CODE M MAGAZINE 2025 APRIL ISSUE by CODE M Magazine

TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN

BECOMING BIOLOGICALLY PERFECT

THE BEAUTY OF BLACK FASHION

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Decisions from the White House are having a cascading eﬀect on American life. For those impacted, the next 4 years could change their lives forever. Here are some things you can do if you have been impacted.

SUBSCRIBE HERE

CODE M CELEBRATES

ACHIEVERS WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Lawrence “Butch” Hamilton III and Sherri Hamilton has turned their passion of giving and community into one of Ohio’s premiere events, with the Ohio Black Expo kicking oﬀ the Memorial Day Weekend.

Decisions from the White House are having a cascading eﬀect on American life. For those impacted, the next 4 years could ON THE COVER change their lives forever. Here are some things you can do if you have been impacted.

14 MOVERS AND SHAKERS

17 MAN CODES

Resistance.

18 WHEN THE GAME CHANGES, ADAPT

The music business is known to be ﬁckle, tough, and yet rewarding. You’re in one day riding a high, and the next day you’re invisible and forgo en. How do you keep your music and your career alive and fulﬁlling? Adapt!

20 CODE M CELEBRATES 10 ACHIEVERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

community, and their families. We are proud to celebrate these men this month and we encourage you to do the same thing.

30 A REAL CONVERSATION ABOUT VACCINATIONS

There is conversa on happening in many family rooms on if vaccina ons are good or bad. The volume of shots are increasing; and so is au sm, ADD, ADHD and deaths.

50 HOOD LESSONS ABOUT MONEY

Is it a hood tendency to already be considering whether or not you’re going to pay someone back before you even ask to borrow the money? 42 THE RIPPLE EFFECT

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

CODE M was born to showcase and highlight Black people who are making a diﬀerence for their businesses,

Photo taken by Shellee Fisher.

AKRON BIRTHS NEW MUSICIAN

Akron, Ohio does it again with the birth of Young Caleb, a talented musician and songwriter who is taking the country by storm.

55 ONE OF US IS WRONG

Arguing with your signiﬁcant other can cause problems in your rela onship. And depending on who takes responsibility can mean everything, and it's deﬁnitely not me.

58 CHAMPION OF THE PEOPLE

Shaker Heights, Ohio police chief, Wayne Hudson is the police oﬃcer Americans envision when they think of those who are awarded the opportunity to protect and serve.

62 THE DIVINE 9

Get to know people who are making a diﬀerence in their organiza ons and in their careers.

64 BECOMING BIOLOGICALLY PERFECT

DNA gene edi ng and bio-cell re-genera on is crea ng a market for those who are looking for eternal youth and immortality.

72 THE BEAUTY OF BLACK FASHION

Black culture dominates fashion trends and Black culture drives what women wear today. Here are some fashion statements that represent Black fashion.

PUBLISHER

Bilal S. Akram

PRESIDENT

Brad J. Bowling

SENIOR ADVISOR

Alexandria Johnson Boone

MANAGING EDITOR

David Christel

CHIEF OF STAFF

Anita G. Butler

PAGE EDITORS

LaRese Purnell-Chief Financial Editor

Laron Harlem-Fashion Editor

Paris Lampkins-Movers & Shakers Editor

Randall Sylvertooth-Tech Editor

Juan Toney-Health Editor

GRAPHIC DESIGN

S ﬀ Arm Media

MEDIA COORDINATOR

Carole Anthony

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

To the PUBLISHER

Ladonna “Lala” Dicks

ENGINEER RADIO/PODCAST

Imari Hill

SOCIAL MEDIA

Rachel Woods

IT CONSULTANT

Anthony Jones Digital Jetstream, LLC

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

David Christel

Leslie Logan

Brad J. Bowling

Bilal S. Akram

Laron Harlem

Bolling Smith

Chris Ma hews

India Gardener

Randall Sylvertooth

LaRese Purnell

Juan Toney CODE MEDIA GROUP LLC

Sharif Akram

Darrell Sco

To submit comments, feedback or to inquire about adver sing please contact us at

info@codemediagroupllc.com

SHAKERS

BARRY BATES

Barry Bates was born and raised in Cincinna , Ohio and a Walnut Hills High School alumni who graduated in the top 10 percen le of his class. A proud University of Dayton alumni, as an intercollegiate athlete, he walked onto the Dayton Flyers football team and was a member of the Flyer track and ﬁeld team.

He spent 20 years in store management with the Kroger Company, working in & contribu ng to the vibrancy of 13 diﬀerent communi es. As a claims resolu on specialist of seven years, Bates led as a mentor

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

by Paris Lampkins

and managed high complexity claims and interpreted insurance policy language and endorsements.

His love has been my 14 years of experience as a realtor (6.5 years at Sibcy Cline Realtors and 7.5 and coun ng at Coldwell Banker Realty.

At B-Squared Homes, he transcend the ordinary, while cura ng a real estate journey that deﬁes conven on. His unwavering commitment to excellence is rooted in a rich tapestry of experiences, me culously woven over decades.

DR. MICHELLE SCOTT TAYLOR

Dr. Michele Sco Taylor is the President and CEO of College Now Greater Cleveland, the na on’s ﬁrst and largest college access organiza on. Founded in 1967, College Now serves more than 38,000 individuals annually, providing comprehensive college access and success programs, scholarships, and strategic support for Cleveland’s promise program.

Under Dr. Taylor’s leadership, the organiza on remains at the forefront of research and innova on in the college access and success field, ensuring its programs reflect best-in-class strategies. With more than 13 years as College Now’s Chief Program Officer, Dr. Taylor spearheaded cri cal ini a ves, including school- and community-based advising programs and federally funded efforts such as Talent Search, and GEAR UP.

DR. LASHELLE JEFFERSON

Dr. Lashelle Jeﬀerson, MSW, DHL, is a seasoned social service professional, bringing over a decade of dedicated experience to her impac ul work suppor ng individuals and families. At Say Yes to Educa onCleveland, she excels as a Family Support Specialist-Supervisor, orchestra ng comprehensive service plans that empower student success. Her leadership extends to mentoring 8th-grade students, coordina ng wraparound services, and cul va ng strong community partnerships. Dr. Jeﬀerson’s exper se ensures students access cri cal resources for both academic and personal growth. Her unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being of diverse popula ons is evident in her collabora ve approach, working closely with families, school administrators, and service providers. This dedica on to holis c support fosters thriving, successful students, crea ng las ng posi ve change.

KIERRA COTTON

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Kierra Co on is a 3 winning media professional and host. A er gradua ng from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, she returned to her hometown with a determina on to make her broadcas ng dreams a reality. She began her professional career at WKYC Channel 3, serving in various roles, including digital content producer, reporter, and even hos ng her own show, We the People.

In 2021, looking to broaden her impact, Co on joined the Cleveland Cavaliers organiza on as an in-game host. Most recently, she transi oned from TV broadcas ng to corporate communica ons and now serves as the Marke ng & Communica ons Manager for the Port of Cleveland, while also con nuing her role as an in-game host for both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Cleveland Charge.

MAN CODES: RESISTANCE

“Do you see law and order? There is nothing but disorder, and instead of law there is the illusion of security. It is an illusion because it is built on a long history of injus ces: racism, criminality, and the genocide of millions. Many people say it is insane to resist the system, but actually, it is insane not to.”

- Mumia Abu-Jamal

“One of the most vital ways we sustain ourselves is by building communi es of resistance, places where we know we are not alone” - bell Hooks

“When injus ce becomes law, resistance becomes duty”

- Alexei Navalny

“A na on can survive its fools, even the ambi ous. But it cannot survive treason from within....for the traitor appears not to be a traitor...he rots the soul of a na on...he infects the body poli c

Compiled by Bilal S. Akram

so that it can no longer resist” - Marcus Tullius Cicero

“If you are neutral in mes of injus ce, you have chosen the side of the oppressor” - Desmond Tutu

“To ﬁght and conquer in all our ba les is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without ﬁgh ng” - Sun Tzu

“Brave men do not gather by thousands to torture and murder a single individual, so gagged and bound he cannot make even feeble resistance or defense” - Ida B. Wells

Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against ﬂesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authori es, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” NIV

Ida B. Wells

WHEN THE GAME CHANGES, ADAPT

Adapt!

LBy David Christel

earning to be adaptable is one of the primary keys to weathering whatever life presents us. The more adaptable we are, the more opportunity to succeed in life.

Dennis “Cash” Roberson learned that lesson early in his life and career. When he was about nine or ten years of age, his older brother, Tony, began playing drums in a group called Hot Chocolate, which had been formed by Lou Ragland, a Cleveland legend. Eight years older than Dennis, Tony began playing gigs with Hot Chocolate at venues like the Ohio State Fair, where they opened for Al Green. For Dennis, “That was a big thing for me at the state fair seeing my brother, who was eighteen at the me, on stage with Green. That’s what opened my eyes to life and show business.”

At that me, The Jackson Five appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, a variety show featuring a wide range of performers. Dennis’s family was comprised of seven brothers and one sister. So, Tony “… grabbed ﬁve of us brothers and he began teaching us to sing. My twin brother, Danny, was Marlon, and I was Michael. That’s what really propelled us to analyze the Jackson Five and what they were doing. And that’s what really started our careers.”

Along with that, Dennis and kids from his neighborhood got together to form a group emula ng the Tempta ons. By the me they got to junior high, they were playing instruments. They entered the school talent show, and people loved them. The following year, Dennis and Danny decided it would be best to be singers and started a group with four members, calling themselves Four of a Kind.

Then, when Dennis was in ninth grade, the group Erroll Gaye and the Imagina ons performed at his school. Their manager, Winston Gragg, had heard about Four of a Kind from the talent shows they’d been doing. Dennis and his twin brother were asked to join Erroll’s group. With Dennis sounding

Anthony

community.

like Michael Jackson, just like Erroll, it caused tension, and he quit the group.

Dennis discovered Jimmy Fleming, who was 13 years old that summer and visi ng a girl across the street from his house. He told Danny, “Hey, that kid over there favors us.” They approached Jimmy, asking him to join their group. They taught him to sing and dance and recorded their ﬁrst single tled “I Love You S ll” in Los Angeles, CA. It was there that they changed their name to CA$H because there was an established gospel group with the name Imagina ons. With all the changes, people coming and going in the groups, adaptability became the fulcrum by which Dennis, his brother, and other members were able to not let things upset them or throw them oﬀ their game. “That’s how we got along in the business, were able to stay focused. We liked the business because it was just what people did sing, dance, and keep going.” The group got to travel, meet people, and make people feel good through their music.

Throughout it all, Dennis’s parents were suppor ve, allowing the boys to do what they wanted musically. Even li le brother Jeﬀrey got in on the act when he stepped in at the age of nine years old to play drums at a gig with Al Hudson and One Way in Akron when the group’s drummer showed up drunk. Jeﬀrey, who started out playing the drums in rehearsals, has stayed in the music business ever since.

CA$H, opened for the Tempta ons, Blue Magic, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Al Hudson, Cur s Mayﬁeld, the Dells, War, the Moments, Stevie Wonder, The Sylvers, and others. They also had gigs in ci es from New York to Los Angeles and for Jesse Jackson's P.U.S.H. Opera on in Chi-town. A fortuitous appearance on Soul Train gained them na onal a en on.

What also caught Dennis’s a en on during this me was all the things that went on behind the scenes in the music business.

“When I got to the age of 27-28, I started doing more things with people. My li le brother was trying to mess around the same as me, working with diﬀerent people and such. We tried recording

CLE STRONG

things. I learned to produce television because I saw the behind-the-scenes machina ons with Soul Train.”

Dennis checked out anything that was entertainmentrelated, observing, studying, and then taking ac on. He knew it was all kind of like a shell game. It kept him going, and he was able to take on a lot of new things to keep the music inﬂuence going.

Over the years, Dennis has con nued to expand his experse, managing other ar sts and groups. He has produced the Greatest R&B Legends Music Awards from 2021 to present to honor, acknowledge, and feature the ar sts who impacted Cleveland’s R&B music scene over the past ﬁ y years.

This year’s 2025 GRBLMA’s honors legends Evelyn Champagne King, Raydio, Enchantment (featuring David Banks), Randy Hall, Cleveland’s legendary group The Hesita ons, and more! This year’s event will be held on May 17 at The Civic in Mayﬁeld Heights, Ohio. Dennis Cash, producer of the ceremony, as well as the previous Greatest R&B Legends Music Awards, can be seen on TUBI and Prime.

Meanwhile, Dennis keeps moving forward, being mindful that “If things don't work out the way you want, remember that it may not be the right me. The music industry isn’t easy. Keep believing in a higher power, and it'll happen when the me is right. If you do the right thing, it’ll somehow work out down the road. And remember, when the game changes adapt!” ●

Anthony Brown in various ngs throughout the community.

The album cover Cash from Roberson and his group.

10 CODE M CELEBRATES ACHIEVERS

WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

CODE M was born to showcase and highlight Black people who are making a diﬀerence for their businesses, community, and their families. We are proud to celebrate these men this month and we encourage you to do the same thing.

Dr. Randal D. Pinke

Co-founder, Chairman and CEO, BCT Partners

Dr. Randal Pinke has established himself as an entrepreneur, innovator, speaker, author, media personality and DEI expert who is leading the way in business, technology and equity for all. He is the co-founder, chairman and CEO of BCT Partners, a global, mul million-dollar research, training, consul ng, technology, and data analy cs ﬁrm whose mission is to leverage diversity, insights and innova on to transform lives, accelerate equity and create las ng change. The company has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Management Consul ng Firms, Ernst & Young as EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Manage HR Magazine as a Top 10 Firm for Diversity & Inclusion, the Black Enterprise BE100s list of the na on’s largest Black-owned businesses, and the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

Dr. Pinke is an expert in several areas rela ng to emerging technologies, “big data” analy cs, social innova on, culture, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and is a regular contributor on MSNBC, CNN, and Fox Business News. An interna onal public speaker, he is the author or coauthor of several books including Black Faces in High Places, Black Faces in White Places, DataDriven DEI, Campus CEO, and No-Money Down CEO. He holds ﬁve degrees including: a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University; a M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Oxford in England; and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering, MBA, and Ph.D. from MIT.

Damon Williams

Comedian

Damon Williams, the legendary comedian, actor, writer, and producer, is a na ve of Chicago who has become a household name in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. Williams' journey to stardom began as a young entrepreneur, owning a Subway sandwich shop in the early '90s. However, he caught the comedy bug, and since then, he hasn't looked back.

Over the years, Williams has worked with some of the most iconic stars in show business, too many to men on. He has performed stand-up comedy on several networks, including numerous television appearances. Williams' reputa on as a highly sought-a er comedian led to him earning the opening spot on the legendary Kings of Comedy Tour and touring the US on the Royal Comedy Tour.

For eight years, Williams sat in The Funny Chair on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, contribu ng his unique sense of humor to the program. In addi on, Williams recently execu ve produced and hosted his own eightepisode series, Laugh Tonight with Damon Williams, which is now streaming on UrbanﬂixTV and TUBI.

You can catch Damon each Wednesday on the na onally syndicated DL Hughley Radio Show "That's What I Think with Damon Williams"

Williams has also ventured into ac ng, with memorable cameo roles and even a leading man role in the ﬁlm Heaven on Seven, which is now streaming on Tubi and other pla orms. His humor is not only highly sought a er as a performer but also as a writer and on-air contributor to the SHERRI.

J. David Washington

Real Estate Developer

J. David Washington is a na ve Floridian who shaped his early years between Miami and New York. A er gradua ng from Miami Central High School, he served honorably in the U.S. Air Force. Following his military service, J. David pursued a degree in Interna onal Business at The Lubin School of Business at Pace University in New York.

Over his extensive 42-year career, J. David has established himself as a leading expert in business development, sales, marke ng, consultancy, entrepreneurship, corporate training, global trading, private wealth coaching, and interna onal project management. His excep onal business acumen has allowed him to collaborate with pres gious brands and Fortune 50 companies, including Goldman Sachs, Fidelity Investments, Ci bank, AT&T, Chubb, Mellon Bank, Verizon, and Nabisco Brands.

Currently, J. David manages his Family Oﬃce and leads 7 Hills Development Group, a transforma ve real estate development management and community engagement organiza on. This ini a ve focuses on empowering communi es through advocacy for sustainable business development and impac ul community engagement that results in innova on self-sustainability and resilience.

J. David is dedicated to promo ng intergenera onal wealth crea on and wellness. He is a licensed masseuse, master chef, and advocate for clean ea ng. An urban lifestyle yoga enthusiast, he values the healing beneﬁts of medita on and self-care. He is a proud father of three adult children and a grandfather to four beau ful granddaughters, who enrich his life with joy and purpose.

Dr. Olon Fredeerick Dotson

Professor and Chair, Department of Architecture, Ball State University

Dr. Olon Frederick Dotson serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Architecture at the Ball State University, College of Architecture and Planning in Muncie, Indiana. Mr. Dotson has possessed a life-long interest in Architecture and Environmental Design. He a ended Tuskegee Ins tute (University) in Alabama, where he received a B.A. in Architectural Science, and Ball State University, where he acquired a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design. A er working with HNTB Architects in Phoenix, Arizona, he a ended Columbia University in New York, where he completed the Master of Science in Real Estate Development Program. Upon returning to Indianapolis and working under the direct supervision of his uncle, the late Clyde E. Woods, and as a Construc on Manager at Powers Management, Mr. Dotson was inspired to broaden his perspec ve, which led to the co-founding of his company, ARMONICS, Inc., in 1994 with architect Russell Lewis.

ARMONICS earned na onal and interna onal recogni on for its progressive and innovate approach to urban revitaliza on ini aves. ARMONICS guided strategies in ci es throughout the United States including, but not limited to Springﬁeld, Illinois, Nashville, Tennessee, Norfolk, Virginia, and Muncie, Indiana. While working in Muncie, Olon Dotson began to teach at the Ball State University College of Architecture and Planning.

He chose to become more philosophical and reﬂec ve for the health and vitality of American ci es and completed a Ph.D. in American Studies at the Purdue University, College of Liberal Arts.

Michael J. Houser, Sr. Councilman, Cuyahoga County

Michael J. Houser Sr. is a dedicated public servant, community leader, and advocate commi ed to advancing equity, transparency, and opportunity in Cuyahoga County. As a Cuyahoga County Councilman, he works relessly to implement policies that strengthen neighborhoods, support economic development, and empower residents.

Houser serves as the Chair of the Community Development and Housing Commi ee, where he leads eﬀorts to expand housing opportuni es, promote responsible development, and foster community growth. He is also playing a key role in spearheading the County's Oﬃce of Gun Violence Preven on, working to develop comprehensive strategies to address public safety and reduce violence in communi es most impacted by crime.

In addi on to his legisla ve role, Houser is the Execu ve Director of the Bond Accountability Commission (BAC), an independent nonproﬁt overseeing the Cleveland Metropolitan School District's school construc on and renova on projects. Through this work, he ensures taxpayer dollars are used responsibly while improving educa onal environments for Cleveland's youth.

A strong advocate for reentry housing and workforce development, Houser is commi ed to breaking down barriers for returning ci zens and expanding economic opportuni es. He leads the Your Voice Ma ers youth summit, which engages young people in civic leadership, advocacy, and public service.

Jay Richardson

Mo va onal Speaker, Host, Philantropist

Renowned speaker and 7-year NFL veteran (re red), Jay Richardson, dra ed by the Oakland Raiders in 2007, is not just a seasoned athlete but a cap va ng storyteller who draws from a life rich in diverse experiences. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Jay began his journey as a standout two-sport athlete at Dublin Scioto High School, se ng the stage for an extraordinary career.

A vital part of the 2002 Na onal Championship football team at The Ohio State University, Jay con nued to excel, earning All Big10 Honors in his senior year. Armed with a B.A. in History and a minor in Communica ons, he transi oned seamlessly into the world of television. Currently serving as a television personality and sports broadcas ng analyst for the Sinclair Broadcast Group on ABC6 and Fox28, Jay co-anchors the Emmynominated 'The Football Fever' and hosts 'First Scores.'

Beyond the spotlight, Jay is deeply commi ed to community service. He sits on the Ohio State Sports Medicine Advisory Board and co-founded the Jay Richardson Founda on, recipient of the NFL Unsung Athletes Award at the 2011 Super Bowl. This founda on is dedicated to providing life skills to high school students and educa on to sports parents.

As a speaker, Jay Richardson seamlessly weaves his journey from the football field to the broadcast studio and entrepreneur in the real estate industry, offering audiences unique insights on resilience, effec ve influence, naviga ng change, and fostering community. His talks are not just mo va onal but grounded in real-world experiences, making them both relatable and impac ul.

Oye Owolewa (D.D.C.)

United States Representa ve, District of Columbia

United Sates Representa ve Oye Owolewa (D-D.C.) is a dedicated public servant and community advocate commi ed to upli ing the voices of underserved communi es. Elected in 2020 as the U.S. Representa ve for the District of Columbia, Rep. Owolewa made history as the ﬁrst Nigerian American elected to Congress. His leadership is rooted in a passion for equity, social jus ce, and empowering marginalized popula ons.

Born to Nigerian immigrant parents, Rep. Owolewa grew up in Massachuse s before moving to Washington, D.C., where he earned his Doctorate in Pharmacy from Northeastern University. His background in healthcare has fueled his advocacy for accessible and aﬀordable healthcare, mental health resources, and economic empowerment

Prior to his role in Congress, Rep. Owolewa ac vely served his community through various grassroots ini a ves. He worked closely with local organiza ons to provide educa onal support, mentorship, and resources for D.C. residents. His focus on youth engagement and civic educa on has inspired young leaders to become ac ve par cipants in their communi es.

In Congress, Rep. Owolewa con nues to champion policies that promote racial and economic equity, expand mental health support, and address systemic injus ces. He is a strong advocate for D.C. statehood, ensuring that residents of the na on's capital have full representa on in Congress. His legisla ve priori es include economic development, healthcare awareness, and youth empowerment, aiming to create opportuni es and resources for all D.C. residents.

With a steadfast commitment to service, Rep. Owolewa remains dedicated to improving the lives of his cons tuents and building a more inclusive and just society for all.

Bradley Sco Jackson, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Chief Medical Oﬃcer and Plan Performance Medical Director, Blue Cross/ Blue Shield

Dr. Jackson is the Chief Medical Officer and Plan Performance Medical Director with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield-Ohio Medicaid Plan and previously served as the Plan Performance Medical Director for Amerigroup, Maryland Plan, a Government Business Division of Anthem Insurance. He was a co-founder and President of Premier Pediatric Group, Inc. in Mason, Ohio for 15 years and is board-cer fied in General Pediatrics as a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has held posi ons as a Volunteer Assistant Professor of Pediatrics with the University of Cincinna College of Medicine and Assistant Medical Director with Bethesda Group Prac ce (currently TriHealth Physicians) in Cincinna , Ohio. He served as the President of the Medical Staff of Cincinna Children’s Hospital Medical Center from 1999-2000. He is a past President of the Cincinna Medical Associa on, local chapter of the Na onal Medical Associa on. He has also served as a Board of Trustees member (Region IV) with the Na onal Medical Associa on.

He has served on several advisory boards, including the University of Cincinna College of Nursing, and as a senior physician with Village Life Outreach Project on medical mission trips to Tanzania, Africa; South Africa; and Nicaragua with Crossroads Church. He was also featured in the “Top Doctors” Edi on of the Cincinna Magazine in 2005. He was honored by the Health Improvement Collabora ve as a Volunteer Leadership Award recipient in 2006 and by the Cincinna Business Courier as a Health Care Heroes Finalist for Community Outreach and Provider Awards in 2007 and 2008.

Mordecai Cargill

Founder & CCO, ThirdSpace Ac on Lab and ThirdSpace Reading Room

Mordecai is a Co-Founder + Chief Crea ve Oﬃcer of ThirdSpace Ac on Lab and ThirdSpace Reading Room. In this role, Mordecai provides leadership to TSAL’s Space Ac vaon Team + community collabora on prac ce.

Key responsibili es include (but are not limited to): Research, Analysis & Evalua on; Narra ve Analysis + Community Engagement Strategy Design; and Crea ve Direc on & Brand Management.

Prior to launching TSAL in 2018, Mordecai served as the Director of Strategy, Research & Impact at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP), a community development funding intermediary commi ed to fostering inclusive neighborhoods of choice and opportunity throughout the city of Cleveland. Mordecai provided oversight and analysis for the implementa on of the Cleveland Neighborhood Progress 2017-2021 Strategic Plan, focused primarily on 3 key areas of ac vity: Program Design and Evalua on; Research and Thought Leadership; and Partnership and Re-

Mordecai earned his BA in African American Studies from Yale University, with a concentra on on Black Culture in the 20th Century. He was awarded the William Pickens Prize for his Senior Thesis en tled, “The Black Arts Iconography of John Coltrane.” Mordecai is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter).

Andre Barry Musician

André Berry moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Los Angeles in 1985 to pursue a career playing Bass Guitar. Upon seeing the level of musicianship he would have to compete with, he enrolled into Los Angeles City College as there was a reputa on there of having a strong Music Educa on program focused on Jazz & Classical Music. He took all the available music courses over a period of 4 years, culmina ng in a crossroads: In order to get a degree to teach music he would have had to take all the necessary curriculum courses such as English, Biology, History etc, and at the same me he got asked to go on the road with The Busboys of Eddie Murphy's 48 hours fame. He chose the la er and thus began his journey as a road musician.

"My objec ve today is to get my own project oﬀ the ground. We have begun playing and just got booked to play the Blue Jay Jazz Fes val in Lake Arrowhead, CA, and The Juneteenth Celebra on in Murrie a , CA so we're excited! We have about 87 songs together and have begun work on a new CD of original music. This projeck called "DAP - The Digital Audio Projekt" is special because we're a trio and we incorporate mul tasking of playing samples, loops, and backing tracks along with regular electric instrumentaon and also including Midi controlled electronic instruments, so we incorporate awesome sounds, like Timpanis, and orchecstral sounds along with Hip Hop Samples with regular old singing and playing.

"All 'n' all my journey has been...I'll say interes ng. I am blessed. Things come to me out of nowhere and I am blessed with every new phone call. It's exactly like the call I got from Bilal Akram. He was the star of stars when we were coming up...just the most popular dude imaginable, so to get a call from him was a real honor.”

A REAL CONVERSATION ABOUT VACCINATIONS

There is conversa on happening in many family rooms on if vaccina ons are good or bad. The volume of shots are increasing; and so is au sm, ADD, ADHD and deaths.

Wri en by DAVID CHRISTEL

David has been ghostwri ng books for well-known people since 1995. He is also the author of Married Men Coming Out: The Ul mate Guide to Becoming the Man You Were Born to Be.

In our modern world of technological advances, it’s hard to believe that inocula ons were ﬁrst introduced in China and Indian more than 500 years ago. The ﬁrst successful vaccine was developed in 1796 by Dr. Edward Jenner, which eventually resulted in the worldwide eradica on of smallpox by 1980.

More disbelief when you learn that the word “vaccine” is based on the La n word vacca, meaning cow. Over two centuries, vaccines have been created to combat smallpox, rabies, cholera, polio, inﬂuenza, hepa s A and B, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, chickenpox, measles, mumps, rotavirus, rubella, HPV, Ebola, and most recently, COVID-19.

The concept behind vaccines is the introduc on of a modiﬁed disease (bacteria or virus) into a person’s immune system, which then develops what are called an bodies. Those an bodies destroy the virus and prevent it from entering the body again. In today’s world, some vaccines are microorganisms whose DNA has been modiﬁed. However a vaccine is created, its purpose is to ins gate immunity in people.

Vaccines have been credited with saving millions of lives, as well as suppressing diseases such as polio. Yet they are not without their issues, and several things need to be taken into considera on.

Age and health

Many people receive a vaccine when they are young chil-

dren. For most children, this isn’t an issue. Some young people have allergic reac ons or seizures to specific vaccines (this is a small percentage of the popula on). Rarely has a vaccine been fatal. There has been concern that vaccines cause au sm, but researchers haven’t found a correla on between the two. Children under the age of two and those with a history of asthma or wheezing are urged to avoid specific vaccines such as the one for the flu.

Doctors advise that adults who should avoid taking a vaccine include pregnant women, people with severe allergies, anyone with a current moderate-to-severe illness, people with muscle or nerve diseases that cause breathing problems, and those who have a chronic disease such as heart disease, liver disease, asthma, or AIDS. People who are on certain drugs, such as high-dose steroids or who are taking cancer treatments, are cau oned to avoid vaccines.

For older adults, a vaccine shot will most likely have the usual symptoms of soreness at the injec on site, fa gue, headache, muscle pain, dizziness, joint pain, fever, nausea, and chills. What also has to be taken into account is the older adult’s level of health and any health issues that have compromised their immune system and ability to respond eﬀec vely.

Becoming a carrier if not vaccinated

There are those who absolutely will not get vaccinated for any number of reasons. If they don’t get vaccinated, they contract a disease, they don’t realize it, and they then go into public venues. They are considered a carrier or even super-spreader, depending on where they go. One infected person can infect untold numbers of people, who can then spread it to others.

Misinforma on, myths, and conspiracies

Many people have very strong opinions and judgments about vaccina ons, which they’ve derived from their religious beliefs, what they’ve learned through social media, the news they listen to, who they consider an authority, and, most importantly, what they fear.

The ﬁrst myth is that vaccines don’t work. The fact is that there is overwhelming data showing that vaccines do work and have eﬀec vely reduced diseases worldwide and thus saved countless lives.

Another myth is that vaccines, like the COVID-19 vaccine, will turn people into a magnet because of

the 5G telecommunica on towers in use. This turned out to be false for the obvious reason that people aren’t walking around a rac ng metal to them.

Three more myths about the COVID-19 vaccine are that it will rewrite a person’s DNA, it will cause long-term complica ons, and it makes a person infer le. First, the vaccine doesn’t get near the DNA in our cells. Once the vaccine has done its job, it’s excreted immediately from our cells.

Secondly, no vaccine has been proven to create long-term eﬀects. Dr. Robert Amler, dean of New York Medical College School of Health Sciences and Prac ce and a former CDC chief medical oﬃcer says that “The US government system (VAERS), as well as the manufacturers, iden fy and invesgate any long-term events and follow up with appropriate recommenda ons whenever an unexpected issue presents a er an extended me period.”

As for infer lity, it was determined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) that the COVID-19 vaccine was safe for people “thinking about becoming pregnant, wan ng to become pregnant, are pregnant, or who are breas eeding.”

That brings up another myth: vaccines contain the lung ssue of aborted fetuses. Dr. Michael Head, from the University of Southampton, reported that “There are no fetal cells used in any vaccine produc on process.” This myth was based on a study concerning a vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. The truth is that the study explored how the vaccine reacted when introduced to human cells in a lab. The cells were grown in the lab and were descendants of embryonic cells that would otherwise have been destroyed. So, no fetuses were aborted for research purposes.

One conspiracy theory involves Big Pharma. The theory is twofold: 1) Big Pharma created the virus or disease to make money, and 2) Big Pharma is part of an insidious government plot to turn people into malleable puppets who can then be tracked and controlled. What people feared was that microchips were being implanted in them via vaccine shots. It turns out that microchips aren’t small enough to ﬁt through injec on needles.

Suppor ng this conspiracy are adherents who believe a plot by the “deep state” is focused on controlling humanity through two processes called the “Great Reset” and New World Order. The Great Reset believes that “global elites are using the COVID-19 pandemic to dismantle the capitalist economy and enforce radical social change at the expense of personal freedoms.”

The New World Order theorists believe global elites are conspiring to replace sovereign na on states with a tyrannical “one world” government in order to rule the world with a globalist agenda. It’s believed that Jewish people are the masterminds behind this cabal, which would use scams like COVID-19 to ins tute repressive government edicts (like forced vaccinaons and lockdowns). The QAnon conspiracy movement strongly backs this, as well as other theories.

The ﬁnal conspiracy theory is that forced vaccina on could be used to depopulate Earth. This es in with the theory that our DNA could be altered in the nucleus of cells. But since vaccines can’t enter the nucleus, they can’t alter DNA.

So now you see why the conversa on about vaccines is all over the map. The prolifera on of purposeful mis- and disinforma on has made it diﬃcult for people, especially parents concerning their children and their own parents, to make an informed decision about whether to get vaccinated or not. Communica on is considered to be key in making a determina on, but even that has its challenges.

Fear and distrust have undermined even the most trusted instu ons we’ve relied on for so many years. Compe ng agendas at all levels of society have backed us into a corner to the point where scare tac cs and alarmist predic ons have caused us to be skep cal to the point of paranoia. Addi onally, humans have a propensity to gravitate toward informa on that sup-

Vaccina ons have become one of the fastest growing revenue streams for the pharmaceu cal industry.

ports what they already believe and value and thus disregard anything else even proven evidence and data. It’s quite the conundrum!

Much of the debate about vaccines comes down to people feeling helpless against a disease and, therefore, not in control of their lives and des nies. Pu ng their trust in someone else can be terrifying and even abhorrent to someone wan ng to shield their family from a deadly virus. With COVID-19, one’s job, livelihood, lifestyle, and ability to thrive day to day was seriously nega vely impacted. Like spreading bacteria in a Petrie dish, conﬂic ng informa on turned the dial up on our distrust, fear, paranoia, and feelings of hopelessness.

The keys in all of this are communica on and research doing your homework. Yes, it takes me and energy to ﬁnd informa on you can trust and rely on, but it’s impera ve to help allay our fears and to help us stay balanced and grounded. Viruses and diseases will con nue to proliferate, but we have our cri cal thinking skills and chutzpah to rise above it all! Go for it!

OHIO BLACK EXPO KICKS OFF SUMMER

by Leslie Logan

The weather in Ohio always becomes consistently nice by May, and that means good food and fun if you a end the annual Ohio Black Expo in Columbus, Ohio. The event, kicking oﬀ on May 24 through May 25, is a celebra on of all things Black, from music to food and talent. The annual events boast over 13,000 visitors from all over the world who come to join the celebra on of culture and community.

The event would not be the success it is without the leadership of CEO Sherri Hamilton and her husband Butch, the COO. The couple took over the event in 2017 in hopes of keeping the vision that Rhonda D. Robinson envisioned back in the 1980s.

Ohio Black Expo is a statewide non-proﬁt organiza on commi ed to enhancing the lives, success, and well-being of communi es in Ohio. They drive change and foster growth through ini a ves that address cri cal dispari es in areas

such as health, educa on, senior support, business, technology, and youth development.

Their signature event, the Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Culture Fest, takes place every Memorial Day Weekend to empower and unite Ohio’s 1.7 million Black residents and those beyond. This annual gathering welcomes guests from across the na on to engage in solu on-focused workshops, build connec ons at networking events, and celebrate the richness of Black culture. With amazing food, the arts, and an unforge able atmosphere, there is no other place to be on Memorial Day Weekend!

So many people were visi ng Ohio for the Expo that the Hamilton’s knew they had to keep the event alive when they took it over.

The Expo was born to improve the quality of life for Blacks in Ohio through a self-help approach to problem-solving,” Sherri said.

The Hamilton’s use the analogy that they want to teach people how to fish, instead of supplying the fish. The non-profit has the mission of leading people to engage in the cri cal life skills that are needed to become and remain self-sufficient.

“We are focused on empowerment,” Butch explained. “We’re here to make sure that for those who want the opportunity to do more, they have the support to get more.”

The Ohio Black Expo gets over 13,000 visitors annually.

Sherri and Butch Hamilton are the execu ves behind the Ohio Black Expo.

Photo taken by Ira Graham III

The weather gods appear to believe in the Hamiltons because every year, the Ohio Black Expo enjoys some of the best weather for its two-day events.

For 2025, the Expo will offer two stages for entertainment. The main stage will highlight some of the ho est talent around today, and the new second stage will offer a con nuous flow of acts and musicians to handle the increase in crowds that come every year. “We added a second stage to give people more op ons in the kinds of acts that they want to see,” Butch said. “Because our crowds are so diverse, we wanted to enhance the weekend with different levels of entertainment.”

The Columbus downtown riverfront, where the Expo is held, also has over two hundred vendors that line the streets with amazing foods and culture spread throughout the Expo. Those vendors line the streets as a parade is held on the ﬁrst day of the event.

Along with tasty food and sounds, the en re event is clean and well a ended. There are entry points on both sides of the event, and the City of Columbus is present with gorgeous views of the city and downtown.

With the current poli cal climate, the Hamilton’s believe the 2025 Expo gives the city and the state the opportunity to represent like it

never has.

“We know we’re going to have to support our own businesses and ventures because no one is coming to save us,” Sherri said. “We would like to think that we’re doing that with the Expo.”

She’s correct. The Ohio Black Expo oﬀers something for everyone and con nues to draw people from all occupaons.

The Hamilton’s and the Ohio Black Expo are doing their part to drive community and success for those who desire an all-inclusive event. If you have nothing to do, drive down, have some food, and listen to the great music that will be present all weekend. Happy Labor Day Weekend.

●

For ckets and informa on, visit, h ps:// ohioblackexpo.com/

Photos taken by Shellee Fisher.

BEAUTY

BRITTANY JENKINS

Hi there! I'm Bri any, be er known as FitThickBree. I have been in the ﬁtness world for over 10 years, and in those years I have maintained my status as a Fitness/Boot Camp Instructor and Personal Trainer. I have also embarked on a new journey of becoming a Professional Body Builder (wellness division). I'm currently teaching Circuit Training and a glute building class tled, Booty Building Lessons (B.B.L.) at the Voltage Training and Fitness Studio in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Facebook: Fit Thick Bree LLC

Instagram/TikTok: @ﬁ hickbreellc

YouTube: FitThickBreeLLC

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Wri

en by BRAD BOWLING

Bowling is the President of CODE Media

LLC. Bowling has his BA in mass media communica on and an MBA in marke ng. He contributes ar cles to the magazine con nuing his love for wri ng.

Brad

Group,

Unless you have been under a rock for the last four months, you are aware of the sea changes that are coming from the Trump Administra on and the cascading impact it’s having around the world. From policy changes to layoﬀs to conversa ons about the future, no one is safe from the decisions coming from this current administra on.

From government layoffs to tariffs to immigra on, the ripple effect on all facets of life and society can be felt. There are too many ways to count the Trump administra on's impact on life the way it was before the elec on.

Whether you voted for Trump or not, whether you agree with his decisions or not, at some point, your life will be impacted by his decisions. Here are a few of the areas that have had a ripple eﬀect across the country and the world.

THE KILLING OF DEI

As quickly as it was born, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are becoming a thing of the past. It was supposed to be the Equal Opportunity Act 2.0 with infrastructural changes to the business landscape to, once and for all, root out systemic racism. And on the surface, it almost looked promising. Today, organiza ons around the country are elimina ng their DEI departments and killing any programs that went with them.

The ripple eﬀect is the countless students who have had their admissions canceled due to the programs they were using to gain admission into some of America’s most pres gious ins tu ons.

There are also changes for the countless non-profit programs that receive grants and funding, impac ng the communi es and people who would have benefited from ge ng those funds. While white women benefited the most from DEI, it also will halt the progress of many of the firms that were using it to increase diversity

Government layoﬀs are becoming the norm under a Trump Administra on.

in their organiza ons.

Some organiza ons have changed the name of their DEI programs to hide the fact that they s ll will do the work of crea ng diversity in their businesses, but the steps taken to hide them also means that those looking for the chance to use them might not know they even exist.

TARIFFS

It’s troublesome that people do not understand how tariffs work. When a tariff is placed on a consumer good, the country sending the product isn’t paying the tariff; it’s the country of origin that ends us paying the tariff.

That means it’s the person buying the product who will cover the cost of the price increase. So, Americans will suﬀer the most when they a empt to purchase a product that has been imported into the country because the enty impor ng the product will carry the brunt of paying a higher price, thus pu ng that cost on to the end user.

A higher tariﬀ will create a higher cost to the products Americans purchase. So now you can enjoy not only higher food costs, but you now will see every product you purchase go up in price because almost nothing is made in America anymore.

The ripple eﬀect will see everyone who is going to buy almost anything in the next four years see a price in-

crease.

What’s worse is that the products America does make will be higher priced in the countries that import our products, making them less desirable to the consumer and thus reducing the output of the produc on of those products and eventually killing American jobs.

So, tariﬀs will equal higher prices equaled with American jobs. Both of those combined will have a cascading impact on all the secondary businesses that rely on the primary industries to stay

The impact of a reduced or terminated department will have a huge impact on average Americans. Your needs will determine your level of pain when trying to interact with the department you call or need.

It’s been suggested that certain departments have changed how Americans access them. Wait mes for things like a passport, social security ques on, or student loan needs will increase. What used to take weeks might now take

Some organiza ons have changed the name of their DEI programs to hide the fact that they s ll will do the work of crea ng diversity in their businesses, but the steps taken to hide them also mean that those who are looking for the chance to use them might not know they even exist.

aﬂoat. So, the diner on the corner, the local bar, and the corner store will not have the same business, and they will close.

GOVERNMENT LAYOFFS

No one will ever argue that the federal government is NOT bloated and poorly run. No business could stay in opera on if it ran like the American government. With that, most Americans don’t agree with the broad-stroke layoﬀs taking place all over the country.

En re federal departments are being eliminated, and the brain trust of people, informa on, and procedures is going with it. Because some of these departments touch everyone in one way or another, everyone will be impacted by it.

The ripple effect is tremendous on so many levels. For the government employees who have been laid off, their financial world has been turned upside down with the layoffs. En re departments have been shu ered, and the end is nowhere in sight. No department is safe from a slashing of jobs and/or being dismantled.

months, depending on what you need from which department.

STOCK MARKET CHANGES

It seems like nothing is safe from the decisions of the Trump administra on. Due to the introduc on of tariﬀs, the idea of taking over country, and the threat of global unrest, the stock market is up and down, causing investors to feel uneasy.

This is coupled with the fact that the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, has decided to enter poli cs, and his decisions are causing his company’s stock prices to plum-

Many Americans are rethinking their bills and income.

met. Tesla’s stock price has been cut in half, and those who invested in the stock are taking huge losses.

But that doesn’t seem to stop the work that Musk is doing with DOGE.

The Department of Government Eﬃciency is an ini a ve of the second Trump administra on. It emerged from discussions between Trump and Musk and was established by execu ve order on January 20, 2025, with the purpose of “modernizing federal technology and so ware to maximize governmental eﬃciency.”

Most school districts, companies, and businesses invest in Telsa, so this means that anyone who has a pension might be impacted by the sudden changes in the market.

The current interest rates for home loans are crea ng a problem for consumers wan ng to buy a home. With home sales slowing, it also means a reduc on in tle pulls, appraisals, and anything sold as a byproduct of home selling. This means that furniture and services that all center around home sales are aﬀected.

IN CONCLUSION

So, what can you do if your life has been touched by the Trump Administra on? How can you protect years and years of stability and consistency in an environment where change can happen in an instant?

There is no real answer to comba ng the current poli cal climate. With the constant distrac on of news and informa on ﬂowing like a ﬂood, the tsunami of ridiculous situa ons Americans are suddenly in have most people beginning to numb to the news cycle of bad informa on.

To ba le constant nega ve news, limit your exposure, focus on what you can control, prac ce mindfulness, and seek support from others.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of strategies:

Limit News Consump on:

Set Boundaries:

A. Establish speciﬁc mes for checking the news and s ck to them, avoiding excessive exposure throughout the day.

b. Take Breaks: Regularly step away from news sources to recharge and engage in ac vi es that bring you joy.

The anxiety level is diﬀerent for each person in America.

c. News Detox: Consider a complete break from news for a period to reset your mental state.

Choose Your Sources Wisely:

a. Reputable Sources: Select news outlets that provide accurate and objec ve repor ng.

b. Avoid Sensa onalism: Be wary of sources that thrive on fearmongering or sensa onalism.

c. Seek Out Posi ve News: Ac vely look for outlets that share posi ve news and upli ing stories.

Focus on What You Can Control:

a. Iden fy Your Values: Reﬂect on your values and priori es to help you navigate diﬃcult mes and make informed decisions.

b. Focus on the Present: Instead of dwelling on nega ve news, try to focus on the present moment and the things you can control.

c. Prac ce Gra tude: Focus on the posi ve aspects of your life and the good around you.

The ripple eﬀect is real, and how you deal with it must be real as well. With no end in sight, everyone must get comfortable, uncomfortable. ●

OPINION HOOD LESSONS ABOUT MONEY

Is it a hood tendency to already be considering whether or not you’re going to pay someone back before you even ask to borrow the money?

An absurd ques on? Perhaps, but think back to your childhood. Every family has that one person who is notorious for dry beggin’, talkin about, “Hey Bossman, lemme hold that,” or “Can you help a brotha out?” for no reason other than being in the habit and having no inten on of repayment.

How would you characterize this behavior? And how does knowing such a person aﬀect your decisions going forward?

Maybe you prospered educa onally, were able to purchase your ﬁrst home, or start a new business because of someone’s generosity when you needed it most. Perhaps your charity towards others helped a roommate, sibling, or co-worker in the past. Un l, that is, you got burnt by your cousin Lil Man. Now your ﬁnancial doctrine is to side-eye any me you’re asked about money.

If you haven’t taught ﬁnancial literacy to your children with intenonality and integrity, then they may acquire their doctrine on money through observa onal learning. Here’s some insight into how a family doctrine may show up, in a situa on where a parent owes their child money.

Rather than trea ng the child as an equal and paying them back in a mely manner, some parents may resort to

• Crea ng condi ons for repayment and par al payments a er the fact

• Beli ling their reques ng repayment for their “li le money”

• Playing mind games with them about how much “life” costs or itemizing household u li es.

Wri en by TISH KAY BAZIL

Tish Kay Bazil, a dedicated therapeu c mind strategist, focuses on empowering historically marginalized communi es, especially women. Her global eﬀorts uncover hidden strengths and promote self-awareness. Learn more at www.hoodtendencies.com

○

“You’re gonna sweat me over $15.00 a er all I do for you?”

○ Reminding them that you keep a roof over their head.

○ Accusing them of being ungrateful and spoiled.

This behavior towards a child is the epitome of toxic ﬁnancial manipula on. A er weeks of asking and wai ng, the mind games con nue and the child is upset, confused, and exhausted. What choice does the child then have other than to give the adult a pass and walk away feeling hustled? Unfortunately, what’s also been created is a vivid las ng contradic on. It’s not about paying the child back, it’s about keeping one’s word and credibility.

The same principle applies with no respect to a person. If Pookie from the corner store does it to them or you, it’s the same outcome. They’ll feel offended and likely consider it an act of betrayal even if they override it because of their love for you. Some children grow up and have nothing to do with their parents because it’s the only way they know how to protect themselves financially. Either they get exploited in all of their adult financial rela onships or they back it up, flip it, and reverse it on their parents and others.

There are people who just don’t have the common sense or the will to say no because they’ve been persuaded to think that giving is the only measure of love. Maybe a doctrine learned from BigMamma? Thus, money becomes a part of people’s secret life. Embarrassment associated with ignorance ensues, then one’s ﬁnancial health may be damaged

There are many lessons to be learned when someone asks to borrow money from you.

before they even leave college.

Will they end up with irresponsible roommates or leave their roommates hanging? Or get their girlfriend to cosign on a vehicle and then leave her feeling foolish and indebted a er the breakup? Maybe they’ll borrow money from their homegirl Sheila to a end the Super Bowl without Super Bowl ckets, just to catch the vibe, with the promise of repayment from tax returns. Months later, they’ll have a shopping ou ng with Sheila, including lunch at the Grove without repaying a dime, but will think nothing of it because, “Sheila can aﬀord it.”

People compartmentalize this behavior as isolated and harmless. But the lack of financial restraint and accountability to others takes them from borrowing from individuals to borrowing from ins tu ons. They turn their a en on to payday loan places or banks with this irresponsible mindset and quickly find themselves on a trajectory of financial ruin that could include jail me.

So, rather than be avoidant, we should face these hood tendencies head on by discussing them amongst one another. Take something folks don’t like to talk about, bring it from the shadows to make it a part of our everyday discourse in a unique way.

If you are the one borrowing money, ask yourself:

• Can I do without this and even if I can get it, is it worth the posion that this debt puts me in?

• Have I done everything to avoid being in this posi on in the ﬁrst place and what can I change in my life so that I don’t have to be in this posi on in the future?

• Do I want to build a habit of owing or a spirit of thri and stewardship, which can lead to ﬁnancial stability?

When someone asks you to borrow money, ask yourself these ques ons:

• What put that person in the posi on of need in the ﬁrst place?

• Even though I can aﬀord to lend, if they renege, am I going to be ok with walking away from the unpaid debt without any sorrow or resentment a ached?

• Do I need their approval, endorsement, and valida on more than I need my money?

• Do my feelings and emo ons inform my ﬁnancial decisions?

Black folks are always talking about genera onal wealth, but if

we’re not careful we’ll be steeped in genera onal poverty. We are a community of givers. We tend to give more than we get, which is part of why we struggle like we do. We will rake BigMamma’s yard and help carry in her groceries. We’ll take the corner prophet a warm bowl of red beans and hot water cornbread or drop oﬀ clothing at the shelter.

It’s remembering that maybe brother man on the corner wasn’t always brother man on the corner hustling; that maybe he made some ﬁnancial decisions that put him out of his home, that caused him to fall. And that he’s our brother. That it could be us out there on that corner.

The humanity of the hood, which is a beau ful tendency, can be a striking lesson to accompany more tradi onal ﬁnancial literacy. It creates opportuni es to teach children about how we can fall and fail through poor decisions. We also have the ability to change the narra ve to something more life-aﬃrming, suppor ve, and enriching. ●

ONE OF US IS WRONG

Arguing with your signiﬁcant other can cause problems in your rela onship. And depending on who takes responsibility can mean everything, and it's deﬁnitely not me.

Couples therapy is like the rela onship Olympics, except instead of gold medals, you get a mildly strained smile from your partner and the vague promise that maybe you won’t fight about the dishwasher for the tenth me this week. For the unini ated, it’s where couples go to fix their issues or to get professional confirma on that the other person is, indeed, a monster for not refilling the Brita.

The ﬁrst step in therapy is choosing a therapist. This involves scrolling through endless bios of smiling professionals who use words like “safe space” and “communica on goals.” But really, you’re just trying to ﬁgure out which one looks least likely to take your partner’s side. You both agree on someone who “seems nice,” which is code for “looks like they might agree with me about the laundry situa on.”

Then comes the ﬁrst session, a delicate dance where the therapist asks gentle ques ons, and you both a empt to present yourselves as reasonable adults who deﬁnitely didn’t argue in the car about whose fault it was that you were late. Your partner opens with a polite summary of their grievances “Some mes, I feel like I’m not heard” and you immediately feel betrayed because that’s a direct a ack on the me you didn’t listen when they talked about the weird thing their coworker did in 2018.

The therapist nods sagely, jo ng down notes in a way that makes you deeply suspicious. Are they wri ng, “Wow, what a jerk,” or “Why do people argue over thermostat se ngs in every session?” It’s a mystery.

As the sessions progress, you learn valuable tools like “ac ve listening,” which sounds simple but is apparently more complicated than launching a rocket to Mars. Turns out, nod-

ding while your partner talks and secretly planning what you’re going to say next isn’t “listening.” who knew? You also discover that saying, “I understand your feelings” works wonders unless you say it in a tone that implies you do not, in fact, understand their feelings and never will.

Of course, no therapy journey is complete without The Metaphor. Therapists love metaphors. “Your rela onship is like a garden,” they’ll say. “You have to water it.” But now you’re wondering who’s supposed to water this hypothe cal garden because one of you already feels like they’re doing all the metaphorical gardening while the other one forgets to metaphorically weed. This leads to another argument, which, ironically, proves why you’re in therapy to begin with.

Over me, though, you start to no ce small improvements. Fights become less about proving who’s right and more about solving the actual problem. You ﬁnd yourself saying things like, “I hear you,” and meaning it, which feels weird but kind of nice. You might even laugh together during a session, usually about how ridiculous it is that you’re paying someone to referee your spat about which way the toilet paper should hang.

By the end of therapy, you’ve learned that rela onships aren’t about winning they’re about teamwork. Unless it’s Scrabble, in which case you absolutely deserve the triple word score. ●

CHAMPION OF THE PEOPLE

Shaker Heights, Ohio police chief, Wayne Hudson is the police oﬃcer Americans envision when they think of those who are awarded the opportunity to protect and serve.

by Bolling Smith

When Americans think of a police oﬃcer, they o en think of a person who can look beyond the color, character, class, and weight of someone before they determine how to treat them. Even in cases where the person might be doing something they

should not be doing, they are treated with a certain level of dignity.

Many in the Shaker Heights, Ohio, community think they have found that very officer everyone envisions when they think of an officer. Police Chief Wayne Hudson commands his force with the sharpness of a sword and the compassion of a surgeon. He understands the dilemma that officers face today, and he has a solu on for it.

“We do what is called community-directed policing,” Hudson said. “We get out of the cruisers; we do foot patrols, and we do bike patrols so we can talk to and interact with the ci zens we police.”

Hudson is big on trust. He understands that to protect the community, the community needs to trust that when the police do arrive at a moment of crisis, they will be fair, balanced, and solu on-oriented.

The city of Shaker Heights is a vibrant city. It’s ﬁlled with some of the most spectacular homes in America and s ll pays homage to the best mes of Cleveland’s history with the Rockefeller family.

Shaker Heights is also a community of diversity. With thirty percent of the community being non-white, it means that any police oﬃcer hired will have to serve everyone with a mentality to be civil to the en re community.

“We train our oﬃcers to be mindful of who our community is, and what inﬂuence we have over those we provide services for,” Hudson explained. “We understand what is required of us when we come in contact with people.”

Hudson is correct. Because Shaker Heights is diverse, Hudson understands that there are those who are going to feel policed and those who are going to feel protected when engaging with law enforcement.

There is a significant difference between the two. The one who feels policed will already have a preconceived no on of how they are going to be treated. Those who feel protected will have a completely different engagement with the police.

And because police oﬃcers can never know what they are walking

into, the need to be balanced and neutral is cri cal in their interac ons with the community.

When Hudson was hired as the Police Chief in January of 2023, he knew what the job entailed, and he was prepared to take on the responsibility of becoming Shaker Heights’ ﬁrst Black Chief.

Chief Hudson holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal jus ce and a master’s in public administra on. He is a graduate of the FBI Na onal Academy’s 234th Session and various management and leadership schools. He is a past President of the Metropolitan Chiefs Associa on. His professional organiza onal memberships include the Na onal Organiza on for Black Law Enforcement Execu ves (NOBLE) where he is an alumna of the Chief Execu ve Oﬃcer Mentoring Program, past board member for the Black Police Oﬃcer’s Associa on (BPOA) of Omaha, Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA), and 100 Black Men of Omaha. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Hudson has been recognized for his community work by being selected as the 100 Black Men of Omaha 2022 Mentor of the Year, Douglas County Dr. Mar n Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream” award recipient, Urban League Leadership Award in Government, 2021 inductee to the Northwest High School Hall of Fame for community service and community engagement, NAACP Freedom Fighter Award recipient, and BLOC 50 Over 50 Community Service Award recipient. He believes that the community is at its best when law enforcement and the community work in collabora on to solve criminal jus ce issues.

That belief in the community has led to a local commi ee that shares in the policing of the community. The commi ee is made up of local ci zens who are allowed to have real input into what the city is doing. They oﬀer their sugges ons, cri ques, and support to the police department so it can make decisions with the community in mind.

Hudson is enjoying his me living in Northeast Ohio and loves the people he serves. When he is not working, Hudson likes to hang out with his family. Hudson is married to his wonderful wife Jennifer of 27 years, and they have three wonderful children Kamile, Kiya, and Wayne II. ●

TOP: Hudson having coﬀee with the community.

BOTTOM: Hudson and his wife, Jennifer.

DIVINE 9 THE

JAMES D. COWAN, JR.

James D. Cowan, Jr. AIA, NOMA, NCARB, is a registered architect based in Cleveland, Ohio, with over 15 years of experience. Beyond prac cing architecture, James’s vision to provide architectural, educa onal, and mentorship opportuni es for historically marginalized communi es aligns with his current role as a project architect with Robert P. Madison Interna onal. Joining RPMI is what some would call “a full circle moment” since Bob Madison, the founder, was the ﬁrst architect James met prior to a ending The College of Architecture and Environmental

Get to know people who are making a diﬀerence in their organiza ons and in their careers.

By Bilal S. Akram

Design at Kent State University. Bob said during his visit, “If you're good, you’ll get it,” in reference to all the accolades he had received throughout his career.

In addi on to prac cing at RPMI, James is currently serving as CoDirector of Community Outreach for the American Ins tute of Architects Cleveland Chapter, working to build local and regional partnerships that foster engagement between the Cleveland design community and the underserved youth.

ERIC L. KING, SR.

Eric L. King, Sr. is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and cofounder of the Mental and Emo onal Wellness Centers of Ohio (MEWCO), a Black-owned mental health prac ce dedicated to wholebody wellness. He holds master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology and Community Mental Health Counseling from Cleveland State University and specializes in a strength-based, cogni ve-behavioral approach to therapy for adolescents, adults, and families.

GRETA JORDAN

Greta Jordan has worked for over 20 years in various roles in corporate America. Star ng oﬀ as an analyst for fortune 500 companies she developed a skill for solving problems in programs and applica ons. She has since moved up the corporate ladder and now works as a business analyst for a large ﬁrm in Columbus, Ohio.

Jordan is a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority where she donates her me in her hometown of Dayton, Ohio. She has a passion for kids and volunteers her me when she can to causes that support healthy living. When she is not working Jordan works to perfect her golf game.

A devoted husband to Joy King and father of three, Eric is also a proud 27-year member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. His passion for service and leadership is reﬂected in his commitment to expanding mental health access in underserved communi es. Through MEWCO, he con nues to foster healing, empowerment, and holis c well-being.

SHEILA A. COLEMAN

Sheila A. Coleman is an experienced Family Nurse Prac oner with over 31 years in healthcare. A devoted mother of two and wife of 32 years, she is commi ed to enhancing community health through her roles as a provider, advocate, and educator.

Sheila's professional aﬃlia ons include membership in the American Academy of Nurse Prac oners (AANP), Sigma Theta Tau Interna onal Honor Society of Nursing, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Outside of healthcare, she enjoys reading, movies, bowling, and is ac vely involved in real estate, specializing in property acquisi on and renova on.

BECOMING BIOLOGICALLY PERFECT

DNA gene edi ng and bio-cell re-genera on is crea ng a market for those who are looking for eternal youth and immortality.

Dr. Randall Sylvertooth, is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated was raised in Cleveland, Ohio and is an alumnus of The University of Cincinna , University of Virginia, George Mason University and Capital Technology University. Wri en by Dr. Randall Sylvertooth

Let us face it, many people want to retain their youth and want to live forever! Therefore, as we reflect and look directly at aging, it is a complex biological process that affects every living organism. Aging is the gradual decline in physiological func on and the increased vulnerability to diseases that occur over me. Scien sts believe that aging is driven by numerous factors, including gene c, environmental, and lifestyle influences.

For now, the record for the oldest person who researchers and medical experts have reliable medical records and ﬁles on was a French woman named Jeanne Calment. She died in 1997 at the age of 122. According to records, she smoked for all but the last ﬁve years of her life.

Therefore, gene cs really plays a signiﬁcant role in determining an individual’s lifespan and vulnerability to age-related diseases. Certain genes have been iden ﬁed that are associated with longevity, such as those involved in DNA repair, stress response, and cellular maintenance.

Several Gene c studies have provided research into the biological mechanisms of aging and have opened several and diﬀerent new types and avenues for gene c research. DNA or gene edi ng research is star ng to make it possible.

There are many mys cal, magic, and sci-ﬁ books and movies on youth and biological immortality. Just a few movies and genre types are named here, such as all vampire movies, Dorian Gray, Looper, and the most recent Academy Award-nominated movie The Substance starring Demi Moore, who was nominated for best actor! The movie is much closer to what is being developed in research today, of course, minus all the horror.

The Substance is a biotech and bioengineering research project that goes horribly wrong! However, research on similar substances is certainly taking place now. There are several research programs men oned in the media working in the realm of regenera ve youth, biohacking, and immortality.

There is currently a popular Ne lix documentary called Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever that has a cult-like following. It’s about entrepreneur and businessman, 45-year-old Bryan Johnson, and his quest for achieving a remarkably higher level of physical and mental well-being, increasing the human lifespan, while also remaining youthful looking. The documentary follows his Project Blueprint, wherein he a empts to document all the details of his quest for youth and immortality.

The documentary includes his team of doctors and specialists: Dr. Peter A a (longevity and health), Dr. David Sinclair (gene cs), Dr. Avil Friedlander (precision medicine), and Dr. Phil Chang (cardiology and muscular health). Working with these doctors, Bryan has poured millions of dollars into their research suppor ng Project Blueprint. Overall, the project has become curiously interes ng research, using himself as the guinea pig for measuring the limits of human longevity, youth, and health.

In the quest for youth and longevity, a more promising program involves a Japanese scien st, Dr. Kazutoshi Yamanaka, who has created four living viruses that could revive dying and dead human cells, referred to as the Yamanaka factor. The four viruses involve reverse human aging by using four gene cally created viruses that cause cellular gene c reprogramming. The viruses were developed at the Salk Ins tute in collabora on with Altos Labs.

More speciﬁcally, the Yamanaka factors are a set of four transcrip on factors (manmade viruses): Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. They play a cri cal role in reprogramming soma c (human body) cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Pluripotent stem cells are best known as embryonic stem cells origina ng from human embryos.

These types of iPSC cells can become any cell type in the human body. It is a groundbreaking discovery made by Dr. Yamanaka. His team has con nued to make signiﬁcant strides in research for regenera ve medicine and stem cell research.

Currently, stem cell research has gained a en on for its

Looking young has become a trillion-dollar industry.

poten al to combat aging and promote ssue repair. Embryonic stem cells have the unique ability to develop into various cell types and can regenerate damaged ssues. Scien sts such as Dr. Yamanaka are exploring ways to harness the regenera ve proper es of stem cells to replace damaged cells and rejuvenate aging ssues.

While there have been some promising results in animal studies, the transla on of these ﬁndings into human therapies is s ll in progress. Stem cell-based treatments hold great promise, but challenges remain in ensuring their safety and eﬀec veness.

However, more research has been focused on an -aging and the poten al for becoming immortal. In addi on to regenerave human cells using embryonic stem cells, there are currently many bioengineering hacks and new products for those a emp ng to live forever. In exclusive reports by The Telegraph and Wired Magazine, both publica ons go into depth about just how far people are willing to go to achieve eternal youth and immortality.

Over the past decade, it has been reported that more than 300,000 scien ﬁc papers about ageing have been published, and billions of dollars have been invested in such research, especially in Silicon Valley, where they have been ac vely searching for eternal youth and immortality. Angel investors have invested billions in startups such as Altos Labs, Human Longevity, Elysium Health, and Calico.

In tandem with all the research into embryonic stem cells for an -aging and immortality, there is another promising avenue of research that involves the discovery of chemical compounds that can mimic the eﬀects of a low-calorie diet. These compounds are recognized as one of the most well-established ways to slow down aging. One such compound, an an bio c linked to metabolism, growth, and the aging of cells, is called rapamycin. First discovered in the soil of Easter Island in 1972, its claim is

that it slows aging in animals because of its an -fungal and immunosuppressant proper es.

However, it was found later to have serious adverse side effects concerning the slowing down of the human body’s healing process. One researcher, Dr. Newman Ramatry, who had once worked with Bryan Johnson on his Project Blueprint, stated that it was a great find but required addi onal research to determine the sweet spot between not having the side effects and having just the an -aging benefits.

Longevity researchers are also familiar with a body of research that shows that the blood of young people can rejuvenate older bodies like it does in mice. This discovery came about when researchers ﬁrst surgically connected the circulatory systems of a young and an old mouse, a technique called parabiosis. It was observed that the transfusion procedure slowed down the symptoms of aging, thereby lengthening the lifespan of the older animal by as much as ten percent.

As researchers make strides in an -aging research, there are also ethical considera ons that come to the fore. The prospect of extending the human lifespan and crea ng immortality raises more ques ons about social, economic, and environmental implica ons. There are always concerns about overpopula on, alloca on of resources, and, ﬁnally, the poten al for increased inequality. In addi on, the pursuit of immortality raises philosophical and moral dilemmas about the nature of life and death.

As we con nue to explore the possibili es of an -aging therapies and get closer to immortality, it is essen al to engage in open discussions about these and other ethical implica ons to ensure that the advancements researchers have made are responsible and ethical. Un l then, let us dream, “I want to live forever, and I want to be perfect!” ●

MUSIC

AKRON BIRTHS NEW MUSICIAN

Akron, Ohio does it again with the birth of Young Caleb, a talented musician and songwriter who is taking the country by storm.

Born Akron OH, Caleb Woodley aka Young Caleb has been singing and ac ng since the age of 8. The Ul mate Quadruple threat, Young Caleb not only sing and act, but dances and is excellent with the pen as a songwriter.

In August of 2021 Young Caleb was introduced to Execu ve Hits CEO as he wanted to take voice lessons at the age of 9 to one day sing for The Cleveland Guardians baseball team.

When asked to sing Young Caleb impressed CEO/Producer Jeﬀ Tight who eventually signed Young Caleb to a producon deal with the company.

Young Caleb has also honed his live performance skills opening for ar st such as Wanmor, That Girl Lay Lay, Kidz Bop Live as well as playing the lead role in various plays including The Lion King (Simba),

The Wiz (The Scarecrow) and Shrek (The Donkey). With the stars lining up Young Caleb is prepared to take the next step and become a force in the entertainment industry

O. Horton Jr, aka DJ Johnny O, is the President of the NerveDJs DJ Coali on, a coali on of over 9000+ DJs, Ar sts, Musicians, Producers and Label & Radio reps. Johnny O has been in the entertainment business for 46 years.

which he eats, sleep and breath daily.

Ready to create a lane of his own Young Caleb is prepared to become the new voice of young America, sharing his sensa onal talents with the world and touching the heart and souls of the people. ●

Young Caleb has the skills to become a na onally known ar st.

John

Wri en by JOHN O. HORTON JR.

FASHION

THE BEAUTY OF BLACK FASHION

Black culture dominates fashion trends and Black culture drives what women wear today. Here are some fashion statements that represent Black fashion. 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, h ps://www.styledbydecarlo.com/

Military prints designed around fashion always look good in any se ng.

Wri en by LARON HARLEM

Photo Sylven Lamar

Plus size fashions help drive the culture of fashion for those who like to look good too.

Photo Sylven Lamar

Cau on tape has never looked so good when used in fashion.

Photo Sylven Lamar

Fashion always looks good when the boots are right.

Photo Sylven Lamar