Join me on my life's journey as I explore my thoughts about my Faith, being an entrepreneur, my culture and any other thoughts as they materialize...AND what it means to be "seen."

I'm A Grown Up...

During Bday Celebration #1 (4/24)
This past Friday (April 26) I turned 37...yeah, let that sink in (three whole years from the big 4-0).  I'm officially in my late thirties and I must say, I'm loving it.  It feels really good to be a grown up, well, it feels really good to be a happy, well-adjusted grown up.  

Positive thinking and the Grace of God is a powerful healer. Despite how it looked on the outside, a few years ago, I was battling all kinds of demons: bad relationships, horrible decision-making, low self-esteem and a lack of faith.  But I tell you, once I was honest with myself, let go of everything and everyone that wasn't good for me, I was released from all of those chains.  I left it all on the altar---hurt, pain, disappointment and I let true Joy in.  Best decision ever.  

Enjoying Chuck's pre-bday celebration in Charlotte (4/14)
I am in such a great place. Spiritually, I'm getting better everyday.  Emotionally, I am happy beyond belief.  Professionally, everything is falling into place.  Personally, I'm in love, I have great friends and an impeccable team surrounding me.  God is not through with me yet.  This is only the beginning, and I'm trusting in Christ to see me through.  I'm all in now, and I'm not turning back.  

Life is good.







"Creativity is a Drug I can't live without"

We Rock...Our Red Pumps

Photography: C. Holliday, MUA: Gregory Lawrence, Styling: Kyle Murray

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is today, March 10th. Today I am using my voice (and "Rock My Red Pumps")  to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls? 


Why I Rock!
Photography: C. Holliday, MUA: Gregory Lawrence, Styling: Kyle Murray
Each year, I am challenged to find more reasons why I proudly rock the red pump, and, honestly my answer never really changes.  I rock my red pumps because I care deeply about my health and the health of other women and girls who look just like me.  Women, black and brown women in particular, are being systematically decimated because of ignorance, the lack of awareness and education about HIV/AIDS and how it affects our community is literally killing us.   Whenever, I rock my red pumps, it reminds me that I am personally responsible for doing my part to make other people stand up and take notice of what this disease is doing.  Until there is a cure, that’s my job.  I’m proud to be a Red Pump Rocker.  Not only is Awareness Always in Style, but it looks damn good too!  I’m ready to make a difference, how about you? 

To learn more about what we do, visit www.RedPump.org


"Creativity is a Drug I can't live without"

Love the Haters

To say that it has been a colorful last couple of months, is a deep understatement.  Lots of travel, events, client happenings, etc...I feel like I've been on a roller coaster.  What's been super interesting is the sheer amount of hate I've gotten as of late (the rhyming was not intentional).  I mean I'm talking about straight personal attacks and assassination attempts on my character--I'm still amazed people would go that far.  I can only imagine what other people must go through, I'm just a PR/Social Media gal trying the live the dream, and make an impact along the way.  Anyway...

I visited my former church this past Sunday, and God told me some things that I needed to hear.  That experience served as much of the inspiration for this post. 

Today I declare and decree that God is the only judge and jury with whom I need to be concerned.  I am encouraged to keep going by the power of God's hands moving in my life.  When trouble knocks on your door, Grace, Mercy and the power of Love through Jesus Christ, gives us the ability (and strength) to not fall apart.  Whatever life throws at you, you can handle it with ease.  Why?  Because we have been equipped the full armour of God.  Because God delivered me from the MANY stupid mistakes and horrible lapses of judgement I've experienced, I don't think, I know Jesus is real. 

Pastor's message on Sunday was simple enough; encourage yourself, trust God and know that your blessing is coming.  Just stay faithful. When you are as impatient as I can be sometimes, it is hard to accept that your blessing is coming, that your healing is coming, that your desires are coming.  The key to remember though, is that they are coming in God's time, and according to His wishes and will--not ours. 

I'm a serious work in progress with very few answers to many of my own life questions, but I'm listening God, I'm listening.  I encourage you all to do the same. I love my friends, I love my family and I even love my "haters." In fact, I feel sorry for them; fortunately prayer works miracles, all the time.

Hope this post helped someone...even if didn't, it helped me.

Until...


"Creativity is a Drug I can't live without"

25 Things...

I was cleaning out some old files, and I found this list of "25 Things About Me" that I posted on FB a long time ago...so, since this seems to answer quite a few common questions, I decided to dust it off, update and blog about it.  Why not?  Enjoy, and please feel free to comment.


25. I’m a PK…my mother was called into the ministry late in life, approximately eight or nine years ago, so in effect, I’m now a preacher’s daughter…


24. I taught children’s Sunday school for about two years…those kids drove me crazy, but it was fun.

23. I am almost always surrounded by guys. Some of my closest friends (except for Khendra, see number 22) are all male…my former business partners were all male…my college roommates senior year were male.

22. Considering I am always surrounded by guys, it is surprising that I have had the same best friend since I was 15 years old. Hi Khendra (she refuses to get on social media).

21. I have been a vegan my entire life. Never had meat, poultry or dairy.

20. I have always had natural hair; I’ve had locs my entire life.

19. If I had the choice between reading a good book and watching a good movie, I will always choose to read.

18. I have at least 300 books in my house—all genres. Yes, I have a small library. I need more bookshelves, lots more.

17. I’ve always been very liberal in my dating practices…My boyfriend from high school was half Italian/half Mexican (and way too short for me, but I loved my Paul); My boyfriend of 4 years in college was Asian American (Chris was 6 ft tall, so I could wear heels, lol)…i.e. I’m open.

16. I LOVE Musicals. My favorites are Grease, RENT, Jesus Christ Superstar, Into the Woods…

15. I’m also in love with those stupid 80’s movies…I will drop everything and watch Breakfast Club, 16 Candles, Pretty In Pink, etc. Even though it is technically a 90’s movie, I will watch Dirty Dancing as often as I can. I know every scene, and yes, every dance move.

14. I can and will recite lines from Color Purple and Harlem Nights to amuse and entertain myself.

13. I used to dance in high school. I miss those days.

12. I’ve been keeping a journal since I was in 4th grade. I’ve also been writing poetry since I was six years old.

11. I’ve had a varied education…I’ve had private tutors, I attended a private 7th Day Adventist elementary/middle school that had less 50 students in all grade levels, I went to a school operated by the Nation of Islam, I skipped Kindergarten because I was reading by age 3 or 4 so there was no need to go, I was home-schooled for a year; I attended a private, all girls Episcopalian college prep school, I went to Northwestern University for undergrad…and then did my Masters online through University of Phoenix (just because I was bored, lol)…

10. I’m stubborn…that’s all.

9. Extremely loyal to my friends, but once I'm crossed and that trust is broken, I will love you from a far, but your pass to my inner circle is forever revoked. That doesn’t apply to family…if you are my blood, you are my blood.

8. I lost my father to cancer four years. I’m still grieving, but each year is better than the last.

7. I’ve been to more funeral than weddings in my life. I’d like that to change very soon.

6. I’m my mother’s only child, but I have three sisters, three brothers, 1 step brother and three nephews. I’m the oldest girl.

5. I’m a native Charlottean.

4. I’m considered an honorary “Brooklynite” from my BK people…they won’t tell me why.

3. I wear 5 inch heels almost everyday. I own two pairs of sneakers, 1 pair of ballet flats…and that’s it.

2. I love dressing up…and I prefer wearing skirts and dresses, even in winter.

1. I want to be independently wealthy for the following reasons:

-I want my mother to stop working

-I want to help fund my mother's ministry.

-I want a live in personal assistant, make up artist and chef.

-I want a Driver…if I could avoid having to drive myself anywhere ever again, I would be one happy camper.

What are your 25 things?

"Creativity is a Drug I can't live without"

It's A Celebration Y'all


On the red carpet at Charlotte STYLE Magazine's 2012 25 Most Stylish Event

It would be a huge understatement to say that the month of April has been "busy." It's been a whirlwind of activity and excitement- full of opportunities galor.  April is always special to me because it's my birthday month (and my Mommy's too!).  A lot of special people in my life are born in April (birds of a feather I guess, lol), and I always use this month to launch new ventures professionally as well. 

Day one of April truly started off with a major bang...My photo shoot with Charlotte STYLE Magazine.  And this wasn't just an ordinary feature, I had been selected as one of the 25 Most Stylish People in Charlotte for 2012.  Me?  Really?  Cool! I was geeked to be selected, especially since I have a "cougarish" crush on Mr. Cam Newton, whom I'm proud to say I am on this year's list with--insert mischievous laugh. The actual event was on April 14 at Butter, click here to watch coverage from All About Style with T. Strong.  Also, if you want a sneak peek at the magazine, click here.  Shhhh, don't tell Bridgette I leaked it though:-).

Later on in the month, I was able to host a Red Pump event (as part of STYLE Week Charlotte for the 2nd year in a row, woo hoo!), handle the publicity of several client launches and events (for all that I do professionally, visit JSW Pulse), and ***drumroll please*** celebrate my 36th Birthday in grand, Queen City style.



Celebrating my birthday at Privilege with Yolanda Belser (CEO,Y2 Management),
Ida Divine ( Artist rep'd by Y2), and Kimberly Edmonds (COO, Y2 Management)

I'm just so thankful to God that he would allow me to be able to celebrate another birthday.  There are some who never get the opportunity to see 36 years.  I did, and I am blessed beyond measure to have so many friends (who are like family) come out to celebrate life with me.

The other big news is...I'm finally doing a video blog/web series about my life.  I always get such great feedback about this blog, that I was like, why not take it further and see what happens.

With that said, I'm happy to announce that my "Thoughts On Being Seen" is now officially part of the Suite 929 family of original programming.  The first episode of my show is set to air late Spring; however, get a first look today (and please tweet and share)!



That's it for now...I want to hear from you...Hit me up and let me know what you think of all of my recent "happenings"

Stay blessed:-)
Jameka

"Creativity is a Drug I can't live without"
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