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    • LIZETH ALVERADO
    • raMONA DESIGNS
    • Jana Love Sedlokova & Lamont Easter HOSTS OF WE MODEL USA 5/16/22
    • PATRICIA WATTS & PHOENIX WEMODEL USA
    • ARETHA BAILEY (REE REE THE MODEL)
    • AMARIS JANELLE (MODEL)
    • YANA ZIOLKOWSKI
    • JEANANNE ROBERTS (INTERVIEW) 4/28/22
    • JEANANNE ROBERTS 3/28/2022
    • SIMON BECHARA 4/1/22
    • CARLA DIAZ DELEON
    • YOLANDA STENNETT MRS. INTERNATIONAL
    • MARQUISHA FITZGERALD
    • MAQUISHA FITZGERALD
    • MARTINA MYERS TEEN FASHION CORRESPONDENT
    • JORDAN WILDER
    • AYSE TOP
    • CINTIA HULLEN 1/20/22
    • PRESHANT GOYAL HERITAGE INDIA FASHIONS
    • SAVANNAH RABIN (WORLD TOP MODEL DMV WINNER)
    • CRAIG KELLEY (MODEL) 12/31/21
    • ROWENA KAY (CHIC NOUVELLE MODEL MANAGEMENT)
    • JOSIE VALDEZ 12/27/21
    • CYNTHIA JOHNSON
    • GATSBY SHOWCASE AT THE MANDARIN HOTEL (DC)
    • MALCOLM STAPLES 10/21/21
    • RONKE OGUNMOKUN
    • MIRANDA FRAZIER
    • WORLD TOP MODEL MARCELA URIOSTE & JESSICA WENTWORK FORSTEN
    • JENNIFER ZIEGELBAUER, MODEL
    • PATRICIA WATTS WORLD TOP MODEL 11/6/21
    • CINTIA HULLEN MODEL CORRESPONDENT
    • TATIANA COLE PART 1
    • MYLANTA SIMPSON
    • CRYSTAL NICOLE
    • JUDITH BARNES
    • CYNTHIA JOHNSON MODEL 9/25/21
    • WILLIAM CALLWOOD
    • CARLTON HART 8/15/21
    • BLAQUE BARBIE BOUTIQUE
    • CAYLEI VOGELZANG (CANCER WELLNESS MAGAZINE)
    • TERSHIA RAZZAQ
    • JACQUELINE MIMS
    • CHEYANNE JENNAE 8/22/21
    • MYRNA (HAZELEYES) PITTS 6/4/21
    • SHOE FANATIC by SHEILA
    • CYNTHIA JACKSON
    • ANYA BY VIVIEN BRIDAL 2021
    • SHENETTA MALKIA 5/15/21
    • YELENA'S MAKEUP COLUMN: "A CINDERELLA STORY" 4/10/21
    • VASHTI GRAY BURGESS 4/23/21
    • MOZELLA PLACE 4/21/21
    • YELENA SCHEIDLER
    • LASHANDA THURSTON (SHANDA GRAND) 4/21/21
    • SAMRINA LEM LEM
    • ULYCIA GREGORY
    • ROWENA KAY (MODEL MANAGEMENT)
    • SABRINA SEOUL "YING YANG LEATHER SWING COAT" 2/8/21
    • INGRID CAMPBELL WHITE 3/19/15
    • SARA BEE
    • BRINETTE (ALCHEMY CLOTHING
    • LUPITA ANEZ "2020 MODEL OF THE YEAR" 11/17/20
    • VICTOR HOU 3/4/2021
    • NISHA SHETH MUMBAI BOUTIQUE
    • NAKIA HARDY
    • NADIA NALIINI NEUBERT
    • KIMBERLY JO YOUNG
    • TATIANA COLE DESIGNS
    • SABRINA SEOUL "STYLE" COLUMN 12/7/20
    • Najibah Almahdi
    • SARAH BENTMAN
    • DEBRA STORY "BAZZIAN COLLECTION
    • SYDNEY WEBB 2020 TEEN MODEL OF THE YEAR!
    • HEAVEN HIGHTOWER
    • DEBRA STORY
    • CONSTANCE BELL
    • SABRINA SEOUL (Part 3)
    • SABRINA SEOUL (Part 2)
    • SELAMAWIT YIRGA
    • CYNTHIA PRESS "Le Billet D'or"
    • LISA BUSH 7/10/2020
    • SABRINA SEOUL (Part 1)
    • HOPEZ
    • MRS. SABRINA KAS FLANAGAN
    • MALCOLM STAPLES 5/29/20
    • DELTA VIRTUAL FASHION SHOW
    • NICOLE DANIELLE 8/12/20
    • AVADORA MIMOUNI 6/27/2020
    • LIZ NGUYEN'S INTERVIEW WITH COPA STYLE MAGAZINE
    • TONYA BROUGHTON 3/6/20
    • ANYA BY VIVIEN 4/14/20
    • CARLA FELIX-CLAURE
    • DANIELE COOKE
    • MIKELL REED CARROLL AT MILAN FASHION WEEK 3/6/20
    • SYDNEY WEBB TEEN MODEL
    • ALYSSHA SHANKS 3/8/20
    • LORD & TAYLOR (DC) HOST DELTA SIGMA THETA INC. FASHION SHOW/FUNDRAISER
    • RONALD BYRD DCFW 2020
    • BEHIND THE SCENES AT NYFW WITH HiTech MODA
    • TORI SOUDAN FOOTWEAR
    • MICHELLE WISEMAN
    • COPA STYLE MAGAZINE SALUTES GAYELA BYNUM AT LORD & TAYLOR
    • SHEKIRA RAMDASS
    • ZJAY KAYCI
    • MAYA CLARK
    • SABRINA YOUNG
    • PARIS FASHION WEEK 2020
    • LIZ NGUYEN
    • MELVIN LEE WALKER
    • HAITI ESTELLHOMME
    • KYMBERLY KNIGHTON
    • RONALD BYRD DCFW
    • LISA BUSH DCFW 10/9/19
    • STEPHANIE WHITE NYFW/THE POWER OF FASHION
    • RENEE ALLEN HOSTS THE "POWER OF FASHION" SHOW
    • EAN WILLIAMS: THE UNTOLD STORY
    • DUR DOUX
    • TREMAINE POLLYDORE
    • DUR DOUX PART 2
    • BUSINESS OF FASHION
    • CALI TYLER
    • SAROSH TAKES FOCUS ON FASHION AT THE TOWER
    • KYMBERLY KNIGHTON
    • CLYOPATRA COUTURE
    • DELL SCOTT
    • IFEOMA ONYIA DMV FASHION WEEK
    • JANELLE JOHNSON 6/30/19
    • RICHARD SENKBILE
    • LENZI BAZAAR (PHOTOGRAPHER) TAKES FOCUS ON COPA STYLE MAGAZINE'S 8TH ANNIVERSARY FASHION SHOW AT LORD & TAYLOR
  • MARQUISHA FITZGERALD
  • EVENTS
    • TICKET FOR COPA STYLE MAGAZINE BLACK TIE AWARDS AT UNION STATION
    • SYLVIA TRAMORE MORRISON PORTRAYS JACKIE MOMS MABLEY
    • FELICIA'S FUND, VIVIEN ANYADUBA AGBAKOBA - FOUNDER
    • FOXTRAPPE REUNION 2019
    • KAREN MARIA ALSTON COVERS THE DAVID CHAPPELL PRIVATE AFTER PARTY
    • DC SWIM WEEK 2019
    • GEORGETOWN FASHION SHOW 2019
  • CUISINE
    • JESSE SEWARD CHEF EXTRAORDINAIRE
    • SUSAN SMALLWOOD GRAND LUX CAVIAR BAR AT WWSC LAMBORGHINI IN STERLING
    • JEMMALYN HEWITT
    • LOUBNA ENNADIR "Thermomix"
    • UTOKIA LANGLEY
    • GRACE COLLINS INTERVIEWS PACO CARRASCO
    • SWAHILI VILLAGE
    • JENISE'S KITCHEN AND WWSC CELEBRATION OF LIFE EVENT 2019
  • CULTURE
    • ERIKA TEMPRO DETOX MESSAGE
    • CONVERSATIONS WITH MINGO 5/9/22
    • New Page
    • BELINDA QUEEN DISRICT 6 CANDIDATE PART 1
    • DERRICK CONYERS (SU'COY (PART 2)
    • THE COPA STORY
    • DANILA RODRIGUES FITNESS MODEL 1/4/22
    • KEN ROCHON, WWSC FUNDRAISER AT LAMBORGHINI
    • WALTER KIRKLAND 1/7/22
    • KEVIN WILLIAMS, 2020 "ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR"
    • ASK TIA! (TIA COLLINS ADVICE COLUMN) 12/16/21
    • LAVISH CROWN
    • JAS BOOTHE 11/16/2021
    • DERRICK CONYERS (SU'COY)
    • GWEN HURT
    • SIA M. FINOH 9/29/21
    • SUSAN SMALLWOOD CELEBRITY POLO & JAZZ 7/19/21
    • GILDA SYMEONIDES
    • ARIANA VARGAS (BLACK BARBIE)
    • NANCY ALERT
    • CHINA WILSON ATTORNEY AT LAW
    • TRESSY SHEFFIELD
    • JULIANNA YATES
    • JILL BRADLEY
    • KEMBA
    • ALLISON SUTHERLAND
    • KAROLA CAVAGNA Scout & Cellar Wines
    • TIA COLLINS ("The Real Modes of DC"
    • RASHAD MUHAMMAD
    • KNOIR
    • JESSICA M. GRAHAM
    • ROBIN PHILLIPS
    • HOW MUCH DOES THAT DOG REALLY COST IN THE WINDOW?
    • YA MINKO
    • THE REAL SOUTH AFRICA PART 2
    • ELIZABETH FELLOWS
    • THE REAL SOUTH AFRICA
  • PEOPLE
    • CANDICE JOHNSON (MY DIAMONDS SHINE)
    • ALICIA PRYOR
    • ANITA HOPE (DANCE INSTRUCTOR)
    • DR. RENEE ALLEN 4/4/22
    • PAMELA R. BROWNE
    • ARETHA BAILEY
    • DR. ESSIE MCKOY 1/2/22
    • DR. NIECY FUQUA
    • JENNIFER WAKEFIELD
    • CHRISTIE BYNUM WSSC
    • FLORENCE KING
    • REV. DR. D. AMINA B. BUTTS
    • WALA BLEGAY (DISTRICT 6 CANDIDATE)
    • ARIANA VARGAS TEEN MODEL 12/24/21
    • DR. BO BEST
    • JEMMALYN HEWLETT POOLSIDE COOKIN/WECARE
    • CHERYL SHIVER 9/18/21
    • Untitled
    • ALLISON SUTHERLAND 8/3/21
    • DR. JAI 8/21/21
    • LORI CONWAY RAY
    • ANGELEE L. ALSTON
    • DR. SARAH RENEE LANGLEY
    • TRAE MCLEAN
    • LAURA DORSEY
    • THE HUNGERFORDS, 2021 COUPLE OF THE YEAR
    • SYLVIA TRAMORE MORRISON PORTRAYS JACKIE 'MOMS" MABLEY 6/10/21
    • SUSAN YOUNG 4/10/21
    • KYMBERLY KNIGHTON TAX PROFESSIONAL
    • ALEXANDRA LEVINE 5/8/21
    • ALYSON WILLIAMS
    • JANETTE OBENSON-AROGUNDADE
    • PANDEE CHI
    • ALESHA BROWN
    • SHARON JACKSON BULLOCK "Embracing My Sexy Sixties"
    • SABRINA WOOTEN
    • DANA HICKS-HUNGERFORD 10/26/20
    • TIA COLLINS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
    • TAYLOR MADE
    • DIANA L. BROWN 10/19/20
    • FRONT ROW PHYLLIS
    • CHRISTINA BRICE
    • GAYELA BYNUM 7/8/20
    • JOAN ACHONG
    • MAYA CLARK "Indubitable Fitness" 8/10/20
    • SUSAN SMALLWOOD 7/24/20
    • DR. AVIS DEVEEVER
    • MIKELL 5/12/2020
    • THE SPECTRUM CIRCLE 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
    • ERANA & JAMES TYLER 2020 "COUPLE OF THE YEAR"
    • THE EUBANKS SIBLINGS
    • TAYSHA SHAW-DAVIS 5/30/20
    • CHELLY ROY
    • KATHI MUHAMMAD
    • JOHN WARDELL PHOTOGRAPHER
    • YOLANDA NELSON INTERVIEWS CHRIS THOMAS OF "RAP CITY"
    • TRACY LOVE 4/17/20
    • MICHELLE GREER 1/31/20
    • GWEN HURT SHOECRAZY WINE COMPANY
    • CHERYL SHIVER
    • CONNIE AMOS-PARSONS
    • DR. JOANNE CAREY VETERINARIAN
    • MIKELL REED CARROLL
    • SABRINA YOUNG
    • MAYA ROCKEYMOORE CUMMINGS
    • ANNA DEBOSE-HANKINS
    • GAIL KING 10/23/19 "All Roads Lead to Gratitude"
    • MARRIAGE CAN WIN
    • DR. RONNIE SIDDIQUE
    • JOAN ACHONG
    • SHARON PARKER
    • GAIL MARGARET KING
    • LEONARD DESHIELD
    • JANELLE JOHNSON 9/12/19
    • SETORIA
    • CARLA HOLMES COVER STORY
    • GIGI RILEY FOR MAYOR OF SEAT PLEASANT
    • EMMANUEL O. IRONO
    • SOFIA PELLEGRINO
    • KIMBERLY HICKMAN-BEY
    • MARGARET P. BEAN
  • JAZETTE
  • SOPHIA DAVIS
  • TIM BRADLEY
  • ALICE DOLL PART 2
  • THE REAL SOUTH AFRICA PART 2
  • GAYELA BYNUM AND WWSC'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY
  • ALICE DOLL'S BEAUTY SHOW PART 1
  • SPECTRUM CIRCLE 2019
  • KATRINA RAINEY
  • J. DE LOS SANTOS
  • RON COOKE
  • KAS FLANAGAN
  • SALOME AUTOLINO
  • NIKEA MARIE
  • DEBRA CHANDLER
  • LINKS LUNCHEON
  • WIPS UNSCRIPTED CHRONICLES
  • GRETA CHAPIN MCGILL 2/4/19
  • ERENA CHEBES
  • RICHARD FLEMMING
  • KEVIN GRANT
  • JAZETTE LANE-ENGLISH
  • HAZEL MITCHELL-BELL
  • CHEF MIA
  • LISA BUSH
  • GEORGE DINES
  • MARNIE IRENE JOPP 1/8/19
  • DR. RENEE ALLEN 2/10/19
  • SYLVIA TRAYMORE MORRISON 2/1//19
  • JIMMY LEE COMEDIAN
  • LAKESSHIA SLAUGHTER
  • MARK & KRYSTAL
  • DR. SHARON HARGRO PORTER
  • JANELLE JOHNSON 1/11/19
  • GIFT HUGHES
  • CARLTON HART PT 1
  • RYANN KELLY
  • FOCUSED MARRIAGES
  • CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
  • "GOSPELTEK"
  • VIVIEN ANYADUBA AGBAKOBA Part i
  • ANYA BY VIVIEN PT 2
  • CARLY MEEK (Cover Story)
  • JANELLE JOHNSON 10/22/18
  • HANNA JORDAN KENT
  • PATRICK AMARA
  • JESSICA SHIFFLETT
  • TRACY LOVE 9/12/18
  • BARRY FREEMAN
  • JANELLE JOHNSON
  • TRINA LOVE COVER STORY
    • MELANIE WEBB (PATE)
  • DANA DAYNE THE GIZ
  • ROSE HUNT
  • TRACY LOVE, IMAGE CONSULTANT
  • KENNEDY J GILBERTSON
  • TRINA LOVE
  • BILL HART TAKES FOCUS ON WEMODEL USA 2018
  • EMILY KENNERLY GONZAGA
  • Q ALLEN KING
  • CARLA
  • LIZ N
  • DR BERNIDA THOMPSON
  • MARNIE IRENE JOPP
  • MAIMAH KARMO
  • ANDREA ROANE PT I
  • JOSIE VALDEZ 7/8/18
  • YOLANDA & TARUS NELSON (STRIVE)
  • STEVEN GAFFNEY PART I
    • STEVEN GAFFNEY PART II
  • AMANDA LINTON 4/17/18
  • JAMAL ASHOUR
  • ANTWAIN DONTE' HILL
  • ROLL CALL CREW RCC
  • GAYELA BYNUM 1/6/18
  • JOSIE VALDEZ
  • MB DESIGN GALLERY
  • SPECTRUM CIRCLE AWARDS LUNCHEON 2018
  • MICHAEL LOMBARD
  • THERESA R. PROCTOR
  • NEW YEAR NEW ENGAGEMENT STEPHANIE WHITE 3/19/18
  • MONICA JONES DESIGNER NANALOLA COUTURE
  • ANCA BALINISTEANU
  • CATHERINE MARIE
  • KAREN MARIA ALSTON 2/6/18
  • STEPHANIE WHITE 2/22/18
  • TERRI JONES 2/2/18
  • JULIAN BRITTANO
  • CHERYL SHIVER 2/17/18
  • DANA DAYNE 1/17/18
  • BRIAN BENSON ACTOR
  • MARK MCKINNON
  • DR. MELANYE MACLIN, M.D.
  • DORIS MCMILLON
  • AARON CROUCH
  • JACKIE HICKS
  • LISA SPODEN 12/1/17
  • ERICA MAHONEY 12/11/17
  • GAYELA BYNUM 12/1/17
  • ELSA W. SMITH ATTY.
  • ANTONIO MCKAY
  • SANDRA SANTIAGO, ACTRESS
  • LISA SPODEN 10/13/17
  • MILAN 10/18/17
  • MELANIE GAMBLE Pt. I
  • SSB CREATIONS
  • GAYELA BYNUM 10/13/17 MISS GLOBE
  • SUZETTE MANDULEY: CYBER TIPS 10/1/17
  • THE OVERDUE RECOGNITION ART GALLERY
  • DANE E. CONNER ACTOR
  • ELISABETH'S BOUTIQUE
  • MARTA BOTA 1/28/16
  • FACIALS 8/4/15
  • NAKIA WRIGHT 9/1/17
  • LISA SPODEN 9/1/17
  • LISA SPODEN
  • GAYELA BYNUM 8/25/17
  • TRACI FOWLKES
  • MARTA BOTA 8/25/17
  • RONKE 8/25/17
  • DAWN HARVEY
  • REGGIE BELL
  • DANA DAYNE 7/20/17
  • JOHN MENSAH
  • "STAR POWER 2017"
  • VIKKI JOHNSON 4/17/17
  • THE SAVVY FASHIONISTA
  • LOLLY'S LOCKS
  • THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF POTOMAC
  • DANA DAYNE 4/17/17
  • ARTYCE DOZIER 4/17/17
  • LAWANNA HARROD
  • FELICIA GRAY
  • MARTA BOTA 3/9/17
  • VIKKI JOHNSON "REMEMBER TO BREATHE"
  • PAMELA REAVES 2/16/17
  • CHRISTINA
  • MARTA BOTA 1/17/17
  • GUISELLE RL 1/13/17
  • CHERYL WOOD PT 1
  • CYRENE RENEE
  • STEPHANY DEBERRY
  • RENEE ALLEN 11/8/16
  • ASHLEY CLOUD: 6 GREAT TIPS TO DEVELOP A SUCCESSFUL FASHION BRAND
  • JEREMEY PAUL
  • MELBA MOORE 9/25/16
  • JUDITH LEDBETTER
  • ANGELA STRIBLING
  • SERENE CREME
  • GAYELA BYNUM 7/12/16
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS 6/19/16
  • MARTA BOTA 6/16/16
  • SOBE RESTAURANT
  • FOREVER MOORE
  • LATIN FASHION WEEK
  • TOURAINE LYNCH
  • We Will Survive Cancer honors Touraine Lynch as a 13 year Cancer survivor at a special Mardi Gras dinner at McCormick & Schmicks
  • DANA DAYNE 5/16/2016
  • MRS. DC AMERICA 2016
  • JOSEPH BRAXTON
  • GUISELLE RL
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS 3/16/16
  • WARREN SHADD
  • SPECTRUM CIRCLE
  • WARREN CHRISTOPHER 2/19/16
  • SYLVER LOGAN SHARP PT2
    • SYLVER LOGAN SHARP PART 1
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS 2/7/16
  • WARREN CHRISTOPHER PART 4
  • KATYA AVDEEV
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS 1/17/16
  • MARTA BOTA 12/24/15
  • ASHLEY IVEY
  • PERNITHA TINSLEY 12/18/15
  • PERNITHA TINSLEY 10/30/15
  • WARREN CHRISTOPHER PART 2
    • WARREN CHRISTOPHER PT 1
  • DANA DAYNE
  • SUSAN SMALLWOOD
  • INGRID CAMPBELL WHITE 10/12/15
  • SIMON BECHARA
  • MARTA BOTA 10/31/15
  • LEGAL TALK 9/29/15
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS 9/21/15
  • PERNITHA TINSLEY 9/22/15
  • MARTA BOTA 9/17/15
  • IRINA MOLOGOKO
  • PERNITHA TINSLEY 8/28/15
  • KEITH MIDDLETON Pt. 2
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS 8/29/15
  • WERNER WESSELS
  • VIZCAYA SWIMWEAR
  • TRU BLACK 8/21/15
  • 50+ AND FABULOUS
  • PAM REAVES 8/9/15 "THE WHOLE TRUTH"
  • BOB PAFF
  • INGRID CAMPBELL WHITE 8/6/15
  • FLAMINIA GARIONI
  • GAYELA BYNUM JUDGES THE MISS UNITED STATES PAGEANT
  • MICHELLE GREER 7/23/15
  • JANA SEDLAKOVA 7/23/15
  • BILL HART
  • PAGEANTRY 2015
  • A TRIBE CALLED FABULOUS
  • BRETT JOHNSON ATLANTA
  • LOVE OF DANCE
  • PAM REAVES 6/24/15
  • HAROLD HAYLEY
  • TALYA VIKRAM
  • BRETT JOHNSON
    • BRETT JOHNSON'S TRUNK SHOW AT NEIMAN MARCUS
  • SHERRON WASHINGTON
  • TINDERBOX
  • ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL Pt.2 w/ KIMBERCY MARIE 6/11/15
  • RICHARD WRIGHT
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS
  • CASSIE GAINEY
  • MEKEDA
  • ASHLEY JEFFERSON
  • SASHA HAILEY
  • MARTA BOTA "FOUNDATION"
    • MARTA BOTA "BROWS"
  • PAM REAVES 4/17/15
  • MARCELLA MOLLON WILLIAMS. CREATING YOUR PERSONAL LEGACY DAY 4/17/15
  • JANA SEDLAKOVA "CONFIDENCE" 4/17/15
  • ATLANTA SPRING EVENTS!!!
  • ANN ATKINS
  • ALVIN JONES
  • KAREN ALSTON
  • HEATHER FRITCHLEY SHUE
  • AARON D. SPEARS
  • TribBey
  • VALERIA
  • PAM REAVES 1/4/15
  • MARTA BOTA, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES 3/4/15
    • MARTA BOTA'S BEAUTY TIPS TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES
  • KIMBERCY MARIE INTERVIEW
    • KIMBERCY MARIE
  • CHERISSA JACKSON
  • INGRID CAMPBELL WHITE 1/26/15
    • INGRID CAMPBELL WHITE 1/21/15
    • INGRID CAMPBELL WHITE
  • BOB PAFF 2/25/16
  • ELENA
  • JENNIFER BRANDE
  • DARISE DEAL ON TWITTER
  • SEAN FOSTER
  • XMAS IN NEW YORK
    • MARTA BOTA BEHIND THE SCENES >
      • RED CARPET MAKEUP
      • MAKEUP MAGIC
      • MAKEUP FOR TRAVEL
  • HAYDEN
  • THE FASHIONABLE WORLD OF PAMELA REAVES
  • SARAH D. BELL
  • DUBAI
  • PREMIERE OF CITY OF LOST SOULS
  • JANA SEDLAKOVA
  • JEFF GALLO
  • GREGORY TAYLOR
  • FELICIA FLAHERTY
  • MICHAEL LILLY
  • METAMORPHOSIS
  • MONEY 10/7/14
  • MARSHA REEVES JEWS
  • PAMELA REAVES 10/7/14
  • SYLVIA TRAYMORE MORRISON
  • MONICA SCOTT HAYNES
  • PATTERNS 102
  • ALI RIZVI
  • MARTA BOTA NYFW 2015
  • KANA SUZUKI
  • JAMES VINCENT
  • FALL/WINTER MAKEUP
  • BACK TO SCHOOL BEAUTY
  • GAYELA BYNUM
  • HOWARD FLETCHER
  • KAREN MARIA ALSTON
  • RASHIDA LAMBERT
  • THE BRONZE GODDESS
  • DARRYL F. WALKER
  • BEAUTY & THE HEAT
  • KEITH MIDDLETON
  • FINANCIAL STRESS
  • LONDON & PARIS
  • DANCE
  • RELATIONSHIPS 7/10/14
  • WORLD TRAVELER
  • BRIDAL BEAUTY
  • MAKEUP & STYLING PT2
  • D' MILIKAH
  • FASHION STYLING
  • FINANCIAL 'SWING'
  • PHOTOGRAPHY by MONICA TRUE
  • STERLING VS. STEVIANO PT.2
  • THE STERLING/STIVIANO SCANDAL
  • ELLA K AGENCY
  • THE ART OF MAKEUP STYLING PT1
  • PLATONIC RELATIONSHIPS PT.2
  • MUSIC VIDEOS
  • TAJ
  • KARA ALLAN ON MEN'S FASHION
  • PUBLIC RELATIONS
  • Cortney Hicks
  • LOVE DEATH&TAXES
  • LUNALINA MEN'S FASHION
  • MARTA BOTA
  • RELATIONSHIPS 3/21
  • KRISTEN BERSET
  • RELATIONSHIPS
  • MONEY$$$
  • AUTHOR GABRIELLE WILLIAMS
  • GINGER BAINE MILLER
  • PAMELA REAVES
  • AUTHOR CAPRICE SMITH
  • Alita Taylor Gregg
  • FAREWELL TO THE QUEEN
  • ACHIEVERS
  • LEGAL TALK w/ MICHELLE GREER
  • MODEL EXTRAORDINAIRE
  • WRITERS WORLD
  • MONEY & INVESTMENT
  • MODEL VIEWPOINT
  • HAIR STYLE
  • ENTREPRENEURS
  • CRITIQUE BOUTIQUE!
  • STAR POWER
  • YOUNG STYLE
  • MOVERS & SHAKERS
  • PERSONAL STYLE
  • THE "SCANDAL SHEET"
  • FRESH FASHION
  • VIP STYLE
  • FASHION
  • LIFESTYLE
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'Legal Talk'
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Attorney and Legal Analyst, Michelle Greer


"Father’s Matter"

By Michelle Greer
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Gender roles, particularly when it comes to parenting, have always been viewed through a biased lens. And although, the modern world has arguably birthed a more balanced playing field between men and women in education as well as socio-economic opportunities; some things remain the same. In fact, such tremendous strides in gender equality have done very little to reshape how we view the roles of men and women when considering their importance in the lives of children. As a family law attorney, I am often disappointed, but never surprised to observe the devalue of fathers both outside and inside the courtroom. Despite disputes that exist primarily between the parties themselves, more often than not, both parents are fit and proper to have custody of their children. However, mothers are still often viewed as caregivers, while fathers are still commonly associated with the role of financial provider. As such, the enforcement measures taken to ensure the payment of child support far outweigh those taken to ensure visitation. To be clear, child support is essential for the care and welfare of minor children. However, I have yet to witness a direct or indirect correlation between child support payments and the building of good character. Simply put, there is a significance that a father’s presence plays in a child’s life that can never be measured monetarily. I have often wondered if shared custody guaranteed an increase in the amount of child support being received by mothers, would they then be willing to permit fathers to play a more active role in the lives of their children? Additionally, would there then be far less custody disputes absent the existence of true threat, harm or danger to the mother and/or children of the parties.

 

The painful reality is that break-ups do happen and divorce is never easy, particularly for the party who has been allegedly wronged and/or who desires to preserve the relationship. Nevertheless, gender bias in matters pertaining to custody only serve to deprive deserving children of the love and stability that each parent provides. Contrary to common practice, children should never be used as pawns or vehicles to exercise control over the other party. They should never become the bearers of a parent’s feelings of desertion, abandonment, or betrayal. Even in the midst of ending marriages and painful wounds that haven’t yet healed, common ground can and should be found in the mutual love and respect for shared children.

Consider for a moment, mothers and fathers alike, the pain that your child must feel each and every time that he or she is left to ponder the possibility that dad doesn’t want me or never truly loved me. Then pause once more and really ponder the damage that one causes his or her child by creating and feeding such a false negative, self-serving belief. Here is the most challenging thing for some parents to accept; "mom or dad in most cases didn’t leave the child, he or she left you". And equally challenging is the belief that although he or she left you, your child still needs you both and co-parenting is possible when the best interest of your child is the absolute shared priority. Making and receiving timely child support payments is important, but its not the only thing that matters. Fathers matter, and I challenge each of my readers to acknowledge this truth in thoughts, words, and actions. Begin to encourage and support, rather than discourage and interfere with a father’s desire to have a relationship with their children.

As a family law attorney, I’m a tough negotiator and I have a reputation for playing hardball, but children should never be the subject of negotiation. Instead, when possible they should always be the source of fair and reasonable compromise. I once heard a judge of the highest caliber refer to children in divorce and ending relationships as casualties of war. All too often, parties and even their attorneys are so focused on winning the battles that they fail to consider what is truly necessary in order to win the war. Divorce, custody and visitation disputes, and child support proceedings are all battles to be fought and won inside the courtroom. However, rearing children, building character and self-esteem, and providing stability and security are best accomplished through co-parenting outside of the courtroom. The average domestic dispute between parties who share children can result in attorneys fees between $5,000 and $10,000 dollars. This amount doesn’t reflect the time lost from work to attend court proceedings, or time and money spent on counseling that many children require as a result of being placed in the middle of disputes that truly aren’t about them or simply have no merit. Litigation in the context of family law disputes should in most cases be a last resort, not the first. In fact mediation, when sincerely sought, can quite often successfully resolve these disputes when children are the shared concern and priority. In an effort to avoid the adversarial impact of litigation and to preserve meaningful relationships between parents and children, most domestic courts have adopted procedures requiring mediation and co-parenting classes. Sadly enough, the court’s efforts are all too often met with opposition from one or both parents. And in my experience, the benefits of these efforts are stifled by an inability to separate personal feelings and resentment from what should be a joint commitment to preserving the welfare and well-being of their children. It is for this very reason that, when feasible, both parents and children are often best served by acquiring counseling prior to seeking legal representation.

Unfortunately divorce will always exist and the children shared between the parties will experience the pains associated with no longer having their parents together in a relationship or under the same roof. They will face the challenge of wondering if they did something wrong or could have done something differently. They will miss seeing both parents every day, sharing meals together, and other special moments. And at some point, they will have to adjust to seeing one or both parents with a new partner and/or developing meaningful relationships, that were once shared with them exclusively, with other children. But in ways that only an adult can truly understand, they may also begin to experience a home free of daily arguments. They may now have a better opportunity to experience the depth of their relationship with each parent free of distraction. And maybe, if truly supported and given the opportunity, they will learn that changes in relationships doesn’t always mean or have to be experienced as a lack of love. In fact, maybe now seeing and experiencing one or both of their parents in happier relationships, they too will receive the benefits and joys of having more loving relationships around them and in their lives. True parenting is void of gender roles and bias. Both mothers and fathers are caregivers and providers. Absent threat, harm or danger to the mother and /or child; fathers just like mothers, play an important essential role in the lives of their children. However, the very moment that a father’s time is defined as visitation and then followed by a lack of compliance and/or enforcement, is the moment that he ceases to play any meaningful instrumental role in his child’s life. It is the moment that for many mothers, the battle is won, but the war as it relates to the best interest of their child is all but lost.

Fathers matter, and when possible children deserve the benefit of having meaningful relationships with both parents. Communication is tough, particularly in the presence of divorce and/or a prior inability to work together, but a shared desire and commitment to the welfare and well-being of your child certainly provides a strong incentive.

For more information on mediation and other valuable co-parenting resources, please send inquiries to: Mgreer@Jeffreylondonlaw.com.


~Copa