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LEGACY CREATION for PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS

M A G A Z I N E

R U Ready for a Real Relationship?

Become a

Powerhouse Speaker

Mastering Communication & INTIMACY February 2022

Issue No. 2

Reginald Smith www.PlatinumMagazine.online

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P R E M I E R

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M A G A Z I N E

PLATINUM

editor's note

The first issue of “Platinum Magazine” last month in January 2022 was a success!

Oh, and one last thing. Shout out to my alma mater, UGA, for winning the 2022 National Championship – Go Dawgs!!!

However, what I learned was that readers want more. Not just articles about relationships, but also business, finances, community, health & wellness, spirituality, and more. So, I obliged. I reached out to some, and some reached out to me. It’s a beautiful thing really. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge supporter of small businesses and entrepreneurs, and “Platinum Magazine” is the perfect platform to showcase your business, skill, and talent. With that being said, I am super excited about this issue of “Platinum Magazine” with part 1 of the feature on Reginald Smith AKA “Coach Reg” as he challenges both men and women who have had success in their professional lives to attain that same level of success in their relationships. Then there’s Roquita Johnson, no relation even though we both hail from Huskie nation (Connecticut), who drops some serious gems about becoming a powerhouse on the stage. If you aspire to be a speaker, definitely check Roquita out! Now there’s so much more, so peruse this issue when you have some downtime and share it with your friends, family, and acquaintances. And if you would like to nominate yourself or someone else to be featured in an upcoming issue, please let us know!

Tamika Michelle Johnson Editor-in-Chief

QueVision Photography Portrait & Wedding Photographer

www.quevisionphoto.com 3

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Lev el Up Yo ur Da tin g G am e

by Tamika Michelle Johnson AKA "The Matchmaking Attorney"

Let’s face it, it is hard out here in these dating streets – especially as a successful, educated, single professional. We’re more focused on continuing to perfect our craft and achieving the next level of greatness. In the process, we’re creating a legacy and comfortable lifestyle for ourselves. Add children, family, hobbies, and a little rest & relaxation to the mix, the thought of focusing on finding the time to meet and date new prospects to potentially share your life with is absolutely daunting. Exhausting is a better word though, right?!

You tell yourself that if you could just find one good person who embodies similar values as you that things would be fine. A companion who is open to commitment and marriage. How is it that this simple request is this hard? It’s hard because many people fail to apply the same level of dedication to dating & relationships as they have their career, education, spirituality, and business. Do not fear though. It’s never too late to become more intentional about your romantic life, and I am here to give you a few tips to “Level Up Your Dating” in 2022 so you can fill your dating calendar, which

and go from there. If your goal is to meet or connect with 1-3 new contacts a week either on the phone or in person, reach out to at least 20 people. After going through this process for a few weeks you’ll get a better feel for how many initial contacts you’ll need to make to reach your actual meeting goal, so adjust accordingly.

in turn will increase your dating pool and relationship prospects. The key is to execute these tips CONSISTENTLY and not just occasionally try one or two of them. You cannot thrive in your business or education if you do not put the work in, and the same thing applies to dating and relationships. So, now that you’ve decided to put the effort into leveling up your dating life, here are some tips to get you there. 1) SET A DATING GOAL Decide how many dates you want to go on, either weekly or monthly. If you primarily meet people online, log on at least once a week and contact at least 20 prospects. Send short, personalized messages (no more than 2-3 sentences)

Now, if you prefer to meet new potential dates in person, approach at least 5 men/women a week. Before you do though, observe their ring finger and confirm that it is bare. While this is no guarantee as to whether a person is married or single, it’s at least an initial vetting process and should be respected. 2) CREATE A "DATING CARD" We all have business cards for professional and networking purposes, but do you have a “Dating Card” to share with people? If not, dating cards are great to pass on to someone whom you have an interest in, but without all the identifying information as on your business card. A nice casual photo of yourself, with only your first name (if it’s a common name), initials, or nickname. You’ll also want to use a virtual or google number as opposed

to your business or personal number. If the connection ever goes anywhere, then you can always give them your real number when you are comfortable.

3) ATTEND NON-INDUSTRY EVENTS & CONFERENCES We’re all used to attending professional events within our industry and social events to our liking. But have you considered attending a non-industry event or conference or non-typical social function? If you want to meet doctors, reserve a room at the host hotel where the next medical conference is being held. During non-conference hours, sashay your way to the hotel lobby, bar, or restaurant and mix and mingle with attendees, especially those that you are interested in getting more acquainted with. Now, don’t actually purchase a ticket or attend the conference, simply get a room at the host hotel. You can do this solo or grab a friend or two and make it a fun weekend and explore a new city, country, resort, or island.

4) MASTER THE ART OF FLIRTING I’ll be the first to admit that it is way easier to master the art of business, law, processes, delegating, sales (well, maybe not sales, but you get the picture) than it is to flirt. Many people flourish in their respective professions but are not as confident in navigating personal interactions, especially in the beginning. Flirting is more than a sexy suit or outfit. It’s the cadence in your speech, the tilt of your head, a nice white smile. Flirting is the delicate balance of conversation that gives a hint of your intelligence but is not too deep for an initial meeting. It is also about being conscious that flirting is attractive at all stages of courtships and relationships. Now, if you are unsure of how to approach someone that you’re interested in getting to know better, be sure to check out the article on “Mastering the Art of Flirting” by relationship coach Kelly R. Whaley in the January 2022 issue of Platinum Magazine. 5) PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE There’s no other way to get good at dating than to date – often. Stop

The old saying of “Practice makes Perfect” applies in ALL areas of your life.

n Tamika Michelle Johnso

There are plenty of other tips that can get you to “Level Up Your Dating” from here on after, but consistently doing the above will get you started. As a final note though, when you are dating, be sure to have an open mind and be inclusive. Your dating pool should encompass men and women of different races, heights, education levels, attractiveness, etc. Good people come in all different body types and physical packages. Happy Dating!

expecting the next person that you meet to be the one. Until you are in a MUTUALLY exclusive relationship, Tamika Michelle Johnson AKA “The continue dating. Men tend to be way more Matchmaking Attorney” is an Estate Planning efficient in dating because they do just Attorney, Certified Matchmaker, Speaker, and that. founder of “Platinum Connections,” an exclusive dating agency for highly successful Women tend to be monogamous fairly professionals. For more information on any of early, focusing on the man that they are her services, visit most interested in at the moment, even if www.MyPlatinumConnections.com. they are not in a relationship. Can the thought of dating multiple people at one time be overwhelming? Sure. But so was perfecting your professional craft in the beginning. The more you did whatever it is that you do, the easier it became. And you learned methods, techniques, and shortcuts to be more efficient in your job or business. Repetition made you a Boss. 8

REGINALD SMITH AKA "COACH REG"

Question: Thanks for joining us Coach Reg! Let's just start off by telling our readers how & why you became a Relationship Coach. Reginald: Sure. So I started coaching informally as early as 2007, and just kind of didn't really do anything with it. At the time it was more life coaching because I had friends, men and women, who would seek me out to have both personal and professional conversations and want to kind of figure out a way forward or think through 9

whatever that choice or decision that they were faced with. And so, that's kind of where it began, and in 2016 I decided to stand my practice up formally and again, at that time, initially, it was life coaching. Then I had some people kind of work with me a little bit and kind of delve into it a little deeper to kind of figure out where I was best suited in this space in coaching. It was more relationships, and that was because of my own personal experiences.

mith Reginald S h Reg" AKA "Coac

I had been married and divorced twice, and at 35 I had two marriages that did not work and I had not worked out at that time. I was kind of embarrassed and ashamed and that's when I really took the time to heal, and work, and kind of unpacked my choices, and decisions, and why I made those. And I had to make some tough choices and I made the decision to look inwardly, introspectively, to think through why I made the choices I've made. That helped me, because, in spite of my marriages failing, I still believe in family, I still believe in quality relationships and I didn't want anyone to experience what I had experienced, quite frankly. If I could spare them from it or save them from it, that would be my heart's desire. So, in coaching it allows me to live that out. My clients today are high achieving professional men and women who have

attained many of their professional goals but do not yet have the interpersonal relationships to best compliment him or her. I coach around challenges varying from persons who are considering dating, those persons coming out of a relationship, and those persons in existing relationships who decide to strengthen and sustain it. I have a model that speaks to supporting and serving clients in that space. So, no matter where you are, being single or in an established relationship, the model will work for you. Question: Briefly tell us about your prior marriages and how those experiences play a part in your coaching model. Reginald: Yeah, I was a kid. We were babies. I was 21 and she was 19 - that should tell you something, right? We didn't know ourselves much less each other, not long after we had children. I have two sons, two adult sons. In my second marriage, I didn't even take time between the first to the second, because I didn't know. And this is the mistake a lot of people can make; you go from one relationship to the next relationship. It’s another evaluation and assessment of your choices and why. I've heard people say they perform autopsies on their relationships. I get the metaphor, and it makes a lot of sense, because you're doing a deep dive to understand the choices you made and why, what worked and what didn't.

In coaching, those are the kinds of things that we look to uncover when I work with my clients because it's a series of questions that are not just as simple as, what do you want to eat today? It's things that require thought, it requires you to think about the choice you made, what may have caused the choice? What triggered it? Was it something that may not even be in your conscious thought? It could have been something that happened in your past, but that thing has become part of how you make decisions because you may not even be aware that it was traumatic. It’s important to recognize the trigger and how you respond. In my experience, and this kind of speaks to what led me to coach, and this whole relationship space, I didn't want to be divorced from my children's mom, that was her choice. My second marriage, I chose to go. So, I've been on both sides of the equation, I have 11

been put down and I have put down, if you are a caring person, neither one of those feels good. If you care about people, if you are empathetic, compassionate, that's not something that you would sign up for. I don't think if anyone who's ever been divorced, if they knew that going in, that it would end in divorce. I'm pretty sure they'd probably say I'm not getting married. But the thing about my second marriage, because I wasn't even ready on so many levels, because I didn't even understand why my children's mom no longer wanted to be married, I processed it as, you're blowing up our family, why are you doing this? And so, this person who I met, my second wife, she, is a good person, but we shouldn't have been together for a host of reasons that have nothing to do with my first marriage ending. See, what happens is, sometimes when we don't want to face our realities and

face our truth, we go on to the next thing called a "distraction" because it's not the thing that hurt us. It's not the thing that disappointed us, it's not the thing that frustrated us, it's not the person. And so, you move on to it, absent of really looking at what went wrong, or even in my case, I didn't even take the time to understand it, I just was down. I mean, my first marriage was devastating, emotionally, mentally, financially, it was tough. And so, my second wife, we were cool, we were... I can't say we were friends, we became friends, and eventually, we married. But, what I knew, was that we shouldn't have been married, again, for a host of reasons. The most, or the biggest reason being, I didn't even deal with my own stuff, because I didn't understand it. And so, until I had clarity or peace around that choice, or I'm sorry, around that experience, I really shouldn't have been in any relationship, quite frankly. Because, the reality is, when a person comes out of a relationship and there's someone right there on the wings, that's often a rebound, it's what that's going to be. So, you get what comes with that. The intuition that comes with the things that are presented to us; we have to trust that. Women have tuition, men, we have guts or our gut feeling. The bottom line is, they both are intended to guide our choices and oftentimes we're not willing to listen, and it can cost you greatly, it costs you dearly when

you do that. So, there is a moment of caution that I think is wise to take and that I've learned to take, and this is what led me to coaching, it's what I have learned. Again, if I can help people not make those types of choices, not because I think that's what you should do, it's not my opinion. Coaching is not opinion; coaching is not advice. Coaching is helping clients come to their own conclusions by asking questions that require them to think about their choices, to make the most informed decision possible that will serve and support them in their lives, their loves, and relationships. Be sure to read Part 2 of Coach Reg’s interview in the March 2022 issue of “Platinum Magazine” as he continues to share how to have focused, purposeful, and evolving relationships. For more information about Reginald Smith, a Relationship Coach, Author, and Speaker visit: www.rucoached.com 12

Become a POWERHOUSE SPEAKER

ROQUITA JOHNSON Question: Hi Roquita, thank you for joining us today! Please share with us what inspired you to start training Speakers? Roquita: I alwayyyys wanted to start a business! If you look in my high school yearbook, it says that I want to own a "lot of enterprises" in the future. Well, I did not know exactly what type of business I wanted to have, but I definitely knew I eventually wanted to be an entrepreneur. As I began to navigate the corporate world in my twenties, it became clear to me that I needed to be a better communicator. In particular, when I was quickly promoted 13

to a marketing coordinator role at one company, I found myself in a position where I had to lead some team meetings where I had to explain the project's details to our copywriters and email designers. Often, this felt a little nerve-wracking for me because it was rare that I had to do any public speaking for work before. I decided to get help with my clarity and feeling more poised by going to Toastmasters. I became quite good with my speaking, and eventually entered speech contests. My talent became evident to others too, and people would

ask me to help them with speeches or to give them tips to improve. I started realizing that this was a viable business - coaching and training in the art of public speaking. So I became a Certified World Class Speaking Coach in 2015 and started the business in 2016. Question: What was the light bulb moment for you to start your business? Roquita: In 2015, I was tutoring three young siblings in public speaking. Their parents noticed that they were having some struggles with it, and wanted to get them help early on instead of waiting. So they hired me, and loved the progress the children were showing. One day the father said "I don't know what you do for your day job, but you're a good teacher." He was right; I really do love to teach! I took what he said to heart, and it was a turning point for me. That's when I decided to become serious about this endeavor and get certified.

Question: That's great! Now what has been the best thing about your business? Roquita: What I love best about my business is seeing new, inexperienced speakers blossom into confident, clear, engaging communicators. Public speaking is something I love AND am good at it, and I get to share my enthusiasm and knowledge every day with other Christian female professionals and entrepreneurs who want to master this skill. Question: And what has been the most challenging part of your business? Roquita: I went fulltime with my business at the end of June 2021, after simultaneously working a fulltime marketing day job and running my business part time for 5 years. So I have to be even more disciplined and intentional when it comes to managing my time as my business is my major source of income now. Everyday there are any given number of decisions an entrepreneur has to make, and I have to make sure I'm focusing 14

Roquita: My target clients are Christian female professionals and entrepreneurs who are new to or relatively inexperienced in public speaking. I was them. I know what it feels like to work in corporate, and not want your public speaking skills to be a hindrance to your work performance. I'm an entrepreneur, so I'm still doing presentations. What I do is give my clients the tools they'll need to slay their to advance my business. Some days time can still be a challenge, but I've made lots of boardroom presentations, share their improvement. I remind myself to keep the expertise in an engaging way, or just be main thing the main thing, and everything ready to rise to any speaking occasion. I offer private one-on-one can't be done in a day. coaching through two packages to choose from, a quarterly small group presentation Question: What advice would you give to skills program, and I also provide training for someone who is interested in speaking organizations through workshops. Contact professionally? me if you're ready to Slay the Stage! Roquita: First I would say that it's ok to admire another speaker. We all have speakers that we love and who resonate with us. Don't try to be a copy of them though! It's better to take something you appreciate about their style and make it your own.

Roquita Johnson is an award-winning speaker, Certified World Class Speaking Coach, Certified Virtual Presenter, and founder of Roquita Johnson Public Speaking, LLC. She transforms Christian female professionals and entrepreneurs from simply being public speakers to being powerful presenters. Her goal Second, God made you an original, so you is not to change who a person authentically is, have your own unique speaker style to but instead – to bring out the BEST version of bless the world with. It may take you some who they already are as a speaker. For more time to find your style, and that's ok. Enjoy information, visit: www.roquitajohnson.com the process! Question: So true. Now as a speaking consultant and coach, what services do you offer to clients? 15

Roquita's 3 Tips to Becoming a Powerful Presenter As we kick off 2022, these are my top tips for women who want to be more powerful presenters in the boardroom or on stage: 1) CONFIDENCE: If you want to build your confidence, take baby steps by taking advantage of opportunities presented in everyday life. Remember, public speaking is not just relegated to the formal speech realm! There are other low-pressure situations you can speak up in. Offer your opinion or thoughts in a meeting. Say the grace at Thanksgiving or any family dinner gathering. Read an announcement in church. 2) AUTHENTICITY: I'm hearing more women say that they feel like they have to "code-switch" when speaking to an audience who is not like them. They feel like it's hard to be their authentic self if, for example, they are black and the audience is nonblack. More specifically, some women feel like they need to say things a certain way or use certain words. First, you want to be careful about making assumptions on how you THINK the audience perceives you. You might have more in common with them than you think. And you don't want to stereotype. Second, your speech is always TO and FOR the audience so you will be tailoring it to them, but not based on one factor (like race). It's better to get a multidimensional idea of who your audience is so that you can communicate with them in a way that is real and authentic. Find out answers to questions such as: What is their level of knowledge about your topic? What is their age range? Do they have any objections about your topic? Etc. 3) PRESENTATION: Don't feel like you have to completely water down or change who you naturally are in order to be a dynamic public speaker. God specially created you, so leverage all that you are for the best speaker version of yourself. If you normally talk with your hands a lot, then you'll be great with gestures! With practice, you'll learn how to use them in a way that is not distracting. If friends say your stories are "too long and detailed," then this means you'll feel right at home using stories in your speeches! Not everyone is a natural storyteller or feels comfortable using personal stories. The more you work on your speechcraft, you'll learn how to tell more concise, effective stories. Use what ya got, and refine and maximize it! 16

MASTERING Effective Communication & Intimacy for Couples by Oliver & Denise Marcelle

Question: Hi Oliver & Denise, thank you for joining us today! Now you two do couples counseling as a couple. How did that come about? Oliver & Denise: We’ve been married for 21 years and in that time we’ve blended our family (and conquered the challenges that often come along with that), overcome the hurt of near-infidelity, worked through feelings of rejection and neglect, navigated sexual intimacy challenges, and learned how to successfully resolve the conflict that arose from dealing with the impact our child’s emotional illness had on our relationship. All of these things, plus more inspired us to start our business because we realized that many couples go through the same, or 17

similar, experiences - yet feel like they’re alone and no one understands. We started to become that couple that others would share their relationship concerns with, and we found ourselves giving advice based on our own experience. That, along with feeling the nudge from God, is how we started what has now become Denoli, LLC. We started in 2013 with us simply blogging about some of our experiences, in hopes that it would resonate with readers and offer at least some kind of encouragement. The blog was intended to be the only means of sharing, but we quickly realized God had other plans and was calling us to do more We started getting speaking engagement requests

requests for events geared towards couples, acquired a few certifications, started coaching, and the rest, as they say, is history. Question: So, what was the light bulb moment for you two in deciding to go forward with your passion, purpose, and business with couples? Oliver & Denise: In 2015, we were asked to speak at a church for Father’s Day weekend. It was our very first speaking engagement. Shortly after that, we were asked to conduct a one-day conference at another church. Those experiences, and the feedback from each, were instrumental in the realization that God had more in store for us, and that He was telling us that it was time to officially pursue the passion He placed in us. Question: Awesome! Now, what's the best thing about coaching couples?

Oliver & Denise: The best part of couples coaching is that each couple’s experience with us is the blueprint crafted to the kind of relationship that THEY envision, or are dreaming of. We achieve this by candidly sharing examples from our own experiences, such as how we handled the stress and conflict of being a blended family, how we navigated through feeling neglected, and how one of our children’s struggles with anxiety and depression affected our marital relationship. These examples, among others, help to illustrate to our couples how they can successfully navigate the various relational scenarios that may arise. Question: What are the most common issues you see that couples have? Oliver & Denise: In our work with couples, we’ve identified two areas that consistently seem to be a challenge. 18

Those areas are effective communication and came to YOU for assistance. When you under-deliver or promise impractical intimacy-building. So we tend to focus more heavily on those topics when creating content. outcomes, it’s ultimately the couple that suffers. Question: How do you stand out as coaches for 4. EXPERIENCES - Use your life experience as couples? an example of either what to do, or what not to do. Couples find you more relatable when Oliver & Denise: There are several things that we believe make us great relationship coaches, they can tell that you are actually living - or have lived - what you talk about. Don’t be including: afraid to be vulnerable and transparent; it adds to your authenticity. AND, let’s face it: 1. SERVICE - Make serving people your you’re trying to get your client to do the same priority. Why? Because in the coaching industry, you hear a lot about high-ticket sales, thing so that you can better serve them. You can’t expect them to be fully open if they don’t scaling, big offers, etc. All of those things are feel like they can trust or relate to you, at great, but shouldn’t be at the expense of serving couples. We are just “naive” enough to least on some level. believe that if we put couples first and focus 5. INTENTIONALITY - Be intentional about on enriching marriages, everything else will your own personal and professional follow. development. We should always be learning and growing in our area of expertise. If you 2. ATTENTIVENESS - Pay attention to the don’t already have one, find a mentor specific needs of your clients and work someone you admire and are inspired by. Ask diligently to meet those needs. What worked them questions. Observe their ways. Receive for one of your clients may not necessarily their constructive criticism without offense. work for any of your other clients. Many coaches use what we call “conceptual knowledge”, and don’t take the time to really hear the client’s specific needs, and then craft a strategy that directly addresses those needs. 3. HONESTY - Be honest and don't give false hope. So many coaches are out here promising things they can't deliver or are unrealistic. It’s important to remember that couples’ relationships are at stake, and they

Denoli, Inc, founded by Oliver and Denise Marcelle, offers 1:1 and group coaching for couples. They speak at churches and organizations and facilitate any and all group sessions. Denali, Inc. also provides a large library of free relationship enrichment resources at: www.denoli.org

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The Unthinkable Subject… Domestic Violence BY STEPHANIE MCKENZIE Domestic violence is a situation that many people have encountered either personally or through a friend or family member. Most people believe that domestic abuse cannot happen to them. Their response is, “If it was me, I would leave, or I would fight back.” But very few people fully understand why and how domestic violence happens.

deprivation. Another question we hear is “why would anyone stay in an abusive relationship?”

Domestic violence happens because the batterer wants power and control.

Survivors of domestic violence face overwhelming obstacles to escaping an abusive relationship. Barriers can be financial, legal, and housing problems as well as a partner’s ever-increasing violence to create an environment where it seems impossible to exit.

There are several forms of abuse that batterers use such as physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, emotional manipulation, and economic

According to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence statistical data, about 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men experience domestic violence in their

Below are suggested strategies to help a victim.

lifetime. Georgia is one of the worst states for the rate at which women are murdered by men. 75% of homicides occur during a period of separation. Leaving is a complex process. Battered women stay or return in order to survive. They plan for increasing their safety and preparing in advance for further violence. Battered women usually leave the residence they share with the batterer. Batterers often strike back when they think that a battered woman is leaving the relationship. Those who are survivors or overcomers can provide great knowledge to victims of domestic violence. When attempting to assist someone experiencing domestic violence planting seeds of hope is important during the process.

· Do not be judgmental, but be supportive · Never pressure a victim to leave or only talk about the abuse · Express your concern for their safety · Encourage contact with other survivors: support group, friends, neighbors, etc. · Encourage focus on healing and rest. · Share resource information with the victim: o 24 Hour Statewide Crisis Line: o 1-800-33-HAVEN (800-334-2836) o Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence www.gcadv.org Domestic violence is a serious community problem that affects millions of Americans. We all should seek to shed light on the cause of domestic violence and encourage people to join the undertaking to eliminate the problem. If we can remove the problem, it will create a world in which everyone is safe in their relationships. The Rose Bud Transitional Home, Inc., a nonprofit organization, provides financial literacy, independent living skills, personal and professional development to women survivors of domestic violence. Your donation will allow them to add new services and events for clients who are coming out of situations where their learning, growth, and enjoyment have been stifled.

LEGACY CREATION for PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS

BY TAMIKA M. JOHNSON, ESQ. Of all people, I know how difficult it is to sit down and plan for the time that you will no longer be able to make your own decisions or for when you are no longer here on earth. But we will all have a legacy. Having your affairs in order and making this transition as seamless and easy as possible for your loved ones is part of that legacy. Will your family be financially burdened? Who will get your precious heirlooms, jewelry, homes, etc.? Who will physically take care of your minor children if the surviving parent is no longer around either? And who will be entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that your money, property, and collections are distributed to your heirs fairly and according to your wishes.

Listen, chaos will ensue whether you have a plan or not. However, your written estate planning documents will minimize those arguments and will trump any alleged entitlements that people surmise in their heads of what is “owed to them” or “what they feel like they deserve.” Squashing all of that drama is the best thing that you can do for your family. Now while it might seem like an overwhelming task, know that you don’t have to do all of the things that are suggested below at one time. You have the choice of tackling it all at once or over a period of months. The important thing is that you do it.

decision for you.

There are 5 Estate Planning Documents that I advise all clients to have, especially those high-net worth individuals and professionals. Here’s a brief breakdown of each one: 1) Last Will & Testament – Commonly referred to as a “Will,” this document specifies how you want your estate to be distributed upon your death. You name the Guardian(s) of your minor child(ren) and appoint someone as the Executor of your estate (the person who will be in charge of distributing your assets according to your instructions in the Will). Without a Will, each state has its own laws and statutes that will dictate who will inherit your property, and what you may have told someone in private what you want to happen has no bearing in distributions if your desires are not properly executed in writing. And, please, don’t let a judge decide who will be the guardian of your minor child(ren). Put it in writing to avoid a Judge from making the

2) Advance Directive for Healthcare – Also known as a “Living Will” or “Healthcare Directive," this directive legally appoints someone as your Health Care Agent to make healthcare decisions for you when you cannot decide for yourself. You can also formally state your preferences for the medical treatments you do or do not want to receive in the event you are incapacitated or unable to communicate your own healthcare decisions. Remember the Terry Schiavo case? A healthcare directive would have settled that decades-long case according to her wishes way sooner. 3) Power of Attorney – There are different types of Power of Attorneys, and not all of them are effective immediately. A durable Power of Attorney allows you to name one or more persons to handle your financial or business affairs for you just as you would if you were handling them yourself if you become sick or disabled, either temporarily or permanently. With this type of Power of Attorney, you grant your Agent the power to handle your business or financial affairs upon you becoming incapacitated, which must be confirmed by 2 physicians. Otherwise, you maintain the control of your affairs if or until that time. 24

4) Life Insurance – Many people do not have enough money to cover funeral and/or burial expenses without creating a financial hardship let alone creating generational wealth for their loved ones. Life insurance is the best mechanism for paying final expenses and creating generational wealth if you otherwise do not have those amounts in assets. The younger you are, the least expensive it is. Waiting until you are 50 years old or older is ill-advised as the premiums are higher simply because of your age. Also, it is vital that you obtain a life insurance policy that is NOT sponsored through your employer.

assets private (your money and assets are public information even if you have a Will), then a Revocable Trust is the way to go to protect your estate. Once your estate is filed in Probate Court, your representative will be inundated with solicitations regarding your property and estate. And if you have a large number of assets, your beneficiaries become a target of unscrupulous individuals. There are several different types of trusts, but the basic Revocable Trust is great for probate avoidance and privacy. As an estate planning attorney, I always encourage everyone that I meet to at least have a Basic Estate Plan, no matter your age. Plan for your minor children. Provide generational wealth. Protect your assets from unnecessary taxes. Avoid probate. Save your loved ones the additional time and expenses associated with probate costs, bonds, filing inventory, filing returns, and other fees. Plan for aging parents. The peace of mind in doing so is a gift to both you and your family. Tamika M. Johnson has been a licensed attorney in the State of Georgia for over 15 years and assists clients in Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorneys, Healthcare Directives, Property Transfers, and Deeds. For more information, visit: www.JohnsonLawPractice.com.

If you ever lose or leave your job, that policy goes right along with it and you’ll have to start all over in qualifying for coverage again – but by this time you’ll be older and it will be more expensive. 5) Revocable Trust – If you want your loved Please note: The information provided herein is for ones to avoid having to go to Probate informational purposes only and shall not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Court and/or you want to keep your 25

Tamika M. Johnson Attorney At Law Protecting your Personal, Property & Financial Interests

Wills * Trusts * Deeds Healthcare Directives Power of Attorney

www.JohnsonLawPractice.com 26

Power Podcasts Business

The "Black Wealth Renassaisance" Podcast, hosted by David Bellard, Jalen Clark, Kelly Rhodes, and Jarred Spiller, highlights the importance of group economics, ownership, and financial literacy. Their goal is to normalize black wealth and share helpful resources & tips that we believe will be useful in attaining and maintaining generational wealth. Tune in to learn from the knowledge & experience of successful Black entrepreneurs and investors. For us, by us.

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Power Podcasts Relationship

Damona Hoffman, is the official Love Expert of The Drew Barrymore Show, LA Times advice columnist, Washington Post Date Lab contributor, and certified dating coach. If you’ve seen her on TV you know this is NOT your momma’s love advice. This show is for you if: you’re single and ready to mingle, you need to DTR with your FWB, or you're craving connection in a digitally-driven world. Listeners praise Damona’s “engaging”, “insightful”, “sassy”, “sound” advice, and captivating interviews that will inspire you, no matter how you identify.

Visit: www.damonahoffman.com for more information.

Recommended Books

APPROVED! Get Business Credit in 10 Simple Steps by Janelle Jones

Whether yours is a start-up or a seasoned company, taking an enterprise to the next level calls for significant funds injection; what better way to pump up your capital than to leverage the credit options available! Building Business Credit seemingly is a mysterious mundane task for many business owners. However, Janelle Jones writes a brilliant 18-page book that breaks down building credit into a tangible step-by-step process. This easy-to-follow guidebook packs vital information to help you effortlessly steer your business credit to six figures! What's more, she has done all the hard work for you and included a comprehensive list of creditors to work with and up your credit history! Grab this invaluable resource and build your business credit rating in record time! This book is a sure way to get your credit approved! Purchase "Approved!" on Amazon today!

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OVERCOMING THE MAN LAWS: For The Man Who Wants To Be His Best Despite What He Was Taught

by Oliver C. Marcelle There are several ‘man laws’ that we’ve grown up under - directives that have been passed down from generation to generation. Concepts like: men don’t cry, don’t back down, stand strong on your position, etc. Oliver has discovered throughout his life that the adoption of some of these ‘laws’ were detrimental. They were keeping him from making the necessary adjustments that would enable him to see the kind of results he desired in his life, career, and relationships. This book highlights 5 very important things that Oliver has come to realize over the course of his life (referred to as the 'unwritten man laws'). Soul-searching, evaluation, self-actualization, and adjustments were an important part of the process of becoming the man he wanted to be. The 5 areas are dissected into 8 pillars in an attempt to guide men onto their own path of self-discovery. The goal of this book can be summed up with words from the book’s dedication: May you find 20-20 long before hindsight. Purchase "Overcoming the Man Laws" on Amazon today! 30

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Upcoming Conferences & Events

Want to do something or go somewhere different? Then check out these events, relax and meet some new people! You might meet a future collaborator or mate. Either way, it's a win-win! FEBRUARY 2022 IECA Annual Conference & Expo Location: Minneapolis, MN Date(s): February 15 - 18, 2022 Ba Black American Portraits: RememberingTwo Centuries of Black Art Location: Los Angeles, CA Date(s): February 10 - April 17, 2022 MARCH 2022 National Association of Real Estate Brokers Location: San Antonio, TX Date(s): March 1-4, 2022 National Society of Black Engineers Location: Anaheim, CA Date(s): March 23-27, 2022 APRIL 2022 National Forum For Black Public Administrators Location: Grand Rapids, MI Date(s): March 30 - April 3, 2022 National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers Location: Oxford, MS Date(s): April 14-17, 2022 33

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