Phoenix Volume 1, Issue 3

COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE AMPS MAGAZINE

American Minority People Succeeding

PHOENIX EDITION

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3

WWW.PHOENIX.AMPSMAGAZINE.COM

WEBSITE

AMPS Magazine Franchise Owner

KENYA RIVERS Wishes All of Arizona a Happy Juneteenth

Juneteenth Color Meaning Red represents the blood that was shed, black is for the color of our skin, and green is for the ground upon which we proudly stand free.

CONTENTS

07 From the Desert to D.C. Julia Romero Gusse's Story

13 KhepeRa Alyce LLC By Danielle Jones

17 Chidell Watkins Founder of Girlfriends Connected

20 Meet Frederick Johnson of Exceptional Community Hospital

Page 4

12 Cynda Williams Back and Mo' Better

15 True Brotherhood,

By Anthony Spradley

18 Against Abuse Interview with Pat Griffen

29

Retired NFL Player Ray Donaldson

Beauty, Cosmetic & Personal Care

Check out the Q&A Interview www.phoenix.ampsmagazine.com

amorofglam.com

JULIA ROMERO GUSSE

By Kent O'Jon

Julia Romero Gusse was born and raised in East Los Angeles. Her parents are both U.S. Naturalized Citizens originally from Mexico. Julia and her siblings

are

all

first

generation

American born. Julia's parents arrived in the states during the midst of the Vietnam

War

and

were

strict

traditional Mexicans. Julia and her siblings were raised Roman Catholic (Julia's children and grandchildren are being brought up in the same faith.)

Julia's first language is Spanish (her children are also fluent in Spanish).

Julia enlisted in the United States Air Force upon high school graduation (age 17) and during her delayed enlistment, she qualified for the Dean’s list while compiling enough credits at East Los Angeles Community College to receive

advanced rank upon basic

training graduation.

Page 7

From the Desert to D.C. Julia Romero's Story Upon basic training graduation, she completed technical training at a Naval Installation in Florida as a Cryptologic Tech/Morse Code Operator. It was during training in Florida that she met her future husband Kevin Gusse (Navy Enlisted, married for 33 years this fall.) Mrs Gusse received a TopSecret Clearance and was assigned to the National Security Agency in Fort Meade Maryland. Little did she know that she would be back in Maryland some 30 years later.

Upon completion of their enlistments, the Gusse family moved to Southern California to be close to Julia's family.Once their older children completed middle school, the Gusse family moved to Arizona.

The Gusse family moved to Maricopa in 2005 after living in Surprise Arizona for a year. The Gusses also bought a home in Chandler (which they still own) because they felt that if Maricopa was not going to be the ideal place, they wanted a backup plan in Chandler.

In 2006 Julia started working for the Maricopa Unified School District as a substitute teacher while also working as a realtor (licensed since 2005). In 2008, Julia applied and received a position with the City of Maricopa but that was short-lived when in 2009 she was laid off. This was when Maricopa became the poster child for the housing bust and foreclosures were occurring everywhere. After experiencing city government, Julia knew she wanted to stay involved. She ran for City Council and was seated by June of 2010.

Julia states that her political journey was a bit of an accident: " I was upset at the fact that I was better qualified than most in city hall, yet I was laid off." "I learned quickly how to get involved with all aspects of the city and it came easy since I had been involved with the school district and the city; the two largest employers in the city (at the time)" Julia states that she also faced discrimination, and racial attacks.

During Julia's two terms she fought to remove a councilmember accused of sexual harassment, filed a complaint with the Arizona attorney general, attempted to remove a councilman that received an extreme DUI, spoke the truth about the immaturity and bully tactics when a former councilman requested a vacated appointment and has been the only councilmember to face two code of ethics violation among other challenges. Julia goes on to state that in the 8.5 years she served on city council, she had the highest level of education than anyone on Council (at the time, the Mayor included).

She is also the only Latina to serve in the city’s history, the only female veteran to serve, and the only former city employee to serve as an elected official for this municipality.

On January 31, 2022 Julia Romero Gusse was sworn in as a Presidential Appointee; Senior Advisor for the Under Secretary of Benefits, Department of Veteran Affairs.

She further states that it has been the" honor of her life" and I am now working in Washington D.C. for the President of the United States of America, and to work for United States Veterans!

Julia is more than qualified for her present position. She worked for Veterans Upward Bound at Arizona State University for over five years as Coordinator and Director for the program. She states that to her surprise, her new office in Washington D.C. is just two city blocks away from the ASU D.C. Campus! As far as future goals, Julia hopes to complete another graduate degree someday, continue to stay involved somehow in Maricopa, and give her all to working with and for her brothers and sisters in uniform.

Page 9

vet-it.org

Back and Mo’ Better

By Chrystal Allen-O'Jon

In speaking to Ms. Williams, it’s clear that she always wanted to sing and act. When asked what her early inspirations were, she says, “I use to go to music rehearsals with my uncle, which led me to sing in church and then school”. In fact, one of my early fond memories was performing in The Mikado – a comic opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Mcado, as early as the 8th grade – The Mikado – a comic opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (imagi-nation.com).

Ms. Williams is still acting and has new projects we must all look out for. “I am excited about American Zealot and Hood Dragon as wells as few others “. Williams still sings and writes, has a self-help podcast P.P.C. Podcast with "Cynda Williams | Ximalaya International Edition Himalaya" and provides hypnotherapy for advocational use i.e., over-eating, behavioral changes.

Look for her on the big screen again soon!

Previous Movies: Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, Mad As Hell, Mo' Better Blues, & The Wedding. Read more here: https://phoenix.ampsmagazine.com.

KhepeRa Alyce LLC

By Danielle Jones Danielle, or Dani, is the owner and creator of KhepeRa Alyce LLC and the brand #KhepeRaAlyce. She is a Self & Spiritual Awareness Strategist and combines her life experiences and certifications to create products and offer services that assist one in recreating themselves.

Dani firmly believes every day we awake with breath in our bodies, is another day to recreate any aspect of one’s self. Doing this work helps one work towards becoming their higher self, the person we are truly meant to be before life taught us otherwise. After her own health scares and struggles breaking into the alternative health field and entrepreneur world, Dani started KhepeRa Alyce.

Khepera, means “recreate oneself” and Alyce is Danielle’s middle name, which means “of the noble”. When she looked up the definition of noble, it was defined as having outstanding qualities. KhepeRa Alyce’s motto is “Selfrecreation with outstanding qualities”.

She initially started with crafting bead jewelry, doing tarot readings and being the friend that people called for advice. This led her to starting the “Venting Sessions” and becoming a Certified Life Coach. Dani had already been implementing herbal remedies into her everyday practice after she almost died giving birth to her daughter Zuri.

From there she studied and became an herbalist, later receiving her certification as a Master Herbalist.

Dani is a Certified Master Herbalist, Certified Holistic Therapist, Certified Cosmic Sexologist and Certified Life Coach. She is currently pursuing her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification. She is a full-time entrepreneur and single mother originally from Springfield, Massachusetts and is now located in Houston, Texas.

Says Dani, “every day is a new opportunity to change something about yourself you do not love.”

This can be mental, physical or emotional.

KhepeRa Alyce is here to help you get in tune with your higher self, so you can become your outstanding self! She aims to help you help yourself to recreate yourself. ​ hepeRa Alyce supports the most effective K approaches to helping the community learn, make and sustain appropriate, informed wellness and overall life decisions. Education, support and guidance along with accountability is offered without judgment. Everything is catered to the client’s specific goals and needs. Wellness and abundance are our birth right. The Earth provides us with all the resources we need to live this human experience. We simply have to tap into its energy.

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True Brotherhood

By Anthony Spradley

True Brotherhood, as displayed by the story of Jesus and his disciples, does not require the sharing of the same blood. While that is most certainly a qualification of “brothers “, it is not the end-all, because often time’s, “blood brothers” have crossed one another, even to the point of death- Cain, and Abel, anyone?!?

True Brotherhood is individuals sharing the same common goals, willing one another to succeed, and often aiding and assisting one another on that journey towards success. True Brotherhood is one brother knowing that perhaps my ” Brother” may be better suited to fulfill this endeavor, so let me let him take the lead, and assist him in any way necessary, as he sees fit, not “Man, this dude thinks he’s cut like that because he can do something that you cannot. “ One’s own selfish desires can and will often lead to destruction for the Brotherhood for lack of common self-evaluation which magnifies the impossibility of one keeping it 100 with oneself.

The Impossibility of keeping it 100 with one’s own’s self, magnifies the hatred that one has for his own “Brother”, which then leads to the hope and prayer for one’s own Brother’s downfall, which can often lead to the action being carried out by the Brother(s) – do I hear Joseph and his jealous brother’s? True Brotherhood has no room for none of that. I

want for my brother what I want for myself, to be successful in the present, as well as the future. True Brotherhood calls for the truth, as raw as it may be at times. True Brotherhood calls and allows for constructive criticism…. and the acceptance of the criticism from the Brother that is being criticized by his Brother(s). The criticism is the truth it’s supported not by feelings, but by facts with the pure intention of bettering your Brother. So the Brotherhood can be in a better situation, with a better mindset.

True Brotherhood is not embarrassing your Brother when he errs, but correcting him and building him up to be better and do better the next time his number comes up. We all need to inhibit these key principles of true Brotherhood, for, after all, we are all Brothers to one another in some shape, form, or fashion.

When we learn that we need to stick together instead of hurting and killing one another, then we will see the true power that we wield… as a Unit.

So, as I end this, I charge you this task, look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself. ” Do I inhabit these key principles of true Brotherhood? ” And if the answer is YES. ” Do you show them on a daily basis? ” And if the answer is NO: Then ask yourself, ” What you need to do to inhabit them ” ……. That is if you truly are your Brother’s Keeper….

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Chidell Watkins Founder of Girlfriends Connected

By Chidell Watkins

www.chidellspeaks.com

Girlfriends Connected, founded by Chidell Watkins was established 10 years ago in Mesa Arizona with a small gathering of 8 women who wanted to have brunch with positive goal-driven women. After sharing our stories, our goals, and inspiring each other, all the ladies in attendance agreed that we should meet again! So we did! However, each brunch/meeting doubled in attendance.

Girlfriends Connected is a 501c3 non-profit organization focused on the connection, development, transformation, and empowerment of women of all races, and social and economic backgrounds.

Our events and activities have a strong focus on connecting women and equipping them with tools and encouragement to overcome obstacles. We promote celebrating us as women as well as the accomplishments we have achieved thus far and the ones that we have yet to come!

empowered, encouraged, and surrounded by inspiring women who are also involved in helping others through community giving.

Girlfriends Connected is not like The Bad Girls Club, Basketball Wives, or The Real Housewives of (wherever they live) but an organization to create genuine relationships through networking and supporting one another to grow and accomplish our goals.

After experiencing some very serious life challenges in the last quarter of the year in 2021, I encourage the ladies that no matter what it looks like, their Best Is Yet To Come!

If you would like more information you could contact Chidell via email at girlfriendsconnected4u@gmail.com and follow her on Instagram @girlfriendsconnected

It has been said that women can’t get along. I disagree as over the years I have met many women from various backgrounds and ethnicities and found the complete opposite.

What I have learned is that most women have the same common bond and desire to be

Page 17

Against Abuse

Pat Griffen: An Unlikely Catalyst for Change

By Chrystal Allen-O'Jon

Against Abuse, Inc. has provided social services in Pinal County, Arizona since 1981. Against Abuse, Inc. is a private non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and the community to understand the nature and effects of family violence and the resources available to meet the needs of those abused. In addition, the agency has taken a proactive role in providing a family focused, culturally sensitive continuum of prevention and intervention services to individuals and families in need of services. https://www.against-abuse.org/.

Let's dig into how the founder of Against Abuse, Pat Griffen became an unlikely hero to many women. When speaking to Ms. Griffen it strikes you that serving others comes as natural to her as breathing air. When asked how Against Abuse started, she states " It all started as a simple conversation with one group to another, as to how one might help women and children caught up divorce and abuse". Ms. Griffen goes on to explain that "back in the day" 40 years ago legislature Page 18

was in place in several counties in Arizona that allowed funds from divorce to fund victims of domestic abuse. By chance, Pat ran into someone who was running an underground organization similar to hers. Having a simple discussion to strategize on how best to get funds distributed to families in need, turned into a whole movement.

"In the past, people didn't acknowledge domestic abuse. The viewpoint then was you just discuss those things". So, Pat although small in stature, went about the community via churches and other organizations to spread a big message of obtaining Safe Houses for victims of domestic abuse and their children. This turned into a 5013c organization, where Pat was hired to work on a three-month basis and is still working. As a young mom Pat thought she'd make extra money doing something she was passionate about, helping abuse victims. Her passion turned into the recruitment of 17-20 safe homes via some fema funding. The idea was to provide a safe place for women and their children while they went through the process of being healed and reestablished.

Now Accepting New Patients

520.568.5943 vitiello04@gmail.com

Frederick Johnson MD MBA FACEP Healthcare Leader and Executive at Exceptional Community Hospital By: Chrystal Allen-O'Jon

Dr. Frederick Johnson is a seasoned and accomplished healthcare executive, medical leader, and educator with a history of devising and implementing business solutions and complex care delivery programs for emergency and matrixes hospital systems. Frequently sought out by top management to pioneer initiatives that generate internal effectiveness and improved patient outcomes.

Mr. Johnson has a strong success record for developing business and medical operational models that meet diverse organizational, clinical, and patient needs.

He is also, highly effective in collaborating across the entire senior management team to achieve consensus on internal changes.

Johnson is a recognized Physician Executive with a track record of operational and programmatic success and a reputation for building trust-based relationships, problem-solving, and translating vision into actionable outcomes. Strengths include communication, strategy, clinical operations, and multi-site management. https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederickjohnson-md-mba-facep-a03601a/.

Upon meeting Dr. Frederick at a Meet Greet for Exceptional Hospital held at The Maricopa Library some months ago, I was struck by his warm confidence. Dr. Frederick spoke about transformational medical/health care then and once again in our recent interview.

First, what is transformational medical/health care? Transformation literally means “a change of form.” To change the form of healthcare, we must reimagine ourselves from the customer's perspective. More than that, Page 20

we must demonstrate the courage and commitment to give up that which we value most —our current provider-centric operating model. https://www.modernhealthcare.com/opinioneditorial/transformation-healthcare-imperativewe-just-arent-sure-what-we-want-become.

According to Five keys to real transformation in health care by Simon A Senzon, "to change a lifestyle is to change a self. Assisting individuals to transform their very sense of self in order to live healthier, more fulfilling lives centered on flourishing requires several important keys". You can hear the excitement in Dr. Johnson's voice when he explains the importance of this healthcare approach.

Dr. Johnson is excited to be working with Exceptional Community, as the hospital and its amazing staff all believe in the transformational approach to healthcare. Their belief is it benefits patients, the community and stakeholders.

Exceptional Community Hospital believes by taking care of healthcare "ahead of time" it's a win-win for all in the long run.

Exceptional Community Hospital - Maricopa http://www.ECHMaricopa.com/ (520) 534-0700 info@ehc24.com

To address healthcare issues a "campaign on health literacy" is the place to start. This kind of health campaign requires working with consumers, organizations, civic groups, and the business community. For example, a campaign to get high blood pressure down in African American communities, or campaigns on suicide prevention in teens and young adults in high schools and colleges might be a start.

Health literacy is the heartbeat of Exceptional Community Hospital. Preventing health problems, protecting health, and better management of health problems when they arise are all key.

Our next quarter issue will introduce you to another Exceptional staff member and dive into more of their programs.

If you have health literacy ideas, please share them via email to:johnson@eh24.com.

Dr. Frederick Johnson at Exceptional Community Hospital - Maricopa, Arizona awarding the Chamber’s 2021 Non-Profits of Year Nominees. Also Pictured: Councilmember Henry Wade, Antonia Presume' City Council Board Member and CEO of Joia Baskets, Amber Bond (CEO) & Founder at Faces of the Future Inc. & Jim Shoaf of Maricopa Food Pantry.

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Female P.O.V.

Let Nature Nurture You

by Nina Garrett

everyone, no appointment is needed. Phoenix has hundreds of beautiful trails, lakes, and mountains. Sometimes the trails are rough, longer than expected, I’ve even gotten lost (with friends) a time or two, but conquering those trials is somehow satisfying like an unexpected victory. Just be sure to have plenty of water, a protein snack, the right shoes, and make sure someone knows you’re going.

There is a great app (ALL Trails) that will give you directions to some of the best trails in the area. Not only has the walking and hiking helped me mentally I’ve also lost a decent amount of weight and noticed my blood pressure has Do not underestimate the power of nature improved as well. Even if it’s only 20 and exercise, (the dreaded “e” word) to lift minutes give it a try, now’s a perfect time. your spirits. It’s free and available to Warm weather and sunshine are plentiful in Arizona. I have found this to be very therapeutic. On average I spend at least an hour per day walking a super energetic dog. I use that time to clear my mind, pray, meditate or essentially just BREATHE. It is amazing how much better I feel AFTER OUR WALKS. I also enjoy hiking with friends and have even taken up kayaking. I think we can all agree that the past 2+ years have been stressful.

Now more than ever it is so important to take the time to nurture your mental health. Spa days, massages, a trip to the nail salon, whatever puts a smile on your face and allows your mind to take a break from the everyday stresses should be a priority.

Nina Garrett Page 22

Male P.O.V. About Cultural Change - Essay By: Antonio Lamar Hickman

After reading and researching statistics on why black-owned businesses fail at a high rate. There were articles stating that it was due to black income and wealth disparities.

“The racial disparities in entrepreneurship mirror overall racial economic inequality”.

That appears to be an oxymoron to a degree…

Black people are the largest consumers in the U.S spending $1.9 Trillion a year nationwide.

When it comes to buying power, we’re at 48%, however, we make up 13.4% of the population.

Damn! It makes you wonder are we really failing from inequality? Banks don’t want to give us loans, it’s hard to get grants, it’s hard to trust our own people. Who are we as a whole? Or doesn’t even matter? Crab-in-thebarrel mentality has always been us! We support all the big corporations financially, without thinking twice. Yet we frown upon black-owned businesses because of their prices. I’ve heard that excuse many of times…

Truth is we’re against each other by design.

There are many other factors that compel us not to support or build up our own communities. These points I bring up are the commonalities, that we see as surviving in this world, that is forever changing, and it’s changing to where it’s going to be difficult financially for us as a whole.

This is an issue; therefore, a solution is needed.

What is that solution? Spending our dollars back into our communities with black-owned businesses. Creating our own seats at our own table…. Coming together financially to acquire property, land, and establish assets. Becoming self-sustaining by supporting each other through our resources, will create jobs. We are not only limited to sports. Our History not only tells us differently but shows us as well…. All we have to do is follow the footprints, and there are many who have paved the way. O.W. Gurley, founder of Black Wall Street, Harriet Tubman, Underground Railroad. Madam C.J. Walker, they all created their own seats! Most importantly, bringing awareness to financial literacy to all ages. This is key to understanding how to build wealth.

Let us take a stand by acknowledging those who are in our community. That is striving to make a difference in our communities. We should be supporting and celebrating them daily. It is in our black community, where we should find inspiration, and look to those black business owners to pull up the next aspiring black business owner. To be clear this should be done without looking for something in return. By building this type of foundation I can promise you the reward will be much greater. The journey shouldn’t be about outdoing one another, however, coming together to change the narrative of how we’ll flourish as a whole.

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The History of Juneteenth Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved AfricanAmericans. It is also often observed for celebrating African-American culture.

Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1865.

On “Freedom’s Eve,” or the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered as all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free. Union soldiers, many of whom were black, marched onto plantations and across cities in the south reading small copies of the Emancipation Proclamation spreading the news of freedom in Confederate States.

(Wikipedia)

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Only through the Thirteenth Amendment did emancipation end slavery throughout the United States.

But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free.

Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control.

As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree.

This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas. www.nmaahc.si.ed

More On Juneteenth The day was first celebrated in Austin in 1867 under the auspices of the Freedmen's Bureau, and it had been listed on a "calendar of public events" by 1872. That year, black leaders in Texas raised $1,000 for the purchase of 10 acres of land to celebrate Juneteenth, today known as Houston's Emancipation Park.

Why is it called Juneteenth and not June 19th?

Juneteenth honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The name “Juneteenth” is a blend of two words: “June” and “nineteenth.” It's believed to be the oldest African-American holiday, with annual celebrations on June 19th in different parts of the country dating back to 1866

How is Juneteenth celebrated?

Juneteenth celebrations in the United States typically include prayer and religious services, speeches, educational events, family gatherings and picnics, and festivals with food, music, and dancing. The day is also celebrated outside the United States and is used to recognize the end of slavery as well as to celebrate African American culture and achievements.

How do you honor Juneteenth?

Here are six ways to do so: 1. Learn the full history 2. Celebrate 3. Support Black-owned businesses 4. Acknowledge and spread the word 5. Donate to supportive organizations 6. Attend Juneteenth events

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The Maricopa Black Chamber of Commerce is Here The Mission of the Black Maricopa Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic independence and prosperity among Black business entrepreneurs in the City of Maricopa and surrounding areas.

The Chamber seeks to grow and nurture our own economy within the Maricopa community and beyond. While we promote prosperity and growth within the Black community, we are an allinclusive organization and encourage working together with other groups. We need YOU to help organize quarterly meetings and one Annual Gala. www.blackmaricopacc.com Page 26

CHAMBER OFFICERS Get to Know Us KENT O'JON Director ojonenterprises.com JELANI ELLIOTT Associate Director 4thekultureent.com CHRYSTAL ALLEN-O'JON Treasurer ojonenterprises.com VONZELL CASH Officer procoach.app/zellnutrition

LEWIS GREEN Officer traffic202.com

Know Your Neighbor

Ronald D. Simpson-Bey is a national leader in the movement to decarcerate America, currently working as the Executive Vice President for Just Leadership USA. (JLUSA) and an alumnus of their 2015 Leading with Conviction (LwC) Fellowship. Ronald is an LPI Trained Leadership Coach and is prominently featured in the book, Halfway Home: Race, Punishment, and the Afterlife of Mass Incarceration, by Dr. Reuben Jonathan Miller.

Ronald is also a contributing author to the book, Smart Decarceration: Achieving Criminal Justice Transformation in the 21st Century.

Ronald serves as the Vice-Chair for the ABA Criminal Justice Section Victims Committee; he serves as a Special Advisor for the ABA Criminal Justice Section council; he serves as a board member for the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA); as a board member of the Michigan Center for Youth Justice (MCYJ); as a steering team member of the Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration (MI-CEMI) and Nation Outside organizations. He is an engaged, thoughtful, and creative leader, founding many enrichment programs rooted in transformation, redemption, and selfaccountability. Ronald attended Eastern Michigan University, Mott Community College, and Jackson Community College.

Decarceration Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster: Decarceration is the effort to limit the number of people who are detained behind bars, either by limiting who is sent to prison in the first place or by creating avenues to release people already in custody. — Martha Paynter et al.

Ronald Simpson-Bey Executive Vice President / JustLeadershipUSA 2015 JustLeadershipUSA LwC FellowLPI® Certified Leadership Practices Inventory Trained Coach Cell: 810-293-5739

Twitter @BeySimpson, ronald@jlusa.org.

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Nutritional Mindset Coach

by Vonzell Cash Vonzell Cash is a Certified Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach (Pn1). He has a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Northeastern Illinois University and has spent most of his career in higher education as a Financial Aid Administrator/Advisor.

Because of his love for advising and coaching students on financial literacy and financial aid awareness, applying the same concept of advisement and coaching to health and fitness was a natural next step. He loosely started his health journey almost 20 years ago, because of an unlikely auto-immune disease called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).

GBS is a very rare auto-immune disease that affects the peripheral nervous system. Plainly, the body’s antibodies attack the nerves, damaging the nerve protective cover (myelin) causing severe weakness and in some, cases paralysis.

Vonzell spent 2 months in the hospital recovering from the disease having to relearn how to walk and talk as well as develop fine motor skills such as writing and dressing himself all over again. Through the arduous tasks of daily physical, vocational and speech therapy, Vonzell, against all odds, was able to walk out of the hospital with the assistance of a cane in each hand.

Read more about his health journey here: https://phoenix.ampsmagazine.com/.

One Conversation at a Time

By Chrystal Allen-O'Jon When you meet Jelani Elliott aka DJ MENTALZ you are drawn to his infectious smile and passion for “Making a Difference For The Kulture Through Music”. He has a love for all people but is particularly interested in mentoring young, underserved youth, and young adults.

His approach is to use music as the best way to create an avenue for emotional healing for young people. “It’s OK, not to be OK”, says Mr. Elliott. He wants young people to get this message through various advocacy programs that work with the school systems and help teach practical life skills.

In the future, Jelani would like to create partnerships with trade schools, life skill programs, and create safe houses for those youth and young adults living in dangerous circumstances. Mr. Elliott believes that with “one conversation at a time” hearts and negative minds can be changed and encouraged to see positive life choices.

Jelani “DJ Mentalz” is the founder and CEO of For The Kulture, Inc., (https://www.4thekultureent.com/), and can be contacted for DJ and speaking engagements at forthekultureent@gmail.com.

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Retired NFL Player Ray Donaldson

by Kenya Payne Rivers

There were some players that paved the way for others. There was a time when there was a racial barrier in the sports industry. It took time for African Americans to be qualified to play in the National Football League. It took even more time for African Americans to be recognized for their hard work and efforts of being a player on the field.

It was Ray Donaldson’s childhood dream to play football ever since he was six years old.

He was so determined to be in the league one day, he wrote a letter to Johnny Unitas, who was a Baltimore Colts Quarterback from 1956 to 1973. Ray doesn’t remember exactly what the letter said but he made it clear that he was a fan. In his rookie year, he got to meet John Unitas.

Ray Donaldson was born in Rome, Georgia. He went to the University of Georgia from 1976 to 1979. Ray was the first black offensive lineman at the university. The Colts Head Coach, Mike McCormack, was impressed with the 6 feet 3 inches, 253-pound player. He thought he would be a great fit as a Center.

The job of the Center is to make the line calls and the glue to the offensive line. He was the 32nd NFL draft pick in 1980. Ray became the first African American fulltime Center in the NFL in 1981. He started his career with the Baltimore Colts and stayed with them when the team transferred to Indianapolis in 1984. After leaving the Colts, his career continued with the Seattle Seahawks and ended with the Dallas Cowboys in 1996.

Ray retired from the NFL with 17 years as a 6-time Pro Bowl Player and with a Super Bowl XXX win with the Dallas Cowboys.

Since retiring from the NFL he has started an apparel line that showcases the number he donned while playing football. To check it out, go to https://millions.co/raydonaldson-football.

I would like to give a shout-out to Ron “Clownn” Anderson and Earl Coleman for connecting me with Ray. Thank you, guys!

Apparel Line Model Alaiya Smith

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The Million Dollar Mingle

Essay on Love

by Mark A. White

Throughout our lifetime, we as a people have all dealt with the notion of wanting to be loved and seeking love in the presence or arms of all kinds of people, from female and male friends to lovers to family members just to name a few. So, in this inquiry/slash rant, I am just wondering why do you, the reader feel like you deserve to be loved?

At first thought, one might say because I’m cute, lovable, and charming, which may be true. But that doesn’t qualify you of being one that is deserving of real love. As Mary J. Blige once said in her song, “Real love exists in the deepest part of one’s soul, while the other characteristic exists in the midst of one’s heart and eyes.” So, the essence of love exists even when the other person doesn’t know or feel you thinking about them. It’s like a craving that one just can’t shake, like two young kids up all night on the phone, talking about ‘are you sleep?” as the music winds down into the early hours of the night.

So why do you deserve to be loved when you are sneaking and creeping? Emotional and mental cheating is worse than the actual act itself, because one’s mate doesn’t have a clue that the one, they love with is in love with someone else. So why do you deserve to be loved? Is it because you feel like you are a baby momma’ or baby daddy and you should get some sort of special privilege? Neither one of those are concrete reasons for why you should feel or deserve to be loved.

If you’re not a responsible person and worthy of one’s love, then your sense of deserving is futile and a waste of thought and time. So, tell me why do you deserve to be loved? Do you seek happiness, laughter, joy and do you believe that your sex is good and that one just can’t get enough of you? Well, my name is Mark A. White 05671-028 a.k.a Milk-D and I haven’t had sex since 1999 and I deserve to be loved.

Because I know how to love and how to share my love. I know how to listen to the one I love, and I am not afraid to open my heart up to someone that I feel is deserving of my love. So why do you deserve to be loved?

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The Owners are from Chicago (Barber and Stylist) Most importantly, they have staff that cares about its clients.

Call for an appointment now (708) 491-8005

Honeycutt Coffee Cafe and Wine bar 44400 Honeycutt Rd, 109, Maricopa, AZ - (520) 510-4468 coffeeshopmaricopa.com - info@honeycuttcoffeecafe.com

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www.acppaintingllc.com (480) 785-6323

THE YOUTH WORLD EDUCATION PROJECT THEIR GOAL Building Connections between communities and both educational and employment opportunities is vital, as are community empowerment and greater investment in people and neighborhoods. Read more.

THEIR VISION To see all youth, possess a sense of purpose, graduate from high school and transition successfully to postsecondary education with parental involved support. Also, to see all youth gain life skills needed to become thriving, confident adults.

THEIR ANNUAL GALA DANCE WITH MY FATHER HELPS FUND THEIR YOUTH PROGRAMS – YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED! Tara Laurie, M. Ed Founder & Chief Executive Officer Tara Laurie is the founder and CEO of Youth World Education Project (YWEP). Ms. Laurie’s story is one of perseverance, resiliency, and risk-taking.

The New York native was born and raised in Harlem, New York and she credits her upbringing for making her the strong, determined woman she is today. Ms. Laurie is often overheard stating “I want to be an agent for change.” She recognizes one of the best ways to bring about change is through education. Following high school, she pursued her academic studies in psychology and education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the Wayne State University and a Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Arizona. http://www.youthwep.org/.

Her annual gala “Dance with my Father” is one way she and her staff raise funds to cover their program costs.

YWEP - http://www.youthwep.org

ADVERTISING? The reason why you should advertise in a Magazine, specifically AMPS! • Magazines are especially good at targeting specific or hard to reach generations or interests. Older generations which can be especially difficult to reach are also heavy magazine readers still today.

• Some of the advantages for advertising with us is to appeal to a more specific target group. Magazines have a long life because they sit in doctor’s waiting rooms, magazine racks, and also collectors.

• Print advertising is one of the few forms of media that truly requires its audience to tune in. Online or even on radio or TV ads can easily be ignored. Most people sit down with magazines with the Intention to learn or see something new.

• Magazine advertising has less competition with so many other forms of advertising out there magazines offer an uncluttered place for businesses to place their ads where they won’t be drowned out and ignored as click bait (Internet).

• Several studies conducted in the last few years have shown that when a person is able to physically touch an ad they are more likely to be able to recall the information in the future, which in turns helps you make sales.

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