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ODREANNE’ WHITE, WSO Vice President, BBVA Bank: real estate owner, mother, and successful trailblazer

Career Tips for Success: You are a Walking Resume!

Help is on the way: Just Ask

G

enerational

W

ealth:

What are you leaving for your children’s children?

Schools are Reopening: Read inside on how to effectively prepare.

US www.ceo-mothers.com

American Dream: Tips on finding your ideal neighborhood to buy your first home.

September/October 2020

CEO-Mothers PO Box 196

Brice, OH 43109

Advertising Sales

ceomothersadmin@ceo-mothers.com T: 614-829-3270

Customer Service & Subscriptions

www.ceo-mothers.com and select Contact Us from the company home page Email: ceomothersadmin@ceo-mothers.com

T: 614-829-3270

Some of the photos on the What’s Inside page are provided by: Free Photos from Pixabay Gustavo Fring from Pexels August de Richelieu from Pexels Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels September/October 2020

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September/October 2020

CEO-Mothers

What’s Inside 27

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Family Back-to-school tips: Our involvement counts! 8 Building your Circle 20 Generational Wealth: It Matters! 25 American Dream: 27

Health & Beauty

Career Career Tips for Success: You’re a Walking Resume!... 50 Cover Story: Odreanne’ White 32

Inspirational Note

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Devotional: Know Who You Are 14

Dinner Let’s Cook Something Together!

It’s About You too; Don’t you forget Then Eat...17 it! 55

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Community Editor’s Note: There’s Help...Just Ask! 6 Build Your Circle CEO-Mothers’ Readers Club: Book Up 7

Past CEO-Mothers’ Stories 11

Who’s job is the hardest? 13 Pumpkin Patch Fun 18 Family Resiliency 22 4

September/October 2020

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September/October 2020

Community

CEO-Mothers

EDITOR’S NOTE There’s Help...Just Ask! During this pandemic crisis of COVID-19 Coronavirus, many of us, as a people, have been home stricken and have not been able to be outside the home since the 1st quarter of 2020. Children have been out-of-school and many of us have been working from home; albeit, this tragedy has kept us majority of the time in one place, at home with family, many people may be facing harm.

They were previously accustomed to leaving their homes and feeling safe in other environments other than their homes.

LaMeka Howard, Editor Photographer: Maya D.

There are unpleasant experiences in our lives that may make us feel uncomfortable as a people, especially when having to handle personal situations in our families and in our homes. Our homes were made to be are safe haven; a safety net from the world; however, when we are home and are facing situations where we are violated, molested, disrespected, harmed, abused, tortured, and afraid, we feel as though our world is not only unsafe externally but internally too. In addition, when having to share our experiences, we are ignored, interrogated, blamed, alone and embarrassed and treated as the violator and mistreated as a victim.

Since these emotional roller-coasters seem inevitable, many victims hide in silence with no where to turn for hope.

Know that if you are facing any unpleasant situations that make you feel uncomfortable and in harm’s way, there is help. You do not have to face these situations alone because there are resources that will help you escape your current situation and help remove you from your situation.

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If you are a mother and you want to protect yourself and your children, or you are a minor with no where to turn, rest assured you do not have to plan everything; the only thing to plan is to do your best to find a place of safety. If you are teenager and have been violated with your body, there is safety. If someone is reading this message, it’s our time to listen so we can hear the silent voices that are asking for help and when they can not ask for help themselves, be their helping hands.

When we read Odreanna’ White’s story, from the cover of this magazine, she compels us to learn how to help others when a people can not help themselves. There was an advocate who helped her during her time of need, and now she is able to share her story so she can help someone be free from their experiences too.

In this issue, we ask for you to listen, to be alert, and to lend a helping hand. Let’s help the silent voices. See help options on page 3.

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September/October 2020

Community

C

CEO-Mothers

EO-Mothers Readers’

Welcome to CEO-Mothers Readers’ book club. We are excited to present to you our first book selection to encourage our readers to explore different resources that will enhance, that will expand, that will educate, and that will encourage transformation in our lives, in our communities, and in our finances.

We don’t want to inundate our readers with multiple selections; instead we encourage one book at the time so the information can digest and resonate in our readers minds. In addition, we allow our readers to either mail-in or email their feedback on what was acquired by the book. Our readers’ feedback may be published in a future publication.

About: David Bach introduces his, book The Automatic Millionaire, of how to become a homeowner and what resources one can acquire to obtain homeownership. It shares his story.

Our first issue cover story circles home ownership, and we want to Selection take this moment to offer an outfor standing book that will get you prepared to purchase your first home.

Our

You

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September/October 2020

Community

CEO-Mothers

Back to School COVID-19 Didn’t Stop School; It Changed the Learning Game Stepping in to the school year right!

By LaMeka Howard

Image by Xandra_Iryna from Pixabay

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September/October 2020

Community This year, we faced some significant changes in our homes, in our schools, in our workplaces, and in our lives. These significant changes changed some customs on how we prepare ourselves for the school year with work and with our children’s school schedule; however, it didn’t change how we operate in our homes to keep us apart as family, but it kept us closer together as a family. It was definitely a balancing act and for some, it shifted a people more to dedicate time with families: families became the first family all over again.

Since families are first, we are experiencing blended work and life balance with teaching our children their school lessons and having to work full-time too and having our children home with us while working. Although COVID-19 may have changed how school was in session, it changed school systems to create new learning paths that changed how our children learn.

CEO-Mothers Logging on to the computer: Have your children log in early to ensure they can log in successfully to their classes, making sure you have good internet and wifi connection.

If you don’t you’ll be able to immediately contact your desk support group and teachers for assistance.

Set expectations:

Let your children know that there will be expectations during the day which is time spent during digital learning and time you’ll be working from home. In addition, you can advise how the day will operate with a weekly agenda, including time slots, as needed to advise your children what will happen on a daily and weekly basis.

Dinner Time:

Prepare meals together and talk about the digital As the fall begins, parents are brainstorming new school day and your work day. Share your expeways to interact and to educate their children as riences and best practices to keep your children excited and engaged for learning. Delegate asdigital school and classroom session begins. signments by having someone to prepare the What’s even more exciting is that parents are learning a second time and this time is with their dinner table, wash the dishes, take out the trash, children. Now, we , parents can think of creative and put the dishes away all while talking as a ways to still have a nice routine for our children family. that’ll engage them of the excitement of online Purchase a calendar: Calendars are great way learning and feeling eager to explore new ways to keep track of your schedule for the week as of learning with the student body and interacting well as managing your family’s time. I heard a with school activities online. great leader once say that he always checks his Here are some great tips to ensure you and your calendar at the beginning of the day because time is valuable and you cannot get back time, children are off to a good start whether it’s online learning or classroom learning in a build- so he wants to make sure he uses his time wiseing, so this school year will smoothly run for the ly. In this case, let’s teach our children about the value of time management and setting the entire family. calendar to know what’s happening for the week.

This engages them to be aware of how to prepare their schoolweek.

Keep your regular routine:

At Home

Although your children may not have to wake up to get on the school bus, still have a set-time for your children to prepare their mornings and prepare for bedtime. They can eat breakfast, say their prayers, brush their teeth, wash up, and get dressed. This will help them stay in routine so while they are preparing the next school day, they will already be in habit, and won’t have to Image by tigerlily713 from Pixabay struggle later to change their schedule.

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September/October 2020

Community

CEO-Mothers

Image by feelgoodjunkie from Pixabay

Inform: If your child(ren) will be attending school in person, talk about important practices to slow COVID-19 Coronavirus.

Homework

Sometimes our children may not know the answers immediately to their homework questions; Social distancing– stay 6 feet a part from one however, have them skip the questions they another don’t know and complete the ones they do know.

Thereafter, have them retry and if they still need Wear a mask—cover your mouth and nose assistance, get involved and do the problems Wash hands—wash hands for 20 seconds (front with them. If they succeeded, compliment them. and back of hands, fingers and nails) Brainstorm and find different techniques to make Cover sneeze and cough—in your arm, in your it interesting so it’ll stick and make it relatable. sleeves, or in a tissue; if tissue used discard.

When the information is relatable, then children Monitor your health- be aware of your symp- will understand it better because they will know why they need to know it, how it’ll help them in toms (coughing, aching, loss of taste, fever, their community, and how it’ll help them for their vomiting, and/or diarrhea. future. If it’s still complicated, it’s best to either You can find more information online a ask their teacher for additional support, examwww.cdc.gov for the latest health update. ples, or guidance. In addition, you can ask the teacher for a one-on-one meeting in order to receive a demonstration on how to properly resolve your child(ren)’s homework problems.

Also, there are a lot of examples either by Khan Academy, an online tutoring website that provides informative details on how to improve assessment scores and how to improve children’s overall academic performance, or YouTube to assist with questions that our child(ren) may not understand and they can use it as a guide. @element5digital unplash

Good luck to all of our students.

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September/October 2020

Community

CEO-Mothers

Celebrating our Past

CEO-Mothers’ Stories by LaMeka Howard

Elyse Nicole Jackson: born to Timothy and Doris Jackson in Newport Beach, California. Thereafter, she and her father moved to Columbus, Ohio where she will be raised. During this time, Elyse faced many challenges regarding the best of three worlds: black, white and being biracial. She was born to a Black American father and a Caucasian mother, and lived in a predominately Black neighborhood. Talk about confusion, that’s what she definitely endured. Black people thought she was appearing white, but they didn’t understand she was half part of them. Many times she would ask God the BIG three letter word “Why” and then tag-a-long the additional question “Did you make me this way?” Read more of her story at https://www.ceomothers.com/ ElyseJackson.html

Christina D. McLemore: Vice President as a Business Support Manager for Bank of America, is a lifechanging business woman, dedicated mother, supportive wife, active church member, beloved daughter, true friend, and a rolemodel sister. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Finance from Franklin University and a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University. Her journey did not start where she is at today; her journey began in her childhood from a change in dynamics of her family, from a teen pregnancy, from her circle of community, and from the love of Christ. These were her stairs in her journey that led her to today’s success story. Read more of her story at https:// www.ceo-mothers.com/ ChristinaMcLemore.html

LaStarr Sneed: The Winter Olympics is coming, in 2022, and there is a new star conditioning to be the next Gold Medalist. Her mother knew, from the moment her eyes contacted her daughter’s eyes, after delivery, that one day she’s going to be something special: a star. This young woman of color will be the 3rd African American woman, in the world, to participate in the Winter Olympic Games (WOG) ice speed skate in short track. Prayerfully she’ll receive her hard-working reward. Read more of her story at https:// www.ceo-mothers.com/LaStarrSneed.html

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Sheree Alexis: She found her niche and that was creating and sewing bow ties. In the beginning it wasn’t to start a business but to have a unique style for her and for her son. Her skirts would match his bow ties and they would step out with swag. Thereafter, her hands were working more than just for her family, but for making Africanprint dresses and skirts. She was blessed to receive her sister’s sewing machine, and her creativity flourished. Her husband’s support was remarkable, and she used that as fuel to keep moving forward. He encouraged her to start her business, and from there her talent took off. Read more of her story at https://www.ceomothers.com/ ShereeAlexis.html

September/October 2020

Community

Celebrating

CEO-Mothers

our Past

CEO-Mothers’ Stories

Jennifer Sanger: She discovered her love for fashion when she received hand-me-downs from her sisters, and when her parents didn’t believe in keeping up with the latest trends, she discovered her trend by improvising, creating, and redesigning the fabric to look stylish and current--her first attraction. Her creativity didn’t stop because her curiosity attracted her to more types of fashion. The second attraction was watching award shows to see the fabric, patterns, presentation, art, and look of designers and their vision, and her third attraction towards fashion was acquired by attending family functions seeing everybody’s attire and appeal. She was amazed at their overall appearance, and knew this was her calling to pursue an ART that defines fashion and that’s creating a fashion statement that attract someone to be stylish. She enjoyed restructuring pieces with her hands, and eventually when she was 16 years old, her mother invested into her future by purchasing a sewing machine. Thereafter, her hands couldn’t stop sewing, and she was creating what others thought was nothing anymore into something to explore. Read more of her story at: https://www.ceo-mothers.com/ JenniferSanger.html

Brianna Robinson: Poetry is the birthplace of B. Arlene’s writing. She’s been writing her entire life and completed her first collection when she was in middle school. Her poems encompass her creativity, her thoughts, her environment, and her ideas. Sometimes she is misunderstood, so she uses her words to express to the world the meaning of her experiences and the definition of her life. These are her treasures, hidden moments not revealed to the public; what she has seen, then written, and now shared with the world to hear. She’s an introvert offstage, but quite the opposite on stage, and the audience loves her.

Read more of her story at https:// www.ceo-mothers.com/ BArlene.html

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Ashly McCants Giddens, a mother, a wife, and a daughter, knew one day her determination, her educational background, and her self-discipline will partner with her in graduating from law school. She knew the journey would be challenging; however, she accepted the challenge and position herself for it. She not only accepted the challenge, she also accepted and received what her high school teachers, her parents, and her grandparents provided her: wisdom, guidance and experience. She cemented this as a package in her mind and carried it along her journey. Her journey led her to graduating from UIC John Marshall Law School. There are people who may have not made it with her; however, Ashly, with the help and support of her husband and for her children, she made it. This is where it all began…

Read more of her story at https:// www.ceo-mothers.com/ AshlyMcCantsGiddens.html

September/October 2020

Community

Who has the hardest Job? Mothers?

We want to know from you by sending us your “Who Has the Hardest Job Story,” about being a mother. We’ve experienced many situations where we have either complained or didn’t understand other people’s position, and their roles and responsibilities that there has been negative conversations around the unfamiliarity.

Now it’s your opportunity to tell us about your position as being a mother.

How is it hard, why do you think it’s hard, and how do you make it operate smoothly. We may look at someone’s work and say, “This is easy, I can definitely do it,” but when you start doing the job, it’s not what you expected.

Send us an email and tell us your hardest job story as being a mother.

We will feature it in our next magazine issue. You can send your emails to ceomothersadmin@ceo-mothers.com. Pass the notes to family members, to colleagues, and to friends because we want to hear from all of you.

Photo by Onlineprinters on Unsplash 13

CEO-Mothers

Inspirational Note Photo by : JLG from Pixaby

By LaMeka Howard

Proverbs 14:1 A wise woman builds her house.

Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom.

Proverbs 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Proverbs 31:27: She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Proverbs 31: 31 Give her, of the fruit of her hands and let her own works Mothers, you are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. You are a woman of art and and a woman with infectious characteristics that attracts many people. You have been fully equipped to handle everything even when unexpected. In Proverbs 14:1 and 31:10;26;21 & 31, it teaches some strong principals about a woman’s worth from either being a wife to her husband, a mother to her children, the strength of her family and the strength of her community. [Even if you’re not married, divorced, widowed, married and have children, you are still empowered and equipped with knowledge, wisdom, support, love, kindness, business mindset, observant, and strength of a rock]. The woman that is describe in the Bible, NKJV, is YOU! These are not the only attributes that you possessed; however, it’s important that you realize what you have been planted with, so you can see it germinate in your life and in your family’s life.

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You are carefully designed for greatness, and how you are honored every year for this reason. Your work is noticed, and you are highly recognized for it, and we appreciate all of you. It’s amazing how God knew what He was doing when He created you. You’re not a mistake; instead you are one of the greatest purpose of human life and how you shape our generations, our nations, our communities, and our businesses. Keep living these words and keep being the examples and see the fruit of your labor so when God sees you He’ll say, “Well done!”

Reference, the Bible (NKJV), Proverbs 14:1 pp. 616 and 31:10;16, 26;21 & 31, pp. 636637 (Nelson, Thomas Inc).

Be blessed and highly favored.

September/October 2020

CEO-Mothers

Cover Lady Her professional look...

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Odreanne’ White photoshoot was taken in Downtown, Dallas, TX, her homesweet-home.

Her professional signature-look is the color black. It’s safe and classy, yet powerful. She states, “When you’re in a business environment, it’s best to always wear something that’s comfortable but doesn’t bring too much attention. You want to be sure to always embrace your natural beauty.

Shoes: Christian Louboutin, Kate Jewelry: Tiffany and Co. Watch: Rolex Dress: Banana Republic, Classic Sheath Dress

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September/October 2020

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September/October 2020

Dinner

CEO-Mothers

Let’s Cook Something Together!

Then Eat… by LaMeka Howard

Tonight’s Menu Presents: Jamaican Stewed Chicken with red beans and rice and fried cabbage. is on the menu. Let’s get started:

1 with the chicken and ingredients.

Put on to the stove on medium, and allow it to cook for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. (Crockpot cook for 7 hours on medium or high).

Preparation:

Note: always keep your cooking area clean.

8 Pieces chicken thighs

Rice

Green and Red Bell Peppers Sweet Onions Ginger Root Paprika Garlic Salt and Seasoned Salt Browning Sauce Ketchup Water Cabbage Head Turkey Sausage Rice Red Dried Kidney beans

Chicken Clean the chicken thoroughly under water and then soak it in vinegar and lemon juice for about 10 minutes. Rinse chicken and pour access vinegar and juice in the sink.

Take the chicken and cut it in smaller half pieces so it’ll be more meat in the pot.

Add chicken in a large cooking pot, cut up the sweet onions, ginger root, and bell peppers, and then add on to the chicken that’s in the pot.

Add 1 cup of rice and add it to a medium size cooking pot. Rinse the rice by draining cloudy water from the pot until the water is clear from the pot with the rice in it. Add about a cup of water and add a can of red kidney beans with the rice by pouring it on to the rice. Place pot on top of stove for 20 minutes.

Once the water has evaporated from the pot, turn the knob down to low so the rice doesn’t burn and so the rice can expand further and stay warm as well as the kidney beans.

Add 3 tablespoons of butter and cilantro to the rice and then stir.

The rice will be fully read in about another 5 minutes.

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Fried Cabbage: Cut cabbage head in to smaller pieces, rinse it off under cold water to clean, drain it, and then add to a warm pot on medium with 3 tablespoons of cooking oil and 3 tablespoons of butter. Add in the cabbage and add in chopped pieces of turkey sausage. Since the turkey sausage is pre-cooked, it doesn’t take long to cook; however, allow the cabbage to cook for about 20 minutes and stir occasionally so all sides can be evenly cooked until a soft crunchy taste. Add seasoning whether it’s garlic salt or seasoned salt.

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Season the chicken with garlic salt, seasoned salt and Paprika and mix it together and make sure that the chicken is slightly saturated with the Once everything is officially cooked, different seasoning. Thereafter mix enjoy with family and with friends. the half cup of Ketchup with Browning Sauce in a bowl and pour on to chicken. Mix together until the ketchup and browning sauce is evenly distributed on the chicken.

Add a half cup of water in the pot 17

September/October 2020

Family

Pumpkin Patch Fun

by LaMeka Howard

Photo by Maddy Baker on Unsplash

CEO-Mothers

Fall is just around the corner, and there are a lot of exciting activities for families to have fun. You don’t have to sit and watch television at home; instead you can experience the great outdoors because you and your family will be able to see the seasons change in front of your eyes and visit some of your local pumpkin patches that offers, food, fun, games, corn-mazes, hayrides, pick-yourpumpkins, and souvenirs. If you’re interested in visiting one of your local pumpkin patches, feel free to visit https://www.pumpkinpatches.com/. You and your family will be able to browse by state to find your local pumpkin patch and enjoy the festivities. Before going, it’s best to research their guidelines pertaining to how they are handling their customer base during COVID-19 to ensure everyone’s safety. Pick-your-pumpkin, bake your delicious pumpkin-pie, and take pictures that’ll build memories that lasts a lifetime. Enjoy!

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September/October 2020

Family

CEO-Mothers

Harvest Time!

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Photo by Simon Birt on Unsplash

September/October 2020

Family BYC

CEO-Mothers

Building Your Circle!

Who is part of your village?

By LaMeka Howard

When our first CEO-Mothers conference had taken place in November 2017, we had a kick-off about what is a CEOMother. During this time, each participant shared her experience on how her family circle was created and the reason for her circle for her family. We shared some commonalities that with family, with friends, with neighbors, with church members, and with colleagues, we have a since of togetherness exhibiting shared morals and shared values.

Extracurricular Activities outside of school: if your children are in dance classes, gymnastics, marital arts, ballet, cheerleading, sign language, piano lessons, baking classes or a debate team, connect with parents there too.

When your children are connected with the other kids because they enjoy interacting with them and playing with them, say hello to their parents. Get to know them, have conversations with them, and find time to call. Stay connected and try to find time to meet to do things together.

In the mid-1900’s, families were always together whether it was in school, in church, or at events. If someone’s child was negatively impacting school learning, that child was disciplined and the entire neighborhood knew about it including the child’s family. The child was not only raised by one family, the child was raised by a village of people. We hear the old African Proverb that “It takes a village to raise a child,” because when children and teenagers see consistency on how they’re trained and raised, then they will become the product of the environment and greater.

Those individuals within their communities are family, school teachers, neighbors, church members, and close family friends. When there is a circle of togetherness, it doubles the joy and there is consistency with how situations are handled, how everyone treats one another, and the love that is shared throughout the circle.

In the neighborhood: If your children ride their bikes with other children in the neighborhood, play hide-andseek, attend school together, and jump-rope, definitely connect with their parents too. You can celebrate birthdays and have birthday parties, have milestone celebrations such as good grades, tooth loss, try-outs, and other adventurous things. You can have cook-outs to get to know your neighbor, go to the parks, and camping. Once a strong relationship is built, then you can help one another by making sure each one of your children are getting on the bus safely, getting off the bus safely, or staying out of the street, and other things to help keep children safe in the neighborhood as well as parents together.

Your old neighborhood friends that are now adults: if you have any friends that you’ve known since childhood, then definitely keep them in your circle. You can share childhood memories with their children as well as your children, and all of you can support one another through good times and through bad times. You can laugh, have dinner, and share best practices on raising your children well. If you lost touch with them, establish new relationships with people in your workplaces that may have children. If they are married, have couple nights, and you can share stories about life and family.

According to Linda Mason, Founder of Bright Horizons, and author of The Working Mother’s Guide to Life, interviewed many different women to understand their experiences as being mothers and how they feel about community. One of the young ladies that was interviewed explained how children grow up observing and participating in the adult world. Amazingly children are constantly learning what’s around them, why it’s happening, and knowing how to apply it in their lives. When there is a lot of socializaChurch: attending church is beautiful too. It gives you an tion, communication, discussion, problem-solving, and a opportunity to meet people that can talk about God, give sense of belonging, the healthier families are and the you scriptures to encourage you, to pray with you, and to healthier children are too. speak life in your. That is reciprocal. It’s about love, comLet’s explore different ways to build a community of family: passion, and raising children together in a place where they can have prayer and Bible study.

School clubs, sports and activities: children and teens are always exploring different ways to try new things and Having conversations is key: Get to know people to see what they are most passionate about. They join around you that you can learn from and that can learn clubs to learn from their peers to help make a difference in from you. Take the time to not only speak with your chilpeople’s lives, they learn how to serve, they join sports to dren on how to build a community relationships but show stay fit and enjoy the game, and they enjoy different activ- them too. Have them be around a strong group of people ities to keep them active and connected with their peers. that would hold them accountable, that will help them stay Although students may be heavily involved, this is the per- grounded, that shows them compassion, that accepts them fect opportunity for parents to be involved with their chilfor who they are, and to challenge them to be there best. dren and with other parents. Parents can volunteer time Build your circle of people that will be there for you when at school, meet and greet other parents, and find a comyou cannot be there for yourself and to work together as a monality where they can become connected and stay-up-to community team. Everyone needs somebody.

-date with information and to find how you become good friends with your children’s friends’ parents 20

September/October 2020

Family

CEO-Mothers

Children Can Connect Us...

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Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

September/October 2020

Family

CEO-Mothers

Family Resiliency Plan

By LaMeka Howard

There are many vicissitudes in life that may come in families’ lives fast, such as natural disasters, man-made disasters, and other unpredictable circumstances. The only option that families have during those difficult times is resiliency. However, when any difficult time occurs, especially if it’s unexpected, how can families bounce back, let alone have a plan in place to prepare during those unpredictable circumstances? Well, businesses do it every day to protect their employees, so families can do it too. It’s important to have a plan in place by drawing a plan, posting a map in the house as an exit, following that guide to • keep families safe.

There are stories shared of families facing fires, tornadoes, volcano eruptions, mudslides, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, kidnapping, and evacuations; however, many families may not have either been prepared on how to handle them or don’t have a plan in place to handle these situations as they unfold.

In this case, here are some great tips on how to keep your families safe by going through some basic training to prepare for each disaster type in order to help your families through these challenging situations. Use these as drills in your households: Tornado Warning:

and sharp objects if possible •

Make sure everyone carries identification in case you’re missing and injured

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Unplug any items in your home that you’re not using at that time

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Inform family members about your location and what’s preparing to happen; especially if they are in another state.

Hurricane Warnings:

Have battery operated flash light

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Pack clothes, food, water, and medicine for your safety needs

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Make sure everyone carries identification in case your missing injured

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If you have a basement, seek shelter

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Hold your arms over the back of your head to prevent debris from hurting you

Evacuate if your local county advises

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Seek shelter

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Listen to the weather by a battery operated device such as radio or charge your cell phone, if you can, before leaving

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Inform family members about your location and what’s preparing to happen; especially if they are in another state

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Do not touch any powerlines, sharp items, or loose debris

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If you don’t have a basement, go in the bathroom and get in the tub and cover your family with a mattress

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Pack clothes as soon as you hear anything about severe weather alert

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Pack food and water in a book bag

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Pack medicine and bandages in case it’s needed

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Have either a battery operated • radio or your cell phone fully charged to keep you informed on weather alerts in your area

Make sure your family knows the plan so when it comes, they are not frightened because everyone’s been trained

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Local counties ring sirens to inform of severe weather and prepare for shelter

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Once storm is over, make sure everyone checks one another for any wounds, injuries and missing family members

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Keep away from powerlines 22

Fire-Plan •

Have your family close their doors at night while they are sleeping; this blocks smoke and keep fire from spreading

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If doors are closed; advised your family to check the doorknobs to make sure they are not hot; if so, the fire is in close proximity

Have them learn how to place wet shirts, rags or ripped sheets over their faces to prevent inhaling smoke.

CEO-Mothers Parking Lot Safety •

Have your children close by when walking to the store and walking back to the car

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Lock your car doors and don’t leave any valuable items

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Check for suspicious activity when approaching the parking lot from: from the car to the store and the store to the car

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If they are near a phone, have them call 9-1-1 for help

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If they are on the first floor of a house or a building and they can easily exit the window and it’s safe with someone assisting • them, such as a neighbor, then exit the window for safety purposes.

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If fire is on your family member, have them roll on the floor so fire doesn’t retain oxygen for survival.

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Install smoke detectors; you can ask your local fire person to properly install them for your home

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Have ladders, ropes, and help your family members know how to tie sheets together to escape a two-story home

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Have an emergency kit in case of wounds, injuries, or pain

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Figure a plan in case you need to sleep elsewhere due to the fire damages

Photo by Brydon McCluskey on Unsplash

way.

In addition, you can create a plan for all of these events based on what you know best to work for you and for your family’s safety.

In addition, if you didn’t have a plan and have experience one of these situations, it’s best to create one so everyone will be on one accord on how to handle these difficult situations.

Advise your children not to play Sometime it may not seem easy to have to prepare for all of these in the parking area and to be events; however, your family is alert at all times your first family, so it’s encourage When you have walked to the to come together, have a discuscar from the store, leave the sion around these events, explain cart by the car, place your how all of you will handle it togethpurse and have your children er (practicing the plan), and post get in the car, and then come the plan on the walls (similar to back to the cart to put the buildings at schools and at workshopping bags or food in the places). trunk.

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Carry pepper spray if needed

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Keep your cell phone in your pocket

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Avoid distractions Restaurant

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When setting eating arrangements, request to be seated by the kitchen

Photo by Tobias Tullius on Unsplash

Car Breaks Down: •

Have your insurance card

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Have emergency road side assistance

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Have a spare tire

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Have a flash light

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Have food, water, charger, and packed clothes

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Have emergency flares

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Contact family to let them know your location or share your location with friends and family through your phone

These are tips to ensure you and your family are safe from harm’s 23

House Burglary: •

When arriving home, make sure you check the doors at your house before entering

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If doors have been opened, do not walk in to the house; instead call your local police department for safety purposes

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If someone is trying to break-in while you’re at home, have your children hide underneath the bed and stay quiet and or a bathroom and lock the doors.

Call your local police department September/October 2020

Family •

Parents lock the doors so burglar doesn’t enter the room where you are staying safe with you and the children.

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Don’t worry about stolen goods because they are replaceable, especially if you have insurance coverage, just focus on the family

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Daily Routines •

Keep family informed of your daily schedule

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Make sure you know their attire, hair style, shoes, and who they will be with during the day

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Find out the length of time at that location and whether or not they are on their way to their next destination (if applicable). This information is to encourage at least to know what your family is doing to make everyone aware in case someone becomes missing

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If traveling, let family know the name of the hotel, location, and how many nights you’re staying

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If you are taking a flight, inform your family of the flight number, name of airline company, and time of arrival.

•

•

•

Photo by Mohamad Ossayli on Unsplash

cy where they feel as though they are being followed

If you decide to take an Uber, Lyft, or Taxi, let them know so they can look for you.

These helpful tips will save lives, especially with family so keep this guide close and use other resources to build a Family Business If your children our on a school Resiliency Booklet for safety purbus and the school bus stops, poses. advise them to call you in case Here are some helpful sites that of an emergency may encourage additional safety If your teenagers are going to for you and for your families: the mall, let them know to be aware of their surroundings and TreeHugger: don’t to someone they don’t https://www.treehugger.com/fire-safetyknow tips-for-kids-4868552

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Have them contact you if someRedCross: thing looks susipicious

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Have them know where to go in the mall in case of emergen- to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-

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emergencies/tornado.html

National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/safety/ hurricane-plan

Very Well Family https://www.verywellfamily.com/parkinglot-safety-tips-for-parents-4158738

Family safety is a number one top priority. When your family is safe, it makes life better for all of you because know that your family is together, they are safe, and they are secured from harms way. If anything is disarray, it can be stressful and cumbersome, and then there may be a lot of regrets, shifting blame, and past tense conversation.

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Generational Wealth: What are you leaving for children and your children’s children?

By LaMeka Howard There is a lot of literature providing investment information on how to save money and fruitful information on how to build a nest egg for your family in case you or your loved passes away. It may be overwhelming especially if you are a beginner and you have never been taught how to save or prepare for death, but there are great resources to ensure your family is financially prepared for a loss of family member. It is not too late to lay one egg in the nest, and that egg is having a life insurance policy.

When we think about long-term investment, we have a tendency to say that we either cannot afford it or it’s not in my budget and it’s too late; however, it’s important to remember the ones you love the most: your family because your family is the most valuable asset. If you were to pass away, they’ll need financial stability to live, to pay bills, to have money in times of unpredictable circumstances, to pay funeral expenses, and to send your child(ren) to college. Year-afteryear, our lives can pass us by, but if we don’t properly prepare for the future, we leave our relatives’ minds in an uneased state.

Here are some basic tips to introduce the importance of life insurance: What is a life insurance policy?

It is a contractual agreement between the owner of the policy and the insurance company which the owner of the policy pays a monthly premium payment in to the policy for a certain time period and upon the owner’s death, his or her family will receive a death benefit disbursement from the policy.

Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay

What is the usual term for the policy?

The term could last from 10-40 years depending on the life insurance company or carrier and its product package offered. After the term expires, you may be able to renew, after a careful application and health assessment to determine your eligibility, and your premium may increase comparable to previous policy premium. The reason for the increase is based on many different factors such as age, health, policy coverage amount, the term length, smoker or non-smoker, adventurous person, and gender.

What is the purpose of having life insurance?

The reason it’s important to have life insurance is to cover your family for unpredictable circumstances. For instance if a loved one passes away, there would be a life insurance policy disbursement issued to the policy holder’s beneficiary(ies)—persons that receive financial disbursement from the policy—and they can use it When is the best time to get life insurance? to pay funeral expenses, debt, save, purchase real estate, pay for college tuition, pay off a curIt’s best to purchase a life insurance policy in your twenties because the earlier you start, then rent mortgage, and invest. the lesser premium you’ll have to pay. The rea- What is the best policy type to purchase? son being is when you are younger you can have a term at a lower monthly premium, due to your You can choose between either whole life insurhealth status, lower risk to the insurance compa- ance, universal life insurance or term-life insurny, and then if you renew—based on a new term ance. Whole life insurance never expires and last until you pass away and it has cash value that -life insurance policy— become older, or have health related issues later, the cost of your new the policy owner may withdrawal over time; however, your monthly premium is more expensive. policy could substantially increase.

Term-life insurance is typically cheaper, but it allows you to choose a term based on your 25

September/October 2020

Family short-term needs.

You can choose between 10, 20, 30 or 40 years. See your local insurance agent for details.

If you choose wholelife insurance, there may be a cash option available. Your financial well-being is important, so definitely know how much you can afford monthly, semi-month, or yearly and how frequently you would like to pay.

Also know that whole life won’t change unless the policy lapses or payments stop. If this happens, a new application is processed, per your request, and the policy premium may be subject to change. Universal life insurance allows you to pay monthly premiums and the amount paid in to the policy is invested in to the stock market or mutual funds. If the market doesn’t perform it’s best, money may be lost in the policy.

CEO-Mothers were to set an appointment with your local agent, he or she would be more than happy to assist you with your financial plans.

According to Suze Orman, a financial guru and spokesperson, states on her website www.suzeorman.com under her Life Insurance 101 tips, “The

question you need to answer is, if I were to die today, would those I support be able to take care of themselves?” If the answer is no, then you need life insurance. “ If the answer is no, it’s best to start planning and meeting with someone who can help you plan your financial life insurance policy.

What is the difference between group life insurance and life insurance?

Group life insurance is offered by an employer to its employees at Which one will best cheaper per-payroll fit my family’s deduction premium. needs and for how Although it’s offered much should I pur- at a lower premium, chase? it’s only available This question requires while working for your employer unless the a thought-out plan based on family size, insurance company yearly expenses, and allows you to continue future plans. If you the coverage after reapplying for the insur-

ance policy upon leav- things, but not investing your employer. ing in things that have Life insurance is pur- a return-oninvestment or hold chased by you and value. When an imyou can keep it reportant moment gardless if you work for an employer or not comes, you will hear them say, “I should and as long as you pay your monthly pre- have started,” “I should have purmium(s). chased,” “Why didn’t I Life insurance is an get that policy?” At excellent investment that time, it may be for you and for family. too late if the relative Generational wealth is has already deceased, a part of our legacy to but not too late for the ones in the living. leave something behind for your children, When your family is and your children’s covered, there are children. If nothing is less worries. It’s simileft for them, it may lar to having car inaffect them financially surance: when you’re and emotionally. This covered, you know will help them have a your insurance agent greater chance of is a phone call a way having more opportu- to help, and that’s the nities in life to branch same with having life and do more things insurance coverage. such as start busiDon’t wait another nesses, purchase properties, and invest minute because you in the mutual funds or never know your expiration date on earth the stock market.

There may be stories and tomorrow is not promised to anyone. where when families Receive coverage todidn’t have any funds left, their families faced challenges such as loss of financial stability, debt from medical expenses, foreclosure, stress, no funds for funeral arrangements, and no money for college tuition.

Sometimes you may have read people buying immaterial

Image by Brad Dorsey from Pixabay

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American Dream

by LaMeka Howard

Photo by Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash

path, your buying experience • will be smoother. Before purchasing your home, calculate greatest investments that how long your willing to pay on someone could ever have and it before it’s paid off, once it’s experience. Although it may paid off, you can leave the not be easy to purchase one, home to your children, and then the rewards of what you have to go through to have it is defi- your children’s children. In many countries, it’s difficult nitely worth the process. purchasing a home because Purchasing a home is not only many generations pass their to have an investment for you property to loved ones so they • and for your family, but it is to can have a place to live, have build memories, share holiday property ownership, and to experiences, to meet new save and invest. neighbors, to raise a family, and to share an experience to- Here are some great tips on how to properly prepare in purgether with a community of people that have a piece of the chasing your first home: American Dream: home owner- Pull and evaluate your credship. What is even greater is if it report: you financially plan the right

Home ownership is one of the

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The reason it’s important to pull and evaluate your credit report is make sure if you have any open loans and credit cards, that those account types have been reporting accurately and monthly to the three credit reporting agencies (Experian, Transunion, and Equifax).

If not, then this is your opportunity to file a dispute with either the credit reporting agencies or you can contact the company that’s reporting negatively to verify its accuracy. If it’s inaccurate, then typically the company will submit the details to update the erroneous reporting.

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Once everything has been updated correctly, wait another month for the three Take Home Ownership classes: credit reporting agencies or the company • If you are interested in learning about real that’s reporting updates it’s next update estate, how to manage your real estate (which can be every 30 days). Thereafter, property, and programs that may be able you can either purchase your credit score to help as a first time home buyer, this directly from the credit reporting agencies would be a perfect opportunity to register. websites, (Equifax, Transunion, or ExperiIt may save you a lot of money long-term an), check with your financial institution to with no buyers remorse. You’ll be able to see if they have a program to allow you learn what grants and programs you may your free credit score, or you can go to be eligible for and you may be able to www.creditkarma.com to receive your have a lower down payment. You can eicredit score. The only difference that most ther contact www.hud.gov or your local of them may not show your score for all housing authority for your State for addithree credit reporting agencies; however, tional details. you may have to pull them each individually from the three credit reporting agencies. • In addition, your local housing authority Check with your bank because they may a for your State may be able to offer classes service to check your credit and credit to show you how to maintenance your score for free. You can also obtain a free yard such as landscaping, cutting the copy of your credit annually at https:// grass, and having home owners associate www.freecreditreport.com/ . dues. In addition, they will teach you about the interior part of the home with maintenance of the faucets, toilets, hot Have a Savings Account and possible water heater, furnace, air conditioner unit, down payment ready: appliances, and home improvement projects. Remember that you are not just • When you have at least 6-months to a buying a home, you’re going to live in it, year of savings for future monthly payso it’s important to know the responsibility ments as well as a possible downof the property before making your large payment, then it helps to show that you purchase. are serious about your home transaction.

It’ll be helpful for you because you’ll know • You will also learn about fixed rate versus that in the event of an emergency, you adjustable rate mortgages and which one have money set aside that you saved. best fits your financial needs.

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When ready to purchase, applicant and co-applicant?

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Image by Mizianitka from Pixabay 28

When you make a home purchase, it’s important to know who is signing on the line for the mortgage, so in the future if anything were to happen in the relationship with the signers on the loan, there wouldn’t be major complications, such as divorce or legal issues. Both of the signers will be legally responsible for the loan. If you have faith that the person you are getting ready to purchase a home with is financially responsible and that you can purchase the home by yourself with or without a coapplicant, then it’s encourage to plan acSeptember/October 2020

Family What is a mortgage?

•

•

The root word of mortgage is morgue, which is known as death pledge. You are basically paying on a home between either 7, 10, 15, 20 to 30 years, or most people say, “Until they die.” Hopefully that wouldn’t pertain to you and you’ll be able to enjoy it as long as you have a financial planner to give guidance on how you can pay your loan faster, with less interest and more monies applied toward principal of the balance owed for the mortgage. You’ll be able to pay off your home without thinking about dying before you do and really enjoy it without thinking about mortgage payments.

Get pre-approved

When you have a preapproval available, you can shop with confidence and at ease. You will have your preapproval letter and provide it to your Image by Tumisu from Pixabay real estate agent.

This is helpful when starting to shop for your home and knowing the available homes within your price range , budget and location.

Check Property Taxes and Insurance •

•

When purchasing a property is best to know how much you’ll have to pay for insurance to cover hazardous situations on your property such as roof repairs, siding, and structural interior and exterior of the house. You can contact a local insurance agent to obtain how much the coverage will be for the property and how much your yearly premium will be that’ll be either included with your monthly mortgage payment or if you decide to pay it separately.

For property taxes, it’s best to find out how much taxes will be for the property that could be included in either the regular monthly payment or paid separately. When you have this information, it’ll give you a better understanding of how much it’ll be

CEO-Mothers •

when knowing how much your total monthly payment will be with your mortgage payment which includes how much you will be paying for principal (the original balance borrowed and how much you’ll be paying back in interest which is the amount the bank is charging for the loan).

Check School Districts If there is a certain school district that you’re interested in having your children attend, it’s best to research to see what local schools are in the area, near your future home, and check the school academic performance and scores. This gives you a better decision to know which school will best fit your children’s educational, academic needs and their future endeavors.

Search Online First or check with your local agent: When you search online, you are able to view multiple homes from the convenience of your home, and then you can pin a home of interest, advise your real estate agent, and visit the property. Usually online will provide images and tutorials for you to see before going actually visiting the home.

You can visit www.zillow.com for your local listings of homes in your area.

When you visit the neighborhoods and homes, go as often as you can, and visit at night, in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening.

In the morning is when you can find how the neighbors prepare for their morning; you’ll be able to check the afternoon to see if the neighbors are home, if there are homemakers, if there are retirees, and who is working during the day; and then in the evening, you’ll be able to see children at play and see if neighbors are tending to their yard and lawn.

Take a look at if the neighborhood is kid friendly, if there are street lights, if there are side walks, if there are local schools—may be in walking distance—, if there are fire hydrants, if there are a lot of for sale signs, if there are there highways near by for easier access when commuting to work, if there are parks and if the neighborhood is by local amenities such as restaurants, shopping centers and more.

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September/October 2020

Family You can also find if the neighborhood your seeking to purchase a home has either a high crime or theft rating. In addition, when visiting www.ring.com it’ll give information about what’s happening in your surrounding area to keep everyone safe. It’ll give you daily and weekly reports about the neighborhood, based on its 5-digit zip code, and usually law enforcement is chimed-in on possible reporting of thefts, kidnapping, and the like to be part of the community to keep everyone’s mind at ease that they’re monitoring the situations.

Two last tips, check with your title agency to ensure there are no liens on the property you’re interested as well as any properties that you previously owned. This lien ensures to the title agency that you no longer have an outstanding balance as a loan with a servicing provider and that your local county has updated the lien release so that it doesn’t retard your closing process on a new home loan or real estate property.

Meet your future neighbors. Knock on their doors, introduce yourselves, and ask questions about the area. How do they greet you when they answer the door? Are they welcoming, patient, kind, angry, and polite. When you can meet your future neighbors before moving and you can try to build a relationship with them and get a sense of who they are before becoming their neighbors, it’ll make you feel more comfortable knowing how they are before moving in next door. This prevents future conflict and buyers’ remorse.

CEO-Mothers Home Improvements If you are pre-approved for the loan and there are repairs recommended/needed by the inspector, it’s best to ask the servicing provider if you can receive a home improvement loan too so you’ll have available credit to do repairs on your home. This is a great idea if you know that you will be able afford not only your regular monthly payment on your mortgage but a monthly payment on a home equity line of credit—which is a second mortgage taken from your first mortgage.

Rent versus Buy: Renting is a great idea if you’re not ready to purchase a home. The difference in renting and buying is that renting you are paying your landlord to rent a space for certain limit of time. Thereafter you can either renew your lease or move. However, if you are always renting then, you’re never building an investment of something that you can call your own. Renting is good if you know that you will be somewhere for a short period of time and not ready to make a big investment yet because of the cost involved with buying.

When renting, you don’t have to worry about major repairs because it’s all handled by your landlord. However when purchasing a home, you’ll be responsible for the repairs, depending on the repair types, or your insurance company will pay it for you.

If you decide to buy a home, you are buying for your future. It’s one of the greatest investment that you can call your very own once paid-in-full.

Find an inspector You’ll own the property and the home itself. The If you find the home you’re interested in purchas- only responsibilities that you will have on the ing, your agent will assist with finding an inspec- property is the maintenance, home owners insurtor to inspect your home; however, if you’re inter- ance, taxes, and utilities. ested in having someone else to come and inspect your home that you found, then you will be There are a lot more details that’s beneficial for able to use their guidance of their assessment of you to know with your home buying experience; however, these are mortgage basics to get your the home. mind thinking of homeownership. If you are inThe reason for an inspector is he or she will deterested in purchasing a home, contact a local termine if the house is either in good condition or real estate agent, and she or he will be glad to in poor condition and whether or not the home is show you some local listings to get you started. up to code and to let you know if the home is in livable condition. If not, he or she will inform you Good luck to your home buying experience. Get your key and save! what repairs are recommended/needed so you will be able to determine if you would like to spend the cost of repairs or negotiate a deal with the seller before signing your contract.

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Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash 31

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Career

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dreanne’

Cover Story

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CEO-Mothers

By: LaMeka Howard

hite

How She Conquered Success: her life’s Story The Stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas,” June Hershey sung as an American Song in 1941, is the same song resonating in Odreanne’ White’s heart about her birthplace: Dallas, Texas. From elementary school to college and into her adulthood is how long she has known Dallas and has no plans of leaving. She has built her life in Dallas becoming the woman she is today: determined.

White faced some unpredictable circumstances in childhood and challenges in her adulthood; however, she saw light in her circumstances that gave her purpose and meaning of her life.

That same light, was the light that never stopped shining on her and the light that lead her to where she is at today: a successful businesswoman and mother. She can credit her mother and her father for paving her way for success and the life that has been given to her.

Here is how her story all began…

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Photographer: T’Rochelle Photography Hairstylist: Miracle Watson Make-up artist: Shayla McDonald Eyelashes: Shandrea Fuller

September/October 2020

Career

CEO-Mothers Photo above: Odreanne’ (front-right side) , her parents, and her siblings.

love, with compassion, and with integrity. She and her husband discussed sharing responsibility: he preferred supporting their family financially and she preferred the privilege of being a homemaker, like Alfre Woodard, in Love & Basketball, raising their children and maintaining the household responsibilities. They knew that if it was not completed, then the entire family would feel the affect. They were committed to one another by making sure they encourage one another to complete their chores to ensure the house was clean.

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amily

White’s parents had fallen in love the first time that they met. They knew holy matrimony would unite them and they would one day have children. Her father, Aundrae White, a business franchise owner of multiple companies, had two children, from a prior relationship, sons (a six-month-old and a two-year old), and decided to take full custody of them. The best life that he could give his sons was himself: as a dedicated father raising his sons to become men. He introduced them to his soon-to-be-wife, Stafonsa, and she was happy to meet them. Stanfosa did not allow his former relationship to damage

their future relationship and decided to become a mother to his sons. They became a blended family. Their vision was to have a strong family presence with

Above picture: Aundrae Jr., Odreanne’s father Aundrae, her sister Kayla, and Odreanne’ 33

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White would say to herself, “When can I ever come home, and my mother is not here…I need some me time.” It is not that she did not appreciate her mother, she needed time to be alone irst ob and to reflect. She was curious to know the reason her mother did not want to 14 years later, Stafonsa and her huswork; however, she never asked and band separated, and she was led to find kept silent about it. She appreciated her mother and respected her and her posi- work at Calloway Tax services. White was only 13 and she landed her first job tion. with the same employer. Her mother’s manager posted a job opportunity for a candidate to file paperwork for the entire Summer and the position paid biweekly. hildhood ctivities

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White and her family, since childhood, attended and still attends Concord Baptist church, where Pastor Brian Carter is Senior Pastor. This is her spiritual house where she is spiritually fed the word of God and stays connected to Christ. When she was a child, she attended Vacation Bible School and Sunday school where she was able to learn about Christ and learn scriptures of the Bible. These moments were seeds planted into her future where she was able to learn biblical principles and incorporate them into her life. While she attended church, she participated on the praise dance squad and she participated on drill team at her high school. She enjoyed both activities: praise team because dancing allowed her to heal from her childhood trauma and bless lost souls and drill team: celebrating with her peers to support their football and basketball teams. She used these instruments to clear her mind, build relationships with her peers, and use her form of expression.

L-Photo: Stafonsa, Odreanne’, and her brother Aundrae Jr.

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Career What a perfect opportunity to have her daughter experience an interview, the interviewing process, the hiring process, and the position if she were hired. She discussed with White, completed mock interviews with her mother, and prepared herself for her first interview. She wore her red and black uniform, that she normally wears to school, went through the interviewing process, and was hired immediately. When she received her first $300.00 bi-weekly paycheck, her mother saved her money in one of her drawers and advised her that anytime she needed the money this is where it will be located.

This was her first deposit at her house bank, in her drawer, and treated it as a Savings account. This was her beginning to learn financial literacy.

White was a diligent student and employee. She had two jobs: one at Pizza Hut during the weekdays and one at Rainbow’s, an urban retail store, on the weekends, at the age of 15. This experience not only was she learning how to save money, managing positions and assisting customers, she was learning the responsibility of paying a bill. She felt like Theo Huxtable, from the Cosby Show, where he was taught how to pay his bills as soon as he received his first paycheck. She appreciated and valued these moments because she knew this was preparing her for her future.

L R earning

was an expense to fix the roof, and it was an expense to take a class to learn how to drive a 5 speed. Although she was thankful for her car, she discussed her concerns with her father, so he decided to trade the Honda and purchased a MercedesBenz C240. It was automatic and more conducive for her driving needs.

She was taught to keep up with the maintenance, keep the gas tank full, and keep her car clean. He was proud how she quickly learned to maintain her car and knew he made the right decision for her car needs.

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When White was in middle school and high school, she and her siblings had curfew. Their timeclock, as a reminder, were the neighborhood streetlights. They knew that if they came home later after the streetlights were on, that night would not have been a pleasant one. They knew to pray before entering those doors because their mother would have been waiting for an explanation as to the reason they were late. If they were late, they had to think of a quick narrative to rest their case. Stafonsa did not play, and she stood her ground, but their mother knew they were children, but she wanted to make sure they knew and understood time management.

esponsibility

Sweet 16 finally arrived. The driving age, the license age, the age that most teenagers cannot wait to reach is when White needed her own transportation, so her father purchased her first car. It was a two-door Honda that was not appealing to her eyes. There was discoloration of the paint, the sunroof was inoperable, and it was a 5-speed. These were three things that did not meet her expectations: it was an expense to re-paint the car, it 35

Above picture: Odreanne’ and her brother Aundrae September/October 2020

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for their family. That was his love language: being a provider to his family.

her, as a kid, that if she would say anything, there would be trouble.

There were times of disappointments of him not being present, but her mother smoothly ran their household and attended all the events to show her support. She was their supermom.

By him not being present and being an active father figure, she was only able see a male present.

However, her cousin challenged the trouble by explaining White’s experience to her Grandmother Stella, it was announced to her mother, and the police were called to have him arrested. He was over the age of 30 when this occurred. White was grateful that her cousin was her advocate in helping her talk through it for her to release her statement. She went Those two worlds were quite different, and through an interrogation process, went on the he showed the difference. He was a great pro- witness stand in court, and never forgotten that vider, a great listener, and a great peacemaker; her family members, his children, had disowned however, he was not supportive during her per- her. His children felt White was fabricating sonal life events. As a young girl, she needed about their father violating their cousin and disher father’s voice, his strength, and his proagreed with the court’s verdict of sending their phetic teachings to cover her and her sibfather to prison. They felt the ruling put their lings. She hoped that in her future, that she family into ruins. and her father would change.

Her experience began with sitting on her uncle’s lap. Her mother would always explain to her to never sit on anyone’s lap. She advised to sit beside them instead. Her uncle hildhood rauma would teach her how to drive by allowing her to sit on his lap and steer the car’s steering “Broken people can exceed too,” she states wheel. That is when it happened: the fondling as she prepares this part of her story. She took with her body and unzipping her pants. He a deep breath while placing her hands spread- promised to teach her how to drive a car. Her out on her office desk, sat back in her black blood: she did not ever imagine a family violatcushioned chair and felt a sense of release ing her body and taking advantage of her innowhen saying, “A family member violated me cence. However, she realized anybody, includand went to prison for 15 years.” When she ing family, at an opportune time, could violate a became married, intimacy with her spouse was child(ren)’s body. She expresses that no matuneasy. The touching, the caressing, and the ter the neighborhood, the money, the people, kisses. Flashbacks of her having to be present family members, or anybody be mindful of the in the courtroom at the age of 12 to share her decisions you make regarding who your chilexperience of how she was violated by her un- dren visit, and who they hang around. These cle made this moment uncomfortable. These experiences are happening today, with other unpleasant events happened while visiting her children in the world, and they neither have anGrandmother Stella’s house, on her paternal ybody to help them nor talk to about it. She father’s side. She was the rock of the famiencourages family members to have those conly. There was life at Grandmother Stella’s versations with their sons and with their daughhouse. Family, togetherness, food, laughter, ters so they will understand how to handle sexplaying games, sharing stories, and building ual passes. Do not hush about it and if it did memories. She was their Mother Joe, from the happen, do not be silent because it is famimovie Soul Food. Although White enjoyed ly. There is no secret in molestation or inapspending time with her grandmother and her propriate acts, and it should be immediately adcousin, she did not enjoy the moments of how dressed. her uncle made her feel. There were ongoing inappropriate experiences, and the last experience she had with him is when her cousin discovered something was wrong with White.

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Her body language spoke volumes and her clothes were disproportionate. Her cousin would ask, “What’s wrong with you and why are your pants unzip?” She was afraid to share and her body trembled. There were threats to 36

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raduation,

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She graduated when she was 17, and attended Cedar Valley College, taking campus courses, and had plans to become an attorney. She wanted to be an advocate for women and children that are being battered and being in unsafe environments she experienced at the age of 13. While she was attending college, she provided her employers with a resignation letter and had the opportunity to work in banking. During this time her mother remarried, and her stepfather became the father figure she was missing from her childhood. He taught her how a man is supposed to treat a young lady by opening the car door for her, taking her to the movies, showing her how to open her first bank account, and showing how a man is supposed to love a woman by seeing the examples of how he treated her mother. He had father and daughter conversations about life, he protected her from harms’ way, he attended her activities in school, and he showed her how to equally share responsibility in marriage. He was an active father in her life that she was missing during childhood. Based on his guidance about banking, she applied for a position at the bank, used her experiences from her former interview as transferrable skills during her banking interview, and a couple of weeks later, she was granted the position. Her stepfather and her mother were strong influencers in career mobility, and gave as much information as possible for her continued success.

ney and attended online courses while pregnant.

They moved in together, and one in half year later, they had their first child; their baby girl: Kennedi. Life was good, money was flowing, but their relationship started to weather. Her husband would be gone for weeks leaving her home as a fulltime parent serving two roles: mother and father. She felt lonely and overwhelmed but understood the reason for his absence. Her childhood experiences of seeing her mother manage their family household was used in her household along with being a student in college and building her career. Although she was managing her household as much as she could, there was nothing like having her husband by her side building with her. There were times when she needed her husband to be present: feeling his touch, seeing him face-to-face, smelling his scent, helping her around the house with chores and their newborn baby, having conversations with him and intimacy. Her better half was missing on important moments that they could cherish in their future. Quality time was the hallmark of what was missing in their relationship.

When she attended family and friends’ gatherings, they would always ask, “Where is the Mr.?,” and she would politely reply, “He is currently working on the road.” Those times made her feel dismay because she would be by herself while everyone else had their spouses with them. She never compared, but she wanted to share those couple experiences by having her husband present. She worked, attended school, took care of home, and their new baby arriage, eparation, eal Estate girl. Times were difficult, but she manIn 2009 she met her future husband while she aged. There were times dishes may not have been immediately cleaned because she was exwas leaving the banking office for the day. He tremely tired, but she found time to tidy the approached her because he saw an attractive young woman, introduced himself, and asked for house. her name. She kindly spoke to him, they exOver time, she eventually learned that her changed numbers, had several phone conversa- husband masked his life and she learned that his tions and started seeing one another. They went previous residence was not in his name, his car’s on several dates and she enjoyed his compatitle was in his ex-girlfriend’s name, and he was ny. She admired how he was established with interested in another woman while they were his trucking company, having his place of resimarried. dence, having a distinguished appearance, and had a nice vehicle. She was not fully fawn of him at the beginning, but over time, she saw something greater, and she became closer to him. One year later they were married. Thereafter, she transferred to the University of North Texas to further her studies to become an attor

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Before Above and below: Odreanne’ and her ex-husband’s first home

After

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She thought by them getting a home would heal their relationship because of their daughter, having a bigger place, in the suburbs, and living the American Dream: being homeowners. Sometimes we, as women, think that when we acquire more things to keep the ones we love close, those things may be the same things that cause families to separate. In their case, her husband did agree to purchasing the home until it was time for their home closing, and he changed his mind. White was left alone again. The money she put down on their first home had to be canceled due to having to repay a loan to her mother from his truck repairs that she lent to him for his trucking business.

employees in the same department together, guided her to her next position at BBVA Compass bank. She advised her to be punctual, she advised her to continue to be professional, she advised her to know her products and services, and to build strong relationships with her clients. White absorbed every advice that was given to increase her career mobility, and accordingly applied it. When White applied for certain positions, Rochelle would advise her, “You’re not ready yet.” White had a discussion with Rochelle, and she gave her the reasons that she was not ready.

White absorbed the information, assessed her life based on what Rochelle advised, and incorporate changes accordingly that would improve her work He promised that if he ever found another woman, experiences. It paid off. he would inform her before breaking their marriage.

He did just that: he left. When it was time for their closing, that she attended alone, the only option she areer dvancement & oved-one Passing had left was to sign a contract to apply funds on a future property and allow them to sell White started as a Personal Banker I, and each their current home. She was ashamed to have to year, she was promoted for another position. She move back in with her mother and her stepfather, but went from being a supervisor, to an assistant managshe did it without complaint. There is nothing like er, and then a Regional Bank Manager managing 46 having family to support during good times and bad branches, increasing sales with her colleagues and times, and this was her time of restructuring. increasing productivity. Amazingly White no longer After a month, she and her mother had a disagree- reported to Rochelle, instead, she and Rochelle are at ment, and she temporary moved into a hotel with her the same level in their positions. Look at God. Her daughter. She had taken everything she could possi- diligence paid-off. The promotion not only brought bly fit in her car to the hotel. Although she had family her happiness but brought her contentment too. She diligently traveled 3 to 4 days a week, and that is to call, she chose not to call them, due to her pride and to prevent embarrassment, and called someone when she hired, her future stepmother, Anne-Marie, as a nannie. Her father introduced Anne-Marie to she knew was dependable without judgement: her her daughter, and she was by her side helping with soon-to-be-ex-husband’s friend. She called her to her children ever since. Anne-Marie was patient, explain her situation, and she offered an apartment family oriented, and a mother to her too. She was a that was paid six months in advance for her and her daughter to stay. She took her offer, and she and her good addition to the family and brought life into their daughter moved into the young lady’s apartment for lives. She knew God was covering her with everything, and He was seeing her through. the next six months. White saved her money and

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then moved Downtown Dallas in a High Rise in 2016.

It overviewed the city and natural lighting surrounded the entire place with sunlight. That is how her life looked. It was turning around with sunshine. This was not the only a stepping stone from moving back in with her mother, to separating from her husband, to living in a hotel, to living in an apartment rent free for six months, but a place that would take her and her daughter to the next level. During this difficult time, her former manager, Rochelle, now managing

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White reconsidered real estate, so she had taken an online training course with Champion Real Estate school for 9 months for only $1,000.00 so her future investment would be smart and lucrative. She did not want to revisit what she previously experienced with her spouse, so she wanted to know the best deals and the best plan of action to purchase future real estate.

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Photo: Odreanne’ (l) and Rochelle Ž at Miramar Beach in FLorida

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Career Time passed, and the enemy tried to take over White’s mind. He wanted to remind her of her past because he knew her future was promising. She compulsively spent because she was facing depression, loneliness, and other emotional changes. There is nothing like having a companion to come home to talk to, to spend time together, being a family and to share responsibility. Someone who could be there to hold, to listen, and to refill what was missing for the day. Yes most would say, “You need to focus on your career and focus on your child,” and she was doing those two things, while still attending church, but that companion was missing. The only remedy she felt would work was shopping. After shopping she had buyer’s remorse and returned a vehicle she could no longer afford. She accumulated debt and did not know how she was going to repay her debt. She knew shopping was not the right action to heal from her pain, so she slowed down, took some time to reflect, and pray to God for guidance. The enemy thought he had her, but it made her stronger because she knew that God was not done with her yet, and He had something greater for her.

On January 3, 2017 her mother passed away. When visiting one of her regional branches, she received a call about her mother passing away. It felt like a brick hitting her chest and she gasped for air to breath. Suddenly her mind went back in time to a conversation with her mother about her mother’s future death experience and how her mother wanted a grandson. She and her mother were in the house sitting in the family room with popcorn and watching a movie and her mother says, “You’ll know when I’m gone because I’ll throw a peace sign which means I’m gone and see you later.” Thereafter, her mother then says, “You need to have me a grandson.”

White chuckle about giving birth to another child, and she was surprised about her mother speaking death. She was worried about what her mother said about her passing, but she never questioned it. There was discernment, but she knew her mother was not ill and was still her usual self at that time.

CEO-Mothers

Photo: Odreanne’ (l) and Stafonsa (r)

When her family found her mother lying on the bed, she died the same way she discussed with White: lying on her pillow with a peace sign saying, “I’m gone and see you later.” During this difficult time, she had support from her cousin Tieanna and her colleague Rochelle. They were her back-bone supporting her through the passing of her mother. Her story was like Job’s life in the Bible, losing a family member and possessions back-to-back.

While she was recovering from the loss of her mother passing and the loss of her marriage, she met another gentleman. He was pleasant to her ears, had great conversation, and then dating followed. She had an enjoyable time with him and then became pregnant by him too and was still separated from her husband.

She thought this time would be different because he listened to her, showered her with gifts from his heart, and was very protective; however, she learned that his protectiveness was more than being protective: it was controlling. He found her in her brokenness; when she was most vulnerable and use it for his benShe left the meeting and flew on the first efit. She describes him as unhappy person that flight home. When she arrived at her mother’s was unhappy with himself. She discovered that house the morticians had already moved her he was broken, so he would hunt for broken body to the funeral home. women, take all their negativity (personal information they shared with him), and cultivate them to needing him for his purpose.

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Above: Odreanne’ White

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She describes him as unhappy person that was unhappy with himself. She discovered that he was broken, so he would hunt for broken women, take all their negativity (personal information they shared with him), and cultivate them to needing him for his purpose. He searches for the inexperience and take advantage of their innocence. She described her situation as a lifetime movie story. White knew she could not turn back time, but she realized this time she did not have to repeat this situation. Sarah Jakes Roberts, preacher at the One LA Potter’s House, shared her previous marriage experience about her and her ex-husband’s brokenness: they were two broken people trying to heal one another, but it did not work. That is how White felt in her new relationship. It was not working and felt as a repeated episode that was looking South. She started leaning to shopping and falling into depression all while pregnant with their child: a son that her mother wanted her to have before she passed away. White knows about banking and knew spending could be a weakness if not properly managed; however, she shared this part of her life because she wants people to know when you go through a storm, sometimes it can take the best of you and can cause you to lose everything if you allow it. In addition, no matter what someone’s background experiences are, life events come fast and change the direction of one’s life. She was not yet divorced and did not want her family to know. She kept him a secret until the birth of her son similar to how Mary did with Jesus. Her divorce was finalized September 2017, and now she was able to move forward with her life and with her two children.

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new home and was determined to save $15,000.00 from her bonus checks. She reconnected with her landlord from her first place she had with her ex-husband. When she connected with her, she informed her former landlord, who is a real estate agent, that she wanted to purchase another home in the future. This time she wanted to build her home from the foundation and design the inside of her home. She saw a gated community near the first home she and her ex-husband were purchasing, and the lot was larger than the previous one. She wanted a home, near downtown Dallas, where it would be a convenient commute from home to work and from work to home. It had 1-acre land, two car garage, four bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, living room, dining room, and kitchen, and a kid friendly neighborhood. It was her fairy tale that actual came true. It was finally happening, not the way she original anticipated with her ex-husband, but with her and her two beautiful children. This time was greater and in God’s timing. In addition, it was not too far from her children’s private school, so she felt blessed to have everything within her reach. What is so amazing about this experience is she and her father became closer than they have ever been. He walked with her and guided her through purchasing her home and was there to listen and to hold his daughter through difficult times. They laughed and shared memories, but she felt the love that was missing from her childhood experience and knew that God had answered her prayers.

When it was time to close on her home, it was a relief from the old chapter of her life, and a new chapter in her story was beginning. She was not only a proud mother and a successful woman, but now a real estate owner. She was so ecstatic about signing her papers at closing for her family’s home. That week, she and her children moved into their new home and had all the decorations planned for the entire home.

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After her mother’s burial, she received her insurance policy that was helpful to paying off debt, reestablishing herself, investing money into real estate, flipped her second home and made a profit. Instead of her immediately purchasing a third home, she nests in her father’s house with her two children. She drove her mother’s Honda Accord while she was saving money to buy her 43

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Odreanne’, Timothy and Kennedi at the signing of her 3rd home

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Photo above: Odreanne’, daughter Kennedi and son Timothy

That week, she and her children moved into their new home and had all the decorations planned for the entire home. Her daughter ran upstairs to see her room, she turned around to her mother and asked, “Is this really ours mommy?” White replied, “Yes, and you can choose how you want to decorate your room, and it’ll be done.”

The same year, White received recognition in 2019 for being the top performer across the nation and became a board member in the volunteer chapter of BBVA Compass bank. She had 300 plus hours in 2019 to the underserve community. Everything that she did, she did it with excellence and everything she wanted, she spoke it into the atmosphere for it to happen. She heard the echo of her voice ring so when it bounced back, it bounced back with want she anticipated.

White reestablished her credit and credit score from 500 to 728 and purchase a new SUV. Her daughter had the opportunity to share the experience by helping her mother choose the vehicle that will be conducive for their family. In addition, she exposes her children by showing them how to give back by volunteering in their community, giving to others in need, and learning about how to invest. She met new neighbors

that support one another in their community and met new people that she is building strong friendships. One of her friendships was with a basketball player, with one of the former Dallas Mavericks basketball player, who was an inspirational person in her life. He gave her positive books to read, he prayed with her and gave daily scripture to increase her relationship with God. They both were considering a relationship, but she knew that it would not work, due to him traveling, so she did not want to be left alone like how she felt in her first marriage. She learned to recognize what she was truly looking for and did not compromise that for something temporary.

They agreed to remain friends only.

White decided to reopen her trucking company, that she temporarily postponed during her marriage, and is in full force of transporting goods. Her trucking company is called TKS, which stands for Timothy, Kennedi, and Stafonsa: the names of her son, daughter and mother.

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Photo above, Odreanne, Timothy and Kennedi enjoying their backyard

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The purpose of her trucking company is to keep everything moving. Her vision is to one day have her children lead her business that they can work and take after when she becomes older. She believes in residual wealth for her future generation of her children and her children’s children. All the knowledge that she gained from her ex-husband being a truck driver, from her step-father about banking, from her biological father being a franchise owner, and from her mother being a homemaker, she was able to apply that to her trucking business. After seeing her life with her mother being a full time mother at home, seeing broken relationships, seeing her father change his life around, the passing of her mother, the protection her mother gave when she was child, living in a community family neighborhood when she was a child, experiencing her childhood trauma, almost being bankrupt, losing her mother and real estate property, getting a divorce, having broken relationships and losing one of her best friend’s because she became married, and rebuilding her life with a career, real estate, pursuing her degree, and with her raising beautiful children, White is still standing.

Photo above, Odreanne, Timothy and Kennedi baking in the kitchen.

God kept her and protected her where she could have been on drugs, she could have quitted life, she could have complained and blamed others, but she chose life and purpose. She kept moving forward and had a support circle that kept her on the right track, and she kept God in her life. She depended daily on his direction. What was most admire about her support circle is that she had a goal, she was determined to accomplish it, she researched how to do it, and she did it.

White currently facilitates classes for single mothers to help them reach their financial goals. She enjoys connecting with mothers and women to let them know they can make it by God and by faith.

She believes in having work life balance where she encourages to spend quality time with family, keep a schedule, and leave work at work. She believes in keeping your house orderly with expectations for your children, so when they grow older, they will know how to function in life.

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Photo above, Odreanne, Timothy and Kennedi in their home office.

These experiences she endured was not experienced by herself; it has been and currently is experienced by most families that may not know how to share or may not want to share, their information about; divorce, childhood trauma, blended-family, depression, marriage and failures. She is their voice: she is their advocate. She was not ashamed to share and was able to unveil her truth to heal someone else’s pain and give them freedom from captivity: their past. Her story is to inspire others to not hide from their past but to break generational curses and generational chains that holds them from receiving their blessings. Let her story be a blessing to anyone that reads in order to be free from repeated negative cycles.

White shares several tips she encourages women to engrain in their spirit: • God kept her; God will keep you too • You must have cheerleaders through difficult times and someone to pray for you and with you • Prepare for your goals, especially being a black woman. Nobody can tell you what you must do. She encourages woman to acknowledge your good and your bad. In addition, ask God for direction.

Give back.

You can follow White on LinkedIn and her Financial Literacy Tips at: • LinkedIn: Odreanne’ White

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Photo above, Odreanne, Timothy and Kennedi spending quality time 49

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You’re A Walking Resume: the full PACKAGE!

By LaMeka Howard

Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels

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A resume is a written picture of your accomplish- family is operated as a business and you can ments, your accolades, your educational backapply those same repertoires to their company: ground, your former roles and responsibilities, • Art of delegation, you can advise the interposition timelines, your former positions and your viewer that in your family, it’s a sense of ‘we’ experiences. However, there is a section that is ness. We work together by assigning responmissing in your experience: motherhood, and we sibilities so everyone can feel part of the famiare going to share how we, as mothers, are fearly business responsibilities at home. You are fully and wonderfully made by God and how our able to explain what’s needed, follow up with brain’s are naturally pruned, during pregnancy, to them to ensure if they are comfortable with prepare for motherhood. the work, and once their assignment is comWhen we become mothers, are brains are pleted, you can give them a hand-shake or a conditioning us for motherhood so when we have high-five. to function in full capacity to handle multiple re• Show celebration, This is an opportunity to sponsibilities, our brains are working to fulfill show the interviewer how you celebrate in those tasks. In the Web M.D. magazine there times of victory with job promotions, birthwas an article, contributed by Susanna Carmona days, accomplishments, achievements, and Canabate, PhD, a professor of neuroscience at successes within the family and use it to Unversitat Oberta de Catalunya and co-author of demonstrate how you would celebrate with the study of how the brain prunes mothers for your peers or team members when they do motherhood states, “It’s the brain’s way of prunwell at their work. ing to become more efficient. It’s a kind of synaptic pruning,” and “You discard the branches • Show empathy: empathy is an important that aren’t necessary for your new way of procomponent in any relationship whether it is a cessing information and keep the connections working relationship, a family relationship, or that are efficient. “ Our brains are getting rid of a business relationship. In the role of moththe “no longer needed branches” and uses the erhood, we naturally show empathy to our new branches to handle what comes with mothchildren when they have injuries, when they erhood. It’s naturally designing us for this role had a challenging day at school, when your and preparing us to handle the different responspouse had a long day, when a friend calls to sibilities that come with the role. talk, when someone needs an encouraging word, there is constant empathy used to We have seen images online where a woman show that you are listening and that you care. has multiple arms and hands and is handling When empathy is displayed, it brings the humultiple tasks at once. She has a cell phone in man connection closer because now there is a one hand, computer in another hand, her baby in relatedness to the situation where the receivanother hand, cooking spoons in another hand, er understands the sender’s concerns. This is cleaning the house in the other hand, and we see another component that mother’s share, and her as a Supermom. She posses a super power can be used as transferrable skills in the to handle anything in order to get things accomworkplace. plished. On the other hand, if you are a mother

and have not experienced your super power or a • mother that notices her super power and doesn’t know how to market it for a position, then we will list some tips for you to recognize it and apply it toward a new position.

Here are marketing tips where you can market yourself on your resume with showcasing how significant your role is, and how you can use your skills as transferrable skills in the workplace.

You can show your next employer how your 51

For team work, you can advise the interviewer that you are a team player because with your family, you are a working team.

You and your family help one another, support one another, and encourage one another. Your family stays together and spends time together, and within the workplace, that same team work is family too. You’ll see your employees every day, and you want them to feel as though they are home.

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Address immediate concerns: If there are situations when they arise, you can explain how you are able to call a board meeting with your family or have one-on-one with your family members that you have to address concerns, and how you can use the same technique at work. You can also explain how you either empathize or acknowledge their concerns. It’s about being approachable and having open communication so there is a resolution. You can share how it’s well-received at home and how well your family was managed by it, and then incorporate this technique in the workplace.

books to see how much we have available to spend for basic essentials for the household, for our cars, and for other non-essentials things.

These are transferrable skills when advising the interviewer that there may be departmental budgets and how you can itemize expenditures and recommend what’s needed for the department.

We manage inventory: we have a routine to check what’s needed for the house, the reasons it’s needed, and find bargains, especially with coupons, to save. When something is prepared to be exhausted, mothers make sure there’s Detail Oriented and orderly: you can share consistent stock to support their family’s needs how you manage household files and compart- and this can be used in the workplace for emmentalize information for the household such as ployees’ work supplies. appointments, calendars, sending and receiving We cook: we can have potlucks to celebrate important emails from your children’s school, accomplishments in the workplace because we doctor’s office, personal or business, and other prepare meals daily through-out the work-week imperative documents and then filing it in the for our families. cabinet.

We have to review documents: if there’s We are Nurses: if our children are ill, we know paperwork that needs completed by doctors ofour check-list of questions to triage them and to fices, schools, workplaces, church, and the like, gather their symptoms so we know how to we carefully read the agreements before proproperly diagnose our children’s health and pro- ceeding to ensure accuracy and understanding, vide them the necessary medicine to make and that’s what is needed in the workplace: them well. How you can use this technique at careful review. work is if an employee becomes ill and that site has a nurses station, recommend them to see a We are teachers and trainers: did any one say, “We are hiring managers that will manage nurse. Especially if he or she provided details and coach employees?” Well mothers have that that may need immediate attention. skill. We are constantly teaching our children We are lawyers: mothers have hearings every right from wrong and teaching them how to imday with their family members from, my brother prove life skills. We show them how to cook, took my watch, my sister stole my comb, my how to clean, how to be kind, how to love, how dog had chewed my homework, my room beto serve others, how to meet people, how to be came messy because of someone else, the dish- respectful, and so many other morals and vales weren’t completed by dad, and the list goes ues; however, in the workplace we still teach on. Everyone has a plea, need to be listened and coach employees how to be kind with one too, and needs to have a resolve. Hence we another too and to customers, and teach them are always listening, trying to find the evidence about products and service of what the compaand truth, and find a way to satisfy both family ny offers. Did anyone see transferrable skills in members case. This can be used in the work- this technique too? place by being someone's advocate by having These are a few things that highlights our talemployees contact human resources departents, responsibilities, and attributes we carry. ment in cases where things need to be addressed and with colleagues to work things out If we are able to showcase more of what we know and what we possess, more employers together. would definitely reconsider mothers for employWe manage finances: we have to look at our ment opportunities.

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Beauty and Health

CEO-Mothers

It’s about you too! Don’t forget It!!

By LaMeka Howard

55 Image by Nico H. from Pixabay

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Beauty and Health

CEO-Mothers the peace of the outdoor to have you keep a clear mind. Whether it’s for 20 to 30 minutes a day, you are on the move by getting your body back-in-shape to how you use to be. Plus you have to keep up with your busy children. There’s nothing wrong with keeping your figure, you’re worth the body of your beauty to flaunt and strut what you inherited.

We are CEO-Mothers, drill sergeants, and any other major high-rank titles that represents us as being mothers to our families and households. We are on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week and 365 days a year, and we’re still going strong. We are the super-sheros that saves the day with our magical motherly gifts, in order to meet the forever changing demands of our families’ life events.

Although we have titles it doesn’t make us or shapes us based on who we are, but it tells a story about our role and what is required from us daily in order to effectively maintain and sustain our households.

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In our roles it’s so easy to give up ourselves to accommodate our household and family responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, nurturing, grocery shopping, taking our children to appointments, shopping and practice, gardening, waking up in the middle of the night because our children are ill; working, and so much more. That’s a lot to handle but it’s part of our daily habit, and we try to stay organized. However, do we have an administrative assistant that can help organize our day for us? Hecksno. Maybe we can wish for one. We have to get a book calendar and a refrigerator magnet calendar to help us stay on track with our weekly itinerary, but for now, no administrative assistant is available. We slay day in and day out hoping each day gets easier, but it not only gets easier, it gets better. Here are some steps to take to keep the CEO-Mother vivacious, vibrant, and vigilant while still maintaining her motherly responsibilities:

Massages and spas---go get yourself pampered. You deserve to be treated like royalty with massages, facial masks, oil treatments and so much more. My one best friend recommended me to try Massage Envy, and I loved it. I felt like I was floating in on clouds while those magical hands stimulated my muscles to relax. Sometimes that one massage takes out all the kinks and the knots that you need gone and you’ll

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Pray to your deity and meditate: meditation and prayer is key. It helps the mind relax by removing the anxiety from your mind and thoughts and prayer is your guidance to better living by keeping in touch with your purpose and plan. It’s similar to keeping in contact with your manager at work, he or she might recommend vacation to relax and based on your performance where you are heading.

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Jogging or walking: get the blood flowing more through your body and exercise. There are a lot of YouTube videos that shows you how to do Pilates, Yoga (take deep breaths to release your worries, fears, and anxiety), and other great fitness techniques that keeps your body in shape. Jog around your neighborhood, without feeling embarrassed about your weight because all of us have some kind of weight and size, Image by Olya Lolé from Pixabay and take shorter strides so you won’t run out-of-breath, and walk. Enjoy nature and 56

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Healthy eating—try new foods with less fat and sugar. Try whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and smaller meals throughout the day. I had a physical training who advised me to eat every 2-3 hours similar to how we did when we were babies. We will eat more but with less food, so we cannot gain as much weight. In addition, we’re eating not only for ourselves but for our children so we can live and stay around for when they become older.

CEO-Mothers We find ourselves in a cycle of love for our families. That’s why I created my logo for CEOMothers is to show how mothers give-up everything, if they need to, including the clothes off their back to give themselves away. However, it’s time to re-evaluate our giving because we don’t want to give ourselves too much away where we are ignoring care for ourselves but giving our community, our family and our friends what they need and lose ourselves. We have to live and be functional in order for our families to function too! We want to live to be here with our families. Keep up the great work,

Photo by Mohau Mannathoko on Unsplash

Ladies night and date night---if you’re Image by Pexels from Pixabay married, have a date night at least twice month for your spouse and you. If you’re and hopefully these tips can help you snap back not married and you’re either single or diin to YOU for your family. Much love! vorced, still go out. There’s nothing wrong with you and don't feel guilty. If you’re still breathing, walking, talking, etc, take your behind out.

You need to be away and hang out with grown people and have grown conversations. You don’t want to only spend time with your children and speak their language, it’s best to adapt to different levels to keep you in touch with your conversation skills as well as feeling free from family, and there’s nothing wrong with being a way for a couple of hours. It’s good being around adults where you can learn different things like current events, catch up with friends, and seeing new trends in the industry. Heck, it's best sometimes to be by yourself too because it's good to be around people and then be around yourself to learn thyself and digest what you are seeing around you.

• Go out of town---even if it’s near by city to enjoy some shopping…that way you can find new clothes that may be nobody else has in your city. It’s all about treating yourself to keep yourself looking and feeling great.

Hopefully these are some great tips that will help you stay young and vibrant with full of energy for you and for your family.

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