Urban Sentinel (November 2020 Edition) by urbansentinel

N O V E M B E R 2020 E D I T I O N

Regina BELLE

freedom!

EDITORIAL

From The Desk of The Editor Reginald Kearney Editor

Corretta L. Doctor

Brandon J. Jolly

Business Manager

Layout Designer

Yvonne Medley

C. NaTasha Richburg

Writer

Musa Bangura

Anita Davis-DeFoe

Writer

Stacey Henry-Carr

Bridgette Alfred

Writer

Sarah Jefferis

Jay Arrington

Writer

Claudia Newby-Tynes

Dr. Sharon H. Porter

Writer

Urban Sentinel Magazine Address: 102 Discovery Ct. La Plata, Maryland 20646 Phone: 301-661-3989 Editor Reginald Kearney Advertising Inquiries Phone: 301-661-3989 E-mail: reginald.kearney@marylanddailyexaminer.com Website: www.urbansentinel.com

The end of the year is approaching fast as we move into the month of November. Many families are preparing to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, but the celebration will be different this year because of the social distancing requirements due to the Covid-19 virus. It is being suggested that we scale back the family gatherings and stay at home with a small group of family. As we know, this too should pass. Let us continue to pray for everyone that is affected by this virus and let’s not forget our essential workers when we pray. This month’s cover features the great songstress, Regina Belle. There are many beautiful voices in the world of music, but her voice is her fingerprint. Although her soulful voice is very recognizable, there is much more to the career and industry presence of Regina Belle; her talents are widely respected, and she is a special force in this world. Regina Belle is a successful artist who is also a wife, mother, minister, and caregiver. She has traveled the world and gleaned many insightful lessons which she will impart upon the readers of the Urban Sentinel magazine. This issue features a plethora of great stories that are filled with heart warming sentiments and words of encouragement. We are excited for you to turn each page and enjoy the articles from front to back. We are striving to be a favorite magazine to readers around the world. We are reaching homes across nations and sharing stories of empowerment, inspiration and entertainment from the film, music and literary industries. In keeping with our broad approach to bringing you the very best information in a highly professional manner, we are striving to be the best. We value the feedback from our readers because it helps us to grow. Please email us at reginald.kearney@marylanddailyexaminer.com with your feedback. If you would like to advertise with us, send an email with the word ‘Advertise’ in the subject line. Like us on FaceBook at The Urban Sentinel, follow us on Twitter at @UrbanSentinel and you may follow us on Instagram at @theurbansentinel . Visit our website at www.UrbanSentinelMagazine.com . I invite you to view our new show, ‘Urban Sentinel Live’, which can be viewed on Facebook @UrbanSentinelLive on Monday nights at 8:30pmET. It is a half hour show that features guests that have been featured in the Urban Sentinel magazine. Thank you for your continued support. The Urban Sentinel magazine and talk show are great ways to share amazing stories about amazing talent. We thank you in advance for sharing our brand with your fans, family, and followers. We hope you enjoy all of the great stories in the November 2020 edition.

SUMMARY

African Americans Are Languishing in the Vast Wasteland of American Values

Caregiver Month Spotlight: Jenell Brown

James C. Birdsong Jr.-Creating a Godcentered Legacy

Honoring the Mother-Artist

Agree to Disagree and Still Walk in Love

Are You Pivoting and Positioning Yourself For Work

The Importance of the Makeup Artist

Regina Belle: Caring From Her Soul

Have You Sharpened your Personal Skills in your Business

Takia Ross: Baltimore’s Beautiful Beacon of Light

Give Thanks... Regardless

Change Your Thinking

I’m Speaking

Diabetes and Nutrition

A Decade of Impacting the Lives of Children in Street Situation

Thanksgiving

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

African Americans ARE LANGUISHING IN THE VAST WASTELAND OF AMERICAN VALUES by jay arrington for the urban sentinel Turn on cable TV news- conservative or liberal- and

is. If it is true that the price for individual freedom is

you will no doubt hear someone reference American

self-reliance, is it any wonder then why blacks have

Values. And depending upon whose ears the term fell,

always been denied self-reliance. Unless of course it

would evoke different meanings, and elicit different

was profitable- for someone else. And where thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

responses.

profit, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competition.

The same holds true for the person making the

And speaking of competition. What better place to pit

statement. For people on the left the term might

black folks against one another then in the wasteland

signify empathy, compassion, and diversity, etc.

of American Values? Mistakenly we believed that

While for people on the right the term might signify

desegregating schools, lunch counters, etc. would

apathy, disdain, or white nationalism- the latter three

translate into equality of opportunity. Sadly, though,

not necessarily mutually exclusive.

what equality of opportunity required of us was forfeiture of our own family and community values.

Political and cultural ideology aside, when one

Instead of lifting one another, we began competing

considers that American Values were not formulated

with one another. And in the process, we began tearing

with blacks in mind- at least ones of good intentions-

one another down.

it should come as no surprise then that blacks find themselves on a metaphorical exodus. Languishing in

Tearing one another down was not easy. It was hard

the vast wasteland of American Values, be they well

work. It was hard because we were not accustomed to

intentioned or not.

harming one another. We were not proficient at the art of practicing American Values. It is not like we had

In the wasteland the only value/s ever assigned to

not been in a wasteland before. In the wasteland of

blacks were those associated more with property than

disenfranchisement black folk held hands. Whereas

with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For

in the wasteland of American Values black folk raise

blacks there was no liberty nor pursuit of happiness.

clinched fist and throw stones at one another.

And the only reason blacks were ever afforded life was because it was profitable. For someone else that 4

Turned out American Values were not our values. The

even personal ones.” They are what distinguishes

collectivism we practiced as slaves and post slavery,

our country from all others. They are what make us

was usurped by the very individualistic sense of

“Americans.””

entitlement that initially enslaved us. The bittersweet fruits of desegregation. What price faux equality?

Couldn’t have said it better. Not our cultural values.

A self-imposed constructive eviction into the vast

Not our moral values. And certainly not us. Or at least

wasteland of American Values.

what we used to be.

According to vintageamericanways.com/americanvalues/, “It is important to note that these six American values are cultural values and not moral values, or

Photo Credit: www.tagxedo.com

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

Caregiver Month Spotlight:

Jenell Brown by Musu Bangura for the urban sentinel

When Jenell Brown first noticed that her child functioned differently than others, not only was she concerned, she immediately started judging herself. The, “where did I go wrong,” or “what did I do during my pregnancy” questions started to plague her mind. After her son was officially diagnosed with autism at age 8, she was able to learn more about the special needs condition and is on a journey to inform and inspire. The Parent Advocacy Specialist and author is the CEO and founder of William is Artistic, consulting firm for parents who are looking for support and resources when it comes to raising an autistic child. The organization will soon be converted to a non-profit organization, where Jenell will be able to broaden her platform as a supporter and advocate for parents. Jenell recently took time out of her busy schedule to expound on her journey, what she’s learned about her son and how she can effectively use her voice to tell her story. US: What is your reason and vision behind William is Artistic? JB: The organization is a parent support group and advocacy association. We are in the process of turning it into a non-profit organization. I decided to form the organization based on my own personal journey with son, who was diagnosed with the autism spectrum disorder back in November of 2018. Going through that gave me a reason to establish something where I can help other parents. I remember feeling kind of hopeless and not knowing where to turn and I’m sure other parents who have been through that felt the same way. On top of that my son had mental health challenges he was experiencing. So there are challenges not only on the medical side, but on the educational side as well. Turning the association into a nonprofit association will provide me the opportunity to spread awareness and help parents who may be struggling with their children. US: What is the biggest misconception people may have about autistic children? JB: As parents, we automatically come down on ourselves, 6

trying to figure out what we did that may have caused our child to be autistic. Hearing the words, “what’s wrong with your son” was very difficult for me in the beginning of my journey. I hated hearing the words “wrong” and “my son” in the same sentence. There’s nothing wrong with him, it’s just that my son has a very creative way of thinking. That’s why I started William is Artistic because he is very creative through art when it comes to expressing himself. The other misconception people have is that being autistic is a form of mental retardation and that my son is prevented from thinking or being normal. You hear a lot of that from people outside the autistic community where people really don’t understand what having autism really means. Autistm shows up in many different ways and a lot of people don’t realize that. US: What moved you to start sharing your journey as a writer? JB: I grew up journaling, as a result of anxiety and depression that I suffered from. But being able to share my story has been a form of journaling, sharing and connecting with other people. Those are the things that have been very helpful. In the beginning, it was hard because I had a difficult time sharing, but the more I talked and wrote about, the more I was able to connect, learn and spread awareness. When I started sharing though, it was difficult to do it with my family on social media, especially on Facebook where a lot of people knew me. That was difficult because I had heard things like “all you need to do is spank that boy’s behind,” things like that, you know you hear a lot in the black community. That stigma is always there. It made me even more afraid to share, especially on the Facebook platform. Instagram made me feel more comfortable in sharing because it was a little bit more open and it was a bit more anonymous, which made it better for me when it came to being open. Doing that built a relief for me. What drove my motivation even more was when my son wondered away from home one day and no one knew where he was. I was an hour away when I learned from the caregiver that he wondered off. It wasn’t that we were irresponsible. My son is very wise and when he has something on his mind

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

that he wants to go for, he will figure out a very clever way to get to it. Fortunately, because we lived on base, the security officers found him. That was the turning point – that scare alone, when you’ve learned that your child has wondered off, that was a turning point for me. Then in 2017 I connected with someone who was following my story on Instagram. The person was working on a project that she wanted me to be a part of. Eventually, she made me a co-author of her bestselling book. Mind you at this time, we didn’t have diagnosis for my son. We were dealing with the diagnosis of ADHD and DMDD (Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. There was no autism diagnosis yet. So, I opened up and shared my experiences in that book. That journey was hard because at the time of my writing, I was still going through a lot of challenges with my son. I learned so much about sharing emotional moments through writing. Because of that I able to connect with people; it was one of the best things for me and my voice. The book alone is wonderful because it helps women connect to other women who are going through challenges and how they were able to get through. US: General advice for parents: JB: My son’s autism was showing through his behavior; he was showing as an aggressive child. He was very unstable when it came to his moods. He was very high and very low on the emotional side. After multiple hospitalizations, including out of state care for seven months, our Developmental Pediatric Doctor decided to an assessment. I’m very grateful for that assessment because it allowed me to understand my son more. It’s important to do a lot of research at the beginning. Learn what autism means. Learn how it can show up and learn what resources will work best for your child. As a mother of five boys, I’ve learned how to be a better parent to all of my children because William taught me there’s various parenting styles when it comes to raising more than one child. The other thing is to not do the journey alone. Many nights I cried – even though I had a good support system around me, but no one could relate or understand what I was going through as mom. Find a support group of families whose child is also on the spectrum. You’ll be able to share and hear other people share their journeys as well. There are multitudes of services out there for autism families. It’s definitely a matter of research but there is so much out there when it comes to resources and services. 8

The village of support – I’m so grateful for them because it really does take a village. I’m also reserve military and my spouse is active duty and he deploys; the mission doesn’t stop. I was left alone at times to raise the children while he was on deployment. I constantly ask God for guidance on how to best manage so that all of my children are getting the attention they need because sometimes, I don’t know how I’m able to manage everything. It’s possible, but just don’t try to do it by yourself. Jenell is co-author of the best-selling book, Woman Unveiled, 13 Stories of Restoration to Power, Purpose and Peace. She is the process of writing William is Artistic, the book. To get in touch with Jenell regarding her organization and written work, visit WilliamisArtistic.com or email her at williamisartistic@gmail.com.

James

C. Birdsong Jr.

CREATING A GOD-CENTERED LEGACY by Stacey Henry-Carr for the urban sentinel

What do you do when you were born and raised with Gospel Music and have the church at the center of your life? James C. Birdsong Jr. followed his heart and his passion and made Gospel music his life-long purpose. He is a member of the famous Birdsong family, which includes R&B legend Cindy Birdsong, a former member of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells and the Supremes, former four-time NBA All-Star pro basketball player Otis Birdsong and the late Edwin Birdsong, a GRAMMY®-Award winner and legendary 1970s era funk keyboardist, whose music has been sampled by Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, and Daft Punk. James' work is to give back to the community and put his fingerprint on the Birdsong family legacy. When he was 14 years old, he dreamt out loud during a conversation he had with his godmother. She asked him, “James what do you see yourself doing when you grow up?”

He told her, “I want to help young people.” Many years after that conversation in 2018, God spoke to him and said, “Its time now.” It was through his childhood dream and his vision and purpose to help young people that Birdsong Association of Broadcasting and Arts, Inc. (BABA) was created, and James C. Birdsong Jr. is the Founder, President & Executive Director. He said he can relate to young people and understands what they are going through. God is using him to give back to the youths. He knows how it feels to be teased and bullied and had his challenges growing up. Some of the young people he knew growing up did not make it to their 18th or 21st birthdays. He said the church, gospel music, teachers and family influenced and laid the foundation that made him who he is today. Even when he did not see it for himself, others motivated and encouraged him. He said, “Our goal in life is to be winners and achievers, not losers. This generation today, they are crying out they do not have the level of support we had.” It is

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

this support that James C. Birdsong Jr. is providing through his 501c3 non-profit organization BABA. Birdsong Association of Broadcasting & Arts, Inc. will help today’s African American youth in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and will expand to New York, especially our inner cities to pursue their dreams and careers of performing arts and media broadcasting. The organization will do the following: • Various Programs and Initiatives • Scholarships • Fundraising Activities • Workshops • Sing Out Loud! An Evening of Gospel Music – Our yearly annual benefit Gospel concert and Pre-Concert VIP Awards Gala • Partnerships – Atlanta Public Schools, Los Angeles School Districts, 38 HBCUs (Including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse, and Spelman), Etc. • Major Media Marketing Campaign Andrea Ashmore, Managing Partner – The ACT Team: Marietta, Georgia • Contacts to celebrities, elected officials, corporations, etc. The vision of this organization is “Preserving arts and broadcasting for today’s youth as future leaders on a platform by being advocates in the African American community from an artistic and media perspective. The dreamers of today will become achievers of tomorrow as a voice for change”. BABA offers six programs, and James will partner closely with members of the community to fulfill the needs of the youths: Speak Your Mind: Young aspiring actors, actresses, vocalists, dancers, and musicians to prepare themselves for auditions and improve their skills. This program will obtain the services of professional actors, actresses, dancers, musicians, and instructors. Next Generation Producers: Youth will learn to be successful in music production and obtain hands-on experience with an established producer in the recording studio. This program will obtain the services of producers to provide the expertise of the production process from recording to mastering. Behind the Camera: The youth will learn how to produce films and operate the camera. This program will obtain the services of filmmakers and camera operators to provide the expertise of film making and camera operations. Write the Script: Teaching young playwriters to write scripts for films, musicals, and stage plays. This program 10

will obtain the services of playwriters from independent and major productions. Sound the Airwaves: Preparing the next generation of media personalities in television and radio broadcasting. This program will obtain the services of media personalities and instructors in mass communication. Step Up for College: Provide aid to high school students preparing themselves to attend college as arts and broadcasting majors at HBCUs (Historical Black Colleges and Universities). We will develop a partnership with Atlanta-based institutions such as Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse, and Spelman College. Additional HBCUs throughout the United States will be included in this partnership. James C. Birdsong, Jr. is an aspiring Gospel vocalist, songwriter, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, advocate for our children, and author of an inspirational memoir, The Best is Yet to Come: A Testimony of One Young Man’s Redemption. It took him one year to write the book and it takes people through a journey of his life with historical events. His journey through gospel music started with hearing his father listen to iconic gospel artists such as the Caravans, Reverend James Cleveland, Reverend Cleophus Robinson, and Sam Cooke & the Soul Stirrers. His father was a gifted and talented singer in his own right who had opportunities to record but did not pursue it. When he was growing up in Richmond, California he listened to the Gospel station KDIA and had his cassette tape ready to record. At 11 years old, he was in the church choir and later had a vocal coach. In high school, he would go to the library and research the Gospel artists, and he decided he wanted to learn the business. It was while he was in 10th grade, he wrote a paper about the Gospel music industry and earned an “A” it had inspired him to learn and grow. My favorite story he told was about when he was on a field trip, he went to a Virgin Records music store and he bought “Gospel Today Magazine, May/June 1997” with some of the money his mother gave him for his trip. He said he read it and then subscribed to it for 5 years. He credited this magazine for teaching him and igniting the enthusiasm he shares with the world regarding Gospel Music. James C. Birdsong Jr. and his mother stepped out on faith and moved to Atlanta in 2005. He said, “If you want to pursue your dreams you have to go where it is.” It was there that he got connected with people in the Gospel industry and was able to make his mark. Pursuing his dreams included higher learning,

joining organizations, and earning numerous awards and accolades. In 2010, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Education from Beulah Heights University in Atlanta. Most recently he earned a Graduate Certificate in Marketing at the University of Phoenix in Phoenix, AZ. He has a professional affiliation with the Global United Fellowship, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Gospel Music Workshop of America, the GMA Dove Awards through the Gospel Music Association in Nashville, and the Stellar Awards through the Stellar Awards Gospel Music Academy in Chicago.

going to bless other people. When God’s favor is on your life, he is going to take you places you will never imagine. In his words, “When my assignment is over in this world, I want to leave a legacy as a person who did the best I could to help people, especially children. I must do what God has purposed me to do.” Visit and bookmark Mr. Birdsong’s website to stay updated with his endeavors. www.jamescbirdsongjr.net https://www.babaonline.org/

Dedication and passion for his craft paid off with the impressive award of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and multiple listee in Who's Who in America. The Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor of distinction by Marquis Who's Who Publications. Past recipients include former Secretary of State Colin Powell and business magnate Warren Buffet. He was also nominated for the 2020 4th Annual Gulf Coast Gospel Music Awards for Kingdom Influencer of the Year. Even a man as busy as James C. Birdsong Jr. knows how to have fun. Although Covid-19 slowed down some of what he loves to do, he shared that he loves to spend time with family, amusement parks, and historical landmarks. A fun fact is when he was younger, he liked video games and the vivid memory of playing a karate game made him smile. Although 2020 slowed down some of his plans he is ready and determined to resume the events to talk to the youths in 2021. He sends his prayers to people who lost loved ones. He said like the MC Hammer’s song he is “Too Legit to Quit“ and stated that, when something is built on a solid foundation it is going to stay strong. I asked him what he would put on a billboard in the middle of Times Square and his answer was consistent with the theme of our conversation. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) God has blessed his dreams to come through. This Godcentered life is a part of his family legacy and I know that James will continue to be successful and impact the lives of young people and the Gospel music Industry. His advice for young people in the industry is that they should put God first, connect with the right group of people, learn how to market, and study the industry because it changes every day. If the music is promoting a positive message it is URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

Honoring the Mother-Artist by Sarah Jefferis for the urban sentinel According to research, sound healing reduces stress and

more visible to those who would be perceived as the enemy

releases endorphins. It lowers your blood pressure, creates

on the other side of the conflict. She taught writing to build

new neural pathways in the brain. It can be a practice as

bridges between people, both on the inside and across the

simple as humming. It is, exactly in the middle of this global

table. “My jam has always been about connecting people

pandemic, climate crisis, and wild election, what we all

to their authentic voice, their creative life force energy, for

need to be doing more of. Humming. Humming ourselves

healing, and transformation, and sound is one of the tools

down. Humming ourselves back to our senses. And Elana

for that.”

Bell, a mother artist, poet, and creative alchemist, is the woman who can teach us how to connect with the Divine

I first met Elana in 2013, at a residency at the Saltonstall Arts

through sound.

Foundation, and she was the kind of poet I wanted to be, or at least hang out with. Calm, centered, and fiercely committed

Elana first recognized that sound medicine was what she

to welcoming all of the emotions into a verse on the page or

needed to tap into shortly after her first son was born.

into a conversation about bread. And she was super keen

She had him late in life, after establishing herself as a poet

on morning smoothies to boot. I was in grief for most of

and workshop facilitator, and even as she was delighted to

2013, just beginning to stand and create again after the

have a child with her loving husband of eight years, she

unexpected end of a long marriage that had nearly broken

mourned the change that it brought to her identity. The

me. Elana told me that the Universe had more waiting for

first six months of being a mom for many of us can be, even

me. I didn’t know how to believe her then, but I wanted to.

in its joy, incredibly difficult. It was not easy for Elana to

And I am mighty grateful. Our meeting at Saltonstall was

engage in the life she was used to--attending residencies

divinely orchestrated.

to write, traveling, and teaching; the very ways she had anchored herself to the world had shifted, or in some cases,

Her debut collection, Eyes Stones, brings her heritage as

disappeared. “I was alone with this crying, adorable child; I

the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors to consider the

experienced a lot of anxiety. One morning he was sleeping,

difficult question of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. This is

and I recalled a workshop I had taken with Sylvia Nakkach,

a book you need to get your hands on. And even more so,

a woman who uses sound as medicine, and I remembered

her most recent heart-opening collection, Mother Country,

a 21-minute humming practice she had shared. As I began

(BOA Editions on October 6th, 2020 ) circles around the

the practice, I felt an immediate shift in my mental state; I

question: How do you deal with the grief of losing someone

felt like I could rise again and take care of myself and my

who is still alive? This question vibrates in the poems, and as

son.” This humming practice filled her spirit.

a reader, I felt invited to deal with my mother-wound; called to the realization that I needed to forgive my mother and that

Before motherhood, Elana’s work as a poet, performer,

someday my girls will need to forgive me. This collection will

and educator had taken her all over the globe, where she

crack you open. The poems record the difficulty of getting

led creative writing workshops for people from regions in

pregnant with her son, the grief of miscarriage, the grief of

conflict--namely Palestinians, Jordanians, and Israeli’s.

her mother’s Parkinson diagnosis, and her own struggles

She specialized in helping writers make their narratives

with mental illness. “In 2010, I was in a particularly rough URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

place emotionally, and I had this fear of becoming like

we as readers are placed in the position of her unborn son.

my mother, and I was thinking about what do I take from her, what do I get from her, what is mine, not mine.” Bell’s

Letter to My Son, in Utero

mother, Chana, whose name means grace, is also a poet,

You are not the first.

and her legacy of honoring both ritual and verse lives in

Before you, another seed took hold,

Elana’s books and in her life.

and every morning your father rubbed my belly in wonder at what she would become.

Elegy for Mother, Still Living

When the doctor said no heartbeat, the air went out of me.

The Lord gives everything and charges

My dead baby, I thought.

by taking it back.

They would not call it that. Embryo embryo embryo they

—Jack Gilbert

said, a padded word meant to keep me from what I knew:

I was formed inside the body

Something had lived in me its whole small life and was

of a woman who wanted me

gone.

as she wanted her own life,

Forgive me for loving another before you.

allowed to drink the milk

Forgive me also the weight of my love for you, already

made only for me.

heavy with death. Forgive me. I am a Jew.

I was given mother-love,

In the middle of the celebration, I always smash the glass.

its bounty and its cocoon of those first years without language.

This book places Bell in the legacy of other

It is right to mourn the rocky hills

mother artists- Plath, Sexton, and Clifton,

of Crete where we walked, my small

mothers who wrote short poems because they

hand in hers for hours. The hidden

were writing and nursing, poets who wrote

beach where we swam naked

on the backs of envelopes while cooking and

then baked on the fine sand. Lazy

organizing and running households. This book

afternoons in her lap, her thick

challenges the myths of White Supremacy

hand stroking my curls.

and Patriarchy, in particular, the idea that we

Her fingers have stiffened.

all succeed alone. Bell reminds us of the need

Her eyes, the eyes of an animal in pain.

for community and the importance of rising

I hold my mother

together.

against the woman she is. Bell believes that creativity is our birthright Bell is a poet whose tune resonates with the Universe, and

and wants people to know they can access their

the more we talked about poetry and broke bread, the more

creativity at any given point in the day or any

I began to trust my intuition. She models how to do that in

given moment in their life. “Creativity belongs to

her life, and one can’t help but begin to mirror that same

everyone. Creative expression and connection

assurance when you are in her company. She has this magic

to that part of our selves is synonymous with

in her last lines in the poems. Her last inevitable lines hold

life force. The creative impulse is in every living

the present moment/image of the poem and simultaneously

thing. For some people, the expression of that

open up to a global historical truth. She is I and We-singular

has been dangerous. Others have had teachers

and universal at the end of her poems in her collections. In

shut them down. I want to help people connect

one poem, she writes to her son about the miscarriage, and

back to that life force inside of them.”

Rin Gong. Elana reminds us all that “We have the power I have witnessed firsthand the healing power of authentic

to alchemize our lived experiences into creative expression,

creative expression in Bell’s Creative Fire Circle, a virtual

and in doing so, we claim our stories, we claim our lives,

creativity circle that embodies creative practices to calm the

and are transformed.” In this Creative Fire Circle, we rise

nervous system and quiet the inner critic. She begins with

together, as women, as artists who honor our voices. Bell

a vocal release practice. “Take whatever you have inside

will offer another workshop in 2021, and you can find out

you—whatever state you are in, joyful, angry, grateful, and

more https://www.elanabell.com/creative-fire-circle. If you

give it sound. When it is stuck inside the body, it does not

would like to order a copy of Elana’s book, you can do so

have air. Emotions need space to move.” In this circle, we

from her publisher https://www.boaeditions.org/products/

also participate in sound meditations where Bell plays the

mother-country.

Monolina: a sound healing instrument designed to go on the body, or the North Indian Shruti, a drone instrument

To find out more about Elana, you can visit her website:

with a bellows, similar to an accordion, or the Japanese

https://www.elanabell.com/

Elana Belle's Bio Elana Bell is a poet, sound practitioner, and creative alchemist. She facilitates artistic rituals and processes that support people in accessing their authentic voice and alchemizing raw experience and emotion into artistic expression. Whether through her soul-stirring poetry, her sacred sound journeys, or through her inspiring workshops, Elana creates a space where all people’s voices and stories are heard and deeply valued. Elana is the author of Mother Country, out this fall from BOA Editions, which examines questions of motherhood, fertility, and mental illness. Elana’s first collection of poetry, Eyes, Stones, received the Walt Whitman award from the Academy of American poets and brings her complex heritage as the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors to consider the difficult question of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She holds a certification in Sound and Music Integration from the New York Open Center’s Sound and Music Institute, and leads one-on-one and group Sacred Sound Journeys using a variety of instruments and voice to support participants in tapping into a deep state of relaxation and healing, allowing space to release emotions and open the creative channel. Elana currently teaches poetry to first year acting students at the Juilliard School and sings with the Resistance Revival Chorus, a group of women activists and musicians committed to bringing joy and song to the resistance movement. URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

Agree to Disagree

A N D S T IL L W A L K IN LO V E by claudia newby tynes for the urban sentinel

In a recent message, Joyce Meyer asked, "Can I disagree and still love?" It's hard or nearly impossible to find two people who will

invade my life with their opinions and ideas. I kept silent

agree on everything. No two people (married, single, or

or nodded in agreement to what people said. Why didn’t

in between) will think or act the same. If you find such

I speak up? In hindsight, two obvious reasons were:

a person or persons, one or both of them are not true to

(1) I did not want to be rejected by others.

his or herself. People are quick to say, "If I were you, I

(2) I had not discovered my own authentic voice.

would do this or that...or I would not do... (You fill in the blank)."

Our current political season prompted me to write this article. Regardless of your political or non-political

Remember the adage, "To thine own self be true." One

affiliations; your religious or non religious views; know

or both of these two individuals are playing the role of a

that it's okay to agree to disagree. Your beliefs and my

"People Pleaser." So what is a people pleaser? Let's say

beliefs may be totally opposite, but we should not fall out

you find yourself agreeing with someone even though

with each other because of them. So why do we try to

you disagree with everything being said. You have a

force our beliefs and opinions on others?

different opinion but you do not speak up. You are a people pleaser! Or you fail to speak up because you don't

God gives us the power to choose! Did you know that

want to hurt someone's feelings or lose their friendship.

God made us free moral agents? He gave us the freedom

You are a people pleaser! Dare I go further and say that

to make our own choices, whether our choices are good

you allow others to silence your voice? You allow others

or bad. Let's look at this scripture found in Deuteronomy

to control and interject their opinions and ideas into

30:19, "...I have set before you life and death, blessings

your psyche. It's time for you to speak up using your own

and cursings: Therefore, choose life...." While God gives

authentic voice. It’s time to stop letting the opinions and

us a choice, He also tells us to make right choices by

ideas of others to speak for you.

choosing the blessed life. Life and death are in the power of our tongues. Let’s show respect and walk in love with

Listen up! It's okay to agree to disagree and still walk

others despite our differences. Can we agree to disagree

in love. For years, this scenario was a carbon copy of

and still pass the love test? The choice is yours!

me. Because of the fear of rejection, I allowed others to

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

ARE YOU PIVOTING

and Positioning Yourself for Work? by Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe for the urban sentinel

Sadly, even before the COVID-19 pandemic invaded our lives, many workers globally lacked essential skills required for work success, to include digital literacy and capabilities. Globally, to include states like Maryland, Nevada, Florida, the Caribbean and places around the world that depend heavily upon tourism revenues to fuel the local economy, COVID-19 has disrupted the hospitality sector! In its wake it has left millions unemployed, millions filled with uncertainty about their future prospects, and millions realizing that retraining is becoming a must. Every worker, whether incumbent or a job seeker, must be assessing their skillsets and aspiring to elevate them if he or she want to be job ready, and certainly if he or she want to hold on to their job. Currently, it is being suggested that there are four steps workers and businesses should consider taking right now today to be prepared for the instability of tomorrow. The four action steps include: create a sustainability platform, identify strategies in order to transition to digital/virtual work, assess skillsets and become a continuous learner, and in response to shifts in the workplace and marketplace plan strategically for the future. • The pandemic has accelerated the need to ensure that people around the globe have the necessary technology skills and access in order to do their 18

jobs. When it comes to filing for unemployment benefits, applying for business grants, applying for jobs, attending work meetings, even church, digital skills are a must. Managers and their teams are being forced to learn how to collaborate and achieve results virtually. • COVID-19 has accelerated efforts by businesses, governments and individuals to not only digitalize, but also transition to a platform model. A platform business takes an approach similar to that of technology giants. The platforms these companies have created comprise ecosystems of technologies, services and products that bring consumers and producers together, and which can scale quickly and encourage third-party collaboration, thus extending their reach. While not all sectors are wholly suited to the platform model, many industries and companies that haven’t started to evolve in that direction will be forced to do so much faster. As an individual, if you own a business you should explore opportunities of adopting a platform-business model or partnering with a platform and should prepare to compete with them. And all of us - whether owners or employees need to study platforms to understand how they affect our lives, our work, and our future. • Virtual work requirements are requiring us all to improve our digital skills but this is also forcing us no matter what area in business to also improve auxiliary skills such as collaboration, creative problem-solving

and openness to new ideas. Managers and team leaders, for example, are having to learn how to motivate and engage teams from afar. • Evaluate your technical and workplace behavioral skills, identify your opportunities for improvement, and take action to upskill immediately. Plan for your future and get busy! There are four clusters of skills considered to be 21st Century Workplace skills for success and these include: ✓ Digial-age literacy, which includes the various competencies expected in a 21st century workplace. ✓ Inventive thinking, which includes the ability to think beyond the box. ✓ Effective communication, which is the ability to clearly communicate with a wide range of audiences. ✓ High productivity, which will be a requirement of success in the 21st Century Are you preparing yourself to succeed? If you are not preparing yourself for the changes rapidly occurring in the workplace, then you need to wake up! Pivoting is a must if you want to position yourself for the world of work today and tomorrow.

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

The Importance of The

Makeup Artist Why are makeup artists so important in the film industry? Makeup artists use their talents & tools to transform and improve a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face (and sometimes their body). Their work corrects imperfections, highlights positive attributes, and remedies issues. Whether they are highlighting cheekbones for a special event, perfecting the smoky eye for a fashion shoot, or applying prosthetics for theatrical productions, these artists are truly artists in their own right. The tools of artists may differ slightly depending on the industry or setting in which they work, but a professional makeup brush set and cosmetic palette are always a must! An aspiring makeup artist has to work their way up the ladder by learning in a cosmetology trade school, makeup on the job, and by building a strong portfolio. While working as an artist can be grueling but fun, glamorous jobs are not easy to find. Becoming experienced means starting at the bottom as an assistant, or perhaps even in television or theater work and gaining a reputation with directors, actors and key make-up artists. Make-up artists are essential to making actors'/ actresses' appearance match the design sets and vision for the director. Makeup artists can be found working in a number of settings within the creative industries, such as: Film, Television, Theater and Fashion (photography, fashion shows) The responsibilities of a movie artist may vary depending on the type of work and level of responsibility that the artist has. Film artists have varying levels of responsibility related to their job titles. The key makeup artist, or makeup designer, is in charge of the entire makeup department for a movie. During pre-production, the designer reads the script and meets with the director and screenwriter to discuss their needs and ideas for the film. In some independent film situations, the artist will take on this responsibility. Key artists also will work with the key hair designer, costume designer, set designer and director of lighting throughout the film. The key make-up artist researches time periods on the film that are being made to determine how to design the makeup and special makeup effects for the film. It is very important that any member that works in makeup hair and design make sure they do their research on the film so that they can stay in whatever time period the film was created in. The key makeup artist also hires additional makeup artists for the film, sets their work schedule and supervises them during production. The artist is charged with making sure the makeup applied matches the agreed-upon style, and that continuity is maintained every day during shooting. In URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

addition, the key artist develops and stays within a budget for salaries, supplies,

The senior artist oversees the work of the other artists and usually becomes primarily responsible for continuity.

materials and special effects. Once prosthetics, hairpieces

This means making sure that actors' makeup remains the

and other make-up elements are finalized, they all must be

same or changes as filming requires, such as the addition

inventoried and stored when they are not in use.

of scars after an accident or evidence of aging as the film progresses. Makeup artists do the actual work in making the actors' appearance match the designs set for the movie. They apply and touch up the makeup. Over the course of a day, movie artists work on a schedule of make-up, hair and wardrobe calls for each actor. The assistant director sets the schedule, based on the scenes to be shot that day and passes it out late the day before. Each film artist is assigned specific actors to look after. The makeup artist will have detailed notes, sketches and photos as references to help achieve the right look. And for continuity, the artist usually makes their own notes and also takes their own photos of the actor in makeup once they complete the application. During the day, the artist or an assistant will touch up the actor's makeup and change it as required by the scenes being filmed. In my opinion, makeup artists

are

important

because they help create the characters in films and bring them to life. So as a makeup artist, I will continue to breathe life into the charters that are placed before me. “Beauty

power,

and

makeup is something that really enhances that; it’s a woman’s secret.” – Charlotte Tilbury

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

egina R

BELLE Caring From Her Soul by Stacey Henry-Carr for the urban sentinel

There are many beautiful voices in the world of music, but Regina Belle’s voice is her fingerprint. There is none other like it. Her soulful voice is a melting pot of Gospel, Jazz, and R&B that make up a unique blend that is immediately recognizable. Although this Grammy-winning artist has over thirty-three years in the music industry, there is a lot more to what makes her a special force in this world. Regina Belle the successful artist is also, a wife, mother, minister, and caregiver. This Garden State native has traveled the world and has gleaned many insightful lessons along the way. She was kind and forthright with imparting some of these lessons for the Urban Sentinel readers. Regina Belle was inspired by some music giants such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Donnie Hathaway, Patti LaBelle, Nancy Wilson, Phyllis Hyman, and Natalie Cole. She said with pride and admiration, “Pastor Shirley Caesar gave me the baton.” Regina studied Jazz, different instruments, and the great singers that paved the way, but it was important to her to create her unique voice. That voice has earned her awards and she sang classics such as her favorite song “After The Love Has Lost Its Shine” that she dedicated to her grandparents. She stated that “My grandparents shared the essence of what love looked like with 61 years of marriage.” Her passion for music started young as she started singing at 3 years old, had the first solo at 8 years old, and sang professionally at 12 years old. Music is a part of her DNA, her God-given talent. She grew up hearing her father listen to the Temptations and her Mother the Caravans, and Pastor Shirley Caesar. Regina’s musical journey continues today with songs that give a call to action for change. In this intense social atmosphere that we find our world today, there is a need to embrace things that will free our minds and souls. Regina Belle’s song “Freedom” is one such inspiration. “Freedom” is such a powerful song! Regina Belle wrote this song ten years ago, and in 2019 the first day of Black

URBAN SE NTINEL MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER

History Month she released it. As we spoke, she acknowledged that “Freedom” is as relevant today as it was a decade ago and it is unfortunate that the social injustices continue for Blacks in our country. I asked her what message she was sending to the world with the song “Freedom”? She explained that the song is a “classic story” and remained relevant for a decade. Regina Belle wishes this narrative was different and there was no reason to put out a song like “Freedom”, which reflects where we are today. She said, “We are better than this and don’t have to stand for it.” This is truly where her love for history resonated because knowing where she came from has helped her to embrace her beauty as a black woman and teach others to embrace and love themselves. She passionately stated, “We must make our voices heard so history will not repeat.” Freedom starts in the mind and Regina talked about other classic songs like Donny Hathaway’s, “Young Gifted and Black”, that have lyrics that can touch the soul and create a positive call to action for us. Regina Belle has an extensive musical journey, and it was fitting that I asked her how can music change the world we live in today? She stated that “Music reflects society as it is today, and we must be cognizant of the power it has. It has the power to upgrade as well as it has the power to downgrade.” She recognizes that each artist comes with different gifts and they tell the stories that are true for them as they see the world. She talked about songs such as Kirk Franklin’s, “Smile”, and the effect that it has when we listen to it. As she spoke, I smiled because the effect was contagious. As she stated, a song will initiate a thought in our minds and we can use music to ease our anxieties and as an artist, she has the responsibility to feed our souls with songs that will upgrade us as a race of people. She stated that the world does not love us, and we must take care of ourselves and each other. In her words “No other race of people is going through this, and it makes me want to sing the words of Marvin Gaye’s “Make Me Wanna Holler.” Although we know Regina Belle for her superpower of soulful music that stretches over 33 years, there are many

URBAN SE NTINEL MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER

layers to this talented woman. Her heartfelt stories of love and care rang through when she talked about being a caregiver to her father, mother, and brother. She is a spokesperson for AARP and Caregiving and expressed that when she became a caregiver her role as an AARP spokesperson became personal. She was able to talk to the hearts of other caregivers from her heart and soul. Regina had some advice for our Urban Sentinel readers about Caregiving. She expressed that the caregiver must be mentally prepared. She said that to take care of her mom, dad, and brother gave her joy and she was gratified. “I took pride in it,” she said with a smile in her voice. But she wanted everyone to know that she had to map things out and put things in order. It was when Regina Belle shared the statistic that was reported by AARP that a large percentage of caregivers died before the person they are caring for, that her words about self-care truly resonated. As she spoke with a fervent desire to help other caregivers, she wanted them to understand the joy they can get from taking care of their loved ones if they take care of themselves and plan. I asked her to share some caregiving tips to our readers. • Do not anticipate that the people that they live with now, will necessarily be the person that will care for them. • As a caregiver you can get inundated with the job, so you must take care of yourself. Self-Care is paramount! • Learn that you cannot do everything by yourself so you must incorporate the village (other relatives, church, friends, etc.) • Do not be afraid to ask for help! Sometimes the village is just waiting for you to ask. • Plan arrange resources and do not wait until there is the need. • Work closely with all the people that will be involved to organize and schedule duties. Rotate time and duties! • Do not forget to refuel yourself!

As Regina Belle passionately talked about caring for her loved ones, and the pride and joy it brings to her life, she emphasized the need for balance. Regina Belle’s great sense of humor, hearty laugh out loud, and passion for life permeated through each topic we discussed. But there was something special that was ignited when we spoke about music and ministry. We all have a superpower. That thing that defines us and the work that we do. Regina Belle had a few, “Resilience, music, and ministry, I refuse to quit! The best thing you can tell me is I can’t do it.” She followed up with a memory and story of when her high school counselor told her she should go to the military instead of college. She left that office with determination, went around to teachers for references, and completed the application without the counselor. Her acceptance letter was later left as a gift to that counselor. She said, “I am not going to lose; I am going to make an effort to try and always put my best foot forward” That resilience started at a young age of 8 years old when she sang her first solo. Religion and spirituality have been the foundation of her life since she grew up in the church and sang in the Sunshine choir. She came from a musically gifted family and while in the choir she had to wait her turn to get the solo spotlight. However, 8-year-old Regina Belle could not wait so she broke free from the group and did her solo. Music is her God-given gift; it is a part of her. And we are happy she shared that blessing with the world. That story made me smile because her resilience and determination were evident from a little girl and continues to this day. Regina Belle is showing us that learning never stops. Today she is working on her Master of Divinity and Pastoral Counseling at Interdenominational Theological Center. Going back to school has a deep meaning to Regina and her family’s legacy. She shared a story about when she was younger and attending college,

she realized that she did not want to be an Accountant and so she prayed and “begged” God for a way out. She was granted that way out when she auditioned for The Manhattans and got the job singing with the group for 2 years. But the words of her grandfather stuck with her when she asked him if he was proud of her and he said no because “She didn’t finish what she started.” The courage of Regina was evident in the story that led her back to school. She shared that three young girls in her church came to her and shared that they were not going to college because “Some people are not cut out for that.” She said she prayed about it and her answer was “Lead by example and finish what you started.” Regina went back to the three young ladies and gave them an offer they did not refuse. She told them that she would re-enroll in school if they did. They accepted her challenge, and they were surprised when she came back with her acceptance letter. The story ended with all three girls and Regina attending college. In May of 2015, Regina Belle graduated and walked with her class at Rutgers State University and perform for them as well. Regina saw this as a teaching moment and understands the power of influence. You must know that before Regina’s grandfather died, he told her that he was proud of her. She finished what she started and carved out the piece of legacy and foundation that her grandfather hoped for.

understand more so she can teach from a broader perspective. She is led by her relationship with God and pulls from the greatest theologian minds. She said, “I still pull wisdom from my mother.”

When I asked her, what led her to ministry she replied, “Definitely God”! She explained that the ministry started in the music ministry. Her first experience was through song. As a young girl, she remembered when she got lost in the song she was singing, and it took her higher and brought her to tears. It was a story that demonstrated the power in music and how God will speak through us. She reminisced about the story she read in the fourth grade; the story of Solomon and his wisdom to lead the people. It had a profound effect on her. She feels blessed with the ability to teach with the wisdom God gave her and she teaches with passion and artistry. She is inspired to advance her mind and

Join Regina Belle on November 19, 2020 for a free online Couch Concert. Use link to register 24 hours in advance an online: https://local.aarp.org/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/

When I asked Regina what she did for fun, she made my mouth water with the descriptive of her orange, lemon, and vanilla bean glazed pound cake. She said she is in love with cooking and love to experiment in the kitchen. Cooking is her space to escape. In her words, “It’s a place of relaxation and is a mental massage.” The kitchen is where she “Let go and let down and don’t have to worry about anything.” I asked Regina what advice she had for younger musicians. “I encourage young people to develop their craft and master it. It is not enough to have a gift, find ways to perfect it.” She used the analogy of burning off the impurities of a diamond. It may start as a 10-karat diamond but after removing the imperfections it might be 5 karats, but it will be more valuable. Like the chromatic range of a musical instrument, and the vocal range of the singer’s voice, Regina Belle’s life had its range, but her laughter, resilience, determination, passion, and care keep her relevant and a vital part of the community she serves.

For more information on caregiving read the below AARP report Care Giving in the US: https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2020/05/ full-report-caregiving-in-the-united-states. doi.10.26419-2Fppi.00103.001.pdf

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

egina R 30

BELLE

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

Have You Sharpened Your Personal Skills In Your Business? by Dr. Mary Segars for the urban sentinel As business owners and entrepreneurs, it is essential to make sure that we are efficient and effective in technology. We want to have the “state-of-the-art” software and database to strive in the competitive business world. We must have the business acumen and have the ability to forecast our future sales and expenses. We sometimes put so much faith in the technology for our businesses, yet we forget about the personal skills for our clients. Have we taken the personal touch out when we conduct our business dealings? Everything is so mechanical when we handle our business transactions and it has become very impersonal now. Sometimes we concentrate on fulfilling the systems of our business, such as did we meet our quotas for the month. Did you reach 20 more people than you did yesterday? Remember the saying in business: It’s a number game. The more people you reach out to be your client, the likelihood you might capture 10-20% for clients. I totally get that, but we need to be balance in our business on technology and on soft skills. Soft skills are vital in the business world. I was with a business colleague recently, and she bragged about the new techie gadgets she purchased for her business so she can serve her clients better. She had her marketing plans for the next 18 months and her strategies for increasing her reach for more potential clients. She was so excited about how her new CRM (Customer Relationship Management – relationship involves people!) System. Her company had all the

“bells and whistles” and it seems like she performed emotionless with her employees, and her clients. She provides products and services to her clients and customers. Let me be clear, this businesswoman is very successful in her line of business, but yet she professed that there’s something missing and her business could be better. I listened to her and briefly mentioned to her the following suggestions: • Try connecting with your client personally, such as a phone call from you • Perhaps writing a “thinking about you” note • Write a “thank you” letter for their continued support of your business during the Pandemic time She didn’t think those suggestions would help her business because she has done those things in the past without much success. She’s so technological advanced, and yet she lost her personal skills (soft skills) in her business. I left disappointed because I’m a business owner and I appreciate and I’m grateful for my clients. I also let them know that I’m thankful for them to do business with me because the truth of the matter is, they could go elsewhere rather than giving me their patronage. People, our clients need to know that we value them as human beings. Let me share with you a very opposite experience with another entrepreneur. I had the opportunity

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

to search for a new photographer for new business headshots, and an updated speaker’s bio. I was referred to a professional photographer and I was so impressed with her concern about me! Usually, I would hear everything about them, their connections with famous people and took their pictures, and how long they have been in the business. Next, they would elaborate about what they can do with their camera and the cost for their services. They would WOW the potential customer about how great they are, and they are the only one that can perform this magical task. However, this photographer never once bragged about herself, but she actually took the time to inquire about me and what I needed. The initial impression from me is that this person is so new in the business, she probably takes pictures with an iPhone! Later that same day, I received a “thank you” letter via email from the photographer for my interest in wanting to take a professional headshot to represent your company and she was available to show me her portfolios. I must confess I was impressed because of this photographer personal skills and professional touch, which is very rare. Of course, and I gave her my business. The quality of her work and the personal touch nailed it for me. I would like to recommend to all business owners, business leaders, church leaders and entrepreneurs to never forget the most important person in your business/company is the client, customers or members! Yes, of course, have your technology and be proficient in it. It is a fact that without the Human Being there will be no business, no church or community. We, as human beings, need to know that we are appreciated. When was the last time you wrote a ‘handwritten’ letter to your customers? That is a personal touch that can motivate a person to do business with you because

they felt your sincerity and you acknowledged than as a person. Have you ever had an event - Virtual or Live for your clients, such as an Appreciation Luncheon? That will speak volume because other businesses aren’t doing anything to show their humanity side to their clients and customers. I’m the kind of businesswoman that want to provide value to my clients and potential clients. I can remember when my mentor gave me wise counsel to focus on my customers’ need and wants and how my business can help them meet those needs. It comes down to people are thinking: WIIFM, which is What’s In It For Me? If I could answer that questions and let the potential customer that my main concern is about them, they will be more prone to listen to me and do business with me. I’m also reminded of Maya Angelou’s quote which sums it up: People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, But people will never forget how you made them feel. Remember leaders, we are working with people with feelings and emotions and if we let them know we are concern about their worth, their value and how we need them, it will make you different from other leaders. Stand up leaders and I’ll end with Zig Ziglar’s quote about the importance of helping others: “You will get all you want in life, if you help other people get what they want.” Retired from General Motors Corporation, Dr Mary Segars, is President/CEO of Segars Consulting Group and Leadership Coach.

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE |

T aBaltimore’s k ia RBeautiful o ss

Beacon of Light by C. NaTasha Richburg for the urban sentinel

Takia Ross is a makeup artist and business owner extraordinaire. She calls every woman she encounters “Beautiful” as testament to the positivity exuded through her radiant allure. “I love seeing amazing dope women perk up when they are reminded that they are ‘Beautiful’, both inside and out.” Takia believes “there is power gained by women being affirmed when called ‘Beautiful,’ ‘Gorgeous;’ ‘Glamorous,’ or ‘Dope,’ such affirmations emit inner power.” Women are not normally used to hearing proclamations of their beauty from acclaimed business brokers. This naming convention used by Takia enhances women’s inner qualities. That is especially relevant when the affirmation of “beauty” is coming from a confident, talented African-American woman who is a beacon of light for the community. That’s what makes Takia a welcoming breath of fresh air. The mother of three was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland’s Westport and Cherry Hill neighborhoods. Both are communities that continue to rise above its challenges to resonated rich African-American traditions filled with family and friends with deep

generational roots. Takia’s mother is the center of

Master's Degree, although I was working on it at the

many strong memories for her. “No matter what,

time. It was very discouraging. Not only was I not

whenever I said I need her, my mother would always

able to live my calling of teaching, but I also wasn't able

be there; standing right by my side” that is the picture

to pay for the Master's Degree I needed due to a lack

of her mother that allows Takia’s light to shine even

of finances to afford college, take care of my family,

today as she forges toward the hope for a meaningful

and pay out of pocket for the credentials I required to

life’s journey. It is past experience that helps us focus

maintain my college teaching jobs.

on our future. Takia’s path was to own and run a business.

As the owner of Accessmatized Make-Up Artistry, home of Pretty Mobile Baltimore, DMV's First

What motivated you to pursue business ownership?

Mobile Make-Up Studio, Takia decided to take a non-

I have always dreamed of being a businesswoman

traditional route to raise the much-needed capital to

and I have started many businesses throughout

grow her business. She began pitching her business

the course of my life (not necessarily knowing that

in Business Pitch Competitions where she raised over

I was "in business"). But it wasn't until I started

$65,000 in cash and prizes. In 2018 she created and

Accessmatized, which includes professional makeup

hosted the first So You Want to Pitch Conference with

artistry for special occasions, film/video and stage

the mission of sharing with other entrepreneurs how

in addition to instructing new and existing makeup

to plan for, prepare to, and pitch their businesses for

artists that I truly began to believe that I could be a

funding. In 2019, the conference was expanded to

successful entrepreneur. Accessmatized was launched

not only assist businesses in pitching for capital, but

for two major reasons: First, I needed to earn

also to share information and best practices to help

additional money to take care of my family. Though

businesses pitch for customers, collaborators, and on

I did everything the "world" told me I should do to

social media. In 2019, she also launched her own line

be successful, I continued to struggle to make ends

of cosmetics products, all of which are named after

meet. After earning two degrees and working a good

people, places, and things in Baltimore. In 2020 she

government job, I was still unable to pay my rent or

began her own small batch manufacturing to further

car payment or effectively take care of my children.

expand her product line. In addition, Takia has

It was very discouraging. Second, I was personally

authored the workbook So You Want to Pitch: How to

unfulfilled. I had my dream job to teach history at

Plan, Prepare and Pitch Your Business Funding. She

the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)

is currently working on a second ebook entitled

and Morgan State University. The students I taught left

Ain't Made It Yet! How I DIY My Business and How

rave reviews on the college surveys and were meeting

You Can Too, a resource for business owners.

success as they progressed through their college journeys; I was informed that I would no longer be

What advice would give a struggling business owner?

able to teach history because I didn't already have a

We had mobile makeup unit (minibuses) destroyed

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

while in the custody of the City of Baltimore and I lost team members while having to make the hard decision to close our brick and mortar location while trying to keep the business afloat. We’ve seen our fair share of ups and downs. What I have learned is that everything that my team and I have gone through, every trial and tribulation, every joy and triumph have prepared us for this moment. Now, all I have to do is show up. I am learning to stop asking, Why me?, and start asking, Why I am learning this? Once you change your mindset, you will change the trajectory of your life. Once you realize that things are not happening to you they are happening for you, you can push through the hard times toward greatness. All you need is the strength to hold on to that mustard seed of faith and the drive to keep moving! According to Lao Tzu, “Every journey begins with a single step.” Takia has taken many steps thus far as she trains students in her craft while calling women “Beautiful.” Find out more information about Takia Ross at: https://www.accessmatized.com/

Give Thanks... Regardless S P I RI T UA L N O U RI S H M E N T B RO U GH T TO YO U B Y THE URBAN SENTINEL AND UPSHIFT GLOBAL by dr. anita davis-defoe for the urban sentinel Whether it is the stress and strife of daily living, todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

joy into our worlds.

common financial worries and woes felt by many, the impact of COVID-19 on your life, the numerous

With Thanksgiving Day fast approaching, and although

inconveniences that have come from weathering a

there are a variety of viewpoints and feelings about this

natural disaster, health concerns, bias and prejudice

holiday and its origination, each and every day should

that is at an all-time high, rampant social injustice, or

be a day of thanks, a day filled with gratitude for the

concern about the safety of loved ones, it can become

many blessings received.

so easy to focus on what was lost or what will never be, rather than all the numerous other blessings and good

Each of us no doubt is filled with personal hopes, dreams

things that dominate our lives.

and expectations, but many of us do not understand how to go about using our talents or know how to achieve

I would like to suggest that each of us should strive to

our innermost personal desires. Few of us understand

develop an attitude dominated by gratitude. To enable

that in life so much of getting is tied to how much we

yourself to navigate lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s superhighway with all of its

first give.

twists, turns and unexpected detours and still soar with your inner spirit intact, I encourage everyone to

Existing all around us, are the divine laws of life, and

begin a practice of giving thanks always and above allâ&#x20AC;Ś

one of these is the Law of Abundance. The Law of

regardless. Yes, regardless of challenges that come your

Abundance is rather simple and tells us that by giving

way; yes, regardless of feelings of disappointment, hurt,

you receive. This divine law tells us that we cannot truly

betrayal, doubt or delayed gratification.

enjoy the riches of the universe until we are willing to share them with others.

Developing an attitude of thanks enables us to maintain a sense of purpose, faith and hope. The truth of the

Understand, abundance does not mean merely

matter is that if we stop and reflect, even in the midst of

accumulating

our most tumultuous life storms, there is still something

possessions. For it is very easy to accumulate material

to be thankful for, something that brings some level of

wealth and abundance, while neglecting the nurturing

material

wealth

and

numerous

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

of one’s spirit. Far too many of us are rich and entrenched deeply in materialism but are poor and disenchanted in

Third, give without expecting anything in return. The

spirit. Those without often question how someone can

intention behind your giving is the key to unlocking the

have material wealth and still be unhappy. It is simple;

gateway of abundance into your life. When you give to

we are all spiritual beings, and our well-being starts with

create joy and happiness in the life of others, those same

inner peace, not with our list of personal possessions.

things will come back to you in more than full measure. When we support the hopes, wishes and dreams of

Typically, when we do not give, when we become too

others, when you need a dream champion, one will

shortsighted and self-focused, failing to give to others,

appear in our lives simply because we have given so

we feel empty inside. Additionally, all of the things that

earnestly to others. Give thanks…regardless.

we desire just do not seem to come our way. So develop your attitude of thanks and begin To unlock your gateway to abundance, I would suggest that you consider doing several things.

embracing Law of Abundance principles. You will certainly be pleasantly surprised as you watch your life become more joyful, as feel your inner spirit soar, and

First, give thanks for all the wonderful things that you have received, and also be appreciative of all of your life experiences. All of our experiences, both good and bad are designed to teach us, to help us grow and develop so that we can maximize our greatest potentials. When some events continue to reoccur in our lives, it is because we have not learned or we refuse to heed the lesson. Do not wait for Thanksgiving or special holidays to express your thanks and gratitude, do it daily, for life is a gift to be cherished. Give thanks…. regardless. Secondly, open your heart and soul, and become a cheerful giver. Truly the more you give, the more you get. Your giving does not have to be money, trinkets, or other material things. Giving can take all shapes; a warm smile, an encouraging word, a special compliment. All of these forms of giving are just as important as material things. Whatever you wish to receive in life, you first need to give it to others. Give thanks…regardless.

more importantly, all always give thanks…regardless.

CHANGE YOUR THINKING

AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE by catherine tyson for the urban sentinel Change Your Life Think instead that life can be easy and fun. That we have the power to create a wonderful life for ourselves. That it is not hard to make money. That we can meet our soul mate. That we are good enough and we will succeed. And of course, that things will get better no matter what the circumstances are right now. Because all of this really is possible when you change your thinking. See the thing is you have an incredible power within you and once you direct that power you'll be able to have more, be more, achieve more and live with passion while doing what you really love- no matter what that is. The only reason you're probably not where you want to be in life is because you've been conditioned to accept the limiting beliefs and thoughts of the people around you; your family, friends, environment, etc., and those thought keep you limited! So what to do? “The greatest success starts with a simple belief that you can. Believe that you can and you will!” We, as black people, were taught, by default, to believe that life is difficult, that we have to work our fingers to the bone. We think that have to work harder not smarter. We were taught by example that relationships are difficult. That life is a struggle. That some people are lucky and some aren’t. And somehow we believed those things and guess what happened, they became true. Life did get difficult. It got harder to make money. Relationships don't always work out the way they should. We don’t feel like we're good enough and we don’t think that we can succeed and of course we doubt that things will ever get better. Here is my challenge today: Change Your Thinking to

Start rethinking things. Change the thoughts and those beliefs and you CAN change your life. Direct your mind to believe that you can. Start by creating new beliefs, new thoughts and getting rid of the limiting beliefs and limiting thoughts. That means you no longer accept that you can't. Believe that you can do anything that you put your mind to. When you start believing that you can achieve whatever goal you set out to achieve, you will. Look at what you have already achieved and give yourself a pat on your back because that is the proof that you need to catapult you to another level. Change your thinking and change your life. “The greatest success starts with a single step and a simple belief that you can. Believe that you can and you will.” Until next time. Look me up on Facebook at Catherine Tyson and follow me on Instagram @realcatherinetyson

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

I'M SPEAKING by dr. sharon h. porter for the urban sentinel “When a woman speaks in a professional setting, she walks a tightrope. Either she’s barely heard or she’s judged as too aggressive”. ~Sheryl Sandberg The one and only vice-presidential debate took place on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. There were many moments that were highlighted through the mainstream media and social media. In my opinion, none more powerful than Kamala Harris stating “Mr. Vice-President, I’m speaking, I’m speaking.” The vice-president continued to interrupt and interject into many of the responses of Senator Harris. Why is this significant? Many women immediately felt a sense of familiarity with the vice-president’s behavior. Most noted, Black women. Kamala Harris asserted her right to speak. This should be a lesson to all women. In the book, The Silent Sex: Gender, Deliberation and Instuitions, authors, Christopher E. Karpowitz and Tali Mendelberg show how the gender composition and rules of a deliberative body dramatically affect who speaks, how the group interacts, and whose voice prevails. It contends that efforts to improve the representation of women will fall short unless they address institutional rules that impede women’s voices. The ability or willingness to speak reflect one’s authority. Karopowitz and Mendelberg found that overall women speak less in deliberative settings.In the case of Kamala Harris in the vice-presidential debate, this was due to no fault of her own. The moderator could or would not enforce the rules agreed upon by Harris and Pence ( two, uninterrupted minutes). Numerous studies have examined how often women are interrupted by men. A study conducted by Don H. Zimmeran and Candance West; Sex Roles, Interruptions and Silences in Conversation, anaylzed 31 separate two-part conversations. The researchers found 48 total interruptions of which 46 of them were by men (96 percent). Women must push back if they are interrupted; just as Senator

Harris did. Another study was conducted on the women on the Supreme Court. At the time, there were three female justices, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and Justice Elena Kagan--65.9 percent of all interruptions were directed at them. Manterrupting is a scientifically documented phenomenon; unnecessary interruption of a woman by a man. Just think back to 2009 when Kanye West came onto the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards, grabbed the microphone from Taylor Swift as she was accepting the award for best female video. He simply took over. Regardless if it is in politics, entertainment, in the workplace or in everyday conversation, the interruptions must stop. In an op-ed in the New York Times, Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant cite research showing that powerful male Senators speak significantly more than their junior colleagues, while female Senators do not. It is important that women not undermine their authority. We must be prepared to stand up for ourselves...every time. Your body language must be intentional. “Strike a Pose” as they say… a power pose! Power posing helps build confidence and rids of the feeling of the Imposter Syndrome. “Women belong wherever decisions are being made.” Know the value of your voice, feel the authority of your voice. Gender bias is real. Speak up and be proud of who you are and all that you have to say. Women have been silenced for far too long. The next time you are interrupted, don’t hesitate to say, “Excuse me, I’m Speaking!

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE |

FOR YOUR HEALTH

Diabetes and Nutrition by dr. lenore t. coleman for the urban sentinel INTRODUCTION According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rates of type 2 diabetes has tripled in the last 30 years. During the period of 1980-1994 there was a 33% increase in diabetes in the United States. African Americans have a 60% higher rate of developing diabetes than Caucasians and Latinos have a 90% increased risk. One of the reasons for the dramatic increase in diabetes, especially in ethnic populations is lifestyle. Poor eating habits and lack of exercise has contributed to significant obesity in many ethnic populations. Presently, over 60% of Americans are classified as overweight. Only 5% of all Americans who go on a “diet” and achieve their ideal body weight are able to keep it off after one year. WHAT IS DIABETES? Diabetes is a condition in which the body can’t use the food you eat in the proper way. When you eat, food is digested and changed into glucose, a sugar the body uses for fuel. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas and helps the glucose enter the cells. With diabetes your body does not make enough insulin or does not use it properly. Without insulin, your body cannot use the food you eat. Therefore, the glucose builds up in the blood and cells can’t get the energy they need because insulin is not available. There are two types of diabetes; type 1 (formally know as juvenile onset) and type 2 (formally known as adult onset). HOW IS DIABETES MANAGED? There are three components to successful management of diabetes: food, physical activity and medication. Food raises the blood sugar and blood fat levels. Physical activity and medication lower blood sugar and fat levels. A balance of these three components lead to good management of your diabetes. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF FOOD AND NUTRITION IN TREATING DIABETES? Food gives use the energy we need to live. Our body changes most of the food we eat into sugar called glucose that our cells need for energy. You can make a difference in your 44

blood sugar control through your food choices. If you have diabetes it is important that you understand that you DO NOT need to eat or purchase special foods. Foods that are good for everyone are good for someone with diabetes.s WHAT IS THE ROLE OF EXERCISE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES? Regular exercise is a key component to a successful weight loss program. The best way to maintain weight loss is to include some type of physical activity daily. Aerobic exercise (makes your heartbeat faster) can help you: • Lower your blood sugar levels. • Improve your overall fitness. • Reduce and/or maintaining your weight. • Reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. • Improve your general outlook on life. In fact, studies have shown that regular exercise can even help depression. The addition of exercise not only helps with controlling your blood sugar but also lowers your body fat. For those people with either Diabetes or “Pre-Diabetes”, following a balanced, low-fat, high fiber diet is essential. The question of how much exercise per day always comes up. For the best health benefits, experts recommend at least 150 minutes a week of moderately intense physical activities such as: • Fast walking – goal is 10,000 steps per day • Swimming – try to swim at least 30 minutes a day which is 20-30 laps • Bicycling • Dancing • Tennis WHAT IS MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY? (MNT) The control of blood glucose through diet is called Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). The goals of MNT include: 1. maintaining near-normal blood glucose levels by balancing your food intake with medications (either insulin or oral hypoglycemia agents) and physical activity; 2. achieving optimal serum cholesterol levels. 3. maintaining adequate calorie intake to control weight gain and to achieve weight loss if necessary; 4. preventing and treating acute and long-term

complications of diabetes; 5. improving your overall health.

small amount, Eggs, Nuts, Peanut Butter, Soy, Dry beans and peas

Currently there are two popular food management programs that are used as part of MNT for people with diabetes. Carbohydrate Counting or the Exchange System.

FATS Fats are a concentrated energy source. Fat provides 9 calories per gram, more than two times the calories you get from carbohydrates and proteins. There are different types of fat: Monounsaturated, Polyunsaturated, and Saturated. Saturated fats have been linked to heart disease and have been found to increase your cholesterol levels. The “best” fats are monounsaturated and are found in olive oil, canola oil and peanut oil.

Carbohydrate Counting is an easy concept to understand. The main nutrient in food that affects blood glucose levels is carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are composed of starches and sugars. They account for most of the glucose in the bloodstream. Only the amount of carbohydrate intake per meal is counted. Usually this is 45-60 grams per peal. Carbohydrates provide 4 calories of energy per gram. The downside to using this method is that is that the focus is on carbohydrates and fat and weight management is not initially addressed. In many ethnic populations, weight loss is essential to the prevention of future complications so carbohydrate counting MAY NOT be the best method for some ethnic populations. FOOD ITEMS THAT ARE HIGH IN CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT Breads (rolls, pancakes, biscuits), Pasta (noodles and spaghetti), Peas, Potatoes, Rice, Dry beans (pinto, kidney, lima and black eye peas), Lentils, Milk, Starchy vegetables, Desserts (cakes, pies and cookies), Candy, Sodas, Punch, Kool-Aide, Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, Jams and Jellies, Syrup WHAT IS THE EXCHANGE SYSTEM? The six Exchange lists help to make your meal plan work. Foods are grouped together on a list because they are alike. Every food on the list has about the same amount of carbohydrates, protein, fat and calories. In the amount given, all the choices on each list are equal. Any food on a list can be exchanged or traded for any other food on the same list. The six lists are starch/bread, meat and substitute, vegetables, fruit, milk and fat. Using the exchange lists and following your meal plan will provide you with a great variety of food choices and will control the distribution of calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat throughout the day, so that your food and your insulin will balance. The balance is what gives you “good” blood glucose control. Some of the common exchanges are listed above. PROTEIN The body uses protein for growth, maintenance of muscle, skin and energy. Protein provide 4 calorie per gram.

FOOD ITEMS THAT CONTAIN HIGH AMOUNTS OF FAT Margarine, Butter, Oils, Salad Dressings, Bacon, Nuts, Sour cream, Regular Milk, Regular Cheese, Meats, Poultry, Fish, Peanut Butter, Avocado WATER Drinking sufficient amounts of water every day is important to a well-balanced diet. Water is another nutrient that the body needs. It is recommended to drink 8 glasses of water daily, unless otherwise indicated by your doctor. SALT (SODIUM CHLORIDE) Americans generally eat more salt than they need. Studies have shown that the average American eats 25 grams of sodium per day. Practically everything you eat contains salt. Make sure you read food labels carefully for the salt or sodium content. Avoid deli foods and processed foods. People with heart disease or high blood pressure should limit their sodium intake. FIBER There are two types of fiber insoluble and soluble. Soluble fiber helps to lower blood cholesterol levels, control blood sugar levels and may also help to control weight. Insoluble Fiber Bran cereals, Popcorn, Whole grain bread and cereal, Fresh fruit, Fresh vegetables Soluble Fiber Oat Bran, Oatmeal, Rice bran, Barley, Dried beans and peas Fresh Fruit, Fresh vegetables

FOOD ITEMS THAT ARE HIGH IN PROTEIN CONTENT Meat, Poultry, Fish, Cheese, Starches and vegetables have

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

A DECADE OF IMPACTING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN IN STREET SITUATION As it is often said, “a journey of a thousand miles, begins with a step”. Street Children Empowerment Foundation’s (SCEF) first step towards transforming the lives of vulnerable children was taken somewhere in Accra, Ghana in September 2010. . Through the hard work of the founders and their commitment to the welfare of children in street situations, SCEF can now boast of some presence in Finland, Germany and USA with support from its network of dedicated volunteers. With a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate children in street situation, the organization has over the last decade directly rescued and provided scholarships to about 500 children from the streets of Accra, with some of the beneficiaries successfully completing their university education and others at various levels of the educational ladder. Indeed, 10 years of staying relevant in the lives of children in street situation is certainly a decade worth celebrating not only by associates of SCEF, but by all who are deeply worried about the welfare of the children in street connected situations. Within a decade of impacting the lives of these children, SCEF can boast of an ultramodern learning hub, a conducive and serene environment for children who wish to learn and play under the care of dedicated and loving staff who are ever ready to lend a helping hand to children in need. With the support of reputable donors and sponsors, the SCEF learning hub is impacting about 1000 children each month, bringing SCEF closer to realizing its vision of building a society where every child, regardless of their differences have equal opportunities in reaching their fullest potentials. In addition, SCEF is currently partnering with Book Aid International to set up libraries in some selected schools in Accra to help promote reading amongst children. Over the last decade of impacting the lives of children, SCEF did not only offer scholarships and educational opportunities to disadvantaged children, but also created an environment for children to develop their talent in art and craft. Through its art and craft center, rescued children have been trained in hairstyling and beads making to help them earn an income for themselves after school. In this remarkable journey over the last decade, SCEF undertook several outreaches to provide hygiene and sex education for girls within the James

Town area. This initiative has been particularly significant, given the prevalence of teenage pregnancy in the area. The tremendous successes achieved by SCEF over the years has been due to its ability to build local and international partnerships. One of such has been with Right to Play International, this partnership has led to the visit of German and FC Bayern MĂźnchen defender Jerome Boateng and Nathan Redmond of English premier league side Southampton to SCEF to empower and motivate disadvantaged children. The Corona Virus Pandemic having destabilized 2020, SCEF never neglected these vulnerable ones during this hard times. It is worth noting that, despite its limited resources, SCEF has risen to the

challenge in protecting vulnerable children in these times. Together with other partners, it has donated hand washing containers, liquid soap and nose masks to help protect these children. Over all, it has been a decade of impact on the lives of children in street situations. SCEF has played a parental role in the lives of children in street situation. It has demonstrated in clear terms, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s readiness to impact more disadvantaged children when given the needed support. As the organization marches onto the next decade of impact, it is worth saying a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to staff, interns and volunteers who have contributed to this mission over the last 10 years. AYEKOO to SCEF!!!!!

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

thanksgiving

by bridgette m. alfred for the urban sentinel A. Introduction: 1. Physical: In 1607 traveling from

Great Britain in three ships: the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery, Captain Christopher Newport and settlers reached America. They stepped ashore at a point of land they named ‘Cape Henry’, located at the southern entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. Upon making the first landing, the settlers planted a cross to thank God for the safe journey to this new land.

2. Spiritual: Psalm 100:1-5 (NIV): Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

B. Tradition Of Thanksgiving Day: Physical: The tradition introduced by European Americans of Thanksgiving as a time to focus on God and His blessings dates back well over four centuries in America. But it is primarily from the Pilgrim’s Thanksgiving celebration of 1621 that we derive the current tradition of Thanksgiving Day. America’s first national Thanksgiving occurred in 1789 with the commencement of the federal government.

2. Spiritual: 2 Corinthians 9:11-12

(NIV): You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. C. Thanksgiving Proclamation: 1. Physical: The Thanksgiving celebrations so common throughout New England did not begin to spread southward until the American Revolution, when Congress issued eight separate national Thanksgiving Proclamations. (Congress also issued seven separate proclamations for times of fasting and prayer, for a total of 15 official prayer proclamations during the American Revolution.)

In 1863, the Thanksgiving proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln was remarkable not only for its strong religious content but also for its timing, for it was delivered in the midst of the darkest days of the Civil War, with the Union having lost battle after battle throughout the first three years of that conflict. Yet, despite those dark circumstances, President Lincoln nevertheless called Americans to prayer with an air of positive optimism and genuine thankfulness. Over the seventy-five years following President Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, presidents faithfully followed his precedent, annually declaring a national Thanksgiving

Day (but the date of the celebrations varied widely from proclamation to proclamation). In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt began celebrating Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of each November, and in 1941, Congress permanently established that day as the national Thanksgiving holiday. Spiritual: Philippians 4:5-7 (NIV): Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

D. Conclusion: 1. Physical: Here in the United

States, we are blessed to have Thanksgiving as a national observance, to thank God and honor Him for all He has given us. As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, remember to retain the original gratefulness to God that has always been the spirit of this – the oldest of all-American holidays.

2. Spiritual: Psalm 95:1-3 (NIV):

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

PHOTO CREDITS Images of Regina Belle: Front Cover- Drexina Nelson, Pages 29-32-Nathaniel Phillips Images of James Birdsong: Pages 3, and 9-11-Emily Heath Photography Images of Elana Bell: Page 12- Liz Hinder and Page 15- Hallie Easley Images of Jeremiah Long: Page 22-Carlie Raymond Images of Bobbye Boatright: Page 20-Keith Anderson Images of Takia Ross: Pages 3, 36 and 38 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;AS Garland Photography

URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER

Your Source for Urban News

visit our website w w w. u r b a n s e n t i n e l . c o m