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Gun Control

What Can the Community Do Panel Discussion and Community Forum

Columbus, Ohio – On Thursday, February 28, 2013 the first Gun Control Panel Discussion and Community Forum will be held at the J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center. Sponsored by Byron L. Potts and Company LPA Attorneys at Law, the Columbus Kappa Foundation and the Ironmen of Oakley Full Gospel Baptist Church, the panel discussion

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will address the issue of Gun Control Over 300 people each year are killed and What the Community Can Do. by guns in Ohio alone. The national numbers are even more stagger“Gun control is at the top of every ing. The deaths of the students and ones agenda with all of the violent gun teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary deaths happening in the United States and other schools across the country and in our local community”, said By- by gunmen has scared and infuriated ron L. Potts, Attorney At Law. “Every the nation and has caused everyone day I am receiving more calls from from local communities to the White people who have experienced violent House to address this issue. Some crimes involving guns and the situa- communities have attempted to adtion has become out of control. Re- dress gun violence through a variety cently, a 15 year old student was shot of methods, including restricting fireand killed close to a local high school. arms purchases by youths and other It is time that we come together as a "at-risk" populations, setting waiting community and come up with some periods for firearm purchases, estabreal solutions on what we can do to lishing gun "buy-back" programs, law keep our community safe”, continued enforcement and policing strategies, stiff sentencing of gun law violators, Potts. education programs for parents and

children, and community-outreach programs. The Gun Control panel discussion and community forum will host members from Columbus City Council, Columbus Police Department, The Clergy, Judges, State Representatives, Columbus School Board and the local media. The Gun Control Panel Discussion will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center, 85 S. Clarendon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. This event is free and open to the general public. Members of the Press are encouraged to attend.

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Coca-Cola Uncaps A World Of Possibilities for the Next Generation With Exclusive Apprenticeship Experiences apprenticeship experiences will focus on: business (Johnson); music and community (Common); and media/entertainment (Lee). Expanding this year’s program offering, the Company has partnered with UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the country’s largest minority education organization, for a text-to-donate “There is no better way to empower a program. community than to arm its youth with “I have and always will remain committhe necessary skills to succeed” ted to uplifting the urban community Atlanta, GA -NBA legend and busi- in my business and nonprofit endeavness mogul Earvin “Magic” Johnson, ors, and that makes the Coca-Cola multi-Grammy Award-winning musi- ‘Pay It Forward’ program a perfect fit,” cian, actor and philanthropist Com- said Johnson. “There is no better way mon, and Black Entertainment Televi- to empower a community than to arm sion (BET) chairman and CEO Debra its youth with the necessary skills to Lee join forces with Coca-Cola this succeed.” month in a movement to uplift and pay it forward to the next generation. Kicking off the second year of its signature program, “Coca-Cola Pay it Forward,” the world’s most recognized brand enlists the help of some of today’s leading African American history makers to offer exciting apprenticeship experiences to aspiring youth. Magic Johnson, Common and Debra Lee will serve as mentors, giving four lucky young people the opportunity to shadow them and their teams for a week during the summer. The four

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“Coca-Cola’s ‘Pay It Forward’ program is a movement to uplift the next generation,” said Lauventria Robinson, vice president, Multicultural Marketing, Coca-Cola North America Group. “It uncaps a world of possibilities for today’s young people by offering oncein-a-lifetime apprenticeship experiences that only Coca-Cola can provide. ‘Pay It Forward’ inspires each of us to take an active role in cultivating and empowering tomorrow’s leaders.” Parents, relatives, friends, mentors and members of the community can go to My Coke Rewards (http://www. mycokerewards.com/payitforward) now through March 2 to nominate an aspiring young person for the exclusive “Pay It Forward” apprenticeship experiences. You must 16 years of age or older to nominate somebody and the apprenticeship experiences are available for young people between the ages of 16-21 (as of May 1, 2013). You can nominate up to five people and you are automatically entered for a chance to win a $5,000 sweepstakes with each nomination. Eligible youth are also invited to nominate themselves.

Join the Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Movement Coca-Cola invites African Americans across the country to join Johnson, Common and Lee in its national movement to pay it forward to the next generation by helping them achieve their education and career aspirations. The Company suggests: nominating an eligible young person for the “Pay It Forward” program; becoming a mentor; taking a teen to work; and/or giving to an academic scholarship group such as UNCF, the nation’s most successful African American scholarship organization. Share ways you are paying it forward and join the conversation on Twitter, using the hashtag #CokePayItForward. Pay It Forward with UNCF Text Donations Coca-Cola has been a partner to UNCF for more than 40 years. Over the last six years, the Company’s contributions to the organization have provided more than $1.5 million in scholarships, impacting more than 300 students. Furthering its commitment to the “Pay It Forward” movement, Coca-Cola has partnered with UNCF this year to encourage donations for academic scholarships to deserving students at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the country. Join Coca-Cola now to donate $5 or $10 by texting “MIND” or “UNCF” respectively to 357357. Message and data rates may apply. Donors must be 18 years of age or older. Terms can be found at http://www.hmgf.org.

Black history resounds in Columbus, share yours and discover how you can partic- 10 a.m. It will take place at Main Liipate in conserving history with brary, 96 S. Grant Ave. CML, go to: Come see various historical items http://digital-collections.colum- lent to CML for archiving, and hear buslibrary.org/cml_collections_ community members speak about their history in Columbus and the special.php?CISOROOT=/african impact they see African Americans In celebration of the Collection’s have had on the development of “I’ve been studying launch, CML is hosting a special Columbus. and collecting local event on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, at African-American history since the 1980s,” said musician and local community leader Arnett Howard. “We have a their memories and keepsakes for digitization and recording to demonstrate the deep connection between the city and local black history.

COLUMBUS—Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) celebrates black history and launches its Columbus African-American Image Collection tomorrow, calling for the community’s participation. In a new effort to form and maintain an ongoing, permanent digital collection that celebrates African-American contributions in the Columbus community, CML is creating the Columbus African-American Image Collection. CML is a leader in local history, having been instrumental in archiving projects from groups such as local bicentennial and historical organizations.

rich history here and we need to preserve it. I have personally provided 295 pieces of my own historical collection for this important archival project.” The library aims to create the best, centralized Columbus African-American History archive available to all; demonstrate its commitment in its role as a community leader in local history and archiving; and, create opportunities for shared discoveries.

“I hope that people will embrace this chance and use it as a tool to share our story,” MLK Branch Manager Keisha Gibbs said. “The library is creating an opportunity But, the Collection will be noth- for people to learn from each other ing without the community. CML and celebrate the rich accomplishis asking citizens to dust off and ments of this community.” bring out their history. The library needs Columbus citizens to lend it To explore the current Collection FEBRUARY | www.urbantrendsetters.com

COMMUNITY | NATIONAL | JOURNEY | HEALTH | BEAUTY | TRAVEL | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ◙ 11 William A. McWilliams William A. McWilliams was born in Cincinnati to George (GW) McWilliams and Lucretia (Gibbs) McWilliams. He was minister of Union Grove Baptist Church 1910-1911, Oakley Baptist Church 1916-1918, and then the Metropolitan Baptist Church until 1939. In 1919-20 McWilliams compiled the Columbus Illustrated Record, the first Black History of Columbus.; Columbus address: 382 N. Monroe Avenue until 1939. This 146-page directory documents the African American community in Columbus, Ohio in the late 1910s and early 1920s. The book was compiled by William A. McWilliams, pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church on Galloway Avenue. It includes lists of churches, prominent physicians, enlisted men and women, students attending The Ohio State University, and civic organizations. It is considered by some to be the first true published history of the African American community in Columbus. To read this publication online follow this link: http://www.ohiomemory. org/cdm/ref/collection/p267401coll32/ id/1276 Rev. James Poindexter The Rev. James Poindexter, pastor of Columbus’ largest black church from 1858 to 1898, brooked no compromise in the pursuit of freedom, violating state and federal laws for decades to protect his own unalienable rights and those of the city’s black residents and escaping slaves. Poindexter was born on Sept. 25, 1819, in Virginia. His father was white; his mother was black and Cherokee. He trained as a barber and moved to Columbus in 1838. His shop at 61 S. High St., across from the Statehouse, was popular with city leaders and state politicians. Though Ohio prohibited blacks from voting before 1870, Poindexter did anyway, reportedly claiming his Native American heritage. In 1847, he was a

preacher at the Second Baptist Church when an event split the congregation in two and Poindexter emerged as a champion of freedom. A Black family that Poindexter knew from Virginia joined the congregation. The family had owned slaves in the South and sold them before moving to Columbus. Some churchgoers demanded that the family use the proceeds from the sale to buy their former slaves from bondage. The family refused and Poindexter led forty dissenting brethren to form the Anti-Slavery Baptist Church. That church, which met in a brick building at Town and 6th streets, grew to 104 members before it merged with its parent church in 1858. Poindexter was named pastor of the combined church, a post he held for the next forty years. Poindexter also served secretly as a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, helping runaway slaves escape to Canada. Risking imprisonment and fines, Poindexter and a handful of both black and white Columbus residents gave sanctuary to escaped slaves and passed them, often disguised as cargo in freight wagons, north to the next stop. In 1881, largely through Poindexter’s influence, Columbus classrooms and faculties were integrated after he successfully fought to close two decrepit “colored youth” schools. Poindexter won election to a seat on the Columbus City Council in 1880, becoming the first black to hold that position. He replaced Dr. Loving Starling on the Columbus School Board. Through his efforts, Black and White teachers taught together in nine Columbus schools. In his advancing years, Rev Poindexter received many honors, including an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the State University at Louisville, Kentucky. The man who pioneered change for black residents of Columbus and was instrumental in helping slaves escape died on Feb. 7, 1907. Rev. Poindexter

contracted pneumonia in late January and succumbed to it, surrounded by family. His last words: “I have served God, my country and mankind to the best of my ability.” Thousands of people from Central Ohio, including Ohio Governor Andrew Harris and Rev. Washington Gladden, as well as a host of prominent Ohio men, honored Rev. Poindexter.

made his name and career. He was the creator and producer of “Eddie Saunders Presents,” a religious television program that aired for more than twenty years. Saunders was inducted into The Disc Jockey Hall of Fame and the Ohio State Senior Hall of Fame in 1983. In 1989, the City of Columbus renamed Maryland Park to Saunders Park in his honor. Anna Bishop Eddie Saunders passed on in 1999, The Mother of Black History in Colum- but he is still honored and respected bus is Anna Bishop. In addition to be- in Central Ohio. ing an educator in Columbus schools, a singer, poet, composer, actress and tireless community activist, she was Les Brown the author of Beyond Poindexter Vil- Leslie C. "Les" Brown (born February lage: The Blackberry Patch. In 1982, 17, 1945) is a motivational speaker, the first of four parts of her writings former Ohio politician, popular author, were published by the Columbus Met- radio DJ, and former host of The Les ropolitan Library. Beyond Poindexter Brown Show. As a politician, he is a Village chronicled the community that former member of the Ohio House of began after W.W.I when Black south- Representatives. As a motivational erners moved north to take advan- speaker, he uses the catch phrase, tage of the industrial boom that was "It's possible," and teaches people to occurring in many midwestern cities. follow their dreams as he learned to The Blackberry Patch was settled in do. East Columbus bordering Long Street, Les Brown was born with his twin Mount Vernon Avenue, Ohio Avenue brother Wesley on February 17, 1945 and Mink Alley. in a low-income section of Miami, Florida in an abandoned building. He Eddie Saunders was subsequently given up for adopJames Edward “Eddie” Saunders, a tion and adopted by Mamie Brown, a Kentuckian by birth, made Columbus then 38-year-old single woman who his home in 1937. In 1944, he produced worked as a cafeteria attendant and the radio program “Swanee Hour” for domestic assistant. He was declared the sick and shut-ins; he then contin- "educably mentally retarded" while ued to serve the community with his in grade school. Despite the obvious “Sermons and Songs” radio program. self-esteem issues this created, with “Sermons and Songs,” the longest the encouragement of his mother and running religious program in the assistance by a helpful teacher in high country started in 1948, when Saun- school, he learned how to reach his ders became the first black disc jock- full potential, a key point in many moey in Columbus. Through the years tivational speeches he gives now. Mr. Saunders became known as the As derived from many of Brown's “Dean of Central Ohio Broadcasting” speeches, he first decided to get into because for more than fifty years he public radio and kept returning to the responded to the needs of the people same radio station time and time again on WVKO Radio. looking for a break, and it wasn't unEddie also hosted a three hour af- til the on-air failures of the afternoon ternoon jazz program on WVKO. But his religious programming was what

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GOSPEL IS BACK IN COLUMBUS WITH 1580AM WVKO CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE “We are proud to back in the African Esther to The Shirelles to The Dovells. American Community of Columbus In the early 60’s WVKO shifted gears Ohio” to become the premier Soul/R&B station in the area with now legendary Appropriately created the original call DJ’s like Eddie Saunders, Kirk Bishop, letters of WVKO stand for Voice of Ko- Bill Moss and Les Brown at the microlumbus Ohio (note that “C” was un- phone. available so “K” was substituted). The “W” was reserved for stations east of Eddie Saunders, Central Ohio’s first the Mississippi River. black DJ, was a pioneer in local radio broadcasting. Known for his love Many remember WVKO and think of of Gospel music and his strong comSoul and R&B, or maybe Gospel, when mitment to the community, he joined they think of WVKO-AM 1580, but WVKO in 1948 and continued with the there was a time when WVKO was a station until 1979. rock and pop oriented station playing anything from Marty Robbins to Little In the 70’s, now national best selling author and motivational speaker Les

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Brown’s “Blue Monday” program was broadcast live from Gordy’s Cascade Lounge featuring listener call-in requests for the best of the best slow jams. Bill Moss is well-known in recent years for his tireless work as a member of the Columbus Public School Board. Many will also recall that Bill Moss created the short-lived Capsoul, a local record company that came very close to national status with an array of quality local artists such as the Four Mints, Marion Black, Kool Blues, Johnson-Hawkins-Tatum-and-Durr, Ronnie Taylor and none other than Bill Moss himself.

WVKO has always had a rich history in Columbus of providing the community with news and information that was relevant to the community. Through much prayer, perseverance and faith WVKO is now back in the African American Community through the leadership team of radio veterans Pastor Mike Reeves and Bishop Mel Griffin (most recently on air personalities of Radio One’s Joy 106.3). WVKO re-launched with its Gospel format January 2, 2013 with an aim to bring Gospel back to the community with a variety of community talk programs and events to inspire, entertain and engage our community.

COMMUNITY | NATIONAL | JOURNEY | HEALTH | BEAUTY | TRAVEL | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ◙ 13 DJ that he took his break in radio into his own hands and was hired full time as on-air talent. Upon his termination from the radio station, he ran for election in the Ohio House of Representatives and won. After leaving the Ohio state legislature, he decided to get into television and eventually ended up on PBS. He also formed Les Brown Enterprises in order to support his newest career as a motivational speaker and is now also on KFWB in California on a daily syndicated radio program. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he also won many local and national awards for excellence and he has an Emmy to his name. In 1993, he began hosting a new talk show, The Les Brown Show, which began airing on September 6, 1993. After nearly four months, it went on hiatus on December 3, 1993,[3] and on January 17, 1994, King World Productions replaced this with Rolonda, a show hosted by Rolonda Watts.

Mayor Michael B. Coleman Michael B. Coleman (born November 18, 1954) is an American politician of the Democratic Party, the 52nd and current mayor of Columbus, Ohio. He is the first African-American mayor of Ohio's capital. Coleman was born in Indianapolis, but moved to Toledo at an early age. After growing up in the Toledo area, Coleman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Cincinnati and a Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law. Coleman was a member of the Columbus City Council from 1992–1999, and served as president of this city council from 1997-1999. In 1998, Coleman was the running mate for gubernatorial candidate Lee Fisher. Coleman ran for and won the Columbus mayorship in 1999 and was re-elected unopposed November 4, 2003. In February 2005, Coleman announced that he would run for the Democratic nomination for governor of Ohio in

the 2006 gubernatorial race, but subsequently dropped out of the race on November 29, 2005, citing heavy work and family obligations. In 2007, Mayor Coleman won a third term as mayor of Columbus. In 2011, he was re-elected for a fourth term. E. E. Ward Eldon Webster Ward's family came to Columbus in 1836 and was active in the Underground Railroad. In a sense, John T. Ward started his moving business in the 1840s—by transporting slaves, according to one writer. Four decades later, in 1881, the family founded the oldest black owned and operated business in the world, the E. E. Ward Transfer Company with a team of horses, a wagon and two helpers, John and his son, William, officially established the Ward Transfer Line, a moving business in Columbus, OH. Eight years later, another Ward son, Edgar Earl, took control of the company, renaming it E.E. Ward Transfer and

Storage Company. In 1921, the company finally stopped using horses and turned to motorized equipment. Eldon Ward operated the business 1943-1996 and served on many social service agency boards including the Columbus Foundation.; He was a long time member of Second Baptist Church. Mr. Ward graduated from East High School in 1933 and married Elsie Bennett on 4/13/1943. The company is no longer under the control of the Ward family. In 2001, Eldon Ward, the last Ward family member to own the business, sold it to Brian Brooks and Otto Beatty III. The company, which employs up to 50 people at peak moving times of the year, provides moving and storage services for households and businesses, including international and corporate relocations. Today, the 130-year-old company is recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce as one of the oldest black-owned business in the nation.

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DONâ€™T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF... How To Be Happy Is there some secret that those who always seem happy are hiding? Not at all. They just have a way of turning negative into positive. Below are a few ways you to can start bringing more happiness and less negativity into your life. *Take care of yourself physically. It's much easier to be optimistic when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest. *Be thankful. Stresses and challenges don't seem as terrible when you remind yourself of the things that are right in life.

* Don't Assume. Don't waste time wor- *Get and give hugs. Positive physical rying that you did something incorrect contact with friends, loved ones, and unless you have evidence that there is even pets, is an instant pick-me-up. something to worry about. *Increase your social activity. Sur* Don't use absolutes. Thinking and round yourself with healthy, happy talking in absolutes like 'always' and people, and their positive energy will 'never' makes the situation appear affect you in a positive way! worse than it is. *Volunteer. Everyone feels good after *Think positively. Your thoughts can't helping. You can volunteer your time, hold any power over you if you don't your money, or your resources. The judge them. If you notice yourself hav- more positive energy you put out into ing a negative thought, detach from it, the world, the more you will receive in return. witness it, and don't follow it.

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*Don't dwell on the negative. It's never productive, because it's not rational or solution-oriented; it's just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment - go for a walk or sit outside. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or turn on some music. Practice does indeed make perfect. Before long, the above traits will become automatic. You will look back and realize how far you have come. You will have become one of the ones people look to for the "secret" of happiness.

Black History Month Kicks-off

Retail Launch for Celebrated Salon Hair Care Brand, Design Essentials® Natural

As women of color continue to break through beauty barriers, embrace their uniquely beautiful selves and celebrate their naturally curly, wavy and coily hair textures out loud, longtime hair care brand Design Essentials® is there to meet them every step of the way! A highly acclaimed natural hair care line among naturalistas, including top natural hair bloggers Chary Jay, Kinky Curly Coily Me and Mahoganyknots to name a few, Design Essentials® Natural will make its Sally debut during Black History Month (February), honoring the diversity and beauty of women of color.

As an iconic brand with more than 20 years in the black hair care industry, we thought it would be fitting to have our natural products within reach to women who are embracing and making a statement through their natural beauty As women of color continue to break through beauty barriers, embrace their uniquely beautiful selves and celebrate their naturally curly, wavy and coily hair textures out loud, longtime hair care brand Design Essentials® is there to meet them every step of the way! As the salon brand known as "Your Partner in Style," Design Essentials® will bring its Design Essentials® Natural line within reach to consumers

more than two decades as a global deliver superior formulations, expert hair care brand comprised of premium craftsmanship and a gold standard in quality and function. We are thrilled at Sally Beauty Supply Stores nation- salon-quality products. to extend this standard by offering wide. A highly acclaimed natural hair Design Essentials® Natural beyond "As an iconic brand with more than 20 care line among naturalistas, includsalon doors as a response to the deyears in the black hair care industry, ing top natural hair bloggers Chary Jay, Kinky Curly Coily Me and Ma- we thought it would be fitting to have mands of our growing customers." hoganyknots to name a few, Design our natural products within reach to Essentials® Natural will make its Sal- women who are embracing and mak- Design Essentials® Natural will debut ly debut during Black History Month ing a statement through their natural on Feb. 1st in Sally Beauty Supply (February), honoring the diversity and beauty," says Tracey Gibson, Director Stores nationwide. This collection will of Marketing for McBride Research further expand into other retail stores beauty of women of color. Laboratories. "Throughout Black His- and select beauty and barber supply This retail debut marks the first time tory, we've seen so many icons like stores throughout 2013. Consumers in the brand's more than 20-year his- Pam Grier, Angela Davis, Chaka Khan, can also find these products in salons tory when select Design Essentials® and more recently, starlets like Chri- with no difference in pricing compared products will be made available to sette Michele, Solange Knowles and to retail stores. consumers outside the doors of sa- Jill Scott showcase their natural beaulons. Manufactured by McBride Re- ty to the world. With the retail launch To find out which retailers carry the search Laboratories (MRL), Design of Design Essentials® Natural, we are Design Essentials® Natural line, visit Essentials® has been renowned for proud to give consumers access to our http://www.designessentialsnatural. salon-quality products so that they too com as well as Design Essentials® on Facebook (facebook.com/DesignEscan bask in their natural glory." sentials) and Twitter (@DesignEssn"Comprised of trusted ingredients tials). such as Shea and Almond Butter, Jojoba and Olive Oil, the Design Essentials® Natural line is designed to enable consumers to consistently create salon-quality results in between salon visits," says president of McBride Research Laboratories Cornell McBride, Jr. "Products used in the salon must

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Affluent African American Travel Up 30 Precent: New Diversity Affluence Study Reveals A new study indicates travel among Affluent African Americans has increased by 30 percent in the past three years, with 60 percent of the target group taking at least five overnight business. “Affluent African Americans Travel Frequently. They are the New Jet Set. A target market for any travel and tourism entity to be engaging.”

The study has identified a new segment of jet setters, according to Hoffman, noting the information is important to anyone seeking to understand travel patterns and needs in order to Diversity Affluence, a diversity re- reach new customer markets. search, marketing communications and business development consulKey findings in the study include: tancy that uniquely helps brands and Affluent African Americans Travel Frebusinesses understand and market quently. Almost all Affluent African to affluent ethnic consumers, has Americans respondents took multiple released a new research report indi- overnight vacations in 2011 and over cating travel among Affluent African half took at least five overnight trips. Americans has increased by 30 per- Despite challenging economic concent in the past three years. The study ditions, this group is traveling more also shows approximately 60 percent than ever with almost half of all reof the target group takes at least five spondents increasing their travel over overnight business trips and two- the past three years. thirds of those traveling spend a minimum of $2,000. The findings come at a Affluent African Americans Travel with time when the overall travel and tour- Others. More than three-quarters of ism industry is experiencing down- study respondents traveled with famturns due to the current economy. ily and friends. By marketing to Affluent African Americans, businesses "The significance of the findings is reach a larger market and thus expenot just in the surprising fact of an rience a greater return on investment. increase in travel among the Affluent Effective Marketing to Affluent African African American market, but also how Americans Requires Understanding. these trends impact industries outside This important market is a knowledge, of traditional travel and tourism," says luxury, and value-driven group and Andrea Hoffman, founder and CEO of thus understanding their motives and Diversity Affluence. "Restaurants, ad- the most effective ways to reach them vertising companies, insurance com- is paramount. Diversity Affluence's fopanies, chambers of commerce, and cus is just this; helping organizations arts organizations are only a few of utilize their marketing resources to the ancillary industries that also ben- effectively reach this substantial and efit from the increased travel among often overlooked market. Affluent African Americans." "The Affluent African American market

travels frequently, often with others, leading to large revenue for businesses," Hoffman says. "the importance of understanding this group and targeting communications to them becomes clear. This important market is a knowledge, luxury, and value-driven group and thus understanding their motives and the most effective ways to reach them is paramount." About Diversity Affluence:

As the only company of its kind, Diversity Affluence is a New York-based diversity research, marketing communications and business development consultancy that helps brands and businesses understand and market to affluent ethnic consumers-a group coined as "Royaltons™." For more than 25 years, Andrea Hoffman, Diversity Affluence's founder and chief executive officer, has been a marketing strategist and trend forecaster.

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THERE IS MAGIC IN THE BLACKBERRY PATCH

S. YOLANDA ROBINSON was raised on the east side of Columbus, Ohio. She is an East High School graduate. Yolanda received her master’s degree in education from The University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Yolanda has a passion for working with children and families. Each week she host a live internet radio program produced by Talktainmentradio.com entitled, “All in Our Family.”

Is there really magic in the Blackberry Patch? Chad found the answer to this question when he was told that “nothing good ever came out of the Blackberry Patch.” Chad needed to find the truth. This made Chad seek out answers only to find out that the Blackberry Patch had a rich history. Inside the history was the magic. Readers can uncover the mystery of this distinct place through author S. Yolanda Robinson.

Yolanda also serves as a peer reviewer for the Corporation of National and Community Services. Yolanda has received many honors. She is the recipient of The OSU Distinguished Affirmative Action Award, Women Coming Together Advocate of the Year and she was first runner up for the Carter G. Woodson Award by the Defense Supply Center Columbus for her work with children.

Yolanda is the author of There is There Yolanda is the mother of Chad Heath Magic in the Blackberry Patch. There Robinson and the grandmother of There Is Magic in the Blackberry Patch Is Magic in the Blackberry Patch is Akeisheunte and Yazmina Robinson. is a children’s historical fiction that is a children’s historical fiction written packed with insights and lessons. The about the historical Poindexter Village. book list events that occurred in Poindexter Village along with 150 people who lived there. It also has a service learning curriculum with fun activities to help children have a deeper understanding of language arts, technology and social science while inspiring them to become involved in their own neighborhoods.

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