Lenox & Parker - Winter 2020 Issue - Dashon Goldson

LENOX&PARKER HUMANITY | LIFESTYLE | CULTURE

WINTER 2020

LIFE AFTER THE NFL

DASHON GOLDSON PAGE 34

BRUNCH FOR TWO THE ART OF FOOD WITH CHEF SHAMIKIA PAGE 63

BLKX ABHI RAMESH ANTONIA HYLTON JAGMEET SINGH SHAYLA COWAN JONATHAN GIST SHEENA ALLEN PAGE 55

JUSTICE FOR JULIUS THE TERRIFYING CASE OF JULIUS JONES. PAGE 8

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LENOX&PARKER | WINTER 2020 Life After The NFL | Dashon Goldson PUBLISHER The Collective Agency 2195 Defoor Hills Road Suite C Atlanta, GA 30318 Operations and Branding | PARTNER Steven Johnson | sjohnson@lenoxandparker.com Strategic Business and Development | PARTNER Demond Robinson | drobinson@lenoxandparker.com Creative and Editorial | PARTNER Victor Flavius | vflavius@lenoxandparker.com EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Kratina Baker, J.D., Lasrissa Domingo, Daniella Damella, BPT Tobias, Damir Mujezinovic, Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, Adrian Joele Dr. Pete Sulack, Duncan Muya, Nisarg Shukla PHOTOGRAHY CONTRIBUTORS Ian Espinosa, Katrina, Jeronimo Bernot, Ricardo Gomez-Angel, History In HD, Tim Goedhart, Andrew Neel, Cole Keister, Christopher, Cassandra Hamer, Henri Pham, Toro Restuarant, Jp Valery Chef Shamikia, Christin Hume, Joseph Chan, The Creative Exchange, Eric Froehling, Denzel Golatt EDITORIAL Chief Editor | Victor Flavius lenoxandparker@gmail.com

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CONTENTS

LENOXANDPARKER.COM | JAN/FEB 2020

8 | DEDICATION

48 | FOOD

The Terrifying Case Of Julius Jones

TORO Restaurant, Business, Friendship and Food

12 | FAITH

52 | FINANCE

Everything You Should Know About Religious Freedom

Five Life Lessons That Can Help Teach Kids About Money

16 | CAUSE

55 | BLACK EXCELLENCE

Not For Sale, The Global Fight Against Human Trafficking

Recognizing Melanated People Advancing Our Communities

20 | ADVICE

56 | ART

The Power Of Positivity, Simple Tips To Change Your Life

Digital Oasis, Intro Of The Best Podcast On The Planet

22 | COMMUNITY

62 | ENTREPRENEURS

I Have A Dream

Brunch For Two With Chef Shamikia

28 | BEAUTY Three Ways To Improve Your Self-Care Routine

68 | MENTAL HEALTH

30 | CAREER

70 | WELLNESS

Four Key Resources Small Businesses Need To Succeed

Understanding Rare Cancers

34 | COVER FEATURE

72 | FAMILY

Dashon Goldson - Life after NFL

Are You A Mindless Muncher? Smart Tips For Healthier Snacking

40 | EDUCATION

75 | BRAND NEW

Four Best Colleges To Attend If You Want To Change The World

Meet The Recording Artists With Their Pulse On The Culture

46 | RELATIONSHIPS

76 | LOVE

Five Reasons All Relationships Struggle

How Do You Know When Its True Love

How To Improve Your Mental Health Naturally

humanity COMPASSIONATE, SYMPATHETIC, OR GENEROUS BEHAVIOR OR DISPOSITION : THE QUALITY OR STATE OF BEING HUMANE

Jacob Sanchez Diagnosed with autism

Sensory sensitivity is a sign of autism.

Learn the others at autismspeaks.org/signs.

8 | HUMANITY | DEDICATION |

THE TERRIFYING CASE OF JULIUS JONES

BY KRATINA BAKER, J.D.

J

ulius Jones. Many of you-actually most of you probably have never heard that name before. It doesn’t ring a bell. But it should. Julius Jones could be any of us. His story, while deeply terrifying and painful is a reminder of how truly flawed the criminal justice system is and that at any time, justice could in fact be blind towards us. Julius has just hit the 20 year mark on Oklahoma’s death row for a crime he did not commit. How did he get here? Settle in while I tell you the terrifying story of Julius Darius Jones.

On the evening of Wednesday, July 28, 1999, Julius was hanging out at his parent’s home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was a typical night of fun and lighthearted banter between Julius, his older brother and younger sister. His mother was preparing to take his older brother to work.

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Eight miles away, in the suburb of Edmond, Oklahoma, Paul Howell was just returning from an evening of school shopping with his two daughters and sister. As Howell pulled into the driveway of his parent’s home, he was confronted by a young black man wearing a red bandanna and pointing a gun at him and demanding he turn over the keys to his 1997 Suburban.

What happened next would change the course of Julius’ life forever.

In the Summer of 1999, Julius was a fun and carefree 19-yearold rising sophomore at the University of Oklahoma where he was attending on an academic scholarship and was a member of the school’s basketball team. The John Marshall High School graduate was a member of the National Honor Society and was ranked 11th out 143 students and he had his whole life ahead of him. He was the co-captain of his high school football team, and he played basketball and ran track. Full of promise and hope for the future, Jones was the pride of his family.

But, Julius was a typical teenager. He liked to have nice things in order to fit in and attract girls. He had been charged with petty thefts during his teenage years. There was also a charge for giving a false statement in pursuit of a state ID. Regardless of Julius’ poor choices, he was still destined for a promising future-a future filled with whatever he hoped to accomplish and for that, his family and friends watched with anticipation at the great things he would one day do.

That summer, Julius had begun hanging out with a former classmate from high school. Chris “Westside” Jordan had gotten into trouble for associating with gangs, and, according to reports, his parents were worried about the effect the gangs had on him and had transferred him to John Marshall High School-the same high school Julius attended. Jimmy “J-Law” Lawson, Julius’ best friend and teammate, was rather surprised at the fact that Julius was hanging out with Chris. When Jimmy questioned Julius about his association with Chris, Julius played it off as if it were no big deal. Julius had made a deal with Chris to take the ACT exam for college admissions, in exchange for Chris paying Julius a specified amount of money. Due to this arrangement, the two begin to hangout with one another that summer.

Julius Jones had just celebrated his birthday on July 25th and was enjoying the rest of his summer. On the evening of July 28th, he was at the home of his parents Anthony and Madeline Jones. In The Last Defense, a docuseries produced by Academy Award Winner Viola Davis and her husband, Julius and his siblings Antoinette and Antonio Jones and his parents Madeline and Anthony, recount what they were doing the evening of the murder. According to them, they had enjoyed a dinner of spaghetti prepared by Julius’ mother. After that, they played Monopoly. Antonio had to be at work and Madeline prepared to take him. They left around 9:30 so that Antonio could be at work by 10:00pm. Antoinette and Antonio were in “hot water” with Julius after he discovered they had eaten the last bit of a cookie cake that he had gotten for his birthday. By this time Antonio had already left so his sister was the target of his “anger.” As soon as his mom walked in the door, Julius ran to her upset and complaining about the fact that the two had eaten nearly all of his birthday desert.

Twenty minutes away in Edmond, Paul Howell’s sister races in her parents home with her two nieces as her brother is gunned down in their driveway and his suburban stolen. Howell’s father frantically calls 9-1-1 screaming that his son had just been shot.

Police and EMT are sent to the home. Howell is pronounced dead later at the hospital. Police immediately begin to investigate the murder. A white businessman murdered in the driveway of his parents home, in front of his two daughters and sister took top priority over any other cases. And when the sister of the victim described the shooter as a young black male, police begin to investigate at a fervent pace due to public pressure to catch the killer.

The Beginning of the End According to The Innocence Project, incentivized witness testimony was the leading cause of wrongful convictions in U.S. capital cases. A comprehensive study of the nation’s first 200 exonerations proven through DNA testing concluded that 18% were convicted, at least in part, on the basis of informant, jailhouse informant or cooperating alleged co-perpetrator testimony (See Brandon L. Garrett, Judging Innocence. 108 Colum. L. Rev. 55, 62 (2008)).The case against Julius Jones began when Ladell King walked into the Oklahoma City Police Department and told investigators that he knew who had killed Paul Howell. King told police that on the night of the murder he saw Julius in a white t-shirt and red bandana and driving a Suburban. He stated that Julius was with Chris Jordan and that the two showed up at his apartment on the night of July 28, 1999. He said that he watched Julius park the car and afterwards, Julius asked King did he know of anyone who could buy the vehicle. King was considered a middleman who sold stolen cars to interested buyers for parts. King told Julius that he would make a call. Julius left the vehicle at King’s apartment complex overnight and the next day, King and Julius went to see a man by the name of Kermit Lottie to sell the SUV to him. Lottie refused to purchase the vehicle, stating that he had heard on the news that it had been stolen and that someone was killed during the robbery. According to King, he and Julius then left the vehicle parked at a grocery store near Lottie’s business. King told police that Jones admitted to the killing.

King’s statements led to Chris being questioned about his involvement with the murder. Chris then pointed the finger at Julius after much prodding and guidance from police detectives Theresa Pfieffer and Tony Fike. Chris even went so far as to tell police that Julius had the murder weapon and the red bandana worn by the killer. Police later raided the Jones home, destroying their home and terrifying the family in the process, in an effort to find the gun and bandana. Chris, waiting outside in a police car, told police the exact location of the items-the attic of the Jones home. Just a few days earlier, Chris had spent the night at the Jones home after telling Julius he had been locked out of his grandmother’s house. Julius told Chris he could stay at his parents house and even gave Chris his bedroom upstairs while Julius slept on the sofa. It is obvious that Chris planted the gun and bandana in the attic and then told police exactly where they could find them.

J U ST I C E FOR JULIUS

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The Trial and it’s Aftermath At trial, there would be many inconsistencies in Chris’s testimony and Julius’ attorneys who were public defenders with no capital trial experience failed to challenge Chris’ testimony while he was on the stand. Julius’s attorneys failed to cross examine Chris on the six different and inconsistent statements he gave to the police after his arrest. The victim’s sister, who was a passenger in the vehicle and witnessed the shooting, testified that the shooter had approximately a half-inch of hair sticking out from underneath a stocking cap. Julius’s attorney’s failed to show the jury a photograph of Julius, taken a few days before the shooting, illustrating that Julius had low, crew-cut hair and proving that he could not be the person who the victim’s sister described. The witness’s physical description of the man who shot her brother actually fit that of Chris, who sported cornrow braids during the crime. Julius’s trial attorneys did not put on a single alibi witness to testify that Julius was at home with his family during the time the murder took place, nor did they call on witnesses to testify during the guilt-innocence phase of his trial.

In addition to Julius’ public defenders failure to provide adequate counsel, there were other factors that contributed to Julius’ being railroaded into a death sentence. During the trial, one juror reported telling the judge about another juror who said the trial was a waste of time and “‘they should just take the ‘nigger’ out and shoot him behind the jail.’’ The juror reported that the juror who made this comment was never removed and the court did nothing.The Sixth Amendment guarantees us the right to a fair and impartial jury. Julius was clearly deprived of this right.

Prosecutorial Misconduct Prosecutorial misconduct on the part of the District Attorneys office played a major part in Julius’ conviction. Over his career, District Attorney Macy sent 54 people to death row, more than any other district attorney in the United States. Prosecutorial misconduct was discovered in approximately one-third of D.A. Macy’s death penalty cases and the courts have reversed nearly half of his death sentences. D.A. Macy was forced to retire in 2001 in the wake of a scandal involving a forensic scientist by the name of Joyce Gilchrist, who it was discovered had been falsifying evidence in a number of cases. Three people D.A. Macy helped convict were exonerated and freed from death row and it is likely that others were executed before their innocence could be proven. According to a Harvard Law School study, Bob Macy sent more people to death row than any other individual district attorney in the United States,” Bob Macy has ruined the lives of many of Oklahoman citizens-particularly African American citizens, and was unapologetic for it.

The case against Julius was racially charged from the beginning.

The crime was highly publicized and the facts were polarizing: young black male shoots and kills well-loved family man in his own driveway in front of his young daughters and sister, and steals his car. The case had racial undertones to begin with and the Oklahoma County District Attorney Bob Macy capitalized on that fact. Macy went so far as to call for the death penalty on television the night of the shooting. Julius himself

also reported that when he was arrested, prior to being put in the police cruiser, an officer removed his handcuffs and said, “Run nigger, I dare you.”In addition, during jury selection, black prospective jurors, with the exception of one, were excluded from jury service on the grounds that they had criminal histories, yet a white man who served on the jury had two prior felony convictions that the prosecution did not disclose to Julius’ defense team.

In Julius’s case, the State of Oklahoma had three witnesses that received benefits for their testimony and the jury never heard the full extent of the benefits that the three main witnesses against Julius received as a result of their testimony. Christopher Jordan, the primary suspect was released in 2014, after serving only 15 years, despite the fact that the prosecution told jurors that he was facing 30 years to a lifetime of incarceration for his role in the crime. Jurors may not have known that Ladell King, another key witness against Julius, was never prosecuted in connection with the murder, despite his admitted involvement. King’s police interrogation from July/August 1999 as well as his preliminary hearing and trial testimony includes his admissions to being involved in the crime on the night that it occurred. Specifically, he admitted to keeping the stolen suburban at his apartment complex overnight and assisting in transporting and attempting to sell the vehicle the following day. King also received less than the statutorily mandated sentence for habitual offenders in connection with unrelated charges.

The Next Steps After two denials for review by the Supreme Court of the United States, attorneys for Julius Jones are preparing to file a petition for commutation with the Oklahoma Pardons and Parole Board, to have his sentenced commuted to time served. Julius’ case has never been tried on the merits (true facts) of the case, rather his denials have been due to procedural errors (missing certain filing deadlines, etc.) By filing for commutation, his attorneys are hoping he will be sentenced to time served and can prepare to move on with his life outside of prison walls.

Julius’ story was chronicled in the ABC Docs-Series “The Last Defense,” produced by Academy Award winner Viola Davis.

The show can be credited to bringing awareness to his case and restoring hope to Julius, his family and supporters. If you would like to support Julius, please checkout his website at www.JusticeForJuliusJones.com. There, you can watch “The Last Defense” and find out up-to-date information about his case.

Also, please follow his Instagram page @JusticeForJulius and click the link on the page to sign his petition on Change.org.

We are each others keeper. We are all we got. Julius could be you, your brother, sister, child, loved one. Be a voice for him.

He needs you.

12 | HUMANITY | FAITH |

“

SOCIETY HAS DIFFERENT VIEWS AND UNDERSTANDINGS OF HOW SOMEONE SHOULD EXERCISE THE RIGHT TO BE FREE

“

What is the meaning of religious freedom?

Religious freedom is the right of a person to choose his/her own religion according to his/her preference. It is the right of an individual to change religion and act upon faith. This also includes the freedom to worship without the influence of the government or other people. It is someone’s privilege to love and fight for what he/she believes in. Religious freedom seems easy to understand in technical means but as you go to many places while sharing your belief, you will likely encounter people who will take away this right. Be prepared. As long as you know what covers this freedom, you will not have any issues fighting for your rights.

EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

BY LARISSA DOMINGO

R

eligions exist to guide people to build a stronger relationship with Christ, not to hold them back from doing anything that makes them free human beings. While a lot of questions regarding religion arise, there are also issues circulating with regards to religious freedom. This is because society has different views and understandings of how someone should exercise the right to be free. There are no perfect ways to deal with it but to discuss some basic information that can guide people to exercise their freedom of religion properly. In case you are wondering what is this freedom all about, here’s your ultimate guide.

How is religious freedom viewed in society today?

It is undeniable that society views religious freedom in many ways. Every family in America has its own way to exercise this kind of right. Some of the instances that relate to this freedom resulted in people who have been discharged from their career positions for acting on traditional marriage, religious being challenged because they let their children learn about sexual stuff at school, threatening professionals because of their beliefs particularly in family, marriage, sex, and gender, government not being able to favor a church or build its own church, people with different religion gathering together to form their own organization, special rights to churches, and a solid movement that aims to bring down the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in the state.

What does it mean to be free in Christ?

Religious freedom connects us to Christ. To be free in Christ means a lot of things as it includes many different forms of freedom we encounter in our daily lives. With Christ, we have the freedom not to commit sins, freedom from Satan, freedom to change, freedom to choose, freedom to be good, and freedom to respect each other’s beliefs. However, this doesn’t mean that you will forget about righteousness when you are exercising your freedom. Your freedom does not mean you are free to do anything you want that can harm the people around you. It is not a privilege to do something illegal. There is no better way to say it but freedom is being attached to what Christ has done. Always remember that to be free in Christ means following what he did for the betterment of the people and the world.

#DanceLikeaDad

fatherhood.gov

16 | HUMANITY | CAUSE |

NOT FOR SALE THE GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING

H

uman trafficking, otherwise known as modern slavery, involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act against the will of the person trafficked. Traffickers may use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into being trafficked.

Trafficking victims include men, women, and children of all ages, races, and nationalitiesš.

Today, there are approximately 45.8 million people caught in the trap of modern slavery around the world.

This includes 10 million children, 15.4 million people in forced marriage, and 4.8 million people in forced sexual exploitation.

However, it is difficult to determine exact statistics because so many cases of human trafficking go undetected and unreported².

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18 | HUMANITY | CAUSE |

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Human trafficking is extremely lucrative, earning traffickers approximately $150 billion per year².

Ending this human tragedy will require a multi-faceted approach that addresses the economic, social, cultural, and legal realities that contribute to the problem around the globe.

WHO IS AFFECTED? People who are vulnerable to trafficking include those experiencing economic hardship, lack of social safety net, natural disasters, or political instability. Women and children are disproportionally affected by human trafficking, making up as much as 71 percent of all trafficking victims, including 99 percent of all sexual exploitation.

WHO ARE THE TRAFFICKERS? Perpetrators of human trafficking span all racial, ethnic, and gender demographics and are as diverse as survivors. Some use their privilege, wealth, and power as a means of control while others experience the same socio-economic oppression as their victims.

They include individuals, business owners, members of a gang or network, parents or family members of victims, intimate partners, owners of farms or restaurants, and powerful corporate executives and government representatives.

HOW DO WE FIGHT THIS? While it is easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of such a pervasive evil, many organizations, such as Not For Sale, are mobilizing around the world to combat human trafficking. Not For Sale is engaging new models of support for trafficking victims, creating businesses that provide fair wage jobs for vulnerable populations and which funnel revenues back into anti-trafficking efforts. Not For Sale has supported survivors and at-risk individuals from the United States, Peru, The Netherlands, Romania, Thailand, Rwanda, Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, South Africa and Mozambique. Learn more at www.notforsalecampaign.org

20 | HUMANITY | ADVICE | Blankson offers some insight into simple ways you can inject positivity into your day: Set intentions early Take a moment to shift your focus in the morning. What do you want to get out of your day? It’s so easy to fall prey to the tyranny of urgency. Hold the emails, texts, calls and messages and spend just 2 minutes grounding yourself in a positive practice like meditating or journaling. You’ll set yourself up for greater happiness in the long run.

Get creative If you feel like you don’t have the time or discipline to keep a gratitude journal, try looking for a “gratitude trigger.” For instance, every time you stop at a red light, say one thing you are grateful for. This habit is great to pass time on commutes and is also a good practice to share with your children when they are in the car with you.

Think to the future Try saying “future-forward gratitudes” in the morning. These are the things you are excited about for the day ahead, such as a meeting, lunch or special project. This practice helps prime you for positivity during the day and gives you an anchor point for reflection at the end of the day.

THE POWER OF POSITIVITY SIMPLE TIPS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE

BY DANIELLA DAMELLA

W

ork demands paired with family demands make modern life extremely busy.

Meetings, deadlines, housework, kids’ homework, practice and much more all vie for your time. What’s the secret to keeping on top of it all? Research shows the power of positivity can work wonders in managing stress, staying productive and boosting happiness.

Four out of five people agree positive thinking can help improve their lives and start the morning off on a positive note, according to a recent survey of American

workers to gain insight into the impact of positivity in the workplace. The good news is that a resounding 88% of Americans consider themselves positive people, but they think there is room for improvement.

In fact, 69% wish they could be even more positive!

“Positive individuals are three times more creative, 31% more productive, and 23% less fatigued,” says Amy Blankson, CEO of Fearless Positivity and author of “The Future of Happiness.” “No matter where your baseline for happiness is today, you can always increase your overall happiness level.”

Connect remotely While more people are working from home, 45% of them consider themselves a positive person versus 75% of people who work in the office, according to the survey. One way to stay connected and spread positivity with coworkers when you’re not in the office is by taking a few minutes each day to text, email or call a coworker to thank them for something they did.

Move beyond off days Don’t get hung up when you have a negative day. The most important part of creating a new habit is having the courage to restart when you have an off day. Happiness is not a state of mind; it’s a mindset that develops over time. The best way to elevate your mindset is by training your brain to look for positive information in the world around you that you might have missed.

Pay it forward Individuals who pay it forward through praise and recognition express that they have greater feelings of happiness, satisfaction and relatedness. However, even more importantly, both givers and receivers inspire others to want to give, which creates a powerful network effect.

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22 | HUMANITY | COMMUNITY |

I HAVE A DREAM

BY LARISSA DOMINGO

I

Have A Dream” is one of the most celebrated speeches of all time. Masterfully orated by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in 1963, the speech has withstood the test of time, and become a pinnacle of American history. The speech was made in front of 250,000 people at the March on Washington for Freedom and Jobs.

Surprisingly, some on King’s staff discouraged him from using the namesake phrase – “I Have A Dream” – due to the “dream” referred to having never actually occurred. Alas, MLK’s insistence on keeping true his vision for the speech left the world in awe.

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“

FREEDOM IS NEVER VOLUNTARILY GIVEN BY THE OPPRESSOR; IT MUST BE DEMANDED BY THE OPPRESSED.

“

24 | HUMANITY | COMMUNITY |

Here are some facts about the speech: To End Racism

Keep On Marching

The first fact about the “I Have A Dream” speech of King is that it was aimed to end racism. In front of almost 250,000 people, he talked about his dreams of justice, freedom, and equality, which he believed could transform the United State, via means of racial unity. Hatred and slavery were the major causes of problems in America before; and although these subjects had been tackled before, there was still massive inequality facing the majority of African Americans.

Disheartened, King fought for freedom & equality until his untimely death.

Decades after the “I Have A Dream” speech, it seems as if America is ripe for an equality distribution of civil rights – for whites & blacks alike. In fact, Barack Obama became the first AfricanAmerican President of the United States. Obama acknowledged King’s speech on its 50th anniversary, when Obama stated that the March on Washington taught people not to be trapped by what happened in the past. He also noted that the March did not also help resolve the issues in inequality, it also opened up more jobs to African-Americans and immigrants. Let’s keep on marching for our own rights!

The Death of Medgar Evers

DACA and the March on Washington

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is an organization that promotes equality & protects the civil right of African-Americans. The NAACP’s leader, Medgar Evers, was killed on June 11, 1963 – the same day that President John F. Kennedy called for more civil rights. It was only a few months after these events took place that the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedoms happened. Although there were planned marches, the death of Medgar Evers and the call for civil rights triggered this event to happen.

The March on Washington did not only open opportunities for equality, further the end of slavery-like working conditions, and fight for freedom & justice for all; it also became a gateway for more acts to be created to benefit immigrants in the United States.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA, is one of the organizations built after the March which is an immigration policy that provides support to individuals who were brought in America as a child. Unlike the Dreamer’s Act, this does not grant citizenship to immigrants.

lifestyle THE TYPICAL WAY OF LIFE OF AN INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, OR CULTURE

28 | LIFESTYLE | BEAUTY |

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THREE WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR SELF-CARE ROUTINE

BY CHLOE PARK

S

elf-care, the practice of taking care of oneself - has become a hot topic across generational groups, with sleep, stress management and fitness as key areas to build better habits. But where to start?

Here are three tips for practicing better self-care.

1. Get a sleep routine - Only 11 percent of Americans say they get excellent sleep on a regular basis while 18 percent report poor/not good sleep quality, and the rest are somewhere in between. (Survey methodology: An omnibus survey of American adults 18+ conducted online by Finn Partners Research between May 15 and 18, 2019, on behalf of Tranquility/American Textile Company.) Commit yourself to good sleep hygiene habits like going to bed and waking up at the same time daily, avoiding food and beverages within two hours of bedtime, and limiting nighttime stimulants like electronics to an hour before bedtime.

“People are more aware of their sleep quality these days thanks to better sleep science and sleep trackers,” says lifestyle expert Jenn Falik. “But better sleep solutions remain elusive to many. In addition to routinizing wakeup and bedtime, look at your bedding and wind down routines.”

2. Manage stress - Managing stress is critical to overall wellness.

Experts recommend setting aside time each day for relaxation activities, which could include meditation, a walk in nature or even chilling out with a good book or TV show. The survey found that 62 percent of Americans say that chilling out at home and watching/streaming TV is part of their de-stress routine.

“One way to help you relax and unwind is to use a weighted blanket like Tranquility while resting or sleeping,” says Falik. “The blanket uses heavy glass beads distributed evenly across the box-woven design to stimulate deep touch pressure, which has been shown to decrease the stress hormone cortisol while increasing the release of sleep-promoting serotonin. I love that these weighted blankets are affordable and that they’re available at popular retailers like Target and Walmart.”

3. Set aside time for fitness - The American Heart Association recom-

mends adults strive for at least 150 minutes of heart-pumping physical activity each week. Exercise not only staves off illness but is correlated to better sleep and stress management, making it essential to good self-care habits. Experts also recommend thinking about self-care as an ongoing approach rather than a one-time fix.

“I’ve found setting time aside to unwind after a long day helps me stay balanced,” says Falik. “I also use the time to reflect on what I’m doing for myself so I can make sure I am prioritizing self-care.”

30 | LIFESTYLE | CAREER |

Four Key Resources Small Businesses Need to Succeed

BY BPT

F

rom small home offices to co-working spaces to hotels and airplanes - as a small business owner, you’ve likely learned that being flexible with your work environment is critical to establishing and growing your business. No matter the spaces you travel to and run your business from, there are a few important resources to have in place to ensure that your operations are productive, efficient and a step ahead of your customer’s needs.

Office-quality equipment at consumer prices As a small business owner, time and cost savings are precious. Make sure you know what tools your business needs to function smoothly, and choose the most efficient, cost-effective equipment to meet those needs. Whether it’s a good phone system, up-to-date computers or a shredder to safely dispose of sensitive documents, your business is only as good as the equipment you rely on. For example, a great product to invest in is a high-quality, reliable cartridge-free printer, like the Epson® EcoTank® Monochrome Supertank printer. Print more and worry less with a printer that comes with an easyto-fill supersized ink tank that holds enough ink to print up to 6,000 pages and has a fast first page out time. Available in-store at Office Depot and OfficeMax, the Epson EcoTank wireless SuperTank printers also allow you to use voice-activated printing via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri, giving you the convenience to focus on what’s most important for your business.

Professional IT support Build a tech support team that keeps your business running no matter where you are. You likely don’t have the time to run your business and be your own IT support help desk. With help from a 24/7 remote tech support team from Workonomy™ at Office Depot, you can have access anytime and anywhere to a dedicated experienced tech support team by chat or phone. There’s never a good time for computer problems, but with a reliable 24/7 tech support team that helps with everything from data recovery to virus scans, you can have confidence that your tech will be running smoothly and optimize your business for efficiency.

A method and a space for resetting Just because you can bring the office with you wherever you go doesn’t mean you should. Make time to leave it all behind. Create a toolbox of activities that help you reset, relax and rejuvenate your thoughts so you can bring fresh ideas to your business. From a brisk walk or a podcast episode to a phone call with a friend, choose one or two activities that you can quickly call upon each day to reset your mind and passion.

A workplace that’s as flexible as you are Whether you are traveling, meeting a new client, need some help with your laptop or just want a small space to call your own, a great resource to have on hand is a co-working space. Office Depot’s Workonomy™ Hub co-working service provides support and assistance to home-based and small businesses in select locations. From private offices and conference rooms to daily drop-in, there’s a space and a plan that fits your work style. You can also take advantage of services including tech support, storage, packing and shipping, and more. Check out the available services and locations near you at officedepot.com.

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34 | LIFESTYLE | COVER FEATURE |

LIFE AFTER THE NFL

DASHON GOLDSON veryone is free to live up to their dreams. Whether your heart is in entrepreneurship, in the corporate world, or in sports, you can drive your own life to be successful within any of these paths. You can even change directions, if need be, like NFL Pro star safety Dashon Goldson. One of the most successful personalities in football. As a free agent, Dashon recently started his own fine cigar lounge business called SMO KINGS. Along with his love for real estate and renovating properties he embarked on the challenge of entrepreneurship. Here are some of more interesting post-NFL tidbits regarding Dashon Goldson:

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BY TOBIAS/ LARISSA DOMINGO | PHOTO CREDIT PORTER HOUSE LA

Dashon Goldson Stayed Grounded Throughout the years of being an elite athlete, Dashon remained grounded. Even after his life in the NFL, he brought this innate character trait along with him, and used it as his foundation to further his successes in life. Remaining sensible & understanding, he maintained a professional mindset, accepting each blessing (and pitfall, respectively) with grace.

38 | LIFESTYLE | COVER FEATURE |

Success Isn’t All About Money

Finding Your Inspiration

Material things are not the lifeblood of successful people, according to Dashon Goldson. No matter how much money, jets, and vacations you may post on social media, it won’t measure your true success. What Goldson has learned during his entrepreneurial journey is that success is more so a mentality. It’s about personal growth, peace of mind, and giving your 100% best. Having a vision will help a person become successful, sure; but execution, perseverance, and hard work are the pillars to realizing that potential success.

People need to find their inspiration so they can be completely motivated towards the things the actions they take. It’s like looking for your passion and living it. Goldson was able to find his – the SMO Kings brand. An avid cigar smoker, Dashon was motivated to give smokers not only a cigar lounge, but a welcoming brotherhood.

In this way, people would feel more appreciated and comfortable while building their relationship with each other – all in the confines of the cigar lounge.

Giving Back Is Key For Goldson, giving back is essential.

When you become successful in life, sharing is how you connect with other people in your environment.

You don’t just keep your wealth all to yourself. Shower your blessings even to your family, friends, relatives, and neighbors. Goldson supports his own foundation called the Highest Point Foundation, which Dashon started it in 2009. Aiming to provide free football camps, free school supplies, and basic needs to the youth and underserved kids, the organization also provides food treats and Christmas toy drives to the families within the community.

Giving back has been one of Dashon’s habits as an entrepreneur..

HAVING A VISION WILL HELP A PERSON BECOME SUCCESSFUL, SURE; BUT EXECUTION, PERSEVERANCE, AND HARD WORK ARE THE PILLARS TO REALIZING THAT POTENTIAL SUCCESS.

Invest In Your Core Team It’s also important to remember that investing in a core team helps the business grow. With a team of people who think the same, and, more importantly, execute, the business will continue to grow, and even produce unique experiences. Goldson’s core team is composed of his family and people who have the same mindset as his. With his chosen team, he can be free to think about his business goals while discussing the steps on how to attain them with his core team.

When you are running a business, teamwork is critical to continue managing the business in a better, more efficient way..

There Is A Future In Cigars You will find lots of business opportunities in the cigar industry.

Just make sure that you know what you are venturing in to, because having a business requires knowledge and vision. “Educate yourself about the cigar business and have a clear vision of what the goal is for your business,” says Dashon. For those that are planning to enter the industry soon, make sure to develop a clean & coherent vision for your business, so you’ll have a solid plan to follow.

Goldson didn’t just put up this business for passion, he learned what he needed to do to make it successful – follow in his footsteps!

40 | LIFESTYLE | EDUCATION |

FOUR BEST COLLEGES IN THE WORLD

BY TOBIAS

hoosing the best college is an important step towards a fulfilling academic life and subsequently, a successful career after graduation. Most students make the mistake of choosing haphazardly based on factors that have nothing to do with academia or their respective career aspirations. The best colleges are the ones that inspire and motivate students to find solutions to challenges in the contemporary world.

Here are some of the reasons why Princeton, Harvard, Yale, and Stanford are considered 4 best colleges in the world you should attend if you want to change the world.

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PRINCETON UNIVERSITY The latest news from the official website of Princeton University reveals that the institution is dedicated to studies that could shed more light with regard to the behavior of matter through the use of ‘solid’ light. Such studies can provide answers to questions about matter that quantum physics has not been able to answer. These developments could influence the invention of environment friendly sources of energy just like Einstein’s theory of relativity led to the invention of nuclear energy.

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42 | LIFESTYLE | EDUCATION |

HARVARD UNIVERSITY Harvard has had a history of producing computer geniuses such as the founder of Microsoft Inc. Bill Gates, and Sir Tim Berners-Lee the inventor of the web.

The university encourages invention and innovation which is a key necessity to developments computer and information technology. Such developments can bring radical changes in the world of computers YALE UNIVERSITY Yale is dedicated to research initiatives that seek solutions for challenges facing the modern world. For instance, the official website of the institution reveals that a recent study has established that there are health risks associated with living near natural gas wells.

STANFORD UNIVERSITY The official website of Stanford also indicates that the institution is dedicated to engaging in studies that seek solutions for challenges facing the contemporary world.

For instance, the website reveals that recent studies have discovered a substance that could cure injuries to the spinal cord. Such developments can be important in the field of medicine.

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LO F T S T U D I O S PAC E

MIDTOWNCOLLECTIVEATLANTA.COM

Designer | Peter Jean-Marie Jacket | Peter Jean-Marie Tie / Chef-Pete | Peter Jean-Marie Photo credit | Charlie McDonald

JUST WEAR IT peterjeanmarie.shop

46 | LIFESTYLE | RELATIONSHIPS |

FIVE REASONS WHY ALL RELATIONSHIPS STRUGGLE

BY TOBIAS

“

SOCIETY HAS DIFFERENT VIEWS AND UNDERSTANDINGS OF HOW SOMEONE SHOULD EXERCISE THE RIGHT TO BE FREE

“

o matter how long you have been in a relationship, you are bound to experience challenges. Conflicts and disagreements are some of the things that define even the strongest relationships. There isn’t a single couple that does not go through small bumps in an attempt to understand and accommodate each other better. So, why does this happen?

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Why is it that people who love and care for each other deeply still disagree and fall out? Below are 5 reasons all relationships struggle UNFULFILLED EXPECTATIONS: When you get into a relationship, you have needs and expectations that you expect to be fulfilled.

You may have some needs that are similar with those of your partner, but not all of them will be. This brings about conflict in the relationship, and you both of you may feel short changed.

POWER STRUGGLE: No matter how compatible you and your partner are, there comes a stage in the relationship when power struggle kicks in. This is the transition from the honey moon stage where everything was perfect to a place where you start noticing flaws. You also find yourself trying to define your role in the relationship and this can cause friction.

COMMUNICATION STYLES: Men and women have different communication styles.

Women are more open and emotional while men are closed and logical in most cases. This always creates a misunderstanding in relationships. If you do not learn how to effectively communicate and express your feelings, then you will have a lot of conflicts.

PERSONALITY DIFFERENCE: We all have our traits, habits, and behavior that really define us. Sometimes, it is difficult for partners to blend in and integrate into each other’s differences. This cases conflict, especially when you try to change the other person and make them be like you.

HAVING DIFFERENT GOALS: Since you are different, and you have your own goals and ambitions, sometimes it becomes difficult to understand and support each other. Coupled with the fact that your socialization might be very different, it can be difficult to synchronize goals especially when major decisions such as money and where you will stay is involved.

Conflicts in a relationship are not necessarily bad. You can use your differences to learn more about each other. Once you internalize how to communicate, and other essentials of a good relationship, then you can actually sail through it and enjoy being together.

48 | LIFESTYLE | FOOD |

TORO

RESTAURANT

Business, Friendship & Food

BY DAMIR MUJEZINOVIC

en Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette’s relationship is almost brotherly. They respect and admire each other and yet sometimes sparks fly between them, but that’s what helps their relationship and their businesses grow. They’ve known each other for years and they often finish each other’s sentences but even more often they confront each other. Their disputes and showdowns are a form of brainstorming and they’re exactly what’s kept them working together all these years and they’re what, essentially, lead them to open Toro restaurant.

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Toro Restaurant - Traditional Spanish Cuisine in The Heart Of Boston Toro is a Barcelona-style restaurant located in Boston, more precisely in Boston’s South End. What separates this restaurant from other similar restaurants is the owners’ unique approach to cooking and the restaurant business itself. Ken and Jamie support local farmers and pay a lot of attention to our environment. Toro being a green restaurant is what guarantees fresh, organic, locally produced ingredients. While Toro is not a vegetarian restaurant, it’s owners’ appreciation for nature and environment is definitely a guarantee that all meat served in this restaurant comes from ethically and humanely raised animals. On top of that, Toro offers vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free menus by request. Wines and spirits available in this modern restaurant are all organic and bio dynamic. Many local companies are also supported by Toro and it goes without saying that they recycle all glass aluminum and plastic materials, filter and carbonate their water, use recycled paper products and, most importantly, use sustainably raised ingredients in all of their meals.

Let’s talk a bit more about the essence of Toro - the eclectic Spanish cuisine.

Spanish cuisine is slowly starting to become mainstream in the USA because of it’s wide variety of tasty, unusually prepared dishes and unique twists on more traditional Mediterranean styled pastries. Toro offers a special, one of a kind, gourmet experience to it’s customers and is therefore becoming one of the most popular restaurants in Boston.

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50 | LIFESTYLE | FOOD |

The Men Behind The Curtain Ken Oringer is one of Boston’s most notable chefs and restaurateurs. He entered the world of cooking at River Cafe in New York city and has, since then, become somewhat of a household name in the culinary world. Gourmet Magazine and Esquire have written extensively about him and his restaurants. Over the years, he has received numerous awards and accolades for his work and he has owned a wide variety of restaurants on the East coast. But, it wasn’t until 2009., when he opened Toro, with partner in crime and friend Jamie Bissonnette, that his culinary expertise and restaurateur talent shined. He’s not only a cook, but he is also an incredible, yet ethical entrepreneur.

Jamie Bissonnette wanted to be a cook ever since his childhood. He earned his Culinary Arts Degree from The Art Institute of Lauderdale and spent the better part of his twenties traveling through Europe and America, working in restaurants in Paris, San Francisco and New York. His drive and passion cooking are noticeable in his dishes - the meals he prepares are guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest taste buds. On the other hand, his managing and restaurant running experience is what has allowed him to turn Toro into one of the most popular restaurants in Boston, just like his friendship and professional relationship with Ken allowed him to grow as a cook and as a businessman. Boston Globe, Esquire and the prestigious Food and Wine magazine have written countless articles about this young chef and he has, just like his partner Oringer, received numerous relevant accolades and awards.

There are many different things that make Toro special and stand out in the sea of other similar restaurants, but what fuels the growth of this place and constant influx of new customers is the unique competitive, loving, squabbling and brotherly personal and business relationship between Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette. These two are what makes this place so special. Toro simply has a different, healthier, more organic vibe than any other restaurant out there and it’s no wonder it’s become so popular. If you ever visit Boston, dine there - you will not be disappointed. In fact, you will be knocked off your feet by everything this eclectic place has to offer. If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, combined with healthy and tasty food, look no further - Toro is the place for you.

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52 | LIFESTYLE | FINANCE |

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5 Life Lessons That Can Help Teach Kids About Money

BY CARRIE SCHWAB-POMERANTZ

A

s our children head back to school, do you know how much of their classroom time will be devoted to learning about money? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is generally “not much.”

Only 19 states require high school students to take a course in personal finance, so most kids are missing out on this important part of their education. The good news? As parents, we can introduce our children not only to the practical realities of managing a checking account and sticking to a budget, but also to bigger financial concepts like saving for a goal and investing for the future.

Here are common life experiences I think parents can use to get their kids to pay attention to some important financial concepts.

Getting an allowance Want your kids to make good money choices? Give them some money of their own to manage. An allowance is a good first step. Set expectations right from the start.

For example, you may want to tie at least part of their allowance to chores, which can give them a taste of responsibility as well as an understanding of what it’s like to work and be rewarded.

What do you expect your kids to pay for with their own money?

Help them come up with a budget to handle their expenses - and don’t bail them out if they fall short. The amount and frequency of an allowance will change as your kids get older, but the main thing is to let them manage and make their own mistakes.

Saving for a big purchase Whether your child wants a bike or a laptop, having a savings goal brings the concepts of trade-offs, delayed gratification and compound interest home. Start by creating a time frame and savings plan for the purchase. Help your child track spending and identify opportunities to save. An online savings calculator can be a great motivator - as can offering to match a portion of your child’s saving. This would also be a good time to help your child open a savings account and become familiar with the concept of compound interest.

As kids get older and their savings goals get loftier - say a car or a big trip - there are other financial lessons that go beyond savings.

There’s researching and comparison shopping, possibly financing, and handling associated expenses.

That takes not only saving for the purchase, but ongoing budgeting and money management. A monthly budget planner is an excellent tool to help your teen put the numbers together, even if you’re doing it as a joint venture.

First job If you haven’t done so already, now’s the time to help your teen open and manage a checking account and perhaps even a credit or debit card. To reinforce saving, encourage setting up an automatic deposit from a checking to a savings account. Plus, as your teen has more savings, you could suggest opening a brokerage account (custodial if under 18) or even an IRA if they have earned income, and introduce some basic investing concepts. An IRA can be a great way to reinforce the importance of saving for retirement, and a first paycheck is a great introduction to taxes.

Going to college If your kids are college bound, hopefully you’ve involved them in saving toward this major goal. But there’s more to college costs than tuition. Sit down together and talk about living expenses, books, food, transportation, personal care, insurance - all the things they may have taken for granted so far.

Be clear on what you’ll pay for and what you expect your college student to cover, then create a budget together.

Make sure your student has a checking account, and knows how to properly use a debit card or a credit card to handle expenses. If you haven’t had the credit card talk yet, now’s the time to get into the details from interest to late fees to credit reports. Be sure to stress the pitfalls of misuse, which could really come back to haunt them later in life.

Moving out Hopefully, the lessons learned so far will help your kids with this major transition, but they probably still need your guidance on the financial realities of living on their own. Understanding how to balance essential expenses and niceto-haves, car and renters insurance, an emergency fund, staying on top of debt (especially student loans) - if your kids haven’t been interested in these things before, they certainly should be now.

c ul t ure

THE CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF EVERYDAY EXISTENCE SHARED BY PEOPLE IN A PLACE OR TIME

#BLACKEXCELLENCE MELANATED PEOPLE WITH ACTIONS TO ADVANCE OUR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES

ABHI RAMESH

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JAGMEET SINGH

FOUNDER HOST OF UNCOMMITTED MISFITS MARKET | PHILADELPHIA HBO | NEW YORK

LEADER, N. DEMOCRATIC PARTY PARLIAMENT | ONTARIO

@MISFITSMARKET

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CHIEF OF STAFF DIRECTOR PUBLICITY WILL PACKER MEDIA | ATLANTA UNIVERSAL | LOS ANGELES

FOUNDER & CEO CAPWAY | MISSISSIPPI

@WILLPACKERPRODUCTIONS

@GOCAPWAY

@UNIVERSALPICTURES

56 | CULTURE | ART |

DIGITAL OASIS AN INTRO TO SOME OF THE BEST PODCAST SHOWS ON THE PLANET

Podcasting is a big business and one that is expected to keep growing. According to Podcast Insights, there are currently over 660,000 podcasts and over 28 million episodes as of last month. Black people have a steadily-growing podcast presence, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why. As usual Black people are at the forefront of diversifying the growing medium. From pop culture to politics to outer space—there are a ton of smart, enjoyable podcasts out there featuring a bevy of brilliant Black folks. Even major podcast platforms including Spotify and Google are holding competitions in an effort to increase podcast diversity. There is anecdotal evidence, though, that more black people are turning to podcasting as a way to amplify their voices.

With that in mind, here are 3 podcasts that are sure to inspire, spark joy, and give you a few giggles.

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Baller Alert

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he pop-culture podcast airs weekly on Mondays, discussing and dissecting entertainment news, opinion and gossip. The latest innovation from the mega-successful Baller Alert Brand, “The Baller Alert Show” is hosted by lifestyle specialist, culture curator and industry vet Kenny Burns, entrepreneur/influencer and brand ambassador Su Solo, party host/ radio personality Ferrari Simmons of Atlanta’s 94.5 The Streetz and Podcast producer iHandlebars.

This dynamic dream team’s high-energy interplay will have viewers engaged from start to finish. The Miami-based Baller Alert enterprise founded in 2008 boasts a combined reach of more than 200 million impressions a week, according to the company.

58 | CULTURE | ART |

Black Girl

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lack Girl Podcast is the dose of melanin magic that everyone needs in their day. Rebecca “Bex” Francois, Sapphira Martin, Alysha Pamphile, Gia Peppers, and Deanii “Scottie Beam” Scott come together to give their opinions on everything pop culture and life experiences, giving us the girl talk that is sorely needed in the podcast world. Each episode is a kiki that bolsters your soul and invites you into the lives of your five new best friends who just want you to be the best version of yourself every day. “It’s about being bare for other girls to know that we’re all going through the same things, talking about the same things. We’re not all that different,” says Peppers. So, what’s the end goal for this hard-working quintet? While they all admit that Black Girl Podcast can materialize into more, for now, they’re focused building a voice for the black women in this generation.

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Code Switch

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PR’s award-winning Code Switch podcast explores how race and culture collide with everything else in people’s lives. With a rotating cast of Code Switch reporters, editors and guest contributors, the podcast invites listeners to re-examine their perspectives about race and identity in ways that might inspire, entertain and challenge them. Launched in 2013, NPR’s Code Switch team has made its mark as a blog on NPR.org and with segments on NPR’s signature shows. The reporting team has tackled the constantly-shifting and overlapping themes of race, ethnicity and culture and how they play out in people’s lives and communities. Named after the many ways people shift how they express race and culture in daily life, Code Switch aims to deepen the coverage of these topics and capture the issues that define an increasingly diverse America.

62 | CULTURE | ENTREPRENEURS |

LENOXANDPARKER.COM

BRUNCH FOR TWO WITH

Chef

SHAMIKIA

BY TOBIAS

M

y name is Chef Shamikia, I’m a personal/ private chef living in Marietta Ga, I was born and raised in South side Jamaica Queens New York. I’m the owner of Brunch4two LLC. I am a wife and mother of a 4 year old beautiful little girl that keeps me on my toes, but doesn’t enjoy most of my dishes because she’s extremely extremely picky lol.

What inspired me to become a chef?

What inspired me to become a chef? To be honest with you being a chef wasn’t even in “my plan”. I had no idea what I wanted to be. I knew that I loved to eat lol and I knew that I enjoyed looking at beautiful dishes, and checking out food magazines and food shows but I can’t really put my finger on it. However there was this one time my older cousin gave me a recipe to make a peach cobbler (one of my favorite desserts by the way) and I remember telling her that it’s gonna come out messed up because I’d messed it up twice before. She promised me that this recipe was easy and that there was no way I could mess it up. Needless to say I made it one Sunday afternoon on a nice summer day and it came out absolutely PERFECT! From that day confidence was built , but me becoming a chef was still not in my vision. It wasn’t until that next year (2014 ) that I thought maybe I should dabble in cooking.

I had people who loved the way I cooked and told me that I should try to my hand at culinary school. So I did. I moved from New York with really no plan scared of what may or may not be , and enrolled myself into culinary school within 2 months of me living in Georgia and well the rest is history.

What’s the inspiration behind your brand Brunch4Two?

The inspiration behind my brand was simply me loving BRUNCH. I came up with name brunch4two in the midst of me having a conversation with my husband and telling him that when I was done with culinary school that I wanted to be a personal chef, but while still attending culinary school I should get my feet wet and find some clients that would allow me to cook for them. At the time I wasn’t working so I couldn’t afford to pay people to assist me so I said well I can cook brunch for couples. I can handle cooking for 2 people (keep in mind I was in my first year of school still new to this culinary world) so I put the name together just like that BRUNCH4TWO. I have yet to cook brunch for just 2 people and I’m not complaining about it.

66 | CULTURE

LENOXANDPARKER.COM

What’s the best part about being a chef as well as the most challenging?

The best part about being a chef in my opinion is how creative you can be. I mean you can literally do anything with food. Once you understand the way food is supposed to be cooked there’s absolutely nothing you can’t do with it. Also the best part about being a chef for me is the way my food makes people smile, it gives me ultimate satisfaction when I see my new and old clients thoroughly enjoying every bite. Food is a beautiful thing. Food has no boundaries. Being a chef has allowed me to say who I am on plate without me saying a word. Food is music to me.

Food is an art. The most challenging part about being a chef for me is being away from my family when I have to cook for long periods of time the mommy/wife guilt creeps in and it kinda makes me a little sad, but I know I have a purpose in life and my purpose is feeding people and that mommy will always come back home once she pushes out the last course!

Tell us your favorite type of music to listen to when cooking?

My favorite type of music to listen to when I’m cooking can range from Nina Simone , to Raphael Saadiq , to David’s , to Burna boy to Anita Baker , to Barrington Levy, to Emmavie , to Chris Brown to Summer Walker oh gosh I could go on and on, but right now in the kitchen I have to throw on Roddy Ricch and it has to be loud. That’s what I’m bumping in the kitchen that young boy Roddy Ricch. I hope he reads this article lol. .

MY FOOD MAKES PEOPLE SMILE, IT GIVES ME ULTIMATE SATISFACTION WHEN I SEE MY NEW AND OLD CLIENTS THOROUGHLY ENJOYING EVERY BITE. FOOD IS A BEAUTIFUL THING. FOOD HAS NO BOUNDARIES. BEING A CHEF HAS ALLOWED ME TO SAY WHO I AM ON PLATE WITHOUT ME SAYING A WORD. FOOD IS MUSIC TO ME. FOOD IS AN ART.

Fill in the blank: Being a chef means __________________________.

Being a chef means no boundaries, no apologies, just be your creative self and have fun.

Name the one ingredient that you can’t live without?

The one ingredient I must have at all times is garlic. No if ands or buts about it.

What’s the first dish you learned to make really well?

The first dish that I learned to make was French toast. I was about 10/12 years old at the time My father taught me how to make my first French toast. He’s sinced passed on , but I thank him for giving me my very first cooking lesson.

What’s your favorite “food city” to visit, and what do you like to eat there?

I know I may seem a little biased, but my favorite city to visit is New York. There’s nothing like New York, there’s food everywhere, New York is literally a city that never sleeps and neither do the restaurants. I love my corner store bacon egg and cheese sandwiches, my corner store chopped cheese sandwiches. New York has some of the best Spanish ,Caribbean , Mediterranean, Italian , Hatian food around . I can only speak about where I’ve been I can’t speak about the food where I’m going because I haven’t gotten there YET.

Past Clients and Catered Assignments • Chef India of ChefIndia.co • Commercial with “This is it BBQ” (food styling) • Catered lunch for the set of BET’s “Being Mary Jane” • Catered (Banana pudd’n) set of BET’s “American Soul” • Catered Lunch for set of Starz Originals “Survivors Remorse” • Catered for MIDTOWN COLLECTIVE Studios

How someone contact you for catering or to purchase your prodicts Go to www.brunch4two.com or follow us at www.facebook.com/Brunch4Two

68 | CULTURE | MENTAL HEALTH |

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH NATURALLY

BY ADRIAN JOELE

M

ental health problems, like depression and anxiety are experienced by more people worldwide than any other physical disorder. According to predictions from the World Health Organization, this year depression will cause greater disability than any other mental or physical disorder. This is a severe problem and it is common sense that we find effective solutions for these problems. To-day most mental health problems are treated with psychological and pharmacological interventions. The most common psychological treatments are known as cognitive-behavioural therapies (CBT), while antidepressants are the most common class of medication used to treat both depression and anxiety.

Other interventions are also effective, although not promoted as much as the previous mentioned treatments, including exercise, relaxation/ meditation, and sleep-based interventions.

Herbs and nutrients are also often used to treat mental health problems, but there is doubt whether they actually work.

The following more commonly used natural supplements will be reviewed to see if there is actually any evidence to support their efficacy.

1. Omega-3 fish oils. There has been a substantial amount of research on the effects of fish oil, mostly in the area of depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD ). The overall evidence suggests that fish oil is moderate effective for these conditions. In several meta-analyses it had been confirmed that fish oil can improve depressive symptoms that occur in major depressive disorders and bipolar disorder. The most effective fish oils for mental health are those ones that contain greater concentration of EPA ( a type of omega-3 fat) 2. St John’s Wort. This herb has always been very popular for the treatment of depression and there has been many good quality studies in several meta-analyses. St John’s wort has been shown to be effective for the treatment of depression.

However, research on stress, ADHD and other mental health problems have not been so convincing. The major problem with St John’s wort is that it interacts with many medications.

3. Saffron. Positive studies on its effect on depression has increased over the last decade. Follow up studies have all confirmed that saffron is effective for the treatment of depression.

In comparison with antidepressants such as Prozac and Trofanil, Saffron has proven to be as effective, but with less side effects. Although it is the most expensive spice in the world, only a small amount is needed, which make the cost quite

affordable (approx $30 - $40 a month). Another advantage is that in combination with pharmaceutical antidepressants, it was more effective than the antidepressant alone.

4. Rhodiola rosea. This herb was originally used in Russia to enhance athletic performance. It was later discovered to be effective for stress, feelings of burnout, and depression. A few good quality European studies have indicated that rhodiola is helpful for improving mood and seems to be particularly helpful for people with stress related fatigue. People who feel run-down, find it hard getting out of bed in the morning, lack motivation/drive,experience energy slumps in the afternoon, and feel quite flat, may also benefit from rhodiola. Natural practitioners often refer to this condition as ‘adrenal fatigue’.

5. Theanine. This is an amino acid derived from green tea and is claimed to help people experience a relaxed and calm state.

Some good studies indicate that it can reduce levels of stress hormones in the body (e.g. cortisol) and can move people’s brain waves into ‘alpha’ states. Alpha brain waves are associated with relaxation and meditation. People with a mind that is constantly racing report positive effects from theanine. It has also shown to improve sleep in children with ADHD, and was even helpful for people with schizophrenia.

This is just a selection of herbs and nutrients with good research-based support for their mental health benefits. There are other options available, including s-adenosyl-methionine (SAME) for depression. Kava for anxiety, B-vitamins for stress, and glycine/magnesium for sleep.

If you are interested in using natural supplements, make sure you purchase them from a reputable company. Preferably an Australian one because Australia has the most rigorous testing for natural supplements in the world.

70 | CULTURE | WELLNESS |

UNDERSTANDING RARE CANCERS FOUR FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT ONE TYPE OF RARE CANCER, SOFT TISSUE SARCOMAS

BY DR. PETE SULACK

A

lthough rare cancers don’t occur often, they can affect people of all ages and genders. A rare cancer is defined as fewer than 15 new diagnoses per 100,000 people per year, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Additionally, as noted by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the 5-year survival rate is lower for people diagnosed with a rare cancer than for people living with more common cancers. Greater awareness of rare cancers may lead to earlier diagnosis and management, and potentially better survival rates.

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2. STS can be visible or invisible depending on location.

STS may appear as painless bumps under the skin, usually on arms or legs. Some sarcomas begin in the abdomen and typically don’t show symptoms until they grow and press on nearby organs, nerves, muscles or blood vessels.

When this occurs, symptoms may include pain and t rouble breathing.

3. Early diagnosis can help inform disease management.

As with other types of cancer, early diagnosis of STS is key, as earlier treatment may result in more favorable outcomes. Because other conditions can cause similar symptoms, it’s important to check with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the warning signs listed above. If your doctor decides it’s best to “watch and wait,” consider developing a six-week follow-up plan in partnership with your health care team if your symptoms have not improved.

4. Seeking care from a specialist is key. Given the rarity of STS, finding a sarcoma specialist who understands the complexity of this rare disease and can help determine which treatment option is best for you is important. Treatment options depend on multiple factors, including your overall health, the location and type of tumor, its size and whether the disease has spread elsewhere in the body.

STS are typically treated with a combination of options including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

A specialist may also speak to you about participating in a clinical trial where investigational therapies in STS are being studied.

Learning More About Epithelioid Sarcoma A rare type of STS, epithelioid sarcoma (ES) accounts for less than 1% of all STS, which themselves account for approximately 1% of all cancers, according to research published in “Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.”

ES can present as a lump or sore on the skin.

1. There are more than 50 types of soft tissue sarcomas (STS). STS account for about 1% of all cancers and affect soft tissues such as muscle, fat, nerves, blood vessels and skin.

Although STS can be found in any part of the body, they are often in the arms or legs, internal organs, the back of the abdominal cavity or in the trunk, head and neck area.

If you have recently been diagnosed with STS, it’s important to ask your doctor for more information about the specific sub-type you have. For example, if you received a diagnosis of undifferentiated sarcoma, ask your doctor for an integrase interactor-1 (INI1) test to see if you have a rare STS called epithelioid sarcoma (ES).

(See sidebar for more on ES.)

Notably, more than 90% of ES tumors do not express the INI1 protein, which when present acts to suppress tumor growth. INI1 loss plays an important role in the diagnosis of ES, according to researchers with “The American Journal of Surgical Pathology.”

Data from the NCI indicates that approximately 150-200 people in the United States are diagnosed with ES each year. Research published in “The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology” found the disease often occurs in young adults in their 20s and 30s. Because most ES patients are adolescents and young adults, there is a gap in the unique psycho-social needs for this patient population, including resources for patients who miss school while undergoing treatments, as well as fertility considerations later in life.

If you or someone you love is living with ES, you can find resources, information and the real-life perspective of an ES survivor at ESsentialsforES.com.

72 | CULTURE | FAMILY |

ARE YOU A MINDLESS MUNCHER? Follow these smart tips for healthier snacking

BY DENISE A DILMORE

E

ating small snacks throughout the day can be a great way to maintain energy and keep hunger pangs at bay between meals. The problem is, it’s far too easy to reach for unhealthy foods that satisfy your sweet or salty cravings, but don’t necessarily provide the essential nutrients your body needs.

You can prevent mindless snacking by taking a few proactive steps now so you have access to delicious foods that are easy to eat at home or on the go. You’ll feel good about snacking by following these simple tips and tricks.

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FROM SMART SHOPPING TO MINDFUL SNACK PREP, THESE CHANGES ARE SURE TO MAKE A BIG IMPACT IN HOW YOU SNACK.

CONVENIENCE Shop with the goal of stocking the fridge with convenient, nutrient-rich snacks. For example, new Fruitlove spoonable smoothies are packed with the goodness of three or more real fruits and vegetables, providing a good source of protein and calcium, and an excellent source of vitamins A, B1 and B3. The unique flavor combinations - like Mango Medley that features banana, pineapple, carrot and mango - seem like a treat, but Fruitlove is really a wholesome snack packed with goodness.

With a spoon right in the container, it’s built for on-the-go snacking.

WEEKEND PREP Some people do meal prep on weekends for the upcoming busy work and school week. This can also be a great strategy for snacking. For example, buy fresh vegetables in bulk to save money, then spend some time on Sunday chopping them into veggie straws and packaging them into individual containers. This provides an easy grab-and-go snack. Keep them in an accessible drawer in the fridge so anyone can get a healthy snack when hunger strikes.

DRINK UP Sometimes your body confuses thirst with hunger, so strive to stay hydrated by keeping a water bottle close by and sipping regularly.

When you snack, also consider a side of good old H2O to help your body feel its best. Bored with this zero-calorie beverage? Add a healthy flavor boost with sliced lemon, strawberries or cucumber.

SNACK SLOWLY When you’re hungry, you tend to eat faster. However, it’s important to eat slowly to let your body metabolize food efficiently, plus it can trick your mind into feeling like you’re eating more. For example, eat one nut at a time rather than handfuls of three or four. Take breaths between bites and notice the tastes and textures of the food, enjoying every bit.

PORTION SIZE It’s easy to overeat when you have a whole bag or container to snack out of. Whatever the food, be mindful of the portion size on the nutrition label. A smart way to stick to reasonable portions is to take the snack and put the correct portion in a bowl. That way when it’s gone you are done snacking rather than being tempted to overindulge.

WHOLE GRAINS Whole grains: Whole grain foods provide essential nutrients and fiber, which helps you feel more full for longer. An often-forgotten versatile whole grain is popcorn. Consider investing in an air popper and popping your own so you can flavor it with wholesome toppings such as dried herbs or cheese. Separate into individual baggies that can easily be tucked into backpacks or purses.

CRUNCHY ALTERNATIVES Looking for a way to satisfy that craving for something crunchy without resorting to unhealthy chips?

Whole nuts have a tasty crunch and are packed with protein, omegas and other nutrients. For example, 1 ounce of almonds contains 6 grams of protein, 3.5 grams of dietary fiber and 75 milligrams of calcium.

With these smart tips you not only tempt your taste buds, but you also give your body snacks you can feel good about. From smart shopping to mindful snack prep, these changes are sure to make a big impact in how you snack.

PASTRY TARTS CAKES

COOKIES

CUSTOM CAKES & PLANT BASED PASTRIES TR AD I T I ON AL / V E GA N / GL U TE N FR E E

FRUIT TARTS CUPCAKES SWEET LOAVES

BROWNIES

C A K E D B Y P A T. C O M

PIES

BRAND NEW MEET THE FUTURE OF MUSIC

JAMESDAVIS | @nolabelsjustmusic

AMILLI | @amilli.official

LOS ANGELES • RHYTHM & BLUES

GERMANY • POP / SOUL

Comprised of three musicians that happen to be siblings, JAMESDAVIS blends stripped-down soul, helmed with love, passion and modern rock.

Singer/songwriter from Bochum, Germany. Amilli’s style is open and spacious, with minimalist production giving room for her soulful voice.

VERSE SIMMONDS | @versesimmonds

YOLA | @iamyolaofficial

SAINT THOMAS • REGGAE / R&B / POP

LONDON • COUNTRY / SOUL

Award winning artist, singer-songwriter and producer. Often mixing “R&B, a little bit of Caribbean flavor, hip hop” and pop. His “Island B” vocal stylings and melodies can be found throughout much of pop music.

British singer-songwriter Yola’s arresting vocals captivate with sincere tales of heartache, loves lost, forgotten, and broken. With a voice that can belt, swoon and sing the blues, she quickly makes clear you’re in rare company.

76 | CULTURE | LOVE |

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN ITS TRUE LOVE

BY DUNCAN MUYA

W

hen a lady is around her man, it is normal for her to wonder if he is really in love with her. This question is always valid. However, it might sound inappropriate or else offensive to asking him if he really loves you. Additionally, asking that question might be misconstrued for being desperate and this can make the man to change his attitude. Ladies How do you know when its true love? Here is how.

HE INTRODUCES YOU TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS A man who loves values your company wherever he is or in everything he does. If he has a meeting with his family or friends, he will not bar you from tagging along. He will introduce you to his family as way of giving you some sense of security and ownership.

HE AFFIRMS AND APPRECIATES YOU A man who is truly in love with you will always notice every new thing or change that happens in you. It might be a new dress or hairdo. A man in love is very observes you keenly thus he will not wait for you to show him that there is a change no matter how small it is. He will notice it before everybody else does.

HE MEETS YOUR EMOTIONAL NEEDS When a man falls in love with you deeply, he takes his time to learn your emotional need. He also tries all he could to satisfy all of them to ensure that you are always happy. A loving man will not let you feel lonely or unloved. He will always be there for you in everything that you go through. He will wipe your tears and make you smile again. He strives to become your source of joy.

HE BECOMES YOUR MENTOR When his emotions for you are real, a man will want to have the best out of you. He will learn about your weaknesses and work together with you to make them your strengths. He does not criticize your weaknesses. He chooses his words carefully when addressing your weaknesses.

HE RESERVES TIME FOR YOU It is natural that a woman will always want to have quality time with his man. If your man cancels his business meetings or adjusts his timetable just to spend his time with you, it is an indication that he is truly in love with you. You might need to have an intimate conversation with him as many times as possible. Is he available? If he is, he is in love with you.

HONEST AND OPEN A man who is in love with you will not hide anything that is going on in his life. He will show you his home, his place of work and introduce you to his colleagues so that t in case you need something and he isn’t available, you can get information about his whereabouts from an alternative source.

When his heart chooses you, you become a part of his life. You become a part of everything that he plans. He will always mention you in relation to his future. He plans his future with you. Your success becomes his and he tries all he could to brighten your future as well.

semicolon; BOOKSTORE & GALLERY

BYOB WOMAN-OWNED BLACK-OWNED

515 N HALSTED STREET, CHICAGO, IL | 312-846-6887 | WWW.SEMICOLONCHI.COM

SO CAN YOU.