Rodneybranche@yahoo.com
Copa Style Magazine
  • HOME
  • FASHION
    • SAMRINA LEM LEM
    • 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
    • MOZELLA PLACE
    • NISHA SHETH MUMBAI BOUTIQUE
    • ULYCIA GREGORY
    • NAKIA HARDY
    • NADIA NALIINI NEUBERT
    • KIMBERLY JO YOUNG
    • TATIANA COLE DESIGNS
    • SABRINA SEOUL "STYLE" COLUMN 12/7/20
    • YELENA SCHEIDLER
    • 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
  • EVENTS
    • Tickets for Copa Style Magazine Celebrates Lupita Anez as 2020 Model of the Year!
    • SYLVIA TRAMORE MORRISON PORTRAYS JACKIE MOMS MABLEY
    • Tickets for Copa Style Magazine's "Spring Affaiir at the Watergate Rooftop
    • RODNEY WAYNE BRANCHE INTERVIEWS FLORENCE DUTCHESS CHAMPAGNE, HOST OF THE "RED DRESS GALA AWARDS 5TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION"
    • LENZI BAZAAR (PHOTOGRAPHER) TAKES FOCUS ON COPA STYLE MAGAZINE'S 8TH ANNIVERSARY FASHION SHOW AT LORD & TAYLOR
    • 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
    • LOUBNA ENNADIR "Thermomix"
    • UTOKIA LANGLEY
    • GRACE COLLINS INTERVIEWS PACO CARRASCO
    • SWAHILI VILLAGE
    • JENISE'S KITCHEN AND WWSC CELEBRATION OF LIFE EVENT 2019
  • CULTURE
    • JILL BRADLEY
    • 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
    • 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
    • MELANIE WEBB (PATE)
    • 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
  • AWARDS
  • 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
  • DANA DAYNE THE GIZ
  • ROSE HUNT
  • TRACY LOVE, IMAGE CONSULTANT
  • KENNEDY J GILBERTSON
  • TRINA LOVE
  • BILL HART TAKES FOCUS ON WEMODEL USA 2018
  • WALTER KIRKLAND
  • 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
  • JACQUELINE MIMS
  • MARK MCKINNON
  • DR. MELANYE MACLIN, M.D.
  • DORIS MCMILLON
  • AARON CROUCH
  • JACKIE HICKS
  • THE COPA STORY
  • 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
  • PEOPLE
  • SPOTLIGHT
  • RICHARD GLOVER PT. 1
  • MASTERS OF IMAGERY
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • A DELTA'S STORY
  • ARCHIVES
  • ALLENA
  • KIMBERLY
  • JODY
  • CASEY
  • MINGO STAN
  • Test2
  • BRANDON
  • VICKI LOVE LACKLAND
  • FRANCES CUESTA
  • TERRI TOLLIVER
  • FOXTRAPPE
  • YVETTE DOWNS
  • CHIEZDA
  • TARA GATES ANDERSON
  • FASHION SHOWCASE w/ KAREN ALSON
  • ARYTICE 5/25/17
  • ASIA ODUM
  • DR. CHERYLE BAPTISTE
  • TRINA LASHAWN
  • ANNE THAI
  • HAROLD HAYLEY 7/6/15
  • DRW
  • HAIR CARE
  • SHELLY ROY
  • CHRISTINA BRICE
  • NESHA SHETH MAMBAI BOUTIQUE
  • GINGA HARDY
  • New Page
Picture
Sharon Parker
~ Author/Speaker/Community Activist ~
Picture

By Rodney Wayne Branche

Copa Style Magazine Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Copa: Sharon, where are you from?

Sharon:
I'm from Calvert County, Maryland. It's about 15 minutes from Soloman's Island, it's 45 minutes from Washington, DC.
Copa: What schools have you attended? 

Sharon:
I attended and graduated from Calvert County High School, after graduation I started to work for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, afterwards I enrolled in the University of the District of Columbia.
Picture
Copa: Have you always been a great communicator and great with people? If so, where did it all begin?

Sharon: I've always been a free spirited person, so prior to getting into my professional career. I would say that that I loved to have fun with others and party. I come from a large family of 12 siblings, I'm the 3rd from the youngest. With that being said I have always been a happy go lucky person when being with my family because there were many of us to communicate with. I didn't need too many friends because I had many sisters and brothers. Because of this experience I love to be out in the public to engage with people so yes, I'm a people person from the heart. When it comes to business, I have to give extra because my platform which is to build true synergy, it's all about making great connections.
Copa: Please tell us about your platform message.

Sharon: First, I have to go back into time. As I mentioned before, I'm from Calvert County, Maryland, at one time African Americans made up 64% of the population, now there's only 13%. With that being said, there many challenges as it relates to power, growth and educational opportunities in that area. The great thing about being 'country' is that my family grew their own food and raised animals to make a living. They were considered to be 'Old School' entrepreneurs. Self love started with me from my ancestors Benjamin Parker Sr., and his wife Grace Parker, Haddie Parker, Evelyn Parker, Mary Parker-Willard, Kathren Parker-Harris and Bertina Parker-Green. It was about understanding true values of connecting  with your family and community. It's very important to understand how one could be able to overcome challenges so the next generation would be able to benefit from their struggles and their labor more effectively. So I would say that I am definitely a product of these experiences.

You've heard of '40 acres and a mule,' my family had that and still maintains it to this very day. We were the first to have electricity on Adelina Road. I wanted to go out into the world and not only love myself unconditionally but to also teach others to love themselves and make true connections. I started it with an organization called ROASA, Remebering Our Ancestors Synergistic Asscociation, Inc., which was started back in 2008 to connect with phenomenal families in the community and be a great example for the next generation. So I had to put the work in and get out there and create great effective African American road map programs. Realizing that my story was important, I was able to go out into the world to educate the community, especially the next generation about knowing and loving themselves unconditionally. The love was all about sharing my story with professionals, students, teachers, and today's leaders.
Copa: Let's take a little time to talk about your interesting book "True Synergy Works-Leading Within...Seven Defining Principles of Knowing Self to Birth Greatness"

Sharon: This book started with me talking about the last 10 years of my personal and professional career in the DMV. It talks about the different people I've been honored to have connected with. All of these individuals have served in the community over the years. It was important to write about my journey to share important information about my experience that I've shared with you earlier in the interview. After I found my gift and leadership skills in project management, I was able to get out and connect much more effectively to bring people together and help share their stories. The book also has many African American quotes  from several leaders from past and today across the country. Now I'm happy that I can share this wonderful book with the world!
Picture
Picture
Copa: How would you describe yourself?

Sharon:
I'm going to start with the fact that I'm a mother, a grandmother, and a servant leader. I believe these make up the core of who I am. My professional journey is that I'm a public servant of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for 33 years. I've been working in the field of Project Management for the last 20 years. People like to place you into certain categories. I'm more than a speaker, more than an author or a president of an organization. I guess one could say that I'm all of these things wrapped up in one. My job is to make sure we can bring in a positive change. 

For 10 years I've been with ROASA, Inc, since 2008. I've been with American Mothers Inc., since 2012. I'm currently the president of the Maryland Association of Mother's Inc. With all of these collaborations I'm bringing all of my skills to make a difference. I'd like to fill these connections to impact change.
Picture
Copa: Please tell us about some events that you've been a part of.

​Sharon:
 I have recently presented my "Leading Within" workshop at the YearUp National Capital Region Program in Virginia. This is where students from 18 to 25 years of age will be part of a career development platform. After the 6-week program they will have an opportunity to work in actual jobs. I have also presented my l "Leading Within" platform at the Black in Government-National Training Institute in Dallas, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana. My organization ROASA will host our 7th Annual Leading Within conference on December 13th and 14th in Washington, DC. in L'Enfant Plaza at the Washington Hilton Hotel. The purpose of this conference is to bring out leaders in the community to share their stories of struggle and how they overcame them to become successful leaders in today's society. The goals were to have the youth at the table so they can hear these stories first hand so they will be able to follow in the footsteps of those who paved the road before them. Appearing a this annual conference will be Sylvia Traymore Morrison, the first African American Impressionist who came up with the name of the ROASA organization with other guest speakers. Commissioner Barbara Dunn and Gail Crowder will be our Keynote speakers who will be sharing several topics, including her platform "One Sexy Wife". We wish to keep our young adults and elders connected, and the Book "True Synergy-Works Leading Within." True Synergy Works is building those true connections of those who wish to serve those in need. "Leading Within" is about those who work behind the scenes to build the right connections.

Picture
Copa: What does the future hold for Sharon Parker?

Sharon: That's a good question. I thank God for helping me come out from being an introvert stage to get into an extroverted mindset so I could move forward to share my story by speaking in public, developing workshops and organizations. God has helped me develop a great coaching program, Leading Within Through Project Management. Since I received my certificate I'm now able to teach others with my vast experiences. So I turn their dreams into effective projects. Initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling their projects. 
Picture