CODE M MAGAZINE 2025 MARCH ISSUE

TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN

THE SHOCK DOCTRINE THERAPY NO NOS

DRIVING BUSINESS FORWARD Charter House Grill and ODS Transporta on CEO, Christopher King’s businesses are thriving all across Ohio and Cleveland making him one of the top execu ves to watch in 2025.

+ DO IT FOR JAMES SUBSCRIBE HERE

LOSE WHEN THE NEWS IS NO LONGER NEWS MARCH 2025 ISSUE

[ LIFE ]

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[ HEALTH ]

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[ LIFE ]

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[ HEALTH ]

!

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[ CLE ]

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[ BUSINESS ]

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INSIDE

66

THE LEVERT EXPERIENCE

Music legends Marc Gordon, Joe Li le III, and Dave Tolliver, come together to pay tribute to Gerald Levert with their new concert series, The LeVert Experience. for 2025.

ON THE COVER

42

mine their viewpoint.

DRIVING BUSINESS FORWARD

19 MAN CODES

28 THE SHOCK DOCTRINE

Quotes on life.

Charter House Grill and ODS Transporta on CEO, Christopher King’s, businesses are

20 SEEING THE GREATNESS IN EVERYONE

"The shock doctrine" refers to a concept coined by Naomi Klein in her book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, which describes the strategy of using moments of extreme crisis or chaos, like natural disasters, wars, or economic upheavals, to rapidly implement neoliberal economic policies like priva za on and deregula on, o en by taking advantage of the public's inability to effec vely resist due to their state of shock and disarray; essen ally, exploi ng disasters to advance capitalist agendas.

thriving all across Ohio and Cleveland making him one of the top execu ves to watch in 2025.

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

Everyone has greatness in them. It’s up to us to see that in others and help them navigate to it, see it in themselves, and actualize it.

22 WHEN THE NEWS IS NO LONGER NEWS Americans must get used to the fact that their na onal news is no longer based on truth in journalism. How they internalize dis-informa on will deter-

CODE M / MARCH 2025 11

70

[ INSIDE ]

NATURAL HAIR THAT GLOWS

The debate on Black women wearing their natural hair is gaining a en on.

We celebrate those who wear it real, and with class.

34 MAKING A PSA FOR ICE

Director Alisha Clark and the La na community come together to create a public service announcement promo ng the rights of immigrants when confronted by ICE (Immigra on and customs enforcement).

50 THERAPY NO NOS Millions of Americans seek professional help to deal with the struggles of life. Here are several steps to help you navigate the experience.

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

56 DO IT FOR JAMES James took his own life a er a scammer threatened to publish private photos he sent assuming the rela onship was real. How do we protect our kids from sexploita on?

4 MARCH2025 / CODE M

TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN

ENGINEER RADIO/PODCAST Imari Hill

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 LaRese Purnell-Chief Financial Editor Laron Harlem-Fashion Editor

Paris Lampkins-Movers & Shakers Editor Randall Sylvertooth-Tech Editor Juan Toney-Health 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 India Gardener Randall Sylvertooth LaRese Purnell Juan Toney

GRAPHIC DESIGN S ff Arm Media MEDIA COORDINATOR

CODE MEDIA GROUP LLC

Carole Anthony

STAFF Sharif Akram

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Darrell Sco

To the PUBLISHER Ladonna “Lala” Dicks

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To submit comments, feedback or to inquire about adver sing please contact us at info@codemediagroupllc.com CEO AND CFO: BILAL AKRAM

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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 / MARCH2025 9

MOVERS &

SHAKERS

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

by Paris Lampkins

CHELSEA T. PERNELL Chelsea is a successful businesswoman. She is a mul -million-dollar top producer at Dream Team Realty (Cleveland, Ohio), serves as the Founding Pastor of Kingdom Keepers Church, and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at South University, while concurrently comple ng her fourth Clinical Pastoral Educa on (CPE) unit in Chaplaincy. Chelsea is a licensed realtor in Georgia and serves as a Family and Community Liaison Facilitator in Macon, Georgia, for the Adopt-A-Role Model Program (ARM-MAC)—a non-profit that provides services for single femaleheaded households for African American boys.

Chelsea is commi ed to serving and impac ng her local community.

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She is the Board Chairman of Women in Need Ministries (W.I.N Ministries)—a non-profit in Cleveland, Ohio, which advocates for and supports women who are vic ms or survivors of domes c violence and empowers women and girls to overcome their trauma c life experiences.

Chelsea and her church have established local partnerships through direct volunteer service and/or dona ons to Joseph’s Home, Mary’s Home, 2100 Men’s Shelter Lakeside, Norma Herr Women’s Shelter, and Providence House, in addi on to providing backpacks to homeless

[ MOVERS & SHAKERS ]

AARON JONES Aaron Jones, a Cleveland na ve and Eastern Michigan University graduate (BS Construc on Management, Magna Cum Laude), is a Cer fied Construc on Manager with 12 years of industry experience. As a Project Manager at Gilbane Building Company, he currently leads the $151MM Shaker Heights School District project, including renova ons at eight buildings and crea ng the District’s first Pre-K building.

Aaron also chairs Gilbane’s Black employee resource group, Ujima, spearheading mentorship programs and various ini a ves.

Addi onally, he owns Carry Safe 216, providing firearm safety educa on in Northeast Ohio. Recognized as a BPACF 40 Under 40 Emerging Legend, Aaron lives in Macedonia with his wife and two children and enjoys fishing and motorcycling.

TARA N. JOHNSON Tara N. Johnson currently serves as an experienced Execu ve Administrator with The Mayor’s Office of Equal Opportunity for the City of Cleveland, providing high-level strategic support to Chiefs, Directors, Execu ves, and Leadership Teams. She excels in streamlining operaons, op mizing workflows, and enhancing organiza onal efficiency within dynamic government environments. With exper se in project management, resource alloca on, and execu ve coordina on, she ensures seamless execu on of high-level ini a ves while handling sensive informa on with discre on and professionalism.

A Shaker Heights na ve, Tara holds degrees in Communica ons and Urban Leadership from Walden University and Cleveland State University. Her strong organiza onal and communica on skills make her an invaluable leader in fostering collabora on and driving impac ul results.

DR. DAVID REX ORGEN Dr. David Rex Orgen is a visionary leader, best-selling author, and impac ul speaker whose dynamic career spans business, ministry, and philanthropy. Renowned for his unwavering dedica on to excellence, innovaon, and service, Dr. Orgen has le a remarkable imprint across diverse sectors, including healthcare, mental health advocacy, transporta on, consultancy, and faith-based leadership.

With a unique ability to combine strategic foresight, authen city, and compassion, Dr. Orgen empowers individuals, organiza ons, and communi es to foster transforma ve change. His influen al voice has been heard on pres gious global pla orms such as the United States Congress and the United Na ons, where he champions leadership, mental health awareness, and social jus ce.

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START

Fred Hampton

MAN CODES:

QUOTES ON LIFE

“If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.” - Marcus Garvey

“Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way.” - Al Franken “If you dare to struggle, you dare to win. If you dare not struggle, then damn it, you don’t deserve to win.” -Fred Hampton “When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what the storm is all about.” - Haruki Murakam “The hardest lessons to learn are usually the ones you need the most.” – Anais Nin

Compiled by Bilal S. Akram

shame.” - Rod Steiger “Don’t trust a person who is not willing to speak of their past.”

– African Proverb “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.” - Albert Einstein “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” - Muhammad Ali “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.” - John Lennon - Roy T. Benne Psalm 37:7 “Be s ll before the Lord and wait pa ently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” NIV

“The most important thing is to be whatever you are without CODE M / MARCH2025 19

[ START ]

Larry and Regina Lane.

SEEING THE GREATNESS IN EVERYONE Everyone has greatness in them. It’s up to us to see that in others and help them navigate to it, see it in themselves, and actualize it.

L

ife is a journey, one that most of us have no idea where we’re going, what to aspire to, and who we are. That was the case with Donshon Wilson who majored in psychology and a ained a degree in it.

Never did he imagine that one day he’d be a band director, something he’s s ll doing twenty-eight years later.

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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.

Donshon has always loved music, not as a job or something he had to do. “I used to always go around the house banging on things. It started off with banging on my closet door. It produced a certain sound that got to me, so I’d make these beats on the door. That eventually made its way to the pots and pans in the kitchen. That’s when my mom said, ‘You know what? We’re going to put you in the band.’ And that’s where I got started, at Chambers Elementary School in the

Anth se n comm

[ START ] fourth grade. I always wanted to play the drums.”

tudes with students in the school bands.

That led to private lessons where his teacher, Bruce Collie, saw something in Donshon that he didn’t see in himself. To begin with, Donshon went along with the lessons, basically doing what he was told to do. “When someone asks you to do something, you just get on track and do it.” It wasn’t un l he entered solo and ensemble contests that he began to realize that he had talent.

“Music is a vehicle, a tool to allow me to do the things to really impact the lives of the students that I’m blessed to be in front of and to teach them how to navigate through music, school, and life. I have students who don’t have a tradi onal music background — a lot of my students have never played an instrument before. So, the way we teach is a li le bit at a me, a lot of repe on, a lot of ear training, and more.”

That talent grew and Donshon went from jazz band to concert band and then the Cleveland String Orchestra. The director challenged everyone to master another instrument, so Donshon chose the cello. Despite this, though, he decided to go to college and major in psychology.

“When I got my degree, I was trying to find jobs, so I worked at a drug and alcohol rehab center in Columbus. I was a therapeu c community facilitator, so pre y much it was 12-hour shi s in a group home se ng, helping people administer their medica ons, and taking clients to their appointments — just mentoring them throughout the day.”

Donshon also explained that a lot of the students weren’t academically sound and had a lot of behavioral problems, but he was able to use music as a tool to help them navigate through all of that. He had students pulling straight D’s and F’s. Now they all have A’s and B’s.

And it isn’t just the lives of students that are changed, it’s o en the lives of parents who become more involved in their child’s music ac vi es, such as with the Booster Club. Some of the parents develop life-long friendships.

But then, Donshon’s mother’s job transferred her to Atlanta, and she needed his help selling her home in East Cleveland. To support himself, Donshon began teaching as a subs tute teacher. Once he saw the posi ve impact he had on students, he realized how much he really enjoyed teaching.

As Donshon puts it, “Either you’re hungry for life or you’re not, and that depends on what you put in front of yourself, what you’re going to con nue to appreciate and achieve. It’s just all about how you look at life and your opportuni es.”

“One thing led to another, and I ended up coming back to my old high school just to volunteer. Because I played the drums, I heard students playing all the cadences wrong. So, I re-taught them. A er a while, I became a percussion instructor, then the assistant band director, and then the band director — and here I am, 28 years later, at another school district.”

Donshon is a strong believer in not pu ng individuals in a box. “Thirty percent of what I do is music. The other seventy percent is just really digging down deep into people’s souls to let them understand how great they can be as a person and the impact that they can have in life. Everyone is born with a talent, a gi , a passion, and has greatness in them. Let’s help them see it and achieve it.” ●

As Donshon puts it, “You never really know what your journey is.

You’re just on this road un l you figure it out.” And figure it out, he did. All of his musical experience and his background in psychology came to the fore as he dealt with a spectrum of behaviors and a -

CLE

hony Brown in various ngs throughout the munity.

STRONG

Wilson with members of the WHHS marching band.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 21

LIFE

WHEN THE NEWS IS LONGER NEWS Americans must get used to the fact that their na onal news is no longer based on truth in journalism. How they internalize dis-informa on will determine their viewpoint.

W

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.

hat passes for news these days has to be taken with a grain of salt. With our ability to transmit informa on in seconds around the world, whether what is published is factual, semi-factual, or fic onal has become difficult to ascertain. Yet an en re indus‐ try has developed around the idea of turning “news” into enter‐ tainment and the advancement of personal opinion for the pur‐ poses of fame, fortune, power, and control.

Everyone under the sun has an opinion and so many people don’t care to verify what they’re basing their opinion upon. Few want to do the work of researching, tracking down facts, and determining whether the informa on they’re taking in or conveying is “real” or not. This has led to a new term: agnorance (arrogance + ignorance).

Arrogance has been taken to new heights. Behind that arrogance is the need to feel important, to be somebody, to be taken seriously, and to feel empowered and powerful. Many arrogant people feel en tled to their posi on because of their name, race, tle, money, educa on, job, status, etc. That en tlement has increased and elevated societal fric on. The result is the endorsing of deceit, ma‐ nipula on, cruelty, racism, eli sm, and even criminal ac vity and corrup on.

Ignorance is the more insidious and destruc ve of the two. You’re already aware of the fact that educa on is on a serious downward spiral in this country, so no need to recite the depressing stats. In tandem with that is the fact that three ig‐ norance-based mindsets have developed in our country.

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[ LIFE ]

NO

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FINANCE

26 MARCH 2025 / CODE M

[ LIFE ] ·

Those who choose ignorance as a way of life and who hold disdain for and are afraid of well-informed, educated people.

This has given rise to groups that promote misogyny, racism, na onalism, homophobia, transphobia, an -intellectualism, eugenics, and xenophobia. The effect this has on followers and crusaders is that this mindset generates greater insularity, social division, compartmentaliza on, disconnec on, intolerance, and black-and-white thinking.

·

This has created a legion of the “purveyors of ignorance” in numerous arenas who promote and reinforce misinforma on, fake news, and conspiracy theories in order to manipulate the ignorant. This is done to advance poli cal and religious agendas, gain personal fame and wealth, and to accrue power over others. Fear is the primary instrument used by people in order to achieve one’s schemes.

·

A vic m mentality has set in so that no ma er how disparaging, disrespec ul, hur ul, discriminatory, diminishing, divisive, and hateful a person is toward others for whatever reasons, they see themselves as the vic m, they’re the one being discriminated against and their rights being violated.

• Those who have created a pla orm for distrac ng noise and jacked up opinions through pandering news outlets and social media pla orms. People now say whatever they want, spewing false narra ves, hate, divisiveness, and outright lies. The sad thing here is that plenty of people listen to and read this “news” and believe that what they’re being fed is true. Zero cri cal thinking is employed and, thus, ignorance con nues to spread like wildfire.

• The second camp is comprised of those who s ll believe in the tenets of journalism: providing ci zens with accurate and reliable informa on through upholding an obliga on to the truth, loyalty to ci zens, the discipline of verifica on, independence from and objec vity of the subjects covered, being a watchdog for society, providing a forum for public cri cism and compromise, storytelling that’s interes ng and relevant, keeping the news comprehensive and propor onal, and the employing of ethics and responsibility in reportage.

The World Economic Forum reported in their 2024 Global

Trying to reason with and combat purposeful and celebrated ignorance is like a fool’s errand. There is almost nothing as unyielding as willful ignorance. It doesn’t ma er how cogent and factual one’s argument is, the ignorant can’t be shi ed off their posi on — even if it’s working against them. Their stubbornness and unwillingness to see things from a different angle are staggering, as well as mys fying.

When it comes to taking in the news, they s ck to the pundits who con nually feed their fears and support their viewpoints, though the viewpoints and understanding being expressed are supported by the flimsiest of reasoning and actual facts. The spin the ignorant are fed is carefully cra ed to keep the misinforma on, disinforma on, and fake news on point and the viewers reeled in. The “news” is nothing but misleading propaganda.

The result is that “news” is no longer news. Journalism was once the bas on of not only the repor ng of world events, but the neutral conveyor of informa on. Instead, it has now divided into two camps.

People are finding that they can no longer depend on the na onal news agencies for accurate informa on.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 25

[ LIFE ]

There are people all over the country taking care of parents and kids at the same me.

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[ LIFE ] Risk Report that false informa on is one of the major threats people around the world are facing today. And in a Sta sta chart, the US ranks 6th for mis- and disinforma on risk in the world (India ranked #1, the worst in the world).

Compounding this risk is that many people don’t care if informa on isn’t ve ed. If it fits their world perspec ve, beliefs, values, insecuri es, and prejudices, then it’s real. The other factor is that many people choose to follow leaders whom they consider “authori es.” This alleviates the need to use one’s cri cal thinking, which leaves them vulnerable to the preda ons of those seeking fame, fortune, and power.

In addi on to this, we can now throw AI into the mix wherein whatever AI comes up with, it doesn’t provide any clues as to where it gleaned its informa on — or the fact that AI appears to be dispensing perspec ves based not on cri cal thinking but algorithms that “scrape” the internet for “relevant” informa on.

We are trapped in the quicksand of phony news, the same as the dinosaurs that were trapped in the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. It seems there’s no way of extrica ng ourselves for one simple reason: Who and what can we trust?

So what’s the an dote to this “news” quagmire we’re immersed in? Well, there’s the obvious of standing up to what’s happening.

Thankfully, there are many people comba ng the rise of ignorance and willful blindness and avoidance — that includes whistleblowers, fact-checkers, and watchdog agencies willing to put their necks on the line.

self-reflec on, and cri cal thought to more clearly understand ourselves — answering the ques ons “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” — and the world at large.

Thankfully, this isn’t something we have to do on our own.

There are a mul tude of groups one can interface with that can be sounding boards for our internal process of selfdiscovery. We can collaborate with others in order to gain greater perspec ve. The key is in ques oning everything rather than just tacitly accep ng. Another key is learning to listen and listening to learn. Always remain in student mode for the simple reason that the world holds many extraordinary treasures that come in many forms.

Addi onally, we don’t have to take on the whole world all at once. Taking small steps so that we’re not overloaded with complex informa on takes the stress and frustra on out of diges ng so much s mula on and data.

And the last thing we can do to help ourselves is to not jump to conclusions about anything but to search more deeply in order to overcome our biases, fears, and insecuri es. Life has so much to offer, so we need to be appropriately selecve in our choices. That includes what “news” we pay a enon to and follow. As the adage states, “The truth will set you free” — and now is a great me to begin freeing ourselves from mis- and disinforma on, fake news, and spin! ●

Then there’s what we can do individually on a day-to-basis. The first thing we need to do is understand that ignorance ISN’T bliss.

The more we operate in the la-la land of “ignorance is bliss,” the more we become disconnected and the more we become prey to those who seek to manipulate us in order to achieve their own selfish desires.

The second thing we can do is ask ourselves honest and uncomfortable ques ons. This may cause some distress and fear as we look at ourselves and the events going on around us. The idea here is to not get caught up in our emo ons, which include remorse, blame, guilt, dislike, and hate, etc. Instead, it’s a chance to — from a posi on of neutrality and not judgment — observe ourselves and current events.

As Socrates allegedly stated, “the unexamined life isn’t worth living.” This is our chance to spend some me in introspec on,

Major news organiza ons are owned by companies that protects their own interest.

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POLITICS

28 MARCH 2025 / CODE M

[ POLITICS ]

THE SHOCK DOCTRINE "The shock doctrine" refers to a concept coined

by Naomi Klein in her book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, which describes the strategy of using moments of extreme crisis or chaos, like natural disasters, wars, or economic upheavals, to rapidly implement neoliberal economic policies like priva za on and deregula on, o en by taking advantage of the public's inability to effec vely resist due to their state of shock and disarray; essen ally, exploi ng disasters to advance capitalist agendas.

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.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 29

28 MARCH 2025 / CODE M

[ POLITICS ]

W

hen the 2024 elec on winner was announced, people all over the country began to express anxiety about a Trump victory.

That feeling subsided for a month or two un l Trump took office. As soon as he moved back into the White House, the stress level of the country increased from one to ten and has not let up. What if the stress that people feel is intenonal? What if the Trump administra on is keeping the country on edge? Are they using the Shock Doctrine to run the country?

The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism is a 2007 book by Canadian author and social ac vist Naomi Klein. In the book, Klein argues that neoliberal economic policies promoted

by Milton Friedman and the Chicago School of Economics have risen to global prominence because of a deliberate strategy she calls “disaster capitalism.”

In this strategy, poli cal actors exploit the chaos of natural disasters, wars, and other crises to push through unpopular policies such as deregula on and priva za on. This economic “shock therapy” favors corporate interests while disadvantaging and disenfranchising ci zens when they are too distracted and overwhelmed to respond or effec vely resist.

The book challenges the narra ve that the inhabitants of regions have welcomed free market capitalist policies where they have been implemented, and it argues that several man-made events, including the Iraq War, were inten onally undertaken with the goal of pushing through these unpopular policies in their wake.

Today, poli cs is centered around abor on, immigra on, and DEI. Those poli cal points coupled with the a ack on pronouns and transgender people have caused Americans to stay in a state of stress.

form of a ack. Whether it’s job security, infla on, interna onal law, or personal preference, Americans cannot seem to catch their breath.

So, what can people do to calm their nerves and endure the onslaught of constant drama from the Trump Administra on?

STAY FOCUSED It used to be that the average American was not impacted by presiden al decisions. In 2025, it seems like every decision made by Donald Trump has impacted every American. Staying focused on your daily tasks is the most important thing you can do to resist the tempta on to become overwhelmed by the doctrine.

Life is moving at a lightning pace and if you’re not careful, your health and wellbeing could be impacted by the macro factors outside of your daily life. Understanding that job security and living a certain way is a struggle, if you can focus on con nuing to improve your own life, you might be able to calm your inner spirit.

REDUCE SOCIAL MEDIA Opinions are running high, people are losing friends. Social media is the new adult playground for expressing opinions and viewpoints. And based on your preferences, the algorithm will throw even more opinions your way. Try to reduce your me spent on social media.

Growth comes from a healthy balance of being in the know and protec ng your peace at the same me. It is never a bad me to protect your mental health. Without trying, you’ll consume enough news to complete your desired need for it.

And before the country can recover from the latest decision from the Trump administra on, the country is hit with another one. The quickness at which Trump is governing has caused the country to go numb when it comes to any response. Some wondered where the protests to the deporta on drama are caused by tracking down illegal immigrants. But by the me something is organized, another trauma c decision is announced before the country can respond. And no one is safe!

It seems like every single aspect of American life is under some

Cover and interior photos taken by Sylvan Lamar.

The Shock Doctrine makes the average person overwhelmed due to much turmoil constantly being intro-

CODE M / MARCH 2025 31

[ COVER ]

Randell McShepard sits on the board of several organiza ons in the Cleveland area.

30 MARCH 2025 / CODE M

[ POLITICS ] If you can increase your opportuni es to not interact with the internet, you might be able to create pockets of peace and calm where you can reduce your overall stress. Remember, the news cycle is at an all- me high, so you won’t miss knowing what’s going on, but you don’t need to obsess about it as much as you currently do.

ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT Americans use their devices for everything. The modern cellular device keeps people connected like never before. That constant connec on is also the leading cause of self-isola on and depression for many Americans. Some believe that, if not monitored, people are star ng to become addicted to their device usage.

Pu ng the phone down and reading, walking, or spending me with another person could create a much-needed balance as opposed to the constant consump on of informa on. Healthy phone habits include limi ng screen me, avoiding phone use at bed me, and se ng boundaries.

Here are some ps to reduce phone usage: Limit screen me • Avoid checking your phone first thing in the morning • Put your phone away when you are with friends and family • Avoid using your phone while driving • Set aside me to check your phone Avoid phone use at bed me • Don’t check your phone right before bed • Avoid ac ve phone use before bed, which can delay sleep Set boundaries • Let others know when you’ll not be available to respond to messages • Set aside me to unplug from your devices Turn off no fica ons • Silence no fica ons for social media apps • Put your phone on “do not disturb” Use social media for good • Use social media to stay in touch with friends and family • Avoid “doom scrolling” through nega ve posts Prac ce digital minimalism • Be inten onal with your phone usage • Be a cri cal consumer of the informa on you get from your devices

spend on screens should instead be spent par cipa ng in physical ac vity.

EXERCISE YOUR BODY Physical ac vity will always remain one of the most powerful tools to keep the mind and body healthy. Also, exercise naturally reduces stress and anxiety when done on a consistent basis. Life is troublesome right now and people need every op on to maintain a good and healthy a tude towards life.

Experts suggest exercising at least three mes a week for at least 30 minutes of brisk walking or some form of movement to s mulate blood flow and to release the endorphins needed to maintain a posi ve a tude.

Americans, and the world, need to be prepared for a constant barrage of decisions coming from the White House. How people respond to the Trump administra on could cause health issues if your response to it is not handled appropriately.

Check on your loved ones, avoid heated poli cal debates if you have health issues, and try to maintain a balance between consump on of news and quality me monitoring your inner peace.

No one can tell what’s going to happen next. In the end, it’s unfortunate that being shocked has become the norm. However, you can create an environment where you can withstand the constant introduc on of life-altering decisions, and stay mentally, physically, and emo onally balanced, steadfast, and posi vely focused. ●

What’s a healthy amount of screen me for adults? Experts say adults should limit screen me outside of work to less than two hours per day. Any me beyond that which you would typically

Naomi Klein details the concept of crea ng chaos to govern in her book, The Shock Doctrine.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 33

[ POLITICS ]

MAKING A PSA FOR ICE Director Elisa Clark and the La na community come together to create a public service announcement promo ng the rights of immigrants when confronted by ICE (Immigra on and customs enforcement).

T

By Leslie Logan here’s no doubt that the Trump Administraon has kept its promise to secure the border of the United States. What no one expected was the incredible increase in the pursuit of non-documented people living and working deep within the country.

Since Trump took office, 37,600 people have been removed, far less than the 57,000 monthly average from the Biden Administra on when he was in office. However, the way Trump used the media increased the awareness that ICE (Immigra on and Customs Enforcement) was coming, and they were intenonal about ge ng criminals.

That media push coupled with the na onwide a en on it got has made everyone feel uneasy. No one is safe anymore, anywhere. ICE performed raids on farms in

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Members of the community meet to film a PSA to combat ICE.

[ POLITICS ]

CODE M / MARCH 2025 35

[ HEALTH ]

Benny Pough appears on podcasts and radio shows discussing how to thrive in the music business .

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[ POLITICS ] the country and in restaurants in the city. They raided factories and knocked on doors at 4 am in communi es.

But some people are pushing back. Those who are from the countries that seem to be targeted, La na areas of the world, are banning together to educate people about their rights.

“When I saw what was going on, I knew I had to do something,” Elisa Clark said. “I wanted to empower the community.”

Clark felt it was too important to have some poli cians take a year to figure out what to do. The director wanted to do her part to help those who felt anxious about the impact of deporta on on her community.

So Clark used her company, Spanglish Media Group, to shoot the PSA (Public Service Announcement). She called the Young La no Network and asked if they would like to help share the video a er it was shot.

As of the end of fiscal year (FY) 2023, there were 416,034 ci zenship applica ons pending with USCIS, the federal agency that processes ci zenship applica ons. The process to get a court date takes so long that people are le in limbo as they wait for the process to help them.

To become a US ci zen, you must meet several requirements, including: • Age: Be at least 18 years old • Residence: Be a lawful permanent resident of the US for at least five years • Moral character: Be a person of good moral character • English proficiency: Be able to read, write, and speak basic English • Civics knowledge: Have a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of US history and government

On a cold, snowy day in Cleveland, Clark got a group of people together to create a PSA to fight back.

Other requirements include: • Taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States • Comple ng Form N-400, the Applica on for Naturaliza on

Their backgrounds hailed from all over the world, but their mission was the same. They wanted to do their part to protect the communi es they live in and love.

A end a biometrics appointment, where you'll be: • Fingerprinted and photographed • Register for military and civil service

Clark assembled about ten people to share in the efforts to film the PSA. She used verbiage straight from the ACLU to inform people of their rights when confronted by ICE. The recommenda ons men oned in the PSA are direc ves that people should use if they are arrested. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland also reached out to let Clark know that they would provide aid if anyone were collected and arrested by ICE. “This problem goes deeper than anyone has considered. There are people in the country, who came legally, but are now out of status, and cannot get a court date to get their green card,” Clark explained.

she gave the example of her great-grandmother who came to the US and a er her status expired, it took twenty-five years to gain her ci zenship. If she were alive today, she would be in jeopardy of ge ng deported.

Writer and director, Elisa Clark, works in the film industry and owns Spanglish Media Group.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 37

[ LIFE ]

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[ POLITICS ] • Pledge support for the Cons tu on and form of government of the United States

They all assembled with the hope that they could lend their voice to the cause.

The backlog decreased by over 760,000 cases from the end of FY 2022 when there were more than 5 million cases pending.

The PSA is expected to be released soon. Clark only hopes that her efforts help anyone who needs to hear the informa on from the video. For Clark, it was a chance to give back, but it might be the most important content Clark has ever created. ●

The Biden administra on has made efforts to make the naturaliza on process more accessible.

In FY 2024, USCIS produc on levels for naturaliza on applicaons con nued to surpass pre-pandemic levels.

As of January 2023, 12.7 million lawful permanent residents (green card holders) in the United States were eligible to apply for ci zenship. Of those, 9 million were eligible to naturalize.

The top three government offices handling ci zenship applicaons most efficiently are in Cleveland, Ohio; Providence, Rhode Island; and Raleigh, North Carolina.

For those who are in the process, they have li le to no protecon when stopped by an ICE agent.

“So real families are being affected by this,” said Clark. “And what makes this situa on so bad is that it’s only impac ng brown and yellow people. No whites from countries like Germany or France are looking over their shoulder. They s ll get to go to work and live.”

She has a point. In 2022, there were 6.9 million unauthorized immigrants in the US from countries other than Mexico. The largest increases were from Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean.

And Clark warns that things are going to get worse as the weather gets be er.

The day of the PSA filming, it was filmed with the emo on of the moment, the understanding that real people are figh ng for their lives just to create a chance to feed their families and to see their kids grow up with a be er opportunity than they did.

Top: One of the local ci zens filming the PSA to advise people of their op ons when approached by ICE. Bo om: Clark and her team filming a PSA for the community.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 39

BEAUTY

DONNA BULLOCK-BALANO Donna Bullock-Balano is 55 years old and a Los Angeles na ve who graduated from Mount St. Mary's University with a B.A. in Liberal Studies. This mother of 3 adult sons and 1 school age daughter wears many hats and has a professional background that spans medical device and healthcare sales, and she currently thrives as a property manager. Donna is also deeply passionate about the arts and entrepreneurship. She owns a clothing line called Liv Long Collec on and is set to launch a podcast, Mid Life Spices within the first quarter of this year. This podcast is tailored for the 50-plus audience, offering discussions on diverse topics relevant to their daily lives, providing resources, and delivering both informa on and entertainment.

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[ LIFE ]

Protec ng your informa on has never been more important.

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COVER

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[ COVER ]

DRIVING BUSINESS FORWARD Charter House Grill and ODS Transporta on CEO, Christopher King’s businesses are thriving all across Ohio and Cleveland making him one of the top execu ves to watch in 2025.

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.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 43

[ COVER ]

Christopher King prides himself on being able to hire and promote from within his community.

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[ COVER ]

“T

he apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is a saying that means a child will o en share similar traits or characteris cs with their parents, essen ally implying that children tend to resemble their parents in behavior and personality. Just as an apple naturally falls close to the tree it grew on, it signifies a close resemblance between genera ons.

The theory of the apple and tree rings true for business entrepreneur Christopher King. The owner of the restaurant Charter House Grille and ODS Transporta on, learned at an early age about the art of business.

“I come from a family of entrepreneurs. Both my parents are in business for themselves,” King said. “My mother is a business owner s ll and I always knew watching them that I would go into business for myself as I grew up.”

King credits his mother, who now serves as the mayor of Richmond Heights, Ohio, and step-father with shaping him into the man he has become today.

“When I was 15, I can remember my mother le ng me make business decisions for our family business,” King said. “Her influence on me was so huge that I never could see myself working for someone else.”

family’s footsteps and opened his first business in transporta on himself.

The company focuses on non-medical transporta on and school transporta on. Serving communi es all over Ohio, King is quickly becoming one of the rising stars of young Black businessmen in the area.

ODS Transporta on was started twelve years ago. Six years ago, King ventured into school transporta on.

When people see how young King is, they o en ask him about his business track and where he got his experience.

“I have never had a 9 to 5,” the forty-year-old King said.

“For my en re professional career, I have only worked for myself.”

King’s experience came from watching his mother and father get up every day and go out and thrive in the businesses that they started. The apple, falling so close to the tree, is what made King have the bravado to venture into business for himself — no jobs to fall back on in case things didn’t work out.

King never considered what he would do with his life be-

King has an apprecia on for the value of himself. He always felt like no one should be able to define his worth. Because he saw his parents succeed at an elevated level, King knew when he became an adult that he would create his own value for himself, and that value would be defined by he himself.

“I knew it was going to be difficult for me to work for someone else,” King con nued. “I saw my parents be able to afford what they wanted in life. So, owning my own business was my only opon. I am worth way more than anyone was going to be able to pay me.”

Being exposed to his parents’ work ethic and drive allowed him the confidence to embark on his own journey a er gradua ng from Shaw High School.

The family business was in transporta on, so King followed in the

Phillip Weeden has an audi‐ King wearing his ODS branded clothing.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 45

[ HEALTH ]

F

38 MARCH 2025 / CODE M

[ COVER ] cause the plan for him was laid out at a very early age. He never considered an alterna ve to owning his own business because his parents groomed him to be able to handle the stress that comes with owning a business.

They prepared him for the hours it takes in the beginning without expec ng a financial reward right away. They talked to him about how to bring on talent and trust those around him so he could advance his business.

Because King had his parents for guidance, his decision-making skills were rehearsed. He can already see around the corner when it comes to growth and investment. He knows exactly what to do, and when to do it. Those kinds of skills are an asset to a businessman like King.

King recently opened his own restaurant, Charter House Grille.

The business focuses on great tas ng spirits and food. King has had several eateries over the course of his business career and is excited about his latest venture.

“I knew it was going to be difficult for me to work for someone else.”

King con nued, “I saw my parents be able to afford what they wanted in life. So, owning my own business was my only op on. I am worth way more than anyone was going to be able to pay me.”

“My parents taught me at a very early stage that if I’m going to be successful, I have to find great talent and hire.” He con nued, “I hire the best a orneys, accountants, and professionals to assist me in growing my business because I know for a fact that I cannot do it all.”

King went on to say that Blacks will quite o en struggle to grow because they’re trying to do it all. Wearing mul ple hats when growing a business will o en kill the business or reduce how fast it becomes successful.

King warns those he mentors about the pi alls of trying to save money, just to never grow.

“I wanted to create something special that people could feel good about,” King said. “We need our own spaces where we can get dressed, come and have a great experience, and know that it’s for us, by us.”

Charter House Grille is quickly becoming a favorite spot for patrons to wine and dine in fashion due to its excellent menu of foods and crea ve drink specials.

When you talk to King, you get the feeling that he isn’t done crea ng award-winning businesses. He has a passion for success that borders on addic on. His mentality is that anything is possible with the right a tude.

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Sta s cs, around 50 percent of businesses fail within their first five years, with only about 20 percent surviving for twenty years or more. That means the average business lifespan is five years, though this can vary significantly depending on the industry and loca on.

Key points about business survival: • First year: Around 20-25% of businesses fail within their first year of opera on.

• Five years: Half of all businesses close their doors within five years.

• Ten years: Around 65% of businesses fail within their first decade.

King will con nue to expand his business loca ons in 2025.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 47

[ HEALTH ]

F

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[ COVER ] He tends to obsess about business. He loves what he does and doesn’t apologize for his success. To keep balanced, King a ends as many spor ng events as he can.

“My outlet is sports,” King said. “I cannot get enough of our sports teams and I will a end as many games as I can get to. It allows me to get away from my businesses and it helps me relax and recover.”

King is also an avid golfer. When weather permits, King tries to get in as many rounds of golf as possible. With a growing child, King also makes sure that he’s around to support his son. Because he understands the influence that his parents had on him, King makes sure that his child sees him working whenever possible.

There is no doubt that King will con nue to thrive in the business world and expand on the incredible things he’s doing. Do you like apples? King is quickly becoming one of the most important and successful young business owners in his community. 2026 is looking incredibly good for the kid from Richmond Heights, Ohio. How do you like them apples? ●

Images from Christopher King’s restaurant, Charter House Grill.

Charter House Grill Images.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 49

OPINION

THERAPY NO NOS

A COLUMN WRITTEN BY CHATGPT

Millions of Americans seek professional help to deal with the struggles of life.

Here are several steps to help you navigate the experience.

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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.

[ LIFE ]

Protec ng your informa on has never been more important.

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[ OPINION ]

T

herapy: the magical place where you pay someone to listen to you talk about your mom, your job, and the crippling existen al dread that greets you every morning like an overeager golden retriever. It’s where breakthroughs happen, tears are shed, and you learn that yes, maybe it’s not everyone else who’s the problem. However, not all therapy experiences are created equal, and some mes the difference between success and failure comes down to avoiding a few cri cal no-nos.

First things first: Don’t lie to your therapist. I know, I know, it’s temp ng to try to impress them. You want them to think you’re the world’s most stable, self-aware individual who only needs therapy because your third cousin once looked at you funny in 2009. But here’s the thing: therapists are not judges on a reality show. They’re not here to give you points for how put-together you look or how Zen you sound when you talk about your emoons. Lying to them is like lying to your den st about flossing.

They know. And worse, you’re only was ng your own me and money — not to men on you’re depriving your therapist of that sweet, sweet sa sfac on of saying, “Let’s unpack that.”

Second, do not – I repeat, do NOT – ask your therapist to be your friend. Yes, they’re kind, compassionate, and seem to actually care about how you’re doing, unlike Brad from Accoun ng, who s ll hasn’t responded to your email. But this is not the start of a beauful friendship. Your therapist is a professional, not a candidate for brunch buddy status. It’s hard to overstate how awkward it is to say, “Hey, let’s get drinks some me,” to someone whose job involves hearing about the me you cried in the Target parking lot

because you saw a baby in a hat.

Next on the list of therapy no-nos: canceling your sessions and blaming it on your “self-care rou ne.” I get it, somemes Ne lix calls, or maybe you bought a bath bomb that smells like a forest fairy’s dreams, and you can’t resist. But skipping therapy to self-care your way through a problem is like ea ng a salad a er drinking a gallon of ice cream — a li le late and woefully ineffec ve. Self-care is great, but therapy is self-care for people who are ready to actually deal with their problems, not just hide under a weighted blanket with lavender-scented oils.

Speaking of hiding things, here’s another no-no: pretending you don’t have feelings. You might think you’re saving face by brushing off that me your ex le you for their spin instructor. Spoiler alert: your therapist knows you have feelings about it, and it’s their job to make you talk about them. Bo ling emo ons in therapy is like going to the gym and si ng on a bench press, scrolling Instagram. It defeats the purpose.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, don’t expect your therapist to fix your life for you. Therapists are not wizards (well, most of them). They can guide you, nudge you, and offer insight, but at the end of the day, you have to do the work. So go ahead, pour your heart out, cry about that weird childhood memory, and leave the Target parking lot tears behind. Just don’t lie, don’t ask them to brunch, and for the love of Freud, don’t skip your session for a bath bomb.

Therapy isn’t always easy, but if you can avoid these no-nos, you just might find it’s worth the uncomfortable silences and the occasional, “How does that make you feel?” ●

Self-care is cri cal for those who desire peace in their life.

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[ LIFE ]

Protec ng your informa on has never been more important.

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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

GLENN E. THORNTON Born in Birmingham, Alabama, and a current resident of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Glenn E. Thornton is a 48-year member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. A er gradua ng from Shaker Heights High School, Glenn was ini ated into the fraternity as a college student in 1977, through its Epsilon Delta Chapter at Kent State University. Glenn went on to have a successful career in corporate America, eventually re ring a er 23-years from AT&T as a senior technical manager focused on AT&T’s network customer experience and process improvement.

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Glenn is currently an ac ve member of the fraternity’s alumni chapter, Delta Alpha Lambda, in Cleveland, Ohio. Having served as the alumni chapter historian for four years, Glenn currently serves as the graduate chapter’s financial secretary.

Glenn and his wife, Heide, have two daughters, Jennifer and Marlene.

Heide and Marlene are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Glenn and Heide are also the proud grandparents of Milan and Ethan.

[ DIVINE 9 ]

NICOLE D. BERRY "Nicole is a dual-board cer fied nurse prac oner in family and psychiatric mental health. She is the CEO/Founder of The Evoluon through Mind, Body, and Spirit Wellness Center; EMerald Home Care Services; and The Forever And A Day Founda on.

Nicole is strong in her Chris an belief and firmly rooted in her faith. She enjoys community service and has been a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated for over 20 years. Always engaged, Nicole also currently serves as the First Vice President for the Warrensville Heights chapter, Nu Theta Zeta, under chapter president, Antonia Hunt."

WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON, JR. William A, Richardson, Jr. was raised in Durham, North Carolina, affeconally known as Durhamites. He is currently Co-Chair of the JPESC (Joint Planning Electrical Safety Commi ee) for Cleveland Cliffs where he oversees Arc Flash training for 300 plus MTE (electricians/Managers/ support personnel). He works to coordinate Arc flash studies for all Cleveland Cliffs division sites and implement IEEE and 70E standards within the workforce. He supports Corporate safety, reliability engineering, and opera ons. He has held various Management roles at Amazon, Chrysler, and DBA consul ng with Ernest and Young.

He received his B.S. from North Carolina A&T State University (Electronics Technology) and M.S. from Indiana University/Indiana State University co-program (Electronics Engineering Technology).

He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and married to his wife Dawn Richardson who is a Link/AKA/J&J and Daughter Emery Richardson.

STEPHANIE MORRIS NUNN MPA Stephanie Morris Nunn is an award-winning designer and CEO of Nadira Art and Design and Visionarizm, LLC. Known for promo ng art therapy, she is a proud Sigma Gamma Rho member and serves on The Presidents' Council and the Execu ve Council of Prevent Blindness, Ohio affiliate. Despite being legally blind due to a degenera ve eye condi on, she has achieved recogni on as designer of the year and interna onal designer of the year.

Her "Dare to be Rare" philosophy shapes her mixed media works and signature hardwear collec on. She has also gained acclaim in poured pain ng from The Cleveland Museum of Art and has led charity events for the visually impaired. Her memoir, "Eye Can't" to I.C.O.N., inspires resilience and crea vity.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 55

HEALTH

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[ HEALTH ]

DO IT FOR JAMES Wri en by DAVID CHRISTEL

James took his own life a er a scammer threatened to publish private photos he sent assuming the rela onship was real. How do we protect our kids from sexploita on?

F

or Tamia and Tim, their only child, James, was truly a gi in so many ways. He was bright, engaged, focused, and a star athlete. But then the unthinkable happened, he took his own life.

Tamia and Tim were devasted and at a loss to understand why. To them, James had shown no signs of being in distress. Searching through his phone, they discovered something that astounded them — James was the vic m of a sexploita on scheme. Through their inves ga on, they found that James had been DM’d on Instagram one night by a young woman he’d never met before.

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.

school sharing their story with his track and cross-country teammates and talking about the dangers of sexploita on and sextor on.

In 2023, the Na onal Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported: • Their CyberTipline received 36.2 million reports of suspected child sexual exploita on online. Those reports contained more than 105 million images, videos, and other files.

The two started messaging each other, found they had things in common, and she showed him a lot of a en on. They clicked. Then their tex ng took a turn. The young woman took s ll shots from the Face me video they were on. James, young and not understanding what he’d go en himself involved in, didn’t really know what was going on. That’s when the threats came. The extor onists wanted $300.

James was only seventeen and a half years old. He had no idea what to do. He told no one, so the stress of his situa on, the embarrassment and fear, finally overtook him emo onally a er 19.5 hours and he made the decision to take the only ac on he felt he had le .

All the plans Tamia and Tim had made for life with their son were suddenly gone. “James was our everything, we’ve always done everything for him.” So, two days later, both parents were at James’s

James at home before going to one of his meets.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 57

[ HEALTH ]

F

38 MARCH 2025 / CODE M

[ HEALTH ] • They also saw an explosion in reports of online en cement, an increase of more than 300% between 2021 – 2023.

• 7% of minors reported they’d reshared someone else’s sexual images.

them and cares about them. O en, these are people who are dealing with low self-esteem and self-worth, disconnec on in life, or even obsessions and addic ons. When it comes to younger people, who knows what their home situa on is like:

James was only seventeen and a half years old. He had no idea what to do. He told no one, so the stress of his situa on, the embarrassment and fear, finally overtook him emo onally a er 19.5 hours and he made the decision to take the only ac on he felt he had le .

• Roughly 1 in 10 minors reported they knew of cases where their friends used AI tools to generate nudes of other kids.

• One in five preteens (9-12-year-olds) reported having an online sexual interac on with someone they believed to be an adult.

• 1 in 4 minors agree it’s normal for people their age to share nudes with each other, and 1 in 7 minors admit to having shared their own explicit imagery.

• Among minors who have shared their own imagery, 1 in 3 reported having done so with an adult.

absent parents, overbearing parents, sibling rivalries, dysfunc onal family stress, disconnec on and loneliness, etc.

In James’s case, none of this was his story. Tamia and Tim were very close to their son and the three had a dynamic rela onship wherein they were greatly involved in each other’s

Working with local police and even the FBI, Tamia and Tim dove deep into the world of sexploita on. Concerning James, they discovered that the perpetrators were three people from the Ivory Coast in Africa. A fourth person was here in the States. What extor onists look for is young, impressionable people, like James, and those on social media who can easily fall vic m to the predaons of these people.

Because of all the tools and apps technology has to offer, people can connect with anyone around the world and experience all sorts of interac ons. If you’re not aware of the nefarious intenons of some people, the manipula ve techniques of con men can easily turn a person into an extor on vic m. To not meet the extor onist’s demands can lead to ruined lives and careers, the breaking up of families, and compel some to suicide.

Psychologically, there is a constella on of issues at work with such con schemes. So many people are looking for a en on in their lives, for a sense of belonging, a feeling that someone gets

James was a track runner at Streetsboro Highschool.

CODE M / MARCH 2025 59

[ HEALTH ] lives. But, kids being kids, James made an honest mistake that he felt he couldn’t extricate himself from. His parents were completely unaware of his situa on, so were unable to help.

But, since the incident of their son’s passing two years ago, Tamia and Tim have launched themselves into a world of educaon and advocacy. Since James’s passing, they have named their organiza on a er their son “Do It for James Founda on,” its vision is to work with communi es to increase awareness, provide support, and educa on for both parents and children on crimes against students, while also supplying a wide range of assistance for those in need.

mes, they felt alone and isolated, that they had nowhere to turn, that they didn’t have someone they could rely on.

“You’ve got aunts uncles, grandparents, older cousins; you’ve got your teachers that you see every day in school, you’ve got the bus driver who takes you to school and your spor ng events, you’ve got your coaches. There’s always an adult out there who’s willing to help you. All you have to do is be willing to ask for their help and you’ll see what they can do for you.”

The two have been to over sixty schools and touched the lives of well over 200,000 students. What they convey to young people is that each of them ma ers and that they are loved. If they’re vic ms of sextor on schemes, speak up, and report what’s happening.

When speaking with parents, they share, “Get involved in your kid’s life. Learn their everyday rou nes, who they hang out with, what they like to do, how they spend their free me — all the li le things that parents should know about their kids. Try to learn as much of it as possible. That way, when something does come up, it’s easier to find a solu on. Know what you’re dealing with. It makes a world of difference.”

They also share that it’s not the student’s fault. They’re teaching kids that adults are the ones in the wrong, that they know what they’re doing, so everyone needs to stand up against them.

They don’t want to ever hear that in a young person’s darkest

Tim and Tamia have suffered the worst thing parents could possibly live through: losing a child. But despite that, they s ll smile because they have beau ful memories of James, remember his own beau ful smile. “When someone asks us

38 MARCH 2025 / CODE M

[ HEALTH ] about James, we smile because we don’t think of how he died. We think of the life that we got to enjoy with him before his passing. We’ll always smile about James, always.”

Tamia and Tim want people to be aware that there are fighters out here, and they want to make sure that everyone knows that they are truly loved and that they ma er. “Every footprint ma ers in this world and on your darkest and deepest days, just speak out, speak to someone. And if you don’t have anyone, there’s always 988 and a mul tude of resources available. You are not alone, no ma er what!” ● Do It for James Founda on: h ps://www.letsdi .org/ Na onal Center for Missing and Exploited Children: h ps://www.missingkids.org/home?lang=en-US

James and his mother, Tamia.

Protec ng your informa on has never been more important.

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TECH

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[ TECH ]

MICROCHIPPING BECOMES A REALITY As technology advances, the means to arrest diseases and viruses is becoming very sci-fi, as well as scary.

T

here has been a lot going on since that infamous and tragic year of 2020 with the dreaded COVID19 pandemic. The year was filled with conspiracies and theories of conspiracies around the origin of COVID-19 and the development of the vaccine along with its mandatory global distribuon. There was a par cular book wri en at that me out of many books that came out on that subject, What Really Happened in Wuhan, wri en by the leading internaonal journalist Sharri Markson, where she details what she really believed happened in China in 2019 and how the virus escaped from the shutdown and quaran ned city of Wuhan in China.

Besides books, there were also plenty of commentaries, opinions, and public interviews about the origins of COVID-19.

One of the biggest conspiracy scares came out via public interviews on how humans, through mandatory vaccine distribu on, will be microchipped, which scared people into believing they would be controlled by dominant corpora ons (like Microso ) and the individuals who lead them.

The person who inadvertently launched this scare was Bill Gates, the founder of Microso Corpora on and its former CEO. When he made his blanket statement, he was in a relaxed environment and just shared his thoughts on the future of mass vaccine distribu on by way of microchipping distributed by liquid medica on injected into the human body. Unfortunately, the comment was taken very seriously by a very scared popula on as COVID-19 quickly spread around the US

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.

and the globe, where it quickly escalated to the status of a global pandemic.

Bill Gates's statement was taken further by the celebrity known as “Charlemagne The God” (CTG) from his NYC radio broadcast show called “The Breakfast Club” broadcast on Power 105.1 FM. CTG took Bill Gates’ comment on the future of vaccina on to the next level. He restated it as the way the government, in collabora on with Bill Gates and his Bill and Melinda Gates Founda on, would microchip everyone through the mass distribu on of the mandatory COVID19 vaccina on.

The next take-off point that escalated Bill Gates’s conspiracy even further was a listener of The Breakfast Club who was listening to CTG’s discussion about microchipping humans via mass vaccina ons. Pastor Fannin, a Chicago preacher associated with the New Independent Fundamental Bap st movement, took the statement further by sta ng that the microchips belonged to “The Beast” making a reference to the bible’s Book of Revela ons 3:16.

Bill Gates’ ini al statement had now escalated to such a degree that Bill, himself, a empted to address the conspiracy theory on a talk show in 2022. He stated that he was merely proffering a fact about the near and upcoming future and that by no means was he advoca ng for nor did he ever microchip humans by way of vaccina ons. The future indeed. At that me, in 2020 and 2022, bioengineering technology did not exist for microchipping humans through vaccina ons.

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[ HEALTH ]

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[ TECH ] However, fast forward to the present where microchipping through vaccine technology is now possible.

There are two scien fic methods of producing and providing the microchip for vaccines. One is through the development of CRISPR developed by Dr. Jennifer Doudna whose work is featured in a book The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Edi ng and The Future of The Human Race wri en by famed author Walter Isaacson. The book describes how Dr. Doudna was able to crack the DNA code and how she mapped the complete human genome.

She was also able to develop CRISPR, which is a highly advanced biological edi ng tool. It can manipulate human DNA and DNA’s close cousin RNA. CRISPR has been credited with assis ng scien sts and medical researchers in developing a COVID-19 vaccine to stop the global pandemic. First, let’s define some terms concerning genes and gene edi ng.

• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): The gene c material found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. DNA is self-replica ve and new DNA is produced during DNA replica on. Genes are specific nucleo de sequences on the DNA strand.

Mitchell’s work and produce them inside chips made from silicon and glass. Signals are now able to go through the biological microfluidic chip by way of ones and zeros the same way they do in a computer processor. It produces an output signal where the SCALAR microchip precisely controls two key biological reagents of lipids and RNA to generate lipid nanopar cles (LNPS). The microfluidic biological chips are cleaned with high heat and solvents which they can withstand the cleaning process. Which makes them safely reusable for repeated use in mass vaccina ons and distribu on.

So, there was not any microchipping during the vaccina on mass distribu on event as rumored during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was research being performed at the me that can inevitably become a mass chipping (tagging) event of the future.

However, un l then, your mobile devices will be your tagged device monitoring your every move and financial transacons. Therefore, enjoy the freedoms you have now before any of these conspiracy theories become the reality of the future. Un l then you are safe! ●

• mRNA (Messenger RNA): It is produced by the transcrip on of genes. mRNA carries gene c informa on from DNA to ribosomes during protein synthesis.

The main difference between DNA and mRNA is that DNA is the major biomolecule responsible for the con nuity of life whereas mRNA is responsible for protein synthesis. Protein synthesis is the process in which polypep de chains are formed from coded DNA combina ons of single amino acids inside of a cell. A polypep de is a chain of more than twenty and less than fi y amino acids bound together.

The other bioengineering technology feature was invented by Dr. Michael Mitchell, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Mitchell developed the SCALAR program pla orm wherein bioengineering science (biotech) is based on Silicon Scalable Lipid Nanopar cle Genera on. Lipids are molecules that contain hydrocarbons and make up the building blocks of the structure and func on of living cells. Examples of lipids include fats, oils, waxes, certain vitamins (such as A, D, E, and K), hormones, and most of the cell membranesare not made up of protein.

Dr. Michael further developed the technology in his lab at the university. A subsequent research professor, Dr. Sarah Shepard, who followed his work on the scien fic pla orm, developed a microfluidic chip pla orm which is like a computer microchip.

However, it func ons biologically rather than digitally.

Dr. Shepard was able to take the bio nanopar cles from Dr. CODE M / MARCH 2025 65

MUSIC

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[ MUSIC ]

Music legends Marc Gordon, Joe Li le III and Dave Tolliver, come together to pay tribute to Gerald Levert with their new concert tour, The LeVert Experience.

By Bolling Smith

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[ LIFE ]

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[ MUSIC ]

I

f you ever yearn for a day when music returns to amazing lyrics, surrounded by incredible melodies all sung by people with real talent, you are not alone. Modern music lacks soul and purpose and quite o en is forge able. But coming to a city near you is a blast from the past, thrilling audiences with the sweet sounds that helped define a genera on.

The Levert Experience comprises the music trio of Marc Gordon, Dave Tolliver, and Joe Li le III. The group came together to pay homage to the great Gerald Levert. Levert dominated the charts with his music back in the ‘80s and ’90s. Gordon is one of the original members of LeVert, Li le is a member of the Rude Boys, and Tolliver is with the group Men at Large. All of them hail from the Gerald Levert tree of music.

Levert was the son of Eddie Levert, lead singer of the R&B/soul vocal group the O’Jays. He released nine solo albums, six as a member of LeVert, two with his father, and two as a member of LSG. Levert was also credited with the discovery of R&B groups the Rude Boys, Men at Large, and One of the Girls. Levert was also part of the R&B groups Black Men United and LSG. The idea of pu ng the trio together came from the music manager Al Nolen and AB Walker. The managers had been trying to get them to perform on the Tom Joyner Cruise but could never put anything together. They finally were able to perform on the cruise in 2024 and the tour was born.

portunity to rediscover great music.

“We are having a ball with the response from everyone who comes to see the show and we really appreciate the chance to do this at a high level,” Li le said.

And they are. The LeVert Experience is touring around the country and is filling dates as the summer nears.

“It’s such a beau ful thing to be able to perform with these brothers because we all come from the same place,” Gordon said.

That place is Cleveland, Ohio where they are all from and began their music careers. The fact that they all got their start under Gerald Levert makes The LeVert Experience even more special.

“We s ll hear those great songs from me to me on the radio, but it feels really good to bring them back in front of live audiences,” Li le said.

When you see The LeVert Experience, you’ll have a chance to hear songs from all the groups. Most of the show is comprised of songs from the group LeVert, but there are also songs like “So Alone,” originally from Men At Large.

“Wri en All Over Your Face,” originally from the Rude Boys, and finally music from the group LeVert.

“This all came together a er we were asked to perform on a Tom Joyner Cruise,” Dave Tolliver said. “A er that, the phone started to ring, and we have been going strong ever since.”

“The ming for this could not have been be er,” Tolliver said. “We know we have something special going and we’re blessed to s ll be in a posi on to be able to perform.”

The trio all take turns singing some of their own music and songs

by Gerald Levert. The mission of the tour is to keep the music alive and to pay tribute to the legend of Levert.

And perform as they do. If you’re looking for an enjoyable me, great music, and an awesome show, be sure to look out for The LeVert Experience coming to your town soon. ●

“Because of how the songs speak to the public and individuals, it feels like everything is coming back full circle,” Gordon said. “The ‘80s and ‘90s were such a fun period of life and we get the chance to bring that joy back to our audiences.”

Performing meless music also allows today’s genera on of listeners the op-

Joe Li le III, Marc Gordon, and Dave Tolliver are currently on tour as The LeVert Experience.

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FASHION

NATURAL

HAIR THAT GLOWS The debate on Black women wearing their natural hair is gaining a en on. We celebrate those who wear it real and with class.

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/

Elegance is always the choice when class and elegance are the look.

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 ]

Adding color to your look completes the mission of combining hair and fashion.

Photo—Sylven Lamar

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[ MUSIC ]

Twin Hector

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[ FASHION ]

[ FASHION ]

There is nothing be er than the accent of amazing hair and the accessories to match.

Photo—Sylven Lamar

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[ FASHION ]

68 MARCH 2025 / CODE M

[ FASHION ]

Queens glow with a simple, cute, calm, and sophis cated look.

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[ FASHION ]

Hair compliments this mood and this moods says glamour all day.

Photo—Sylven Lamar

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[ MUSIC ]

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

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