CODE M MAGAZINE 2025 MAY WOMEN'S ISSUE

HOW MEN PICK WIVES TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN

TENORA

WITH

GIRL POWER

PLAYING FROM THE LADIES TEES

EDWARDS CODE M

CELEBRATES

15

FEMALE ACHIEVERS

WHO ARE MAKING A

DIFFERENCE SUBSCRIBE HERE

+ TAKE THE ATTACHMENT STYLE QUIZ MAY 2025 WOMEN’S ISSUE

[ LIFE ]

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[ HEALTH ]

!

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[ CLE ]

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[ BUSINESS ]

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INSIDE

49

THE CODE M BEAUTY

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

ON THE COVER

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GIRL POWER WITH TENORA EDWARDS

is set to host it’s na onal conven on in Cleveland this summer. For President, Marsha Mockabee, this is just the beginning of many things to come.

Tenora Edwards’s Pink 20 CODE M CELEBRATES 10 FEMALE and Black Honors has ACHIEVERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE become the premiere CODE M was born to showcase and event of the summer in Cleveland, Ohio highlight Black people who are making taking her girl power to new levels. a difference for their businesses, community, and their families. We are 14 MOVERS AND SHAKERS proud to celebrate these women this Get to know people who are making a month and we encourage you to do the difference in their careers and changing same thing. the world!

36 A TAKE THE ATTACHMENT STYLE 17 MAN CODES QUIZ Black girl magic.

18 THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER CLEVELAND

All rela onships incorporate some type of a achment style, which can be posi ve or nega ve. What is yours?

42 THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER The Cleveland Metroparks offers some of the best a rac ons in Cleveland, Ohio.

Whether you want fun and excitement or a simple walk along the water, there is something for everyone.

58 HOW MEN PICK WIVES

As the da ng pools fill with an evergrowing popula on of a rac ve prospects, fewer and less people are ge ng married.

If things are going to change, women need to be er understand how men pick wives.

54 PLAYING FROM THE LADIES TEES Women all over are discovering a love for the game of golf. Karen Anderson loves it so much; she decided to create her own women’s league to promote the sport and sisterhood.

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[ INSIDE ]

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DOING IT FOR THE COMMUNITY

Anita Lane is improving lives through health ini aves at the UH Community Wellness Center that builds trust, promotes educa on, and expands access to care.

69 PAINTING BRIDGES INTO 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.

78 EVERY LIFE IS PRECIOUS Sex trafficking con nues to be a huge problem for Northeast Ohio.

However, Nicole McKinney-Johnson and the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has a plan to save and protect as many people as possible.

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

84 LIVE THE LIFE YOU LOVE For Evelyn “Champagne” King, it’s all about the music and expressing your Soul.

90 RISING STAR LARICIA SHINES BRIGHT The soul of music is reborn when Laricia comes to the mic with her sultry voice and lyrics blending the feel of 80’s musical tones with todays beats.

92 WHEN CONFIDENCE AND FASHION MEET There is something that happens when you feel good in your own skin. Your fashions bloom in a way that only a woman with confidence and charisma can do.

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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 Lane 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 Donna Heath Randall Sylvertooth LaRese Purnell Juan Toney

GRAPHIC DESIGN S ff Arm Media MEDIA COORDINATOR

CODE MEDIA GROUP LLC

Carole Anthony

STAFF Sharif Akram

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Darrell Sco

To the PUBLISHER Ladonna “Lala” Dicks

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

Code M Magazine is published

by CODE MEDIA GROUP, LLC © 2025 All Rights Reserved

[ TRAVEL ]

CODE M / APRIL2025 9

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

MOVERS &

SHAKERS

by Paris Lampkins

JAMES MYERS James Myers is a re red UPS Manager with 34 years of dis nguished service. He most recently served as Division Manager of the Middleburg Heights Hub, the largest UPS opera on in Northeast Ohio. His career with UPS began in 1985 and included four reloca ons before ul mately se ling in Strongsville, Ohio.

A graduate of the University of Cincinna , James has remained professionally ac ve. He has worked as a manager for a major airline and currently holds an NMLS license, serving as a Mortgage Loan Origina-

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tor.

James is the former Board Chairman of the Greater Urban League of Cleveland, Ohio, where he remains ac vely involved. He is also a strong supporter of United Way and a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In his spare me, James is an avid golfer, a supporter of all Cleveland sports teams, and enjoys fine dining and traveling. He has one daughter who resides in Columbus, Ohio.

[ MOVERS & SHAKERS ]

ERIUS WATSON, MBA A vice president with over 10 years of experience in the community engagement. She has a proven track record of success in developing and execu ng economic development strategies that improve the overall well-being of a community by fostering economic growth and crea ng opportuni es for residents. With exper se in business development, communica on, and rela onship building, she consistently delivers measurable results.

Her passion for leveraging data to inform strategic decisions has led to significant success. As the current economic development chair for NAACP cleveland branch and ac ve board member of Elite Youth Enrollment, Erius has a passion for helping the community.

ERIC M. DOUGLAS Eric M. Douglas is an experienced and dedicated Family Support Specialist in Cleveland, Ohio. A Bedford na ve, he earned his BA in Communica ons from the University of Toledo and M.Ed. from Grand Canyon University. Eric is a passionate educator who fosters a posi ve and inclusive learning environment that encourages academic growth and personal development for students of all backgrounds.

Throughout his career, Eric has demonstrated a commitment to differen ated instruc on, inquiry-based learning, and collabora ve teaching. He is best known for his infec ous commitment to promo ng and advoca ng humanitarianism. He is an ac ve member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc. Outside of the classroom, Eric enjoys being a DJ known as DJ Furious Styles, where he curates memorable experiences while crea ng musical crea vity and innova on.

NATASHA HILL Natasha Hill, Code Magazine's May 2025 "Beauty of the month" She's not just a beauty, she has brains too. Natasha is the owner & operator of 31tasha Event & Management Co. Also the creator & voice behind the brand "Freedom of Speak". Natasha is a woman of many talents & wears many hats. She's an entrepreneur, a LPN graduate, the C.O.O of Mr. Group homes & The Group home Millionaires brand. A fitness influencer, a mother of three & deemed as a "Socialite" amongst her peers.

Natasha is all things business & much like the ABC sitcom character Olivia Pope, Natasha also has a reputa on for ge ng things "handled"! With over 20 years of experience in business administra on, management, health care, customer service, events, hos ng, planning & marke ng, Natasha has a passion for people & a heart to serve. She takes pride in the quality of service she provides and her ability to get things done.

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START

Nina Simone

WOMAN

CODES:

BLACK GIRL MAGIC

"I was built this way for a reason, so I’m going to use it."

- Simone Biles

"You've got to learn to leave the table when love's no longer being served." - Nina Simone “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”– Rosa Parks "Even if it makes others uncomfortable, I will love who I am.”

- Janelle Monáe “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preserva on, and that is an act of poli cal warfare.” - Audre Lorde "You are your best thing." - Toni Morrison

Compiled by Bilal S. Akram

that I am enough, that I am worthy of love without effort, that I am beau ful, that the texture of my hair and that the shape of my curves, the size of my lips, the color of my skin, and the feelings that I have are all worthy and okay." - Tracee Ellis Ross "If we give our children sound self-love, they will be able to deal with whatever life puts before them." - bell hooks “I am red of being red. I am done with being done.”

– Viola Davis “We have so much coming in as sisters, when is our interior life ever put at the forefront? We constantly want to give to other people ... Too much of not caring for yourself is not a good thing. We’re bad at that as achievers. Self-care is a priority and we have to do it more.” - Ava DuVernay

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THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER CLEVELAND Larry and Regina Lane.

E

stablished in 1917, the Urban League of Greater Cleveland (ULGC) began as an ini a ve focused on mi ga ng the issues of housing discrimina on, employment, and educa on for Black families migra ng from the South. Over its 108-year history, that ini al imperave has expanded to include school desegrega on, job skill development, voter registra on, advoca ng for opportuni es, and business and economic development.

Over its storied history, the ULGC has become the preeminent empowerment organiza on for African Americans in the greater Cleveland area to strive for and achieve their full poten al. It has gained prominence not just locally but na onally through the effecveness and results-based programs it has launched and promoted in its mission to serve underrepresented and underserved communi es of color.

Behind the scenes, the ULGC’s more recent trajectory has been led

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The Urban League of Greater Cleveland is set to host it’s na onal conven on in Cleveland this summer. For President, Marsha Mockabee, this is just the beginning of many things to come.

By David Christel

by the strength, heart, love, and vision of its president and CEO, Marsha A. Mockabee, since 2011. Marsha first arrived at the Urban League in 1991 when she was codirector of a youth program, Career Beginnings. Housed at Case Western Reserve University, it was transferred to the ULGC. At that me, the incoming CEO was looking to revitalize the organiza on by bringing on programs that had a sound track record, were opera onal, and had support.

The program Marsha was involved with fit the bill. She then began as the Educa on and Youth Development director before becoming the interim director of the ULGC in 2009.

Before that, Marsha spent seventeen years in the corporate world, but eventually realized that her heart and soul weren’t being nourished and that she was in an en-

Anth se n comm

[ START ] vironment she wasn’t designed for. The non-profit sector called to her, and the ULGC has been her sole focus.

When she first joined the Urban League Movement, female CEOs were a smaller percentage of the leadership. Today, the ra o is closer to a 55-45 percent balance. As Marsha says, the me proved providen al. “It was mission over money, for me. I dreamt of being in a job where I knew I had a divine calling and received a divine assignment. Joining the ULGC, I found the perfect career, aligned with my life’s mission.”

Marsha discovered that many of her UL colleagues were similarly aligned, fully commi ed to the ULGC movement. Now she knew her heart could lead in concert with her skill set and business approach.

“I realized that I had been uniquely gi ed to be a servant leader through my love for people and passion to champion the underrepresented. My corporate experience didn’t allow me to freely exhibit those types of inherent gi s.”

Marsha a ributes her divine mission to the source of her spiritual founda on, which has served her well throughout her career and her decision-making process. “Becoming CEO of the Urban League was never my goal. It wasn’t even on my career path. It wasn’t un l our affiliate was on life support that I was asked to run the Urban League as the interim director because of the money that I had been in the posi on to raise, and the rela onships that I’d been blessed to develop in the me that I’d been in the number two posi on in the organiza on.”

And the organiza on has done very well during her tenure. But there were mes of doubt, especially when she stepped in as CEO, especially in the beginning. She asked: “Okay, Lord, what? How am I to help turn things around?”

What she received was, “I’m going to turn it around in a way that it will be clear that nobody did it but Me.” Marsha responded with, “Well, then, why do you need me?” And He said, “There are three reasons.

One is that I know you’ll be obedient and do what I tell you to do. Number two, even when you don’t see me working, you’ll s ll trust that I am with you. Third, your ego is small enough that you will give me the glory.” Mic drop!

And that has been Marsha’s core impera ve ever since. She doesn’t take her privilege as CEO lightly, sta ng that it’s a big responsibility that’s backed by ac ons and words. She’s fully aware that she’s not always hit the mark, but the Lord is developing her as an ongoing process. “I’m glad He’s not done with me yet. I try to remain open and flexible, to con nue growing. I’m not yet all that I want to be, but thankful I’m not what I used to be.”

Stay tuned for the next segment appearing in the June issue. ●

CLE

hony Brown in various ngs throughout the munity.

STRONG Members of the Urban League team at an event.

The album cover Cash from Roberson and his group.

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CODE M

CELEBRATES

15

FEMALE ACHIEVERS

WHO ARE MAKING A

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

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DIANA M. FENNELL MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES Elected in 2015 to the Maryland State House of Delegates – District 47A, Prince George’s County Maryland – In 2017 appointed to the Economic Ma ers Commi ee, served on the Ways and Means Commi ee from 2015-2017; served as 2nd Vice Chair of the Prince George’s County Delega on in 2018; served as Vice Chair of the Prince George’s County Affairs Subcommi ee; served as Secretary for the Legisla ve Black Caucus of the Maryland 2014-2015; a member the Women’s Caucus and a member of the La no Caucus.

Bestowed the honors of a Doctorate Degree in Humane Le ers in April 2017. Re-elected to the House of Delegates in 2018 for a second term. In 2019, reappointed Assistant Speaker Pro Tem to the Speaker of the House; serves on the Economic Ma ers Commi ee (serving on the Banking and Finance and the Insurance and Casualty Sub-commi ees); and is the Chair of the Prince George’s County Affairs Sub-commi ee.

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GWENDOLYN L. KIRTLEY AKA GREAT LAKES REGIONAL DIRECTOR Excitement is in the air! Gwendolyn L. Kirtley has been officially re- installed as the Great Lakes Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® at the 71st Boule in Dallas, Texas! Under the visionary leadership of Dane e Anthony Reed, Interna onal President & CEO, Gwendolyn leads with purpose, power, and passion!

She now guides over 7,000 phenomenal, service-driven members across Michigan, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, Western New York and West Virginia united under her bold vision: “Greater Together” in Service and Sisterhood. Ini ated in 1981 as a charter member of Nu Upsilon Chapter at Capital University, Gwendolyn brings over 40 years of dedicated service. A proud 25- year member and Life Member, she’s held countless leadership roles-from President of Alpha Omega Chapter to Chairwoman of the Alpha Omega Founda on, Incorporated®. Her regional and Interna onal impact is unmatched, having served as Cluster Coordinator, Protocol Chair, and Co-chair of the 87th Regional Conference. As part of the Leadership Development Commi ee, she helped cer fy hundreds of members through dynamic training and nearly 100 workshops! She is a recipient of numerous awards and accolades, notably the Great Lakes Region Margaret Davis Bowen Graduate President Award and the Pamela L. Redden Outstanding Silver Star Award, and most recently, Alpha Omeg Founda on’s Outstanding Leadership Award.

VEDA CAREY LEAD STAGE MANAGER Veda Carey is a proud na ve New Yorker with more than 25 years of experience in television produc on. Her career spans some of the industry’s most high-profile programs, from day me talk shows to live sports broadcasts — all guided by her signature blend of precision, poise, and heart.

An Emmy-nominated stage manager, Veda currently serves as the Lead Stage Manager for The Drew Barrymore Show. Her leadership has also been integral to produc ons such as CBS Mornings, The NFL Today, College Football Today, College Basketball — including The Road to the Final Four — and Nickelodeon’s NFL Slime me, where she brings her steady hand and contagious posi vity to the fast-paced world of live television.

In her role, Veda is o en the bridge between celebrity guests, on-air talent, and produc on crews, ensuring everyone is camera-ready, properly posi oned, and prepared to shine. Whether it’s coordina ng with execuves, managing talent on a ght meline, or adap ng to last-minute changes, she approaches every challenge with grace and a li le bit of humor. As she’s known to say: “I may boss you around, but I always do it with love.”

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PETULA C. BURKS CIVIC ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST Petula C. Burks is a na onally recognized communica ons powerhouse, civic engagement strategist, and crisis management expert with more than 30 years of experience transforming how organiza ons speak, connect, and lead. Whether naviga ng the frontlines of local government, managing high-stakes media moments, or building community-centered ini a ves from the ground up, Petula is the trusted voice leaders turn to when clarity and credibility are non-nego able.

Known as "the fixer," Petula has led public rela ons and communica on efforts for ci es, agencies, and organiza ons across the country—building narra ves that change percep ons, spark partnerships, and move policy forward. Her resume includes senior roles with the City of Richmond, VA, the Washington State Department of Health, the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, and the City of Miami Gardens, where she managed million-dollar budgets, launched na onal campaigns, and created groundbreaking engagement pla orms that con nue to shape public discourse.

ANNETTE BLACKWELL MAYOR, CITY OF MAPLE HEIGHTS In 2016, Mayor Blackwell was sworn in as the City of Maple Heights' first female and first African-American mayor in the City’s 100-year history.

Her professional background includes employment in banking, healthcare, and property tax consul ng.

Mayor Blackwell serves on several boards throughout the community. Some of these include Global Cleveland, Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordina ng Agency (NOACA), the President of the Mayors Associa on of Ohio, and the Regional Income Tax Agency.

Mayor Blackwell has been bestowed with many awards and honors which include the Honorable Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s Leadership Award, Kindland Community Leaders of the Year Award, Cleveland Magazine’s Most Interes ng People, Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio Women of Dis nc on Honoree, the Norman Krumholz Equity Award, Ursuline College’s Sister Diana Stano Leadership Award, and Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School Hall of Fame Award.

Mayor Anne e Blackwell completed her educa on at Indiana Wesleyan University and Ursuline College.

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EVANGELINE LAWSON PHOTOGRAPHER Evangeline Lawson is a mul -talented photographer, writer, and filmmaker commi ed to crea ng and telling culture-preserving stories. She is the guest photographer for African Voices’ massive explora on, in print and digital, of hip-hop culture, “Hip-hop at 50: Where Do We Go From Here?” Evangeline’s photography also appears on both the poetry book and spoken word poetry album covers of Kevin Powell’s Grocery Shopping With My Mother, and throughout the documentary film When We Free The World, a medita on on Black manhood and Black fatherhood in America, of which Evangeline is also co-producer and co-writer.

Her wri ngs have appeared in The Washington Post and The Guardian, among other publica ons. A na ve of America’s West Coast, she currently lives between Southern California and Brooklyn, New York. You can see more of Evangeline’s photography, and her wri ngs, too, at www.evangelinelawson.net

DEEANN CAMP CASE MANAGER DeeAnn Camp was born in Cincinna , Ohio. She earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Tennessee State University and her Master's in Educa on with a concentra on in Agency and Community Counseling from Xavier University. Ms. Camp began her career as a case manager in a homeless shelter for women and children, igni ng her passion for helping those with limited resources. She served as Director of Head Start at Cincinna Union Bethel for 11 years and worked as the Women’s Halfway House Manager at Talbert House. With experience in child welfare and various leadership roles in the nonprofit sector, she currently holds the posi on of Director of Opera ons at First Step Home, a behavioral health treatment facility for women and women with children diagnosed with substance use disorders.

“My lifelong passion has been suppor ng women, children, and individuals who have experienced trauma.

Their journey does not have to end with their struggles. The women who come to First Step Home demonstrate immense courage by confron ng their challenges, and every day, we strive to show them that there is hope and life beyond addic on for both themselves and their children.”

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PARIS LAMPKINS SENIOR MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT, PRADCO Paris Lampkins is a Senior Management Consultant at PRADCO, where she brings over 15 years of experience in workforce development, leadership consul ng, execuve coaching, and organiza onal strategy. She has advised C-suite leaders and senior stakeholders across sectors, helping them build high-performing teams, lead with clarity, and foster cultures rooted in equity and results.

Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to inclusion, cultural intelligence, and access. Known for her transparent and collabora ve approach, Paris designs and facilitates leadership programs that move people and systems forward. She specializes in helping organiza ons grow their people with purpose, develop more culturally responsive leaders, and confidently navigate complexity.

Paris is the founder and chair of BPACF’s 40 Under 40: Emerging Legends Salute and serves on the Teach For America Ohio board. She also serves on staff at CODE M Magazine, leading the Movers and Shakers column. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the NAACP, Paris con nues to lead with inten on across sectors and communi es.

JUDGE ALISON L. FLOYD JUVENILE DIVISION OF THE COMMON PLEAS COURT Judge Alison L. Floyd is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law (1988) and is serving her fi h term to the Juvenile Division of the Common Pleas Court for Cuyahoga County Ohio.

She is a member of the Commission on Rules of Prac ce and Procedure for the Ohio Supreme Court, and serves as Chair of the Juvenile Rules Subcommi ee. Judge Floyd is a past President of the Ohio Associa on of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the Norman S. Minor Bar Associa on of Cleveland, Ohio.

Judge Floyd served on the Board of Directors for Mur s Taylor Health Services System from 2016 to 2022, serving as Vice Chair to the Board of Directors from 2017-2021. She served as a Trustee to the Phillis Wheatley Associa on and was twice awarded the Jane Edna Hunter Award for outstanding service on the board.

Judge Floyd was listed in the Who’s Who in Black Cleveland, 2004-05 and 2024 edi ons. She has been recognized by the Black Women’s Poli cal Ac on Commi ee, Phi Delta Psi Fraternity for her passion in her field of work, the SCLC Community Covenant Oversight Team for making a difference in the lives of juveniles.

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DANNETTE A. RENDER PRESIDENT, CEO AND FOUNDER OF DAR PUBLIC RELATIONS, INC. Danne e A. Render, President, CEO, and Founder of DAR Public Rela ons, Inc., has dis nguished herself as a marke ng and public rela ons trailblazer over 41 years. As an accomplished entrepreneur, she leads her agency in delivering award-winning high-profile campaigns for local, na onal, and interna onal clients. Her extensive experience enables her to provide expert counsel and achieve impac ul results. Render is highly regarded by her clients, who trust her and her team's exper se.

She is o en described as a "marke ng powerhouse" who excels at crea ng focused and tailored client solu ons. Her strengths include serving as a trusted advisor, demonstra ng excellent strategic planning, and func oning as a commi ed collaborator. She is also recognized as a strong and respected leader, media savvy, an excellent nego ator, an effec ve influencer, and an event planner extraordinaire.

Render’s commitment to community service is demonstrated through her ac ve involvement in various organiza ons. Currently, she serves as the Ohio University Ebony Bobcat Network (EBN) Na onal Board and Local Affiliate Event Chair, and is ac ve in the Top Ladies of Dis nc on (Greater Cleveland Chapter) and the Professional Networking Group (PNG).

MARLENE HARRIS-TAYLOR DIRECTOR OF ENGAGED JOURNALISM As the director of engaged journalism, Marlene currently directs communityfocused news coverage for Ideastream Public Media, the NPR/PBS affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio. In this role,e she helps to iden fy issues of importance to various communi es across Northeast Ohio, including under-resourced communi es, and leads journalism ini a ves that address opportuni es iden fied in and by those communi es.

She also contributes to the overall editorial direc on of Ideastream Public Media by managing a team of reporters and editors who inform the public about major health issues.

She also manages the Connec ng the Dots between Race and Health project, which birthed the Webby award-winning Living for We podcast.

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[ HEALTH ]

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[ COVER ]

DEBORAH JOHNSON AUTHOR AND INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER Deborah Johnson, known as “Absolutely DJ,” is an accomplished educator, author, inspira onal speaker, and storyteller. Through her “DJ Write from the Heart” pla orm, she champions the power of handwri en le ers to foster connec on, healing, and legacy.

A dedicated community advocate, Deborah co-founded and leads the Jay Richardson Founda on and co-founded the Football Parents Associa on at Ohio State. She has held key roles with the Professional Football Players’ Mothers Associa on. She has served on numerous boards, including the OSU Parents Advisory Council, OSU Sports Medicine Ins tute Philanthropic Advisory Board, Ohio Dominican University’s Village to Child Program, and the Na onal Alliance of Youth Sports. In 2023, she was honored by the Dublin Women’s Philanthropic Group.

Her work has been na onally recognized—she was the 2011 NFL “SpokesMom” for Campbell’s “Address Your Heart” campaign, winner of Dr. Oz’s NFL Moms Ul mate Health Challenge, and featured on ABC’s The Talk As a mo va onal speaker, she earned “Most Inspired Speaker” from the Monster Diversity Leadership Program and has served as a columnist, podcast host (Write from the Heart), and co-host on News in Mo on and Game Ready Mom.

STEPHCYNIE MUSIC ARTIST Stephcynie is a Billboard-featured ar st whose music has been featured on Ne lix television. She combines her smoky tone, soulful vibrato, technical prowess and jazz training to deliver raw, vulnerable, authen c sounds. Influenced by Sarah Vaughn, John Mayer, Israel Houghton, and Jill Sco , she is a storyteller whose love of songwri ng began at age nine.

Stephcynie’s life changed forever when her father suffered a trauma c brain injury in a car crash. Watching her mother persevere through hardship taught her to transform struggle into strength. Now, she turns pain into lyrical gold—cra ing songs of empowerment, love, and redemp on.

She con nues to build her own career as a solo ar st, with 2 EP’s and several singles, while lending her vocals to 10- me Grammy Nominee Eric Church, legendary Grammy and Oscar Award winner Christopher Cross, and featured performances with Wynonna Judd, Maren Morris, Vince Gill, John Oates, The CMA’s and more. Her resiliency, determina on and talent are why she is an in-demand vocalist with a solid, bankable founda on on the music scene. Her sound ar ully incorporates classic influences into a modern, genre-defying musical hybrid. Her genre-melding style offers a refreshing musical perspec ve. Whether conveying hear elt emo on or upli ing spirituality, her vocal versa lity stands out.

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[ HEALTH ]

Vaccina ons can also cause sickness based on the subject ge ng a small dose of the live virus.

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[ POLITICS ]

REV. DR. SUSAN K. SMITH MINISTER, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Rev. Dr. Susan K Smith is a writer, musician, and ordained minister in the United Church of Christ who is currently the Director of the Office of Clergy and Leadership Resource Development for the Samuel DeWi Proctor Conference, Inc. A graduate of Occidental College, Dr. Smith earned her M.Div. at Yale Divinity School and her D. Min at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. While at Yale, she was the first African American woman to serve as president of the student body and won the pres gious Wolco Preaching Prize.

Following gradua on from Yale, she served as an associate minister at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, under the mentorship of the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr, who was the pastor of Trinity at that me.

She served as the pastor of Advent United Church of Christ in Columbus, Ohio, for 22 years before resigning that posi on to form a non-profit, Crazy Faith Ministries in 2013. She leads the organiza on in her understanding that the church is not “where you go,” but “what you do.”

CONSTANCE HILL-LANE OWNER, VISITING ANGLES LIVING ASSISTANCE SERVICES Constance Hill-Lane (Connie) is the Owner and Managing Director of Visi ng Angels Living Assistance Services in Cleveland, Ohio. Visi ng Angels is an in-home service provider assis ng the elderly and older adults to live as independently as possible by remaining safely in their own familiar home environment.

Now a seasoned entrepreneur, Connie started her business in 2002 and has successfully served hundreds of seniors throughout the greater Cleveland area and surrounding communi es. She spent many years working in both the financial services and healthcare arenas. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University and the University of Southern California, Connie is regarded as both a dynamic mo va onal leader and speaker who shares with audiences her entrepreneurial journey owning a homecare agency and as an adult caregiver caring for her mother with demen a. She spends me coaching and encouraging women to move forward with their hopes and dreams, sharing her experiences, good and bad, while reminding them that no me is the perfect me.

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

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ROMANCE

TAKE THE ATTACHMNENT STYLE QUIZ All rela onships incorporate some type of a achment style, which can be posi ve or nega ve. What is yours?

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

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[ LIFE ]

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E

very human being navigates a wide spectrum of relaonships, and each has some level of dynamics at work in it. Depending on the type of rela onship one is in — from family to partner to work, groups and affilia ons, sports, religion, with pets, etc., varying degrees of in macy, friendship, love, fric on, and even hate will undergird a person’s ability to establish a rewarding and enriching rela onship. Or maybe no rela onship at all.

Having said that, human beings enter into rela onships bringing with them an array of values and beliefs, wants and needs, issues, hangups, fears, insecuri es, egoic needs, aberra ons, perspec ves, and possibly mental disorders. Needless to say, rela onships are fraught with uncertain es and unknowns, which can make being in a rela onship unse ling, off-pu ng, scary, and even dangerous.

An integral component in any rela onship is termed “A achment,” which informs and impacts the dynamics of any rela onship.

A achment begins the moment we’re born and develops first with our parents, then with the family as a whole. That then expands to include extended family members, neighbors, school, community members, our pets, etc.

A achment theory is based on the 1950s work of John Bowlby, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. He posited that the rela onship we have with our parents, or caregivers, shapes the way we perceive, act in, and gravitate toward rela onships. As babies, we seek comfort and security from those we’re dependent on, our parents. The ini al trust or distrust created throughout that forma ve me will influence future rela onships.

But, as we grow older, our life experiences can also have an effect on our a achment style, causing us to modify, switch, or dispense with the par cular a achment style. Experiences that can create this kind of shi range from trauma c to ecsta c.

around others (including people they’ve just met), and easy to get along with even at work. They tend to have deep, meaningful, and long-las ng rela onships.

In order for babies and young children to develop a posi ve a achment with their parents, they need to feel safe, seen and acknowledged, valued, supported, and receive comfort and soothing reassurance.

Adults with this a achment style tend to have a posi ve view of themselves and others, as well as of their childhood.

Anxious (preoccupied) – a person with this a achment style craves rela onships, in macy, and love. Fearing being alone, they find being single difficult, so they love to date a lot in order to receive recogni on and a en on. They also tend to flirt a good deal and behave seduc vely, but when the casual rela onship turns into a bona fide rela onship, the individual becomes fearful of being rejected by their partner, which turns into jealousy and results in stress and anxiety.

Researchers have found that young children who exhibit this a achment style have been ignored or dealt with dismissively when communica ng with their parents and have also had inconsistent paren ng. Conversely, a child whose caregivers are constantly interfering or overprotec ve can result in the child becoming confused about their rela onship with their parent.

Some mes, parents or caregivers are seeking emo onal and physical closeness with their child in order to sa sfy their own needs, rather than the needs of the child. This

Whatever type of a achment style a person has in a rela onship, it’s going to be a part of their rela onship, quite possibly for life.

Determining what a achment style they’re using — whether consciously or not — involves some introspec on and perhaps taking an a achment style quiz (there are a number of such online quizzes available).

To begin with, let’s cover the four primary a achment styles, which include Secure, and three types of insecure: Anxious (preoccupied), Avoidant (dismissive), and Disorganized (fearful-avoidant).

Secure – people exhibi ng this style are self-confident, comfortable

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

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[ ROMANCE ] can be described as “hungering” for the love that was missing from their own childhood. The parent may also be trying to be “perfect” in order to manage their child’s percep on of them as a parent.

Children exhibi ng this a achment style tend to suffer from low self-esteem and are anxious about their own worth in a rela onship. If the child is feeling rejected or ignored by the parent, they o en blame themselves, believe they’re not worthy to receive love, and are not good enough.

As an adult with this a achment style, their fear of abandonment will o en result in intense jealousy and becoming highly suspiciousness of their partner. The resultant fear of rejec on can cause the adult to become desperate, clingy, and overly preoccupied with their rela onship. The rela onship is then considered either life-saving or life-threatening.

Avoidant (dismissive) – a child develops this a achment style when their parent(s) are strict, emo onally distant, intolerant of expressing any emo ons, and require the child to be independent, tough, and emo onally reserved. In this situa on, the parent is present, but not neglec ul, just emo onally distant and unavailable, and unwilling to offer support, reassurance, and affecon. If the child’s emo onal needs intensify, the parent may completely shut down or leave.

Adults with this a achment style o en appear very social, easygoing, confident, and in control. In reality, when a rela onship becomes too serious, they will o en withdraw and even ra onalize why they should end their rela onship. Their belief is that emo onal closeness and in macy are unneeded, unpredictable,

to be avoided, and unreliable. Thus, they’ll find reasons for being annoyed and disapproving of their partner and will emo onally distance themselves, all based on the fact that they never learned how to be emo onally connected in a relaonship.

Disorganized (fearful-avoidant) – the most challenging of the a achment styles, people with this style grew up in a home environment where their source of safety, their caregivers, became a source of fear due to abuse or because of childhood trauma. This style engenders an intense distrust of others coupled with low self-esteem.

When a child grows up in an abusive home situa on, they withdraw in fear and learn coping strategies such as a flat emo onal affect, clinginess, lack of trust in others, and lack of trust in their own being.

Adults, though they want a rela onship, are afraid to love and be loved. Their fear is that the other person will hurt them — they believe it’s just a ma er of me before rejec on, disappointment, and hurt inevitably appear. So, in macy and connec on are to be avoided out of pure safety and protec on considera ons.

Adults with this a achment style will create a self-fulfilling scenario of failure when they expect and predict that they’ll be rejected by their partner. So, they unconsciously begin sabotaging the rela onship. Another way they set themselves up is by choosing someone who will abuse them and thus induce fear.

To be clear, there is a broad spectrum of variables that come into play with rela onships. All of our rela onships and life experiences have an impact on our ability to develop healthy rela onships with others, as well as with ourselves. The four a achment styles are only one component of the intricate matrix of human behaviors.

Working with a trained therapist can be very helpful in bringing clarity and understanding as to why we do what we do and the effect it’s having on our personal wellbeing and relaonships. Each of us deserves to feel loved, supported, acknowledged, trusted, and respected in our rela onships.

Check out the following a achment quiz and see what you discover! ● Take the quiz and find your a achment style. h ps://a achment.personaldevelopmentschool.com/

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

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SPRING

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[ SPRING ]

THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER The Cleveland Metroparks offers some of the best a rac ons in Cleveland, Ohio.

Whether you want fun and excitement or a simple walk along the water, there is something for everyone.

C

leveland Metroparks is a vast network of 18 park reserva ons spanning over 25,000 acres across Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township, offering a variety of educa onal and recrea onal opportuni es throughout the year. From scenic trails and golf courses to nature centers and waterways, visitors can enjoy ac vi es like hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife observa on. Cleveland Metroparks also hosts thousands of free and low-cost programs annually, making outdoor adventure and educa on accessible to everyone by visi ng clevelandmetroparks.com.

As spring 2025 unfolds, Cleveland Metroparks offers an array of new ac vi es and events for visitors to enjoy.

Earth Day 5K at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Kick off the 2025 Cleveland Metroparks Race Series presented by CrossCountry Mortgage with the Earth Day 5K at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on April 18. This event offers a unique opportunity to run through the zoo, combining fitness with the chance to observe wildlife along the course. Par cipants receive entry into the Zoo, refreshments, a custom race shirt, and finisher medal, and a por on of proceeds support green prac ces and sustainability efforts at the Zoo! Addi onal races for the 2025 series include: • Whiskey Island 5K on August 24: Explore the Whiskey Island Trail and Wendy Park Bridge to benefit the Cleveland Metroparks K-9 unit.

• Future For Wildlife 5K on October 5: Help Cleveland Metroparks Zoo secure a future for wildlife by running for conservaCODE M / MAY 2025 43

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[ SPRING ] on efforts to protect animals in the wild.

• Veterans 5K on November 9: Walk or run through Edgewater Beach in honor of our na on’s veterans.

2025 Trail Challenge Presented by MetroHealth Embark on an adventure by comple ng 10 trails in 10 different Cleveland Metroparks reserva ons between March 1 and June 30.

This challenge encourages par cipants to explore new paths and enjoy the natural beauty of the parks with a chance to earn a prize. Visit clevelandmetroparks.com/trailchallenge for all info on

Visit Cleveland Metroparks Zoo A trip to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a great way to explore wildlife from around the world. The zoo features diverse habitats, interac ve exhibits, and educa onal programs for visitors of all ages. Best of all, residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township can enjoy free admission every Monday, making it an accessible and fun ou ng for families.

All spring a rac ons at the Zoo are now open for the sea-

Visitors can enjoy a variety of dining experiences throughout Cleveland Metroparks, surrounded by the beauty of nature. Merwin’s Wharf, open year-round along the Cuyahoga River, offers scenic waterfront dining with views of kayakers and rowers. this year’s challenge!

Spring Fishing Opportuni es As water temperatures rise, the Cleveland shoreline becomes a prime spot for fishing enthusiasts. Expect to catch largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, steelhead, yellow perch, and sunfish in area harbors and along breakwalls. Guests can stay connected to all things fishing in Cleveland Metroparks by following the weekly Fishing Report at clevelandmetroparks.com/ fishing.

Golfing at Cleveland Metroparks Golf enthusiasts can enjoy Cleveland Metroparks' nine golf courses, conveniently located throughout Cuyahoga County. Each course offers a unique experience, from beginner-friendly layouts to challenging championship-level greens. Whether you're looking for a quick round or a full day on the links, Cleveland Metroparks courses blend scenic beauty, affordable golf and pris ne course condi ons. Visit clevelandmetroparks.com/golf to book your tee me today.

son! Take a flight on the Eagle Zip Adventure, ride through the Outback on the Boomerang Train, hand-feed a Masai giraffe & more! A rac ons are open daily, seven days a week, weather permi ng, and guests can save on a racons by purchasing the Wild Savings Pass presented by CPP. Explore Cleveland Metroparks' Nature Centers Cleveland Metroparks is home to five nature centers, each offering unique educa onal and recrea onal experiences year-round. Visitors can explore the Rocky River Nature Center in North Olmsted, North Chagrin Nature Center in Mayfield Village, Watershed Stewardship Center in Parma,

The Cleveland Metroparks offers everything for everyone.

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[ SPRING ] CanalWay Center in Cuyahoga Heights, and Brecksville Nature Center in Brecksville. These centers provide interac ve exhibits, guided hikes, wildlife viewing, and programs for all ages, making them ideal des na ons for nature enthusiasts and families alike.

Swimming in Cleveland Metroparks Cleveland Metroparks offers the community with several guarded swimming areas during scheduled mes from early June through early August. Visitors can cool off and enjoy the summer sun in designated swimming loca ons, including Edgewater Beach, Wallace Lake, Villa Angela in Euclid Creek Reserva on, Hun ngton Beach, and Ledge Pool, providing a safe and fun way to experience the parks' natural beauty. Whether you're looking to swim, relax on the shore, or par cipate in water-based ac vi es, Cleveland Metroparks has op ons for everyone.

Dining in Cleveland Metroparks Visitors can enjoy a variety of dining experiences throughout Cleveland Metroparks, surrounded by the beauty of nature. Merwin’s Wharf, open year-round along the Cuyahoga River, offers scenic waterfront dining with views of kayakers and rowers. Seasonal concessions at Hun ngton Beach, Edgewater Beach, and Wildwood Marina provide refreshing treats and meals with stunning lakeside views during the warmer months.

Careers at Cleveland Metroparks Cleveland Metroparks offers exci ng career opportuni es across mul ple divisions, from natural resources and outdoor educa on to hospitality and maintenance. Each spring through fall, the Metroparks hire 1,000 seasonal employees with compe ve pay, providing a great way to gain experience and contribute to the community. Whether you're looking for a seasonal posi on or a long-term career in conserva on and recrea on, Cleveland Metroparks has a variety of roles to explore. Visit clevelandmetroparks.com/careers to learn more.

What’s New at Cleveland Metroparks Each month, Cleveland Metroparks Ten to Explore, presented by Wayside Furniture, offers ten top sites or ps for visi ng Cleveland Metroparks, including ten new trails to explore in 2025.

In addi on, there are several new ameni es for parkgoers to experience this year, including the newly renovated Garfield Pond in Garfield Park Reserva on. The extensive up-

Charter House Grill Images.

T here is something for everyone at the Cleveland Metroparks.

date of Garfield Park’s central features included reestablishing the historic two-acre lower pond for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, restora on of Wolf Creek, reconstruc on of historic masonry structures such as the picturesque arch stone bridge at the base of the pond and the stairway to Iron Springs, construc on of the new Garfield Park Program Center, and a new network of paved, natural surface, and ADA accessible trail loops a ached fishing docks for close access to the pond. Garfield Park is also home to popular programs, including the return of the Urban Line Dancing and Drum Circle that draw thousands of guests each summer.

In summer 2025, Cleveland Metroparks is comple ng new enhancements to Wallace Lake in Mill Stream Run Reservaon. The all-new seasonal Wallace Lake Grille will feature made-to-order fare. The enhanced accessible community spaces include a new pavilion that will be reservable in the off-season and a shaded picnic garden. The spaces will support enhanced outdoor educa on and recrea on programming. Guests will enjoy new, modern, ADA-accessible restroom facili es and improved beach access.

Your Time, Your Place As spring unfolds, Cleveland Metroparks offers endless opportuni es to connect with nature, explore new trails, and enjoy exci ng ac vi es for all ages. Whether you're looking to run a scenic 5K, relax by the water, dine with a breathtaking view, or discover wildlife at the zoo, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. With thousands of free and low-cost programs available, Cleveland Metroparks makes it easy to embrace the beauty of every season. ●

The anxiety level is different for each person in America.

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BEAUTY

Natasha Hill If God, Family, Fitness, Funds & Flights are involved count me in! God is my source for all things! The confidence I have in me, is because I know who I am in him! 11yrs ago I joined my gym.

My goal was to lose weight. Not only was I transformed physically but mentally too! It has truly become a lifestyle & going to the gym daily is as important to me as going to work is for most. I'm a woman in business & very busy so I thoroughly enjoy the moments of down me where I get to enjoy my children, friends, family & the fruits of my labor!

Instagram: @31tasha Facebook: Natasha Hill

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COVER WITH

GIRL POWER TENORA EDWARDS

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Tenora Edwards’s Pink and Black Honors has become the premier event of the summer in Cleveland, Ohio, taking her girl power to new levels.

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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W

hen God speaks to people some mes, they listen and some mes they do not. His words are never lost, but some mes his words are not taken as gospel. Tenora Edwards is a Godfearing woman and blessed at the same me.

So, when she was driving one day and heard God speak to her, she knew she could not

ignore it.

Edwards has always been a successful entrepreneur. Having reached a high degree of success owning daycare centers, she knew how to turn nothing into something. She struggled to manage a career and be a mom at the same me. The costs of daycare and the quality of daycare she needed, she could not find.

As a single mom in the police academy, Edwards wondered how she would be able to be in two places at the same me. The academy had its hours, and the daycare had its hours. Edwards needs special hours, one with a single mom pricing, if she were going to graduate from the police academy. Edwards used her girl power to create her own solu on to her problem.

Edwards decided she would create the business she was looking for. She opened her own daycare and created a business that she could not find. Three loca ons later, she was able to earn a great income and put her children in the kind of daycare she coveted.

But this conversa on with God was different. He wanted her to embark on a journey and go down a road that she knew nothing about. When the conversa on was finished, Edwards created her own version of giving back to her community by launching the Pink and Black Honors.

The Pink & Black Honors is a premier black- e awards event where the culturally diverse entrepreneur community and busi-

nesses that empower and align with the goals of culturally diverse communi es are elevated and celebrated. The Pink & Black Honors amplifies the impact and importance of these innova ve business founders with a night of networking and an awards ceremony with celebri es and special guests.

Edwards was told to fill the void in the community by crea ng seeds of love and honor.

Edwards started with the Pink Party Retreats. It started as an overnight pajama party at her house. In 2011, it grew so much that she had to move the retreat to Kalahari. That experience led her to start the Man Cave.

The Man Cave brought men together to fellowship and celebrate each other. Both ventures increased in support and con nued to grow.

“I am in awe of God when he works and uses the right people to execute his plan,” Edwards con nued, “His plan is so much greater than anything we can understand.”

From those ventures, the Pink and Black Honors were born.

The event has become one of the best celebra ons in Cleveland, taking place every June when the weather is perfect and the night sky is bright. The venue where it is held is magical, and the a re of everyone who a ends is dressed in pink and black.

The event is in its third year and grows every year. The event brings in people from all over the country and locally to honor those from the community who might not get the honor from any other source.

“My goal with crea ng the Pink and Black Honors was to make all of us feel special,” Edwards said. “It's for the presenters, the award recipients, the audience, and the spon-

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

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Tenora Edwards started the Pink and Black Honors in 2023.

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[ COVER ] sors.”

And everyone who comes feels the gravity of the night. With men dressed in tuxedos and women adorned in their best evening gowns, the power of the moment is not lost on anyone.

Edwards spares no expense to make the evening as glamorous as possible. Held at the Severance Music Center, the fantas c facili es make the night feel like the Oscars in Cleveland. The building is historic with amazing architectural spaces that harken back to the old days when America built classic buildings.

The decora ons promote the honorees of the night like the celebri es they are. The food and drinks before the event shower the guests with the best experience they can have. And finally, the musical acts that are brought in make the evening feel like the guests of the night feel like they are a ending a star-studded event.

“I feel so purposeful and grateful for the work we are doing. I love helping the community, and it makes me so happy when I see how much people love ge ng their rewards,” Edwards said.

Edwards wants everyone to find their purpose. Edwards wants everyone to listen to God when he speaks. And most of all, Edwards wants all women to bask in their girl power. She wanted women to use their girl power to love be er, listen more, and create the kinds of situa ons where the en re community wins.

Edwards credits ge ng her girl power not from a woman, but from a man. Today, Edwards is a graceful, beau ful woman who speaks with a so voice and a gentle smile. Her presence is feminine in nature, and her calming spirit warms any room.

But she was not always this way. When Edwards was young,

Her mentor felt like Edwards had too much fire. Single women o en must demand respect. But Edwards was taught to put honey on her tongue. For five years, her mentor taught her to become more loving. He taught her to listen and not speak some mes.

The best part about the night is Edwards, and here the team selects honorees that typically do not get the recogni on they deserve.

“We reserve a sec on of the awards for emerging stars. These are up-and-coming things that no one knows about. We wanted to make sure we find young people to honor so they can know we are watching them, and we see their efforts,” Edwards said.

The emerging stars award makes a difference for those who get the award. A er the winner is announced, each honoree has seen a growth in their business a er they a end and receive the Pink and Black Honor.

This year, the Pink and Black Honors will be held on June 22nd, 2025, at the Severance Music Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The event will have Sheri Shepard as a keynote speaker and will connue in the great tradi on of honoring some of the area's outstanding ci zens.

Even though Edwards is the one who has created the Pink and Black Honors, she feels like it is she who is ge ng the most out of the event itself.

she would bulldoze her way around life, and this rubbed people the wrong way.

“I'm kind, but I'm not passive. I lead with grace, but I move with strength. That's the kind of girl power I believe in— bold, rooted, and purposeful,” Edwards said.

That mentality, while beneficial in some cases, robbed her of

Edwards owns three daycares in the area.

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Tenora Edwards being interviewed at the Pink and Black Honors.

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opportunity in others. Edwards thought that she always needed to stand her ground to get her way. She won a lot of ba les that way, but lost chances for growth at the same me.

Edwards had a male mentor as she became a seasoned business owner who saw her flaws as opportuni es. He would coach Edwards to think about how she approached life and work with her to get out of her own way, so she could get more of the things she wanted.

“My mentor helped me focus on becoming a be er person by introducing me to two words, love and humility,” Edwards said.

At the me, she did not understand why she needed to digest those two words so much. She thought she was fine, how she was. But he coached her to understand the meaning behind those words, un l they became the principles of how she viewed herself.

Her mentor felt like Edwards had too much fire. Single women o en must demand respect. But Edwards was taught to put honey on her tongue. For five years, her mentor taught her to become more loving. He taught her to listen and not speak some mes.

Those teachings have made Edwards who she is today. She uses her girl power to effect change by staying graceful and deligh ul. Edwards knows that by using her feminine qualies, she gets way more accomplished than by bullying her way through life.

Edwards always found pleasure in hearing God speak to her.

She never knew that she would find so much reward in speaking back to him with her ac ons. Tenora Edwards is CODE M Magazine’s Woman of the Month. Congratula ons! ● For more informa on: h ps://pinkandblackhonors.com/

[ OPINION ]

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LIFE

HOW MEN PICK WIV As the da ng pools fill with an ever-growing popula on of a rac ve prospects, fewer and less people are ge ng married. If things are going to change, women need to be er understand how men pick wives.

Wri en by BRAD BOWLING Brad Bowling is the President of CODE Media Group, LLC. Bowling has his BA in mass media communica on and an MBA in marke ng. He contributes ar cles to the magazine con nuing his love for wri ng.

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[ LIFE ]

VES

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[ LIFE ]

TOP: Hudson having coffee with the community.

BOTTOM: Hudson and his wife, Jennifer.

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T

he da ng scene is li ered with scores and scores of a rac ve singles who say they would get married again if they found the right person. The problem across the board is finding the right person to marry.

But what if there is a disconnect between what women think men want versus the reality of how men choose wives?

Women choose who they have sex with, but men choose who they marry. For the women who want marriage, they’ll need to do a be er job of understanding how men pick wives. Here are the five things a man looks for in a woman if he’s going to marry her.

ATTRACTION No doubt about it, men are visual. They’re always going to covet a woman who is a rac ve. For men, women are an extension of their brand. If the man is high value, he’s going to want a woman who will either add to or keep his perceived value high. That means she’ll have to come to the table with certain a ributes that bring value to him.

If he’s in shape, she can’t be out of shape. The BBL is great for sex, however, men don’t marry BBLs. Men who are serious about their health are going to want a woman who accentuates their behavior and looks. Men understand that physical appearance sets a first impression, and they’re only as strong as their weakest link. If she’s not in shape with him, it’s a non-starter for a rela onship or marriage.

Men also prefer women without visible ta oos. If he can’t take her to the family funeral, then she can’t represent him as his wife.

This goes for huge eyelashes, red hair, and extra-long fingernails.

Men are looking for a co-pilot to fly sky high, and anything less gets less.

posite of them.

Men who ba le the world all day want to come home to a woman who brings them the kind of home life that they run to. For a man, home is a place to recover, recharge, and relax. If he can’t get peace at home, he’ll seek peace elsewhere.

A six in looks jumps to an eight if they can provide the kind of a ributes men appreciate. What many people don’t understand about a woman who is submissive is that she’ll be consulted before her man makes any decision because he respects her that much. He’ll protect and provide much more willingly if his wife creates an environment based on tranquility.

50/50 IS A MENTALITY The debate on whether a woman will go 50/50 is all the rage. However, men barely have a chance to really explain what they are looking for in a 50/50 wife. For men, 50/50 doesn’t necessarily mean spli ng the bills. It’s a mentality wherein the woman is figh ng for the family just as much as the man. Men will o en test a woman to see when she’ll offer to pay for a meal. If she goes on a certain number of dates without an offer, it lets him know that he can’t count on her if things go bad for him.

It's no secret that two incomes are be er than one. Success in America today requires two incomes. Two incomes allow the family to prosper faster, live a be er lifestyle, and plan for re rement more aggressively. If the man is foo ng all the bills for the family on one income, he will never be able to create the kind of lifestyle the family

BEHAVIOR OVER BEAUTY While men covet an a rac ve woman, they’ll se le with a woman who is less a rac ve but has her behavior in check. Dominant men o en seek women who are peaceful, agreeable, and feminine in nature. Masculine men are a racted to women who bask in their divine femininity — this doesn’t mean they want a woman with no backbone. Men want the op-

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

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[ LIFE ] could enjoy. Of course, if he makes enough money to provide for his own, that’s fine.

Most men don’t make enough money to have a $3,000 a month mortgage, pay for two cars at a combined $1,500 a month, and then cover everything else while pu ng money up for a decent re rement. For the woman who understands that and puts her income into the family’s income, it will generate the stressless kind of life both can enjoy, building around goals and quality of life.

LOYALTY REMAINS TOP OF MIND Loyalty for women is a huge debate. Defined by her single friends as “control,” women o en struggle with the concept of being loyal to their men. Loyalty, from a man’s perspec ve, is the theory that less is more.

Women who aren’t ac vely seeking a en on reign king in a man’s mind. That means she isn’t constantly pos ng pics of herself on social media. Online a en on from other men based on constant pos ng brings unwanted a en on to her, and becomes a challenge from other men. Showing her body, while pos ng pictures online, is disrespec ul to a man and o en leads to no offer of marriage.

Men are looking for a woman who understands the laws of a rac on. Single men will test a rela onship by a emp ng to achieve either eye contact or even a conversa on with a woman who’s already with a man. Women who understand this behavior will o en get a proposal faster than a woman who is delusional about her role when in public with her man.

Women who are marriage material will ignore trivial conversaons with strangers — men — and they’ll not allow other men to disrespect their man.

The less available she is to other men, the more status her man has. If she understands her role in public life, her man will ascend to a higher level socially and professionally. She has that much power. A high-value man knows it. Unfortunately, most women don’t understand this concept.

REMAINING A LADY No doubt about it, men can some mes drive their women crazy. But her ability to remain a lady will always put a ring on her finger faster than anything else. This means several things. ·

Speak peace into him even when you’re upset. The tone for the rela onship comes from the woman; it’s maintained by the man.

·

Class is never out of session. This means no profanity, no vulgar behavior, no exposure of bodily fluids, and no reduc on in the quality of outward appearance.

·

Drive from the passenger seat. Women possess the power to lead their husbands with quiet confidence. Having his back in life makes her the strongest in the rela onship because she willingly follows his lead, which means he’ll never fail them.

·

Sex is her superpower. Men want two things: sex and food.

Sex creates a partnership for men that can never be broken with a woman who provides him with frequent and good sex.

With marriage in America at an all- me low, singles need to be er understand what the opposite sex is looking for. Women, because they don’t control how and when they get married, need to understand more than ever what men want. And if they want marriage, create the space for men to desire marriage with them. Happy hun ng! ●

TOP: Hudson having coffee with the community.

BOTTOM: Hudson and his wife, Jennifer.

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Men covet loyalty and peace when looking for a ributes in a woman.

[ TECH ]

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SPORTS

Fore Sister golfers, Donna Williams-Alexander, Dorothy Lewis-Berry, Karen Anderson and Aretha Taylor.

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[ SPORTS ]

PLAYING FROM THE LADIES TEES Women all over are discovering a love for the game of golf. Karen Anderson loves it so much; she decided to create her own women’s league to promote the sport and sisterhood.

by Donna Heath

T

here’s no argument when people discuss the posi ves of playing the game of golf. Golf has been known for a long me to provide a busy person with a place to test their skills as they hide from their devices and the lifestyle that they created.

Karen Anderson is no different. The nurse midwife, who works at the Cleveland Clinic, wanted to find new ways to exercise and remembered her love of golf, which she had taken in college. “I wanted to stay in shape, and I also wanted to get back to playing at the same me,” she explained. “With my husband playing, I figured that my lady friends and I could play and hang out at the same me.”

As she started playing again, Anderson no ced a void in the sport. She didn’t see enough Black women golfers. She’d ask friends to come play, but they didn’t have clubs or had never played before. Anderson then decided to fill that void by crea ng her own women’s league.

In 1961, the PGA removed its Caucasian-only clause, which had existed in its bylaws since 1943. This change opened up PGA tournaments to African American golfers, allowing extremely talented black professional players like Charles Sifford and Lee Elder to compete at the highest level.

The sport started to see growth with Black men playing. However, Black women didn’t start playing golf un l much later. During the ‘80s and ‘90s, Black women started playing the game, and they started winning tournaments.

Black women have made significant strides in golf, overcoming historical barriers to achieve success on the professional level. Notable figures include Althea Gibson, Renee Powell, LaRee Sugg, Shasta Averyhardt, Cheyenne Woods, Sadena Parks, Ginger Howard, and Mariah Stackhouse, who have all played on the LPGA Tour.

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[ LIFE ]

TOP: Hudson having coffee with the community.

BOTTOM: Hudson and his wife, Jennifer.

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[ SPORTS ] In 2019, the same year that Tiger won his fi eenth major championship, African Americans made up just three percent of the country's golfers despite making up thirteen percent of its popula on. Anderson’s new league exposed Black women to the sport and increased the number of Black people playing at the same me.

“I wanted to offer an opportunity for Black women to play,” Anderson said. “I also wanted to create a space for Black women where they felt supported and cheered on as they began to navigate golf as a hobby.”

Anderson created the Fore Sisters Golf League in 2024 and got an incredible response. The league plays once a week and then has a tournament at the end of the season. The league welcomes seasoned players or new players. It offers a no-judgment zone to new players who might be nervous about playing the game for the first me.

During her first year, Anderson saw tremendous growth in the league and was excited to see the response from the community. She knew the benefits of playing the sport, and she also knew how the women would thrive in playing golf once they were exposed to it.

“With golf, you can focus on your cra . The sport is hard, but it's also rewarding because if you thrive in doing well, you’ll love the sport,” Anderson said.

“This year, we’re going to take our tournament on the road and play somewhere warm. The ladies are ge ng such a kick out of playing and hanging out together, we figured a vaca on would add to the fun,” Anderson explained.

The league’s membership fee is small: $50. They play every Thursday at the Highland Park Course in Warrensville Heights.

Membership includes: • Complementary chipping and pu ng clinics for all skill levels • Chic tournament gear to match your game • A welcoming atmosphere for both seasoned golfers and those new to the sport • A suppor ve, vibrant community of women who love to golf The 2025 season starts May 22 and is expected to be filled with women from all backgrounds and income levels.

Anderson knew if she enjoyed golf that others might also.

What she didn’t know is that her efforts would create a space for women to be free, included, and supported.

So, if you see a group of ladies laughing and having fun dressed in cute pink golf a re, let them play through. But remember, they’re playing from the ladies’ tees and loving every second of it. FORE! ● To join, visit: h ps://www.facebook.com/Foresisters1andall/

She’s not wrong. Golf offers those who excel in life the opportunity to compete against themselves, to see if they can master something else. And if you love great company, you also benefit by hanging out with likeminded people who also love a good experience.

Anderson figured she would have several women come out to support the effort. She never knew her new league would a ract over twenty-six new members in its first year. “We had so much fun with it, we decided to have a tournament at the end of the year,” Anderson said.

A er her six-week season, she held a tournament for the ladies, and everyone had fun. For 2025, Anderson expects the league to con nue to grow. With a freshly built website, she’s le ng any woman who loves to play the chance to come out, learn the game, and make some good friends at the same me.

Karen Anderson started her own golf league for Black women who want to learn the game of golf.

CODE M / MAY 2025 67

[ LIFE ]

TOP: Hudson having coffee with the community.

BOTTOM: Hudson and his wife, Jennifer.

60 MAY2025 / CODE M

ART

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.

N

by Raland Ha che athalie Bermudez, a Colombian-born ar st now residing in Cleveland, Ohio, is deeply passionate about represen ng the La no community in her ar s c work. Feeling that their presence is not always acknowledged as strongly as it should be, Nathalie uses her vibrant acrylic pain ngs to highlight the beauty and richness of diverse cultures.

Her ar s c journey, beginning as a means of self-expression a er naviga ng a new culture in the US, has evolved into a powerful voice for representa on, unity, and the recogni on of our shared human origins. Through her evoca ve use of color and form, Nathalie aims to spark dialogue and foster a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all people, a vision that resonates profoundly with CODE M Magazine’s commitCODE M / MAY 2025 69

[ ART ] ment to “Transforming the lives of men.”

ed.

Nathalie’s journey began in Colombia, a land steeped in rich culture and heritage. Her move to the US at the age of twenty presented significant hurdles, most notably the language barrier. “I lost my independence,” she recalls, “because I didn’t know how to manage, to go anywhere.” This period of adjustment to a new cultural environment became the catalyst for her explora on of pain ng as a form of self-expression and healing.

Nathalie’s deep connec on to her Colombian heritage is vividly expressed through her bold use of color and evoca ve imagery. Inspired by the “cultural dress of the na ve peoples of Colombia, her canvases pulsate with life and dynamic energy.

She frequently incorporates self-portraits, drawing upon her personal experiences — naviga ng linguis c challenges, adap ng to cultural shi s — as a founda on for broader explora ons of iden ty, belonging, and the experience of a person with roots in another land.

Experimen ng with various mediums in oil and watercolor, she ul mately found her ar s c voice in the freedom of acrylics on canvas, a path forged without formal training. “I’m afraid that if I’m going to do a workshop or if I study something really technical, I’m going to lose the fun,” she explains, emphasizing the raw and authen c core of her crea ve process.

Central to Nathalie’s ar s c mission is a deep commitment to represen ng the La no community. As her bio poignantly states, “I am par cularly passionate about represen ng the La no community in my ar s c work, as I feel that their presence is not always acknowledged as strongly as it should be.”

Beyond these personal narra ves, Nathalie’s art fearlessly engages with poli cal issues, shedding crucial light on the ongoing struggles faced by underrepresented communi es in South America. “People must know about the beauty and the colors and all that,” she asserts, “but it’s important to know what’s going on, what’s happening, what are the issues and the problems that are happening now in the world with these people.”

Discussing her affinity for acrylics, Nathalie describes a profound sense of ar s c libera on. “It just gives me the freedom to just let myself go, just do it and paint — it’s like a dance.”

This passion stems from a profound desire to see her community This sense of fluid movement mirrors her deep love for salsa authen cally reflected in the art world, par cularly within the and cumbia, the vibrant rhythms of her homeland seamlessly context of Cleveland, where La n representa on has historically intertwining with her ar s c process. The brilliant spectrum of been less prominent. Her artwork serves as a vibrant visual narracolors achievable with acrylics resonates deeply with the vive, celebra ng the beauty and mul faceted nature of La no brancy inherent in Colombian culture, a stark contrast to the cultures, offering visibility to a community o en underrepresentperceived somberness of oils during her ini al ar s c exploraons.

Reflec ng on Cleveland’s art scene, Nathalie candidly acknowledges the limited visibility of La no ar sts, par cularly women. She passionately advocates for the crea on of more dedicated exhibi on spaces and increased opportuni es, emphasizing the urgent need to address language barriers in ar st calls and communica on strategies to ensure broader and more equitable access. This advocacy underscores her unwavering belief in the transforma ve power of visibility and the unique ability of art to bridge cultural divides and foster community connec on.

Looking towards the future, Nathalie is embarking on a compelling new project that ar ully blends the mediums of playwri ng and pain ng. Her upcoming play will delve into the mul faceted experience of newcomers, specifically focusing

Hatche makes beau ful art from ordinary images.

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CODE M / MAY2025 63

[ ART ] on the complexi es of language acquisi on and the emo onal complexi es of adap ng to a new land. This narra ve explora on will be powerfully complemented by an accompanying exhibi on of her pain ngs, visually interpre ng the themes and emo ons explored in the play.

This ambi ous endeavor aims to humanize the o en-unseen stories of those individuals naviga ng to a new country, directly challenging prevalent nega ve stereotypes and fostering deeper empathy and understanding. “We don’t leave because we want to leave,” she emphasizes with convic on. “We leave because we want to survive.”

The profound influence of motherhood and the intricate interconnectedness of genera ons also deeply informs Nathalie’s ar s c perspec ve. She speaks eloquently of recognizing her mother not solely as “mom,” but as a woman with her rich personal history, shaped by the experiences of her own mother. This though ul reflec on on the cyclical nature of genera onal narra ves resonates powerfully with her overarching ar s c vision of interconnectedness, a central theme beau fully ar culated in her powerful statement: “We all come from the same river, from the same air, from the same land, and the same mother.”

One par cularly poignant piece, an illustra on depic ng an indigenous baby carried securely on its mother’s back with a blanket symbolizing the unbroken thread of stories passed down through genera ons, beau fully encapsulates this profound concept.

Offering insigh ul advice to fellow ar sts who feel a similar call to represen ng their own or underrepresented communi es, Nathalie’s message is both direct and empowering: “Just do it.”

She strongly encourages ar sts to ac vely engage with their local communi es as a vital first step in seeking support and ini al opportuni es, while simultaneously urging them to recognize their inherent ar s c worth and to maintain unwavering perseverance in the face of inevitable rejec on.

“Look at the no’s as a new opportunity,” she wisely advises, emphasizing the crucial role of resilience and con nuous growth in naviga ng the ar s c journey.

Ul mately, Nathalie envisions her art serving as a vital catalyst for meaningful dialogue, ac vely fostering unity and effec vely dismantling exis ng barriers. By though ully presen ng diverse cultures and deeply personal experiences through her unique ar s c lens, she invites viewers to cri cally contemplate our shared humanity and interconnectedness.

“When you see the whole picture of the whole mural painted, then you are going to wonder, what is the meaning of this whole picture?” she eloquently explains. The conversaons ignited by her compelling artwork, the shared emoons evoked in viewers, possess the remarkable poten al to bridge cultural divides and cul vate a profound and las ng understanding of one another.

Nathalie Bermudez’s art transcends mere visual appeal; it stands as a powerful act of cultural representa on, a vibrant testament to the enduring resilience of the human spirit, and a compelling invita on to acknowledge our shared origins and interconnected des nies. Through her passionate dedica on and evoca ve crea ons, she is undeniably transforming perspec ves and significantly enriching the cultural tapestry of Cleveland and beyond.

Nathalie’s work serves as a potent reminder that by ac vely listening to individual stories, we can begin to truly see each other as fellow human beings, inextricably connected by the same river, the same air, the same land, and ul mately, the same mother. ●

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

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[ TECH ]

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HEALTH

DOING IT FOR THE COMMUNITY Anita Lane is improving lives through health ini a ves at the UH Community Wellness Center that builds trust, promotes educa on, and expands access to care.

by Donna Heath

I

It is no secret that Black people have a complicated rela onship with their health and with those who provide health care. The history goes back generaons and con nues to plague the Black community.

Black Americans experience a complex history of mistrust in the healthcare system, stemming from historical injusces like the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and ongoing issues with racial dispari es in healthcare. This mistrust can manifest as a fear of medical treatment, leading to reduced care and worse health outcomes.

Those situa ons have leaked down from genera on to generaon, where Blacks do not go to the doctor as a prac ce but more as a fear. There has always been an effort to change that behavior by hospitals and ins tu ons to get more Blacks to make health a priority and get them back in front of their doctors. Anita Lane is one of those people charged with the task of doing just that.

As the Supervisor for the UH Community Wellness Centers at Bedford & Richmond Heights, Lane’s mission is to create a safe space for Blacks, and people from all ethnici es who experience mistrust of healthcare systems, by crea ng be er opportuni es

74 MAY 2025 / CODE M

for engagement.

“Since our opening, we have go en a really good response to our efforts to get more Black men and people to the doctor,” Lane said. “At the same me, we’re succeeding in breaking down barriers in several communi es where access and trust are problema c.” We serve all our par cipants and we’re trying to meet them where they are.”

UH offers three loca ons around the area for people to visit if they want to begin the process of managing their health and wellness. Their loca ons are in Bedford, Glenville, and Richmond Heights, Ohio.

Her efforts are proving to be successful.

“Our cooking demonstra ons, for the Food is Medicine Series, our Wellness Dimension Series, where they learn about the eight dimensions of wellness. They have even been a ending our music therapy.” Lane con nued, “Our last session had such a great turnout of men. It's really star ng

[ HEALTH ] to take off.”

And the community needs it too.

Black men face significant health dispari es, living shorter lives and experiencing higher rates of chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer compared to other racial groups.

These dispari es are linked to factors like socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and systemic racism, which create barriers to preventa ve care and treatment.

The health of black men con nues to be worse than that of nearly all other groups in the United States. On average, black men die more than 7 years earlier than do US women of all races, and black men die younger than all other groups of men, except Na ve Americans.

Lane and UH understand that the mission to change the health of Blacks begins with the mission of changing their mindset. A change of mindset comes from introducing interac ons where the s gma of the doctor is less, and the promoon of community is more.

Lane and her team have three loca ons for people to visit who want to come to the doctor. At each, there is a Cer fied Community Health Worker (CHW) who can work one on one with par cipants to navigate the stress of coming to the doctor.

Once someone comes to the center, it is where the real work begins.

“We offer such a wonderful range of op ons for our par cipants. We have a Registered Die an and Nutri onist, there is a Community Outreach Nurse, and there is a Cer fied Community Health Worker” Lane said.

The CHWs are meant to serve as a bridge between new members and the healthcare system. They help with social needs naviga on. They will help with things from transporta on to childcare and so many other essen al services to support individuals in need.

“The goal is to be able to wrap our arms around those who need help the most.” Lane con nued, “We understand the barriers for those with limited

resources and poor health, and we are doing our best to eliminate the obstacles when someone is trying to access care.”

The feedback was incredible for those who have used the services. From seniors down to genera on Z the response to the programs is winning over new pa ents and working to change the percep on of going to the doctor.

Lane and her team go beyond the clinical aspects of providing care. They work with those who come in to iden fy where they need help, and the CHW will find ways to imple-

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

CODE M / MAY 2025 75

[ LIFE ]

TOP: Hudson having coffee with the community.

BOTTOM: Hudson and his wife, Jennifer.

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[ HEALTH ] ment those changes or help.

The centers even help with opportuni es to create be er food opons.

“At our Glenville loca on, we offer a Food For Life Market,” Lane said.

ma on, educa on and resources that allow them to see where they stand is incredible.

Community has never been more important than it is right now, and community is why Anita Lane is the perfect per-

“The goal is to be able to wrap our arms around those who need help the most.” Lane con nued, “We understand the barriers that come with poverty and poor health, and we are doing our best to eliminate the obstacles that are present when someone is trying to go see a doctor.”

“Once a primary care physician puts in an order to create a be er meal plan, they can come to the market, work with a team member to learn about be er food choices, and pick those foods to eat.” Food for Life Markets are also offered at UH Cleveland Medical Center, Portage Medical Center in Ravenna and Conneaut Medical Center in Lake County.

The fact that so many things are addressed when people visit the centers is life-changing for some. For others, the hesita on about the costs associated with ge ng healthy stops them from coming in.

“Our program services are either free or cost close to nothing,” Lane said.

“At the UH Community Wellness Centers, you do not have to be a pa ent of UH to par cipate or to take advantage of our programs.” Lane added, “There is no income verifica on process for community members to come to us.”

Lane wants people to know that they are communityfocused and their goal is to create a path for those who want and need to be more engaged in their health & wellness.

Life has never been more complicated than it is in 2025. And for those who know their health is at risk, now having an op on to go to a place and get infor-

son to lead this new health and wellness movement. ● For more informa on, visit: h ps://www.uhhospitals.org/ transforming-health-care/compassion-health-equity/ community-wellness-centers

Lane has been in her role at UH for three years.

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[ HEALTH ]

EVERY LIFE IS PRECIOUS

Sex trafficking con nues to be a huge problem for Northeast Ohio. However, Nicole McKinney-Johnson and the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has a plan to save and protect as many people as possible.

O

by Leslie Logan

n your daily commute, you might drive past homes and neighborhoods that seem unremarkable. But these places can be far more complex than they appear, as Cleveland’s locaon—along with its vast network of highways—has sadly become a point of vulnerabil-

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ity in human trafficking routes.

“Cleveland's accessibility, with major highways leading in every direc on, makes it a focal point for trafficking ac vi es,” explained Nicole McKinney-Johnson, President and CEO of CRCC. Under Johnson’s leadership, CRCC works closely with local law enforcement and the Cleveland Task Force to offer crucial support to individuals impacted by trafficking, ensuring they have access to shelter, counseling, and the resources needed to rebuild their lives.

Though Cleveland’s central loca on presents unique challenges, CRCC is commi ed to providing mely and effec ve support. The Center's team is based throughout Northeast Ohio covering a four-county footprint working relessly to connect with and assist anyone in need.

“Building trust and meaningful rela onships is key to suppor ng individuals in need,” Johnson shared. “It takes me, care, and understanding. Our goal is to ensure that service providers are equipped to offer the support that will help people heal and

[ HEALTH ] move forward.”

Human trafficking affects a wide range of people, and for some, it begins at a very young age. Many individuals are coerced into trafficking through complex, o en tragic circumstances. Some are forced into it by those closest to them, while others find themselves in vulnerable situa ons due to homelessness or abusive home environments. The reality is that anyone can fall prey to trafficking, and that vulnerability can arise from a mul tude of factors.

A study by Polaris highlights the reality of these struggles: • 83% of vic ms faced poverty.

• 96% experienced abuse.

• 93% dealt with substance abuse or mental health challenges.

These stark sta s cs show that human trafficking can impact anyone, regardless of age or gender.

“We recently helped a man who saw one of our billboards and reached out for support,” Johnson recalled. “He was able to get the help he needed and find a path out of a dangerous situa on.”

At CRCC, support comes in many forms, including its Drop-In Center, which offers shelter, food, clothing, medical care and access to counseling and job training. The Center is a safe place for anyone who needs a fresh start. The team works diligently to provide not only basic necessi es but also services that help individuals regain their independence and dignity.

This comprehensive approach ensures that individuals don’t just get immediate relief—they get the tools they need to rebuild their lives long-term. The goal is to create a safe environment where survivors can start to heal and plan for a sustainable, empowered future.

The challenges faced by those impacted by trafficking are compounded by factors like addic on, trauma, and feelings of unworthiness. For some, it takes me to recognize themselves as survivors. “Some mes it can be difficult for people to see that they deserve

be er,” Johnson said. “But we’re here to remind them that they can build a be er future.”

“We help people understand that it’s okay to seek support,” Johnson said. “But some mes, the journey can be difficult, and people may find themselves returning to situa ons that aren’t healthy. S ll, our team is always here for those who are ready to start their healing journey.”

Despite the challenges, CRCC’s work has a las ng impact. Johnson's leadership has led to greater visibility for the Center, with

TOP: Rape Crisis staffers celebra ng at a parade.

BOTTOM: Nicole McKinney-Lane is the President and CEO of CRCC.

CODE M / MAY 2025 79

[ LIFE ]

TOP: Hudson having coffee with the community.

BOTTOM: Hudson and his wife, Jennifer.

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[ HEALTH ] city officials and lawmakers visi ng to be er understand the challenges of human trafficking and how CRCC’s support plays a crucial role in responding to it.

“We refer to our An -Human Trafficking Drop-In Center as a respite, because it’s a place where people can find solace, a warm meal, and a safe space,” Johnson said. “Even if they leave, they know we’re always here for them, ready to provide support whenever they need it.”

Human trafficking is a pervasive issue in our region, and Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is deeply commi ed to addressing it. According to the Ohio Office of Criminal Jus ce Services, over 1,500 vic ms of human trafficking were iden fied in Ohio in 2021. In Cleveland, CRCC con nues to provide vital services to help hundreds of people each year who are experiencing or at risk of being trafficked.

While raising awareness of this issue remains a significant challenge, CRCC’s passionate team is dedicated to spreading understanding, forging partnerships, and providing accessible support to those in need. This is not just a fight for CRCC—it is a collec ve effort, and they believe that the more the community gets involved, the more lives can be changed.

“We know we can’t do this alone,” Johnson said. “The community’s awareness and involvement are crucial. That’s why we encourage everyone to help spread the word about our services and the resources we offer.”

The Center is also working to expand its reach through technology, such as an app designed to help keep young people safe and in-

formed.

“We serve individuals from ages three to 90,” Johnson con nued. “Every life is precious, and we want to ensure that everyone has the support they need to stay safe and reclaim their future.”

CRCC’s work is focused on providing a steady, suppor ve presence for people in crisis, empowering them to take control of their lives and find a path forward. It’s not just about providing a helping hand; it’s about offering the encouragement and space for individuals to envision a future full of hope and possibility. The Center helps people feel seen, heard, and cared for during their most challenging mes.

So, as you drive through your neighborhood, remember that someone may be silently struggling, searching for support. Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is here to provide a lifeline—a place where individuals can turn for help, whenever they are ready. The Center’s support can be the first step toward healing, and the team is ready to walk alongside individuals, no ma er where they are in their journey.

The CRCC invites you to be a part of this important work, whether through spreading awareness or offering financial support to ensure con nued services. ● For more informa on about how you can help, visit h ps://clevelandrapecrisis.org/

The offices of CRCC.

CODE M / MAY 2025 81

THE

DIVINE 9

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

By Bilal S. Akram

DR. WALTER R. WINGARD JR. Dr. Walter R. Wingard, Jr., a proud Dayton, OH na ve and esteemed member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., exemplifies servicedriven leadership across the military, academic, and federal sectors. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he dis nguished himself through strategic personnel leadership roles that shaped officer development programs across 144 units and earned opera onal and congressional excellence accolades.

A graduate of The Ohio State University (B.A.), Troy University (M.S.),

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and Virginia University at Lynchburg (D.H.A.), he now serves in federal healthcare human resources. Dr. Wingard con nues his commitment to mentorship, strategic workforce development, and public service.

Known for his integrity and collabora ve spirit, he brings a militaryhoned precision to every space he enters, all while staying grounded in his Ohio roots while shaping the next genera on of public sector leadership.

[ DIVINE 9 ]

TRISTYN MATTHEWS Tristyn Ma hews is a passionate school counselor and owner of Fairlawn Heights Discovery Montessori School, bringing over 15 years of experience to fostering posi ve student outcomes. Currently at Cleveland Heights-University Heights City Schools, she coordinates 504s and leads Mul -Tiered Systems of Support and Posi ve Behavior Interven ons and Supports.

Tristyn leverages her exper se in data analysis and evidencebased interven ons to cul vate robust academic, career, and social-emo onal skills, par cularly for urban students. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and former Technology Chair for Zeta Theta Omega.

KENNETH MITCHEM Kenneth Mitchem is a dynamic entrepreneur, educator, and full- me musician whose mul faceted career bridges the worlds of business, music, and youth development. A proud graduate of Mississippi Valley State University and former student of Morehouse College, he currently holds a corporate role at Amazon while managing a successful private rental business and offering private music instruc on. Performing every weekend as a member of The Red Sample under the name TubaKenn, he brings unmatched energy and ar stry to stages across the region.

As a core member of The Red Sample—a high-energy live music experience rooted in Atlanta—he brings a soulful, immersive sound to audiences across the southeastern United States. Known for their genreblending performances and magne c stage presence, The Red Sample offers more than just a show—it's a curated sonic journey that celebrates culture, crea vity, and community through music.

BRI OLDHAM Bri Oldham, a Cleveland na ve turned Detroit resident, has carved out a unique space in tourism and community engagement. As a seasoned marke ng professional, Bri excels at cra ing compelling stories. Currently, she is Sales and Marke ng Coordinator at Special D Events. A lifelong Cleveland Cavaliers fan, Bri also contributes to Cleveland Sports Talk as a freelance writer.

Bri is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is also on the execu ve board of the Greater Cleveland Associa on of Black Journalists. Bri is a dis nguished graduate of Villa Angela - St. Joseph High School and Cleveland State University.

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LIVE THE LIFE YOU LOVE For Evelyn “Champagne” King, it’s all about the music and expressing your Soul.

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

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usic — it was a family thing. The King family, two parents and eight children, put on the King Amateur Night at the family home, with every member of the family involved. And their neighbors and friends loved it. For Evelyn King, it was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with music that launched at age fourteen and is s ll going strong decades later.

It all really did begin at age fourteen when Evelyn was discovered by music producer Theodore T. Life, who happened to hear her when she was coming from cleaning the men’s restrooms and singing in the hallways at Philadelphia Interna onal Records, where she was an office cleaner with her mother. Evelyn loved singing in restrooms because of the acous cs, something she even did at school during her lunch hours. Theodore, recognizing her innate talent, began coaching her and teaching her about the music industry.

It's not surprising that Evelyn gravitated toward music — it is literally in her blood. Her father was a stand-in singer, a tenor with the Harptones. He also played a li le bit on the guitar. Her mother,

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[ MUSIC ] Johnniea, played keyboards, her sister Wanda sang and played the mbales, her oldest brother, Anthony, played drums, and baby brother Johnny, who now sings with Earl Young’s Tramps.

And there were four more brothers, also musically talented.

Then there was singer, dancer, actor Uncle Avon, who appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including Porgy and Bess, Beggar’s Holiday, and Bubbling Brown Sugar. He also appeared in Roots: The Next Genera ons, The S ng, Harry and Tonto, and Trading Places. And it is Uncle Avon who passed on the adage to Evelyn, “live the life you love,” and who encouraged her to “love what you do.”

“I wanted to be a DJ, I wanted to be an actress, I love to sing, and I love to dance — all of them. I even wanted to be a comedian. My mother said I would have been a great comedian. So, I take it all onstage. It's real, you know.”

But Evelyn lets people know that her talent is God given. She

never had a teacher teach her how to sing, never did a dancer teach her how to dance. “My mom taught me to shimmy. I copied that from her, and I do that onstage. It's all just given to me. When I hit the stage, I don't care if I'm in pain, mentally dealing with stuff, or there are other things going on. I let Him take over, and that's the way I put that.”

As Evelyn says, “I’m doing what was given to me un l I can’t do it anymore. I love singing. You know, there’s a role for every person in life. Mine is singing and performing. You need to study your cra , and I study through God. I don’t sit around rehearsing. I stay focused.”

When she goes out onstage, the adrenaline kicks in for Evelyn, and she’s in it, full thro le. That’s just who she is, fully engaged, giving her all to audiences. Much of that she got from her family, but there have been other influences in her life also, like Coltrane, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Pa LaBelle, and Chaka Khan, her idol.

Growing up, music filled her family’s home. Her parents played music from all genres for their kids so that they’d know real music. It also gave them range. Hearing Evelyn sing slower -tempo songs, her dad announced that she was a balladeer.

But Evelyn was more than that. The Disco era arrived, and Evelyn’s first hit, “Shame,” was considered by many to fit that genre. But T. Life described it differently, that it was a dance song. In actuality, Evelyn is really a crossover, whether she’s singing R&B, being a pop ar st, or crooning country.

As a child, Evelyn just loved music, singing, and performing.

Even though she was in her mid-teens, she was performing in clubs, with her parents in a endance. They accompanied her on the tour bus when she was performing gigs across the country. Even though the US was going through the upheaval of the early seven es, Evelyn was unscathed by racial inequies.

“Music is good for the soul. It doesn’t show color, so I don’t pay any a en on to racial tensions. My audiences are of every color, creed, and religion — all just enjoying life.”

Though the music world has always been compe ve, Evelyn stayed focused. One thing that needed to change that help with her branding was her name. The record company said that her name sounded too grown-up and asked if there was

King has been a stable of music for decades.

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Looking young has become a trillion-dollar industry.

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[ MUSIC ] another name they could give her. Evelyn’s mom had given her the nickname “bubbles” because, as a li le baby, she would blow bubbles. But Evelyn didn’t like that because it sounded like she was a stripper.

Another name that suggested bubbles was “champagne,” and that’s what fans took to. It had a classy feel to it, so champagne has remained as part of her moniker throughout her career. And as her career progressed, her fandom grew with the release of her debut album Smooth Talk, which included the hit song “Shame.”

The album eventually went gold, and “Shame” hit #9 on the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, #7 on Soul, and #8 on the dance chart.

Another song from that album, “I Don’t Know If It’s Right,” peaked at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on Soul. That song eventually went gold. Evelyn’s second album, I’m In Love, had a single on it of the same tle that reached #1 on the R&B singles chart and dance chart, and #40 on the pop chart.

Then, in 1982, Evelyn’s album Get Loose was released. It’s on that album that her song “Love Come Down” was introduced, which peaked at #1 on the dance chart. It also reached #7 for three

weeks on the UK Singles Chart top ten. Another song, “Betcha She Don’t Love You,” hit #2 on the Soul chart and #49 on the pop chart. Into the late 1980s, Evelyn would end up placing eight singles in the Soul top twenty and three songs in the top ten. Addi onally, in 2004, the album “Shame” became one of the first inductees in the Dance Music Hall of Fame.

Over the years, Evelyn has had her life challenges despite her career highlights. Both of her parents have passed on, as well as her brother, Erick, Jr., and her sister Wanda. In 1989, her only child, daughter Johnniea, passed away at age two due to health complica ons she’d been born with. And Evelyn had her own medical challenge in 2006 that she’s overcome.

Throughout it all, Evelyn’s primary support has been her husband of thirty-four years, Freddie. A Smooth Jazz guitarist, he understands the music world and the challenges singers and musicians face. As a producer, he has collaborated with Evelyn on several albums and CDs. And today, he’s there by Evelyn’s side to ensure she takes care of herself because the life of a musician takes its toll on the body, mind, and spirit.

Evelyn really doesn’t have any plans for re ring. As she’s said, “I’m doing what was given to me un l I can’t do it anymore.” Even though she’s lost family members, she knows that they would want her to con nue on. So that’s what she’s doing. She also encourages others to persevere.

“With the whole concept of performing, I think it’s to just stay true to your cra , stay true to you. You can't be anyone else — you were brought here individually, as yourself, so the only person you can be is you. Take care of yourself, because that's the only way the cra that you love is going to stay afloat. Enjoy your life while you're doing it. Do what you love. Outside of that, find other fulfilling things to do, develop some hobbies, and keep growing. Live your life to the fullest, and go a er your dreams.”

Again, it all comes down to expressing one’s soul — and having a sense of humor, as laughter is great medicine. Music is the balm that calms, that inspires, that energizes, that opens the heart, and that encourages us to dream. And that’s what Evelyn “Champagne” King does for so many from her heart. ●

King has been a chart-topping singer since the 1980sw.

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RISING STAR LARICIA SHINES BRIGHT The soul of music is reborn when Laricia comes to the mic with her sultry voice and lyrics blending the feel of 80’s musical tones with todays beats.

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arícía, the Independent R&B/Soul sensa on from Temple, TX, is now ligh ng up stages worldwide.

With a voice as smooth as silk and lyrics that speak to the soul.

Her debut EP, PRESENT, has already made a remarkable impact. In its first month alone, the project garnered over 77,000 streams on Spo fy, a testament to both its quality and Larícía’s growing fanbase. Now available on all major streaming pla orms, the EP is a bold

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

introduc on to her ar stry. Raw, emo onal, and confidently authen c.

To celebrate the release of PRESENT, Larícía hosted an unforge able EP release party at "NOTO" Houston, drawing a crowd of 1,500 fans for a night of live performance and celebra on. The buzz has only con nued to grow, following an earlier “Anywhere But Here” single and video release at The Savoy, located in Houston’s historic Third Ward. A nod to the city's deep cultural roots and Larícía’s commitment to her community.

Never one to slow down, Larícía also made a splash with her single “Stop Wri ng Love Songs”, hos ng a release event at Off The Record Houston with support from Team Hennessy.

She kept the momentum going with the “Your Mantra” release party at the beloved Avant Garden, a collabora on with WAVESONBRAND, further solidifying her place in the city’s crea ve circles.

With soulful vocals, magne c stage presence, and a growing list of standout performances, Larícía is more than an ar st to watch. She’s a movement in the making. ● You can stream PRESENT now on all pla orms, or support directly by purchasing on iTunes.

Present - EP: h ps://empire.ffm.to/presentlaricia Website: h ps://laricia.net/

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Twin Hector

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FASHION

WHEN

CONFIDENCE

AND FASHION

MEET

There is something that happens when you feel good in your own skin.

Your fashions bloom in a way that only a woman with confidence and charisma can do.

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/

Summer and class blend together as accessories define the look.

Photo—Sylven Lamar

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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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Less is more when you want to be comfortable and cute at the same me.

Photo—Sylven Lamar

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Gorgeous makeup radiates when applied correctly.

Photo—Sylven Lamar

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Happy and fashion have always complimented each other perfectly.

Photo—Sylven Lamar

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

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