The Focus Jan 2015
Happy New Year
The Lea’s Father and Son “Team Up” to bring big things to the city
The Official Magazine of Focused Radio
Focus Points Go Beyond The Dream pg 4 Ballin’: The Lea’s pg 6 Beauty and the Beast pg 9 Beautiful You pg 12 Power pg14 Living The Victorious and Blessed Life pg 16 Editor in Chief: TommyP Story Editor: Lenai Clegg Photo Credits: Facebook Instagram NuFocus Media G. Warner Photography advertise your business or event! Send details to info@focusedradiobobw.com
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Message From the Editor 2015 is here and it is time to make the most of it. No resolutions, only results. This month we say thank you to the man who not only taught us how to dream, but more importantly to do what’s needed to make it a reality. I thank you Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for being an example for change. In that same spirit, I sat down with a father and son team who have been a shining example of making a difference in the community. Roanoke City Councilman Sherman Lea Sr. has led task forces against the violence that plagues most metropolitan cities like Roanoke. He has also been actively involved in community projects that give many without hope, the ability to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Following in his father’s footsteps, Sherman Lea Jr. took his one person manned office, (himself), and worked hard to see it manifest to over 100 employees. He has made his mental health company an outlet for making a difference. They have teamed up to bring The Lea’s High School Winter Classic to the biggest stage in Roanoke. Already, this year is starting off with evidence of big things poppin’ for the Star City. As always thanks for your support and...
#StayFocusedMyFriends
TommyP
Go Beyond The Dream
I think that at the end of the day, we all want happiness, love, money, purpose, and companionship. Now the question is, how many of us believe that we are worthy of these things, and how hard are we willing to work, wait and persevere to obtain these dreams? According to www.psychology.about.com, EVERYBODY dreams. Therefore, if we all have the ability to dream, then why aren’t we living them out? Is it because the dream is not realistic? What makes a dream realistic or not? More times than not, it may be because its never been done before or at least not that “unconventional” way. What if Steve Jobs of Apple Inc, didn’t have a dream bigger than his partners and didn’t decide to “go for it”, when they couldn’t see what he saw? I’d be lost without my IPhone!! My life is so much easier, I’m more proficient with life tasks, and its fun! I’m so glad he didn’t give up when he was rejected, discouraged and probably even laughed at. Look how much his perseverance has changed the face of technology all around the world. There are few dreams that are just plain unrealistic like, being able to turn the sun on by a light switch or something crazy like that, but then again...who knows? Some of us don’t reach for our dreams because we don’t believe we are worthy of their manifestation. Let’s say for example that you desire a true loving relationship, but because you don’t love yourself, or you because you know that you’ve done things in your past that aren’t deserving of true love (in your mind) , you never reach for that dream. Even if that dream presented itself to you, because of your negative perception of yourself, you probably wouldn’t be able to see that it is exactly what you dreamed about having. Being vulnerable, loving yourself (which includes your strengths and weaknesses, achievements and mistakes), and having a willingness to put it ALL on the line, is required, if you ever intend to live your dream. Another major reason we aren’t living our dream is because we are afraid. We are afraid to fail. What most don’t realize is, that we will never win and be able to sustain our success, without encountering failure somewhere along the way. If a person tells you that they have never failed, then that either means that they are lying, or that they have never tried anything. I remember playing basketball as a teenager. I was a star track athlete, but had never played organized basketball before until my 11th grade. And I only played because I wanted the conditioning for track season. Well, I was not even close to being the best on the team, which was unacceptable to me, (even though these girls had been playing their whole lives). So at every practice, the coach would always ask for a volunteer to guard the best player on the team for a demonstration. At first, I did like everyone else and looked down at the floor trying at all costs not to make eye contact with the coach, until she finally just picked someone, who reluctantly would go and get in position, while the rest of us sighed in relief. Well one day, I said to myself, “If I want to be good, I’m going to have to face my fears”. So the next opportunity, and every one after that, I would jump up quickly to go against the number one girl. Yes, she would do lay-ups around me, crossovers that left me still at the top of the court, would stuff (block really hard) my shots, every embarrassing thing that could be done. But guess what, I was facing my fears, and because I was, I was NOT afraid to fail, which forced me to be my very best every time I stepped on that court. I was awarded “Most Improved” the two years I was there, Captain one year, and top rebounder one of those years. So, from that experience, I’ve learned to take calculated risks, look fear in the eye, and take on the challenge. If the reward is going to be greater than the risk, even if it means I fail, but I am a step closer to achieving my dream, I will always be the one yelling “Coach, put me in,
give me the ball!”
Lenai Clegg~ Inspirational Speaker The Focus Jan 2015 4
Happy Birthday MLK
Let Us Keep The Dream Alive
by TommyP This month was very special because I had the opportunity to sit down with of a father and son team, making huge impact in our community. Councilman Sherman Lea Sr. and entrepreneur Sherman Lea Jr. are the two I speak of. I think you will enjoy what they had to say about their upcoming basketball tournament as well as the other initiatives they are leading: TP: Tell me about the Winter Classic? SLSR: The Winter Classic is a follow-up to the Football Classics we hosted for many years in the city. A time when the City can come out and root for their favorite teams and support many Non-Profit organizations doing huge works in Roanoke. SLJR: Coach Woody Deans was a driving force in bringing two great prep teams in VA. He just so happened to have coached their coaches to the ‘92 VA State Championship when he coached at PH. Curtis Staples’ team from Lynchburg [VA Episcopal] and Troy Manns’ team ranked #1 in the state this year out of Richmond [L.C. Byrd]. Both teams are powerhouses with highly regarded talent. TP: Wow, just what the city needs to get over some of the recent tragedies we have suffered with the gun violence that has happened this year. SLJR: We are doing our part to give alternatives and it’s going to be great to see not only all the teams play, but the ‘92 PH team will be highlighted as well. SLSR: Stopping violence in the city is a huge part of my fight. I know that encouraging positive reinforcements like getting the community out and working together with all the organizations involved will make an impact. The Focus Jan 2015 8
TP: Sir, I have seen you on the front lines in various missions to decrease violence and using your platform on city council to work on our “urban” communities specifically. Having your son alongside you sets a great example. SLSR: It starts in the homes. Parents doing their part and encouraging others to get involved is huge. Leaders have to be the first partakers of that ideology. TP: Jr., you are working on promoting mental health. I know that is a part of the violence issue here. SLJR: There’s nothing more rewarding than to see the success of other people. I use my degree in Human Services and my company, to encourage young people to use the challenges they face as motivation to do something different. Having an understanding of the force that’s against them and the help that’s out there will open many doors for change. I told some students recently, “You can do anything you want, if you are passionate about what you do and are willing to put in the work.” Truly we are blessed to have these two leading a charge in Roanoke, to not only show how it’s done, but opening doors for others to succeed as well.
Sherman Lea Sr. and Jr. Truly Stars of the Star City
Aleisha Lynch Model
Model, Health Care Professional
Beautiful You By Crystal C January 2015 is the start of a new year and a new you. What better way to start off the year, than by bringing forth the beautiful being that’s inside of you. I will be suggesting a few makeup tips that will enhance your features and make you feel fresh and natural. The start of the year is when everyone is dieting, changing old habits, and trying to fall in line with who they are destined to be. So why not start out being a better, more confident version of yourself? Your everyday appearance is important because it determines how people view you, and first impressions are everything. You’ll have busy schedules and hectic lives, but you should always take time out to take care of yourself. So here’s to a start of a more beautiful you. To achieve an everyday natural look for a woman, you must thoroughly cleanse and moisturize your face. Apply a spray primer to your face to keep your makeup looking fresh all day. Apply a foundation that best suits your skin complexion, test the color at the jawline. Once foundation is completely applied, take a big powder brush and lightly cover your face with a powder foundation. For a fresh natural eye appearance,
you’ll want to use nudes, browns, golds, and earthy tones. The Naked Palettes by Urban Decay have great natural eye shadows. Start with the outer corners of your eyes and lightly dust inward with a dark shade of brown. From the inside of the eyelid to the middle apply a golden base shadow to meet the brown. Lightly blend both colors together where they meet. In the outer lid you’ll tap a darker brown or black to enhance the eye and make it pop. Line your top and bottom lid with a black or brown liner and apply mascara for a finishing touch. Easy right? For a natural lip, first apply Chapstick to keep your lips looking great and moisturized, add a lipstick in any shade of nude or you can apply a simple gloss with a natural shimmer base and your look is complete. Take this year and rock it to the fullest! Don’t let a day go by without acknowledging the beauty that God gave you on the inside and out. Let this year be the start of a new you, a beautiful you.
Power
by Will Speaks
Most people are unwillingly addicted to being powerless and being bound. They become content with playing the role of the victim. We all have free will and the power to change our minds, and where we want to be in life. The MerriamWebster dictionary defines power as having the ability to act or produce an effect. We have the ability to affect our lives, negatively or positively. Your life is powered by you and no one else, unless you give your power away. How do you give your power away? You can give your power away by being in negative, toxic relationships that are draining. Another way a person can give their
power away is by following the plan that someone else has mapped out for them. Who determines whether or not you succeed and reach your goals in life? The answer to that question is, you! You are the only one to make your dreams become a reality. You are the director, writer, and producer of your story. We have the power to create our own masterpiece. What will your masterpiece painting say about you? I challenge you to tap into your greatness in order to receive the power and energy you need to make what you’ve visualized, materialize. Remember, your life is powered by you!
Living the Victorious and Blessed Life Are you living a victorious and blessed life? Notice the question wasn’t are you living a perfect life. So often, those categories are blended together and then misconstrued. Let’s take a few moments to go over some definitions: Victorious: Evincing moral harmony or a sense of fulfillment Blessed: Having a sacred nature: connected with God; Bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune Perfect: Excellent or complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement; Entirely without any flaws Okay, now that we’ve gotten the definitions in the way, I’ll re-ask the question. Are you living a victorious and blessed life? If your answer is yes, then my prayer is that you continue to do so, but if not, then maybe this information could jump start your new life. Living a victorious and blessed life is what God wants for his children, but in order for that to happen, there is one main thing that must be done. A rebirthing must take place. One must go through a spiritual rebirth (born again), and after you have done that, the new life can begin. I’m going to give you a second to go and get your Bible, and for you techy’s, I’ll give you a second to click onto your Bible app. Ok, second is up. J. I mentioned a spiritual rebirth, and you’re probably inquiring how is that done? I’m glad you asked. Locate Acts 16:29-30 in your Bibles. To make a long story short, Paul and Silas were prisoners in jail; the jailer asked them what must he do to be saved? Paul and Silas replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. Now, I have a question for you, (I’m sure you knew it was coming.J) Do you believe in the Lord Jesus? Now that it’s been established that you believe in the Lord Jesus, you are now considered to be in Christ. II Corinthians 5:17 indicates, (read along with me) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new… KJV. According to the Bible, you are now a new creation. Don’t worry about the old (insert your name here), and all the bad things you may have done. God just revealed to you, in his WORD, that you are now a new person. Since you now have Jesus in your life, you are guaranteed victory in every circumstance. (I Corinthians 15:57.. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…KJV). This means that whatever challenging situation you find yourself in, no matter how difficult and impossible it may appear, you have peace knowing that you are the victor through Christ. Remember there is nothing too hard for God and that’s what makes you Blessed!
D. A. Kelley Author, 70 x 7 “The Road to Forgiveness” The Focus Jan 2015 16