Game Changers: The Conscious Culture Magazine Volume 2 Issue 10

1 - Game Changers Magazine Jul/Aug 2017

3 - Game Changers Magazine Sep/Oct 2017

"What is Capoeria?" written by Blair Carter Capoeira is deeply historical martial art. With a disguise of music and dance involved, it can easily be one of the trickiest, and most agile arts of the kind. Within its roots, comes a great respect for the elders, the youth and the community. From initiates to professionals of Capoeira, all would agree to mutually feeling the pull of Capoeira and how it truly stands as a metaphor for life in all its aspects. Spreading comradery and love is key for the spirit of Capoeira to flourish.

The art, as MaculelĂŞ President Grand Mestre Fran would say, shows how to face life with a smile.

Capoeira is for everyone regardless of body types or age.

Classes are currently held in Decatur, Athens, Alpharetta and now Henry County will host its own classes Mon/Thurs & Fri (6:30pm-7:30pm) @ 262 Macon St. McDonough, GA 30253 starting DECEMBER 4TH 2017!

Email maculelemcdonough@gmail.com TODAY to sign-up!

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Young Professional Millennials In Politics written by Ashonte Lyles

The Georgia Young Democrats are dynamic and diverse in thought as well as ethnicity and background. Young Dems are shaking up the political landscape; they are uncompromisingly Democrats. I had the privilege to sit down with four of these remarkable young people for Game Changers Magazine and discuss the future of the Democratic Party here in Georgia, their vision for the Party and the citizens of their respective counties and cities, and why they chose to be Democrats.

“Politics is everywhere; we must get involved because it affects every aspect of life. Be at the table, not on the table!” – Simeon Nunnally, President of the Henry County Young Democrats. Simeon is also the Vice Chairman of the Veteran Caucus of the Young Democrats of America, he serves on the Henry County Zoning Advisory Board, the Henry County Chamber of Commerce and most proudly he is a decorated Army veteran who served in Iraq.

Mr. Nunnally is the Chairman of a non-profit organization named Return to Duty of America which is dedicated to providing housing to homeless veterans and service members in transition to the civilian sector. (For more information about Return to Duty visit http:// returntoduty.org/ or Henry County Young Democrats go to https:// www.facebook.com/Young-Democrats-of-Henry-County-GA).

We want people to know your vote counts, the only vote that does not count are the votes left uncast. We must affect change at the local level and those young millennials, the largest voting base, must be engaged. We have done bipartisan voter registration 5 - Game Changers Magazine Jan/Feb 2018

with the NAACP, we partner with Streets of Gentlemen, the county commissioners and schools to teach new voters about the political process. – Simeon Nunnally.

“We must empower people to run for office and provide the support needed to get them in office; put the manpower and funds behind candidates.” – Raluca Pavel, record setting student athlete at Clayton State University, in Morrow, GA in Clayton County. She is on the CSU Wom-

that she is affected directly by local politics while studying here, but also indirectly in her home country as local policies influence national policies and thereby international relations and policies.

(For more information on the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter visit https://www.sierraclub.org/georgia).

“Many people were focused on the national elections after Trump won, but real change is at the local level.” I was inspired

en’s Tennis team and is studying Political Science for her major, with a minor in Sociology. Ms. Pavel is here on a student visa from her native Romania and seeks to take what she has learned here about politics and social issues back home to aide in the future of her home country. While here she has been inspired in her work volunteering for numerous local campaigns and social justice organizations to include the Sierra Club’s Climate Justice League campaign which is working to see that the city of Atlanta has implemented a plan for renewable energy by 2035. Raluca cannot vote here but has worked tirelessly to see the best candidates get into office with an understanding

into action after Councilman Khalid Kamau expounded that we must invest south of Atlanta because the Democrats of Henry, Clayton, Dekalb and Fulton etc., invested a lot of time, money and energy in Cobb county on the Ossoff campaign, now it’s time to put that same energy behind candidates south of Atlanta.

– Raluca Pavel. (Khalid Kamau is the first #BlackLivesMatter organizer elected to public office in the country, Councilman Khalid is leading a generation of young activists from protests to politics. https://www.khalidcares.com/bio. html)

“We need everyone to get involved, to find you niche and show up when it counts.”

– Ackeem Evans, President of Gwinnett County Young Democrats, he is also a staffer for Congressman Henry "Hank" Johnson.

Mr. Evans is a paralegal in the US Army Reserves and co-founder of Everyone Eats Foundation which is an organization to connect “young millennials and professionals with initiatives geared toward social engagement”. (For more information on the Gwinnett County Young Democrats visit https://www.facebook.com/ gwinnettyds/).

When asked how these young leaders combat political fatigue they all smiled, laughed and said “what’s that?!”. We don’t meet for social hour or to complain, we come together to solve a problem and we come ready to devise and implement a plan of action. We are always moving towards our ultimate goals and we have no time to waste.

One way we see results is coordinating efforts and breaking county barriers by presenting solutions in diverse counties and acting on one accord, a unified and resolved voice for the party as a whole. We share our ideas and welcome all party members and residents of Georgia to participate. “You have to pace yourself, politics is a marathon not a sprint and the real work starts after the campaign is over.” Being there when it counts is a way to not get fatigued. – Ackeem Evans/Simeon Nunnally.

“My friends ask me what I do for fun, I say I have some meetings, town halls etc. I love this!” – Raluca Pavel

Another way is by making these instances less tedious is by mixing the meetings with different events and different venues.

We have had breakfasts, Politics After Dark, bowling and kickball

tournaments; all these break the monotony of constant meetings. – Simeon Nunnally

One issue Young Dems are trying to tackle is mass transit, large corporations/companies will continue to build elsewhere rather than counties without public transportation because their employees need a means to get to the work site. Solving this transit problem would also alleviate some traffic congestion and turn some areas into Live-Work-Play areas rather than the mass exodus that happens daily. -Raluca Pavel/ Simeon Nunnally

“Many Young Dems have joined the party to ensure we are a party of the people not the elite few. We unapologetically stand for regular people and evening the playing field.” – John Jackson, President of the Dekalb County Young Democrats, Political Director of the Young Democrats of Georgia, Chairman of the Georgia New Guard Political Action Committee an Independent PAC focused on assisting innovative Democratic candidates on the state and local level. He served the nation and is a decorated US Marine Corps Veteran.

Mr. Jackson, in efforts to continue his service, is exploring a run for Dekalb County Sheriff. (For more information on the Dekalb Young Dems please go to http:// www.dekalbyd.org/ or for information on The New Guard PAC visit http://ganewguard.com/)

Of the Democratic Party Mr. Jackson says “We cannot have fence riders; we must be strong in our beliefs. You have to question donors who would require that we (the Democratic Party) compromise our beliefs; are they truly Democrats if they would be against our party’s support of Black Lives Matter for example.” Moderate Democrats do not win more Republican votes, they lose Democrats. Many young people had lost faith in the Democratic Party due to their inaction and tendency to cater to those they did not want to offend versus listening to the needs of their constituents. Often as Democrats we find ourselves leaning toward the center so as not offend

anyone, or in fear of seeming like the “Angry _____ Guy or Woman” (fill in the blank); but “I am a cisgender, light-skinned, pro feminist, Black Guy and that affords me a certain amount of latitude toward being allowed to be angry and still non-threatening.” So, I say what many Democrats are not willing to and I do not shy away from the fight, I welcome it. One issue Democrats have is shying away from Identity Politics, to me identity, your race, gender, sexuality make you who you are, it cannot be separated and it is relevant. “Those who are annoyed by identity politics are really uncomfortable with their own prejudice.” I am not referring to tokenism, to voting for a woman or a Black or Brown face merely because they look like you, not at all but certainly one’s identity shapes how they will govern. (cisgender – denoting or relating to someone whose sense of personal identity corresponds with the gender assigned to them at birth) – John Jackson.

“We must engage communities even after campaigns are over.” In Dekalb we are working hard to engage the younger generation of people of color, younger African-Americans, Asians and Latin X community, if we succeed in this here and state wide

we can close the gap for the gubernatorial race. (Latin X is a gender-neutral term to encompass male identifying, female identifying, and gender-neutral persons in the Latin community). In Dekalb we are recruiting multi-lingual people to reach out to Latin and Asian voters, we are holding meetings and events in areas of the county largely ignored in the past. We will have people at these events who can speak to the local population’s concerns directly, such as immigration, racial profiling, joblessness, justice system reform, and Crisis Intervention Training for law enforcement officers (CIT - program is a model for community policing that brings together law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency departments and individuals with mental illness and their families to improve responses to people in crisis.) – John Jackson.

The Young Democrats of Georgia are the future of the Democratic Party and they are ready to take the lead. The future is in strong, capable hands. Get involved, stay engaged and be proactive in about your future, find your local chapter and join the resistance. (For more information on the Young Democrats of Georgia go to http://georgiayds. org/)

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County to Launch Fixed Route in North Henry Move will enhance mobility for area seniors HENRY COUNTY, GA- February 7, 2018—Citizens will be able to utilize Henry County Transit’s first fixed route to begin on Monday, February 12. The scheduled route will take riders on a 12mile course through north Henry County, stopping at six locations throughout.

The new fixed route is a pilot program for the county in order to offer citizens enhanced transportation and mobility services. The bus will stop at various shopping venues as well as the Fairview Corners Medical Campus, the Fairview Library and the Fairview Recreation Center.

District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes lauded the new fixed route as a boon to citizens and area seniors in particular.

“Over the years, many seniors have requested scheduled fixed routes from the Henry County Transit Department.

Our seniors have had difficulty accessing amenities such as our libraries, recreation centers, Henry County Parks, Hidden Valley Senior Center and doctor’s offices for medical care,” said Holmes.

“With fixed routes, our seniors can use our transit schedule to navigate their day. They now know where and when transportation will be available at a specific point in time. I am a champion for our senior population and will continue to advocate to improve sustainable housing, mobility and quality of life for them well into their golden years. Scheduled routes are an additional option for citizens and could possibly lure universities, medical organi-

zations and other much-needed businesses to North Henry.”

The Fairview Shuttle bus will initially hold 16 passengers and is currently free of charge, however a fare will be set at a lat-

er date. The operating hours for the shuttle bus are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Bus stop signs have been installed along the route, displaying the current schedule for each stop.

Early this year, Commissioners approved the purchase of a 20-passenger StarTrans Senator II Shuttle bus that is equipped with a wheelchair lift. Cost of the bus was $79,280 but was made possible through a Federal Transit Adminsitration grant, costing the county approximately $16,000 as a result of a 20 percent match requirement. Henry County Transit expects to put the new bus in service for the fixed route within the next three months.

For more information on Henry County’s Transit Department, please visit http://www. co.henry.ga.us/Departments/S-Z/ TransitDepartment.aspx or call 770-288-RIDE.

The bus stop locations and times are below:

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9 - Game Changers Magazine Sep/Oct 2017

My name is Annanethia Colzie-Hattney, but many know me as Peaches. I am truly a Georgia peach ‒ born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.

After graduating from high school, I was blessed to marry my husband Clayburn Hattney. Together we have two children, Keenard and Claysha.

I am also the proud grandmother of a handsome young man, Keevon Hattney.

I quickly landed a job in the financial services industry shortly after high school. From there, I moved into the insurance industry where I gained the knowledge and experience to open my own agency. I am now a successful Allstate agent of 11 years in Stockbridge, Georgia.

Helping people is a big reason I got into insurance. I get to help people protect what is most important in their lives, whether it is auto and home insurance or saving for college and retirement.

Moreover, my understanding of the people in this community has been an important factor in providing the outstanding customer service local families have come to expect!

I’d love to meet you and help you with coverage decisions that fits your life. I can also help you prepare a strategy to achieve your financial goals. My mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, assist in recovering from the unexpected and realize their dream! You are in Good Hands!

Game Changers Magazine Jan/Feb 2018 - 10

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Game Changers Magazine Sep/Oct 2017 - 12

Deuce Hands: Two Hands Are Better Than One Written by Marlon Miller Jr.

Edited by Tawanda Miller

strangers on the street to give me donations for my cause. I received many “no” responses in the beginning which kind of discouraged me. However, when the “yes” responses started rolling in, it built my confidence level back up. Now I am not afraid to ask for what I need. “Nothing beats a failure but a try!”

Just to give a little background, there are several incidents that led me to where I am now. I remember when I was 5 years old and my dad

took me to Taco Bell and a homeless person came in with a piece of bread and a newspaper. My dad bought the guy something to eat and drink, then gave him $20. I think that was the first time that I was introduced to what homelessness looked like. Ever since then, I was consciously aware of my surroundings and the world in which we live in. I saw and still see people living on the streets, people asking to work for food, kids without basic needs, kids in school who don’t have some of the things that most everyone else

My name is Marlon Miller Jr. and I am eleven years old. My mom began calling me the nickname Deuce since birth since I am a junior or #2. The name was catchy and all of my family started addressing me by that name. I am a sixth grade student at Union Grove Middle School in McDonough, Georgia. I believe that my life is destined for greatness, thanks to my mom who never allows my sister or I to use the word “can’t” in our household. So when I told my mom that I wanted to start my own organization to help the homeless, she said, “Show me that you are serious and I will support you 100%.”

Deuce Hands, Inc. is a non-profit organization started by me with the help of my mom. The mission is to help the homeless and less fortunate with basic need essentials. I have always been passionate about helping others in need but since I did not have the money to do so, I felt that my organization could help me to fulfill my mission. I began by going around to local businesses with my flyer and explaining to business owners what I was trying to do in order to solicit funds to create compassion bags to be passed out to those in need. I also asked 13 - Game Changers Magazine Jan/Feb 2018

has, etc. I still often wonder why some people don’t have at least one person to turn to when they need help. Everywhere I went, there were homeless people and there was nothing that I could do about it because I had no money.

I started Deuce Hands as a way to be able to help the less fortunate. It started off with me giving out compassion bags during the spring of 2017. Then as I began to see the impact of my mission, it turned out being a lot more. There are so many individuals and shelters in need of support.

Deuce Hands has donated toys and shampoo/conditioner to the Haven House in Henry County to support battered women and children. Deuce Hands has joined forces with Hands Across Atlanta to help feed the homeless and distribute his compassion bags. Compassion toiletry bags and school supplies were donated to Henry County Schools, Kids in Transition. In addition, Compassion toiletry bags were donated to the Covenant House which houses males & females aged 1821. Compassion bags containing toiletry items, water, and snacks have been distributed to close to a thousand homeless individuals throughout metro Atlanta.

During this past holiday season, Deuce Hands raised money selling tickets for his Ugly Christmas Sweater party to bless some deserving families with food, clothes, and toys during the holidays. As a result of my collaboration with school counselors, the Henry County Schools that Deuce Hands focused on in 2017 were Walnut Creek Elementary, Stockbridge Elementary, Smith- Barnes Elementary and Stockbridge Middle. Thanks to help from family & friends, soccer team family, sponsors, and donations from community members, Deuce Hands was able to bless several families.

Deuce Hands current fundraiser is the creation of a compilation cookbook. Supporters all over the world are encouraged to submit a recipe with their name and geographical location to deucehands06@gmail.com to be featured in this book to be released during the summer of 2018. Proceeds from the finished product will be used to give back to those in need.

In the near future, Deuce Hands plans to collaborate with his present school, Union Grove Middle to bring awareness to his organization.

Deuce Hands also plans on partnering with McDonough Youth Advisory Council under the direction of councilwoman, Kamali Varner.

Deuce Hands will to continue to partner with the Henry County Schools Kids in Transition team to assist with the needs of homeless/foster students in the county.

Donations received from individuals and businesses have allowed Deuce Hands to uplift and provide support to individuals facing adversities. His motto "DEUCE HANDS ARE BETTER THAN ONE" speaks for itself. It is evident that with more hands on deck, homeless and less fortunate individuals can be reached in the masses and in a shorter time frame. If you are interested in helping Deuce Hands move forward with the mission, please go to the website www.deucehands. org and click on the donate tab to make a financial contribution.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, there is a tab on the website in which you can fill out and submit for sponsorship. If you prefer to send in-kind donations such as toiletry items, brand new hats, gloves, socks, etc. you are welcome to mail the items to P.O. Box 1268, McDonough, Ga 30253. For all upcoming events/ activities, check the site regularly under the event tab. Volunteers are needed from time to time and will be communicated on Deuce

Hands website or (Facebook, Instagram, and You-tube) social media avenues.

Stay connected with Deuce Hands by following him on social media.

Follow him on Instagram: @deucehands06 Follow, Like, & Share his Facebook page: Deuce Hands Like, Share, & Subscribe to YouTube: Deuce Hands

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Private Money Syndicate

You have opened the business of your dreams! Everything is going smoothly. You are seeing a nice profit! Then suddenly you are getting higher demand that you expected and you are having a difficult time handling the sudden growth. There is only one solution: You need capital or a line of credit to expand your operation, hire more employees, buy new equipment and build your inventory. Whatever you may need, you know that without it your business will not stand!

The first thing you do is head to the bank totally, unaware that banks are not small business friendly. So you head on in with all of your business documents and optimistic attitude. There's nothing to convince you that you won’t walk out of that bank without the capital you need for your business to grow. After a long meeting the time arrives for the good news. But, unfortunately you end up walking out disappointed and in disbelief, wondering what to do next and what alternatives you have?

So many small businesses have fallen apart at this very critical point. That, "NO" from banks has caused the number of unsuccessful businesses to increase so drastically that annually, there are thousands more businesses closing their doors than are opening.

This is where the Private Money Syndicate comes in.

We assist you with private, non-bank financing to continue your dreams and to solidifying your business.

We have a "YES" for you! We provide that boost you need to keep up with growing customers demands. Not only will we help you find the capital you need, but we can help you make

Shawn Raleigh adjustments that save money on your credit card processing.

And the best thing about our service is that it doesn't cost you a thing to find out how much we can help! All you need to do is use the contact email and schedule a phone appointment.

Before I close this article, I want to give you an illustration that clearly describes the value that the Private Money Syndicate provides small business owners:

Use the comparison of a family looking to rent a place to live, but they can’t get approval for a lease through any rental agencies, So, the only viable option is for them to rent from a private owner willing to be flexible, accommodate their situation and provide them a place to live. Otherwise, they would be left out on the street, homeless.

The Private Money Syndicate is here to make sure that you have second and third options to get what you need to become a successful business. Where the banks will deny you and have you out in the cold without a business, facing credit score penalties, we work with you to find alternatives that make sense!

Hopefully there are some business owners out there who need this info. We don't mind sharing our expertise AND what your business needs most: Funding!

Game Changers Magazine Jan/Feb 2018 - 16

REINVENT YOURSELF

There is a saying the truth will set you free, but it can’t set you free until you face the lies that are holding you hostage. I have created five steps to begin the process of reinventing one’s self.

• Admit there is a problem • Peel back the layers • Let your guard down • Prayer and meditation • Affirmations Admitting and/or acknowledging there is room for improvement is the first step in making an active change in your life. You can’t fix a problem you refuse to acknowledge. An unacknowledged problem is like an infection that has not been discovered in the body.

If not properly treated, it could turn into a deadly situation. When I approached adulthood and left home, the issues I felt I was escaping were not being dealt with.

I merely hid them and acted as if they did not affect me.

As time went on, those issues I thought I ran away from caught up with me and lead me down a path that was choking the life out of me. I didn’t want to live; I just wanted to hide from the world.

I used mind- and mood-altering substances to try and hide from myself and those that encountered me. With each high I was pushed deeper into that fake hiding place.

Once I acknowledged I had unresolved issues, I had to face them to begin the process of healing.

The “peel back the lay17 - Game Changers Magazine Jan/Feb 2018

ers” step can be a painful rung on the ladder on the pathway to reinventing one’s self. It can be like peeling the layers of an onion. Tears may often accompany this reflection. I had years of heartbreaking situations that were difficult for me to face. Although it evoked many emotions and caused some forms of anger, bitterness, and resentment, I had to get through every layer of the pain to truly start healing. For some, it may cause the shedding of tears, but it is there that cleansing and true healing can begin.

Once I admitted there was room for improvement, I could see the harm my prior choices had caused me. It was then that I was ready to peel back the layers and make steps toward a life of positive change and healing.

The next critical step in reinventing one’s self is to “let your guard down.” This means to allow yourself to first, peel back the layers, and second, to admit there is a problem.

Men, please know you can be vulnerable enough in this process to speak about the thing that is causing you the greatest pain. Be careful to only share with a nonjudgmental, caring, and supportive individual. Your life is on the line and in order to fully rebound, you have to be willing to be vulnerable. In this process, it is imperative to have a team you can trust, a team that fully supports you when you let down the guardrails around your heart.

It can be challenging, but it is absolutely necessary to make sure you get the most out of your support team. This team of individuals can provide a safe zone for you where your vulnerability will not be mishandled or abused.

The next step in this process is understanding the power of prayer and meditation are crucial components to assure success. I believe it comes first in these five steps even though it is

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.

— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

listed as the fourth step. Prayer to a Higher Authority connects us to the source of who we truly are.

We are connected to our Creator through prayer. Prayer is even more powerful when we still the mind in meditation and allow our Creator to speak to us. In the quiet time is where we get clarity on the steps and progress we are making in our lives.

Meditation is also a way to help us focus on the issues we wish to bring the change we desire. In the Bible, David meditated on the promises of God, which helped him overcome the craziness that was happening in his life because of the bad choices he had made. Even in his bad choices he was still a chosen king. Through the power of meditation and prayer he was empowered to rebuild when he was torn down, and it also enabled him to never forget who God said he was. Prayer and meditation keeps us centered and connected with our Creator, and is one of the most pertinent factors in these five steps.

Oftentimes we may think what others say to us could be life-changing, and it can be; but even more so what comes from our own lips is what cripples us the most. Affirm what the Creator has said about who you are until you see what your Creator has said about you and experience it come to life.

Using affirmations help to create the positive energy needed to reinvent yourself. Speaking affirmations every morning after prayer and meditation consistently can create a massive change in one’s paradigm and belief system.

You will discover that for these activities to be effective, they must be done consistently and over a continuous period of time.

In this time frame, one can set a new paradigm and create new habits.

According to research from Maxwell Maltz, who was a plastic surgeon in the 1950s, he began noticing a pattern among his patients.

When Dr. Maltz would operate on a patient, he found it would take the person about 21 days to adjust—to a new face after a nose job, or to stop sensing a missing limb after an amputation.

Maltz reflected on his own adjustment period to changes and new behaviors, and found it also took him about 21 days to form a new habit. Maltz wrote about these experiences in his book Psycho- Cybernetics, and said, “These, and many other commonly observed phenomena tend to show that it requires a minimum of about 21 days for an old mental image to dissolve and a new one to jell.”

Reinvention, much like the insight from Maltz above, needs to take place continuously to change a habit or set a new one.

The mind is the breeding ground for all success. It all starts in your mind. According to the wisdom-filled words of Henry Ford: “If you think you can, or you think you can’t, you are probably right.” Tell yourself repeatedly about the power you possess to create the life you desire. If you didn’t know, let me be the first to tell you that you can create the exact life you desire to live. Following these steps in this book helped me to go from a place of extreme brokenness to a place of empowerment!

You must ask yourself, how can I do better today than I did yesterday? What will be the continuous movement to take me from where I am to where I want to be? These are the questions that someone in the process of personal reinvention must ask themselves.

The five steps in this module are some of the tools needed to create the new you.

Pride and fear will try to come in and hinder your progress.

However, with consistent application of these five steps, you can make successful strides in reinventing yourself.

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Utopia? Maybe, but collective living certainly changes things.

by Akhenaten Hotep Amun

Amun

Between 1969 and 1985, African-American farmers collectively owned 5,700 acres of land in Albany, GA. The farmers sought to establish a new way of life by living together and working cooperatively to raise various crops like corn, peanuts, soybeans, sugar cane, and muscadines. Over time, due to the challenges of operating a farm and the impact on racism in Albany and the USDA , New Communities suffered various social and financial challenges. Over time, farmers left the collective causing leaders to sell off thousands of acres to stay afloat. New Communities is still in business although not as vital as it was in its early years. Since then community land trusts across the country owe their existence and success to the pioneers associated with New Communities. In this article, I suggest a newer New Community. I propose that we create a Community Land Trust (CLT) that works in concert with other non-profit organizations that enables the people throughout a community and invested members to create a better environment, experience, and quality of life for all who are involved with the project and the surrounding community. The idea, as

akhenatenhotepamun@gmail.com

acknowledged by the founders of New Communities, aligns with the Jewish concept of Kibbutz. We need it here in Atlanta (or the surrounding area) … sooner than later.

The First Step: Getting a Few Together

I would like to believe that I’m living the “American Dream”. My wife and I pulled ourselves up by our boot straps. We live in a great subdivision with 22 homes. The estimated cost per month to live in our homes whether we are renting or paying a mortgage is approximately $1,500-$1,800 per month. Collectively, we are paying $33,000 a month in housing expenses which don’t include the utilities and other costs. The size of each lots is approximately 1 acre covering a total of approximately 25 acres. In addition, although each homeowner can expect to earn a few thousand dollars in equity upon sale with the right market conditions, approximately 20% of our mortgage payments over 30 years is a profit for an unknown and unrelated bank or investor. Why not invest that profit back into the CLT and the surrounding community?

What if the 22 families

lived on a piece of property that had similar homes, but whose acreage was increase five-fold or more.

With 100 acres, we would have a variety of amenities that exist at locations like Callaway Gardens, Chateau Elan, and other destinations around the state. There would be an appeal greater than any clubhouse or community attraction that excites families whose children outgrow the pool or playground in a few years. There would be room for a performing arts center, an event center, retail space, a restaurant, a lake, a farm, and an orchard amongst other things.

The great thing is that the cost would be between 50-60% of your current housing expense (again, not including utilities).

Consider how you could invest or repurpose the money you would be saving monthly. How would such a project work?

A Newer New Community: A Community Land Trust (CLT)

When people start non-profit organizations they usually intend to provide services to people or communities that are in need. A Community Land Trust (CLT) does the same thing; howev-

er, a CLT exists to ensure long-term housing affordability. In the example I provided above, the CLT would own the land the newer community owns. The individual homeowner or family would execute a longterm lease to occupy the dwelling for up to 99 years. When and if the house is ever sold (or transferred to another while still under the control of the CLT), the homeowner or family would receive a portion of the homes appreciation value. The living space or homes would be the property assigned by the lease to families, the other areas of the property would remain public and the shared property of all members of the CLT membership .

Now, I and my neighbors have no vested interest in anything other than our ±1 acre lots. I cannot grow crops in any significant amount because I’m working with a few planting pots and four raised beds. What if we had a functioning farm that would provide fresh fruits and vegetables to members for consumption? We can sell the additional crops to the public, retail, and other entities?

(Continued. page 27)

(Continued, from page 21) One of my neighbors built a pool with a price tag of $25,000-$35,000 each. The first pool prompted two more pools to be built at a total cost of $75,000-$105,000. These pools are rarely used after the first 2-3 months of their existence.

Why spend so much money on a pool for an individual house when neighbors, family, and friends use the pool just as much as the family who built it? Imagine the potential of building an Olympic sized pool that would also generate revenue by serving as a location for aquatic events and activities.

In addition to the traditional discussions at home owner association meetings, what if we could discuss the pros and cons associated with raising prices for goods and services provided on our property? What if the bed and breakfast or event center that we owned were able to employ members in the community? What if we had a grocery store, convenience store or other retail shop that provided goods and services to community members and was open to

the public? If we were wise with our decision making, our investments could result in enough revenue that we all lived on the property for free. Wouldn’t that be a game-changer when compared to the popular individualistic thinking of the traditional American adult?

If the draw of cutting your expenses in half while improving your quality of life doesn’t excite you, maybe the addition of a Community Development Financial Institution would.

What About the Cost? Show Me the Money.

Money or currency is the engine that creates a lot of change in society. In the community that I’m writing about, there needs to exist a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that serves community members and others outside of the community.

Somewhat like traditional credit unions, CDFIs can provide a variety of resources, products, and services to individuals.

I would like to see major purchases, loans, and other services associated with the community handled through the CDFI. The CDFI

would also finance projects in the surrounding community under the pretense that the CDFI and CDC (mentioned later) maintains ownership while under mortgage. I would also love to see the CDFI offer various banking services like checking, savings, and credit services to members and the surrounding community. I would not require community members to bank solely with the CDFI; however, each member would be required to maintain an interest-bearing account with the CFDI. The goal for these required accounts would be to ensure that community members set aside (the) money (that they are saving) and invested their money in accounts that earn at- or above-market returns on their investments.

Why? The goal of this article was to build interest in the potential for people like you and I to live without the present expectations of being an individual (person or family). In short, consider buying a house, getting an apartment or doing XYZ with a purpose or goal in mind while paying it towards a purpose rather than an investor who doesn’t

care who provides him or her with revenue. The goal is to reduce the financial cost of living for individuals and families so that their savings can be repurposed for financial freedom, stability, and investment.

Additionally, the community will create a diverse portfolio of investments, real estate, and capital that enables it and its members to create a better quality of life for members and the surrounding community.

What does the first step look like?

Other than gathering a core group to begin the filings and organization of at least community development organization and the community land trust, the first step is to secure real estate. This would be best done through a community land trust.

Once the community land trust is in operation and the location of the first acquisition is decided upon, the work towards organizing the community development corporation and the community development financial institution would need to occur.

I plan to submit the application for the community land trust with at least 4 other like-minded people by the end of 2018.

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Writers and Contributors Andreal Mallard Editor and Cheif Andre Allen Graphic and Layout Designs Marlon Miller, Jr. Tawanda Miller Humanitarian/ Guidance Counselor Jamal Burt Educator, CEO EBO Akhenaten Hotep Amun Educator and Advocate Elton Alexander Because We Care Atlanta South

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Thomas White President of The Henry County Democrat Party Ashonte Lyles Community Advocate Dr. Kai Ashby Community Advocate Dr. Edward Womack Man Rise Up and We Rise Media Shawn Raleigh Community Advocate

Ericka Harvey Administrator/ Content Development

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Realization of the Truth

by Thomas White

Certain moments can define a generation. Those moments occur at the brink of fundamental change, when a society determines that the status quo no longer meets its needs. Many of you can name such moments. Some might say September 11.

Others might turn to the shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. A few might even argue that the election of Donald Trump brought society to its boiling point.

In every case, the moment began with a realization of truth.

This is your realization.

A massive gap exists between people in this country.

The wealthy grow wealthier.

The poor fall even further into poverty. A dwindling middle class balances be-

tween the two, afraid of losing the struggle to climb the socio-economic ladder but unable to pull themselves to the next rung. Instead, they cling to the ladder, slowly dying from lack of sustenance, too desperate to let go, too afraid of falling. As long as they cling to the ladder, they will never fly.

The socio-economic ladder promises a better future. It perpetuates the belief that freedom will come with greater heights of wealth.

Turn the ladder on its side, and the rungs upon which we fight to climb become bars, an all-too-real prison trapping us in a system in which the wealthy victimize the poor. People step upon one another to move higher.

Race becomes a predictor

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for success. Gender is a means for discrimination. Society becomes another name for oppression.

We live a lie. Truth forges the path to freedom, and true freedom will not be realized until we stop finding methods through which we can oppress one another. Skin color, gender, and socio-economic status are tools, but they do not imprison us. We imprison one another. Greed, envy, and selfishness trap us. Even in Henry County, the oppression rages and grows. We fear admitting this truth because it would mean we have spent our lives pursuing a lie.

We play the game without

even questioning the prize.

We allow people to create a new city so that they do not have to share with those less fortunate than them. We hurt each other and rise off the failures of our brothers and sisters. Slowly, the chains tighten, and in the end, we find that our lives have been wasted.

We are prisoners, constrained by the system, society, and ourselves. Perhaps, now, we are at the moment that will define our generation. Perhaps we will finally let go of the socio-economic ladder and initiate the change we need. We are on the brink. Maybe, now, we will dare to fly.

Stockbridge Residents Rally to Keep Stockbridge Together! written by Because We Care Henry

Stockbridge residents rally to keep Stockbridge together facing a bill in the Georgia General Assembly introduced removing 50% of the landmass of the city and 50% of the revenue. Councilman Elton Alexander, Mayor Anthony Ford, and City Manager Randy Knighton addressed the controversial bill during Councilman Alexander’s quarterly town hall, in this case dedicated to saving Stockbridge.

Several new cities have been formed in the state of Georgia in recent years but no new city has been formed by encroaching on the sovereign territory of an existing city. The city of Eagles Landing group is proposing to actually leave the city of Stockbridge. This unprecedented move in the state of Georgia has mystified residents caught off guard by the introduction of a new city with no real public outreach in

the city.

The Eagles Landing Educational Research Committee, a secretive well connected group, formed to lobby for the creation of the new city operates with very limited transparency while refusing to meet with the city of Stockbridge to understand the issues at hand.

Many of the meetings held by the group have been closed door invitation only sessions open to the communities they addressed or at the gated Eagles Landing Country club.

Representative Sandra Scott addressed the crowd stating that the local delegation has violated home rule established by the Georgia general assembly dictating how local legislation moves forward. Representative

Pam Stephenson echoed those sentiments pledging to fight the bill keeping Stockbridge together. The proposed city of Eagles Landing bill will be determined in the next 60 days in the Georgia legislature.

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What is Commercial Sexual Exploitation? written By Dr. Kai Ashby

A declaration of the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Stockholm in 1996, defined CSEC as: “Sexual abuse by the adult and remuneration in cash or kind to the child or a third person or persons. The child is treated as a sexual object and as a commercial object.”

Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a commercial transaction that involves the sexual exploitation of a child, such as the prostitution and child pornography. CSEC may involve coercion and violence against children and amount to forced labor and a form of contemporary slavery as well as offering the sexual services of children for compensation, financial or otherwise.

HERE IS BRIANA’S STORY:

Briana is due to give birth to her first child - a daughter she has already named “Grace.”

But the prospect, far from being one of joyous anticipation, fills her with a dread that keeps her awake at night.

It's not because Briana doesn't want the child. She does.

Desperately. And not because she is frightened of the pain of labor.

She is prepared for that.

It is what happens afterwards that fuels Briana's anxiety. And there can be no preparation for that pain.

For within 30 minutes of

birth, barring any medical complications, Grace will be handed by doctors to social workers.

They have instructions to take away Briana's newborn baby and place her in foster care.

The 15-year-old Briana will then be transferred from the maternity wing to a gynecological ward, because Department of Family and Children Services already has a foster family awaiting to receive the infant in their home, but not Briana. It will be difficult to place her with a foster family.

Briana has no idea if she will be able to touch her baby, even for a minute, before leaving the hospital alone, or if she will ever get her daughter back.

Her biggest fear is that she won't, and that Grace will be put up for adoption.

Briana is an intelligent and articulate young girl who was sex trafficked since the age of 13 by her own mother. Briana became sexually active after she was repeatedly raped by her mother’s boyfriend at the age of 12. From that moment, Briana became a promiscuous teenager who was looking to be loved and to escape her dreadful home life.

Briana’s mother decided that if her daughter was going to have multiple partners, then she should be paid for sexual services. From that moment forward, Briana was sex trafficked—her very own mother as her pimp.

Briana does not know who the father of her child could

be. She wants to get her life together, return to school, receive counseling and life coaching, and to be reconnected with her daughter. She cries every day, yearning for her baby girl.

For this reason, Saving Grace Home for Teen Mothers and Their Children was born.

Keeping families together and helping through difficult times. www.savinggraceatlanta.com STATISTICS ON TEEN SEX TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION IN GEORGIA * A study done by the Schapiro Group states that 42 percent of calls for sexual services are coming from the suburbs outside Atlanta.” * The most common age of entry into the commercial sex industry is 12-14 years of age. * Each month, 300-500 girls are commercially sexually exploited throughout Georgia and the numbers are steadily and rapidly growing. * On average, 100 juvenile girls are exploited each night in Georgia and the number is steadily and rapidly growing. * 7,200 men pay for sex with adolescent females in Georgia each month and the number is steadily and rapidly growing. * Teen sex trafficking and exploitation is no longer a Thai-

land, Phillipine, Mexico problem. It's found its way in our neighborhoods and is one of the most shocking crimes occurring in Georgia, and chances are you don't even know it exists. Often a family member or a friend of the family has already abused the minor. * Men no longer travel to Rio to have sex with a teen. They are now traveling right here in our own backyard. * Teen girls are the “new crack” as a victim of sex trafficking.

Several gangs are in on it. They call themselves Guerrilla pimps.

They're literally snatching girls off the street, breaking them down and forcing them into prostitution, having them turn 10-20 or more tricks a day. The younger

the better. Pimping girls is easier, cheaper and less likely to get the predator shot or landed in jail for any serious time. And unlike a kilo, one girl can be sold over and over and over again. There's a ready supply and an endless demand.