UPW Urban Pro Weekly

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

INSIDE TRUEZ AUG HIP•HOP industry

GEORGEEDWARDBUGGS UY iSPYWATERMELONG

JULY 22 - AUG. 4, 2021 • VOL. 9 NO. 22

BLACK

AUGUSTA RESTAURANT WEEK cuisine • culture • community

JULY 20 - 25, 2021 GEORGIA

Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

COMMUNITY MOVES

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Augusta Metro Chamber announces Leadership Augusta Class of 2022 The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the Leadership Augusta Class of 2022. The goal of Leadership Augusta, a tenmonth training program affiliated with the Augusta Metro Chamber, is to identify and educate current and potential community leaders in the CSRA.

The Leadership Augusta selection committee is proud to present the following individuals, representing a wide variety of businesses and industries within the Greater Augusta region, as members of the Leadership Augusta Class of 2022:

Sam Adams, Fulcher Hagler LLP Taylor Barbato, WJBF News Channel 6 Opal Blanding, Blanding & Blanding Transportation Phillip Bowman, Textron Specialized Vehicles Amber Brantley, Solicitor General’s Office Lucy Brantley, OBGYN Partners of Augusta Kate Channell, Hull College of Business, Augusta University Lance Cheely, Cranston Engineering Group Adam Cobb, New South Construction Collette D’Antignac, Security Federal Bank Becky Whitney Dixon, Richmond County School System Abigail Drescher, Augusta University John Eckley, Meybohm Commercial Properties Shawn Edwards, Augusta Georgia Land Bank Authority Libby Fennell, Community Foundation for the CSRA Kathryn Freemon, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Catherine Hardy, Augusta University Brian Hartley, Cadence Bank Gia Hunter, Textron Specialized Vehicles Kayla Kincaid, Modern Business Workplace Solutions Nathan Krupa, Golden Harvest Food Bank Patrice Lomax, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC Stacie McBride, Cyber Fusion Innovation Center Drew Robinson, Goodwill of Middle Georgia/Helms College Dalton Self, Jani-King of Augusta Chashawna Wesby, Richmond County School System Adam Willis, F&W Transportation, Inc. Gary Woodhurst, TaxSlayer Nesia Wright, Georgia Soul Women’s Basketball Organization

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

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

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

COMMUNITY MOVES

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AUGUSTA The Augusta bus operators announced this week that fare collection resumed on all Augusta Transit and Richmond County Transit bus services on Thursday July 15, 2021.

Wednesday July 14, 2021 marked the end of free rides on Augusta Transit and Richmond County Transit buses.

All riders of Augusta Transit

buses, ADA/paratransit services and Richmond County Transit buses will be expected to pay a fare for any and all trips from now on.

Riders must have exact fare as NO change will be given. Bus Operators/ Drivers will not issue change cards not can they give change. If a rider pays for a single fare ($1.25) with a $5 bill, $3.75 will be retained by the

farebox. If a rider attempts to pay for the same ride with $1 they will be denied boarding and the farebox retain the $1.

Riders who held a weekly or monthly pass for rides in February or March 2020 are able to have a new pass reinstated upon producing their weekly or monthly pass dated February or March 2020. Riders must

13-year-old twins from CSRA debut in Netflix horror film AUGUSTA (WRDW/WAGT) A pair of local 13-yearold twins are making noise around the CSRA for their positive impact on the community.

Maya and Tayla Rogers share much more than just the same face.

They’re both committed to helping out in the community, both advocates for giving back, and now they are set to appear in a new movie on Netflix.

“My mom is in this casting group and they were looking for featured twins,” they said.

And that’s when their mom submitted them for the job. The casting teaqm later responded saying they were the perfect fit.”

“We were, like, in our rooms playing around and watching TV, so then my

mom just started yelling, ‘Guys, come here quick!’ We were like, ‘what happened?’” they said.

“She was like, ‘You guys are in the ‘Fear Street’ movie.’ I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, it finally came out.’”

They say it’s a feeling they’ll never forget, and a memory they’ll always share.

But for them, this is just the beginning of a new journey: one that will help them reach their own individual goals.

“I want to be a cheer coach.”

“I want to be a fashion designer.”

But it’s a journey that’s double the fun. And any advice they have for others like them: “Follow your dreams and keep doing what you are doing.”

Check out the “Fear Street” movie series on Netflix.

SHOUTIN’ IN THE FIRE by Danté Stewart “Only once in a lifetime do we come across a writer like Danté Stewart, so young and yet so masterful with the pen. This work is a thing to make dungeons shake and hearts thunder.” —Robert Jones, Jr., New York Times bestselling author of The Prophets

Danté Stewart is a speaker and a writer whose work in the areas of race, religion, and politics has been featured on CNN and in The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Sojourners, The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, Comment, and elsewhere. He received his BA in sociology from Clemson University and is currently studying at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

take their expired pass to the Broad Street Transfer Center for pass credit.

Weekly or monthly pass credit will not be permitted without producing the expired pass dated February or March 2020.

Augusta Transit is committed in its role to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors in Richmond County through the provision of sus-

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Regular fares begin again on city and county buses and riders must have exact change

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CSRA Business League Virtual Seminars The CSRA Business League, Inc. Presents: Here to Serve...The Augusta - Richmond County Administrator’s Office, facilitated

by Deputy Administrator Charles M. Jackson, MPA and the staff of the Administrator’s Office. The session will take place on Monday, 26 July 2021 at 6:00 PM via ZOOM Webinar.

You may register for the event by clicking on the session title; The CSR A Business League, Inc. Presents: Here to Serve...The Augusta - Richmond County Administrator’s Office @ https://us02web. z o om.us/ webi n a r/r eg i ster/ W N _ WnupW YSnQC2_8lBJiCBIow. This Virtual Seminar will allow attendees to hear from the office, under

the leadership of Administrator Odie Donald, II, which is responsible for executing all lawful orders, directions, instructions, ordinances, resolutions, and regulations adopted by the Augusta-Richmond County Commission, for managing and directing the activities of all city Departments, advising the Mayor and Commission on fiscal items and for the preparing of Augusta - Richmond County annual budget.

You will be able to ask questions of the Deputy Administrator, so I encourage you to formulate your questions and be prepared to ask them for what will surely be one of our most informative sessions. Mr. Jackson has requested that I share

with you the below link to the National League of Cities searchable and quite comprehensive summary of provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act. Go to: https:// w w w.nlc.org /resource/americanrescue-plan-act-of-2021-summaryof-provisions/. Upon reading the provisions, you find reference to our SSBCI workshop on 24 August and the 10 billion dollars that has been allocated for Small Business Loans.

The CSR A Business League “Getting to know our Newest Augusta - Richmond County Com m i s sione r s” Virtual Seminar, will take place on Monday, 3 August 2021 at 6:00 PM

via ZOOM Webinar. The Seminar will allow attendees to speak directly to District 1 Commissioner Jordan Johnson and District 9 Commissioner Francine Scott. We have requested that both speak to their plans and goals as members of the Commission. Whether you are a constituent of either District or a member of the Small Business Community, you would not want to miss this opportunity to voice your opinion and hear firsthand from the newest members of the body elected to serve the citizens of Augusta - Richmond County. You may register in advance for this session by going to https://us02web. z o om.us/ webi n a r/r eg i ster/ W N _ emK_QAdBRSGTtxhqSwkchw.

EDUCATIONWATCH

Augusta Technical College has announced new academic programs and continuing education offerings for Fall Semester 2021. New academic programs include: School of Aviation, Industrial and Engineering Technology •*T.C.C. in Industrial Construction I (Thomson Campus) •T.C.C. in Photovoltaic Systems Installation & Repair Technician (Augusta Campus) School of Cyber and Digital Media •^A.A.S. in Cloud Computing and Solutions (Augusta Campus) School of Health Sciences •T.C.C. Central Sterile Supply Processing Technician Advanced (Augusta Campus) School of Public and Professional Services •A.A.S. in Culinary Arts (Augusta Campus) •T.C.C. in Early Childhood Care & Education Basics (Augusta, Thomson, and Waynesboro Campuses) *T.C.C. (Technical Certificate of Credit) ^A.A.S. (Associate of Applied Science Degree) TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, PLEASE VISIT OUR ACADEMIC SCHOOLS PAGE. Under the direction of Vice President of Economic Development Dr. Lisa Palmer, Augusta Tech’s Economic Development Division offers non-credit classes in areas such as Industrial, Manufacturing and Safety, Computer Training, and Leadership Development. Classes are short-term; e.g., a single-day, a few days, or a few weeks.

NEW CE OFFERINGS INCLUDE: Medical Scribe for Practicing Healthcare Professionals Medical Scribe Professional Health Unit Coordinator APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) Fall Term starts August 23 and ATC is currently accepting applications for enrollment at all campus locations.

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The Annual Back to School Festival WE ARE GIVING AWAY 600 BOOK BAGS FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES ART ACTIVITIES, FOOD TRUCKS & LIVE PERFORMANCES Bookbags will be giving to the first 600 students grades K-12th so be sure to get there on time! The Event is JULY 31ST at TW Josey High School Football Field!

Come out and enjoy yourself, support an awesome nonprofit doing amazing things in your community! If you would like to be a vendor at this event or want to be involved in any other way, send us a direct message or email us at info@ codecalloway.org.

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

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ATC announces new academic programs and Cont. Ed. Offerings

Code Calloway and Georgia’s Green Lawn Care Presents:

Get UPW delivered to your inbox OR your front door. Subscribe at growingaugusta.co/upw

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BLACK

AUGUSTA RESTAURANT WEEK cuisine • culture • representation

“In all of the interviews in which we discuss “the why” of supporting Black restaurant businesses, I’ve personally discussed economic, social, and cultural benefits. All of those are important;

however, there’s one intangible benefit that cannot be separated from this effort. That benefit is REPRESENTATION. Our children need to see us winning, now more than ever. Our families need to emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever. We need to work, speak, and act with the future in mind. And do so with intention. Starting now.

The Black community is stronger now than ever before. We are thinking, speaking, and moving onward and upward. Intentionally.

Without apology and supremely unbothered.

We are here. I’m grateful.”— KG

* Alexander’s Great BBQ 3007 Deans Bridge Rd 30906 alexandersbbq@gmail.com

* Big T’s Seafood Restaurant 4314 Wrightsboro Road, 30813 tsrdaniels@yahoo.com

* The Buttercup Bake Shop 103 Maple Drive, Ste 11, Martinez GA 30907 info@thebuttercupbakeshop.com

* Belly’s Kitchen 2601 Deans Bridge Road 30906 tabatha014@gmail.com

* Broad Street Bullies 855 Broad Street 30901 Broadstreetbulliesgrill@gmail.com

* Café 209 566 Broad Street 30901 cafe209@gmail.com

* Big Mama’s Soul Food 2803 Wrightsboro Road 30909 bigmama.soulfood@yahoo.com

* The Brunch House of Augusta 573 Greene Street 30901 thebrunchhouseofaug@gmail.com

* Chef Redd BBQ 1501 North Leg Road 30909 Redds7070@gmail.com

* Maryland’s Fried Chicken 12 Broad Street 30901 mfcofaugusta@yahoo.com

* Events on Broad Bistro 716 Broad Street 30901 kiara@eventsonbroad.com

* Nutritious Alternatives 1795 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd 30901 nutritiousalternativesllc@gmail.com

* Fielding Bros BBQ Shack 855 Laney Walker Blvd 30901 alonzofielding155@gmail.com

* Que at The Shop 2121 MLK Blvd, Augusta 30901 queattheshop@gmail.com

* HolyShakes!

130 Eighth Street 30901 holyshakes1@gmail.com

* Sweet Savour Desserts 3629 Morgan Road 30815 Sweetsavourdesserts@gmail.com

* Humanitree House 305 Eighth Street 30901 info@humanitreehouse.com

* Taylor-Made Kakes 1022 Walton Way Ste A. Augusta, GA 30901 Thetaylormadekakes@gmail.com

* Jackie M’s and Son 3308 Milledgeville Road 30909 jackiemsandson@gmail.com * Jamaica Hut 3213 Wrightsboro Road 30909 jamaicahut36@gmail.com

* Tippy Cakes Bakery 1735 Washington Road, Thomson 30824 Tiffnicole24@yahoo.com

***updated ABRW listing here: https://www.growingaugusta.co/ blog/augusta-black-restaurant-week-2021

UPW take note Looking for more vendors for monthly networking events. Youth entrepreneurs encouraged. Send msg and product types to UPW facebook page.

• Wanted: Christian Drumline for an evangelistic outreach event.

6-10 members would be ideal, but open to other creative ideas • ISO FREE 4-5 gallon food grade plastic buckets. Handles preferred but not needed. Will pick up. Text pls (706) 495-6238 • Want UPW delivered to your home or office? Drop us a line today

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* Deshawn’s Seafood 630 Atomic Road 29860 deshawnsseafood@gmail.com

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TRUEZ

BRANDON TRUESDALE, aka TRUEZ, was born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Augusta, Georgia — home of The Godfather of Soul James Brown. Truez’s music is a blend of emotions, lyrical technique, delivered with Northern aggression and a southern twang. UPW sat with the 29-year-old artist for a few moments to discuss his upcoming projects and general musical direction.

Truez’s latest offering LGND “You’ve started a new series of events at Humanitree House.

What exactly is it, and why did you start it?

After surviving the Pandemic, a lot of prominent businesses unfortunately closed down. Connecting with Brotha B, my mentor and owner of Humanitree House, we decided to answer that call with our fist major showcase “Legend’s Ball”. So now, it’s time for the first black owned juice bar and art gallery to display our newest department, the stage. Every first Friday we will strive to bring the city the finest talent, seasoned or upcoming, dancers, spoken word, rap and singers. The House will truly be a home for artists to live out their dream.

Let’s start at the beginning. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.

I started Writing music at 12 years old and composing my own CDs at

the age of 13. When I started out, my goal was always to be the best artist, I wanted people to respect my craft.

From my partnership with legendary DJ Kay Slay in NYC, to creating my own label and providing platforms for other artist that lack opportunity or inspiration. The original goal has morphed into a more inclusive and universal way of being, igniting a new way of thinking as a creative or artist in the city of Augusta, GA and hopefully the world.

Ok, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

The road less traveled is always a challenging path. I’ve had to overcome anxiety, loss of friends and crippling relationships both in business and life. When you set your visions high, sacrifices, such as money, people and time Becomes a bit haunting.

Postponing love and starting a family

also has been a tough challenge to endure. In the music industry or any industry can be filled with a lot of temptation and evil and finding balance and keeping your soul through that journey is an everyday decision.

Tell us more about your work.

When you listen to a Truez record, you can always expect witty lyrics, conviction, voice bending and passion throughout a song. I have a total of 7 albums stretching from 2012-2021 including my latest Album “LEGEND” and my previous Album “FLIGHT 3:23” with Augusta Producers Ayoo Snoop & Hugg Dawg.

Over 18 professionally cut videos shot by GT Films (Atlanta Director), Devinchi The Great (SCAD/Augusta Director) & recently 420 Visuals (Augusta Director).

What do you see for yourself in the near and distant future?

I can see myself putting an arc over my music journey and ascending to a

new version of Truez.

Involving myself in the creative community to provide inspiration, new ideas and options while help building and fueling Augusta’s HipHop industry. Working close with Podcasters such as “Sit Downs With Slim”, “The B Safe Podcast”, “The Boom Bap Hour” and Nikola Stevens NKL Mag. The goal is to have outlets for our own and not have to drive two hours to Atlanta to receive any love, press or artist showcases.

Where do you see the artform heading?”

With care, we can really revitalize and spark the beginning of forever for artistic opportunities. With outlets like the UPW, a little news coverage and award shows for local artists and creatives. James Brown set the bar high and now, in this new decade it’s up to the new generation to aim for greatness and capitalize off Augusta’s rich music history to make our own history. #TruezNATION.

Pickled Dreams

by George Edward Buggs

Pickled dreams are unlike pickled pigs feet.

For many of us pickled pigs feet were a treat.

Beside the Spam and vienna sausage sat our pickled dreams.

They all sat there on the shelf above the washing machine.

Mama said some of them dreams are mine.

She said she was saving them for hard times.

Some of the other jars she said, some of them belong to kin.

They’ll come get them. She said she didn’t know when.

Their brine is sweet and salty what with all that goes in it.

The special spirits mama used provided many tasty minutes.

Rich aromas were in that place, the scent of slavery lingered in the air, where crisp burnt skin above a lynch mob’s fire smelled like perfumed hair.

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George Edward Buggs

PLAYWRIGHT, POET, PHOTOGRAPHER

The pickled history in that jar over there, she gestured, is way too dark and centuries old and festered.

I held it. I looked inside and saw one star, then another, and another, glowing in a slave ship’s hold.

THE BIKERS RINGS by George Edward Buggs AIKEN RESIDENT George Edward Buggs received his B.S. degree in History from Hampton Institute (Virginia)and his M.A. in English (Creative Writing) from Brown University. While enrolled at Brown University he taught creative writing to undergraduates and he participated in the Rhode Island Council on the Arts’ “Art’s in the Libraries” program as a Creative Writing Specialist for the Roger Williams College’s University Without Walls program at the Rhode Island Correctional Facility.

He is a photographer and poet. His poems have appeared in many periodicals and small magazines including The Woodstock Seasoner, Iowa Review, Black Scholar, American Poetry and Evergreen Review.

He has published work in Broadside Press’ Broadside Series (#51) and has had a volume of poems,Music from the Middle Passage, published by Cornerstone Press (St. Louis). In 1969 he received the Reader’s Digest-United Negro College Fund’s Creative Writer’s Award for Poetry. In 1972 and 1973 he was a Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference Scholarship recipient.

He has given readings of his poems at several colleges and universities including Sarah Lawrence College, Hampton Institute, Oswego University and Brown University.

His photography credits include the New England Black Weekly newspaper, Blackfolk, the Cambridge River Festival, and Channel 7/WNAC TV’s Weekday program. He has exhibited his photographs at the Cambridge Public Library and Northeastern University. His recent activity includes the completion of FIVE- GRAND SURPRISE, a one-act play and DEAR FRISHA, a full-length-twoact play. These plays were completed while the writer was participating in ACT Roxbury’s playwriting workshop, “Five Fridays and A Sunny Afternoon”, conducted by playwright Ed Bullins in 2001 and 2002 in Boston, Massachusetts.

He currently resides in Aiken, South Carolina and is engaged in creative photography. His primary subjects are the equine activities for which Aiken is known. He has exhibited his photographic art in a number of local venues. They include The Aiken Center for the Arts, The McCormick Arts Center at the Keturah, (McCormick, S.C.), Equine Divine Art

Thousands of pickled thoughts in jars glowed on shelves above.

I could hear them talking about sadness, hate and love.

Jars of future’s future sat beside them like life-long friends.

A very big jar containing all of the gods sat beside them.

My memory is only notes I’m writing every now and then.

I write whole lines of poetry’s puzzles. Then try to solve them Remembering I’m the one who wrote them is the problem.

I once wrote a poem describing what looked like hell in heaven.

Then she held up a jar of dark testicles. Pickled balls she called them.

I looked up wondering if and when they’ll ever be attached again.

She showed me the label on the back of the jar and then said, she said she is waiting for somebody to come buy them.

Said she will sell them to an enemy or friend. Whoever bids. Whoever wins.

Well my visit to the pickled this and that store was unusual.

I ate olives of happiness. Kim chee’s tart joy was a warm mouthful.

Now my head is full of jars on shelves, but I can’t afford to buy one.

But if I could choose between all the jars I’d get one, or some.

I’d buy a jar of pretend, and a jar of love, and a jar of sin, but the biggest jar of dreams is the one I would buy, take with me, and live in.

Gallery (Aiken), the South Side Gallery(Aiken), Aiken Office Supply, and The Aiken Spring Classic Horse Show (2007). His photos have appeared in the Aiken Standard, The Aiken Training Track brochure and The Thoroughbred Times, Equestrian Quarterly Magazine, Meybohm Real Estate Guide, Aiken Homes and Lifestyle Magazine, Atlanta Magazine, Dogwood Stable Newsletter, Aiken Polo Club Magazine, Whiskey Road Hunt Magazine and the Aiken Hounds Centennial Program also include his fine art photos.

He received the Aiken Center for the Arts Board of Directors Award 2012 for his digital composite photo “Preserving Aiken’s best”. He was The Aiken Polo Club’s Official Photographer for the Spring and Fall 2014 seasons. His digital photo art can be purchased at the Aiken Center for the arts.

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iSpy the Watermelon Guy - Pastor Lane

GROWINGAugusta

For weeks, the hot topic on social media was the location of the elusive Watermelon Man. PASTOR CHARLES LANE has been selling melons from the back of his pickup for years to raise money for his church. One woman, Shaneice Barnes created a platform to share Pastor Lane’s whereabouts, and his sales and popularity have gone through the roof.

Let’s start at the beginning. How did you meet Pastor Lane?

I first encountered Pastor Lane a few years ago in Grovetown, Ga when he walked into the nail salon where I was getting my nails done. He stood at the door and stated “if you all would like to purchase some watermelon, please come on out to my truck and get you some.” Once I finished getting my nails done, and went outside to purchase a watermelon, he had already left the location. I’ve been searching for him ever since then.

What compelled you create the iSpy group on facebook?

I am a part of two community groups where people from Thompson to Aiken, S.C. posts daily looking for the “Watermelon Man’ which is something that I was trying to do “catch up” with him. Therefore I felt compelled to create a way for the community to keep up with his location being that he stays on the move. The first part of July 2021, I created the Facebook group “iSpy the Watermelon Guy”, so that we can provide the CSRA with accurate and real time information regarding his location.

The group has grown in size pretty quickly. What has the response been from the community?

The response from the community has been amazing! Since starting the group we’ve grown to over 2,000 people. There’s hundreds of people that are joining the page daily! The community has been posting pictures with excitement of meeting Pastor Lane, praying with him, holding general conversation, offering their services to cut his grass at his church, provide gift cards to him, personalized gifts for Pastor Lane, to wanting to gather together to attend his Church as a community, and finally to purchase one of those delicious watermelons! . We have truly come together over one thing that we all share. Which is, THE LOVE FOR WATERMELON AND PASTOR LANE!

How has Pastor Lane responded to the added attention?

Pastor Lane has been so thankful and grateful for the CSRA’s response. I had the pleasure to finally go to Pastor Lane and speak with him since creating the group to see how business was going. He revealed to me that he has been doing this for over 18 years, but he has never made the amount of money he made the weekend of July 10th.

He was so appreciative of me creating the group, that he wanted to gift me with some free watermelon. He also said that he wanted to tell everyone that I was the mastermind behind the page. I thanked him, but told him he doesn’t have to do that because this is something that God laid on my heart.

I didn’t need the public recognition as long as he is benefiting from it, I was more than happy! Pastor Lane had also mentioned to me that he prayed to God for the person who created the page to reveal themselves, and that day I appeared. He also mentioned to me that the spirit of God is in me. We discussed my belief and home church and closed out our conversation with me providing him with my contact information and Pastor Lane, my daughter and I praying together!

What’s next for you?

What’s next for me?! My next assignment from God which is to prepare my daughter for 5th grade, as well as to continue Teaching! In a couple of weeks my summer vacation will end, and I will return to the classroom and meet my wonderful 3rd graders! I will also return to Augusta University in the Fall for my last Semester to complete my Graduate Degree and graduate in December 2021 with my Specialist Degree in Education (Ed.S)!

Shaniece Barnes lives in Columbia County, & works as an Educator in the local school district. She has 1 daughter and has a family dog (Yorki Poodle) by the name of Dylan Her hobbies are: reading, swimming, eating seafood, traveling anywhere with a beach, and cooking/grilling.

Keith Walton, pastor of Journey Sherwood Community Church discuss the new South Augusta Farmers Market. Photo by Richard Dunn

Southside Farmers Market opens to public Jasmine Ryans, CEO of SANS Supply and Soul(tre) Natural hand out samples during Growing Augusta and Journey Sherwood Community Church Farmers Market. Photo by Richard Dunn

Market guests stop by the Growing Augusta veggie truck for seedlings, fruits, and organic produce. Photo by Richard Dunn

OWNYourOwn

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We now live in a reality of uncertainty in finances and our day to day lives in general, so now is the time to take control of our finances. To do this first take inventory of what your finances are personally and in business separately. First start by including a list of what your expenses are.

Start backwards, with the small things such as subscriptions that you pay monthly.

Next include your insurances (life, health, car, etc), and credit card payments.

Then look at utilities and transpor-

tation expenses. The last to go on the inventory will be the cost of housing.

There should be a dollar amount next to each of these items, either on paper or spreadsheet. Don’t forget to include any day to day expenses such as meals, shopping, daycare,etc.

The third step is to now look at the income that you have coming in and deduct the total of your expenses from your income. This will show you what you have left over, if you need more income, or what can be eliminated in your expenses or cut back to better

Got a “Mover & Shaker” in your family, business, church, or community organization?

UPW wants to know about it. Send us a message on Facebook...

gain control of your finances.

If you would like more information about the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce you can visit us on any

social media pages @mygabc or at our website https://mygabc.org.

By Ronic West President, Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce

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The basics of being in control of your finances

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