VOICE 2011 ISSUE

URBAN PROFESSIONAL LIFESTYLE

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For Custom Artwork Contact: Email:

blacknsamoan@yahoo.com

Web:

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Phone: 214-545-2023

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'Olympians have a sense of dedication and focus that is not typical — you're talking several standard deviations away from the average.'—Dean Baim, Professor Economics and Finance, Pepperdine University

Photo by Reuters President and Michelle Obama and Olympians, Jackie Joyner Kersee and Dominque Dawes. The president and first lady host a White House event to promote support for the 2016 Olympics in Chicago.

Community ...

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We are bringing innovative advanced alternative energy solutions to market.

We are also committed to providing an enhanced quality of life for the residents in the communities inwhich we operate.

We pledge to: Create Green Jobs, Pay Competitive Salaries with Benefits, Invest in K-12 Sustainability Programs, and Increase Local Tax Receipts.

Committed to Innovation and Community 12

Urban Professional Lifestyle www.biofuelsamericainc.com Names and references to third parties in this digital advertisement are used with permission.© BFA Energy Solutions. All rights reserved.

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iiconn DESIGN Studio

Pencil and Charcoal Portraiture

By Edward L. Jones Jr. I provide fine hand drawn portraits of children, grandparents, pets, etc.

The portraits are accurate and result in a full likeness of any subject. To receive pricing structure or estimates for large portraits I prefer contact through email. IDSpencilportraits@gmail.com 14

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As we noted last month, we have formally changed our name from Illinois VOICE to VOICE Magazine. While we are still in the process of switching emails, websites etc., many have asked why we made such a move at this stage of our development. Our goal in changing our name was twofold. First, the ―Illinois‖ title in our name limits us both geographically and mentally in the minds of our current and prospective readers.

Most importantly, it limits our ability to increase our ad revenue which allows us to continue to improve our publication for the benefit of our readers.

Secondly, there is a practice utilized by mainstream advertisers that is used by them and the ad agencies that they hire called Non-Urban Dictate. A Non-Urban Dictate exists when these mainstream advertisers decide not to use minority owned media (i.e. radio, television, print, online) to sell their products or services. When it is a well-known fact that we utilize Black media much more than we utilize mainstream media for our news, commentary and entertainment. The most astonishing aspect of this all is that Blacks spend over $800 billion dollars per year. That’s right … per year on all sorts of products and services. Large and small companies have generated record profits on the backs of our people for decades and do so while advertising with our Black media limitedly or not at all.

The other side of this is that we need to start spending our money with ourselves. As we all know, Blacks do not own nowhere near the percentage of these companies that we should. In essence, we are a race of consumers. Did you know that on average a dollar turns over at least seven times in Jewish communities while it turns over just once in the Black community? I am not anti-Sematic. I am just stating a fact and suggesting that we as a people should be more like them. Our neighborhoods are bombarded with stores and businesses owned by individuals who do not live in our neighborhoods. As a result, the dollars that we spend with them are not being re-invested back into our communities but are withdrawn on a daily basis and never returned. Just as important is that even though we have made significant strides across the board in our society, Non-Urban Dictates do exists and are very prevalent. To combat this practice in our base community we have decided to make the VOICE a national publication.

Toward that end, this month we profile individuals from Chicago, IL; Memphis, TN; New York, NY; Dallas, TX, St. Louis, MO; and Miami, Florida. As an owner of media, VERVE Media, Inc. has made the conscious decision not to be limited by internal or external forces. In essence, we will keep doing what we are striving to do best which is to serve our readers.

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On the Cover this month we profile the very talented Temmora. Temmora is a wellknown singer who took a hiatus to reinvent and re-energize her career. Now she is ready for the world and is unstoppable. We were very grateful for the opportunity to interview Temmorra. You must read this interview by our own jasira because she …Was Born to Sing!

We also profile the remarkable Judge Belvin Perry Jr. Judge Perry has presided over the Casey Anthony Trial with the dignity and fortitude. Many want to know more about him.

We have attempted to give our readers an insight into this remarkable man’s past and potential future. jasira also interviewed the remarkable Angela Clay. Ms. Clay is a Christian woman dedicated to improving the profile of young girls from all races and all cultures motivating them to enhance their life chances by enhancing their self-esteem.

We profile the internationally acclaimed Sensual Trainer and Renaissance Amazon Makeda Volleta. Makeda travels the world teaching women and men how to increase their sensual and sexual pleasure through various techniques that she has acquired through her training and travels. In addition to being a nutritionist, health scientist Makeda is also an accomplished musician and dancer. You really do not want to miss this interview.

Ms. Caramel is our profile in our Urbanity section. She is the ultimate spokesperson.

With a recognized career in modeling and promotions she is poised to continue her rise to become unparalleled in her chosen career.

This month we start a new section called On the Move. Our first profile is the lovely Raychel Yokem. Ms. Yokem is a young lady to watch as she conquers her dreams to reach her fullest potential.

We would like to give special congratulations to Ms. Teresa Haley for being awarded the Daughters of the Elks Ruby B. Edwards Award. We would also like to congratulate Junior Golf sensation Daquarian Banks for placing in the Drysdale Junior Golf Tournament in Springfield, IL. Hope you enjoy it!

Regards,

W. E. ―Pete‖ Reeves Founder/Publisher 17

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Publisher

VERVE Media, Inc. P.O. Box 2704 Springfield, Illinois 62708 Office : 217-761-5778 Fax: 217-793-6939 Cell: 901-832-1144 Email: voicemagonline@gmail.com Web Site: myillinoisvoice.yolasite.com

Editor &

General Manager

W. E. “Pete” Reeves

IT Production Assistant

Natasha Crider

Senior Social Correspondent

Teresa Haley

Senior Southwest Region Correspondent

Tiffany Hatchett

Contributors

Malcolm Beal-Reeves Joya Abdul Zarif Tia Dent Pat Moody Ball-j Teresa Haley Joyce Nash Michael Johnson Yogini Mafdet Jael Mack Meier Lathan Michelle Davis

Jo Lena Johnson Prophetess Jennie Chalden Destinee Love Celeste Poole Sarah T. McGee Tainted Lucas Mier Lathan Sylphia R. Lindsay Nell Clay Alicia Wilson jasira William Bishop III

VOICE is published monthly. © Copyright 2011 by VERVE MEDIA, INC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without permission is prohibited. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: VERVE MEDIA, INC., P.O. BOX 2704, Springfield, Illinois 62708. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Send $50 a year: (Add $15 per year for overseas delivery.)

Manuscripts, photographs, illustrations and letters to the editor are welcome, but VOICE can take no responsibility for them while in transit or in the office of the publication.

Letters may be edited. Information published in VOICE is gathered from reliable sources, but the accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed. Opinions expressed in VOICE are those of their authors, and no information or opinions expressed in VOICE represent an endorsement or solicitation for purchase or sale by VOICE or its staff.

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life & style ………………

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on the move ……………

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money ......................

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wellness ...................

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celebration ……………………. 23

business ...................

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on the cover ........ ............. 24

sports .......................

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inspiration ......................

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bids & notices …………

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in memoriam .................... 59

remembrances ……….

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DEPARTMENTS

publisher’s page ...............

web culture ......................

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national...........................

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world..............................

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opinion...........................

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urbanity ..........................

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Congratulations to Ms. Teresa Haley On Being Awarded the Daughters of the Elks IL/WI State Association Council

Ruby E. Edwards Award For

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Temmora; Born to Sing 23

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Temmora is a natural. You might say she was born to sing - her voice a superb instrument; her performance totally in sync with the song’s message and emotion. Choosing not to take her gift for granted, however, Temmora has spent her short, focused lifetime in pursuing perfection in the form, style and delivery of musical excellence.

It is an appreciation for the song and its purpose that fuels Temmora’s dedication. The melody of the chorus, the tone of the instruments, the pathos of the message, the dynamics of the arrangements, the soul of the story, all give substance to the passion she transmits through a song’s delivery. ―I want people to feel something with my music,‖ she confesses after bearing her heart in a song of raw emotional pain that turns to tenderness, letting the listener know she has a maturity far beyond her years. Temmora is a visual artist. With a charismatic personality that literally shines throughout her delivery, it’s impossible not to feel her intent. ―I love the energy of the audience,‖ she admits saying that her ―first and foremost love is performing live.‖ Temmora’s natural talent was God’s gift from her mother at birth. It developed early under the guidance of her mother, who was also a singer and knew the value of total commitment and discipline. By age three, Temmora was in ballet classes, followed by modern dance and jazz improvisation, giving her the grace and confidence to express her inner most feeling kinetically and the growth that comes with creative freedom.

As an adolescent, Temmora took vocal lessons in jazz and opera mastering the vocal essentials-clarity, interpretation, phrasing, and breath control. However, Temmora did more than sing. She listened — listened intently, under the tutelage of her manager, to all forms of music from rock, folk and country to blues and soul. That’s why so many influences are expressed so clearly in Temmora’s vocal tone, texture, and delivery - touches of Phyllis Hyman, Anita Baker, Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Bonnie Raitt, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and 24

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Nina Simone.

After a lifetime of preparation, when she finally felt ready to pursue her career with professional integrity, Temmora’s primary source of motivation and inspiration was taken from her. After the death of her mother, Temmora relied on the resources of strength and faith she had modeled for her, Temmora learned the emotional depth necessary to convey a song where it truly communicates body, heart, spirit and soul, and the satisfaction that comes from giving your best to bring joy to others.

Temmora has emerged from her heartache a better songstress than she once thought possible and an impressive songwriter with honest true-to-life lyrics, as well as a collaborative producer tuned to the pulse of her peers. Always an unconventional student of the arts with a diverse training and repertoire, Temmora possesses a rare openness and freshness that merges musical styles and bends cultural barriers.

Her forthright and vibrant perception of a chaotic world in continuing transition gives her engaging blend of urban contemporary, with hip-hop/pop punctuation, more accessibility than much of today’s R&B. On the whole Temmora is the voice of a new generation, a world-class act with a massive career ahead of her.

VOICE had the opportunity to interview Temmora at her home in Memphis, Tennessee. The interview was conducted by jasira on behalf of the V. On my way into Memphis, Tn., It's late and I'm prepared to meet an accomplished entertainer and rising super star. I drive from Dallas, Texas to Memphis, Tn. with Temmora’s assistant/publicist Meisha Shabbazz. I'm greeted at this enormous 15,000 square foot home by this little lady in the enormous foyer. Immediately she says, "please 25

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forgive me for my appearance." I too was looking disheveled from the ride, but I was shocked by her admission. She was very humble.

She invited me in with warmness and put on a mini performance of a new single she is working on. The house was bustling with electric energy even at that hour. After listening & watching Temmora belt out these heartfelt sounds, we began to talk about her life.

V: You have had so many opportunities & advantages that the average person will never experience. What are some of the advantages of being in the industry and how did these things alter your life?

Temmora: I've grown accustomed to having everything done for me from my toothpaste being placed on my tooth brush, to my hair brushed & braided at

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night. Everything had to be picture perfect. I never let anyone see me until I was perfect; even if that meant I had to get up much earlier.

V: Why was it so important for you to have this clean pristine image?

Temmora: I grew up in foster care being told that I wasn't good enough. I remember people coming to visit the foster home saying, "she's so pretty, why didn't her parents want her?" For years that stuck out in my mind. I had to be perfect and have the perfect image. Many journalists attempted to catch me off guard by seeing me unpolished. You are one of few people that I have allowed to see me in regular clothes, without being made up.

(In the midst of our conversation, her personal assistant entered the room to see if Temmora needed anything, and also made certain that she knew her pajamas had been laid out for her. She hands her a plate of watermelon, which is her favorite. She's treated like an actual princess.)

V: How does it feel to not be able to show your true self to the world?

Temmora: Not knowing that on the inside, I had already made it. I have a real life rags to riches story. It’s just time for me to let the world know that I am who

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Previous Photo: Temmora with Anisha Nicole and Brian McKnight

I am, with or without the money or the fame; I am who I am.

V: What would you like your fans to see in the new, grounded Temmora?

Temmora: "Talk To Me" & "Any Other Girl" were garnered by the label. It was garnered by writers. I wrote on the label, but it was really their emotion or what they saw of me. It wasn't really what I saw of myself. I want people in general, and my fans to see that I hurt like they hurt, I cry like they cry; I'm human. They always saw me as picture perfect and I'm not a picture perfect person. Just because the picture may show perfect, or the camera exudes perfectness, there are a lot of things that went on inside of me that I had to hide deep inside. With "Emotional" and the coming things, they will be able to see me for who I really am. And I hope they love & accept me for who I really am. Emotional is me and what I've been in the last three years. There's a lot that I've gone through and want people to be able to take a journey with me, as if they were almost holding my hand and walking with me at this time in my new walk with Christ, with music, with love, and my love life, with romance, my family and friends. I feel like I've been reborn. Most of the people that knew me before knew me as Temmora the artist. I want them to know that I'm actually a person. I hope the people can see that. I cry like they cry.

V: In what way has this three year hiatus changed your life?

Temmora: The three years gave me a chance to see a lot of people that were in my camp before in such a way that I hadn't seen them before. It gave me a chance to be me and see who was really for me, and who wasn't. And what I needed opposed to what I thought I needed. It gave me a chance to come to reality. It gave me a chance to appreciate nature and not having, as well as having. I've learned how not to buy my surroundings but to appreciate them for what they are

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versus how the industry perceives it. I bought people based on how I wanted to be treated.

V: At this level, why be transparent?

Temmora: At this level, I feel like I hid so much of who I really am to become what they wanted me to be. I think now it's time for people to see that it was all an illusion. I did what I felt I needed to make it. I didn't realize that I had already made it. And that I didn't need notoriety. Before, I felt like in the industry, I needed them to solidify my place on this earth.

V: If you could go back & change anything about this journey, what would it be?

Temmora: If I could go back and change anything, it would be hiding my past because my past is what made me who I am today.

Hiding things that I did not want people to because of shame, or not feeling accepted. Not knowing that on the inside, I had already made it. Its just time for me to let the world know that I am who I am, with or without the money or the fame; I am who I am. I felt I the world would not accept me if they knew who I really was.

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If I could, I would walk into the world not hiding my past, with all my baggage, and background; but be who I really am. Not knowing that on the inside, I had already made it. Its just time for me to let the world know that I am who I am, with or without the money or the fame; I am who I am.

V: Who is Temmora?

Temmora: I am struggle. I am triumph. I am trials and tribulations. I don't come from the best walk of life. I created my world the way I wanted it to be. I am hurt.

I'm damaged, but from that damage and hurt has made me the giving person that I am now because I learned from not ever having a family and being of foster care, and not ashamed of it now. I would love for any little girl or boy that feels like the weight of the world is on their shoulders to know that you are the one who decides who you are to be. You are not who they say you will be. There are so many artists who gave me that fight in my chest, and my mind to not give up like Janet Jackson; she was my idol. I idolized her grace and the way she moved. I mocked her. Phyllis Hyman, even though her life was so sort on this earth, I mimicked that deep undertone, and pain that came through in her music. Anita Baker, Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Patti LaBelle, these were artists that I sat back and I wanted to be. I literally took a little bit of each one of them as they graced magazines, the stage at the Grammys or BET awards. I took something from each one and said that could be me. Even in my mind in foster care, I had a determining spirit. I never said to myself I

Temmora with Ron MC 30

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no one wants them, like I felt, find a mentor without them even knowing that they're mentoring you.

V: How did the sacrifices made during your career affect your relationship with your family?

Temmora: The sacrifices that I made to hide who I am made me get to a plateau in life where I really hurt the people I love, and who love me. They loved me in such a way that on the outside they seemed okay. But on the inside, they were missing so much that they said whatever it is they had to say to help me get to that point of feeling like I was somebody, instead of feeling like nobody. I always fought in my mind and told myself I was somebody, but there was still this little bell that rang in my head; you're really nobody.

V: What made you hide the people that love you from your fans?

Temmora: I lied and covered up to pretend to be somebody, and I hurt people who loved me because I had to hide them to create a world that existed for me.

Even though I had them in this world, I had them in the shadows, but I never let them come to the light. The world knows me to have no children, truth be told I have four children. They are examples of me. They are my hurt, my pain, but they shine like stars in the night and lead my path now. They've taken my talent and taken it to a new high. They've taken my dreams and made them real, they've taken my weaknesses and made them my strengths, they've taken my past and made my past not seem so bad. I am also married, and have been with my husband for years. My husband is my manager, Dr. Arthur Levy.

V: How did your kids feel knowing that you had them hide who they are to the world? How did they refer to you?

Temmora: My kids called me auntie. I was considered their aunt. I was never their mom. I wouldn't say I forced them, but I did coerce them to call me auntie for my career and longevity. This was done to help me sustain my career and look as pure as possible. That was a lie within itself.

V: How did it feel once you were able to be honest with yourself?

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Temmora:

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realized. Before I came home, I never picked up my own things. I didn't even brush my own hair at night. It feels good to have my kids call me Momma instead of auntie. I've learned a lot about them that I wouldn't have had I not come home. Coming clean and being reborn and really wanting people to know that I have four beautiful seeds, and I can just sit down now. They can now take the stage.

You know, it's hard to sell your own children, but I can just sit back and let the world be the judge.

V: That's a big price pay. If you had it to do over, would you do it again?

Left: G Cove Temmora: When I look at them now and I look at the fact that I made them hide who they are so that I can become who I am; they are stronger than I'll ever be. The time that I took off was well needed because I needed to see how talented my kids were.

I needed to see that they had dreams as well. I needed to focus on my home life and just as well as my fans needed me, my family needed me more.

I still belong to my fans, but I first belong to God, second my family.

My fans are #1 in my life, but I think they'll love me more if they know that I take care of my home, as well as I take care of my career.

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Above: Karma V: How has this emotional journey changed your family?

Temmora: My God has humbled and blessed me so much. It's taught me how to be a team player with my family. It's taught my family how to be a team player with their group and it's taught us all as a unit, how to play on the same team, as opposed to playing on the opposing team.

V: Through all these painful experiences came a lot of good. Can you share this with our readers?

Temmora: It has also brought me three extremely multitalented children. We are not sure what the baby is going to do yet, but we'll see. My son Geramie, also known in the industry as G-Cove, is a born leader and fighter that overcame the odds from six years old. He was hit by a bus and told that he would never walk again. He taught himself to walk by giving his own self therapy when his doctors 35

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and therapist said there was no hope. He's been cheered on from early childhood.

He's always fought to prove me and others wrong. At that time, I didn't know that he was an artist, but everything he's done has been in the arts. Cove's new album is coming out and that's what the world needs to know about him. Both of my daughters are talented as well. Roxy taught herself to play guitar. She and her sister, Miesha Michelle, are both singers. Meisha is a choreographer, also.

V: How easy was it to integrate your girls into Karma, a four girl group?

Temmora: Its a four girl pop rock group that consists of two sets of sisters.

Double the trouble. (jokingly) I would say Karma bring all elements. They are definitely rising stars to look out for.

V: How did you feel about your children wanting to follow in your footsteps in the industry?

Temmora: I was against him promoting parties because of the club scene, the smoking and drinking and drugs. He told me he said, " Mom, I need you to back me with being a party promoter!" I didn't want him to, but he told me, " Mom, I'm good at this!" I let him do his first show and it was sold out. My son is a bonafide party promoter well known here in Memphis. As a promoter, everyone knows he's Mr. No ID. V: How did your career travels affect being there for your children's activities?

Temmora: It didn't. I have always been present for all my children's activities.

V: Are there any tours coming up for Temmora, G-Cove and Karma before the end of this year?

Temmora: Yes, I plan on doing a few shows before the end of the year, but a full fledge tour won’t be until next year. Karma and G-Cove will be the can openers.

Once we have the can openers and you love them, then we can come out with all the other artists we got. But we'll open the doors with those two.

V: How will the artists on your label be perceived now?

Temmora: We are a family, and from this day forward I will not go out without my family.

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V: What will your children be allowed to call you during your tours?

Temmora: (sheepishly) They can call me Mommy.

V: What can the fans expect from Karma?

Temmora: Oh boy!! What goes around, comes around. These ladies exude confidence, love, talent, strength which are the word Karma. They understand that whatever they put out comes back to them. But, they're still little girls that like to go skating and to the mall. They still like to do what all the little girls like to do. Karma will go as far as the world allows them to go.

V: What's next for Temmora & Ammoret, Inc.?

Temmora: I'm going to do a book and movie of my life. I took part in a reality TV show called "Party Mommas" & "Music Meets Medicine." Party Mommas is coming out in October 2011. I also have a new single coming out entitled, " I Gotta Get Away"

Below: Karma

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V: Did you write that song, too?

Temmora: That song was written by Brenae Davis, a producer at One Sound Studio in Memphis. The song was written two days ago and the finished product is complete as of today. This is the first full song she's written. She's worked with mostly local artists for now, but look forward to branching out. She and her husband own the studio which is a one stop shop. Their services include recording, mixing, mastering, duplication, video and photo shoots. It's a one stop shop for any artist. (spending time with them in the studio as they collaborated for hours) V: One Sound Studio sounds as if it caters to all the needs of a musician. Who is the other half of the studio?

Temmora: His name is Louis Cole. He's worked with artists such as Souljah Boy, Arab, Criminal Mind, and other local artists. One Sound Studio also does Tshirts, and postcards. Everything you need is right here. They are the head producers of Arromet Records. They actually handle the majority of the work and it's coming from Louis and Brenae.

V: You do a lot for your children. What can you share with me about G-Cove? How do you get your artists ready for stardom?

Temmora: G-Cove was hit by a bus while I was on tour in Orlando, he was six years old. He's always been a self-determined fighter. He was in the hospital for six months. The doctors said that he would never walk again. That boy willed himself up out of that hospital bed, through rehab and has always been a leader.

He never gives up and fights for everything he has in him with 100%.

V: What is this bootcamp about that you have instituted with your label? I hear it entails a lot?

Temmora: I have an independent label called Arromet, Inc. It's my name spelled backwards. My son Geramie named it. He goes by G-Cove in the industry. Our boot camp lasts about three months. It forces the artists to know everything about the other. For example, likes & dislikes. They eat together, sleep together & are forced to think together. This quickly rids the egos in the room and attitudes of thinking, ―I’m better than you". During boot camp, the artists have set hours for school, studio time, dance rehearsal, play time, such as an hour for video 38

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games & eating. A schedule is put in place. They're also trained on how to answer questions & read body language during interviews. As a result, they're trained on how to come back or chime in if the other person is uncomfortable. If one falls short in the interview, the others can pick it up. They do everything together. They are as one unit. They have to rely on each other.

V: Have you witnessed a difference in boot camp graduates versus artists that have not gone through the boot camp?

Temmora: Yes, they are now as one unit. One band, one sound.

V: How were you selected for the reality show?

Temmora: We spent over $150,00 on a birthday party for my 15 year old daughter, Meisha Michelle. We had artists performing such as Glen Jones, Zapp, Bar-Kays, Cupid of the cupid Shuffle, G-Cove, Unrated, Karma and Walt Baby Love, as the emcee, to name a few. People were everywhere!

We also presented her with a brand new Camaro. In addition, Temmora took to the stage to perform one of her new singles entitled ―Party,‖ which was of course fitting for her daughter’s birthday bash. The party also turned into a charity event, with Miesha Michelle donating $1,005 dollars to the American Prostate Cancer Research Fund established by her father in 2007.

V: Temmora I want to thank you for your time and look forward to hearing a lot of great music from you and Arromet Records.

Temmora: Thank you for coming and we also look forward to bringing good music to our current fans and our future fans.

Temmora's new album, "Emotional" does not have a release date yet. Be on the lookout for her new album on her independent label, Ammoret Records Inc. For more information on any services mentioned from One Sound Studio go to www.onesoundmemphis.com. They are located in downtown Memphis at: One Sound Studio1404 Airways, Memphis, Tn. 38114 or they may be contacted via phone at 901.264.6605 or via email at info@onesoundmemphis.com

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Temmora with Anisha Nicole and Brian McKnight

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Angela Clay ; “God Always Gives Me The Layout”

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Angela Clay was raised in the beautiful state of Arkansas (USA).

She is a native of Little Rock and is the third of four children. Clay was blessed to grow up with two lovely sisters and a wonderful brother. At a very early age her parents instilled in her good morals and values which generated into a healthy profile of positive selfesteem. Clay is a single Christian woman who is full of life. She is a faithful member at her church home congregation where she serves as fifth grade Sunday School teacher.

Inspirational writer and advocate for girls’ positive self-esteem best describers author Angela Clay (www.angelaclay.com). Her must read book entitled, ―Loving The Me, I See,‖ takes adolescent girls on an enlightening and educational self-esteem excursion not just for a moment – but for a lifetime. It was written to inspire and encourage young girls from all walks of life – all races and cultures – to begin building and maintaining healthy profiles of positive selfesteem.

VOICE’s Senior Regional Correspondent jasira interviewed Ms. Clay for this month’s issue.

Angela Clay is a lady that has a natural ability to brighten any room she enters.

We had an opportunity to speak by phone & I could literally feel her smile throughout our conversation. She is a lively, good spirited woman of God, and it was a pleasure meeting her. We had previously agreed to meet at a quiet place so that we could talk around 8:30pm. As she entered Panera Bread, I could feel a presence of peace and calm enveloping her. She brought that goodness in with her, and it was very well deserved. It was almost impossible not to want to know more about her journey. Immediately, I noticed her T-shirt which read angelaclay.com.

I made mention of my fondness of it and the rest is history, we could have talked for hours.

V: Who is Angelaclay.com?

AC: I am angelaclay.com!! I was in New York at a conference for women who are shaping the world, and I had this on. It literally got me a gig in Bermuda!! I am a motivational speaker and a published author. I started speaking about fifteen years ago, not really thinking anything of it. I would pray before I'd speak, and I still do pray asking God to let the people hear Him, and not me.

It started off as me being the keynote speaker, or I'd speak at church. God would always give me the lay out. My evaluations would be good to where people would ask me to come back to speak again.

V: Wow!! How did that happen?

AC: People wanted to know who is angelaclay.com!! They said, "so what do you do!?" I told them that I'm a motivational speaker. At that time, I hadn't written my book. And so a year later, the president of this organization called and she said, "we want you to come and speak.". So God gave something as simple as the embroidery on the back with .com V: That is amazing!

AC: Yes, God is amazing!!

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V: Angela, what made you decide to have your shirts embroidered versus screen print?

AC: Well, embroidery to me, is stout. Screen printing to me, is like, let’s do something massive. But, when you embroider something, it has a little more definition to it; to me it does. It's more of a conversation piece. People are like, "well, loving the me I see; what's that?" and then I throw my pitch in: hello, I'm Angela Clay, I'm the author of "Loving the Me I See." I needed free advertisement for my book. People have seen me out in public and stopped me to find out if I was Angela Clay based on logging in to my site from reading my shirt.

V: Great! When did you publish your book?

AC: My book was released in November 2007.

V: Would you say that you've gotten a lot of publicity from your shirts?

AC: Yes, this is definitely a conversation piece. I’m not saying it wouldn't be if i didn’t get them screen printed. But, this definitely worked for me. I use screen prints for my workshops. I sell some of my specialty T-shirts (what i call my embroidered shirts) because when people see them; they like them. It's great to see people walking around with "Loving The Me, I See" on.

V: Absolutely!! They're representing not only you, but what you stand for. When did you realize that this is your gift?

AC: I'm a flight attend, and that's my livelihood thus far. One day I was soul searching and I said, "God, I want to know what my purpose is." So flying is how I buy the bacon, take it home, fry it, and eat it. I've been a flight attendant for 20 years, which we just celebrated with Southwest Airlines. The blessing of it is that it shows stability, dedication and substance. I decided that I wanted to live my purpose, walk my purpose, and be about my purpose guided by God. He put me here for a purpose, and shame on me if I die, not fulfilling my purpose. Because He has equipped us with everything we need to fulfill it. My Grand momma Ree use to say, "Baby, let me tell you something! An excuse ain't nothing but a lie." you let that digest for a minute, and you'll realize that's the truth. Now, I believe that, and I believed it when she told it to me. When you're young, you start making up excuses about things, whether it's to get you out of trouble or not get a spanking, or whatever the case may be. And I didn't want to stand before God on the day of judgment, and there will be a day of judgment, empty handed; being single, no children, no husband. I have two beautiful nieces, one eight and one already fourteen. But, God didn't put me here so that I could go to work, serve a bag of peanuts, a coke and a smile, and go home or shopping or to New York and have dinner to see a Broadway play. I got serious about my purpose, and started praying about it. He kept bringing these girls; these precious girls. It didn’t matter the nationality. I would see them in the airport in LA, at church, in stores, anywhere across the country; it didn’t matter.

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V: How were these girls coming to you?

AC: Some would come and go, "ooh, I like your hair!" and that would strike up a conversation. And I would go, "well, I LOVE your hair!" Some would come and just stare, and I'd say, do you know what you're looking at?

V: So they would come in different ways with different nationalities which confirmed for you your purpose?

AC: Yes, other girls came to me in Sydney, Australia, where I traveled alone; me & the Lord. I was on vacation there for two weeks. There were about 6 beautiful Japanese girls that came smiling asking if they could get a picture with me.

V: Did they know who you were? Did you have on one of your specialty T-shirts?

AC: At that time, I hadn't even written a book. But, I'm praying and asking, "God show me my purpose." Now, the key to that is you have to be attentive and alert. You can't be snoozing. I am a social butterfly, so of course I took the picture. On the picture that i have, its almost like we were bff's. He happened again in Bangkok, Thailand. So I began to ask God if there is something He wants me to do with the girls. He gave me confirmation.

V: How!?

AC: I asked Him and then it was like a whole different way of girls started coming. For example, I'd go in Wal-Mart on a mission?

V: Yes, you're just going in to get what you need and get out?

AC: Well, God will slow you down, because you've asked Me & now I need you to listen. So I'm turning the corner (motioning her turn with a shopping cart) and this little girl is in my way, smiling. And I'm like, excuse me, i don't want to hit you little girl. I kept going saying bye bye all the way down the aisle. Now remember, I'm on a mission. I was in a hurry. The mother of the daughter said to her daughter, "Isn’t she beautiful?" I said to her, "No! Isn't SHE beautiful!?"

Then, the mother said to me, "you have something about you!" Now, it wasn't just about the purpose then. It was about sharing with her that Jesus lives within me.

V- That was Him shining through you.

AC: Thank you, because it's definitely not me. I don't have enough batteries to keep me charged up for the light of Jesus shining in me. Literally, I have no light. My light is burnt out, (laughing) so I know it's not me. So I told her that it's Jesus, and If you don't know Him, you really need to get know Him. God put me in a holding pattern in the store and now it's like, "I'm showing you, it's the girls." Then He started reinforcing it.

V: How so?

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AC: It could be on a plane with an unaccompanied minor or I could be somewhere eating. It was a process. He didn't just drop the book in my life. I got on bended knee and exercised faith. Then I said, ―God, I get it!" people started coming to me saying," you need to write a book." and I'd say, " God, did you hear that?"

V: Did you hear it? That's the question.

AC: I asked for Gods direction and permission. He showed me through that I needed to work with girls in the area of selfesteem, which is something I had dealt with as a girl. My Grandma Marie let me weep for a while about someone who I thought was a friend because she had talked about me. After I cried, she said sternly, ―stop that sniffling and crying! Hold your shoulders back! Lift your head up! Now I'm sitting up straight, my shoulders are back and I'm not crying or sniffling. She said, ―now let me tell you something, what people say about you behind your back is none of your business!!!"

V: Your Grandma Marie really encouraged you.

AC: Yes, those experiences shaped me. At an early age, I had to embrace esteem from that lesson.

I know how it is to walk in a room with confidence and smile even if someone doesn't smile back, because I have Jesus on the inside of me.

V: Those lessons are what brought this forth. How did you come up with the name?

AC: I had a Sunday evening activity with a dear sister in Christ and that's when i got the title.

She's a principle at a school & she asked me to speak to the girls. Her name is J. Cherie McMillan.

I asked if there was a theme and she said, "yes, the theme will be LOVING THE ME I SEE". I asked her to repeat it as I listened intently. That was it!! In September of 2006, I prayed about it and asked God if that's the title. January 2007, I called her & asked for her permission to use that as a title for my book. She agreed. Then, I searched for a graphic designer. I found him after searching online for four hours. He and I have never met, but have conducted business since February 2011 via email. Everything is via email. I knew when I saw the graphic designers work that he was the one because he is so detailed. God is so first class!

V: I find this so interesting that you've never met your graphic designer, yet he's done so much work for you. Where is he?

What made you certain that he was the person a job of this magnitude?

AC: (laughing) Girl, the Lord shows up and shows out, he lives right here in Allen, Tx. His name is Cal Slayton. My book is vivacious and catchy!

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V: (Admiring her flyers of the upcoming workshop July 30th & how detailed the book truly is with eye catching colors and details that will captivate your target audience) The book stands out and will make readers want to know more. I love the mirror messages. Each mirror messages have an affirmation. These are personal, and touch on issues any young girl or female can relate to.

AC: (Fighting back tears of joy and overcome with emotion) I just know that it's not me leading myself. And because God is the good shepherd and He's leading me, even when I get tired, I can't give up. He gave me the words to the book and I'm like, what?! Then He taught me how to write press releases.

V: So Angela, are you telling me that you had no idea of how to do any of this until you started praying to God for your purpose, and understanding, and being receptive to Him? AC: Zilch. He's given me the gift of gab. Let me tell you something, I could speak to a million people and I would not be afraid. When God gives you something, you don't shrivel because He's that back bone. I had never written a book, but God blessed me to self-publish this book. He blessed me to lay out each chapter with a scripture and challenge, a mirror message and personal notes. There are people who lay books out who are called to lay books out. But, God gave me this vision.

V-: Was this something that poured into you like water, or did it come in spurts?

AC: When I wanted to write more, He just gave me nuggets. He wouldn't let me find more to write about. He said, "That's enough of that nugget." God loves all of us and we need to love ourselves. He gave me different topics such as full lips, hair and skin tone to write about.

V: Actually, that's good because you're targeting girls with short attention spans as it is. I'm glad you focused on hair too, because I was ridiculed about my own hair in my home growing up. I didn't realize just how valuable or beautiful I was with my own hair, until now. You and I are both natural, and it's a beautiful thing.

AC: There is nothing more powerful than what God has given you. And there's nothing more beautiful than what He's given you.

V: Absolutely, but I didn't realize that until three years ago when I went natural myself.

AC: Wow. Are you serious? God is good!!

V: So therefore, I think it's crucial that you're reaching these girls as early as nine years of age. They have such hang-ups about themselves already, so this is very important.

AC: Well, the problem starts at the mirror. We don't like what we see in the mirror, and that's why when I put in the book " Miss full lips." When someone says something about your lips being big, it's just a play on words. (plumping her lips up to pucker) You say, "I have beautiful full lips, thank you!!" Don't let it mess you up, and don't get it twisted.

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V: But it does sometimes get us twisted. How does your book help them to love the me they see?

AC: People want people to love them and they don't love themselves. We have to say, I love my high cheek bones. I love my hair. I love me! We have to take time to study ourselves.

My works shops are self-defining workshops. We discover who we are and begin to embrace and love what we see.

V: How is this done in the work shop? And what does the dynamic self-esteem kit include?

AC: The kit includes a wrist band, compact mirror, the curriculum, a tshirt, & drawstring bag. All these things are included in this kit, which is your jump start. We have to understand that we have to work on ourselves. Once they complete the work shop, which is coming up in July, the girls will receive a certificate of commitment and we're doing break out sessions. It's like the bible. You can read it once but you're going to have to read it for the rest of your life.

You will have to reinforce what you have, and go back to get something else out of it. There is so much meat in here. Chew on it. Digest it. Just gather what you have and take it to heart, and start working on yourself.

V: A little bit at a time. That's why God gave you nuggets at a time because it's just enough for the girls to digest.

AC: I mean, how much can you say about your full lips?

V: Not much. It is what it is.

AC: Right. That let's you know you have to appreciate them. We always want something we don't have. The book is about getting back to the basics. You have to appreciate life.

V: So, what's next for Angelaclay.com?

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AC: I am a worldwide visionary. This is so much bigger than an annual thing. God gave me such a great vision that blew me away. He doesn't give us a vision to just sit in one place and go, "okay then." People have been emailing for me to travel the country for these workshops.

V: Did you ever doubt yourself? What sets your workshops apart from others?

AC: (tearing up) I am worse than Moses. I kept questioning God asking if this was for me. I just kept going back and forth asking. And I am honored that He wants to use me for His glory. I am thankful just to see how everything is. The beauty of the journey is that it may not happen in your time, but God is always on time, and you learn all these different lessons along the way because He's building you and your spiritual character along the way.

When the storm comes and the winds blow, you're solid as a rock.

V: How long has God been preparing you for this journey? What kind of sacrifices have you made, and how have they changed your life?

AC: Little did I know 14 years ago, when the Holy Spirit pricked my heart to renew my body back to the Lord, I said, "God, I have not had a lot of boyfriends, but I will not sleep in the bed with another man unless he's my husband."

V: (wide eyed) That was 14 years ago?! I'm sure there are a lot of women who can relate to that; including me. If you had it to do over again; would you?

AC: Fourteen years of practicing celibacy. Little did I know then that He was cleaning me up for this. He said, "You can't stand out there on the forefront Angela, and sing how I love Jesus, and be playing in the devils den." He also said to me that when you're standing before those little girls in My presence, you will be able to stand pure. When He has work for you, He cleans you up and cleanses your mind. People ask me, and it's such a big question, but I just move on. They say, "Angela, when are you getting married?" I tell them that I am married! They say, "you're not married." I say," yes I am, I'm married to Jesus!!" They're thinking of the physical man. Can't no one treat me better than sweet Jesus. I'm human, and I have desires, but I'm not desperate. I have work to do! I'm fine, and I love walking in my purpose.

V: This is a hot topic because so many woman and young women struggle with this.

I know plenty that need this. I don't have a daughter, but I have nieces that need this, too!! It's so necessary. I wish I could get them to come to Dallas and experience this workshop.

AC: But you are a daughter. Let me just share this with you: if you don't get it early on, the enemy fights you to no end to destroy you everyday because he knows there is greatness within you.

V: I know! I'm a living witness. I'm so thankful for this opportunity. I have had so much going on that I didn't want to deal with. It's time!

AC: We have to stop blame shifting and start with self. It's so good to help these young girls at a very early age. The workshops this year has breakout sessions that will keep the girls with one person that teaches a much needed topic where the girls can learn, interact and connect. It teaches on the foundation of connecting to self, taught from the "LOVING THE ME I SEE" work book. Each girl will stay with the same instructor for the day, so that once they let their hair down and get comfortable; they'll open up. Then, they'll be more apt to volunteer and share.

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V: I'm so excited!! This has been so inspiring for me, let alone what's offered in the work shop on July 30th. I have truly been motivated and I plan to share what I've experienced with you today, not only by profiling you in the magazine, but also by telling people I come in contact with. (we are being asked to wrap up our conversation because Panera bread is about to close) AC: We also have a "Loving the Me I See" song that will be releasing soon that God set up for me months ago. A church member wrote this song, his name is Kelvin Alexander. He is the Maestro of a dynamic group named , Chosen. The soloist is nine years old, Kyndal Collins. Kyndal's sister, Kamryn Collins, age seven, will narrate with Kyndal in this uplifting rendition.

V: He has totally paved the way & prepared you in this entire journey.

AC: Yes, God certainly has. Kelvins wife told me one day at church that he wanted to do something nice for me. I had no idea what he was doing. He whipped that iPad out after church one Sunday, and I didn't know what it was. I thought he was just going to show me something. He asked me if I had time to listen, but before he could start singing I saw LOVING THE ME I SEE. He started singing, and tears started flowing. (smiling) Remember, I already had CD covers and DVD layouts from four years ago.

V: (breathing heavily and shaking her head) It's overwhelming isn't it? When did you find out about the song?

AC: It is! It’s so overwhelming because when I go back and look at those emails; He already had it in position. I found out about the song about three months ago. (tearing up & thanking God openly) V: God has been working behind the scenes. And, I find it interesting that the age group you target starts at nine years of age; your soloist is nine. There is so much more God given talent to showcase at these workshops!!

AC: I will be coming out with CD's to purchase at the traveling worldwide workshops, including the upcoming workshop July 30th. This is all a gift from God, and I know it.

Save this date! Saturday, July 30, 2011 to register go to: http://ilovemetoo.eventbrite.com Venue: Richardson Civic Center 411 W.Arapaho Road Richardson, Tx.75080 Please go to www.lovingthemeisee.com for additional workshop details. For more information on how to book the inspirational author Angela Clay for a motivational workshop, you may also go to www.angelaclay.com.

Angela Clay may be reached at: T: 214.762.9725 E: info@angelaclay.com

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Words of Inspiration, Inspired

I SANG TO MY GOD BECAUSE HE CARES

I sing because I’m happy. I sing all the daylong. I sang to give him glory. I sing to give him praise. I sing because he’s so worthy. I sing because he likes Mt. Zion songs. I sing because he listens to me. I sing until he says Peace be still.

I also sing in the choir to lift up his name and when I’m not able to sing anymore. Then I’ll hum and clap my hands in his name.

Amen.

Joya

may

be

contacted

at

iamjoya@gmail.com

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Author Jo Lena Johnson on a mission for Good ... Absolute Good!

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Insomnia

By Raaw'el Who am I -I say who am i: it's what i strive to know Know-ledge is power: It's why i live to grow Right over-standing is the craving inside of me 1, 2, 3, 4 Eyes so i see how to rediscover my identity Clearly, this will be difficult for some to comprehend I seek only a few things like, where does Truth & Love begin I know darkness comprehends not Light wrong can't seem to envision how to chose right I find myself up late tonight- preparing for the fight & for the Flight It's 1 AM and I sit alone upon my bed with 100 thoughts running through my head I wanna learn to discern the enemies The inner me is at war almost constantly tryn to prevent the InnerG Now, stay with me your eyes will be open to this inner Godess of which I speak I don't know where i am going- as i'm flowing- Just wanna hit that peak that's my higher self- and at the same time i want to explore the deep The deep minds, it's wisdom i seek, Cus right now I can't sleep Who am I - and where do i belong Why is it intimidating for a black woman to be beautiful, smart, & strong I won't stop speaking Truth-I won't stop reaching youth I will presenting prove - never am I uncouth Can't give you sweet words like babyruths What i know is that my Father Loves me; I call Him Elohim the Creator In him there lies Truth & Love - and nothing in the universe is Greater Uni-Verse...one verse that can some up how i feel The Desire that I FEEL -is how i know that GOD is Real!

In order to BE something You must DO something For more information visit Raaw’el on Face book at www.facebook.com/raawel or via email at: raawwords@yahoo.com.

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Lorenzo Charles, 1983 N.C. State NCAA Final Four hero, killed in bus crash 58

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Lorenzo Charles, whose buzzer-beating dunk gave N.C. State one of college basketball's greatest upsets and set off a celebration full of iconic images that helped make the NCAA tournament a cultural phenomenon, died Monday in a tour bus accident in Raleigh, N.C. According to the Associated Press, which quoted Elite Coach general manager Brad Jackson, Charles was driving a company bus on Interstate 40 when the accident occurred. There were no passengers. He was 47. Raleigh police spokesman Jim Sughrue confirmed to AP the bus driver was killed.

Charles became a part of NCAA tournament lore when he caught a short 30-foot shot by Dereck Whittenburg and dunked it for the winning basket in the Wolfpack's 54-52 victory over Houston in the NCAA title game in Albuquerque.

Charles looked a bit confused at the buzzer as if he weren't sure he had won the game. He turned and looked up the court and was soon engulfed by teammates. Video replays show coach Jim Valvano, who would die of cancer about 10 years later, running onto the court looking for someone to hug. A replay of that shot and the postgame celebration is shown on TV almost every year during the tournament. "My role for the most part was to rebound and defend," Charles told USA TODAY in 2008 as the 25th anniversary of the title approached. "So I was where I was supposed to be, challenging for an offensive put-back. I was directly under the basket. I could see it was going to be short.

"I knew I didn't have time to come down and go back up, and I knew Hakeem was nearby, so I just grabbed the ball and put it in. I looked at the clock, and I watched the last seconds tick right off. It happened so fast, I think it stunned the Houston players."

Charles played briefly with the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA and then spent time in the European professional leagues. According to AP, police released little about the crash. It said pictures showed the windshield broken out with tree limbs sticking through the window frame. The rear wheels of the bus were on an embankment, leaving the right front tire elevated from the road.

Whittenburg told the AP late Monday: "It's just an awful day. An awful, awful day."

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The Corporation's Alphonso 'Fonce' Mizell Dies Left: Alphonso "Fonce" Mizelle (left) passes away at 68. (Google) Variety is reporting that Alphonso "Fonce" Mizelle -- renowned producer, songwriter and member of Motown hit makers the Corporation and the legendary production duo the Mizell Brothers -- has passed away. Mizell was a producer of early hits by the Jackson 5 and pacesetting albums by trumpeter Donald Byrd and disco act A Taste of Honey.

Mizell was born in Englewood, N.J., and educated at Howard University. He broke in at the top at Motown Records as a member of the Corporation, the production team that also included label owner Berry Gordy Jr. and songwriterproducers Freddie Perren (Mizell's Howard classmate) and Deke Richards. The Corporation scored a trifecta of No. 1 pop and R&B singles with the Jacksons: "I Want You Back," "ABC" and "The Love You Save" in 1970.

After the Corporation dissolved in 1972, Mizell began working with his older brother, Larry. The Mizell Brothers hit immediate pay dirt with Black Byrd, first of a series of sleek jazz fusion albums for Blue Note by veteran brass player Donald Byrd. That title, which reached No. 36 nationally, was succeeded by the Mizells' productions Street Lady (No. 33, 1974), Stepping Into Tomorrow (No. 42, 1975), Places and Space (No. 49, 1975) and Caricatures (No. 60, 1977). They also produced the 1974 debut of Byrd's R&B spinoff outfit, the Blackbyrds.

The Mizell Brothers also worked with the Jacksons and Michael Jackson, as well as other Motown acts such as the Miracles and Edwin Starr. On the jazz side, they produced singer-flautist Bobbi Humphrey, organist Johnny Hammond and saxophonist Gary Bartz.

The cause of Mizell's death is unknown. He was 68.

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HTC Launches Phone With Facebook Button- Love It or Leave it Alone?

By Leslie Pitterson 61

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While going through the technology section of The Huffington Post, I came across a new product that made me wince- at first. HTC is bringing the first ever smartphone with a Facebook sharing dedicated button to the United States. The company has found success in the United Kingdom and Spain with the HTC Cha Cha and Salsa, similar sharing models in the past month. While it is currently now available for pre-sale only, the phone will be in AT&T stores across the country on July 17.

The Huffington Post reports: “Later this month, the connection between mobile phones and social networking is going to the next level,” reads the press release from Best Buy, where you can reserve your Status for $49.99 with a two-year commitment on AT&T. This “next level” is the Facebook button toward the bottom of the phone, underneath the QWERTY keyboard.

Pressing it either enables you to share whatever webpage you are browsing on to your wall, or pops up a text box for you to update your status.

While I have mixed feeling on this phone- it’s mainly because I check my Facebook account on average once a week. More avid users would probably find more usefulness for the button. Also, the sharing button may not be such a bad idea for other platforms.

While Twitter seems already easy enough, Tumblr and WordPress users might like the flexibility of hitting one button to post.

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Judge Belvin Perry Jr. Presides Over Trial of the Century 64

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Inside the Casey Anthony Trial: Who Is Judge Belvin Perry?

"Judge Perry is my homeboy."

So say the T-shirts that went on sale near the Orange County Regional courthouse in Orlando, Fla., shortly after Belvin Perry Jr. began presided over the Casey Anthony murder trial on May 24.

Shrewd, sharp and utterly no-nonsense, Perry, 61, has emerged as a star during the widely watched trial, despite – or perhaps because of – his seeming disinterest in the cameras that capture the ongoing drama in courtroom 23.

In person, Perry – who presides as chief judge of Florida's massive Ninth Judicial Circuit – initially evokes The Office's worldweary Stanley: hangdog expressions, a "let's just get on with it" air. You wonder if he would rather be doing a crossword puzzle in a comfy chair at home.

But as soon as court is called to order, there can be no mistaking that this judge is acutely in control.

Long regarded as a "judge's judge" by his peers, "what you see is what you get with him," says longtime Orlando criminal defense attorney Bill Umansky, who

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has tried cases before Perry. "He's not acting any differently in this trial than in any other trial. He is very hard-working, very educated, very smart."

Left: Caylee Anthony Experienced Segregation The son of one of Orlando's first black police officers, Belvin Perry Sr., Judge Perry grew up in segregated Orlando in the 1950s and 1960s.

In April he told the Orlando Sentinel that for a long time he and his friends were barred from sitting at the lunch counter at Woolworths, and when they finally could, "it was like that was a great experience to be able to walk in and get a hot dog for the many years that you couldn't."

A gifted intellectual, he obtained bachelor's and master's degrees from Tuskegee University before graduating with a law degree from Texas Southern University.

After working as a prosecutor he promptly rose through the ranks of the judiciary but hit a roadblock in 1998 when he publicly acknowledged – and apologized for – an affair with a former deputy court administrator. "The first thing you learn," he told the Orlando Sentinel, "is how human you are."

'Doesn't Suffer Fools' A veteran of capital felony cases, Judge Perry has repeatedly demonstrated that he has little patience for bickering among the lawyers in the Casey Anthony murder trial, chiding both sides for "gamesmanship" on June 20.

"He doesn't suffer fools," says Umansky.

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When he does issue reprimands, it is with the firm but understated tone of a quietly stern father who needn't raise his voice to be heard. So while the heat index outside the Florida courtroom soars into the 100s, inside, Judge Perry never loses his cool.

"He's not a yeller," says Zahra Umansky, a criminal defense attorney in private practice with her husband Bill who has also worked with Perry. "He's very respectful to all the parties: the litigants, the attorneys. He's not going to get caught up in theatrics." Accordingly, "you don't walk into his courtroom unprepared."

A Tough Judge Beyond his well-established expectations for lawyers, Judge Perry is also widely regarded for handing down firm sentences that stick.

"He's fair, but he's known to be a tough sentencer," says attorney Bill Umansky.

"He takes a lot of pride in his rulings, and he does not like to be reversed." Casey Anthony, who faces the death penalty for allegedly murdering her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, surely knows of Perry's tough reputation. She rarely looks at him directly, nor he at her.

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But there's one party in the courtroom to whom the judge often shows a softer side: the jury.

Avuncular and attentive to them, he often asks in his slow southern drawl if they're comfortable, enjoying their meals, and so forth. In return, they grant him something rarely glimpsed in courtroom 23: a dozen friendly smiles.

Above: 1985 - Belvin Perry - Assistant State Attorney

Judicial Assignments      

2001-2011 Chief Judge, Ninth Judicial Circuit 1999-2001 Circuit Judge, Orange County Civil 1995-1999 Chief Judge, Ninth Judicial Circuit 1992-1995 Circuit Judge, Orange County Criminal 1991 Administrative Circuit Judge, Osceola County 1989-1990 Circuit Judge, Osceola County

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Education   

Juris Doctor: Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University (1977) Masters of Education Degree: Tuskegee University (1974) Bachelor of Science Degree, History: Tuskegee University (1972)

Professional Activities    

Member, Trial Court Budget Commission Member, Texas Bar Association Member, Orange County Bar Association Member, The Florida Bar www.people.com

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Will Casey Anthony Judge, Belvin Perry, Get His Own TV Show?

By PopEater

The ink is barely dry on the jury's verdict, but already speculation's growing as to what happens next for the main players in the Casey Anthony trial. Many pundits agree that Judge Belvin Perry may have a second career waiting for him as a television judge. Could he be the next Judge Judy?

Fox news commentator Joey Jackson said, "I can certainly see him becoming the next big TV judge."

After months of court proceedings, on Tuesday, Perry confirmed the jury's verdict that Anthony was not guilty of first degree murder -- a verdict that visibly outraged the celebrity Twitter community. But Perry's shocking ruling, although an unpopular one, may only further catapult him into the celebrity judge world.

Guilty or not guilty, Perry stuck to his guns throughout the trial, keeping attorneys in line and holding them accountable, dealing with even the craziest aspects of the case with an even temperament and being patient, yet rigid, in moving the case forward.

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"He's been on the bench since the late '80s and has presided over several high profile cases so his rĂŠsumĂŠ is TV cred ready," explained 'Cult of Celebrity' author, Cooper Lawrence of the 'Scott & Todd' morning show on PLJ. "But the real draw is that he doesn't like shenanigans going on in his courtroom, like when he let Baez have it with, 'We're not stopping anymore for you to get a file!'"

Lawrence adds that Perry's hand gestures are already 'Saturday Night Live' parody ready. All he needs is a catchphrase. "Judge Judy has 'Don't pee on my shoes and tell me it's raining,'" Lawrence said. "He could have 'Let's get it done!'"

Using a well-publicized trial to move from the real to the televised bench is not unprecedented. Judge Larry Seidlin, formerly of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Florida, famously tried to parlay his oversight of the Anna Nicole Smith body custody hearing into a gig on the small screen once the trial wrapped up. Seidlin has reportedly had several talks with Paramount productions but has yet to secure his own gig.

If he can make it happen, Belvin Perry (a name made for television) could stand to make a fortune in television. Judge Judy Sheindlin, star of 'Judge Judy,' is one of the highest paid women on television, making approximately $45 million a year for her half-hour program.

One Hollywood casting agent even told PopEater he tried to get a meeting with Perry but was told he would have to wait until the end of the trial -- but it looks like Perry's schedule just cleared up. www.aoltv.com 72

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Despite reservations, U.N. votes to pull Sudan peacekeepers

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Southern Sudanese wave the national flag of the world's newest country, South Sudan, on Saturday, July 9, 2011

United Nations (CNN) -- Despite ongoing fighting near the border of newly independent South Sudan, the U.N. Security Council voted to withdraw peacekeepers from southern provinces of Sudan on Monday after Sudan's government refused to let them stay.

The U.S. and British ambassadors to the United Nations said the vote was taken with "regret" and urged the government in Khartoum to reconsider. In the meantime, however, the Security Council called for the 10,000-strong U.N. Mission in Sudan to be redeployed to newly created U.N. missions in South Sudan and the disputed border territory of Abyei.

"Civilians continue to suffer the impact of conflict, including aerial bombardment

by Sudanese armed forces, and other abuses, reportedly including extra-judicial killings, forced displacement and arbitrary arrest and detentions," British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said in a statement on the vote. "We unreservedly condemn the ongoing violence."

South Sudan became the world's newest nation on Saturday, the same day the U.N. Mission in Sudan mandate expired. But Lyall Grant and U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said a peacekeeping mission is still needed in the north because of 74

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ongoing fighting between government troops and rebels in the province of Southern Kordofan.

Rice said the Security Council is willing to extend the 10,000-strong, Nigerian-led mission if Sudan agrees, adding, "It is in their interest to do so." She also urged Sudanese officials and the rebel Sudanese People's Liberation Movement-North to resume cease-fire talks.

"We continue to be deeply concerned about the fighting in Southern Kordofan, the displacement of civilians, and the ensuing humanitarian crisis," Rice said in a written statement.

South Sudan became fully independent on Saturday, splitting Africa's largest nation in two. South Sudan voted for independence in January as part of a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of civil war.

That conflict, which killed an estimated 2 million people, pitted Sudan's Muslim Arab-dominated north against the black Christian and animist south. U.N. members are expected to welcome South Sudan to the world body later this week.

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Even 20 years later, the first minute of Boyz n the Hood, the near-iconic movie about young black men struggling to survive the concrete jungle of South Central Los Angeles, can be a jarring experience.

There are no pictures, just sounds and words thrust onto a pitch black screen that are symbolic of the bleakness that pervades the movie. Expletive-laden crosstalk is followed by the staccato of gunfire. White-lettered words float ethereally across the screen, offering grim reminders of how many young black men -- even in the year 2011 -- often meet their sad demise: at the hands of other young black men.

The voice of a young boy moaning about the loss of his brother provides a stark set-up for the remainder of Boyz n the Hood, which turns into an emotion-packed, bullet-riddled ride that doubles as a chilling cautionary tale.

When it debuted in 1991, Boyz n the Hood was hailed for its groundbreaking perspective, captured brilliantly by thennovice (and later Oscar nominated) director John Singleton. With the benefit of time and hindsight, the movie now functions as something akin to an urban version of Stand

By Me or The Outsiders -- two classic coming-of-age films. In breathing life into his first cinematic endeavor, Singleton's singular genius in Boyz n the Hood was to explore the ravages of urban violence without appearing to glorify it, as music videos and movies often do.

Quite the artistic feat for a 22 year-old no practical film making experience: The end product is a movie that undoubtedly resonates even to this day: TIME has ranked Boyz n the Hood as one of 25 most important films about race, and the movie occupies rarefied air with the often brutal critics at Rotten Tomatoes.

Set against the thumping bass-infused gangsta rap once popularized by West Coast rappers, one of the movie's stars, the movie grabs the viewer right from the outset. Most interesting is how much of the cast -- which included Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Cuba Gooding Jr., Morris Chestnut (as would-be college football star Ricky Baker) and Nia Long, among the notables -- went on to become fixtures in the firmament of black Hollywood.

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In that vein, Boyz n the Hood shares much in common with The Outsiders, as both films were instrumental in launching the careers of their young stars. And like the S.E. Hinton classic, Boyz n the Hood's primary themes - responsibility, awareness, self-sufficiency and restraint -- still ring true.

The dystopia evoked by the movie has its sole saving grace in the form of the poignant relationship that exists between Fishburne's character, Furious Styles, and his ex-wife Reva, played by Bassett. In addition to the love they have for their son Tre, played by Gooding, Reva and Furious share a sometimes adversarial yet affectionate connection. With the overwhelming majority of black families being headed by single mothers, the dynamic between Furious and Reva underscore how the next best thing to a nuclear family is having both a mother and father who are at least on speaking terms.

Gooding drew praise for his mature and layered performance as Tre. But it's Fishburne who actually gives the story its heft.

Furious is an intense man who lives up to his name, but at the same time is a refreshing black male role model willing to take an active role in his son's rearing. Furious raises Tre with something of an iron fist in a velvet glove.

Fishburne plays the character with a force of nature that, as one of Tre's friends aptly describes, is a hybrid between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. In fact, Furious has a little Booker T Washington thrown in for good measure, as at one point he delivers an impromptu soliloquy on black self-sufficiency to a reluctant audience (I can't confirm, but I'm willing to bet Furious's speech marked the first use of the word "gentrification" in an urban drama).

Whether by accident or design, Boyz n the Hood undercores the way in which the plague of urban violence and police brutality are inextricably bound together. The statistics tell the story: black on black crime rages unchecked in urban areas, which leads to an increased police presence.

This in turn leads to higher instances of jittery cops overreacting to the slightest provocation. One of the movie's few shortcomings is its failure to explore this theme in a more nuanced way, even though it is implied.

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Even still, Boyz n the Hood spends much of its nearly two hours assaulting the senses with wanton violence that punctuates the streets of South Central.

Ricky Baker's tragic death and the chaotic aftermath drive home the importance of family: Mrs. Baker turns on Ricky's brother Doughboy (played by a brooding Ice Cube, with a 40-ounce bottle of beer as his everpresent prop) While Ricky's mom blames his wayward brother for his demise, Furious shows how a level head -- and strong parenting -- can prevail upon a young impressionable teenager.

Doughboy's words at the end of the movie are prescient: the violence that felled his brother and was meted out to such devastating effect in retribution does go "on and on. The next thing you know somebody might try and smoke me."

Boyz n the Hood seems to ask this still relevant question: Sure we all have to go sometime, but does it have to be at the business end of a firearm? www.thegrio.com

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The Way I See It

By William Bishop III

Time to End the War on Drugs June marks the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's declaration that drugs are "public enemy number one" in the United States. How has the protracted War on Drugs affected our Community?

It’s time to end the War on Drugs!

The War on Drugs has been a failure just like Prohibition was a failure. The War on Drugs has unfairly targeted minorities and their communities for forty years.

This failed drug war has created a system in which the justice system targets one segment of the American community while ignoring the Non-Minority drug abusers and offenders. This drug war is working on incarcerating a third generation of minorities. Everyone knows that there are more drugs in the suburbs than in the inner city. It’s just that the media and the law enforcement community choose to focus their energies in this drug war towards urban populations aka minorities. An inner city kid gets caught with drugs, he goes to jail whereas a suburban kid gets caught with drugs, and they go to rehab!

I live in a city (Springfield, Illinois) in which, not so long ago, people who worked in and for our court system were involved with a major drug ring. Believe it or not there were people working in the States Attorney’s office, giving out sentences, with Buck Roger’s out dates, all the while cocaine rocks were falling out their noses on to the tables in the court rooms. Do you think any of these people ended up in jail? Heck No! They went to rehab and in one case was re-elected to public office. Is that really fair? Is that just? I think not! This is just an example of what has been going on in America for forty years now. When will the insanity end?

Think about it! The U.S. federal government spent over $15 billion dollars in 2010 on the War on Drugs, at a rate of about $500 per second. State and local governments spent at least another $25 billion dollars. The only thing this failed Drug War has accomplished is there are more drugs than ever on the streets. The cost of drugs has gone down and you have gangs fighting over lucrative drug markets across the United States. There are more people locked up for nonviolent drug offenses than in any time in history.

The stark reality is, you can’t legislate morality. If a person is going to get high, there’s nothing the government can do to stop them. As long as an ounce of 82

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cocaine and heroin costs more than an ounce of gold, you will have people who will take a chance to get that money! Heck, the last three presidents have admitted that they indeed used drugs in their youth. That should tell you something right away. Barrack was just lucky he didn’t get caught. Bill and George W wouldn’t have done any time, just some rehab.

The drug war has created a police state in which police use drug dealers that have been caught dealing, to catch other drug dealers. Ever heard of C.I. (Confidential Informant)? It’s another term for snitch … a drug dealer who has been caught and will now tell on another dealer to get his time cut.

That’s not police work, it’s entrapment to me! Then this same police state, confiscates these drug dealer’s assets and hold secret auctions, that only their families, friends and cronies know about, to purchase these seized luxury assets at a deep discount! That whole system is messed up!

In conclusion, I want to know when the so called minority leaders are going to stand up and say enough is enough! The Italian and Irish leaders stood up to end Prohibition.

No more, mandatory minimums, no more crack sentencing guidelines vs powder cocaine sentencing guidelines, no more drug raids just in our community, no more generations of black and brown men getting locked up for a victimless crimes, while his white male counterpart is dealing unimpeded and getting high with no penalties and jail time in the suburbs! It’s time to legalize it and tax it!

America would be out of debt in 6 months and the Correctional Industrial Complex and everything that supports it would no longer be a burden on our great society. Again, I say legalize it, educate the people about its side effects and tax it! The War on Drugs is lost and unjustified.

Can’t we learn from our past mistakes? Prohibition was wrong in the 1920’s and it’s wrong in the 21 Century! Congress and Barack can you hear us?

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U.S. Sentencing Commission Votes to Apply New Crack Cocaine Sentencing Guidelines Retroactively On June 30, 2011, the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted unanimously to apply the new guidelines for a federal conviction of crack cocaine possession as established by the Fair Sentencing Act retroactively to those men and women currently incarcerated.

This means that more than 12,000 men and women currently incarcerated for crack cocaine possession, more than 10,000 of whom are African American, will be eligible for an adjustment of their sentences.

NAACP members across our Nation know all too well the devastating impact the 100 to 1 sentencing disparity has had on our communities. Most authorities estimate that more than 60% of those who use crack cocaine are white. Yet in 2006, 82% of those convicted and sentenced under federal crack cocaine laws were African American. When you add in Hispanics, the percentage climbs to above 96%. Thus the communities served by the NAACP have a clear and crucial stake in the Fair Sentencing Act, and that is why we are so pleased with the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s decision to apply the guidelines established by the Fair Sentencing Act retroactively.

The NAACP joined Attorney General Holder and others in testifying before the U.S. Sentencing Commission and Congress regarding the disparate impact of crack cocaine laws on the African American community. It is because of the massive racial disparity that we celebrated the enactment of the Fair Sentencing Act in August, 2010, which reduced the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine convictions from 100 to 1 to 18 to 1.

With the Sentencing Commission’s decision to support a retroactive application of the guidelines as established by the Fair Sentencing Act, the federal government can begin to mend the mistrust which has resulted between African American community and our criminal justice system due to the disproportionate and disparate incarceration of black men and women. By applying the guidelines retroactively, the Sentencing Commission will be reducing the sentences of over than 12,000 prisoners nationwide, more than 10,000, or 85% of whom are African American. Another 8.5% of those who would see their sentences reduced are Hispanic, and 5.5% are Caucasian 84

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Retroactive application of the revised guideline is the necessary next step in addressing the unfair, unjustified and racially discriminatory disparity in the treatment of those Americans sentenced for possession of powder versus crack cocaine. While not fully correcting the racially discriminatory actions of the past, applying the new guidelines retroactively will send a strong signal to those who are currently incarcerated, as well as their families, their friends and our community that the discriminatory nature of the law has been recognized.

The NAACP will continue to work towards parity in crack and powder cocaine sentencing, and toward the reform of our nation’s drug and criminal justice laws and their application overall. In the meantime, we will continue to celebrate incremental victories such as this one.

MEMBERSHIP IS POWER! JOIN THE NAACP TODAY. Teresa Haley, President Springfield, IL Branch NAACP 85

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Ms Caramel

“Ms On Air Personality” 86

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Ms. Caramel has been modeling since 2008. Her first appearance was an extra for the movie ―Recount‖ with HBO Productions as a news reporter. She continued to expand her career and auditioned for Vogue Modeling Agency in Raleigh, North Carolina in January 2009, at which time she successfully succeeded as a Vogue Model. As a Vogue Model Ms. Caramel performed in a fashion show with an upcoming rap artist named Vo’Cal. Wanting to know more about the industry, Ms. Caramel decided to further her education in modeling and acting and graduated from John Casablanca in 2009. Ms. Caramel is a go-getter with an entrepreneurial spirit which is evidenced buy the various events and activities that she appeared in or promoted and sponsored. While pursuing her education she also worked for the school at Sunglass Hut in Jacksonville, Florida as a freeze model (manikin); performed in a fashion show for an event for “Southern Women” at the Prime Osborne in Jacksonville, Florida; organized her own fashion show in Elizabeth City, North Carolina; promoted a bikini car wash and a water drive at Sonic Restaurant and performed in a fashion show with a local rap group called the ―Vendettas.‖ ―I also have done some promoting for upcoming artists Mikey Jay from New York and in October 2009 in Newark, New Jersey I performed at a big event that they have every year called 87

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“New Day” with all the best designers, hairstylists and models from all over the world. Recently, I had a chance to audition for the reality TV show “She Got the Look” which was a good experience,‖ she says with the excitement and sureness that comes from knowing your craft.

Ms. Caramel won the modeling competition for Ms. December of 2009 for Be Bent Music.. In December 2010, she did a video with a new upcoming artist Heaven featuring Rafeese entitled “Feisty‖. ―I just recently did an interview with Mprintmedia Magazine and I am featured in a video with Black Monopoly.‖ she says.

Her other credits include:  Hosting a reality show for the club

―Mascaras‖  Being featured on  

           

www.Erbinubsessionsradio.com as one of the Erbinubsessions model.

Hosting “Ms. Independent Diva” and being on the cover on DJ Nothin Nice mix tapes series.

Shooting two videos in Duval, Jacksonville Florida with upcoming artists Fiyaboi ―DA Network‖ and Black Diamond.

Featured in the summer issue of One Ten Magazine of 2010.and also hosted the June 25th 2010 Showcase in Buffalo, New York.

Featured on Splurge Magazine.

Choreographed a Showcase Show in Elizabeth City, NC. Featured in four page spread with One-Ten Magazine.

Nominated the Bangin Bay Beauty in Bangin Bay Magazine out of Panama Bay. Media representative for Florida Summit Awards in Miami, FL. Modeled for the Salute the DJ Awards in Atlanta, GA. Nominated the best model of the year and the sexiest pose of the year for the Dime Candy Conference in Atlanta, GA. Featured in Ford Magazine in Fort Lauderdale, FL .

Interview with Tripple T in Atlanta GA Underground Maddness and with Grand Prix with local artist ―DA KIDD‖ in Jacksonville Florida.

Featured in a music video for single Fun Girl with Jacksonville Florida artist ―Pimp G”.

Presented awards at the Hot Block Magazine Awards.

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 Featured in

Nikole Hen Magazine and Vainn Magazine.  Completed video with upcoming artist ―Big Goon‖ with his new single ―Celebrety Status.‖  Completed documentary of Nu Movement/Nothin Nice Productions  Ms. On Air Personality for the 704DJS and has her own show “Grown and Sexy” every Sunday from 9pmto 12am EST. She interviews artists from the Indies to the Majors also has online talk

about relationships, and life situations.

problems

Ms. Caramel affiliated with XModelz and believes that her continued growth and success is do to many people. ―I have taken photo

shoots with many photographers such as MJ Photography, LL&P Photography, Taj Photography, Tone Images, Terrence Tyson, Azuluza Photography and a lot more and would like to say thanks for the love,‖ she says in appreciation. I also manage models and artists,‖ She had a successful album release party for her artists Sincere 1st and Messenger with ―Mentally 25 and Up.‖ When describing her strengths Ms. Caramel states, ―I am well-rounded and dedicated with excellent oral and communication skills. I have a positive mental and physical attitude which gives me and edge because it makes me very resourceful, a quick learner and able to adapt

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quickly to challenges. I also believe that being anb active community volunteer ads to my strengths.‖ When asked how she spends her time when she is not working Ms. Caramel states, ―I enjoy modeling, acting, dancing, singing and being a comedian. My hobbies are writing plays, playing basketball and football, boxing, and playing with kids.‖

Ms. Caramel has been featured in over 18 websites. You can currently see her on the web at the following sites: www.facebook.com/themodelmscaramelspokesperson www.twitter.com/ms_caramel www.wix.elite911.com/mscaramel www.HOT1079.net/mzcaramel www.fromduval.com/mscaramel www.modelturf.com/mscaramel www.myspace.com/theonly1ms.caramel www.tagged.com/theonly1sexyleo www.trutherotica.ning.com/mscaramel

In addition you can check out her fan page at www.wix.com/elite911.com/mzcaramel and also her Nu-Movement/NNP & X-Modelz fan page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/themodelmscaramelspokesperson. She may be contacted via

phone at 904-607-2142 or via email at grownandsexy704djs@gmail.com, ez2bsexyleo@yahoo.com orMscaramel@Hot1079.net.

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Just dating What does it mean to date?

How long am I suppose to wait to peruse your soul, searching down deep in your eyes for lies I moan as you jump start my miraculous ride How long should I wait? can someone please tell me, what exactly does it mean to just date?

For decades, I've grown accustomed to having a mate one who's no longer fit for a queen, if u know what I mean tired is he who sells u a dream, about wanting to pursue u & build a team of familia when, once he gets up in ya, what was routine begins to dissipate what would happen if you'd just wait? U thought he'd be smooth he had all the right moves I don't know what I'm suppose to do my heart is on my sleeve I can't leave without word my expression seems to go unheard The picture I have of us two, is totally dependent on you, because you said you wanted to pursue & build a team of familia this, I know to be true But I cannot fathom, for the life of me what I should or should not do for me, this is all brand new!

Maybe I should just wait?

What exactly does it mean to just date?

I wasn't built to infiltrate now that I've exhaled, my juices saturate the sheets of music played in my ears filled not only with my fears as deceit peers thru, I made the mistake of letting you open my flood gates too all this, because I couldn't wait someone please tell me, what exactly does it mean to just date?

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Marry Me or Else!!

By Michelle Davis

Q: Here’s one: when you’re in a relationship (everything’s going good) what’s the time limit for getting married? That’s if you are ready to get married (the man or woman), or should you give him/her an ultimatum?

A: I have to warn you that my answer will not be popular for those women who have been fantasizing about marriage since they were little girls clipping wedding dresses out of magazines to make their wedding scrapbooks full of color swatches, flower ideas and wedding colors of what they want their dream wedding to look like.

It will not be popular to those women who go in jewelry stores just to look at their wedding ring of choice and fantasize about being proposed to. This is not the answer for women who glamorize marriage and feel like marriage is the only way for your man to prove his love for you.

You can tell this is the notion held by lots of women based on how the roof is raised at the club when “Single Ladies,” by Beyonce is blasting through the speakers. Ladies jump up out of their seats and expose their ring-less ring fingers when Beyonce belts out, ―If you like it then you should have put a ring on it?‖

If a ring is an indication of love then I guess we live in a loveless world. I know of lots of beautiful fulfilling relationships where rings have not been given, but these couples are enjoying their relationships as they are. I have got to keep it real ladies and gents whose greatest desire is to prance down the aisle; in this day and age marriage is just not what it used to be and for us to be hoodwinked into thinking so will just lead to disappointment. We live in a different day and time now and marriage is not the icing on the cake anymore. A lot of couples are not quick to take that road as were the case in times past.

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rate and the decline in the marriage rate.

If everything is as ―good‖ in the relationship as you profess then why mess with it? An ultimatum is forcing someone to do something they are not ready to do. Why force someone to marry you if they are not ready? And remember, when you are giving ultimatums, you have to be ready for the answer! Wouldn’t you prefer your man to come to you on his own recognizance and truly ―pop‖ the question without any pressure from you? To me, ―popping‖ the question is a word that indicates the element of surprise! Out of the blue, sporadically, but if you have pressured him to death, then what kind of surprise is that?

There should be more emphasis on creating a solid foundation than a shaky one. The foundation that I am referring to in this case is the courtship or dating phase of the relationship.

A lot of women spend the entire dating phase focusing on marriage and not focusing on creating a great relationship. During this entire phase of the relationship, you are in a fantasy state already at the altar with your dress on and have missed the entire dating phase because you are not present. You are daydreaming about that big wedding to impress your friends and family and really, that is what it is really about. That ceremony where we spend thousands of dollars is really for the people. The piece of paper is the only real difference in a relationship versus marriage! A marriage is just a commitment made between two people in the presence of others to love, honor, and cherish until death do you part; that same commitment of love can be made without that piece of paper and between you and your significant other.

People who get married are breaking those commitments by the day, so really, is there a difference? Do not get me wrong, I am not against marriage but I am more so for solidifying a great relationship prior to entering into a commitment such as marriage. Take time out to enjoy your relationship the way it is now and just let marriage come naturally. There should not be any timeframe for someone to propose. That timeframe comes from society and society should not dictate your relationship, timelines, or any of that jazz. The couple should make all the rules!

Enjoy your relationship the way it is and do not let marriage be your main focus. The relationship is so much more enjoyable when there is no pressure to do but to just be as it is right now.

Choose love over law, per Marquis Hunt! Now don’t get me wrong, if you desire to be married, there is nothing wrong with that at all. You should definitely be with someone who has the same desire but not so much so that it is the primary focus. If you are in a relationship with someone who does not have that same desire, and you THINK you can sway them, please continue to keep it moving. Do not waste your time thinking you can change someone; connect to someone on your same level and just let it flow to a different level at the right time. Meanwhile, focus on your love always! Michelle Davis is a freelance writer based in Arkansas. She may be contacted at alwayzeevolving@gmail.com

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Raychel Yokem was born and raised in Springfield, IL. In high school her love for dance and volunteer work shaped her dedication and hardworking qualities.

Throughout college she maintained at least two part time jobs, while also winning the title of Miss ISU 2003 and becoming the President of her sorority Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She graduated in 2007 after making the Deans List and receiving her Bachelors and Teaching Certificate in Business and Computer Education.

After spending three years with State Farm Insurance, Raychel moved to Chicago in 2008 to accept a position at Aetna Health Insurance.

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While working at Aetna, Raychel also worked part time at Express Clothing store and Flirty Girl Fitness. Her love for consultation and customer interaction could not keep her away from the sales and hospitality industry which lead her to a management position at Flirty Girl Fitness.

Raychel continued to build her network as a host on Urbanwire.tv and spokes model for Next Level Marketing. She spends a large amount of her time volunteering for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation & American Heart Association through her current position with Limited Brands. Her commitment to her community and promoting wellness are a large part of Raychel’s background.

Raychel is known for her infectious personality, leadership quality, and ability to easily build relationships. When she isn’t fully engaged in an episode of Gossip Girl, she spends her free time working for a well known Chicago rap artist, PT. She resides with her sorority sister and a closet full of fabulousness!

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Makeda Volletta the Renaisance Amazon, Intellectual Athlete, Dancer, Scientist, Activist & Sensual Makeda Volleta is a 29 year old female of African and Native American descent. Makeda was born and raised in Harlem/Washington Heights, NYC but she currently spends her time between New Orleans and NY. ―I grew up five blocks away from the Audobon Ballroom where Malcolm X was assassinated and I was born in the hospital where he died. I grew up in the apartment where the great Renaissance Man, Paul Robeson lived for many years.

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I grew up on Sugar Hill...above the Polo Grounds where the world famous street ball tournament...The Rucker took place. Yankee Stadium in the South Bronx was so close that I could see the stadium and hear the games. Harlem is where Mar-cus Garvey set up his movement. HARLEM!! Harlem is the home of the Harlem Globetrotters, The Dance Theater of Harlem, The Harlem Boys Choir, Columbia University, The Apollo...it is THE HOME OF AFRO AMERICAN GREATNESS!,‖ says Makeda with proudly. ―I am in love with New Orleans, that is my second home and a sacred city. New Orleans is very important for the research I am conducting and it is the land of no excuses.

Talented people everywhere who dun been through it all can only force one to grow into a stronger artist. My favorite places are NEW ORLEANS, the Hawaiian Islands and Manhattan.

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Makeda is a dedicated student of the body and all of the methods involved with bringing the body to its highest level. She has a B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science with a concentration in Strength and Conditioning and a minor in Nutrition. ―I then went on to complete two years of graduate work at Columbia University in Applied Physiology and Nutrition. In addition to that I have done plenty of self-study.

I am a body science nerd. Given that I am also a strength and conditioning specialist, personal trainer, nutritionist and exercise physiologist, I can also offer you a world of advice when it comes to your body in general. I have worked with clients of various sorts. I do have many fitness and nutrition clients all over the country and I have published several articles,‖ she says.

Makeda is also a freelance fitness/swimsuit and fine art model and a trained professional dancer in a variety of dance styles from the Caribbean, South America, North America and Africa.

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Below is an interview conducted by jasira on behalf of VOICE. Makeda Voletta was standard time while wellness, sexual & enlightened by what egg...enjoy!

gracious enough to share her time with me at midnight central preparing for an excursion to Costa Rica. I personally promote holistic healing, physical awareness and spirituality. I was Makeda Voletta shared with me. I was moved to seek out my

V-What is the meaning of your name?

Makeda is the queen of Sheba linked to Judaism & rasatafarian known as Makeda and Solomon, one of the queens of Sheba.

V-What is sensual exercise and how is this exercise geared towards sexual health?

Makeda Voletta- Health in general & sexual health, yes. By learning how to be fit & cared for in general, with strong immune system strenthening muscles & having strong orgasms circling the energy including breast massage. Cervical cancer is very prevalent now. This also deals with seal tram issues which erect sexual & self expression, ultimately understanding how to keep the immune system strong & body balanced.

V- When did you start sensual exercise and was this targeting females?

Makeda Voletta- Most clients were men initially, but in Oct 07, I ramped up to half male, half female.

V-How was this regime accepted in the black communities?

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Makeda Voletta-I found that Whites & asians took fitness more seriously. This exercise helped more women of color that carried sexual trauma.

V- How has traveling the world shaped your ability to teach and inform others?

Makeda Voletta-I learned alot from Haiti,Cuba, and Brazil. I learned that gyrations have meaning. I studied them.

African dance is powerful, and not slow like belly dancing. Contractions & body movements are more intense. They are more exhausting than aerobics. These dances came from slaves. They actually show how out of shape you are. Dance gives best body awareness by learning how to look at something & do it V-When or how did you realize that this was essential to incorporate with personal training?

Makeda Voletta- I realized that people didn't know how to do what I did.

It put me in a position to assess their level & help them with control over self.

V- How important was it for you to tie exercise in with dance?

Makeda Voletta- It has purpose & meaning because it focuses on black dance derived from Africa & slavery.

Native America & Africans are oral & dance is a lot of the history.

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V- Were people receptive initially?

Makeda Voletta- People are intimidated by dance classes.

Black dance is not looked at seriously.

V- Can you share with Voice, your experience in Costa Rica regarding exercise? How do the native people differ from other cultures?

Makeda Voletta- I performed workshops in Costa Rica, which they organized. I began teaching men there first.

The men there are not as group oriented and are not as comfortable talkng about sexual problems or even working out.

I found that the women share a lot more.

V- Is there a sensual exercise for men?

Makeda Voletta- I started out training men one on one.

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I have been a personal trainer for 10 years and started out working with men. During those times, men with erection problems would talk to me as their personal trainer. The men's exercises are external & harder. I teach them exercises that support sexual organs ie, contracting pc muscle. These stretches require them to hold the penis & stretch it; pulling it in different directions, allowing the muscle that connects the scrotum to penis exercise.

V- What kind of physical aids are available to assist with men/their libido?

Makeda Voletta- The practice is mostly focused on them holding back.

Female bodies are yen & more internal . To balance women yen, we have to release more & let go more.

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Men are external yang. Their bodies hold back more which is geared towards not ejaculating all the time, resulting in something wrong with prostate & erectile dysfunction i.e., prevention.

Blue balls tend to store energy to different parts of the body.

Men can have orgasms without ejaculating, which can be harder. The muscle has to be strengthened resulting in longer, better erections.

V-What can women do to support a healthier sex drive, which could force the body to be seen as one whole organism?

Makeda Voletta- Reflexology points in the vaginal canal used with the jade egg makes women focus inside.

IV- I've heard a lot about kegel exercise and ben wa balls versus the jade egg. What's the difference?

Makeda Voletta- Kegels are just squeezing. Some women need to squeeze more, and some need to relax more.

The shape is difference between jade eggs and Ben wa balls is that jade eggs conform to vaginal canal better.

Ben wa balls are made of stones, which have metal properties.

Different stones work with different energy & healing properties.

V- How does the jade egg strengthen the vaginal walls since the healing properties differ?

Makeda Voletta- There is a strings which assists with vaginal weight lifting. Whole strengthening tendons in vaginal muscle prevents vaginal prolapse. A weight may be attached.

V- Can the jade egg be used during sensual exercise?

Makeda Voletta- Yes, this is geared towards resistance training. The jade egg plus dancing equals arousal and move sexual energy.

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V- Can pregnant women participate in this exercise & how does she benefit from it?

Makeda Voletta- It's not a good idea for pregnant woman to work jade egg. Using a string maybe gentle, but it may not be appropriate. It's better to start before you become pregnant.

V- If someone is interested in participating in this fitness training, how many times per week would they perform these exercises to receive the maximum health benefit?

Makeda Voletta- It depends, at least 3min5 are *ideal* times per week V-What's next for Makeda Voletta?

Makeda Voletta- I'm finishing my DVD titled, "Sexual Strength Training" I also have a Cd thats geared towards the egg-sacred yoni flower.

I'm teaching in New York and have traveling workshops where I'm focusing on developing level 2 of the class.

V- You travel a lot promoting wellness, spirituality and fitness? Have you ever considered taking your show on the road to a venue you've never touched?

Makeda Voletta- Yes, I'm planning a one woman show called Mambo Priestess of Fire.

It will tell the story about everything I've learned & different connections without colonial outfits from French & spanish, which represented indecent sexual moves back then. Songs will be sung about big African butts and how they were made fun of. In those times, women were covered with clothes preventing them from getting vitamin D. This will bring awareness.

V- Are there any mens workshops on the horizon?

Makeda Voletta- Yes, it's Kundalini strength training, the same as sexual training.

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V- How will the public find out about your workshops and one woman shows?

Makeda Voletta- I am connecting the one woman show to the workshops-8/13,14 in Chicago.

I had not given much consideration to dance incorporated with sensuality and physical aids. I was very much aware of Ben wa balls, and have made it a practice of strengthening my vaginal walls and core muscles through Kegel exercises. This is something that should be very important to all women. However, the use of the jade egg, weighted or not, is intriguing and beneficial. I believe self-awareness starts in the mirror. I encourage women and men alike, to get in tune with their body balance, immune system and muscle strengthening. We only have one life to live and one body to live it in. Do not be intimidated! Move your hips today.

Makeda Voletta may be contacted via Facebook at: www.facebook.com/makedavoletta

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How African-Americans can embrace 'side-hustles' to survive

By Ollie Montgomery

In this June 15, 2011 photo, Larry Vernon, of Canton, fills out a application during a job fair in Southfield, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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"Don't get hiring"

mad, UPS is

What was once a comic line in a lyric from "Flava In Ya Ear", a song from Craig Mack, has become just one of the many revenue streams people are turning to in an attempt to stay afloat in what many are now referring to as "The Great Recession".

Unlike previous economic downturns, the amount of Americans using a source of government aid to assist them has never been higher. About one in six Americans are now on some form of government-funded anti-poverty program and citizens are still receiving other help, through student loans, Medicaid and unemployment benefits.

Yet when these government measures are still not enough to break-even on the monthly budget, many citizens have gotten creative. Gone are the days of hunting loan sharks or searching for the nearest pawnbroker to sell your mother's prized necklace. Household incomes nationwide are not only flat, but have declined, especially for AfricanAmericans. So the question is no longer what job do you have, but how many?

"Side-hustles" are often outside of the realm of fully employed, paycheck-based income streams but are still equally beneficial forms of revenue. No, we're not talking about selling drugs and don't think about any other illegal means of getting money. Think more local and jobs that are typically over-looked.

There will always be a need for babysitting. No matter how juvenile you might think it is, it's a great way to spend time with kids, pick up a little money and build a solid relationship with a family. Dog walking is also another odd job that is always in need.

In addition, car washes and bake sales are another common, yet still worthwhile and easy way to make a few extra bucks. These time honored tricks are popular with teenagers and small organizations, but they never fail.

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But what about the interesting side hustles?

NBC's Mara Schiavocampo recently spotlighted an upcoming trend called direct selling.

The days of door-to-door sales have caused many to grow weary and simply give up that hustle. If you don't have the time or the patience to wait for commissions to roll in, you can sell by hosting a gathering, even in your own living room, to showcase a product.

Whether it be a new vacuum or new way to file your taxes or whatever the product is, direct selling not only brings the seller to you, but on your terms in a creative way.

Those who are musically-inclined will see their talents put to use in this economy.

Anyone with just a little bit of talent can make a buck and don't knock the guy selling mixtapes just yet. Being a DJ or a club/party promoter can provide some of the most profitable and quickest ways to raise some cash. While DJing is a talent and promotion requires the skill of a salesmen and an true extrovert, you can raise hundreds to even thousands in a single night, and as you grow your reputation, you can raise much more and money more frequently.

Producing your own clothing, candles, arts and other goods might also help you out. You could sell your goods at a yard sale, a flea market or a even a more public open-air market on weekends. It may not be the quickest way to make some money, but it is effective. In addition, you can use your artistic talents to help design flyers or logos. If your web-savvy you can always advertise your graphic and web design skills, which are becoming increasingly important.

Derrell Graham, 20, cuts hair in his spare time to make money. "It's just something I picked up because I couldn't afford cuts so frequently," says Graham. "But now I charge my friends and other people at school and can raise about $30 a week".

Finally, one side-hustle doesn't just make money, but helps people out, such as tutoring and volunteering. Many non-profit organizations do offer payment for the services of their volunteers.

Many have been able to completely support themselves by volunteering at shelters, halfway houses and various treatment centers. It's not just community service or the right thing to do, but a way to help others and yourself. Some programs for women who suffer from substance abuse or teens who fall down a path of drugs and/or violence have been know to provide a source of income for their workers who's primary joy is helping others.

Bobby Savage,Jr., 20, worked at one such program for disaffected teenagers in Harlem and Brooklyn. "I really like my job and I like helping people," said Savage. "If you can help someone out, do what you love, and make some money in the process, what more could you ask for?."

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7 Cash Flow Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make

By Alan Hughes

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Expert advice on how to avoid the pitfalls that could cost your business money Too often, small businesses end up in a cash flow crunch because in management’s haste to grow revenues, they often forget to screen out potentially bad customers. Michelle Dunn, founder and president of Never Dunn Publishing, LLC, has over 20 years experience in credit and debt collection. In her new book, “The Guide to Getting Paid: Weed-out Bad Paying Customers, Collect on Past Due Balances, and Avoid Bad Debt,” she details some of the most common financial mistakes (and their solutions) entrepreneurs make. ―I tell every business owner, once a year you need to go through your accounts receivable and fire three to five of your customers–the people you’re spending a lot of time on the phone with listening to them explain to you why they have to pay late or why you should still ship their order even though they can’t send you any money,‖ she says. BE spoke with Dunn to learn more of those mistakes and how entrepreneurs can avoid them.

Mistake #1: Getting incomplete credit information at the time of the sale. “Some people will have someone fill out a credit application and the person might just put their name, address, and then just sign the bottom and they don’t fill in the reference portion they don’t put in their work information,‖ says Dunn. The danger there is that if their account becomes delinquent and the client has moved, the small business has no way of contacting that customer.

Mistake #2: Not checking credit or references. Dunn says many small businesses think they can’t check references because they lack the capability to pull a credit report. ―What they can do is just print out or buy credit applications and you can get them at any office supply store or you can just go online and get free credit applications and credit applications don’t have to be scary and long. ―A credit application is very basic, it just asks people to fill in their name, address, phone number, and their work information, phone number, address and then if they have an e-mail or cell phone or anything like that.‖ The report then asks for references – bank reference, a vendor reference, and a personal reference. Then it’s just a matter of calling those references.

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Mistake #3: Ignoring accounts as they become more and more delinquent – hoping the person will pay. ―I used to tell people, you know we give people a little bit of a grace period five to eight days, but in this economy for the last three years, I’ve been telling people; maybe you want to call eight to five days before the bill is due,‖ recommends Dunn. She recommends calling the client to verify they received the invoice and asking if there were there any problems with the order. ―If they’re a couple of weeks past due, the first thing to do, if you can if there is someone that is local to you is to pay them a personal visit. That works very well.‖ Mistake #4: Not placing accounts with a collection agency soon enough. If your customer is ignoring your calls and letters, it may be time to use a collection agency. ―And, you need to move on to what you’re in business to do, what you’re good at, which is not doing the bill collections,‖ she says. ―Tell the customer we’re going to place your account with a third-party collection agency and then, do that. You can’t say you’re going to do something like that and then not do it.‖ Mistake #5: Not having documentation to support or proof of the debt when someone doesn’t pay. This could be a bill of sale, a purchase order or proof of shipment. A lot of companies will submit a purchase order, which will show the date, the purchase order number, what department ordered it. It might even include the actual person’s name who ordered it, what was ordered. You can also get proof of delivery from whomever you’re using as a shipper.

Mistake #6: Shipping more products or performing more services when an account is already past due. ―That’s another one of the biggest mistakes that business owners make with an account is they will ship more products or perform more service when an account is already past due,‖ she says. ―If a customer needs to place another order it helps you to get paid because now you can let them know you already owe me this money and their account is on hold until this is paid in full.‖ Mistake #7 Being too lenient with credit when the customer is a “friend” or family member. While this is a common issue that often has to be handled delicately, Dunn suggests not changing business habits for family or friends. ―So if you complete a sale to say your brother, sister or your son’s little league coach or teacher, or somebody that you know locally you have to 146

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have them fill out the everyone else,‖ she goodwill, the consider offering the member a little more better discount than receive. ―You would them so they know bit of special

same paper work as says. To gain a little business owner may friend or family time to pay or a the public would make that clear to they’re getting a little treatment.‖

www.blackenterprise.com

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NEW YORK, NY---Former WBO welterweight and junior middleweight champion Paul Williams returned to the same Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Boardwalk Hall when in December 2009, he posted the biggest victory of his career. A 12-round decision against Sergio Martinez in what was a wild slugfest that could have gone either way. Boardwalk Hall is also the site Williams suffered his most devastating defeat – a shocking second round knockout loss to Martinez in a November 2010 rematch.

Looking to erase the still-fresh distaste from between his lips, Williams (39-2, 27 KOs) returned to the Adrian Phillips Ballroom to challenge Erislandy Lara (15-1, 10 KOs) to a 12-round, 154-pound bout on Saturday, [July 9, 2011]. HBO televised. After 12 rounds, the official judges’ awarded Williams with a majority decision: 116-114, 115-114, and 114-114 (even). Many ringside observers, including James Bashir, second-assistant to world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, believe that Williams didn’t deserve the victory. “No way did Paul Williams deserve to win that fight,” Bashir said. “Lara landed the cleaner, more accurate shots.”

Williams never felt comfortable through the fight. He was primarily off-balanced when throwing his punches. He dropped his hands coming in which allowed Lara to land his left-hand frequently. Lara, not recognized as a big puncher, was so effective that he busted up Williams’ face with blood and lumps.

Lara had Williams on rubbery legs and made him miss badly.

According to CompuBox numbers, Williams threw 1047 punches, but landed only 200 (19%). Lara threw only 530 punches, but landed 24 more (224) for a greater percentage (42%). Lara landed more power punches (178-161) and landed more jabs than Williams (46-39). “It was a good fight,” Lara said afterwards. “I don't know what the judges saw. The Martinez fight was a blueprint for this fight, coming with the overhand left. That's what we practiced in the gym. I would like to have a rematch."

Ramos wins super-bantam crown Undefeated 122-pound prospect Rico Ramos can now be called champion. Fighting as the televised cofeatured attraction to Williams vs. Lara on HBO, Ramos (20-0, 11 KOs) scored a one-punch, knockout of defending WBA super bantamweight champion, Akifumi Shimoda (23-3-1, 10 KOs) in round seven.

Ramos, with a cut above his right eye, was losing to Shimoda badly. The judges had Shimoda winning 60-54 and 59-55 (twice) before a sharp left-hook by Ramos floored him on the back of his head.

“I was throwing my right hand a lot,” Ramos said. “I should have went to the body more often. His right was down and I brought my left hand over. ” Shimoda was so dominant that when Ramos dropped him, it was a surprise to everyone. Some people didn’t even realize the punch landed as hard as Shimoda’s back touched the canvas. It happened so quickly.

The time of the stoppage was 2:46 seconds.

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Drysdale Golf Tournament, Springfield Illinois

Photo: Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register

Daquarian Banks tees off Tuesday, July 12, 2011 during the Drysdale Junior Golf Tournament.

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"Bloody Sunday" occurred on March 7, 1965, when 600 civil rights marchers were attacked by state and local police with Billy clubs and tear gas so the march was cancelled. The route taken by the marchers is memorialized as the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail. On March 7, 1965, 525 to 600 civil rights marchers headed east out of Selma on U.S. Highway 80.

Discrimination and intimidation had prevented Selma's Black population, roughly half of the city, from registering to vote three weeks earlier. On February 18, 1965, a trooper, Corporal James Bonard Fowler, shot Jimmie Lee Jackson as Jackson tried to protect his mother and grandfather in a cafĂŠ that they fled to while being attacked by troopers during a civil rights demonstration.

Jackson died of an infection at Selma's Good Samaritan Hospital eight days later. The marchers hoped to bring notice to the violations of their rights by marching to the state capitol of Montgomery, Ala. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called for a march from Selma to Montgomery to ask then-Governor, George Wallace, to protect Black registrants. Wallace denounced the march as a threat to public safety and declared he would take all measures necessary to prevent it. In their first march, led by John Lewis and the Reverend Hosea Williams, they made it only as far as the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which was just six blocks away. State troopers and sheriffs from the county police department, some of who were mounted on horseback, awaited the protestors. In the presence of the news media, the police attacked the peaceful demonstrators with Billy clubs, tear gas and bull whips, and drove them back into Selma.

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