NTOUCH February 2023

Publishers: Tampa Bay Tammy & DJ CEO

Dear Girlfriend,

I am tired of my sister n law. She is so disrespectful. She comes to our home and refers to it as her brother’s house and acts like she has free reign over it. She talks as if she thinks I am someone with a free ride off her big brother. It’s true that her brother, my husband, makes more money than me but I work too. The reality of it all is, I found the house. I decorated the house. I have better credit than my husband and we would not have qualified without my income. Furthermore, my name is on the deed and the mortgage. My main problem with her is, she is always needing help and borrowing money. She has the gall to ask my husband not to tell me, but of course he does. I am still perturbed with my husband because it is always after the fact.

We have been married six years and we have been banking together since our second year of marriage. I keep close tabs on our finances because our money is tight. It takes both of our salaries to sustain our household and when he gives her money, I feel it. Nothing pisses me off more than when she shows up wearing something new and I know she has just gotten a hundred from us. She goes to all the concerts and I don’t because I can’t afford it. She gets a new outfit when I can’t because I can’t afford it. She goes out to eat at the cheesecake factory and I don’t because I can’t afford it. Do you get my drift?

She is a smart girl. She could increase her own income but she is too lazy to go back to school. She is always going from one poor job to another one. Girlfriend I am about to have a word or two with her and I don’t think it will be nice. Please address this issue for me.

Disrespected Sister in Law

Dear Disrespected Sister in Law, Congratulations on your new home and congratulations on maintaining your finances. I would like to commend you for being a good wife holding your tongue this long. Know that it is really his responsibility to handle his family when you have a problem and your place to handle yours. You know how family is. They will stay mad at the in-law forever but forgive their family member in a minute. So let’s all stay in our lane.

Yes, I feel your drift and I would be pissed off as well, if she was beating me spending my money on her entertainment. Don’t let the devil fool you. You don’t really have a problem.

However, your real beef is with your husband. I truly believe you need to have a word with your husband first. He evidently does not give you enough credit when speaking to his family. It sounds like your husband is playing the wealthy big brother role and the little sister is riding out on it. I believe everything will change instantly, if your husband would simply say, “You are going to have to talk to Brenda about that, she handles all our finances now.”

Next time she comes over like she has full reign, be nice, but ask her “Where are you going?” “What are you doing?” “Ask her what are you looking for?” Treat her like family and speak up for yourself without being nasty. Talk to her about her future and talk about options. It’s not what you say but how you say it.

All you in-laws, you need to check yourself and remember to treat others like you want to be treated. How would you feel if your man’s sister was treating you like you were a side piece? Most of you know your brothers did not have much until they got a help mate (a wife). Start treating your sisterin-laws like a true sister. Marriages have enough to contend with without you being a part of the problem. If you got a good sister in law you need to be praying she does not leave.

Mark Pitts, Chief Operating Officer, of Vinik Sports Group

Mark Pitts is making Black History in America and in the Hockey League. Born in France and raised in Oklahoma City, this Black man is the Chief Operating Officer of the Vinik Sports Group (VSG) and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Mark Pitts stands over six feet tall and is a family man. He is a member of the illustrious Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Mark pledged at the University of Oklahoma, Zeta Omega Chapter.

He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from the University of Oklahoma and his Executive MBA from Emory University.

Mark presently works alongside CEO, Steve Griggs, providing strategic leadership and development for the senior management team. He also identifies new business lines, increases revenue, and pursues innovating possibilities to enhance and grow the organization.

As a member of the executive leadership team, he leads and drives the operational vision, strategy and goals for VSG and the Lightning. In other words, this brother is good at what he does.

Mark has been leading for a long time. He spent almost three decades

as Group Vice President of Foodservice and On-Premise with Coca-Cola Beverages Florida. He also held positions with Burger King Account Team as Vice President National Sales and Vice President of the Bottling Investments Group (BIG). The BIG group operated all Coca-Cola Company owned bottling companies in 18 countries, generating $12 billion in revenue and employing more than 65,000 employees.

Mark completed his tenure with The Coca-Cola Company as a member of an elite team that facilitated the transition of processes, resources, tools, initiatives, and communications to support the formation of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida (Coke Florida), the independently owned bottling and distribution company with exclusive sales and distribution rights in Florida. Coke Florida is the fourth-largest

black owned business in the United States, the largest in the state of Florida, employing more than 4,600 associates and generating over $1.5 billion in annual sales.

Committed to community service with a legacy of giving back, Pitts’ community footprint is extensive including previously serving as CoChair of The Coca-Cola Company United Way Campaign and Chair and President of the African American Employee Forum for The CocaCola Company. He currently serves on the boards of The Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, The Board of Trustees of Florida Southern College and Feeding Tampa Bay.

As a member of the Divine 9, a Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Fraternity and Sorority Organization, Mark is asking them all to come out on Tuesday, February 21st, and represent your organization at the game by wearing your greek paraphernalia.

You Heard It From ME

What’s next? My wife is always asking what’s next?. Hell I don’t know, but I dare not say that. I always come up with an answer. If there’s a holiday I name that. Then, her first question is “Well what are we going to do?” If I don’t have a quick answer, she always does. With this chick, it’s never a dull moment.

I am not complaining, my wife keeps us with something to look forward to ensuring we don’t bore each other to death. I am her king and she is my queen.

However I wake up every morning like every other brother and put both feet on the floor and make my way to the bathroom (lol). There my thoughts begin to form as I release and recall what I am scheduled to do. As a man and the head of household, I must be ready to adjust to whatever comes our way. I have learned, life is full of surprises, so

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By Publisher Daryl Johnson

every day I dress like I would like to be received because I often may find myself somewhere I didn’t even plan to be, interacting with new people.

I was always taught by my father Theodore Roosevelt that a first impression is a lasting impression and you never get a second chance to make a first impression. He dressed in a suit daily. So I don’t mind being overdressed but I do particularly hate to be caught under dressed. As a Black man in America, perception is everything in how we are treated. It shouldn’t be, but the harsh reality is, it is. Thus a suit coat is standard for me. It opens more doors even if they are worn with jeans. Make sure you have a few in your closet and carry one with you in the car. If you are a father of young men, make sure they have a couple too.

Now back to What’s Next for the Bay Area. Well the lightning is host-

ing a Black Heritage night at the Amalie Arena. Feb 21st and asking the Divine Nine to come out in full gear. Then March 2nd is the Black Brown College Bound luncheon hosted by HCC, Hillsborough Community College in Tampa at the convention center. Oprah’s boyfriend Attorney Stedman Graham and actor Jay Ellis of the BET Series, “The Game” are the keynote speakers. Go to BBCBSummitt.org for more information. Consider hosting a table to invite colleagues and friends to join you. .Wouldn’t it be a nice surprise if Oprah showed up with Stedman. Are they still together? I hope so, especially after all the years they have invested in each other.

On March 4th, there’s the Urban League Gala at Union Station. Yes. my wife Tampa Bay Tammy and I will be there because dinner and dancing is our thing.

However the most important question of all is “What’s next for the state of Florida?” With Governor Desantis’ hateful attacks on Black history and the censoring of books, we have to stand up for ourselves and vote Desantis out of office. With as much gerrymandering that took place around the state it may be difficult, and so many covert racist, we have a big fight ahead of us. However I believe good will prevail. We can turn the state back to purple. We start by focusing on our local politicians. In Tampa, the City Council has open positions scheduled for March 7th so remember to vote and to take someone to the polls. Stay N-TOUCH!!!

Happy wife, happy life. Happy momma, no drama.

DASH Coordinating & Marketing Partners With Brooks Realty Group For Their Grand Opening

Dash Coordinating and Marketing was thrilled to announce the grand opening of its first brick and mortar office in partnership with one of Tampa Bay’s largest minority-owned real estate groups, Brooks Realty Group (BRG)

. Dash Marketing was founded 12 years ago by Jeanette “Diva J” Hordge-Smith, a Howard graduate and native of Tampa. Dash Marketing has provided strategic marketing plans and executed high-level events for clients within various industries including non profits.

Travis Brooks, owner of BRG, started his career in 2005 and has served as the Immediate Past President and current Regional VI Vice President of the NAREB. As a Tampa native and USF graduate, he is passionate about helping others be-

come successful in their career and real estate endeavors.

The grand opening event took place on Feb. 1, 2023, at 1240 Marbella Plaza Dr. Tampa, FL. Both business-

es celebrated alongside colleagues, friends, family and community leaders including Councilmember Orlando Gudes.

Dash Coordinating & Marketing is

excited to be partnering with such an amazing company like BRG. “We are looking forward to this partnership with BRG as it allows us to expand our business into a more physical space while continuing our mission of helping clients reach their goals” said Jeanette, Founder & CEO of Dash Coordinating & Marketing.

Travis Brooks expressed his enthusiasm as well saying “This is an incredibly exciting time for both companies! We look forward to working together as partners in order to create even more opportunities for our clients.”

Through this partnership between Dash Coordinating & Marketing and BRG, both companies are poised to revolutionize the real estate industry in Tampa Bay!

Gary Hartfield hosted The Color of Wealth

The Color of Wealth

What color does wealth look like? Just take a wild guess. Is it green, black, white, blue or gray? Maybe it’s yellow or red? How about neutral? Yep, neutral is the color of wealth because wealth has no color. All races, regardless of color, look for wealth through different perspectives, prisms and possibilities with the end result being the color of money and here in America, is green.

Gary Hartfield of Tampa, Florida held his ‘Color or Wealth’ Symposium recently at the Shriners Hall in the Palm River area. This venue is quite nice and the event was sold out. People of all colors came out to listen to his panel of SME’s (subject matter experts) on how they created wealth for themselves.

A panel of ladies, from 30 to 60 years of age adorned the stage, all with tidbits of financial wisdom and information that the audience could use and digest. Following the ladies was a panel of men from 30 to 40 that also left their tidbits of information on attaining and maintain-

ing wealth in today’s times. Some were professional athletes, financial analysts, and entrepreneurs that imparted really good information on the importance of creating legacy wealth.

Also on the stage was George Tinsley, millionaire extraordinaire that owns several KFC’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken and other Pepsico Brands. George spoke on what it takes to make, mold and maintain the right spirit to grow one’s wealth, once achieved. As many rich men have said. ‘It’s far easier to make it than it is to maintain it. And many people have said ‘if it’s that easy, show me. Well if you’re looking to grow and generate generational wealth, then keep up with the G Man, Gary Hartfield.

Gary’s primary focus is to help the African American community achieve generational wealth in the Tampa community. He is well educated and has mastered the art of making money and now wants to share his successes with those that want to succeed.

National Coalition Black Women -Tampa Bay Chapter Launches Advocacy Tool kit to Educate and Activate Community

Advocacy is significant in cultivating meaningful change and awareness in the fight for policy, programs, and funding that support our fundamental rights to live safe, healthy, economically empowered, and equitable lives that are free from discrimination and injustice. To help guide proactive and effective advocacy, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBW) Tampa Bay Area Chapter launched an advocacy toolkit to support, educate and activate the community.

Advocating for causes and issues that impact our community can be overwhelming and intimidating. The toolkit provides critical advocacy and voter information, a directory of public officials serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Sarasota counties, steps on writing policy, tips on navigating the legislative process, and more, while highlighting causes and issues of importance to NCBW that impact Black woman and girls.

“With recent events adversely impacting affordable housing, a women’s right to choose, equitable and

sustainable teacher pay, egregious attacks on Florida residents, misinformation and ending of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) curriculum in universities, and the inappropriate removal of an elected official from office, it is imperative that the community activates to make their voices heard,” said NCBW Tampa Bay Area Chapter President Belinthia Berry. “The goal is for community members to use the advocacy

toolkit to fight for a greater society for themselves and future generations to come. Our voices matter but our actions are even better. It’s time to fight to win!”

The toolkit will be updated after each local, state, and national election to maintain current information on public officials and issues of importance to NCBW and communities served. To access the toolkit, visit https://nc100bwtampabay.org.

For more information contact Belinthia Berry at nc100bw.tampabay@ gmail.com.

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Incorporated is a 42-yearold advocacy organization whose vision is that Black women and girls will live in a world where socio-economic inequity does not exist. Thus, we advocate on behalf of Black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education, and economic empowerment. As a voice for millions of Black women and girls in the United States, the Coalition believes in inclusion, respect, racial and social justice, integrity, accountability, and collaboration. For more information visit the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. at www.ncbw.org.

We operate as a non-profit organization exclusively for charitable, educational, and social purposes and are organized for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1954.

Go Ahead And Get Your Laugh On

Old Folk

I know I shouldn’t have done this, but I am 83 years old and I was in the McDonald’s drive-through this morning and the young lady behind me leaned on her horn and started mouthing something because I was taking too long to place my order. So when I got to the first window I paid for her order along with my own.

The cashier must have told her what I’d done because as we moved up she leaned out her window and waved to me and mouthed “Thank you.”, obviously embarrassed that I had repaid her rudeness with kindness.

When I got to the second window I showed them both receipts and took her food too. Now she has to go back to the end of the queue and start all over again.

Don’t blow your horn at old people, they have been around a long time.

The Tractorr

Wife: There is a problem with the tractor. It has water in the carburetor.

Husband: Water in the carburetor?

That’s ridiculous.

Wife: I’m telling you the tractor has water in the carburetor.

Husband: You don’t even know where the carburetor is. Where’s the tractor?

Wife: In the pool.

Helicopter Lessons

A blonde was taking helicopter lessons.

The instructor said, “I’ll radio you every 1000 feet to see how you’re doing.”

At 1000 feet, the instructor radioed her and said she was doing great. At 2000 feet, he said she was still doing well.

Right before she got to 3000 feet, the propeller stopped, and she twirled to the ground.

The instructor ran to where she crash-landed and pulled her out of the helicopter. “What went wrong?”

The blonde said, “At 2500 feet, I started to get cold, so I turned the big fan off.”

College Students

A college student is pulling a cow along a busy street in Texas holding up traffic during rush hour.

A cop stops the student, and asks, “What the HELL are you doing, pulling a COW on this busy street causing this traffic jam?!!

Student: “I’m taking her home to my apartment up the road!”

Cop: “An apartment?!! So you live in a nice big apartment, huh?!

“Student: “No…my friends and I live on the third floor, and my Doctor says I need a lot of fresh milk, so I thought I’d buy a cow…

.”Cop: “ YEAH, YEAH, I GET IT! .. but, if you even manage to get the cow UP there, where will you KEEP her?!”

Student: “I’ll keep her in the living room.”

Cop: “IN THE LIVING ROOM??!! What about all the Do Do and filth, the noise, and the stinking smell??!!

Student: “Oh, …. She’ll soon get used to THAT, won’t you, Daisy Bell?”

Marylou...

A husband was sitting quietly reading his paper one morning, peacefully enjoying himself, when his wife sneaks up behind him and whacks him on the back of the head with a huge frying pan.

“What the heck was that for!” he asked.

She replies, “I found a piece of paper in your pants pocket with the name Marylou written on it...”

“Oh, dear, remember two weeks ago when I went to the horse races? Well, Marylou was the name of one of the horses I placed a bet on.”

The explanation seems to appease her, and she leaves the room to go about her business.

Three days later, the man is again sitting in his chair reading the morning paper. His wife abruptly hangs up the telephone and then whacks him on the back of the head with the huge frying pan. “What the heck did I do wrong this time!” he asked.

She answered, “Your horse just called!”

Old and Married

An elderly couple is vacationing in the West. Sam always wanted a pair of authentic cowboy boots. Seeing some on sale one day, he buys them, wears them home, walking proudly. He walks into their room and says to his wife, “Notice anything different, Bessie?”

Bessie looks him over. “Nope.”

Sam says excitedly, “Come on, Bessie, take a good look. Notice anything different about me?”

Bessie looks again. “Nope.”

Frustrated, Sam storms off into the bathroom, undresses, and walks back into the room completely naked except for the boots. Again he asks, a little louder this time, “Notice anything different?”

Bessie looks up and down and says, “Sam, what’s different? It was hanging down yesterday, it’s hanging down today and it will be hanging down tomorrow!”

Furious, Sam yells, “And do you know why its hanging down, Bessie? It’s hanging down because it’s looking at my new boots!”

Bessie replies, “Should’a bought a hat, Sam!”

Canada

An American couple is driving through Canada and stops at a gas station to fuel up.

As the man goes into the station to pay, his wife calls out to him, “ask them where we are!”

So the husband walks in, pays, and asks, “by the way, where are we?”

To which the attendant answers, “Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.”

The man goes back to his car and the wife asks, “where are we?”

“He doesn’t speak English” replies the husband.

Cheerful Giver

I met a girl outside the mall crying because she lost $200, so I gave her $40 from the $200 I found. When God blesses you, you must bless others.

UGLY WITCH

A lady was walking down Water Street in St. John’s, when she spotted a large parrot outside in front of a shop. As she walked by, the bird eyed her, cocked his head, then squawked loudly, “Hello, you big… fat…. UGLY… WITCH!!!”Nonplussed, the lady walked on. The next day, she went by the same shop, and the same parrot was out enjoying the sun. And once again, he eyed her, cocked his head, and squawked, “Hello, you big… fat… UGLY… WITCH!!!”This time, rather offended, she hurried past. When this happened the third day in a row, she had had enough. She entered the shop and complained to the owner.“If you’re going to teach your bird to say such rude things”, she told him, “you ought to keep him indoors.”The proprietor apologized profusely. “Don’t worry, ma’am, that bird’s got a right attitude, he does. I’ll have a talk with him, and I assure you it won’t happen again.”

So a couple days later, the lady is walking down Water Street again. She sees the same parrot. With a little trepidation, she squares her shoulders and keeps on walking. When she’s close, the parrot cocks his head, eyes her, and squawks, “Hello………….” then winks and says, “YOU know!!!”

TEXTING

My uncle just texted me and asked what does IDK mean, and I replied: I don’t know and he said, “damn, nobody does”.