CODE M MAGAZINE 2025 AUGUST SUMMER ISSUE

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’RE RICH AND ALSO DOOMED TRANSFOR

E LIVES OF MEN

THE BLACK SHEEP PHENOMENON

SEVEN PAGES OF THE CODE M BEAUTY

SHADED FROM THE SUN

HEALING THROUGH COLOR

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AN EPIC EVENT TO REMEMBER

The National Urban League Conference, recently held in Cleveland, Ohio, was a four-day event to remember and a rebirth of the SUBSCRIBE HERE excitement that lies ahead for the Black community.

AUGUST 2025 SUMMER ISSUE

[ LIFE ]

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[ HEALTH ]

!

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[ CLE ]

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[ BUSINESS ]

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INSIDE META’S SUPERINTELLIGENCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE AI is becoming more advanced. Tech start-ups are now venturing into experimen ng with superintelligent AI.

ON THE COVER

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AN EPIC EVENT TO REMEMBER

20 THE BLACK SHEEP PHENOMENON

If You’ve heard of them, maybe you’ve The Na onal Urban lived with them, perhaps you are one of League Conference, them — the Black Sheep of the family. recently held in Cleve26 CODE M BEAUTY land, Ohio, was a four-day event to Celebrate with CODE M Magazine as we remember and a rebirth of the excitespread the gi of summer with beau es ment that lies ahead for the Black comsprinkled throughout the August issue. munity.

Seven beau es that are fabulous over 14 MOVERS AND SHAKERS 50.

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

17 MAN CODES Pressure.

28 HEALING THROUGH COLOR Healing comes from all kinds of places.

In art, healing comes from the calmness of expression, passion, and the crea on of masterpieces that use color to transform the soul.

36 CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’RE RICH AND ALSO DOOMED Becoming instantly wealthy is a life’s dream. Financial freedom is everyone’s goal. But there are nega ves to money and there is no way to escape it.

54 THE DESPICABLE ACT OF MATE POACHING Mate poaching is the deliberate a empt to a ract or seduce someone who is already in a commi ed roman c rela onship. This can involve flirta on, emo onal manipula on, or direct ac ons to disrupt the exis ng rela onship.

68 THE DIVINE 9 Get to know people who are making a difference in their organiza ons and in CODE M / AUGUST 2025 9

[ INSIDE ] their careers.

72 THE VOICE OF THE STREETS Black Geez blends several eras of music to create a meless sound that resonates with old and young with a feeling of being alive and again.

76 SHADED FROM THE SUN

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ENGINEERING THE FUTURE Bob Dickinson’s non-profit works to help Black females obtain posi ons in the world of professional motor sports.

His efforts are crea ng a culture and changing lives.

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Summer gives us the opportunity to shed some clothes.

The sun gives us the opportunity to wear the coolest sunglasses. Shades that provide amazing shade!

ADVERTISE WITH CODE M Blacks influence the latest trends of popular culture, fashion, and music more than any demographic. Reach them when you adver se with CODE M Magazine. With over 1.4 million viewers monthly, we have your audience.

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TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN

ENGINEER RADIO/PODCAST Chris Westbrooks

PUBLISHER Bilal S. Akram

SOCIAL MEDIA Rachel Woods

PRESIDENT Brad J. Bowling SENIOR ADVISOR

Alexandria Johnson Boone MANAGING EDITOR David Christel CHIEF OF STAFF Anita G. Butler PAGE EDITORS Laron Harlem-Fashion Editor Paris Lampkins-Movers & Shakers Editor

Randall Sylvertooth-Tech Editor

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 Donna Heath Randall Sylvertooth

Valerie Starks-Hu on-Beauty Editor GRAPHIC DESIGN S ff Arm Media MEDIA COORDINATOR Carole Anthony

CODE MEDIA GROUP LLC STAFF

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Sharif Akram

To the PUBLISHER

Darrell Sco

Ladonna “Lala” Dicks

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CODE M Magazine was created to be a guiding force in crea ng a dialogue for black men everywhere. Code M focuses on the conversa ons of advancement, mental health, career choices, the poli cal landscape and rela onships that define and shape the lives of black men everywhere.

Code M Magazine is published

by CODE MEDIA GROUP, LLC © 2025 All Rights Reserved

[ TRAVEL ]

CODE M / APRIL2025 9

MOVERS &

SHAKERS

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

by Paris Lampkins

TONI SMITH With 20 years of exper se in HR and Opera ons, Toni Smith is a resultsfocused leader who delivers talent acquisi on, reten on, and mo vaon solu ons that help companies harness the full power of one of their most valuable assets-their employees. She is dedicated to crea ng robust corporate cultures that promote con nuous business growth and cul vate customer loyalty by empowering and mo va ng employees to realize their full poten al and bring their best to their daily job daily.

Toni has proven success in crea ng cultures of collabora on, and im-

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plemen ng change to achieve workforce excellence. Her experience is well rounded and knowledgeable in many aspects of HR including but not limited to: EEOC and Employment Law, coaching in the areas of transforma onal leadership, intercultural communica on, employee engagement, reten on, recruitment strategies, performance management, and managing change.

Currently, at Welspun USA, Toni serves as General Manager of Human Resources suppor ng 15 states.

Toni holds a Master's Degree in Human Services, Non-Profit Leadership, as well as a cer fica on in Diversity and Inclusion in the Workforce.

[ MOVERS & SHAKERS ]

THEORDORE HARRIS As Principal Consultant and founder of Clear Route Consul ng, Theodore “Ted” Harris is redefining opera onal excellence in Columbus and beyond.

With over 20 years of leadership experience—including roles at Amazon and Kroger—he now empowers businesses of all sizes to eliminate inefficiencies and scale with confidence.

Through Clear Route, Ted delivers data-driven Lean Six Sigma strategies, prac cal tools, and coaching that help organiza ons boost produc vity and reduce waste.

From Fortune 100 giants to local Columbus brands, he partners closely with teams to unlock measurable results—such as a 37% reduc on in lead me and a 22% improvement in labor produc vity.

Ted also leads workshops for aspiring leaders, invests in community partnerships, and uses AI-driven tools to accelerate sustainable growth.

“Opera onal excellence isn’t about working harder—it’s about building smarter systems that empower people to thrive.” — Theodore Harris, Clear Route Consul ng

JACQUELINE LAMB Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Jacqueline Lamb has always believed in the power of educa on to transform lives. Her journey—from special educa on teacher to community advocate to senior library leader—reflects a deep commitment to equity, literacy, and the vital role families play in a child’s academic success.

Jacqueline earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Educa on (Mild/ Moderate) from Cleveland State University in 2012 and quickly stepped into a leadership role within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). As a Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, she worked closely with school networks to build strong, sustainable partnerships between families and educators.

She also led the district’s Academic Parent Teacher Teams (APTT) program, an ini a ve focused on early literacy and math development through inten onal parent-teacher collabora on in grades K–3.

In 2018, her passion for family engagement took her to New York City, where she served as a Training Manager in the Department of Educa on’s Office of Family and Community Empowerment.

There, she designed and facilitated trainings that empowered parents, educators, and community members across the five boroughs. Her work

contributed to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Community Schools Ini a ve, training more than 250 community school directors to align wraparound services with family engagement strategies.

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START

Kobe Bryant

PRESSURE MAN CODES:

Compiled by Bilal S. Akram

“Remember diamonds are created under pressure so hold on, it will be your me to shine soon.” - Sope Agbelusi

la on, the truer the choice to the character's essen al nature.”

-Robert McKee

“Everything nega ve - pressure, challenges - is all an opportunity for me to rise.” - Kobe Bryant

“Nobody works be er under pressure. They just work faster.” Brian Tracy

“I changed the pressure from nega ve to posi ve. So, instead of thinking everybody wanted to see me fail, I decided everybody wanted to see me win, since I wanted to see myself win.”

- Keke Palmer

“Pressure is a word that is misused in our vocabulary. When you start thinking of pressure, it's because you've started to think of failure.” - Tommy Lasorda

“He who is of a calm and happy nature, will hardly feel the pressure of age.” - Plato “Courage is grace under pressure.” – Ernest Hemingway “True character is revealed in the choices a human being makes under pressure - the greater the pressure, the deeper the reve-

“Keep cool under pressure. Don’t waver from what is right. Stay the course.” - Cathy Burnham Mar n Philippians 4:6-7 (6) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situa on, by prayer and pe on, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NIV CODE M / AUGUST 2025 17

[ START ]

ENGINEERING

THE FUTURE

Bob Dickinson’s non-profit works to help Black females obtain posi ons in the world of professional motor sports. His efforts are crea ng a culture and changing lives.

Wri en by BRAD BOWLING Brad Bowling is the President of CODE Media Group, 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.

T

Bob Dickinson

here comes a me in life when you have accomplished all you can in your professional career, so you decide to do something to give back to society. Most people only think about that concept, but for Bob Dickinson, that thought turned into breaking a barrier that no one thought could be broken.

The ten-year-old organiza on has been an amazing champion for helping Black women, who desire to work in motor sports, gain the exposure and opportunity to do so. His organiza on searches the country, looking for those who crave to work in one of the fastest-paced businesses in sports.

Dickinson started the Steam Sports Founda on ten years ago. His goal, create a program that would promote the increase of African American women in the field of auto engineering.

Dickinson’s passion is good — and it’s ge ng no ced by auto brands and NASCAR alike.

Dickinson, who spent the majority of his me running and managing a professional sports team in auto racing, saw a void and decided to fill it.

“I have been working in the auto sports industry for a long me, and I saw a void and decided that I wanted to fill it,” Dickinson said. “I was raised in a wonderful Chris an family, and we were taught that everyone deserves an equal opportunity.”

That upbringing has allowed Dickinson to start his founda on to create opportuni es for those who otherwise would not get one.

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NASCAR's revenue is derived from various sources, with television deals and sponsorships being major contributors. In 2024, NASCAR generated an es mated $362.34 million in sponsorship revenue, a decline from $425.06 million the previous year. Addi onally, NASCAR has a significant television deal that pays them a substan al amount per year.

The salary for NASCAR engineers varies, with the average being around $78,163 per year, but can range from $73,000 to $118,000 annually depending on experience,

Anth se com

[ START ] role, and employer. ZipRecruiter says an average NASCAR engineer in the US makes $78,163 per year, while Glassdoor indicates an engineer at NASCAR could make between $73K and $118K. Lead engineers at NASCAR can earn significantly more, with an average of $144,559 per year, including bonuses, according to Comparably.

Race weekends at the Charlo e Speedway are star ng to see the excitement of Black women walking around and taking it all in. Dickinson’s goal is to see the sport forever changed by his and his organiza on’s efforts to promote the industry to a group of people who ordinarily would not view it as a career choice.

This means that Dickinson is not just crea ng opportuni es for Black women; he is crea ng meaningful posi ons that pay well for those who a empt to work in the field.

Dickinson’s efforts are ge ng no ced around the country.

For him to take on the responsibility of ge ng Black women involved in motor sports is truly special because of what it represents.

There is no doubt that the world of auto sports is a man’s world.

However, with the help of Dickinson, that world is star ng to change li le by li le. In the ten years since the Steam Sports Founda on has been running, over thirty women have been chosen and awarded scholarships to work in the field of motor sports engineering.

The average scholarship is currently five thousand dollars, but Dickinson hopes to get that increased to ten thousand in the coming years.

“We really try to expose them to as much of the industry as possible.” He con nued, “That means we fly them out to NASCAR events. We allow them to get up close with the cars and drivers on race day, and we allow them to feel the power and joy of being in the space of motor sports.”

General Motors has taken no ce of what Dickinson is a emp ng to do and has stepped up to lend their help to the cause.

His efforts harken back to when America was about helping people, not just ge ng an opportunity, but ge ng the right opportunity. His me spent with the girls he helps is a product of his amazing thirty years amassing a career that has him respected everywhere he goes.

“My goal is to be impac ul to other people and to make a difference,” Dickinson said. He’s doing that and for those whom he has helped and con nues to help are grateful that people like Dickinson s ll exist and believe in the common idea that everyone deserves an opportunity.

His parents would be proud of the man he has become. For the women he’s helping, they’re ge ng not just an opportunity, they’re ge ng a lesson on what common human decency looks like. Bravo, Bob Dickinson. ●

ATL

hony Brown in various ngs throughout the mmunity.

STRONG The average scholarship award is $5,000; over 30 women have been awarded scholarships so far.

CODE M / AUGUST 2025 19

LIFE

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[ LIFE ]

THE BLACK SHEEP PHENOMENON I You’ve heard of them, maybe you’ve lived with them, perhaps you are one of them — the Black Sheep of the family.

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.

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[ LIFE ]

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I

[ LIFE ] If ever there were a true adage about “you can’t live with ‘em, you can’t live without ‘em,” it’s the story — some mes epically so — of the roller coaster ride families endure when blessed with (or burdened by) a Black Sheep.

To bring you up to speed, a Black Sheep is the one family member who 1) doesn’t really seem to fit in the family unit, 2) has their own unique way of expressing themselves, 3) isn’t interested in being like everybody else, 4) is the one person who’s going to challenge all of the family’s behavioral pa erns and established norms, and 5) isn’t going to put up with rules they have determined are useless, meaningless, and/or irra onal.

The term “black sheep” comes from a flock of sheep, whose coloring is white. Obviously, a black sheep is going to stand out in a sea of white. Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, black wool was worth less simply because it couldn’t be dyed another color. The color black was also considered to be the mark of the Devil.

In today’s vernacular, Black Sheep are o en characterized as the “bad seed” or “bad boy/bad girl” simply because they tend to oppose the norms within a family. ·

They are o en the ones wan ng to try new things, push beyond the usual boundaries, break molds, and expand their horizons (think Prince).

·

They can also be the ones who are withdrawn, brooding, contrary, and uninterested in conven onal societal pursuits (think Wednesday Addams).

Both types need to be themselves, not facsimiles of what society considers normal, trendy, comfortable, or acceptable. They’re definitely not followers, and they aren’t interested in being leaders. They inherently are, in a word, iconoclasts. That word comes from the Greek “eikonoklastēs, which translates to “image destroyer.” Whoa — that’s pre y intense, and within a family unit, it can feel as though their Black Sheep is pu ng everyone through the meat grinder.

Black Sheep generally know from an early age that how their family operates and where they fit in the family dynamic doesn’t work for them. They observe how their family behaves and interacts, what their beliefs and values are, and what they consider important. With all of that taken into account, many Black Sheep realize that they’re 180 degrees opposite their family. The upshot is that they can’t relate to their family members and, vice versa, no one in their family can relate to them. Therefore, they stand alone.

A person who fits the profile of a Black Sheep o en feels that they’re not understood and that no one in their family is even trying to understand them. That leads to a sense of not being seen, not heard, and not valued in the family.

The result is that the Black Sheep will either go to an extreme to somehow gain a en on from their family or decide to create distance and withdraw from them.

Either way, family members end up being shut out because they can’t keep up with their Black Sheep, don’t approve of their Black Sheep’s decisions and ac ons, or feel they are unable to connect with and emo onally and mentally relate to or bond with their Black Sheep.

Families find living with a Black Sheep challenging because 1) they’re seeking familial closeness and unity, and 2) Black Sheep o en add to the day’s struggles, stress, and chaos.

The family wants the Black Sheep to join in on family ac vies, but they’ll either get a “leave me alone” response or the opposite, wherein the Black Sheep will respond with an over-the-top reac on that will run the en re family ragged.

Black sheep can some mes be what’s termed the “class

Family cohesion and stability are going to be challenged because their Black Sheep is going to push a lot of bu ons: pa ence, tolerance, boundaries, values and beliefs, authority, and roles and rules.

The Black Sheep is o en the most successful in the family.

CODE M / AUGUST 2025 23

[ LIFE ] clown.” For them, they see a need to liven things up, and humor is their ins nctual, as well as standard choice. They’ll go to outlandish lengths to brighten the mood, which can mean doing things that aren’t exactly appropriate for the situa on, could be foolhardy and end in disaster, or people’s feelings could be inadvertently hurt.

Families then arrive at an impasse, o en giving up on their Black Sheep, leaving the Black Sheep feeling abandoned and rejected. The Black Sheep eventually arrives at the decision that their only op on for survival is to leave the family unit.

Both sides lose in this case.

Because of this unconven onal behavior, the Black Sheep set themselves up for further distancing from family members and being characterized as unreliable, untrustworthy, irra onal, and reckless. The family is clueless as to why the Black Sheep behaves the way they do, believing that they’ve been told enough mes to not do something and why, or to stop whatever they’re doing. Basically, all that admonishment falls on deaf ears.

But there’s another way to look at the Black Sheep Phenomenon: As challenging as a Black Sheep may be in a family, they actually play a very important role.

What can occur on both sides a er a while is resentment simply because neither side feels acknowledged in a posi ve way or feels heard. What builds then is distrus,t and everyone begins the process of shu ng out the other.

For the Black Sheep, constant cri cism is interpreted as “I’m bad,” “I’m wrong,” “There’s something wrong with me.” That eventually devolves into “No one gets me,” “No one likes me,” “I’m a disgrace to my family,” “I don’t belong,” and “I’m not wanted.” This can turn into the Black Sheep feeling that they’re a threat to their family. Conversely, the Black Sheep may feel that their family is a threat to them and their sense of iden ty not only within the family but the world at large.

Unfortunately, many families who have a Black Sheep in their midst will turn to scapegoa ng them because they are unable to understand, work with, or tolerate their Black Sheep’s behavior.

They consider that what their Black Sheep does is incomprehensible, too divergent, and they just don’t fit within the family’s reality band. Hence, their Black Sheep becomes a target in that they are to blame for all the family’s internal issues.

For many families, a point is reached within the family dynamic wherein complacency, habitual behavior, and dysfunc onal rela onship pa erns put the family in a psychological and opera ve rut. The one person who’s going to break the family out of their stasis is the Black Sheep — and that’s the power a Black Sheep has within a family.

The Black Sheep member is the one who is really going to show what it means to be themselves, to not be a carbon copy of others. Black Sheep can develop a very strong sense of their unique iden ty that they’ll stand by despite the odds. They will own their voice and sense of self in the world, making them not so vulnerable to cri cism. They will o en have greater compassion and empathy for those who are perceived as “other” thereby making them more inclusive and accep ng of others’ uniqueness.

Black Sheep also don’t feel obligated to follow familial and societal conven ons, which gives them greater freedom to express themselves, to be who they are as fully as possible.

In that sense, they become models for others to emulate, as it gives them permission to be themselves.

Though Black Sheep can get your knickers in a twist, they are o en the only ones in a family telling the truth and pushing for authen city. That takes tremendous courage. As has been said, “The Black Sheep is o en the most interes ng and dynamic member of the family.” And as Maxime Lagacé said, “I thought not fi ng in was something I had to fix. Now I see it as my superpower.”

If you’re the Black Sheep in your family, celebrate your uniqueness, strive to be the most authen c you possible, and let your superpower shine! ●

The Black Sheep is o en the youngest child in the family,

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[ COVER ]

CODE M / AUGUST2025 43

BEAUTY

FAB AND OVER 50 Shawn Washington is a 56-year-old wife, mother, and seasoned educator with over 20 years of experience. Her life is grounded in faith, driven by family, and commi ed to fit‐ ness. She strives to live inten onally, anchored by the scripture "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Shawn seeks to honor God in every aspect of her journey.

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[ OPINION]

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ART boundaries offers a compelling testament to the transforma ve power of crea ve expression.

Ramel’s ar s c journey began in childhood, inspired by his older brother’s drawing skills. “I developed my talents as a child,” he reflects, though those early years were marked by profound loss. When Robert was just six years old, his father’s suicide cast a long shadow over his young life, leaving him to grapple with fears about his own mental health that would follow him for decades.

Despite these early challenges, Ramel’s crea ve spirit flourished. He discovered talents not just in visual art, but in poetry, music, and various instruments. Yet it would take years — and numerous life trials — before he understood how these gi s could become his salva on.

The Healing Power of Color

HEALING THROUGH COLOR Healing comes from all kinds of places. In art, healing comes from the calmness of expression, passion and the crea on of masterpieces that use color to transform the soul.

A

By Raland Hatche rt has always been humanity’s universal language of healing, but for ar st Ramel, it became something even more profound that transformed personal tragedy into a powerful force for connec on and empowerment. His journey from childhood trauma to becoming a soughta er ar st whose work resonates across cultural

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Life tested Ramel repeatedly through personal betrayals, rela onship challenges, and the devasta ng loss of his mother. The ul mate trial came with a terminal cancer diagnosis that could have marked the end of his story.

Instead, it became the beginning of his most important chapter.

“I found solace in art,” Robert shares. “It became a healing journey and a part of my life.” What started as a coping mechanism evolved into something much more significant, a “voice in color” that could express what words some mes couldn’t capture.

His pain ngs became more than ar s c expression; they became therapy, transforma on, and ul mately, a bridge to others seeking their own healing. “My artwork conveys my values and emo ons, o en speaking for me when I struggle with words,” he explains.

Ramel’s ar s c approach reflects a beau ful synthesis of influences — Taino, African, and African American cultures blend seamlessly in his work. Rather than copying tradi onal styles, he incorporates these rich cultural ele-

[ ART ] ments into something uniquely his own.

His crea ve process is almost ritualis c: “I touch the canvas to clear my mind, then listen to music and select colors.” This medita ve approach allows for organic discovery, where what he calls “mistakes” o en lead to his most powerful ar s c breakthroughs.

This fusion creates art that speaks to people across cultural boundaries. His work resonates with viewers from different backgrounds because it taps into universal emo ons and experiences — pain, hope, resilience, and transforma on.

Empowering Others Through Authen c Expression What makes Ramel’s story par cularly compelling is how his personal transforma on has become a catalyst for empowering others. His artwork has found its way into homes across the country, with an interes ng demographic pa ern — 99 percent of his buyers are women, drawn to the boldness and emo onal depth of his pieces.

“My artwork appeals to people who have their lives together,” Ramel observes, no ng that his pieces o en serve as gi s of empowerment and inspira on. The fact that women are his primary collectors speaks to something profound about how his work resonates with those seeking transforma on in their own lives.

Singer Danielle Ponder’s reac on to his work exemplifies this connec on — she felt “safe and genuine” around Ramel and his art, sugges ng that his pain ngs create spaces for authen c emo onal expression and healing.

“Your artwork is not the brand — you are,” he stresses, highligh ng the importance of ar sts understanding themselves as entrepreneurs and storytellers, not just creators.

This perspec ve has allowed him to build what he calls his “tribe,” a community of collectors and supporters who connect with his authen c voice.

Beyond ar s c crea on, Robert advocates for financial literacy among ar sts, recognizing that economic empowerment is crucial for sustained crea ve freedom. He warns against the dangers of neglec ng health and priori es while encouraging ar sts to “think bigger than their current circumstances.”

His own diversifica on strategy — mul ple income streams, catalog development, and long-term planning — demonstrates how ar sts can build sustainable careers while maintaining their crea ve integrity.

Ramel’s plan for a black and white exhibi on in 2026 represents more than just another show — it symbolizes his commitment to con nuous growth and ar s c evolu on. The exhibi on will showcase various styles and possibly include tex les, demonstra ng his refusal to be confined by tradional ar s c boundaries.

“I believe my pain ngs will become highly sought a er in

As an ar st of color, Ramel faces unique challenges in gaining recogni on in higher-end art galleries and pres gious events like Art Basel. Yet rather than le ng these barriers discourage him, he’s channeling his energy into crea ng his own opportuni es.

“I want to create my own art show and market it myself,” he states, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit that transforms obstacles into stepping stones. He’s diversified his business to include apparel and home decor, making art accessible to people regardless of their financial situa on.

His approach to business mirrors his approach to art — authen c, inclusive, and focused on genuine connec on rather than exclusivity.

Lessons in Authen city and Growth Ramel’s advice to fellow ar sts reflects the wisdom gained through his transforma ve journey: “Create for yourself first and don’t worry about what others think.” He emphasizes the importance of authen city, no ng that even unconven onal art can find its audience when it comes from a genuine place.

CODE M / AUGUST 2025 29

[ OPINION]

My life will include a prosthe c leg going forward.

30 AUGUST 2025 / CODE M

[ ART ] the future, poten ally reaching six-figure prices,” he states with quiet confidence. This isn’t mere ambi on — it’s the voice of an ar st who has learned to value his own transforma on and the healing it brings to others.

The Ripple Effect of Transforma on What makes Ramel’s story so powerful is how his personal healing through art has created ripples of transforma on in others’ lives.

His pain ngs don’t just hang on walls — they serve as daily reminders of resilience, cultural pride, and the possibility of turning pain into purpose.

In a world where authen c male voices discussing emo onal healing and transforma on are o en underrepresented, Ramel’s journey offers something vital. His willingness to be vulnerable about his struggles while demonstra ng the power of crea ve expression to heal provides a roadmap for others facing their own challenges.

His emphasis on discipline, consistency, and a en on to detail in his largely one-man opera on shows that transforma on requires Hboth emo onal openness and prac cal dedica on. It’s a powerful combina on that has allowed him to build not just an art career but a pla orm for inspiring others.

As Ramel con nues to paint, teach, and build his ar s c empire, his story serves as a beacon for anyone who has faced trauma, loss, or seemingly insurmountable challenges. His journey from a six-yearold boy dealing with his father’s suicide to a confident ar st whose work transforms spaces and hearts demonstrates that our deepest wounds can become our greatest sources of strength.

His art proves that healing is not just personal — it’s communal.

When we transform our pain into something beau ful and share it with the world, we give others permission to do the same. In Ramel’s vibrant canvases, viewers see not just cultural fusion and ar s c skill, but proof that transforma on is always possible.

As he prepares for his upcoming exhibi ons “Black Line, White Boundaries” and con nues to build his ar s c legacy, Ramel’s message is clear: authen city, combined with persistent effort and genuine care for others, can transform not just individual lives but enre communi es. His colorful journey reminds us that some mes the most profound healing happens when we dare to share our truth through the language of art. ●

Charter House Grill Images.

These pain ngs heal using visual s mula on.

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[ BEAUTY ]

FAB AND OVER 50 Darlene AKA "Red", 60 years old, passionate about fitness, personal growth, and helping others. She believes true wealth lies in our health, and she lives each day commi ed to nurturing both her body and spirit. Spiritually grounded and purpose-driven, she finds joy in encouraging others to reach their fullest po‐ ten al – physically, mentally, and emo onally.

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[ BEAUTY ]

COVER

All photos were taken by Golden Head.

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[ BEAUTY ]

FAB AND OVER 50 Chamaine Keith is a vibrant 53-year-old moth‐ er of two adult children, Jonathan and Jordan.

She leads an ac ve lifestyle, balancing her love for fitness with crea ve passions like dec‐ ora ng and cra ing. Whether she's playing in an adult volleyball league or designing some‐ thing beau ful at home, Chamaine brings en‐ ergy and joy to everything she does.

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OPINION

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’RE RICH AND ALSO DOOMED A COLUMN WRITTEN BY CHATGPT

Becoming instantly wealthy is a life’s dream. Financial freedom is everyone’s goal. But there are nega ves to money and there is no way to escape it.

W

inning the lo ery is like finding a golden cket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, except instead of candy, you get cash, and instead of a factory tour, you get a front-row seat to your rela ves’ sudden rediscovery of your phone number. The jackpot might promise you eternal happiness, but what it really delivers is a life me supply of unsolicited financial advice and the privilege of paying for everyone's dinner. Forever.

The dream of winning the lo ery starts innocently enough.

You picture yourself sipping margaritas on a private beach, tossing your alarm clock into the sea, and never having to explain to your boss why you were “accidentally” on TikTok during the quarterly budget mee ng. But the reality? Oh, it’s something else en rely.

First, there’s the moment of disbelief when your numbers match. People say, “I didn’t believe it at first,” but trust me, nobody is calm when they win $50 million. You’ll stare at the cket like it’s a foreign language exam you didn’t study for, squin ng and checking five different websites to confirm you’re not hallucina ng. Then you’ll realize that, yes, you’re a mul -millionaire now, and that’s when the screaming starts.

Not dignified screaming, either — more like “waking-up-to-aspider-on-your-face” screaming. Your neighbors will worry.

Next, you’ll face the real test of your newfound wealth: telling your family. Remember that cousin who borrowed $20 in 2011 and never paid you back? He’s suddenly very interested in catching up. In fact, people you barely know will emerge from the woodwork. “Hey, remember me? We were in the same

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Wri en by CY BORG Cy Borg is an ar ficial intelligence writer. Using Open A.I., Cy responds to various prompts with fully-qualified answers using the internet and technology.

third-grade spelling bee!” they’ll say, conveniently forge ng that you lost to them on the word “necessary.” And speaking of necessary, they now have a very necessary business idea involving ar sanal hamsters or something equally ridiculous.

Of course, you’ll try to keep your winnings a secret. Good luck with that. The lo ery commission might as well publish your name in People Magazine and mail your address to a traveling circus of salesmen. Soon, you’ll find yourself dodging pyramid schemes like Neo in The Matrix. A stranger will approach you at the grocery store, whispering, “Have you heard of essen al oils?” and you’ll be forced to flee, abandoning your cart midaisle.

But let’s not forget the prac cal challenges of wealth. Everyone assumes they’d handle millions with grace, but the first thing most people buy is something absurd. A golden jet ski? Sure. A solid gold toilet? Why not! These purchases sound great un l you realize they’re both terrible investments and incredibly heavy. Try explaining that to your financial advisor, who’s now deba ng whether they should quit finance and start a podcast called “Dumb Things Rich People Do.” Ul mately, winning the lo ery is like ge ng a very shiny, very expensive puppy. It’s exci ng, but it comes with responsibili es — and a tendency to chew up your life. Sure, money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy a yacht named “Poor Decisions.” And isn’t that what life’s really about?

In the end, the lo ery may not fix all your problems, but it will certainly give you new, hilarious ones. So go ahead, play the game — but don’t say I didn’t warn you when Cousin Todd comes calling about his hamster empire. ●

[ OPINION ]

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[ BEAUTY ]

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[ BEAUTY ]

FAB AND OVER 50 Valerie Starks-Hu on is a seasoned graphic designer with over 30 years of experience and the proud owner of a thriving Residen al Care Facility. At 58, her passion for wellness and dedica on to helping others keeps her ener‐ gized. Living with Fibromyalgia, Valerie em‐ braces fitness as a key part of maintaining her physical, mental, and emo onal wellbeing.

"As a devoted mother of two—a 19-year-old college student and a 15-year-old—Valerie dedicates much of her me to ensuring her children stay ac ve in sports and succeed aca‐ demically.

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COVER

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[ COVER]

AN EPIC EVENT TO REMEMBER The National Urban League Conference, recently held in Cleveland, Ohio, was a four-day event to remember and a rebirth of the excitement that lies ahead for the Black community.

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.

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[ COVER ]

Images from the Na onal Urban League Conference.

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[ COLOR ]

C

haracterized as the “largest Civil Rights Conference of the year,” the Na onal Urban League conference shows up as a purpose with a party. The event brought League affiliate members from across the na on, as well as Clevelanders and Ohioans, in near record-breaking numbers. The opening night State of the Urban League Address given by Marc Morial, president and CEO of the Na onal Urban League, set a high bar for the event — and it just kept rising.

“I promised my colleagues across the country and all of our sponsors who supported this event that it would be epic. And indeed, it was,” said Marsha Mockabee, President and CEO of the ULGC. “We wanted to ensure that we delivered an excep onal experience on every front, and we were blessed to exceed all expecta ons.”

This outcome would not have been possible without the expert leadership of 4th Quarter and Associates, the visionary leadership of our board chair, Kevin Clayton, and the dedica on of our Community Working Group, led by Jill Zimon and India Birdsong Terry. We worked hand in hand with the amazing Na onal Conference Team, led by Miguel Clarke and Rhonda Spears Bell.

As you might expect, the 4-day conference involved a legion of staffers and volunteers working day and night to present not only an event to remember, but one that impacted across genera onal lines that would then reverberate throughout Northeast Ohio’s communies. The 4-day line-up included: July 16 was the conference’s kickoff that began with a day-long Career & Networking Fair held at the Hun ngton Conven on Center, which was free and open to the public. The fair offered job seekers and those looking for career advancement and professional development an opportunity to meet and engage with top recruiters and hiring managers from around the country.

That evening was the official launch of the conference, which featured the State of the Urban League Address & a separate Host Night Welcome Recep on. Marc Morial was the keynote speaker covering many of the issues facing Blacks in our country, from educa on to civil rights, health services, Social Security, and more. In these tenuous mes, the Urban League, both na onally and locally, is seeking to build stronger communi es from within, from individuals to families, businesses, and up.

Arena. The event welcomed out-of-town conference registrants, sponsors, and speakers to an Essence Fes valstyle event where there were mul ple events going on simultaneously — something for everyone.

The celebra on was designed as an intergenera onal fes vity that included a private jazz lounge, a fashion show, an art exhibit, and a Marketplace. Later in the evening, entertainment out on the dance floor included the intermixing of Old School / New School DJs and line dancing instructors. A endees from young professionals to the most seasoned community members, were provided an immersion experience that will be long remembered and surely emulated.

Day two of the conference began with Marc’s opening plenary address, “State of Black America – State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights & Progress Under A ack.”

His address calls for bold ac on to reclaim the promise of the 1965 Vo ng Rights Act. The Legacy Leadership Awards Luncheon followed, which included presenta ons by Angela R. Simmons, President, Na onal Council of Urban League Guilds; William Barnes, President & CEO, Birmingham Urban League; and Marc again as the featured speaker. There was also a fireside chat led by John Rogers, founder, chairman, and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments.

That evenin,g once again became a celebra on with Urban League Live Presents: “Party Like a Rock Star.”

A endees were also given full access to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the “Urban League Live” party. As Marsha puts it, “People were blown away with the Rocket Arena and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame par es! They began to truly understand how we do things in Cleveland.”

The theme for day three of the conference was “Power, Advocacy, and Celebra on.” Plenary II: “Breaking the Silence – Mastering Media and Making Your Voice Heard”

That was followed by the Host Night Celebra on “Family Reunion – Bridging Genera ons through Music and Culture,” held at the Rocket

R&B legend, Joe Li le, performing at the Na onal Urban League Conference.

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[ COVER ]

Images from the Na onal Urban League Conference.

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COMMUNITY

[ COLOR ] jump-started the day with a focus on prac cal strategies for naviga ng the evolving media landscape.

Then came one of the highlights of the conference: the Women of Power Awards Luncheon, acknowledging and celebra ng women whose leadership has made a transforma ve difference in their industries and communi es. Honorees included: Danita Harris, morning anchor at WKYC TV; Seanelle Hawkins, J.S., President & CEO, Urban League of Rochester; Suzanne de Passe, Businesswoman, television, music, and film producer; Marva Smalls, Strategic Advisor to the Board & Leadership, Paramount Global; and Hon. Shontel M. Brown, U.S. Representa ve – Ohio's 11th Congressional District.

Friday evening’s black- e affair was the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Gala, emceed by Shannon Lanier, TV host and influencer.

It featured remarks from Tim Murphy, Vice Chair, Mastercard; and Marsha Mockabee, President & CEO, ULGC. Senator Sherrod Brown and Marsha Mockabee received NUL Living Legend Awards. The Hon. Jus n M. Bibb, Mayor, City of Cleveland, and Hon. Marcia Fudge, Partner and Chair of Public Policy, Ta Law, received the President’s Award.

The evening honored those whose work reflects the legacy of Whitney M. Young, Jr., and his reless pursuit of equality and social jus ce.

The final day of the conference was the Community & Family Day Expo. It featured a marketplace at Rocket Arena with 100 vendors selling everything from cakes to candles, clothing, and more. Food vendors were minority owned businesses. The Health Zone included University Hospital, doing health screenings and other vendors offered various health care opportuni es and clinics.

The ULGC had a booth front and center. “A totally unexpected thing happened at the booth,” Marsha shared. “I had individuals come up to me with tears in their eyes saying, ‘Miss Mockabee, I just want to thank you, because you don’t know the impact that the Urban League of Greater Cleveland has had on my life.’ They shared their stories with me, and we ended up hugging and crying together.”

cluded the “Project ReadyCollege Fair” that had informa on on scholarships, financial aid, and resources regarding 60+ colleges and universi es. The Urban League Now Experience featured the Building Black Wealth Pavilion that provided informa on on homeownership, genera onal wealth building, careers, and more. There was something for every community member, including: ·

Career & Networking Fair

·

Back to School Zone

·

Project ReadyCollege Fair

·

Building Black Wealth Pavilion

·

Brilliant & Black-owned Marketplace

·

Business Experts Corner

·

Community Give-Back Corner

·

Makers Market

·

HER Space

·

Kings Corner

·

GenZone

Kevin Clayton, Board Chair of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, said this about this extraordinary 4-day event: “The Na onal Urban League Conference had a tremendous social and economic impact on Cleveland. The conference was a unifier of people represen ng mul ple demographics from all over the country. Cleveland once again showed the na on that we are a prime- me city with a small-town ego.” Kevin played a major role in posi oning the Cleveland Cavaliers as lead sponsor for the Host Night Celebra on and serving as a full partner in the planning and execu on of the conference.

How do we pivot from the success of this amazing confer-

And that was the centerpiece of the event — people coming together heart-to-heart beyond just the fes vi es.

That was in full evidence during the Community and Family Day. The primary areas were the “Back to School Zone” and “Urban League Now Experience. The Back to School Zone in-

Vendors filled Rocket Arena for the Community & Family Day Expo.

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[ ART ]

A Donald Black photo.

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[ COVER]

Images from the Na onal Urban League Conference.

CODE M / AUGUST 2025 49

[ COVER ] ence? It all comes down to the vital focus of the UGLC and its mission: “Elimina ng the racial, economic, and societal barriers that prevent Black Americans and other underrepresented/ underserved communi es of color from achieving their full potenal. Ul mately, our impera ve is to ensure that EVERY member of our community has equitable civil rights, access to educa on, workforce development, and economic empowerment.”

The conference lived up to that mission, giving all those who a ended and par cipated in this mul -faceted expo exposure to an array of op ons, ideas, and a possibly new perspec ve for themselves, for their community, and beyond. The possibili es are endless as to what lies in the compassionate hearts and creave minds of like-minded, resilient, and resolute people.

“We had asked our community to show up and really par cipate in Community and Family Day. But I had no idea that Cleveland would respond with love in the way that they did,” Marsha explained. “The conference exceeded everyone’s expecta ons.

What’s interes ng is that part of the success of bringing the Urban League back to life — which was a divine assignment that I took on in 2009 — was based on what I realized was my secret weapon: under promise and over deliver, and so that’s what we did!”

One significant characteris c of the conference was how people of all walks of life were honored throughout the event. Whether a student or a congressperson, everyone was acknowledged as a respected and esteemed member of the community, and for the unique way in which they contribute.

Then there was Marsha herself, who was honored by Marc Morial when he presented her with a Living Legend Award for her many years with and impact through the ULGC. “I was dumbfounded, in total shock. I was so humbled and totally overwhelmed by the award.” Kevin Clayton presented Marsha with an addi onal surprise: a large pain ng of Mar n Luther King, Jr., which will be housed at the ULGC offices.

Then, to Marsha’s u er surprise, when touring the art exhibit, she discovered that Arnold Hines had commissioned a portrait of her. Another moment that le Marsha speechless.

But Marsha wasn’t speechless when interviewed by the media about what outcome she was seeking concerning the conference. Her answer was, “… to simply be a stepping stone to greater impact for the ULGC in the community, expanded partnerships, expanded services, and touching the lives of more people.”

The conference more than achieved that outcome, so much so that Marc Morial has stated that the Cleveland conference created new best prac ces for future Urban League na onal conferences. As Marsha sees it, it’s the community that deserves immense thanks for their part in making the conference such a success.

“The plan is that we want everyone to know that the ULGC exists. We want visibility and involvement because that’s the only way we’ll all succeed together. As I heard a number of people say during the conference, ‘Marsha, everywhere we turn, we see the Urban League.’ Perfect!”

And Marc Morial has these summa ve comments. “We are in a precarious moment in America, and the anxie es of our path day to day not only impact the families and communi es we serve at the Urban League, but it has a profound impact on our affiliates. And in this moment, I could not be more grateful than I am for the leadership, steadfastness, and hospitality of Marsha Mockabee, Kevin Clayton, and the en re staff of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland during this year’s conference.

Every event was designed with purpose, not only to engage the Urban League movement and the civil rights community, but to invite leadership — from city hall to the halls of Congress — into conversa ons that will change the course of decision making in Ohio, and provide a space where the people we serve can equip themselves with the skills, informa on, and tools to thrive in the face of uncertainty.

We may not know what tomorrow will bring, but I am confident that the Urban League of Greater Cleveland has the leadership to shepherd the community and movement through these uncertain mes.” ●

Vendors filled Rocket Arena for the Community & Family Day Expo.

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[ COLOR ]

CODE M / AUGUST 2025 51

[ BEAUTY ]

FAB AND OVER 50 At 55, Faith Baker is commi ed to living a purpose-driven life, rooted and grounded in faith, wellness, and family. Her rela onship with God guides her values and daily decisions. While a passion for fitness and healthy living keeps her energized and focused, Baker believes in leading by example— balancing career, family, and personal growth with grace and consistency.

For her, wellness is a lifestyle, faith is the founda on, and family is the heart of it all.

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[ POLITICS ]

CODE M / AUGUST 2025 49

ROMANCE

DES A M POA

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THE SPICABLE ACT OF MATE ACHING

[ ROMANCE ]

Mate poaching is the deliberate a empt to a ract or seduce someone who is already in a commi ed roman c rela onship. This can involve flirta on, emo onal manipula on, or direct ac ons to disrupt the exis ng rela onship.

Wri en by BRAD BOWLING Brad Bowling is the President of CODE Media Group, 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.

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[ LIFE ]

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[ ROMANCE ]

I

t’s happened to everyone. You go months or even years to find the right person. You do the work to make sure they’re the right one, and once you’ve determined they are, you post your happy rela onship on social media.

The minute your post hits the pla orm, your inbox explodes with dozens of people wan ng to know more about your new love. They want to see if the new rela onship is real. They want to see if the window of opportunity is s ll there. And finally, they want to know how they can begin the process of breaking up your rela onship.

If you’ve experienced any of this, then you were a vic m of “mate poaching.” Mate poaching is the concept of the deliberate inten on of breaking up a rela onship. It’s happened to everyone, and everyone has a empted it, at some point or another.

TAKEN = ENTICING Human nature suggests that something that’s desired is desirable.

The act of mate poaching is more normal than anyone will admit. Mova on for mate poaching can include an evolu onary drive to find mates. Individuals who engage in mate poaching may display traits such as narcissism or Machiavellianism. Other drivers can include novelty seeking, ego valida on, extraversion, and poaching could potenally become an addic on.

Whatever the reasons, it is s ll considered to be one of the most ruthless things a person can do. To a empt to break up, for selfish reasons, in order to then acquire the person you want, is truly despicable behavior. However, everyone has either fantasized, contemplated, or a empted at least one poaching in their da ng life.

From an evolu onary perspec ve, poten al benefits include accessing partners who already show desirable traits. For women, it can also be a way to switch partners with the current rela onship if unhappy.

individuals having a empted it. A significant 10-20 percent of new rela onships even originate from mate poaching.

POACHER’S MENTALITY Partner poachers typically have low empathy, no conscience, act with malicious intent, have a delusional sense of en tlement, and are pathologically envious of the target’s partner (envy plays a huge part in this). In therapeu c terms, these are all part of what is known as cluster-B traits, which are symptoms of four personality disorders: an social, borderline, histrionic, and narcissisc. That’s why it is found that these people usually have a severe case of one of these personality disorders.

You would think that protec ng your rela onship is one of the last things you need to do once you find love. But experts warn that the beginning of going public with a rela onship is the most vulnerable me for a rela onship to be mate poached.

With the rela onship s ll new, old flames will try to circle back and a empt to rekindle the rela onship. Individuals who were too shy or procras nated in making a move are now emboldened to reach out and see if the feelings are mutual. Old situa onships that never materialized into a full-blown rela onship are now seen for their value. Hence, poachers work to create the synergy needed to garner a posi ve return response from the person they are targe ng.

MATE POACHING OUTCOMES Despite any poten al evolu onary benefits, mate poach-

The idea that the person who displays the skills to a ract and maintain a healthy monogamous rela onship is now open season to be stolen appears devilish, but sta s cs show the act is more common than one would think.

Research suggests mate poaching is more prevalent with 30-50 percent of

Mate pouching is more common that people think.

CODE M / AUGUST 2025 57

[ ROMANCE ] ing has significant nega ve consequences for individuals and relaonships.

Mate poaching, while prevalent, has low long-term survival rates.

While many people a empt mate poaching, and some even ini ally succeed in forming a new rela onship, most of these rela onships do not last, par cularly with long-term, commi ed rela onships. According to Couples Therapy Inc., only about 3 percent of mate poaching a empts result in las ng unions, and even those that do eventually end in divorce.

Those sta s cs are confusing to those who have suffered the loss of a roman c rela onship due to mate poaching. With so li le return for mate poaching, one must wonder why it is such normal behavior.

MATE POACHING PROTECTION Mate poaching protec on, also known as mate guarding, involves behaviors aimed at preven ng a partner from being a racted away by a poten al mate poacher. These ac ons, which can be both overt and covert, aim to maintain exclusive access to a partner and signal commitment to the rela onship. Mate guarding is a common human behavior observed across various cultures and species.

Mate Guarding Tac cs: ·

Overt Tac cs – These include ac ons like physical in mida on or threats directed towards rivals.

·

Covert Tac cs – These involve more subtle strategies like hiding the partner from poten al suitors, engaging in public displays of affec on, or even manipula ng online communica on to conceal interac ons with others.

·

Mate Reten on Behaviors – These include things like spending more me with the partner, making them feel special, or disparaging poten al rivals by poin ng out their flaws and weaknesses.

For any couple in a newly formed rela onship, there are things that can be done to protect their new union from unwanted advances

from those who want to seek the new rela onship’s demise. The struggle is to maintain a healthy respect for protec on versus anxiety. This means not wan ng to assume that any and everyone is out to steal your mate; however, you can be on the lookout for suspicious behavior that might resemble mate poaching tac cs.

Mate poachers have several tac cs to be aware of.

A rac ng an already spoken for mate with desirable traits, mate poachers increase their chances of successfully en cing their target by strategically employing flirtaon, self-presenta on, social sabotage, and forming alliances. The aim is o en about a aining status, resources, and/or gene c fitness.

For the mindful lover, some of the poacher’s strategies are easier to spot than others. Open communica on is the key to surviving any mate poaching a empts. Also, discussing your rela onship with your partner and keeping the lines of communica on open aids in helping reduce any chance of having the rela onship become a vic m of mate poaching.

It’s suggested that, in the end, only the couple sincerely involved with each other can truly defeat mate poaching if they want to. Couples who commit to each other can protect their unions by being aware of any outside a empts to communicate beyond the levels of friendship.

With online communica on accoun ng for most of the ways that mate poaching begins, it’s important for those in rela onships to establish a code of conduct when dealing with their rela onship presence online. Policing nefarious conversa ons can eliminate any a empt to destroy the rela onship.

In 2025, love is hard, and maintaining love is even harder.

If you are lucky enough to find love, make every a empt to do whatever it takes to keep the lines of communicaon open, keep your inten ons clear, and your appreciaon for each other at a high level.

You never know who might be lurking in the background, wai ng for the opportunity to poach your mate and claim them for themselves. ●

Online flir ng has reached an all- me high.

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[ TECH ]

Learn how you can access your families informa on.

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[ BEAUTY ]

FAB AND OVER 50 Felicia Smallwood Dunning is 55 years old with over 30 years of experience in the aerospace industry. Fitness has been a passion of hers for just as long. She’s remained dedicated to health and wellness throughout her life. She’s also a jewelry designer, specializing in hand‐ cra ed wrist and waist beads that celebrate beauty, confidence, and culture. Most recent‐ ly, she married her soulmate, Carlos, and they’re enjoying their new chapter together.

60 AUGUST 2025 / CODE M

[ TECH ]

Learn how you can access your families informa on.

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TECH

META'S AI SUPERI INFRAST

AI is becoming more advanced. Tech start-ups are now venturing into experimen ng with superintelligent AI.

Wri en by Dr. Randall Sylvertooth 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.

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[ TECH ]

INTELLIGENCE AND TRUCTURE

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TECH

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[ TECH ]

T

here is a new job posi on in demand concerning technology’s future with the advancement of Ar ficial Intelligence (AI). This new posi on will take AI and develop superintelligence far exceeding computa onal algorithms and the human skill sets of problem-solving, crea vity, and emo onal understanding.

Ar ficial Superintelligence (ASI) is the sort of thing you see in movies such as Terminator with Skynet, C.H.A.P.P.I.E., Ex-Machina, and RoboCop, to name a few. It’s where AI has been developed to mimic human intelligence, evolving from simulated neural networks, such as the brain, and combined with how humans think.

Mark Zuckerberg — founder of META, as well as Facebook, Instagram, Reels, and Threads — is developing a superintelligence development team focused on various components that address concerns regarding ASI. The new ASI project will be led by leading industry technology execu ves, including Scale AI’s CEO Alexandr Wang and the former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman. They and other execu ves will lead different development teams dedicated to research and with a concentra on on various founda onal AI models.

Zuckerberg has been in a hiring frenzy trying to compete with other high-profile tech companies such as Google and OpenAI. The teams will use open-source Llama so ware, which is a family of large language models that enable ethical AI development and decentralized experimenta on.

As a side note, Zuckerberg, to show how serious he is in his recrui ng efforts, is offering posi ons to some of OpenAI’s engineers with as much as $100 million sign-on bonuses. However, in fierce compe on, OpenAI has been countering Zuckerberg’s META offerings. All AI team leaders agree that “The market is se ng a rate for a level of talent, which is incredible!” It is unprecedented.

this past July.

“As the pace of AI progress accelerates, developing superintelligence is coming into sight. I believe this will be the beginning of a new era for humanity, and I am fully commi ed to doing what it takes for Meta to lead the way. Today I want to share some details about how we are organizing our AI efforts to build towards our vision: personal superintelligence for everyone.

We are going to call our overall organiza on Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL). This includes all our founda ons, products, and FAIR teams, as well as a new lab focused on developing the next genera on of our models.

Alexandr Wang has joined Meta to serve as our Chief AI Officer and lead MSL. Alex and I have worked together for several years, and I consider him to be the most impressive founder of his genera on. He has a clear sense of the historic importance of superintelligence, and as co-founder and CEO, he built ScaleAI into a fast-growing company involved in the development of all leading models across the industry.”

Zuckerberg went on to state that MSL has several strong new team members joining the team.

·

Trapit Bansal – pioneered RL on chain of thought and co-creator of O-series models at OpenAI.

·

Shuchao Bi – co-creator of GPT-4o voice mode and o4mini. Previously led mul modal post-training at OpenAI.

·

Huiwen Chang – co-creator of GPT-4o's image generaon, and previously invented MaskGIT and Muse text-

Zuckerberg posted an internal hiring memo, which was just released

AI is compe ng for the majority of American jobs. .

CODE M / AUGUST 2025 65

[ TECH ] to-image architectures at Google Research Ji Lin – helped build o3/o4-mini, GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.5, 4oimagegen, and Operator reasoning stack.

Joel Pobar – inference at Anthropic. Previously at Meta for 11 years on HHVM, Hack, Flow, Redex, performance tooling, and machine learning.

Jack Rae – pre-training tech lead for Gemini and reasoning for Gemini 2.5. Led Gopher and Chinchilla early LLM efforts at DeepMind.

Hongyu Ren – co-creator of GPT-4o, 4o-mini, o1-mini, o3-mini, o3 and o4-mini. Previously leading a group for post-training at OpenAI. Johan Schalkwyk – former Google Fellow, early contributor to Sesame, and technical lead for Maya.

Pei Sun – post-training, coding, and reasoning for Gemini at Google DeepMind. Previously created the last two genera ons of Waymo's percep on models.

Jiahui Yu – co-creator of o3, o4-mini, GPT-4.1 and GPT-4o. Previously led the percep on team at OpenAI and co-led mul modal at Gemini.

Shengjia Zhao – co-creator of ChatGPT, GPT-4, all mini models, 4.1, and o3. Previously led synthe c data at OpenAI.

Zuckerberg said, “I am excited about the progress we have planned for Llama 4.1 and 4.2. These models power Meta AI, which is used by more than 1 billion monthly ac ve users across our apps and an increasing number of agents across Meta that help improve our products and technology. We are commi ed to con nuing to build out these models.

In parallel, we are going to start research on our next genera on of models to get to the fron er in the next year or so. I have spent the past few months mee ng top folks across Meta, other AI labs, and promising startups to put together the founding group for this small talent-dense effort. We are s ll forming this group, and we will ask several people across the AI org to join this lab as well.”

Zuckerberg believes that Meta is uniquely posi oned to deliver superintelligence to the world. Their strong business model supports building out significantly more computers than smaller labs, and that with their deep experience of building and growing products that will reach billions of people.

Addi onally, Meta is pioneering and leading the development of the AI glasses and wearables category, which is growing very quickly. The company’s structure allows it to move with significantly greater convic on and boldness. Zuckerberg is op mis c that the new influx of talent and parallel approaches to model development will set the company up to deliver on the promise of personal superintelligence for everyone.

“We have even more great people at all levels joining this effort in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. I am excited to dive in and get to work.”

The MSL will be spending billions of dollars to build several massive AI-focused data centers to support the MSL team’s so ware development efforts. The first META super gigawa data center, named Prometheus, is expected to be fully on-line by 2026.

The AI data center is so gigan c that it can cover a significant part of the footprint of downtown Manha an. The center will be the first online gigawa supercluster for suppor ng the AI Teams’ superintelligence push.

AI, and its successor, ASI, are fast developing into fixtures of human evolu on, an inevitability that many are hailing as the next

Customer rela on posi ons are in jeopardy of Ai in the near future.

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THE

DIVINE 9

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

By Bilal S. Akram

CONSTANCE L. LUMB Constance I. Lumb is a dedicated educator with 21 years of experience, a reless advocate for underserved students with special needs. Her career has spanned major ci es, beginning with her impac ul work with unprivileged, overage, and under-accredited children in Chicago, IL, and Richmond, VA. Currently, she serves her hometown of Philadelphia, PA, as a Special Educa on Compliance Monitor, ensuring equitable educa onal opportuni es for all students.

Constance holds a Bachelor of Science in Educa on from Shippensburg

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University and a Master of Educa on from Arcadia University, both in Pennsylvania. She is a proud ini ate of the Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and remains an ac ve and commi ed member of the Rho Theta Omega Chapter.

Beyond her professional life, Constance is passionate about crea ng and exploring the world, a passion she enthusias cally shares with her students, inspiring them to envision a world without boundaries.

[ DIVINE 9 ]

TAYLOR NASH Taylor Nash is a mul faceted entrepreneur, licensed realtor, and aspiring physician whose work reflects a deep commitment to community, innova on, and service. A proud graduate of John Carroll University, Taylor is based in Cleveland, Ohio, where he works as a real estate professional with Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan, specializing in residen al leasing, investment proper es, and client centered solu ons that create long-term value.

In addi on to his work in real estate, Taylor serves as an ophthalmic technician at Re na Associates, where he assists in providing high-quality eye care and gains valuable hands-on clinical experience.

His work in healthcare has strengthened his passion for medicine and inspired him to pursue a future as a physician.

Taylor is currently applying to medical school, with the goal of delivering accessible, preventa ve care to underserved communi es.

He is also the founder of Twin Notary Services and ac vely supports small businesses and local residents through professional services and mentorship.

A dedicated member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Taylor leads with purpose, integrity, and vision. Whether in business, healthcare, or community service, he remains focused on building a legacy rooted in excellence, impact, and empowerment.

TYLER NASH Tyler Nash is a finance and real estate professional with experience underwri ng and execu ng over $153 million in commercial and residen al transac ons, spanning 810,000+ square feet across acquisi ons and development.

He currently serves as an Acquisi ons Associate at Scioto Proper es, a na onal healthcare real estate investment firm, where he supports underwri ng, due diligence, and deal sourcing for high-impact transac ons across the country.

At Scioto, Tyler has played a key role in analyzing complex residen al and commercial por olios and suppor ng mul -million-dollar investment decisions.

His a en on to detail, strong financial acumen, and collabora ve mindset help drive strategic growth across the firm's por olio of real estate.

As a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Tyler brings a deep commitment to leadership, service, and mentorship – championing ini a ves that create genera onal impact and upli others in both business and the community.

Tyler earned his MBA in Finance and Real Estate from The Ohio State University and a B.S.B.A in Finance from John Carroll University, where he competed as a collegiate football player.

His compe ve spirit, discipline, and commitment to excellence define his approach, whether it's in a deal, boardroom, or the community.

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MUSIC

THE VOICE OF THE STREETS

Black Geez blends several eras of music to create a meless sound that resonates with old and young with a feeling of being alive again.

B

orn Raheen Gayden to Elaine and Danny G. in Fight Village, Rochester, New York, Black Geez is a name that commands respect in the underground hip-hop world and beyond. His music is a raw reflec on of a life lived on the edge — a storyteller, survivor, and symbol of resilience whose lyrical genius comes from lived experience, not fic on.

From the jump, Black Geez was made for the stage. At just 8 years old, he opened for the legendary MC Lyte, a moment that marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to hip-hop. As a young ar st, he quickly became a local force, cap va ng crowds

Wri en by JOHN O. HORTON JR. John 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.

with his signature raw flow and commanding stage presence.

In 2010, he took home the "All Around Crowd Pleaser"award in Atlanta, GA — solidifying his place as a fan favorite and true performer.

He began collabora ng with some of the most respected names in hip-hop, including Fredo Starr, Peter Gunz, Beanie Sigel, Maino, Oowop, DJ Kay Slay, S cky Fingaz, 38 Spesh, Benny the Butcher, and ETO, to name just a few. Each collabora on added more weight to his voice, and more depth to the legacy he's building.

Black Geez is also the founder of SOWND HOWSE, a crea ve studio and sanctuary for authen c rap ar sts — a "cave" for real lyricists to create without compromise. With his movement DGS (Don't Get Shot) Flow, he's pushing more than a sound — he's pushing a message. It's a raw, unfiltered call for awareness, strength, and survival in communi es too o en overlooked.

Every bar he spits is rooted in truth. His lyrics speak to the streets, the struggle, and the strength it takes to overcome.

From injus ce to inspira on, Black Geez is the embodiment of what it means to fight, rise, and never fold.

So when you hear Black Geez, you're not just hearing music — you're hearing history, pain, triumph, and the sound of a man who beat the odds and came back to claim his crown. ● See more at: h ps://youtube.com/@ervv-musik?si=OfC0X9EhI-z1Cc0P

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[ MUSIC ]

Raheen Gayden

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[ BEAUTY ]

FAB AND OVER 50 Kimberly, 58, is a Cyber Security Analyst with 28 years of experience in a field she loves. She has a deep passion for health, wellness, and fitness. This passion is derived from her own personal fitness journey. She has spoken at fitness events, as well as mentored seniors and young adults about the importance of ex‐ ercise and maintaining a healthy weight. To quote Kimberly, "I am a child of God. I have a great life! I work hard and play harder. I'm living life on my own terms and loving every minute of it! I am BLESSED." 74 AUGUST 2025 / CODE M

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FASHION

SHADED FROM THE SUN Summer gives us the opportunity to shed some clothes. The sun gives us the opportunity to wear the coolest sunglasses.

Shades that provide amazing shade!

Wri en 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, h ps://www.styledbydecarlo.com/

Lance Arbuckle Shades by CHANEL EYEWEAR Wardrobe by SOKANA ROSE

Photo by TD VISUAL ARTS

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[ FASHION ]

Cadillac CT5-V $48,990 The high-performance 2025 CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing variants are also being updated. They get the tech updates of the regular CT5 plus dis nctly sporty faceli s, and the Blackwing model now has Carbon Fiber Packages available.

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[ FASHION ]

Don Don Shades from TEMU

Photo by D LYFE

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[ FASHION ]

Joseph Photo by D Lyfe Bow e STYLED by DECARLO CODE M / AUGUST 2025 81

[ FASHION ]

Don Don Shades from TEMU Photo by D LYFE

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[ MUSIC ]

DJ Johnie O is the owner of Nerve DJ’s Mixtapes.

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