I love my Job!
Even after two decades of working in the publishing field, I have to admit — I still enjoy what I do for a living.
Though a late bloomer in the publishing world, It's now been about 20 years that I've been involved in the field of magazine publishing.
Many of you know that I started my journey with a local publishing company right out of school. I credit that experience paired with the great instruction I received at Tri-C's Eastern Campus.
I knew pretty early on that I wanted to create content for underserved markets or niche markets. It all started with a tattoo and lifestyle magazine, then I quickly added a womens'quarterly magazine that catered to East and West siders. They both did well right out the gate, but the goal was always to create something for the black community, my community and once I took the time to start it, Triumph took over my schedule and at the time there wasn't enough help to maintaine all three publications and the student photography / yearbooks etc.
So, Triumph became the focus. And it's been well worth it. We have been able to tell so many great stories and share tons of helpful information with our readers.
Each edition is an education.
Meeting our subjects and learning more about their journey is always inspiring. There are so many challenges that can be overcome with hard work, perserverance and prayer.
Each and every edition is filled with a host of great personalities, event info, entrepreneurs and quality businesses.
Whether they're being featured in a story or taking advantage of the opportunity to find new clients via our advertising services. There are no shortages of excellent things going on in our community.
So many times I see negative things on the news and in the newspapers that take place in our city. I've always seen it.
We choose not to focus on it, high vibrations only! I believe that if our people, young and old see the positive works that are being done by people of color, the success. It will resonate and they will be inspired to do great things themselves.
When I graduated, I had no interest in going to college, had very little skills and the things that I had interest in were not available to me. I only saw fast food jobs and poverty around my way. The few people that I saw having success was through illegal activity and older people who had no interest in sharing their formula for success.
So, it's great to see people like the ones in this edition figure it out and share their struggles with those who need the motivation.
Craig S. Brooks, Sr., Publisher
Cleveland's Triumph Magazine
DOING THE "WORK"!: (Above) During our photoshoot with Eben Reed of Eben's Towing we clowned around while getting some shots for this issue. Eben's story in inspiring. (page 22)
THE DOPE EVOLUTION OF MICAH
Z 107.9'S MICAH DIXON HAS GROWN A LOT OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND TAPS HER NEW FOUND LOVE OF GARDENING TO FEED HER FAMILY AND HER SOUL. IT'S TIME TO FIND YOUR
BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS RESOURCE
LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER, EBEN REED ROLLS THE DICE AND WINS BIG WITH A SUCCESSFUL TOW COMPANY THAT'S GAINED A HUGE FOLLOWING :)
"In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated."
—Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays Jr.
(May 6, 1931 – June 18, 2024)
Mays joined the Black Barons of the Negro American League in 1948, playing with them until the Giants signed him upon his graduation from high school in 1950. Nicknamed the "Say Hey Kid" was an American professional baseball center fielder who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
Quotables
"The impatient idealist says: 'Give me a place to stand and I shall move the earth.' But such a place does not exist. We all have to stand on the earth itself and go with her at her pace."
-Chinua Achebe
Here the famed African poet and novelist highlights that when seeking your goals or fortune one must abandon the fantasy that there will be an ‘ideal circumstance’ and navigate through the rocky obstacles as they come.
“There’s always
something
to suggest that you’ll never be who you wanted to be. Your choice is to take it or keep on moving.”
– Phylicia Rashad
In this quote the beloved actress reinforces the notion that there is no promise that you’ll obtain the results you want in life and therefore your can accept a certain defeat or continue to chase your dreams on a leap of faith.
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.”
– Arthur Ashe
In this quote, the legendary tennis player underscores that on matter who you may feel about yourself initially, you can greatly improve your self-perception simply by making the effort to become more efficient in your training practices.
Words by Bakari Simpson | Photos by
Design by Craig S. Brooks Sr.
Finally, Summer is here!
For the next few months we have mostly warm to hot weather in the forecast. The kids are out of school and there's a lot more activity in our neighborhoods and in many cases, our homes. Yes, again Summer is here.
So the question is what are you going to do with it, how will you enjoy your summer this year?
Whether it be short or long trips, will you spend it traveling across our great nation? Or do you plan on spending your days relaxing in a hammock that waits in the backyard? There's no right or wrong answer. Just try to enjoy yourself.
For some, this is a reset. They don't go into their traditional work post during the summer months. For others, the warm weather is the only change, otherwise it's business as usual.
My wife and I both work, so though the schedule may change somewhat, we are limited to our hours of leisure. During that time we often enjoy bon fires, outdoor games, outdoor movies, whether it be in our backyard or at a drive in theater, dining etc. Pretty much anything that allows us to enjoy the outdoors.
We've got something for you, no matter
which side of the fence you land on.
Many take this time to catch up maintenance around the house. Flower beds are planted, mulch freshened up, as well as sidewalks, decks and driveways being power washed.
But what about your windows?
Yeah, your windows. When is the last time you had them properly cleaned?
James White of Vibrant Window Cleaning (page 18) has cared for the windows of some of the nations finest institutions and was kind enough to share some tips to hold us over until we can schedule a proper cleaning.
Tenecia Austin, owner of It's A Must Café in Garfield Heights (page 16) shares a couple of treats, a welcome snack and a refreshing adult beverage that is sure to cool you off and calm you down.
And last but not least we check in with Z107.9 radio personality, Micah Dixon who shares the recent changes that her life has undertaken and her exciting new leash on life. You'll learn how she got started and how she balances her work and home-life, as well as learn about her new hobby and how you can benefit from taking it up yourself.
No matter how you choose to spend the summer, just be safe and enjoy as much as possible.
An Organic Success
Micah Dixon, host of The Micah Dixon Show on Z107.9, has returned to the Earth and wants to show you how to sow & reap the benefits of tending your own personal garden!
Dixon pictured in her local garden, has found new joy in benefits of growing fresh produce and it's relaxing process.
An Organic Success An Organic Success
While it might not be a well known fact, the currently beloved 107.9 radio personality Micah Dixon, 34, in her youthful years initially desired to be a television host. This appetite significantly diminished however, when she came to discover they didn’t pull in the money she thought they did! Yet, as she grew into adulthood, her love of people, conversation and overall warm personality led to her becoming a party host. In excelling in her role as master of ceremonies, Micah evolved into an accomplished local celebrity and thereby established an impressive network of influential people. This powerful social infrastructure, coupled with the winds of fate, would ultimately blow her into a behind the scenes position at Radio One.
Over the next several years, Dixon beefed up her radio chops before securing her first on air gig in Columbus and then ultimately bounced back to her home nest of Cleveland where she landed her present job as the host of The Micah Dixon Show on 107.9.
Having paid her dues and learning to balance her home life, work schedule and visibility as a popular personality Micah Dixon has achieved a great deal of happiness. Dixon delights in her ability to use her impressive platform to breathe life, positivity and speak her personal truth into so many willing ears. Yet, this is not meant to imply that everything is a bowl of gum drops and cotton candy.
“I use radio as a tool to help others and I share my truth and my experiences so they can learn from it or they can share theirs and feel open to know that what they go through it will be okay and you’ll get through it. So it’s my platform to speak life to them and help them through their day.”
THE GIFT OF GIVING
As a mother of 5, which consists of her two biological children, ages 3 & 10, and three adopted children, ages 5, 7 & 11, Micah is regularly served the same plate full of obstacles and hurdles that we all are. Thankfully for her, Dixon is a woman of faith, filled with caring and has learned how to provide a house of structure to allot
her the peace of mind requisite to navigate this tidal wave of youthful exuberance! Once again though, by being open about her life in real time with her listeners, this would-be hectic situation lends itself to being another avenue to open up to and bond with her audience. This is because in her mind, making herself available for her family at the house falls under the same umbrella of service to others as is her communion with her followers over the radio waves.
With such a serious set of responsibilities to champion however, Micah found herself searching for new outlets and methods of relaxation. In this chapter of life, she is far removed from her past days of exercising her worries and woes out on a dance floor or with lips pressed to the rim of a tasty intoxicant. Instead, over the past year, Micah has achieved great solace in engaging her own personal garden.
THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
At the beginning of this journey, while also heavily researching her genealogy, Ms. Dixon became heavily consumed
A DAY IN THE LIFE: Dixon days are filled with her 10am -3pm slot on z107.9's Micah Dixon Show, promotional spots and event hosting, Taking care of her family of five and gardening. She approaches all aspects with a sense of joy and always looks forward to meeting and working with others.
Dixon always finds time to enjoy her family with her family, both at home and on the road.
with the urge to get her hands on some land. Not long after this preoccupation overtook her conscious mind, her studies would reveal that her bloodline is lush with farmers.
For the successful radio host this resonated deeply. The elucidation struck such a meaningful chord for her because when tending to her garden full of vegetables and fruit she always found herself in seventh heaven. Just as she is able to energize people with affirmative verbiage through her microphone, on her own time, she is literally able to grow living things that when consumed improve the quality of her life along with her children.
Beyond the very tangible aspect of growing, harvesting and eating the products of her garden, Micah gets a big reward from simply interacting with it. On her horticulture quest, she has learned the many benefits of literally
speaking to her plants and moseying through her garden barefoot to ground herself.
The simple practice of grounding has been scientifically proven to aid in reducing inflammation, improve sleep and enhance overall well being amongst many other helpful items. For Micah, gardening has become an invaluable pastime that she looks forward to becoming more adept at and influencing as many people as possible to take up the practice.
“As I am pouring into the Earth, it's giving me fruit, as I am taking care of this plant and nurturing it and talking to it, playing it music, giving it alkaline water, you know it's giving me the best of fruit. And I was like, ‘Dang! The same thing happens with people. If you pour into a person properly [they] will give you back fruit. I was like this is amazing!”
Micah assures us that anyone can get into gardening and was kind enough to share a few tips on getting started with your produce journey.
• Get a gardening mentor!
• Do your own research before starting.
•Take your time, this is a long, involved process.
• Learn how to properly water your plants so you don’t add too much or too little.
• Use your own compost! Stop throwing away your fruit and vegetable scraps, put them in a bucket and reuse them to fertilize your garden.
• Make sure your plants are getting good sunlight.
• Take this time to watch your diet and make better nutritional choices, health is wealth!
FINDING SOME PEACE: When Dixon isn't at work, during the warmer months at least 3-4 times per week you'd probably find her working in her garden watering, weeding and feeding. She has found joy in the effort and results of growing her own food and the process involved with it.
An Organic Success An Organic Success
Dixon pictured in her garden, has found new joy in benefits of growing fresh produce and it's process.
It's A Must Café
When COVID 19 began, Nestle' seriously started dropping staff members at their workplace. Chummy co-workers Tenecia Austin and Nyshebo, who goes by Bo, knew they had to design an exit plan. Little did they know the liquor infused popcorn they would begin selling at pop–up shows would blossom into the thriving business in Garfield Heights. The very family friendly It’s A Must Cafe'! Yet that is exactly what happened.
With shocking velocity, consumer demand led to them diversifying their product line to include: 7 different flavors of lemonade, matchless melts, mouth lathering milkshakes, dynamic hotdogs, quirky nachos, bodacious burgers and enough unique delicious desserts to get a standing ovation from Willy Wonka himself!
As they remain an army of two, It’s A Must Cafe', and all of its memorable creations, is a project of passion and appreciation. This love of purpose and patrons is readily felt when experiencing their very colorful, warm and carnival themed cafe. So, if you have an accomplished sweet tooth, hankering for innovative cuisine or simply a strong hunger to quell, quit playing games and head on over today! Even better, provided you book in advance, It’s A Must Cafe' caters and can bring the party to you. So there really is no reason not to indulge!
The staff at It's A Must Cafe' anxiously awaits your visit. But in the meantime, Tenecia offers a couple of tips for your next backyard get-together!
Hot Dogs
Select your preference of hot dog and bun then add:
• Fresh onions
• Crispy Onions
• Nacho cheese
• Bacon
• Roasted Corn
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Banana Peppers
• Pico De Gallo
Litty Pouch (Frozen Drinks)
Take your alcoholic beverage and the fruit juice of your choice.
• Blend with the frozen fruit or fruits of your liking
• Pour in container and enjoy!
FILL UP & COOL OFF: The team at It's A Must Café has a loyal following of customers that love their menu options which includes loaded nachos, sauced up wings, many flavors of lemonade, and dessert treats. Under the same umbrella is their 21+ which offers a house wine (21+) and fruit flavored frozen liquor based drinks
It's A Must Café's Chilli Dog is a popular seller and upon request the chilled, fruit-flavored bottles of liquor of your choice.
Vibrant Window Cleaning
As society evolves and technology continues to create new job opportunities, it’s increasingly rare to see certain crafts passed down to the next generation. This is why it is so impressive to see James White buck this trend through his company
Vibrant Window Cleaning. Having first been taught the trade in Queens, New York during his teenage summers by his father, James has picked up the torch and continued upholding the profession.
Impressively, Mr. White, 51, upped the ante by both creating his self-owned company, established in 2019, and then employing his eldest son. Together they have blitzed this competitive field and become a formidable force in the Northeastern, Ohio territory. Essentially, by word of mouth alone, the quality of their work has garnered enough respect and endorsements from his clientele to allow the business to flourish.
Provided that everything proceeds as smoothly as it has so far, James is looking forward to adding his wife to the payroll to spread out many of the administrative duties. Yet, just as he has provided his knowledge and expertise with his family and loved ones, now, James is here to gift you some very helpful window cleaning tips to use at your own home or business!
The Vibrant Window Cleaning team would be more than happy to come by and take care of your windows, but In the meantime, James offers these tips for sparkling results!
1. Get your hands on some surgical rags
2. Fold your rag twice (into a square)
3. Make sure it's flat
4. Wipe in even strokes to avoid making streaks on the window
CLEAN AS A WHISTLE: James White and his team takes pride in cleaning windows for property owners, both residential and commercial. White has been cleaning windows since his teenage years. He began learning the craft with his father who was also a professional. His resume also includes clients with 40 story buildings.
White and his team pride themselves on making sure clients windows sparkle and stand out from their neighbors
June 25June 21-23
Bill Bellamy
Long time funny man, widely revered for his role in the classic film How To Be A Player, is bringing his topical humor about love and the travails of romance to a comedy stage near you! Cleveland Funny Bone, www.clevelandfunnybone.com
June 21
Jason Moran
With a sound tempered in both classical jazz and urban hip-hop overtones, the ferociously talented pianist Jason Moran will be in town tickling the ivory in his own special way for one night only. Playhouse Square, www.playhousesquare.org
June 21
Trombone Shorty w/Big Boi of Outkast
In a unique blend of hip-hop and New Orleans flavored soul, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will electrify the audience in one spectacular outdoor performance! Cain ParkEvans Amphitheater, www.cainpark.com
June 21
The Hard Love Tour
If love songs and ballads of the heart is your thing then you definitely do not want to miss this fantastic collaboration of Keyshia Cole, Trey Songs, Jaheem and K. Michelle. Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. www.rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com
June 22
Cleveland VegFest 2024
Health conscious folks and those looking to learn about cleaner living will certainly want to flood this event which is the largest vegan festival in the midwest. The event will host over 150 vegan vendors! Huntington Convention Center, www.clevelandvegansociety.org
Asian Light Festival
If you’re in need of a beautiful laid back event for the whole family you simply can’t go wrong with the annual Asian Light Festival presented at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. www. clevelandmetroparks.com
Event
Compiled by Bakari Simpson
June 28
Tremont Food Truck Festival
This is an all-points bulletin for all foodies in the Cleveland area! Make sure you attend this twoday event that will tote a diverse array of food and wonderful live music. Tremont’s Lincoln Park, theclevelandbucketlist.com
June 29
Jacquees
Smooth crooner and debonair showman Jacquees will grace the stage for one night of melodic magic under the hot lights of the House of Blues. House of Blues, www.houseofblues.com
June 29
X-Treme Hip-Hop
The health conscious crowd will be delighted to attend his huge celebration of Cleveland’s own Phil Weeden’s one year anniversary of his popular X-Treme Compound facilities! Huntington Convention Center, www.xtremecompound. com
July 2
Summer Slam Mario Kart
For those who think they are the slickest on the fun-filled Mario Kart raceways be sure to attend this joyful tournament geared toward teens. East Cleveland Public Library, eastclevelandpubliclibrary.libcal.com
July 7
The Force of July
Sci-fi heads and Star Wars buffs will without question want to flock to this popular event composed of vendors, movie screens, exclusive merchandise and unforgettable cosplay contests! Star Pop Vintage, 15813 Waterloo Road allevents.in
July 11
Norah Jones
Soulful and nine time Grammy award winning Norah Jones will hypnotize one lucky audience with jazzy renditions for one elegant evening of music. Blossom Music Center, www. clevelandamphitheater.com
July 12-14
Cain Park Arts Festival
For those who remain on the hunt for interesting artistic and intriguing creations it gets no better than this one weekend long arts festival which will host a slew of artists selling all manner of wares as well a several food vendors. Cain Park cainpark.com
July 13
Thandiswa Mazwai
Fans of international music will not want to miss Grammy Award winning South African singer Thandiswa Mazwai who is sure to provide an unforgettable performance as she has done all over the globe! Cain Park Evans Amphitheater cainpark.com
July 13-14
Berea Gun Show
If you are looking to buy, sell or trade a firearm, or simply want to talk about armaments with other enthusiasts this two-day show is the event for you! Cuyahoga FairGrounds, www. gunshowtrader.com
July 16
Earth, Wind and Fire
Oldheads and lovers of epic R&B will want to flock to this sensational night music presented by titans of the genre Earth, Wind and Fire! Blossom Music Center . www.clevelandamphitheater. com
July 20
3rd Annual Black Art Showcase
Lovers of the arts will certainly want to be in the house for this unique event that comingles photography, acting, painting, meditation, music and food vendors in what is sure to be a wildly productive event! FIG/Future Ink Graphics www.eventbrite.com
July 20
8th Annual Car Show
Automobile aficionados will have their mouths watering at this splendid free showcase of some of the finest four-wheeled vehicles that ever graced the road. The event will have over 800 cars on display, music and numerous food trucks on hand
1095 Medina
Finding His Own Lane
By using everything from his magnetic personality, artistic talents and mastery of automobiles, Eben Reed has hauled his life from the streets to entrepreneurial success!
OOftentimes, possessing a multitude of talents while adhering to a flimsy daily structure can oddly enough be a monstrously damaging formula.
In many respects, this was precisely the case for Eben Reed, 41, the current owner and sole proprietor of Eben Towing. From his current vantage point, it’s easy to see how his life initially got off track.
Despite the sound guidance of his loving grandparents, Eben found himself seduced by the powerful siren call of the streets. The same streets that stranded his father in a world of unproductive thuggery and his mother in a cocoon of drug addiction. Identical to his father, in his youth, Eben delighted in the vice of the night which he furnished with the excitement of peddling narcotics, stealing cars and even robbery.
Unsurprisingly, this invigorating drag race with probability crashed into the brick wall of the legal system. Fortunately, the six year bid he was served was more than enough humble pie to stimulate a healthy appetite for a different lifestyle.
The Catapulting Catastrophe
While behind bars, Eben vowed to use his wide range of talents to live a righteous life and pay proper honor to his grandparents who placed him on the right path initially. When released, Mr. Reed was true to his word and rather quickly secured full time employment at Custom Rubber Corp.
“My biggest regret was my grandparents, they most definitely didn’t raise me the way that I had turned out, so felt like I had let them down, so the biggest thing in my head I was praying to God everyday, I was like listen, ‘if you just let me make it back out these jail walls and let my grandparents see me the way they should have seen me in the first place and do the things I know I can do and be the man they know I can be, I am going to stay on that path!”
Truthfully speaking, Eben was beyond content with this job. He was earning a great wage, his grandparents had the chance to see him turn his life around and he was rising through the ranks at the company. By his estimation, he was more than resolved to retire from that gig a few decades in the future. Then COVID descended upon the nation and busted up all those hopes and dreams like an angry
loan shark’s brass knuckles.
With production reduced to a crippled crawl, Eben was laid off and flung into the vast multitude of unemployed Americans. Cornered in the precarious situation, he opted to use the same street hustle that nearly doomed his life to transform it into a real life living dream.
Although unemployed, he was not without options. So, after connecting with several friends already well established in the towing business, Eben inquired about the in’s and out’s of the trade. Upon hearing his budding plan, all of Eben’s friends strongly advised him to dive ten toes deep into the service industry.
At this point, the ironed willed entrepreneur secured a large chunk of money from his 401K, traveled to Chillicothe, Ohio and purchased his first tow truck. Then, quick as a microwave can fluff popcorn kernels, Mr. Reed began to flourish in his new profession. Within only roughly six or seven months he was fully versed in all the pertinent day-today operations of his new trade. At the conclusion of his first year, Eben was already clearing six-figures.
“There are companies out here that are million dollar companies that turn out a
Reed has big plans for expansion that will continue to provide jobs for the community.
million dollars a year. Like me, I have a smaller company but if I wanted to scale my business and get multiple trucks you can most definitely see a million a year, easy, for sure…if a person is really trying to start a lucrative business towing is most definitely a lucrative field! You have to think about it bro, you got a million cars on the street, somebody is going to break down everyday, this is a business that you are going to make money in every single day, it’s a demanding business.”
Under the umbrella of his towing company the homegrown Cleveland hustler, who performs both repos and traditional tows, has been able to employ himself, his wife, a handful of drivers and some car “spotters.” And so long as he stays the course, he will certainly be able to continue his expansion in the very near future.
“And hearing my grandmother to this day say how proud she is of me, the man that I have become and all the things I am doing, that is motivation to keep going! And his mother also, she changed her life around and she is doing good, she just bought a house and all that adds fuel to the fire to keep going in the direction that I am going in.”
A Man Of Many Hats
Yet, it would be folly to merely pigeonhole Mr. Reed into a “tow truck driver” only. That simply was a hustle that he stumbled across and finessed into a life changing endeavor. When delving into his built-in passions, he would be quick to tell you about his love of photography and videography.
As proof of this, one would only have to look at the high quality of his Instagram page, 1_Eben, or his immensely popular YouTube channel, Life Wit Eb, that masterfully chronicles his adventures in the towing game. In fact, some may find it surprising that his YouTube channel has already amassed over 1 million followers!
Along with his love of the visual arts, Eben has a great passion for fashion. This is an itch that he has been able to scratch through his Humble Savage and The Goat clothing lines.
Yet, his rolodex of abilities and diverse interests is not exhausted there. In something of an overlap of fascinations, Eben was introduced to his love of photography while nurturing his enthusiasm for riding dirt bikes. As he was such an accomplished rider and promoter of the bike culture Mr. Reed was there to
fill a much needed cinematic hole.
When Cleveland native and film director Steven Caple Jr, was filming ‘The Land’ on location here in Cleveland, he found himself in need of someone who could choreograph visually impressive scenes of bike riders. Once he heard about this, Eben stepped up, reached out and made himself available.
Quickly seeing the worth in his abilities, Caple Jr brought Mr. Reed in for his expertise and help with his project. While aiding the director, Eben fell in love with the behind the scenes magic of the cinematic process and swiftly began purchasing his own photography equipment. From there, as they say, the rest was history!
“Honestly, my whole outlook on life now is not giving up, even when things get hard, not letting that dictate your life, man! Not letting where you come from dictate your life, not letting your mistakes dictate your life, because as long as God blessed you with breath in your body you have the opportunity to change, you have the opportunity to be whatever you want to be and have whatever you want to have. Just never stop putting that one foot in front of the other”
LIVING THE LIFE: Reed's love of family is his "why" reason for staying out of the street life, for working hard. It started as a mission to make his grandparents proud and is now fueled by a love and dedication to his wife, children, and community. Reed's Youtube channel has 1.19M subscribers to date and also has a successful line of merchandise for sale.
Ebon Reed, Eben's Towing in the flats for Triumph magzine shoot , June 2024
SOUL REPUBLIC UNITED RESTAURANTS
