CODE M Magazine 2022 October Issue

TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN

SEVYN STREETER SOUNDS OFF SNOWFLAKE TAKES ON NEW MEANING

+

SLEEPING WITH MARRIED MEN

THE SCAMMING OF AMERICA

BLACK

AMERICA’S

CEO

US Black Chambers, Inc. President and CEO, Ron Busby discusses advocacy in the realization of economic empowerment, developing and growing Black enterprises, and how to thrive in today’s business climate.

OCTOBER 2022 ISSUE

[ CLE ]

22 OCTOBER 2022 / CODE M

[ BUSINESS ]

[ NEWS ]

INSIDE

60

DRESSED TO KILL

There is no mistaking a sharp-dressed lady. With fall comes opportunities to stun with amazing looks. These designs are designed to kill, from a fashion perspective.

Ashley Harris: Model

ON THE COVER

34

BLACK AMERICA’S CEO US Black Chambers, Inc. President and CEO, Ron Busby discusses advocacy in the realization of econom-

ic empowerment, developing and growing Black enterprises, and how to thrive in today’s business climate.

10 MOVERS AND SHAKERS Get to know people who are making a difference in their careers and changing the world!

to the source and saving lives.

12 MAN CODES Discipline.

16 CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IN THE LAND Destination Cleveland encourages residents to further their knowledge and experience the area’s Hispanic culture.

20 MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health is changing health awareness in the Black community by going right

24 IF GETTING A SECOND CHANCE WAS A PERSON

When Ray Freeman was diagnosed with kidney failure, he wondered if his young life was over. He found out that, not only was it not over, but that he could do some incredible things with his new life.

27 TRIPLE PLAY CELEBRATION The Money Museum and Learning Center is proud to present Triple Play, a new exhibit honoring the legacy of the Negro Leagues, opening October 18, 2022.

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 5

[ INSIDE ] 29 GONE TOO SOON

48 THE SCAMMING OF AMERICA

David Arnold loved his city, loved his family, and loved his brand of comedy. His early passing has shaken his profession, and those who appreciated his efforts to make us all laugh.

America has become prey to scams everywhere. From malicious emails to fake robocalls, Americans are under attack from all angles and losing billions as a result.

30 BLACK WEALTH SUMMIT

53 SNOWFLAKE TAKES ON NEW MEANING

14

There has never been a more important time for Blacks to plan for their financial future. The Black Wealth Summit is here to help do just that.

THE MICROPHONE FIEND

The choice to engage and have sex with a married man is filled with the complex feelings of needing sex but no commitment. Online dating has made it all too easy and common. The choice to cheat unfortunately raises more issues than it solves problems.

When Riche Greene was little, he dreamed of being a comedian. But when he became a father at the age of nineteen, life had other plans for him. Luckily, the joke is on life because Greene is killing it onstage and becoming a national celebrity.

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42 SLEEPING WITH MARRIED MEN

"Snowflake" is a derogatory slang term for a person, implying that they have an inflated sense of uniqueness, an unwarranted sense of entitlement, or are overly emotional, easily offended, and unable to deal with opposing opinions.

56 SEVYN STREETER SOUNDS OFF Sevyn Streeter discusses her new album Drunken Wordz X Sober Thoughtz and why she wants her fans to come up with their own conclusions from her songs.

TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN

ENGINEER RADIO/PODCAST Kai Becker

PUBLISHER Bilal S. Akram

SOCIAL MEDIA Rachel Woods

PRESIDENT Brad J. Bowling SENIOR ADVISOR

Alexandria Johnson Boone MANAGING EDITOR David Christel PAGE EDITORS Anthony Kirby-Lifestyles Laron Harlem-Fashion Paris Lampkins-Movers & Shakers GRAPHIC DESIGN

Stiff Arm Media MEDIA COORDINATOR Paula D Morrison EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT To the PUBLISHER Ladonna “Lala” Dicks

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES David Williams Kevin Jones IT CONSULTANT Anthony Jones Digital Jetstream, LLC CONTRIBUTING WRITERS David Christel Anthony Kirby Brad J. Bowling Bolling Smith Bilal S. Akram Laron Harlem Leslie Logan Clinton Miller nce Burnley CODE MEDIA GROUP LLC STAFF

DIRECTOR OF RADIO/PODCAST

Sharif Akram

Anita Butler

Darrell Scott

RADIO/PODCAST HOSTS Darrell Scott Grace Roberts

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CODE M Magazine was created to be a guiding force in creating a dialogue for black men everywhere. Code M focuses on the conversations of advancement, mental health, career choices, the political landscape and relationships that define and shape the lives of black men everywhere.

Code M Magazine is published

by CODE MEDIA GROUP, LLC © 2022 All Rights Reserved

[ TRAVEL ]

CODE M / OCTOBER 2021 9

MOVERS &

SHAKERS

Get to know people who are making a difference in their careers and changing the world!

KELLY PALMER, Ph.D. Kelly Palmer is a native of Akron, Ohio. She earned a BS in Microbiology and a BS in Natural Science from the University of Akron, a Master of Science in Health Sciences from Indiana University, and a PhD in Health Behavior Health Promotion from the University of Arizona. Dr. Palmer is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Promotion Sciences at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and the Associate Director of the UAHS Center for Health Disparities Research.

Dr. Palmer spent more than a decade managing studies translating the

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evidenced-based diabetes prevention program and has extensive experience with lifestyle modification interventions for cardiometabolic disease risk reduction.

She has demonstrated success with community outreach and engagement and strategies for effective participant recruitment and retention. Broadly, her research seeks to understand sociocultural influences of health behavior and to design and implement culturally informed interventions to achieve health equity for vulnerable and underserved populations.

[ MOVERS & SHAKERS ]

MORDECAI CARGILL Mordecai Cargill is a co-founder and chief creative officer of the ThirdSpace Action Lab, a grassroots research, strategy & design cooperative, dedicated to prototyping creative place-based solutions to complex socioeconomic problems. Mordecai’s key roles & responsibilities include (but are not limited to): Research, Analysis & Evaluation; Storytelling, Insights & Content Creation; and Creative Direction & Brand Management.

Prior to starting this exciting venture, Mordecai served as the Director of Strategy, Research & Impact at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP), a community development funding intermediary committed to fostering inclusive neighborhoods of choice and opportunity throughout the city of Cleveland.

AMANDA PARKER Amanda Parker is a mother, attorney, and graduate of The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business and Moritz College of Law. Raised in Akron along with her two sisters, and extended family, Parker’s family instilled in her a strong sense of community service.

Parker stays engaged with her community as a volunteer for community legal aid, a church trustee, a mentor, and a member of the Kent Area Chapter Links, Incorporated. Her legal practice currently focuses on representing a public utility in federal regulatory proceedings. Parker also spends her time as a baseball mom, cheering for her son Jackson.

LAMAR R. HYLTON, Ph.D. Lamar R. Hylton, Ph.D. currently serves as the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs at Kent State University. In this role, he provides vision, executive leadership, oversight, and direction for over 25 units that comprise the Division of Student Affairs. He also represents Student Affairs on several institutional committees and work groups.

Utilizing experiences drawn from his dissertation research, and as a first-generation college graduate three times over, Dr. Hylton is personally invested in giving back to the students he serves. He works towards impacting academic achievement, college satisfaction, and student success.

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START

Robert Kiyosaki

DISCIPLINE MAN CODES:

Compiled by Bilal S. Akram

“Discipline really means our ability to get ourselves to do things when we don’t want to.” – Arden Mahlberg “Success doesn’t just happen. You have to be intentional about it, and that takes discipline.” - John C. Maxwell “A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.” – HH the Dalai Lama “Always Remember to take your Vitamins: Take your Vitamin A for ACTION, Vitamin B for Belief, Vitamin C for Confidence ,Vitamin D for Discipline, Vitamin E for Enthusiasm!!”

– Pablo “If you are ruled by mind you are a king; if by body, a slave.”

- Cato The Elder “No person is born great. Great people become great when others are sleeping.” - African Proverb

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“The only discipline that lasts is self-discipline.” – Bum Philips “Not one life reaches its potential until it is determined, dedicated, and disciplined.” - Shaneen Clarke “Self-discipline is the No.1 delineating factor between the rich, the middle class, and the poor.” – Robert Kiyosaki “The first and greatest victory is to conquer self.” – Plato “With this magic ingredient, you can accomplish anything and everything you want to, and it is called self-discipline.”

– Brian Tracy Hebrews 12:10 – 10: “For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11: For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (ESV)

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[ START ]

THE MICROPHONE FIEND

When Riche Greene was little, he dreamed of being a comedian. But when he became a father at the age of nineteen, life had other plans for him. Luckily, the joke is on life because Greene is killing it onstage and becoming a national celebrity.

I

It is two minutes before Riche Greene is set to go on stage. It is two minutes before Greene is about to go into his bag of jokes with the hopes of giving someone in the audience a chance to escape for a few minutes, to forget about their problems. In those two minutes, Greene closes his eyes and calms his thoughts, does not speak to anyone, and finds a place in his own mind to remember how it all began.

When Greene was a child, he always knew that he wanted to tell jokes. Cleveland, Ohio is known for producing great comedians and Greene wanted to add to that collection. Growing up on the east side, Greene had a chance to meet the likes of Cortney Gee and Mike Jones. Drew Carrey, Steve Harvey, and John Hinton were finding steady work nationally so Greene

16 OCTOBER2022 2021//CODE CODEMM 14 OCTOBER

Written by ANTHONY KIRBY Anthony T. Kirby is the Lifestyle Editor for CODE M Magazine and has spent over 30 years in the menswear industry. He lives in Philadelphia, PA where he is the Creative Director for FINICKEY, an online men's haberdashery brand. (https://finickey.us)

knew if he worked hard, he could do the same.

One night, he decided to try it. It was amateur night at Hilarities and the 17-year-old wanted to see if he had any talent.

“I went on stage and bombed,” Greene said. “I stepped onstage, and no one laughed. It was the worst five minutes of my life.”

The night was a total failure and a complete success at the same time. Greene might have bombed onstage, but he discovered his passion. Greene knew that becoming a comedian would now be his life’s journey.

Just as he started to work on his dream, Greene was smacked in the mouth by life. He just learned that he was

[ START ] going to be a father. And no new father could travel the country weekend after weekend telling jokes in some bar with the hopes of one day making it. No one really knows how long it takes to become an overnight success. It could take two weeks or it could take thirty years. With a child on the way, Greene knew he might not ever get a chance to find out.

“I had to put my dreams on hold for a while because I knew I was going to have a child, and the responsibility of being a good father trumps anything else in life I wanted to be,” Greene said.

Dreams on hold do not mean dreams are forgotten. While Greene was raising his children, he also worked at the Improv to stay around comedy. That kept him close to learning from the greats as well.

“I would do my job they hired me to do, but still get a chance to speak to and learn from comedians who would come in town to perform,” Greene continued. “Jeff Foxworthy and Dana Gould spent time with me and talked to me about good delivery of jokes, timing, and winning the audience. Gould would show me how to write a punch line. Jeff helped me understand timing and speaking in the first person. Those guys allowed me to work on my craft so if I ever got a chance to get on stage again, I would be ready.”

mother would always remind me that I wasn’t pursuing my dream and that got me thinking.”

Greene decided to get back to the thing he loved. He had the time, the energy, and the desire to see if he could turn his dream into a reality.

That journey meant booking gigs for himself, traveling every weekend to a new audience, and still finding the time to be a good father, sibling, and son to his family. No one promised that living your dream would be easy. It takes patience, persistence, and the trust that you are doing the right thing when things are not going well.

Greene’s two minutes are up. He opens his eyes and prepares to walk on stage. He collects his thoughts and with each step understands that becoming a national sensation is not the dream at all.

Living his dream is doing all the demanding work, every day, to prove to himself that he can do comedy. Living his dream is finishing what he started, that he can develop enough talent to make people smile whenever he performs in front of them. And finally, he can make his mother proud by accomplishing something they both used to only talk about.

Greene steps on stage takes the microphone and punches life right back in the mouth, just like we’re all supposed to. ●

Greene got his chance when the opportunity presented itself.

He would fill in whenever he could, and he would try different things to perfect his craft.

Fast forward years later to the beginning of the pandemic and the year 2020. Greene’s kids are raised, his mother’s health was failing, and Greene was wondering about life and his legacy.

“When life stopped and we all went home, I had time to think about my life and it felt like something was missing. It felt like I had unfinished business with comedy,” Greene said. “My

CLE STRONG

Riche Greene can be seen performing around the country for the next several months.

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 15

CLE CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IN THE LAND Destination Cleveland encourages residents to further their knowledge and experience the area’s Hispanic culture.

P

C

elebrated from Sept. 15- Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month honors the history and contributions of Hispanic culture in the U.S. There are many options to celebrate the Hispanic culture rooted in Cleveland throughout the coming month and year-round, including special events, performances, restaurants and visits to La Villa Hispana, the heart of the city’s Hispanic community in the Clark-Fulton neighbor-

traditions of Northeast Ohio’s Latinx population. Beginning Sept. 16, the theater will perform “La Siempreviva,” recounting the November 1985 takeover of Colombia’s justice palace by the terrorist group M-19. The performance is in Spanish with English subtitles.

Sept. 16-Oct. 9; full schedule of show times available online LatinUs Theater Blackbox: 2937 W. 25th St., Cleveland

hood.

Tickets ($25) available online

HEALTH & SAFETY ALERT: Safety protocols vary by venue and, in some cases, by event at venues. Residents are encouraged to review both venue and event-specific protocols before arriving at an event.

American Mariachi Cleveland Play House will open its 2022-23 season with the regional premiere of “American Mariachi,” beginning Sept.

17 at the Allen Theater. The musical, which is presented in English with songs in Spanish, is set in the 1970s and tells the story of one woman’s quest to form an all-female mariachi band. The play is a celebration of Latin culture and features a live mariachi band.

SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS A variety of events, performances and celebrations are scheduled throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, giving Clevelanders a chance to celebrate and experience the rich culture.

La Siempreviva at Lat-inUS Theater The Pivot Center in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood is home to LatinUs Theater Company, Ohio’s first independent Latino theater company. Lat-inUs’ mission is to promote and produce artistic and theatrical works in Spanish, honoring the cultural heritage and

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Sept. 17-Oct. 9; full schedule of show times available online Allen Theater: 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Tickets ($25-$75) available online City of Cleveland Events

[ CLE ] The City of Cleveland will celebrate and recognize the achievements and contributions of the Hispanic community with a number of events at City Hall, beginning with an opening ceremony featuring food, music and dance on Friday, Sept. 16.

A closing gala on Wednesday, Oct. 12 will honor members of Cleveland’s Hispanic community and include music and dancing.

ABREPASO Flamenco Clevelanders can immerse themselves in the world of flamenco music and dance, thanks to ABREPASO flamenco. On October 13, the dance company will be joined by internationally recognized flamenco artists to perform “Tablao Flamenco” at Music Box Supper Club. For those feeling inspired by the performance, ABREPASO also offers classes at various venues in Northeast Ohio.

Tablao Flamenco: Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, 7 p.m. at Music Box Concert Hall (1148 Main Ave., Cleveland); tickets ($25 advance/$30 at the door) available online

Photo by Alex Harnocz

ABREPASO fall class schedule & details available online

Sabor! A Latin Burlesque & Drag Revue An all-Latin lineup will take the stage at Symposium Nightclub on the border of Cleveland and Lakewood for Sabor!, a special show celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The performance is billed as a celebration of Latin culture, traditions and life and will include appearances from a variety of Ohio-based performers, including Cleveland’s own Bella Sin.

ming, including crafts for children, classes and discussions. A list of the month’s events can be found on the library website.

CULTURAL FLAVORS With Ohio’s first Latin-owned brewery, visits to authentic eateries and grocery stores to bring a taste of the cuisine home, there are plenty of ways for Clevelanders to experience the delicious flavors of Hispanic cuisine.

Unique brews Local beer lovers can celebrate with a visit to Ohio’s first ever Latin-owned brewery, located right in the Cleveland area. Pulpo Beer Company started with a brewing facility in Willoughby and recently opened its second taproom at Crocker Park in Westlake. The tropical-inspired space features two dozen craft beer options, including Latininspired brews like Pulpo Libre Mexican lager, Mexican Oktoberfest and Churro Dreams Christmas Ale. Authentic favorites The city’s food scene features savory and sweet selections celebrating a wide array of Hispanic cultures.

Photo by Gabe Wasylko

Thursday, Oct. 13, 7:30-11 p.m.

Symposium Nightclub: 11794 Detroit Ave., Lakewood Tickets ($15) available online

Cleveland Public Library events Clevelanders of all ages are invited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the city’s library branches with a variety of program-

Hispanic Heritage Month is filled with amazing events all over the City of Cleveland.

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[ START]

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[ CLE ] Latin flavors at home

Photo by Aireonna McCall

Clevelanders looking to bring home the flavors of the city’s Hispanic culture have several options. La Borincana Foods on Fulton Road in the Ohio City neighborhood offers all the ingredients needed to prepare a Latin-inspired feast, including a diverse selection of spices, herbs, and even freshly butchered meats. At Tienda Central Hispana in the Cudell neighborhood, locals will find a selection of Hispanic ingredients and snacks, as well as homemade tamales. And, a visit to La Plaza Supermarket on the Cleveland-Lakewood border offers one-stop shopping between the grocery store and the attached taqueria serving up authentic Mexican fare. ●

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month in Cleveland.

At Twisted Taino, Chefs Cristina and Jose Melendez combine their Puerto Rican roots with flavor influences from Mexico and Colombia, as well as the Caribbean. The restaurant in Parma promises to deliver a unique experience, giving diners a taste of Latin flavor while transporting them to the Tropics.

Diners can travel throughout Latin America with just one stop at Barroco in Lakewood, Crocker Park, or Willoughby. From Colombian arepas to Salvadorean pupusas, plus delicious tacos, guacamole and meats, there’s something for every taste.

Whether craving savory or sweet, Las Villas Deli & Pastries in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood is one-stop shopping for authentic Puerto Rican fare. Clevelanders shouldn’t miss the popular Cubano sandwich or homemade empanadillas and should save room for a sweet treat to finish the meal.

Located inside the Las Tienditas Del Mercado business incubator, Cha’Firo specializes in vegan and vegetarian versions of Puerto Rican favorites, while also offering traditional options for carnivores. Locals looking for larger portions can also take advantage of Chef Peggi Cruz’s catering services.

### ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. In 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic reduced visitation by 30 percent, with 13.8 million visits occurring.

Prior to the pandemic, Cleveland hosted 19.6 million visits annually, with the County experiencing annual visitation increases that surpassed the domestic travel growth rate for nine consecutive years. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.

Photo by Destination Cleveland

Latino Taste to Go, located in the heart of Midtown, offers freshly made tacos, burritos, empanadas and sandwiches, and much more in a takeout-style setting. The family-owned and operated restaurant is also one of the stops on Destination Cleveland’s International Restaurant Passport.

Cleveland’s Hispanic restaurants offers amazing choices for Hispanic Heritage Month.

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 19

HEALTH

MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health is changing health awareness in the Black community by going right to the source and saving lives.

by Clinton Miller

T

Dr. Fraser and Lea Ann Hicks.

here is no denying that Black people suffer unnecessarily when it comes to taking care of our health.

The reluctance to go to the doctor costs untold lives and reduces life expectancy dramatically when compared to our white counterparts.

community health empowerment and engagement to promote health equity and social justice through strategic partnerships, innovative community-based health promotion, research programs, and the preparation of a more diverse and inclusive workforce of health professionals.

If you add the complexity of not getting sound medical advice when Black people do visit the doctor, then it’s understood why an alternative was needed.

Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. (July 10, 1943 – February 6, 1993) was a Black professional tennis player who won three Grand Slam singles titles. He started to play tennis at six years of age. He was the first Black player selected to the US Davis Cup team, and the only Black man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. He retired in 1980.

Dr. Marilyn Fraser is the Chief Executive Officer at the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, a Research Associate Professor in both the Department of Medicine and the School of Public Health at the SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, and the co-Director of the Brooklyn Health Disparities Center.

The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health utilizes a model of

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Dr. Fraser began working with the organization right after medical school and rose to the rank of CEO in the last several

[ HEALTH ]

years, and now leads the mission to change the Black community’s relationship with the medical profession.

“We’re working hard to get Black people to take the necessary tests they need to detect and check for health issues when they can,” Fraser said. “What we found is that when we would go out to talk to the community about health issues, they would not ask questions until we left. So we knew they were listening, they just didn’t trust the process and therefore didn’t use what we had in place.”

ior,” Fraser explained.

The program was met with so much success that barbers and hair salons all over the New York City area reached out to the Institute to join in bringing awareness to their customers about the various options they can choose to test themselves for numerous kinds of illnesses.

The idea seems simple but is quite difficult at the same time. How do you get people in the community to trust the medical profession so that people live longer? The salons and barbers that joined the movement know that if they don’t have customers, they cannot stay in business.

Dr. Fraser used an old concept of meeting the people where they are. Her team designed a plan to train barbers and hair salons on how to work with their customers to get the tests they needed in order to save lives. Early detection is the best way to reduce health risks in any community.

“The barbers and hair salons working with us know we can’t really pay them for what they’re doing, but they realize that the work of changing health outcomes in the Black community is so needed that they do it. We’re seeing amazing results from doing this much-needed work,” Fraser said.

“Our very first curriculum was a program that taught hairstylists ways to help deliver breast health messages. We then tracked those who were exposed to the training to see if there was a change in behav-

And she’s right. A female who went to get her hair done at one of the salons that teaches breast detection awareness went home to practice what she learned about herself. She found a lump on her breast and went to the doc-

Dr. Fraser and Cheryl Wills.

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 21

[ LIFE ]

22 OCTOBER 2022 / CODE M

[ HEALTH ] tor to see if her suspicions were correct.

It turns out she did have breast cancer. Because she found the lump so early, she was able to have the proper treatment to remove the lump and made a full recovery — a true success for the Institute the hair salon was involved with and the person whose life was saved.

“We had heard of several people who were able to save their own lives based on the information they received,” Fraser continued. “We even had one of our staff check his own situation and found out he had prostate cancer.”

During one of the training sessions, a member of the Arthur Ashe staff started to pay attention as one of the teachers was explaining the symptoms of prostate cancer. He realized he had seven of the eight symptoms and decided that he better get checked. The checkup revealed that he did, in fact, have prostate cancer. Proof that awareness, plus early detection can save lives.

ed their respective areas of concentration with great citizenship and leadership throughout the year.

The event will be held on October 20, 2022 and is open to anyone who would like to register to attend the event.

“We use the event to communicate our mission, to fundraise, and to celebrate those who work in the light of what Arthur Ashe set out to do when he created the organization,” Fraser said. “We hope to continue doing the amazing work he started so we can continue to change lives.”

The Institute, Dr. Fraser, and the rest of her team are doing exactly what Ashe would have wanted, changing lives one person at a time. ●

Today, the Arthur Ashe Institute continues to work to drive awareness and donations with their 2022 Sports Ball fundraiser. The 28th annual Black Tie and Sneaker Gala will be held in New York City and will honor those who have impact-

Johnathan and Tracey Webb

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 23

[ HEALTH ]

IF GETTING A SECOND CHANCE WAS A PERSON When Ray Freeman was diagnosed with kidney failure, he wondered if his young life was over. He found out that, not only was it not over, but that he could do some incredible things with his new life.

by Bolling Smith

T

here is a phrase that says, “You only live once.”

The phrase should be changed to, “You only die once, you live every day.” For Ray Freeman, that phrase became his reality when he almost died from kidney failure.

1981, the Warrensville Heights graduate was on top of the world. Freeman won a football scholar-

ship and attended Colorado State University. After graduating, he played in the National Football League with the Denver Broncos.

“When I got my first NFL check, I bought myself a grey Lincoln Continental and paid my mother’s house off,” Ray said proudly.

Ray had become known for caring about people and those around him. He has always excelled at anything he tried, and he was used to winning. To stay in shape, he continued to exercise and engage in sports until one day he struggled to breathe and noticed his energy was low.

“I was playing basketball one day and couldn’t understand why I couldn’t get any wind,” he explained. “I couldn’t understand what was going on. My family recommended I go to the doctor to make sure I was OK.” He wasn’t. When he visited the doctor, they noticed that his kidney function had dropped from 98 percent functioning to 96 percent. They agreed to pay closer attention to Ray’s health and continued to monitor his kidney function hoping it was just a minor fluctuation.

Six months later, Ray got violently sick and could barely stand or keep food down. His family rushed him to the hospital and learned that his kidney function had dropped to a low of 17 percent. The Freeman family was devastated. Ray had been an athlete his entire life.

There is no history of kidney failure in this bloodline.

They couldn’t understand what was going on.

Over the next three years, from 2010 to 2013, Ray would lose too much weight, go on dialysis, and struggle to maintain the quality of life he used to enjoy. He thought about his life and his death and had come to the realization that he might not live long enough to see his kid grow up.

It was recommended that he visit a local doctor in the area, Dr. Charles Modlin, to see if there was any opportunity to get on the kidney transplant list. Dr. Modlin was able to help Ray manage his health until a new kidney could be found but finding one would have to be soon because Ray’s health continued to deteriorate.

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[ HEALTH ]

Several friends began to check to see if they were suitable donors. Finding a perfect match is difficult because there are so many factors involved in a body accepting an organ from someone else. To find the right kidney is hard; to find someone in Freeman’s circle to be a match was almost impossible.

Several friends tested to see if they could provide Ray with a kidney. To be a match, the person would have to have seven out of seven antigens needed for his body to not reject the organ.

Transplantation antigens are proteins expressed on the donor tissue that have the capacity to initiate an immune reaction against the allograft. In humans, this is known as the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system and over 17,000 HLA alleles or genetic variants have been described such that it is extremely uncommon for any two people to have identical alleles.

Dr. Charles Modlin and Ray Freeman.

Several of Freeman’s friends came close, but only one was a perfect match. Felesia McDonald, a former girlfriend of Ray’s, got tested and found out that her kidney would work in his body. She agreed to do the procedure and Ray got a second chance at life.

“Words cannot express how grateful I am to Felesia for giving me one of her kidneys,” Ray said. “Life was hard on both of us at that time, but she put herself second and gave me a kidney.

I knew that if I got a second chance I couldn’t waste it.”

And he hasn’t. Ray discovered that he has a passion for mentorship and decided that he would use that passion to change young lives. In 2015 Ray ran for a school board position at his former high school and won.

The win has turned into an incredible run for Ray who now holds several prestigious positions and recently became the chairman of the National Urban Boards Alliance-Consortium of State Schools Association. He is a proud member of One Hundred Black Men of Greater Cleveland and sits on the board of Cleveland Clinic Southpointe Hospital.

“I saw our kids with sagging pants and horrible attitudes. I knew I could have an impact, so I put myself to work to make a difference,” Ray explained.

it belongs.

Today, the school district enjoys a positive rating, is in the process of building all new schools, and is a thriving place for motivated young kids. Those accomplishments are strong wins for Ray, who took advantage of his second opportunity in life.

These days, Ray is on a strict diet of no sugar or salt and takes sixteen pills a day to stay alive. He admits that there are times when he needs to take a break and let his body recover from his busy work schedule. “I know I need to rest more than I do, and when my body needs rest, it will tell me.”

“I’m trying to be different for kids,” Ray said. “I want to be a role model to kids who need to see something different. I have bad days, there are some days where I don’t feel that good.

But I want to help other people who are going through kidney problems themselves.”

Ray provides counseling to those who are going through the same thing he went through. Every month, he talks to about five people who have kidney failure to help them stay motivated and make the necessary changes they’ll need to make until they can get a new kidney.

It’s safe to say that Ray is making the most out of his opportunity to live while he is alive. If getting a second chance was a person, it would be Ray Freeman. ●

At the time, Warrensville City Schools struggled to compete, maintaining an F rating from the State of Ohio for performance. With the help of newly elected superintendent Donald Jolly, they started on a mission to bring the school up to where Ray Freeman is gaining national attention for his efforts to champion young people.

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 25

[ ARTS ]

26 OCTOBER 2022 / CODE M

TRIBUTE

TRIPLE PLAY CELEBRATION The Money Museum and Learning Center is proud to present Triple Play, a new exhibit honoring the legacy of the Negro Leagues, opening October 18, 2022.

T

he Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s Money Museum and Learning Center will open Triple Play, a new exhibit honoring the legacy of pro baseball’s Negro Leagues in the Fourth Federal Reserve District and beyond. Opening Day for the exhibit is slated for Tuesday, October 18.

The exhibit tells the stories of Negro Leagues teams and stars in Cleveland and other parts of the Fourth District, which encompasses all of Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia. It also recognizes the achievements of Larry Doby, who became the first Black player in the American League when he debuted with the then-Cleveland Indians in 1947, and Satchel Paige a legendary Negro Leagues pitcher who signed with the Indians in 1948 and that year became the first Black player to pitch in a World Series.

Other exhibit highlights include a look back on Pittsburgh’s Greenlee Field, one of the first Black-owned ballparks in America, and commemorative coins struck by the U.S. Mint honoring iconic baseball figures like Jackie Robinson, Major League Baseball’s first Black player, and Rube Foster, a legendary player, and executive recognized as the “father of Black baseball.”

Admission to the Money Museum and Learning Center is free, with open hours Mondays through Thursdays from 9:30 a.m.2:30 p.m. We are closed on bank holidays. The museum is located in the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland on the corner of Superior Avenue and East Sixth Street in downtown Cleveland.

Visitors can enter through the E. 6th Street entrance. Safety requirements have been updated for the protection and wellbeing of visitors and Bank staff. Masks are required for all entering the area. Group sizes will now be limited to six people or less. ● The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks that along with the Board of Governors in Washington DC comprise the Federal Reserve System. Part of the US central bank, the Cleveland Fed participates in the formulation of our nation’s monetary policy, supervises banking organizations, provides payment and other services to financial institutions and to the US Treasury, and performs many activities that support CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 27

28 OCTOBER 2022 / CODE M

[ TRIBUTE ]

GONE TOO SOON David Arnold loved his city, loved his family, and loved his brand of comedy. His early passing has shaken his profession, and those who appreciated his efforts to make us all laugh.

by Leslie Logan

I

t is not often that you can feel the warmth of a personality on TV. The distance and format only allow for a certain transfer of energy. But when David Arnold hit the stage, his passion for people was evident and reached beyond the screen.

Arnold’s untimely passing shook those who loved him. The father and husband died at the age of 54 from a heart attack.

Arnold was just in Cleveland, Ohio in January to film his latest comedy special, “It Ain’t for The Weak”, which was special for him and the city.

Arnold loved Cleveland and chose to share in his success with the city. Filming his special here was important to those who knew him growing up in Northeast Ohio, and to him, because it allowed him

to come home and give back to those he loved.

Arnold went to Los Angeles with less than 100 dollars and with drive and determination turned his dream into a reality.

He worked as showrunner, producer, director, and writer and had several projects in pre-production. Arnold blessed CODE M by allowing the fledgling magazine to put him on the second cover of the business. That is the kind of person he was. We would like to offer our condolences to the family and friends of David Arnold. You will be missed. ●

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 29

There has never been a more important time for Blacks to plan for their financial future. The Black Wealth Summit is here to help do just that.

O

ne doesn’t automatically associate wealth with Black communities, as American history will attest to. But that’s about to change as Cedric Nash, founder of the Black Wealth Summit, launches its first inperson convocation on October 27 – 29 in College Park, Maryland. Held at “The Hotel” at the University of Maryland, the focus of the summit is “Promoting the Prosperity of Black People.”

The Summit “is a conference unapologetically committed to educating, inspiring, and exposing African Americans to wealth-building tools, techniques, and resources,” Cedric explained. “We have learning tracks designed for three Cover and inside photos taken by Sylven Lamar. different levels: beginners, intermediate, and advanced in-

30 OCTOBER 2022 / CODE M

Written by DAVID CHRISTEL David has been ghostwriting books for well-known people since 1995. He is also the author of Married Men Coming Out: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming the Man You Were Born to Be.

BLACK WEALTH SUMMIT

FINANCE

vestors. We’re bringing Black Wealth advisors from the top financial services firms and health advisors from top health care organizations. The entire objective is to educate and help African Americans make better decisions about what they do financially, to take ownership of their financial welfare.”

Cedric explained that African Americans, since slavery, have been systemically suppressed and denied resources that would enable them to more readily achieve long-term financial stability and wealth. From his perspective, it all comes down to education. He makes the distinction that “financial literacy” just makes you information knowledgeable. More important is “wealth literacy” because it teaches you how to build sustainable and generational wealth.

One important facet of what Cedric is putting forth is the un-

[ FINANCE ] derstanding that wealth doesn’t happen overnight. It might if you win the lottery, but then what? And what about government policy, reparations, closing the racial wealth gap, etc.?

Cedric described how so many politicians and movers and shakers say that we’ve got to create more Black homeowners, or we’ve got to create more opportunities for jobs. “Yes, we do have to do that.

It’s still not going to close the racial wealth gap,” Nash states. He

and support where individuals are wherever they are on their financial journey.

Nash also says that the only way Blacks are going to move their financial needle is that they’ve got to get the entire community fired up about building wealth, about accumulating assets.

With the Black Wealth Summit, Nash says, “It’s important

“We’re sitting here waiting for some kind of financial blessing or we’re waiting for reparations or some type of financial windfall, when we have to accept the fact that no one’s coming to save us. It’s our responsibility to fix it, or else it won’t be fixed.” believes that the only way to dissolve this issue is for Blacks to keep score of their wealth: •

pay attention to their level of assets,

•

pay attention to their liabilities,

•

know their net worth,

•

know more than your credit score is, and

•

know just how much debt you have.

“Our entire objective with the Summit is to educate and help Black Americans make better decisions about what they do financially.”

The Summit’s membership portal is filled with content and commonsense principles, including videos and training, that speak to

that we create something that lifts us up and gives us authentic information. We’re not promoting anything, we’re not promoting a stock or any investment. This is education.

The whole point is that we’re trying to create energy around learning and wanting to learn.” In keeping with that, Cedric points out that the Summit’s theme this year is “The season of accountability.”

Nash says that there are three barriers to African Americans investing, according to a study done by Charles Schwab and Ariel capital: 1) access to capital, 2) financial literacy, and 3) fear, specifically, fear of the unknown. It’s an obsolete and debilitating mindset that he’s looking to

Cedric Nash is the founder of the Black Wealth Summit.

CODE M / OCTOBER 2021 31

[ COVER ]

32 OCTOBER 2022 / CODE M

[ FINANCE ] shift people out of.

“We understand that that shift isn’t going to happen quickly,” Cedric says, candidly. “It’s a process of liberation, of shifting one’s mindset. It’s also the ongoing development of financial literacy because there is no one way or quick fix to any of this.

Most specifically, it’s understanding that this is a long-term proposition.”

What Cedric and the Black Wealth Summit are teaching is what he calls “millionaire money moves,” the kind of mindset and moves millionaires take that allow them to always build wealth. And that overall “move” is to accumulate assets, to put money in assets that appreciate and generate income and continue to grow. “That’s what we do. It’s just that simple,” Nash says.

He feels that within the Black community, the Black Wealth Summit is the perfect solution giving Blacks an environment where they can ask whatever questions they want. They’ll be there with people who are at their same financial level, with people who look like them.

As the mission of the Summit states, “It’s about time that eve-

ry Black person has access to the knowledge that can be used to build real generational wealth for their families and communities. The Black Wealth Summit is an answer to making prosperity accessible to Black people, thereby making prosperity accessible to all people.” ●

Cover and inside photos taken by Sylven Lamar.

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 33

COVER

BLACK AMERICA’S

CEO

US Black Chambers, Inc. President and CEO, Ron Busby discusses advocacy in the realization of economic empowerment, developing and growing Black enterprises, and how to thrive in today’s business climate.

Written by BRAD BOWLING Brad Bowling is the President of CODE Media Group, LLC. Bowling has his BA in mass media communication and an MBA in marketing. He contributes articles to the magazine continuing his love for writing.

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[ COVER ]

Cover Photo and inside photos taken by Franklin Solomon.

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 35

[ COVER ]

Ron Busby worked with President Barak Obama on increasing funding for Black businesses.

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[ COVER ]

F

or Black Americans, it has long been a struggle to be treated fairly. Black people have a history of being discriminated against in the US and still, today face a number of hardships. So, when America suffers a hardship, Black people take on the brunt of that suffering.

For Black businesses, it’s the same thing. Black businesses have historically been denied access to capital that would have allowed them to compete with other, better-funded businesses. Without access to adequate funding resources, Black businesses cannot scale, find, or hire good talent, or pursue opportunities for long-term growth.

tional boards around the country. He was once the co-chair of the Council on Underserved Communities (CUC), which provides input and advice to the Small Business Administration (SBA) during the Obama Administration. Today Busby continues to partner with the SBA during the Biden administration, having been an instrumental part of key programs like the Community Navigator Program and USBC’s recently launched Greenwood Women’s Business Center, located in the historic Black Wallstreet in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

It was in Tulsa, Oklahoma where President Biden made a significant visit last Juneteenth and unveiled his plan to expand the share of federal contracts awarded to small minority-owned businesses twofold by 2026, or by an additional

“What you have to understand, is that when funds are disseminated from the federal government, white women, Blacks, and Hispanics are thrown into the same bucket.”

The pandemic of 2020 hit Black-owned businesses hard. Over 40 percent of those businesses closed their doors because they were unable to keep them open due to a lack of funding and access to capital. The pandemic exposed a much larger problem for many Black business owners and that was identifying how to implement a national support structure to help sustain Black businesses.

Busby is no stranger to the entrepreneurial journey and brings a level of thought leadership many do not have given his tenure as a C-Suite executive in corporate America as well. His interest in business grew from a young age when he worked alongside his father in his family's business. As fate would have it, Ron, the son of a business owner, would eventually turn his father’s janitorial service into a thriving multi-million dollar corporation with an annualized revenue of over $15 million dollars.

$100 billion over the next five years. Busby notes that today, Black businesses have only received 1.67% of the government spending. Recent reports on federal government spending show that of all the minority-business contracts awarded, Black businesses received the least amount of contracting, while women (white women) received the highest amount of contracting at close to 70%.

Busby knows that this number needs to change, stating “If we could increase the federal spend to just 4 percent next year, that will increase the current $9.6 billion to over $20

Ron has worked for Fortune 100 companies and now sits on several na-

Ron Busby with members of the US Black Chambers, Inc.

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 37

38 OCTOBER 2021 / CODE M

[ COVER ]

United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Ron Busby.

billion being spent with Black businesses. That’s real economic growth and creation of Black wealth.” says Busby.

showcasing businesses that can not only win the big contract, but they can perform at a high level too,” Busby said.

The goal, going forward, would be to have Black businesses receive over 13 percent of any federal funds that are allocated for minority-owned businesses. That percentage would allow for real growth, and it would have a real impact at the national level on the Black businesses contracting with the federal government.

The ByBlack business certification is currently recognized by major brands and corporations like American Express, Meta, Molson Coors, PGA, US Bank, Anheuser-Busch Foundation, Verizon, Microsoft, Uber, and many more.

Ron acknowledges that there is still work to be done and that we must continue to remove barriers that are placed in front of Black businesses of all sizes. Some of the excuses given when firms are awarding contracts are that they cannot find Black businesses to work with, or that the ones they can find are not large enough to be able to accept government contracts.

Which, USBC has created its ByBlack platform and national certification solution to eliminate and address these complaints.

Black businesses that are 51% Black-owned can visit www.ByBlack.us to register their business in the ByBlack directory and to get the ByBlack Certification.

“We have the businesses to attract and win any contract that is presented to us. The Black Chamber does an excellent job by

“One of the major problems Black businesses face is the certification process. If you want to do business across state lines, you must register in every state,” Busby explained. “That’s a problem. It costs money, time, and effort to do that. With ByBlack.us, once you register, you can compete anywhere in the US.” The ByBlack certification is automated with multiple tech integrations, making the process seamless for end-users. If Black business owners have the necessary paperwork, their business can get certified in about thirty days. The speed of completion gives Black businesses the opportunity to move quickly when looking for new opportunities.

With over 300,000 members and 200 Black chambers across the country, USBC organization has become one of the most powerful global voices for Black chambers and businesses.

Trayvon Martin was murdered by someone who was biased against young Black males.

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 39

HEALTH

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Working out together is one of the best dates ever.

[ COVER ] The USBC was founded on five pillars (advocacy, access to capital, contracting, entrepreneur training, and chamber development), today Busby focuses on intentionality and transparency when speaking about the goals of the Chamber.

The mission of ByBlack is to create meaningful economic opportunities to increase spending and strengthen corporate supply chains in a conversation of diversity, equity, and inclusion. ●

“We focus on intentionality and transparency. I want to reconstruct the term ‘minority’ in business. I want to empower terms like “Black”, “Asian” or “Hispanic” from now on. That way, we can be intentional about making sure Black businesses are getting the appropriate number of contracts and access to the capital they deserve.”

Link to https://www.byblackconference.com/

Busby notes some of the other issues facing Black businesses today.

Ten percent of the businesses that make it on the Black Enterprise 100 list do not repeat next year. Ten percent do not return due to a lack of transferable knowledge of the business or because there is no heir to pass the business down to.

USBC Five Pillars link to that As Black Americas CEO, Ron Busby and the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. hope to continue to advocate for Black businesses, develop Black chamber leaders and provide access to capital for businesses of all sizes. Busby knows to do that, Black leaders will have to continue to provide resources, tools, funding, and opportunities for the Black community and USBC is here to do just that. To register for the ByBlack Conference, visit: https://www.byblackcon.com/

Busby would like to see Black businesses hire more young people.

“Young people are our future. My advice to any successful business is to hire young people and teach them about the processes used to stay in business.”

“We must reach back and pull the next generation along with us if we are committed to sustaining Black wealth. Anyone who has had an established business should be looking for young talent to bring on board. We need to make sure we support young entrepreneurs, students, and even new business owners so they can take the baton and keep the legacy going.”

That advice goes both ways. Busby knows that young Black professionals are looking for opportunities as well. They also need to take advantage of any opportunities they can get to learn from established companies.

“I tell young people all the time, “Go and volunteer at a company where you can learn from the best, gain the knowledge you need to do your own business,’” Busby said. “That way you’re learning from the best and getting the valuable information you’ll need to maintain your success.”

Ron Busby is the President and CEO of the US Black Chambers, Inc.

The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. is holding one of its four annual conventions in Washington, DC October 19-21 at MGM National Harbor. The ByBlack Conference is an annual conference hosted in partnership between the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB). This annual event draws hundreds of Black entrepreneurs, broadcasters, business professionals, and thought leaders.

Ron Busby with attendies from a recent convention for By Black.

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 41

LIFE

42 OCTOBER 2022 / CODE M

[ LIFE ]

SLEEPING WITH MARRIED MEN The choice to engage and have sex with a married man is filled with the complex feelings of needing sex but no commitment.

Online dating has made it all too easy and common. The choice to cheat unfortunately raises more issues than it solves problems.

by Leslie Logan

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 43

HEALTH

44 OCTOBER 2022 / CODE M

[ HEALTH ]

P

eople have learned so many lessons from the pandemic. One of the largest lessons learned is that we all crave touch and intimacy. No one can walk around, in isolation, for a prolonged period and survive life. Having a connection with someone, whether physical or mental, is built into our DNA and the pandemic made people realize this more than ever.

has become problematic for some women. Women are finding the dating pool to be filled with a growing number of men who aren’t the same caliber as the women in the dating market.

With the number of eligible men dwindling, women have turned to the alternative of sleeping with married men. However, this new trend is a choice rather than a need. Professional women have it all. The only thing missing seems to be a qualified man to engage with and marry. But what if they don’t want the time commitment, the work that it takes to maintain a relationship, or the perceived loss of control that comes with being in a relationship?

This lack of choice leads to a complex option for women today: either date a married man or go without any intimacy for an extended period.

THE REASONS “I make sure to ask the married men I sleep with what they want from the relationship,” Lolo said. “I need to make sure that they don’t want anything more than sex. I’m not looking to break up a home or become a rescue person for a broken man.”

“They either don’t have the motivation for a career, which is a problem for me, or they want all the benefits of relationship sex, without the actual relationship,” Melissa said.

“Married men have their act together,” Claudine said. “They have the right clothes on, they smell good, they have great careers, and they have this inner bad boy lurking under their professional persona. This is what I am looking for. Oh, and they might pay a bill or two.”

PERSONAL NEEDS

Cheryl said, “I date married men because I know they don’t want anything more than sex. And for me, with my busy schedule, that’s all I need right now.”

Several women commented they didn’t want to jump back into a relationship after a divorce or long-term relationship.

They wanted to touch and have sex but were not ready to hop back into a committed relationship. This meant that they could get the best of both worlds: the time to recover and sex at the same time.

Finding, getting to know, and eventually dating a qualified man

“I went on Tinder and put that I wanted a relationship with

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 45

[ LIFE ]

42 OCTOBER 2022 / CODE M

[ LIFE ]

no strings attached,” Alisia said. “I got single men contacting me, but overwhelmingly I got married men reaching out, and that’s what I wanted.”

The women who slept with married men said the men gave distinct reasons why they cheated on their wives. Most lost a physical connection with their wives. Many said their wives simply didn’t want to have sex anymore. But the men still did.

And instead of breaking up the family, or dealing with it directly, they choose to cheat.

WHY MEN CHEAT It’s no secret that men are physical creatures. Sexually active men covet intimacy and crave physical attention. When they don’t get it, they’ll seek it out and attempt to get it wherever they can. The choice to cheat is less about the connection so much as it's about the actual act of having sex.

Sex gives men confidence. Sex provides men with a release of stress and tension. Men feel like their ability to have sex defines who they are as men. This creates an incessant need to have it and the older men get, the more they feel the need to continue to have it.

With the addition of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) medication, men’s sexual desires can continue into their seventies and eighties. For women, menopause takes a great toll on their desire to be intimate.

“My wife told me she just didn’t want to have sex any more and

that if I had to have it that bad, go get it with someone else,” Branson said. “We both got want we wanted, we stayed married, which is what she wanted, and I got to have sex, which is what I wanted.”

Other medical complications create barriers for women and sex. Fibroids are a common reason why women limit sexual activity. The pain associated with having sex and fibroids can be excruciating. For many women, the pain is so bad, they avoid sex whenever possible. Having a hysterectomy is often the only solution for removing fibroids, which also causes a reduction in female sexual desire.

THE NEW REALITY The choice for both men and women to cheat stems from a missing element in their lives. Whether it is a physical connection or a mental/emotional connection they miss, in 2022 people are finding it in ways wherein they get what they want without the effort of work and time.

Men get what they want without having to give up the cheerful home they covet. And women get what they want without having to deal with the drama of a relationship. Society is starting to accept this behavior as normal, and the institution of marriage is suffering as a result.

As we get used to post-pandemic life, there are certain things that will never be the same. Choosing to sleep with married men is becoming the norm and everyone seems to be OK with that. ● CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 47

[ LIFE ]

THE SCAMMING OF AMERICA America has become prey to scams everywhere. From malicious emails to fake robocalls, Americans are under attack from all angles and losing billions as a result.

by Brad Bowling

48 OCTOBER 2022 / CODE M

I

[ LIFE ] n today’s world, everyone has fallen prey to some type of scam. Whether you got the fake email notice that you bought something or got a call on your cell phone that you can get your cable bill lowered, the scamming of America is in full effect.

she’d purchased something and that the money was taken from her account. She called the number given and worked with the company to fix the problem.” Jonathon said. “She later discovered that they robbed her account of $36,000 and there was nothing she could do to get her money back.”

The increase started in 2020 when 59 million American phone numbers were sold to whoever would buy them. Those numbers are now used to collect over forty billion in lost or stolen money given to clever telemarketers who feed on your anxiety and ignorance.

The problem of scamming has evolved to involve everything we do. Everywhere we look there seems to be an attempt to cheat the American consumer out of more money. The problem is so bad that being scammed is becoming part of everyday life.

Spam texts — called “smishing” for the combination of SMS and phishing — have more than doubled in three years. Robokiller (the text and spam call blocker app) estimated that eighty-seven billion of them were sent in 2021, up 58% from the previous year and that they collectively resulted in about $10 billion in losses.

The problem is so bad that it’s recommended you don’t answer numbers you don’t know and don’t respond to text messages you don’t know. If you answer a number that’s a scam, they’ll log it as a suitable number to call and you will be called daily, even if you report the number to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). But the problem doesn’t end there.

PHONE SCAMS TO BE AWARE OF: •

ATT

•

Spectrum

•

Car insurance

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Reduction in the electrical bill

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Car warranty

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Social Security

•

Any calls from someone with a middle-eastern accent

The war in Ukraine, half a world away, seems to have impacted the world’s supply chain and pricing. Gas prices doubled, even though American supply chains were not impacted by the war itself. Food prices have risen by almost twenty percent due to inflation, which was caused by the war as well. Everything is going up, for no reason other than for companies to reap financial gains from the American consumer.

Car dealerships are hiding dealer markups in their financing and not informing consumers that the price of the new car they purchased was inflated by $5,000. They’ll discuss the monthly payment and not disclose the markup.

“I went to Honda recently to buy a new car and decided to take a friend who used to sell cars with me,” Rhonda said. “He discovered that they tried to hide a dealer markup in the purchase price. If it weren’t for him making them give us a breakdown of the costs, I would have paid that fee. Thank goodness I brought him with me!”

Used car dealers will often add a $1,000 dealer fee on top of the purchase price just to get additional money out of the deal.

When asked about the fee, they’d rather not sell the car than remove the fee. And they’re getting away with it, it’s because people are willing to pay the fee out of desperation to get the car.

“I got an email, that I thought was from Amazon, telling me someone purchased an iPhone from my account,” Demetrius said. “After doing some digging and calling the number they gave me, I realized it was a scam and hung up.”

Fake emails are on the rise as well. Scammers prey on people by alleging they purchased a product or service and in the process manage to collect the necessary information to rob their victims’ bank accounts of their entire balance.

“I have a friend who got an email stating that CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 49

[ LIFE ] Retailers are now asking if consumers would like to give a dollar to the non-profit they represent when they go to check out.

“To me, it’s a scam,” Rimando said. “The retailer is only doing it to collect the write-off. They still give the money to the nonprofit, but say it is from them, not the person paying the money. That’s not cool to me.”

So, what can be done for consumers to avoid becoming a victim of the countless scams happening all over?

If you answer a call and hear, “Can you hear me?” you should hang up immediately. Scammers do this to entice you into saying “yes.” It’s your response they record and then use it to unlock all kinds of sensitive information using voice response systems. Never click on links in a text unless you know the sender very well and never, ever click a URL from a link-shortening service.

Never respond to calls from your bank or credit card. They will never reach out to you to ask you questions about your account. Understand that apps do not have customer service departments. Apps like Cashapp and Venmo do not have customer service departments you can call. If something happens, go to the app’s website and leave a message about your issue.

There are Cashapp scammers waiting to take your call, only to gain access to your bank account to steal all your money from your account. Don’t give sensitive information about your accounts over the phone to any unverified third party, ever!

Don’t use your main credit card or debit card from your bank for any subscription services. Create or pick a card that isn’t tied to your main bank account. If you must cancel the card for any reason, it will not impact your ability to function normally.

Finally, pay cash whenever possible to avoid exposing your credit card information to anyone who could steal your information.

There’s no need to panic when it comes to living in our new world of scams. Think wisely, protect yourself, use common sense when engaging with anyone asking for personal information and always remember that scammers are out there waiting for you.

If you take the steps mentioned in this article, you should be fine. ● You can register your numbers on the national Do Not Call list at no cost by calling 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY). You must call from the phone number you wish to register. You can also register by adding your personal wireless phone number to the national Do-Not-Call list donotcall.gov.

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[ HEALTH ]

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ARTS

48 OCTOBER 2022 / CODE M

[ LIFE ]

SNOWFLAKE TAKES ON NEW MEANING

T

"Snowflake" is a derogatory slang term for a person, implying that they have an inflated sense of uniqueness, an unwarranted sense of entitlement, or are overly-emotional, easily offended, and unable to deal with opposing opinions.

by David Christel

he term “snowflake” gained socio-political prominence again prior to the 2016 elections. It has been used most disparagingly by the Trump contingent against liberals and progressives in the lead-up to the 2020 elections. But it’s a term that has been used in a derogatory sense long before the 21st century.

not tough and courageous, not able to make the hard life decisions, and unable to withstand life’s challenging demands. In short, a timid, meek, and unassertive person.

Interestingly, there’s irony in this political name-calling. The people calling others snowflakes actually have the most fragile egos of us all. They’re the real snowflakes because:

In the 1860s, “snowflake” was used by abolitionists in Missouri to refer to those who opposed the abolition of slavery.

Being called a “snowflake” meant you valued white people over Blacks. In the 1970s, the term was used by Black people against other Black people who “acted” white.

•

they’re unable to maintain a balanced/neutral perspective,

•

mature discourse is outside their capabilities,

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they prefer and champion ignorance and insularity,

Then, along came the millennials and the term was transferred to them. Because they consider themselves too special and unique to have to bother with the challenges of life — totally unwarranted — they are deemed overly sensitive and completely unprepared to deal with life’s trials. Not up to society’s rough and tumble machinations, they are, therefore, snowflakes.

•

they dismiss any possibility that they might be wrong,

•

when feeling threatened, even in the slightest, they immediately resort to childish name calling and are unable to stay on point,

•

they are intolerant of anyone or anything that’s outside their limited understanding of reality,

•

they are highly opinionated and judgmental,

In its most current usage, “snowflake” is used by supremacists as an ultimate put down. It says that a person is not a real man,

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 53

[ LIFE ] •

new ideas intimidate them, which makes them afraid of change,

ly see delivered by enraged two-year-olds. In short, it’s a complete lack of emotional intelligence.

•

they easily fall back on being “highly insulted” and “offended,”

•

they immediately look for a scapegoat to blame,

•

they never look at their own perceptions, behaviors, beliefs, and actions as being a part of the problem,

We’ve now moved into the swamp wherein personality shortcomings, wounded egos, ignoring the rule of law, unmitigated ignorance, and sophomoric immaturity win praise and admiration. This is coupled with the fact that acquisition of power and control and winning at any cost is the name of the game — even if it means the annihilation of all life on planet Earth.

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they are driven to monitor, manage, and legislate everyone’s beliefs and behavior except their own,

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they’re quick to get incredibly angry, and

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if they’re challenged in any way, they leapfrog over reasonable decision-making processes and resort to threats and violence.

This is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black and it speaks to an extraordinary lack of maturity in our country. No longer do we seem focused on instilling the tenets of democracy and upholding our Constitution, which is the backbone of our country. No longer are we interested in higher-level communication seeking truth, understanding, and enlightenment. Instead, we’ve reduced ourselves to the sandbox meltdowns we normal-

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This distorted mindset is causing people to devolve into paranoid rationalizations and theories devoid of objective reasoning and intelligence. A case in point, some politicians and religious people are once again — just as what happened in WWII — calling for the murder of groups of people who don’t conform to a certain line of thinking, beliefs, and lifestyle.

FYI: no one group can be credited with this phenomenon. It doesn’t matter which party you’re a member of, your gender, your religion, academic achievements, athletic prowess, your age, or your ethnicity. Every side has its members exhibiting this aberrant behavior.

The one thing driving all of this is fear.

Fear stunts any possibility for growth. It makes us entrench

ever deeper into the shadowy recesses of our own minds where anxieties and perceived terrors are given fertile soil in which to mushroom into monsters. Fear sucks us into irrational beliefs devoid of fact and truth, where paranoid fantasies become our reality. Conversely, it heightens our delusions of power and superiority, prophethood and messianic calling, and the certainty of our divinely appointed righteousness, ethnicity, and/or gender.

In this deluded worldview, “others” are the cause of all trouble and strife. Alas, the real snowflakes are so steeped in their convoluted reality that they’re unable to see that they themselves are the “evil” they perceive in the world, that they are the ones causing upset, destruction, and heartache.

It’s interesting that the real snowflakes are

The challenge in dealing with real snowflakes is finding an antidote. Appealing to them with logic and reason doesn’t work because they’re afraid of intelligence and only perceive such approaches as attempts to confuse and manipulate them. What does work with them is addressing their fear, which is primarily about the potential for loss?

All of us have some kind of fear at work in our lives. So, the most effective approach is to focus on our commonality. We’re all afraid of losing our homes, jobs, possessions, money, social standing, and way of life. We’re also afraid of losing intangibles like our values, beliefs, and principles — none of us want to be told we’re wrong and that the reality we’ve bought into is bogus.

What we do want is a comfortable life with as little drama and complication as possible. We

“It’s interesting that the real snowflakes are not unlike narcissists. One of the primary behaviors narcissists exhibit is to accuse others of all sorts of things — when in fact, it is they themselves who are guilty of the accusations they’re casting about so maliciously.” not unlike narcissists. One of the primary behaviors narcissists exhibit is to accuse others of all sorts of things — when in fact, it is they themselves who are guilty of the accusations they’re casting about so maliciously. Self-reflection is not in their wheelhouse and is, in fact, to be avoided as it is a tool of the Devil designed to dupe and distract them from their proclaimed “virtuous” path.

The illogic of all of this is astounding to behold. It is also incredibly disheartening to see so many people caught up in such blind fury and unbridled ignorance. They’re just like the one person in a horror film who so absolutely believes their viewpoint and plan are right that they charge ahead and step right into their demise — often taking others with them.

want to enjoy life, feel safe and secure, be free of anxiety and stress, and enjoy the fruits of our labors in the ways that feed our souls and bring us happiness and peace.

These are all things we have in common and strive for. If we all seek to create a world in which fear is not the baseline by which we determine our lives and futures, then we can more freely support each other in supportive ways rather than our current we vs. them approach.

The one concession is that we each have to be willing to take a step back and let objectivity be the fulcrum upon which we make decisions — not agendas guided by fear, greed, and the lust for power, control, and authority. Essentially, let our higher selves guide us and elevate our conversation beyond that of “snowflakes.” ● CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 43

MUSIC

[ ARTS ]

SEVYN STREETER SOUNDS OFF

Sevyn Streeter discusses her new album Drunken Wordz X Sober Thoughtz and why she wants her fans to come up with their own conclusions from her songs.

by John Horton

Sevyn Streeter

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[ MUSIC ]

S

evyn Streeter is at a loss for words.

This, of course, is a stunning revelation given that the boundless 34-year-old singer/songwriter/performer, who has boldly merged the line between pop and R&B for over a decade, is known to be quite a loquacious spirit. But when she is asked what she hopes fans will get from her alluring new eOne album, Drunken Wordz X Sober Thoughtz, she pauses for what seems like an eternity.

“I don’t want to tell people what to get out of my new album,” Streeter admits. “But what I want to do is serve as a means of expression for someone.

Everybody doesn’t know how to say, “I love you” or “you hurt me.” And everybody doesn’t know how to say f*** you. People don’t like to admit they feel emotions. I just want my fans to tap into Drunken Wordz X Sober Thoughtz and come into my world.”

Mission accomplished. The buzz surrounding Drunken Wordz X Sober Thoughtz, Sevyn Streeter’s follow-up to her acclaimed 2017 debut Girl Disrupted, has been running at an organic pace. And it all starts with “’HMU’” (Hit Me Up), the intoxicating, mid-tempo first single, which is already turning on the charts and streaming platforms. Critics and longtime followers have been taken aback by the song’s two-fisted, empowering lyrics that are as sexy as they are hauntingly layered.

Streeter is in a state of unleashed bliss that can come crashing down at any moment. This is unfiltered art. “HMU,” for me, is a representation of the liberation you hear on Drunken Wordz X Sober Thoughtz,” she explains. “At the end of the video for ‘HMU’ I placed in quotations, ‘You can be as wild and free as the wind when under the influence of the moment.’ You don’t need drink-enhanced courage when you are following your heart. You can be under the influence of love, grief, lust, or a breakup, which can all push you to do things you probably would have never done.”

Indeed, the Smash David (Chris Brown, Big Sean, Khalid, G-Eazy) produced track is further elevated by dreamlike, seductive, smoked-out, and debauchCODE M / OCTOBER 2022 57

[ MUSIC ] ery-fueled visuals by genre-pushing auteur Malakai who came at the suggestion of Emmy-winning actress, television writer and producer Lena Waithe (Master of None, The Chi, Boomerang).

Streeter’s music and her new album provide a diverse range of options for anyone looking for good music today.

Lately music has suffered from a lack of pure talent.

Streeter changes that notion because she writes and performs her own songs and you can feel the love she puts into her music.

Streeter, the artist, is right where she belongs. “I don’t believe in coincidences at all,” she declares. “I believe all my steps are by God. I’m in an amazing place.” ● For More visit: www.https://nervedjsmixtapes.com/ Click the link below to view Sevyn Streeter’s latest video for the song 23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu0mxcFbZaE Sevyn Streeter’s latest release 23.

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[ ARTS ]

CODE M / OCTOBER 2022 55

FASHION

DRESSED TO KILL There is no mistaking a sharp-dressed lady. With fall comes opportunities to stun with amazing looks. These designs are designed to kill, from a fashion perspective.

Written by LARON HARLEM

A wardrobe shopper, stylist, and accessories designer who specializes in dapper looks that truly appeal to the most discerning eye. mailto: styledbydecar-lo@gmail.com, https://www.styledbydecarlo.com/

JEARLEAN TAYLOR: Model STYLISHLY VINTAGE: Designer

This amazing dress is ready for any occasion and designed perfectly for fall.

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[ LIFE ]

Today’s children can feel intense societal pressures and want to hide.

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[ FASHION ]

EMORY GORE: model HOUSE OF LARUE FASHIONS: Designer This stunning evening dress is perfect for all the special events that happen during the holiday season.

Whether it’s a benefit or celebration, be ready to knock them dead.

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[ FASHION ]

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[ FASHION ]

JEARLEAN TAYLOR: Model LT DICKENS DESIGNS: Designer Color and fashion go together when you want to make a mark on your event. Stay bright and let them know you are there with this amazing dress.

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[ FASHION ]

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[ FASHION ]

KYLIE DAVIS: Model STYLED BY DECARLO: Designer This colorful, striped jumpsuit is perfect for hanging out with friends. It’s comfortable for any occasion, but sexy enough to still make a statement that says, “I am here.”

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