Queen Connect

What I No Longer Carry by Candace L. Smith I once believed hell waited for me somewhere beyond this life— a distant fire, a final judgment. But I have walked through it here, quietly, lovingly, while smiling. I have burned in rooms where my giving was expected, where my prayers were required, where my silence was mistaken for strength. I mistook survival for holiness. I mistook exhaustion for devotion. I mistook sacrifice for love. But I am learning. Hell is not a place I fear anymore. It is a lesson I recognize. It is staying too long. It is giving without return. It is loving without protection. Now, I carry my heart differently. I hold my faith with open hands, not clenched fists. I no longer bleed to prove I care. I no longer disappear to keep the peace. I no longer offer my cup to those who refuse to pour back. What I carry now is lighter— discernment, truth, rest. And if this is what survival looks like, then let it be said: I walked through hell and came back with my spirit inta...

  Come with me on a typical day--well maybe not typical because my life is pretty unpredictable.  But I try to bring as much order to it as possible. On this day I went out for a morning walk thanks to my oldest son's encouragement.   I also met up with Kathy Lewis, the author " My Life in My Pocket " book collection for lunch at Brick City Pizza in Lutz Florida .  Kathy will be the next cover person for Pasco Connect Magazine, and we sat down for lunch to review the first draft of her article, conduct follow up questions and have a nice catch-up chat. I attend Kathy's virtual book club which is very exciting.  I love the books that the group discuss, and I learn a lot from the discussions.  Everyone in the group bring a lot of valid points and we don't always agree which makes for exciting discord. We used this time to also discuss wardrobe for her photoshoot.  I was able to bring her designs shipped from Jacksonville Florida from Syn Style Fashi...

Check out this short interview with editor in chief of Phatabulous Magazine- Ann Williams and BET Ruthless actor Anthony Bless. Anthony plays Malcolm a detective on the show and Ann says it best "thot monster Malcolm" because if you're familiar with BET+ original series Ruthless then you know EXACTLY what she's talking about. In this interview Anthony Bless discusses his music and acting career. @phatabulousmagazinetv6276  @PhatMag09  @anthonybless Special Thanks to  @mercedezmillionair  and Ticah Dishawn for this interview opportunity.

When I took these photos in 2020, I knew then that one of these pictures would be used for the cover of Phatabulously Made.  I worked with Jose Pagan Photography , and we traveled out to a beautiful beach in Florida.  These were taken just steps from the water in an open field.  I laid a gigantic checkerboard sheet across the ground, and we lined up the large checker pieces around the board and he was able to snap these beautiful photos.   When I first started designing the cover, I settled on these six and tried a variety of font types and filters to add depth and to give it the book representation of who I am and what I was feeling during the moments I'm describing in the book. I love this zebra print jumpsuit and I knew this would be the garment for the cover.  Why? Because I love zebras-the animal.  They're mysterious and beautiful.  I found this jumpsuit on Style Your Curves website- an online boutique with stylish plus size apparel .  ...

Mosquerade Video Below I did start college.   It wasn’t right after high school because I had two children.  When I finished high school, I was supposed to join the military.  I was sworn in my senior year.  However, that was also the first year that I lived with my boyfriend and outside of my mother’s eyes.  I never made it to the military.  And when that plan failed, I didn’t have a backup.  A few years later I decided to go to school for journalism.  I’d already worked in radio and that felt very comfortable for me, but I also love writing, so I decided to try writing for a newspaper.  I was so excited to start school.  When I was reviewing the selections for the elective courses, I noticed some religious classes.  I was excited to be able to take a different perspective on Christianity.  During this time my perspective on religion changed.  Every semester I committed to taking one religious’ course.  One of my fir...

Meet Tiara Bequille part founder of RDBXclusive! By Candace L. Smith I am no stranger to RDBXclusive. I met the Pharaoh (RIP) a few years ago when they had a fashion show in my hometown Jacksonville Florida and its been history since. I've traveled with them to Lakeland Florida for a show hosted by Love & Hip Hop Star Benzino and now Ms. Bequille has invited me out to ATL for this special event. Ms. Bequille is a serial connector. She connects you to the right people. She plays a major role in the RDB family and advocates for the models to get proper exposure and opportunities that are outside the box. She recently invited QCP to ATL for this event that combined community with fashion. Check out our short chat here and follow RDBXCLUSIVE for more fashion. Learn more about her and the moves that RDB Fashion is making now! Follow RDB Fashion https://www.facebook.com/rdbfashionshow Sign up for free QCP email alerts today: https://bit.ly/3NT7GA4 Shop Style Your Curves ...

QCP: Community News - Breonna Taylor’s Justice - State &  Local cover up - Feds “investigation” By Candace L. Smith I ran across the news report that gave an update on the Feds investigation into her suspicious death. The state and local governments displayed ignorance in understanding how she was suspiciously shot dead by police acting on a warrant. When the news first dropped it was during the height of George Floyd’s death and there was a lot of outrage over another black body dying by the hands of white PD officers. Taylor’s case got a lot of attention as it should have and many people questioned the validity of the warrant bc people were able to see Taylor’s life documented through social media and verified by her family that she was a law abiding citizen. There was no reason for her to be involved in a warrant. When it resulted in her death people never forgot. Especially her mother and close family. They continued to advocate for justice for her life. Eventually a federa...