If I were honest with myself (and you), the real reason I haven’t written in such a long time is because I’ve been afraid. I’ve been afraid of the impact that my contrarian views and controversial words would have on my personal and professional life. The girl who once didn’t care what anyone thought now all of a sudden is mortal. She can be wounded. She can be touched.

For so long, I felt like Adam and Eve after they had eaten the forbidden fruit and realized for the first time that they were naked. I, all of a sudden, realized the power of my words. People really do read them and care what I say. My words have power. They are powerful enough to get me terminated from a job that I really enjoyed. My personal thoughts could actually have any impact on my professional life. Who knew?

But more importantly, this brought to surface a part of me I’d never seen before. A vulnerable side. A side that actually cared what others thought of me. Where had this come from? Did it come with maturity or is something else at work here? Maybe being let go from The Black News showed me that there are consequences for my words. There had never been before. Well, actually there were… many times. Just never this significant. Just never this public.

Dealing with this newly-discovered vulnerable part of me has been very difficult. Having to parse my words, consider their impact before I wrote them, was very painful to me. It was easier just not to write at all.

So where am I today? I dunno. I’m unsure. I know that I am ready to write again, but I haven’t completely rediscovered my voice. I am no longer comfortable with the voice that I established four years ago when I launched ThatTeowonna.com. But I’m not ready to be silenced either. So bear with me as I find my way again. As I find my voice. It may be a little softer. It may be a little unfamiliar. But it is evolving. And there’s one thing I know for sure: a sista is back. Watch out there now!

Join me for SHE Columbia where I will be giving a talk on How to Avoid Party-Planning Pitfalls. Did you miss SHE Columbia last year? Here’s what you can expect this year.

SHE Columbia is the Ultimate Girls’ Weekend. It is set for February 8 – 10, 2013 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. SHE Columbia benefits The Women’s Shelter via partnership with Debbie McDaniel of Revente, and partial proceeds also benefit Harvest Hope Food Bank. Major sponsors are BI-LO and Palmetto Health.

Formerly the Columbia Women’s Show, the 3-day affair has been freshly rebranded as SHE Columbia, brimming with vendors, celebs and local leaders in fashion, beauty, cooking, entertainment, crafts and healthy living. SHE Columbia is a celebration of everything woman.

The Convention Center will transform into a playground ideal for a girlfriends’ weekend, one-on-one time with mom, a stress-relieving afternoon out with the office crew, or a solo jaunt filled with shopping, pampering, ideating, sipping, and savoring.

SHE highlights six aspects of women’s lives:

• Style:  Fashion, beauty and design to make her dazzle.
• Crave:  Delectable food and beverage tastings and demonstrations by top local chefs.
• Entertain: Invitations, décor, menus and floral arrangements for a fabulous fete.
• Create: Arts and crafts to sooth your psyche and enhance your surroundings.
• Live: Health, fitness and spiritual peace.
• Care: Community and charity.

The first 100 women to enter SHE Columbia will take home a SWAG bag from Gaffney Premium Outlets, featuring Banana Republic, New York & Co., and more, valued at $100 each.

Columbia is such a Capital Place to Be. I truly believe that. And my active social life proves it. One thing that makes Columbia such a wonderful place is our people. We have people who are achieving great feats everyday. Many of them are African-American. Unfortunately, they are not always highlighted. Until now. Starting tomorrow, I will release Columbia’s 10 Most Fascinating People of 2012. These people may be silent achievers or they may be noise-makers. Either way, they are indeed fascinating.

Chelsea Washington   Preach Jacobs   Karen Alexander   Kaela Harmon   Sergio Hudson

Gwen Rawls   Kenny Cross   Maya Troy   Marcus Lattimore   Alicia Zeigler

Alicia will open her second branch of FFS Model and Talent Agency in Concord, NC this month.

Who Is Alicia Zeigler? Alicia Zeigler is the agency director for FFS Model and Talent Agency, editor of Wink Magazine and director of Columbia Style Week. She is a woman of tremendous vision, ambition and resolve. That became clear more than ever in 2012 when she brazenly launched Columbia Style Week amidst amble skepticism and criticism. (Even I had something to say about it.) 

Why Is She Fascinating? Alicia is fascinating because after years of idle chatter about starting a fashion week in Columbia, she actually did it. Columbia Style Week was the first ever week dedicated to fashion and style in Columbia, SC. While this may not seem like a big deal, it really is, especially when every other major city around us has a fashion week. Alicia fought off haters, doubters and regretters only to emerge a victor with a well-put together fashion week that is bound to grow bigger and better. Alicia’s current goal is to unite Columbia’s fashion community into one collective unit that can call upon each other and be a constant source of motivation and support. She is slowly achieving that goal. A successful Columbia Style Week was just the beginning.

In Her Own Words: “Quite simply, if you want me to do something, all you have to do is tell me a few reasons why it can’t be done. It fuels me to be the first to accomplish it.”

Read More About Columbia’s Most Fascinating People of 2012

Chelsea Washington, Preach Jacobs, Karen Alexander, Kaela Harmon, Sergio Hudson

Gwen Rawls, Kenny Cross, Maya Troy, Marcus Lattimore, Alicia Zeigler

Photo provided by Jaguar Picture and Sound Photography

Marcus Lattimore recently announced he in entering the NFL draft.

Who is Marcus Lattimore? Marcus Lattimore is USC’s star running back who suffered a season-ending knee injury two years in a row.

Why is He Fascinating? Marcus is fascinating because even though he suffered serious injuries each year he was a Gamecock, (don’t forget about the concusion and jaw injury in 2010) Marcus returned to the gridiron each year with a renewed energy and vigor that fans showed tremendous appreciation for with unyielding support. After working hard in the off-season to rehab the injury that ended his seemingly Heisman-trophy candidacy, Lattimore returned with a vengence. He quickly erased any doubts about his comeback with a 23-carry, 110-yard, two-touchdown effort in the season opening win at Vanderbilt, which earned him SEC Offensive Player of the Week accolades for the fourth time in his career. It was that kind of spirit that caused a team, city, state, division and possibly even a nation to rally around him when he sustained his second-season-ending injury in 2012 against Tennessee (Carolina won 38-35). As Marcus lay on the field in pain, it was awe-inspiring to see players, coaches and support personnel from both teams surround him on the field in a tremendous display of support and admiration.

Marcus finished his Gamecock career with 2,677 rushing yards, sixth on Carolina’s all-time list. He is the school record-holder in both rushing touchdowns (38) and touchdowns scored (41). He ranks fourth in rushing attempts (555), third in points scored (246 – most among non-kickers) and tied for second in 100-yard rushing games (11). He is undoubtedly one of the most beloved Gamecocks of all times.

In How Own Words: “I love this state and I’m glad to say I’ll be a Gamecock forever. Thank you for all your support and God bless Gamecock nation.”

More Columbia 10 Most Fascinating People of 2012:

Chelsea Washington, Preach Jacobs, Karen Alexander, Kaela Harmon, Sergio Hudson

Gwen Rawls, Kenny Cross, Maya Troy, Marcus Lattimore, Alicia Zeigler

“It is important to surround yourself with people who believe in you, support you and pray for your success unceasingly.”

Who Is Maya Troy? If you’ve been alert and aware, then you certainly have noticed a new fresh face on the scene. And what a lovely face it is. Maya Troy is a Jamaican-born beaut and former model who is establishing a fierce presence on the Columbia landscape.

Why Is She Fascinating? Maya is fascinating because she is making waves in the Midlands as well as back on her home soil of Jamaica. Locally, she launched her online retail boutique, MayaQobas, which features Caribbean-inspired designs. As a result of her successful launch, Maya was selected to serve as Director of Pre-Events for Columbia Style Week, where she also showcased her collection. She later appeared in the US Airways in-flight magazine, had a two-page feature spread in Columbia Metropolitan Magazine, and was an Executive Fall Lecturer & Award Recipient at SC State University.

Back home in Jamaica, Maya is the official donor to the Salvation Army School for the Blind. She was also featured on the national Jamaican TV program “Smile Jamaica”, as well as in the Jamaica Observer newspaper . Maya believes in blooming where she is planted. And it is clear that in Columbia, her style is coming up roses.

In Her Own Words: Failure is not an option. I am a ‘dreamer that does’. I just roll my sleeves up and take that dream to execution.

See More of Columbia’s Most Fascinating People of 2012

Introduction; Chelsea Washington, Preach Jacobs, Karen Alexander, Kaela Harmon, Sergio Hudson

Gwen Rawls, Kenny Cross, Maya Troy, Marcus Lattimore, Alicia Zeigler

Photo provided by Jaguar Picture and Sound Photography