SisterTableTalk™

Abuse is not love. It’s not protection. And no matter what anyone tells you, it’s never your fault. Too many women are walking through life carrying pain that no one else sees. They smile in public, keep going to work, show up for their kids, but behind closed doors, the truth is different. Sometimes the people who are supposed to protect you are the very ones who hurt you. And the children? They see it all, even if you think they don’t. Anger, disrespect, and shutting down at school are not signs of “bad kids.” They are signs of kids who are scared, hurting, and desperate for someone to make it stop. 🌿 Sister, We Need You to Hear This You don’t have to live like this. You don’t have to let your children grow up believing that love looks like violence, or that silence is the only way to survive. Yes, it’s scary. Yes, you might wonder, “How will I make it? Where will I go? What if I don’t have enough money?” Those are real questions, but here’s the truth: staying will cost you ...

For privacy reasons, the name of the grant recipient has been changed in this article. Maria would hold her breath each time she heard the front door open. Living in an emotionally and physically abusive environment had trained her to anticipate danger while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for her three young children. Despite working tirelessly, financial instability made the prospect of leaving seem impossible. Through The SOFEI Group's Ambassadors for Economic Independence (AFEI) grant program, Maria received tailored emergency financial support that addressed her family's immediate needs - from groceries and transportation to safe temporary housing. Unlike one-size-fits-all approaches, this personalized lifeline provided what she needed to break free and overcome adversity - paving the way for a new chapter filled with safety, hope, and opportunity. Today, Maria is pursuing a career in public service, leveraging her skills to build a stable future for her fami...

The SOFEI Group is thrilled to announce a new $1,000 grant opportunity through our Ambassadors for Economic Independence (AFEI) Giving Circle , designed to empower women who are rebuilding their lives and striving for economic independence. This grant aims to provide essential financial support for women embarking on a fresh start, whether by pursuing education, starting a business, or taking steps toward a brighter future. Eligibility: Open to women aged 18 and older experiencing situational poverty or significant life transitions. Applicants must outline their goals and demonstrate how the grant will support their journey to independence. How to Apply: Complete and submit a completed grant application , including a personal statement and proof of need. Pay a $25 tax-deductible registration fee to support the AFEI Giving Circle and future grant opportunities. Grant Timeline: Application Opens: Now Application Deadline: March 31 and June 30 Grant Awarded: June for March gr...

There is a stark contrast at the heart of our Nation's Capital, where the political, cultural, and economic power of the United States converges: a growing trend of women and girls who are vulnerable to the cycle of poverty in the Washington, DC region. Nonprofit organizations are diligently working to provide essential services and support that empower women and girls to overcome challenges and create a brighter future. To sustain these efforts and make a meaningful impact, organizations dedicated to serving women and girls need assistance breaking the cycle of poverty. The Reality of Economic Vulnerability for Women and Girls in DC Washington, DC, is often perceived as a hub of wealth and political authority; however, it also contends with some of the highest rates of poverty and inequality in the United States. According to the DC Policy Center, women in the District of Columbia face economic challenges that significantly impede their ability to succeed. In particular, women...

Resilience is the ability to recover from adversity. For women facing economic instability, it’s not just about bouncing back; it’s about rising stronger, becoming more determined, and having a clearer vision for the future. The SOFEI Group knows firsthand how resilience transforms lives by empowering women to overcome challenges and redefine their success stories. The Power of Resilience in Overcoming Economic Instability Women facing divorce, spousal abandonment, job loss, domestic violence, and health decline often experience economic instability, which can be overwhelming. However, resilience is the foundation for recovery and growth. It empowers women to adapt, learn, and persevere - even with insurmountable challenges. Consider Monica (name changed for privacy), a participant in one of our workforce development programs. After losing her spouse during the pandemic, Monica became the sole provider for her family without support and a safety net. With resilience and a readiness ...

What we do in the dark shall come to light is a condensed, interpretative verse of Luke 12:2-3 . This verse explains how our deep, dark secrets or sins can rise to the surface despite our efforts to bury or keep them hidden. This blog post discusses the allegations, denial, and confessed abuse of Sean P. Diddy Combs against Cassandra 'Cassie' Ventura. In November 2023, Ms. Ventura settled a lawsuit against Mr. Combs for his alleged sex trafficking and sexual assault during their relationship; however, Mr. Combs vehemently denied the allegations, and his attorneys called the lawsuits and accusations as money grabs, baseless, or sickening . Surveillance footage obtained by CNN on May 17, 2023 , shows Mr. Combs's actions corroborating with Ms. Ventura's originally filed complaint - Mr. Combs chasing Ms. Ventura down the hallway of the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, forcibly grabbing her by the back of her sweater, throwing her to the ground, and ...

Financial infidelity is a growing trend in many households today, especially among women, and empowering them to decrease this trend involves education, communication, and proactive financial management strategies. Let's look at how financial infidelity impacts women: Economic Dependence: Women often experience economic disparities and may be financially dependent on their partners, especially in traditional or patriarchal family structures. If their relationship ends, women will experience economic vulnerability with limited resources and unexpected financial challenges. Mental Health: The stress and anxiety resulting from financial infidelity can take a toll on women's mental health. They may experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues as they navigate the emotions of betrayal and uncertainty about their financial future. Limited Financial Autonomy: Financial infidelity can limit women's financial autonomy and decision-making power within the ...

Empowering women to emerge from economic instability involves providing them with resources and opportunities. Following are some strategies that can help: Access to education and skill-building programs that equip women with knowledge and skills that can expand their employment opportunities and income potential. Financial literacy and entrepreneurship training to enable women to start their businesses, pursue economic ventures, and make informed financial decisions. Facilitate women's access to credit and capital through community-based grants and lending initiatives to allow women to invest in their ideas, ventures, and income-generating activities. Provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and career, professional, and workforce development services to help women build skills and gain confidence to build, transition, or advance in their careers. Foster networks and community support systems that connect women with mentors, peers, and resources for guidance, encour...

As a society, we must ensure that every individual has the opportunity to thrive and prosper. It's disheartening to see how women struggling with situational poverty face significant challenges that hold them back from achieving financial stability. Whether it's due to job loss, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances, these women require support to overcome these challenges. Empowering women experiencing situational poverty is not only the ethical thing to do but is also crucial for the overall well-being of our society. When women achieve financial stability, they take care of their families, contribute to their communities, and pursue their aspirations, which leads to a more resilient society. There are several ways to empower women experiencing situational poverty. One of the most effective strategies is to provide them access to education and training programs that help them develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today's job market. It could in...

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 If the truth makes us free, why are so many of us bound? Are we bound because we haven't defined our truth? Bound because we live through the lens of people (i.e., their opinion) and not our values and beliefs? Bound because we govern our lives according to what we're told, which is contrary to who we are, or who we're striving to become. No one knows us better than the One who created us. We were fearfully and wonderfully created in His image to glorify and honor Him in everything we say and do. If we're not living our lives to please God, are we neglecting His divine plan for our lives? And, if we're choosing to live according to the opinions, beliefs, and values of others, we're not living authentically. We're forfeiting our true divine freedom.

Having access to statistics about the status of women (especially minority) is great. However, it would be even better if women of color would use data to collaborate and harness their power to change the trajectory of the economic conditions that lingers among women of color. Over the next few months, The SOFEI Group will host community forums addressing the question, How We Get Here? to discover the underlying causes that negatively impact the lives of women throughout the Washington region. We will seek and encourage input from the community-at-large, social change agents, politicians, spiritual leaders, and subject matter experts. Following are topics we will discuss during the forums: How We Get Here? – Why black women and their issues are ignored in politics? - Source: Status of Black Women in Politics How We Get Here? – Black women 16 years and over has experienced the highest unemployment rate among all other ethnic groups since 2007. - Source: The African American Labo...

When women stop seeking validation and approval from men, their equity will grow. Some women dress seductively for men. Wear heels for the approval of men. Buy hair and make-up for men. Quit their jobs for men. Surrender their will to men who don't surrender their will to God. Live under the pretense that man knows what's best instead of God. Should women who live subjectively to men expect equal treatment? According to Genesis 1:26, God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and to let them have dominion over every living thing that creeps on the earth . And, according to Genesis 1:27 , "God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." These verses share how God equally created men and women in His image to have dominion over the earth in our own distinctive roles. If women grasp hold of this knowledge, maybe women will seek equality through the Image of God instead of man.

A fourteen year-old boy was stabbed to death in an effort to protect his mother from her live-in boyfriend. According to numerous sources, Prince George’s County has the highest rate of domestic violence cases in the state of Maryland; despite its recognition as one of the most affluent counties for African Americans. The mother praised her son for his efforts to protect her when she spoke outside Potomac High School – where her son attended. She described her relationship with her live-in boyfriend as a friendship and stated, “I think sometimes you never think that helping someone will end up in this matter.” Our paraphrase, she never thought her efforts to help someone would result in her son’s death. John Chapter 5 talks about a pool called Bethesda where sick people laid in wait for an angel to stir the pool water and whoever stepped in first would get healed from whatever disease they had. A man lying by the pool with an infirmity for thirty-eight years caught Jesus’ attent...

Right into doing something we’ve never done before – host a Zumbathon® Charity Event! Since we’ve been out of the lime-light, we thought hosting a Zumbathon® would be a fun way to reconnect with friends and supporters, and make new ones. We’ve supported Zumbathon® events to benefit heart disease and ovarian cancer. And one-year later we’re hosting our own to benefit women experiencing poverty in the Washington region. The Zumba® Corporate Office approved our Zumbathon® Charity Event within two-hours of submission - a process that normally takes two-business days, and within four-weeks, only 10% of our desired participants have registered. Lesson learned, we’re doing something we’ve never done before and its success can’t be measured solely on who showed up; but, on our commitment to work and move the weight of poverty off the shoulders of women who live with it daily right in our backyard. Not achieving the desired results from this plunge will not stop us from doing it agai...

What would the world look like without women? Take a few minutes to ponder this thought. What did you come up with? Women who are abused, neglected, or subjected to sexism, are invisible. And, women weren’t created to be second-class citizens to men, but equally to build a fruitful and noble world for all humanity to enjoy. Subjection of women can stem from pride and ignorance. It’s ignorance when people don’t know the reason for women’s existence; pride when people are self-serving and would do anything to fulfill their wants and needs. If women want to strengthen their presence and voice in society, they should: Discover their purpose and not allow people or external circumstances deter them from their destined path. Live according to their uniqueness and convictions; not societal norms. Know their rights as a citizen and in the workplace and hold people accountable who inflict harm to them. Increase and stabilize their self- and net-worth to create personal and financial st...

My parents raised me different. My parents told me, "Make sure you can take care of yourself," and I do. These women need to stop lying on their backs, making babies they can’t take care of. I’m not giving my money to support lazy women that don’t want to work. These statements are from single mothers who were approached by The SOFEI Group to help us achieve our mission of empowering women to economic independence. The single mothers were divorced, widowed, and a sole parent with a strong support system. What’s interesting is how proud they were to share their distinction without knowledge of our current and prospective clients. It will be impossible for women to thrive as a cohesive unit when we’re moved so swiftly to divide. Why talk about the wage gap between men and women or any other gaps that supposedly prevent women from progressing, when women allow social, political, financial, or ethnical differences create wedges? Many women who have experienced or are ...

Genesis 34 talks about a young virgin woman, named Dinah who “went out to see the daughters of the land” (Genesis 34:1). She was spotted by Shechem - a victim of lust at first sight , who took Dinah and violated her virginity (Genesis 34:2). A Jewel, such as Dinah, was defiled and violated because of Shechem’s strong sexual desire to have her (Genesis 34:3). In Hebrew, the definition of violated or defiled, means to be taken by force (i.e., raped). Shechem’s actions resulted in harm instead of satisfaction because Dinah’s brothers, Levi and Simeon lied, stole, and murdered for revenge. Dinah was a Jewel taken by force, but there are many women (Jewels) who voluntarily place themselves in the hands of Inexperienced Jewelers due to: Soft Spoken Words According to Genesis 34:3, Shechem spake kindly unto the damsel . Women can become prey to soft spoken words if they were raised in negative environments, were victims of verbal, emotional, or physical abuse and never heard or experience...