What do you think it means to be a good girl?
To me, a good girl is a girl who is unapologetic about her self-worth. She is knowledgeable of what she brings to the table, and her intentions always stem from a place of purity. A good girl is a girl who thinks of others before herself, and moves with passion, and love in her service. I believe a good girl is one of the strongest women to know because she is multi-faceted, ambitious, and faith lead. Speaking on faith, a good girl is courageous in her constant fight to answer to her calling, whether it is through people, or pursuing her passion regardless of where the journey may lead. I think a good girl looks at the cup half-full instead of half empty in any given situation, and immolates the meaning of resilience from her core. A dictionary definition would be her ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. My own definition of resilience in good girl is her drive to work through mud in any situation she is involved in, searching for every authentic lesson, pouring out every ounce of emotion, bandaging every wound she works through to get to her higher-self. Naturally, she inspires, transforms, and binds generational problems, internal-healing, master’s self-love, and a strong desire to learn more. To be a good girl means one has made themselves available to be used in multi-dimensional ways, accepting the cost of the downside in that; the downside of only understanding herself at times, or sometimes not but never being able to stop feeling, or analyzing an answer for the depths her journey has taken her. There are times she is left to put pieces back together that should’ve never been broken but were, and she fights harder than ever before to reevaluate how she got to those broken pieces, still loving, still inspiring, still creating, and still TRYING! A good girl never gives up on herself, even if it just herself that she is left with to find the answers… her devotion to mastering herself as a masterpiece, and walking fully in her purpose is on her agenda every day. It is a part of her identity, and a tool she eventually uses to stand on to empower others. A good girl is a girl who chooses to be good. The option to settle, fight-less, give up, or walk in shoes sizes too small are not on the table for her. A good girl is authentic in the way she emulates the dimensions of herself, “good” being her own type .. not societies standard. She breaks the code in a boxed in definition of what “good” means, good to her means rich in everything that is true to her core.
Tell us about The Glamour Blueprint LLC.
February 28th 2017, I flew in from The Dominican Republic from a service trip I was doing with an organization I was involved in at Florida State University. I got off the plane, and immediately got in the car from a long flight only to get in the car at Miami International for an 8-hour drive back to Tallahassee. My time spent in the Dominican Republic was so empowering, eye opening, and beautiful. The moment I got in the car, I was reminded of my reality. I was in a toxic relationship at the time, and it was my one year anniversary. I managed to mask my hurt with this person during this time because I had gotten so numb to the verbal abuse that I just didn’t know how to fight back other than to love harder. So, I posted on my Instagram how proud I was to be in love and make it to a year with this person who was on the same phone breaking up with me, and verbally bringing me down. I remember riding in the car with 4 other people at the time, and turning my head left as I faced the window, tears just rolling down my face… I did not want anyone to ask what was wrong, but I could not hold in how broken I felt. I fought for hours through text messages, and phone calls trying to make amends in an argument I did not cause but I desired so badly to be loved with the same empathy, affection, and purity I put out, it was our anniversary I wanted happiness, and love to matter most. Now, at this time I was beginning modeling, and working as a brand ambassador for different companies, and entrepreneurs so my Instagram account was growing, and I was profiting in business. I regularly posted my girlfriend throughout our relationship, always coming from a place of love and a desire to make my partner feel special, and happy... because when we were good, we were good. I eventually got home that school night probably 3, or 4 am…I had class the next day so I remember washing up, and getting right in the bed.
Little did I know, when I woke up the next morning my page was gone. My girlfriend at the time was going on a rampage on her social media demolishing my character, and was priding herself on deleting my account. She hacked into my account, and found a reason to pick yet another fight with me about an issue she was looking to find, to make just of how she was treating me. Now I know how this can sound to a reader that does not understand the depths, I was working toward trying to express myself fully, and tap deeper into my purpose… but at the time, I was trying my best to work toward more. More of, understanding what my purpose was, expressing the dimensions of myself I was still learning, using my voice to empower other women, and also showcase my marketing ability. I fought for a week to get that account back, and my “girlfriend” couldn’t understand me, or why this mattered so much to me. I felt defeated, confused, and overwhelmed in what I was honestly supposed to do in my life at the time. I could care less about losing the social media account, but I cared deeply about the imprint I was creating on the world with my craft, and the women I’d lost touch with.
Before I lost my page, I discovered “The Good Girl Movement” but hadn’t looked into it deeply until the night hit, I typed in the website browser and I immediately just dove into the entire site. I read story, after story of all of the different girls who were expressing their stories as entrepreneurs, and students, also victims of what could be looked at as traumatizing situations they turned into testimonies, you could consider them all heroes!!!!
In my eyes, every last one of them were resilient, so strong, talented, and courageous. I was inspired, and I read their stories over, and over, and over as I penned out what my plan was going to be to make things happen for myself. I sat in front of the computer for days, hours at a time finding a name for the business I was about to create for myself. I wanted the foundation to be my imperfections, my trial and errors, my own creative realm to do whatever I wanted to, showcase ALL of my talents on MY platform, and show other women how I did it while also expressing ME in the truest form. I wanted to help the next woman with the transparency I longed for so deeply in a person …that I did not know at the time should have just been me discovering the depths of me. Me, healing the brokenness inside of me, beyond just the pain my partner was inflicting, but the generational habits I picked up I saw happening in my relationship, the toxic traits I was putting out, and causing. I just needed to show up, and love me as intensely as I was trying to love others.
I wrote in my journal, I want an app, things were going to go beyond just Instagram this time... I was going to chase my dreams, and grow into the woman I always wanted to be while documenting it all. I wanted to get RAW and real, I wanted moments just like this… to pen out times in my journey I felt problems could destroy me, that in contrary molded me. I wanted God to use me as a vessel, even if I did not understand where I was going, inside of myself, into wounds, into more love, and passion, dark areas light did not exist in. I wanted God to take me places in other’s hearts that would suture wounds from my transparency teach me more about growing within myself. I wanted to show the little girl inside of me that exists in every girl when she is screaming on the inside to stop, to leave, to let go, to speak up, to fight back, to love more, to create more, to demand more, to forgive more, to set her price, to design her life, to get on her knees and ask God for help... not any man, or woman. The little girl who bleeds passion, and intense emotions from everything, EVERYTHING… every empty space, every nothing that feels like something… I wanted her to be FULL of all of the right things; I wanted her to feel the air, and the sun-rays on her skin. I wanted her to enjoy her life… life is so precious, and I wanted her curiosity to lead her to more happiness, and freedom.
So, I started The Glamour Blueprint as an Instagram page first, I started modeling with different photographers in different states, reading A LOT of different business books, and self-love books, helped my friends build brands: shopping in the fashion district, creating their marketing strategies, creative directing photoshoots, building their website design, etc. I reached out to HUNDREDS of different brands to work with them as a brand influencer, I captured creative photos and started building content that was attracting attention of brands I longed to work for. Eventually, I built up the courage to start styling, and creative directing the vision behind campaigns of brands that respected my work, and profited from it. I knew I needed to make this an official business even though I had taken meetings with app developers that weren’t agreeing to reasonable terms and conditions to fund my app. I refused to just be profited off of, and no one believe as deep in the vision for what I wanted to put out into my blueprint. I created an LLC first, and started doing EVERYTHING I ever wanted. I created a marketing event to teach other women how I started, and provide them with people it took me MONTHS, and MANY failures to run my business properly to know. I had vendors with all different businesses present to highlight their brands, and I utilized the time to pour into them the way my heart desired to do in my app content. I began taking in clients with brands in all different fields, helping them drive their business into profitable revenue avenues, and fill in any gaps that were causing their business margins to remain stagnant, and/or get off the ground.
The Glamour Blueprint LLC today, is a lifestyle brand I myself have designed. It is my blueprint, my how to, my creative escape platform, and my now profitable business with many different service fields that allows me to influence other people from my story, and through learning theirs. I’m most recognized for being a fashion enthusiast, but offer brand influencing, E-commerce marketing strategy, event planning, and creative direction.
My brand has now transitioned into a trademark business that is streaming out into business ventures my heart has always wanted to do, and am now able to leave my personal imprint in fashion, and hearts of women that are human just like me. Hustle just like me! Have a desire to grow into the best versions of themselves, just like me!
Give us the rundown of your ATL journey….
So, I am a student at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, but over the course of the last two years I have been working in and out of Atlanta to pursue my dreams in fashion. My junior year, which would be 2017 … I traveled back and forth to Atlanta every single month twice, maybe three times out of the month to work. By work, I’m meaning for myself… so, it entailed modeling with brands, meeting with my clients, or working on personal stuff within The Glamour Blueprint LLC. My summer semester of college, I chose to move to Atlanta for 3 months, still leasing my place in Tallahassee, but also subleasing from a friend’s spot so I could build clientele in Atlanta. This meant taking over two leases as a college student who was SELF employed, but I could not stand another day in Tallahassee if it meant giving up opportunities for my growth. I moved to Atlanta, grabbed my resume and walked up and down every store in Phipps Plaza to get a high-end retail job with the clientele I wanted.
The first person I ran into during my job hunt was P, owner of QC the label (I wasn’t familiar with who he was at the time), and he asked me,” Was I famous, I look famous, what did I do?” I answered as if I was talking to any other person, and said “No, I’m just looking for a job.” We parted ways, and the next day I found out who he was. My heart sunk, immediately I felt like I missed my first opportunity. Mentally I felt like I wasn’t hungry enough, I should’ve pulled out my business card, I should have had that open-door conversation and been transparent about who I was, and my styling passion. From that day forward, I promised myself I would never have that “Fuck up” moment again. It did not matter if whoever on the other side of the conversation felt I was doing too much, every conversation I left I wanted to show up as the table, HUNGRY, my career depended on ME showing up for myself. I interviewed with a company called Phillip Plein later that week, I got the job and I made sure to pour out every marketing strategy, hand out every business card I had, and ASK, ASK, ASK how can I grow more? I assisted on sets of music videos, and styled for Growing up Hip Atlanta, and Rolling Out in my first month. I made sure to be open with all of my clients about services I offered outside of the store, and began working as the face of some of their businesses, and styling their wardrobes. I was seeing more money than I had ever seen living in Tallahassee, and I knew I needed to be here full time. Summer came to an end quick, and in the move back I immediately felt like I was missing out on my dream. I had to deny many calls for opportunities I was praying to be a part of, I started to resent school. I hated being there. I hated focusing on things that had nothing to do with my passion, and I started to feel depressed. I remember telling my sisters how unhappy I was, and calling my grandparents crying about how much I felt like I needed to drop out. My senior year, in my fall semester of what would be the second to last semester I would ever have to take I wanted to be done. My grandparents did not support the decision, but they would not accept the agony I was honestly going through internally staying caged up.
So, me being me... I said I’ll do both. I’ll go get this degree for myself, as the first ever in my family to do... and for my grandparents but I’ll also become a distance learning student so I can move back to Atlanta. That same week, I transferred to a fully online student, the prices of my classes nearly tripling, and taking on much harder courses in my LAST semester. I did not care what it took to get the classes done, I was doing it, I managed to get through 3 ½ years, I could handle 1 semester. I packed up my stuff the date of my last exam and I grinded it out back out in Atlanta. December 7th I moved into my friend’s house and I searched for MONTHS to find a place, and a new job. I had all intention to go back into Phillip Plein, but God said bigger and I followed the unknown because I knew if it didn’t flow I wasn’t missing out on anything, I was being brought into better. I was jobless for a few weeks, applying my ASS off to get a job I CHOSE, not chose me. I searched for an apartment for MONTHS that I could afford paying two rents, and that felt like it was right for me. I was tired of being uncomfortable, I needed my creative flow to FLOW wherever I ended up I needed peace to create or I was going to internally burst. This was the test for the testimony for me, life was so uncertain here but I felt so empowered, hungry, and faithful to what was for me. I took so many interviews, I wanted to feel out what God wanted for me. I chose a job, chose a place that beat my expectations, and have now conquered more than I ever anticipated in two months! I’ve had the pleasure of doing two super bowl promotion interviews on USA Today, and CBS 46, been booked out of state for panel discussions, hired in Giuseppe Zanotti with total creative control over my marketing, AND started projects within my brand. I truly got it out of the mud, driving around with my stuff in my car and in suit cases for MONTHS chasing this dream of mine, praying I wouldn’t get robbed but it was too much to tote back and forth in someone else’s house. I almost pulled my hair out every day getting dressed, I could not SEE what I needed to, I could not deliver the looks my heart was begging me to deliver, BUT I wouldn’t have had it any other way! The process so far has strengthened my faith more than ever, and shown me all of my capabilities as a woman. I stayed down. These last few months I felt freedom in the unknown for once, I literally went and chopped all my hair off in excitement to discover who I was FROM THE INSIDE even more. Atlanta has been my broken to be positioned space!
Favorite people you’ve styled describe their looks and your inspo.
I’m going to speak into the future here, and say Dej Loaf. I ran across an opportunity that did not fall through to have the pleasure of sparking our creativity together, but it is my goal to style her this year! My inspiration will be from my core, regardless of the reasoning in why I am styling her. I have always admired her flexibility with looks, that’s a fashion architects dream to have a canvas with no limitations. Her creative eye to execute moments and experiences through her music, and looks has always intrigued me, and inspired me to showcase my creative depths.
If I had to choose presently, I would say my favorite clients are the ones who allow me to create, and grow with me. Consistently coming back, and are open minded. They do not step on my toes, they just let my creative process G O and they walk out executing it exactly how I imagined the moment to be. Normally I get inspired as I go, stumbling across pieces that scream a client’s name to me, or several that develop into a full experience. Sometimes it’s a place, a backdrop, a time period, a theme, the person. Literally anything, the smallest thing can inspire me.
Society tends to try to define what a bi-sexual should look like… what are your struggles with that concept?
What I have learned is that people often speak a lot about what they are uneducated on: The LGBTQ community, and also THEMSELVES, unknowing of who they are as an individual. It’s almost every time that I am approached by a boy (I say boy purposefully because most are not men in their logic) that I am asked, “Who hurt you? What man broke your heart that made you turn gay? You just need some good d*ck, etc. etc.” ALL thing that play no part in MY sexuality. I’m also hit with religious questions like, “How do I feel about sinning being that I am in a relationship with a woman, and going against the biblical relationship standards.”
First and foremost, God is my best friend. If I don’t have anyone, I have God before any “boy” could ever fill a spot he does not have in my life, I’ll choose God every time. He knows me INSIDE and OUT, there is nothing off limits for him to know, and define. I am perfectly made in the shoes HE wants me to walk in. If I were to ever choose a man to fill that spot in my life, it will never change the fact that I also love women. I have only felt an understanding from women, a deep sexual relation to women, pure love from a woman, reciprocated energy from a woman. I could go on, and on. I have never met a man that could do, or relate to anything any of the women in my life have done outside of my Grandfather.
From a biblical standpoint, there are many things the bible says that many do not abide by, and to point out my sin as any greater than the sins they commit in the dark and light is a sin itself. I am no one to judge, and therefor neither should anyone else. My identity, and self-walk with God is something I have all understanding, and knowingness of what purpose I serve as a vessel in Gods eyes. I am more than sure my journey is my journey for a reason. I’m here to teach compassion, I’m here to teach forgiveness, love, wholeness, understanding, and many other things, and if God sees that gets done through my representation of loving who I love, I’m okay with that. I’m sure of myself, and many other women just like myself are, and they empower women beyond just the gay community to be the best versions of themselves while exuding unapologetic sexualities while doing it.
Society NEEDS to stop looking at “gay” with being attached to a specific face, and start realizing its deeper than what meets the eye. So many people have no idea I am bi-sexual, reason being is because of what they’ve grown up identifying my “type” as, straight. This is done through classifying my beauty, without a word even being said. That’s the thing, I am not a type, and many other people aren’t either. I am human, with qualities of depth deeper than sexuality standards can identify. Get to know people, learn their qualities, their characters, understand them. I will always encourage everyone to get to know somebody before judging them with your preconceived thoughts because most times those thoughts have filters that are limiting you from getting to FULLY know amazing people. In the meantime, I’ll continue to love THE SHIT out of women, and watch them love themselves, and others unapologetically. Misunderstood, or not.
What would tell a girl trying to find her confidence in her sexuality?
My first words would be, “your sexuality!” Before you consider anyone else outside of YOU, how do YOU feel about YOU? What do you love? What do you like? Have you taken the time to discover that about yourself outside of the limitations other’s fears may have inflicted on you? Do you know your voice when you are speaking to you? Can you trust what she is saying, and walk courageously with it ... no matter how different your words are against anyone else’s? Whenever you do what you like, or love... how does it make you feel as a woman?
If fear, which is what rejection, negativity, and any other binding word that has stopped you from being who you are wholeheartedly is the reason you can’t answer the questions… my advice is to let go. Let go, of every mental space you have taken yourself to formulating scenarios of how you will be received, or your actions will be perceived. Life is not about them, life is about you! Life is so beautiful outside of the limitations people that are afraid, and too weak to push past generations that’ve inflicted identities on souls that are unclaimed by self-identity. Find yourself. Tune out the world, and find your voice, answer to everything she say’s to do because that is your conscience speaking to you. She’s crying out for you to show up for her physically, outwardly, for the world to get to know. Your sexuality is YOUR preference, it’s what resonates at the pit of your stomach and sparks when you are intrigued by someone’s existence. Dig deeper than sex. Sex is a combination of two souls intertwining, what is your match, your equal, that FEELS good, looks good, emotionally takes care of you, understands all the depths of you, entices you to grow into more…do more. Think about that.
Discover who you are, then show up for her. Your identity will speak from the core, not a label society can place on you. You will embody your identity, you will naturally find confidence in your sexuality that you so eagerly want to understand for yourself. It all starts with you. No one else.
What are your thoughts on the power of the tongue and speaking things into existence?
Romans 4 : “Call things that are not as though they were.” I read a book called, The Power of I am by Joel Osteen 2 years ago. I was existing in the darkest space in my life, and no one knew but the people in my household how strong I was trying to keep it together. I was so out of touch with who I was, and my heart was searching to find myself again, and what I was meant to do. I read a chapter of the book every day until I was finished. I would write my response in a journal and read over all of the “I am’s___” from the book, and then I wrote all of the goals I wanted to bring to fruition in my life as if they were. I talked about myself as woman, my business, my relationship, who I wanted to work with, what I wanted to do, etc.
In fact, I still have a picture of the I am’s.
I spoke this interview into existence on the first page of my journal, along with all of the names I was sifting through to come up with my brand. I spoke this brand into existence when I wrote EXACTLY what I wanted from The Glamour Blueprint through reading the book pictured “She Means Business.” I kept working like I had the business I wanted the day I moved like a business woman and I opened books, and followed only business woman that aligned with the friends and business partners I wanted. I learned, and when I learned... I said what I learned over and over and over. On paper, out loud, and on whatever platforms I had available to me. I embodied the woman I wanted to show up as before I was fully her, I stopped blaming, ignoring, filling voids, procrastinating, and just existing in the world. I declared what I wanted first, then I spoke it. I made room! I was talking, but I also was moving at the same time. By this I mean, I was letting go of what no longer served me, continuously hurt me, showed me time and time again was not for ME! I’m speaking on relationships, relations, friendships, environments that were not challenging me but distracting me, spaces I was not growing but outgrew. I chased after what I wanted, and I became okay with saying it no matter how big, and outrageous, and loud it seemed to anyone else.
The universe gives back what you put out, God goes bigger than any thought you can imagine to be prodigious. What you SPEAK, and what you BELIEVE fabricates your reality, and that involves thoughts too. Darkness can’t drive out light, but light can drive out darkness …so be light. Open your mouth! Do not be afraid to talk to your higher-self, and make arrangements to become her. It truly works to speak things into existence, and back up your words with belief. It’s one thing to say things, it’s another thing to believe they can truly happen. Find your belief system, for me…I use faith in God. You do not have to be religious to believe unwaveringly the universe is working for your highest good. I have just seen GOD show up in situations no man could have, align things, and open doors I was not equipped for but he anointed me to be in. I’ve seen him carry me through the mud, and allow me to walk out clean for the world to see the power faith has in TESTS that become TESTIMONIES.
If you take anything from this interview let it be that God is real, and the power of prayer and dedication will bind anything working against you. If you believe it you will see it, so let it be the beautiful life you deserve by declaring LIFE over any situation.
Song that describes you…
I Was Here- Beyoncé Knowles. (The live version she performs with at the United Nations humanitarian day performance.) I do not look up to anyone, but I admire Beyoncé as a woman, and as a creative Legend. She is a Virgo, and so am I, and the understanding of our hearts, our minds, and our purpose align so perfectly in this song. I still can’t formulate the perfect verbiage for how this song makes me feel but it brings tears to my eyes, chills throughout my entire body, and joy in my heart. It’s as if she wrote my heart out, and sang the song with the purity I aspire to embody every day. I used to sing, and when I did I would sing my heart out up and down hallways, and in my classrooms as if it was just me in the room to this song, and many other greats songs. Lol I zone out when this song comes on, it means so much to me, and it’s the imprint I want to leave with my blueprint in this world. I WAS HERE!!
When did you fall in love with fashion and why has it remained so prominent in your life?
I’ve loved fashion ever since I came out of the womb, honestly. My Mom gave birth to me and made me a diva the moment she got a chance. I always use to play in her makeup, wear her heels, try on all her clothes when I was in elementary school. By 6th grade I was sneaking clothes into my backpack and wearing them into Orange Groves hallways like I didn’t look grown as hell! I didn’t in my mind, I looked like what I felt, and my best friend who was also a little Virgo diva was right along with me. Her mom was like my mom, so we use to try on all her designer heels, purses and bags waiting for the day we could walk out in them. LOL LOL LOL , that day came way sooner than any of our parents could’ve anticipated but hey, fashion is life.. I needed my entire life, period. Why has fashion remained so prominent in my life? It’s honestly in my bloodstream and that’s no exaggeration, I cannot unseen my visions for pieces. I’ve always been able to know every article in my closet in my head, and plan for looks. I never get tired of trying on pieces, and when I get started the creativity flows, I can see one piece and see an entire vision that was totally different than what I spent hours looking for, or trying on.
My mind hops, often… I can see several different moments in my head at once, and it’s always a constant tug for when is the moment right to wear it. I’m a planner, I can keep a piece in my closet for months waiting to present it at the right moment, but when I saw it … it had to be boughtt immediately. I love fashion! I love the story telling you can do in an outwardly version of emotions, themes, experiences. Fashion is its own language. There is no cap for how much you can learn, or limitation of how far you can go. It keeps me busy, it keeps me expressing, it keeps me growing, I honestly could go on and on, I’m passionate as fuck about fashion. I love fashion, it’s definitely a part of my identity, and I am so blessed to have this creative realm at my fingertips every day.
We peeped your Instagram story with new inventory at Giseppe, can you give us some details about that?
YES! Come shop, we have brand new inventory in for the ladies, and the men. Jaw dropping heels that are ALL handmade and gag worthy when styled with pieces in your closet. I can always help designing a full look for you. I have the luxury of being able to pull as many shoes as needed right to your door step for you to choose from, and try on which feels like the perfect match while we sip champagne!!! The fastest going shoe in the store at the moment is The Rita Ora collection, and my personal favorite, the Christian Cowan collection. We are located in Phipps Plaza, right across from Tiffany’s and anything your heart desires I’m sure I can find a way to make happen for you… even if that means ordering a shoe MONTHS in advance just so you are the first with your hands on it! <3
With it being Black History month, how can we do better with supporting our own?
First and foremost, I’m speaking to the women… love THE SHIT out of who you are, and what you embody naturally. From the crown of your heads, to the soles of your feet, love everything you come from, and represent. I love nothing more than to see a woman who loves herself wholeheartedly, and is not washed by societies standard of beauty but rather her own! Embrace every ounce of melanin in your skin, every bone structure, every texture of your hair, every smile that exudes resilience, confidence, and every physical feature that you are blessed with. Nothing is imperfect, NOTHING!!!!! Encouraging other black women to fall so deeply in love with their roots, their stories, their significance is so needed in a world where plastic surgery seems to be the hottest new thing. I don’t judge any woman who has gone and done so but this stigma that “To be attractive, or have the confidence for yourself, or to attract this certain type of man or woman you have to look like these identities given off a surgery table, NO!” Your physical features are the least defining thing to what makes black women beautiful, but EVERYTHING physical about a black woman is beautiful. As women, it’s our duty to constantly remind the next woman how perfectly made she is, flaws and all. Flaws are perspectives we need to change about what we are taking in as women, that are allowing us to alter our bodies in ways that are not healthy.
The conversation of mental health is so necessary. Opening conversations about if you are truly okay, and bringing to light the depressions that so easily arise in our communities just dealing with LIFE, and dealing with life as a black man or woman. So often mental health gets brushed under the rug from generational habits of choosing strength, and not to talk about the stressors of the world, openly. So many mental spaces are hanging on by string, that many have cut the cord from, or an incident away we have no idea about because we never thought to ask. Depression, and anxiety is so common, and yet it’s so overlooked its causing the world to lose so many misunderstood, and loved people. The strongest of black men, women, business leaders, family members, community leaders, teachers, ARTISTS, students, etc. are battling internal demons that are not talked about, but need to be. Spread more love, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, strength, support, and encouragement. The power of one person showing up and doing it is the power of one life saved, one soul that walks lighter, one vessel that brings light into this world everyone is just trying to survive in.
Supporting black entrepreneurs with businesses without looking for discounts, and irrational customer expectation while giving the hardest time is necessary too. Buying back into people that support you, and not these brands like Gucci, Monclear, Prada, and now Burberry that have come out and made a mockery of black face, and wearing nooses on runway shows as fashion. That is not okay. Educating ourselves with how to create profitable businesses, and reaching out a helpful hand for the next person, instead of looking at business as competition is needed. Empowering each other to create multi-million dollar businesses that are black owned, minority owned, is a step forward in breaking the funnels in place that keep African Americans, and minorities where they want them at in Corporate America. Buy into black business more, encourage and promote small businesses to elevate, and show financial support in the same way give your hard-earned dollar to established businesses, so they can grow into bigger.
Love goes a long way, even if it isn’t from a financial standpoint, the love that supports every opportunity someone has to better themselves, to do more with their lives, to make a difference, to speak up, to create generational funding in their family, etc. Showing unwavering love instead of jealously, competition, and judgment not only feels better, but it does more for people. Envision how a plant is watered, and nurtured, the same way it grows our people can grow even more too if we nurture them. Love them, respect them, support them, fight for them, humanity needs LOVE more than ever. In a world where killing black men, and innocent young girls is becoming a trend as inhumane, and disgusting as it is. I encourage you to love, love the shit out of every resilient black girl that wakes up and smiles with stigmas on her back she didn’t ask for ,as she fights to do more, to be more than many ever could be, and never receives her credit. I encourage you to love the kings that are out here making a difference in their families, in their communities, in corporate America, and on their own business ventures.
To the good girl who took the time to read all the way up until this point I thank you, and I love you for loving me enough to listen. This was prayer in the flesh for me, and I know that may sound minuscule to some, but the affirmation God has shown me in his constant devotion to myself flaws, and mistakes included is real love. The words thank you don’t even seem to suffice for the doubt I once carried in stress with how life would work out. My message to you is that, it will all work out, let the inevitable happen, and take life on with your very best foot forward in everything. You can, you will, and you’ve already overcome what your heart desires if you promise to show up for you each day, in every way. The life you want to live is a decision away from what’s been on your heart, and mind lately. Let this be confirmation to make that decision for your destiny, even if that means getting uncomfortable temporarily. Discomfort is room for God to show up, let him move… he can’t move where you won’t let go of, so make room! You are kept always, and keep in the back of your head in any situation this is a test for my testimony. I was a reader just like you February 2017, life hit me in so many ways but that didn’t stop God from making sure I got this message to you. It’s going to take a lot out of you to become the person you are destined to be, but know that you can bare ALL things through Christ who strengthens you. Love yourself, always, in all ways no matter how much work it takes, the betterment of you matters more than anything you could put out there without your complete head. Make sure you are instilling what you’ve learned so you don’t have to spend time going back to relearn the same lessons again, the same way you’re so eager to get what you want is the same way God is shifting things in the atmosphere for you to get them. Move forward, and don’t look back when you go…stay dedicated, gracious, and authentic to who you are at your core. The only time you need to look back is to see how far you have come, nothing you left serves you anymore. Accept that, it’s a challenge for you to grow into shoes too big for you that will leave an imprint on this world your creative juices can only do. You heard me right, what’s for you is for you no matter when you fill those shoes, soon you’ll naturally embody somebody you never knew you could become until you took the chance to discover her. I can’t wait for that moment for you, I’m rooting for you always! May your journey be blessed, and hopefully one day we’ll get to take on the world together as two powerful women, visionaries, creators, and vessels.
Now to Brooklyne, The Good Girl Movement has reached heights beyond lengths in which your physical dimension can reach. You have created a platform that not only showcases women, but gives women (readers, and members) a reason to want more for themselves. You have hugged on, loved on, and encouraged women to love more, fight harder, demand more, broken generational curses, stopped pain, and created a solution in your own creative realm that is groundbreaking. The Good Girl Movement is truly a MOVEMENT of women moving forward to better themselves as women, business women, service leaders, and much more. May this platform reach the ears of leaders that can spread your wings further than they have already flown, to grab more souls and lean on each other. Thank you so much for this opportunity, and recognition I hold it near and dear to my heart. To be a good girl is an honor, and the light you have shined on all of the dedicated hearts who strike intensely because of their sense of belonging to this movement is history in the making.
XoXo,
Arraya Hope Marketta
@Theglamourblueprint