October 1, 2024 • 52 mins
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.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
I have no one, no one , no one to feed me.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Broken heart again.
Another lesson learned Betterknow your friends.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Or else you will get burned.
Gotta count on me, cause I canguarantee that I'll be fine.
No more pain, no more pain.
No more pain.
No more pain.
No more pain.
No drama.
(00:53):
No more drama in my life.
No one's gonna make me hurtagain.
While I play the fool, gothrough ups and downs, knowing
all the time you wouldn't bearound.
But maybe I like the stressCause I was young and restless.
(01:18):
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.
(01:48):
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 youlet go of all the trauma in your
(02:11):
life.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
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 (02:29):
Only God knows where the story is for me, but I know
where the story begins.
It's up to us to choose whetherwe win or lose, and I choose to
win.
No more pain, no more pain.
No more pain.
No more pain.
No more tears.
(02:52):
No more tears.
No more crying every night.
No more waking me up in themorning with your disturbing
phone call.
No more.
Please be alone, go ahead.
(03:13):
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, nomore, no more, no more, no more.
(03:42):
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.
(04:07):
No more trauma.
Don't do more trouble, don't domore 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.
(04:28):
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 needmy, I need my, I need my, I
need my, I need my, I need my, Ineed 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
(04:48):
.
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'mso tired.
I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I'mso tired.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I'm so
tired, I heavenly father jehovahjireh, we come before you this
evening with hearts full ofgratitude and remembrance.
We thank you for the beautifullife of yolanda williams, a
(05:16):
radiant soul who touched so manylives with her love, her
kindness and a wavering spirit.
As we gather for this specialepisode of Listen Linda podcast,
we ask for your presence tojust envelope us.
Lord, god, we pray for thosewho have been affected by
domestic violence.
May they feel your comfort,embrace and know that they are
(05:40):
never alone.
We ask that you shine yourlight on their paths, guiding
them towards healing, hope and abright future.
Empower us to be voices for thevoiceless and advocates for
those who are suffering insilence.
And as we share Yolanda's story, may her legacy inspire change
(06:05):
and ignite a passion within ourhearts to create safe spaces for
dialogue and support.
Help us to raise awareness andeducate others about the
realities of domestic violenceso that together we can break
the cycle of abuse.
We ask for your strength andcourage for all survivors, their
(06:29):
families and advocates.
May your love pour into ourcommunities, reminding us that
every life matters and thathealing is possible.
Thank you for this opportunityto honor Yolanda's memory, and
may our words tonight resonatewith love, hope and unwavering
(06:52):
strength In your holy name,jesus Christ, lord, god, we pray
, amen.
Tonight I just want to thankelena and miss annette for
(07:13):
allowing me to introducedomestic violence awareness
month with sweet yo-yosremembrance and just honoring
her and who she was as acaseworker, as a doula, as a
community advocate, but also asa martyr for domestic violence
and a humanitarian andphilanthropist.
(07:35):
So tonight I want to introduceMs Elena, maria, who was Yo-Yo's
sister, and Annette, ms Yo-Yo'smom.
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 forthe invite.
(07:57):
Oh, you're welcome.
You're welcome, elena.
Are you there, sweetheart?
Well, elena, if you hit yourbutton, you'll be able to undo
the mic.
You got it, okay.
How are you, sweetheart, elena?
(08:24):
Elena, she must be havingtechnical difficulties because,
yeah, so whenever you're ready,uh, elena, you can go out and
try to come back in and and I'llinvite you in, okay, okay, okay
(08:45):
.
So she went out, she's gonnacome back in.
Um, first I just want to saythank you so much, miss annette,
for agreeing.
I know you have a show rightafter this and everybody um, if
they don't know, miss annetteand her husband also has a
podcast that's coming on rightafter this at 7 pm Central
(09:06):
Standard Time, so I'm not goingto hold you guys.
I mean 7 pm Eastern StandardTime, so I'm not going to hold
you guys too long tonight.
So I just want to say thank youso much again for taking the
time to be a part of thisdiscussion, and I'm inviting
Elena back on now.
Okay, are you there, elena?
(09:29):
Yes, can you hear me?
Yeah, we can hear you.
Fine, now, sweetheart, okay,perfect, yeah.
So thank you guys so much foragreeing to come on.
I was just letting your momknow I'm not going to keep you
guys that long and I'll let mymy audience know that she has a
podcast.
And I want to make sure, missAnnette, before you leave you,
let everybody know where to meetyou at for your podcast tonight
(09:50):
.
Ok, ok, all right.
So I'm going to kick it off withthe first question, and it's
about legacy and love.
Ok, all right, ladies, let'stalk about Yolanda.
Okay, she had this huge heart,right.
So can you spill the tea on aspecific memory that really
(10:13):
shows just how fiercely sheloved her family and the
community and how you think thatlegacy is still shining bright
today.
Go ahead, elena.
Okay, so I can.
Just, I just want to speak froma personal level.
Yolanda was a woman ofexcellence, right?
(10:33):
I don't know if people know Ising, I speak, I'm acting and
anytime I would post.
And she was a gatekeeper.
She wanted the best out ofeverybody, and anytime I would
post anything on social media.
If there was a gatekeeper, shewanted the best out of everybody
and anytime I would postanything on social media.
If there was a punctuation outof place, a comma out of place,
an S out of place, I would bethe first person to get a text
they said fix this, correct this.
(10:53):
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 youare.
You want to put your best footforward.
So she always was looking outand wanted the best to shine
through.
She didn't have a jealous bonein her body.
She wanted everybody to be thebest representation of
(11:15):
themselves.
And then, on a professionallevel, my sister was a community
advocate, where she helpedpeople get benefits and if they
didn't know how to fill out theapplication.
She also was a doula, meaningshe helped women have children.
So her whole heart was to helpand build and encourage, even
though her story wasn't, youknow, the greatest story in her
home life.
(11:35):
So the legacy she left behindshe reminded people that she
didn't look like what she wasgoing through and, although she
was hurting, she still hadenough love to give to the
community.
So that's one of the biggestlegacies that she left behind.
Even though I'm hurting, I wantto make sure I leave some love,
some hope, some joy, some peacein this world.
So that's a big part of herlegacy.
(11:56):
Yes, well, yolanda was 5'5".
She was not tall.
In fact, her kids were tallerthan her.
She was a petite lady.
One of the things that I thinkstand out the most for me about
her that she never raised hervoice.
Complete opposite, she neverraised her voice.
(12:25):
Uh, she was so kind andeasygoing and she like, uh,
elena said she will correct youand I recently was putting some
on facebook and I thought myselfyou'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 thecommunity.
She did a couple of projectsevery year where she would uh,
put this big thing in her yardand all the kids would come in
and watch movies.
And then, of course, she wasbig on halloween where all the
(12:47):
kids would come and, um, youknow, share with her.
Ilana was very easy going.
I miss her because she wouldcall me just to see what.
You know what I was doing.
She loved cats.
She had a bunch of little catsrunning around and, uh, she was,
um, she actually was one of akind.
I think you don't reallyunderstand the dynamics of who
(13:08):
people are until they're goneand you can kind of reminisce
and think about the things thatthey did.
But she was amazing.
She was an amazing mother, shewas an amazing daughter, um, she
was a just amazing woman allaround and she was 50 years old,
but she looked like she waslike 30.
She really was a little young.
In fact, there were times whenpeople thought her kids were,
(13:30):
that she was younger than herkids.
So she was definitely a one ofa kind.
I know just by my interactionwith her and with you.
When I first met, elena and youguys came on the show and I
brought you guys up and she, shejust always wanted everybody to
win, always liking, commenting,um, always leaving me
(14:04):
encouraging words.
When I'm, I may post some stuff, chat, and you could tell them
in my feelings, but she, shewould always get me together in
my inbox, like you know, um,it's always gonna be okay, you
know, just breathe, like shewould reel me back in.
So that's how I'm.
Like you know it was.
It was conversations that shewould have on the side that
(14:27):
nobody, like she, wouldn't tryto put it on the comments or try
to blast you.
She would just like take you tothe 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 platformto honor her and, um, yeah, just
(14:51):
a beautiful spirit, um, so nowwe're, we're going into
navigating grief, right?
So losing somebody like Yolandais no joke, ok, and I know it's
been tough.
How have you both been dealingwith the grief?
Like I know I spoke with youearlier, elena, but what have
been some of those surprisingchallenges or even revelations
(15:15):
that popped up during thisjourney?
Well, navigating grief, it's abeast.
It's so many ebbs and flows.
There are moments where youhave your good days.
I'm going to take that back.
That was a steep jump, becausethere haven't been good days.
There are moments where you'regood and then, when you fall off
the cliff, the grief.
(15:35):
It almost feel like someone'sliterally has their hand on your
heart and is squeezing it likeit hurts.
So bad because when someone'sso intertwined and woven into
your daily life, um, and thenone day they're just not there,
no more.
It is something unbearable andI knew one day either I would
bury my sister, she would buryme, or we'd go together, because
(15:57):
me, her and my mom and my othersister, we were thick as
thieves.
We traveled together.
We, you know, we spent thenight at each other's house Like
we, even in our big grown age,we had a sleepovers, like we
were sisters by blood butfriends by choice.
And one day just not being ableto call her, it is the oddest
(16:17):
feeling in the world.
It's so empty.
It's like a void, a gaping mawin 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, wecall her so many nicknames.
I'm like let me call Linda.
And then I turned to my leftand no, I'm not going to call it
, because her children aresitting right here, because if
(16:39):
she were here they would be withtheir mom.
But you know, we're left me, mymom, my sister, you know, and
her older children.
You know we're left with thetask of, you know, caring for
the best part of her that sheleft with us.
So the reality sucks, but againwe were left with the best.
(17:00):
The reality sucks, but we wereleft with the best part of her.
And we bounce off of each other.
We hold each other accountable.
We call me, my mother, my othersister, the children.
We talk on the phone all thetime.
You know we have anger, youknow, of course, because the way
she died it didn't have to bethat way, that was just foolish.
But one thing about death iscertain and sure, and all you
(17:22):
can do is deal with it.
So, thankfully, we have eachother to hold on to and our
memories and again, the childrenthat help keep all of us going,
because we want to make surethat they grow up to be
productive members of societyand to keep their mother's
legacy alive.
Mom, yeah, One of things that,um, really was almost that.
(17:44):
I was overcome because I, um wasin denial because I had spoke
with her like maybe five or tenminutes before she died and so
she called me to come get herand I and so I had to deal with,
uh, not being able to get thereon time.
So I think that was thetoughest part for me and of
(18:04):
course I couldn't have because Ilived 30 miles away from her.
So I had to deal with thedenial.
Then I had to deal with did Ifail?
Because I couldn't make it,even though I know I couldn't?
And then I was overcome withgrief and tears.
And then I looked at with griefand tears and then I looked at
her life, as tough as it is.
(18:25):
I looked at her life as freedombecause she had gone through so
much and even after her deathwe knew a lot.
But after her death we foundout so many things that was
going on, and so with me mygrief just starts over again.
I go back to denial and overcomewith tears, and then I go back
(18:46):
to the freedom.
So for me it's been a revolvingdoor 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 topick up the phone to call her
because she would cut you.
Just call you, just justbecause.
(19:07):
And for us, one of the thingsthat's been the most difficult,
because of how she died and andat the hands of someone we had
known all well I had known allhis life, so you know.
And then to look in the eyes ofher children and trying to
figure out Now they're off andthey have no mom or dad.
(19:28):
So I start my grief all overagain.
So I've been.
It's just been like a revolvingdoor for me, you know, I go a
day, maybe no tears, and then Igo 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 mombeen going 10 years and I still
cry about that.
(19:48):
So I know, you know it's goingto be difficult, but we have
those children and then we haveeach other and then the
community, the people that herlife, that she touched I I
actually ministered more to toother people that I life, that
she touched, I actuallyministered more to other people
that I was ministered to.
Because so many people, becauseshe touched so many lives,
people would come up and hug meand immediately break down.
(20:10):
So you know that because of whoI am, I immediately go into the
mama mode and to the preachermode and say you know what?
I'm going to pray for thosepeople, you know, and that kind
of helped for that moment withmy grief, because now I don't
have to worry about my griefbecause I have somebody else
here that's crying also.
So, yeah, that's been tough Icould just imagine.
(20:32):
Now you spoke briefly aboutkind of like empowerment through
healing and missing it.
Now let's get into your lot.
The Yolanda C WilliamsFoundation.
What sparked the idea to createthis amazing foundation in her
honor and how do you hope it'llchange the lives and make a real
(20:56):
impact in the community?
Well, the real reason that we,that I started this foundation
with my sister and the rest ofmy family is because a lot of
times when things like thishappen, you know you get oh, I'm
so sorry for your loss and youget the hug and the kiss and
maybe somebody's seen you,somebody, and we're praying for
you.
A lot of times people arereally not praying for you, but
(21:16):
that's the thing we say.
So what we wanted to do, wewanted to make sure there was a
face to you know, that's to tothat particular death, because
it happens.
I mean, it happens all aroundthe world, but so many times,
because, you know, we go on tothe next thing, because one of
the things we always said, yes,she passed away, she died, but
the sun's still going to shinetomorrow.
(21:37):
So so we had to figure out okay, yeah, I'm, I'm gonna cry, but
I want to make sure that hername, her face, is always
remembered as this person fromthis community because we were
from a small community that thisperson served, and she served
well.
There was well over 600 peopleat her funeral.
She served well and people knewher and they loved her.
So this foundation is our hopeis that we'll be able to maybe,
(22:01):
uh, uh, talk to a young, younglady or men, because there are
men that get abused too.
There are men that women havekilled them too.
So we want to make sure we getthe message that I know, I know
there's a 1-800 number, I knowpeople doing all across the
world, but what we're going toconcentrate on as many people as
we can touch and we can touch10 people or 20 people.
Well, maybe we can save thosepeople.
(22:23):
One of the things I did I wroteon social media after she passed
away.
It was very difficult.
I was talking about the pain.
I said the pain is so difficultI have to remind myself to
breathe.
And at the end of my comments Isaid I want to make sure that
another mother do not have to gothrough what I've been through
because of that, because ofdeath of their child, or just
(22:45):
sit in front of a casket or totry to minister to my other
daughters and my grandkids andso many others.
So we want to make a differencein our community, in our state,
and hopefully we can take iteven further to let people know
that she is more than astatistic.
To let people know that she ismore than a statistic.
She was really a person thatwas loved and we want to make
(23:07):
sure that what happened to herget out there and somebody here
hope and pray that somebody willhear and come and we'll be able
to talk to that person and helpthem navigate away from that
situation, whatever it may be.
(23:34):
Yes, ma'am, yolanda's story isso powerful.
How do you think sharing herexperiences can kickstart some
serious conversations arounddomestic violence and what do
you hope her story will mean tothose who might be suffering in
silence?
Well, for me, um, I hope thatthe the suffering in silence
(23:56):
hearing her story hopefullyhearing how she suffered in
silence, um can, like mom said,it can resonate with another
young lady or young gentlemanwhose story is almost identical
or similar, and they can hearsome of the signs you know and
see some of the signs early onand be like wait, I don't want
that fate.
I don't want my children to bemotherless.
You know, I don't want mychildren to be fatherless.
(24:18):
So, you know, if this was herfate, maybe if I go ahead and
listen and find some strength, Itoo can get out of this.
I can get away from this.
I don't have to silently deal,doesn't hurt.
I wrote in listen, linda, shehas a magazine and I wrote a
piece for domestic violencesaying love doesn't hurt, love
(24:39):
doesn't hit, love doesn't slap.
Love doesn't, you know, tearyou down.
Love doesn't call you names.
Love doesn't isolate you fromyour family, you know.
Love doesn't stab you, lovedoesn't shoot you.
(25:00):
You know I'm not sayingrelationships are going to be
perfect, but that's not love.
And so hopefully her story ofwhat she went through can show
someone else that what you'reexperiencing that's not love.
That's not love, and we hope,through you know her story, like
I've said again, it can savesomeone else, save another
mother, another daughter,another sister, another cousin
(25:23):
from grieving, you know, theirloved one leaning over a casket
and trying to figure out what'snext.
Yeah, yeah, one of the things Iused to tell yolanda all the
time, because yolanda had beenwith this young man over 30
something years, and I used totell all the time.
I said the way you start is isthe way you'll finish.
(25:43):
I said you never give anybodyall the power over your life,
and and even in relationships,you have to set ground rules and
you know, a lot of times, Iknow 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 themto the place that they think
that they're the only ones thatlove them.
(26:03):
They're the only ones you know,the family that don't love them
, like Elena said, alienate themfrom the family, and so I wish
my prayer not my wish, but myprayer is that we could catch
people at the beginning of arelationship and let them see
some of the signs and we don'thave all the answers, but just
in Yolanda's life.
And also, you cannot look at aperson and tell they're being
(26:27):
abused.
I mean, you can't.
People sit in churches areabused.
They're in offices are abused.
People are being abused.
You would never know thatYolanda went through that, but
we did.
We know we knew someone and wedid have a plan.
But of course you know he tooka and everybody's going to
remember her name Everywhere Ispeak.
(26:49):
I will always have a picture,because she was not a number,
she was a real person that wasloved.
So that's important to us.
Well, I do want to.
(27:12):
Janelle, can you put your phoneon mute?
Yes, hold on, I'm actually onthe expressway.
Hold on one second.
Sorry, you guys, give me asecond, and also I don't need to
get off until about 7.15, sowe're good.
Okay, good, good, good, becauseI got one more question and
then I want to.
I have something for you guys,janelle, I'm going to take you
(27:37):
down and then bring you back in.
Okay, I'm going to put you onmute and if, in fact, if you
can't unmute when I need you to.
Can you log out and come backin?
Yes, okay, all right.
So, um, I have something foryou guys.
(27:58):
But before I do that I have onemore question, and that question
is how can communities step upto better support folks dealing
with domestic violence?
And what role do you see theYolanda Williams Foundation
playing in that importantmission?
Providing resources, gettingthe word out, going to churches,
(28:21):
where and I'm not saying justfor black people, but I'm
African-American, so my sisterwas African-American so going to
the churches where a lot ofpeople frequent, putting up
literature, you know, having thepastor stand up and talk about
it.
You know.
Putting up literature in thestores in the black community,
in the corner stores, you know,because sometimes you know it's
(28:45):
just the opportunity to justhappen.
Turn their head and see theflyer and be like, oh my God,
there's something that can helpme, something anonymous that I
can talk to.
So just making sure thecommunity is awareness, because
awareness is power.
A lot of times people thinkthey're desolate and don't have
anywhere to turn.
With this particularorganization, we want to make
sure that our name is out thereand they know that there is hope
(29:05):
, there are resources and then alot of times trying to help
break the stigma and talkingabout talk about it.
Because in our community, youknow we don't want to talk about
mental health.
You know we don't talk aboutuncle ray ray who been touching
the kids.
We don't like to talk aboutabuse.
We want, we like to keep silentand I don't know if that's a
generational curse or where thatfear comes from.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
It's cultural what?
Speaker 3 (29:28):
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 isa lie.
The same way we talk about ifyou 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'tpraise the lord, the rocks will
cry out.
The same way we should also besaying if you're being abused,
(29:51):
there's hope, there help.
We should be talking abouteverything across the board.
We need to make sure we'rebroadening our speech and not
just, you know, honing in onjust certain things.
But just remember, like Momsays, the pastor's wife could be
knocked upside the head, wedon't know.
Or the pastor could be gettingknocked upside the head.
So we need to be where thepeople are.
(30:12):
We know the church is importantin the black community, so we
can start there, start talking.
These organizations areavailable, like I said, at the
corner store, in the schools, inthe schools, but wherever we
are, just let people know thatthere is help, there is hope,
there is, you know,opportunities to find some
(30:32):
freedom.
But we got to start talking andonce we start talking.
Freedom comes from opening yourmouth.
Yeah, mama, do you gotsomething 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 allthat.
(30:53):
We have so many programs,especially in our churches,
conferences and all that.
And yeah, it's good to havestuff that you're selling, but
also we need to have a tablewith that information.
And one of the things I foundout that, of course, I didn't
think one way about it untilthis happened to Yolanda is
partnership.
There are a lot oforganizations out there.
We don't think help is outthere but we don't know.
In our community, one of thethings that we're going to do,
(31:13):
we're going to partner withother people and if there's any
opportunity, a conference orwhatever and even in the case of
Yolanda, we're not going towait for somebody to invite us,
we're going to do it ourselves.
One of the things that wewanted to do is start in our
community and spread abroad.
We will go and rent a buildingsomewhere and say, hey, we're
(31:36):
doing this, and so that's one ofthe important things for me to
get out there and partner,because even in our community.
I said, wow, I didn't know, itwas a couple of things I found,
I didn't know about it.
And so the problem is, in somecases, it's not the information
that's not out there, that wegot to figure out how to get the
information to the people.
(31:57):
You know, that's so importantthat we do, and so our goal is
to say, listen, this happened toher, but it don't have to
happen to you.
You know, I grew, I, I wentthrough through that uh stage.
You know I gotta speaksomewhere later.
Uh, there's some money on that.
(32:18):
You know, I survived, shedidn't, and so I had to tell
people too how I survived.
I survived because with mypersonality, I can't take much.
So I, you know, but some, somewomen, are not that way, you
know, and depending on what kindof man or those, whoever that
may be.
So I'm speaking from both endsthe fact that I was abused and I
(32:39):
survived, and my daughter wasabused and she didn't, and so we
got to get that information.
I don't want, I don't wantnobody to feel that way.
There is no words in thedictionary and I know a lot of
words that can uh, really get tothe core of what you go through
.
It's hard enough when peopledie, but it's even worse when
(32:59):
somebody else kill them and it'seven hurt to my core because a
young man was like my son formany years, so there was a lot
of dynamics to that to uh thesituation, yolanda, but I, I
don't, don't want no mother,auntie, grandma, whoever, to sit
at a casket and say what couldI have done different?
No, we want to get informationout there and if we get the
(33:22):
information, you may not reacheverybody, but you're going to
reach somebody, that's for sure.
And we're not going away, we'regoing to be here to stay and
I'm so glad.
I don't know if you know, missannette, but um, I did, um, make
yolanda the cover story for themagazine this month.
(33:44):
Um, to get the word out, weactually have 269 listeners
tonight that are listening, andwhatever way that I can help you
guys with my platform, I'm allfor it.
I am a domestic violenceadvocate and survivor Myself,
(34:04):
age 13,.
I was abused by somebody who Iwas dating that was 24, all the
way up until I was probablyabout 27 or 20, no, about 24
years old.
So I went through it for a longtime with different men in my
life, older men, and God justdelivered me from it and I
(34:25):
finally was able to get out of alot of cycles and abusive
relationships.
So I'm all for helping any waythat I can.
Um, and with that being said, Iknow we don't have a lot of
time, so I do want to read apoem that I wrote.
You guys, um, in her honor, andthen we're gonna, um, have Dr
(34:50):
Janelle come up, and then we'regoing to have Dr Janelle come up
.
Okay, hey, y'all, it's me,yolanda, shining bright.
I'm up in heaven, feeling oh soright.
No more pain, no more tears,just love and light and happy
tears To my family.
(35:12):
I'm always near In every laugh.
I'm still right here, thoughI've flown to a brand new place.
My spirit's wrapped around yourembrace.
Now, listen close.
I've got something to say Tothose in hurt don't stay, don't
stay trapped.
(35:35):
If you're feeling low, you'vegot to find the strength to let
it go.
Love shouldn't sting, itshouldn't break.
You deserve the world for yourown sake.
So take that leap.
Don't look behind.
There's freedom waiting.
Your heart will find.
I fought my battles, I wore mycrown, but if I could, I'd turn
it around.
So hear my voice, let it beyour guide.
Life's too precious to live inthe dark side.
(35:56):
I'm shining down.
I'm your biggest fan.
You've got this love.
Just take my hand, live yourtruth and know your worth.
You are a gem.
You are the earth, so keep onmoving.
Don't lose your spark.
In every moment, let love leaveits mark.
I'm watching over, I'm sendingyou light.
(36:18):
Get out now and take flight.
And that's the poem that I wrotefor you guys Tonight.
I love you.
Thank you so much.
And that's not it, dr Janelle.
I'm inviting you to unmuteyourself.
Are you here?
(36:39):
Yes, Can you hear me?
We can hear you.
Can you let Miss Annette andMiss Elena know the two
surprises that we have for them?
That we have for themAbsolutely so I just want to say
hello to the both of you.
I had the remarkable opportunityto meet them in Chicago, elena,
(36:59):
her mom and her beautifulsisters, and every time they
speak you could just feel thespirit of God.
They are definitely evangelistsand God's word says that we are
blessed to be a blessing, andsometimes unfortunate
circumstances come, but we knowthat her spirit is going to
resonate and she's going to havepower posthumously, that her
(37:19):
light is going to shine foryears to come and she's going to
bless so many women to helpthem as they struggle with that
same unfortunate situation.
But listen, linda and HarveyNonprofit Consulting Group would
like to present two awards toher in her honor.
The first is the PresidentialLifetime Achievement Award.
So I will be sending a medaland a certificate to you and
(37:45):
your mother with her name in herhonor, and we also created a
Trailblazer Award.
So both of those awards will bemailed to you in a couple of
weeks.
In addition to that, I wouldlove to know how anyone who's
following me can donate to you.
So if you could send me yourlink or your website, um, and
I'm going to post on all of myplatforms for individuals to
(38:06):
donate to you, um, in her honorfor domestic violence awareness
month, oh man, oh, thank you somuch.
We would.
We would definitely get theinformation.
Uh, yeah, we, yeah, thank you.
I'll never speak to y'all.
(38:27):
You know what I called janelle acouple weeks ago and I said you
know what I said we need to.
Is there any way that we cansponsor the Yolanda C Williams
Foundation with the PresidentialLifetime Achievement Award for
(38:48):
her For everything that she hasdone while she was here and how
she's been a model to thedomestic violence community and
she was on board a millionpercent.
Not just that, but Janelle isjust so awesome.
She also was, like you know, weneed to do something else.
(39:11):
So we came up with theTrailblazer Award, which is
actually called the HonoraryMartyr of Domestic Violence
Awareness Award as well as MsJanelle is going to mail it to
you guys as well and it's in herhonor as well as the
(39:37):
Presidential LifetimeAchievement Award.
She's also the cover of theListen Linda Magazine.
So you know, for this month andI will make sure to put in your
information in the magazine andit's available digitally and on
Amazon in print, but you guyswill be getting a custom version
(40:01):
of the magazine shipped to youguys'.
Addresses on behalf of theHarvey Nonprofit Consulting
Group and Listen Linda Podcast.
The Harvey Nonprofit ConsultingGroup and Listen Linda Podcast.
Whatever, like I said, whateverI can do, whatever we can do to
help you guys, we will dowhatever you guys need us to do
(40:23):
in memory of Londa.
Thank you so much.
We just launched it.
When was it?
Last week?
Yes, yeah, but we were just.
You know, we, yolanda C, we'reLLC, so we just me and my sister
, my daughters, obviously, andwe're getting it off the ground.
(40:46):
So I mean, we hit the groundrunning Because tomorrow will be
two months since she passedaway 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 allthat information.
Thank y'all.
Oh my gosh, they did somethingfor Yolanda too.
It was a program she started inour hometown and they renamed
(41:08):
the program.
It was a community programwhere the people would come if
they need assistance with foodstamps and other different
programs that the city had tooffer.
She started the program Ididn't even know, but they
changed it to Yolanda C Williams.
Yolanda Williams, that isamazing.
Thank you, no problem, I justwant to say thank you.
(41:29):
Thank you so much.
If my other sister were on here,she would be saying thank you,
you're awesome.
You know that's how my sistertalks, 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 mygood friend Desiree, and I see
(41:51):
Tab like family there, thesupport, the only reason I'm
saying this, you know, becausethe light she left people, just
you know, even though they knewher, they want to still hear all
the great things she's done andstill supporting, and on me and
my mother, my sister and thekids' tail, you know, they're
still embracing us and justsupporting us.
(42:11):
And so, and you know, they'restill 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 eachother long, but I'm telling you,
it don't take long to meetfamily.
It's not always blood.
So thank you, ladies, you know,for you know, doing this in my
sister's honor and at the end ofthe day, you know, it's my
mama's baby.
(42:32):
You know, yeah, I'm her sister,we love her.
Yeah, the kids love her, that'smy mama's baby.
And so thank you for allowingmy mom a safe place to speak,
you know, and honor her andhonoring her child, because
that's who we're concerned aboutthe most.
You know she had her, we care,but that's her mama.
(42:55):
I mean, that's her mama.
So we thank you for showing mymama love during this time.
Oh, no problem, no problem, noproblem at all.
Is there anything you want tosay, mama?
The last thing I want to say isone of my favorite scriptures
(43:16):
can be found in Matthew.
I think it's 5 and 16.
Let your light so shine beforemen that they will see your good
works and glorify the Fatherwho's in heaven.
So her light shines for her.
She, you know the song we usedto sing growing up.
I'm old, but may the work I'vedone speak for her.
She, you know the song we usedto sing growing up.
I'm old, but may the work I'vedone speak for me.
And so you know, her life isspeaking for her, even after
(43:38):
she's gone.
And I promise myself, I promisemy daughters and God, I say her
voice may be silent, but mineis not, and as long as I have
breath in my body, I'm going tomake a declaration to who she
was and who she still is in ourlives.
So again, we want to thank youso much for this opportunity
(44:00):
just to share a little bit aboutYolanda's life.
She was an amazing woman,amazing mother, amazing friend,
and so many people can vouch forthat.
So thank y'all and thank youfor the honor.
I mean, her life speaks volumes.
Sometimes you can be silent andstill speak volumes.
Thank y'all, and thank you forthe honor.
I mean, her life speaks volumessometimes.
Sometimes you can be silent andstill speak violent volume.
But even her silence, she'sstill speaking by you.
(44:20):
So we thank you so much.
No problem, no problem, janelle.
Is there anything else you wantto say before we close out, or
can you close us out in prayer?
Absolutely, can you hear me?
Yes, we can hear you,sweetheart.
Alright, father God, in themaster's name of Jesus, we just
thank you for this awesome bodyof believers that have convened
(44:43):
on the call on this evening.
Father God, we ask for yourgrace and your mercy and your
angels of protection to wrapthemselves around Maria Elena
and her family.
Father God, we ask that youwould just give them an increase
and an abundance, whatever lackthey have in their house,
whether it be financially,emotionally, whatever it is.
Fill them up with your preciousHoly Ghost that they have no
(45:05):
lack.
If there be any sickness amongthem, we ask for your healing
power from the crown of theirhead to the soles of their feet.
And, father God, we just thankyou for the sisterhood that you
have placed upon us.
If there is anything that wecan do, put it on our heart and
let us go eagerly to meet theneeds of them as they go through
this season.
But, father God, continue tolet Yolanda's light shine, that
(45:27):
she continue to be a blessingEven though she's not here.
Father God, we know that hermission and her purpose will
live on In Jesus' mighty name.
We pray, amen, amen, amen.
Now, ms Annette or Elena, eitherone of you, can you let
everybody know where they canreach you and how they can
(45:50):
donate?
Elena, what mom?
What's the Yolanda's journey atgmail?
Yeah, yolanda's journey atgmail dot com, one of the things
that we have to do, because wehad a go fund me.
But we will be opening up anaccount because we literally
(46:12):
just got the banner.
So we will be opening up anaccount 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 linkup on your Facebook page, okay,
link up on your Facebook page,okay.
(46:35):
And anybody who's listening?
Now you can find Alaina'sFacebook page.
Her page is A-L-L-A-I-N-A Maria.
Or you can find Annette atAnnette A-N-N-E-T-T-E L Anderson
on Facebook.
(46:56):
Check out, they should have thelink pinned to the top of their
page where you guys can donate.
Yes, okay, and I'm going toclose 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.
(47:19):
My daddy got a lot of kids.
Now I don't know if he knowyour mama, but something is here
, it's spinning in the room.
Okay, I do want to say Iappreciate you guys, of course
you, my sister in Christ Jesus,and I just adore you.
I adore your family.
(47:40):
Janelle, thank you so much.
You know you're my sister fromthe Midwest, in Jesus Christ's
name.
Thank everybody who's tuned intoday for the Listen Linda
podcast and remembrance ofYolanda C Williams and the
Yolanda C Williams Foundation.
I'm going to end this withQueen Naja Mama's Hand and you
(48:04):
guys have a blessed andwonderful night.
Thank you, good night, goodnight, good night.
Speaker 1 (48:23):
Good night, hi baby, hi Vicky, I love you, I love you
.
Speaker 2 (48:37):
I love you too, mama.
Okay bye, okay Bye.
I heard your heartbeat too.
I never knew I could witness anangel so beautiful.
(48:57):
From the very moment youarrived, I felt something new
inside.
I developed a love that was sounconditional, and I promise to
give you everything that I have.
There's not a dream in thisworld you can't accomplish.
(49:22):
On rest, I will cross any oceanbefore I let you land.
Just hold on to mama's hand andnever let it go.
(49:51):
Bye, you deserve it.
Teach you how to treat a woman.
Let you know you're gonna besomething great.
I want for you to shine sobright.
Know you can do anything.
Through Christ, I see thatthere is a star inside your
(50:12):
heart.
So when you're in my life, Ipromise to give you everything
that I have.
I promise to give youeverything that I have.
There's not a dream in thisworld you can't accomplish for
grand.
I will walk in the ocean beforeI let you land.
Just hold on to mama's hand andnever let go.
(50:33):
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.
(50:58):
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,
(51:19):
hold on to my hand, hold on tomy hand, hold on to my hand and
never let it go.
(51:40):
Hold on to my hand and neverlet it go.
Hold on to my hand and neverlet it go.
Hold on to my hand.
Hold on to my hand, son, holdon to my hand, never let it go.
(52:03):
I'm yours, I am yours.
Speaker 1 (52:38):
Bring it in now.
I have no one, no one , no one to feed me.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Broken heart again.
Another lesson learned Betterknow your friends.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Or else you will get burned.
Gotta count on me, cause I canguarantee that I'll be fine.
No more pain, no more pain.
No more pain.
No more pain.
No more pain.
No drama.
(00:53):
No more drama in my life.
No one's gonna make me hurtagain.
While I play the fool, gothrough ups and downs, knowing
all the time you wouldn't bearound.
But maybe I like the stressCause I was young and restless.
(01:18):
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.
(01:48):
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 youlet go of all the trauma in your
(02:11):
life.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
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 (02:29):
Only God knows where the story is for me, but I know
where the story begins.
It's up to us to choose whetherwe win or lose, and I choose to
win.
No more pain, no more pain.
No more pain.
No more pain.
No more tears.
(02:52):
No more tears.
No more crying every night.
No more waking me up in themorning with your disturbing
phone call.
No more.
Please be alone, go ahead.
(03:13):
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, nomore, no more, no more, no more.
(03:42):
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.
(04:07):
No more trauma.
Don't do more trouble, don't domore 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.
(04:28):
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 needmy, I need my, I need my, I
need my, I need my, I need my, Ineed 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
(04:48):
.
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'mso tired.
I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I'mso tired.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I'm so
tired, I heavenly father jehovahjireh, we come before you this
evening with hearts full ofgratitude and remembrance.
We thank you for the beautifullife of yolanda williams, a
(05:16):
radiant soul who touched so manylives with her love, her
kindness and a wavering spirit.
As we gather for this specialepisode of Listen Linda podcast,
we ask for your presence tojust envelope us.
Lord, god, we pray for thosewho have been affected by
domestic violence.
May they feel your comfort,embrace and know that they are
(05:40):
never alone.
We ask that you shine yourlight on their paths, guiding
them towards healing, hope and abright future.
Empower us to be voices for thevoiceless and advocates for
those who are suffering insilence.
And as we share Yolanda's story, may her legacy inspire change
(06:05):
and ignite a passion within ourhearts to create safe spaces for
dialogue and support.
Help us to raise awareness andeducate others about the
realities of domestic violenceso that together we can break
the cycle of abuse.
We ask for your strength andcourage for all survivors, their
(06:29):
families and advocates.
May your love pour into ourcommunities, reminding us that
every life matters and thathealing is possible.
Thank you for this opportunityto honor Yolanda's memory, and
may our words tonight resonatewith love, hope and unwavering
(06:52):
strength In your holy name,jesus Christ, lord, god, we pray
, amen.
Tonight I just want to thankelena and miss annette for
(07:13):
allowing me to introducedomestic violence awareness
month with sweet yo-yosremembrance and just honoring
her and who she was as acaseworker, as a doula, as a
community advocate, but also asa martyr for domestic violence
and a humanitarian andphilanthropist.
(07:35):
So tonight I want to introduceMs Elena, maria, who was Yo-Yo's
sister, and Annette, ms Yo-Yo'smom.
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 forthe invite.
(07:57):
Oh, you're welcome.
You're welcome, elena.
Are you there, sweetheart?
Well, elena, if you hit yourbutton, you'll be able to undo
the mic.
You got it, okay.
How are you, sweetheart, elena?
(08:24):
Elena, she must be havingtechnical difficulties because,
yeah, so whenever you're ready,uh, elena, you can go out and
try to come back in and and I'llinvite you in, okay, okay, okay
(08:45):
.
So she went out, she's gonnacome back in.
Um, first I just want to saythank you so much, miss annette,
for agreeing.
I know you have a show rightafter this and everybody um, if
they don't know, miss annetteand her husband also has a
podcast that's coming on rightafter this at 7 pm Central
(09:06):
Standard Time, so I'm not goingto hold you guys.
I mean 7 pm Eastern StandardTime, so I'm not going to hold
you guys too long tonight.
So I just want to say thank youso much again for taking the
time to be a part of thisdiscussion, and I'm inviting
Elena back on now.
Okay, are you there, elena?
(09:29):
Yes, can you hear me?
Yeah, we can hear you.
Fine, now, sweetheart, okay,perfect, yeah.
So thank you guys so much foragreeing to come on.
I was just letting your momknow I'm not going to keep you
guys that long and I'll let mymy audience know that she has a
podcast.
And I want to make sure, missAnnette, before you leave you,
let everybody know where to meetyou at for your podcast tonight
(09:50):
.
Ok, ok, all right.
So I'm going to kick it off withthe first question, and it's
about legacy and love.
Ok, all right, ladies, let'stalk about Yolanda.
Okay, she had this huge heart,right.
So can you spill the tea on aspecific memory that really
(10:13):
shows just how fiercely sheloved her family and the
community and how you think thatlegacy is still shining bright
today.
Go ahead, elena.
Okay, so I can.
Just, I just want to speak froma personal level.
Yolanda was a woman ofexcellence, right?
(10:33):
I don't know if people know Ising, I speak, I'm acting and
anytime I would post.
And she was a gatekeeper.
She wanted the best out ofeverybody, and anytime I would
post anything on social media.
If there was a gatekeeper, shewanted the best out of everybody
and anytime I would postanything on social media.
If there was a punctuation outof place, a comma out of place,
an S out of place, I would bethe first person to get a text
they said fix this, correct this.
(10:53):
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 youare.
You want to put your best footforward.
So she always was looking outand wanted the best to shine
through.
She didn't have a jealous bonein her body.
She wanted everybody to be thebest representation of
(11:15):
themselves.
And then, on a professionallevel, my sister was a community
advocate, where she helpedpeople get benefits and if they
didn't know how to fill out theapplication.
She also was a doula, meaningshe helped women have children.
So her whole heart was to helpand build and encourage, even
though her story wasn't, youknow, the greatest story in her
home life.
(11:35):
So the legacy she left behindshe reminded people that she
didn't look like what she wasgoing through and, although she
was hurting, she still hadenough love to give to the
community.
So that's one of the biggestlegacies that she left behind.
Even though I'm hurting, I wantto make sure I leave some love,
some hope, some joy, some peacein this world.
So that's a big part of herlegacy.
(11:56):
Yes, well, yolanda was 5'5".
She was not tall.
In fact, her kids were tallerthan her.
She was a petite lady.
One of the things that I thinkstand out the most for me about
her that she never raised hervoice.
Complete opposite, she neverraised her voice.
(12:25):
Uh, she was so kind andeasygoing and she like, uh,
elena said she will correct youand I recently was putting some
on facebook and I thought myselfyou'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 thecommunity.
She did a couple of projectsevery year where she would uh,
put this big thing in her yardand all the kids would come in
and watch movies.
And then, of course, she wasbig on halloween where all the
(12:47):
kids would come and, um, youknow, share with her.
Ilana was very easy going.
I miss her because she wouldcall me just to see what.
You know what I was doing.
She loved cats.
She had a bunch of little catsrunning around and, uh, she was,
um, she actually was one of akind.
I think you don't reallyunderstand the dynamics of who
(13:08):
people are until they're goneand you can kind of reminisce
and think about the things thatthey did.
But she was amazing.
She was an amazing mother, shewas an amazing daughter, um, she
was a just amazing woman allaround and she was 50 years old,
but she looked like she waslike 30.
She really was a little young.
In fact, there were times whenpeople thought her kids were,
(13:30):
that she was younger than herkids.
So she was definitely a one ofa kind.
I know just by my interactionwith her and with you.
When I first met, elena and youguys came on the show and I
brought you guys up and she, shejust always wanted everybody to
win, always liking, commenting,um, always leaving me
(14:04):
encouraging words.
When I'm, I may post some stuff, chat, and you could tell them
in my feelings, but she, shewould always get me together in
my inbox, like you know, um,it's always gonna be okay, you
know, just breathe, like shewould reel me back in.
So that's how I'm.
Like you know it was.
It was conversations that shewould have on the side that
(14:27):
nobody, like she, wouldn't tryto put it on the comments or try
to blast you.
She would just like take you tothe 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 platformto honor her and, um, yeah, just
(14:51):
a beautiful spirit, um, so nowwe're, we're going into
navigating grief, right?
So losing somebody like Yolandais no joke, ok, and I know it's
been tough.
How have you both been dealingwith the grief?
Like I know I spoke with youearlier, elena, but what have
been some of those surprisingchallenges or even revelations
(15:15):
that popped up during thisjourney?
Well, navigating grief, it's abeast.
It's so many ebbs and flows.
There are moments where youhave your good days.
I'm going to take that back.
That was a steep jump, becausethere haven't been good days.
There are moments where you'regood and then, when you fall off
the cliff, the grief.
(15:35):
It almost feel like someone'sliterally has their hand on your
heart and is squeezing it likeit hurts.
So bad because when someone'sso intertwined and woven into
your daily life, um, and thenone day they're just not there,
no more.
It is something unbearable andI knew one day either I would
bury my sister, she would buryme, or we'd go together, because
(15:57):
me, her and my mom and my othersister, we were thick as
thieves.
We traveled together.
We, you know, we spent thenight at each other's house Like
we, even in our big grown age,we had a sleepovers, like we
were sisters by blood butfriends by choice.
And one day just not being ableto call her, it is the oddest
(16:17):
feeling in the world.
It's so empty.
It's like a void, a gaping mawin 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, wecall her so many nicknames.
I'm like let me call Linda.
And then I turned to my leftand no, I'm not going to call it
, because her children aresitting right here, because if
(16:39):
she were here they would be withtheir mom.
But you know, we're left me, mymom, my sister, you know, and
her older children.
You know we're left with thetask of, you know, caring for
the best part of her that sheleft with us.
So the reality sucks, but againwe were left with the best.
(17:00):
The reality sucks, but we wereleft with the best part of her.
And we bounce off of each other.
We hold each other accountable.
We call me, my mother, my othersister, the children.
We talk on the phone all thetime.
You know we have anger, youknow, of course, because the way
she died it didn't have to bethat way, that was just foolish.
But one thing about death iscertain and sure, and all you
(17:22):
can do is deal with it.
So, thankfully, we have eachother to hold on to and our
memories and again, the childrenthat help keep all of us going,
because we want to make surethat they grow up to be
productive members of societyand to keep their mother's
legacy alive.
Mom, yeah, One of things that,um, really was almost that.
(17:44):
I was overcome because I, um wasin denial because I had spoke
with her like maybe five or tenminutes before she died and so
she called me to come get herand I and so I had to deal with,
uh, not being able to get thereon time.
So I think that was thetoughest part for me and of
(18:04):
course I couldn't have because Ilived 30 miles away from her.
So I had to deal with thedenial.
Then I had to deal with did Ifail?
Because I couldn't make it,even though I know I couldn't?
And then I was overcome withgrief and tears.
And then I looked at with griefand tears and then I looked at
her life, as tough as it is.
(18:25):
I looked at her life as freedombecause she had gone through so
much and even after her deathwe knew a lot.
But after her death we foundout so many things that was
going on, and so with me mygrief just starts over again.
I go back to denial and overcomewith tears, and then I go back
(18:46):
to the freedom.
So for me it's been a revolvingdoor 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 topick up the phone to call her
because she would cut you.
Just call you, just justbecause.
(19:07):
And for us, one of the thingsthat's been the most difficult,
because of how she died and andat the hands of someone we had
known all well I had known allhis life, so you know.
And then to look in the eyes ofher children and trying to
figure out Now they're off andthey have no mom or dad.
(19:28):
So I start my grief all overagain.
So I've been.
It's just been like a revolvingdoor for me, you know, I go a
day, maybe no tears, and then Igo 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 mombeen going 10 years and I still
cry about that.
(19:48):
So I know, you know it's goingto be difficult, but we have
those children and then we haveeach other and then the
community, the people that herlife, that she touched I I
actually ministered more to toother people that I life, that
she touched, I actuallyministered more to other people
that I was ministered to.
Because so many people, becauseshe touched so many lives,
people would come up and hug meand immediately break down.
(20:10):
So you know that because of whoI am, I immediately go into the
mama mode and to the preachermode and say you know what?
I'm going to pray for thosepeople, you know, and that kind
of helped for that moment withmy grief, because now I don't
have to worry about my griefbecause I have somebody else
here that's crying also.
So, yeah, that's been tough Icould just imagine.
(20:32):
Now you spoke briefly aboutkind of like empowerment through
healing and missing it.
Now let's get into your lot.
The Yolanda C WilliamsFoundation.
What sparked the idea to createthis amazing foundation in her
honor and how do you hope it'llchange the lives and make a real
(20:56):
impact in the community?
Well, the real reason that we,that I started this foundation
with my sister and the rest ofmy family is because a lot of
times when things like thishappen, you know you get oh, I'm
so sorry for your loss and youget the hug and the kiss and
maybe somebody's seen you,somebody, and we're praying for
you.
A lot of times people arereally not praying for you, but
(21:16):
that's the thing we say.
So what we wanted to do, wewanted to make sure there was a
face to you know, that's to tothat particular death, because
it happens.
I mean, it happens all aroundthe world, but so many times,
because, you know, we go on tothe next thing, because one of
the things we always said, yes,she passed away, she died, but
the sun's still going to shinetomorrow.
(21:37):
So so we had to figure out okay, yeah, I'm, I'm gonna cry, but
I want to make sure that hername, her face, is always
remembered as this person fromthis community because we were
from a small community that thisperson served, and she served
well.
There was well over 600 peopleat her funeral.
She served well and people knewher and they loved her.
So this foundation is our hopeis that we'll be able to maybe,
(22:01):
uh, uh, talk to a young, younglady or men, because there are
men that get abused too.
There are men that women havekilled them too.
So we want to make sure we getthe message that I know, I know
there's a 1-800 number, I knowpeople doing all across the
world, but what we're going toconcentrate on as many people as
we can touch and we can touch10 people or 20 people.
Well, maybe we can save thosepeople.
(22:23):
One of the things I did I wroteon social media after she passed
away.
It was very difficult.
I was talking about the pain.
I said the pain is so difficultI have to remind myself to
breathe.
And at the end of my comments Isaid I want to make sure that
another mother do not have to gothrough what I've been through
because of that, because ofdeath of their child, or just
(22:45):
sit in front of a casket or totry to minister to my other
daughters and my grandkids andso many others.
So we want to make a differencein our community, in our state,
and hopefully we can take iteven further to let people know
that she is more than astatistic.
To let people know that she ismore than a statistic.
She was really a person thatwas loved and we want to make
(23:07):
sure that what happened to herget out there and somebody here
hope and pray that somebody willhear and come and we'll be able
to talk to that person and helpthem navigate away from that
situation, whatever it may be.
(23:34):
Yes, ma'am, yolanda's story isso powerful.
How do you think sharing herexperiences can kickstart some
serious conversations arounddomestic violence and what do
you hope her story will mean tothose who might be suffering in
silence?
Well, for me, um, I hope thatthe the suffering in silence
(23:56):
hearing her story hopefullyhearing how she suffered in
silence, um can, like mom said,it can resonate with another
young lady or young gentlemanwhose story is almost identical
or similar, and they can hearsome of the signs you know and
see some of the signs early onand be like wait, I don't want
that fate.
I don't want my children to bemotherless.
You know, I don't want mychildren to be fatherless.
(24:18):
So, you know, if this was herfate, maybe if I go ahead and
listen and find some strength, Itoo can get out of this.
I can get away from this.
I don't have to silently deal,doesn't hurt.
I wrote in listen, linda, shehas a magazine and I wrote a
piece for domestic violencesaying love doesn't hurt, love
(24:39):
doesn't hit, love doesn't slap.
Love doesn't, you know, tearyou down.
Love doesn't call you names.
Love doesn't isolate you fromyour family, you know.
Love doesn't stab you, lovedoesn't shoot you.
(25:00):
You know I'm not sayingrelationships are going to be
perfect, but that's not love.
And so hopefully her story ofwhat she went through can show
someone else that what you'reexperiencing that's not love.
That's not love, and we hope,through you know her story, like
I've said again, it can savesomeone else, save another
mother, another daughter,another sister, another cousin
(25:23):
from grieving, you know, theirloved one leaning over a casket
and trying to figure out what'snext.
Yeah, yeah, one of the things Iused to tell yolanda all the
time, because yolanda had beenwith this young man over 30
something years, and I used totell all the time.
I said the way you start is isthe way you'll finish.
(25:43):
I said you never give anybodyall the power over your life,
and and even in relationships,you have to set ground rules and
you know, a lot of times, Iknow 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 themto the place that they think
that they're the only ones thatlove them.
(26:03):
They're the only ones you know,the family that don't love them
, like Elena said, alienate themfrom the family, and so I wish
my prayer not my wish, but myprayer is that we could catch
people at the beginning of arelationship and let them see
some of the signs and we don'thave all the answers, but just
in Yolanda's life.
And also, you cannot look at aperson and tell they're being
(26:27):
abused.
I mean, you can't.
People sit in churches areabused.
They're in offices are abused.
People are being abused.
You would never know thatYolanda went through that, but
we did.
We know we knew someone and wedid have a plan.
But of course you know he tooka and everybody's going to
remember her name Everywhere Ispeak.
(26:49):
I will always have a picture,because she was not a number,
she was a real person that wasloved.
So that's important to us.
Well, I do want to.
(27:12):
Janelle, can you put your phoneon mute?
Yes, hold on, I'm actually onthe expressway.
Hold on one second.
Sorry, you guys, give me asecond, and also I don't need to
get off until about 7.15, sowe're good.
Okay, good, good, good, becauseI got one more question and
then I want to.
I have something for you guys,janelle, I'm going to take you
(27:37):
down and then bring you back in.
Okay, I'm going to put you onmute and if, in fact, if you
can't unmute when I need you to.
Can you log out and come backin?
Yes, okay, all right.
So, um, I have something foryou guys.
(27:58):
But before I do that I have onemore question, and that question
is how can communities step upto better support folks dealing
with domestic violence?
And what role do you see theYolanda Williams Foundation
playing in that importantmission?
Providing resources, gettingthe word out, going to churches,
(28:21):
where and I'm not saying justfor black people, but I'm
African-American, so my sisterwas African-American so going to
the churches where a lot ofpeople frequent, putting up
literature, you know, having thepastor stand up and talk about
it.
You know.
Putting up literature in thestores in the black community,
in the corner stores, you know,because sometimes you know it's
(28:45):
just the opportunity to justhappen.
Turn their head and see theflyer and be like, oh my God,
there's something that can helpme, something anonymous that I
can talk to.
So just making sure thecommunity is awareness, because
awareness is power.
A lot of times people thinkthey're desolate and don't have
anywhere to turn.
With this particularorganization, we want to make
sure that our name is out thereand they know that there is hope
(29:05):
, there are resources and then alot of times trying to help
break the stigma and talkingabout talk about it.
Because in our community, youknow we don't want to talk about
mental health.
You know we don't talk aboutuncle ray ray who been touching
the kids.
We don't like to talk aboutabuse.
We want, we like to keep silentand I don't know if that's a
generational curse or where thatfear comes from.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
It's cultural what?
Speaker 3 (29:28):
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 isa lie.
The same way we talk about ifyou 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'tpraise the lord, the rocks will
cry out.
The same way we should also besaying if you're being abused,
(29:51):
there's hope, there help.
We should be talking abouteverything across the board.
We need to make sure we'rebroadening our speech and not
just, you know, honing in onjust certain things.
But just remember, like Momsays, the pastor's wife could be
knocked upside the head, wedon't know.
Or the pastor could be gettingknocked upside the head.
So we need to be where thepeople are.
(30:12):
We know the church is importantin the black community, so we
can start there, start talking.
These organizations areavailable, like I said, at the
corner store, in the schools, inthe schools, but wherever we
are, just let people know thatthere is help, there is hope,
there is, you know,opportunities to find some
(30:32):
freedom.
But we got to start talking andonce we start talking.
Freedom comes from opening yourmouth.
Yeah, mama, do you gotsomething 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 allthat.
(30:53):
We have so many programs,especially in our churches,
conferences and all that.
And yeah, it's good to havestuff that you're selling, but
also we need to have a tablewith that information.
And one of the things I foundout that, of course, I didn't
think one way about it untilthis happened to Yolanda is
partnership.
There are a lot oforganizations out there.
We don't think help is outthere but we don't know.
In our community, one of thethings that we're going to do,
(31:13):
we're going to partner withother people and if there's any
opportunity, a conference orwhatever and even in the case of
Yolanda, we're not going towait for somebody to invite us,
we're going to do it ourselves.
One of the things that wewanted to do is start in our
community and spread abroad.
We will go and rent a buildingsomewhere and say, hey, we're
(31:36):
doing this, and so that's one ofthe important things for me to
get out there and partner,because even in our community.
I said, wow, I didn't know, itwas a couple of things I found,
I didn't know about it.
And so the problem is, in somecases, it's not the information
that's not out there, that wegot to figure out how to get the
information to the people.
(31:57):
You know, that's so importantthat we do, and so our goal is
to say, listen, this happened toher, but it don't have to
happen to you.
You know, I grew, I, I wentthrough through that uh stage.
You know I gotta speaksomewhere later.
Uh, there's some money on that.
(32:18):
You know, I survived, shedidn't, and so I had to tell
people too how I survived.
I survived because with mypersonality, I can't take much.
So I, you know, but some, somewomen, are not that way, you
know, and depending on what kindof man or those, whoever that
may be.
So I'm speaking from both endsthe fact that I was abused and I
(32:39):
survived, and my daughter wasabused and she didn't, and so we
got to get that information.
I don't want, I don't wantnobody to feel that way.
There is no words in thedictionary and I know a lot of
words that can uh, really get tothe core of what you go through
.
It's hard enough when peopledie, but it's even worse when
(32:59):
somebody else kill them and it'seven hurt to my core because a
young man was like my son formany years, so there was a lot
of dynamics to that to uh thesituation, yolanda, but I, I
don't, don't want no mother,auntie, grandma, whoever, to sit
at a casket and say what couldI have done different?
No, we want to get informationout there and if we get the
(33:22):
information, you may not reacheverybody, but you're going to
reach somebody, that's for sure.
And we're not going away, we'regoing to be here to stay and
I'm so glad.
I don't know if you know, missannette, but um, I did, um, make
yolanda the cover story for themagazine this month.
(33:44):
Um, to get the word out, weactually have 269 listeners
tonight that are listening, andwhatever way that I can help you
guys with my platform, I'm allfor it.
I am a domestic violenceadvocate and survivor Myself,
(34:04):
age 13,.
I was abused by somebody who Iwas dating that was 24, all the
way up until I was probablyabout 27 or 20, no, about 24
years old.
So I went through it for a longtime with different men in my
life, older men, and God justdelivered me from it and I
(34:25):
finally was able to get out of alot of cycles and abusive
relationships.
So I'm all for helping any waythat I can.
Um, and with that being said, Iknow we don't have a lot of
time, so I do want to read apoem that I wrote.
You guys, um, in her honor, andthen we're gonna, um, have Dr
(34:50):
Janelle come up, and then we'regoing to have Dr Janelle come up
.
Okay, hey, y'all, it's me,yolanda, shining bright.
I'm up in heaven, feeling oh soright.
No more pain, no more tears,just love and light and happy
tears To my family.
(35:12):
I'm always near In every laugh.
I'm still right here, thoughI've flown to a brand new place.
My spirit's wrapped around yourembrace.
Now, listen close.
I've got something to say Tothose in hurt don't stay, don't
stay trapped.
(35:35):
If you're feeling low, you'vegot to find the strength to let
it go.
Love shouldn't sting, itshouldn't break.
You deserve the world for yourown sake.
So take that leap.
Don't look behind.
There's freedom waiting.
Your heart will find.
I fought my battles, I wore mycrown, but if I could, I'd turn
it around.
So hear my voice, let it beyour guide.
Life's too precious to live inthe dark side.
(35:56):
I'm shining down.
I'm your biggest fan.
You've got this love.
Just take my hand, live yourtruth and know your worth.
You are a gem.
You are the earth, so keep onmoving.
Don't lose your spark.
In every moment, let love leaveits mark.
I'm watching over, I'm sendingyou light.
(36:18):
Get out now and take flight.
And that's the poem that I wrotefor you guys Tonight.
I love you.
Thank you so much.
And that's not it, dr Janelle.
I'm inviting you to unmuteyourself.
Are you here?
(36:39):
Yes, Can you hear me?
We can hear you.
Can you let Miss Annette andMiss Elena know the two
surprises that we have for them?
That we have for themAbsolutely so I just want to say
hello to the both of you.
I had the remarkable opportunityto meet them in Chicago, elena,
(36:59):
her mom and her beautifulsisters, and every time they
speak you could just feel thespirit of God.
They are definitely evangelistsand God's word says that we are
blessed to be a blessing, andsometimes unfortunate
circumstances come, but we knowthat her spirit is going to
resonate and she's going to havepower posthumously, that her
(37:19):
light is going to shine foryears to come and she's going to
bless so many women to helpthem as they struggle with that
same unfortunate situation.
But listen, linda and HarveyNonprofit Consulting Group would
like to present two awards toher in her honor.
The first is the PresidentialLifetime Achievement Award.
So I will be sending a medaland a certificate to you and
(37:45):
your mother with her name in herhonor, and we also created a
Trailblazer Award.
So both of those awards will bemailed to you in a couple of
weeks.
In addition to that, I wouldlove to know how anyone who's
following me can donate to you.
So if you could send me yourlink or your website, um, and
I'm going to post on all of myplatforms for individuals to
(38:06):
donate to you, um, in her honorfor domestic violence awareness
month, oh man, oh, thank you somuch.
We would.
We would definitely get theinformation.
Uh, yeah, we, yeah, thank you.
I'll never speak to y'all.
(38:27):
You know what I called janelle acouple weeks ago and I said you
know what I said we need to.
Is there any way that we cansponsor the Yolanda C Williams
Foundation with the PresidentialLifetime Achievement Award for
(38:48):
her For everything that she hasdone while she was here and how
she's been a model to thedomestic violence community and
she was on board a millionpercent.
Not just that, but Janelle isjust so awesome.
She also was, like you know, weneed to do something else.
(39:11):
So we came up with theTrailblazer Award, which is
actually called the HonoraryMartyr of Domestic Violence
Awareness Award as well as MsJanelle is going to mail it to
you guys as well and it's in herhonor as well as the
(39:37):
Presidential LifetimeAchievement Award.
She's also the cover of theListen Linda Magazine.
So you know, for this month andI will make sure to put in your
information in the magazine andit's available digitally and on
Amazon in print, but you guyswill be getting a custom version
(40:01):
of the magazine shipped to youguys'.
Addresses on behalf of theHarvey Nonprofit Consulting
Group and Listen Linda Podcast.
The Harvey Nonprofit ConsultingGroup and Listen Linda Podcast.
Whatever, like I said, whateverI can do, whatever we can do to
help you guys, we will dowhatever you guys need us to do
(40:23):
in memory of Londa.
Thank you so much.
We just launched it.
When was it?
Last week?
Yes, yeah, but we were just.
You know, we, yolanda C, we'reLLC, so we just me and my sister
, my daughters, obviously, andwe're getting it off the ground.
(40:46):
So I mean, we hit the groundrunning Because tomorrow will be
two months since she passedaway 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 allthat information.
Thank y'all.
Oh my gosh, they did somethingfor Yolanda too.
It was a program she started inour hometown and they renamed
(41:08):
the program.
It was a community programwhere the people would come if
they need assistance with foodstamps and other different
programs that the city had tooffer.
She started the program Ididn't even know, but they
changed it to Yolanda C Williams.
Yolanda Williams, that isamazing.
Thank you, no problem, I justwant to say thank you.
(41:29):
Thank you so much.
If my other sister were on here,she would be saying thank you,
you're awesome.
You know that's how my sistertalks, 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 mygood friend Desiree, and I see
(41:51):
Tab like family there, thesupport, the only reason I'm
saying this, you know, becausethe light she left people, just
you know, even though they knewher, they want to still hear all
the great things she's done andstill supporting, and on me and
my mother, my sister and thekids' tail, you know, they're
still embracing us and justsupporting us.
(42:11):
And so, and you know, they'restill 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 eachother long, but I'm telling you,
it don't take long to meetfamily.
It's not always blood.
So thank you, ladies, you know,for you know, doing this in my
sister's honor and at the end ofthe day, you know, it's my
mama's baby.
(42:32):
You know, yeah, I'm her sister,we love her.
Yeah, the kids love her, that'smy mama's baby.
And so thank you for allowingmy mom a safe place to speak,
you know, and honor her andhonoring her child, because
that's who we're concerned aboutthe most.
You know she had her, we care,but that's her mama.
(42:55):
I mean, that's her mama.
So we thank you for showing mymama love during this time.
Oh, no problem, no problem, noproblem at all.
Is there anything you want tosay, mama?
The last thing I want to say isone of my favorite scriptures
(43:16):
can be found in Matthew.
I think it's 5 and 16.
Let your light so shine beforemen that they will see your good
works and glorify the Fatherwho's in heaven.
So her light shines for her.
She, you know the song we usedto sing growing up.
I'm old, but may the work I'vedone speak for her.
She, you know the song we usedto sing growing up.
I'm old, but may the work I'vedone speak for me.
And so you know, her life isspeaking for her, even after
(43:38):
she's gone.
And I promise myself, I promisemy daughters and God, I say her
voice may be silent, but mineis not, and as long as I have
breath in my body, I'm going tomake a declaration to who she
was and who she still is in ourlives.
So again, we want to thank youso much for this opportunity
(44:00):
just to share a little bit aboutYolanda's life.
She was an amazing woman,amazing mother, amazing friend,
and so many people can vouch forthat.
So thank y'all and thank youfor the honor.
I mean, her life speaks volumes.
Sometimes you can be silent andstill speak volumes.
Thank y'all, and thank you forthe honor.
I mean, her life speaks volumessometimes.
Sometimes you can be silent andstill speak violent volume.
But even her silence, she'sstill speaking by you.
(44:20):
So we thank you so much.
No problem, no problem, janelle.
Is there anything else you wantto say before we close out, or
can you close us out in prayer?
Absolutely, can you hear me?
Yes, we can hear you,sweetheart.
Alright, father God, in themaster's name of Jesus, we just
thank you for this awesome bodyof believers that have convened
(44:43):
on the call on this evening.
Father God, we ask for yourgrace and your mercy and your
angels of protection to wrapthemselves around Maria Elena
and her family.
Father God, we ask that youwould just give them an increase
and an abundance, whatever lackthey have in their house,
whether it be financially,emotionally, whatever it is.
Fill them up with your preciousHoly Ghost that they have no
(45:05):
lack.
If there be any sickness amongthem, we ask for your healing
power from the crown of theirhead to the soles of their feet.
And, father God, we just thankyou for the sisterhood that you
have placed upon us.
If there is anything that wecan do, put it on our heart and
let us go eagerly to meet theneeds of them as they go through
this season.
But, father God, continue tolet Yolanda's light shine, that
(45:27):
she continue to be a blessingEven though she's not here.
Father God, we know that hermission and her purpose will
live on In Jesus' mighty name.
We pray, amen, amen, amen.
Now, ms Annette or Elena, eitherone of you, can you let
everybody know where they canreach you and how they can
(45:50):
donate?
Elena, what mom?
What's the Yolanda's journey atgmail?
Yeah, yolanda's journey atgmail dot com, one of the things
that we have to do, because wehad a go fund me.
But we will be opening up anaccount because we literally
(46:12):
just got the banner.
So we will be opening up anaccount 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 linkup on your Facebook page, okay,
link up on your Facebook page,okay.
(46:35):
And anybody who's listening?
Now you can find Alaina'sFacebook page.
Her page is A-L-L-A-I-N-A Maria.
Or you can find Annette atAnnette A-N-N-E-T-T-E L Anderson
on Facebook.
(46:56):
Check out, they should have thelink pinned to the top of their
page where you guys can donate.
Yes, okay, and I'm going toclose 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.
(47:19):
My daddy got a lot of kids.
Now I don't know if he knowyour mama, but something is here
, it's spinning in the room.
Okay, I do want to say Iappreciate you guys, of course
you, my sister in Christ Jesus,and I just adore you.
I adore your family.
(47:40):
Janelle, thank you so much.
You know you're my sister fromthe Midwest, in Jesus Christ's
name.
Thank everybody who's tuned intoday for the Listen Linda
podcast and remembrance ofYolanda C Williams and the
Yolanda C Williams Foundation.
I'm going to end this withQueen Naja Mama's Hand and you
(48:04):
guys have a blessed andwonderful night.
Thank you, good night, goodnight, good night.
Speaker 1 (48:23):
Good night, hi baby, hi Vicky, I love you, I love you
.
Speaker 2 (48:37):
I love you too, mama.
Okay bye, okay Bye.
I heard your heartbeat too.
I never knew I could witness anangel so beautiful.
(48:57):
From the very moment youarrived, I felt something new
inside.
I developed a love that was sounconditional, and I promise to
give you everything that I have.
There's not a dream in thisworld you can't accomplish.
(49:22):
On rest, I will cross any oceanbefore I let you land.
Just hold on to mama's hand andnever let it go.
(49:51):
Bye, you deserve it.
Teach you how to treat a woman.
Let you know you're gonna besomething great.
I want for you to shine sobright.
Know you can do anything.
Through Christ, I see thatthere is a star inside your
(50:12):
heart.
So when you're in my life, Ipromise to give you everything
that I have.
I promise to give youeverything that I have.
There's not a dream in thisworld you can't accomplish for
grand.
I will walk in the ocean beforeI let you land.
Just hold on to mama's hand andnever let go.
(50:33):
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.
(50:58):
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,
(51:19):
hold on to my hand, hold on tomy hand, hold on to my hand and
never let it go.
(51:40):
Hold on to my hand and neverlet it go.
Hold on to my hand and neverlet it go.
Hold on to my hand.
Hold on to my hand, son, holdon to my hand, never let it go.
(52:03):
I'm yours, I am yours.
Speaker 1 (52:38):
Bring it in now.
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com