Urban Pro Weekly

U W rban Pro NEWS • COMMENTARY

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The CSRA’s FREE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER VOL.3 NO.23

ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Georgia’s Multicultural Economy:

Buying Power of Blacks, Hispanics soar

Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

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THE NEW MULTICULTURAL ECONOMY

UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014

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Black buying power in Georgia soars as national level surpasses $1 trillion MINORITY GROUPS IN THE U.S. WILL COMMAND UNPRECEDENTED ECONOMIC CLOUT THIS YEAR AND WELL INTO THE FUTURE, according to the annual Multicultural Economy report from the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia Terry College of Business.

The 2013 report provides a comprehensive statistical overview of the buying power (or the amount of income left after taxes, not including savings or borrowed money) of African-Americans, Asians, Native Americans and Hispanics from 1990-2018. It includes national statistics as well as breakdowns for each state.

For example, Hispanic consumers in the U.S. will command a $1.2 trillion market in 2013—a figure higher than the entire economy of Turkey—thanks to high birth rates, immigration and an increase in Hispanic entrepreneurship.

I

n 2014, African Americans will constitute the nation’s largest racial minority market, but the buying power of Hispanics—an ethnic group—is larger. Despite the severe impact of the Great Recession, blacks’ economic clout continues to energize the U.S. consumer market.

The Selig Center estimates that the nation’s black buying power will rise from $316 billion in 1990 to $601 billion in 2000, to $951 billion in 2010, to $1 trillion in 2013, and to $1.3 trillion in 2018.

The 78 percent increase between 2000 and 2013 outstrips the 63 percent rise in white buying power and the 70 percent increase in total buying power (all races combined). In 2013, the nation’s share of total buying power that is black will be 8.6 percent, up from 8.2 percent in 2000 and from 7.5 percent in 1990. African-American consumers’ share of the nation’s total buying power will rise to 8.8 percent in 2018, accounting for almost nine cents out of every dollar that is spent.

Blacks starting more businesses The gains in black buying power reflect much more than just population growth and inflation. Of the many diverse supporting forces, one of the most important and enduring is the increasing number of blacks who are starting and expanding their own businesses. The 2007 Survey of Business Owners (released by the U.S. Census bureau in June 2011) shows that the number of black-owned firms was 61 percent higher in 2007 than in 2002, which more than three times the 18 percent gain in the number of all U.S. firms. Also, compared to the 1997-2002 period, the overall rate of growth in the number of black- owned firms accelerated—as did the rate of

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In addition, African-American consumers will add $1 trillion to the 2013 market, Native Americans will contribute $96 billion, and Asian consumers will supply $713 billion.

As minority groups’ buying power continues to outpace the growth of the white market, these groups should see more tailored treatment from advertisers, producers and media outlets, said Jeff Humphreys, author of the report and director of the Selig Center.

The report outlines where and how minority groups spend their money, highlighting trends that can help U.S. businesses move beyond their intuitive approaches to targeting clientele.

It also includes statistics on the nation’s total buying power, which will climb to $12.4 trillion in 2013, thanks to an expansionary economy that’s perking up post-recession. The market is up 70 percent from 2000 and 12 percent since 2010. ­— Jeffrey Humphreys, Selig Center

growth in the number of all U.S. firms. Between 2002 and 2007, the receipts of black-owned firms grew by 55 percent compared to the 34 percent increase in the receipts of all U.S. firms.

Blacks better educated Still another positive factor underpinning the group’s buying power is that African Americans continue to become more highly educated, which should allow proportionally more blacks to enter occupations with higher average salaries. Census data show that in 2012, 85 percent of blacks over 25 years of age had completed high school or college, far better than the 66 percent reported in 1990 and the 79 percent recorded in 2000.

Despite this, the percentage of African Americans who are high school graduates or better was still lower than the percentage of whites (88 percent) and Asians (89 percent).

Also, the Current Population Survey indicates that 21 percent of blacks had a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree compared to 31 percent of whites and 51 percent of Asians.

Nonetheless, the percentage of blacks who had completed college in 2013 (21 percent) was higher than in either 2000 (17 percent) or in 1990 (11 percent).

Black population growing rapidly Favorable demographic trends help, too, since the black population continues to grow more rapidly than the total population. From 2000 to 2013, the nation’s black population grew by 16.3 percent compared to 7.7 percent for the white population and 12.3 percent for the total population. From Hispanic consumers in the U.S. will command a $1.2 trillion market in 2013 thanks to high birth rates, immigration and an increase in Hispanic entrepreneurship. Photo by Vincent Hobbs Continued on next page

Publisher Ben Hasan 706-394-9411 Managing Editor Frederick Benjamin Sr. 706-306-4647

Sales & Marketing Phone: 706-394-9411 Photography and Social Media Courtesy of Vincent Hobbs

email: Ben Hasan bzhasan54@yahoo.com Frederick Benjamin Sr. editor@urbanproweekly.com Vincent Hobbs coolveestudio@gmail.com

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“As African Americans’ share of the nation’s total buying power expands, business-to-consumer firms can be expected to devote more resources to developing and marketing products that meet the needs and match the preferences of black consumers.”

Where Blacks Spend More Electronics Utilities Groceries Footwear 2013 to 2018, the nation’s black population is projected to grow by 5.9 percent, which exceeds the 4.5 percent growth estimated for the total U.S. population. Also, the black population is younger: the 2010 Current Population Survey indicates that the median age of blacks is only 31.4 years compared to 38.2 years for the white population or 36.7 years for the total population. Compared to the older white population, larger proportions of blacks will enter the workforce for the first time or will move up from entry-level jobs. This will provide an extra push to the group’s overall buying power. Conversely, smaller proportions of blacks have reached their career pinnacles or are of traditional retirement age. In 2010, only 8.6 percent of blacks were over 65, compared to 13.8 percent of whites or 12.7 percent of the total population.

So, black buying power may be slightly more resistant to reforms of popular government entitlement programs for retirees (e.g., Social Security and Medicare), especially if those reforms focus benefit reductions on higher income households.

Black population is younger Because they are much younger, African-American consumers increasingly are setting trends for teens (and young adults) of every race and ethnic background. This isn’t surprising given that 29.4 percent of the black population is under 18 years old compared to 23.3 percent of the white population or 24.6 percent of the total population.

The youthful profile of the black population has its downside, however. Compared to people who are either more established in their careers or retired, young adults, regardless of their race or ethnicity, are more exposed to job losses in economic downturns. So, in this regard, black buying power is vulnerable to the effects of economic recessions, but over time the above-average growth of black buying power has more than compensated for that high cyclical exposure.

Blacks losing jobs Due the unusual severity of the Great Recession, employment growth

Where Blacks Spend Less New cars Alcohol Health care Entertainment Pensions no longer can be cited as one of the main forces behind the above-average gains in black buying power. From January 2000 through April 2013 (the most recent data available at the time of this writing), the number of jobs held by blacks had increased by only 1 million, or a paltry 0.5 percent per year. Furthermore, from its pre- recession peak in January 2007 (when blacks held 16,212,000 jobs) through April 2013 (when blacks held 16,167,000 jobs), the number of employed African Americans dropped by 45,000. The black unemployment rate therefore soared from 7.9 percent (January 2007) to 16.8 percent (March 2010). By April 2013, the employment-to-population ratio for blacks stood at only 53.4 percent—it was 59.4 percent in January 2007.

The jobs losses have been very heavy because recessions with credit crunches and housing busts are always deeper and longer than other recessions. The financial panic didn’t help. This unusual set of events brought the economy to its knees, and it erased a decade’s worth of job growth for African Americans. At the time of this writing, it appears that the period of job losses is over, but the labor market’s recovery is anemic, especially in states hit the hardest by the housing bust.

Georgia has 4th largest AfricanAmerican market in the U.S. In 2013, the ten states with the largest African-American markets, in order, are New York ($101 billion), Texas ($92 billion), California ($77 billion), Georgia ($76 billion), Florida ($75 billion), Maryland ($64 billion), North Carolina ($50 billion), Illinois ($46 billion), Virginia ($46 billion), and New Jersey ($41 billion). Of these, however, Georgia and Maryland are the only ones that did not rank among the top ten markets for all consumers.

One characteristic that sets the African-American consumer market apart from the Hispanic and Asian markets is that it is not concentrated in a handful of states. This vibrant consumer market is very widespread, and therefore is an attractive customer segment in many of the states. In 2013, the five largest African-American markets account for 39 percent of black

Because they are much younger, AfricanAmerican consumers increasingly are setting trends for teens (and young adults) of every race and ethnic background.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs buying power. The five states with the largest total consumer markets account for 38 percent of total buying power.

Similarly, the ten largest black markets account for 62 percent of the AfricanAmerican market and the ten largest total consumer markets account for 55 percent of total buying power.

In order, the top ten states ranked by the rate of growth of black buying power between 2000 and 2013 are North Dakota (296 percent), South Dakota (262 percent), Vermont (234 percent), Idaho (187 percent), Arizona (174 percent), New Hampshire (159 percent), Maine (152 percent), New Mexico (150 percent), Nevada (137 percent), and Iowa (127 percent). All have flourishing African-American consumer markets, but none is among the nation’s ten largest black consumer markets.

In 2013, the ten states with the largest share of total buying power that is black are the District of Columbia (26.3 percent), Mississippi (23.6 percent), Maryland (23.1 percent), Georgia (22.1 percent), Louisiana (19.8 percent), South Carolina (17.7 percent), Alabama (17.4 percent), Delaware (15.1 percent), North Carolina (14.8 percent), and Virginia (13 percent).

The 2.6 percent, 2.2 percent, and 1.7 percent increases in African American’s share of the consumer markets in Georgia, Maryland, and Delaware were the three biggest share shifts in the nation from 2000 to 2013, respectively.

There also was a 1.6 percent advance in Nevada and a 1.4 percent gain in Florida.

Where Blacks Spend Their Money Due to differences in per capita income, wealth, demographics, educational attainment, occupational distribution, geographic distribution, and culture, the spending habits of blacks as a group are not the same as those of non-black consumers. Thus, as African Americans’ share of the nation’s total buying power expands, business-to-consumer firms can be expected to devote more resources to developing and marketing products

that meet the needs and match the preferences of black consumers.

Data from the 2012 Consumer Expenditure Survey indicate that the average black household spent in total only 73 percent as much as the average non-black household, reflecting blacks’ lower median household incomes. The values are for money income, which differs somewhat from buying power, but nonetheless offers some insights into spending by black consumers.

Despite lower average household income levels, African Americans lead in some categories. For example, on average, black households spent more than non-black households on natural gas, electricity, audio equipment, and footwear. Also, blacks spent a significantly higher proportion of their money on housing, groceries, phone services, furniture, clothing, car insurance, and gasoline and motor oil. These findings strongly imply that energy utilities, telecom firms, car insurers, gas stations, grocers, clothing stores, and shoe stores would do well to market themselves directly to black consumers.

Blacks and non-blacks spent about the same proportion of their income for groceries, housekeeping supplies, appliances, children’s clothing, used cars, tobacco products, cash contributions, and life insurance. Compared to non-blacks, however, blacks spent much less of their total outlays on restaurants, alcoholic beverages, new cars, health care, fees and admissions, pets, toys, and pensions and Social Security.

The same survey indicates that black households are slightly more likely to have children under 18 (0.7 persons for blacks versus 0.6 persons for whites and others). Blacks have only 1.3 vehicles per household compared to two vehicles for white and other households; and they are more likely to be renters rather than homeowners.

SOURCE: The Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia Terry College of Business.

UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014

BLACK BUYING POWER from page 4

UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014

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COOL A

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Top Left to right: Jazz musician Miles Davis; Blues musician Aaron “T-Bone” Walker Bottom left to right: Jazz singer Billie Holiday; Jimi Hendrix, rock guitarist.

SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY EXHIBITION ‘AMERICAN COOL’ A new exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery confronts one of the most dynamic and hard-to-define concepts in American cultural life — the cool. “American Cool” broaches its subject through photographs of people who have helped define and embody the idea since before it had taken form to the current day.

Go to http://www.npg.si.edu/

Urban Bush Women, a performance ensemble, captivates the audience during a performance at Maxwell Theater on the GRU Summerville campus.

Urban Bush Women

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

The all-female dance company , whose mission is “dedicated to exploring the use of cultural expression as a catalyst for social change”, added Augusta to its celebratory 30th Anniversary Tour.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014

A CULTURAL JOURNEY

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UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014

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Humanitree House is proud to announce “Metatalah” The Womb of Our Existence, the Voice of Our Soul, by debut author Baruti Harith Tucker.

Metatalah (Meh–Ta–Tah–la), a softcover, original science fiction graphic novel that explores the possibility of an underwater world that exists within us all. Inspired by current events from around the world and Tucker’s own self-discovery, Metatalah is an intriguing drama, thriller and story about self-discovery, trial, love, friendship and freedom in a time of war.

The complete story line of Metatalah was written solely by Baruti Harith Tucker aka “Brotha B” and also features his artistic talents. Tucker’s project includes over 50 original creations of art, to include pen and ink drawings as well as paintings all created by his fingers using his preferred painting method that he’s termed “Ahfingah”. Tucker is a visual artist that renders all of his paintings with his fingers only. He resides in Augusta, Georgia and currently teaches art at C.H. Terrell Academy, Jessye Norman School of the Arts and privately in Augusta, Georgia.

Find out more about Tucker by visiting www.artbybaruti.com.

Metatalah will debut on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 4 p.m. at the Jessye Norman School of the Arts in Augusta in a combined book release and art show. The Jessye Norman School of the Arts is located at 739 Greene Street. Augusta, Georgia Mr. Tucker is anticipating a digital release in late 2014. All original works made for book illustrations will be available for sale. Books are also available for pre-order athttp://www. humanitreehouse.com/www.humanitreehouse.com/Publications.html.

While on his daily commute Eman finds himself distracted by the hypnotizing effect of the water. He transcends in the water and finds himself face to face with three realities.

He must find his purpose in each reality in order to find his true voice, his passion and his man-spirit to stay alive and afloat. Who is he? What will become of him in Metatalah? Is all that has happened in the vastness of the water real, dream, or suppressed memories of ancestral struggle and victory? Join him on his Journey to Metatalah.

“I began working on the story line for Metatalah in 2003, on my daily commute on the Staten Island Ferry while residing in New York. My inspiration for Metatalah is actually the mystery in the water as it relates to the mystery we all find within ourselves. I felt that this was a strong story that I really wanted to tell visually. Metatalah is a backdrop of inspiring us to be more fluid in our relationships with each other, defining who we are in our choices and in our freedom. Writing a graphic novel gave me the freedom to create without boundaries and uninhibited imagination.” explained Tucker.

FOR INFO: info@humanitreehouse.com; 706.394.0190

THE BIG WIND UP GRU Augusta softball sophmore Haley Birkle winds up for the pitch in the second game of a double-header against Esrkine at the Diamond Jaguars home field. The team split their home opener, falling 0-1 in the first game, but took the win 3-0 over the Flying Fleet in the secong game.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

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Artist set to release first work of fiction

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FEBRUARY Feb. 20: Niki Haris @ Union Baptist Church Feb. 22: Soiree - Rob Foster Feb. 28: Spring Fever Concert Series @ Pendleton King Park

MARCH Mar. 14: Spring Fever Concert @ Pendleton King Park Mar. 15: Augusta Market Opening Day Mar. 22: Soiree - Not Gaddy Trio Mar. 23: Mahogany (Jazz) Lounge

MEETING NOTIFICATION Augusta Aviation Commission Meeting The Augusta Regional Airport Aviation Commission Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commission Chambers located in Administration on the 2nd floor of the Airport.

Please feel free to contact Airport Administration at 706-798-3236.

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Garden City Jazz : 2014 Calendar Of Events

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MOVING WITHOUT THE BALL

is part of the GRU experience on game day. (Above) The GRU Jaguars Pep Band performs during a game against Georgia Southwestern at Christenberry Fieldhouse. (At right) A GRU Jaguars cheerleader stands courtside during a game against Georgia Southwestern at Christenberry Fieldhouse. Photos by Vincent Hobbs

BLACK HISTORY EVENTS CALENDAR SATURDAY, FEB. 20 @ 2:30 p.m.

Author Milton Washington will speak about his memoir “Slickyboy: The Black Dust of South Korea” in the JSAC Ballroom, starting at 2:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEB. 22 @ 11 a.m.

The library will feature a Black History Month program on Lucy Laney. Speaker Dr. Kent Anderson Leslie will talk about her almost completed biography on Miss Laney and will note “little known facts about Miss Laney’s life and legacy.”

Downtown public library at 823 Telfair St., room B, 1st floor.

MONDAY, FEB. 24 from 4-5 p.m.

The GRU Department of English and Foreign Languages and FLAIR will host a panel titled “Images and Memories of Africa” at GRU Summerville campus in Allgood Hall, room E-251. It will be presented in English by Dr. Liana Babayan, GRU Assistant Professor of French, and Dr. Eronini Egbujor, Paine College Associate Professor of French/ GRU Adjunct Instructor of French. For more information, contact Jana Sandarg at jsandarg@gru.edu.

TUESDAY, FEB. 25 @ 6 p.m.

“The Mis-Education of Greek Life: Why We Step” will be held at the JSAC Ballroom from 6-7 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEB. 27 @ 2:30 p.m.

GRU Reese Library will present a Black History Month program featuring Lucy Craft Laney. Speaker will be Dr. Kent Anderson Leslie. Rm. UH157 room University Hall.

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U W rban Pro

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

eekly

FORUM

BY KRISTIE ROBIN JOHNSON

Brown is the new Black

I

n recent political debates, few subjects stir up an emotional response from both sides of the aisle like immigration reform. In the last two presidential elections it has been a key issue in both of the parties’ platforms and, some believe, the critical concern driving Latino voters to the polls and subsequently leading to the election and re-election of Barack Obama.

Unfortunately, the struggle for immigration reform is intimately connected to the greater struggle for civil, social, and human rights. If the African-American community misses the mark on this critical issue, we run the risk of being on the wrong side of history and missing an opportunity to fortify a much needed relationship with our allies that will be crucial to our future progress in this nation.

Americans of Hispanic

descent are the fastest growing minority group in the United States and will very soon become the largest minority population in the United States, surpassing African-Americans.

As the Hispanic population grows, their causes are brought to the forefront in the national spotlight.

Immigration reform has become chief among those causes.

The debate over illegal immigration has become par-

ticularly heated in the last several years. The extreme right argues that undocumented immigrants unfairly undercut the American workforce, clog up the healthcare and welfare systems, and disproportionately contribute to rising crime rates because of their connection to Mexican and South American drug cartels.

The far left argues that because of a lack of a clear path to citizenship, undocumented immigrants are

exploited by unscrupulous employers and forced to work for slave wages.

This debate has triggered a rash of antiquated, even unconstitutional laws in a number of states. Some of the most controversial statutes include laws that require police officers to ask to see proof of citizenship whenever they have “reasonable cause” during routine stops.

Other proposals ban undocumented immigrants from receiving public and acquiring driver’s permits. Perhaps the most drastic of these measures is a proposed law that would strip US born children of undocumented immigrants of their US citizenship — effectively overturning the 14th Amendment. Some of these laws were upheld; others were not.

As African-Americans, we cannot simply stand aside as others are being racially profiled and reduced to second class citizenship. I believe that, given our history, black Americans are divinely suited to aid in the struggles of our brown sisters and brothers.

It is often said that an oppressed people will oppress others when given the chance. We cannot allow this to ring true. In the solemn memory of every American that ever gave their life for another American to be free, we have a certain duty to show solidarity with those who are walking a path that we are already familiar with. Even if you never join a march, sign a petition, or write a check, you can always send your prayers and reserve your judgment. The ties that bind us are stronger than the arbitrary, invisible lines that divide us.

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PHOTOS BY VINCENT HOBBS

GRU Augusta basketball forward Harold Doby (center) gains control of the rebound during a game against Georgia Southwestern at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Jags dominated the Hurricanes with a final score of 78-65 in the Peach Belt Conference matchup. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

GRU - 78 vs.

GSW - 65 Feb. 15, 2014 GRU Augusta basketball head coach Dip Metress reacts to a referee call during a game against Georgia Southwestern at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014

COLLEGE HOOPS •

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UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014

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Tabernacle Baptist Women’s Conference opens registration AUGUSTA Tabernacle Baptist Church presents 15th Annual Women’s Conference, March 7th – March 9th.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating 15 Years of Godly Women Making An Impact.” The conference will take place at the Tabernacle Baptist Church’s Family Life Center. The conference kicks off Friday, March 7that 7:00 p.m. with “Ladies Night Out” featuring Pastor Wendy Smith-Martin of Greater Victory Christian Center in Atlanta, GA.

The conference workshops commence on Saturday, March 8th at 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Conference registration is $15. Attendees can also purchase a conference t-shirt for $13.

Attendees can also enjoy presentations on “Healthy Living & The Kingdom” by Claudianett Williams of Fit “N” God, “Becoming a Woman of Impact for the Kingdom” by Marlena Daniel of Beyond This, LLC, and “Relationships and The Kingdom” by Dr. Stacey Lee of

Beulah Grove Baptist Church in Augusta, GA. The conference will conclude on Sunday, March 9th with Pastor Deborah M. Martin of New Chestnut Baptist Church in Virginia. Pastor Martin will be the keynote speaker for the 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. worship services at Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Ot her con ference-a f f i l iated events include the Annual High Noon Tea on Saturday, March 1st at 12Noon at the Tabernacle Baptist Church Family Life Center.

Debris Removal Strategy

Augusta Richmond County citizens that need trees and limbs debris to be picked up should have the debris placed on the curb by Monday, February 24, 2014.

Solid waste collection will be on normal collection schedule picking up small piles of storm debris, trash, and recyclables. Additionally, contract crews working with Environmental Services and the Engineering department will be working to remove large piles of debris, trees, and large branches.

The county will be collecting debris from the curb for the next 30 days, it may not be taken all at once but they will come back. Environmental Services will be flexible on current standards for waste pick up. Please keep in mind the following items: •Limbs should not exceed 10 feet •Debris should be placed where you normally place your trash •Debris should not be blocked by vehicles

•Debris should not interfere with the flow of traffic or placed in ditches •Debris in plastic bags will not be collected

Volunteers are working in Richmond County to assist the community members that may need help removing debris. The volunteer groups are not available to assist with commercial work. To receive assistance, the homeowner must apply; all renters should contact their landlord for repairs. Those agencies have set up outreach centers and can be reached at the following numbers: •Southern Baptist Association (404)291-4672. You can also go to the Augusta Baptist Association Office at 1120 Marks Church Rd to request help.

•Samaritan’s Purse 706-863-6525 119 Pleasant Home Rd, Augusta, GA 30907

The tea is $15. Tickets can be purchased after each worship service. To see a complete listing of Tabernacle’s Women’s Conference events or to register, visit http:// w w w.tbcaugusta.org For more information, contact Tabernacle Baptist Church at (706) 724-1230 or visit the Tabernacle Baptist Church website at w w w.tbcaugusta.org. Get social! Follow on Twitter @ TBCAugusta or via Facebook.com/ TBCAugusta

• Team Rubicon 762-233-0008

The city would also like to caution you; if you are hiring a contractor, we urge you to be smart consumers and be wary of scam artists who perpetrate fraud upon ice storm survivors.

To safeguard against disaster-related fraud, we recommend the following precautions: •Beware of people going door-to-door •Ask for ID, their business license, and copy of insurance •Get three written estimates for repair work •Before work begins, get a written contract •Do not sign completion papers or make the final payment until the work is completed to your satisfaction •If a contractor fails to honor a contract or gives you an offer too good to be true, call for help •Check references, obtain written estimates and avoid large cash payments up front

Good Shepherd Baptist Church

Rev. Clarence Moore, Pastor 1714 Olive Road / P. O. Box 141 (mailing address) Augusta, GA 30903 706/733-0341- Telephone/706/667-0205 – Fax E-mail address: admin@goodshepherdaugusta.org Web address: goodshepherdaugusta.org Rev. Clarence Moore Church Service: 7:45 & 11:00 a.m.

Church School: 9:45 a.m. / Prayer Service: 11:00 a.m. – Wednesday Bible Study: 9:00 a.m. - Saturday / 7:00 p.m. - Wednesday

2323 Barton Chapel Road • Augusta,GA 30906 706.790.8185 / 706.922.8186 (fax) Visit Us @ www.broadwaybaptistaug.org • Join us on facebook Dr. C. William Joyner, Jr. Senior Pastor

Start your calling today! Mount Olivet Certified Academic Institution 706.793.0091 • 706.793.0335 • www.mocai-aug.org

Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church

17 UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014

Sunday School 8:30 am Morning Worship Services: 9:45 am Evening Worship Services 6 pm (4th Sunday) Bible Study: 6pm (Mondays) Midday Bible Study: 12pm (Tuesdays) Prayer Services: 6pm (Wednesdays) Celebrate Recovery: 6pm (Fridays) and 12pm (Mondays)

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Fifth Third Bank awards $5,000 grant to CSRA Business League

UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014

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AUGUSTA Fifth Third Bank has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Central Savannah River Area Business League. The funding will be used to purchase computers and color printers for the CSRA Business League which will be used to support technology training for small, disadvantage and minority owned businesses and to train the next generation of business owners through its Youth Entrepreneur Program.

“We are grateful for this needed gift from Fifth Third Bank and we look

forward to forging a wonderful partnership, not only will the grant allow us to update our computer lab to serve our current clients, the lab will also be utilized for technology training for a Women Empowerment Program we are looking to develop in the very near future,” said Business League Director, Ellis B. Albright.

The CSR A Business League, Inc., is a 501©3 certified not for profit organization. Its mission is to Empower, Educate and Advocate on behalf of Small Businesses, with a

specific emphasis on the development of Minority, Disadvantaged, Veterans and Women Owned businesses throughout the Central Savannah River Area (CSR A). For 44 years the League has served as a bridge to success for the businesses it serves. In an effort to empower future business owners, the League started a Youth Entrepreneur Program, funded in part by the Augusta – Richmond County Housing and Community Development Department.

V ERONICA H ARRIS

YOUTHFUL GARDENER

Armand Ibarra shows off Chardonnay carrots which were grown from seed in Master Gardener Joyce’s plot at the Harrisburg Community Garden.

Armand is the grandson of Denice Traina and Aribal Ibarra.

Photo by Denice Traina

R EALTY.LLC “Opening The Door To Homeownership” 2321 Peach Orchard Rd (Suite Z), Augusta, GA 30906 Office 706.863.2212 • Cell 706.495.2304 Fax 706.863.2209 Veronica.Harris43@comcast.net http://veronicaharrisrealty.net

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Breakfast favorite could help sick kids AUGUSTA If you want to help sick kids at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, you could start by eating pancakes at IHOP on Tuesday, March 4. You’re invited to enjoy this breakfast favorite – not just in the morning – but all day during this filling fundraiser.

More than 1,400 IHOP restaurants across the United States, including three in the Augusta-Aiken area, will serve complimentary short stacks of IHOP’s signature buttermilk pancakes.

In return, they’ll ask diners to consider donating what they would have paid for the meal to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

IHOP’s Pancake Day brought in more than $3,200 last year for CHOG, the local CMN hospital.

“That money was used to purchase a child-sized stationary bike to provide patients an age-appropriate means of aerobic activity during prolonged hospital stays. And the children have had a blast riding it,” said Mary Lou Stilwell, a Senior Physical Therapist at CHOG. In addition, the donations funded a new balance trainer – that helps patients gain core strength and balance – and specialty car seats. After certain surgeries, some children require casting that won’t fit in a traditional car seat.

“Our therapists have extensive training in assessing which specialty car seat will allow children to be transported safely until they can get their casts off.

All of this equipment is essential, and the program could not be supported without the generous donations from the community through a program like Pancake Day,” said Stilwell.

The following local IHOP locations will serve free short stacks all day March 4 to benefit CHOG: 3125 Peach Orchard Road, Augusta 4361 Washington Road, Evans 180 Aiken Mall Drive, Aiken For more information about this event, please contact Catherine Stewart, CMN Development Coordinator at CHOG, at 706-721-4004 or castewart@ gru.edu.

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