The Write Impact: Women's History Month Tribute

Hey #JustWrite! March has arrived and we are celebrating Women's History Month! 

A recent conversation about the 9 Fruits of the Spirit sparked this month's blog of honoring 9 women authors of the Just Write community. 

Some of the ladies you may recognize from the early days of Just Write. I definitely have a 6 degrees of separation or should I say 9 degrees of separation story with these ladies. My attendance at the Women on the Path's Heart to Heart Women's Retreat in 2010 introduced me to author Tia McCollors. She was the 1st author I saw in our church community that had a successful Christian book series and writing career. From there, my desire to connect with writers led me to my first Just Write meeting in 2014, facilitated by founder and author Kimberly Thompson. We had a lot in common from our love of purple, a way with words, and how writing is a gift. Those early days of fellowships, writing conferences, and meeting at our local hospital, library, and Target allowed me to connect with authors Dr. Ursula Frederick-Brown, Tanya D. Bryant, Monica Fletcher, and Dr. Paris Love. From 2014-2019 (pre-COVID), we were able to gather in person in these spaces and share our stories, testimonies, and journeys. It was also during this time, I stretched my skillsets as the Just Write Blogmaster. During the early days of the blog, The Write Moment, I was able to interview authors Barbara Winters, Lakia Brandenburg, and Sharon Frame. 

A call to action in 2019 from Kim to share my story in a collaborative project led to me connecting further with Dr. Paris Love, author of A Woman's Journey: Stories of Substance, Survival, and Success, a collection of stories featuring myself, Kim, Monica, and 4 other authors. Talk about a full circle. Now that we are in 2025, looking at the growth among these women has truly been a blessing and so humbling to witness. More books, podcasts, and projects have been birthed since then. When I think of them in terms of the 9 Fruits of the Spirit, the main fruit of the spirit they all encompass is faithfulness. They have been faithful to what God has given them and in return have shown through those gifts how great God's faithfulness is. Click on each name and get to know these authors. Let's celebrate their gifts and the gifts they are to the Kingdom.

Kimberly Thompson 

Dr. Ursula Frederick-Brown 

Monica Fletcher 

Tia McCollors

Tanya D. Bryant

Dr. Paris Love

Sharon Frame

Barbara Winters

Lakia Brandenburg 

In His service,

Lequvia Ousley 

The Write History: Black History's First Published Author, Phillis Wheatley

Happy February and Happy #BlackHistoryMonth! A question that came across my mind recently was, "who was the first Black person to publish a book?" In my research, Google revealed that Phillis Wheatley was the answer to that question.

Phillis Wheatley, a poet (1753-1784) published her book Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral in 1773. This was 3 years before America's independence. In addition to being the first African American to publish a book, Wheatley was also the first to achieve international recognition as a writer. Her first book was published in London despite being declined by Boston publishers.

I remember hearing about Phillis Wheatley briefly in school but never truly knew about her life and circumstances surrounding her death at age 31(developed pneumonia and died after giving birth to a daughter who later passed the same day as her.) Although her life was short-lived, her legacy lives on through her writings. One example of a poem on slavery is "On being brought from Africa to America":

Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, 

Taught my benighted soul to understand 

That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too: 

Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.

Some view our sable race with scornful eye,

"Their colour is a diabolic dye."

Remember,  Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,

May be refin'd, and join th'angelic train.

Here is an excerpt video on her life and journey: 

I close with two quotes from Wheatley: 

"Wisdom is higher than a fool can reach."

"In every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; it is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance."

In His Service,

Lequvia Ousley 

The Write Redemption: 2025, A Year of Grace Upon Grace

Welcome to 2025! On October 29th, I was on a prayer call and as prayers were being solicited, I remember writing down "restoration, revival, and redemption." These three words became a prayer not only on a personal level but the remainder of 2024 and have carried over into 2025. Soon after, Psalms 25 came to mind and I later read about the significance of 25 in the Bible. The number 25 represents the "forgiveness of sins". It is composed of 20 (number for redemption) and 5 (number for grace). Ephesians 1:7 states, "In whom we have REDEMPTION through his blood, the FORGIVENESS OF SINS, according to the riches of His GRACE." This is illustrated through the story of Jehoiachin in Jeremiah 52:31-32. "Jeremiah states that the Jehoiachin's prison garments were changed, and that he did eat bread before him all the days of his life. (vs. 33) Here is a picture of a pardoned sinner." (Biblical Mathematics, Valowe, Ed. F., 1998)

Another significance of 25 in the Bible are the scriptures, Matthew 25 and Psalm 25. Matthew 25 is a parable about ten virgins who go out to meet the bridegroom, with five being wise and five being foolish. The wise virgins bring oil in their lamps, while the foolish ones do not. When the bridegroom arrives, the wise virgins go in with him, but the foolish ones are left out. The parable ends with the foolish virgins asking the wise for oil, but the wise respond that they should go buy their own. The parable's moral is to be watchful because no one knows when the Son of Man will come. 

With Psalm 25, this psalm includes the lines, "in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me". It also includes the lines, "guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long". 

We are in a time where we have many chances to be redeemed, restored, and revived. Let us all heed the revelations and what has been before our eyes. 

I close with a classic 1992 sermon from Billy Graham who speaks about how Jonah in the Bible ran away from God's commands but was given a second chance. 

In His Service,

Lequvia Ousley 

The Write Trust: A Season of Hope

#JustWrite! We have made it to the last blog of 2024. As we close out this season and enter a new year, let's remember the hope in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In speaking with a neighbor a few months ago about where we were as a nation, she mentioned listening to many classic Billy Graham sermons that still point listeners to Christ. 

Here is a classic sermon from Billy Graham about hope, "Christ Is Our Hope"https://youtu.be/9nQ6_iDQcpQ?si=9-Nf6D56KAH-XI8a

See you all in 2025!

In His service, 

Lequvia Ousley 

The Write Gratitude: A Season of Thanks

Hey #JustWrite!! It's another November and another reason to be thankful. We are in another holiday season and with the current state of the world, many of us have found it easy to complain about what is wrong and what needs to happen. Yes, there is increased confusion and much chaos but there has been a charge for awhile for us to pray without ceasing and to be ready in and out of season. During this time, let us all have a heart of gratitude for the little things and where we are currently. Despite what it looks like, remember that God has brought us through so many trials and seasons. If He did it before, He will do it again. He is our strength and as long as we stay in His Word, believe in His Word, and share His Word, we will find much peace. 

2 Corinthians 9:15, NKJV says, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" In this annual season of giving, we always offer our expressions of thanksgiving to each other and loved ones. We must also remember that the greatest gift is the gift of salvation and in our giving, we give as a submission to Christ. Here's another reminder in Proverbs. 

Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

In His service,

Lequvia Ousley 

The Write Resources: Intentional Support Systems

Hey #JustWrite! For those who are reading, as some of you know, since last month many are still recovering from the damage of Hurricane Helene after the most recent Hurricane Milton, while many of us are still dealing with confusion and outrage regarding the BioLab chemical fire which has affected residents physically in nearby counties. On a personal note, my family experienced an unexpected tragedy with the death of a beloved son, father, and friend. My cousin's death shook our community as many wondered including myself what could have prevented his untimely death, which occurred October 8th two days prior to World Mental Health Day (observed on October 10th). Today he would have been 34. I witnessed many on social media make posts about starting support groups in our hometown and there was a clarion call for men to not be ashamed to open up regarding their struggles. In those moments, a flood of emotions hit me: sadness, anger, shock, etc. Those emotions lingered the last few days as my mind went back to so many others whose demise was similar and the world just seemed to go on with life as usual. I began to question if support systems would be in place to share resources and preventative measures. It is my hope that my disbelief will be proven wrong. 

As writers and as individuals, it's important that in the midst of competing priorities with book projects, concepts, brainstorming sessions, that we know there are support systems in place to help. As we have come upon 10 years, Just Write exists to be that support system for aspiring and veteran writers. We understand the nuances and challenges of creating content, knowing our audience, using our voice, publishing books, and understanding our assignments. We welcome you with open arms with the understanding and assurance that the WORD will be displayed in our actions and that your words count. 

In closing, as we move into the holiday season in a few months, mental health awareness and necessary resources are important. In October 2021, we discussed the importance of self-care, particularly within the Black community. Below is an interview with Dr. Rheeda Walker, author of "The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health." 

Remember, you matter, your mental health matters, and your stories matter.

In His service,

Lequvia Ousley 

The Write Moment: Restropect, 10 Years Later

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Hello, #JustWrite!! We've made it to 10 years! And in those 10 years, God has shown up so many times through our messages and writings. As the blogmaster of 'The Write Moment', here are 10 truths about God that have encouraged the monthly writings and scribal journey: 

1. God is consis10t.

2. God is righteous.

3. God is omnipresent.

4. God is omniscient.

5. God is omnipo10t.

6. God is powerful.

7. God is in10tional.

8. God is the Master Creative.

9. God is miraculous.

10. God is faithful.

"10 in the Bible represents testimony, law and responsibility. It signified the measure of responsibility and its judgment or reward. Under the law, man was responsible to keep the commandments and bear a testimony for God. In Romans 8:38-39, 10 powers become powerless against the LOVE OF GOD: "For I am persuaded, that 1. neither death, 2. nor life, 3. nor angels, 4. nor principalities, 5. nor powers, 6. nor things present, 7. nor things to come, 8. nor height, 9. nor depth, 10. nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Biblical Mathematics, Valowe, Ed. F., 1998)

The Bible also shows us the 10 vices that were excluded from the Kingdom of God, listed in 1 Corinithians 6:9-10. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, 2. nor idolaters, 3. nor adulterers, 4. nor effeminate, 5. nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 6. nor thieves, 7. nor covetous, 8. nor drunkards, 9. nor revilers, 10. nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." (Biblical Mathematics, Valowe, Ed. F., 1998)

And so on and so forth, one sees the emphasis of the number 10 all throughout the Bible, a number that is used 242 times and the word, "TENTH" is mentioned 79 times. (Biblical Mathematics, Valowe, Ed. F., 1998). 

As year 10 is upon us, this profound understanding of where we are in these times once again cements a call to action:

To the Kingdom scribes reading this, whether received or not, we have a responsibility to the messages and testimonies we are releasing into ministry and the marketplace. Our authenticity and boldness is needed like never before. As we've stated in previous blogs throughout the years, it's never too late to trust God's purpose, process, and provision as it relates to the projects and assignments given to us. Thank you to those who in the last 10 years have engaged with us and understood the assignment, literally despite the challenges, doubt, etc. If no one has acknowledged you all up until this point, God has definitely seen you all and your fruits. 

Again, pay at10tion, remain consis10t, and  BN10tional (phrase created by Kimberly Thompson). Don't let "The Write Moment" pass by to "Just Write!" Cheers to 10 years! 

In His service,

Lequvia Ousley