SOWBO Magazine Edition 3

Editors Corner
Tonya?s Talk
Trailblazers in Business
Featured Story - Tisha Davis
The Barbershop Talk
Don?t Let Your Past Determine Your Future
Healthy Her
I See Love in the Mirror
Water- It is Essential for Life
Author?s Spotlight
FEATURED STORY
Tisha Davis
Image Special Events, LLC
Transitioning for Change
Events
Business Directory
Edit or-in- Chief Tonya D. Lat ney
Graph Designer Andrea Smith, SAS Web & Graphic Design
Cover - Random
Cont ribut ing Writ ers
Colena Brown, Jeermal Sylvester, Tracee Sigler, Tisha Davis, Andrea Smith,
Tanisha Carter, Bridget Holmes
GETTING CONNECTED
SOWBO Magazine Society of Women Business Owners
Em ails: sowbomag@gmail.com
Websit e: www.societyofwomenbusinessowners.com www.sowbomagazine.org
Telephone: 1-888- 702-7428

From t he Edit or
from the editor
T O N YA
L AT N EY
SELF LOVE
As the month of October wrapped up and I reflected on
breast cancer awareness and domestic violence
awareness, the one thing that popped in my mind was
self-love. I started to reflect on what self-love really
means to us as women.
?How you love yourself is how you teach others to love
you.?
? Rupi Kaur, Milk and Honey
I do not think we will ever understand why a person is
diagnosed with breast cancer or why a woman ends up in
an abusive relationship, whether mental or physical.
?We can never predict who will be diagnosed or how one
will end up in an abusive relationship, nor may we
understand the causes of breast cancer or what causes
people to abuse others.?
No matter whether your situation is breast cancer or
abuse, I believe that in those tragedies, learning to love
who you are is important. We need to learn how to look in
the mirror and say, ?I love me, no matter what.?
?When a woman becomes her own best friend, life is
easier.?
Self-love is something I believe every woman must learn
over time. Self-love may be different for each woman, but
the key is to find that place of inner peace and to learn
how to exhale.
Self-love is:
- Understanding what makes you happy
- Being able to remove negativity from your life
- Finding your purpose
- Being able to laugh more than you cry
?To love yourself right now, just as you are, is to give
yourself heaven. Don't wait until you die. If you wait, you
die now. If you love, you live now.?
? Alan Cohen
Tonya Latney, MS, BSN, RN, CWP
Email: sowbo12@gmail.com
Twitter: @sowbo12
Instagram: sowbo12
? Diane Von Furstenberg
3

Three-Legged Stool
The Ideal Ret irem ent Model?
Florence Norville-Cheek, MBA
4

With people living longer than ever, it?s
important to make sure the money you have set
aside will last the rest of your life. While Social
Security provides a lifetime supply of income, it
may not be enough to support your desired
lifestyle. If you think you?ll need additional
income and do not have a pension, a lifetime
income annuity can be an excellent way to make
up the difference.
Florence Norville-Cheek
Have you ever heard of the ?three-legged stool?
of retirement? If you have, it probably was a
while ago. Once considered the ideal retirement
model, the three-legged stool has fallen out of
favor because one of the legs? defined benefit
pensions? is not as stable as it once was, and
the future of Social Security is often wound up in
political maneuvering in Washington. Consider
the following:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, just
48% of private sector employers offer defined
contribution or defined benefit pension plans,
and only 8% offer traditional defined benefit
plans,1 thereby eliminating a guaranteed source
of lifetime income.
? Social Security benefits replace about 40% of
the average worker?s salary.2 What?s more, the
Social Security trust fund is expected to deplete
its reserves by 2034, and will be able to fund
approximately 75% of benefits after that.3
Fortunately, there are ways to reinforce the third
leg of the stool? retirement savings and other
personal assets? so that you can still enjoy a
long and fulfilling retirement. Here are two
proven funding sources you may want to
consider if you need to compensate for any
shortcomings:
Although the primary purpose of life insurance
is to deliver death benefit protection, many
permanent life policies accumulate cash value. If
your need for protection decreases over time,
you can borrow against this cash value? tax-free
in most cases? and use the money to
supplement your retirement lifestyle. (Loans
against your policy accrue interest and decrease
the death benefit and cash value by the amount
of the outstanding loan and interest.)
While the three-legged stool of retirement may
be a bit wobbly, the good news is that a secure
future is still within reach. The main difference
these days is that you will most likely have to
build it yourself.
Florence Norville-Cheek, MBA Agent /
Regist ered Represent at ive, New York Life
Insurance Company/NYLIFE Securities 555 East
City Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, Suite 800, PA 19004
1 ?Employee Benefits Survey: Retirement
Benefits,? Bureau of Labor Statistics, March
2017.
2 ?Retirement Planner: Learn About Social
Security Programs,? Social Security.
3 ?Status of the Social Security and Medicare
Programs: A Summary of the 2017 Annual
Reports.? U.S. Department of the Treasury.
5

Vanessa Jackson, Owner
The Cheesecake Lady
Telephone: 267.575.3952
Facebook @cheesecakelady.org
Inst agram @philacheesecake
6

Booking: m gm t @kryst algarner.com
Media Inquiries: pr@kryst algarner.com
718-759-8672
7

8

Featured Story
Tisha Davis
Anvil, Bella + Canvas, and Next Level. I also am
proud to boast that our printers use the latest DTG
print technology. Our goal is for customers to
receive a quality product with their message with
every order.
Our cust om ers have t hree opt ions:
Meet Tisha Davis, the Principal of Image Special
Events, LLC. She recently launched a custom T-shirt
design company, Design Junkie Tees under the
umbrella of the LLC. DJT is a 100% e-commerce
store.
Design Junkie Tees is a custom T-shirt design
company. But it?s so much more! Design Junkie Tees
is a movement. It is a vehicle for women and men to
have a voice and say whatever they're feeling and
look good too! We offer a tremendous selection of
high-quality shirts: tanktops, crop tops, short and
long sleeve T-shirts, jerseys, Polos, hoodies,
sweatshirts and even sweat pants, mugs, tote-bags,
jackets, hats, pillows, and canvas portraits! We also
make embroidered shirts. We offer a wide selection
of custom designs with options for our customers to
upload their own design or request a specific
custom design for themselves, their families, their
companies or organizations. We use the top shirt
companies to include American Apparel, Gildan,
1. Go to the online store at
www.designjunkietees.com and choose a
product they like and purchase it.
2. Send us a message on the site - they have a
picture or design they want to put on a shirt.
3. Send us a message on the site - they have an
idea for a design and they want me to create
a custom design.
I?ve always been an entrepreneur at heart. My father
and his mother were business owners so I got it
honest. I remember working the register on some
Saturdays at my grandmother and grandfather?s
bodega in Harlem. My father was a clothes
designer and a photographer. When I was a
little girl, I would hold my arms out and he
would make a dress right on me. Then, do a
photo shoot. I remember him working in the
middle of the night, drawing, sewing, and
developing prints. I was fascinated by his
talent. This is not my first entrepreneurial
venture; I've had many.
9

I?ve been thinking about designing T-shirts for
about two years. In addition to my bachelor?s
degree in Accounting, master?s degree in
Nonprofit Management, and certification in
Event Leadership, I have a certification in
Graphic Design and a nice loan to go with it. I?m
both analytical and creative and need to use
both skills. I don?t fare well in the corporate
box/coffin. I wanted to do something with my
talent to change my financial portrait and to
provide a vehicle in which I can help others.
Back in May or June of this year, while on
Facebook I saw an ad for Shopify. It seemed like
a great way to have an e-commerce store
without much monetary outlay. So I looked into
it and took the leap!
I realized at the on start that I didn?t know how
to run Facebook ads, didn?t know how to find
my custom audience, wasn?t clear on who I
wanted to serve, didn?t know how to create the
systems that bring in consistent income, didn?t
know anything about the print companies, the
DTG print technology or anything. So, while I
was busy spreading the word, I?ve been
learning. Reading everything in sight. Listening
to videos. Facebook has guides on how to set
up your ads. Shopify has a plethora of
information and even an academy to learn how
to do exactly what I do. Further, there are
thousands of business owners who sell shirts
and apparel. I spoke to a few of them. And
probably the most important thing I?ve done is
invest in a business coach.
Now, I create e-mails and landing pages. I
promote my business on LinkedIn every day.
LinkedIn is my friend! And I promote on
Facebook several days a week. I have a full-time
job and two small granddaughters. So, time is
critical. I account for every minute of my day. I
plan every hour ? during the workday and after
work. I schedule calls during my lunchtime.
I check my e-mails about four times a day
before 5:00 pm. I respond to customers and
inquiries with a swiftness. Customer service is
huge and I have to be available for their needs.
I also walk every day for exercise; it also allows
me to think.
For me having a business is critical. I?ve done a
lot of consulting and I?ve been unemployed
several times. My mortgage lender doesn?t
lower or suspend my monthly payments
because I haven?t gotten paid. It?s important to
generate a consistent income for financial
stability. Although African American women are
the most educated demographic in the United
States, we are the lowest paid. Further, almost
80% of African American families are headed by
women. So, the sad reality is if I stay on my
current job and maintain that as my only
source of income, I would struggle for the rest
of my life. For me, entrepreneurship is the
vehicle to financial independence. It?s a vehicle
to helping my daughter, paying for my
granddaughter?s dance lessons, soccer leagues,
birthday parties, Christmas gifts, vacations, hair
appointments, graduation gifts, etc. It?s a
vehicle to assist other people and women in
need. It?s a vehicle to travel and see the world.
My life depends on this, so I must grind if I want
to succeed. God gives us the power to create
wealth. I?m not doing anything that hasn?t been
done before. I?m just doing it my way and
serving my niche population in a unique way.
Hmmm, the one word that defines me: rebel. I
don?t follow the rules. I create them.
To women who want to start a business, I say
write the vision and make it plain. Don?t say I?m
going to be a business owner. Say that thing as
if it was, say I AM a business owner. Speak it!
Walk it! Eat it for dinner. Write your business
plan and work your dream. Just do it! Doesn?t
matter if it?s not perfect. You will learn as you
go along. Seek wise counsel. Meet with
business owners who are already doing what
you want to do. Go to SBA and wherever else
you have to go. You?re going to have to be
responsible. That means dropping those social
media friends who say and do things that
would compromise your reputation. The things
you do in your personal life affect your
business so be mindful of that. The road will
not be easy but is very gratifying and
worthwhile. Whether you transition to launch a
full-time business or a side hustle, it will afford
you the opportunity to accomplish your goals.
Don?t wait for an employer to define your value.
You are worth your weight in gold! Own it! Walk
in it! If you can believe it, you absolute can
achieve it!
10

THE RENEGADE PUBLIC RELATIONS
323.916.9625 | DRUE.RENEGADEPR@GMAIL.COM

WATER
Is Essent ial For Life
Here is the video: Masaru Emoto - Water
Tracee Sigler
Wat er ? It is Essent ial for Life
What I am about to tell you is probably nothing
new ? especially about water but how many of us
really understand the power of water. I want to
give you, the reader, and basic principles of how
water works and how influencing the water
around us can make a calmer environment.
Here is what we understand about water is?
1. Water is the main component of the Earth that
we know.
2. Water covers 75% of the earth.
3. Water also comprises 70+% of the Human
Body.
So if these statements are true, then water has a
profound effect on us and the world around us.
Vibrations or sound, heard by the eardrum or
not; has most profound effects on our
environment as well as our bodies.
The studies of Dr. Masaru Emoto are most
impressive, to say the very least and most
informative on a much higher note.
Crystals.
It is my hope to bring understanding to you by
simply saying this. We CAN change t he w orld
w it h t he m ost subt le pow er of w at er for t he
bet t erm ent of all hum anit y st art ing w it h
ourselves. The words we speak are powerful, so
powerful they (words and intent) change water
molecules in a glass, jar, or beaker to show these
imprints (frozen). Imagine if the water was
flowing ? how powerful is that? Unimaginable
power! Once you, the reader understands that;
what MORE POWER do we have SPEAKING
gent le t hings t o ourselves? Understanding
then this unimaginable, unlimited power as our
resource; exposing ourselves to the powerful
vibrations of this type of positivity that are all
around us; is a sudden and beginning awakening
of the consciousness. Think about that for a
moment.
That is t ruly POWERFUL t hinking! So much so
that the more positive experiences you thrive on;
the more you feel good? the higher your
vibration; connecting that consciousness, your
true intent. I can assure you that what manifests
before you is and will be truly great! A picture
speaks more than words.
12

WATER
Is Essent ial For Life
Instead of a negative ripple in the pond; have a
positive ripple in the pond. It starts with self, your
true self, and the nature of your thoughts and
intent (consciousness). A shift in the way you
think has profound impressions that ripple
through the molecules in your body. The pictures
above don?t lie.
I encourage you to try this change with yourself?
I am not going to tell you to that positive
intentions do not work because they do. But
would you rather live in a world of unnecessary
intentions; full of unnecessary things; or would
you rather live in a world of expected realizations.
For most people to unlock consciousness and
understand the theories of quantum physics takes
simple concepts like water. In water we can see
ourselves ever growing, ever learning, ever rippling?
like water.
It is not my intent to give any unscientifically proven
theories here without trying them myself and
obviously conducting my own unbiased experiments.
This is how we should look at the universe with ever
wonder like a child. But back at the ranch (Earth); we
MUST first deeply understand the forces around us.
How they operate around us and in us to continue to
push our boundaries in a MOST POSITIVE and a
MOST EXCELLENT way to show our unwavering
gratitude to the Creator of our universe!
I hope you found this article refreshing. I also
hope you have a better understanding of this
basic and most important principle of water.
I drink water without fail every day. I put good
things in the water I drink, wash and cook with. In
essence, I KNOW what is in my water and the
positivity I interact with daily. Do you know what is
in your water?
Always interested in feedback, comments, and
criticisms.
Tracee Sigler, M.EVS., P.G.
Mobile: 505.506.6060

14

Supporting His
Q U EEN
15

Barbershop Talk
Don't Let Your Past Det erm ine Your Fut ure
Jeerm al Sylvest er
My name is Jeermal Sylvester and I am the CEO
of Beauty 4 Ashes Inc. I work with the youth of
the Indianapolis and surrounding areas as an
Influencer, Motivational Speaker, Life Coach and
Mentor. The purpose of my organization is to
address the needs of youth and adults by
providing character building, life skills, and
etiquette training in hopes to prepare them for a
successful and sustainable life.
Today I want to share a story about a young
bright-eyed and vibrant boy who grew up on the
westside of Chicago without his father in a single
parent home. My life goals as a young boy was
to find out who I was, what I could excel at to
change my circumstances. After many trials and
errors, I was able to discover that I had natural a
ability to play basketball and it didn?t take long
before I was one of the BEST. It?s funny to think
back on what it was like growing up and the role
models we had. Growing up in Chicago,
Basketball was not my sport of choice. The sport
I was skilled in was Football. Every young boy in
Chicago at that time wanted to be like the late
great Chicago Bear Walter ?Sweetness? Payton.
Growing up in Chicago I saw a lot of violence,
drugs, gangs, and death. Because of this I
needed something and someone to believe in to
help get me through the tough days. Like a lot of
kids back then and even today, I dealt with living
in a broken home, struggling in school, absentee
father, while trying to survive day to day.
Growing up in Chicago in the area where I lived
there weren?t many options for me or my future.
Life was tough, and my surroundings were not
meant for a promising future. I had two choices,
either be a statistical victim of my environment
or change the narrative by raising a standard for
myself and change my environment.
Life continued as I knew it. In the conditions me
and my family were facing, I found solace in the
game of basketball. While drugs and violence
increased in my neighborhood daily my mother
knew she had to do something for me to have a
chance at life. As most concerned mothers
would do when faced with these options, she
sent me to South Bend, Indiana to live with a
family member in hopes for a better future for
me. Not fond of the change, I was very resentful
and was not responsive because the move
landed me on the south-east side of South Bend,
Indiana a far cry from home. While South Bend
wasn?t Chicago, the south-east side or the ?hood?
as we called it had some of the same obstacles I
faced back home.
I ended up attending James Whitcomb Riley High
School located in South Bend, Indiana. It was
there where my talent of basketball was
discovered. It didn?t take long for me to get
noticed all over the city and eventually the
country. From the years 1988 to 1990, I excelled
in basketball which allowed me to separate
myself from the rest of the pact. Making several
all-star teams, breaking records, and outplaying
my competition. I was ultimately chosen as one
of twelve players to be on the prestigious
Indiana All-Star team. Next to being named Mr.
Indiana this is one of the highest honors a player
can receive in the state of Indiana for Basketball.
This opportunity opened several doors for me to
garner attention from several Division 1 schools.
I eventually accept a full ride scholarship to
attend Ball State University in Muncie Indiana.
16

During my time playing at Ball State University I
was able to once again separate myself from the
rest of the pact by making the All-Freshman
Team. I was also named 1st Team All
Mid-American Conference my junior and senior
season. During my four years at Ball State I went
through quite a few major ups and
heart-breaking downs. Those challenges had me
wondering if things would be the same or if it
would cause me to go back to the hard life I once
knew. While I was ready to go to college. I would
have to say that I wasn?t prepared there to be or
stay in college. Because of this, I made some
very costly decisions that would change my life.
Nothing would be costlier than what I had to
face during my senior year. I will admit that I
made some pretty dumb decision during my first
three years in college but there was one decision
that would change the course of my life. I
remember it like it was yesterday because on
December 15, 1993, I was in the NCAA News for
being ranked 27 th nationally in scoring points. I
was feeling good about myself and my chances
to be drafted into the NBA. But? December 19,
1993; four days later while in practice I let my
emotions get the best of me. While I was happy
about my national ranking, I felt horrible
because we were getting our butts kicked. I was
used to winning all the time so losing was new to
me and out of my frustration I punched my
teammate. We had just got a new coach and he
was very upset with me. He his senior captain
averaging twenty-four points and seven
rebounds a game could throw it all away. It
happened fast and before I knew it, I went from
being team captain and leading scorer to kicked
off the team for disciplinary reasons. Once again,
another self-inflicted wound that placed my
dream of playing professional basketball was
now in jeopardy. Thank God for community
activist like the late Charles E. Martin Sr. (RIP) for
advocating for me to be returned to school and
ultimately back on the team. Whew? thank God
for second chances and the ability of others to
overlook my faults to allow me to purse my
dream of becoming a professional basketball
player. I put all my eggs in one basket believing I
would make it to the NBA Draft like a lot of guys
from the hood think. That dream was beginning
to look a lot like a nightmare for me. I found
myself in a very low place and I was angry.
When you mix depression and anger together
it?s a recipe for disaster. You would think that I
had learned my lesson by now wouldn?t you?
Nope? a few months later, I was in the gym
playing ball with some friends trying to clear my
head. The problem was that no one knew but
me that I was a ticking time bomb. While we
were playing I attempted to dunk the basketball
for my friends and the student who was very
competitive down the court and fouled me to
prevent me from dunking. We had words, I told
him to ?Chill out before I get hurt because I?m on
the school basketball team.? The game continues
and I got another fast break. As I was going to
attempt another dunk, the same student comes
down and undercuts me. Now we have a
problem because I am on ten and he has no clue
that I am not in a good place mentally. I shoved
him and said, ?Man I told you to chill out? and he
says ?I don?t care who you are I?m not just going
to let you score.? While shaking my head I began
to think to myself, here we go again. My
tolerance for what I perceived as disrespect
would be tested and once again. Without
hesitation I did it again? wham I punched the
student. Not fully realizing what I had done and
the potential consequences of my actions, I
continued to play ball as if nothing happened. I
finished out the season, but it didn?t turn out as I
planned. Because of my bad decisions, not only
did my play suffer but so did my academics.
Here I was this angry young man that didn?t
know up from down. I was trying to balance
going to the NBA and maintaining my grades
while not really knowing what the outcome
would be from me punching the second student.
I did what most immature and scared kids
would do? I ran. I had my cousin pick me up in
the middle of the night without any notice I
disappeared. I was so afraid that I would get
locked up for my actions. I left school in the
17

middle of night and never looked back. The
problem with that was not only did I forfeit my
scholarship, I also left a full load of classes on my
records. Because I didn?t withdraw from any of
the classes, this caused me to fail every class I
was enrolled in at the time. Instead of
graduating in June my decisions forced me to
leave school without fulfilling my degree
completion requirements due to my ignorance
and fear.
Now I am at home and I don?t have a plan, nor
do I know what I am going to do as far as
basketball was concern. I reached out to a few
people to try to see what was going on. I was
paranoid that they were still looking for me
which led me to cut all lines of communication
off from the University and my former
teammates. I know what you?re thinking? it
doesn?t look good for this kid. Guess what? For a
little over a year thing?s were bad. Luckily, I had a
good enough senior season that a few agents
were still willing to work with me and got invited
to an overseas camp. I took full advantage of the
opportunity and was able to secure a contract to
play overseas in Bordeaux, France for Basketball
in 1995. I ended up leading the league in scoring
and due to my skills and abilities, I was able to
get another offer to play in Tucuman, Argentina.
This opened the door for me to play in
Singapore. In Singapore I would lead the team in
scoring and rebounding. Based on my skills on
the court, one of the players on another team
asked me if I wanted to play in Taiwan. My
answer was ?YES and how much does the job
pay?? the guy said ?$100,000 dollars? I was
floored! I asked him again and he repeated
himself ?$100,000 dollars?. I was so excited and
felt overwhelmed with joy because this was
enough money to change me and my family
lives. I finally felt like my professional career was
well on its way. I signed a contract for $100,000
to play in Taiwan and things were going well.
Nope? once again my life would take another
turn for the worst. While waiting to go back
overseas to keep myself in shape, I played in a
Pro Basketball league in Benton Harbor,
Michigan. It was here that I would break my
kneecap ultimately ending my playing career just
two weeks before it was time for to report to
Taiwan. Once again, my life was in shambles but
this time it would be the hardest thing I would
ever have to endure. All I ever wanted to do was
play basketball and now that was taken away
from me. I was in state of shock and unbelief, I
worked so hard. Now I must push the stop
button on all that I had worked for and once
again I had to figure out? WHAT?S NEXT?
Here I was with a girlfriend whom I had two
children with and she was pregnant with our
third child, yet I wasn?t bringing in any INCOME!
Now my back was against the wall and my head
is spinning because I had to figure out
something to do to take care of my kids. After
my injury I had to decide what would become of
my life after basketball? I began to think about
what I could do that would bring me the joy and
satisfaction I felt playing basketball. Lo and
behold while I was chasing my hoop dream at
Ball State, I took some Secondary Ed. and
Criminal Justice classes that I really liked. I had
no idea that those classes. The fact that my
academic advisor Linda Hall noticed that my
smile was brighter and had a pep in my step
whenever I was working with kids. I found my
niche in working with young people and it was
without a doubt the only thing that gave me the
same joy that I had when I was played
basketball. Having the opportunity to help youth
that had or were going through the same things
that I did growing up gave me a sense of
fulfillment and self-worth. It was at this time that
I started my career in human services working
with adolescent boys and girls. I never missed
the opportunity to stress that your
demographics doesn?t determine your destiny. I
also stressed the importance of getting a college
diploma. I was a model of what the persistent
pursuit of your potential should look like
because the reality is that nothing is over until
you say it?s over. I didn?t get my degree before I
18

left Ball State in 1994, I knew my background
and the challenges I faced as a youth equipped
me with the skills to communicate with the
youth who had experienced the same things. My
passion, hard-work and ability to be a team
player allows me to be an asset to any
organization and I don?t take that responsibility
lightly. I am a firm believer that you can
accomplish anything you want to in life as long
you are willing to do the work. In my job as a
Youth Recruitment & Business Engagement
Manager as well as my business of speaking and
coaching, I always share my story. I want to show
people that when you don?t take advantage of
the opportunities presented to you, they can
sometimes have a long-term effect on your life. I
often catch myself laughing when I think of some
of the conversations I have had with the youth
and adults I have worked with because as they
would share their issues with me, I often found
myself saying guess what? ?ME TOO?!
That is where the name Mr. Me Too was created.
I am able to relate to youth and adults alike by
letting them know that I have gone through the
same things and I overcame the obstacle? so
can YOU. My slogan is ?I?ve been there, I?ve done
that, now let me help you get H.Y.P.E.D (Helping
You Pursue Excellence Daily) I let them know that
anyone that wants to be a part of this life
changing movement can do it and get H.Y.P.E.D. I
have failed repeatedly in my life and made bad
decision after bad decision, but one thing is
certain I never gave up. In basketball, in life, and
even in my educational endeavors I didn?t quit. I
applied for a Division I Degree Completion
scholarship to complete my degree and by the
grace of God I received the award. If you recall a
little way back I said that it isn?t over until you say
it?s over and because I am committed to the
people I serve I stopped making excuses. I went
back to school after 24 years and completed my
requirements to graduate while I worked a
full-time job maintaining a 4.0 GPA both
semesters. I am the epitome of what mind over
matter truly means because against the odds I
fought through and finished what I started. Who
would have ever thought that a former
three-time college dropout (94, 05, 11) and
three-time suspended from his college
basketball team could turn it all around to
become a college graduate. If you don?t mind, it
DON?T MATTER! There is nothing more powerful
than a made-up mind. I have had many
opportunities to speak to the youth all over the
world and conducted workshops as well as
seminars reflecting on this very important
subject on being mentally tough no matter the
obstacle.
Humbly submitted,
Jeermal Mr. ?Me Too? Sylvester
Jeerm al Sylvest er
Yout h Recruit m ent & Business Engagem ent
Manager
317-713-1907
jsylvest er@em ployindy.org
19

Author's Spotlight
Tanisha Car ter
Mor e Than A Conquer or !
My name is Tanisha Carter. I would like to take
the time to introduce myself to you and share a
little about myself.
I am 35 years old and a native of Philadelphia.
As an infant, I was severely burned in a fatal house
fire where I suffered 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree
burns over 98% of my body, resulting in facial and
body disfigurement. Surpassing all of the
statistical odds of someone sustaining injuries so
grave, I am blessed to have lived to share my
testimony. Throughout my life, what helped me
find my authenticity and strength to cope with the
suffering and hardships experienced, was having a
deeper sense of self and purpose.
I received a Masters Degree from Chestnut Hill
College in Clinical counseling psychology. My field
related experience includes: In 2012, interning at
Eagleville Hospital on the female Co-occurring
unit, counseling inpatients with dual diagnoses. I
then instructed classes for those suffering from
addiction, focusing on self esteem and
empowerment. In 2013, I facilitated a parenting
education group for mothers housed in a shelter
program called Interfaith Hospitality Network of
the Northwest. In 2015, I worked as an Outcome
Specialist for the Community Umbrella Agency 6,
Tabor Community Partners, working to reunify
children and families with active DHS involvement.
I attended a 13 week Parent Action Network (PAN)
facilitator training course through DHS, becoming
certified as a PAN group facilitator. I was also
recognized by DHS for my outstanding work as an
Outcome Specialist.
As an undergrad, I co-founded a nonprofit
organization for burn survivors, where I
discovered my passion for helping people. My
greatest passion is sharing my story as an
inspirational/ motivational speaker. I have been
sharing my story since the age of 11. I was a
featured guest on both the Maury Pouvich Show,
and Dr. Drew Lapinsky and have traveled
internationally sharing my story.
With the countless struggles and adversities I
have faced, including years in foster care, and
trauma related to a parent?s addiction to drugs
and alcohol, I remained determined to live in my
purpose. As an adult I have struggled financially
because of constant employment discrimination;
lack of support and resources, which resulted in
experiencing chronic homelessness with my 3
boys. What many would consider hardships; I saw
the difficult events in my life as experiences
necessary to understand and walk in my purpose.
Holding on to my spirituality to see me through
hard and unjust times, encouraged me to never
lose sight of why my life had been spared; which is
to be a model of hope and strength for others.
I am currently working on stating Authentic
Gems a support group for youth ages 4 to 17, and
will be conducting a 9 week summer program with
the Village, a residential facility for young at risk
girls. I am also so pleased to announce that I am
now an author of my first book, an autobiography
entitled ?More Than A Conqueror: Confessions of
A True Testimony, is available now.
Lorem
20

Be encouraged and inspired by the thought
provoking writings of these Authors.
TONYA LATNEY VALENCIA GRIFFIN WALLACE KAREN SOUTHALL WATTS
ANDREA M. SMITH
FRANNE MCNEAL
21

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Put Your Products And Services At The
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51% of sm art phone users have discovered a new com pany or
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(Google, 2015)
Call us today - 302-803-2016
www.saswebdesign.com
22

Transition For Change
Colena Br ow n, Licensed Pr ofessional Counselor (LPC)
I See Love
I n The Mirror!
We hear the term ?self -love? all the time, almost
everywhere we turn. However, how many of us
have never stopped to really examine what
self-love means to us? In this examination, we
would first have need to have a very clear
definition of what love is. ?Love,? is a word that is
frequently used? and, in my opinion, miss used?
in today?s society. As we examine self-love, I think
we need to be clear on how and why we respond
to certain stimulus in the way we do. I have a met
several people whose definition of self-love was a
bit skewed. Not to get too clinical, however,but I?d
like to share information about recognizing trauma
in your life, most commonly especially trauma in
your early childhood. This trauma is usually goes
unrecognized and goes unresolved. However, left
in this unresolved space, trauma , shows up in our
definition of self-love. I?m not going use the
precious time that we have to talk about what
kinds of trauma might influence trauma could
possibly look like in a person?s definition of
self-love; I will just talk about what I perceive
believe a healthy sense of self-love should look
like.
Readers, you can decide how close or how distant
you are from what I think a healthy sense of
self-love looks like. With a healthy level of self-love,
you have the ability to introspectively assess your
life. Introspection, deals with looking inside
yourself for your answers, and determining
whether then you are being defined by external
influences. When self-love is in place, you are
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consetetur sadipscing elitr.
comfortable with your face, your hips, the length
and color of your hair, and what the scale says. For
anything that you are not comfortable with, you
are ready to make the changes that are with in
your ability to change. You eat right;, you exercise;,
if you are in school, you study to make good
grades; if you?re at work, you, love what you do for
a living. If you are not happy with what you do for
a living; you sit and figure it out; then you go after
what you are passionate about. You are not driven
by money, instead, you are driven by your
commitment to what you can do for others, and
you are excited that someone is paying you for
that. Self-love allows you to relax in the truth of
who you are, without having to have anyone else
to sign off on it. Once we are able to recognize our
childhood traumas and work on resolving them,
the purity of self-love emerges. As we continue to
mature, we realize that words are just
that? ,words. We learn to pay attention to
behavior, because it?s in our behavior is where
self-esteem and /self-love lives.
Remember, there is professional support available,
that can help you better understand your level of
self-love. With this start, you can bring begin to
work on resolving the unresolved trauma and
begin fostering a healthier sense of self/ and
increased self-love.
Contact information for Colena:
1-888-686-5010
www.rwmservices.com
colenamarie@rwmservices.com
23

2 0 1 8
SPECI AL EVENTS
Preservation is the power to reserve oneself
through continuous growth. We as women must
learn to save something for ourselves so that we
are strong enough to enjoy the rewards of our
struggles of success. I am Bridgette Martin-Holmes
and I am a giver. My passion is people especially
women. "Why especially women?", because life
passes through a woman first no matter who you
are. So women must continuously be learners,
inventors and providers. So as a woman I must be
my sistas keeper through my works.
24

25

M usic Spo t l ig ht
Patrice And The Show
www.patriceandtheshow.com
26

IN THE
STUCK PLACE
Andrea M. Smith, the process coach
As the new year approaches, some are still not sure
of what they want to do . The ideas are there even
the desire is there, however, they just can't seem to
move. Why? They've been gripped by the "STUCK
PLACE".
What is the "STUCK PLACE". The stuck place is where
dreams and visions go to die. If you are not careful,
you can become immobilized even paralyzed by your
own fears. Self-sabotage is common in the stuck
place, because your own thoughts become a weapon
against you. The only way to get out of the stuck
place is to simply make a decision. to move. Making
a mental shift represents a move., putting forth an
idea is a move, write down the 3 most important
goals you would like to achieve is a move. You don't
need to have a complete strategy, just set something
in motion that gets you started, that provokes you to
take one step, then another, and then another.
2019 can and will be one your best years yet. Here
are 3 things you can do to get out of the stuck place
and hit the ground running in 2019.
- Acknow ledgem ent w here you are
- Ident ify w hat has you st uck and how it is
show ing up in your life.
- Creat e a sim ple plan of act ion t hat m oves
you forw ard.
Your moment is awaiting your arrival! It?s waiting
for you to embrace it! A wrong turn or bad
decision have not disqualified you. What you
have been created to do and the lives that will
be changed are waiting for you. Get up, regroup,
and get focused.
I held myself hostage in the stuck place because of
being too analytical. Over thinking and over analyzing
cost me time, opportunities and resources. And when
I found out that part of my reasoning for being this
way was rooted in fear, I better understood, how to
look at a situation, review the pros and cons, make a
decision, and be settled with the decisions I made.
t he process coach
w w w.andream sm it h.com
Andrea M. Smith, is Personal Development Expert,
Speaker & Coach, who empowers others through the
promotion of self-love and personal development. As
The Process Coach she helps others to walk out their
process and move forward in confidence towards
their purpose. She believes it is not the validation of
others you should crave, just give yourself the
permission to succeed.
27

28

SWES Cleaning Co.
Commercial Cleaning With A Unique Touch
MONICA ROBINSON, OWNER/AYINDE ROBINSON, OWNER
Office: 215-995-1478
Women Owned/Minority Owned
swescleaningco@outlook.com
29

It ?s t im e t o t ake flight t o your dream
St eps t o st art ing a journey t o your dream
1. Believe & trust in your dream
2. Visualize your dream
3. Write your dream down
4. Set long term & short term goals with deadline/target dates
5. Connect with like-minded people
6. Start your Business Binder
7. Anticipate the changes that may need to change to reach
your dream
www.tdlcoaching.com
30

Business Directory
The Debra Tucker Agency
Destiny Tours & Travel
CRYSTAL PEURIFOY, OWNER
Life Home Auto Commercial Specialty
225 Berlin Rd. Suite 2, Cherry Hill, NJ 08025
Office: 856-429-0288 Cell: 856-630-9141
Email: dtucker1@farmersagent.com
Travel To The Destination You Always Dreamed Of
45 E. City Line Ave. #318
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Office: 215-873-73124 Fax: 856-668-5838
Phlembotomy Healthcare , LLC
Dawn A. Huling, OWNER
Phlembotomy Healthcare
Leading The Way On Stick At A Time
Office: 267-230-9919
Cell: 267-900-2610
phlembotomyhealthcare@aol.com
Stephanie Hill, Associate
Independent Associate Representing Aflac
1020 N. Delaware Ave, 4th Flr.
Philadelphia, PA 19125
31

32

FIND YOUR PLACE OF PEACE!