This edition of IMARA Woman magazine is special for several reasons, one, because it marks the start of our 20th year in print. And two, because it gives us the opportunity to showcase what IMARA is all about—community collaboration and partnering to empower and inspire our readers. We will be commemorating our 20-year anniversary throughout the year.
We are delighted to share profiles of some of the wonderful business owners who partnered with us in 2019, sharing their time and talent at our 18th annual Health Empowerment Tour. I can’t begin to thank them for traveling with us to bring the Tour to Conway, North Charleston and Hopkins, SC. The Health Empowerment Tour is a unique program that promotes healthy living by encouraging attendees to make small changes in their daily routines to benefit their health. The event is engaging, fun and filled with learning new ways you can protect your most valuable asset—your good health!
I am especially grateful for the tireless effort of Stephanie McCummings who worked with us to recruit several awesome community partners encouraging them to participate at the Health Empowerment Tour. Lance Adams and Marie Foster Brown, owners of Warrior Warehouse added a whole new dimension to the Tour event (page 12). If you ever thought about getting a tattoo but weren’t quite ready to make it permanent, then Tina “Tyga” Mitchell’s body art is the way to go. She dazzled the young and the young at heart with her talent at our tour stops (page 16). And, when Sharon Pinckney’s workshop began, her attendees were excited elementary students eager to participate in making healthy snacks and learning about nutritious foods (page 17). And when it came to relaxing at the Hopkins Tour stop, Ladesma “Desi” Terry’s chair massage therapy was a big hit (page 26). Then, Wendellynn Ladapo took the stage to demonstrate the art of belly dancing as a fun way to keep your body moving. Everyone, and I mean everyone, was up on their feet (page 27).
I’m more than grateful that God has blessed us to keep IMARA Woman magazine operating for nearly two decades, but most of all, I’m grateful that you are still right here with us!
Be Blessed,
Wendy C. Brawley