Next Generation Speakers Magazine - February 2023

February is Black History Month and we are showcasing our very own Dr. James J. Williams and his life-changing documentary Rising Above The Fray! In this article, we highlight those that help make this documentary possible and the Man with the vision to make it happen!

The Global Butterfly Princess, Dr. La Donya Yvette, gives us “The Key to Humanity” in this month’s The Butterfly Effect.

The Become The Best You Event in St. Louis will be one for the record books! We are bringing out the BIG GUNS because Check out their ad and get your tickets today!

In this month’s Co-Sign Your Significance segment, Shona Dennis M. Div. explains to us “Not All Deals in your Feed are Legitimate”

And we are resharing our 5-part series called S.H.I.F.T.

Did you hear? NEXT GENERATION SPEAKERS Magazine is now available in paper copies that you can order vis MagCloud!. We are not slowing down and all we want to know is:

“Who’s Got Next?”

Email: cicone@ciconeprince.com

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Dr. James J. Williams

RISING ABOVE THE FRAY

The Making Of A Documentary

Greetings and Happy Black History Month! Yes, I am still with you as part of this dynamic magazine. I’ve been away on a short sabbatical during the Holiday season in 2022. Now I’m back to continue providing you with great content for Prescription for Excellence. With that, please allow me to reintroduce myself in a different capacity:

I am Dr. James J. Williams, Chief Warrant Officer Five (Retired), United States Army. I am also the CEO of 1ManSho Productions, LLC. 1ManSho Productions is an independent, veteran-owned, documentary production company dedicated to uncovering and producing empowering untold stories that take on new perspectives with the intent to educate, uplift, and inspire.

As Executive Producer, I am proud to announce my debut film, Rising Above The Fray – A Documentary, which was prescreened on the eve of Veterans Day 2022 followed by a gala tribute on Veterans Day 2022. As I’m pitching to have this film shown on various platforms, I will also submit this work at various film festivals as well.

This film tells the story of a few good men and women who served in the Army Warrant Officer Corps. Not only did they serve honorably, but they did so retiring at the highest rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five (CW5).

continued on page 6

MISSION

1ManSho Productions seeks to uncover and produce empowering untold stories that take on new perspectives with the intent to educate, uplift and inspire viewers. Our mission is to highlight and preserve the accomplishments and contributions of non-fiction and scholarly works.

Rising Above The Fray is the result of a phenomenological research study on African American Army Warrant Officers and their lived experiences while serving our nation. After the successful defense of this research, I was bestowed the 2019 Leadership Excellence Award. That was followed by the 2019 Military and Veterans Appreciation Award. Moreover, Walden University conferred my terminal degree and encouraged me to use my scholarship research as a documentary. And here we are!

THE DOCUMENTARY

The brand-new “Farrell J. Chiles Legacy Award.” was introduced at the gala, named after the legendary author of numerous books highlighting the lives and achievements of thousands of African American men and women who served as Army Warrant Officers. Fittingly, the first recipient was CW5 (Ret) Montgomery pictured above. A Vietnam War combat infantryman, he (Montgomery) is also widely recognized as one of the Army’s foremost food service advisors, inducted into the Quartermaster Hall of Fame in 2007.

THE GALA

On Veterans Day evening, a large, distinguished group of senior Warrant Officers gathered at a wonderful Gala in celebration of the premiere of the documentary production, Rising Above the Fray where I briefed attendees on this documentary about African American Army CW5s. The concept evolved from my written dissertation to a 90-minute video with personal interviews. I am is currently exploring options for the distribution of this great production, and I hope to make it available via media and perhaps streaming platforms in early 2023.

THE STORYTELLERS

I’d be remised if I didn’t provide you with a glimpse of these amazing ‘award-winning’ storytellers who made this documentary possible. In no particular order, please allow me to introduce them:

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/NARRATOR

Chief Warrant Officer Five (Ret) James J. Williams, Ph.D. is an award-winning scholar, speaker, and 30-year army veteran. Dr. Williams completed his doctoral studies in May 2019 obtaining his Ph.D. in Public Management & Leadership from the School of Public Policy and Administration. He has been bestowed the 2019 Walden University Leadership Excellence Award from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences for his dissertation topic, Rising Above The Fray: Career Ascension of AfricanAmerican Men In The Army Warrant Officer Corps.

Since that time, Dr. Williams has presented his research at various conferences, and is a frequent contributor to the Walden University Doctoral Residencies including Tampa, FL, National Harbor Maryland as well as virtual platforms. The genesis behind his groundbreaking research was to capture the lived experiences of retired African-American men who retired from the Army Warrant Officer Corps (WOC) at the pinnacle rank of Chief Warrant Five (CW5). Additionally, Dr. Williams works in the private sector in cyber as a Cyber Systems Engineering Manager for Northrop Grumman Corporation. He is also a multi-award winner for narrative non-fiction for his book Chasing The Eagle: From Dreaming To Achieving Success and Freedom. Dr. Williams is committed to sharing his work to the masses in promoting positive social change.

Chief Warrant Officer Five

(Ret), Sonia Peeples Graves

Rivers sacrificed selflessly to improve the state of the United States Army since joining in 1981. She is a 920A Sr. Property Accounting Technician and 920B Sr. Supply Systems Technician. Her final assignment was as a Quartermaster Senior Warrant Officer Capability Developer for the United States Army Futures Command at Fort Lee, Virginia. She served for 40 years 3 months and 8 days of distinguished service. She received the Legion of Merit medal in February 2021 and Retired in March 2021

CW5 Graves Rivers served four combat tours. Bagram, Afghanistan where she served as the first female accountable officer. She received the Bronze Star Medal during her deployment to Tallil, Iraq where she served as a Transportation Officer and the first female to run a joint distribution center. She served as a Maintenance Officer at Coalition Forces Land Component Command C4 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. She also served 2 tours at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. She is 4th Generation serving in the Army and her son MSG Jovano Graves is 5th generation. She gives back by notarizing Floridian Veteran’s documents for free and serves on the board of directors for Helping Others Foundation of Georgia.

The Butterfly Effect The

Keys To Humanity

Dr. La Donya Yvette

I too have a dream! And my dream is to inspire and empower and build an empire of influential women and men who are dedicated to helping others to live their life of purpose and share their gifts to the world. And, by the Grace of God, I intend to do just that.

When we empower, we’re actually giving a gift that maybe hasn’t been given before. We’re not just deciding, but choosing how we can absolutely make a difference in the world. To empower is to strengthen our society; and with the support and collaboration of each other we will actually take our world up to the next level, and have a greater influence; an influence we can all use in our lives. It is our responsibility.

Instead of being silent, it is time for us to act. There is a golden rule of treating others the way you would like to be treated. It is important to live a lifestyle of integrity and humility. We must lead with our hearts, because we are at our best when we are authentic.

Love is a gift that we all possess. The greatest gift you can ever receive is knowing that you are an inspiration to others.

You see a lot of us are stuck between our comfort zones and self-doubt that hinders us from walking in our purpose and becoming the person God created us to be. But you know if you never take the first step, you’ll never take the second. So, take the leap afraid!

I feel it’s so important to understand that we all have gifts and talents, but our gifts are not ours to keep to ourselves; they are designed to bless others. It’s our Divine obligation to pass on our knowledge, our gifts, to help each other grow. And it’s time that we begin to help each other and lift each other up, and support each other. The best thing you can give to the world is the best part of you!

If we are only willing to get out of our own way and realize that our only competition is the reflection that we see when we look in the mirror. You first have to know that you are worthy and believe in yourself. And if you don’t quite have that belief in yourself, then borrow the belief from someone else who does believe in you and stay encouraged.

Be relatable and transparent. It’s about building those solid relationships so people can resonate with you what you have to say. These are the keys to humanity; because it doesn’t cost you a thing to be YOU! When it comes from the heart, that is where we are most impactful.

Dr. La Donya Yvette The Clarity Coach

Chief Warrant Officer Five (Ret) Ronnie Haynes was born in Augusta, Georgia in 1971 and resided in Waynesboro, Georgia his entire childhood. Ronnie graduated from Burke County High School in 1990 and entered the United States Army in August 1990 as an Administrative Specialist (71L). He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Chief Warrant Officer Five (R) Ronnie Haynes was appointed a Warrant Officer (Human Resources Technician –420A) in the United States Army in July 2003.

Chief Warrant Officer Five (R) Ronnie Haynes has served over 30 years in the Army with various assignments abroad and stateside in The Netherlands, Korea, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Fort Gordon, Georgia, and Washington, D.C. He concluded his career at the Pentagon as a Headquarters Department of the Army Policy Integrator. Chief Warrant Officer Five (R) Ronnie Haynes deployed to Bosnia in 1996 and twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2004-2005 and 2009-2010. Chief Warrant Officer Five (R) Ronnie Haynes was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Badge and numerous other awards for his stellar performance throughout his career.

Ronnie earned his Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from National-Louis University and holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management from TUI University. Chief Warrant Officer Five (R) Ronnie Haynes is married to Major (R) Naquita L. Haynes of Lincolnton,Georgia.

STORYTELLER

They have one son, Christopher, and two daughters, Layla and Mya. Ronnie and his wife (Naquita) are the founders of Team Haynes Foundation a nonprofit focused on empowering youth in the areas of education options, credit, and investing.

STORYTELLER

Chief Warrant Officer Five (Ret) Leslie M. Young served in the active and reserve components for 36 years - and retired in 2013. He was mobilized in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm and served with Army CID’s Protective Services Unit (PSU). In 2000 he deployed to Kosovo during Operation Joint Guardian as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) at Camp Able Sentry, Macedonia. His military career achievements include being the first Warrant Officer to assume command of the 315 th MP Detachment, Criminal Investigation Division (CID)

(USAR) in 2002; in 2003 he was mobilized and selected as the first Army Reserve Warrant Officer to perform the duties of Unit Operations Officer for the Protective Services Unit (PSU), CID. In that position, he was responsible for the activities of 168 Special Agents who protected the top Department of Defense senior leaders, to include the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was mobilized in 2009 and assigned to the Department of Defense Criminal Investigation Task Force (CITF), 701 st Military Police Group (CID).

Post-retirement, Les and his wife Karen (a retired US Army Chief Warrant Officer Three) reside in Stafford, Virginia. Les is a volunteer for the Alzheimers Association and he represents the organization at regional health fairs and other special events in the “DMV” area. He also volunteers for S.E.R.V.E. – Stafford Emergency Relief through Volunteer Efforts during food drives and special activities. He serves on the Board of Directors for RARE – Roosevelt Alumni for Racial Equity, a non-profit organization based in his hometown Seattle, Washington. He is the Vice President of the Hills at Aquia Homeowners Association. Les is also a member of the Security Ministry at First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries, Virginia.

Chief Warrant Officer Five (Ret)

Ida Tyree- Hyche Hill, Esq. is managing partner at Tyree Hyche & Dixon, LLC. A graduate of Birmingham School of Law, Ida’s practice concentrates on probate and estate planning, workers’ compensation, and personal injury.

Ida is an active member of the Alabama State Bar, Birmingham Bar Association Workers’ Compensation and Probate Sections, Magic City Bar Association, and the Alabama Lawyers Association for Justice (ALAJ).

On May 13, 2016, Ida was appointed and sworn in by the Honorable Jefferson County Judge of Probate Alan L. King as one of the Jefferson County Administrators for probate matters for environmental litigation cases and Guardian Ad Litem matters. She regularly provides pro bono legal services to potential senior citizen clients who can least afford it, through Volunteer Lawyer Programs, and certain non-profit organizations.

Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, AL, Ida completed her undergraduate studies at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa. She migrated to Birmingham and worked for a leading federal agency culminating as Human Resources Manager for over 30 years. Ida, concurrently, served the U.S. Army Reserve for over 33 years with officer command leadership positions in Human Resources Management. She retired in 2011 at the highest warrant officer rank, Chief Warrant Officer Five (CW5).

In her spare time, Ida, an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, enjoys reading, writing, walking, playing guitar & piano music, watching college football, traveling, spending time with family, and quality time with husband, Reverend Carl F. Hill, Sr., Ed.D. Ida is an avid, passionate missionary, which she ascribes as her calling.

Not All Deals in your Feed are Legitimate

By: Shona M. Dennis M.Div

There are times when we must speak the truth, things people NEED to hear that they don’t want to hear so they can’t keep protecting themselves. Inviting them into what they can’t see, hear, or understand and giving them small steps and new insights.

Click, Connect, and Collect are buttons and links we press to the things that attract, appeal, and get our attention. Nowadays, so much artificial intelligence is working to develop new algorithms to get attention. They say if you say anything loud and long enough folks will start to believe it.

The new currency today is ATTENTION. That’s the distraction, marketing ads, customized pitches, creation of more digital products, endless masterclasses, and social media agenda that gives too much airtime and cultural space to folks seeking attention. Our life now is one constant never-ending stream of self-referential garbage that passes in through our eyes and out of our brains at the speed of a touchscreen, the tv, and the marketplace of the world.

Concerning moral accountability not many have the self-control to look away, the bite-sized content spreads like wildfire, creating an in-home & online experience of a never-ending series of cultural car wrecks where we all gawk, ooh & aww discuss, and/or make fun of something for 12 minutes until distracted by the next oncoming collision.

Click, Connect, Collect is robbing folks of their time, focus, integrity, honesty, and ability to get important things done in their lives and pay attention to the things and people that need their attention.

Modern technology is changing us and society. It’s changing how we are and react every day to the world around us. The age of attention is changing the basic economics of our day-to-day lives. It’s changing them in profound ways, ways that most of us likely don’t notice that our Attention is being SOLD

Isa1:1-6 The Lord has spoken, the animals know their master/creator, Israel does not understand. Your whole head is injured, your whole heart is afflicted, from the sole of your feet to the top of your head there is no soundness, only wounds, welts, and opened sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil.

Because our Attention is being sold, more and more folks are turning to alternatives besides the ALMIGHTY God for soundness, solutions, soul, spirit, salvation, and SIN issues. Creating more cycles of trauma daily. Keeping folks from rising to the level of God but falling to the level of the system, machine, and matrix. King David said I will look to the hills from which comes my help.

The fields of advertising and marketing have been invented and have come to dominate society, as means of disseminating the information people need to allocate their resources appropriately. These same fields have become a way of promoting and destroying lives.

In fact, there is now more information than any of us could possibly know what to do with.

Dan 12:4 concerns the end times. God tells Daniel to close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase their knowledge.

2 Tim 3:7 says people will be ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth

No, the new scarcity in the internet age is attention. Since there is a surplus of information, more information flowing through our society than any of us could ever hope to process or understand, the new bottleneck in our economy is attention. We now live in an attention-based economy.10

Chief Warrant Officer Five (Ret)

David Williams Appointed by GEN Raymond T. Odierno in 2014, CW5 David Williams served as the Army’s first Army Staff Senior Warrant Officer (ARSTAF SWO) from 14 March 2014 to 11 July 2016. As the ARSTAF SWO, he provided the Chief of Staff of the Army with subject matter expertise on all aspects of warrant officer training and development. In 2017, CW5 Williams retired from the Army with over 39 years of Active Federal Service.

STORYTELLER

Prior to his selection as the ARSTAF SWO, CW5 Williams served in multiple broadening positions including Officer Education Branch Chief, HQDA G-3/5/7, Pentagon, Washington, D.C; Program Manager, Warrant Officer Training Programs and Chief, Army Training Requirements and Resources System, Leader Development Division, Human Resources Command, Alexandria, VA; Commander, 1 st Warrant Officer Company; Small Group Instructor, Advanced Studies Branch, Warrant Officer Career College; and as the Senior Training, Advising, and Counseling (TAC) Officer at Fort Rucker, AL.

CW5 Williams is currently creating a mentorship and coaching foundation which is expected to launch in 2023.

Chief Warrant Officer Four (Ret)

Farrell J. Chiles served on Active Duty and in the Army Reserve for a total of 38 years. He was drafted in 1970 and served two campaigns in Vietnam. As a Reservist, he was mobilized for a year for Operation Enduring Freedom (2004-2005). His primary MOS was Legal Administrator (270A). Farrell Chiles is active in several community and professional organizations. He served five consecutive years as Chairman of the Board of the National Organization of Blacks In Government (BIG)) and seven years on the Board of Directors of the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation in the capacity of its Vice President for Resource Development. Farrell is the author of five books, including four on African American Warrant Officers.

He is a Vietnam veteran and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom. Mr. Chiles is the author of several books like, As Big As It Gets and African American Warrant Officers (Their Remarkable History) to name a few. His writings provide insights to the history of the Warrant Officers, rich in their achievements and contributions to the United States Army. Mr. Chiles served as Chairman of the Board of Blacks in Government (BIG) and as Vice President for Resource Development for the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation. Mr. Chiles currently is an appointed commissioner on the County of Los Angeles Consumer Affairs Advisory Commission, volunteers reading time to students, and shares African American collections at libraries and museums.

Farrell J. Chiles Legacy Award - Established in 2022 in honor of Chief Warrant Officer (Retired) Farrell J. Chiles, who served in the United States Army Reserves honorably for 38 years. The recipient of the Farrell J. Chiles Award of Distinction embodies good character and leadership while serving in the military and as a civilian within the community. Additionally, the recipient must have significant contributions to the African American community.

Chief Warrant Officer Five (R) Roy “Big Ruck” Rucker. Roy was born and raised in the small, Mississippi Delta town of Panther Burn in 1971. He is a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5) and an astute serial entrepreneur and businessman, having over 25 years of business experience in various markets.

Roy’s 30+ years of Army service afforded him the opportunity to lead at all levels, as well as allowing him to serve in diverse locations geographically dispersed around the world. His last official Army assignment was serving as the

STORYTELLER

Chief Technology Officer for a 147,000-member organization that spans the entire Pacific Region from Alaska to Australia and also as the Senior Warrant Officer Adviser to the Commanding General of the United States Army Pacific, with responsibility for 3,037 Warrant Officers in the entire Pacific Theatre of Operations. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 5 on October 31, 2018.

Roy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland University College, a Master of Science degree in Leadership and Management from Amridge University, and is currently a candidate for a Doctor of Business Administration degree in Leadership from Walden University. Roy is a certified Director of Information Management, certified ITIL Foundation and Intermediate for the Lifecycle Tract, and various other IT and Leadership qualifications/ certifications. Roy currently resides in Rockwall, TX with his wife, Monifa (27-year retired Army Veteran and CW4), and daughter, Rylee.

STORYTELLER

Chief Warrant Officer (Ret) James Earl Davis

It’s not every day that a black-owned franchise opens for business, specifically restaurant franchises. But for James Earl Davis, the founder, CEO, and president of WafflezNCreamz, you could say it’s in his blood. Through the creation of the southern fast-casual concept centered around the “Best ChickenNWafflez in Town”, he is a third-generation business and restaurant owner following in the phenomenal footsteps of his mother and grandfather.

James is also the CEO and President of Topwings, Inc. formed in 2000 doing business as

Wingstop in three locations in the Houston metroplex in Humble, Tomball, and Veterans Memorial in the Food Town shopping center.

S. H. I. F. T.

Heed. Not a word that many people use today and to be honest, it’s not one that people spend a hold lot of time doing. To help explain the word let’s look at the definition according to Dictionary.com:

Heed: to give careful attention to

Since we are talking about making a S.H.I.F.T after we have mastered the art of Studying and being observant the next thing we need to do is to Heed or give careful attention to what we have studied. I think that we don’t give enough time to this very important aspect of S.H.I.F.T.ing. Making time to properly digest the information that we have gathered will better position us to make the most of the information at our fingertips. We can use the information to make informed decisions.

If we spend enough time combing through the stuff we studied, we will gain greater insight into our next move. We can use the information as a part of a Master Mind to then tailor it for our best possible outcome. Providing a roadmap for where we want to go and the best route to get there.

Heeding what we have studied and learned will give us a greater scene of confidence about our direction and our plans. We will not approach a project with ONLY hope and enthusiasm (believe me those things are needed) but we will approach it with an assurance that we have done our due diligence and can sleep better with our choices.

Next month we are going to continue to S.H.I.F.T. learning the importance of Implementing the information that we have Studied and Heeded. We will see you then!

Also, if you missed last month’s article on Study you can read it by clicking the link below.

Heeding also has a note of pause. It requires us to stop, step back and soak in what we’ve studied. Heeding gives way to clarity and understanding. Heeding helps everyone involved to ponder any questions and raise any concerns.

Heeding also gives time to connect on a deeper level as we give heed to areas and aspects of our business and life. As we heed, we appreciate the time energy, and efforts of those on our team and what they bring to the table.

The word Heed may seem out of place in our current culture but the definition of the word will be front and center as we navigate through these changing times.

He is also the only African American franchisee with three units in Houston with Wingstop Restaurant Incorporated (WRI) in over 100 stores in the Houston market. To have a successful restaurant business, many would say that dedication; perseverance, and resolve are major factors. James nurtured these essential characteristics in the U.S. Army. A retired veteran, he served as the first African- American Chief Warrant Officer Five engineer at Army Reserve headquarters in Fort Bragg, NC during his 41-year career.

A proud graduate of a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), James received his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Prairie View A & M University in December 1987 in just three and a half years. Later, he received his Executive Master’s in Business Administration at Howard University in Washington DC where WafflezNCreamz was born and became his capstone presentation upon graduation. The nurturing for this extraordinary opportunity to collectively utilize these historical schools to develop new industries and businesses is critical in providing sustainable self-subsistence and teaching people how to fish. James and his beautiful wife Gennifer celebrate over 31 years of matrimony with four children and three of his children are serving their country in the Army and Air Force.

Chief Warrant Officer Five (Ret) Nicole Woodyard – With 31 Years of Active Duty Service

1989-2020, Woodyard has a passion for fitness and has created several platforms where she has been able to share knowledge and experience for total quality of life. Two of her current platforms are 1000 in 30, which is an online (Facebook) fitness page that offers free total body exercise programs globally, and NuFit, Nutrition & Fitness which provides insights to balance nutrition and fitness for a healthier quality of life with the #eatcleantraindirty

She gives back through many mentorship platforms. Mentorship: “I Believe in People! When we learn people, we teach excellence.” She held executive and founding positions as the Department of the Army’s Lead Senior Advisor for the Women’s Mentorship Network (WMN) (Endorsed by General Dempsey, Joint Chief of Staff in 2014), Ft Hood and Ft Lee Chapters, founder of WOW, Warrant Officer Women’s Mentorship Group (2009), and is currently displayed in the National Museum of the United States Army (NMUSA), Fellow American project as a military and community influencer.

She often consults with her graduate degrees in Human Capital and is embedded in a variety of mentorship platforms on both the civilian and military spectrum. She was a team lead in the Ordnance Leader Development Branch of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command. She has been in the Army for 31 years and has served as director of training at Army Logistics University’s Technical Logistics College, Fort Lee.

She is also the founder of the Warrant Officer Women’s Mentorship and is a senior adviser to the Department of the Army Women’s Mentorship Network. She has a bachelor’s degree from Campbell University, N.C., and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University.

Chief Warrant Officer Five (Ret) Richard A. Turner Before he became the first African-American to be promoted to the rank of chief warrant officer 5 in the Army’s Transportation Corps, a young Richard Turner wasn’t sure what to do with himself. Growing up in Chicago’s gangriddled inner city during the 1980s made life uncertain. After that close call, Turner realized a truth that would serve him well throughout his distinguished military career: Adversity is par for the course, and perseverance is the key to success.

After the gang encounter at the bus stop, Turner’s uncle convinced him to leaving Chicago’s gritty streets in search of better opportunities. On Oct. 9, 1990, at age 18, he joined the Navy as a seaman deckhand. But it was a tough sell for Turner’s mom and biggest fan. The Navy was a good fit for Turner. He transferred from deckhand to engineman and quickly reached the rank of petty officer 2nd class. Eager and impressionable, he came into contact with several chief warrant officers who would influence his life course.

STORYTELLER

With eight successful Navy years under his belt, Turner joined the Army, immediately beginning training at the Warrant Officer Candidate School, Fort Rucker. He was assigned to the U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving as the chief of the Joint Planning and Assistance Team in Belize City, Belize.

Turner was responsible for advising, training, and supervising maintenance for the Belize Coast Guard, Belize Defense Force, and Air Wing on activities required for the planning and execution of counter-narcotics operations.

He is the principal adviser to the senior defense official and defense attaché on all maintenance, operations, communications, and training activities for all Belize military vehicles, vessels, aircraft, and weapons systems.

Turner said he emphasizes overcoming adversity and pushing your limits because it worked for him.”Know that nothing will come easy. Dealing with hardships and misfortune is what makes you stronger. Take care of people along your journey,” Turner said, “and ask the people you took care of to pay it forward.”

Chief Warrant Officer Five

Julian A. Lewis III Chief Warrant Officer Five Julian A. Evans III is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. He enlisted in the United States Army in June 1993 and was appointed as an Army warrant officer in 2002. Evans has served in a diversity of staff and technical positions.

Evans’ most recent assignment was as the senior warrant officer advisor for the Leader Development Division at TRADOC G3/5/7, Fort Eustis, Virginia. In addition, he was selected as a strategic planner for the Army People First Task Force.

His previous assignments include: senior executive technical advisor, deputy product manager for Program Executive Office Missiles & Space and the Air Defense Artillery Cross-Functional Team warrant officer advisor for the U.S. Aviation & Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; department head of communications and management at the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College, Fort Rucker, Alabama; executive officer for the Basic Officer Leadership Course, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; training, advising, and counseling officer of the Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker.

He served in various technical roles such as: senior electronic missile systems maintenance technician, 35th Air Defense Brigade, Osan, Korea; senior electronic missile systems warrant officer, 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command Fort Knox, KY; battalion maintenance officer, 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Stewart, Georgia (OIF-3); 1st Battalion 3rd Air Defense Regiment, 1st Battalion 39th Field Artillery at Fort Stewart (OIF-1); 702 Main Support Battalion,

STORYTELLER

302 Forward Support Battalion, 5th Battalion 5th Air Defense Regiment, 6th Battalion 32nd Field Artillery, 6th Battalion 37th Field Artillery Regiment in Korea, and 1st Battalion 12th Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Evans is a graduate of the Electronic Missile Systems Warrant Officer Basic/Advanced, Warrant Officer Staff, and Senior Staff Courses. His civilian education includes professional certifications in Army Acquisition Project Management and Contract Management. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from TUI and a master’s degree in business administration from Webster University.

CONTRIBUTION & SUPPORT

In celebrating the launch of this film, 1ManSho Productions hosted a tribute gala to these remarkable storytellers at National Harbor, Maryland on November 11, 2022 (Veterans Day). 1Mansho Productions prides itself on educating viewers on stories that for so long have gone untold. Our intent is to have viewers come away inspired and act on their personal goals. Preserving our history matters. African American Army Warrant Officers are among them! Your contribution to this effort would be greatly appreciated and you will be acknowledged in the credits of the documentary. You can also click the link below:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/rising-above-the-fray-a-documentary I’m also happy to come to your location and present the documentary to audiences of any capacity which also includes schools, colleges, and universities At your request I can provide you with rate requirements that are very reasonable. I promise you won’t regret it. The below link is a trailer of one of the storyteller’s journey as an Army warrant officer (password case sensitive)

Password: CW5JEvans

https://vimeo.com/795962722

Thank you for your support and I look forward to resuming my content in the next issue of Prescription for Excellence!

James J. Williams, PhD

The quality of that attention doesn’t matter. What matters is attention.

Social networks are the business model of the attention economy. They are wholly dependent on eyeballs and clicks to make all of their revenue. To do this, they design algorithms that show you the most interesting and attention-grabbing information available on your social network.

This has drastic effects not only on our perceptions of society as a whole but also on how we perceive our personal lives.

Matt 24:2 Jesus is still asking us today do you see all these things?

www.meetatthewellnetwork.com

The wait is over! In Cicone Prince’s highly anticipated 5th book, he shares fundamental principles of Leadership that are a game changer if properly applied to the all important role of Leadership. He makes no apologies for highlighting the importance of equipping the Next Generation with the tools they need to succeed.

Leadership That Lasts will have you running to help someone else prepare for their future while realizing your success.