Sylvia Dunnavant, author and photographer who wants to inspire and
motivate women and girls all over the world to live the life that God
has intended them to live.

USmile Magazine interviewed the writer/poet Ms. Dunnavant about her
upcoming projects and her passion to help other women.

USM: What inspired you to start writing?

SD: It all started as a result of my involvement in the 4-H, which is a youth organization, which helps young people to reach their fullest potential while helping them develop. It was as a result of my work with this organization that, I got the opportunity to start public speaking and to begin my love for photography.

I actually developed my desire to write around this time as well.  But it wasn’t until I heard Nikki Giovanni read her poem, “Ego Tripping“, I really became committed to be a writer.  I found that through writing I was able to capture my imagination and share my feelings. I came out with my first book poetry, “An Affair of the Heart,” when I was a senior at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

USM: What type of poetry do you like to write about?

SD: I like to write poems that encourage and inspire people especially
women and young girls. I use people and life events as my motivation to write.

USM: What led you to publish your book “Celebrating Life: African American Women speak out about Breast Cancer”?

SD: As a writer and photography, I wanted to put a human face on breast
cancer survivors.  I wanted to profile women who had survived the
disease and portray them in a beautiful way. As the result of this project we reached women around the world.

USM: Why did you start your foundation?

SD:  About fourteen years ago, my aunt was diagnosed with terminal
breast cancer.  The news of her illness impacted me very deeply and I
became inspired to help other women.  I wanted to show the world how
breast cancer was affecting the minority community.  My goal for the
foundation was to put a face on breast cancer in the minority
community.  For years breast cancer has had a stigma in the minority community; we
don’t like to talk about it.  Thus, we have a higher mortality rate, a
lack of information and awareness about the disease.

USM:  Tell us about your publishing company?

SD:  I started Black Pearl Publishing company to write and share
stories that will inspire and change people lives.  Thus far, I have
published seven books that have been a part of our mission.  We have
published:  ”The Love Clinic There is a Doctor in the House,” by Rev Sheron Patterson, “Abby’s Between Girlfriends: A Sharing a Marital Secrets,” “Unless Two Agree,” by Co-Pastor Susie Owen, “A Divine Difference,” by Jean Warner “Essence of Faith,” by Sarah English “The Pastor’s Pen,” by Rev J. Lee Foster, “Golden Memories to Golden Moments,” by Ann Williams (The Dallas Black Dance Theatre.)

USM:  What projects are you working on currently?

SD:  I am currently redoing my first book, “Still Celebrating Life,” because it
was so successful and people wanted to know more about the women who
survived breast cancer.  I also have another book coming out called
“Diamond Don’t Beg, What Every Woman Needs to Know.”  Both books are
expected to be out next year.

The Celebrating Life Foundation will be hosting a breast cancer awareness walk on October 2, 2010 at the Cedar Hill Recreation Center. This will be our Ninth Sister to Sister Fitness Festival. For more information, people can go to www.celebratinglife.org

USM:  How are you able to balance work and family?

SD: My son, Jaysen is 22 years old and is currently attending the University of North Texas in Denton.  My 16 year old nephew, Julian is also staying with me. I don’t look at it as a challenge, I feel it’s my call in his life to him any way that I can.  I am happy to help and mold him into the man God him intended him to be.

USM:  What advice do you have for young women who are thinking of
becoming a writer?

SD:  I always advise young women to take all the limits and boundaries off
anything they want to do.  It is God’s desire that we will walk in abundance.

USM:  Where do you see yourself in five years?

SD:  I would like the opportunity to empower and inspire women around
the world.  I would like to share the love of God with them.  My
desire is to walk in the call that is on my life.  It is my ultimate desire to help lift women
up all over the world. I am currently working with a group of powerful women that will be touring the country this summer.

To read more about Sylvia Dunnavant go to  http://www.celebratinglife.org/index.html.

USmile Magazine

GO-Phenom is a DJ on a mission to motivate and inspire young men and women to become productive members of society.   He believes that every day is a blessing and spends his time doing what he loves (DJing)  and giving back to the community.  He shares his words of wisdom with his fans weekdays from 12:00PM-1:00PM EST on HOT 93.7 FM in Hartford, CT.

USmile Magazine caught up with GO-Phenom to talk about what inspires him and the projects he is currently working on.

USM:  Tell us what GO-Phenom means?

GO-Phenom:  GO means to motivate and inspire and Phenom means nothing less than phenomenal. Read the full story »