However, in her quest to find mindfulness resources for her students, she noticed that there was a lack of diverse resources that featured content that her students could identify with as many mindfulness resources did not feature African American children. So with the help of her amazing son Jacobi and amazing daughter Maya, they created Mindfulness Maya. 

Mindfulness Maya is a YouTube series of videos that promote mindfulness and coping skills as tools to help work through those not so good feelings. Her videos on breathing exercises,  self talk, red ribbon week, and responsibility have reached views up to 80,000. The mindfulness Maya series also features Carleton, Maya’s brother making the series a great resource for all students, parents, and educators. Each video ends with a breathing exercise that can be done with children. Mindfulness Maya Youtube videos are released weekly, and there are also four complimentary e-books that are available on Amazon Kindle and paperback books available on the Barnes and Noble website.

Click here to watch the Mindfulness Maya Youtube videos, here to check out the e-book, and here to view the paperback book.

We are so proud of TaTanisha and her children, Maya and Jacobi, for creating resources to improve the mental health of the next generation. What coping skills do you use to help your children or students process their feelings? Leave them down below!

How did you get into photography, and what made you fall in love with it?

My first memorable experiences with photography occurred in my twenties when I worked as a model. A few years later, I decided I wanted to experience photography from a different perspective. I experimented with several different types of photography and as time progressed, I noticed my skills improving. As my skills improved, friends started to request I provide photography coverage for several events including baby showers, birthday celebrations, weddings, etc. After working to develop my skills and volunteering my services for a few years, I decided to formally offer photography services and Pretty Posh Photography was established.

What really made me fall in love with photography was when I learned how to use it to empower and uplift my clients. When I am hired to serve as a photographer, I make it my mission is to provide a “Pretty Posh” experience that makes my clients feel and look their absolute best.

What type of photography do you specialize in?

While I offer several different types of photography, I would say my specialty is lifestyle portrait photography.  My signature style infuses my love for fashion and photography and results in producing bright, colorful, and magazine worthy images.

What do you think makes a great photographer?

Personally, I believe becoming a great photographer is a continuous process. At the very least, I believe a great photographer is a photographer that is creative, curious, and consistent. Trends are constantly changing in the world of photography. However, a great photographer stays on top of the trends within the industry and is always working to learn a new skill or technique to perfect their craft.

What is your favorite photograph and how do you know you’ve captured a great shot?

My favorite photograph is from my family’s 2019 Christmas photos. My husband captured a beautiful moment between my sons and I, and when the photo tells a story, then I know I’ve captured a great shot.

Who are your favorite people to photograph and/or favorite moments to photograph?

My favorite people to photograph are the people that run away from the camera. Usually, these people feel they can never take a good photo.  It brings so much joy to my heart to capture the subject in a way that makes them feel and look their best.

I truly enjoy capturing candid moments and raw emotion, and this may be why I love providing event photography coverage. When providing the Pretty Posh event photography experience, I am intentional about the types of shots I capture, and I aim to deliver a gallery that leaves viewers wishing that they were in attendance.

How has being an Ivy Box Ambassador allowed you to deepen your connection to the sisterhood, and what do you love most about being an Ambassador?

The Ivy Box Ambassador program has been a blessing to me in many ways.  I have admired the sisterhood that is shared between sorority sisters for many years and serving as an Ivy Box Ambassador has amplified my sisterhood experience. I really enjoy connecting with new Sorors on social media while sharing my Ivy Box content. It has also been a pleasure connecting with other ISH Ambassadors. In the role I am able to do the two things I love; create content and serve others.

I love working with a brand that truly lives up to its standards. I will forever be grateful to the Ivy Storehouse for seeing me and hearing me. While I have always enjoyed creating my monthly deliverables for the Ivy Box, it is even more exciting to create for a brand that is the epitome of class, compassion, and sisterhood. I am forever grateful to be connected to such a phenomenal brand!

LaTonya produces beautiful, bright, and cover worthy images and videos. She gives clients a full “Pretty Posh” experience that is one of a kind from beginning to end. Be sure to visit her website to learn more about the photography and creative services she provides.

Jada Wright-Greene is the Founder & President of Heritage Salon, the first and only electronic magazine dedicated to promoting African American museums, historical sites, and homes. She has worked in the museum field as a museum activist, independent museum professional, writer, and lecturer for over 10 years. Jada was raised in North Florida and is an alumnus of Bethune-Cookman University, Michigan State University, and Johns Hopkins University. As a lover of Black history, Jada is committed to telling the stories of Black Floridians.

Jada has been profiled on The Root website as one of 8 Hot Causes for Black Philanthropists and was named one of Michigan’s Phenomenal Women by Michigan Women’s Forum in 2011.

You can purchase her book on Amazon by clicking this link. Floridians make some noise in the comments!

She is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology and the National Medical Association. She is also a very proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Dr. Crutchfield Whitten enjoys tennis, biking, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. Dr. Crutchfield Whitten is currently taking care of patients in her hometown of Columbus, GA at Emory-St. Francis Hospital.

Dr. Melanie Crutchfield Whitten has a passion for treating African-American breast cancer patients. In fact, she has even founded an annual breast cancer retreat designed to help support breast cancer survivors and their care givers. The retreat is called Support-Surviving and Thriving Breast Cancer Retreat, and its entire mission is to support breast cancer patients while educating them on how to thrive after surviving breast cancer. Dr. Crutchfield Whitten’s motto for her patients is “your scars tell a story, but it doesn’t have to define your life.”

Black women are more likely than other racial/ethnic groups to be diagnosed at later stages and have the lowest survival at each state of diagnosis. We are also more likely to be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive subtype that is linked to poorer survival. It is because of this fact, that Dr. Crutchfield Whitten travels across the country speaking to various audiences on the importance of annual mammograms as early detection saves lives. As treatments are more to be successful with early detection, the American Cancer Society recommends women should begin having yearly mammograms by age 45, and then it can change to having mammograms every other year beginning at age 55. Women should have the choice to start screening with yearly mammograms as early as age 40 if they so choose.

Visit her page on the St. Page Francis medical Group website here and be sure to follow her on Instagram @melaniewhittenmd.

Her company, Data Girl Ash, is a professional training and coaching company that provides clients with the best-kept secrets to pivot into an in-demand field in data and technology without a technical background. The company supports college students, post-graduates, career changers, and working professionals to exceed their career goals and enhance their data awareness in the workplace. Their ultimate aim is to diversify the talent pipeline and show their pride for POC in tech spaces through their data-inspired apparel and accessories. The company also provides training classes, career coaching services, including resume reviews, Linkedin optimization, and interview preparation.

A portion of the proceeds from the company’s earnings support other women-minority-owned businesses and the Data Girl Scholarship-a scholarship for those who are interested in pursuing or advancing their data career. To date, they have trained over 100 people, participated in 50+ workshops, and have a community of over 5,0000 people. DGA firmly believes that there is strength in awareness and has successfully assisted  20% of their community to secure job offers and negotiate job offers totaling over $300,000.

Ashley is also a proponent of social entrepreneurship, and in pursuit of her mission to promote data literacy, she launched the social media campaign #DataGirl in the summer of 2020 to increase the awareness of data careers. Ashley’s work has allowed her to be featured as a keynote speaker at several conferences and events, including FEM STEM Bahamas, IBM Developer, and Google.

Visit here to check out the Data Girl Ash webpage online. 

ReFRAMED by Nikki is a chic collection of fashion-forward eyewear that is perfectly crafted to capture the essence of each wearer’s individuality. The eyewear collections are designed with keen attention to detail on elements such as bridge/temple measurements so that glasses can fit small framed or extra-large framed faces, the silhouette of the rims, and a variety of stylish templates that range in style from classic tortoise to translucent.

Since the beginning of pandemic, Nikki has been working alongside many of her colleagues trying to stay afloat with staffing constraints and trying to stay positive and safe while working to combat this horrible virus. Her grandmother Judith, passed away shortly before the beginning of the pandemic and she had often wondered if her passing was related as many patients were experiencing similar signs and symptoms that have now to date been connected to COVID-19.

The first collection, “The Collective,” was introduced and was a way of acknowledging the heroic work of close family, friends and colleagues who worked as essential workers – including Nikki herself. Ten percent of the proceeds from eyewear purchased from “The Collective” collection was given to Yale Haven Hospital’s COVID Relief Fund.

Visit here to read more about ReFRAMED and shop the collection!

Determined to prove herself, she decided to register and take the Mississippi State Board of Contractors Examination. After passing the exam, she began bidding state contract projects and has been thriving professionally ever since. Years later, Vera decided to relocate her business to Jackson, MS for expansion and growth. Since her relocation, she has received doors of opportunities and has been able to capitalize on her federal government certifications. In 2020 Vera was named Mississippi Small Business Person of the Year. Her company Innovative Performance Construction (IPC) has received the Mississippi Development Authority PTAC award; ABC National Safety Step Award; ABC Mississippi Silver and Bronze Merit Awards and the SBA Emerging Leaders Award.

Vera defied all odds, and we are so proud of her! Her achievements have been featured on the 2020 SBA Resource Guide, the Jackson Clarion Ledger, and the Jackson Advocate. Add your congratulations in the comments down below!

The four bedroom, oceanfront condo is sprawling with amenities and features a zen garden on the balcony with unobstructed views of the gulf, indoor/outdoor pools, a sauna, fitness center, stunning pink flamingo wallpaper, and a neon selfie wall that makes for the perfect photo backdrop. It even has a restaurant and an outdoor bar on-site. This two bedroom gram-worthy gem is tucked away on the quiet end of the beach. Check out the property on Instagram @mybeach.retreat

This BNB is more than a stunning vacation destination, it is a legacy for Alicia’s family. Prior to acquiring the property, her son, Nicholas, came to her and expressed an interest in real estate, property management and entrepreneurship. From there, Alicia decided this was the perfect opportunity to introduce him to the industry and set him up with an avenue to build generational wealth. The property is named after Alisha’s son, Nicholas, and it is an ode to his love of the water and their shared love of the beach.

While designing the property, the Nesbitt family was inspired by their international travels and decor from around the world, and Alisha certainly had the illustrious sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in her heart as the property is decked out in pink and green!

There’s no shortage of things to enjoy at At My Beach Retreat by Nick. Guests can soak in the two, large walk-in showers comprised of Moroccan and Spanish tiles. sip your morning coffee while looking out at the Gulf of Mexico, partake in card games, lounge and work remotely, relax in one of the 3 hot tubs, or take a dip in 1 of the 4 pools. Guests are also free to partake in their fully stocked bar cart and can watch their favorite shows on Hulu and Netflix on any of the three smart TVs.

That’s not all! The newly renovated kitchen is a home cook’s dream. However, if cooking on vacay isn’t your thing, then the Sassy Bass Grill Amazin’ Grill restaurant can serve up breakfast, lunch and dinner. Additionally, guests can dine in on the ground floor of the building, or call their order in for pick up to enjoy inside the beach house.

The beach retreat is a safe space for people of all ages and backgrounds to come and enjoy. Visit the website here to see the properties availability, for bookings, and all other inquiries.

“History has not been kind to Black folks, therefore the hesitation to open and be vulnerable is understandable. That’s why ensuring that Black people obtain therapy from a Black mental health professional is key. What’s understood doesn’t have to be explained and having a Black therapist is just that.”Campbell says that linking Black people with Black therapists allows for greater authentically within the therapeutic atmosphere. It alleviates feelings of having to be the “model minority” or having to provide explanations about their experiences in the world.

Though in high demand over the last year, Black therapists need more resources to aid in completing the mission of breaking the stigma about mental health within the Black community. This is part of RDU’s overall mission in providing resources to therapists that help them complete mandatory continuing education credits.

Based in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina, the organization also works to bring awareness about the therapy career field to high school and college students. It provides mentorship to college students pursuing mental health degrees.

We thank Ashley and RDU Black Therapists for their commitment to this important initiative. Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below.