Lifestyle @ The Intersection: September 2023

FROM THE BOTTOM UP

CHICAGO'S VERY

C O N T E N T S

7 FAITH

How to Leverage Faith as a Professional

By Markeyla Henton

10

iNVESTMENT

The Demise of the N.O.A.H. Investor: Unintended Consequences in Chicago's Housing Landscape

By Corey Oliver

18 COMMUNITY

My Concrete Village: A Story of Survival & Recovery

By Irika Ford

21

REAL ESTATE

Real Estate 102: Expanding Your Knowledge Beyond the Basics

By Marki Lemons Ryhal, MBA, ABR, AHWD, C2EX, CDEI, CIPS, CRB, C-RETS, CRS, & SRS

23

PUBLISHER’S PICK Health

By Dr Mollie Netter

25 LEGACY Keeping the Legacy Alive

By Tiffany White

By Alleceia M. Walker

Danny K Davis sits down with Editor in Chief, Alleceia M. Walker

LIFESTYLE theINTERSECTION

Mindful Economics From The Bottom Up

Lifestyle @ The Intersection is a quarterly digital publication prioritizing self-care and economics. The magazine intersects spirit, mind, body, family and lifestyles, we write about real estate and small business sustainability, it's the economics that lifts the social tides!

The editorial mission is to stimulate creative thinking and responsible (quality) journalism to the approach of closing the economic disparities that prevents individuals from upward mobility, particularly, but not exclusively, in the black community!

Lifestyle @ The Intersection is part of, CVIC is a community of ventures.

EDITORIAL

ALLECEIA M. WALKER Editor-In-Chief

HBCU R.E.A.C.H. INTERNS

AKELEI DAVIS

Howard University

Class of 2024

CAMERON SHAW

Howard University

Class of 2026

TYRONE LOFTON JR.

Alabama A&M University

Class of 2025

LIFESTYLE TEAM

BRITTANY WRIGHT Marketing & Design Director

KEITH MCDONALD Chief Photo & Video Director

ADVERTISING

ANTHONY OLIVER Founder & Publisher

SEND US AN EMAIL WITH YOUR THOUGHTS, CONCERNS TO:

info@communityventureinvestmentcorp.com

Photo Credit: UnSplash

By Anthony Oliver

I like to think of legacy as the impact that a person’s journey has on others, both in the present and the future. It is common to think that legacies are only between parents and children or for those who are doing big things in the world. In reality, though, each of us has the potential to leave a lasting imprint on the future, and with that comes a responsibility to reflect on that legacy, no matter how big or small

As the work that individuals do intersects, a collective legacy begins to emerge I believe that that we have a spiritual obligation to build a foundation for a collective legacy of great works across many disciplines that have a common goal: growing people with community, with a “do for self” foundat-ion. That is not to suggest that we will never need the support of others; we will. My point is that a hand-up is better than a handout, which was my philosophy as I built Streetwise newspaper in Chicago and Washington DC from 1993-2005

Approximately, 66% of the men and women who sold Streetwise and were homeless wanted an economic stairstep up from homelessness and poverty So, I leaned into the idea of a hand-up and built a concept of “moving to greater levels of self-sufficiency.” When I left Streetwise in 2005, I continued to implement my vision of impacting the comm-

“Over our lifetime, whether we want to or not, we develop a lifestyle. It is ours to embrace, understand, and develop. It’s our footprints in the proverbial sand” our legacy.”

unity from the bottom up as I have worked to build economically sustainable communities that grow people as they grow. This is my contribution to Chicago, a collective legacy of empowering people to empower themselves.

This quarter’s issue of Lifestyle @ the Intersection will feature another man who has also dedicated his life to serving the people Congressman Danny K Davis, 7th Congressional District legacy towers over politicians of our time To me, he’s a John Lewis, Jim Clyburn, legend His legacy has been educating the people and meeting us from where we are without judgement As a senior legislator, who sits prominently on the most powerful Ways and Means Committee in Congress, he continues to bring home much needed resources and thereby positively impacting the community economics and

social viability He has much more to do, and I know your will enjoy his story as he continues his real, real legacy of growing people and community while at the intersection of this important moment in our history. It is my distinct pleasure for our next generation writers and readers to feel who this distinguished gentleman is

Welcome to L@TI Legacy edition

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

STUDENT EDITORS

Howard University Class of 2026

Residents Engaged in Achieving Community Harmony (R.E.A.C.H.) is a Community Outreach Initiative started by Howard Alumni, Alleceia M. Walker in 1992 and reestablished through her IMPACT Difference mentoring program in 2005. R.E.A.C.H. seeks to link resources to needs in the DMV and abroad through various programs and collaborative partnerships.

AKELEI DAVIS

Howard University Class of 2024

TYRONE LOFTON JR.

Alabama A&M University Class of 2025

Markeyla Henton

Tiffany White

Corey Oliver

Marki Lemons Ryhal

Irika Ford

Anthony Oliver, Publisher

Dr. Mollie Netter

CAMERON SHAW

By Markeyla Henton

Discussions around faith at the workplace or in professional environments have long been deemed as inappropriate. But studies show that people who say faith is essential to their identity often translate that in their work ethic. These studies do not say that those who are not deeply religious or spiritual are less effective at work Faith is a motivator at work for those who find it important to life A lack of faith or religious practice is not an indicator of a lack of work ethics My guess is that you are reading this article because you are one of those folks who tends to lead with their faith. And if so, let’s dive into the ways you can bring your faith to the office.

For starters, let's explore why the workplace may not be the best place for us to practice religion. Our jobs, businesses and professional connect-ions are not typically places where we bare it all In fact, for many Americans, the workplace is a source of unhappiness

According to a CNBC article for the Workforce Wire, “In the me According to a CNBC article for the Workforce Wire, “In the U.S. specifically, 50% of workers reported feeling stressed at their jobs on a daily basis, 41% as being worried, 22% as sad, and 18% angry.” This disparity about how we feel at the jobs we have is the main reason most Americans come into work without sharing their personal lives Another barrier making professional places a no-no for religion is the importance of inclusion, equity, and diversity If you are discussing your faith, you may be excluding your coworker from the conversation because of their differing beliefs. If you are discussing your

faith, you may be excluding your coworker from the con-versation because of their differing beliefs.

When I began discussing my faith as an entrepreneur in 2013, I felt like the most obvious discussions that could connect people were off limits. The beliefs that made me passionate and effective were the very things that I was told not to talk about In my discovery, I found people who didn’t share my beliefs were still really open to having discourse around beliefs They wanted to share the way they saw the world too.

This willingness was only available IF I was going to allow individuality and be thoughtful with disagreements.

It's been years since I started discussing faith in the workplace But, I’ve learned the sure fire way to open the door to real relationship building is to create a space where beliefs can be shared safely If you are a leader, professional or entrepreneur looking for ways to help people become more engaged with the work you do there is one simple thing you can do: tell people what you believe and invite them to share what they believe.

You leverage faith as a professional when you create open source containers for your perspectives and allow other perspectives to join in There are three great ways to put this in practice

LOW STAKES CONVERSATIONS

Most of the professional environments where I have instituted faith started simply by sharing with colleagues that I was going to be praying. As a teacher, I would pray in the morning before class, some days my colleagues would join Other days, I would be alone In the remote work environment, I would share prayers that I had on my heart for the week during meeting ice breakers. I’d open the floor for my colleagues to share any prayer requests they may have. The conversations would be low stakes because I was going to be praying regardless of whether my coworkers joined I would make sure to lead with the fact that everyone was welcome And then that was it Leveraging prayer as a strategy helped me become closer to the people I worked with. This practice also made the workday flow easier for me. get push back from others who have not yet learned to lean into their beliefs as a professional Don’t judge them, just set the boundary and stay focused on the benefits of your perspective

OFF THE CLOCK FRIENDLINESS

I have always been a people person. But, I’ve learned that building professional relationships is really about how willing you are to be kind when the technical clock isn't running I make it a point to check in with people before professional meetings. Even if you encounter someone who doesn’t care to share their life with you. It is so important to be a source of love in the world Most people who are faith-driven, have a heart to help people, you never know how friendliness can carry you I institute friendliness off the clock by extending myself to get to know more about the people around me.

SETTING THE TONE FOR TOLERANCE

No matter who you are around, if you are not going to be tolerant of differences, you will not get far. Even in a room full of people who have the same belief systems, tolerance can make everyone work better together and reduce the ways that disagreements can derail productivity You set the tone for tolerance by creating hard boundaries around disrespectful behavior. When I was a teacher, one of my colleagues was a muslim. He asked to join us one morning and a fellow coworker tried to belittle his interest I let my muslim coworker know that he was wel-come and I discouraged my other coworker from

excluding people from the opportunity to start their day with intention I would not let the safe space that was built be torn down by negative interactions Likewise, when you are standing up in your faith in professional environments, you may get push back from others who have not yet learned to lean into their beliefs as a professional. Don’t judge them, just set the boundary and stay focused on the benefits of your perspective

Faith should not be as taboo in the workplace. But given the importance of religion to most of our lives it makes sense. The only way to tear down the walls and make workplaces more inclusive is to allow toler-ance to make offices a safer place. Consider leveraging your faith as a professional and let me know how it goes. Shoot me an email at info@thefaithedit.com.

My name is Markeyla Henton. I am a confidence coach who helps my clients master self-possession through a book business Follow me on Instagram Check out www.thefaithedit.com

Magazine Launch Event

By Corey Oliver

In the realm of impact investing, the dual concern for both community well-being and financial returns becomes paramount Chicago, known for its intricate dynamics, adds layers of complexity to this endeavor An essential element is grasping the nuances of the Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance Here, an understanding of both tenant rights and the housing provider's prerogatives is vital For impact investors, the mission extends beyond injecting capital into local economies; it encompasses empowering the families entrenched within these communities The aspiration is to do well while doing good But what does this entail for housing providers targeting the low to moderate income neighborhoods of Chicago?

The journey begins with the revitalization of the property's MEP systems (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) However, its not just about structural upgrades its about judiciously considering the influence on the neighborhood Overspending or excessive development might inadvertently trigger rent hikes leading to displacement The precarious balance of property values could trigger unsustainable property taxes Understanding the socio-economic dynamics of the families to be housed is pivotal

The objective is not only to provide shelter but also to fuel local economic growth hese are the intricate threads interwoven into each projects fabric Navigating the path of progress involves catering to a diverse tenant mix Striving to offer affordable housing to market-rate tenants is a pivotal step Successfully integrating subsidized tenants gives rise to the coveted status of being a "Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing" (NOAH) provider Achieving this blend is crucial The crux lies in nurturing tenants' disposable income to sustain local businesses, allowing money to circulate within the community, fostering growth

Yet, the landscape shifted during the pandemic and the subsequent eviction moratorium The aftermath is a testament to the unintended outcomes of policies adopted in haste Prepandemic, housing providers could afford the occasional tenant risk, accounting for missed rents and potential evictions However, the paradigm has shifted Evictions now span up to six months, necessitating an expedited legal process Every payment plan warrants legal action, a measure once deemed excessive Tenant behavior transformed, propelled by technological evolution enabling document forgery Counterfeit pay stubs, bank statements,

and employment histories surfaced, underscoring the heightened significance of tenant due diligence A single misjudgment could equate to a revenue loss spanning half a year, a potentially fatal blow for smaller housing providers The aftermath cascades into a concentration of subsidized tenants within lowincome communities, heralding new concerns The reverberation is observable on Chicago's 75th Street, where boarded-up commercial spaces punctuate the landscape When a building houses predominant-ly low and extremely low-income tenants (ranging from 0% to 30% of area median income), commercial activity dwindles Businesses dwindle or vanish, de-priving the community of essential services Vacancy ensues, affecting property performance, and sub-sequently, owners stability The cycle spirals disrepair, foreclosure, crime escalation engulfing families tethered to the struggle

As a Chicago impact investor with a 15-year journey, this cyclic reality has been witnessed across multiple communities The pandemic magnified the vulnerabilities of hastily conceived protective measures, unraveling the very fabric they aimed to safeguard Housing providers emerged as frontline responders offering stability amidst chaos bridging gaps left by policy inadequacies They braved adversity ensuring heat, safety, and support during lockdowns Rental assistance efforts were mounted diligently, with applications processed for over 200 tenants Yet, challenges emerged instances of shared responsibility, instances of unwillingness

In the midst of this quagmire, the burden on impact investors intensified The dilemma: gamble on market-rate tenants or safeguard investments through stable cash flows? The delicate equilibrium crumbled And in the tug-of-war, the community suffered Housing, essential for the vulnerable, became a divisive battleground The fallout extended beyond housing it impeded the workforce and exacerbated systemic issues While housing cannot remedy all societal ills, many providers strive to uplift communities However, each policy tweak inflicts damage, eroding the very foundations of progress The fear looms that local investors might withdraw, leaving the field to out-of-state entities The community, in the end, would bear the brunt, grappling with the repercussions as its vitality wanes

The journey begins with the revitalization of the property's MEP systems (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) However its not just about structural up-

grades it's about judiciously considering the influence on the neighborhood Overspending or excessive development might inadvertently trigger rent hikes leading to displacement The precarious balance of property values could trigger unsustainable property taxes Understanding the socio-economic dynamics of the families to be housed is pivotal The objective is not only to provide shelter but also to fuel local economic growth

In the crucible of Chicagos housing landscape, the challenges that impact investors and housing providers face are daunting As policies shift economies evolve, and communities transform, the pivotal role of these providers remains unwavering Navigating this intricate terrain demands more than financial acumen it requires a deep-rooted commitment to the very essence of community empowerment

The path forward is challenging, but it's not insurmountable By embracing a holistic approach that combines astute financial strategies tenantcentric solutions, and community engagement, housing providers can reshape the narrative Each tenancy is a chance to make a difference to uplift families, invigorate local businesses, and bolster neighborhoods

The legacy of a housing provider is not etched solely in profit margins, but in the lives they touch and the neighborhoods they rejuvenate It's in the partnership forged between tenant and provider in the resilience that emerges from collaboration, and in the determination to rise above challenges

Let this be a clarion call to action As we peer into the horizon of possibility, let us remember that the arc of housing transformation bends toward both economic success and social progress United in purpose, housing providers can be the architects of change, fusing financial wisdom with a profound dedication to community well-being

In Chicago and beyond, let us usher in an era where housing isn't just a shelter it's a cornerstone of resilient, thriving communities The legacy of the N O A H investor isnt one of defeat, but of unwavering determination to rise, to adapt, and to build a better future, one housing investment at a time

ALiving Legend... Wisdom Speaks

By Alleceia M. Walker

On August 1, 2023, I had the pleasure of kickingoff Black Business Month interviewing none other than Chicago’s Living Legend, The Honorable Congressman Danny K Davis representing the 7th District of Illinois I have been fortunate to have met and conversed with so many amazing servant leaders but there are none like Congressman Davis, they broke the mold when they created him. Having the pleasure of chatting with him last year and immediately being put to work for his Prison Reform Panel during Congressional Black Caucus, when our team began discussing Legacy as a theme for this quarter’s issue, he was top of mind. We met in the community in which he serves and resides on the Westside of Chicago, of course we went down memory lane and there is never a time The Congressman does not pay homage to his roots of Little Rock, Arkansas and share his love of reading and passion for learning To listen to this 81-year-old and counting scholar share his Vision of Hope and desire to see the dream actualize through intergenerational approaches, I was in-spired to another dimension on my journey to make The IMPACT Difference within my sphere of influence and beyond From such humble beginnings, leaning on his faith and recalling the many lessons learned from his parents he continues to cultivate other young politicians and uplift our community within the City of Chicago and on Capitol Hill… I will allow you to listen in on our inspirational conversation and challenge you to do something since you will know more. Enjoy!

Walker: Congressman Davis, thank you so much for being willing to share your life’s journey with Lifestyle @ The Intersection, especially our next generation readers We appreciate and honor you as a pillar in our community Your legacy is legen-dary and having you share oral history and capt-uring this is priceless. Our magazine interns sub-mitted a few questions for you. The first question is - How did you discover your passion and your calling?

Congressman: Well, let me just say this, thank you very much. When you asked that question, I was thinking of Langston Hughes when he wrote his poem, Mother to Son. And she said, “Now, life for me ain't been no crystal stair.” And that’s kind of the way I sum it up. Life has been good, life been challenging, life has been honest, and life has been enjoyable I grew up in rural Arkansas at a time very different from what times are now My parents were sharecroppers, as were most African Americans who lived where we lived I learned to read at an early age and just started reading everything, including the Bible and I still re-member some of what we read I was fortunate that I had wonderful parents As a matter of fact, just this morning, as I heard about the looting that the young people have been doing downtown in the loop and we're getting ready to have some parenting seminars where we're just going to discuss the role of parenting in child de-velopment and what impact that might have.

I remember my first participation in any kind of advocacy. We didn't have a gym, and the spark to make that change started the fire. I managed to get through high school, and I enrolled in college on my sixteenth birthday insecure, thinking that everybody there had to know more than I did I got through college, and I came to Chicago after graduation I had two sisters who lived here, and it was a place to come As a matter of fact, my father borrowed $50 from a fella who had a store and let me have the $50 because I had come home from college and helped prepare his crop We went and did the cultivation and all and I helped him do that And then came to Chicago in July That's what you call layback time in an agricultural setting be-

cause the crops have been cultivated, and now you just sit back and watch them produce That's why songwriters wrote songs like Summertime, you know, because there's not much to do during this period So, you just kind of sit back and sing, “oh, your daddy’s rich and your ma is good lookin’…. So hush, little baby, baby don't you cry.”

Walker: It seems like being a farmer, laid a foundation for understanding life and the process of life as well?

Congressman: Well, we learn a lot of things. We learn that work is a virtue. We used to say that my father was the hardest working guy we've ever encountered or ever did encounter. He always had something to do, but he also had great wisdom And he would give you all these little tips He'd say, “early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise ” My brothers and I, we kind of as we became teenagers, tried to change the script and we'd say, “Well, dad, now they got another saying, early to bed and early to rise And the girls go out with the other guys ” He said, “Well, you boys, just do what I tell you and you, you'll be alright.” So, I got a job and went to work at the post office for a little more than a year. But I knew I was going to be a teacher and I knew that I would teach.

I had a wonderful student teaching experience and decided I'd go ahead and take a job in a place called North Lawndale, on the west side of Chicago. It was a special school for over aged under achievers, meaning they were teenage kids who had difficulty. Many of them had been incarcerated or in juvenile detention. They had girls who had maybe been pregnant the year before, and they didn't send them back to the same school I fell in love with the school, the community, and I decided that I would spend the rest of my time in the west area of the city working and doing whatever I was going to do Ultimately, I got involved in community activism - it was “The period of the movement” we called it African Americans had been fermenting I got a chance to meet Dr Martin Luther King when I marched in the marches from Soldier Field down

to City Hall, I started attending the meetings. That's where I met Bob Lucas and people like Rush Meeks and all these people, you know, Fred Hampton As time went on, when Fred was assassinated, I sat in the funeral home with his body right up here on Roosevelt Road at the Rayner Funeral Home So, I became a part of what was happening in America So, I just worked, went to school, met people like Doctor Bobby Wright Bobby and I were class-mates in graduate school, met my wife, and as I was teaching, we were both teaching at the same school, and we ended up getting married 53 years ago. We've lived in the area, no place other than the West Side community and I'm sure this is the last place we will live. But life is good, life has been, and it still is.

Walker: I heard you mentioned working with the over age under achievers. I remember when I started teaching in the nineties here in Chicago, and one of the programs that I worked with was designing a solution-focused curriculum for our over age under achiever population. It's so funny that you were addressing the same problem then, and it's still a problem today

Congressman: When Neil Simeon, the Associate Superintendent for Vocational and Practical Arts developed this program concept,

the Board of Education created several schools. I understand that this school design was part of his dissertation, and that's the same Simeon that Simeon High School is named Many of these individuals were not expected to make it, but I see them today and they are doing well One fella actually works with me and is a member of my staff that I taught when he was fifteen, sixteen years old The Board eventually took the position that the schools were too costly to operate That just propelled me into looking at the bigger picture, and I decided that I might could make use of what I was learning in a more public way. So, I left The Board and went to work with a community group, which ultimately led to my decision to run for public office. Eventually, I did and got elected and have now been in public office for a good period of time, having all kinds of experiences, even working with Street Wise as a member of their board and being a part of a lot of different things.

Chicago has had a large African American population that migrated from the South. The West Side, I always say, was the last big area where individuals escaping racism, escaping the agricultural way of life in the South, came to Chicago, and the last group came to the West Side because that was the last area that was

opened. There were terms that got created, like plantation politics, straw bosses, and ward bosses. When people say certain things have not changed, I don't agree with that Things have changed a great That does not mean that there's any kind of utopia and it does not mean that there aren’t problems I often jokingly and not jokingly, say that problems have existed ever since Adam and Eve were in the garden, that there was some non-compliance with whatever the rules were supposed to be There are people who fall outside the law and that's one of the reasons that I got very involved in looking at criminal justice reform and looking at the whole question of, why is it that disproportionately so many individuals, especially African American males, and females find themselves out of compliance with societal expectations and therefore create a big criminal enterprise system.

Walker: You mentioned earlier about young people mobilizing and looting in the loop area, the need for parenting workshops and seminars, and then you just mentioned them finding themselves non-compliant. If we're looking at solutions, because we know what we're facing at this moment, where do we start?

Congressman: I think parenting is a big piece of social development and I've seen young people grow up in the worst of economic circumstances, but because of the parenting skills of their parents, they have done exceptionally well Then, of course, I've also seen people who are impact-ed, who have wonderful parents, but the environ-ment ends up having more influence on their being than what their parents attempt to do for and with them. We must change the environ-ment in a real way, just as we provide, and teach, and hope that children will be born into the best of the world, as opposed to the worst of the world. For example, we are hoping, and I say that with the right set of circumstances, we can make sure every child can experience early childhood education. That's kind of one of the goals of the next round of things and the politics of America will help to determine that I'm convinced that should the group that I've worked with the most

be in control of the operation of the government, we will be able to accomplish that in another round of a Joe Biden administration and therefore, I want to see that happen I don't think there are any silver bullets but there is movement Change is tough, it’s not easy, it’s tough to bring about But if you have the right pieces, then the puzzle will fit and if you got the wrong pieces, there's no way that the puzzle is going to get it completed I think that's kind of what I've learned about politics, that politics ends up being what-ever it is that people want and whatever it is that they're willing to work to accomplish.

Walker: That's awesome and as a Community Activist myself, I am always encouraging constituents to hold their elected officials accountable. One more thing that I must ask, how does this all tie into economics?

Congressman: It comes back to what do I want? And what do I want to see? Not just for myself personally, but I'm a part of the world. What kind of world do I want to see? And I think that's why I ultimately decided that having a public life was what I wanted to do I have some ideas about the world I want to see a world that is more fair, more peaceful I want to see the gap kind of reduce between those at the top, those at the bottom I want to see every child grow and develop, to become, whatever their manhood, womanhood, good talent, ambition, and hard work will combine to make them That is, as Thomas Wolfe said, the promise of America. So that's what I want to see. I can remember Tennessee Arnie forward singing a song when I was a kid, “Peace in the valley. I'm so tired and so weary, but I must go along until the Lord comes and call, call me away. But there will be peace in the valley someday, the bear will be gentle, and the wolf will be tame, and the lion shall lay down by the lamb.” There are some things that I want to see and so, in a public way, you can work towards the creation of these things. You know, Dr. King says, “I may not get there but I do believe that we as a people will make it to the promised land ” And to me, that is the public peace and there are so many ways

that you can go after it, you know, I have a certain amount of, I guess, spiritual leaning. I think of one song in particular that we sing at church sometimes it says, “A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify, A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky. To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill: Oh, may it all my pow’rs engage To do my Master’s will!”

I am still trying to answer this question that a man raised to me in my youth, “Who am I?” Yes, who am I, I mean not worrying about what the public view of me has been, but worried about who do I say you know it's kind of like Jesus when he was talking to his disciples and stuff and say, “Who do you guys think I am?” “Well, you know, they say so and so and so and so says ” Well, you know I listen to WVON just like I read the Sun-Times but who do I say I am? I'm always searching to find and define myself It's not what The Austin weekly, or the Austin Voice, or the Lawndale Drum, or The Citizen say. Who do I say I am? How do I make the most effective use of myself to move towards helping and shaping this world that I have a vision of and a desire for it to be? And so that makes life interesting, that makes life meaningful, and that's the life I want to live.

Walker: Sir, that's the life that you are living and the life that inspires me and so many others. If you could share a nugget with our young people stepping into their new journey, what would you have them ponder.

Congressman: Well, I think if you give the best of yourself in the things that you do, the end comes out alright. You know, my mother had a tremendous impact on my being. She was such a gentle woman, and she gave us these little things and this one little poem, she’d say to us, “If you can't be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley But be the best little shrub on the side of the hill Be a bush if you can't be a tree If you can't be a highway, just be a trail If you can't be a sun, be a star For it isn't by size that you win or fail Be the best of whatever you are ” I think, um, that kind of sums it up It's a pleasure and it has been a pleasure

Walker: It is always a pleasure to sit at your feet of wisdom and listen to your stories. So, we thank you so much for your time. This will not be the last time.

Congressman: Sounds good to me!

By Irika Ford

At the age of two my father was sent upstate to prison in Hagerstown, Maryland for thirty years. Now at thirty-six years old, I have overcome the emotional and psychological effects of that experience. Although he did not serve the entire sentence it rocked the world of everyone con-nected to him. During my years of research about having a parent or parents that are incarcerated, I found that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) deems this to be one of the top ten Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). Despite the fact that it is listed as one of the top (ACE)s, it is not widely talked about in society. As an early childcare and primary education professional, I realized that due to my father’s incarceration a bond was never de-veloped between my father and I during those foundational years of development and

because of that I grew up fearful and with an insecure attachment style which bled into every area of my life including intimate relationships. I am grateful that we are living in a day where mindfulness and emotional intell-igence is a “thing.” Back in the late 80’s & early 90’s it wasn’t. I encourage everyone who reads or buys my story to become a safe place for children and their inner child who has or is experiencing a parent or parents who are incarcerated. Being an author was never really some-thing I envisioned for myself, but it has been a catalysts in my healing journey. I am now a firm believer that the pain we experience while living this human experience can be turned into PURPOSE & POWER. You owe it to yourself to be GREAT!!!

Irika Ford is known as Sadie Masai, a DMV native who is an ambitious and passionate author on a mission to educate parents and guardians of Children of Incarcerated Parents (C.I.P). She focuses on the import-ance of supporting a child through their experience and how to provide a safe space emotionally and ment-ally for their well-being. With seven-teen-plus years of early child-care and primary education experience, Sadie Masai has created these safe spaces throughout her career and has witnessed the effects it has on a child’s development. Her goal is to

bring awareness of this rampant plague across the entire world to improve the social, emotional, and mental stability of children who feel unseen and unheard while exper-iencing a parent or parents that are incarcerated! Sadie Masai's first book, My Concrete Village is based on her own experience as a child whose dad was incarcerated during the foundational years of develop-ment and how the support of her village helped her to overcome.

Website: www.msmasai.com

Real Estate 102: Expanding Your Knowledge Beyond the Basics

By Marki Lemons Ryhal, MBA, ABR, AHWD, C2EX, CDEI, CIPS, CRB, C-RETS, CRS, & SRS

Building on the basics covered in Real Estate 101, this article aims to delve deeper into the world of real estate. From understanding due diligence to exploring property management intricacies, this article will provide you with the knowledge needed to further your real estate endeavors

CONDUCTING DUE DILIGENCE:

Due diligence is a crucial step when buying a property This process involves verifying the property's details, assessing its physical condition, and evaluating potential legal issues. It requires thorough research, inspection, and sometimes even professional expertise.

NAVIGATING REAL ESTATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS:

Laws and regulations govern the real estate market Familiarity with these laws, such as zoning laws, environmental regulations, and property rights, is essential to avoid legal complications and to ensure a smooth transaction

ADVANCED FINANCING OPTIONS:

While mortgages are the most common form of financing, other sophisticated options are also available This includes real estate syndication, crowdfunding, and real estate limited partnerships. Understanding these options can help you diversify your investment strategy and maximize your profits

DELVING INTO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT:

As a real estate investor, managing your property efficiently is crucial for maximizing income and maintaining your property's value Property management includes tenant management, property maintenance, and dealing with legalities such as rental regulations and contracts

The journey from a beginner to an experienced real estate investor or homeowner involves continuous learning and adaptation This article has only scratched the surface of due diligence, real estate laws, advanced financing options, and property management. I encourage you to do further research and expand your knowledge in these areas As you continue your real estate journey, remember to stay informed, be proactive, and always strive for growth Your success in real estate lies in your hands.

Marki Lemons Ryhal, MBA, ABR, AHWD, C2EX, CDEI, CIPS, CRB, C-RETS, CRS, & SRS

Keynote Speaker and Real Estate Entrepreneur, learn to earn up to a 2,682% ROI through AI/ChatGPT, Automation, and Repurposing Content.

www.markilemons.com

HEALTH PERSPECTIVES

By Dr. Mollie Netter

My name is Dr. Molly Kachale Netter. I am a Clinician, scientist, and assistant professor of Patho-physiology and Pharmacology at DePaul Univer-sity’s School of Health Sciences My interest in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) dates from my childhood in sub-Saharan Africa, home to over 50% of people living with HIV in the world I was probably five years old when HIV as we know it surfaced I remember my father talking about a disease caused by an “animal” which no one could see.

Imagine how confused my five-year-old brain was - how can an animal be invisible? Well, I now know that the animal my father was talking about is HIV because there was no direct translation for the word virus.

My current research interest is HIV Prevention through medications called Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Unlike condoms, HIV prevention using drugs requires a prescription, which therefore gives clinicians the responsibility to inform potential users Unfortunately, many clinicians may not be aware of or choose not to accept this responsibility to initiate HIV prevention conversations with their patients Unlike Condoms, HIV PrEP allows individuals to independently protect themselves and their partners against HIV without negotiating PrEP use is especially advant-ageous for women who often cannot suggest condom use due to power imbalances in most relationships. However, PrEP use remains subopti-mal, with women being least likely to be pre-scribed.

At its emergence, HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention efforts were geared towards young gay white men because the pattern then was that the disease affected mostly this subpopulation.

Similarly, when the Covid-19 virus first surfaced, among the common beliefs was that it did not affect black communities The consequence was underestimating the pan-demic’s threat to the general population despite knowing the relationships between social determinants of health and disease burden Currently, both pandemics disproportionately impact minority populations complicated by multi-layered psycho-socioeconomic inadequacies For example, minority comm-unities struggle with lack of access to health care, poverty, discrimination, and poor quality of education, affecting how disease burden plays out. Unless contextually addressed, the casualties of both pandemics will continue to overburden these subpopulations. Today, there is an upsurge of new HIV infections among heterosexual women, esp-ecially blacks, who are estimated to be 16 times more likely to be infected than White women. Unfortunately, the narrative remains that HIV is a disease of gay men, leading to missed opport-unities by clinicians to educate and disseminate PrEP to women who may need it most.

The four decades of progress toward ending new HIV infections by 2030 have been challenged by the emergence of the Covid 19 pandemic Some reports show that HIV prevention progress has regressed by up to ten years There are reports of increased HIV infections in some geographic regions and sub-populations, including the United States, where new HIV among heterosexual women, especially women of color, is rising.

Millennials and Generation Z, who are the target audience of this magazine, may not be familiar with HIV because strong anti-retroviral medications, which changed HIV from a death sentence to a chronic disease, emerged around the same time this population was being born.

The reality of our times is that we are now concurrently dealing with two pandemics, Covid and HIV, with the latter playing in the background but equally disabling Unlike Covid-19 infection, which

is self-limiting, there is no cure for HIV However, science has progressed in strides that have made it possible to stop HIV transmission through viral suppression in those living with it and preventing infections before they happen for those who do not have it, leading to the powerful slogan of Undetectable equals Untransmutable.

As a clinician, I test and treat many sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, Syphilis, and HIV. Part of my job is to educate patients so that they can practice responsible sex.

Most young people, especially those in heterosexual relationships, do not believe that they are at risk of HIV infection, whose main mode of transmission is sexual contact, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. One’s chances of contracting HIV are increased by the contraction of other sexually transmitted diseases, something that needs to be emphasized Any sexually active adult carries some risk of getting infected

Why does HIV matter? It is a disease at the intersection of religion, politics, socioeconomics, geography, history, culture, race, etc

I look forward to sharing with you the relevance of HIV in our society today and in the future, especially in the context of social determinants of health through the lens of the black community the myths, controversies, and realities.

I am honored and bless-ed to be part of an excellent family legacy. My grandfather Theo-dore “Ted”s Rhodes is a golf pioneer and trailblazer and paved the way for African Americans to play the great game of golf. He loved the game of golf and was very pass-ionate about honing his skills and competing at a high level. He believed the game of golf should be open to all races. He is the 1st African American professional golfer in the modern era to play in the US Open (1948). He was honored at the 2022 US Open and was featured in the USGA Museum. He won over 150 golf tourn-aments during his career. He mentored and coached many influential people, such as boxer Joe Louis, professional golfer Lee Elder (1st African American to play in the Masters), tennis player Althea Gibson, and many others. During Tiger Woods’s 1st Masters win in 1997, he credited Ted along with several other golf pioneers for paving the way for him to play golf. Tiger studied Ted’s game and learned about him from his father Earl Woods. There is a golf course in his hometown of Nashville, TN that bears his name (Ted Rhodes Golf Course). He was granted posthumous membership to the PGA in 2009. He is ranked #3 best dressed golfer on GQ’s Golf’s Fashion Masters list.

The Legacy Continues through the Ted Rhodes Foundation that was founded by my mother Peggy Rhodes-White (CEO) in 1993 to keep my grandfather’s legacy alive and move the game of golf forward by creating opportunities for diverse youth to be introduced to golf and ultimately work in the golf industry.

I am the President and one key initiative of the Foundation is to keep Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) golf programs alive by providing financial support on an annual basis. The solid part-nership with Fisk University in Nashville, TN is great and the financial support has been a tremendous help to sustain this golf program. The Foundation has given HBCU scholarships to students playing on the golf team. Also, the Foundation supports junior golf programs and has great partnerships with several First Tee chapters (Greater Chicago, NW Indiana, Tennessee) and hosts a junior golf tour and golf clinics for kids 5-18 years old, provides financial support, and communication and leadership training. We host golf clinics and tourna-ments/outings for adults. We are keeping the legacy alive…