HEY GIRL Angie’s Editorial

Hey girl!

As we close 2022, I can’t help but sit back and reflect on what matters most. I had to have a “Yes Sister” moment with myself, ladies. The truth is, I feel wealthy.

Often, we equate wealth with money, but I have developed a different spin on it. Wealth to me are the people we love and the people who support us. This kind of wealth is beautiful.

This year has been extremely challenging for me emotionally, physically, financially and mentally, however, I haven’t felt as happy as I do now with this Issue. Each issue of Hope has been amazing, but in this season of my life, I have discovered the true meaning of support. This time, I’ve recognized the value of true friendship; of those who really had my back and cared enough to stick around. This powerful truth gave me the strength to keep moving forward.

Despite the fight, it has all been beautiful. As we come toward a positive pivotal point in Hope’s journey, I have also learned what true elegance looks like. It is having the strength to get up each day to keep moving forward and showing up. The elegance of creativity, friendship, love and opportunities is what goes more than skin deep and is what matters most.

I didn’t come from wealth, and I didn’t have conversations about finances growing up in my home. This is why I am grateful we can share many conversations about finances throughout this Issue. It is just absolutely loaded with information and inspiring stories we all need so we can level up in 2023!

Our cover story with Makeda Smith (pg. 32) is a deeply inspiring story of hope and resilience. Her insights and advice on establishing your own brand and gaining financial wealth is one we are excited to share with you! You never know what a year may bring. God is just amazing, and He is still showering her with blessings that are seen and unseen.

Yetta Young shared her personal story of self-care that went beyond the surface as she fought a battle to accepting herself and beauty. She is now a Liberated Woman (pg. 31).

Of course, no Winter Issue is complete without a food and wine experience (pg. 36). We spoke with Aminah Robinson, aka Chef Mimi, about some of her favorite delicious winter recipes, including her wine pairings for the cold season. Let’s also not forget the gift buying madness… We put together the Gift Guide of 2022 (pg. 8) complete with the most luxurious beauty and lifestyle gifts.

This Issue is truly stuffed with all the winter wealth, elegance and beauty features and articles for you to curl up with and page through. From self-care to fashion and warm drinks to a fiction wrap up, we hope you enjoy our Winter Issue of 2022. We are also so excited to welcome our new Create Director, Melissa Hibbert, who has definitely been sent by God in this hour. Be sure to read her welcome on pg. 6 as she shares her remarkable career to being a leading brand and beauty expert.

Remember whatever season you are in -- you are born for such a time as this. That means you are strong, you are capable, you have a true community surrounding you and you will come out victorious!

Love, Angie