VMH Magazine - June/July 2015

VMH

A Star-Studded Celebration Gives NEW Meaning to Beauty

Vikki Marie Hankins Magazine!

Vikki Hankins ! on !

Music, Entertainment and the Mainstream Market

The Reality

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Police OďŹƒcers, Good or Bad? Restoring Trust

PLUS: The Lethal Dangers of Black Market Butt Enhancements Kevin Shird’s Road to Redemption & Empowerment! A New Book Read!

June/July 2015

A GIRL SHOULD BE TWO THINGS ____________________

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Photo Credit: istock © soup__studio

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CLASSY & FABULOUS! ! !

-COCO CHANEL

Photo Credit: istock © soup__studio

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The Road to Redemption Kevin Shird “I hope my story can deter someone else from going down this unforgiving highway to nowhere. If a million people were to read this book and it only changed the life of one young soul, I could claim a small amount of success.”

By Morgan Amos!

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The Plight of Music, Entertainment and The Independent Artist - A Role in Mainstream It has always been understood that an artist had to sign to a label in order to be successful; does this ‘understanding’ remain? What is the current plight of music and entertainment?

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by Vikki Hankins!

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Learning to Seek Solitude, Not Just Meditation, For Important Decisions It relieves stress. It helps prepare us mentally for a dreaded encounter or a high stakes meeting.

It tunes out the incessant distractions.

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By Edward G. Brown!

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The Danger of Black Market Beauty - The Real Issues It relieves stress. It helps prepare us mentally for a dreaded encounter or a high stakes meeting.

It tunes out the incessant distractions.

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By Garry Jones!

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It has Instilling entrepreneurial ideas in children will help them become successful adults and it will create independence within them.

The Shifting Sands of Employee Motivation

Discover the True Potential of Your Children - Do You Have a Kid-Preneur?

By Peggy Caruso!

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5th Annual Legendary Awards Highlights The Legendary Awards is a ceremony that honors and celebrates living legends that have excelled and made significant contributions within their industries and communities.

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Photography by Vikki Hankins/Garry Jones

According to 10 years of Gallup Poll data, a full 80% of the workforce is at least somewhat engaged.

Leaders and supervisors now must focus on practices that 1) get employees to competence and Autonomy quickly, 2) aid employee efforts to achieve Mastery and 3) continuously instill a sense of Purpose in the work being done.

By William M. Dann!

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Saving The Lives of Entertainers One Man’s Public Service Initiative

Legendary Award Recipient Honorable Congressman John Lewis

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Started by Marc Gordon, longtime friend of Gerald Levert and LeVert co-founder, this public service initiative's mission is to bring awareness & prevention of the epidemic use of prescription drugs & alcohol that’s destroying the lives of entertainers.

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By Vikki Hankins!

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Publisher!

VMH Vikki M. Hankins Editor-in-Chief Vikki Hankins Assistant Director Garry Jones!

Journalist/Contributors Vikki Hankins Morgan Amos Garry Jones

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Lawrence ‘LT’ Taylor, Legendary Award Recipient at:

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The 5th Annual Legendary Awards !

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Contributors (Visiting) Edward G. Brown Peggy Caruso William M. Dann

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Photography Vikki Hankins Garry Jones Alisha Davis Sherman Hankins

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Media Assistant Alisha Davis

Cover Photographer: Garry Jones

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Redemption From $20K a Day as a Drug Dealer to the Brains Behind a Powerful Foundation - Kevin Shird Shares His Story

by Morgan Amos Author Kevin Shird shares the real-life experience of his ability to transform his life from a drug trafficker in the streets of Baltimore, Maryland to that of an upstanding citizen, one who’s learned his lessons and has decided to share them with the public in his poignant tale, Lessons of Redemption #DoRight. This memoir provides an often too familiar story of a young black kid growing up in a loving but at times troublesome living environment, becoming intrigued by outside influences, and the choices he makes often resulting in a ripple effect, effecting not only his life, but those around him, and ultimately the moment when he decides to positively change his life.

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“Eventually, the allure of the streets became too strong.

With no father around to set me straight, the streets became a major player in my life. The tug of war between what was right and what was wrong became overwhelming. Was it the abuse, the poverty, or the low self-esteem that made the kid vulnerable to the streets?”

Shird writes. At times, Lessons of Redemption #DoRight reads like scenes out of a movie as Shird pens this honest account of what it was like for him selling drugs on the Baltimore streets, having spent 11 years in prison, to the heartfelt letter he writes his daughter, and finally the understanding that despite some of the choices he’s made, there’s still room for improvement, for redemption.

again or worse, deceased. “I had spent over 4500 days in prison. Like sand in the palm of my hand, the grains of life had slowly began to slip away. I had missed out on a lot of opportunities which I will never get to experience again. The things every man experiences, like being married and raising kids, and having a work history; I never really thought about these things much in the past, but now I was wondering how I could have ever let them pass me by,” he states.

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While Kevin Shird’s story might sound familiar, his ability to change his circumstances and his surroundings makes his story worth reading. He made the decision to not become another statistic, to not be looked down upon for the past mistakes he’s made, but instead to utilize his new found independence and knowledge to become president of Mario Do Right Foundation, along with his previous work at the Center for Urban Families, and more. “I hope my story can deter someone else from going down this unforgiving highway to nowhere. If a million people were to read this book and it only changed the life of one young soul, I could claim a small amount of success,” he states. Lessons of Redemption #DoRight takes you on a journey through the ups and downs of one man’s life while proving it’s never too late to regain your individuality and start your life anew.

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It was those decisions to sell drugs, the time spent in prison, the time spent away from his loved ones that made Shird realize he needed to change his circumstances because if not, it would be time spent in prison

Photo Courtesy: Terrie Williams Agency

KEVIN SHIRD Co-founder and president of the Do Right Foundation, is America. Recognized as a national youth advocate, author, public speaker and humanitarian, Kevin has dedicated his life and work to helping youth understand the perils of street culture ---which makes no apologies for destroying so many lives and families. After serving almost 12 years in federal now advocates for young people and policy changes and he often uses the term “Redemption.” Recently, Kevin published his memoir entitled Lessons of Redemption where he tells the gritty truth of inner-city neighborhoods, living with a substance abusing parent and being entangled in heroin friend, being incarcerated and discovering how to re-establish himself as a loving father, citizen, and strong advocate for youth.

The Do Right Foundation provides a lifeline to youth who desperately need substance abuse prevention education and intervention. Through his leadership, the Foundation has implemented programs and initiatives to help young people avoid the pitfalls of communities submerged by crime, violence and substance abusing parents.

Through a strategic partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Kevin has spoken to students at colleges and universities around the country. He lectures on the issue of substance abuse prevention, re-entry, public health policy and mental health as it relates to incarceration. He also tells his incredible story emerge on the other side--helping to ensure better lives for others.

Lessons of Redemption

“You don’t have to mistakes... You

The Plight of Music & Entertainment 2015 Icon Awards !

Written by Vikki Hankins

All too often people express their concerns about a particular topic, but fail to follow up and actually ‘do something’ about the problems expressed. Recently, I attended an event (2015 ICON Awards) that brought up issues surrounding the music and entrainment industry; this group of folks are actually taking action. As a writer, publisher, commentator, and talk show host, through the years I’ve listened to a number of artist, music executives, and the likes express their frustrations about the issues surrounding the music industry.

!Even without the complaints, or should I say, ‘concerns’ I

have enough sense to know a great number of people with ‘talent’ are excluded from the music industry. I also know ‘everyone’ with a ‘gift’ is not going to make it to the top; as a matter of fact some people will never get noticed or perhaps never even know they have a gift/talent.

!Kevin Shine Wsaatl, Bria Janelle, and J. Morris, hosted

the 2015 ICON Awards which honored Legends in Music & Entertainment. For the most part I attended the event to support my friend and Grammy-Nominated Producer Marc Gordon, co-founder of the legendary group LeVert (which included the late Gerald Levert & Sean Levert).

However, I was impressed with the substance and content of the overall event. Although there were well-deserved awards awarded to those with executive careers in music, it was their voices that carried more weight.

!During the event J. Nicole moderated a panel discussion

with the topic of conversation based on music industry issues, its needed improvement, and 'how to' improve. As I listened to each of these individuals talk and share some of their experiences, success, and viewpoints, it occurred

to me that this conversation was ‘the real deal’; there was nothing superficial about the points these executives made about music and entertainment in today’s society. I was easily reminded of words I’ve heard from others through the years as I interviewed them on this very subject.

!Talking points during the panel discussion: ! • New age-technology has replaced watered down • • • • • •

the process of music production (or sped it up).

There are only a handful of artist given the contracts from the major labels.

Interns want to make money fast, and by pass learning or honing their skills.

R&B is practically going out the window.

The industry and the politics involved with it discourages the artist, producers, and the likes.

People are not protecting their work through coding, copyrights, trademarks, etc.

The lack of respect for the independent artist/ business.

!Again, I have no doubt that those participating in the 2015

ICON Awards are already doing something to make that change, and according to research it's working! Specifically, in the areas concerning the independent artists.

!Case Studies (Tech Dirt - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

says, "there's been an astounding 510% increase in independent musicians making their full time living from music in just the past decade." The report further states, "it's grown 71% from 1180 in 2003 to 2020 in 2012, and the massive growth is seen in the area of independent artists who have much greater choice and control in their careers.”

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The 'numbers' and reports are changing in favor of the independent artists, labels, etc. The New York Post has a few facts of it's own on the subject. See below: Fast Facts (New York Post & Indie Artists):

!• • L-R J. Morris, B. Watkins, C. Daniiel III, M. Gordon, D. Lin-

In 2007, indies controlled 25.8 percent of the music business, No. 2 behind Universal Music Group’s 28.8 percent share.

By June 30, 2013, indie leapfrogged Universal by growing its market share to 34.5 percent, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Universal was at 28.3 percent.

!2015 ICON Awards Recipients Included: !

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4 2015 ICON Award Recipients

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Grammy-Nominated Producer Marc Gordon, co-founder of the legendary group LeVert (which included the late Gerald Levert & Sean Levert); Songwriter, Producer and Multi-Platinum Grammy Award winners Milk + Sizz; Industry Manager Ron Tricky Montgomery, Owner of Tricky Bizness Entertainment and Management Co.; David Linton former head of Urban Music Promotions & Marketing departments at Warner Bros, Island/Def Jam, Arista and Capitol Records; Rafael Capone, Owner of The Soul Asylum Studios Group; Entertainment Attorney Bernie Lawrence Watkins; Tashia and Stone Stafford, Owner of Icon Studios; and Curtis Daniel III Owner of Patchwerk Recording Studios

*Awards Artwork by Kia Kelliebrew *Photography by Vikki Hankins & Garry Jones

Tashia and Stone Stafford - Icon Studios

An Emotional Moment- Kia Kelliebrew, Kevin Shine

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Seek Solitude, Not Just Meditation, For Important Decisions

By Edward G. Brown

Author, Edward G. Brown

As a devoted practitioner of meditation, I understand how it brilliantly serves the purposes of relaxation and renewal, and it has the advantage of being practicable anytime and anywhere. It relieves stress. It helps prepare us mentally for a dreaded encounter or a high stakes meeting. It tunes out the incessant distractions. Tethered to always-on devices, addicted to social media, and ensconced in ever less private workspaces, we find ourselves battling to keep our minds on our chosen topic.

Meditation helps us stay in the moment.

But there’s another equally powerful practice that should more often go hand in hand with meditation. I’m talking about seeking solitude.

Solitude could use some better PR. These days most people seem to dread being alone. Maybe they worry they will appear friendless. Maybe they conflate alone with loneliness. Or maybe they are simply habituated to the distraction of others.

So they flee from solitude when they would do well to seek it out. Sometimes there is simply no substitute for being alone with one’s thoughts. For secluding oneself for the sole purpose of arriving at an important decision undisturbed by the endless stream of arbitrary, uninvited data that assails us in our hyper-connected lives.

The last thing you want to do in those situations is exactly what many do. Frustrated by the dilemma or

embarrassed by their indecision, they just pick a course.

Go with their gut. Throw a Hail Mary pass as far down the field as they can and then turn back to the distraction of the moment.

Lord knows I sympathize. As a business founder, teacher, consultant, author, and father, I’m continually looked to for decisions big and small. The temptation is to deliver one on demand – not to dither but come out confidently with a firm, “THIS is what we’ll do.”

That is fine for a lot of day to day decisions. But more significant decisions simply can’t be made without withdrawing from the fray. Is it time to quit your job?

Should you blow the whistle on some malfeasance? Is it time to fire this person? Is this relationship a healthy one? Surgery or not?

When you face decisions like that, “being in the moment” doesn’t help you delve into these questions. Instead you want to deliberately and systematically set aside the present moment to think through future matters (the potential outcomes of your possible decision) and past matters (your experience in similar situations and how they turned out). Can I bear losing my work friends if I blow the whistle? Have I given this person, who supports a young family, all the chances I can to succeed here?

What if the surgery leaves me worse off? Am I the flawed one in this relationship?

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You need to confront yourself. Just the two of you, alone, where you can focal lock – that is, train your mind on the big decision. Once secluded, you can perform what I call “Meditative Relaxercising” practices to keep your mind relaxed. I don’t think of solitude as a vacuum but as a sumptuous place where I can bring together my training in meditation, yoga, and mental hygiene. I’ve written about having survived a desperate period of claustrophobic confinement by drawing on hatha yoga – a holistic form of yoga that encompasses discipline, posture, purification, gestures, breathing, and meditation – and Ujjayi breathing, a type of Pranayama breathing that brings bliss. I embrace my Quiet Time as a poet embraces a muse.

And isn’t that what these momentous decisions need? A little bliss and a generous muse? You don’t want your solitude to be just a silent, sterile place where you coolly select one option or the other. You want it to enrich your options. When you marry meditation to solitude, you free your mind to consider solutions that you hadn’t entertained before.

Look, I’m not saying every important decision requires a half day off or a solitary hike or a retreat to Walden Pond.

Maybe you are confronted by consequential decisions all day long, and you’d soon run out of PTO before you ever took a vacation. In such cases, you still don’t want to Hail Mary your decision, nor count on a meditative mind to provide the answer. But what you can do is use the Psychological Martial Arts that I wrote about in my book to still the outside world and create the illusion of seclusion, so that you can focus on the questions at hand.

By all means, cultivate your meditative practices. But don’t short yourself or those around you when you have momentous decisions to make. Embrace solitude with meditation and let them lead you.

Edward G. Brown is the author of The Time Bandit Solution: Recovering Stolen Time You Never Knew You Had and co-founder of the #1 firm in culture change management consulting and training for the financial services industry, Cohen Brown Management Group. For more information, please visit, www.timebanditsolution.com <http://www.timebanditsolution.com> and www.cohenbrown.com <http://www.cohenbrown.com> and connect with Mr. Brown on Twitter, @EdwardGBrown.

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Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.

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-Francis Bacon

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SALMON Health Benefits

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Eating fish twice a week is a great way to improve your heart health! !If fish isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t already a regular part of your diet, do your heart a favor and try a serving once a week, preferably twice. - American Heart Association !The evidence across different studies showed that fish consumption lowers the risk of death from heart disease by 36%. The benefit was related to the level of intake of omega-3 fatty acids, and thus benefits are greater for oily fish (e.g. salmon, bluefish), which are higher in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, than lean fish (haddock, cod). - Harvard School of Public Health

!Salmon health benefits: !

1. Packed with Nutrients

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2. Great for Bones 3. Prevents Cardiovascular Diseases 4. Help Improves Sleep Pattern 5. Boosts Brain Function 6. Great For The Eyes 7. Improves Mood

!Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation of the arteries and the digestive system, reduce chances of colon, prostate, and kidney cancers. Furthermore, salmon can improve skin texture, add some sparkle to your eyes, skin, hair and nails and help in the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon.

!The fatter the salmon, the more nutritious and healthy it is. It is a good protein supplement for older or sick

people as well, since it is easy to digest. In some parts of the world, it is cheaper than other sources of animal proteins like red meat and poultry. - Organic Facts

!References: !American Heart Association

Harvard School of Public Health OrganicFacts Seafood Health Facts

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Pictured (L) to (R) - Mimi Faust, Auta Lopes, Jennifer LeeJackson, Claudia Jordan

CELEBRATING BEAUTY, ! & SHEEN MAGAZINE’S Kimberly Chapman!

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by Vikki Hankins

Sheen Magazine Publisher, Kimberly M. Chapman

Photographed by Garry Jones

A company’s operations and ‘feel’ is a direct reflection of it’s leader. As I listened to Mrs. Chapman’s words to those in attendance, it is clear she is a woman of inspiration; wanting to see ‘all’ succeed and follow their dreams! In sharing her spirit of success, Chapman encouraged the audience to, “Lend a hand (to others); be of service to your people and let’s grow.”

!There were a number of stylish guest walking the red car-

Photographed by Alisha Davis

Held at the exclusive Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Downtown Atlanta, Sheen Magazine hosted a stylish legendary gala that honored and celebrated 50 years of life, success, and growth for Publisher/Humanitarian Kimberly M. Chapman. If I had not seen it with my eyes and ‘felt’ it in my heart, it would be hard to receive any accolades regarding this event. I’m in awe; this event was one of the few exceptional events I’ve covered. To say the least, there was something very ‘unique’ about it. It was not the famous in attendance, the exquisite fashion worn by many, nor the incredible performances of R&B artist’s Tony Terry and Bobby Valentino, but something a little more welcoming, sincere and rather comforting.

pet to celebrate this illustrious event. What was even more eventful was the mingling among of the guest. Claudia Jordan (Ricky Smiliey Show/Real Housewives of Atlanta) had this to say regarding beauty, “I think there’s pretty and I think there’s beauty; I think features are pretty and gorgeous but I think beautiful is; I’ve seen people with amazing physical features, but I couldn’t call them beautiful because of their spirit or because of their attitude or their arrogant. I think we all know someone like that, but then you see someone you just adore them; their wonderful people; they’re loving, they’re smart; something about them you admire.”

Television Personality/Author Egypt Sherrod (middle with Friends Photo Credit: Vikki Hankins

R&B Artist, Tony Terry known for his hit single ‘When I’m With You’, wooed the crowd. His voice was riveting as he hit notes well beyond the original song.

He also sang his latest single which was a captivating and somewhat different sound from his former hit, When I’m With You’; after hearing Terry perform the single, I’m going to have to purchase the single. Bobby Valentino was another hit with the guest as he moved the audience to their feet after performing one of his dance singles. Both performers were incredible!

R&B Artist Tony Terry

!Sheen

Magazine is founded on beauty for the modern day woman.

It’s ‘the preeminent voice for the American beauty on new trends, techniques, and products’. Further, the publication prides itself on remaining ‘current on what is happening and what is to come with beauty, fashion, hair, and entertainment’. To learn more about Sheen Magazine visit: www.sheenmagazine.com

Recording Artist, Bobby V

Photographed by Alisha Davis

Photographed by Garry Jones

It was the Easy Bake Oven that inspired a little girl, Andra Hall, to become an avid baker.

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Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.

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~ John Wooden

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Police Officers, Good or Bad? Repairing Trust, Restoring Balance

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By Garry Jones

With all the tumultuous engagements going on surrounding Law Enforcement, I had a chance to experience the opposite - an act of kindness from a police officer.

!In my hometown of Kinston, N.C we usually have a big

community gathering called the Lincoln City Reunion that averages 2,500 to 3, 000 people. If you ever attended you are guaranteed to be served great food; especially barbecue some of the best on the country.

!This act of kindness from a police officer came during the

Lincoln City Reunion. I was in the process of setting up my tent to join the festivities when an officer walked over to me and asked could he assist me with the tent. At that particular moment I decided this was opportunity to engage in a great conversation to allow the community to see law enforcement and a regular citizen in the community getting along.

!For the most part, this is not something you see very often

in any community; the trust is not there. In order to restore trust, the interaction from the community and law enforcement had to start somewhere. As a former law enforcement Lieutenant I can assure you all law enforcement agents are not bad and vice versa everyone in the community is not bad either. During the time that I worked in law enforcement I made sure my colleagues treated others with respect, this is something I didn't tolerate. Unfortunately, there are always going to be bad apples where ever you work; I don't condone any of the violence coming from Law Enforcement agents.

!It is an atrocity to see unarmed citizens getting gunned

down in the street like dogs, but I can't let the community off easy. If the community will stop committing acts of violence on their own; if the community will stop engaging in illegal activities and causing fear in the community you wouldn't see law enforcement as much. Most of the time when law enforcement comes in the community it is because they have received a call from someone in the community who is tired of people committing illegal acts.

! In conclusion elders are tired of the foolishness that goes on in the community - the loud music; the violence being inflicted on women and children, and many other acts of violence. Some people that work in enforcement need to get rid of that rid

of that God and John Wayne complex - thinking they can do what they want to without any repercussions.

I'm hoping the act of kindness that was displayed between me and law enforcement will start the healing process that is needed in order for our nation to heal.

!I also want to place emphasis on the people who apply for a law enforcement position. Do not apply if you are afraid. People who are afraid normally won’t make wise decisions when a situation arises.

!Personally, I don’t think a person should join Law Enforcement just to receive paychecks and benefits; join because you want to protect and serve. If this is not the reason you are joining the force then don’t fill out the application. There is nothing like a scared Law Enforcement officer with a gun; they unload every bullet in their gun. When I was growing up I remember a police officer named Mr. Cliff in my neighborhood; he was one of the nicest police officers you would ever meet. He always engaged in conversation with people in the community and he received respect. This doesn’t happen as much anymore. I’m aware this is a different time era and people hearts have grown colder; the community doesn’t trust Law Enforcement.

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The community is tired of seeing their babies die by trigger happy, afraid officers. I was once a kid I did take a few things in the store that I didn’t pay for but, my punishment was getting my ass tore out the frame by uncle and grandmother. I’m glad I wasn’t gunned down in the street by Law Enforcement. So I pose the question. Are there any good police officers remaining? I tend to believe there are, it’s unfortunate that so many bad officers are smothered out by the actions of the good.

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DISCOVER THE TRUE POTENTIAL OF YOUR CHILDREN AND TURN THEM INTO ‘KID-PRENEURS’

In teaching children entrepreneurial skills they need to learn effective ways to communicate. In today’s society technology has limited our children in verbal communication. One area to enhance communication is to teach masterminding. This is very effective and utilized by many adults; therefore it can be effectively implemented with children.

By Peggy Caruso

!It is placing a group of 5 or 6 like-minded children

Discovering the true talents and abilities within our children will prepare them for this unpredictable world by teaching them how to adapt to any situation. Instilling entrepreneurial ideas in children will help them become successful adults and it will create independence within them.

together to meet once bi-weekly for one hour. Meeting places can vary between houses. They begin by each taking one-minute to say their ‘win for the week’ and then they move on to challenges. Each child presents a challenge they are facing and the remainder of the group assists by providing feedback. Someone needs to be a time-keeper so the meeting does not exceed one hour and each child has their turn.

and weaknesses. Many children are afraid to fail because they feel they are letting the parents down. Failure is good – encourage it. It is just feedback letting you know how to modify your plan.

It is stepping-stones to success. It can only be failure if you don’t get back up and try again. All of the successful people in history have had many failures before reaching success.

assists the children with problem solving and holding one another accountable.

It reinforces communication and interpersonal relations.

Masterminding enhances friendships and helps them balance the highs and lows. It assists with creativity and establishes motivation and persistence. It also teaches them how to set and reach goals which is imperative in promoting entrepreneurism within children.

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!They need to learn how to manage their own strengths

!As children grow they need to learn how to deal with change. Changes in circumstances, cultures, and religions help our children to adapt in society. We can’t give our children a blueprint in life, but we can teach them coping skills. Your children’s skills and abilities will be their most valuable asset throughout their lives.

!Skills are behaviors in which we increase our knowledge,

and abilities are natural talents. Understanding what skills and abilities they have and what they need to reach their dreams is an important component in your child’s career development.

!From childhood your child will develop skills that will be

transferred as an adult. Emotional skills such as self esteem, sociability, integrity and empathy, integrated with the educational skills of reading, writing, mathematics, speaking, creativity and decision making will prepare them for adaptability within the corporate world. Many studies have supported the fact that the faster children develop skills, the better they do with testing.

!Once you discover what their true talents and passions

are it is easy to get them started on building a business.

There are many businesses suitable for children.

Educating children and teens about employment or entrepreneurship has astounding affects. It teaches them time management, assists them in learning how to follow directions, and provides team and leadership skills.

Studies show discouraged teens often grow up to become discouraged adults. This affects their confidence level in the workforce.

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!This

!Teaching them to be persistent requires that they will be

definite in their decisions, and that requires courage. It is a state of mind; therefore, it can be cultivated and with persistence comes success. When we talk of success, most people think of adults. But if you begin applying the success principles when your children are young and impressionable you teach them how to realize failure is good.

!Persistent action comes from persistent vision. When you

define your goal and your vision remains exact you will be more consistent and persistent in your actions. That consistent action will produce consistent results.

Remember to teach your children the difference between the person who fails and the one who succeeds is the perception they have. It is seizing an opportunity and acting upon it, unlike the person who allows fear to dominate his abilities.

!In teaching your child how to become a ‘kid-preneur’ they learn: • Talents, abilities and passions; • Setting and reaching goals; • Gratitude and developing solid friendships; • Persistence and motivation; • Creativity and visualization; • Communication, problem solving and interpersonal relations; • Intuition; • Entrepreneurial skills;

!They learn their true potential!!

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#LessonLearned

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Tameka Michelle, From Crutches to Stairs !

By Vikki Hankins

Tamika Michelle

Tamika Michelle: Yes! My life is a living testimony. I believe I was put here to show others you can make it out of any situation if you have a will and determination.

VMH: A number of the lessons you’ve learned stemmed from your children, what do you feel is the most valuable lesson as a mother?

Tamika Michelle: That real love is priceless. In one of my lessons I talk about the .37 cent birthday. It details how when you have love you can feel like you have everything you need. Yes, money is necessary but it doesn't bring happiness.

Photo Credit: Christine Rose Elle

Tamika Michelle is a mother, motivator, and Certified Life Coach. She’s also a woman on a mission to spread wise, authentic words, and lessons learned. In her new book entitled #LessonLearned, From Crutches to Stairs, Tamika Michelle leaves no stone unturned, as she navigates readers through eye-opening messages. After suffering a stroke at a very young age, Michelle knew she had to make adjustments in her lifestyle. It is such lifechanging events that have moved her to her new book.

!In a recent interview Michelle opened up to VMH Magazine: !VMH: What prompted you to write your book entitled, #LessonLearned, From Crutches to Stairs? !Tamika Michelle: It was truly God inspired. I never considered myself a writer. I was the girl that struggled in school. God woke me up on 12-18-13 and instructed me to write. I listened to the Lord.

!VMH: You are a single parent with three growing children including two young men, how do you find time to balance work, family time, and fulfill your purpose?

!Tamika Michelle: It is a daily struggle of balancing my priorities. I have alarms set for everything, on my lunch breaks I write; at 5 a.m. when I can't sleep I write. Sometimes, I'm uncomfortable but nothing happens in the comfort zone.

!VMH: Do you feel #LessonLearned is a part of your purpose?

!VMH: What do you hope to achieve through your new book entitled, #LessonLearned, From Crutches to Stairs? !Tamika Michelle: I want people to see that ANY obstacle can be climbed. Some people live life as victims, for all that read #lessonLearned, From Crutches to Stairs I want them to see that they no longer have to play that role.

!VMH: “From Crutches to Stairs” is a very unique, yet ‘telling’ subtitle, why crutched to stairs? !Tamika Michelle: I once used all my life challenges as crutches. My struggles were the reasons why I didn't complete certain things. One day I decided to make a change and use those same challenges as stairs to get me to the next level in life.

!VMH: Tell me more about your work outside of #LessonLearned? !Tamika Michelle: I’m also a certified life coach and mentor to many young people. I work with "at risk" youth in 4 local school districts. This work can be challenging but I often tell people it (the work) chose me; I had to heed the call. My coaching business is also quickly growing. It’s tough to build a business, work a 9-5, and raise my children but I have to do it. It was once said by my mentor Mr. Les Brown that, "most people fear dying and not fully living their calling." I refuse to die without reaching my dreams. I'm going to grind until all my dreams are reality.

!To learn more about Tamika Michelle visit her Facebook

or to purchase her new book #LessonLearned, From Crutches to Stairs visit: amazon.com

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Recording Artist Shirley Murdock

Ryan and Kysha Cameron

Recording Artist Tony Rich

5th Annual Legendary Awards

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Photography by Vikki Hankins & Garry Jones

!I n t r o d u c e d

b y Vi s i o n a r y, Rhonda Wilkins The Legendary Awards is an iconic ceremony to honor and celebrate living legends that have excelled and made significant contributions within their industries and communities locally, nationally or internationally.

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NFL Great Lawrence ‘LT’ Taylor

Recordng Artist Regina Bell

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

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-Thomas A. Edison

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The Shifting Sands of Employee Motivation Written by William M. Dann competitive and retain talent in today’s world. The important and obvious question is: How?

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I recently attended a speech by best-selling author Daniel Pink[1] in which he summarized research on shifts in employee motivators. The old “if-then motivators” of giving bonuses for the achievement of goals no longer work. Work has become too complex and is changing too rapidly for such simple formulas to be relevant and to motivate performance.

!The New Motivators !Pink described the motivators in today’s knowledge economy as being Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose.

Autonomy is the ability to define one’s own work; the tasks, the required time, the best technique and the best team required. Mastery means being afforded the time to make progress on improving one’s own work. Purpose entails knowing that the work being done has meaning or adds value in today’s world.

The Challenge

!When these new motivators are in play, employees become “engaged”.

Active engagement entails commitment to the organization’s goals and values, motivation to contribute to the organization’s success and a sense that doing so enhances their own well-being. In short, there is alignment between the goals of the employee and those of the organization.

!Old incentives and management were focused on gaining compliance. New incentives and management must shift to increasing engagement if an organization is to remain

!The New Management !According to 10 years of Gallup Poll data, a full 80% of

the workforce is at least somewhat engaged. Leaders and supervisors now must focus on practices that 1) get employees to competence and Autonomy quickly, 2) aid employee efforts to achieve Mastery and 3) continuously instill a sense of Purpose in the work being done.

!I propose that supervisors consider themselves “partners” that facilitate their employees achieving high performance, i.e. Mastery.

The acid test for any manager? If your employees do not improve their performance during a given period, then you have failed to add value to the organization during that period and are a cost without benefit.

!The road to adding value to your employees is paved with regular, frequent and meaningful conversations about performance, problems, ideas for improvement, and how as a supervisor you can support achieving employee goals.

Feedback is critical both to development of Mastery and to instilling/maintaining a sense of Purpose in work.

!These frequent interactions need to replace the annual

evaluation that is based on a judgment rather than partnership paradigm. In an age in which feedback is instant in almost all aspects of our life (e.g. ask a question of Google, instant answer; send a Tweet and the world responds), more frequent dialogue between supervisor and employee is essential.

I recommend that in each of these meetings, supervisors define steps they can take to help engaged employees achieve their goals. Those steps might include:

!• • • • • • •

Giving clearer direction re. needed outcomes, priorities, purpose of position More clearly defining what good performance would look like in for a given responsibility Providing more feedback on performance Granting more authority or autonomy for decision-making, problem solving, altering methods employed Making decisions needed by employees more rapidly Assuring that employees have the resources needed to succeed Giving more credit/appreciation for the results delivered, i.e. strengthening a sense of Purpose

!Added to these seven steps to increase engagement

should be a discussion of employee ideas of how to improve performance in their work area and how management can support those ideas.

!Managers tell me that regularly addressing these topics

can totally shift the organizational culture and the supervisor-employee relationship. It shifts the emphasis from manager to facilitator, from judge to partner. Such a shift is rewarding both for supervisor and employee and has huge potential for performance improvement.

!How to Handle the Disengaged !What do you do about those (<20%) who are not engaged? The “actively disengaged” have what is called a “Won’t Do” problem (i.e., they understand the assignment and have the skills, knowledge and authority to do it, they just won’t). For such individuals, best practices would involve diagnosing the problem early and then employing aggressive progressive discipline and/or career counseling to try and turn it around or remove the problem.

There are some instances in which “Won’t Do” employees can be turned around. Factors outside of work have de-motivated them about life, and a good supervisor can encourage success at work as a means to build toward success in life. However, many “Won’t Do” problems are difficult to reverse.

!More problematic is that “Won’t Do” problems are difficult to spot. “Won’t Do” employees cite numerous factors, none of which can be substantiated, that are causing their sub-par performance, i.e. they seek to define the problem as “Can’t Do” (i.e., the employee is eager but does not have appropriate training, skills or authority to do the work). They often appear busy, even joyful. But, they have a toxic impact on fellow workers. “Won’t Do” employees seek to give the supervisor responsibility for the problem. But, at the end of the day, data on their performance reveals the truth and that truth is that despite looking engaged, they are not producing real products.

!A major motivator for writing my recent book, Creating

High Performers, was to aid supervisors that find themselves wrapped around the axle by disengaged workers.

Such workers sow seeds of self-doubt in the supervisor and continuous thinking re. “What have I done wrong?” or “what could I have done or what can I do now to right the situation?”

!Summary !Actively partner with your engaged employees through

frequent conversations that search for ways to support employee goals of excelling in the organization. For those that don’t respond, examine carefully their production, not effort, statistics, confront them regarding the failing partnership and hold them responsible to confront the source of “won’t do” problems. In short, decrease the time you are spending spinning the wheels with “won’t do” problems and commit time to maximizing performance of those who are truly engaged.

![1] Pink, Daniel, To Sell is Human, Riverhead Books,

2012, Drive, Riverhead, 2011, A Whole New Mind, Riverhead, 2006 William Dann spent 13 years as a CEO before launching his consulting business, Professional Growth Systems, LLC, in 1981 – an organization that has served over 200 organizations in the US and abroad, using proprietary solutions to accelerate performance with as little time and resources as possible. Additionally, Dann has taught for several years at the graduate level at Boston University and is also the founder of BoardGrowth.com, a website devoted to advancing the effectiveness of governing boards.Learn more at www.professionalgrowthsystems.com

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RELEASE !

HEALING !

AND FINDING !! !

PURPOSE ! !

Coming August 17, 2015! ! !! !

Discovering Power

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Purpose & Fulfillment in a Road Travelled

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NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!! !

WWW.RELEASEPURPOSE.COM

Saving the Lives of Entertainers An Initiative Founded by LeVert CoFounder, Marc Gordon

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By Vikki Hankins

!Music, song and dance has a way of soothing the soul, carrying us through difficult times and it makes us get up and dance; ultimately it makes us feel good. So what if music and entertainment no longer existed – simply stopped; no one sang a song, rapped a rap or danced a dance? Think about it for a moment…

!In recent years all-time greats have stopped making music due to their untimely deaths. The world anticipated Michael Jackson’s This Is It Tour, while fans of Whitney Houston cheered for her role in the remake of the movie Sparkle. It goes without saying that these people are gifted and love their work, but their lives are being cut short unnecessarily due to unhealthy drug dependencies.

!Marc Gordon, founding member of the group LeVert has taken on the challenge of reversing (through awareness) the epidemic that is killing entertainers – the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs. He launched the SOEL Foundation (Saving Our Entertainers Lives) after becoming more aware of the issues surrounding prescription drugs. Deeply affected by the deaths of both Gerald and Sean Levert who were not only members of their group but also close friends, he’s taken action.

!In 2006 Gerald Levert died as a result fatal combination of prescription drugs, that included Vicodin, Percocet and Darvocet, along with anxiety medication Xanax and two over-the-counter antihistamines. The official cause of death was acute intoxication, and the death was ruled accidental. Less than two years later (2008) Sean Levert died in the Cuyahoga County Correctional Facility. County Coroner Frank Miller ruled that Levert (Sean) died from a combination of complications of sarcoidosis (an inflammatory disease), high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and withdrawal from Xanax.”

!After researching the information Marc says, “It’s the leading killer in America right

now…prescription medication. The #1 killer is car crashes… For years you would kind of lightweight see commercials about locking up your medication like the elderly to keep away from kids, because start experimenting with it early. I really hadn’t thought about it like that; it really didn’t apply to me.”

!“This drug situation is an “epidemic”. It used to be the illegal drugs on the street that

was killing people…I am just really trying to bring awareness to this music industry because a lot of these executive and these other people that really have the ‘juice’ to do things, they are not doing anything. There’s really no one out there for your basic entertainer.”

!Marc, Gerald and Sean (LeVert) were an overnight success, which included seven Producer Marc Gordon, (LeVert)

albums/cds, five scoring gold/platinum success and a #1 single on the “New Jack City” & “Coming to America” sound tracks. Memorable hits of LeVert include, (Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind; Casanova; My Forever Love; Just Coolin (featuring Heavy D); Baby I’m Ready and a host of others. LEVERT II, lives on through Marc Gordon and new member Blaq Rose.

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