The Beauty of Forgiveness

On Friday, I had the wonderful opportunity to be invited to see the film "Kinyarwanda" in Atlanta at the AMC theatres at Phipps Plaza.  The film illustrates the horrifying tales of the lives of Rwandans that lived and died during 100 days of extreme hatred, violence and murder now known as the Rwandan Genocide in 1994.

Earlier in the week I was with filmmaker, Detra Harris just to share, discuss and celebrate with each other amongst a delicious homemade pastry dish and African tea at my client, Linda Cox's home.  Side note: the beauty of simple connections is so miraculous and social media can never replace that. I digress...

The story of the people of Rwanda isn't new to me.  I was fortunate to meet Linda Cox, author and humanitarian who's also co-founder of the nonprofit organization, One Hundred Days, whose mission is to help rebuild Rwanda with their first project being the first pediatric hospital for the millions of children that live in Rwanda. The population under age 15 represents 42% of the population, and child mortality rates are worst in all of Africa – one in ten children die before their fifth birthday.

But even with all of that and all of what Rwanda and her citizens have been through, they have managed to find the beauty of forgiveness to transform them, heal them and establish the hope that this country will rise above and be a shining example to all of us of what the word 'forgiveness' APPLIED actually looks like.

I recently had an opportunity to embrace "forgiveness" in its true meaning and never have I felt freer than how I feel now.  It was a 'score' I was finally able to settle with my father, and thank God it didn't have to come by way of tragedy or running out of time.  It emerged through spiritual pain and mental anguish but that was the wake up call I needed. 

If you've never understood the impact of "hating" and all it stands for, I encourage you to venture into a theatre to experience it first hand through the movie KINYARWANDA. It gives you a real account of how hatred manifests itself in the most sordid way AND THEN it also gives you the illustration of the healing balm called FORGIVENESS and how you can use it to free yourself and your loved ones to rise again with the hope to make the world you live in better because you are in it.

Holidays of Hope at Chateau Elan Thanksgiving Week

Tis the seaon to be THANKFUL and grateful, counting all of your blessings.  I make it a practice to be grateful for all of my life - the good and the not-so-good at times.  I am reminded that even in my 'struggles', all things work together for the good.


I appreciate and applaud organizations such as Orange Duffel Bag Foundation and our client, One Hundred Days for the work they do locally and abroad to remind those who have faced tremendous hardship, oftentimes, at the onset of birth, that they too are still very blessed and have access to a wonderful life - inspite of.  That's the beauty of living - there's always sunshine after the tempest storm and the rain produces such a plentiful and bountiful harvest! 

Inspired by the story of Sam Bracken, co-founder of Orange Duffel Bag Foundation, Holidays of Hope is an initiative dedicated to providing college students and select others (who have aged out of Foster care) the opportunity to spend the Thanksgiving holidays free-of-charge at local hotels and resorts. Local volunteers and Foundation mentors tend to these young adults during the holiday break. Georgia’s first Holidays of Hope will take place Nov. 23-28, 2011 at Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton, with accommodations, food and other amenities provided by Chateau Elan. 

Co-Founder, Sam Bracken went from abused child to All-ACC Academic Football Team performer at Georgia Tech then on to becoming a missionary, dynamic public speaker and business person. "Sam Bracken has such an incredible story. It mirrors our goal to help communities create sustainable solutions by meeting the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of young people," shares Linda Cox author and board member of One Hundred Days, an organization similar to ODBF in that they assist Rwandans, former refugees of the Rwandan genocides build restoration in Rwanda with a focus on building the first pediatric hospital for children. In Rwanda, Over 1,200,000 children have lost one or both parents as result of conflict, poverty or HIV/AIDS. Of these, over 100,000 of these children serve as the head of their household. There is no facility dedicated to serving children in the entire country.

Cox continues, "By partnering with individuals and organizations like Orange Duffel Bag, we are able to use our resources and talents to help bring about lasting change." To learn more, please click on the links above or to participate, please click here.


We hope this story inspires you and puts a smile on your face. Special thanks to Carl Danbury at Points North Magazine! HAPPY THANKSGIVING from our family to yours!

A Tale of Two Birds

Recently I saw two cardinals. A male and female and I was awestruck.  Not because I saw the cardinal, although, seeing one should be a gleeful reminder of the miracles in the world around us, but I was awestruck because it was the first time I'd ever seen a pair...together!

I believe God uses the sight of this particular bird to communicate with me.  It began our way of communicating years ago, so when I see one, it's not out of the ordinary, rather, it's quite ordinary for me.  It's my constant reminder of goodness, mercy and favor available to me at any given moment.  But this time...seeing the cardinal "partnered" I wasn't sure what it meant, all I know is that it signified something BIG, something meaning 'double!' It has to!

It was quite significant since I was leaving a meeting that was a pretty big deal with a woman by my side, who by all accounts, is a pretty big deal. So I KNEW it meant something very meaningful.  I was stuck in 'awe' for at least 5 minutes that seemed like 10 or 15 because those birds paraded themselves so gloriously allowing my business acquaintance and I to experience their presence and remark how unusual it was to find them in such an odd place.  We both acknowledged the significance of the moment and claimed it as evidence of BIG things and "Double" victories to come! Stay tuned (Big Smile!)

So in the spirit of "Big" and "Double", I share with you the great accomplishments of our client, Mrs. Linda Cox, an author and humanitarian who's been given her fair share of goodness, mercy and favor - and RIGHTFULLY so!

Author & Humanitarian, Linda Cox

Linda is the author of the children's book They Had to Run, which tells the real-life story of her Rwandan friends Simon and Kedress Nizramakenga.  Having had to escape the early rumblings as orphans of what became known as the Rwandan Genocide, Simon and Kedress returned to their native land as adults helping to build restoration in Rwanda and their partnership with Linda, her family and friends, they created the nonprofit organization, One Hundred Days, which is dedicated to helping to rebuild Rwanda, namely, through the construction of the first pediatric hospital in that region.

We are grateful to all of the wonderful media partnerships they have garnered the past couple of months and wish to share their accomplishments with you.

Nikka Shae covers "Fashion's Night Out Atlanta" featuring MARKET RWANDA

One Hundred Days' MARKET RWANDA featured in "SHOP ATLANTA"

Linda's on pages 30 - 31 in Atlanta Tastemaker Magazine. Roger Bobb of Bobb Cat Films on front cover

Enjoy and do support their work by becoming one of their lucky "birds" or requesting Linda and her team to come for a book reading or have a jewelry party and get your own signature jumbo beaded necklace being sported by Nikka Shae of Oh Nikka! and now Candra Jolly, Publisher of KRAZE Magazine.

Yellow Jumbo Beads - Aren't they Gorgeous?!!

Also, check out Linda's fab pictures taken by the wonderful Paul Biagui of Paul Biagui Photography at LuXe Lifestyle event on October 12th where Linda was honored along with the below fabulous women!  Linda is standing beside Grammy-nominated songstress, songwriter, producer/director Nicci Gilbert formerly of the R&B group Brownstone.

Special thanks to Modern Luxury, Jezebel Magazine, Oh Nikka, KRAZE Magazine, Atlanta Tastemaker Magazine, Total Education Network, LuXe LifeStyle, Nicci Gilbert and Renee Knorr for their support of the great work of Linda Cox & One Hundred Days! 

Happy! Happy! Joy! JOY

Oh boy, it's been a thrilling ride since I returned from my mini-vacay to the mountains for my birthday. I must do a blog just on the JOYful time I had! Don't worry, that's coming!

Upon driving back to Atlanta in dreary but perfect mountain-getaway weather, I immediately came back to cleaning out the inbox, returning phone calls, attending meetings, pitching, writing press releases, strategy meetings and fashion events! Gotta love my life (smug).

Speaking of the fashion events - the Betsey Johnson fashion show on the 6th was fierce!  Our client, Model and Fashion Beauty Director for the 19th Hole Magazine, Renee Knorr co-hosted the event with the lovely Suchita Vadlamani formerly of Good Day Atlanta.  I want to personally thank the fab Nikka Shea of Oh! Nikka and Alicia Edwards, fashion/style blogger for their write-ups.

http://bougiebohemianchica.tumblr.com/post/9937517650/betsey-johnson-w

Renee Knorr with Suchita Vadlamani

On September 8th, client One Hundred Days with Author/Humanitarian Linda Cox debuted Market Rwanda at the pop-up shop in Atlantic Station and boy were they impressive!  I literally walked in with my mouth dropped open in ooooooooo's and ahhhhhhh's. Congratulations to the fabulous team at One Hundred Days, Susan & David S., Kelli & Scott S., Jim C., and former Miss America, Kirsten Haglund. What professionals!!

Market Rwanda made quite a splash at the pop-up event and started making sales even before the party officially started. Gotta be those chunky beads, or maybe it's the colorful bags or the rings or earrings?  I don't know, it's all gorgeous!  Enjoy some of the pics below and read the blog over at OHD for more commentary.

What a week, but it's been so happy and joyful and I'm so thankful to all the people and events I'm connected  to that made it all possible! (((HUGS)))

We're ready for shopping!

model wearing Market Rwanda beads

Look at that fanfare! Linda in grey wearing those famous chunky beads!

Yellow Chunky Beads from Market Rwanda

Yellow Chunky beaded earrings from Market Rwanda

Awesome party Modern Luxury!  Also special thanks to Nikka Shea (Oh! Nikka) & Holly Clay (Sheen Magazine) for coming out!