With news of the Sex & the City reboot (Just Like That) getting greenlit for a second season and the rise of wildly popular dating shows like Love is Blind and 90 Day Fiance, it is proof that even amidst the fear of Covid, dating and relationship are still central to the lives of people everywhere. The City of Dating by Stevie Bowen (Independent Publisher, May 2022) gives readers a hilariously unique look at the truths of New York City dating through one woman’s honest and daring thank you letters to past dates… or lack thereof.

Facing the new millennial horrors of online dating, ghosting, finance “bros” and the infamous West Elm Caleb, Bowen shares her personal struggles of navigating relationships, hollow crushes, and one-night-stands in the daunting and exciting city that never sleeps. In her search for self-love, she finds friendship at the core of her story. She makes an unwavering group of best friends who guide each other through their complicated and complex dating lives. In this unapologetic personal memoir Bowen bares hard lessons of love, desires, and self-discovery.

A brilliant nod to strong, independent women everywhere.

Readers will relate to the intimate and bittersweet memories of heartbreak and happiness. Bowen’s thank you letters will inspire readers to put themselves out there once again and embrace the soulmates they find along the way—especially the ones that are not of the romantic variety. The City of Dating is a must read that explores the importance of friendship, and the struggle of being a young millennial in search of luck and love in dating and in life. 

Stevie Bowen is the author and founder of The City of Dating, memoir turned dating community platform that teaches readers to discover themselves, not their soulmates. Stevie writes a weekly dating advice column for the platform. A real-life Carrie Bradshaw, Stevie currently works as a Fashion Director in streetwear and is currently working on her next dating memoir! Check out her Dating Weekly Column at www.thecityofdating.com and connect with the community on all social media platforms @thecityofdating

I would love to send you a review copy of this enlightening, empowering, and entertaining debut memoir. I look forward to hearing from you!

Originally from Bedfordshire, England, Stevie Bowen moved to Fort Worth, Texas at the age of two, splitting her younger years between a small town in Texas, and southern parts of England. Her contrasting upbringing led her to New York City in 2014, the city perfectly placed between her two homes, to study fashion. In 2018, Stevie received a BBA in Fashion Merchandising from LIM College with the Bloomingdale’s Excellence in Fashion Merchandising Award. As she worked her way up in the fashion industry, Stevie navigated the New York City dating scene experiencing friendship, love, and change, inspiring her first book, The City of Dating, A Memoir. From memoir to community platform, Stevie founded The City of Dating, a dating community platform dedicated helping others date to find themselves not their soulmates. Through her weekly Dating Advice Column, Stevie harnesses the power of true New York story telling with sharing dating stories, dating tips, and self-love advice. A loyal Upper East Sider, she currently lives in New York City as a writer and continuous her love of fashion as a Fashion Director in streetwear.

Scott LaPierre is a pastor, author, speaker, and homeschooling father of nine children. His God’s Way Series, including Your Marriage God’s Way and Your Finances God’s Way (both with book and workbook) will help you apply God’s Word to your marriage and finances. As a professional speaker he is a gifted communicator and guest on shows.

Scott LaPierre is the teaching pastor of Woodland Christian Church in Woodland, WA, an author, and conference speaker. He holds an MA in Biblical Studies from Liberty University. Scott and his wife, Katie, have nine children and they are passionate homeschooling advocates. Scott is a former schoolteacher and Army officer. Learn more about Pastor Scott at his website: www.scottlapierre.org.

Venus Hurst began her entrepreneurial career in 2001 with the launch of staffing promotional event models at a virtual agency specialized in placing talent at recurring special events across the US, including the North American Auto Shows. The agency also booked models for entertainment-based celebrity events including The Emmy Awards, 2009; the
Charlie Sheen Roast, 2011, MTV, and the James Franco Roast for Sony Pictures in 2013. Hurst expanded staffing to include additional industries including hospitality, customer service, medical and construction. Venus Staffing secured multiple employment contracts and enjoyed consistent fiscal growth staffing promotional event models.
 

Venus discovered a hidden talent formulating cosmetics and skin care, product formulation, experimenting with makeup, mixing and matching colors and helping businesses that offer cosmetics and skin care grow at Color Me Pretty Manufacturing. She has created this Private Label & cosmetic manufacturing company to motivate businesses in the health & beauty industry that provide healthy, all-natural skincare and cosmetics to their customers.

Kidnapped By Her Paranoid Schizophrenic Mother; One Woman's Story of Turning A Life Of Tragedy Into a Life of Endless Impact Intv. Avail.

I wanted to reach out about a story almost too crazy to believe, a story that challenges those who hear it to ask themselves if she went through all of that and still has hope, what does that mean for me?

Eliza VanCort has lived a life that feels as though it were scripted for a made-for-tv movie. Her mother suffered immensely from mental health struggles and was diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic. In an exclusive story with People Magazine, Eliza describes being kidnapped by her mother, who, before her diagnosis, was described as “devoted and loving.” A scheduled visitation with her mother suddenly took a turn for the worst when the visit turned into a case of kidnapping. This ordeal included tragic accounts of not having enough food, hitchhiking, and Eliza witnessing the rape of her mother. During the rape, Eliza recalls her mother saying "'Eliza, whatever you do, do not come back here. Whatever you hear, do not come back here.' During the extensive kidnapping, Eliza said she learned many lessons, including the idea that "You have to be as quiet and small as you possibly can, if you want to survive," a situation like this.

It would be easy to condemn her mother’s actions, but through kindness and forgiveness, Eliza healed her generational wounds. 

Eliza was eventually reunited with her father, who, upon settling in New York, enlisted the help of women in the community to raise his young daughter. It would have been easy for these women to ignore the little girl with the tragic backstory or shun the family wanting to stay away from issues of mental instability and domestic disputes. Still, these women chose to engage in acts of kindness and compassion. 

In an interview, Eliza can recount the order of events that lead to her once idyllic childhood turning into a string of traumatizing events at the hands of an unstable mother suffering from untreated mental illness, and how she learned to turn this time of trauma into a catalyst for changing the lives of others. 

Now as an author and speaker, and widely popular Tik Tok star, Eliza strives to empower others to claim the space waiting to be filled by their talent and challenges people to respond to others with kindness, compassion, and genuine care. 

If you are interested in scheduling an interview, please let me know, as I am happy to coordinate. Please see more about Eliza below. 

-Jillian 

Lead Publicist 

KT Media Strategies 
 

Eliza VanCort is a professor at Antioch University, a Fellow at Cornell, consultant, speaker, and writer. She is an advisory board member of the Performing Arts for Social Change, a Diversity Crew partner, and a member of Govern For America’s League of Innovators. Her book, A Woman’s Guide to Claiming Space, is now available. She has also given a TEDx talk on Women, Power, and Revolutionizing Speech. Her significant presence and engagement on Tik Tok allow men and women from all backgrounds to claim their space and regain control of the trajectory of their lives. 

She has more than 200K followers on Tik Tok.

Eliza VanCort is a professor at Antioch University, a Fellow at Cornell, consultant, speaker, and writer. She is an advisory board member of the Performing Arts for Social Change, a Diversity Crew partner, and a member of Govern For America’s League of Innovators. Her book, A Woman’s Guide to Claiming Space, is now available. She has also given a TEDx talk on Women, Power, and Revolutionizing Speech. Her significant presence and engagement on Tik Tok allow men and women from all backgrounds to claim their space and regain control of the trajectory of their lives. 

She has more than 200K followers on Tik Tok.

April is Financial Literacy Month and I wanted to send over some expert tips from my client Tatiana Tsoir, CPA/MBA and certified finance coach. Like it or not, finances are something we all have to contend with and for many people, the concepts of financial success are not easy to grasp.

A recent survey found that 30% of Americans have between $1,001 and $5,000 in credit card debt, 15% have $5,001 or more in credit card debt and about 6% have more than $10,000 in credit card debt. Although 6% may seem like a small amount, that means that based on the survey results, 14 million Americans have over $10,000 of credit card debt.

Tatiana says that financial success often begins with a firm foundation of financial understanding. She has the following tips for Money Skills Everyone Should Know By Age 30. 

-Know The Terms: Many people do not understand the terms of their credit cards, bank accounts, loans, or cash advances. Know what you are getting yourself into and whether it is going to help or hurt your financial situation. 

- Check Your Attitude: Knowing your own attitude toward money is essential in understanding how you approach your finances and whether or not an attitude adjustment is needed. Maybe you grew up in a family where money was openly discussed. Or, maybe you grew up in a family where budgeting was unheard of and money was spent like you had an unlimited supply. Whatever it is, take the time to know yourself and your habits. 

- Know The Flow: It is imperative to know how much money you are bringing in each month, and how much and where you are spending it. If the former is bigger than the latter - you’re good. If it’s the opposite - you’re screwed. Understand the priorities of your budget, things like rent, utilities, healthcare, and credit card debt should come before things like dining out, entertainment, or other items that are wants over needs. Maybe you don't realize just how much money you are spending on Starbucks and fast food. Maybe you have subscriptions services you really aren't using. 

- Stash It: Start setting aside a little bit of money for no reason whatsoever. Just 50-100 bucks a month can make a drastic difference in your safety net. If possible, consider investing even a small amount of savings and you will enjoy the side effects of the power of compounding, let your money work for you as hard as you are working for it. Make sure you are putting money away for your retirement. If you are working for a company with 401K benefits are you maximizing the potential?

-Use Your Resources: Use software or programs like Mint or Truebill to track expenses. Check out things like digit.co to help you save painlessly.

Financial literacy isn’t just a superficial concept. It’s a must-do or must-have for everyone. Can you afford your current lifestyle? Are you digging yourself into a hole of insurmountable debt? You need to know if you can afford to have a dignified retirement or if you will be working until you die. You need to know if you can pay your medical bills and living expenses. Do you have money available in the case of an emergency or job loss? You have to know that you have confidence in tomorrow, no matter what’s thrown at you. 

Please let me know if you would like to schedule an interview for financial literacy month! I am happy to coordinate. 

KT Media Strategies

443-254-4319

Jillian@KTMediaStrategies.com

Tatiana Tsoir, CPA, MBA, is a Transformative Business & Finance Coach, Certified Life Coach, Author, Speaker, and Podcast Host. A fervent believer that the key to freedom lies in entrepreneurship, Tatiana specializes in helping individuals prepare and transition from the antiquated 9-5, to starting and running their own companies.



Over the last 16+ years, Tatiana has used her expertise in tax planning and price psychology to help hundreds of businesses become more profitable, stabilize cash flow, and pay less in taxes through a combination of tax strategies, operational planning, and commitment to excellence.



In her signature mastermind program ” Something That’s Yours,” she supports women in learning to color outside of the lines and go after their bold dreams so that they can be their own boss and make money doing what they love.



Tatiana is a frequent speaker at conferences, is the author of "Dream Bold, Start Smart: Be Your Own Boss & Make Money Doing What You Love" and host of the podcast Talk to Tatiana in which she has conversations with world experts about their entrepreneurial journey. Tatiana has been featured in Parents Magazine Business Insider, GoBankingRates, Bankrate, CBS, The List, The Daily CPA, NTD, Thrive Insider, Forbes, US News Money, and National Speaker Association.



IG: @tatianatsoir.author

Companies are Moving from Great Resignation to Great Retention: How to Motivate Remote Workers By Building A Culture Worth Staying For, Interview with Leadership Expert and Ph.D.

According to the 2021 People Management Report, 48% of employees have thought about quitting in the past 12 months. Companies are trying to avoid falling prey to The Great Resignation by morphing it into The Great Retention. One way companies are striving to keep employees is by offering more flexibility either through job sharing (two part-time employees doing a full-time job) or allowing employees to continue remote work. A recent survey suggested that over 60% of remote workers view working from home as a positive experience. Yet as with most good things there are downsides as well. A separate study listed the following struggles that remote workers find themselves facing including:

-Saying they are unable to separate work life from personal life

-Battling loneliness 

-Struggling with communication between colleagues

-Not understanding workplace culture

-Working longer hours and feeling undervalued

Dr. Wayne Pernell, a leadership expert with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology devotes his career to helping leaders achieve not only personal success, but to motivate those they lead as well. A good leader is nothing without the support of those they influence. He says that “It is more important than ever for leaders to recognize why people lose motivation and how leaders can get them re-engaged.” While a remote position may offer the flexibility many employees crave it can cause fear of missing out on opportunities for promotion, collaboration, workplace politics, and even workplace fun.

“Dr. P” was just named one of The Top Motivational Speakers To Follow in 2022 In an interview Dr. Pernell can share the following tips to help ensure equal engagement for remote and in-office employees:

-Equity: All means all. It can be easy for people who are out of sight to be out of mind as well. Remote workers must be included in group communication. This solidifies them as important members of the team regardless of where their work is being done.

-Equal Consideration: When positions open and employees are considered for promotion, leaders must ensure equal consideration is given to both in-office and remote workers. Consideration should be based on a variety of factors, not just location. 

-Inclusive Social Events: Team-building events and opportunities should include a variety of in-person and virtual options. Plan get-togethers - annually, semi-annually, or quarterly. Build travel and lodging back into your budget so as to be fully inclusive.

-Encourage Equally: Take time each week to publicly acknowledge people's achievements within the organization. Recognition is important for morale.

-Balance autonomy with attention: Giving employees the freedom to work on projects on their own time and that fuel their own interests is a great way to keep up morale. Balance this with checking in to ensure that employees have what they need to complete their tasks and assign specific tasks with intention. Telling someone why you chose them for a specific task gives them a sense of ownership.

-Values-Based Vision: Let your employees know what your company stands for and ensure that these values are put into action daily. Being part of something bigger than themselves helps give people a reason to stay.

If you are interested in hearing more please let me know, as I am happy to coordinate. More about Dr. Pernell can be seen in his bio below. 

Jillian

-KT Media Strategies 

Jillian@KTMediaStrategies.com

“Dr. P” was named one of The Top Motivational Speakers To Follow in 2022, is a member of the Forbes Business Council and has appeared on KTLA, KPIX, KRON, KCTV, KGET, KMIR, NPR and has been quoted in the New York Times, FastCompany, MSN Money, Forbes and published in Entrepreneur magazine. He is known as the exponential success coach and seasoned leadership advisor. He is a #1 international best selling author and a noted relationship expert, as well as an international speaker. He also holds a PhD in clinical psychology. His website has resources related to his weekly podcast, blog, books, online courses, and free downloads (like his PowerfulPresenceMasterclass), in addition to information on his signature retreats and 1:1 advising. Please visit www.waynepernell.com for more.

www.WaynePernell.com/PowerfulPresenceMasterclass

​​Why Hiring BIPOC Employees Is Not The Same As Valuing Their Contributions

While many companies are striving to diversify their employee pool, by hiring BIPOC, LGBTQ, and other historically oppressed or ignored populations, it is what happens after employment that matters. Simply hiring a diverse workforce does not mean the opinions, ideas, talents, and strengths of each employee are equally valued. Checking a box to ensure diversity does not equate to equal workforce representation or practices. DEI strategies in the workplace go beyond the idea of diversity, teaching companies to build in policies and frameworks within their operational procedures to ensure equity and inclusion as well.

When we break this concept of diverse hiring and how it lacks widespread corporate inclusion down further by specific populations, we see the deeper nuanced indications that these historically ignored populations are still not seen as equals in the workplace. For instance, Black women make up 7.4% of the U.S. population, yet hold less than 2% of VP roles and just over 1% of C-suite roles. Data also shows that one in four transgender people have lost a job due to discrimination, and three-fourths have experienced discrimination or bias in the workplace.

Employers and companies must look beyond merely employing people from marginalized populations, and must begin to truly see them as valuable contributors to their company's mission and success.

Managers need to know what it takes to create a culture of acceptance, equality, and equal opportunity. This culture comes from the top down and needs to be matriculated into the company's policies and procedures.

While some advancements have been made, the work has just begun to illuminate the discrepancies but has yet to offer remediation. Historically, Affirmative Action has not eliminated gaps in equity in either education or the workforce. There is still work to be done. DEI workplace diversity training first emerged in the mid-1960s following the introduction of equal employment laws and affirmative action, this does not mean that change is not still needed.

If you would like to hear more from Kim on this topic please let me know as I am happy to coordinate

-Jillian 

Lead Publicist 

KT Media Strategies 

Jillian@KTMediaStrategies.com 

Kim Crowder, Founder & CEO of Kim Crowder Consulting, is one of the country’s leading Anti-Racism, Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Speakers, Coaches, Trainers, and Consultants.  Kim and her team work across industries serving U.S. and international markets, from retailers to insurers to governmental agencies and the social sector. From Adobe to Good Catch Foods to Target, the American Library Association, Receipt-Bank, HarperCollins Publishers, and on, Kim and her team provide leaders and companies actionable tools to move initiatives forward long term. Kim has been named by Forbes as one of the “Top Anti-Racism Educators Companies Need Now,” A Top 10 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Expert by All American, and Top Influential African-American Business Women To Follow by LinkedIn. She is also a member of the MIT Technology Review Global Panel and For(bes) The Culture.

She has been featured for her expertise by The New York Times, Business Insider, Cheddar News, The Tammi Mac Late Show, CBS, NBC, FOX, Katie Couric Media, regularly by Forbes, on Hubspot’s podcast, The Growth Show, Workology, and As Told By Nomads.

In a thought-provoking and deeply authentic trek to truth, Becky Tahel (content creator with over 40 million views across social & actress, Mixology, and Jdate’s Matzo Ball Commercial) wrestles with religion, love, and identity after her sister’s interfaith marriage. Becky journeys to carve out her identity as an Israeli immigrant in Los Angeles by consulting a handful of Rabbis (including LA’s own Rabbi Wolpe and Rabbi Susan Goldberg), religious experts (including Reza Aslan), mentors (including the former boss, Eric Andre), and her family around her initial question, "should I marry Jewish?" What she finds changes her initial question to "why be Jewish?" & shifts the very course of her life. ‘American Birthright’ isn't a solely Jewish story — Becky gives an authentic voice to those struggling to fit in, find their purpose and identity, and own their individuality in a world that begs assimilation.

'American Birthright' is a significant film that follows an honest and complex search for truth and religious identity. - Judy Gruen, Aish

By including so many diverse voices and celebrating the decisions by both sisters, the documentary refrains from dogmatically pushing a single message about Jewish faith and intermarriage. Rather, audiences see the sisters’ unique personal journeys and are given questions to help them reflect on their own lives. - Sophie Panzer, The Jewish Exponent

For a woman who was making her first documentary film, this effort is amazing. I had a wonderful time watching this film, self-examining my own life as it related to hers.  And thinking of others in my life who live on both sides of this idea/question of interfaith marriages and, at its core, faith as you as a person see and experience it. - John Strange, Selig Film News

It is so easy to deflect our own personal truths just so we don't have to face those questions in the mirror. ‘American Birthright’ isn't just a film about Jewish discovery. It's about the personal discovery that anyone, from any religion, can relate to. A must-see. - Mark Sugiyama, Eclectic Arts Media

Winner — Best Documentary Director, Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema; Best Documentary (Audience Choice), Seattle Jewish Film Festival.

As a writer & producer, Becky has worked with some of the most influential content creators — from Jake Paul and Eric Andre, to Jay Shetty and Gabby Bernstein. She has produced content for countless brands worldwide, generating over 30 million views across social media. Her award-winning documentary, American Birthright, has garnered international acclaim, and she was invited to speak at the Israeli President's Residence about her creative work. She currently speaks globally about the power of content creation & continues to copywrite, ghost-write, produce, and create for brands, influencers, and organizations worldwide.

Brea Elles of Atelier Honnete, is a design and construction professional with 10+ years of experience, a Master of Interior Architecture and International Real Estates, and a certificate in Project Management. Atelier Honnete helps homeowners with renovation project planning such as setting a reasonable budget, vetting general contractors, reviewing construction estimates, and offering design services. Brea is on the upcoming HGTV show, “Buy It or Build It”, creating and shaping interiors empathetic to each families’ lifestyles.

She can comment on the following hot topics:

Focusing on healthcare design, overseeing the construction of hospitals, clinics, and academic facilities, she has also taught interior design topics (collegiate level) from creative design, design research, building materials, and space planning.

Brea says, “The emotional well-being and physical space are interrelated; and because of that, we create intentional interiors. We are experts at maintaining the practicality of the design with a cost-efficient approach without sacrificing aesthetics. Strengthening simplicity, subtracting noise, and adding meaning is the heart of our practice”.

Lively, vibrant Caribbean woman, as many as described Brea Elles. Her laughter is a signature marker of her personality. Brea discovered her passion for creating and shaping functional and effective user experience in interiors while obtaining her master’s in interior architecture at Florida International University. Her keen interest in user experience led her to obtain a certification in Evidence-based Design Accreditation.

Brea Elles is a design and construction professional with over ten years of experience with also a Master of International Real Estates, and a certificate in Project Management. Her primary design focus has been healthcare design overseeing the design and construction of hospitals, clinics, and academic facilities. Concurrently, Brea has assisted homeowners to design custom homes and guide them through the construction process.

Brea is fluent in French and Creole. You can find Brea in her spare time roaming the halls of art museums and dancing to the beat of her favorite genres of music.