JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

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AUTUMN RUSSELL

Vice President, Diversity & Economic Inclusion, MAGNET: Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network

AISHA CHILDERS

Founder, Let's Make a Change

A New Financial Perspective: With Failure Comes Wisdom ... P6

Beletu (Belé) Wondwossen Founder / Publisher Shelley M. Shockley Managing Editor Writers Shelley M. Shockley Marsha Walker Eastwood Brittany Garrett Rhonda Crowder Creative Belé Wondwossen Jason Garrett Cover Story: Shelley Shockley Photo: Alvin Smith/Urban Design Suite Contributing Writers Rhonda Crowder Michelle Phillips Fay Marianna Marron Letitia Nall Stephanie Phelps Kimberly Smith-Woodford

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From the Editor:

Optimistically Welcome to 2021, a new year and a new decade. We're all a little giddy with wonder as we seek to optimistically walk into this new journey. There's an air of excitement, and who doesn't need excitement after the experiences of 2020.

As I contemplated what to discuss in this column, I thought we could look back on the year through words.

What were we saying, and what words resonated with us?

When the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in the United States on January 20, 2020, searches on the Merriam-Webster dictionary website for “coronavirus” skyrocketed, giving it the largest year over year percentage of searches with a 162,551% increase over 2019.

Merriam-Webster's data however indicated the Word of the Year 2020 was pandemic, writing, “The first big spike in dictionary lookups for pandemic took place on February 3rd, the same day that the first COVID-19 patient in the U.S. was released from a Seattle hospital. That day, the word pandemic was looked up 1,621% more than it had been a year previous, but close inspection of the dictionary data shows that searches for the word had begun to tick up consistently starting on January 20th, the date of the first positive case in the U.S.” Other words experiencing a spike in lookups included, Defund, Mamba, Quarantine, and Asymptomatic. The connotation with each of these words does not exude happiness or joy. Let's face it 2020 was the year of extreme challenges. The coronavirus, a pandemic, the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, his young daughter, and six others, mass quarantines, social and civic unrest, and more than 400,000 Americans dying as a result of complications from coronavirus. So, when you look back at the last year, we are all suffering from some form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

To begin this new decade let's all inhale, that's it. Take a deep breath, now slowly release it, and exhale! It's been that kind of year. Most of us have experienced things we never dreamed would occur and are searching for joy in the new year.

Even with all of the year's challenges, on a whole, I would have to say that 2020 was a pretty good year for me. With the onset of the virus and quarantining, I began a daily regimen that included prayer and devotion followed by bicycling every morning for a minimum of an hour, followed by writing for an hour before checking into work in the virtual environment. This pivot proved to be something my mom always stressed, “You can do anything you put your mind to, just reach for the stars.”

By reaching for the stars, I reacquainted myself with nature while improving my overall health. That's a good thing. It also distracted me from all of the chaos and sadness surrounding me. I wasn't immune to the challenges of the world, but I also didn't let them consume me. How did you manage in 2020? Did you develop any new practices? I would love to hear about them. Connect with me in the new year at shelleyshockley@gmail.com.

As always we seek to inspire, enlighten and introduce you to Phenomenal Women in our community seeking to 4 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

Shelley M. Shockley

walking into 2021 advance positive change and this edition is no different. We highlight two women Autumn Russell and Aisha Childers, each of them in their own way are working to bring about positive change in northeast Ohio.

In the cover feature, we introduce you to Autumn Russell, Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion, Early College Early Career, MAGNET: Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network. Russell grew up on the northeast side of Cleveland and always longed for better. Her home was her safe haven, but the activities taking place in inner-city neighborhoods from violence and drug abuse leave many of our young people growing up without hope. Russell was fortunate to have a mother who lived with hope in her heart and passed that on to her children, something a large number of our young people don't have. She wanted to be the change agent to help restore hope, and show everyone that if you see, dream it, and believe it you can create it. To learn more about this dynamic woman, check out the cover story.

Aisha Childers did not grow up in the inner-city; she was raised in Shaker Heights, a diverse eastern suburb of Cleveland. Shaker borders the city of Cleveland's Buckeye-Woodland community so as residents of suburbia travel north they encounter the challenges faced in urban communities. Childers looked around as she traveled northeast Ohio and believed in her heart “community service” is the key to helping the less fortunate, the marginalized members of our communities.

Armed with a desire to help marginalized members of the community, she has established several non-profit businesses in effort to reach back and help her brothers and sisters. From daycare to job readiness and mentoring, Childers is making an example in Cleveland. Be sure to read her story then ask yourself if you are doing all that you can to aid the community.

In each issue we bring attention to financial issues that will give you the information you need when making critical decisions about your money. This issue is no different, columnist Marsha Walker Eastwood uses her own experiences to enlighten us on the fine print found in insurance policies.

Insurance policies are the necessary evil that we all hate to pay for, but when the accident occurs, we are overjoyed with our decision. Did you know that you should regularly review these policies? Most of us don't read them from cover-to-cover when we purchase them, so now that you have more time on your hands, check out Walker Eastwood's column and then read your policies from start to finish while taking notes so you don't miss anything you want to ask your agent about. When the process is done you just might increase your monthly discretionary fund account.

As is customary we have recipes and many other tidbits of information to keep you informed. So, take a load off and set aside some time for you and some reading that puts you first. Self-care is a must for a beautiful, powerful woman. Until next time, be safe, wash your wands frequently and wear your mask when in public.

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COVER 03

ADVANCE IN YOUR CAREER AND LIFE THIS YEAR

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OPTIMISTICALLY WALKING INTO 2021 Shelley M. Shockley

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A NEW FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE WITH FAILURE COMES WISDOM Marsha Walker Eastwood

AUTUMN RUSSELL

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A Cleveland native, Russell grew up on Cleveland's east side, the youngest and only girl raised by a single mom working a full-time job and sometimes two jobs to provide for her family. The neighborhood, m u c h l i ke t h o s e i n o t h e r Midwestern cities, was plagued by poverty, gangs, drugs, and violence. Areas that leave youth with not much to look forward to, but Russell dreamed big with hopes to see the brighter side of life beyond the couple blocks she called home.

FEATURES AISHA CHILDERS PAGE 24

DELICIOUS RECIPES

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For Founder and Executive Director of Let's Make a Change Organization, Aisha Childers, all that matters is uplifting the c o m m u n i t y, p a r t i c u l a r l y marginalized members of the community. To thrive in society, Childers early on saw education and creating opportunities as a necessity.

CELEBRATING

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A New Financial Perspective With Failure Comes Wisdom Failure is one of those things we hate to talk or think about.

The very fact that we cannot master a task makes us feel awkward By: Marsha Walker Eastwood, and out of control, for B.S.Ed, MSHSV defeat whether large or PWM Contributing Writer small makes us question our ability to get it right. Sometimes it takes more than once to realize that perhaps the puzzle we try so passionately to solve may be just beyond our reach, and at some point, as Joel Osteen so eloquently stated, “You must make a decision that you are going to move on.

It will not happen automatically. You will have to rise up and say, 'I don't care how hard this is, I don't care how disappointed I am, I'm not going to let this get the best of me. I'm moving on with my life.” But if we look closer at the failure, we will discover that it was filled with teaching moments that can serve us well as we move on These days it is hard to watch television without becoming acquainted and virtually entwined with the lives of Flo from Progressive, Jake from State Farm, Doug and his emu who represent Liberty Mutual, the Good Hands Man and Mayhem who are pitch people who represent Allstate, Martin the Gecko and rappers Cecil Glenn and Steve Gibson better known as Tag Team who do their thing for Geico. Their collective purpose is to sell auto insurance that will protect you, the insured from a variety of perils, however, what they are also doing is sending subliminal messages about an array of property and casualty insurance, and life, health, and accident insurance as well.

I recently had an opportunity to work for one of the companies and all I had to do was to pass the test for a personal lines license which included being able to sell auto and homeowners insurance. The course and the exam were paid for, and the minute I began the training, I knew I had embarked on the path of failure. It was an online, self-study course. The more information that was presented to me the more confused I became and there was no help available to answer questions which no doubt contributed to my failing the test not once but twice. For some, the third time is the charm, but I discovered that the company presenting the course had a 49% pass rate.

Unfortunately, I did not do due diligence and check out the company before signing up and paying to take it a third time. Failure had now taken up residence in my head and my heart. With a little introspection I realized that the real reason for my failure was simple, I was just not interested in the finer points of auto and homeowner insurance. That lack of interest made it difficult for my brain to retain the information. After I adjusted my mindset, I quickly 6 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

discovered how little most people really know about their policies of protection, myself included.

Some years ago when I decided to buy a house, I became obsessed with the search. After I found just the right one at the right price and a bank that would give me a low interest mortgage, I was so happy I could hardly contain my joy. The banker asked me if I had car insurance and I informed him that I did. The agent helped me with the details and the next thing I knew I had “bundled” with my car insurance carrier. I signed on the dotted lines, of which there were many and prepared to make the big move. A few days later two enormous envelopes arrived – one from the bank and one from the insurance company.

The print was so small, and the number of pages and subpages seemed to go on endlessly.

I read the declaration page and then put them both in my file cabinet drawer as I am sure many policyholders do. In retrospect I realize that was mistake number one, and perhaps the main reason I failed the recent test.

My trust in the agent and the insurance company to do the right thing for me if I ever needed them afforded me a false sense of security. I discovered this was not the case when I became involved in a dog bite case. It never even occurred to me that that type of event could be covered.

The ensuing lawsuit forced me to become familiar with certain provisions of the policy and fortunately my law enforcement training and investigations training prevented the plaintiff from getting into those deep pockets of my insurer and potentially creating a negative claims history and an increase in my premiums.

If failing the test taught me anything it reinforced the adage that knowledge is power. The course and the tests were tantamount to reading every single line of my car and auto policies and then committing all that information to memory. But it did much more than that. It created a new understanding of the terminology used in my personal lines' coverage from the simple to the complex. I learned what I was paying for and why, what I needed or did not, and how not to be influenced by those soap opera styled commercials.

The purpose of personal lines insurance is risk transference which is defined as a risk management and control strategy that involves the contractual shifting of a pure risk from one party to another. One example is the purchase of an insurance policy, by which a specified risk of loss is passed from the policyholder to the insurer. As simplistic as the definition is, it is also extraordinarily complex for someone looking to buy a homeowner's insurance policy. If you are like me and a lot of other consumers, what is the meaning of pure risk.

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I learned from my failure that pure risks are risks that have no possibility of a positive outcome, something bad will happen or nothing at all will occur. The most common examples are key property damage risks, such as floods, fires, earthquakes, and hurricanes. In other words, mostly natural disasters. But within that context not all of those disasters are covered, most notably earthquakes and floods. These events are called perils which are specific causes of damage to a person or policy.

Defined by insurance carriers, there are 16 basic peril types that are commonly covered by a "named perils" insurance policy. However, this is not a universal list.

Exactly what is or isn't covered in your policy can vary based on your insurance company, your location and the type of insurance policy you bought, so it's essential you read your own policy in detail to know what it covers. They are sometimes called "perils insured against," and you can usually find yours in the "Perils Insured Against" section of your homeowners or renter's insurance policy. For example, in some coastal areas, wind damage may not be included by default and will require a separate endorsement. And if you have an open perils policy, that means you will not have any perils listed, only exceptions.

It was at this point that I realized not reading the fine print of these policies is much like the self-study course, a disaster in the making and a perilous exercise that could have been approached by the who, what, where, when and how method. I was gaining knowledge by the day but in bits and pieces making it difficult to connect the dots.

Once the pressure was off, I began to absorb the

knowledge like a sponge. By failing, I was not only learning about personal lines, but I was also able to practically apply that knowledge in a way that I could understand the significance of each paragraph, section, and subsection.

In other words, failing the test made me understand exactly what I was paying for with my premiums. That presented me with the knowledge to “shop around” and pay for only what I needed.

There were some surprises along the way. I learned the importance of the personal injury coverage under the liability clause in my policy that also includes protection against an accusation of slander. Given the popularity of social media, Investopedia cites this example, “Imagine you wrote a blog comment asserting that its author received a dishonorable discharge from the military. If the claim made in that post is false, then this certainly appears to be a case of defamation. However, if it is a true statement, there can be no claim of defamation. Yet, even if the statement is false, the blog's owner may not care very much what people believe about their exit from the military. In such a case, their audience may also not care much, making the statement potentially not defamatory.”

Sometimes when all is said and done, failure can be the greatest teacher of all. Had I never gone down that path, I would have never been remotely interested in reading my entire homeowners and auto policies, and with that understanding there may be some financial reward in making a more informed decision when it comes to protecting my assets. g

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THE HILL WE CLIMB

Amanda Gorman recites her inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb," during the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. (DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II) 8 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?

The loss we carry, a sea we must wade.

We've braved the belly of the beast, We've learned that quiet isn't always peace, and the norms and notions of what just is isn't always just-ice.

And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it.

Somehow we do it.

Somehow we've weathered and witnessed a nation that isn't broken, but simply unfinished.

We the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president only to find herself reciting for one.

And yes we are far from polished.

Far from pristine.

But that doesn't mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.

We are striving to forge a union with purpose, to compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man.

And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.

We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.

We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another.

We seek harm to none and harmony for all.

Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true, that even as we grieved, we grew, that even as we hurt, we hoped, that even as we tired, we tried, that we'll forever be tied together, victorious.

Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.

Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree and no one shall make them afraid.

If we're to live up to our own time, then victory won't lie in the blade.

But in all the bridges we've made, that is the promise to glade, the hill we climb.

If only we dare.

It's because being American is more than a pride we inherit, it's the past we step into and how we repair it.

We've seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it.

Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.

And this effort very nearly succeeded.

But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated.

In this truth, in this faith we trust.

For while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.

This is the era of just redemption we feared at its inception.

We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour but within it we found the power to author a new chapter.

To offer hope and laughter to ourselves.

So while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe?

Now we assert, How could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?

We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be.

A country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free.

We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation, because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation.

Our blunders become their burdens.

But one thing is certain, If we merge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy, and change our children's birthright.

So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left with.

Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest, we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.

We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the west.

We will rise from the windswept northeast, where our forefathers first realized revolution.

We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the midwestern states.

We will rise from the sunbaked south.

We will rebuild, reconcile and recover.

And every known nook of our nation and every corner called our country, our people diverse and beautiful will emerge, battered and beautiful.

When day comes we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid, the new dawn blooms as we free it.

For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it.

If only we're brave enough to be it.

Take Advantage of Telemedicine for Better Health

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f there is a silver lining to the challenges the past year created for families, it may be the growth, availability and affordability of virtual care for medical and mental health needs. The ability to see a doctor from home, with little notice, offers a level of flexibility in accessing health care that was historically quite rare.

Virtual care, or telemedicine, can span a wide range of services to address a family's health needs without going to a doctor's office and provides easy access to experts and specialists via phone and video. Plus, telemedicine services are covered by most insurance providers.

“Telemedicine is a safe and practical way to access health care for the entire family,” said Dr. Desreen N. Dudley, a clinical psychologist and behavioral health quality consultant for Teladoc. “For example, Teladoc has thousands of care providers across all 50 states that let members quickly connect with a doctor or specialist who can provide peace of mind any hour of the day or night.”

From care for specific illnesses to managing ongoing concerns, learn how accessing telemedicine might be a good fit for your family's health care needs.

Everyday Illnesses In the past, if your doctor's office couldn't get you in to help treat conditions like allergies, sinus infections or other common illnesses, urgent care was one of your few remaining options. Now, virtual care can be increasingly relied upon to conveniently address non-emergency needs and everyday illnesses in place of urgent care.

Specialty Care Even with a referral, it can take weeks or months to get an appointment with some specialists. One example is dermatology. Instead of waiting months to be seen by a dermatologist, with a virtual provider, you can seek and receive treatment a matter of hours.

Mental Health As a result of the pandemic and related social implications, many organizations are reporting substantial upticks in requests for mental health support and anticipate telemedicine will outlive the pandemic. In fact, phone and video visits for mental health have been shown to be as effective as in-person treatment, according to the Telemental Health Institute.

Wellness Care Most people think of their health needs in terms of reactive care for known problems, but it can also be useful for wellness care, such as nutrition. With more families cooking meals at home during the pandemic, registered dietitians can provide virtual consultations to help ensure everyone, including family members with special dietary needs, receives proper nutrients.

Expert Advice If you're unsure about a diagnosis, need help choosing treatment, have medical questions or concerns, or want an expert's advice or second opinion, some virtual care providers can connect you with leading specialists to give you the answers and confidence you need to make informed decisions about your family's health.

Learn more about how virtual care may work for your family at Teladoc.com.

Take Charge of Your Mental Health Between virtual school, safe playdates and working from home, lives have been interrupted in countless ways by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those is the impact on mental health. These tips from Dudley can help make your mental health a priority.

Engage in self-care. Self-care should be prioritized along with your work or family priorities. Make time to reconnect with family and friends by phone or video chat and allow kids to do the same. Remember asking for help, including seeking mental health counseling, is a form of self-care, too.

Change expectations. Give yourself and your family grace, embrace flexibility and let go of your pursuit of perfection. Be patient and give yourself a “timeout” when challenges arise. For example, wait to address kids' negative behaviors until you are less frustrated and stop apologizing for things like children making noise in the background of calls.

Keep a structured routine. Even if your regular schedule is off due to virtual school or other factors, maintaining routines like regular bedtimes allows for more time to get things done and unwind. Similarly, focus on your responsibilities during the day then catch up with kids and non-essential activities after work hours.

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How to Teach Children About Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Children develop their identities right alongside their abilities to crawl, walk, talk and recognize letters. There's also a common misconception that children are “colorblind.”

because their legs work differently, and they need help moving around. By answering their questions, children can learn differences aren't bad or embarrassing – they're what make each person unique and special.

However, studies have found children can show signs of racial bias at an early age, with psychologists from Northwestern University finding children as young as 4 may be picking up on cues of intolerance from adults around them. Children may not understand prejudice or racial bias, but from their earliest days, they absorb and mimic attitudes that are held by the adults in their lives.

Reflect the diversity of the world within your own home. Books are an easy way to help children learn about diversity because stories are natural conversation starters. Look for books with diverse main characters who have different races, ethnicities, backgrounds and abilities, and reflect a number of family structures. As you read together, talk about the differences and similarities between the characters and your children using simple, clear language. It's important to ensure your children see themselves in the toys, books and media around them.

Children feel welcome and important when their identity and their families' identities are represented in their world.

“For children, differences are a way of learning about themselves and others, a way of building their sense of self and a place in their family and community,” said Dr. Elanna Yalow, KinderCare Education's chief academic officer. “Children will naturally look to their parents and caregivers for explanations about the diversity they see in their world and what those differences can or should mean. That's why it's so important to help even the youngest children learn how to embrace diversity in a way that's respectful and celebrates different cultures, backgrounds and experiences.”

Understanding and addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion can be challenging, which is why some parents may shy away from having these conversations with their children. Yalow offers these tips to help parents lay the foundation for honest and developmentally appropriate discussions.

Start by acknowledging differences. To ignore differences among people is to ignore a part of the person.

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Build empathy. Go beyond the common refrain, “put yourself in someone else's shoes,” and ask your children why it is important to understand other people's perspectives. Help your children think of times they learned something about someone else and how that knowledge helped them be better friends or family members. Empathy can help children comprehend the lasting, harmful impact inequality and exclusion can have and show them why it's important for them to understand, respect and appreciate differences.

“Learning about and celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion are lifelong commitments,” Yalow said. “Children have the benefit of approaching these topics with a fresh perspective and a strong sense of what's fair and unfair – skills that will help them build a better future for everyone.”

To learn more about talking with your children about differences, visit kindercare.com/dei.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

Patricia S. Cowings (born 1948) is an aerospace psychophysiologist, and was the first African American woman scientist to be trained as an astronaut by NASA (though Sally Ride was the first American woman to fly in space). Although she was an alternate for a space flight in 1979 she did not travel to space. She is most well known for her studies in the physiology of astronauts in outer space, as well as helping find cures for astronaut's motion sickness.

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AISHA CHILDERS, MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY For Founder and Executive Director of Let's Make a Change Organization, Aisha Childers, all that matters is uplifting the community, particularly marginalized members of the community. To thrive in society, Childers early on saw education and creating opportunities as a necessity.

Raised and educated in the beautiful city of Shaker Heights, Childers completed high school and joined the University of Akron where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in child and family development. Growing up she learned from her parents to work hard, practice good morals and that she could accomplish anything she set her mind to do. Faith and gratitude were deeply rooted as well.

Childers vividly recalls, “As a family we had to overcome multiple struggles including, financial stress, addiction, and incarceration.” Nonetheless, these setbacks never

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deterred her from accomplishing her goal of making a positive difference in the community. The visionary Childers always saw the big picture and never allowed her past to define her future.

In 2014, she established an organization, Let's Make a Change, to `teach, inspire, and support our community by providing them with resources and quality to reach their goals and become resilient to life stressors and obstacles.’

Through this umbrella organization, she designed and implemented well-thought-out and professionally crafted programs.

Following its establishment, Let's Make a Change partnered with The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to conduct after-school programming. The program included mentoring for teens with a focus on self identity, resiliency, defeating weakness and stressors.

In 2016, Aisha opened the doors to Let's Make a Change Enrichment Center to provide quality child care services to families in need. The Center's mission is to “promote personal and educational success to youth and young adults which encourages them to become productive members of society.” The Center currently houses a toprated child care facility, along with programming and services including cognitive behavioral learning workshops, job readiness training in collaboration with Bite Creole Kitchen, Feed The Streets Food Mission, and a mom's group.

Let's Make a Change Enrichment Center implements daily activities using state-of-the-art and creative curriculum and currently holds five stars in the “Step Up to Quality” rating system used by the state of Ohio. Childers stated, “I have a deep passion inside me, forged by my own experiences, to energize the youth that live in our own backyards.” She particularly focuses on those who are left behind and have no means to thrive and said, “I am inspired to reach those with extremely limited resources and opportunities to be engaged in their own education, and those who have to overcome challenges and obstacles to thrive in their own neighborhoods.”

In 2019, Childers launched from her own resources, the non-profit organization, Making a Change Foundation and currently serves as its president. The Foundation promotes personal and educational success to underprivileged people in Northeast Ohio. It firmly believes it can combat the struggle of poverty and help build endless opportunities to grow and advance in ones career and lifestyle.

Among others, Childers' Foundation strives to provide quality home program for young women who are eager to focus on personal development, educational success, and entrepreneurship in a quality living environment.

After acknowledging the lack of quality opportunities for young adults, thus stunting their growth, Childers opened Bite Creole Kitchen, a new restaurant in Cleveland that not only delivers quality food, but provides job training skills, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurial internships to young adults in an effort to support their growth and development. In addition to employing young adults, Bite has consistently been feeding the less fortunate on a monthly basis.

If these initiatives were not enough, Childers also runs Let's Make a Change Mentoring Program, which offers 'previously scarce opportunities to children in impoverished neighborhoods, and provides them with resources and opportunities to become productive members of society.' What makes the Program stand out is that it enables children to be exposed to activities that

may not be available through school and community programs and would be beneficial to their development.

Thanks to the support of partners and parents, Childers continues to implement programs, but she concedes that consistent support on a sustainable basis is necessary to fully deliver her objectives. She noted, “To reach our maximum potential as a whole it is really important to have their full support.” Her community service work includes raising funds for underprivileged children to receive school supplies, planting gardens, mentoring teens, coaching a cheerleading team and providing educational resources.

Childers is also concerned about the issue of mental health, specifically the lack of services. At University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Childers serves as a Mental Health Group Specialist in the child and adolescent psychiatry unit.

Mental health problems, a serious threat to our livelihood have resulted in countless premature deaths. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (51.5 million in 2019). Mental illnesses include many different conditions varying in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe.

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positions of leadership and influence in public health so that they are able to advocate for women and minorities. Large healthcare facilities need to form real and honest relationships with women and minorities within their local communities to better serve patients who are lacking adequate health care.” She further stated, “The boards of these organizations need diversity. The boards need members who are of diverse backgrounds and who have a passion to be the voice and support for those impacted by the discrepancy in access to quality of healthcare. This will help implement stronger goals and vision for what healthcare should actually look like.”

Data from the Institute also indicated that the prevalence of Any Mental Illness, (AMI) was higher among women (24.5%) than men (16.3%). Young adults aged 18-25 years had the highest prevalence of AMI (29.4%) compared to adults aged 26-49 years (25.0%) and aged 50 and older (14.1%).

Childers underscored the importance of tackling the issues of mental health problems as she explained, “Mental health is a serious concern for our community, however, it is often negatively perceived within our culture. I think that we have to change the narrative of how mental health is viewed. Instead of people seeing it as a person having “something wrong” with them we should look at mental health as a form of self-care.” She continued, “Viewing mental health as preventative care as opposed to an intervention method could help lower the rate of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Being proactive and understanding versus reactive or judgmental could really help our community.”

Childers didn't hesitate to bring up the broader issue of ensuring adequate health care coverage for the society.

In particular, she stressed that more attention needs to be made towards women and minority communities who continue to be disproportionately affected from lack of access to sufficient health care.

Childers is grateful to her family and mentors who supported and paved her way to success.

Her mom has deeply influenced who she is today and has served as a role model for her.

She said, “God blessed me by placing several influential women in my life who exposed me to different things that helped give me the confidence and assurance that I am capable of accomplishing anything regardless of any obstacles that I may face. Some of these great women are Terri London (God-Sister), Norva Ezell (God-Aunt), and Nancy Straughter (God-Grandmother).”

Childers' busy schedule no doubt creates stress in her life.

To help ease it, she utilizes her time wisely and plans effectively. She said, “I have a three-year-old daughter who watches me and models my behavior so I am mindful as to how I navigate all of my duties and responsibilities. I make time for just me and her to engage in meaningful activities. She continued, “I allow myself to indulge in things that bring me joy without feeling guilty. I also delegate duties when possible. Childers is not sure what is next for her, but stressed, “I will continue to seek God's guidance as to how He wants me to navigate through life.”

So what are her messages to women and the community, “As women we must learn to love one another and not be envious of one's success - we should congratulate, learn, and encourage. As far as our community is concerned, we must do better on a small scale which will have a cause and effect impact in a larger way that will lead to change and improvement. Simple things such as warm greetings, expressions of gratitude or consideration, or checking on a neighbor are where it begins. Being genuine to others could help heal us as a whole and encourage a different lifestyle for our culture.” < For more information, visit: www.letsmakeachange2.org

To narrow the gap and improve the situation, Childers suggested, “We need more minorities and women in 14 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

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PHOTOS: ALVIN SMITH 16 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

AUTUMN RUSSELL Turning Her Vision Into Reality Nearly 40 years ago, a tide swept through the Midwestern United States, taking away the lifeblood that had driven the growth of many metropolitan areas, including Northeast Ohio. That tide led to the renaming of the region as America's rust belt. No longer were the standard industries of steelmaking, automobile production, and all of the additional jobs needed, so shuttered factories meant lost jobs and cities' decimation.

In that time, Cleveland and the surrounding areas have fought to reinvent their job markets into technology and healthcare hubs leaving behind a large percentage of the working-class citizens. Leaders in the manufacturing industry and local community colleges have also been working to reinvent that industry through the use of technology to increase efficiency and rebuild the workforce.

Locally, the non-profit consulting group MAGNET (The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network) has worked to "grow the manufacturing industry and unlock prosperity in our region. Our practical consulting helps start-ups thrive, and small and medium-sized companies transform with technology, innovation, and talent. We create jobs and drive change by collaborating with manufacturing CEOs, governments, community leaders, and educators to solve problems and build opportunities," according to its website.

Playing a pivotal role in driving this change is Autumn Russell, Vice President, Diversity and Economic Inclusion, MAGNET. A Cleveland native, Russell grew up on Cleveland's east side, the youngest and only girl raised by a single mom working a full-time job and sometimes two jobs to provide for her family. The neighborhood, much like those in other Midwestern cities, was plagued by poverty, gangs, drugs, and violence. Areas that leave youth with not much to look forward to, but Russell dreamed big with hopes to see the brighter side of life beyond the couple blocks she called home.

Despite the problems outside, Russell recalls a home filled with love, structure, and hope. Her mother stressed the importance of education for one's advancement. While many parents advise their children to continue learning her Mom set the example as she attended college classes in the evening(modeling that education is key) all while

raising her and her two older brothers by herself. Her Mom who made sure that the children had no reason to turn to the streets for anything was referred as a 'model mother' in the neighborhood.

After matriculating through the Cleveland public school system, Russell continued her education at Ohio's public historically black college and university (HBCU), Central State University, located on the outskirts of Dayton, where she earned a bachelor's degree in organizational development.

Venturing out on her own away from her Mom and community was scary, but she said, "I was on a mission.

That mission was and still is to learn as much as possible, be exposed to the world outside of 103rd & St. Clair, and bring everything I learned back to my city to educate others and empower them to create change that will improve our communities."

Today, she continues that mission as she leads the charge to educate and prepare high school students in northeast Ohio, particularly those in the inner cities, about the many opportunities available to them in manufacturing.

But how did she get here, especially when she left home as a biology major with dreams of becoming a doctor? A shared vision among many young people, particularly those who are proficient in science and math. So, leaving Cleveland and heading to southern Ohio, she was all ready to become a doctor until one day she realized, "Science is not my thing."

Considering her skillset, Russell realized she had a natural ability to organize, streamline, and develop "things," therefore changing her major to Organizational Development. This exciting concept worked out in the end.

While an undergraduate at an HBCU, she said, "I enjoyed my black undergraduate experience so much, and encountered so many professors and staff that pushed and supported me, that I wanted to have the same influence on other black youth." To better equip her to achieve her goals, Russell went on to earn a Master's in Education Administration and Leadership and began her professional journey in the education field soon after.

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Over the years, Russell has served in various leadership capacities with educational institutions at the K-12, postsecondary and state levels including Cleveland Metropolitan School District (where she was once a student), Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland State University, and the Ohio Department of Education before entering into her current work with MAGNET. With this extensive experience working in all levels of the education system in the state of Ohio, Russell has gathered a wealth of knowledge, giving her insight into the many challenges families face when educating their children. The levels and comprehension of education directly impact local economies as the region works to fill job vacancies and fortify the areas standing in the state and country.

Over this past year, the United States has witnessed skyrocketing unemployment rates due to the rise in coronavirus numbers and many industries' decline.

Despite these high percentages of unemployed Americans, regular reports cite hundreds of thousands of job openings.

Russell watches these trends, particularly related to manufacturing as she develops plans and strategies to reverse the course. In February of last year, she wrote an opinion piece for Crain Cleveland Business Magazine that 18 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

encouraged the workplace's diversification to answer the challenge manufacturers have filling jobs. The article cites the 2020 Ohio Manufacturing Survey, where "Sixty-three percent of manufacturers in northeast Ohio named this as their top concern." Russell's response, "diversify the workforce - including more women, people of color, the formerly incarcerated, people with disabilities, and others to fill these jobs."

Understanding diversification as a viable remedy, many in Ohio - from non-profit foundations to private-for-profit businesses joined forces to create the Early College, Early Career (ECEC) program, a long-term solution to these workforce issues. What that means, she said, "is we are creating new career opportunities and growing northeast Ohio's workforce, filling critical needs for local companies, and revitalizing communities by connecting high school students to rewarding careers in manufacturing."

ECEC is the only holistic manufacturing preapprenticeship in the nation modeled after European-style apprenticeship. Taking the best of those programs and offering inner-city and rural high school students paid internships, college credit, industry certifications, and most importantly, the potential for a high-paying manufacturing job right out of high school. The goal, Russell said, "is moving the needle on diversity, equity, and inclusion."

Reading and hearing her story, Russell is much like the quarterback on the football field - she's aware of the end zone, which is the final destination, but she has to be mindful of all the factors that present a challenge to reaching that goal. So, she needs to know where the wide receivers are and that the offensive line is ready to back her up. While working in the education sector, education was the 'key' in her mind and others' minds to uplighting minorities, but something was missing. She said, "I was making a great impact in the education sector, but I realized that good education is just one part of the puzzle to lifting up my home community. There were other issues at play including lack of access to good careers, few role models to learn from, environmental distractions, and much more that got in the way of our youth getting ahead in life."

The ability to understand the role she's playing and recognizing the many factors contributing to the problem illustrates her mind and thinking's strategic nature. After realizing this, she began studying the city's issues as a whole to help determine her next steps.

She does make a mark and is recognized, but it doesn't happen overnight or quickly. She said, "This work is complicated, difficult, and filled with the issues facing Cleveland every day, including structural bias, lack of understanding between different groups of people with different backgrounds, and confusing incentive structures in our civic community. Through this work, I now know that true change can only happen through understanding history, seeing broader perspectives, and building trustbased relationships leveraged to see beyond differences."

The recognition she has received has been external as well as internal. She was recently promoted to Vice President, leading MAGNET's diversity and inclusion efforts. This work will be in addition to her work overseeing ECEC. These positions complement each other and include working locally, regionally, and nationally to collaborate and spread the word about how diversity in the workplace can lead to improved business and community outcomes.

“

I was making a great impact in the education sector, but I realized that good education is just one part of the puzzle to lifting up my home community. There were other issues at play including lack of access to good careers, few role models to learn from, environmental distractions, and much more that got in the way of our youth getting ahead in life.

“

Russell's vision has been to help others, and through strategic planning, she has done just that. In her role with ECEC, she explains, "I facilitate collaboration between manufacturers, local school districts, and community colleges, to develop a strategy that fosters a sustainable, replicable, and scalable apprenticeship model. I am also responsible for raising awareness about our work on both a local and national scale." In 2019, Russell made over 40 speaking engagements including multiple national conferences, and traveled to 17 states (covering 33% of the country), talking about how her work is impacting the economy in Northeast Ohio.

Externally she has been featured in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Crain's Cleveland Business, and on a segment on WEWS TV-5. Additionally, she has been honored as a Crain's Cleveland Business 40 under 40, one of Crain's Cleveland Business Notable Women, a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder, an Economic Inclusion Champion, and many more.

While she has been in a lot of hard work, Russell understands she could not have achieved this success level without a team of individuals supporting and guiding her journey. She counts her mother as "a consistent influence." Joining her Mom in inspiring her, she said, "I have been blessed to have a few other women who have impacted me in each phase of my life," and these women include two high school teachers, a college Campus Mom, a professional mentor, and an executive leadership coach.

These women poured into her life and continue to be constant voices for her.

In addition to her day-to-day job, Russell finds time to volunteer. She is active in many community organizations, from Karamu House, Big Brothers Big Sisters to the National Diversity Council and Women Leaders in Economic Development (WLED).

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With all of these interests and responsibilities, the natural question is how does she balance her career with her personal life? The married mother of three girls said, "I aim for work-life integration, not to be confused with work-life balance.

Balancing life is hard for me; I have learned that integrating areas of my life reduces my stress and anxiety levels. It is the only way I'm able to do all that I do." She continued, "As a wife and mother of 3 beautiful girls, I have learned to schedule my priorities versus prioritizing my schedule. In my opinion, that is the true definition of work-life integration. My family will always be my top priority, and I develop my schedule with my family in mind.. Establishing healthy boundaries and creating a system of support are also key components. I am blessed to have an amazing husband who supports me and my work, who is always there to assist me, and our girls." She places prayer and her spirituality at the top of her list, along with a nice glass of wine from time to time.

Russell has achieved a lot. She recognizes you can't stop if you want to create change and be effective. Her next steps are "focusing on pursuing more opportunities and experiences that will help me further understand the complex tapestry of issues facing Cleveland. I'm looking forward to being a part of community-wide efforts to pioneer new initiatives, new partnerships, and new ways to move our city and region forward. We need more innovative approaches to address current and potential barriers."

To the next young girl growing up in inner-city Cleveland, Russell encourages her by stating, "Hey young girl! Yes, you! The one who people say that "you are too opinionated" "you ask too many questions," "you're too bossy," keep being you, you're sharpening your leadership skills! The world needs more of us.” <

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PHENOMENAL FACTS §

Bachelor of Science, Organizational Leadership, Central State University

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Master of Science, Education Administration and Leadership, Kaplan University

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Certified in Strategies with Equity, Harvard University

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Certified Diversity Professional, National Diversity Council

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Certified Career Pathways Leadership, National Association for Workforce Development Professionals

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Leadership Cleveland Class of 2021

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Board of Directors, Karamu House

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Board of Directors, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland

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Mentor, College Now Greater Cleveland

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Women Leaders in Economic Development

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Crain's Cleveland Business 40 under 40

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Crain's Cleveland Business Notable Woman

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Bank of America Neighborhood Builder

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Commission on Economic Inclusion Champion

PHENOMENAL WOMEN ARE BORN TO BREAK EVERY GLASS CEILING!

KAMALA HARRIS The First...

- Woman - African American - Asian American Vice President of the United States

CELEBRATING

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Now that everyone is slowly trying to get back to normal life, well as normal as lefe can be, things are picking up. Work is getting busier, functions and events are starting back up. If you were a busy person before last year, I'm sure you'll be busy again very soon.

As a wife and mother of three children, I barely have enough time to get myself dressed. Worrying about what each kid is going to wear on top of making sure they've showered and brushed their teeth, to tying shoes to helping the hubby find his socks, belt or wallet, is never easy. Helping everyone else doesn't allow enough time for a full face of makeup.

After years of failed attempts, I have developed the perfect on the go look. I tend to call this my “Mom Makeup” but it works for anyone in a hurry.

1. Foundation- This is the most important because it covers any imperfections and gives you a clean canvas to work with. You could use a liquid foundation; my favorites being Maybelline Fit Me (a drugstore brand) or on the higher end Nars soft matte foundation. If you're a powder foundation wearer, the best hands down is Mac cosmetics studio fix plus foundation.

2. Bronzer- bronzer is important because it easy to use especially being in a hurry. It warms up your face which is ideal in the winter time. It also brings back the natural dimension your face has. Bronzer goes on your cheeks towards your hair line and at the top of your forehead by your hairline. When I'm on the run, I use the bronzer and brush some into the crease of

22 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

my eyes to make it appear I have Eyeshadow on.

This again will help make your makeup look more complete without using a ton of products.

3. Brow product- brow products come down to preference but I like brow pencils. They're easy to use when you're in a rush and can just fill in sparse areas of your brows. You can also use brow powder or pomade (doesn't look as natural and usually takes a more precise hand.) My favorite brow pencil is the Benefit Cosmetic “precisely my brow” pencil.

Applying in small strokes helps it to mimic brow hairs for a natural look.

4. Mascara- Making your lashes more prominent helps to pull any look together. It makes your eyes look brighter and wider which is great if you are tired of your busy schedule. Coating not just the top but the bottom lashes as well is important to remember.

Without mascara on the bottom, it gives the illusion that you do not have bottom lashes. (Not a good look) 5. Lastly, Lipstick! When I'm in my mom makeup nothing makes me feel more sexy and powerful than a red lip. When you are going with such a subtle amount of makeup, adding a bold lip color makes the look really pop. If you're not a big lipstick wearer, adding a tinted gloss is always a great way to go.

All these products are great for that get up and go person. It's a perfect amount for a travel makeup bag if you're on the go, whether it's business or pleasure.

Nars Soft Matte

Fenty Sun Stalk'r Bronzer

Benefit Precisely My Brow

Benefit Bad Gal Bang

The Lip Bar "Bawse Lady"

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Hearty, Wholesome Dishes to Support Immune Systems

I

f feeding your family wholesome meals is a daily goal, keep in mind you can serve up tasty foods that also feed your immune system by including ingredients like mushrooms. With their earthy flavor, mushrooms – like many other fruits and vegetables – can also play a positive role in supporting a healthy immune system.

Studies at Oregon State University concluded there are a variety of micronutrients important for supporting a healthy immune system. Consider that three of these nutrients (vitamin D, selenium and B vitamins) can be found in mushrooms, meaning these family-friendly recipes for Roasted Chicken Thighs and Veggies with Mushroom Orzo Risotto; Grilled Portobello Gyros with Yogurt Dill Sauce; Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup; and Asian Barbecue Sesame Salmon with Noodles and Veggies can help you add all-important nutrients to your family's menu.

Find more ways to add mushrooms to family meals at mushroomcouncil.com.

Grilled Portobello Gyros with Yogurt Dill Sauce Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks of “Zen and Spice” Cook time: 15 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 4

Remove stems from mushrooms and brush caps with wet towel.

Using spoon, carefully scrape out gills. Slice mushrooms into 1/4inch pieces and place in medium bowl with olive oil, oregano and smoked paprika.

4 1 1/2 1/4 2

portobello mushrooms tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil teaspoon dried oregano teaspoon smoked paprika yellow bell peppers, sliced

4 2 1/2 1/2

pita breads or naan tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, thinly sliced head green lettuce crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Preheat indoor grill pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and peppers; grill, tossing occasionally, until tender, 5-7 minutes.

Yogurt Dill Sauce:

1 English cucumber, grated

1 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 small lemon, juice only

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon minced fresh dill 26 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

To make yogurt dill sauce: Squeeze grated cucumber in clean towel to remove excess liquid. Add to large bowl with yogurt, sour cream, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and dill. Stir to combine.

To serve, place mushrooms and peppers in middle of pita bread.

Top with tomatoes, onion, lettuce, feta, if desired, and big dollop of yogurt dill sauce.

Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks of “Zen and Spice” Cook time: 30 minutes Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 4 1 2 1 8 1 1 2 2 1 1 1/2 1 1/2 1 3 6 1/2 5 1 1/2

tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil cloves garlic, minced medium onion, small diced ounces crimini mushrooms, sliced jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes tablespoons tomato paste teaspoons balsamic vinegar teaspoon granulated sugar tablespoon dried basil teaspoon salt teaspoon oregano teaspoon black pepper bay leaf cups vegetable broth lasagna noodles, broken into pieces cup heavy cream ounces fresh baby spinach cup whole-milk ricotta cheese cup shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping

oregano, pepper, bay leaf and broth. Bring to boil over high heat then reduce heat to low and simmer.

Add lasagna noodles and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and remove bay leaf.

Heat large pot over medium heat.

Stir in heavy cream and spinach until wilted, 2-3 minutes.

Add olive oil, garlic, onion and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions and mushrooms soften, 4-5 minutes.

Add marinara, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, basil, salt,

Divide between bowls and top with dollop of ricotta and sprinkle of mozzarella.

Roasted Chicken Thighs and Veggies with Mushroom Orzo Risotto Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks of “Zen and Spice” Cook time: 50 minutes Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes Servings: 4 Chicken: 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs salt, to taste, pepper, to taste 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 16 ounces crimini mushrooms, quartered 3 zucchini, sliced in half moons 3 large carrots, thinly sliced 4 sprigs fresh rosemary leaves removed and roughly chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced Orzo: 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 small yellow onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 16 ounces crimini mushrooms, finely chopped 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1/3 cup white wine 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

To make chicken: Preheat oven to 450 F. Pat chicken dry. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. In large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Sear chicken until browned, 4-5 minutes on each side.

In large bowl, toss mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, garlic and rosemary. On large baking sheet, spread vegetables. Nestle chicken into vegetables. Drizzle with butter and juices from pan.

Bake 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

To make orzo: In small pot over medium-low heat, warm broth.

Using skillet from chicken, add butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften, 3-4 minutes.

Add orzo and black pepper. Stir and cook 2 minutes. Add white wine and cook until evaporated, about 1 minute.

Add warm broth to orzo 2/3 cup at a time, stirring until liquid is absorbed.

Repeat with remaining broth, waiting until last batch is absorbed before adding more. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan.

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Rethink Dessert for Better-for-You Moments

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CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Legends Leave Their Marks On The World Stage

Cicely Tyson was an American actress and fashion model. In a career spanning more than seven decades, she became known for her portrayal of strong African-American women.

Phenomenal Woman

Cecily Tyson 1924 – 2021

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GOING THE DISTANCE

FOR OUR

COMMUNITIES. At Dominion East Ohio, going the distance for our customers means more than just delivering safe, affordable natural gas. It means being a positive force in the communities we serve. Our EnergyShare® program has raised $6.8 million and helped more than 70,000 people in Ohio alone. These resources, combined with more than 6,300 volunteer hours from our employees, have benefited organizations as diverse as the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.