AMPS Louisiana Volume 2, Issue 1

LOUISIANA EDITION

AMPS MAGAZINE American Minority People Succeeding

Support Minority Owned Businesses

Berdeisha

McClinton Louis Eugene

Flournoy Business Owner and Entrepreneur

Walter Jones Volume 2, Issue 1

Page 1 www.la.ampsmagazine.com

Been injured or caught in a bind.

Get Twine on the line.

ANTWINE Law 637 St. Ferdinand Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Phone: 225.383.7800 Fax: 225.372.2810 antwinelaw@yahoo.com

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Firm, LLC Personal injury and Criminal cases

contents

WHAT TO

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1

EXPECT

What’s Inside...

®

WHEN YOU’ RE EXPECTING

Brushana Montgomery............... 7 Walter Jones................................. 8 Berdeisha McClinton................ 10 Doctoral Graduates................... 11 Dr. Ashanti Jones....................... 12 Graduate Faith Sheppard.......... 15 Louis Flournoy........................... 18 GOUDA ROMERO................... 20

A TEENAGER

the AMPS Monroe Team

Publisher

Connie Morgan

Binge-Watching

Editors

Brittany Gardenhi Rihana Thomas Cheantez Fairldy Kingston Davis

B

ut it’s okay if you doze off during Episode 3, because you don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. Thousands of teens in foster care will love you just the same.

Contributing Photographer WELCHinc photography Connie Morgan

Graphic Designer Gerald Wright

Cover by Robert Wright

AdoptUSKids.org

AMPS Monroe is a franchise of AMPS Magazine, a national publication, with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. This magazine is published bi-monthly.

AMPS MAGAZINE CORPORATE Orlando, Florida 33837 317-426-7790

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A WORD FROM THE CEO This is the seventh issue of AMPS Magazine, Louisiana Edition. I wanted to thank each and every one of you for reading this magazine and making it one of the fastest growing magazines in the south for 2021. We are touching the lives of people who we did not even know we would and inspire even a culture that we were unaware. This publication is called A.M.P.S. (American-Minority People Succeeding) for a reason. It is where Substance and Style meets Supreme Standards. Our mission is “superior application development through dedicated professionalism while maintaining a customer-centered focus to lead the industry in ideas and creative solutions”. Our event marketing and promotions department is designed to present positive entertainment and events that the Louisiana communities deserve.

We specialize in helping brands create a unique connection with consumers at our events as well as create an opportunity for you to meet other business owners, executives, present and future customers, and other socialites. Simply put, “We are Accomplished By Making You Successful.”

Gerald D. Wright CEO Page 4

from the publisher T

aking over a publication is never an easy feat, but it is very rewarding. As we embrace 2021, we are ready for the many changes that comes along with growing a magazine that is dedicated to the community in Monroe. Our passion for reporting the news about the communities in and around Monroe is the heartbeat of AMPS Louisiana Magazine. We strive to tell the stories about unsung heroes in our community and about artists, be they actors, writers, musicians or entertainers. With that, we know the importance of building alliances with individuals who can and will help us continue our growth. You, too, can contribute to our growth and development in bringing articles about our community. For more information about advertising with AMPS Louisiana Magazine, please reach out to me at connie@ampsmagazine.com or call 214-937-9041. We have amazing advertising opportunities to help you grow your business and support the community. You can also subscribe to AMPS Louisiana Magazine and get your copy delivered directly to your door.

Thank you for your continued support.

Connie Morgan

SO CAN YOU.

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how well do you know these

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KnowYourGirls.org

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girls?

Brushana Montgomery “The only time I look back, is to see how far I’ve come.”

B

rushana Montgomery, professionally known as Brushana Wrezay, is a 24-year-old African American model based in Northern Louisiana. Born in Shreveport, on January 15, 1997, the fashionista is the second oldest of her mother’s three children. Throughout her academic life, she made rather decent grades, placing herself frequently on honor roll. In May of 2015, Montgomery graduated from Neville High School in Monroe, Louisiana. Because of her primary craft pathway being modeling, during our interview I really focused on her experiences.

by: Rihana Thomas

COVID may have put a temporary pause in her life to slow her down, but she still perseveres. So be on the lookout for our cover girl! (No pun intended.)

“I was really infatuated with fashion design in the 7th grade,” she said. The Louisiana native further explains how watching shows like “America’s Next Top Model” also shaped her views on super modeling. Growing up, Brushana was very dramatic and she really exhibited a unique sense of style at a very young age. This really highlights the “it begins with your childhood” narrative. Later on in life, she got the chance to model for local and out of state photographers, and modled dresses in West Monroe’s Bridal Fair.

However, her first professional modeling gig was in August of 2018 with Kenita Augerson, a local Monroe designer and seamstress, and owner of Kenique, her brand. Under Kenita, Brushana was exposed with working with different materials and fabrics. 2 months later in October the same year, she participated in a fashion show hosted by Signae, CEO of Blackpreneur, in Dallas, Texas. It was the first annual Blackpreneur festival and Brushana walked for Kenique and N’omose couture (an African fashion brand.) Later that year on November 15, 2018 with JJAM Photography. This particular shoot focused on her creative pose abilities in a nature setting, as they were at Black Bayou here in Monroe!

In the year of 2019, Montgomery did a few video shoots with local rappers here in the city. She appeared in gospel rapper Big “AL” Cherry’s “Feel that drip” music video, Starringo’s “Different”, and Main Main’s “LLGODJSTAR”, a tribute to a beloved.

As we all are aware of, COVID did a number on society early last year in 2020, ceasing opportunities and temporarily hindering peoples’ circumstances in general.

Montgomery was no exception to this, so unfortunately our dear model did not get a lot of chances to showcase her talent then. Her latest involvements with the modeling world dates back to a couple of months in February, where she modeled for “test shots” with Toussaint Photography.

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Digital Marketing Entrepreneur

Walter Jones Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down and talking to Walter Jones, Jr., a native of Winnsboro, La. Immediately into the conversation, I quickly realized just how dedicated he is to his profession and his family. There is no doubt that this dedication and commitment are the reasons for his successes.

Walter is the managing partner of a digital marketing brand called The Groovy Mango, and is also managing

COVER STORY

by: Kingston Davis

when it may seem impossible to reach the finish line. Don’t allow anyone or anything to knock you off course. He described it as, “life’s adventure”, and he seemed to be enjoying the journey.

I found Mr. Jones to be just a regular, down to earth kind of guy. Not only was it easy to talk to him, but he was also a great listener. There were a couple of times where I found myself talking to him about my ideals and plans for my future and my life, but I quickly got back on track, after he offered up excellent advice.

My next question for Mr. Jones was, how does a guy from a small town in Louisiana get to the point in life where he is a partner of a major company, and getting to work with guys like the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, Dak Prescott?

And boy, was I surprised by the answer.

partner OneHaven Sports Marketing and Branding, representing professional athletes. He, along with best selling author, Lavaille Lavette, have blazed a path that has led to his success in the digital marketing world. Lavaille recently authored books for Deshaun Watson (NFL QB), Coach Ed Orgeron (LSU), Tillman Fertitta (Houston Rockets owner), Ebony: Covering Black America, 75thAnniversary Edition and soon to be released, Viola Davis (actress), just to name a few, and The Groovy Mango is the digital marketing arm and content provider for them all.

One of the most interesting questions I had for Mr. Jones was, how did he break into the spaces that he operates in?

His response to me was, “Patience, Prayer, and Persistence”.

He told me that he utilizes these three P’s in all aspects of his life. For him, patience means, taking your time while pursuing your dreams because they won’t come to life overnight. Don’t rush it, but do put it out there to the world and it will eventually come to life. Prayer is talking to God about it. It is important to remind him of the desires of your heart. He is listening. And finally, there’s persistence.

You must be ready, willing and able to stay the course, even

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It was about twenty one years ago when he got a knock on his door from a man named Ricky Green. Some people may know him as Mean Green, a DJ and former resident of Monroe, La. Mean Green was partly responsible for the rise of Master P and No Limit Records. Well, Master P started a sports agency and Ricky Green was a part of the agency. In 1998, No Limit Sports signed former University of Texas, and Heisman trophy winner, Ricky Williams to the agency and had their eyes on a couple of local prospects at ULM, formerly Northeast Louisiana University. That’s when Mean Green came knocking, soliciting Walter’s help in efforts of signing those players. How could he say no! And as they say in the movies, the rest is history. That was the start of a relationship that created other opportunities and introduced Walter to other influential people in, and out of the sports industry. He took advantage of the opportunities and turned it into a business. To this day, he still has a business relationship, as well as a strong friendship with Mean Green and many of the others that he crossed paths with along the way.

Walter worked with No Limit Sports for about 2 years and then went on to work for a prominent agent in Los Angeles by the name of Ted Marchibroda (Marchibroda Sports) for the next 12 years. They represented such players as Troy Polamalu, Tim Brown, Howie Long, Alan Ricard and Pat Dennis, just toname a few. After the loss of his father in 2008, and his mother the following year, he decided that it was time to take a break from sports and concentrate on his family. After a one year hiatus, he decided to go back to work with Marchibroda Sports, only to realize that the travel back and forth to L.A. was becoming too challenging, especially while raising two teenage daughters. In 2012, he had a difficult decision to

make, and that was to leave Marchibroda Sports. But, in 2013, upon his retirement from the fire department, he accepted a position with a local sports agent. He worked with ProSource Sports for the next 6 years, only to realize that his dream of owning his own sports marketing agency was being put on the wayside. Walter’s dream was always to own and operate his own company and to be in charge of his own destiny. In 2018, he left ProSource Sport to start his own agency and live out his dream. That year, OneHaven Sports Marketing and Branding and The Groovy Mango were born. He hasn’t regretted the decision to bet on himself and hasn’t looked back. He is forever grateful to all of those who believed in him, encouraged and supported him on his journey to entrepreneurship.

Walter and The Groovy Mango have also created The Groovy Mango Production Company that launched a joint

venture with OneStreet Media Network. OneStreet Media owns a podcast network that features about 12 podcasts of some well known celebrities, athletes, entertainers and people from every walk of life and are broadcasted across several media platforms.

Walter is also a retired fire marshall after spending 29 years with the Monroe Fire Department, located in Monroe, La. He is a father, husband, entrepreneur and a man of God and faith.

Walter Jones, Jr. has worn many hats, and he continues to wear them well. When asked what he contributes his successes to, he quickly responded by saying, “ you can’t be afraid of losing if you want to be a winner, and I’m not afraid to lose”. He went on to say that as long as he continues to keep God first, treat all people the way he would want to be treated, and continues to rely on the 3 P’s (Patience, Prayer and Persistence), he will always be a winner in his eyes.

Client Jourdan Lewis, starting corner of the Cowboys.

Walter and Lavaille with client, Alvin Kamara

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Published Author

Berdeisha McClinton Berdeisha McClinton is a native of Monroe, Louisiana.

Berdeisha went to Wossman high school from 20092013. Berdeisha was in the 4-H club and in book club.

AMPS: Growing up did you know what career path you wanted to choose?

Berdeisha: I wanted to become a teacher because I thought that was the only career path I could follow coming from a family of educators. But when I got to high school, my dreams changed and I wanted to become a mortician. Unfortunately, around that same time I found out, I had heart issues and I ended up having to have heart surgery. The heart surgery put my dreams on hold and cut out a lot of things that I really wanted to do.

AMPS: When did you start writing books and what or who inspired you?

Berdisha: I use to write poetry when I worked at the charter school and when the school closed I started working at a daycare. I heard an ad on the radio about a mentorship and I thought to myself I think I would like to do something like that. I called and was set up for an open interview, but when I got there, I met with a woman named Marie Brown who told me their company was only looking for men. She decided to still conduct the interview and she began to ask me questions about my interests and myself. Miss. Brown told me that I should write children’s books, but that was not something I wanted to do. She told me that I should give it a try because I had the gift and the resources all around me.

When I got home that night, I was asking myself why she wanted me to write children’s books so badly. I started writing and I named it “Ice Cream Cone”. It was ok, but there was something missing so I wrote another one about bullying because that was something that I had experienced myself.

When I was being bullied in school, it made me feel worthless and like I didn’t belong. I can’t write unless it’s something that’s in my heart. It has to come from within.

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AMPS: How many books do you have out?

Berdisha: I have two out right now. One called “Raymond’s Reflection” and the other book is called “Big Mama and her Prayer Closet”.

AMPS: Now that you’ve done all of that hard work; how does it make you feel now that the books are completed?

Berdisha: Today was the day that actually made me feel accomplished. The books have been done, but they had errors.

They have been in my hands and everything I just never felt that spark. I think it was because some of the main people that I wanted to see my work are not here anymore and that made me lose focus. I feel so much better now seeing how so many people shared and commented on my work via Facebook. I feel like my stories are very close to being in the hands of readers and touching the lives of others.

AMPS: What was the motivation and how did you come up with the titles?

Berdisha: When I started writing there were two names that, I came up with and they were Raymond’s and Ruben Reflection, but I really didn’t have motivation for that. I tried to write “Raymond’s Reflection” in lieu of me being a female but not knowing the sacrifice and the things that the opposite sex goes through made that difficult. I know they say that trials and tribulations can interfere in life when you are trying to reach success. So I came up with a game plan to get the book going. Being in different relationships with different guys in my life helped me get an insight into a guy’s mind and create the inspiration that I believed guys need. I know that a lot of guys need inspiration. People always write about girls and girl power, but people hardly ever write about boys and give them inspiration. I feel like starting at a young

age we need to correct a lot of things that are going on in the male community. A great number of our young black men face so many issues and problems; and no one has been there to support them and tell them that they can do it. “Big Mama And Her Prayer Closet” came from a place of hurt and pain. I didn’t really get the full experience of having a grandmother on either side. I had a grandmother on my dad’s side but I didn’t have a relationship with her.

So I didn’t get to experience that. Now I do remember my great-grandmother. I didn’t have a big mamma but I do have a mother. What gave me the inspiration behind that is I wrote a poem a few years ago called “On Bending Knees” and it was about praying. Not praying in the bed or the car I mean getting on your knees like there’s nothing else that you can do. In the beginning of the pandemic, I was scared like everyone else and right when it started getting rough a really good friend of mine died from Covid. We were close she was like a grandmother to me. When she passed away, I didn’t know how I was going to make it. After that, I knew that I had to prune up my religion and how I deal with God. I’m a Christian, but I just didn’t put in the effort or the work. So, I felt like I needed a place to talk to God. You can talk to God anywhere, but it is good to have a secluded place to talk to God.

Doctoral Graduates

Continued on Page 18 Dr. King Solomon Dawson and his daughter Dr. Kema Danielle Dawson-Robinson have completed the Doctoral Program with distinction at the Andersonville Theological Seminary receiving their Doctorate of Ministry in Biblical Exposition. They both finished with GPA of over 3.8 Pastor Dawson always wanted to have a well-rounded education in his profession and decided to pursue it a little further and with a little encouragement, his daughter joined him. Dr. King Solomon Dawson is a long-time member of the New Light Baptist Church in Monroe, LA and pastors New Macedonia BC in Gilbert, LA as well as Augusta BC in Winnsboro, LA. Dr. Kema Dawson-Robinson is the Executive Director of the Ouachita Multi-Purpose Community Action program, a member of the Monroe City Council, District 5 and a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe, LA.

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Influenced By Others

Dr. Ashanti Jones “Helping one person may not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.”

By: Rhiana Thomas Ashanti Jones is what you may consider a “woman of letters”. Wife of Frederick “Fred” Jones. She currently resides in Northern Louisiana. I was able to get a chance to do a thorough interview with Jones last week, and needless to say, she did not disappoint!

Ashanti Franklin Jones is an African American Physical Therapist who got her first start believe it or not, in her early childhood. You know what they say, “it all starts from home”. She described growing up “in a home filled with love and a “free spirited environment” where she would be allowed to draw on the walls with chalk. Her two-parent household had no strict dynamic. She lived a middle-class lifestyle, her mom being a teacher and her dad holding the title of the head provider.

Fast-forwarding to her current home dynamic, Jones is happily married and she claims he “brings out the best” in her.

They began dating when she was 17, and together they have 3 children: Sydney Marie Jones, 11, Sophie Marie Jones, 9, and Frederick Douglas Jones II, 4.

Back to her early home life, creativity was encouraged and throughout her adolescent years in regards to her academic life, Jones was what you would label as the “average student”. It was not until later in her early childhood that she allowed the school system to influence her mindset on school achievements. As the conversation progressed, we discussed the educational system’s reward formula and how positive reinforcement a/effects a child’s academic life.

A young Ashanti (who at the time generally did not stress over making straight A’s), experienced this concept first hand during her elementary school’s award ceremonies. “I would see other kids continually going back and forth getting awards, and I thought, that could be me,” she explained.

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This officially marked the beginning of her GPA shift. In junior high, Jones pursued more extracurricular activities such as band and cheerleading while maintaining an “A” average GPA. It wasn’t until her sophomore year in high school that her introduction to HOSA, Health Occupations Students of America, an organization that provides students interested in the medical field opportunities to enrich their knowledge of health career pathways and participate in national medical related competitions, that she mentally established her desired career: physical therapy. During one particular experience shadowing workers in a hospital, she got the chance to view physical therapists practicing therapeutic activities, such as dynamic balance training displayed as tossing balls back and forth to one another. She was curious stating, “what job pays professionals to play with balls”, she laughs. Little did she know that there was so much more involved in this activity. Upon her 1999 high school graduation, she immediately enrolled in a Summer Prep Program the same year. She graduated from a HBCU, Dillard University of New Orleans, LA in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree and started a Master of Physical Therapy (P.T.) program later that same year in August at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, TX. Prior to applying to PT school, Jones recalled an account where her advisor encouraged her to have a “plan b” and pick another career choice because PT school was very difficult to get into. This was extremely discouraging to her, but she leveraged that disappointment by putting more time and energy into being prepared to apply the following fall. Obtaining a 3.89 GPA and very competitive GRE scores, she applied to both the University of Texas Medical Branch and Texas Woman’s University. I’m pretty sure by now it’s not a shocker that she was accepted into both!

Naturally, she chose UTMB because it was closer to Lake Charles, Louisiana, her hometown, at the time. UTMB was a complete culture shift to Ashanti. She came from a Historically Black University, to a predominantly white institution. “Everything was different--down to the food I ate.” she said. Regardless, she rose above her adversaries and persevered. Needless to say, she graduated in Decem-

ber 2005, with a Master of Physical Therapy degree. From here, Jones later went back to school at the University of the Incarnate World, in San Antonio, Texas, and graduated with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2014.

In Dr. Jones’s recent years, she took employment with Kindred Health Care. She started as P.T, providing care to patients in their homes, until she was promoted to a management position. She began managing the rehab sectors of Kindred’s Home Health Agencies across the areas of North Louisiana and Southern Arkansas. After a year, she was promoted to cover a greater area including the entire state of Arkansas and North and parts of South Louisiana. This position allowed her to manage all aspects of rehab including billing, documentation, policy development, interprofessional relationship management, marketing, training and education as an instructor for the company’s vestibular rehabilitation program as well as their cardiopulmonary rehab program. Managing 65+ clinicians, Dr. Jones reports, she gained a wealth of experience in this role and did a lot of traveling. Her experiences in this role led her to discover her passion for education and exposed her to the real value of a good training. This landed her in her new role at the University of Louisiana Monroe in 2020.

Doctor Ashanti Jones presently serves as ULM’s Director of Clinical Education for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She is responsible for developing the clinical education program, which includes securing affiliation agreements with over 200 clinical sites for students, curriculum development, and managing multitudes of clinicians. One of her newer projects involves her networking with University faculty members to work on things needed to set up a curriculum for students for interprofessional education. In addition, she is working on a HBCU pipeline to PT school program to better prepare students from HBCUs to be a stronger applicant for PT school. She also does guest speaking and student mentoring. In fact, this was how I personally met Dr. Jones, by her guest speaking at my high school, Carroll. She spoke to us about her academic journey and her current duties at ULM and encourages us to continue to work hard to achieve our dream careers. She also asked us to never stop learning. In fact, she is currently working on a second Doctorate degree, specifically a Doctor of Education degree with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction. Jones credits her faith for the strength required to travel the journey to where she is today. She states that she constantly reminds herself that God will never put more on her than she can bear and that in her weakest and most defeated moments God’s strength is sufficient. It was honestly a pleasure interviewing her, and she is a very sweet, educated woman. This is definitely not the last time you will hear of her!

MY SHELTER PETS ARE MY BIGGEST FANS

LOGAN RYAN WITH LEO AND JULIUS: ADOPTED 2014 AND 2018.

They’re a little bit of a lot of things, but they’re all pure love.

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Graduate Faith Sheppard

F

aith Sheppard is a native of Louisiana.

She was born in New Orleans and raised in Monroe. When Faith was three years old, she took interest in ballerina. The older she got to more she loved to dance. In 2019 Faith was named outstanding dancer with Dazzle Dance studio in Monroe, La. Faith was very active in school she played on the junior Varsity soccer team, she was a part of Neville’s orchestra, youth symphony and she also plays golf. She was a member of the Honor Society; she received awards like the Madison Healthcare award, and the awards of excellence. Faith graduated May 13, 2021 from Neville High School with a GPA of 3.50. Faith will be attending Xavier University in New Orleans, La in the fall. she will be majoring in Chemistry per-pharmacy.

AMPS: What is your dream school, and why?

Faith: Loyola University of New Orleans, because of the diversity black, white and all different kind of races. I never really just wanted to go to a school that was just mainly dominant in one race.

AMPS: What has been your favorite experience in high school for the past 4 years?

Faith: In my junior year I was able to visit Ivy League schools and you know those are best of the best so that might be able to tell you what kind of person I am in the classroom. My favorite one out of all of them though was Princeton because of the minority women and what it would mean.

By: Kingston Davis

seem to move faster.

AMPS: What are some future goals and accolades that you hope to achieve?

Faith: I want to get my Bachelor’s in Psychology and get my master’s in business, so I can start my own business and be able to give back as a business that helps the communities.

AMPS: The one thing that I loved about this question is that she wants to leave a legacy behind. She wants people to know what she did and talk about her for years. She has the drive and passion to be talked about for the next one hundred years.

AMPS: How did you start molding Blush Label Boutique cloths?

Faith: They reached out to me on social media and wanted to partner up with me by modeling their clothes. Also they liked the look I gave with natural looks, and natural beauty of a young women who do not have to use make-up.

AMPS: What advice would you give to younger girls/boys striving to achieve what you have achieved?

Faith: NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!! Show people you deserve to be here, and always keep your head up. In high school there are going to be a lot of people who are going to try to get in your way. Never let that stop you from your goals no matter what they are, because you can accomplish anything that you put your mind to. Congratulations Faith we look forward to seeing you doing great things in the future.

AMPS: What are four things that you would give freshman advice on to survive high school?

Faith: 1. Stay organized, and focused because it is very easy to get lost and frustrated in high school. 2. When you have open, opportunities take advantage of them. 3. Try to be the first for those chances so you can set yourself up for success later in life. 4. Also just for the last one ENJOY! Do not try to be grown to fast because the years will fly by fast.

AMPS: Who is Faith Sheppard as a person?

Faith: I am a very Outgoing person who likes to be very helpful. I’m very quiet and introverted, and I’m very determined. When it comes to goals and accomplishing things, I

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“ I’M DOING THIS FOR ME, AND FOR THAT PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN ME.” If you’re thinking of finishing your high school diploma, you have more support than you realize. Find teachers and free adult education classes near you at FinishYourDiploma.org.

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Scholar, Veteran, and Educator

Louis Flournoy In loving memory of Mister Louis Eugene Flournoy

“When you have made your choice, it is providence that is your guide. Good, bad, or indifferent. Your fate lies in that.” Morgan Freeman. Applying this inspirational quote to this article’s subject, Louis Flournoy (who is now no longer with us), it is very suitable. You see, I have recently had the privilege of interviewing Flournoy’s daughter, Barbara McIntyre, a Southern University graduate, who began her own academic career at Hampton Institute, in attempts to capture information regarding his legacy.

Louis Eugene Flournoy was an African American scholar, Veteran, and educator. Born to parents Emma Rush and Oscar James Flourny on December 3, 1921, in Vernon, Louisiana, he resided in the parish of Jackson. In his adolescent years, he attended Jackson elementary and being the studious and educated fellow he is, he went on to attend Jackson Training School and graduated in 1941. After graduation, his education at his then university, Southern, was interrupted by his call to enlistment in the United States army from 19421945. During this time World War 2, was in motion, and he was positioned as a postal clerk. At one point during his service, he was even stationed out of the country in Europe!

Talk about experiences! Proceeding his honorable discharge in ‘45, he returned to the states and resumed his studies at Southern.

By: Rhiana Thomas

levels of teaching, and was adjudged a prime pedagogue for Lincoln Parish. In addition to these achievements, he was asked to assume the Principal position at Hopewell school, stationed in Dubach, Louisiana for approximately 3 years.

After his tenure at Hopewell, he was asked to become the principal of Glen View Jr, High Ruston, becoming the first African American to hold the role of principal of a predominantly white -school after integration.

He eventually retired from Glenview by 1979. Flournoy absolutely broke racial barriers during his prime and set the bar high with such an extensive reign regarding his positions at the time. He remained solely in retirement for the most part, excluding his active involvement and duties at St. Benedict Catholix Church. Through it all, he had his wife of 66 years, Mary, by his side. Together the couple shared their children as follows : Barbara McIntyre, James O. Flournoy, son-in-law Ervin McIntyre, and daughter-in-law Marcelina C. Flournoy. His family continues to grow as the couple lead an empire in the making with grandchildren, Pamela and Erika McIntyre, Jamie , Adonis , and Tony Flournoy, and a plethora of nieces and nephews, his legacy forever lives on.

By 1947 he had completed his bachelor’s degree in Social Studies at Southern University, a renowned Historically Black College, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Here, Flournoy met his future wife, Mary Osborne, for the second time. They eventually married in 1948. Remember my aforementioned detail regarding his schooling? Well, our dear friend Louis was indeed quite the man of letters. Immediately after receiving his degree, he acquired an additional Master’s degree at Texas Southern.

Continued from Page 11

Always productive, in the same year of ‘47, Professor Louis began his teaching career as a classroom teacher and later principal for an additional 15 years each. Beginning at Caldwell High school located in Columbia, LA, he remained there for 11 years. Soon enough he mastered the fundamental

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AMPS: What keeps you motivated and gives you strength to not give up?

Berdeisha: Sometimes it just takes one person to say good job you’re doing that. I can relate to older people, and being around my younger kids at work inspires me. There are some days that I do want to give up because it get hard. But I remember that I have to keep moving forward and pushing through.

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GOUDA ROMERO Gouda Romero is a fashion model who shared her experiences, life history, and likes or dislikes. She was born in Nicaragua, which is close to Costa Rica in Central America. Gouda moved to the US when she was 9 years old.

Her family faced cultural differences when they first moved to US due to language barriers. Miami was the first place they moved to, but it was mainly a Spanish speaking area. It was not until they moved to Orlando where she was able to grasp the English language.

She started her modeling career at a young age when she was in high school. Gouda’s mom put her in a modeling school to boost her skills and interest. Her 32-25-34 measurements and body shape helped to build confidence in the modeling.

The secret behind her body shape is exercise, working a lot of hours, and a high metabolism.

Billy Eilish is Gouda Romero celebrity crush. While at the same time, she was impressed by Ellen DeGeneres, who play a positive role in the community.

Miss Romero has positive views about Black life Matter and the cause.

She loves to have someone in her life as a partner who has the following qualities: funny, loving, caring, and hard-working. She loves to listen to music like hip hop, rap, Hispanic music.

She likes to eat seafood. Her favorite city where she wants to go is Los Angeles. She loves traveling, seeing nature, kayaking, and outdoor activities. She is an Apple over Android type of person.

Here quote in life “Confidence is Key. You are your number one fan and supporter.” “The sun will rise and try again.”

You . y e K e is c n e ne d o fi r n e o b “C m u n r u ” are yo supporter. d fan an Page 20

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American Minority People Succeeding