Ascension Magazine

11/16/2025

November’s ASCENSION Magazine issue is titled “Ordinary Roots, Extraordinary Impact”!🤩

With that, we wanted to spotlight 5 women nominated by their peers doing extraordinary work in their industry and community. 🙌🏾

Join us as we celebrate the following amazing ladies this month:

1. Hilary Houston - Home Builder/Real Estate Broker/Investor at Virtual City Real Estate

2. Natasha Norris - Skincare by CMG (Founder) and Voice of Freedom

3. Tara Godby - Teakeasy Tea (Founder)

4. Dr. Collette Portis - CEO, Red Development Group

5. Heather Weatherspoon - The Lady Brazilianaire®

11/16/2025

‼️ASCENSION MAGAZINE - NOVEMBER COVER FEATURE - THASUNDA BROWN DUCKETT, CEO TIAA & MRS ROSIE BROWN, OTIS & ROSIE BROWN FOUNDATION‼️

Thasunda Brown Duckett is President and Chief Executive Officer of TIAA, a leading provider of secure retirements and outcome-focused investment solutions for millions of people and thousands of institutions.

She leads a company whose mission is defined by financial inclusion and opportunity – goals and values she has upheld throughout her career. Under her leadership, TIAA is expanding its mission beyond higher education to all Americans saving for retirement.

Before joining TIAA in 2021, she held several key executive roles during a 17-year career at JP Morgan Chase, including CEO of the Consumer Bank and Auto Finance. Earlier in her career, she was a Director of Emerging Markets at Fannie Mae.

Duckett serves on the boards of NIKE, Inc., Brex Inc., Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Sesame Workshop, National Medal of Honor Museum, Economic Club of New York, the University of Houston Board of Visitors, and the Dean’s Advisory Board for Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. She also is a member of the Executive Leadership Council CEO Advisory Board, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America Inc.

In addition, Duckett is an appointee to the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), The Business Council Executive Committee and the Committee for Economic Development. She also serves on the board of Business Roundtable.

Duckett has received a wide array of accolades from financial media, including Fortune, Forbes, Barron’s and American Banker. She has also been listed as one of the TIME100 Most Influential People in the World, named a CNBC Changemaker and inducted into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.

She founded the Otis and Rosie Brown Foundation in honor of her parents to recognize and reward people who use ordinary means to empower and uplift their community in extraordinary ways.

Duckett grew up in Texas and lives in Connecticut with her family. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing from the University of Houston and an MBA from Baylor University.

Grab your issue now at www.ascensionmediahouse.com‼️

10/22/2025

‼️ASCENSION MAGAZINE - NOVEMBER 2025 NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN‼️

This is a BIG deal…next month’s cover will have THE MOST IMPORTANT executive woman in a Fortune 500 company on it!

You know a tree by the fruit it bears. 💯

Don’t miss an opportunity to have your story told in next month’s issue! Nominate a woman doing amazing work and if that’s you, nominate yourself! 🤩

www.ascensionmediahouse.com

10/20/2025

Nominate HER now .com‼️🤗

10/20/2025

‼️Nominate an Ordinary Woman Doing Extraordinary Things‼️

This November 15th, Ascension Magazine is celebrating the women who embody our theme — Ordinary Roots, Extraordinary Impact!

We’re spotlighting five (5) phenomenal women who are making powerful moves in business, leadership, and their communities — and we want you to help us find them.

If you know an ordinary woman doing extraordinary things, nominate her today! Simply visit ascensionmediahouse.com to complete our quick nomination form. You’ll share:

✨ Your name and email
✨ Nominee name, business, and/or title
✨ Why nominee deserves to be recognized (in 250 words or less)
✨ One photo of your nominee (JPEG or PNG)
✨ A $25 nomination submission fee (nonrefundable regardless of your nominee being selected)

***One of these 5 ladies will be the recipient of a lumpsum portion of submission fees***

🕛 Entries close Friday, October 31st at 11:59 PM CST.

This is your chance to honor a woman whose light deserves to be seen. Let’s celebrate the quiet builders, bold dreamers, and everyday changemakers whose extraordinary impact inspires us all.

Nominate now.
Because extraordinary starts with you. ❤️

www.ascensionmediahouse.com

10/15/2025

‼️ASCENSION MAGAZINE - OCTOBER COVER FEATURE - BONNIE BRAXTON, FNP‼️

For more than 15 years, Bonnie Braxton, FNP, has devoted her career to helping men and women reclaim their health, energy, and vitality. As the founder of LT Clinics, she has guided thousands of patients through hormone optimization, weight management, and preventative care—always with one goal in mind: helping people live their best lives.

The spark that inspired Bonnie to open her own clinic came while working with hormone replacement patients early in her career. She remembers listening to their stories—how improved energy and balance led to better relationships, stronger marriages, greater success at work, and renewed motivation at home. “Hearing those stories made my nurse’s heart so happy,” Bonnie says. “I’ve only ever been in medicine to help others, and this work feeds my soul. It fulfills my purpose to care for those in need.”

That calling shaped LT Clinics into more than just a medical practice. It became a place where science and compassion come together to restore health, confidence, and quality of life. Bonnie and her team run the clinic in a way that makes every patient feel welcome, ensures care is efficient and respectful of their time, and always puts safety first. Just as important, customer service is a top priority—patients aren’t treated like numbers; they’re treated like family.

Family, in fact, is at the core of everything Bonnie does. She and her husband, Bill, have been married for 23 years and are raising two teenagers who keep them busy and inspired. Her extended family has played an important role in LT Clinics’ growth, and many of her employees feel like family too—sharing the same vision, values, and passion for helping patients. Together, they’ve built a culture of warmth, trust, and excellence that patients can feel the moment they walk in.

09/18/2025

Hey there! For September, we wanted to share the digital flip book for our September issue featuring Melinda Harris Miller‼️

Feel free to share this FREE issue with your family, friends and colleagues! Enjoy! ❤️

Online Flipbook created with Publuu Flipbook Maker.

09/15/2025

‼️ASCENSION MAGAZINE - MELINDA HARRIS MILLER- SEPTEMBER COVER FEATURE‼️

Melinda Harris Miller has spent 25 years as a realtor, ABR, SFR, CRLS, relocation specialist & luxury agent serving residents & investors in DFW.

She has also served as a part of the Women's Council of Realtors. She spent more than 10 years as a part of the Agent Leadership Council locally, regionally, and internationally for Keller Williams Realty. Voted BEST of D magazine for consecutive years as a team with her husband, Dennis Miller. Where they have served the DFW Metroplex for 20+ years together. Melinda accepted an opportunity to join the leadership team of KW Lone Star (formerly KW Arlington) for 5 years. She served as Director of Training, an Assistant Team Leader, and a Team Leader. She boldly led during 2020 when many leaders retreated. She is currently a real estate mentor & trainer. She was nominated by her peers as a culture ambassador locally and served regionally by exemplifying the culture of God, family, and then business. She was recognized for using her RE profits to support single parents, her church, and her community.

Melinda eventually developed a nonprofit called the 1002 Foundation Inc. She has received such distinguished awards as Rookie of the Year, Top 10 in Profit, Top Team, the Eagle Award for her leadership, Top Dog Recruiter, and Rockstar Recruiter by leading numerous people into real estate and to her brokerage. She and her husband are in the top 500 selected by Real Producers. As well as the top 5% of their brokerage. She is in the top 10% in the country of Real Estate Agents. She has been training and coaching agents while leading a team with her husband, Dennis Miller.

When you come in contact with her, you will know why their slogan is "Synergy Makes the Difference," because they wholeheartedly believe in creating a win-win with their clients.

Check out our website at ascensionmediahouse.com to grab your annual subscription today! ❤️

08/07/2025

‼️ASCENSION MAGAZINE - AUGUST ISSUE - TARJI CARTER, THE FRANCHISE PLAYER‼️

Tarji Carter, the visionary force behind The Franchise Player, leads a groundbreaking movement dedicated to amplifying Black-owned franchises nationwide. Through The Franchise Player, Tarji empowers aspiring franchisees and small business owners with invaluable education, resources, and opportunities.

Moreover, Tarji co-founded The Franchise Game, the first and only African American Franchise Symposium and Trade Show in the country.

With nearly two decades of franchise sales and development expertise, Tarji has guided countless small business operators in achieving their dreams of franchise ownership. She has played a pivotal role in expanding the reach of renowned brands such as Cinnabon, Dunkin’, Wingstop, Edible Arrangements, and Bojangles’.

Tarji’s passion for community and culture fuels her mission. She is dedicated to sharing the wealth of knowledge amassed throughout her career, ensuring that current and future franchise owners are primed for unparalleled success.

Be sure to grab this month’s issue on our website at www.ascensionmediahouse.com!

08/07/2025

‼️ASCENSION MAGAZINE - AUGUST ISSUE - TARJI CARTER, THE FRANCHISE PLAYER‼️

Tarji Carter, the visionary force behind The Franchise Player, leads a groundbreaking movement dedicated to amplifying Black-owned franchises nationwide. Through The Franchise Player, Tarji empowers aspiring franchisees and small business owners with invaluable education, resources, and opportunities.

Moreover, Tarji co-founded The Franchise Game, the first and only African American Franchise Symposium and Trade Show in the country.

With nearly two decades of franchise sales and development expertise, Tarji has guided countless small business operators in achieving their dreams of franchise ownership. She has played a pivotal role in expanding the reach of renowned brands such as Cinnabon, Dunkin', Wingstop, Edible Arrangements, and Bojangles’.

Tarji's passion for community and culture fuels her mission. She is dedicated to sharing the wealth of knowledge amassed throughout her career, ensuring that current and future franchise owners are primed for unparalleled success.

Be sure to grab this month’s issue on our website at www.ascensionmediahouse.com!

07/15/2025

‼️ASCENSION Magazine’s July 2025 Cover Feature - Mayor Rachel L. Proctor‼️

Entrepreneur. Advocate. Bridge Builder.

Rachel L. Proctor is the 22nd Mayor of DeSoto, Texas, a city she leads with vision, conviction, and grace. Elected during the turbulence of a global pandemic and Winter Storm Uri in 2021, she quickly demonstrated steady, people-centered leadership. In 2025, she made history again—winning one of DeSoto’s most competitive mayoral elections with a commanding 54% of the vote in a five-candidate race, eliminating the need for a runoff and reaffirming the community’s trust in her direction.

A Texas-bred entrepreneur and ordained minister, Mayor Proctor is known for fusing faith, policy, and purpose. She is the Owner and Administrative Director of the Neighborhood Christian Learning Center of Dallas, a nationally accredited family-run childcare center that’s served the community for over 30 years. Her belief in holistic community care also led her to bring the first of three Salata franchise locations to DeSoto in 2024—breaking records with the highest-grossing grand opening of the year.

As Mayor, she has launched initiatives like the DeSoto COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster), the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club, Move with the Mayor wellness events, a paid internship program for students, and “Able to Work,” an initiative that supports National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Her nonprofit, EMERGE Leadership, Inc., has awarded nearly $25,000 in scholarships to first-generation college women and provided laptops and resources for academic success. Mayor Proctor also holds key leadership roles on the boards of regional and national coalitions, including the African American Mayors Association and the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition.

She is a two-time published author, the founder of Morsels and Mentorship women’s retreats, and a sought-after speaker on faith-based leadership and community empowerment. A proud alumna of DeSoto High School and the University of Texas at Arlington, she has been honored with over 30 awards for public service, innovation, and women’s leadership—including the 2024 NFL Alumni Association Tackle Obesity Award and the 2025 Beacon of Excellence Award from UTA.

Mayor Rachel L. Proctor is a woman of strategy, service, and spiritual strength—building a legacy in DeSoto that reflects the power of purpose-driven leadership.

Be sure to grab this month’s issue and annual subscription at ascensionmediahouse.com!