CODE M MAGAZINE 2025 June Issue

GREG ENSLEYHAS

BUSINESS TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN

ANCESTRAL LEGACY IN MOTION

SUMMER FASHIONS THAT SIZZLE

SUBSCRIBE HERE

ON HIS MIND

LIBRARIES: THE ORIGINAL INTERNET

+ YOU COULD BE SUFFERING FROM BRAIN ROT JUNE 2025 ISSUE

[ LIFE ]

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[ HEALTH ]

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[ CLE ]

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[ BUSINESS ]

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INSIDE

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ANCESTRALL LEGACY IN MOTION

Americans all over the country will soon arrive at Africatown, a new fresh takes on all things Black coming to Mobile Alabama soon.

ON THE COVER

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GREG ENSLEY HAS BUSINESS ON HIS MIND Greg Ensley has mastered the art of own-

ing two thriving businesses, being a great father to his kids, and an involved member of the community by pouring himself into each rela onship that he touches, making sure that everyone gets quality- me.

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

20 THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL GARDEN WILL BE OUR GATHERING PLACE For genera ons, Black folks in Cleveland have driven past the Cultural Gardens along Mar n Luther King Drive and wondered “why do I see so many spots celebra ng other ethnic groups and not see one celebra ng African Americans?”

50 COMMUNICATION, COMMITMENT AND COMMUNITY The Urban League of Greater Cleveland is preparing to host the na onal conven on in Cleland. With that brings major planning and major fun.

17 MAN CODES

56 YOU COULD BE SUFFERING FROM BRAIN ROT

Collabora on.

Brain rot is a slang term that refers to

the supposed deteriora on of a person's mental or intellectual state, o en due to overconsump on of material, par cularly online content, that is considered trivial or unchallenging.

62 THE DIVINE 9 Get to know people who are making a difference in their organiza ons and in their careers.

64 ARLINGTON CEMETARY ELECTRONIC RECORDINGS As Memorial Day has come and passed, how do we track our fallen soldiers using the technology of today?

54 SUMMER FASHIONS THAT SIZZLE Summer provides the opportunity to bring out fasions that keep you cool and make you look cool at the same me. For some people, their fashions sense sizzles CODE M / JUNE 2025 9

[ INSIDE ]

18

DON’T QUIT SET UP Jeff Brown knew that he would encounter several challenges in life if he was going to pursue his career in entertainment. But with the help of his mother and his support systems he created a meaning career in entertainment that allowed him to hit every goal he created for himself.

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with amazing ou its and scream sexy.

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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 BBLLC 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 ]

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MOVERS &

SHAKERS

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

by Paris Lampkins

LOVIE HOGAN Lovie Hogan is a powerhouse in Cleveland’s real estate and community development scene. As a dedicated Realtor, developer, and Ohiocer fied lead risk assessor, she blends business acumen with heart-led service to create las ng impact. Through her company, As One, brokered by eXp Realty, Hogan has earned a reputa on for helping families buy, sell, and invest with confidence—offering strategic guidance, sharp marke ng, and a high-touch experience that gets results.

Beyond sales, she’s deeply commi ed to safety and compliance. Hogan

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operates a thriving lead inspec on and risk assessment business, where she works relessly to ensure homes are safe for families— especially in vulnerable communi es affected by outdated housing and environmental hazards.

With a strong voice for empowerment, educa on, and equity, Hogan uses her pla orm to upli others—mentoring new agents, suppor ng first- me buyers, and advoca ng for property owners naviga ng the evolving lead safety regula ons. Whether she’s sealing a deal or safeguarding a home, Hogan leads with integrity, passion, and a vision to build stronger communi es—one property at a me.

[ MOVERS & SHAKERS ]

TAYA HINES Taya Hines has chosen a new career and is jumping in headfirst. A er spending 20 years in corporate America, Hines reached a point where the stress, poli cs, and favori sm began to take a serious toll on her well-being. Hines knew she couldn’t see herself enduring that kind of environment for another 20+ years. People live longer, meaning many of us must fund re rement for 20 or 30 years. Hines thought, “If I have to work un l I’m 70, I want to build something of my own and love what I do.” That mindset pushed her to make a change and start down the path into financial services.

Hines said the thought of transi oning into a new career in the financial services industry was scary. It was terrifying. The tes ng requirements alone were in mida ng. Hines got lucky and met some amazing people from Equitable Advisors at a Women’s Immersive Event which ul mately solidified her decision to move forward with the career change. Thanks to the incredible support and resources she received from Equitable Advisors, Hines passed four difficult exams, averaging about one per month, and started down a new path. As things started to fall into place, everything felt right, and she decided

there was no turning back. Hines decided to go with Equitable Advisors because she liked the leadership team and the diversity she saw. She feels supported, knows she’ll be trained well, and sees a lot of opportunity. She not only sees opportunity for self-growth, but also the opportunity to help others.

SEAN HODGES Sean Hodges is the founder of ChangeU, a nonprofit organiza on rooted in empathy, behavioral science, and therapeu c leadership. But ChangeU wasn't born in a boardroom—it came from lived experience. From watching people suffer in silence, especially those who looked like him, Sean knew something had to change.

Growing up, mental health wasn't a topic discussed openly. You prayed about it. You pushed through. You smiled even when you were hur ng.

Sean witnessed the toll that silence and pressure took on families, communi es, and careers. He saw how emo onal wounds followed people into work, into rela onships, and into their sense of self. He also realized something few were willing to admit—success o en hides pain be er than failure ever could.

Even while holding leadership roles and earning accolades, Sean o en felt isolated. "Put together" on the outside, but stretched thin behind the scenes. That personal disconnect led him to a mission: to build something for the high-achievers, leaders, and everyday people quietly struggling under the weight of outdated systems.

Today, ChangeU brings together licensed psychologists, trauma-informed researchers, and leadership consultants from firms like Cisco and Oaktree Capital to create emo onally intelligent, high-performance environments.

The organiza on partners with groups such as NAMI and Good Samaritan Hospital to ensure its programs are both research-backed and human-centered.

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START

Questlove

MAN CODES:

COLLABORATION

“Collabora ons work best this way; when there's a mutual desire to see what the other side adds. You know that what you're making on your own has value but the sum is more than the parts and every part knows it.” - Questlove “Collabora on is the essence of life. The wind, bees and flowers work together, to spread the pollen.” - Amit Ray “Unity is strength, division is weakness.” - Kenyan Proverb “The company owner doesn't need to win. The best idea does.” - John C. Maxwell “Audacity and collabora on aren’t just luxuries—they’re necessi es. No ma er who you are, daring to dream boldly and building alongside others will always take you further than you could ever go alone.” - Darnell Lamont Walker

Compiled by Bilal S. Akram

“Collabora on enables us to pool our resources, to learn from each other, and to collec vely solve problems.”

- Oscar Auliq-Ice “An individual can make a change but a team can make a revolu on.” - Amit Kalantri “Hard mes should pull us together and not apart.”

- Donald T Iannone “Not finance, not strategy. Not technology. It is teamwork that remains the ul mate compe ve advantage, both because it is so powerful and rare.” - Patrick Lencioni “If you look for the best in your employees, they’ll flourish. If you cri cize or look for the worst, they’ll shrivel up. We all need lots of watering.” - Richard Branson CODE M / JUNE 2025 17

[ START ]

DON’T QUIT STEP UP Jeff Brown knew that he would encounter several challenges in life if he was going to pursue his career in entertainment. But with the help of his mother and his support systems he created a meaningful career in entertainment that allowed him to hit every goal he created for himself.

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.

W

e all know life is going to offer up all sorts of experiences that we somehow have to deal with. What we’re talking about here is the drama and trauma that can hold us back or actually be the driver that helps us overcome and excel.

That’s the case with Jeff Brown, a lifelong Clevelander.

Jeff is proud to admit that he has an extensive posse of mentors who have helped him become the man he is today: an entrepreneur, entertainer, podcaster, and producer. His mother is his first and foremost mentor. “She’s a pillar in my life. My mom stepped up in a big way to keep the household together. During tough mes, my mother could’ve given up, but she didn’t. She stepped up.”

Jeff credits his mother with having modeled for him consistency, faith, and being constant. That’s why he calls her his “pillar” and his prayer warrior. “I’m alive because of her prayers — literally. In October of 2008, as I was figh ng for my life on the surgeon’s ta-

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ble, the doctors explained to my mother that they didn’t know if I was going to pull through. But my mother’s prayers kept me alive. I know that God truly hears my mother’s prayers.” That’s where Jeff gets his strength, his willingness, and his ambi on not to quit.

And there have been mes in Jeff’s life journey that his inner for tude gave him the wherewithal to withstand family stresses and even a prison s nt. Through it all, he has chosen to not be waylaid by life’s circumstances, but to find a way to surmount those challenges and li himself up, to raise the bar.

And that’s something Jeff shares with people, no ma er what venue he’s immersed in. One such avenue is his podcast, The Jeff Brown Show with Cocoa Brown. Though the two are not related, it’s quite the duo show from two people who love life, love people, and want to add some spice to people’s lives. As the show descrip on states, the two are going to make you laugh and think!

[ START ] And that’s not the only show Jeff is producing. Premiering late this fall will be a new type of show tled Confessions with Jeff Brown. Now that sounds very en cing, but it has a very unique premise. Jeff explains, “The show is about the secrets we hold, that we hide from others. There are around 38 – 40 different categories of secrets that relate to everything, and that, in general, everyone holds at least thirteen secrets.”

And the “secret” of Jeff’s new show is not the lla ng aspect of revealing hidden secrets, but the releasing of secrets in order to heal oneself. That’s why the show has clinical therapists involved so that guests and listeners walk away with tools to help themselves step up and move forward with their lives.

Jeff points out that one key tool that has helped him in his own life is the act of forgiveness. “Number 1, we need forgiveness from God. Number 2, we need to learn to forgive ourselves individually. Number 3 is that we forgive those who have offended us. And number 4 is that we also need forgiveness from those whom we’ve offended.”

you. We’re not living on this Earth by ourselves, so love your neighbor as yourself because it’s equal to the first commandment God has given us to love Him with all our heart, mind, and soul. To love God is to love all mankind. That’s my message to people.” ●

CLE

Anthony Brown in various se ngs throughout the community.

STRONG

In learning about the gi of forgiveness, Jeff was able to find release and healing for himself, even during his me in prison. His life trajectory has led him to become a man who not only walks with God but walks with humility and compassion.

Jeff shares with others, “Be who you are. My grandmother, who’s 91, has always said of me that I was born into holiness and have the gi of gab. The beau ful thing about my life is that God has allowed me to evolve into the man I am today. And my story connues to evolve. Why? Because I have what I call GPS — God’s Posi oning System in my life.”

As was stated earlier, Jeff has a long list of mentors, people who have helped him along his journey, people he has the highest respect for. What he wants to do is help others as he has been helped.

“I’m interested in the well-being and the soul of humankind. We can see God’s love. We can see success in its own right with our young people. I think it’s a beau ful thing that we can teach people to give back. And there are a lot of young people doing some amazing things. But are you effec ve? Is what you’re doing contribu ng to life? Is it making a posi ve impact?”

And Jeff reminds everyone that our connec ons affect our direcon in life. His message to young people is, “It’s not all about

Jeff Brown owns his own podcast.

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LIFE

THE AFRICAN AMERICA WILL BE OUR GA

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[ LIFE ]

AN CULTURAL GARDEN ATHERING PLACE For genera ons, Black folks in Cleveland have driven past the Cultural Gardens along Mar n Luther King Drive and wondered “why do I see so many spots celebra ng other ethnic groups and not see one celebra ng African Americans?”

Wri en by OBIE SHELTON Obie Shelton is a journalist and writer and will write for CODE M from me to me.

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[ LIFE ]

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[ LIFE ]

T

he Cleveland Cultural Gardens and Rockefeller Park stretch approximately a mile-and-a-half from Lake Erie to the cultural hub of University Circle.

Along MLK Drive and East Boulevard, there are 35 pockets of land (cultural gardens) that recognize and celebrate different na onali es and ethnic groups that have se led in Northeast Ohio. Most have sculptures; some have busts; a few have fountains. The first garden was built in 1916, honoring English playwright William Shakespeare. It was followed by a Hebrew, Irish, Polish, Italian, and dozens of other European gardens. In 1961, Black City Councilman Leo Jackson proposed a “Negro” garden. His plan was ini ally voted down, but it was revived years later by Cuyahoga Community College History Professor Booker Tall.

Mayor Michael White supported the garden concept in the 1990s and 2012, and Mayor Frank Jackson set up a task force to create a new design and construct a garden. The resul ng design by architect W. Daniel Bickerstaff is now the focus of a mul-million-dollar fundraising drive to complete the garden.

“The garden’s design is very ambi ous and expensive”, said African American Cultural Garden Execu ve Director Obie Shelton, “but our community certainly has the resources to complete it, and it will reflect our significant presence and contribuons to Greater Cleveland.

The garden will cost $4.2 million to complete. $1.8 million has been raised so far.

The design represents the past, honoring Africans who came to America enslaved. It also represents the present and future of their descendants, who se led in Northeast Ohio.

The landscape on the campus in perfect for a tour.

The design is a breathtaking black and gold structure, filled with moving water that stretches from the walking trail of MLK Drive all the way up a hill to Wheelock Avenue.

“The sec on honoring the past is already built at the top of the hill”, said Shelton, who reported news in Cleveland for more than 30 years. “Many in our community don’t know about the exis ng por on, because it is way up at the top of the hill and can be missed by people driving by. They usually see only a sign at the foot of the hill and a red, green, and black flag. At the top of the hill is a large golden sandstone arch represen ng ‘The Door of No Return’, which was the transi on point for millions of Africans into forced lives of enslavement.

There are black granite walls that recall the portals to slave ships. You can walk between them and imagine what it was like for those people to leave their homes, families and customs forever.

The next sec on represents the present. The design has a drama c black granite waterfall leading to a terrace that will seat 300. It will be a place to host life events like weddings, family reunions, and concerts. “Once we finish the garden, I expect it will be THE place for Black folks to hold events during warm months”, said Shelton. Etched into to floor of the terrace will be the Li le Dipper and the North Star. “That has rich historical significance”, said Shelton, “because our ancestors looked to the sky and used the North Star to guide them to a be er life.”

The rest of the garden will symbolize the future. A long channel of water will lead to benches for reflec on beside the MLK

Understanding your a achment style will help in your rela onship.

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[ LIFE ] walking trail. The benches will surround a surging fountain that will inspire hope.

Shelton has been speaking in churches and to community groups, showing a visionary video with well-known Black News personali es in Greater Cleveland. “I’ve been telling our community that if we show that we are serious to the point of going into our pockets on a mass scale at the grassroots level, those with greater resources will no ce that energy and will help us reach our goal. It’s happening already. There are approximately 300-thousand adults who iden fy as African Americans in Cuyahoga County. If everyone were to donate just $10, we could break ground and stop asking why we don’t have a cultural garden like everyone else.”

To learn more about the African American Cultural Garden or to support it, visit www.aaacg.org, Instagram: aaacgcle, Facebook: Associa on of African American Cultural Gardens. ●

Take the free quix and see what your a achment style is.

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[ COVER ]

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[ LIFE ]

THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER

ANCESTRAL LEGACY IN MOTION Americans all over the country will soon arrive at Africatown, a new fresh takes on all things Black coming to Mobile Alabama soon.

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[ LIFE ]

H

Historical and cultural legacies are some mes the hidden threads within the warp and weave of a society’s fabric. They are, though, an essen al factor upon which our lives depend for greater understanding, meaning, and placement. Such is the story — and legacy — of Africatown.

announcement that the Clo lda — the last known slave ship that brought the Africans to America — had been found in the murky Mobile River put an interna onal spotlight on Africatown. And it has given the neglected community a once-in-a-160- year opportunity for revitaliza on.

A small community three miles north of downtown Mobile, Alabama, Africatown is the only known post-Civil War se lement founded by full-blooded Africans. Despite subtle local pressures to keep the story quiet, their descendants were intent on making it known worldwide.

At least 110 enslaved men, women and children survived the months-long middle passage from Africa in Clotlida's hold, naked and chained, in 1860. They included members of the Yoruba and Ewe tribes, war cap ves of the Dahomey Kingdom (modern-day Benin), with one Fon from the royal court. All were torn from their homelands and sold for $100 each to ship’s Captain William Foster.

A local reporter, Ben Raines, made the bombshell 2018/19

But this human cargo was illegal.

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[ HEALTH ]

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[ LIFE ] Foster colluded with Mobile planta on owner Timothy Meaher in a conspiracy among wealthy Alabama slaveholders and New England investors to flout an 1808 federal law banning the importaon of na ve Africans for slavery. Meaher bet that he could sneak a shipment of Africans into the US without being caught by federal agents. This act of piracy was punishable by death.

The conspirators towed Clo lda north of Mobile during the night, transferring the 110 Africans to a steamboat. Then, they set the ship afire and sank it to destroy the evidence. The prisoners were moved place to place, hidden in the cane breaks along riverbanks un l they were distributed among the various investors and planta on owners up the river.

Though poorly concealed, the crime went unpunished. Because Meaher, his brother, Foster and their conspirators destroyed the ship and hid the Africans on their planta ons, there was insufficient evidence in their brief trial. Further inves ga on ceased a er the Civil War started.

Upon emancipa on, some of the formerly enslaved Clo lda Africans pe oned the US government to repatriate them back to their countries; their requests were denied. Others got jobs but couldn't earn enough money to make the trip back home.

Stuck in a country not of their choosing, about 32 of them convened their own independent community, “African Town,” building homes on land they purchased from Meaher and other former owners. Invi ng other emancipated people to join them, they gathered in two areas — Plateau and Magazine located in the ci es of Mobile and Prichard. Their communi es provided independence, where they elected their own chief and created rules based on their culture, evading supervision by white people and the derision of na ve-born Black people.

They built the Old Landmark Church, eventually replaced with the brick Union Missionary Bap st Church. In 1880, they opened the area’s first public school that became the historic Rosenwaldfunded Mobile County Training School. Later, in 2012, Africatown was listed on the Na onal Register of Historic Places.

1,000 residents remain.

Now, 160 years later — a er surviving racial terrorism, residen al displacement, a highway that destroyed the business district and cut the community in half, poli cal neglect, redlining and unfair housing prac ces, industrial pollu on, the loss of industrial jobs when mills closed, and lingering environmental injus ces — Africatown residents have remained steadfast in their determina on to not just overcome but to revive a thriving community, for themselves and their descendants.

Today, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Africatown is poised for revitaliza on. One group spearheading this effort is M.O.V.E. (Making Opportuni es Viable for Everyone) Gulf Coast Community Development Corpora on, under the leadership of its president and CEO Vickii Howell. She is behind The Africatown Blueprint Ini a ve, based on her divinelyinspired 2018 vision to move the legacy of Africatown into the future.

An award-winning journalist, writer, PR strategist, and socially conscious community builder, Vickii has worked relessly to expand business inclusion and jobs for minori es, especially as economic empowerment chair of the Mobile NAACP. Through M.O.V.E., her focus is to grow and sustain the human capital of underserved community members through economics, educa on, and environment in ways that: ·

Grow businesses, create jobs, and build wealth,

·

Prepare children for success and perpetuate lifelong learning, and

·

Revitalize neighborhoods and support stronger, healthier

The Africatown Blueprint Ini a ve is a mul -pronged approach designed to reach deep into underserved communi es

Over the decades, Africatown residents struggled against, yet managed to overcome, huge obstacles. At its height, it had a popula on of 12,000 due to jobs at the massive paper mills and related industries along the commercial waterfront owned by the Meaher family. Then the mills closed. Today, only about

One of the many stops you can make when you visit Africatown.

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[ LIFE ] in and around Africatown. M.O.V.E. developed it as a unified vision for Africatown via crea ve placemaking. It weaves together past and present community-driven regenera on plans that turn Africatown into an historic global heritage site.

M.O.V.E. was recently awarded a grant from the Mellon Founda on to match a grant from the Na onal Endowment for the Arts — with support from PolicyLink — to further this vision.

The grants focus on “sankofa,” a word from Ghana’s Twi language that means “to retrieve, to fetch, to seek and take.” It centers the need for reflec ng on the past in order to build a successful future. Afrofuturism is the “intellectual, cultural, and ar s c movement that blends history, science fic on, and other art forms based on Afro-centered narraves to imagine communi es and na ons of African people where they thrive and control their own des nies free from oppression.”

Africatown's Afrofuturism is based on its history of emancipated people, who through their deep sense of community, came together and founded a place they could call their own. Through the genera ons, they passed down the Africans’ story, even when it was ques oned for lack of corrobora ng evidence. Then came the Clo lda discovery; it catalyzed Vickii's vision.

She thought, “We need to figure out a way to revive that legacy by people who envisioned Africatown's economic revival using the power of this story — the power of the Africans’ self- sufficiency, of the resilience of these people who couldn’t go back home, but they made a new home and used their own power and for tude to create a community

they wanted.”

The Clo lda discovery led to The Africatown Interna onal Design Idea Compe on, created with StudioRotan, a civic design firm based in Birmingham, Alabama, that served as M.O.V.E.'s professional compe on advisor. Based on Vickii’s 2018 vision, it was developed to be a strategic tool to guide economic revitaliza on, environmental remedia on, and spa al jus ce. In 2023, M.O.V.E. awarded compe on winners $100K in cash prize for visual concepts that imagine the future Africatown as both a major cultural heritage des na on for tourists and a revitalized, Afro-centric community for residents.

The cultural heritage tourism system contains well-designed cultural ameni es — memorial centers and museums, a boathouse for the Clo lda replica, performing arts venues, a signature spa hotel, water taxis, bou que retail, restaurants, and more — across three ci es in the Mobile area. Collec vely, this system could become one of Alabama's biggest tourism assets, with a poten al economic impact of $1B+ to be redirected back into the community to sustain revitaliza on. “The Africatown Blueprint Ini a ve represents an extraordinary vision for extraordinary mes, that invites private-public investments on many levels to make this vision reality,” Vickii explained.

The system extends to Africa itself. In 2018 and 2022, Vickii visited the Republic of Benin, along the coasts of modern-day Togo and Nigeria where an es mated 1.5 million people were sold to European slave traders for 200+ years. “I met officials and leaders in Benin who want to make amends for their ancestors’ part in the slave trade, some kind of reconcilia on to heal wounds by crea ng opportuni es for cultural and commercial exchanges. It’s vitally important to connect Africatown to Africa as a means of reclaiming our shared humanity.”

Further plans in the works include an interna onal summit, fes vals, and more. Vickii says, “We want to create opportunies for repara ve jus ce and healing across cultural boundaries, across oceans, to embody our soul’s purpose for love, service, and true greatness.”

An indelible legacy is fully in development to ensure Africatown is never forgo en, a physical and spiritual reminder of a people’s collec ve heart and spirit, a place to inspire future genera ons, and an epicenter to manifest a posi ve future worldwide. ●

Plan your next summer vaca on and learn more about African American culture.

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[ SPRING ]

T here is something for everyone at the Cleveland Charter House Grill Images.

Metroparks.

The anxiety level is different for each person in America.

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[ LIFE ]

LIBRARIES: THE ORIGINAL INTERNET Families are rediscovering the Cleveland Public Library as a place to explore and entertain themselves. Chief Innova on and Technology Officer, John Malcolm has transformed how libraries are viewed and used, merging technology with good clean fun.

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COVER

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[ LIFE ]

T

he library used to be a valuable resource for informa on and understanding. The world was right at your finger ps when you visited the library and discovery of data and new learning put a smile on most people’s faces. The library also kept the kid inside alive, as everyone knew to; keep your voice down, do not make a mess and put everything back the way you found it.

Well, those rules s ll apply today, however, the library has turned so much more. Along with everything else, today’s Library uses technology to create a be er user experience for those that visit or use the services of the library online.

John Malcom, who serves as the chief innova on and technology officer, for the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) understands his mission to merge the old world we grew up in, and the new world that exists today.

“If you look at the overall of what IT is all over the world, the impact is using the best of the internet and pu ng it at the fingerps of our users.” Malcom con nued, “We have gone from considering the library the internet, to using the internet to shape the future of what the library can become.”

Malcolm goes on to describe how the modern library is so much more powerful and useful than our parents’ library. At the Cleveland Public Library, they are working hard to connect as many Clevelanders to the online library as possible.

“We have modernized all aspects of the library, from the computers our guests use to the various offerings that we have for people who use the library as a resource.” Malcolm con nued, “We s ll hold the key to the world, and we put on over 600 events a year.”

technology. From 3-D prin ng to learning how to code and use business development, the library has something for everyone.

With over twenty-seven branches, the organiza on covers all the corners of Cleveland. Malcolm’s job, when he was hired three years ago, was to bring everything up to date. His team has replaced over six hundred computers to bring the library into the digital age. The team increased the amount of bandwidth for each loca on so people can log into what loca on they want.

The Cleveland Public Library uses Clevenet, a powerful backend tool that houses all the infrastructure of the library system and helps connect loca ons all over Northeast Ohio. They made sure that access to books and music became second nature for those who want to use the library but might not physically be able to get there.

“We really were star ng from scratch when I took this opportunity,” Malcolm said. “When I started, I was the only one in the department, but three years later, we have over 12 people on our team.”

The Cleveland Public Library was one of the first libraries in the country to offer an Open Shelf. It used to be that the librarian would go and try to find your book. Today, with Open Shelves, people are free to go in and find whatever book they want.

Malcolm is not wrong. The Cleveland Public Library does an incredible job at hos ng events that allow the community to take advantage of some of the latest

The Cleveland Public Library offers so many advancements in technology to the public.

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[ COVER ]

W

The Pink and Black Honors has become a signature event in Cleveland, Ohio.

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[ LIFE ] “You don’t really need to pay for Audible, with our Open Shelf system, books, movies, and music are right at your finger ps,” Malcolm said.

CPL offers so many ways to cut the cord. CPL offers a streaming service, which means it offers TV programming, for free, to anyone who uses the library system. With a CPL library card books, movies and music is ready for those who want to get content.

There are thousands of tles of content that people can watch.

The innova on that the library is offering makes the CPL a worldclass organiza on, and John Malcolm is one of the leaders who is responsible for making sure your online experience is protected, robust, with amazing opportuni es and fun at the same me.

Libraries have come a long way from what they used to be, and everyone is be er for it. The Cleveland Public Library is working hard to make sure you have a good me, whether you stop in or join online.

The future is here and has never been be er. ●

Tenora Edwards started the Pink and Black Honors in 2023.

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BEAUTY

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[ BEAUTY ]

Gloria Walton As a wife, mother of two, and seasoned real estate professional with over 9 years of experience, Gloria brings posi vity and passion to every aspect of her life. Gloria began her career working with investors as a foreclosure specialist and flipping homes with her husband. Over the years, Gloria has expanded her business by helping a variety of clients, ranging from new construc on, first- me home buyers, and homeowners needing guidance through the selling process. Gloria's deep commitment to family, friends, career, faith, and overall personal growth helped shape her into the person she is today. Outside of work, Gloria stays inspired by the simple things—family movie night, weekend adventures, and trying out TikTok recipes with her daughter. Whether I'm nego a ng a deal, exploring somewhere new, or simply making memories with loved ones, I live life with purpose, gra tude, and posi vity, always looking forward to what's next.

Edwards owns three daycares in the area.

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COVER

Tenora Edwards being interviewed at the Pink and Black Honors.

All photos were taken by Sylven Lamar.

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[ COVER ]

GREG ENSLEY HAS

BUSINESS ON HIS MIND Greg Ensley has mastered the art of owning two thriving businesses, being a great father to his kids, and an involved member of the community by pouring himself into each rela onship that he touches, making sure that everyone gets quality- me.

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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[ COVER ]

Ensley is a graduate of Alabama State University and proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha.

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[ cover ]

W

hen Greg Ensley wakes up in the morning, he knows he is about to have another busy day. Business is on his mind when he goes to bed. And business is on his mind, the first thing he does when he wakes up. The married father of two, who owns two thriving businesses, is used to the chaos of thinking about business all the me.

“I was si ng in an orienta on room with about 500 people at OSU, and we all were watching a guy talk about the school on a screen. I looked around and saw so many people, I wondered how I would make it in such a large environment. I knew that I needed more of a one-on-one environment, so I spoke to my mentor for advice. Ensley had a good rela onship with Daniel Brenson, who was Ensley’s guidance counselor.

“My wife is single-handedly of most important person in my life,” Ensley said. “Without her, I would not have any of the things we have. She saw something in me that I did not see in myself. Together we nurtured our skills un l we could grow a business out of it.”

Ensley knows what kind of day is in store for him. His daily to-do list spreads thick with mee ngs and goals for the day. He could hop out of bed and get right to work like most successful men do, but Ensley chooses to go a different route.

Brenson served more as a mentor than a guidance counselor. Brenson advised Ensley to get out of the State of Ohio and go live somewhere while he a ends the historically Black College, Alabama State University. Ensley took

He does not run to his phone or laptop; He doesn’t take a call or read any text messages from the night before. Ensley gets up and takes his me; he looks out his bedroom window and breathes for a moment.

In that moment, Ensley closes his eyes, and he takes his me to center himself before he goes out into the world. Before Ensley talks to his lovely wife or kids, before he takes one call, his first conversa on begins with someone else.

Ensley kneels at the end of his bed, and he has his first conversaon with God. And that conversa on is all about being thankful for the posi on that he is in. Ensley knows that he could never have created the kind of life that he has without the support of God. He is my everything, and I cannot do any of the things that I do without him.” Ensley said. With that kind of faith and founda on, not much can go wrong for him. But it wasn’t always that way.

Ensley had a full-ride scholarship to Ohio State University in the twelve grade, and he was excited to go there. Once he got there, he did not find what he was looking for.

When Ensley is not working he loves to play a round of golf.

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[ cover ]

his advice, and it changed his life forever.

“I took his advice, I moved out of state, and I just took off.” Engley con nued, “It was an amazing experience, and Daniel and I are s ll friends to this day.”

Brenson is credited with helping Ensley get his first credit card. He helped fine-tune Ensley so he could be a successful person.

“We all need that kind of person in our life to help us. The man never asked me for anything in return; he just did it because that is the kind of person he is,” Ensley said.

So, with a degree in his hand and opportunity in front of him.

Ensley was poised to create the life that he always wanted. He credits reading Donald Trump’s book, The Art of the Deal, with giving him the business mindset to a ack his goals. Ensley started his first business in the area of office cleaning. The field was wide open, and Ensley knew if he worked hard and on his own terms, he could turn his company into something special.

And it has. Today, Ensley’s Jani-King franchise is worth over $750k and con nues to grow. The business has clients from Cleveland, down to Akron, and in the surrounding areas. Ensley has a modest staff and will o en help its workers clean if there is a problem.

Ensley can o en be seen driving his Jani-King truck to work a night to make sure the standard is set high for those who work for him.

But life tends to be life when you are young. Having business on his mind all the me some mes created an imbalance for Ensley, and he started to create bad habits for himself.

“When I was young, I was bouncing around from job to job and I really didn’t have much focus,” Ensley con nued, “I didn’t realize that I was making some bad decisions un l my girlfriend (now wife) sat me down and talked to me.”

Ensley had entered a rela onship with Rochelle (Ensley).

The couple hit it off immedi-

TOP: Ensley at the CODE M photoshoot.

BOTTOM: Enley enjoying a night out.

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[ LIFE ]

Men are looking for their best friend when the pick a wife.

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[ [COVER LIFE ] ]

ately, and Rochelle seemed to be drawn to the person that Ensley could become. She saw something in Ensley that Ensley did not see in himself. They had a long talk and Rochelle told Ensley that he would have become the man he wanted to be if they had gone to work.

But Rochelle did not give him an ul matum, she commi ed herself to him and the process of crea ng the kind of partnership that all married couples dream of. With Rochelle behind him, cheering him on, Ensley se led his thoughts down and began to focus.

“My wife is single-handedly of most important person in my life,” Ensley said. “Without her, I would not have any of the things we have. She saw something in me that I did not see in myself. Together we nurtured our skills un l we could grow a business out of it.”

Today, Ensley and his wife also own Pivot Enterprises, a tax accoun ng firm with clients in over seven states. Because Rochelle believed in him so much, Ensley has taken her on dozens of vaca ons around the world, and because she did not get a chance to go to prom, Ensley re-created the experience for her so she could finally see what it was like to enjoy that day.

Together, the Ensleys have several children and are blessed to belong to the same church for twenty years.

They maintain a healthy rela onship with the lord, and they take care of each other the best they can.

In the morning, when Ensley is done praying, he stands up and remembers just how much is on his mind. But he has all the support systems a man could ever want. And because Ensley is a good man, he makes quality me for everyone in his life. ●

TOP: Ensley with his beau ful family.

BOTTOM: More pics of Ensley and his family.

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[ TECH ]

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[ LIFE ]

PAINTING BRIDGES OF UNDERSTANDING Nathalie Bermudez uses her passion for art to paint vibrant acrylic pain ngs on some of the best bridges in the city, changing lives and the culture of art.

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by Raland Hatche

TOP: Hudson having coffee with the community.

BOTTOM: Hudson and his wife, Jennifer.

ART

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COMMUNITY

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[ COMMUNITY ]

COMMUNICATION, CONNECTION AND COMMITMENT The Urban League of Greater Cleveland is preparing to host the na onal conven on in Cleveland. With that brings major planning and major fun.

by Donna Heath 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

T

here are certain convoca ons in life that have inherent in them the means for changing lives, unifying generaons, and shaping the course of history. Such events have the ability to harness the great lessons of the past and blend them with the challenges of the present to design and ini ate transforma ve movements. One such convoca on is the upcoming 2025 Na onal Urban League Conference being hosted by the Urban League of Greater Cleveland (ULGC).

Being held in Cleveland July 16 – 19, the conference’s focus is on strategizing, mobilizing, and driving real change. As the ULGC points out, it’s “a powerful convergence of visionaries, ac vi es, business leaders, and policymakers commi ed to advancing jus ce.” As our country struggles with formidable forces, the importance of this conference cannot be understated.

As Marsha A. Mockabee, President and CEO of the ULGC, says, “How we stand is important in this moment. And clearly, Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the Na onal Urban League, is going to talk about our D3, which is, ‘defend democracy, demand diversity, and defeat poverty.’ All three of these really hit across the challenges we’re seeing to many of the protec ons and laws we have in CODE M / JUNE 2025 51

[ ART ]

Natalie’s art inspires the heart and soul of the person viewing it.

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[ COMMUNITY ] place.”

Marsha cites the history of Blacks in America in that we’ve all witnessed “the power of what can happen when communi es come together around an issue that may seemingly appear to be only affec ng a specific group of people. But, as Mar n Luther King, Jr., said, ‘Injus ce anywhere is a threat to jus ce everywhere.’ And we take that very seriously.”

Marc will also provide an update about the lawsuit against the Trump administra on for issuing an execu ve order to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ini a ves, as well as outline the Fair Budget Coali on agenda as it seeks to urge Congress to pass a budget that serves all Americans, not just the people at the top.

At heart, Marc’s kickoff address speaks to the issues that di-

Another special event is the Community & Family Day Expo on July 19 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Hun ngton Conven on Center that features a “Back to School Zone” and the “Urban League Now Experience.”

In keeping with that, Marc will speak to these pressing issues in his opening night State of the Urban League Address on July 16 at 6 pm. Not only will he be highligh ng the achievements and accomplishments of the 92 US Urban League affiliates, but the influence and impact the Urban League has had and con nues to have at the local, state, and na onal level.

Very importantly, he’ll report on the Demand Diversity Roundtable that was convened this past January with prominent leaders from diverse communi es and all backgrounds. The livestreamed Roundtable explored “the immediate threats posed by the new administra on’s an cipated policies and examined the pressing need to safeguard Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles, confront regressive measures, and chart ac onable strategies for advancing equal opportunity for all.”

Networking with celebri es will be a main treat of the 2025 annual conven on.

rectly impact individuals, families, and communi es throughout the country. Thus, the 4-day na onal conference will be filled with events and ac vi es for community members of all ages.

It begins with a Career & Networking Fair for all job seekers, including youth, professionals, and even those star ng second careers — the next genera on of leaders — at the Hunngton Conven on Center, Hall B, from 11 am – 4 pm on July 16. Not your average career fair, it’s a chance for young professionals to sharpen their skills, take their career to the next level, and find their dream job. The fair will include experthosted workshops, recruiters from Fortune 1000 companies, leading HR professionals, and the opportunity to meet and interview top local and na onal company decision makers.

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Marsha explains that the Urban League movement is an intergenera onal movement. The organiza on has its seasoned professionals from boardrooms to major sponsors, but it’s the young professionals who are really the future of the Urban League movement, the future of the social jus ce and civil rights movement going forward.

“I'm just so excited about our young professionals,” Marsha exclaims. “Here in Cleveland, we have a dynamic young professional organiza on led by our president, Colin Jackson, who was just honored as a ‘40 Under 40 Emerging Legend’ by the Black Professional Associa on Charitable Founda on.”

And, to engage even younger future Urban Leaguers, there will be a youth summit in tandem with the conference. “About 300 middle to high schoolers will be involved with their own program and definitely a ending Marc Morial’s Friday evening address, as well as other events over the four days.

Another special event is the Community & Family Day Expo on July 19 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Hun ngton Conven on Center that features a “Back to School Zone” and the “Urban League Now Experience.”

The Back to School Zone will provide free gi bags, free health screenings, and a free legal clinic, plus live entertainment, games, prizes, and more. It includes the “Project College Fair” that will have informa on on scholarships, financial aid, and resources regarding 60+ colleges and universi es.

Corner, the Community Give-Back Corner, the Makers Market, HER Space, Kings Corner, and GenZone. There will also be music and entertainment, a fashion show, and a content creators mixer.

The ul mate mixer for the conference will be the Host Night Celebra on, whose theme is “Family Reunion: Bridging Genera ons through Music and Culture.” This will be a chance for a endees to experience the true culture and hospitality of Cleveland, where elegance meets sophis caon. And it’s all happening at Rocket Arena on July 16 from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

The conference is expec ng to draw upwards of 5,000 a endees, and for those unable to a end in person, the event will also be live-streamed. To arrange for ckets, to review the full schedule of events, or even to sign up to volunteer, visit the ULGC website. Marc Morial’s address, the Career Fair, and Community Day are open to the public and free.

There, you’ll discover a world of opportunity — a stellar chance to collec vely raise the bar and forward the mission for the Urban League as a whole, our communi es, and its members, and beyond. Join thousands as we encourage more meaningful and determined Communicaon, Connec on & Commitment to become the change so dearly needed in our world.

The Urban League Now Experience will feature the Building Black Wealth Pavilion that will provide informa on on homeownership, genera onal wealth building, careers, and more. There will also be the Brilliant & Black-owned Marketplace, the Business Experts

There is something for everyone at the next annual conven on.

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[ HEALTH ]

TOP: Anita Lane working to support the community BOTTOM: Lane promo ng fitness with community members.

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HEALTH

YOU COULD BE SUFFERING FROM BRAIN ROT

Brain rot is a slang term that refers to the supposed deteriora on of a person's mental or intellectual state, o en due to overconsump on of material, par cularly online content, that is considered trivial or unchallenging.

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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[ HEALTH ]

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[ HEALTH ]

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[ HEALTH ]

T

he advancement of technology has always been good for man. Over the last one hundred years, society has seen some incredible inven ons that have made life easier and more enjoyable. Lately, not all advancements in technology have been good for mankind. The invenon of the smartphone was once thought to be an amazing discovery. All your needs are ready to use whenever you need them.

The constant stream of s mula on and informa on can lead to mental exhaus on and a sense of being overwhelmed.

With the introduc on of social media, the steady decline in cognive maintenance has created a sickness in some that has gone undiagnosed and hard to treat.

Not a Formal Diagnosis:

Cogni ve maintenance refers to strategies and ac vi es that aim to preserve and improve cogni ve func on, o en in the context of aging or cogni ve decline. It involves maintaining cogni ve performance over me, minimizing cogni ve decline, and poten ally even enhancing cogni ve abili es.

For the average American, cogni ve maintenance is achieved through spirited work, engaging others in conversa on, and thought-provoking hobbies that challenge the mind and s mulate discovery.

Brain rot is not a formal medical diagnosis but describes the mental fa gue and cogni ve decline experienced from excessive screen me and online engagement.

On average, Americans spend about 2 hours and 9 minutes on social media daily. This means they allocate roughly 129 minutes to various social media pla orms each day. But the problem is not only the amount of me that Americans spend on social media.

The real problem is what they consume daily.

The quality of the content consumed is so bad that experts are star ng to see people suffer side effects of consuming so much meaningless content.

Key aspects of brain rot:

Lack of Challenging Content: The content that contributes to brain rot is typically considered low-effort and unchallenging, o en consis ng of memes, silly videos, or other lighthearted material.

It is important to remember that brain rot is not a recognized medical condi on, but rather a descrip ve term for the perceived nega ve effects of excessive online consumpon.

And it really does not have to have a formal diagnosis. If you are a parent raising children, you are seeing the impact of them spending hours and hours on their beds consuming content. And because there is no way to take the phone, Americans need to be alert to the symptoms of diges ng too much meaningless content. Here are some side effects of consuming too much social media.

Signs and symptoms: ·

Difficulty concentra ng

·

Social isola on due to excessive screen me

·

Brain fog

·

Feeling overwhelmed by daily stressors

·

Sleep troubles

·

Irritability and anxiety

·

Changes in personality and sociability

Brain rot is especially problema c for children and young people. Because their brains have not fully developed, their

Online Overload: The term is o en associated with spending excessive me on social media, doomscrolling, and consuming endless streams of online content.

Cogni ve Decline: Brain rot is described as a state of mental fogginess, reduced a en on span, and difficulty concentra ng.

J

Young people spend almost 2 hours a day on their devices looking at meaningless content.

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[ HEALTH ] cogni ve development must be protected. Spending hour a er hour on social media has spawned another term for consuming content.

BEDROTTING IS A REAL THING Bed ro ng refers to the act of staying in bed for an extended period, o en a day or more, for purposes other than sleep. It is a selfcare prac ce that involves engaging in passive ac vi es like watching TV, scrolling through social media, or simply relaxing. While it can be a way to unwind and de-stress, excessive bed ro ng can also lead to nega ve consequences for mental and physical health.

While bed ro ng cannot be called a medical illness, Americans all over can iden fy with someone they know who suffers from spending too much me alone, in their room, on their bed, watching content for days at a me.

The prac ce of bed ro ng also contributes to the inability of young people to plug into society to create and develop the meaningful bonds that are needed to maintain a certain quality of social life.

Bed ro ng is o en associated with depression or fears of interac ng with others. It is a way to not have human interac on but stay plugged in to society by watching content online.

For clarifica on, bed ro ng can s ll be considered self-care when done in modera on. Staying in for one whole Sunday occasionally is fine, but if you are serious about self-care, it is be er to spend your me doing ac vi es that you find meaningful. Self-care does not always mean you have to do it within five feet of your bed.

There are things that you can do to combat consuming so much content. With so many local organiza ons and social groups that meet, anyone who would like to reduce their me in front of the screen can do so by exploring all of their op ons.

Here are some sugges ons on how to reduce brain rot:

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Reduce Screen Time: Make conscious efforts to limit the amount of me spent on screens.

Engagement in Meaningful Ac vi es: Priori ze ac vi es that challenge your mind and provide intellectual s mula on.

Prac ce Mindfulness: Focus on the present moment and avoid ge ng caught up in the constant stream of informa on.

Priori ze Sleep: Ensure you get adequate sleep, as sleep depriva on can nega vely impact cogni ve func on.

Seek Support: If you are struggling with brain rot or its associated symptoms, consider seeking support from a mental health professional.

No one can totally understand the complete side effects of consuming too much content. However, many people all over the country are seeing the same impact that it is having on their loved ones. And when the problem becomes real, a medical determina on on why a child a empted to hurt him or herself is far from what is on the mind of the parent.

With increased awareness and a en on to the behaviors associated with bed rot, one thing is clear: steady involvement in the lives of anyone who suffers from brain rot is a priority if they expect to live a happy, produc ve life. ●

[ HEALTH ]

The offices of CRCC.

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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

LLOYD SANCHEZ TOTTY Lloyd Sanchez To y is the Project Manager for College & Career Readiness at the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), dedicated to empowering students for success. A former teenage parent and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he ac vely contributes to his community through 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Excelsior Lodge No. 11 (Prince Hall Mason), and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Inspired by his late father, Lloyd "Butch" To y, Lloyd embodies the

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values of mentorship, resilience, and adaptability. He follows the principles of Balance, Boundaries, and Levels (BBL)—understanding the importance of work-life balance, se ng boundaries, and recognizing that not everyone can be saved.

Mentorship is central to his mission, guiding young people through life's challenges with wisdom shaped by his diverse experiences. Beyond his professional and mentorship roles, Lloyd enjoys cooking, reading, poetry, boxing, photography, and teaching ac ve shooter and CCW classes. His philosophy in life is rooted in adaptability: change is the only constant, and he remains prepared for whatever comes his way.

[ DIVINE 9 ]

DR. FALANDIA MILLIGAN Dr. Falandia Milligan is an Adult Nurse Prac oner and cer fied nutri on coach in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been in the nursing profession for 20 years, with seven of those as a registered nurse. She obtained her Bachelor's in Nursing from Cleveland State University, Master's in Nursing from the University of Phoenix, Post-Master of Science in Nursing Cer ficate in Adult Nurse Prac oner from Ursuline College, and her Doctor of Nursing Prac ce from the University of Akron. Her nursing experience includes Hematology/Oncology, Nephrology, nursing quality, and management. In her current role, she provides primary care to the underserved, including weight management, Hepa s C, and HIV care. She is also a nurse prac oner preceptor who volunteers her me to train and mentor the next genera on of advanced prac ce registered nurses.

Dr. Milligan is a member of Sigma Theta Tau Interna onal Honor Society of Nursing and a proud ac ve member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. ~Alpha Lambda Sigma Alumnae Chapter. She is a member of Mt. Zion Fellowship, where she is a liturgical praise dancer and children's church teacher.

During her spare me, Dr. Milligan enjoys spending me with

family and friends and enjoys any ac vi es involving health, wellness, and traveling. She is also a podcaster for Melanated Medicine-The Podcast, which was started with two other colleagues in January of 2025, and she will be ge ng married to the love of her life in November 2025.

TONYA HORN A 39-year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., crossing at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Tonya has resided in the Buckeye State for 30 years but is rooted as a Cornhusker (NE) and Chocolate City (DC) girl. In this sisterhood, serving in many capaci es, her mission and passion are grounded in social ac on, jus ce, and service.

Throughout her career and her work in the community, she is inspired by Angela Davis’s quote, “I am no longer accep ng the things I can not change, I am changing the things I can not accept.”

Her love and passion for travel began while living abroad in Okinawa, Japan, working on the military installa ons for the University of Maryland Global College.

As a result, she has made it a point each year to travel abroad; some of her favorite experiences: South Africa, Costa Rica, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Germany.

In 2020, during the height of COVID-19, Horn discovered new interests and hobbies by contribu ng to an anthology, Love Le ers to My Girls, joining Black Girls Do Bike, and becoming a newly self-proclaimed green thumb community gardener.

ministra on from The University of Akron, and a Human Resources Cer ficate from The University of Maryland, Global College.

Horn earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Master of Science in Higher Educa on AdCODE M / JUNE 2025 63

TECH

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[ TECH ]

ARLINGTON CEMETERY ELECTRONIC RECORDS As Memorial Day has come and passed, how do we track our fallen soldiers using the technology of today?

M

emorial Day weekend is an excep onally special me of year at Arlington Na onal Cemetery. First officially commemorated in 1868, Arlington Cemetery hosted the first na onal “Decora on Day.” The tradi on became Memorial Day, and is now held on the last Monday of May.

The recordkeeping of soldiers and US VIP personnel has long been tracked by a wealth of record logs and books and kept in private storage within hallowed halls. All this historically archived data needs to now be digi zed and made available to all American ci zens, young and old.

The basis of Arlington Cemetery tracking records by hand since 1868 has been quite an arduous undertaking. Therefore, some records over the years are missing, have been mishandled, and some have been mistreated. At one point, soldiers were being buried on top of other soldiers, with or without knowledge of the cemetery recording the plot. It was not a valid or efficient effort at recordkeeping for quite some me. Therefore, a new and improved electronic record system was eventually introduced.

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.

cemetery’s record preserva on goals. The collec on of archived records was stored at the ANC office located in Rosslyn, Virginia, which held the archived records pertaining to soldiers, veterans, and other US personnel buried at the cemetery.

In general, the ANC is responsible for conduc ng funerals, a process that includes the determina on of eligibility, the management of grave loca ons, burials, headstones, and engineering site maintenance. In order for these records to maintain the actual data, the documents needed to be converted to a digital format and indexed with sufficient data to fulfill actual scenarios. The number of records documented and digi zed from 300,000 recovered paper records da ng back to 1948 amounted to 1,800,000 pages in various sizes, condi ons, and ages.

The leadership of Arlington Na onal Cemetery, known as ANC, had iden fied major collec ons of documents and records that were vital to the

Learn how you can access your families informa on.

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[ HEALTH ]

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[ TECH ] In April of 2013, then President Barack Obama issued an execu ve order that the cemetery improve and achieve a baseline of accountability for all personnel buried in the cemetery. It was a valiant effort from records management, researchers, data scien sts, and database engineers who brought the cemetery back to its former accuracy for burial records. The records are now kept in a “single, verifiable, and authorita ve database for all who are laid to rest at Arlington Na onal Cemetery.”

Long gone are the typewriters, the index cards, and the paper maps once colored in with pencils, replaced by the new electronic system. The Veterans Administra on office reported that “In less than two years, Arlington Na onal became the first na onal cemetery to geospa ally manage its cemetery opera ons.”

The database is linked to Arlington Na onal Cemetery’s digital mapping system, which gives the cemetery the ability to assign, manage, and track gravesites electronically. Coupled with this mapping system, on October 22, the cemetery launched “ANC Explorer,” a free, web-based applica on that allows families and the public to locate gravesites with both back and front photos of headstones and to track all events and to find other points of interest throughout the cemetery’s 624 acres.

There is also a mobile app that has already been downloaded 40,465 mes. Addi onally, kiosks featuring ANC Explorer are in the process of being set up throughout the cemetery. There is also the coming of the Millennium Project, which may increase the cemetery by 32 acres. Finally, the cemetery will expand onto the 42-acre hilltop area next to the Air Force Memorial. The Navy annex has

stood there since the 1940s. The three expansions would extend Arlington’s interment burials well into the 2050s.

As a result of the ongoing records management at ANC, the Veterans Administra on, responsible for ANC operaons and maintenance, had to hire outside contractors to operate and maintain the huge records database. The VA hired AITHERAS to package, receive, inventory, track, scan, and index these documents while at the same me performing quality control. All primary documents recovered were returned to the government in the condi on the records were originally received, along with accompanying electronic files in a diges ble format.

Arlington Na onal Cemetery has now gone modern by developing and providing new mobile applica ons to assist families and loved ones in loca ng gravesites, direc ons to the requested loca ons, and other points of interest. The latest version has easy access to general data and the ability to save previously searched burial records on a mobile device.

This is truly remarkable technology that will assist families, friends, and loved ones in remembering their veteran who made the ul mate sacrifice in serving their country. As President Obama said in his 2013 Memorial Day address, this “is more than a final res ng place of heroes.

It is a reflec on of America itself [and] the ideals that bind us as one na on.” ●

The records at Arlington Na onal Cemetery have been digi zed.

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FASHION

SUMMER FASHIONS

THAT SIZZLE Summer provides the opportunity to bring out fasions that keep you cool and make you look cool at the same me.

For some people, their fashions sense sizzles with amazing ou its and scream sexy.

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/

This black blazer and pants ou it is perfect for a night out to dinner.

Photo—Sylven Lamar

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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 ]

[ FASHION ]

The summer concert never looked so good with this one piece ou it.

Photo—Sylven Lamar

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[ FASHION ]

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[ FASHION ]

Sex and summer have always been a good fit.

Photo—Sylven Lamar

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[ FASHION ]

Classy and sultry are the rage for any ght me boat ride.

Photo—Sylven Lamar

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[ MUSIC ]

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

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