Essence Beauty & Cover Director Mikki Taylor

Reprinted from theROOT.com “Their Eyes Were Watching” BLOG 2/5/10

You’ve heard the term “living legend”–it simply means someone fabulous that we are fortunate enough to still have in our midst, but who we all fully expect to be a “legend” long after they (and we) are gone from this life.  My sisterfriend, mentor, and 2nd mom Mikki Taylor is one of those people. Mikki turns “30″ today (not her chronological age, of course, but her career age at Essence) and we should honor and celebrate her for the great value she has meant to black women and the black community at large.

I first met Mikki some years ago, but her presence in my life has been nothing short of a gift of teaching, wisdom, and true sisterhood.  This should come as no surprise to the generations of black women who have read Essence for the past almost 40 years.  What I love most about my friend Mikki is that she is truly “authentic” something young black women need to grasp firmly in their lives, now more than ever.  As she likes to tell me “Sophia you have to show up ready everyday for life”.  Mikki is a lot like a shot of Tequila–”straight no chaser” and I love her for that old fashioned sense of grace, charm and candor that she brings to my life everyday.  Amazingly, she is also a devoted wife (of over 30 years), mother of three and grandmother of one.  She is truly a “do it all” kind of sister and she exemplifies the fact that we can have it all sisters, if we are grounded in faith, and self love and respect.

Of all the many things we long-time Essence readers have to be grateful for, Mikki Taylor may be the greatest of all (of course we all loved the soulful spirit and musings of Susan L. Taylor, Longtime former Essence Editor in Chief) beause she has had a quiet yet steady impact on the lives of black women in a way that is truly transformational.  Over the past 30 years, Mikki helped to create and shape a new image of black women in the beauty sector and she has coached companies, industry leaders and the like on how black women think, shop, and experience life differently, perhaps, than do other women.  Her impact in this area, I believe, will be felt for generations to come.

As I think of the passing of legends like Naomi Sims, and other black female trailblazers, and the impact they have had on how the rest of us as black women view our self worth and value, Mikki leaps forward to the front as one of those somewhat “unsung sister heroes” who work behind the scenes to make a monumental difference in the lives of others.  So today, we thank you and celebrate you Mikki–we wish you God’s blessings and providence over your life and your great vision for the health, beauty, relational and spiritual wellness of today’s black woman.

Sophia Nelson is a Regular Contributor to the Root.com & TEWW

Woman Amidst Rubble in Haiti

(Washington, D.C.) iask Board Chairman Sophia Nelson announced today that the sisters of iask have pledged their support to assist the Haitian people by donating $1 per member (over 1200 iask Members worldwide) through the Clinton/Bush Fund.

“In keeping with our core mission of service to women of color–the sisters of iask, Inc. will do what we can by pledging $1 per iask member both on our membership rolls and via our Facebook page.” Nelson said.  She continued, “Some of our members will be actually assisting the relief efforts on the ground in Haiti through their churches, the Red Cross or other recognized organizations. We applaud these efforts and pledge our love, prayers and financial support to help the men and women of Haiti to recover from this devastating tragedy.”

If you would like to join iask or help with  this effort please contact us via our website at www.iaskinc.org or via our Facebook page.  May God bless the good people of Haiti.

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5th Anniversary iask Tea 2009

iask Sister Buddy Groups
21 Day Fast for Renewal & Rejuvenation
Jan 1, 2010 Sun-up-Jan 21, 2010 Sundown
(If you cannot start on 1/1 start on 1/4)

1. Again, this year the buddy group sister Fast will be in the form of a “Daniel Fast” which is a partial fast. During the consecration members will be asked to abstain from certain foods each week during the month.

2. Members are asked to get up one half hour early each morning for prayer, bible reading and meditation. For example, if you typically get up at 6:30 a.m., you are asked to rise at 6:00 a.m. for devotional time. This is important as it will set your mind and spirit for the day ahead. You should also get to be no later than 11PM daily to rest your body-sleep is a natural healer and critical for hormone production in women’s bodies.

3. Some members fast regularly as a spiritual discipline. If your fasting routine is more rigorous than what has been set forth for our consecration, please feel free to do more than has been requested. I only ask that people not do less.

What to Eat during this Time

Drink lots of water minimal 8 glasses a day.

Week of January 1st
Fruits, Vegetables (including nuts and beans), Juices and Teas only (pure juices only, no juice cocktails) clear broths-you may modify to include fish, Tofu or other protein (not beef, poultry) if necessary for health reasons. Natural sweeteners like raw honey are allowable. You can eat as often as you like, but smaller portions are recommended so that you keep your spirit open and clear.

Week of January 8th
Fruits, Vegetables, Juices, Tea, Whole Grain Breads, Whole Grain Pasta, Brown Rice

Week of January 18
Fruits, Vegetables, Juices, Tea, Whole Grain Breads, Whole Grain Pasta, Brown Rice, Dairy (Milk, Cheese, Yogurt), Boiled or Poached Eggs (no cakes, pies, cookies, candy, soda, juice cocktails, fried foods)

(Throughout the consecration, please avoid refined sugar, white rice, white flour [and anything made with it], margarine [beginning the third week use butter or olive oil] and foods with preservatives)

What to Read & Write during this Time

The following is a suggested reading list for each morning’s devotion. If you already have a devotional regiment that you follow, I am going to ask that you suspend that regiment for the month of January so that we are all reading the same thing. However, feel free to do more. You should be praying alone or with an accountability partner no less than 2-3 times per day. Early AM, Mid Afternoon-Evening.

Meditation Vision Scripture of the Year: Isa. 43:18-19
Book of focus for 2010-Isaiah 43 chapter 18

January-list extended for those that start on 1/4
1 Psalm 16, Proverbs 4:23
2 Is. 2-3 chapters
3 Is. 55 & Romans 8:28
4 Psalms 23
5 Psalms 25
6 Psalms 27
7 Isaiah 58:3-14
8 Matthew 6:1-18
9 Matthew 7:1-12
10 Matthew 7:15-29
11 Matthew 5:1-12
12 Matthew 5:13-24
13 Matthew 5:33-42
14 Matthew 5:43-48
15 Haggai 1:1-11
16 Haggai 2:1-9
17 Haggai 2:10-23
18 Hebrews 11
19 Hebrews 12:1-4
20 Hebrews 12:5-15
21 I Corinthians 12
22 I Corinthians 13
23 I Corinthians 14
24 Colossians 3:1-17
25 James 3
26 James 4
27 James 5:1-11
28 James 5:12-18
29 I John 1-4
30 Jude

Good morning sisters and friends of iask, Inc.—Happy almost New Year 2010!!!

Well 2010 is upon us and on behalf of the 2010-2011 officers and BOD, I want to invite you to join the sisters of iask and our regional & national Buddy Groups for a corporal/organization Fast to cleanse, renew, and rejuvenate our minds and bodies.

I have been doing the “21 Day Fast” since 2007 and the results in my life have been truly amazing.  I attribute a lot of this success to discovering & unleashing the power of setting aside at the beginning of each year a portion of time to pray, detox my body naturally, have accountability prayer partners, journal, and ask the Lord for clarity in my thoughts, needs, goals and desires for my life.

Fasting, simply put, is sacrificing the flesh for the spirit… physical food for spiritual food, physical nourishment for spiritual nourishment. A basic Daniel fast consists of fruit, vegetables, whole grain breads, no desserts or meat, and water as a beverage over soft drinks, coffee and tea. Of course, there are variations and you should always consult with your doctor First before beginning any type of fast:

Ø First, pray for wisdom on how you should fast. God honors your sacrifice. lf it is a sacrifice to you, it is a sacrifice to God. Fasting is between you and God, not you and man, so do not compare your sacrifice to others. Seek God’s leading and He will be honored and you will be blessed.

Ø Second, fasting is always tied to prayer. Fasting alone, without intimate time spent with Him in prayer, reading, and studying the Bible is just a diet. It is so important to increase your time with Him during this time. Sometimes, we can get so focused on the fasting… what we can and can’t eat… that we lose sight of what we are fasting for. The best way to keep Him near is to stay near to Him by praying and reading the Bible. You will find added strength and comfort through scriptures and your prayer time with Him.

Ø Third, keep mind there is great significance in giving the first fruits of your year to Him and you are doing this in concert with the entire group of iask. There is something about giving your firsts, and doing it in unity with other believers that is just so powerful.

We have great interest this year for the collective FAST.  I have attached some links that will be helpful as we start this process.  Please join the fast starting on January 1, 2010 sun up to January 21, 2010 sundown

1. To detox your body in a healthy and natural way consider: www.drnatura.com (the Colonix and Toxinout products are great)

2. To learn more about the Biblically sound principles of fasting and prayer for a specific amount of time http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/fasting/ ( I highly recommend

the bestselling books Fasting & the companion Journal by Jentezen Franklin—I have both and again they have been life changing)

3. To learn more about great recipes for vegetarian eating and the Daniel Fast/diet please see these links:

http://www.christ-web.com/missions/farho/daniel-fast-recipes

http://daniel-fast.com/recipes.html

http://danielfast.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/daniel-fast-recipes-2/

Lastly, every year I pick a theme for my life and for the iask organization.  I will unveil that theme on January 1, 2010 via our Facebook page, Twitter, and the iask

Sister Blog.

Thanks again for all of your support this year!!

God Bless.

2009 5th Anniversary Souvenier Program Booklet Cover

From Black & Married With Kids Co-Founder Ronnie Tyler

On Saturday, Lamar and I attended the iask , Inc. 5th Anniversary Holiday Tea and Awards Luncheon hosted by Mikki Taylor, Beauty Director and Cover Director of Essence Magazine.  This luncheon served not only as a fundraiser (as ticket proceeds and silent auction bids were used to support charities such as the National Capitol Food Bank, Safe Shores, Children’s Defense Fund, and Walter Reed Army Christmas Community Service Program), but also as an awards luncheon recognizing several individuals for their dedication and service to the community.  Among the awards recipients were Tavis Smiley, Michael Eric Dyson and Eugene H. Robinson.

One award recipeint, 12 year old Marissa Norwood, really touched my heart.  Marissa did not actually attend the luncheon because you see she has a brain tumor.  Even though she has a brain tumor, she has an upbeat attitude and a passion for helping others.  When the Make a Wish foundation granted Marissa her wish, Marissa did not want anything for herself. Instead, she wished for a shopping spree to purchase gifts for others in need. “I don’t want to be remembered for having a tumor, I want to be known for helping people despite having a tumor,” Norwood said.

Another award recipient, Nicole McLean, is a breast cancer survivor.  After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Nicole decided to start a blog to discuss her journey.  My Fabulous Boobies started out as a personal blog, but has grown to a powerful resource to help other young single women  that are dealing with breast cancer.

I truly enjoyed the luncheon, I laughed, I cried, I was motivated by award recipient and keynote speaker Gloria  Mayfield Banks, and most of all I was inspired.  Many of the awards recipients are overcoming great adversities in their lives and yet they still found time to give.  iask means I Am My Sister’s Keeper.  Their mission is to be the premiere organization nationally that addresses the mental, physical, relational, spiritual and career well-being of African-American Professional Women.  Please take a moment to check out the pictures for the Luncheon and to check out the iask website.

Thank you Sophia Nelson (iask President and founder) for your vision and for being a blessing to our community!!!

Note – Are you your sister’s keeper? Many of the women at the conference did not give out of their abundance..they gave out of their lack!!! (That was a direct quote from iask President Sophia Nelson in her welcoming remarks). That is a powerful statement.  You might think that your situation is bad..but there is always someone out their that has it worse than you.

The 2009 iask 5th Anniversary Holiday Tea Program

The 2009 5th anniversary iask Inc. Holiday Tea & Luncheon is just weeks away.  We are currently SOLD OUT, but we are taking a waiting list for those who may be interested in attending should more seats become available.

For more information on the 2009 program, honorees, and charities please go to our website at www.iaskinc.org

2009 iask Race for the Cure Team in honor of our Sisters

So often when we talk about Breast Cancer, we focus on pink ribbons, fundraising, and cures for the disease. All of these things are important no doubt, but what I hope we will all spend more time focusing on is how we love and care for our friends when they need us.

The truth is when most of us think about Breast Cancer, we think of it as something that afflicts post-menopausal women past the (dating) prime of their lives. We see these women as aunts, mothers, or grandmothers who have the love and support of their families to help them get through it all.  We see it as somewhat expected.

I saw this play out keenly with my friend Francene Robinson who died of Triple Negative Breast Cancer on June 5, 2009 at the age 58. I see this playing out with my friend Venessa Bates who has just been diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer and she is in her mid 50’s. Both of these sisters are blessed with great husbands, a supportive community of friends and family and a legacy of love that endures.

These women come from an era seemingly long gone where sisters and their husbands truly rally and take care of each other in time of need.  When my friend Fran got very sick in the last months and weeks of her life, I sat in awe at how her sister friends stepped up—many of them in the Links, Jack & Jill or in the Black Greek Lettered Fraternities.

They had cleaning schedules, hospital visit schedules, meal schedules, grocery rotations, and the like.  They did it to ensure that Fran’s husband Henry and her two sons had no worries other than to be by her side day and night.  It was moving to me as a woman in my early 40s, who is not married and has no children.

The most glaring thing that jumps out as me, however, is when I think of Breast Cancer and how it is impacting and raving the lives of young black women. I have one dear friend Nicole McLean who has been fighting Breast Cancer since she was in her late 30s. And like many of you, I learned of the loss of Ms. Sheryl Flowers (of the Tavis Smiley Group) who was only 42 (my age) to Triple Negative Breast Cancer in June when I had just signed my book deal with Smiley Books.

What I want us to stop and consider this October as my sister organization (I Am My Sister’s Keeper/iask, Inc.)  will do as we partner with Circle of Promise and remember the fight against Breast Cancer; is to focus on those women who are fighting this disease under age 40 and who have no one to comfort them.

The fact is women who are still menstruating and healthy under the age of 40 get Breast Cancer.  And it is a devastating thing to endure and also try to maintain a healthy dating and social life. As my friend Nicole so candidly put it on her national blog “My Fabulous Boobies”:

“I do not want to live the rest of my life alone. But at the same time, I am absolutely terrified of putting my feelings, emotions and everything else on the line and end up disappointed. Dating was crazy and hard before breast cancer. Today, it is compounded by the fact that (God-willing) I will be living with the after-effects of having breast cancer for the rest of my life. There will always be some concern, some fear… some nagging something that will linger around my life and have to be dealt with head-on.  The question that lingers is… if it was hard to accept that someone could stick with me through my very “Nicole-ness” before cancer… my goodness, who is that man who will be willing to take on that PLUS millions of doctor visits, unexpected medical bills, fatigue, body changes and so on? This is REAL LIFE STUFF and it’s serious.”

I am convinced that part of the reason Fran lived as long as she did is not because of the chemo drugs, or the excellent care that Dr. Edith Mitchell (Medical Oncologist & Associate Director of Diversity for the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.) provided her but it was because of the circle of love, prayers and support she received on a daily basis from her loved ones and her sister friends.

As someone who has suffered with a difficult auto-immune disease since I was 36, I know what it is like to endure such an unexpected and life changing diagnosis.  I want all women to have the circle of love and support that Fran & Venessa have as two older married women. Not just in theory but in practice.

It is my hope that all of us who know a sister who is fighting Breast Cancer alone, will step up and reach out to her on a regular with cards, gifts, time, calls, food baskets, and the like; and by doing so I promise you that you will prolong her spirit, her journey and her life.

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Sophia A. Nelson is a regular Essence & Essence.com contributor

Fabulous, stunning, intelligent, warm, caring, devoted, successful, open, graceful, patient, kind, authentic, liberated, funny, multi-talented, entrepreneurial, powerful yet meek, strong yet feminine, nurturing, truthful, uncovered, seeking, spiritual, giving, loving and most of all triumphant.

These are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think of the beautiful accomplished black women that I know who have shaped my life, served as my role-models, been my self-less caretakers, inspired me, encouraged me, stuck by me, loved me, and who have helped to make me the woman I am today. All of you know women like this too. We are special, unique, precious and priceless. To say these things aloud is in no way meant to diminish the equally wonderful characteristics of our white, Latina, Asian, Middle-Eastern & Native American sisters. Not at All.

But today I want to speak to us—the sisters who take care of everyone else—the sisters who go out and earn the money and still raise the family—the sisters who hold it down in an often hostile corporate or professional workplace. The sisters who quietly and patiently endure life’s slights, hurts, set-backs, and disruptions. Many of who endure them alone without that God intended coverer in the form of a husband or provider. Many of us are crying inside (I know), many of us are hiding, many of us want someone to say out-loud what we feel everyday—screaming at the top of our lungs (only doing so in our minds).

This is my “love letter” to the ladies who need to hear that they matter too, and that their contributions to our community and to each other will be well remembered generations from now. So often we get trashed at work, betrayed by false friends, battered by deadly words, shunned by weak men, envied by even weaker women who did not have the courage to go out and do what we did but want to reap the benefits just the same. Don’t let the rest of the world trick you into believing that you are less than, not as valuable as, or somehow born to just “endure”. That is not true dear sisters—it simply is a lie.

Too often we (ME) focus on the bad sisters we have come across. The ones who have maimed us, maligned us, stabbed us in the back. We focus on those who we believed loved us and yet who walked away without so much of a warning—we focus on those who told us what we could not be or what we could not achieve. As TD Jakes so rightly says “Let them GO—they were never meant for you—their part in your story is over. Accept it and move forward.

Shame on us for wasting our life’s precious energy in that way. We spend far too much time tearing one another down and not building each other up. Too many of us in positions to be role-models and servants, mentors, and repairers of the so-called breach—instead choose to hide, duck, and leave it to “someone else”. Too many of us in positions of power and influence talk one game, but live another. Just so you know, no-one is fooled sister—we see you– You will always know a woman’s heart by how she lives, by the fruit she bears in the form of her service to others, by her sacrifices of self to help others, by her willingness to elevate others higher, and by the impact of her positive deeds not the fleeting nature of her empty words.

We are not only meant to experience joy, love, happiness, and peace of mind—many of us are doing so and many of us are thriving in ways that we never celebrate!

I have been writing this “love letter” of sorts to my sisters for some months now, but nothing helped to focus me more on what I wanted to say than what I experienced last May in Naples, Florida with over 600 “sisters” from around the country. I was blessed enough to attend as a speaker the 10th annual Odyssey Women’s Network Conference. I am still on a high months later because I had a chance to see who we really are on a full-scale represented in every age, from every region of the country. I had no earthly idea (and I mean this) that there were so many successful, happily married, mothers of all ages who also happen to be accomplished black female powerhouses in America. That Is not the picture we see every day and it is one we all need to see more of.

I so needed this experience. I needed to be among my sisters. I needed to see that despite all that challenges us we are THRIVING and we are navigating, growing, learning, and transforming our lives into the direction of our hopes and dreams.

The world often sees us and describes us as too angry, too independent, too overbearing, too strong, not feminine enough, not “soft” enough, too hard, too bitter, too broken, too shallow, too and on and on. You all know the words. You have all experienced them in your workplace, and sadly in your families and relationships. Sometimes to be candid those words fit us. I have met the sisters (sadly most of them older than me and who should know better) and sometimes I have been the sister who was always looking for a fight, always looking to give someone a piece of my mind, always looking to “set her straight”. Always ready to “box”—when being corrected—always ready to throw a punch back and in doing so miss the message and opportunity for personal growth.

YUCK is all I can say—We need to get over it and STOP it.

Black women are resilient. They are strong, beautiful, and ever present. While I think many of the strengths we possess as a unique group likely apply to all women, there is no other group of women on earth that shares our great story. There is no group of women quite like us on earth. Dare I say no form of human being on earth that has demonstrated time and time again the ability to be knocked down, torn down, shattered and yet We originate from the center of the birthplace of civilization and we have endured the unthinkable. Embrace all that is wonderful about you sisters and remember we live in special times. Times that require us to mentor, encourage, uplift and inspire each other and the next generation of sisters!

If I have not love, I am nothing!

Sophia A. Nelson, President of iask

iask is proud to support and participate with the Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in conjunction with the Howard University School of Social Work as they proudly present the 2009 “Pink Project” on Saturday, October 10, 2009 on the campus of the Howard University at the Blackburn Center located at 2400 6th St, NW Washington, DC. This conference will promote and foster healthy minds, bodies and spirits. This event is free for the public. It starts at 8:30 am and ends at 11 am.

Women’s Health Roundtable and Health Consultation 2009 Focus:
Women’s Health: Disparities, Risks & Alternatives

Keynote Speaker
Eleanor Hinton-Hoytt
President & CEO
Black Women’s Health Imperative

Luncheon Speaker
Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever
Director of Research, Public Policy and Information
National Council of Negro Women

Afternoon Black Women’s
Health Town Hall Meeting
Let your voice be heard.
Share your ideas about how to improve Black women’s health

For information contact Vivian Smith, at 202-582-4348 or visit www.akaxo.org.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Join us during the month of October as we partner with Susan G. Komen’s “Circle of Promise” Campaign.  The past five (5) years we have seen first hand what Breast Cancer can do and we are fighting MAD!  The sisters of iask will be hosting pink parties in our October Buddy Group Meetings at the end of this month TBA.

We do so in memory of Francene Robinson, Sheryl Flowers and other who we lost to Breast Cancer in 2009.  We do so in honor of Nicole McLean, Aida Olevincia, and Venessa Bates as they fight against the disease right now. Please help us in this fight and go to our website www.iaskinc.org  for more information on our anti-Breast Cancer activities.

More Details to Come on Pink Parties soon!

iask President, Political Commentator, Blogger Sophia Nelson

iask President, popular blogger and media commentator/political analyst Sophia A. Nelson will be a featured panelist on the popular Emerging Leaders Town Hall Forum hosted by Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS), as well as Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr’s (D-IL) annual forum. This year’s focus will be from Lincoln to Obama.  This year’s panels will be moderator by CNN & TV One Host Roland Martin, and CNBC Contributor Keith Boykin respectively.  For more information please go to www.cbcfinc.org . Both panels will be held on Friday beginning at 9:00AM-4PM with breaks in between for the ladies luncheon.

Happy fall iask members and friends!

We want to start off the new season by saying how proud we are of our iask sisters CNN Washington Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux for being named Journalist of the Year by Essence Magazine and Atlanta’s Southern Company; Demonia “Dee” Dean of Booz Allen Hamilton for being named the recipient of the prestigious Women of Color (WOC) in Technology Award, recognizing her many contributions in Community Service; and to our iask men’s advisory board member David J. Byrd who is Prince Georges County Maryland’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Operations and Environment for being named the “Champion of Minority Business Award”.
iask has a busy fall and winter season ahead and we want to encourage members of the public and media to go to our new website at http://www.iaskinc.org and register for the 2009 5th Anniversary iask Holiday Tea & Awards Luncheon which will be hosted on December 12, 2009 at the Sheraton Premiere in Tyson’s Corner Virginia.  Please see the events section of the iask website for details and registration information.
On another note, iask Sister Buddy groups will resume this month and we will be hosting a regional buddy group (Northeast region) gathering with some of our sister partner organization to watch a viewing of Chris Rock’s new movie, “Good Hair”.  We will post more details next week. Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed week!