Welcome to Professional Women Making Moves Blog, where we feature professional Black women from all over making moves in their personal and business world.

Tinisha Nicole Johnson is the author of the upcoming book Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman. The book emphasizes ten life lessons that addresses a Black woman’s most intimate, personal, and professional life.

Tinisha will be interviewing professional women from various backgrounds up to the release date of her book (January 2010) discussing who they are and the challenges they face, their success, and any advice they have to offer. Learn more about this book and the author at her website: www.TinishaNicoleJohnson.com

Click here to learn more about this blog: http://blkprofessionalwomen.wordpress.com/

Today, Tinisha interviews VeeVeca Lavoira, an author and business owner.

TINISHA:   Please introduce yourself, including a bit about your business Verbal Conquest LLC, and tell me who you most credit your success to?

VEEVECA:   Greetings, I am VeeVeca Lavoira, author, owner and operator of Verbal Conquest LLC. Exactly what is this? It is a publishing and writing venue ascribed to facilitate self publishing expressions of writing.
 
Who I am and whatever I shall become, all credit goes to God for the gift of expression and allowing it to fall gracefully on me. Gifted with this craft is one aspect of the puzzle. Learning to utilize the gift has been a journey.  It has been said, “Anyone can write, but it takes character to become an author.”[Zane] For me honestly, I’ve been like the cartoon train “I think I can…I think I can” to sometimes having self doubt. “Maybe I am not cut out for this.” Then I remember why I write– To share Real Ministry in the lives of Real People with Real Issues. 

TINISHA:   What types of challenges do you face as a Professional Black woman?

VEEVECA:   As a professional black woman, the stigma of being passive is affluent and to some degree kindness is still seen as a weakness in women. Trying to grow a business from nothing is hard work where sweat equity is not readily available. 
Unfortunately, I’ve been victim to the “meat here” throws of being new in the writing market. When you are unlearned and still wet behind the ears, it puts you in direct aim for harm and chicanery.
After money losses and learning better, I am becoming solid in my business ventures.
 
TINISHA:   Tell me more about the ministry you are involved in. VeeVeca you seem really passionate about this. How did that passion begin?

VEEVECA:   Real Ministry is life in the face value of reality. People need God, but sometimes life happens at a pace real people are not ready for. They become derailed in motion. And standing on the side of the road when you got places to go is hard watching other cars muster at top speeds on a road that you should be on. Therefore, Real Ministry is jack to derailed and deflated people. And even the oil for others to keep them lubed and motivated to see God in the midst of all things.
 
TINISHA:   What does success mean to you?

VEEVECA:   Success for me isn’t fame or fortune. It’s changing one life-one moment-one word at a time. It’s living in divine purpose and creating the nuggets that brings together the purpose of your identity and the beauty of living.
 
TINISHA:   How do you balance your professional and personal life?

VEEVECA:   I am still learning how to balance both professional and personal life. Sometimes, I take them both into one moment and throw them both up to God to figure. I clearly don’t know it all. But I am smart enough to know that he directs the footsteps of the righteous.
 
TINISHA:   What advice do you have for today’s young Black girls?

VEEVECA:   One of the things I would say to today’s young Black girls is this ….”I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.” [Song of Solomon 3:5] What does this mean? Simply, Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe—and you’re ready. We all want love but love must be understood, acknowledged, perceived fully and reciprocated by a standard not seen on the latest hip hop BET/MTV music video.
 
TINISHA:   What do you hope to accomplish through writing?
 
VEEVECA:   It is my mission to individually and collectively reach a person/persons to see Real Life in words through characters of Real People and Real Struggle. And through their various stunts with life, these characters take on Real Personality to affect Real Change as they (we) become Real Warriors in the good bad happy and sad– called life.

MORE ABOUT VEEVECA:
Author VeeVeca Lavoira is a woman from the Carolinas. Through writing, she shows spunk and candid flavor coming from the bible belt. Her first novel, Chile Pleaze, was published by Author House in 2007.  However, she pulled the novel to self publish on her own.  It is due to be re-released March 09, as Chyle Pleaze.  She also has three other novels to be released soon.

To her writing career, VeeVeca Lavoira has been a freelance writer for 15 years. She has been a featured attraction for several Spoken Word events in the Carolinas.

VeeVeca Lavoira is a licensed Evangelist.  Motherhood is another jewel in this crown of womanhood. She is an orator throughout the community. Serving as a radio host, VeeVeca’s voice has been heard by the masses.

As the wheels are turning, watch out for the G.R.I.T.S.-girls raised in the south.   They really do stick to your stomach! 

www.Verbalconquest.net
www.verbalconquest.blogspot.com 
www.verbalconquest.wordpress.com

Welcome to Professional Women Making Moves Blog, where we feature professional Black women from all over making moves in their personal and business world.

Tinisha Nicole Johnson is the author of the upcoming book Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman. The book emphasizes ten life lessons that addresses a Black woman’s most intimate, personal, and professional life.

Tinisha will be interviewing professional women from various backgrounds up to the release date of her book (January 2010) discussing who they are and the challenges they face, their success, and any advice they have to offer. Learn more about this book and the author at her website: www.TinishaNicoleJohnson.com

Click here to learn more about this blog: http://blkprofessionalwomen.wordpress.com/

Today, Tinisha interviews Michelle Roberts.

TINISHA:   Please introduce yourself and tell me who you most credit your success to?

MICHELLE:  My name is Michelle Roberts; I’m a writer, publisher, community activist and marketer. I founded and publish Not Ur Momma’s News (http://www.noturmommasnews.com), an increasingly popular African American cyber-newspaper and facilitate the bridge building entrepreneurial co-op Pillars of the Bridge (more info bridgebuilders@noturmommasnews.com). NUMN Publications hasn’t officially launched; though we are currently marketing 2 authors, with 2 more slated to appear under the NUMN logo this month, an official launch is still several weeks away. We’ll be making an announcement this month. I give God the glory and a multitude credit that NUMN as a publication and family is where it is today. That word family is key; before there was NUMN there were the people, the awesome, talented, giving folks around the world who believe in community and personal responsibility and love, people who walk what they talk.

TINISHA:   Michelle tell me about your business NUMN Publications.

MICHELLE:   Like I said before, NUMN/Pillars of the Bridge are more family than business. Okay, let me try to explain. This all started as a blog written to shout out the too often ignored things African America is doing in cyberspace and evolved – rapidly. It’s organic. Not Ur Momma’s News, Pillars of the Bridge and shortly NUMN Publications aren’t so much my businesses as they are flowing through me and lots of other folks. This is and always has been a cooperative effort about building bridges across the socio-political, ideological and historical chasms that increasingly fracture African America.

TINISHA:   What types of challenges do you face as a Professional Black woman?

MICHELLE:   I juggle meetings and accounting; I market, build web sites, social network and plan. I work with my staff, our subscribers, friends, supporters and the occasional naysayer. My husband is ill; my son is nearly 17 and its 100 degrees in Texas. These things often create a time management and patience challenges. Professional is 90 percent presentation and 10 percent perception. African American woman colors every part of my existence; it is the robe I wear, the indelible, unmistakable manifestation of me. Most folks know the story of Job; not as many know that God pointed out Job to Satan because he was confident of Job’s love and endurance. We’ve endured, no flourished, for more than 400 years; how wonderfully made an African American woman.

TINISHA:   What tips can you offer those who are interested in starting their own business, but don’t know the first step?

MICHELLE:   The most important thing someone wanting to start their own business can do is start. The first step is, take a step. Right now ask yourself what you have in your hand. What are the talents, gifts, ingredients you have today? Make a list. STOP!!! I hear too many of you saying I don’t have the education, money, experience…whatever. Excuses can not be tolerated; remember stumbling blocks are the landmark of hidden opportunity. I published a book called Start Your Business Today recently; my purpose was to encourage people to start right where they are and give them a step by step plan for doing so. I’d like to offer Start Your Business Today to your readers free; they can download it at http://www.NUMNPublications.com/startyourbusinesstoday.html;  they are also welcome to email me at publisher@noturmommasnews.com and I’ll happily answer any questions.

TINISHA:   What does success mean to you?

MICHELLE:   Success means I blessed somebody today. It means I stayed awake to my purpose and enjoyed peace, productivity and laughter. Yes there is much gratitude for needs and wants met, but those things seem more a byproduct of success than the mark of it.

TINISHA:   How do you balance your professional and personal life? 

MICHELLE:   Folks say I work too much, and I do work at least 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. The scales are clearly skewed. I make sure I give my son undivided attention time at least twice a day, we hang out together in front of the TV and running errands and run away for a day of fun from time to time, but truth be told, NUMN takes a lot of work and I usually put it in.

TINISHA:   What advice do you have for today’s young Black girls?

MICHELLE:   There is nothing more important in the lives of African American girls, or anyone for that matter, than to know they are loved. First, foremost and always – give yourself the love you need and deserve. Sing your own praises to yourself often; celebrate even your smallest victories and forgive yourself even your biggest mistakes. Don’t linger on what is behind; stay focused on the right now step and never forget – it’s not how many times you get knocked down, it’s how many times you get up that counts. You are special and capable; hold tight to your dreams.

Tinisha Nicole Johnson is the author of the upcoming book Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman. The book emphasizes ten life lessons that addresses a Black woman’s most intimate, personal, and professional life.

Tinisha will be interviewing professional women from various backgrounds up to the release date of her book (January 2010) discussing who they are and the challenges they face, their success, and any advice they have to offer. Learn more about this book and the author at her website: www.TinishaNicoleJohnson.com

Click here to learn more about this blog: http://blkprofessionalwomen.wordpress.com/

Today, Tinisha interviews Njideka N. Olatunde, a Professional Speaker and a Healthcare Practitioner.

TINISHA:   Please introduce yourself and tell me who you most credit your success to?

NJIDEKA:   I am Njideka N. Olatunde, affectionatelly called the “Queen of StressFree Living”. By profession I am Naturopath Doctor. I reside in Washington. DC. All that I am is a reflection of some very strong, innovative and progressive elders who have molded me into becoming and doing the work that I do, is who I give credit to for my success.

TINISHA:   What types of challenges do you face as a Professional Black woman?

NJIDEKA:   The challenges that I have faced as Professional Black woman in my career field has been in paving new and different paths that are not recognized or approved according to “Madison Avenue” standards. I like opening new doors, exploring new idas and introducing new concepts. My biggest challenge is not “following the herd”.

TINISHA:   How important is networking to you?

NJIDEKA:   Networking is important when it is a mutual coming together of “like minded” people agreeing to create “win’win” opportunities for everyone.

TINISHA:   What does success mean to you?

NJIDEKA:   Success is living each day to its fullest becoming the person you are created to be. It is through our many gifts and talents, which we are suppose to share freely with others, is how success is manifested in our lives.

TINISHA:   How do you balance your professional and personal life? 

NJIDEKA:   Balance is about being and staying “FOCUS”. To have balance in your life professionally and personally is about being connected in oneness to the universal principle of “there is a time and place for everything”. I do not force anything I live in the moment enjoying the flow of life. My motto is “I live a stress free life”.

TINISHA:   What advice do you have for today’s young Black girls?

NJIDEKA:   My advice for today’s young Black girls who will blossom into become our future leaders, teachers and healers, is to honor who you are. To honor yourself you will need to learn how to “Think”. When you learn how to think for yourself no one can ever take way your ability to be creative and original. In essence learn that it is okay to be different. Learn that the most successful people are the ones who create and introduce new ideas, products and services that the large community uses. After you learn how to think for yourself the next step is to learn how to “LOVE YOURSELF”. The greatest gift you can ever give is gift of “LOVE”.

TINISHA:   What do want to leave as your lasting legacy?

NJIDEKA:   As an entrepreneur and business owner, my area of expertise is health education and generational wealth building. My life mission is sharing information that empowers people to have a better quality of life physically, financially and emotionally. My legacy is to teach families how to pass on “Generational Health and Wealth” instead of generational illness and poverty.  

MORE ABOUT NJIDEKA:
Njideka “Queen of StressFree Living” Olatunde is Founder and Director of Focus on Healing and Financial Empowerment Services. She is Naturopath Doctor, specializing in reflexology. Dr. Olatunde is an innovative and progressive stress management professional, health & wealth strategist, professional speaker, radio host, author, educator and consultant. She is a leading expert on the subject of stress management and the integration of health and wealth for optimum wellness.  Her business motto is “Health Is Wealth and Wealth Is Health” it is your birthright to have both”

Contact Information for Njideka:
Website: www.yourfinancialwellnesscoach.com           
Email: info@focusonhealing.com

Tinisha Nicole Johnson is the author of the upcoming book Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman. The book emphasizes ten life lessons that addresses a Black woman’s most intimate, personal, and professional life. 

Tinisha will be interviewing professional women from various backgrounds up to the release date of her book (January 2010) discussing who they are and the challenges they face, their success, and any advice they have to offer. Learn more about this book and the author at her website: www.TinishaNicoleJohnson.com

Click here to learn more about this blog: http://blkprofessionalwomen.wordpress.com/

Today, Tinisha interviews Susie Johnson, a successful record label owner and CEO.

TINISHA:   Please introduce yourself and where are you from (name, profession, what you do, where are you from, etc)
 
SUSIE:   I am Susie Johnson, the Founder/ CEO/ Chairman of Johnson Production Company (JPC) of Atlanta.  JPC is a True Independent Record Label based in Atlanta, GA.  JPC focuses in niche genres R&B, Jazz, Gospel, and Pop.  We deal with artists who have been purposed.  We understand that there are those who were created to “minister” in music.  Ministering in music does not only happen in the Gospel genre, but in all forms of music.  Music is the only form of communication that transcends any type of barrier – whether the barrier is language, cultural, socioeconomics, racial, sexual, etc.  Music connects directly to the heart and soul of mankind.  Whatever message is tied to music is then fed directly into one’s spirit.  Because of this, music has the power to uplift or to destroy.  We choose to be a positive force to our world. 

We do not seek to dilute the message that God has given those select few to bring forth.  We strive to give these artists an environment which maximizes their essence.  We don’t seek to force them into an artificial mold of what others dictate, but let them strive in their birthright. That is when magic and legends are created.

TINISHA:  Who you most credit your success to?

SUSIE:   I credit God with my success.  To some that may seem like a pat answer, but in my case very true.  If it had not been for His divine interruption in my life twenty years ago, I would be struggling to live the life that others wanted me to pursue.  I would be mired in mediocrity and totally miserable. At age twenty, this life I live was neither in my plans nor in my realm of comprehension.  Along this journey the only true, unfailing support I have had has been my parents and God.

TINISHA:   What types of challenges do you face as a Professional Black woman?

SUSIE:   The biggest challenge is being taken seriously.  Even in this day and age, there are areas in which some are shocked to see women excel. 
 
TINISHA:   How important is networking to you?

SUSIE:   VERY important.  Networking is the chance for you to create name recognition. For a record label it is essential to have an established fan base. Businesses can thrive or fail on the strength of the relationships that they are able to build.
 
TINISHA:   What does success mean to you?
 
SUSIE:   For me success means to live the life that I have always dreamed of. It is not about the material things. It is about having the freedom to fulfill my purpose in life.  As long as I am able to do that, I am successful.

TINISHA:   How do you balance your professional and personal life?

SUSIE:   WHAT’S A PERSONAL LIFE?  (HA HA)  Seriously, right now my personal life suffers greatly. I imagine that is in part due to the non-existence of my “perfect” mate.  Not perfect in the sense that he is flawless, but perfect in the sense that he is able to love me perfectly.  I have not, yet, been blessed with that man who does not feel the need for me to be less than I am to make him feel good about himself. So for now, I focus on my purpose and my passion – music.
 
TINISHA:   What advice do you have for today’s young Black girls?
 
SUSIE:   Stay true to yourself.  Always remember that you are wonderfully and marvelously made. You were called forth at the beginning of time. Don’t ever let ANYONE convince you otherwise. Follow your dreams.  You can quit a job or a relationship, but never –ever quit on yourself.  Celebrate your uniqueness. Don’t let the world define you. You are an original, act like it. You are priceless.

TINISHA:   It is not common to see a female at the helm of a record label. How does it feel to be among the elite few blazing this new trail?

SUSIE:   I never thought of it as breaking new ground or blazing a new trail.  To me it has always been about fulfilling the “charge” given to me.  I started out as an artist seeking that “lucrative” record deal, only to realize that those interested only wanted to use my talent to sell the image of sex.  This is not the message I have been given to deliver.  Compromising meant being untrue to my purpose and to myself.  Compromise could have brought money and fame, but at what cost to my soul.  My experience has given me firsthand knowledge of the struggles faced by those who understand and are committed to their purpose.  As a result I have a unique edge. I am able to view the industry from both sides of the isle – the side of the artist and the side of the label management. 

If my fulfilling my purpose gives others permission to do the same, it is an unexpected “bonus.”

MORE ABOUT SUSIE JOHNSON
Having received her B.S. in Biology, Susie Johnson began her career in the medical field as a Medical Laboratory Technologist.  She later came to understand that she was purposed for much more.  Although she comes from a family of singers and has been singing as long as she has been talking, she never visualized her journey leading her to pursue a recording career.  Susie says that one day she received a Divine Interruption, and her journey began. She experienced first hand the obstacles facing those artists who were totally vested in the gift they were given to present to the world.  She is an accomplished R & B Artist performing under the pseudonym of Suzi Jonson.  Her journey has taken her through many mountains and valleys and has culminated in the founding of Johnson Production Company (JPC) of Atlanta Inc. 

JPC is an Independent Record Label based in Atlanta where music reigns supreme.  As Founder and CEO/ Chairman, she not only affords herself the opportunity to produce music to enrich the lives of others, but is affording this opportunity to other gifted artist.  Through JPC, her journey is now about uplifting humanity as she strives to make a difference…….one song at a time!

Tinisha Nicole Johnson is the author of the upcoming book Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman. The book emphasizes ten life lessons that addresses a Black woman’s most intimate, personal, and professional life. 

Tinisha will be interviewing professional women from various backgrounds up to the release date of her book (January 2010) discussing who they are and the challenges they face, and any advice they have to offer. Learn more about this book and the author at her website: www.TinishaNicoleJohnson.com

Click here to learn more about this blog: http://blkprofessionalwomen.wordpress.com/

Today, Tinisha interviews Author Lorraine Elzia.

TINISHA:   Please introduce yourself (name, profession, what you do, etc.,) and tell me who you most credit your success to?

LORRAINE:   My name is Lorraine Elzia; I am a Court Manager, an Editor and the Author of Mistress Memoirs, all of which have been demanding yet extremely rewarding professions. When acknowledging those who have helped me get where I am, my mother is at the top of the list.  She instilled in me at a very young age that I could be anything I wanted to be if I just put my mind to it.  That simple thought of faith has always been the fuel I needed to chase after my goals.

TINISHA:   What types of challenges do you face as a Professional Black woman?

LORRAINE:   I often find it quite challenging that sometimes I have to work three times as hard in order to get the same recognition as someone else with a different skin color or gender.  Often being a black woman is viewed as somehow being weaker or inferior and the struggle for a lies in demanding respect by virtue of accomplishments.

TINISHA:   How important is networking to you?

LORRAINE:   Networking is like the air we breathe, without it; your success in any business will die.

TINISHA:   What does success mean to you?

LORRAINE:   To me success is the attainment of personal goals.  It has nothing to do with the titles we hold but lies in the strength and perseverance demonstrated to become all our creator intended for us to be.  It is meeting and exceeding our potential.

TINISHA:   How do you balance your professional and personal life? 

LORRAINE:   By being respectful to both according to the needs of each. I try not to neglect one because of the other. Although sometimes the lines between personal life and professional life can overlap, the key to having harmony in both is to make sure that the line is only crossed briefly.

TINISHA:   What advice do you have for today’s young Black girls?

LORRAINE:   Our youth need to stop placing blame and restricting themselves based on cultural stereotypes.  That’s a crutch that needs to be removed from their psyche.  The possibilities of life are all obtainable through hard work and determination.  The only roadblocks to their future are the ones that are self imposed.

MORE ABOUT LORRAINE:

Lorraine Elzia is an Editor, Author, Ghostwriter and Literary Artist. Mistress Memoirs is the debut novel for Lorraine, who has espoused the name A Deeva, and often writes under that pseudonym.  She has always had an admiration for both the spoken and written word and has exercised that gregarious gift in various venues. That love affair of words, coupled with an addictive need to express herself, gave birth to a compulsion to write, which is a gift she is constantly nurturing.

In 2005, she added the title “Author” to her lists of accomplishments with the publication of her first short story “Mommy and Santa” which was published in “Chicken Soup for the Single Parent’s Soul” and her poem, “I am a Woman” was a Letstalkhonestly.com contest winner. Those literary achievements were proceeded by a second publication in the Chicken Soup series in 2006 with the inclusion of her story, “Letters of Love” in the Chicken Soup for the African American Woman’s Soul Anthology; inclusion in the Katrina Anthology, Surfacing…Phenomenal Women on Passion, Politics & Purpose, and a poem, “Levitate” in the Gumbo for the Soul Anthology.

In 2007, Lorraine continued to strike while the literary fire was still hot with “A Test of Faith” in the Triumph of My Soul Anthology and she is a contributing author in the upcoming second Gumbo for the Soul Anthology, with inclusion of her poem “Am I My Brother’s Keeper.” Lorraine is Co-Owner of Eve’s Literary Services, contributing Editor of the “Gumbo for the Soul” series; and Co-Moderator of Essentially Women, a writing group for African American women. She is from Austin, Texas, by way of Motown (Detroit, Michigan) and it is her desire that through the written word delivered in different genres, she will be able to inspire and motivate others to see the beauty that resides within all people.

Visit Lorraine at the following sites:
www.lorraineelzia.com
www.peaceinthestormpublishing.com