A Night Filled with Purple Promises

A Night filled with Purple Promises...

Purple has always been my favorite color and sees it on a sea of empowered women always puts a smile on my face. The date was Saturday, October 14, 2017. The location Columbus, GA Trade and Convention Center. The Event is Purple Promises Domestic Violence Awareness Gala. 

Women and men gathered in one place for a night of celebration, newness, and life. Everyone looked beautiful as the pictures were being taken, compliments were given and hugs were exchanged. Twelve (12) women were honored for their commitment to change for themselves by saying no more to enduring a domestic violence situation. 

Founder of Powerful Beginnings ~ Monika Thornton was no exception to the rule. As a domestic violence survivor herself, when she made the decision to endure it any longer, she knew she wanted to help others once they made the transition not to go back. 

Powerful Beginnings have been doing some impactful things in the Columbus, GA area so when they asked me to be the Mistress of Ceremonies, I couldn't resist. It was a wonderful night and experience for me. Meeting wonderful people, both survivors and supporters made it a night to remember.

The Importance of Self Care

The Importance of Self Care…

It sounds so simple, but yet overlooked.  Often times, we get up and go without taking enough time to ensure that we’re applying the proper self-care for ourselves.  We need to be able to ensure that the necessary steps are taken in order to keep ourselves strengthen on a daily basis.

As people of color, our day to day struggles, opportunities and/or challenges can tend to be different than what other races and cultures might be faced with.  It’s unfortunate, however, very real.  Our thoughts consist of dealing with micro aggression in the workplace, chronic stress and climate changes and challenges within the current society.  We are a resilient people, however, we still need to provide self-care.  It could be as small as eating more vegetables, taking breaks throughout the day to stretch more or going to be early.  These are just a few small, simple and yet significant ones that can be incorporated.  

The SisterCARE Alliance is designed to give people (both men and women) the tools needed to begin a self-care regimen and lifestyle.  The majority of the recipients are women, however, men have been on board and supportive as well.  Anana Harris Parris, Founder of Sister Alliance spoke of this vision as she was going through her own discovery in need of self-care.  The self-care guide titled 'Self-Care Matters – A Revolutionary’s Approach' helps individuals address and undercover all areas that are needed.  By taking one step at a time, having someone hold you accountable and seeing your growth from one week to the next is what it’s all about.  The goal is for individuals to adapt to a self-care revolution; owning what they need and being able to identify those critical needs on a daily basis.  

For more information about obtaining a self-care revolutionary life, go to www.sisterCareAlliance.org or send an email to sistercarealliance@gmail.com. 

Check out the replay of the radio show here. Subscribe to Real Chicks Rock!™ YouTube Channel. 

Music in Our Souls

I would have never imagined that from the first time that I heard music that I would be so in love with it. I have to have music in my life every single day. It just calms my spirit. It soothes my soul. It is so good to my ears. It's so good to my feet. My spirit just smiles every time I hear it. Music is THAT powerful. And I'm so glad that RCR has some form of impact and influence through music. March was a music madness month! We've just had so many wonderful events that we were a part of-- I don't even know where to begin.

Being involved and co-hosting one of Atlanta's #1 house day parties was great. DJ Kemetik was one of the featured DJs and it was just a GREAT day in the afternoon for us. People enjoyed themselves, they had a great time. And to see the sea of people in the room dancing and vibing to a form of music that I love so much was AWESOME! I want to thank EVERYONE who came out for that seeing them wearing their RCR T-shirts was just a very humbling experience. Then we took the movement down to Miami-- South Beach if you will-- for the Winter Music Conference. To be able to have my DJ play in a historic hotel, The Chesterfield, where previous house DJs played years before, was just an epic day for us. It was a good day, great energy in the room, and everyone enjoyed what he delivered. So that was a good day.

To wrap it all up, being able to have Soul Spin Youth DJs play at Urban Grind coffee shop here in Atlanta, I always enjoy when they come because they are always excited about music and what they're doing through their DJing skills. We're thankful to Trey West allowing his kids to spend an afternoon with us. But what really softened my heart was that my son, Christopher, had DJ'd for the VERY first time ever. And had a WONDERFUL experience. NOW we might have a new hobby, we'll see! 

There's just so much to do in the area of music, it touches so many lives. And yes, again, I am very thankful that the little contributions that I am able to make through music is well recieved, accepted, and touches the lives of many. Real Chicks Rock! 

- Michelle Dawes Birt 

CEO/Founder

#RCR

#RealChicksRock

#RockON