Just The Beginning.....

Just the Beginning...

I didn't want to wait one moment to write this blog to update you on my
trip to a fabulous women's event at North Carolina Central!For those of you who you don't know I am a serious advocate for women. I have been groomed to be this way since my entire life has been inspired by empowered women!

North Carolina Central University is one of 2 public HBCU'S that has a thriving women's center. Upon my arrival I was greeted with more love and respect than I ever anticipated. Beyond their amazing hospitality, they are huge advocates for rape and domestic violence prevention. It was awesome to be invited by such a trailblazing university.


My first afternoon there I signed autographs and spent a great deal of time with some of the female students. What we shared was a covenant bond. They poured their hearts out to me and I did the same with them. This was no ordinary autograph session! This was a moment, ordained by God and I was determined to soak it up.


The purpose of this event was to celebrate 8 young women who completed a university supported program that would help them become healthier and productive women! How befitting, the program is entitled " The Circle Of Sisters". I felt like they welcomed me into their intimate circle and I am so grateful for that. You know, everyone shouldn't be welcomed in your
circle... so I didn't take their warmth for granted.


The weekend ended with a lovely banquet where I was asked to address the graduates. My final words for them was that THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING...

I say the same to you...

Prepare yourself for the great things that God has in store for you!

The young ladies and staff of North Carolina Central have truly changed my
life.

Be Resurrected!

Be Resurrected!


Greetings Family!

I pray that you had an amazing Resurrection Sunday. In the midst of the Easter season the world has been constantly moving and changing. We have made history in beginning the process of Universal Health care, an issue that was near and dear to me as a small business owner. Additionally, I was blessed to be apart of the opening of the new Women's business center in Washington, Dc. This business center is one of several that has been launched across the country to encourage minority to women to define their own destiny. Lastly, I was blessed enough to experience the Word of God yesterday at my home church.

In the midst of the changes, growing pains, and self-realizations, the greatest message I could offer you today is to BE RESURRECTED!

What do you mean Shayna by be RESURRECTED?

Great Question!

Sometimes in the midst of our life process we let our own selves get in the way of progress. We want to blame everyone and everything around us  instead of looking in the mirror! We must be determined to LIVE ON PURPOSE, even when it is unpopular. This is why we must applaud our President! He stood in the face of adversity and fought for what he believed in! Yes, it was unpopular! Yes, he lost the approval of those in the African American community, BUT HE MADE UP HIS MIND THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE A JUSTICE SEEKER INSTEAD OF A PEOPLE PLEASER!

And in the end he RESURRECTED and CHANGED ( And Still Changing) this country!

I write today to encourage you to get up and move forward! Although you may have to walk alone... remember the walk that our Lord took to save us from sin. All he had was his purpose and his God....

The same applies to you...

oh yeah!

You have me too...



Blessings,

Shay

I use to wear flowers in my hair when I was 16. I chose the gardenia to enhance my simple bun and pearls. It became my signature. Oh, how I thought I was original! Ha! Little did I know the history behind the flower that I took for granted.

Family, it's Women's History Month. I thought that as Miss Black USA it would be a waste of a blog not acknowledge the beauty of this month. I must admit, for years I allowed the month of March to come and go without ever taking a minute to breath the air that my SHE-roes provided me with. You know, the air that God gives willingly, but oppressors tried to make us pay for? Yeah, that air. However, this year as your Miss Black USA and a TRUE advocate for the lives of young women, I could not let this moment pass me by.

History is powerful. It defines our foundation, and can set the tone for our liberated future. I learned while in Ghana a fabulous lesson: EVERYTHING has history and EVERYTHING has meaning. The Pain we've experienced: HAS MEANING. Our names: HAS MEANING. Our victories: HAS MEANINGS. The flower I wore in my hair: HAS MEANING.

Therefore I was not surprised to see Mo'Nique on her Oscar Night, wearing the flower that once adorned the hair of Hattie McDonald, the woman who won an Academy Award for playing a feisty slave in " Gone with the Wind".

I honor these two women today and their history. Sometimes we forget that everyone has a story. We all have had a series of events that have led us to the moment where the world celebrates us. We weren't there when Mo'nique, like many "Precious" young ladies, was molested by her brother. We weren't there when Big Sister Hattie suffered from Breast Cancer before it was popular, or when her Academy Award was stolen from Howard University during the race riots of 1960's. No, we weren't there. But TODAY, we can celebrate their history and how their history has enhanced the very essence of who we are as extra-ordinary people.

I haven't worn a flower in my hair since I was 16. But, I think it's high time I bring it back out. And this time I'll know that it's meaning runs deeper than the sea filled with the tears that our SHE-roes have shed in order to ensure that we could be here today.

Your Sister,
Shayna

Moments from my moment....

Hello ALL!

I am sorry that I have been so M.I.A! It has been a very busy time in my life and I must apologize for not keeping you informed about my travels. I am going to do better ( smile).

If you haven't heard I had the honor of attending the NAACP Image awards! Last year I watched it from my living room but this year I was inspired as I sat in the audience with Miss Black USA 1995! God is so good...

The beauty of this experience was truly found not in the glitz and the glamour but in seeing the humanity in stars that we so often place unrealistic standards on. I saw Jill Scott laughing with Mo'nique until they had tears in their eyes. I saw Anika Noni Rose crack jokes during commercial breaks. I saw Tyler Perry show emotions about the recent death of his mother. THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE... 

They deserve our prayers. They deserve our respect. They deserve their own space and place to be human. 

I thank God for the gift of learning this lesson. If it had not been for Miss Black USA... I may not have learned it in such a fabulous way.

I am on my way to working on my second book... I promise we'll talk real soon!

Much Love,

Shay