Her story...your story!
"Growing up I always enjoyed being active in school sports, being a "tom boy" and "girly girl" (simultaneously). As a teenager I felt awkward with my long legs, arms and feet. In middle school I began to get a little thick in my midsection, so imagine what shopping for a plus size teenage girl was like in the 90's. I'd watch T.V. advertisements and notice that no one looked like me. Thankfully I was blessed with awesome parents who constantly told me that I was "fearfully and wonderfully made". So self esteem was never the issue. However, finding "My Personal Style" was. Thankfully this developed in college. I realized that there are some girls and young women (of all sizes) who struggle with this daily. So that's why "I Rock My Curves the Best!" No one has curves like me and I have curves like no one else. So therefore I and I alone am the only person that can Rock My Curves the Best. Knowing who's I am and learning to love myself has allowed me to live with purpose. I'm thankful to IRMC for being a platform for healthy self-esteem and am honored to be a part of this landmark movement! " - Charis T.
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“Living in a society where thin is in and often times
glorified, being anything but can be saddening. I can’t count how many times I
have been degraded, called fat, roly poly, big block, etc. I used to take it to
heart. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I became satisfied with who I am and
what God has given me. I learned that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, in
His image, and in my Mom’s words, “God don’t make no junk!” Ever since then, I
have been on an inspiration spree, showing women and young girls that society
does not define who you are. I have less
than some and more than most, but I am beautiful, nonetheless. “I am not
defined by what one says I am, or think I am. For I am defined by what and who,
I prove myself to be.” (~ Angel B. 2014) This movement, I Rock My Curves
The Best, has allowed me the ability to fellowship with other like minded
women, some of us restoring our confidence, some of us gaining, and for some
like myself, flourishing and reveling in the ability to completely be at one
with individuals that are encouraging, and all around wonderfully beautiful
people. I have never been a part of an organization, no a sisterhood, where
EVERYONE is hardworking, encouraging, and understanding. The president and CEO
of this organization is truly a visionary, and truly for the empowering of
women and girls. She is warm, compassionate, loving, kind, caring, a BOSS in
title and works, and most importantly a woman of God." Angel B.
"As a plus size woman, throughout life I've learned that many may consider your size a flaw or imperfection because you don't seem to fit into the norm. You will be ridiculed, judged and overlooked on many occasions. You build walls to protect the inner from the things thrown your way. You have to go harder than most others at times to prove that you're just as worthy to receive the opportunities given to them even though your frame isn't the same. I'm grateful for Kenyatta and her vision. I believe it gives others like myself a blueprint on how to build a foundation made up of confidence and self love.
It's truly a blessing to be amongst woman who are unapologetically themselves and can turn heads when they walk into a room not because of how the world has defined beauty but because we have found the beauty within ourselves and are comfortable in our perfect imperfections." -- Montravon LaTise 
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I ROCK MY CURVES HAS CHANGED ME:
"I always knew there was a feisty and confident woman hiding in me that wanted to get out, I just had to find a way to let her. I was introduced to IRMC because of FB. I saw a friend post about the original fashion show and I jokingly said, I will support you friend but I want to be in the show. My friend quickly gave me Kenyatta's email address. I had the information but I had to take the 1st step. I was nervous, was I pretty enough? What will people think about my chunky self in a fashion show? Will people laugh at me? Will people post negative things about me? What will the other girls think about me? (Notice my concern about everyone else, but ME) I sent an email and my photo, within a day, Kenyatta replied and my confidence changed forever!!! Not only was I embraced by all of the other women, I was amazed that we were all different shapes and sizes and their confidence oozed into my spirit. I not only realized I am curvy and fabulous...I BELIEVED IT!!!! We all compliment eachother, are truthful with eachother, respect eachother and want to see the next woman do well in whatever she is apart of. I have made so many friends which I absolutely love and adore. My life has been enriched because of Kenyatta's vision and her personality. My daughter is proud of me and most importantly, I am proud of myself. It took courage for me to step out of my comfort zone and be seen. I wouldn't change that for the world. Even now, when I walk, I PUMP! Even if I'm in sneakers because My CURVES and I are beautiful, confident, gorgeous and fabulous!!!!!!!! I never could have imagined I would model anything, but here I am, raging against the machine. I always say, I'm a thick girl in a skinny world and that's alright with me!" Carmen B.
"I always knew there was a feisty and confident woman hiding in me that wanted to get out, I just had to find a way to let her. I was introduced to IRMC because of FB. I saw a friend post about the original fashion show and I jokingly said, I will support you friend but I want to be in the show. My friend quickly gave me Kenyatta's email address. I had the information but I had to take the 1st step. I was nervous, was I pretty enough? What will people think about my chunky self in a fashion show? Will people laugh at me? Will people post negative things about me? What will the other girls think about me? (Notice my concern about everyone else, but ME) I sent an email and my photo, within a day, Kenyatta replied and my confidence changed forever!!! Not only was I embraced by all of the other women, I was amazed that we were all different shapes and sizes and their confidence oozed into my spirit. I not only realized I am curvy and fabulous...I BELIEVED IT!!!! We all compliment eachother, are truthful with eachother, respect eachother and want to see the next woman do well in whatever she is apart of. I have made so many friends which I absolutely love and adore. My life has been enriched because of Kenyatta's vision and her personality. My daughter is proud of me and most importantly, I am proud of myself. It took courage for me to step out of my comfort zone and be seen. I wouldn't change that for the world. Even now, when I walk, I PUMP! Even if I'm in sneakers because My CURVES and I are beautiful, confident, gorgeous and fabulous!!!!!!!! I never could have imagined I would model anything, but here I am, raging against the machine. I always say, I'm a thick girl in a skinny world and that's alright with me!" Carmen B.
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First I want to say that I'm very thankful for Kenyatta Johnson's idea to unite women of all shapes, colors and backgrounds! Next I like to share the reason why I chose to be a part of IRMC! As a business woman it is important to network. What better network to have? The beautiful ladies of IRMC are positive women chasing similar goals: Entrepreneurship, Longevity and Success while promoting confidence and self love. Lastly, I have always been plus size. I was picked on and rejected on a daily bases! At 8 I could wear my mothers clothes! By the time I was 11, I contemplated taking my life. I knew I was beautiful so it was not because I was plus size or over weight but because of the hurtful things people would say. The taunting didn't just come from strangers, it also came from the ones who should have loved me the most. When I was 16 my uncle said "You are too fat to sing with my daughters and when you die we are going to need a crane to move your casket!" By this age I was use to the fat jokes and confident in my body, but my soul was still corrupt so I never sang with them again. At 18 I was so falsely confident in my body I started using my body to get love and acceptance. I was fully developed physically more so then other girls my age. It wasn't until I had my first child that I realized this was a issue for me. At age 23 I found myself with 2 children alone and feeling used up! I decided no more and started attending church and God healed my soul! One night I asked him am I worthy of a husband and for help losing weight. The next day he put some guiding thoughts in my spirit! The thoughts were: You are a beautiful women with a beautiful soul you can have everything. So I guess He knows who to give what to and I'm happy with what He gave me. Oh yeah he did send my Husband Jermaine E. Thank you God for making me as you saw fit! Curvy! Confident! And in love with all of ME! Ariel E. |
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