Listen Linda! Hosted by Jacquiline Cox
Music commentary
Listen Linda! Hosted by Jacquiline Cox
Honoring Yolanda Williams: A Legacy of Love, Resilience, and Community Advocacy
Have you ever wondered how one person can impact so many lives? Join us for an emotional and empowering episode where we honor the remarkable Yolanda Williams, whose life and legacy continue to inspire. We kick off with "No More Drama," reflecting on the importance of self-reliance and supportive friendships, and the freedom that comes from releasing past burdens. Through a heartfelt prayer, we honor Yolanda’s memory and advocate for victims of domestic violence, emphasizing the creation of safe spaces and raising awareness for those in need.
In "Honoring Yolanda," we are joined by her sister Allaina and mother Annette, who share touching stories that highlight Yolanda's unwavering commitment to excellence and her impactful community projects. Their anecdotes paint a vivid picture of a devoted caseworker, doula, and community advocate whose kindness left an indelible mark. As we share memories of Yolanda, we celebrate her legacy of love, hope, and resilience, reminding us all of the importance of community support and advocacy.
Finally, we focus on "Combatting Domestic Violence Through Community Support," exploring the urgent need for community action and the profound pain faced by those who lose loved ones to domestic violence. Through the Yolanda Williams Foundation, we aim to spread awareness and provide support for those in need. We also celebrate Yolanda's legacy with special recognitions and launch the Yolanda C. Williams Foundation to continue her impactful work. Concluding with a special tribute from her mother, this episode is a testament to the power of resilience, community support, and the enduring legacy of a remarkable woman. Thank you for joining us, and may Yolanda’s story inspire and empower you.
I have no one, no one, no one to feed me.
Speaker 2:Broken heart again. Another lesson learned Better know your friends.
Speaker 1:Or else you will get burned. Gotta count on me, cause I can guarantee that I'll be fine. No more pain, no more pain. No more pain. No more pain. No more pain. No drama. No more drama in my life. No one's gonna make me hurt again. While I play the fool, go through ups and downs, knowing all the time you wouldn't be around. But maybe I like the stress Cause I was young and restless. But that was long ago. I don't wanna cry no more. No more hate. No more hate, no more hate. I don't want to go. No more tears, no more tears. I'm tired of crying every night. No more fears. I really don't wanna cry. No more drama in my life. I don't ever wanna hurt again. I wanna speak my mind. I wanna speak my mind. Ooh, it feels so good when you let go of all the trauma in your life.
Speaker 2:Now you're free from all the pain, free from all the pain, free from all the stress, to find your happiness. I don't know.
Speaker 1:Only God knows where the story is for me, but I know where the story begins. It's up to us to choose whether we win or lose, and I choose to win. No more pain, no more pain. No more pain. No more pain. No more tears. No more tears. No more crying every night. No more waking me up in the morning with your disturbing phone call. No more. Please be alone, go ahead. No more in my life. Yeah, no more. No more. No more games. No more, no more games. No more games. I'm tired, I'm tired. No more, no more, no more, no more, no more, no more, no more. I'm tired, I'm tired. No more, no more trauma. I'm tired of all this drama. No more trauma. No more trauma. No more trauma. No more trauma. No more trauma. No more trauma. No more trauma. No more trauma. No more trauma.
Speaker 1:Don't do more trouble, don't do more trouble. Don't do more trouble. Don't do more trouble. I need to keep my. I need to keep my. I need to keep my. I need to keep my. I need my, I need my. I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my. I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my, I need my. I'm so tired, I'm so tired. I'm so tired. I'm so tired. I'm so tired. I'm so tired. I'm so tired, I'm so tired. I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I'm so tired. I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I'm so tired.
Speaker 3:I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I heavenly father jehovah jireh, we come before you this evening with hearts full of gratitude and remembrance. We thank you for the beautiful life of yolanda williams, a radiant soul who touched so many lives with her love, her kindness and a wavering spirit. As we gather for this special episode of Listen Linda podcast, we ask for your presence to just envelope us. Lord, god, we pray for those who have been affected by domestic violence. May they feel your comfort, embrace and know that they are never alone. We ask that you shine your light on their paths, guiding them towards healing, hope and a bright future. Empower us to be voices for the voiceless and advocates for those who are suffering in silence. And as we share Yolanda's story, may her legacy inspire change and ignite a passion within our hearts to create safe spaces for dialogue and support. Help us to raise awareness and educate others about the realities of domestic violence so that together we can break the cycle of abuse. We ask for your strength and courage for all survivors, their families and advocates. May your love pour into our communities, reminding us that every life matters and that healing is possible. Thank you for this opportunity to honor Yolanda's memory, and may our words tonight resonate with love, hope and unwavering strength In your holy name, jesus Christ, lord, god, we pray, amen.
Speaker 3:Tonight I just want to thank elena and miss annette for allowing me to introduce domestic violence awareness month with sweet yo-yos remembrance and just honoring her and who she was as a caseworker, as a doula, as a community advocate, but also as a martyr for domestic violence and a humanitarian and philanthropist. So tonight I want to introduce Ms Elena, maria, who was Yo-Yo's sister, and Annette, ms Yo-Yo's mom. And Annette, miss Yo-Yo's mom. How are you guys doing tonight? Well, I'm doing well tonight. I want to thank you so much for the invite. Oh, you're welcome. You're welcome, elena. Are you there, sweetheart? Well, elena, if you hit your button, you'll be able to undo the mic. You got it, okay. How are you, sweetheart, elena? Elena, she must be having technical difficulties because, yeah, so whenever you're ready, uh, elena, you can go out and try to come back in and and I'll invite you in, okay, okay, okay. So she went out, she's gonna come back in.
Speaker 3:Um, first I just want to say thank you so much, miss annette, for agreeing. I know you have a show right after this and everybody um, if they don't know, miss annette and her husband also has a podcast that's coming on right after this at 7 pm Central Standard Time, so I'm not going to hold you guys. I mean 7 pm Eastern Standard Time, so I'm not going to hold you guys too long tonight. So I just want to say thank you so much again for taking the time to be a part of this discussion, and I'm inviting Elena back on now. Okay, are you there, elena? Yes, can you hear me? Yeah, we can hear you. Fine, now, sweetheart, okay, perfect, yeah. So thank you guys so much for agreeing to come on. I was just letting your mom know I'm not going to keep you guys that long and I'll let my my audience know that she has a podcast. And I want to make sure, miss Annette, before you leave you, let everybody know where to meet you at for your podcast tonight. Ok, ok, all right.
Speaker 3:So I'm going to kick it off with the first question, and it's about legacy and love. Ok, all right, ladies, let's talk about Yolanda. Okay, she had this huge heart, right. So can you spill the tea on a specific memory that really shows just how fiercely she loved her family and the community and how you think that legacy is still shining bright today. Go ahead, elena. Okay, so I can. Just, I just want to speak from a personal level.
Speaker 3:Yolanda was a woman of excellence, right? I don't know if people know I sing, I speak, I'm acting and anytime I would post. And she was a gatekeeper. She wanted the best out of everybody, and anytime I would post anything on social media. If there was a gatekeeper, she wanted the best out of everybody and anytime I would post anything on social media. If there was a punctuation out of place, a comma out of place, an S out of place, I would be the first person to get a text they said fix this, correct this. I want your best foot forward. You know if I had a picture up, if I didn't look. So take that down. No, no, no, remember who you are. You want to put your best foot forward. So she always was looking out and wanted the best to shine through. She didn't have a jealous bone in her body. She wanted everybody to be the best representation of themselves.
Speaker 3:And then, on a professional level, my sister was a community advocate, where she helped people get benefits and if they didn't know how to fill out the application. She also was a doula, meaning she helped women have children. So her whole heart was to help and build and encourage, even though her story wasn't, you know, the greatest story in her home life. So the legacy she left behind she reminded people that she didn't look like what she was going through and, although she was hurting, she still had enough love to give to the community. So that's one of the biggest legacies that she left behind. Even though I'm hurting, I want to make sure I leave some love, some hope, some joy, some peace in this world. So that's a big part of her legacy.
Speaker 3:Yes, well, yolanda was 5'5". She was not tall. In fact, her kids were taller than her. She was a petite lady. One of the things that I think stand out the most for me about her that she never raised her voice. Complete opposite, she never raised her voice. Uh, she was so kind and easygoing and she like, uh, elena said she will correct you and I recently was putting some on facebook and I thought myself you're lying, I know if you saw this, you really get me. Uh, she was. She loved. She loved children. Uh, she was an advocate for the community. She did a couple of projects every year where she would uh, put this big thing in her yard and all the kids would come in and watch movies. And then, of course, she was big on halloween where all the kids would come and, um, you know, share with her.
Speaker 3:Ilana was very easy going. I miss her because she would call me just to see what. You know what I was doing. She loved cats. She had a bunch of little cats running around and, uh, she was, um, she actually was one of a kind.
Speaker 3:I think you don't really understand the dynamics of who people are until they're gone and you can kind of reminisce and think about the things that they did. But she was amazing. She was an amazing mother, she was an amazing daughter, um, she was a just amazing woman all around and she was 50 years old, but she looked like she was like 30. She really was a little young. In fact, there were times when people thought her kids were, that she was younger than her kids. So she was definitely a one of a kind.
Speaker 3:I know just by my interaction with her and with you. When I first met, elena and you guys came on the show and I brought you guys up and she, she just always wanted everybody to win, always liking, commenting, um, always leaving me encouraging words. When I'm, I may post some stuff, chat, and you could tell them in my feelings, but she, she would always get me together in my inbox, like you know, um, it's always gonna be okay, you know, just breathe, like she would reel me back in. So that's how I'm. Like you know it was. It was conversations that she would have on the side that nobody, like she, wouldn't try to put it on the comments or try to blast you. She would just like take you to the side, like, look you, better than that, take that down, you know, and just get me back together and remind me who I am. So I just, I, truly. That's why I said I truly, truly, thank you guys for just allowing me to use my platform to honor her and, um, yeah, just a beautiful spirit, um, so now we're, we're going into navigating grief, right? So losing somebody like Yolanda is no joke, ok, and I know it's been tough.
Speaker 3:How have you both been dealing with the grief? Like I know I spoke with you earlier, elena, but what have been some of those surprising challenges or even revelations that popped up during this journey? Well, navigating grief, it's a beast. It's so many ebbs and flows. There are moments where you have your good days. I'm going to take that back. That was a steep jump, because there haven't been good days. There are moments where you're good and then, when you fall off the cliff, the grief.
Speaker 3:It almost feel like someone's literally has their hand on your heart and is squeezing it like it hurts. So bad because when someone's so intertwined and woven into your daily life, um, and then one day they're just not there, no more. It is something unbearable and I knew one day either I would bury my sister, she would bury me, or we'd go together, because me, her and my mom and my other sister, we were thick as thieves. We traveled together. We, you know, we spent the night at each other's house Like we, even in our big grown age, we had a sleepovers, like we were sisters by blood but friends by choice.
Speaker 3:And one day just not being able to call her, it is the oddest feeling in the world. It's so empty. It's like a void, a gaping maw in your heart, and I don't even have the right words to explain. When something crazy comes on, I'm like, let me call, because we call her Linda or Loda, we call her so many nicknames. I'm like let me call Linda. And then I turned to my left and no, I'm not going to call it, because her children are sitting right here, because if she were here they would be with their mom.
Speaker 3:But you know, we're left me, my mom, my sister, you know, and her older children. You know we're left with the task of, you know, caring for the best part of her that she left with us. So the reality sucks, but again we were left with the best. The reality sucks, but we were left with the best part of her. And we bounce off of each other. We hold each other accountable. We call me, my mother, my other sister, the children. We talk on the phone all the time. You know we have anger, you know, of course, because the way she died it didn't have to be that way, that was just foolish. But one thing about death is certain and sure, and all you can do is deal with it. So, thankfully, we have each other to hold on to and our memories and again, the children that help keep all of us going, because we want to make sure that they grow up to be productive members of society and to keep their mother's legacy alive. Mom, yeah, One of things that, um, really was almost that.
Speaker 3:I was overcome because I, um was in denial because I had spoke with her like maybe five or ten minutes before she died and so she called me to come get her and I and so I had to deal with, uh, not being able to get there on time. So I think that was the toughest part for me and of course I couldn't have because I lived 30 miles away from her. So I had to deal with the denial. Then I had to deal with did I fail? Because I couldn't make it, even though I know I couldn't? And then I was overcome with grief and tears. And then I looked at with grief and tears and then I looked at her life, as tough as it is. I looked at her life as freedom because she had gone through so much and even after her death we knew a lot. But after her death we found out so many things that was going on, and so with me my grief just starts over again.
Speaker 3:I go back to denial and overcome with tears, and then I go back to the freedom. So for me it's been a revolving door Once I get to the freedom part, I go right back to denial, and so it's been a daily walk and it's been very difficult, very difficult to maneuver, because in my mind I want to pick up the phone to call her because she would cut you. Just call you, just just because. And for us, one of the things that's been the most difficult, because of how she died and and at the hands of someone we had known all well I had known all his life, so you know. And then to look in the eyes of her children and trying to figure out Now they're off and they have no mom or dad. So I start my grief all over again. So I've been.
Speaker 3:It's just been like a revolving door for me, you know, I go a day, maybe no tears, and then I go there, I just break down like I did the first time. So I know it's going to be, it's going to be, it's going to take a season, because my mom been going 10 years and I still cry about that. So I know, you know it's going to be difficult, but we have those children and then we have each other and then the community, the people that her life, that she touched I I actually ministered more to to other people that I life, that she touched, I actually ministered more to other people that I was ministered to. Because so many people, because she touched so many lives, people would come up and hug me and immediately break down. So you know that because of who I am, I immediately go into the mama mode and to the preacher mode and say you know what? I'm going to pray for those people, you know, and that kind of helped for that moment with my grief, because now I don't have to worry about my grief because I have somebody else here that's crying also. So, yeah, that's been tough I could just imagine. Now you spoke briefly about kind of like empowerment through healing and missing it. Now let's get into your lot.
Speaker 3:The Yolanda C Williams Foundation. What sparked the idea to create this amazing foundation in her honor and how do you hope it'll change the lives and make a real impact in the community? Well, the real reason that we, that I started this foundation with my sister and the rest of my family is because a lot of times when things like this happen, you know you get oh, I'm so sorry for your loss and you get the hug and the kiss and maybe somebody's seen you, somebody, and we're praying for you. A lot of times people are really not praying for you, but that's the thing we say. So what we wanted to do, we wanted to make sure there was a face to you know, that's to to that particular death, because it happens. I mean, it happens all around the world, but so many times, because, you know, we go on to the next thing, because one of the things we always said, yes, she passed away, she died, but the sun's still going to shine tomorrow. So so we had to figure out okay, yeah, I'm, I'm gonna cry, but I want to make sure that her name, her face, is always remembered as this person from this community because we were from a small community that this person served, and she served well. There was well over 600 people at her funeral. She served well and people knew her and they loved her. So this foundation is our hope is that we'll be able to maybe, uh, uh, talk to a young, young lady or men, because there are men that get abused too. There are men that women have killed them too. So we want to make sure we get the message that I know, I know there's a 1-800 number, I know people doing all across the world, but what we're going to concentrate on as many people as we can touch and we can touch 10 people or 20 people. Well, maybe we can save those people.
Speaker 3:One of the things I did I wrote on social media after she passed away. It was very difficult. I was talking about the pain. I said the pain is so difficult I have to remind myself to breathe. And at the end of my comments I said I want to make sure that another mother do not have to go through what I've been through because of that, because of death of their child, or just sit in front of a casket or to try to minister to my other daughters and my grandkids and so many others. So we want to make a difference in our community, in our state, and hopefully we can take it even further to let people know that she is more than a statistic. To let people know that she is more than a statistic. She was really a person that was loved and we want to make sure that what happened to her get out there and somebody here hope and pray that somebody will hear and come and we'll be able to talk to that person and help them navigate away from that situation, whatever it may be.
Speaker 3:Yes, ma'am, yolanda's story is so powerful. How do you think sharing her experiences can kickstart some serious conversations around domestic violence and what do you hope her story will mean to those who might be suffering in silence? Well, for me, um, I hope that the the suffering in silence hearing her story hopefully hearing how she suffered in silence, um can, like mom said, it can resonate with another young lady or young gentleman whose story is almost identical or similar, and they can hear some of the signs you know and see some of the signs early on and be like wait, I don't want that fate. I don't want my children to be motherless. You know, I don't want my children to be fatherless. So, you know, if this was her fate, maybe if I go ahead and listen and find some strength, I too can get out of this. I can get away from this. I don't have to silently deal, doesn't hurt.
Speaker 3:I wrote in listen, linda, she has a magazine and I wrote a piece for domestic violence saying love doesn't hurt, love doesn't hit, love doesn't slap. Love doesn't, you know, tear you down. Love doesn't call you names. Love doesn't isolate you from your family, you know. Love doesn't stab you, love doesn't shoot you. You know I'm not saying relationships are going to be perfect, but that's not love. And so hopefully her story of what she went through can show someone else that what you're experiencing that's not love. That's not love, and we hope, through you know her story, like I've said again, it can save someone else, save another mother, another daughter, another sister, another cousin from grieving, you know, their loved one leaning over a casket and trying to figure out what's next.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, one of the things I used to tell yolanda all the time, because yolanda had been with this young man over 30 something years, and I used to tell all the time. I said the way you start is is the way you'll finish. I said you never give anybody all the power over your life, and and even in relationships, you have to set ground rules and you know, a lot of times, I know I mean you think, oh, he just loves me. But what happens with an abuser? It's almost like grooming. They'll groom them and get them to the place that they think that they're the only ones that love them. They're the only ones you know, the family that don't love them, like Elena said, alienate them from the family, and so I wish my prayer not my wish, but my prayer is that we could catch people at the beginning of a relationship and let them see some of the signs and we don't have all the answers, but just in Yolanda's life. And also, you cannot look at a person and tell they're being abused. I mean, you can't. People sit in churches are abused. They're in offices are abused. People are being abused. You would never know that Yolanda went through that, but we did. We know we knew someone and we did have a plan. But of course you know he took a and everybody's going to remember her name Everywhere I speak. I will always have a picture, because she was not a number, she was a real person that was loved. So that's important to us. Well, I do want to.
Speaker 3:Janelle, can you put your phone on mute? Yes, hold on, I'm actually on the expressway. Hold on one second. Sorry, you guys, give me a second, and also I don't need to get off until about 7.15, so we're good. Okay, good, good, good, because I got one more question and then I want to.
Speaker 3:I have something for you guys, janelle, I'm going to take you down and then bring you back in. Okay, I'm going to put you on mute and if, in fact, if you can't unmute when I need you to. Can you log out and come back in? Yes, okay, all right. So, um, I have something for you guys.
Speaker 3:But before I do that I have one more question, and that question is how can communities step up to better support folks dealing with domestic violence? And what role do you see the Yolanda Williams Foundation playing in that important mission? Providing resources, getting the word out, going to churches, where and I'm not saying just for black people, but I'm African-American, so my sister was African-American so going to the churches where a lot of people frequent, putting up literature, you know, having the pastor stand up and talk about it. You know. Putting up literature in the stores in the black community, in the corner stores, you know, because sometimes you know it's just the opportunity to just happen. Turn their head and see the flyer and be like, oh my God, there's something that can help me, something anonymous that I can talk to. So just making sure the community is awareness, because awareness is power.
Speaker 3:A lot of times people think they're desolate and don't have anywhere to turn. With this particular organization, we want to make sure that our name is out there and they know that there is hope, there are resources and then a lot of times trying to help break the stigma and talking about talk about it. Because in our community, you know we don't want to talk about mental health. You know we don't talk about uncle ray ray who been touching the kids. We don't like to talk about abuse. We want, we like to keep silent and I don't know if that's a generational curse or where that fear comes from.
Speaker 1:It's cultural what?
Speaker 3:goes on in this house, stays in this house. Yeah, I want to break that. Tell people let's talk about it, make it part of just the way we talk about, uh, the devil is a lie. The same way we talk about if you don't give your curse. The same way we talk about, uh, lift your hands and give them praise. The same way, if you don't praise the lord, the rocks will cry out. The same way we should also be saying if you're being abused, there's hope, there help. We should be talking about everything across the board.
Speaker 3:We need to make sure we're broadening our speech and not just, you know, honing in on just certain things. But just remember, like Mom says, the pastor's wife could be knocked upside the head, we don't know. Or the pastor could be getting knocked upside the head. So we need to be where the people are. We know the church is important in the black community, so we can start there, start talking. These organizations are available, like I said, at the corner store, in the schools, in the schools, but wherever we are, just let people know that there is help, there is hope, there is, you know, opportunities to find some freedom. But we got to start talking and once we start talking. Freedom comes from opening your mouth. Yeah, mama, do you got something you want to say? Oh, yeah, one of the things, too, when I was listening to Elena we have so many programs, like you know, especially in our churches, conferences and all that. We have so many programs, especially in our churches, conferences and all that. And yeah, it's good to have stuff that you're selling, but also we need to have a table with that information.
Speaker 3:And one of the things I found out that, of course, I didn't think one way about it until this happened to Yolanda is partnership. There are a lot of organizations out there. We don't think help is out there but we don't know. In our community, one of the things that we're going to do, we're going to partner with other people and if there's any opportunity, a conference or whatever and even in the case of Yolanda, we're not going to wait for somebody to invite us, we're going to do it ourselves. One of the things that we wanted to do is start in our community and spread abroad. We will go and rent a building somewhere and say, hey, we're doing this, and so that's one of the important things for me to get out there and partner, because even in our community. I said, wow, I didn't know, it was a couple of things I found, I didn't know about it.
Speaker 3:And so the problem is, in some cases, it's not the information that's not out there, that we got to figure out how to get the information to the people. You know, that's so important that we do, and so our goal is to say, listen, this happened to her, but it don't have to happen to you. You know, I grew, I, I went through through that uh stage. You know I gotta speak somewhere later. Uh, there's some money on that. You know, I survived, she didn't, and so I had to tell people too how I survived. I survived because with my personality, I can't take much. So I, you know, but some, some women, are not that way, you know, and depending on what kind of man or those, whoever that may be. So I'm speaking from both ends the fact that I was abused and I survived, and my daughter was abused and she didn't, and so we got to get that information. I don't want, I don't want nobody to feel that way. There is no words in the dictionary and I know a lot of words that can uh, really get to the core of what you go through. It's hard enough when people die, but it's even worse when somebody else kill them and it's even hurt to my core because a young man was like my son for many years, so there was a lot of dynamics to that to uh the situation, yolanda, but I, I don't, don't want no mother, auntie, grandma, whoever, to sit at a casket and say what could I have done different? No, we want to get information out there and if we get the information, you may not reach everybody, but you're going to reach somebody, that's for sure. And we're not going away, we're going to be here to stay and I'm so glad. I don't know if you know, miss annette, but um, I did, um, make yolanda the cover story for the magazine this month. Um, to get the word out, we actually have 269 listeners tonight that are listening, and whatever way that I can help you guys with my platform, I'm all for it.
Speaker 3:I am a domestic violence advocate and survivor Myself, age 13,. I was abused by somebody who I was dating that was 24, all the way up until I was probably about 27 or 20, no, about 24 years old. So I went through it for a long time with different men in my life, older men, and God just delivered me from it and I finally was able to get out of a lot of cycles and abusive relationships. So I'm all for helping any way that I can. Um, and with that being said, I know we don't have a lot of time, so I do want to read a poem that I wrote. You guys, um, in her honor, and then we're gonna, um, have Dr Janelle come up, and then we're going to have Dr Janelle come up.
Speaker 3:Okay, hey, y'all, it's me, yolanda, shining bright. I'm up in heaven, feeling oh so right. No more pain, no more tears, just love and light and happy tears To my family. I'm always near In every laugh. I'm still right here, though I've flown to a brand new place. My spirit's wrapped around your embrace.
Speaker 3:Now, listen close. I've got something to say To those in hurt don't stay, don't stay trapped. If you're feeling low, you've got to find the strength to let it go. Love shouldn't sting, it shouldn't break. You deserve the world for your own sake. So take that leap. Don't look behind. There's freedom waiting. Your heart will find.
Speaker 3:I fought my battles, I wore my crown, but if I could, I'd turn it around. So hear my voice, let it be your guide. Life's too precious to live in the dark side. I'm shining down. I'm your biggest fan. You've got this love. Just take my hand, live your truth and know your worth. You are a gem. You are the earth, so keep on moving. Don't lose your spark. In every moment, let love leave its mark. I'm watching over, I'm sending you light. Get out now and take flight.
Speaker 3:And that's the poem that I wrote for you guys Tonight. I love you. Thank you so much. And that's not it, dr Janelle. I'm inviting you to unmute yourself. Are you here? Yes, Can you hear me? We can hear you. Can you let Miss Annette and Miss Elena know the two surprises that we have for them? That we have for them Absolutely so I just want to say hello to the both of you.
Speaker 3:I had the remarkable opportunity to meet them in Chicago, elena, her mom and her beautiful sisters, and every time they speak you could just feel the spirit of God. They are definitely evangelists and God's word says that we are blessed to be a blessing, and sometimes unfortunate circumstances come, but we know that her spirit is going to resonate and she's going to have power posthumously, that her light is going to shine for years to come and she's going to bless so many women to help them as they struggle with that same unfortunate situation. But listen, linda and Harvey Nonprofit Consulting Group would like to present two awards to her in her honor. The first is the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. So I will be sending a medal and a certificate to you and your mother with her name in her honor, and we also created a Trailblazer Award. So both of those awards will be mailed to you in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 3:In addition to that, I would love to know how anyone who's following me can donate to you. So if you could send me your link or your website, um, and I'm going to post on all of my platforms for individuals to donate to you, um, in her honor for domestic violence awareness month, oh man, oh, thank you so much. We would. We would definitely get the information. Uh, yeah, we, yeah, thank you. I'll never speak to y'all.
Speaker 3:You know what I called janelle a couple weeks ago and I said you know what I said we need to. Is there any way that we can sponsor the Yolanda C Williams Foundation with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for her For everything that she has done while she was here and how she's been a model to the domestic violence community and she was on board a million percent. Not just that, but Janelle is just so awesome. She also was, like you know, we need to do something else. So we came up with the Trailblazer Award, which is actually called the Honorary Martyr of Domestic Violence Awareness Award as well as Ms Janelle is going to mail it to you guys as well and it's in her honor as well as the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. She's also the cover of the Listen Linda Magazine. So you know, for this month and I will make sure to put in your information in the magazine and it's available digitally and on Amazon in print, but you guys will be getting a custom version of the magazine shipped to you guys'. Addresses on behalf of the Harvey Nonprofit Consulting Group and Listen Linda Podcast. The Harvey Nonprofit Consulting Group and Listen Linda Podcast. Whatever, like I said, whatever I can do, whatever we can do to help you guys, we will do whatever you guys need us to do in memory of Londa. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3:We just launched it. When was it? Last week? Yes, yeah, but we were just. You know, we, yolanda C, we're LLC, so we just me and my sister, my daughters, obviously, and we're getting it off the ground. So I mean, we hit the ground running Because tomorrow will be two months since she passed away and that's how we refuse to let time go and not do anything. So, yeah, we've been on it. So we will definitely get all that information. Thank y'all.
Speaker 3:Oh my gosh, they did something for Yolanda too. It was a program she started in our hometown and they renamed the program. It was a community program where the people would come if they need assistance with food stamps and other different programs that the city had to offer. She started the program I didn't even know, but they changed it to Yolanda C Williams. Yolanda Williams, that is amazing. Thank you, no problem, I just want to say thank you. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3:If my other sister were on here, she would be saying thank you, you're awesome. You know that's how my sister talks, but yeah, so I mean, no, listen, I see there are some. My sister, my other sister, nikki, is on here, and then my cousin Trees is on here and my good friend Desiree, and I see Tab like family there, the support, the only reason I'm saying this, you know, because the light she left people, just you know, even though they knew her, they want to still hear all the great things she's done and still supporting, and on me and my mother, my sister and the kids' tail, you know, they're still embracing us and just supporting us. And so, and you know, they're still embracing us and just supporting us. And so, and you know, jackie, you and Janelle, like she said, we met her in Chicago. We may not have known each other long, but I'm telling you, it don't take long to meet family. It's not always blood.
Speaker 3:So thank you, ladies, you know, for you know, doing this in my sister's honor and at the end of the day, you know, it's my mama's baby. You know, yeah, I'm her sister, we love her. Yeah, the kids love her, that's my mama's baby. And so thank you for allowing my mom a safe place to speak, you know, and honor her and honoring her child, because that's who we're concerned about the most. You know she had her, we care, but that's her mama. I mean, that's her mama. So we thank you for showing my mama love during this time. Oh, no problem, no problem, no problem at all.
Speaker 3:Is there anything you want to say, mama? The last thing I want to say is one of my favorite scriptures can be found in Matthew. I think it's 5 and 16. Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify the Father who's in heaven. So her light shines for her. She, you know the song we used to sing growing up. I'm old, but may the work I've done speak for her. She, you know the song we used to sing growing up. I'm old, but may the work I've done speak for me. And so you know, her life is speaking for her, even after she's gone. And I promise myself, I promise my daughters and God, I say her voice may be silent, but mine is not, and as long as I have breath in my body, I'm going to make a declaration to who she was and who she still is in our lives.
Speaker 3:So again, we want to thank you so much for this opportunity just to share a little bit about Yolanda's life. She was an amazing woman, amazing mother, amazing friend, and so many people can vouch for that. So thank y'all and thank you for the honor. I mean, her life speaks volumes. Sometimes you can be silent and still speak volumes. Thank y'all, and thank you for the honor. I mean, her life speaks volumes sometimes. Sometimes you can be silent and still speak violent volume. But even her silence, she's still speaking by you. So we thank you so much. No problem, no problem, janelle. Is there anything else you want to say before we close out, or can you close us out in prayer? Absolutely, can you hear me? Yes, we can hear you, sweetheart.
Speaker 3:Alright, father God, in the master's name of Jesus, we just thank you for this awesome body of believers that have convened on the call on this evening. Father God, we ask for your grace and your mercy and your angels of protection to wrap themselves around Maria Elena and her family. Father God, we ask that you would just give them an increase and an abundance, whatever lack they have in their house, whether it be financially, emotionally, whatever it is. Fill them up with your precious Holy Ghost that they have no lack. If there be any sickness among them, we ask for your healing power from the crown of their head to the soles of their feet. And, father God, we just thank you for the sisterhood that you have placed upon us. If there is anything that we can do, put it on our heart and let us go eagerly to meet the needs of them as they go through this season. But, father God, continue to let Yolanda's light shine, that she continue to be a blessing Even though she's not here. Father God, we know that her mission and her purpose will live on In Jesus' mighty name. We pray, amen, amen, amen.
Speaker 3:Now, ms Annette or Elena, either one of you, can you let everybody know where they can reach you and how they can donate? Elena, what mom? What's the Yolanda's journey at gmail? Yeah, yolanda's journey at gmail dot com, one of the things that we have to do, because we had a go fund me. But we will be opening up an account because we literally just got the banner. So we will be opening up an account within the next few days. But we did have a GoFundMe. What was it, elena? Was it Yolanda? Yolanda Williams? It's on GoFundMe, okay. So if you guys can put the link up on your Facebook page, okay, link up on your Facebook page, okay. And anybody who's listening? Now you can find Alaina's Facebook page. Her page is A-L-L-A-I-N-A Maria. Or you can find Annette at Annette A-N-N-E-T-T-E L Anderson on Facebook. Check out, they should have the link pinned to the top of their page where you guys can donate.
Speaker 3:Yes, okay, and I'm going to close out with Queen Naja Mama's hand. Mama, we love you here. We appreciate you guys. Elena, you know you, my sister, from another mister. My daddy got a lot of kids. Now I don't know if he know your mama, but something is here, it's spinning in the room. Okay, I do want to say I appreciate you guys, of course you, my sister in Christ Jesus, and I just adore you. I adore your family. Janelle, thank you so much. You know you're my sister from the Midwest, in Jesus Christ's name. Thank everybody who's tuned in today for the Listen Linda podcast and remembrance of Yolanda C Williams and the Yolanda C Williams Foundation. I'm going to end this with Queen Naja Mama's Hand and you guys have a blessed and wonderful night. Thank you, good night, good night, good night.
Speaker 1:Good night, hi baby, hi Vicky, I love you, I love you.
Speaker 2:I love you too, mama. Okay bye, okay Bye. I heard your heartbeat too. I never knew I could witness an angel so beautiful. From the very moment you arrived, I felt something new inside. I developed a love that was so unconditional, and I promise to give you everything that I have. There's not a dream in this world you can't accomplish. On rest, I will cross any ocean before I let you land. Just hold on to mama's hand and never let it go. Bye, you deserve it. Teach you how to treat a woman. Let you know you're gonna be something great. I want for you to shine so bright. Know you can do anything. Through Christ, I see that there is a star inside your heart. So when you're in my life, I promise to give you everything that I have. I promise to give you everything that I have. There's not a dream in this world you can't accomplish for grand. I will walk in the ocean before I let you land. Just hold on to mama's hand and never let go. Never let it go. Just put on to my my candy, never let it go. Just put on to my my candy, never let it go.
Speaker 2:Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, hold on to my hand, hold on to my hand, hold on to my hand and never let it go. Hold on to my hand and never let it go. Hold on to my hand and never let it go. Hold on to my hand. Hold on to my hand, son, hold on to my hand, never let it go. I'm yours, I am yours.
Speaker 1:Bring it in now.
