Ask Sam
Meet Simon Gordon, AKA The Black Fairy Godmother

These days, sometimes feels like an a zombie-apocalypse Sci-Fi movie. Yet there are still angels among us.Enter real life angel, Simone Gordon, aka, The Black Fairy Godmother. Philanthropist / Special Needs Advocate / Black Community Organizer / Motivational Speaker. Ms. Gordon is a 2020 Webby Award Winner

Ms. Simone is not concerned with princesses going to the ball. She is creating miracles everyday for real life women in need. Making sure a couple hundred bucks is not what’s standing between keeping her apartment and children, and other survival situations for so many women in this country.

S.B.D. “All super heroes have their story. Please tell us how you became The Black Fairy Godmother?”

T.B.F.G. “I lost my job. The father of my son skipped out for another woman. My son is on the spectrum. I was living with my son and back home with my parents in a small two bed room apartment. I was depressed. I would spend hours trying to get help. I would call 211 for assistance but our system is a disaster. There are long waiting lists. Some numbers take one to agencies that no longer exist. In our our current system, if you lose your home, social services will take away your children with can do more harm than good.
I want you to know that there is a disconnect between non-profit organizations and grass roots direct giving. With direct giving you can specify exactly where the money is going. I prove this by posting the recipe for all to see.
Sometimes we place a woman in an Air BnB so she can be safe while we work with them to help them get long term housing and a job.”
S.B.D. “You inspire people to give back. Pease give us an example.”
T.B.F.G. “I helped a woman who payed it forward by starting a diaper drive. I don’t want women to become another statistic. One woman has risen up to have her own nail salon. There is a misconception that that these woman must have done something wrong to deserve their circumstances, it must be their fault. But disasters happen, domestic violence happens. Many of these women have an education. Bad things can happen to good people.”
S.B.D. “How did you become an advocate for children with autism?”
T.B.F.G. “My son is autistic, he is non-verbal and requires full time care. I had to fight for services and for a special needs school. The Public School System would not pay for it so I took it to court. It took five years but we won.”
S.B.D. “You are currently manifesting one of your goals, please share with us.”
T.B.F.G. “Reperations Offerings and Requestion is a Facebook group to help women of color. They paid for tuition so I could start my new life. I have one more semester to go for my nursing degree. I want to work in public health with people with mental Health Issues.”
S.B.D. Q: “How did it feel to have won a Webby?”
T.B.F.G. B: “It felt ok. I’m humble, the work had to be done.”
Please check out BFG’s Christmas website. And follow her on IG The BlackFairyGodmother official @theblackfairygodmotherofficial
Ask Sam
Ask Sam: Interview with Tasha Lacy for Hoop for Your Heart

Tasha Lacy
Bob Harper with Tasha Lacy. Photo Credit Bob Harper
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In Honor of February Heart Awareness Month

Ask Sam
Ask Sam: Interview with CJW


Ask Sam
Ask Sam: I’m back! Better than ever!

It’s been an honor to write this column all these years alongside a privilege to write about various lifestyle topics, especially pertinent to us city dwellers, and have the freedom to speak my mind to all of you in a way I hope made you smile. I could not write all these articles about striving to be our best, unless I understood that our best is an elusive thing.
You can watch Samantha here
We are always growing and changing. The way we balance our wobble board of life is always shifting as we fight to maintain balance. Through the course of this shifting and striving, even if it’s just by a breath, the idea is to be better than yesterday. That’s the best we can do.
I’ve been quiet for a while so that I may put myself through a metamorphosis that has taken me some time to incubate my chrysalis. With a bigger wingspan, I can fly and I am excited to finally be able to share the launch of my rebrand with you!
After a shining 20 years as the director of Polished Social Image Consultants – I took a hiatus to get married, author my book “90 Days to Husband No.2,” develop, reinvent, and remerge as www.samanthabessudodrucker.com – lifestyle genie. “Let me wave my wand!”
30 years ago, I started out as an actress and ballroom dancer. Morphed into a makeup artist and stylist, then became a celebrity image consultant for 20 years with clients from around the world including 2 royal families. I took some time off to design a new chapter after marrying my 2nd husband – architect Jeffery Drucker, rebrand, and develop projects that allow me to reach a greater audience.
As a Lifestyle Genie, I help people become the best version of themselves in all aspects, including image, wardrobe, grooming, style, and beauty. Alongside etiquette, social grace, communication skills, romantic advice, and interior design.
I am delighted to be back.
https://youtube.com/shorts/F2hkek6L_MA?feature=share
Ask Sam
2022 Wall Street Run & Heart Walk With Samantha Bessudo Drucker

On my 41st birthday – I received three stents in my heart.
It was after an eight-week hiatus from running due to injury, and I could not wait to get back to it. I was 10 minutes into a run when I didn’t feel right. It felt like my heart was beating in my throat and there was a pulsing sensation in my muscles that felt like fatigue after an exhausting workout.
Two days later while visiting the dentist, I told him everything that was happening to me. He wanted me to see a doctor right away. I visited a local clinic that ran tests. My pulse, blood pressure and EKG all came back normal. Everyone told me, ”You’re young, you’re fit, you’re female, you’re fine.” Writing it off as an anxiety attack, they actually gave me a prescription for Klonopin. But with hereditary high cholesterol and both my parents having heart attacks, I demanded an Echo Stress Test. I was scheduled for an angiogram the next day.
Hours later when I woke up, Dr. Coppola came into see me. He said, “In my 30 years as a cardiologist, I’ve never seen a heart like yours. Both of your arteries were blocked. I had to put three stents in your heart immediately. It’s a miracle that you are still here after having a heart attack in progress the past five days. The only explanation I can give is that your years as an athlete created other passageways for blood to flow.”
Shock washed over me as I processed what he was saying. Dr. Coppola continued telling me that I was young and strong and would be okay. – Best birthday present ever!
I started the cardiac rehab program at NYU Langone, where I did cardio attached to a monitor to strengthen my heart again. It gave me the confidence to push myself and get back to my former athletic self. I was able to run the AHA Wall Street 5K, just nine months after the stents were put in. I no longer felt like a victim due to my diagnosis.
Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined. I beat the odds. I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore. I exercise 4 to 5 times a week. I follow a gluten-free and plant-based diet. I spend time with people and animals that make me happy. I realize how precious life is.
I was asked to be a spokesperson for the American Heart Association. I was honored to be asked to share my story and help raise awareness about heart disease. I’m grateful for the advances in medicine that gave me a new lease on life.
When it comes to your health, I tell everyone to trust his, her or their instincts. No one knows your body better than you. I want to continue to share my personal experience and encourage people to make their heart a priority. Life is why.
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