UPW Urban Pro Weekly

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

JULY 8 - 21, 2021 • VOL. 9 NO. 21

INSIDE

THE PRINCIPAL’S GAMBIT: Reopening schools is CHESS NOT CHECKERS

BOYSWithAFuture

BLASIANBOBBI GEORGIASOUL

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ways you can create a FOOD OASIS

DOWNTOWN MURAL: This mural by artist JAY JACOBS is located on 11th Street between Broad and Reynolds. Photo by Vince Hobbs

Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

UrbanProWeekly - JULY 8 - 21, 2021

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COMMUNITY MOVES

“Boys with a Future”

Boys with a Future is a product of GOOD NEIGHBOR MINISTRIES and was birthed after students in the Harrisburg community lost a friend, Cameron Robinson to a fatal shooting in January of 2019.

BY RICKEY JONES

M

eeting with Russell Joel Brown was like meeting with an old friend. He’s familiar, he’s brilliant, and he has great stories. The best part of talking to Russell was that he exemplifies gratitude and a true love for everything he does.

Many people know Brown as an Augusta Native turned successful Broadway actor. His acting credits include roles in Disney’s “The Lion King” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’” on Broadway, and he’s locally known for his production “Mozart to Motown” has truly made him a legend in his own right. However, it is the work he does now with “Boys With A Future” and Good Neighbor Ministries where Brown feels the residual effects of his successful life and career.

Boys with a Future is a product of Good Neighbor Ministries and was birthed after students in the Harrisburg community lost a friend, Cameron Robinson to a fatal shooting in January of 2019. Knowing Cameron myself from working at Hornsby Middle School, I can personally say that losing him sent a shockwave throughout the school and his community.

After volunteering to help bring resolution and comfort to the students at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Harrisburg, Brown led the coalition to start Boys with A Future

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to establish the structure and purpose of the young men in Harrisburg.

Brown says, “Gloria Norwood, the founder of Good Neighbor Ministries, and Marsha Jones felt like the kids hadn’t had the time or the space or the license to process that trauma.

[These are] middle school boys who might not have the support they needed. So they asked me to design a summer camp in which the students could process that trauma. I said, well, I’m not really equipped to help anyone process trauma, but with my arts background, I could certainly give them the tools and give them a safe space to express their feelings and their thoughts. Brown worked with mental health professionals every day to help the students.

“We started everyday with writing, and I would give them prompts but they were responsible for writing their thoughts or their feelings and responses to “Who are you?”, “Who does society say you are?” “Who does your mom and dad say you are?” And how do you feel about that?”

Brown also says the group went on various field trips and had fun, but still kept things educational at their core.

Boys with a Future” currently hosts 4 male students and one female student.

Brown says that the program was initially all boys, given the nature of the traumatic incident, however, “when a student wants to come to tutoring, you

Front Row L-R: Christipher Hodges, Fredell Knight, Kavon McCoy, Jacob Odom; Back Row: L-R: Ernest Hopper, Dr. Ardena Johnson, Dr. Kenneth Johnson and Russell Joel Brown. don’t turn them away.”

Brown says that while the work is rewarding, “Some of the parents don’t know what it is that I want to teach them, so if they don’t know they certainly can’t teach. And it’s also the male influence that’s different in a single parent home where the mother is the major influence there. The male energy is counter to what they’ve known, and unless the mother says, ‘I want a male influence in this child’s life and I will sign on for what it is that you’re trying to teach my son, it won’t work.”

The boys have started a lawn care business that is successful. He implements strategies that hold the boys accountable for their work ethic and performance.

The boys make $10/hour and get docked for tardiness and insubordination. “If you’re not ready when I come to pick

PUBLISHER Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency LLC http://www.growingaugusta.co +1 (706) 751-2537 SALES & MARKETING http://www.growingaugusta.co/upw +1 (762) 233-5299

you up, that’s $10; if you’re complaining all day, if you’re sitting down while I’m working, $10, etc. If the parents didn’t back that up, it would never work in a million years. Because they are children. So, I love the fact that we have the parental support with the children. With the children we have to do what we can do, and they do what they do at home.

It’s perfect.

You can support “Boys with a Future” with monetary donations, or getting your lawn cut by the students. You can also support by attending RJB’s next performance of “From Mozart to Motown” which will be a fundraiser for “Boys with a Future”. Tickets go on sale September 17th, the first day of ArtsCity Festival.

You can find more information on “Boys with a Future” and Mr. RJB at russelljoelbrown.com.

CONTRIBUTORS K.L Gordon Denise Tucker Rickey Jones Latasha N. Louis Layout/Design : UrbanProMedia

EDUCATIONWATCH

Preparing for the Next Move An education leader reflects on the challenge of reopening schools in the fall. He asks those, with the responsibility to lead, not to overreach. . . .

This ain’t checkers; it’s chess . . .

BY ANDRÉ BENITO MOUNTAIN “This ain’t checkers. It’s chess.”

It was guidance offered to me by Wayne Greer, a veteran principal, and mentor, as I joined the ranks of school leadership in the Pacific Northwest. He didn’t explain what the advice meant or what situations I would need to apply the advice to,

but in time, I came to fully understand what he meant. He was subtly reminding me that making quick decisions or taking the path of least resistance might not bode well.

The last year has been an intense game of chess. The decisions principals have had to make have been unprecedented. We’ve been called upon to stand at the helm of ships

of our schools. Instructional materials, document cameras, and interactive boards don’t help our children sleep peacefully in the backseats of cars. Education can’t continue to seek easy answers to our most complex problems.

Kotov Syndrome In chess, there is a phenomenon called Kotov Syndrome. It is when a chess player thinks over a move for a long time and does not come to a point of decision, then as time is running out, makes a poor move.

The most important work during the summer for a principal can be the staffing of a school. Looking through resumes, interviewing candidates, and thinking about the roles candidates will play in your school’s success is a high-stakes endeavor.

As the start of another school year draws closer by the day, principals who have vacancies can encounter a version of Kotov Syndrome, deliberating over a few candidates and running into the dilemma of losing candidates to other districts.

Learning to be decisive, while also being thorough in the interviewing process helps one to avoid Kotov Syndrome in staffing. I also bring members of my leadership team into the interviewing process to help vet candidates.

Sacrifice is a part of life and a part of being successful in chess.

Principals have sacrificed much to maintain the continuity of instruction and to keep our communities safe. While they deserve applause for keeping schools afloat this year, most of them would just as soon welcome some much-needed downtime. This fall let’s sacrifice some of the pieces on our chessboard. Let’s avoid overcommitting to too many initiatives that we cannot successfully sustain. We would be wise to think of ways to take some pieces off the board, streamline our work, and advance our most important initiatives to develop, engage, and flourish our communities. The concept of the “Principal’s Gambit” means simplifying our work to move with greater leadership agility and efficacy. It’s your move!

(André Benito Mountain is a school administrator, author, and publisher of DEF-ED Magazine. For more information, visit www.andrebenitomountain.com.)

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The Principal’s Gambit:

in a vast sea of change. Now, as we prepare to reopen our schools this fall, many of us are using this time to process how we have grown and what aspects of what we’ve learned should be carried into the coming year. Chess, like school leadership, is about thinking many moves ahead.

Chess is about anticipating challenges and counter moves. Chess is about patience.

Purpose of a Gambit In chess, a gambit is the sacrifice of a piece early in the game. The purpose of a gambit is to gain an early advantage in space or in time.

It opens up the board or allows more powerful pieces to have an influence on the game. During what many may term the ‘educational offseason’, principals are quietly sacrificing portions of their summer to hire new staff, plan upcoming professional development, and strategically plan a pre-planning event that sets the tone for the rest of the year. In her book, Releasing the Imagination, Maxine Green describes the balancing act that educators must engage in to cope with the troubling seas of change in the profession. School leaders must acknowledge and manage the policies that govern our work and the metrics that are the outcomes of those policies.

The Unseen Kingdom Our children and our teachers are not chess pieces. In chess, the pieces on the board are engaged in a battle to protect an unseen kingdom. Let us never lose sight of the children, families, and communities we serve, protect and represent. As we grow to understand the traumas of homelessness, drug addiction, and domestic violence we also can begin to envision our schools as lighthouses for families in need. The perils of our communities visit the halls and the classrooms of our schools on a daily basis. Maxine Greene reminds educators, leaders , and district officials to “refuse the decontextualization that falsify so much”. This ongoing ‘decontextualization’ reemerges as we look at the achievement gap. Data analysis is a key part of the principal’s gambit, as they delve into their school’s data. Principals are trying to determine what moves to make to improve student achievement.

Software and technology purchases abound, but the reality is that Title I funding does not change the context

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PEOPLE

Ernesia Wright, CEO THE GEORGIA SOUL BASKETBALL ORGANIZATION

Q&A BY VINCENT HOBBS UPW: What are some of the challenges that you faced in getting the team ready for the 2021 season, after the 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid?

WRIGHT: Like most of the world, our biggest challenge was the decision to re-open. The safety of our faculty, staff, and team has always been our number-one priority. We have to develop a way to do what we love while keeping everyone safe -including our fans.

UPW: How many games will you playing this season and where is the venue?

WRIGHT: We will play a total of ten regular season games, five home games and five away games.

Our games will be played at Butler High School in Augusta, GA. You can visit www.gerogiasoulbasketball.com for more information regarding this season and upcoming events.

UPW: You’ve recruited several players who were local high school standouts – is it part of your mission to provide opportunities for local talent to play professionally post-college?

WRIGHT: Yes, I’m a strong believer in taking care of the community. We always strive to give local athletes an opportunity. In doing so, we illustrate to the young up-and-coming athletes that they have a chance on the next level. It also shows the host of talent that we have in our local and surrounding areas.

UPW: The Georgia Soul is a 501(c)(3) organization that receives no federal, state or other operating funds. How can the Augusta community help to support the team? Are season passes available?

WRIGHT: Absolutely, the community can support the team by coming to the games. We offer sponsorship packages and we accept both monetary and in-kind donations. All financial donations are 100% tax-deductible. Additionally, the community can support us by volunteering when the opportunities are available.

We offer a variety of season passes with come with several benefits. The season passes can be purchased at https://www.impacttickets.com/ UPW: The WABA (Women’s American Basketball Association) has grown to an organization of 38 teams across 22 states and Mexico.

The league actually doubled during the Covid shutdown. Any predictions on which teams might become your fiercest competitors?

WRIGHT: No, I don’t have any predictions currently. I just know that we will be faced with some extremely good competition this season.

UPW: What’s the best thing about being in the WABA? WRIGHT: If I had to identify the best or most beneficial aspect of the WABA, I would have to say two things - the level of competitiveness the league offers and the amount of support the league provides its teams.

UPW: Describe the ideal game for fans – what sort of activities will they see in addition to some fast-paced gameplay?

WRIGHT: If you haven’t attended a Georgia Soul, you need to do so. It’s unique experience that only we can offer. We ensure that we have something for all age groups. From the time of their arrival, fans receive first-class customer service. We offer something for all age groups. From the entertainment, the food, game-day activities, to the hospitality suite, we meet the needs of all in attendance. We’ve even added a Soul Brother Mascot this year!

UPW: We understand that upcoming tryouts are scheduled for a new men’s team, the Georgia Soul Men’s Professional Basketball Team. What role will you play in this new venture?

WRIGHT: As the CEO of the Georgia Soul Basketball Organization, my role will remain the same. The only difference is that our organization will now provide basketball entertainment with a men’s and women’s team.

UPW: Who are some of the key staff/coaches for the men’s team?

WRIGHT: We have an extensive group of key staff and coaches for our men’s team. We have Head Coach Vonteego Cummings (former Thomson native and former NBA player), General Manager William Avery (former Westside standout and former NBA player), Assistant Coach Oliver Ottley (former Richmond Academy and Augusta State University standout) and Skill Development Coach Jawan Bailey (current T.W. Josey girls coach, led the Lady Eagles to their first championship since 1998; alumnus of Josey and Albany State University; 2020-2021 AA Coach of the Year).

We are fortunate to have this depth of experienced athletes as part of the organization. They truly have a love and passion for the game of basketball and they have decided to give back to their community.

They bring an exceptional basketball experience back to the area.

UPW: Where can Georgia Soul fans find out more information about upcoming events and schedules?

Our fans can visit our website and follow us on all social media outlets to keep up with our events and schedules. Follow the women’s team at www.

Georgiasoulbasketball.com and the men’s team at augustahooplife.com.

THE NEXT GEORGIA SOUL WOMEN’S HOME GAME IS JULY 25TH AT 4:30PM AT BUTLER HIGH SCHOOL. TRYOUTS FOR THE MEN’S TEAM WILL BE HELD JULY 24TH - 25TH AT PATRIOTS PARK.

Shred, Bright, and You

Rickey Jones is the self-described “Rick” of All Trades, and specializes in fashion, creative direction, event planning and photography.

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The Indoor Pool has NEW HOURS! Make sure to plan ahead.

The Coaches Meeting for Battalion Softball is on July 15 at 1 pm in the Sports Office.

Hilltop Riding Stables’ next Family Fun Day is on July 17!

Ready for the Marine Mud Challenge on September 18?

Start training now, and register early.

Sign up for text alerts at https://gordon.armymwr.com/

#gardencityjazz june 27 : july 25 code: UPW text UPW to (706) 528-6855

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grew up in a family where themes meant a lot. Specifically fashion wise. Every year, we’d have a trip to Old Navy to pick out our 4th of July T-Shirts, which came with matching $2 flip flops. Something about it, at that time, seemed so intrinsically American. It seems almost required. Was I celebrating the Independence of this country?

The symbolism of the American Flag? Or were we funnelling through the rabbit hole of projecting capitalistic Suburban family life? I’ll unpack that at another time… but let’s focus on me and you right now. For me this past weekend, I prided myself on not wearing one “traditional” outfit. Years ago, when I was an avid fashion blogger, I wouldn’t let the 4th go by without sporting a navy polo, red cardigan (Around my shoulders because it’s TOO hot), and white shorts (above the knee). At that time, I felt almost obligated to carry on the tradition of a Red, white and blue outfit. Then, I woke up. I realized that I could still be proud to be an American, but not have to feel required to “dress the part”. Not to mention that with the federal recognition of Juneteenth this year, I felt that my independence was already celebrated. And with Pride being the month of June, by the time we get to July 4, I’m just ready to relax.

Many times with celebrations, there are “rules” and “guidelines” and “traditions” that get messy and arbitrary. I am at an age where I’m rejecting those. Many times I’ve celebrated in a way that would be considered familial and nuclear, but as I continue to evolve into my own adult, I’m realizing how much I love solo trips and celebrations with my chosen family as much as my biological. Going solo means that I can wear what I want and be who I want. Not to say that’s not the case with family, but when you express yourself in ways that may go against other’s preconceived notions of who you are, it might not be pretty.

This year, I decided to wear tie-dye. A loose tie-dye tank and tiedye trunks to show off my legs. I have spent most of my summer in a pool or large body of water, so it’s become my uniform. And with it being increasingly hot and humid outside, most of my reservations about showing off my body have literally melted away. Now, I just want to be comfortable. I must admit though, even in my quest to self-identify, I did still wish I was wearing red, white and blue. I guess in some ways I’m just a creature of habit. Shortly, however, I got over it. My whole outfit surprisingly was from H&M. And the colors of the outfit somehow went together despite being separate types of tie-dye.

Tie-dye for me symbolizes fluidity and adaptability, two qualities which I naturally possess. It also symbolizes ease and relaxation, which I am endeavoring to adopt more of in my life. Somewhere deep down, I know that my day was affected by what I was wearing, just like everyday. However, I know I enjoyed my holiday more because I shredded the idea of having to wear patriotic colors. I chose to wear bright colors that define me more as me as opposed to my nationality, and I decided to have a day for me or “you”. Sometimes holidays have a way of being the reset we need to take a little to relax and get back to center. I’m now focused on how many more times I can submerge in a body of water before Summer closes out.

My hope for you is that you let go of some of those formalities when dressing for your moments of celebration. We put a lot of effort into uniforms, costumes, and our wardrobes in general. But some days, even if it’s hard, we still have to be able to enjoy our celebrations and special moments. Enjoy them for yourself, and I promise you’ll have the best holidays ever.

FT. GORDON NEWS

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5 ways you can create a food oasis 2 GROWINGAugusta

BY KAREN GORDON

Many urban planners and community development experts hold similar points of view pertaining to problems of food access. Their solutions are often top-down and only achievable when the boxes of population density, median income, and ideal demographic are checked. I suggest that this is only a small part of a much larger issue.

For several years, I’ve been exploring food - mostly from the perspective of urban farming, because my girl Carla Walker spoke about growing food with such reverence. I had to find out what the hype was all about. Though I started out with a cursory glance, soon the planets lined up and answered questions that I didn’t even know to ask. Questions like “Is food apartheid a real thing?”

(Answer: yes. US. Activist Dara Cooper describes food apartheids as the, “systematic destruction of black self-determination to control one’s food, hyper-saturation of destructive foods and predatory marketing, and blatantly discriminatory corporate controlled food system that results in [communities of color] suffering from some of the highest rates of heart disease and diabetes of all time.”)

I’ve read multiple studies, watched all the youtube videos, sat in the webinars, listened to the experts who discuss everything from community gardens as a solution for blight to those same gardens as a harbinger (or worse, a tool) for gentrification. I joined communities of Black farmers on social media sites, subscribed to the e-newsletters, hosted talkback sessions, and asked tons of questions. And the result is still more questions. However, a few novel but simple concepts have stood the test of time.

Indeed, we do have a problem with our food systems. It is systemic in nature and has been woven into the fabric of agriculture - the very language that we use to speak on it. And while local leadership presents a top-down approach to recruiting grocery chains and farmers markets, I offer five things you can do to create your own personal food oasis, from easy to notsomuch.

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Adopt a farmer. Not literally, of course.

Go to markets (Augusta Locally Grown, Augusta State Farmers Market, Growing Augusta) and connect directly with farmers. Ask questions, as full-time farmers are willing to share knowledge and expertise.

Sign up for an email list and join support groups. Buy direct or subscribe to a CSA where available. (Note: this can consume as much or as little time as you wish)

Plant sunflowers. They’re the gateway, in my opinion, to growing food. They are equally beautiful and nourishing. Black Oil Sunflowers are super cheap, and as long as you have a sunny spot and adequate water to get them started, you’re good to go. You can save the sunflower seed for yourself or sell it as cut flowers. Cha-ching! Bonus: bees love them

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Volunteer at a community garden (or nursery). This is a great option for newbies to learn gardening skills, and an ideal solution for those who don’t have access to land. A neighbor’s garden works just as well. Great social activity – extroverts will love it.

Bonus: take home extra veggies

Grow herbs or microgreens indoors or start a container garden on the porch. Herbs and micros are relatively easy to grow, and a container garden is easy to maintain with adequate light exposure. An introvert’s haven – thanks, Covid. Note: containers can be as simple or elaborate as you wish…. From cute pots and planters from the big box stores to used deli containers, egg cartons, old coffee mugs, paper towel tubes.

These things are easier said than done, right? Of course. Anything worth doing takes effort. Anything that serves to build and sustain a community will not be a flash in the pan. But you can do this several ways. The GOOD – CHEAP – FAST principle applies to most things, and this is no exception.

Growing your own food takes, at the very least, dedication and commitment. And the results are far-reaching.

As I write this, I’m working on several projects – connecting a South Augusta Market at Journey Sherwood church to a homesteader who’s rescuing farm animals and teaching youth the ways of our elders. What do they have in common? Upon further conversation: everything.

This article is about FIVE ways. The fifth and most important is…

Keep going. Keep growing (in the earth and in spirit). Keep learning. Keep challenging (existing leadership and yourself). Keep digging (into subject matter, but also your heels, when you run into opposition). Keep showing up (with and for one another). Keep planting (seeds and ideas). Keep building (physical and intellectual infrastructure) The experts will provide endless solutions on how cities can legislate and subsidize food systems, under the premise that this levels the playing field. This approach is not an all-in solution. It is pacification.

TO THE QUESTION: Who is ready and willing to dismantle food apartheid? To take back control of our health and wealth? To push out overly processed and chemically altered fruits and vegetables and junk foods? To reclaim the health of our community?

As the poet June Jordan stated, we are the ones we have been waiting for.

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Blasian Bobbi

BOBBI JONES

Model: Bobbi Jones Photos by Vincent Hobbs Q&A BY VINCENT HOBBS When did you first become interested in modeling?

BOBBI: I first became interested in modeling when I got injured playing soccer. I was the goalie at Richmond Academy in 2014, and another soccer player from the opposing team was kicking the ball as I was diving for it and she ended up kicking my finger, causing the bone to break and to split in half.

After I got injured, I had to stop playing AAU volleyball, high school soccer, volleyball and track. The surgery and physical therapy for my finger to heal properly became my new focus. After the injury, my interest in sports wasn’t the same.

As I started college, many photographers would reach out to me on social media, asking to take my picture. After I shot with several photographers, my love for the different aspects of modeling grew.

I became interested in print work, commercials, and music videos.

After participating in several fashion shows, music videos and with the help of social media, different clothing brands reached out to me asking if I could model their

clothes. One of the first that reached out to me was Brittany Murry, owner of “TRASHED ELEGANCE /trashedelegance.com”. Another person was Terrance Wilson owner of “Money Geek Inc. / moneygeekinc.com”. I became a brand ambassador for both companies. Over the years, my interest in modeling has grown stronger and stronger and I’m always looking for more modeling gigs.

You have a very unique, interesting look. Tell us about your ethnic background.

BOBBI: My mom is AfricanAmerican, born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina. My dad is half Korean and half African-American and white, born in Daegu, South Korea and raised in Hayward, California. I’m known as “Blasian Bobbi” on my social media accounts.

As a model of color, what sort of challenges have you faced in the industry?

BOBBI: One challenge that I have faced in the industry is not meeting the body size requirements for certain gigs. For music, sometimes the gigs want thicker, more voluptuous-look-

Model: Bobbi Jones Photos by Vincent Hobbs ing models, rather than slim. I have a very slender body size and sometimes artists are looking for girls that are more curvaceous. Another thing is that I have a limit when it comes to music videos. I don’t mind having fun and help creating wholesome content for the directors but I do not care for scenes that require a more sexually suggestive content. I have also been told that I do not have the AfricanAmerican look that’s needed for the part. To me, that means I am either not dark enough or even not light enough.

It all just depends on the vision of the project. I think all women go through some form of these challenges and not

just women of color.

Who’s your fashion icon and why?

Do you have any favorite models, current or past?

BOBBI: My all-time favorite fashion icon is the baddest of the bad - Rihanna! When it comes to fashion throughout the years, Rihanna has shown a variety of looks that is nothing short of phenomenal! I’ve always loved her style and it seems as if she can pull off anything she wears and create many different looks.

Continued on next page

My

OWNYourOwn

BY RONIC WEST President, Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce Happy July. I hope you are enjoying this series on the basics of business structure. So far, we have covered the basics of getting your business structure up to ensure your business is primed for access to capital; working capital, creating business plans, registration, and licensing.

Starting off as an entrepreneur, you

BOBBI JONES from p.8 current favorite models and entrepreneurs would be Jayda Wayda and Saweetie. I love their taste in clothes, handbags, shoes and even hairstyles.

They are not the traditional models but they are the Instagram models of the 21st century. Winnie Harlow is changing how the world looks at beauty. There’s also Jourdan Dunn (UK Vogue cover model in 2015, the first solo Black cover model since Naomi Campbell in 2002) and Duckie Thot (the face of Rihanna’s makeup line, Fenty Beauty).

You have a growing social media presence, with almost 6000 followers on Instagram and you’ve almost maxed out your friends list (near 5000) on Facebook. What do you think is the appeal of “Blasian Bobbi” on social media?

BOBBI: I think I am a down to earth person who has crossover appeal that all people can relate to.

Tell us about some of the video and movie projects that you’ve done.

BOBBI: My work in video and movie projects has ranged from background roles to leading lady roles. I appeared as a high school student in the TV pilot “Dwight in Shining Armor”. I play a waitress in the upcoming Tobin Bell movie “Awaken”. I’ve also been in several videos as a model with artists such as Boosie and Zaytoven and Asian Doll and I played the love interest in Young

are the marketing department, finance department, administrative team, operations team, staffing team, and HR team. Most entrepreneurs start off as self-employed and sometimes move out of this category. Neither is wrong or right - the biggest step is to be successful and well-prepared at whatever level you determine is best for your business.

Whether you are self-employed or looking to hire staff, you want to an CPA or/and bookkeeper as part ensure you have an administrator and of your core business team. Do this within the first quarter (or year) of your business. It gives you some foundational critical skills sets.

Jarvez’s video “Ridah Girl”.

Many times, we are assisting existI currently have an upcoming project ing business owners to enhance their with Aquarius Vision (AQV Films) out current structure. Adding an adminisof Atlanta called “The Line”, which is trator allows you to get into the habit an episodic series that is scheduled to of delegating tasks, and having an CPA begin filming in Atlanta in the fall of and/or bookkeeper adds in the basic 2022. financial tracking of your business.

An administrator can help you stay on Where would you like to see your- top of things as you navigate building self in the next few years?

BOBBI: I see myself living in a major, more progressive city and signed to a modeling agency. I see myself traveling and modeling for more national and international brands, commercials, print, etc. I hope to expand my acting career and become a regular on one Tyler Perry’s projects. I am two classes away from finishing my Cyber Security degree, so hopefully I find a great job in that. And I recently became interested in starting my own online business, so I will also be working towards that.

What do you do to relax? What are some of your hobbies?

BOBBI: I usually spend time with friends and family. I enjoy shopping, walking, and eating out at restaurants.

I love watching Tyler Perry’s “If Loving You Is Wrong” or getting a great laugh out of “Impractical Jokers”. I love getting my nails and eyebrows done or listening to music. My hobbies are modeling, acting, playing pool, and swimming, teaching kids, learning new things, nature walks, traveling and playing a little volleyball here and there.

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Business Structure 103

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your business and handle repetitive tasks and follow-up that cannot (or should not) be handled through automation.

We will continue with our series of business basics in our next article.

Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce is here to service business owners in the CSRA community through advocacy, education, programming and more. Visit us at www. mygabc.org and follow us on social media @mygabc.

ART Space DOWNTOWN MURAL SERIES BY VINCENT HOBBS . . .

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PUBLIC ART: This mural by artist Sydney Taylor Ewerth (@sydthekid09) is located on 11th Street bet. Broad and Reynolds. Photo by Vince Hobbs

“DOWN HOME BLUES LEGENDS SALUTE” A musical tribute to the world’s most renowned blues singers Tyrone Davis, Johnnie Taylor, Clarence Carter, and Roy C PERFORMERS by the Memphis based record company Coday artist JoJo Murray, Willie White, and independent label group GW & Rhythm Kings.

Saturday, July 10th 8:30pm, doors open at 7:30pm, at the BEC PLEX Event Center parking lot 5955 Jefferson-Davis Hwy in North Augusta, SC, In case of inclement weather the event moves inside the spacious venue, with advance tickets at $25.00 and $30.00 day of show. Food and Beverages on sale. Vendors are welcome!

WHILEOUT&ABOUT

BY TONIA GIBBONS I’m always learning something wherever I go (as we all should).

Last night I was on the grounds of the Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant, SC. As we drove on the property, I knew it was formerly an active Plantation. The slave quarters and the main house were still intact. The trees to the entrance were telling. The acres and acres of land told a story, and I felt it.

The irony of it, is we were there for a Country concert called Stars and Guitars. And as we walked in (like the VIP’s we are), people were looking at us like “who are you?” and “what are you doing here?”. Mind you, the bestie was actually there to work. One man went so far as to walk over and tell us, as we were walking across the expansive lawn, that we couldn’t stop or sit our chairs down because gates weren’t open (which we knew and hadn’t planned to).

Well, we made it to our spot (again VIP) and settled in for the show. There were four acts that were going to perform (none of which I knew). The VIP tent had free food, drinks, special bathrooms, and best of all, a tent (it was raining).

Things got interesting as the gates opened and people started entering the VIP section. I purposely found a table (for four) in the back, settled in, and waited for the show.

As people do, they are looking for seats, gathering in groups, etc. And, of course, tables started filling up, and people are asking others if they can join them, but EVERYONE passes the empty seats at the table with the Black girl.

Later, a young couple asked if they could join me, and I say, “Of course.”

They were a lively, funny couple who were really enjoying the adult beverages. As our conversation went, they had met the bestie at the VIP gate, where they were able to get VIP tix last minute. The conversation was funny, and they invited us to hang

out with them after. We chatted about The South (he was from Cali, she was from New York) and how they wanted to move back because of the racism, slow ways, etc.

They finally went to enjoy the show, and I was again alone until the bestie came back from working her spot.

Well, we were about to head backstage, and a middle aged white lady comes over and knelt next to me and began to share about how she has been watching me all night and how pretty I was, how my “assets” were envied - how golden my skin was (as she’s rubbing my arm), and how she loved seeing our friendship and our energy.

She hugged us a few times, saying how she hated the division in our country, that she was born in New York and wasn’t raised like that. She wanted us to know that (our presence), at that event, is what this country is really about.

Backstage, I met some really cool people who were happy to hang with us. Being on that Plantation, in the midst of a crowd where we really were the minority, showed me so much. It also saddened me a bit. But, I look at the work our ancestors did, building that Plantation (according to Wikipedia) and how even today, we’re not really welcomed unless we’re in working (servant) capacity.

But, we were there, in VIP, with VIP status, and we didn’t have to PAY for it. We were on hallowed grounds, and I’m thankful to the ancestors. I felt them, and I hope they were glad we were there. #thepastbutpresent #knowyourHistory #howthingshavechanged #butnotreally #bebold #inspiteof #mymelanindrawspeopleofallkinds #allthetime #comfortableinmyskin

“Tonia Gibbons is Owner/Lead Consultant for Farr More and Associates, a consulting and public relations group, as well as host of Tuesday Talks with Tonia, a bi-weekly podcast for women. For more information visit farrmoreandassociates.com or Tuesday Talks with Tonia via Facebook and YouTube.”

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11 UrbanProWeekly - JULY 8 - 21, 2021

About that plantation state of mind

UPW take note

UrbanProWeekly - JULY 8 - 21, 2021

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