This Veterans Day, I am sending a special message to my fellow Veterans regarding the important role we play as agents of civility in the world. We swore an oath to protect and defend this nation, and that doesn't stop when we take off the uniform.

You and I have a responsibility to increase the number of women-owned businesses obtaining government contracts at equal value. Be active in supporting women-owned businesses. Also, women entrepreneurs should be engaged in civil works and provide support to organizations that lobby for our success. What is Women’s HERstory? It’s whatever we choose it to be. It is ours!

Black History Month is celebrated every February. As a federally recognized, nationwide celebration, it calls on all Americans to reflect on the significant roles that African Americans have played in shaping U.S. history. As a Black business owner, I am honored to highlight the significant role that one African American played in shaping our economy through opportunity in entrepreneurship.

In 2012 when I established CivilityMS, I had no idea how much and how fast the enemy would attack. Here I was a new “legal” business owner [you can read about that more in my book] working my first federal government contract, underpaid and overworked, and battling unwarranted strikes on my life and well-being from my now ex-husband. The devil is set to kill, steal, and destroy. During this period, I questioned, “Lord, did I marry the devil himself?”