Be A Whistleblower for Peace

This initiative has moved me in more ways than I can express. I will be a whistle blower for peace. Support the cause! I got my whistle!

Tough Day? Think Positive!

I always try to find the good in everything. I'm breathing life!

Breathing Life or Sucking It?

Everyday you run across someone that is either breathing life or sucking life.  And everyday, whether you know it or not, you either breathe life or suck life.

Are you a person that gets really excited when someone shares a great idea with you? Do you immediately jump on board and share in their excitement? Do you offer resources and suggestions to help them make their dream into a reality?  Do you offer love?

If this is you, you are breathing life into possibilities.

Or are you the person that sucks the excitement out of someone’s great idea by immediately pointing out the flaws and impossibilities in that idea? Are you the one that is quick to reject an idea, but slow to offer suggestions? Are you pessimistic – finding something wrong in everything?  

If this is you, you are sucking the life out of possibilities, thus you aren’t open to seeing possibilities, even when it is right in front of you.  You have made it extremely uncomfortable for others to be around you, and to share with you because they anticipate your lack of support and excitement. 

If this is you, why are you functioning this way? What are you NOT confronting head on? What are you fearful of? Why won’t you allow yourself (or others) to fully enjoy the splendors of the world? What is really bothering you?

What is your story?

Let me help you unravel it.

Contact me at: Akua@EmpowerMeGNEP.org  

A Love Story

I day dream about you. I write about you. I share you and your vision with everyone that is willing to listen (and even to those that don’t appear to be interested). I fanaticize about the things we will build together – the legacy we will leave behind.  I have butterflies in my stomach whenever you are near. Yet you give me sustenance. You give me financial stability and freedom that I could have never envisioned.  You give me strength to keep on keeping on.  You make my heart smile. You are my love. You are my lifeline.

I long for the day when we can be exclusive.  

You are - the Gye Nyame Empowerment Project.  

A little Glimpse into what Support Looks Like

As I sat in our 4^th Annual Sista-2-Sista Youth Summit Planning Committee meeting, I couldn’t help but to smile and give thanks for all that has transpired since we launched the first youth summit a few years ago.  The Planning Committee is growing, the Summit is growing, my Spirit is growing, and I give thanks. 

As I looked across the room, I saw a group of BEAUTIFUL women that were merely my reflection. They are women committed to empowering young girls, women committed to showing girls that there are options, there are possibilities. Women who believe in a sista with a dream.  Women who could have used their talents in many other ways, but women who have chosen to share their talents with me and for my dream.  Women who have been impeccable with their word.  Women that every community longs for and needs. They are self-less and giving.  Open and loving.  Committed to my vision. They are my sistas and I can’t wait to introduce each and everyone of them to you!

I give thanks!

The Impact of Indecision

Choice is a powerful tool that enables you to take control of your life. So why are some people so resistant to making a decision? What are they afraid of? What is the worse that could happen?

Your indecision impacts everyone, and so does your decision. So if you are going to have an impact either way, you mine as well do it intentionally.

Today's Daily Lesson: Stop pitter-pattering around an issue. Make a decision so you can create room for new possibilities to come forth.

When the Universe Aligns

As I embark on this journey of becoming a Master in unraveling people's stories and helping them create new possibilities, opportunities continue to unfold before my very eyes, every minute of the day. Yesterday was no different.

I finally connected with a friend that I haven't spoken to in ages and she informed me about a certification program that focuses essentially on this concept of unraveling stories.  More information to come but I just wanted to share that when you put something out there, be prepared for the world to align.

In love. 

What Moves me - "The Boys of Baraka"

These young men from Baltimore had the opportunity to travel to Kenya to experience a new way of life. To experience a different culture.  To create a new story.  

This is the work that moves me. This is the work that makes my heart beat, and smile. I too will create opportunities like this for our youth and their parents.  

Trailer to Boys of Baraka

Doing What you Love

Sometimes doing what you love to do is met with skepticism because it may not be the most traditional or the most lucrative path from someone else’s perspective.  However, you must be so passionate about what you love, that you are willing to stand for it.  You are willing to challenge others for it. You are willing to do whatever it takes for it.  You are willing to overcome fears.  You are willing to break through barriers.  You are willing to stare adversity in the face and state – “Welcome”.  It is when you’ve gotten to this point that you’re truly one and the same as your passion and NOTHING can sever this tie. 

Inner Monologue, Scene 1: The Q Train

As I sat there on the Q train, I sat quite annoyed that the lady directly across from me felt the need to push her way through me to be the first one on the train.  I mean I was really fuming - trying to calm myself down.  Thinking - who does she think SHE is? I mean, does she think she deserves to be on the train before me because of the day she had? Well, what about my day lady? You have no idea what kind of day I had. 


Does she think the place she has to get to is more important than the place I have to get to? Did I miss something here? I mean we will both get on this train - we will both get to our destinations eventually.  What makes her think it is OK to push through people to get on the train? There is an order to this whole train thing lady. Clearly you didn't get the manual! I was patiently waiting for the train for 10 minutes, and you bum-rushed your way through as soon as the train pulled up. Cutting right in front of me.  Not even acknowledging that I was there. 


Really, who do you think you are? Do you feel entitled for some reason? Do you feel the need to be in control? Oh - I get it - you think you're better than me. Is that what it is?


Then I saw something that quieted my inner voice. I actually allowed myself to look at the woman.  I saw her through her own eyes and I saw something beautifully innocent.  I saw a tired woman.  I saw a woman who worked tirelessly for her family.  I saw a woman who had endured so much and asked for so little. I saw a woman who could have easily been my mother. And then, I saw that she had 5 heavy bags with her!


That was when it dawned on me.  She just wanted to ensure that she got a seat because she had so many bags! 


It was that simple. 

Today's Daily Lesson: Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to make someone wrong that we are not present to what the reality is.  

I am a Creator

I create a new me every day. I am not bounded by my past.  I am not bounded. PERIOD.  Being a creator is about being able to see possibilities in everything.  I see possibilities in everything and understand that there is possibilities even within a “no”.  If there is a “no”, there is a “no because……”. Once you find out the reason behind the “no”, 9 times out of 10 you will recognize the various possibilities within it.

Daily Affirmation: Today I choose to recognize the possibilities in "no".

India Arie - Beautiful Flower

India Arie has been my inspiration since she hit the music scene. Her words are encouraging and inspirational. As I listen to this particular song, it breathes life back into my existence and reminds me that all it takes is for me to believe in myself.

We are all beautiful flowers that are powerful, brilliant and resilient. Don't fight your beauty. Let the world see your light.

"as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same".

~Marianne Williamson~