THE W ASHINGTON INFORM ER
Jul y/Augus t201 9.Vol ume5.I s s ue7
BRI DGE #RUNDRC :DI STRI CTRUNNI NG COLLECTI VE 1 4FOODSYOU ABSOLUTELYNEED I N YOURKI TCHEN GYM ETI QUETTE:FROM OURFAVORI TEDMV TRAI NERS UNSOLI CI TED MI RRORS:THESTORYOFTWO BECOMI NG ONE MORETHEN CLOTH :THEAVI 8TED MI NDESTW I TH CHARLTON WOODYARD I I GEORGEGOODMAN LEAGUE
#RUNDRC Phot ogr aphy Ja’ MonJackaon @JGYSZN
Over50par t i ci pant sj oi nedt heDi st r i ctRunni ngCol l ect i veonW edneday,Jul y1 7t hf oroneoft hei r #RunW i t hUsW ednesdays.Runner sendur edhi ghheatf oradi st anceof26mi l esatacompet i t i ve pace.Toj oi nt hef uncheckoutt heschedul eonl i neatwww. di st r i ct r unni ngcol l ect i ve. com.
Web:wi br i dgedc. com Emai l :I nf o@W I Br i dgeDC. com ADVERTI SEW I TH US!
2
@W I BRI DGEDC
Publ i s her:Laf ayet t eBar nesI V Edi t or:Cl audi aWat t s La youtDes i gn:Laf ayet t eBar nesI V Phot ogr aphy:Ja’ MonJacks on,Laf ayet t eBar nesI V Cont r i but i ngWr i t er s:Cher r el l eSwai n,Chr i s t opherHar r i s Laf ayet t eBar nesI V,Sas ki aKer cy
1 4Foods YouAbsol ut el y NeedI n YourKi t chen. Pl ant basedMi l kAl t er nat i ves:Nondai r yal t er nat i ves l i kes oy,nut s ,s eeds ,oat s ,orr i cear eheal t hi er , cr uel t yf r eeandl owcos t ,es peci al l yi fhomemade. Eggs:Wi t h6gr amsofpr ot ei npers er vi ng,eggsar ea gr eats our ceofpr ot ei ni nyourdi etandcanbeeat eni n avar i et yofways . Oni ons:Oni onscans er veast hef oundat i onf oral l f oods ,addi ngbot ht as t eandt ext ur et oanymeal . PeanutBut t er:A t as t yt r eatpackedwi t h8gr amsof pr ot ei n,peanutbut t ercanbepai r edwi t hf r ui t ,cr acker s orbr eadf ort heper f ectmi ddays nack. Fr ozenFr ui t:Forqui cks moot hi esorf unaddi t i onst o meal s ,buyf r es hf r ui tandcuti nt os mal l erpi ecest o pr es er vei nt hef r eezer . Tomat oPast e:A t as t ymul t i pur pos ebas e,t omat o pas t ei shi ghi nant i oxi dant st hatpr omot es ki nheal t h andfightagai ns tmanychr oni cdi s eas es . Qui noa:Qui noai sahi ghfiber ,hi ghpr ot ei ns uper f ood t hatcans er veasanal t er nat i vet or i ce. Beans:Hi ghpr ot ei n,l ow cal or i eandl ow s at ur at edf at s l evel sar et hr eeoft hemanyr eas onst oi ncor por at e beansi nt oyourdi et . Oat meal:Oat sar eoneoft heheal t hi es tgr ai ns ,wi t h vi t ami nandmi ner all evel st hatkeepyouf ul l erl onger . Lent i l s:A per s onalf avor i t e,t hes ehi ghpr ot ei n,hi gh fiberl egumescanbeeat enasas oup,chi l i ,s i de,di p, s t ew,orbeanal t er nat i ve. Raw Honey:Thi snat ur als weet enercanaddal i t t l e s mi l et oyourt ea,coffee,pancakes ,waffles ,yogur tand cer eal . Mushr ooms:Mus hr oomsboos ti mmunes ys t em heal t h, pr eventdi s eas eandcanbepai r edwi t hvi r t ual l yany mealf oranaddednut r i t i onalki ck. Nut s:Whet heri t ’ sal mond,cas hew,peanut ,wal nut ,or anyt hi ngi nbet ween,nut sar ej ampackedwi t hheal t hy f at sandpr ot ei nst hatkeepyous t r ongandal er t . Leaf yGr eens:Leaf ygr eensl i kekal e,col l ar d,s pi nach andcabbagear ees s ent i alt oabal anceddi et .I n addi t i ont ot hei rs uper f oodpower s ,t heyar et he per f ectcombot omeal s ,s nacksandevens moot hi es .
$ 2 0 Do l l ar Ho l l a Shoppi ngonabudgetcanbedi f f i cul t ,especi al l ywhenyou’ r et r yi ngt obeheal t hy. Pl ant based di et scanbeespeci al l ycost l y,at t r i but i ng t ot hel ar gepopul at i onof under ser ved communi t i es t hat f ace f ood i nsecur i t y and poor nut r i t i on. A pl ant based di etconsi st smost l y off oodsder i ved f r om pl ant swi t hf ew orno ani malpr oduct sand i spr oven t or educe t he r i sk ofchr oni c heal t hi ssuesand i mpr ove qual i t y ofl i f e.W hi l et he opt i ons may seem over whel mi ng and your budgetmaynotappeart oaccommodat et hi sl i f est yl e,t heBr i dgeguar ant eest hat gr ocer yshoppi ng*f oraweekcanbeasl ow as$20.
Br e a kf a s t $2. 00:Bananas $3. 00:I ns t antOat meal $2. 00:Lar geEggs
L unc h $2. 00:Br occol iCr owns $3. 00|Qui noa $1 . 00|RedKi dneyBeans
Di nne r $2. 00|Ext r aFi r m Tof u $2. 00|Gr eenCabbage $3. 00|Pot at oes * pr i cesbas edonGi antFoodandr oundedt ot henear es tdol l ar
3
gym et i quet t e Fort hepastf i veyear s,W ashi ngt onD. C.hasbeenr ankedasoneoft het opt en“f i t t est ”ci t i esi nt he count r ybyt heAmer i canCol l egeofSpor t sMedi ci neand t heAnt hem Foundat i on.Thi syear ,t he Di st r i ctdr oppedf r om numberonet ot hesi xt h“f i t t estci t y”.Thet r endhasspar kedanexuber ant amountofgymst opopupi nt hear ea. Sur e,yourf avor i t eni chegym mayhavei t sownsetofr ul es,butt her ei sagener alsetofgui del i nes youwantt oabi debywhenat t endi nganyf i t nessf aci l i t y. To hel p newcomer sand gym r at s,we’ ve r eached outt o af ew ofourf avor i t e DMV t r ai ner st o compi l eacompl et egym et i quet t el i st .Checkoutwhatt heyhadt osay.
4
gym et i quet t e
LeonBr i dges|Tr ai ner ,Bor n2Fl yFi t ness
KhaneshaMaybi n|Tr ai ner ,FabBodyFact or y
Somet i mest hegym canbel i keabar ber s hoporhai rs al ont ypeof envi r onment .Tr yt okeept heconver s at i ont oaneut r al .Youcanbui l d r el at i ons hi pss l owl y,butdon' tbet heper s ont hat ' sover l yt r yi ng.
Fors omeonet hati snew,defini t el yas kwher eever yt hi ngi s .I fyoudon' t know wher et hi ngsar eyou' r egoi ngt os pendext r at i meget t i ngdi s t r act ed anddi s cour aged.
I fpl aceshaves aunasors t eam r ooms ,makes ur eyougotaf ul lt owelorr obe on.Orj us tkeepyourcl ot heson.Nonudi t y,pl eas e!Thanks !
Hel pot herpeopl ei fyous eet heyar es t r uggl i ng.Gi veaki ndt i p.I ft heybr us h youoffi t ’ sokay,butdon' tl aughandwat cht hem s t r uggl e. Don' ts t ar e!Mos t l yf ort heguysbut ,DON’ TSTAREATTHEGI RLS! Don' ts cr eam!Somet i mesi t ' sneces s ar yt ogr untt ogets omet hi ng accompl i s hedl i kehi t t i ngaper s onalr ecor d( PR)butdon’ ts cr eam.Don’ tbe l oud.
Er i kaSt ept er|Fr eel anceTr ai ner
Br andonScot t|Tr ai ner ,LA Fi t nes s
Cl eanofft heequi pmentaf t eryouus ei t .Ther ear eal otofdi ffer entpeopl e us i ngt heequi pmentandger mswi l ls pr eadi ft heequi pmenti snotwi ped down.
Putyours t uffaway.Puti tbackwher eyouf oundi t ,s oyou’ r enott heper s on f r eaki ngoutwhenyoucan’ tfindi t .
pectyours paceandot her s .Youdon' twantt obet oocl os et os omeone Res whenyou' r ewor ki ngout .I fyous eet hatyou’ r ei nt hel i neofs i ght( even l ooki ngatt hemi r r or )youdon’ twantt os t andr i ghti nf r ontoft hem. Wor koutwi t haf r i endoraper s onalt r ai ner .I t ’ sgr eatt ohaves omeonewho i sgoi ngt okeepyouaccount abl e.
Pl eas edon’ tcomet ot hegym wi t hj eanson,wi t houtas hi r ton,or openedt oeds hoesorbar ef oot . eas echeckt hes heer nes sofyourl eggi ngs .Lul ul emonandNi ke W omen,pl havegot t enf ol ksi nt r oubl ewi t ht hatbef or e.I ’ m abi gpr oponentof ,l ookas cut easyouwantt oi fi t ’ sgoi ngt omot i vat eyout owor khar der ,butkeep yourgoodi est oyour s el f .
t hapl an.A l otoft i mespeopl ecomei nt ot hegym andt heyhave Comewi noi deawhatt hey' r edoi ng.Dos omer es ear chanddi s coverwhatt ypeof exer ci s esyouf eelar es af eandgoal ongwi t ht het i meyouwantt os pendat t hegym.
Peopl ehaveat endencyt ocl ai ms paceands i tont heequi pmentf orawhi l e. I fyoudoas etont hel egpr es s ,getyoas sup.Yougot t agetoutt hats eat , s os omeoneel s ecanus ei t .
I ’ m amus i cper s onandIcangeti ns pi r edt ogoal i t t l emor ewhenI ' m l i s t eni ngt omus i c.Thegym i sgoi ngt opl ays omemus i c,whi chyoumayor maynotl i ke,s oi t sgoodt ohaveapl ayl i s ts peci fical l ycur at edf ort hegym. Thes ear et hes ongst hatgetyoupumped.
W or ds Chr i s t opherHar r i s |@Pr i nceHar r i s
5
Uns o l i c i t e d
Mi r r o r s
“ Be f o r eany o nec anc o met o g e t h e rast wo , t h e ymus tf i r s tg r o wasi ndi v i dual s . ” –S h e r r e l l Dunc an
6
Uns o l i c i t e dMi r r o r s Al f r ed and Sher r el lDuncan fir s tmeti nt heear l y2000’ satanevent .They wer eataneventwher es hewast heeventhos tandhewasaj udge.Sher r el l needed a r i de home s o Al f r ed offer ed t ot ake her .Ast hey r ode,t he t wo s par kedacoolvi beandgr eatconver s at i on.Al f r edwast akenabackbySher r el l ’ sdept h.Att het i me,Sher r el lwasbet t erknownas-Sher r el l aLaBel l a.She wasont heni ght l i f es cenegai ni ngaf ol l owi ngasacur vaceousmodel ,event pl anner ,cl ubpr omot er ,andbeaut ybr oker .I nherf r eet i mes hegaves ext i ps onTwi t t er .Al f r edknew t heSher r el l aLaBel l af r om Twi t t er ,butt hewomanhe meti nt hecart hateveni ng s eemed l i keacompl et el y di ffer entper s on.He dr oppedheroff andt houghtt ohi ms el f ,“ Maybes hechanged?”Hecoul dn’ t havebeen mor ewr ong.Thever ynextmor ni ng,ashes cr ol l ed t hr ough hi s t i mel i neSher r el l aLaBel l awasati tagai nonTwi t t er . “ Icoul ds eer i ghtt hr ough i tal l , ”hes ai d,“ Iwasnoti mpr es s ed. ”
Putt heMi r r orI nFr ontofYou Thewor kcomesf r om notbei ng af r ai dt ol ookatyour s el f .Notpl aci ng t he bl ameonot her sandt aki ngowner s hi p.Reeval uat i ngyouri nt ent i onsandmot i ves .Real l yl ooki ng atyour s el fand as ki ng,“ How canIbeabet t erper s on? How canIbeabet t erl i s t ener , ”s heexpl ai ns . FeedyourSoulandSpi r i t “ I nor derf ormet obet hebes tats omet hi ng.Mys oulands pi r i thavet obei n t hebes ts t at e, ”Sher r el ll ear ned. UnpackW hyYouDoW hatYouDo
Af ew year spas s ed and Al f r ed cont i nued t o do hi st hi ng.Hewast hel ead s i ngerf orgogo band,Mambo Sauce and apar tofr eggae band Soj a.He t our ed t hewor l d and l anded ahi tr ecor d,“ Wel comet o DC. ”Thes ong was pi cked up by many ofDC’ smaj ors por t st eamsasa t heme s ong.He had gai nedar eput at i onasanaccl ai medar t i s tandkepthi ms el fbus y.WhenSher r el l aLaBel l a’ spr es enceonTwi t t erdi mi ni s hedhebar el ynot i ced.
Al f r edexpl ai ns , “ Youmus tdi gwi t hi nyour s el ft ounder s t andhow youract i ons ar eaffect i ngyouandwhati st r i gger i ngt hem. ”Sher r el lagr eess ayi ng,“ Al ot oft hewor ki sl ooki ngwi t hi n.Icannotbel azyi nmys el fwor k.I nor dert oheal f r om t r aumat i cexper i ences ,yougot t adot hewor k-youcan’ tr unf r om i t . ” ConquerYourFear s
Sher r el lwasgoi ngt hr oughas er i ousr oughpat chi nl i f e.Anent r epr eneurher ent i r ecar eer ,s her eal i zeds hehi tr ockbot t om whens hehadt ogogetaj ob. “ Iwass odepr es s ed.Idi dn’ tevenknow whati tmeantt owor kf ors omeone el s e. ”Shehadgai nedover1 00 pounds ,begandr i nki ngver yheavi l y,andat t empt ed t ot akeherownl i f e.Onedays hewass i t t i ng i nherofficewi t ht he l i ght soff,s hehadbeens uffer i ngf r om ami gr ai nef ort hel as tt hr eedays .Concer ned,herbos sencour agedhert ogot ot hecl i ni c.“ Youcoul dbes uffer i ng f r om as t r okeors omet hi ngandnotevenknow i t , ”s heur ged.Sher r el lagr eed, and bef or eevenexi t i ng t hebui l di ng s hecol l aps ed.Byt het i mes hegai ned cons ci ous nes s ,s hewasatt hehos pi t alwi t ht ubesandI V’ sconnect edt oher . Herbr ot hers ai dt oher , “ I fyoudon’ tchangeyourl i f eyouar egoi ngt odi e. ”He wasat r ai nerandbeggedhert ogetherheal t handwel l nes sont r ack. Ass oonasSher r el l wasdi s char gedf r om t hehos pi t al , s heknew s hewasr eady t o getherl i f ebackon cour s e.Shef el tcompel l ed t o bet r ans par entabout whats hehadgonet hr ough,
“ WhenIf eels omet hi ngi nmygutt hatmakesmeaf r ai d.Iknow Ihavewor kt o do, ”admi t sSher r el l . Saf eSpacesf orBl ackMenandW omen DearSel fBr unchwascr eat edbySher r el lt ol i ber at ebl ackwomen. Ar oom f ul l ofwomen gett oget herf oran empower i ng and upl i f t i ng conver s at i on.Her goali sf orwomen t ol eavet hebr unch f eel i ng s uppor t ed and l et t i ng go of t hi ngst hatnol ongers er vet hem.Shewant swoment ogetawayf r om s uppr es s i ngt hei rf eel i ngst opeopl epl eas e.Shei st eachi ngwoment ous et hei r powert ot el lt hei rs t or i esbol dl y wi t houts hame.Sher r el l ’ sbr unch t eaches woment ot r ans par ent l yownt hei rs t or y.Shei ns pi r es , “ Wear enotper f ect , we s houl ds t opt r yi ngt obeper f ect ,ownourmes s ,andj us tfixi t . ” Herhopei s t hatwomen l eavet hebr unch f eel i ng f r eeand bet t erabl et o communi cat e t hei rf eel i ngsi nheal t hyways .
“ Iknow mos tofy’ al lar en’ tus ed t os eei ng mel i ket hi s ,butI ’ m al mos t300 pounds ,andI ’ vebeengoi ngt hr oughi t .I ’ mr eadyt ochangemyl i f ear ound. Wat chmewor k! ”
ManUpl i f t i ng wascr eat ed byAl f r ed t o getmeni nas pacewher et heyar e comf or t abl ecommuni cat i ng amongs teach ot hert or ecogni zet hei rs har ed chal l enges .Hi si nt ent i oni sf ort hement ohavet hecour aget obet r ans par ent and under s t and t hatyouar enotal one.Bl ackmenof t enf eelal onebecaus e t heyi s ol at et hems el ves .Notwant i ngt obej udged, t heyt hi nk, “ t her e’ snoway s omeoneel s ecoul dbegoi ngt hr ought hi s . ”Thi sgr oupi sapl acet ocomet oget herandbecomf or t abl et al ki ngaboutmi s t akes .Thr ought hes econver s at i onsmenr eal i zet heyar enotal one.
spos tcaughtAl f r ed’ sat t ent i on,hebegant os t ar tpayi ngat t ent i ont oher Thi af t ers hepos t edt hatpi ct ur e.A f ew mont hsl at er ,her eachedoutgi vi ngher wor dsofencour agementon herpr ogr es s .Thatt ur ned i nt o mor ef r equent communi cat i on bet ween t he t wo oft hem.Feel i ngsbubbl ed up.Al t hough t heybot ht hought ,“ Maybet her ei ss omet hi ngher e, ”t het i mi ngwas n’ tr i ght .
Al f r ed hos t ed Man Upl i f t i ng att he Tough Mudderi n June.He br ought1 5 young menand 1 5adul tment ot hecompet i t i on.Theywer et heonl ybl ack gr oup pr es ent .They came as s t r anger s ,butl ef tas br ot her s .Ever y man pus hed and pul l ed t oget her .Theexper i enceheavi l yi mpact ed t hemi nds et s t hatmenhadoft hems el vesandeachot her .
l ygotbacki nt ouch.Att hebegi nni ngt heywer et al ki ngonandoff. Theyfinal And,whent heydi dbegi ndat i ng,i twas n’ texact l ys uns hi neandr os esatfir s t .
“ Comi ngt oget heri st hebegi nni ng.Keepi ngt oget heri spr ogr es s .St ayi ngt oget heri ss ucces s . ”-Al f r edDuncan
TheGoodThi ck
DearSel fandManUpl i f t i nghavebot hbeens ol doutevent s .
t ar t edasSher r el l ’ sbr ot hert r ai ni ngherbackt oheal t h,evol vedi nt oa W hats l i f es t yl e. Longi ngf ort hecur vaceousbodys heflaunt edi nherdaysasamodel , s heexcl ai medt oherbr ot her ,“ Idon’ twantt obef atanymor e,Iwantt obet he good t hi ck! ”Sher r el lhad a new mi s s i on,t ot r ans f or m t he way t hatbl ack womenl ookedatt hei rbodi esandheal t h.Sheknew s hehadanexper i encet o whi ch ot her scoul dr el at e.A nat ur albor n ent r epr eneurand i nfluencer ,s he gai ned as ol i d pl at f or mt r ai ni ng cl i ent st hr oughoutt heDMV.Wi t ht hats he coi ned t henameofherfit nes sbr and,“ TheGood Thi ck. ”Hercl i ent el egr ew s ol i ds t eadi l y.
Vi ewsf r om For ever
“ Iwasal mos tki l l edmor et hanonce.Formet omakei toutoft hat ,Iknow t he pur pos ef ormyl i f ei sf argr eat ert hanmyci r cums t ances . ”-Sher r el lDuncan Shewentt os oci almedi a,pos t edapi ct ur e,andl ett hewor l dknow:
Onedaywhi l et r ai ni ng agr oup att heBr occol iCi t yFes t i val ,Al f r ed s aw her f r om adi s t ance. Hegaveheracal landcoul ds eeanannoyedf aci alexpr es s i on ass hepi ckedupt hephone. “ Hel l o?”s hes ai d, i nat onet hats oundedmor el i ke “ What ! ?” TheW or k Al f r ed and Sher r el lbecameknownas#For ever Duncani n201 6whenAl f r ed pr opos edt oSher r el latnoonandt hens ur pr i s edherwi t haweddi ngat5pm t hats ameeveni ng.Theweddi ng wentvi r alons ever almaj ornat i onalt el evi s i onnet wor ksands oci al medi a. I mmedi at el yt heywer ebei ngfloodedwi t hr eques t st os peak asr el at i ons hi p exper t s .Al f r ed f el ts l i ght l y uncomf or t abl e bei ng l es st han a yeari n and gi vi ng coupl esdecadesi nt ot hei rmar r i age advi ce.Sher r el l ,s aw t hi ngsdi ffer ent l y. “ Iknow t hi ngsIwasdoi ng i nt hi sr el at i ons hi p,bef or ewegotmar r i ed wer e t hi ngst hatIhadneverdonei nar el at i ons hi pbef or e. ”–Sher r el lDuncan
“ I t ’ sr eal l yamar r i ages emi narorconf er encei npl ayf or m. ”-Al f r edDuncan Thepl ay,“ Vi ewsf r om For ever , ”wascr eat edbyt heDuncan’ s .I ti semot i onal , humor ous ,andt houghtpr ovoki ng.“ Vi ewsf r om For ever ”i saboutAl f r edand Sher r el l40 year sf r om now i ft heydi dnots eekwi s ecouns elorl ear nhow t o effect i vel y communi cat e.Ever ys cene hasa mes s age.Af t ereach s cene a pas t orcomesoutand gi vest he bi bl i caland pr act i calappl i cat i on t ot each coupl esi nt heaudi encehow t opr eventt hatnar r at i vef r om happeni ngi nt hei r ownhomes . Al f r edandSher r el lpl ayt hei rper s onas , ‘ Al f or tandSher yl . ’ Whi l edepi ct i ngt he char act er sAl f r edandSher r el ll ear nedt oputpet t ydi ffer encesas i de.“ Somet i meswewoul dgett or ehear s alaf t eranar gumentandIwoul dnotbef eel i ng hi m.Andhewoul dnotbef eel i ngme.Thepl aydoes n’ tj us ti mpactt hel i vesof ot her s ,buti ti mpact sourl i ves , ”expl ai nsSher r el l . i ngont heexper i enceSher r el lcont i nues , ” Ther eas on‘ Al f or tandSher yl ’ Reflect ar et hewayt heyar ei sbecaus et heywer en’ tpr epar edt odot hewor kwear e act ual l ydoi ng r i ghtnow.I ’ m a34 yearol d woman,Ineed t ol ear n how t o s hor t enmyl ear ni ngcur vet hr ought heexper i enceofpl ayi ngt hi s70yearol d womananddot hewor konmys el fnow. ” TheDuncan’ scl os ebys har i ng,t hr oughever yt hi ngt heyl eanont hes pi r i tof Godt hr oughpr ai s eandwor s hi p t hAl f r edandSher r el lbyvi s i t i ngwww. f or ever duncan. com. Youcankeepupwi
7
Mo r et ha nCl o t h. TheAvi 8t edMi ndsetofChar l t onW oodyar dI I
8
Gr owi ng up i n W ashi ngt on,D. C.i nt he ’ 90s wasn’ teasy.W i t ht he i nf l uenceofdr ugsand cr i me,onecoul d easi l yf i nd t hemsel vesont he wr ong pat h.Char l t onW oodyar dI I ’ spar ent shad adi f f er enti deat hat i ncl uded pr i vat eschool s,mar t i alar t s,and ast r i cthomeenvi r onment t hatal l owedhi mt hespacet of ul f i l lhi sowndest i ny.Heat t r i but est hese ci r cumst ancest o whathenow descr i besasanavi at ed mi ndset .Hei s shar i ng hi sphi l osophy wi t ht he wor l dt hr ough hi scompany,Avi 8t ed Hol di ngs.They r ecent l yl aunched a cl ot hi ng l i ne,Avi 8t ed Thought s, whi ch pr omot esposi t i ve t hi nki ng and t he i dea t hatyou can achi eve beyondyourwi l destdr eams. A pur ebr edWas hi ngt oni an,Char l t onWoodyar dI Iwasbor ni nSout heas t Was hi ngt on, DC at Was hi ngt on Hos pi t al Cent er i n 1 987 . Whi l ei n el ement ar ys chool ,hi sf ami l ymoved t oK St .Nor t hwes twher ecr i ppl i ng pover t ywasflagr ant .Des pi t et hecondi t i ons ,havi ng agr andf at herwho wor kedf orNASA atGoddar d,hewasi ns pi r edt oachi evei neducat i on.He wasal s oi ns pi r edbymar t i alar t s ,whi chatt i mesgothi mi nabi toft r oubl e ats chool .Hi st eacher sr ecommendedt hathet akeanapt i t udet es t ,whi ch r es ul t ed i n hi spar ent ss endi ng hi m t o Geor get own Day School( GDS) wher eheat t ended t hr oughoutt her es tofhi ss econdar yeducat i on.Hi s cl as s mat es i ncl uded ki ds of For t une 500 company CEOs and congr es s men,whi chexpos edhi mt oanew l i f es t yl et hatheembr aced. Asas t udentofmar t i alar t s , heenj oyedt hepr act i calandper s onalas pect s andwasi ns pi r edbyBr uceLee.Hi sf at hers i gnedhi sbr ot herandhi m up f or Tae Kwon Do and cul t i vat ed a compet i t i ve envi r onment ar ound phys i calfit nes s .Hi st eacher ,Sher man Spi nks ,who i sa l egend i nt he t aekwondo communi t y,devel oped t he ment alf or t i t ude wi t hi n hi m t o under s t andt hemeani ngofhar dwor k.AsJuni orOl ympi cschampi ons ,he l ear nedt opus hhi ms el ft odot hi ngshewas n’ tawar ehehadt heabi l i t yt o do.
Wha ti sA v i 8 t e d ? Avi 8t edThought s ,asabus i nes sandl i f es t yl ecompany,i sas ubs i di ar yof Avi 8t ed Hol di ngs ,an i mpact i nves t ment and bus i nes s devel opment company.ThegoalofAvi 8t edHol di ngsi st odevel opanecos ys t em t hat pr ovi desr es our ceswher ei deascant hr i ve.Thefir s tbus i nes si sAvi 8t ed Thought s ,acl ot hi ngcompany. Accor di ngt oChar l t on,Avi 8t edi sgr oundedi nt heconceptoft hel aw of at t r act i on.
“ A nA v i 8 t e dt h o ug h t i so net h at i sp ur eandp o s i t i v e , ne c e s s ar y ande t e r nal , ”h es ay s . Char l t onwoul dpr ef ert oas k,whatdoesi tmeant oyou?Hedes cr i besi s asa“ di vi nedr eam orpur pos e” ,whi chs houl dn’ tbeboxedi nasi ti sver y per s onalt oeachi ndi vi dual .Hewasabl et oas kar t i s tandcel ebr i t yJaden Smi t haboutwhatanAvi 8t edThoughtmeantt ohi m. Heans wer edt hati t ’ s ami s s i ont opr ovi deabet t erhumanexper i ence.
I n201 8hepar t i ci pat edi nt heRemot eYearpr ogr am whi chal l owedhi mt o t r avelands t udyi nvar i ouscount r i esf ormont hsatat i meandl ear nabout gl obal ent r epr eneur s hi p. He vi s i t ed Vi et nam, Thai l and, Japan, and Mal ays i awher ehef or medr el at i ons hi pst hatchangedhi st houghtpr oces s . Hemett wo f r i endsi n Japan who i nt r oduced hi mt o augment ed r eal i t y whi chhei ncl udedi nhi spr oduct i onpr oces sandcanbes eeni nhi s“ Fol l ow t heSun”caps ul e. tr ecent l y, Avi 8t ed Thought s has been abl e t o par t ner wi t h Mos 202Cr eat es as a r es i dentoft hei rcr eat i ve ent r epr eneur s hi p pr ogr am headed by D. C.MayorMur i elBows er .Wi t ht he added wor ks pace and r es our cest hey’ ver ecei ved al otofhel p bui l di ng t hei nf r as t r uct ur e.Wi t h al mos ta decade ofpl anni ng,s t udyi ng,net wor ki ng,and gr i ndi ng he’ s final l ys eei nghi svi s i oncomet of r ui t i on. Meanwhi l e,Was hi ngt on,D. C.hasal s obecomeoneoft hemos tphys i cal l y fitci t i esi nAmer i ca.TheAvi 8t edThought sbr andr epr es ent sal otoft hat i dea.
“ We l l ne s si sah ug ep ar to f t h eb r and” , s ai dCh ar l t o n. Thei nfluenceofmar t i alar t shasbeenmai nt ai ned t hr oughouthi sbr and. Hebel i evest hathar d wor ki swhati twi l lt aket ogetusahead.Char l t on ci t edhow t heanci entpyr ami dsi nEgyptwer ebui l twi t ht hemi nds ett hat peopl ecanachi evet hi ngsgr eat ert hant heyknow.Hewant st o pr oj ect t hos ei deal swi t hhi sbr and.
“ Y o uh av et omas t e ry o ur s e l fandf i ndy o uri nne rr h y t h m b e f o r ey o u’ r eab l et oaf f e c tt h ewo r l d, ”s ai dCh ar l t o n. Char l t on cr edi t shi st eam wi t h put t i ng a s t r ong pl an i n pl ace t hathe bel i eveswi l lcr eat eal as t i ngi mpr es s i on.Al t hought hepr i cepoi nti smor e expens i vet henmos thebel i evest hatoncepeopl eunder s t andt hemi s s i on behi ndt hebr andt her ewi l lbeal otofs uppor t .TheAvi 8t edt eam r eaches f r om D. C. t oLosAngel es , CA. , At l ant a, GA. , andevenJapan. “ I nas t ar t up, ever yonei sr es pons i bl ef orever yt hi ng, ”s ai dChar l t on.“ Thes ear eagr oup ofpeopl e who have “ Avi 8t ed”t hems el vesf ort hi st i me. . . . f orusi twas al waysaboutl ongevi t y” .Hi st eam hel pst or eeli nhi sambi t i ousdr eams andwor kt omaket hem pos s i bl e. Cur r ent l yt he “ Fol l ow t he Sun”caps ul e col l ect i on i sbei ng r el eas ed i n phas eswi t ht hefir s tbei ngt he“ Sunr i s e”t eei nAM ( whi t e)andPM ( bl ack) . The col l ect i on debut ed att hei rl aunch eventon June 29 atBeyond St udi os .Mor e popupsar e pl anned t hatwi l lf eat ur es ocks ,but t onups , ands hor t s ,al lf eat ur i ngt heARt echnol ogyandpur eandpos i t i veener gy. To find out mor e about Avi 8t ed Thought s vi s i t www. avi 8t edt hought s. com.
Char l t onunder s t andst hatt hi sconcepti sabi gl eap.Hedoes n’ twantt o i nundat epeopl ewi t hs uchal ar gebur denofr es pons i bi l i t y.“ Maki ng t he wor l dabet t erpl acedoes n’ thappeni noneday” , hes ai d. Hewant speopl e t ounder s t andt hatt heyfir s tcanmaket hei rper s onalwor l dabet t erpl ace by under s t andi ng t he cons t r uct st hatexi s tand how t hey i nt er actwi t h t hem.
“ A v i 8 t e dT h o ug h t s ,t h ec l o t h i ngb r ands e r v e sast h euni f o r m wec anal l p o i ntt oast h ewayt oc o nne c t ” , s ai dCh ar l t o n. He r ecent l yr el eas ed hi s fir s tl i ne wi t ht he “ Fol l ow t he Sun”caps ul e col l ect i on.I n hi s wor ds ,“ t he s un,bot hl i t er al l y and met aphor i cal l y,i s s omet hi ngyouwoul dwantt of ol l ow cons i der i ngi ti st het hi ngt hatgi ves usl i f eonear t h.Butal s oi tmeanst of ol l ow yourl i ght ,f ol l ow t het hi ngs t hathel pyout ogr ow. ”
Phot oCour t es yofAvi 8t edThought s .
9
TheGeor geGoodmanLeaguei si nf ul lef f ectasMadnessvsKi dI nt er nat i onalpl ayatt heBar r yFar ms Dwel l i ngsbasket bal lcour t sl ocat edatFi r t hSt er l i ngAve.S. E.W ashi ngt on,D. C.
1 0
Phot ogr aphy:Ja’ MonJackaon @JGYSZN
Thel eaguehasbeeni nexi st encef or36year sandwasnamedaf t ert he l at eGeor geGoodman,al i f el ongBar r yFar msr esi dentandacommuni t yl eader . Phot ogr aphy:Ja’ MonJackaon @JGYSZN
1 1
Phot ogr aphy Ja’ MonJackaon @JGYSZN
THE W ASHINGTON INFORM ER
BRI DGE Web: wi br i dgedc . c om Emai l: i nf o@wi br i dgedc . c om
WI Br i dgeDC