2010 was truly the Year of DIVINE Order. We were blessed to launch in a new city in the midst of an economic downfall and we were able to defy all odds that PRINT magazines were becoming obsolete. Not only did we print a high quality magazine in two cities but we also increased our circulation from 1,500 to 20,000 copies. Our staff grew to accomodate our launch to Nashville so I'm proud to introduce our new Nashville Regional Editor, Talene Anderson. Talene has been an awesome addition to the staff and she is a truly gifted and talented young woman. I'd also like to thank my Memphis Regional Editor, Dr. Nieika Parks for her hard work and spirit of excellence. Nieika helps to guide the editorial direction of DIVINE and has served as a wonderful support system for the past 3 1/2 years. I'm truly grateful for my Editorial team as well as my awesome Director of Photography Courtney Long , my Creative Director Tiffany Lambert , my Advisory Board members who work behind the scenes & the members of my Street Team who help to distribute & spread the word about DIVINE. In 2011, we're expecting to do even more and I believe that God will continue to use DIVINE Magazine to impact people across the nation!!!
As we prepare for 2011 let's take a moment to recap on DIVINE Magazine's 2010 Highlights :
BEAUTY SESSIONS/FELLAS NIGHT OUT EVENTS
We held our 3rd Annual BEAUTY SESSIONS event for ladies which include a Holiday Fashion Show and a Vendor Showcase. We had a blast celebrating the worth of all the beautiful ladies in the city. A Special Thanks to Deborah Parrish, LaJoyce Harris, Springhill Family Life Center, the models, the vendors, the deejay, the emcee and our guests. Our FELLAS NIGHT OUT event for men was awesome! We enjoyed Monday Night Football at a new venue and fellowshipped in a positive atmosphere. Both events were great successes and brought the realization that gathering in God’s name and doing life together are extremely important. A Special Thanks to Alan Norfleet of Norfleet Entertainment, all the Fellas who supported our events and the Ladies Who Love Football!
We held our 3rd Annual BEAUTY SESSIONS event for ladies which include a Holiday Fashion Show and a Vendor Showcase. We had a blast celebrating the worth of all the beautiful ladies in the city. A Special Thanks to Deborah Parrish, LaJoyce Harris, Springhill Family Life Center, the models, the vendors, the deejay, the emcee and our guests. Our FELLAS NIGHT OUT event for men was awesome! We enjoyed Monday Night Football at a new venue and fellowshipped in a positive atmosphere. Both events were great successes and brought the realization that gathering in God’s name and doing life together are extremely important. A Special Thanks to Alan Norfleet of Norfleet Entertainment, all the Fellas who supported our events and the Ladies Who Love Football!
MULYP Nomination: I was nominated for a Young Agents of Change Award from the Memphis Urban League Young Professionals Organization. I didn't win but it sure was a great experience! It was a pleasure being nominated in the same categories with such great men & women doing amazing things throughout the city.
40 Movers & Shakers Under 40 Feature: My awesome staff & I worked hard to interview and feature 40 amazing men & women who are inspiring & impacting their communities & our world. It was a great feature & readers loved the idea. We are planning to make this an annual feature to highlight more & more awesome people. To receive a digital copy of the feature email divinemagazine@gmail.com. To view the extended feature click here.
2nd Annual Bowl-A-Thon & Silent Auction MISSION TRIP Fundraiser
I had the privilege to travel on a mission trip to Africa in 2009 and was so moved by the experience that she wanted to give others the opportunity to go global. The 2nd Annual Bowl-A-Thon & Silent Auction was a HUGE success & a check for $250 was presented to Life Church of Memphis to contribute to their Go Global Missions Trip Fund. To view the journal of my 10 day journey in Africa click here to view. A Special Thanks to Eboni Humes for operating the Silent Auction Room, Jessica Bailey for her incredible assistance, Artesia & Reggie Howard, all of our Sponsors, Cordova Bowling Center, our teams, and everyone who made generous donations.
I had the privilege to travel on a mission trip to Africa in 2009 and was so moved by the experience that she wanted to give others the opportunity to go global. The 2nd Annual Bowl-A-Thon & Silent Auction was a HUGE success & a check for $250 was presented to Life Church of Memphis to contribute to their Go Global Missions Trip Fund. To view the journal of my 10 day journey in Africa click here to view. A Special Thanks to Eboni Humes for operating the Silent Auction Room, Jessica Bailey for her incredible assistance, Artesia & Reggie Howard, all of our Sponsors, Cordova Bowling Center, our teams, and everyone who made generous donations.
CYBERWORLD CONNECTIONSWe created a number of Cyberworld Connections in order to increase our Internet presence. We're on Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, & now YouTube. In addition to THIS BLOG, we also distribute an electronic newsletter to hundreds of readers entitled Bringing You Everything Inspirational to provide information about the positive events that are taking place around the city and beyond. The e-newsletter is also a great opportunity for business owners to spread the word about their services and connect with potential customers. (To receive DIVINE Magazine's weekly e-newsletter email us). We also increased our readership through DIVINE Digital, our digital version of the print publication. We went from reaching 5,000+ people to over 20,000+ people by making the magazine available in both a print and digital format. In 2010, our plan was to double our readership numbers and we actually surpassed our goal. Praise God! A Special Thanks to Kristian Davis for serving as an awesome Social Media Coordinator and helping to make sure that our Online Presence was on point!
CYBERSTATS: Our Facebook Fan Page grew in leaps & bounds. In a matter of months, we increased from 700 to over 1400 Fans. Our MySpace page includes over 1400 Friends and our Twitter page has over 750 followers. Overall, we have over 3,500 Online Supporters!!!
PARTNERSHIPS We partnered with so many awesome organizations this year including the Pursuit of God Church, Methodist North, The Bubble Bistro, Reggie Howard Foundation, Naked Truth Singles Conference, WingStop Cordova, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Paradigm Dental Center, Norfleet Entertainment, R.J. Groove Kingdom Party, Light Records, PKP Agency, Ryan's Ranch, JoVenTosh Couture, LJH Icon, Memorable Moments Photography, Vizions Hair Salon, Judy Jacobs & The International Institute of Mentoring and a number of churches & ministries!
ADVERTISERS & SPONSORS DIVINE could not be where it is without the support of its Advertisers & Sponsors!
A HUGE THANK YOU TO Pursuit of God Church for Sponsoring the Fall Issue of DIVINE Magazine!!!
A Special Shout Out to Vizions Hair Salon for the Nashville Support & helping with a successful Launch to a new City as well as & Dorothy Ross Stores & Sarah's Stationery for their Support from Illinois & Georgia.
You know who you are and we appreciate all that you do & by sowing into DIVINE you are sowing right back into your business/ministry. May you, your family and your business/ministry experience extreme overflow and favor always.
READERS & SUPPORTERS Without your support our purpose of inspiring men & women to greatness would be null & void. Thank you for sharing this journey with us for almost 4 years and for growing with us. We aim to produce a high quality publication that exhibits excellence in every sense of the word. We also strive to create as many ways as possible to keep you connected and motivated in life to do what you're purposed to do! Know that you are awesome & your support is greatly appreciated.
In closing, 2010 presented challenges and obstacles, but nothing that God didn't allow or plan. I believe that God had to shake a few things up & now all things are in order. In 2011, I believe that if we continue to line up with God's will, then and only then will He give us DIVINE Revelation about how to navigate on this journey called LIFE. I pray that DIVINE Magazine has been a blessing to you in 2010 and that you will continue to support us in 2011 as we open our eyes to what God wants to reveal.
Remember Be Encouraged, Be Grateful, Be Inspired!
DIVINE Magazine Publisher
