March is Women's History Month -- Two Companies

Two companies that focus on women and girls include

African American Women's Resource Center, Washington, D.C - Cassandra Burton

The African American Women's Resource Center is an educational and cultural service center.

Esther Productions, Inc - Jonetta R. Barras

Esther Productions, Inc. is dedicated to using a variety of vehicles—traditional and nontraditional—to develop communities throughout the United States and Europe. It was created in 2004 by Jonetta Rose Barras, award-winning journalist and author of Whatever Happened to Daddy’s Little Girl?

It is a non-profit organization that empowers young women and girls to heal from past familial trauma and tension.

It is supported through generous contributions from Kerry S. Pearson LLC, Emmanuel Bailey, Veterans Services Corp, Pepco, an Exelon Corporation, Fort Myer Construction Corporation Charitable Foundation and Esther’s Friends.

Some of the sponsors of the programs include The Black Student Fund, Kerry S. Pearson LLC, Spoken Word Ensemble, and many others.

Some of its signature programs include: The Fatherless Daughter Empowerment Project, Discovering Me…Without You Essay Contest, KALEIDOSCOPE WOMEN’S WRITING COLLECTIVE, and Me, Myself and Our Story.

More information at estherproductionsinc.com

"When women and girls are empowered to participate fully in society, everyone benefits." —Melinda Gates

Vibrant Imperfections

Labor Day occurred on Monday, September 2, 2024, a date that marked the creation of my work titled "Vibrant Imperfections." Quote found on the Internet “Within the sphere of abstract art, the embrace of imperfections acts as a compelling testament to the inherent beauty present in everyday lives. Each stroke of the brush and selection of color can convey a story that resonates deeply with the observer, prompting them to uncover significance within the seemingly aspects of the artwork. This exploration invites viewers to engage with the art on a personal level, fostering a connection that transcends traditional interpretations. The state of urban sidewalks and roadways often reflects a less-than-perfect reality, marked by the inevitable signs of aging and the impact of human activity. These surfaces narrate their own tales, showcasing the natural imperfections that characterize the environment. Throughout my career as a professional visual artist and art consultant, I have ...

MEET CREATIVE WELLNESS EXPERT JENNIFER Y. OKOSUN AT WOMEN BLOSSOMING

A creative writer, author of the blog Power upWell, speaker and creative entrepreneur, Jennifer taught herself as a child to use the arts to cope with trauma. As an adult she used them to heal. Jennifer has facilitated several workshops locally and nationally on self-care and healing from trauma. ON MAY 6 at 3:00 pm during the WOMEN BLOSSOMING, she will share her expertise, teaching you what she knows while helping you as you move on your path to greater empowerment. COME CELEBRATE YOURSELF! YOU DESERVE IT! Register at www.estherproductionsinc. com/events-1/women-blossoming- a-traditional-tea-celebration- to-inspire-and-empower-girls- and-women-16-and-older Esther Productions, Inc. is a Washington, DC-based national nonprofit organization. Founded in 2004, it is dedicated to inspiring and empowering girls and women. It is supported through generous contributions from Kerry S. Pearson LLC, Emmanuel Bailey, Veterans Services Corp, Pepco, an...

The Independent Mindset

The Independent Mindset. Digital art created on canvas. September 14, 2024. Afrika Abney I have no clue what you are talking about? I am busy minding my own business and keeping to myself. Today is Saturday, September 14, 2024 and I graduated from college in 1997. The intersection of branding and digital creativity is crucial for building a strong foundation in today’s competitive landscape. I am an energetic and motivated independent professional who possesses a wealth of experience in both contracting and consulting roles. With expertise in various techniques, materials, and media, including acrylic paint, I bring a unique perspective to every project. My strong understanding of the properties of acrylics allows me to create intricate layers and complete projects rapidly, while still maintaining a high level of quality. My skill set includes working with acrylic and oil paint, digital art, oil pastels, crayons, charcoal, colored pencils, canvas, and paper. I have experience in creat...

Efforts

"The effort is the time, energy and emotional labor devoted to completing a task — and the rewards are what you get back from your workplace, such as compensation, benefits, recognition and opportunities." Quote found on the Internet Since 2018, I have redirected my professional efforts away from educational services. With the onset of the pandemic, I transitioned to offering all my services online, a practice I maintained from March 9, 2020, until August 2023. In November 2021, I launched a branding blog, which I have consistently updated and can be accessed at msafrikaabney.blogspot.com.

Father/Daughter Relationships

Father and daughter is a "complex one, and all the more so given that it has perhaps been explored less than other relationships." Unfortunately, the kind of relationship that I have had with my father is the disappointed daughter. I feel as though that my father was a stranger that I met on the street because of the type of relationship that I had with him. It's a chilly relationship between the pair of us, and I am quite aware of this. I became distanced with him when I was 13 which was in the Summer of 1989. I grieved for the father that I could not have for many years. When I was growing up, I experienced all of the symptoms of father-shaped gap. Yet this has also made me slightly distant with other people, especially men, who I always fear will disappoint me. I feel persistent regret at the fact that I missed the opportunity to know my father because he divorced my mother and remarried when I was 13. This creat...

CHANGE OF LOCATION: Discovering Me Summit and Awards Ceremony

CHANGE OF LOCATION: Discovering Me Summit and Awards Ceremony https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/the-discovery-summit-and-scholarship-awards-ceremony Dec 10, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST The Woman's National Democratic Club, 1526 New Hampshire Ave. NW About the event Each year since 2019, Esther Productions Inc. has presented a unique scholarship essay contest that invites young ladies aged 13 through 18 to submit essays that tell their stories about growing up without their fathers and building their resilience as they face that challenge. A group of accomplished artists, educators, clinicians, business and civic leaders serve as judges. Cash prizes, ranging from $1500 to $500, are given to the top winners during the Discovery Summit and Scholarship Awards Ceremony. This year, the event is presented in cooperation with The Black Student Fund. Anita Josey-Herring, chief judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, will provide remarks and present awar...

Pandemic Affect on Consultants

The pandemic has had a profound impact on consultants, influencing various aspects of their professional lives, including mental health, economic stability, and social interactions. For instance, Ms. Afrika Abney found it necessary to cancel all her scheduled meetings with prospective clients, which significantly hindered her ability to connect and engage with them during this challenging period. The abrupt shift in the business landscape forced many consultants, including Ms. Abney, to reassess their strategies and adapt to the new normal. As a consultant specializing in services for small businesses and nonprofit organizations, Ms. Abney faced considerable obstacles in delivering her offerings effectively due to the stringent restrictions and regulations imposed since March 9, 2020. The ongoing challenges made it increasingly difficult for her to ensure the success of her services, as the traditional methods of engagement were no longer viable. This situation necessitated...

The 1990s

Why are you talking about the 1990s? These are some old photos of me. Please note that I have given away these items depicted in the photos. "Popular clothing items in the 1990s were " black or red leather (or pleather) pants, fitted shirts, halter tops, cropped tanks, flared pants, and platform shoes . The color palette brightened up from the darker grunge tones to plums, navys, and reds. After two decades of saturated and vibrant colors, the 90s grunge scene brought darker, subdued colors into style. Dark plum, forest green, dark brown, black, and deep red began to emerge as fashion turned towards flannel shirts, jeans, and combat boots. The 90s fashion decade was also influenced by the emergence of supermodels, TV celebrities, and A-listers who rocked the 90s latest looks on the red carpet, in the movies, and in music clips."

Ms. Afrika Abney - Consultant Branding Blog

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