Truly Charmed is all about encouraging unity among women so that we can claim our Charmed Lives! Great things happen when we come together with the purpose of pouring into each other’s lives. This sentiment was in full display at the Digital Empowerment Mastermind-Luncheon and Workshop on Saturday. The event, held by Katrina Garnes, Director of Cold Storm Media & What’s Going On Webshow and Blog, was advertised as an opportunity for women in digital communications and technology careers to come together and educate, empower, and encourage one another. This is exactly what happened at this awesome event.  Read on to check out my take-aways from the workshop. 

​Natasha Weston, Author and Founder of Confessions of An Ambitious Girl
Ashli Smart, Digital and Web Marketing Consultant,  SmartHoopla
Melody Thomas, Owner and Web Designer of The Genius Circle
Caletta Bailey, Owner of Reel 2Real Productions
Melissa Chanel, Creator/Voice of melissachanel.com, a lifestyle blog

​Each of the panelists can be described as a woman who is making impressive moves in the digital realm, and each spoke on a topic relevant to their own experiences in their careers.  The ladies were transparent about the in’s and out’s of finding their place in business, and each offered real-world advice about the road to success. The one message that dominated during the workshop was the importance of reading and researching. I totally agree with this. It’s what I tell my children. It’s what I tell the co-workers who I mentor on the 9-5. Each panelist also offered unique and powerful messages that resonated with the attendees.  I created a gallery of those messages below!  I’m sure that they will leave you inspired. 

​This is one that I hope will become an annual event.  It was a wonderful experience.
Until next time,
Let’s continue to claim our Charmed Lives!
-Antoinette 

Look…I need for you all to not keep secrets from me.  Apparently, the powerhouse vocalist Tiffany J. has been on the scene for a minute, but I just had the opportunity to see her perform during a National Kidney Foundation event in January.  When I say that she can blow…yes, she SANGS!  During the event, Tiffany performed Jill Scott’s “Golden”, a couple of Erykah Badu hits, and some of my favorite tracks from “The Miseduation of Lauryn Hill”.  We all know that if you cover these artists, these heavy hitters, you have to come correct or leave it alone.  Tiffany J. owned EVERY bit of it with her rich and soulful voice. Her range is sickening. Her rendition of “Ex-Factor” had all of the ladies in the room reminiscing.  You could look around the room and see it in their faces…took us right back to ’98. 

Do I sound like a fan?  Lol.  Yes, Tiffany J. has found a new fan in me. When I heard about the release party for her single “Being Me”, I had to be there.  

The release party was held on January 28th at Empire Supper Club (Columbia, SC), a nice 1920’s themed spot. Tiffany J. engaged the crowd effortlessly with her down-to-earth demeanor. I wondered what artists inspired her passion for music. She revealed that her favorite artists are Jazmine Sullivan and Musiq Soulchild.  I enjoyed the evening’s performance as Tiffany J. covered some of my favorite neo-soul hits.  She concluded the set by introducing her much-anticipated single, “Being Me”.  The song is inspiring and upbeat.  It’s the type of song that you want to have on your playlist, especially for those days when people and circumstances want to push your buttons or those times in which your motivation is not quite where you want it to be. 
I look forward to all that is sure to come from Tiffany J.  Let’s support our local artists. There’s sooo much genuine talent in the Carolinas.  

I first met Honey Nelson when she and my mom worked together. After that I’d run into her around town, from time to time, always a sweetheart. One night a friend invited me to see a new band perform, Black Alley Band.  I had been hearing that the band NEVER disappoints, so I decided to go and enjoy some great music. When I arrived, guess who’s on the stage?  It’s Honey!  Not only was she on the stage, she is the band’s lead singer.  The word on the street was on point. Yes, Black Alley Band does not disappoint.  What’s unique about the band is that each member brings genuine talent.  Each individual could stand on their own, but they chose to come together and bless the masses with their unforgettable “slayage” on the stage.
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Black Alley Band will be celebrating their 3rd anniversary tonight! The show will take place at Lincoln High School, 22 Council St. Sumter, SC.  Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9.  See additional details on the flyer below. Let’s celebrate with Black Alley Band.  Comment below and wish the band a happy anniversary! 

I have the greatest love and respect for my fellow creatives. I have been writing poetry since middle school.  Writing means so much to me. It comforts me. It helps me to reflect…to put things in perspective…to vent.  One thing that I know for sure is that writing is my God-given talent, and I treasure it. I decided that my next Truly Charmed event (and future events) will cater to artists and the people who love them. 

Soooo, up next is my Charmed Life Artist RoundUp.  I want to bring together writers, musicians, artists so that we can just be our creative selves and have a great time.  Final details will be announced soon.  I’m so excited about the event’s potential.
Are you interested in performing at the RoundUp?  Email [email protected]

Announcements about the event will be made on social media.  Be sure to follow Truly Charmed on IG!
Instragram.com/trulycharmed1

Until next time, let's continue to claim our Charmed Lives! 

​-Antoinette 

​The fact that South Carolina is #1 in the nation when it comes to domestic violence is definitely a necessary conversation. On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending Love Shouldn’t Hurt-A Safe Relationship Conversation, a domestic violence awareness conference in Columbia, SC.  This very informative and moving event featured skits, a powerful keynote speaker, a panel discussion by community leaders, and more. 

​Love Shouldn’t Hurt was the brainchild of activist, author, and playwright, Kiwan Fitch. Kiwan, a native of Jersey City, NJ is also the founder of the Empowerment Corp, a community organization created to educate, enlighten, and empower women and families to achieve personal access with civic responsibility in mind (as stated on the organization’s Facebook page).  Meeting Kiwan was a pleasure.  She is a dynamic change-maker and it’s obvious that she is passionate about the well-being of women and families. Hence, this awesome event… 

​“You can’t judge a book by its cover” is one of the statements made by the event’s keynote speaker, Melissa Holmes.  At first glance, she appears to be (and is) a strong, focused woman who’s taking care of business. I would have never guessed that she is a two-time survivor of domestic violence.  I listened, with a lump in my throat, to her emotional story of surviving two life-threatening relationships.  She spoke of enduring, and eventually escaping, brutal physical abuse, verbal abuse, and emotional abuse. Melissa will tell you “I am no longer a victim. I am a victor!” Melissa has become a domestic violence awareness champion, sharing her story for the purpose of saving the lives of other women who may be enduring violent relationships.  I’m sure that anyone who hears her speak walks away feeling empowered. I know that I did. 
Here are some of the take-away lessons that I gleaned from Melissa’s story: 

Thanks to Melissa Holmes for her transparency and for being a light to women who may feel that they are in a hopeless situation. 
Contact Melissa Holmes
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/loveshouldnthurtdomesticviolence/

The final segment of Love Shouldn’t Hurt was a panel discussion. The panel was comprised of male and female community leaders in fields directly and indirectly related to domestic violence awareness. Unfortunately, I only witnessed the first few minutes of the discussion, but I’m sure that valuable information and ideas were exchanged during the discussion.  

​I was excited to learn about Damsel In Defense, a direct sales company that aims to empower women with safety and defense products.  Kiwan is in the process of becoming a rep, so we will soon have Damsel in Defense rep in South Carolina!  

Follow Empowerment Corp on Facebook! HERE

Until next time, let's continue to claim our Charmed Lives!
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