March- April 2018

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CHIOMA ONUKWUIRE An Engineer & Entrepreneur

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS Bowling For Kids’ Sake

Life Insurance: Smart Investment?

CATHY BELK, President, JumpStart Inc. Envisions Economic Transformation in Cleveland Communities

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Managing Editor Writers Shelley M. Shockley Ruby Lee Gamble Kimberly Smith-Woodford

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Contributing Writers Kim Brown Marsha Walker Eastwood Rhonda Crowder Michelle Phillips Fay Brittany Garrett Stephanie Phelps

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From the Editor: Shelley M. Shockley Are you renewed and ready for spring?

The calendar says spring has arrived, yet across the northeast section of the country, snow fell swiftly and with a vengeance more reminiscent of Christmas morning than a few weeks from Easter Sunday. The signs are clear if you look closely, daffodils are beginning to raise their heads and stretch out their arms in a long yawn. The days are longer leaving you more light to get in a good walk after work. It's clear a change is in the air, but are there any changes happening in your life?

Have you noticed the re-energized songs of the birds, does it lift your spirits and have you ready to go out and conquer the world? I know that's a little extreme, but I know that as I sat at my desk this afternoon and heard the birds chirping away, my face was suddenly framed by a smile and I felt the joy of anticipation.

That burst of energy did not last long but for a moment I felt rejuvenated and ready to make a change. I find myself regularly checking the forecast in anticipation of my first bike ride this season. The urge reminds me of my youth and anxiously awaiting the completion of my chores on Saturdays so that I can hop on my bike and ride until the street lights came on. That feeling of youth and newness is what makes this time of year exciting and full of hope.

So I wonder are any of you working a “side hustle” after toiling on average ten hours-a-day at your “day job”?

Sure you are, you might be creating beautiful beaded bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry. Your friends love your pieces and regularly compliment you on your latest creations, yet something stops you from taking that step into a full-fledged business. If that's you, our cover story is just the ticket for you.

Cathy Belk, president of JumpStart agreed to sit down and tell us about the work they are doing to create “economic transformation” in our communities. In her role as president, Belk helps to manage JumpStart’s relationships 4 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2018

with collaborators, funders and other community partners. In a nutshell, JumpStart wants to work with the jewelry designers, natural soap makers, the seamstress and even those of you who already have small businesses and would like to grow that business. The success and growth of small businesses will serve as the catalyst to economic prosperity in this nation and we are fortunate enough to have an organization in our backyard working to aid our efforts to grow our economy.

I would love for you to trust my judgment on the work they do but in this edition designer Chioma Onukwuire discusses her experiences with JumpStart and gives them a thumbs-up. Onukwuire, an engineer and a fashion entrepreneur works to make African fashion more accessible to people here in the US. She is a firstgeneration Nigerian-American answering the call for affordable authentic clothing from her parent's homeland.

Her journey is unique, so please take time to read up on her unique transformation.

Spring is also often a time when you want to wash away the winter blues with a new look. And if you're of a more seasoned woman that may mean a crash course on how to erase some of the signs of aging that have taken shape on your face. We have a special feature from Brittany “Blushing Brit” Garrett with tips on reducing age lines and covering up discoloration. The tips help to highlight your natural beauty and brighten your overall appearance.

If you're looking to revitalize your finances, then look no further than our regular financial literacy column by Marsha Walker Eastwood. In this edition, Eastwood offers tips on the end-of-life financial planning. The circle of life ensures that death will one day knock on our door, leaving the question – are you prepared? Do you have a life insurance policy for yourself and your loved ones or will you need to rely on the goodness of others to lay you to rest? The best plan of action is to start early, but most importantly invest in insurance to alleviate one stressor during a very difficult time in the lives of those you love.

My challenge to you this spring is to try something new.

Don't just live, enjoy the life you have been given and every once in a while throw caution to the wind and do something totally outside of your comfort zone. That's a memory you will love to recall, and that will prompt you to do even more to engage your spirit and create joy.

Enjoy the features, and if you are so moved, drop us a line and let us know how we're doing.

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CONTENTS

Coffin Kitty or Smart Investment?

COVER

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CATHY BELK 2018 Bowl For Kids' of Greater Cleveland Sake 12

President of JumpStart, Envisions Economic Transformation

Delicious Recipes

28 CHIOMA ONUKWUIRE 14 An Engineer & Entrepreneur

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At The Movies

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Life Insurance – Coffin Kitty or Smart Investment?

By: Marsha Walker Eastwood, BS.Ed, MSHSV PWM Contributing Writer

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he history of life insurance is long and storied. As far back as 700 BC, the ancient Romans set up collections to bury their friends so that whoever died next would be put away honorably. Each week a certain amount was chipped in to a “kitty” to spare the family undue angst when a wage earner died. This system was not without its pitfalls and shortcomings. After all, it was the honor system and when the “friends” died it was not incumbent upon their offspring or disinterested others to continue the trend. Contributions to the Casket Kitty were deemed to be not only a responsibility but a priority since leftover monies were used to support the widow and/or family of the deceased.

Fast forward a few centuries and not only has time rearranged priorities including the business of death but also the post-death life for the survivors of the deceased.

Quality of life and financial survival beyond the working years make a prevailing argument that supports why purchasing life insurance must rank high on the list of personal priorities, especially for women as policy holders and beneficiaries.

Social inclusion comes with a price tag that often involves robbing Peter to pay Paul, especially for women. Looking good oftentimes trumps future financial security. Hair, nails, clothing, handbags, shoes, makeup, and tickets to concert venues are at the top of the robbing lists of many women. Absent from that list is a life insurance premium because the thinking is always “I'll get around to it,” or “Somebody will see to things when I'm not around anymore.” The problem with that thinking, of course, is that none of us knows how much or how little time we have nor any guarantees that somebody else will see to things.

When it comes to procrastination or the “I'll get around to it,” a national poll by Wholesale Insurance, an industry information source, finds 43 percent of adult women have no life insurance. And among those who are insured, many are underinsured, carrying roughly a quarter of the coverage necessary for their needs. This statistic includes the more than 58.6 women in the American workplace and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they carry 31 percent less life insurance than men in the workplace. This statistic also raises the question as to why women don't purchase life insurance. The top cited reasons were cost, 6 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2018

complexity, lack of financial literacy, and no professional go-to person such as a financial advisor.

When it comes to the issue of financial literacy it is important for women to understand the logic behind buying life insurance. Whether you are a stay at home mom, a single parent in the workplace, or a married woman in the workplace, you provide financial value to your family. If your income helps to support you, your children, and/or your partner, a life insurance policy will provide financial support for them in the case of your death. This can help cover not only expenses associated with your death but also with everyday living expenses.

Other reasons to consider a life insurance policy includes: If you carry high debt, have a co-signor on a loan or if you are caring for an elderly or infirmed relative, life insurance will protect your co-signor and your estate as well as those you care for. That same scenario played out without life insurance, upon your death, your executor will sell off your belongings for pennies on the dollar to settle your debts, and your co-signor will be left hanging and responsible for the entire balance of the loan debt. Even if you are your only concern, bear in mind that life insurance is cheaper when you are younger. Insurance rates are lower for women based on longer life expectancy.

Now that the need for life insurance has been outlined and/or justified, you need to take a look at how to calculate just how much you need. A financial planner will sit down with you and ask questions about your income, assets, and debts. That information will then be plugged into the DIME formula.

DIME stands for debt, income, mortgage, and education.

The 'D' includes all debts other than your mortgage and expenses associated with your final disposition. The 'I' includes deciding how many years your family would need support, and then multiply your annual income by that number. The multiplier might be the number of years before your youngest child graduates from high school.

These figures will be used to compute your income replacement needs. The 'M' calculates the payoff amount of your mortgage, and the 'E' is an estimate of the costs of sending your kids to college.

to an estate, the person or persons inheriting the estate may have to pay estate taxes on it.

Now that you have an idea you will need to figure out how to pay for it, and you have options. First, consider the premium(s) a part of your monthly budget as opposed to one large purchase.

Second, consider purchasing multiple policies. Andy Tilp, president of Trillium Valley Financial Planning suggests a potential buyer “Consider buying multiple, smaller life insurance policies, instead of one larger policy, to vary your coverage as your needs ebb and flow. This can reduce total costs while ensuring adequate coverage to the times needed. For instance, you could buy a 30-year term policy to cover your spouse until your retirement and a 20-year term policy to cover your children until they graduate from college.”

As with any major financial decision, consulting a financial advisor is extremely important. This is the professional who can guide you through the process and help you understand the formula used to calculate how much life insurance and what type is recommended for your situation. Brandon R. Redman, managing partner at Securian Advisors Northwest suggests "If the plan is to take cash value out, it's important to also look at favorable policy loan features.Work with a broker who represents numerous companies”.

Once you have decided to move forward with purchasing a comprehensive life insurance policy questions regarding taxation of benefits are sure to arise. With the purchase of the policy you are creating an immediate estate, and according to IRS when the beneficiary of a life insurance policy receives the death benefit, this money is not counted as taxable income, and the beneficiary does not have to pay taxes on it. However, a few situations exist in which the beneficiary is taxed on some or all of a policy's proceeds. If the policyholder elects not to have the benefit paid out immediately upon his death but instead held by the insurance company for a given period of time, the beneficiary may have to pay taxes on the interest generated during that period. When a death benefit is paid

There is an old saying that some beats none, and for those individuals who cannot commit financially to an optimal life insurance policy, there are other less inclusive options available from legitimate outlets. However, as with all things, buyer beware. As for the “GoFundMe” Casket Kitty approach, remember in addition to grieving your loss, using this method to pay for your final event creates an unimaginable amount of angst for your loved ones. Their pleas to strangers to please help bury their relative joins a pool of thousands of other pleas for everything ranging from “Please Save My Pet” to “Please Give Me The Wedding Of A Lifetime,” and there are never any guarantees. There is another old saying that says a life of prevention is worth a pound of cure and a life insurance policy can do just that. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 7

Wake Up Refreshed

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Simple ways to begin your morning

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eady, set, go. Just as you would set off at the starting line of a race, this hectic pace is how mornings begin for many men and women.

Instead of waking with dread to face another hectic morning, consider these tips for a healthier way to ease into your daily rituals. While these activities may require you to allow extra time, you may be pleased with the productive results.

Meditate. A practice that has been around for thousands of years may still be one of the best stress busters for hurried mornings. To start, find a place in your home that is free of noise and distraction.

Practice sitting still, with eyes closed, and focus only on your breathing. Using deep, controlled breaths, try to steer your thoughts away from negative and stressinducing thoughts.

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Stretch. While the most health-conscious person may opt for a morning sweat-a-thon, working in some stretches can also be beneficial. When you awake, think about oft-used muscles and extend each one for 15-30 seconds.

Activate. Give your brain some fuel in the morning while also doing something nice for your mind. For example, journaling is a gentle way to ease into your morning and get your brain firing. If you can't think of a topic, simply write down a few affirmations for the day, revisit a pleasant memory from your past or scribble down a goal for the week. Journaling can be an uplifting way to engage the mind and express gratitude for the day ahead.

Find more tips for starting your day on the right foot at eLivingToday.com.

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5 Ways to Promote Gender Equality in the Workplace

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lthough women are making strides in the corporate world, there is still work that can be done to level the landscape.

Research from Catalyst, a global nonprofit focused on empowering and accelerating women in business, shows the needle is moving, albeit slowly. In nearly 10 years, the number of women in senior roles in the United States increased just 1 percent. At Standard & Poor's 500 index companies, overall women's representation is far behind: 5.2 percent CEOs, 11 percent top earners and 26.5 percent senior-level officials and managers. Less than 5 percent of senior level positions are held by women of color. Men still lead more than 95 percent of the most powerful companies in the United States.

If you're looking for ways to promote change in your workplace, explore these five steps that can help build a work environment where everyone can advance and succeed: Engage in programs that celebrate women of color.

Tap into resources that honor women in leadership and foster growth for aspiring women leaders from racially and ethically diverse backgrounds, such as those available through Catalyst. The nonprofit offers a host of ongoing workshops, programs, trainings and consulting services designed to promote inclusive workplaces, along with events around the world. For example, the “Catalyst Skyline Takeover,” which is a visual realization of the international business community's commitment to greater diversity, inclusion and gender equality in workplaces around the world, features dozens of global companies “lighting up” their buildings with the female symbol.

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Assess and formalize pay scales. As numerous studies indicate, wage disparity is one of the most obvious signs of inequality in the workplace. A fair pay scale outlines specific responsibilities and corresponding compensation rates, and can be applied to roles across the board regardless of race, gender or other potential discriminatory factors.

Ensure growth opportunities exist. Leveling the pay scale is an important step, but ensuring equal access to the positions at the higher end of that scale is an essential supporting move. Simply saying you'll pay a woman the same as a man in the same job falls short if all candidates, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity are not given the same chance to compete for more senior positions.

Implement mentorship programs. Positive role models can give future leaders the vision to dream big and the guidance to make those dreams a reality. Putting aspiring women leaders in close contact with other women who have attained success in their field helps set a course toward achievement. It also helps men to advance and develop unbiased leadership. Since the majority of business leaders are currently men, change for women can only be accelerated if all those in leadership positions work together.

Support parental involvement. Historically, the issue of parenting and the workforce has been dominated by discussions around maternity leave policies, but more recently that dialogue has evolved. Men, too, desire more time with their families, and through equal parental leave policies, workplaces can allow women and men within all types of family structures to thrive in their careers and at home.

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Photo from last year’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake event

Two Women to Bowl For Kids' Sake They Encourage Others to Join Them

By Rhonda Crowder PWM Guest Writer

Big caused them to change what they thought possible in life.

id you know that Big Brothers Big Sisters is the nation's largest donor-and-volunteer- supported mentoring network?

Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. With over 370 local agencies throughout the US, it has provided approximately 250,000 children with one-to-one mentoring opportunities that have a direct and lasting effect on their lives. Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life.

“Many of our youth have graduated from high school, accomplished their career goals, and have stayed in contact with their Big Brother or Big Sister who they now see as family,” she said. “We now have youth who are being paired up with mentors who are First Responders, who care about the community and care about helping to inspire as well as motivate them to do great things in the community.”

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland has served Cuyahoga County for sixty- two years. And, CEO Yolanda Armstrong is quick to tell you, with much pride, that their children or “Littles” as they call them, come from various walks of life and have the desire to become the best people they can possibly be and enjoy the support that they receive from their Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Ninetypercent of their youth agree that their Big made them feel better about themselves and eighty one percent say their 12 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2018

However, like all other non-profit agencies, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland must raise funds in order to sustain the programs that work to fulfill their mission.

For thirty- five years, Bowl for Kids' Sake has been one of their largest and most important annual fundraisers. Over this time, it has raised significant amounts of operating revenue for the organization.

“We are so excited for our upcoming annual Bowl For Kids' Sake event,” Armstrong continued. “Our goal is to raise over one hundred thousand dollars to help support the various services that we provide through our communitybased and site-based programs.”

Some of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland's more innovative programs include Bigs in Blue, a collaboration with the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Districts of the Cleveland Police Department, and the Amachi Program which provides mentoring to children with incarcerated parents.

According to Armstrong, Bowl For Kids' Sake is a great team-building opportunity for corporate and community partners to come out and support this great cause.

“As a member of the Board of Directors, it is important for me to support this organization and promote our mission,” said Monique Winston, CEO of Optima Lender Services and co-chair for Bowl For Kids' Sake. Winston continued, “it is critical for members of any board to be fully engaged and to lead by example by putting forth a concerted effort toward the fulfillment of the organization's goals”.

“BBBS has a long standing history of making a difference in the lives of children who need it most by creating meaningful, monitored relationships,” she noted.

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Winston went on to say “we all know that our children are the future, our greatest asset. And, as a community we must undergird them and do all we can to create the greatest opportunity for them to succeed.” She stressed “this is exactly what BBBS does. Every child should be afforded the opportunity to thrive. Moreover, we have a particular obligation to level the playing field for those that may be facing adversity.”

This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland's Bowl for Kids' Sake event will be held on Sat. April 28, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at AMF Brookgate Lanes, 14950 Snow Road, in Brookpark, Ohio. Bowlers enjoy an all-day roster of entertainment including raffles, complimentary food and drink, surprise celebrity guests, music, and fun.

Inspiring Women to Reach Their Highest Potential!

If anyone is interested in putting a team together and want to raise a minimum of five hundred dollars per team, they can sign up at www.wementoryouth.org.

People who don't bowl are encouraged to support the cause by becoming a virtual bowler, raising a minimum of two hundred and fifty dollars.

“The Annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake is our largest fundraiser and it enables us to maintain the programs that so greatly impact the children right here in our own community,” said Winston. “It is imperative that we support this event as well as others so that the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters continues. It is unquestionable that the relationships between our Bigs and Littles have a direct and measurable impact on the lives of the children that we serve.”

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Chioma Onukwuire, An Engineer and Entrepreneur

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first-generation American, Chioma Onukwuire, is one of three daughters born to Nigerian parents.

She grew up in a multicultural suburban neighborhood and to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor, she went to a Medical Academy that was fairly distant from her home. At school, she joined the Robotics team, traveled with them and won several competitions.

“Being with the team has taught me a whole lot about working outside of your comfort zone, hard work, and patience. I was really close to the team and knew that many of them were from the Engineering Academy.”

Chioma says. While these interactions led her to pursue Biomedical Engineering for her undergraduate studies, she switched over to Polymer Science and Engineering and earned a bachelor's degree.

Her passion for entrepreneurship developed at a young age and what started as a solution for her mom's simple problem led to the creation of her fashion line Chimu.

Chioma and her mom attended a Nigerian church and most members wore traditional Nigerian clothing or Nigerian garbs. “Many people noticed that my mom rarely wore Nigerian clothing even though she is from Nigeria.

When a church member asked about her reasons, my mom simply responded that the amount of money she would use to buy one outfit from Nigeria would buy her two dresses from Macy's.” Chioma explained.

While researching the problem, she quickly realized that long shipping times, improper fittings and all the inconveniences that came with Nigerian clothing were the major issues and decided there needed to be a change.

The smart and problem solver Chioma founded Chimu, to make African fashion more accessible to people living in America. Her products are mainly dresses and bomber jackets but also include purses and African accessories.

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Chioma also works with African clothing designers offering them the ability to sell their wares in America. In addition to generating more income for them, she ensures that they benefit from additional free exposure. To help her excel in her business and achieve greater success, she is currently pursuing her Master's in Engineering Management (MEM).

Chioma is grateful for the support she received from JumpStart Inc. and her school Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). She said, “JumpStart's help enabled me to figure out who my target customers were, where I could find funds to grow my business and connected me with other entrepreneurs in the Cleveland area.” CWRU has also provided her with support through “Thinkbox.”

The program's events have been useful and she encourages others to make use of these opportunities.

While some progress has been made, a series of challenges affecting women and minorities from becoming successful entrepreneurs is a concern shared by Chioma.

She underscored that concerted efforts are needed to inspire these groups to help themselves and enable them to contribute to the nation's economic growth. “From birth, most women and minorities are taught that they cannot do certain things. If everyone around keeps saying you can't do something, you will end up believing that, which will lead you to not doing something.” Chioma says.

“This is a mental barrier that keeps many from becoming successful entrepreneurs because they do not even entertain the thoughts.”

A second challenge Chioma says is networking. She stressed “entrepreneurs cannot be successful by themselves. They need help in order to be sustainable.

This is why networks are very important. I am not saying that minorities and women do not have wonderful networks.” Chioma continued, “In terms of the amount of

information to find funding, people to meet, e ve n t s , e t c ., m a ny m i n o r i t i e s h ave unintentionally and intentionally, been kept out of the loop. If we do not at least have the information to make these crucial connections or get funding, how will a business be successful?”

According to Chioma, Patience and Self awareness are two important elements essential for starting and running a successful business. Elaborating further, she said “when starting a business, many people want things to happen quickly. They want to be making millions in the first year.” Adding “the overwhelming majority of 'overnight successes' have been working for years before they have been on the radar.” Chioma is remindful of the quote from her favorite entrepreneur, Gary Vee, who said “expect nothing good to happen to you for five years.” “Without patience, people start becoming frustrated, take shortcuts and often give up early. Hence patience is key, if you want to continue to run any sort of business.”

More fashion collections from Chimu are shown on page 26-27

On Self-awareness, Chioma says “everybody is different. If a certain tactic doesn't work for you, leave it. What works for Sally Q may not work for you, knowing yourself is very important.”

The young entrepreneur encourages teaching self-worth from an early age, and that there is nothing they cannot do or at least try. “Teach people that people who do not look like them can also do or at least try anything they want, that no one is biologically superior or inferior,” Chioma said. “If you see that there is only one type of person at your events, gatherings, etc., try to invite people from the “outside”. They may provide valuable insights to you and can share this information with their network.”

The innovative entrepreneur encourages us all to consider taking these steps as “it will bring up more accepting adults in society that will not let discriminatory practices impair their judgment.”

As for her company's future, Chioma plans to, among other things start incorporating machine learning.

Her advice for young women who want to become entrepreneurs is “patience is a virtue. You will build yourself up but it takes time. Try not to compare yourself to people on social media or even in real life. Everyone is running a different race, please stay in your lane. If you want to try something, please give it a shot. Also, it is never too late for anything, so do not try to rush your entrepreneurial process just to fit some arbitrary “success” level.”

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City of Cleveland recognizes “Game Changers” Cleveland Police Sergeant Stephanie Murphy was recently named head of the Cleveland Police Department's motorcycle unit, a unit populated by all men and she is leveling the playing field for women in the police department and throughout the city.

Murphy and nineteen other women were recognized last month by the City of Cleveland as a part of its annual Women's History Month celebrations. Women's History month has been celebrated in the United States for thirty-one years and is a time to reflect on the contributions women have made to the country and to showcase the progress they continue to make.

Joining Sgt. Murphy was Battalion Chief Deberra Schroeder, the first female to hold that position. Not only is she a member of the Cleveland Fire Department, she is also a nurse and paramedic.

Cleveland Police Sergeant Stephanie Murphy

These women have been changing the game and leveling the playing field for a long time and are committed to offering a helping hand to those coming behind them.

Our own Shelley M. Shockley, managing editor of Phenomenal Woman Magazine was honored for her work as the Marketing Manager at Cleveland Public Power, the city owned electric utility. In that position she not only promotes CPP but also serves as the chair of the City of Cleveland's Black History Month Committee, serves on the Women's History Committee and oversees the annual Mayor's Night Out Against Crime.

In addition to her outstanding contribution to community engagement, the tireless Shelley puts her heart and soul into the contents of our Phenomenal Woman Magazine. Her creativity and imagination in delivering the magazines' editorial objectives has gained us trust in the community we serve and we are very grateful for it! Congratulations on a well deserved recognition of your achievements!

Battalion Chief Deberra Schroeder

Shelley Shockley (center) pictured with Joy Perry, Deputy Commissioner, Cleveland Public Power. (L) and Grady Stevenson, Interim Director, Cleveland's Community Relations Board (R)

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COVER STORY: CATHY BELK - PRESIDENT, JumpStart INC.

Cathy Belk,

President of JumpStart envisions economic transformation in Cleveland communities

Photos page 18-21 Jason Garrett

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C

athy Belk is president of JumpStart, a nationally recognized nonprofit that unlocks the full potential of diverse & ambitious entrepreneurs to economically transform entire communities. In her role as president, Belk helps to manage JumpStart's relationships with collaborators, funders and other community partners.

In 2003, Ohio's private, philanthropic and government leaders realized it was time to try something new to address the declining economy, loss of jobs and lack of significant new entrepreneurial growth in the region.

These efforts led to the formation of JumpStart with a task to bring the concept of “venture development” to Northeast Ohio—a unique mix of capital investment and intensive technical assistance for entrepreneurs.

In business for more than a decade, JumpStart began with an eye on increasing the number of technology businesses in the greater Cleveland area but they have expanded their focus and now look beyond technology. Today they actively seek to work with all small businesses from startups to existing small business owners, as well as regional leaders who are working to create stronger economic ecosystems all across the U.S. Leading these efforts is Akron native, Cathy Belk, a remarkable woman “passionate about supporting diverse and ambitious entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors especially women.”

Phenomenal Woman Magazine recently sat down with Belk to discuss her role in developing thriving entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio and the challenges women face balancing high profile careers and family.

In 2004, Belk and her family returned to greater Cleveland because despite living in some “really incredible communities” including Washington, D.C., Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham, she “saw that the Cleveland area had so much more to offer than those places.” Back at home, she became the Director of Product Management and Marketing with American Greetings, where she led a team that developed, launched and managed a product that became an $80 million annual business. Belk enjoyed her position but again was lacking in that interaction with business owners so when the opportunity to work with JumpStart came about, she saw this as the perfect next step in her career.

Belk didn't jump right into the president's position instead continuing in the marketing arena as Chief Relationship Officer before ascending in the ranks to Chief Operating Officer and taking over the presidency about three years ago.

Her effervescent personality is one of the key voices promoting JumpStart and its unique role in the community. She says, “I would like everyone in this community to know about the service we provide or champion the service we provide. We really believe that entrepreneurs can economically transform entire communities.”

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We want to deliver our work in a way that is comfortable and culturally relative and makes everybody that walks in our door feel they are not only welcome but that we can meet them where they are.

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Before joining JumpStart, Belk began her career in the bustling southeastern part of the country after completing studies at Davidson College. Working in middle market finance, the economics major describes “meeting the most incredible people, the people who started, managed and grew these businesses – the business owners were my clients and they became my heroes.” Observing the work they did left her with the urge to become a business leader and led to her return to school to study marketing and management at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.

Armed with the educational credentials and a passion for business, Belk worked in branding, marketing and business management at The Coca-Cola Company, Procter and Gamble, and Bank of America, where she managed businesses within the larger corporation and learned great fundamentals, but “missed working with the business owners.”

The economic transformation of communities equals job creation at JumpStart and to ensure this boost takes place she says, “we want to make sure any entrepreneur who has an idea has access and opportunity to turn that into a business that can grow and create jobs.”

Supporting this theory on the role of entrepreneurial success driving the economy is a 2010 Kaufmann Foundation study that identified young and small businesses as the net new job creators. These statistics bode well in Cleveland; an industrial community suffering from losses in the steel and automobile industries, as well as the smaller businesses that supported these traditional manufacturing industries.

These losses lead to the area being considered “distressed” and having trouble attracting new, young talent.

Belk and JumpStart now actively seek to find potential entrepreneurs everywhere. As she explained “if you have a corner store, or you are running your business off of your kitchen table, we want to provide access to programs that help grow your business and create jobs.”

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COVER STORY: CATHY BELK - PRESIDENT, JumpStart INC.

Cathy Belk with colleagues

Collaboration is an integral component when seeking to transform communities and JumpStart works with many local organizations to provide exactly what a small business owner will need. Understanding that they may not have the program that meets all needs but other organizations offer services that will aid them. From the Urban League to the Hispanic Business Center, there are programs meant to offer the helping hand that new and small business entrepreneurs need to thrive.

JumpStart not only offers programs to promote growth but also to give individuals the opportunity to test the waters before diving into a situation they may find down the road is now for them. Belk said, “Entrepreneurship is not for everyone and a lot of people don't realize that until they jump in, so we know that as long as everyone has a chance to think about their idea to develop the skills that they need, and then choose if they want to keep marching down that path.”

The communities JumpStart seeks to reach run the gamut from Hough to Tremont and beyond, and to be successful Belk said, “we want to deliver our work in a way that is comfortable and culturally relative and makes everybody that walks in our door feel they are not only welcome but that we can meet them where they are,” and for this to take place part of her job is to champion their inclusiveness in all of her community outreach engagements.

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Internally, the promotion of diversity and inclusion is inoculated into all levels of the organization. As an example, during the first ninety days of employment, there is a requirement to set an inclusion goal and everyone goes through the Racial Equity Institute Training. This seeks to bring everyone's knowledge to a baseline and throughout their employment additional training is offered with some being voluntary.

With this level of commitment to inclusion, the organization is confident in offering a helping hand to all communities and all individuals who may have the next successful business model yet hasn't felt comfortable sharing it with the world.

While JumpStart opens the door and welcomes the future entrepreneur into the fold, the work still must be completed by him/her, “everything is entrepreneur led.

We will host an event for entrepreneurs like “Growing Your Business With Social Media,” and in the course of that event, if the business owner finds a need for more training, they can then schedule One-On-One to delve deeper,” said Belk. These sessions are meant to help guide the owner through the various steps and at any time they decide it's not for them, they are free to end the sessions.

As an example, if you attended the social media event to up your presence on the internet and believe that your business is on its' way to success, but you could use an infusion of capital, the annual “Core City: Cleveland, Pitch Your Business Competition” is the place to be. Program participants who live or own a business in Cleveland will use their knowledge & skills to pitch to a panel of judges for a chance to take home up to $10,000 to grow their businesses.

Betsy Gates, owner of Simply Betsy Company, a flourishing retailer of handcrafted, small-batch skincare and body products, and an award winner of the program said “I am grateful for the wealth of knowledge and support I received from JumpStart to grow my business.”

Along with its partners, JumpStart has helped more than 1,000 companies who have gone to raise more than than $2 billion in capital, generate more than $2 billion in revenue and help create/retain more than 10,000 total jobs. Overall, the companies assisted have generated more than $4.5 billion in cumulative economic impact for the state of Ohio.

JumpStart's exemplary efforts and achievements have not gone unnoticed! The KeyBank Foundation, widely credited for supporting organizations that foster economic selfsufficiency awarded JumpStart Inc. a four year $24 million grant to fuel the “KeyBank Boost & Build Program,

powered by JumpStart” in communities across Ohio and upstate New York. The initiative has been crafted to provide services and much needed capital for many startup and scaling companies and aims at stimulating economic growth and workforce development by fostering small business success.

JumpStart is not limiting its efforts to adults, for the last several months they have worked with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to develop programming aimed at local youth and will offer their first Internships for high school students this summer.

So if you are an entrepreneur with “bold and ambitious dreams,” JumpStart is the place to look to for support.

Belk's remarkable accomplishments in nurturing entrepreneurs stand her in good stead as she leads JumpStart's transformation into a nationally significant center of entrepreneurship and innovation as its president.

When she is not championing JumpStart, Belk enjoys spending time with family and friends and says that in order to achieve balance in her life she runs it “like a marathon as opposed to a sprint,” so when work is demanding for a week or two, she will dedicate more time to family the next week and work to “achieve balance over a long period of time.”

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Bachelor of Arts, Economics Davidson College

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Master of Business Administration Duke University

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Member of the Board of Trustees Shaker Heights Schools

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Member of the Advisory Board Greater Cleveland Chinese Chamber of Commerce

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Member of Board of Directors Adoption Network Cleveland

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Member, The Cleveland Forward Cities Council and Innovation team www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 21

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Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life. “Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis. The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay. Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” is playing now in theatres near you. A must see!!!

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Chadwick Boseman stars as T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther

Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia and Letitia Wright as Shuri star in Marvel’s Black Panther. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 33

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