2020 was a year that none of us will soon forget. Covid seems to be the lead in every story and on the minds of every single person around the world. My family seemed to be one of the lucky ones. We were all weathering the Covid storm fairly well and everyone was healthy. And then on September 1^st, my doctor told me I had cancer. I was prepared for bad news… I had found a lump in my breast and had a mammogram and ultrasound that week, and none of the initial reports seemed good. I now know that when the tech tells you to “wait because the doctor wants to talk with you” nothing good is about to happen.

I have always thought of myself as a pretty tough cookie and breast cancer has tested my strength more than anything else, and to be honest, my emotional strength the most. It seems that there is a finish line for the physical treatment… My surgeries are done, my scars are fading and my body is healing. But I am forever changed because of cancer. There were (and still are) many evenings when the tears would come and the fear would overwhelm me, but Mr. P was always right there. He has weathered this crazy storm with me and I know I could not be where I am today without him. You have been strong enough for both of us, Steve Preston and you make me believe I can do anything. I love you, Mr. P.

So many people’s lives are touched and changed by breast cancer every day. I am thankful for all the women that have walked this journey before me and created organizations like Forge, so we never have to walk alone. Lauren Roberts and Forge came into my life many years ago as a friend and a client. My job was to help them be the best they could be and be strategic thinkers. Little did we know that I would soon be reaching out as a newly diagnosed woman that needed to talk. For that, I will always be thankful. Thank you, Lauren, Janet, Claire, Jinida, Alaina, and Samantha for your kindness and support.

Today, I am part of the Infirmary Health System team and live in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama. Mr. P and I have been married 2 years and on Christmas Day of 2020 we welcomed our newest addition to the family… Tallulah. She is a beautiful black Labrador that I have been dreaming of having for years.

 

Kenya B... fashion artist, dreamer, entrepreneur and faithwalker. Those are all characteristics of what drives this crazy colorful designer.

 

Kenya Buchanan was born in Birmingham, Alabama to a mother whose passion was sewing. Nonetheless, Kenya like most people had no clue what career path she wanted to take.  One thing that stayed clear was her love for fashion.  After working in corporate America for more than 10 years she decided it was time to pursue her dreams.  Kenya enrolled in the University of Alabama’s Apparel Design program where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2016.  Her love for fashion has gained her notable recognition as she was the Emerging Designer winner of the 2017 Magic City Fashion Week. She has been featured in The Crimson White, Ipush Magazine, B-Metro Magazine, The Birmingham Times and has been featured on several news stations in Birmingham. To add to her fashion resume, Kenya B has participated in numerous fashion shows throughout the south and her latest showcase includes showing during NYFW in New York City. 

Kenya B. incorporates signature cultural Ankara prints and vibrant colors as design elements in each collection. Her design philosophy is to beautify the world using vivid colors and prints. She believes that everyone can wear color and should not be intimidated by it. Kenya B.'s goal is to create bold, daring garments that make her clients feel confident, beautiful, empowered both physically and mentally when they wear her garments.