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Webster defines reset as a verb meaning to move back to an
original place or position; to put a bone back in the correct place
for healing, or to put a gem into a new piece of jewelry. While
Webster’s definition speaks tangibly regarding the word reset, I
found myself applying this same definition to the spiritual things in
my life that needed to be reset.
Many times in our lives we find ourselves straying from the original plan, smothering our passion and
delaying the pursuit of our God ordained purpose. The problem is not that we stray, the problem is that we
are too afraid to begin again. We become so consumed with what we consider failure that we lose sight of
the opportunity that we have to use what we experienced with the old thing to catapult us to success in the
new thing. Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV says, Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.
Behold I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?
If you’ve ever felt that you failed at anything that you deemed your passion, that kept you up at night, or
invaded your dreams when you managed to sleep, then you know that the freedom in allowing God to do a
new thing in that thing is an underestimated, unexplainable experience.
Stellar award winning artist Isaac Carree released a CD entitled RESET! The title track proclaims that it’s
never too late to begin again… The lyrics go on to say …” you can start right where you are. Life can begin
today. You're so close, you're not that far. You don't have to stay the same, but you’ve got to want to
change. Just do your part. ….All you gotta do is reset your ways, reset today, reset your mind. No matter
what's behind you, I'm here to remind you that you can reset”. With these lyrics in mind, I’ve decided to
push the reset button! I am moving my passion back to its original place, in its correct place! STANDARD
MAGAZINE is that thing that keeps me up at night, and invades my dreams when I’m able to sleep. I’m
embracing the freedom that allowing God to do a new thing affords me and allowing this underestimated,
unexplainable experience to envelop me.
Thank you for joining me!
Creator/Editor-in-Chief
Carmalita Longino-Sims
here are many components to success
in life whether it is in marriage in
ministry in business, fitness, education or
vocation we can all agree there are many
contributing factors to achieving our goals.
While faith is a very important ingredient in
the believer’s recipe for success it is important
to know that it is not the only ingredient. Just
as it is important to have all the ingredients
when baking a cake (Flour, oil, water, sugar,
eggs…) it is necessary to have all the
ingredients needed to produce the promises of
God in our lives. If flour is the “Main”
ingredient in a cake recipe then it is safe to say
that “Faith” is the main ingredient in the recipe
for the promises of God. It is “Impossible” to
make a cake without flour! Likewise without
faith it is impossible to please God… Hebrews
11:6 However just as it is impossible to make a
cake without flour it is also impossible to make
a cake with flour alone! It wouldn’t make very
much sense to gather all the cakes ingredients
only to discover that I don’t have any eggs and
proceed to make the cake with the assumption
that I will just add a little more of the main
ingredient. Extra flour cannot compensate for
the absence of eggs any more than extra faith
can compensate for the absence of other vital
ingredients needed to produce or access the
promises of God. 1st Peter 1:4-8 Whereby are
given unto us exceeding great and precious
promises: that by these ye might be
partakers of the divine nature, having
escaped the corruption that is in the
world through lust. And beside this, giving
all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and
to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge
temperance; and to temperance patience;
and to patience godliness; And to
godliness brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly kindness charity. For if these
things be in you, and abound, they make
you that ye shall neither be barren nor
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ. There is no doubt that the
believer is given great and precious promises
according to these verses but the writer clearly
implies there are some contingencies that
must be considered if we are going to have full
access to these benefits. James says that “Faith
without works is dead being alone” Jude say
“We must build on our Faith” Peter says that
we must “Add to our faith” Peter gives more
specific detailed instructions, he first says that
we must be diligent! Diligence means to be
consistent and persistent in work or effort,
truth is sometimes we lack diligence not
faith! We are either inconsistent (start and
stop) or we give up too soon or easily (we
quit). Then he says add “virtue” that is high
moral character or values. Simply stated “we
must have convictions and core values that
provide us with a moral compass.” While we
are faithfully committed and diligent in our
pursuit of success, we do not pursue at any
and all cost! We will not defraud any or
compromise our faith or principles in order to
succeed. Next he says add to your virtue
“knowledge” Faith and virtue alone will
produce a religious and self-righteous
people; it is necessary to continue to grow
in our knowledge and understanding of
the truth. Many Christians build their
faith, which confirms their values, and
refuse to continue to learn. I have heard it
said, “The leader that stops learning
should stop leading” the older I get the less I
realize I know! Knowledge is gained through
experience, education and exposure therefore
we must continue to position ourselves to
grow thru learning. The next ingredient we
need according to Peter is temperance; that is
self-control or restraint. While each of these
deserves a paragraph of its own succinctly
stated discipline is a prerequisite for
promotion. If we lack discipline our
development will be delayed and our
promotion may be denied! And to temperance
“patience” the capacity to accept or tolerate
delay, trouble or suffering without getting
angry, frustrated or upset. In Luke 21 Jesus
says, “In patience possess ye your souls”
patience is a virtue that without makes our
journey all but unbearable and yet none of us
are born with patience. Patience must be
developed James 1:3 “The trial of your faith
worketh or develops patience” Romans 5:4
“tribulation works patience and patience
experience and experience hope and hope
makes not ashamed…” We must then add to
patience Godliness or piety and to Godliness
brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness
charity or love. The purpose of this article is
not to exhaust each subject but rather to
provoke our thinking and to call us from our
comfort zones and challenge you to re-engage
your dream and your vision armed with the
knowledge that you may not lack faith but
perhaps there is one or more missing
ingredients. Most believers I know have Faith
and they pray, praise and worship, they give
but there are other practical areas that may be
overlooked and I encourage you to find the
missing ingredient and fulfill your purpose and
By, Pastor Terry M. Clark
Terry M. Clark is Pastor of Body Of Christ Assembly-
Charlotte in Charlotte, NC where he lives with his
wife Meshelle. He is an entrepreneur, author, and
much sought after preacher and teacher.
Social media has a unique way of introducing us to people, places and things that so many may not have otherwise had the privilege of experiencing. Markita D. Collins is one of those people! In a matter of only a few months her ministries have transformed the lives of women across the county. Her transparent, no nonsenses approach to life, love, ministry, entrepreneurship, womanhood and motherhood are a refreshing reminder that the favor of God is on her life. STANDARD MAGAZINE sat down with Markita to hear in order to share what God has done and is continuing to do in, with and thru her.
Who is Markita Collins?
I am a woman first! I am a mother of 5 including one bonus baby, a
baker, a worship artist, and God has given me an amazing opportunity
to minister to hundreds of women all over the world via social
media. I’m just an all-around, well rounded woman that loves
Jesus for real!
It seems that Kita’s Kookies and Treats has taken on
a life and ministry of its own. When? Where? How
did this happen?
I started baking professionally in Syracuse, NY in 2011. Due to some
unfortunate circumstances beyond my control I had to shut down
abruptly. I was highly embarrassed and humiliated because I was the wife
that wanted to help her husband. We’d just had our 4th child, 5 including
my step-daughter and I was a stay at home mom, but I didn’t want my husband
to shoulder the responsibility of caring for us on his own. The bible teaches us
that our gifts will make room for us, put us before great men and give us the
power to create wealth. I began to ask God, “what can I do”? I was doing little
things here and there but I’d also had a passion for baking. So we started
buying the products. My husband said, “Let’s get our DBA, tax id number, and
let’s make it work. Soon after we moved from New York to Memphis, TN.,
where we’ve been for about 2 years. In February of 2015 my husband said,
“Babe it’s time to bake again” I didn’t want to! What happened last time was
devastating and I didn’t want to go thru that again. He said, “You’ve just got
“I think that it’s important to “sow up” it’s very important
to share other people whether they are under you, next to
you or above you and not feel like you’re in competition,
inadequate or like you can’t obtain it. “
to trust God” At that time
I had enough ingredients to make 2
batches of cookies, not even a full
dozen. I literally had 1 egg, a little
flour, a little bit of this… a little bit
of that. I made some chocolate chip
cookies, took a few pictures, posted
then on my Instagram page, my
husband did a quick “Under
Construction” website, I went on
Periscope and shared that I wasn’t
just a worship artist and that I’m
not just here to pray with you all,
but I’m a baker and the rest is
history. Starting from that leap of
faith. I introduced Kita’s Kookies on
Periscope and everything just took
off.
Speaking of Periscope! You
obviously have a heart for
women that are broken, and
rebuilding. #GirlTalkWithKita has
also taken on a life of its own. How
did it come to be?
Absolutely! I’ve been on radio for
going on 4 years. I began as a
special guest, then a co-host and
finally a host with Marcel Adams in
the Morning on Xcel Radio. The CEO
Mr. Tim Clinton gave my husband
and I an opportunity after hearing
about our ministry “U Speak Life”
He heard about our conference
calls, where people would call in.
We’d have conversations, people
would ask questions and we would
pray. We treated it like a radio
show. One day Marcell was sick and
gave me the opportunity to do a girl
talk session. Talking to women for
15 to 20 minutes grew the platform
from an hour to all day. After Exell
took a hiatus, the Lord had my
husband and I continue on using
Periscope. I just created a space on
Periscope to have a conversation.
Now we’re launching a new
website, radio show and even Girl
Talk tours. Now people want me to
come to wherever they are to talk
to their ladies, their teens and even
men listen to Girl Talk and they feel
welcomed and included in the
conversations as well.
You’re Markita the mom, the
baker, the worship artist, the
mom… How are you juggling every-
thing without leaving something
or someone out?
I learned to ask God for a spirit of
balance, if I don’t I’ll crack. I have to
use wisdom. I’m still Markita and I
have to take care of Markita, I have
to take care of my body…make sure
I get rest. I’m a wife, I have to tend
to my husband, and a mommy. I
have to love my children and my
business. I’m in ministry. Wearing a
lot of different hats and sometimes
I just gotta say, “I need some me
time”. I don’t feel bad for that
anymore. I used to feel bad
because I wanted to accommodate
everybody and please everybody,
but I had to learn how to create
balance and embrace the word no.
No, I can’t do it, no I won’t change
my mind, no not this time, and not
feel guilty for taking time for me,
my children or my husband. If I
have to shut down, I just have to
shut down. I have to make sure that
I’m okay to take care of all of these
things.
It seems like your ministries have
both expanded and evolved. Who
has influenced the different facets
of your ministry?
I would of course have to first say
my parents. I came am from a
stable family with a strong
foundation, biblically sound
ministry. I was exposed to good
education, and great experiences.
My parents showed me that you
can make it thru anything in life,
and that all things don’t have to be
dreary. I grew up with a lot of
people that seemed to have more
negative days than positive days…
broken and blended families,
everything was kind of a task. With
my family it was as ok for us to say
my mother and father are still
married, they take us to church
together…we prayed as a family,
we loved to sit down for dinner…
together, we loved being around
each other. Unfortunately, we’re
the minority. I want to show people
that even if you don’t have that
now, you can look forward to it.
Don’t think you can’t obtain the life
that God ordained. I definitely
promote family, family, family!
You’ve made it a point to share
your circle of influence. Why is
that so important?
I think that it’s important to “sow
up” it’s very important to share
other people whether they are
under you, next to you or above
you and not feel like you’re in
competition, inadequate or like you
can’t obtain it. I love to see other
people flourish especially people
that have been cast down or looked
over. I think that a lot of us are
hidden on the back side of the
mountain and God is removing the
mountain and showing another
circle of people who we are. We’ve
always been here…you just didn’t
know where we were located. So I
have no problem sharing Cora Jakes
Coleman, Kendra Hill, my friend
Jonetta, my sister Dale.
Dawnyielle, Darius Cooks, Real
Talk Kim…. these people are
amazing to me. I love
what they do, and what
they’re about. I even
share the young people
that are trying their
best to stay humble
and whole and secure.
It’s not just about
sharing the people that
I admire but also about
sharing the people that
admire me.
Your transparency is
refreshing and rare.
Not many people are as
transparent and can provoke
others to be transparent. You
shared your testimony of being
broken and now you seem to be
in a place of self-acceptance,
contentment and gratefulness.
How did you get there?
Through much prayer, and dealing
with the real issues that were
inside me, and not blaming oppos-
ing forces for everything but taking
ownership of what I did or what I
didn’t do and loving myself all over
again. Also having an amazing
husband. …outside of God my
husband is truly my everything. He
keeps me grounded, he loves me,
he protects me, he covers me, he
pushes me. If it wasn’t for my
husband nobody would see me
because he is so not insecure with
who he is that he can see me be
great, and he welcomes and
accepts it. I think that just by
dealing with things. Just taking
ownership of my life, and not
waiting for someone to come to
me to say What thus sayeth the
Lord, but me already knowing
what God has said.
What do you want people to
know about Markita?
I want people to know that I’m
regular. I make mistakes just like
them. I’m not afraid to tell the
truth about who I am. I’m still a
regular person, I’m still that girl
that’s walking around the house in
a sweatshirt and flip flops. I like to
be made up and to dress up…but
sometimes I don’t feel like it!
Sometimes I don’t want to bake.
Sometimes I want to just lay in my
bed., and just cuddle up with my
husband. I want people to know
that I am no different than
them…. I am just Markita!
What next for Markita?
You can absolutely order delicious
treats by going to
www.KitaKookies.com (that’s
kookies with a K) and you can
reach me [email protected]
for booking. I’m very excited to
announce that I’ve officially
launched the Girl Talk with
Kita website I’ll be doing
one on one sessions for
people that don’t want to
talk on Periscope but want
my attention for about 30
minutes to an hour. I’ll be
able to minister to them
directly to help meet there
need. I’m collaborating with
a T-shirt designer for Girl
Talk with Kita shirts and also
with an eyewear designer for Girl
Talk with Kita glasses I’m traveling
and singing…. There are so many
things! God may have me going to
Pluto! I’m just looking forward to
moving forward in what God has
placed in me!
@MarkitaDCollins
www.kitaskookies.com
www.girltalkwithkita.com
On Purpose available everywhere June 10
I only had the opportunity to know this awe-
some young lady (name withheld out of re-
spect for the family) for a short time; howev-
er, that short time seemed like a life time.
This young lady fought the fight of a winner
as she battled cancer throughout her body.
Some may say that I do not have a reason to
grieve her transition because I did not know
her as long as others, but she was and is spe-
cial. When I first met her she made me feel
like I was really family, period. There was not
a time that I entered her presence that she
would not hug me and let me know that she
loved me. I never asked her what she was
thinking about anything, but she always
would share with me.
Even as I sit her now, I can see her
smile as she says, “Richard’s here, come give
me a hug.” I am so very blessed to have met
and been able to spend time with this young
lady. I will never forget her smile, hugs, and
words spoken to me (some of which I still
wrestle with). Although, her words, smiles,
and hugs, will be remembered for the rest of
my days, her praise and persistence in wor-
ship amid her struggle is seared in my mind.
Whenever I was blessed to be with her and
my family, I do not care how sick or weak she
was, she had a praise on her lips; she had
worship on her mind. We
would be sitting at the kitch-
en table at her sister’s
house, her hands would be
shaking, she would be hav-
ing trouble focusing her
eyes, but she was going to
do her devotions. She was
going to get through it, no
matter how long it took her.
This young lady,
taught me (and all who saw
her) several lessons or
caused me (us) to remem-
ber some things afresh. The first lesson she
taught was, “Your worship is not to be re-
served for wonderful moments!” She taught
me (us) that worshipping God is in order no
matter what your circumstances look like.
Even when your circumstances are anti-
thetical to what you are believing God for,
you yet ought to worship. She taught me (us)
afresh that “worship” is not about what God
has done or is doing in one’s life, but it is
wholly about who He is by virtue of His exist-
ence. God is; thus, we worship.
Secondly, this young lady taught me
(us), via living through her storm, about true
faith. She taught me (us) afresh that “faith” is
not to be forgotten amid frailties. She taught
me (us) that life can bring infirmities and frail-
ties in the form of cancer, but true faith still
stands in the face of the frailty and proclaims,
“Greater is He that is in me than he that is in
the world!” In the face of frailties my (our)
faith must yet operate like what God has said
is true. She taught me (us) that faith, true
faith, focuses on the faithfulness of God, in
spite of… Lastly, this young lady taught, all
that would to pay attention, the reality of
living out 1 Thessalonians 5 in our present
day:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give
thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will
of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessaloni-
ans 5:16-18 NRSV)
These verses of scriptures are a command to
the Christian, not an easy one I might add.
We are told to express joy regardless of our
circumstances. This expression of joy is not
for the circumstances, but in spite of the cir-
cumstances. It is an expression that emanates
from the inside because of the unfailing, un-
changing, and non-compromising presence
and blessings of Christ resident internally.
Then the Christian is commanded to pray
constantly and consistently. Lastly, we are
instructed to give thanks in all circumstances.
Whew!!! Not some, but all circumstances.
This does not suggest that we are thankful for
the bad circumstances, it merely suggest that
we are able to give thanks amid what seems
bad because of the God we serve and who
works in our favor. This young lady lived
these verses of scripture. She could be found
expressing joy frequently, praying without
fail, and giving thanks in spite of her circum-
stances.
This young lady has transitioned
from us in physical form, but she remains
ever etched in the hearts of many, including
me. The lessons she taught are vivid, present-
ly powerful, and I am confident will serve as
tools of empowerment for future living.
Young lady, rest well, you have labored, and
one glad morning when this world comes to
an end, we will met again in the air, and once
again worship will be the order of the day.
You are a WINNER!!! Shalom.
LESSONS FROM A WINNER By, Pastor Richard Fields
Richard Fields is the pastor of the Victory Baptist
Church International in Detroit, Michigan.
When he is not reading or writing, he enjoys
spending time with family, watching movies and
traveling. Richard is enjoying life with his gift
from God, his wife, Maria, their children, and
grandchild.
When and Where did you
meet?(laughing)
Lashawn: Go ahead babe!
April: This story changes so
much
Lashawn: We’ll have April’s
version today.
April: We met at a video
shoot for Natalie Wilson and
SOP for her song entitled,
“Act Like You Know” at the
time I was a celebrity hair
stylist. I was there to do her
hair. Shawn wrote the song
and was also featured on the
song. I had to go into his
trailer to make sure that his
grooming needs were okay,
and that’s when his life was
changed forever…when he saw me, he
fell deeply in love. He picked with me
the entire day. You know like in grade
school, the little boy likes the girl so he
picks with her, because he really likes
her? Well, Shawn picked with me the
entire day…throwing M&M’s at me
and cracking jokes. Everybody could
see that he had a thing for me. I saw
him again at a studio session for
Natalie, she kind of put it all together
where she knew that we both would
be there and be able to have a
conversation. That’s when we got a
chance to know each other on a
different level, and exchanged
numbers. After that he said, You’re
gonna be my wife! I said, I agree one
hundred percent!
What was it that separated him/her
from anybody else?
April: Honestly! He had me at hello.
He was everything that I wanted in a
husband! He represented everything
that I thought a husband should be.
He sat outside my car for three hours
while we talked and it was really
good conversation. Not a
conversation like a guy trying to get
into my pants, but a guy who really
wanted to get to know me on a
deeper level. I really knew at that
moment that he was special and I
wanted him to be a part of my life….
Even if it was just a friendship, I felt
like his values overrode any other
possibilities. I knew he was that
special .
Shawn: Well you know I was
definitely trying to get in her pants….
(laughs) In my single days it was a peak
interest kind of thing. I would go a
month or two, sometimes three
months wanting to be involved with
an individual and the feeling would
just leave, but with her it was so
engaging from the beginning and I
knew that this was different. I wanted
LASHAWN & APRIL
We’ve seen them on WE TV’s Tamar and Vince Show as friends and mentors, she is a celebrity hair stylist and the
founder of the Rock out with Me Woman and Rock out with Me Couple’s Movement, and we’ve heard his enormous
talent as a producer and songwriter for notable artist including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Lady Gaga. I
sat down with Lashawn and April Daniels and found them to be stellar examples of how to love who you love with
faith as a foundation.
to talk to her, I wanted to be
around her, and I wanted her
around me…she was just so
beautiful. You know at the time I
had a lot of other side things
poppin’ (laughs) but after that I let
all of that go because I knew she
was the one.
What are some of the challenges
that you’ve faced as a couple and
how have you
navigated thru
them?
LaShawn: As a
couple there are
always challenges,
what we try to do is
get to the root of it.
We begin with the
fact that we know
we love each other, we know we
want to be with each other. I don’t
care how mad I get at her or her at
me I know that there will be a time
that I will be ready to get over it
and wanting to be back to love.
We start with the love for each
other. So whether the challenges
be internal or external, the way
we navigate thru them is our love
for each other. There is not a time
where I don’t want her around to
me. I want her there even if she’s
upset with me. I don’t ever want
her outside of me.
It seems like divorce has become
trendy. What kinds of tools have
you put in place to “divorce
proof” your marriage?
April: Our philosophy is that
divorce is not an option! Our
accountability is to Christ and our
relationship with him keeps us
accountable. Some people say
that it’s easier said than done, but
when your faith comes into play
coupled with your accountability it
makes it easier to stay true.
We don’t want to divorce one
another. I don’t think any couple
wants to divorce, but there are
times when people just can’t with-
stand the fight, but for us…no
matter how mad we get at one
another, whatever differences we
may have, that is simply not a
go-to for us. We don’t even
entertain it. We’re very careful,
we don’t even play around with it.
Actually, early on in our marriage
when we were trying to figure
out our whole rhythm and flow we
would easily get frustrated, and
say…”well maybe we should just
get divorced” but with time and
wisdom and lessons learned and
not really wanting that for
ourselves, we learned that you’ve
got to be careful what you speak,
because there is so much power in
the words that we say. There
really aren’t any tricks, it’s just
knowing where we stand in this
union.
Would you say that your faith is
the foundation of your
relationship?
April: Absolutely! You can’t have
a successful
anything without it.
God is the center of
our life, and every-
thing that we do.
We don’t look for
man’s accolades;
we look to be pleas-
ing to God. With
that, we’re not per-
fect. We’re still
flawed, but we strive towards the
right things in our marriage. It
helps us to keep everything in per-
spective when our flesh wants us to
act a fool on each other, and walk out.
All of that plays a significant role in
who we are as husband and wife. I
can’t downplay my relationship
with Christ because without Him
there may not be an April and
LaShawn, and because with him
there is an April and LaShawn. He
is the glue that holds us together.
With your individual endeavors
and your endeavors as a couple.
How do find time to be every-
thing you need to be to one an-
other and to your children?
LaShawn: I think its about
“Our philosophy is that divorce is not
an option! Our accountability is to
Christ and our relationship with him
keeps us accountable. “
perspective. We strongly believe
that there is no way in the world
that God would bless you in your
business and allow your family to
suffer. There is no way you will be
successful in business while your
marriage suffers. That requires
balance. In my line of work there is
a “right now-right-now” mentality.
It’s almost like the principle of
tithing. We believe that when you
tithe, you open up the door for
God to bless you. We believe in
tithing into our family and tithing
into each other with time. We set
aside time that is our time. I don’t
really don’t care what else may be
happening during that time…if
something comes that is for me,
the Lord will see to it that its
worked out, but during our time
we’re at our youngest basketball
game, or we’re at a movie
together, or just enjoying one
another. It really comes with
placement and priority and
knowing where we are and what
we need as family. Who comes
first and what comes second.
What is the Rock Out with Me
Campaign?
It’s a women’s campaign that I
initiated last year to unite women.
For some reason there is a stigma
in the African American
community that there is no unity
among women, the support is
broken and we can’t get along. My
mission was to restore unity and to
change the face of what unity of
African American women looked
like. From that Shawn and I
started the “Rock out with Me
Couples” campaign. We did an
online seminar that included a
date night with The Daniels. The
tour will continue in September for
the women and a cruise Labor Day
weekend, and we’re also working
on the next date
night with The Daniels. We’re
trying to make “Rock out with Me”
a household name. Our children
are working on Rock out with me
for children. We’re really just
trying to spread positivity.
What other projects are you
working on?
April: Outside of continuing to
work on the Rock out with me
campaign, right now I am working
on a book that should be published
later this year.
LaShawn: I’ve got some really ex-
cited things going on. This year I
developed the mentality, and
objective to build kingdom music.
We’re from the church …I’m a
church boy. I’ve had incredible
success with Whitney Houston,
Michael Jackson and Beyonce, I
now want to have the same effect
and impact on the gospel market. I
feel like it’s at a stagnate place . I
did a song with Erica Campbell, I
Luh God, that is now nominated
for a Billboard award. The action
and the response to what is going
on towards kingdom building is
phenomenal. I want to continue in
that same vain. I’m also working
with another group that goes by
the name of Clark Kent, we have a
song out called “Oh My God” that
premiered on the “Saints and
Sinners” soundtrack on Bounce
Television, the response to that
record has also been phenomenal.
I think now people are receptive
to kingdom business more than
ever. A friend of mine has network
series that consists of preachers
and I thank God for putting in me
to establish the objective to really
help kingdom business grow so
that we can compete in major
markets, and take the message
where it needs to go.
How do you think the church can
play a better role in helping to
maintain and mold strong families
and lasting relationships?
LaShawn: I think that the Pastors
that are put in place and who
know that they are sent by God
and know that they are hearing
from God should stand firm on
marriage, and speak to
everything….wether its sex or
temptation…those things should
not be off of the table. They don’t
want to talk about things like sex
because it has become a weapon
in the church, but when dealing
with marriage no conversation
should go untouched. The bible
says that the marriage bed is
undefiled. There are things that
just have to be addressed and I
think a lot of Pastors just won’t do
it because their members may be uncomfortable. I would say that the best thing for the church to do to
grow and incubate great marriages is to not be so afraid and ashamed to talk about everything that goes on
in marriage.
What do you want people to know about The Daniels:
April: We are really looking to be able to spread a positive message and reinforce what love should look
like. We are living in a world that is so questionable …everything around us, from the state of the
government to the economy. Our goal is that
everytime we have the opportunity to speak
or to be present we want to be very focused
on spreading love and positivity and allowing
the light of Jesus that shines in us to shine out
to others. It’s not really about us, it’s about
what God has made us capable of doing, and
what He trusts us with to represent the body
of Christ in a way that pleases Him. We want
people to walk away with the notion that what
you get with Lashawn and April is 100%
authentic, its all about Jesus. It’s all about
family…it’s all about love!
LaShawn: There are pitfalls to marriage and
business even in what seems to be a very
glamorous outlook on the type of work that
we do. We want people to know that you can
keep a standard and in keeping a standard God
will honor what you do for Him. You are
capable of maintaining a successful marriage
and a successful business. Do not be afraid of the pitfalls! We believe that we have somebody that can
rescue you from the valley and it does not matter what aspect of the valley you are in. We have someone
who can come in and literally pull you out of the valley if you are willing to put Him in his proper place, and
that is the Lord Jesus Christ! The end all be all for us is that we have ups and downs but the downs, don’t
have to outweigh the ups, and when you are up He can sustain you. God is able to split between your
business, your marriage, and your happiness because He is apart of it all.
April & LaShawn Daniels @IamAprilDaniel @BigShiz
www.RockOutWithMe.net
pursue it with passion.
Multi-Grammy® winner and multi-
award winning gospel artist, and
originally scripted series TV star
Erica Campbell with co-host GRIFF
bring her voice, inspiration, charis-
ma and style to a new morning
drive radio show syndicated by
Reach Media Inc. In collaboration
with Radio One.
Get Up! Mornings with Erica
Campbell debuted on May 10 and
has quickly become a listener
favorite. From the range of music
styles to powerful interviews with
lively features and a fresh ap-
proach on news and listener en-
gagement. Erica Campbell creates
a high-energy experience for listen-
ers to start every day in FAITH,
with LOVE and having JOY. Both
the comedic genius and news sav-
vy of Erica’s co-host GRIFF allows
for a fun twist on the serious issues
impacting the lives of listeners
. With segments like Erica-isms
where Erica shares a personal
thought of the day to inspire
listeners to live authentically and
wholly; and GRIFF’s Prayer that
provides comical inspiration for hot
topics – Get Up!
Erica is graciously juggling being a
mom, First Lady, and much trav-
eled recording artist with her new
venture as radio host. When asked
“Why now?” Erica and Griff both
reply with a resounding “Why not?
If God charges you to do some-
thing, it’s not for you to ask why,
says Griff. “We’re so blessed! This
is not heavy or hard to do. I don’t
live a life saying, Oooh that’s too
much” says Erica. We’re in the cul-
ture where people love to say,
“You’re doing too much. I wanna
be wherever God wants me to be
and wherever God wants me to go
that’s where I’ll go. When some-
one gives you an opportunity to
speak to the world you can’t say
no”!
The chemistry between Erica and
Griff is both refreshing and undeni-
able. They are both excited about
this opportunity to speak to the
world and to inspire church folks,
and non-church folks that just
want a little gospel in the morning.
Campbell and Griff have been
friends for a very long time, but
were never afforded an opportuni-
ty to work together. We hope to
challenge people to step outside
the box to see God thru different
eyes and draw more souls to
Christ. Both host agree that their
strong personalities make for a
perfect fit.
Campbell hopes that Get Up!
Mornings will challenge people to
step outside the box, to see God
thru different eyes…and draw
more souls to Jesus. We are wide
open and transparent… there are
no topics off limits. Its hearing the
voices of the people, says Erica.
Mornings with Erica Campbell is
available on 38 stations throughout
the country, though some notably
large markets are missing,
including Chicago and Los Angeles.
Check the full list here http://
getuperica.com/stations-affiliates/
to see if it’s on in your area.
TOP 10 CHRISTIAN BOOKS
1. Good or God? [C] Bevere, John
2. Fervent [P] Shirer, Priscilla
3. Jesus Calling [C] Young, Sarah Thomas
4. Good Faith [C] Kinnaman, David
5. The Jesus Storybook Bible [C] Lloyd-Jones, Sally
6. The Battle Plan for Prayer [P] Kendrick, Stephen
7. War Room Bible Study - Bible Study Book [P] Kendrick, Stephen
8. Easter Stories and Prayers [C] Bostrom, Kathleen Long
9. Jesus Calling [I] Young, Sarah Thomas
10. My Easter Basket [O] Simon, Mary Manz
http://cbanews.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/04/
TOP 10 GOSPEL ALBUMS
1. WOW Gospel – Various Artist
2. Loosing My Religion – Kirk Franklin
3. The Hill – Travis Greene
4. Everyday Jesus – Anthony Brown & group therapy
5. One Place – Tasha Cobbs
6. A Worshippers Heart
7. Sounds of Revival – William McDowell
8. Fearless – Jonathan Nelson
9. Wow Gospel 2015 – Various Artist
10. Keys to My Heart – Bri (Briana Babineaux)
http://www.billboard.com/charts/gospel-albums
DARIUS WILLIAMS
-The Gift that Keeps on Giving-
Darius Williams is an author, entrepreneur, culinary sensation,
branding expert and social media extraordinaire, all while
traveling the country hosting Dining with Darius and Cooking
with Darius. Did I mention that he has social media following
that is liken to an extended family, and nothing short of a
phenomenon affectionately know as the #DHive.
Many people originally came to know Darius by way of his
comedic prayer, only to find that he’s the same guy with the now
viral Fried Chicken and Collard Green videos seen by millions.
Those that follow him on any social media outlets are subject to
be provoked to uncontrollable laughter, tears, inspiration, and
encouragement. On any given day for no obvious reason other
than his desire to share, you may find Darius sharing branding
advice , life skills, lessons to live by and grow from that in many other platforms would carry a hefty price
tag…. He gives them freely!
His cookbook Stories from My Grandmother’s Kitchen is a passport to his grandmothers kitchen, where
you’ll find recipes that will not only leave your taste buds in awe, but will give you the tools to create
simple, comfort foods for any occasion. There is not a taste unattainable! After merely leafing thru the
cookbook you will have a deeper appreciation for
all things culinary.
By example and in deed, Darius is a gift to the
person looking for new ways to prepare tasty
recipes, He is a gift to the entrepreneur in search
of tools to create a successful brand…. And he
keeps on giving!
Do yourself a favor, go to www.DariusCooks.com
get your copy of “Stories from My Grandmothers
Kitchen,” and check to see when Darius will be in a
city near you. You’ll be glad you did!
Follow Darius on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
Periscope and SnapChat @DariusCooks
