Black At It: The Next Adventure

There are many nuances to a long and happy marriage, and it seems that everyone has a different opinion about what makes a successful marriage. What should dating or courtship look like? Is a long “getting to know each other” period necessary? Join us as we talk to today’s guest about the key ingredients to a lasting marriage.

Dr. Dionne Ledford is a marriage veteran with almost 33 years under her belt. She is the superintendent of the Roseville Community Charter School District in New Jersey. She’s a proud mother of two who has invested over 32 years of her life in the field of education.

Show Highlights:

• The story of Dionne’s courtship and marriage, which began in her college years at Hampton University
• Why it’s important not to lose yourself and your ambitions because you fall in love; “Know yourself first.”
• Why young women need to understand their value as a person and realize that a man doesn’t make their value or bring fulfillment to their lives
• How Dionne and her husband both understand how to give each other the space to be themselves and achieve their dreams
• How to balance expectations and reality with a partner in life
• How to achieve longevity in your marriage by “choosing marriage” EVERY day through all the ebbs and flows
• How to handle times that seem routine and unexciting, like being stuck in a rut with the day-to-day grind
• How family relationships and friendships can change when you get married
• Why no marriage is immune to life’s twists and turns
• Marriage advice from Dionne that she has given her own daughter, who is getting married soon
• How to prepare for being “empty-nesters” in your marriage (Dionne and her husband approach this stage of life in different ways!)
• What marriage has taught Dionne over the years about herself and what it takes to make a committed, sustained partnership
• How to handle differences in parenting styles with your spouse, learning when to step back and when to push forward
• Why marriage is a firm foundation for family, love, and partnership—something that benefits our community in many ways

Resources:

Want more Gayle and Tia? Join our Vibe Tribe on Facebook. 

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Connect with us to learn about upcoming summer events!

We’re back, still Black, and still at our adventures! After a hiatus, we are ready to bring you Season 2, which will focus on relationships. Today’s guest teaches us how to think deeper about healing, forgiveness, and letting go. Join us to learn more!

Rev. Krista Forbes received her calling into ministry in 2006 and immediately began serving as an associate minister. She earned her Master of Divinity with a concentration in Women’s Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary and was ordained through the Progressive National Baptist Convention.

Rev. Krista has a diverse ministerial background in serving as a worship liturgist, preacher, and community outreach/healthcare chaplain. As a chaplain, she provided spiritual support to patients in crisis, along with their families and hospital staff. Her chaplaincy journey includes a tour in geriatric care, the VA hospital, a skilled nursing facility, and hospice. She gets her greatest joy from leading Bible study classes and spiritual formation discussions with women to empower them and help them grow and heal.

She currently serves as the director at Pyxis Partners Health Equity Consulting Firm, where she focuses on outreach and engagement for community stakeholders in the “All of Us” research program, a research database project supporting precision and medicine initiatives coordinated by the NIH.

Show Highlights:

• How to view a loved one’s loss through a healing lens by remembering the lessons learned
• Why women find it difficult to SIT with healing because we refuse to slow down and assess the damage
• How a relationship with God factors into our experiences and our healing (This is much more important than how people THINK we should act!)
• What it means to “let go” in your healing journey
• Why Black women have felt pressure to be strong and live up to the stereotypes put upon them
• How sharing our stories and testimonies helps others (“So, put away your Wonder Woman cape–and be real!”)
• How to start the healing process:
• Sit down, acknowledge God, and assess the damage and the feelings.
• Determine “the care plan,” which starts with forgiveness.
• Love your imperfect self.
• Why you can’t put a time limit on healing
• Why we hold onto things that we need to let go so healing can begin
• Key takeaways from Gayle, Tia, and Krista

Resources:

Want more Gayle and Tia? Join our Vibe Tribe on Facebook. 

Find us on Instagram.

Connect with us to learn about upcoming summer events!

We know it’s important to be a good role model for those who are watching us–and they are always there whether we see them or not. Today’s conversation highlights a wonderful non-profit that resulted from a desire to help young women BE better and DO better. It’s a program that should be available to young people all across our country! Join us to learn more about this inspiring project!

Leana Walcott has a career in finance, but she worked for many years with young people through summer youth programs in Brooklyn. She believes that young women need a safe and nurturing space that can be a sounding board for their fears, a developmental haven for their professional interests and goals, and a prism that allows them to see and connect to positive and progressive women. Her vision led to the creation of The Chrysalis Project in 2014. This nonprofit creates avenues allowing young women to be nurtured and prepared to go through high school and be ready to face their college years with confidence and goal readiness. 

Show Highlights:

• Leana’s professional background in finance and her lifelong passion to have a positive impact on kids
• How and why she started her non-profit to help young women
• How Leana decided on the name for her program, which is based on the transformation story of the beautiful butterfly
• How Leana’s organization works with young women through their high school and college years
• How the program focuses on teaching the principles of financial health, health and wellness, the arts, and how to dress for success
• How the “one word” system works within the program, along with bringing in professionals to teach and train the young women
• How Leana works to get the community involved in the Chrysalis Project
• Leana shares specific examples of the success of the program in the lives of young women
• The importance of young women learning to be who they are in their space without being apologetic about it
• How the Chrysalis Project works with parents of the young women and partners with schools to identify the girls who would benefit from the program
• Leana’s advice about starting a non-profit from a basic idea to help others
• Leana’s best advice to those who mentor young women: “Be honest and be caring. Giving of yourself to help someone else requires honesty. Find a way to create a bond with them, and be a friend who loves on them.”
• What’s next for Leana and the Chrysalis Project

Resources:

Connect with Leana and the Chrysalis Project:  www.chrysalisprojectinc.com  

Email: [email protected] or call 908-566-6402

Want more Gayle and Tia? Join our Vibe Tribe on Facebook. 

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Alicia Boateng designs unique and beautiful mugs. Her mugs are statement pieces of art that show us we are important and worthy, and we need to take good care of ourselves. Join us today to hear Alicia’s inspiring story!

Alicia has always loved being creative! After leaving her career as a wedding planner, she thought about turning her designs into a full-time gig. Her morning cup of coffee inspired her to bring her line of hand-crafted mugs to life! Now, she runs Alicia Boateng Designs alongside her husband. They create festive mugs, in a range of different styles, from afro glam to seasonal cups to a collection highlighting different cultures from around the world. Alicia is determined to get her cups into the hands of as many women as she can!

Show highlights:

• What prompted Alicia to move on from being a wedding planner?
• Why Alicia decided to start designing cups.
• How Alicia knew she had reached her target market with her mugs.
• How the Afro Glam collection was born.
• How Alicia and her husband work together as business partners. 
• Alicia offers advice for women starting their own businesses.
• The fears and obstacles she had to overcome in the process of becoming successful.
• How to use failure as a lesson.
• Good customer service is essential!
• Why Alicia places a message straight from her heart into her cups. (She also includes a Black Lives Matter bracelet or pin with every cup.)
• Alicia talks about the cup collection she designed for this year’s Black History Month.
• Alicia attributes her biggest success to date- having her collection featured on the Today Show, to building relationships.
• Having a good support system is important for achieving your goals.
• Alicia talks about her unique custom collection.
• Finding balance in her busy life.

Resources:

Alicia’s website  

Alicia on Instagram and Facebook

Alicia will help us with a custom design for those attending our events and listeners in our Vibe Tribe.

Want more Gayle and Tia? Join our Vibe Tribe on Facebook.

Find us on Instagram

If you are a “woman of a certain age,” you know that hot flashes can make us crazy. They are just one of the challenges that come with age. These challenges affect how we dress and how we feel about ourselves, but we can still be fashionable! Join us to learn more with today’s guest!

Christa Edwards is a friend and fashionista who is passionate about empowering women to look and feel their best. She is a genius who is here to share some of her style secrets with us. 

Show Highlights:

• How Christa learned style and fashion very early in life
• What your overall appearance says to others about how you feel about yourself
• Why you have to put in the work to be healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally to figure out what clothes work best for you
• How sugar intake can affect hot flashes
• How the pandemic has affected us, and how we can help each other in our “sister circle”
• Why you will feel better when you look better; “You don’t have to look like what you are going through.”
• Why you need a “sister circle” of friends who will tell you the truth
• Common style mistakes that people make: over accessorizing, too much frosty makeup, and wearing colors that don’t complement your skin tone
• Christa’s fashion tips:
• Wear proper undergarments.
• Find a good tailor.
• What Christa wants women to know about the makeup styles you see in magazines
• Why Sam’s Club is one of Christa’s favorite places to find clothes that fit well
• Why it is important to wear clothes in the right size for you
• Parting thoughts from Christa, Gayle, and Tia: “If you love yourself, clean yourself up and take pride in yourself. If you don’t start with your mentality, what you wear doesn’t matter. Invest some time in yourself.” 

Resources:

Join us for “Adventure at the Spa” on March 20 if you are in our area! Email us for more information: [email protected]. 

Want more Gayle and Tia? Join our Vibe Tribe on Facebook. Find out about our spa adventure in the Facebook group, too. 

Find us on Instagram.

In the middle of our stress-filled, busy lives, we have to find ways to decompress. That’s where self-care comes in, and it can be in the form of so many things that help us take care of our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves. Are you taking good care of yourself? Join us to learn more!

Nickia “Nicki” Liggins owns and operates Nicki’s Place Salon in Laurel, Maryland. She is a beautiful person who is also Gayle’s hairdresser. She takes self-care very seriously and wants her clients to do the same!

Show Highlights:

• How Nicki’s business and clientele were affected by COVID
• How Nicki views her work at the salon and the importance of bringing clients into the family atmosphere
• Why Nicki turned to her faith during the sadness and uncertainty of the pandemic
• How yoga brought Nicki to a new self-care routine to nourish and feed her soul
• Why stretching and spa visits have been lifesavers for Nicki and have brought renewed clarity
• How Nicki’s self-care routine has helped her be a better mom and grandma
• Nicki’s advice for getting started in building a self-care routine, which may be different for every person (Start by admitting that something is wrong!)
• Why a holistic approach is beneficial (Look at what you need inwardly and outwardly.)
• How stress can affect the health and beauty of your hair (Nicki shares a client’s story as an example.)
• How to get started: “Admit what’s wrong, and find the things that will feed your mind, your soul, and your body.”

Resources:

Connect with Nicki: Instagram or call Nicki’s Place Salon at 301-237-3218

Join us for “Adventure at the Spa” on March 20 if you are in our area! Email us for more information: [email protected]. 

Want more Gayle and Tia? Join our Vibe Tribe on Facebook. Find out about our spa adventure in the Facebook group, too. 

Everyone loves a good story, and those who are blessed with the gift of storytelling can capture the attention of every person around them. Storytelling paints a picture for us and helps us become aware of different people and cultures while allowing us to understand the experiences of others. A good story is much more than giving information but evokes an emotional response. Join us to hear from a gifted storyteller in today’s episode!

Jill Collins is New Orleans’ hottest mystery writer and creator of the Morgan Jane Winters murder mystery series. Her books tell great stories and communicate a message. Her first two books of the series are available now, Surrender and Hide and Seek. Jill is currently working on the third installment, which is titled, Liar. She is a clinical research coordinator by day, author by night, and a flutist on the side. 

Show Highlights:

• Jill’s take on the importance and value of storytelling
• Jill’s story as a New Orleans native as one of four siblings in a musical family; she started writing as a preteen and went on to get a degree in sociology at Tulane and a degree in drafting/engineering
• The inspiration to create Jill’s main character, Dr. Morgan Jane Winters, who represents smart, black women who are clever and savvy
• Why Jill chose to have a psychiatrist as her series’ main character 
• The concept behind Jill’s third book, Liar, and a brief intro to the storyline
• How Jill’s books entertain, bring readers into the story, and convey a spiritual message
• Jill’s views on why human beings tell lies and believe lies
• How we train ourselves not to be deceived by others
• Why you can’t move forward until you learn to stop the internal negative chatter in your life
• What makes Jill want to keep on writing (Her current series is composed of five planned books!)
• Why Jill firmly believes that she is obeying God’s voice in her life by writing her books
• Parting words from Jill: 

Resources:

Connect with Jill:  www.jillcollins.net

Find Jill’s books:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold

Want more Gayle and Tia? Connect with us on Facebook.

Many women feel uncomfortable around guns, and even fewer women have proper firearm training. Our guest today is on a mission to change that! If you have questions about gun control, gun safety, and gun education, you will want to hear what she has to share. Join us to learn more!

Javondlynn Dunagan is the founder and CEO of JMD Defense, located in Chicago. She retired as a US Probation Officer in 2016 after a distinguished 25-year career. As a safety educator, Javondlynn is passionate about training professionals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in workplace safety and emergency operations procedures. She is a certified firearms instructor, range safety officer, and distinguished expert shooter with the NRA Marksmanship Program. As our friend from college, Javondlynn has an amazing background in gun education as someone who is committed to offering services to customers and clients with an uncompromising level of integrity. She is considered a trailblazer in the firearm community and safety industry who has received several awards for empowering women in the area of safety, education, and responsible firearm ownership. In addition to her appearance on BAI, she has been featured in other radio and print media interviews. 

Show Highlights:

• How Javondlynn became committed to helping others solve the mystery of responsible gun ownership
• How Javondlynn became aware of the need for firearm education, especially for women
• Why “things are changing” in society today about more women buying firearms for personal safety
• Why Javondlynn’s gun club, Ladies of Steel, has become so popular in Chicago with over 550 members 
• Why any woman is never too young or too old to take part in gun education and safety classes
• Why the subject of firearms is a hot button topic in schools and communities
• Why the education piece is essential for any gun owner and their family
• Why Javondlynn won’t teach gun classes to everyone if she thinks they aren’t ready
• Why every gun owner should be trained, educated, and committed to practicing their firearm skills regularly
• How to practice safety and awareness even if you aren’t carrying a firearm
• How women evolve and change after taking JMD Defense classes and becoming empowered
• Examples of how women from the gun club usually react in potentially violent situations–and how their reactions differ from those of most men
• Javondlynn’s advice for women about staying safe while out in public, traveling, and at home
• Why you should evaluate the outdoor lighting and landscaping around your house
• Why always being alert and aware of your surroundings and the people around will be your best defense 

Resources:

Connect with Javondlynn: JMD Defense

Facebook and Instagram

Check out the Citizen app that Javondlynn mentioned.

Connect with us on Facebook.

Here we are, going strong into Episode 11! We are so grateful for the feedback we have gotten from our first ten episodes, as we do our best to inspire and motivate our listeners. We feel blessed to be on this journey with you! As we all look forward to spring coming soon, stay with us to learn about upcoming events as we plan exciting new adventures. In today’s show, we have fun reliving some of the most memorable ups and downs of our life adventures together. Join us!

Show Highlights:

• Why we are thankful for our struggles in life that have humbled us and made us grateful
• How Gayle came through her cancer experience with confidence, grace, and class
• How Tia came through a troubling divorce experience with two small children
• Why the voice of experience has great value in helping others
• How Tia dealt with a low point in life when she didn’t know if she could keep going
• Why it’s important to evolve and learn to feel comfortable with change
• Highlights of some of our crazy adventures to Puerto Rico and Los Angeles
• More adventures are being planned–and you’ll be invited to join us!
• Our wish for you: “Be resilient and shine in your space. Keep listening!”

Resources:

Connect with us on Facebook

Today’s show features a special guest who doesn’t fall short when it comes to inspiration. She is loving life and living it to the fullest–and who wouldn’t want that? Join us for a conversation with a treasured lady.

Gladys Allen is Gayle’s mom. She is the mother of six, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of one, and she is ready to celebrate her 90th birthday. Having been through life’s ups and downs, her positive energy and vibrancy amazes everyone she meets, including her doctors! She loves to travel and is always up for the next adventure.

Show Highlights:

• How Gladys stays so young–besides drinking red wine
• Why staying positive is important in life, along with spending time with younger people
• How Gladys has noticed changes in today’s young people having more drive and motivation
• How Gladys views her role as a mom, having to reinvent herself as a widow at age 58
• Why grieving doesn’t mean you stop living and loving life
• How Gladys stays physically and mentally active
• How Gladys has seen the evolution of black women over her lifetime
• Why Gladys credits water aerobics 3x/week with keeping her active and fit
• Why having grandchildren is different (and way more fun) than raising your own children
• How Gladys moved temporarily from Maryland to New York to take care of things when her son, Clifford, passed away unexpectedly
• Gladys’ advice to her younger self
• How Gladys dealt with COVID restrictions and precautions
• What Gladys wants her legacy to be: “That I lived independently to this age in reasonably good health, even after losing my husband. I hope I’ve been helpful and an inspiration to others. 
• Gladys’ advice to Gayle and Tia as they move to the next chapters of life: “As long as you choose to be happy with whatever you’re doing, that’s a gift you can pass on to others.”

Resources:

Join our Black At It Vibe Tribe on Facebook!