I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)
SIGN OF THINGS TO COME — A progressively brilliant undergraduate who not only is armed with some renewed enthusiasm after pressing and navigating her way through what she deemed her a “come to Jesus moment” but, to her distinct credit, Dayana Lee is a few months from having witnessed the official release of her new book, “Just My Thoughts.”
You best believe she can.
You best believe she can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth her.
You best believe that when God instilled in Dayana Lee the lofty, monumental vision to assemble her book entitled, “Just My Thoughts,” that this young college undergraduate — though enduring what was seemingly a pretty challenge occurrence at the time — would ultimately exercise her face in ways unimaginable.
Honestly, I believe it was at one of the hardest times in my life,” Lee told Making Headline News this week.
As Lee specifically recalled, her vision for composing her book had surprisingly come full circle during her freshman year at Virginia State University. It was, as Lee explained, a time in which it seemed her life was at a crossroads, of sorts.
“I was miserable, because the college transition was difficult for me,” Lee said. “It was my first time being away from home — my mom and I are very close — and I felt as if was not fitting in with my peers.”
THE PSALM 23:5 FACTOR — As Lee specifically recalled, her vision for composing her book had come full circle during her freshman year at Virginia State University. It was, as Lee recalled, a time in which it seemed her life was at a crossroads, of sorts.
As it turned out, it was due in large part to Lee’s uniqueness and perseverance, coupled with the pivotal life lessons by which her mother has taught her that prove beneficial, particularly with regards to her demonstrating the kind of faith she sensed she never exhibited. But God.
Look at her today, a progressively brilliant college sophomore who not only is armed with some renewed enthusiasm after having pressed and navigated her way through what she deemed a “come to Jesus moment” but, to her distinct credit, Lee is a few months removed from having witnessed the official release of “Just My Thoughts.”
“I actually attempted to begin last year November, but I discarded the entire manuscript after my trip in January with my mentor, Jasmine Mans,” Lee explained. “So I began rewriting and finished in March.”
INSEPARABLE MOTHER’S LOVE — “I was miserable, because the college transition was difficult for me,” Lee said. “It was my first time being away from home — my mom and I are very close — and I felt as if was not fitting in with my peers.”
And just last month, Lee took another monumental step toward her divine destiny with her much-anticipated book launch.
Widely known as Zyaaday Lee, Lee has compiled a pretty compelling itinerary, considering she is slated to host her second showcase as collaboration with Visual Artist Rain The Neo in Norfolk, Virginia at Royalty called Zyaa’s Wing, which highlights local artists in the Hampton Roads Area.
A 2016 graduate of Virginia Beach’s Landstown High School, flashes of Lee’s greatness essentially had already been discovered years before she made the transition to college.
For starters, she had become a fixture for the school’s varsity cheerleading squad as well the track and field team, and she was a frequent contributor for the student newspaper — which, after all, practically sums up why she has flourished into the poet/author phenom for which she is widely known.
Having been actively engaged in the Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate — a program that is in joint partnership with Teens With A Purpose — this program and the Urban Word are supported by the Academy of American Poets, Lee explained.
PURE BEAUTY AND EXCELLENCE — A 2016 graduate of Virginia Beach’s Landstown High School, flashes of Lee’s greatness essentially had already been discovered years before she made the transition to college. For starters, she had become a fixture for the school’s varsity cheerleading squad, the track and field team, and she was a frequent contributor for the student newspaper which, after all, practically sums up why she has flourished into the poet phenom for which she is widely known.
“Along with winning this title, I received a book deal with Penmanship,” Lee said. “However, prior to me winning, I was inspired by my mentor, Jasmine Mans, who wrote the opening of my book as well as she has several books, to step outside of the box and let my voice be heard.”
Nowadays, it’s safe to assume that Lee’s voice hasn’t just become a familiar one on campus but, to her credit, her crafts both as an author and poet are starting to generate headlines nationally.
NATIONAL IMPACT — Nowadays, it’s safe to assume that Lee’s voice hasn’t just become a familiar one on campus but, to her credit, her crafts both as an author and poet are starting to generate headlines nationally.
“I believe the divine message of this book is one of grade and redemption, because I revealed my deepest trials and tribulations…my Job experiences, and yet I’m still standing,” said Lee, sounding as confident and wiser and stronger as ever before. “It is also a battle cry for my generation to stay woke, because the enemy came to steal, kill and destroy.”
Given the continuous success she has enjoyed since God birthed her with the monumental assignment and vision to assemble “Just My Thoughts,” chances are Lee’s best and brightest days are well ahead of her.
Given the continuous success she has enjoyed since God birthed her with the monumental assignment and vision to assemble “Just My Thoughts,” chances are Lee’s best and brightest days are well ahead of her.
EDITOR’S NOTE:If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to andre@makingheadlinenews.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
ABOUT ANDRE: Andre Johnson is a longtime sports journalist and a 2000 graduate of the University of the Memphis with Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. A native of Memphis, Johnson is a former sport reporter Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper and Memphis Sport Magazine. He worked as full-time staffer for The Commercial Appeal from 2000-2002, in which he was the beat reporter for the Memphis Houn’dawgs of now-defunct American Basketball Assocation and the Memphis Xplorers of the arenafootball2 league. He has interviewed numerous sports personalities, most notably Archie Manning, LeBron James, George “Iceman” Gervin, Issac Bruce, Laila Ali, Vince Carter, Paul Westphal, Phil Jackson, Ken Hamlin, Cortez Kennedy, Michael Oher, Kobe Bryant, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard, James Harden, Patrick Willis, Stanley Morgan, Dirk Nowitzki, Rick Carlisle, Mark Cuban, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, John Force, Lamar Odom, Alexandra Stevenson, Derek Fisher, Penny Hardaway, Phillip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick, Jim Harbaugh, Tyreke Evans, Kirk Ferentz, and O. J. Mayo, among others. To reach Johnson, send email to: memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
Andre Johnson 
Look at her today, a progressively brilliant college sophomore who not only is armed with some renewed enthusiasm after having pressed and navigated her way through what she deemed a “come to Jesus moment” but, to her distinct credit, Lee is a few months removed from having witnessed the official release of “Just My Thoughts.”
A 2016 graduate of Virginia Beach’s Landstown High School, flashes of Lee’s greatness essentially had already been discovered years before she made the transition to college.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
