Issuu

January - February 2016

Charlotteâ€™s African-American Magazine

...TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY?

Path Out of Poverty Ex-athlete beats the odds

Batter Up!

Bringing baseball back

CIAA Tournament

Calendar and special section

YOUR TRADITIONS

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PROUD TO GIVE BUSINESSES A LIFT CATS is proud to provide opportunities for businesses to create local jobs through the advancement of transit projects. CATS also seeks to create an environment that gives small and socially or economically challenged local businesses the opportunity to compete for publicly funded contracts by participating in the Small Business Opportunity (SBO) and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Programs. To date, 100 DBE firms have been awarded contracts of $76 million to help build the LYNX Blue Line Light Rail Extension. As the major provider of public transportation to Charlotte and the surrounding region, CATS relies on the communities we serve to build and operate the service every day. By working together on these new opportunities, we can all keep our communities moving in the right direction. For more information, visit ridetransit.org.

CATS. YOUR RIDE IS HERE.

Thinking about buying a home? Down payment and cost savings programs in the Charlotte area may help make home buying more affordable.

By Glenda Gabriel

Neighborhood Lending Executive, Bank of America If you’d like to buy a home, but you’re not sure you can afford the up-front costs, we have good news. Bank of America participates in many down payment and cost savings programs that can make buying a home more affordable.1 For eligible homebuyers, these programs can help pay for up-front expenses such as the down payment or closing costs.

Here are some resources to explore: The America’s Home Grant Program If you earn less than $52,800 per year, you may be eligible for the America’s Home Grant Program, offered by Bank of America.2 With this program, eligible homebuyers in the Charlotte area can receive a lender credit of up to $2,500 toward nonrecurring closing costs, such as title insurance and recording fees.

The Bank of America Down Payment Resource Center This online tool makes it easy to find out about federal, state and local down payment and cost savings programs. Just visit bankofamerica.com/downpaymentcenter and answer a few simple questions to see what programs you may qualify for.

Your local mortgage specialist If you’d like to know more about these programs, talk to a Bank of America mortgage specialist near you. Your specialist can give you more information, discuss your next steps and be there to help you every step of the way.

Down payment and/or closing cost assistance programs may not be available in your area. Down payment and/or closing cost assistance amount may be due upon sale, refinance, transfer, or repayment of the loan, or if the senior mortgage is assumed during the term of the loan. Some programs require repayment with interest, and borrowers should become fully informed prior to closing. Not all applicants will qualify. Minimum credit scores may apply. Sales price restrictions and income requirements may apply. Homebuyer education may be required. Owneroccupied properties only. Maximum loan amounts may apply. 2 Qualified borrowers must meet eligibility requirements including, but not limited to, being owner-occupants, meeting certain qualifying income limitations and purchasing a home within a certain geographical area. Homebuyer education will be required if all borrowers on an eligible loan are first-time homebuyers. The America’s Home Grant Program is a lender credit and is not eligible to be used for down payment, escrowed taxes or homeowner’s insurance. No cash back to borrower. Completed loan applications must be received by September 30, 2016. America’s 1

When you’re ready to buy, we’re here to help. ADVERTISEMENT

Homebuyers in the Charlotte area who earn less than $52,800 per year may be eligible for the America’s Home Grant Program. Eligible homebuyers can receive up to $2,500 toward nonrecurring closing costs. I’ll review the requirements with you to see if you’re eligible for the America’s Home Grant Program. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind: • Properties purchased through the program must be owner-occupied and located in an eligible area of the following counties:

You can count on me As your mortgage loan specialist, I will provide you with important details about America’s Home Grant Program and the Down Payment Resource Center. Then, we can discuss your next steps and help you find the home financing solution that meets your needs. If you’d like to learn more about the mortgage process, preparing for homeownership and other financial topics, you can easily access free online financial education at bankofamerica.com/webinars.

Connect with me to learn more

North Carolina: Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Union South Carolina: Chester, Lancaster and York When you request America’s Home Grant, you will receive a Letter of Understanding that explains the terms and conditions of the program. I’ll also go over the closing cost information with you so you can make a confident decision.

Wendell J. Hill

Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS ID: 119373 9115 Harris Corners Parkway, Suite 150 Charlotte, NC 28269 Direct: 704.494.2722 Mobile: 704.533.3235 mortgage.bankofamerica.com/wendellhill

Home Grant Program is available for properties in the following counties: North Carolina – Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Union; South Carolina – Chester, Lancaster and York. The maximum borrower/co-borrower annual qualifying income limit is $52,800 for properties not located in a low- to moderate-income census tract (LMICT). Qualifying income of $52,800 is 80% of Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) Area Median Income and subject to change without notice. For properties in eligible counties and located within a LMICT, the maximum borrower/co-borrower annual qualifying income limit is $100,000. The home loan must fund with Bank of America. America’s Home Grant Program is only available with conforming conventional, FHA and VA first mortgage loan products. Bank of America may change or discontinue the America’s Home Grant Program or any portion of it without notice. Please ask for additional details. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. ©2015 Bank of America Corporation. ARJMWJTD 09-2015 AD-09-15-0862.A

Pride Awards 2016 will present the Pride Triumph Award to Kasheena Townsend of Compass Group and the Youth Empowerment Award to Asia McLean of Phillip O. Berry High School. The Exodus Foundation.org will receive this year’s monetary donation. KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Janice Bryant Howroyd, NC A&T State University Graduate Founder and CEO of Act-1, a multi-billion-dollar staffing and employment firm

ENTERTAINMENT

Pride Blues Lounge featuring:

Pat “Mother Blues”Cohen, Queen of Bourbon Street

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016 • The Westin Charlotte Black Tie Reception - 6 PM • Dinner and Awards - 7 PM

Log on to www.prideawards.net to view the 2016 winners and for exciting updates. Call 704-375-9553 to sponsor or reserve seating.

2016 SPONSORS

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January-February 2016

Departments 10

From the CEO

12 Notable Names 13 By Faith 14 The Mindful Parent 16 Book Review 17 Family Notes 44 Scene and Seen 54 Events Calendar

Business

47 Nowâ€™s the Time

Tips for financial resolutions

48 Innovation at Work

Bizzy Kidz Kab Company

49 Marketing 101

The power of the press release

51 FYI News & Notes

Health 52 Get Fit Now

Randy Moss brings star power to boot camp

53 Sleep

Are you getting enough?

Features 21 Making

It Count Creative Player Sports Foundation

24 Do

Black Lives Really Matter to the Black Community?

35 Path

Out of Poverty Speaker transcends checkered past

37 CMPD

Chief Kerr Putney Engages with the community

39 Mark

Your Calendars Top events not to miss

42 An

Artist You Should Know Meet musician Kenneth Whalum

On the Cover Homicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the black community. Where is the outrage?

45 Brayboy

Communications Storytelling through video

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

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Charlotte’s African-American Magazine

CEO/Publisher Dee Dixon

Editor-in-Chief Lashawnda Becoats

Copy Editor Polly Paddock

Lead Writer Angela Lindsay

Design & Production SPARK Publications www.SPARKpublications.com

Creative Director Larry Preslar

Lead Designer Genna Baugh

Distribution/Web Site Liason Watchdog Entertainment www.watchdog-ent.com

Account Executive Nikelle Fesperman

Public Relations Nepherterra Estrada

Subscribe to Pride

$13.25. Please subscribe online at www.pridemagazine.net, mail to P.O. Box 30113, Charlotte, NC 28230 or call 704- 375-9553

Letters to the Editor Please send an e-mail to info@pridemagazine.net fax to 704-375-9550 or mail to Pride Magazine 402 W. Trade St., Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28202 www.pridemagazine.net

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

FromTheCEO

A Path to Something New By Dee Dixon

Breaking Tradition ife is short. That’s why I decided to break with the typical holiday tradition. No more Thanksgiving, and away with Christmas. At first, my family didn’t get it. Now, they believe. I put my plan into action by spending four days in Houston during Thanksgiving last year. I had never been there....didn’t know a soul. Then, I abolished all gift-giving for Christmas, except for fruit. Didn’t give Victoria and Chase (my grands) one thing. I’m serious. When the initial shock wore off, we were all fine and the love was still there. Happy days are here again! This year, I took a quick and cheap four day cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, during Thanksgiving. It was great. I took along some work, got some needed rest, exercised, ate some (mostly) healthy food and did a lot of people-watching on the ship. People seemed to watch me, too, because the idea of a woman traveling without a male companion seemed beyond comprehension to most. I explained I was not alone, as I had me, myself and Jesus --thank you very much. Anyway, Cozumel is a nice little island where I learned more about the ancient Mayan culture and cacao -- their super food (known as chocolate to most of us). I “kind of” knew where chocolate came from, but now I really know. It comes from a fruit tree and has lots of health benefits in its natural state. I’ve added the real cacao (ka-kow) to my diet and actually invited family over for hot cacao during Christmas and that’s all (chuckle, chuckle).

WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE? In our September 2015 issue, we addressed the 10 leading causes of death in the Black community. To our dismay, homicide continues to be one of them, and we promised to take a closer look in our January issue --- see page 24. The rate at which Black men are killing each other throughout the nation AND right here in Charlotte is beyond comprehension! It’s sad. Needless. Scary. Godless. Barbaric. Stupid. It’s a big, big problem, so I ask my

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

Cozumel, Mexico

On December 5 we held our first annual ABCs of Wealth Summit at Johnson C. Smith University.

people, “Where is the outrage in our own community?” Sure, it’s a societal issue. No, we did not get the “40 acres and a mule,” and yes, we can point to slavery, racial discrimination, hate and a bevy of other evils that have entrapped and hindered us; however, all of these things don’t and won’t justify the hate we harbor for our own race and everyone else, as well. The total disregard and disrespect for human life is astounding. We can talk this up and down and back and forth all day long, to no avail, because, ladies and gentlemen, I believe it’s a spiritual problem and must be dealt with thusly. Please see what The Rev. Dwayne Bond says about it on page 13. The Racial Wealth Gap Did you know (according to a report from the Institute for Policy Studies) the richest 100 U.S. citizens have as much

wealth as ALL of the nation’s 42 million African Americans??? Breathe and let it sink in. There’s tons of research out there showing how financially bankrupt we are. We should be outraged….not because we have been discriminated against, and not because we didn’t get our “40 acres and a mule.” Let’s face it, reparations just “ain’t gonna” happen. We should be outraged because we haven’t helped ourselves and each other. This is why we held our first annual ABCs of Wealth Summit on December 5. We had a packed house at Johnson C. Smith University on a Saturday morning! Terry Colen and Bruce Richardson of Blackbridge Financial, along with Shawn Williams of M&F Bank Wealth Management, broke things down for us mightily. It was “financial church,” if you will. You really should have been there! It’s well known and documented that we (African Americans ) are big-time spenders. This has to stop, if we are to move forward. Again I say, it’s a spiritual problem. More to come.... Pride Awards 2016 Please don’t forget about the Pride Awards on January 16 at the Westin. Come see how our theme, “Paths out of Poverty,” will shake down. Much appreciation to our presenting sponsors, Bank of America, Carolinas Healthcare and Wells Fargo, and to our supporting sponsors: Belk, Food Lion, Compass Group, The Charlotte Observer, WCNC, Radio One and the Westin. In conclusion, I pray that 2016 will be a year of redemption for our people. I pray we will seek the one and only true and living God, so that He might direct our paths and that we might receive His wisdom and guidance in all we say and do. I pray we will begin to put God first in our finances, then save and give more while spending less on things we don’t need. I pray we find the courage, the time and the fortitude to help keep our young men and women from falling into paths leading to destruction. P

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NotableNames By Deborah Bayliss

MUNRO RICHARDSON

ALYSIA D. OSBORNE

LISA HOFFMAN

MARILYN BALDWIN RICHARDS

Munro Richardson brings dedication to literacy into his new position as executive director of Read Charlotte, a collaborative, community-wide movement to double the percentage of Mecklenburg County third graders reading at grade level from 40 percent in 2015 to 80 percent in 2025. Richardson holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, master’s degrees from both Harvard and Oxford University (where he was a Rhodes Scholar) and a PhD from the University of Illinois. He comes to Charlotte from Kansas City and joined Read Charlotte in April last year. “Reading is one of the greatest predictors of success in school and in life,” he said. “It is a great privilege to lead this initiative to impact the lives of thousands of children across Mecklenburg County.” P

Lisa Hoffman, McColl Center for Art + Innovation’s associate director, is now a member of the National Museum and Library Services Board, an advisory body that includes members of the public with expertise in, or commitment to, library or museum services. U.S. President Barack Obama made the announcement last summer. “This is an incredible honor, and I feel blessed and privileged to have received this appointment,” she said. “None of this happens without the collective efficacy of my team at McColl Center and the great work each of them does every day.” Hoffman holds a master’s degree in biology and a bachelor’s degree in botany from Howard University and has numerous accolades and awards, including Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award. P

Alysia D. Osborne was named director of Charlotte’s Historic West End by Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP). Osborne joins CCCP from the CharlotteMecklenburg Planning Department, where she worked for eight years as a planning coordinator in the long range planning division. “I am so excited to take on such an important community-building initiative in the Historic West End,” said Osborne. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with the residents and business owners in Historic West End to propel economic growth that will be good for all of Charlotte.” Osborne holds a bachelor’s degree in political science/pre-law from Tougaloo College and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning with an emphasis in environment/land use law from Jackson State University. P

Marilyn Baldwin Richards, area development director, United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Charlotte office, was honored by the Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation in partnership with the Countywide Community Development Corporation, with the Booker T. WashingtonJulius Rosenwald Humanitarian Award for her lifetime accomplishments and dedication in promoting the value of education and the benefits of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). “It is a joy to serve UNCF, our students and our member institutions. I am honored to receive this distinguished recognition for my work to create Better Futures® for our students and --through their success for us all,” said Baldwin Richards about the honor. P

DID YOU KNOW? In the late 1850s, Benjamin Montgomery invented a variable angle propeller which allowed steamboats to operate in shallow water.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

ByFaith

From Unresolved Rage to Heartfelt Repentance

By Rev. Dr. Dwayne Bond

or over three decades, homicide has been ravaging and raging within the inner city of Black America and robbing young men of promising, productive and propitious futures. Crushed by the sudden and senseless loss of life, brokenhearted mothers fight to maintain their sanity as the streets take their young men to an early grave. Why are so many young Black men killing one another in recordsetting numbers within the majority of urban centers? What is precipitating the proclivity to violent behavior in the ‘hood? Is there hope for urban America? There are no simple answers to the plight of homicide within urban America, but giving attention to family life, leadership, faith and unresolved anger would be a great place to begin. With most households being led by underemployed and undereducated single mothers, young men have become misguided by their peers, callous to maternal instruction and raised by the streets. Many fathers have abdicated their responsibilities to love, discipline, train and equip their sons; therefore, young men have developed into pseudo-leaders who pride themselves on their ability to hustle and survive. Instead of trusting in God, they have turned their hearts toward the god of possessions, power and prestige, in hopes of gaining significance, value and a future. Angered from unresolved identity issues and a lack of emotional intelligence, they respond to their inability to make life work with hostility and criminality. Despite the tragedy of homicide, the scripture offers hope for urban America. God has created men and women in His image to bring Him glory. Additionally, God has established the family structure, to include a loving father and a nurturing mother. Yet the sin of the first man (Adam) and woman (Eve) changed the course of humanity. Instead of Adam leading in the home, he gave in to the temptation to abdicate his leadership and settle for disengaged passivity. Consequently, Eve was tempted to distrust her husband and by default become the primary leader in the home (Genesis 3:1-6). This wasn’t God’s

original design. Instead of humanity turning their hearts to God in repentance and faith, passive men (like Adam) and overburdened women (like Eve) blame each other and run from God. Yet God in His grace pursues sinful men and women, hoping to woo them to trust and depend on Him by faith. A horrific outcome of the sinful negligence and passivity of the father, Adam, was his oldest son, Cain, committing homicide against his own flesh and blood. Having felt unacceptable to God, Cain turned to jealousy of his brother and became angry at God. “The Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?” (Genesis 4:6) Although God in His grace and mercy pursued Cain even in his sin, hoping that he would turn to Him and repent, Cain took matters in his own hand and killed his only brother, Abel. Despite the homicide, God sought to engage Cain to hold him accountable for his brother’s wellbeing and whereabouts. “Then the Lord

said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?’ ”(Genesis 4:9) Cain responded with a callous disinterest and sarcasm and was unfortunately cursed by God. Even though Cain refused to turn to God with remorse and sorrowful repentance for his actions, what if young Black men began turning to God by faith? What if the message of hope for sinners who feel unacceptable to God was given to a generation of misguided and confused young men? As God’s heart continues to break over the plight of young African-American men, what if young men surrendered to Christ’s loving pursuit of them? May God use the church to offer young Black men the opportunity to turn to God in repentance by faith before homicide leads our community in an expeditious path toward extinction. P The Rev. Dwayne Bond is the lead pastor of Wellspring Church.

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

TheMindfulParent

Don’t Silence the Alarm:

By Shavonda Bean

Adolescents and Mental Illness Learn to recognize the signs to determine when behaviors are not just a “phase”:

• Anyone can feel moody or sad for a few days, but when symptoms last for several weeks, seek professional help. In adolescents, depression can present itself as irritability, anger, loss of concentration and interest and lack of motivation. Erratic, impulsive, extreme shifts in moods could signal a mood disorder. • Anxiety can be normal for some children;, however, 80 percent of children with diagnosable anxiety are not getting treatment, based on 2015 research from the Child Mind Institute. When common shyness turns into fear, avoidance or worrying more than other children the same age, an anxiety disorder could be present. • A child or teen who starts to isolate and become overly suspicious of others, has difficulty organizing his or her thoughts or speech and has decreasing concern about appearance or hygiene, along with unusual thoughts or perceptions, could be showing early signs of psychosis.

he blaring alarm sounds, and Josh hears a faint voice in the distance. Sleep has evaded him for another night. He hasn’t quite mastered the responsibility of getting out of bed for school on his own, so his mom serves as his official wake-up call. Josh finally makes his way from the grips of the bed, and before he knows it, he’s sitting in class. His teacher’s voice fades. He struggles to regain focus as another assignment appears on his desk. Instead of doing his work, he finds it is much easier to get a laugh out of the kid next to him and give his teacher a hard time. Josh hates school. He knows he can do better, but internally, he isn’t motivated and the only highlight of his day will be getting back to his room to escape the demands of the world. Josh feels lost. There isn’t much to look forward to. He doesn’t talk about it. Instead,

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

There is something you can do: he goes through the motions for yet another day. Josh is battling depression. Like so many other adolescents, he suffers in silence. This silence elevates the risks for adolescent drug use and experimentation, risky behavior, aggression, school suspension, and, in the worst cases, leads to suicide. If adults have difficulty fighting the stigma of mental illness, imagine the challenge faced by the adolescent who wants to fit in with his peers. Silence and denial are often the road taken. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that just over 20 percent of adolescents ages 13 to 18 will experience a debilitating mental illness. Several mental illnesses, such as attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder, are commonly diagnosed, while other serious conditions such as teenage depression and anxiety disorders often go unnoticed and untreated.

• If you’re a teen and you feel something could be wrong, it’s best to ask for help from a parent, teacher, doctor or school counselor. • Having depression, anxiety or other mental health symptoms does not mean you or your child have failed or done something wrong. Anyone can experience these symptoms. • Supporting your child or adolescent is critical. Seek assistance from a mental health professional if you have concerns. Some offer phone consultations. Kids such as Josh need someone to notice their struggle. Our youths don’t have to suffer in silence while waiting for the alarm to sound. P Shavonda Bean, is a licensed psychological associate and owner of Essential Assessments & Behavioral Health. Visit www.EssentialHealthNC.com for more information.

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BookReview

By Angela Haigler

“The Returned” by Jason Mott

ou may be familiar with the ABC series, “The Resurrection,” about loved ones who return from the dead, starring Omar Epps. You may not have realized that the series was based on a book by Jason Mott, an AfricanAmerican man. Mott’s debut novel, “The Returned,” is much better than the nowcancelled series, although the first season of the TV show wasn’t terrible. “The Returned” is a gripping, suspenseful masterpiece with incredibly memorable characters who are faced with an intriguing premise: What would happen if their deceased loved ones came back to life? The story centers on an elderly couple whose son returns at the age of 8, the same age as when he drowned in a tragic accident. His parents have already grieved and moved on, so how do they cope with their feelings about their newfound boy? African-American Agent Martin Bellamy is sent to investigate the occurrence in fictional small-town Arcadia, and he develops a special relationship with the family. Meanwhile, others are “returning” all across the nation, causing something of an emergency. Mott’s poetic sensibilities are evident as his images take life across the page with metaphoric elegance. His stellar storytelling skills keep you captivated until the very end. The sign of a good story? You feel as though you’ve lost a friend when it ends. “The Returned” does just that. Mott had just finished his latest novel, “The Wonder of All Things,” and was about to head out on a book tour to promote it when we caught up with him for a telephone interview. Pride: What gave you the idea for your novel, “The Returned”? Mott: My mother passed away in 2001. I had a vivid dream that she was at the kitchen table, talking to me about all the things that had happened since she died, including my desire to be a writer. She was

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

Wilmington and graduated in 2006 with a BFA in fiction. I then went to graduate school at UNC Wilmington to get an MFA in poetry in 2008. I worked at Verizon Wireless, writing every night after work for four years. I sent my work out to several agents and one showed an interest. Things progressed from there and I got my first book deal. Pride: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Jason Mott

very supportive. When I woke up the next morning, I couldn’t get our conversation out of my head. I shared my dream with a friend who said, “Wow, what if this really happened?” And the story idea was born. Pride: What was it like having your book optioned for a TV series? Do you think they got it right? Mott: It was great. I didn’t have much to do with the television script because I wanted to focus on writing novels. The first season, I felt like the book and the TV show were fairly similar, but the following season, they took a different turn. It was disappointing that the series didn’t continue, but I was grateful for the opportunity. Pride: What’s your writing background? How did you get started? Mott: I was born and raised in Bolton, NC, which has a population of about 600 people. I’ve lived there my entire life and still do. I was inspired by “Grendel,” a novel by John Gardner. So I started writing a few stories every year. I was 22 when my mother passed, and it hit me that life is short, so you should pursue your dreams. I went to community college, enrolled in UNC

Mott: One thing I’ve learned is that if you want to be a full-time writer, you have to understand that writing is a business. When you are writing, it’s art, but once you have finished the work and seek publication, your art becomes a product that is for sale. Making that transition wasn’t easy for me, but I completely understand it now. P

FamilyNotes

Compiled by Lee McCracken

Underwater Ballet Get your tickets early for “Little Mermaid” and dive in with the whole family for some under-the-sea fun with the Charlotte Ballet. This Hans Christian Andersen tale comes to life onstage at the Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, March 11-26, with imaginative choreography and beautiful new sets and costumes. Tickets start at $25. For more details, visit CharlotteBallet.org.

Got Horse? Skunk? These animal varieties are God-made, but the kind of heroin teens refer to as “horse” is inexpensive and easy to obtain. The use of black tar heroin is on the rise in Charlotte, across all racial and socioeconomic high school populations. And “skunk” is the code word for spice, or synthetic marijuana —a mix of herbs (shredded plant material) and man-made chemicals with mind-altering effects; it is neither natural nor safe. January 26-February 1 is National Drug Facts Week. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) offers extensive information and free resources for teens, parents and teachers online at http://teens. drugabuse.gov. NIDA for Teens provides extensive facts about drugs and the brain, as well as information to help teens support their friends in living drug-free. The website also enlightens parents about the various choices of drugs available to teens today. P

New Titles for Black History Month Engage children with compelling and hot-off-the-press tales of African-American heroes and history this winter. • “Who Was Maya Angelou?” by Ellen Labrecque (releases January 12 by Grosset & Dunlap; ages 8-12). Did you know that before her poems and books brought her international acclaim, Maya Angelou was the first black—and first female—streetcar operator in California, before she became a dancer? In her 20s, Angelou toured the United States and Europe as an opera star and calypso dancer. • “Freedom in Congo Square” by Carole Boston Weatherford (released January 5 by Little Bee Books; ages 4-8). This vibrantly crafted poetic, nonfiction book for small children is about a little-known piece of African-American history in New Orleans. • “I Am Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Brad Meltzer (released January 5 by Dial Books; ages 5-8). Part of the Ordinary People Change the World series, this beautifully illustrated book was written by the New York Times bestselling author of “Heroes for My Son, Heroes for My Daughter,” who also hosts two shows on the History Channel. • “Who Was Michael Jackson?” by Megan Stine (released December 29, 2015 by Grosset & Dunlap; ages 8-12). This music legend and unique performer became part of The Jackson 5 with his older brothers before he was 8, and he had a pitch-perfect voice and footwork that his idol Fred Astaire admired.

Your Baby and Whooping Cough Research from out of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently revealed that when a baby comes down with whooping cough, it’s likely that a sibling is the source, according to an article from HealthDay News published in September. For years, cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, have been rising in the United States, and older children and teenagers are accounting for a growing proportion of cases. Physicians switched from giving the traditional whooping cough vaccine to DTaP in the 1990s, out of concern about rare neurological problems linked to the older vaccine, reported the CDC researcher. But DTaP doesn’t last as long. The CDC estimates that whooping cough immunity slowly diminishes each year after a child’s final dose (given around age 5), and if a child catches whooping cough, he or she can pass it along to an infant sibling. Of babies younger than 1 year who get whooping cough, half end up in the hospital. A newborn’s immune system is too immature to receive the DTaP vaccine right away. A first dose is given around two months, followed by doses at four, six and 15 to 18 months, with a final dose given between ages 4 and 6. Pregnant women are encouraged to discuss this with their doctors, to choose what’s the best way to protect their children. The CDC researcher says it’s best for a mother-to-be to protect her infant by having a whooping cough booster shot, Tdap, during her third trimester of pregnancy, so the baby is born with some of her immune system antibodies against the infection.

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

Anthony Savoy and Ingrid Silva, photo by Rachel Neville

A Cultural Collaboration Presented to the Community by:

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March 1-6 Booth Playhouse AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

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704.372.1000 â€¢ BlumenthalArts.org Group Sales: 704.348.5752

July 5-10 Belk Theater AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

BRINGING

Baseball BACK TO THE ‘HOOD

By Tonya Jameson Photos courtesy of Richard Rudisill Photography

orris Madden is fighting an uphill battle-- getting and keeping Black boys interested in baseball. Madden is co-founder and president of Carolinas Metro. It’s an organization that mentors kids using baseball. The goal is to teach kids how to play, and more importantly to prepare them for adulthood. The organization also addresses another need -- exposing Black youths to baseball. African Americans dominate professional football and basketball, but not baseball. Nearly 70 years after Jackie Robinson integrated baseball, the sport struggles to draw African-American boys. It’s an odd development, considering that Blacks have a rich baseball history. In the 1800s, the Negro League brought communities together when teams such as the Baltimore Black Sox and Brooklyn Royal Giants travelled the country playing other Black teams. The games were gathering places for African Americans. Interest in the Negro League resurfaced in the early 2000s with a line of hats and clothing. Everyone from celebrities to everyday people could be seen wearing shirts or hats emblazoned with the name of a Negro League team. Negro league star Satchel Paige was almost as recognizable a name as legends Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. More recent black stars include Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter and Ken Griffey Jr. Yet, today less than 10 percent of Major League baseball players are Black, compared to nearly 80 percent of NBA players and about 65 percent of NFL players. “The price tag has been too high and the interest level too low,” said Ken Pulliam,

regarding the dwindling numbers of Black baseball players. Pulliam played baseball at North Carolina A&T University and he co-founded a predominantly Black and Latino youth team, Queen City Monarchs, in 2009. Pulliam, Tracy Gibbs and Ollie Dancy created the team to give kids a chance to get additional practice, training and development opportunities needed to compete against higher-level competition. Playing on an elite team (often called a showcase or travel team) is the best way for a child to pursue a dream of playing professional baseball. The sport has changed, and AfricanAmerican youths are being left behind. Youth baseball isn’t the game most people grew up playing in the neighborhood. Kids start in recreational leagues, but the good ones quickly move on to elite teams, often as early as age 9. These teams require league fees, tournament fees and the cost of traveling. Then there’s the cost of actually playing the sport. Equipment can average $500 (a regulation bat can cost as much as $300). Parents often pay for specialized coaches to improve their son’s agility and skills necessary to play specific positions. In his 20 years as a coach, Pulliam has watched the number of Black youths participating in baseball decrease. He hopes to generate more support for Madden’s Carolina Metro, based in west Charlotte. The program, started in 2006, makes the sport more affordable. Unlike other elite teams, Madden and the coaching staff accept players of all ability levels. The team is also affiliated with Major League baseball’s RBI (Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities) program. Carolinas Metro emphasizes working

with disadvantaged boys and girls. Along with teaching the players how to play the game, Carolinas Metro also teaches life skills, such as health and wellness training, dealing with peer pressure, personal hygiene and college preparation. “The win for us is not for them to play baseball at the next level. It’s for them to go to college,” said Madden. Added Pulliam, “He’s using baseball as a vehicle to produce good citizens, productive human beings.” It’s a unique approach to teaching the game in a city in which baseball is big business. Baseball is a year-round sport that includes the regular baseball season and off-season training that can cost $600 for a five-week session. Individual lessons can cost $50 per 30 minutes. Add up those costs, along with the others mentioned above, and baseball quickly prices out low-income AfricanAmerican youths. In addition, the low number of professional African-American baseball players makes the sport less appealing to Black youths and fans. The players in Jeff McNeely’s Charlotte Megastars are diverse. His organization targets African-American youths. McNeely played outfield for the Boston Red Sox in the mid-‘90s. His teams, with players ages 9-18, allows athletes to play their preferred position, he said. Many elite teams tend to put Black players in the outfield, he said. Charlotte Megastars coaches teach the athletes the skills necessary to play the positions that they want to play, he said. “I’d like to get as many African Americans as possible,” McNeely said. “My goal is to attract African Americans and to January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

Athletes discuss life skills during the 2015 winter workout classroom session.

him interested in baseball. “It definitely was a bonding thing,” Dancy said. “The first time I ever threw was with him. After that, I just loved the game. Throwing with him and practicing with him really got me to where I am today.” Dancy committed to playing for UNC Chapel Hill when he graduates. He played for Queen City Monarchs, which his dad coached. Not only did Dancy get strong coaching, but he also bonded with his fellow teammates, who were predominantly Hispanic and Black. For once, he wasn’t the only Black kid. “We were all just really good friends. We would come to my house and play basketball games after practice or go to dinner afterwards,” he said. It’s an experience that will stick with

Photo courtesy of the Dancy Family.

get them to love and like the game.” John Dancy is a rarity. He’s Black, he’s a pitcher and he plays baseball in high school. The Ardrey Kell junior grew up tossing a baseball in the backyard with his dad, Ollie. Dancy, and credits his father with for getting

Pitcher John Dancy

him on his baseball journey. It’s also an experience that Madden provides for the kids on Carolinas Metro teams. Whether the boys started playing in the backyard with their dads or on Madden’s team, they learn a valuable lesson -- baseball can be more than a game. It can teach camaraderie, friendship, teamwork, determination and accountability. The lessons of the game are lessons for life. P

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Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

MakingItCount

A Common Goal

Foundation Uses Soccer to Uplift Communities By Edward Henderson

occer is the ultimate team sport. While some individual’s skill shines above others’, success at the highest level requires everyone involved operating as a cohesive unit. Former professional player Daniel Araujo uses this philosophy not only to motivate and inspire inner-city youths in Charlotte through the Creative Player Sports Foundation, but also to reach their families to build a stronger community.

Path to the Pros When he was a youth in Montevideo, Uruguay, soccer wasn’t just a sport; it was an institution. Araujo’s passion for the game was fueled by this truth at an early age. “When you come home from school, you get a soccer ball and go outside and start playing soccer in the street until late night,” said Araujo. In many South American countries, potential athletes begin their development at 5 to12 years old. After the age of 12,

many try out for a professional team’s youth program. Araujo excelled thorough the process and decided to skip college to make his professional debut at 19. “I wasn’t thinking about what could be done with school, also,” said Araujo. “Back then, my dream was to reach my highest potential with a soccer ball so I could help myself and my family.” Araujo enjoyed a successful career, playing alongside talented players and coaches. He would eventually make the leap to fame and fortune in Europe’s Premiere League.

Creative Player is Born After his playing days were over, Araujo moved to Charlotte with his wife and daughter in 2005 to work for a professional Mexican club recruiting players born in America with Mexican parents. He later met his current business partner and Creative Player founder, John Pietak, who shared a similar vision for learning systems and philosophies surrounding youth soccer. Araujo used his extensive soccer knowledge to build a curriculum, exercise methodology and training sessions for the company’s SouthPark location. After noticing a disturbing trend surrounding the lack of opportunities for low-income children to become involved in soccer, Araujo started the Creative Player Sports Foundation in 2013. The program opens the door for youths who can’t afford to play soccer or to be trained under elite programming and receive life skills beyond the field.

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

Photo courtesy of Creative Player Sports Foundation Photo courtesy of Creative Player Sports Foundation

“I wanted to do something for the inner city and underprivileged kids because, unfortunately, here in America, soccer is very expensive,” said Araujo. “My idea was to use the soccer ball as a tool of education.”

A Universal Language The foundation’s facility, called the Creative Player Sports Complex, is located on Wilkinson Boulevard. After school, program attendees arrive at the facility,

have a snack, do homework and begin their training for the day. Most of the children are from the Latino community around the South Boulevard corridor, and the facility offers English as a Second Language courses for students and their families. The foundation prides itself on bringing diverse communities together from both Creative Player locations to share their common love for soccer. “We do not segregate, we

Above, Araujo takes pride in using his experience as a professional soccer player to instill leadership qualities and genuine love into the lives of his students. Left, Araujo (seated far left) and the Creative Player Foundation cater to children from all ethnic backgrounds embodying their slogan ‘soccer has no language’.

“We do not segregate, we integrate. Instead of having these kids by themselves, we bring everyone together. That’s the beauty of the program. Everybody is trained under the same methodology. Soccer doesn’t have a language.”

Photo courtesy of Creative Player Sports Foundation

—Daniel Araujo, Creative Player Sports Foundation

The Creative Player teaching module focuses on the fundamentals of soccer to prepare youth for the greatest success they can achieve within the sport.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

integrate,” said Araujo. “Instead of having these kids by themselves, we bring everyone together. That’s the beauty of the program. Everybody is trained under the same methodology. Soccer doesn’t have a language.” Araujo often gets letters from teachers and principals from schools about the improvement the students are making while being involved with the program. “If everybody does their part, we are going to live in a better community and a least give the kids a chance and a shot to know if they do achieve success in life,” he said. P For more information, visit creativeplayersports.com

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...TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY?

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

By Angela Lindsay

he refrain has been resounding. On the news. On social media. On T-shirts and signs. “Black Lives Matter.” We’ve heard all about the police killings of unarmed Black men. But to many people, the homicide rate within the Black community is cause for just as much, if not more, concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists homicide as the number one cause of death for Black males ages 15 to 34. Black-on-Black crime, in particular, is “very, very high” in Charlotte, says Detective Garry McFadden, a retired 20-year veteran of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department who has since returned to working there. “The typical age that we see the most violent crime is 16-24. That was back in 2011 and 2012. I can tell you now the age has dropped, because we’re seeing younger kids with guns and younger victims,” he says, adding that in 2012-2013 there were 58 Blacks killed in Charlotte by other Black people. When it comes to whether he feels Black lives really matter to the Black community, his answer is simple: No.

“If [they] did, why didn’t anybody march this weekend?” he questions, referring to a rash of black on black shootings last fall. “All the murders that have happened in Charlotte since (Officer Randall) Kerrick’s case were Black victims,” he says. Given the startling numbers, the first question to ask is: Why? Says Willie Ratchford, executive director of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee: “There are multiple reasons for this in the Black community, including high unemployment rates, low high school graduation rates; and the failure of some Black males, and others, to realize that education is the key to a successful future; a sense of hopelessness in many of our neighborhoods; drugs in the community; the growing prevalence of gangs and young people who might be fascinated with that lifestyle; mental illness; and in some instances bad people who have no sense of worth for themselves or the lives they might end up destroying.”

“The violence is continued, but nobody addresses it because we do not want to bring shame on the AfricanAmerican community. So, we don’t address it, and we don’t talk about it, because ‘How dare you talk about Black-on-Black crime?” — Detective Garry McFadden

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

George Wilkerson is a program manager of Gang Alternative Principles (GAP), a youth life skills and decision-making program for males ages 13 to 17. He says many of his participants have ended up in the court system at a young age as a result of poor decision-making while they are with a group of their peers. This need for “acceptance and security” may often be due to a lack of positive role models or ineffectual community support, he says. “In the African-American community, everybody has a 501c3, a LLC and a mentoring group. Why aren’t there mentoring groups in Asian, white and other communities?” says McFadden. “What are we doing? We’re going to Carowinds. We got the Stop the Violence rallies. We have all the politicians come out and they say their wonderful words and guess what? We’re right back in the same shoes that we’ve been in.” He feels the Black-on-Black crime rate is getting worse in a sense because America has “hyped up” police brutality and Black-on-Black crime, but fails to address the real issues. “The violence is continued, but nobody addresses it because we do not want to bring shame on the African-American community. So, we don’t address it, and we don’t talk about it, because ‘How dare you talk about Black-on-Black crime?,’” he says. McFadden explains that he has been to too many forums where the topic is “Know Your Rights,” but feels they do little to reduce crime in the city, invoking this past Labor Day weekend when 12 people of color were shot and five of them died. “Where does ‘know your rights’ play into that?” he questions. Ratchford believes that the crime rate would be much lower if we worked to get all citizens to understand that public safety is not just the responsibility of police officers, but rather the responsibility of citizens and police officers working together. “We have too many instances, especially in some parts of the Black community, where we may be aware of crime and who the criminals are; however, we don’t report it because

GARRY

MCFADDEN

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

GEORGE

WILKERSON

we don’t want to be perceived as a ‘snitch’ by others in our community,” he says. “This does not make sense. If a drug dealer is destroying lives in our community, then we all have a moral obligation to ourselves, our families and our fellow citizens to report it. A failure to do so gives permission to criminals to wreak havoc in our neighborhoods.” Ratchford’s suggestions to help decrease the violence include having more Black men involved in the lives of young Black men, education, jobs, improved police community relations, teaching young people to respect life and themselves, improved parenting and more involvement in the church. But McFadden is just as clear about what real solutions are not. “You’re not going to solve it in a forum, and you’re not going to solve it with the men’s boys group that’s gonna meet every third Saturday out of the month,” he says. “No. You need weekly, multiple days of the week, transactions with these kids. Consistent. And we’re not consistent with it.” Adds Ratchford, “We have multiple issues of black on black crime or blacks causing harm and damage to other blacks on a daily basis, and at times it seems that we have become so accustomed to that dynamic that it just doesn’t register to us when it happens time and time and time again. This has to stop. “Blacks lives do matter. And when we push forth the mantle that ‘Black Lives Matter,’’ we should not be rebuffed by those who would put that mantle down by saying that ‘All Lives Matter.’ All lives do matter; however, all lives are not at the same degree of risk as Black lives, especially the lives of young Black males. Maybe a better caption would be ‘Black Lives Matter Too’.” P Editor’s Note: Look for Part Two of Do Black Lives…. Really Matter to the Black Community? in the March issue. We’ll explore local organizations working on solutions.

WILLIE

RATCHFORD

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JCSU MEN’S BASKETBALL

welcome

to the

home of the

ciaa championships 2009, 2008, 2001

CIAA men’s finals Appearances: 2006, 2002, 1998, 1992, 1974, 1964, 1961, 1952

JCSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ciaa championships 2009

CIAA women’s finals Appearances: 2012, 2011, 2008, 2006 2003, 1989

CIAA Hall of Fame Stephen Joyner Sr. ‘73 head men’s coach-2014Mark Sherrill ‘92 assistant men’s coach-2016

Stephen Joyner Sr. Winningest Active Coach in the CIAA

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Public Speaker

Transcends Checkered Past By Edward Henderson

Photo courtesy of Tommy Watson

cientists once conducted an experiment involving fruit flies inside a glass jar. After the flies were in the closed jar for awhile, the top was removed. Due to their prior restrictions, however, the flies never traveled outside the open jar, thinking the top was still there. For public speaker Dr. Tommy Watson, his proverbial glass jar came in the form of the 10x16 motel room that he, his five siblings and his drug addict parents lived in. For many, these circumstances create a cycle of misfortune and despair. However, athletics, determination and a passion for education made Watson an anomaly who transcended his restrictions to fly to new heights. He now uses his story to help others do the same.

Tommy Watson

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

Nightmare Childhood

celebrate COMUNIDAD

The Latino population in the South has grown by 60% over the past 15 years. Discover the surprising ways Latinos and the South are influencing each other at ¡NUEVOlution! — Levine Museum’s newest exhibit featuring the powerful, personal stories behind the statistics. Join us and explore the newest New South.

Watson was born in the Five Points area of Denver, Colorado. The city’s struggles with drugs and violence were reflected in Watson’s home. In his first year of birth, Watson’s mother was arrested 11 times and both parents were heroin addicts and professional shoplifters. The family moved around often. It was a very unstable environment. “Life was really tough at that time,” said Watson. “My only goal as a third grader was to join a local gang, which I thought was going to bring me some fulfillment and connection I was missing at that time.” The lowest point of Tommy’s adolescence came when he was an eighth grader, he and his family lived in the 10x16 motel room for a year. Watson could have let his surroundings dictate the rest of his life and followed the pipeline towards gang life and drug addiction, much like his parents and eventually some of his siblings. Or he could choose a different path. “I remember telling myself that this isn’t going to be my future,” said Watson.

Athletics and Education Present a Way Out

Now showing!

Presented to the community by

JOIN US! January 17 & 18 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Celebration An annual community event and tradition! Honor Dr. King’s life and legacy, and explore the pursuit of civil and human rights through film, performances, family activities, exhibits and more.

Free admission both days

www.museumofthenewsouth.org

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

Watson’s talent for football was noticed by Peter Levine, the head coach at J.K. Mullen High School. Levine recruited Watson and other athletes to attend the majority-white Catholic school, which was a three hour bus ride from Five Points. “We had to learn how to live in between two worlds,” said Watson. “The white kids were afraid of us, because they saw our neighborhood on the news. It wasn’t until we started to have great success in the area of football that they began to open up to us.” Watson went on to play running back for the University of Minnesota under a full scholarship; however an injury derailed his dreams of one day playing in the NFL. “Once the injury occurred, I really forced myself to buckle down and get my degree. I couldn’t go back to the situation I grew up in,” said Watson. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree in housing and community development from the University of Minnesota. He also achieved his master’s degree in education administration, another advanced degree in K-12 education and his doctorate of education and leadership with an emphasis on organizational change from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Present Day

Watson currently lives in Charlotte, where he inspires individuals and companies with his story of overcoming life’s setbacks through his business, T.A Watson Speaking, Coaching and Consulting. He’s authored two books and has a passion for uplifting others to achieve success. “I try to encourage people to embrace change, stay faithful in the process and know you can make it out in the back end,” said Watson. “Any transition you come through in life, you can turn into a triumph.” Visit tawatson.com to learn more about Watson’s story and services. P

Kerr Putney Engages CMPD Chief

Photo courtesy, CMPD.

the

with

Community

By Deborah Bayliss

even months into the job, new Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney is on a quest to find solutions for what he calls “disproportionate impact of encounters” between police officers and young Black males. Incidents in Ferguson, New York and even Charlotte highlight the importance of strong community relationships between police departments and the Black communities they are sworn to protect. Putney, 46, continues to build upon community engagement strides already made by his predecessor, former Chief Rodney Monroe. Putney has forged a couple of meaningful friendships in the community. One such friendship developed after he met local barber Shaun Corbett, 36, owner of Da Lucky Spot Barber Shop on North Tryon Street. Corbett came up with the idea for the community engagement

program “Cops and Barbers,” designed to bring young Black males and the rest of the community together with police officers in an effort to build better relationships between them. “That’s my brother!” Corbett said of the chief. “He’s a mentor to my son, Kahlil Corbett. They talk pretty much every day. My son now wants to be a police officer because of the influence he’s had on him,” Corbett said. Putney wrote a recommendation letter to Johnson C. Smith University for Kahlil, who is now a freshman there. “Out of everybody taking part in the program, [Putney is] the one who gets the importance of being consistent,” Corbett said. “He doesn’t just make promises; he follows through.” In an interview with Pride Magazine, Putney was contemplative as he shared his thoughts about his strategy for the

Photo courtesy of Shaun Corbett.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief, Kerr Putney.

L-R: Shaun Corbett, owner of Da Lucky Spot Barber Shop, Police Chief Putney and Kahlil Corbett, Shaun’s son.

department. He’s unapologetically pushing for more diversity along racial and gender lines. (Editor’s note: Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.) Pride: Talk about the direction in which you’re taking CMPD.

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

_16720 x 9.875 4C

New year New financial start

Putney: Community engagement and personnel development is where I’m focusing mostly. I’m developing the organization from the bottom up, making sure we’re connecting our people with programs like ‘Cops and Barbers.’ We’ve also started ‘Connecting Kids with Cops.’ Children go to dinner with officers and just have conversations and build personal trust. We’re also transitioning into the schools, trying to have that impact. What we’re trying to do is make sure everybody knows what their rights are and that everybody knows the mutual expectations. Where we can build trust and basic understanding…I think we’re going to be a safer community. Pride: Are you satisfied with the racial makeup of the police force? Putney: It depends on how you measure it. We’re always looking to increase diversity, and not just along racial lines;, we’re also trying to get more women in policing. I think we’re missing 50 percent of the population. We have to refocus that. Women bring a different dynamic. They are quicker to de-escalate situations. There’s quite a bit of research on that. Pride: What is the number one crime issue the CMPD is dealing with now?

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Putney: Gun violence right now is what’s scaring us. We look at three-year trends for averages. We’re seeing minor disputes between known acquaintances escalating their encounters to the level of gun violence. Pride: Does Charlotte have a gang problem? Putney: We have a group of individuals that sprout up who are behaving like gangs, and we treat them as such. We work with our federal partners and task forces to get to the root of the problem and to build longterm cases to take people out of play. Pride: After all the hard work and stress that comes with the job, what are your hobbies and how do you relax?

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

Putney: I love exercise. I have a group of people I work out with here at the station after hours… a group of us who consistently work together where we try to wear each other out. We decompress; it’s a stress reliever. The other thing is reading. I love Malcolm Gladwell’s series. It’s social science and he has a different perspective. I also spend as much time as I can with my sons, ages 16 and 13. P

Mark Your

CALENDARS!

Photo by Matthew Murphy

By Kallan Louis

f the 2016 art scene in the Queen City is any indication of how the first half of the year is going to be, than expect great things! Here’s a look at some events you don’t want to miss.

Dance Theatre of Harlem featuring Anthony Savoy and Stephanie Williams in Return.

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

African-American Arts+Culture. Founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell, the New York City Ballet’s first black principal dancer, it is the oldest dance company created to teach Blacks and other minorities ballet. For tickets, go to www.blumenthalarts.org.

BOYZ II MEN

March 12 Belk Theater Since the group’s debut smash hit “Motown Philly” in 1991, Boyz II Men has sold more than 60 million albums and has given fans more than a dozen chart-toppers. Now the Grammy award-winning R & B legends that captured our hearts with songs such as “I’ll Make Love to You,” “End of the Road,” “On Bended Knee” and “Water Runs Dry,” will combine its signature soulful vocals with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for a oneof-a-kind performance. For tickets, go to charlottesymphony.org.

BLACK VIOLIN SHABUTASO PRESENTS MUNEKERA

January 9-13 McColl Family Theatre Munekera (Moo-ne-kay-rah) - loosely translated means “The goings on” is a West African ballet brought to prominence by Guinean President Sekou Toure in the mid 1950s. Munekera is the story of a young woman’s love for a man and her coming of age. For tickets, go to ctccharlotte.org.

DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM

January 22 - 24: Performances at the Knight Theater January 22 - June 26: Exhibit at the Gantt Center For the first time ever, the internationally acclaimed Dance Theatre of Harlem will perform in the Charlotte, and an exhibition celebrating the company’s 40-plus years of choreography, beauty and history will be on display at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for

March 24 Knight Theater If you enjoy bumping Biggie Smalls and Beethoven or mixing Mozart with some Method Man, then there’s a good chance you will enjoy the harmonious hip hop duo Black Violin. These two classically-trained musicians combine their love for hip hop culture with their skills on the strings. They have toured all over and have performed at high-profile events, including both of President Obama’s inaugural balls. For tickets, go to blumenthalarts.org.

BLACK VIOLIN

ALTHEA

April 5 The McGee Theatre in the Batte Center at Wingate University, Wingate Have you ever wanted to meet to a film director and ask a question about his or her work? Check out the free screening of “Althea,” the 2015 American Black Film Festival’s winner for best documentary. This film tells the story of Althea Gibson, a tough girl raised in Harlem, who became the first black player to win the U.S. Open, French Open and Wimbledon. The director, Rex Miller, will be there for a question and answer segment following the screening. For more information, visit battecenter.org.

RACHELLE FERRELL

May 13 Knight Theater Rachelle Ferrell is bringing her fusion of R & B, soul and jazz to Charlotte for a special event benefiting the Urban League of Central Carolinas. Ferrell, a songstress and classically-trained musician with an incredible vocal range that only a handful of artists in the industry can rival, will perform songs spanning her 25-year solo career. For tickets, go to carolinatix.org.

ALTHEA GIBSON

RACHELLE FERRELL

ONQ PRESENTS “THE BLUEST EYE” BY TONI MORRISON

June 1 - 11 Duke Energy Theater This summer, Charlotte’s black theater company, OnQ, is presenting an American classic. Lydia Diamond takes on Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” a young black girl’s story of abuse and yearning for love in Ohio in the 1940s. For tickets, go to carolinatix.org. P

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

KENNETH An Artist You Should Know

WHALUM O

ne may think that after working with a plethora of music industry powerhouses including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Maxwell, Nas and Justin Timberlake, plus having a jazz legend such as Kirk Whalum as an uncle, your name would be a household staple, as well. But for 32-year-old jazz musician and singer Kenneth Whalum III, flying below the radar is an airspace he knows far too well. Whalum, a Memphis native, currently resides in Charlotte with his wife as an escape from the music industry hustle and bustle. Starting out with the drums, then switching over to saxophone in middle school, Whalum created his own opportunities in music, despite the advantages his uncle’s fame could’ve provided. With the upcoming release of his latest album, this multifaceted artist is poised to break out on his own terms.

Pride: What has been your favorite industry collaboration? Whalum: The collaboration with rapper Big K.R.I.T on my single ‘Away.’ I was excited about doing something against the grain of what a jazz musician should do. I think a lot of times, people think because I play the saxophone, I should stick to a jazz script. At the end of the day I don’t just love jazz, I love everything. I was excited about the collaboration because it was a brainchild of mine. Pride: Do you ever see jazz making a comeback in the mainstream? Whalum: I think any kind of honest music is always relevant. I tell people all the time that my only job in music is to tell the truth. When you start trying to worry about the consumer, that’s when you’re not making art anymore. If you’re called to be a jazz musician and your audience is small, then that’s what you’re called to do. You always have to be real with yourself. Pride: If you could go back and play a jam session with either Miles Davis or John Coltrane, who would it be and why? Whalum: I’m heavily influenced by John Coltrane. He gave himself up so that he could get closer to God. I always really respected that, not because I ever heard him say that, but because it was evident to me in his music. Pride: What is the message you want to get across in your music? Whalum: I want to inspire a group of people to be more than what they see around them. My only real hope is that I can influence a young person by them seeing what I’m doing and [believing] that they can do what they want to do. Pride: What can we expect from your album coming out this month? Whalum: It’s called ‘Through Hell and High Water.’ I’m singing more than I’m playing saxophone on the record. I wanted to create an album of music that I want to hear. That is one thing that plagues instrumentalists. They feel boxed in, and the need to make this music that’s so mathematic and beyond the normal person that they can’t even listen back to it themselves. I’m really excited about it and I think everybody is really going to like it. P

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To learn more about Kenneth Whalum, visit www.kennethwhalum.net

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

SceneandSeen

The Next Generation Gantt Young Professional launch party. Photos by Tyrus Ortega Gaines

Wells Fargo Supplier Diversity Networking Reception. Photos by Kevin Douglas

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

PrideBusiness

Brayboy Communications Storytelling Through Video

By Tiffany Bell Photos by Jonathan Cooper

mall businesses face unique challenges. Some rely on traditional marketing, such as distributing print materials; however, most do not market their businesses at all. Those who use unconventional techniques reap the benefits of their power; namely, putting a face to their brands and conveying complex information more clearly. Jack S. Brayboy, 57, stands ready to add a certain je ne sais quoi – an indefinable sense of appeal – to online video marketing efforts, while helping small businesses gain a clear competitive advantage. Having established a solid reputation as a broadcast television and video production expert, the president of Brayboy Communications uses “storytelling” through video to help businesses effectively market themselves. A native Charlottean with deeply-rooted family ties to the community, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in radio, television and motion pictures from UNC Chapel Hill. “I was always a good communicator, loved to write and had a

curiosity about television. It was the best decision I ever made,” says Brayboy. After college, his broadcasting career began at WSOC-TV. He later relocated to Philadelphia to accept a position at ABC affiliate, WPVI. After establishing a successful sports broadcasting career, Brayboy returned to Charlotte to pursue the next chapter of his career: entrepreneurship. With 30-plus years of high-level video content production and “with 23 of those years in a major TV market,” he felt well-prepared to go out on his own. Having interviewed celebrities from Mike Tyson to Donald Trump to Billy Graham to Jon Bon Jovi, Brayboy acquired vast experience that primed him to do what he does well – making people feel comfortable in front of the camera. “Like most entrepreneurs, I had my doubts,” he says “…Yet I wanted to start something I could call my own.” While he enjoys producing various projects, the majority of his work has been providing corporate video content – such as educational video, events and presentations. Brayboy believes that all small business owners have a great story on their paths to becoming entrepreneurs. “It takes 1.8 million words to have the same impact as

one minute over video,” he says. “You can’t Google emotion. People enjoy hearing, seeing, feeling, being moved…Nothing does that better than a well-done video presentation.” His primary challenge is finding enough work to allow him to hire employees. The goal is to acquire a large contract that would require subcontract work. “There are people who are extremely talented,’’ he says, “and they, too, are looking for that big break that gives them that opportunity to spread their wings.” He is an award-winning producer, and those who have worked with Brayboy sing his praises. “Jack Brayboy takes pride in his work and goes the extra mile to make sure his clients are satisfied with his service,” says Gerald Johnson, publisher of The Charlotte Post. According to Cheron Porter, public relations director of the Charlotte Housing Authority, “It was a great pleasure to work with Jack Brayboy for the production of a very important piece for our agency. Jack had great initiative, great ideas and worked to make our end product great.” For more information about Brayboy Communications, visit www.brayboycommunications.com.

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

REALTOR PROFILE

VALARIE R. BROOKS VALARIE R. BROOKS REAL ESTATE

s a veteran in the real estate industry, Valarie R. Brooks has been a mainstay for more than 18 years in the Charlotte community. Her vision for Valarie R. Brooks Real Estate has allowed the brand to become a household name, helping families to realize their dream of homeownership. We sat down with Valarie to find out what is on the horizon for 2016. What is the hardest working woman in real estate up to these days? Well my passion for real estate and serving my clients is as vivid today as it was the day I began more than 18 years ago. The City of Charlotte has truly supported me from the inception of my business. I am grateful to the many families that have allowed me to serve them. My continued intrigue and zeal for the real estate industry has resulted in the development of my client-centered coaching and training programs for new and seasoned real estate professionals. Being a veteran in the real estate industry, it is important for me to provide solid negotiating skills for my clients. I want the most important transaction of their lives to be as seamless as possible. My clients are the center of my business and placing families in their dream

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

homes or selling their home to the right buyer is my number one priority. Valarie can you tell us more about your coaching and training programs? I didn’t begin with coaching and training on the horizon. At the request of a Broker in Atlanta Georgia, I began coaching other realtors in the Atlanta area, which resulted in the expansion of The Valarie R. Brooks Real Estate Agency. I am eager to develop a new era of savvy agents that are client-focused and heart-centered. My programs will center around negotiation skills, winwin resolutions, the art of closing, client retention and much more. I’m excited to announce that I’ll be bringing the Valarie R. Brooks Institute to my beloved City of Charlotte in 2016. You have proven to be an inspiration to so many. What keeps you motivated? Many folks say that I am a worka-holic...not true (to me). I simply rejoice in the fact that I am truly working in my purpose and passion. Also, when I am speaking or coaching the “ah ha” moments that my audience exhibits motivates me, or a simple call from a client telling me

“Valarie I love my new home!”. I love waking up every day knowing that I am changing the lives of others in a positive way through real estate. Thank you Valarie for your service and commitment to the City of Charlotte. What are 3 nuggets that you would like to leave our readers with? 1. If you are tired of starting over......Stop giving up. 2. Do not associate with toxic people. Sometimes their issue is that their ceiling is your floor. 3. When having a meaningful conversation, “listen to understand, not just to reply.” It makes a huge difference! These nuggets have allowed me to live a meaningful life that’s filled with peace, purpose and love. I am simply delighted and committed to my clients and am excited to have the opportunity of teaching other realtors how to have the same. Valarie R. Brooks Real Estate 2090A Ayrsley Town Blvd Charlotte NC 28273 (704)488-2420 lovecharlottehomes.com

Financial Focus Time for Some New Year’s (Financial) Resolutions

he countdown to 2016 has just begun. If you’re like many people, you might be mulling over some New Year’s resolutions, such as hitting the gym more, learning a new language or taking a cooking class. All are worthy goals, but why not add some financial resolutions as well? For example …

Pay yourself first.

Even if you aren’t living “paycheck to paycheck,” you probably don’t have much trouble spending your money – because there’s always something that you or a family member needs, always a repair required for your home or your car, always one more bill to pay. But if you are going to achieve your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement, you need to invest consistently. So before you pay everyone else, pay yourself first by having some money automatically moved from your checking or savings account each month into an investment.

Take advantage of your opportunities.

If you have a 401(k) or similar plan at work, take full advantage of it. Contribute as much as you can afford – or at least enough to earn your employer’s match, if one is offered – and choose the mix of investments that give you the potential to achieve the growth you need at a level of risk with which you are comfortable.

Focus on the long term.

to react with fear. Specifically, they rush to sell their investments, afraid that if they don’t “cut their losses,” they might sustain even bigger ones. If you can get past this feeling, you may find that a down market can offer you the chance to buy quality investments at good prices.

Forget about the “hot stocks.”

You’ll hear friends, co-workers and talking heads on television tout today’s “hot stocks.” But by the time you might hear about them, they may have cooled off – and, in any case, they might not be appropriate for your needs. Forget about “getting rich quick in the market” – it probably won’t happen. True investment success requires patience and persistence.

In the short term, you might be excused for not wanting to invest. The headlines are typically scary, the financial markets are frequently volatile and the future often looks murky. Yet, if you can look past the uncertainties of today and keep your focus on tomorrow, you will find it easier to follow a disciplined investment strategy that gives you the opportunity to meet your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

Cut down on your debts.

Don’t be driven by fear.

This article was proivded by Edward Jones.

When the market is down, investors tend

It’s easy to pile up debts, but a lot harder getting rid of them. Yet, if you can reduce your debt load even moderately, you’ll free up money you could use to invest. So look for ways to conserve, cut back and consolidate – it will be worth the effort. Making these resolutions – and sticking to them – can help you as you work toward achieving your financial goals.

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

PrideBusiness

Innovation at Work

Bizzy Kidz Kab Company By Eren Simpson

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

Photos courtesy of Bizzy Kidz Kab Company

Bizzy Kidz Kab riders enjoy a safe trip to and from school. Photos courtesy of Bizzy Kidz Kab Company

f you’re a parent with multiple kids, all with different after-school schedules, or you’re a working parent who has to be at work before the bus comes to pick up the kids for school … the struggle to figure out how to be everywhere at once is over. Bizzy Kidz Kab Company, which began offering its services in the Fort Mill, Rock Hill and Charlotte areas in spring 2015, was designed to meet the needs of parents, no matter their schedule. Founder Niketa Galloway, who worked in the mortgage industry for 15 years, was used to working 50-60 hours a week while also juggling the schedules of her two children. Her high school-aged daughter often ended up playing chauffeur for her younger son, and the family joked about feeling like a cab service so many times that eventually the idea stuck. Soon Galloway and her husband found themselves seriously considering starting a transportation service for kids. After they sorted out the logistics, Bizzy Kidz received its license in February and started running in May, providing transportation for a summer camp. Since the start of the school year, Bizzy Kidz has grown its ridership by about two kids a week and now has a total of 23 registered riders, and Galloway is no longer in the mortgage business and is full-time with Bizzy Kidz. “I’m really excited,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting the growth we’ve had, but it’s a blessing. It’s rewarding when I get a text or email from parents and they say how this has really helped them. It’s what I set out to do – help parents and kids, and that’s what’s happening.” Because Bizzy Kidz transports children ages 3 and up, they all have to be registered by their parents, so they don’t do random pick-ups like a traditional cab company might. Bizzy Kidz also offers non-emergency medical transportation and an after-hours emergency pick-up service for parents who get called into a late meeting or get stuck in traffic and can’t pick up their kids from school or day care on time.

Because Galloway knows how important it is for parents and kids to feel safe and comfortable, when each child is registered, she visits their homes to show the kids the vehicle, meet the parents and answer any questions. She stresses that all drivers are over 18, CPR-certified, DOT licensed and trained, and every vehicle has a first aid kit and fire extinguisher on board. “Safety is our main concern,” Galloway said. So what does Bizzy Kidz cost an average family? It depends on mileage, but on average, it’s about $70 a week. Galloway said most parents pay to have their kids chauffeured three to five days a week,

so they pay a weekly rate, while other registered riders pay a daily round-trip rate if they need the service only every couple of weeks. Galloway has big plans for Bizzy Kids in 2016. She is hoping to have a partnership worked out with Charlotte Douglas International Airport to transport kids who fly solo to Charlotte, and to be approved by Medicaid so the company can provide its services to low-income families. Galloway said studies have shown that extracurricular activities help create kids who are healthier, well-rounded and more social than other kids, and she is committed to helping all kids access those opportunities. “I don’t want our service to just be available for one class of people,” Galloway said. “I’m going to keep pushing to make it happen so these kids can get what they need. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I’m going to do my best to help the kids in the community.” P For more information, visit www.bizzykidzkabcompany.com

PrideBusiness

By Nepherterra Estrada

The Power of the Press Release

edia coverage matters. Research has proven time and time again that a news article written about a great business is perceived as more credible than a billboard on Interstate 85 proclaiming the greatness of the exact same business. It is undeniable that today’s digital media and the 24-hour news cycle have changed the media landscape, but public relations practitioners and business professionals still see the benefits of traditional media coverage, according to a recent study in Public Relations Journal conducted by researchers at the University of Georgia. The study found that those who use the media to tell stories about their products and services prefer independent media coverage in the more traditional form of news content such as a TV news broadcast, radio show interview or magazine article, over more controlled sources of paid media such as advertisements, an organization’s own website or social media networks. As a PR practitioner and former newspaper reporter, I believe in the power of the press release. It’s a powerful tool that business, large and small, nonprofits and government agencies use to help generate awareness and secure media coverage. Distributing business news and information to the media is a common tactic of public relations professionals, and the

benefits of getting a story published in print or broadcast on television or radio include: • Building awareness • Targeting messages to specific audiences • Third-party credibility Now, please keep in mind that news outlets are inundated with news releases every day, so what is going to make them pay attention to your news release? I encourage and challenge businesses, nonprofits and government agencies to write attention-getting press releases. We all have powerful stories to tell, and news releases are one tool to share your success stories with current and potential customers, potential donors and the community at large. I know writing a great press release is easier said than done. But I’m here to help. Here are some simple tips for writing releases that get picked up: • Never underestimate the power of a good headline The headline is the first thing reporters or editors see when reading your release, so make sure you grab their attention with creativity and accuracy.

• Get to the point Media folks are busy. Get to the point quickly. Quickly means you have two to three sentences to communicate the most important information. • Typos are not acceptable A ton of typos almost guarantees your news release will never see the light of day. How can a reporter take you seriously if you don’t take the time to spell-check and edit your work? • Facts are worth a fortune Hard numbers related to your topic will always make your release stronger. • Quotes are your friends Always include a quote in your release. News releases without quotes are illegal. Like you can go to PR jail for this. Laughing, but very serious!

Nepherterra Estrada is an award-winning communications professional and is partner and director of public relations for Pride PR, a fullservice communications agency that is a division of Pride Communications.

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

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Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

PrideBusiness FYI

By Abby Flanders

SunTrust Foundation Donates $10,000 to Help Fund New After-School Program Bethlehem Center’s Head Start Program receives a measurable boost with the assistance of SunTrust Foundation. An afterschool program in east Charlotte, tentatively entitled “Out of School Time,” will be partially funded by SunTrust Foundation in the amount of $10,000. The wide-ranging program will include tutoring and special field trips. The majority of students served will be from kindergarten through fifth grade. This support comes at a crucial time for Bethlehem Center and its newly established program. “Their programs and activities helping at-risk children and families align closely with the SunTrust purpose of lighting the way to financial well-being,” says Jenna Kelly, regional president of SunTrust Bank. Since 1940, Bethlehem Center, a nonprofit organization, has focused on reducing the epidemic of poverty for the disenfranchised through education and other methods of self-sufficiency. “Not only will we be enhancing the educational experience for these young people, we will also be providing an extremely valuable service to working parents,” says BC Executive Director William McDonald.

City Startup Labs Establish Center of Excellence at UNCC

The statue’s artist, together with the Tate family members and friends, gathered for the statue’s unveiling. They are (to the left of the statue, l. to r.): Maye Jackson, Jocelyn Tate Booker, Ed Dwight (artist). Back row: Ray C. Booker, Jr., and Tyson Ellis. (right of the statue, l. to r.): Jackie Colbert, Christine Parker, Bette Tate-Beaver, Walter Gordon, and Judy ScalesTrent, great-granddaughter of Tate.

First African American Honored on Trail of History African-American leader Thaddeus Tate, founder of Grace AME Zion Church in 1922, was honored for his business and civic contributions with a statue on the Trail of History, located on Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Tate was instrumental in the growth and prosperity of black businesses in Charlotte through his pioneering efforts to establish the first center in which African-American doctors and other business leaders could thrive. “Thaddeus ‘“Pop’” Tate was our first choice of three for a statue,” says Dr. Tony Zeiss, Trail of History board chairman. “His contributions will be remembered.” The Trail of History was organized through private funding to preserve the memories of key people who assisted in the development of Mecklenburg County.

City Startup Labs, an organization that teaches young Black men how to launch their business ventures through research and planning, has joined forces with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to establish a Center of Excellence for Entrepreneurial Competency, Innovation and Leadership. The two-year project, referred to as COE, will identify methods of establishing corporate community leadership through innovation and problem-solving. Additionally, COE, operating from the Ventureprise offices of UNCC, will partner with UNC Charlotte’s Urban Education Collaborative to determine how this program addresses racial economic disparities. “We anticipate that collaboration with City Startup Labs will strengthen Ventureprise business creation expertise, while expanding CSL’s impact on enabling young African-American men to pursue substantive opportunities as entrepreneurs or corporate ‘intrapreneurs’,” says Paul Wentenhall, president of Ventureprise. CSL’s Center for Excellence will begin recruiting new candidates in January. For more information: www.citystartuplabs.com P

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

PrideHealth

Randy Moss Brings Star Power To STAX Boot Camp By Tonya Jameson Photos by Vic LeDan Photography

andy Moss stands at the end of the football field and yells “Go!” Men and women around the football field behind CrossFit STAX drop to the ground to do push-ups. Moss hits the ground, too. The former NFL wide receiver is the star attraction at the free STAX boot camp in south Charlotte. Moss and CrossFit Games athlete Breeze Watson launched the boot camp last summer at STAX. It is typically held twice a week on the fields behind STAX. Having an NFL star help you get in shape is cool, but the fact that boot camp is free is even cooler. “We all just want to do our part to give back to our community,” said STAX owner Eric McCoy said. Their efforts to give back makes Charlotte healthier. “We’re getting all different levels of fitness,” said Moss, a retired NFL wide receiver. “It’s a movement for the city. We’re just trying to do something positive for the city of Charlotte.” Added Watson; “We’re all just really trying to get Charlotte on the map. We want

Moss gets into the workout with boot camp participants.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

the fitness scene to be top-notch here.” Moss said he’s been living in Charlotte on and off for about eight years. He coached football at Victory Christian Center School, where his son, Thaddeus, played. Now STAX participants benefit from his presence here. Each week, hundreds of men and women, aged 20 and older, push themselves during hour-long workouts that involve calisthenics and sprints. “Each week, I want it to be different and challenging and really make everybody fight hard and work hard,” said Watson, who programs the training. The boot camp can get competitive. Young guys try to run faster, squat deeper and push themselves harder to beat Moss. He baits everyone. During one session, he challenged two women who were doing push-ups beside him. “These two want it,” Moss said to McCoy, as he took off for a lap. On the field, it’s easy to see flashes of the smack-talking All-Pro wide receiver. Moss can be gentle, too. He yells, “Almost there, looking good,” to campers struggling to complete multiple sprints. “It gets intense out there male and female,” he said after camp. “We have a great time out here. It’s a good thing going on.” Christina Birckhead, 30, loves the training. She, like many others at STAX on a recent Wednesday, said she heard about the workout from friends. “I’m from West Virginia. I’ve always heard about Randy Moss growing up,” she said. “To see him down here working out people, giving back after he did the pro thing … I think that’s a great thing that he’s doing.” Charles Jones, 48, attended his first camp recently after friends recommended it to him. “I’m not in the greatest shape. I wanted to get back into it. It’s rough,” he said. “Nothing easy about it, but if you take that first step and go with it, it works out good.” Thanks to Moss and the STAX crew, men and women such as Jones are taking the first step…And the next one…And the next one. P

Randy Moss

FITNESS TIPS • Beginners: Do some type of cardio. Once you start doing a little cardio that gives you breathing room, move on to other things. • Advanced: Pick up your tempo and lower your time. Don’t give yourself a lot of breaks. That’s how you get in better shape. • When it comes to lifting weights, you must get proper rest or you’re going to pull something. • Modify your own workout. SAMPLE WORKOUT WARM UP Three laps around the field WORKOUT I. Three rounds 21 push-ups 12 squats

One lap around the field

II. Two minute maximum effort burpees (complete a push up then jump up to your feet) III. Partner workout 21, 15, 9 Jumping lunges, then sprint across the field Partner does sit-ups while the other partner

completes a round Complete 21 repetitions, then 15 repetitions, then nine repetitions of the exercises listed.

IV. Three-minute plank hold (core exercise)

PrideHealth

Are You Getting Enough Quality Sleep? By Iris Hunter

o you get the recommended “quantity” of hours of sleep per night, only to wake up feeling as though you didn’t get enough “quality” sleep? If so, then you are not alone. There are countless individuals who currently suffer from the lack of sleep and/or the lack of quality sleep. Thirty-five percent of Americans report that their sleep quality is either “poor” or “only fair,” according to the National Sleep Foundation’s inaugural Sleep Health Index™. Dr. Nancy Behrans of Novant Health Sleep has been practicing sleep medicine for nine years, and knows the importance of consistently getting a good night’s rest. She believes that most individuals do not get the proper amount of sleep during the week mainly because of their work and family demands, nightly routine and their lack of awareness of the recommended amount of sleep they should get per night. Not getting the suggested amount of sleep or enough quality sleep can have a huge effect on your body. The shortterm effects can include irritability, sickness and higher levels of depression and anxiety. Long-term effects can include a higher risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, says Behrans. Obvious signs of someone not getting the proposed amount of sleep per night include yawning and droopy or heavy eyes. However, in some cases, it may not be noticeable.

“Sometimes people don’t notice that they are sleepy if they are running around, but when they sit down to relax, then they really feel how sleepy they are...They can nod off,” she says. In addition, sometimes an inadequate amount of sleep can affect an individual’s memory. If you are driving home and you don’t remember the last couple of miles or you missed an exit, then this likely occurred because you were sleepy. Nearly 40 million American men and women suffer from sleep disorders, according to the National Sleep Foundation. If you have been consistently suffering from lack of sleep, then it is possible that you may have a sleep disorder. There are many types of sleep disorders, and they can be inherited. “There is a genetic predisposition towards pretty much all the sleep disorders, whether it’s insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg and sleep walking,” says Behrans. The most common type of sleep disorder is insomnia. This occurs when individuals have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or have unrefreshing sleep. Insomnia can be caused by various factors, including personal habits, sleep apnea, health problems and medications. Some things that you can do to help prevent insomnia include figuring out your sleep requirements, avoiding caffeine after 2 p.m., exercising, using a sleep mask or earplugs and having a relaxing bedtime routine, she says. Although sleep disorders can actually

be caused by a medical problem, personal habits can also contribute. For example, individuals may find it hard to fall asleep if they use electronic devices before going to bed, watch television in bed, watch the clock or even sleep in late or take long or late naps. “Light from these devices is registered on the retina at the back of the eye, resembling sunlight and giving the brain the false signal that it is still daytime. The brain then does not produce melatonin as it typically does when it gets dark. Melatonin helps the brain get drowsy for sleep. Therefore, the brain feels more alert than it should at nighttime,” says Behrans. In some cases, an individual’s sleep pattern may not change even after they change their personal habits. If you’ve made the recommended changes and you’re still not sleeping well, then you may want to follow up with a physician or a sleep specialist. P

January-February 2016 | Pride Magazine

EventsCalendar January 8-9

Charlotte Symphony: SaintSaens Cello Concerto No. 1 Presented by Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, with Han-Na Chang conducting and Cicely Parnas as lead cellist for Saint-Saens’ Concerto No. 1. Visit website for additional information. 704-372-1000. blumenthalarts.org

January 14

Tim O’Brien For the first time ever, join MaxxMusic, Visulite Theatre and Blumenthal Performing Arts as they partner to bring awardwinning bluegrass artist Tim O’ Brien for one night only. Prices begin at $22.50. For more information, call 704-372-1000.

January 15

The Jazz Room @ the Stage Door Theater The Jazz Arts Initiative presents the famous trumpeter Brandon Lee at the Stage Door performing the works of the legendary Dizzy Gillespie. For more information, call 704-3721000 or visit www.thejazzarts.org SlamCharlotte Poetry Slam Join SlamCharlotte, a two-time national championship team, as it presents the first of its monthly poetry slams in the new year. General admission is $10. For more information, call 704-372-1000.

January 16

Pride Awards The 23nd Annual Pride Awards gala will honor an outstanding man or woman and a high school senior who have overcome obstacles in order to move forward in life. The blacktie event will be held at The Westin Charlotte. 601 S. College St. 6 p.m. 704-375-9553. prideawards.net

January 22-24

Dance Theatre of Harlem The world-renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem is being presented by Blumenthal Performing Arts in the Knight Theater January

22-24. Join the dancers as they celebrate the history of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Ticket prices begin at $19.50. For more information, call 704-372-1000.

Queen City as a critically-acclaimed solo artist. Tickets start at $27.50. For more information, call 704372-1000. blumenthalarts.org.

January 28

The Wild Kratts Live! The hit PBS Kids show “Wild Kratts” is coming to life with a stage adaptation. Bring your kids as the Kratt brothers navigate the world for another wild adventure filled with hilarity and educational moments. Purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000

Naughty By Nature Naughty By Nature is bringing its their old-school energy and hits to the Fillmore. Doors open at 8. Tickets are $20. livenation.com

February 6

An Evening with Stanley Clarke Grammy Award-winning recording artist Stanley Clarke is bringing his mastery of the bass to the stage in a performance presented by Jazz Diva and Sol Kitchen at Knight Theater. For more information, call 704-372-1000.

February 10

Colin Hay Former Men at Work front man Colin Hay is gracing the stage in the

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

February 13

Feb 9-14, 2016

Matilda the Musical An award-winning stage adaptation of the classic story about a young girl and her special powers is presented in a way it has never been before. Based on the book written by Roald Dahl, “Matilda the Musical” is a story about being in control of our own lives, for those of all ages. For more information, call

704-372-1000. blumenthalarts.org

February 20

TobyMac’s Hits Deep Tour Join headliner TobyMac and the gang at Time Warner Cable Arena. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $15-$70. For more information, visit Tobymac.com

February 27

Patti LaBelle The legendary singer is gracing the stage at Oven’s Auditorium for one night only. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaser.com or by phone at 1(800)-745-3000. livenation.com

Find us on Facebook! Need reminders? Stay up to date at www.facebook.com/ NCPrideMagazine

RECYCLE RIGHT

put these items in your roll-out bin

Pl a s t i c B o t t l e s Jugs & Tubs

Milk & Juice Cartons/ Juice B o x e s Many items not listed can be taken to Mecklenburg County Full Service Drop-Off Locations or participating retailers.

At Home, Donâ€™t Just

NEW! Labels &

caps can stay on! Recyclables should be empty & clean!

Recycle Right! For more information, call 311

… but my wife does. Fifteen days after adopting our newborn son, my wife was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. Immediately, I went into protection mode. My first priority was finding the very best place for my wife to receive treatment. We made the right choice with Levine Cancer Institute. Today, life in the Ross home is sweet – my wife’s cancer is in remission. And Caden? He’s three now and keeping us both on our toes.

And it’s my story too.

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