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I’m Eric Gaines, a Tuscaloosa resident for more than 30 years. I’m a husband, a father of 7, and a dedicated granddad. I have been a local realtor since 2007, and I love helping people achieve their dream of home ownership. Prior to becoming a real estate agent, I worked as a mortgage banker with Bank of America and I was a member of the United States Army Reserve for 20 years. I am running for City Council so I can address local concerns such as public safety, education, and economic development. I want to offer a fresh perspective on challenges that both District 6 and the rest Tuscaloosa City face. I want to shape the future of our city and address the concerns that younger voters have. I will foster transparency, accountability, and efficiency in city operations. I will build collaborative initiatives that bring people together. Public Safety Crime has continued to increase in our city. I am a licensed bail bondsman. What I enjoy most about being a bondsman is working with law enforcement and the community at the same time. I understand public safety in our city from both sides of the issue. Public safety is not an option, it is a necessity for all Tuscaloosa citizens. The best way to reduce crime in our city is to stop it before it starts. I will advocate for the city to take more preventive measures. Education Education is the key to building a better and brighter future in our district. I have a vested interest. Not just for my kids, but all children from K-12. We will continue to encourage dual enrollment and free community college. I am part of the Parent Teacher Leadership Academy so I know children should never be just a talking point or line item; they are the agenda. One of the first questions my clients ask when looking for a new home is the school zone. All parents want their children in a good school zone. As part of the City Council, I will continue to volunteer and work with the public schools in our district. Economic Development/Affordable Housing My background in real estate and banking has prepared me for one of the biggest challenges our council faces. Since more than half of the city’s revenue is from taxes, I would work with existing businesses to expand and grow. Doing this would increase the city’s tax base and bring in more revenue to improve our city. I have worked with several businesses like Catch-A-Taste, Control Climate, and Green Bail Bonding and I will work to bring more restaurants and other businesses to District 6. Affordable housing goes hand in hand with economic development. As our workforce grows, new employees will need homes. Unfortunately, everyone in our community does not earn $70,000 per year. I, along with city developers, contractors, and government officials, will work to keep homeowner rates affordable for all Tuscaloosa residents. To find out more about how you can get involved Electericgaines@gmail.com Or 205-292-3436
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What’s your name? My name is Kayori Ryan. How old are you? I’m 17 years old. What school do you attend and what grade are you in? I am a senior at The Central High School (Tuscaloosa, Al). Name your most valued accomplishments. My most valued accomplishment is winning the “best teammate award.” It is not the most celebrated award, but it showed me I can be a person people can depend on. Name any awards you have received. I have received MVP twice, the Lady Iron Award, the Platinum ACT, and the JROTC Leadership Award. What are your plans after high school? I plan to attend a university. I’m not sure which one yet but after undergrad. I will continue my education by attending dental school to become a periodontist. Who or what inspires you to be who you are? My mother, of course, is the source of my inspiration. Her being her unapologetic self allows me to flourish.
Kayori Ryan Photo by: Gazelle Productions 9:36
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Photo by Gazelle Productions Model: Terrance Anderson
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Lisa Knowles-Smith Photos by: Camera Play Photography
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Blossom Rogers: A Story of Triumph
9:36 Magazine caught up with 3-time author and drug awareness activist, Blossom Rogers, to discuss her journey to becoming sober and how she wants to help others who suffer as she once did. 9:36
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Photo by: Gazelle Productions
9:36 First of all, is Blossom your real name? Real name. Blossom Rogers. That’s a beautiful name. You’re originally from where? North Miami. Tell us…how did you get started on drugs? How were you introduced to them. Well…I believe there was always a generational curse. On both my dad’s side and my mom’s side, there was addiction. I started drinking beer at the age of 5. My great-grandmother was raised that if a child has a ringworm, you give them beer. Now what lead me to crack cocaine was my experience with being molested by my stepfather. Ok… Ummmm…a lot of African Americans don’t like to talk about molestation. They want to sweep it up under the rug. But we have to realize that hurt people hurt people. I had to forgive my stepfather because he didn’t grow up saying that he wanted to molest a child. And then God taught me how to forgive myself because I did a lot of things that I had no business doing. I mean…I used to think that if a man didn’t beat you, he didn’t love you. I got into an abusive relationship that also involved drug use and I decided that since I couldn’t beat him, I would join him. So, I made him teach me how to use.
Photo by: Gazelle Productions
Wow… You see, when you go through molestation, your childhood is taken away. I didn’t know where I belonged, and I became a people pleaser. I still struggle with that today and it allows people to take my kindness for weakness. So, I had to learn to please God and not man because people will take advantage of you. That’s true. I became a mother at the age of 16. I thought the baby would keep the man. Then I married him thinking the same thing. I have written a few books. In my second book, I talk about my time in prison. My prison number is 589931. I explain how I was delivered from a homosexual lifestyle. Because I was raped, I thought being with women was the better choice. But I decided that isn’t for me. I’ve had a man to leave me for another man. I was also involved with a man who didn’t tell me he had HIV. However, it’s been 20 years and I’m clean. I don’t have HIV. I don’t have AIDS.
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