Santana Global March/April 2023 | Vol. 2 Issue 2 Magazine You have the Angels and the OWN YOUR Universe on your side. Embrace POWER! change and novelty and you will lead in life with peace and wisdom. EMBRACING THIS NEW CHAPTER 45 Latoya Jackson Relationship Life Coach, Author, Mentor & Motivational Speaker
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Isaiah Covington Judge me by how I act but you don't know what you don't know. So burdened by my traumas, I search for loopholes in the purest of creations. So many blessed In the dark going mad everything real crazy, occasions I got to experience, praying to everything real shady, heal or be killed lately the Lord asking him to keep me from I've been denying myself of love I crave from being complacent, was on a path to significant others, I looked for the love of my spiritual cleansing but fell in love then mother, I got the strength of my brothers, you became delirious, the same love he gave always say that I smother you but at least I'm a me wasn't real; it was copy and pasted. lover, I wonder what others have done for you, I've never been the one to let any toxicity I love you while I recover. I love you more than affect me ; not even my own. For some your mother, you told me this to be true and reason this love made me feel overjoyed showed me the proof and saw the pain and and all alone at the same time. Quite a regret that you consumed paradox. Quite a sensation that too many of us women fall victim to but you I was a fool trying to save you from yourself I know we have the ability to choose we saw much more in you I looked at me and I was should have chosen the road that makes running out of breath, nothing left. I reflected, sense but guess what, as the hurt went on to lure me into bitterness and resentment, I gained my resolve and Love make you blind to the real baby understood I can be independent. They stole your heart they don't care how you feel baby Reborn again So much more to do I'm finally living in my truth
PG.60 OUR GLOBAL FEATURE LATOYA JACKSON
Editor's Notes Santana Global Magazine Matthew S. Santana Jr. Editor-in-Chief Email: [email protected] Website: www.SantanaGlobal.com Welcome to Santana Global Magazine whether you are a first time or a regular reader we appreciate you taking time out to read our magazine. Santana Global Magazine is literally yours it has been developed and produced with you in mind. Our production team is a dedicated group of marvelous individuals who are truly the heart of Santana Global . It’s their dedication, passion, and talent that keeps students invested in the learning process. March is Women's History Month, and the theme is \"Providing Healing, Promoting Hope. It's a tribute to the ongoing work of caregivers and frontline workers during the pandemic and recognition of all of the ways women have provided both healing and hope throughout history. It's a time to highlight women's achievements and discuss continuing and emerging women's empowerment and gender equality issues and concerns, challenges, and commitments. As we are mindful of women across the world, take time to celebrate the women who are in your life. Spotlight the women who have nurtured you and made your life better. Honor the women in your life that have been role models and stood in the gap to pray for you and give you their much-needed wisdom. Each issue Promotes Your Business, Brand, Product, or Service in our National Magazine with an International reach! Santana Global Magazine is positioned to help you Elevate & Dominate in the Marketplace. Get the visibility you need & level up. We believe in transparency and treat our valued audience with the respect they deserve. We’re always interested to receive feedback and constructive criticism about our pieces, as that helps us develop better material in the future. Our goal is as we learn more each day and get a Global reach with you. So please take the challenge and submit your articles, poems and creative writing pieces etc… We love to hear from you so send us your comments, queries, and suggestions. We are here for you. Love as always Santana Global Team.
Nadia Lindsey Francois MARKETING & SALES DIRECTOR REPRESENT YOUR BRAND LIKE A BOSS With the constant growth of social Tips for Entrepreneurs that will help you media and the use of digital marketing excel in business: tactics, it is imperative that business 1. Know your target audience. owners understand the fact that, \"You 2. Provide value in your offerings. are Your Brand.\" Personal branding is a 3. Be Unique – find your specialty. form of marketing that is used to 4. Don’t allow inspiration to turn into create a uniform public image that imitation. displays the character and values that 5. Understand your competition. can be leveraged to build a good 6. Create an effective marketing reputation and in turn build a profitable strategy. business. We sometimes tend to forget 7. Utilize social media platforms that we represent our business and try regularly to connect with customers. to foreshadow that with logos and 8. Show your personality throughout websites that do not reveal our your content. personality to the public. God built you 9. Upgrade your logo, website and the way you are for a reason and that is branding photos as necessary. to inspire others. So don't shy away 10. Stay relevant. from being the face of your brand because you are, whether you like it or Join my FREE networking group for not. As long as you are promoting your more business development and brand, making in person sales, or listed marketing assistance at on the website, you are a www.fempreneursociety.org representation of your brand and that's Nadia Francois, Business Strategist and how the consumer sees it. Take CEO of Heiress International advantage of the opportunity to tell www.nadiafrancois.com your story through your brand. This will Follow us on Clubhouse reach the hearts of people and you @thefempreneurclub have integrated successful marketing Follow us on Facebook into your business plan. Here are 10 www.facebook.com/heiressent Branding Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/heiressintl
10 Global Awareness 23 Global Events 29 Global Entertainment 37 Aspire to Inspire 49 Soul Writers Network TABLE OF CONTENTS
62 Global Feature 69 Global Leadership & Business 81 Shop B.O.B 90 THE C.U.R.E. TABLE OF CONTENTS
GLOBAL CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rosa White Chanelle Lawson Jennifer Williams Cynthia Marie Clarence Smith Linda McDowell Ny’Asia Mercer Kevette Minor Kane Deborah Cooper
GLOBAL CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sunni Pouncil Jeff Releford Carl Janice Newman Demetrius Wilson Weatherspoon Jr. Jedonna Mathis Eugenia Yvette
11 Celebrating Great Women Global Awareness 13 Loving at Your Best 15 Survive, Revive, & Thrive Matthew S. Santana Jr. 16 Second Chance Baber Solution Nonprofit Laquita Baker 18 Second Chance Baker Solutions Laquita Baker 19 The Coaches Corner Jeff Releford 22 Gary Girls
“Some women are lost in the fire. Some women are built from it.”
THIS IS YOUR DAILY REMINDER TO STOP AND TAKE A DEEP BREATH
Loving at your Best “How to Have a Happy Marriage” Tips on How to Save your Marriage BY DEBORAH COOPER It sounds cliché, but all romantic relationships go through ups and downs. For a marriage to be successful, you need more than love. You need commitment and the willingness to adapt and change for the other. More importantly, you need respect. Whether you are starting out in your relationship, or you’ve been together for more than a couple of years, there are things you can do to build a stronger and healthier relationship. Expressing love daily can go a long way, so does showing respect. Respecting each other’s qualities, thoughts, dreams, and capabilities means you accept and admire each other’s differences. Respect helps you listen to and appreciate each other’s opinions, overcome disagreements, and challenges, and more importantly, be there for each other. Everyone is unique; and every couple is different. While there is no one-size-fits-all formula for a happily-ever after kind of relationship, there are some common denominators in all successful long-term marriages. Here are 3 important things to keep the fire burning and brings closeness in a marriage. KEEP AN OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATION KNOWLEDGE (OF ONESELF AND OF EACH OTHER) COMMITMENT
Deborah Cooper A Place where women look toward Jesus Christ establishing a dependence wife, mother, mentor, motivational on his Word knowing that God will speaker, Spiritual Life Coach and bless their marriages. Deborah focuses on issues that speaks to your heart. To 5x Best Selling Author. avoid becoming overwhelmed. To encourage women to be careful not to Deborah Cooper is a woman after carry the weight of the world on their God's own heart. A devout shoulders. To focus on what we can follower of Jesus Christ, wife, mother, affect, and trust that other people will mentor, motivational speaker, Spiritual take care of the issues that matters to Life Coach and Author. As a public them—we are all in this together. She speaker and life coach, Deborah believes that Iron sharpens Iron. passionately believes in the strength of Deborah’s Prayer is that all women- the wife and shares her experiences of married or single be victorious in all 39 years of marriage while caring for aspects of their lives so we can help three wonderful children and four build God’s kingdom together whole beautiful grandchildren. She has a and complete. passion to see women walk in their God-given assignment and purpose. Email: [email protected] [email protected] Deborah is the founder/CEO of Let’s Talk Facebook @letstalkwithdeborah About It. Let’s Talk About It is a Women Instagram Deb_letstalkaboutit and Marriage Enrichment Ministry, a vision that was given by God to reach and help save lives of hurting women. Her business is set up to help and support married women of all faith, age, race, who are in search for a better and healthier marriage. She continues to create a safe and intimate atmosphere where women can share life experiences and seek the Word of God.
LAQUITA BAKER SECOND CHANCE BAKER SOLUTIONS Second Chance Baker Solutions has SECOND CHANCE SOLUTIONS GIVES formulated strategies to aid, PROVEN CONCRETE STEPS FOR EVERY educate and guide people who are INDIVIDUAL AND CIRCUMSTANCE. in low income status and/or just released from prison. We provide Our Consulting services provides governmental assistance and aid education and services to individuals with individuals in a second opportunity a criminal record or of low income status at life with the proper resources to help them get back on their feet, re- and tools to become successful. enter the workforce and get the tools for real change. Consult those within low income areas or recently released OUR FOUNDER prisoners. From behind bars to breaking glass Aid individuals to become ceilings rising to the top of multiple rightful citizens with education industries, Laquita Baker is the founder of and resources. Second Chance Bakers Solution. Formulate strategies helping to clarify the client objectives and EVENTS goals. Follow and Meet Laquita Baker as she Provide resources and tools to speaks and networks across Tennessee, measurement the change of ones and the country. As the founder of Second status. Chance Baker Solutions, she is available to Cooperate and serve industrial, speak at your next event to inspire, serve commercial, trade, professional and motivate. associations, political organizations and advocacy secondchancebakersolutions.com groups. 1800-791-7666 [email protected]
A MISSED SISTER LATIA LEWIS Nia met Dawn in a group on Facebook They had several breaks in their relationship She saw him and thought that he was attractive She told him about how she was catfished majorly in the past She saw that he was active in the group and also friends and he then revealed that his identity was stolen in the past with one of her well known Sorors and he had to take on another family member's identity. That She slid into his dms asking him could he reach out to her raised another red flag for her. She asked whose identity was Soror to see if she would cook a special meal he using and he refused to tell her. He did and that is basically where the lies began They are both from the same town and were both raised in They kept talking thru the messenger and then they the same religion so when things really started to seem exchanged numbers suspicious she started investigating. When they finally met up at the Soror's house she was She asked several people about Dawn but no one had ever taken aback by his appearance heard of Dawn. When she started showing his pictures they He was shorter and bigger than she expected would say that's LaDonna. She would then say \"no, LaDonna He was the only male left there at the house. is his sister\". She saw a pair of keys with a fraternity keychain and she She wanted to meet LaDonna but never could. LaDonna asked him was he in that fratenity and he said yes supposedly lived out of town. They continued to talk to each other and the rest of the She caught him in a lie when he said that LaDonna gets her people in the house mail at his mama's house and she stops by frequently to visit The next day he realized he left his charger at the Soror's during her work breaks. house and he asked her to get it for him and she did She asked one of her childhood friends to find old pictures of When they met up they stayed out late that night talking LaDonna since Dawn would never show her any pictures of and riding around him and his sister. About a week later they were in a relationship Nia had met every other family member except for LaDonna She got rid of her roster of men for him and more red flags so her suspicions were very high. surfaced that she ignored When her friend showed her the picture she realized that He requested that she block all of his family members on Dawn was LaDonna. Facebook so they would not pry into their business He kept trying to prove to her that him and LaDonna were He requested that she stop talking to all of her male friends two seperate people but she was not convinced. Whenever they would have sex he would never fully She told him to let her see his genitals and he never would unclothed because he said he was in a body suit due to When she finally broke it off, He lost it several car accidents He started stalking and harrassing her and she had to press He was extremely clingy, jealous, insecure and possessive charges. LaDonna was charged and Dawn is supposedly out of her of town now.....to be continued Whenever she needed a breather from him he would accuse her of cheating
The Coaches Corner with Life Coach Jeff Releford: Positioning yourself as credible in your industry/niche!!! ABOUT JEFF RELEFORD Many of times we always ask ourselves how can we set ourselves up for success within my industry? Well let’s take a look at this question. When we are preparing many of us do not understand or know that process or what it looks like. Hopefully I can help with that today. When you position yourself in your industry the name of the game is credibility!!! Credible in what you may ask. The simple answer to this question is knowledge. Step one is to learn the most that you possible can about the industry that you are in and what you can do to benefit or change it. For instance if you are an auto mechanic you should have the drive and determination to learn as much as you need to know about cars. You do this so whatever car comes into your shop you should be able to fix it. Just as this auto mechanic has taken the time to learn about cars you must do the same with your craft and/or unique gift. The more that you know the more helpful you will be to your clients. Step two is to set yourself up in a position to be an expert. Wow well Life Coach Jeff how do I set myself up to be an expert? You need to be around people that see you as credible who can provide an opportunity for you! If you are considered and expert these people should want you use you on their platform so that you can give you EXPERT advice or opinion. These are the platforms are known as the big 3 television, publications, and social media!!!! If you find a way to infiltrate any of those three or all of the above you will become very successful in you field. Put yourself in the best possible situation for people to seek you out. Look at who wants you to be apart of their team and see what they bring to the table. See how a partnership can be mutually beneficial for you as well. Set your price points within your industry. Price points are very key for your success to financial freedom. You want to know your worth but also set up a stratification plan to get to your personal goal. Creating a system that can work in your favor while offering meaningful packages that create a ton of value. Sometimes you have to offer a lot in a position where it looks small to others but profitable for your market. If you need help or would like to receive any of these tips on a deeper level. You can reach me via email [email protected] or social media Facebook or Instagram RRRinc19.
To provide a safe, structured, and conducive CONNECT WITH US TODAY environment for youth to express themselves We aim to make a lasting impact in the and learn and grow. To work in conjunction Gary community and beyond. Our initiatives and activities are designed with the schools, parents, churches, to catalyze true transformation. But corporations, and the community in creating above all, passion is at the heart and future leaders. To offer long-term mentoring soul of everything that we do. and training programs that will create life-long relationships and long-term results. To assist 773-577-0045 youth in becoming responsible, productive, 219-290-4692 successful adults through a complete holistic 720 W. 5TH AVE program. Help guide youth in making GARY,IN 46402 informed and intelligent decisions about their [email protected] future. To teach and equip girls to tap into [email protected] their given gifts and talents and to live a purposeful life. To teach girls to love themselves. To partner with other youth organizations and programs to aid and meet the full needs of our participants. Mission Statement: Productively Progressing Mission: Helping young girls develop into purposeful women Goal: To target diverse female youth Vision: Create a positive outlook on female youth as a whole Purpose: To show girls that they are uniquely different in their own way, while teaching them everyday life skills and mentoring them so they know they are not alone.
Shamere Patterson Victoria Sanders Founder/CEO Co-Founder Shamere is the Founder and CEO of Gary Girls, Incorporated. She was born and raised predominately in While I spent most of my childhood being raised in Gary, Gary, IN, attending Franklin Elementary School, Pierce Indiana my parents decided to relocate to Hobart, in while I Middle, and graduated from Merrillville H.S. She was in middle school, but I will always be a “Gary Girl.” I am attended Middle School in Cleveland Mississippi, where a proud young mother to two beautiful and busy little girls, she learned manners, to respect people, and to treat them and they are my motivation behind everything that I do. with compassion. She especially enjoyed her time at Without them, I honestly would not be who I am today. I Franklin Elementary where she gained many friends and graduated from Hobart High School with my diploma and her proclivity for those whom she ascertained were certificate in Early Childhood Development. While experiencing family issues or abuse. Her compassion completing my Early childhood classes, it showed me that and direction from God lead her to eventually form Gary all children need to be loved in different ways. This really Girls Inc. God gave her the vision to further influence allowed me to take all children under my wing, I also have a female youth, hopefully influencing them to avoid bad strong passion for helping others. This drive and passion decisions that may impact their lives, and instilling self- allowed me to effortlessly trope that I have as the Co- worth. Sha'Mere strongly believes that one's past doesn't Founder of Gary Girls Inc. Being a mother to two little girls dictate their future, as long as they are present, they have in today’s society really showed me that we need to come the power to progress. Her ideology pushed her desire to together as a community and unite as one to help those impact young females. whom cannot help themselves, they always said “It takes a village to raise a child” I really believe this saying to be true, if the community helps and provides access to resources we will begin to see change even if it is one girl at a time. I am so excited to see what the future holds for Gary Girls Inc., and I am glad to be a part of the change to come.
26 Black 2 Black Magazine Global Events
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➡Click to get your tickets. https://BlackAmericaMovie.Eventbrite.com Trailer for #BlackAmerica ! This film is Inspired by True Events, and will have you on the edge of your seat, waiting on what will happen next. After a troubled felon’s brother is gunned down by a white officer, he is forced to face the harsh realities that he may be the cause of his brothers death. He contemplates whether to seek revenge or to let fate decide. Are all cops bad? Or will this felon make a decision that could ruin his life before he finds out for himself?
37 Better Tomorrow Counseling Services Aspire to Inspire 39 FIVE WAYS OF MAKING THE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE, POSSIBLE Linda McDownell 40 Woman of Color United Jacqueline Kaba-Harrison 43 God Defies All Odds Janice R. Newman 43 Live with Expectation, The Best Is Yet To Come Demetrius Wilson
FIVE WAYS OF MAKING THE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE, POSSIBLE BY LINDA MCDOWELL There was a time, that people may have thought it impossible to fly to your desired location, or to use a small hand held device to make calls from one person to another. Even the possibility of reaching any person, anywhere in the world, at any time of the day or night was once thought impossible. Fifty years ago, who would have thought, that through the use of computers we would be able to communicate, receive mail, build a business, and get access to information in seconds. Then, there is social media, it was first an impossible dream, that we could could see, and interact with, friends, business associates, and even world leaders through a tweet or a Facebook post. These were all impossible dreams thirty to forty years ago, and now they are an every day reality for all of us. It is that first thought. The thought that prevails and becomes a dream. From the dream, ideas then ignite to steps of action. Finally, your effort and creativity accesses the seemingly impossible, and possibilities are made. It is the space of making a dream reality. Where does it all begin? A dream, unveils the mind to receive a thought that the impossible, can be possible with creativity. Dreamers, access the realm of our unlimited potential, and the endless realm of possibilities, most times without realizing it. When you dream of something or some seemingly impossible idea dares to become possible to you; then, you have tapped into that realm of endless possibilities. Here are some ways of tapping into the realm of creating the possible out of the perceived impossible. 1. Take time each day to meditate, to quiet yourself, and to tap into the power of divine creativity. Journal or write down ideas and thoughts received during this time. 2. Ask the right question, and seek the answers to the right questions. What are the right questions: How can I make this happen? What do I need to make this possible? Who can help me? God can you show me more, and where do I start? 3. Take the first step. It doesn’t matters if the step is big or small, what matters is that you take the first step. The first step is important because it is the leap of faith step. The following steps will follow the first step easier, once you have taken that leap of faith step. 4. If you fall, get back up. You may stumble, you may be wobbly, but get back up and try, try, again and again. If the dream will not die, it is your dream to try. 5. Encourage yourself, tell yourself daily you will succeed, this is your access into the realm of limitless possibilities. The difference between the possible and the impossible; is the thought that there just might be a way. It just takes a thought, one idea, one creative tweak, and you have made the seemingly impossible, possible. The veil of limitations has to be lifted from our minds, so that we can flourish in the limitless possibilities of divine creativity. You lift the veil, through faith, and through surrendering to the creativity that God has divinyl gift to all.
NEW BOOK ANTHOLOGY Women Of Color United~My Health Is My Wealth: A Complete Guide To Practicing Effective Self-Care For Entrepreneurs Anthology. This anthology brings Women of Color entrepreneurs together from all over the world to share how they practice effective self-care. ** Both seasoned and new authors are welcomed. For details:
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME FOR WHAT WAS YOUR KEY DRIVING FORCE TO YOUR COMPANY? BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR? I came up with the name Becoming Her for My children, family and me. I had to prove to my company, because after going through myself that I was not a failure and that I could do domestic violence I had lost myself and really something right. I wanted to be able to live my didn’t know who I was. I was asked the life on my terms and provide for my family with question Who Are You? I didn’t know. I began no limitations. I became an entrepreneur to get to do some soul searching because I wanted my time back, leave a legacy for my children, to know who Her was the Woman I desired to have the flexibility to make my own schedule, be. I had to heal, by accepting all of me my run my business on my terms, and not allow pain, flaws, insecurities, past and love who I anyone to control my dreams. saw in the mirror. Was this a quick fix, absolutely not. It was a process. Once I found WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW? out who I was, I had a passion to help other women. I produced Becoming Her, and my Currently I am working on Becoming Her motto is turning your Pain into Purpose. I Cosmetics, Becoming Her Essentials, and want ladies to know they are not alone, they Becoming Her Wellness & Spa. When you think of survived what meant to take them out, with Becoming Her, I want you to feel beautiful, God, they can turn it around and become the inspired, confident, strong, successful, and sexy best version of themselves. I want to help always. My cosmetic line consists of affirmation millions of women to truly love the woman lip glosses and lip liner, my essential line consists they see in the mirror. of candles, incents, sprays and body oils. When you light a Becoming Her candle you will feel As a Life Coach and Domestic Violence Survivor calm, confident, rejuvenated, and restored. I through I created my courses Destination to believe that a woman can have the body she Becoming Her and Behind the Mask. Destination to desires naturally and doesn’t have to have Becoming Her course, will take you on a journey to surgery to get it. My wellness and spa provide help you be restored, rejuvenated, revived, healed services of cavitation, wood therapy, skin and ready to start your Rebirth. I help women tightening, cellulite reduction, body wrap, discover who her is and how to become the woman Brazilian BBL, lymphatic massages, body they desire to be. Behind the Mask in this course, you contouring, facials, yoni treatment, meal prep, will stop living behind the Masquerade version of waist trainers, sweat cream and athletic wear. yourself. Find your true identity, your voice, become Coming soon my autobiography Becoming Her whole and take your mask off. behind the Mirror.
My name is Taronna Perkins. I’m from Dallas,TX. I am a strong, determined, fierce, powerful Woman of God. I am a Domestic Violence Survivor. I had been around domestic violence my entire life. I was still carrying around the pain from the abuse, I was broken, had low self-esteem, was suicidal, didn’t like or love myself, and made several bad choices in my life. Until one day I decided to Trust God, Live in my Truth, Heal and turn my Pain into Purpose. I’m now the CEO/Founder of Becoming Her Inc. I’m a certified Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, Author and Mentor. My goal is to help over a million women Become Her the woman they desire to be and to love the woman look back at them in the mirror unconditionally.
GOD DEFIES ALL ODDS By Janice R Newman Some people have had a God-defying moment in their lives. Despite the “worldly odds and skepticism”, God changes your odds and defines who you are in business and life. Has God changed the \"worldly\" odds in your favor? “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 NIV. God, Jesus Christ, can change the odds in our favor for those who believe. I believe and know God has worked in my life. In November 2016, I had a neurology appointment to discuss my severe headaches. My neurologist informed me that I needed to have surgery immediately to remove a meningioma tuberculum sella tumor located near my pituitary gland and left optical nerve. He thought we would remove at least 95% with no to little complications. However, during surgery, he found out it is wrapped around my carotid artery which makes my tumor a high-grade risk as it affects multiple areas. The odds changed quickly from 95% removal to 15% removal. I didn’t cry because I knew The Lord would take care of me. Weeks before the diagnosis, I began attending a new church. A prophetic pastor spoke over me telling me that something traumatic was going to happen soon, but I would be ok. Plus, God was sending me the husband that He chose for me, who would help me through it. I met my husband, Philip, two weeks before surgery. I never thought anyone would want to date someone getting ready to have brain surgery. Anything could happen, which it did, against all odds. My surgery was on December 19, 2016. My children and mother joined me. I was calm and trusting in the Lord. Everything was fine. I woke up hours later in my room talking, laughing with family, and spoke with Philip on the phone. The next day, a nurse insisted that I sit in a chair for a while. Unfortunately, she lost her footing and dropped me in the chair, banging the back of my head hard. I screamed. My head was throbbing more than ever. She put me back in bed and left. By 6 am, when the resident came in, I wasn’t verbally making any sense. I could only say a few words: “mokin” and “I have”. I couldn’t write my name or write anything without struggling or looking like a small child’s handwriting. The doctor whisked me off in a wheelchair to get an MRI done immediately. The jarring of my head caused issues with my communication ability including deciphering pictures. I started praying and talking to God, and then I shut up. I felt I was supposed to just listen to what God wanted to say to me. Most people talk, and ask God for what they want, but how many just sit patiently and listen to God? I didn’t cry, I just listened after I prayed. I wasn’t afraid. The verse came to me “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 (NIV). I realized from God that my voice was valuable, and I could use it to help others. Others that don’t have a voice metaphorically, need help/guidance, and share a testimony of God’s love and power too. I realize I could help others through speaking and writing, amongst other ways. I accepted my purpose through the time I spend quietly with my Father, Lord, and Savior.
GOD DEFIES ALL ODDS By Janice R Newman On my birthday in 2018, I told God I was ready for the next step. I applied to become a Comcast Cable Television Community Producer in 2008. There was a long list and cutbacks with the studio that they weren’t taking on new people. I received a call from the department less than 4 hours later after telling God I was ready to use my voice. I wasn’t afraid. I focused on Joshua 1:9 to not be afraid or discouraged. I knew that the show “Y? Why Not! would help others and God will open the doors to expand it and more for His purpose. Y? Why Not do all you can do for the Lord God! Y? Why Not! first aired in December 2018 on Comcast Chicago south suburbs. I interviewed Theresa Knipe, Director of The Excel Center Goodwill, to discuss returning adult high school education and college certificate program. One of the 1st steps in improving your life is getting the right education: it starts with a high school diploma, then specific business classes, computer classes, a certificate, a degree, etc. whatever you need to be successful. The show interviews spectacular guests with interesting topics including prison ministry, marriage, parenting, surviving Covid, teen chat, career options, finances, etc. Along with getting insight on the guest’s spiritual influences in their lives with their topic. Y? Why Not! has aired in over 10 states and 15 regions across the country including Chicago, Atlanta, Grand Rapids, Brooklyn, Portland, Berkeley, Washington DC, Erie, PA, and Nashville. We’ve produced over 85 shows in the studio pre-pandemic, on location, and via online interviews. The show has won numerous awards including the Illinois Woman’s Press Association, National Federation of Press Women, and the Midwest Media Fest for a television talk show. We’ve been blessed by God that the show has been picked up by other stations and doors have opened where typically they would not, but only by God they have. The program is not-for-profit with no sponsorships or commercials. The crew is volunteers including me, my husband, Philip Newman, Matthew Jemilo, director & editor, and Michael Mikrut, in- studio technical director. Our theme music was granted permission by Robert Armani, DJ, producer, and musical artist. The airtime is provided by the channels at no charge. The purpose of the show is to provide viewers with powerful information they can utilize to improve their lives by understanding how God has influenced the guests’ lives. No matter what the odds of success or growth are, I keep pushing myself, thrive for more, and take challenges head-on because God is leading me. My odds with the doctor went from 95% to 15% but with God, I’m 100%. I will not be afraid or discouraged because my Lord is with me, and the Lord shall be with you too in business and life. Follow Y? Why Not! on Facebook and YouTube.
Live with Expectation, The Best Is Yet To Come Demetrius Wilson In the last issue of this magazine I wrote about gratitude, and I most certainly have a heart full of it. I am thankful for so many things in my life. There is just not enough time to even begin to elaborate. As a result of realizing how blessed I am, first for being alive to experience the goodness of our Father, and have learned to live with a positive outlook. It’s a choice that I make moment by moment. Through the challenges that arise, and difficult circumstances I choose to remain expectant. As I reflect on this year and all that it has brought, I am mindful of the many variables that made the experiences. I think about how I was celebrating a pretty good season of growth in my business, and making transitions in life. By the time we reached the second month of this year, my wife and I were watching our children take their biggest steps into adulthood. Our two sons were serving in the United State Air Force, and our baby girl was enrolling in college courses. It seemed like a bit of a roller coaster ride at first as these things were happening simultaneously. There were so many moments filled with a myriad of emotions, and thoughts. It was a great and slightly unnerving time. The joy was sometimes interrupted by sadness and vice-versa. There were many other defining moments in our lives this year, that changed the course of our lives. It has definitely been a year of smiles & tears, tragedies & triumphs, and all in between. This year, much like the whole of our lives, has had twists and turns, and could many times seem overwhelming. The reality is that it all comes down to perspective. You can either settle into a state of despondence, or you can choose to believe that each new moment brings with it a new opportunity for positive change. We have to learn to live with expectation. This means that we become intentional in our process of deciding how we will look at things. It can be challenging, and takes effort and courage, but we must choose to see the opportunity as greater than the opposition. As we approach this new year, and all of the many unknowns ahead, I encourage you start with this thought, and carry it forward. Remind yourself that no matter how good, or bad the moment might be, that the best is yet to come!
48 THE MAKING OF WATERMONKEY Soul Writers Network Ny'Asia S. Mercer 50 ONE CHANCE TO BE A MAN 57 D-Revolution DREAM BIG JEDONNA MATHIS
The Origin of Watermonkey! By: Ny’Asisa Mercer Watermonkey was a normal baby monkey who lived by the sea in Africa. One day an evil zookeeper shot the tree down that the tree monkey was living in. When the tree fell the monkey fell into toxic water! She couldn’t find her family and began to panic. She swam to safety and was wondering what happened. She saw the evil zookeeper with a gun in his hand and wondered where her family had gone. Watermonkey hands began to feel funny as if something was moving in them. As she sat by the sea thinking about what she would do next. Her feet touched the water and the water rose up over her head as if it was a shield. She was shocked, her eyes were as wide as a button full of amazement. She didn’t know what was going on or why this was happening. After some time she continued to touch the water and the water kept doing amazing things that she never did before. She then figured out that she had water powers. The watermonkey knew this was something that she had never experienced before and thought it was so cool. As she grew older and began to perfect her new powers, she started doing water magic shows for little monkey’s birthday parties. Even though she knew she was different, the water monkey was happy and enjoyed her waterpowers. One day some monkeys that didn’t have powers started to make fun of the watermonkey. She became afraid and fearful, so she decided to build an underground base to live in. She built a beautiful blue, red and yellow in color home for herself. After a few days it looked amazing! Everything was going great she was living comfortably and carefree until one day the evil zookeeper found her base.
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