Code M Magazine September 2022 Issue

TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN

PLAYING

THE + BLAINE GAME Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin talks about politics, his goals for the city, and his love for all things family.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF PRONOUNS SEX AFTER 50 SEA MOSS TO THE RESCUE

+

THE WATERSHED MOMENT SEPTEMBER 2022 ISSUE

[ CLE ]

22 SEPTEMBER 2022 / CODE M

[ BUSINESS ]

[ NEWS ]

INSIDE

16

SEX AFTER 50 It’s natural for men to notice a gradual decrease in sex drive (libido) as they age. The degree of this decline varies. But in 2022, men are working out, taking pills, and doing whatever it takes to keep their bedroom skills as erect as possible.

(Pun intended)

ON THE COVER

30

12 MAN CODES

PLAYING THE BLAINE GAME

Perseverance.

Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin talks about politics, his goals for the city, and his love

Nobody throws a better party than Cleveland legend Greg Cameron. This fall, Cameron is back with events planned for the rest of the year.

for all things family.

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

14 THE LEGEND OF GREG CAMERON

22 WATERSHED MOMENT We all have experienced defining moments in our lives where something happens to change our course of direction. What we learn from those moments can shape who we are forever.

27 DIVERSITY WITHIN TO MEET DIVERSITY WITHOUT The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland is doing everything it can to address equality in the workplace.

38 THE CURIOUS CASE OF PRONOUNS With over 100 pronouns, we break down the “why” pronouns exist and the reason that this controversial trend is welcomed by some but hated by others.

44 SEA MOSS TO THE RESCUE For those looking for an all-in-one remedy and an effective alternative to medicine and multiple solutions, sea CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 5

[ INSIDE ] moss might be the ingredient you’re looking for.

48 KEEPER OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CULINARY HISTORY

58

COLOR COMFORT CLOTHES With fall comes color. And with color comes incredible opportunities to take dressing up to another level. Let’s celebrate the end of summer in style with exceptional clothing.

4 SEPTEMBER 2021 / CODE M

Toni Tipton-Martin comes to Cleveland September 18th to inspire us to use food as inspiration: Inspiration for living, eating, and getting the most out of our culinary experience.

52 WALTER MOSLEY: NOT DONE YET Living legend and author Walter Mosley has published over 60 works in his 70 years. His best work continues to be ahead of him as he visits the Fifth Annual Great Lakes African American Writers Conference in Cleveland, Ohio.

56 SURVIVAL THROUGH MUSIC Mafia Summa suffered a great deal of pain as a child. Her music today reflects her ability to thrive and continue to love life.

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

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

MEDIA COORDINATOR Paula D Morrison EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

nce Burnley CODE MEDIA GROUP LLC

To the PUBLISHER STAFF

Ladonna “Lala” Dicks

Sharif Akram DIRECTOR OF RADIO/PODCAST

Darrell Scott

Anita Butler

Braylon Lee

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 / SEPTEMBER 2021 9

MOVERS &

SHAKERS

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

CLIFTON WILLIAMS III Cliton Ronald St. Clair Williams III is director of public affairs for Taft’s Public Affairs Strategies Group, the multi-disciplinary government relations team that represents corporations, companies, nonprofit organizations, and associations with matters before federal, state, and local legislative and executive branches of government.

Prior to joining Taft, he worked for 13 years in the Washington DC, and Cleveland offices of Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge, Ohio’s 11 Congressional District. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

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As a child, Williams remembers going to Cleveland City Hall fighting for land to build the Mt. Zion Fellowship Church. Williams went to every meeting. Those meetings exposed him to politics where he got his first taste of lobbying and consulting.

Today, Williams uses the skills he acquired as a child to continue to help the people in his community. Williams chose Taft Advisors to help businesses, non-profits, and the associations in the community to make it a better place.

[ MOVERS & SHAKERS ]

TANAZIA MORRIS Tanazia Morris is a licensed cosmetologist and instructor. She has been licensed as an advanced cosmetologist since October 2012 and has been behind the chair full time since receiving her license. She enjoys her profession and raising her beautiful and gifted daughter, Sydney.

She is always looking for ways to grow and thrive. Her favorite part of her job is not just taking care of her clients’ hair, but also listening to them, loving on them, and creating a safe space for them. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking at home, growing in the word of God, exercising, and girls’ night with friends!

DAVID MICHAEL CHEEKS David Michael Cheeks, of Michael and The Influence, grew up in Banbury, located in Warrensville Heights, a southeastern suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Raised in a drug addiction and poverty-stricken home, Michael was exposed to street life at an early age and helplessly watched as crack cocaine ravaged his family.

His role models were his older brother and uncle who introduced him to hustling and Hip-Hop. Michael quickly fell in love with the art of music, spouting out song lyrics at just five years old. After the tragic death of his uncle, Micheal decided to make music his career choice and became a student of hip-hop culture, developing his unique talent of storytelling influenced by Nas and Jay-Z.

LASHONDA M. TAYLOR Lashonda Taylor joined Kent State University in July 2009 and presently serves as the assistant vice president for university events and special projects. In this role, she serves as the senior officer responsible for university events and protocol. Lashonda leads a team of event professionals and implements long-term programming, operational strategies, and planning of presidential and university-level events, projects, and initiatives.

She is an active member of many university committees and serves as a liaison to university offices and divisions for the planning and execution of events.

CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 11

START

Michael Jordan

MAN CODES:

PERSERVERANCE Compiled by Bilal S. Akram

“Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.” - Ovid

plished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” - Dale Carnegie

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed.” - Michael Jordan

“The harder you fall, the heavier your heart; the heavier your heart, the stronger you climb; the stronger you climb, the higher your pedestal.” - Criss Jami

“Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I don’t mind the failure but I can’t imagine that I’d forgive myself if I didn’t try.”

- Nikki Giovanni “Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty to those for whom you work and persistence.”

- Colin Powell “We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, selfdiscipline, and effort.” - Jesse Owens

“Most of the important things in the world have been accom-

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“Children have a lesson adults should learn, to not be ashamed of failing, but to get up and try again. Most of us adults are so afraid, so cautious, so 'safe,' and therefore so shrinking and rigid and afraid. That it is why so many humans fail. Most middle-aged adults have resigned themselves to failure.” - Malcolm X “Giving up is the only sure way to fail.” - Gena Showalter Galations 6:9 – 9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 13

[ START ]

THE LEGEND OF GREG CAMERON Nobody throws a better party than Cleveland legend Greg Cameron. This fall, Cameron is back with events planned for the rest of the year.

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)

I

f you are a ’70s baby then you came up in the best times of Cleveland. The flats were the destination for fun and the city was starting to take shape as a great place to visit.

For anyone looking for the next party, all they had to do was find Greg Cameron, and the rest was history.

Cameron stumbled into becoming a party host after realizing he could make a few bucks and party with all of his friends at the same time.

The University School graduate returned home from Bucknell University in 1984 after playing college football and found his calling.

Cameron, along with some friends, decided to have a party to test the waters and found his niche.

“Someone handed us a flyer to a party and we figured we would give it a try,” Cameron said. “We rented a ballroom,

16 OCTOBER 2021 14 SEPTEMBER 2022/ /CODE CODEMM

told some of our friends, and got lucky because people came out to support us.”

That support was over 800 people coming to a party that was planned in one week, with no radio or online advertising. (the internet hadn’t been invented yet).

From that one event, Cameron knew he was on to something. His knack for knowing when to throw a party helped him become one of the most-known party organizers in Cleveland's history.

Greg Cameron parties were the events that you had to attend if you wanted to be a part of the in-crowd. Cameron's parties attracted some of the top athletes around the city and stars from across the country.

“We kinda got lucky because we didn’t realize how big our events were going to get until we saw the interest in everyone who came out to support us. After we found success we

[ START ]

made sure people had a good time if they came out.” Cameron said.

And come out they did. For the next decade, Greg Cameron's parties got bigger and bigger and attracted celebrities from around the county who felt like they had to be present if Cameron was having an event.

“Lucky for me, some of my friends are pretty cool people, and they helped me along the way. I could not have done this by myself.” Cameron said.

everyone to have fun at the same time.” Cameron said.

Cameron moved to destination parties over the last ten years and offers travel events to select individuals who like to attend gatherings centered around major events.

“We offer those who want to travel in groups a chance to do so without the hassle of booking something on their own.”

Cameron continued, “We booked an event last year for one of the Browns away games and had a great turnout.”

Lynn Tolliver, the radio DJ was one of them. Tolliver would mention Cameron anytime he was hosting an event. Kym Whitley is another friend/celebrity who championed Cameron’s event.

Today Cameron has come full circle as he hosts, along with some friends, two events over the next few months. The first is the Cookout Karaoke Party, at Camp Forbes on September 2nd.

“Kim and I created a partnership where we would throw afterparties for her events that she did with other comedians. That partnership allowed for us to grow our event the right way, and allow

On October 8th Cameron hosts the Soul In The CLE concert headlined by Ms. Conya Doss. He is back people, and we are ready to party like it's 1999 all over again. ●

CLE STRONG

Greg Cameron and friends at the 2021 100 Black Men gala.

CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 15

LIFE

SEX AFTER 50 It’s natural for men to notice a gradual decrease in sex drive (libido) as they age. The degree of this decline varies. But in 2022, men are working out, taking pills, and doing whatever it takes to keep their bedroom skills as erect as possible. (Pun intended)

by Brad Bowling 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 / CODE M

A

t some time, all men experience a slight reduction in performance after fifty. As men age, they produce less testosterone, experience reduced physical activity, and are impacted by the side effects of the medications they take to maintain their health.

But in 2022, fifty is the new thirty and men are doing everything in their power to maintain their sexual libido and continue to enjoy as much sex as possible. Men are visual creatures who love the beauty of a woman. So,

[ LIFE ]

it’s only natural that a man would want to make sure he can still act on his desires, continue to please his lover, and continue to thrive in the bedroom.

Here are some of the latest tips men are using to maintain their sexual prowess in the bedroom.

MENTAL ATTRACTION DOMINATES AFTER 50 Men after fifty must have a mental attraction to the person they want to sleep with. The days of wanting sex with anyone who will have it are over. Men fifty and over are drawn to women with whom they want to spend time, have great conversations, and provide mental stimulation. This means that they aren’t negative, don’t cause stress in their relationship, and are calm spirits who create a peaceful environment.

Men after fifty have had enough sex with women to the point that they also want to be able to enjoy themselves outside the bedroom. Mental foreplay can be enjoying a relaxing walk, going to a live event, or traveling to a special location to spend time together. Men after fifty are not interested in arguing or spirited competition with their lovers. They want to provide peace and have peace brought to them.

Once men find a woman who mentally attracts them, it’s easier to create physical attraction. That physical attraction leads to a more meaningful sexual experience and often leads to better sexual performance for both parties.

EXERCISE IS THE KEY Having sex frequently — and enjoying it — puts older men at higher risk for heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.

For older men, however, good sex may lower the risk of hypertension. That’s according to the first large-scale study of how sex affects heart health in later life.

Exercising on a regular basis for men over fifty reduces the risk

Sex after 50 requires a mental connection as well as a physical connection to work.

CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 17

[ START]

18 SEPTEMBER 2022 / CODE M

[ LIFE ] of heart attacks or stroke. Exercise also helps increase endurance when having sex. It helps strengthen the body from injuries that might occur during sex.

As men age, they begin to develop problems with lower back pain, knee issues, and fatigue. Exercise helps reduce or eliminate some of those problems. Sexual pleasure might be reduced with a weak muscular frame and can lead to other health issues.

Exercise also helps with reducing the need to take medications that come with age. The side effects of medications for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and high blood pressure could impact sexual performance. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps men avoid a lower libido due to the side effects of medication.

SEX IS MORE THAN INTERCOURSE For men over fifty, sex starts outside the bedroom. Because they desire a mental connection, mental foreplay is paramount when creating the desire for sex.

“I like to send flowers and little notes throughout the day to let her know that I appreciate her,” Thomas from Dayton said. “In return, she makes sure I have everything I need for my day. We really work to let each other know we love each other.”

Mental foreplay does not require expensive gifts or travel.

It can be as simple as creating a peaceful environment or encouraging a stimulating conversation, which allows a deeper mental stimulation to take place for the couple.

This often leads to more meaningful sexual interactions between the couple and better sex.

COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY Often, when one partner is frustrated with the amount of sex they are or are not getting, they’ll not speak up and say anything about it. This frustration leads to other kinds of dissatisfaction. The problem snowballs until the couple either breaks up or is at a point where one person cheats.

It is best to always communicate one’s needs with the other. Communication can reduce the amount of frustration one is experiencing and allow the couple to have a healthy dialogue about issues. When expectations are set, they also can be met.

Tamika from Columbus said, “I need to have a talk with my husband because we seemed to have hit a rut in the bedroom. After we talked, I realized that he was upset, too.

We both had no clue how we got to the point where we weren’t having sex. But we talked, fixed it, and now we’re back to normal.”

CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 19

[ BUSINESS ]

20 SEPTEMBER 2022 / CODE M

[ START ] NEW POSITIONS ARE ALWAYS GOOD Couples who have been together for a long time might begin to experience boredom in the bedroom. New positions can spice up the sex between couples who need a new reason to be together. Men who are older might not be able to do some of the positions they once enjoyed. Work with your lover to find new positions that are fresh and create just as much pleasure as the old positions.

Sex toys are always an option for those that need to go further to create a better sexual experience. Couples should visit adult stores that specialize in creating a better sexual experience and see the available options.

SEXUAL AIDS AND ED MEDICATION For men who have a reduced erection or who suffer from ED (Erectile Disorder), there are trusty options available to help them get and maintain an erection. Affectionally called the ‘Blue Pill,” men have numerous options to choose from if seeking a medical option to aid in sexual performance in the bedroom.

There are also devices that can help men get and maintain erections. Penis rings can be used to keep the blood from leaving the penis during sex. There are different sizes than can be placed at different positions that are adjustable for comfort.

There is no shortage of options and actions that men can take to enjoy more sex in the bedroom. One of the best parts about being an adult is the ability to have as much sex as possible. Use some of the options available to you, find a great partner, and as always, practice safe sex. ●

CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 21

[ LIFE ]

THE WATERSHED MOMENT We all have experienced defining moments in our lives where something happens to change our course of direction. What we learn from those moments can shape who we are forever.

by Leslie Logan

22 SEPTEMBER 2022 / CODE M

T

[ LIFE ] here are a few times in our lives when something happens that impacts who we are as a person. A moment in time where our course or direction is forever changed by something greater than us. Sometimes we see it and can respond to it. Other times, we might miss it because we aren’t paying attention. For those who see it, it could be a watershed moment.

A watershed moment is defined as “an event marking a unique or important historical change of course or one on which important developments depend.”

We all live in a watershed, and a watershed condition is important to everyone and everything that uses and needs water.

Healthy watersheds provide critical services, such as clean drinking water, productive fisheries, and outdoor recreation, which support our economies, environment, and quality of life.

So, defining something as a watershed moment is considering it to be a large enough event that it forever alters the course or direction we were on.

people to look at life differently. Whether it was the loss of a loved one, the loss of a career, or just an adjustment to where they lived, everyone felt the shift the country was going through. Many of those people understood the gravity of the change and saw it for what it was.

Brenda from Akron said, “When the world stopped, my income stopped. But I also stopped working two jobs. I got a chance to spend more time with my kids, I was able to rest some. I struggled with money, but it was a peaceful struggle if that makes sense. I learned that I don’t want to work my life away. So now I work at places that pay me what I need so I can have balance in my life and enjoy it more.”

Big moments are continuing to happen even after the pandemic.

“When the government overturned Roe vs. Wade, it really bothered me,” Michelle from Euclid said. “I will now actively

This change in course could come from a wedding, but it could also come from death. It’s up to the person experiencing it, to understand and then determine if that moment is large enough to be defined to change the course of their life.

“I knew my life was forever changed when my company told me they were going to terminate my position,” Juan from Ohio City said. “It allowed me to go after the career I really wanted, and that moment changed my life forever.”

Defining moments happen quite often. But the moments that are life-altering only happen aJohnathan couple and of Tracey Webb times in one’s life. For those who realize when those moments happen, they become the beginning of something amazing.

Over the last two years, millions of people have experienced life-altering events. The pandemic forced many

Watershed moments can be a calling to do something different with our lives after experiencing a life-altering event.

CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 23

[ ARTS ]

24 SEPTEMBER 2022 / CODE M

[ LIFE ] fight for women’s rights. Before, I would have commented, but not done anything about it. Now I am mad as ever and I want to get into the fight.”

It’s safe to say that everyone experiences a watershed moment at one point or another. The new path forged out of a single life-changing moment is what everyone must come to terms with. For those who use that moment to recenter and blaze a new path, life can reset and allow them to embark on a whole new journey.

The hope for anyone who has experienced this incredible moment in time is that they find out why it happened, discover what new paths it could take them, and get the most out of the new opportunities life has to offer — because one moment in time can redefine you forever. ●

Having a baby can be a watershed moment for some women.

Cover and inside photo taken by Mychel Lilly.

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[ ARTS ]

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CLE

DIVERSITY WITHIN TO MEET DIVERSITY WITHOUT The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland is doing everything it can to address equality in the workplace.

by David Christel

T

he beginnings of “diversity” began in the 1960s following the Civil Rights movement. At the time, it was primarily focused on African Americans no longer being subjected to racism and discrimination in all areas of society. Today, it has expanded to include equality and inclusiveness and increasing sensitivity towards and awareness of racial differ-

ences.

Over the decades, businesses and organizations have developed and presented in-house training and support programs that aim to increase awareness and understanding among all ethnicities,

communities, and cultures. One such organization achieving solid results with its diversity division is the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

George Sample, vice-president of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Opportunity at the bank, says, “We’re making sure that our candidate pools have the broadest possible diversity in them. And that’s generational diversity, ethnicity, gender, people who are differently abled, and people who have military backgrounds as well. We’re making sure that whenever we’re making a hiring decision, we have a cross-section of the community. That’s because the work we do impacts the entire country. It’s important for us to have people who are part of this work, who represent every pocket of our country.”

The bank’s ever-expanding program mirrors the growing trend throughout the US that recognizes the importance of the following statistics: •

Groups formerly seen as “minorities” may reach majority status by 2044 CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 27

ND

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[ CLE ] •

48 percent of Generation Z are racial or ethnic minorities

•

Diverse companies enjoy 2.3 times higher cash flow per employee

•

Diverse management has been shown to increase revenue by 19 percent

•

Gender-diverse companies are 15 percent more likely to beat industry median financial returns

•

More than 3 out of 4 workers prefer diverse companies

Mr. Sample’s focus with this program is to ensure that the bank’s practices regarding development and performance management are inclusive, that everyone’s ideas are heard, that they have opportunities to use their entire set of skills, and that the bank is empowering employee’s skill sets through training and development.

“We do a lot when we talk about career development, the outcomes. We speak from a diversity/equity inclusion standpoint that is all steeped within HR processes,” Sample said. “And when those business processes access succession planning for the organization, our diversity inclusion team is tied in. We make sure we have conversations with our employees across the bank to ensure that career development is happening in an equitable way across the organization.”

The diversity program seeks out employee candidates through several avenues including HBCUs, diverse professional organizations, LinkedIn, community events, and college fairs. Once hired, an employee finds that the company has mentorship and buddy programs, as well as an extensive number of resource network groups.

Whitney Felder, a marketing communications specialist who joined the bank in 2020 says, “I didn’t realize how impactful these groups are and how passionate the people are about the work they do in these groups. Through resource network groups, you can feel the close-knit nature of the organization.”

munities the bank serves. The bank has a robust employee assistance program to handle challenges such as veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD. Because of the bank’s emphasis on supporting its employees from all walks of life, backgrounds, and life experiences, employees are then better able to identify with and meet the needs of community members. This ties in with the bank’s Money Museum, which was created to help community members learn more about finance. “It’s also part of the bank’s mandate to spur economic inclusion,” Sample said, “and one of the best ways to do that is to make sure that our constituents are financially literate.”

That also includes outreach to schools. “We’re happy to be able to partner with school districts and other organizations to deliver the level of financial literacy and education necessary to promote financial inclusion.”

In summing up the diversity program at the Reserve Bank, Sample says, “We want employees to understand that whichever elements of their identity they want to emphasize, we have groups here to support those identifications. We want to ensure people feel like they have a place here within the organization and to see that a number of different resource network groups are represented in our workforce.”

“It’s a welcoming environment,” says Davonta Milbry, an outreach associate with the bank’s education and financial literacy adjunct, Money Museum. “They want to keep you here as long as you want to be here. You are offered the opportunity to challenge yourself here. You have to do the work to figure out your place because there are many options. You have to show initiative in this organization, the spoils will go to the go-getters.” ●

In terms of career development and advancement in the company, Anthony Randle, a credit risk analyst with the bank since 2012 reports that “The Bank has shown a consistent commitment to providing a host of resources for people at every stage of their career and every need of their development. Anything I’m looking for, I can get training for it readily. The Bank’s mentoring program is good. I’ve been through it a few times with different needs. [There are] plenty of external partners available for different training.”

A significant thrust for the company is supporting employee needs so that they can in turn be of greater service to the comCODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 29

COVER

Cover and inside photos taken by Sylven Lamar.

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[ COVER ]

PLAYING THE GAME Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin talks about politics, his goals for the city, and his love for all things family.

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.

CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2021 31

[ COVER ]

A

lot of people say that life is a game — and if you can win at life, you are doing very well. Winning at life for Blaine Griffin started at sixteen when he used basketball to escape the mean streets of 1970s Youngstown. At that time, Youngstown ruled as the murder capital of the country. Griffin was headed down a path of crime and bad choices until he realized that he was good at sports.

“I was not the model citizen growing up,” Griffin admitted. “I was a part of a group of kids that were into some bad stuff, and I was right there with them.”

The same street guys that Griffin ran with were the guys who pushed him to explore his gift and use it to escape the path he was on. Griffin excelled at basketball throughout high school and attended Malone University on a scholarship. Malone won a lot of games while Griffin played there, and Griffin was starting to win at life, too.

“Malone was a very conservative area in Canton, Ohio and there wasn’t much to do, so I went to school, played basketball, and learned how to become successful,” Griffin said.

After receiving his Liberal Arts Degree, Griffin stumbled into community service after he was hired on the spot to mentor the kinds of kids he almost became. That mentorship opportunity gave Griffin a view into the life of working in public service.

“I was raised by some incredible women. My grandmother and mother were very influential in helping me become the man that I am today,” Griffin said.

Blaine came to Cleveland to take care of his ailing grandfather

who was suffering from cancer. He fell in love with the city while watching his mother earn her Master’s degree from Case Western University.

“I never knew my grandfather while I was growing up. But when I was an adult, I got a chance to meet him. We hit it off and became exceptionally good friends,” Griffin said, smiling. “Ray Griffin, my grandfather, was a professional football player who played for the Detroit Lions and was a huge influence on me. So much so, that I took care of him until he passed away.”

Griffin began working for Frank Jackson and that led to him beginning a career as a city council member. Serving as a Ward 6 council member, Blaine uses his gritty upbringing, coupled with a deep love for Cleveland, to manage his relationships around the city.

“I get along with our new mayor very well, but it’s also my job to make sure I provide oversight for the things that are important to Cleveland as a whole,” Blaine explained. “As city council president, it’s my job to make sure Cleveland gets what it deserves.”

So far, since taking over as city council president, Griffin, Mayor Justin Bibb, and the city council have passed some measurable legislation.

They saved Shaker Square from foreign investment. They were able to pass a new Lead Law that saves Cleveland children from harmful lead poisoning throughout the city. There are numerous building projects in the works around the city and there are some new and exciting ideas being discussed for the Cleveland lakefront.

Blaine Griffin and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb are both working hard for the city to improve.

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[ COVER ]

Cover and inside photos taken by Sylven Lamar.

CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 33

[ COVER]

34 SEPTEMBER 2022 / CODE M

[ COVER ]

Blaine Griffin and former President Barak Obama.

“One of the proudest moments of my career was helping 40 to 50 homeowners save their homes when the Buckeye Development Corporation shut down,” Griffin said. “We were able to step in the help those homeowners who didn’t go into foreclosure due to the fact that the titles to their homes were caught in bad business decisions.”

Griffin and the city are doing some impressive things on the east side of Cleveland as well. The Opportunity Corridor is beginning to take shape with the help of significant investments being made to the city through grants.

The city is also investigating new opportunities to develop the lakefront and hopes to have a plan in place by the end of the year. Burke Lakefront Airport is a different monster for the city. There are so many federal laws that need to be examined and addressed, Griffin knows it will be some time before anything can be done with that land.

But for now, there are so many projects taking shape, Griffin, the city, and its citizens are busy just trying to keep up with the pace of development of all things Cleveland.

from here, you can feel the excitement of what’s going on from our sports teams to the businesses booming here.

Cleveland is the place to be right now.”

Griffin is correct. The city of Cleveland, along with other inner -ring cities, have become climate destinations due to climate change. Cleveland does not suffer from drought, forest fires, floods, earthquakes, ocean depth increases, or hurricanes.

What it does have an abundance of is water. Fresh water has become a commodity for those who are struggling to deal with the lack of clean drinking water in their cities, thus making Cleveland a wonderful place to live.

“With the changes in remote working, the cost of living and our location, Cleveland is a major player when it comes to choosing a great place to live,” Blaine said. “We need to continue to create great housing, and make sure that we offer people opportunities for career advancement.”

Griffin feels like Cleveland missed the chance to land Intel.

And now Google is investing one billion in Columbus to buy land for data centers. Cleveland has a land problem and

“It’s a great time to be a Clevelander,” Blaine said. “If you’re CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 35

[ COVER ]

Griffin knows it.

“We need to do a better job and create opportunities for companies to come here. We need to make sure there is land available so they can build, develop talent, and create the jobs of the future, right here in Cleveland,” Griffin said.

Griffin has the unique ability to remain himself no matter to whom he is speaking. Whether it is an employee at a store or a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Griffin speaks and acts the same. That quality is rare in today’s politics. Griffin remains the same at home in the Larchmere neighborhood, too.

“My wife and I raised all three of our boys right here in the city of Cleveland and I am proud to say that they’re all doing well,” Griffin beamed.

When Griffin isn’t working, he can be seen attending all things Cleveland sports and theater.

The city is well cared for with Griffin as its city council president. He understands his role and the city seems to understand him, too. They both seem to be the same: tough, gritty, and polished enough to win at whatever they want. Game, set, match! ●

Blaine Griffin has served in public life for over 20 years.

When Griffin is not working he spends as much time with his family as possible.

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[ LIFE ]

CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 37

BUSINESS

THE CURIOUS CASE OF

(PRO/NOUNS)

CORPORATE AMERICA HATES IT, EDUCATION LOVES IT

YOU DECIDE

With over 100 pronouns, we break down the “why” pronouns exist and the reason that this controversial trend is welcomed by some but hated by others.

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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.

[ BUSINESS ]

I

f there is one thing humans like to do, it’s to categorize and label everything, including people. We find it helps us organize our reality and create a sense of stability, something we can rely on. Therefore, we have a name for every person walking this earth. We also have additional designations called “pronouns” that help us distinguish and classify ourselves and that directly relate to our sense of gender identity.

Well, with over a hundred gender pronouns currently in use that are broken up into personal, demonstrative, relative, indefinite, interrogative, possessive, and pronominal adjectives — correct, non-offending pronoun use has become incredibly complicated. Why? For thousands of years, the world and its two gender classifications seemed so B&W and without confusion. We all appeared to want to conform to this social convention. We also deemed the two genders as a biological fact that we all were supposed to fit our identity within. Not anymore.

All of this comes down to our identity and individuality — it’s the need to be seen for who we truly are. It means being able to live comfortably within our own skin, and our own emotional being no matter where we are in the world.

Okay … so what’s the big deal?

The simple answer is that each of us is an individual with our own sense of self. Since the day we were born, we’ve been guided, consciously or unconsciously, to fit within sociocultural norms. For most of us, we’re pretty much okay going along with that schema.

So, everyday life within our family and society isn’t much of a strain. We don’t really have to think too much about “who we are.” Instead, we deal with the usual issues of peer pressures, puberty, hormonal changes, and everything else connected with the process of maturation even into our adult life. And our pronouns of choice — he/him, she/her — are what we’re comfortable living with.

That isn’t the case for many people. First, for most of us, trying to fit in as we’re growing up is like running the gauntlet. We want so much to be part of the gang that we’ll try on all sorts of identities and personality characteristics. It’s somewhat like trying on different clothes to see which combination will gain us inclusion in whatever group we’re striving to be a part of.

Sadly, we’ll compromise our sense of self in order to fit in.

We’ll subvert and suppress satisfying our inner need to express ourselves in a way that’s uniquely authentic to us. We’ll

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

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HEALTH

40 SEPTEMBER 2022 / CODE M

Working out together is one of the best dates ever.

[ BUSINESS ] do all of that just to be accepted and included. The outcome is that we truly give way to a pseudo-personality based on external conventions whether that’s derived from family, work, school, community groups, religion, or politics. And we conform to the pronouns that fit those societal norms.

In today’s religiopolitical climate, identity is being battered. So many people are pushing for a world where everyone is the same. It’s called homogeneity. The purpose of striving for sameness is about one thing: comfortability. Oh, there will be those who rationalize that “everyone being the same makes life so much easier,” “diversity weakens our nation,” or “the Bible says ….” It’s all based on two things: fear and the need to be right.

Fear, as we all know, is the greatest obstacle in all life. It hamstrings us in ways too numerous to count and we often allow it to run the show. That’s true when it comes to dealing with people who don’t fit within our social “norms,” who don’t look, act, talk, and think like us. But if you stop and think about it, that applies to every person on the planet simply because we’re each unique.

Humans were never designed to be exactly like each other.

We truly are individuals, no two of us alike. There’s a reason for that. It’s so that we discover and learn from life in a way that speaks to the most sacred part of our hearts, our Souls.

To do otherwise is to subvert ourselves to another person or group’s agendas. By doing so, we lose sight of ourselves in the process.

When we do that, we are no longer living our lives but someone else’s according to their wants and needs, their particular perspectives and understandings, their values and beliefs — all of which may be formulated by their desire for power, control, fame, authority, and their insecurities, greed, short-

comings, paranoia, neuroses, and fears.

Yet, there are those who believe they know what’s best for anyone else, that their way is “the” way, the proper way, the only way, the way that’s best for the entire human race. Friedrich Nietzsche stated it best: “You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.”

Today, so many people aren’t willing to relegate themselves to the binary system we’ve lived with for so long. They find it dismissive, devaluing, and disrespectful. Basically, dehumanizing. They no longer want to be pigeonholed into a formalized descriptive label that doesn’t fit them. Just because we’ve operated this way for thousands of years doesn’t mean it’s right. As humans evolve, we learn better ways of being and knowing ourselves.

So, the plethora of pronouns now in use can be looked at from this perspective: we’re each a unique individual and we all want to be seen, understood, accepted, and even loved for who we truly are. Of the four of these, the most important isn’t the one you’d think.

What we want more than anything is to be understood. If someone understands us, then we feel seen. If being understood and seen are in place, then it doesn’t matter so much whether we’re accepted and loved. Why? Because we’re able to then live comfortably and with confidence within our own sense of identity. Our sense of identity and well-being are no longer dependent on others.

Believe it or not, this ties in with the “woke” movement. Es-

The use of pronouns offers those who want to create individuality a chance to personalize their identity.

CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 41

[ BUSINESS ] sentially, it’s about “waking up” to the fact there we don’t live in a binary world — as much as we’d like for that to be the case simply so we can feel comfortable with the world around us.

There’s no denying that our world is one of abundant diversity. Humans are just as diverse as anything in nature, even when it comes to our identity. So why not “wake up” to that diversity and allow each individual to shine in their own unique way, which includes being addressed by the pronouns of their choice? It may not fit within the parameters of our “reality,” but it says to the other person, “I honor you and your choice.”

You are called by the pronouns that work for you and would like others to honor that, so why not vice versa?

If you feel the world only needs to be one way, then you’re doing yourself a disservice. Look at the world around you, and take note of nature and humanity’s diversity. You are part of that — enjoy it to its fullest, pronouns and all. ●

The business community is struggling to understand the importance of using pronouns.

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[ HEALTH ]

Brown and Phillips keep each other motivated as they work towards a better lifestyle.

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HEALTH

SEA MOSS TO THE RESCUE

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For those looking for an all-in-one remedy and an effective alternative to medicine and multiple solutions, sea moss might be the ingredient you’re looking for.

by Bowling Smith

[ HEALTH ]

A

s people look for ways to stay young longer and live a better life, sea moss dominates the current conversation and trends as the go-to remedy for a large number of health benefit factors.

for his practices. He famously helped Michael Jackson overcome his addiction to painkillers and was considered an innovator in herbal medicine. A strong advocate of sea moss, Dr. Sebi helped establish the foundations of many healthcare practices today.

Sea moss is a type of seaweed that has recently become popular as a natural remedy for a variety of conditions. It is high in nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals.

Sea moss has an extensive list of health benefits, including boosting thyroid function, immunity, gut health, weight reduction, heart health, digestive system health, and skin beauty. It’s worth noting that more research is needed to determine its impact.

Sea moss has been shown to have antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties, making it helpful for treating conditions like arthritis, asthma, and even cancer. In this guide, we will explore a number of sea moss benefits in detail!

Sea moss is a source of iodine, carotene, and sulfurcontaining compounds. These nutrients are thought to

Here are ten benefits of taking sea moss: GUT HEALTH – Because sea moss contains alginate, it can promote gut health by binding to toxins and bad bacteria in the gut and preventing them from being absorbed by the body. Additionally, it’s a reliable

“Sea moss has an extensive list of health benefits, including boosting thyroid function, immunity, gut health, weight reduction, heart health, digestive system health, and skin beauty.” contribute to the health advantages of sea moss. Some people take sea moss for its minerals and vitamin content, including potassium, calcium, selenium, magnesium, manganese, and iron.

When used on the skin, sea moss is thought to hydrate and soothe irritated skin. It is also sometimes used as a natural laxative or diuretic. Sea moss may offer some health advantages, such as improving thyroid function, boosting energy levels, and supporting healthy skin.

source of fiber, which helps promote healthy gut bacteria and prevent constipation.

OVERALL HEALTH – Sea moss is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as has anti-inflammatory properties, which are known to: •

promote healthy skin and can help reduce the risk of acne and other skin conditions,

•

reduce the risk of chronic illnesses,

However, there is little scientific evidence to support these claims. More research is needed to determine whether sea moss is effective for these or any other health purposes.

•

relieve colds and flu, and can help reduce the risk of infection,

•

detoxify your body, and can help reduce the risk of disease, and

Dr. Sebi, an herbalist, and healer from Honduras declared sea moss the best agent to combat any health issue a person might have.

•

increase energy levels and can help reduce the risk of fatigue.

EXPELS MUCUS FROM THE BODY – Sea moss is rich in iodine, which is known to promote the expulsion of other motivated as they work

Brown in andAmerica Phillips keep each Dr. Sebi rose to acclaim in the 20th century

towards a better lifestyle.

CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 45

[ LIFE ]

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[ HEALTH ] mucus from the body, thereby helping reduce the risk of infection.

HEALTHY DRINK OPTION – Sea moss is a healthy drink option. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the risk of disease.

GREAT MOUTH WASH – Sea moss is rich in iodine, which is known to promote oral health. Its antiinflammatory properties can help reduce the risk of gingivitis and other periodontal diseases.

GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS – Sea moss contains a compound called alginate, which is known to promote weight loss by binding to fat cells and pre- Sea Moss is a natural herb with healing qualities. venting them from being absorbed by the body. Additionally, helps the body burn fat rather than carbohydrates, making it sea moss is a thorough source of fiber, which helps to proeasier to develop strong, lean muscles. mote satiety and prevent overeating.

For men, sea moss can be used as a natural sexual enhancement product. Many say it can increase testosterone levels and sperm count, giving fertility a boost. Additionally, sea moss contains a specific acid called “taurine” that helps the body burn fat and build muscle. When working out, this acid

Consult with a doctor if you intend on using sea moss to ensure you don’t have allergic factors that could impact your health.

Finally, make sure to use a reputable supplier when you purchase any sea moss products. ●

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ARTS

Photo by Tyrone Syranno Wilkens

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[ ARTS ]

KEEPER OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CULINARY HISTORY Toni Tipton-Martin comes to Cleveland September 18th to inspire us to use food as inspiration: Inspiration for living, eating, and getting the most out of our culinary experience.

by Kaleiah Veasey and Leah C.K. Lewis

T

oni Tipton-Martin is a culinary journalist and award-winning author, currently acting as the Editor in Chief of Cook’s Country Magazine and its accompanying television show. She has earned awards like the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Trailblazer Award and has even been a guest instructor at the Whole Foods Culinary Center. Moreover, Toni combines her passion for food with cultural heritage to show the impact food and tradition have in our communities.

Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking, is an example of Toni shining a light on the unsung African American heroes who inevitably shaped American cuisine as we know it. Jubilee soon became a James Beard Award winner and was dubbed one of the “Cookbooks You Need for 2020” by The New York Times. This is also the book that earned Toni the International Association of Culi-

nary Professionals award! No surprise really. The cookbook is an awe-inspiring collection of photography and immersive storytelling.

In fact, prior to Jubilee, Toni wrote The Jemima Code: Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks. Another award-winning cookbook, The Jemima Code was also recognized by The New York Times, as one of the “best cookbooks of the century so far.” The Jemima Code not only earned Toni the 2016 James Beard Book Award, but also the 2016 Art of Eating Prize and a Certificate of Outstanding Contribution to Publishing from the Black Caucus of the Library Association! What an amazing way to begin a legacy and set the stage for another masterpiece like Jubilee.

Toni’s impressive feats in the literary world don't stop there.

She was the first African American Food Editor of a major daily newspaper, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, a contributing editor to Heart and Soul Magazine, and the nutrition writer for The Los CODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 49

[ ARTS ] Angeles Times. Toni is also the co-founder and former president of both Southern Foodways Alliance and Foodways Texas. In addition to those accomplishments, she has over 30 years of experience teaching cooking on media platforms like, but not limited to, CBS and PBS. Her 30-year reign also includes her being a featured speaker at universities, food organizations, museums, book festivals, and libraries. Some speaking engagements of note are the Library of Congress, Duke University, the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill and Charlotte), Austin History Center, the Longone Center for American Culinary Research, William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan, Roger Smith Cookbook Conference, Foodways Texas, Culinary Historians of Southern California, International Association of Culinary Professionals, Les Dames d’Escoffier, Webster College, Prairie View A&M University, Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, the College of Charleston, Mississippi University for Women, and Austin Foodways, just to name a few.

It’s clear that Toni’s work to encourage cohesiveness between wellness, food, and culture has left a lasting impression on many people, African American or not. Her skill set

42 SEPTEMBER 2022 / CODE M

and passion even led to her being invited to the White House by none other than former First Lady Michelle Obama! She visited twice during the First Lady’s outreach campaign, Let’s Move, to help encourage families to adopt healthier lifestyles. Coupled with the First Lady’s emphasis on physical activity, Toni was the perfect resource for finding the best meal choices for any family.

Although her achievements are amazing, Toni continues to take it a step further and founded the SANDE Youth Project in 2008.

The goal of her not-for-profit is to use her knowledge of cultural identity and culinary wellness to combat childhood hunger, obesity, and disease within impoverished communities.

SANDE was created with the understanding that a major part of a family’s development, as a whole and as individuals, is nourished by what’s served and shared at the kitchen table. Selfesteem, identity, community awareness, respect, and morality are only a few of the important values that can be served, one meal at a time.

The program utilizes a three-part strategy based around “Culture, Cuisine, Community,” and has hosted two signature events, the Soul Summit, and the Children’s Picnic. The Chil-

dren’s Picnic is co-presented with Edible Austin Magazine and is a free event for the community to learn about the local, healthy food that is available. The Soul Summit’s first symposium, “A Conversation About Race, Identity, Power, and Food,” was the first symposium to exclusively celebrate and bring awareness to how much African American food and culture have impacted the country.

Toni has played a huge role in different avenues of nutrition and wellness, so it’s great to see that she has compiled that knowledge into a cause that can stand the test of time, with or without her. And let’s not forget that among her long list of accomplishments and contributions Toni is also a mother of four! So, she’s busy, to say the least!

Without question, Toni Tipton-Martin is one of today’s leading culinary journalists, authors, and historians of African American cuisine. As such Toni is a keeper of our culture During Cleveland Book Week, the Great Lakes African American Writers Conference, or GLAAWC (pronounced “glossy”), will host a Sunday brunch that is honored to have Toni TiptonMartin as its featured guest and speaker! GLAAWC celebrates the impact African American literature has on the world by creating a communal and inclusive space for lovers of literature of all ethnicities to learn and share. GLAWWC is also happy to have celebrity chef Eric Wells on board to share his culinary talents! Having these two individuals at the brunch is an amazing way to end GLAAWC’s fifth year! ● Join us on Sunday, September 18, for a celebration of culture, food, legacies, and literature! Tickets are $150 available for purchase at www.GLAAWC.us. The event takes place at Landerhaven Executive Caterers, 6111 Landerhaven Dr., Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Tipton-Martin can be seen in Cleveland on September 18th.

Photo by Ulysses Muñoz

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[ ARTS ]

WALTER MOSLEY: NOT YET DONE Photo by Masterclass.com

Living legend and author Walter Mosley has published over 60 works in his 70 years. His best work continues to be ahead of him as he visits the Fifth Annual Great Lakes African American Writers Conference in Cleveland, Ohio.

by By Leah C.K. Lewis and Vince Robinson

52 SEPTEMBER 2022 / CODE M

T

o say that novelist Walter Ellis Mosley is the most prolific writer of African American literature is not hyperbole, it is a fact. Mosley, at only 70 years old, has published over 60 works of literature — many award-winning — and a bevy of social commentary. A number of his original works have been adapted for television and film.

In 1995, Denzel Washington starred in Devil in a Blue Dress, which was adapted from Mosley’s titular 1990 novel. Recently, Samuel L. Jackson was the leading man in Mosley’s The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey for Apple TV. Currently, Mosley is at

[ ARTS ] they are often confronted by racism and other challenging issues.

In the tradition of the griot, Mosley stands shoulder to shoulder with the exemplary African American storytellers of the 21st century, such as Toni Morrison and August Wilson, breathing life into words translated onto the page and on screens large and small. Through fiction and non-fiction, his craft speaks to the inadequacies of the current societal systems that lead to oppression, with a critical eye and analysis that cuts through conformity and convention.

With this ability, Mosley defies the customary label of “great Black writer” and ascends to the lofty class of great American writers with few counterparts. His versatility has enabled him to tackle novels, plays, and screenplays that clearly illustrate that he is one of the most prolific writers this country has ever seen.

The literary world has recognized Mosley’s genius with some of the most prestigious awards in the field. He has received the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation — the first Black man to receive this honor. Notable literary figures, including Toni Morrison and Arthur Miller, have also received this award. So many awards have graced Mosley, just as he has graced readers with his captivating writing.

In 1998, Mosley won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, which honors writers who craft works celebrating diversity, humanity, and the indomitable human spirit. Established in 1935 by Cleveland poet and philanthropist Edith Anisfield-Wolf, the Cleveland Foundation administers the award and has since 1963. Prior to that, the Saturday Review served as the administrator.

work on another season of the late John Singleton’s FX TV series Snowfall, where he serves as executive producer and writer.

Mosley has even more range: His expertise spans from crime novels to literary fiction, nonfiction, political essays, and young adult and science fiction. In his career as a writer, Mosley has demonstrated the power of the narrative in multiple genres. His gift is an ability to tell stories with Black characters in a way that exemplifies the multi-dimensionality of the Black experience, spanning decades and crossing centuries, while providing a historical context that permits readers to obtain a perspective of the nuanced lives lived in an America where

In 2020, he released The Awkward Black Man, a collection of poignant short stories. The NAACP acknowledged The Awkward Black Man with the Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work–Fiction.

Still very active, Mosley is a sought-after public speaker. He speaks on a plethora of topics, including “Black Male Heroes,” “Black Lives Matter,” “The Only True Race Is the Human Race,” and other pressing social issues. A man of both Jewish and African American descent, Mosley identifies as both. His work reflects this particular experience.

Furthermore, his commitment to social justice, articulated through his literature and public remarks, may stem from the fact that his parents could not legally obtain a marriage license — even in California, a state that recognized their union. InjusCODE M / SEPTEMBER 2022 53

[ LIFE ] tice and inequity are the legacies Mosley’s literary prowess has sought to overcome.

He attributes his keen and probing intellect to his father, Leroy, and his mother, Ella, who encouraged his love for reading and writing. His parents provided him with a quality education throughout his upbringing in South Central Los Angeles.

A graduate of Johnson State College, Mosley did not take up writing until he took a writing course at City College in Harlem. It was Alice Walker’s The Color Purple that inspired him, and a tutor, Edna O’Brien, who encouraged him to write. W.W. Norton & Company published his first book, Devil in a Blue Dress. His career received a boost when former President Bill Clinton listed Mosley as one of his favorite authors.

It is a wonder that Mosley has written so many books. Apparently, he only began writing at the age of 34. Since the inception of his writing career, he has typically published two books a year; this is after careers in computers and corporate America. It is stunning to think what the literary world would be like without the work of Walter Mosley.

From his public presentations to his literary compositions, Mosley celebrates African American culture. He has been a fan favorite since the days of Easy Rawlings and Fearless Jones, the main characters in two of his mystery book series. His numerous New York Times best sellers fortify his standing as a literary North Star, particularly for male writers, writers of Jewish descent, and those who love accessible, but excellent literature.

Futureland, by Walter Mosley is a great read.

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[ ARTS ] Still engaged in writing — both literature and in TV and film — and public speaking, Mosley still has time to wow us.

What tales will he spin? What characters will he bring to life on the page and on small and large screens? What lessons will we glean from his personal experiences and his creative mind? Which two new books of his will be published in 2022-2023?

The world of Walter Mosley continues to emerge and engage. At his core, he wields critique as a weapon of mass destruction of the norm. Black lives, culture, and literature matter and Mosley embodies these truths. Mosley remains a beacon, way-maker, and literary juggernaut. ● Walter Mosley will appear at 3:00 pm via Zoom during the Fifth Annual Great Lakes African American Writers Conference (GLAAWC, pronounced “glossy”) on Saturday, September 17, 2022. GLAAWC takes place at the Cleveland Public Library, in the Louis Stokes Auditorium, located at 525 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 44114. Doors open at 10:00 am. The conference begins promptly at 10:30 am. Denne Michele Norris, editor of Electric Literature, will appear via Zoom at 2:00 pm. This is a hybrid (i.e., a combination of inperson and virtual) event, but registration is required. Register at https://www.glaawc.us/register-for-glaawc-2022/.

Photo by David Burnett

Walter Mosley

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MUSIC

SURVIVAL THROUGH MUSIC Mafia Summa suffered a great deal of pain as a child. Her music today reflects her ability to thrive and continue to love life.

K

by John Horton

nown to fans as “Mafia Summa,” Analicia Ciera Townsend was born into the privilege of creativity and faith. While adjusting from being estranged from her parents at the age of seven, she invested here energy into writing, singing, recording, and designing apparel at the age of eight. She lived with her grandparents until the age of thirteen.

Most recently in 2017, she suffered the tragic loss of her only sister, to who she looked up to passionately. She and her brother-inlaw took on the supporting role of caring for her three nieces alongside raising two of her own.

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A tough year indeed, but she continued to pursue her goal of becoming a recording artist.

With focused energy towards her education and musical artistry, she thrived and earned an associate degree in 2019.

Today, Mafia Summa has more than one hundred recorded songs and is currently promoting her newest hit, “Red Lipstick.”

Her dedication and endurance have proven to be a part of the many strengths and visions that made her the artist she is.

“If there is any reason for my purpose, its touching people I can’t physically reach through my music,” Mafia Summa said.

“I want the world to feel my energy and know that times can be hard, but we have to live now because forever is not promised.” ● Mafia Summa’s music can be heard on https://nervedjsmixtapes.com/.

Mafia Summa

[ LIFE ]

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

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FASHION

COLOR COMFORT CLOTHES With fall comes color. And with color comes incredible opportunities to take dressing up to another level. Let’s celebrate the end of summer in style with exceptional clothing.

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/

BRADLEY CANDY

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[ FASHION ]

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[ FASHION ]

[ FASHION ]

J’NAE IN BLUE

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[ FASHION ]

ROXANNE IN RED

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