Reflecting on the passage of time often brings a profound sense of gratitude. This week, I am filled with joy as I share a personal milestone: I have had the distinct honor of writing The Religion Corner for 21 years, a journey that began in 2005.
I want to extend my deepest thanks to our publisher here at The Washington Informer, Denise Rolark Barnes. Thank you, Denise, for your unwavering support and for providing me with such a vast and meaningful platform at The Washington Informer to reach our beautiful community.
Once my column became syndicated and folks around the world began to read it, picked up by Black Press USA and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), I was delighted! I’m proud to share that I have heard from readers across America and from people in other countries, stretching from the continent of Africa to Denmark in Europe. It has been a blessing to share this space with you all.
Over the years, we have explored many paths to spiritual and personal wellness together. I hope you recall our annual Type 2 diabetes series, done in memory of my mother; it has been and continues to be a mission close to my heart.
We have also spent many weeks diving into my signature series based on Napoleon Hill’s “13 Principles of Success,” applying those timeless lessons, like persistence and faith, to our daily walk. James 1:3-4 says: “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
This series has been shared with readers because only a small portion of the Black community had heard of or read “Think and Grow Rich.” Since it changed the trajectory of my life, I knew it would do the same for anyone who decides to practice the principles taught and put them to the test.
That’s exactly what I did. I said to myself, “Since these principles are an insurance policy against failure, I am going to study and learn what the title of the book means, when the author Napoleon Hill says the secret is on the cover of his book.” It took years; I kept looking at that cover, until one day, I realized: whatever we do in life is based on the way we think. That’s right, the word “think” is the key. Change the way you think, and you will change your life. There are ways to do this. Do NOT think that you were born a certain way, and however you think today is the end of the story. No. Life is change! We can definitely make that change!
The blessings don’t stop on the printed page, however; we must put in the work to get there — it took years for me. Once you have made that change, no one can take that from you.
This coming June 2026, which is only a few days away, marks the 16th anniversary of hosting my radio show and podcast, “Think on These Things: The Lyndia Grant Show.” I have truly enjoyed hosting high-level guests like AmeriHealth Caritas DC CEO Karen Dale, millionaire attorney Jack Olender, and legendary gospel artists like Pastor Shirley Caesar and Pastor Charles Jenkins, both incredible Grammy Award winners. Though both of these history-makers have gone home to be with the Lord, I have also had the privilege to interview D.C. Mayor Marion Barry and the Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, just to name a few.
Each shared stories of achievements that inspired us all. My success as a radio show host is based entirely on the 13 principles to success, which is a book that is biblically sound. Each day I live, I am practicing these principles. Connecting with you through the airwaves has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
However, this journey has also been marked by seasons of loss. In this column, we have mourned and honored the lives of giants, like both of my parents, Bishop Benjamin F. Grant and my mom Fannie Estelle Grant; from the “Queen of Gospel” Albertina Walker to my beloved brother, Elton Leon Grant. We covered my other mother, Dr. Marjorie Harris, who served as president of the Lewis College of Business in Detroit, Michigan, and finally, my godmother, the Honorable Willie B. Kennedy, who was a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. In those times of grief, we leaned on the promise of 1 Thessalonians 4:13, knowing we do not grieve like those without hope.
Thank you for being part of this 21-year journey. I invite you to stay connected and tune in weekly to “The Lyndia Grant Show.” You can listen live every Friday at 6 p.m. on Spirit 1340 WYCB at myspiritdc.com.
As we look forward to the future, let us continue to “think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 says: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.”
Lyndia Grant is a speaker/writer living in the D.C. area. Her radio show, “Think on These Things,” airs Fridays at 6 p.m. on 1340 AM (WYCB), a Radio One station. To reach Grant, go to her website, www.lyndiagrant.com, email lyndiagrantshowdc@gmail.com or call 240-602-6295. Follow her on X @LyndiaGrant and on Facebook.
