THRIVING Melanin Family Magazine November 2018 | Page 26

BLACK AUTHORS ROCK : AUTHOR SPOTLIGHTS     This collection of poems was birthed out of the process of everyday living. Some poems articulate pain, some express gratefulness and praise, others are just conversations with God. This is God's book; I'm just the vessel he chose to express his love for his children. I pray you are uplifted and encouraged to move from the situation to your destination. Purchase your copy at PayPal.com/godfirstprodllc Leslie is respected and welcomed by many audiences both nationally and internationally, completing a youth missions trip to the Bahamas in October 2017. Leslie is a regular speaker/teacher at the Global United Fellowship Conference. Captivating audiences with her style and dramatic flair, she develops and presents works to inspire her audiences to dream big and to push to achieve those dreams. Leslie published From the Situation to the Destination, Poems and Meditations to Provide Encouragement for Life’s Tough Times in November 2016 and is the co-author of Tying the Knot between Ministry and the Marketplace – The Seven Mountains released May 2018 and Behind The Rank vol 2 released June 2018. Leslie has developed partnerships with ministries across the nation bringing  words of encouragement to women’s, leadership and youth conferences, fund raisers, graduations, retirement and promotion ceremonies as well as church and commemorative events. In March 2016 Leslie started God First Productions LLC to help clients market their events through videos, skits and commentaries. She is a dynamic motivational speaker who addresses leadership, mentorship and organizational vision and direction. She is a trainer and enjoys developing curriculum to support any organizations training goals. Leslie has a BS in Business and Master’s degrees in Emergency Management and Strategic Studies. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership with an Ecclesial Focus. NOVEMBER 2018 • THRIVE | 24