Trendsetters to Trendsetters March April 2014 by Trendsetters to Trendsetters Magazine

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PHOTO BY J. MARIELLA PHOTOGRAPHY

VP NOTES

Derek Payne

Do you need a mentor?

ind a business professional whose business sense you respect and admire and ask him or her to be your mentor. A mentor can help you develop your business sense by helping you decipher and understand different elements of business theory, operations and decision making. This can include explaining the rationale behind different business decisions, providing a look into how market conditions influence business operations and how shareholders and investors play a role in the overall planning of businesses. A mentor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of different business decisions and serve as a sounding board for your questions. Trendsetters to Trendsetters proudly spotlights successful business owners that are making an impact in their communities and abroad. After viewing our spotlights, take a moment and ask yourself if the individual you just read about can be a possible mentor for you. Hey, what have you got to lose? More than likely, they were mentored too! If not this issue, I guarantee you that someone in a past publication of T2T will catch your attention and can possibly serve as a great mentor for you. We have spotlighted people in multiple cities and states all over the country, covering a multitude of industries. Find your mentor! To read past publications of Trendsetters to Trendsetters Magazine, send an email to dpi@trendtotrendmag.com and I will direct you on where to go.

DPayne OFFICIAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER FOR

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Photo by J CARTER Photography

MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER

“Are You Running on a Full Tank?”

013 was a good year….bridges crossed, mountains climbed, and relationships built. But when you think about goal-setting and the work that lies ahead of you, I ask the question, are you running on a full tank for 2014? Although many accomplishments transpired last year, do you have a game plan for moving forward in life, and in business this year? What are you doing to improve your current situation? In getting to the next level, be sure to fill your tank with a progressive strategy. Whether your road to success is personal, spiritual, or financial, re-evaluate yourself, your surroundings, and your objectives. Get rid of the crud, the weight in your trunk, and the unwanted baggage, in order to create a clean and positive path of direction. Once you determine your new direction, you can establish a precise plan for how you wish to move forward. Fill your tank with positive resources, education, and financial growth opportunities. Don’t forget while driving such a long route, that nutritious eating habits and physical exercise help to maintain a strong mind and good health. Pack some patience, perseverance and knowledge, because they will all play a part in your journey’s success. Running on a full tank offers many benefits. But most importantly, it assures you have enough energy to run the route and finish your journey. Remember that mileage is important, and sometimes the longest route can be the most rewarding. Obstacles and stops may slow you down along the way, but if you’ve got a good map, are well prepared, and have determined your purpose, you will reach your destination successfully and reap the rewards you set out to achieve. If you’re not running on a full tank for 2014, how will you get to the next level? ■

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TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS STAFF PUBLISHER Willie Stewart / Atlanta, GA DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL NETWORK MARKETING & WEB DEVELOPMENT **Lukeither Willingham / Atlanta, GA VICE PRESIDENT / CREATIVE ART DIRECTOR Derek Payne / Columbus, OH DIRECTOR of MARKETING Kenneth Prophet / Atlanta, GA DIRECTOR of PUBLIC RELATIONS Glenda Scott / Atlanta, GA COPY EDITOR Melody Edwards / Atlanta, GA EDITOR Greta Wheeler / Atlanta, GA FREELANCE WRITERS Greta Wheeler / Atlanta, GA Shernita Wiggins / Atlanta, GA Beverly Hill Shelley / Atlanta, GA Glenda Scott / Atlanta, GA Melody Edwards / Atlanta, GA CONTRIBUTING WRITERS **Kirstin Fuller / Washington, DC Dr. Linda Amerson / Arlington, TX Joseph Booker / Baton Rouge, LA Carmen M. Colon / New York City, NY Nita Gray / Atlanta, GA PHOTOGRAPHY Joe Carter (J. Carter Photography) Atlanta, GA Rodney Adams Photography Memphis, TN TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MEDIA GROUP RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PUBLISH ANY MATERIALS RECEIVED. WE APPRECIATE ALL MATERIAL, HOWEVER, SUBMISSIONS MUST BE OF A POSITIVE AND INFORMATIVE NATURE. PLEASE MAIL OR EMAIL ARTICLES TO WSTEWART@TRENDTOTRENDMAG.COM | TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MAGAZINE, 3007 PANOLA ROAD | SUITE 283C | LITHONIA, GA 30038 / 1866-958-7363.

What are People Saying About Us?

nformative, Motivational, and Positive! Readers of ALL ages will benefit from the information exhibited in this magazine, I am looking forward to seeing it around for a VERY long time! Diamond Gordon, Red Oak, GA

GREAT, GREAT, GREAT

Where have you been? This is a well needed publication. This magazine is motivational and professional. John Ball, Detroit, MI

r. Stewart, I look forward to reading your magazine, it brings so much joy to me when I read about all of the Trendsetters that you don’t hear about anywhere else. Keep up the good work. Stephanie Green, FT Meyers, FL

Just had a great time listening to the passion in your voice and your commitment to making Trendsetters to Trendsetters Magazine a leader to be reckoned with. In just a short time you've accomplished a great deal, and I take my hat off to you as I applaud your efforts. Sherry Hooks, Detroit, MI

am in love with your wonderful magazine! The look is great, the articles are great and it's all very exciting. I am always intrigued with people's lives and what they are doing, especially in the community. I just want to say ........ Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing more interesting articles and new positive faces that represent us. Tanja Melton, California Give us your opinion about us. Tell us what you think about our publication and we’ll share it with the world! T2T spotlights the “movers and shakers” of our communities. Send your comments to: wstewart@trendtotrendmag.com

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what’s inside

04 VP Notes 05 Publisher Notes 32 Young & Trendy 34 Up and Coming Trendsetters 43 Commentary 44 Domestic Violence 48 Lifestyle 49 Health & Wellness Trends 55 Fitness Trends 57 Author’s Corner 62 Non Profits 68 Beauty Trends 72 Fashion Trends 75 Arts & Entertainment 85 Real Estate Trends

80 38 trendsetter spotlights

features

38 Education Spotlight

12 Bunnie Jackson-Ransom 14 Judge Mablean Ephriam 16 Yolanda Adams 18 Sheila Tenney 20 Bern Nadette Stanis 22 Gloria Mayfield Banks 24 Jerika Head 26 Gwen Mason 28 Donna Edward 46 Maya Angelou

Dr. Gary McGaha

50 Health & Wellness Spotlight Dr. Rondrick Williamson

70 Beauty Spotlight - Hair 71 Beauty Spotlight - Makeup

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TRENDSETTERS ARE PEOPLE FROM ALL AGES, ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS, GENDERS, OCCUPATIONS, RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL BELIEFS WHO WALK THE EARTH EVERYDAY! ARTISTS MUSICIANS PHYSICIANS CHILDREN PARENTS TEACHERS MINISTERS BAKERS POLICEMEN COMEDIANS COACHES PRINCIPALS MAYORS FIREMEN BEAUTICIANS BARBERS MECHANICS STUDENTS ACTORS JUDGES COUNSELORS CLERKS AUDITORS ACTIVISTS AUTHORS BUSINESSMEN VETERANS FITNESS INSTRUCTORS PHOTOGRAPHERS MECHANICS ENGINEERS…

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MARKETING A MINISTRY Written by Melody Edwards

xemplary is a term that comes to mind when describing Bunnie Jackson-Ransom, President and CEO of firstClass, Inc., a public relations and marketing firm. Her company has stood the test of time for 38 years, and she is still being sought after by high profile and corporate clients, sole proprietors, and small businesses. She has a reputation of providing paramount services in Atlanta and throughout the region, and her ministry is teaching people how to present themselves, and their endeavors, in a positive way.

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TRENDSETTER SPOTLIGHT

Ransom credits her first husband, the late Mayor Maynard Jackson, and her role as first lady of Atlanta, with opening Born Burnella Jane Hayes in the small town of Louisburg, many doors. “But,” she says, “once you get in a door you’ve North Carolina, Ms. Jackson-Ransom was the only child of gotta deliver, especially if you’re black, and especially if you Burnell James Hayes, a school teacher, and Elizabeth Day are a woman.” And deliver is what she has been doing! Clients Hayes, a housewife and seamstress. The nickname “Bunnie” of firstClass, Inc. have included the Trumpet Awards Foundawas a combination of her father's name and nickname, Bunn. tion, the National Conference of Black Mayors, Burger King Growing up just outside of town in the middle of segregation, Corporation, Waste Management, Inc., The MLK Jr. Center, she recalls that most of the black people lived in the same area. and many others. Their longevity with firstClass, Inc. attests to Slop jars, pumps, and outside toilets served as bathrooms. She the exceptional services provided by the company. lived down the street from her grandmother and was active in When Bunnie Jackson-Ransom walks into a room her petite the local church, playing piano at Sunday School and for the stature, chic silvery hair, and often soft-spoken tone suggests a Junior Choir. “It was one of those loving communities where quiet and reserved woman; but, make no mistake - the spirit of everybody knew everybody,” says Bunnie Jackson-Ransom. excellence that surrounds her reveals a presence that commands “You got out of school; you walked home from school; respect. Passionate about her work, she understands and, by the time you got home, your father knew that it cannot be done without the help of othexactly who you walked home from school ers. She is humble enough to say “I need with. The interesting thing about my childyou” and enterprising enough to take hood was obviously it was in the ghetto, the reigns or assist whenever she can, A woman of but we didn’t know it was the ghetto when called upon by colleagues. strong faith, Bunnie Jackson-Ransom is until we got out of it. I never very active in the church and has been She sees both sides of the story wanted for anything.” motivated to write a book about how public and conducts business with honThe product of a strong founrelations and marketing can help churches in esty and integrity, and says, “If I dation and loving home, Bunnie their efforts to reach the public. In her new book can visualize what I can do for Jackson-Ransom realized during Getting the Word Out: Marketing Your Ministry, you, then I can do it.” Where a recent reflection on her life, she shares her expertise gained over the past 38 does she get her motivation? that the notion of entrepreneuryears. The first edition was released in 2009, and She simply says, “Doing it ship was introduced to her as a a second edition is ready for press with four new right. I want to do it right; I young child. Her mom was not chapters covering: “Social Media,” “Crisis in the want to get it done right; I want only a housewife, but a seamChurch,” “How to Start a Marketing Commitmy clients to be satisfied.” stress who sewed dresses for tee,” and “How to Measure what you are Marketing.” She sees churches dying and many women in the neighborhood, not recognizing that there are two Passing It On and frequently received pay for her audiences before them – work. Her father was a teacher, but Life has been fulfilling and Bunnie old and young – it is necessary took on the role of landlord when he Jackson-Ransom says, “I’ve been to reach both. built a house next to the family home and blessed; I know that.” Several years ago rented it out. On the opposite side of the famshe moved her office from downtown Atlanta ily home, he opened a country store, and in the to her home in hopes of taking more time for herback of those two properties he planted tobacco on one self. Planting in her garden and being a mother and grandlot, and cotton on the other lot. During the summers, they mother bring her enjoyment. She is mother to four children, would pick tobacco and cotton and go to the warehouse to sell three daughters and one son, whom she refers to as “my sunthe products. shine.” She replicated the same solid foundation and loving After graduating from high school, Bunnie Jackson-Ransom home for her children that her parents provided during her attended North Carolina College where she received a Bachelor childhood, enabling them to flow in the entrepreneurial spirit of of Science degree in Business, and North Carolina Central Unitheir generation. She is most dedicated to providing marketing versity where she earned a Master of Science in Business, consultation for her children’s two businesses - Edmond, Lindgraduating magna-cum-laude. After teaching at Bennett Colsay, and Hoffler, LLP (attorneys at law) and Jackmont Hospilege for over a year, she returned to Durham, NC. to work for tality’s “Breakfast Club” at selected T.G.I. Fridays restaurants. the North Carolina Fund, and then relocated to Atlanta. For now the projects keep coming, even more so since she moved her office to her home, but her book has provided more opportunities to speak and teach which she has a passion for. Finding the Niche When that becomes a full time undertaking, she says she will In 1975, Ms. Jackson-Ransom founded firstClass, Inc. She stop taking on projects and focus on speaking and teaching. “I strongly believes that she was “more segregated as a woman in enjoy teaching what I do because I do it from the heart,” says business than a ‘black’ person in business.” Finding the niche, Bunnie Jackson-Ransom placing her hand on her heart. For meeting it, and being the best was her focus. Her niche was the those fortunate enough to glean from her wisdom and knowlblack community in Atlanta because it was growing. Not only edge, you have truly been exposed to greatness! ■ did she specialize in media relations, but she also worked on community affairs and government relations. Bunnie Jackson-

Molding a Mind

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here are people who pass through this world and leave footprints that enhance your life, inspire you to pursue your dreams, and compel excellence. Judge Mablean Ephriam is one of those people. Most people know her as the engaging, witty, stern and entertaining judge who presided on the Divorce Court television series from 1999 - 2006. But, if you ever have the opportunity to sit down and have a heart to heart with this remarkable woman, you will come away â&#x2013;ş

WRITTEN BY MELODY EDWARDS

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TRENDSETTER SPOTLIGHT

from the conversation with an indelible awareness of purpose. Entertainer, public speaker, attorney, licensed mediator, author, motivator, mentor, mother of four, grandmother of 10 and godmother, Judge Mablean was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, the ninth of ten children. She moved to Los Angeles at a very young age and shares, “I had a wonderful childhood. I was raised in a two-parent home with a mother and father who loved us dearly, and instilled in us some great Christian values. We had a lot of fun and laughter with brothers and sisters sitting around the table for dinner each evening. We had prayer in the home before we went to bed nightly, and attended church as a family on a regular basis. We were raised with good moral principles and values and understanding life in terms of being good to others.” The Village Judge Mablean says that she was always encouraged and told that there was nothing she could not do – that with God all things are possible. “I was made to believe that I could conquer any and everything,” she says. But, despite everyone telling her how beautiful she was and how smart she was, there was a time when Judge Mablean did not believe it herself. She was keenly aware of her dark skin and struggled with low self-esteem. The support that she received from her family and church motivated her not only to persevere, but to serve others. Her mother was always feeding the neighborhood children, picking them up for Sunday School, or opening her home to others when needed. She recalls her mother saying, ‘You never cook just enough for you….you never know who will stop by.’ Not only did she have a loving family to support her, Judge Mablean had the support of a whole village pouring into her life. “There was always someone in my life who helped and encouraged me… the little old ladies in church would give me 5, 10, or 15 dollars in my hand when I came home from college; the Director of the Upward Bound program let us know that we could go anywhere in the world. I feel an obligation to do the same for young people, to introduce them to other things in life; to give them hope; to show them that there is a better way; to encourage them to achieve their dreams; and, to teach them to be morally responsible citizens and to contribute to our society.” Serving Others and Overcoming Adversity Judge Mablean was first exposed to the legal field when she worked as a correctional officer. She later attended school at night, and earned her Juris Doctor in 1978. She worked as a prosecutor, then opened a law practice which mostly dealt with family law and personal injury. In 1999, she was selected to be an arbitrator for the television series, Divorce Court. During her tenure on the show, she formed the Judge Mablean Foundation, adopting two schools and developing mentor programs, cultural and educational enrichment, college scholarships, and Honoring Unsung Fathers (H.U.F.). “Since I was a celebrity who had visibility, revenue and access to people and capital, I decided to form a non-profit foundation to do the things that I always did on a one- on- one Mablean basis, and make it a broader community event so I could reach more than fathers and children

who were right in my sphere.” After Divorce Court, she cared for her ailing mother who passed away in 2010 at the age of 98. The Foundation has established The Mable Ephriam Nursing Scholarship in memory of her mother, who was a nurse. Although she closed her law practice in 2004, Judge Mablean has not slowed down. She stays busy doing public speaking for churches, civic organizations, women’s groups, high schools and colleges around the nation. Her time is also devoted to H.U.F., her tribute to men in the community and to fathers who did a wonderful job and who often go unnoticed. One year I reflected on the father that I had and what a wonderful dad he was. I was fortunate to have had a father in our home who cared about us, who taught us pearls of wisdom, who provided for us, and who was loving to my mother. I knew that there were a number of men out there who were absolutely great fathers. I got tired of all the negative media about deadbeat dads and no good men, particularly African American men. I wanted to do what I could to change this image. I wanted to encourage the fathers who are doing their part by honoring them. Hopefully other fathers who were not doing their part would be motivated to do the same. Pearls of Wisdom Life has presented its share of challenges to Judge Mablean and she candidly speaks about some of the tough times. After her divorce she found it hard to get up and keep moving, but told herself that divorce is not death. She stayed busy. “I find when you’re busy helping others you find out that your problems are really minimal. You forget about what you’re going through.” One of the biggest challenges she has faced is maintaining her weight. She says for her this has been more challenging than taking the bar exam. She has adopted a daily regimen of reading the Bible, praying, exercising and working hard towards eating right. She is also open and looking forward to marriage again. “I believe in the sanctity of marriage.” Judge Mablean offers this advice to young people regarding career choices - “Make sure that it is your passion, whatever your career choice. Understand the pros and cons; understand what is required of you, and have realistic expectations. Understand the dynamics of that career and ask yourself if you are willing to do that. If the answer is yes, go for it!” She is doing just that! She is working on her next book, Look Deep Before you Leap, 52 things to think about when you are looking for relationships, and working on a new television series called Justice With Judge Mablean, which has a firm go for the fall of 2014. The show has clearances to date in 75% of the country. Judge Mablean is still pursuing the things that she has a passion for in full force! One of the most powerful lessons in life that Judge Mablean has learned? “God will give you what you ask for even though its not what you need or what He wants for your life – so be careful what you ask for.” ■ For more information on Judge Mablean Ephriam’s Foundation go to: mableanephriamfoundation.com

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Yolanda Adams WRITTEN BY GRETA WHEELER

ince the 6-foot-1 beautiful, multi-talented, and amazing Yolanda Adams emerged on the scene in 1988, the gospel music legend has continued to evolve on many levels. Throughout the years, she has inspired, motivated, and encouraged many with hit songs such as, “The Battle is Not Yours,” “Step Aside,” and “Victory.” Because her music style is not monolithic, Adams can touch your soul with traditional gospel or sway your spirit with smooth jazz rhythms. As a result, Adams has worked in collaboration with producers outside of the gospel arena all without compromising her faith or diluting the message that God entrusted her to deliver. Gospel music isn’t the only outlet used by Yolanda to touch lives. She is the host of her own radio show, “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show,” a program heard across the country. Where she shares inspirational hits, nutritional facts for healthy living, and words of wisdom through her segment, Points of Power. She also serves as a veteran judge alongside Donnie McClurkin, on the BET Network’s hit gospel talent program, “Sunday Best,” which will return for its seventh season in July with new judge, Kierra Sheard. Yolanda shares her enthusiasm for the new season and is elated to have Sheard as a member of this season’s panel of judges. “We are so excited because she speaks to this new generation, this young generation of singers and musicians; and, she really does have a heart for God so we’re very proud that she’s with us,” Yolanda says with exuberance in her voice. Yolanda is at a happy place in her life and plans to share the joy with a new CD and book, both entitled, “I’m Happy.” They are scheduled for release during the third quarter of this year. Through these two projects, Adams is hoping to raise a better understanding of the true meaning of happiness. “I think people try to minimize what happiness is,” she explains. “If you go for the biblical definition of happy - happy is blessed, favored, preferential treatment… we have been so clichéd when it comes to things of the Bible…you know a lot of people don’t read the Bible. They just listen to what somebody else says and that’s it for them. But read it for yourself. Get a concordance and find out how many scriptures actually have the word happy in them,” Adams stresses. In addition to sharing the spirit of happiness, Adams also recognizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle and is very passionate about sharing her knowledge concerning health and fitness. This is not a passion that she has recently developed. She shares that health and fitness has always been a major part of her life. “My dad was a coach and my mom was a cheerleader; she was into fitness, into sports, so all of our lives our

entire family has been blessed with great instruction and great encouragement in the field of health and wellness…” says Adams. She is so adamant about sharing the importance of healthy living with others that she has taken her fitness move on the road with the Yolanda Adams Health and Wellness Tour. Adams continually stresses the importance of an active lifestyle, healthy eating, and the consumption of water. “I’m very passionate about getting exercise, getting the right amount of water in our system because it has been scientifically proven that the more you take care of your body, the longer you live, and God said that with long life He will satisfy us; but, we have to follow those things that will give us long life.” With the daily radio broadcast, the task of deliberating as judge on “Sunday Best,” and a successful music career, one must wonder how Ms. Adams balances her busy lifestyle with motherhood. She explains, “The first thing is stop thinking of it as juggling because when you think of something as juggling, that means that you’re thinking that it’s out of whack.” She continues, “The beauty of my life is, I know how to delegate. I don’t try to do all of this by myself.” Her message to working mothers is to place motherhood first. “As mothers, that is our first priority. We are supposed to be mothers first and so we are to encourage our children through our lifestyles to be the best that they can possibly be… that means every time you get a chance, hug your child; every time you get a chance, tell them how super they are; how out of all of the people in the world, God blessed me with you,” she shares. Adams does not take her position in the public eye lightly nor does she take God’s many gifts to her for granted. She is very cognizant of everything that she does, from the songs that she writes to the words spoken across the radio waves. When asked what it means to her when someone shares how her songs ministered to them or impacted their lives, Adams replied, “Well first of all it humbles you because you know that it’s not you doing it; that God has given you the gift to do it and without God it wouldn’t be possible. Then the next thing, it makes me feel responsible; that everything that I put out on the air as far as the morning show is concerned or any music or any book… it has to come from the heart of God and it also has to be something that I’ve been touched with.” Adams is careful to consult with God first for His direction and is very deliberate with conveying a message of victory at the end of all of her material. “It’s easy to talk about pain… what about God who can take that person who is having a bad day or just having a bad year and turn everything around in a minute? God is capable and well-able of doing that, so those are the reasons and the ways I construct my songs and my books so that with everything, at the end of every chapter, there’s a victory…” ■

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PHOTO BY J CARTER PHOTOGRAPHY

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TRENDSETTER SPOTLIGHT

“Always give, always care and always SERVE!”

Sheila Tenney

CONTINUING THE TRADITION OF “GIVING” THROUGH MEDIA, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY Written by Shernita Wiggins

egacies are passed down from generation to generation. Many are historical and some are so intimate that only the family is aware of their presence. For Sheila Tenney, Director of Media Relations at Atlanta Metropolitan State College (AMSC), continuing the legacy of “giving” is one that was commonplace in her family. It has stemmed for generations as far back as she can remember from her grandfather, Reverend Julius David who would tell her, “You have such a great heart, and you are so giving. You will always be blessed and be able to rest at night knowing you unselfishly helped and gave to someone in need.” These words have filtered into the life of Sheila Tenney in the form of her gifts in media and education. Because of her “selfless” efforts, she has used her charitable and nurturing nature to give back to the community. Little did she know that when she answered the call of heading up a new media marketing area at AMSC, that it would lead to implementing not only her skills in marketing, public relations, radio, TV and film, but would encompass skills in giving all that was within her, to share in building a two-year college into one that is now a four-year, accredited state college. Prior to Sheila accepting the challenge to AMSC, the institution did not have institutional advancement or media relations. She stepped in and started advertising on billboards, mall displays, radio, TV, bus tails and wraps to re-brand the school in the metropolitan community. She stated that one of the greatest accomplishments was transitioning into state college status. We are no longer a two year college, we are a state college; so, AMSC now offers

three different bachelor degrees: Criminal Justice, Applied Math and Biological Science. Our goal is to continue the 46 associate degree programs that we have and offer more bachelor degrees. My vision and my goal is to increase the branding for the school outside of Georgia. I want to also do some amazing things as far as partnerships are concerned, add in social media because that’s huge now, along with my vision to have a radio and a TV station here on campus. Sheila Tenney understands that a passion for “something” has to start somewhere. For her, it was high school on the newspaper staff, then as a Dow Jones newspaper fellow. While she was in high school, she participated in the High School Journalism Workshop during the summer at Clark Atlanta University. Her first interview was with J. Lowell Ware, the Founder of The Atlanta Voice Newspaper. Her rewarding experiences have sparked the mission she has for AMSC in training the students to become leaders that will shine in the community. The partnership that Atlanta Metropolitan State College has with Living Waters for Girls, Project Grad, TSA and other entities, allows them to reach a broader base of experiences for the students who attend AMSC. As Director of Media Relations, she is more than a “media marketing mogul,” Sheila Tenney lives her motto: “Always give, always care and always serve. And when you do those things, it’s a rewarding experience. I do believe we are placed on this Earth to serve and give by helping others.” For partnerships go to: www.atlm.edu or call 404.756.4000. ■

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Remembering the

GOOD TIMES With

BERN NADETTE STANIS 20 MAR / APR 2014

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TRENDSETTER SPOTLIGHT

STORY BY MELODY EDWARDS

ernadette Stanis has come a long way from playing the feisty teenage daughter, Thelma, on the hit series Good Times. We all remember how she and JJ battled it out to see who would get into the one bathroom shared by the family of five, first. Although the Evans family did not have a lot of money and lived in the projects, they still had love and integrity. Born Bernadette Stanislaus and raised in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York in the projects, Bernadette’s story was ironically similar to Thelma’s character on Good Times. She is one of five children and her mother and father worked hard to ensure that they all received a good education. Bernadette says they were taught that education and determination to be someone in life was key to being successful. She remembers her father always saying, ‘Now I can go and buy a big old house – I can do that, but I’m gonna take my money and invest it in my children’s education and talent.’ It was an investment that he and his wife made without a second thought! As a young girl, Bernadette was exposed to the arts, mainly music and dance, enabling her to enroll in Julliard’s School of the Arts. Her talent was evident and while in her sophomore year she was selected for the part of Thelma on Good Times. She describes it as an “incredible” experience. “Being the rookie, I was watching them. I learned everything just by watching them and how professional they were. Esther Rolle was like my mom away from home. I loved her so much; she was such a brilliant woman. She fought for the right thing for us.” Initially Bernadette only had a few lines like, ‘Hi Mom, Hi Dad, and Shut up JJ.’ She started to get bored and commented to Esther Rolle one day that she wanted more lines. Ms. Rolle’s response was ‘You do, huh? Well, let me handle that.’ After that conversation, things changed, and Thelma had a voice on the show. She attributes that change to Esther Rolle. Although Bernadette was successful early in life, she remembered what her parents stressed about getting an education, and went back to school to get her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Drama. Along with acting, another gift began to emerge – writing. Her first book was Situations 101 – Relationships, the Good, the Bad, the Ugly followed by a book of poetry for men, which is a tribute to the men who supported and encouraged her throughout her life, called For Men Only. On the heels of those books she also published Situations 101 – Finances. Bernadette viewed her role on Good Times as a job, not as being a star, but as doing good work. In 2006, when she started traveling with her mother to promote her book, she realized for the first time how much her fans appreciated her and what an impact she had on them. Both she and her mom were touched by

the outpouring of love and support from the fans. Her mother remarked, ‘Oh Bern, they love you; your fans love you.’ Bernadette is penning a new book in which she opens her heart - The Last Night – A Caregiver’s Journey. In it she pays tribute to her parents and talks about her relationship with them, who they were, and how they contributed to her success as well as the success of her brothers and sisters. She speaks lovingly of her parents. “They were very, very wonderful parents.” Bernadette laughs as she recalls how good they were together even though they were opposites. “Mommy was from Louisiana – ‘a Southern little doll’ and Daddy was from the West Indies and he had that fire going!” She wants to share that with the world as well as the unfortunate things that happened in her life like how they dealt with her father’s murder, and her mother’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. Both of those events weighed heavily on Bernadette and her family. When her mom was in the later stages of Alzheimer’s she was watching Good Times with Bernadette one day, a show she loved to watch. Thelma and JJ were having one of their usual spats when Ms. Stanislaus turned to Bernadette and said, ‘That’s a cute little old girl.’ It was a devastating blow that made all too clear the progression of the disease. “It hit me so hard that my mother did not know that was really me, and it was her that put me on that show and she gave me the face of Thelma. So I said right then and there, I am going to use the same face to put on Alzheimer’s and fight with that! I’m going to fight and hopefully educate and make aware of what it is and what this thing has going on, the characteristics of it, and hopefully we can find an answer to slow it down and stop it eventually.” Alzheimer’s Disease affects African American s twice as much as any other disease, and is the sixth leading cause of death in the country. Bernadette is now a national spokesperson for Alzheimer’s and has established her own Foundation (RememberingtheGoodTimes.org) in honor of her mother who passed away in 2011. The Foundation will host a gala in Atlanta, Georgia in April 2014 to promote Alzheimer’s Disease awareness. Bernadette has not given up on acting, but she is careful about selecting roles. Her advice to young women pursuing an acting career – “Learn your craft because it’s a skill. Understand what acting is about. You don’t have to compromise yourself. All the parts don’t fit you; don’t get discouraged; just hang in there….and you’ll get your spot.” These days Bernadette focuses on her Foundation, speaking across the country, and yet another emerging talent – painting!! “We all have talent; we all have many talents; we don’t just have one. What we have to do is go deep down and if one talent is not working for us at that particular time we have to learn to develop our other talents so that we can survive in the world.” ■

If you would like to support Bernadette in her fight against Alzheimer’s Disease go to: Rememberingthegoodtimes.com TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MAGAZINE

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Photo by MARY KAY INC

22 MAR / APR 2014

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TRENDSETTER SPOTLIGHT

STORY BY GRETA WHEELER

alking into what she thought was only a simple skin care class turned out to be a pivotal moment for the entrepreneur powerhouse and motivational speaking phenomenon, Dr. Gloria Mayfield Banks. When Banks accepted the invitation from a friend to attend a Mary Kay skin care class, she had no intention of going any further than that. Dr. Banks was juggling a hectic lifestyle, facing divorce, raising two small children and committed to 60 -70 hours a week on her job. Banks was already earning a great salary, but admitted to entertaining the thought of earning more money. “So there I was in this skin care class, certainly wasn’t thinking about it in that light because I didn’t wear makeup. I [only] wore lipstick and mascara. I just happened to go to a skin care class and when I saw the kind of fun they were having, I decided that maybe this was a fun way for me to make extra money,” she explains. Today, she is an Independent Elite Executive National Sales Director for the billion-dollar company and her success with Mary Kay, Inc. has put her in the spotlight -placing her in international publications such as Ebony, Glamour, and Fortune Magazines. Before joining Mary Kay, Banks held executive positions with major companies such as IBM and Stratus Computers. She also held a position at the Harvard University School of Business as Assistant Director of Admissions. Success has never been out of reach for Dr. Banks. She, along with her three sisters, were raised in a two-parent home and were taught by both parents to embrace confidence and a healthy level of self-esteem. Banks shares that her parents were wonderful at exposing her and her sisters to African-American heroes. She and her sisters are all very successful entrepreneurs. The eldest sister, Pamela Hilliard Owens, is the founder and CEO of three related writing, publishing, and marketing companies headquartered in Detroit, Michigan under her global flagship "Writing It Right For You" brand. The second eldest sister, Amy Hilliard, is President of Fashion Fair Cosmetics, the largest Black owned cosmetics company in the world, and her youngest sister, Wendy Hilliard, the first African American Rhythmic Gymnastics International Gold medalist and a U.S. Hall of Fame Gymnast, runs her own gymnastics foundation in Harlem, New York, the Wendy Hilliard Foundation. Banks makes it clear that neither of her parents were entrepreneurs but

it was their upbringing that navigated her in that direction. “I was not brought up in a home of entrepreneurship… It was not my desire to be an entrepreneur. It was clearly my desire to climb the corporate ladder,” she shares. Dr. Banks admits that although she once aspired to become a corporate mogul, working with Mary Kay removed her from the mainstream corporate environment and liberated her to express who she really is, a vivacious and energetic woman with a magnetic personality. While she maintains a prosperous career with Mary Kay, there is so much more to Dr. Gloria Mayfield Banks. She is co owner of Charisma Factor, a premier company that specializes in marketing, design, promotion, product development and distribution all associated with corporate event planning. She is an international motivational speaker, and hosts “What it Takes,” an online professional series that appeals to individuals who desire to grow professionally. Dr. Banks personifies the character of a victor, for she has conquered many stumbling blocks in her life. She defied dyslexia and became an academic champion by receiving a MBA from Harvard University. She also survived a difficult marriage and often tells people that she is a hard working, very successful, educated, professional woman who was in a domestic violence situation for 10 years. Banks is very transparent when sharing her story with others. “When I teach women about leadership, I tell them that women will pay attention to you when you reveal the truth about yourself… Everybody has a story,” she shares. Today, Dr. Banks is happily married to Ken Banks, whom she describes as a very successful and driven man. He is a devoted husband and father, passionate philanthropist and an award-winning leader in construction and real estate development. She joyfully shares how she and Ken have blended their lives with their four children who are now all successful adults. Seventeen years later, their marriage is still standing strong. Dr. Banks’ goal is to reach the position of number one in Mary Kay on an international level. She expresses a strong passion for teaching and mentoring women because she enjoys sharing the strategies that have positively impacted her life. It is her sincere wish that her teaching will inspire and empower them to embrace the freedom to make their own choices and create the journey of their dreams. ■

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Photo by M3 Imagery

24 MAR / APR 2014

TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MAGAZINE

TRENDSETTER SPOTLIGHT STORY BY GRETA WHEELER

erika Head has always been a big supporter of charities that are in a fight against cancer. Throughout the years, she has either lost friends and colleagues to the disease, or watched them as they integrate the role of caretakers to parents or relatives into their lifestyles. But in 2009, the fight became more personal for Jerika when her, mother Janell Head, was diagnosed with bladder cancer. “I think God was already preparing me for something that I was going to deal with in my own life. Being a supporter of cancer research, breast cancer and other organizations dealing with cancer, I think it prepared me for what I was going to have to endure when I did find out that my mother had cancer,” shares Jerika. With a better understanding and a more intimate experience in dealing with cancer, Jerika wanted to establish a deeper insight about the disease and started Hat-titude, an organization created to educate and bring awareness concerning the various types of cancer. Hat-titude provides a positive impact in the lives of men and women who are directly and indirectly affected by the invasive disease. “We want to educate people; we want to keep people aware,” says Jerika. “We definitely educate people about it because if you’re educated about it, you’re more likely to go to the doctor or you’ll know certain things to look for; so, we want people to know that just because you have cancer doesn’t mean that you’re going to die.” Hat-titude hosts a huge annual Big Hat Brunch, which is always held on a Sunday, in the month of June in support of

the continuing fight against cancer by raising money for worthy charities. Although the event is focused on cancer, Jerika resolves that the yearly gatherings are always an uplifting and celebratory occasion. “It’s not a down and damper type of event… we’re celebrating individuals who have conquered the fight; and we’re celebrating the lives of loved ones who have traded their boxing gloves in for wings.” This year’s Hat-titude event will be held on June 8, 2014. As with each year, the participants show up wearing hats in the color of their choice to represent a particular type of cancer. The event will include the “Ask the Doctors” segment, which involves a panel of doctors who avail themselves to answer questions posed by guests. There will also be a vendor fair, a live jazz band, a celebratory parade, and a special highlight of all of the individuals who have either conquered cancer, are currently fighting cancer, or those who traded their boxing gloves for wings. Jerika adds that she’s aware of her mother’s presence at the annual events as well and recounts a time at one of the events when the sun appeared to shine unusually bright and how extremely hot it was that day. “It was like a glow in just the area in which we were having Hat-titude… I looked up at the sun and I said ‘that sun is shining so bright.’ And I was like, that is my mommy smiling down on me.” ■ To find out more about Hat-titude or purchase tickets, visit www.hat-titude.com.

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TRENDSETTER SPOTLIGHT

GWEN MASON “An Amazing Woman of Purpose” Glenda Scott, Contributing Writer

s I sat in front of Gwen Mason preparing for her interview, I couldn’t help but think about all the times I’d seen her at different public functions and never really took the time to strike up a conversation, or get to know her. I found myself wondering, “What is this woman about to tell me that would make her worthy of being showcased in this particular issue which recognizes and celebrates women’s month?” As we began the interview, I quickly learned that Gwen Mason is an amazing woman of purpose, worthy of being recognized as an intricate force driving our community in a positive direction. “I am a child of God; without Him I would be absolutely nothing, and with Him I am everything,” expresses Gwen. She is adamant about serving the Lord and living life with a purpose. She is truly a community activist, doing her part to make a difference wherever she can. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Gwen is a mother of three, the eldest of six siblings, and keeps very close ties to her family. Gwen received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications with emphasis in Electronics from the University of West Georgia, and a Master of Science Degree in Human Resources with emphasis on Training & Development from National Louis University. “While attending the University of West Georgia, I researched to understand more about the different sororities, their principles, and whether they were active in the community. I found that I aligned perfectly with the vision of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and pledged Delta because they are about serving and making a difference in the world.” Gwen Mason is CEO of GABB Enterprises, a communications company focusing on inspirational and motivational public speaking. She is also the Associate Director of Operations Training and Delivery for YP, and runs their training division. She was recognized in the top 1% of national sales for former company AT&T, and has received numerous accolades for her knowledge and dedication to her employers.

Gwen Mason serves as the Executive Director and CoFounder of the Hank Stewart Foundation, whose focus is community, education, and leadership. She is a driving force behind the positive direction of our youth, and recognizes the importance of remembering the struggles of our elderly. The Hank Stewart Foundation is very active and focuses on building extraordinary leaders of the future. It provides CRCT March Madness prep courses for children eighth grade and below, defensive driving classes for teenagers and parents, healthcare education forums, services to the elderly, black history experiences, anti-bullying campaigns, career workshops, and much more. Gwen works hard to escalate the Foundation to a level in which they can impact as many children as possible. She is tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. “The leaps, bounds and strides we’ve made in the Foundation gives my heart great joy” says Gwen. “We always have something going on to serve the community and give back in order to make a difference for somebody. We are currently working on the Foundation’s signature annual event, the “White Linen Affair,” which raises funds to support our efforts to help our youth and community.” This amazing woman of purpose is passionate about uplifting, teaching, and giving back. She cares for the least, the lost, and the unfortunate, and believes that the blessings you receive are not just for you, but should also be used to help others. “Recognize what God’s purpose is for you” says Gwen. “Grab ahold of your passion, and live your purpose. Utilize your strengths, talents and gifts to glorify God’s kingdom and all your efforts will come naturally, and you will naturally enjoy what you do. The seeds you sow will determine the harvest you reap. Keep your seeds planted on helping, giving to others, and serving someone else. Get educated…do your part…and make a difference!!!” Gwen Mason, worthy of recognition, and a fine example of God’s humble servant!!! ■

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PHOTO BY GKEITH PHOTOGRAPHY

28 MAR / APR 2014

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TRENDSETTER SPOTLIGHT

Servant Leader, Aspiring Author, Motivational Speaker, and Restorative Justice Advocate

DONNA EDWARD WRITTEN BY TIA SCOTT

ne of the qualities of a great leader is the ability to look at situations from all angles and perspectives. This empathic approach of understanding the mindsets and actions of the haves and the have-nots is one that can only be acquired by life experience, spiritual awakening, and wisdom. Donna Edward possesses this great quality and more as she continues to advocate for our youth as well as give back to the community. As a servant leader, aspiring author, motivational speaker, and restorative justice advocate, Donna subscribes to the thesis that there are two opinions in life: God’s and everyone else’s. God’s word is definitely the final authority in her life, and as a result, she has shaped a brand that provides life and leadership strategies for at-risk men, women and children through the effective and undivided word of God. Donna’s goal for those who seek her leadership is to help them create the reality that they imagine by prioritizing and aligning themselves and their mission with God’s purpose for their lives. The daughter of an elected official, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree as Donna began a career path in public service at the age 16. She served as a former United States Congressional Page where she attended high School on the 3rd floor of the Library of Congress and received letters of distinction. She would soon attend Ohio University where she earned her BA in Political Science and later became a National Urban Rural Fellow, attending Baruch College, CUNY where she received her Master’s in Public Administration. However, the road of success was not always a smooth one as she endured many trials, life lessons and transitions including the death of her parents at an early age, becoming a young bride, and divorce among other setbacks. Although she was

raised in the church and was achieving goals and receiving prominent accolades, she was still searching for love outwardly when all the love she needed was within. Doing the work of the soul through prayer, fasting and faith, Donna began to embrace a wholehearted, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Instead of trying to find love and comfort in wrong relationships and accomplishments, she ultimately found her true spiritual path by seeking a sacred relationship with the Lord, honoring the covenant she had with Him, and exercising the power within. The ability to reach out to the community on behalf of the children and families in need has allowed her to work with the Ludacris Foundation, 2Chainz’s TRU Foundation, Nappy Roots, T.I. Men’s W.E.A.R, My Teen Magazine, Elisabeth Omilami, Mike Glenn Foundation, Mayor Kasim Reid, Former San Francisco 49’er and Super bowl Champ Steve Wallace, Martin Luther King III, Evander Holyfield and many more. She’s worked for Atlanta Public Schools and has gone on to serve as Community Organizer and Program Coordinator for Morehouse School of Medicine’s Metro Atlanta Carrera Program. Currently, Donna is serving in the Atlanta Community Court as a Coordinator of the Office of Programs, where she helps to restore the lives of young adults who have come in contact with the criminal justice system, through education and service, rather than jail. Moving forward to spread her message of empowerment and awareness, she’s been a speaker at a variety of empowering events including Beulah Christian College, Urban League of Greater Atlanta, West End Academy Atlanta (Graduation Key Note), LDM Ministries, Forrest Hill Academy, Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy, and the “Blessed to Be a Blessing” event in Atlanta. ■

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MAR / APR 2014 31

YOUNG & TRENDY

By: Kellene Francys Paul

“...the students of School #19 are tearing down old walls and setting new trends for those coming behind them.”

trings for Success" is a program of The Center for Youth Services in collaboration with Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School #19 in Rochester, New York. This successful community-school partnership is open to students in grades 3-8 interested in studying the violin regardless of ability, academic performance, or classroom behavior. Their mission is "to create opportunities for children so they can benefit from the transformational power of music and build assets for their future.” Participants of the "Strings for Success" program have been afforded unique opportunities; they have played with the illustrious Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Penfield Philharmonic Orchestra, and the University of Rochester Chamber Orchestra. In addition to developing an appreciation for classical music, the "Strings for Success" program fosters an overall love for learning, while building academic competence and a strong sense of social community. These young people are developing into proud, positive, productive citizens with a thirst for the musical arts. Their enthusiasm and commitment encourages others within the Rochester City Schools who have strings programs to seek community support. Having the backing of prominent organizations opens the door to rich experiences that all Rochester City School District students deserve the chance to explore.

32 MAR / APR 2014

The "Strings for Success" is an amazing program; it inspires its participants to reach beyond their wildest dreams, and go after them. Watching their success takes me back to the spring of 1979, when McFadden and Whitehead peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart with their song “Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now!” Like McFadden and Whitehead, the students of School #19 are tearing down old walls and setting new trends for those coming behind them. Supporting this group is 4U Productions’ Alicia Bell-Hill, CEO and Founder of an independent New York-based production company that believes in encouraging the spread of creative expression through the arts. Their mission is to bridge the gap between those in the Arts and Entertainment Industry and those preparing for careers in the same. They help build and sustain relationships with top executives and well-known celebrities who offer their time, knowledge, and experience to enhance the awareness and advancement of new artists. Dedicated to giving back to their community, 4U Productions is also committed to making significant contributions to urban communities through philanthropic efforts. Participants of the "Strings for Success" program will be performing at the Just 4U Creative Cake Design and Celebrations Expo sponsored by 4U Productions. This competition will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the Rochester Museum and Science Center Eisenhart Auditorium in Rochester, NY. Proceeds from the competition will benefit the "Strings for Success" to further advance their program. ■

TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MAGAZINE

YOUNG & TRENDY

By Beverly Hill (Shelley) y little five-year-old friend, Morgan Steward, has a condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2. This disease causes weakness and wasting of the voluntary muscles in the arms and legs of infants and children. SMA Type 2 usually begins at six and eighteen months of age. The legs tend to be more impaired than the arms. This disease can also cause problems in swallowing and even breathing. Morgan has been confined to a wheelchair since the age of fifteen months because of SMA. His mom, Tangi Forman, told me that Morgan has always wanted to be a police officer and stop the bad guys! He also says he wants to talk to children so they can grow up to be good people. This courageous little boy first met Covington police officers in October of 2013 at an event for The Miracle League, a charity that gives people with mental or physical disabilities an opportunity to play baseball. The Covington Police Department donated $10,000 to help build a new playground for children with disabilities in Newton County. Morgan spent two hours talking with officers. His mother served on the committee and helped with the development of the playground to assure Morgan and other children with disabilities will have a safe place to play. A few weeks later, Officer Ken Malone came across a photo on Facebook that read, "My name is Morgan Steward. I am SMA Type 2. My dream is to be a police officer." Officer Malone reached out to Morgan and asked him to lead the annual Covington Christmas Parade in Covington, Georgia, as an honorary police officer. In a ceremony on Monday December 2, 2013, Police Chief Stacey Cotton along with Covington, Georgia's Mayor Ronnie Johnston made Morgan an honorary police officer. He was presented with his own uniform and a key to the city!! He has since memorized the entire Miranda rights. "It's the highlight of my career. I've been doing police work for 27 years and to see a child fulfill his dream like that at such a young age, it's tremendous," Chief Cotton said. Morgan's dream came true on Saturday, December 7th when he was the lead CPD officer in their annual Christmas parade! He was riding with pride in a customized police car bearing his name on the side door panel that read “OFFICER MORGAN STEWARD"! After 11Alive News aired the Christmas parade and did an exclusive interview, they wanted to do more for Morgan, and decided to make December 17, 2013 Officer Morgan Day. A representative from the offices of Democratic Congressman Hank Johnson and Republican Congressman Paul Broun presented Officer Morgan Steward with a proclamation making December 17, 2013 officially Officer Morgan Day in Covington, Georgia. Both Congressmen Johnson and Broun united together and honored Officer Morgan on January 15, 2014 on the house floor in Washington DC!! Morgan’s mom is an extraordinary young mother, doing an extraordinary job in caring for her son!! Having to manually lift ramps to get Morgan’s 250-pound electric chair in and out of the vehicle to transport him poses great danger for them both. There is an immediate, urgent need for a conversion van to help this family. ■ If you can help, contact: Tangi Forman 678-654-6803 50 Hunters Keep Covington, GA 30014 ***On the house floor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YeaSRrnFnA&feature=sharenoembed TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MAGAZINE

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UP & COMING TRENDSETTERS

enisha Raychelle Hardeman better known as “Dede” was born on February 18, 1991 in Houston, Texas. Denisha has always grown up with the acting bug. At a young age, she would perform at church, leading plays and entertaining the crowd with her funfilled Easter and Christmas speeches. In elementary school, she caught the eye of her choir director who started a theater program at Mading Elementary. In middle school, Denisha was accepted into the theater program at Pershing Middle School where she was the lead in many school plays from playing Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” to being Cinderella. She also won the “Best Actress” award at her school during her sixth and eighth grade years. Denisha tried out and was accepted into Houston's High School for Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) where star Beyonce attended. She declined the offer so that she could focus on sports. Denisha attended Pearland High School and graduated with a track scholarship to Southern Methodist University (SMU). While attending SMU, Denisha continued to pursue acting, and enrolled in acting classes where she caught the attention of her teachers and classmates. She was asked to change her major to theater but declined because of track. In January 2009, Denisha left SMU for a few months due to personal reasons. While at home, Denisha signed with a commercial/talent agency, Page Parkes713. While at Page, her agents loved her personality and look, and sent her on many auditions. Denisha returned to school in June 2009 while still auditioning. In March 2012, Denisha's agent called to tell her the news. She was booked on a Quentin Tarantino film! Denisha and a friend traveled to New Orleans to film for the movie “Django Unchained.” While on the set, Denisha became friends with Quentin Tarantino himself, making him laugh and joking around on the set. Her personality and funny jokes made Tarantino call her to the set during the day. While working on the film, Denisha also met and talked to Samuel L. Jackson about her aspirations to move to Hollywood. Samuel and Jamie Foxx encouraged her to move and follow her dreams. After being on the set of “Django” and hearing the advice of Samuel, Quentin, and Jamie, Denisha moved to Los Angeles to attend The New York Film Academy (NYFA) at Universal Studios. During her studies at NYFA, Denisha took outside classes and caught the attention of many of her coaches including award winning actress, Paula Jai Parker. Paula took Denisha under her wing and even starred Denisha in her first directorial debut movie, “My Love and Hip Hop.” Denisha worked as a producer and casting director on the film and fell in love with producing. After signing to a manager in Houston, Texas, and working closely with Paula Jai Parker, Denisha decided to start her own production company named “Kiss and Tell Films.” Only being in Los Angeles for a year, Denisha has done numerous independent films, student films, short films, and webseries. She has also written, directed, and cast for her own webseries which premiered in January 2014. She has two feature films coming out early in 2014 in which she starred and produced. She recently filmed and produced a sizzle reel for a reality show for Paula Jai Parker entitled “Act Like You Know with Paula Jai Parker.” She has captured the attention of several Olympians with a movie she is writing about her life in college, and track and field. Denisha has many projects in the works, but her goal is to make a great name for herself in the acting business, so that she can help other young actors make their dreams come true. ■

Denisha Hardeman

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UP & COMING TRENDSETTERS

Delivery of a Dream By Melody Edwards

professional orator since he was eight years old, Austin Broughton developed a passion for delivering speeches while still in the car seat with a pacifier in his mouth. His mom and dad share the story of their realization of his gift at a young age. Mrs. Broughton says, “We were on our way to church, and my oldest daughter was going over her lines for her little Easter speech. He took his pacifier out of his mouth and said, ‘… it goes like this.’” He proceeded to recite her speech which was about three or four lines and has been reciting ever since! Austin continued to amaze them with his ability - even coming home from movies and reciting all the lines, including background noise! Now eighteen, Austin has been called upon to speak on many occasions. When you hear this amazing young man recite Martin Luther King Jr.’s last speech before his death, it is truly a memorable experience. Recently he spoke at “It’s All About Our Senior Citizens,” a day of service during the MLK holiday weekend at the A G Rhodes Health & Rehabilitation Elderly Care Center in Atlanta, Georgia. As Austin spoke, it seemed as if Dr. King was in the room, and we could feel what he felt when he talked about looking over the mountaintop and seeing the promised land, even though he might not get there with us. One 90-year old woman stood up and waved her hand as she relived that poignant time through Austin’s eloquent delivery. It was the same for many others in the room as his speech moved some to tears. Austin says that Dr. King’s speeches hold a very deep meaning to him. He says, “When I give his speeches, it’s almost as if I can feel what he’s feeling as he’s giving them, and for a brief moment if I close my eyes I can almost imagine that I’m there.” When asked what his dream is, Austin says, “My dream is to become the President of the United States and it always has been that ever since I was nine…I have a vision for America…which is where everyone has equal opportunity to pursue their own version of their American dream whatever that might be; whether it is to be wealthy, or to simply earn enough to have a good life.” Although Austin is very serious about his public speaking, he is a balanced 18 year old who loves basketball, paintball and occasional video games. He attends Georgia Perimeter College and his mother shares that he can be quite silly at times. He has a fraternal twin sister and an older sister who are both talented athletes, and their parents work hard to keep all of their children well grounded. “We are proud of all our kids,” says Mrs. Broughton. “Nobody really stands out above anybody else.” They feel it’s important to support their children in the things they have a passion for. Mr. Broughton says, “Everyone has their time to shine.” Looking forward, Austin is beginning to write more of his own speeches because he feels he has a lot to say. He has writ-

ten four so far. Some of his appearances include: the Apollo Theater in New York, Georgia National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony, 100 Black Men of America’s “Mentoring the 100 Way Across a Lifetime” program, Georgia National Parent Teacher Association Conference, speaker for former Mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Young program, AT&T’s “Living Legends” Black History Program, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Gravesite Memorial Service, Memorial Service for slain Dekalb County Officers Rickey Bryant and Eric Barker, Hewitt Associates 8th Annual Black History Month Celebration, and Frito Lay’s 1st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, just to name a few. This talented young man is definitely setting trends and it will not be a surprise to see his name on the voting ballot one day! ■ To contact Austin Broughton, call (770)-981-1844 or email Austin.j.broughton@gmail.com

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Photo by Dawn Patrices Images

UP & COMING TRENDSETTERS

ldredge E. Washington also known as Made Mann, is the founder of Motivated Adults Developing Excellence (M.A.D.E) mentoring program. He is a dynamically sensational, motivational speaker. With his zest for life and commitment to empower others to be their best, he is often well received whenever or wherever he speaks. Made Mann has dedicated his life to creating a generation that believes in themselves, with a passionate concern for establishing leaders in our youth to help build up our communities. He challenges youth to aim high and to always pursue their dreams in life in spite of life’s setbacks. Eldredge has traveled domestically and internationally empowering youth to live to their full potential while promoting their God given dreams. In 2008, with a desire to make a difference in his peers, Eldredge E. Washington focused completely on how to deliver the message, “Believe in Yourself” in a manner that would be easily and pleasurably received among his peers, and those younger than him. His exceptional ideas and innovative thinking were presented to the community and received an overwhelming positive response; thus resulting in the movement that exists today. Motivated Adults Developing Excellence (M.A.D.E) is a group mentoring program that focuses on middle and high school students. Our youth are faced with daily challenges that are affecting their final outcome in life, so M.A.D.E devised an innovative infrastructure that will assist them in discovering purpose and igniting their inner passion. M.A.D.E is designed to change the complete paradigm and mindset of our youth by exposing them to resourceful connections and opportunities of empowerment. We supply our youth with college students and young professionals who desire to give back through

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mentorship. Our motto is, ‘We supply mentors who are young enough to connect, but old enough to respect.’ We desire to guide today’s youth on a path that will lead to fulfilled ambitions and ultimate success. Our focus is on restoring, establishing, and strengthening family values in our communities. We are bridging the gap and restructuring the common family. M.A.D.E will equip youth to create rich relationships with mentors and peers with progressive mindsets opening the road to destiny. If you would like to join the M.A.D.E movement, please visit our website at www.becomemade.org and fill out an application online. This program is absolutely free to any student who desires to be a part of it. Although he has come a long way since 2008, Eldredge has admitted that there is much work to be done. His ultimate goal for M.A.D.E is to provide his community and those surrounding a plethora of positive mentors who desire to see every student succeed in life. Eldredge says that he is very proud of the accomplishments he has made so far but with his newly established leadership team/board (Morgan Bryant, Bridgette Mitchell, Marsha Shackelford, Minh Van, Febra Clark, AJ Vassar, Michael Ryan) on his side, he is prepared to take the community by storm. If there is anyone who desires to get involved and help our organization we are always seeking motivated adults who desire to develop excellence in their community. ■ Contact Information Website: www.becomemade.org Number: Contact@becomemade.org Number: 678-925-7650 Facebook: www.facebook.com/themademovement Twitter: www.twitter.com/themademovement Instagram: www.instagram.com/themademovement Youtube: www.youtube.com/themademovement

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UP & COMING TRENDSETTERS

ALIA COOPER

he may only be 25-years old, but Miss Alia Cooper has already laid the foundation for a successful career in the make-up artistry and beauty industry. Set to graduate from Clark Atlanta University in May 2014 with a degree in Business, Alia plans to relocate to California and study under Master Make-up artist, Trina Merry. Currently, Alia is a beauty writer for KONTROL Magazine, a bi-monthly publication that features artists, photographers, musicians, and models. When she’s not sharing her expertise with her readers, she is on the sets working as a freelance celebrity makeup artist with clients such as the recording artist group, Danity Kane and Emmy-nominated national television personality, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds. The Jonesboro, Georgia native began cultivating her destiny at the young age of 13 when she started working as a hairstylist in her home. Realizing the financial benefits led Miss Cooper to take the hair business a step further and by age 15, after reaching out to local salons seeking apprenticeship, the ambitious Miss Cooper secured a spot working under a licensed cosmetologist, thus generating a lucrative income. She ultimately approached her mother seeking permission to home school in order to work full time doing hair. With her mother’s blessings, Alia not only signed up for the home school program, but also paid for it with the money that she earned as a hair stylist. Alia shares that upon graduating high school, she didn’t know what it was that she wanted to do with her life. She decided that since she was good at styling hair that she would enroll in beauty school. About midway through the program, Alia discovered that she no longer desired to style hair. She later made the decision to seek a formal education and enrolled in Georgia Perimeter College where she attended classes for only two semesters before transferring to Clark Atlanta University to major in Business. “I don’t like the nature of business, but I wanted to understand it,” she admits. And it is the understanding of the nature of business that has enabled her to merge her various artistic talents. In addition to makeup art, Alia screen prints t-shirts, designs and makes jewelry by hand, and writes poetry. “I try to keep it diversified because I can translate my art across all of those mediums,” she shares. Alia has big dreams and fully intends to fulfill each of them. After her training with master makeup artist, Trina Merry, is completed, she intends to travel across the sea to Europe with the hopes of connecting and working with Fashion Week, and immerse herself in the artistry of beauty, photography, and the makeup industry. “My overall plan is to continue to learn about holistic health and train to receive various certifications so that I can travel around the world and teach, and also be able to work on my art on movie sets doing hair and makeup.” Alia not only hopes to achieve this goal, but she proudly declares it by stating it whenever given the opportunity. ”I tell people I’m going to be a world traveled makeup artist and educator.” Alia Cooper is prepared to take flight pretty soon. Locating her may require taking a look around the globe. ■

J CARTER PHOTOGRAPHY

Taking Beauty around the globe

EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT

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EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT

“Believe in yourself and do the best that you can with what you have and use what you have to enhance the lives of others!” _Dr. Gary McGaha

Dr. Gary McGaha PRESIDENT OF ATLANTA METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE

AMSC TRAILBLAZING IN METRO ATLANTA CREATING PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS Written by Shernita Wiggins

sk the President of Atlanta Metropolitan State College (AMSC) why you should attend his campus, and he will confidently say, “HIGH QUALITY, LOW COST!” Dr. Gary McGaha, has over 35 years of experience in the field of education, and during that time, he has used it to make a difference in the lives of those who crossed his path. He describes himself as…someone who is sensitive to and cares about others. I want to make sure that at the end of my journey, I have made a difference. I try to make those differences by touching the lives of others and I do that best with education. I’m committed to this endeavor because it’s not a job, it’s a mission. I have done this all of my life and I plan on doing it…the rest of my life. Education can really and truly make differences that are important. And for many individuals, it becomes an equalizer.” If you couldn’t feel the passion in those statements, then maybe you can relate to the fact that his passion about what he does emanates, because for Dr. McGaha, education is a “transformative agent.” Being born in the segregated south in Mississippi and spending most of his time in Georgia, he truly understands that education can sometimes be the only resource that’s available to make a difference. Enhancing the educational experience is his way of spreading those resources as best he can, and AMSC has become his vehicle of choice to make a tremendous impact on the lives of those he serves. One cannot be surprised by his concept, when you understand his philosophy for higher education. Dr. Gary McGaha makes it clear that education can be used to improve and augment lives. But, to this he adds, “Keep in mind you have to enhance your own life, to begin with. Be well trained yourself, and then use those skills and assets to try and enhance others. I have used those skills all of my life, in terms of using what I have to encourage others to go to school as a means for advancement. Initially, Dr. McGaha was invited to come to Atlanta by Dr. Louis Sullivan, the Founding President of Morehouse School of Medicine, to assist with the development of the medical school, as his Executive Assistant. He did this for ten and a

half years and enjoyed it immensely. He wanted to make a larger impact upon the public, so he left the medical school to come to Atlanta Metropolitan, to chair the Social Sciences Division. When he did this, he had no idea he would end up as President of AMSC. Dr. McGaha used his position as a vehicle for meeting the needs of the natives in Atlanta, to not only obtain an associate degree, but eventually a baccalaureate degree. In six years, Dr. Gary McGaha has improved the campus with an 85% increase in enrollment, and it is now the fastest growing institution in Metro Atlanta. AMSC had a level change from a two-year college, into a four-year institution. AMSC offers 46 associate degrees, and now three baccalaureate degrees, in Criminal Justice, Applied Math, and Biological Science. He is still working on filling the void and balancing out, increasing the number of bachelor degrees in the future to fulfill the growing need within the community. In the meantime, they have changed their mascot from a red-eyed Panther to Trailblazers. Dr. McGaha explains the motivation. “Trailblazers cut new pathways, and they go places others don’t go.” That is what we plan to do right here. For anyone considering a higher education, Atlanta Metropolitan State College has evolved into a first choice on the list of Georgia colleges. It is accessible and open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. (Monday through Friday), evenings from 6 p.m. to 10:45 p.m., and weekends all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon. It’s no wonder they have soared to the top of the charts! Acquiring a HIGH QUALITY, LOW COST degree in a nurturing and inspiring environment, with a holistic approach, guarantees that every student will leave AMSC educated, and able to do quite well. Dr. McGaha has tapped into the surrounding school systems of Atlanta, Fulton, Clayton, DeKalb, and Henry counties to make them aware of what their students can receive when they enter AMSC. In the words of Dr. McGaha, “Believe in yourself and share that belief with others. Be motivated to inspire and help others. We tell students who come here that this is a place to BELIEVE, BEGIN, and BECOME. If you are not here for business, you have no business here. Those who come, come for real business.” ■

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EDUCATION

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EDUCATION

INTERNET MARKETING MANAGER & STRATEGIST

www.lukeithermd.com 42 MAR / APR 2014

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COMMENTARY

PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

By Bryson Clark

s I advance through the years that I’ve been blessed to see, it’s inevitable that I’ll face new experiences and challenges. In spite of what may come my way, one thing that is certain is that I’ll be given no other choice but to respond to various situations in a positive or negative manner. The best way to respond positively is by taking personal accountability for my actions and decisions. I, like everyone else who has walked on this earth, have been dealt a plethora of situations and challenges that may seem daunting at the time; but, proceeding through my challenges enabled me to be the best man that I can be. There is no other way that I would be able to get through my trials and tribulations without the help of strength and humility. My humility stems from none other than carrying a sense of personal accountability for my actions. I have learned that projecting excuses onto other individuals does nothing other than deprive me of accepting personal responsibility for my actions, thus tarnishing my character in the process. As of late, I have learned that fully accepting personal accountability creates a newfound sense of freedom. The freedom that I am referring to is the freedom that I feel when I’m being honest with myself. Taking accountability enables this wondrous infusion of personal freedom and gratitude that I feel when I have gathered the mettle to look at myself in the mirror and take the steps to be the best ME I can be. In the event of any particular level of accomplishment, I will be able to fully savor my accomplishment (s) because I know that I have remained honest with myself. Personal accountability and honesty are intertwined, and I strive to stand on this principle on a daily basis. ■

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Beverly Hill (Shelley)

s a past victim of domestic violence, I know for a fact that it is not a pleasant topic for conversation. This violence is not limited to just physical contact, but it encompasses much more. We must also include verbal and emotional abuse. I know firsthand how daunting this topic can be! Oh, and don’t forget, men can be victims too! Domestic violence is a vicious cycle where the guilty party strikes, apologizes, and then makes promises that the actions will never happen again. After the apology, love seems to become alive again. This exciting, blissful new love may last for several weeks or months…all for this vicious cycle to start over again. From my experience, there appears to be several reasons that a man perpetrates an abuse on the female that he claims to love so much. He himself may have suffered some physical, emotional or verbal abuses, and that may be all he knows. In the household that he grew up in, he may have only seen the father and mother exhibit chaos, fighting and abuse toward each other. Daddy may have been abusive to his mom, and that was his only example. He may have very low self-esteem, and the only way he can feel like a man is to attack someone weaker and more vulnerable than he is. As a victim, I would hear so much advice about how to get out of my abusive grave. I was told what “they” would do or would not do if they were in my situation. They would

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say, “Girl, I wouldn’t take that!!” Those friends would make me feel even more weak and helpless. Believe me, it is not that simple. There are guidelines and safety precautions that must be exercised to protect you and your children. There is reason after reason why a woman stays with her abuser. She may love him so much and think with time he will change. He may have threatened her life if she says that she will leave, so she doesn’t even think about leaving. She’s scared. She has children and has nowhere to go… plus, she has no money to start over. SHE IS SCARED! In later years, I took a course to be able to counsel battered women. It made me feel so much better to learn that I was not stupid for staying with the abuser…staying may have been my protection. I learned that I could have been killed if I did not have a strategic plan! Your life and the safety of you and your children are of utmost importance. Leaving an abuser with no plan has proven to sometimes leave the victim maimed, disfigured or even dead!! Don’t listen to outside people telling you what, when and how to do it, contact valid agencies that can help get you out safely!! ■ Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224 For a personalized safety plan from www.domesticviolence.org go to: http:// www.domesticviolence.org/personalized-safety-plan/

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TRENDSETTER SPOTLIGHT “The free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wings in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky…The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill, for the caged bird sings of freedom.” (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou)

Dr. Maya Angelou POET, PHILANTHROPIST, EDUCATOR, NOVELIST AND MORE!

BIRTHING A NATION OF EMANCIPATED INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE WINDOWS OF HER SOUL Written by Shernita Wiggins

nce in a blue moon there evolves such an extraordinary being, who leaves a mark within society, that long after they are gone from this earth, remnants of their essence is still very evident - like the smell of grandmother’s cooking after the food is eaten and the dishes are put away…still lingering. The most outstanding evidence that a person exudes unparalleled characteristics is when their very presence is so sensational it puts you on a natural high, and you are inspired by every word they say to the point that it compels you to react with new-found energy. Dr. Maya Angelou does that in life as a mother of wisdom with substantial creativity. Born 40 years to the date of the assassination of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., in St. Louis, Missouri, she was predestined to walk in pathways that only the strong could survive. Being from the “Show Me State,” Dr. Maya Angelou was destined to “reveal the unseen to blinded eyes” through the windows of her soul. She has an uncanny ability to transform not only the minds of others, but inspire them to see something in her that sparks creativity like the story of how her birth name changed from Marguerite Ann Johnson to Maya Angelou. Her brother nicknamed her Maya, short for “My” or “Mya Sister.” Some reports say he read a book about Mayan Indians and selected her name from it because his stutter would not allow him to pronounce her birth name. Her last name came from her marriage to Greek sailor Anastasios Angelopulos, and when her career as a night club singer began, she took on the professional name of Maya Angelou which is a combination of her childhood nickname and a form of her husband’s name. Dr. Angelou’s credits include a remarkable hue of wondrous accomplishments: phenomenal writing skills, civil rights activist, dancer, author, playwright and philanthropist. She achieved national overnight fame and international recognition for her many works of autobiographical narratives. One of the most famous was based on her early childhood entitled I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Dr. Maya Angelou became well sought after by universities who were enthralled by her way of expressing issues that women faced and more so, what she endured. Her screenplay Georgia, Georgia (1972) gained her a

Pulitzer Prize nomination for the screenplay and score of the film. This made her the first African American woman to receive this nomination. She read a poem at President Clinton’s inauguration, On the Pulse in the Morning, broadcast live in 1993, making her the first poet since Robert Frost at inauguration. She has over 50 honorary doctorate degrees, served on two presidential committees, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts, the Lincoln Medal and Grammy Awards. She has worked with Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., Malcolm X, and more for peace efforts. Forsyth Medical Center asked about naming their health center after her and she agreed. The Center is the region’s first ever comprehensive healthcare and wellness program that meets the needs of women of all ages. She has acknowledged that health disparities among women are issues close to her heart. About to turn 86 next month, her words still have an impact today. She tells women to take charge of their own health and begin with telling their partners if they do not use protection, they will not have sex, because it is playing with their lives. The power behind her amazing ability to MOTIVATE lies within her own story. She shared at the Women 2 Women Inaugural Conference in Atlanta, sponsored by Sonjia W. Young on March 1, 2014, about the maternal role as she knew it, My grandmother saved my life, often, I can’t say how many times. At one time in my life I was raped and I told the name of the rapist, although the man said if I told, he would kill my brother and my brother was my heart and he was two years older than I. Later we were told that the man had been found dead, he’d been kicked to death. As a result, I thought my voice was the cause so I stopped speaking. I thought my voice had just flew out the door. For about five years she didn’t speak. She elaborated that while her grandmother was doing her hair, she encouraged her not to pay attention to what people were saying about her being mute, that she had a voice and one day she would share it with the world. “You may write me down in history, with your bitter, twisted lies, you may tread me in the very dirt, but still, like dust, I’ll rise…You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you

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See Angelou on Page 74

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LIFESTYLE

he term “Sugar Daddy” takes on a different meaning when it comes to Chef Dana Herbert, owner of Desserts by Dana in New Castle, Delaware. Dana, an award-winning pastry and culinary chef, formed an interest in food as a child while watching Grandma throw down in the kitchen. “Food was the one thing that always brought the family together. Food is beyond a necessity for nourishment of the body, but nourishment of the soul.” Fast forward to 2003 when Dana, armed with his ambition and with degrees in hotel, restaurant and institutional management, culinary arts, and pastry arts, began working as a culinary chef with Marriott Hotels. That same day, Dana also started his business, Desserts by Dana. Shortly after, Marriott introduced him to a pastry chef who taught Dana how to produce in volume while maintaining high standards of professionalism and class. In 2010, Dana took a chance and signed up to become a contestant on the premiere season of TLC’s Cake Boss: Next Great Baker. The show took him through outrageous challenges, like demolishing a cake by throwing it off of the roof and then rebuilding it from scratch. Dana recalls that this experience helped him know exactly what to do, when in real life, a five-tiered Betty Boop™ cake that he spent a day constructing, was almost completely destroyed after being overturned by the delivery man. Super Dana kicked in and with the help of his staff, created a new cake in two hours, making it to the doors just as the event began.

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Dana became the first winner of Next Great Baker and took home a new car, $50,000, and an apprenticeship with the Cake Boss himself, Buddy Valastro at Carlo’s Bake Shop in Hoboken, New Jersey. Since his win, Dana has kept all four burners going with: authoring his first cookbook, The Sweet and Savory Union, overseeing catering and café operations at the Delaware River and Bay Authority, traveling with pharmaceutical giant, Novo Nordisk, demonstrating diabetic-friendly recipes, touring with the James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour, and writing his monthly culinary column, The Mix, all while continuing to run Desserts by Dana. Last fall, Dana began licensing his signature desserts to a local chain of grocery stores in Delaware, and is opening his second Desserts by Dana location this spring. Spring is also the time when Dana and a team of celebrity bakers from across the country will diverge upon Sin City to create the World’s Largest Wedding Cake at Caesars Palace. This is in conjunction with the resort’s Serendipity 3 Restaurant’s fifth anniversary to raise money for breast cancer research with the Susan G. Komen’s Nevada affiliate. So what’s the best part of the Sweet and Savory life? The Sugar Daddy will tell you that it all comes down to family. “Hard work means nothing without purpose.” Dana’s wife, Netesha, and daughters Jasmine and Siani, keep him energized and encouraged. “All things are possible to him that believeth.” ■

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HEALTH & WELLNESS Quote: “Everyday someone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about!”

Dr. Glenn Parris

BOARD CERTIFIED RHEUMATOLOGIST AND MYSTERY AUTHOR

FIGHTING THE WAR ON FIBROMYALGIA AND LUPUS THROUGH RESEARCH AND CREATIVITY Written by Shernita Wiggins

n a time when new illnesses are springing up like weeds, it can be a daunting task to find a physician who knows enough about the illness to be effective in properly diagnosing and treating the individual, to achieve the best outcome. One of the latest diseases affecting society is Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Dr. Glenn Parris has been working over 25 years to fight this dreadful disease that affects mostly women. Fibromyalgia Syndrome or FMS affects the muscles and soft tissue. Symptoms can include chronic muscle pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and painful tender points or trigger points, which can be relieved through most medications, lifestyle changes, and stress management. According to Dr. Parris, “Untreated Fibromyalgia can become a drain on society, ruin the quality of life in the patient, and have an impact on the patient’s relationships.” The motivation behind Dr. Glenn Parris’ passion to become a doctor stems from something his grandmother told him. I never really thought about becoming a doctor. I always thought it was my destiny and I did what I needed to fulfill that destiny. I recall the words my grandmother said, ‘I hope you become a good doctor so you can take care of my old arthritis.’ I didn’t realize the challenges that were before me. All of this just seems like what I was meant to do. Dr. Parris believes it is important for the public to be aware of FMS. He explains that care for this disease has long been hampered by its lack of objective metrics. This is in stark contrast to so many other diseases that we have learned to treat successfully like diabetes, hypertension, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gout. Methods of measuring disease activity and biologic targets are in development. Dr. Parris shares that Fibromyalgia Syndrome makes potentially productive people become impaired. Their talents become inconsistent and unreliable; there is unrelenting pain which responds poorly to analgesics. There is also sleep disturbance, and loss of mental focus. Dr. Parris has treated patients

using traditional pharmacological management supplements, homeopathic remedies, physical therapy, and physicist modalities. Over the past decade, several drugs have emerged as effective for treating the symptoms of FMS, three of which are FDA approved for management. Part of his goal is to keep up with the latest research, and support more research to bridge the gap in the FMS community, and trusting the medical community to be persistent in finding a cure. On May 17, 2014 Dr. Parris’ office will sponsor the first Atlanta Fibro Summit at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. They are inviting medical and patient panels to participate and share in decades of knowledge gained about FMS. Dr. Parris is also the author of the book The Renaissance of Aspirin (inspired by this illness), which is a romantic thriller with FMS at the center of the plot. The purpose behind the book is to raise awareness intimately about the disease and the goal of treatment to those who are not knowledgeable, while raising funds for research and awareness. The synopsis: Dr. Anita Thomas, a Boston researcher, jeopardizes approval of a billion dollar drug when she comes up with a cheap alternative; ample reason to kill. Anita soon finds herself holding the priceless secret to a fifty thousand year old scourge that is Fibromyalgia…but with billions of dollars at stake, no one can afford secrets! Although the Story begins in Boston, things really heat up when she gets to Atlanta! He was motivated by years of frustration while treating FMS with poor outcomes. Dr. Glenn Parris also treats patients with Systemic Lupus Erythemastosus, which is a destructive auto immune disease more devastating than Fibromyalgia Syndrome, and disproportionately affects the minority population. For a doctor who is so passionate and determined to see his patient’s health make a turn for the better, it can sometimes be exhausting and frustrating. On those days, he looks to these quotes for inspiration: “Everyday someone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” and “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and, wisdom to know the difference.” ■ For more information visit www.atlantafibrosummit.com

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HEALTH & WELLNESS SPOTLIGHT

“Believe & See yourself in a BETTER state in order for it to become REALITY” _ Dr. Rondrick Williamson

Dr. Ron Williamson Physician, Entrepreneur, Talk Show Host/Actor, Mentor

YOUR BEGINNING DOES NOT DICTATE YOUR END! Written by Shernita Wiggins

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ho says, that great things can’t evolve from dire circumstances? In a society where the “status-quo” of where you start, tend to dictates the probability of where you will end up, we are learning more and more that this does not drive the true positions of the “haves and the have nots.” Many have proved over the centuries that what you deem to be a statistic… can be a formula for SUCCESS! This is Dr. Rondrick Williamson’s testimony, that no matter where your present situation has you at the moment, you can always end up in a better state if you, “Believe and See yourself in it!” Dr. Ron Williamson, as he is known, recalls being made fun of due to his academic abilities as a child and remembers coming up in a “less than perfect” environment. “When in grade school, I was constantly called a 'nerd.' The name calling was hurtful; however, it didn't deter me from my focus. It actually made me want to work even harder. My home situation wasn’t ideal. I grew up in a single parent home and lived a portion of my life in the 'projects.' You would think that my circumstances would have overtaken me; however, they provided the necessary fuel needed for me to move forward.” He credits his mother as being the biggest inspiration in his life. She worked hard to raise three boys on her own, so his motivation was to make her proud. And he has. A practicing podiatrist, a foot specialist, Dr. Ron Williamson has accomplished so much over the course of his career. His field of study is different from some medical specialties due to the hours not being as taxing as other health professions. This, he states, “…allows me the opportunity to pursue my other passion - television and media.” Although he exceeded the bounds some would expect, he still believes that helping others is our reasonable service. He wants to inspire those countless individuals who are faced with the same difficulties he endured and give them hope. Dr. Williamson’s first book, Dr. Ron Speaks: The Journey Begins Vol. I, inspires by sharing some of the struggles he faced growing up. At the end of each chapter, the reader is allowed to reflect on what was just said. His advice to others is to “never give up.” Dr. Rondrick Williamson wants the readers to know, “The struggle is real. Struggle will come but that's no reason to abandon your dreams. I tell people 'Believe and see yourself in a better state in order for it to become reality.' This quote is the first one featured in my inspirational T-Shirt line.” He is proving this by the direction his career is taking in 2014, a second tour of his Vol. 2 book release, his own reality show, DrRon- Unscripted, and a medical talk show in collaboration with the Brook Entertainment Group in Beverly Hills, California, What the Doctor Ordered. Make sure you visit his page: http:// drrondrickwilliamson.com, FaceBook: www.facebook.com/DrRondrickWilliamson, Twitter: twitter.com/Thedrron and Instagram: thedrron. ■

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HEALTH & WELLNESS STORY BY GRETA WHEELER

hen it comes to matters concerning the hair, women, especially African-American women, will pull out all of the stops to rock the latest hairstyles. Whether it is short and spunky, long and wavy, or anything in between, it is essential to a woman that her crowning glory is always on point, which is why it can be devastating for a woman who experiences constant hair loss. It makes matters worse when there is no obvious explanation behind the subtle disappearance of hair. All is not lost for the seemingly hopeless tresses. Master Cosmetologist, Sebrica Moore, of Albany, Georgia, is on a mission and is taking hair care to another level. Moore has worked with hair ever since school age and by the age of 12, she knew that she was going to become a hair care professional. But for the 33 year old, simply providing the latest trendy hairstyles is not enough. “I realized that some people’s hair was healthier than others and I would say, ‘what is causing this? What can I do better to make everyone’s hair healthy even after all the cosmetic styles,’” shares Moore. As she continued to examine this issue more closely, Moore observed several factors that contribute to hair loss. “I started realizing that some of the problems were because some people were sickly internally, some people don’t have the knowledge of what they should and shouldn’t do, and some people just had things going on that they considered to be normal such as dandruff, and it would be a scalp disorder or disease,” she explains. As time passed, Moore’s interest for the overall health of her client’s hair heightened and she began to ask them questions regarding any concerns that they may have about their mane. She understands that most people suppress their concerns regarding their hair, and that most stylists usually shy away from conversations that involve the root causes of hair damage, simply because they have not come into the full understanding themselves. After conducting her study and examining the nature of hair closely, Moore decided to go beyond basic maintenance and hair styling to become a student of Trichology,

Sebrica Moore Getting to the Root of Hair Care the scientific study of the health of hair and scalp. She is currently studying under the instruction of Rodney Barnett, one of the country’s leading practitioners of Trichology in Dallas, Texas. With only two classes left before completing the program, Moore already holds a certification that allows her to offer services that fall under the trichology phase to her current clients. In addition to the study of trichology, Moore is also studying to become a naturopathic. “By becoming a naturopathic, I will learn the human anatomy and how it works…” She expresses the importance of knowing how the body functions because having an understanding of how the body works internally can attribute to identifying some of the causes for hair loss. Moore is scheduled to debut her full service salon and trichology clinic mid to late 2014. She will start in her hometown, Albany, Georgia, where she will closely monitor the operation before launching out throughout the Southwest Georgia region. Her clinic will serve as the first to offer trichology in the area. ■

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MAR / APR 2014 51

The Right to Heal You

BY ANDRETTA GARNES

es, you do have the right to heal you. Health is not by chance; taking responsibility for your health is a choice. Health begins in your colon. Cleansing internally and externally (environment) will reduce toxins. The body restores and heals naturally. Death also ends in your colon. Your large intestine holds wastes and when you are not moving your bowels every day, three times a day, your colon is decaying. Every day our bodies are bombarded with toxins from food, beverages, air, water, drugs, harmful radiation, parasites, stress and heavy metals. These toxins cause disease, chronic fatigue, anxieties, weight gain, and many other negative health conditions that suppress the body’s self healing process. I started this journey in 2004 because of my 9-year old daughter. When they diagnosed her with type 2 diabetes, I just balled in the Doctor’s office. While he was talking all I could think about is “what can I do to change this?” The doctor then hands me a prescription; I took it and we left. I already knew what I needed to do because God was showing me all along. I changed our eating habits and everyone was getting their colon cleansed…Yes, everyone under my roof! In 2007 I managed and later owned Dre’s Spa Solutions. I am now a mobile company so you can relax without driving back home after a great cleanse. You have tried getting better by using western medicine but to no avail you get worse. Have you had a colonic, an enema or used the right colon cleanser? Over the years and counting I have found that I have to take charge over my health starting with my colon. You are a human sewer system……TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE! It’s not a secret, you must be informed about your intestinal tract. The intestines are the first point of attack for all disease. These toxins and parasites make their way into your

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bloodstream and overwork the liver and then infiltrate every type of tissue. This process is the origin of the “dis-ease.” Colon hydrotherapy is a safe and effective method of cleansing the colon. The process is odorless and painless. Going to the toilet isn’t enough. The process of colon hydrotherapy starts with a gentle flow of warm purified water which is introduced into the colon. Peristalsis causes the colon to release water and waste material repeatedly for about 45 minutes. Just relax and breathe. You can listen to your music or read a book. This process of hydration begins at the rectum, through the enAndretta Garnes tire colon and ends at the cecum. The water loosens up the waste in the large intestine and proceeds out of the rectum and into the basin. Getting rid of the waste in the colon gives you better circulation and leaves you feeling weightless, more energetic, and focused, just to name a few. Take Note! True healing takes place from within. It’s your responsibility to heal you. Period. ■

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PHOTO BY J CARTER PHOTOGRAPHY

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The New Face of Autism BY DR. FREDERICA KENNEDY

r. Frederica Kennedy is a highly talented individual that is an accomplished presenter delivering workshops, and district wide question and answer sessions on the importance of using state common core standards with children diagnosed with Autism and other disabilities. She currently works for a co-op where she services children from 15 member school districts. As a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, she provides services to children diagnosed with various syndromes and behaviors, but most of all Autism. In addition, she is a part-time lecturer for Chicago State University. From 2002-2006 Dr. Kennedy was a State of Illinois evaluator and was credentialed as both a developmental and occupational therapist where she specialized in the treatment of children with Autism within her private practice that included speech developmental therapy services. In 2005, she was selected by the State of Illinois to become a master trainer for the inclusion project of children with special needs within an educational setting. In addition, in 2006-2007 she sat on the quality assurance board of Easter Seals of Greater Metropolitan Chicago to insure that children 0-3 years of age were getting a high quality service in the areas of developmental therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech services. Dr. Kennedy’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, Chicago State University, 1999 and a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, Rocky Mountain University, 2011. Other relevant achievements include recipient of the Academic Presidential Scholarship Award, inclusion of Who’s Who award 2013 and guest Speaker for Illinois Council for Exceptional Children Fall of 2013. Dr. Kennedy is currently working on the children’s book on autism, So What Do You Do When Your Baby Brother is from Mars and You’re from Earth? ■

TO LEARN MORE VISIT: www.nphw.org TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MAGAZINE ENDORSES NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION.

During the first full week of April each year, APHA brings together communities across the United States to observe National Public Health Week as a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation. TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MAGAZINE

MAR / APR 2014 53

HEALTH & WELLNESS

By Beverly Hill (Shelley)

Champions are Fighters … Overcoming Obesity and Cushing’s Disease

eet Erica Tyer, a phenomenal 21-year old who has overcome Cushing’s disease and the obesity that accompanies it. Her weight loss journey has been one of her hardest journeys to endure. She says, “The only place that I have to ‘live in’ while here on this earth turned against me…my own body!” Erica noticed changes in her body during the second semester of junior high school. She started having sharp pains in her stomach and eventually blew up like she was nine months pregnant. All day, every day she experienced nausea. The doctor treated Erica for irritable bowel syndrome but things got worse…she started gaining ten to fifteen pounds a month! She couldn’t keep any food

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down. The weight continued to increase; she now weighed 257 pounds with her top weight being 259. Rumors spreading that she was pregnant added even more to her pain! In every place imaginable Erica’s skin developed blue, red and purple marks. Her body was racked with pain making it hard to sleep. It was now decided that she needed a specialist. She was told that the marks on her body were called striae. Her face was moon-shaped, and she had fatty deposits on her back, all of which were symptoms of Cushing’s disease. Cushing’s disease is a rare condition that is the result of too much of the hormone cortisol. The doctor ordered blood tests for confirmation. Erica’s parents had everyone praying! The day had come to hear the results…WOW…NO CUSHING’S DISEASE!! Erica states, “Going from having every symptom associated

with this disease, to hearing that I am disease free, no one can tell me that God is not real!” The specialist did tell Erica that she tested positive for insulin resistance, running the risk of acquiring Type 2 diabetes. She was prescribed medication as a precaution. She had taken lots of medicine and like the others this also made her sick! She finally took a stand and said, “NO MORE MEDICINE!” Erica started gaining self-confidence during her attendance and graduation from Barbizon Acting and Modeling School as a plus size model. But, she says the healing process began when she decided to use food and herbs as God’s natural medicine for her source of nutrition and healing. Instead of sugar she used honey and ate nothing white, only brown rice, whole wheat bread and pasta. She also

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►

FITNESS TRENDS

Big Bone Fitness and Health PART 3

he best thing a Big Boned person can do when it comes to fitness is to build muscle and curb your appetite for a diet rich in unhealthy carbs and fat. The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism is, as long as you can keep that metabolic fire burning. This month I decided to include a couple of my favorite secrets I use to help me stay fit and working toward excellent health. Exercise of the Month: Dumbell Body Tuck This exercise works to tone the whole body through resistance. It helps with coordination and balance as well. Start with a 5-pound weight until you’ve got the hang of the exercise. Take it to the ground on all fours with your weights extended in front of you. Place your left knee on the ground and extend your right leg behind you. To get the full effect you want to check yourself in the mirror to be sure you are making a straight line from the back of the neck down to your heel. Place the palm of your left hand onto the floor for balance at about a 90-degree angle. In your right hand grab your weight, and pull it back, bringing your elbow to a 90-degree angle as well. For maximum results hold the weight at the maximum height for a few seconds then bring the weight down to starting position. Start by doing 2 sets of 10 repetitions. Remember… slow and controlled movements are the key to toning and building muscle. And never forget, the more muscle you have, the more fat you will burn! Food Tip of the Month: If you are a frequent dieter you may have come across the grapefruit diet, also known as the Hollywood diet. This diet says if you eat grapefruits all day

CHAMPIONS Continued consumed lots of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, nuts and dark chocolate in moderation. Water was all she drank for an entire year. Lots of cardio was added, and she also taught Zumba sev-

then the enzymes will burn the fat. This is true, but only part of the truth. I would not recommend anyone embark out on this dangerous low calorie diet, but I do encourage you to find a way to include this into a healthy diet regimen. Grapefruit is loaded with natural Vitamin C and gives the immune system a healthy boost. But it also contains Lycopene, a carotenoid phytonutrient, which helps to destroy cancer-causing agents that damage cells and vital organs in the body. I recommend buying a juicer and juicing 2 grapefruits at least two or three times a week. And to make it seem like a special occasion, serve it in a nice wine glass. Toast to excellent health! We are in Atlanta, GA. For more information please visit www.BigBonedFitness.com. ■

eral times a week to over a hundred participants. Erica lost 106 pounds with no gimmicks and no surgery…just strictly hard work. Becoming a nutritionist, a fitness model, and a spokesperson for people overcoming terminal sicknesses are her future goals. At seventeen, she

had a disease that was supposed to kill her, but she is a survivor! Erica concludes, “Champions are FIGHTERS and no matter how hard the road may be… champions are destined for GREATNESS! ‘My story’ is still being written!” ■

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Michael Mitchell, Vice President Strategic Marketing & Partnerships for Time Life (story on page 48-49)

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Tony Cornelius, Founder of the Don Cornelius Foundation (story on page 46-47)

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AUTHORS CORNER

he focus of this novel is to address issues that are known in the black community but not addressed in full. It aims to address issuses of acceptance, equality, loyalty, ambition, emotional health, commitment, love, respect, spiritual growth, gain, and loss. Prominent characters will teach and/or remind the reader that at the base of every human being, there exists a common bond. Separating into groups by race, sex, socio-economic condition, sexual orientation, and religious belief disrupts the basic instincts. Hatred of differences is not an acceptable sin. In a perfect world everyone should learn and grow from those who are different than themselves. â&#x2013; You can find Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book on Amazon.com, Kindle. Book promotion tour locations coming soon.

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MAR / APR 2014 57

Currently Defying the Odds

e saw that the demand for books of interest to the large African American population in the surrounding communities was being inadequately met by the new Borders store. Azizi Books was created to meet that need. We established ourselves as a category killer and provided more depth in our selection that Borders couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t match. I had experience in the book business from my establishment of an online venture, BlackBooksDirect.com, which focused on meeting the same demand on the internet. The website, launched in 2004, serviced customers throughout the country. With a graduate degree in computer science, I utilized my technical knowledge to create a site that was able to generate noticeable traffic. Maia Roberts, my daughter, joined me in 2006 after graduation from college with a degree in new media design. Together, we adjusted, tweaked and positioned the site for maximum exposure.

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AZIZI BOOK STORE We considered the possibility of a retail presence. We spent a lot of time in researching this idea. Maia enrolled in an MBA program, followed shortly by myself. As a pair, we aligned our studies to support our ideas, using the potential bookstore as our case throughout our coursework. To bolster the general business training, Maia attended the five day Paz workshop on opening a bookstore in September 2007. We both received our MBAs in October 2007. Azizi Books opened on November 1, 2007. We chose as our location Lincoln Mall in Matteson. Once a thriving retail destination, it had fallen on hard times in the mid 1990s. Purchased by a developer in 2003, the mall was in the process of a $75 million redevelopment effort to regain some of its past retail luster. The mall management welcomed our concept and offered us a space with reasonable terms. Our initial success was tempered by the economic collapse of 2008. However, we still managed to grow albeit at a slower pace than we anticipated. We worked on branding our experience with excellent customer service, a thoughtTRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MAGAZINE

Azizi Books in Matteson, Illinois is currently defying the odds. Azizi Books is the only independent bookstore in the south suburbs of the Chicago metro area. The store opened in 2007 within close proximity to a Borders chain store which had reasonable success after being enticed there by a local campaign to bring businesses to the community.

fully curated selection, and multiple store events. We offered a vast collection of books for children with an emphasis on the multiculturalism present in the area. We had author events, weekly story time for children, writer workshops, and a platform for local prospective and independent authors. However, the mortgage loan crisis and financial downturn took its toll on the mall. The developer filed for bankruptcy in 2009 after its lender sued for

AUTHORS CORNER

foreclosure on the property. The mall was then in receivership from May 2009 to June 2012, while the legal process continued. Azizi Books continued to grow despite the mall’s woes. The uncertain fate of the mall ownership caused some of the bigger tenants to leave, eroding mall traffic. We continued to focus on events with well known authors to bring customers into our store. With our largest event we hosted Pam Grier in June 2010, bringing over 300 people to what was considered at that time a declining mall. After Borders decided to close its Matteson store in April 2011, Azizi Books moved from its initial location, (1450 sq. ft.) to a larger location in the mall (over 4500 sq. ft.), which was in a desirable position next to the only anchor store remaining, Carson Pirie Scott. Reopening as a larger store, Azizi Books took a broader focus as well. We increased our selection of books beyond our original offering of books aimed at the unmet needs of the African American consumer. We recognized the importance of standing firm as the only independent bookstore in this area. In keeping with our goal for outstanding customer service, we welcome the opportunity to special order books that we may not have on our shelves. Our best category continues to be our children’s section. When we started, and had to compete against Borders, we boasted that we had the largest selection of African American children’s books in the Chicago area. Parents sometimes struggled with finding books with pictures of children that looked

like theirs and appreciated our efforts. What we found was that all parents, across racial and cultural lines, appreciated our selection as well. When we moved into our larger space, we were able to add mainstream books that had previously been offered by Borders. This only added to our appeal and we were able to meet the needs of the community at large. Overall, from 2011 to 2012, we had tripled our physical size and increased sales over 20%. Despite continued economic stress on the area, and even further mall decline, we managed to hold steady. In June 2012, the mall emerged from the bankruptcy case and was auctioned to a private investor. Unfortunately, that investor was apparently undercapitalized and could not complete the necessary repairs to bring the mall in total compliance with local codes. The Village of Matteson sued in August 2013, threatening to close the building. A receiver was appointed by the court and the property is now in limbo once again. This new court action has greatly affected mall traffic, so we are now suffering from a significant decline in sales. We are currently weighing our options about moving, but good retail locations are typically very expensive. We are taking a patient approach to understanding what would work best for us. A good independent bookstore is a treasure. It’s a place where people of all kinds can come together. We want to be in a community which values that. ■

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MAR / APR 2014 59

ZEOLA GAYE The MARVIN GAYE STORY Zeola Gaye … Remembering Marvin, The Man Behind the Music!

By Beverly Hill (Shelley) arvin Gaye needs no introduction. We all know him for “Sexual Healing” and his numerous chart toppers. I spoke with his baby sister Zeola Gaye, and she gave me an exclusive look at her brother’s life behind the music. Beverly Hill (Shelley): We only know Marvin by his celebrity status. What are some funny moments that you remember about Marvin (as a child and/or adult)? Zeola Gaye: Marvin was six years older than me. He and my brother Frankie played with me like I was a live toy! They’d put me on a blanket and let me slide down the twenty-three steps in our house. They would use the same blanket, put me in the middle and throw me up in the air! I would be cracking up. My brothers loved to hear me laugh. Marvin would ride me on his back like a horsey! We’d go to the creek and catch tadpoles, bring them home and put them in a little bowl like they were ‘really’ gold fish! Because of our Pentecostal religion, we couldn’t play outside with the other kids. So, we’d play hide and seek and lots of other games that we made up to play in the house. Marvin was very mischievous. When we were at church all day on Saturday, Marvin, Frankie and I would sneak across the street with our little church offering money and buy candy! More than anything, Marvin was so, so protective of me even when I grew up. He never stopped looking at me as the baby and himself as the protective brother. I remember my parents told us not to play ball inside. Well, once I was playing inside with Frankie and hit their valuable porcelain panther and it broke. I was crying my eyes out and Marvin said, “Come here,

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come here, stop crying.” He patted me and said not to worry. He would tell father that he did it. From that day on Marvin was my hero!! I was Marvin’s favorite sibling…we were very, very tight! Beverly: I saw a photo of Marvin with your girls on each side of him holding their plaits up in his hand. How was his relationship with his nieces? Zeola: Oh, my kids loved their Uncle Marvin, and Uncle Marvin loved my kids! He was so silly and had a sense of humor that was unreal! That picture was taken on one of Marvin’s holiday visits home. A photo shoot was taking place for Marvin Gaye Day. My kids, Kim and Niki, were just sitting on each side of Marvin and in each hand he lifted one braid of each girl and said, “Let me see how long these braids are.” The photographer captured that moment. My kids and I absolutely love this photo. Kim and Niki were extremely special to Marvin, he took them everywhere! Beverly: Did Marvin have other talents and/or hobbies? Zeola: Marvin could play any instrument that he picked up without lessons. He played the piano, organ, guitar, drums, bass and trumpet. He had natural talent. He played synthesizer on the song “After the Dance.” It was his first time playing, and he did it on the first take!! There is an instrumental of Marvin playing this song! When he heard it, it freaked him out saying, “Whoa, I did that?” He was always amazed at his work, never thinking he was as good as he was. Music was his hobby but he enjoyed doing everything. He loved football and baseball. Marvin liked to box and boxed for a little bit. He hated losing at anything and loved to bet! We would be sitting on the side of the bed eating an apple and when I finished he said, “Zee

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let’s see if you can throw that core in the basket, if you make it I’ll give you $400.” I missed the first two times, but made it the third time! He was very adventurous and loved roller coasters. He made me ride the big one at Six Flags when I lived in Atlanta. I was so scared, but if Marvin said it, I would do it! I was always a sucker. He loved to cook too and made the best chili you ever wanted to eat! He was an all around guy! He ruined my love life by being so protective of me. No one was ever good enough. He ran everybody away…even when I was grown! Marvin wanted to know who he was, what he did,

Beverly: What prompted you to write your book My Brother Marvin a Memoir by Zeola Gaye? Zeola: My brother was killed on April 1st…one day before his birthday. Since we play April fools’ jokes on each other every year, I thought this was one…but sadly it was not. It was the many years of holding a lot of stuff inside that needed to come out not just concerning Marvin, but my immediate family. I wanted to bring closure to what happened to Marvin. I got tired of people writing things about my brother and my father that were not true. The book is a form of therapy for me. I want people to know that we had a family. Yes, he was Marvin Gaye, but he was also Marvin…my brother…a human being. I want them to know the man behind the music and that we did fun things. We went on picnics and family outings. He was Marvin Gaye. But, as with all of us, he had another side. I wanted some kind of redemption. I apologized to everyone that I ever hurt in my lifetime. I talk about addictions; I have been clean for twelve years. If you see signs of the dysfunction that went on in my house, get help. I don’t want what happened to my family to happen to anybody. I don’t want anyone to think I am glorifying Marvin’s death in my book, but if you can, learn something behind it. I want you to see the things that addictions can do to a family, how it can tear it apart. If I could save one life, I feel like I’m doing what God and Marvin would want me to do. Marvin was the most honest person I have ever met in my life, next to my mom. As you see, Marvin was much more than what we knew. He was funny, loving, protective, talented, mischievous and more. With his birthday being April 2nd, we want to say, Happy birthday Marvin…the man behind the music!! ■

where he worked, how long I had known him. It got to a point that I had to ask permission to date! I loved being the baby, and I loved him treating me like a baby. His nickname for me was Sweetsie until I was about seventeen years old then he started calling me Zee. My family still calls me Sweetsie.

http://zeolagaye.com/ Purchase My Brother Marvin a Memoir by Zeola Gaye at: http://www.amazon.com/

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MAR / APR 2014 61

NON-PROFITS

STREAMS OF DREAMS BY CYNTHIA WHITESIDE

“stream” is a continuous movement of a liquid, gas, or anything with a steady flow. A “dream” is to conceive, imagine or think a goal, desirable outcome, or an ideal is possible. Over the past 20 years, Cynthia Whiteside has held key management positions within healthcare organizations. Cynthia is an industry recognized leader in Revenue Cycle Management. She has successfully been entrusted with multi-million and billion dollar operations, projects, and a business’s profitability. Despite a successful career with upward mobility, she desired to have her true purpose in life revealed. Cynthia’s irresistible compassion to help others, and her strong pecuniary background, propelled her to launch a nonprofit that would be a platform to help all. Cynthia’s journey uncovered a new mission - to make a difference as a social entrepreneur, in the lives of people in her community. Cynthia nurtured a

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vision to develop a nonprofit umbrella a cause. The main reasons an entity/ for other nonprofits. She embraced the organization seeks a partnership with dreams of helping cultivate people and Streams of Dreams Inc. can be to mentor their projects that were formulated to newly formed charitable organizations help others. What shall we call this vithat have the need to raise money right sion, one might ask? Streams of Dreams away, before the somewhat typical six to Inc. Cynthia is now recognized by the nine month application period matures, IRS as a fiscal sponsor. She proudly allowing a tax-exempt status by the IRS. says, “I am a nonprofit for nonFiscal sponsorship might be chosen profits.” also to test-drive or proof an Founded in 2011, organization’s ideals’ merits. “I am a Streams of Dreams Inc. is a Thirdly, some appreciate the 501(c)(3) organization esand realize their nonprofit for partnership tablished to act as a fiscal mission can be achieved sponsor, and support the nonprofits.” without obtaining a status charitable activities of indiwith the IRS as an independviduals and organizations ent tax-exempt entity. Finally, abroad. The organization exsome organizations - including tends its tax-exempt designation by those that are tax-exempt - find that the IRS to include other organizations, having a vehicle like Streams of Dreams which enables donors to make taxInc. to outsource administrative responexempt contributions and support meansibilities, whether back-office tasks or ingful projects. Fiscal sponsorship is a those relating to fundraising and dispartnership formed between Cynthia’s bursement of funds, is the right business nonprofit, and projects that connect reSEE “STREAMS” ON PAGE 74 sources from donors to beneficiaries for TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MAGAZINE

NON-PROFITS

Innovative Foundation Set to Make Positive Mark: Giving Back and Paying It Forward Are Key Components

he concepts of giving back and paying it forward are crucial in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing society. Thus, touching lives is vital to The Lamar Jones Foundation (TLJF), a community-oriented nonprofit (501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated to making the world in which we live a better place. Built upon the four foundational pillars of community, church, country and education, TLJF is committed to providing opportunities that will ultimately make life better for those who it has the opportunity to touch. TLJF is the brainchild of Cheryl Ragland, CEO of the Marketplace Firm, an independent, Atlanta-based, multi-level market research and analysis firm that provides research data and analysis to global leaders of businesses and non-profit organizations. The organization’s namesake is an Arkansas-based noted community servant and mentor who has touched countless lives through his commitment to the organization’s four foundational pillars (community, church, country and education.) As a result of Mr. Jones’ tutelage and instilling the values of integrity, professionalism, volunteerism, hard work and determination, he played an integral role in helping Ms. Ragland blossom from merely being an ambitious girl into a highly accomplished entrepreneur. Ever grateful for his influence on her life, The Lamar Jones Foundation is the vehicle for Ms. Ragland to give back some of the same life-changing substance that was deposited into her life. The Lamar Jones Foundation is pleased to have the support of business owners nationwide who pledge to give of their time, talents and treasures to aid in the movement to impact the lives of everyday people. Additionally, dinosaur companies such as Microsoft have pledged their commitment to the foundation’s initiatives. “This is a huge undertaking; I cannot do this by myself,” states Ms. Ragland. “I realize we have to put positive people who are doing positive things in front of our youth. We must be the example not only for our youth, but for anyone who has a desire to accomplish their goals; and, then to those who don’t have a dream….we must teach them to dream out loud.” Ms. Ragland adds, “Although TLJF will give to people with dire needs, the focus of the foundation is to foster and cultivate a mentality of earning your way and paying it forward to receive the greater rewards in life.” This concept is a direct reflection of the values that were imparted to Mrs. Ragland as a result of Mr. Jones’ influence.

STORY BY CHERYL RAGLAND

For more information and to make a donation, visit TLJF at www.thelamarjonesfoundation.org TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MAGAZINE

MAR / APR 2014 63

INSPIRATIONAL 2014 STELLAR AWARD WINNERS James Cleveland Honors: Hezekiah Walker Producer of the YearFred Hammond & Derek “DC” Clark United Tenors RCA Inspiration Male Vocalist of the Year Tye Tribett Greater Than Motown Gospel New Artist of the Year Tasha Cobbs Grace EMI Gospel Choir of the Year Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship Choir Albertina Walker Vocalist of the Year - Tamela Mann Bobby Jones Ambassador Award: Pastor Maceo Wood Group/Duo of the Year: Anthony Brown and Group TherApy Song of the Year: Tamela Mann Take Me to the King Artist of the Year: Tamela Mann Stellar Award winner, Tamela mann pictured with her husband, David Mann.

The 29th Annual

An Anticipated Celebration (R) T2T Contributing Writer, Joseph Booker with Texas U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

Written by Joseph Booker midst the controversy surrounding the logistics of this year’s Stellar Awards taping, outcomes proved successful, new, and timely. The 29th Annual Stellar Awards kept the highly anticipated ceremony in the City of Nashville. The last nine years found this celebration of the gospel’s bests on the famous stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Buzz talk about date changes and even relocation to other cities kept up an interesting dialogue in the community of one of Americas historical music genres. In the end, the Nashville Municipal Auditorium served as the canvas for another great night in this colorful industry. Situated in the evolving downtown Nashville Metroplex and hosted by the beautiful Omni Nashville hotel, the events were intertwined for the perfect Stellar story. The first chapter writes the names of nominees and winners in the preshow. These awards were announced on Friday night January 17, 2014 at the Tennessee Performing Arts and Cultural Center (TPAC). Hosted by Richard Smallwood and Michelle Williams, this upbeat ceremony featured various artist performances including gospel crooner Earnest Pugh. Awards went to Tosha Cobbs for best new artist and Hezekiah Walker, who took home four awards including the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Honors. Other awards were given to Anthony Brown and Group Therapy and Tye Tribett.

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Yet, the highly anticipated results did not fall short on Tamela Mann, who took home four Stellar Awards in the Pre-Show. On Gospel’s biggest night, the taping was preceded by red carpet arrivals with Tye Tribett commentating and interviewing. The list of arrivals included Earnest Pugh, Vashawn Mitchell, Byron Cage, Jason Nelson, Johnathan Nelson, Joshua Rogers, Alexis Spight and a host of notable gospel greats. The main event, hosted by the hilarious Sherri Shepherd and Rickey Smiley, was full of excitement and great comedic timing. Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir opened the broadcast with high energy. Some highlights included the Female compilation performance featuring Erica Campbell, Jakalyn Carr, Lexi, and Latice Crawford; and, the Male compilation with Jonathan McReynolds, Jonathan Nelson, Zarcardi Cortez, and Vashawn Mitchell. Tamela Mann took home another three Stellars in the live broadcast, with Kirk Franklin receiving the best producer award for the same project “Take me to the King,” a song that he penned. In addition, the Thomas A. Dorsey Award for most notable achievement went to Texas Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee, for drafting the bill that made September, Gospel Music Heritage Month. The Stellar Gospel Music Awards is the standard for all similar gospel award shows. With a history written through the depth of past honorees, this event will only rise to higher heights. Whether in the City of Nashville, or any geography, this event will remain anticipated and celebrated. ■

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DR. TERESA HAIRSTON and the

GOSPEL HERITAGE FOUNDATION “TRANSFORMING GENERATIONS THROUGH WORSHIP”

“T

Written by Melody Edwards he ups and downs of life always polish you like a diamond. The more you rebound and are resilient, the more you will shine.” - Dr. Teresa Hairston

Gospel music has been used for centuries as a means of comforting and uplifting the human spirit. It started mainly in the South when Africans were brought to America and enslaved. The music and words were often coded by slaves to communicate with other slaves, but also offered a sense of peace when no other solace could be found. Even now, gospel music at its root is often the deepest utterance of joy and oppression, awakening the spirit, and stirring a power within like no other. It is a legacy, a culture, and a heritage. Dr. Teresa Hairston knows well the significance of gospel music as she launches the 20th year of the Gospel Heritage Conference which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia this year. Dr. Hairston grew up outside of Cleveland Ohio in the 60s. Her father died when she was seven months old, and her family struggled financially. The dream at that time was meager - mostly to complete school, get a job, get married and have children. Music always filled her home and she would often listen to her mother play piano. At the age of four she learned how to play under her mother’s tutelage. Growing up in the church, Dr. Hairston was always musically inclined and connected, but as she evolved she realized that it was not just about the music. She came to understand that her standard for success and excellence rested upon the foundation of her belief in the Word of God. After marrying and later divorcing, Dr. Hairston was now a single mother raising three children, and it was a difficult time in her life. She was offered the position of National Director of Promotions for Savoy Records and during that time pursued another interest - publishing. After struggling to put together $300, she started a four-page newsletter for Savoy because she saw a need. Once she started meeting the need, people began to respond. “When you help other people, it always comes back and becomes a blessing in your life,” says Dr. Hairston. That newsletter is now a magazine called Gospel To-

day, one of the top Christian resources for information and inspiration, covering ministry, music and Christian lifestyle. Although she has retired from Gospel Today, she has passed the legacy on to her son, Roland T. Hairston, II, who is now publisher of the magazine. Dr. Hairston still serves in an advisory capacity. When asked how she overcame all of the obstacles and still maintained her motivation, Dr. Hairston shares, “You’ve gotta know what you are put on earth to do. Know who you are….and the only way you can know really who you are…what your purpose is really, is to know God, because He is the one who created us. Once you know, then you write it down. There will be a time, a window that will open, a door that will open, an opportunity for you to start. It may be a very small start but you’ve gotta take the jump. When you make that small step every one after that becomes easier.” In 1996, Dr. Hairston founded The Gospel Heritage Foundation to salute trailblazers and pioneers in the gospel area. She realized that a lot of people go to church and like the music, but they are not connecting to God; they are just connecting to the music. She wants to teach people that music is a deeper thing – it’s an expression of worship; it’s not just music; it’s a lifestyle. The foundation’s core goal is to educate people, to preserve the gospel heritage, and perpetuate the gospel legacy through education, through empowerment, and through celebration! This year’s Gospel Heritage Conference features renowned inspirational speakers including Bishop Paul Morton, Sr., Dr. Jackie McCullough, Dr. Hart Ramsey, and Pastor Creflo Dollar. Richard Smallwood will receive the Gospel Heritage Living Legend Award. Gospel music greats include Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Kurt Carr, William McDowell, and VaShawn Mitchell, To learn more about this lifechanging foundation and conference go to gospelheritage.org ■

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INSPIRATIONAL Wife, Mother, Servant, Life Coach, Mentor, Entertainment Entrepreneur, Business Consultant and Advocate.

Pain with a Purpose

By Dr. T. Pullum y journey through life has encountered many challenges, some seeming harder to overcome than others. One of the most challenging for me was overcoming being the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of someone I trusted or at least thought I could trust. This very person was found in a place where most people seek refuge, the place where you find peace, where you would typically let your guard down. My abuse was administered by someone we thought was “called” “saved,” “a man of God.” He was a member at the church in which I attended growing up. I spent much of my life and many days at church, more than the average child. The pain set the pace for my life and made me stronger. The abuse, being a product of a teen mother and at 17 becoming one, the neglect, trials and all I faced prepared me for who I am today. The pain of all of my life’s trials had a purpose that has allowed me to be compassionate to abused youth. Today I act as an advocate and a voice for youth that are abused in any form (physically, sexually, verbally) and for those that fall victim to human trafficking.

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In the month of April, the Center of Empowerment for Families and Youth, Inc. (COE) along with myself, the Executive Director of COE, will be observing Child Abuse Awareness Month by making others aware of what our children are encountering and encouraging others to use their voice and advocate for our children. Saving our futures, start with YOUth!!! It is my hope to save youth from encountering the abuse that I received as a child so that they’re living productive lives. I have worked in the children’s services field for at least 15 years. I serve as the Board Chair for Center of Empowerment for Families & Youth, Inc. COE is a 501 C (3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing cultural enrichment, educational, counseling services, and case management services to low income & at risk families. One area we specialize in is serving children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. We also work with families who are considered at risk. We are working towards improving the lives of children and families within our community. Although I was a teen mother, today I am Dr. T. Pullum, affectionately known as “Dr. CSI” or “Boss Lady” depending on the business setting. I am a Certified Child Abuse Forensic Investigator and a Certified Family Conflict Resolution Mediator. I hold various credentials and certifications. I work alongside Law Enforcement and social service agencies assisting victims of child abuse and domestic violence. I serve on several boards and advisory committees. I have a book that I coauthored entitled “It Takes A Village To Raise A Child: An Afrocentric Approach” scheduled for release in 2014. My book entitled “Breaking The Chains” is scheduled for release in April 2014. To honor my work in the community, I recently received a Proclamation from the House of Representatives & the Mayor’s Office. I’m a Wife, Mother, Servant, Life Coach, Mentor, Entertainment Entrepreneur, Business Consultant and Advocate. These are just a few of the titles that are used to characterize myself. You now know the story and the Glory of Dr. T. Pullum. To stay tuned for what’s to come, please follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/DRPullum. Please visit our website at www.coe4youth.org and follow us on twitter at https://twitter.com/CenterofEmpower and on facebook at http:// www.facebook.com/ centerof.empowerment.9?fref=ts

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INSPIRATIONAL CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ARTIST

CHAZZ

harles E. Reese, Jr. aka “Chazz” rings familiar with today’s contemporary Gospel artists; but he possesses a unique, rich, and soulful vocal quality that makes him an undeniable presence in the genre of gospel music. He is an accomplished Singer, Songwriter, and Musician. No stranger to the stage, Chazz is an experienced, powerhouse performer and entertainer. He is an intense vocalist whose style is infused with contemporary gospel, R&B, smooth jazz, and classic soul; these elements combined create his own flavor of Gospel Soul. A native of Dallas, TX, Chazz is the oldest of three children born to Dr. Charles E. Reese, Sr. and Annie Eloise Reese. At the age of six, his family relocated to Cleveland, OH where his father pastored for several years. Chazz began to experience his various gifts from God at an early age. He discovered a love for music and taught himself to play the piano and the alto saxophone. He also began composing songs and soon discovered his gift of singing. Soon after, Chazz found himself singing in talent shows and performing in citywide concerts. He parlayed these interests into a reality that has afforded him the ability to perform and record nationally.

Chazz and his wife, Monica relocated to Atlanta, GA with hopes of rekindling the dream of sharing his music with the world. Today they have two beautiful children; Jessica Reese, 11 and Charles E. Reese, III, eight. Little did he know that God had other plans for him. Already serving as a Praise and Worship leader at his home church, Chazz humbly accepted God’s call to preach in 2007. Currently serving as College Ministry Pastor, Chazz realized that God was leading him to go beyond Preacher and Praise and Worship leader at his church, to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world through his music. Chazz believes that he has been given a divine assignment to help spread the gospel throughout the world, using the unique gifts with which God has blessed him. As a preacher, teacher and psalmist, Chazz is excited about answering his calling and divine purpose in the building of God’s kingdom. The CD “Faith” is currently being re-mastered and will be released independently in the Spring 2014 . “Faith” will be a musical testimonial infused with contemporary gospel, R&B, smooth jazz, rock, and classic soul. These rhythm driven statements will take you on a musical journey and have you dancing on your feet to bowing on your knees in worship. His new single and video release is “Faith.” ■

www.chazzreese.com @chazz2014 For Booking / Management TAAN Entertainment, LLC Email: taanent1@gmail.com 478-335 4578 /614-999-3656

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BEAUTY

Tina Richardson FULL FIGURED AND FABULOUS

Photo Credits Photograph: Irma Lomidze Hair: Brandize Riggins MUA: Shy Stylish Wardrobe Stylist: Shabeba McDonald -Rodriquez

exas-born Tina Richardson is a busy Army wife who is a part-time Freelance Model. She is a self-made sensation who always had aspirations of becoming a model, but being a military spouse and moving throughout the United States made it difficult for Tina to follow her dreams of becoming a model. Now, Tina is able to finally pursue her dream of becoming a Top Model. Born in Ft. Hood, Texas Tina traveled all over the world as a military dependent of her father who was in the Army. She lived in Denver, Colorado and in Germany for five years. While overseas in Europe, Tina traveled to numerous countries such as France, Netherland, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. As a child, Tina was exposed to European fashions, designers, and styles. By being exposed to

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European fashions this is where Tina fell in love with the fashion industry. Tina has been modeling since 2012 with experience in print, commercial, promotional, trade show, convention, demonstration, beauty, glamour, editorial, advertising campaigns, hair modeling, and some runway experience. She has been very busy over the past year and a half with her modeling career. You can catch Tina as a regular feature model for Midwest Black Hair Magazine out of Kansas City, Missouri and she has been in several other publications too. The multi-talented beauty spends her time between Texas and Kansas. In her spare time, Tina loves to continue pursuing creative avenues with her modeling career, traveling, and volunteering with military organizations. â&#x2013;

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BEAUTY SPOTLIGHT – HAIR

eet Alicia Igess, licensed Master Cosmetologist, salon owner with her own product line, freelance hair stylist, makeup artist, and educator...She is the brain behind the business of cosmetology. She shares her survival skills for 2014. If she can encourage one person to stay on track and follow their passion, she has done her part, so DO NOT GIVE UP.

With over a decade of experience in hair design, Alicia Igess is an accomplished stylist committed to her craft and the cultivation of new techniques. As the owner and founder of Urban Tangles Salon, she has experienced tremendous success in building an exclusive “referral-only” clientele in her Atlanta based salon. As an educator, she has trained several stylists who like herself have established freelance careers that have taken them as far as Africa and back. 1. Get focused. You cannot succeed if you are not focused. What is it that you want to do or be in the cosmetology industry? You do not have to know everything, just the one thing you are going to focus on right now. However, it is important to do your research in order to become an expert. 2. Get serious. Stop playing with your future, and commit to being the best at what you do. How many times do you walk into a salon and

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the stylist’s hair is disheveled? Or the salon is dirty? Or, even worse, they look like they just woke up? If you do not take yourself seriously, how do you expect clients and potential clients to take you seriously? How you show up is vitally important to your success especially in this industry where literally, image is everything. 3. Get started. What more is there to say!?!?!! It’s just that simple. Take one step, do something, even if it’s something small. Sometimes seeing just small results will be all you need to give yourself a good jumpstart. Now that the time has come for Alicia to further evolve both the salon and her passion to have a greater impact in the beauty industry, growth for Alicia consists of expanding her brand and developing new talent to serve the next generation of future decision-makers, and for her to educate hair designers abroad. Alicia is active in her Buckhead community both as a corporate and private citizen. She makes time to give back in time and resources to charitable organizations such as Buckhead Business Association, Junior League of Atlanta, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. ■ “Hair and educating others is my passion; helping people magnify their highest & best self is my gift.” – Alicia Igess

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BEAUTY SPOTLIGHT – MAKEUP

hen Rose Alexander beality. Early on in her career, Rose had the gan her career in Chicago, desire to establish her own cosmetics line Illinois over thirteen years and did just that with the 2010 release of ago, it was not long before GlamFx Cosmetics. She has never stopped she became known for challenging herself and recently branched exceptional makeup appliout into air- tanning, face and full-body cation. With specialties in painting. glamour, bridal, and teleWhat’s next on the horizon for Ms. vision/media, she was Alexander? A meeting with her mentor, the soon sought out by such legendary Sam Fine reveals that answer. companies as Fashion Fair Cosmetics and “Teaching.” She goes on to elaborate, Victoria’s Secret Beauty. Both opportuni“The most rewarding part of my career are ties allowed her to perfect her already forthe smiles on the faces of my clients….the midable skills. She is a consummate profeeling of inner confidence they experience fessional whose attention to detail has when they take that first look in the mirror Rose Alexander earned her the respect of many throughout once I’ve completed my work. That offers the beauty industry while allowing her to me a feeling like no other and I’d like to build a loyal and high-profile clientele. share that on a grander scale. I’d like to Rose has always had a creative mind and unique approach establish a school to instruct others to do what I’ve been to beauty. Her ability to establish a rapport with her clients enblessed to do.” ■ ables her to transform an individual’s desires into beautiful re-

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FASHION TRENDS

FASHION, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

hat does fashion mean to you? Well, to Fashion Designer and Stylist Carrie Johnson, it’s her life. “Fashion is in my soul.” Carrie’s love affair with fashion began as a teenager in high school. She was not the typical teen wearing jeans and tees. She fancied blouses, skirts and dresses. Having the desire to express her inner fashionista, working part time jobs after school enabled her to finance her fashion obsession. “I loved making my own money and selecting clothes that made me feel good about me.” Dreams of owning her own woman’s boutique danced in her head like a ballerina. Today, Carrie has opened her boutique “Carrie’s Closet,” now online, designed her first clothing line, “Fresh Anointings,” and styled several clients at “Carrie’s Couture.” She has taken her passion for fashion and reached new levels. “Fashion is not just my passion; its God’s anointing on my life!” Hence, the name of her clothing line, “Fresh Anointings.” As you can see, she loves all aspects of the fashion industry. One of Carrie’s objectives is to help women who struggle with their personal body image. She has been full figured all her life and has NEVER let that stop her from taking fashion risks. She has a love for vibrant color and prints the very thing society THOUGHT a full-figured woman should AVOID like the plague. Carrie was determined to change the stereotypes and prove ALL women are beautiful and can indulge in the exciting world of fashion. “We don’t have to wear black and fade in the background.”

Here are just a few of Carrie’s fashion tips: 

Try on clothing that you have always avoided. We are often close minded and fearful of certain styles. It does not hurt to try them on. You do not have to buy it if you don’t like it. You will be so surprised when you realize you actually look great!



Choose the right size. The sizes are on the inside of our clothing for our eyes only. Having said that, do not focus on the size. Focus on the fit. Always fit the largest body part first; alter the other parts that are too big. Yes, you will pay a few more dollars, but you now have a custom fit garment.



You must wear a supportive bra. The smallest part of a woman’s body is underneath her breast. If your breast are in the right position, you will now begin to see your hourglass figure that was always there but hidden.

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Nothing adds more interest to an ensemble than a FANTABULOUS handbag, an embellished belt, or a statement necklace. Have fun with it. Transform your wardrobe with inexpensive pieces that can work with your budget. Now go and be FANTABULOUS! Interested in learning more about Carrie and her journey? Visit: www.Fresh-Anointings.com www.facebook.com/Freshnointings www.carriescloset.net www.facebook.com/carriesclosetny twitter: @freshanointings

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www.carriescloset.biz

222 Merrick Road Lynbrook, NY 11563

(678)671-6564

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Angelou

Continued from Page 47

may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I’ll rise.” (Still I Rise-Maya Angelou) Dr. Maya Angelou is a descendent of the Mende people of West Africa, and her grandmother, who was emancipated after the Civil War, became pregnant by her former slave master but was forced to deny he was the father, leaving her mentally scarred. Her endurance was a trait passed down to Dr. Angelou to continue the legacy of the strength of a woman. In her continuation of “empowering” others, she told the conference participants, It’s time to stop mistreating yourself by indulging fear. “When you are mistreating yourself you cause someone else to mistreat you. You have to say, ‘Wait a minute, I’m a child of God, wait a minute. I didn’t make myself, and you surely didn’t make me.’ Continue to encourage yourself to develop courage. It is the most important of all the virtues. And don’t let the children know you fear. When they see you fear, then they become fearful. So my brothers, my sisters, my darlings please remember who you are. Remember whose you are…and that will give you the power and courage to tell fear to go running like hell and out of thine.” -Maya Angelou ■

Streams

Continued from Page 62

model for them. The ultimate goal is to incubate dreams that are addressing social problems and economic challenges. The organization’s headquarters is located in Lithia Springs, Georgia. Their mission is to seed a continuous stream and steady movement of social entrepreneurship projects. Success has been measured by inspiring their individuals in our communities to address important social problems and economic challenges. Streams of Dreams Inc.’s platform develops social entrepreneurs who embrace the thought of: anything is possible, a willingness to solve problems, a resolve to address needs, and a commitment to create change. These newly harvested social entrepreneurs are poised to deliver projects intended to accelerate public interest ideas, into an effective shift in social action. The IRS designates the role of a fiscal sponsor as taking on the responsibility of receiving and administering charitable contributions on behalf of the sponsored organization. The partnership between sponsored organizations and the fiscal sponsor to receive grants or contributions on its behalf, is truly a blessing. This arrangement is truly a win-win for the sponsored organizations, donors, outreach programs, and our community. Cynthia believes if you have the desire to start a nonprofit, develop an innovative ideal to a social problem, create an economical change or be a driving force for our future, Streams of Dreams Inc. will be your 501(c)(3). “I am a nonprofit for nonprofits.” ■

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“W

ho ever said being a boss was easy, obviously wasn’t wearing heels,” says Janet Jackson, CEO of Jackson Events & Entertainment LLC (JEE). She is known for producing some of the hottest celebrity events and parties in Atlanta and beyond. She has worked with some of the biggest names in the entertainment business from Patti Labelle to R. Kelly to Snoop Dogg. Now with over 20 years in the business, Janet is ready to share her story. With a background in European modeling and Tina Turner’s cousin, Janet was off to a great start, hitting the entertainment industry with a slam-dunk. However, it was not those things that led her to the business. Janet found her way into the entertainment industry just by being a “party goer.” She was always the girl in VIP, “poppin’ bottles.” Eventually Janet realized that the partying she was doing could be put to great use, so she started using her own money to book celebrities for events and parties to make money and still have a good time. It was K& J Productions at that time that had the city going crazy. K&J Productions brought 2004 Super Bowl party Hosted by Beyonce, LL Cool J, and the singer Janet Jackson to Houston. During that time Janet was known for nightlife entertainment at the famous club 112. She took that company, K&J Productions, and merged it with what we now call JEE. While bringing parties to the clubs, Janet was also General Manager of Echelon3000 and Director of Marketing and Promotions for The Pearl and Taboo 2. Currently she is

the Director of Marketing and Promotions at Karma Bistro ATL. Being a woman does not make you less qualified for the business. Janet was one of the first female promoters in Atlanta and since then she has developed multiple businesses including celebrity booking agent, event producer and Boss Chix, which is a female movement to encourage women to go after their goals and support other women as they do it. Her new ventures include: a cosmetic line called My Little Secret by Janet Jackson, Radio Personality, Executive Producer of her own radio show called Bossed Up with Janet Jackson, and a philanthropist who is making the P in party stand for Purpose. Just recently, Janet had her first annual Bossed Up in Red charity event for AIDS awareness. She plans to bring you more health awareness and philanthropy events. While her life may appear glamorous, Janet faces darkness from the loss of all her immediate family to cancer or heart disease. The loss of her mother was very dark and Janet wishes to do more charity work in honor of her mother, Iris. Janet faced another big storm in her life when she suffered traumatic injuries from being in a major car accident, which caused her to break both ankles and have to learn to walk all over again. While the job may sound fun and easy, Janet makes it clear that this has not been a smooth ride. She states, “Being a female just alone, will limit people’s faith in you; but, you have to stay focused in this cut throat industry to prove them wrong.” Janet has been blessed to make it in the entertainment industry this long and with her upcoming new projects, I’m sure we can expect to see her for 20 more years! ■

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT By Beverly Hill (Shelley)

ank Stewart is an inspirational speaker, spoken word artist and the founding member of 5 Men on a Stool. He merges his spoken word poetry with the sultry sounds of four other talented men that sit on stools. Don’t be fooled, this group is not limited to just the sultry, seductive side. They are also known for their spiritual and historical recitals. Hank has written and performed commercials for the McDonald’s Corporation. His performances also include the 2003 and 2005 Essence Music Festival, 100 Black Men, 100 Black Women, Coca-Cola, the 2008 Trumpet Awards and many other events. He has been recipient of many awards including the 2007 Emmy Award from Fox 5 Atlanta, and the 2009 Distinctive Men Award just to name a few. Hank Stewart is also the founder of The Stewart foundation, which is about community, education and leadership. The primary purpose of his foundation is to develop the character of our youth. Hank’s motivation to write came on November 7, 1991. This was the day that Magic Johnson made his historic announcement. Hank was a manager at UPS and was listening to the radio on his way to work when the shocking news came that Magic was HIV positive! This inspired Hank to write. He says, “Later I got out a pencil and a piece of paper and started writing a poem titled, ‘Can You Hear Me?’. This poem was a heartfelt cry about what was going on in the community and was the first poem that I ever wrote. After that, I would come home and start writing everyday!” Beverly Hill (Shelley): Do you have any books of poetry? Hank Stewart: I have five books of po-

etry, five CD’s, two novels, apparel and more. Beverly: Hank, how did 5 Men on a Stool originate? Hank: 5 Men on a Stool originated 16 years ago in 1998. I would be doing an hour or so recital of poetry. Antonio Allen would give me a thirty minute break playing his sax, and then I would come back and do thirty more minutes of poetry. I first heard Antonio playing at a church, and I liked what I heard. I asked him to accompany me at my recitals. He is the first and original member and is still with me today. One day a friend introduced me to violinist Ken Ford, who is also an original member. I decided that it would be cool to add him! Now there were three of us, and the only thing missing was a male vocalist. We were solicited to do a show called Romantic Vibe with Hank Stewart and Friends. All of the members of the group were equally talented. Because we all sat on stools, I changed the name to 4 Men on a Stool. There was a keyboardist that played behind us…he wasn’t getting any credit, so we decided to include him too! So, now we have a saxophonist, a violinist, a vocalist, a keyboardist and poetry…that’s where 5 Men on a Stool came from!” I got a chance to speak with Antonio Allen and he says, “I met Hank about twenty years ago. He visited the church where I was music director at the time. After hearing me play, he asked me to do a few shows with him. I did, and the people loved it! The group was started shortly after that! I love being a part of 5 Men on a Stool, we don't perform together quite as much, but whenever we do, it's like we've never stopped!” Antonio says that they plan to do more shows this year! He states, “The group has always shown love and respect for each other. This was further proven when all

of the guys planned a benefit concert that took place in September of 2013 to raise money for my back surgery.” Beverly: Hank, does the group perform at functions, other than the events that you sponsor such as your White Linen Affair and your Hot Chocolate Affair? Hank: The group tours all over the country performing for churches, colleges, conventions, civic organizations and for many other groups. Beverly: What does 5 Men on a Stool mean to you? Hank: The group has always meant a lot to me. I’m attached more so because of the impact of the visual of 5 men sitting on a stool…professionals who take care of their families, who are positive and have good hearts. The shows have some spirituality, some historical and a love feel. 5 Men on a Stool has always been something near and dear to my heart, because we try to offset the negatives that we hear about our African American men. Hank Stewart is an extraordinary man having many talents that he utilizes to inform and entertain the masses. If you have never attended one of Hank’s events, you have missed an awesome experience! Make sure that your next event is 5 Men on a Stool!!

www.hankstewart.net www.thestewartfoundation.com

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Isaac Lee III aka “SEVEN” STORY BY CHERYL RAGLAND

ilky, Soulful, Sexy, Strikingly Sophisticated, Seriously Skillful, Surely Sensational. In a word, it’s simply Seven. Talented vocalist, pianist, percussionist and producer, Seven is one of the music industry’s most prolific attractions. His voice is undeniably comparable to R&B legend Teddy Pendergrass (a point that was affirmed to Seven by the Godfather of Soul, James Brown), and his musical abilities are amazing enough to command the admiration of even seasoned musicians. It’s no surprise, then, that Seven has created melodious admiration from across the globe, clearly establishing himself as one of the greatest sensations the music industry has seen in quite a while. Seven’s performance before nearly 10,000 people at Centennial Park’s Wednesday Wind Down (in Atlanta), gave him acclaim as one of the first artists not signed to a major label to pack out the popular venue. His diverse skill sets have afforded him the opportunity to open for and/or share the stage with R&B and Gospel icons to include R. Kelly, Tony Terry, Robin Thicke, Fantasia, Montel Jordan, Miki Howard, Glenn Jones, Keri Hilson, Kirk Franklin and the Family, John P. Kee and Byron Cage, just to name a few. Amongst his greatest influences are Commissioned (which included Marvin Sapp and Fred Hammond) and Donnie Hathaway. The influence of Commissioned was the inspiration that sparked the development of One Voiz, a five-member group he formed while in college. Seven continued to share the universal language of music, even while achieving success in the corporate arena. He spent more than a decade managing Fortune 500 companies’ internet services for a telecommunications company. Yet, he still made his rounds by headlining in clubs and performing at karaoke nights. He also honed his craft by receiving tutelage from vocal trainer Keisha Jackson, owner of One Voice Entertainment and daughter of the renowned R&B legend Millie Jackson. With a sincere passion for helping others and giving back to the community, Seven has partnered with multiple organizations and held benefit concerts to help families and children in need to include Women’s Resources, Inc. He also serves as a national spokesperson for The Lamar Jones Foundation, a community-oriented non-profit organization that is dedicated to making the world in which we live a better place through its foundational pillars of community, church, country and education. Seven also volunteers his time to help feed the homeless. For more information on Seven, visit him online at www.isaaclee7.com. ■

78 MAR / APR 2014

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

DEBRA RUFF aka

“PROPHETESS DEEP”

HOST EVENTS • STAND-UP COMEDY • SPEAKER • SINGER SONGWRITER • ACTRESS

CONTACT RUFF WORLD MINISTRIES 614.239.6870 OR 614.723.9654 ERICK MILES, MANAGER E: RUFFWORLDMINISTRIES@AOL.COM

RUFF WORLD INDUSTRIES 1RUFFWORLD

“I am now on 1580 WVKO every Friday morning!”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

KEN FORD 80 MAR / APR 2014

lectric. A word that describes not only Ken Ford’s violin but aptly describes the man himself, with electrifying and deeply physical live performances that have audiences up on their feet and into the aisles, feeling the music as much as he does, jumping and dancing around on stage. Far from being any quiet instrument, Ken’s infectious energy takes the violin center stage with amazing artistry and creativity, rocking out on the violin with a passion and fervor that rivals the biggest and baddest guitar

solos. A wonder to behold on stage, Ken’s evocative playing and passion for strings on the electric violin have enthralled fans of all ages, as well as peers from diverse genres - from jazz to blues, R&B to hip-hop, and more. With a soul-stirring style that highlights all the voices of the violin, from sensuous and genteel to dramatic and muscular, Ken’s talents have brought him on stage and into the recording studio with a range of superstar artists including Bruno Mars, Jill Scott, Wyclef Jean, Chaka Khan, Ledisi, Brian Culbertson, the late Barry White, Cee-Lo Green, Erykah Badu and more. Promising to take fans to a whole other level on this fourth album with a new edge and energy, Ken plants the seed for any music lover to discover violin on a whole new journey with him on State of Mind. Growing up in a home filled with the diverse sounds of jazz, blues, and R&B, from the records his dad spun as a DJ to hearing the sounds of Earth, Wind & Fire and other acts in concert, Ken was born in St. Louis, Missouri and lived in Detroit, Michigan before his parents settled in Atlanta, Georgia. His parents recognized a special gift in their only child one night when they overheard him at a party, playing along with an Al Green song note for note on a toy keyboard – long before his first music lesson! From that point on, they kept an instrument in his hands but he never had a formal lesson until he settled on violin at age nine, picking violin in class to be different from his peers. With a great curiosity for music, Ken’s connection with the violin was cemented upon hearing his dad’s Noel Pointer album in elementary school, with the celebrated jazz violinist being his first and most important influence. Hearing Pointer’s cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You).” Ken says, “He was the first music I heard that I realized you can do something different on violin besides classical.” In his classical training, Ken became a founding member of the DeKalb Youth Pops Orchestra, and joined the African American Philharmonic Orchestra (AAPO), where he had the rare opportunity of performing for the late, great Barry White and worked his way to the honored position of Concert Master. During his school years, he also trained himself to play by ear the popular music on the radio, which marked a turn-around with kids jamming to his performances instead of teasing him for studying violin. Early in his career, Ken followed his passion for violin but lived a dual life, working as an IT programmer while honing and indulging his love of music at night, bringing his violin everywhere to jam at some of Atlanta’s hottest jazz spots. He established himself on the scene with local artists and newcomers such as saxophonist Mike Phillips, attracting more and more fans and attention from national and international promoters and peers. From his first CD, Burnt Toast to

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Chevelle Lane and his last release, Right Now, Ken’s exhilarating performances have left music lovers awestruck, with some of his most memorable accolades including a standing ovation from over 20,000 people at the Sea Breeze Jazz Festival. He was the first opening artist to ever get a standing ovation at the Omaha Riverfront Jazz Festival and first repeat artist at the same festival, receiving at least three proclamations (Ken Ford Holidays) from three cities in Georgia, and more. Since his first taste of music and captivating audiences as a kid, Ken’s love of music continues, and he is sharing that love through the Ken Ford Foundation. Teaching workshops to kids from ages 4 to 18, Ken opens their world to music, shows them how to embrace their unique talents, and encourages keeping music education in the schools. “Once music opens their world, you cannot close it,” he says. “Living in the present moment” as a constant frame of mind, Ken’s steadfast passion for violin and popular music has brought him from childhood to where he is today, indulging his passion for violin full-time before worldwide audiences, firing up everyone from kids to seniors to change their thoughts about the violin, and embrace the power of music. ■

JONELL PR “THE BRAND MANAGEMENT GURU” – Why? PASSION IS MY DRIVE

ou might be surprised to hear I made my first steps into the world of Public Relations just six years ago; but, my resume speaks for itself. Working with my first client Roger Bobb – former Executive Vice President/Producer/ Director of Tyler Perry Studios, paved the way for me to work with other super talented people such as Sean Garrett the hit-making songwriter responsible for over 20 #1 Billboard hits. Garrett is a four time Grammy award winner and producer for many artists including Usher, Beyoncé, Ciara, Fergie, Chris Brown, Brandy, Mary J Blige, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and Mario just to name a few. After working with Sean Garrett and learning so much about the music industry and film from Roger Bobb, it got easier and better! Along came Jacque Edmonds Cofer EVP and Creator of BET’s scripted sitcom Let’s Stay Together. Jacque and her right hand man/husband James Cofer Jr. founded the Cofer Entertainment Group and put me in charge of their Social Media and digital marketing platform as well as Public Relations. WE TV’s “The Braxton’s,” Brad James (Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse), actress/singer Demetria McKinney, Ramona Debreaux (midday radio personality for V103 cbs radio, Sunseeker Media Productions CEO Bart Phillips, Vinny Curry (Defensive End) for the Philadelphia Eagles, Super Producer Bangladesh (Shondrae Crawford), Jive Recording Artist Yung Joc, Bacardi, Urban Angels Music Group/DARP studios artist Zach Farlow, Urban Tangles Hair Salon and 4x Olympic Gold medalist Dwight Phillips all entrusted me with their public relations, digital marketing and social media affairs. None of this would have been possible for me to single handedly manage without the guidance and daily direction of my Stanford graduate business manager, Bob Whitfield, CEO of PACE w Pros. Whitfield is also a former NFL Atlanta Falcon and former owner of the World Renowned Patchwerks Recording Studio. Teamwork definitely made all my dreams work beyond my wildest imagination. What do all of these recognizable talented people have in common and why did they choose Jonell PR the newbie on the block? The one thing I can think of is “My PASSION.” Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, California (home of the drive-by shootings) my survival skills were fine tuned everyday. I had no idea my love of people, desire to succeed in life, and high school education would be enough to garner me a successful career in the real estate and mortgage business. I was determined not to be a product of my environment. But what was a single mother of two sons to do when the real estate market dried up? Take those lemons and turn them into lemonade! So that’s exactly what I did. I saw a postcard one day in the greeting cards section that read “Life is not about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.” So that’s exactly what I did. Only this time I decided to follow my passion! Love of people, love of developing brands, love of Marketing, and with my God given Gift of Gab, I was sure to be a success story! Look at GOD!....in my “Evelyn Braxton voice.” As a Brand Developer which most publicists are, you are responsible for utilizing every avenue of press, media, social media, digital marketing, newspaper outlet, TV news station and radio opportunity. These are viable exposure outlets. The key to spreading your word about your client’s brand from the rooftop is obtaining a client with a viable brand you can be proud to help endorse. I didn’t choose this business. This business chose me. Public Relations is a natural talent my client, Roger Bobb, noticed I possessed. I will forever be grateful to Mr. Bobb for believing in me and extending the opportunity that changed my entire life. I still can’t believe I’m able to earn a living by DAILY LIVING IN MY PASSION! TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MAGAZINE

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

By Beverly Hill (Shelley)

www.tamikadunning.com Twitter:@tsdunning FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/TamikaDunning/239404496199281?ref=hl www.mgerecords.com

82 MAR / APR 2014

he lovely lady Tamika Dunning - a mom, wife, entrepreneur, recording artist, producer, lyricist, model, actress, spokesperson and philanthropist… this lady does it all! According to her mom, she would hum melodies before she could talk, and as soon as she could walk she was humming and dancing. If someone was tired of their old vinyl or cassette music, Tamika would gladly take them and add them to her collection. Before long she had collected hundreds of albums making her room look like a music library. Listening to all of these music styles influenced her development and style. Tamika’s first solo CD project, released last year, is titled All I Am! She has been singing for years, but had never done a CD before. She and her husband Jonathan work together as independent artists, and he wrote all of the songs for her CD while she focused on the music. The songs that meant something to Tamika are the ones she chose to go on the CD. It encompasses several genres starting with some jazz, a little R&B and POP, and then levels out with some country soulful sounds. It is quite an eclectic CD! All I Am expresses all the sides of Tamika that make her who she is musically without being boxed into just one genre. Tamika and Jonathan recently completed their first music video for the song “Paper Chase” from the CD, for which they are both excited! Another big accomplishment for Tamika is the fact that Pandora is playing the entire album! “Once you’re in, your music is in their library forever.” What is Tamika doing now? While still creating publicity for All I Am, she and Jonathan are working on a second CD. With a catalogue of songs to choose from for this new project , Tamika says, “The new CD will be a lot about relationships…breaking up, making up, staying together, I found love kinda songs!” She is also on the move performing in Alabama and Georgia, doing even more live performances, and looking forward to some exciting bookings coming up!! Her husband and best friend, Jonathan, is a lyricist. He is the one that inspired her to sing. He looked Tamika in her eyes one evening during a candle lit dinner and said, “Follow your heart and dreams. Success is measured by happiness. It doesn't matter who may or may not like your art as long as you do.” Tamika says the day that her husband spoke those words to her changed her life’s journey…and she has never looked back! She says, “Having someone to believe in you is everything. No matter where you are in life, if you are breathing, do what you want to do. Give it a shot and do not leave this earth without trying to do what’s inside of you to do.” She continues, “If you’re passionate about it…do it…this is All I Am!” ■

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REALESTATE TRENDS

By Nita Gray

Real Estate Professional Nita Gray is a Real Estate Professional in Atlanta, GA and can be reached at Nita.Gray@PalmerHouseProperties.com.

Going Green For The Health Of It

ittle changes in your homes can make a big difference in the environment and the health of your family. Whether it is changing your flooring, paint on the walls and other things in between, going green can have positive effects that add up to real benefits in your home and the well-being of your family. The following are some meaningful changes that help to create a happy and healthy home.

Fast Flooring Today many homeowners are selecting hardwood flooring for appearance and environmental reasons over carpet. Bamboo makes for an environmentally friendly option that comes in a variety of colors. Bamboo is known to grow quickly and replenish sooner than some other hardwoods. Also seek the Bamboo flooring which uses formaldehyde-free glue and has not used harsh chemicals. Exhale to Interior Walls Painting with low or zero volatile organic compounds (VOC) can offer beautiful colors without the harsh chemical smell. Most have experienced the smell of conventional paint with fumes that can result in headaches, and irritation of the eyes and nose. Conventional paints contain chemicals, VOC that are unstable, and carbon-containing compounds that quickly vaporize into the air. Choosing a low VOC paint can be a healthy alternative. Keep It Clean Typical household cleaning products may contain harsh chemicals. Therefore, many conventional manufacturers of cleaning products are offering healthier alternatives with less irritant chemicals. These healthier alternatives products can be beneficial for families that have children or adults dealing with health challenges such as asthma, allergies and other respiratory disorders. Also, there are household products that can clean and still be environmentally safe; such as baking soda, vinegar and lemon. Roll Out The Mat Floor mats at your exterior doors allow a space for visitors to wipe their shoes, thus entering the home with cleaner shoes. A mat helps to reduce the amount of grime, dirt and soil on your flooring. The less dirt tracked into your home helps to keep the floor and ultimately the air quality cleaner in the home. â&#x2013; TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS MAGAZINE

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