Pieces of You: Juanita B. Green

Ask Juanita B. Green what she has coming up next and she excitedly tells you “EVERYTHING!”
“I have this passion for acting that is unexplainable,” she says.” Not only do I love and appreciate the art form, I study it. Acting for me is like breathing.”
Green a native of Shulerville, S.C. currently lives in Atlanta, she’s been performing in stage nearly ten years, but admits she’s been in character all her life.
Although she is a self-admitted stage type of girl she’s played in numerous musicals and plays. She’s graced the stage in Rent, Rock N Roll Heaven, Hairspray, Little Ham and A Raisin in the Sun just to name a few.
There are a few people in the business who Green would like to work with, some are “local superstars” as she calls them and so are known actresses and actors, Shirley MacLaine, “I can feel her energy through the television, Green said. Anthony Mackie, “He breathes talent, Anika Rose, is a powerhouse.” There are many more, but Green says its too many to name, however Meryl Streep, or “The Streep” is on the top of her list.
When not acting, Green enjoys writing, singing, watching movies, reading and spending time with family.
“Family and friends motivate me, the memory and legacy of my deceased grandmother, Dosha Lee Green, motivates me,” Green said.

She smiles at the memory of her niece Mya saying she wants to act after seeing a performances, “That motivated me.”
She continues, “Seeing my talented friends working their dreams motivates me; The look on audience members faces after a performance motivates me and last but definitely not least, God is my biggest motivator.”
Green says she is blessed to have so many role models and mentors in her life. Her three grandmothers showed her how to love unconditionally be strong, yet graceful. She adds her aunts and mom to that list, calling her mother “My wonder woman.”
Debbie Allen is another woman Green looks up to, “I call myself Debbie Allen Jr. because this woman has done it all and is still doing it all,” she said.
Cicely Tyson, Hattie McDaniel, Diane Carroll, Paula Kelly, Jasmine Guy, Audra McDonald, Angela Bassett, Ruby Dee are inspirations to her. “All these woman paved the way for me, also Phylicia Rashad, the first African American to win a Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a play.

Juanita is a graduate of University of South Carolina in Aiken. In five years she plans to be still performing, but crossing over into other avenues of the business.

Pieces of You:Monee Williams

Monee Williams is a busy woman, she has a career, she’s a mother to three energetic children, including an active pre-teen and just recently she became guardian of her younger sister.
Williams remedy for juggling it all is simple, she exercises a lot.
“A good run is therapeutic. When I don’t take time to exercise I am off balance,” said Williams who lives in Hopkins, Minnesota and runs whether it’s 70 degrees or 20 degrees.
Williams, a Technology and Operations manager says she plans everything, but understands plans fall apart.
“I am also forgiving of myself and have given myself permission to be okay with everything not going as planned,” she said. “Tomorrow is always a new day.”
A new day began for Williams and her family this past October when her 15-year-old sister Anisa came to live with her after their mother passed.
Williams said the adjustment has been relative and she takes things day by day. She says her sister has done a great job of becoming involved in school, making friends and most importantly keeping her grades up.
“We are getting to know each other and learning to work together effectively as a family and creating our new reality,” Williams said.
As a family they bowl, travel and play games together. And of course they all love to shop, especially her daughters and sister.
She advises women in similar situations to take it one day at a time, make communication the priority and remain flexible.
Williams often relies on lessons from her mother.
“She didn’t let her circumstances control her,” she said. “She was very resilient and if she wanted something she would work to get it or achieve it.”
Williams continues speaking of the woman she calls her role model. “She has taught me so much about unconditional love and how to give freely.”
Williams said her mom was fantastic. “I hope I can emulate all that she was.”
Likewise, Williams is motivated by her children. She works hard to instill in them hard work, prayer and showing them what dedication can do.
“I want them to know that no matter your circumstances, keep your head up and persevere.”

Monee is a native of Lithonia, Ga. She’s a graduate of Florida A&M University and Metropolitan State University, her hobbies include running, sewing and gardening.

Pictured above with Monee, her daughters Nailah and J. Simone, son Nasir and sister Anisa

Pieces of You: Kemay Jackson

Earlier this month Kemay Jackson did what we all do on Facebook, type our thoughts and feelings in that little blue and white box.
“Ten years ago I made the decision to quit my job, pack up me and my son and go to law school. Many people told me I was crazy to leave a good job. But I decided to listen to God. It hasn’t been easy, and initially I felt that I made a big mistake but I stepped out on faith. Lesson learned: When God gives you a vision, he also gives provision. #blessed”
Jackson, a 36-year-old attorney from Orlando, Fl said that statement was all about listening to God’s plan for her life.
“I think sometimes God tells us what he has for us, and we don’t believe it, because it seems too big,” said Jackson who currently lives in Atlanta with her son Mathieu, 16.
She continued that it’s like the story of Joseph in the Bible, you have big dreams and you don’t know how they are going to happen. Jackson said people give you a million reasons why you can’t. “I don’t blame people, because God didn’t give them a vision for my life, He gave it to me,” she said.
Jackson received her Juris Doctorate from University of Florida. Going to law school turned out to be a great decision she says. The same people who were discouraging her are the ones that praise her now. “God didn’t tell me how, He just told me to go,” she says of law school. Before becoming an attorney Jackson worked as a Benefits Specialist in Human Resources.
As a lawyer she loves the cross examination part of trials, “I love getting someone on the stand and gut punching them. It’s a thrill, I live for it,” Jackson said. She also enjoys helping people.
Jackson offers advice to women who are afraid to act on their vision. She says to simply pray on it and move on. However, work quietly on your dreams.
“People can talk you out of you dreams. Let them see you working on it, not what you about to do,” Jackson said.
While she offers words of advice for others, Jackson says she’s motivated by her past. Her grandmother came to the United States from Haiti with nothing. Her father was a drug addict her mother was a single mother with English as a second language and Jackson had a baby at the age of 19. Through it all she still became a successful attorney.
“My mother is my role model, although she drives me crazy,” Jackson said. She adds that her mother always wanted more for her children, and accomplished it.
Jackson said her mother is another example of having big dreams and not knowing the how or why. “I think about the places I’ve been and things I have seen. It’s all because my mother wanted them for me and I want the same for my son,” she said.
Jackson often recalls a dream she had as a little girl about of being an attorney.
At the time she wasn’t sure what the dream was. She remembers a vision of me being in a big city, wearing a black suit and drinking a cup of coffee.
“That’s my life now,” Jackson said. “God gives us dreams and sometimes we wonder how it’s going to happen.”
Jackson said many things have happened in her life, but the one constant has been that the Lord on her side. “I’ve had detours, but my destination is the same. I believe that the best is yet to come,” she said.
And while there is excitement about what’s next there is a bit of sadness for Jackson.
“The only thing that make me sad, is that my best friend is not here to share it with me,” she said of her friend who passed from breast cancer in 2011.
“We went through so much together,” she said. “Both of us had big dreams surrounded by little people. I think that is how we became friends.”
Jackson recently fulfilled another lifelong dream when she started her own law firm. K.L.Jackson Law LLC opened in June 2013 focusing on criminal and family law. She can be reached at 2330 Scenic Highway Snellville, Ga 30078. The number is 770-559-9917 and website is http://www.kljackson.com

Pieces of You: In Memory of Keisha Pittman

Takisha Pittman was laid to rest on Saturday March 16 after a funeral in Manning S.C.
On March 13 friends, classmates and fellow bikers packed out Chapel First Baptist Church in Scottdale for a Memorial Service.
Keisha, as she was known by family and friends passed away March 10 after a motorcycle accident.
The service was full of fond memories of Keisha, her infectious smile, short jazzy hair styles; love of shoes and most recently her love of bike riding. Last August Keisha became a member of the Platinum Peaches Motorcycle Club. She was the last member to join the club and first to pass away. Her MC family called her Jazzee. The ladies of Platinum Peaches did a special presentation honoring Keisha, which included a poem. The ladies along with their daughters carried a peach while Keisha’s 7-year-old son Chance carried an angel on a pillow during the presentation.
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There were other tributes to Keisha through song and a very moving video featuring pictures of Keisha as a baby, through her childhood, band photos from Lithonia High and pictures of her evolving into a woman and mother. There was not a dry eye in the house, but family friend, Bobby Foster quickly remedied that with an unforgettable rendition of the song Yesterday. Mr. Foster shared memories of Keisha as the congregation sung along while waving their cell phones in the air. The somber mood quickly turned into a mini concert, think Showtime at the Apollo, except there was no Sandman. Bobby Foster was definitely appreciated.
A co-worker described Keisha as loving, accountable, well rounded, and valuable. Lucy Dole said she will always be remembered for her big smile and high heel shoes.

One of Keisha’s four sisters spoke. Through tears Jada Pittman said that on the day Keisha died she was heavy on her heart. She hadn’t spoken to her older sister since last summer after an argument. Jada said that morning she simply sent her sister an inbox message on Facebook saying “I love you.”
Jada said later she got the call that Keisha passed and was devastated.
“You cannot hold a grudge,” she told the congregation. “You have to let it go, let the past be the past.”
Jada said she felt a little better after friends told her Keisha received the message and planned to call her when she returned to Georgia.
Johnny Mills, special friend of Keisha’s who was traveling with her and fellow bikers spoke.
He said before they left Florida Keisha initiated prayer, he remembered during the prayer her saying “Forgive us of our sins and guide us back home.”
Chapel First Baptist Pastor Pierre C. Sheppard offered words of encouragement. Rev. Sheppard was Keisha’s youth pastor at Antioch Baptist Church. He told the congregation that God is too wise to make mistakes.
“You’re not here by accident, God set this day in motion way before you got here,” he said. He encouraged those that didn’t have Jesus in their lives to find him.
He quoted Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Although Keisha died a tragic and sudden death, Sheppard said often times people spend too much time worrying about how a person died.
Sheppard said he envision Keisha’s last moments alive right before the accident. He spoke of her leading prayer before leaving Florida, saying Keshia was alright with God.
“Just before she lost control of the bike Jesus stood up,” Sheppard said. He continued, “It does not matter how tragic one died, the tragedy is if you die without Jesus.”
He told the congregation, “Don’t leave here unsaved tonight, it’s the only way you going to see Keisha again.”

Takisha LaShay Pittman was born November 19, 1979 in Virginia Beach, Virginia to Clitel and Willie Pittman. She leaves to cherish her memory her parents, son Chance, four sisters, a brother, friends, family, classmates and fellow bikers. She was a 1998 graduate of Lithonia High School and received a degree in Health Information Technology from Kaplan University. The family started a trust fund at Wells Fargo, donations can be made to the TaKisha “Jazzee” Pittman Memorial Fund c/o Chance Stocks. The trust fund, donations are accepted indefinitely.

Pieces of You: Tiesha “Nikki” Williams

“Growing up I knew I wanted to help people, but I didn’t want to do nursing because I have a weak stomach. Everyone would come to me for advice and ask for assistance helping locate resources. Additionally, my cousin’s situation gave me the extra push to advocate for adolescents. I enjoy helping people get on the right track and stay there. It warms my heart to see someone I’ve assisted doing great things in life. I see the good in people and believe everyone can be whoever they aspire to be.”
Those are the words of Tiesha Williams, or Nikki as she’s known to family and friends describing while she decided to pursue a career in social work.
Williams, a native of Pittsview, Al is a 21-year-old graduating senior from Troy State University who already holds an Associate Degree from Chattahoochee Valley Community College. She’s set to receive her Bachelors this year.
When not in class or working as a substitute teacher she’s either spending time with family, which includes her 7-year-old daughter Tanaya or facilitating events for her non-profit organization Young Women with a Purpose.
Young Women with a Purpose was founded at Russell County High School in 2009 by Williams. It’s an organization to help increase self awareness, self worth, and self esteem among young women in the community. It assists them in becoming successful women. The organization also empowers young women to become productive citizens.
Williams said the organization was inspired by one of her mentors, Angelia Miles Walton, founder of Teens Empowerment Awareness with ResolutionS Inc (TEARS).
“I started it to give females who don’t have a support system or an understanding parent an avenue to express themselves and obtain information about life situations before they become a part of another statistic,” Williams said. Those statistics include high school dropouts, teen mom, or a sexually transmitted disease. “Its sole purpose is to inform our young women that no matter what obstacles they face in life, they can still be successful,” she said.
In December the organization facilitated Joy Behind Bars, which sponsored two children for Christmas whose mother was incarcerated. Just recently the organization participated in a benefit program for a young lady in the community.
Five years from now Williams said she’ll have a Masters in Social Work/Criminology from Florida State University.
She also plans to obtain a doctorate in counseling and continue to help others, have a full-time job in her field and operate a prosperous organization.
“At the age of 14 I was blessed with a baby girl. I was talked about, ridiculed and told I wouldn’t make anything out of myself. According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy only 38 percent of girls who have a baby before they turn 18 have high school diplomas. Interesting, on May 22, 2009 I was a part of that 38 percent who walked across the stage at Russell County High School in the top 10 percent of my class and received my high school diploma. I continued my education and maintained a full-time job while caring for my baby girl. I am not encouraging our young ladies to become teen mothers; however, I am encouraging them to achieve their goals. Achieving your goals is not always easy, but hard work and determination is the key.

Tiesha’s hobbies include reading, dancing, family fun, social networking, photography, advocate for at risk youth, mentoring, tutoring and watching movies. She is motivated by making a positive impact on someone’s life. Her role model is her mother Tracey Williams.

Pieces of You: Regina Brooks Gilmore

In recent years Regina Brooks Gilmore has added acting to her list of things she enjoys doing. “I love acting because it allows me to stretch and challenge myself.”
Gilmore said she’s always loved entertaining people, but her real passion is modeling, something she’s been doing since the late 80s.

Although she doesn’t look it, Gilmore is a 45-year-old wife, mother and grandmother.
Additionally she wears the hat of model, actress, producer and occasionally teaching.
A native of Bastrop, Louisiana, Gilmore has called Spartanburg S.C. home for the past five years.
Since living in the Carolinas she’s done several talent shows and acting.
The television series Changes aired in April 2011 in North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina and Virginia. Gilmore landed the starring role as Sam Richardson; she also was a producer on the show.
Two years ago Gilmore did her first stage play, Don’t Make Me Over in Greenville, S.C.
When asked who she’d like to work with, she responded.
“I would love to work with Angela Bassett because of the range of characters that she’s played. It would be a dream of mine to also work with Denzel Washington because of my admiration for him as an actor,” she said. “Not to mention he’s stellar in all of his performances.”
Five years from now, Gilmore hopes to be I’m a household name.
“I want to send a resounding message to young women that you don’t have to be naked to model and act,” she said.
Gilmore is motivated by faith in God and family, which includes her husband of 22 years Darryl, children Antonio and Tamara and two grandchildren, Dallas and Aaliyah.
“I not only have a daughter and granddaughter, but I have several nieces and female cousins who really look up to me and I want to make them all proud,” Gilmore said.
Gilmore relies on the inspiration of her late parents Evoler Brooks and Lonnie Bosworth as well as her late grandmother Sarah Brooks.
“They have all instilled a strong foundation of love for self and others in me,” she said. She adds, “They always taught me to follow my dreams no matter what. They are responsible for me being the strong woman I am today.”
Gilmore says she thanks God daily for her gifts and don’t take them lightly.
“I pray that I will be able to leave a positive and lasting impression on this earth.”

Regina is a Model/Actress/Producer. She attended University of Monroe, Louisiana and Louisiana Businesses College. She holds an Associates Degree in Accounting/Bookkeeping. Her hobbies are reading, traveling, shopping and meeting new people.

Lithonia High mourns the loss of two beloved alums

The Lithonia High School family suffered the loss of two former students over the weekend.

On Saturday (3/9) Chalaundria Browning, 33, Lithonia passed from cancer.
Chalaundria, affectionately known as Lundy is a 1997 graduate of LHS.
Chalaundria’s viewing will be held Thursday March 14 from 3 to 9 p.m. at Tri-City Funeral Home. The funeral home is located at 6861 Main Street in Lithonia.
The funeral will be held the following day at Fairfield Baptist Church at 11 a.m. The church is located at 6133 Redan Road in Stone Mountain.
Prayers to the entire Browning family, class of 1997 and all those touched by Chalaundria’s presence.
Donations are being accepted at http://www.lhsalumni1997.com

On Sunday night (3/10) Takisha Pittman, 33 died in a motorcycle accident while traveling through Bibb County, Ga. Keisha, as she was known to classmates is a 1998 graduate of LHS.

The first service for Keisha will be held Wednesday March 13 at Chapel First Baptist Church from 6 to 9 p.m. located at 17 Seventh Ave in Scottdale. Another service will be held Saturday March 16 at Society Hill Methodist Church at 4 p.m. in Manning S.C.
Keisha was member of Platium Peaches McATL.
The Class of 98 Reunion Committee has started a Paypal account for Keisha, all donations will go to her a family for a trust fund in honor of her son Chance. To donate, visit http://www.paypal.com and send funds to nsjw2004@yahoo.com.
A money order will be sent to Keisha’s parents.

Thank you Lundy and Keisha for blessing our lives, you’ll always be in our hearts.
To the Browning and Pittman family, may God bless and keep you during this time.

Five Days of Daddy(Day 5)

Well today would’ve been my dad’s 56th birthday. He lived 50 long years and I know that’s not very long, but when you live with Sickle Cell Anemia the way my daddy did, every year counts. I remember my grandma telling me that the doctors said he would never walk or live to see his first birthday…Hahaha doctor, he lived to see 50 birthdays and he lived every single moment of those years. Anyway I’d like to share some pictures from his last birthday party. Enjoy

Daddy’s best friend Larry and I

Daddy and Larry

Me and daddy, I still have that dress

Daddy’s long time friend Cynthia who I call Aunt Cynthia and Aunt Janice, daddy’s youngest sister

Larry and Veronica Love

Daddy and his youngest brother Howard

Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Mule

A guest pinning money on dad

Me and Mule

Doing some line dance with daddy! He was so much fun!

Daddy and DOL co-workers

Daddy dancing with his oldest sister Bobbie

Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Mule

One of my best friends Shea. We didn’t even plan to dress alike.

The yummy cake.

Five Days of Daddy (Day 4)

For most of my life I was really shy. I didn’t talk to people unless I knew them, hell I hardly talked to people I did know.
I didn’t like taking pictures, I didn’t like to smile, and I was just a very mean little girl.
As I got older I began to come out of my shell, I’d say I was about 15-years-old when I finally blossomed. By 18 I got into local modeling, for me it was just for fun, but it boost my confidence a whole lot. I remember my first show at The World Congress Center, I modeled three outfits (formal, casual and African). My dad was unable to attend because he’d just had hip replacement surgery, but he watched the VHS. You would think I was walking a runway during New York Fashion Week.
He was so excited, “Look at my baby, go Shaka.” He kept rewinding and watching my part over again.
In 2005 I got the opportunity to represent my college newspaper during Clark Atlanta University’s Coronation. It was first time being in the spotlight in college, I was kind of nervous, but excited at the same time.
Nerveless, I invited everybody and their mama. It was a Thursday night and I knew it would be hard for most since it was a work week.
I’m sure I invited at least ten people including my aunt, cousin and his wife, stepmom, and a few more people.
Right as I was walking into the building to head backstage I saw my daddy. He was running unusually late. I stopped and one of my friends and a photographer for the newspaper Jerusalem Barnett (now Farmer) snapped a picture of us.
I had no idea who else was at the show. Even when I was on stage the lights were so bright I couldn’t see into the crowd.
After the program was over I went into the crowd and my dad was the only one there, everyone else had something to come up and didn’t make it.
What I remember about that night is that my dad got there right as the show was about to start, but he was the only one that showed up beaming from ear to ear.

Daddy and I at CAU’s Coronation. Me as 2005 Miss Panther Newspaper

Five Days of Daddy (Day3)

When I got married almost two years ago I went through a lot of my daddy’s pictures to make a slide show for the Father/Daughter Dance.
I found lots of pics I’d forgotten all about and of course the memories came flooding back.
In the late 80s early 90s daddy had this smurf blue Toyota that he would drive to Alabama and pick me up in. My favorite times were in the summers when I got to stay a extended time. My daddy worked in retail during that time and I would go to work with him.
He worked in a clothing store at Avondale Mall, everyone knew him in the mall and I’d go from store to store visiting the managers.
One day I was at work with my dad and I guess I was bored, I picked up the phone when daddy wasn’t paying attention and dialed 9-1-1. As soon as someone on the other end answered, I’d hang up. I did this about three times, until finally an officer showed up.
I was sitting behind the counter and it was still early in the day so there weren’t any customers in the store. The police asked for the manager and daddy identified himself.
By now I’m scared, but still sitting quiet.
The officer told daddy they received several calls from this store and asked if everything was okay. Daddy looked at me and asked “Shaka did you call the police?”
I told him yes, he asked why and I told him because I was bored. (LMAO)
I was about 9-years-old and always bored. The officer laughed and told me not to do it again. Daddy popped my hand and told me not to do it again and that was the end of that. Later on my daddy said next time I do something like that he was going to let them take me to jail since I was so bored then he gave me this long lecture about playing on the phone with the police. Needless to say I never dialed 9-1-1 again unless it was an emergency.

Daddy and me heading to work in the smurf blue Toyota

Pieces of Cobb

Kernels of Wisdom, Truth and Life