Christmas can be a very romantic time. From songs to mistletoe to just the cold weather, the holidays tend to make everyone want someone to cuddle up to.

However, in America, single people make up one-third of all households. 

Annually, depression tends to increase during the holiday season due to factors, such as loneliness, and especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are forced to spend their holidays alone or away from their loved ones. 

This is why creator and visionary of Fox Soul’s #1 relationship platform, “CheMinistry”, Chanel Nicole Scott has created five key tips for surviving the holidays single and alone. Scott has had her fair share of lonely holidays and understands the desire to be seen and loved. Through her own journey to finding love, while also building a platform to bridge relationship gaps, she’s found that you don’t need to be woeful during the holiday season. There are ways to enjoy the season of love, giving, and laughter, single! 

In an interview with the Los Angeles Sentinel, Chanel Nicole Scott shared why she created her holidays tips for single people, along with providing some insight on her hit show, “CheMinistry”.  

“I’m still single, and I know there are other women who are single, and holidays are a very difficult time for either a single person or a person who’s gone through a breakup. Now that we’re approaching the holidays, which is a time we typically spend with our loved ones, I just wanted to talk about ways that those who can sustain or maintain a healthy relationship can navigate so we’re not sitting at home depressed,” said Scott. 

She continued, “You hear so many crazy things that happen during the holidays, from depression to suicide, so I just want to alleviate a little bit of that pressure and give people something to think about just to redefine this time of year.”

Chanel Nicole Scott is calling this holiday season “A Loveless Holiday”, which she also discusses on an episode of her show.

The relationship guru’s five tips include: 

1. Practicing gratitude for the good in your life.

2. Having a spiritual practice.

3. Reaching out to family and friends for fellowship and support.

4. Not allowing your relationship status to define you. Acknowledge the other parts of yourself –your gifts, talents, dreams, and goals.

5. Being kind, gentle, and generous to yourself, which includes giving yourself a gift for the holidays. 

Through her show, “CheMinistry”, Scott has created a platform for herself where she can speak freely about her feelings and experiences around romantic relationships in a “place of peace”. Oftentimes, people are forced to suffer their relationship traumas and emotions in silence, which is something the visionary shared she’s gone through. 

“Most times, when you’re going through heartache or anything dealing with a relationship, people want to hear about it not so much because they care about you, but they just want to know your business. And once you tell the story, they want you to move on, but sometimes you’re still hurt. And it takes time to work through the hurt…” 

“CheMinistry” is a place where Chanel Nicole Scott and her guest can really talk about it. 

“We can dive deep, and we really get into different perspectives,” shared Scott. “I invite women and men. The men can really be honest, in that moment, where they’re not being shunned or judged, we’re not beating them up because they’re being honest with us, and really telling us the truth.” 

The show dives into an individual’s experience—how they were treated in their relationship, the thought process of why they did certain things, and so much more. 

“Most times [women] don’t get the answers to our questions because men shut down when a relationship goes irate, and your left kind of like trying to figure It out,” said the “CheMinistry” creator, “but in “CheMinistry” you get a man who has had an experience, and he can tell you the real and be like ‘ok, this is what I was thinking.’”

Scott has always understood human behavior, and even got an undergrad degree in social work. She’s spent many years interpreting why people act the way they do, and shared that “there’s not too many experiences you can come to her with that she can’t interpret”. 

“I’ve had these experiences … I’ve experienced rejection more times that I can remember. I’ve had relationships that have gone awry, and I’ve suffered. So there’s not too many situations that you can come to me with that I can’t help you work through. That’s why we have “CheMinistry”.”

For more information on Chanel Nicole Scott check out her Instagram (@chanelnicolescott) or the “CheMinistry” Instagram (@cheministrylive).

You can also watch episodes of “Cheministry” on https://foxsoul.tv/shows/cheministry-a-relationship-platform/.

Designer and entrepreneur Zon D’Amour is the owner of the eponymous fashion brand, Designed by D’Amour. Taught under the tutelage of her grandmother, Lorraine, at the early age of three, she knew she always wanted to be a designer.

“My grandmother was a seamstress, so I learned how to sew at three years old,” D’Amour told the Los Angeles Sentinel in an interview. “So when most kids, over the Summer would play sports, I was in sewing camp.”

The entrepreneur spent many holidays and summers at sewing camp with the goal to always be a fashion designer. As time went on, and life got in the way, D’Amour worked on other things—like going to Howard University at 16, starting her own magazine at 18, and then moving to Los Angeles and becoming a journalist for the Los Angeles Sentinel at 22. She kept her passion for fashion and design close by.

“Working in marketing became the catalyst for me to really start getting into sewing again. I was going into the office, and needed pants and office clothes and bags for me to carry my laptop and stuff.”

She continued, “So, I just started making them on my own, and posting it on social media. I had two friends who asked me to make them bags, and then one day I remember getting ready for work, and in two sales that was equivalent to what I would make in eight hours. In that moment I was like yeah, I can’t do this anymore.”

This revelation is what led Zon D’Amour to start her own business and fashion brand, Designed by D’Amour, in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic allowed the designer to hone in on her work, making her “hero product”, which are her vegan leather duffle bags. Since then she’s extended her collection offering women’s resort wear, toiletry bags, tote bags, and more.

D’Amour shared that the fashion industry is a hard place for Black women to make their mark, right now. Especially with the rise of fast fashion.

“Despite the fact that people know there are certain brands that are harming the ecosystem and affecting global warming, [fast fashion] is still convenient. A lot of content creators are loyal to certain companies and brands and can get their clothes quickly. So, I think it’s harder to establish a newer business right now.”

A brand for all people, Designed by D’Amour does uniquely cater women with larger busts.

“What was really the inspiration behind my brand was that, since the age of thirteen, I’ve had larger busts And I’ve never felt like a lot of swimwear or even clothes accommodated petite women with large busts.”

While a lot of brands have become more inclusive, D’Amour shared those petite frames with larger busts is still a body not catered to in this industry. That is why Designed by D’Amour works to cater to all women, so they feel confident and good in their clothes.

When designing product, Zon D’Amour still uses remnants from her grandmother’s sewing kit to this day. Originally from New Orleans, she recovered the kit after Hurricane Katrina.

She reminisced, “The first floor [her grandmother, Lorraine] was underwater, but in the second floor she had a sewing room where I used to spend a lot of time. So in the sewing room, there were so many boxes with like patterns and scissors and zippers and threat. So, I was literally able to recover all of that.”

Some of the belongings in her grandmother’s sewing kit is over fifty years old.

“It’s very cool and historic.” Zon smiled when telling the story, “Katrina took a lot from my family, and there’s a lot that I don’t have that I wish I did, but I am so grateful I have these things from her.”

As D’Amour continues to flourish her business, she shared that the greatest reward in doing what she does is “seeing a vinyl of fabric and turning nothing into something.” She also loves seeing people with her products.

You probably have heard of L.A. Rams defensive back David Long Jr.  Long, a football standout who grew up in Pasadena, became an outstanding player at the University of Michigan, was drafted by the Rams in 2019, and is a member of the 2022 Rams Super Bowl Championship team.  David Long Jr. is inspirational.  And in the words of Jay-Z, “By far, for me, the most important thing is inspiration.”

At the tender age of 25, Long has been to the N.F.L. mountaintop.  He recently made the sports highlight reels when he disrupted a deep pass thrown by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy during week 10 of this N.F.L. season.  When you mention these accolades to him, he is proud for sure, but more meaningful for this Rams player is his ability to give back to the community that nurtured him and to meet and encourage Black and Brown kids who may never get the opportunity to talk to an actual N.F.L. player. 

The L.A. Watts Times had the opportunity to speak with David Long, Jr., and here is that conversation.

L.A. Watts Times: Congratu­lations, David, on your success and the success of the Michigan Wolverines.

David Long Jr.: Yes!  I’m happy for those guys, Coach Harbaugh, the staff, and everybody that’s been a part of changing the culture and having success.  I’m extremely happy for the program and the fans.  I am a very proud alum.

LAWT:  For those of us who have never attended a game at “The Big House” (the affectionate name for Michigan Stadium), can you describe what it’s like to play in “The Big House”?

DLJ: Wow…I think it is an experience that is second to none.  Every week, I got to play in front of a hundred thousand fans.   The environment is lively, and there is so much culture and history at Michigan Stadium; from running down and touching the banner to the bricks surrounding the stadium, it’s a special place. 

I remember my first time playing there as a freshman against Hawaii.   It was the most nervous I have ever been in a game because of the drastic transition.   You go from playing in front of two hundred people to 100,000 people, so I learned to love it and never took it for granted.   Every time I left the stadium, I would gaze around and just take it all in and try to remember the feeling you get from playing in “The Big House.”

LAWT:  You were a member of the 2022 Rams Super Bowl Championship team.   That championship ring is fantastic!   Have you worn yours yet, and what did you think when you first saw the ring?

DLJ: No, I haven’t worn it.  After the ceremony, I stored it in a safe place, not at home.  Many people joked about it, coaches and players that have won before, and they said, “you will probably never wear it much outside of the ceremony,” but it’s a great ring and the first one I have won in my career.

I knew the design would be crazy because the team that designed it would make it as grand as possible.  The ring made it real for me that we had won.   Before that, it was surreal, but the ring is tangible evidence that everything happened, that we are Super Bowl Champs.

LAWT: What aspects of playing in the N.F.L. surprised you?

DLJ:  Yes and no.  I came in during a transitional phase for the N.F.L. – we are under a new C.B.A. (collective bargaining agreement), and I’m a part of an organization that is cutting-edge in terms of the culture and the people I am around.  My experience is pretty unique.  I’ve gotten older and become more of a veteran player, and I can say that I am very grateful to be a part of this fraternity and the league.  I’ve been blessed to start my career here in terms of development and learning.  I get to do all of this from the comfort of my backyard.  I’m at home and didn’t have to go anywhere cold.

LAWT:  Were you surprised that the Rams drafted you?

DLJ:  Absolutely, I did not think I would get to come home based on the needs of the organization, but I did!

LAWT: You have gotten to play with Odell Beckham, Von Miller, and Aaron Donald.  Can you describe that experience?

DLJ:  They are lively, energetic, caring, and genuine people who want the best for you.   They contributed to our success on and off the field.   We have always had N.F.L. superstars on the team.   When I first arrived, I played with Todd Gurley, Aqib Talib, Clay Matthews, and Jared Goff.   They were just genuine people, and I loved that about them.

LAWT: I admire your commitment to giving back to students and the community.   What advice do you give to high school and college players who want to play professional football?

DLJ:  I tell them that there is no substitute for work.   Always put in the time and work.   The results will come, and good things will eventually happen for you.   You never know what moment you’re preparing for, so just continue to put in the time and work.

LAWT: Before entering the N.F.L., what player did you admire?

DLJ:  Kevon Seymour from Pasadena. He was the only person I knew who played Division 1 football and played in college and the pros.   Kevon made the dream of playing in the N.F.L. a reality for me and not just a pipe dream. 

Kevon was always accessible, so I try to make myself accessible.  It wasn’t physical resources that he gave me, but it was hope that he gave me.  I looked at him and said, I know someone who has made it to the N.F.L., so I can do it too.   He gave me hope and inspiration.

It’s one thing to see players on the field, but you don’t know them.  I was from Pasadena, and I could call and text, look at him, and model myself after him.  Kevon never withheld any information from me.   He said he fell short in many places, and he allowed me to get the information so I could go above and beyond.  I’m always trying to do that with the generation coming behind me, holding the space for people, and sometimes that means giving them resources, and sometimes it means giving them hope.

LAWT:  Final question – can you talk about what your mom has meant to your football journey?

DLJ:  My mom has always been a person that helps people.  Within our family, she is the person who makes things right.   Sometimes it was at the expense of her own time and well-being, so that trickled down to me.  My mom always talked to me about having a good heart.   It’s not always about money moves or lucrative things for me.   It’s about using your resources for the well-being of others, and my mom taught me that.

For more information on David Long Jr., visit https://www.therams.com