my ancestors.

B E S T B U S IN E S S A D V IC E I H A V E E V E R R E C E IV E D :

Atrium Health Diversity & Inclusion Atriumhealth.org

Invest in yourself, choose your friends wisely and do not allow yourself to be defined by your job.

I H O P E M O R E W O M E N W IL L : At an early age, learn to stand in their power, know their worth and act accordingly.

I A D M IR E W O M E N W H O : Know and like who they are when they look in the mirror; go after the things they want and “lovingly” demand respect.

Y O U ’D N E V E R G U E S S T H A T : I am a lover of animals and parent 3 dogs; a rottweiler, a golden retriever and a pit bull terrier.

T H E S E C R E T T O G O O D B U S IN E S S IN C H A R L O T T E I S : Relationships. Developing extensive networks that trust you, believe in you, support you and won’t hesitate to sponsor you.

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WOMEN’S HISTORY

African American Women to Know

By Hope Yancey

M

arch is Women’s History Month, and a fitting time to honor achievements of outstanding African American women with ties to North Carolina, from the 1800s to today. While a comprehensive list would fill many pages, here is a short list we’ve curated, highlighting a few women you should know. From western North Carolina to the coastal part of our state, their accomplishments are diverse and span education, social activism, law, ministry and the literary and performing arts.

Marie G. Davis lived in this house at 301 Campus St., near the main entrance to Johnson C. Smith University.

Marie G. Davis was a respected school principal and teacher.

Marie G. Davis Charlotte

1 2

Marie G. Davis came from Savannah, to live in the Charlotte area. She became a well-known educator in Charlotte, serving as a public school principal and teacher. Together with her husband, Dr. George E. Davis, who was the first Black professor at Johnson C. Smith University, she worked for equal education for all students.

The impressive Victorian house the Davises built in the 1890s, and lived in for many years, still stands at 301 Campus St. in historic Biddleville, not far from the main Beatties Ford Road entrance to the JCSU campus. The home had fallen into disrepair, but was restored beginning in 2013.

The memory of Marie Davis and her accomplishments carry on with the

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Sources: Charlotte Museum of History news release Charlotte Observer article, Nov. 20, 1932 Johnson C. Smith University news releases

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Jaki Shelton Green Mebane

Jaki Shelton Green is a poet, teacher and arts advocate, born in Mebane. Gov. Roy Cooper appointed her N.C. Poet Laureate in 2018. She is the first African American and third woman to serve.

“I am very proud, humbled and tremendously grateful to serve as the first African American N.C. Poet Laureate. I embrace this historical moment with much respect and homage to the many African Americans who have been in positions of ‘first’ before me,” Green tells Pride Magazine in an email. “As I travel across the state in my role as ambassador of the literary arts, I am very excited to engage with the rich

Photo courtesy of N.C. Arts Council.

Photo courtesy of The Charlotte Observer.

Photo by Hope Yancey.

name of Marie G. Davis K-8 School, part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Jaki Shelton Green is the N.C. Poet Laureate.

diversity of North Carolina humanity.

I know my representation matters and crucially informs my deep reverence and sensibility for my responsibilities and the intentional trailblazing that I am manifesting.”

Green teaches documentary poetry at the Duke University Center for Documentary Studies. She’s written eight poetry collections.

The Academy of American Poets announced in 2019 that she had been named an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow. She received a $75,000 prize. Green created an initiative to assist youth and student writers across the state, who may have limited opportunities to have their voices heard.

Sources: Biographical statement from Jaki Shelton Green

Harriet Jacobs was an enslaved person, abolitionist and writer. She hid for years in the home of her grandmother, Molly Horniblow, before fleeing north on a boat from Edenton. In 1861, she published a book called “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Written by Herself.” Jacobs was posthumously awarded a N.C. Literary Hall of Fame trophy.

The visitor center at Historic Edenton State Historic Site includes an exhibit about her. Visitors can take a tour in Edenton and see places significant in Jacobs’ life, such as the Chowan County Jail, where her relatives were held.

Source: “Harriet Jacobs,” Chowan County Tourism Development Authority, www.harrietjacobs.org

Pauli Murray Durham

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Pauli Murray was a lawyer, leader in civil rights and women’s rights, helped start the National Organization for Women and was the first African American woman ordained an Episcopal priest. Born

Photo courtesy of N.C. Arts Council.

Trust for Historic Preservation announced in 2019 that more than $60,000 had been raised.

A community-created mural in Durham depicts Pauli Murray, a lawyer, activist and Episcopal priest.

Photo by Hope Yancey.

Harriet Jacobs

Edenton

Nina Simone was a singer and civil rights activist.

Efforts are underway to preserve Nina Simone’s childhood home in Tryon.

Sources: National Trust for Historic Preservation news release Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice

Nina Simone Tryon

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Nina Simone (Eunice Waymon) was a singer and activist for civil rights.

Simone was born in 1933, hailing from the small western N.C.town of Tryon.

She was known as the “High Priestess of Soul.”

An effort has been underway to repair and preserve her childhood home. The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the N.C.Arts Council, the N.C. African American Heritage Commission and the National

The home was empty for years and slated for demolition, when four artists bought it.

A plaza named for Simone in downtown Tryon features a bronze statue of her playing a piano.

Sources: N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources news releases P

Photo by Hope Yancey.

3

Harriet Jacobs was an enslaved person, abolitionist and writer.

in Maryland, she moved to Durham as a child.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation named her childhood home in Durham a National Treasure.

The house was built in 1898 by her grandfather, Robert Fitzgerald.

Murray wrote about the house and its importance in a memoir published in 1956, “Proud Shoes: The Story of an American Family.”

The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice is a Durham organization honoring her work.

Photo courtesy of the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice.

Photo courtesy of Chowan County Tourism Development Authority.

Email interview with Jaki Shelton Green N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources news release N.C.Arts Council news releases

A statue of Nina Simone graces a small plaza in downtown Tryon.

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

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We’re on a mission to promote and protect the public’s health!

Public Health Services • POPULATION HEALTH Epidemiology Office of Community Engagement Office of Policy & Prevention Preparedness • CLINICAL SERVICES Adult & Adolescent Health Clinic Immunization Clinic Laboratory Services Medical Records Patient Services Pediatric Dental Clinic Refugee Health Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic

• CASE MANAGEMENT & HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) Community Alternatives Programs Maternal & Child Health Programs Trauma & Justice Partnerships Women, Infants & Children (WIC) • PREVENTIVE HEALTH Communicable Disease Control Environmental Health Ryan White Program School Health STI/HIV Outreach and Case Management STI Investigations and Surveillance

For more information about our services please visit mecklhealth.org or call 704-336-6500 to talk to a representative to see what service you might qualify for.

PrideBusiness

By Tonya Jameson

Pauline’s is the Chill Spot You Need

M

aybe it’s the unfiltered sunlight streaming through the windows, or the pillowladen comfy chairs and couches, or maybe, just maybe, it’s the genuine smile from Sherry Waters, but Pauline’s Tea-Bar and Apothecary feels better than home.

In a city known for high-octane coffee shops, loud breweries, cardio yoga and other concepts that fuel our need to move, Pauline’s is a welcome respite from the Charlotte bustle. It’s tucked away in a small brick building off Freedom Drive. Since opening last July, Pauline’s has become an oasis for people seeking a quiet place to decompress, meditate and even pray.

The coziness inside of Pauline’s Tea Bar. March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

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Sherry Waters

“It’s the most comfortable place in Charlotte,” said Pamela Turner, who leads meditations at Pauline’s. “She intentionally made it a living room. It’s comforting and healing.”

Waters said she always wanted to create a quiet lounge. In a previous job, she worked as a chaplain for Atrium Health in Concord. Her office had comfortable furniture and aromatherapy diffusers. It really helped people who visited with her, and the idea for Pauline’s was born. When she visited the old office building that’s now Pauline’s, the spirits told her that it was her space, she said.

Inside Pauline’s, named after Waters’ late grandmother, along with the cozy furniture, artwork by local artists, soothing aromas fill the air. It’s a mix of sweet scents from the teas and essential oils from the diffuser. A water fountain trickles gently in the front room, and there’s a private prayer room in a space about the size of a small closet. Her friends and supporters donated personal mugs lining

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Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

the wall next to the two shelves of herbal teas. There’s a case of freshly baked goods on the counter.

“Here, the design is to pull back from the hurriedness of life and be authentically you,” Waters said.

Waters greets customers and lets them pick their teas. She provides as much or as little assistance as her customers need to select a flavor. She, too, is learning about tea. Her real goal in opening Pauline’s was to create a sacred space. The tea was an afterthought, but she’s even added her own touch to that.

She brings a steaming mug or pot to her guests while they get comfortable on a couch, chair or sit at the big round table.

She plans to add floor pillows.

Most people find Pauline’s because repeat customers usually bring friends.

The space has been used for group meetings and book clubs. Waters hosts monthly open mics, weekly happy hours, featuring a specialty tea, and holistic wellness classes.

Along a strip known more for fast food chains and unhealthy food, Pauline’s is an anomaly. It’s the kind of place that you’d expect to see in Dilworth or Plaza Midwood.

J’Tanya Adams, president of Historic West End Partners, says that fact makes Pauline’s even more important for African Americans.

“People assume that Charlotte is Southern and limited in their experiences, particularly African Americans, and we have such a broad experiences,” Adams said. “I would love to see a restorative space in West End, so we can have that peaceful place to go to and sit with a friend. Where better a location than an area where people are met with a lot of challenges, and have need for that kind of space?”

As the city shakes off the winter lull and steamrolls into the frenetic spring full of festivals and activity, Pauline’s invites us to take time to meditate, contemplate and be still. P .

‘Every Family Matters, Every Moment Counts’ Comforting and Serving Children Exposed to Violence Dedicated to the memory of our “Mama Val,” Valorie Williams, who is with us always.

G

unshots pepper a north Charlotte apartment complex, striking a five-year-old in the leg. Police respond and recognizing the potential psychological trauma for the child and her family, call Mecklenburg County’s Child Development-Community Policing (CD-CP) clinician. She responds within minutes, providing acute trauma intervention services alongside her officer partner, and both begin the work of helping the child and her family feel safe again. Their work continues over days and weeks, as the police officer and clinician team assesses the child’s and the family’s progress and needs, provides targeted interventions and helps reestablish a sense of safety in the home.

More than 25 years ago, public health and safety professionals across Charlotte and Mecklenburg County began to recognize—and address—the ties between health and exposure to violence. They hatched a plan: to position mental health clinicians in

police cars, to better care for children affected by traumatic events. The initial results were positive, and MCPH CD-CP program was born. Today, Public Health staffs a team of more than 17 clinicians, who work alongside local police departments and serve thousands of children annually. Our CD-CP program has become the largest program of its kind in the nation.

The clinicians work days, nights, weekends and holidays, serving children where they are when they need it most.

No child should ever have to wait for the best preventative care available, and as with all Public Health programs, care is available for anyone in need. Like many Public Health programs, there is a very raw, very personal, relational component to this model that we believe leads to the best care.

It’s a simple model: Pair child trauma experts with the professionals who are most acutely aware of traumatized children—police officers. Then, give these partners what they need to

work together effectively and understand each other’s unique role in a family’s care. Clinicians perform an immediate acute trauma assessment and targeted clinical intervention, aimed at reducing emerging symptoms and restoring emotional safety. The officers focus on physical safety and safety planning for families.

The service model for CD-CP is designed to disrupt the cycle of violence, stabilize families and prevent the need for future long-term mental health services. Our goal is to neutralize adverse experiences in their tracks, lessening the risk for lifelong effects on a child or family. We unfortunately can’t prevent every such occurrence, but we absolutely can respond, offering opportunities for safety and healing.

Our unofficial motto is “Every family matters, every moment counts.”

It was coined years ago by “Mama Val,” our program’s beloved and late administrative assistant. In that motto, she captured our earnestly held belief that children have improved health, social and educational outcomes when they receive immediate expert care that addresses emotional and physical safety needs. When caregivers are informed and supported in being their child’s best allies, and families receive needed referrals, assistance and follow-up care, resiliency and hope can be far reaching.

We have changed the landscape of both mental health and policing in CharlotteMecklenburg, but there is still a lot of work to do—for all of us. P Content sponsored

by Mecklenburg County Public Health.

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

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SceneandSeen

The 2020 Pride Awards Luncheon at The Westin, Charlotte Photos by T. Ortega Gaines

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Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

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PrideBusiness FYI News & Notes Compiled by Katrice Bryant

Charlotte Named Among the Top 10 Cities in America in Which It’s Least Safe to Drive A new comprehensive national traffic safety study from Go Safe Labs shows that Charlotte was one of the top 10ten cities in the nation for traffic accidents in 2019, coming in second on the nonprofit group’s list of America’s least safe cities in which to drive.

According to Go Safe Labs’ study, there were 21,818 crashes last year in Charlotte – a 13.3 percent year-over-year decrease.

The group’s data science team based its findings on a national review of more than 1.8 million accident reports from 2018 and 2019.

“In 2020, we wanted to start the new year by reviewing what we learned from the past year. We thought with a little more traffic safety data, we can hopefully know a little more about the safest places to drive,” said Kevin Pomplun, chairman of Go Safe Labs, which uses data to advance transportation infrastructure and enhance public safety.

Nationally, traffic accidents across the United States increased 6.8 percent in 2019 – with nearly 1 million crashes on America’s roadways. There were 953,630 accidents in 2019, up from 892,615 in 2018.

Not Your Ordinary Photography Studio

MECKLENBURG COUNTY IS IN THE MIDST OF A

HEPATITIS A OUTBREAK Are you at risk?

The best way to protect against hepatitis A and prevent the spread is to get the hepatitis A vaccine and wash your hands.

+ Located in what once was the historic Brooklyn neighborhood, Studio 229 on Brevard is a new interactive photography studio/ venue that boasts a chill environment committed to those who are socially conscious and interested in economic mobility.

The venue owners, Kevin Douglas and Monique Stubbs-Hall, say that the space honors history. It’s a part of the “Brooklyn Collective,” a project committed to keeping the rich history of the Brooklyn neighborhood alive, a hub for the socially conscious, a home to both music and visual arts. For bookings, call 980-428-4973.

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Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

For more information: meckhealth.org 980.314.9400

Give your child THE BEST SHOT at a healthy school year!

KINDERGARTEN

DTaP 5 doses Polio 4 doses Hib [4-YEAR-OLDS ONLY] 3-4 doses MMR (or 2 measles, 2 mumps, 1 rubella) 2 doses Hepatitis B 3 doses Varicella 2 doses Pneumococcal conjugate 4 doses [4-YEAR-OLDS ONLY]

7TH GRADE

DTaP Polio MMR (or 2 measles, 2 mumps, 1 rubella) Hepatitis B Vari ella Tdap Meningococcal conjugate 1 dose

5 doses 4 doses 2 doses 3 doses 1 dose 1 dose

12TH GRADE

For children to enter school in North Carolina their immunization records MUST be up-to-date.

DTaP Polio MMR (or 2 measles, 2 mumps, 1 rubella) Hepatitis B Varicella Tdap Meningococcal conjugate

5 doses 4 doses 2 doses 3 doses 1 dose 1 dose 2 doses

Mecklenburg County Public Health offers immunization appointments at three locations in the County.

For more information or to make an appointment visit MeckHealth.org or call 704-336-6500.

Foundation for The Carolinas receives millions for Charlotte Housing Opportunity Investment Fund Mecklenburg County faces a deficit of more than 30,000 affordable housing units. Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) is leading a campaign to raise $50 million from the private sector for the Charlotte Housing Opportunity Investment Fund (CHOIF), to meet the growing need to increase production through the City of Charlotte’s Housing Trust Fund.

FFTC has announced additional commitments from Atrium Health, which who has committed $10 million to CHOIF. In addition, Fifth Third Bank committed a total of $10 million, including $3 million to the private-sector fund and an additional $7 million in planned investments and loan initiatives to increase accessibility to affordable housing options. In addition to the combined $20 million commitment from Atrium Health and Fifth Third Bank, the foundation also announced a three-acre gift of privately owned family land from David and Scott Brooks, owners of Brooks Sandwich House. The land will be used to create 18-24 townhomes for homeownership through Habitat for Humanity.

“These commitments march us one step closer to boosting the state of affordable housing in our community,” said FFTC president and CEO Michael Marsicano. “To succeed, it is critical that we have strong community partners who are committed to this cause and are leading by example.”

For more information on the foundation’s Charlotte Housing Opportunity Investment Fund – and for a complete list of commitments – visit www.fftc.org/CHOIF P .

March-April 2020 | Pride Magazine

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PrideHealth

By Dr. Wendy Welch, Chief Medical Officer, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare

The Importance of Self-Care

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s I listened to words of wisdom from a woman who has experienced her fair share of life’s challenges, I was reminded of the importance of self-love, the love of family, friends, colleagues, and one’s community. As she shared the way people in her life supported her, her words served as a living blueprint of what it means to prioritize self-love and self-care as a woman.

Comprehensive self-care plans often address three main categories: Mind, Body, and Spirit. Self-care is not in conflict with great achievement, but rather, supports it. Being successful, however you define it, and prioritizing self-care are not mutually exclusive goals. As women, we can and must do both. Caring for our own minds, bodies, and spirits gives us the strength to achieve great things. Self-care provides energy that supports us as we

blaze our path forward, following the wisdom of women who came before and illuminating the path for women who follow us.

If self-care is new for you, it can seem overwhelming to add one more thing to an overscheduled, hectic life where you wear many different hats – wife, mother, colleague, mentor, coach, and kid-chauffeur to name a few. Start where you are now with some simple actions that can form the foundation of a holistic self-care plan: Mind – Set a reminder to laugh every single day. Laughter is personal, so this can be a funny website, or it can be a daily call with a friend where you hold each other accountable for a daily laugh break.

Body – Enjoy a healthy, homecooked meal with someone you love.

Or buy a new pair of sneakers to wear during your daily walk.

Spirit – If you have a spiritual practice, carve out and protect time every day to devote to your spiritual well-being. For readers who are on a path of spiritual discovery, dedicate time to exploring what spiritual wellness means for you.

Partnership and Accountability – As women, sometimes it can be difficult to follow through with good self-care intentions. Choose another woman to support and partner with you to hold you accountable in your wellness journeys.

As I read about the many accomplishments of so many women during Women’s History month, including living legends in our city, I am empowered to look at my own choices.

It has inspired me to act by re-committing to my own self-care plan.

My hope is that this article might inspire you to do the same by taking one step toward your own self-care plan or by sharing this article with at least one woman in your life. Together we can give to ourselves the very things we do for those we love, and in the process, our communities will be stronger for it. P

1 2 3 4

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Life isn’t always easy.

Sometimes, you just need a little help.

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare: Medicaid and public health services and supports to help people live their best lives.

For help, call us at 1.800.939.5911 or visit us online at cardinalinnovations.org Mental Health | Substance Use Disorders | Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

PrideHealth

TIPS:

By Angela Lindsay

Eating for Life: Do’s and Don’ts for Women Over 50

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eto? Paleo? Vegan? Glutenfree? It seems there is an ever-expanding array of diets to choose from, depending on your lifestyle and health goals.

For women over 50, making proper nutritional decisions can be even more essential than for younger women, as those needs begin to change with age.

The good news is that small changes can equal big results.

A solid way to start is by filling your grocery cart with colorful “superfoods.”

Thefinelinemag.com suggests berries, which are known for their antiaging properties. Wild blueberries contain antioxidants, and studies link blueberry intake to Alzheimer’s disease prevention, the site says. Cranberries, which can aid in resolving urinary tract infections, are now thought to have effective cardiovascular benefits, as well. Other berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc. are potent sources of antioxidants and phytochemicals that prevent inflammation and keep your digestive tract healthy.

Gastrointestinal functioning slows with age, so it’s important to focus on eating enough fiber to keep your system moving along, states nextavenue. org. Fiber-rich foods to incorporate into your regular routine are whole wheat pasta, lentils and green peas.

Whole grains, such as oats, brown rice, quinoa, barley, and more are all great sources of fiber, B vitamins and important minerals. Fiber is also good for the heart and cardiovascular system, because it helps lower cholesterol levels (thefinelinemag.com).

Reducing the risk of cancer can be achieved by eating cruciferous vegetables, such as like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts and kale. They are also rich in folate and vitamins C, E and K, which are all important for keeping your immune system strong and combating inflammation. Vitamin K is especially important for maintenance of normal

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blood clotting, a factor to consider as you age (thefinelinemag.com).

Omega 3 fatty acids and their heartprotecting properties become especially important as women age, because the potential for heart disease increases, according to nextavenue.org. They are also important for cognitive function and keeping blood pressure in check. Try fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines to get your fill. The risk of heart disease and stroke increases with age; lower it by eating foods that are high in potassium, such as bananas, pistachios, potatoes and avocados. A recent study of women aged 50 to 70 found that those who ate the highest amounts of potassium were least likely to experience a stroke (nextavenue.org).

Leafy greens, such as spinach, collards, swiss chard and kale, can be easily added to most meals—and they should be. They are rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant and immunity booster, as well as folate, which plays an important role in cognitive function. They are high in lutein and other carotenoids, which may delay the onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration (thefinelinemag.com).

Calcium is widely known for building

• Since metabolism slows with aging, it’s important to adjust how many calories you're eating daily.

Generally, the range is 1,400-2,400 calories a day.

• Consider supplements and ageand gender-specific multivitamins.

• Like wine? Drink it like a Mediterranean: sip moderate amounts with meals.

• Serve meat less often; keep portions small.

• Eat mostly plants—a colorful variety.

• Leave the table a little bit hungry. Portion control is an important factor.

Sources: nextavenue.org; thefinelinemag.org

and maintaining strong bones and teeth and preventing osteoporosis, but it is also required for proper functioning of the heart, muscles and nervous system. (nextaveue.org). Good sources of calcium include yogurt, which is also full of protein and probiotics that help keep the digestive system functioning properly. (thefinelinemag.com). For those who are lactose intolerant, eat leafy greens or tofu that has been made with a calcium compound. Be sure to increase your vitamin D level also, as it aids in the absorption of calcium (nextavenue.org).

Now that you know what you should be consuming, avoiding certain foods can be just as important. According to finance.yahoo.com, nix meat products such as hot dogs, sausage and bacon, as they are high in fat, low in nutrition and contain cancer-causing additives. Be sure to read the labels on things and try to pick those with less than 30 percent of calories from fat. Protein bars are all the craze right now; however, many of them can be high in sugar and calories, and they are heavily processed. Instead, try blending a smoothie at home with frozen fruit, leafy greens such as raw spinach or kale, Greek yogurt and unsweetened almond milk. Doing so can be an easy way to get in the 1 1/2 cups of fruits and the 2 cups of vegetables that the USDA’s Choose My Plate website suggests for women over 50 to consume daily.

Following a healthier food regimen can do a body good, no matter your age.

So, don’t wait until the big 5-0.

Prevention is key. And the earlier you start, the better. P

Charlotte Latin School Spotlight

Dr. Sonja Taylor Appointed to Assistant Head of School for K–12 Curriculum and Instruction, Equity, and Strategic Initiatives

“Charlotte Latin School has an excellent academic reputation entrenched in its commitment to educating the whole child. I am honored to apply my professional skills and experiences to comprehensively address how the school leverages its standing to empower our students to become twenty-first century leaders, critical thinkers, and committed servants to the Charlotte community, our nation, and the world.”

— Dr. Sonja Taylor Taylor assumes her new position at Charlotte Latin on July 1, 2020.

EventsCalendar

Mark Your Calendar Compiled by Shawn D. Allison, II

March 7

Experience the power of music at a special concert entitled, “The Color of Love.” This original and classic R&B showcase performed by the Charlottebased A Sign of the Times band combines the passion, brightness, rhythms, darkness, harmonies, moods and emotions that make love the most desired and sought after gift in the universe. $15-35. Carolinatix.org

March 12

Get ready for some exciting energy at the A Black Woman Created This Tour. It’s head-bobbin’ and mic rockin’ all night as the multitalented Rapsody sets the stage on fire along with acclaimed lyricists Heather Victoria and Sa-Roc the MC. Tickets start at $30.

Amossouthend.com

March 13

Enjoy a night of roots, rock and reggae with Stephen Marley’s Acoustic Soul. The second son of Bob and Rita Marley, the eight-time Grammy winning musician invites you out for a night of infectious, relaxing and soul-stirring Reggae sentiments from his extensive catalogue. $36-46.

8 p.m. Neighborhood Theater.

511 E. 36th St. Eventbrite.com

March 14

Bring the entire tribe out and be informed at the inaugural State of Black Charlotte Forum. This is a solutionfocused event that brings Black people the power to strengthen themselves and their communities by inspiring life-long learning, advance knowledge and healing. 11 a.m. 615 E. 6th St. Eventbrite.com

March 21

Prepare your palates for a dose of soul as Serving the Culture proudly presents the Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot Dinner. Enjoy the flavor of funk from a number of local Black chefs and mixologists as they pay homage to one of Hip Hop culture’s greatest and unsung contributors. $75.

Eventbrite.com Calling all young people – gather your friends and come out to the Youth Total Wellness Expo.

This exhibition will feature a day of panel discussions and workshops around inner confidence, conflict resolution and healthy friendships/relationships.

Free admission. 1 p.m.

Northlake Mall. 6801 Northlake Mall Dr.

April 4

Enjoy a day of community fun at the 8th Annual Charlotte African-American Festival. Live performances, lectures, music, cuisines and fellowship take center stage in this celebration of our heritage and culture in America. Free admission.

10 a.m. Spirit Square. 345 N. College St.

46

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

instrumentalist jam sessions, spoken word and lots more. Tickets start at $10. boomcharlotte.org

April 22-25

April 11

Experience the power of words and rhythm at the inaugural Charlotte Poetry Festival. This celebration of National Poetry Month will feature live performances, open mics, workshops, interactive exercises, an awards ceremony and much more. Free admission.

12 noon. Charlotte Art League. 4100 Raleigh St.

April 16

The Levine Museum of the New South invites you to Catalyst 2020 with the incomparable Danny Glover. As one of the world’s most highly sought-after public speakers, Glover passionately champions education, equity and social justice while showing us how the arts can lead the way for community activism around the world. 7:30 p.m.

Museumofthenewsouth.org

April 17 - 19

Get ready for the third annual art explosion in PlazaMidwood known as BOOM Charlotte. This three-day, interactive and multisensory art exhibition features everything from avant-garde performances, showcases, rousing dance numbers,

Gather your friends and appetites ready for CLT Wine & Food Weekend 2020.

This event fuses leading winemakers and chefs from around the world to celebrate great delicacies, while making significant contributions to charitable organizations in the QC community.

Charlottewineandfood.org

April 23 - 26

It’s lights, camera, action and soul at The Charlotte Convention Center because it’s time for the 10th Annual Charlotte Black Film Festival. Artists, filmmakers and film enthusiasts come together to support the power of Black cinema in a series of screenings, workshops and seminars. Charlotteblackfilm festival.com

April 29 - May 4

Get a load of polyrhythmic soul at the 2020 Charlotte Jazz Festival. This weeklong jam will feature workshops and all sorts of performances from local and acclaimed international jazz artists.

Charlottejazzfestival.org

There are no limits to what you can accomplish.

You have the power to redefine what’s possible. From being the first to graduate college to becoming the next big star in your field — you work relentlessly to knock down barriers and build a stronger legacy. We call that being empowerful. As you continue to create more financial stability for you and your family, Wells Fargo will be right by your side helping to make it happen.

You’ve come this far. We can help you go further.

Learn how at:

wellsfargo.com/empowerful © 2020 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. IHA-25770

Inspirational keynote speakers Marlee Matlin & Bertice Berry, PhD

The

FOR

ALL Conference

Diversity • Inclusion • Equity Register Now for This Can’t Miss Event!

For nearly 20 years, the FOR ALL Conference has brought together some of the nation’s sharpest thought leaders in Diversity, Inclusion and Equity.

This year we will be exploring

Courageous Leadership in Uncertain Times Whether you are in healthcare, a tech startup, or somewhere in between, this is a time when diversity has never mattered more. The FOR ALL Conference has been the best kept secret in the diversity learning space. Now it’s open for you to get in on the action. Register now!

2020

Learn more and register at AtriumHealth.org/FORALLConference

April 16 & 17

Charlotte, North Carolina

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