Authors Spotlights: Generational Survivors

The soon to be released anthology, “Generational Survivor” compiled by Brooklyn-native Saadia White, tells the stories of a group Black women’s generational curses and how they each, in their own ways, are breaking them, not only for themselves but future generations to come.

Saadia currently resides in the state of Virginia. After her tenacious career as a law enforcement officer ended early, and she was forced to take on medical retirement, Saadia pursued a new career as a small business owner. With numerous law related certifications under her belt, she knew furthering her education would be key in being a successful entrepreneur. Obtaining one degree in applied sciences and graduating magna cum laude, she is still embarking upon her journey to continue furthering her education.

However throughout this journey, Saadia came to realize she wanted to continue servicing her community as a positive role model, and therefore became a “serial volunteer”. She has been known to volunteer her time assisting with food, coat, and clothing drives throughout the community. The loving wife, mother, and grandmother has hosted numerous fundraisers for feeding the hungry on behalf of The Virginia Peninsula Food Bank, raising on her own efforts hundreds of dollars, as well as supplying the food bank with multiple boxes of can goods and other necessary resources . In addition to volunteering for the food bank, she went on to create and become the founder of a campaign known as “Eyes Wide Open Empowering People Globally”. The campaign is an educational referral resource aid for victims of domestic and sexual abuse, which Saadia White knows all too well.

Being a victim of domestic and sexual abuse as a child and as an adult, Saadia wanted to create a campaign for these victims as a way to empower and take back what their abusers stole from them. She started off by hosting a free community event for women which featured educational topics such as domestic abuse and human trafficking. Her campaign “Eye Wide Open” went on to host their first charity masquerade for a nonprofit organization raising hundreds of dollars. Saadia White would continue to pursue her efforts in educating and being a referral resource for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault by sharing her compelling story of how she is a “Generational Survivor”.

Meet Saadia and the other survivors below.

Saadia White: Compiler

Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Saadia, Saadia?

Saadia: My swagher is bold and fearless; I am a Generational Survivor standing strong with a purpose and a voice. ‘What makes me, me?’ I am laughing on the inside, because all my life I fought to “fit in”, but I finally realized GOD made me to “Stand Out”. So my freedom of self makes me who I am today.

Fancy: Everyone goes about healing in their own way. Did you seek therapy for the trauma you endured growing up?

Saadia: Yes, I have seen a therapist, and it was necessary, but my true healing did not begin until I gained a real relationship with Jesus Christ!

Fancy: At what point did you become aware of generational curses?

Saadia: I would say when I was 23. I remember looking in the mirror, but the reflection staring back at me wasn’t recognizable, that individual was broken and reckless like my mother had been at that very same age. I realized then that I was following in the footsteps of my mother.

Connect with Saadia:

Website: www.amazineamazon.com

Facebook Pages: Saadia White | Generational Survivors | https://www.facebook.com/amazineamazon/

Instagram: @AmazineAmazon| @gensurvivors

Twitter: @AmazineAmazon | @gensurvivors

Brandy Broward- White: Co-Author

Brandy owns a catering business and has done great missionary works in the community. Her catering service has sponsored many impactful community events such as the “NAACP Act-So luncheon”, and the “Heartbeat Gala”. Her genuine love for the community is a show of compassion that many do not possess.

Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? 

Brandy: I’m outgoing, and I’m very strong and caring. I’m observant to any and all things. What makes me, me is that I’m me, and no one can be me better than me. 

Fancy: Why did you decide to take part in the “Generational Survivors” anthology? 

Brandy: I wanted to share my story to inspire someone who may be going through or have experienced some similar things.  I shared, because me sharing helps me, and I can close that wound, and it can never be opened again. 

Connect with Brandy:

Facebook Page: Brandy Broward-White

Instagram Profile: @browardwhite

Dr. Charlene Rainy-Bell: Co-Author

Dr. Charlene Rainy-Bell is a licensed nurse practitioner and navy veteran, with a nonprofit “Her Padded Truth LLC” which offers free menstrual hygiene products to the homeless and those who are in need.

Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Dr. Charlene, Dr, Charlene?

Charlene: God makes me, me. He created me in his image, he guides me, comforts me, and I go before him in all I do. 

Fancy: Everyone goes about healing in their own way. Did you seek therapy for the trauma you endured growing up? 

Charlene: I sought the Lord; there was nothing a therapist could do for me until I was able to truly heal spiritually first. Then the natural work could begin and be easy. There are times when I thought therapy was the first option, but I easily learned that without God in my life, if I didn’t get spiritually healed from the hurt and pain, I wouldn’t be able to sit with someone and talk about my trauma.

Fancy: At what point did you become aware of generational curses?

Charlene: It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I found out that sexual abuse and violence not only happened to myself, but my grandmother and great, great-grandmother also. Through the love of God, I’m breaking that curse from going forward in the lives of my children!

Fancy: Why did you decide to take part in the “Generational Survivors” anthology?

Dr. Charlene: Truth inspired me to be a part of the anthology. Remaining silent only gives power to the pain. As a child of God, I have a duty to tell my story and let people know how God brought me out of depression, anxiety, and pain and into grace.

Connect with Dr. Charlene:

Website: www.herpaddedtruth.org | Be Bold, Be Courageous, Be YOU!

Facebook Pages: Charlene Rainey-Bell, charlene.dbell, Herpaddedtruth

Instagram Profiles: @charlenebell81, @charlenedbell, @herpaddedtruth 

Gloria Henderson

Gloria Henderson is the owner of Soulful Journey, a massage therapy business, as well as she hosts I Am Enough retreats, which offers several different healing workshops and brings about empowerment and inspiration.

Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Gloria, Gloria?

Gloria: My swagher is spiritual, peace, and understanding with a sheer determination to be the best version of myself. My unfortunate history of abuse makes me me. The pain, tears, the self questioning and new found strength has made who I AM today.

Fancy: Why did you decide to take part in the “Generational Survivors” anthology?

Gloria: I decided to be a part of the Generational Survivor’s anthology with the intent of no longer being silent, and with the hopes that as I continue my healing journey, sharing my story will encourage other abused survivors to heal their scars.

Connect with Gloria:

Websites: www.soulfuljourneyllc.com | www.iamenoughretreat.net
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/iamenoughretreat
Instagram Profiles: @iamenoughretreat | @soulfuljourneyllc

Sandra Sakponou Adenka

Sandra Sakponou Adenka is the group’s African warrior, author, and inspirational fitness coach, who also founded a nonprofit, “Speak up for a Change”. Her organization has turned up the volume on the unheard international voices that have been impacted by domestic abuse, sexual assault, and more.

Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Sandra, Sandra?

Sandra: I’m a very interesting, intelligent, gifted,  resilient, beautiful, flawless, and outgoing woman, full of smiles and determination with a golden heart but strict, and no time for rubbish. I am powerful, strong, and built to be vigilant. 

‘What makes me, me? ‘Awww I love this question, and I think it’s a question everyone should be asking sometimes! Sandra, Sandra- crazy, crazy but always knows and accepts who she is without doubt. When she looks in the mirror, she sees herself not anyone else. She believes she’s unique in her own way and accepts her default without regret. My God is so awesome that he didn’t make mistakes by giving me to me, and for me to accept who I am and continue moving in a direction of everyday glory.

I don’t fake my personality to please anyone. What Sandra puts out there, that’s who Sandra is.

Fancy: Why did you decide to take part in the “Generational Survivors” anthology?

Sandra: I desire to be free and want to free someone else, because everyone is not capable to see the difficulties in what they’re going through, but instead they accept it and believe that it was meant to be that way in their life. They deal with it until someone stands up and makes them see the reality, and I want to be that person in the life of the voiceless to make them raise and smile again. Remember there is a possibility in anything that we think is impossible. 

I wanted to take part in the “Generational Survivors” anthology, because  before making an impact haround the world, it has to begin with me, and I can’t stay in the shadow of pain and fear forever. Every story narrated by someone changes the world, heals hearts, and changes minds. I will never stop believing in stepping up for change, and I know my voice will leads generations. I believe everyone has a painful story but most  are afraid to share it. I want to have a listening ear in the lives of those people.

Connect with Sandra:

Websites: www.speakupforachange.com| www.sandrasmotivation.com 

Facebook Pages: Sandra’s Motivational Coaching | Speak Up for a Change |Sandra Adjo Sakponou 

Instagram Profiles: @sandrasmotivation| @sandra.adjo_emefa | @sandras_motivational_coaching