

JOY is my CHOICE is led by Marla Pittman-Echols. As a wife, mother, sister, friend, educator, author and JOY curator, she encourages us all to make joy an intentional part of our lives.
As a native of Columbia, Mississippi, southern hospitality is at her core. She strives to intentionally live life on PURPOSE, in PURPOSE with her husband, Wendell and son, Terrean.
She is a proponent that JOY is a CHOICE! She believes in affirming, valuing, and empowering others by meeting them where they are, while they live out the best versions of themselves. She believes that there is always an opportunity to find JOYfactors.
One of here JOYfactors is "Capturing God's Beauty" in the pictures that she captures. (ImagesbyME) What are yours?
#JOYismyCHOICE #JOYfactors
MISSION
Cultivate joyful experiences that educate, elevate, and empower.
VISION
Educate by connecting resources and people, elevate by identifying opportunities that facilitate wellbeing and collaboration, and empower individuals to thrive in their full potential. We are committed to fostering environments that highlight meaningful relationships where individuals thrive and succeed.
CORE VALUES
Educate: We prioritize the dissemination of information and resources to empower others.
Elevate: We foster opportunities for fellowship, collaboration, and meaningful relationships.
Empower: We believe in the power of strong, supportive connections to achieve shared goals.
ACCOMPANYING COLORING BOOK!! You get to make Joy and Hope's adventure from Mississippi to California come to life with colors chosen by you! Embark on an exploration of colors as you travel along with best friends, Joy and Hope. Joy is a bold and optimistic eagle and Hope is a gentle and encouraging butterfly. Together, they go on adventures around the world where they meet new friends and create lasting memories. They also face some adversity, but use resiliency strategies and lived experiences to help them overcome. In the end, they realize no matter the situation, they can intentionally choose joy, because JOY is a CHOICE!
Author: Marla Pittman-Echols
Illustrators: Myles Berrington & Yasmin Guilfoyle
ISBN: 979-8-9939326-1-3
Publication: November 2025
Publisher: JOY is my CHOICE - Marla Echols


Marla Echols
Founder/JOY Curator
Marla Echols is a wife, mother, sister, friend, educator, author and JOY curator. As a native of Columbia, Mississippi, southern hospitality is at her core. She strives to intentionally live life on PURPOSE, in PURPOSE with her husband, Wendell and son, Terrean.
She is a proponent that JOY is a CHOICE! She believes in affirming, valuing, and empowering others to find and live the most authentic versions of themselves. She believes there is always an opportunity to find JOYfactors.
One of here JOYfactors is "Capturing God's Beauty" in the pictures that she photographs. (ImagesbyME)
#JOYismyCHOICE #JOYfactors