Photo by Jeff Hui

Over the past three decades, millions of viewers have witnessed Tonya Lee Williams climb the career ladder and establish herself as a multifaceted entrepreneur. In addition to her many achievements, Ms. Williams was honoured at the 26^th Annual Vision Celebration Gala on January 28^th, 2012 by the Black Theatre Workshop with the prestigious Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for her significant contributions to the development of Black performing arts.  She has played an instrumental role in advancing black communities and continually promotes much needed attention to artists of color through the ReelWorld Film Festival, in which she founded in 2001.

Ms. Williams is best known for her roles as “Olivia Winters” on The Young & The Restless, as Maxine on Vision TV’s She’s The Mayor, as Karen in Lifetime’s Double Wedding, as Ruth in Clement Virgo’s film Poor Boys Game and many other film and TV shows. For more than 35 years she has blessed us with her talents and has illustrated that passion, hard work and dedication are the essential tools to unlock the door to success and maximize every opportunity.

First of all, congratulations on your Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award. How does it feel to be recognized for your contribution to the development of Black performing Arts?
A: It feels wonderful, I’ve been working in this industry for almost 35 years now and it’s an industry that I love and I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work in it. To not only be recognized in Toronto where I’m from but also Montreal as well, I’m looking forward to finding out more about the Black Theatre Workshop and to get to meet a lot of great black talent that’s in Montreal.

Why is progression in black theatre important now more than ever and what do you think has improved in terms of how people view this initiative?
A: If you’re a person of colour, I think being in any aspect of the media arts is important right now because we’ve been looking at a lot of stereo types and it’s really a good time for people of all different backgrounds to project a positive image so that the mainstream audience can start to get a cross section of who we really are. Black people are not just one type of person, we’re all very different and if we don’t see those variations and differences then people outside of the community won’t really understand who we are, what we stand for and all of the positive contributions that we make. Within our own community, it builds a lot of confidence for young people to see themselves reflected and to hear their stories told and it’s a great thing to be in public eye and telling these wonderful stories in the way that we’re supposed to be telling them.

In 2001, you founded the ReelWorld Film Festival, can you elaborate on the motivation behind this event and how it creates opportunities for emerging filmmakers and industry professionals?
A: When I started out in the business at age 17, I would go to film festivals all the time and I’ve done it my entire life. I think film festivals are a fantastic arena to soak up the environment, meet people, learn things and find out about the changes happening in the industry.  It’s probably the easiest and most significant place to be if you’re interested in film and television. You can read the trades and talk to other people, but to be right in the throes of a film festival is like a crash course to everything you need to know. Because I have attended film festivals over so many years, I know the value of them. I often get a lot of people who are just starting out in the business asking me questions, but I think that instead of asking questions it’s better that you attend a film festival because without even asking a single question, you will get them all answered. Just by listening and observing, you can make the best decisions for yourself. Our industry isn’t like being a doctor where you’re taught step by step, we’re constantly navigating through changes, interpretations, etc. There are no hard rules, just being in the arena is the best bet to understand what you need to do next.

Let’s touch on some of the obstacles you’ve faced professionally, what are some of the invisible barriers that you endured throughout your career and how did you successfully overcome them?
A: I feel that the greatest obstacle that any of us have is whatever we believe our obstacle is. If you make it a truth for you then it’s going to be an obstacle. With the understanding of that, I was able to take the easy ones out of the way first. Yes, I might be black and female and those things are the obvious, but when you look back at history, everyone who succeeds in anyway has obstacles to overcome. You just need to illuminate those. What I like to look at in my career and when I’m approaching anything is to only focus on what is possible and less on what is not possible. I can only control what I can control.

What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
A: My mother is the one person I trust. She would say things like ‘Always do your best’ and make me feel like just getting a job is not a means to the end, but how you get it and how you represent yourself is more important. If there were roles or language that I didn’t think were appropriate and I may not want to add my name to or be a part of then I made a choice not based on the dollar, but based on my morality and sense of social justice. That is far more important. I’ve never been one dimensional as far as looking at myself as just an actress. I think acting is great and I love to do it, but I’m a full person and acting is only one dynamic of me, it’s not all of me. You want to make sure that whatever work you do, whether you’re an actor, writer, etc. [I believe] that every bit of integrity of who you are as a human being reflects in the quality of your work.

What is the secret to your longevity in the entertainment industry and what words of wisdom do you have for anyone who’d like to follow in your footsteps?
A: The secret to my longevity is that I’m very conservative about my ambitions and about what I consider success. I do feel like some young people, who haven’t started the business yet, want to be a huge star, whereas my level when I was starting out was, ‘this is my highest achievement to me.’ I could get an acting job and work fairly consistently and still be the happiest person in the world. I set goals, but for me, they are very realistic. My goal was never to be a massive star because my personality doesn’t suit that. I really like to go to work and then go home and walk around and just be me. When you sign up and have a desire to be at a higher level of success, you also sign up for a very different life and intuitively I knew when I was young that it wouldn’t have been the kind of life that made me happy. I’ve been working since I was 16 and now that I’m 53 I’m thinking about the next stage of my life. For instance, I’d like to explore hosting reality television because it’s far more of an easier transition from starring in a soap opera. An unrealistic goal would be to pursue a major movie career right now. I actually want to work less, I want a life that I can enjoy without being worrying about my weight or the roles I will play. I want to age gracefully meanwhile consult people about how they will realistically have a career in this business. People can contact me through my website www.tonyaleewilliams.com and talk with me over the phone to gain insight about the industry and help them with realistic steps.

You can never follow in someone else’s footsteps. It’s virtually impossible. You are a unique person. Each human being has a story. I believe that you were sent from God to walk a very specific journey and your full-time job is to figure out what that journey is. The more you think about walking in someone else’s footsteps, is the more you’re distracting your own personal journey and success. Your journey is actually fairly easy to figure out because you have some inherent talents that come naturally to you. They may even be talents you’ve ignored or never seen as valuable. I believe that it was a talent that I was born black. It was a talent that I was born female. If you look at any point in history, there isn’t a more unique time that I could’ve been black and female.

What’s next for you?
A: On one hand I’m in actress and I want to act for as long as I can, but I’m a realist about the fact that I may not get as many roles as I could have at one point. On another hand I have a film festival that I run and that’s a fulltime job. I’ve also made real estate investments throughout my career because you have to do other things no matter where you are as an actress. What the term “next” means for me is existing, living and trying to stay on top of the many things that I think are a lot to handle.

Last but not least, what do you enjoy most about your career and what type of legacy would you like to leave behind?
A: What I enjoy most about my career on a personal level is the freedom that I’ve had. You can tell by my personality that I’m not someone who wants to work every single day at the same job, so it has allowed me to have variety and work in different environments, which is appealing to me.

If you navigate your life as best as you can and if you live long enough it becomes a legacy. The legacy will be longevity. I’ve always admired actors who have longevity more than I’ve admired actors who have made billions of dollars in a few short years and then you don’t hear from them again. I’ve always been in awe of the Shirley MacLaine’s, Maggie Smith’s and the Diahann Carroll’s because after many decades, they are still kicking and I respect that.

For the most part, we are aware of what our work priorities are on a daily basis. What we don’t know, we are told or we determine as the day progresses. Some days may be light in terms of our workload, and others may be quite heavy. It’s the heavy days that cause an imbalance and encroach on other parts of our lives if we let them. How many of us carry our laptops home at the end of the day to finish that very important report? What about those that stay at work well past a reasonable work day just to get caught up? Perhaps we are trying to get that promotion or rise in salary and feel the need to put in the hours, so that hopefully, our boss will recognize our efforts. Some people work from home when they are sick and others bring their laptops on vacation. We willingly give up precious time with family and friends in order to ‘get ahead’ in business, assuming that we will reach that point in life when we can be completely happy with where we are. But can our happiness be complete without a satisfactory personal life? How can the corporate world help us find our work/life balance if we don’t know even know what it is?

The first step would be to determine our ‘non-negotiables’. What parts of our life outside of work cannot be sacrificed for work? In other words, quality time with my children every evening before they go to bed is non-negotiable. Catching up on my favourite TV shows this season is not so important. However, someone without children may find that TV time alone or with that special person is their non-negotiable. Perhaps it provides them with that much needed downtime after a long day at work. We are the only ones that can decide what is right for us as individuals. Only we can ensure that the scale is not tipped too heavily to one side; especially the work side.

Single mother of two, Camille Williams has determined that being at home with her daughters as much as possible is her non-negotiable. As a CGA and the owner of Simplified Financials, she has worked hard to make sure this is the case as much as possible. “When I had my first child, I declared that she, and not work, was going to be my 1st priority. I quickly realized that many employers are not of the same mindset.” After the birth of her 2nd child she decided to take matters into her own hands. “I knew it would be difficult for me to have my ‘right’ balance with 2 children and a full-time job, so I started my own business. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made, because it has allowed me the flexibility and freedom to set my own schedule and be there for my children”.

Once we have determined what parts of our personal life are non-negotiable, it is our responsibility to draw the proverbial line in the sand and not allow our jobs to encroach on those areas. No matter where we are in our professional lives; entry level positions, on the way up the corporate ladder or at the pinnacle of our career, we can never really experience complete fulfillment without others to share our successes and even failures with. Friends and family are what keep us grounded, give us support and renewed strength to take on new challenges each day. We need time to cultivate and nurture these relationships and we cannot do that if we are always working until the ‘wee’ hours of the night. When asked if she ever finds it difficult to maintain a healthy balance between work and her personal life, Williams had this to say “Whether you’re self employed or not, it’s always a struggle… If you’re self employed and not finding that balance, you must commit to having a meeting with yourself at the end of each week to evaluate how your time was spent, and to set goals for the coming week.”

This does not mean that we are not allowed to enjoy our careers. There is nothing wrong with loving what you do and looking forward to going to work. For those of us out there who feel this way…BRAVO! But who are you sharing your success with? Who are you regaling stories of your day to? Do the important people in your life; know that they are important in your life? Williams uses her own personal compass to determine if her work is disrupting her personal life “When my children come home, I know I need to spend a certain amount of time catching up on the day’s events with them, having dinner together and spending time. If a day goes by and none of that happens, I quickly realize that I may not have managed my time properly that day.”

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines balance as “an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements” and also as “a weight of force of one side in excess of another”. We must all decide for ourselves what the most pleasant integration of the work and life elements are that will suit us. If our work is currently the force that is in excess, then we may need to re-evaluate our ‘non-negotiables’ and adjust the balance as needed. But it is our decision to make.
So…what’s tipping your scale?

I have come across many people that have launched new businesses after putting it off for many years, and refusing to heed to friends and families “good advice” about doing what is right and taking the path normally followed. One of the things that struck me as I spoke to them was the passion in their voices and how surprised they were at the doors that opened up for them as they embarked on their journey. It truly is a blessing to be in that presence and witness what happens when people stop listening to their inner fear and finally step out to achieve their dreams.

This is something very familiar to me as well. My sister and I launched our Wellness Centre right at the start of the 2008 recession. Yes, we experienced many fears and limiting beliefs throughout our journey that made us want to give up. However, we also experienced magical moments that seemed like God had intervened and brought us through the turmoil. When difficult times arise now in my businesses, I remember those days and immediately harness my thoughts and make more empowered decisions and actions. These actions and knowing that I am forever guided and protected, helps me to keep going and keep working and stepping towards my goals.

Fear is something that holds many people back from attempting their goals. Even when they do start, fear returns and convinces them to give up at the first sign of difficulty. What is important to remember is that difficulties in any endeavour will occur; you will be tested. The magic is knowing you can overcome it. One of the things I like to ask my clients are “What would you do if you knew there was no possibility of failure”? Well, you can image the smiles that come across their faces and the huge laundry lists of things they would achieve. And then I ask, “What do you think is holding you back from going after your dreams?” I get an even longer list of all the excuses of why they are unable to achieve it. The interesting thing is that at the core of these excuses, are often times fears of what may go wrong. I am here to tell you however, that everything always works out. It may be different than what you had initially planned, but at the end of the day, you will achieve your true desires. If you pursue the principals of following your passion, knowing that everything will always work out, and looking for what is great about every situation during the process, you will never be disappointed at the outcome. Two key things you should remember are: Everything always works out and to ask yourself “What is great about this?”. Another great line from “The Alchemist” that sums up the role of fear is the following: “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams”. Please remember this when fear enters your mind and tries to cripple your actions.

It is also important to remember the growth and transformation you will experience when following your passion. The person you will become is far more beneficial than what you will actually achieve. This is true for so many successful people. They would all agree that overcoming their fears, stretching past their comfort zones and converting limiting beliefs into empowering ones, are much more rewarding than what they actually achieved. This is because once you have empowering habits, they become automatic. This will allow you to keep reaching and manifesting additional goals and desires, while inspiring others to do the same. In addition, you will be better able to handle difficult situations when they arise.

Following your passion is a gift that we must harness. It is amazing to know that we have the power to achieve and live our passion. It is a simple process but difficult because of past conditioning that requires discipline to overcome. Even when we move towards it, it requires constant work to maintain and sustain. That is the magic of converting empowering principals into habit. It is then that it becomes easier to maintain.

Many people spend their entire lives doing something they do not enjoy. This so-called sacrifice does not serve you, nor does it serve your family. Doing what you love not only benefits you, but also those around you. Take the leap and experience the joy and love that comes from it. We are called to make a difference in our world, and in order to do this, we must first hear, then follow our heart’s calling. Step out of the shadow of fear and into the light of love, joy and prosperity.

As an image consultant I always base my style analysis on my clients personality, and current lifestyle as a way to enhance their personal brand. It is important to incorporate these two elements into my consultations because it is individualized and specific to my client’s career goals, personality and lifestyle choices. During my image and style consultations I like to focus on strengthening how others (e.g. work colleagues, clients and manager) perceive you in your environment. Below are some areas of improvement you can focus on when evaluating your own credibility clout within the corporate environment.

1. Consider Your Role – If you are a public figure you will want to have a consistent signature style that is bold enough to be noticed and remembered, but not over the top that your style choice overshadows you as a person. As such, you will want to choose items that are elegant and classy with a hint of boldness. For example, Michelle Obama is known for her cinched, waist dresses that are impeccably tailored complemented by a stylish colorful cardigan and signature necklaces or earrings; her makeup is neutral with subtly defined eyes, and always accompanied by a French manicure. She does well in balancing trends, making them into classic looks that work well with her personality and figure type.

2. Signature Accessory Pieces – Oprah is another good example. Her signature white pearls, white dress shirts and selection of calming neutral such as camel, chocolate browns and deep reds when making public appearances projects an image of elegance, poise and confidence without being over the top. Remember, that the corporate environment is a conservative space, as such; your accessories such as your bags, shoes and even eye glasses should be simple, not distracting. Keep the studs, and for cocktail hour after work. Furthermore, many women tend to overlook the height of their heels in the office environment. I love a great heel, however there is a difference between tasteful and trashy (hooker heels). Do keep your heel length at an appropriate height  – one that you can actually walk to meetings in without tilting sideways, or making loud; annoying clicking sounds down the office hallway. It is extremely distracting and an office etiquette no-no.

3. Make-up and Hair – Your Makeup should be impeccable and show off your best features, without being dramatic. Neutral colors should be complementary to your skin tone and show you, not cover you in thick layers of foundation, tacky eye shadow and blush (keep that in the 80s). Your hairstyle should be current, and suited to your facial features. Buns are safe; however experiment with a chic, short bob, or soft layers that frame your face and illuminate your features. Also remember, that your nails should always be manicured and polished to perfection. However, do keep in mind that vibrant, bold colors such as deep reds, pinks and browns or eclectic nail art is not suitable for the office environment – use your discretion and when in doubt stick with soft, neutral colors until the weekend.

Your signature style should always illuminate your personality, inner beauty and confidence. Your signature style does not need to break your bank account, but understanding how to select appropriate clothing items, and accessories that complement you as a professional will strengthen your personal brand and project an image of leadership and credibility. Remember we only have 7 seconds to make a positive first impression, use it wisely because you never know who is taking note of your image and overall presentation on the job.

What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease is the disease of the cardiovascular system and any disorder that affects the heart’s ability to function normally. The most common heart disorder is coronary heart disease, which occurs when fatty deposits build up in the heart arteries. This build up limits blood flow to the heart muscle and can cause a pain in the chest, which is known as angina. Over time, coronary heart disease can lead to a heart attack. Some risk factors that increase a women’s risk for developing heart disease include overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, age, heredity factors, smoking and being physically inactive. The more risk factors you have, the greater your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. You cannot control some of the risk factors, like heredity and age. But the other risk factors you can take control of, just by leading a healthy lifestyle and taking medication if needed.

Warning Signs
For a Heart Attack

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the centre of the chest lasting more than a few minute.
• Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms
• Chest discomfort with lighheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath

For Stroke

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body
• Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye
• Sudden, unexplained severe headaches
• Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or sudden falls, especially along with the other symptoms

What can I do to lower my risk for heart disease?

Lower your blood pressure: Science has indentified high blood pressure as a major risk factor for heart disease and is also a risk factor for stroke. You can lower your blood pressure by following a heart-healthy eating plans, including limiting your salt intake and other forms of sodium. You should also have your blood pressure checked at least once a year and more often if you know you are at risk. If you have high blood pressure, you may need to take medication.

Get Active: Various studies show that lack of physical activity is a risk factor for heart disease and indirectly increases your risk of having a stroke. When you’re inactive and taking in too much calories, you are likely to gain an excess amount of weight. Do your body good and start doing some physical activity. The Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology recommend doing at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic activity (that’s 2 hours and 30 minutes) each week. You should also include flexibility and strength training in your exercise routine at least two days each week.

Maintain a healthy weight: Take control of your weight. If you have excessive fat, especially around your waist area you’re at higher risk for heart disease related complications, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high triglycerides, and diabetes. To maintain a healthy weight and to prevent your chances of developing heart disease adopt a healthy eating plan. If you need any guidance on how to begin a good eating plan, ask your doctor or speak with a dietician or nutritionist. Some healthy eating tips include:

• Do not skip meals; breakfast is the most important meal of the day,
• Eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day
• Consume at least 8 glass of water per day
• Broil or bake your foods and eat 2 servings of fish per week

Lower your cholesterol. American statistics show that nearly half of African American women total cholesterol is too high. Excess cholesterol and fat in the blood cause a build up in the walls of vessels that supply blood to the heart. Have your cholesterol tested once a year. You can lower your cholesterol level by following a heart-healthy eating plan, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking medication if needed.

Don’t smoke. If you stop smoking, your heart disease risk will drop by more than half. There’s no easy way to quit, but making a plan helps. You also can try an organised programme or a medication. Ask your doctor what’s right for you.

Reduce your stress level. Stress is a crazy thing. Thankfully, there are many steps you can take to manage and handle stress in a positive way. For one, staying relaxed, pacing yourself, and taking time out for you are great ways to keep stress in check. If your stress level is overwhelming or you need help on how deal with stress, don’t be afraid to seek guidance or therapy.

The more risk factors you have, the greater your chances are for developing heart disease or having a stroke. Controlling your risk factors will slow the disease, prevent a stroke and help prevent future problems. If you need more information or have questions contact your family physician.

Step 1: Set Clear and Focused Goals/Desires

This is important because if one does not have a clear and defined goal, it will be hard to work towards the attainment of it. If wealth is what you want, you will need to be very specific on the amount of money you wish to have and the date you wish to have it.  This is a key statement in Napoleon Hill’s acclaimed book, “Think and Grow Rich”.  Having a “definiteness of purpose is the starting point from which one must begin.” It keeps you on track and gives you something in which to aim.  It also helps you avoid pursing things that do not align with your goals.  Having clear and focused goals also activates your imagination and helps you visualize already being in possession of your desires, which is a powerful tool in manifestation. I do caution however, that your goals should be realistic for you.  If not, your ego will take hold and tell you it is not achievable.  For example, if you are $50,000 in debt, it is unrealistic to say that you want to have a million dollars in six months.  Ensure your goal is something that your whole consciousness can believe.

Step 2: Knowing your “WHY”

Knowing your “why” is so important because it is the fuel that keeps you focused in the face of adversity.  When I say knowing your “why,” I mean the reason you want whatever it is you desire. The more personal and strong your “why”, the more power it will have to help overcome obstacles you will face.  It is also important that your why be aligned to a greater good.  If it is to be purely materialistic, it will not have the power to sustain your efforts in face of adversity.  For example, it is not enough to have the desire for wealth in order to drive a nice luxurious car or live in a big mansion.  Your reasons need to be more powerful than that!  My “whys” in pursuit of wealth is freedom to spend more time with my family, to inspire others to live up to their potential, and to have a positive impact on my world.  These are so powerful for me that when difficult situations arise, I can sit in quiet meditation and visualize a long weekend away with my family without regard for time or deadlines.  During difficult situations, I also visualize helping others overcome painful experiences to live a life of passion and self-love.   This fuel is a hundred times more powerful for me than the desire to drive a nice fancy car.  Lastly, when you focus on the “why,” the “how” will reveal itself to you.

Step 3: Master Your Thoughts

Thoughts are powerful things.  They have the power to create our reality by influencing our subconscious minds.   Our minds respond to whatever we feed it. We can have so many thoughts occurring in our heads that it may seem impossible to control. The good news is that it is controllable.  However, it is hard to control.  It is important that we check in with our thoughts during the course of the day.   To know what you are thinking, you have to analyze how you are feeling. If you are feeling good, then chances are you are thinking positive thoughts that are creating positive experiences. If you find you are feeling anxious or fearful, then chances are, you are thinking negative thoughts.  It is important to replace those negative fearful thoughts for more positive and empowering ones. The goal is to gain control of your conscious thoughts.  This will reprogram your subconscious mind and alter the way you think and act. This change is essential to transform your desires into reality. Mastering your thought is key to gaining control over your life.

Step 4: Know that “The Universe has your Back”

This is one of my favourite quotes from best-selling author Gabrielle Bernstein from her book, “Add more ~ing to your life” (~ing = inner guidance). She teaches us that the Universe/God will always provide for us and knows what the best is for us. All we have to do is trust and know that whatever we have asked for will be provided to us.  I learned from Bernstein to wake up every morning and say, “Come on Universe, show me what you’ve got!” Your goals may or may not come exactly as you have planned, but know that something much greater is being delivered to you.  I personally have never been disappointed when I have asked for something and had complete trust in God.   I have been blessed to have witnessed so many miracles along the way.  I KNOW I am always looked after and protected by a source greater than me.

Step 5: Do not Mistake Delays for Denials

One of my spiritual teachers Mastin, from “The Daily Love,” wrote about this in one of his blogs. This was such a powerful message for me and had a huge impact on the way I saw set-backs. Delays are not denials! Read this again. Delays are not denials! I believe this is the number one reason many of us give up on our dreams. We see setbacks as something we cannot overcome and as proof we were not meant to full-fill our goals.  We easily say, “Well, I guess it was not meant to be.”  I say B.S.! This kind of thinking does not serve you. If you study the greatest achievers of our past and present, you will see that many of them persisted when all seemed doomed. They did not take “no” for an answer and say “Well, I guess it was not meant to be.”  Instead, they worked hard until their dreams were realized.  This is another reason why is it so important to get the previous steps right by setting clear and focused goals, knowing why you want your desires, mastering your thoughts and knowing “the Universe has your back”.  Many times the delays are just God’s/Universe’s (again whatever fits with your spiritual practice) way of preparing the path for you.

Step 6: Surrender

I know sometimes when people hear and read the word “surrender,” they think of giving up. This does not mean you sit idly by and just expect great things to fall on your laps without doing any work.  After you have decided on a clear focused goal, know why you want it, asked God for it and have faith that “the Universe has your back,” simply surrender and let go.  It is just like the famous saying, “Let go and let God.”   When you surrender to a power that is within, but greater than you, you will be able to hear your inner voice or what Gabrielle Bernstein coined ~ing (inner guidance).  It is then you will hear the directions given to you.  Most times, the things that occur are much more miraculous than we could have imagined.  My favourite exercise to help me surrender is to sit in silent meditation or prayer and allow myself to let go. Feel your body let go and say to God/Universe “Thy will be done!”

Resistance is something everyone comes across on the path to success.  The key is to anticipate this, know you can overcome it, and arm yourself with the tools to do so. The best way of overcoming resistance is to practice these principals until they become habit. Once they become habit, they will penetrate into the subconscious mind and become automatic.  This is when you will truly experience miracles!

Known for her creative photography, image consulting and personal branding, her gallery shows have become iconic yearly events of class and style. A must-attend event for those in the Toronto area who want to experience more than just an image sitting on an easel. This wasn’t just an art showcase, it was an experience. An artistic expression of one woman’s viewpoint of what the world looked like. This year, it was the nation of South Africa on display.

African drummers made their way through the crowd,  followed by classy models with hidden images in their arms. Then came the masked dancers, one of which who would surprise the crowd by revealing she was part of the production. Yes Belinda was no stranger to trying new things, stepping out of her comfort zone to inspire those around her. Hence, this was the true vision for the gallery shows.

“Its a celebration of life, art and people,” says Belinda who has become one of Toronto’s more notable personalities in the last several years, taking her talents to countries such as Dubai, Bahamas, Bahrain and more recently South Africa. “Teaming up with the Canadian Cancer Society to raise funds for breast cancer research has always been a major part of these events the last 3 years. I’m honored to be giving back.”

The more people you talk to about Belinda “Kamshuka”, the more you’ll see why most people describe her as very influential and inspirational individual. But her journey didn’t come without challenges growing up.

“Escaping the civil war torn country of Uganda at the age of 4, all I saw was death all around me. I was a little nervous returning to Africa, but once I was there and seeing all the ‘life’ around me I had to capture it and share it with those back home.”

Indeed she did, as the 2011 edition of the Kamshuka Gallery Show was dubbed as the South African Collection. Belinda pulled out all the stops to create the ultimate atmosphere of entertainment and class at the Mirage Lounge & Grill in Toronto area. Special guests for the night included Canadian R&B sensation Kim Davis, well known spoken word artist Al St. Louis and popular Canadian Idol contestant Jessica Shepherd.

But the night belonged to Belinda and her artwork. A few onlookers described the experience like this:
“like the way you presented your art/photos. There was suspense, followed by drama and of course the dancing and drums were very entertaining. Thank you for a uniquely put together evening and the location was classy.”

“Loved the dance and Images from your trip! I pray that the same freedom you danced with on the dance floor will continue with you on this amazing journey called life. Keep on moving to the rhythm of life sis, your moves are Inspiring.”

“I liked your dance. I like that you explored a new side of you and put on a great show. It was unexpected! But above all, I liked how gracious you were. The show was not about you… even tho it was about you.”

Comments like these is what makes the hard work all worth it for Belinda as she continues to take her craft to the next level. “This year was about showing you the African in me,” says Belinda. “I can’t wait to show the world more of who I am in the years to come.”

For more on Belinda and Kamshuka Photography, log on to www.kamshuka.com

Deciding what it is that you would like to do, is a good place to start. You need to determine whether or not your current career path is still where you should be headed or if you want to try something new. Perhaps you have been in the retail industry for the past 5 years and have finally realized that your passion is to work with children. How do you make that transition? By looking at the educational and work experience required to work with children. Be aware that you may need to go back to school to gain the knowledge that you need and that your evenings and weekends may be temporarily consumed by homework and assignments. But don’t let that deter you, if it’s something you really want to do. It will take time, but will be worth it to be in a job where you are happy. If you enjoy your career, but not the company you work for, then ensuring that your resume is up to date is key. There are plenty of resources online to help with updating or re-writing your resume to ensure it is attractive to would-be employers.

According to Sales & Leadership Coach, Brenda Van Rossum (brendavanrossum@sympatico.ca), some of the most common reasons why people stay in a job where they are unhappy are:

1) fear of the unknown;
2) being unaware of their transferrable skills;
3) an unwillingness to risk failure that may result from a perceived ‘leap of faith’;
4) financial stability.

These fears are normal and can stem from the uncertainty that you can succeed. But in order to find a job where you feel professionally and personally satisfied, you must overcome them. How you can you do this? Van Rossum offers some tips:

1) Analyze your negative self-talk; what part are you playing in discouraging yourself to move towards new opportunities?
2) Create a list of powerful affirmations and say them; this will help to build your self-confidence and belief in yourself
3) Learn from difficult situations in your past and review what skills you used to resolve them; you will recognize the skills and talents you have to offer
4) Network, network, network!  Keeping you informed and up to date on career opportunities around you

Positive thinking is important. Sometimes we create obstacles for ourselves that do not need to exist.  Once you’ve come to the realization that you do have a lot to offer another company, its time to market yourself to recruiters and potential employers. Former recruiter (now retired) Eric Savoury advises that there are many factors that recruiters are looking for when they interview applicants. Among them, three very important ones are:

Stability – applicants that appear to have moved around from job to job too frequently show a lack of focus. Recruiters are also looking for applicants who have been in the same position (within the same company) for no more than five years; a longer period of time may show lack of progression and is not viewed as highly marketable.

Qualifications – applicants should be able to show that they are always striving for improvement professionally (i.e.: continuing education courses, training, etc).

The ability to work with others – this is an extremely important requirement and recruiters will rely heavily on references from past managers/supervisors in order to gauge an applicants ability to do this.

In Savoury’s opinion, the best way to market yourself to potential employers is by first having a strong resume, one that is concise and without excess verbiage. The second is to have great interviewing skills; being able to listen and answer the questions asked. Stay focused and on topic, don’t offer random information that the interviewer may not need or even want to know.

Now its time to leave the comfort and safety of your old routine and forge ahead on a new journey. Overcome your fears, think positively and believe in yourself and your abilities. Be prepared to embrace new opportunities and turn the page to a new chapter in your professional life. Good luck to you all!

To be fair, he may have been responding somewhat viscerally to my earlier description of an interaction with a former mentor who had been less than honest with me. Long story short: I went to the mentor for guidance and he misled me and then attempted to block my progress — the proverbial crab in the barrel manoeuvre. (I will not go into details to protect identities.) Still, Vince’s comment bothered me because I had heard it before from other black friends, acquaintances and family.

It was true that a person that I once lavished with respect and admiration proved to be unworthy of both. Yes, that individual was black. Yes, it is human nature to recollect negative experiences with greater intensity than positive ones.

Yet, I know so very many intelligent, accomplished, hard-working, diligent black professionals that comments to the contrary irk me. So, my immediate response to Vince was to list several black lawyers who I knew were superior and recognized as such by peers and public alike. It softened his tone, but he was a reluctant convert.

To be fair, such self-destructive philosophies are by no means exclusive to the black community. Because of my profession, I am privileged to work with a diverse clientele. I have heard people of various backgrounds explain their stereotypical views about their own communities to me. “Trust me, Ms. Scarlett, I am “X” too. I know how they are. I am telling you. They are all like that! That’s why I don’t do business with them!” I am glad my clients feel close enough to me to share even their politically incorrect thoughts. In response, I feel close enough to them to argue the other side. Likewise, I cringe at internal bigotry amongst black people.

After all the achievements that peoples of African descent have made in every sphere of life such as science, commerce, the arts, athletics, philanthropy, civil rights, politics, academics, media, etc. you would think our “stereotype” would have changed by now. Something like, “You know, say what you will about black people. Despite the low expectations, discrimination and other mind games they face from elementary school on up, they have this way of excelling once they fight through those barriers.” When will that be the view that is predominantly expressed in private conversations?

Consequently, I have been ruminating about the outstanding professionals of African descent that I know personally. Many of them do not advertise in the ethnic papers nor do the get invited to speak at the JCA – not that there’s anything wrong with that. In fact, in the case of several, their clients and customers are predominantly non-black. (Hey, this is Canada!) They are well-respected in their fields yet, are not well-known in the community. They work twice as hard as their contemporaries and might not be as well compensated. I, for one, see no noblesse in their continued undervaluation.

So, I’ve decided to do some things, in my own way, to contribute to their progression. One of which is that, from time to time, I will place a spotlight on one or more outstanding black legal professional in my article here in Black Ink Magazine. Originally, I joined this publication to provide information with respect to Immigration or Criminal Law and I will.  However, my next article will introduce you to my first recommended black legal professional.

It is time for our community to benefit from the expertise of these talented individuals as much as the mainstream population does. It’s time black professionals reap the rewards of their own efforts in more tangible ways. It is time we do more to achieve our mutual progression in this Canadian milieu.

I traveled with a Toronto-based charity called Third World Awareness (http://www.twawareness.org). Having interviewed one of TWA’s founders a couple of years ago and attended some of their meetings, I did have some idea of what was in store. Still, I was very nervous in the weeks leading up to my departure for this, my first humanitarian trip.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long to get used to unexpected power outages at any hour of the day or night, non-flushing toilets, and never quite knowing what time it was (I‘d left my phone at home and wasn’t wearing a watch). I got used to being stared at; I got used to having to ask people to repeat themselves a lot because my French isn’t great and my knowledge of Haïtian Kreyòl is very limited; and I got used to the hot Caribbean sun. (Okay, that wasn’t so hard to get used to; I actually enjoyed that quite a bit!)

There were, of course, things that were not so easy to get accustomed to. One of these things is that hundreds of thousands of people and families still live in tents, which may be nothing more than pieces of metal, tarp or blankets strung together. In the cities, you’re likely to see dense pockets of tents stuck together on whatever land is available, like behind a marketplace or along a road. Downtown Port-au-Prince has huge tent cities, with rows of portable toilets lined up along the outside of certain blocks; and residents may or may not have fresh water delivered regularly. There are also thousands of tents spaced out among hills in the countryside. I don’t think you can really prepare yourself for such constant evidence of extreme poverty ahead of time — I know I never got used to seeing it.

But to be honest, there were also things that weren’t “as bad” as I had expected. For example, since the deadly earthquake and aftershocks created such widespread injury and illness, I had expected to see disabled or disfigured Haïtians everywhere we went — but this was really only the case in the healthcare facilities we visited. I’d heard stories about looting and political unrest, but for the most part I felt just as safe as I would in any other country I was visiting. Oh, and the food, the food was delicious!

The work placement I chose was a hospice/clinic for people with AIDS, tuberculosis, and other ailments. I spent most of my time with the younger girls, aged around six to 18, painting their nails and giving them massages. We had so much fun jumping rope and making little toys, and teaching each other words in English, French, Kreyòl, even Spanish. Some of our activities on our days “off” included visiting an orphanage, spending a day at a home for disabled children, and beginning construction for a new school which TWA is helping to build (the site for the school is shown in the picture above; in the distance you can see some of the tents nearby).

Despite the obvious signs of hardship, there was hope in the air in Haïti. There were so many stories of faith and persistence and rebirth. I met several orphans and former street kids who, with hard work and the help of loving benefactors, have blossomed into entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders — some of them, as members of a dance and drumming troupe which tours Canada and the US, are now international performers! One of the things I’ll remember most about the people of Haïti is their refusal to give up, even in the face of repeated heartbreak and adversity.

I truly hope to go again, and I’ll be forever grateful for this experience.