Father's Day Edition Hello Savannah June 2023

Father'sDay Edition

TributeEditionTo SavannahLegend

Larry "Gator" Rivers

"Follow Through"

President andChief ExecutiveOfficer

VicePresident

JuliusP. Hall

CharlieBrown

ExecutiveEditor ChantayeMcLaughlin

ManagingEditor Epiphany L. Williams

Senior Editor TomecaEvans

AdvertisingDirector

Director of Information Technology

ContributingWriters

BelindaBradley

ChrisSmith

Dr. Amir Toure?

Sharon Butts

CraigButts

Eboni Holmes

AshaDickerson

Harrison Davis

ChantayeMcLaughlin

LeonoraMoore-Bogus

JuliusP. Hall

By: Dr. Robert G. Bryant

By: JuliusP. Hall

By: Anderson Aries

FROM THE CEO

Welcome to OUR magazine. We are a monthly publication that will be bringing information and content to Our community to better inform Our citizens. Each month we hope to cover the subjects you want to read more about. Unlike the mainstream media, at OUR Black Media, we will highlight positive events, progressive leaderships, and movers and shakers in our community, our state, and our nation.

Our monthly publications will thrive to showcase fairness, openness, and transparency. We inform, you decide. Please stay with us while we're in our infancy, and join our growth by letting us know what is important to you in a publication like this. All advice is welcomed, and we also accept letters to the editor.

Our main goal is to bring information that uplifts and moves all of us forward. In the long term, we hope to start a dialogue that will begin to create ans Agenda for America. Not just a Black Agenda, but a People's Agenda.

Our first two digital magazines, The Port City Review and Hello Savannah, currently goes out to over 50,000 emails in our area. We're projecting an August 5th date for Hello Atlanta and Hello Jacksonville, our newest publications.

Each month will be something you'll be excited to turn the pages of. This month is our Father's Day Edition, where we CELEBRATE and HONOR some of the city's GREATEST & MOTIVATING FATHERS.

WE hope through this publication we show our readers the greatness of OUR community in every aspect, from politics to community activism, from sports to entertainment, and from finance to love and relationships.

This publication is only available to the general public in a digital format now, with a limited number of printed hard copies. Coming very soon, you'll be able to subscribe to get your hard copy in the mail.

So stay tuned, and as always, share, share, share.

Julius Hall, President OUR Media Group

Photo by: Jonathan Borba

FollowThrough

It?s not often you get to meet and hangout with a WORLD TRAVELER. It?s not often you get to be friends with a LIVING LEGEND. It?s not often that you get to be FRIENDSwith someone who you grew up watching and later on bragging to your friends about. Larry "Gator" Rivers was that guy for me.

Gator, was my friend, even though we argued every day, we still understood that our friendship transcended our disagreements. Most of our issues were political, never personal. I was the one who had the job of telling him that he needed to look at the issue differently. If you ever heard Gator and I "discussing" any issue, you would have thought that we didn?t like each other--- nothing could be further from the truth. Out of every conversation or disagreement we ever had, I also came away learning something. But the overall lesson that Gator taught everyone EVERYDAY, was that you must Follow Through. Finish the process. Gator was like my substitute father, and his talks with me 3-4 times weekly, were my lessons. He used to always tell me, ?Julius Hall, one thing you are, and that is consistent?. I will continue to FOLLOW THROUGH Gator.

William A. Bryant, Sr.

A Quiet, Driven, Man of God.

By Dr. Robert Bryant

Mr. William A. Bryant, Sr. was a change agent who was born and raised in Savannah, GA. He and his brother, Crawford Bryant, grew up in East Savannah on Missouri Avenue during the deep depression and ragging segregation. Mr. Bryant, as he was known by many, was a curious person who enjoyed laughter, learning, and serving. His childhood was met with challenges due to segregation, making the amenities of today something unattainable. He lived through the ?colored?water fountains and policies used to make Black people feel less than. There were days when he and his brother would go without basic needs such as food, shoes, and money ? as was the case for many Black people throughout Savannah and the nation. He shared the pains of segregation with his family and to those who listened, calling it ?the worst thing to happen to the country.?

His father would die of heartbreak due to the harsh realities of segregation. At the young age of 8, William witnessed his father die of heartbreak. His father was terminated by his employer so the same job could be given to a white man. This is just one of many realities that many people endured due to segregation and Jim Crow laws, especially in the south. In fact, a penny or a nickel was like gold during this era because the economy was experiencing major setbacks. The deep depression was most significant on the Black community due to the climate of the nation, in addition to an economic system that further disenfranchised the community.

William enjoyed learning and was consistent with advocating to younger adults about getting an education. He often talked about how the value of a high school and college education or seeking a trade (i.e. plumbing, carpentry, electrician) is for a well-sustained life. His love for education motivated him to earn a degree in mathematics from Savannah State College. After a short experience with teaching, he became a United States Letter Carrier and retired after a 30 year career. His knowledge spanned beyond the book, given his skills with electrical wiring, brick masonry, and automotive repair ? helping him to stay committed to his value for saving money. Service was an important part of his life. William Bryant was one of few Black Eagle Scouts in Savannah during that era, and he later would become a Boy Scout Troop Advisor in the city he adored. He worked in collaboration with other men at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church to support youth development programs. His work with the Knights of Columbus and the local union were very important to him, given his belief in helping others grow and learn. His most cherished service opportunity was serving as a communion minister for the sick and shut in of his church. Each Sunday he would visit up to 15 homes, all 3 local hospitals, nursing homes, and other locations to make sure the elderly and sick could receive communion. He loved people.

Mr. Bryant was a fun and down to earth man, however, he was serious about his wife and family. He met Odessa White when he was at Savannah State and married her prior to being drafted by the United States Army. He always was happy to say, ?we never talked loud or harsh to one another and we would never dream of hitting the other.? For close to 70 years, they created a family with 2 boys and constructed one of the first homes in Liberty City.

He developed much of his way of being, from W.W. Law and his godfather, Mr. White. William?s life teaches us many things, however, these three things he offered to me

1) love people and help where you can, 2) family is important during the good and the bad times, and 3) when God guides you then all things remain well. On this father?s day, I give honor to the man that taught me all that I know, who pour into me, who encouraged me to attain a higher degree of education, who pushed me without breaking me, and who loved me without conditions. To make a good man, it takes a good man to mold him. Thank you Daddy, for molding the clay.

ClarenceT.Williams

Richard Hall

Harry Jackson

Pastor Larry Gordon

Public

ALoveYouMustExperience

By: Julius P. Hall

There is nothing like being a father, but what is more rewarding is being a GRAND DAD. This is the seed of your seed, and there?s nothing like understanding and feeling that your spirit and your legacy will be alive in this world long after you?ve left this earth. I mentor young men now, and I also mentor some young females, but the most rewarding part of my life is spending time with my young grandsons. Sire and Maverick, are whom I think of when I?m planting the mental seeds in the young people I mentor daily. My desire is to pour into these young men just as much as I pour into my grandsons. I also have two AWESOME& TALENTED Granddaughters, Ra?kiyah and Marissa, but as a man, we want to build our young males into strong men, instead of trying to repair a broken boy.

Everything I do, is for a legacy. Everything I?m building is to leave to them. Not often enough in the African-American community do we leave a great legacy, or generational wealth for our families. Generational wealth comes in many forms, such as trusts, property, businesses and non tangible entities.

As Black men, our mindsets must change in order to break that mold. We have to stop living only for today, and start planning for tomorrow. African-American DNA is the only DNA on this planet with 9 parts to it. We were built to last, we were created to succeed. Every human in this world comes out of us. But we are running last in almost every category because we have not truly realized who we are. It?s not bragging, it?s a fact. I want to leave my mark here, to be the model long after I?m gone. That is why I work as hard as I do. The race I run is not for me, it is for the seeds I?ve planted, both mentally and physically. Being a FATHER and a GRANDFATHER means ?going hard in the paint?for everyone coming behind you.

GQ

Francys Johnson

Chester Ellis

AndreOsborne

Sam Carter

Hollis Mitchell

Desmond Duval

Donald Gilliard

ART OF FATHERHOOD

James Brown

John McMasters

Lingeela Johnson

Ulysses Hall

Johnny Hall

Walter Haywood

Eric Dixon

Ronald McGee

Day Clean- Journey

"Whentruth arrives, falsehood perishes"

Journeys

Toursfor Everyone! Historical Journeys Through Time!

TheAfricanSoul LivingHistory Lectures Tributes&Workshops fahunnah (for you) For

Pastor Leonard Small

TimJordan

Living Legend

David Campbell

David Stephenson JessieBlackshear

Lenard Harris

Wali Johnson

RoleModels

Curtis Nixon

Curtis Washington

Gerald Crayton

JeromeIrwin

JBBennett

Rick Johnson

AndreRichardson

Hereis to all theFATHERS out therewho havebeen ableto BELIEVE in their children NO MATTER WHAT

By: Anderson Aries

continued on page 41

Stephen Moore DanielleMoore Chef Joe Randall

By Craig & Sharon Butts

Father's Day is a special occasion to CELEBRATEand HONOR Fathers.

Father's Day is a special occasion that celebrates fathers from all walks of life,including Black fathers. Being a Black father comes with unique experiences,challenges,and joys,highlighting their vital role in their children's lives and society.

One meaningful way to celebrate Father's Day is by spending quality time with loved ones,engaging in activities the whole family enjoys. Going for a picnic,playing sports,or embarking on a day trip fosters stronger family bonds and creates lasting memories,allowing Black fathers to connect with their children and promote togetherness.

Father's Day offers an opportunity for reflection and sharing. Black fathers can share personal experiences, values,and lessons learned,reinforcing the importance of family and fatherhood. This exchange of wisdom guides their children's growth,empowering them to navigate challenges with resilience.

Expressing gratitude is a powerful way to celebrate Father's Day. Black fathers can express appreciation and love for their children while encouraging them to reciprocate. This mutual appreciation strengthens the father-child relationship,fostering love and respect within the family.

This holiday is a time to embrace and celebrate Black heritage. Sharing stories,traditions,and cultural experiences enables children to understand and appreciate their roots. This celebration of culture nurtures a sense of identity,pride,and belonging for both fathers and children.

Additionally,Black fathers can get involved in community events or initiatives promoting positive fatherhood. By engaging with local organizations supporting Black families,they contribute to their communities and inspire future generations of Black fathers. Through their involvement,they become role models and advocates,creating positive change.

Father's Day is not solely about receiving gifts or recognition but about the deep bond between a father and his children. In many family structures,fathers have become absent figures,leading to misconceptions that both parental roles can be fulfilled by one person. However,children need a father or father figure in their lives.

Fathers are essential in teaching their sons to become good men,instilling values,responsibility,and love. Likewise,they play a crucial role in their daughters' lives,teaching self-worth,respect,and fostering a positive self-image. By being present and actively involved,Black fathers contribute to their children's self-worth, confidence,and social skills,creating stability and security.

Each Father's Day,we should create lasting memories,strengthen family ties,and inspire future generations. By honoring the profound impact of Black fathers in our communities,we recognize their contributions and ensure their love and guidance in shaping their children's lives.

view all past and present issues at atrmediagroup.com