This is the second issue of AMPS Magazine, Michigan Edition. I want to take this time to congratulate A.M.P.S. (American-Minority People Succeeding) Cleveland franchise on a great job they are doing in the community in providing good stories and educating the community.
This 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 events marketing and promotions department is designed to present positive entertainment and events that the Michigan 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’re Accomplished By Making You Successful.”
Gerald D. Wright, CEO
about the publisher
I’m so pleased to bring you another issue of AMPS Magazine! To each and every reader of the AMPS Ohio and the AMPS Michigan Magazines thank you for your continued support. Each issue is packed with ads from our melanated businesses, events that will keep you on the go and articles that will hold your interest.
I would like to thank Ms. Dangerous: Tyanna Paige, the Creator of the line dance Dangerous for gracing the cover of AMPS Ohio Magazine. We are honored to be her first magazine cover. Also in the AMPS Ohio Magazine is the devastating article on the fire at Garden Valley ‘s Rainbow Terrace Apartments. Please contact me at AMPS Magazine to donate items for these 44 families who lost their homes and all of their belongings. Also included in this issue is our Living Legends and Missing Children.
In our AMPS Michigan Magazine I’d like to thank LaWanna Graves for being on our cover and being our cover story! LaWanna is a true Inspiration so be sure to read her story. Also in this issue is an article on Detroit and the actors that brings us movie after movie on Tubi, the Living Legends and information on missing women from the surrounding areas.
I am honored to be able to once again deliver melanated content to you because in every issue of AMPS Magazine we bring you Black History and words of wisdom and inspiration.
AMPS Ohio Magazine & AMPS Michigan Magazine
Publisher Romeo Barnes
Thank you for your continued support.
LaWanna Graves: Building Wealth with Purpose
From insurance and luxury travel to custom printing, LaWanna Graves is more than an entrepreneur—she’s a Kingdom-minded visionary making purpose-driven impact.
In a world that constantly demands hustle, few manage to blend success with purpose and faith as gracefully as LaWanna Graves. A proud woman of God, LaWanna is a multi-business owner who has turned her passion for people, travel, and service into a thriving mission-driven empire.
LaWanna wears many hats — and she wears them well.
�� Insurance Agent | Graves Insurance Group
As a trusted insurance agent, LaWanna serves families and individuals with the coverage and confidence they need to protect what matters most. Through Graves Insurance Group, she empowers clients to secure their future with policies that reflect their lifestyle and values.
Travel Business Owner | Graves Luxury Travel
Her passion for exploring the world led to Graves Luxury Travel, a brand where travel becomes a lifestyle. From dream getaways to group trips and corporate retreats, LaWanna makes luxury travel accessible while helping others build income through the $8 trillion travel industry.
Creative Entrepreneur | 1 Loyalty Custom Ink
With her third business, 1 Loyalty Custom Ink, LaWanna uses custom printing to tell stories and unify communities—whether it’s shirts, banners, or branded merchandise. She believes every design should speak life, and her work reflects that.
But beneath all the accomplishments is a woman grounded in her faith. “Everything I do is centered around God,” says LaWanna. “These businesses are not just jobs—they’re ministries. They allow me to serve, to uplift, and to inspire.”
Her clients, partners, and supporters often describe her as dependable, purpose-driven, and genuinely caring. Whether she’s helping
someone plan their dream vacation, protect their legacy, or print a shirt that speaks truth—LaWanna’s mission is clear:
“When faith is your foundation, the possibilities are limitless.” – LaWanna Graves
SCAN WITH PHONE
SCAN WITH PHONE
Mia Ray:
Mia Ray is the Founder and CEO of Glam-Aholic Life Style and is a native of Detroit and is not shy about letting you know she loves her city. Mia has grown her business from the ground up. Mia started out with a fashion blog in 2009 and has since introduced Detroiters and her loyal and dedicated customers across the globe to beautiful quality products that include travel sets, high end leather and vegan purses, clothing and household items. Glam-Aholic is a much sought after luxury lifestyle brand. Mia’s attention to detail and quality for her brand and customers has made her a cut above the rest. What started off as an idea written in her notebook is a dream come true. This entrepreneur, mother and mentor has been in Forbes and Essence’s magazine and the sky is the limit. Whether it’s traveling for a speaking engagement, working in her warehouse or designing, this entrepreneur strives to inspire young melanated women across the globe. Mia’s Glam - Aholic items can be purchased online check out the signature Glam Tote and exclusive Travel Like a G Travel Set.
Mia is the owner of several other businesses including the Hair Line Same Girl Different Hair and luxury cannabis brand GRL (Get Real Lifted) Cannabis Club. The idea behind this brand was to let women know it’s okay to smoke cannabis to relax after a hard day it’s okay and you won’t be judged. Mia aimed to introduce infused items and cannabis that was light and flirty for the ladies. Like her lifestyle brand Mia wanted to create that luxurious feeling and put in the work to make it feel just like that from packaging to product to education Mia has left no stone unturned.
Legendary Great
Stevie Wonder
This Living Legend was born Steveland Hardaway Morris Judkins on May 13th 1950. This Living Legend is Stevie Wonder. Stevie born in Saginaw Michigan and was one of 5 children. Born prematurely Stevie was blind almost from birth and has retinopathy of prematurity. This did not stop Stevie. His love of music started in the church. Stevie sang in the church choir and played the keyboard, drums and of course the harmonica. By the time Stevie was 11 he was writing songs and soon those at Motown heard about the talented young artist.
Stevie along with his mother… because of his young age, signed with Motown when Stevie was just 11 years old. Berry Gordy named him Little Stevie Wonder, this name stayed with Stevie until adulthood. Stevie soon became the youngest solo artist to make the Billboard top 100. Stevie continued to record albums with Motown and write for himself and other artists there. He wrote Tears of a Clown for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles which went to number 1.
During the 70s Stevie’s music began to take off and this musical genius had major success with number
1 hits Superstition, You are the Sunshine of My Life, Higher Ground and Living for the City. Stevie was not done, by his early twenties he had multiple Grammys including back to back Albums of the Year. Stevie’s success in the music world is undeniable. With songs such as Isn’t She Lovely from his album Songs in the Key of Life,
Stevie stayed on the charts. Stevie’s Hotter than July album introduced us to HAPPY BIRTHDAY which was a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday; that we still sing today. Stevie Wonder has an amazing list of outstanding music. His advocacy work around the world has given him respect through out the nation. Still recording today at 75 this Living Legend released Can We Fix Our Nation in 2024 as well as What about the Children. Stevie continued to work toward peace and equality. This Living Legend’s Legacy not only consists of historical music and advocacy but of a beautiful family that includes 9 children and his wife of eight years Tomeeka Bracy.
Legendary Great
Casey Jay
Here at AMPS Cleveland Ohio we would to take the time to give the extraordinary mother, entrepreneur actress and battle Rapper, Casey Jay her flowers. This Living Legend proves that whatever you set your mind to you can achieve. Casey Jay is known around the U.S. as a fierce Battle Rapper. Battling both female and male Battle Rappers Casey Jay has proven herself a worthy opponent. Casey Jay always represents her hometown of Texas and has done them proud as one of the best and fiercest battler in the game. Casey has been seen on Netflix battling and on the screen as an actress on True Crime Stories.
Casey Jay has been able to balance her career as a Battle Rapper and actress while still being a mother to her son. Casey Jay doesn’t back down from her goals and sets a great example for her son; she not only travels the world but Casey Jay has also established her entrepreneurial style with her latest venture Fruit Kitchen. Fruit Kitchen offers everything from fresh fruit drinks to fresh fruit candy. Casey Jay has established the tone by being health conscious and sharing her own weight journey. Melanated women across the globe has followed her journey and her items from Fruit Kitchen sells out quickly. Casey Jay you deserve your flowers and AMPS Cleveland is honored to give them to you.
Dancing Through the Darkness
My name is Christina Renay, but in the dance world, I go by Goldie Loxx. I’m proud to call Columbia, South Carolina my home. My love for dance started early—back in elementary school, when my friends and I created our own step team. I’ll never forget the rhythm that brought us together: “stomp, stomp, clap the beaty beat!” We practiced it daily, not realizing then that we were laying the foundation for a lifelong passion.
Dance stayed with me through the years—from school performances all the way into my career as a teacher. It wasn’t until I began posting videos of my dances on social media that things really shifted. A friend saw my posts and invited me to S Bar—and I’ve been dancing there ever since.
That invitation came at a pivotal moment. I had just become a single mother again, trying to navigate heartbreak and uncertainty. Dance became my therapy. It pulled me out of depression and healed parts of me I didn’t even know were broken. It gave me purpose, joy, and a powerful reminder of who I am.
Now, I live to create new choreography, teach both old and new dances, and share laughs with my family. I see myself on stages across the country, making people smile and feel the power of movement—until the day my body tells me to stop. The line dance world is a beautiful, inclusive community filled with people of all ages and backgrounds, united by rhythm and love. I’ll forever be grateful to my dear friend Angelica Santiago for introducing me to this life-changing world. Thanks to her—and to dance—I found light again.
Detroit Actors and Tubi
The Streaming Channel Tubi has created a platform for up and coming Filmmakers, writers, directors, producers and actors. This channel provides the opportunity to create great films and series on a budget vs what it would cost in Hollywood. Filmmakers like Lisa Brown and Dennis Reed II, have been able to bring Detroit to life. Tubi also allows so many good actors and actresses the opportunity to showcase their talents, build their portfolio and their fan base while getting paid to do what they love.
Several Cities have produced great movies and series and a whole army of talented actors and actresses but Detroit, Michigan is at the top of the list. Detroit is known to be a city of great music, and the city of great hustlers or entrepreneurs but the list of movies like Black Men Don’t Cheat, Broad Day, Queen of Kings and more made in Detroit with talented actors and actresses that leap from the screen on Tubi is amazing. Here are few of these talented actors and actresses:
Kaamel Diezal Hadsaun named the Tubi Denzel by Coach Deion Saunders. Has appeared in over 20 Tubi movies including the Detroit Series The Dirty D, the movies, He Played Me and He Played Me 2, Master Dragon and many more. Kaamel also writes, directs, hosts and has held acting workshops and classes. Kaamel is one of the most popular and sought after Detroit Tubi actors.
Crystal the Doll is a talented Tubi favorite. A native of Detroit Crystal has appeared in over 20 Tubi movies and series including the Dirty D and the Tubi Movies Detroit Dreams, Bag Girls and Broad Day. She is also a rapper and model.
Murda Pain, this Detroit Actor and Executive producer has had
the lead in multiple Tubi Movies like Plug Love on which he was the executive producer. Murda also was the executive producer of Birthday Behavior, The Mule, and the McGraw Series to name a few. Murda Pain’s productions helped put Detroit on the Tubi Map.
Deborah Lane Spencer this Detroiter is a actress, writer, composer and director she has appeared in Dear Future Husband, Birthday Behavior, Meeting Boone and other Tubi movies along side many of the actors mentioned. Deborah has also appeared in many stage productions and she is the founder of Her Patio Production.
The list of talented Detroit Tubi actors and actresses is long, here are others to check out their work and follow: Demaris Harvey, Kamale Smith, Latoya Belue, Ebony Tates, Eastside Ivo, Mena Monroe, Lexus Elle Breanna and Denzel Dandridge to name a few more amazing Michigan Tubi Stars. We are all watching.
MISSING WOMEN
Let’s continue to keep our eyes, ears and hearts open to finding our missing children Children across the nation continues to disappear. It takes all of us to bring them home safely. Let’s do our part.
Ava Dargin
The little girl from Detroit, with a big voice has taken the internet by storm! Ava’s viral tik tok video of her singing and winning her school’s (Detroit Acad emy of Arts and Sciences) talent show where Ava was a 4th grader, has viewers mesmerized. This beautiful little 10 year old sung Defying Gravity from the play and movie Wicked and has been viewed thousands of times including by Cynthia Erivo who sung the song in the movie. When Ava was asked what she thought of her video going viral she said she had no idea it would go that far. When Interviewed by Channel 4, Ava stated “I’m dreaming big about the things that are going to happen in the future to me.”
Things have begun to happen for Ava and her family. They took a trip to the To day Show where Ava had a unexpected moment to meet, talk and sing with her inspiration Cynthia Erivo. There has been much buzz about this amazing youth the music companies are taking notice. We will be on the look out for what is next Ava Dargin.
Music is a part of my heart. Music is very special to me.” Ava Dargin
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