The Mirror Movement ~ Real Love Spring Fashion Show 2012

 

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I think I have found my yearly event!! If you love fashion and you adore young people this fashion show is definitely the place to be. Many people must think as I do as this event sold out at the Sharonville Convention Center this past Sunday.

My friends and I go each year to support Ms. Taylor and we end up in awe and this year in tears as the organization put together a video of the girl’s photo shoot set to “What About The Children” by Yolanda Adams. Talk about a powerful moment. Fortunately for Stephanie and me, I had tissue handy.

The Mirror Movement is about empowering our girls. They do an amazing job at not only teaching the girls about fashion and movement but several scenes dealt with issues around concerns as it relates to body types and bullying. No matter the scene these girls were fierce and confident. You could see the effort that was put forth to make this event successful.

We decided on Sunday that we will be back each year. It’s so important that our girls see themselves as beautiful and confident. We want to be a part of that.

Remember when we were children? If not for those who loved us and cared for us, where would be today?

For more information visit www.themirrormovement.org

A Steady Stream - Pastor Jerry Savelle

You might be saying, "I can't meditate on the Word all day." Yes, you can. You simply have to stop meditating on what the devil is saying and begin to embrace the things that God has told you. People worry all the time. What is worry? Believing what the devil has said, picturing his outcome. It is the opposite of meditating on God's Word. Why not meditate on what the Word says? Why not picture yourself being victorious? Why not replay all the times in your life when God has come through for you? From Daily Devotional - A Steady Stream -

When Rain Falls by Tyora Moody

 

 

New Book by Tyora Moody

New Releases by Francis Ray Kiss and Tell Readers' Campaign

New Releases by Francis Ray ~ Kiss and Tell Readers' Campaign

Why You Gotta Call Her a b….?

Each day after work I drive to where I pick up my son and I deescalate from a day of teaching and counseling students that have disabilities. I have this spot under a tree where I simply sit and attempt to find my center. Well, as the beautiful weather approaches children are hanging all over the place. Maybe it’s because it’s near an elementary school and a rec center. Though here lately they have been hanging strong.

So today, I pull up and I hear a lot of commotion. If you can imagine mini clusters of elementary students and no adult supervisor at all. It was very loud but there was a group of students that stood out. I kept hearing a little girl say “I’m not a b…..” The little boy kept riding around her and her friends calling them all kind of b’s. Dumb and stupid came from this child’s mouth before spitting out that ugly word. I’m contemplating intervening, I don’t know them and they have probably only seen me in passing.

The little girl was beyond upset and she simply sat there while this little boy rode back and forth on his bicycle calling her a b.

Finally I had had enough. I walked slowing across the street and I kept my eye on him. He made several circles around me and kept laughing but I kept my eye contact. As I approached the door I asked him,

“Why you gotta call her a b….?” His response “Because she is one. All girls are.”

Is that what you call your mother?

No, I’d get grounded.

What about your grandmother?

O. No!

So why you call her one?

She a girl.

I’m a girl.

You’re a woman.

I was once a girl. Does that make me a b.?

No ma’am.

Do you know that little girl’s name?

Yes ma’am.

Then, that’s what I expect you to call her. By her name.

Yes ma’am

What if I had said nothing? Sometimes it easier to say nothing. What stayed in my head the most was that these were elementary children. Elementary children!!! Here this girl was being called a name that leaves many grown women messed up upon hearing it. For some reason today I needed those children to know that being called a b….. is not ok.

A Call For Change

Yesterday I attended a workshop pertaining to encouraging African American males in the classroom. This video was shown at the end of the session. I truly hope that the information we received yesterday spills over into our classrooms and into our homes.

Black Pearls Salute Women Writers ~ Part 1

 

 

 

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Go to Black Pearl's Site

Trayvon Martin Shooting 911 Call

How can this video not impact you to do something? Make a call. Write a letter. Send an email. SOMETHING!!!!

Sinners & Saints by Victoria Christopher Murray and Reshonda Tate Billingsley

 

 

Sinners and Saints was the first novel I read this year. I won’t lie either, I bought it because one of the authors is a friend on FB. So as I was walking through the bookstore I saw the book and thought “Don’t I know that author?”

It took about a month for me to open the book up but once I did I could not put it down. Murray and Billingsley had me up early in the morning and late at night trying to figure out what Rachel and Jasmine would do next. What I really loved about the book is the realness of how some church folk are. There are some people who are all about the power and will stop at nothing to get it. The pastors in this story were so loving and they saw past the faults of others, including their wives. Talking about rising above the ashes. I loved each of them so much that I was hoping the best for both of them.

Being raised in church all of my life and working in ministry I could easily see how competiveness can become divisive and exhausting. You really have to read Sinners and Saints. It’s an enjoyable book with twists and turns like you would not believe. By the end of the book you can really relate to both of the main characters, Rachel and Jasmine. You then have to decide who’s team you’re own. As for me. Well let’s just say I would have been trying to find a way out too even if it put me into a negative light.

 

Sinners & Saints YouTube Video

Purchase Sinners & Saints on Amazon

http://www.victoriachristophermurray.com/

http://reshondatatebillingsley.com/

Dear Whitney, I Get So Emotional Every Time I Think Of You

 

 

I remember February 11 all too well. It is my brother’s birthday and it was also the day of a health and wellness event at our church. The previous day our church had a GoRed! Gala. Needless to say I was very tired when I got home. I passed out for many hours. As I struggled to get up later that evening I received a call from my niece about Whitney Houston. Now the need to get up was urgent. The texts and calls were coming through. Many I didn’t respond to. I was numb, stunned, emotional……

Only last night did I pick up and read one of the many magazines I have purchased in memory of Whitney. They are sitting on the counter for me to glance at as I come and go throughout the house. For the very first time as I read about Whitney not one tear dropped. Whew! The article took me back to 1985, two years before I would graduate from high school. I remember hearing her sing for the first time and wishing I had the courage to use my voice to sing. She was like a part of me that I wished I was. A part of me that to this day still stays dormant.

I was fortunate enough to see her when she came to Riverbend. Thinking back on that now, I just wanted to see Whitney Houston in concert and now I realize that I witnessed the beginning of an icon. One of my dreams when I was in school was to become a tour manager and to work with her. Now that never happened but it solidifies my adoration for her music early on. After her passing I had a person say to me, when was the last time you listened to a Whitney Houston song. Please believe that she is and has been in rotation since the beginning.

While “How Will I Know” is my absolute favorite Whitney song. My favorite album has to be I’m Your Baby Tonight which contains the song “Miracle”. That song speaks volumes to many life experiences that I was going through at that time. I believe that is what her music did, speak volumes to her fans. So much so that after hearing “The Greatest Love of All” in 1992 I decided to name my son Alexander because I knew he would be great and so would my love for him. Years later I would go on to name my younger son Xander.

I pray that Whitney’s spirit feels the overwhelming support of so many people who loved her so much and appreciated her. We all have flaws, we are all searching for the dream that makes us feel whole, and we all want to experience great love. In many ways, many of us are similar to Whitney Houston constantly searching out that which the Creator has already placed inside of us.

The music of Whitney Houston is timeless and she was blessed to be given songs to sing that will forever hold meaning. Since February 11 I have listened to so many songs and had so many memories but there is one song I can’t listen to yet, one video I can’t view yet. I can’t manage to hear her sing learning to love yourself, is the greatest love of all… I get too emotional.