Black Opal Magazine (website) FINAL (1)

Queen’s ‘I’AM FAT FREE”
Campaign” Photo/
Commercial Shoot

PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Sarena Partlow & Christopher Alexander

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Queen’s ‘I’AM FAT

FREE” Campaign”

Photo/Commercial

Shoot

PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Sarena Partlow & Christopher
Alexander

I created the “I’am Fat Free” Campaign to
empower & “TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE” support
for the Homebound, Morbid Obese, Full
Figured, Plus Size, Chubby, Curvy and the
list goes on! Creating this campaign brings
awareness to stop body shaming, bullying,
weight discrimination, making fun of children
& people of size and inspire sensitivity and

respect. During this pandemic people
are experiencing how “PEOPLE OF
SIZE” live their lives “HIDING” from
society so that they are not made
fun of or starred at and made to feel
ashamed for even coming out in public.

“I Am Fat Free” campaign” will bring
rallys, protest, appearances, photo
shoot campaigns, pageants, events and
runway show productions to help be
the spark of change to STOP WEIGHT
SHAMING people into hiding from life
and becoming a prisoner in their own
homes and in their bodies because
I was one of those people & I broke
from that humiliating confinement that
bought me more shame than going out
when I didn’t feel like I even wanted
anyone to look at me because I felt so
huge, ugly and ashamed. But Fashion
broke me out of that prison & I haven’t

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looked back since!

In deciding to KICK START this campaign off,
I chose four beautiful Plus Size “QUEENS”
to represent as spokesmodels in a video
promotional commercial for social media
& a promotional photo shoot. After doing
a casting call for plus size spokesmodels,
I found two young ladies from Cleveland,
Ohio by the names of Bernella Winston &
Monay Luster and two young ladies from
Columbus, Ohio by the names of Jade Rainer
& Bree Castleman. These ladies not only
complimented each other well in the photo
shoot & video filming but they were naturals
once relating to their script and how it has
impacted their own lives being Plus Size
Models & Women and how it affects their
lives daily. I must say that they exceeded
my expectations for this campaign & I look
forward to working with all of these ladies
again & SALUTE to a job well done! We need
all the support we can get for this campaign
to make this platform bigger and bring more

awareness to our mission & plight! Will
you help us to help others & change
their lives and be the inspiration to help
them break out of their prison hiding in
their homes and take back their life and
regain their power to LIVE LIFE! Help me
to spread the message, to confront our
government & society to demand that we
are treated with more respect, that we
are no longer the butt of all comedy jokes
ridiculing people of size, charging us
extra for things that everyone else gets
for the same price and worse. Please join
me in giving them a voice . . . “WE ARE
FAT FREE” & we are taking back our LIFE!

If you would like to donate to the “I
AM FAT FREE” campaign, please go to
paypal.me/Queen22
Your donations are needed &
appreciated it.

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Faith Barnes

FAITH BARNES

CONGRATS TO OUR SEASONED
QUEEN
Featuring models 50 years & up

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Things between Tracy and I have been great Aw Crap
these past few months, but something By Reade Green
changed in her. She began to ask me
questions I honestly couldn't answer. I tried Tracy is a beautiful girl. And I mean she is
to think of stuff to say, but I kept stuttering, beautiful to the point that I can not compare
then would just say I had to get home her to anything else in the world, except for
because I had work in the morning. At one maybe my wife, Rachel. And I care for her
point in time, Rachel was away at a very much. Tracy is a friend of my wife's at
conference for the weekend and our kids work and we met at an annual holiday party,
were camping with their friends, we met at and that's how it first started. Things have
our usual place. Later that night, after having been kind of rocky between me and my
by far what was the best sex of my life- better wife. The spark we had when we first started
than any time Rachel and I made love- we dating, and that we had into the first few
just laid there. Tracy laid her head on my years of our marriage, just started to fade
chest in the cutest way possible. It made her away, and I became less attracted to her
look like a baby who was fast asleep on her over time. But Tracy and I have been seeing
parents’ chest. She also laid her hand on me each other in secret for the past several
and moved her index finger in a figure-eight months and things have never been better.
motion in the most seductive way possible: it I've been trying my hardest to make sure
started to turn me on again. Rachel didn't find out about us and I've
“Matthew?” she asked with a tone I couldn't been staying late at the office every once in
quite understand. a while, telling Rachel that I'm working to
“Yeah Tracy, what's up?” I replied. get the promotion that I’m up for, which in
“Where is this going?” she asked in a serious part was true, but after I'd finish up at work, I
tone. I was caught off guard by her question would go and meet up with Tracy at a motel
and didn't know what to say. room that I would pay for in cash so it would
“What do you mean?” I asked, playing stupid. not show on our credit card statement.
She looked up at me with her big, beautiful,
hazel eyes, she asked again with more Black Opal Magazine | 55
precise words, “Where is this going? What
direction are we going in?” Even though I
knew what she was talking about, I tried to
play it dumb.
“I don't understand your question.”
She then told me flat out, “Where is this
relationship going? How come you haven't
told Rachel about us and left her as I asked
you to? I mean, don't you care about me?”
“Of course I care about you Trace. There's no
doubt about that.” I told her, trying to sound
sincere.
She came back saying, “Then why haven't
you left your wife as I asked you, and like you
said you would? Why not?”.
“It's… It’s complicated, okay. You know how
much I care about you, but I care about
Rachel just as much, dropping everything
and leaving someone is not as easy as you
would think it to be, especially when you’ve
been with them for so many years like I have
been with Rachel.” I told her that trying to
steer her away from asking more questions.

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“If you care about your wife so much, Tracy walked over to her purse and
then why are you with me right now and began rummaging around inside. At first,
not her? Everyone going to that I didn't know what she was looking for,
conference was given an extra ticket and then my eyes widened as soon as I
she told me she was going to bring you, remembered something. She kept it in
but you said you couldn’t go because her purse for personal reasons. I began
you had to work” she retorted, voice to panic and I started to move slowly. I
getting escalating. got up and out of the bed as cautiously
She got out of bed and began to put on as I could and began to put on my pants.
her clothes, I sat there trying to think of As soon as I got them on, behind me, I
an answer, but all I could muster up was, heard her say to me, “Where do you think
“Because I just needed a release.” When you're going?” I didn't want to turn
I realized what I had said, I looked at her around, but being the stereotypical
and tried my best to apologize, but she dumbass that I was, I did anyway.
cut me off. I turned around to see her holding a
“So is that all I am to you? A release. 9mm pistol. She was holding the gun,
Some random floozy you pick up off the looking at it, admiring it. Then she put
street, have some fun with for a little her right thumb on the hammer, pulled it
while and then throw away?! I care about back and it made a clicking noise. She
you, Matt. More than I have ever cared pointed the gun at me, holding it in both
about anyone since my husband Donny hands with this look in her eyes. The look
died. I even told you that I loved you and of someone who has just lost everything
I do, with all of my heart. I think of you as she loved.
my companion, someone that I can trust, “Tracy. Put the gun down. Please, let's
that I love. But obviously, I'm just a fling, a talk about this” I pleaded, knowing full
harlot, a piece of meat to you aren't I?!” well she wasn't going to let that happen.
By her saying that I got angry too. “I'm done talking. You've messed with
Angrier than I've ever been. But then she my heart for the last time you bastard. If I
continued with her rant, “I bet you are can't have you, neither can Rachel, or
thinking of hitting yourself, aren't you. your kids, or anybody else in this god-
Telling yourself how much of an idiot you forsaken world” and with those words
are. Better you than me. Honestly, I'd like coming out of her mouth, she pulled the
to hit you myself. But I am not going to. I trigger, and the last words I would ever
am not the kind of girl that resolves say were “Aw Crap.”
conflicts by using her fists. I am the kind
of girl that takes care of things in other
manners” I was angry at her for saying
that. Thinking back on it now, I kind of
wish I had hit myself because things
would be different. She said the
sentence with the calmest voice since
our fight began, but I thought nothing of
it. I thought about this whole ordeal and
began to regret my decision of sleeping
with Tracy.

Black Opal Magazine | 56

"QSA"
"QUEENS
SERVICE
ANNOUN
CEMENT"
"QSA"

George Petnuch

Texting and
Driving By

George Petnuch

Images of yesterday
Are powered by anger.
Being crippled inside
There is no future, only the past.
To strive for more
Is here say of mistakes.
Destruction, loss of time
Hidden in your mind.
The choices we make.
Stop look up ahead!
The bottom line is to decide.
When you Text and Drive-Lives are on the
Line.

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Hands of Fate
By

George Petnuch

Salem, Massachusetts is known for its Mr. Stanley wanted to live out fantasies, he
witchcraft. Magic generated power on the told the clerk, I’m going for the top prize. He
outskirts of town. For he or she secured with a looked at a pair of gloves and he tried them on
taste of the outer world were looked upon as and turned into Rocky Graziano, winning the
evil and expelled from the everyday life of World Middleweight Title for his first fantasy
society. Tourist would come to Salem seeking was a winner. He came back, for once you
excitement and trivia for a glimpse and feel of choose a fantasy you might not come back to
this imaginary world. Museums were surfaced the real world. It was a dare of the
all around town. supernatural. He said to the clerk “I’m going
for fantasy #2. He looked over a display and
The Barn was a taste of the 1600’s saw a glove with diamonds and glitter. He
equipped with propelling facts of yesteryear tried it on. He turned into Michael Jackson,
with Museum theme’s that raised the thoughts singing “Man in the Mirror” in front of 50,000
of heaven and hell. There were artifacts screaming and applauding fans.
similarities of wax figures, famous people of He came back. He said to the clerk I am going
witches and warlocks. Theme’s a Museum for fantasy #3. The clerk said to Mr. Stanley
keeps up with to the inviting public. you may get stuck in a fantasy with no return.
No matter what I’m going for it. He looked
Mr. Stanley was a common Joe from a around and saw a pair of hands so shiny,
small town in Pennsylvania He was fascinated rough and the veins popping out of them. He
with witchcraft. A small time Accountant. On said to the clerk they must be the “Hands of
vacation to get away from it all. He visited The Fate” of a strong and powerful ruler. He tried
Barn. One of the games and displays were them on. He was in an interrogation room
hands. Some with gloves some just bare for being questioned for the murder of 13
$10 dollars you can choose 3 sets of hands women. For Mr. Stanley turned into Albert
with gloves or bare, but once you pick a hand John DeSalvo. Also known as “The Boston
there is a chance you would never come back Strangler”.
to the real world. They called it the “Hands of
Fate” fantasy. It’s a question of dare.

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Heartbeat, . He was getting close to him when he heard
Increasing, and felt a heartbeat coming from a grave
Heartbeat By where Barry was hiding behind a headstone.
He got closer he screamed out to Barry let’s
George Petnuch go. He said to Barry “Do you hear a heartbeat
and feel the pounding. Barry said “No”. They
Timmy (11 years old) and Barry (8 years old) both ran home.
Shea lived in the Woodlawn section of the Timy said to his Mother and Father
Bronx, NY. After school their Mother would “Something strange happened tonight we
make them do their homework and then let were playing hide and seek and whemn I got
them go and play in the neighborhood. Timmy close to Barry he was hiding behind a
who was 3 years older than Barry was always headstone in a grave, a heartbeat was
in charge of social gatherings with the rest of pounding, and it was getting louder.
their friends.
Barry said “Mom, Dad but I didn’t feel or hear
Barry was treated differently from their father, it”. The next day Timmy went to school and all
always getting the extra dollar, getting to sit he thought about was what happened the
up front of the car when they would go out night before. Mr. Shea said to Mrs. Shea “That
and always getting the bigger hug. Timmy boy of yours has a wild imagination” Mrs. Shea
always felt out of place and sometimes would said “Give him some time he’ll forget all about
sit in his room for hours and not come out, but it. I know you favor Barry, but Timmy is ours
Barry and his Mother would always find a way too.
to comfort him.
When school ended, he met Barry and
One day Timmy and Barry and his said “I got to find out what that was all about
friends got together and decided to play hide last night. Barry said” Mom and Dad told us
and seek in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Timmy not to go to the Cemetery anymore or else
was the leader and the way they played was if were grounded”. It was nighttime and the sun
Timmy found someone, they would have to was going down, Timmy and Barry got close
leave the Cemetery. Timmy all anxious told to the grave. Timmy heard the heartbeat again
everyone to hide and stay in place. He said, and it was pounding. Timmy “Do you hear it”.
“Everyone I’m coming”. He went looking he Barry said “I don’t hear it. Timmy said “My ears
found Joe hiding behind a tree. Joe went are ringing, Barry what’s the name on the
home. It was April and the sun would go down headstone. Barry pointed his flashlight and
around 7:30 pm. He found everyone and they said, “Timothy Wellman Sr.” Owls started to
went home but Barry was still out there. hoot and Weeds Began to fly across the grave
from the wind. Barry said “I’m afraid Timmy
BBllaacckk OOppaall MMaaggaazziinnee || 5599 let’s go.

They went home and Timmy ran into
his room and locked the door. His mother said
“Timmy open the door at once. Timmy said
“No, I’m never coming out. His father said
“These supernatural thoughts are going to
come to and end right now. “Open the door
before I take the hinges off”. Timmy came out.
He said, “I heard and felt the heartbeat again”.
Mom, his name is Timothy Wellman Sr.”. His
mother fell to the ground crying. She said, “I
can’t keep it from you any longer, He was your
real father”. Timmy crying said, “What did he
die from” Mrs. Shea said, “A Heart Murmur”.

ELENA LOHSE | 5 INCREDIBLE
MORGAN HARPER NICHOLS | FEMALE
GABI GREGG | INFLUENCERS
ERIKA WARD | YOU SHOULD BE
NEDRA GLOVER TAWWAB | FOLLOWING ON
INSTAGRAM
Elena Lohse |
writer Becky Bicks
Instagram has been a place for DIYers to
show off their work—and inspire millions with In the recent pandemic, people have had to turn more and more to technology in order to
it. Elena Lohse, a DIY rehabber who lives in feel a sense of connection, to stay in touch with current cultural affairs, and to find artistic
Toronto, is one of the best interior design and creative inspiration. Luckily, there are a bounty of platforms that we can access via our
influencers on the entire platform, and she mobile devices and desktop computers that allow us to connect with other people and see
has an incredibly beautiful Instagram page more of the world. And, one of the absolute best is Instagram. What started out as a simple
that showcases the work she has done vehicle for sharing photos and daily snapshots with friends and family has grown into a
remodeling and decorating her fixer-upper major resource for influence, inspiration, and fodder to feed the imagination.
Toronto home. Her bright and airy pictures
and her artistic, eclectic taste are like a feast If you're new to Instagram, or you are looking to expand your feed so that it is even richer
for the eyes. One of the best parts about than ever before, check out the list of 5 incredible influencers below. Each of these Black
following Lohse on Instagram is that she is woman has a unique, standout presence on the social media network that allows her to
hilarious, so many of her posts are infused share her work, connect with the public, and inspire innumerable other women all across
with sarcasm and humor. This means that the world. Each is an incredible influencer in her own right, and one that will expand your
when you follow her, you get multiple mind and your knowledge each time you open your app.
benefits every time you come upon one of
her posts: tons of visual and decor
inspiration, and also a lot of laughs. Follow
this Instagrammer for mood lifters, visual
inspiration, and tons of DIY advice.

Morgan Harper
Nichols |

Poetry is all the rage these days, thanks to
Amanda Gorman's wide exposure at the
Inauguration ceremony and the Super Bowl.
But there are influencers who made poetry
"cool" on Instagram long before Gorman was
on the scene, and one of those poets is
Morgan Harper Nichols—who currently has
1.6 million followers and considers herself to
be an artist and a musician, in addition to a
poet. Nichols' posts include her original art,
as well as short quotes from her poems (or
entire poems unto themselves). They are
always inspirational, with messages about
racial equality,

feminism, and personal growth. Nichols has
been growing her Instagram presence for a
long time and is considered to be one of the
most successful Instagram poets (i.e. poets
who used the platform to launch her career)
in history. Her stuff is bright, beautiful, and
relatable for everyone who has feelings or is
looking for grace and strength.

Gabi Gregg |

Continue reading at next page >

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ELENA LOHSE | writer Becky Bicks
MORGAN HARPER NICHOLS |
GABI GREGG | Nedra Glover Tawwab |
ERIKA WARD |
NEDRA GLOVER TAWWAB | Nedra Tawwab's main job is to be a therapist and author about mental health.
However, she's made a huge splash as a mental health influencer on Instagram and
Gabi Gregg | recently reached 776,000 followers. Tawwab's Instagram is an excellent account to
follow if you need general daily pick-me-ups, or helpful information about how to set
Instagram is an excellent place to go for boundaries, communicate in relationships, and seek mental healthcare for yourself.
fashion advice, and the platform is packed Tawwab mainly shares memes and graphics she's designed with clear, easy-to-
with fashion influencers. One of the best is understand messaging that clues you into an important mental health topic that you
Gabi Gregg, who goes by Gabi Fresh on should keep in mind as you navigate your day-to-day. Therapists have a growing
Instagram. Gregg has more than 823,000 presence on Instagram as people struggle to thrive during a particularly tough time,
followers on the platform, and she's become and Nedra Tawwab is one that has made a particularly major impact on a wide, vast
legendary for showing off her incredible style, audience of people looking to improve their lives.
and being proud to show off her body exactly
as it is. (Gregg has created her own plus-size These days, influencers can get a bad rap. In reality, however, many influencers are
lingerie and swim collections and she calls
herself the "OG Fat Girl"). Gregg regularly figures in our culture that can serve to expand our horizons and inspire more of our
shows her favorite looks, which can give you own work—especially the Black female influencers above. Follow these amazing
some ideas for new outfits or how to spruce women, then check out the artists they follow and support as well. You can learn about
up your own wardrobe. And her never- a portion of art or culture you never knew about before, or connect with other fans and
ending positive messaging and followers to grow your own community—something that is incredibly important in this
encouragement are simply inspirational. time of great grief and solitude for everyone.

Erika Ward |

Based in Atlanta, Erika Ward spends her days
as an interior designer. But she's also
become a huge Instagram influencer, with an
account that displays her work and shares
incredibly helpful and beautiful design tips to
help people decorate their own homes and
spaces. Ward believes in the importance of a
home as a family space, and she's done some
incredible projects around the Atlanta area.
She's also been featured in a variety of
magazines, like House Beautiful, Elle Decor,
and Curated Quarters. If you're spending a
lot more time at home and feel like sprucing
up your surroundings, Erika Ward is the
perfect account to follow—and her images
will infuse some beauty into your day every
time you scroll through your feed.

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“BLACK OPAL MAGAZINE”

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“BLACK OPAL MAGAZINE”

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“BLACK OPAL MAGAZINE”

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Manzetta L. Jackson,
PhD, MEd, PSCC-S

(419) 419-3369
Can do Telehealth

Issues

Alcohol Use Oppositional Defiance

Anger Parenting

Management Peer Relationships
School Issues
Antisocial
Self Esteem
Personality
Sexual Abuse
Behavioral Issues
Spirituality
Career Counseling
Teen Violence
Child or
Unemployment and
Adolescent
Personality
Chronic
Assesments
Impulsivity
Mental Health
Codependency
Coping Skills Impulse Control
Disorders
Depression
Specialties Mood Disorders
Divorce
Anxiety Thinking Disorders
Relationship Issues Domestic Abuse Sexuality
Testing and Domestic Violence
Evaluation Bisexual
Drug Abuse
Black Opal Magazine | 66 Lesbian
Eating Disorders
Gay
Emotional
Disturbance Client Focus Age
Age
Family Conflict
Elders (65+)
Gambling
Adults
Grief
Infidelity Adolescents /
Teenagers (14 to 19)
Life Coaching Communities
Obsessive-
Bisexual Allied
Compulsive (OCD)
Gay Allied

Lesbian Allied

Veterans

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THANK YOU
TO THE
STAFF
All the writers,
photographers,
models &
editors

“Owner/Founder Queen Lea’ Gardner”

Writers - Author Queen Lea Marie, S. Yolanda Robinson, Reade Green,
George Petnuch, Emily Claire, Becky Bicks
Photographers - Christopher Alexander, Ralph Martin, Nasia Wallace,
Sarena Partlow, International Photographer - Peter Kopp, Skip Young
personal photographer - Towanda Davis Photography
Models - Lyssa JC, Symonne Cunningham, Siimone Latriice, Nasia
Wallace, Chrishawna Betts, Kimberly Despas, Sydney Kendrick, Traci
Ellison
Editors - Syed Nasir, Queen Lea’ Gardner, Mack Simon, C. Caruso

“Courtesy Of Queen Of Queens Productions Modeling & Management”

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