We are one people; we are only family. And when we finally accept these truths, then we will be able to fulfill Dr. King’s dream to build a beloved community, a nation, and a world at peace with itself.
John Lewis
The title of my editorial this month is Be Loved. It should be “Be Overwhelmed”. That is what I am this month: Overwhelmed. Fair warning — you will cry in this issue. You will be moved. You will be Loved and overwhelmed.
The writers for Bella blew me away again this month. The themes for February are Black History Month and Love. It seems natural February should be about love because Valentine’s Day is in February. One of our writers, Regla, writes about how Valentine’s Day should be 365 days a year — the same can be said about Black History Month. We should celebrate where we came from, the challenges we have faced, and how Love prevails all year long.
Spoiler alert: Aiken Bella won’t be the only baby in the family after February! Love child Palmetto Bella will be born in March! Out of the Love for our community and our state, we are expanding! When working with The Center for African American History, Art, and Culture in September while promoting one of their events, we realized that there are organizations that need more opportunities for their Accommodation Tax grants. We decided that Bella should be located 50 miles outside of every city in the State of South Carolina to help promote awareness of all of the amazing organizations out there, and to share their amazing stories.
A strong, growing family has a firm foundation. Ours is Aiken and God’s Love. Bella was born over shots of bourbon between creative friends, raised by literary and financial gurus, and ready to thread creativity throughout the state. Bella’s home is in a magical studio where Creatives flow in and out of the doors.
Below is one of the hardest working women in Aiken, Martha Wise of White Rose Eclectics. A purveyor of clothing and jewelry from local and international artisans, she is continuously bringing in new merchandise as the purchases venture out into the homes of the customers. A couple of months ago she told me that the homeless in Aiken were weighing heavy on her heart. She came up with the idea of a fashion show to raise awareness of homelessness, and The Invisible Beautiful People of Aiken event was born. Be sure to read her article in this month’s issue. I watched her go tirelessly from business to business asking sponsors to support her cause. I am filled with love and admiration and gratitude to have her in my life.
It is not easy to admit weakness. In the beginning I had the hardest time asking advertisers to invest in Bella, so I chose to create a fabulous product that everyone would want to be a part of. It still wasn’t working. So I looked for the problems people were facing in the community. I sat and watched and listened. I paid attention to people’s needs. I tried to think outside of the norms, the way things have always been done. I opened my eyes to God’s Love, which is written everywhere and in every person I meet.
Our expansion is the result. Bella is becoming a true multi-media company. We have begun podcasting the entire issue of the magazine. We heard many reasons some people were unable to read the magazine —
location, time, simply not being physically able to read the articles. This has been a fun endeavor that continues to excite us we explore this new way for Bella to share the voices of our community.
Do not fear that Aiken will have a diminished role in our new Palmetto Bella. Aiken is a pulse within our state. People from all around come to Aiken, and Aikenites venture out into all areas of our state and return with new knowledge and experiences. Beginning in March, we will feature a travel section for interesting towns South Carolina — when to go, what to eat, where to stay. But rest assured that Bella will always begin and end with her love of Aiken and its people.
So this month, challenge what has always been done, cross boundaries, smile at someone you pass by, see the invisible, stand quietly next to someone, and most of all Love. Love yourself. Love your brother. And Love your God. Love until your last breath.
