A Guest on the Anthony McCarthy Show

I am so thankful for my community. So many have reached out to me to support me in my journey of being a newly published author and Mrs. Essence 2013. Thank you to Carla Blackwell for getting me on the WEAA 88.9FM Anthony McCarthy Show! I had a great time discussing sexual assault and domestic violence in our community, Queendom T.E.A., my new book, Positively Bodyful and the Essence pageant system. I will be back on the show -- stay tuned! :)

International Virtual Sexual Abuse Awareness and Solutions Summit Speaker

Brett Scudder, president, chairman, Abuse Czar, Chief Happiness Officer “CHO” of SISFI invited me to be a part of a panel of speakers, discussing the theme, "The Injustices of the US Justice System". It is an honored to be a part of such a dynamic group of advocates and distinguished people who are fighting all over the world to eradicate sexual abuse. The 3-hour summit is important because we must continue to publicly discuss this silent crime. 

Speakers included: 

Ms. Mary Elizabeth Bullock, retired federal Civil Rights Judge and Author
Ms. LaQuisha Hall, Mrs. Essence 2013, Author, Abuse Advocate
Ms. Sharnae Lathan, CEO, Thru A Child’s Eye. Who Cares, Child Abuse Advocate
Ms. Heather Hough, mother of abused child fighting the system
Ms. Nancy Kilgore, educator, public speaker, author

To listen to the summit, click here. 

NNPAAW Honoree & Interview Guest

This week I was honored by Dreamcatchers for Abused Children for National Non-Profits and Advocates Apprecilove Week, organized and founded by Brett Scudder, also an advocate for communities and people everywhere. As a result, I was interviewed on the HoodRich Magazine Radio Show by J.R. Strongg. I am thankful for the support and the encouragement which was unexpected! :) Listen to the show here! :)

Titleless Leadership at Johns Hopkins

I was too excited to be the speaker for 150 female student interns in the Johns Hopkins Summer Jobs Program. I could not wait for them to engage in the activities I had planned for them regarding "Titleless Leadership"!

If you can do anything to support a young person, please do. Talk with them, listen to them, dance with them... They need us. All of these children are OUR children. The focus of my presentation to the Johns Hopkins Summer Interns was ‪‎leadership, but one of the things the ‪girls appreciated the most was how transparent I was in sharing my story of surviving sexual abuse. I thank God for the opportunity to support them, but it takes a village. Will you open your your door?

These young ladies inspired me in a major way. I appreciate their feedback, but they truly motivated me to continue this work. Check out what they had to say in this video! 

Chosen as the Director of GIRL POWER 2013 Girls Conference

2008 Silent Tears No More Speaker

I am so excited that I was chosen by Carolyn, Founder of Sisters 4 Sisters, Inc., as the Director for this phenomenal and anticipated event! I am accustomed to mentoring 40 or a little more girls at a time, but I have never hosted a conference for 150 girls! It is an honor to have this organization believe in me and my work as an entrepreneur and mentor. I am grateful for those who have already reached out a hand of support. Just think, this all began in 2008 from one presentation I gave on sexual and domestic violence. My work in the community for this important cause has really paid off in a big way. If you are giving back and feel discouraged, keep going--you, too, will see outstanding results! Stay tuned for more details to come. 

2012: My Year as Mrs. International Beautiful

Civic Grind's "Lifestyle" Segment

Thanks to Civic Grind for highlighting me in their Lifestyle segment this month! Read my interview here.

"Embracing Natural Beauty" Pageant Prep Radio Interview

I was absolutely delighted to be a part of Tamika Hall's Pageant Prep Radio Show today! I was honored to be interviewed on the topic of "Embracing Natural Beauty in Pageantry". Click on the link to listen to the show! :D Here are a few of my recent natural hair pageantry shots! ;) Enjoy...

Speaking of Suicide...

I was honored to be one of the speakers for the 1st Annual LIVE! Beyond the Pain Awareness & Inspirational Dinner hosted by Toy James! This was such a monumental celebration of life through powerful testimonies, inspirational entertainment, youth performances and candle lighting ceremony. Toy James inspired me so much on this day through her story. This was truly the first event of its kind--suicide is not a widely discussed issue in addition to sexual abuse. 

I shared my story of my college suicide attempt, years after my abuse ended. I also gave a visual demonstration of why it is important for a person to reach out to others when in a depressed state. 

Sharing with Cyenna, Toy's cousin, that I did not ever want her to give up on life. I made her look in the wall mirrors behind us and check out just how fabulous she is! Cyenna took several photos with me and asked me if I live in a castle. LOL! She was so precious! 

I received this message from Toy on Facebook right after the event. This was such a blessing!

O.A.B.I. Voices United Publication

Click here to read!

O.A.B.I. Voices United  is an online magazine where global voices unite against abuse and domestic violence. Breaking the silence is not a popular choice but it is the right choice. This magazine is used as a tool for the people all over the world to get educated and informed. The network is growing with various writers who bring eye opening and compelling interviews and stories. ​ Read this publication today to hear the insightful words of those who speak out against abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence, child sexual abuse, bullying, human trafficking, sex slave industry, and missing and exploited children and people. I am honored to have been published in the June 2012 issue! Check out my article, A Successful Survivor: The Queen who survived violence.

Race to Stop the Silence 2012

Possibiliteas Fashion Show

I enjoyed "Possibiliteas"!! I am thankful to Carolyn for wearing teal during the last weekend of Sexual Assault & Child Abuse Awareness Month. ♥ her! :)

Interview on the Shawn Mason Spence Show

I was very glad to discuss sexual assault awareness on the Shawn Mason Spence Show, especially during sexual assault awareness month. Thank you, Shawn, for allowing me the opportunity, but most importantly, for spreading awareness of this silent epidemic.

Talking About Healing

I can't even begin to share how powerful, absolutely necessary and encouraging this call was tonight! I have been interviewed many times... but this call was one to remember... I am so thankful that God gave the participants a mind to participate in the call. Many stories were shared. Healing processes were started. I am in awe of God's grace and mercy...

The following could be a TRIGGER for some, please proceed reading with caution. 

I shared on the call that on my wedding night, Mardis, my husband, and I returned home. I put on a long night gown and laid down in our bed with my hands by my side, stiff. I did not move and did not want to move. I believed up through that day that men were to have their way with me. I was not to say or do anything. Mardis saw me in this state of fright and asked me what was wrong. I replied, "I am laying here. You can go ahead and do whatever you are going to do." He picked me up and hugged me through the night. Mardis was a part of my healing process. God showed me that He blessed me with a gift of a gentle man and sincere love. I will never forget that night, not because we were married, but because Mardis showed me a love that I had never seen.

Forgiveness began that night...

Thank you, Carolyn Washington for allowing me the opportunity again to work for and support the organization. I am so enlightened to have participated in this and I am looking forward to more awareness opportunities.

Teal Appeal: Celebrating SAAM

I am writing a friendly reminder that April is national Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Awareness Month. I am a survivor of these heinous crimes. I have overcome many of my fears and forgave the man who abused me. However, while the media continues to shed much light on the frequent cases of battery, molestation and rape, I am challenging all of my blog readers to do only three things:

1. Wear something blue (child abuse awareness) or teal (sexual assault awareness) everyday this month.
2. Tell others WHY you are wearing these colors.
3. Educate yourself on prevention strategies and warning signs.

You may not have been a victim, but you definitely know someone who has been. 1 out of 3 women and 1 out of 6 men have been abused in this way. This issue affects all of us...

Here is my blue/teal ensemble and jewelry for today! :) 

On another note, today I received my crown and sash! I am now the reigning Mrs. Maryland Beautiful, promoting my platform with honor. I am excited and thankful to represent the Beautiful International pageant system! 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Challenge

I began this year's awareness by creating a banner cover for my Facebook page. It will be posted the entire month for awareness! One of my past students, Nikeria, made my day today as well. I had to share the posts with you...

Nikeria MoodyBlues Irby

10 hours ago 

My mind is all over the place right now.... And i'm sooo NOT in the mood! Going to sleep to the sounds of Celebration of Gospel.... GN

 ·  · Share

• • 
    

    LaQuisha Hall ♥
    

    10 hours ago · 
  • 
    

    Nikeria MoodyBlues Irby ♥ I can always count on you to send me love... my angel in plain clothing ♥
    

    10 hours ago ·  ·  1
  • 
    

    LaQuisha Hall Yes, you can, sweets! #sendingprayers
    

    9 hours ago · 
  • 
    

    Nikeria MoodyBlues Irby Thanks so much Queen :)
    

    9 hours ago ·  ·  1
  • 
    

    LaQuisha Hall No, thank you! It is such a profound compliment to be called an "angel" by my scholar. ♥
    

    9 hours ago ·  ·  1
  • 
    

    Nikeria MoodyBlues Irby ‎:) Remember where we started and look at where WE are now.... You are one of my heroes. The encouragement I receive from your actions alone is out of this world and for that ilove you to the moon. Wear your crown baby :)
    

    8 hours ago ·  ·  1

This is the banner I created for Facebook! Here is the dialogue I received after posting it!

• 
  

  LaQuisha Hall April is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month. What will you do to help victims and survivors in your community? It takes a village... ♥
  

  Yesterday at 3:46am · 
• 
  

  Samiha Holland You survived long before 31... I bless God for your testimony and for your ability to be open for the sake of helping others. Our pain is not to hurt us, but to help someone else... LOVE YOU TO PIECES!!!!! ♥
  

  20 hours ago ·  ·  1
• 
  

  LaQuisha Hall Thank you, my Samimi!! Samiha Holland ♥
  

  17 hours ago · 
• 
  

  Nikeria MoodyBlues Irby There's a HERO inside of YOU... Looovvvveeee this
  

  8 hours ago ·  ·  1
• 
  

  LaQuisha Hall ‎Nikeria MoodyBlues Irby, love you, scholar! What a blessing you have been to me! :)
  

  8 hours ago · 
• 
  

  Delete CommentMark as Spam

  Nikeria MoodyBlues Irby I'm helping you to be a blessing to me #thankyousweetbabyJesus Because had the Devil taken you out at 18, you wouldn't have been blessing to me at 14 when I wanted to die...
  

  8 hours ago ·  ·  2
• 
  

  Samiha Holland Wow... Bless God for His awesomeness!!!! I am so blessed that you had her, Nikeria!
  

  8 hours ago ·  ·  1
• 
  

  Nikeria MoodyBlues Irby Nobody knew but her being the angel she is saw something in me that not even I saw and she pulled me through.. #ThankyouJesus I'm grateful because truth be told I gave her hell
  

  8 hours ago ·  ·  2
• 
  

  LaQuisha Hall ‎Nikeria MoodyBlues Irby, I did not know that... Thank you for sharing, but you did not give me hell, you gave what you had. I am so glad you accepted the "pull through"because I would have been hurt to hear of a loss of my student. Look at God! Now, you are blessing and encouraging others! I cannot express how proud of you I am... ♥
  

  about an hour ago · 
• 
  

  LaQuisha Hall Btw, that is why I practically force my kids to hug me, lol. You never know what someone is going through. Even though a "hug" does not change things, knowing you are loved does. I remember making you hug me... Lol. ;) Nikeria MoodyBlues Irby
  

  56 minutes ago · 
• 
  

  Nikeria MoodyBlues Irby Yes i remember too and I'm grateful ♥ :)
  

  35 minutes ago ·  ·  1