Encouragement empowers us

It is important that we, as black people, know our history, the same as any race. This is a beautiful time to celebrate what we do and who we are with the world. —Lisa

Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create. —Oprah Winfrey

Thoughts on Black History Month

I think that it is very sad that we need to actually designate a specific month to celebrate Black History. However, without actually knowing the origins of Black History month, or its original purpose, I can see the value of showcasing our history with each other and the next generation.

This is a beautiful time to celebrate what we do and who we are with the world. But, shouldn't that be an automatic thing? Shouldn't we, as the human race, be able to celebrate each others' cultures, traditions and history? It is a sad place that we are in, in our modern civilization, where many are more interested in dividing by race than celebrating our diversities....after all, aren't we all better together? —L.S.

Encouragement

By Michèle Newton Aren’t all mothers role models, mentors and encouragers?

I was lucky. How different our world would be if only that were true.

A mother trying hard to parent despite mental illness

Creating a fractious home environment of doubt and anxiety.

A mother giving her black child unconditional love

despite her whiteness and the difficulties that contrast brings.

A doting mother demands a good education followed by a good job,

accepts her daughter’s success in an unconventional career.

A mother learning from her young daughter

to accept herself and others for their flaws and quirks and weirdness.

A mother always there for you doing the best she can

to ensure you end up doing better in life than she did.

Passing on to her own child the lessons she’s learned.

A mother, to a mother, to another.

Who is Lisa

Lisa lives her life with hope, striving to be the change and setting the example through her Christian Ministry, The Shepherd’s Place. She considers it a “Resource Network” that builds on the value and resources that we have in our community, in ourselves and through collaboration. The Shepherd’s Place gives women encouragement to help them find hope, equips them to do the things they need to in life, and empowers them to recognize their own gifts and help others.

A side project, Kingdom Creations, is quickly becoming its own social enterprise, bringing people together to “discover, develop and display”. Lisa uses her gift of encouragement to help people discover the talents hidden inside them, develop skills through her workshops, and display through creating, crafting and making. A visionary, creator, and entrepreneur, she is on a journey to share her messages with the world. “There are tons of women out there who think they have no value. I have this opportunity to encourage and support them."

Be true to yourself. With no apologies for who you are. — Lisa Singh

How about Role Models?

Now, three years after her mom’s passing, Lisa continues to recognize just how influential a role model her mom was in her life.

Her mom: “I know that I am who I am because of my mom. She was strong. She was a single mom. She raised me on her own and did everything the best she could with what she had. She wanted my life to be different than hers.”

“When you come home at night and everybody around you doesn’t look like you, you question your sense of identity. You can't deny that you're different.”

Her husband: As the only black person in her immediate family, Lisa began to discover a whole other world after she met and married her husband, a Guyanese man.

Lisa’s experiences deeply shaped how she’s parented her three girls, giving them a sense of being aware of who they are; their cultural differences (Canadian, Black American and West Indian roots); and how they fit into this world.

Photo by: Michèle Newton