EXPOSURE SPOTLIGHT MAGAZINE DARLENE REESE (ENTREPRENEUR)

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ON THE COVER

CONTENT

FINANCING & HOMES FOR SALE

Darle INSIDE THE ISSUE 04 Editor's Letter 08 ON THE COVER Darlene Reese 10 Power of Success 13 The Recording Academy 14 Black Music Honors 18 Luxurious Homes 27 Travel Tours 28 Beauty Tips 39 Photo Contest

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36TH ANNIVERSARY STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS

The 36th Annual Celebration of Gospel Music Themed “Lighting the Way with Our Faith, Music and Family” held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tennessee reveals the nominees in 28 categories.

The Stellar Awards recognizes the year's best performances in the genre, honors Gospel music icons, and acknowledges the accomplishments of individuals instrumental in advocating for the industry.

“We’re extremely pleased and proud to present our 36th annual Stellar Awards, appropriately themed ‘Lighting the Way with Our Faith, Music and Family,’” remarked Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. “Over the past year, Gospel music has taken on an even more pronounced role in the lives of people around the world - dealing with a double, global pandemic of COVID19 and social injustice - who have relied on Gospel music as a source of 6 EXPOSURE SPOTLIGHT

comfort, strength, and encouragement until we can get to better days ahead.”

Each year, the preeminent industry event recognizes the year’s best album releases and pays special tribute to those Gospel trailblazers who continually set the bar higher.

This year’s recipient of the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement is The Clark Sisters who saw a resurgent appreciation of their musical longevity after the release of their biopic.

Lady Tramaine Hawkins will be honored with the Aretha Franklin Icon Award as a testament to her 50+ years in the industry. Pastor Shirley Caesar will receive the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award for her 70+ years of longevity in the industry. Bishop Dr. Leonard Scott is tapped to receive the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award as the Founder of Tyscot Music + Entertainment, the oldest operating Black-owned Gospel Record Label.

Black Smoke Music Founder Kerry Douglas, label executive and A&R guru Skip Barrett, and Gospel Today Magazine Founder Teresa Hairston will be inducted into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame.

Millennial Gospel superstar

JonathanMcReynolds, McReynolds,co-host co-hostofof Jonathan the 35th Annual Stellar Awards,tops the 35th Annual Stellar Awards, tops of nominees thiswith year the listthe of list nominees this year with eight nominations.

Embarking eight nominations. Embarking upon career in Gospel music lessa aupon careera in Gospel music less than than a ago, decade ago, McReynolds decade McReynolds continues continues to bless audiences and is to bless audiences and is nominated nominated for his work on for his work on “People” (eOne “People” (eOne nominations Music), receiving Music), receiving in the nominations in the categories of Artist ofcategories the Year,ofMale Artistofofthe theYear, Year,Album Male Artist Artist of theof the Year,Producer Album ofofthe Year, theYear, Year,Producer of the Year, Contemporary Contemporary Male Artist ofMale the Artistand of the Year, and Album of Year, Contemporary Contemporary Album of the Year. the Year. He also is nominated for Song of the Year and in the category He also is nominated for Song of ofthe Urban/Inspirational Single of or Year and in the category Performance of the Year for or his Urban/Inspirational Single work on “Movin’ On ft.

Mali Performance of the Year for Music” his (eOne Music).

Anthony work on “Movin’ On ft.Brown Mali & group therapy, Music” (eOne Kierra Music).Sheard, Anthony Maverick City Music, and Pastor Brown & group therapy, Kierra Mike, Jr. Maverick are amongCity a four-way tie of Sheard, Music, and Gospel thisare year, eacha fourPastor artists Mike, Jr. among receiving seven nominations, way tie of Gospel artists this year, including a nod seven each for Artist of each receiving nominations, the Year.

Brown’s contemporary including a nod each for Artist of music genreBrown’s ignites roof-raising the Year. contemporary praise, which resulted in music genre ignites roof-raising nominations for “2econd Wind: praise, which resulted in Ready” (Key of A/Tyscot/Fair nominations for “2econd Wind: of Trade) in six additional categories Ready” (Key Male Artist of of theA/Tyscot/Fair Year, Trade) in six additional categories Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, of Male Artist of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, and Special Event Album of the Year.

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The Power of Success

1. Your Thinking Is The Driving Force Behind Your Success!

2. A Success Mindset consists of several qualities. You can grow and develop these qualities, just as you would any muscle or skill.

3. When these qualities and ways of thinking are combined, developed, and focused on your goals you only have one option……...SSUUCCCCEESSSS!!

4. Vision: Having vision is the power of anticipating or expecting that which will come to be, because you have set the goal, planned for its achievement, and expect to be successful. You can see the goal already achieved in your mind.

5. Creativity: the ability to transcend the same old traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, and to create meaningful new ideas, you can think freely to accomplish your mission of success.

6. Self-Confidence: You believe in yourself and your abilities. You know yourself better than anyone, and you know that you can achieve your goals. You may not know the exact path that you will have to travel, but you know you will succeed because you have a success mindset.

7. Self-Esteem: You have a favorable and realistic impression of yourself.

8. Self-Discipline: You are in complete control of yourself and your emotions, you can conduct yourself in a professional manner when the situations calls.

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The Key Success of Business

The key measure of business success is customer satisfaction. Your ability to satisfy your customers to such a degree that they buy from you rather than from someone else, that they buy again, and that they bring their friends is the key determinant of growth and profitability.

1. Commit to ongoing learning The business world is evolving at a rapid pace and entrepreneurs must remain up to date with the latest advancements. If you want to be successful in business, then you must commit to ongoing learning and be proactive when it comes to your personal development.

You should also focus on getting the qualifications you need to make your company a success. Having additional qualifications will boost the credentials and reputation of your business and give you a competitive edge in your industry.

2. Provide exceptional service Providing excellent customer service is the key to running a successful business. Satisfied customers are much more likely to spend more money with your company in the future. They may also help you build credibility and brand awareness by recommending your business to their friends and family or sharing your content online. For that reason, you should focus on providing exceptional service to every customer. There are countless articles and blogs giving tips on ways to improve your customer service skills.

3. Learn good financial habits Managing business finances can be a real struggle, especially for entrepreneurs with minimal experience dealing with company accounts. Learning good financial

habits will help you track your spending, keep within your will budget, bottomkeep line.within your habits helpand youmaximize track youryour spending, Fortunately, there is an impressive selection of budget, and maximize your bottom line. Fortunately, there tools and software that youtools can use help is accounting an impressive selection of accounting andtosoftware youyou manage your morebusiness efficiently. that can use to business help you finances manage your You can also hire a professional accountant to manage finances more efficiently. You can also hire a professional your company finances forcompany you. Outsourcing thisyou. accountant to manage your finances for responsibility will mean that you have more time to Outsourcing this responsibility will mean that you have focus on core business activities that will increase more time to focus on core business activities that will profitability. increase profitability.

Acceptfailures failures 4.4.Accept Noentrepreneur entrepreneurstarts startsa business a businessthinking thinkingthat thatit itwill willbe a No be a failure.

However, youlearn musttolearn to recognize and failure.

However, you must recognize and accept accept when things aren’t going to plan.

Identifying when things aren’t going to plan. Identifying weaknesses weaknesses allownecessary you to make necessaryto your early will allowearly youwill to make adjustments adjustments to your business operations and improve business operations and improve your bottom line. your bottom line.

Monitor your business Monitor your business activities closely andactivities assess what closely and assess what areas need improvement.

Use areas need improvement.

Use any failures as an any failures as an opportunity to grow and change your opportunity to grow and change your business for the business for the better. better.

Summary Summary Beingsuccessful successfulinintoday’s today’sbusiness businessworld worldrequires requiresa a Being combination of skill, determination, and hard work. combination of skill, determination, and hard work.

Entrepreneursmust mustbebefully fullycommitted committedtototheir theirbusiness Entrepreneurs business and have a detailed plan to guide them and have a detailed plan to guide them towards success. towards They have the ability to They mustsuccess. also have the must abilityalso to recognize their failures recognize their failures and change that aren’tthe and change things that aren’t working.things Try following working.

Try following the above suggestions help above suggestions to help you build a profitable to and you build a profitable and successful business. successful business.

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RECORDING ACADEMY® AND EBONY ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH LAUNCH OF PODCAST SERIES

The Recording Academy® and EBONY, one of the largest Blackowned media companies dedicated to telling Black stories, announced today their partnership to commemorate Black Music Month.

In addition to the partnership, a sixpart podcast series, "Recording Academy x EBONY: Black Music Collective Podcast," hosted by twotime GRAMMY® nominee MC Lyte.

The series will include various members of the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective, where they discuss their contributions and incredible impact within the community and the music industry at large. Confirmed participants and BMC members include four-time 12

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GRAMMY GRAMMYAward Awardwinner winnerYolanda Yolanda Adams, Adams,General GeneralCounsel Counseland andEVP EVPof Business & Legal Affairs for of Business & Legal Affairs for Universal UniversalMusic MusicGroup GroupJeff Jeff Harleston, Harleston,four-time four-timeGRAMMY GRAMMY winner winnerH.E.R., H.E.R.,five-time five-timeGRAMMY winners Jimmy Jam Terry Jam Lewis, GRAMMY winners&Jimmy & former Chair and CEO, BET Terry Lewis, former Chair and Networks Debra Lee, and GRAMMY CEO, BET Networks Debra Lee, Award winner Ledisi. and GRAMMY Award winner Ledisi.

"We are so excited to highlight the great our Black Music the "Wework are soofexcited to highlight Collective members and great work of our Black honor Music Black Music Month throughand ourhonor joint Collective members podcast series in partnership Black Music Month throughwith our EBONY," saidseries AdaminRoth, Senior joint podcast partnership Vice & withPresident, EBONY,"Partnerships said Adam Roth, Business Development of the Senior Vice President, Partnerships Recording "We look & BusinessAcademy.

Development of the forward to sharing these powerful Recording Academy.

"We look discussions that elevate Black music forward to sharing these powerful creators within the music community discussions that elevate Black music and continue to inspire a new creators within the music generation of talent." community and continue to inspire a neware generation talent."with the "We thrilled toofpartner Recording Academy to celebrate "We are thrilled to partner with and the spotlight the artists and creators Recording Academy to celebrate within the Black and and spotlight theMusic artistsCollective and creators towithin be able shareMusic their incredible thetoBlack Collective journeys and stories through and to be able to share their this dynamic, series and withstories our incrediblenew journeys audiences.

EBONY remains through this dynamic, new series committed to ensuring that the Black with our audiences. EBONY experience and perspective is always remains committed to ensuring that amplified music isand at the the Blackand experience epicenter of that experience.

Black perspective is always amplified and music is and has always been the music is at the epicenter of that connector ofBlack all communities experience. music is andacross has the globe and its creators' always been the connector of all contribution immeasurable," said communitiesisacross the globe and Michele Ghee, EBONY's isCEO. its creators' contribution "These conversations are compelling immeasurable," said Michele Ghee, and so necessary ignite ways to tell EBONY's CEO.to"These the stories of our musical legacy conversations arerich compelling and so and to recognize those who have necessary to ignite ways to tell the contributed so rich greatly to it."legacy stories of our musical and to recognize those who have contributed so greatly to it."

The full podcast lineup can be found below: Episode 1: Ceiling Breaker – A Conversation With Debra Lee Debra Lee is one of the most influential female voices in the entertainment industry with a trailblazing career spanning over three decades. Lee served as the chairman and CEO of BET Networks, the leading provider of entertainment for the AfricanAmerican audience and consumers of Black culture globally, for over 13 years and, most recently, launched The Monarchs Collective, a diversity-focused consulting firm.

MC Lyte will walk Lee through her groundbreaking journey, legacy, and commitment to giving back to the community.

Episode 2: Making Change – A Conversation with Jeff Harleston Jeff Harleston is one of the most powerful executives in the entertainment industry and has overseen some of the biggest releases in music. He currently is working to amplify and expand programs and initiatives to support marginalized communities in the ongoing fight for equality, justice, and inclusion.

MC Lyte will have an in-depth discussion with Harleston on the keys to longevity in the music industry and his bold fight to make change.

Episode 3: Legend Status – A Conversation With Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have won five GRAMMY Awards® and been nominated in the Producer of The Year category 11 times, more than anyone else. They have more Billboard No. 1 hits than any other songwriting and production team in history, and have earned more than 100 gold, platinum, multi-platinum, and diamond albums for their work with such iconic artists as Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, George Michael, Gwen Stefani, Kanye West, and many more.

MC Lyte will talk with the music legends to discuss their impact and the key to their long-lasting partnership.

Episode 4: It's a Marathon, Not a Race – A Conversation With Ledisi Since arriving on the scene in the late 1990s, powerhouse vocalist Ledisi has garnered three Soul Train Music Awards, a NAACP Theater Award and six NAACP Image Award nominations. After a distinguished two-decade career, Ledisi earned her first GRAMMY Award (for Best Traditional R&B Performance for her hit song, "Anything for You") this year.

Previously, the powerhouse performer was nominated 12 other times.

MC Lyte will sit down with Ledisi and talk through her journey in music on a road that hasn't always been easy and how she has been able to remain true to who she is as an artist.

Episode 5: Finding Inspiration – A Conversation with Yolanda Adams Billboard Magazine Gospel Artist of the last decade Yolanda Adams is a four-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist who believes her music heals, encourages, and inspires others to trust more than themselves. She has triumphantly carried the torch for contemporary gospel and inspirational music via 13 albums. MC Lyte will sit down with Yolanda Adams and discuss her journey to becoming a household name in the gospel world and the power of faith.

Episode Getting Episode 6: 6: She July is29Just – She is Just Started A Conversation With Getting–Started – A Conversation H.E.R. With H.E.R. In just under five years, H.E.R. has In just under H.E.R. R&B has proven herselffive to years, be a versatile proven to be awith, versatile force toherself be reckoned earning R&B force to be reckoned 13 GRAMMY nominationswith, and earning 13 GRAMMY four wins, as well as annominations Academy and fourfor wins, well as song an "Fight Award her as powerful Academy forWarner her powerful For You"Award from the Bros.

Pictures’ filmFor Judas and the the Black song "Fight You" from Messiah.

Warner Bros. Pictures’ film Judas MCthe Lyte will Messiah. sit down with H.E.R. and Black to discuss how she has been able to MC Lyteon will downscene with H.E.R. explode thesitmusic and to discuss audiences how she has beenthe able to captivate around world with her music uniquescene style.and explode on the "Recording Academy x EBONY: captivate audiences around the Black Music Collective Podcast's" world with her unique style. six-part series will stream Thursdays "Recording x EBONY: at 8 p.m. ETAcademy / 5 p.m. PT beginning June 24 on EBONY.com and Black Music Collective Podcast's" EBONY's YouTube and Facebook six-part series will stream on social networks, well as EBONY.com andasEBONY's GRAMMY.com YouTube and Facebook social BlackMusicCollectivePodcast and networks, as well as the Recording Academy's official GRAMMY.com.

Facebook channel.

BlackMusicCollectivePodcast and the Recording Academy's official Facebook channel.

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