MABINTY "LADY B" B.
MaBinty Bangura20 University of Maryland, College Park Student/ World Changer
[Q]: How would you describe your style? [A]: I feel like I go through phases with my style, at the moment now I consider myself a Minimal Monotone Master meaning I like to wear different shades of the same solid colors, but even when I’m not coordinating my colors I still usually like clothes with clean lines, classic silhouettes and neutral pallet. I guess my style is feminine with and unexpected edge.
[Q]: How has your style change once you started pursuing Christ? [A]: As I grew in my Christian walk and started to think of modesty as a lifestyle rather than a “Dress Code” I saw how the Holy Spirit really guided me to change alter my style a bit. Our actions say a lot about who we are and getting dressed is an action so what we wear says a lot about who we are. Motives and intentions are big thing. We dress to express our interest and describe out being. Now MODESTY. Being Christian doesn’t mean that our style has to suffer!! There are ways to be fly and still be modest in our clothing.
[Q]: What is your typical outfit? [A]: Slim Pants and an oversized top or jacket. My top and bottoms are usually the same color, or similar colors. I like to add one bold piece like a popping color or print shoe, jacket, hat, or necklace.
[Q]: What are some things you take into consideration when shopping for clothes and getting dressed?
[A]: In life, even outside of dressing, whenever I’m debating whether or not to do something I ask myself “what are my intentions or motives?” So when it comes to getting dressed I ask my self questions like: Why do I want to wear this? Is it to secure a husband? Make someone jealous? Make me fit in with a certain crowd? Etc. If the answers steer in a way that is negative then I usually wont wear the item because my intentions are not pure.
[Q]: Where do you typically go shopping? THRIFT STORE! Most of my pieces come from vintage, consignment and thrift stores around the DMV area. Value Village is cool and all but I find the most legit things at smaller thrifts and vintage stores like on U Street and even some random ones in the College Park/ Beltsville area. I also love love LOVE Marshall’s and TJ Maxx, HM and Zara of course, and some Virgos lounge and AQ AQ are definitely my favorite stores.
[Q]: What fashion statements are you fond of?
[A]: Fashions statements I’m fond of are coordinates and monotones. If you have seen me recently you also know I’m typically wearing white. White is sure a clean color.
Wanna see more from Mabinty?
Follow her on Instagram @LadyBangura
DEBBIE
Name: Deborah T. Location:Largo, Maryland Age: 23 Occupation: Release of Information Specialist
How would you describe your style?
I'd have to say that when it comes to fashion, I'm pretty simple. I don't like going out of my comfort zone and being too bold, so I'd describe my style as simply clean and chic.
How has your style change once you started pursuing Christ.
Before I started pursuing Christ and a relationship with Him, I pretty much dressed to show off my body. I loved the idea of wearing the shortest, most revealing outfit just to seek someone else's attention in a negative way. However, now it's completely changed. I've realized how important it is to wear things that are pleasing to God and dress in a way where I honor myself and God without having to expose my body.
SUNDAY'S BEST
What is your typical outfit?
Simplicity is everything to me. A typical outfit would really all depend on where I'm going. A pair of pants, heels, top, a big bag, & accessories would be my typical outfit. It's rare that you'll ever catch me in jeans.
TYPICAL OUTFIT
What are some things you take into consideration when shopping for clothes and getting dressed?
I take into consideration when buying and wearing clothes: comfortability, body type and most importantly, confidence. If what I'm wearing looks and feels good, I will exude a certain level of confidence. The last thing I want to do is cause negative attention to myself by wearing something that will be tempting or cause someone to look at me sexually simply because of how I'm dressed. I have to make sure that what I'm wearing flatters my body type without over doing it and still maintaining my sense of style. For me it's all about looking and feeling good while still dressing beautifully and modestly.
NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN
What fashion statements are you fond of?
Statements I'm fond of are watches, purses, and heels. They're my fav!
Want to know more about Debbie or get further fashion inspiration from her?
Follow her @AfrikanBeauty
KACHI
My name is Onyedikachi Nathan Ude. Everyone calls me Kachi. Others, ‘Kachkeys’.
I was born in Takoma Park Maryland in 1995, moved to Nigeria from 1999 to 2001, schooled in PG county up to 2004, and finished my middle & high school education in Columbia, Maryland.
I am an 18 year old freshman, currently pursuing my Bachelors in Biology (its gunna change) at Howard University. Music is my passion. Piano is my tool.
2. When did you start using this gift? Was it natural or you had training? When did you start using it to glorify God?
It’s pretty funny actually…My parents forced me to take piano lessons when I was 8. I hated that thing forreal. I think my brother was better than me at the moment lol. After that, I didn’t touch a keyboard until I was 11. Through some misfortunate events, people at my church noticed I could play, and they put me on. That’s where it all began. I was inspired…Started picking up things here and there from the musicians and began playing by ear pretty easily. I started to glorify God with this gift, when I gave my life to Him…Lol simple as that. He gave me the talent; I might as well use it for Him, and get better at it.
3. Anything you desire to use your gift for in the future?
Well, im trynna be great! I mean who doesn’t? I desire to use my gifts in the gospel industry…move up the food chain and play for the gospel/CCM greats of today. Lol Musicians know they’re getting somewhere when they on 104.1.
4. Is there any fellow artist you look up to?
I have a whole list…especially local artists/musicians. One cat I really inspire to play like is Joshua Davies. You may be familiar with his work with Brandon Camphor and Oneway. Been meeting up with him lately and gaining some knowledge from his end. Another one is William McMillan from Baltimore, and Robert Glasper.
5. Any past or future projects?
Everyone reading this, if you’re a musician, lyricists, singer, or have any God-given gift to check out the Call Forward Movement (www.callingusforward.com) it’s a movement that will change the DMV area and the nation. Our vision is to gather forerunners of a worship movement that includes true worship to God, through sincere obedience to Jesus, and total surrender to our calling. It is pretty dope. I am blessed to be apart.
ALEXIS
Name: Alexis Harris (Ms. Positivity) Location: Laurel, Maryland or DMV Age: 21 Occupation: Student-Athlete
How would you describe your style?
When I think of style, I think of displaying a certain attitude through clothes, so my style displays who I am as a person! My style encompasses bold, timeless, vibrant, and colorful pieces!
How has your style change once you started pursuing Christ.
Once I started pursuing Christ, I wish I could say that my clothes immediately changed with my fresh new start, but that’s not my testimony. My change of style happened over time. When I was in the world, I had the belief that less is more. I thought the less clothes I wore meant the more beautiful I would be. As I continued to pursue Christ, my mind was transformed and with that, I began to pick items that would reflect that same transformation. It is important to note that I didn’t lose my fashion sense, it was simply refined.
SUNDAY'S BEST
What is your typical outfit?
Well my wardrobe is very versatile, so I can go from sweatpants and Jordans to a dress and Jessica Simpson pumps. This versatility allows me to dress according to what I have going on that day or simply based on how I am feeling. On campus, you will most likely see me in jeans and a cute blouse, while if I’m on the go in the city, I may take the same jeans and dress them up with a pair of comfortable heels instead.
TYPICAL OUTFIT
What are some things you take into consideration when shopping for clothes and getting dressed?
As a Christian woman, I have to make conscious intentional steps when shopping and getting dressed. I love seeing new trends; however, I can’t always style myself based on the current trends because they aren’t always fashioned for Christian women. With this in mind, three things I consider when searching for trendy pieces that will still be pleasing to God are:
1. The Store Personally, I believe you don’t even have to walk into some stores for you to know what kind of clothes will be offered, so I try to stay away from stores I know will have predominantly clothes that are far too tight and revealing.
2. Where am I going? Well if I’m going to church, I wont be wearing the same thing I’d wear for a night out with my sisters in Christ. I live by the rule; there is a time and place for everything, so there is no difference in picking an outfit according to the occasion.
3. The ONE question every girl has asked in her lifetime… Does this look right?
Ask someone you trust like a Sister in Christ or even a parent before going out if you simply aren’t sure if you should be wearing a certain outfit. These people act as fail safe’s just in case your judgment is a little off one day. You may not always like their response, but these people genuinely want to see growth in every area of your life.
NIGHT ON THE TOWN
Where do you typically go shopping?
Where does Alexis Shop? Hmmm…. Good question. Well first, I am predominantly an online shopper because personally, I don’t like the selection nor prices I often times find in stores. My go to online stores are Asos.com, Zara.com, AqAq.com, and polyvore.com. However, I have fallen in love with thrift stores across the Nation.
Want to know more about Alexis or get further fashion inspiration from her?
Follow her on Instagram @MsPositivityy or on twitter @Positivity_101
ANONYMOUS
A while back, I went to the doctors because my period was irregular. Ever since I started my menstrual cycle, I would get it in one month and not get anything until about 3-4 months after. Since I just started, my mom thought it would get regular the more I grew up, but little did she know. For awhile, it remained the same, but with the irregular cycles, it was also extremely heavy and lasted for long periods of time. I remember being on my period for 30 days straight! Fortunately with this, I did not feel any pain at all like most females do.
Due to how weird this was, we went to the doctors and after a bunch of x-ray's and CT scans she told me I had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
"PCOS is a problem in which a woman's hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS also may cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it isn't treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease" (webmd.com).
My doctor told me that I would have to get on birth control pills and some medication for diabetes, which will help balance my hormones. Even though we got the medication, I decided I was not going to take them because that meant I accepted the sickness and my mom agreed with me, so we kept praying. I went to the 2014 Bethel Campus Fellowship conference from February 7th -9th, 2013 and I got my period on February 8th and for the first time ever my period was over in a week. It was not as heavy as it usually was and it felt regular. I praised God and I accepted my healing.
The next month my period came again on the 8th and lasted for about a week. At this point, I knew my healing was complete and I just praise God for restoring me and knowing I will have no problems with conceiving (when the time comes). I had prayed for this for a while and sometimes I accepted that this was how my life was going to be, but God proved me wrong. Just because my prayers were not answered when I wanted them to did not mean it was not in God's plan for me to be healed. I encourage everyone waiting on the Lord for something to keep having faith. He will answer in time :)
-Signed Unknown aka "Luke 8:44"
JaYo
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Jesse Owusu. 21 year old American emcee. Originally from Ghana, traveled to America when I was at age 5 and was introduced to music then. I began the poetry part of the music at age 18. Oh and people call me "JaYo".
When did you start using this gift? Was it natural or you had training? When did you start using it to glorify God?
So as I said I started using this gift at the age of 18, however I feel like this gift has been being cultivated since the first time I took a piano class at Victor Litz. It's been years of learning different things about music and style and performance that make me or my music what it is today. I started to make music that glorified God when I realized God was that important! Basically to quote myself "when got healed from an 18 yr cold" LOL
Any past or future projects?
Yeah, so I'm currently working on a project called "Back 2 the Rice" (please don't ask, there is no significance to the title. I just like rice). I've been working on it for the better part of a year so I'm definitely excited about it and it will be available for free DL [download] so make sure you get your hands on one! Some time in June (probably).
Anything you desire to use your gift for in the future?
Hmmm. I desire to use my gifts in the future to contribute to movies! I'm just a movie rat I love 'em and their almost a second passion.
Wanna know more about JaYO or get the latest updates on his new music? Follow him on
Twitter (@jayo2da) and IG (foggieraw).
You can download his past album "Rice for breakfast" right here for free! Enjoy!
KRISTINE
A huge part of my past was a struggle with severe depression. Throughout my struggle, I had a horrible self-image, and to deal with that, I fell into smoking weed and self mutilation. I lived two different lifestyles. When I was at school, I was bubbly and cheery and always made people laugh. I was always told that I had a bright future and that I was going to somehow change people around me. People told me that I was going to be a world changer in some way or another because of my personality and talents that I was blessed with. Those words were the hardest for me to swallow. I became someone else when I would get home. I would lock myself in my room and just feed myself with lies. I was ugly. I was not beautiful. I would never be loved. Yes, I had family. I had some really good friends. I even dated, and those guys who stayed with me went through utter hell. They didn't understand why I did the things I did. Nobody did. I would just go home and begin slicing up my skin because I was so angry. I got some kind of cheap release out of putting myself through torment. I was out of control.
After awhile, these “coping skills” that I had developed just weren't enough. Something in me couldn't handle everything that was going on around me, and I snapped. I had suicidal thoughts for a while, and one day, I decided enough was enough. I went home after school and saw my mom wasn't home, and decided that day was the day. I searched the house and found every pill bottle I could and emptied them out onto the counter.
But after Jesus came in and fixed me up, I became a whole new person. I realized I didn't have to try to take control of situations through substances and self-hurt. Taking all my frustrations and sorrows to Jesus was so much more fulfilling than any razor blade. But, it’s not until we hand over those things to God that we can be liberated from those demons. This includes total surrender. And even though suffering is the worst, it’s still sometimes hard to hand over the way that we have learned to cope with the world around us.
But, God wants to help us. God wants to mend us. God wants us to look to Him rather than hurtful idols.
I’m begging anyone who reads this to reach out to people they know are hurting and show them that Jesus is better. I pray that anyone struggling with depression reaches out for help. I would never wish the pain or the hurt I went through on anyone. Even if you’re alone reading this, and you’re having hurts, to surrender and hand your hurts to Jesus before it gets out of hand. God wants to restore us. I now thank God for what I went through so I am able to help people out. It all ended in glory for Him! Some days, I look at my scars, and Satan uses them to remind me of who I was. But, I am thankful for the days that I look at them, and God gently reminds me that I am not that person anymore. He has restored me in His image. He has made me perfect – scars, and all.
He wants us all to be restored. Surrender.
I hope this helps somebody. As painful as this was to write, I know that it will move somebody to turn to God. Share this with someone. You never know what can come out of something that looks broken right now.
-KrisNgozi
MAYOWA
Saying your testimony is hard, but writing it is even more difficult. Writing it makes your past so real, but then you are able to reflect on how the love of one man All God changed your life. Growing up in California with a single parent, allowed me a lot of freedom. Not having a great relationship with my Dad and being molested when I was younger made me extremely weary and distrustful of men. So it was easier to have a physical relationship with them, than to acknowledge my brokenness due to my father and past experiences. I was looking for a Savior and I didn't know it.
My first experience with drugs was in Spain, I was 14 at the time and at the program I went to everybody did drugs and smoked like it was nothing. I was always the person who did what others did without caring about the consequences. There I had my first experience with, drugs and alcohol. Alcohol was a stronghold in my life until I turned 22. It was an escape for what was missing in my life. As I grew up, I always thought I had it together and I had grew up with a sense of entitlement and pride. It was this drive to be what those around me wanted me to be and prove myself. On the outside I looked like I had it all together but I was literally just going through life with no direction. I was lonely, depressed, angry and selfish. I tried so hard to fit into this image that was suffocating me. Here I was this perfect girl on the outside but I wanted somebody to acknowledge my brokenness. I kept thinking by there had to be more to life, I hoped there was.
As I started college, I tried to find myself through causes and different religions like Spiritualism and Buddhism but they were fads, they would make give me a sense of peace for a bit then it would end, and I would move on to my next fix. The college atmosphere only intensified my dependence on alcohol. I couldn't go a couple days with alcohol, I didn't even like it I just needed an escape. I was so careless with it, I didn't care what happened to me. I was the girl to make sure a bottle was never left at the club. I was going aimlessly through life. Life constantly put me on edge.
My breakthrough came my senior year in college. I honestly can say my senior year was the worst year of my life. Here I was a college graduate unsure of what I was going to do after college, my friendships were a hot mess. I was just unsure in every area of my life and my depression was at an all time high. I felt the walls closing in. Then one day one of my closest friends invited me to Destiny Harvest Church for an event. I remember the day was October 20, 2012. When she invited me I was excited, almost expectant and I didn't know why. I don't even remember what they were talking about at the event but the way they talked about Jesus was a way I've never heard anybody talk about Him. They just talked about relationship and how God wants a personal relationship with us and how He sacrificed His son for Us. My mind was literally blown like who is God. When I asked that question God immediately began to work on my heart. I was wrecked, I was balling so hard and I hate crying but I was Undone! I needed to give my life to Jesus Christ, I needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Once I abandoned myself to God I was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit. Not only was I filled with the Holy Spirit but I received my tongues. Ever since then my uphill roller coaster began. It has been SO worth IT!!! Like I've never felt empty, my drive is for people to experience the Love of God. When people are going through depression, lack of identity, and are living life dead on the inside, They need to know Jesus came so that we would have life abundantly!! When I got saved I was on Fire for God. I didn't care what anybody said and I still done. Nobody can tell me my encounters with God aren't real. Everything He has told me has come to pass! The way He loves on me there is nothing like it, no person or thing can fill the void. People need to get Hip to Jesus. My worst day with Jesus will always be better than my best day without Him. I can't go back!
-Mayowa A.