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March 8
Woman of Excellence
Excellence
is defined as: The Quality of Being Excellent; A state of possessing good
qualities in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority in virtue; a title
of honor or respect.
Defined as
such; A woman of excellence is someone who displays an immense level of passion
in her field of work or craft. She is publicly recognized by others for her
achievements and she does not grow weary in well doing. She is someone who
separates herself from any in crowd, and she stands firm in her understanding
of her being. A woman of excellence acknowledges where she derived and her
light illuminates through her work.
A woman of
excellence focuses her attention on community outreach and finds pleasure in
practicing community service. She encourages others to assist in strengthening
their communities through volunteer efforts.
While every
measure of education exhibits a great stride towards excellence, no woman is
ever excluded from recognition due to any dearth in any one area of her
life. Yet, this woman inspires women to
meet their goals, encourages women to press toward higher learning and uplifts
those who feel left behind or who are seeking a shoulder brace upon.
Woman of Excellence: March 2010Naomi aka “Miss Foxy
HotSawce”  Born and raised in a small town many may never have heard of until now, Naomi, was a special child. Anderson, South Carolina is not a bad place to live, in fact, had it not been for that small town, the motivation and drive harbored within Naomi would have been wasted.
“Trial and error, as some may call it became my best friend. I am what one would call a creative soul…”
As
a child she’d pretend to be on the radio, playing songs and “talking”
to the listeners, or some days she would venture out into the business
world drawing up plans and ideas for “clients,” all while sitting and gazing out the window in her bedroom…
She
went through the phases of every child, but simply felt the desires of
an adult. She knew she wanted to own a business and she also knew it
cost money. So, she began to work while attending school; often times,
two jobs at a time.
“I remember going to school and hating it…but it was expected and I knew I could not disappoint my family.” She decided to go to the local technical college to pursue something, but she had no clue of what exactly she wanted to do. She contemplated nightly about where her life should go.
She
decided that accounting was for her, and after winning events and
showcasing her abilities in high school, she pursued the field of
accounting. Although, she was impressed with the amount of money to be
made she simply couldn’t rest on this being the career for her. She
even advanced to a local college by the name of Clemson University.
There she pursued a Bachelors in Accounting/Business Management. After a
while her life seemed to become a blur, and happiness was nothing but a
memory…
A few years passed and life handed over a mountain of options, obstacle courses, as well as, a
few hard lessons. She even had the opportunity in a small business to
pursue this accounting field she’d studied. This lasted two years and
in the lapse of these years, Naomi found something very odd. She had begun to realize that she was indeed special. This, is where the birth of “Foxy,” arrived.
It
was not a mere alias but it helped Naomi tap into her inner creativity
as well as her inner diva. She decided to run with it and created the
brand known as Foxy Brand, which was officially established in the fall
of 2006. Naomi knew she could do anything but also knew that everything
needed a center focus. This was her brand, and it would be what
represented her and her efforts. 
She’d
always found herself thinking outside the box quite often and with most
concepts she more often than a few times took them deeper and deeper
than expected. As the same manner of the concept of maybe everyone does
not like peanut butter smooth; perhaps some like it a little crunchy.
This is how Naomi began to grasp life!
Later
down the road Naomi had the opportunity to enlist on an elite team
aiding and developing the networking site for music industry
professionals. She interacted and found some really inspirational friends and mentors. From there, many networking opportunities rose forth bringing new and brighter avenues for Naomi to branch out further. ..
“I’ve
learned that when you truly aid people in enthusiasm, potential, goals,
concepts and ideas; it will indeed spark a greater and priceless
movement! Thus, I began to have a fulfilling life!”
After a few months, Naomi realized she truly wanted to help people via her talents. Her talents included graphic design (simplySOPHISTICATED designs), promotional freelance writing,
and network consultations. This birthed her second mental child…The
HotSawce. The HotSawce, the name itself speaks an oddity in itself. The
main focus of the HotSawce is to provide an outlet for some of the hottest things happening in a city via person, place or event. Although, it is not a new concept it is certainly a highway of distinct characteristics and enthusiasm the world needs.
She
is currently back in school pursuing a field that will enhance her
abilities and constructive thinking. She is currently pursuing a degree
in Drafting and Design. “I’m only what God has created and molded, the rest comes with ease…” “What’s Hot in a City Near You?!?” is the popular phrase behind her current project, The HotSawce, and the rest…is yet to come. © 2010
simplysophinc@yahoo.com
- Graphics
thehotsawce@gmail.com -
The HotSawce
404.487.8651 - The
HotSawce
864.553.6089 - Simply
Sophisticated Designs
Women of Excellence: February 2010
KEA Event Planners is comprised of three business-savvy
women, (Kwana Walker, Eva Sumlar, and
Anetra Gibbs).
Kwana brings her culinary expertise and her
love for preparing meals for large crowds. Kwana adds business acumen built
upon her degree in Accounting and working in the corporate and entertainment
world.
Eva
brings her great poise
and personality. She’s a great articulator and an amazing people person. She
contributes her degrees in both Advertising and Public Relations from City College
and a Web Design degree from Katherine Gibbs.
Anetra adds her cooking & baking expertise
along with her great sense of design and style. She’s a graduate of NYC Technical
College where she
received degrees in both Micro-Computer Business Systems and Computer Systems
Technology.
Website Info
Woman of Excellence: January 2010Tawana L. AndersonofInspr'd Boutique
Tawana L. Anderson is the owner of an online women's boutique called
Inspr'd Boutique. Inspr'd Boutique sells unique and inspiring
handbags, handbag accessories, wallets, clutches, jewelry, shoes and
skin care products to the fashion savvy woman at an affordable price. Women apparel will be added to Inspr'd Boutique's inventory in 2010. Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Tawana now lives in Marietta, GA with her daughter, Dreu and her two Shih Tzu's, Gizmo and Oreo. In her free time she enjoys a variety of activities from reading, running, salsa, kick boxing, flag football, etc. Tawana graduated with her B.B.A.-Finance from Howard University. She is currently working full time for the FDIC as a bank examiner and is also pursuing her MBA at Emory University. In addition to Inspr’d Boutique’s online presence, Tawana markets Inspr'd Boutique via trunk shows
and private parties. With the experience she is gaining running an
online business coupled with the MBA degree she will have in May 2010,
Tawana plans to open a brick and mortar operation in 2011. 
 There's
little, if any, denying that Mary J. Blige is one of the greatest
singers of our time. The proof is in the consistent #1 albums and
singles, six (6) Grammy awards, seven (7) multi-platinum records and
15-years of love from the public, critics and fellow artists. Since her
1992 debut - the modern classic What's the 411 all the way to 2005's
stunning The Breakthrough Mary J. Blige has helped to redefine R&B,
and more importantly, been an artist that uses her gift to lift
spirits, touch lives and bring her heart, soul and truth to those who
are willing to listen.
 Mary's eighth studio CD, Growing Pains, comes on the heels of Mary's
best-selling anthology Reflections (2006). It's also her first CD of
new material since The Breakthrough debuted at #1, selling over an
astonishing 700,000 copies its first week - setting a record at that
time as the best opening week for a solo R&B female artist in
SoundScan history. The album's first single, "Be Without You," also
made chart history by holding down the #1 spot on the Billboard "Top
R&B/Hip Hop Albums" chart for a record breaking sixteen (16)
straight weeks; making it her biggest hit, so far, of a career filled
with them. In addition "Be Without You" made its way into history books
when it became the longest running #1 song on the R&B chart in over
40 years. As if that wasn't achievement enough The Breakthrough and "Be
Without You" earned an astonishing eight (8) Grammy award nominations
with Mary winning three (3). 
Ask what fans can expect from Growing Pains and Mary J. Blige is
characteristically upfront. "They're going to get a sense of what my
state of mind is and how I view the world," she says. "And hopefully,
most of all, they're going to hear just the sincere honesty and love
that I have for them. I'm always putting myself out there like, look. I
love ya'll. I got ya'll. I'm rocking with ya'll. So that's what they're
going to get, that commitment. I hope they're going to be very happy
with that."
You can hear Mary's own happiness and strength all throughout
Growing Pains. Working in partnership with some of the best in the game
e.g., Tricky and Dream, Neyo and Stargate, The Neptunes, Dre and Vidal,
Jazze Pha, Sean Garrett, and featuring guest appearances by Ludacris,
and Usher, Growing Pains is the sound of an artist in love, in touch,
in control, and not afraid to show it. More than anything Growing Pains
gives you straight up Mary letting the public share her world, and
delivering a message that says, Love yourself. Believe in yourself and
kick negativity to the curb. 
Mary makes her message loud, clear and seriously funky on the hit
single "Just Fine," produced by Jazze Pha and Tricky and written by
Mary and Dream. The single makes for Mary's eighteenth (18th) top 10
single on Billboard's "Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs" chart tying her with
Mariah Carey for the most Top 10 songs on the chart in the Neilson
Music Era (from 1993). "Just Fine," a celebration of life, gives you
Mary fierce and (as the video shows) glamorous. The songs' vibe?
"Sometimes it feels like you're having this miserable time, like all
365 days of the year are tough. But then, you get one of those days;
maybe when your hair is great, or you're not stuck in traffic; where
it's a 'just fine' day. At some point," Mary laughs. "You've got to
have one or two of those." 
The party and positivity keeps on keeping on with the rump shaking
second single "Work That" - currently featured on an Apple iPod
commercial. "Work That" is upbeat, strong and deals with finding the
good in you. "When I meet a woman who doesn't know what to do about her
weight or her hair I always says to her 'whatever it is that you have,
make that work for you, work what you got."'
Mary takes her own advice on the non-stop jam "Till the Morning."
Produced by the Neptune's and written by Pharrell, "Till The Morning"
takes you way back by referencing 80's club classics. Mary states:
"It's about whatever your 'till the morning' is. If it's hanging in the
club all night, if it's lying in bed with your man and enjoying him all
night - that's your 'till the morning'."
Love's the force behind "Roses," another collaboration with Tricky
Stewart and The Dream. Mid tempo, emotional and grown, "Roses" is about
having to work to make it work, the real in relationships, and that
it's not always all roses and candy.
Relationships are also the theme on the sultry "Shake Down," a
mid-tempo duet with Usher that has the feel of those classic R& B
partnerships.
Throughout Growing Pains you hear Mary pushing herself in ways she
never has: especially vocally. There are jazzy inflections, girl group
coquettishness, nuanced phrasing: a full range of tones and textures.
She also continues to mature in the studio: taking control of the
total recording and creative process and doing so with confidence and
chops. "Making records is different than when I started because now I
know what I want and there's not fifty people running the show. Now
(husband/creative partner) Kendu Isaacs and I run the show. Kendu's ear
is good, my ear is good, and we're honest with each other."
Needless to say, when you have that type of success all eyes are on
the next release. Mary keeps it all in perspective by focusing on what
really matters. The journey. The growth. The love. And as always the
music and the fans. "I'm still trying to heal and get better and that's
what Growing Pains represents. It's about accepting that there's pain
that goes along with growing and change. No pain, no gain."
            
Blige is a spokesperson and investor for Carol's Daughter beauty products and a Citibank spokesperson with Nickelback during the 2008 holiday season. Blige has also had endorsement contracts with Reebok, Air Jordan, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Gap, Target, American Express, AT&T, M·A·C, Apple Inc. and Chevrolet.
She has her own record label called Matriarch Records, which is distributed through Geffen.
Philanthropy
Blige was a spokesperson for the M·A·C AIDS Fund. She appeared in two ads, one with Lil' Kim in 2000 and the other with Elton John and Shirley Manson in 2002.
She was one of the featured singers on the CNN Heroes Awards Show on December 6, 2007.
Blige lent her voice to the 2008 song, Just Stand Up. The proceeds
benefited Stand Up to Cancer. As a result of SU2C fundraising
endeavors, the SU2C scientific advisory committee, overseen by the American Association for Cancer Research[22] was able to award 73.6 million dollars towards novel, groundbreaking cancer research.[23]
On May 9, 2008, the Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, Inc. (FFAWN) was announced at Roosevelt High School in Yonkers. According to the foundation's website,
"FFAWN is an organization founded by Mary J. Blige to inspire women
from all walks of life to reach their individual potential. Through
scholarships, grants, and programs that foster strong self-esteem,
career development, and personal growth, FFAWN is intended to help
women gain the confidence and skills they need to achieve success.
FFAWN will initially focus its efforts in Yonkers and surrounding
communities in Westchester and then expand its scope to include the
Greater New York area and, eventually, the entire country. The Mary J.
Blige Center for Women has opened in Yonkers.
Woman of Excellence: November 2009
 CEO, Alive Incorporated
Founder & Editor in Chief ALIVE Magazine
~Coach
~Brand & Philanthropic Strategist
~Speaker
Ms. Adamson has over 13 years of professional experience in the oil and gas and manufacturing industries as
well as telecommunications, education and non-profit sectors. Ms. Adamson is the owner of Alive Incorporated,
a firm providing it clients with business consulting, brand management, marketing and coaching services. Ms.
Adamson also publishes ALIVE Magazine, a monthly publication for aspiring and current entrepreneurial
women of color. This magazine motivates, inspires, and encourages women to bring dreams to life. The
mission of this publication is to nourish women’s dreams through access to resources, networking,
development opportunities and avenues for advertising her business.
As a business and life coach, she coaches
entrepreneurs and professionals to identify priorities and align their values and actions while developing
effective strategies to make progress toward life goals. Ms. Adamson is also a featured columnist in several
publications.
Ms. Adamson is currently developing the infrastructure and curriculum for an Entrepreneurial Academy. The
academy focuses on providing the tools necessary for individuals to successfully establish and maintain a
business that will contribute to the economic development of communities – on a local and global scale.
Through The Savane Group, Ms. Adamson and her team work to engender an increased spirit of successful
philanthropy within individuals in the sports, entertainment and business sectors. The Savane Group provides
a wide range of philanthropic consulting and management services, including management of foundations and
charitable organizations, fund raising as well as program and event management.
An Oklahoma native, Ms. Adamson has a history of leadership and community involvement. She is past
President of The Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League’s Young Professionals auxiliary and now serves as Vice
President. She has also served as a consultant and mentor for Junior Achievement. She is actively involved
with Women’s Advocacy the Minority/Majority of South Florida. She is a recent graduate of the inaugural pilot
leadership program focused on economic development in North Tulsa. She also tutors students in
mathematics and reading.
Ms. Adamson is available for lectures and keynotes, conferences, workshops, sales and leadership training,
media interview, as well as club meetings and fundraisers. Her most requested programs are in the areas of
empowerment, entrepreneurship and diversity.
- Empowerment – One Life to Live, From Dreams to Reality!
- Entrepreneurship – Building Foundations, Leaving a Legacy
- Diversity – Valuing Diversity -- Community & Workplace Excellence
To book Ms. Adamson for speaking engagements, or to learn more about the services provided, please send allinquiries to events@brandyadamson.com. 
Woman of Excellence: October 2009
Akilah S. Richards
Akilah S.
Richards is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University where she studied
Speech Communications. As a full-time freelance writer, author, mom
blogger, and business owner, her energies are devoted to nurturing her
family and her brand, fittingly monikered, Execumama. The brand consists of her first book, Execumama: A Pocket Guide for the Twenty-something Mommy on the Move (Wheatmark, 2007), her Web site, www.execumama.com, and her popular mom blog, Execumama Online.
Execumama.com will be launching a series of workshops and forums
through which mothers ages 21 to 35 can find resources, networking
opportunities, and comradery amidst society's assertion that women
--minorities in particular --cannot be successful businesswomen and
committed mothers. Her goal through Execumama, is to help young
mothers embrace the credo: Define, Design, and Live your fullest
version of Woman.
As a freelance writer and co-owner of Voz Visual
Designs, a graphic design boutique agency, she has helped launch
campaigns, revise copy, and write articles for a variety of print and
Web-based entities. Her client list includes, among others, Mommy Too!
Magazine, MySalonScoop.com, Odyssey Couleur Magazine, IONA Magazine,
MamaUsedToSay.com, e-biz Jamaica, Shepreneur Magazine and CaribLifeCentral.com. 
Originally from St. Andrew, Jamaica, Akilah remains an active
part of the Caribbean community through her role as Board member,
Education committee Chair, and alternate secretary for United for
Jamaica, an Atlanta-based non-profit that provides awareness,
resources, and manpower to assist with various projects in Jamaica, and
the Caribbean diaspora. She is also a newly-appointed Board member of
The Padgett House, a metro-Atlanta non-profit agency created to assist
women and children in situations of domestic violence and parent
incarseration. Despite her ambitious endeavours, Akilah's most
important roles remain as wife and mother. She lives in metro Atlanta
with her two daughters, her husband, and her trusty laptop, Zion.
Akilah S. Richards
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