V&P Community Magazine May/June Issue I

Inspirational Moments pg. 6 Personal Environmental Ethics

Business & Entrepreneurship pg. 18 The Heart for Mental Healthcare

Political Awareness pg. 22 The People’s Community Leader

Contents

Education Is Key pg. 26 Black Men Are An Essential Key To Education Teacher Appreciation Week

Health & Wellness pg. 38 The Softer Side Men Need Self Care Too!

Authors Speak pg. 44 Should I be content...?

The Young Professionals Corner pg. 48 The Importance of Mentorship

Cover Story pg. 30 "Community is EVERYWHERE!!"

All Things Fashion pg. 52

Community Heroes pg. 10

The Men of God! Spring into Color & Cuts

Community News Flash pg. 51

Arts & Media pg. 56

Community Outreach pg. 58

Songs in the Key of Life

Contributing Writers May/June 2023 Issue Marjorie Middleton Karen McConnell-Jones Kyonna F. Brown Michelle DeMarcia Davis Antonio “Tony T” Turner Martina Turner Cortland Jones Candice Camille Jayden Ford Victoria Middleton

Editor-In-Chief Marjorie Middleton Deputy Editor Karen McConnell-Jones Director of Graphics & Design Michelle DeMarcia Davis Director of Sales Karen McConnell-Jones Photographers Front Cover Photos: Joseph Andrucyk Photos: Office of the Governor -Patrick Siebert and Joseph Andrucyk Front Cover II Photographer & Wardrobe Design by Hiram David Harrell III Karen McConnell-Jones Layout & Design Michelle DeMarcia Davis Front Cover Layout & Design Karen Clay

If you are interested in writing for Vision and Purpose Community Magazine, send a writing sample and which column you are interested in to info@vandpmediaproductions.com 4 Vision & Purpose Community Magazine

The V&P Team is here to be a positive voice for our community through the stories that we share in our magazine. In addition, we provide services for our community to continue to help build our community . . . One Vision and One Purpose at a time.

For service and pricing please contact us at info@vandpmediaproductions.com

Karen McConnell-Jones Karen Clay Dominique Massaquoi Michael Atcherson Kyonna Fields Brown Marjorie Middleton Antonio Turner Martina Turner Zannie McNeil III Michelle DeMarcia Davis

Inspirational Speaker & Business Development Consultant (Marketing & Branding Specialist) Website Designer Photographer Photographer Inspirational Speaker & Social Media Specialist Writer & Editor Hair Stylist & Hair Care Products Hair Stylist & Hair Care Products IT Specialist Virtual Assistant/Graphic Design

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Inspirational Moments

Personal Environmental Ethics from a Gullah Perspective

By Victoria Middleton Prefaced by Marjorie M. Middleton Everything I write about in this column is something that inspires me, and, hopefully, others. This issue of Vision & Purpose Community Magazine is no different. Victoria Middleton is my 22 year old niece. Recently, I learned that she is one of the many younger generation Gatekeepers/History Seekers/Preservationists in my family of Gullah-Geechie descent. That is inspiring to me as Black people continue to strive to preserve our culture as we forge ahead to make changes in the society we live in now, which continues to marginalize our existence. In her paper, celebrations, challenges, triumphs, contributions and struggles are addressed. Through her words, we continue to carry the torches of our past, present and future. It is important for the Black community to know who we are, and where we come from. The following is an excerpt of Victoria’s brilliant paper written for her Environmental Ethics class.

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“My grandfather, Robert Ralph Middleton, was reminiscent of the tortoise in the classic fable, “The Tortoise and the Hare”. He was quiet, gentle, kind, and determined.

He was determined to preserve our culture as Gullah/Geechee. I vividly recall walking with him on our land, which stretched along an inlet. High tide meant watching from afar as the water swallowed the tall grass. Slow yet memorable days consist of cracking pecans and going to the beach. We ended the day with a large controlled burn of fronds and Spanish moss, which nourished the earth. He passed away right before my 11th birthday, but memories of him still feel fresh through my father’s retellings and pictures.

Although we share many similarities with Indigenous peoples worldwide, we are not considered Indigenous by most standards because we no longer remain in our ancestral homelands. However, the Sea Islands have become an ancestral home for us.

We have kept our distinct way of life and traditions of coexisting with the land. We have maintained our language and religious customs. As Gullah, we lived off the land, still live off the land, and will continue to live off the land. “We feel that we are part of the land,” my grandfather says (Klindiest 37). I feel that my environmental ethics embody this completely. Like Indigenous peoples, climate change, which we played little part in, threatens the land we cherish. Gentrification by investors looking for new hotspots to build their resorts is constantly looming over us as well. As People of the Sea Islands, we have lived off the land for generations. I do not currently live on St. Helena Island, my ancestral island, and watch from a few states up the destruction that the increase in the number and intensity of hurricanes causes. I listen to stories from neighbors and family in the Lowcountry of being pestered to sell our lands to investors.

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Taking this ethics class was very interesting. It has been challenging to feel like I am being retold certain truths I knew from white ethicists. We came to this way of life from the beginning in Sierra Leone and continued it to survive through slavery and economic depression. Now I am reading dissertations on why we should return to ways my people never left. It makes me appreciate my culture even more than before.

Regardless of who knew first, everyone’s ideas vary just a little, and it is important to hear as many different perspectives as possible.

An essential aspect of the Gullah way of life is sustainability. “De wata da bring we an de wata gwine tek we bak.” It is a common Gullah saying from Queen Quet, Gullah Chieftess and environmentalist. It means that everyone must “live in balance with the land and water in such a way that we will be able to sustain life for future generations.”

This includes corporations and businesses whose unsustainable practices threaten the lives of many for the comfort of a few. She reminds people that poisoning the water and the land is poisoning our culture. One of the most unsustainable parts of the average American’s lifestyle is where we get our food from. Our reliance on grocery stores, restaurants, and other people for food harms us and the environment. Farms are farther from the people they provide food for than ever before. When, and not if, society collapses, how many of us will actually be able to sustain our families? Will cans of Chef Boyardee and bags of Trix cereal last us through serious famine?

Many of my family still live on the island and with the land. The land sustains us from using the pecans that fall from their tree to create snacks and other dishes to handling our own rice and indigo crops. When we eat meat, every part is used thoughtfully, even the guts and bones. My grandfather used to laugh about how during the Great Depression, we were so poor that we did not even realize we were in the Depression.

Sea Islands People have always lived with the land, and to survive during those even more challenging times, living off the land was crucial to our survival. There will come a time when our grocery stores and fast food restaurants are unable to provide us with the things we need. Attempts at self-sustaining are slowly trending but not fast enough.. For my people, climate change threatens our very existence. We need to make vacant plots of land into farmland, no matter how small. If a plant can grow there, plant it.This coincides with the Gullah beliefs of respecting the land and life. Because of my ethics, I should never act in a way that would harm our environment.”

Determination. History. Preservation. Environmental Ethics will continue to be a part of any community determined to stay one with their culture and land. As recently as the end of March the Gullah-Geechie people and their supporters came out for a meeting to oppose big business pushing for golf courses and gated communities. The fight to keep an incredible history intact goes on. Sustainability is key to preserving any important culture/land, and, “we are the land and harming it is no different than self harming.” (Victoria Middleton).

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Community Hero Vision & Purpose Community Magazine Celebrates Our Community Hero!

Vision & Purpose Community Magazine (VPCM): What would you like our readers to know about you?

Steve Proctor (SP): I would like for the readers to know that my family and my faith are extremely important to me. Being a giver and not a taker is a part of my DNA. I absolutely cherish the people that I work with, and I am a strong believer in team effort, over individual efforts. I like the fact that our team is inclusive and diverse because I strongly believe that everyone has strengths, and when they bring their strengths to the table, the end product tends to be even stronger because everyone has given to it, and everyone has buy-in.

I think it's extremely important that people understand that you can do good, and you can do well. Those two are not mutually exclusive. In other words, you can be extremely successful, and you can be a good person, but you can also be good to the community and the people around you.

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G.S. Proctor and Associates is a successful business, but do know that I understand that our success exists because our community has embraced us. We are a product of this community, and we are constantly giving back to this community, but I don’t want it lost on anyone that this community has given us more, in terms of support, resources, and friendship.

VPCM: What is your greatest strength/asset?

SP: My greatest strengths/assets are my listening skills and the ability to lead by being the best team player. However, I truly know that my greatest strength/asset is our team. I think our team is comprised of the most wonderful people ever. I think is very important that we support each other, respect each other, and listen to each other because none of us knows everything, the more that we listen and get other people’s perspectives, the better off we are in terms of understanding, and if you understand where they are coming from, it’s much easier to truly meet people where they are.

VPCM: How do you use your gift/talent to give back to the community?

SP: This community has embraced me beyond measure, and I give back both financially, yet I think equally important, I give back of my time and what knowledge I can share. Therefore, I participate on many boards and associations, and I believe in giving back where I can.

We have also provided scholarships to students as well as internship opportunities over the years.

In addition, we have invited local youth organizations to enjoy baseball games in our suite at the Blue Crabs Stadium for the last past ten years.

During the holiday season we also partner with our local dignitaries and other organizations to give out food distributions throughout the county.

VPCM: What does community mean to you?

SP: Community literally means everything to me.

First in my life is God, second is family, and third is our team, but our team is comprised of the community. It is where I live, work, play, and pray.

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M: What is your expertise for great leadership?

SP: Truthfully speaking, being my authentic self. It is the ability to listen, be inclusive, and hearing others.

VPCM: Who/What inspires you and why?

SP: What inspires me is our community. Our community is very diverse, but the leaders and members of our community have the ability to make me think, make me laugh, and at the end of the day they just absolutely make me better.

VPCM: What does Vision and Purpose mean to you?

SP: It is the dream that allows the Vision to become a reality and gives you a Purpose to do so. Vision adds purpose to our lives.

Now, as for Vision & Purpose Community Magazine, it is a tremendous vehicle to get out positive stories about people in the community, of the community, and for the community.

VPCM: Give an affirmation quote and/or biblical scripture that you live by?

SP: I literally live my life by treating others the way that I would like to be treated. I always attempt to greet people with love and respect.

Bonus Question from V&P Community Magazine: In recognition of June being Men’s Health Month, how do you mentally and physically stay fit? What is your secret sauce (regiment)?

Steve Proctor: I like to exercise at least five days a week. I ride my Peloton at least three to four times a week, and I like for my wife, Dianne, and I to get in a couple of days of walking. After exercise, I start my morning off with a little bit of reading the news, and I always read my bible to help encourage my mental stability. This is my regimen.

The Strength of Steve Proctor’s Character: Compassionate, Giving, and Caring.

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Community Hero Vision & Purpose Community Magazine Celebrates Our Community Hero!

Vision & Purpose Community Magazine (VPCM): Tell us what would you like our readers to know about you?

Emerick A. Peace (EP): I am a grateful soul that appreciates life and the people in my life. I was put here to share and pay it forward to ensure the gifts that have been given are shared with the world and my relationship partners. If you help enough people get what they want you will get what you want out of life. I believe we were put on earth to enrich and enhance the lives of mankind as a whole and as for me, more importantly our relationship partners lives.

I am best known for being a loving husband, a supportive father, great friend and community servant. I operate in the mindset that there is no balance, only counterbalance. If you work hard, you have to play harder to make the work worth your while. Being spiritually grounded, family is the most important aspect of my life, my family desires to have a great life and as a provider it is my responsibility to work hard. The reward is seeing my family enjoy and have a great life. That is the counterbalance.

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Emerick A. Peace

VPCM: What is your greatest strength/asset?

EP: I routinely avail myself to local area business owners to give guidance and advice to resolve business challenges. The ability to be transparent and honest is an invaluable asset to a new business owner. My ability to remain relatable and relevant to a young business owner is a strength that many people can appreciate and glean a great perspective of how to be an asset to other business owners.

VPCM: How do you use your gift/talent to give back to the community?

EP: I have been blessed and I choose to be a blessing to those around me. I am a relationship builder and a connector. I use my relationships as leverage to connection good people with other good people to ensure that their personal and professional needs, wants, and goals are met.

I give back to the community through the gift of mentoring, being an example/role model and being a public servant. I mentor with 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County; I serve on local nonprofit boards of trustees and I am a member of an advisory board for Prince George’s County government. In addition, I have donated thousands of dollars for dictionaries and scholarships and countless volunteer hours to Prince George’s County public school students.

VPCM: What does community mean to you?

EP: It means we are connected with a common cause, goal and objective. These commonalities create a platform and an environment to rally for, and around the common good of the group, in which that group is called the community.

VPCM: What is your expertise for great leadership?

EP: I am a leader who likes to lead from the front by setting an example of what I would like to see from the people around me. As a former military man and a successful business owner, I have been leading people for more than 40 years, therefore the lessons I’ve learned and the lessons I’ve taught, coupled with a high level of success, gives me a true edge in leadership.

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VPCM: Who/What inspires you and why?

EP: People who are passionate about getting to the next level inspire me, because these people will typically do what it takes to be successful. Their goals are fuel by an internal flame to do better and be better. Mediocrity is not an option.

VPCM: What does Vision and Purpose mean to you?

EP: Vision and Purpose means life by design with clear goals and objectives in mind.

My thoughts on Vision & Purpose Community Magazine, they are a group of professionals aspiring to get to the next level through excellence and commitment, while servicing these same efforts to the community.

VPCM: Give an affirmation quote and/or biblical scripture that you live by?

EP: “Keep your emotions between the lines”

Bonus Questions from V&P Community Magazine: In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, we first want to thank, you, Emerick Peace for serving this great country of ours, as we would like to know what is a fond memory of your experience in the military?

Emerick Peace: As a six-time decorated 21-year retiree from the United States Air Force, my fondest memories are the comradery with military members and the commitment to be phenomenal in word and deed.

VPCM: In recognition of June being Men’s Health Month, how do you mentally and physically stay fit? What is your secret sauce (regiment)?

EP: Mentally, I take time for myself and reflect while constantly acknowledging my gratitude for life and what this life has afforded me. Physically I go to the gym four to five days a week. The secret sauce is consistency.

The Strength of Emerick Peace’s Character: Fearless, Phenomenal, and Grateful.

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Business & Entrepreneurship The Heart for Mental Healthcare

By Karen McConnell-Jones When working in the medical field, especially those who work hands on and more directly with patients, they are indeed the ones who lead with a gentle spirit and have a great concern for others.

They are best known for their unique bedside manner which helps to comfort their patients who are in need of medical care.

However, when specializing in the Mental Health field, it is a different undertaking altogether. This is a person who leads with a more compassionate heart and goes beyond the extra mile to bring working solutions to their patients. Their understanding behavior is compelling to see, as it allows them to have a strong and caring connection with their patients.

Building a working relationship that is more than just medical professional and patient, but a positive force working together to beat mental health. This is what you will find in our featured story with Male Registered Nurse (RN), John S. Smith, Jr., who is all these things and more.

John S. Smith, Jr., is the founder of Prestige Healthcare Resources (PHR) a Case management, Mental health and Staffing agency focused on enhancing the lifestyle of health care professionals and advocating for underserved and fragile populations.

While working at various health care settings, John noticed disparities in the healthcare industry, which fueled his desire to found Prestige Healthcare Resources in 2009 with the objective of advocating for seniors and underserved populations. Within a short period of time, with John’s leadership, Prestige expanded into three different states and became one of the prime case management and mental health providers in the District of Columbia.

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John, with no hesitation, wanted to share with us his humble beginnings growing up in Africa. “As a young man it wasn’t easy. Many times, I didn’t know if I was going to survive, which often included not having enough food to eat and water to drink. When I was just a teenager, I didn’t have a family that I could depend on. I was on my own trying to fend for myself. I lived in fear. I slept in restaurants on chairs after they closed so I could have a roof over my head. I would take any job I could get just to get by. I didn’t care what I had to do. I rarely had money to survive and often ate only one small meal a day.”

“I was even arrested at gunpoint by the freedom fighters who wanted me to join them. They stripped me naked and threw me in jail for over two weeks with no food. While I was in jail, I had lots of time to think about my future. I started to imagine where else I could live and create a better future. I knew I wasn’t going to let my past determine my next chapter. I was going to make it and be a success story. Over twenty-years ago, my dream, my bigger vision, came true. I came to the United States. Even though I had zero dollars, and I didn’t have a place to stay, I knew I would figure it out. I knew I had the drive and the willingness to do what it took to be successful. In 2009, I started my first business. Today, I am a serial entrepreneur with multimillion-dollar companies.”

John is extremely grateful for his past experiences in Africa because it truly made him who he is today. When someone says they can’t, John said that he is an example of what is possible, and what dedication, vision and knowledge can do.

John’s passion for mental health stemmed from ingrained personal experience while growing up as a young man in the early to late 1990s. These experiences had psychological effects on him. Over time, he successfully healed from the mental trauma experienced. He strongly believes that everyone experiencing mental illness has the potential to heal if given the right opportunity, environment and care. “The principles that our clinics stand for and operate by are a) Hope and, b) Healing. It’s just that simple and we do it effectively!”

Yes, even though progress is being made in the mental health field, there are still many changes that need to take place. John said that he would like to see changes in how mental health care is delivered and that he would like to see a paradigm shift in what’s being measured. Focus needs to shift towards patient positive outcomes, related to social determinants of health. John goes on to say believe it or not, most stigma surrounding mental health stems from how providers view the population of the mentally ill. Mental health has unspoken beliefs, as in comparison to incurable diseases. Hence, very little effort, if any, focuses on positive outcomes.

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Prestige Healthcare has had great success in their pursuit to provide exceptional health care, as John tells of one of his fondest moments.

“Last year, our newest project launched in October, 2022, the program is called “Project Connect”. The goal for this program is to find 200 hard to reach and high “utilizers” in which we are to outline, engage and connect the assigned population to care. Within six months, we were able to find 109, ensure 52 completed primary care services, 25 followed up and follow through with their behavioral health appointments and we assisted over 25 with housing, employment and food. This is why I truly believe that my life does not belong to me. It belongs to the people I serve…. Every innovative idea we come up with revolves around giving back to the community. Our mission is to restore hope and healing to the community. And we stand by that.”

John concluded by saying, other people’s successes and positive outcomes inspire him. When he sees the impact our solution is making in the community, he gets motivated and it inspires him to do more. As for mental health, yes, it is a complicated national crisis which requires comprehensive solutions. While there’s no “silver bullet” to cure this endemic, we need to start from somewhere and celebrate every success and improvement made along the way. We need to recognize and celebrate providers who are doing great work in our community. We need to get past highlighting only bad news, positive news and outcome ought to be celebrated as well.

Bonus Questions from V&P Community Magazine: As we celebrate National Mental Health Awareness Month, what can we as a community do to help beat mental health?

John S. Smith, Jr.: Be supportive, be open minded and be innovative.

VPCM: In recognition of June being Men’s Health Month, how do you mentally and physically stay fit? What is your secret sauce (regiment)?

JS: I challenge myself mentally every day, I read every day, I exercise every day.

Consistency is the key. Mental health results from chemical imbalance in the body.

We can maintain optimal mental and physical fitness by just doing the little things consistently.

The Strength of John Smith’s Character: Dedication, Vision, and Tenacity.

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Political Awareness Council Member At-Large, Calvin S. Hawkins, II The People’s Community Leader

By Karen McConnell-Jones

There is something to be said about a politician that has a community servant's heart. They are looked upon as more than just a politician, better yet, they are seen as someone who truly has their community's best interest at hand. They are sincerely concerned about the wellbeing and welfare of our community as a whole, and are willing to act on our behalf. Vision & Purpose Community Magazine is pleased to say, this is what you will find in Council Member AtLarge, Calvin S. Hawkins, II. Hawkins has been chosen as the People’s Community Leader. And yes, the buzz around town is that Hawkins is everywhere he needs to be for the good of his community. The people have spoken with an air of excitement about the work that he is putting in. The community has re-elected Hawkins for a second term and he is showing his appreciation by not slowing down.

Prince George’s County Council Member At- Large, Calvin S. Hawkins, II, is arguably one of the most popular elected officials in the DMV and one of the most powerful individuals in county politics, Hawkins has become the go-to-guy when you want to get something done. He also has been a bridge between competing political interests and is well known for bringing people of varying interests together on several highly volatile and sensitive issues. Hawkins grew up in the rough area of the Glassmanor Neighborhood located in Oxon Hill, MD. Unlike many elected officials, he understands the challenges of growing up without a silver spoon, but with dreams and aspirations of doing something great and being something greater. “I am a husband, father and grandfather who has experienced life-long encouragement from family and friends to become the change I want to see in the world. I am caring, compassionate, and an outgoing public servant. I pride myself on being one of the hardest working elected officials anywhere. I go the extra mile because I love people to succeed.”

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While serving five years and nine months of incarceration in the Lorton Prison, Hawkins’ then-six-year-old daughter, Tori, asked him a question, “Daddy, why can’t you come home with me and visit my school with me for ‘Daddy and Daughter Day?” It was the moment that changed Hawkins’ life. He went back to his prison cell and prayed all night as he fully gave his life to Christ. He made a commitment to Jesus that night that he would become a positive example to his daughter and wayward transgressors. After his release from prison in 1989, Hawkins, the redeemed ex-offender, returned to society with the single-minded determination in his walk with Christ to allow his life to serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration to those individuals who are caught up “in the changes and challenges of life.”

Even through his humble beginnings of spending time in prison, Hawkins was no stranger to politics. Hawkins shared that he first became involved in politics while observing the participation and involvement of his father and mother. At ten years of age, he would participate in the apartment tenant meetings where his family lived at the time. He also would attend the Glassmanor Civic Association meetings. As a young ten-year old kid, he realized his voice/opinions were received and encouraged. It was during this period that he developed an increasing sense of awareness and responsibility to speak up and speak out on issues impacting the Glassmanor community. Hawkins has been engaged in politics ever since.

“What truly led me to run for office, it was something in the water that drew me in. It was during these challenging times, I thought I could make a more significant difference as an elected official, and then continue the work in a more supportive role. I will say, I feel honored that people recognize my commitment and efforts to serve them. It is an amazing feeling to know that citizens appreciate and recognize my work on their behalf. This is why I am happy to report, while serving as Chair of the County Council twice, we were able to pass and/or address the tax break for seniors, the expanding of affordable housing, leading the passage of the Public Private Partnership School Construction Initiative to build six new Middle Schools; and passage of public safety reform, police accountability, and I am most proud of my leadership, in passage of legislation surrounding individuals returning to the county from prison.”

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Hawkins has received several awards of recognition for his hard work and dedication, yet the one that brings him the most amazement is the awards he has received this year for his faith walk. He has continued to keep his faith promise he made to God from his prison cell as God has continued to show “Favor” over his life. “Who would have imagined after spending five years and nine months in prison that my life trajectory would lead to the coveted honor that I have received from the Missions Department of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden and New Mindz Ministries, Inc., “Redeemed and Restored” Award, nobody but God!” Hawkins’ family life means the world to him. For Hawkins it’s about the connection, love, support, foundation and history that family gives. His household does not consist of one household but consists of many, it can be just as simple as a loving Sunday’s dinner with his wife, enjoying eating pizza with his grandsons, participating in a family gathering at a relative’s home or reflecting back on a memory of his father giving so selflessly and tirelessly to others until his passing. This has truly been Hawkins inspirational foundation. He stays inspired by the spiritual calling on his life to serve others and to leave this world better than in which he has found it.

During the pandemic Hawkins was known for his food drives throughout the community. “It was important to me to observe the number of families and individuals who were without adequate food.

This required an immediate response. As you know, I was the first to give out boxes of food during the pandemic. Public service is easy during convenient times, but the essence of your public service is really measured during times of crisis. I heard the bell and I answered it.”

Hawkins ended the interview with these humbling words, “Public service is my ministry. Never give up on yourself and always find a way to do what’s right and always be the positive energy in the room. The universe will reward you.”

Bonus Question from V&P Community Magazine: In recognition of June being Men’s Health Month, how do you mentally and physically stay fit? What is your secret sauce (regiment)?

Calvin S. Hawkins, II: Every morning, seven days a week, I begin my day at 4:30 A.M. I begin with 30 minutes of reading Scripture. I ride my Peloton for 45 minutes and do my daily physical fitness routine. I end my day talking to my wife about her day and mine, as I decompress before retiring for the night. I believe my participation in the Christian worship experience at First Baptist of Highland Park helps me build my spiritual fitness. I have created an environment with my family and friends that allows us to check in with each other. There are no prohibited zones; I am allowed to be vulnerable with them and I receive the unadulterated truth when I reach out. And, I know when to turn off the news!

The Strength of Calvin Hawkins’ Character: Humble, Inclusive, and Resilient.

Education Is Key Black Men Are An Essential Key To Education

By Michelle DeMarcia Davis Black men are an essential key to life and education. Last year I was shocked to research and find since 2014, ethnic and racial minorities make up more than half of the student population in U.S. public schools, yet about 80 percent of teachers are white and 77 percent of them are female. People of color make up about 20 percent of teachers; a mere 2 percent are black men. When I researched this year, research stated 1.3 percent.

Once again I urge you, if you are a Black man who ever considered teaching or even substitute teaching, now is the time. They have all types of grants, programs and opportunities to be a teacher, professor, substitute teacher and more. Having our children meet you, as a role model, leading by example will set them up for success. If you’ve ever been blessed to see teaching as your vision and purpose please research how to fulfill it. Our future generations depend on you and we thank you in advance!

Thank you so much to our Black men who lead the way in education as Teachers, Principals, Vice Principals, Substitute Teachers, Professors and Coaches. You are appreciated and make more of a difference than you will ever know.

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Please take the time to celebrate your teacher for setting our students up for a successful future as we celebrate Teacher’s Appreciation week and Graduations for the 2022-2023 school year. A simple thank you card or email to remind teachers of how much they are appreciated makes a world of difference to remind them of the positive difference they make in our universe. Gifts are an added bonus.

National Teacher Day began in 1953 when former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt proposed that Congress set aside a day to acknowledge the work of educators. Since 1985, NEA has celebrated National Teacher Day on the Tuesday of the first full week of May. Learningsciences.com shares specifically, it started with an African American woman who taught at a school in the segregated South. At some point during the early 1940s, Mattie Whyte Woodridge (1909–1999), an Arkansas teacher, decided that educators should be recognized for the contributions they make to society. She set to work, on a mission to make that happen.

Woodridge wrote to every governor in the United States. She corresponded with a host of politicians and leaders in education, stressing the need for a national day to honor teachers. In 1944, one of the many letters she wrote landed on the desk of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Mrs. Roosevelt acted upon that letter, asking the 81st U.S. Congress to consider setting aside one day per year to acknowledge and honor the work of teachers. In addition, the National Education Association (NEA), joined by its state affiliates in Kansas and Indiana, worked tirelessly to help make Woodridge’s suggestion a reality. Like Mrs. Roosevelt, the NEA lobbied Congress to create a day for the nation to celebrate teachers.Woodridge gradually saw her plan materialize.

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Pattie Whyte Woodridge continued to work as an educator in the Arkansas Delta, eventually serving as principal of North End Elementary School in Helena in the 1950s. Although her idea worked its way through Congress for decades, she lived to see its fruition.

At first, Congress declared March 7, 1980, as National Teacher Day—but only for that particular year. However, a growing movement to make it an annual event had already taken root, and people throughout the country continued to celebrate it. For several more years, the NEA and its affiliates observed National Teacher Day on the first Tuesday of March, and in 1985, the NEA Representative Assembly voted to officially designate that day as National Teacher Day. Sources https://www.learningsciences.com/blog/mattie-whyte-woodridge-theinspiring-history-of-teacher-appreciationweek/#:~:text=It%20All%20Started%20with%20a%20Teacher%20in%2 0Arkansas&text=At%20some%20point%20during%20the,contributions% 20they%20make%20to%20society. https://www.nea.org › press-releases National Teacher Appreciation Week: Celebrating a Year of ... https://www.learningsciences.com/blog/mattie-whyte-woodridge-theinspiring-history-of-teacher-appreciation-week/ this highly recognized week. https://blog.schoolspecialty.com/history-behind-teacher-appreciationweek https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/summerslide#:~:text=%E2%80%9CSu mmer%20slide%E2%80%9D%20is%20the%20tendency,during%20the% 20previous%20school%20year.

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EVERY CHILD DESERVES TO BE CELEBRATED!!

Become a Foster Parent • Treatment Foster Care • Mother/Infant Foster Care • Medically Fragile Foster Care 301-429-2370 www.concern4kids.org

Cover Story

Making History Still Continues

By Karen McConnell-Jones

HISTORY! It’s truly what makes the world go round, telling the story of who we really are as people and as a community. History also gives us the information needed to help analyze and explain problems in the past. It allows us to see patterns that might otherwise be invisible in the present. History provides a crucial perspective for understanding, along with providing us the tools to continue to solve current and future problems.

History-makers are ones considered to be important and significant in the development of the world and/or a particular society. They are purely driven by the purpose of solely making a difference for the betterment of others more so than for themselves. Bringing solutions and enhancing the overall quality of their community is an instinctive act that comes naturally for History-makers. It is an honor for Vision & Purpose Community Magazine to say, this is truly what we have in our Governor Wes Moore.

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About The Governor Wes Moore is the 63rd Governor of the state of Maryland. He is Maryland’s first Black Governor in the state’s 246-year history, and is just the third African American elected Governor in the history of the United States. ​Born in Takoma Park, Maryland, on Oct. 15, 1978 to Joy and Westley Moore, Moore’s life took a tragic turn when his father died of a rare, but treatable virus when he was just three years old. After his father’s death, his family moved to the Bronx to live with Moore’s grandparents before returning to Maryland at age 14.

Moore is a proud graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy and College, where he received an Associate’s degree in 1998, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Afterward, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s in international relations and economics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Moore and his wife Dawn Flythe Moore have two children – Mia, eleven; and James, nine.​​ Vision & Purpose Community Magazine 31

His Political Aspirations In asking Moore what led him to run for governor, he mentioned, he must reflect back on how he arrived at this work. Moore goes on to say he felt the spark throughout his career. It was not just one moment. He felt that spark when he ran one of the largest poverty-fighting organizations in America. He felt that spark when he was a social entrepreneur, founding and building a social enterprise that helped underserved students succeed in college. And he also felt that spark when he deployed to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army – and served in the White House – and wrote books on issues of race, equity, and opportunity.

Moore ran for governor because he wanted to offer new policies. Policies that could do more than paint over the cracks – that could actually fix the foundation. Policies that could help build a coalition of public sector leaders, private sector leaders, philanthropists, mechanics, nurses, nonprofits, and others – so we as a community can solve these issues: not one at a time, but all at once. “When I ran for governor, I traveled across my state, and whether someone was from a city, or a farm, or the suburbs – everyone understood the challenges we faced. However, they didn’t reach out to offer criticism – Marylanders wanted to be part of the solution! Yet, so often, those same folks who wanted to serve didn’t know how. As governor, my team and I are working together to make sure they can. Here in Maryland, we are working to create change by bringing people together to serve.”

Moore continues by stating, “this is why one of my first acts as governor was to create a new agency called the Department of Service and Civic Innovation – the headquarters of our mission is to bring people together and recruit volunteers to help fix what’s broken in our state and our world. Maryland is going to be the first state in America to offer a year of service for high school graduates – to provide every young person in our state with the chance to serve! We’re going to recruit young people to help us solve challenges in our communities, and we’ll help them see there’s far more that unites us than divides us: because people who serve together stick together.”

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Making History Still Continues Moore states, it is not lost on him that Maryland is a state that was once home to one of the largest trading ports for enslaved people in the nation; that Marylanders suffered under the grip of Jim Crow for decades and was terrorized by lynchings for over half a century; Yet, Maryland is also a state that elected an African American man– who didn’t take a traditional path to a college degree – who wasn’t born into a political family. He is the son of a single mom who didn’t get her first job that gave her benefits until Moore was fourteen. He felt handcuffs on his wrists when he was eleven. Moore has never held public office before now, so his presence here is pretty improbable.

The people of Maryland sent Moore to the state capital, and he is proud to serve as the 63rd governor of the great state of Maryland; as stated before, only the third African American governor elected in our country. “Nevertheless, making history was never the assignment.

The assignment is to make our communities better, narrow the racial wealth gap, end child poverty, grow opportunities for our small business’s communities, advance equity, protect the rights and liberties of our constituents, and build a more perfect union for all. That is my mission and one that I plan to accomplish as governor.”

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And on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, Vision & Purpose Media Productions & Community Magazine was at the State House, to witness Moore continuing to work at his mission.

Moore was presiding over his fourth bill signing, in which he had a packed house of attendees for the witnessing of such an act. Moore started out by giving recognition of May 3rd being National Interpreter Appreciation Day. He personally took a moment to thank all the interpreters for their hard work and for what they give back to our community. He announced that one of the bills that he will be signing into law is the Maryland Sign Language Interpreter Act, to ensure that our sign language interpreters are at the highest quality all across the state of Maryland. Moore even took a moment to sign language a heartfelt message by signing, thank you for all that you do. You make our state strong. “Together we leave no one behind.” This was truly a touching moment inside the State House.

The moment continued when Moore announced that the Behavioral Health bills will be a big part of the bills being signed as well. He spoke of how, since the pandemic, mental health has become a big issue here in the state of Maryland and that the state of Maryland needs to move swiftly and needs to fund assertively to address our mental health crisis. And the signing of such bills will allow the state of Maryland to do just that. The applause was contagiously spreading throughout the room with joy on the position that Maryland will take to better our mental health crisis, in which this was so fitting to be happening in the month of May, whereas May is also Mental Health Awareness Month.

A Look Back in Time Which Brings Us to Now Moore takes a look back at our ancestors, which led him to share whose shoulders he stands on and the admiration for his hero, Frederick Douglass. “A personal hero of mine is Frederick Douglass.

Douglass, a proud Marylander, has influenced me greatly as a public servant and especially as a person. It’s why I used his Bible, along with my grandfather’s, on the day of the Inauguration – and that is why his picture hangs in my office. He’s a person whose words and life story I lean on frequently. I like to think he’d be incredibly proud of Maryland and the state we’re aiming to build in the future.”

“This is why, right now, I am proud that in our first four months, we are keeping our promises to Marylanders. My administration shepherded through legislation to raise the minimum wage, deliver tax relief to our working families, create the first-ever path to free healthcare for members of our National Guard, provide new grants to small businesses on the cutting-edge of 21st century industries – including clean energy technology, and we created the first service year option sponsored by state government in the history of the United States of America. We were able to advance this bold agenda because we worked in partnership.

Everyone had a seat at the table: Democrats and Republicans – nurses and teachers – business owners and employees – veterans and lawyers – people of all races, religions, and backgrounds.”

Moore proudly goes on to state, “my administration assembled the most diverse cabinet Maryland has ever seen: nearly half are women, more than half are people of color, and everyone is an expert in their respective fields. We’ve built an administration as diverse as the people it serves — both in the cabinet and across hundreds of state agency posts. This is why it is important to build a government that looks like the people it serves, this isn’t some social experiment or some intellectual exercise: it’s how we deliver results. I can honestly say, after I took office, I vowed that the Moore-Miller Administration would defy the national politics of hyper-polarization and partisan divides and instead, build bridges. That’s what we’ve done – and it’s going to change the trajectory of our state.”

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The Love and Support of Family and Community When Moore decided to run for governor, he knew that whether they won or lost, it would change not only his life, but the life of his entire family. Moore’s family is his number one priority, as a husband and a father. Of course, being the first family of Maryland has been a major adjustment for his family, but his wife Dawn and he have made sure that family remains a priority. They communicate with their children every step of the way and they listen to them. Their family time is sacred to them. They have a set family time every weekend for Saturday dinners. They go to the movies and still make time to see the kids in their extracurricular activities. Moore says his family inspires him to keep going, keeps him grounded, and it’s their love and support that gives him the strength to keep moving forward for all Marylanders.

As he appreciates and recognizes there are so many people who inspire him and support him – and they are the reason he is here today. Moore admits, he is only here right now because people stepped up even if they were not called. People who served, even if they did not call it that. People who were willing to sacrifice now for the hope of a better tomorrow.

Moore is a proud descendant of Jamaicans; and his Jamaican family and their culture both play a major role in who he is today. When he thinks about his ties to Jamaica, he always thinks about those people whose shoulders he stands on, specifically, his grandfather—Rev. James Thomas—who was his hero. He was the most patriotic American Moore ever knew.

Moore’s grandfather was the first person on his mom’s side of the family born in the United States. His father was also a minister. Before long, threats from the Ku Klux Klan forced them to flee this country and return to Jamaica, but his grandfather always vowed to return to the country where he was born. He came back and graduated from an HBCU. He would also become the first Black minister in the history of the Dutch Reformed Church. After Moore’s father died, Moore’s grandfather and grandmother opened their small home to Moore’s mom, his sisters, and to Moore. "I would always ask my grandfather why he came back to America, and my grandfather, in his great humility, told me that it was because this country would be incomplete without him. My grandfather was right; this country would be incomplete without him, or any of us. I feel that I would not be here today without my grandfather, and this reminds me every day to work toward creating a Maryland where everyone can succeed and where everyone feels like they belong."

“When I think about the person who inspired me to run for office in the first place, I think about my mom. She raised me as an immigrant single mother – who had to take care of three kids. She worked so hard so I could succeed and our family could succeed. She has been with me on every step on this journey and I am honored to be a representation of her legacy.”

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Final Message from the Governor Moore ended the interview by expressing, “As governor, I want Maryland to be the best place in the world to change the world. I want this to be a state where everyone can participate in the movement we’re building and where no problem is too big to solve, because we’ll be working together. If there's one mission, I hope we can all get behind – it’s to do everything we can, not just to help people overcome the obstacles in their way, but to try and tear down the obstacles themselves. In partnership, I believe we can start to achieve that goal for all Marylanders. In partnership, we have the opportunity to build a brighter future. We have the opportunity to build a better Maryland, where we leave no one behind. So, let’s get to work, Maryland, and let’s do it together!”

Well said Governor! Amen!

Bonus Questions from V&P Community Magazine: In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, we first want to thank you, Governor Wes Moore, for serving this great country of ours, as we would like to know what is a fond memory of your experience in the military?

Governor Wes Moore: I’ve worn the flag of this nation. I’ve led soldiers in combat. I know what it means to give everything for your country.

Overall, what I take from leading paratroopers in combat was no matter where someone came from, what our background was, what our beliefs were — we were all in this for the same reason. We all put on the same flag of the same country, and we were all together to serve. It was about doing a mission together and being there for each other – despite our differences.

I learned that people who serve together, stick together. I learned you can form friendships with people from all different backgrounds and that you can serve alongside people of all different backgrounds. It is where “Leave No One Behind” came from. That’s why it is so personal for me. And this is why I am working to make sure that Maryland leads with service.

VPCM: In recognition of June being Men’s Health Month, how do you mentally and physically stay fit? What is your secret sauce (regiment)?

WM: I’ve always been a very active person. I know the importance of staying mentally, spiritually, and physically fit and as a family, we consistently work on healthy boundaries in our household. Spreading love and laughter is key. As governor the same principle applies. I know I must stay mentally, spiritually, and physically fit in order to lead this state into its most prosperous decade.

The Strength of Governor Wes Moore’s Character: Intentional, Data-Driven, and Heart-Led. Vision & Purpose Community Magazine 37

Health & Wellness

The Softer Side

By Kyonna F. Brown

As an African American woman growing up in a predominantly black neighborhood there was a certain kind of man who walked those streets. A man of strong character. A man whose look may cause you to look the other way. A man’s voice that might even cause you to tremble.

As I went to school, there were boys who always wanted to seem tough, to stand out or get a girl's attention. Rarely did I ever see a boy or a man cry. If for some reason I got a glimpse of that people would point and laugh. The world that I lived in looked at boys or men who cry as soft, weak, or ones that could easily be taken advantage of.

However, there was one man that I saw cry as I grew up. One man that had a different look. One man's voice didn’t normally make me tremble. It was my grandfather, Julius Staten. He was a man of few words but when he spoke it was gentle. But when he meant business, you hushed up and listened. He never raised his voice at my grandmother or any other woman for that matter. He was as gentle as they come.

I first witnessed my grandfather crying at church. As a youth, I didn’t understand, but as I got older I realized that it was his love for Christ that made him weep tears of joy. I’m not sure if his softer side came from his down South upbringing, how his mother raised him, or if that was just who he was. In today’s society, males showing their softer side still holds a stigma. I honestly believe that a lot of men that are behind bars would not be there if they were taught that it is ok to share or show their emotions.

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Many parents encourage being tough as the way to behave, especially African American males. If they show any sign of weakness or their softer side they are told to not cry. To suck it up. You can’t show your emotions. In today's world they will be stigmatized as gay or feminine (in which that will also be discrimination) and in order to avoid confrontation, they will not open up. This leads to abuse in marriages. Suicidal thoughts and actions. Also, Incarceration, drug use, anger and mental disorders.

Instead of expressing their true feelings to maintain the appearance of manliness, the research finds that 38 percent of men do not talk to others about their feelings and almost three out of ten have never shown emotion or cried in front of others.

Because of what I’ve seen growing up and what I’ve learned, I express to my young son that it is ok to cry. It’s okay to tell me how you feel. It’s ok to share your feelings and what’s in your heart. I want to give him a chance. A chance to not succumb to the numbness of the world. I’ve seen what real strength of a man looks like. It’s one who can compose himself. One who can express love. One whose gentleness calms your spirit.

As we celebrate men this month, I want to encourage women to accept the softer side and to let men know it’s ok. We hear you and know you want to be heard. We love you and thank you for all that you do.

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Health & Wellness

Men Need

Too!

By Candice Camille Many men are missing out on the boom in self-care. Think for a minute, what comes to your mind when you think of self-care? Did you envision your wife, mom and all the women you know pampering themselves in a bubble bath, getting a manicure and pedicure, or having a glass of wine by candlelight? I know this may sound a little too feminine. However, wellness is a basic need for any gender.

Unfortunately, men face some extra barriers such as magazine articles and television ads that tend to target women, the products and ideas don’t appeal to most men. There are still social pressures on men to focus more on their careers and building a business than their personal lives.

While there are challenges to overcome, self-care is just as important for men as for women. Gentlemen, try these suggestions for nurturing your body and mind.

Exercise regularly, remember your health is the first and everything else is the next thing.

Eat a balanced diet, focus on whole foods instead of fast and processed food.

Sleep well, make it easier to get your eight hours by maintaining a consistent bedtime and blocking out background noise by turning the tv off and electronic devices.

Let the alcohol go, drink in moderation. The CDC reports that men are almost twice as likely to binge drink compared to women.

Avoid smoking. Giving up tobacco is one of the most important things you can do for your health. That includes smokeless varieties of tobacco as well.

Manage your stress. Find constructive ways to deal with daily tensions. Physical activity is a great way to relax and boost your mood.

Consider counseling. Depression, suicide, alcohol and substance abuse are higher among men, but they’re less likely to seek mental health services. Overcoming the stigma could save your life.

See your doctor and get health screening. Average life expectancy for men is five years less than women. The causes are complex, but you can increase your odds by getting routine screenings and following your doctor’s recommendations. There are necessary medical screenings that should be conducted on an annual or semi-annual basis. In order to live a healthy and fulfilling life, it’s crucial to be proactive and check your body to prevent lifethreatening illnesses. Yes, this is part of self-care.

It’s especially important to check up on the body more often once you turn fifty. Many major illnesses tend to surface during that decade and early detection can result in rapid treatment and life-saving results.

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Prostate exam. It’s always better to catch cancer in its early stages. Preventative medicine is an important part of gaining and maintaining a positive quality of life. Prostate issues can inhibit a man's ability to urinate normally and greatly diminish his health. Digital rectal examination of the prostate is the first type of test. This will detect enlargement of the prostate and any hardening that could indicate cancer.

Blood pressure. High blood pressure can indicate being at risk for heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure hardens the walls of the arteries and makes the heart work harder than it needs to in order to maintain a functioning body. It can negatively affect your ability to think clearly and the use of your memory as you age. There are things you can do to control your blood pressure: avoid heavy sodium and caffeine in foods and drinks, increase your cardio exercise, and proactively reduce stress in your life.

Cholesterol screening. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL is bad for your health while HDL is beneficial.

HDL cholesterol prevents fat build up in the arteries caused by high levels of LDL cholesterol. It is desirable to have a higher amount of HDL cholesterol than LDL. High cholesterol can negatively influence your body and mind. Heart disease is a major effect of having high LDL cholesterol because fat slowly clogs arteries and reduces blood flow away from the heart. This increases the work that the heart has to put out in order for the body to continue to operate. You can control your cholesterol through healthy eating.

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For a man over fifty, having low levels of testosterone in the blood can impact the personal aspects of their life.

Low testosterone can lead to reduced sex drive and erectile dysfunction in men. These conditions can cause issues in your personal and private relationships and may impact your self-esteem. Low testosterone can physically impact a man’s appearance. Decreases in muscle mass and bone density and increases in belly fat are results of low testosterone. These side effects can impact a man’s self-esteem and eventually their mobility as they age.

Each of these crucial screenings can allow you to take the initiative in detecting illnesses at the beginning stages.

Early intervention is the key to curing or sustaining a better quality of life as you age gracefully. Having knowledge of your body’s conditions will give you peace of mind and enrich your soul. Knowing that you are being proactive in regards to your body will inspire you to become proactive in other aspects of your life.

Loving yourself and checking on your body will enable you to feel power over your health. Your lifestyle plays a major role in your wellbeing, so join the self-care revolution. You’ll be glad you did!

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Authors Speak

Should I be content with accessible abundance being withheld from me?

By Cortland Jones Prior to my retirement from the field of education I was informed about a historical debate between Du Bois and Booker T. Washington involving the most effective way to uplift and empower the Negro in American society. Du Bois emphasized the need for education, I was informed by my colleague, while Washington promoted the need to pursue vocational education associated with labor as a means for economic empowerment for the American Negro. I was intrigued to say the least, as I could see merit for both sides of the argument. Thus, I chose to read and share my reflections from the first 6 chapters of The Souls of Black Folk written by Du Bois that highlights this very discourse between him and Booker T. Washington, revealing insights and enlightenment into the ongoing struggle, since slavery, for the true liberation of the African-American in our nation.

‘The Souls of Black Folk has served as a veritable touchstone of African-American culture for every successive generation of black scholars since 1903.’ - Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Gates’ reflection of this celebrated work of Du Bois in the Introduction was nothing short of inspiring for me, informative, and expansive in his citations and connections made with other key historical figures, literary works, and the expanse of Du Bois’ educational and professional life that contributed to his writing of this book. In the Introduction, Langston Hughes referred to Du Bois’ literary work as equal in content and influence as the King James Bible in the way Du Bois immersed his faith in the manner in which he wrote about the times of his day. My initial reaction to Du Bois’ commentary felt like an intellectual lament of both the reality and dilemma of being Black in America. I liken W.E.B. Du Bois to a prophet to the nation, as he was effective in translating his rich background of higher levels of education and studies in philosophy, history, and sociology, along with his perspectives and experiences to awaken and arouse the nation that also included his knowledge of the scriptures. His intellectual lament through his writings would prompt others to see and give strong consideration to how each can be moved and motivated to invest themselves in the support of the plight and salvation of the American Negro at the conclusion of slavery.

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‘Du Bois is one of the few men in history who has hurled on the throne of leadership by the dynamic force of the written word. He is one of the few writers who leaped to the front as a leader and became the head of a popular movement through impressing his personality upon men by means of a book. He had no aspiration of becoming a race leader when he wrote his ‘Souls of Black Folk.’ But that book has launched him upon a brilliant career.’ - William H. Ferris, The African Abroad 1913 Transitioning towards my reflection and conclusion of the content of the first three chapters of The Souls of Black Folk, I begin by acknowledging a question being raised to me by a friend, prior to reading Souls and writing this article, as to whether justice is attainable for the African-American in a racialized society. My immediate thought and response was yes. Later that day, while walking, it was revealed to me that without the hope of justice being possible we won’t seek it out or pursue it and I was reminded of Jesus’ Parable of the Unjust Judge and the Widow who sought justice for herself from someone Jesus suggested had no fear of God but was wearied by her persistence and awarded her the justice she sought. That insight revealed to me is the foundation by which I understand the first six chapters of The Souls of Black Folk and why I view Du Bois’ writing as an intellectual lament, like the prophets who would inquire of God about the plight of the Israelites. His intellectual lament is his expressed desire to see justice executed on behalf of Negro in a society that leaves them veiled by whites and those who have both the power and means to grant the Negro access to the abundance that surrounds them but is being withheld from them.

The first two chapters of The Souls of Black Folk are an expression of Du Bois’ view and perspective of the reality and plight of the Negro post slavery and the reality that they are without education, awareness, and the requisite skills and resources to afford for themselves a decent standard and quality of life. This is why I refer to his writing as an intellectual lament, because he eloquently articulates the real challenges and disparity of what confronts the Negro as Freedmen and how dire, hopeless, and helpless things appear if support is unavailable for them to thrive in their state of being emancipated.

The same social ills associated with literacy, education, economic empowerment, self-esteem, health and wellbeing, quality of life, and fulfillment that he expressed concerns about are as relevant today as they were in his day. This, then, creates merit for the question as to whether justice is possible for the African-American in a racialized society. I said yes, because Du Bois is the living embodiment of that which he desired for a nation of Negros, jus as his predecessor Frederick Douglass represented before him. Both were highly educated men, literate, articulate, intelligent, and influential, even at a time of great racial divide during the era of slavery.

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My biggest takeaway from chapter three, where Du Bois acknowledges his public and well-known debate between him and Booker T. Washington was the irony in which their public dispute mirrored that of Malcom X and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Era. At the heart of their disagreement was Du Bois’ view that education was the means by which the Negro could thrive in America and Washington suggested vocational education would be a better route. The disagreement was more than the means by which the Negro could advance himself towards fulfillment and abundance. Du Bois advocated for education as also a means to an end for the enhancement of the Negro’s self-esteem by which they would not settle for anything less than what they know they are deserving even to the point of making use of that intellect to advocate on their own behalf through using their voice to speak up and speak out against injustice to affect change for themselves and others as he was doing. Booker T. Washington advocated for civility and paraphrasing, ‘going along to get along’ with the status quo so as to diminish the reality of the expected push back from society for seeking to stand up for one’s self and demand fair equal treatment. By being vocationally trained the Negro has the ability to earn a better living for themselves. Washington’s views made him equally as popular as Du Bois and he had opponents to his views just as Du Bois did. Their role in American society as community leaders and activists were similar to that of Malcolm X and Dr. King.

It is my opinion that we are not in need of a savior today as we benefited from men like Douglass, Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, Malcolm X, and Dr. King who courageously and valiantly fought for our rights, advocated and inspired activism on behalf of Negros leaving a blueprint for each of us to identify and determine how we all will play a role in continuing to carry the baton forward and pass it along to the next generation. How can we reinforce what it means to not be content with abundance being accessible but withheld from us?

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The Young Professionals Corner

The Importance of Mentorship

By Jayden Ford

In the United States 1 in 4 kids grow up without a father in the home. And while the reason may vary as to why that is, the impact of missing a male role model can be huge in a child's development. This is why mentorship is so important to help our community.

In the African American community alone 67% of kids are born into single family households. Being raised in a single-family household can have a lot of unintended consequences such as being more likely to have lower grades, or more likely to be in troublesome situations compared to their counterparts from nuclear families. The best way to combat this epidemic is by having young professionals become mentors to help guide the youth and be an example many may not have.

In preparing for this article, I spoke with a few people who do mentorship and one in particular, Jed Pilgrim, really shared some great advice. Jed from 2013 decided he wanted to be put in a situation to serve his community. He did that by becoming a youth mentor at First Baptist Church of Glenarden. At the time Jed felt a tug pulling him to help young people.

With a mentor, kids are more likely to graduate from high school, have fewer behavioral issues and improved self-esteem and confidence. A mentor also helps to improve relations between kids and other adult peers such as teachers and parents. Most importantly, having a mentor lowers the chance of a child being involved with crime by almost 54%. In Prince George’s County from January- September nearly 290 young people were arrested for crimes. Out of 290 kids, 228 were first time offenders meaning that more youth are getting involved with crime. Young professionals have helped drop that number in half by being there and being involved in young people's lives.

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Jed considers himself to be shy and introverted as a person. Even though he got training and preparation for mentoring others, his involvement has allowed him to impact many.

Many young professionals feel like they are not qualified to be a mentor or feel like they are not where they need to be in life to give advice to others. That however is not the case as being there and showing how even as a mentor you are not perfect makes you relatable and that you're someone they can trust. To support them and guide them through their own path is key.

Jed says he realized you don’t have to be some amazing guy, just be there. Being there is what's most important and having kids know they have someone to rely on.Nearly 90% of all mentees eventually decide to mentor someone else, so your impact isn’t just on you but could ultimately impact multiple generations of people within your community.

Jed's proudest moment as a mentor was watching a kid who he mentored calling him to say that he was starting a youth church to mentor kids. Jed was able to watch and see his impact and how those he mentored will keep the tradition going.

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While being a mentor has a strong impact on kids it can also be fulfilling for the mentor themselves. Being a mentor can raise your self- esteem, bring a sense of accomplishment and even a sense of value as you realize just how powerful your experiences, life's positives and negatives have been to shape who you are.

Jed also shared how much he has learned about life through his experiences as a mentor. He was able to learn patience and understanding at a level he never thought he could. Sometimes kids would go months without talking and sometimes you personalize such things, however when kids came back and shared their stories of what they were going through, there is a whole new perspective to learn and understand.

Through the tough hardship and stories Jed would hear from his mentees he also learned not to give up on people. Despite their struggles his mentees find a way to bounce back.

As we age we also never lose our own personal need for a mentor. Whether you are 10 or 60 you are always in need of a mentor. Someone with more experience or a different perspective, a mentor will be there to help you out at every stage of life. As we age, mentorship isn’t as linear. Mentorship can go both ways; you can provide guidance to those around you and accept the guidance you get.

We know that mentorship can be overwhelming at times. In fact, at times things shared with mentors can be troubling and scary to hear. This is why mentors need partnerships and mentors that they can always go to and talk to for guidance. Jed also explains how he truly believes in the power of prayer, talking to God about troubling situations, and how it helps his mentees overcome their situations Being a mentor gives Jed a proud feeling. He loves that God can use him to help others.

And seeing his mentees blossom and bloom makes it all worth it to him, as this is a shared sentiment from most all mentors. It is truly a great reward in being a monitor.

In closing, we can all share these feelings and our knowledge with so many kids out there who need a figure to look up to. Kids have so much potential to be great young professionals and leave a positive impact on their community. You becoming a mentor can bring that potential out of them.

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Community News Flash

Harry Belafonte

By Marjorie M. Middleton Harry Belafonte, a consummate, time defying performer died April 25th of this year at the age of 96. He was a singer, actor and activist who fought for civil rights. He was a friend, supporter and activist with his mentor, actor, civil rights champion and singer, Paul Robeson. He was close friends with Martin Luther King and supported his causes and fight for equality. He politically supported John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson and vehemently opposed Trump. He was a leader and a change maker.

Belafonte received many awards during the course of his life. He won a BET Humanitarian award, Impact Award from AARP and was an ambassador of the Bahamas. From 1987 until his death, he was a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, His last appearance in movies was in Spike Lee’s Academy Award winning BlacKkKlansman, 2018.

The son of West Indian immigrants, Belafonte was born in Harlem, New York. He had gifts that transcended the world. His music crossed boundaries. He performed to the highest caliber. He did not back down on anything; he fought for the best acting roles for fellow actors and as an activist he fought for justice and with his fame was usually the one bailing civil rights leaders out of jail. He was decent and his passion for a better America never faltered.

Belafonte will be missed for his leadership and inspiration, as well as his entertainment. A life well lived.

All Things Fashion

The Men of God! It was a hit. The King was set up. But why? What did he represent? He represented God's forgiveness.

He represented love for mankind. He befriended the unclean. He healed on the Sabbath. He knocked the money changers table over. Folks did not like his growing popularity. He was disruptive to the status quo.

An oppressed people under distress will conform and sell out its liberators. Especially if they are given authority by the oppressors. It is a common problem. His name was Jesus. He was betrayed by his own people. Given over to Roman rule to be executed. The King of the Jews was crucified. Men who speak boldly become targets. Oftentimes their messages speak truth to the masses. Making them hated for unmasking the hidden agendas of the powers that be. At what point do we learn to protect our liberators?

Men like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King were also executed. Great men with great promise. Strong, outspoken, intelligent, and wise mengunned down. Evil powers sought to take their lives. Their deaths left big holes in the fight for civil rights.

They taught us to love our heritage and to embrace the spirit of excellence. They marched on even though they knew their lives were in danger. Today we are celebrating these strong men of valor.

Men of men. Courageous men of purpose, we salute you. Men like Megder Evers, Nat Turner, and Gabriel Prosser would die for the cause of liberation.

Where are the men of purpose today? Are they incarcerated? Are they lost to the drug epidemic? Are they dying over internet beef? Where are the new champions of Justice? It has been a long time since I have heard men speak so boldly. Minister Louis Farakan has been a powerful mouthpiece for liberation of people of color.

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There is a new generation of young activists coming up. I have been noticing the young men of Tennessee legislation. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson speaking up for gun law reform, with a focus on automatic weapons. They have a strong sense of community. Brother Umar Johnson has given great insight into the liberation of our people. Former President Obama is a jewel in my eyes because of his leadership and intelligence. He has been a shining example of a Black family man in a position of power. Big respect for all fathers who are standing in their homes being cornerstones of our communities. I like what former President Obama said, we must be the change we want to see.

I am inspired. Maybe we need to nurture and encourage our men to stand up and be counted in the fight for our survival. We must be disciplined and intelligent in order to make positive changes in our communities. I pray that The Most High will raise up such men who will give Him all the glory. Setting things back in the order of The Most High being our light and commander. ALL PRAISES TO THE MOST HIGH. But first that change has to happen in me. The All Things Fashion thought of today is self-accountability. It's time to rise and shine, Men of Valor. Our God is calling us to service.

Be Blessed. Tony T.

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All Things Fashion

Spring Into Color & Cuts It's time to spring into color and cuts! Make that bold new transformation from hair to fashion. It all starts with self-love and focusing on a healthier lifestyle. That's by taking care of our body and mindset. Through a consistent routine with exercise to meal planning and meditation. This helps to keep us in a positive mental place that will altogether build us up physically, mentally and spiritually. When you look good you really do feel good about yourself, it helps boost your self-esteem and become more confident in everything you do. So why not stand out and shine, you can start with that new color or cut, or both!

During different seasons there may be different shades of color that you may want to experiment with. Color is a creative way to express yourself, so many different shades and hues from your Primary colors to Secondary colors. Now when you begin to mix those colors together and create a color scheme that can enhance and intensify your natural hair, this can balance out some of the most beautiful warm and cool tones from your reds to violets or whichever mood you are feeling. As we focus on color, let's not count out the beauty of gray hair, which can be mixed throughout the hair from lightly scattered to medium with a salt and pepper to predominantly gray and white. A good white lite highlighting shampoo is recommended to help eliminate brassiness and yellow tones; it also brightens gray or white hair. It helps avoid dull yellow tones from product build up or unclean curling irons or styling tools.

Keep your gray hair vibrant and majestic.

Color can also be creative by the technique, shape and placement of the hair color. Such as applying a base color, highlights or lowlights which can create depth to your desired color. Why not add a cut to that color, it will enhance your color, add fullness and dimensions to your hair. Not to mention, this is an overall fashion statement. A nice haircut can be just adding layers to long hair which will add body and shape but keep the length. Now if you add highlights to that layered cut or even try a short pixie cut with a bold base color with either low or highlights, beautiful! Or if you're ready to go short and natural you can try a high lift blonde color that will stand out and be less maintenance with your daily lifestyle and work out plan. Yes, we got to stay fit and look good at the same time. Balance!!

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If you're not ready to color or cut your hair, maybe a protective style may be better for you. I know warmer weather brings humidity and perspiration, not to mention workouts and menopause. When it comes to braids, I recommend Knotless braids. I've noticed that it doesn't cause much tension or breakage to the hair edges and clients tend not to keep them over six to eight weeks. The goal is to give the hair a break but also maintain the health of your natural hair. In between each braid install, you should trim your ends and apply a protein deep conditioning treatment.

It's all about health, from the way you take care of your body and mindset to your hair, it all works together. Start a holistic health care routine, work out at least 3 to 4 times a week. Try meal prepping or a food journal for at least a month and you will see a difference. Take time to meditate daily, even if it's only 10 to 15 minutes to relax, pray or even journal your feelings. If you're ready for that color and cut, I highly recommend you go to a professional hair stylist that specializes in color, cuts and healthy hair care. Make sure you take time to maintain the upkeep of services. You're ready now. Stay positive and blessed!

Martina C. Turner Vision & Purpose Community Magazine 55

Arts and Media

Songs in the Key of Life

by Cortland Jones

Since February 2023, on some level, I have been engaged and immersed in an ongoing dialogue and introspective contemplation about the Civil Rights Era and the impact it has had on the Black community. While this has been taking place, I was recently reading a chapter from a book that included the perspective from a well-known female author intimating their concern about the lack of advocacy and activism within the Black community since the 70’s. From the same book of a collection of interviews of celebrated Black female authors, another expressed their disdain that such a notion could be hypothesized expressing that a movement, or revolution, though unnoticed doesn't mean it isn’t taking place.

It is from this perspective of an ‘unrecognizable movement,’ or revolution, I offer the recent revelation and perspective of considering how the music of the 70’s and Rap Music of the 80’s90’s became the post Civil Rights Era revolution. I have even expressed that there has been no distinct display of advocacy and social activism similar to the Civil Rights Era since the 50’s60’s until the recent Black Lives Matter movement that became a national phenomenon during the height of the pandemic precluded by Colin Kapernick’s social justice stance against police brutality by refusing to stand during the presentation of the national anthem during football games he participated in.

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My favorite music artist, Stevie Wonder, is the first music artist who comes to mind as I remember his direct involvement in influencing the recognition of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 's birthday into a national holiday. Though this didn’t occur in the seventies, he is my all-time favorite music artist. His music album Songs in the Key of Life, released in 1976, includes the song Village Ghetto Land that highlights the reality of what it’s like to live in the ghettos of America. It was a direct and intentional means by Stevie Wonder to make America aware of the reality of living in a ghetto. “Now some folks say that we should be glad for what we have. Tell me would you be happy in Village Ghetto Land?” - Stevie Wonder, Village Ghetto Land Included on his Innervisions album released in 1973, Stevie Wonder wrote, performed, and sang Living for the City. It is a musical lyrical narrative about a young man and family from the south and the harsh reality that awaits him when he arrives by the end of the song to New York City. “Her brother’s smart. He’s got more sense than many. His patience’s long, but soon he won’t have any. To find a job is like a haystack needle, cause where he lives, they don’t use colored people.” - Stevie Wonder, Living for the City Hotter Than July, by Stevie Wonder, was released in 1980 and included the song, Happy Birthday and Cash in Your Face. Happy Birthday is the well-known often sung selection commemorating the need to make Dr. King’s birthday a national holiday. I actually remember this event and we had the album. I played it often. A lesser known, but just as relevant song, Cash in Your Face, is another musical lyrical narrative Stevie Wonder sings, vocalizing the reality and plight of discrimination faced by Blacks in trying to get a job or find a decent place to live but being denied because of the color of their skin. “You might have the cash, but you cannot cash in your face. We don’t want you living in here.” - Stevie Wonder, Cash in Your Face I also think of Marvin Gaye’s song titled What’s Going On from the album by the same name released in 1971. “Mother, mother, there’s too many of you crying. Brother, brother, brother, there’s far too many of you dying. You know we’ve got to find a way. To bring some lovin’ here today, Father, father we don’t need to escalate. You see, war is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate. You know we got to find a way to bring some lovin’ here today. Picket lines and picket signs, don’t punish me with brutality. Talk to me so you can see what's going on.” Marvin Gaye, What’s Going On Michael Jackson and his sister Janet Jackson, during the late eighties into the nineties, were two central figures in the music industry who used the power of their platform as music artists to address social justice issues and bring light and attention to the reality of injustice in America through their music. Rap group Public Enemy’s Fight the Power comes to mind along with the collaboration of rap groups and hip hop artists who united to perform Self Destruction inspired from the increase in gun violence in the inner urban cities of the Black community.

Though the social justice movement of the sixties was not as visible and vocal on a national, regional, or local level in the seventies, music definitely kept the sound and the narrative of the movement moving forward.

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Community Outreach Awareness V&P COMMEMORATIONS OF THE MONTH FOR MAY/JUNE National Mental Health Month: Raises awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children, families, and communities. The ribbon color is green.

National Military Appreciation Month: Is celebrated every May and is a declaration that encourages U.S. citizens to observe the month in a symbol of unity. The ribbon color is yellow.

Happy Mother’s Day From Team V&P National Men’s Health Month: To raise awareness about health care for men and focus on encouraging boys, men, and their families to practice and implement healthy living decisions, such as exercising and eating healthy.

Family Health & Fitness Day: Is celebrated every second Saturday in June each year. This special day promotes the importance of parks and recreation in keeping communities healthy.

Happy Father’s Day From Team V&P

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Father's Day

May Month Long:

June Month Long:

Mental Health Awareness Month Family Wellness Month Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Better Hearing and Speech Month Clean Air Month Foster Care Month National Barbeque Month (United States) National Arthritis Month (United States) National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month (United States) National Physical Fitness and Sports Month (United States) National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (United States) In the United States, Nurses’ Week falls from the 6th to the 12th. Women’s Health Week is the 10th to the 16th. And Teacher Appreciation Week is the 5th to the 8th.

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Alcohol Awareness Month Financial Literacy Month Autism Awareness Month National Youth Sports Safety Month (United States) Parkinson’s Awareness Month Stress Awareness Month National Poetry Month Testicular Cancer Awareness Month World Habitat Awareness Month Sexual Assault Awareness Month Donate Life Month Math Awareness Month National Volunteer Month Melissa Johnson 6/10 Wishing my first born daughter a very happy birthday. You are an amazing woman and I am blessed.

Special Edition Are you looking to be the Visionary of your own magazine?

V&P Community Magazine is here to create and design a special edition magazine just for you. If you are the Visionary of your organization, church, small business, social or awareness group, then you can be featured in your very own magazine.

Be the visionary/front cover featured story along with nineteen other members of your group to complete your magazine. Visionary will receive a four page Q/A write-up and members will receive a two page Q/A write-up.

Special Offer: Visionary Front Cover Story $600 Members Featured Story $300 Special offer will include a livestream magazine release.

For more information: Contact us at info@vandpmediaproductions.com or call Karen McConnell-Jones at 202-904-1000