My Life

Dating 101: Where to Find Hot Dates!!!

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Dating 101: Where do you find hot dates? I’ve been blessed to have a healthy and active dating life. I’ve even once contributed to an Essence Magazine article on “Where to find Good Men!” 🔥 🔥🔥

What I’ve found that WORKS is being open to new and fun possibilities. Where do you meet quality dates? The truth is ANYWHERE!!!

Social Media: I’ve met men online via social media (Facebook/Black Planet/Mingle City/Message Boards). This opens up the possibility to TRAVEL and meet men and women outside of your immediate area. As an Air Force Veteran I continuously moved to new areas. Social Media sites really helped me not only meet new men but helped me to build lifelong friendships.

Dating Sites: Online dating sites (Black People Meet/Tinder/POF/Match.com) are great pathways to engaging and meeting new prospects. Try changing your profile when you prepare for travel and meet local men and women no matter where you are around the globe. The beauty of the internet is that you are not limited to your geographical region. You can date and connect with potential lovers throughout the world. Your possibilities are limitless.

Non-profit/Civic Associations: If you value SERVICE you can meet high-quality and civically engaged partners while SERVING!

• Political organizations (Young Democrats/Local Political Clubs)
• Non-profit Orgs (United Way/Greater Washington Urban League Young Professionals Network/National Society of Black Engineers/National Association of Black Journalists)
• Volunteering (Career Days at Local Schools/Partners in Education/Mentoring, Serving Food to the Homeless and Habitat for Humanity.)

Church/Religious Organizations: If you desire a partner that serves God or a higher power it may be beneficial to focus your energy on going to church or religious events. Singles Ministries and Bible Study or other activities open the pathway to serve God but also connect with someone who holds the same beliefs.

On the Job: Work is the least likely place that I would look for a partner but it’s inevitable. You can peacefully date a coworker or someone that works at your job but use discretion. Impromptu lunch dates or coffee breaks can be fun!

Everyday Life: Keep your ears and eyes open as you go through life. Your husband or wife may be at the grocery story. I hear Wegman’s is a great place to explore. You might encounter your love at a Happy Hour or while out on the town to see a play. The key is “Be ready and keep your heart and mind open.”

Love,

Simply Ebony ❤❤️❤

God’s Child – How I Survived Trauma and Turned Tragedy into Truimph

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A poster from a social media group recently asked, “on a scale of 1-7 what are your beliefs according to the Dawkins Scale?” I thought initially, “why is this today’s discussion?” I’m definitely a 1, I believe strongly in God and know without Him I am nothing. I’ve survived so much trauma in life: CHILD ABUSE, RAPE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, and WAR. It’s because of God’s grace that I survived and turned Tragedy into Triumph!

There have been multiple times when I questioned God and asked why He would allow so much hurt in my life? After I was raped at the tender age of 15, I turned away from God for the first time. I’ve learned without God as my center, my life spirals out of control. Sure I could have chose to hate God and hate those who hurt me. Instead, I chose love. One day at my lowest point I literally dropped to my knees and prayed. I asked God to use me as his vessel to help others heal.

Once I FINALLY started living my life God’s way I’ve been abundantly blessed. I started my non-profit “The Next Chapter,” to provide much needed resources to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. I recently co-authored a book with my Veteran Sisters titled “Camouflaged Sisters Presents Behind the Ranks Vol I,” to share our stories. I joined my Veteran Sisters who are “Own Our Way Up,” and “Brown Girls Syndicate” in two Mastermind Groups to push our businesses, professional and personal lives forward. Finally, I launched two of my newest ventures “Simply Ebony” my lifestyle blog and “Success Creators” to help others discover their pathway to success. Everything that I have accomplished in life is because of God’s Grace.

Sincerely,

Simply Ebony

Are You Living Your Life’s Purpose?

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It was just two years ago I lost my cousin Tarik Shaw. I called him Lump Lump. He was my age so it truly hit home. Never would I have imagined that our family would lose our loved one so soon. We were in our mid-30s, at that point in life you feel invincible like you will live forever. We had just lost his Grandmother, my Aunt Ruby not too many years ago to Breast Cancer. His death reminded me of a few things: Live life to the fullest. You never know when you will take your last breath. Treat others with love and compassion. One thing that is for certain my cousin was loved throughout the community. His friends and all of our family came out in full force to honor his legacy.

Are you truly living out your purpose? What do you want your legacy to be once you are gone? How do you want to be remembered?

What is Your Why?

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Coaching training has taught me to stop and reflect on the “right now.” At this moment my reason “WHY” are these beautiful little girls that watch me with curious eyes when I speak, that know because of me and the Sisters that stand on this platform with me: They CAN! Once you know your reason “WHY” your life becomes far less complicated and much more purposeful. It’s a beautiful feeling. What is your WHY? #SimplyEbony #Mentor #Volunteer #Youth

The #NMAAHC #UndergroundWGN Season 2 Screening

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Tonight I was humbled to attend the season two screening for the #UndergroundWGN at the #NMAAHC as a #NMAAHCAmbassador. The cast of the #UndergroundWGN #johnlegend #jurneesmollett #anthonyhemmingway #aishahinds #mishagreen #aldishodge #alanomiller #amirahvann moderated by #rexellis all served on the panel for a discussion on race relations. Each character is truly walking in their purpose to share our story of slavery, domestic violence, racism, racial injustices, and the psychological damage suffered by black men and women. #SimplyEbony

Fit and Fierce

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#Fitness #FitChick #Health #Wellness #GSC
This was me a year ago! Let’s see if I can get back on my healthy living and fitness journey. I rarely talk about my health goals but it’s important to share and hopefully inspire others. I lost 12 lbs naturally by drinking my green juice every morning, eating a healthy breakfast with eggs and turkey bacon, lots of salad for lunch, chicken, fish, and turkey, and I eliminated sugary juice from my diet. I still treated myself to chocolate occasionally. My goal is to lose 30 pounds this time around and tone this body through fitness and healthy eating. I rarely take full body shots or look in the mirror so I normally don’t see my progress. This time the purpose is to get back down to my comfortable weight and go shopping at my favorite stores for new cute outfits. The road to fitness is a lifelong journey! What fitness tips do you have to share with others?

Simply Ebony

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Hi everyone! Happy New Year! Yes, it’s January 26, 2017 and I decided to FINALLY start my blog.  This is your exclusive access to “Simply Ebony.”  I made a goal this year to connect and engage with amazing people.

The content for “Simply Ebony,” is driven by you.  What is it that you want me to discuss? I plan to give it to you straight no chaser on everything from politics, music, travel, business trends, job hunting, and love.  No subject is off-limits.

Who am I? I tag myself as #LadyofInspiration the one who gives freely and lives purposefully.  I founded The Next Chapter and Success Creators and currently serve as the CEO for both organizations.  I advocate for survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.  I am a proud Air Force and Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran!

I live life on my terms.  I’m a survivor of both sexual assault and domestic violence.  I say survivor versus victim because I never allowed the circumstances in my life to define me.  I now stand as the voice of the silent victims that are out there.  My inbox is always open if you need to talk at ebony@thenextchaptercorp.com.

I love God! I’m a strong believer that it is my faith that has helped me through my most difficult trials and tribulations. I travel often. I laugh frequently.  I love freely.  This is my life.

I recently traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to visit with the Philly Nomadness Travel Tribe and see the highly acclaimed blogger and author Luvvie Ajayi of the book “I’m Judging You.” You can follow her blog “Awesomely Luvvie” at http://www.awesomelyluvvie.com/. She was my inspiration for starting the “Simply Ebony” blog.  The time is now to live the life that you want.  Don’t wait until tomorrow.  Start now!

It feels amazing to finally launch my blog! Thank you Luvvie and all of those Boss Women out there that use their voices to empower other queens.

What are your goals for this new year? How are you dealing with this Presidential Transition? Any major travel plans for 2017?