October 2016 issue ft Lee Pitts

October 2016

Happy Birthday!

Ford Ent Mag turns 6!

#23Ways

To Die While Black

Girlfriends The Perfect Love Story

Lee Pitts His Journey To Success

It’s That Time Of The year again for wsaatl

Letter from the Editor, Publisher Ford Ent Mag turns 6!! 6 years ago I made the decision Ford Johnson Publishing, LLC to launch my own mag. 6 is my favorite number being that my bday is 06/06. So this year is my favorite Senior Editor birthday of all birthdays for the mag. What started as Rose Zachary a dream has now become a livelihood and its such a blessing to experience! In this month’s featured interWriters view with Lee Pitts, you will learn about how his dream Rachelle Ford of swimming carried him through every step of his life Desmen Johnson and eventually created a path for him he would never Michael Lamb have envisioned. Don’t know about you, but that is the Cornell Bunting most encouraging lesson I’ve learned this month. A lot Dj Samore of people ask the question, how did you get started?

Fancy Well, I sat with my best friend Niki and said “I want to JusBlack Davis do a magazine”, she said, “You better do it!” The folAngel Soto lowing month, I had a magazine. Get you some Nikis in your life. And speaking of Candace Michelle Niki, read about how my girlfriends are my perfect love story in this month’s “Real One”. Cheers to another issue. Cheers to another year! Can’t help but to imagine Contact Us how things will look for the magazine, another 6 years from now. Follow us on this Inquiry@FordEntmag.info journey and find out for yourself.

302-313-6734 - Rachelle Ford www.FordEntMag.info Ford Johnson Publishing LLC Ford Entertainment Magazine © 2016 by Ford Entertainment Magazine.

All Rights Reserved Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Ford Entertainment Magazine is a registered trademark of Ford Johnson Publishing, LLC. Printed and published in the United States of America.

Maxwell B Chambers Vice Mayor of Miramar, FL,

ISBN-13: 978-1517220457 ISBN– 10: 1517220459

In This Issue:

Cover Stories

LEE PITTS

HIS JOURNEY TO SUCCESS

Pg 23 Music News

08 NEW RELEASES 09 DJ SAMORE’S TOP 5

Top 5 Records of the Month of September 2016

16

Beauty Beat

BEAUTY BEAT:

Hair: Image Full Service Salon Nails: Image Full Service Salon Barber: A Barber With A Heart Fashion: Honey Pot Boutique

04

06

07 12

TRUWISDOM: #23WAYS TO DIE WHILE BLACK PARENTING FROM PRISON: CLASS IS IN SESSION TRAVEL WITH CORNELL:LONDON IN THE NEWS

Exclusive Interviews 10 MIKE LOWRY: A Man OF Many Titles 19 Real Estate Made Easy With: NICOLE SIME 20 SPINMASTER VIANI:

No Hype Just Pure Dedication

Blog Spot

OCTOBER 2016

EVENT COVERAGE 29 CARIBBEAN JERK FESTIVAL

Life/Relationship 30 REAL ONE

GIRLFRIENDS: The Perfect Love Story

www.Fordentmag.info

BlogSpot

#23Ways

TruWisdom

To Die While Black 7. Akai Gurley

1. Sandra Bland

The 28-year-old black woman was found hanged in a jail cell in Waller County, Texas, on July 13, 2015. Bland had been pulled over for a minor traffic violation on July 10 by state trooper Brian Encinia. He arrested her following an escalating conflict during which he alleged that she assaulted him.

The 28-year-old black man was fatally shot by NYPD, in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2014. Gurley and his girlfriend entered an apartment building stairwell.

Officer Peter Liang drew his firearm and fired a shot. The shooting was declared an accidental discharge.

8. Renisha Mcbidge

2. Mike Brown

The 19-year-old black woman was fatally shot by TheoThe 18-year-old black man was fatally shot by Darren dore Wafer, in Dearborn Heights, Michigan on November Wilson, 28, a white Ferguson police officer on August 9, 2, 2013. McBride crashed her car at a street in Detroit, 2014. Allegedly, somebody stole cigarillos from a nearby and then walked to a neighborhood in Dearborn Heights convenience store and Brown fit the description of the where she knocked on the door of a house. The homesuspect. owner, Theodore Wafer, shot McBride with a shotgun.

3. Trayvon Martin

The 17-year-old black man was fatally shot by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, in Sanford, Florida on February 26, 2012. Martin went to a convenience store and purchased candy and a canned drink.

As Martin walked home from the store, he was stopped

by Zimmerman and eventually shot in the chest.

4. Philando Castile

The 32-year-old black man was fatally shot by Jeronimo Yanez, a St. Anthony, Minnesota police officer on July 6,2016. Castile was pulled over as part of a traffic stop.

Castiles girlfriend and four year old daughter were both in the car.

5. Sean Bell

9. India Beaty

The 19-year-old black woman was fatally shot by two unidentify police officers, in Norfolk, Virginia on March 19, 2016. Allegedly police were staking out an Ocean View parking lot when they saw a woman not involved in their investigation pull a toy gun on an unarmed man.

10. Eric Garner The 28-year-old black man died by death by strangulation by Daniel Pantaleo, a NYPD police officer, in Staten Island, New York on July 17, 2014. NYPD officers approached Garner on suspicion of selling “loosies” (single cigarettes). The officers went to arrest Garner. When officer Daniel Pantaleo tried to take Garner’s wrist behind his back, Garner pulled his arms away. Pantaleo then put his arm around Garner’s neck and took him down onto the ground choking him to death.

The 23-year-old black ma was fatally shot by NYPD, in Queens, New York on November 25, 2006. Bell was holding his bachelor party at Club Kalua, a strip club that was being investigated by undercover police. A plain-clothes 11. Oscar Grant officer named Gescard Isnora followed Bell and his comThe 23-year-old black man was fatally shot by Johannes panions, firing about 50 bullets into Bell’s car.

Mehserle, a Oakland police officer, in Oakland, California 6. Ramarley Graham on January 1, 2009. Officer Johannes Mehserle and anThe 18-year-old black man was fatally shot by Richard other officer were restraining Grant, who was lying face Haste, a NYPD police officer, in Bronx, New York on Feb- down and handcuffed. Mehserle drew his pistol and shot ruary 2, 2002. The officer alleged that Graham had been Grant once in the back. reaching for a gun in his waistband, but there were no witnesses.

18. Rekia Boyd

12. Gregory Gunn

The 58-year-old black man was fatally shot by Aaron Smith, a Montgomery, Alabama police office on February 25, 2016.

Gunn was tased three times, beaten with a baton and shot five times by Smith.

14. Alton Sterling

The 37-year-old black man was fatally shot by Howie Lake II, Blane Salamoni, police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on July 5, 2016. Police were responding to a report that a man that was dressed in a red shirt was selling CDs, one of the officers aimed his gun at Sterling’s body, then three gunshots were heard.

13. Freddie Grey

The 25-year-old black man was beaten to death

by Baltimore, Maryland police, on April 12, 2015.

While being transported in a police van, Gray fell into a coma and was taken to a trauma center, his death was attributed to injuries to his spinal cord.

15. Alfred Olango

The 38-year-old black man was fatally shot by El Cajon police, in San Diego California on September 27, 2016. Olango allegedly took an item out of his pocket and pointed it at an officer who then shot him. The item turned out to be a 16. Jamar Clark The 24-year-old black man was vape smoking device. fatally shot by Mark Ringgenberg, a Minneapolis polices office on November 15,2015.

Clark was attending a birthday 17. Amadou Diallo party, Clark’s ex-girlfriend got into a fight with another wom- The 23-year-old black an that resulted in the police man was fatally shot by and EMS being called. Clark ap- NYPD, in Bronx, New York proached the ambulance that on February 2, 1999. Ofhis ex-girlfriend entered and ficers fired a combined was arrested, thrown to the total of 41 shots, 19 ground, and the EMS super- of which struck Diallo, visor placed a knee on Clark’s outside his apartment chest, after which point he because they thought he had a gun. The was shot. post-shooting investigation found no weapons on Diallo’s body; the item he had pulled out of his jacket was not a gun, but a rectangular black wallet.

The 22-year-old black woman was fatally shot by Dante Servin, a Chicago police detective, on March 21, 2012.

Servin approached a group of four people who were walking down an alley and reprimended them for talking too loudly. The group turned to leave and Servin fired multiple shots from his car, over his shoulder, into them. One bullet hit Boyd’s friend, Antonio Cross, in the hand; another hit Boyd in the back of the head and killed her.

19. John Crawford III

The 23-year-old black man was fatally shot by Sean Williams, a Beavercreek police officer, in Ohio on August 5, 2014. Crawford picked up an un-packaged BB/pellet air rifle inside the store’s sporting goods section and continued shopping. Two officers of the Beavercreek Police arrived at the Walmart shortly after their dispatcher informed them of a “subject with a gun” in the pet supplies area of the store and Crawford was shot.

20. Walter Scott

The 50-year-old black man was fatally shot by Michael Slage, a North Charleston police officer, in South Carolina on April 4, 2015. Following a daytime traffic stop for a non-functioning brake light. Scott fled, and Slager drew his handgun, firing eight rounds at him from behind. The coroner’s report stated that Scott was struck a total of five times.

21. Tamir Rice

The 12-year-old black boy was fatally shot by Timothy Loehmann & Frank Garmback, a Cleveland police officer, in Ohio on November 22, 2014. Rice was playing with a replica toy gun in the park. Within two seconds of arriving on the scene, Loehmann fired two shots, hitting Rice once in the torso. He died the following day.

22. Samuel DuBose The 43-year-old black man was fatally shot by Ray Tensing, a Cincinnati police officer, in Ohio on July 19, 2015. During a traffic stop for a missing front license plate. Officer Tensing drew his pistol and fired once, striking DuBose.

23. Laquan McDonald

The 17-year-old black man was fatally shot by Jason Van Dyke, a Chicago police officer on October 20, 2014. McDonald had a knife and walked away from police. After numerous verbal instructions from officers to drop the knife, he was shot. The first shot hit McDonald, who spun and fell to the ground. As McDonald laid on the ground, Van Dyke fired more shots into him. In total, MacDonald was shot 16 times.

BlogSpot Parenting From Prison

Class is In Session I greet you with a heavy heart, however even with that I hope your mind is free. Does anyone want to share if you have been doing the assignments, what have you discovered about yourself! Self-reflections are very difficult.

If you are honest with yourself, it feels as if you are displaying yourself for the world to see.

Truthfully I am struggling with this today because of the three shootings which have happened with Law Enforcement the last few days. I am trying to pump myself as a person would do a well to give you what you deserve in this article. As tears flow down my face, because I think of you, our sons and daughters, our families.

I will agree not all cops are bad, but those who are should be punished to the letter of the law. I will digress because I feel myself going off on a tangent. I will go into our assignment.

Man in the Mirror Assignment

Sometime,somewhere, somehow we shall find that which we seek.

8. Pick a scene in which you disagreed Source: Helen Keller how a character handled a situation/ person and rewrite it in the way you Part II think it should have happened.

You were asked to write your child to pick put a book for the book discussion. I wish I was able to write about each book; however, my responses are general for some of the books.

9. What quality of which character strikes you as a good characteristic to develop within yourself over the years? Why? How does the character demonstrate this quality?

1. Explain a character’s problem and then offer your character advice on how to solve his/her problem.

10. Who tells the story? Is this the best person to tell it? Why?

Use these questions to have an open 2. Explain how a character is acting dialogue with your child! I do love you and why you think the character is are making an effort in such a difficult acting that way. situation. If you like, you may contact me at Ford Johnson Publishing P.O. 3. From what you’ve read so far, make Box 62344 Ft Myers, FL 33906. predictions about what will happen next and explain what in the text makes you think it will happen.

With Hope, Part I 4. Pick one character and explain why Candace Michelle you would/would not like to have Man in Mirror Assignment him/her as a friend.

Welp, I want to change up before I get P.S. I will focus on Middle and High into the discussion questions. So I will 5. Describe and explain why you School next month. give you a prompt for the man in the would/would not like to have lived in mirror assignment. I borrowed this the time or place of the story. one!

Perseverance is a steady effort to 6. What real-life peomaintain a course of action, purpose, ple or events are you or belief, often in spite of difficulty. reminded of by charWrite a letter to yourself at the age acters or events in the of eight, explaining the meaning of story? Explain why. perseverance as it applies to personal success.

7. Write about what Do not think of today’s failures, but of would happen if you the success that may come tomorrow. brought one of your Remember no effort that we make to characters to school attain something beautiful is ever lost. or home for a day.

Travel With Cornell

London

Early September a few members of the “Lion with no Roar” team and I set out for London where we would be doing a book signing for the kids and possibly meeting with a publishing company for a book deal. What I was excited about on this trip were the history and sites to see. See, London is the capital and most popular city of England, despite the fact that I grew up in Bristol. Standing on the River Thames in the southeast of the island, my aunt’s husband once told me that since the 19th century, “London” has been referred to the metropolis around the core – Historically split between Middlesex, Essex, Surrey, Kent, and Hertfordshire, which today largely makes up Greater London.

When I think of those metropolises, I remember that Jamaica uses two of the five and if any of you readers think you know, message me on Facebook or Instagram and you will win a prize from me.

One of the things I love about London is that it’s the leading global city, in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism, and transport. It is one of the world’s leading financial centers and has the sixth-largest metropolitan area GDP in the world, I think. When we got into the city Kirk asked , “Why is it so busy here?” I had to inform him that it is the world’s most-visited city as measured by international arrivals; he looked intrigued as he saw how the airport system was measured by passenger traffic. I told him about how London is the world’s leading investment des-

tination that hosts more international retailers and ultra-high-net-worth individuals than any other city. The universities form the largest concentration of higher education institutes reside in Europe. According to the report, I remember seeing, London also ranks first in the world in software, multimedia development, and design, and also shares the first position in technology readiness.

The diverse range of people and cultures is more than two hundred languages, I think. London contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London, Kew Gardens – the site comprising the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey; St Margaret’s Church – where we all went and took tons of photos; and the historic settlement of Greenwich – where the Royal Observatory resides, Greenwich also marks the Prime Meridian. Other famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and The Shard. Stephanie loved the look of the numerous museums, galleries, libraries, sporting event stadiums and other cultural institutions including the British Museum, National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, British Library and West End theaters. We visited most of these places in two days; an older lady told me one day when I was lost in west London that the railway is the oldest underground railway network in the world and all I needed to do was to get a map and study it. I did, but with all the different train lines, I just gave the map to Stephanie, who helped us find all the different locations we

needed to be. We were happy about the time we chose to travel to London because of its oceanic climate – which is similar to all of southern Britain.

Despite its reputation as being a rainy city, London has received less precipitation than a lot of other major cities throughout the world.

Summers are generally warm and sometimes hot. Winters are generally cool and damp with little temperature variation. Snowfall occurs occasionally and can cause travel disruption when that happens. Snowfall is more common in outer London. Spring and autumn are mixed seasons and can be pleasant. As a large city, London has a considerable urban heat island effect, making the center of London at times warmer than the suburbs and outskirts. We went to the East End which is the Port of London where we caught a boat to the other end known for its high immigrant population, as well as for being one of the poorest areas in London. London is such a great city to visit – you don’t even need a car. You can travel throughout the city via the bus system as well as the Tube – the London Underground and overground system. London is also a very walkable city. We saw much of London by walking. It is the best way to take in all the sights! If you want to see what this looks like, you can visit my Facebook page to see videos and photos of the promo and the book signing. Until you read my blog again, cheers mate!

Reference http://www.visitlondon.com

Music News

New Releases Upcoming Releases

Music

Hood Diezel: I Am The No

I Am The No, the 5th musical mixtape by artist Hood Diezel has officially dropped. With it being 2years since his last project, you can see the musical growth and continuous passion for music by the Pompano native. This project compared to the previous ones contain more heart and substance and with tracks like “Coming Home” and “Get It In”. This album is also for the ladies.

This project features some prodigious tracks such as “God’s Child”which is 3 minutes of realness that we all can relate to on many different levels, “Keep It G”- which has all the makings of the next street anthem and “Coming Home”- which shows a vulnerable side to the artist who’s name alone commands the attention of the people.

Social Media: Hood Diezel

DPB: Sauced Up

Da Pretty Boyz (DPB) have done it again! Their new single “Sauced Up” is taking on across the nation and has even developed into the newest dance craze with the #SaucedUpChallenge.

McKlezieFollow The Leader vol 2

Books

Slade by My Baskets

Put the kids away, turn on the game for the hubby and take back your me time! Call her the savior Dats My Dawgof relaxation, Candace Michelle Hood Diezel has provided the newest outlet The video to the hot single “Dats to taking in some alone time with My Dawg” has officially dropped. her Slade By Me baskets.

With handmade bath bombs, Directed by Young Chang, Produced wine glasses, and even a custom

by Black Pro. designed lingerie, these baskets take the author’s erotica novel “The Sound of Acquiescence” from a must read to a “Need To” read. Forget Calgon, its time to let Candace take you away.

Music Video

Youtube: Hood Diezel

www.IamTruwiz.com

Music News

DJ Samore

Top 5

Top 5- October ‘16

1

4

Tory Lanez Luv

2

Usher ft Yung Thug No Limit

Chance The Rapper No Problem

5

ft Popcon 3 DrakeControlla

Travis Scott ft Young Thug Pick Up The Phone

1. T JUAN CAME UP 2. SEVYN STREETER PROBLY For more on the urban experience and dj samore , check out sourbanentertainment.com and Da one radio on dadecountyradio.com over 40k loyal listeners on the radio station, monitoredbyradiowavemonitor.com. monitored by radiowavemonitor.com

www.sourbanentertainment.com

s u i m o Lo

e k i M Humanitarian

Event C oordinator

Artist

r o t c A

Philanthropist

A Man Of Many Titles

Mike Loomius, artist, actor, community advocate. A man of many titles. Born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida, right on Ford Street, he has seen many changes come to the community. Both good and bad. Ladychelle sat down with the Jack of all trades after his successful “Taste of Dunbar” event,an occasion that united many of the area’s food vendors and provided an outlet for families to spend a Sunday afternoon listening to an amazing Reggae band and eating great food. How did he get started? Where is he heading?

Tell us about you being an artist?

I don’t tell a lot of people that I’m an artist because I like to edify other people. I’ve known that I was an artist for a while now, but I just don’t want to indulge in my artistry because I felt it exploited who I was. I already exploit myself sexually, so I didn’t want to continue to do that if I wasn’t going to humble myself enough to be a great artist and do the right thing with the light. Music is an outlet for me, it’s a way to get out of the streets if you’re living the street life. It makes you buckle down and do stuff. It’s work If you look at it like that. If you don’t look at it like that, it’s just a dream.

What about your acting?

I’ve been on CSI Miami, 10,000 B.C, Semi-pro, Who’s the Boss with L.L.Cool J, I was on E.R. I did a lot of extra, background work. Although many of the time they wanted me to go for speaking roles, because I was told I had the look. I never had a problem getting the job.

So is acting your main focus?

If I had to focus on my acting I would have to leave Ft Myers, and I can’t do that. I have 4 children. So I just let that go for now to take care of my kids.

Gionni, Kiara, Zionana, & Cameron.

Speaking of Ft Myers, what are your thoughts on the violence that plagues the community?

The violence is prevalent because

we don’t fight against flesh and blood. We fight against the spiritual, the dark forces in high places. The naked eye is always talking about “Black on Black” “White on White” “Police Violence”. When in truth, all of this is from spirits. We’re fighting a spiritual warfare.

when I was 2 years old, and having to live with that. I was raised by my grandparents.

How has this event shaped you as a man?

I’ve never been able to fall in love.

Real love. It’s always costume. Never And how do we stop that? been able to get close to nobody. I’m a gypsy. Having witnessed this at such We can’t stop it. It’s a curse. You just a young age, it taught me to be more have to live within it and promote observant. How to adapt to my surroundings. My grandmother just repeace. Be a peace advocate. cently passed away, and I once promised her I would leave a legacy which And where do you fall within that? is what made me go ahead and create my foundation.

I fall in deep. Either way it goes, you can be on either side of the fence. But After a 19 year absence, your mother I’m always in the middle of it. Trying to is back in your life. How is that relationship? stop it. I’m always 6 degrees from it.

Tell us what your mission and goal It’s kind of rocky right now. arre at this time?

What’s next for you in 2017?

I call myself a humanitarian, a philanthropist. I do a lot to help out my I don’t know. I’m working on that right community. When a woman’s hungry, now. I’m about to start all over again.

I help feed her. When men get out of I have to focus on myself. I want to get prison, if it’s a woman who’s light’s into coaching all kind of sports, tennis, are being cut off, a homeless man on golf, whatever. the side of the street. Doesn’t matter, I help them.

How do these people reach out to you for help? Do you have a foundation?

I wasn’t doing it off a foundation. I was doing it on the strength of love.

I felt seeing how people were being treated. Growing up with the tragedy of watching my mother kill my father

In The News #TerranceCrutcher

TULSA, OK — The head of police in Tulsa in the US state of Oklahoma says a black man shot dead by officers on Friday was unarmed. Authorities are investigating the death of Terence Crutcher, 40, who had his hands in the air when he was shot next to his car.

Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan says, “there was no gun on the suspect or in the suspect’s vehicle.” Officers came across Mr. Crutcher’s stalled vehicle while they were en route to another call, reports say. Disturbing footage from a police helicopter of the moment Mr. Crutcher was shot appears to back up his family’s assertion that his hands were in the air at all times. He was first tasered and then shot. He died later in hospital, police said.

Mr. Crutcher’s twin sister Tiffany called for protests over his death to be peaceful and demanded criminal charges be filed against the officer who fatally shot him.

Source: BBC.com

500 Homicides 9 Months 1 City

CHICAGO, IL — With a holiday weekend spate of violence that killed 13 people, the homicide toll in the nation’s third-largest city hit 500, a grim milestone that puts the city on track to reach a murder rate it hasn’t seen since the drug wars of the1990s.

The Labor Day weekend murders come after police recorded 92 murders in August, the deadliest month for Chicago since June 1993. With murders up roughly 50% for the year, Chicago has tallied more homicides than the much larger cities of New York and Los Angeles combined.

The city is on pace to record well over 600 murders for 2016, a threshold it has not reached since 2003. Chicago regularly recorded more than 700 murders a year in the 1990s as gang violence, driven by the crack-cocaine epidemic, raged.

Souce usatoday.com

9 Stabbed at Minnesota Mall ST. CLOUD, MN— Authorities are investigating the stabbings of nine people at a Minnesota mall as a potential act of terrorism — a finding that would realize long-held fears of an attack in the immigrant-rich state that has struggled to stop the recruiting of its young men by groups including the Islamic State.

A young Somali man dressed as a private security guard entered the Crossroads Center mall over the weekend wielding what appeared to be a kitchen knife. The city’s police chief said the man reportedly made at least one reference to Allah and asked a victim if he or she was Muslim before attacking. The rampage ended when the man was shot dead by an off-duty police officer. None of the

injured suffered life-threatening wounds.

The motive is still unclear, but FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Rick Thornton said Sunday the stabbings were being investigated as a “potential act of terrorism,” and the Islamic State claimed responsibility. It doesn’t appear anyone else was involved in the attack, which began at around 8 p.m. and was over within minutes, Police Chief Blair Anderson said. Leaders of the Somali community in central Minnesota united Sunday to condemn the stabbings. They said the suspect — identified by his father as 22-year-old Dahir A. Adan — does not represent them, and they expressed fear of a backlash.

Source CNBC

#KeithLamontScott

CHARLOTTE, NC — Before we saw the video, we got still photographs of a handgun, an ankle holster, a marijuana blunt and confirmation that Mr. Scott’s DNA was found on that loaded handgun. However, once bodycam video was released, the video does not show, let alone confirm, that Mr. Scott was holding a weapon in his hand, as has been claimed by Charlotte police. The video also does not show, let alone confirm, that Mr. Scott made any sudden movements toward any of the officers immediately before he was shot.

Indeed, it shows the opposite. Mr. Scott is seen walking backwards in a non-aggressive way with his arms to his side, and his head turned toward two officers with their guns drawn. The video does not show, let alone confirm, the location of where the gun was recovered in relation to Mr. Scott’s hands. In fact, we see footage of Mr. Scott’s bloodied hand being placed behind his back to be handcuffed.

Then there is the cell phone video taken

by Mr. Scott’s wife, Rakeyia Scott. Upon hearing unidentified officers repeatedly tell her husband to “drop the gun,” she responds by saying, “He doesn’t have a gun. He has a TBI. He’s not going to do anything to you guys. He just took his medicine.”

Keith Lamont Scott was shot by police on September 20th causing violent protests and riots that has recently resulted in the state declaring a curfew for the city a nd a State of Emergency. National Guard Troops arrived on Thursday September 29th in North Carolina.

Source: CNN

Agent: Yanira Castro

Multiple Locations Throughout SWFL

Grand opening celebration Saturday 10/15/2016 1:00pm-9:00pm

*free food and drinks, raffles, give aways, plus more.

New location: 4420 Tamiami Trail E #103 Naples, Fl 34112 Store hours: M-F 9:00am-8:00pm Sat 9:00am-9:00pm Sunday 1:00pm-7:00pm

Beauty Beat

Let’s Have a Beauty Day Image Full Service Salon

In our quest to report the best in the beauty industry each month, we visited The Full Image Salon this past August. From the moment you step foot through the doors, you feel at home. Unlike many beauty salons, this one has a great social and personable vibe. Almost like you’re in your friends’ kitchen getting your hair done.

With refreshments flowing freely and conversations ranging from celebrity gossip to parenting, to politics, to the weather, the whole vibe of the salon will make you think you are having a girls’ beauty day and you are amongst your friends. Not only servicing your hair needs, this salon also provides nail services as well. Your one-stop shop to relaxation.

Image Full Service Salon is located at 601 Del Prado Blvd. N Suite 5 Cape Coral, FL 33909. WalkIns are welcomed but appointments are preferred.We are always running promotions and monthly discounts. If you would like to set up your appointment or a free consultation call us at 239-573-4667.

During your visit at IMAGE, you also will receive complimentary refreshments. From hair extensions to nail extensions here at IMAGE we want to take care of all your beauty needs.

Hair Services (Starting at) Cut and Style - 30 Color- 65 Highlights - 59+ Men’s Cuts - 15 Kids Cuts - 12 Hair Extensions - 200+ Nail Services ( starting at) Acrylic Full Set -40+ Gel Manicures -30+ Pedicures - 30+

Hair

Beauty Beat

Men

A Barber With a Heart Childhood is such a crucial time in our lives, especially when we hit teenage-hood.

It is when we begin to find ourselves, to know ourselves and most importantly to love ourselves. And step 1 to loving yourself is feeling good about yourself. A barber in Fort Myers understandood that importance and did what he could to help young men do just that. Not only through the usual “Back to School” haircut specials but by going a step further and encouraging parents to bring him their children’s report cards and picking out a winner to receive a free haircut. A decade as a barber, and the recipient of the Ford Ent Awards “Barber of the Year” trophy, Brian “DaBarber” Johnson has taken a God-given skill to not only turn a profit but to also give back and make a difference in a child’s life.

Beauty Beat

Oh Honey! Honey!

Fashion

From the casual lunch to the business meetings, to the Friday night dinner and movie dates, Honey Pot boutique has all the pieces to accommodate your upcoming adventure.

Honey Pot Boutique is located at 2221 Fowler St in Fort Myers, FL

They have a great a collection of items to meet everyone’s needs.

CAR DETAILING ALSO AVAILABLE ON LOCATION

Real Estate Made Easy With

{ e m i S e l o c i N

First, tell us a brief description of it works, they know how to protect you from bad deals out there. They your job as a realtor. know how to read and do the contract Well usually, people think of realtors with you, that way you are protected. when they want to purchase a prop- And the fact that you are working with erty and they need somebody to help a realtor, a lot of the stuff that normalthem find that perfect home for their ly you would do when you’re buying family or for themselves, so as a real- directly from someone, you may not tor we help the seller or the buyer in a go through because the realtor will do real estate transaction. Whether you all the legwork for you, will do most of are buying or selling, this is where you the paperwork and help you through start with questions as far as where the whole process until closing. This is you want to be, who can I call, what what we basically do. can I do, what are the steps? So the realtor, if you’re selling your house, When did you get started in Real Eswill, do a short interview with you to tate? find out about the property and then give you a comparative market anal- I started actually totally by mistake, ysis, which is what we call a CMA, to I became a realtor back in 2003, but tell you what your property is worth. I was already in the real estate marFrom there, we proceed to list the ket buying and selling my own propproperty on the market for you.Also, erties prior to that and then in 2003 if you want to purchase a home, you I obtained my license, and started start with a realtor. Working with a re- selling and listing, and helping most altor, usually is your best bet because of my friends buy homes. The market they know the market, they know how crashed back in 2008-2009, but I survived and now the market is coming back up again.

are some of the questions they should be asking. Usually, the banker will go through their credit profile and tell them what it is, they need to do. It’s best for them to start there then they know what they’re looing at and how much they can afford. This way, when they call a realtor, they’re more prepared. If they do the process properly, and don’t skip a step then they’re guaranteed to be on the closing table within 90 days.

What do you enjoy the most about being in Real-Estate?

Oh! It’s the closing day. Not because of the check, but the look on your client’s face. Especially my first time home buyers. I mean it’s just priceless. This is the most enjoyable moment for me when I say here are your Say from a perspective of someone keys. There’s no words to describe the who want to purchase their first feeling when you do that.So that‘s the home. What would be their first most part I enjoy the most. step?

The first step is to talk their bank or their lender, because you don’t want to start the process of going to look at homes and find a home that you want and then find out later that you are not qualified to buy that property. So their first step would be to talk to their banker and tell them they’re thinking about buying a house. What do I need to do? Can you please look at my credit? do I need to pay off some debts? Where do I start? These

“She’s a really great friend. She helped me buy a house and walked me through the whole process.

She was always available, all hours of the night, if I had any questions.

She was with me every step of the way.”

-Solange Laguerre, client

No Hype just pure Dedication

If music makes the world go round, then the DJ must be holding the remote. And none are better at pushing the right gears than Spinmaster Viani. Nationally renowned for his unique ear for music and his skills on the turntables, Spinmaster Viani

is one of the top DJs to ever step in the game. Whereas most climb the charts and chase the fame, Spinmaster Viani is just a man who loves music and gets his fulfillment simply from being in the booth. Pure Dedication.

Having worked with multiple well-known artists, Spinmaster Viani is extremely precise with his music selection which you can experience for yourself during his mixes as he spins multiple genres effortlessly, from Hip Hop to House, to Euro to Reggae etc... This DJ, a New York native who got his humble start at life from the bottom in the Bronx, has an ear for intricate music, is not focused on

the spotlight. Instead, he keeps his sights on the turntables, the bpms, and making sure his audience has a truly profound experience.

He describes his time in the booth as his hide-out, his own world. And he shares his world with us daily through the airwaves. As a mix DJ during the daily traffic hour on the newest FM station in SWFL, Viani keeps us entertained during our drive home. Not a stranger to radio, as he is responsible for blessing us with mixes through multiple stations, this newest station is the current flavor.

Experience his sounds daily on 90.5FM in Southwest Florida, Monday thru Friday during the hottest mix hour, the 5pm traffic hour.

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Lee Pitts

His Journey To SUCCESS

“I’m always asked what the secret is to my success...

I had a great mom. “

You may see his glory, but chances are you don’t know his story. How did Lee Pitts become a tv host on broadcast television for the past 25 years, made it to the Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame, produced an award-winning swimming instructional DVD, had a student union building named after him and stares down at us from a billboard every day?

Lee Pitts grew up in one of the roughest neighborhoods, the Collegeville Housing Project in Birmingham, Alabama. Raised by a single mother after his parents separated when he was 3years old, and one of 7 children, Lee’s childhood was one of the poorest. His mother was a hustler.

She had multiple jobs to keep the bills afloat and received food stamps to feed her family. With his mother not having completed high school and his dad not finishing school past the third grade, Lee and his siblings had one responsibility in life, finish high school.

And he did just that and more.

Lee Pitts’s story is a great example of how holding on to your passion can literally change your life. Lee fell in love with swimming at the age of 6 and wanted to go to the public pool. Not believing in handouts, his mother told him he had to pay his own way.

Being the determined individual that he is, young Lee began to scour dumpsters and abandoned houses for empty soda bottles that he would then recycle for cash. He also took on a paper route. This grind eventually paid off.

A mere joy, a simple passion, later on, helped Lee become a lifeguard then a swimming instructor.

Even on to produce an award-winning

swimming DVD and being inducted in the Boys and Girls club Hall of Fame. One of the greatest lessons Pitts is able to share with the world is that “You never know where you’re going to end up in life. Whatever it is you love to do, stick to it. Even if you choose to go to school for something else, you can always apply that to your passion. Education and knowledge are key.”

His dream of being a swimmer which then turned into a passion, that he worked to pay his way on his own, which then led him to produce an

award-winning DVD and paved a way for him to be inducted into the Hall of Fames, is also the reason this man has been appearing on our tv screens for the past 25years. He initially had no plans on being a tv personality and had no training in that field.

In 1987, Lee Pitts moved to Fort Myers after working in Detroit and Jacksonville. He was a vice president at Fort Myers’ First Union Bank. He began his career in tv by appearing as a guest, discussing drownings and pool safety.

These appearances led him to produce a series of 30-second public service announcement videos. This work landed him the nickname “the Swim guy”.

Then one day, he was asked to fill-in as a guest talk show host. Then the following week he was asked to fill-in again and this time, he could bring on his own guests. Lee, of course, invited a couple of African American business owners to join him as there was a lack of minority representation on tv at the time. These two gigs led the station manager to ask Lee to host his own show. He first shot down the idea, thinking he had no time to be on tv while he taught swimming and worked at the bank. Finally working out a deal where Lee would have full control of his show, Lee Pitts Live was born.

25 years ago.

According to a story published by the News-Press: “The show didn’t start as “Lee Pitts Live,” in fact.

It used to be “Up Close with Lee Pitts.”

Pitts hosted a TV debate between Fort

Myers mayoral candidates Bruce Grady and T. Wayne Miller in 1996.

He says it was the first time the candidates, who despised each other, had appeared in the same room together during the heated race. The debate was big news in Lee County, he says, and an army of reporters showed up with cameras, TV satellite trucks and notebooks. That’s when Pitts realized how influential his show could be.

“I’m hosting the show,” he says. “I’m asking the questions. I’m in control.

Nobody’s controlling me. That’s POWER.” Only one problem: Somehow, all those reporters got the show’s name wrong, he says. They called it “Lee Pitts Live” and not “Up Close with Lee Pitts.” “And they never asked me!” he says. The publicity put him on the map, though. And after his initial anger, Pitts says, he simply changed the name of the program.” (Newspress, 2016) Lee Pitts was correct in his claim of having power. Two years ago, Hodges University in Fort Myers, FL named its new student union building: Lee Pitts Student Union. A framed photo and

name sits prominently on a wall. The building is the only higher-education property in the area named after an African-American. A great admirable feat. Lee Pitts is a part of history.

A success story that reads like a fairytale. Hard work pays off. But it’s not that simple, according to Lee it took more than hard work to get him where he is today. What is the secret to your success? I asked. “I had a great mom.”

He said. “My dad had values. We had expectations. I was expected to graduate high school. To not drink or smoke.

So I focused on avoiding peer pressure and finishing school. You never know where you’re going to be in life. Everything I’ve accomplished in life is all because of the efforts I put into my love for swimming.”

Sources: Exclusive interview with Lee Pitts by Rachelle Ford and news-press.com.

Happy Birthday

Ford Ent Magazine!!

www.FordEntMag.info

SWFL’s Hot Spot

Lounge

2158 Colonial Blvd #1 Fort Myers FL 33907

Photo Credit: Adrian Mata Photography

Centrally located in Ft Myers, FL at the corner of Colonial Blvd and U.S. 41, V Lounge is your go-to italian oasis when that craving hits. Convenient located directly accross from the mall, and within walking distance from hotels, and a variety of stores, its the perfect resting shop if you need a quick food break during errands.

With a menu filled with the finest Italian cuisine, a 5-star

chef, classy decor and great music, whether on a date or grabbing lunch, this place can accomodate either vibe. Not only a full time restaurant, but V Lounge transforms in the evenings into one of SWFL’s hottest spots to be if great music, great people, and a great time is what is on your agenda that evening. The best part, the kitchen remains open! Owned by Spinmaster Viani himself, who’s no stranger to clubs and he got

his start in the business many years ago. Owning multiple clubs, from Las Vegas to New York, Spinmaster VIani knows just the right formula to provide a superior experience.

Hosted by some of the areas greatest DJs, spining a variety of today’s hottests sounds, no matter the genre, V lounge should be your destination for any occasion.

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The 1st Annual Caribbean Jerk & Cultural Festival was a successful event. With a multitude of vendors, amazing food, and great music, even the rain couldn’t halt this momentous occasion. People from all backgrounds and cultures mingled together and bonded over West Indian sounds and jerk flavors permeating the air.

Ford Entertainment Magazine was a proud sponsor of this event along with many more, and a portion of proceeds to benefit CHAPS Food & Hygiene Pantry.

Life/Relationship

Real One

Girlfriends - The Perfect love Story Or should I say “Friend Girls?” Often times, when we are single we long for the perfect relationship.

We get lonely, we crave companionship, attention, love and we feel as tho we are losing in that department because we don’t have a man in our lives. But allow me to let you in on a little secret, some of us have already met our soulmates and are already living our perfect love story.

Sure, my girlfriends don’t bring me flowers, take me on dates, or massage my feet. But everything else I’ve longed for in a relationship, I already experience in my friendships. My girlfriends are a special breed. They support me, push me, motivate me, hold me accountable to my sh*t, love me unconditionally, pray for me, and are only a phone call away whenever I’m in need. Told my best friend the other day that I had a crush on someone and I was thinking of jumping in a relationship. She responded “you’re lonely and I get it. Do you need me to carve out some time out of my life to go to dinner or a movie with you?” How can you not want to marry your friends!? Think about it, your girls know you. The

that I have in my life and they are the purest form of love apart from the love I receive from my children.

My best friend once told me she would love me through all my dumb decisions. And she has proven that statement to be true for years and counting.

Through their drives, their motivation, their focus, my girlfriends encouragement me to be my greatest version of me.

From daily phone calls asking me “how do you plan on being excellent today?” to having casual convos and being told “girl you are so dope. I don’t know if you know how dope you are”, my girlfriends have spoiled me in a way that I know what love is. I’ve experienced perfect love. And I refuse to settle for less. Relationships come and go, some may even last forever. But there’s nothing like true friendship, accountability partners, and a strong support system.

Ladies, stop searching for the perfect relationship and realize that the most real one on your team is sometimes your girlfriend.

real you. Sometimes better than you know yourself. They love you and accept your flaws and all. They laugh with you, cry with you, and take your children as their own.

They feed you, listen to you, and open up their homes to you. You never have to question their loyalty, and they keep you grounded. Your problems are their problems and your stress their own. I remember last year, I was going through a very hard time. I called my best friend that morning. Ready to let her know I was on the verge of giving up. After saying hello, I asked her what she was doing. She said she was on her floor, laying flat - Rachelle Ford on her stomach, praying for me. I burst into tears. I was so touched.

These are the kind of girlfriends

The business directory includes numerous categories of business and services.

Your business has a great opportunity, being that this service is in its early stages, to be the first few businesses added in your category.

We’re also having a great introductory price: $20 to be listed a whole year!

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