CODE M MAGAZINE 2023 AUGUST ISSUE

RECONSTRUCTION

TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN

BETTER SLEEP FOR A BETTER LIFE

2.0

TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM

+ THE OPINION OF

CHRIS BROUSSARD

OPEN UP TO HEAL UP

AUGUST 2023 ISSUE

[ LIFE ]

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[ HEALTH ]

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 45

[ CLE ]

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[ BUSINESS ]

INSIDE

56

A SUN LIKE NO OTHER In today’s bland world of music, Cleveland artist, Connie Sun, used the past to create a future for modern hip hop.

ON THE COVER

34

THE OPINION OF CHRIS BROUSSARD

Quotes to live by.

equality.

16 A LIFE OF JOURNALISM AND FAITH

24 TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM

For award-winning journalist Hamil Harris, journalism and faith have been the fulcrum of his life. They are also the building blocks of what he would call his life’s conviction.

Having sex to advance an agenda is an age-old tactic used by those who will use anything to get the deal. It is a small price to pay for some, and for others, it is a dealbreaker.

Chris Broussard discusses all things sports including the current rising pay of athletes, the cost for a 19 RECONSTRUCTION 2.0

family of four to attend a game, and his passion for his foundation KING. 12 MOVERS AND SHAKERS Get to know people who are making a difference in their careers and changing the world!

14 MAN CODES

6 AUGUST 2023 / CODE M

Reconstruction, implemented by Congress, lasted from 1866 to 1877 and was aimed at reorganizing the Southern states after the Civil War to bring them back to the union along with newly freed slaves. In 2023 the second reconstruction period has brought an end to the policies that Blacks used for

42 OPEN UP TO HEAL UP Within the journey of life, we may encounter tumultuous paths that seem lonely and burdensome. However, it is essential to recognize that our mental health deserves unwavering attention and care, just as any other aspect of our lives.

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[ INSIDE ]

28

CHANGING WOVEN INTO THE FIBER

48 BETTER SLEEP FOR A BETTER LIFE Americans take sleep for granted. The truth is getting the proper amount of rest can determine your quality of life.

52 DISCUSSING THE BLACK MATERNAL & INFANT MORTALITY EPIDEMIC Black women are twice as likely to experience stillbirth and baby death than white women, and are at a higher risk of having an early birth and a baby with low birthweight. ROOTT (Restoring Our Own Through Transformation) has a plan to change that.

59 ANYTHING BANNED BECOMES A POLICING ISSUE Why the FDA menthol ban Is not good for communities of color.

62 QUITTING TO WIN MORE

At a time when Black advances are being cancelled, diversity, equity, and inclusion become even more important. For Lowell Perry, Jr., bringing DEI to life has become his life’s passion.

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Sometimes, you must take two steps back to take five steps forward. Quitting one thing to live in your purpose might be scary, but doing something you don’t love is much worse.

64 FILLED TO THE BRIM Men are beginning a return to a time when they added flare to their wardrobe. Fashionable hats and brims make the right kind of statement that says he understood the assignment.

TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN

ENGINEER RADIO/PODCAST Imari Hill

PUBLISHER Bilal S. Akram

SOCIAL MEDIA Rachel Woods

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To the PUBLISHER Ladonna “Lala” Dicks

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

DIRECTOR OF RADIO/PODCAST

Sharif Akram

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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 © 2023 All Rights Reserved

[ TRAVEL ]

CODE M / AUGUST2023 9

MOVERS &

SHAKERS

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

VANESHIA HOUSTON Vaneshia Houston graduated from Cleveland State University where her initial studies were in Civil Engineering, resulting in a double major in Biology and Chemistry. After completing her undergraduate studies, Vaneshia became NIMS, Lean, and Green Belt Six Sigma Certified. Her professional development is unmatched with over 15 years in the transit industry, 18 years as a public service leader, and a champion in business operation enhancement and strategic solutions.

The Transportation Manager for the Paratransit District at Greater

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Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, she monitors and assists in managing a budget of $24 million and launched the first Paratransit Operator Mentor Program in the country. In addition, she is an active member of several organizations, a self-published author, and a Board Trustee for the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation (BPACF).

[ MOVERS & SHAKERS ]

CHAD PORTER Chad Porter, Founder & CEO of CHVD JUSTIN. Graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor's in economics.

CHVD JUSTIN is a minority-owned innovative bag company that the founder started in his dorm room in college, in which he invented a patent-pending wearable tech bag product called the WEARPACK®, a 5-in-1 transitional, hand-crafted, durable bag with a detachable chest piece, shoulder, and waist bag.

ANTHONY W. SCOTT, ESQ Anthony W. Scott, Esq. has worked for the City of Cleveland, Ohio since 2013. He presently serves as Special Assistant to the Director of the Department of Community Development. He also provides consulting and professional services to small businesses and non-profit entities as the principle of “I.S.I. Consulting, LLC.” He is the Asst. 4th District Counselor for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., President of the Zeta Omega Foundation, and the Governance Chairman for the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation (BPACF).

He received a Navy Achievement Medal (while enlisted in the United States Marine Corp); the Zeta Omega “Chapter Man of the Year” and “Omega Man of the Year” awards; “Who’s Who in Black Cleveland”; and Kaleidoscope magazine’s “40 under 40.”

MARK GRANVILLE Mark Granville is originally from Trenton, NJ, and moved to Cleveland to work for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He went to North Carolina A&T, where he received a BS in Industrial & Systems Engineering; he returns each year during homecoming to award scholarships to a few students. His career started at Microsoft in Chicago, IL, as an Account Technology Strategist, but he wanted to work in sports.

He joined the Cavs in 2021 as an Account Executive and was promoted to the Corporate Partnerships team after six months. Since then, he has focused on creating exposure for black-owned businesses through sports marketing. Mark is the chair of BELIEVE, the Cavs’ Black Employee Resource Group. He’s also a recreational basketball coach and a personal trainer. He is also a nonpaid adjunct professor because he graduated last month from Cleveland State with his Master of Arts in History.

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 13

START

James Earl Jones

MAN CODES:

QUOTES TO LIVE BY

“Some people come in your life as blessings. Some come in your life as lessons.” - Mother Teresa “Those who accomplish great things pay attention to little ones.”

- African Proverb “You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth.” - William W. Purkey “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” - Robert Frost “Though nobody can go back and make a new beginning… Anyone can start over and make a new ending.” - Chico Xavier “One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can’t utter.” - James Earl Jones “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep

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Compiled by Bilal S. Akram

moving.” - Albert Einstein “Kindness is one thing you can’t give away. It always comes back.” - George Skolsky “The most sincere compliment we can pay is attention.” Walter Anderson “Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.” - Nicole Reed "When you hit the point of no return, that’s the moment it truly becomes a journey. If you can still turn back, it’s not really a journey." - Hinata Miyake Ephesians 5:15-16: “Be very careful, then, how you live— not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” NIV

CODE M / AUGUST2023 13

[ START ]

A LIFE OF JOURNALISM AND FAITH Hamil and Cornel West

For award-winning journalist Hamil Harris, journalism and faith have been the fulcrum of his life. They are also the building blocks of what he would call his life’s conviction.

T

o be clear, by conviction, Hamil means a firmly held belief or opinion. In the Bible, Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” For Hamil, that means to become a light to humanity as light can protect, it can expose. “I’m trying to help people. I believe that our duty is bigger than where we live, where we go, and what party we belong to. Who I am is one-on-one, seeing what your gifts are. My conviction is to see the good in everyone and to help them tell their stories.”

Stories are what make the world go ‘round. We each have stories to share that give others insight into who we are, what we stand for, and what our purpose in life is. Hamil’s story begins as a youth in Pensacola, Florida where at that time, the church and civil rights were the primary areas of focus and discourse for Blacks.

His family lived across from their church, and his mother was the pianist and organist for the church. She was the first Black music teacher in Central Florida, on the Alabama border. She eventually attended Boston University and went to summer school with Martin

16 AUGUST2023 CODE M M 16 AUGUST 2023 // CODE

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.

Luther King, Jr., whom Hamil got to meet when Dr. King came down from Atlanta to Pensacola for meetings. “So, I grew up with all that civil rights activity.”

When Hamil was in high school, the Ku Klux Klan marched through Pensacola. Having by then developed a passion for justice and equal rights, it was a big story to him, so he decided to go and watch. But it wasn’t until he was attending Florida State University that he asked the editor of the university’s Florida Flambeau if he could write a story about the KKK. Given the go-ahead, he befriended a Klansmen who was friends with the Grand Wizard — and they gave him a story. That fearlessness has carried throughout his career.

As for faith, Hamil, who graduated from Harding School of Theology, now serves as the minister at the Glenarden Church of Christ in Maryland. He also is a senior reporter for the award-winning, non-profit, online news organization Religion Unplugged.

As a journalist, he has written hundreds of stories about

[ START ] the people, government, faith, and communities in the greater Washington, DC area. It all started when Hamil began selling copies of the Pensacola Voice, an African American newspaper, for a quarter. Reverend Hawthorne Konrad (H. K.) Matthews, a leading civil rights activist in the Pensacola area, and his wife were one of Hamil’s customers.

Through that association, Hamil developed a passion for the civil rights movement. What was also born in him is a love of storytelling, which led to him becoming a freelance journalist.

IAD

STRONG

Then, when a large church convention was being held in DC, Hamil noticed that there wasn’t a journalist there from the Washington Post. So, he went to the offices of the Post asking why they didn’t have someone writing a story about the conference. A lot of famous people were attending the conference, including Jesse Jackson. Alice Bonner, one of the editors at the Post suggested Hamil write a story about it. He asked if he could work on the article in their building — and he never left. He was brought on as a freelancer in a three-year internship. Meanwhile, he worked nights at a hospital.

Upon completing his internship at the Post, Hamil ended up working for them for more than twenty years, then added other assignments including at the Washington Informer, and writing articles for The Independent, USA Today, Newsweek, The Washington Times, and more. In 2022, he was the recipient of the Washington Association of Black Journalists “Legacy Award.” He’s also the author of the book Diary of a Newspaper Reporter.

see it, is that we don’t know who we are anymore. And I think one of the great tragedies of our time is that people tolerate each other institutionally — they don’t know each other on a personal level.”

Hamil finds that as a country we are constantly playing to the lowest common denominator and that we don’t know how to have honest dialogue anymore. He also feels that we no longer know how to deal with culture.

“Sometimes, our biggest struggle is within ourselves. And now we have such a disconnect between generations, which technology has exacerbated. We’re stuck somewhere between yesterday and tomorrow. So, I ask, ‘What’s the agenda? Where do we go from here?’ To me, it’s about realizing that we’re at our best when we’re doing something good for somebody else.”

Hamil is very straightforward about the need for people to discover just what their convictions are and then live by them.

He feels that our modus operandi needs to be positive convictions that uplift humanity. As he has said, “I say Jesus is who I am, justice is what I believe in, and journalism is what I do.

Spirit is empowering me to do something good.”

And that is the kind of conviction he is encouraging all of us to take on. The route there will be one of discovery in which we’ll learn who we truly are. It’s an expansive journey. We all have it within us and “It can be part of your comeback story — I have faith in you!” ●

The father of four, his commitment to carrying forward his convictions remains strong and something he’s passing on to his children. “We’ve got chaos right now, political chaos, church chaos, and faith chaos. As a country, we’ve lost respect for each other and now we’re again fighting for our civil rights. The problem, as I

Official White House photo of Hamil with the Obama family.

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 17

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LIFE

RECONSTRUCTION 2.0 Reconstruction, implemented by Congress, lasted from 1866 to 1877 and was aimed at reorganizing the Southern states after the Civil War to bring them back to the union along with newly freed slaves. In 2023 the second reconstruction period has brought an end to the policies that Blacks used for equality.

A

By Bolling Smith fter the Civil War, America needed to put itself back together. The war saw thirteen southern states that needed to rejoin the union — and it saw that it was going to need new policies so the Blacks living in those areas could enjoy their new freedom.

The period was called Reconstruction. The Reconstruction era (1861 to 1900), the historic period in

which the US grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political and labor systems, was a time of significant transformation within the US. If the southern states were to be let back into the union, they would have to adhere to the new policies put forth by the US government. The protections that came with the reCODE M / AUGUST 2023 19

[ LIFE] construction period gave Blacks in the south some comfort that their new freedoms were protected.

These new freedoms, while lawful, didn’t stop the persecution of slaves all over the south. Blacks continued to move north, not just for jobs, but they attempted to escape the Ku Klux Klan and the Jim Crow Laws that were born after the Civil War. Today, the policies that Blacks fought for and won during the last 120 years seem to be slowly slipping away.

factor to have a more balanced student body. With the end of affirmative action, colleges across the country have seem a huge drop in college applications by Black students.

This reduction will certainly hurt the Black community and slow the progress of the race evolving. Scores of students used this policy to get into schools that are in difficult places to reach, and difficult to pay for.

THE BAN ON ABORTION For the Black community, the reversal of Roe vs Wade hits

The supreme court’s ruling to end Affirmative Action has hit the Black community hard. The purpose of affirmative action was to ensure equal employment opportunities for applicants and employees.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

The Supreme Court’s ruling to end affirmative action has hit the Black community hard. The purpose of affirmative action was to ensure equal employment opportunities for applicants and employees. It was based on the premise that, absent discrimination, over time a contractor's workforce will reflect the demographics of the qualified available workforce in the relevant job market.

In college admissions, affirmative action allowed the university the opportunity to make admissions decisions using race as a

particularly hard. No one will disagree that using abortion as birth control is a good thing. But for Blacks, this policy affects people with disabilities, young girls from having a safe effective option to having a baby out of wedlock, becoming dependent on the government for assistance, and reducing the child’s ability to go to school and grow.

Banning abortions is problematic for the Black community since the mortality rate is higher among Black women due to problems with trying to have children. The policies that impact late birth abortion could continue to increase deaths related to birthing situations in African American women.

Blacks are being denied the right to vote all over the country.

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[ BUSINESS ]

CODE M / AUGUST2023 21

[ LIFE ] REDISTRICING OF VOTERS There is a huge problem in American politics for Blacks who vote. The Republican party is attempting to redraw the voting districts of the country to cancel the Black vote. Redistricting is the process of drawing district lines, which means changing the boundaries every ten years following the census.

For those states that have large numbers of Blacks voting in one area, the goal is to reduce the impact of those areas by giving more power to rural areas where whites tend to vote.

Gerrymandering is the term used to describe cases of districtshaped manipulation for partisan gain in the states that attempt to do so.

Remember that if you are convicted of a felony, you lose the right to vote. For Blacks, this is a problem since they are prosecuted at a much higher rate than any other race. This effectively eliminates thousands and thousands of Blacks from being able to vote.

Since the January 6 insurrection, dozens of states have enacted restrictive voting laws. Race played a key role in where these measures were introduced and passed, and their effects will fall especially hard on voters of color.

Two laws — one in Arizona and one in Georgia — demonstrate how the legislation will disproportionately impact communities of color, making it more difficult for them to vote.

Before Arizona legislators passed Senate Bill 1485 last year, registered voters could sign up to automatically receive a mail ballot for every election. Whether or not the voter participat-

ed, they could still count on getting a ballot for the next contest, which made voting easier.

In the future, voters will be booted off the mail voting list if they go four years without casting a mail ballot — even if the state has no reason to think they have moved or are otherwise ineligible.

VOTING IN 2024 Blacks have made extraordinarily little gains from both the Democratic and Republican parties. With President Biden running again at over 80-years-of-age leaves Black voters worried about his future. For Blacks who might consider voting on Republican, the open and active campaign to alter Black history by Governor DeSantis worries voters even more.

The rest of the ticket seems weak on both sides leaving Blacks to fend for themselves. The policies that will shape the future will depend on the Black vote. Some wonder if Blacks should sit out of the presidential race in 2024. Others contend that voting democratic is the only option.

There might be a third option. Some might consider voting for the person instead of the party. Make the American political system fight for the Black vote. One thing is for certain, the future of Black America hangs in the balance of who sets the policies for the country over the next four years. If you have not registered to vote, please do. Your children’s future depends on it. ●

Women have reduced choices with the recent abortion ban.

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[ MONEY ]

The American middle class has been reduced to less than 50 percent of the US population.

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 23

[ LIFE ]

TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM Having sex to advance an agenda is an age-old tactic used by those who will use anything to get the deal. It is a small price to pay for some, and for others, it is a dealbreaker.

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.

24 AUGUST 2023 / CODE M

[ LIFE ]

“M

arcusssssss!” Everyone has heard Lady Eloise calling out to Marcus Graham in the movie Boomerang where she summons him to her bedroom to consummate the deal for her company to be bought by him.

To Marcus, having sex with her was a small price to pay to get the deal closed. Those were just characters in a movie played by Eartha Kitt and Eddie Murphy, but all too often, people make the decision to offer sex to close a deal in real life.

This act is sometimes referred to as, “taking one for the team.” It is a centuries-old tactic that builds favor with those offering sex for a service or to seal a deal. To some, it just comes with the price of doing business. For others, it’s part of their job.

Sex has been part of the human equation since the beginning of time. It has been used to start wars and it has been used to create diversions of intent. In modern day business, sex has been used in all kinds of ways.

Jenny Celerier was a candidate on the 2008 UK edition of The Apprentice. She was fired in week seven. During her tenure on the show, she discussed how she had sex with dozens of men to get whatever she wanted.

Speaking without a hint of guilt about her secret sales weapon, Jenny bragged, “Yes, I've seduced men to close deals. I’ve used sex in the boardroom to get ahead and I am not ashamed of the fact. I slept with all kinds of men to get contracts — married men, single. All ages from the late thirties up to late fifties.”

Celerier was quite honest about her intent to use her body to advance her agenda. But there are some industries where using sex to gain favor is considered criminal unless you are the law.

Being an undercover police officer or agent comes with a certain set of rules. But getting close to a target sometimes means using whatever you must to get them to trust you. Undercovers have a long-standing rule to never discuss what they must do to maintain their hidden identity, but it is a well-understood part of going undercover that one might have to perform sexually in order not to blow a cover.

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[ BUSINESS ]

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[ LIFE ] In Hollywood it has been long understood that some actors might have to perform sex acts to get an acting job. There have been cases where it was customary to expect to give something to land a role.

In October 2017, following sexual abuse allegations dating back to the late 1970s, Harvey Weinstein was dismissed from his company and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. More than eighty women made allegations of sexual harassment or rape against Weinstein. The allegations sparked the #MeToo social media campaign and subsequent sexual abuse allegations against many powerful men around the world; this phenomenon is referred to as the “Weinstein effect.”

Sex between consenting adults does not typically draw notice from city or state governments. If the exchange of money or other goods of value plays a part in such interactions, however, you may face charges for prostitution and solicitation.

It’s always best to understand all the implications that can come with choosing a certain behavior. For those who use sex to complete a transaction, they need to understand the consequences of their actions yet choose to move forward with the goal of getting the deal done — a tactic used when there is stiff competition (pun intended!). ●

Weinstein was arrested and charged with rape in New York in May 2018, and was found guilty of two of five felonies in February 2020. Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison and began serving his sentence at Wende Correctional Facility.

He was extradited to Los Angeles to face further charges at a subsequent trial, where he was found guilty of three of seven charges on December 19, 2022. He was sentenced to 16 years in the Los Angeles trial, and his California prison term must be served separately from his New York sentence.

What if the sex is consensual? Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent should be clearly and freely communicated. A verbal and affirmative expression of consent can help both you and your partner to understand and respect each other's boundaries.

Many adults who trade sex for services, or the closure of a deal, understand what is happening. Both parties want something, and both are willing to provide something to get what they want. Yet there are laws that prohibit the use of sex as Currently, all fifty states have some type of laws on the books about prostitution. But in the case of two professionals coming together to transact a deal that involves sex, the law is blurry.

Offering sex in exchange for a service or contract could be considered a criminal act.

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 27

BUSINESS

Powered by the

WOVEN INTO THE FIBER At a time when Black advances are being cancelled, diversity, equity, and inclusion become even more important.

For Lowell Perry, Jr., bringing DEI to life has become his life’s passion.

“F

irst of all, we should say all the words often — Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — rather than being so quick to abbreviate. Why? Because oftentimes, when we reduce a thought or idea to an acronym, the words individually and collectively tend to lose some of their power and meaning.

That then leads to a misunderstanding of what it all means.”

In this day and age of communication shorthand, it’s easy to lose clarity around just about anything — and diversity, equity, and inclusion is suffering from that. It’s a hot topic that’s fomenting a good deal of argument and upset. Many groups, businesses, and corporations are seeking answers and more concrete solutions.

Lowell Perry, Jr. has worn the hat of Chief Diversity Officer for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America, and now the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. As a business owner and consultant, he’s been in the trenches working with companies and organizations for many years helping bring understanding and a shift in culture.

“I’ve traveled around the country not to simply talk about what it means to have inclusive practices — but rather to impress upon people and organizations the importance of developing a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion — because it’s not a box-checking exercise. What I want to know is does a company walk its

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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.

talk? How do we become more responsible as corporate citizens when looking at a more inclusive culture?”

Lowell has found that this subject has become a critical piece in our lives both personally and professionally. With so much social and political hyperbole surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, confusion has set in that’s pushed people to extremes on all sides. Most vocal are the head-in-the-sand naysayers trying to give it a bad name, to politicize and weaponize it in order to attain or maintain power, control, and authority over others. It’s causing our country to backslide.

“What we need to understand is that we have created a caste system in America,” Lowell explained. He has found that the idea of inclusivity truly scares people who don’t think in terms of gaining something, but instead losing something be it status, power, wealth, position, etc. Yet, he feels the word “inclusivity” is the fulcrum of this triad in that when there is inclusivity, diversity follows.

“It’s not diversity for diversity’s sake, it’s being inclusive, and at least giving people an opportunity to be engaged, to be involved, be heard, be treated with the proper respect that we all should get as citizens, and as human beings. We must be even more intentional with solutions around becoming a more inclusive society. And until we are truly an inclusive society, we’ll never be a perfect union. We need to be able to put in place opportunities for all people with equitable opportunities to pursue and achieve the American Dream.”

[ BUSINESS ]

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 29

[ BUSINESS ] The American Dream isn’t something that happens in a vacuum. It’s truly understanding that there is a collective benefit from everyone’s combined life experiences brought into the everyday machinations of life. No one person or group has all the answers, but collectively — in utilizing our skills, talents, ingenuity, and inspiration — we are all uplifted together. Diversity, equity, and inclusion only occur “if we’re all honest brokers in this conversation,” Lowell said, “but it takes each of us looking at ourselves internally as individuals, groups, communities, and organizations to ensure we have a culture that

but in our neighborhoods, places of work and worship, and in the government bodies tasked with the management of our country and its almost 336 million people. It’s an incredible uphill struggle.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are being hit hard as people’s civil rights are being eroded, as books are being banned, as people try to whitewash and rewrite American history. In essence, there are those trying to avoid and alter our historical narrative, a narrative comprised of stories of pain and hardship, of enslavement and freedom, of despair and hope, of

Taking a chance on love seems to be the biggest risk anyone can take today, but there is no greater feeling than finding your soulmate. can embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

suppression and triumphantly overcoming.

Obviously, people of color have been purposely excluded from this conversation, a narrative that has existed since the founding of this country. The mindset accompanying this is so deeply embedded in our psyches that racism and exclusivity have become the norm for many people. For them, they are unable to see and grasp the innumerable subtle forms in which racism and exclusivity are expressed. And now, with the advent of social media platforms, disseminating that divisiveness and separation are done at the touch of a button and sent worldwide.

Those stories are part and parcel of our heritage and collective humanness. No matter how uncomfortable and heartwrenching those stories are, it’s necessary that they be known and heard so that we can remove the veils of illusion from our eyes and rise above.

Developing in tandem with that tech ability is the growing lack of compassion, reasonableness, connection, respect, honesty, and civility. People have become extraordinarily defensive, bad-mannered, inconsiderate, and abusive without thought as to consequences. This is showing up not only on the Internet

“This is such a serious issue for the future of this country, and future generations. We can’t afford to stay on the sidelines and not speak up because it might upset somebody or get us in trouble at work or anywhere else. The one thing I want to be able to do is to say I did what I could, that which was in my power and ability to do, to at least raise awareness and try to better educate people to speak up and out.”

Lowell’s drive comes from the understanding that we all have a responsibility. He believes we were all put here to serve others, and the more each of us is grounded in that idea, the more people will be receptive to the idea that we need to be more inclusive. “As a society, that’s not a bad thing, to want to be fair and civil to one another.”

With the Film Commission, Lowell is

Perry and friends during a recent outing.

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[ OPINION ]

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 31

[ OPINION ]

32 AUGUST 2023 / CODE M

[ BUSINESS ]

striving to ensure that the organization is firmly in step with diversity, equity, and inclusion. “It ought to be woven into the fiber of every organization as part of its strategic plan. It’s not just something that one person is doing and showing up at community events and that kind of thing. It must be part of the organization’s culture, a part of their DNA, a part of everyone in that organization.”

Lowell believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion should not be a standalone issue but an integral component throughout all aspects of society. “This isn’t a white, Black, brown, or gay brand. It is a universal brand that encompasses everyone. We welcome everybody into this tent, we want everybody at the table, everyone’s invited to the party.

“There are many ways to get to a destination, and no one path is necessarily any better than another. But if we can agree on what the end game is and what it is that we’re trying to do — diversity, equity, and inclusion — we can create a more meaningful life, and have a greater, more positive impact on society. That’s what I do for my kids; my grandkids Olivia, Zoe, Reese, and Lyric; young

people; and the community. That’s why I get out there every day, and fight the good fight, because I want to leave this world a better place than I found it.” ●

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 33

COVER

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[ COVER ]

THE OPINION OF

CHRIS BROUSSARD Chris Broussard discusses all things sports including the current rising pay of athletes, the cost for a family of four to attend a game, and his passion for his foundation KING.

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 / AUGUST 2023 35

A

[ COVER ] ll high school athletes play sports with the goal of making it into professional sports. They dream of hitting the tying run, scoring the game-winning shot, or catching the winning touchdown. But if they don’t make it to as a pro, they should do what Chris Broussard did.

Broussard became a professional sports jour-

nalist.

Broussard, who went to Cleveland’s Holy Name High School, always wanted to be an athlete. He played football, basketball, and baseball and knew from the age of seven that he wanted to play professional sports.

“My aunt asked me when I was young what I wanted to do when I grew up. I told her I wanted to be a football player,” Broussard said. “She then asked me what I wanted to do if that didn’t work out, so I said I wanted to be a basketball

player.”

Broussard had his sights set on sports — period. He ended up playing basketball at division three Oberlin College and continued that dream until his sophomore year.

“I knew at some point that I would have to get serious about my future when I was in college, so I looked at my friends on the team and they all had real career goals beyond sports,” Broussard said. “So, I developed a formula for myself that combined my love of sports and something I was gifted at.”

His gift just so happened to be writing. Broussard wrote for his high school paper and decided to make sports journalism his career. He won an opportunity to do an internship at the Cleveland Plain Dealer one summer and turned that opportunity into a job after graduating.

“I saw that everyone came to the games dressed. Journalists in New York knew that they might be asked to talk about the game on TV, so they were prepared to be on the air if asked. So, I had to come dressed well too.”

Broussard’s early career at the paper was to cover local high school sports. He then started to cover college and professional sports. He also wrote for the Akron Beacon Journal.

As his career continued to excel, he eventually became the writer for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians. He was able to report on the sports he loved.

“Back when I was a writer, we really tried to find compelling ways to write. With the internet, everyone knows the score of the game by the time they get the paper. So, we tried to write from a perspective that would capture the essence of what was going on,” Broussard said.

His gift of being able to write caught the attention of The New York Times. Broussard moved to New York and continued his career as a writer.

“I was told by other writers in New York to be careful if I worked for the Times,” he said. Other journalists in the city

Chris Broussard is the president and founder of the KING Movement which mentors men around the country.

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[ COVER ]

Chris Broussard attended Oberlin College just outside of Cleveland, Ohio, and in 2016 was inducted into the Holy Name Athletic Hall of Fame.

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 37

[ COVER ] warned him that the Times could be hard on him about his writing style and that he might feel confined there. To Broussard’s surprise, it was the exact opposite.

“When I got to the Times, they allowed me to really develop my writing craft. They let me do me, which I loved,” Broussard said.

Broussard also noticed that New York journalists dressed up when they reported on games. He always wore jeans and a shirt to the games he reported on, but in New York, they showed up in suits. He asked what the deal was, and the answer paved the way for his next career.

“I saw that everyone came to the games dressed. Journalists in New York knew that they might be asked to talk about the game on TV, so they were prepared to be on air if asked. So, I had to come dressed well, too,” Broussard explained. “I had the clothes to get the job done, so I came to win!”

And win he did. Broussard started to get asked to appear on air and comment on the sporting events he reported on. That led to him getting on ESPN from time to time and eventually becoming a regular on TV. Broussard even wrote for ESPN The Magazine and became a series regular on Cold Pizza, a long-running show on EPSN, and other various sports talk shows for the network.

In October 2016, Broussard left ESPN for Fox Sports 1. He has stated that he left ESPN because the network’s offer to return would have relegated him strictly to a reporter’s role. At that

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

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stage of his career, he found FS1’s offer to be more of a commentator, analyst, and personality.

At FS1, Broussard was a regular panelist on Skip and Shannon: Undisputed, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, First Things First, and Lock It In. On August 30, 2021, Broussard became co-host of First Things First, replacing former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

In 2018 Broussard became co-host of a daily national radio show called The Odd Couple. His co-host is Rob Parker, another FS1 sports analyst. The Odd Couple can be heard on FOX Sports Radio and Sirius XM Channel 83.

His TV show and podcast are among the favorites of sports enthusiasts everywhere. Broussard understands the power of his platform and uses it to work to make the lives of men better.

In addition to his work as a sports commentator, Broussard is the founder and president of The KING Movement, a national Christian men’s organization that seeks to strengthen men in their Christian faith and lifestyle by providing support, accountability, teaching, fellowship, and brotherhood. KING is an acronym standing for Knowledge, Inspiration, and Nurture through God. With twenty locations around the country, the KING Movement is beginning to gain national attention.

“Our goal is to help men become better men through faith. I have a deep personal relationship with GOD, and He has been a guide and blessing in my life. I wanted to see if I could

Chris Broussard hosts a daily TV show on FOX Sports 1 and the podcast, The Odd Couple.

[ COVER ]

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 39

[ COVER ]

40 AUGUST 2023 / CODE M

[ COVER ] help anyone else who might need some help to do the same,” Broussard said.

The organization holds its annual KING Movement Convention every year and holds a threeday conference where they invite other men to speak to their journeys in life with Christ as their Savior.

They also have some fun, too. The KING Movement hosts a three-on-three basketball tournament for anyone who wants to participate. “Our next national conference will be in Cleveland at the Word Church, and we expect it to be a great turnout.”

Broussard has had some of the older men petition for a thirty-five and older, three-on-three tournament — so there will be two categories: one for the young guys and one for men over thirty-five. The event ends with a ceremony to admit new members to the organization.

“For those who want to join our Movement, they must go through a process to become a member. But we welcome any men who want to have Christ as a guide in their life and live a purposedriven life,” Broussard explained.

When Broussard is not working, he enjoys time with his wife, Crystal. They’ve been married since 1995. They have twin daughters, Alexis and Noelle.

Broussard’s aunt was right. He needed to produce a backup plan if he didn’t make it to pro sports. Everyone should develop a formula for combining their passion with their skill set.

Broussard did, and it worked out well for him. ●

Delivery services are using robots to Broussard speaking at his KING send food to customers.

Movement.

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 41

HEALTH

Within the journey of life, we may encounter tumultuous paths that seem lonely and burdensome. However, it is essential to recognize that our mental health deserves unwavering attention and care, just as any other aspect of our lives.

T

Written by CHRIS A. MATTHEWS Chris A. Matthews is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and approved supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Visit chrisAmatthews.com to learn more about his work with couples and families.

sources to overcome them.

The Financial Barriers

his article delves deeper into the challenges faced

by Black men in accessing mental health care while emphasizing the transformative power of vulnerability and opening up to heal up. It explores the barriers that hinder Black men from seeking mental health support and provides re-

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In the realm of mental health care, financial constraints often present significant hurdles for Black men. Despite insurance coverage, high co-pays and deductibles can discourage many brothers from seeking professional help. However, when Black men take the time to find affordable options and understand out-of-network benefits, the issues stemming around the cost

[ HEALTH ]

OPEN UP TO HEAL UP for counseling services can be addressed.

greater emotional well-being and overall life satisfaction.

In several cities there are grant programs and nonprofits that specialize in providing affordable mental health care for Black men, but these services are often underutilized for reasons discussed later in this article. Breaking the barriers of financial constraints begins with acknowledging the importance of mental health and seeking support despite financial challenges.

According to a study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Black men who actively participate in therapy reported significant reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. This suggests that opening up and discussing one’s emotions in a therapeutic setting can lead to noticeable improvements in mental health. By challenging these norms and promoting open conversations about mental health within their families, Black men can create a supportive environment where vulnerability is embraced, and healing is facilitated.

Family Dynamics Within the Black community, cultural norms often emphasize the importance of strength and resilience, leading to the suppression of emotions and vulnerabilities. These attitudes may be ingrained from generations past, which discourage open discussions about mental health. Research has consistently shown that Black men who seek therapy and engage in open discussions about their feelings experience numerous benefits, leading to

Addressing the Stigma The stigma surrounding mental health remains a significant barrier for Black men seeking professional help. Research has shown that this stigma is often perpetuated by societal CODE M / AUGUST 2023 43

HEALTH

42 AUGUST2023 / CODE M

[ HEALTH ] misconceptions and inadequate representation of Black men in mental health spaces.

A research article in the Journal of Mental Health Counseling revealed that Black men who were willing to share their feelings and vulnerabilities with a therapist experienced increased selfawareness and a deeper understanding of their emotions. This newfound awareness allowed them to develop healthier coping mechanisms and build stronger emotional resilience.

To combat the stigma around therapy, open discussions and increased representation of Black mental health professionals are crucial. When Black men witness others opening up and sharing their mental health experiences, it encourages them to seek help without shame or judgment. By collectively addressing the stigma surrounding mental health and sharing stories of healing and growth, Black men contribute to a more inclusive and accepting environment, empowering more Black men to seek the mental health support they need.

The Challenge of Vulnerability For Black men, the societal pressure to portray strength and stamina can create an environment where vulnerability is perceived as a sign of weakness. However, numerous studies have consistently highlighted the significance of embracing vulnerability as a crucial aspect of emotional well-being and the formation of meaningful connections.

Research conducted by Brené Brown, a renowned vulnerability researcher, emphasizes that vulnerability is not a weakness, but rather a source of strength. Brown’s work reveals that individuals who embrace vulnerability experience increased levels of self -acceptance and authenticity. By allowing themselves to be vulnerable, Black men can foster genuine connections with others and develop more profound relationships.

higher levels of satisfaction and engagement in therapy when working with therapists who shared similar cultural backgrounds and experiences. This finding underscores the importance of cultural competence in mental health care, especially for marginalized communities like Black men.

Unfortunately, the underrepresentation of Black therapists in the mental health field persists. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), in 2018, only 4.3 percent of psychologists identified as Black or African American. This lack of representation poses a significant barrier for Black men seeking mental health services, as it can be challenging to find professionals that truly understand their experiences and unique needs. By advocating for increased representation and cultural competence within the mental health field, Black men can improve access to effective, culturally relevant care.

The Journey of Discovery The process of finding the right therapist can indeed be overwhelming, particularly for Black men facing unique challenges and experiences. To ensure the best therapeutic fit, it is crucial to ask the right questions and conduct thorough research. Studies have highlighted the significance of cultural competence and representation in mental health care, emphasizing the need for Black men to seek therapists that understand their specific backgrounds and concerns.

Referrals from trusted sources, such as friends, family mem-

The Importance of Representation The scarcity of Black therapists and mental health professionals poses a significant challenge for Black men seeking mental health support. Extensive research reveals that individuals experience more positive treatment outcomes when they connect with professionals that understand their unique experiences and cultural background.

According to a study published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology, clients of color, including Black individuals, reported CODE M / AUGUST 2023 45

[ HEALTH ] bers, or community leaders, can play a crucial role in finding a therapist that understands and can address the unique challenges faced by Black men. Seeking recommendations from those who have had positive experiences with therapists can provide valuable insights and increase the chances of finding a compatible therapist.

Studies have also emphasized the importance of building a strong therapeutic alliance, which is the bond between the therapist and the client. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology indicates that a positive therapeutic alliance significantly contributes to better treatment outcomes, increased client engagement, and overall satisfaction with therapy. For Black men, feeling understood and respected by their therapist is essential in fostering a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.

cifically for Black men: 1.

Alkeme Health: A digital platform featuring a wealth of content from Black mental health and wellness practitioners. Alkeme Health offers valuable resources for Black individuals seeking mental health services.

2.

BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective): A collective of advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists and activists, BEAM offers a directory of Black therapists certified in providing telehealth services.

3.

Black Men Heal: This nonprofit organization provides information on how Black men can access free therapy sessions from selected providers. Visit their website and click on the “Apply Here” button to get started.

4.

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation: Founded by actress Taraji P. Henson and named after her father, this foundation offers links to licensed therapists of color and information on free therapy access. To begin the process, visit their website.

5.

Melanin and Mental Health: Dedicated to sourcing licensed and culturally competent mental health practitioners for Black and Latinx clients, Melanin and Mental Health provides a platform to connect with therapists of color.

6.

Psychology Today: This well-known mental wellness site hosts a national directory of African American therapists and their contact information. To find a local therapist, explore their website.

7.

Talkspace: An online and mobile therapy company that offers online access to licensed therapists.

Empowering Black Men to Act Now The mental health journey for Black men is one that demands attention and care, regardless of background or struggles. By acknowledging the transformative power of vulnerability and opening up to heal up, Black men can pave the way for emotional growth, resilience, and a brighter future. Black men must collectively address the barriers that hinder them from seeking mental health support by advocating for increased representation, breaking the stigma, and supporting one another on this journey of healing.

Mental well-being is of utmost importance, and by embracing vulnerability, a Black man demonstrates strength and courage in the pursuit of healing and self-discovery. Taking that first step and getting help is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and it’s essential for Black men to have access to resources that cater to their unique needs and experiences. Here are some organizations and platforms dedicated to providing support and services spe-

8. TherapyForBlackMen.Org: This organization provides a digital directory of therapists specifically for Black males. Additionally, they offer inquiries about financial assistance for therapy on their website. ●

Getting help for mental illness is still a struggle for most men.

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[ LIFE ]

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 45

[ HEALTH ]

BETTER SLEEP FOR A BETTER LIFE Americans take sleep for granted. The truth is, getting the proper amount of rest can determine your quality of life.

Written by GARRETT WALLER Garrett is the founder and owner of Garrett Waller, LLC, "A Fitness, Health, & Lifestyle Company." Garrett has his BS in Psychology and is a nationally certified personal trainer. He helps people find more freedom in their lives through a commitment to fitness and an active lifestyle. https://garrettwaller.com

Y

ou’ve probably heard the phrase, “Your fitness results are 80 percent nutrition and 20 percent exercise.” The truth is that it is absolutely impossible because it doesn’t account for sleep! The amount of sleep we get affects our health and fitness levels, as well as our choices about what to eat on a subconscious and hormonal level. This should be no surprise as many of us know that sleep is a key to maintaining and improving overall health.

The issue is that sleep is not a priority in the typical American life-

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style. An unwillingness to sacrifice sleep is the reason why many people believe that they don’t have the time for exercise. On the other hand, a lack of sleep is often the reason why many people feel like they don’t have the energy to exercise.

First, let’s talk about how much sleep we really need. While there is no number of hours of sleep that will guarantee you will wake up feeling fresh and energized, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine organized a panel of sleep experts that recommend at least seven hours of sleep for adults (Suni, 2023). Our daily circadian rhythms, or sleep/ wake cycle, allow us to function optimally in a dynamic world, adjusting our biology to the demands imposed by the day/night cycle.

[ HEALTH ]

During sleep, although energy expenditure and digestive processes decrease, many essential activities occur including cellular repair, toxin clearance, memory consolidation, and information processing by the brain (Foster, 2020). This is necessary so that our bodies recover from the day and prepare for the next. Studies show that those who get unhealthy amounts of sleep report mental and physical health ailments and spend more on healthcare than those who get the recommended amount of sleep.

The truth is that maximizing the benefits of your sleep goes beyond simply striving to get more sleep on the weekends or the days when not working. Many people working during the week with days off on the weekend and who “catch up on sleep” think that it will even out or make up for a lack of

sleep. About 56 percent of Americans follow this type of sleep schedule (Pizinger, 2018).

Experts suggest that instead of not getting enough sleep most days and then compensating by sleeping longer over the weekend, may be more beneficial to get a consistent amount of sleep no matter the duration. Getting the same amount of sleep each night allows the brain to adjust to the level of effort it needs to handle everyday functions. The brain has to work harder to handle normal stress on the days when significantly more sleep is attained than if the sleep duration remains the same.

Researchers have found that those who sleep more over the weekend experienced similar results as people who remained sleep deprived. Both groups experienced excess calorie intake CODE M / AUGUST 2023 49

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[ LIFE ] after dinner, reduced energy expenditure, increased weight, and detrimental changes in how the body uses insulin (Dudley, 2019). The key to having more energy may simply be to focus on sleep consistency.

Attaining the proper amount of sleep is a determining factor in how easy or hard it is to make healthy eating decisions, which have a direct correlation to body weight and metabolism. Two specific hormones, ghrelin, and leptin, are instrumental in how hungry and satisfied one feels during and after eating. Ghrelin is a hormone that signals hunger in the body. The body releases leptin when feeling satisfied from eating.

A study found that people who slept less than eight hours had decreased levels of leptin and increased levels of ghrelin, making it harder to maintain your normal weight on a long-term basis because of feeling hungrier and eating more.

Getting less sleep goes beyond just feeling low energy. It also affects one’s appetite on a physiological level of which most people are unaware. So, sleeping less can literally make it nearly impossible to stick to a nutritional plan and not overeat or choose less healthy food options.

a slimmer waistline, faster metabolism, and losing weight that can lead to a healthier and more energetic life. ● Sources: Dudley, K. (2019). “Weekend catch-up sleep won’t fix the effects of sleep deprivation on your waistline.” Harvard Health. https:// www.health.harvard.edu/blog/weekend-catch-up-sleep-wont-fix-the-effectsof-sleep-deprivation-on-your-waistline-2019092417861 Foster, R. G. (2020). “Sleep, circadian rhythms, and health.” Interface Focus, 10(3), 20190098. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsfs.2019.0098 Suni, E. (2021, March 10). “How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?” National Sleep Foundation (A. Singh, Ed.). Sleep Foundation. https:// www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-reallyneed Pizinger, T. M., Aggarwal, B., & St-Onge, M.-P. (2018). “Sleep Extension in Short Sleepers: An Evaluation of Feasibility and Effectiveness for Weight Management and Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention.” Frontiers in Endocrinology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2018.00392 Taheri, S., Lin, L., Austin, D., Young, T., & Mignot, E. (2004). “Short Sleep Duration Is Associated with Reduced Leptin, Elevated Ghrelin, and Increased Body Mass Index.” PLoS Medicine, 1(3), e62. https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pmed.0010062

Interest in finding ways to improve sleep patterns is improving, but sleep is still not given nearly as much attention as physical exercise and nutrition. Every training and meal plan ought to come with a sleep improvement plan that includes the following guidelines: Be Consistent: stick to the same sleep schedule every day, even on weekends.

Monitor caffeine and alcohol consumption in the hours before bed.

Keep it simple: practice a relaxing bedtime routine that includes normal hygiene like face washing and brushing your teeth. Over time, this will signal the brain that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep.

Choose bedding that is suitable for the best comfort. Replace the mattress and pillows as needed to improve sleep quality.

Disconnect from electronic devices and utilize “do not disturb” modes 30-60 minutes before bed.

Minimize bright overhead light and set the room temperature for optimal sleep.

If exercising and not seeing results quickly enough, it could be from an inconsistent sleep routine. Keeping a sleep log for a few days could help with motivation to stick to some of the guidelines above. A shift in focus has proven to be the missing key to CODE M / AUGUST 2023 51

[ HEALTH ]

DISCUSSING

THE BLACK MATERNAL & INFANT MORTALITY EPIDEMIC

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[ HEALTH ]

Black women are twice as likely to experience stillbirth and baby death than white women, and are at a higher risk of having an early birth and a baby with low birthweight. ROOTT (Restoring Our Own Through Transformation) has a plan to change that.

I

n May 2017, Jessica M. Roach, a nurse, doula, midwife, and public health professional made a call that would change the way our country viewed the Black maternal and infant mortality epidemic. She made the call because she felt that Black families had endured enough trauma in their pregnancy and childbirth experiences. Jessica, during her twenty years as a birth worker, had never lost a baby or a mother, but she had witnessed this same trauma.

She became frustrated by the ongoing mistreatment, inaccurate medical information, and other unnecessary interventions born from institutionalized racism. This racism includes comments from physicians during labor that say, “…our little Black babies are just a little weaker,” or that “Black women are just at a higher risk for problems” — without any explanation or clinical rationale. Jessica knew the result of this malpractice or obstetric racism has a disproportionately adverse impact on Black families.

For Jessica, each circumstance was reminiscent of her own highrisk pregnancy. At the time, she didn’t have any unmet social determinants of health or “risk factors” that are commonly linked

The Call…

In May 2017, Jessica made a call that would change the way our country viewed the Black maternal and infant mortality epidemic. She called Dorian L. Wingard, a C-suite and senior -level public administrator, human services expert, community advocate, and public policy professional. Dorian is a known member of the Black Columbus community. His tenacity and dedication to the strengthening of Black families have always been at the forefront of his professional and personal experiences.

When Jessica called him about the abysmal rates by which Black infants and mothers were dying, as well as significant concerns about the City of Columbus initiative, he wasn’t surprised. He, like so many others, “knew” but didn’t really “know” just how extensive the epidemic had become. He also remained very supportive but had questions. The answers, while infuriating, were not surprising to him. He and Jessica shared the same value constructs rooted in the tra-

A recent report by the National March of Dimes, that offers letter grades to cities and states for their rate of preterm birth outcomes, gave the state of Ohio a “D” and the city of Columbus an “F” for 2021. to pregnancy comorbidities or mortality. She was a middle-class professional, educated and married, with stable housing, food, and healthcare access, but she was also Black.

Regardless, she refused to believe that being Black was a health risk factor. In fact, Jessica has repeatedly said that “…there is nothing wrong with us, genetically or biologically. You really can’t say that poverty or being unmarried is a cause, considering we have those health issues regardless of our income and marital status.”

Race alone, in her opinion, was not the health risk factor, racism was. Knowing the political and medical community was going to try to deny racism as a primary health risk factor, Jessica turned to a long-time colleague and friend who has unapologetically dedicated his life and career to the Black community.

dition of the Black family and Black communities. Dorian and Jessica decided to combine their professional and clinical experience in a commitment to developing what ROOTT has become today.

The Action…

For nearly a year, Jessica reached out to Columbus City leaders, Columbus Public Health, and the newly formed CelebrateOne to discuss the disproportionate Black infant mortality issue. She also wanted to collaborate and provide solutions to directly rebuke the obstetric racism, central to the cause of the growing health disparity gap between Black and white infants. None of the official entities would engage her and deny that obstetric (systemic/institutional) racism was the primary issue. Moreover, these same leadCODE M / AUGUST 2023 53

[ LIFE ]

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[ HEALTH ] ers had committed resources to focus on the ABCs of Safe Sleep. It was the combination of these factors that gave birth to ROOTT. Restoring Our Own Through Transformation is known by its national and local communities and partners as ROOTT. ROOTT is a collective of concerned Black families, community members, advocates, and interdisciplinary professionals dedicated to decreasing maternal and infant mortality in Ohio. ROOTT’s mission is to comprehensively restore our well-being through collaboration, resource allocation, research, and empowerment in order to meet the needs of parents and families within communities.

ROOTT understands that negative stereotypes and images have impacted our existence in the US for centuries and will for some time to come. False stories about Black families have been built into all life domains, including the medical and public health professions. These narratives often list being poor, uneducated, drug and/or alcohol abusers, and absent fathers as a cause of the disproportionate rate of Black maternal and infant mortality. It is through this lens of deficit that we are viewed as broken, unhealthy, and not given the same respect or autonomy over our decisions as any other race of people.

Furthermore, it is the same racist ideology that has continued to guide public obstetric health policy that not only supports the theory of Black deficit but upholds it. ROOTT rejected this notion.

The Impact…

Since January 2018, ROOTT has served approximately 700 families through its Perinatal Support Doula (PSD) Services. Those services include family planning, childbirth education, nutrition counseling, prenatal and postpartum health assessments, and other support when needed. ROOTT PSDs are certified through their own training model, which includes a yearlong apprenticeship.

Black families. Services can be provided throughout the entire prenatal, labor and delivery, and the postpartum period, up to the age of five if necessary. The average engagement period for a family is 18-24 months.

Through its comprehensive health equity model for Black families, ROOTT has achieved and maintained a zero percent Black maternal and infant mortality rate since its inception.

Their preterm and low birth weight is less than 6 percent, and their NICU rate is a third of the national average for Black infants. Their postpartum hemorrhage rate, one of the leading causes of maternal death, is less than 3 percent.

While ROOTT families enjoy these healthy birth outcomes, many Black families not served by ROOTT are not as fortunate. A recent report by the National March of Dimes, which offers letter grades to cities and states for their rate of preterm birth outcomes, gave the state of Ohio a “D” and the city of Columbus an “F” for 2021. In addition, the current report from CelerbateOne for Franklin County shows that Black infants continue to die unnecessarily, at nearly 4 times the rate of White infants.

ROOTT has essentially eliminated the mortality rate among the families it serves. They believe that it is the unique ROOTT model that centers the WHOLE family that is the lead contributor to successful outcomes for families.

ROOTT believes Black families come with a knowledge of what they want from their experiences and ROOTT is here to help families find the tools for their own re-empowerment.

ROOTT is clearly helping to make Columbus great again, one Black family at a time. ●

ROOTT PSDs address both the clinical and non-clinical prenatal needs of

ROOTT offers Doula training for mothers who are preparing for childbirth.

CODE M / AUGUST 2023 55

MUSIC [ MUSIC ]

A SUN LIKE NO OTHER In today’s bland world of music, Cleveland artist, Connie Sun, used the past to create a future for modern hip hop.

Written by JOHN O. HORTON JR. John O. Horton Jr, aka DJ Johnny O, is the President of the NerveDJs DJ Coalition, a coalition of over 9000+ DJs, Artists, Musicians, Producers and Label & Radio reps. Johnny O has been in the entertainment business for 46 years

Kevin Ross’s music has become popular all over the world.

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[ MUSIC ]

M

eet Connie Sun, the rising Hip Hop King from Cleveland, OH, whose unique musical style sets him apart from the crowd. Have you ever found yourself surfing through online music platforms like Google Play Music, iTunes, or Amazon Music in search of that extraordinary independent artist who makes your ears dance with joy?

Then, unexpectedly, fate steps in. You stumble upon a video post shared by a friend of a friend on Facebook. As you hit play, something magical happens — your ears are captivated and yearn for more.

This friend of a friend turns out to be a musical genius, and you’re eager to find their music online, hoping to adore their artistry even more than your friend’s post. But there’s a hitch — they don’t have a social media presence or an online artist’s account.

Now, you’re faced with a dilemma you hadn’t anticipated. You can’t help but wonder, “Am I just a groupie?” But fret not; it’s okay to appreciate an artist’s exquisite vocal delivery harmonizing perfectly with a wellproduced beat. You envision this artist performing live with a band, and it’s a mesmerizing thought.

Allow me to introduce you to Connie Sun, the artist from Cleveland who has reignited the spirit of hip-hop akin to the legendary Bone Thugs N’ Harmony. Let’s give a round of applause to this Hip Hop King, a true musical innovator.

But how can an unknown artist be dubbed a Hip Hop King? It’s simple. Connie Sun possesses a few crucial elements that make him worthy of the throne. First, he understands the essence of reinventing the gen-

re’s sound, breathing fresh life into it.

Second, his music is organic, staying true to the traditions and paying respect to the Kings who paved the way.

And third, there’s substance to his delivery, which is rare in an industry where many lack genuine intentions with their music.

In the midst of the current era of hiphop mayhem, Connie Sun emerges as a beacon of hope, offering a validating reason to invest in hip-hop music once again. This unsung musician hailing from Cleveland, OH awaits to be discovered by the masses. But don’t expect your typical hip hop artist — Connie Sun sings with soul and raps with nostalgic rhythm, setting himself apart from the likes of Drake, Chris Brown, Ja Rule, or 50 Cent.

His unique genre of hip hop, which he calls “Block Blues,” embodies authenticity, rawness, and relevance. Take, for instance, his track “Walk with me, Talk with me,” where he pours out the blues of his neighborhood and addresses the ongoing struggles in a city plagued by despair. In the chorus, he sings, “Ain’t no weapon they form would ever prosper. Use my scripture for bullets. Bible my chopper. Ain’t no help here on earth; you need Heaven doctors.” Right from the start, he showcases the kind of artist he is — powerful and unapologetic, reminiscent of DMX at the peak of his career.

So, if you’re eager to experience the fresh and soulful hip hop that Connie Sun has to offer, find him on Facebook and embark on a musical journey that defies convention and showcases the true essence of the genre. ●

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[ LIFE ]

MEDIA SPONSOR

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OPINION

ANYTHING BANNED BECOMES A POLICING ISSUE

Why the FDA menthol ban is not good for communities of color.

By: Elliot T. Boyce, Sr. (Ret.), Director of the New York State Police Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

W

ith the FDA’s pending ban on menthol cigarettes growing ever closer, it’s important that policymakers contemplating passing legislation - that will impact the interactions between Black and Hispanic Americans and law enforcement - better understand the unintended consequences of this decision.

For Those Who Who Are Uninformed This August, the FDA could announce a nationwide ban on all menthol cigarettes, ending the legal sale and purchase of menthol-flavored tobacco. Some advocates falsely claim that menthol products are more harmful, but research shows that menthol cigarettes are no more dangerous than any other cigarette. A JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute study found that “menthol cigarettes are no more, and perhaps less, harmful than nonmenthol cigarettes.” Toothpaste, gum, and

other products can add menthol, but this does not make the products more harmful or addictive. Moreover, menthol cigarettes are not the preferred cigarette in America; nonmenthol cigarettes are. So why would the FDA aim to ban only menthol-flavored tobacco products, especially considering the majority of Black and Latino smokers prefer menthol?

The reasoning behind the ban is misguided, non-scientific, and rooted in the historical targeting of people of color.

For Those Who Claim That the Ban Is Solely Motivated by Health The best solution for a public health issue like tobacco smoking is education, treatment, and counseling. The government knows this approach well, as it’s led to tremendous declines in smoking since the 1960s. According to Statista, from 1965 to 2019, the prevalence of cigarette smoking in the U.S. has decreased from about 42 percent to 14 percent. Resources CODE M / AUGUST 2023 59

[ OPINION] like quit-smoking websites, hotlines, medications, and text message programs contributed to this decrease, as well as common tobacco control policies like warning labels, advertising bans, and smoke-free environments.

For Those Who Don't Understand That Prohibitions Are Police Matters The federal government has not yet released its blueprint for enforcement of this proposed ban; however, under federal guidelines, tobacco-related incidents fall under the jurisdiction of the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), an agency that works both independently and in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies to combat tobacco-related offenses. For advocates and policymakers to tell the public that the health department will enforce the ban, they are ignoring one key fact: anything banned becomes illegal

LIVING IN THE MOMENT

and, therefore, a police matter.

Ban advocates acknowledge that there will be an increase in the trafficking of unregulated cigarettes nationwide. This creates a roadmap for organized criminal enterprises to expand their operations within Black and brown communities where individuals will be seeking their tobacco product of choice due to the ban. History has shown that nothing is better for expanding organized crime than prohibition. In addition, this could force traditionally law-abiding citizens, particularly elderly individuals, who prefer menthol products to the streets to seek illegal, unregulated tobacco products, and in turn, increase their risk of being victims of street crime.

Police officers I have spoken with say this will become one more reason for officers to stop individuals in communities of color impacted by the ban, leading to more negative interac-

The menthol ban will increase drug and tobacco trafficking, a direct consequence of a prohibition. Moreover, guess where police officers will patrol for cigarette smugglers? Yep, in communities of color.

tions and less community trust where it’s already sorely lacking. This means a proactive police approach to solving the trafficking concerns will target individual possessors of contraband and illegal cigarettes to get the larger organized criminals. This is a police tactic that will, unfortunately, target individuals whose only crime is their choice of cigarette.

As a Former Director of the New York State Police Employee Assistance Program (EAP), I travel the nation speaking to policymakers, citizens, and other distinguished law enforcement professionals to further clear up misconceptions about the unintended consequences of the menthol ban. Many smokers and non-smokers (like myself) are unaware of the ban, and many are perplexed by the rationale behind banning products that are not the most widely smoked but instead are preferred

by Blacks and Hispanics.

In conclusion, please remember that information is power; we must understand the unintended consequences of the menthol ban. Health concerns are more effectively managed through education, treatment, and counseling, not by police.

Tell the FDA to stop the reckless menthol ban at http:// ncjp.info/menthol_ban_detail.cfm?banID=21. ●

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Eric Garner was killed by the police in 2014 because we was suspected of selling cigarettes on the street.

[ LIFE ]

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[ OPINION]

QUITTING TO WIN MORE Sometimes, you must take two steps back to take five steps forward. Quitting one thing to live in your purpose might be scary, but doing something you don’t love is much worse.

T

Written by DR. WILLIE JOLLEY Dr. Willie Jolley, Hall of Fame speaker, Sirius XM radio host, and global best-selling author of A Setback Is a Setup For a Comeback and An Attitude of Excellence.

his is Dr. Willie Jolley, and today I want to encourage you to think differently about “quitting,” so you can win more.

he asked, “Dad, isn’t that where you used to work?” I said, “Yes, it is.” He then asked, “Dad, did you get fired?” I replied, “No son, I quit!”

For years, we’ve all heard that you must never give up, you must never quit. I’ve written that same information in many of my books.

As I said that, the tears welled up in his eyes and he started to cry. I asked him what was wrong, and he said, “Daddy, you quit? But Daddy, you told me never to give up, never quit — but you said you quit?”

Yet, let me share a slightly different perspective that will help you live better and achieve more!

Recently, I performed my “Turn Setbacks into Comebacks” oneman show in Washington DC. In the performance, I share lessons I’ve learned along the journey from being a nightclub singer (who got fired and replaced by a karaoke machine during the karaoke craze of the 1980s), to becoming a professional speaker.

I even sang songs I had performed in the jazz clubs and ones I sang during my time as a singer with a group that had popular records on Columbia Records and Mercury Records.

And one of the stories that really resonated with folks, was my quitting my job with the DC Public Schools … when I decided to become a full-time speaker.

I shared that my son and I were riding by the school where I used to work. My son was about six years old at the time, and

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I pulled the car over, took out a tissue, and wiped his tears away. And then I shared the lesson. I said, “Yes, son I quit!

But I didn’t quit because I was giving up, I quit because I was GOING UP!” Sometimes, you must quit those things that keep you down, quit those things that make you frown, and quit those things that keep you bound! You must be willing to quit, then jump and grow wings on the way up!

I encourage you to have faith and quit those things that don’t serve your dreams and goals — and be willing to jump and grow your wings on the way up! And remember: Your best is yet to come!

This is Dr. Willie Jolley. Go to www.WinWithWillie.com for resources to help you to win more!

Dr. Willie Jolley, Hall of Fame speaker, Sirius XM radio host, and global best-selling author of A Setback Is a Setup For a Comeback and An Attitude of Excellence.

[ MUSIC ]

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FASHION

FILLED TO THE BRIM Men are beginning a return to a time when they added flare to their wardrobe. Fashionable hats and brims make the right kind of statement that says he understood the assignment.

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/

Models LEON PARHAM,,,Designed his outfit..

Brim by UNLOCKED BRIMS...

TAMICKA COFFEE... UNLOCKED BRIMS OWNER AND CREATOR Bowtie by STYLED BY DECARLO Location...50 NORTH SPEAKEASY

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[ FASHION ]

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[ FASHION ]

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[ FASHION ]

LEON PARHAM DESIGNER OF HIS OWN OUTFIT Brim by UNLOCKED BRIMS photo by D LYFE PHOTO Location at 50 NORTH SPEAKEASY

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[ FASHION ]

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[ FASHION ]

KLASSIC JAE photo by D LYFE PHOTO

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[ FASHION ]

TEMREMAINE CHAVIS Brim by UNLOCKED BRIMS photo by TANICQUA HAMILTON

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[ FASHION ]