Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

WALKING IN HER DESTINY 

As Risa Jenkins precisely recalls, she initially began composing her first book at the tender age of 12.

Kind of…sort of.

“In a way, since I was 12,” Risa explained. “You see, the book is composed of poems highlighting different stages throughout my life. I recorded various life experiences to provide insight into a person’s thoughts and emotions during traumatic eras such as depression, abuse, and emotional toil.”

To her distinctly unique credit, Jenkins vividly discloses her assortment of life-altering testimonies and experiences in Maybe I Shouldn’t Tell, her featured book that, much to her delight, has created a fervent buzz across various messages boards and social media platforms.

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A spiritually-empowering written work that is accompanied by 56 pages, Jenkins’ Maybe I Shouldn’t Tell is a collection of original poems that explore what this Chicago-based author appropriately describes as “different major areas of my life,” according to a detailed synopsis of her published masterpiece at Amazon.com.

Continued Jenkins via Amazon: “I’ve always been a storyteller of fiction, but I’ve always been too nervous to express in a nonfiction way. Aside from my journaling, I’ve always kept my experiences private. It wasn’t until I began my healing journey that I knew how important my transparency was. So here we are, my first solo book. Read along as I dissect my grief process from being victim to survivor!”

As part of Making Headline News’ advance coverage of Bishop T. D. Jakes’ International Leadership Summit May 4-6 in Orlando, Jenkins spoke at length about how in recent weeks — last month, to be technical — she strategically laid out the blueprint of how she was destined to present pieces of her life to the world.

RHIANN–ANGEL OF LOVE

“I recognized that part of the healing journey is releasing what no longer serves you and part of that process is writing it down,” Jenkins told MHN. “So I took what I’ve already written, organized each event in chronological order, then processed them one by one. In the end, there’s a toolkit that consists of a list of resources, some need to know, a list of affirmations, hotline numbers and a space to journal along with writing prompts in case you get writer’s block.”

The Founder and CEO of Rhianna’s Treasured Gifts, her rising empowerment nonprofit organization she established in 2020, Jenkins goes to great lengths to share with the masses what she deems “my grief process of the old me.”

“The girl who didn’t have a voice or a backbone,” Jenkins explains. “Who lacked self-love and who was a victim. From denial to acceptance, I learned while experiencing some of the worst nightmares of my life. Most times, I wonder how I am still sane. I just pray this reaches all those who need it.”

A first-time self-published author, Jenkins in September 2022 co-authored a children’s book with her daughter, Rhianna. The title: It’s Just Emotions, an awe-inspiring written work that debuted before her daughter’s 11th birthday.

WHEN HER FAITH WAS ON TRIAL 

“The previous summer, she became withdrawn and extremely introverted,” said Jenkins, recalling the developments surrounding the ceremonious release of It’s Just Emotions. “There were moments she would go days without speaking. Through drawings and writing letters, we communicated daily. We discovered she was starting puberty and her emotions were just outta wack. Of course, I kept her drawings and, a year later, decided to put them in the format of a coloring book and journal about emotions. It’s an amazing tool that supports social and emotional understanding.”

As for latest published project, Jenkins has become the beneficiary of a rash of rave reviews.

GOD’S PURPOSE PUSHER 

“Oh, everyone tells me they love it,” Jenkins said. “Some cried, others expressed having a connection, and the few that know me personally, rejoiced and celebrated as this is my testimony. My students and principal were so moved by it, we have incorporated it into one of our programs.”

When asked in what ways does her new book aligns with the purpose for which God has created her, Jenkins dauntlessly disclosed a great deal of transparency.

Talk about trusting — and embracing — that sometimes dreaded, tumultuous process that life often dealt her.

“For as far back as I can remember, I was angry for a while,” Jenkins recalls. “I blamed others for the bad things that happened to me and I despised God at one point. As time went on and life kept happening, I grew tired of a cycle that consisted of destruction and pain. I sought guidance and, on that journey, I found myself. I got into alignment mentally, physically, and spiritually, then emotionally I got stronger. I knew that this newfound place of joy and peace was only God.

“Because of that,” continued Jenkins, “I’m able to help those who are currently experiencing what I survived. I wrote a book that can serve as a starting point for your personal growth and healing. I’m an advocate for domestic violence. I’m a mentor to traumatized youth. I’m a teacher at an alternative school that’s coincidently blocks away from my childhood home where it all began. Now if that isn’t part of the purpose, I’m not sure what is.”

SEASON OF A REBIRTH 

MORE ON JENKINS

Rhianna’s Treasured Gifts is a nonprofit organization whose mission is centered largely on uplifting and supporting victims of domestic violence.

Having officially gone into operations on March 9, 2020, RTG is committed to serving battered individuals to be an aide in the process towards healing so they know that they have support and are not alone.

All services, Jenkins emphasized, are completely charitable in nature and are designed to help victims heal.

MORE ON JENKINS’ ORGANIZATION: https://rhiannastreasuredgifts.org/

Within a year since its inception, RTG partnered with YCCS-West, Alternative School Network (ASN), Elite Treatment Center, Direct Distributors for Lisa Jenkins (the creator of The SlipOut App), Christ Temple Baptist Church, Zakat Foundation of America, and Global Soku Foundation, this after making its partnership with Connections for Abused Women (CAWC) approximately five months after its inception.

“To start understanding my trauma, I had to find a purpose to live,” Jenkins said. “Reasons to want better. Make promises to try, then vow to fight for my life or die trying. It took me being a survivor to truly start putting things into perspective. More importantly, I had to learn that it was not my fault. It was not until I began to heal that I knew it was my duty to be a help to others. To be an ally, a resource…an advocate.”

MAKING HEADLINE NEWS SALUTES RISA JENKINS

For more information about Chicago Author/Businesswoman Risa Jenkins, to order her books, to schedule her for a public appearance, book signing or speaking engagement, call 708.244.0007 or connect with her via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rtgchicago; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rtgchicago/?hl=en; Twitter: https://twitter.com/rtgchicago. Also, send email to: [email protected].

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WHAT’S YOUR STORY? 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 the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.

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