Inside This Issue
One of the most rewarding things about creating media platforms is that we get to control the narrative and raise awareness of topics that are meaningful to our gender and to our culture. Additionally, we are able to show public love, honor and respect to true game changers and innovators within their respective fields. Our covers for Brooks Media Group Publications vary from celebrities, change agents and influencers to community, business, and ministry leaders; all of whom are well on their way to being recognized for their lofty and unselfish contributions! Such is the case with this weighty, essential and significant April 2025 Issue of our beloved DIVA Zone Magazine where the brilliant, beautiful, caring, and extremely transparent Queen, our very own resident Mental Health Therapist, Jeanette Blake!
On the cover: Jeanette Blake is DIVA Zone Royalty. An educated, loving, compassionate, and very woke Social Worker of more than 20 years. She bravely accepted the challenge of addressing a taboo subject- depending on with whom you speak – of the systemic issues plaguing African Americans, exploring some root causes of the tremendous wealth gap in America, and literally snatches the masks off the real issues concerning our Mental Health. Her words offer valuable insight into whether the scarcity experienced by too many is mind over matter or is it much more? Her thought-provoking contribution in this issue will start some much-needed conversation. Mental Health absolutely Matters!
Overview: The DIVA Zone™ Magazine is blessed with yet another opportunity to share some spring time cheer to get and keep you encouraged, inspired, and ready to run! Our beloved publication is gearing up for the long anticipated 2025 print version( with national distribution) and continues in the current electronic format which will allow us to expand our magazine even further and make your reading experience more interactive; and prayerfully more readily accessible. It is also our hope that our readers are encouraged to electronically share with many others, what we believe to be a quality, well-balanced publication for our sisters. Check the website for a list of stores where The DIVA Zone will be distributed for free. We are counting on you to help us spread the good news!
Inside this April 2025 Issue, you will be blessed by articles that address our overall theme of Good Stewardship! Waste Not, Want Not is the message. The articles are in the spirit of Financial Literacy Month and delve into varying topics to bring the point home. There is a brilliant and inaugural African American Women Highlight teaching some and reminding others of our rich contribution to this world as Women! True to our core all contributions offer hope, love, grace and wholeness and full of overall solid, and inspiring content. From health and fitness, financial literacy and mental wellness, to food and fashion and beauty tips, this issue will bless your soul and add value to your journey!
The DIVA Zone™ Magazine, April 2025 Issue will be mass distributed into various markets on our digital platform and will be the first to grace the shelves in print format later this Spring.
Brooks Media Group appreciates your support in thought, word and / or deed! Love and Blessings!
From all of us here at The DIVA Zone™ Magazine, we again thank you for your continued support, prayers and most assuredly, for believing in this vision. Although, we are but the conduit and God is the Master of this plan, the writers and editors remain in awe of the unfolding of it all.
FOUNDING PUBLISHER AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR NAJIYYAH BROOKS
MANAGING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NAJIYYAH BROOKS
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS / EDITORS
Chef Ann-Marie Bennett Jeanette Blake MSW, LCSW Layne Brooks Monica Brooks Najiyyah Brooks Javis Brunson Donna Watts Burley Victoria Corprew Gail Davis Adrienne Dawkins-Smith Rev. Lady Donna Hayes Noreen N. Henry Genea Johnson Shyanne Johnson Shani Tyler Jones Martha Massey Dr. Randi Nelson Malinda Phelps Kath Gaines-Still Shaunte’ Sparks
Advertising Sales and Editorial Offices: www. divazonemagazine. com / sales @ divazonemagazine. com
The DIVA Zone Magazine™ is published twelve times a year by Brooks Media Group LLC and has earned the readership of both national and international online audiences of women seeking to lead well-balanced, happy, healthy, wealthy, and spiritually sound lives. Contribution of articles, photographs and industry information are welcome, but cannot be returned. The DIVA Zone Magazine’ s mission is to inspire, educate, uplift and encourage all women into well balanced and healthy living. Advertisers who offer products, services and events in support of our mission are encouraged to contact our Sales Department at sales @ divazonemagazine. com
© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, including photocopying, electronic retrieval / publication without written permission of the Publisher.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Publisher’ s Note
Good Spiritual Stewardship
Good Stewardship Prayer & Devotion Managing Resources God’ s Way Contentment( in Plenty and in Want)
Good Mental and Physical Stewardship
COVER FEATURE
Mental Health Matters
10 Heart Disease In The African American 14 Community Eating Healthy While on a Budget 15
Good Financial Stewardship
Money Personality Quiz How Your Self Worth Affects Your Bottom Line! Debt Factors that Enslave Accountability Matters
Good Home Ownership Stewardship
The Road to Home Ownership Waste Not, Want Not
Good Practical Stewardship
Authentic Coaches Matter: Walk the Talk Work Your Plan, Plan Your Work Begin with the End in Mind Dealing with Procrastination God ' s Way Dialogue with the LORD
Good Fashion and Beauty Stewardship
You Can Look Good on a Dime!
Arts, Food and Entertainment
AFRICAN AMERICANS’ Walk of Fame Mangos & Magnolias Recipe
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30 32 33
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