2024 February Issue of Thee M.O.gul Mag.

FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE

Featured Article Khalid’s Korner Love & Relationships

M. Resources Young, Gifted, & BLACK! Young Entreprenuers Breaking Barriers

M. Event

‘Social Media Strategy & Planning For Entreprenuers Webinar’ with Michelle Thames 2/22/24!

Table of Contents FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE

Featured Article Khalid’s Korner Love & Relationships: A Look Into M.O.gul Love

M. Events

Sign up for Social Media Planning & Strategy For Entreprenuers Webinar with Digital Strategist, Michelle Thames of Thames Media Solutions, Thursday, 2/22/24, 7-8 PM CST. Reserve your FREE tickets now.

Register Now PAGE 2

M. Resources Young, Gifted, & BLACK! Young Entreprenuers Breaking Barriers

Young, Gifted, & Black As we celebrate Black History Month and our first year annivarsary as a publication, it is imperative that we not only acknowledge those who’ve paved the way ahead for us, but to also honor those who are paving a way for the future.

Thee M.O.gul Mag. is excited to share with you young Black entreprenuers beating out their own pathways to business excellence and success. Please join me as we celebrate this month’s special M.O.guls who are making their mark in our world with their wealth of talents, intellect, and creativity.

Michelle O'Kennard Editor In Chief

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Year Thee M.O.gul Mag. would like to thank our featured M.O.guls and M.O.gul Community of readers for an amazing year! We are just getting started and we can’t wait to see what the future holds! Thank you for your support of Thee M.O.gul Mag.!

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.O.gul of Thee

.O.nth

Javon Nicholas Contact

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.O.gul of Thee

.O.nth

Meet Javon Nicholas, Founder and CEO of The Flavour Unit Corporation, the parent company of Egg Rolls Etc., a frozen product line of comfort filled Egg Rolls, potstickers and Rangoon. She is also the founder of Legacy Kitchen Solutions, a small food business coaching and consulting firm.

For more than 22 years, Javon has been adding a dash of love and passion into each dish and food product her company produces. After living abroad in Taiwan Asia, Javon was inspired to create her comfort filled frozen product line Egg Rolls Etc. which is sold online and delivered directly to consumers.

Her love for travel and cooking while abroad has led her to cook in the kitchens of more than five continents, from living in Taiwan and London, to most recently attending a service trip to Ghana. She creates unique dishes and offers them on multiple platforms for all to enjoy her unique culinary creations.

Serving a small food business coach and consultant for multiple nonprofit organizations throughout Chicagoland and is an Advisory Board member of The Illinois Restaurant Association. Javon self-published her first book during the covid lock down in 2020. Her book “Legacy Kitchen 1219 an inheritance of recipes from her family to yours” is sold on all platforms that sell books including Amazon.

Since following her passion for flavor, Egg Rolls Etc. has received multiple accolades including 1 of 5 Best egg rolls in all of Chicagoland and Chicago’s Best local Food Product 2023, 1 of 4 Chicago Bears All Pros 2023, 2023’s excellence in Business from the Urban League. Additionally, Javon was named one of the most influential women in food-by-Food processing Magazine 2022.

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.O.gul Partner

‘Mz Metchi’ is media personality, content creator, event specialist and professional brand ambassador who partners with small businesses and local music artists to help better market and promote their brands. After spending over a decade in operational management, she decided to take a leap into entrepreneurship and helping others. Learn more at MzMetchi.com .

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.O.gul Partner HITUSARADIO.COM

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Resources .

Amazon's Black Business Accelerator program, launched in 2020, stands as a commendable initiative aimed at addressing the disparities faced by Black entrepreneurs in the business world.

The program focuses on providing access to resources, mentorship, and promotional support to Black-owned businesses, fostering their growth within the e-commerce giant's vast marketplace.

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.O.gul Partner

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Resources .

Operation HOPE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and theircorporate partners come together to present 1MBB – One Million Black Businesses initiative.

There is no cost to participate as those 1MBB corporate partners donated to Operation HOPE on your behalf. The only requirement to be a part of the 1MBB Initiative is to be a black business owner or aspiring black business owner.

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Resources .

Galaxy Grants, a visionary initiative launched to support minority entrepreneurs, is standing out as a beacon of empowerment in the business world.

This program is designed to provide financial assistance, mentorship, and resources to propel minority-owned businesses to new heights.

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Resources .

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Resources .

FedEx's Small Business Grants Program has emerged as a commendable initiative in the corporate landscape, demonstrating the company's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses.

Launched with the aim of providing financial assistance and resources, this program is making a tangible impact by empowering aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their visions into reality.

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Resources .

The National Black Business Pitch (NBBP) is a competition designed to connect Black-owned businesses to corporations who seek to expand and diversify their supply chain with new products and services.

The National Black Business Pitch is seeking to do more than provide a seat at the table, but to open doors and build relationships that can lead to long-term and sustainable contracts. The ultimate goal is to create a Black business network that corporations can access and do business with.

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Resources .

The EYE program is uniquely designed to provide the next generation of minority entrepreneur participants ages 19-35 with support to enhance their growing business. Business owners will receive guidance from corporate sponsors, MBEs, and additional stakeholders.

EYE will utilize an interactive curriculum that includes development sessions, practical applications, corporate mentors, and best practices to implement in your business immediately.

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Resources .

The BGV Pitch Program flips the traditional pitch experience on its head: coach entrepreneurs, host a live crowdfunded pitch competition, then connect them to community and professionals to support them on their journey.

They democratize funding by allowing the audience to vote with their dollars using the Raisify platform for the founders whose pitch they favor. Each founder has 3 minutes to pitch and a 3 minute Q&A from the audience.

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. Event

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Register Now

Khalid’s Korner

Khalid Scott, LCSW PAGE 23

Fetured Article

Khalid’s Korner

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Love and relationships in 2024 are marked by a dynamic interplay of tradition and modernity. In an era dominated by technology, genuine connection remains crucial. Couples navigate a landscape where virtual interactions coexist with intimate face-to-face moments. The emphasis on effective communication endures, with partners seeking a balance between digital engagement and quality time.

Societal shifts have ushered in a more inclusive approach to love. Diverse expressions of affection are not only accepted but celebrated. The boundaries of commitment have expanded, emphasizing mutual respect, understanding, and a commitment to shared personal growth.

In 2024, relationships are less confined by traditional roles and expectations. Gender norms continue to be challenged, fostering an environment where individuals are free to express their authentic selves within partnerships. This inclusivity contributes to a richer tapestry of love stories, each unique in its composition.

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The pace of life in the 21st century has introduced challenges, but also opportunities.

Couples grapple with the demands of busy schedules, yet innovative ways of staying connected emerge.

From virtual date nights to shared online experiences, technology becomes a tool for maintaining closeness rather than a barrier.

Moreover, self-care and individual fulfillment are recognized as vital components of a healthy relationship. Partners encourage each other's personal aspirations, understanding that a strong bond is built on the foundation of two individuals thriving together.

While the external world evolves, the core tenets of love remain timeless.

Trust, communication, and emotional support continue to be the bedrock of successful relationships. The quest for meaningful connection, though influenced by the trends of the day, remains a universal pursuit.

In conclusion, love and relationships in 2024 reflect a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. In a world shaped by technology and changing social norms, couples navigate the complexities with a commitment to genuine connection, mutual growth, and the enduring values that have defined love through the ages.

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Celebrating Young Entreprenuers

Breaking Barriers

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‘BJ’ | Building With BJ

Celebrating Young Entreprenuers Meet ‘BJ’, an aspiring serial entrepreneur and the co-founder of ‘Building With BJ’ alongside his mom. ‘Building With BJ’ was founded to inspire boys to build their confidence through positive affirmations and everyday essentials.

Encountering and overcoming his own challenges with connecting to the world around him during a global pandemic, Building With BJ was birthed.

Struggling to connect with his emotions during a pandemic isolation left BJ feeling not like himself. By practicing affirmations guided by his mother, BJ tackled his emotional obstacles, building his confidence and fostering a new kind of bond with his mother.

Today, this gifted young man thrives off his inner-built confidence and the love he shares for his community. His huge personality and charming character is welcoming to everyone he meets. BJ says his favorite part of "Building with BJ" is building the confidence of his peers. Bj’s biggest goal with his brand is to encourage boys ages 4 to 10 years old to utilize affirmations to boost their confidence and develop healthy social-emotional skills.

Outside of building his business empire, BJ enjoys entertaining people with his dancing and acting skills.

BJ’s hobbies include playing chess, creating lego exhibits, learning how to code, and “tv time".

To connect with Bj, visit https://www.buildwithbj.com/.

his

website

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at:

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Rachel Holmes | Black Girls Mean Business

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Celebrating Young Entreprenuers Meet Rachel Holmes, the visionary behind Black Girls Mean Business. At just 20 years old, Rachel is an ambitious entrepreneur hailing from the dynamic Bay Area. Focused on carving her path as a future business leader, Rachel couldn't ignore the scarcity of black women in similar roles. Motivated to make a difference, she founded Black Girls Mean Business, aiming to instill confidence and equip young women with the skills needed for success in the corporate world.

Rachel's impactful initiatives have garnered widespread recognition, with features on The Kelly Clarkson Show, ABC 7, NBC Bay Area, KPIX, and various prominent magazines and newspapers. Beyond her role at BGMB, Rachel is a force to be reckoned with in the world of competitive and professional artistic swimming. Leveraging her position as a high-level African American swimmer, she advocates passionately for diversity within the sport.

Currently pursuing her education at UC Berkeley, Rachel is charting a course in Media Studies with aspirations of building a career in Marketing or Social Media Management.

Within the university, she takes on the role of Director of Card Stunts for the UC Rally Committee and contributes to the Department of Student Affairs as a Social Media & Writing Team Liaison/Content Creator.

Rachel Holmes exemplifies a new generation of leaders, breaking barriers and inspiring change both in and out of the boardroom.

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Cory Nieves | Mr. Cory’s Cookies PAGE 32

Celebrating Young Entreprenuers Meet Mr. Cory, also known as Cory Nieves, and his spirited mother, Lisa Howard, affectionately nicknamed "Cookie." Together, they are the innovative minds steering the helm of Mr. Cory's Cookies, a company renowned for its exquisite, all-natural gourmet cookies crafted from the finest ingredients – an indulgence that proves irresistibly addictive.

From a tender age, young Mr. Cory harbored a vision of creating a better world, fueled by his passion for treats and a natural flair for entrepreneurship. At the remarkable age of six, he proudly assumed ownership of Mr. Cory's Cookies, propelled by the ingenious idea of selling cookies to fund his aspirations – a desire born out of both the need to escape the daily bus commute and to save for a car. In this entrepreneurial endeavor, his mother, Cookie, played a pivotal role, persistently encouraging him to sell cookies and save for college.

Their relentless efforts and commitment bore fruit, leading to collaborations with some of the nation's leading companies and brands, including Aetna, Barney's, Bloomingdale's, Citibank, J.Crew, Macy's, Mercedes-Benz, Pottery Barn, Ralph Lauren, TOMS, Viacom, Whole Foods, and Williams-Sonoma. Notably, Mr. Cory and Cookie have made substantial contributions to nonprofits, catching the attention of CNBC's The Profit, which highlighted their achievements. Today, these delectable cookies are available on Amazon, Walmart's online platforms, and their own website.

Beyond the business of cookie selling, Mr. Cory's pursuits include his studies at Penn State University, a passion for golf, quality time with his cats, trading, and a strong commitment to giving back to the community – all while playfully getting on his mom's nerves! The story of Mr. Cory and Cookie is a testament to the power of determination, innovation, and the sweet rewards that come from turning dreams into reality.

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Thank You For Your Support!

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