…Without my youth, that is. I’m feeling thankful for my special squad of young people who are the fabric of this outfit and business that I call SOFLY 12:30. This is Soul Outreach For Love of Youth. And 12:30 because I am inspired by the Bible scripture, Mark 12:30, to love God with all of the heart, soul, mind, and strength – our inner fashion. SOFLY has been pushing for nearly a decade now, we’re one year away to be exact. But sofly-miracle.com started six months ago, in January. Since the beginning of the creation of this blog, three young people have been here every step of the way. I want to share why I have so much love for them.

I am inspired by them and I am watching them grow into their own sofly lives. It’s incredible to see.

Khalil (my nephew), is my photographer with a soulful eye. He is the face behind my SOFLY image. Khalil who has had to hear me talk about and watch my SOFLY work forever, has graduated from high school last month. I am so proud of him. I remember him telling me over the years how difficult school would be and he just didn’t think school was for him. I know so many other young people who feel the same way. I am thankful he realized the importance of his education. We are born to receive an education. I’m blessed to have him in my life. His life is so valuable and you would have to know him to understand just what I mean. I learn something from him every single time we are together. He has helped me keep a worry-free attitude about life and it has made me a better person. He is positively rare. He is a young man of grace. He will guide many people.

Congrats, NepheW! Keep moving us forward.

Taiwon has been one of the most colorful pieces of material in my sofly look. He has been a beautiful mentee to me. He shows me how to appreciate life. He has proven to be necessary in my life. Just as a breath of fresh air. His energy, showcase and awareness of his spirit is outrageously amazing. He is a born-leader. He has been committed to the SOFLY 12:30 brand and a great contributor. He’s already graduated high school last year and continued to be a part of SOFLY this year, even though I don’t recruit young people or feel obligated to them after high school. But to be clear, any young person is welcome no matter what age. 

I have to shout-out Taiwon on his latest accomplishment of writing a book. He’s the first young person I know to do this. And it’s a really flavorful read about his life and the things he’s come to learn and appreciate. I was engaged the whole way through.

Congrats, Baby Boy Star. May your chapters continue!

Faith, who also graduated high school this year, is one of the most knowledge-ready young people I know. When I first met her at a Focus session I could tell right away that she had a strong mind of her own and wasn’t afraid to use it. I could also tell that she was smart enough to want to learn more. She helped push our thinking when we would discuss different topics during our rap sessions. Her thoughts are powerful and she can make you see complicated things in a simple way. And I will never forget that she told us ‘Don’t go seven days without praying.’ The way she expresses herself will grab and keep your attention. I am personally encouraged by that. I hope she will use her discoveries and ideas to light up the world around her. It turns out that she wants to share and connect with people in real-time and virtually with her YouTube pages. 

Congrats on a successful year, Faith! Let your best inner fashion shine.

I have hundreds of more reasons to acknowledge why I’m sofly. Because there are that many more young people I’ve met over the years that have helped create my inner fashion lifestyle.

Much Love