2024 M.O.guls of Excellence

Are you a small business owner or entrepreneur looking to protect your dreams and investments? Join us for an exclusive online webinar where Thee M.O.gul Mag. has teamed up with Neidra Crosby, Vice President of The Insurance Exchange!

Neidra will be your guide through the world of business insurance, why it's important, how much insurance you need to have, and how to leverage insurance to protect everything you've worked hard to build. Join us on Tuesday, May 28 2024 from 7-8 pm CST. Grab your free ticket below!

Celebrating Excellence

Michelle O'Kennard Editor In Chief

The term excellence is connected to a variety of adjectives including distinction, brilliance, greatness, and superiority. Excellence can be described as ‘the quality of being outstanding...”. While achieving excellence, one must also be an overcomer of barriers to success. Challenges strengthen one’s own belief in self, thus producing greatness.

In honor of celebrating the spirit of excellence, Thee M.O.gul Mag. has designated the month of May to featuring M.O.guls of Excellence. Each M.O.gul selected has proven to be walking in their individual greatness and have established preeminence in their respective industries over time. Please join me on the journey of inspiration as we delve into the pages and lives of those achieving business excellence.

Thank you M.O.gul readers and community members for your continued readership and unwavering support. Without you, there is no us!

3

.O.gul of Thee

Carl West

.O.gul of Thee .O.nth Carl West

Carl West is the Chairman and CEO of MG Media, a global marketing and publishing firm founded in 1998. As a publisher, MG Media was the parent company to The TRUTH magazine, and producer of The TRUTH Awards, both created in 2000 to identify, profile, and showcase the innovative, prolific trailblazers in Chicago’s entertainment and business communities.

For more than 20 years, Carl has been recognized by numerous organizations for his committed work in the hip-hop culture, and for educating aspiring artists on the relevance of being community advocates, voter registration, and entrepreneurship.

Carl taught The Business of Hip Hop Culture at Olive Harvey and Malcolm X Colleges, developing a rigorous curriculum, that furthered his mission to harvest the next generation of thinkers, and teaching leadership classes at Chicago State University.

.O.gul of Thee .O.nth

A distinguished self-taught journalist and successful entrepreneur, Carl’s unique voice was enlisted by Citizen Newspaper publisher, Bill Garth, to contribute articles on hip-hop culture and climate – to introduce the weekly publication to a younger audience.

Within five years, his featured stories helped the newspaper increase market share and circulation by more than 20%, expanding its audience and advertising base. Mr. West sits on the board of various organizations, including the Negro Baseball Academy, South Side Federal Credit Union, TRUTH 4 Literacy Foundation, the South Side YMCA, and the KLEO Center. In 2009, he was inducted into the Chicago Vocational High School Hall of Fame. Carl has been recognized by Chicago’s Who’s Who for two consecutive years (’10& ‘12).

Thee M.O.gul Mag. is proud to name Carl West as our 2024 May M.O.gul of Thee M.O.nth!

Photo courtesy of MG Media

Carl's First Book, Coming Soon!

. Resources

Chi Capital Accelerator, World Business Chicago

The Chi Capital Accelerator, presented by World Business Chicago, aims to prepare established Black or Brown-owned businesses through a 12-week capital readiness accelerator program focusing on financial literacy, intuition, and business development.

Now accepting applicants for 2024. Please complete this form before May 17th, 2024, to officially apply!

.O.gul Partner

Khalid ‘ s Korner Khalid Scott,

Khalid ‘ s Korner

Mental Health Moments: Managing Anxiety!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Moments: Managing Anxiety!

Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress. It’s a feeling of fear or apprehension about what’s to come. The first day of school, going to a job interview, or giving a speech may cause most people to feel fearful and nervous.

But if your feelings of anxiety are extreme, last for longer than six months, and are interfering with your life, you may have an anxiety disorder.

In the case of an anxiety disorder, the feeling of fear may be with you all the time. It is intense and sometimes debilitating.

This type of anxiety may cause you to stop doing things you enjoy. In extreme cases, it may prevent you from entering an elevator, crossing the street, or even leaving your home. If left untreated, the anxiety will keep getting worse.

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of emotional disorder and can affect anyone at any age.

It is always recommended to seek professional assistance (ie: medical physicians, psychologists , etc.).

Types of Medications for Anxiety

Although anxiety can be tough to manage on your own, there are medications that can assist you with managing is effectively. Please see medication list below as follows:

Be phenomenal,

Khalid Scott, BS, MSW, LCSW

Benzodiazepine Anxiety Medications

Xanax (alprazolam)

Valium (diazepam)

Ativan (lorazepam)

Klonopin (clonazepam)

Librium (chlordiazepoxide)

SSRI Antidepressant Anxiety Medications

Lexapro (escitalopram)

Prozac (fluoxetine)

Zoloft (sertraline)

Celexa (citalopram)

Paxil (paroxetine)

The Small Business Expo (SBE) 2024

Ignite your entrepreneurial spirit at America’s BIGGEST business-to-business trade show, conference & networking event of the year! Small Business Expo helps small business owners, start-ups and entrepreneurs like you take their business to the next level.

. Resources

Defining New Norms Conference & Exchange

Call for Proposals

Help us shape the discourse around "Defining New Norms" at the 2024 NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange. Your expertise, insights, and vision are essential as we chart a bold course toward a more inclusive and equitable future.

Let's challenge conventions, spark conversations, and redefine the norms that will drive us forward. Submit your proposal now and be part of shaping tomorrow's reality.

The Association Chicago has nominated our Editor In Chief, Michelle O’Kennard for her support to the minority small business community! Join us at this inviteonly event for Chicago entrepreneurs and small business owners! Sponsorships and vendor opportunities available. Invited M.O.guls will receive a personal invitation to attend. For more details, email: TheeMarketingMogul@gmail.com.

. Resources

Million Dollar Pitch Competition

Apply for the chance to be one of six incredible startup leaders flown to HubSpot’s INBOUND conference in Boston, MA to pitch their businesses to a panel of top-tier judges. Startups receive invaluable feedback and be considered for an investment of up to one million dollars from HubSpot Ventures.

The purpose of the golf outing is to raise money to support the needs of college students through their academics and residential expenses.

. Resources

Block Advisor Grants

Block Advisors by H&R Block is providing $100,000 in grants, plus small business services.

One grand prize winner will receive a small business grant of $50,000. Additional finalists will receive a grant of $12,500. All winners will also receive services from our experts:

Small business taxes

Bookkeeping

Payroll

Business structure analysis

Celebrating Excellence 2024

Dr. Shaniqua Jones | Purple Path

Dr. Shaniqua Jones Celebrating Excellence

Dr. Shaniqua Jones is a global leader, restorative justice practitioner, and expert, and founder of Purple Path. Affectionately known as Dr. J and for her brilliant ability to connect deeply with those who have been harmed and have caused harm through Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices.

Dr. J has been called upon to remove barriers alienating and dehumanizing people from all walks of life. Dr. Jones completed her doctoral degree in Interdisciplinary Leadership specializing in Higher Education in May of 2016. She has a diverse background in academics. Her uncanny ability to infuse her personal and professional experiences, allows her to genuinely connect and empathize with those she serves.

In 2018, Dr. Jones was honored and inducted as a member of the 40 under 40 rising leaders into the Young Women's Professional League Chicago for her industry expertise and leadership. The global speaker founded the Purple Path for-profit organization in the spring of the following year. The organization provides sustainable and tangible resources, building competencies, relationships, and social capital in deserving communities.

Dr. Shaniqua Jones Contact

Celebrating Excellence

Dr. Jones advised students to serve across the country and mentored scholars through academic preparation and spiritual formation. Dr. J used her experiences as Restorative Justice Coordinator - Dean of Students at Chicago Collegiate Charter School.

Recently, she completed her professional dream as a TEDx Speaker which is set to release mid-May 2024.

Thee M.O.gul Mag. is proud to celebrate Dr. Shaniqua Jones and Purple Path as May’s M.O.guls of Excellence 2024!

To connect with Dr. J and Purple Path, you may visit their website at: www.purplepathbydrj.com. You may also follow Dr. J and Purple Path on social media: Instagram- @purplepathbydrj and on Facebook Groups . Connect

Photo courtesy of Purple Path

LaTanya Carter | bEASILY Created

LaTanya Carter

Celebrating Excellence

LaTanya (Beasley) Carter is a dedicated wife, mother, daughter and the founder of bEASiLEY Created, a premium custom apparel design company located in Chicago, IL. Pronounced "Be Easily Created", LaTanya and her team provide entrepreneurs and small businesses customizable and affordable apparel options.

The story of bEASiLEY Created began in 2010 when LaTanya, balancing the demands of a full-time job, ignited her passion for digital artistry. Starting with crafting invitations and flyers digitally for her inner circle of family, friends, and local businesses, LaTanya dreamt of expanding her artistic endeavors into a thriving business venture.

But every journey has its hurdles. In 2016, during the whirlwind "prom season," fate intervened. A customer sought LaTanya's expertise for personalized drinkware and t-shirts alongside custom invitations. It was a pivotal moment. Confronted with the challenge, LaTanya seized the opportunity,accepting the challenge to start on a journey of discovery.

With unwavering determination, LaTanya delved into tutorials, mastering the intricacies of equipment and software to ensure high quality results for her clients. Armed with newfound knowledge and revived confidence, she applied the knowledge she received, seamlessly executing lavish designs for her client's "prom send-off" celebration.

LaTanya Carter

Celebrating Excellence

Today, bEASiLEY Created stands as a testimony to LaTanya's resilience, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit. While bEASILY Created caters to a diverse clientele, its core mission remains unchanged: to provide impeccably customized apparel options that make a statement and fosters engagement,

From small business owners seeking branded apparel to novices eager to unlock the potential of a Cricut machine, LaTanya and her team serve as mentors, guiding each step of the creative journey.

Thee M.O.gul Mag. is proud to celebrate LaTanya Carter and bEASiLEY Created as May’s M.O.guls of Excellence 2024!

Contact

To connect with LaTanya Carter and bEASiLEY Created, you may visit their website at: www.BeasilyCreated.com. You may also follow LaTanya and bESASILY Created on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok- @BeasileyCreated.

Photo courtesy of bEASily Created

Thank You For Your Support!