When Deborah Joy Winans was growing up in the influential and legendary Winans family, she knew that acting would be one gift that she would share with the world. “I am an actor,” she proclaims. “That is all that I have ever loved and ever wanted to do as a career. I got my BFA in acting, spent a month in Moscow training in the Moscow Art Theatre School, and received my MFA in acting from the California Institute of the Arts.” Read More . . .

Dr. Walter Milton Jr. and Dr. Joel A. Freeman have known each other for over two decades. In April 2018, Walter reached out to Joel to discuss working on a K-12 black history textbook and curriculum. “I thought Joel would be an incredible addition,” Walter says. “He is the best collaborator that I could dream of.” The two men quickly got to work. “We put in 12-16 hour days, encountering many ups and downs along the way,” Joel says. Read More . . .

Michael “Boogie” Pinckney was an assistant director on movies like Spike Lee’s Inside Manand Lee Daniels’ Precious and TV shows like Broad City and Law & Order CI before he ventured out on his own to write and direct. “I’ve lived in Bed-Stuy for most of my life,” he says. “As a black creative, we often have slashes in our titles. I’m a Directors Guild of America (DGA) director/creative producer/writer/mixed media painter/founder.” Read More . . .

Baxter Perkinson Jr. works as a dentist by profession but has an artistic side that is extraordinary. He’s lived in Richmond, Virginia, his whole life and started painting at the age of 35. “I’ve never been away from home more than two weeks,” he adds. His paintings have never been sold for monetary gain. Instead, his paintings have been sold by charities and nonprofits, and have been gifted to public institutions like Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), his alma mater. Read More . . .

Rita Addico Cohen is a multi-hyphenate who has dabbled in just about everything. She was born in Accra, Ghana, and migrated to the States as a child.  She speaks 10 different languages. Not to mention, she is a dance fitness instructor/artist, has a Bachelor of Arts in classical music from the University of Virginia (UVA), a Master of Music in Classical Voice from the Manhattan School of Music, and has sung with the Virginia Opera. Read More . . .

Pan-Fried Pork Chops

“Juicy and tender chops that you can cook in 15 minutes or less.”

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Each month we highlight a community program that aligns with the values of SoulVision Magazine. We believe engaging with one’s community is critical to fostering positive change in the world. Page Turners Make Great Learners was created by Founder and Executive Director FeFe Handy. Page Turners is a literacy nonprofit partnering with elementary, middle, and high schools in the Atlanta area. Read More . . .

Vernon E. Jordan Jr. was a larger-than-life figure who created opportunities for the next generation of black leaders. He was pivotal in getting black executives a seat at the table of boardrooms and into the C-suite of major corporations. In early March of 2021, Jordan passed away at the age of 85. He left behind a legacy of fighting for civil rights and ensuring that the interest of black people was seen and heard by the country’s top decision-makers. Read More . . .

Showing up is half the battle. Don’t just do it for you though. Include those who are up next. As a leader, you are in the pole position. You are the pace car. Leaders do not need to wait around for accolades, permission or inspiration. While all these things can help, leaders must do what is required to go forward when it’s time to do something. We all get to choose how much energy we are willing to put into what we say we believe in. Read More . . .