Game Changers Magazine 2024 Summer Edition featuring Dr. Elna Poulard of Family Support Circle

2024 Summer Edition

The Conscious Culture Magazine

Volume 7 Issue 33

Celebrating Our

7th Year Anniversary Edition

featuring Dr. Elna Poulard

Helping Battered Women Fighting Domestic Violence with Restore Renew Revive www.gcmnetwork.net

GAME CHANGERS MEDIA NETWORK

CONNECTING COMMUNITY AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

“by overthrowing me, you have only defeated the trunk of freedom: it will grow back because its roots are deep, numerous, and vivacious.”-toussaint couverture

Game 2024 Media Kit

Pulse of the Community (Small Business)

The

Changers Conscious Culture

Media Network

OUR VOICE! OUR TIME! WE THE PEOPLE ISSUE 2024 Summer Edition | Volume 7 Issue 33 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andreal Mallard Founder/ Publisher COVER MODELS Dr. Elna Poulard Family Support Circle DESIGN & LAYOUT Streetz of Gentlemen, Inc #EEEsUp Branding (@streetzofgentlemen) CONTRIBUTORS Marvella Nesbitt, Shawn Raleigh, Dominique Huff, Micheal Brown, Richard Stewart, Andreal Mallard

BEHIND THIS ISSUE

BRAND MANAGEMENT SERVICES Streetz of Gentlemen, Inc. www.streetzofgentlemen.com streetzofgentlemen@gmail.com ADVERTISING Game Changers Magazine gamechangerstvandradio@gmail.com

FACEBOOK @gamechangersmedianetwork TWITTER @GCMediaNetwork INSTAGRAM gamechangersmedianetwork GAMECHANGERSTVANDRADIO@GMAIL.COM

WWW.GCMNETWORK.NET The information contained in this magazine is for general information purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical, legal, or financial advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions about your health, legal matters, or finances.

The magazine makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information contained in this magazine for any particular purpose. The magazine shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this magazine.

The magazine reserves the right to make changes to the information contained in this magazine at any time without notice.

CONTENTS INFO YOU NEED HENRY COUNTY DA POWER MOVES

13 INITIATIVE SPEAKS ON VALUED DISCISION MAKING

52 THE SINGING SUNFLOWER 50

DR. PATRICIA Y. THOMPSON SHARES AVIATION & AREO CRAFT TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITY

16

37

29

SPOTLIGHT

MEET DR. ELNA POULARD, CEO AND FOUNDER OF FSC

TIPS & TRICKS

It Takes A Village To Reach Our Youth, Raise Our Youth, & Give Them Truth

27

JUNIOR TANK ENTREPRENEUR “CHARMED” BY SHANNON B STORY

09

40

JUNIOR TANK WINNER VIBE ALONE ADVOCATING THRU CLOTHING BRAND AGAINST BULLYING

33

BOOK LOVERS

MEET EDUCATOR & AUTHOR SHERNA SPEARMAN LOTT

Teacher & Former Student Collaborate To Create Children’s Book

DR. HENRY WASHINGTON III: FATHERLY ADVICE CURATED MEN’S YOUTH ADVOCATE

FEATURES

24 20

BEHIND THE DREAM: A CLOSER LOOK AT SPEAKING PIECES & OWNER SONJI 44 MONROE SURPREME BARBERSHOP PAYS IT 42 FORWARD FOR YOUTH BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES THRU ENTREPRENEURSHIP

47 MY BLACK HAIR: IT’S TRINA’S TIME

COMMUNITY

YOLANDA THOMAS WRIGHT VISION TO HELP BATTERED WOMEN A Voice For Victims of Domestic Violence

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OUTREACH

DAVE NEWMAN SPEAKS ON UNMASKING THE FACES OF HUNGER His Story Of Growing Up & How He Is Helping Feed Hungry Kids

OUR TEAM

ANDREAL MALLARD

EDITOR & CHIEF

There is No "I" in Team But It Is In WIN!!

It is an honor to share with our audience another edition of Game Changers Magazine. This publication is special to me because we were able to feature organizations and individuals in our community who have a heart for serving people!

Over the course of the years we've had the pleasure of partnering with several different nonprofits in our community and across the state who have one common goal in mind and that is building stronger communities. From food drives to mentorship, from partnerships to collaborations, we also have the understanding that the labor is plentiful but the workers are few. And though sometimes we burn out from the day to day task of the vision and moving visions forward, this calling is not one for the weak nor is it the job of and individual, together we are stronger with the mindset of "It Takes A Village" My pastor always said if the vision only includes you then it's not big enough!" Serving the community over the past 10 years through our own nonprofit organization "Streetz of Gentlemen" has shown me that! No matter what personal or individual goals I conquered, no matter how many people praise the person they see in the spotlight we must often

consider that beside every great man or every great woman is a team of qualified individuals who play key roles in the vision! I remember from the start I had a way of attracting people to the vision but didn't have the connection to get us in the schools to mentor the youth we reach today! However with the help of my brother Nathaniel Joseph, he had built relationships with teachers and guidance counselors to get us inside the classroom and stages at different schools because of the connections he had and through his resources we were able to do what God called us to do.

But getting in the setting wasn't the last step it took! It also took the efforts of my brother Jamal Burt who was an Educator and skilled with the knowledge of reaching the youth once the stage was set. Because of the vision God gave him, his platform Education Builds Opportunity became the playback we used to bring vaule of our brand and the principles we stand on as a team! Through our individual assignments and investments, we were able to come together and be a powerful force to implement the mission of #EducateTheMind #ElevateTheSpirit to #EliminateTheStereotype And last but not least let me not forget to give credit where credit is due! If it was not for the vision of the late Honorable Derek "Mic Dangerous" Perry, who came up with the name Streetz of Gentlemen the none of this would possibly happen! We would just be a bunch of guys running around doing our own little thing instead of coming together! I share this story in hopes that it will remove the veil of the "I" mentally and the misconception of thinking we have to do it by ourselves in order to do what we've been called to do! I could give credit to so many people who have poured into this vision but that would take a book! After all the true moral of this story is We all can win if we do it together!

I pray this publication inspires others to work with others and move in the essence of collaboration over competition! #EEEsUp

GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE|8

Meet The Author What inspired you to write a book for children?

I honestly LOVE reading aloud to the students in my classes! I felt that I made stories come alive when I taught Pre-K for ten years (Our youngest “readers” know how to tune in to the silliest of tales!), and it only proved to be more exciting while teaching in a first-grade classroom for 6 years (This age group seemed to really appreciate the different voices I would use as I became the characters!). You may be surprised to learn that my storytelling fascination grew larger still when I took on my current position as an Early Intervention Program reading teacher for grades 3-5. This older group of elementary students often gets overlooked for story time because most have learned to read for themselves, but 8 to 11year-olds LOVE getting the chance to simply be “young” again through a storybook! I suppose reading so many wonderful stories over the years allowed me to find a story hidden inside my heart.

I have spent countless hours with so many amazing students over my twenty-five-year career, and it makes complete sense that I would be inspired to write a story about them and for them!

Who is Sherna Spearman-Lott?

I am a mother of two wonderful young adults, Anyzia (my 24-year-old daughter who also happens to be my teacher peer at the elementary school she once attended) and Elijah (my 21-year-old son who serves in the US Air Force). I am the middle daughter of Ernest and Kizzie Spearman. I am a middle sister to Vickie Jackson and Artelia Weatherspoon. I am a friend to many. I am a 1995 graduate of Wayne County High School in Jesup, GA. I am a 1999 graduate of The University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Education. (Go DAWGS!) I am a 25-year veteran elementary teacher at Martha Rawls Smith Elementary in my hometown who happens to LOVE what I get to do! I am a Parent & Family Engagement Facilitator for the families in my school. I am an active member of my community (completing Leadership Wayne in 2019, acting as Leadership Wayne shadow in 2022/23, and most recently serving as co-chair in 2023/24). I also completed the GA Department of Education’s 2022/23 Teacher Policy Fellowship Program, which afforded me the wonderful opportunity to represent our great state in Washington, DC, this past April. As of this summer, I can officially add the title of Published Author to my resume!

My co-workers like to joke that I wear many different hats…, but I am starting to think that may be an understatement! LOL

You partnered with a former student of yours who created the illustrations for the book, how did the reconnection happen for this amazing collaboration?

Gloria Blalock walked into my pre-k classroom almost twenty years ago as a wide-eyed four-year-old. I have remained in touch with her family while teaching her younger brother, Avery, and her

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Meet The Illustrator parents also had turns teaching my children in middle school. The gift of teaching in a small community is that my students never stop being your students because I get to watch them grow up!

Gloria’s parents relocated out of state upon retiring, but they still have ties in Jesup. It was during two separate trips to Jesup in September of 2023 that I ran into both of her parents. The chance encounters felt like far more than lucky coincidences! It was during the second run-in that her father, Andy, shared Gloria’s contact information and website address with me. I reached out via text message that turned into a phone conversation that turned into an agreement to collaborate on a project we both feel very connected to (Gloria was working as a long-term substitute art teacher at the time of our reunion.) that turned into this work of heart I entitled My Teacher Sees Me.

Tell us about Gloria Blalock and how she trained to become a published illustrator.

Gloria Blalock has also called Wayne County home for most of her life. She currently resides in Clermont, FL, where she works as a freelance illustrator. She is a 2023 Savannah College of Art and Design Graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts

degree in illustration and a double minor in sequential arts and scientific illustration. Gloria attributes her level of preparedness for this project to her time and experience at SCAD (the Savannah campus). My Teacher Sees Me is her first published work as a professional illustrator.

What were some of the challenges you faced in birthing this new project? How did you overcome those challenges to get it completed?

The manuscript for this book has been written since late 2021, but I only decided to put the words to use last fall after believing they were lost forever when my cell phone became inoperable. When the data from my old phone was recovered, I knew that I could not sit on this gift any longer. I had very limited knowledge about publishing a book, but I am thankful for friends/peers like Dr. Nakita Foreman, who had already navigated the path to becoming a selfpublished author! She provided me with so much helpful direction in those early stages. I took the information she generously shared and started my own research online. As time permitted, I continued learning about the process as I moved through the stages of taking my words from print to published.

The biggest obstacle was MY SELF! There are times in life when we must be willing to get out of our own way. I had to stop procrastinating and making excuses for what I did not know if I expected to reach bookshelves by the start of the upcoming school year!

GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE|10

My Teacher Sees Me

This is my first published book, but it is certainly not my last! As soon as Gloria and I reached a point of near completion, I woke up to a brand-new story one morning in April. It is my hope that Gloria will begin working on illustrations soon for a possible release in Winter 2025.

The next book has a very similar vibe as our first book, but it is sure to bring something new to storytellers and story lovers! This newfound joy that writing books for the young and the young at heart gives me is not slowing down. I have already begun jotting down lines for book number three… Stay tuned! The collaboration between Gloria and I has the potential to grow into so many different possibilities! I am pretty excited to see where My Teacher Sees Me goes from here!

Tell us the story behind your book’s title, My Teacher Sees Me. Teachers sit behind a desk or across a table from or next to students daily. We see our students more than we see our own kids in some cases! During that time, we see some of the best and worst times as experienced by little people facing some unusually large circumstances. It can certainly take a huge toll on your emotional state of mind. There are many times when I would see situations that left me feeling powerless, yet there are probably just as many when my power felt renewed! I live with the hope that each student entering a school feels seen for all the gifts they bring into a classroom setting, but I am not naïve enough to realize that is not always the case. I wrote this book to share a little perspective on an area of teacher preparation that cannot simply be taught, but it must grow within…

EMPATHY! The ability or willingness to see the world through another person’s lens is a mindset and not a learning standard.

Is this your first book? Do you plan on producing other publications in the future? If so, should we expect another children’s book? What’s next for you as an author?

The classroom can be a challenging setting on its own. What are some of the difficulties you see our students facing in the classroom? Do you feel that forming a strong relationship between students and teachers is necessary?

This question has so many layers… Our students are not coming to school only to learn anymore. They come to school for attention. They come to school for a hot meal. They come to school to feel safe. They come to school for friends. They come to school for conversation. They come to school for shelter. They come to school for basic needs, and some teachers are too caught up in teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic to notice our students may be hurting deeply! The baggage some children may be carrying into a classroom would rival a full-grown adult’s worst fears in some instances! If our students see the school as a safe haven, then who do you think they are counting on to be the safekeeper? I’ll tell you… The Educators, The Paraprofessionals, The Janitors, The Cafeteria Workers, The Bus Drivers, The Guidance Counselors, and The Administrators. Each year we receive mandatory training as mandated reporters for the state, but it would also greatly benefit every district to include mandatory training in the area of understanding others through empathy!

Combine and get in on the surprise.

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Making Valued Decisions Written By Shawn Raleigh

enforcement agencies, the school system, and other non-profit organizations play a part.

Henry County District Attorney Darius Pattillo and his office stand behind Henry County’s Pillars of Excellence (purpose, mission, and a promise.)

The purpose is to create a community that allows residents and visitors to live, work, and play safely. The mission is to deliver local government services with a focus on integrity, fiscal care, and responsiveness. Finally, there is a promise to be responsive, welcoming, and transparent in how the citizen’s needs are served.

An example of this is the District Attorney’s 12week Power Moves initiative which is a program implemented by Pattillo which supports the future of Henry County, the youth. Being inspired from personal experience, DA Pattillo started this program to help students become more responsible in their decision-making. In doing so, there is a proactive approach instead of a reactive one. Getting an early start helping kids understand the importance of their choices is key critical. Consequently, the program is designed for middle school students in the 8th grade.

Although these efforts are headed by the DA's Office, other entities such as local law

The Power Moves initiative is far from being a scared straight program. In fact, it is a program focused on developing leadership skills, and strategic decision-making. It is paramount that young people understand the power they possess in controlling their destiny. Oftentimes, our youth are influenced by others instead of looking within themselves for direction. As a result, they relinquish this power to others and in return they find themselves falling short of their goals and aspirations. Pattillo and his office recognize that many children are highly influenced by their peers, celebrities, and social media. Because of this, all our kids are at risk of falling victim to drug use, criminal behavior, and violence.

Pattillo and his team also acknowledge that parents have the primary responsibility of teaching standards, morals and values which can make all the difference in the world for the individual success of a child.

For Pattillo and the Power Moves initiative, the focus is not only getting on the road to success but staying the course for a lifetime.

Program curriculum highlights include: determining one’s purpose; attaining one’s goals; stress management; conflict resolution; police-citizen encounters; and financial literacy.

GAME CHANGERS MAGZINE|13

These are just a sample of the topics covered by the program. The vision is to get the youth to understand that success is attained through a series of positive decisions and holding themselves accountable. This approach benefits the individual students as well as the entire village.

"I encourage us all to take a proactive approach in the development of our youth. We must become and teach our kids to become life-long learners." says DA Pattillo.

I would like to say thank you to District Attorney Pattillo, his office and all parties involved for their efforts in breaking cycles and building bridges with our youth, by teaching them to embrace accountability and pursuing their goals. We are excited to look ahead where we can see our future leaders and know without a doubt that we will be in good hands.

"I encourage us all to take a proactive approach in the . development of our youth. We must become and teach our kids to become life-long learners." says DA Pattillo.

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Henry County District Attorney Office Presents

The Power Moves Initiative

Dedicated to Building Youth Leaders by Teaching Strategic Thinking And Decision Making

Now serving 7 Schools in Henry County Luella Middle School Austin Road Middle School Stockbridge Middle School Dutchtown Middle School

Hampton Middle School Woodlawn Middle School Eagle’s Landing Middle School

Spend two minutes with Melissa and her passion and love for helping people becomes obvious. She believes deeply in both serving and bringing her community together to create the highest impact of good for all those around her.

Outreach Program Prepares Youth For Solutions To Global Water Crisis: Life Beyond Water written by Chilton Stewart

Melissa Ellis is the founder and CEO of Life Beyond Water. She created Life Beyond Water to help people, actually to go beyond just helping people but to actually involve the village and have a massive impact on people's lives.

“Life Beyond Water Global Outreach is a 501c3, its non-profit mission is to provide relief aid support and education to areas that lack clean water, while developing the next generation of water leaders for sustainability. So what does that really mean? That means that where there’s people that suffer from a lack of clean water we want to be able to help. So whether that’s in African digging wells, whether that’s taking bottled water to Jackson Mississippi in a crisis.

Whether that’s attending to the Griffin tornados and helping people with food and necessities. All of those types of things and then Education is huge. We have our after school STEM program right now that’s running. We are super excited the kids are engaged.”

“No man is an Island. You can’t do it alone. What I found was the more this thing started to grow and get its own legs it was literally I was going to kill it if I didn’t get people involved. If I can do it myself it ain't big enough. I need a community, I need a village that can come alongside and that looks a lot of different ways.

I have partners that cut checks, just cut checks, they don’t want to do nothing but cut checks they don’t have time for nothing else. I have people that come along and say “Hey I want to get involved, I want to travel with you, I want to go across the way, I want to show up at the disaster relief site. I have those types of people.” I have people that help me professionally. Everybody needs taxes done, accounting done. We need media and things like that. You have to connect with your village and have it be a part of it.”

Her desire to involve the community inspired her to team up with a local church to create a STEM program for elementary school children.

“So the STEM program is for third through fifth graders and it is at the Tabernacle of Praise Christian Academy. Shout out to Pastor McBride and Principal Wright. They have been phenomenal. They have been such a blessing to us.

So we have a STEM program that’s science, technology, engineering and math. Because they are third though with graders. What we saw was, it has been said and noted that prisons are built by fourth grade reading levels So they build prisons and they know what the population is going to be of prisons by the below level reading levels for fourth graders.

And I thought if they can do that we can take those same fourth graders and turn them into the innovators of tomorrow, the people that we would look to to create something or invent something that is going to change our lives and they should be black and brown. You know how often we are on the losing end of what’s going on in the world but it’s important that we need to get them out there.” She continues. “The goal is to be citywide, statewide, nationwide. It’s a big program to scale it. So we started where we did to be small and get it tight. But we have volunteers that come in and assist with the projects.

Mostly every lesson has a hands-on project.”

As the concepts and ideas grow so do the demands of the program itself. But as of now measured growth is the approach she is taking.

“Everything is always from the focus of sustainability. Sustainability asks one question “can I do this forever?” She continues.

“The program itself is open to third through fifth graders. We did offer first rights to the academy where we are housed next we opened up to Henry Co. WE don’t have any kids outside of the academy yet but we did offer Transportation from hickory flats and walnut creek elementary.

So if you still want to sign up go to our website www.lifebeyondwater.org You can register to look for the STEM program there. Just reach out.

We are running through April.”

Water, clean water, of course is still a major issue and one that she keeps as her main focus.

“I do believe African Americans need to be very aware of what they are doing, who they are electing, holding their elected officials accountable because they will get lost in the sauce. It’s about money and it's about votes. So GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE| 17

WWW.LIFEBEYONDWATER.ORG

we need to make sure we are electing people that have our interest at heart.”

Water is in everything. The chair that we are sitting on. It took water to produce it. Whether that was in the dying process or the manufacturing process or washing the fabrics. The food that you eat. It takes water to grow it. When they slaughter the meat and the animal, not only do they drink water, the plants that they feed the cows then when they slaughter the cows it takes water to process the meat.”

Indeed the understanding and response to these vital issues are one that should concern us all. It is a good thing we have a person like Mellisa Ellis to champion these issues for us and educate and lead us to solutions for them.

She details the real issue behind the Flint Michigan water crisis from a few years ago.

“In flint it was about money.They changed the source of the water. It was a money move. It was going to be cheaper. And then they didn’t add certain chemicals. It's a whole long technical story I can get into but the fact was it was to save money.”

As she tries not to be an alarmist but rather a rationalist about the water crisis that could see itself in the continental U.S of A. “We are on the cusp of a crisis in the United States. We are consuming water faster than the natural system can replace it. We are constantly polluting the water that we do have in the system. It can’t be just local and it can’t be just global.

South Africa took drastic measures to stop an impending water crisis. She foresees a future where all of the United States will have to do the same.

GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE|18

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#KidsGottaEat “Hunger Has No Face!!

And Most Of The Time It’s Kids You Least Expect, That Are Hungry!”

Dave describes how he & his siblings went through the trauma of growing up being hungry, no food in the fridge, nothing in the pantry?

UnMasking The Faces Of Hunger Written By Michael Brown Dave Newman, is the CEO & founder of operation lunchbox; an organization who’s purpose is to feed kids in multiple countries in Georgia.

When it came down to operation lunchbox it started January 22nd 2015. “We started as a nonprofit called Devastation relief and we had a family friend that died in the tornado that ripped through Barnsville GA Dave said.”

Dave recalls helping clean up at a school, as a young girl said to him: “Mr. kids that don't eat are a devastation too.”

Dave talked to the principal and was informed that 36 kids needed groceries. The next day their organization brought back groceries for 36 kids.

At the time, the organization were called Newman in Christ Ministries then a year later the name changed to operation lunchbox.

This organization was one of the first organizations Game Changers partnered with and it caught our attention because of the slogan “Kids have to eat.”

Dave started as a youth growing up in Riverdale GA in a trailer park. His dad worked at Golden Flake and a bunch of nights he ate stale chips for dinner. His mom went to jail for 2 years doing drugs trying to provide food for them, the community took them in and helped feed them for those two years. As Dave got older, he thought to give back to the community. He says: “hungry kids, gotta eat & I was a hungry kid.”

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At the time, the organization was called Newman in Christ Ministries then a year later the name changed to Operation lunchbox. Dave, although not in church per se, wanted to do a ministry that God dropped in his heart and that's where Operation Lunchbox was born. Dave moved from a trailer park in Riverdale, Clayton Co to Henry Co. in 2003. He reminisced on the holes in the floors, the duck tape on the walls to keep the air from getting us cold. Poverty was bad then, it's worse now, says Dave.

We still service Clayton county and the poverty numbers have skyrocketed since COVID says Dave.

Some people may think South ATL is the suburbs of ATL; not having as much crime, not too much poverty, but those are stereotypes.

Dave and his organization notice the hidden issues.

“Kids won't tell you they're hungry for fear they'll get picked on & bullied.” Families have nice houses but they're just shells Dave says.

GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE|21

Parents move to these areas in hopes of better schools but then are in a cycle of debt trying to maintain; we call it masking hunger.

Operation Lunchbox just hosted a gala called unmask the hunger. It's purpose was to show we have a hunger issue in our community but it's so covered up.

People may not believe there's a hunger issue in Henry Co because of the appearance of nice houses, cars, location etc.

“Hunger isn't shown” says Dave. People aren't showing it, Dave recalls being overweight & hungry as a kid, so I never looked hungry. No one knows unless you're told.

Operation Lunchbox’s first 3 years were self funded.

It started from our own money & credit cards because we didn't know where to get support, says Dave. After those three years, the community was pretty welcoming until COVID. Now people are scared to give because of fear for their own finances.

Overall, the community is great, we have 50-70 volunteers a week and more community sponsors.

OPERATION LUNCHBOX Community sponsors can connect with by going to operationlunchbox.org & donate tax deductible non-perishable items, or volunteer with us.

Dave remembers being hungry from a personal story, and seeing hunger through partnerships in the community. This hunger crisis is being felt most in schools and hearing from kids themselves & counselors in private.

Dave describes stories when he was at Eagles Landing middle school and a little girl mentioned to him how she & her mom were living out of a car and she had to wash her underwear out in a sink everyday. I was almost brought to tears Dave says and the next day I bought $300 worth of underwear and told them to just keep them. “At that time, we only had 3 board members and we were all brought to tears hearing this story.

“We had a family living in a storage unit that we provided groceries for. The parents lost their jobs, the kid had to take a shower using a water hose. We see things like this daily Dave says.

Operation Lunchbox serves butts co & Lamar county (one of the poorest counties) The plan for expansion is to touch all 159 counties around GA. We plan to feed all of GA Dave says. We want to partner with other organizations and business partners together to provide for all kids in GA. If one would like to partner with Operation Lunchbox, visit Operation Lunchbox online and email us. If you want to affiliate you can connect with us there.

Dave and his wife work together on this business venture they met through operation Lunchbox while doing a project called operation Christmas where they played Santa to 300-500 kids. His wife was a sponsor of one of our families, they met, fell in love and never left each other. Together they have three kids, a 5 yr old boy, 4 yr old boy and 3 yrs old girl.

To now have kids of their own, the Operation Lunchbox mission means even more.

Dave explains how excited kids are when presented with their food bags. “They look at it like a Christmas gift” We try to fill the bags up with 13-15 items to get them through more than just the weekend.

Operation Lunchbox delivers on Fridays but can deliver daily on a needed basis and our pantry opens on a needed basis.

Operation Lunchbox has multiple locations but is headquartered in Locust Grove GA. The plan is to find other locations to service these 159 counties in GA. Dave shares: “The saying “kids gotta eat came from my wife's grandad. “He bought us a pallet of noodles and I was in pain from a previous neck injury, feeling like I can't do it. I heard her granddad say: kids gotta eat and I kept pushing through the pain to see to it these kids had food.

Dave says “Hunger is a poor / rich problem.” Dave explains what it looks like when you're in boardrooms fighting on behalf of hungry kids?

I find it strange being a man doing this because they expect women to be doing this, however It's not a race, it's not political, it's hunger. Americans get fooled by the media's portrayal of other countries' suffering.

It looks nothing like that here. It looks like a chunky kid, your neighbor's kid. We feed kids on every spectrum but we mainly feed those under the poverty line by government standards Dave explains.

Operation Lunchbox looks forward in 2024 to partner with more organizations. Today they provide for 670k kids over 9 years and the goal is to shut hunger down in GA. There's no real solution aside from teaching the parents to live within their means If you're interested in knowing the legitimacy of Operation Lunchbox organization you can come to our warehouse, volunteer and come see it. Pack nights are on Thursday’s @ 6p and delivery days are on Fridays.

Operation Lunchbox is partnered with Churches in the community and are always seeking more partners for donations.

director. So I was born and bred in the church. My parents were married for 55 years. I knew what “married life was supposed to look like. She reflects further “At 25 years old I got married. I just thought everybody was good. I was naive. I thought everybody was going to be like your Daddy.

I saw signs, ignored signs. I got into this marriage.

First it started off with verbal abuse and then it escalated. Alcohol played a huge role in the abuse.

After 17 years of hiding I just had to walk away.”

It is painful stories like these that help to define and understand this dynamic woman and her desire to do good for herself and all those around her. An even bigger look into her past and you see a certified “go getter” who didn’t allow circumstances, painful as they may be to stop her.

Yolanda Thomas Wright Launches Restore, Renew, Revive: A Voice For Victims of Domestic Violence written by Chilton Stewart Restore Revive Renew Ministries started from the personal journey of its founder Yolanda Wright. A formidable woman making her mark in Henry County while she heals herself and the greater Henry County community she lives in.

“I have always had a servant's heart.”

She built Restore Revive and Renew to combat sex trafficking and domestic abuse. Creating an organization to address one of those societal ills would be enough for almost anyone but Ms. Wright feels a calling to help as many people as she can and leave the most positive mark on her community. Although her organization is operating on all cylinders, it wasn’t always that way.

I started it in 2013. I went through a divorce around 2009 after being married for seventeen and a half years. I was a church girl, I am still a church girl. My Dad was a Deacon, my Mom working in the church. Also I am a musician, choir

“Fast forward to 2013. It was actually the idea of my former pastor that I should start a non-profit. I was already out in the streets doing the work but I was doing it as a hustle. Because I didn’t know anything about how to organize a non-profit. I was out there feeding the homeless, clothing the homeless, going to the shelters for battered women. I was out there doing the work but I didn’t know anything about organizing, getting it legally done.” She continues “All of those years that I operated without a 501c3.

Not one time was I concerned about not having a 501c3” My concern was going downtown, to make sure these people had food. Going downtown making sure these people had clothes. Going to the women’s shelter to sit and talk with these women to find out their stories to see what I can do to help them.”

She credits her parents for instilling in her a desire to serve her community. “Actually both of my parents were very deep rooted in the community.

My Dad gave back with his charter bus service, by taking people, churches and schools and just people in general everywhere at a small cost. He never charged people full price because that was his way of giving back. My mom ran a salon for years in the community and helped so many people. So that’s all that I ever knew was serving and giving back. It was just born and bred in me.”

GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE|24

She credits her parents for instilling in her a desire to serve her community. “Actually both of my parents were very deep rooted in the community.

My Dad gave back with his charter bus service, by taking people, churches and schools and just people in general everywhere at a small cost. He never charged people full price because that was his way of giving back. My mom ran a salon for years in the community and helped so many people. So that’s all that I ever knew was serving and giving back. It was just born and bred in me.”

In fact it was one of her last conversations with her father that gave her the inspiration to dot all the “i’s” and cross all the “t’s” in setting up her organization. Right before her father passed away he told her “I want you to live, you’ve taken care of me, you've taken care of your mother and I want you to do the things that make you happen. So I was determined. I was going to get organized and relaunch this non-profit the right way and that’s where it was reborn again this year.”

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While being a devoted life long “church girl” she would like to see a more proactive approach from pastor’s and lay folks in dealing with issues that parishioners face. “Being a church girl. The church…one thing I can say is. They sweep a lot of stuff up under the carpet. One thing I found out later in life. I wasn’t the only one going through stuff like this at church. But everybody kept it a secret. So it's so many secrets in the church. They don’t want you to talk about your husband beating on you at home. You are supposed to keep that stuff quiet.

You’re supposed to come to church, act like everything is good, look like a good happy couple and that’s what we did.

You’re supposed to come to church, act like everything is good, look like a good happy couple and that’s what we did. I would get up on Sunday morning fights like heck. Get in the vehicle, put makeup up under my wound, come to church and direct the choir. He would go to church and be the armor bearer, play the happy couple, leave there and go back to fighting.”

Despite all of this she harbors no hatred, no malice, just a desire to “right wrongs” and help everyone find their voice. This includes educating convicted felons on their right to vote. “I had felons in my family, though they couldn’t vote. I had young guys in my family that had served time, in and out of jail but when it came time to vote they just thought, I can’t vote. I got a record. All felons can’t vote, but for certain things you can still vote after your record is cleared.”

It would not be an over exaggeration to say that Yolanda Wright has had a massive influence on the way Henry County looks today versus how it looked when she was a kid. It is safe to say that the city of McDonough would not look the way that it does today if not for the work of Yolanda Wright and her education campaign for former felons educating them to their voting rights. “I didn’t see this growing up in Henry County. We had one Black on the police department, maybe two. We didn't have a city council all black or majority Black and definitely not a Black Mayor.”

Ms. Yolanda Wright. An agent for social change and positive community impact. She leaves us with this thought. “All of those years that I operated without a 501c3. Not one time was I concerned about not having a 501c3” My concern was going downtown to make sure these people had food. Going downtown making sure these people had clothes. Going to the women’s shelter to sit and talk with these women to find out their stories to see what I can do to help them.”

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Youth Spotlight

Tell me about your and how you came up with the idea for your business?

In 2021, I embarked on an artistic journey, channeling my talents into a purpose-driven venture. With a heartwarming vision at its core, I established my own business, specializing in handcrafted jewelry and charm accessories. My mission is to offer a unique avenue for those grappling with social anxiety, igniting meaningful connections through her creations." My families nickname for me is Shannie Thus, Charmed by Shannie B was born.

How has being a part of the Junior Tank Competition with the Henry County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, helped you with building your business?

It has assisted with exposure within the community with making new business connections and working with other young entrepreneurs. Jr tank has also helped with branding and providing mentorship.

What advice would you give to a starting entrepreneur?

Always stay connected to the core purpose that has propelled you to start your business, and let it be your anchor in times of difficulty. Its not about where you start that’s important but how you finish is what counts.

For More Info Visit

www.goldenessenceco.com

written by Marvella Nesbitt

Dr. Elna Poulard

Of Family Support Circle “It Takes A Village”

Family Support Circle Inc. is a nonprofit organization established in Pennsylvania by founder Dr. Edna Poulard. The organization aims to provide comprehensive support for adults, the elderly, and children within families, offering services such as home health care, youth education, food assistance, pantries, and behavioral health. Poulard confesses, "God had his plans for me, and I ended up in Henry County, GA." In 2007, Poulard moved to Georgia. She recognized a need for after-school support when her son attended middle school, and only sports programs were available. So, she decided to make roots in Henry County. "I rallied everybody from the superintendent to the principals to expand the program from Pennsylvania." She told her board she was extending the program to the South with their support. Since its inception, the program has positively impacted countless families, providing crucial support and resources.

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However, after moving to Georgia, Poulard noticed some differences in the educational system. There were some great teachers and principals, but the system needed more help and support from those committed to meeting kids' academic needs. This realization underscored the urgency and importance of Poulard and her team's work.

Despite the organization's success, Dr. Poulard and her team faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. The program, originally reliant on in-person support, had to adjust to the new circumstances quickly. They sought to serve and offer continuous support, providing options like virtual learning and individualized tutoring.

However, the transition was challenging. "Children have short attention spans," admits Dr. Poulard.

Her team showed remarkable resilience, going above and beyond to ensure the well-being of the children they served. "We were running to play catch up," Poulard explains. Consequently, many

still noticed that the lack of in-person learning had adversely impacted the education and the mental health of children in the community. She partnered with mental health agencies to reach those kids who had difficulty addressing the stress of isolation and lack of social interaction.

As a result, in the summer of '21, Family Circle Support decided to hold the entire program outdoors to counter the aftermath of the pandemic. Sixty-seven kids participated in educational games and activities, benefiting from the outdoors and having fun. This initiative not only provided a safe learning environment but also instilled a sense of hope for the future, showing that positive change is possible even in the face of adversity.

Dr. Poulard affectionately recalls memories of her mom as her inspiration to serve. While growing up in Haiti, Poulard witnessed her mother's noble acts of generosity. She would cook, sew, and provide domestic services for families in her community. "I became a servant

GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE|30

...It Takes A Village Family Support Circle Inc. aims to expand its reach down the coast and serve as many families as possible in the future. The goal is to serve up to 1,000 more children, increase their home care division, and continue supporting families and children already in the fold. This vision for the future, which includes expanding services and reaching more families, is a testament to the organization's commitment to impacting communities and an inspiration to all.

leader because of my mom. She was a special woman who was not educated. Her dream was for her children to have a relationship with God and an education. She instilled my love for service," recalls Poulard.

Dr. Poulard was able to return to her homeland when her nonprofit flourished and experienced a full-circle moment. She testifies, "God commissioned me to go back and help the children of Haiti." When she was little, she learned to read, write, and speak English within six months with the help of her church. Poulard also established an educational network to support needy children in partnership with a church. She explains, "I started the educational system with 49 kids, and only five had attended school. Eight of the children did not even know their date of birth." Currently, there are eight classes, grades 1-6. Donations from abroad help provide financial and meal assistance, ensuring the success of Family Circle Support's mission.

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FEATURE STORY

getting checked early. My journey is to educate other men to get checked early.”

The Zero Cancer Initiative reports black men are much more likely to develop prostate cancer. One in six black men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime–compared to one in eight men overall. Black men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with– and 2.1 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men.

God gave me my purpose while I was lying on that bed healing and recovering,” he called. “My father instilled values in me that I wanted to ensure were instilled in other men and boys.”

written by Dominique Huff Dr. Henry Washington III is standing on the legacy of the late Henry Washington Jr. and Henry Washington Sr., two men in his life who not only shared a namesake but also a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Unlike the other two Washingtons, Washington III is a survivor of the disease that disproportionately impacts black men.

In 2014, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 39 and admitted to being checked twice yearly at the behest of his late father, who succumbed to it and gave him a heads-up that resulted in his life being saved.

“I was the lone survivor because I could watch my father, and he educated me on how and when to get checked,” he said. “It was a process of learning and

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From there, the HW3 Foundation was established as a dedicated nonprofit organization committed to promoting healthy lifestyles among men and

“I Want Youth To Keep Pushing & Never Quit” empowering the youth in the Metro Atlanta area. By utilizing trained and qualified mentors and the village concept, the foundation aims to increase the mental and physical well-being of the community’s youth.

The HW3 Foundation has two projects—HW3 Men’s Prostate Cancer Health Awareness and Divine Leadership Mentoring Program (Go Get Our Boys and Girls).

To help raise prostate cancer awareness in Metro Atlanta, the HW3 Foundation is implementing awareness and advocacy campaigns and education programs for the Atlanta community, health professionals, and government.

Washington wants to educate the youth, bring parents back into the church, and ensure all families are spiritually based.

“I want the youth to keep pushing and never quit,” he said. “The primary thing here is to ensure these youth can focus on who they are as individuals first, grow from there, and build a team concept at that point and understand who they are.”

With HW3’s youth empowerment, the youth are given a softer and gentler version of Scared Straight centered on physical fitness, positive peer pressure, being a leader, taking accountability, and being respectful to each other and others.

“We don’t yell and scream, but we do mean business by challenging them to make sure they are contributing to the team's efforts and testing their limits to raise the bar,” he explained.

The values of the HW3 Foundation are loyalty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage, and leadership. As a military veteran, Washington brings these concepts to youth ages 9 to 19.

Even though he’s not a biological father, he has mentored 4,033 youth since 2015 and is proud that all except two are on the path to greatness.

“Many youth consider me their father and have enhanced their greatness through our program.

While two fell off the wagon, they will be welcomed back with open arms when they reappear, and we will get them on the right path,” he said. “The HW3 values are ones that all of these young people take with them wherever they go, from personal to business to community.” For adults, Washington has his book American Hero: A Soldier's Story from Combat to Cancer, which gives anyone looking to navigate a quarter-life crisis or mid-life crisis a roadmap to success using faith, wisdom, and courage.

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Back To Normal

Live Work N' Play The Healthstar Way

We Service: Back Pain Neck Pain Personal Injury Worker Comp Auto Injury

Call Us Today At (678)545-1808 1404 Southlake Plaza Drive Morrow, GA 30260 For More Information Visit

www.healthstaratlanta.com

WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER

The Fabric Of Locust Grove Locust Grove: Business, Industry, Hometown Charm Written By Dominique Huff “You don’t disrupt, you maintain. I need the ship to stay steady, not rocky,” he pointed out. “My military training allowed me to study the ship, and I shared leadership and vision skills with late Mayor Price.”

Mayor Pro TEM

Vincent Williams City Of Locust Grove Locust Grove wants to be known as more than just a place nestled between Atlanta and Macon.

Or an overflow destination for those enjoying the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Locust Grove seeks to be the destination open for business while honoring its hometown heritage.

Locust Grove attracts over four million visitors to the Tanger Outlets, which has evolved the economy from one centered on agriculture to one industrial, warehouse, retail, medical, and government.

Standing on the legacy of the late Mayor Robert Price, who served the city in various capacities, such as an Urban Redevelopment Agency member, city councilman, and four-term unopposed mayor from 2005 to his death on March 15, 2024, Interim Mayor Vincent Williams says his job mirrors that of what he did in the U.S. Navy.

While many cities have mayors, council members, and citizens who bicker with each other, Locust Grove focuses on being proactive, listening, and responding.

“Quality of life is important, and to get it right, we must listen to citizens,” he explained.

Major Growth Happening In Locust Grove Over the past several years, several significant projects have broken ground in the city, including Bowery Farming, NVH Korea, Ryder System, Home Depot, CarMax, and Andersen Corporation.

Andersen Corporation is one of the largest window and door manufacturers in North America, and along with its subsidiaries, operates more than 20 manufacturing and distribution facilities, with an industryleading portfolio of window and door products serving customers across the new residential, light commercial, home improvement, and remodeling segments.

Renewal by

CITY OF LOCUST GROVE

Together We Are Stronger Andersen plans to invest more than $420 million in this new facility.

Construction of the 638,000-squarefoot state-of-the-art facility is expected to be completed in late 2024, with operations scheduled to begin in 2025.

The facility will employ approximately 900 team members when running at total capacity.

United States patents over time and has become a different and better material used in numerous Andersen and Renewal by Andersen product lines. The material contains a blend of wood fiber, mostly reclaimed from Andersen manufacturing processes, and thermoplastic polymer, some of which is also recycled.

The products manufactured at the Locust Grove facility will use Andersen's unique Fibrex material. Fibrex material is a high-quality, long-lasting engineered composite that garnered more than 25

"We are thrilled to be investing in a facility that will help us meet homeowner demand for our Renewal by Andersen® products and expand our footprint further into the southeast," said Chris Galvin, Andersen Corporation president and chief executive officer. "Here in Locust Grove, Renewal by Andersen is building both a state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility and a place where individuals across a wide range of skill sets can build meaningful careers. We are grateful for the support and warm welcome from the State of Georgia, Henry County, and the City of Locust Grove, and we look forward to growing in this community."

The new Renewal by Andersen facility, which will be its first manufacturing facility in Georgia, is being built at The Cubes at Locust Grove.

Bowery Farming opened an innovative indoor vertical farm in Locust Grove, creating over 100 green jobs in Henry County.Bowery Farming provides leafy greens and herbs to over 800 U.S. grocery stores and major e-commerce platforms, GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE |37

The Fabric of Locust Grove including Amazon, Walmart, Whole Foods Market, Albertsons, and more.

“Our smart indoor farm in Locust Grove will showcase Bowery’s technology leadership and innovation from seed to shelf. It’s a significant step in addressing the critical challenges of the current agricultural system and working toward wider access to fresh, local pesticide-free produce, yearround,” Irving Fain, CEO and Founder of Bowery Farming, said.

By strategically expanding to Henry County, the company will provide locally grown produce to a population of 20 million people within a 200-mile radius of its new state-of-the-art farm. Committed to sustainability, Bowery’s farms are powered 100 percent by energy from renewable sources and grow local, pesticide-free, protected produce.

Additionally, Bowery’s smart indoor farms grow crops 365 days a year, regardless of weather conditions.

NVH Korea is an automotive parts manufacturer specializing in automotive noise, vibration, and heat-control parts. It currently produces these parts in Korea, Europe, and India. The company also operates a manufacturing facility in Georgia that produces floor mats, cargo mats, and cargo trays. The new facility will supply battery parts for electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States for manufacturers such as Hyundai Mobis, Kia Georgia, and Hyundai Motor Group “We are pleased to announce that we have chosen the State of Georgia as our company’s first EV battery component manufacturing site. Cooperation between state agencies and our company staff has helped guide us throughout this project,” Ja Kyum Koo, Chairman and CEO of NVH Korea, said. “It is the first step of our company’s effort to contribute to the electrification of the mobility industry, and we look forward to joining the community of Locust Grove and Henry County.” .

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NVH Korea’s new facility will be at Gardner Logistics Park on Colvin Drive in Locust Grove. It will produce the EV battery system components that protect, connect and sense battery cell performance. Operations are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2024.

Williams says more development is coming, but it will be smart and sustainable growth while ensuring residents' quality of life is preserved, enhanced, and protected.

“Our warehouses are on the city's north side, and that is the only place they will go. The city's southside is where we live and play,” he said.

“These companies are helping us keep the tax burden low for our residents, allowing us to invest in ourselves and make ourselves a competitive city.”

Locust Grove took advantage of many tools in their economic development toolbox, like R.U.R.A.L (Revitalizing Underdeveloped Rural Area Legislation) designed for cities with a population of less than 15,000 with a concentrated core of historic commercial structures and demonstrated blight and disinvestment downtown areas.

Of course, Downtown Locust Grove is not being overlooked or forgotten as the Main Street program, established in 2006, has developed a sense of place and pride in the area to include concert series, holiday art, facade grants for downtown businesses, and a downtown development authority. Williams says the city recently purchased 10 acres in the area for investment.

“This is going to be a game-changer for us. We have 10 acres that we can master plan and create an anchor to bring more life into downtown,” he said. “Think about going downtown for coffee with your laptop, a place for your children and grandchildren; we are thinking big.”

With the Locust Grove North Community Improvement District, the first of its kind in Henry County, businesses are taxing themselves to help stimulate their operations, attract complementary development, and create amenities such as better roads for residents.

“They spent $11 million to build out Price Road and will donate it back to the city. We are trying to make traveling around Locust Grove accessible for businesses and residents,” he said. “We also want businesses and developers who not only will build here but will enhance and reinvest into themselves to keep up their standards and quality.”

One tool for growth is Interstate 75 and the building around Tanger Outlets.

“This is our hotel district, which benefits Tanger and the Atlanta Motor Speedway and for those weary travelers who need a place to rest and eat,” he said. “Money gets off the interstate and stays here.”

The city is working on a trail network for residents to get out and walk around the city for exercise, running errands, and meeting each other. On Memorial Day this year, the city opened the Veterans Memorial with a Memorial Scatter Garden. Individuals can come and pay tribute while relaxing to veterans who served the country and even leave behind their ashes in scattered areas

“To be honest, we should have long had something like this; we are full of veterans in the city. Our beloved late mayor and city council set this vision into place,” he explained.

Locust Grove Day is another component that creates buzz and excitement for the city. Back in April, it featured a parade, festival, street dancing, and fireworks. Residents and visitors celebrated the city with events at the city hall and Claude Gray Park.

Williams is excited about the future, and with the active and engaged residents, city council, and city administration, the best is yet to come.

“We want to keep our habitat in place, but we must make it where people want to live, work, and play in Locust Grove. I see us keeping our fabric and developing,” he concluded. “We have a business, industry, and hometown feeling.”

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Youth Spotlight

Question #2: How has being a part of the Junior Tank Competition with the Henry County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, helped you with building your business?

- Being a part of Junior Shark Tank has helped me in various ways. Shy to speaking in public, I am slowly overcoming this. I watched my vision come to life. Vibe Alone started with just hats but with the help of Shark Tank, I have continued to push myself to create additional items with various color patterns. The Junior Shark Tank business plan model has enhanced my vision to the point of me wanting to get a degree in Business with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship.

Question #1:Tell me about your and how you came up with the idea for your business?

- I struggled with embracing all the negative things going on in our world (ie, police brutality, bullying, suicide, etc). There were so many times that I heard of people being bullied or not accepting their appearance due to what others thought or said.

One day, I was in conversation with a friend where we brainstormed on starting a business. As I became more focused on my goals I decided to name my business 'Vibe Alone'. I noticed when I vibed alone I worked better at motivating myself while pushing to do things that motivated me.

We all put on masks when out in the world when if we stay true to believing in ourselves we all can gain gratification; in essence Vibe Alone.

Vibe Alone GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE| 40

Question #3: How do you plan to use Social Media to expand your business?

- Considering Vibe Alone is founded on the principles of self sufficiency, I am navigating myself based on feedback gained from Influencers first. My next step is to utilize social media platforms to get the message of Vibe Alone out to everyone. I must admit my hesistance has been on ensuring I trademark appropriately before getting on all accounts.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

He encourages kids to focus, keep the grades up and be something for yourself & the community.

A local McDonough native Mr. Daniels has seen lots of transitions in Henry Co. He’s seen the merging of ethnicity into McDonough. Johnny says he cares about the effectiveness of leadership within our community as it makes a difference with entrepreneurship & diversity.

Now he sees Henry Co buzzing with life. The diversification brings varied ideas & thoughts to grow our community together as people.

Paying It Forward For The Youth & Building Better Communities Thru Entrepreneurship written By Michael Brown Welcome to Johnny Daniels & Supreme 's Barbershop. Johnny who is originally from McDonough county since third grade lives in Henry Co with his family. A licensed barber since 2011 started his venture 11 years ago at 151 Jonesboro road. Once established with his own barbershop Johnny vowed to give back to other barbers & the community. Supremes Barbershop would host events & celebrations particularly for the youth.

A hands on guy who serves not just behind the chair, but going into the schools & community buildings thriving to enhance an entrepreneur feel among the people. Johnny said he noticed kids often have limited views for career options because more focus is put on things such as sports, rapping, etc. The idea is to show other opportunities available through educational opportunities & even barbershops.

He wants to teach the community entrepreneurial ideas connecting education with purpose & consistency.

Johnny believes the youth of Henry Co today will help grow our community by using their voices & talents.

Between churches, Boys & girls clubs, and just good citizens, all will be the difference to shape our futures by keeping our youth out of trouble & with some sort of focus. Our schools are seeing changes for the better and so is our business community Johnny states.

Growing up with peers in the community as youth to aged men in our community he makes it aware that upbringing helped shape our current businesses with pride. He sees active mentors, coaches, teachers, counselors that came from his friends & family.

Johnny continues to build business within the community with respect among all businesses; not just partners, but family.

Mr. Daniels says the biggest keys to keep our community alive is to keep it growing. With many new additions to small businesses, our community branding & marketing brings a great cultural feel. It's in the small businesses that bring pride to our community.

Johnny feels the infrastructure is being built so much better in Henry Co by fixing roadways, adding more networking events & adding bigger conglomerates.

Johnny feels the small businesses are the foundation of our community.

Support Supreme’s Barbershop and say hello to Johnny Daniels.

GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE!42

Celebrating 12 Years In Business

Sonji's apparel collection includes leisure wear, jeans, chic T-shirts, casual and elegant dresses, church hats, fascinators, gloves, statement jewelry, evening attire, plus sizes, and more. Additionally, she offers styling services by appointment to help women personalize their styling needs for photography sessions, birthdays, and special events, all tailored to individual clientele's needs and preferences. When clients discover their visual esthetic, she refers to it as "the sweet journey." It is more than a service; it is a moment of empowerment and discovery.

Moreover, Monroe's clientele is as diverse as her clothing options. Her customer base spans from young adults to a group she affectionately deems "the older divas. "I have a lot of sorority sisters who shop here, too. I maintain an inventory of pinks, reds, and blues, specifically for them."

Behind the Dream: A Closer Look at Speaking Pieces Boutique and Owner Sonji Monroe Written by Marvella Nesbitt Speaking Pieces Boutique, situated in McDonough, Georgia, is more than just a store- it's a destination for a unique and enjoyable shopping experience. Owner Sonji Monroe greets shoppers with a warm welcome and a radiant smile. The boutique offers a wide array of clothing, jewelry, accessories, and artwork, providing an eclectic retail adventure. Sonji's dedication to fashion is evident in the carefully curated selection offered at her boutique. The owner's grandmother inspired the boutique's name. Sonji reminisces, "When she saw an appealing outfit, she would say, 'That's a speaking piece. That's talking to me.'"

Sonji's aspiration of owning a business materialized when she was hesitant about rejoining the business world after being a stay-at-home mom. She shares, "I desired more flexibility in raising my son, and I've always had a passion for fashion and styling people."

Speaking Pieces exemplifies not just a boutique but an actively engaged community member. Monroe firmly believes in giving back and supporting her local community, and she is proud to be a part of McDonough, Georgia. She divulges, "I stay involved and volunteer in various capacities. I don't know anything else. I had parents that gave back, and anytime you give back, you get it back 10 to 100 fold; I'm a witness to that. My customers come back, and I'm well connected." Sonji also partners with and endorses the works of local artist Welsey Morgan, whom she met at a jazz bar while he was completing a mural. Monroe and Morgan joined forces when she was relocating to her current space and proposed to showcase his work in her boutique rather than Wesley store his creations away from public view. His one-of-a-kind beaded artwork adorns the walls of her store and is available for purchase.

As Sonji approaches the milestone of twelve years in business, she reflects on her accomplishments and the relationships she has fostered along the way. Negotiating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be her most trying period. She graciously affirms, "This journey has been a rollercoaster, but through it all, it has really satisfied my dream of owning a boutique. Just the relationships I have gained have been beautiful. I have a loyal customer base, which brings me immense joy. I am a Florida transplant, but I feel at home."

Speaking Pieces Boutique is located at 226 Jonesboro Road in McDonough, Georgia. You can shop online at www.speakingpieces.com. For more information, follow Speaking Pieces Boutique on Facebook or Instagram.

“My Black Hair” It's Trina's Time Written By Marvella Nesbitt

Trina Times is a licensed cosmetologist and owner of Perfect Finish Salon in Stockbridge, GA, specializing in cuts and color. She was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, and grew up in Forest Park in Clayton County.

She was always passionate about becoming a hairstylist, but her dream was nearly unfulfilled.

Times' father was a military man who firmly believed in higher education. Times explains," He bought encyclopedias; I had to read them at three years of age. If I had extra money, I would buy hair magazines and products. I told him I wanted to become an entrepreneur, and he laughed in my face and told me I wasn't smart enough." He wanted her to become a nurse, a more noble profession in his eyes. She heeded her father's advice to avoid the hair industry, worked various jobs, and was miserable.

In 2007, Trina Times decided to attend cosmetology school despite her father's discouragement in her early life. She was determined to learn the science of color theory, cuts, and chemical services. She immersed herself in reading hair magazines, attended hair shows, and absorbed as much knowledge as possible. In 2009, she graduated, and her dream began to take shape. "I wanted to show my kids never to give up, keep pushing, and just trust God." She had many setbacks, but Trina drew strength from her aunt's example. "My aunt had her own salon in Mississippi, and I admired her. She was a single mother who went after her dreams, and she was great. I would kiss her picture in the morning before school to push myself. I saw her make [her dream] happen and not give up." Time's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination.

GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE|47

popularizing wigs. At the same time, sew-ins and weaves make life more convenient, but often, women neglect their hair health. Braids are another alternative that can cause damage if too much hair is added. The weight can tug on the hair, create bald spots, and cause alopecia.

At Perfect Finish Salon, Trina Times offers various services; however, her true passion and expertise lie in the art of color. Her goal is not just to provide beautiful hair but to dispel the many misconceptions about coloring African American hair. "I have always loved color and wanted to master the art of hair color. Many black women have had bad experiences with hair dying by some professionals." Times believes that educating her clients about options for hair pigmentation, such as highlights and low-level blonde shades, can assuage some of their fears. She is on a mission to ensure her patrons are well-informed about their hair care choices, instilling confidence that they are in the best hands of a licensed cosmetologist. Since there is a shortage of colorists, she plans on offering classes to meet the demand.

Times sells her own product line at her salon, including a therapeutic shampoo for itchy scalp, a conditioning moisturizing shampoo, a growth oil, and a hair foam for natural and relaxed hair. This product line is a testament to her commitment to her client's hair health, providing them with the tools to continue their hair care regime at home. It's a way for her clients to feel cared for even when they're not in the salon.

To book an appointment, go to styleseat.com/trinatimes or call (404) 8622951 for your styling needs.

Times' guidance extends to addressing the risks of popular hairstyles deemed protective. She suggests not wearing wigs of any type for extended periods.

Also, she cautions young girls to avoid wearing hairpieces. She explains, "Wigs do not allow the scalp to breathe. It's like covering the ground and expecting grass to breathe and grow. We'll slap wigs on because they are easily available." She attributes celebrities to

GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE|48

3 Facts About Diabetes Approximately 34.2 million people in the United States, or about 10.5% of the population, have diabetes.

Approximately 34.2 million people in the United States, or about 10.5% of the population, have diabetes.

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FEATURE STORY

Dr. Patricia Young Thompson Vision For Helping Young Adults in the Career of Aviation and Aero Craft Technology Written By Chilton Stewart Dr. Patricia Young Thompson has seen and overseen just about everything you can see in aviation and its applied sciences. Literally everything from supply chains to quality inspection to making sure engineers are building the aircraft to spec. She is here to educate the youth about all the job opportunities available in aerospace. Indeed, to hear her talk about the subject one comes to the understanding that this untapped “market” for high paying jobs is something many young Black high school students who may not see their future at a four year college can find great success in.”

Patricia Thompson is the creator of “Arise! the Answer is you”. We are challenged with generational differences in the workplace and churches, housing epidemic, health care crisis, Prison Industrial complex, and mental instabilities.

With over 20 years experience working with the Federal Government and also having worked with private industry several capacities as a consultant she is more than adept to handle the demands thrown her way. Her previous work experience includes Wireless Telecom Project Engineer, Statistical Analyst, Information Technology Administrator, C-130 Aircraft Industrial Specialist, Workforce Development Manager, Global Strategic Management Consultant, Housing and Urban Development Technical Assistant Consultant – Welfare to Work Program for Women as well as an Adjunct Professor for Embry Riddle University. She is currently an Aviation Project/Program Manager for a Government Contracting company.

“Can I show kids that there are so many different areas such as manufacturing and engineering, quality control, monitoring contracts wielding, fabrication. There are so many different areas that kids need to know. So that they can have a good understanding of all the job opportunities that are out there for them. And a lot of these positions that are out there don’t require a college degree. Some of them you can just get a certification in some of these areas. So I want to make sure that I expose every area of opportunity to our young people.”

Dr. Thompson has served as a board member for several organizations including: State of Georgia Prison Re-Entry Program, Georgia YouthBuild Coalition, North Fulton School district –Local School Advisory Committee and Hands on Atlanta Discovery Program for kids in failing school districts. Hands on Atlanta community wide She is currently serving as a board member for Shades of Blue Aviation and Aerospace program (STEM), member of the American Statistical Association, Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association She credits her father for sparking her curiosity and in a way setting her on her career path.

“Growing up my father would take us to the

GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE|50

AVIATION & AERO CRAFT

TECHNOLOGY

airport and we would park the car and we would have a little lunch and we would watch the aircraft fly across us. He would also take us to museums and different things exposing us to the sciences.” “I had an internship while I was in college and I had mentors to pull me in and teach me. I started out in computer science, that was my degree and then from there I started learning more about aircraft. I did not really understand the aircraft until I moved here in 96 working for the department of defense at Lockheed Martin” Dr. Thompson feels her internship and time at the Department of Defense taught her invaluable lessons that she plans to share with the community. “It was a great experience. It was the best experience that I had at the time because learning aircraft is just so interesting. I was able

to be out there with the mechanics or with the engineers or quality control. Understanding every aspect of the business.” She continues “A lot of my volunteer efforts over the years is actually working with homelessness and women helping them with welfare to work programs. It was during that time that I really started understanding how much of a need was out here.

So my platform is. How do we support our churches more? How do we work with communities we need to build back up again?

How do we reach these young people and help them understand all these skills and trades that they can learn and be much more independent.”

GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE|51

on WTVM on channel 57 in October 2023. The Singing Sunflower special services include: Being able to capture the attention of children for a positive learning experience through music & singing. To have fun while learning and promote a safer and a healthy learning environment. To reduce the drop-out rate and increase retention for primary and middle school children.

An active community pillar, Pastor Kearse is involved with the Southern Crescent Women in Business (SCWIB). In addition, she was featured in Game Changers magazines which features businesses across the globe and in the Atlanta Georgia area. She’s a longtime member of Veterans for Christ ministries and the United States Presidential Prayer Team. The Singing Sunflower is a U.S. Military Veteran, proudly serving in the U.S. Military at Nuclear Weapons Training Group Atlantic from 1982 – 1984.

The Singing Sunflower Presented by SASK Productions Author: Sandra A. Kearse Pastor Sandra A. Kearse better known as The Singing Sunflower comes with an array of talents. After spending more than 30 years in ministry, Pastor Kearse is now serving the young-at-heart and our youth with healthy songs, skits and cartoons. Having been a former medical professional in the past, she now brings this short yet powerful excerpt about the times we are living in and the urgency of the hour. Brace yourself for her book “The Crown is Cast Down”, this prophetic account discusses about this plague COVID-19 and the actions of rulers in high places and the scriptures that support it!

This happy Sunflower started over 25 years ago: singing at birthday parties, reading in school libraries and the like, now you can enjoy her on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and even Twitter, sharing her educational songs. She even debuted

The Singing Sunflower was inducted into The Laurinburg Institute Hall of Fame early in 2022.

She is now volunteering with the State of Alabama Penal System to bring inmates who desire to go to school virtually and obtain degrees and/or technical certifications while serving time. The Hall of Famers consist of men and women like you and I across the United States of America that care about educating their fellow man.

Today she boasts several books both religious and secular, bookmarks, postcards and an array of other products for children and adults alike. As a member of the clergy community, the Sunflower continues to forge forward as an Advocate for education, health and the betterment of our communities and neighbors across the globe. We can’t wait to see what else G-D’S going to do with her!

Reverend Dr. Sandra A. Kearse, is CEO & Founder of SASK Productions. A proud wife, a Preacher, entrepreneur, author, singer-songwriter, Creative Director and Composer. She performs as The Singing Sunflower.

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